Jun 30

Phone Home Woody

Deal of the Week 1 Comment »

Would your kids love a phone call from one of their favorite Disney Characters — Woody or Tiana? Click HERE  and you can add a little magic of Disneyland to your home without leaving home or spending a dime. Thank you Pull-ups for this really cool Freebie. I think I know just the little Toy Story-aholic in my family who’d love a birthday greeting from her favorite “Woooo-deee.”

Here’s how it works:

1) Enter your birthdate to verify you are 18 or older.

2) Select either Woody or Tiana for your character.

3) Personalize your call (occasion, child’s name, type of message, etc.)

4) Schedule your call between 9AM – 8PM.

Thanks, Freebies4Mom!

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Jun 28

A Glimpse in to the Pug Psyche

Mommy Monday 1 Comment »

It made me smile to see the dog in the new “Toy Story 3” movie advance in age alongside Andy. It reminded me of my sweet little pug, Aggie, who is undoubtedly showing the signs of age on her smooshed face. No level of denial on my part with stop time from marching on.

White hairs outline the years of stress she’s experienced as a member of our busy family. She’s endured three bedridden pregnancies, helped raise three active girls, survived endless sleepovers, playdates and birthday parties. She’s had her ears tugged on (more than once), been barfed on (more than once), and has been dressed in head to toe doll clothes and toted around in a basket (more than once).

She doesn’t seem to notice that she’s slowing down a bit. She can’t run to keep up with the kids on their scooters anymore and her naps are more numerous and longer in length. She still races up and down the stairs with the kids when they play with her and she runs for her leash if you say the words, “Go” or “Walk.” She also gets into mischief in the same ways she did as a puppy (i.e. unrolling the toilet paper and shredding it into tiny pieces when she needs attention) and sneaking into the kids snacks and bingeing on a bag full of baby carrots when no one was looking. (She had a tummy ache for days and looked green – or maybe I should say “orange.”)

While she’s unaware of her own mortality I don’t think she’s aware of our children’s development either. Really, the tables have turned a lot over the years. When the kids were little, she was kind of a watch dog of sorts. If the girls woke up from their naps or were doing something sneaky she’d come get me and pace around to let me know that I was back on duty. (She’s sort of the Lassie of pugs.) She’d wipe their faces clean and clean up after them as they learned to navigate eating meals with a fork. She’d curl up with them at nap time or when they’re sick to offer them comfort.

These days she’s at their mercy. They fill up her bowls with food and water. They’re the ones holding her leash as they take her for walks in the neighborhood or let her out to do her business. They snuggle with her at night to offer her comfort because now she’s completely dependent on their co-sleeping arrangement. (They even trade weeks taking turns sleeping with her.) The girls have even taken to disciplining her and teaching her new tricks.

Although the tide has turned and the girls have become the Alpha Dog in the house, I don’t think Aggie has noticed. Any day of the week, any hour of the day, I can ask her, “Where are the babies?” and she’ll go run towards the girls. No matter how white her black coat turns, or who’s holding her leash, I believe she’ll always see herself as the overprotective mother hen of the house with her three little babies.

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Jun 25

Kiwis Make The Top 10 List

Foodie Fridays No Comments »

Kiwis are brown and furry on the outside but tart and healthy on the inside. Who would’ve guessed that these lovely little egg-shaped fruits would make the Super Food Top 10 list? Super Foods offer a triple threat because they fight heart disease, cancer, and weight gain. (To learn more about Super Foods click HERE.)

Here’s the breakdown on these nearly perfect snack foods.

  • They pack your daily dose of Vitamin C in just one serving. They’re great for fighting off a cold or preventing one too.
  • They’re cheap. You can usually buy several of them for about a buck.
  • They’re a low-calorie snack. One serving of kiwis (about 1 cup) are about 100 calories and less than 1 gram of fat.
  • They’re high in fiber (6 grams of fiber for one serving) and also contain potassium, Vitamin A and E, and other nutrients.
  • How do you eat them? Cut them in half and scoop out the center or you can slice the skin off the sides and then cut them into skinny slices.
  • What else can you do with them? Mix them in a fruit salad for a colorful punch and a vitamin rich kick. Chop it up and add it to a fruit salsa to top grilled fish or chicken for a light summer dinner. Pair them with strawberries in crepes for a sweet and tart combo. Throw them in a smoothie to up the fiber content. Check out my basic smoothie recipe HERE to get started.
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Jun 24

Books Too Tempting Not to Read

Tried and True Thursdays 2 Comments »

Having trouble getting your kids unglued from the television or their DS this summer? Here’s a list of books recommended by Tara (a.k.a. Baby Mama) that are great for mid-elementary school kids to read on their own or younger ones to have read to them at bedtime. (Isn’t it so fun to try to put kids to bed when the sun is still out?)

We’re going to select one at a time and enjoy them as part of our “family book club.” Each person will get their own copy to read and we’ll set a date for meeting time. I was inspired to this because I saw how much excitement my oldest daughter had to read, To Kill a Mockingbird with her Dad. They set a date to finish reading before it hit the movie theatre that features old movies. It’s been great to see her stretch herself and her brain.

Here’s the list. Enjoy! Thank you Tara.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Person
     This is a retelling of Peter Pan that is very exciting but kid friendly. 
 
Perloo the Bold by Avi
   Avi is a very famous author who has written tons of books.  Anyway this one is about a timid bookworm, who ends up saving the day.
 
The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
    A Newbury Winner!  About an orphan in the middle ages who doesn’t have a name (if I remember right).  Also very short.
 
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
    Or any other Roald Dahl book, they are all perfect for Sydney’s age. 
 
The Neverending Story  by Michael Ende
     An amazing fantasy story about a book that comes to life,  but it is very very long.   However very worth it.
 
Redwall  by Brian Jacques
   The first of a very long series. (I ate them all up when I was her age.) They are about mice and other small creatures who live in an abbey called Redwall and they are always battling the baddies.
 
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery
    This is a French book, that is very fun, and cute, but very telling.  It is also very short and illustrated by the author, there are some beautiful color versions.  I would definately recommend this one, you would get a lot out of it, more than just the story.
 
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
   A Newbury Winner!  It’s a very short book about a boy who switches places with the prince. 
 
The Voyages of the Doctor Dolittle by Hugo Lofting
    A Newbury Winner!  I haven’t read this since I was little but I remember really liking it.  It’s on the long side.
 
Any Mrs. Piggle Wiggle book by Betty Macdonald (There are a few and they don’t really have to be in order.)
    She is a nanny who helps naughty children behave — like a happier version of that nanny show that is on tv now.
 
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
    A Newbury Winner!  It’s about an Indian girl who lived on an island all by herself.
 
Holes by Louis Sacher
   Amazing amazing book, and after you read it you can compare it to the movie, which was also created by the author. They are a pretty close match and it’s just a good movie.
 
Sideways Stories from Wayside School  by Louis Sacher
   Funny stories about an even funnier school that was built sideways.  Hilarious!! One of my favorites.
 
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
   I loved this book when I was younger.  It is a classic, and I think it has been made into a movie a couple of times.
 
Pathki Nana by Kenneth Thomasa
    This is a very exciting read about an Indian girl. 
 
Little House in the Big Woods  by Laura Ingells Wilder
   Stories from Laura’s childhood on the frontier, during the 1800’s I think.
 
Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’engle
 A Newbury Winner!  This one is definately a classic about some children who have to go on a journey through space and time to rescue their father.
 
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
  A classic swashbuckling tale of pirates that isn’t too scary.
 
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
   Just a great escape fantasy read about a hobbit who gets caught up in an adventure which leads him to a dragon’s lair.
 
Question: How many of these books have you read? What were your favorite books as a child?
 
 
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Jun 23

FREE Movies All Summer

Wildcard Wednesdays No Comments »

 

This week I took my four-year-old and her little pal to the “free movies” at our local movie theatre. It reminded me of a few things.

1. I love bonding with my kids in a way where they feel spoiled and loved and I don’t feel like I’ve compromised my budget.

2. Repeats of movies are always better on the big screen. We’ve been regular attenders at our local Family Film Festival since the girls were young, but it never seems to get out to see classics like Charlotte’s Web on the big screen.

3. Little kids like to wiggle around. It’s nice to take a break in the air conditioning, watch a movie, and spill a little popcorn between the seats (especially if you don’t have to vacuum it up out of the couch cushions).

Look for a FREE Family Film Festival in your area. http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

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Jun 22

You Love Me, You Really Love Me

Uncategorized 3 Comments »

This week I was honored to receive the Beautiful Blogger Award from Amanda at Tales from the Crib. With every honor comes responsibility. Instead of a speech, it’s my duty to share seven little known facts about myself and then nominate other great blogs.

So, here’s my list of random things. Let’s see how many of these things are new to you.

  1. I have a secret desire (or maybe it’s not-so-secret desire because I tell people all the time) to have a British accent. Don’t start making fun of me or calling me Madonna yet. My husband threatened to switch seats on the plane if I didn’t stop using my faux accent on the flight home from London. I just think everything coming out of your mouth sounds smarter if you say it with a little, Super Nanny twang.
  2. I always thought I’d have all boys. Growing up I was mostly a tomboy – I liked sports, getting dirty, and playing outside. My neighborhood was predominantly male and I grew up around boys. As a result, I had lots of “guy friends” over the years and always pictured myself raising boys since I wasn’t a girly-girl. I’m not at all disappointed to raise girls and have loved watching them be tough but girly (i.e. afraid of spiders but not intimated to compete with the boys.)
  3. I have a HUGE fear of birds. My husband thinks it’s ridiculous that such a fearless person can turn into a mess when a bird gets too close for comfort. Where does this crazy fear come from? I was attacked by a flock of geese when I was four and they pecked holes in my tights. So, much for a trip to the park to feed the ducks. As an adult, my husband coaxed me into the aviary at the Wild Animal Park in San Diego to overcome my fear. Immediately upon entering the closed facility a bird swooped down from a corner and tried to nest in my hair. (My husband says it tried to land on my shoulder, but I swear it was trying to birth its young in my lovely fro.) Needless to say, I ran out screaming, nearly wiping out a few small children in my pathway to the exit.
  4. I don’t like pie. I’ve actually confessed this one before but it’s always so shocking to people.
  5. I don’t like baseball either. But I’m totally patriotic. I promise. I vote. I pay taxes.
  6. I don’t know how to sing. My husband and kids are all are great singers. It must be paternally genetic or something. My side of the family hardly sings, “Happy Birthday” and would never be caught dead singing Christmas carols. I adore that my husband sings my girls to sleep most nights. I’m not jealous at all. It’s an honor I can only adore.
  7. I cry every year on the first day of school. I’m not entirely sure what it is that gets the waterworks flowing each fall, but it’s real. My “baby” starts kindergarten this fall and I asked my husband to take the day off work to help me cope. I started off asking for a week, so I figure I’ve made progress. What a wuss, I know.

 

Blogs I think I pretty fantastic in no particular order

  1. Tales from the Crib (of course)
  2. Coupon Geek
  3. Coupon Gal
  4. Safely Gathered In
  5. Mormon Mommy Blogs
  6. Save at Home Mommy
  7. Pinching Your Pennies
  8. Org Junkie
  9. SugarDoodle

10.  Mom’s Favorite Stuff

11.  Hair Today (even though she doesn’t post anymore L)

12.  Procrastinating Writers

13.  Stress Tips

14.  Marking Time

15.  All of my friends personal blogs

Question: How many of my “seven things” were new to you? Did I surprise anyone?

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Jun 21

Baby Mama: The Final Post Before Baby

Baby Mama Series No Comments »

I am very excited that I am only a few weeks away from just being one person again. Being a baby house is fun and different, but it does get old quickly. My husband says these words to me everyday, “It is weird that there is a baby inside of you.” Yes, thank you, my love, it IS weird that there is a baby inside of me; not only weird but uncomfortable and at times painful.

At the doctor yesterday, we scheduled three more doctor visits, one per week for the next three weeks. As I was setting up the third one, I realized it was quite possible that we would already have the baby before that third appointment. That was when it really hit me. Oh my heck!! We only have a very short amount of time left, we could be measuring it in days and it wouldn’t be a high number.

So then I came home and realized that I have a list of things to do. Then I look down my list and realize that I am in this limbo of time, where we are close to having the baby but not quite close enough. I do need to pack a bag for the hospital, but it is still a few weeks away, when is the right time to pack a hospital bag? So I toss that “to do” aside for a while, and keep looking down my list.  Next on the list is go shopping, well I can’t do that until after the baby shower. Good heavens! Is their anything on the list I can do early? It seems a little premature to get out the baby toys or put together the diaper bag, so those items get procrastinated too. The only thing I end up doing is washing the car seat and setting it by the car; but I feel better. I am one step closer to being baby ready.

Sometimes I forget that I have a five pound parasite inside of me, and I try to act like I am just a normal person. For example we took our daughter camping a couple weeks ago. That may have been the dumbest thing I have ever done. Normally I can sleep anywhere. However, I slept very little that night. My poor hipbones which are trying to make room for baby just couldn’t handle the baby pressure on one side and the hard dirt bed on the other side. Another time I decided that I really hadn’t been exercising enough lately so I put a Jillian Michaels aerobics video on the TV. Now her routines are a little rigorous normally, but I felt like such a failure when I was winded during the warm-up. 

Luckily I only have a few more weeks until everything is back to normal.  Or as normal as it can ever be with a brand new baby that I get to take with me everywhere.

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Jun 17

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Tried and True Thursdays No Comments »

Need some help planning Father’s Day? Here are three “Tried and True” websites to inspire you on how to spoil all the great Dads in your life this weekend.

FamilyFun.go.com – For things to do and make-at-home crafts

Gifts.com – You can sort by the “type” of Dad you’re shopping for – outdoorsy, sports lovers, etc.

MommySavers.com – tons of frugal ideas from her readers for ways to celebrate this 100 year old tradition

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Jun 16

Jamba Juice For Only a Buck — Today Only

Deal of the Week, Wildcard Wednesdays 1 Comment »

Today only Jamba Juice is giving away Superfruit Smoothies for only $1.

Enjoy Summer with this (almost) freebie.

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Jun 14

Sailing Through Parenthood

Mommy Monday 1 Comment »

When I asked my four-year-old what she wanted to do this summer, she quickly and confidently replied, “I think I’d like to sail around the world.” Clearly, the media firestorm around 16-year-old, Abby Sunderland, has sparked the attention of my young adrenaline junky.

My response is the same as it always is when she decides she thinks something dangerous is appealing. I sigh and say, “Really.” And her response to my flatness is always ignored as she proceeds with a laundry list of reasons why it’s super cool to do dangerous stuff.

When she was two I was flipping through the channels and she saw a half-mili-second of something that caught her interest. She begged me turn back a few channels and then had me stop on an Olympic slalom ski jump of all things. The only words she could string together to express her excitement were. “Wow! Fun! Fun!”

She was born with an awareness about her that even my family doctor recognized as she emptied his shirt pocket while he leaned forward to look in her ears when she was only a few months old.

Then there was the time when she drove in her Grandma’s little red sports car and said, “Gamma go fasta!! C’mon fasta!!”

At six months of age she was trying to walk – which sounds adorable – but when you have a “danger lover” on your hands it really is a curse not a blessing. She’d troll around the playground and go down the tall twisty slide. I really couldn’t keep her from being who she was – a fun loving, thrill seeker. Yes, I had to keep her safe, but I realized that term had a new definition for my free-spirit.

Other moms would scorn, glare, or even lecture me about how irresponsible I was. I could empathize with them. At times, before the birth of this child, I probably felt some of those same judgmental feelings towards anonymous mothers at the park, the ones that seemed to let their kids do things that appeared to be too overwhelming at such a young age. Most of the time I’d blow them off and every once in a while one of those well-intentioned helicopter moms would try to hover over my child and I’d remind them to fly in their own designated airspace.

Now, I see the Sunderland family take on ridicule from the media and supposed parenting experts for letting their child take on such a difficult goal. I have to sit back and observe from a different place. I don’t know their circumstances, but I do know what it’s like to parent a child that has more zest for life than can be contained in a small body. There’s really more than one way to sail through the solo voyage of parenthood.

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