Celebrate National Mom's Nite Out with Papa Murphy's #PapaMurphysMNO

Have you heard about National Mom's Nite Out?  It was started 5 years ago by Maria Bailey as a way to encourage busy moms to take a night off by getting together with friends to celebrate Motherhood our way!  The event always takes place the Thursday before Mother's Day. That's May 8th this year.  That's TODAY, people!! 

And to help you celebrate?  I have a fantastic deal to tell you about!  Yes...it really is fantastic.  Both in price and taste. How do I know?  Because as a #PapaMurphysMom, I have had occasion to sample a few pizzas and sides from P-Murph's.  Chicken Artichoke Bacon Pizza?  Freaking. Awesome. Also delicious?  The Cowboy (pictured here all wrapped up for transport) and the Smores Dessert Pizza.  

 

But on to the deal before I start drooling.
 

This year Papa Murphy’s wants to help feed your family on National Mom’s Nite Out! Today only, May 8th, you can take advantage of the Mom’s Meal Deal* at participating Papa Murphy’s locations. For only $12, you can treat your family to any large 2-topping pizza and your choice of 2 sides: Cheesy Bread, Cookie Dough, Cinnamon Wheel or S’mores Pizza. This is a great option for Dad to feed the kids while Mom is out celebrating, or simply a great excuse to take the night off from cooking! Can you say BARGAIN!?!?

You can print this coupon out or pull it up on your phone, but make sure you show it at your Papa Murphy’s location in order to redeem the offer.

*Valid on May 8, 2014 ONLY. Limited time offer. Limit 3. Not valid with any other offers. Valid only at participating locations. Coupons cannot be sold, transferred or duplicated.

Booyah!  Dinner tonight is covered. From Papa Murphy's and Mom's Nite Out and Me -  to you.  Now hand those delicious discs of doughy, cheesy goodness off to Dad or the neighbor or the babysitter to throw in the oven and head out to your local Mom's Night Out event for some fun and entertainment!  Do it!  You'll be glad you did and you can relax knowing everyone at home will have full tummies!

**Disclosure: As a #PapaMurphysMom I have received free samples to try with my family and to share my honest opinion. 

Zact Mobile Lets Parents Set the Rules on Smartphone Usage

Disclosure:  I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Zact. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I recently had a discussion with my neighbor about kids and smartphones.  She has three teenagers who all have smartphones.  I haven't pulled the trigger on the smartphone thing yet, but both my kids have basic cellphones.  

One of the reasons I hesitate to jump into the smartphone arena with my kids is that I am concerned about how much time my boys will spend on the devices and what they will be looking at.  Turns out there are lots of parents with the same concerns that I have.  The team at Zact, a family friendly mobile provider, conducted a survey and found that 73% of U.S. parents are concerned about the lack of parental control of a child’s activities on mobile devices.

 

 So what are your biggest concerns when it comes to kids and smartphones? I'm not afraid to talk to my kids about the concerns I have when it comes to their safety and the expectations I have for them to make good choices when I'm not around.  But I would love to know how others have approached the smartphone subject so that when it's time for me to have that talk, I'll be prepared!  How do you talk to your kids about smartphone safety and responsibility?   

 For more information on how Zact can help keep your kids safe and save your family money on your cellphone plan, click here.

The Stress of Transistions

Transitioning is always stressful.  We have lots of decisions to make in our house, but no information to make them with.  So here we sit, in limbo, waiting to know if we have the job or not before committing to Plan B, which is not all that strong at the moment either.   I've had a lot of time to stress over not being able to control the situation, which has led to me getting very sick this week.  Lots of stress = weakened immune system = me getting hit with a chest cold and flu-like symptoms that knocked me on my butt.  Lots of crying and general malaise. 

Today, I forced myself to get up and get the kids to church because Little Man had to read the monthly scripture today in Primary.  It required putting forth effort that I really didn't want to put forth when I feel like hammered poo.  But I did it for my kid, because that's what moms do, right?  My son was magnificent, he read his very long scripture perfectly and he even understood what it meant.  Was it worth the effort?  Of course.  And in return for my willingness to sacrifice my comfort for my son's church participation, I was blessed too. 

No, my lungs did not magically open up and expel the foul virus that is making me ill, nor did a bag of money or a job offer drop from the sky.  But my eyes did manage to open up and take notice of the beautiful cornflower blue sky laced with wispy white clouds.  And my poor, dried out skin took delight in the wonderfully cool breeze that brushed over my arms and gently swept over my face as it hurried toward the trees to tickle their branches and leaves.  My nose breathed it in deeply and despite a few hacks and coughs, the crisp, clean air filled my lungs and I felt renewed and refreshed for a few moments.  My mind instantly recognized the signs of fall and my soul truly jumped for joy at the realization that the brutal heat of summer is finally gone.  We have officially survived another hellish Arizona summer!  And just like that, I had one less thing to stress about.  Deep breath (cough, hack, cough) and sigh.  My shoulders just relaxed a little. 

As I write this, I am sitting by the open window, not hearing the constant drone of the air conditioning unit. Instead, I hear my boys laugh, play, giggle and yell while they take in all the neighborhood has to offer a couple of active boys who have been cooped up for 3 months by the intense summer sun.  The cooler weather has lifted their spirits too.  They frolic and kick like spirited colts running through fields of perfect, green alfalfa, but instead of whinnies and neighs, I hear laser and machine gun sound effects and instead of alfalfa, the frolicking takes place in the dirt fort next to our house.  No matter...as long as they are happy.  I love that I can hear them so clearly - their plots, their dreams, their gross boy humor.  I remember having a few great play days like this when I was kid.  You know them...those days when everything and everyone from the neighborhood comes together in perfect harmony to create the ultimate perfect day; great weather, good friends, awesome snacks, no arguing, no hurt feelings, no bike wrecks...just pure, unadulterated fun that you never want to end.  Suddenly I am aware that my chest feels a little less tight and I realize that I have pretty good, generally happy, well-adjusted kids.  And with that realization comes one more release...Now I have two less thing to stress about.  Is there nothing more healing to a sick mom's heart and mind than the laughter of her happy kids? 

So I thought I'd take a minute to make sure I got this day down in writing.  The day that I remembered what fall feels like in the desert.  The day I remembered a few good days from my childood.  The day I remembered to enjoy my kids.  The day I remembered that hard times (or excessive heat) don't last forever.  The day that I was reminded that there are so many good things in the world to think about and enjoy as we struggle through our trials and tribulations.   It's been a good day to just sit and remember.

Movie Review: "Life As We Know It"

Lucky me, I actually got to go on a date with my husband last night, thanks to Mom Central!  We were invited to see a pre-screening of Life As We Know It starring Kathryn Heigl and Josh Duhamel.  I had seen a few commercials for the movie and it looked really entertaining, but you never know until you actually get there if the movie lives up to the hype. 

Well, I'm here to tell you, the movie is really, really funny and touching at the same time.  The basic premise of the movie is this:

"After a disastrous first date, the only thing Holly, an up and coming caterer, and Eric, a network sports director, have in common is their dislike for each other and their love for their goddaughter Sophie. But when they suddenly become all Sophie has in the world, Holly and Eric are forced to put their differences aside and juggle career ambitions and competing social calendars to find some common ground while living under one roof."

First of all, I had to laugh at the whole Holly/Eric relationship, because we all have single friends like those two characters...the ones who irritate each other so badly, but would really be a great couple!?  The casting for those two parts was so dead on! Kathryn Heigl and Josh Duhamel made such a cute couple and they played off each other really well!! 

So Holly (Kathryn Heigl) and Eric (Josh Duhamel) get thrown into the whole parenting thing with no warning and have to figure out how to deal with each other and a child, as well as the loss of their best friends.  As life issues go, definitely not how I would want to start my child-rearing gig.  But as a parent, there was so much about this movie that I could relate to.  The thought of a child losing her parents immediately triggered my nurturing side and I was totally moved to tears watching that whole issue unfold.  Then as the main characters took on the parenting roles, I remembered how I felt so overwhelmed when I had my first child, even with 9 months to get used to the idea!  So it was really easy to be sympathetic and even laugh when these two single people, who had parenthood thrust upon them, struggled with basics like changing diapers (Josh's character gagging and running out of the room) and trying to calm an inconsolable baby at 2 a.m. Kathryn and Josh made the struggle seem believable, not campy or trite. 

Then...there was the whole "neighborhood support" issue, which had me in stitches, because again...I could relate to the whole dynamic!   The lady who brings casseroles, the endless unsolicited parenting tips, the married couple with 9 kids who always looks tired and wrung out...it's true to life and it made me reflect on my own neighbors with both affection and irritation.  There were seriously some very funny scenes involving the neighbors.  Gotta love 'em!

I won't give anymore of the movie away, but I will say, I was a little concerned at first that there wouldn't be enough meat to carry the plot and that it would just be a bunch of poopy diaper and spit-up jokes, both of which were part of the script, but there was a lot more going on in the story. 

Life As We Know It really is a light-hearted, somewhat realistic snapshot of what people face everyday as they decide to merge lives and raise a child.  Careers, income, even which TV shows to watch...everything changes when you bring a baby into the picture!  It was refreshing to watch Kathryn Heigl and Josh Duhamel play out everyday situations that most of us face with great comedic timing and with the emotion that we all feel when it comes to choosing a partner and raising a family.  And yes, I get that this is a movie and movies generally tend to have happy endings, but sometimes life has happy endings too.  This movie gave me some perspective and helped me laugh at my parenting challenges and made me want to try harder for my own happy ending. 

Life As We Know It opens October 8th.  Go see it!  It's totally worth the admission price!

**Disclosure: “I attended a complimentary screening of this movie to facilitate my review and received a gift card from Mom Central as a thank you for my time.”**

Things I Heard While Waiting for my Kids at School

Conversation #1

Girl: Justin Bieber sucks. 

Girl's friend who apparently loves Justin Bieber: No, you suck.

Different kid:  Seriously?  Justin Bieber totally sucks!  He's lame! He looks like a girl!

Bieber Fan Girl (almost crying):  You guys are lame.  Justin Bieber is so awesome.

Random Mom standing next to me:  Justin Bieber does suck.  I hate that kid.

Me (Laughing):  Yep.  Glad I have boys so I don't have to listen to him. 

Random Mom:  Lucky. 

Conversation #2

Kid:  Dude!  Your legs are really hairy!

Other Kid:  Dude, I know!  It's weird.  They just started getting that way during the summer. 

Kid:  Dude!  You gotta shave that!  It's nasty!

Other Kid:  Dude!  Guys don't shave their legs, what's wrong witchu?  

Kid:  Dude...you look like a gorilla.  

Other Kid:  Man, shut up! You're just jealous that you ain't a man yet, like me.   

Kid:  Dude.  You're 12.  You ain't no man yet either.  

Other kid:  Whatever dude.

3rd Kid:  I'm the only man around here.  I got a 'stache.  Now what? 

Kid:  Dude...that's just some peach fuzz.  That ain't no mustache.

Me:  Dude.  Quit hatin'. He's 12 and he's already got dark, manly facial hair.  That's pretty impressive. 

Conversation #3

Girl, halfway to car:  Mom, I gotta go to the bathroom.

Mom:  Honey!  Why didn't go before we got to the car?  

Girl:  I didn't have to go then!

Mom:  You didn't have to go 2 minutes ago, but you have to go now?

Girl:  Yeah.  Bad.  I have to go bad.

Mom:  Fine.  Hurry up!  (Heads back to sidewalk then looks at me as daughter runs to the bathroom)  She does this every day!  You'd think I'd figure out to ask her before we head to the car!  

Me:  I know. Mine does the same thing.  See ya later!  (heads to car with my kids who just walked up)

My Son, halfway to car:  Mom, I gotta go pee.  

Me:  Seriously?  How come you didn't go before you met me at the gate?

My Son:  I forgot.  I gotta go, Mom.  Really Bad. 

Me:  Fine.  Hurry UP!!  (looks at 1st Mom as we walk back to the sidewalk)...so what were we talking about? 

I'm HOME again!! For a few weeks anyway...

I made it!  My Census job is done and while I am sad at how the whole "ending" thing went down, I can honestly say that I am completely relieved to be done with the drive and the 2nd shift schedule.  Sometime I will go into detail about the pros and cons of working at the Census.  Right now, none of that matters.  What matters is that I am back home and have had 3 glorious days of time with my family.  Kind of.  Actually, my husband has been working the entire weekend, so I haven't seen him much, but the work is good, because it is the first real job his demolition business has had since he started it a few months ago.  YAY!!!  Whoo-hoo!! 

And the weekend hasn't necessarily been glorious.  It has been...well...it's life.  Injured kids, housework, bills.  All that stuff that makes work seem like a good place to be some days.  So maybe glorious is the wrong word. I'm not sure I have the right word to explain how I have felt the last few days, as I fold clothes and load the dishwasher.  I just know I'm home. You know that feeling?  The one that makes you feel like you are right where you should be, even if your circumstances are chaotic and stressful?  That's what my weekend felt like. 

I have to be truthful though...it took me a few hours to get to the point where I was glad to be home.  When I woke up Friday morning it was the most awesome feeling in the world...no work today!  Then I opened my eyes.  The house looks like a bomb hit it.  There are dishes and clothes everywhere.  I don't have a clue what's dirty and clean with the clothes, so I'm spending hours rewashing and folding and putting things away.  The bathrooms are seriously in need of a major hosing down.  Like with a fire hose. 

But inspite of all the extra housework I have to do, along with finding a new job?  It feels so nice to be here and to be needed.  My house needs my attention.  My kids need my attention.  My husband needs my attention.  I feel like I have worth and value as a wife and stay-at-home mom that I never felt before.  My people actually appreciate me!  My kids hug me...like all day long.  For no reason.  They just walk up and hug me and tell me they love me.  My husband thanks me for trying so hard to get the house back into shape.  (Funny, it was never in that great of shape to begin with, but it really looks bad now!)  Everyone is so excited that I went grocery shopping and that there is actually food in the house again!   

Now I'm not stupid.  I know the appreciation won't last.  My being home all day again is still new.  In about a week (maybe two if I work really hard to stretch it out) I will no longer be a novelty in our house and things will go back to the normal lack of attention and proper appreciation.  But a woman can hope, can't she?  And in the meantime, I am going to suck up all of the praise and glory I can from my male family members and remind them constantly about how lucky they are that I have a few weeks off between jobs to nag and complain at them and make them do chores care for them and nurture them and teach them. 

So...I'm back home.  For a few weeks.  And the house is a wreck and my kids need haircuts and my husband is working 2 jobs and life is...normal again.  I'm kinda diggin' on that.   

LikeWear Review and Giveaway

Look what we received in the mail last week from LikeWear!!

Lisa Gold, the founder of LikeWear, has designed a line of high quality, casual boutique children's clothing that sport designs which incorporate super well-known brands like Tootsie Roll and Honda and other kid friendly pop culture images.

I chose these 2 shirts for my boys and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the material used to make the t-shirts. It is not cheap and flimsy and the clothing is already pre-shrunk! No more action figure size t-shirts after a spin in the dryer! My boys really like the cool designs.

Another thing I like about LikeWear is that Lisa and her husband Ken have set up the business so that entreprenurial minded moms can get involved in the business and earn some extra money.  Here's a tag from their marketing material that explains more about their programs:

LikeWear®, the first and only company to focus on selling licensed apparel and accessories via the Direct Selling channel, is a modern day fusion of a fun, boutique children’s clothing line and more traditional party plan direct sales companies (like Mary Kay or The Pampered Chef). We provide a flexible and financially rewarding way to earn money or have a career selling a unique line of children’s clothing and accessories that feature products, brands and other stuff moms and their kids really like. Hence the name LikeWear!

From modern day and vintage package art, to exclusive designs and unique twists on popular culture, we’ve created more than 100 images featuring family friendly brands like Wheaties, Trix, Tootsie Roll, Dots, Honda PowerSports and many others. To make things really interesting, we use a just-in-time manufacturing process and encourage our representatives to help their customers mix and match our images with different body types and color ways. By doing so, we hope to truly fulfill the promise of our tagline, “wear what you like”.

I am impressed with LikeWear as a company for a few different reasons:

• As a mom with a limited clothing budget for my family, I like the fact that LikeWear puts so much time and attention into their products to create things that kids like to wear.  I hate buying something for one of them and hearing "I hate that!"
• As a former SAHM who has just had to re-enter the workforce, I look for these kinds of opportunities that will allow me to earn a living without taking so much time from my family.  

You can find out more about LikeWear and their income earning opportunities here.

You can also try out the clothing by entering to WIN A $50 gift certificate for LikeWear merchandise! To enter, check out the LikeWear website and leave a comment telling me what you would get with the gift certificate.  Contest is open to US residents only and ends on April 30th, 2010 at 12 Midnight PST.

Don't want to wait that long to try out their stuff?  Likewear is offering a special discount to I Am Boymom readers!!  I know!  They are so generous!!  Just enter the code IAMBOYMOM (in all caps) at checkout and you will receive 25% off everything in the store, EXCEPT for sale items. (FYI – they’ve got a big Earth Day Sale going on now too!  Make sure that you hit “Apply” after entering your code. It will stay live until the middle of May.

**Disclosure:  I received a $50 gift cert from LikeWear in order to purchase some clothing so that I could write this review.  The fact that I received products from the vendor does not sway my opinion regarding the quality and value of the product.  My opinions are my own. 

A Lesson about Erosion...

I am all for toys that give my kids opportunities to learn about nature and science and stuff.  I really try hard to steer them towards really cool gadgets that will enable them to engage their brains while they play and learn when their first impulse is to spend that Christmas Walmart gift card on more action figures.  So I was really excited for Little Man when he got the rock tumbler he asked for at Christmas!

Why was I excited?  Because he collects sooooooooo many rocks and sticks and bottle caps and other assorted items that he finds on a daily basis, I thought it would be cool to for him to have something to DO with those rocks - other than put them in his pocket.  Waaaay down in his pocket.  So far down in those tiny little pockets that my fat fingers don't always reach the bottom to find them.  Which means they end up in my washer. You know...the GIANT rock tumbler.  So I thought a real rock tumbler would be an easy and fun way to spend time together and to learn about nature.  What can I say?  I am naive.  Why would I say that?

Hmmm...well...Have you ever had a rock tumbler? If you have, you are shaking your head knowingly right now and  probably laughing hysterically at my naivete.  If you have not had the opportunity to experience a rock tumbler with your child?  You should go buy one right now.  (Insert Evil laugh)  Seriously!  Go buy one.  They are sooooooo much fun (Second evil laugh)!  Go.  Get in the car and drive to Toys R Us and pick one up.  Get your kids all excited about this awesome piece of kid machinery that you are bringing home.  As soon as you get it open, run plug it in.  Then call me in like 5 weeks and tell me how your rocks look.  Wait, what!?!?!  

Yeah.  You heard me.  5 weeks.  Of rock polishing hell.  5 weeks of Little Man asking me Every. Single. Day. when the rocks would be ready.  35 days of listening to the laborious grumbling and groaning of the polisher motor as it worked to erode the corners and edges off of those "semi-precious" hunks of hardened earth.  Night and day, day and night!  We even had the foresight to put it outside on our back patio, but the droning noise was inescapable.  We endured 5 loooooong, irritating, noisy, loud weeks with this "amazing gift for kids...that enables you to create stunning jewelry with gem-like polished stones" only to end up with some craptastic, barely shiny pieces of rock that only an 8 year-old could appreciate.  The same 8 year-old who gave up on the process at day 2, then again at day 4, then again at day 7, again at day 12...you get the idea.  Trying to keep him engaged in the process was like trying to teach a cat to dance.  He'd let me lead him to the polisher, we'd check the container, he'd notice that the rocks were pretty much the same as the day before, shoot me that "this is really annoying and lame, Mom" look and scamper away to play with his friends, leaving me to stare at the rocks myself and wonder just how freaking long it takes to make a damn rock shiny and smooth!  Especially when the rocks that came with the kit had obviously already been through half the process before they ever got to us!  Whoo!  Can't remember when we've had more fun!   

Towards the end, I couldn't figure out who had been eroded more - me or the rocks?  But I perservered  for Little Man's sake.  Because I wanted him to learn that we have to see a project all the way through.  Even if it takes a month.   Never mind that the noise the thing made night and day.  Never mind the fact that the finished product would be shoved into his deepest, smallest pocket so he could show his friends his cool rocks and then accidently leave them somewhere.  Never mind the fact that none of the rocks actually fit the jewelry bases that were sent along with the kit, nor did we have the tools we needed to drill tiny holes into the rocks to insert the keychain rings.   After 5 weeks of waiting, none of that mattered.  What mattered was that we were doing something together (kind of - like every couple of days for 5 minutes) and that he was learning about the effects of nature (kind of - like every couple of days for 5 minutes) and that for awhile his little mind was focused on something other than TV or action figures (kind of, like ...well, you get it).  So in the end, despite all of the waiting and the "just okay" outcome, I guess the experience was worth it.  We had a few bonding moments and enduring all of the rock polisher drama to get that time with Little Man was worth it.

And now, I get the added bonus of remembering those precious moments everytime I open the game closet and see that freaking rock polisher sitting there.  It stares back at me, begging me to let the other set of rocks (yeah, it came with 2 sets!  'Cause 1 go-round with this pain in the crack isn't torture enough!) have a turn at making their debut as "semi-precious" stones.  Yeah, umm...rocks?  I think it will be a cold day in Hades before you find your way to a crappy wire earring or cheap brooch clip.  Blame your slow and tedious bossman, Mr. Tumbler there.  'Til he's figured out how to speed up the process and produce a better looking product, I've had all of the science and nature bonding moments I can take.  I'm just sayin.'

(I'll post pics sometime this weekend!)     

The Longest Fall Break EVER!

Back to school today after 2 long weeks for Fall Break!

When we first started at the charter school we are at I loved the thought of the extended calendar year. Longer vacations during the year, less time out at summer and the kids supposedly retain more of what they learn each year. I'm still looking for proof on that one.

The first year we attended the school it worked out great. We took a vacation to California during Fall Break for an entire week and still had another week to recuperate and get ready for school again.

Due to budget contraints (actually there is no budget, because there is nothing to budget with!), we had no trip planned this year.

I am realizing that 2 weeks is a long, LONG time when you have nothing planned. I had good intentions. We were gonna go to one of the local farms to their chili cook off and pumpkin patch. Until I saw that it was $14 per person, and that price did not include food or pumkins! I'm all for supporting the local farmers, but when we our bank account is beyond empty I can't justify spending that much on a hayride and a corn maze. And the fact that the farm is an hour and a half away made the price even harder to swallow. Frankly...I guess I was just not in the mood to spend $100 on chili and pumpkins. There. I said it. It was easier to put a tarp up over the swing set and tell the boys to turn it into a fort. (Read it correctly, people, that is fort with an O, not the other word with an A!) Which they thought was cool for 2 days. The fort, I mean. They also think the other thing is cool and funny too though. But that's a story for another day.

That only left 12 days to fill. We made cupcakes and had friends over another day. Down to 11 days. Church 2 times, we're down to 9 days! Whoo-hoo!

At this point we were still waiting for our neighbor kids to get out for their fall break. They only get one week off. Because they don't like going to school until June 10th, which is the consequence of taking longer breaks during the year. I am starting to see the wisdom in a regular school calendar. But I digress. So we had a few tough days. Because mom's brain could not seem to function to come up with activities and my boys were having a hard time with the thought of actually playing WITH EACH OTHER!

Thank Goodness my nephew's birthday party came around! On Columbus Day we hung out with the cousin at Amazing Jake's all day, which is like Chuck E. Cheese on steroids. Have you seen that place?! It is loud and crowded and crazy and big. Rides, video games, prize games, rock climbing wall, laser tag, bowling, mini golf and a buffet. My kids love it there. I like the fact that I can actually get decent food, not just pizza. I had huge salads for lunch and dinner. Yeah, we stay all day when we go. My body was totally diggin' on the healthy food and I was diggin' on the fact that I didn't have to make ANY of it OR do the dishes. It's a long way from our house, almost as far as the pumpkin farm, but since we weren't paying for anything and I didn't have to cook or clean that whole day, it was worth the drive! Once I got past the feeling that I was swimming in a giant H1N1 petri dish, that is.

So that left 8 days. 8 days of watching my oldest (now 10 yrs old) walk around in circles trying to entertain himself. 8 Days of listening to "I'm bored." Read a book. Let's build your Scout Rocket. Play a video game. Help me pull weeds. Fold the laundry. Let's draw a picture. All met with rolling eyes and annoyed sighs. 8 days of fighting over chores, because "we are on vacation." No, we are on Fall Break, which is different from a vacation, because we are still home and making messes and chores still have to get done. "Whatever. This is the worst vacation ever." Glad he heard me.

In the end, they had a few fun days and I think that even if they weren't occupied every single minute of every day, they at least enjoyed having the break from school. Once the neighbors got out of school, things improved a little bit as they had other kids to play with.

But I wished I was in a better place for my kids. I miss feeling creative and fun and upbeat and willing to try new things. I just couldn't get there for them this time. I was too busy trying to get through the day. I realized that Big Man and I are just worn out. It's been a tough 2 years. We are ready for something different, but struggling to find the energy to create the atmosphere that will allow opportunities to present themselves. We really could have used a vacation ourselves.

I'm starting mine today. The kids are back in school. For at least 4 hours a day this week, I get peace and quiet and time to think and plan and change my attitude. Maybe I'll be ready for the 3 weeks the kids are out for Christmas. That's 7 more days I have to help fill! Yeah...regular school schedule is looking better and better to me everyday.

Back to School Backlash!

We had the big blowout today. Actually, we've had the big blowout the last two days, over homework and chores and getting ready for school in the mornings. Because I guess my boys lost their capacity to think or function over the summer. And apparently their brains are not prone to recalling previous experiences with the whole school routine because they act like this is all new to them.

So we will try a new tactic tomorrow which DOES NOT involve me herding them like mindless sheep through the process of getting ready and to the car. I don't know what the new tactic is, but I do know it will not leave me feeling bad when I drop my kids at school for the day having fought with them all morning so we coud get out of the door on time.

I'll let you know how it goes...once I figure out exactly what it is I will be doing.

Jessica Biel and I have the Same Problem

Jessica Biel is having a hard time in Hollywood. Apparently Jessica believes "that being too good-looking can be a problem for an actress."

I KNOW!! I had the same problem, Jessica! That's why I moved to the desert and destroyed my looks and body by having 2 kids and then let go of my personal trainer and dietician. Funny thing though...even with mom body and normal looks, I still get no calls from casting directors or movie producers. What's up with that?

Not At All Wordless Wednesday

Edit: It was brought to my attention that today IS actually Tuesday, I was thinking last night at 11:59 pm that I was a day behind, when apparently I was not! While I am clearly NOT a day behind, apparently I AM a moron. At least I don't have to post again tomorrow!

Here's today's original post, which now seems lame:

I didn't get a chance to write a "Tackle it Tuesday" post because I was busy trying to get the tackling thing done, which was writing a stupid article on something I knew nothing about. It really hurt my brain.

So anyway...Tackle it Tuesday is over and I will be Wordless from here on out for Wednesday's post. Wait...first I just have to tell you one more thing. Then I will be wordless.

Just kidding! Ah ha ha ha!! Made ya read!! Okay seriously...wordless now. Almost. Okay...not at all. In fact, this is quite wordy. So welcome to Wordy Wednesday:

This is our cat, Blackie Chan. This is when he was about 3 1/2 months old. He's about 6 months old now. We call him Blackie Chan cause he likes to jump up and karate chop the kids in the head with his paws. He also does these cool ninja kicks on Little Man when they chase each other around the house. He goes all Chuck Norris on the plants and the fish we got him with the bell in it. He throws it in the air, then does this quasi roundhouse kick thing. He's a hilarious cat. Him and Little Man are kindred spirits. He's going to the vet soon. Blackie Chan is going to lose his little furry nads. Hope it doesn't affect his roundhouse.

This is What I Heard ALL DAY TODAY!!!

I kept track...these are the actual words I heard from my children throughout the day. Obviously I need to have another training session about how we need to treat each other. Either that or I need a week away from home, BY MYSELF!!!

• You like baby shows.
• So you like idiot shows.
• Change the channel, I am NOT watching this again!
• Quit chewing with your mouth open.
• Shut up!
• We don't say that in this house, REMEMBER? (At least someone remembers!)
• Leave me Alone!
• Quit Touching Me!
• Get your feet out of my face.
• I'm going to kill you if you do that again.
• I'm telling!
• Get out!
• You are such a jerk!
• Who peed on the toilet? You're s'posed to wipe it off. Come wipe it off!
• That was my glass! You drank out of my glass!
• Gross! You just spit on me!
• I am sick of watching your show. It's always YOUR show!
• I asked first! I asked first!
• It's my turn now, you've been playing forever.
• You always cheat.
• Quit farting, it stinks in here.
• I don't care what you want to do, this is MY game!
• You ALWAYS cheat!
• I'm telling mom that you are being a jerk.
• Give me back my stuff. I said give it back!
• You are such a moron!
• I don't wanna play with you.
• You never let me play the game I wanna play.
• That's cause your games are stupid.
• No they aren't.
• Yes they are.
• OWWWWW! Why did you hit me?
• Cause you said my games are stupid. Why are you so mean to me?
• Why do you keep hitting me?
• Stop it!
• If you hit me one more time I will hit you back.
• I'm gonna throw the cat on you and make him scratch your face.
• What's your problem?
• You're a weiner head,
• No, you are.
• No, you are.
• AAUUGGHH!! Quit calling me that!
• Little man keeps beating the crud out of me.
• No I'm not. I'm hitting him because he's making me mad.
• Big Brother will not shut his mouth. He just keeps going Blah blah blah blah. He just keeps talking! It's making me so mad!
• He ate my cookie! That was MY cookie!
• You smell like a butt.
• How do you know what butts smell like?
  (Hysterical laughter - Finally some laughing from both of them!)
• Can we sleep in your bed?
• That's my pillow, yours is the stinky one cause your head sweats.
• Gimme that blanket. Gimme the blanket! I said give it to me! Fine, I'll rip your lion's tail off then.
• MOM!!
  
  That's my cue, folks. Wish me luck. This could get ugly.
  
  

Summer Fun Photo Contest!

5 Minutes for Mom and Skinny Dippers have teamed up to host a Summer Fun Photo Contest. The prize is $500.

Here's my summer fun pic:

Little Man Catchin' Toads after a Summer Rain Storm

Here are some things I can do with the prize money, if I win:

• Pay the APS deposit
• Fix the hole the woodpecker made in my house
• Have a pedicure to cover mangled Big Toenail as it grows back
• Purchase Scouting awards for next pack meeting to avoid disappointment for Big Brother
• Buy Sue at Happy Hour a new Purse to replace the Pee Purse
• Make business cards and buy a license for my husband's new pool repair business
• Buy a tank of gas
• Pay for Big Brother's upcoming B-day Party...I think he needs a GREAT party this year!
• Buy a new, NOT crappy camera

Hope we WIN!!!

P.S. - They are also doing some great back to School giveaways, check them out!

BORING Family Update...Back to School!!

School starts next Monday. I KNOW!!! It's so early! The charter school we attend works off of an "extended calendar." Kind of like a year-round thing. We take longer Fall and Spring Breaks (2 weeks) and 3 weeks at Christmas. This is our second year there, I think I really like the schedule, other than the fact that it is so damn hot right now that the kids don't get outside recess because of heat advisories. Makes it hard for the first 3 weeks of school! Little Man loses his mind when he can't get his body moving!

Went shopping for school clothes, my boys are growing too fast and I can't keep up with them! I tried to buy big so they can grow into stuff and maybe make it til Christmas. They liked the backpacks, 'cept Big Brother says light blue is a girl color. We were going to take it back but after he messed with it for awhile he decided that it was okay. Funny, cause he wears light blue all of the time!

The school does uniforms, which is okay, I don't really put a whole lot of energy into worrying about whether or not it stifles their personalities...I don't think they really care that much either, as long as the clothes are comfortable. I get Old Navy stuff, it's reasonably priced and holds up better...in case you were dying to know! Bummer that O.N. did not pay me anything to say that, I could use the money after emptying their shelves!

Here The Boys are with new hair cuts, done by mom at home. Little Man has great hair and is really into his hair looking "cool!" Big Brother likes low maintenance. His hair is really thick and when I cut it, it stands straight up! It has to be really, really long to lay down. He doesn't like it really, really long. So we have to goop it up and paste it to his head for him to get the look he wants, kind of a military "high and tight" look. So we end up having to put a lot of effort into it for it to look the way he wants. I ask you...how is this low maintenance?

Anywhoo...I have to say, it was a pretty boring summer for us, so I am glad the kids are going back to school and I think they actually are too. We meet the teachers on Friday, hopefully we'll get some great ones and this year will be a happy year. Last year was a happy year that way - with teachers, I mean. Just a struggle because one of my kiddies has "focus" issues. It's maddening! It invades every part of our lives! It makes school in general a struggle. Hopefully his teacher this year will work with him like his last teacher. Otherwise the "homeschooling" question may rear its ugly head again and I'm just not sure I'm ready to take that on. Not 'cause I don't think it's great, I really do see some fantastic benefits with homeschooling. But because (and yes I know this is selfish) I'm seriously suffering from parent (or is it life?) burnout right now and the thought of taking on one more thing is just more than I can handle. So...if the need arises, I guess we'll think about it. Until then though, I am just praying for two fantabulistic rockin' teachers who really dig my kids. Hey...it can happen! They are actually pretty diggable!

Wordless Wednesday

Picture taken by Big Brother, who I am thinking was playing the "Agitator" role in this scenario.

The Eyes Have It

Recent conversation between my sister and my 5 year old niece:

Niece: "Mom, I don't want to be a grumpy person."

Sis: "Well, that's good. Why don't you want to be a grumpy person?"

Niece: "It's not a good eye shape."

It's Not. I checked. Go check for yourself. Be grumpy in the mirror. It's NOT a good eye shape.

Apparently these people don't care about eye shape.

They Love Me Anyway

Sometimes I get bogged down in my past. I start feeling incapable of dealing with my baggage and "issues." Which is why I struggle so much with teaching my boys good life skills. Coping Skills. Positive Thinking. Confidence. Patience. Creative Problem Solving. Consequences. Love. Faith in God. Responsibility. Self-Discipline. Loyalty. Kindness. A Good Sense of Humor. Work Ethics. Love of God and Country. Respect, for Themselves and Others. A Sense of Fun and Adventure. The ability to pee in a toilet without spraying the wall.

All of these are fairly important if they are going to go out in the world and become successful, contributing members of society. I know there's alot of information out there on how to raise well-balanced, confident kids. I read some of it. Some days I am able to apply some of it. I pray alot about it, for them and for me. Some days I don't quite get through to them because I am still trying to get through to myself. How do you teach your kids principles that you are still trying to learn yourself?

I'm still working on that.

Other than the peeing part...I can honestly say I have NEVER peed on the wall. I've learned how to pee properly. Guess I can check that one off of my list. All indications say it will be on their list a while longer.

Double Post Day!!!!!

Moving on from the last touchy-feely post, there's another BOYMOM out there! And guess what? She ROCKS!! (You can thank her for some of the mushiness of the "You had me at Hello" post. In addition to designing great shirts she also gives great advice.) Check out boymomdesigns.com. Amy created some awesome shirt designs for those of us who are raising little men. Read her story...in my opinion she expresses very well what Boymoms all over the world are experiencing on a daily basis. Then buy a shirt. Wear it proudly. We Boymoms gotta support each other! We need to invent a secret sign or handshake...something that says,
"Hey! You look like a gal who's pulled one too many weird things out of the washer today." If I can find someone to donate a prize, maybe that'll be my first contest. I'll let ya'll know. Maybe we can get a boy to work on this...they gots some mad secret handshake skills.

Snaggletooth

My little guy lost another tooth Saturday night. It wouldn't be so bad, except for the fact that a) it needed a few more weeks to loosen up more and b) he already has his 2 bottom teeth missing, so now it's hard for him to bite things.

Losing it was a bloody affair. He and his big brother and cousin were wrestling on the trampoline. Suddenly I hear crying and I see blood running out of his mouth and of course, I am instantly freaking out on the older boys, asking them what they did to him. Then Little Man holds up his tooth, crying, then screaming at the top of his lungs when he sees the blood, as if he's just been beat by a 300 pound professional boxer. Oh, the inhumanity of it all! After we finally get him calmed down, he tells me what happened. Apparently (or 'parently, as my 5 yr old niece says), he was wrestling with big brother and his tooth caught on brother's back pant pocket (I know...I am still trying to visualize how this could come to pass...is there butt biting in wrestling?) and when his brother stood up, Little Man's tooth was yanked out! OOOOWWWW!! Luckily the tooth was somewhat loose already, but still...OOWWW! So, the tooth fairy did her thing and now we are looking for foods that he can eat without a lot of complaining involved. Watermelon, anyone?