We've been spending a lot of time in the car this summer. Between errands, rides over to the beach (and getting stuck with the bridge up!), traveling to amusement parks and all of our other fun adventures, not to mention vacation, our time on 4 wheels adds up. To put a stop to the bickering and make the time go faster we have some favorite games we like to play in the care.
Sausage: We actually end up playing this one out of the car a lot as well, it is a lot of fun! The person who is "it" can only respond with the word "sausage" as the other players do everything they can to get them to slip up. We ask questions, tell jokes, say outlandish things all in a quest to get the "it" person to laugh or respond in a manner other than "sausage". When they eventually slip, they are out! Only rule, no touching the person who is it!
I Spy: This one is also great waiting in restaurants and waiting rooms. "I spy with my little eye something the color red" and then everyone makes guesses until someone gets it right. You can switch it up by saying "something that begins with the letter T" (mix up colors and letters)
Would you rather: We ask each other Would You Rather and pose two outlandish options. This always seems to bring giggles.
The Animal Game: My kids are getting big for this one but was great when they were younger. My kids would take turns making animal sounds and we would have to try to guess what animal they were.
I'm going on a trip and I'm bringing... Start with the first person who names an item. The next person names a new item plus the first item. Continue around that way until someone misses an item and then they are out. You can either end the game then or continue to play until all players but one are eliminated.
Alphabet Game: pick any category and name something related to the topic for every letter of the alphabet. (names, vegetables, etc.)
Family Ark: You need to build an ark. Name an animal to bring aboard for every letter in the alphabet.
Story Starters: This one is getting easier as the kids are getting older. One person starts a story and then you go around the car each adding the next piece of the story.
Name that Tune: Hum part of a song and everyone tries to guess the name of it.
The Quiet Game: 1,2, 3 Quiet! And everyone gets quiet. First person to talk or make noise is out. A parent favorite!!
Now it is your turn, share your favorite games with me! I am always in need of new sanity savers.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wordful Wednesday
I was so excited to purchase myself a new camera last week. After I had everything in place and the battery charged, I couldn't wait to try it out. Nobody was home at the time (a miracle in itself!) so I couldn't use the kids as guinea pigs so I decided to head outside and see what I could snap a pic of. This bird house has been hanging in my yard for years and each spring it gets a new inhabitant. As you can see it is beginning to fall apart, all the new homes built in it has caused it to burst at the seams! Well, I didn't realize anyone was home when I started taking pictures so imagine my surprise when this little bugger flew out at me and began "yelling" at me!
He (or she) really wasn't happy that I invaded his (her) space and came so close to home. It flew out and landed on a nearby branch and was chirping up a storm. It truly sounded like it was yelling at me. See that open beak? That was this little bugger telling me where to go! It was so agitated it kept flitting from branch to branch making it difficult to get a shot. I decided to let the poor thing calm down and I went about my business elsewhere in the yard.
Monday, July 26, 2010
What's in a name?
Sarah over at Mommy Lite offers up one of my favorite blogs. Her post I like to be called Ms. Maizes got my blood pumping because this is a topic that drives me crazy. Apparently, in this area at least, my husband and I are among a dying breed where we like to be addressed by Mr. and Mrs. I was always taught to respect my elders and I expect kids to show me respect.
What I have found over the years of being a mom, is that because so many people like to be called by their first name, they assume everyone wants to be called by their first name. They introduce me to their kids as Beth, not as Mrs. K. When I state that I prefer to be called Mrs. K I get a funny look and a quick comment to their kids of "okay, remember to call her Mrs. K". Then that seems to be the end of that. Nobody ever seems to remember. The simple fact that my children address you as Mr. and Mrs. should serve as a helpful reminder, yet this seems to go unnoticed as well.
I'm tired of hearing "Mrs. So-and-So is my mother-in-law" or "Mrs. makes me feel old". Get over it. Welcome to being an adult.
Would you have ever walked into your friends house and called her mom by her first name? I doubt it. If by some chance you did have that permission, what about your coach, your scout leaders, or other adults in your life? I really doubt you ever would have done it. Yet, despite me telling my scouts and their parents numerous times I prefer to be addressed as Mrs., I still kep hearing my first name out of these kids.
Want to make me really cringe? Call me Miss Beth. Again, you are using my first name and I'm not a Miss. I'm a Mrs. I'm proud to be married and have been happily so for 11 years now. If you are going to insist that your child show some level of "respect" by throwing in the Miss then please lets upgrade to the Mrs. K I've been trying to get across.
I will take some blame. I've gotten tired of sounding like a broken record and so after a few reminders I just give up. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.
What do you like to be called?
What I have found over the years of being a mom, is that because so many people like to be called by their first name, they assume everyone wants to be called by their first name. They introduce me to their kids as Beth, not as Mrs. K. When I state that I prefer to be called Mrs. K I get a funny look and a quick comment to their kids of "okay, remember to call her Mrs. K". Then that seems to be the end of that. Nobody ever seems to remember. The simple fact that my children address you as Mr. and Mrs. should serve as a helpful reminder, yet this seems to go unnoticed as well.
I'm tired of hearing "Mrs. So-and-So is my mother-in-law" or "Mrs. makes me feel old". Get over it. Welcome to being an adult.
Would you have ever walked into your friends house and called her mom by her first name? I doubt it. If by some chance you did have that permission, what about your coach, your scout leaders, or other adults in your life? I really doubt you ever would have done it. Yet, despite me telling my scouts and their parents numerous times I prefer to be addressed as Mrs., I still kep hearing my first name out of these kids.
Want to make me really cringe? Call me Miss Beth. Again, you are using my first name and I'm not a Miss. I'm a Mrs. I'm proud to be married and have been happily so for 11 years now. If you are going to insist that your child show some level of "respect" by throwing in the Miss then please lets upgrade to the Mrs. K I've been trying to get across.
I will take some blame. I've gotten tired of sounding like a broken record and so after a few reminders I just give up. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.
What do you like to be called?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Best of the week...
With summer in full swing and the 3 kids home, I've been having a hard time keeping up with both my blog posts and reading. I've been catching up on my blog reading by sitting down with a beverage and reading days worth of posts at a time. This week I have come across two posts that I loved and wanted to share with you all.
The first one is from Mrs. 4444 over at Half Past Kissin' Time. Her post Note to Self was a beautiful reflection.
The second one is from Mellisa over at Getting All My Ducks in a Row. Her post Ten Signs Your Little Boy is not So Little made me sigh. As a mom to a 9 year old boy who is almost as tall as me, has a foot larger than mine, and constantly amazes me with the things he says and does, I really related to this post.
Take a few minutes to pop on over to each of these ladies and send a little bloggy love their way.
The first one is from Mrs. 4444 over at Half Past Kissin' Time. Her post Note to Self was a beautiful reflection.
The second one is from Mellisa over at Getting All My Ducks in a Row. Her post Ten Signs Your Little Boy is not So Little made me sigh. As a mom to a 9 year old boy who is almost as tall as me, has a foot larger than mine, and constantly amazes me with the things he says and does, I really related to this post.
Take a few minutes to pop on over to each of these ladies and send a little bloggy love their way.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Made Up?
I was catching up with some of my blog reading and I discovered this post from Amy over at The Fourth Frog Blog. She had noticed that she went from wearing makeup on a regular basis to hardly ever wearing it and doesn't remember exactly when that switch occurred. It got me to thinking of my love-hate relationship with makeup and "doing" my face.
I remember distinctly when I started wearing makeup. We were allowed to wear makeup to school for the first time in seventh grade. Entering middle school was a whole new experience in itself but being able to wear makeup added a little excitement to the prospect. I begged my mom to let me start wearing makeup and she actually agreed. I would get up every morning and put on a full face complete with foundation, blush, and eyes.
By high school my laziness and detest of mornings started to make me see a little more clearly in this department. A few more minutes of sleep was definitely more valuable than putting on a full face. I'd wear makeup a few days a week but if I was running late I certainly didn't put it at the top of my priority list.
In nursing school my late nights and early mornings and my DETEST of getting up in the morning caused me to start skipping makeup even more. My instructors certainly wouldn't care if I had a full face on. They were concerned with if I was there and actually learning something. The fact that I was surrounded by women students certainly didn't hurt. I knew they weren't mulling over whether to ask me out for a date and wearing make up certainly didn't factor into if I was a good study partner or not. However, don't think that same rule applied for nights out. A night out was definitely full-face worthy.
When I graduated I remember wanting to make a good impression on the job and would try to make the effort to put a little make up on before I walked out the door. But after I switched the night shift that rule went out the door. I got tired of the "raccoon" eyes that would inevitably occur by the end of my 12 hour night shift and so I ditched makeup as part of my routine. There weren't as many eligible bachelors on the night shift anyway. Again though, a night out was certainly full-face worthy!
Enter mother hood and makeup became a foreign concept. Most days I didn't leave the house anyway so why waste good product that cost money? I didn't care and I'm certain neither did the baby.
Now, laziness and the fact that I'm not a morning person has kept the makeup at bay. I only put it on for appointments during the day. A night out still gets the makeup out and definitely special occasions.
Even though I've never understood the women who feel as if they aren't dressed until their face is applied, lately I'm feeling as if I look like I need a little make up. The circles are getting a little darker, the fine lines beginning to show. I've been trying to make a concentrated effort to at least dab on a little concealer and brush on some mascara. Time like this makes me envious of all those men out there. I'm positive they have NEVER looked in the mirror and contemplated whether or not they need to put on foundation to even out their complexion.
What about you? Are you a full-face-girl even if you are only doing the housework? Or are you a less is more kind of gal?
I remember distinctly when I started wearing makeup. We were allowed to wear makeup to school for the first time in seventh grade. Entering middle school was a whole new experience in itself but being able to wear makeup added a little excitement to the prospect. I begged my mom to let me start wearing makeup and she actually agreed. I would get up every morning and put on a full face complete with foundation, blush, and eyes.
By high school my laziness and detest of mornings started to make me see a little more clearly in this department. A few more minutes of sleep was definitely more valuable than putting on a full face. I'd wear makeup a few days a week but if I was running late I certainly didn't put it at the top of my priority list.
In nursing school my late nights and early mornings and my DETEST of getting up in the morning caused me to start skipping makeup even more. My instructors certainly wouldn't care if I had a full face on. They were concerned with if I was there and actually learning something. The fact that I was surrounded by women students certainly didn't hurt. I knew they weren't mulling over whether to ask me out for a date and wearing make up certainly didn't factor into if I was a good study partner or not. However, don't think that same rule applied for nights out. A night out was definitely full-face worthy.
When I graduated I remember wanting to make a good impression on the job and would try to make the effort to put a little make up on before I walked out the door. But after I switched the night shift that rule went out the door. I got tired of the "raccoon" eyes that would inevitably occur by the end of my 12 hour night shift and so I ditched makeup as part of my routine. There weren't as many eligible bachelors on the night shift anyway. Again though, a night out was certainly full-face worthy!
Enter mother hood and makeup became a foreign concept. Most days I didn't leave the house anyway so why waste good product that cost money? I didn't care and I'm certain neither did the baby.
Now, laziness and the fact that I'm not a morning person has kept the makeup at bay. I only put it on for appointments during the day. A night out still gets the makeup out and definitely special occasions.
Even though I've never understood the women who feel as if they aren't dressed until their face is applied, lately I'm feeling as if I look like I need a little make up. The circles are getting a little darker, the fine lines beginning to show. I've been trying to make a concentrated effort to at least dab on a little concealer and brush on some mascara. Time like this makes me envious of all those men out there. I'm positive they have NEVER looked in the mirror and contemplated whether or not they need to put on foundation to even out their complexion.
What about you? Are you a full-face-girl even if you are only doing the housework? Or are you a less is more kind of gal?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday Fragments
* We went on vacation last weekend and had a wonderful time. However, I came home exhausted!
* We FINALLY made it to the beach for the first time all summer! I can't believe it took so long to get there but we've been busy having fun doing other things. It was a fantastic afternoon and I can't wait to get the kids back.
* It finally rained this week for the first time in over a month! I was actually quite grateful for the rain on Tuesday. We didn't have much planned and it gave me the perfect excuse to allow the kids to lay around the house watching TV and doing nothing. I was able to get unpacked and caught up a bit after vacation and I even snuck in a few chapters of my book. I'm pretty sure that I heard all of my flowers give a collective sigh as well, they sure were thirsty!
* My husband told me I made him the best dinner of his life the other day. I really thought it was just because he was so grateful I cooked but he actually really liked it. Wish I could say the same for my offspring. Check it out over at From Blah to Ta-daa!
* In a few hours I am going to be sitting at my girlfriends kitchen table scrapbooking and gabbing. Can't wait! I always love a few hours with the girls but I find it even more important over the summer when I am with the kids 24/7. I need a little decompression time once in a while!
* We FINALLY made it to the beach for the first time all summer! I can't believe it took so long to get there but we've been busy having fun doing other things. It was a fantastic afternoon and I can't wait to get the kids back.
* It finally rained this week for the first time in over a month! I was actually quite grateful for the rain on Tuesday. We didn't have much planned and it gave me the perfect excuse to allow the kids to lay around the house watching TV and doing nothing. I was able to get unpacked and caught up a bit after vacation and I even snuck in a few chapters of my book. I'm pretty sure that I heard all of my flowers give a collective sigh as well, they sure were thirsty!
* My husband told me I made him the best dinner of his life the other day. I really thought it was just because he was so grateful I cooked but he actually really liked it. Wish I could say the same for my offspring. Check it out over at From Blah to Ta-daa!
* In a few hours I am going to be sitting at my girlfriends kitchen table scrapbooking and gabbing. Can't wait! I always love a few hours with the girls but I find it even more important over the summer when I am with the kids 24/7. I need a little decompression time once in a while!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Oh, My eyes!
We went to the beach today, this somehow being the first time we've been there all summer. Not sure how that happened but we've just been so darned busy doing other things the beach has eluded us.
I love the beach for many reasons, however the biggest reason I love the beach came after motherhood. The beach is a place where I can entertain my children ALL.DAY.LONG. And the only thing required of me is to drive them there. They entertain themselves and never once say "I'm bored" or "can you do this for me?". Instead of arguing I hear giggling. They play in the water, ride the waves and work cooperatively in the sand to build a castle, dig a hole, or bury a sibling. Once in a while they realize they are hungry and I'll point them to the cooler for a snack, then they return to what they were doing.
While my children are happily playing I can't help but people watch. People watching is another reason I love the beach; you can do it under the disguise of keeping an eye on your children playing at the waters edge. However, one thing I've come to realize over the years of my people watching is that the sun isn't the only thing that hurts your eyes while at the beach. While sun glasses can help against the sun's glare it cannot shield you from the horrors of what people wear to the beach. Sir, I do not need to see what kind of junk you are packing in your speedos, please trade them in for some respectable trunks. And remember a few months back when I was having such trouble choosing a bathing suit? Well, apparently I didn't need to worry so much. Apparently it is perfectly acceptable to stuff a 20 pound sausage into a 2 pound skin. Or in this case, a very large body into a teeny tiny bikini. And then adorn the belly button with a little bling. In a few cases I was trying to figure out just how they were able to find the belly button in order to pierce it. Never mind the interesting tattoos I've seen, or the interesting places they've been put. I think the most stupid one I've seen so far is a UPC bar code-type symbol on some young man's chest, right over his heart. I do believe that young man who looked no more than 18 or 19 may grow up to regret that decision.
One of these days the pain and damage afflicted to my corneas due to my people watching will remind me to turn my eyes on my book. Or the eye candy in the red bathing suits as the lifeguards run their drills. Or even better yet, to close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the waves and the gulls "singing". Oh wait, I'm there with my kids, my eyes are supposed to be firmly planted on them. I guess the other things will have to wait until my dream comes true.
I love the beach for many reasons, however the biggest reason I love the beach came after motherhood. The beach is a place where I can entertain my children ALL.DAY.LONG. And the only thing required of me is to drive them there. They entertain themselves and never once say "I'm bored" or "can you do this for me?". Instead of arguing I hear giggling. They play in the water, ride the waves and work cooperatively in the sand to build a castle, dig a hole, or bury a sibling. Once in a while they realize they are hungry and I'll point them to the cooler for a snack, then they return to what they were doing.
While my children are happily playing I can't help but people watch. People watching is another reason I love the beach; you can do it under the disguise of keeping an eye on your children playing at the waters edge. However, one thing I've come to realize over the years of my people watching is that the sun isn't the only thing that hurts your eyes while at the beach. While sun glasses can help against the sun's glare it cannot shield you from the horrors of what people wear to the beach. Sir, I do not need to see what kind of junk you are packing in your speedos, please trade them in for some respectable trunks. And remember a few months back when I was having such trouble choosing a bathing suit? Well, apparently I didn't need to worry so much. Apparently it is perfectly acceptable to stuff a 20 pound sausage into a 2 pound skin. Or in this case, a very large body into a teeny tiny bikini. And then adorn the belly button with a little bling. In a few cases I was trying to figure out just how they were able to find the belly button in order to pierce it. Never mind the interesting tattoos I've seen, or the interesting places they've been put. I think the most stupid one I've seen so far is a UPC bar code-type symbol on some young man's chest, right over his heart. I do believe that young man who looked no more than 18 or 19 may grow up to regret that decision.
One of these days the pain and damage afflicted to my corneas due to my people watching will remind me to turn my eyes on my book. Or the eye candy in the red bathing suits as the lifeguards run their drills. Or even better yet, to close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the waves and the gulls "singing". Oh wait, I'm there with my kids, my eyes are supposed to be firmly planted on them. I guess the other things will have to wait until my dream comes true.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Relaxing Summer?
I thought summer was supposed to be relaxing. I guess I thought wrong. Or someone has forgotten to inform my kids. We have been going non-stop since they got out of school a few short weeks ago. NON STOP. And I'm exhausted. EXHAUSTED!
My house is a mess, my blog is being ignored, my wallet is empty, but my kids are happy. Better yet, they haven't killed each other yet.
But I have a dream. A dream of lying on the beach with a book in hand. The kids will be home with their daddy and I will not have a care in the world. Maybe I'll bring along a girlfriend or two for a little conversation. Or, perhaps I'll fly solo so I won't feel so guilty when I put that book aside and close my eyes for a little nap. I vow I am making this dream come true before the summer is over. I need at least one day of relaxation this summer!
My house is a mess, my blog is being ignored, my wallet is empty, but my kids are happy. Better yet, they haven't killed each other yet.
But I have a dream. A dream of lying on the beach with a book in hand. The kids will be home with their daddy and I will not have a care in the world. Maybe I'll bring along a girlfriend or two for a little conversation. Or, perhaps I'll fly solo so I won't feel so guilty when I put that book aside and close my eyes for a little nap. I vow I am making this dream come true before the summer is over. I need at least one day of relaxation this summer!
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