I work full time and live In Lake Tahoe, California. I have a serious addiction to diet coke. I live in the Sierra Mountains and I'm a mommy to Mackenna who is 2 years old. I love to scrapbook and anything to do in the snow. I'm just working mommy trying to figure out to balance my life.
I finally took Mack to her first movie in the theater. We went and saw Tangled. It was a cute movie. We loaded up on popcorn, M&M's and a sprite. She sat there the entire time and was overall pretty quiet. Her cousin belle and mommy came with us and both of them did a good job for their first movie.
All in all it was a great event and day. Except a minor speed bump. Please read: It could happen to anyone.
Before I was a parent I used to be judgmental to other parents when I saw them in public with there kids. I always told myself I would never let me kid do that, say that, or let anything happen to my kids.
Let them run around the store
Screaming @ a restaurant
Yell at a infant or toddler for crying or being loud
Discipline in public
When you become a parent and have a child of your own everything changes. It changed for me. I'm guilty and I have guilt. I have too let my kid run around the store and I'm chasing her around just to get her back in the cart. I'm also guilty of my kid throwing a fit in a store and me picking her up and telling her to "stop it" or " we do NOT act that way in a store." I've been there before and my mom of the year award has been taking away from me.
Where am I going with this.....
Today, I took my daughter to the movies. We were leaving the theater and I carried her part of the way. She asked me if she could walk. I put her down and told her she needs to hold mommy's hand in the parking lot. I held her hand until we reached the car. I let go of her hand to open the car door to get her into the seat. She moved to the front of the car. I asked that she please come to me so we can get into the car. I said we were going to get something to eat... so let's go and get in the car. She moved in front of the car next to us. I walked over to her and told her that we don't play in a parking lot, it's not safe. Before I knew it she took off laughing straight for the street around the car next to us. I ran after to her. All of a sudden there was a car driving through the lot, pretty fast. I couldn't react fast enough, I miss her hood. I panicked and grabbed the back of her hair. I pulled back on her as hard as I could. She literally missed the car by seconds.
Yes, my little girl was almost hit by a car. I Immediately screamed at her. "Don't you ever do that again!" "We don't run in the parking lot." She was scared more than anything. Not to mention I hurt her a little by grabbing her hair to stop her. I was so shocked and sacred, I yelled at her until she cried and said "you hurt me!" I looked into her wet and teary eyes and all I could think of to say was, "Mommy is sorry!"
This is any parents worst fears. Their child getting hit by a car. I just remember thinking what kind of mother could let that almost happen. Why didn't I keep holding her hand until I had the car door open.
Then I thought... this shit just happens. It happens. You pray to god that nothing ever happens to your little girl or boy, but you just think.. it could happen to anyone at any time. It happened to me. It scared the shit out of me and my little girl, but again she was fine and nothing happened.
I talked to her in the car on the way to get lunch and apologized for hurting her and explained why we don't play in the parking lot. I saw the tears still on her face and I looked back at her in the rear view mirror and said, "I'm sorry! It's my fault, I shouldn't have let that happen. I said I love you!" She replied, "I love you!"
I'm not the mom of the year. I make mistakes. I'm not perfect. Things happen.
Happy 2011, we made it through the holidaze coaster ride
I'm going to share with your my new years resolutions. I know they are late and it's corny and it's already the 5th day into the new year. I'm going to tell you anyway, so deal with it. I kid, I kid, I love you all, but seriously I'm still telling you anyway.
When sitting and thinking of what I really want to become, who I am, what I want, and what I want my future to hold, I really started to get a little depressed. Sappy moment to myself! This year is going to be the year that I focus on the things I want and make them happen for a change. So here is the list... don't hold your breath... they aren't that great.
1. Go to yoga once a week
2. Continue to go to the gym at least 3-4 times a week (on my lunch)
(Ideally, 5 days a week)
3. Commit to giving myself a little time to do the things I want to do.
(Knitting, Scrapbooking, Sewing, home projects)
4. Finish Mackenna's baby & Scrapbook.
5. Commit to a diet plan and stick with it
6. Finish craft room/office
7. Pay off 50% of Credit Card Debt
8. Be a better housewife
9. Spend even more time doing things with Mack.
(Baking, art projects, coloring)
10. Keep car clean for more than 3 days in a row (don't laugh at me)
11. Start saving funds for family vacation
12. Open account for college savings for Mack
13. Stick to cleaning schedule so I have more time with family
14. Remember to send everyone's birthday cards this year
These are just to name a few things that I want to accomplish in the year 2011. I'm so excited for a new year and a new start. I have also printed this list and made it a new item on my mirror in my bathroom so I'm reminded of all of things I want to accomplish this year while I'm getting ready everyday.
Bye Bye 2010. You were a good and a bad year.
Good -
1. Mack started Preschool
2. I started working 8-5 like normal people, so I can be the one that get's Mack ready in
the morning and take her to school. I get to see her smiley face every morning now.
3. We moved into a new house and love the new location.
4. My mom moved from L.A. back to Truckee
5. Family from New Zealand came to visit.
6. We survived another year together as a young family
Not so Good -
1. My mom fought cancer with radidation and chemo most of 2010.
‘Roll’ into 2011: Rolos + Pretzels = Kid Friendly Deliciousness
Hey guys, I’m Jamie from Avant Garde Parenting, a website that offers tips, tricks, and unique ideas for parents of young children. I’m so happy to share one of my favorite kid-friendly recipes with you. It’s a yummy treat that’s easy to make and honestly, I don’t think it really has a name. In my family, we just call them by the two main ingredients: Rolo Pretzels. Truth: I’ve never been a fan of chocolate and pretzels together but trust me, these are to die for.
Here’s how you make them: Have your kiddos spread out mini pretzels on a cookie sheet. I put a silpat underneath, but wax paper works fine, too. Unwrap a Rolo candy for each pretzel and have your kiddos plop them right on top. Bake at 325 for 4-5 minutes until the candies are just melted.
Here’s the fun part: Making them your own. You can leave them plain, make pretzel sandwiches, press a pecan half on top of each one, sprinkle with shaved coconut, or top with your favorite (other) candy. Use your (and your kiddos’) imagination! Whatever you decide to do, these treats are delicious, easy, and a surefire party hit. Have fun and enjoy!
Tiffany is a wife to her best friend and a mother to two beautiful children, Bubs & Bubbette {No, those aren't their real names. Sheesh.} When she's not doing public relations for one of the top zoos in the country, she's over-sharing at Mom-Nom.Com, {http://mom-nom.com} the e-result of her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnoses, after nearly losing Bubs in an accident in July, 2009. Now? She's just trying to figure out where they go from here...one post at a time.
Hi, I'm Tiffany I blog over at a little land called Mom-Nom.Com. (http://www.mom-nom.com) and Kristina was kind enough to invite me to her space to help share the holidays with y'all. She's amazing like that. This time of year, there is nothing I love more than starting a fire, grabbing my favorite blankey, making a nice big bowl of stew...and taunting my kid with Elf on the Shelf. Wait. What? Yep, you heard me right, friends. There is nothing more traditionary in my home than the month long torture that Elf of the Shelf brings to my son. {Side note: a lot of normal children are tormented by the mere sight of Elf on the Shelf. Fortunately, for us, my son is not among them.} I give you Exhibit A: And the resulting Exhibit B: Son: BUT WHY! Me: Elf is watching. Son: ugh. or Son: This is not fair. Me: Don't forget about Elf. Son: ugh. or, maybe even Son: Please, Mom. PLEASE! Me: Elf said no. Son: argh. I am all about traditions, people.
Please Welcome Elizabeth from The Writer Revived
She is a writer and currently working and editing on a book. She has a cute daughter SB and she lives in Florida. If you want to hear her brag about florida, her daughter and her book. Follow her tweets and blog.
Hello! I’m Elizabeth. I live in Florida with my husband and our two year-old
daughter. After she was born, I made the surprising (to me anyway) decision to
become a stay-at-home mom. In that first year, I was immersed in motherhood.
But as my daughter grew from an infant to an increasingly independent toddler, I
realized I had neglected to nurture myself. Most importantly, I needed to get back
in touch with my creative side.
Shortly after my daughter’s first birthday, following a long hiatus, I rediscovered
my passion for writing and jumped in headfirst. I developed an idea for a
nonfiction book (about motherhood), wrote a proposal and began querying
literary agents. That proposal is currently with two agents for consideration.
My blog, The Writer Revived originally started out as a way to detail my writing
journey.
As the blog evolved, I also began to write about motherhood. It became a great
release for me to share about my experiences as a new mom. It also connected
me with tons of other moms and enabled me to develop a strong support
system. And it is the subject of my book, so it made sense to take the blog in that
direction. At this point, about half my posts are about being a mom, and half are
about being a writer. Please stop on by if you’d like get to know me a little better.
And help me get to know you! I love making new connections!
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Let it Snow?
I moved to Florida to get away from snow. After 30 years in the Midwest, I'd
had enough. However, 80 degrees year round did not particularly appeal to me,
either. So I settled in Northeast Florida, where we do have a change of seasons.
It goes a little something like this:
December = Fall
January = Winter
February = Spring
March - November = Summer
OK, I may be exaggerating a little. But I like that it can get cold here, albeit for a
short time. I get to wear sweaters and build fires in the fireplace. It can even get
really cold. But I don't ever have to worry about the white stuff. Or its very nasty
cousin, ice. Which is more than fine by me.
As much as I do not enjoy snow as an adult, I can appreciate how much fun it
is for a child. Now that I have a daughter, who turned two yesterday, I want her
to be able to experience it. When she's a little older, we will plan a trip around
seeing some snow (perhaps we will visit Kristina and her family in Tahoe!). For
now, we had the opportunity to witness it right here in the Sunshine State.
Don't get too excited. I'm talking about the machine-generated kind. America's
oldest city, St. Augustine, plays hosts to Winter Wonderland Florida, where you
can count on snow every night at 7:00 during the holiday season. Earlier this
month, we took the String Bean (SB for short) there to get in the Christmas spirit.
I'm not so sure she did...
Please welcome Jessica from Straightalkjess.
She has an awesome blog, and needs Mountain Mum readers support. Please go and check out her blog and leave her some love.
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I'm started blogging almost three years ago and since then my blog has evolved to be a little piece of me. I use it as a sounding board, I complain, I talk about my kid, work, fashion victims, and anything else that strikes my fancy at the moment. I've been married 8 years and we've got a 5 year old daughter and another baby due June 2011.
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December is a busy month in the "Straight Talk Jess" house. To be fair, being a lawyer, with a {now} 5 year old Princess and a baby on the way {coming June 2011}, 2 stinky dogs that always seem to be hungry, and a partridge in a pear tree, things are always busy in our house (you can check out the random craziness and my two cents on anything and everything at my blog). We have the celebration of our sweet baby girl (who was born early and saved us from spending Christmas in the hospital 5 years ago). We also fill our December with decorations, Christmas parties, cookie baking, and the trek home to spend the holidays with our family.
Here are a couple highlights of our busy month:
1) Christmas decorations! Now that my sweet girl can fully appreciate them (more than just staring at the lights in awe as a baby), I love having her help decorate the tree. It's so sweet and something I remember being such a special thing for me and my family when I was younger. We put the Christmas music on and I let her go to town on the ornaments. Of course she gets a little help from mom and daddy to make sure that there are some ornaments towards the top of the tree too.
2) Santa! We have to visit Santa. It's tradition! It's awesome to watch her grow from year to year and see her go from cautious, to crying, to bribed, to more-than-happy to see her with Santa.
3) Birthday time!!! It's hard having a birthday in December. So we don't let hers get lost in the shuffle. This year we celebrated "Ava Day" with a couple celebrations that started with these delicious cupcakes at school and ended with a day spent doing what she wanted over the weekend. I think it's definitely a new December tradition in our house!
4) Home for the holidays. Another big part of our December is family, of course. We don't live close to family so we make the trek home to share our Christmas every year. Luckily, both of our families are in the same city so we don't have to worry about visiting families in alternating years or spending one weekend here and the next there. It's a lot of visiting {we have THREE big celebrations in one day. And that doesn't even count what Santa brings on Christmas morning!}, a lot of family and a lot of food, but we couldn't imagine it any other way.
Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek into our whirlwind holiday month. Thank you Mountain Mum for letting me join you!
From the "Straight Talk Jess" house to yours, I wish you a beautiful month and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS filled with joy, love and family.
