I'm a mom too!

I have a five year old and a ten year old and I want to shout to the world that my bedtimes woes may be over!!! Next Tuesday Parenthood starts up again I think...I think I will be able to watch it in peace!  Prior to this time in our life my 5 year old fought me at bedtime.  She fought me from Day 1.  I have no idea how I kept my sanity most days but we did find a compromise a couple of years ago.  This what we would do. An overworked family's bedtime routine: 8:00 PJs, brush teeth, read to her 8:15  Kindle time, (facebook  time for me) in bed (yes we tried this with and without) it was much better with.  At this time I cozied up at the foot of bed with my computer.  Why didn't I blog more? 8:45 Lights out 10:20 She finally fell asleep (and yes electronics had NOTHING to do with this, we tried it both ways).  However when I learned that she needed an absolutely quiet atmosphere in our tiny house I banned the rest of the family to the b...

One of the most difficult things I have had to decide as a parent is what role extracurricular activities will play in my kids' lives.   I am a pretty laid back hands off parent and let them make a lot of their own decisions.  However I have always loved music and dance so when the opportunity to sign my oldest up for Kindermusik at 18 months I jumped at the chance.  We loved it, it was a mommy & me activity so I loved spending the one on one time with her singing, dancing, reciting poems and I believe Kindermusik is a highly educational thirty minutes (it helps with reading and math connections as well as beginning a music foundation).  Then soccer came onto the scene.  I learned a lot about my oldest four year old in soccer.  I learned that she was not motivated intrinsically.  She was pretty lazy unmotivated on the field so we did the unthinkable.  We bribed her with a Webkinz to score a goal (I'm pretty against bribing but I do NOT r...

BEFORE I have some artwork to hang yet. AFTER Kraftmaid Layton Peppercorn cabinets. Frigadaire appliances. Behr Lemon Pound Cake Paint.  

For spring break this year we flew to Apache Junction and mingled with the snow birds!  We had a lot of fun packed into our long short weekend away.  We went Thurs.-Mon. but since Thursday and Monday were travel days we could only do things Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Besides visiting with my parents we visited IKEA! (I had no idea that place had good cheap food! We ate TWO breakfasts!) the Mesa Market Place Swap Meet Filly's Roadhouse Goldfield Ghost Town and hiked the    Hieroglyphic Canyon Trail I recommend them all!!! Superstition Mountain.  The trail we hiked is somewhere in there.  At the beginning of the Hieroglyphic Trail Desert picture near the top of the trail.  The scenery was breathtaking.   Notice how rocky the trail was.  It is labeled as easy and I did see all ages on it but my dad and M did turn around about this point and one of the fell on the way down.  Be prepared and careful if you...

How old are you?   5 When is your birthday?     I don't know   What is your mommy's name?  Manda What is your daddy’s name ? Ryan What does your mommy do all day? Laundry What does daddy do all day? Nothing What do you like to play with mommy? Nothing What do you like to play with daddy? Games What is your favorite color? Purple and Pink What do you want to be when you grow up?  A garden Where do you want to live when you grow up? In a museum What is your favorite food? Pop Tarts What is your least favorite food? Apples Do you know what church is? No What is your favorite thing to eat at a restaurant? Chicken Strips (and after the kitchen remodel she is an expert and partial to Arby's) What do you like to play with M? Nothing Do you have any friends? Who are they? Sam What is your favorite thing to wear? A dress Where do babies come from? Tummies What is your favorite show? Johnny Test and Tom ...

. Whew!! We accomplished a lot in the month of February. We worked on our house every spare minute of the day. Feb. 1-  Drove 40 miles to pick up this desk I found off the local swap site.  This is for M's craft room, walk in closet.  I am so excited to have the mess contained!  Feb. 2-  M's room was pained in January. Benjamin Moore, Fairytale Blue.  Egress window trim being finished. Feb. 3- Groundwork being laid for extra outlets. Feb. 4- Oh no!  Both girls have influenza!  With the flu shot though it was pretty mild.  This teacher took advantage of the sick days to catch up on laundry! Feb. 5- Hubby is preparing to take over since I had to go do conferences.  I think he was a little afraid of getting sick himeself.  What do you think? Feb. 6-  Hubby was more productive on his sick day.  Old desk spray pained and conduit outlets finished. Feb. 6 Feb. 7- Shaw caramel carpet in...