Sweet Jeanette

I am guest posting today on a blog of a dear friend of mine, Jeanette. www.sweetjeanette.blogspot.com

In hopes of....

A)making people smile.
B) Giving people some cute ideas for Christmas
C) having more people follow my blog...although I DO love you, 5 followers!
D) annnnddd...having world peace around the world....thats right..puppies and rainbows for everyone....

D) probably won't happen....here's hoping for A) B) and C) though!

Take time to read through Jeanette's blog though...she's incredibly crafty (not like in a bad way...like you know...crafts) Also one awesome cook/baker. Although I do not recommend licking the screen when you see some of the yummy goodies she has featured on her blog. Computer screens leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

Enjoy!
Brooke

Baby Jee-jus and the sheep daddies

Connor has loved having a play nativity in our house the past few weeks. A gift from his Nana and Grandpa. I am quite relieved to see something other than numbers that he is crazy about. We've had a LOT of imaginative play when it comes to the nativity. And I'm okay with that. Seeing how, up until now, if it didn't involve numbers, Connor would lose interest, fast...so welcome to our humble abode, Fisher Price Nativity! We will continue going deeper into the Christmas story as he grows older. A 3 year old has the attention span of about oh...2 minutes. He has the names down, basically... "Baby Jee-jus"..."Baby Jee-juses Mommy"..."Baby Jee-juses Daddy" or sometimes he calls him "Joseph"...and the "sheep daddies"...shepherds...we're working on it.

He does know that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. So we are getting the basics down.

Here's some insight into the imaginative play that revolves around our nativity.

::Connor puts baby Jesus by the door:::.....Me: "Why did you put Baby Jesus over there, buddy?"

Connor: "He's not borned yet."

"Jee-juses Mommy is going to work!" Connor announces. :::Mary is riding on top of a tonka truck::::

Me: "Where is Baby Jesus?"

Connor: "His daddy is watching him."

I was calling him and Connor quickly shushes me. "Shhh mommy, Baby Jee-jus is sleeping." Connor had tucked him away in his bed.

Connor: :::Excited and smiling:: "Baby Jee-jus is 16 years old now! He can drive!!!"

::In a sweet soothing quiet voice::: Shhh, it's okay Baby Jee-jus. You don't need to cry. Everyone's is here ...Santa...this Mouse's grandmother.... (ornaments off our tree).

So like I said, we have some 'splaining to do when it comes to the nativity. But is has been pretty funny.

Mommy Wars

There is a battle upon us...be prepared!!! It's lurking around every park bench, every McDonalds play area, every playgroup gathering. ...It's the mommy wars!!!



Mommy Wars are the sides that moms take on controversial topics about child rearing. Yes there is controversy in raising children. Debates and drama aren't only for politics and Dancing with the Stars you know....

there's:

Breastfeeding vs formula

Crying it out vs Rocking to sleep

Vaccinating vs Anti Vaccinating

Organic foods vs Non Organic

Working moms vs Stay at Home Moms

Public school Vs Alternative Education choices

Spanking vs Time out

Cloth vs Disposable

Co Sleeping vs Crib sleeping

Bristol vs Brandy ......oops wait, no wait, that one snuck in there. Sorry.

Topics such as these can turn the most mild mannered mom into a soapbox speaker. We all have opinions. We all love to share them. That's what's great about America. Opinions. That and Freedom. And Moon Pies...but I digress.

The concept of Mommy Wars is a tricky thing though...

On one hand, you have people who will out and out tell you that if you DONT do something in a certain way...your child is certainly doomed for a lifetime of hardship. And its not done by gentle encouragement...Its shoved down your throat.

Quoting a book called Babywise: "If you want a fussy baby, never let him cry, and hold and rock, and feed him as soon as he starts to fuss."

Well gosh!....I dont know about you...but I dont want a fussy baby....so this must be the right way to raise my kid right? Right? Or no...maybe not right after all. Not for me anyway.

Or maybe its more of a gentle yet still judgementally approach....like that mom, at the park, who has like 5 kids and feels like she is the mother of all mothers....and she sees you giving your kid a bottle of formula and then sucks in her teeth and says "Oh, I breastfed all my children for 2 years each and now they are all baby geniuses. " Insinuating that maybe you don't really care if your child is a baby genius, because you're giving him FORMULA!

When my son was born...everyone was quick to give their opinion...."Don't rock him to sleep or you will spoil him. Let him cry it out." or "You're still breastfeeding? When do you plan to stop?" "He still has a paci? He's going to need braces eventually."...sigh

But mommies have a tendancy to take on their own beliefs, despite what others or books say. But this is not where this vicious cycle ends. Because eventually, a new mom comes along and she is a mom who tells you she is deciding to let her 4 month old cry it out....and you find yourself either agreeing...or sucking in your teeth.

Now dont get me wrong...Im not saying dont have an opinion. And I am not saying not to share your opinions. But I am also saying don't start throwing organic apples at the mom who is buring that package of Del Monte fruit cups.

The truth is...there is no ultimate RIGHT way when it comes to issues such as these. If there was...along with your hospital bill, your paperwork and baby, they would give you the baby manual when you walk out of the hospital.

Moms have to find what is right for THEM and THEIR babies. THEIR being a key word. Because it's their baby. THEIRS. Not yours. You may have breast fed your kids until they were 3 years old...but if that mommy over there on your playgroup couch wants to feed her little one a bottle of Similac, she is not committing a crime against all humanity. If that new mom in your family swears that crying it out worked wonders for her child...there is no need to call Social Services for child endangerment.

These are choices as moms we all have to make, to see whats fit for our own kids. I have my own opinions of course and I will share them if a mom asks me how it worked out for my kids...but I try really hard not to be all judgy....TRY being that key word in that phrase...because Mommy Wars are very hard not to fall into.

Stay strong mommies. Share your opinions when asked. Support each other. Try not to be a teeth sucker. May the force be with you.

Thirty Thankful Things

You look up the word "thankful" on Wiki and you will find out two things...
"Thankful" may refer to "gratitude."
It also may refer to a Kelly Clarkson album.

hmmm....well sadly enough, no, my post will not be about Kelly Clarkson...no matter how thankful we are for her paving the way for American Idol contestants....

It will reflect on the first reference...gratitude.....

So...

30 Random To-Be-Thankful-For things....in no particular order

1. I am thankful...That my baby daughter sleeps much better than my son did as a baby.
2. I am thankful...That I am so close with my mom, that I consider my "girl time"...is "mom time."
3. I am thankful...My husband, who despite all my faults, and I mean all of them, loves me all the same.
4. I am thankful...That there is not a Chick-Fil-A closer to my house. I would be there everyday.
5. I am thankful...for 100 calorie snack packs.
6. I am thankful....that my husband remembers to feed the cat, because she would starve if it were up to me.
7. I am thankful...for my playgroup...mommies and kids. You guys brighten up our midweek!
8. I am thankful...that my son now regulary says, "I love you too, mommy." Best words ever spoken.
9. I am thankful...that the media hasn't gotten all "Swine Flu epidemic Crazy" on us again.
10. I am thankful...for Publix BOGO deals.
11. I am thankful...that my grandmother is a Breast Cancer survivor...twice now.
12. I am thankful...for my neighbors. We enjoy our 5:00 pm playyard dates on the lawn with the kids.
13. I am thankful...that I am a full time stay at home mommy...and that God has blessed our family with that opportunity.
14. I am thankful...for Spanx.
15.I am thankful...that the yappy dog who used to bark his way through my kids naptime, yaps no more.
16. I am thankful ...for my church and what it means to our family, and so many other families.
17. I am thankful...for bedtime...the kids' and my own.
18. I am thankful...that my husband likes to play with our kids.
19. I am thankful...my son loves learning and his inquizzativeness. (Is that a word? No. Perhaps I should be thankful for spellcheck). Even though we have to explain EVERY road sign we pass...I love that he wants to know more
20. I am thankful...for peppermint mocha coffee creamer to put in my fake coffee.
21. I am thankful...for our health.
22. I am thankful...that my gray hairs can pass off as highlights...so far
23. I am thankful...that my town despite all its Applebees-iness, also has mom and pop places like Campell's Dairyland and Babes Pizza.
24. I am thankful....for the Sprout channel and its sweet and simple preschool shows...and that they dont shows like SpongeBob. Sea Sponges shouldnt be that hyper. Lay off the crabby patties Bob.
25. I am thankful...for my extended family. As crazy as they sometimes are...(just them mind you...not me...ahem)...I love being apart of their craziness.
26. I am thankful...for being married to my best friend and high school sweetheart.
27. I am thankful...for Redbox...best...idea...ever. I love you and your cheap rentals! Muah!
28. I am thankful...for Edy's icecream. I do not need to have an explanation for this.
29. I am thankful for knowing that He is a God who has all things....and still He wants me.
30. I am thankful...that my son is slowly adjusting to daylight savings time.'

What are you thankful for this holiday season? Kelly Clarkson, maybe? No?

Happy Meals now come with disappointment

We love this place. Who doesn't, really? It really is the only fast food place we will eat at. It has been years, years, and years since I have ordered a burger at McDonalds or Burger King. I couldnt even tell you the last time I ate there.



Why do I love Chick-fil-a? Well for one, it's delicious. Also, Connor loves it too...probably more for the play area though. I also like the fact that there's wraps, fruit, and grilled sandwiches. BUT I am not deceived...there is also deep fried chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, french fries, chicken nuggets, among other calorie filled things that taste delicious but arent the best for you. (However one could argue that chicken is better for you than red meat hamburgers...and milkshakes have milk...and if you get a STRAWBERRY milkshake..then you get an extra fruit serving! )



We eat there once and a while. Probably once or twice a month. Usually if I'm out running errands and running short on time. Or as treat for Connor But again, in no means are we fast food junkies. But we do enjoy the occasional trip to Chick-Fil-A.



However, I dont walk into Chick-Fil-A and then pout about my son's kids meal and then act all concerned about the not so healthy food choices in his kids meal bag. Because I know what I am walking into. I am NOT walking into a health food store or a salad bar. I am walking into a fast food restaurant. And Im probably going to order a milkshake.



San Francisco is in the news today. They have passed an ordinance that toys/gifts will no longer be included with food choices. This has been done in order to make these unhealthy kids meals less enticing. New kids meals, if they want to include a toy, must also include vegetables, fruit and multigrains.



While I applaud the idea of such meals, because I myself usually swap Connor's fries for fruit, I have difficulty in understanding the logic in this bill. In order to fight childhood obesity...this is where they want to tackle.....the toy.



It all comes down to choices. And no I dont mean a choice for the child. This is where parent's step in.



Here's a scenario....



Enter Little Johnny and his Mommy driving down the road. Little Johnny spots a McDonalds.

Little Johnny: "Oh Mommy pull over! Let's eat at McDonalds today!" I love their Mcnuggets and Mcburgers and McFries and the McToy that comes in the McHappy Meal!!



Mommy: Oh, Little Johnny, those aren't the best choices for lunch. Let's go home and have lunch at home instead.



Little Johnny: McMommy, pull over the Mccar right now! I Mcneed me some McDonalds! :::Mcwhiiiiinnnnnneeee...Mcscream!!!!::::



Mommy: What's a mommy to do? :::Pulls into the Mcparking lot and throws away her Mcpower::::





OR it could go this way...



Little Johnny: Mommy can we go to McDonalds today?



Mommy: No.



When it comes down to it...your child's food issues are not in their hands. Children do not drive cars. They do not roll down their windows and say "Why yes, I would like fries with that, thank you." They do not biggie size their meals and they do not go to a fast food restaurant 5 times a week.



That's us. That's the parents. WE are ordering the kids meals. We are hitting fast food and calling it "Dinner" several times a week. These are decisions parents are making. And if we are willing to do that, then why are we surprised child obesity is on the rise?



We have to be the parents. And we have to say No to things that are harmful for our children. Not that I'm saying waffle fries are harmful....but waffle fries every day could be. We have to know our limits...because our children don't. We have to teach them what healthy choices are and that fast food is meant to be a treat. And we shouldnt be making our children the excuse of OUR poor choices.



No toys in the kids meals will probably be less enticing for the kids....maybe. However maybe these legislators should figure out how to make the adult, who's driving the car, and ordering the kids meal, less tempted to pull into a Fast Food restaurant in the first place.



(And again...not trying to come across all holier than thou fast food wise, because we do eat fast food from time to time. )

And to assure you that I love Chick-Fil-A

click below...Tim Hawkins video sums up what so many feel...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsJHqstPuNo

Breast cancer awareness, neither funny nor sexy....discuss...

You see it on Yogurt lids...on soup can labels...on cereal boxes...key chains....t-shirts...and now on Facebook.

Breast cancer awareness month is upon us. That sounds funny even as I type it....every month should be breast cancer awareness month. I hope all my fellow friends are doing their self breast exams...well my girlfriends anyway (although fellows....if there are any fellows who read my blog....doubtful.....but fellows, you should be aware that breast cancer is NOT just a girl thing...)

I am grateful for products that are out there spreading the word about breast cancer and how serious it is. I applaud a local news station here sending an email reminder for women to conduct a self breast exam. Relay for Life team members, thank you for your time and efforts.

Facebook....thanks for being insensitive.

Last year, if you are a facebooker, women everywhere were supposed to coyly post the color of their bra as their status, in order to promote breast cancer awareness. So last year a rainbow of colors were posted and .....thats pretty much it. Were lives saved because you posted you were wearing a leopard striped bra? Doubtful. But it made us feel better about ourselves.

For the good of womanhood and to defeat BREAST CANCER....women were posting"white"..."green"...black"....." posy pink bra with the slight rip in the side!!!" :::pats self on the back....thinking about how many women are rushing right out to conduct a self exam or making an appt with their doc for a mammogram:::

No....no not at all really.

So now.....another year has passed and in my inbox this week....

Remember the game last year about what color bra you were wearing at the moment? The purpose was to increase awareness of October Breast Cancer Awareness month. It was a tremendous success and we had men wondering for days what was with the colors and it made it to the news! TIMEOUT!!!!! (Totally just pulled a Zack Morris Saved By the Bell moment here)...sooo lets see....by tremendous success.....we were successful because we had men wondering about colors...colors of our bra...and it was on the news? SQUEEEEAAAALLLL!!!! TIME IN! This year's game is about your handbag/purse, where we put our handbag/purse the moment we get home for example, " I like it on the couch" or "I like it on the kitchen counter" "I like it on the dresser" well u get the idea. Just put your answer as your status with nothing more than that and cut and paste this message and forward to all your FB female friends to their inbox. The bra game made it to the news. (more squealing! Eeee the news!!!) Let's see how powerful we women really are!! REMEMBER- DO NOT PUT YOUR ANSWER AS A REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE-PUT IT AS YOUR STATUS!!PASS THIS TO EVERY WOMAN YOU KNOW.

Ok ladies...

First, I would like to know....how is your purse related at all to breast cancer awareness? How is this supposed to work....really?

So lets say "Mrs Smith" leaves her purse on the table and posts (all in the name of breast cancer, mind you) " I like it on the table."

FB girlfriend number one asks? "What are you talking about? Why are you posting sexual inuendos on FB?"

Mrs. Smith says "Oh I'm really talking about....BREAST CANCER AWARENESS, silly!!!!"

FB girlfriend number one says, "Ahhh yes of course!! Thanks for reminding me to do my self exam by a totally pointless, sexually charged, ridiculous post. I will be sure to tell my husband to look at your post too, so he can be in total cluelessness and we shall laugh at him together. Muahahaha."

End Scene.

Honestly. girls, is this how we are going to....what did the message say?....oh yes show the world and "see how powerful we women really are" ? By passing on a FB message that says NOTHING about breast cancer and pretending we are "doing our part" and oh my gosh! Hoping it will get on the news!!!

You want to raise awareness? There are other ways....ways that actually give a message or donate money to the Komen foundation. Ways that don't belittle the women who found out too late or the women going through their first second or third battle with breast cancer. Getting people to talk about breast cancer is a good step...this may have been an attempt at that, but it may be more effective if your message actually had something to do with.....BREAST CANCER! Just a thought for next year ladies.

Mom Talk

Things I've found myself saying lately....

- Your Barrel of monkeys don't go in your undies....no thats not a pocket.

- Because Addison doesnt eat chips, thats why.

- No honey, I dont want a goldfish. Thanks for sharing though. No. No. I don't want any. Thank you. That was delicious. Yes, it's nice to share.

- Because I can't get a NEW Connor if you break....so sit down and stop jumping on the couch.

- No you are a boy, not a girl. Because God made you a boy. No that wont change.

-Please dont put peas in your hair. Because its gross thats why.

-We dont eat fruit snacks for breakfast....no...just cause they have the word "fruit" in them doesnt make it breakfast. Have a banana.

-Yes, you will be 10 one day...but thats a long way to go still.

-Well, if you really WANT to dip your cantelope in ketchup, that's up to you.

-Just because your CD broke doesnt mean you get a new one. Yes, I know Nana bought you a new CD, when your old one broke and that was nice, but its not going to happen every time. No, you can't call Nana now.

-Because Atlanta is very far away. Too far to visit today. No not tomorrow either.

-Well, yes, technically Elmo is "nakey" (naked) but he has fur all over his body, so I think it's okay.



What about you? Do YOU ever find yourself saying things to your kids you can't believe came out of your mouth?

Are you trendy?

Trends....do you remember the "trend" of your youth? Mine was the slap bracelet.

The bracelet that is a fashion accessory and a small weapon to mildly hurt your best friends with...awesome.

Other trends have come and gone. I have learned todays' trend that's popular with the kiddos and is slightly less injury causing...Silly Bandz....if you have elementary school aged children you probably have come faced to face with these thingies.

But with the adult crowd? Whats the popular trend? No I am not talking about those faded acid washed jeans you still think are cool (psssst...they're not by the way)...Im not really even going to talk about fashion trends today....

I am talking about the trend of America being intolerant of enemy number one....

"Crybaby"

and his accomplice

"Whiny Toddler"

(notice I of course didn't post pictures of my own children, because....heh....they never cry....yeah....)

I am becoming increasingly aware of stories in the news regarding the intolerance of chidren in general. In this "Me Matters" society, those of us with children are starting to be viewed as an inconvenience to those around us. Now please dont get me wrong because I'm not out here to talk badly about people who choose not to have kids. You either want them or you dont. And hey, I respect that. I don't have the viewpoint that it is a woman's job to have kids....I also don't live in 1950 either. But I do have a problem with people who have decided to not have kids, or have forgotten how it was when their children were small, to declare children as a "problem" or "an annoyance," for doing exactly what kids do....being kids.

Kids cry, they whine, and the scream sometimes....the also have to eat, and this may or may not include breastfeeding (gasp!) These are facts of life.

Recent debates of should airlines have "kid free" sections, and the latest, The Olde Salty Restaraunt in NC has a sign displayed in their window, "Screaming children will NOT be tolerated," have parents everywhere talking.....Maybe even screaming...I guess they can't eat at Old Salty's either.

Magazines have also hopped on the bandwagon. Better Holmes and Gardens recently published an article called "10 Commandments of Dining with Little Kids." I had a hard time finding the article, after much outcry from breastfeeding mothers (and you will know why after reading the article), but here it is, I found it on another blog... www.drmomma.org/2010/05/better-holmes-and-gardens-10.html BetterHolmes and Gardens retracted the article, apologized the nursing mothers of the world and gave it a brand new title..."9 Commandments of Dining with Little Kids."

Catchy.

Hey, Better Holmes and Gardens, how about just sticking with telling me which flowers bloom best in direct sunlight and leave parenting articles to Magazines that actually know something about children? Like "Parenting Magazine".

Marie Claire also had an article out recently...and sadly I cannt find that article online....and I've thrown away my copy of the magazine....but basically another article complaining about children for doing children like things(.....P.S. I do not know why I am getting a subscription to Marie Claire...I did not subscribe nor was it a gift from someone....I think maybe I agreed to a school magazine fundraiser of some sort in my sleep deprived state. )

So here's my complaint. I just dont get the wave of child intolerance with people. I'm not talking about children, who are running wild among the restaurant and fling kethup covered french fries your way, or the child who is hysterically screaming for the past half hour straight while mom and dad tune the screamer and each other out while texting at the restaurant table. Not cool.

I'm talking about a baby who suddenly bursts out with a cry at the table because she is hungry...and the dirty looks a mom gets about it because the person at the next table over cant enjoy his Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits "in peace." The dirty look from then attempting to solve the crying by breastfeeding, no NOT in the bathroom (as Better Homes and Gardens suggests), but at the table.The dirty look to that really tired mom on the airplane because the kiddo is screaming out of being overtired.

The solution is not banning children from places. (However, I also do not think you should be bringing your kid to exclusively "grown-up" restaurants...a good rule of thumb in my opinion, if it offers a children's plate...you are good to go. And most restaurants do.)

I believe the solution is to realize kids are going to cry and its a part of life. And to realize that the crying kid isnt truly "ruining your meal," anymore than that annoying guy, who talks too loud on his cell phone the next table over...or that lady who is having a way too loud conversation about her colonoscopy episode.

People have been traveling with kids on airlines forever...and now, suddenly, people just can't "handle" that anymore?? I got news for you....the mom over there...yeah that one... with the screaming 4 year old in the seat next to her and the crying 6 month old in her lap? Yeah she probably feels like she cant "handle it" either. NO parent, at least the parents I know of, enjoys their kids crying and enjoys the fact that the others around them are probably bothered by this.

Trends come and go. I haven't seen a slap bracelet in years. One day Silly Bandz will be a thing of the past. Hopefully this trend of Child Intolerance will be disappearing faster than Crocs and Ugg Boots.

Like sands in the hourglass... these are the numbers of our lives

Who has two thumbs, is awfully cute, has a unique talent of waking his siter from her slumber, and loves numbers?

this guy!

Isn't this cute? Anybody who knows Connor knows his love of numbers. A lot of parents have asked me what I have "done" with Connor for him to know all his numbers so well. We do 15 worksheets each morning. Flashcards after lunch. And I make him sleep with these foam numbers under his pillow. No. Not really. Not even close actually. Although Im sure if I let him, he would happily sleep with these numbers. Numbers and counting have been something Connor has picked up quite naturally. Sean and I started by teaching him 1 thru 20, very innocently, maybe around 18 months never knowing of what we were in for. But no, we aren't doing anything out of the ordinary as far as teaching him his numbers. But I wont deny that I am looking forward to the awesome car he will lovingly buy his mother when he is working on Wall Street with the Big Wigs. Now? Now Connor can count to 100 (forwards and backwards) and can arrange numbers into the thousands and almost always say it correctly. His latest development as of this morning was counting by 10's...not that I think he knows what counting by 10's is...but I still was pretty amazed. Sometimes I actually think he eats numbers for breakfast....



(I walked into the kitchen and found this on his plate....it was just too perfect to not take a picture of)

So in honor of my counting crazed kid......here are some numbers that pertain to me.....


2 - the number of times I got up with Addison in the middle of the night.


4- How many times I have had to make appointments at Vision Works because apparently the convenience of disposable contacts are ironically very inconvenient.


24 - the number of crayola crayons on my kitchen floor right now


5 - the amount of times I asked Connor to pick up those crayons


3 - the amount of times it took me to bend over to pick up those crayons


4 - the amount of fake coffees it would take in order to really get me fully awake this morning.


0- the amount of fake coffees I have actually drank this morning


$17.50 The amount I spent in groceries for a special birthday breakfast for Connor this weekend.


2- The number of items I forgot AFTER paying for my groceries.


1- The number of cashiers I asked if I could leave my paid items with her as I went to get my forgotten items.


$17.50 - The amount someone walked off with FREE GROCERIES, because they accidentally took my bags.


2- the number of items I got for free after the Publix manager felt so badly about me losing my groceries.

4- The amount of books Connor and I have read together today

11- The amount of smiles Addi has given me just this morning.


and finally...

3 - The number of hours until naptime.

Farewell black studded cute purse, alas I knew thee well.

I have entered "that phase" of mommyhood....

that phase where I no longer carry a purse...or rather I carry a purse, but it's pink with a little birdie embroidered on it with a cute saying about "baby"

Gone are the days of the cute black silver studded shoulder bag. Good bye cute summer casual canvas small tote. Sayonara sweet reversable clutch. Farewell black oversized purse, who I purchased just because your inner llining was so adorable.

Now what adorns my wall mirror with hooks? An elmo book bag, my really large polka dot, mommy-chic baby bag, the above mentioned pink birdie baby bag and a small black purse I borrowed from my grandmother so people at least think I have a life outside my children.

I think I may have left some gum in that purse....

Anyway ...why? why no pretty cutesy purses Brooke? I tried for a while! I really did. My black shoulder studded bag became so worn the strap is now frayed and that "hot mommy" look is no longer applicable when your "hot mommy" purse is about to fall off your shoulder.

Summer casual tote, lasted for a while, but proved itself too large to carry along side the much needed and ever so unavoidable pink birdie bag or polka dot hot baby bag.

Reversable clutch is pointless because now I realize I have no time to get my laudry done let alone reverse a purse.

Black oversized purse with cute lining showed real potential...large enough to carry my needs: wallet, phone, lip gloss, that receipt I felt I needed but cant remember why....as well as a few diapers, a wipie case, a paci, and Connor's sippy cup.....sippy cup.....s-i-p-p-y-c-u-p......full of milk.....that didnt close just right on a trip to the mall....to which I ended up with a wet wallet, a drippy phone, unusable lip gloss, a mushy, yet potentially still important receipt, soggy diapers that hadnt even been used for the real reason of soaking up liquid and wetter wipies. The paci and phone survived. My black oversized cute lining purse didnt....no matter how hard I scrubbed and Frebreezed that thing.


So now I must be satisfied with my modern mom hot polkadot baby bag...which has its good points too. Lots of pockets, came with an umbrella and a removable wallet compartment. I can also conveniently hide the fact it is a baby bag....because it IS so cute....except for the fact there's a changing pad and nasal aspiratopr sticking out of it and a paci pod velcroed to the handle....and you know the fact that I am carrying around a baby....people just assume, you know?

The bird bag is hopeless...it screams "This bag is not for mommy...it is for me, the baby, the baby who really loves pink and birds apparently."
I'm not really a fan of birds...but I am a fan of my baby and she needs stuff....so I carry it.

One day black shoulder studded bag and I will meet again. We'll go to Starbucks and have coffee with real caffeine. We'll go to a bookstore and browse leisurely together. But not for awhile....meanwhile I will pack my bird bag to go to Walmart, with sippy cups of milk, and pacis and diapers because I'm sure there will come a day when the Bird bag is long gone, and there will be no wipies to carry, and I will long for those days of when my purse reeked of sour milk.

From the mouth of babes.....

For your reading enjoyment....comedy courtesy of my almost 3 year old and the conversations he has with me (and sometimes with himself).

::Singing and running around the house::: "Jack an Jill, went up da hill to Veggie Tales a wader..."

Connor pretended he was going shopping, grabbed a reuasable bag (way to be a hero for the environment, son!) and later proceeded to show me what he "bought" at "Publix"....."a cucumber, a strawberry, some french fries, a bread, ....a hippo, a monkey, a seven, and this guy!" (a little man that fits in one of his trucks)

As we were pulling into a parking garage..."Mommy, you have 2 choices. You can go this way...or this way. Which choice are you going to make?" I turned into a space. "Good choice, Mommy."

I was changing Addi's diaper and singing to her "On the day Addi was born the angels smiled and the blew on their horns and they danced, they danced, they laughed and they raised their hands. On the day Addi was born." Connor walked by and said, "No Mommy, the angels were not happy. They were sad and they were cryin."

Walking in thehallway to find Connor in the bathroom, attempting to wet his head under running water. I ask, "What are you doing buddy?" He answers, "Connor is putting water on his hair to get handsome for Wila ( his grandmother)."

I walk into Connor's room and say, "Let mommy, comb your hair." He says, "Today is church day!" ( Apparently I only brush his hair on Sundays lol ).

Me: "Connor we need to change your pull-up."
Connor: "No we don't. Don't change my mind!"

::Getting into his Cozy Coupe Car::: "Connor is goin to work."
Me: "Oh? Where do you work?"
Connor: "Connor works at USAB." ( his daddy works at USAA insurance company)
Me: "What do you do at USAB?"
Connor: "Watch the TVs."
Me: "Sounds like a hard job."
Connor:"No, it's not."

DisneyWorld...I like you, but not "love you", like you

For those of you who know me very well...you probably know these following facts about me...

1. I married my highschool sweetheart

2. I have 2 gorgeous children

3. I taught elementary school for a few years

4. I hate ham

5. I'm sorta a Disney nerd

What? You didnt' know about the ham? Well, . . . it's just gross....ham...meat that has a sweet taste to it? Just wrong, I tell you.

The real reason of the post, is to talk Disney though.

I'm sorry if you can't get over the "Ham" fact...just accept it, lets move on.

So a few years back I started visiting a Disney forum, where all the Disney nerds come together and talk Disney stuff. And by Disney stuff, I mean like Disney stuff you never knew even existed. For instance... did you know you can build and customize your own park map on the computer and then it will come mailed to you all "Mickey" official-like so you have your favorite rides pinpointed on the maps (like Soarin and Haunted Mansion) and the rides you skip out on (like The Country Bear Jamboree) will be left unidentified and you will not be bothered by such annoyances. Or did you know, their are many DISers (yes they....ugh..."We" have a name) who swear that the majority of visitors turn to the right when entering the Magic Kingdom and therefore by taking a turn to the left, you will find the lands less crowded. Like I said....Disney nerd.

As I have visited this site (http://www.disboards.com/) I have learned many important tips, like how to work a "childswap"....(no, this is not where you switch your whining crying child, for that well behaved kid sitting nicely in their stroller) or how it is important to not take your very expensive, best stroller to the park, because of stroller theives!!! This site also provided me knowledge of different Disney contests and is the reason why my family won a 5 day stay at Disney's Beach Club for free!!!

I bet you aren't making fun of my Disney nerdiness NOW!....well yes, you probably still are...aren't you?

Let's move on.....to my point...YES! my point, I have one...

What I have come to realize, is some people...these really Hardcore DISers, have a weird notion that Disney is this magical place, where all their dreams come true....No, they REALLY do. You wouldn't believe how many of these people get their Mickey Mouse shorts in a twist, over the silliest things, ...not being the chosen family in a parade, kids upset and crying, or better yet PARENTS upset and crying, people using foul language, Cast Members not going out of their way to appear "magical."

"Magical" is a word tossed around on this site alot...."Magical" trip experience...as in "The man standing in front of me passed gas and ruined my Magical trip experience." or "Riding the monorail to Epcot was just magical, because the bus just 'smelled' like Disney!" (Honestly these people SAY these things) People need to realize that while Disney has this word "magical" attached to it, it's still just a theme park. Theme parks like money...and no, they are not the least bit interested in making your tram ride to the front of Animal Kingdom or your bathroom experience by the Maelstorm ride "magical." Tram rides and potty breaks aren't magical.

While I love Disney, and yes, I do, I really really do love Disney, and you know this now...that and well....the "ham" thing, I do not think I am as crazed about it as some people are. I am comfortable with the fact that I will never be trampled by people who are lined up for the morning " rope drop," or I am also proud that the last time I actually sat through a Disney parade, I was maybe 8.

So to sum up, yes, I'm a Disney nerd, but I'm not a Disneyaholic. And I am in no need of a 12 step program.

Not me Monday...on Tuesday

Not me Monday....I have ignored you...but in my defense I have been busy....chasing a toddler, burping a baby, ....scrubbing watermelon juice out of the carpet. you know....that sort of thing.

Anyways, no more excuses. My son is watching a video and the baby is napping....and I have a few minutes. In that case....it's on to "Not me Monday....on Tuesday!"

This past weekend was the 4th of July weekend...lots of events took place...

I did a test run on treats I am planning to make for Connor's mickey mouse party this year....needed to know if I could actually DO what I had planned in my head. It was a success I must say. Mickey mouse shaped rice krispie treats dipped in chocolate. (It's okay, I just wiped drool from MY mouth too.) The original plan was to share the treats at the 4th of July parade with some friends. But because the parade got rained out, Connor, Sean and I certainly DID NOT devour all the rice krispie treats. And half of them certainly were NOT devoured on the way home from the rainy parade. Nope not us....we wouldn't do that sort of thing.

(P.S. friends who we did not see at the parade...you will get a chance at these treats again in September so don't fret. )

I most certainly DID NOT get what looks like a 3rd degree burn on my my finger from a hot glue gun incident. ...Glue guns are dangerous people. There outta be a law ...really. Or maybe, I should just finally take up my mother-n-law's generous offer of teaching me to sew and then I wouldn't have to use said glue gun.

We are heading off to the beach this weekend with some family and I really am looking forward to it. I really love trips but the nerd within loves making the packing list almost as much as the trip itself. ...I know, I know, but I have done that since I was a kid. Old habits die hard. Anyway... I HAVE NOT already started packing for the trip that we arent leaving for for another 5 days. Not me.

I also DID NOT make packing lists for my mom and grandmother....but just a food list. If they forget their bathing suits, that will be on their heads, not mine. But gosh darn it, I will make SURE we will not forget the chips and dip!

Here's a NOT ME for my mom.... This weekend my Mom, Addison, and I went shopping at International Mall. Having a grandaughter thrills my mother to pieces I must say. Not that she doesnt fall all over Connor too or course, but having a little girl to dress up just makes my mom all smiley. ....Anyway, as we shopped through Dillards, my mom is pushing the stroller through the department, when an all too happy sales lady comes bounding over, and coos "Oh she is so little and tiny, so beautiful." My mom absolutely does NOT say "Yes, she is," and makes a brisk 90 degree turn away from the lady. In response my mouth does NOT drop open in shock. And my mother's response was NOT "She's just trying to make a sale...plus she was breathing on my baby." Nope...not her. She wouldn't do that. (I'm also NOT laughing right now just thinking about it.)

And finally, I did NOT purposefully go into BuyBuyBaby the other day just to get a free picture without having to buy any other pictures, because I heard from a freind via facebook, that BuybuyBaby will do one free pic.

Here's the picture of Addison I did NOT get for free.....

I also am NOT going to hang it up on my wall...and I also do NOT have 2 more appointments lined up this month at Picture People...with coupons!

Top 10 things I dont like about Arizona

The title says it all folks...

1. Arizona's immigration law (Senate bill1070) targeting Hispanics or anyone with "suspicious character" (Arizona's code for "Hispanics")...or anyone with difficulty speaking the English language (also Arizona's code for "Hispanics") in order to find out the legality of their presence in America.

2. Arizona's next immigration law that is in the works ...denying the constitutional right of babies born in the Arizona their rightful American citizenship if their parents are here illegally .....And they are wanting to make this law without having to have a constitutional amendment. Hey Arizona....please do us a favor and visit this website: www.uscis.gov. Might clear some stuff up.

3. Miller Valley Elementary school where it's principal asked the project leader artist of a beautiful school wall mural depicting "Going Green" transportation and children...to please make the "children's faces happier and brighter." The project leader was asked to "lighten" the faces of the dominant child in the mural. He's painted as a Hispanic boy.

......

okay thats 3...not ten...

but the way things are going...I'm sure I'll be able to come up with more soon.

It's a fact...

So I had a friend tell me I needed to blog...so I will ... mainly because .... she's probably the only person who reads my blog .... here's a shout out ..."Hey Jeanette!"

So whats new...whats new....I got a new phone.....oh yeah and a new baby....here's a picture. (Of the baby, not the phone)

Addison is our new beautiful addition to our family.

Here are some fun facts about life with a new baby in the house....

- Fact 1...Addison sleeps a great stretch of 5 hours during the night....unlike SOME other baby I had who would wake his mommy up every 2 and 1/2 hours at night....he shall remain nameless...

<----- did not sleep through the night until 11 months old!!!

But, he can build one mean lego tower!







- Fact 2....changing diapers on two kids has not been all that hard....every person who had heard Connor wasnt potty trained while I was pregnant with Addison, would give me that "look." You know....like "Ooooh thats so unfortunate....so hard....." and then kinda suck in their teeth. Eh. I decided not to stress. But very recent news in our household....we are actually well on our way to being potty trained. For those of you who know Connor, know he loves numbers....so when we started counting on a chart how many times he's gone potty....thats all it took for us to be successful. And fruit snacks. Lots and lots of fruit snacks. We are on number 17 by the way.


- Fact 3 ...having one baby does not make you prepared for the next one.....well...maybe I shouldnt say "not"....After all I can change a diaper while I am half awake, I can hear my baby waking up before she even cries....and I know that "face" that tells me I need to break out the wipies....however I was totally unprepared for spit up.....lots and lots and lots of spit up. Like change the outfit 3 times because its beeen soaked with spit up. Oh and projectile vomiting.....totally didnt see that one coming.....so of course...like the calm natured person I am...I called the doc right away to find out if my baby was normal or had some weird spitting up projectile vomiting disease....the doctor laughed at me. I dont think doctors are supposed to laugh.


-Fact 4 ....decaf coffee works almost as well as caffeinated coffee (did I spell that right?) Caffenated? Caffinated? ...okay maybe it works almost as well.


-And fact 5 - Connor has grown 3 feet taller and a 100 lbs heavier since Addison was born...well no thats not true at all....it just seems that way...my "baby" is now a big boy....or so I am trying to convince him with all this potty business.

The horror that is Senate Bill No. 6...oh and some baby updates! Yea!

Well, the talk of Teachertown is Senate Bill No. 6. introduced by Sen. John Thrasher. And what a scary little bill that it is.

What? What you say? You don't know what Senate Bill No. 6 is about? Well, neither do the majority of people who are on the outside of the school system.

Let me break it down.

It is a merit based plan. Pay-for-performance. And this pay will be based on "learning gains." "Learning gains" is a secret code word used by Mr Thrasher which really means "FCAT scores."
"FCAT" is a secret code word used by teachers that really means...."annoying pain in my rear".

The bill does away with job security, doing away with tenure and instead replacing it with yearly contracts.

It also does away with the pay-incentive for National Board Standing. A process that is long and achieved by teachers who desire to increase their teaching excellence and have met high standards.

Sen. Thrasher feels this is the way to weed out "bad" teachers. Can we apply this same idea to every professional? How about weeding out "bad" doctors? Every patients that has high cholestrol....doctors can be penalized....Or dentists....every patient with cavities...and if the cavities increase or don't improve over a years time....they are penalized. Or, or, or....how about government officials....for every person who is on welfare....catch my drift?

So the general outcry teachers have is how can you base salary on the outcome of tests that you as the teacher have absolutely NO control over? Sure you teach them...you teach the curriculum, you teach to the test, and every pre-made practice FCAT that is handed out....but in the long run...who's taking the test? The kids. Kids who have paid attention, kids who are taking the test seriously, knowing it can affect the rest of their 3rd grade little lives forever. Who else is taking the test? The kids who didnt eat breakfast that morning. The kids that got yelled at for not picking up their socks for the billionith time. The kids that are so stressed out by even just by the mention of the word "FCAT" due to the amount of pressure put on them by the school. The kids who have missed 10 plus days of school are taking this test. Kids who don't care about learning. ESOL students, with limited language skills, are taking this test....a test that is already flawed in many areas. These are the kids...the ones who are well prepared and the ones who aren't so prepared...that are holding a teacher salary in their little hands.

Bill 6 will be voted on Tueday and teachers are watching like hawks....well except for the time they are...you know....teaching. Teaching with limited resources. Teaching with little time for creativity in the classroom. Teaching because they enjoy working with children.

Sigghhh..

Anyway.

Baby update:
Addison Marie is due at the end of April, by c-section. I am measuring a week ahead so it looks like I will have another ginormous baby on my hands soon. (Connor was 9lbs and 12 oz, 21 1/4 inches long. Every nurse who would walk into my hospital room would take a look at him, look at me, and back at him and say "You DID have a c-section right?" Yes, I did....now please administer my pain medicine, Nursey!)

It occured to me this past week, that just because Connor showed no signs of making his debut early, doesn't mean Addison won't. Labor would be a new experience for me even though Ive already had one child. But there's no chance of a labored delivery....even if I do go into labor...it will still be a c-section anyway.

So in the meantime....I'm working on putting her room together and such. Trying to spend as much mommy time with Connor, knowing I wont be able to snuggle up with him as much once I come home from the c-section. He has a baby doll to practice treating a baby the way we should. I spend a lot of time saying, "No we dont throw the baby in the bed. No we don't hold the baby by the legs." But he does like to feed his baby a bottle, and then pat him on the back to burp him. (Complete with sound effects). He calls him Baby Ernie....which is great....or sometimes it's "Baby with the dirty butt." (Which is another story).

So more updates to come...

Really, California? Really?

Dear California School District,

Seriously?

Sincerely,

Common Sense

So if you havent heard, a California School Disrict just added one more to the banned book list. And it is the ever so haunting...ever so shameful...ever so shocking....Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (gasp!) www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584010,00.html

So supposedly some 4th grader got "lost" looking up a word between "oralism" and "orang" and found a shocking entry of the term "oral sex." Here's my first question. What word was this fourth grader exactly looking for? Let's not be stupid here....children know more than what we give them credit for and dont always seem like the innocent they may portray. Maybe mom and dad should sit junior down for a talk instead of running to the school board claiming "Bad form." (Yes, I just quoted "Hook." Dustin Hoffman would understand.)

Do I think it is unfortunate that this came up in a 4th grade classroom? Yep. Would I want my kid discovering the words "oral sex" at a 4th grade age....Nope!!! Do I think it's right to start slinging around the words "banned book list" when it comes to the dictionary? Ridiculous. Get a grip California. It's a dictionary and the job of a dictionary is to define words in the English language.

Here's an idea....how about...oh I don't know...put materials in your classrooms that are deemed age appropriate in the first place? If I told a kid to look up a word and plopped down the mammoth sized portion of Merriam Webster down on a kid's desk, I would expect to have tears, whining, or a cry for help in a matter of a minute.

Let's look at the word "collegiate" for a moment, shall we? Seeing how these 4th grade students are looking at a Collegiate dictionary, maybe we should open up Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and look up the word itself.

What say you, Merriam Webster?

Collegiate col-le-giate

Function: adjective

Definition:

Designed for or characteristic of COLLEGE students.

Soooo .....California School District....you are appalled at the entry of an "age-innapropriate" word for 4th graders....in a COLLEGIATE dictionary....hmmmmmmm. Anyone else see the irony of the word "innapropriate"?

So to wrap up:

Collegiate dictionaries being used for 4th grade students: bad

Age appropriate Children's dictionaries used for 4th grade students: good

Banning the dictionary in schools: bad

Taking a big breath before you utter the words "banned book": good

Dustin Hoffman in the role of Tootsie: bad

Dustin Hoffman in the role of James Hook: good.

Move over Martha!

I am totally Martha Stewart. Wait...maybe I should rethink that statement....okay...I am NOT Martha Stewart, but darn it, I think I am pretty crafty....not like crafty as in devious....crafty as in "artsy-fartsy" crafty.

Oh forget it. Look what I did.

It's a Valentine mailbox for Connor, so that on Valentine's day I can put goodies in it.

It's adorable if I do say so myself and it only took me 2 hours to do it and 5 pokes of the sewing needle on my finger!

The best and worst of the decade

Sooo, I'm back! I'm sure all 3 people who read my blog from time to time were concerned about my lack of posting. But never fear. I'm back. Breathe a sigh of relief.

In celebration of a new decade, I'd like to dedicate the following portion of this post to things that happened in the last decade that deserve some kudos and some boo hisses. I will call this section: Me likey and Not So Much.

Me Likey: graduating highschool, graduating college, getting a real job, getting married.
Not So Much: the thought of my highschool reunion, graduating to middle age soon, the stupid pointless paperwork that went with the real job, and my parents' divorce.

Me Likey: Amazing Race, America's Top Model, Project Runway
Not So Much: American Idol, Survivor, and The Swan-where you became as beautiful as you are on the inside, with the help of Botox and Plastic Surgery.

Me Likey: The Birth of my beautiful son
Not so Much: The birth of horrible celb-duo nicknames...TomKat, Bennifer, and Brangelina

Me Likey: The fact that kids will wait in line for a book premiere at a Barnes and Noble
Not So Much: Horrible movies from amazing children's books...Yes I am talking to you Disney, whom theme parks I love, but HATE what you have done to Bridge to Terebithia. Shameful.

Me Likey: Sesame Street celebrates it's 40th anniversary.
Not So Much: Einstein Baby does not make babies Einsteins at all. Instead it makes them piles of goo. This shouldnt really be shocking. Sitting your baby in front of the TV will not cause them to become geniuses! Whoops!

Me Likey: Finding out we are pregnant with a little girl.
Not so much: Finding out Jon Gosselin left his family for another girl.