girlymama

happy halloween... from the animal house

taking the day off

Well, not really. We're going out of town for my brother-in-law's graduation from Police Academy in the am, then his party in the early pm, then up to pick my baby sis up from the Philly airport in the late pm.  (I have optimistically packed my purse with a stash of lollipops to keep Colin quiet during the graduation. But most likely, I'll be standing in the hallway the whole time while Colin runs around refusing to be quiet or sit still for longer than 10 seconds.)

And this is a "day off." Maybe this is why we're so tired all the time.

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I feel like poo. But I'm not sick. No way. Sorry. I can't be. Please.

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Why won't Colin sleep? Why? WHY???
(He's getting better. I'm just feeling like poo NOT sick and wanting to sleep.)

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I'll be back on Monday, ya'll. Here's hoping that next week's posts will be more "Wow!-This-is-so-amazing!" and less "Oh-my-word-I'm-too-tired-to-think."  (How many of these listy posts did I do this week? Like 4?) Oh, well.

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Today I wish I was back in Vegas with my husband and no kids, just sitting in a quiet, yummy restaurant having an uninterrupted conversation:

What do you wish you were doing today?

retail gone wrong

Would you pay $70 for shirt with a fake necklace on it? (Please say no. Please.)

i had something creative and interesting to say

But I can't remember what it was. Perhaps because my son work up at 4am. And wouldn't go back to sleep.  And amazingly, my brain is not engaging  today, despite my drinking lots o' coffee. Imagine that.
So here's a little list for you this morning:

1. Before you freak out on your kids, make sure you know what they're doing.

"Ellie, what are you doing? WHY are you making a such a big mess with your dinner?"
"Mommy, I'm pretending to be Jesus."
"What?"
"I'm breaking bread and giving it to the disciples to teach them about God. See?"
Oh.
"Carry on."

2. Colin only likes to eat the outside of his food. See?
  This is new. Anyone else have  kids that do weird stuff like this?

3. So we never got around to Ellie's homework the other night. Her teacher would totally understand if we ended up skipping a night, but I got a lecture anyway. From ELLIE.
"Mom, we have to do our homework and read for at least 10 minutes EVERY NIGHT. My teacher SAID so! It is so important for my learning, Mom! We have to be RESPONSIBLE!"
Well, ex-cuse me, my dear. Let us remember this when you are in junior high, okay?

4. The Halloween candy is KILLING me. I am not strong enough to be in the same vicinity of an open bag of Reese's Cups. They are just evaporating out of their hiding place in the cupboard.

wordless wednesday: bathtime

momologie

There's a new site for moms out in the blogosphere - and its gorgeous!

Momologie was founded by Gia Russo and Michele Adams, widely published authorities on the topics of everyday living and lifestyle advice for women. They met over a decade ago while both working as editors at Martha Stewart Living. (swoon!) Now they've turned their talents toward motherhood, designing a beautiful website that is like reading a glossy magazine online.

Momologie's approach is to test-drive ideas and then present the best advice in a straightforward format that is fun, stylish and solution-driven. Daily e-newsletters focus on a single theme, such as creating the best setting for homework time, or fun after-school treats that suit the season. The web site showcases topical articles, practical check-lists, links to essential sites, and a blog capturing Gia and Michele's real life experiences.

Be sure to sign up for their newsletter! I've been subscribed for two weeks and I look forward to that  little bit of eye candy arriving in my inbox every day. If you're a mom who loves Martha or Real Simple, you'll adore Momologie!

adventures in boyland

after having two little girls and living in pink princessland,
i am learning about the world of the boys!!!
the thomas trains, the cars, the growling, the wrestling... love it.
just love it.

(not that he doesn't play with the occasional princess or feather boa.)

what did you learn this week?

try this: pork barbeque

This is a staple in our house. Easy, almost no prep and YUMMY!

Pork Barbecue

3-4 lb boneless pork shoulder roast
your favorite barbecue sauce (We love Sticky Fingers!)
Rolls

Put a little sauce at the bottom of the crockpot then place the pork shoulder on top. Drizzle a little barbecue sauce on top of the pork. (Not a ton, maybe 1/4-1/2 cup)
Place on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Take out pork and shred with forks. Place back in the sauce and stir. Serve on rolls.

update, update

This weekend was insane. Friday morning, I met with some local bloggers and Ubisoft to learn about the newest games for kids this year. I had a terrific time at the Wisk Philly event at Sarah's on Friday. Saturday was a blur of soccer games, birthday parties and such. Then Sunday I zipped up to New York with Jo-Lynne and Sarah to attend a LeapFrog sponsored event on internet safety at the Four Seasons on 57th Street.

It was a great discussion - I'll write up my notes later, there's a lot. Then we strolled back to the train station down 5th Avenue, drooling while window shopping and passionately debating important topics like fall fashion and our favorite perfumes. My favorite quote of the trip by a blogger who will remain anonymous:
"What street is Saks on?"
"Um... pretty sure its on FIFTH AVENUE!"
"Right."
Seriously, these girls are a hoot. The 3-hour trip flies by in a blur of conversation.

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Colin is doing much better. We took lots of your advice (Thank you, Internets!) and are doing a combination of things. I think the main success was that we turned off his nightlight. It is DARK in there. So when I pop in at night when he wakes up, I say "Its nighttime. Go back to sleep." And he does! (Well, he has the past few nights. One night he slept all night long. It was strange. Is that what you're supposed to feel like in the mornings? All rested and stuff? Cause I could get used to that.) I'm SURE we haven't 'solved' this problem yet, but we are getting lots more sleep, so file this under 'progress!'

I'm still undecided on the H1N1 vaccine. I'm slowly plowing my way through all your comments and links. (Again, you guys rock!) I'm leaning towards yes now, though. Colin is getting sick, which is freaking me out, so I'm wanting to be on the safe(r) side.

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Check out two if my fabulous new sponsors
es+es: gorgeous, gorgeous children's clothing. This is the shop of a Fashion Institute grad who's passion is to create children's clothing that is innovative and exciting with an heirloom quality never before seen. I would buy this shirt and this corduroy blazer for my girls. How hip would they be?

haute accents: Fabulous jewelry at affordable prices. Go get your Holiday shopping done early. Please feel free to buy me  this necklace because I am in  L-O-V-E, Love!

h1n1 vaccine - yes or no?

So I just got this email:

"[My school district} ordered H1N1 vaccines for all students enrolled in our schools, K-12, in September. Recently, the District received only enough vaccines for students in Kindergarten through fourth grade inclusive. Parents of students in Kindergarten through fourth grade are asked to watch their email and student’s backpacks early next week for a letter that outlines the details of the vaccination administration."

I'm confused. They can't require that all the kids get the H1N1 vaccine, can they? Am I the only crazy parent that was going to skip it due to lack of research? We had decided to give Colin and the girls a regular flu shot, but not the H1N1 vaccine. (Well, maybe Colin because he's under 2, but we haven't really decided.) Now I don't know. I'm amazed that our school is doing this... Is it a bigger threat than I understand? Am I just listening to too much anti-vaccine hype? Does anyone have any good resources on this? I've glanced around  www.flu.gov and Ask Dr. Sears, but I'm still confused.

While I'm trying not to be overprotective, over-reactive or a totally germ-a-phobe-crazy-person, I am definitely doing things differently this year. This year I am actively trying to prevent my family from getting sick. Here's what we're doing:

• We're all taking a multi-vitamins.  Supplements are super expensive, so we're getting lots of our vitamins from food, which is the best way to get your vitamins anyway!  We're loading up on fresh fruits and veggies and not skimping on the OJ.
• We’re getting plenty of rest. (Or trying to!) A worn-out, tired body is much more likely to get sick. Bedtimes for the kiddos are strictly enforced and I'm trying to be disciplined about bedtime myself.
• My kids wash their hands as soon as they get home from school and I'm carrying Purell in my purse, which they use when we get back in the car. I've also been wiping down the shopping cart before I put Colin in with the disinfecting wipes my local store provides at the store entrance. I've never done that before, but I think it can't hurt. 
• As I said, we are getting our kids the regular flu shot. But I'm undecided about the H1N1 vaccine.
• I don't give my kids medicine unless they are really, really sick. Particularly with a baby under 2, this is so important. There is lots of press about the dangers of OTC cold meds for kids under 6.

But what to do when they are truly uncomfortable, but not 'sick' sick?  When One2One Network offered me an opportunity to try out some homeopathic cold and flu remedies from Boiron, I was game.  They sent me their 3 new homeopathic medicines for children– Children’s Oscillococcinum®, Children’s Coldcalm Pellets®, and Children’s Chestal®.

According to the website, these products work safely and naturally without side effects or drug interactions and does not contain any of the ingredients questioned by the FDA for use in young children. (While I want to try them out, I'm hoping we won't have to this season!)   If you’re interested in giving them a try, click here for a $1 off coupon on any of these 3 Boiron products.

What are you doing this season? Are you getting the H1N1 vaccine? What are your tricks to keep your family healthy?