Category Archives: family

Prodcutive Weekend

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I start every weekend the same way.

With a drink.

No just kidding.

It’s only milk and cookies for me on a Friday night.

And a Thursday night. And a Wednesday night but that’s beside the point.

I start every weekend by writing a to do list.

I usually put a craft project for me, an activity with the kids, cleaning chores to be completed, a house project, grocery store list, returning items list, piano practice reminders, any sports listed for the week, reminder to walk the dog, and about 30 more things.

Usually I have broken up the tasks by day so as to not feel too overwhelmed.

Thanks to one kid with walking pneumonia, one with a fever, and one with a sporting event, this weekend was looking doubtful in terms of productivity.

But amazingly,  I fee like so much was accomplished in our house, whether it was on the list or off the list.

Jambalaya was cooked. Homemade hot pockets were made. One birthday present was bought. Two Valentine packages were wrapped. Many books were read out loud. One basketball game was played. Three Shots on Goal…MADE! One trip to Gymboree. One birthday present bought. One item returned. Cleaning all bathrooms from top to bottom. Four frames hung. A billion pieces of laundry washed. Three episodes of Say Yes to the Dress viewed. Ten Super Girl cuffs made for birthday party. And One Boy Scout Proboscis monkey project completed. And for those of you who are not familiar with the Proboscis monkey, it may win ugliest animal ever.

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Told you.

All in all it was a good weekend. Now hoping I can get two out of three kids out the door tomorrow so I can start working on my Monday list.

Classic Movies to Share with Kids: A Printable List

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OK I have assembled my list of “Classic Movies” to share with your kids. Thank you for your suggestions, you had several movies I had not thought of.

My disclaimer: The movies I think would be appropriate for certain age groups may contain words or actions you may not find appropriate for that age group. Please don’t go off my recommendation alone if you have not seen the movie. Read reviews and determine if they are right for your children.

I have broken up the movies into 3 categories: When They’re Younger, When They’re Older, and When They’re Much Older. My kids are 10, 7, and 3 and no one has seen anything from the third category.

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 Click here for the above printable.

 And here’s a look at what the list looks like now for our family.

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Looks like we need some more movie nights soon!

If you think of any that I’ve missed be sure to let me know 🙂

Classic, Must See Movies

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I’m talking movies today so I’m sure you think I’m going to discuss the Golden Globes or the Oscars.

Unless we’re talking fashion it will be hard for me to discuss any of the nominated movies this year because I have seen exactly zero of them.

My 10 year old? He’s seen Lincoln twice.

Me? None.

Today I’m going to talk to you about what I deem “Classic Movies.”

Casablanca? Gone with the Wind? Breakfast at Tiffany’s?

No. No. and No.

These might be official classic movies but not my classic movies.

My classic movies are ones my husband and I are having fun introducing to the kids. Movies we remember enjoying when we were younger. The TRUE classic movies. At least to me.

I’m talking about Mary Poppins, Annie, Star Wars, The Sound of Music, Home Alone, Ghost Busters, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, E.T., and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

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Also on the list are The Parent Trap, Goonies, Jumanji, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Karate Kid, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Mighty Ducks, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and Uncle Buck.

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There are several more movies on the list but for now I would like your help.

Soon I’m going to be sharing my Classic Movie list as a printable but I’d like to get your opinion…

What Are Your Favorite Classic Movies?

I’m sure there are many movies I haven’t thought of so go ahead and share. After all, it’s for my kids 🙂

 

Disney Fun

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Well, that was quite a long break for me but one that was quite necessary.

You see, we had the holidays, then we went to DISNEY, and then my middle child got the flu.

Yep, even though he received the flu shot in October, he got the flu.

Apparently the flu shot covers three out of four types of the flu.

Well, he got the 4th one sometime while we were at Disney.

Mickey Mouse, roller coasters, and the flu.

Thankfully, he only missed the last day of fun and he felt so bad he didn’t care that he missed going on rides.

Here are just a few shots from our trip:

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Only rained one day

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Animation Class

Fun Fact: I won the teacher’s artwork by answering the following trivia question:

Name one of Mickey Mouse’s nephews... answer at the end

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Yes, we spent $45 on face painting on this trip but it was completely worth it

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Me: Let’s all three of us ride together

Alex & Caroline: No

Me: Please can we all ride together

Alex & Caroline: No

Result: Loser Mom is riding the Dumbo ride all by herself and trying not to look anyone in the eye

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Little girl souvenir haul: one princess nightgown, one cheetah, one princess bank

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Oh, and one princess hat

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And in case you were wondering, Mickey Mouse has two nephews, Morty and Fergie.

Years of reading Disney storybooks finally paid off.

Hope your holidays were wonderful!

Remember Newtown

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Really there are no words.

Just shock, horror, fear, anger, sadness.

Someone lost their oldest child.

Someone lost their youngest child.

Someone lost their only child.

20 little kids just starting out.

6 educators trying to save those kids.

Go hug your kids and tell them that you will love them forever and ever.

Go thank an educator who watches over your children everyday.

And don’t forget.

Ever.

Remember Charlotte.

Remember Daniel.

Remember Rachel.

Remember Olivia.

Remember Josephine.

Remember Dylan.

Remember Dawn

Remember Madeleine.

Remember Catherine.

Remember Chase.

Remember Nancy.

Remember Jesse.

Remember Ana.

Remember James.

Remember Grace.

Remember Anne Marie.

Remember Emilie.

Remember Jack.

Remember Noah.

Remember Caroline.

Remember Jessica.

Remember Avielle.

Remember Lauren.

Remember Mary.

Remember Victoria.

Remember Benjamin.

Remember Allison.

Remember this tragedy when people say we don’t need gun reform.

Remember this tragedy when officials talk about cutting funds for the mentally ill.

Remember.

Believe

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I think this will be the last year my oldest will believe.

In fact, he may not even get to the 25th but I’m crossing my fingers.

Now, we haven’t completely sheltered our kids – they’ve known sadness, been aware of world events, and been a part of serious dinner conversations.

It’s just that, to believe, is so magical and child like. Once he stops believing, he’ll be so much more grown up than he was just moments before.

He can rattle off the names of Civil War battles, go into detailed plane descriptions, and listen to eight straight hours of football coverage.

But he still believes.

When I hear him discussing reindeer characteristics and sleigh routes with his brother I smile.

So I think we may go see the Christmas movie before it hits the dollar show in March and buy the extra large gingerbread house to work on as a family.

And hopefully we’ll get through this last season with everyone believing.

A Christmas Tradition of Santa Giving Books

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***I am reposting this from 2 years ago since it is my most popular post ever – plus the time is perfect***just to clarify a few things which I have been asked – the post office gives anyone those airmail stickers and yes those are real stamps with a stamp marked all over them – the books always have a quick message from Santa on the inside cover, something like “I can’t wait to eat those cookies you put out” or “Rudolph’s nose is all shined up and ready to go.” – add a flourish to your writing or ask someone else to do the writing)

One of my favorite family Christmas traditions occurs on Christmas Eve. Every December 24th, usually in the afternoon, Santa’s elves deliver a holiday book (or two) and leave it at our door.

Once everyone has showered and put on pajamas we get into bed and read the book. The kids love receiving the book and I’m pretty sure Santa loves giving it just as much. Over the years we have built up quite a collection of holiday books. Here’s a peek at some of our favorites:

The Berenstain Bears Christmas by Stan & Jan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Santa Claus by Rod Green

This is an amazing book, just gorgeous illustrations and just magical for kids 5 – 10 yrs old.

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma WilsonSanta’s Reindeer by Rod Green

Another unbelievable Christmas book. Tells all about Santa’s reindeer, where they sleep, how they fly, and more. This one will not disappoint.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Cajun Night Before Christmas by “Trosclair”

Just a few lines of the beginning to give you the gist of this favorite of mine – lay on a thick french/country accent as you read it 🙂

‘Twas the night before Christmas

An’ all t’ru de house

Dey don’t a t’ing pass

Not even a mouse.

De chirren been nezzle

Good snug on de flo’

An’ Mama pass de pepper

T’ru de crack on de do’.

Do you have any family traditions or holiday books that are special to you?

November Goals Revisited

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I have a confession to make.

I am revisiting these goals for the first time since I posted them at the beginning on November.

Yep, that’s right. I didn’t even look at my goal sheet this month.

We visited the doctor for the first time on the 13th and from that point until the 28th someone in the family was sick – really sick, I’m talking thankful for the washer and dryer sick.

So anything that I accomplished will be out of shear luck and not due to any sort of focus.

Well, here we go:

Add 2 items to Etsy shop –Fail! I added the Teacher Interview packet but nothing else.

Mail 2 Christmas Packages –Fail! I have mailed one package so far.

Scrapbook 10 pages –Fail!

Surprise My Kids –Check! We surprised the kids with a night at Great Wolf Lodge but then they surprised us with being sick so we left early – bum bum bum…

Buy New Mattress for Guest Room –Fail!

Hang frames in guest room –Fail!

Cook – Thanksgiving Dinner –Check!

Decorate House for Christmas –Fail! The trees up but that’s about it.

Clean Out the Garage –Fail! Not even sure what I was thinking with this one

Volunteer at Something –Check! Our family volunteered on family volunteer day at Meals on Wheels. We made cards for the meal recipients and wrapped up soap as gifts for them. This month our family is riding on the party bus to deliver Meals on Wheels! To say they are excited is an understatement.

Not Drop a Gallon of Milk at the Grocery Store – Check! Yes! I accomplished this!

Hope Your Month was Better than Mine