A Picture can tell a thousand words and so can a thousand words April 30, 2008

I would love to be a serious scrapbooker, heck at this point a scrapbooker at all, but I don’t think I have the determination.

I have good intentions.

I intentionally take pictures, and create scenarios (getting pictures of the kids in super cute poses at the zoo or something corny like that), and think, this would make a great scrapbook page. In my head, I imagine the title, the color of the pages and the stickers, stamps or whatever else I would think would make a great project. I download them into the computer and they just stay there.

I really do have good intentions.

I have thousands of pictures on our computer (of course back-up saved onto their own hard drive) that are waiting for a home. Whether a beautiful scrapbook page with the attention, decoration and focus they deserve. Or a great picture collage in a wonderful picture frame to adorn my walls with great memories.

Now that I mentioned it, the picture frame thing would be a great decorating project for the move into our new home.

That one I will definitely tackle, with good intentions.

As far as the scrapbooking goes, I’m not sure.

It’s not the time, I could scrap during nap time or take some time after we put them to bed. My good mom-friend is an avid (emphasis the word “avid” scrapper and very good at it). She shows me her books and calls me when she goes out on Friday’s to a scrapping place.

It’s not the space. I could use the train table we bought our son for his second Christmas, that evidently we were more excited about then he was. Although he is a train enthusiast (to describe his enjoyment of trains lightly), he would rather just take the trains off the table and construct his own tracks on the floor.

It’s also not the question on what to buy. At one point, when I was “this close” to buying all the materials I needed, my friend gave me a spare catalog and went through it marking the things I needed and the items that were a total waste of time and money.

It’s also not the money. Well, maybe not the money. I guess I go to the store or fill out the order form and get ready to order online and I would just rather spend the money on something the kids need.

So, I guess I’ll always have good intentions of being a scrapper. My friend always jokes that by the time I get around to scrap booking, I’ll have another baby and then I’ll have a ton of pictures, pages and holidays to catch up on.

And I think she’s right.

I guess for some of us, although we wish this weren’t the case, scrapbooking is one of those things we always want to do but never really get around to doing it.

Maybe that’s why I started this blog.

A picture can tell a thousand words, but so can a thousand words.

(But I’ll always be a scrapper (wanna-be) at heart.)

Finally… April 29, 2008

I was just about to go up and “rescue” my son from his nap.

For 5 minutes he has been yelling, “Mommy, I’m awake, I’m awake!”

He never went to sleep.

So I decided just to give it 5 more minutes, a little blog time and then I would go and get him.

Looks like 5 more minutes did the trick. All I hear coming from the monitor is silence.

My son is out cold (I shouldn’t say that too loud, we all know toddler’s naps are as fragile. And simply thinking they are finally sleep is enough to waken the quietest toddler.)

I think he may be getting ready to give up naps. He needs them most on school days. The anticipation of the day that lies ahead keeps him awake until at least 10:30 and then I have to wake him up by 7:30 to get to preschool on time.

We don’t leave the house until 8:45 but my son is like my husband,they need “their” time in the morning. I wake up ready to go. It only takes about 5 minuets to turn on the switch and I can be out the door in full gear without much notice. But they like to have their routine. My son wakes up, gets his PBS dose, with breakfast and a little bit of Thomas the Train. Then he’s ready to go.

Anyway, where was I….

Yes, naps. He didn’t take one yesterday and faired pretty well. But he does need them on school days or else his nasty personality appears. And just when you think, “I should put him back down to try for a nap again” and you look at the clock and realize it’s almost dinner time and way to late for a nap. If he naps now, everyone is up for the night.

Besides, I’m hanging onto every last nap.

Nap time is my time.

My time to clean, waste, blog, or whatever, but it is my time.

In two weeks, I’ll have to use my time to pack.

We finally bought a house, just 2 streets over but we finally bought a house and moving, no matter how close involved packing. Though I would love to “Dorthify” my house, put on a nice glittery red heels, click and we’re done.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

But in reality, there is way more involved then I ever imagined.

All the planning, moving, buying, blah,blah,blah.

We buy a new house and my nesting instinct kicks in. I get to redecorate and make sure everything is the way we want it. I get to redo the kids rooms and whatever else. I know it doesn’t have to be perfect upon moving in (though secretly I want it to be) because it probably won’t be, but still I nest.

I make lists and I prepare.

My husband on the other hand is a more relaxed kinda, let’s get into the house and see type personality.

Let’s feel it out.

I seriously think if I didn’t start soon, he’d start packing the day before closing. That is when he gets kicked into full gear. When he has to.

Believe it or not, he works good last minute. He is not as last minute as he says he is, he works stuff out in his mind, but unlike me I verbalize everything, go figure.

He just kinda thinks about it and you think he is totally not there and then at the last minute, he’s full throttle.

So that is where I was, dealing with moving and inspections and closing stuff and then the kids got sick. Nothing major, just upper respiratory stuff. But my little on gets sick and she is needy and she follows me around grabbing onto my pant leg for dear life.

It’s cute, because just when you get annoyed, you look down at her little face and see her little puppy dog eyes and she stretches her arms out for me to pick her up and whines, “mama”, and you really just can’t resist. But I can do without being slimmed every two minutes. (you know they have the runny nose and the want to put their head into your lap or you arms and you get slimmed).

So that is what I have been up to.

I don’t know if I have more time or just found a better way to manage it with all the craziness going on, but I’m back…..finally

April 26, 2008

Sorry about the lack of blogs this week.

I’ve been battling a house of sick kids and we are getting ready to move and finalizing all the inspections and all that good stuff.

I’ll be back in full force tomorrow with great updates on new places to play and what’s been going on.

Please join me back tomorrow.

The Potty Game April 21, 2008

I’m not good at this potty training thing.

I know there are people who are good at it. You have to be persistent, consistent and very determined. I am determined but I think I falter on the persistent and consistent.  I am really good one day, as is George, and the next day I start out good and get distracted by my daughter or whatever and soon it’s been 2 hours, I haven’t asked my son to go pee-pee on the potty and his diaper is hanging like a lead weight between his legs.

What can I say?

I should probably put on the kitchen timer. That way it remind me and him to go, but I haven’t done that. That would be too easy, right?

This potty training thing is hard.

It’s like a two way mind game.

You have to trick them into thinking that taking breaks from playing with their ever so precious toys and getting up every 20 minutes or so to go pee pee in the potty is better than sitting in a sopping wet diaper.

We see the logic, they may see it, but they don’t care.

To them (my son), that is what a pull up is for, to pee in, he knows he can go pee pee in the potty and can stay dry for hours at a time, but once he gets to building his train tracks or playing outside, there is no reasoning.

Especially when he senses how bad I want him to give it up.

So the mind game continues, and trust me, I’ve found that the ball is always in their court.

Big boys wear big boy underwear (as my friend would call it BBUs), ride bikes and go to school, big boys go pee-pee in the potty. But on the same hand big boys have learned that mommys will do anything to get them to go pee pee on the potty including giving them rewards.

What if the rewards aren’t big enough for the outcome?

As far as he’s concerned, his diaper can stay wet for one more day!

Happy Earth Day April 18, 2008

It’s going to be a beautiful weekend, at least that’s what they say.

What a better weekend to celebrate Earth Day, and there are a ton of stuff going on, from free crafts at your local Lakewood Learning shore to enjoying the sun and the animals at the Zoo, these events won’t leave you wondering what to do. So when your little one wakes up and asks, “What are we going to do today?” (like mine does) you’ll have not only have an answer, but a great plan in hand.

Here goes it:

1-The Philadelphia Zoo throws great events and I’m sure this one is no exception. It’s a party for the planet Saturday and Sunday at the Philadelphia Zoo. During this family friendly earth celebration, come see the animals and learn how to reuse, recycle and reduce. The Zoo will be filled with educational and conservation activities. Come by on Saturday and you can hang with Swoop the Eagles mascot and meet channel 6 weather man David Murphy (we watch him every morning). Come by around noon and you can rock out to the tunes of Yosi and the Superdads on the Impala Stage. (We went to the zoo today because we have a birthday party on Saturday or I would totally be there.

2-Teach your kids a bit of the Native American Culture on Saturday at the Discovery Museum. Learn the value and importance of the Native American Culture and try your hand at crafting your own dream crafter or rain stick (but keep that rain stick still at least until Monday).

3-Johnson’s Farm is putting on a party of their own in celebration of the Apple Blossom Festival. Join them for live music and Hayrides to the “Bloomin’ Orchards”, “Barnyard Bill” games, kettle corn, ice cream and much much more. Festivities last throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday.

4-Even the Lakeshore Learning Store is getting in on the Earth Day Festivities with their own celebration. This free event features free activities for kids including a plant-your-won-flower activity. Activities run Saturday from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

5-What kinda Earth Day would it be if I left out the Academy of Natural Sciences?! The museum celebrates Earth Day and the animals that help keep our planet clean and healthy. There is will tons of crafts and fun as kids create eco-friendly crafts, enjoy naturalist presentations, and play education games. Their Earth Day celebration lasts throughout the entire weekend from 11:00am to 3:30pm.

Earth Day shouldn’t be celebrated just once a year, it should be an attitude we take your round. Here are 5 things you can do with your family and help our planet stay clean and healthy:

1-Walk or ride your bike to school, the park or the store. This is a great way to reduce poluution caused by cars, trucks, buses, trains and airplanes.

2-Plant Trees. They help keep the air clean

3-Don’t liter.

4-Create a compost pile for food scraps and plant waste from the garden. Not only do composts help enrich the soil, but it is a good way to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills.

5- Recycle. Get with your kids to create your own recycling bins and have them place them in spots they would remember to use and decorate them. (I know they did this on Jon and Kate plus 8)

Happy Earth Day!

Smeared April 16, 2008

Poop seems to be a common theme in my household.

Not that you always want to hear about it, but this is a story worth telling.

This event happened to my husband two days ago while I was on a recent trip to the grocery store, lucky for me it happened to him. After all, he is a nurse, he’s used to all the bodily stuff, right? Ha!

So……

While my husband and my kids were in the playroom, my son told my husband, “Sophia needs her diaper changed.”

He repeated, “Daddy, Sophia needs her diaper changed!”

This statement was in between repeated chants of, “I wanna watch Thomas the Train!”

My husband was already in the midst of turning on a Thomas the Train movie for George so I guess he figured first things first.

Movie and then diaper.

Besides, he didn’t smell anything, how does a 3 year know when he sister needs a diaper change.

Right?

After he was finished turning on the movie for George in the TV room, he headed back to the playroom (which is just off the tv room) and he was met with an eager little one year old.

Her hand was extended in a fist, as if to show something to him and then quickly her hand went to her mouth. Before she could get it to her mouth, my husband quickly stopped her hand.

“What do you have there?”

As he held her had and gently extended her fingers he noticed she was grabbing a big ball of poop, and was about to put it in her mouth. My daughter loves to remove her diaper when she is not wearing bottoms and he didn’t notice her diaper was off because she was wearing a dress.

After careful examination he safely stated, “I don’t think she got any in her mouth becuase there was no poop in her teeth!”

UGH!

I just about gagged.

Oragnic or not April 13, 2008

I eat healthy and I try to eat Organic whenever possible, but sometimes, it’s expensive.

I would like to choose to eat the organic foods that I know would make a difference.

But when you have to choose, which foods are worth going organic?

My sister in law found this great article that helps with that decision, at least with the fruits and vegetables.

Check it out here.

ZOO TIP April 12, 2008

If you are a member at the Philadelphia Zoo, don’t forget about the Member Morning Strolls. The Zoo opens at 8:30am-9:30am for their members-only hours at the Zoo (great time to let your kid run free). Perfect to see how the keepers and animals start their morning. The first 500 kids receive a free gift. You don’t have to register for this event, just come to the Zoo and bring your ID.

Member Morning Strolls are April 13th, May 11th, June 28th, July 20th, August 16th, September 21st and October 12th.

TGIF April 11, 2008

I know it’s supposed to rain Satuday Morning but don’t let the weekend get washed away.

Here are some great things to do with your little or bigs ones this weekend:

1.Is your little one totally obsessed with Thomas the Train like mine? Visit your local Toys R Us for a Thomas and Friends play date Saturday April 12th from 11:00am to 1:00pm. The fun included Storytime every half hour, Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway Play time, Coloring Fun and special in store savings (of course you couldn’t get off completely free). Show up on time because while supplies last they are giving away Free Thomas trading cards.

2. Bounce U is open Saturday night for Family Bounce Time from 8pm-10pm. Plenty of bounce space will be available as both bounce spaces will be open. Don’t worry about grabbing a bit to eat beforehand, pizza and drinks will be served. Space is limited and reservations are recommended, so email your name, phone number and number of bouncers to cherryhill.nj@bounceu.com. Happy Bouncing!

3. The Discovery Museum seems to be throwing some great weekend events with great themes. This one sounds good enough to eat. And you may to be able to enjoy a taste of the Italian countryside as you join the Discovery Museum for An Italian Affair on Saturday, April 12th. Along with food you can channel Michelangelo and paint your own ceiling fresco or prepare your own pasta. They will also feature a special storytime in the storybook castle with author Strega Nona.

4. Hopefully the rain doesn’t stay too long because this should be a fun one. Venture over to Longwood Gardens this weekend and learn and art of Kite Flying during their annual Kite Festival, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. My husband, master kite flyer (a funny story for another time), would enjoy this one. Anyway, enjoy the art and skill of kite flying as the Leigh Valley Kite Society takes over the Cow lot filling the air with colorful and unique kites. Kids can join in on the fun by making their own kites.

5.Love baseball. Show your children the effect baseball has had on the society through the history of the Negro Baseball League. Discovery Greatness: Illustrated greatness of the Negro League Baseball. This traveling exhibit features 90 photographs that showcase the history of the African-American baseball from the late 1880’s to the 1960’s. It also pays tribute to the National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, pennants, replica uniforms, posters and more. This traveling exhibit will be on display at the African-American Museum in Philadelphia until May 4th.

Here is a great charitable event happening this weekend at the Pump it up in Marlton in support of Autism Awareness Month:

Just don’t bounce! Bounce for a cause! Join Pump it up in Marlton, NJ and Bounce for Autism  Wednesday April 16th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Not can you bounce, enjoy pizza and drinks and take your turn at the prize wheel, but 100% off all proceeds will be donated to the Autism Society of America. Tickets are limited. Click here to purchase you tickets and visit their site (www.bounceforautism.org) for more information.

Dazed and Confused April 9, 2008

I’ll be lucky if I make it through the day.

That is a bit of an exaggeration,  but that is how I feel.

Last night was one long sleep interruption and so of course today I am in a daze.

I feel like today is just a long continuation from yesterday. If I were to put my head down, I am certain, I could fall asleep. But we can’t do that, we keep trudging, even through days like this.  These are the moments I remember the days before I has kids. If you were sick or didn’t sleep the night before, you could call out of work, and spend the day under the covers catching up or feeling better.

In this job, there is no calling out of work.

This long day started yesterday when I woke up with my 3 year olds cold. Beware, the moment your child feels better, the cold isn’t gone from the household, it has just moved onto it’s next victim. The cold hit me like invasions of the body snatchers. I felt great one day, woke up the next contaminated, coughing, sinus pressure, runny nose and tired.

Last night I am sure if I had gotten some sleep I would have felt better but I think the cold has claimed it’s next victim, my daughter. Although, I am a bit concerned she has an ear infection. She had a slight fever last night, didn’t want to lay down and was grabbing at her ear. I’ll give it another day before I make the call to the doctor, but if this is another ear infection it would make her 3rd in less than 3 months.

I took her for a check-up about 2 weeks ago to make sure the previous ear infections were gone and the doctor said her ears weren’t red but still had some fluid. I’m no doctor, but to me that means the ear infection isn’t completely gone. Anyway, I think my fears may have been true. According to my mom, I also suffered from ear infections as an infant. But sometimes that changes, first it was me, then my sister, and now me again. But one of us suffered from ear infections.

Lucky today is my husband’s short day at the hospital, I just have 5 more hours until he comes home.

I know I’ll make it.

A bit dazed and confused, but I’ll make it, just the way any other mother would.

I’ll be day dreaming of my soft, inviting bed with blankets for days and pillows that make you want to lay your head down and dream.

I’ll be day dreaming of the minute I can give my eyes a rest and escape into a dream and a nap that invigorates and revives.

I’ll be hoping for a nap time so successful words can’t explain.

Knock on wood.