Life Sized Cut-outs and the Painting Date

The kids entertaining themselves by drawing on their life sized cut outs make me happy.

Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

For our date this week, we went to the Home Depot to pick out paint for our dining room and hall. Then on the weekend, we painted the dining room and hall. We painted all the walls, trim, and closet doors. Then we tore up and removed the carpet. We worked pretty much all day for two days. I know you are thinking what an awesome date! Can you hear the sarcasm? It wasn't our most fun date but we feel good that we got so much done. The room isn't not quite done but it is close. We need to clean the hardwood floor and finish the baseboards. When we are done, I'll post the before and afters. It wasn't all work, Dave and I did get to talk and catch up on some good tv and our dining room looks a million times better already.

Image from Fixitips.com

This is date 35 out of 52 for us. Go to Simply Modern Mom to join in on the fun.

Questions for You-Do You Have Answers?

I took the family to see a production of the Nutcracker. I had never seen it before. It was wonderful. It was production geared to the kids. The ballet was about 45 minutes long, then they had a story time, craft, and refreshments. Now I have one question. There was a drag queen dressed up in a Victorian dress that MC-ed the event. I totally did not see the connection. Does the drag queen have a part in the full production? Any of my ballet reading friends have any answers?

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My kindergartner, Caitlin, gets homework about once a week. It usually involves coloring, cutting, some categorizing, and pasting. She also gets a calendar with 25 short activities to do throughout the month. The activities include things like write and label objects in your room and name food you ate on thanksgiving. She also has a reading log to submit monthly. There is a math extra monthly assignment. The last two are optional but I want her to do them. Now first question, is this average for a kindergartner? Second, she hates doing the coloring, cutting, pasting, and categorizing homework. She cries. A. Lot. An assignment that should take 10-15 minutes takes over 30 minutes. It frustrates her. It frustrates me. I don't know what to do. I never hated homework to the point of tears. Of course, I didn't have homework in kindergarten either. I've tried setting a timer for 10 minutes of work and10 minutes of a break but that made her cry more. Any suggestions on how to handle this?

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Do you have a money limit on presents for the kids or do you buy a certain number of gifts? Usually the kids want a more expensive gift and then get a couple of small ones. This year neither one of them wants a big gift but they do want a ton of smaller things. I feel bad that I am spending less but I don't want a ton of toys either (even if they are monetarily less than previous years.) How do you deal with gifts for the kids.

Stripey Leaves and Outfit

We painted leaves for our leaf bouquets. We were inspired by this post by Salsa Pie.

Caitlin liked making striped leaves. Davey's leaves all kind of looked brown since he mixed his paints. But he had fun anyway.

Davey loves stripes and hoods. I had trouble getting him to take this sweater off.

Be sure to head over to see what all the other cool kids are wearing at Feet Off the Table.

Check out more wordless at 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Hello Mr. Ed and Eggs at Home

I was driving by this farm on Sunday and stopped on the side of the road to take photos of their beautiful horses in the field. This horse came galloping over to say hi. He scared the bejesus out of me. I think he was probably hoping I had an apple but when a huge horse comes running at you it is a little frighting. I guess you can tell I'm not a farm girl. After I got over my fright, I was happy to observe him eating grass and leaves. They are so beautiful.

Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

We decided to make breakfast at home this week. The eggs may not have been as pretty as those when we eat out but they tasted just as good. We ate yummy omelets and shredded potatoes while we watched an episode of the Amazing Race. We love that show. It is fun to decide how we would handle challenges differently. We also discuss how awful some of the couples treat each other when under stress. I'm glad we don't snap at each other like some of the couples do. It was nice to eat together without having to attend to the kids' needs. After the show ended, we enjoyed the silence. Sitting in silence can be so satisfying.

This is date 34 out of 52 for us. Go to Simply Modern Mom to join in on the fun.

Monday Garden Club

So I never thought I would have a Monday Garden club post in November but I do. We pulled some carrots out of the garden when we turned the soil. We were happily surprised that they finally grew. The ones we pulled in September were tiny. I guess we need to plant these earlier next year. They were delicious and slightly sweet. Then I looked in the garden to see this pretty flower.

And I realized it was our broccoli. It finally grew a head. It is on the small side but it grew.

I would usually send you to Feet Off the Table for Monday Garden Club but I think I'm the only one posting now. But go back in the spring for gardening inspiration.

You Should Tip When...

Yesterday I taught gymnastics for a birthday party at the gym I work. Some people tip us. Some people don't. That's ok. We are always told we did a good job at the parties. But not everyone realizes how appreciated tips are to the staff.

Anyway, we had a two year old attend a party. Her mom came into the gym to help since she didn't want her to leave. And she was two! Her mom was talking on her cell phone during most of the party. Her daughter started to pull on her sleeve and tell her she had to go potty. The mom continued to ignore her and tell to wait a minute. The girl's pleas got more desperate. The mom continued to ignore her. The little girl peed her pants and left a puddle on the gym's carpet. The mom finally took her to the bathroom. She didn't have a change of clothes. She also didn't offer to help clean up the mess. She did let her come back into the gym despite her sopping wet pants. My co-worker kindly told her she could not come back in with the wet pants since we would need to sanitize everything she touched. The mom said ok and then a minute later let her back in. Needless to say, we had a lot of cleanup to do after this party before the next one arrived.

I know not everyone tips us for birthday parties but when I have to clean up your kid's urine you should tip. But I guess when someone is so self involved that they ignore their own child's basic needs that I can't expect them to appreciate the work I did. Sad all around.

Trying Out a New Camera

It has been a while since I've done a Weekly Winners post. I work on the weekends but I get to go in late today. I also got to use a Nikon D300 yesterday. I am still trying to figure out the settings. I wish I could keep it. Here are some of my favorite shots with some of my favorite models.

Be sure to go to I am Lotus to check out more weekly winners.

Sherbet Sunset

The colors of this sunset remind me of sherbet.

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

Shoot Me!

This shot was taken at the observation tower at the top of the mountain. Wish we got to go hiking when there were still leaves on the trees but it was still a lot of fun.

Join the year long challenge of getting yourself in the photo at Forever in Blue Jeans. You won't regret it. This is 39/52 for me.

A New Super Hero?

Be sure to head over to see what all the other cool kids are wearing at Feet Off the Table.
Check out more wordless at 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Hello Kitty Medicine and The Hiking/Beer Date!

Davey and his friend were playing doctor. It involved healing each other with a cat mask and patriotic sunglasses. I love watching my kids play weird games with their friends.

Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

We had a two part date this week. My in laws took both kids out for the day so we had an extra long date. We went hiking at a local mountain. We haven't been to it in a long time. We had a great time talking and enjoying the fresh air. The weather was incredible for November. We knew we needed to take advantage of the good weather while we have it. We also decided that we are out of hiking shape. We both were sore the next day.

The photo was taken at the tower at the top of the mountain.

Later that night, we went to our friends annual November Fest beer around the world party. We enjoyed many beers from many countries. I decided I like a good old American beer best. I'll take a Bud Light any day. We had a great time hanging out with friends and dancing to some old school rap. Kid free days are pretty rare. We enjoyed every minute.

This is date 33 out of 52 for us. Go to Simply Modern Mom to join in on the fun.

Not Ready for This!

Usually Caitlin comes running off the bus and straight into the house. I ask her how school was and she tells me she does want to talk about it. This is our normal exchange.

The other day when I ask, she says that she doesn't want to tell me about it because I might get mad. OK that peaks my interest. I assure her that I won't get mad and that she should tell me what happened in school. She tells me that a little red headed boy followed her to the sink. Then he hugged her. And then she didn't want to tell me what he said. I assure her again that I won't get mad. He told her she was beautiful. He apparently is always telling her she is beautiful.

When did 5 year boys get so much game? He already knows what the girls want to hear.

He is right. She is beautiful but I'm still not ready for this. She looks way older than 5 years old in this photo too.

Orange Sky

Sunsets have been particularly beautiful lately. I took this one at work on Sunday. I'm glad my break was during sunset so I got to see this view.

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

My Sweetie and Me

This is a photo from my birthday celebration last week.

Join the year long challenge of getting yourself in the photo at Forever in Blue Jeans. You won't regret it. This is 38/52 for me.

Y Not?

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Birthday Beers

Rebecca is my of closest friends from college. We share the same birthday. We often celebrate them together. Celebrating my birthday with good friends makes me happy.

Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

We went to a great German restaurant to celebrate Rebecca's and my birthday. We enjoyed many beers, the food, the atmosphere, and the company. They made us wear those lovely hats throughout dinner. There were two other couples celebrating with us. We even went retro after dinner and went to a keg party. It was definitely not as rambunctious as the keg parties of the past (but we also arrived at the start and left way before the end to relieve the babysitters.) It was a fun group date. We don't get to do many outside dates so it is fun to see friends too.

This is date 32 out of 52 for us. Go to Simply Modern Mom to join in on the fun.

Too Early!

It is too early to be dealing with snow! No school delays for us but the school bus was 25 minutes late. I had the car ready to go when it showed up.

More Fun With Toilet Paper

Here are some photos of our fun with toilet paper. Check out the rest here. We had so much fun.

Join the year long challenge of getting yourself in the photo at Forever in Blue Jeans. You won't regret it. This is 37/52 for me.

Itsy Bitsy Hat

Davey is wearing a very fashionable spider hat to enhance his Itsy Bitsy Spider song performance. Be sure to head over to see what all the other cool kids are wearing at Feet Off the Table.

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Busting a Move

This is my little Davey busting a move at his first preschool celebration. He was not at all shy. This isn't the best photo but this is one I didn't have to edit other kids out of it. And not having to edit and my little dancer make me happy.

Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

I Toilet Papered the Kids and My Kitchen

How much fun can you have with one roll of toilet paper? We made mummies.

Tip: Don't use the cheap toilet paper. It breaks too easily.

I even wrapped Maximus. It hurt his dignity. This is the only photo with his eyes open. He manages to blink to show his displeasure.

Toilet paper angels.

Snow!

Toilet Paper Fight!

I highly recommend these activities. We had a blast.