First Day of 2nd grade

The last post described Tia and her Dad at their Father-Daughter Dance. I found this awesome deal on some silver dress shoes at Marshalls for $7 a few months ago, I reserved them for the holidays for her to wear. When the dance came up; I had her wear them to go with her fancy ensemble, knowing not much harm could befall them indoors.

The next day was church and she wanted to wear them again. I told her “No, they are just for special occasions”. She told me well “Isn’t church a special occasion”. That was one of those sobering replies that I forgive my children for “talking back”. It was such a sweet notion. It made me really happy and proud to see her love of Jesus realized in her everyday life.

Sunday is the Lord’s day and she knows that and “why shouldn’t she wear her best shoes?”
That is why God have us children, they refine us into better versions of ourselves-that and a glass of white wine doesn’t help either!

Patrick and Tatianna just attended a Daddy-Daughter dance. It was a 50’s theme and utterly adorable. Of course I had to do a drop-in and see all the festivities! Outside were vintage cars parked with blankets in front for photo ops. Within the foyer was a makeshift ice cream parlor on one side and an art gallery with nostalgic images on the other. Inside was a dance floor with balloons and more styled decor- and most fun, there was a disco ball amping up the energetic dance songs.

They had a phenomenal evening! The daddies brought picnic lunches and the daughters got to feel like princesses. Many girls were outfit with corsages. Patrick surprised Tia with the pink glittered beret she is donning in the above photo- she has been eyeing it for months!

I was so grateful our church hosted this event I have been wanting a special day for the two of them for a while; this was aptly timed. Later, my handsome husband told me how special the night was and that during the last dance “Butterfly Kisses” he started to tear up thinking about the day when he would be twirling the grown-up version of his precious baby girl!

On one of my recent beach town strolls I came across a piece of subway art that read “First we had each other, then we had you, now we have everything”. I know! So sweet huh?  Sums up how I feel about my family. I want to find a way to incorporate this wording in our new home- maybe in the kid’s bedroom.

I’m Bohemian Classic according to the Home Goods Quiz I took today online at http://www.homegoods.com/hghq_quiz.asp. Home Goods is one my favorite stores! I can go to Anthropologie (my happy store) for inspiration then go to Home Goods across the street for actual purchases!

Bohemian Classic is an accurate description of me. I love blending modern and vintage style aka “Modage”, some also say Modern Eclectic.

In the photo above the counter top is right up my alley in a timeless bright white solid stone surface, the unexpected chandelier is dramatically glam in color, and traditional in design; the sky-blue cabinets take commitment but are inviting. Lastly, the professional appliances say “I’m moonlighting as a Top Chef!”

Take the quiz and tell me your style!

Another favorite thing I came across….

       After our summer hiatus, we started up with our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group yesterday. This year I am part of the leadership team that will assist in planning and executing our monthly meetings.
      To kick off our first meeting I presented a feature called “My  Five Favorite Things”.  After presenting I realized it’s like grown-up show-and-tell; which transported me to elementary school when I got to bring something special from home!

 1. Spencer Bento Lunch boxes: I picked up a couple of these adorable containers at Pottery Barn Kids. I love them because they minimize baggage waste and speed up morning assembly for me. Another tip is to keep a bin in your fridge and/or pantry to hold your kid’s lunch prep items, so everything is all in one place!

Here’s a link:
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/spencer-bento-box-containers/?bnrid=3518538&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ite=Spencer_Bento_Box_Containers&
adtype=pla

Above are adorable, authentic bento box options at http://happylittlebento.blogspot.com, I know they are ornate but they make me so happy!

2. Dreyers Slow-Churned 1/2 Fat Ice cream: It’s yummy, 100 cal a serving, and has ingredients my kids could spell!

3. Vitamin D Capsules: Pierce a few with your teeth and squeeze into your kid’s juice, this helps ward of colds- use when one is brewing or you have been exposed to germ-bots!

4. A giant bottle of Rubbing Alcohol: I decant into a little travel bottle and douse all of our toothbrushes with it-rinsing well before each use. I have seen a reduction in colds since I started doing this a year ago.

5. Beets are Beautiful: I dice one beet into little triangular pieces and freeze, next I pop one into the microwave for about 8 seconds on a napkin. Then I rub the beet on my lips and cheeks. Beets can stain so try and use the napkin to keep hands clean. You can use a wet cotton ball to blend cheeks evenly. (If you mess up use some baking soda to rub off)

You can experiment with application, I like to use this as a base and apply my blush and lip gloss as well. As the day goes on I have a base color left.  Using beets as make-up is inexpensive and hypoallergenic!

One of my favorite things is to share tips, tell me what’s working for you lately….

Yesterday we had our annual pediatric check-up in anticipation of the new school year. Here’s the deal:  I have one child who loves going to the doctor and one who hates going to the doctor. There is an adorable show called Doc McStuffins, it’s based on a African American preschool girl who is a M.D. for toys and stuff animals- I have been using this show to explain the procedures that Ethan will experience when he goes.

We started off well when he wanted to go stand against the wall and get measured after his sister did. Then he was asked to step on the scale. Not happening. He said “I’m scared”! I explained that just like last year when we came they did nothing to hurt either of them and he would also be fine now. Not budging. We moved on to Tia and completed her work-up. Before we got to him we went to the potty and took the urine collection cups with us.

I always have the kids potty before we leave anywhere. I didn’t think about taking a sample so Tia couldn’t go which was fine. Then came Mr. E.J.. God help me! Let’s just say I hope urine has some beneficial properties for your face and hair, somehow things went horribly wrong and I was covered in a yellow shower. It even got in my mouth!!!! I was beyond perturbed. Mix that with the current heat wave and I was literally howling in the bathroom.

I collected me self  (no pun intended) and headed back for his turn. Of course he still wasn’t having it. I had to pull out the only thing I knew might work… the “if you let her examine you I will take you to Toys R’ Us and let you pick out a toy card”! It worked! He proceeded to let her look in his mouth and take his blood pressure. Aside from the collection catastrophe it was a success.

Off to bribery land we went (I did find wipies) and he found an overpriced “Super Mario” plush toy. I felt Tia should get something too- “Why should she not be rewarded for her good behavior?” School starts on Tuesday and I think I am more excited that any Mom I know and I don’t feel one bit guilty!

Ethan said, “Can you hurry and take the picture? This hurts a little!”

      Free! All this month JC Penney is giving kids K-6th grade free haircuts! I took Tatianna in yesterday and they did a fab job on her. I normally take my little guy to Snip Its- a kiddie salon so he was newly shorn and didn’t get a cut. I saw other little boys and their hair looked great. They are so kid- friendly and offered a toy treasure chest and lollipops to boot. Normally,Tia has her hair trimmed by Grandma or myself so it was a nice treat for her to be in a salon chair for the first time!
      There was no catch! Of course, you wanna tip your stylist. Call your local location  and you can make an appointment or just walk in like we did.

         Most people love going to theme parks. I’m not one of them! I think it all started when my jokster Uncle lied to me about the ride that I was buckled into and told me it was just ” a ride that shows you around the park”. Lies! I was horrified after my unexpected ride on a roller coaster and banned them for about a decade from my life. I eventually succumbed and realized they really bang you up. I have surmised that a day spent at Burke Williams Spa is a day better spent!

     Now, I try to be a “good” mom and traipse around these money-grubbing establishments for the sake of my kids. I have decided that I have paid my dues and that my husband can join another dad on any future theme park adventures.  Here are a couple reasons why I strongly dislike theme parks:

1. Being money gouged from every angle
2. The day spent mostly waiting
3. The short, mediocre ride after the mostly waiting
4. The myriad of unhealthy families I see
5. My aching calves from mostly waiting

    I know, I know the memories. Honestly, I think the memories I have from doing simple things like  having a family dinner where after we put on costumes and masks made out of a random cardboard packaging better.

My husband actually asked the ticket taker where he could get me a wheel chair at Legoland yesterday. The man pointed where and said for ten dollars we could get one.

Ten dollars!

Man, they even charge people who can’t walk!

    
     Our new house has a detached bonus room which we intend to use as a play/craft room! I’m so excited to have the toys relegated to their own special abode. I came across this picture at
http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/04/playroom-progress-sweet-seating-part-1.html by Jen Jones. This design makes my heart go pitter patter! First of all, I dig any new and clever unintended use for a project. The seats pictured are Expedit bookcases from Ikea turned on their side. She covered them with foam and stapled indoor/outdoor fabric to them. I am so into the intense blue/green combo too, I think the birch stencil adds a whimsical and outdoor ambiance.
     This layout really opens up the area for play utilizing baskets beneath to collect whoozits and whatzits galore!