Pay Day

Some days I think to myself. I can't believe that I get paid for this (child care). I don't mean getting paid in hugs and kisses, but in the real stuff, as in cash. I do not make a lot of money by any means, simply enough to buy groceries and anything associated with the kiddos, i.e. diapers, formula, preschool, see previous post for additional areas my money flows freely to. I have three day weekends, always. I see my children everyday and I usually don't miss one of their 'big moments'. I am in an unique position where I am able to be home with my children and working, at the same time. I don't have to rush to the computer after the kids are in bed or am I plugging away at some stay-at-home craft where you get 10 cents for each completed or any other scheme from companies that prey on moms who only want to be with their children (you know the ads, all moms have seen them).

There are also days when I'm certain that I'm not making enough to take care of four children at the same time. I think I was most pitied when I was first starting out three years ago, I was watching four, yes four one-year-olds. We never left the house; it was the backyard, the living room or the playroom. Today, we travel often, I still get the pitied look on people's faces but I might be confusing this with awe, like I actually gave birth to twin four-year-olds and twin infants. To all those moms that simply do get paid in hugs and kisses, I am in awe of you!

Priceless

We've already decided that we will not over schedule our children. We feel that it is really important to be a family and to actually have quality family time that is not spent on the bleacher or in the mini-van, though these do *count* to a degree of course; who doesn't like singing 'Santa Clause is coming to Town' for the seventeenth time in one car trip in February?

That being said, it's only March and I'm handing over the bucks this week to schedule Henry's summer plans. I feel like those MasterCard commercials:

-Swimming lessons $57
-Vacation Bible Study Camp $25
-Pollywogs Nature Camp $48
-Soccer/T-ball lessons $28
Henry having a summer full of memories - priceless, I think? Did I mention that it's only March and this is only what I've paid for this week? It's not much in the scheme of summer, but it hurts my checkbook like it is. He's four years old though, it's simply awesome to see him trying something new, discovering what he likes. How else will he be able to pick out that one thing to participate in when he starts school? :)

Everyday I get to watch Wyatt discover something new too; from a new food rolling around his tongue, to the pleasure on his face when he is able to pull himself up on anything that will hold his chubby legs, to the new noises that he can make (which included screaming at the top of his lungs). Today he is 11 months old. Today he is one month away from being a toddler, how this makes me heart ache, with joy and with sadness. I love my little WooWoo.

Bribery, Hear Me Ring

Bribery has been a weapon for me for several years now. I probably thought I wasn't going to do this when Henry was younger, but I've discovered that it is, umm let me say difficult to rationally have a discussion with a two, three, or four year old. My big bribe was going to the Maple Maze this week. If you are lucky and have tolerance, you might have a bribe that will not only work for say a mealtime (for example, you don't eat your dinner, you won't get that cookie) but have one that really has some staying power. These are my favorites, I can lure it over his head for several days!

For those of you that know Henry, you know that he is very much a good kid. He is though, very highly motivated by bribery. Henry has been taking gymnastics for several sessions, this is the last class and he was simply just burnt out. He knew that the teacher was giving out lollipops at the end of class, so this had to be my 'reminder' to him throughout the class. "Keep going or your not getting the sucker". It wasn't a big ol' mighty bribe, but it did the job at least for a bit. In the end, he didn't get to eat (do you say lick) the sucker after class because he just didn't continue trying his best, pretty much the only thing we ask of Henry. Does this make me a bad mom? Honestly, I'd say no, it's leaning more towards a Supermom decision I think :)

Henry's vaulting/floor exercise

Henry at the bars - not that kind of bars, silly

Walking Billboards

All moms, I'm including myself (and anyone who says 'no they aren't' is wrong) are walking billboards, walking advertisers for their favorite baby/child products/books/classes, you name it. I don't have a problem with this, I believe in the power of words and testimony. I do try to watch myself when I'm 'suggesting' something though, because I know not everyone wants to hear it; Oh, I just love xxxx or xxxx is the only thing we can ever use and of course, I simply couldn't live without xxxx. Really? You couldn't live without it? :)

This whole post started because I wanted to write something in my blog about how I love Zicam - it has been the best discovery of the year for me. It literally has gotten me through what I thought would have been a terrible cold crumpled in bed with instead just a smidgen of a sore throat. So there you have it, I *heart* Zicam. I guess I'm posting this as a disclaimer, I will from time to time let you know of things that I love and perhaps this anti-Supermom just couldn't live without.

PS - I'm my biggest advertiser for my own children, of course.
So here you go...

Wyatt speaks

Wyatt discriminates

Wyatt thinks Mama means milk - I really do get the association

PSS - I *heart* Desitin Original 40% zinc oxide - nothing turns my baby's bum from blazing red to wonderful white in 1 night's sleep flat. There, I'm done.

I have a secret

I have a secret. I purchased a girdle, umm body-shaper for my brother's wedding next month. This isn't because I'm overweight, I'm only 2-3lbs. over my ideal weight (which I'm continually working on), but because of the before mentioned 'muffin top'. I came home with my purchase and did not mention this tidbit to my husband, but as he often does, he wants to know what in the bag. He peeks and looks at me "I see you bought a girdle".

Now, what I want to say is that we women should not be ashamed of owning a girdle, body-shaper, whatever people want to call it. The truth is, I love it! It really does hold my tummy in and I won't have to spend the entire night holding my breath in or sucking in my gut.

Today's body-shaper are in fact somewhat sexy thanks in part to companies like Spanx, who made body-shapers popular again. Women's bodies go through a lot to have babies, then take care of babies with breastfeeding. I think women need to be reminded that our bodies will not go back into place right away, if ever (for shame). Husband's need to be reminded of this too, if I feel more sexy with my girdle on, then so be it. I may not have a Supermom cape, but I do have my Hot Mama girdle!

Come out, come out wherever you are

Spring. Spring, where are you? I miss you. Why are you making us wait, this is torture. I'm not sure that I will make it much longer, so please come back. At least say hello.

I'm a Minnesotan, but not by choice, if it were up to me we would live someplace warm, someplace where it was warm all the time. I could care less about humidity, I can even stand it really hot. But, I live in Minnesota, again I'm a Minnesotan, hear me shiver.

What I've been dreaming about it our family bike trips. I love getting on the bike and making a day trip of it. Dan and I even got engaged on a bike trail. That said, I am not a biker. I do not race, I love to go slow and my biggest trip was a 50 mile day. I leave all that 'real' biking stuff to my husband.

These pictures are taken from Wyatt's first bike trip out. This is where the bad mom in me comes out. Yes, Wyatt is only four months old and I assure you the Burley manufactures would not recommend riding with a four month old, but we had the genius idea of strapping his car seat into the bike trailer. Perfectly safe (don't call the social workers)!

You will also notice that Dan is not only pulling the Burley bike trailer, but Henry's seat is attached to his bike. Yep, you do the math, that leaves me not pulling an extra thing. Ha! I figure, if I carried them for 9 months each, he can certainly stand a couple of hours. Love you, Dan.

Get Swept Up in the Windy City

Chicago is a diverse and beautiful city that offers the gamut of exciting activities for all ages! Its central location in the great lakes region makes Chicago a great summer destination. Now is a great time for you and your family to explore the great city of Chicago.

Enter The Explore Chicago Sweepstakes for your chance to win:

One (1) Grand Prize: A trip for a family of four (4)(two adults, two children) to Chicago. Trip includes round trip coach airfare (awarded in the form of vouchers from Southwest Airlines) for four from the major airport nearest the winner’s home served by Southwest Airlines, as determined by Sponsor, to Chicago, Illinois, 5 day, 4 night hotel accommodations (Premium Suite accommodations with 2 Double beds and a separate living area and sofa bed) at the Omni Hotel, four (4) tickets to 10 designated Chicago museums (ARV: $3,000). One (1) First Prize: two-night stay for two (2) at a downtown Chicago hotel and tickets for two to several major Chicago attractions (ARV: $600).

The City of Chicago Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin

Get Swept Up in the Windy City

Chicago is a diverse and beautiful city that offers the gamut of exciting activities for all ages! Its central location in the great lakes region makes Chicago a great summer destination. Now is a great time for you and your family to explore the great city of Chicago.

Enter The Explore Chicago Sweepstakes for your chance to win:

One (1) Grand Prize: A trip for a family of four (4)(two adults, two children) to Chicago. Trip includes round trip coach airfare (awarded in the form of vouchers from Southwest Airlines) for four from the major airport nearest the winner’s home served by Southwest Airlines, as determined by Sponsor, to Chicago, Illinois, 5 day, 4 night hotel accommodations (Premium Suite accommodations with 2 Double beds and a separate living area and sofa bed) at the Omni Hotel, four (4) tickets to 10 designated Chicago museums (ARV: $3,000). One (1) First Prize: two-night stay for two (2) at a downtown Chicago hotel and tickets for two to several major Chicago attractions (ARV: $600).

The City of Chicago Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin