Picture Princess

To my daughter, whose hair is as wild and free as her beautiful spirit:



Your world is such a wonderful place, full of adventure! I carry a camera around, just trying to capture a few of the magical moments that fill your days. And although my photography skills don't do it justice, I'm amazed by all of the little things that make you smile. You make me smile. You make so many others smile too. You are our "picture princess."



And although you'll never remember a time when you weren't a big sister, you're our baby, too.



I can't wait to see you run and dance in the sunshine this summer in something gorgeous like the little girls' and girls' dresses from shabby baby. We'll surround you with color and light and dress you in beauty to match.


Wouldn't it be sweet if she were the next Shabby Baby Girl?

Momfit Mondays

I've had three kids, and each time I've lost track of all of my body changes because I'm so busy experiencing all of the amazing life changes. It isn't until a couple of months in, when the maternity clothes look ridiculously big but my regular wardrobe is completely unusable that I start to feel like effort may be required on my part.





My smallest is just two months old, and I'm ready to start making changes for the better! I'm joining Cat at 3 Kids and Us to make some healthy lifestyle changes and lose some of this baby weight. Participating in Momfit Mondays will help me be more accountable to my goals. (They say it's better to workout with friends!) As an amazing side benefit, she has a Bumbleride Stroller Giveaway during the month of April. New wheels to accommodate both of my baby girls would definitely help me get moving this spring! And yes...it's the Bumbleride stroller of my dreams that I've been wishing and dreaming about.

I've weighed myself, and taken a few measurements to figure out where I'm starting. I'm not telling what the numbers are, but they did help me set some goals for this month.

During the month of April I'd like to:

• Lose about 5 lbs. I have about 20 total to lose, but I know from experience that I'll hang on to a bit of that weight until I'm done nursing, and I don't plan to stop nursing anytime soon.
• I'm not sure how to measure this, but I need to tone some areas. I'm planning on getting a Wii Fit this month, and I'm hoping that there will be some fun ways there to work on "problem areas." Until then, I plan on walking at least three times this week - just to get started on something.
• I'm also planning to make some healthy changes to my eating habits. This week, I plan to limit myself to one soda per day, and replace one snack each day with a healthy fruit or vegetable.

Wish me luck! Or better yet, set your own goals and come join us!

Wordless Wednesday: Through the eyes of a 4 year-old

Big brother's drawing of his little sister...





complete with pumpkin hat!

I'm a little late to the party...

But I'm here...I'm here! (I'm #715 of family-friendly, if you found me in all of the linky madness.) Wow - I'm new to the online party scene and amazed by how many hundreds of blogs are already party stops at the Ultimate Blog Party 2009. It's going to be a busy week.

So glad you stopped by! Please help yourself to a piece of cake. We love cake.



Let me introduce myself:

I'm a mom of children in three sizes: small, smaller, and smallest, all under the age of 5. You can see them over there on the right. Cute, right? I think so, but they tell me I'm biased.

I am an elementary school literacy specialist and teacher of gifted students when I'm not on maternity leave. So, I'm surrounded by children everywhere I go!

I love my work with young readers, and over the next couple of months my blog will showcase many of the ideas I've used as I've worked with young children as a teacher, reading specialist, volunteer, and of course, mom. Please stop back to see more and share some of your own great ideas as well!

I'm looking so forward to mingling and getting to know some of you. Thanks again for stopping by!


Oh - and if I were lucky enough to be picked for one of the amazing prizes, here are my favorites:

USC 10 — The Big Combo Pack from Mabel's Labels

21 — $50 gift certificate to Target Stores from Agoosa

22 — $50 gift certificate to Target Stores from Beginner Baby Blog

(From Target, I'd totally splurge on a Plasma car. Have you seen those?? Too cool!)

I'd also really love any of these: USC 11, USC 12, 19, 26, 58, 91, 102, 125, INTL 57, INTL 65 or anything else baby girl/toddler, blog ads, or food related (yum). Thanks!!

Wordless Wednesday: First signs of spring

(If you're curious, big brother
was dressed as Batman last Halloween.)

Mom-tired

I cringed when I heard the question....

"Why is the cereal in the fridge?"

Because, of course, if the cereal is in the fridge...where do you think the milk was?

You guessed it. In the cabinet. Since breakfast time.

Does this sort of thing happen to everyone? Can you use the "new-mom" excuse the third time around?

Win the Ride of Your Life!

Do you recall my declaration of love for the Bumbleride Indie Twin? I've still got it bad. Now, the lovely review blog Simple Reviews is giving one away, and who knows? My girls would be the picture of cute in it!

Go over to Simple Reviews and check it out! Or you can drool over all of Bumbleride's amazing strollers here.

Seasonal Confusion

Here is the upper Midwest, the weather can't decide what to do. Is it spring and in the mid-50's? Or is it snowing? It's day-to-day right now if we'll be toting an umbrella or sporting hats and gloves.

And...I've gotten it wrong once or twice already. This makes me one of those parents who actually sends her kids out in a light jacket with bees on it only to have it snow that afternoon. My teaching concentration area is general science. Want to guess which science course was the most difficult for me? Meteorology! Oh, well.

Here's a great outdoor activity for those really chilly not-so-spring days:

Blow bubbles!

If you take bubbles outside when it's below freezing, the soap film will freeze in mid-air, and they "shatter" when you pop them. Go out and try it!

Make sure that the temperature is below freezing. (Although who doesn't like playing with bubbles in any weather?) Kids of all sizes (and my husband) love this trick!

If you want to continue the learning indoors, there are some great picture books about bubbles. Here are a few you can look for:



Have fun!

Wordless Wednesday: Go fish

paralysis by analysis

I love to shop. I love knowing what's out there, and how some products make my "mom life" so much easier, more stylish, and fun! I'm constantly asked "Where did you get that?" (And I'm happy to tell anyone all about the things I love. I also have absolutely no problems walking up to another parent and asking them how they would rate their baby gear, either!)

I'm fiercely budget-conscious, so I'm always searching for a good price. I do love getting a deal, but I know that sometimes a quality product is worth paying a bit more for. I'm also going greener and trying to consume less, so I want to make my purchases count.

I also research, research, and RE-research items thoroughly before I buy. I trust the advice of many mommy blogger friends, and have found some wonderful items through their reviews and say-so.

Money is an issue, so it seems like every major purchase requires multiple "committee meetings" and seemingly endless discussion. We are so anxious to make the right choice that we end up making no choice. I think it's called "paralysis by analysis."

We've finally started dividing up some of our purchasing decisions, just to get the job done. The best part of all is that I get to do most of the child-oriented purchasing!

Baby girl and I are off to go shopping now!

Under construction

I know...you're not supposed to blog about "sorry I've been busy/lazy/etc...." to explain a lack of posts. This requires explanation, though. I'm tired (REALLY, REALLY tired) even though I've been sleeping a 4 - 5 hour stretch the past two nights (thank you, baby girl!) So, somehow, I just deleted a list of draft posts. Can't find them anywhere. And in the process I lost a post or two that had already been here.

So much in my life is "under construction" right now.