5 Things Friday

5 Things about Me

1. Before I was a full time stay at home mom, I taught Health and Physical Education to middle schoolers.

2. My favorite color is blue. I have painted 3 rooms in our house various shades of blue. I'm tempted to paint them all shades of blue.

3. I've been jogging/walking for a couple of months now but don't feel like I've gotten any better yet. It is hard to tell with the weather getting hotter and more humid.

4. I love taking photos. I've taken a couple of classes. I hope to be good enough someday to do it professionally.

5. I wish I could stick to a eating plan better.

Join the fun at Jean Stockdale's 5 Things Fridays.

Then and Now Thursday

Welcome to the Then and Now blog carnival. This meme is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. I love including photos but you don't need photos to participate. Hope you'll join us.

Then:
I was 15 years old. I loved gymnastics. I loved being upside down. I loved practices, meets, and conditioning. I loved mastering difficult skills. I loved pushing myself to my limit. I loved showing off to my non-gymnasts friends and occasionally a boy.
Now:
I am a lot older. I still love gymnastics. I don't compete anymore. I don't even practice anymore. I do coach recreational gymnastics. I do demonstrate skills sometimes. I wish I could push myself as hard as I did back then. I never thought I'd still be involved with gymnastics now but it is the perfect part time job. I still love gymnastics. Coaching reminds me how much fun it was.

Please share how things are different Then and Now. Click here for more info on this meme.

Wardrobe Wednesday

Another fancy and colorful outfit by the dancing Caitlin.

Head over to see how all the cool kids are dressing at Heathen Family Revival.

Wordless Wednesday

Not intentional but still funny.

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom, Ordinary and Awesome, and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Blog Hop-Favorite Kid Photo

Be sure to scroll down for my Ticked Off Tuesday rant.

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It is time for a blog hop. The theme is your favorite kid photo. It was hard to choose a favorite photo. But I love this shot of Davey stealing tomatoes right off the vine last year. Hard to complain when the kid is stealing vegetables.

This week's Blog Hop theme is Favorite Kid Photos. You can have one or more of your favorite photos your kids, grandkids, someone else's kid or even YOU when you were a kid. Funny, precious, heartwarming... your favorite!. Here is a sample post based on this theme: http://www.mcklinkyblog.com/2009/07/blog-hop-72809-favorite-kid-photos.html ...STOP

Ticked Off Tuesday-Shopping and Seasons

I discovered 2 weeks ago that Caitlin outgrew her sandals. Got to love growth spurts. So I decided I needed to buy Caitlin another pair to wear with all those cute sundresses. I didn't want to spend a lot since half the season is over. I skipped Stride Rite. I couldn't bear to spend $50 on sandals for half a season. I went to my usual frugal stores, Kohl's, Walmart, Target, and Marshalls. I checked Land's End and the most of the stores at the mall. Not as thrifty but they had some good sale prices but they had no shoes in Caitlin's size. No one had any sandals left in Caitlin's size. It was the second week of July. Shouldn't stores still have some summer stuff left?

Last year I went shopping for an extra rash guard shirt for our beach vacation in the first week of September. I started looking in August. I might as well been looking for unicorns and leprechauns.

I get a little sad when I go into a store and they are already decorating a season ahead. Most stores have the back to school stuff out already. I remember during my brief stint at Kohl's that they put the Christmas trees out at the end of August.

I understand people need to buy a little ahead of time but can't we enjoy the current season a little more. Can't I buy a sandals in July without having to go to a dozen stores before finding a pair?

Caitlin's fancy sandals. Thanks Payless Shoes.

What's ticking you off this Tuesday? Feel free to vent in the comments or leave a link.

Monday Garden Club

My garden is a little crowded. It has more weeds than it should. It may not be the prettiest garden but it is starting to produce the best tomatoes. Dave made a vat of salsa yesterday. It is so yummy. I made salsa chicken for dinner yesterday. Should have taken a photo. I will next time. I'm sure I'll make it again soon.
Be sure to so to Feet Off the Table to check out what other people are growing in their gardens.

I Heart Faces-Beach Edition

I am entering I Heart Faces beach theme this week. I love this photo of Davey trying to eat the seaweed as I try to snap a photo. It is so him.

Be sure to go to www.iheartfaces.com to check out all the other beautiful faces.

Weekly Winners

We are checking off more activities from our summer list. Be sure to go to Sarcastic Mom to check out more weekly winners.

We fed the ducks yesterday. I love this shot of the mama leading her ducklings across the road.

We visited a splash pad last weekend. The kids loved it.

Skywatch Friday

Something about this big old pine next to the road that I liked.

Go to Skywatch Friday to see skies from all around the world.

Then and Now Thursday

Welcome to the Then and Now blog carnival. This meme is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. Hope you'll join us.

Then
Maximus was 13 lbs. when we brought him home. He was so cute. He followed us everywhere. he slept on my feet when I did the dishes. He was my lap dog. He was the star of puppy class. That dog would do anything for treats. He just didn't do the useful things like not chew everything and not greeting everyone with jumping and kissing.
Now
Maximus is 8 years old. He weighs 100lbs. He still follows us everywhere. He still sleeps on my feet. He is still my lap dog. He is still cute. He still greets us with jumping and kissing. He is still an ill behaved dog who never learned to not jump on guests despite our repeated attempts. He is still so much like a puppy. While he has gray around his face now, he still is full of the puppy joy. I still love him despite his naughtiness.
Please share how things are different Then and Now. Click here for more info on this meme.

Wardrobe Wednesday

Caitlin is wearing her very patriotic outfit with matching Cat in the Hat red striped socks. She refused to stand still to pose. You can see she is very graceful in these shots. I love that little spaz.

Head over to see how all the cool kids are dressing at Heathen Family Revival.

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Hope you can join me on Thursdays for my meme Then and Now Thursday. It is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. Click here for details.

Wordless Wednesday

If you have been following me you know that I've been having a rough week with hubby away and the kiddies driving me bonkers. Hubby, Dave returned late last night from his business trip, just in time for Davey to get his first ear infection. I'm glad Dave is back to help out with the poor sick boy. I don't know how single parents do it by themselves.

Dave is a great daddy. I love him so much and not just because he helps me with the kids.

I also got happy feet. I love pedicures.

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom, Ordinary and Awesome, and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

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Hope you can join me on Thursdays for my meme Then and Now Thursday. It is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. Click here for details.

Ticked Off Tuesday

Kids are ticking me off this Tuesday. It is the little things like as soon as I sit down for a second, the little one asks for a drink. It is like they are waiting for me to relax to invent another need. How many times can a boy visit the potty in one day? Potty training is great when it is done but a pain in the ass during. For the record, he went 15 times yesterday. I know this because he has a potty chart. That does not include the poo bomb that required a complete change of clothes either. The straw that broke the camel's back was Caitlin asking for a waffle this morning and then refusing to eat it. She acted like I was torturing her when I handed her the waffle. Uggghhh...I am just spent from having no breaks for the last 8 days while Dave was away on business. I know these are minor things. I love my kids. I will love them even more after having a little time to relax.

What is ticking you off this Tuesday? Feel free to vent in the comments or leave a link.

Not Me Monday

When it gets really hot for Maximus (ie over 65 F) I try to walk him early in the morning. To save time in the summer I let the kids stay in their jammies. They get a kick out of it. I change out of my jammies though. I explained to Caitlin that it was OK for kids to stay in jammies but people frown upon adults doing it. When I explained this, Caitlin did not look at me and say, "Yeah, you need to wear something on your boobies or people would laugh." They may not be as perky as they were before breastfeeding but I don't think anyone would laugh at them yet.

Dave has not been away for 8 days for business. I am not looking forward to seeing him. I did not break down while talking to him on the phone on Friday because they kids were driving me insane and there was no relief in sight. I did not feel better after the kids had nap/quiet time. I did not feel guilty for crying on the phone. I know Dave is working hard too. I am also not looking forward to leaving him with the kids alone for several hours. I do not think a pedicure is in order as a reward for a loooooong week. I have not started a countdown till he is home.

I did not foolishly leave picked tomatoes within Maximus reach. He did not eat all the garden tomatoes when I went to help the kids paint for a minute. I know better than leaving any food within his reach. He did not reach and eat a box of spice cake while I showered today. I am not wondering if he climbed on the stove to get to it.

It is not Monday and time again for Not Me Monday. It is a meme where we share all the things we did not this week. MckMama is our host at My Charming Kids . Go over there to see what other people are not doing this week too.

Weekly Winners

I took shots of some of the summer fun we had this week. We are checking off more activities from our summer list. Be sure to go to Sarcastic Mom to check out more weekly winners.

I took these after blueberry picking. I love their content expressions in this photo.

Never standing still.

Frame worthy.

The view while blueberry picking.

Cooling off quick.

Blue man in training. (The blue is blue sand box sand.)

Dewy paw prints.

Summer To Do List

I found this idea at Our Daily Big Top. Basically the idea is to make a list of all the fun things you want to accomplish this summer. We love completing lists at our house so this was perfect. It is great to look forward to fun activities and keep the kids busy. We have already checked off a bunch of activities.

Skywatch Friday

Beautiful blue skies last Sunday.

Go to Skywatch Friday to see skies from all around the world.

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Be sure to join me on Thursdays for my new meme Then and Now Thursday. It is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. Click here for details.

Then and Now Thursday

Welcome to the Then and Now blog carnival. This meme is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. Hope you'll join us.

Then:

The year was 1995. Pearl Jam was on top of the charts. At the end of my sophomore year in college, I met Dave. We fell in love. Head over Feet as Alanis said. I wasn't sure if our relationship would turn out to be serious but I just knew that he would good for me. I just didn't knew how good he would be for me. We spent most of our time together talking, giggling, partying, and having a great time.

Now:
We have been together for 14 years and married for 8 years. We have been through good times and bad. Relationships are not always easy and raising kids isn't either. I am so grateful to have met Dave 14 years ago. I love our life together. He is my soul mate. We have more responsibilities now but we still talk, giggle, party (rarely), and have a great time.

Please share how things are different Then and Now. Click here for more info on this meme.

Wordless Wednesday

Blue man in training?

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom, Ordinary and Awesome, and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

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Be sure to join me on Thursdays for my new meme Then and Now Thursday. It is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. Click here for details.

Dreaming of Treating Myself Better

I can't count the number of times I've gotten the kids drinks and snacks for the road and I forget to eat breakfast, get a drink, or brush my hair. I make sure my kids get well balanced meals, exercise, and are read educational books every day. Why don't I do the same thing for myself? I prepare the kids meals in those little trays with something from each food group and then if Dave isn't around I'll get snacks instead of making another meal. I do exercise most days but it gets cut out if other tasks are more pressing like cleaning. And cleaning sucks. Forget about jogging unless I want to push an extra 70 lbs. in the stroller. I don't remember the last book I read for myself.

I eat food I would not let my kids eat. Cheetos? Artificial sweeteners? Why do I eat it? If it is not good enough for my kids, then it should not be good enough for me. I should try eating the same food I make for the kids. Maybe then I will lose more weight or at least be healthier.

If I see my daughter get frustrated when trying something new, I always encouraged her to keep trying. I tell her it is hard but to keep trying. She'll get it eventually. I guess I need to take that same advice myself especially when it comes to losing weight.

I guess as a mom I put my kids first. That is the way it should be but I wish I had a little more energy left over to take care of myself more. In my dream world, I would go for an hour long run and run the whole time sans kids. I would make nutritious and delicious meals for myself and the kids would eat the same meals. I would get to shower in the morning. I would play with the kids and read them books. They would play together and there would be no fighting the whole day. I would rapidly and easily get back to my goal weight. I would have enough energy at night for a little romance. I would also read a great novel before bedtime. I know the chances of these things happening in one day are very unlikely but this is my dream world after all. Heck I'd love if one of these things occurred.

I'm ticked off about not treating myself better and not having enough time or energy. What is ticking you off this Tuesday. Feel free to vent in the comments or leave a link.

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Be sure to join me on Thursdays for my new meme Then and Now Thursday. It is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. Click here for details.

I Heart Faces-Pets

I am entering I Heart Faces special pets category this week. I love how Caitlin is looking so interested in Maximus and he looks thoroughly bored.

Be sure to go to www.iheartfaces.com to check out all the other beautiful faces.

Not Me Monday

I did not forget about a whole summer wardrobe of hand me down clothes a friend gave Caitlin till I found them in the basement this week. That would mean I brought her new clothes unnecessarily this spring. My brain works better than that. I am now not sure where to store these clothes.

These are the clothes I did not forget we had.

I did not sleep with the window open on a night with record overnight lows. I do not love sleeping in the cool air. I did not wake up with a sore throat as a result of that cool air.

My son Davey is not still potty training. He is not like a dog. If you have a male dog, you know that when you walk them they save pee so that the can mark their territory throughout the walk. Thankfully Davey is really not marking the walls anymore. However, he does not seem to "save" urine so that he can pee anytime. He was not the entertainment at playgroup when he went to the potty 6 times in about 20 minutes and actually peed each time. I would not really like to know how to get him to get all the pee out in one shot. Any suggestions? Also he is not pooping on the potty yet. Any suggestions on that too?

It is not Monday and time again for Not Me Monday. It is a meme where we share all the things we did Not this week. MckMama is our host at My Charming Kids . Go over there to see what other people remember not doing this week too.

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Be sure to join me on Thursdays for my new meme Then and Now Thursday. It is a chance to look back at how life has changed over the years. Click here for details.