Life Coach 101

Dinnertime Games

2010-08-19T07:42:00.001-07:00

Last night was one of the first of a series of kid dinners by myself as the Scot is now coaching club soccer. The fall ushers in a very welcome more structured time in the house! Before (and during) a serious battle of wills (which I won) over eating some noodles, we decided to play a quiz game.

For the new kindergartener: “How did I cook this chicken? Was it a) grilled, b) fried, or c) roasted?”

“What are these pointy things called? Sticks, grass, or skewers?”

For the new 3-year old: “Which is a fruit? Broccoli, apple, or bread?”

It was fun and the kids wanted no other prize rather than to be the one who made a “Ding Ding!” or “EEEHHH” sound for the right or wrong answers. It was more of a conversation starter, really.

Terri R. Munro

PFM Capital Management

750 Hammond Drive

Building One - Suite 200

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-705-4593 x122 - Office

404-705-4596 - Fax

trmunro@pfmcapital.com

www.pfmcapital.com

A Masquerade Ball inspired by a Princess « Unique, Upscale Theme Parties for Children & Moms

2010-04-14T13:18:00.001-07:00

via poshtotevents.wordpress.com

Eileigh would LOVE this party! Check out Posh Tot Events in ATL if you haven't before! And yes, that's Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen making a surprise guest appearance!

http://lifehacker.com/software/calendar/geek-to-live%E2%80%94map-your-time-18...

In Which My Nerdiness Becomes Alarming

2010-04-12T11:01:00.001-07:00

My heart gave a little jump when I saw this – yikes.

Kites and Clam Chowder at the Coast

2010-03-29T06:49:00.001-07:00

Click through to read a post from Censational Girl that makes me pine for our CA trip this summer...I think we have been to that restaurant before when the Scot and I went out there with my sister in college. I am getting excited! Definitely adding this day to the proposed trip it itinerary!

How to Train your Dragon

2010-03-29T05:19:00.001-07:00

Viking Callum!

Montessori Placemat

2010-02-12T06:51:00.001-08:00

via oursuburbanhomestead.blogspot.com

I need to make/ snag one of these things for when the kids help set the table. I bet even wee man could get the hang of it with this.

Last night the playtime was making Valentine's Day cards for all of the teachers as well as for the kids' in the Scot's class. I just cut hearts out of scrapbook paper and Sugar & Spice copied "I love you" and wrote her name. The Valentines for friends were already at school and waiting - "I'm hooked on you" Pirate ones for the boys and princess ones ("you are magical" or something like that) for the girls...in case you were wondering!

Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen

T Munro wants you to see this item at Amazon.com

2010-02-11T13:49:00.001-08:00

T Munro <terri.munro@yahoo.com> requested that we send this e-mail. If you have questions about Amazon.com, please visit our Help Department

From: T Munro

I meant to include a link in the last post to these books, and some of my readers have been asking about them. They are great! A little story with simple pictures and each book in the box works on a new sound or sound combination. she is working on set 2 now...her Montessori teacher recommended them.

T Munro <terri.munro@yahoo.com> requested that we send this e-mail. If you have questions about Amazon.com, please visit our Help Department

Amazon.com 1200 12th Ave. S. Suite 1200 Seattle, WA 98144-2734
http://www.amazon.com

Presidents, Valentines, and Chores...

2010-02-09T19:05:00.001-08:00

Today was a big day in my wee girls' life...we extended her bedtime by 30 minutes. She now gets to stay up LATER than her brother! Woohoo- a big deal. We have been noticing that she's been calling down after lights out, claiming nightmares when she's clearly not been asleep! She's just been lying there for up to an hour I suspect. Then, I think she's napping at school which furthers the cycle!

Today I let her know about the extension as a condition of her going STRAIGHT TO SLEEP at lights out. She was SO excited! She wanted to run and tell/ gloat to her brother, but we diverted that. I think the excitement backfired a bit as she was so thrilled to be up after her brother that she had a LOT of energy! We worked on preparing her Valentines for class, and she even wrote Wee Man's name on his Valentines for his classmates.

The Scot has started coaching soccer at Westminster (a private school here in Atlanta), so he's getting in about 6:15. I am now the main one cooking dinner, whereas before he tackled that. It's a challenge, but I am really enjoying it. I will need to do more meal planning a la Leila and I will document that adventure here as well, I'm sure!

I've found a great way to keep them busy while I hustle for dinner is asking them to work on their Sticker Chart (which is really a chore chart). I modeled it after Simple Mom's chart, and promise a picture soon. Basically both kids get age-appropriate chores and a sticker for each completed. There are opportunities to do things every day, but no penalties for not completing them all on any day (still too young for that) - I think the positive reinforcement is a more natural approach to getting into a routine. At the end of the week they get a nickel for each sticker in their piggy banks as Simple Mom suggests.

We didn't have set chores growing up, so I had to learn how to maintain a home AFTER I got married. Not that I do it alone! I have a great working relationship with The Scot. But, I do want to make pride in the home and the work that comes with it more natural for my kids than it was for me. And I love delegating - HA!

You might say - "Are you crazy for thinking a 5 year old and 2 year old should have a chore chart?!" To which I reply, "Of course I am! Don't you know me yet??!" We are 1 week into chore charts and I am a BIG fan. These are not big things, folks. But in the spirit of structure that keeps the kids (and us) from going nuts, I think that it is going to be great. While they are tasked with items (Wee man needs more help, but both need reminding) they are not hanging on me whining for cartoons. AND they are helping share the burden of the house. Just these TINY things have actually alleviated a lot of stress from day to day things! So I can focus on my chores that are too hard for them. Here's the list:

Wee Man -age 2:

Put away backpack (front closet), coat (front closet cubby), and shoes (garage)

tidy toys

trash helper (he loves to put things in the trash)

laundry helper (he puts the dirty clothes in the basket or washing machine when they change into PJ's - his and his sister's)

Sugar & Spice - age 5:

Put away PJ's (in the drawers in the front closet - she's supposed to do in the morning but sometimes it's the afternoon - her and her brother's PJ's)

Put away backpack (front closet), coat (front closet cubby), and shoes (garage)

tidy toys

set table (she puts out placemats, plates, forks, napkins, cups)

clear place (putting dishes in sink after dinner, evaluating if placemats are dirty -wash- or clean - basket, throwing away any trash)

reading (she is reading the Bob books now which are great)

While I tidied up after dinner, the Scot took Wee Man up to play with his batcave – and the girls stayed in the kitchen. She wanted to draw hearts on the calendar for Valentine’s day, and she also did a picture of George Washington for Presidents’ day and a smashing rendition of Honest Abe for Lincoln’s birthday. We did a mini-learning activity where I asked her a day of the month and she had to find it on the calendar and go up to see the day of the week. I can’t believe she can actually do things like that! It’s amazing what happens when you turn off the TV and have a spirit of interactivity and learning. So, that’s the “Presidents” reference.

I realize I’ve missed many days of documentation on the play. I HAVE been playing each day, although I was at a conference for 3 days last week where I couldn’t play L with the kids but learned many great things for work. Of course I a consequently swamped at work because of being out! But I will make it through! I am so thankful to have an awesome husband who took up my half of the deal while I was gone for work, and I gave it nary a second thought. It’s foreign to me to hear women worry about the job their hubbys will do with the kids while they are away. They are men, not incompetent! They have jobs and lives, and are smart people quite often WITH common sense who can shoulder tasks! We share responsibility while both are here, so when one is gone, it’s taking on the other 50% of the job, not going from 0% to 100%.

And he can read a hell of a rendition of Where the Wild Things Are. The kids weren’t the only ones impressed with Max’s adventure tonight!

Simple Mom's family is growing

2010-02-09T17:57:00.001-08:00

If you haven't checked out Simple Mom - get over there right now! I love this blog and was so excited to hear that they are expanding into Simple Living Media, basically niching down the different blogs on how to live simply. I am subscribed to Simple Mom, Simple Organic (yes, everyone, I love all things green!), and Simple Kids. In celebration of hte launch they have some great giveaways that you should check out!

Simple Media Giveaway

Simple Organic Giveaway

Simple Kids Giveaway

Belated Update!

2010-02-08T08:41:00.001-08:00

Everyone – I have been delaying this post because I do have great pics of the planetarium. Expect those to come under separate cover – I have to get this out of my Outbox and stop the bottleneck!

***

Last weekend we got in some great play with Grandpa (my dad) when he came to visit (days 21-23). Friday, we had swim lessons, followed by a horrific dinner at Los Bravos. May I point out that it was horrific NOT because of the restaurant (which was lovely, as always, and patient as Job with our kids), but because we made the mistake of bringing our swimming-starved and exhausted kids to a public place. NEVER AGAIN. I love my kids, but I refuse to pay $60 for a terrible time. Dad arrived shortly after dinner, and then on Saturday we played at the train park in Marietta Square while SNS was in ballet. There’s nothing like a hot breakfast pie from The Australian Bakery to start the weekend off right! And I don’t even feel bad that my two-year-old has a cookie before 10 am. Hey, it’s shaped like a wombat! Before you call DHR please note that he already had cereal at 7:45 am ( a full hour after he awakes on the weekend).

Then as WM napped, Dad and I took my clever daughter to the Fernbank Science Center. It’s free, and only about 25 minutes away (nothing in Atlanta!). We did pay to go into the planetarium, which was totally worth the ~$12 for all three of us. My favorite items were the vibrant and cute poison dart frogs as well as the Apollo 6 landing capsule. Yes, the actual one. I definitely geeked out it. I am the type that reads every placard at the museums, and thankfully so is Dad. The Scot was luckily not there to be driven crazy by our nerdiness. I think he would have choked me with a haggis. The planetarium was great, although the later afternoon and the calming music and reclining seats and dark night sky projection resulted in a much-needed power nap for about 10 minutes. That was the part where they were talking about the history of the telescope. Before the show started, Sugar and Spice was actually getting a little apprehensive about the new space and the weird, massive machine in the middle of the room. She wanted to leave, but we kept promising her that it would be worth the wait. Of course, she loved it. She already told us she wanted to be an astronaut before we went in and now, let’s just say that “ambulance driver” ambition is a thing of the past.

Sunday was another monsoon, and we took cover by taking the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks –oh yeah, “The Squeakquel”. It was Wee Man’s first time at the movies and it was a success! He was jumping up and down when the Chipmunks had the concert portions, both arms raised with thumbs up over his head. I think he really thought he was at a concert! He was clapping and cheering along with the crowd in the movie. Don’t worry, they had massive amounts of popcorn and lemonade to calm them down.

Also in this week’s news…Wee Man is now in a Big Boy Bed! We got a new double bed for SNS’ room and for the rapidly deteriorating backs of the grandparents, so her twin bed was moved into his room with a trundle, or “secret sleepover bed”. The crib has been disassembled without much ceremony, and on night #2 of the big bed, I have to say the transition has been a breeze thus far. All except for the disposal of the crib. I feel bad just throwing it away, but I think that because of the drop sides it’s not safe for anyone to use under the recent recall. Ah, well. Times change – like when I was a baby being put to sleep on my stomach. And when I asked to take my seatbelt off on long car trips I was told to “wait until we get on the freeway” (was he being ironic?).

The last couple of nights have been focused on bathtime play, using the Batman shaving foam and Princess and the Frog papering set that Santa brought! I’ve also had fun organizing the new furniture… along with the new bed we also now have another dresser so the kids don’t have to share. It sure was nice tonight to lay in the big pillowtopped sleigh bed and read the next chapter in the American Girl book with my darling. Although she looks so tiny in that bed!

POTUS

2010-02-04T08:26:00.001-08:00

-------------------
Terri Munro PFM Capital Management
404.705.4593

W

2010-02-04T08:18:00.001-08:00

-------------------
Terri Munro PFM Capital Management
404.705.4593

Waiting for presidents Clinton and W to speak at the TDAmeritrade conference!

2010-02-04T07:52:00.001-08:00

-------------------
Terri Munro PFM Capital Management
404.705.4593

Little Green Notebook: Reader Request: Ikat Fabric for Drapes

2010-01-28T16:35:00.001-08:00

via littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com

I love these curtains for Wee Man's room. Also the blinds - sure beats the venetian mini blinds that came with the house!

What shoe goes with what hemline? | The Working Closet | Work It, Mom!

2010-01-26T04:29:00.001-08:00

via workitmom.com

I love these pink driving mocs. This is a great article from one of my faves, Susan at The Working Closet. She spells out fashion for those of us to whom it doesn't come naturally. Check out this article (via the link under the photo)!

Like Mother, Like Daughter: How to Take a Shower. Come back when you can read a long post, or honestly, just skip.

2010-01-21T17:24:00.001-08:00

via ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com

Love Leila...she is so hilarious and so true.

http://www.rotterdamzoocams.com/

2010-01-21T07:34:00.001-08:00

Check out this website I found at rotterdamzoocams.com

Check out this live zoo cam of the polar bears! So cute.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

In which we become poorer, but hang in there...

2010-01-19T16:53:00.001-08:00

Whew, last few days have been a home repair whirlwind! We woke up Thursday to a large burp behind the master bathroom wall. Suffice it to say that by the weekend we were one water heater richer, with one more hole in the bathroom wall, $660 poorer, and the lucky recipients of a recommendation for a $3k tub replacement project. Tell you what, I am SO glad that I now have an expansion tank, and my gas line is now 3 feet from the shutoff valve instead of 3.5 feet. Thanks to GA state plumbing codes, I can rest easy.

My home is 14 years old, so I was expecting to have to get a new water heater soon, but MAN does it suck when we have to shell it out. I am so glad that I bought the home warranty, without that it would have been $1200+! Also a microscopic crack in the garden tub is causing an (unrelated) leak. I think I might just slap some caulk on it and call it a day. At this moment I cannot recall why we ever stopped renting.

Friday (Day 15) was the first day of new semester of swim lessons at Atlanta Swim Academy, which we love. We met another ex-Pat british lady whose son is in WM's class, so we enjoyed chatting to her and had fun with the kids as they waited for each other's classes to finish. Next week I will be more prepared with Homework for Miss Sugar and Spice, and maybe we can bring the Build a Bear sewing project to finish. We had a Mexican meal and some VERY sleepy children.

Playdates for Days 16 and 17 were fun but the kids were super exhausted from getting out of their routines. I did play with them some, and some at home, but was only peripherally engaged in the play.

Yesterday, SNS was home for MLK day with her daddy. Not much time for play with dad after making up the weekend's sleep deficit...we actually had to cancel another play date because we thought she was getting sick. They DO have little sniffles, but I think whe was (hopefully) just tired. I did cuddle Wee Man after I returned from work and we talked about the baby on Ice Age. I was in a great mood because I had just found out that the check engine service on the hybrid was COMPLETELY covered by Honda Warranty! Yes !! I could use a break after my projected gazillion dollars on plumbing and medical bills (unrelated, by the way).

Oh, and SNS got to Skype with her grandparents in Scotland for the first time. The netbook is almost worth it for that. I never would have thought there was much of a difference between videoconferencing vs. just a phone call, but it really is a totally different world for her to see her grandparents and vice versa. I think the video holds the kids' attention better than a phone at this point in their development. I've included a pic taken with the Skype camera in celebration of our new method of communicating!

Today is Day 19 and I am pleased to report we are back on track - today the Scot and I played upstairs after Sugar and Spice requested a playtime (they are getting the hang of it!). He played in the tent with them and then SNS got out the doctor set to cure her American Girl of whatever she had. Must have been bad, she needed 5 shots before we saw any improvement.

http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2010/01/in-which-i-give-you-secret-to-get-you.html

trmunro@pfmcapital.com sent you a link to content of interest

2010-01-14T06:03:00.001-08:00

trmunro@pfmcapital.com sent you a link to the following content:

How to Create A Paperless Kitchen
http://simplemom.net/how-to-create-a-paperless-kitchen/

The sender also included this note:

Ooh, I want to be paperless!

Posted via email from Design test site

A housekeeping magic tip??

2010-01-13T19:09:00.001-08:00

via ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com

Leila tells us a tactic to help with housekeeping - DON'T DECLUTTER IN PLACE. Check out her article through the link below. She says clear off, clean the receptacle of the junk, THEN sort. So that's what I've been doing wrong...

A Whole WALL of framed prints? - yes!

2010-01-13T18:52:00.001-08:00

I love how the pictures go all the way out to the edge of the wall in this photo - courtesy Elle decor via censationalgirl! I never would think to have so many different colors of frames together. Why does it work? Is it because they are all the same width frame? And the same color matting? Help a novice understand, CG! :)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

There's no crying in...super hero bowling

2010-01-13T18:27:00.001-08:00

Today we had a very cheerful ride home after a looong day at work. My sainted husband not only stopped off at the store but also ordered the Chinese takeout so it was waiting on the kids and I when we arrived home late. I have to say, I was a little worried about squeezing playtime in today, with only about 2 hours between our arrival and bedtime (we strive for 7:00 bedtime in our house because we get up before 6).

Eileigh did set the tone, she was asking for her Wonder Woman outfit and ran upstairs to change even before she said hello to her dad! The kids just love chicken lo mein (well, tonight all Callum wanted was white rice - weird).
We had what their grandparents call a "mad half hour" of fun.

Broke out the bowling set, and then the Scot played a chase the soccer ball game that ended in tears because Eileigh didn't want to lose. We gave her a few "pumpernickel" chances, but she was really upset! I finally had to bring her into another room and tell her that she could come out when she was ready to be a big girl. After our little talk another benefit of the exercise came to light - I am actually getting to teach my kids first hand how to be a good friend. I am easing their social conditioning. We have had conversations with Eileigh in the past as she's come home from school saying that friends don't want to play with her and we managed to unravel that it's because she is being bossy and doesn't want to let friends choose the game. She has also beeen known to be a sore loser. Being intimately familiar with bossy tendancies, we wanted to teach her about how that wasn't being a good friend, etc etc. I'm sure as I'm thinking, "'gee mom, that was an epic car lecture worthy of immediate implementation!", they are hearing "wah, wah, wah (Charlie Brown teacher voice)." At 5 and 2, they're just way too young to talk about abstract situations...

However, today when we came across the incident first hand, I was able to show an immediate example, and I did see a glimmer of understanding. I just gave it to her straight. She's a big girl, and if she cries when she doesn't win or get her way, no one will want to play with her. I said, "It's the same when we play at home, and it will be the same at school. No one wants to play with a crybaby." That sounds more harsh in writing than I'd like, but it's a harsh reality on the playground. And being indulged at home and getting her way is not helping her learn how to be a good friend. The ugly truth, I hope, will give her a happier childhood experience with her peers. I never expected this - I was thinking that the play365 would be all about bettering our relationship as parents and children and as a family unit. It's turning out to have even more results...here's hoping it continues!

PUMPERNICKEL

2010-01-12T18:50:00.001-08:00

[http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3364757044_92720ac902.jpg]
photo courtesy of Bacon and Tofu

Today we developed a code word for the whining that has become more and more pervasive (mostly from the female contingent of the kids...), PUMPERNICKEL.

I was really searching for a way to cut off the whining and make them aware of it without resorting to whining at them myself to "QUIT it - Geez! Why are you always WHINING!?!?! (and then I crash the car into a curb)". Heh - not that I've ever done or said anything like that; I am the epitome of cool and calm mom. I fully believe that whining has developed evolutionarily as the most annoying method of communicating wants - and getting attention because parents are naturally inclined to to whatever it takes to make it stop make it stop NOW! So, ahem, in a desperate attempt for sane car rides (and life), I plucked pumpernickel as a silly word out of the air that would hopefully stun the whine right out of 'em.

So, as the pumpernickel game goes, when any of us catches the other whining (me included), we have to call them out on the pumpernickel. Then we get a point and the other person loses a point. Faux pumpernickels lose a point for the caller. The final winner of the points at the end of the night is determined at the end of the night. Hmmm- not sure what the prize will be, but the game was enough to shake things up for now. I am relieved to trade scolding for giggles, even if it lasts just a few days. Wee Man even got into the spirit.

They even ate broccoli today and played upstairs by themselves. I am going to count the reading of a chapter of the Our Generation Girl book as playtime... good day!

Ambitious Projects

2010-01-12T06:37:00.001-08:00

Censational Girl MADE this. Wow. She gives great step-by-step instructions and it fits behind her laundry room door. I have GOT to do this...it is so adorable and I think all you need is a saw and a drill. Neither of which I own. Adding to the list of projects for when I'm feeling brave, and shopping list! Also on said list:

Paint the dresser in Eileigh's room white and install the mirror

Paint the hated kitchen table and chairs black and recover seats
This one will be SUPER ambitious as the tabletop is laminate.

If you are intimidated by home projecets like I am, just look at some of the blogs out there. Nothing gives me the can-do lift like some of the awesomely talented ladies out there.

Cleaning out kids' clothes - today's play/work project!

2010-01-11T17:57:00.001-08:00

Day 10 -yesterday was a less than stellar day in the Play365 project. The kids had way too much screen time, although I did get Eileigh's help in taking down the Christmas ornaments. We talked about each one, and I told her about how each year I have given her a reindeer ornament, and Wee Man a snowman one. I love this tradition and so does she now that she's understanding better. I definitely have done better with the small amount of time for play during the weekdays - perhaps I just work better under pressure? Or I bet it's the Pareto Principle, (to which I was first introduced through Tim Ferriss' book Four Hour Work Week), in that the less time you have to do something, the mroe efficiently you work. Like a goldfish that grows to the size of its container. I was also distracted by the shopping for and purchase of my new netbook! WOOHOO! I have wanted one of these for ages, and at Microcenter the price was right. Lucky I have an awesome hubby who went in halfers on it so I didn't have to wait and save so long. Oh, yeah, and we paid with cash. That we consciously saved for discretionary expenses. I am doing a celebratory dance of responsibility.

Day 11- today went great, in contrast. Wee Man almost sweet talked his dad into turning on cartoons after dinner, but I vetoed the idea and said that we needed to get in some play time, not cartoon time. I was super proud of myself, and I know that if I keep the deliberate effort visible, that the Scot will remind me of our commitment to play at another time when I am wanting to slack. They went upstairs to play animals...we have got such a great collection of animal figurines, a love which hearkens to the Scot's time as a boy in Kenya from ages 6-9. My father-in-law was an ecologist before retiring from the Scottish equivalent of the National Parks Service, and he was stationed there. I think if they had stayed, my hubby would be on the back of an elephant right now, doing something noble and wildlife-y. At any rate he made it back to the western world and now gets to play with all of the animals with our kids. We are dreaming of going back to Kenya with the extended family when Wee Man is old enough to remember the experience. And then I get to add another continent to my list!

I took the fruits of Winter Storm Laundry Extravaganza 2010 upstairs and put away the kids' clothes. Eileigh (need a bloggy name for her - any suggestions?) joined me in her room and we sang/ recited nursery rhymes from one of her storybooks. It was great - I couldn't believe how much she had memorized. I took the opportunity to clean out the kids' clothes, and with her there was able to talk about charity and culling of our "stuff". Here's the process...

"Does it fit?" It was great having her there with me to easily hold up items to her and see how they looked. She is going through a growth spurt so this is key. Also, it keeps me from having a "pending fit evaluation" pile at the end of my project. It's fun for her to see how she's grown as well.

"Is it worn out?" stains, fading, holey jeans, ragged hems, and pilling = outta here. I'm sick of seeing them in ragamuffin clothes when the drawers are stuffed full to overflowing with cute ones.

"Do YOU like it?" I asked her on each item in question. We have enough clothes that it's not worth keeping an item that will be a source of conflict.

Also, I am over keeping stuff because "there's nothing wrong with it, it's a perfectly good X." Leila's Laundry Tutorial gave me an aha! moment recently in that Laundry Problems Start With Clothes. I haven't reduced the kids' stuff as much as she might suggest yet, but how many undershirts do they really need? It was enough to make me avoid the laundry and get away with it! I have also become much more discerning in what goes in the wash. Is it truly dirty? In the winter kids' don't sweat as much, and although there are often food stains on collars and cuffs, often the pants can go another wear before they go in the wash (aka MORE WORK FOR ME). I am visibly observant of these things, hoping to inspire my other family members to do so as well. All the clothes as well as 2 big rubbermaid bins of toys will go to Goodwill, which is right by my work. I will take inventory of the items for my tax deductions and also (best practice alert!) take photos of the donation.

I am loving that the Play365 gets me off of my arse to spend quality time with the kids, and I am so far incororpating other goals as well! I just need to make sure that my chores don't supercede the playing.

Classic, chic...

2010-01-11T05:51:00.001-08:00

via elsewares.com

Wouldn't you love to get this for your kids? All natural, and looks like it would last forever. This reminds me of a rocking horse my grandfather made that all of the kids passed down in turn. $25 - a good gift!

Snow Play

2010-01-09T14:26:00.001-08:00

With this challenge top of mind for me, I am starting to look for and plan ahead the ideas for playtime each day. Simple is better, as the kids will inevitably take the activity in a new direction, and that's OK. So, the play for the day may be "soccer outside", or "barbies", or one of those millions of crafty things that Eil has gotten as a gift over her November birthday and Christmas. I have been aching for these toys to get some USE before the kids outgrow them, instead of constantly being passed over in favor of the telly.

Day 7 was a challenge, everyone was hunkering down for a bad winter storm forecast. Fat snowflakes bagan to fall as I made my evening commute...I stopped at the liquor stor for a Heineken mini-keg as a treat for the Scot (his Christmas present was a beertender). By the way, this is a great little gadget. It can be pricey if you don't shop around, but I used a Bed, Bath, and Beyond 20% off coupon and got it for $79! We are enjoying it.

After we got home we ran around and caught snowflakes on our toungues. The kids were so excited, although they did keep asking why we were getting snow without it being Christmas. Go figure.

DAY 8: I was working from home that day as the winter storm made the surface roads too icy for travel. So, a SNOW DAY was in order...schools were closed, so we woke up a little late, ate breakfast, and then more snow play. We ventured out to Harry's for a shopping, but we were sliding all over, so we made that the last excursion! The kids had some quiet time and played with Paul so I could get some work done. That evening we went back out and the Scot and I played soccer for ages while the kids were running around. To his credit, he didn't get impatient with my lesst than stellar skills and I even got a free coaching lesson :) It was fun to run around and work up a (small) sweat.

DAY 9: (today) Eileigh and I played with her Build-A-Bear kit, which today involved sewing with a plastic needle through pre-punched holes. This is the cutest toy and we really had fun with it. It reminded me so much of when I was a girl, learning to cross-stitch with my aunties and being crazy about cross-stitching and embroidery. Eileigh kept saying, "I just can't believe that I am doing this all by myself!" LOL, yes, you are a big girl! We did set the project aside, to finish sweing another day so we can stuff.

Also got some more snow play - will be the last I'm afraid. The snow is really hanging in there for GA in the shady spots, but it's gradually melting back. In other news...I took the freezing opportunity to clean out our master closet, the last closet in the house in need of a good clean out and organize. I think I'll do another organizational post later on that process - pretty good! I'm also working on catching up on all the laundry (aka bane of my domestic existence).

Eileigh and I making build-a-bear at home

2010-01-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

In the princess and the frog dress-up gown, of course!

Making Time To Craft and Play With Kids (from ImpressYourKids)

2010-01-08T11:24:00.001-08:00

http://impressyourkids.org/2010/01/06/making-time-to-craft-play-with-your-kids/

I am definitely checking out this blog for ideas to help me on my way!

Yes, my dears, that's SNOW in the gutters!

2010-01-07T13:06:00.001-08:00

An Atlanta miracle!
-------------------
Terri Munro PFM Capital Management
404.705.4593

Storage Solutions for kids' artwork

2010-01-07T12:26:00.001-08:00

I am noticing a recurring theme in what catches my eye- solutions for all of the billions of pieces of (masterful) artwork that the kids do at school.

I love these flat art boxes from the container store for the (pared down)backlogs...

Got My Wings

2010-01-07T04:46:00.001-08:00

via store.rock.com

I'd love to see Cally in this youth Rock TShirt...

A Holistic Approach to Setting Meaningful New Year’s Goals - repost!

2010-01-06T18:10:00.001-08:00

via simplemom.net

This is an excerpt from one of my fave bloggers - Simplemom.net... I have got to try this exercise...very good in my quest for balance. Check out the blog post here: http://simplemom.net/a-holistic-approach-to-setting-meaningful-new-years-goals/ (I will clean this up later with a better link). This ties to my 365 NYR because I want to focus on the family relationships this year to make my circle of life less "bumpy" as she says.

Today for Day 6: we played soccer with the kids after dinner - Eileigh is coming along surprisingly well according to the Scot - who had previously written her off as uncoordinated (in the most loving way, of course!). Cally and I did a puzzle. Well, he kept trying the pieces and I did the puzzle. But we had fun!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Kiddos playing Pirate and Pirate Princess

2010-01-06T13:28:00.001-08:00

ARRRR!

My Parents-in-law brought this awesome pirate costume for Cally and of course the pirate princess had to join in the swashbuckling. No fainting wallflower princesses here!

There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING like an awesome dress-up costume. And let’s face it, mateys, a great swordfight.

Day 5 - the first obstacle...

2010-01-06T05:53:00.001-08:00

Photo courtesy American Girl email blasts that tantalize me weekly…don’t you just love that dress?! I think they make a big-girl version…

Day 5 – cooked tuna mac, played Bat Cave (gotta get upstairs!), nerf guns with Eileigh, and read some of a chapter book with Eileigh. It’s the book that came with her Our Generation doll (American Girl – Target version). The book was a little advanced for her, but she loved it and I loved reading with her. We also browsed the American Girl Catalog... I know it’s a throwback to my childhood, but I LOVE drooling over that catalog!

I will say that my vibe going into the night was seriously derailed by some creepy door-to-door solicitors. Glad that interaction has passed! Luckily I recovered and was able to resume my focus upon playing. I stayed up WAY too late reading book 5 of the Sookie Stackhouse novels. They are just delightful, relaxing reading! I think tomorrow we will play upstairs in the tent (in Eileigh’s room)…we can bring all the dolls and action figures on a camping trip.

Feel-Good cuteness

2010-01-05T04:48:00.001-08:00

via worldofgood.ebay.com

I love this tote- but probably need something bigger-

I never knew that my bags would grow as my children do...ha!

Found on WorldofGood.com by eBay; eBay's socially responsible and eco-friendly arm.

Displaying Kid's Artwork

2010-01-05T04:38:00.001-08:00

via cookiemag.com

I have GOT to find a wall in the kitchen to do this! My fridge is looking messy!