Links I Love...a day early because I just can't wait!

They are too good to share!


The Lesson I Learned about Loving My Neighbor.... just a good reminder and heartwarming story.  

Mom Pictures with Kids....an amazing post.  AMAZING.  And sadly this speaks to me so much.

All We Need to Know ... this is my focus for our family this school year.

Links I Love

How to get your kid to be a fanatic reader...NEVER hurts to be reminded of some ways to motivate or inspire kids to read more.

Why rushing doesn't "save" time....Loved this!  Just what I needed to read this week.

Source: someecards.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Trickle Down Economics....by Motherese....Agreed!  Early bedtime is always a goal (10 for me)

"....On the days  I close my book and turn off the light at 11, I get enough sleep.

On the days I get enough sleep, I wake up before my daughter calls.

On the days I wake up before my daughter calls, I feel less rushed.

On the days I feel less rushed, I take the time to eat a healthy breakfast (instead of, say, two chocolate chip cookies and a Coke Zero)."

Why I love being a Mom ... great reminders...here is a snippet

"Mothers, we get all up in arms when we sense that society is belittling us, making our choice to be with our children trivial and insignificant, and portraying motherhood as a mindless career full of nose-wiping, potty-training and crust-cutting. It angers us when we are demeaned and looked down upon as mothers. But what are we doing about it?

When was the last time that you took a stand for motherhood?

When someone says, “are they all yours?” do you smile and say “yes, I am so blessed” and really mean it? When a full-time career woman with no children wonders aloud how you can handle being home with your young children all day, are you quick to tell her that you can’t imagine doing anything more fulfilling and that you love spending your days with your kids?

I’m not a particularly emotionally-expressive person. My husband sometimes has a hard time knowing when I am especially happy, or enjoying myself. He knows I feel it on the inside and think it in my head and sometimes I express it in simple words, but he occasionally reminds me that I also need to “tell my face”.

Perhaps we need to “tell our face” that we love being a mom."

Links I Love

Clear 1000 emails in your inbox in 10 Minutes - ON my to do list this weekend.

On Politics....LOVED these thoughts

Kid friendly Pasta Salad.....yum.  made it last night.

Links I Love - back to school thoughts

The Talk by Momastery - Simply amazing

Clean Slate  ..... A message that I always kept in mind as a teacher.  When I got my class list it took a lot of self control to not go to the teachers from the year before and ask them about my class list.  I made sure not to do this.  I wanted to get to know each child with my own head and heart.  I wanted to give them the gift of a clean slate...because a lot can change over the summer.  I am a different person than the teacher the year before and as human beings we will all jive differently.  I will not hesitate to admit that I did go to past teachers and ask about the parents.  NOW that I wanted a heads up on.   

Back to school transitions....all good things to keep in mind.

Back to School, a teacher's perspective....all good thoughts.

Links I Love

 A healthy portion of links that I have come across lately....

Mom stuff....

10 Things to Make You Happier At Home....by Apartment Therapy

Do You Play with your Kids....by Jones Design Company -  AMAZING POST...an argument I hold in my head daily.

Do What Works Now....by Steady Mom -  Makes sense!

It's a Matter of Perspective...by Steady Mom - LOVE THIS.

on breastfeeding....by Moments with Love....Happy Breastfeeding Week



Other stuff...

I got nothing because Syd is now up and the boys are asking for breakfast.

But if you like Big Mama's blog...she has some recent posts about the Olympics that crack me up.

Links I Love - July kick off

To Be Invisable - by Adventures in Babywearing .....My response: me too.

Taking Pictures of Fireworks by Purdue Avenue......My response: another year...another attempt.

Why I will run today - by Another Mother Runner....  My response...isn't that the truth.

The Corona-rita...by The Exhausted Mom....a must try this month. 

Links I Love, rambling, and chalk paint

Pillow from Target, on sale.  I know Ed was super impressed at this addition to our house. 

He says, "An elephant for a dime is only a deal if you need an elephant and have a dime."

 And this is why our marriage works....

Links I Love:

Overnight success how to be a more patient mom....soooo need this ingrained in my brain.

The pool with Children...by Scary Mommy   - too funny. 

The When Then Syndrome...Power of Moms.  Whether it is the house or the stage your kids are at...so easy to get caught up in this. 

Rambling...I do it so well...

So Miss Sydney rises at 6.  But is ready to go back to sleep at 6:45.  Lovely. 
I am going to try and find the positive in this phase.
I am up.  And the rest of the house is quiet for the moment (granted our house isn't as full as usual).
But Henry, my man, is the man of the house today and he is sleeping in the top bunk.  Yesterday he slept until 8am...might this be a new trend?  I just pray when he does wake he doesn't wake Sydney calling me to help him get down. 

I really should get off the computer and conquer the kitchen floor. 
We did the cottage cheese thing with Sydney again and it is smeared all over the floor by her seat.
The crumbs in there are out of control and I use the excuse that when she is up I can't clean the floor. 
And when she is napping or sleeping it just isn't how I want to spend my time. 
But I know I will be that much happier and relaxed knowing she isn't tromping through that mess and trekking it all over the house.

Or I should shower.
But then Henry might call for me and that wouldn't work.
So that will wait.
I guess I will just sip my coffee and ramble here.

This weekend Ed and Charley, Boy Scout camp rookies, are out there doing their camping thing.
Ed called to inform me that we missed an email that said they could bring their own tent.  So he was going to spend some time killing spiders and cleaning up their platform tent.  It makes me sick to my stomach thinking they aren't sleeping comfortable.  Pissed, I am.  This is Ed's first "camp" experience too and I had such high hopes.  But knowing that they could be being eaten alive all night and that the thought of spiders nesting in tents that are saturated from 9 inches of rain yesterday...well, makes me feel sad for them.  He did text me later in the evening to tell me they would be fine and that he loved me.  So I am trying to just let it go and know that what doesn't kill them makes them stronger!  This is such a special weekend for them.

As for the three of us...well the girls are ruling the house right now.  But Mr. Henry is my top priority.  I want him to feel special too this weekend.  So last night we took off to the pool, even though it wasn't perfect pool weather.  45 minutes at the pool made the boy smile.  Saying he was ready to go home and letting him call that shot, made him smile.  We picked up a RedBox movie for Mama and one for Henry, since it is supposed to rain today.  We grabbed some dinner and returned home where he hung out until it was time for him to slumber in his big brother's top bunk.  I think we are off to a good start to making his weekend, just as special.  I am more determined than ever because I heard Henry say, "No fair, you get to go have fun with dad this weekend."  And Charley didn't respond, "But, you get to have fun with mom."  So I need to make that fact pointed out NEXT time.  Does anyone else ever feel like daddy gets to swoop in with his fresh attitude and patience and special outing moments...and us mamas who have dealt with every bickering session during the day, who signed them up for the special daddy/son experiences, and who makes sure they have clean clothes and three balanced meals (most of the time) presented to them each day, get no credit?  Just sayin'

I need shoes for my brother's wedding.
I would prefer wedges, given that the ceremony and more is taking place outdoors. 
But I am realizing with one week to narrow down my search - I might have to deal with the heel sink thing.  I did get a pair of flats for the dancing later.  And isn't that the most important part.  I am hoping to conquer this today with just two kiddos - and maybe throw in a little dinner out to up the "Mama is fun too" rankings.

Did you know Redbox rents wii games?  TOTALLY keeping that in the back pocket for a rainy day or something for the boys to earn.

Angle food cake is part of the plan today.  And just so you know?  The play dough fossil activity kinda flopped and we did it a day late.  And we haven't done the geocache boxes yet.  Blogging sometimes is my place to set a goal and then live up to that patience mentioned or that activity I have planned.  But if the boys aren't feeling it or I am not feeling it...or the neighbor kids are around and they decide playing in the sandbox for an hour and a half is fun, then it gets postponed.  So often I state what our plan is for the day...but so often it doesn't happen the day I had planned.  Just wanted you to know - there is reality that strikes my blogging plans.  I know all too well that forcing kids to do anything, never makes said activity/experience go well...whether it is potty training or a craft. 

Oh, and reading dilemma.  Charley came home on Monday all pumped for reading program at the library.  He read a TON on Monday and Tuesday.  But the rest of the week has been a struggle already.  That is kind of why I hate the reading program.  It becomes this thing that they feel like they have to achieve but when it takes too long to see the progress they lose interest.  Charley has to read 5 hours to get to the first prize.  And he is totally capable.  I just need to make reading time a routine here I think.  Otherwise, how do you keep up the motivation?  I know if we went to the library he would read daily.  But I can't make that trip daily, weekly - yes, daily- no.  As a teacher, I feel like I should be a pro at this.  But when it is your own kids...It did work yesterday to set a reading amount goal before they could do a screen time choice.  I just loved Monday and Tuesday's reading experience...when I looked around and found him curled up!  I also know that summer takes a week or two to transition into this new less structured and less stimulated routine.  So maybe I should just let it be.  He is a reader.  He loves books.  And yesterday, instead of reading I found him at the kitchen table working on writing a story about his favorite cartoon characters.  And writing is something I really want him to keep doing this summer too.  So maybe there will be a natural swing from reading and writing all summer. 

Okay, can you tell I am totally avoiding the kitchen floor.  No more.  It is time.  Plus my cup of coffee is gone.  I love when I can enjoy a cup without reheating it more than once. 

Too bad we weren't at a coffee shop catching up. 
I would love some rambling comments from you all.  It might be a day with less adult interaction and that always makes me go a little looney. 

 
Oh, Chalk paint.  Always fun.  I have seen so many friends doing it.  So we couldn't resist, and I just realized that I hadn't posted it on our kid activity page.  Sydney loved it.  And I loved that I let her love it. 

Chalk paint:  equal parts water and cornstartch with food coloring to meet your needs. I typically do 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup cornstartch.  It works best with paint brushes and smaller areas.  My kids also love painting rocks with it at the cottage. 

Countdown to summer: Links I Love (Thursday) and today's ramblings

I am always looking for easy and COOL at home art projects and this one looks like a winner.  Obviously, your kiddos need to be a little older.  But, I think Henry could do this.
Melted Crayon Rocks...by the Artful Parent


Use Your Camera to Capture Summer....from Meg Duerksen at Whatever....some really quick reminders on using your camera this summer.

I think I am going to promise myself to get my kids school/life keepsakes organized this summer.  This idea seems like a slick one (a file box for each kiddo with folders for each school year).  

Sadly, we found the start of this little bird nest laying in our yard.

The school year officially comes to an end today.
And though I am having a hard time with the idea of having a second grade son...
I can't wait to get the summer show on the road.  I am ready to start ticking off things on our Bucket List.  I would really like to enjoy each day as it comes and focus less on the big events that lie ahead of us this summer.  It is so easy for me to get so wrapped up in anticipating things like a wedding, a week up north, or the cottage.... all the anticipation makes the summer zip by ALL TOO FAST.  

Today, I will relish our last morning with just two home for a while.
We have to run and get a fun drink for Charley to bring to school quick before walking him to school one last time.  Once again, not all the way on the ball with things he needs for school. But, to be fair, I have been solo parenting since Sunday night.  Ed returns home today and I am going to do my best to not fling my arms around him and then bolt.  Instead, I will hang tight and soak in our family being whole again.

When Ed is away my days are normal, the days aren't hard...it is the lack of relief or even potential relief that sweeps in during the hardest part of my day (4-8pm).  It is the lack of adult chatter in the evening that makes me have too much think time (thanks Kim and sister Raina for letting me ramble last night).  And I never sleep well.  So four nights this round means this mama is ready to snooze.   And this round the dryer was out of order, and again, hanging clothes out yesterday was enjoyable...until the rope collapsed and trying to get out to swap out laundry and keep an eye on Sydney became a three ring circus....and today it might rain...and we need clothes clean and dried for the weekend.  Obviously, I am just not letting the whole dryer thing go. whoa is me.  So today, a happy dance will be jigged when Ed is sighted.

It's Thursday...and for many it is the start of summer.  And for those of you who don't have school age children and there isn't an official start to summer in your household yet...make one.  When seasons change, stages pass, and you offer yourself a new start sometimes you find new energy and untapped sources of patience.  Just sayin'

How do you celebrate the last day of school?  I still haven't totally bought into a repeating tradition for our after school on the last day thing.  Do we go out for dinner?  Hit a park?  Go out for ice cream?  Plan something with neighbors?  Or treat it like any other evening during the bewitching hour?

Happy Thursday!

Count down to summer - Links I love (Wednesday)...and a little rambling

This mom's blog features her challenge to play with her children for 30 minutes, full attention, for thirty days. She has some great resources for simple little fun things to do with her kiddos. I found her link through this post where she too lists some at home fun that you can do with your kiddos without a lot of planning or preparation.


This link shares a few apps that look both fun and educational.  Though I always strive to keep screen time to a minimum...I do know our summer days when we don't go anywhere can sometimes be long and sometimes this mama likes to just have the boys rest their bodies. 


And you can always count on Scary Mommy for some obvious and not so obvious reminders on parenting.  Here she lists 50 quick lessons in parenting young children.  Chuckle.

---------



This morning I am enjoying the fact that all three of my kids have been coloring for the last hour.  Sydney isn't actually coloring but rather retrieving paper and markers and depositing them in many random spots around the house. 

The dishwasher has been unloaded, reloaded, and is running.  The washing machine is on load one and I still haven't figured out a way to dry all the items that will be coming out of there in the next 30 minutes.  But we'll figure it out.  I am betting that by next Tuesday our neighbors will be happy that the repair man is pulling up.  Since the laundry that will be hanging from random bushes, branches, and posts about our yard will be unique to their yard decorating style.

Need creamer.  Target doesn't carry my brand at the moment and it is really irking me.  I HATE that about the store.  They take certain things off their shelf for chunks of time and then all of a sudden they return. 

I need to get on top of the mission of shoes, shirts, and pants for the boys and the upcoming wedding.  And Miss Sydney needs some little sandals for this event too.  Not sure if today is the day but I am realizing that after Thursday it will be three kids heading to the mall with me instead of just two. 

I am dressed to walk but not sure if the stroller will venture any farther than the school.  Syd was up early again so we might just return home for a little water table action, creamer errands, and then an early nap. 

Sydney has a playdate today.  I hope she is awake for it. 

Does anyone else look forward to their cup of coffee...and then find that it is cold before you finish and have to reheat it like 6 times before you ultimately pour it out and decide that coffee just wasn't in the cards today.  I have reheated my first cup 3 times so far.  Lovely.


 ......Realize that today is a gift and that your attitude is the wind that pushes your family's sailboat....will it be fierce, steady, or a tornado.  Be the wind you desire. 



 

Countdown to summer - Links I love (Tuesday)

The Blessing of a Slow Summer....at the Power of Moms

Is it Summer Yet by Big Mama is a blog I have followed for awhile but recently chuckled at a few of her recent random posts.  I loved how this one starts and then ends.

Friendship bracelet post by Under the Sycamore ...where I got my inspiration to add friendship bracelets to our bucket list.

Summer Bucket Lists Aren't Just for Kids....I am going to make my own bucket list!

And things we have added to our bucket list recently:

fossil hunting with Amy and crew
lemonade stand (at someone else's house because we don't get any traffic)
Charley learns to jump rope (and hula hoop)

Countdown to summer - links I love (Monday!)

As we countdown to our first day of summer (Friday!), I am going to try and link you to a few of the summer posts that I have come across lately that have me thinking about our summer. So today:

Glennon posted this today on her blog...Momastery.  As the mom on our neighborhood street with pretty much the youngest kiddos I have my eye out there making sure Henry is playing safe.  I find that I am often shouting out reminders and safety tips and I know I need to step back and realize that Charley and Henry are pretty cautious and make good choices most of the time.  And  by speaking up all the time I am probably not giving them the opportunity to practice making independent choices.  And I am realizing now that I would like them to learn to make choices here, on our neighborhood street before they are out there in the real world without me peering out the kitchen window ready with band aids and a hug.  So my goal this summer is to let them be a little bit more, and not worry so much if they have an extra treat or enjoy a can of pop...because the other day when Henry had his first can...once he was in bed I went to pour out what was left...and it was ALL left.  The kid had probably one sip.  I might print this out and hang it by our front and back windows. 






Successful Summer Days....by The Finer Things in Life....great post giving some quick tips on having good days.  But the best part of this post is a link to a pdf file for a bingo board...actually you might have to go like her on her Facebook page to find the file.  Or email me and I can email it to you.  But it is a blank bingo board that you can fill in with boredom busters, chores, nature hikes, scavenger hunts at the zoo, bucket list items, at home quiet time choices, learning practice choices, etc.  I have printed off four this morning to start preparing  and had the boys go retrieve them from the printer and they came back hopping up and down wondering what they were for! 



In Praise of Boredom...A great reminder about not filling our summer with too much mama made entertainment or screen time...."But I know in my heart that kids need to spend a fair amount of time bored out of their skulls. They need to learn how to be alone and quiet because that’s when the brain really revs up. If videos and snack food are not filling your time, your imagination kicks in."

Links I LOVE on a Monday! Recipes & Mama inspiration

Three recipes for our week, thanks to my friend Sarah G. on Pinterest:

Brocolli Quinoa casserole

Thai Chicken Pizza

Cheesy Chicken and Wildrice Casserole


These are three MUST reads.
I reread them today for inspiration! 

How to be a Good Mom on a Bad Day  from Inspired to Action

Taking your kids outside to play or rather SENDING them outside from Babble

You're a Mom, You're kinda a big deal!  by MomHeart

Links I Love

Loved this post. What my mom taught me about getting dinner on the table  by The Happiest Mom

I can always use reminders on how to conquer the nagging habit.  Tips to stop nagging your kids  by the Confident Mom

Links I Love

This post had me laughing really hard.  Who hasn't turned up the music in the car and enjoyed a snack that you told the kids you didn't have.  hahahaha!  Loved that.  And more.  GO READ THIS.  By Momastery
I am a photographer.   short and simple. and true.  By Momtog

Loved this quote she shared.  By Clover Lane

How cute are these for St. Patrick's Day...but buying these candies and having them in our house would be dangerous.  By Our Best Bites

A friend brought up the idea of teaching our children about beauty.  And it has been something I have always worried about doing right, and even more so now that I have a little girl.  I came across this post this morning and liked it.  When I read these types of things I like to hope that my head and heart pocket the ideas and wisdom so when my moments of helping guide my littles come about, they ooze out in natural ways. By Rage Against the MiniVan

If you came across a link that you loved this week.  Do share.  I LOVE finding new sources of inspiration.

Links I Love, late.

Here are a few links that I have loved recently.  I included a small snippet from each post to lure you to read them.  They all made me think, nod, or smile.

You are reason enough to take care of yourself.  by My Fascinating Life

When mothers look at our lives, it's easy to talk as if the only excuse to help ourselves or improve anything is because it ultimately helps our children. I don't think men talk like this. I think that when a man wants to, say, go running, he just says that he wants to go running and shuts the door behind him. When a woman wants to go running, she usually has to find some reason why making the time to go running is going to make her a better mother (I'll be a better mother if I get some endorphins; I'll be a better mother if I have some time to myself) before she will let herself lace up her shoes.


In What other Profession  by David Reber

If that entire attitude weren’t bad enough, what other profession is legally held to PERFECTION by 2014? Are police required to eliminate all crime? Are firefighters required to eliminate all fires? Are doctors required to cure all patients? Are lawyers required to win all cases? Are coaches required to win all games? Of course they aren’t.
For no other profession do so many outsiders refuse to accept the realities of an imperfect world. Crime happens. Fire happens. Illness happens. As for lawyers and coaches, where there’s a winner there must also be a loser. People accept all these realities, until they apply to public education.
If a poverty-stricken, drug-addled meth-cooker burns down his house, suffers third degree burns, and then goes to jail; we don’t blame the police, fire department, doctors, and defense attorneys for his predicament. But if that kid doesn’t graduate high school, it’s clearly the teacher’s fault.


Loved these thoughts on Pinterest.  Pinning to Pin by the Wink

Pinterest is for you, not for business, not for popularity not for anything other than a place to stow things that make you smile.


Mindset for Moms
I bought this e-book this week and I LOVE it so far.  Just quick short chapters that inspire me think differently. 

As I began to learn how to choose my mindset with more intention, I found that much of my life also started to change…from the way I felt physically, to the way I handled challenges, to even the home we now live in.
Life isn’t perfect, but it is incredible.





Today:
*off to the ski hill to watch Charley thrive and Henry give it a go for the first time...and Daddy be Super Daddy while he juggles his two little future ski dudes.  Actually he just called and said it might not be good to come watch because it is crazy parking and busy there.  So we'll see ...what I get to see. 
*Time in the kitchen making yummy freezer meals for those we love.
*Still avoiding the squat position....but trying to force it to keep it stretched out.
*Tomorrow, I am determined to make the 5:30am morning class, then we register Henry for preschool next year, trying something new.  We have friends visiting for the day, and tomorrow night I become a knitter....well, we'll see.  BIG day for this mama. 

Links I Love

Here again are some of my favorite posts for the week.  Please know that when I post something here it is because I really liked it, really connected with it, tried it, etc.  But for sure, I think it is worth your time to click on it.  And again, if you have a favorite, must read blog, a favorite post this week, or whatever...do share! 


This is amazingly beautiful.  On Gifts and Talents....by Momastery

but this one of hers is hilarious.  Y,TRH (Yes, this really happened) Top three most embarrassing pediatric office visits.  .... by Momastery


and then there is this recent post that says this, "The floors in my home read like a history of our family. In that corner you might find a pile of special Cheerios and under that rug you’ll find glitter from a family Christmas project. It’s lovely, really. And since I am incapable of ordering pictures or assembling family photo albums, Craig and I just sit on the couch in the evenings, gazing from pile of floor crap to pile of floor crap, reminiscing. We find this quite special and creative. But if you are the vacuuming type, I don’t want you to feel badly. I’m just suggesting that kids grow up fast, so you might want to consider setting aside some floor memories. That’s all."  I guess I am a loving her blog these days.  I used to read it but then drifted away.  But that Carpe Diam post grabbed me back. 


OTHER blogs...


Keepin' it real.....7 tips for dealing with Mommy Anger .... by Steady Mom

On the menu this weekend....Overnight Sausage and Egg casserole...by Our Best Bites

Links I Love

Random posts I have enjoyed lately:

A really good reminder to keep it in perspective when you look up to the mommy bloggers, mommy friends, mommy acquaintences in your life.  The Dangers of having a Motherhood Mentor by Steady Mom

Love when blogs keep it real:  The Sun'll Come Out by Playgroups are no play for Children

A few friends and bloggers have emailed me questions about my camera.  This gal again, one of my favorites, just recently gave advice on DSLR camera beginner stuff.  Again that 50 mm prime is mentioned. 


New Years Resolution and goal posts:

 A 12 Word post on selecting a goal for the new year by Inspired to Action

One Bite at a Time...an ebook by one of my favorite blog sites Simple Mom.  Hoping to win otherwise I might have to splurge and order it for $4.00.

Another way to think of goals/resolutions.  Love the non-goal thoughts here.

Blogs that were so right for me today.

There are so many reasons why this morning went wrong.
And yet, there are so many reasons why this morning went so right.

I got to sleep in a bit this morning. SO RIGHT.
But Henry was supposed to wake me when the microwave timer went off. I think it probably dinged for 15 minutes, because he had come up and crawled in by me instead. Leaving us a half hour less to get out of the house. SO WRONG.

The boys got all their "MUST DOs" done wonderfully this morning. SO RIGHT.

But St. Nick stockings distracted and made Henry not want to go to school. SO WRONG.

Charley got in the car timely - but he forgot to pack his shoes in his backpack and so we had to make a trip home before dropping him off. SO WRONG.

Sydney was up in the night a few times again. SO WRONG.

But she caught up and slept until almost 8am. SO RIGHT.

But that meant that meant her nap was thrown off. SO WRONG.

When I wake up I usually try and squeeze in a moment to read a few of my favorite blogs. And I read them because I can relate. I get inspired. And instead of waiting until Friday to share a few links that I LOVED, I am sharing this morning.  Blog reading for me makes many of the wrongs turn into 'so right' moments. Here are a few.

MY FAVORITE.

Love this.

Ed and I have been married almost 10 years.  Could relate.

Treasure the now.

Links I Love

A wonderful reminder for November from Soule Mama.

I ABSOLUTELY love this idea.  I always have BIG plans to make books like this but why not make it simple and capture your house.  I bet the kids would love to sit and look and hunt the pictures as they gaze at them.  And down the road it would be so fun to see how your home changes.  A lot of time Shutterfly has really big discounts or even free books.  I sit there and make the whole project soooo big that I never get it done.  But just making each page a picture instead of 5 and not worrying about people but the environment or just a holiday.  HOW COOL.  Thanks Elise Blaha.


In time, I hope I can feel full ...and that top paragraph is my life too right now.....from Clarity in the Chaos.

I LOVE THIS BLOG.  IT ALWAYS GIVES ME PAUSE.  It is a bunch of gals and they each post a picture and a deep thought.  IT IS INCREDIBLE.  And many hit me today/yesterday.  GO LOOK!  Seriously, it is a quick blog read...ALWAYS AWESOME.

Links I LOVE - Halloween Candy solution reminder!

Just loved this post about the not first born child in a family.

No Shame in Stillness...loved this too.

REMINDING YOU OF THIS TRADITION WE STARTED LAST YEAR ...It gets the whole Halloween candy thing under control for both the kids and the mamas.  I saved my board from last year but brainstormed with a friend about just using envelopes and letting the kids throw a piece in each envelope and tossing them in a bowl or putting them on a ring would work just the same!