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One of the things that is great about being a stay-at-home mommy is that you are there when the important questions arise. Whenever they arise. Who better for your child to get the answers to their deepest most intimate questions from?
This happened during bath time in our household last night. The boys bathe at night and the girls in the morning...but since I'm home solo we are all in the bedroom together while I oversee the baths.
Son 1 (age 6): Mom! We have two little balls inside our body! {laughter}
Son 2 (age 6): Yeah, and we can move them around.They roll around.
Son 1 : Why do we have these 2 little balls in here?
Daughter (age 4): Stop touching your privates! You are not supposed to touch your privates. Right, Mommy?
Son 1: Yes you can. You can always touch your own body and your own privates. Right Mommy?
One of the things that is great about being a stay-at-home mother with a road warrior father and 4 children is that you can easily deflect those questions without being too obvious.
Mom: (weak smile) Yes and....Oh my gosh Pumpkin! What is that on your face? Does it hurt honey? Oh, I think we need to put something on that! Come with me before the baby starts crying. Boys, put your PJ's on and get in bed. Mommy is so tired and if you hurry I can read one book if the baby doesn't get back up. Hurry!
I know some of you are disappointed in this homeschooling mother's pathetic avoidance of answering this question. But really, shouldn't I save some of these great parenting moments for Big Daddy?
I promise. When the girls start having questions about the things they are finding on their body, I'll be there. After all, by that time everyone should be sleeping through the night and brushing their own teeth. I'll be so well rested I won't know what to do with myself!
Canstruction is a unique food charity that hosts design/build competitions. Teams of architects, engineers, and students mentored by these professionals, compete to design and build giant structures made entirely from full cans of food. It takes 8-12 weeks and thousands of cans of food to create each structure.
The results are displayed to the public as magnificent sculpture exhibits in each city where a competition is held. The public is invited to donate canned food at the time of the exhibition. At the close of the exhibitions all of the canned food used in the structures is donated to local food banks for distribution to emergency feeding programs that include pantries, soup kitchens, elderly and day care centers. It's amazing what these artists have come up with, isn't it?
Thanks to Of Mice & Ramen for posting about this on your blog. I would have never heard of this otherwise. I cannot wait to take my kids!
Please go here to see if Canstruction is coming to your city. Palm Beach county residents should go here for local exhibit information.
Don't forget the sunscreen! Back in the day---AKA 3 kids ago, you were supposed to wait until they were 6 months old. But that isn't true anymore according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Visit Skin Deep's Sunscreen data base and pick out a SAFE sunscreen for you and your baby!
Don't forget a hat! All of my children have always worn hats at the beach without fail, without problem. Just start early and make sure it's light weight and that it ties if they are young. My personal favorite, the floppy hat, is available from Hanna Anderson. They are machine washable and have been passed down to our 4th child and are still going strong!
2004
2006
If you have infants or early toddlers I highly recommend bringing a baby pool with you to the beach. You can place the pool under an umbrella, put some water in it (from the ocean of course) throw in a couple shells and water toys and you are set! You can now relax as your baby crawls in/out of the pool, splashes and plays in the sand. Your child is protected from the sun under the umbrella too.
Bear & G-man 2004
Bring plenty of sand toys. You can never have enough in my opinion. I just take a big net bag to the beach filled with toys. So what if I have 4 kids and 7 buckets---trust me, they all get used. Plus there is something about digging in the bag that appeals to the kids too. I used to write our initials in Sharpie on each of the toys, but I don't do that anymore. When it's time to go my kids all help rinse the toys off before we put them in the bag. Even a 15 month old can do this!
Ditch the sippy cups and just bring sport top bottled water. If you don't want to bring a cooler freeze a couple and take them to the beach in your beach bag or diaper bag.
Meccano toys are my latest educational toy obsession. Aren't these just the cutest toys? Kids assemble the toys using a little screw driver to create three different models.
My love story is probably not the typical love story. We've both been married before, though only my husband had children. Three daughters to be exact. It's never easy blending families and we have had a particularly rough time of it, and that's putting it nicely. We called off our wedding twice. I even relocated to another state at one point. And then we realized that even if it wasn't always easy, we were meant to be together.
So what song did we play at our wedding for our first dance? You're Still The One by Shania Twain. And after 9 years of marriage, he definitely is.
(When I first saw you, I saw love. And the first time you touched me, I felt love. And after all this time, you're still the one I love.) Looks like we made it Look how far we've come my baby We mighta took the long way We knew we'd get there someday
They said, "I bet they'll never make it" But just look at us holding on We're still together still going strong
(You're still the one) You're still the one I run to The one that I belong to You're still the one I want for life (You're still the one) You're still the one that I love The only one I dream of You're still the one I kiss good night
Ain't nothin' better We beat the odds together I'm glad we didn't listen Look at what we would be missin'
They said, "I bet they'll never make it" But just look at us holding on We're still together still going strong
(You're still the one) You're still the one I run to The one that I belong to You're still the one I want for life (You're still the one) You're still the one that I love The only one I dream of You're still the one I kiss good night
(You're still the one) You're still the one I run to The one that I belong to You're still the one I want for life (You're still the one) You're still the one that I love The only one I dream of You're still the one I kiss good night
I still tear up when I hear the lyrics and I'm reminded of what I would nothave hadif I believed in "love at first sight" and "if it's too much work, it's not meant to be."
Ain't nothin' better We beat the odds together I'm glad we didn't listen Look at what we would be missin'
I'm going to make a point of telling my children that marriage is hard work but anything worth having is worth working hard for.
Happy Anniversary Big Daddy. You will always be the one for me.
The following is an excerpt from a recent letter from ParentalRights.org. You can view the full piece online here.
Dear Friend of Parental Rights,
Monday in a Harlem middle school, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told a group of 120 students that administration officials are actively discussing “when and how it might be possible to join” (that is, ratify) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As before, she also communicated what a disgrace it is that the U.S. would stand with only Somalia against such a widely-accepted treaty.
This is the first direct public statement by the Obama administration that it will seek ratification of the UN CRC.
To discourage them from doing so, we need to make sure that our voices are heard with unmistakable clarity. We must let the Obama administration know that we oppose this anti-family, anti-American treaty.
Here’s what we need you all to do:
1.Call the White House comments line at 202-456-1111. Tell them you heard the administration wants to ratify the CRC, and you strongly oppose this giving away of U.S. sovereignty to the UN. Also keep in mind that this treaty gives the government jurisdiction to override any decision made by any parent if the government thinks that a better decision can be made—even if there is no proof of any harm.
2.Call Ambassador Susan Rice’s office at the United Nations. Her office number is 212-415-4000. Tell her that you want her to represent the United States to the world rather than trying to get the United States to go along with international law initiated by the UN.
3. Contact your Senators and urge them to oppose ratification of this treaty. (Find your Senators’ contact information by typing your zip code into the box here.) Ask them also to defeat it once and for all by cosponsoring SJRes 16 – the Parental Rights Amendment.
It is very important that we speak up right now. Please post on your blogs, email your friends, tweet or link to this blog post. We need to speak up before it's too late.
I am going to tell you what apparently none of the women at your speaking engagements have the nerve to tell you. Go home, stop going on speaking engagements & book signings, honor your husband, family and God and let your TLC reality show go. It won't last forever, but your marriage could...into eternity.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20-22
I read your book, and while I was surprised to learn of your faith, I took you at your word. We all fall away and are prone to temptation. But now that you have all the free merchandise and tummy tuck that you've wanted; Now that you've bought a house and have enough money to hire nannies and a body guard; I think its safe to say you aren't on welfare and won't be there any time soon. You don't need the show to provide for your family. There are many families who provide just fine for their families without a reality TV show.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22
If you truly believe what the bible tells us then you know that God will provide for you and your family if you seek him. If you honor your husband and look not to things of this world. While your mouth says that your children are your primary concern, your actions do not convey this.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? " Matthew 6:25-27
I say this because: 1.) You are not home with them while you are touring the country speaking about your faith and full time motherhood.
2.) You have chosen a show over a marriage to the father of your children.
3.) You disrespect your husband on national TV and in front of your own children.
4.) You let America into your home to watch your marriage and your children's family life implode---for ratings? for money?
It's not too late to do the right thing for your family.
If your child has problems with his or her multiplication facts, but enjoys video games and spending time on the computer, then you may want to consider trying Big Brainz's Timez Attack. While playing a fast paced real video game children learn mastery of their multiplication facts in a quick drill style method. Try out the basic version for free. The full version offers extra cool worlds for the player to advance to. The only slight drawback is navigation of the game (using W,S and space bar keys to advance instead of arrows) while simultaneously using the mouse to look around. The game runs smoothly though and the animation is very good. Nothing gory or scary.
I'm going to take this writers prompt from MamaKat's writer's workshop and give it a 2nd go round. This time less tongue in cheek.
My parenting advice would be to have a 7-7:30PM bed time. Its a lot easier to implement than you think and no, your children won't get up at 3am. They earlier they go to bed, the better they will sleep. Just ask Dr. Weissbluth. Or me. You will be amazed at the energy you have when your kids are in bed by 7:30P. Try it. I double dog dare you.
Kids need to either nap or have quiet time every afternoon. Quiet time means you stay in your room, in your bed and stay Q-U-I-E-T. You can read books, you can sleep, but you cannot get out of bed (unless you need to potty) or play with your toys. I do allow my daughter to have her dolly in bed though. Quiet time lasts 2 hours in this house...and it's heaven. The baby naps 3 hours. Another blessing. Its important to refuel and kids are less cranky if they get a break from you too.
After four kids, that's what I've come up with. What parenting advice do you have to share?
This new home project while being a blessing, is really testing me in all areas of my life and sanity. I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin' (as my southern friends would say).
Take last week for example, I have to get out the door but I cannot find my cell phone...again. Have you been there? Big Daddy says he doesn't know why I even have one since: a) I never have it with me b.) In his opinion I never answer it c) The reason I "never answer it" is because I forget to charge it so the battery dies so the phone doesn't ring for me to answer it. d) No one can leave me a voice mail message because I don't check them so the voice mail is always full e.) I'm always telling him I don't know where my cell phone is.
So, as my grandmother used to say, I'm racing around like a chicken with my head cut off when my 6 year old son comes up to me.
Son: "Mommy. Mommy! Mommy?"
Chicken with her head cut off: "Not now."
Son: "What's wrong Mommy?"
Chicken with her head cut off: "Not. Now. I'm t-r-y-i-n-g to find my cell phone. I have to leave and I'm already late."
Son: "Okay, but Mommy? Mommy, your cell phone is in your hand."
Chicken with her head cut off: ??????
True Story.
Now the hypochondriac in me says that I am coming down with Alzheimer's. But I'm hoping I have a temporary case of the stupids. What's the stupidest thing you've done this month?
I was reading this post and I saw a link to MyRapName.com And being that I apparently have nothing better to do on a Friday night, but visit a website to inquire about such things, I clicked on over there.
Are you ready for it?
DJ Karin K Juice
Not sure that was really me. I tried it again, and I got:
MamaKat has asked for some solicited "unsolicited parenting advice" as part of her writers workshop. I'm new at this writers workshop thing, but fortunately I'm not new at the unsolicited advice!
Dear Oblivious Mother, Yes, I'm talking to you. The one who has her child running around the restaurant while she nurses a martini and talks on her cell phone. The one who thinks it's all too cute the way her sassy 3 year old rolls her eyes and tells everyone what she is and isn't going to do; Like wait her turn on the slide, give my child back her doll, or stop throwing food across the restaurant.
I know you think you have one adorable child who is going to be CEO one day. I know you think that saying, "Stop it" 15,278 times during the course of dinner might actually cause your child to stop annoying the heck out of everyone in the restaurant. But I submit to you that you might want to try actually parenting some time.
I know, call me crazy, but I think that's what we are actually supposed to be doing. I know it's fun to have a baby shower and dress them up like dolls, but children are actually a responsibility and not an accessory.
Although I can easily see yours becoming an accessory in the legal sense. But I digress.
You see children don't come out of the womb knowing how to behave in a restaurant, on the playground, at a neighbors house or even at school. And the designer outfit your little brat is sporting doesn't make as big an impression on me as the fact that she is just plain rude, annoying, spoiled and a direct reflection on your complete failings as a parent.
There, I've said what everyone else has been thinking. It's time you started thinking about what you are going to do now. I suggest buying all the parenting books you can find on Amazon.com and actually reading them.
Sincerely, Unfortunate soul who always gets seated next to you in a restaurant.
Thanks MamaKat, that was fun! Go here for more writers prompts. What is your parenting pet peeve?
Instead of reading the paper in the morning, I read blogs and twitter postings. For me, its a great way to start off the day and I sometimes learn new and interesting things that keep me feeling hip and "in-the-know." Which is increasingly important to me for some reason.
This morning McMommy posted about iGoogle and her favorite gadgets. So, of course I had to immediately create an iGoogle homepage because she made it sound so necessary.
Tiny Url Perfect for tweeting. Makes those long url's fit!
Gmail Although I'm really digging Nutshell Mail, this is nice too. This lets you view and compose your gmail mail in the reader. There are a few Gmail gadgets, this is the better one I think. Google Reader Get the latest feeds from all the blogs in your Google Reader account. Sweet!
Useless knowledge As the name implies, but a little more interesting. I've always been addicted to those random facts.
Weather Since we are studying the weather in our homeschool curriculum right now I thought I'd add this little gadget to give me a heads up. Do you think its like a crib sheet?
Movies This is the Fandango gadget. You enter in your basic info and then all the movie times automatically show up. If Big Daddy saw this he would laugh. I don't know when the last time we've actually gone to the movies. But, you never know, I just might be able to go to one one day.
NY Times USA Today BBC News So that I actually know a little bit of what is going on in the world outside of blogging, homeschooling and the latest potty training techniques.
Oh, and just for fun I created this gadget. Just in case you cannot get enough of me and what I have to say! (I kid)
Do you use iGoogle? What are your favorite gadgets?
A friend of mine once shared her "list" with me. It was a list of things she would never do to her future daughter-in-law and as you can imagine, it was heavily based upon her own personal experience as a daughter-in-law. Since I heard of her list I've been keeping mine mentally. But after four kids it's starting to slip so I decided to write it out.
1.) When meeting my future daughter-in-law for the first time, I will not refuse to look at or acknowledge her while proceeding to talk about her with my son as if she wasn't there.
2.) I will not ask my son, "Do you intend to have children with her?" and then promptly leave the table crying after being told yes.
3.) I will actually introduce my daughter-in-law when introductions are being made. Instead of referring to everyone there except my daughter-in-law and leaving them to wonder who the other girl is.
4.) I will not send my daughter-in-law a poisonous plant as a welcome to the family gift. I will especially not send her one when she's in the hospital on complete bed rest during her pregnancy---even if I didn't want those children born in the first place.
5.) When meeting my daughter-in-law's friends, family, or boss I will actually feign interest when they want to tell me nice things about my daughter-in-law instead of abruptly changing the subject or telling them how my other daughter in law is more worth their professional time.
6.) I will remember what it feels like to fall in love with someone and have the rest of your life turn into a living hell because of their family. I will do my best not to make my future daughter in law ever wonder if marrying my son was worth all the heartache.
7.) I will offer to babysit my grandchildren frequently and often so that my son and his wife can spend time alone together without my daughter in law worrying about the stranger she had to pay to watch her children.
8.) I will remember when visiting that I am a guest. I have my own home and had my own family. Now it's my son's turn to build one with his wife.
9.) I will respect the decisions my husband and his wife make for their family.
10.) I will do everything in my power to develop a true friendship and relationship with the woman that was special enough for my son to ask to marry him. I didn't raise a dummy after all.
Apparently I'm not alone. There is an entire website dedicated to truly horrid mother-in-laws.
I dedicate the video below to my friend B. It was her mother-in-law who wished her dead at a holiday dinner.
Do you have in laws or outlaws? What is your relationship like with your mother-in-law?
1.) Instead of putting my kids to bed like a good little Mommy, I'm wasting time on the computer updating my blogs.
2.) I rarely eat breakfast and when I do its something like cake, a cookie, doughnut or a Starbucks Chai Tea.
3.) When my hubby isn't home I eat cereal for dinner, or nothing.
4.) I'm frustrated with this blog. I feel like I cannot find my writing groove and I'm always AMAZED when I see people who have 25+ comments on their blog for every blog post they put up. What's the secret? I don't know.
5.) Each night I worry that I'm not a good enough mother, because I didn't have a good mother and I worry that its hereditary.
6.) I am sick of my hair and having bad hair days.
7.) I'm so glad God gave me four children because otherwise, I don't know what I would do all day. My life would truly have no meaning.
My friend Marsha is so sweet. She is an amazing mother and just an inspiring and encouraging person all around. I consider myself very lucky to know her. I wish I lived next door to her so I could know her better and so that our kids could play. She has great kids. All boys. My boys would be in heaven and I'd happily share my girls with her.
This afternoon my sweet, thoughtful friend sent me a surprise ----the Hello, Cupcake cookbook. It couldn't have come at a better time considering I'm having a bad day. And I'm home alone for the week...again. Receiving a little surprise something in the mail with a sweet note really made my day.
I think Marsha must think a little too highly of me though. I'm not sure I can pull off the cupcakes in this book, but I'm going to give it a try.
I'm sure the outcome will be nothing short of hilarious. Maybe Marsha needed a laugh too?
So I'm going to get right to it as soon as I pry it away from my kids' hot little hands. They are each picking out cupcake confections that "we should make."
They apparently seem to think their mother can pull this off too. Where do they get these ideas?
PS Thanks so much Marsha. Your friendship & thoughtfulness mean the world to me.
Because of my obsessive need to remain on top of technology and to "get this" whole Blogger thing I've been spending an obscene amount of time online lately and I want to share with you the fruits of my research labor!
Here are some cool sites that I think you should know about:
Do you use Twitter? Of course you do! But honestly that was so last week. Its not enough to just twitter anymore. Now you need to Bubble Tweet! For those of you who may not be as in the know as me (ahem) Bubble Tweet allows you to put a cute little bubble on your twitter page with a video of you. Another cool concept is to take that cute video bubble and put it on your website or blog. To do this you need Bubble Guro. The basic version costs $7.95 per month but you can also play with it for free for five days. It makes you stand out, be different and connect with your followers. Cool, huh? If you already use YouTube, Vimeo, Daily Motion or metacafe you may prefer VidTweeter which lets you play videos on your Twitter Page. Speaking of adding video to your Twitter page, have you checked out twitvid.io? Its the Twitpic of video. So, just like Twitpic, you would upload your video to the site and then it would give you a tiny url to tweet. They also have a cool little widget that you can put on your blog.
Oh, and while we are on the subject of widgets, if you are on Twitter and you haven't added the Twitter Widget, you need to. Download the widget, add it to your blog, and your last few tweets will scroll through. You can see mine on the top right column of my blog.
If you like polls that include pictures, try Create-a-poll which also allows you to embed the poll onto your website...like this!
I'm a proud Christian homeschooling mother of 4 and wife to a Road Warrior CEO. Before I became a home educator I was a interior decorator, event planner, store owner and professional organizer! Now I try to bring those skills into my home and share it on my blog.
