I am not good at....

There are many things that I am not good at. But, we cope, right?

There is one thing that always makes me feel guilty, though.

BIRTHDAYS. ARGH.

I am the WORST at remembering birthdays. Half the time I forget my own!!!

Here sits my poor grandfather's birthday card. It is almost two weeks late. And what makes it worse is the fact that I will probably not mail it for another week. I'll just let it sit here, stamped and everything ready to go, on my office desk.

How did I get this out of control? My grandmother, aunt, and mother are always early in their remembrances. Good thing I'm so darn cute to make up for it!! :)

Sick Boy

I have been feeling sick this weekend.

Grayson threw up in the middle of the night last night.

Despite these sad facts, I took the kiddos to the Kindergarten playground at Grayson's elementary.

We were there for one minute.

I look over at Grayson and he is throwing up on the mat.

Poor boy.

Lesson from Amber: Do not take your child who threw up last night to the park. He just might still be feeling sick.

Summer of Service Continues!

I cut and pasted this from the Mom It Forward Site because I LOVE how simple it is. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the thought that service has to be BIG. I like to challenge that thought.

Working in a school for so long has made me realize that oftentimes, a child only needs a friendly smile to feel better. So, I love this challenge for the week!

10 Ways to Make a Difference This Week By Smiling

1. Smile inside to give yourself a compliment or a pat on the back for a job well done.

2. Start your day out on a positive step by smiling at yourself in the mirror as you are getting ready.

3. Smile at each family member first thing in the morning.

4. Have a “best smile” contest with your kids to see who has the silliest, funniest, prettiest, nicest smiles. Have each child vote and win prizes in the different categories.

5. Have a “smile stare down” contest with your kids, family members, or friends to see who can stare the longest with a big grin on his or her face.

6. Go on a walk with your family members or friends and count who can smile at the most people. As an added bonus, count how many people you can get to smile back at you.

7. Take pictures of your kids doing their “best smiles.”

8. Make a smile photo album, where you capture each person in your family, smiling in several different settings.

9. Keep a smile log of how many times you smile during a single day and how many times someone else causes you to smile.

10. Keep a smile journal for a day. Write your thoughts and feelings about what smiling at others and others smiling at you does to your mood, your emotions, and the overall tone of your day.


I have been focusing on the kiddos lately since that is where I am greatly lacking in patience. Yesterday we went on a picnic in the living room (Champers was having a sad teething day. And it was raining) where we went on some amazing pretend picnics in fantasy land. Just doing such a small thing brought huge smiles from Bud and Baby. It was wonderful!

Happy smiling, all!

If you are interested, there is a fantastic Kodak giveaway on the Mom It Forward site that ends tomorrow! Hop on over.

Wooah!

So, we went to Ikea last night.

Just to get out.

Buddy had to use the little men's room.

(Tangent: I totally am still paranoid about him going to the restroom on his own. He still comes into the women's restroom with me. He hates it but I don't care!!)

Anyho....they had a family restroom there. Yay!

IT WAS THE COOLEST!!!!

There was a big plush comfy chair for a tired mom to sit in while the kiddo uses the potty. Ingenious.

Unfulfilled Dream

I was not allowed to by ice cream from the ice cream truck.

It was a big No No.

WHY?

(Mom, if you read this, maybe you can answer it.)

High way robbery, maybe?

Today I let Buddy buy ice cream from the ice cream truck.

It was EXCITING.

(Baby is irritated that she has to share the lens with Buddy. Rude.)

SOS Summer

Going in line with my Pay It Forward Friday I am participating in the SOS Summer of Service plan sponsored by Mom It Forward. This week's focus is on the family.




Honestly, the best way to improve our society (and BOY does it need improvement!) is by increasing positive family relationships. I cannot tell you how many families I have worked with that are in total disarray. And the problems from one dysfunctional family have long reaching and long lasting devastating consequences.

But the same is true for strong families. I can quickly name several families that I respected as I grew up. They had trust, love, compassion, and fun! I look around me and see many now. I am thankful for all these great examples as I aspire to become one!

My question for you today: what is your family strength? Ours: Dan and I are a team. We support each other 100%, especially in front of the kiddos. I don't believe they have ever heard us say a disparaging remark to one another, let alone fight.

Let's focus on making our families great!

Flashback Wednesday

Feeling lazy right now.

You get what I have on my computer. And that's not much.

Alora, November 2008.

In all her Toddler Dressing Glory.

She loves putting hats on. And today she wore her snow boots with shorts.

Why? Because she is a rock star. (She rocks it out with the broom!)

Funny, funny, funny

This is what I found when I walked in the house today after talking to a neighbor. Apparently I talked to long.

And, no, I did not find any fingers, thank goodness! Grayson is currently in time out in his room for the little fiasco.

On another totally random note, I have a few crushes going on. I have been debating whether to blog or not to blog but today I have been influenced and must share.

So, all my crushes are on Disney Stars. Pathetic at first until you begin to realize that the only T.V. I EVER watch nowdays is Disney in HD.
Watching Dadnapped the other day I realized that David Henrie is a little hottie. Ya know, he is on Wizards of Waverly Place. I also realized that I have a thing for David's. Not Dave's, but David's. Remember David Duchovny? Yum. I went to school with a hot David, he was gay though. And I was married.
AND
Let me tell you what, those Jonas Brothers are hot enough that a near 30 year old woman can appreciate them. Plus, they make me giggle. Jonas is a nice reminder of the Monkeys, is it not?
So, what infuenced me to share?

This:
WATCH IT!!!! Especially if you appreciate Joe Jonas!!!

It's baaaack

So, my buddy Irene has done the unforgivable.

She has brought the obsession back.

I have spent two hours online today looking for all things New Moon.

It's gotta be good!!! I NEED it to be good.

Thanks a lot, Irene!!