J & M’s Eye Candy is featuring my son’s CARS party today.

They are sharing all kinds pf parties for 2 weeks!

Go and check it out here.

Today I have a terrific guest poster for you. Yesterday I was honored to guest post at Brie’s blog Darling Doodles and today she is returning the favor. Darling Doodles is a blog you will definitely want to check out because it is full of FREE PRINTABLES.

With every amazing and original gift idea Brie presents, she includes a printable. I love the Candy Grams, the quick cleaning chart (anyone who’s ever been to my house knows I’m admiring the cleaning chart but not using it), movie gift basket, and her lunch box printables. In fact, my boys are going to discover one of her lunch box printables in their lunch today. I can’t wait to find out how excited they were to find a special message in their  lunch boxes. As if that’s not enough, Brie creates personalized invitations for a ridiculously low price. Go order yourself some invitations now because Darling Doodles is going to be BIG. Just mark my words.

I am so excited to be guest posting on Big D & Me today.  My name is Brie and I am a wanna-be writer, graphic designer, and interior decorator.  Over on my blog, Darling Doodles, I share all kinds of free printables.  Everything from gift ideas to home décor to cute labels…you can find it there!

Today I want to share with you an easy and simple way to spread a little love.  I’ve found that the saying, “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted,” is so true!  Doing something simple but sweet for your loved one will really make them feel appreciated.  Between that and learning how to cook a perfect steak your husband will think he won the wife lottery!  Similarly, it is amazing how little it takes to make a kid feel special about themselves.  So with that in mind here is what you do!

Head to your nearest drug store, buy a few packs of Extra gum, and print out the following notes. Done!  See, I told you it was easy!  Then get creative.  Hide one note each day or hide them all in places where they can be found throughout the day.  It’s up to you!

Here are a few places I hid mine where I knew my hubs would see them:

Medicine cabinet, lunch box, car, and pillow!

I’ve made two sets of notes, one geared towards your significant other and one for kids.  But feel free to mix and match if you want even more notes to hide!

Extra Love Notes:

Extra Kid Notes:

I hope you enjoy these notes and enjoy sharing them even more!

Thanks for reading and come visit me at Darlin’ Doodles!

Come and visit me over at Darling Doodles

Brie’s blog is full of adorable printables and gift ideas for all occasions.

I’m sharing three kitchen printables I made and giving you a sneak peek at my kitchen art gallery wall.

What are you waiting for?

Head on over to Darling Doodles

Yesterday we finished up our Summer Fun List

go bowling go to Main event – play in arcade play laser tag get cupcakes go get donuts for breakfast have a friend spend the night make & paint pottery go to the beach go biking do science experiments have friends over to play make a marshmallow shooter make a milkshake at Kroger surf the waves at the mall

Today was the first day of school for two of our kids

Woke Up, Got Dressed, & Consumed Message Pancakes (a tradition in our house)

Grabbed the improved upon old backpacks and lunchboxes

Pottery Barn for Kids wanted $49.95 for the Batman backpack, I think not!

The whole family walked to school – requested by and granted to our six year old.

Yes, Caroline insisted she had to wear a backpack. She also insisted I put a snack in there. 

Once we reached the school, my fourth grader informed me he could get to his class by himself. When I was leaving Andrew, our kindergartener, in his class I said, “Andrew, give me hugs and kisses.” He replied, “Just hugs.” Embarrassed already at 6.

 Can’t wait to find out how the first day went!

I am guest posting over at Midnight Mommy today.

This is my first guest posting opportunity which highlights one of my stories… so I’m especially excited.

I would love if you would join me!

*********

Our puppets are featured today at All for the Boys!

Here’s a peek into my freezer.

Please ignore the disorganization of my top two freezer shelves.

Focus on the contents.

ice cream sandwiches * 4 tubs of ice cream * freezy pops * popsicles * ice cream bars

Two reasons for this:

1 -Our family loves ice cream

2 –  It’s 108 degrees outside!

We recently returned from a two day mini vacation in San Antonio where we visited Sea World (“Yeah, you are the best parents in the world!”) and The Alamo (“This is soooo hot and boring. Can we go home now?”).

Derek chose our hotel since it was close to Sea World and I must say it was quite nice. Whomever designed the space thought it out well except for three design flaws which I have taken issue with. I have composed a letter outlining the three areas in question in hopes that they will rectify the situation before our next visit.

Dear Mr. Hotel Room Designer:

I just stayed in one of your hotels with my family and had a pleasant stay. However, I could have enjoyed my stay more had the following issues been addressed when you initially designed the rooms.

#1 – I applaud you for putting a sink in the bathroom. Many third world countries skip that step so again, I applaud you. I understand that 65% of Americans do not wash their hands after using the restroom. We, however, like to think of ourselves as part of the other 35%. So perhaps next time you could design a bathroom where the sink is out from the corner and larger than an airplant sink. Rinsing my mouth after brushing my teeth was quite difficult and required more flexibility than Mary Lou Retton ever had.

#2 – I appreciate technology as much as the next person and realize it must be at our fingertips but I ask you, must it really be at two year old fingertips? In my opinion, your front desk employees’ time would better be served helping your paying customers instead of constantly answering my daughter’s room service requests. Fortunately, she didn’t spend all of her time with the phone. The television was also at her height so she enjoyed turning it on and off repeatedly, much to the dismay of her brothers.

#3 – I understand you went to a high priced design school in New York and know design but I was wondering if next time you might decide to pass up the frosted glass doors for the bathroom. I love my family, it’s just that I’d rather not see the outline of them doing their business while I watch Law and Order reruns. Perhaps since you knew the two year old would be controlling the television you decided to provide an alternate method of entertainment for the adults. My husband and I have always wanted to perfect our shadow puppet routine and you gave us the opportunity.

In closing, I would like to thank you for allowing my family to stay in your fine establishment. It was extremely relaxing once my children fell asleep. Please consider making the above changes.

Yours truly,

Jennifer

Feeling under the weather *** Not feeling too witty right now, half a dozen medications tend to do that***Reposting an oldy from December

“Poopy face”

“Go poop in a bucket, pooper”

“Why did the chicken cross the road?…to get poop”

What? You are not laughing hysterically?

You must not be an 8 and under boy.

The above is what life at my house is like right now.

Wait till I introduce them to: defecation, excrement, stool, and dung.

Then we’ll really be having good times.

Despite the fact that this movie deals with death, it is one of our favorite kid movies. The music is beautiful, mostly instrumental. Natalie Portman, Dustin Hoffman, and Jason Bateman are all amazing. Plus, the humor is right on and appropriate for adults and children.

http://youtu.be/5W85aiAZORI

One of the best lines from the movie is, “Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.”

Something for all of us to remember.