Happy Memorial Day!

As we all get together for BBQ and family and friends, let us take time to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Happy Memorial Day!

Friday Funny- So I'M the High Maintenance One?

Remember a few weeks ago when Zoe begged to go on the Brownie Camping Trip? She was completely undone that she was the ONLY one not attending. Remember the conversation (during which I was completely mortified) with her Brownie leader stating that I was more of a mani/pedi, take you to the mall kind of mom? That I was not a camping kind of mom....

And you know, I AM a Nervous Nelly when it comes to leaving my children with others when I'm traveling. But after the conversation with no less than six other moms convincing me she would be absolutely fine and they would watch over her like a hawk, I was convinced to spend an extra six hours packing her camping gear and errands and preparing a small but sweet thank you gift for the Brownie Leader and editing the travel agenda with more phone numbers than the Yellow Pages.

So needless to say I was a little rattled when Aunt Bet called me on Friday morning. After having countless conversations with Zoe, she told me that Zoe was absolutely freaked out about going camping and was adamant that she was NOT going under any circumstances.

Now, knowing my FearlessIMustBeTheFirstToTryIt Daughter, this concerned me. Why, all of a sudden, after all of that planning and begging and and pleading, was she completely going off the deep end about camping?

Being the person I am, after talking with Aunt Bet, I relenquished. Honestly, if she was that set on NOT going, surely there had to be a really good reason. As well, I believe that sometimes you just have to go with your gut... (you know, the whole,"I really felt like I should turn onto this street that day even though I NEVER do that and it saved me from a nasty car wreck that would have ended my life kinda thing. Yep. I'm that girl.)

Turns out.... one of her Brownie mates was not going because there were spiders and the bathrooms were disgusting.

And I'M the one who can't camp? It took everything I had not to say anything. Every last ounce of restraint. I know the important thing here is that Zoe can trust that I am listening, even when I'm on the other side of the States, but dagnabit! that was six hours of sleep I will never get back.

It's true. Children make you gray before your time.

Yours, knowing this will probably happen a few more times, and loving parenthood in spite of it,

Melissa

THE CAREGIVER ORGANIZER HELPS NURSES FOR NEWBORNS!!!

Today, we decided it was our turn to give back. With all that’s going on in the Midwest right now, Melissa and I know how lucky we are. So we wanted to do something good in our own backyard.

After a lot of deliberation, we picked Nurses For Newborns to be the recipient of 275 hardbound books. They are an awesome organization helping babies here in Missouri and in Tennessee. Well, instead of trying to explain what they do, I’ll just let them tell you (from their website):

Nurses for Newborns Foundation exists to provide a safety net for families most at-risk in order to prevent infant mortality, child abuse and neglect by providing in-home nursing visits which promote healthcare, education, and positive parenting skills.

Nurses for Newborns Foundation provides services to babies who are born with medical problems, born to teen moms or born to mothers with disabilities/mental health concerns, or who are born into families who do not have money for even basic necessities.

In addition to medical care, we assist families whenever possible with donated materials needed for safe care, such as diapers, formula, baby food, clothing, bedding, and cribs. We welcome hundreds of volunteers each year who help us manage the logistics of this work.

So we thought they would be able to use our Caregiver Organizer for MY Child books and also for MY Special Needs Child books. They were overjoyed, which overjoyed Melissa and I! If you’d like to help out this incredible organization, you can also make donations at their website.

Gotta say, I’m feeling pretty good today!

Karen

Monday Madness

I'm sorry dear readers. It was completely my fault that there was no Friday Funny last week. I guess you'll have to read all about Zoe's camping trip this coming Friday. (Nothing like shamelessly building a little anticipation, right?)

And I'm grateful to Karen for blogging last Monday while I was stuck in San Francisco. That's an entirely different matter that I'm not certain I'll be able to truthfully blog about without repercussions. Let's just say, this time, it was CLEARLY NOT.MY.FAULT. And yes, I'm holding on to that card for the appropriate moment (insert knowing smirk here).

Today is the Monday that I come to kicking and screaming every single year. I know it's coming. My subconscious has been warning me for two months now, diligently ticking off reminders. I'll bet you have this Monday in your household as well.

Yes, dear readers, it is:

The Last Monday Before Summer Break (Chaos/Boredom/Complaining/Threats Involving Military Academy) Begins.

(Insert hair raising screams and quite possibly an ugly adult meltdown here).

I'm breaking out in hives just thinking about it.

This summer, however, taking a cue from Karen, and from memories of summers past, I have signed my children up for some camps. And swim team. You see, I don't get my summer off now that I have a job that is administrative. Yes, I'll be working a lot from home. And trying to mind the children while I do so. (OY!) Don't get me wrong, I love my children with my entire being. But you know how it is- the moment you MUST get something completed, you become a magnet for all things child related. It's the law of the universe. So this year, I've decided that my Z1 and Z2 will not spend EVERY moment of Summer together. I think it's going to be okay.

If not, there's always chocolate....

Yours, trying to get EVERY last possible thing completed before their break begins,

Melissa

SAVING MONEY FOR SUMMER!!!

So what are your kids doing this summer? Going to camp? Daycare? Maybe staying at home with a sitter? If a sitter’s coming, do you have all the information organized? And I mean EVERYTHING? Will she know the kids’ schedules and habits? What about emergency instructions? Time limits on electronics? Will she even know how to turn on the Wii? And if you have a Special Needs child, does she understand all that entails?

You’ve seen Melissa and I write about The Caregiver Organizer many times. Now is your chance to get one at 25% off for the summer. Maybe you’ll be using a new sitter, or maybe your child’s needs are just changing. Whatever the reason, The Caregiver Organizer can help you!

So here’s the Summer Special:

25% OFF

The Caregiver Organizer for MY Child

(use coupon code “child25”)

AND

The Caregiver Organizer for MY Special Needs Child

(use coupon code “snchild25”)

Click HERE to get to our website and download your eBook today at 25% off the regular price (which, by the way, is pretty inexpensive anyway!).

Here’s to an organized summer for you AND your babysitters!

Karen

 

FAMILY REVIEW OF THOR

Saturday night my family went to see Thor. Before I continue, I can hear you judgmental moms out there saying, “Isn’t that movie rated PG-13? And didn’t I just read that her kids recently turned 10? BAD mom!” Yes, all of that is true (except the bad mom part). Believe me, I checked it out beforehand. The only cuss words used were “damn” and “hell” (and only 3 times total, according to my children, who count these things), there was only one kiss, and while there was violence and fighting, there was very little blood and guts showing. So really, it was way less than most video games!

Anyway, I wasn’t thrilled about seeing this movie, but I figured anything that wasn’t a cartoon would be a nice change of pace for us, so I went along. Well, wasn’t I pleasantly surprised! We all loved, loved, loved this movie, albeit for different reasons.

The kids loved it because, well, they’re kids and there was lots of fighting. I don’t think they really got all the family in-fighting and brotherly tension, but that’s okay. I almost prefer it that way!

My husband loved it because he used to read all those comic books when he was a kid. And he loved it because he’s still a big kid and there was lots of fighting.

I loved it because of Thor himself. Really. Have you seen him? Without a shirt? Oh man! Take a look…

You’re welcome!

Karen

Friday Funny- AhThank you, Mrs. Ha-Wiggins!

My daughter. Completely verbal. You know the age. Knows everything because if it's her opinion it must be fact and she's not embarrassed to tell it. She has yet to find the balance in passing comments that need not be shared, and those for public consumption. Apparently, she was having the need to make things clear when I arrived to pick her up from her Brownie meeting.

I walked up to her leader, who is preparing them for their first camp outing this weekend. All the moms are going- except me.

Her leader and I begin exchanging hellos and Zoe grabs my hand, looks her leader dead in the eye and says,"Yeah... my mom is really not the camping type of mom. That's why she's not going."

Oh really? I had no idea, Zoe. Please, to my absolute mortification, continue to expound on that thought....

"She's really more of a mani-pedi mom. She likes to have her latte and sit on the couch. She'd much rather sleep in her own bed and she REALLY likes to get a massage. She's more of a take me to the mall kind of mom. I just don't think she would make it camping."

Well ahthankayouAhMrs.Ha-wiggins! (Yes, that's a Carol Burnett Show reference.

I had no idea that I wasn't cut out for camping. Mind you, it's not my chosen pastime, but truth be told, I am out of town while the Brownies are on there trip and that is why I won't be there. Thank goodness the leader already knows that. But the looks on the other moms' faces... that was another story.

Yours, wondering if I am now being labeled high maintenance,

Melissa