BIG Thank you!

This past week I went out-of-town for a work conference. My mother-in-law was kind enough to come stay with the kids. Like a good Mimi, she spoiled the kids and took them to Chuck E. Cheese and the Johnson Space Center. She said the kids were well-behaved and she enjoyed the visit.
Unfortunately, the visit also included vomit and diarrhea. Her role was expanded to washing bedding and scrubbing beige Berber carpet. Mimi is a good sport and I really appreciate her babysitting for me.

I tried to make it a bit easier for Mimi:
-I made sure to stock up on groceries so she wouldn't have to go to the store. (Next time I'll make sure to have some Gingerale or Sprite).
-I even made a list of suggestions the kids like for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
-I put out clothes for my son to wear for the week.
-In case it rained or it was too hot outside, I set out art supplies/projects to keep the kids occupied.
-I wrote instructions on how to operate the TV's and the satellite (I know I have trouble figuring out other people's remotes)

-Also, I left an extra health insurance card in case of a medical emergency and I left a signed letter giving her permission to treat my kids.

That school bell will be ringing soon...

...are you and the kids ready? Are you hitting all the early bird "back to school" sales for clothes and supplies?

I thought I'd share the list of things I need to do before the start of school (my list is hanging on my fridge as a constant reminder):

-clean out all drawers and closets (Get closets ready for Fall wardrobe-get rid of junk, clutter, broken or old toys & go through grown out or worn out clothes) *this helps you figure out what clothes may be needed for the next school year
-get school bus schedule
-make dry erase board with morning and nighttime routines for the kids
-get the kids back on the "school" routine 2 to 3 weeks prior to school starting
-stock up on school items and snacks
-sign up for day care and after school care
-Check ups (make sure vaccinations are up-to-date)
-hair cuts

I had previously purchased a school supply kit from the PTA at my daughter's school - so I didn't have to add buy school classroom supplies to my list.

School starts August 25th for us and it's going to be here before we know it! Enjoy the rest of the summer!

A memorable brick...

A brick in time...saves your name-permanently!

I found this to be an amazing way to celebrate a first home (really any home) an anniversary, a birthday, thanking or remembering a family member or friend-truly there are countless reasons to memorialize someone, something or some family or group by purchasing a brick or tile along a public walkway or park.
I've seen bricks just like these all over the country. In my case, the Kemah Historical Society was needing a bricked area outside of their Old School House Museum. They used inscribed bricks and tiles to help fund a portion of the project. At $60 bucks a brick, I thought the cost of seeing that brick there for the course of my life and years after was well worth it! My kids get a kick out of seeing there names in the brick every time we walk by the old school house.
Check out your local schools, theatres, parks, museums or historical society for bricks or tiles to inscribe with your name.

MAD HATTER TEA PARTY

My daughter recently turned 6-years-old. We're having a party for her this weekend. She had originally wanted a tea party and then decided on Chuck E. Cheese. Luckily, I was able to talk her out of the latter-she's actually had a birthday with Chuck already. My daughter returned to her original idea of a tea party, but she was very insistant that boys would want to come too. I assured her that we could throw a tea party even boys would enjoy.
I brainstormed tea party ideas that would be different and not too "girly." Instantly, the Mad Hatter tea party from Alice in Wonderland popped in my head. I thought about tumblers instead of tea cups, everything mis-matched and silly, strands of paper lanterns, a croquet game, a card game, crafty hat-making, finger sandwiches and cups cakes inside tea cups. The party was all coming together in my head. I quickly looked up "mad hatter tea party" on line and discovered my ideas were not original, but still good. There are numerous websites (such as this one) that detail many ideas for throwing a Mad Hatter Tea Party.

My daughter's party will actually be a Mad Hatter's Ice Tea Party since it's summertime-especially here in Texas.

As usual, I raided the Dollar store for party necessities:
-Party supplies (plates, napkins, plastic wear)
-Decorations (colorful fake flowers, cards, balloons)
-Party favors and prizes (decks of cards, bug cather kits)
-Reusable water bottles to use as the tea cups (they're round, colorfully-striped with a cap and straw)
-Cake Mix, frosting and cup cake holders
-Hat making supplies (foam visers, foam cut-outs, pompoms, googly-eyes, pipe cleaners, stickers)

I'll prepare chicken salad, tuna salad and PB&J finger sandwiches, veggie and fruit trays, snacks, and of course TEA! I'll have plain, peach and rasberry teas to choose from.

I'll set up a party tent or canopy adorned with paper lanterns and a large table with plenty of chairs. The table will be covered with bright tablecloths and colorful doilies. An array of hats, mis-matched tea pots and cups all full of colorful fake flowers and playing cards will be the center piece of the table.














Upon arrival at the party, the guests will find all sorts of hat-making crafts and supplies on a separate table and will be able to make their own silly hat (in this case a visor again-since it's July in Texas!)


My mom purchased a lovely croquet set for my daughter's birthday- so it will be used for one of the party games. I'll have each kid have a go at hitting the ball through the wire hoop for a prize.

A second game will be called the Queen of Hearts. I'll place the same amount of cards in a hat as there are guests-making sure one of the cards is the Queen of Hearts. Whom ever draws the Queen will win a prize.

Birthday cup cakes will be served in mis-matched tea cups.

(We even had a rabbit hole)

HAPPY 4th of July 2008

Kemah, the small city that we live in, hosted their yearly 4th of July parade. Residents and local businesses were encouraged to join in the fun and participate in the parade. My kids love being in a parade and waving at all the people watching. The City invited all the kids to decorate their bikes, wagons or scooters and start the parade. Local police, fire trucks, other emergency vehicles, residents in decorated golf carts, and local business floats finsihed out the small-scale parade. It was a wonderful way to feel a part of the community and get to know the people that live and work here. Plus, the kids received a great goody bag and plenty of candy!











The boardwalk in Kemah shoots off fireworks every Friday in June and July-so tonight's fireworks are sure to be spectacular and we don't even have to leave the front yard to see them!

ROAD TRIP!

The in-laws are treating my family to an incredible, week-long Gulf Shores Getaway (that's on the coast of Alabama near the Florida border). I'm really looking forward to relaxing on the beach, reading a good book and sipping on a (several) rum and coke. There will be plenty of adults around for everyone to take turns watching the kiddos. The drive is about 8 to 9 hours so we're going to break it up. We'll stop in Lafayette and spend the night with the in-laws and then caravan the rest of the way the following morning.
I remembered writing about road trip tips in an old posting-so I searched through my blog archives. Some of the tips need to be motified since the kids are older now, but the list is still helpful:

ROAD TRIP NECESSITIES:
*Travel games (age appropriate)
*Coloring books/crayons
*Interactive toys (my kids love their Leapsters & Doodle Sketches & the toys sit well in their laps)
*A child's favorite (be it a toy, stuffed animal, doll, blanket, pillow, etc)
*A new toy (something new is great for travel and holds the child's interest longer)
*Snacks (crackers, pretzels, jerky, apples, carrot sticks, dried fruit, nuts, soy beans, etc-I included gummy bears as a reward for good travel behavior)
*Drinks (fruit juice boxes, water bottles, prepared sippy cups of child's favorite drink)
*Cooler (if room allows for a regular or travel size-it's great for drinks and snacks-even a lunch if you'd rather picnic at a rest stop than eat fast food)
*Kid CD's (music sing-a-longs or books on tape)
*DVD's (if your car or portable DVD player are in working order)
*Portable potty (the kids' always need to go before or after the rest stops-a travel potty makes pulling over on the side of the road to pee easier and legal)
*Shades for the side &/or back windows (the sun can get hot and the shades make for a darker nap environment-here's hoping!)
*FOR REST STOPS-bubbles, a ball or Frisbee make great stretch-your-leg activities

HERE'S JOHNNY...

I had written in the previous posting that my husband was home. He's decided to base his film career from here instead of out in LALA land. He'll still travel occasionally for big gigs, but will work here on local commercials and such.
It's exciting and it's been such a joy to see him and the kids interacting and playing together. But, it's also been a bit of a transition. My husband has to get used to a schedule-though it is more relaxed during the summer months with school being out which will make the transition easier. Plus, he has to learn where everything is kept. My husband called the other day looking for the baby wipes. I secretly worried about other items he may not find. I envisioned coming home to see the kids wearing sponges wrapped with duck tape for water shoes or my son in a "swiffer" diaper...I'll keep hoping he calls me when he needs assistance...

School's Out For Summer...

Now What???

No, really, now what?

I'm so proud that my lil' Kindergartner has graduated, but now I've got to find more ways to keep her occupied and stimulated so she doesn't get bored or forget half of what she learned in Kindergarten. I did finally buy her a desktop computer. For those summer days that are too hot, she will finally be able to practice her computer skills. Websites such as beestar.org or even cartoon channel (PBS, Disney, Nickelodeon) websites have a multitude of fun learning activities and games to play. Plus, we'll continue to read books, do activity books and art projects.

And summer means summer camps and plenty of sports and lessons. Take a trip to your nearest grocery store, mega store, day care, school, or restaurant and you'll find a plethora of local magazines, brochures and flyers for most any activity- from pottery classes and Space Camp to swim lessons.

I'm lucky enough to have my husband home for the summer to watch the kids and save on day care expenses. But, most day cares offer weekly summer field trips included in the cost or for a nominal fee.

Many families have some sort of summer vacation planned or at least a weekend getaway. Don't forget about friends and family too!!! How about sending the kids for a week at Nanna's house and a week at Mimi's house and a week at Aunt Tracey's house and a weekend at a friend's house or with the neighbors! You're summer will be over before you know it...

You Must Be So Proud...

This past Friday, I took the kids to Liberty, Texas for the Memorial service of their Great Grandmother. We called her Mama Darlin'. She told one of her grandkids, "come to Mama, darlin'" and the kid thought darlin' was part of mama's name. The nickname stuck.

Thursday night before the service, my kids and I enjoyed boiled crabs at the neigher's house. While I was chowing down, my daughter and the neighbor boys decided to make an art project out of my son.
They colored on him from head to toe!
With permanent marker.
It was unbelievable!


I used some witch hazel to get some of the marker off. All it did was tone down the hues marked all over him. It was late for a school night so I decided it was best to finish cleaning up my son in the morning.
I had to work from home and get some stuff done before heading to Liberty. The time got away from me. I used some baby oil to wash the marker off my son and gave him a quick bath. It was a poor clean-up job. I figured his face and arms looked pretty good and the rest of him could be covered with clothes. (I now know that GOO GONE works great at removing permanent marker from skin and isn't irritating)

What I didn't count on was that my Uncle would be picking up my son by his feet and dangle him. My son's shirt slid right down revealing his intricate "tattoos." Well, at least the minister mentioned how much Mama Darlin' loved her arts and crafts. She'd have been tickled pink seeing my son all marked up.

At that point of the day, we were attending a 55th Annual Invitational Golf Tournament and cat fish fry at the local country club. The town of Liberty is quite small-maybe 750 residents-and it seemed like all of them were there. We enjoyed ourselves and the food. The place wasn't stuffy or pretentious, but I still felt a bit out-of-place at a "country club."
My son apparently felt the sudden urge to peepee. He dropped trough down to his ankles. And with a move like something only a Chippendale dancer would do, he grabbed both sides of his diaper, pulled forward, ripped off the diaper, and tossed it away. He then tried to pee on a bush in the middle of the picnic area outside the clubhouse of the "country club." If it hadn't been so funny, I'd have been completely mortified. People were looking at my son and laughing. Some people were trying to take pictures with their cell phones so my protective daughter stood in front of her lil' brother in a sweet attempt to hide his shame.

Well, my son did lighten the mood and put some smiles on some faces. I must be so proud.

Meet & Greet

As I'm running out the door to attend a neighborhood "Meet and Greet,"
my son tells me, "Mama, I got poopoo on my leg."

I hope I don't hear him correctly and ask, "What?"

And then I smell it.

I look down to see that he has pulled off his diaper and had the massive blow-out smeared and streaming down his little legs. Oh, the timing...oh, and the stench!

I grab the container of wipes- though I need a power-washer. I did the best I could with the time I had to clean him up. Then, I realize I need to clean myself up too. I must have scrubbed my hands 10 times-and I mean scrub like I was prepping for open heart surgery.

I just couldn't imagine going to a meet & greet and shaking hands with a bunch of people I'm meeting for the first time all the while smelling like poo.
The "Meet and Greet" was held at a neighbors house in order for the community to meet the local officials running for City office. I knew there would be a lot of hand-shaking, but there was also finger-foods! Luckily, I scrubbed off the first layer of skin so my hands were clean and poo-fragrance free!