Quick thought and Links I Love

Last weekend I was at my parents...
Here are a few of my favorite shots.

The last few days I have had PLENTY of "me" time. I also had a few days of busy prep to get ready for the "me" time.   More to come on that very soon. Just know that I am COMPLETELY enjoying quiet time, vanilla lattes, time with my husband, talking to my boys on the phone, window shopping, eating out, and wine.

 For your weekend enjoyment...a COUPLE of links I enjoyed this week.  Not much since I have been preoccupied.

Taking Care of Me  by Small Notebook

Use the Good Stuff by Simple Mom 

Happy Weekend!  More tomorrow!

Finding the balance in waiting

When Charley was born there was no question that our love would be enough. It would overflow. He would be surrounded by it from near and far. He would experience life at a pace that we chose. He was our first go at this thing called 'parenting.'

Then along came number two....Hank. Charley was so excited to be a big brother. We talked it up. He knew what a big responsibility it would be at the age of 3. And when Henry arrived Charley quickly learned that his life had changed...  But he now had to share his mommy and daddy.

Ed and I knew we had to be careful how we transitioned from being a family of three to a family of four. Best advice - let baby wait from time to time and give Charley the opportunity to hear us say, "Just a moment Henry, I am reading with Charley right now." Letting Charley know that Henry had to wait too was so important. It was very easy to jump at Henry's cries and needs...but knowing that Charley needed to feel like he wasn't the one who always had to wait was key.

Charley transitioned to big brother so wonderfully but the focus in the back of my mind was to make sure that the baby didn't leave Charley waiting ALL. THE. TIME....waiting while I nursed, waiting while I changed the 10th diaper for the day, waiting while I rocked, bounced, or sat still letting that new little miracle sleep on my warm beating chest. The transition of a second child has to be done with a balance that takes time to get right.

Now, two years in I see the balance I have to find is different.

The other day we had swim lessons - I signed up both boys. I would get in the pool with Henry while Charley was being an independent fish. However, Henry had a little cold and so we decided for the first lesson we would sit out...Henry sat - waiting, and patiently watching his big brother - excited to swim himself ....someday (since he doesn't get that in a week he will get to go too).

That morning Charley had a field trip to the zoo. Grandma was here so she went along to chaperon and Henry and I wandered in the distance. We watched Charley board the bus and Henry took off when I glanced away - strutting proudly towards the bus. When I asked him where he was going he said, "Me ride bus too!" Here again I had to explain that he had to wait.

When Charley was trying on his soccer shoes, Henry enthusiastically was so excited for his big brother. He found some shoes that became his "soccer" shoes and he said, "soccer too!" Here AGAIN I had to explain that he would play, when he older.

The balance I strive to find these days is one that let's Henry shine with his own experiences in the world. It is hard because the second isn't content waddling the yard with a ball or bubbles...the second wants to ride the scooter at the age of 2 (which Henry CAN do quite well). The second isn't content playing with a rattle or wooden blocks....the second masters the names of all the Star Wars characters before he can make 3 word phrases.

Letting the second be his own person happens a lot quicker but he is still our baby. He still finds joy in bubbles with Grandma, rocking before bedtime, and seeing what each day brings. But his instinct is to climb on that scooter, to fight for the cool Transformer toy, and TRY to sit in the big boy booster seat in the backseat of the car (even when mama says NOT YET!).

The balance is now making life just as exciting for the two year old as the 5 year old who is riding buses, heading out to soccer practice, having playdates, and riding a bike down the road.

My boys are great brothers and that makes finding the balance a little easier because they find joy in spending time together - which ultimately makes life perfect in their eyes. Charley probably doesn't remember a time when his little brother wasn't there to play with, talk to, and "deal" with. They will know each other longer than any other relationship in their lives. And so as the mother I strive to offer balance while they wait for their turn in life, so that their relationship is strong, healthy, and secure. Their life is NOW and making the now special for their TODAYS is my goal.

Love is an amazing thing - it grows, expands, and balances the world so everything is just right as it keeps spinning round.

This post is linked to Steady Mom's 30-minute blog challenge.


This post is linked to New Friend Friday and Friday Follow.

The Many Faces of a Pudding Pop

Spring Soccer Begins

This spring Charley will try his hand at soccer. He is signed up for an actual soccer team through a local soccer club. Last summer he did a little pee wee sport camp but it was just a goofy little thing that exposed him to running around and kicking a ball. This spring he will have practice once a week and games on Saturdays.

WE DID NOT SIGN HIM UP, at the age of 5, BECAUSE WE WANT HIM TO BE A SOCCER PRO. 

We signed him up because we wanted to give him a taste at the sport, to see if he would like it. He had a good buddy to go with. We thought he would look adorable in his little cleats, soccer shin guards, socks, and his little jersey. We signed him up for the FUN.

So the other night we got out the soccer shoes that I scored at Target...they were on clearance for nine dollars! Henry was so excited for Charley. He grabbed the shoe, plunked down and tried to help his big brother get them on. Adorable!

Then we headed outside to try them out.  Henry wanted soccer shoes too so he went and happily grabbed his little tennis shoes.  When we got outside I took a picture of Charley's soccer shoes and then Henry posed with his "soccer shoes".  It was then I laughed at his determination to be like his brother...with no socks, barely any ankle, and big smile (which you can't see from the picture). 

Charley loved his first practice on Wednesday night.  Games start in a week or two.  We are so pumped that college soccer star Aunt Raina will be able to come and witness her nephew's first attempt at the sport.  I am sure she will have some tricks she can share with him. 

Grace in Small Things #52

1. Congrats to Peggy and Jason on their new little miracle! I guessed that they would have him on the 22nd....and they did! AWESOME! I hope your first few days as a family of four have been wonderful! Welcome Connor!

2. Today while running errands we saw some friends ... so fun to see three adorable girls. Glad we ran into you Jaime!

3. It was a nice visit at my mom and dads. We got to spend time with my sister and her family for a bit. Tomorrow we journey back.

4. Both boys are getting pretty smooth on their scooters. And Henry played baseball with Grandpa Bob today for quite a while. It seemed to make him happy...since fishing wasn't going to happen this visit. (He mentioned "ishing" all weekend).

5. My mom and I are still in awe of Charley's bravery the other day at the park....when he defended Henry against some "pirates."

6. Love that another friend, who swore she would never get a minivan, has converted. I know she will love it...Welcome to the minivan world Lynelle!

Big Kid Milestones...

When your baby is born you keep track of lots of little details (sleep stretches, nursing schedules, first teeth, steps, rolling over). Slowly milestones start to space out. I notice with my 5 year old that I am not seeing BIG changes on a day to day basis like I do with Henry - who is speaking more and more, jumping higher and higher etc.

But this week Charley hit a milestone - that could have been considered little if I hadn't taken time to realize the significance. Charley learned to pump this week. He now needs one good push and from there he can swing for a good 20 minutes...or longer. We have tried to get him motivated to try pumping for a long time. But this week it just happened - in his own time. He was proud.  So. Was. I.

The reality...my days of pushing are numbered. My brother pointed out that Henry will probably be pumping way sooner - and he is right.  But for now - I think I will groan a little less when Henry demands me get off my 'arse' to push him - because I have witnessed the reality of my oldest child not needing repeated pushes. It means less time having to stand there and chat, tell knock knock jokes, or sing goofy songs. It also might mean, that now I can swing next to him, which I have noticed isn't as easy on my tummy ...It means milestones still come when they are five and I get to have my breath taken away as I realize time keeps chugging along.

Slow Reflections #2

Part of the Slow Living Handbook (that you can enter to win here) includes a section that asks you questions and has you figure out your own thoughts on slow living.  One of the first questions is:

"What are five things we currently are doing as a family that feel slow?"

So this week I have been paying attention to moments when I feel good about the choices we are making and whether what we are doing feels "slow" to me.  The handbook confidently explains that Slow Family Living is NOT: doing something somebody else's way, doing it the "right way" or because it is what you are "supposed to do".    From reading the handbook I am seeing that for each family and each stage your family is at - Slow living could look differently.

These are  5 moments that I took time and intentionally made time for that felt "slow" to me this week.

1.  Instead of leaving for my parents on Tuesday we hung back and waited until Wednesday.  On Tuesday the boys had picnic lunch up in our swing set.  They hadn't done this yet.  It was quiet.  They talked.  I had quiet.  It is what spring days are all about.

2.  I intentionally make time before we travel to clean the car.  I take it for a carwash, lug the shop vac from the basement, clear out the junk and make it feel calm.  It makes such a difference.  The boys love helping me "clean" the car.  They climb around, pretend to drive, and search for lost toys and crackers.

3.  Travelling to grandma's always slows us down.  Taking 6 hours in the car - just me and the boys gives us time to do not much but look out the window, chat, sing, sleep, and watch a cartoon or two.

4.  When at my parents it is easy to feel relaxed because we aren't surrounded by all the distractions that are at home.  Yesterday afternoon we spent an hour and a half at a simple park in my parent's neighborhood.  The boys played power rangers, space ship, and something with pinecones...not sure what that was.  At one point I laid down on the park bench and shut my eyes and just listened.  It was perfect.  per.fect.

5.  Working out.  I have made time for walks and the Shred video several times this week.  Taking that 20-30 minutes for me has done a number on my mood.  A friend made the point of sharing how changing her attitude to "I deserve to work out." really helped her make it more of a priority in her day.

For me, slow living starts, by giving my boys time to just enjoy each other.  It involves making time with them that isn't distracted by household chores and responsibilities.  It allows me to intentionally make choices that give priority to things that are healthy for our bodies and souls.


Happy Friday friends!  I hope your weekends are filled with fun.  I hope they go slow so you can savor the moments you build as a family.
  
Welcome Friday Follow friends and New Friend Friday pals.

"You can't hurt him. He is little. He is only 2."

This morning we were at a park that had a big "pirate ship" play structure.  There were two other boys playing pirate on it while we were there.  Slowly, Henry ventured over and climbed up top.  From across the park one of the other boys came running, "Hey, that is our ship."  Charley quickly came from out of no where and got kind of close to the other little boy who was slowly circling the "pirate ship" and quickly and firmly explained, "Hey, that is my little brother and YOU CAN NOT fight him.  He is little.  You can't hurt him.  He doesn't know.  He is only 2."  I was standing right there and the other boys mom was right there and grandma was right there.  And all of us had mouths hanging open from Charley's defense.  What a big brother!  I am glad they have each other.

Slow Refections...

Slow Family Living is...

Knowing you have choices

Consciously making decisions

Doing things because it feels right for your family

Continuously asking, "Is this working for us?"

Taken from the Slow Family Living Handbook that you can win here.

This week the boys and I are heading to my parents for a few days. We could have made the 6 hour drive yesterday but there was something tugging at me that ended up keeping us home for another day....I am not sure if it was the beautiful weather, more time with daddy, the avoidance of the longgggg car ride, or the fact that next  two weeks are going to be busy and overwhelming so I was slowing us down.

We all have quirks. One of mine is thinking I can do more than I probably should attempt.  Kind of like taking more on my plate at a buffet but realizng my stomach is smaller than my eyes (how does that saying go?).   I get myself all tied up in knots after I have had these great ideas, shared them, and then realized the impact they will have on our family. They seem like small things but the impact is exhausting. Too many playdates, too much travel, too many visitors, too long of a to do list, too many errands, too many days booked with fun outings, - and all of these things are great.   However, they leave us all wiped out, tired, crabby, and exhausted.  I do it to myself.

Take this trip to my parents. When I go to my parents I have the opportunity to go home and enjoy my parents. But also living within two hours is my brother in law and sister in law and MORGAN, my sister and brother in law and ELI!, many childhood and college friends, my grandpa, Ed's grandma, Great aunts and uncles, and the list goes on. So when I go to my parents my thought is to see all of these people. I suggest staying with them or meeting at various fun locations to hang out and catch up. But within a day or two of getting in the car for the 6 hour drive with my 2 and 5 year old, the reality sets in. By seeing all these people that means I will be putting my boys back in the car for another 2-4 hours each day. And I start to see the possible outcome of exhaustion.

For this trip, one of our outings was going to work around nap schedules, train schedules, drive time, restaurant hours etc. I had myself in a tizzy because the hour we would have at the restautrant would be fun but maybe stressful. We want to see the friends and family that we are meeting there...but the almost 2 1/2 hours in the train could get long - the day before we trek 6 hours home. Just as much as the parents of nappers were working around the nap schedules it is okay that I think about Henry missing his afternoon nap and the race it would be to get from train to restaurant back to train. I could forsee myself dragging the boys and telling them to hurry, hurry, hurry. Eat faster.  Walk faster. Sit stiller. 

So slowing down.

We stayed home yesterday. We played board games in the morning. We played outside in the afternoon. We had pizza with friends. We played with daddy before bedtime. I went to bed early and my boys are sleeping later than they usually do (yes, it is 7:10 and they are still sleeping! WOO HOO!).

Slow family living is stepping back. Thinking about how you intend for things to go.  Slow family living is about making choices. Thinking about what will work for your family and how it will make everyone feel. And I guess I think that today is the day to make the trip in the car.

And the rest of the trip - we will play by ear.

What is a choice you are making today that feels right for your family?

Slow Family Living...sounds good to me!

Recently while blog hopping I came across a blog called Slow Family Living. Upon clicking on their blog you can find many places to explore...they share their manifesto, which begins :

"Slow Family Living is a revolution in the way we think about, embrace and implement family living.

It was born out of our belief that family life is being hijacked by society’s messages that more is better, faster is greater and that you and your children are at risk of being left behind, unless you buy in NOW......"


I got sucked right into some of their daily posts...things that spoke about listening to your children,  enjoying your community, and getting more sleep.

I found posts that seemed to come straight from my own thoughts...I tell my sister and friends that "It is only a phase/stage" when we ponder our children's quirks and issues all the time. 


They have even been featured on ABC news and other places.

Anyways, the blog is one that I will spend a few minutes reading when I need a little inspiration.  Looking closely though I saw a link that would allow me to purchase (for $10) an e-book that I could print off and enjoy called Slow Family Living Handbook.  I took a peek and walked away and enjoyed my Saturday but in the back of my mind I was intrigued by the book.  So I emailed Carrie and asked her if the book would apply to my family (with the ages my boys were at).  She sent me the e-book!  I was so thrilled.  She also said I could share it with you. 

So my plan in the next few weeks is to post some thoughts on Slow Family Living as I tackle slowing down in our house.  And I would love to have anyone interested in Slow Family Living to join me.  So I am going to give you a week or so to check out their blog and decide if it is something that peeks your interest.  Throw a comment below and tell me one time in your day that you would like to approach more slowly, calmly, with more intention.  (For example, getting out the door for preschool drop off...I want to leave the house without rushing my boys and snapping to hurry up.  Or I would also like to slow down our evenings and not be itching to get the boys to bed quicker so I can put my own feet up...this hasn't always been the case...but it is lately and it makes me sad.  I also have noticed lately that we have very few days where we are just home, the two boys and I...without friends, outings, commitments etc.)

So leave a comment below telling me where you would like to slow down or leave a link from Slow family Living that spoke to you.

I will pick 2 people to recieve the e-book on Tuesday, April 27th at 9 pm.

This post is linked to Steady Mom's 30 Minute Blog Challenge.

Give me the answer...

For the last, way too many weeks, I have vowed to start working out regularly again...but for the last few weeks I have made excuse after excuse. I have had a hard time finding the motivation and time to get started. WHY!? Summer is coming, swim lesson season for Henry...which means mama gets in the pool too. Working out makes my monthly mood swings WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY more tolerable. I sleep better. I feel happier. So why can't I make 20-40 minutes out of my day for me. Because ultimately it will impact my family in only positive ways.

I HAVE gone on some good walks. I did do the 30 Day Shred video yesterday and I am soooo feeling it today. So I am vowing to do it again today, and tomorrow...and even when I travel to my parents this next week I will bring it and be consistent.

But then I have the 2-3 months in the past where I do so great with working out and I see no results...maybe it would have been a fourth month. I don't know. It is just so frustrating. So I now think I need to focus more on working out for my moods and attitudes and less on my pant size. That and the fact that I need to make a few more sacrifices with my diet...less sugar, less carbs, smaller portions...eating breakfast...etc. I am just not a dieter.

So this afternoon Henry is napping and Charley is having a blast at his friends house. I have worked on packing for our trip to my parents. Cleaned up a bit...and now sit here knowing that I should spend the 20-40 minutes working out. My wise friend Kim wrote me an email telling me to enjoy the time this afternoon and ended the email with this line: "Enjoy that hour or so of freedom! That is...freedom with a dash of, "What can I get done?" and a side of, "I should really take advantage of this time!", washed down with, "I really just want to relax, but will regret it later."

So what is a girl to do?

Do you have a mantra that you say to yourself to get your butt in gear? Do you have a trick to fitting it into your day? Do you wave some sort of carrot or reward for yourself?

Can you help me get me started?

Beauty in the world...blips from my world these days...

We have been playing outside and busy busy and I haven't had much time for my normal blogging. I have all these little thoughts so I am just going to throw them out there....


**I had heard rumor of the wonderful Vanilla Skinny Latte's and how they could change my life..for the good or bad...I was introduced to one this week...loved it. Splurged on a second...and today I went and got some vanilla creamer and am happy with some of that in a home brewed pot. YAY! So tell me coffee drinkers...how bad is coffee with a heaping spoonful of creamer ...or two. I bought powdered...is there an actual liquid creamer..is one better over another?

**This week I made my own chicken nuggets...I did my own recipe. I prepped them in the 10 minutes it took for my oven to preheat. They cooked for 15 minutes and we all liked them. I see summer salads with a bit of protien in my future. I am vowing to not buy chicken nuggets anymore. Anyone else want to join the revolution...watch Jaime Oliver's show and you might find one thing to change.

**Henry doesn't say the f sound. He says "ench ries" and "ish" and I LOVE it!

**Charley and I are conquering the Super Mario boards slowly but together. We are very proud...and a little crabby when our time is up.

**I finally got my brows waxed (yesterday with the boys in tow -I have amazing boys because they sit quietly and watch and don't make a peep back in the spa area...my bribe (a dum dum sucker).

**This morning I got my haircut...I am working on growing it out a bit...frustrating. But I feel happy...just like when I was little and my mom took me to get my haircut. I need to not wait so long. Taking care of mama is a good thing.

**Yesterday I went in to the doc (a new family practice doc...her name is Dr. Love) and I liked her a lot. She will be my doc now. I needed one. Proud of me mom?! Anyways, I have an irregular heart beat..border line Mtrovalve prolapse or something. I have had some weird heartbeat stuff lately and it scares me. So on Monday I will get my hands on a heart rate monitor for a day or two and schedule an echocardiogram. But the doc didn't seem worried.

**Ed is a hardworking man who is able to come home early so I can go to the doc without my extra helpers. I am so proud of all that he does for our family at home and at his job. I appreciate being home with my boys.

**Our grill season has started. yum!

**I need to get serious about working out but Charley still fits in the double jogger so we have gone on some good walks...and when I say good...I am pushing a five and two year old so I am getting a workout.

** Next week we are heading to my mom and dads for a few days while Ed takes off to golf with his buddies. I always love going home.

**Ed and I are going to get a little vacation/business trip in the near future...anyone familiar with Seattle...I am looking forward to sleeping in, exploring independently, time with my husband, a break from the mommy role...and skinny vanilla latte's from the city where coffee houses are famous...am I right?

**It is the weekend and I have a college/current friend coming for the afternoon evening. We will hang out and let the boys dig in the sandbox and run around the yard. Enjoy a glass or two of wine (because red wine is good for the heart...right?). Girlfriend time is always good for the soul.

**Ed took the boys to Home Depot so I could get a few things cleaned up...my coffee (haha! I am kind of a coffee drinker now - Raina you should try this) is done. Time to get to work! I want to enjoy the sunshine with the three males in my world when they get home.

Have a wonderful weekend.

OH! New song added below called Beauty in the World. LOVE. IT.

Links I Love...a little late!

7 Reasons We Love a Simple Home from Making This home

A new blog I found this week had a post that grabbed me and made me want to read the book.  I so related to the list of lies I tell myself!

This post titled Letting Go is a great reminder that we all parent differently.  We do what works for our family, our kids, our happiness.

I am going to try and remember this...Simplifying Discipline.  It makes sense.  Noble Mother is a blog I just stumbled upon and it looks like one that I will lurk around at.


Just curious if anyone likes these links that I share....I have tried to do it each Friday because I enjoy the blogs that I read that do it.  Let me know if I should continue....

Friends + Farm = Fun

Yesterday we ventured on a bit of a drive to a farm.  It was totally worth the time in the car (and when you go with others and have a fun friend to chat with...the drive is nothing!). 

Our first moments were spent gazing into the cleanest chicken coop one could ever imagine. 

The chickens were amazing.  Charley thought maybe one was laying an egg and sure enough...when it stood up there sat a beautiful warm brown egg. 

We got to tour inside the barn...we expected this meant looking over a fence or through the bars of a cage...NOPE!  We were encouraged to enter the chicken coup.  We found ourselves surrounded by the birds.  The farmer left us for a moment, door open, and about 10-12 chickens escaped but Melody and I herded them back into the coup.  Both of us laughing...a little nervously. 

We got to learn about eggs and why some are white and some are brown.  That chickens lay one egg a day...taking a day off here and there (made me appreciate the eggs we got from our local farmer).  We learned to test the freshness of an egg you can see if it sinks or floats!  Charley explained that the eggs we have in our fridge come from a chicken farm like this.  He was so proud - and so was I. 

Next we got to hand feeds some little piglets.  So cute.  So friendly.  So amazing! 

Yes, the entire time I am watching my boys kneel in the hay where I know they are exposed to dirty stuff...but the energy and awesome-ness of the whole experience was worth it!  So we washed hands often. 

After the piglets we hiked a bit through the farm area and then returned to Millie the cow.  She and her 4 day old calf entertained the boys for a bit.  We got to brush her, milk her by hand, and just pet and talk with her. 

The whole experience was TOTALLY awesome.

It rained as we ended our outing so we sat in the van and ate...gotta love the 30 cup holders!  And by the time we got home it was 1 oclock and time for Henry's nap.  

 

 Many days we stay close to home, doing the same old routine things.  I love those days.  But I also love pushing myself to drive a little farther and go somewhere out of my comfort zone.  I am usually totally proud and happy that I took the time to do it.  It gives me a chance to live life with these two little guys who look at the world from a different perspective.  They take my hands exiting our minivan and excitedly tell me what they hope to see or do.  And even though I am stressed at moments because the bottom of their shoes are caked with poop...I am thrilled to have given them this new experience that has broadened OUR horizons. 

If you live in my area I would TOTALLY encourage you to take advantage of this farm.  If you live somewhere else..I encourage you to pack a lunch and go have an adventure.  Getting out of the daily routine and challenging yourself to a new thing makes this time home with your children that much more rewarding.  And today - in our pjs still at 10:45, we all are a little happier. 

Be prepared...

As a mom of boys, my life is filled with adventure. 

If you are lucky enough to be blessed with a little boy...

...or maybe two or three...

...be prepared to:

...dig in the dirt for worms and build worm houses out of boxes.

...remove grass stains and/or see knees peeking at you through not-so-old pants.

...watch them ride bikes, scooters, ...and anything else with wheels.

...step on the legos that are smattered throughout the house.  

...enjoy Tinker Toy contraptions as part of your permanent decor.

...buy stock in band-aids.

...require baths or showers every night in spring, summer, and fall. 

...drop everything to move playtime outside or inside.

...pitch millions of wiffle balls.

...have many buckets of "special rock collections."

...give kisses to dirt smudged cheeks.

...pause to watch big trucks.

...find legos and "guys" in your purse and coat pockets.

...hear Star Wars and superhero stories.

...spend 10 more minutes cleaning the bathrooms...they tend to sprinkle.

...find that little boys don't care if there are holes in their socks.

...let them wear their superhero pjs and rain boots to the grocery store.

...find joy in their smiles.

...be in awe of their imaginations.

...be loved.

Be prepared for the ride of your life.

This post is part of Steady Mom's 30 Minute Blog Challenge.

UPDATED: Take me out to a ball game...(Giveaway!)

Using Random.org....we have a winner!

Comment writer number 4! HALEY you win! Send my your address and I will get it to the company and they will send you your baseball kit!

Spring is the time of year when outdoor sports start up again here in the midwest.  As a mom it is the time of year when we have to decide what we want to commit our children to for summer extra curricular activities.   This summer we are going to take it a little easier but we did sign Charley up for spring soccer and t-ball. Last summer he did a Pee Wee Sport camp thingy that exposed him to soccer and t-ball but he didn't really grasp the technical stuff...so to have a soccer practice once a week and a game on Saturday mornings - now that is big time.

A friend mentioned she had these "Sport Guys" that her son loves to play with. Check these little guys out:

 Photos taken from their website.

I am thinking that getting the "Soccer Guys" would allow us to sit down with Charley and talk through some of the game play.  I would also love for him to play with these "guys" with his buddies.  They sell sets (football, baseball, hockey, and soccer) with different color team options.  They sell mini packs that are perfect for expanding your team collections or for travel...pack them up and use them as a distraction when waiting at a restaurant etc.  The mini packs would also make great cupcake toppers or birthday goodie bag stuffers.  The website has just added Kid's Corner that offers fan pages and online game play.

Kaskey Kids is offering to give one of my readers a "Baseball Guy" mini pack (valued at $9.99).  They are also offering my readers 20% off by using the promo code : "Minis" 

Here is how you can win some "Baseball Guys"....(submit a different entry for each chance to win).

1 entry:  What summer activity are you most excited to watch your child participate in this summer?


1 entry:  Become a follower (if you are already a follower - that works too).

1 entry:  Follow on Twitter.

This giveaway will end on Saturday at 9pm. 

This review is a virtual review.  I have not actually touched the "Sport Guys."  I have only seen the Sport Guys on their website.   I can not vouch for the quality of the physical product. 

What are you listening to?

It is Saturday morning and the boys were quiet until 7am. Ed had to run into work for the morning, I am not complaining because he doesn't do it very often. Glad they have business that brings in Saturday workers. So before we head downstairs and begin our Saturday morning the boys are enjoying a cartoon in mommy and daddy's bed and I updated my playlist down at the bottom of my blog.

It is amazing what a few good tunes can do for your spirit. Most of the new additions are light and quiet...but when Hey, Soul Sister chimes in I know it will be time to dust or vacuum with more of a skip in our step. If you have a favorite song these days...let us know! I love to know what people are listening to.

Links I love

I relate to this post by Metropolitan Mama titled How Social Media has Made me A Better Mother.  I have been asked, "When do you find time to blog?"  She hits the nail on the head on why blogging for me has been so good.  There are days or times when it can get too distracting, but I have figured out a good balance...pretty much.

Spring is here...and I am feeling confident that we aren't going to get hit with more snow.  Knock on wood.  This is a quick list of ways to enjoy the spring season.

A strong message from Steady Mom titled Want What You Have.


Zen Family Habits is an inspiring blog that always shares wise thoughts.  This week they posted one on starting fresh - something I try to do each morning.  Check out Is Today the day You Start Over?

And finally a great post on Labels and being more open as mothers.  What we can learn from each other. 

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!  After the busy holiday weekend we have nothing scheduled and it feels good.