girl scouts...

So, I'm taking my scouts camping for the first time! I'm truly excited and nervous at the same time! I took the overnight outdoor training and learned to cook in the coolest ways! We are going to make our own firestarters and box ovens. I think my girls will love the experience and have a great time! I hope all goes according to plan! Please pray for no rain!

jealousy...

Ok so I'm talking with some female coworkers at lunch the other day and we get on the topic of all the actvities our children are involved in. School has just started and already the fall PTA fundraiser has been sent home. Not to mention, girl and boy scouts started, ballet, and after school intramurals. I tell them that I love my slow cooker for for preparing meals in the morning so dinner is done when we get home. Granted I am one of the few part time workers in my office. A comment was made that well at least I have the time in the morning to set up my slow cooker, as they arev schlepping their uncooperating babies around to day care before work starts. Not for nothing, but I work my ass off in the office and at home. My kids come home to me being there, checking homework and involved in ALL their activies! To me, this is just another example of jealousy. I know they are physically in the office 3 more hours per day than I am, but iI will trump them in that I am a dedicated, involved and reliable parent! Don't worry baby, Mommy's here!

Back to school!

I've written some tips on how to get ready for back to school time. http://www.ehow.com/how_4484006_back-school-ready.html It's important that the transition is smooth for the kids AND you! We need to get ourselves organized, start the school year fresh - you know, because we're going to join the PTA this year and actually attend the meetings! lol Seriously, there are many things to get ready. I've got both school supply lists, doctors forms are ready, summer reading is in full swing, and the bed times will be progressively shortened! Yes, moms, it's that time. We look forward to it, and yet we also dread it. It's a brand new school year but our babies are getting older. Many different emotions circling around, but in the end I'm confident that we will all make it through together!

Old Fashioned Backyard Birthday Party

For years, kids birthday parties have been spiraling out of control and beyond the reach of many of our wallets. I, personally, cannot keep up with the Joneses on this one. With spoiled housewives on tv hosting lavish parties for kids, it's hard to sell a simple backyard party to your own child! Or is it?
We recently hosted a simple birthday party for our daughter, where we made our own pinata, played outdoor games and just let the kids be kids! We served pizza and lemonade, then let the kids make their own ice cream sundae with an assortment of toppings! The kids had a great time! We got so many compliments from parents who didn't realize that the simplicity of it all would go over so well! Next time you need to plan a birthday party for your child, maybe you will skip the huge hubbub of a party and think about the simpler and sweeter things!

Summer Zumba - for me!

I just signed up to take a Zumba class that I've been hearing so much about. I know Zumba has been out awhile but I'm just now getting into the loop. My first class was Tuesday and boy was it tiring! I worked my butt off! We had a great time working out and learning crazy dance moves all at the same time! This is how I take my own "time out" and rejuvenate myself. I've taken a belly dancing class with mommy friends before and we had a blast! This time I also have many mommy friends taking it with me plus my sister-in-law is teaching so it's great so far! I really enjoy being out with other moms doing something for myself, having a great time, then coming home to my family ready to face any challenge!

All good...

Kids are with Grandma....and I'm enjoying some free time! It's always important to take a time out as parents to make time for ourselves and relax! The happier we are, the happier we can make our children! So make sure that when you're running around making plans for the kids - you also make some plans for yourself!

Summer activities

At first I thought "Oh no, what am I going to do with the kids all summer long!" As we are in to the third week of summer vacation - I am finding that we CAN'T fit everything in! They've had play dates and sleepovers, days at the pool and rainy days at the movies, birthday parties, days out with grandma, a huge 4th of July party, sports and games, etc.! I'm so tired I can't imagine the rest of the summer going on like this! I think we, as parents, feel we need to occupy every minute of every day for our children. But, what I find works best is to let them explore and make the most of their summer on their own! The bonus is that I get a little vacation too!