Thursday, December 24, 2009
Photographer in the making
We had our little Christmas get together at my dad's house last night and I got the most awesome present ever - a digital SLR camera, lenses and a bag for it all! So now I can work on becoming a photographer for a travel magazine, like I always dream of being. :) Though, all this new equipment looks a little intimidating. I've got a lot of reading/learning to do! If anyone out there uses this type of camera and has any tips for a beginner, I'm ready and willing to listen!
Monday, December 21, 2009
A kid funny for today
My son goes to preschool at the school that is part of our church. So when I picked him up today, I noticed a lot more cars than usual in the parking lot, then noticed the hearse up by the church doors. A funeral was going on. I didn't think much of it. We've all seen a hearse and been to a funeral.
My son comes running out the doors all excited because they got to make gingerbread houses today (yay!), when he notices the hearse. Then he gets even more excited and says "Look mommy a limo, a limo!!". Here I am trying to shush him and get him in the van so I can explain to him what it really is. All the while, he continues to yell "limo! limo!" as I'm closing the door and running around to my side. There were lots of other parents around so I was a little embarrassed, but heck, my kid can't be the only kid that has said something a little embarrassing, right? Right?!
Just my little chuckle for the day. Gotta love these kids!
My son comes running out the doors all excited because they got to make gingerbread houses today (yay!), when he notices the hearse. Then he gets even more excited and says "Look mommy a limo, a limo!!". Here I am trying to shush him and get him in the van so I can explain to him what it really is. All the while, he continues to yell "limo! limo!" as I'm closing the door and running around to my side. There were lots of other parents around so I was a little embarrassed, but heck, my kid can't be the only kid that has said something a little embarrassing, right? Right?!
Just my little chuckle for the day. Gotta love these kids!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Busy, busy!
Well, I guess I decided to take a week off from writing. I honestly didn't even think about it. Right now I'm just like everyone else - trying to finish Christmas shopping, racking my brain so I don't forget to buy someone a gift, sending off packages, etc. Hoping to finish up ALL shopping on Friday after lunch (though I always forget something)!
It's looking like the holidays will be pretty low key for once. We'll have dinner at my dad and step mom's a few days before and open presents, then we're on our own Christmas Eve, and my mom and step dad will stop over on Christmas Day on their way through town. So, we don't have to travel, which is so nice. Just stay home, play with toys and relax!
In the meantime, we have our oldest son's preschool Christmas concert on Friday morning to go to. He's so excited for us to hear all the songs they've been practicing. Though, when I ask him which songs they're singing, he says he doesn't know.....hmmmm, SO, we'll see if he actually sings! I'm sure it will be cute, none the less. Better charge up my camera batteries!
It's looking like the holidays will be pretty low key for once. We'll have dinner at my dad and step mom's a few days before and open presents, then we're on our own Christmas Eve, and my mom and step dad will stop over on Christmas Day on their way through town. So, we don't have to travel, which is so nice. Just stay home, play with toys and relax!
In the meantime, we have our oldest son's preschool Christmas concert on Friday morning to go to. He's so excited for us to hear all the songs they've been practicing. Though, when I ask him which songs they're singing, he says he doesn't know.....hmmmm, SO, we'll see if he actually sings! I'm sure it will be cute, none the less. Better charge up my camera batteries!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Things I Ponder....hmmm....
I ponder a lot of things when it comes to my kids. Am I doing this right? Did I make the right decision? Should they really have watched that TV show? How do I explain _____ to my kids? Was I being too harsh? There's all sorts of things I wonder about and hope that I made the right decision.
One thing I go back and forth on in my head is, where is the best place to raise my kids? I grew up (well, age 11 on up) in a small, small town - and hated it. For many different reasons, but I won't go into those. :) Prior to living in the small town, my family lived in a large city, so I've seen both extremes.
We don't live in a small town now, but I would say it's still fairly small compared to most of the country and it's a very rural area. I can see the positive side of living in a smaller community - less crime (usually), good schools (here, at least), nice neighborhoods with other kids to play with, you get to know people, etc. Then the other part of me starts thinking, where is the diversity here? There's not much. There's not much in terms of interesting or unique places to go. I sometimes feel like they are missing out on things. I guess I want them to know that the world is so much bigger and there's so much more out there than what they see here. Not that things are bad here; we have a great neighborhood and great neighbors that all watch out for each other, nice schools with good test scores, not a lot of crime (though, that does seem to be increasing lately...), and we have family nearby.
I guess I just think about my years growing up in the city and remember all the things that I got to do and see that they don't get to do - maybe just on a vacation, if we ever get around to taking one of those. So, all in all, I don't think it's detrimental to them living where we do - I just wonder if I could be offering them more?
Oh, sometimes I just think and worry too much. I'm going to go take a tylenol now. :)
One thing I go back and forth on in my head is, where is the best place to raise my kids? I grew up (well, age 11 on up) in a small, small town - and hated it. For many different reasons, but I won't go into those. :) Prior to living in the small town, my family lived in a large city, so I've seen both extremes.
We don't live in a small town now, but I would say it's still fairly small compared to most of the country and it's a very rural area. I can see the positive side of living in a smaller community - less crime (usually), good schools (here, at least), nice neighborhoods with other kids to play with, you get to know people, etc. Then the other part of me starts thinking, where is the diversity here? There's not much. There's not much in terms of interesting or unique places to go. I sometimes feel like they are missing out on things. I guess I want them to know that the world is so much bigger and there's so much more out there than what they see here. Not that things are bad here; we have a great neighborhood and great neighbors that all watch out for each other, nice schools with good test scores, not a lot of crime (though, that does seem to be increasing lately...), and we have family nearby.
I guess I just think about my years growing up in the city and remember all the things that I got to do and see that they don't get to do - maybe just on a vacation, if we ever get around to taking one of those. So, all in all, I don't think it's detrimental to them living where we do - I just wonder if I could be offering them more?
Oh, sometimes I just think and worry too much. I'm going to go take a tylenol now. :)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Shopping makes me happy!
Even if in very small amounts, shopping can just make my day. It doesn't need to be a huge shopping spree, but maybe just finding that one accessory I've been dying to get = instant smile and feeling on top of the world!
So, since today was a pretty crappy day, weather-wise, I decided that I needed a new hat. I've had my eye on something a little more stylish than my current winter hat and today seemed like the perfect day to get it. Especially since we got to leave work early due to the weather, I had some extra time before getting the kids at daycare. And wouldn't you know, Kohl's is right on my way - how convenient! It's like it was meant to be.
Today I said goodbye to my trusty old striped stocking cap I've had since college. It has been well-worn and definitely served its purpose, but now I'm going to have to move it to the "back-up" box of hats, mittens, gloves and scarves. Maybe I'll go back to it someday, but for now I'm going to be sporting my new hat:
Now tomorrow morning I'll be in a pretty good mood because I'll get to wear my new hat. But, how many days of winter are left? Oh.....that many? Shoot. Sounds like I could be buying myself lots of little gifts to get through the winter. Isn't there a saying "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"? I think my shopping sounds justified!
So, since today was a pretty crappy day, weather-wise, I decided that I needed a new hat. I've had my eye on something a little more stylish than my current winter hat and today seemed like the perfect day to get it. Especially since we got to leave work early due to the weather, I had some extra time before getting the kids at daycare. And wouldn't you know, Kohl's is right on my way - how convenient! It's like it was meant to be.
Today I said goodbye to my trusty old striped stocking cap I've had since college. It has been well-worn and definitely served its purpose, but now I'm going to have to move it to the "back-up" box of hats, mittens, gloves and scarves. Maybe I'll go back to it someday, but for now I'm going to be sporting my new hat:
Now tomorrow morning I'll be in a pretty good mood because I'll get to wear my new hat. But, how many days of winter are left? Oh.....that many? Shoot. Sounds like I could be buying myself lots of little gifts to get through the winter. Isn't there a saying "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"? I think my shopping sounds justified!
Winter Wonderland
The snow is falling today - oh joy! It's very cold and very windy. Now, I'm what some people like to call a "Debbie Downer" when it comes to winter. Winter weather puts me in a seriously bad mood and I just can't find any good in the winter months (besides birthdays and Christmas, of course).
The bitter wind blowing in my face hurts and angers me. Slipping on the ice makes me swear. I curse the snowpants, boots, hats, and mittens I need to dress the kids in each morning. Scraping ice off the car is frustrating. I could go on and on (because I'm a Debbie Downer, you know), but I think you get the picture.
There are many people where I live that love winter and actually look forward to it. They claim they find it calming, peaceful and beautiful. I try to understand where they're coming from, but I just don't fully understand. Sure, watching snow fall quietly outside from my living room window is nice - as long as I don't have to leave the house for the next few days!
I sometimes wonder if I might have a touch of that SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder. Or maybe I'm just not a "winter person". Or maybe, I'm just a Debbie Downer. :)
BUT, the one good reason for living where I do is family. My family is all nearby, which makes it worth it....for now at least!
The bitter wind blowing in my face hurts and angers me. Slipping on the ice makes me swear. I curse the snowpants, boots, hats, and mittens I need to dress the kids in each morning. Scraping ice off the car is frustrating. I could go on and on (because I'm a Debbie Downer, you know), but I think you get the picture.
There are many people where I live that love winter and actually look forward to it. They claim they find it calming, peaceful and beautiful. I try to understand where they're coming from, but I just don't fully understand. Sure, watching snow fall quietly outside from my living room window is nice - as long as I don't have to leave the house for the next few days!
I sometimes wonder if I might have a touch of that SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder. Or maybe I'm just not a "winter person". Or maybe, I'm just a Debbie Downer. :)
BUT, the one good reason for living where I do is family. My family is all nearby, which makes it worth it....for now at least!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Kid songs? No thanks!
My mom laughs at me and my kids because my kids all know the popular songs currently playing on the radio. You will rarely hear them singing Old Mac Donald or Row, Row, Row Your Boat, but Boom, Boom, Pow by the Black Eyed Peas? Heck yeah!
When my oldest was about a year and a half, I got my hands on a children's music CD - because that's what good mom's do, right? We played it a few times in the car, but I could hardly stand listening to that stuff. The chorus of all those cheery little voices singing boring songs was too much for me. Maybe it was a selfish move, but I decided that was enough of the childrens music. BUT, I have to note that my son didn't really seem to care about the music either. There was really no reaction, no excitement from him when we listened to it.
The fast beats of the music on the radio is what he really seemed to like. Fast forward to now, and all three kids love listening to the radio in the kitchen when we get home at the end of the day. We sing, dance and laugh to all our favorite pop songs!
Our favorites so far are:
1. Boom, Boom, Pow by The Black Eyed Peas
2. Goodnight by The Black Eyed Peas
3. 10 Million Fireflies by Owl City
4. Down by Jay Sean
5. Rockstar by Pink
6. Distrubia by Rihanna
I'm sure I'm missing some, but these always get us singing and dancing in our house! I realize some will think these songs are inappropriate for kids, but I tell you what - we have so much fun and I know these will be memories they'll have for a lifetime!
When my oldest was about a year and a half, I got my hands on a children's music CD - because that's what good mom's do, right? We played it a few times in the car, but I could hardly stand listening to that stuff. The chorus of all those cheery little voices singing boring songs was too much for me. Maybe it was a selfish move, but I decided that was enough of the childrens music. BUT, I have to note that my son didn't really seem to care about the music either. There was really no reaction, no excitement from him when we listened to it.
The fast beats of the music on the radio is what he really seemed to like. Fast forward to now, and all three kids love listening to the radio in the kitchen when we get home at the end of the day. We sing, dance and laugh to all our favorite pop songs!
Our favorites so far are:
1. Boom, Boom, Pow by The Black Eyed Peas
2. Goodnight by The Black Eyed Peas
3. 10 Million Fireflies by Owl City
4. Down by Jay Sean
5. Rockstar by Pink
6. Distrubia by Rihanna
I'm sure I'm missing some, but these always get us singing and dancing in our house! I realize some will think these songs are inappropriate for kids, but I tell you what - we have so much fun and I know these will be memories they'll have for a lifetime!
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