In It To Win It

The chickadees over at 5 Minutes for Mom are having yet another fantabulous contest. This time they're giving away the spanking new Dyson Slim vacuum! Ain't she a beauty? So head on over and enter to win. You know you want to.

Are You a Ghost Artist?

Whenever my five year old is sent home with an art project, I used to let him do it and provide assistance only when he asked for it. Well, it seems some moms (or dads maybe) do the project for their kids and turn it in. So of course, their project would blow my son's project away. Not that he really felt jealous or even inferior, but he would admire their projects. Heck, I would admire their projects. Why didn't I think of that? But then I remind myself, it wasn't my homework, or project, it's my child's piece of work and for a five year old, he did an excellent job. So I am always proud of him. It is hard to resist the urge to maybe fix that, or add that, or even tell him how to do it. Especially after I would notice the work of the other "children." But after I saw the product of the last assignment, I was annoyed.

In the spirit of the theme of the month, "Nn" and neighborhoods, the last assignment was to decorate an old cereal box and make it into a house. Hubby and Oldest had fun doing it. It was nothing fancy, but Oldest was really proud of what they did. I had a lot of suggestions but Hubby kept reminding me that it was Oldest's project and his ideas so step back and let them work. Still, I wanted it to be spectacular and my creative juices were flowing. I'm ashamed to admit that after they completed it, I did a few minor changes. BUT STILL, I did not change any part of the fundamental integrity of Oldest's design.

Well let me tell you. When I saw the other houses, they were architectural pieces of work. Magnificent homes, with wings. I swear these parents went to Home Depot to decorate these cereal boxes. Ours and maybe 2 others, really looked shabby next to what the other children brought it. So I'm looking at the homes and Oldest pointed his out to me and he was just so proud. And I was proud. He did a great job.

But my point is, why do these other parents do the work for their children? Even if the child was sitting there "participating," and I find it hard to believe that a 5 year old thought of the design and constructed this home, I think that it's important to have the children do the work. Not the parents.

So if you are one those parents that does the project, share with us why. I'm interested in seeing your perspective on this.

The Power of ONEsie

Whether you're a WOHM or whether your hubby is the one that works, you know that the paid family leave benefits that are available to working parents are few and far between. Here's a fun and easy way that you can help make a change:

Contribute a onesie to MomsRising's campaign supporting PAID family leave. You can either decorate your own onesie and send it in or just pay MomsRising to do it. You can even make a party out of it! (any excuse...) Your onesie will join a chain of thousands in a giant Mother's Day display--and possibly more in the future. Learn more at MomsRising.org.

P.S.

Do your kids have the book "Urban Babies Wear Black"? It pokes fun at the uber-chic city parenting stereotypes. A friend gave it to my daughters and it's so cute.

Green Thumb, Anyone?

One of my projects this spring is to grow an herb garden. I've always wanted to do it. I think it would just be so cool to be able to throw your homegrown basil on top of a pizza. I know you're thinking: "So..what's the big deal? Just get the seeds, plant the darn herbs and water them." Uh, uh, uh. Not so fast my friends. You are talking to the Destroyer of All Things Green. I have successfully killed every plant that I've tried to grow.

First there was the beautiful yellow rosebush that my dad sent me when I brought Oldest home from the hospital. Now everybody (save my dad, bless his heart) knows that rosebushes are not for amateurs. And boy did I prove that theory right. Still have the pot though. It's quite lovely, although turned upside down on our front steps.

Then came the pansy that Oldest brought home for me from daycare 2 Mother's Days ago. It met its untimely demise on the front stoop during two (or twelve) thunderstorms. Again, the little red pot is postively charming. And in the laundry room.

And then there was the lovely hanging plant that I thought would bring cheer to our kitchen. And it did! For about 22 days. [Remembering to water the thing was so tedious.]

And finally there are the three topiary trees that grace our deck. They have been dead since last summer and yet still they remain, dry as all get out, in their quaint ceramic pots topped with cute stone pebbles. The idea looked great in BH&G.

And so you see my reluctance to subject any little ol' herbs to the inevitable fate that awaits them at my hand. Unless of course y'all help me! Got any advice on starting (and keeping alive) an herb garden?

HOORAY!!

Tanyetta's hubby is finally coming home from Iraq today!!! I've been watching her countdown for months and can't believe it's down to 13 hours. I'm so excited for them. Head over to Days Like These to wish them a happy homecoming!

Waste Not

Did you know that you don't have to eat 3 slices of pizza just because there's some leftover? Hmph. Never occurred to me.

Emmy Awards, Here She Comes

So, I've been keeping up with Risa's struggles as she has been trying to get her book, Notes From the Underbelly, made into a tv show. It's something that's been in the works for a while now but you know how those pesky Hollywood folks can be. [Ok, neither do I but I imagine they're impossible!] Over the weekend I was watching tv, and wouldn't you know it? I saw a preview for her show! The pilot is finally going to air on April 11th on ABC. Yay Risa!! [When the preview came on I shouted to my husband: "Hey! I 'know' her! I read her blog!" He was unmoved.] Anyway, make sure to congratulate her about the show on her blog and don't forget to watch - it's a show us moms can enjoy.

Synopsis:
The series will chronicle the life of Andrew and Lauren, a couple who are expecting their first child and the unlikely help and advice of their family and friends who also want to share in the couples' joy and other hilarious pains on the road to parenthood.

Works for Me Wednesday

Here's one to keep for a rainy day, or spring break, or both...

If we're cooped up in the house and the kids (namely Oldest) are bouncing off of the walls, I rely on my trusty "toy stash" to save the day. My kids receive entirely too many toys and gadgets as gifts and party favors, etc., and so I usually make an effort to ration them. [Sounds mean, doesn't it?] I put "extra" toys on the top shelf of our linen closet and pull one out every now and then. It's a great distraction when cabin fever sets in and a much smarter use of the tons of toys they get (as opposed to them all ending up on the floor in pieces after 48 hours). Sometimes even I'm pleasantly surprised at what's stashed up there. Just yesterday I remembered that one of the things I have hidden is a box set of board books with an accompanying CD. Cool. And the toys don't even have to be extravagant - a Dora lip gloss or a 99 cent paddleball toy has brought just as much happiness to my household as much an pop-up dollhouse or fingerpaint set. The key is not to let the young'uns know where the stash is :-)

Bonus: Having this hidden loot also makes mom a superhero when boredom sets in. Good for the ego.

Works for me!

Visit Rocks In My Dryer for more spring tips.

When It Rains, It Pours

Ain't that the truth? And I'm not even talking about the actual weather here in (now) sunny South Florida, I'm talking about opportunities...There's something to be said for not "blocking your blessings." Being a tad cryptic am I? Too complicated to explain but let me just remind you to be careful what you pray for! I promise to give y'all an update (about what? you ask) soon.

In the meantime, the rugrats are enjoying their trip. Nothin' says lovin' like Grandma C's biscuits in the oven. Or Grandma D in fishnet stockings and fake eyelashes. Oh yes, I will explain.

But not right now, I have some relaxin' to do.

Because Nothing Says "Vacation" Like Thunderstorms and Traffic Jams

But at least it's warm.

* Updated* America, You Decide - Will Smith or Not?

On Tuesday I entered Hubby in the celebrity look alike contest on Live with Regis & Kelly. Everyone always stops to tell him he looks "just like Will Smith." Of course I always say he looks better than Will Smith :) Anyhoo, when I heard we could win $10,000, I decided to give it a go, why not? Let's see how much he really does look like Will Smith. So I enter Hubby on their website and the very next morning I get a call by David from ABC....! He wanted another pic of Hubby, had a few questions and then said that Jada was scheduled to appear on the show the following day and that they were going to show Jada Hubby's pic to see what she thought.

Well, they really did show Jada Hubby's picture. She didn't seem very enthusiastic about the whole thing but Kelly thought he was cute. (Hubby was the cute one, not the other guy with his shirt off.) But let me tell you how smitten Hubby was that Jada looked at his picture and actually compared Hubby to Will. And then one of Hubby's friends called to say how lucky he was that Jada saw his picture.

I didn't expect Jada to totally agree but I still think there is some resemblence . I'll upload the picture so that America can decide.

Pop Quiz

If you were paying close attention today, you may have seen a pic of Justice Jones' hubby on "Live! with Regis and Kelly"!!!!

Hint: Kelly Ripa thought he was a hunk...