Come and See!!

Today we were outside playing the in the back yard because it’s FINALLY dipped below 80 degrees here in Houston! Finally, fall weather!! But, I digress…

We were having a blast sliding on the slides, playing pirates, feeding the dog sticks (yes, she was actually eating them - weird, huh?), and pretending to fish. After a while, Kate wandered over to the deck to sit on the porch swing. She came running back over to me saying, “Mommy! Come and see!! There’s ants on the swing! Come and see!!!” Continue reading…

Winner!! for “Guess the Sport…”

Woo Hoo! We have a lucky winner! Congrats Aunt CeCe!!!

If you didn’t read the previous post, I had a contest going to see who could name the televised sport that my 4-year-old little girl is infatuated with.

Can you believe that my PRINCESS of a girl who wears pink as often as possible
L-O-V-E-S to watch…

BULL RIDING????

I know, it cracks us up every time, too! And somehow she knows it when we even pass it while we’re flipping channels and always asks us to go back so she can watch.

Shawn thinks that maybe she’s gonna fall in love with a cowboy someday…

Guess the Sport and Win…

My four-year-old princess, Kate, is COMPLETELY mesmerized by a certain televised sport. Seriously, it’s c-r-a-z-y funny how she’ll sit completely still and watch this stuff.

So, what’s your guess as to which sport it is? First person to post the right answer in the comments below will win a gift card to Starbucks courtesy of yours truly. Just cuz it’ll be fun to see what every one guesses.

Let the games begin… hee hee hee…

Product Review: Step 2’s Sand and Water Table

When I decided to buy an outdoor activity table for Kate, I did lots of research. I knew that she LOVED playing in the sand, but didn’t want to necessarily build a ‘real’ sand box in our back yard. So, I went to Amazon.com (of course) and started reading reviews on all the different brands of sand and water activity tables out there. Many of the brand names that I normally would have trusted to make a good quality table got bad reviews and so I wound up purchasing the “Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center” by Step 2 and I’ve never regretted it!

Here’s the product description from Step 2…

This adorable Sand and Water Activity Center features wood crafted styling and nature’s colors that blend with traditional landscapes in residential outdoor living areas. It’s divided into two separate sides - one for water, the other for sand. Continue reading…

Continue reading...

product-review

Crafty Ideas

Are you looking for cheap, crafty things to do with your kiddos to keep them from driving your batty? I stumbled across this blog the other day and thought it had some great and creative ideas for doing artsy types of things with kids and for repurposing all sorts of things around the house, too…

Check out scrumdilly-do and have hours of fun!!!

Free Movies, Anyone? Part Two…

Now that I’ve attended a couple of movies at AMC’s Summer Movie Camp, I thought I’d share a few tips on how to make it a more enjoyable experience.

1. Go early. Try to arrive at the theater at least 15-30 minutes before show time. There are usually a TON of day-cares that take advantage of this great opportunity to get the kids out and you’ll want to beat them to a good seat. Also, at our theater they start the movie right on time WITHOUT any previews. You’ll want to be in your seats ready to go AT 10am on the dot!
2. Go with someone. Either take along another adult to help out, or go with friend who also has kiddos. That way, if your daughter needs to go pee in the middle of the film, there’s someone else who can watch your other children in the theater and you don’t have to drag them ALL with you to the bathroom.
3. Take your own snacks. While I’m not sure that the movie theater appreciates this piece of advice, you’ll thank me later. My sis-in-law usually packs a baggy of popcorn or a box of raisins in the diaper bag along with the kids’ sippy cups. Although you CAN buy a ’snack-pack’ there at the theater for pretty cheap ($3 for a drink, popcorn and a snack of your choice), the lines are usually pretty outrageous with all the day-care kids.
4. Make a day of it! My sister-in-law and I have now done this outing twice and both times we’ve taken the kids to eat lunch at Chick-Fil-A after the movie is over. It’s a great way for us to get some adult time while the kids eat (without being forced to) and then play on the playground.

Kids are Smarter than Us…

The other day we were driving somewhere and someone cut me off on a major road near my house. After mumbling something smart-assed under my breath about them HAVING to pick MY lane, even though the other 2 lanes were COMPLETELY clear, Kate asked me, “Mommy, who are you talking to?” I knew I’d been caught and said sheepishly, “I’m talking to the cars.” She said in a very matter-of-fact, aren’t-you-a-silly-woman?, kind of way. , “Uh… Mommy… cars don’t talk.” So after, I laughed out loud, I said, “You’re right, honey. I must have been talking to the drivers IN the cars, huh?”

At least she got me out of my bad mood and made me smile….

Great Clothing Deals

My sister-in-law sent this recently and I thought I’d share with you all… Thanks for the great finds, Tiff!!

Ok, you all know what a bargain shopper I am. I wanted to share 2 good finds with you in case you are in need of clothing for your little ones.

1. Target has just taken a lot of markdowns in their infant/toddler sections as well as girls (didn’t shop boys dept, but I am sure they are marked down too) Up to 75% off !!!! I found quite a few $.98 items for my kids. Mostly tee shirts and a few pairs of cotton shorts.
I spent $42 and bought 18 items. (Just over $2 per item!!)

2. Childrens Place- just marked down quite a bit to $3.99. I always shop online there, and use my web code: BCMP77 for an additional 20% off. Anyone can use this code, so feel free to check it out. Plus, it’s $5.00 shipping no matter how much you buy!!!! Webcode expires 7/22/07. www.childrensplace.com
I spent $65 and got 24 items (just over $2 per item!!)

Swimming Lesson Advice from a Pro

I have a good friend who used to teach swimming lessons every summer in her back yard pool. She has taught most of the kids I know and has also trained lifeguards for years. Wouldn’t you know that the year that I’m ready to put Kate in swimming lessons, my friend is out of the business. So, the next best thing is what I’m listing here: her advice to me about how to scope out a person or place that offers swimming lessons. Hope this helps you the way that it helped me!

1. Try to get in a class that has 6 or less kids.
2. Make sure the class meets at least 4 days in a row. Normally they meet 4 days in a row for 2 weeks.
3. Try to meet the teacher ahead of time, since it is all about relationships and how the teacher will do with your particular kid’s personality.
4. Find out how the teacher will deal with getting face wet and how they will handle kids that don’t want to do what they are asked. My opinion is that you want them to lovingly lead your kid rather than force them.
5. Above all, if the class has more than 2 students per teacher you will need to stay
   where you can watch your kids because a teacher almost always turns her back to at least one student and that is when that student chooses to do something brave!!

My New Favorite TV Show

While I’m still in love with Grey’s Anatomy (except the season finale sucked!), Heroes, and Lost, I’ve just found a new favorite. No, it’s not Deal or No Deal or Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? or even Dancing with the Stars or anything else on primetime.

My new favorite show is on the cable network Noggin at 10:00 AM. (Yes, I am a stay-at-home-mom… With a four year old, a two year old and an 8 month old.) It’s called The Upside Down Show.

I know how much some of you L O V E the other Australian guys (you know - the ones that wiggle), but these guys are much cooler and a lot more fun! They actually crack ME up! They always have a word of the day – today’s was ‘perplexed’ - and do a lot with opposites (I know, hard to believe considering the title of their show). Lots of imaginary play with an imaginary remote control that always has different buttons (itchy button, upside down button where they turn upside down, instant replay – they actually commentate like a sportscaster doing a replay of golf or something, hilarious!). Great show, educational, my kids love it and are sad on any day that we miss it, and it makes adults laugh, too!!

Is there anything better?