mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

Roller Skating.

Today I accompanied Nathan to his very first roller skating experience.  It was a special party organized by his violin instructor for all of the students as a reward for them having succeeded in a listening challenge during the Fall.  I thought that Nathan might be a little apprehensive about trying this new activity, but I was wrong.  I am convinced I was more scared than he was.  I don't think I've roller skated since about the eighth grade!  And I'm 34 years old (almost 35) so that was a LONG time ago, people!

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He got the hang of it as well as one could expect for a first timer and after about an hour or so of warm-up, so did I.  It's something we'll definitely have to do again and I'm even considering signing him up for skate lessons that start next month because he's got such an interest in doing it and it was so fun!  My glutes are sore from skating around the rink....I think I used muscles I didn't even know I had.  ♥

Jacob: Four Months.

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Jacob is four months old.  Something I can hardly believe.  He's turned into this charming, smiley, giggly boy that hardly resembles the same little newborn we brought home back in September.

Jakey, you've enjoyed getting to know and recognize your two big brothers, especially over the past few weeks.  You can also sit up quite well in your little Bumbo seat while you enjoy the view from it.  You've begun putting just about every toy into your mouth!  You're really enjoying your "hulky" toy, "Poley" - the polar bear from Grandpa, and the little shaking pull-toy from Grammy.  The other day while you were crying (yes, while Daddy was holding you), he and I could both swear you cried out, "mama" while you looked at me with those brown almond shaped eyes of yours.  I love how anytime you see my face you open your mouth wide, smile, and bunch your little fists up right beneath your chin.  And, you're a gem to wake up to!  So bright-eyed and cheery.  You've started to respond to your name anytime we call it out.  You're also loving to suck on your fingers and slobber on just about everything.  Your nap and bedtimes are still so much up in the air.  Just as I get used to things a certain way, you go on and change them on me!

And you recently got sick for the first time in your short life.  Your bout with RSV last month nearly broke my heart.  I am so glad I listened to my motherly instinct and took you into the doctor.  After about a week of breathing treatments with our new nebulizer and some tender loving care, you were back to your old cheery self which made me smile.

Your hair.  A subject worthy of its own blog post.  You get SO MANY compliments about that hair of yours which has actually changed quite a bit since you were born.  It's not so "mohawky" now but still definitely sticks up and has a wild side of its own.

You're such a strong baby.  You love playing your "up and down" games where I sit you on my lap and stretch your legs out straight up then promptly plant your bum down on my lap again when I say "down".  It seems like you could play that game for hours! 

You are so loved, my Jakers, and even though I know this is how it's supposed to happen, I still can't believe how fast you're growing right before our eyes.

Love,

Mommy ♥

Spelling Bee.

Nathan's school spelling bee was this afternoon and it was such a fun experience.  For the past few days we have been practicing words but have emphasized to him that the main objective is to have fun.  Try your best, yes, but have fun always!  I'm happy to report he did both.

 
The spelling bee was made up of Kindergarteners through Fourth graders.  We figured he'd be getting age appropriate words but we were wrong!  They intermixed the words.  Kindergarteners got words like "practice"!  Yikes!  In the end, Nathan was stumped by "earth", spelling it without the "r".  I could tell he was rushing because I know he's read the word "earth" at least a hundred times!  He owns so many planet and solar system books and earth is practically his favorite topic!

When he spelled his word incorrectly he just went back to his seat seemingly not too shaken up about it.  It was one of my most proudest moments of him. 

The winner was a fourth grader named Jacob (fantastic name!) who hung in for about 8 rounds!  This was such a wonderful experience for Nathan to be a part of and we've already begun talking about next year!  ♥

 

 

A Change.

I colored my hair today and am loving the all over dark color!  I took out most of the reddish -brown lowlights that were there but I am sure they'll be back eventually... I love changing my hair color from time-to-time.  Ironically the color is called "Sweet Cola".  Kinda funny considering I am wearing my Pepsi throwback tee today.  Didn't mean for thart to happen!  ♥

 

New Blog.

I'm excited to announce that I've migrated my Project 365 photos over to a separate blog.  I've made it past the 21 days so I think I will officially be staying WITH this project!

I've also put together some great linkage on my new blog with other Project 365-ers that I'll be stalking and hope you'll give them a looksie too! 

I hope you'll check it out now! ♥

Writer's Block Cure for the Common Blogger.

I discovered Skribit a while back when Googling various sites on an editorial blogging calendar.  If you've never heard of them, they're the coolest little trick a blogger could have in their back pocket.

We've all been there.  Clueless about what to write in our next blog post.

Enter Skribit.  How does it work? It's a rad little feature that takes your readers' input and suggestions to you (the blogger) of topics to blog about.  Fascinating!

What's cool about their new launch is that you can integrate suggestions with your Twitter and Facebook accounts, too!  This should definitely help keep your blog full of great posts - and certainly posts your readers are interested in!  Skribit has two great plans to choose from.  I am considering getting started with them if for no other reason than pure curiosity!  ♥

Project 365 - Day Twenty-One ~ Looking Forward to February.

I absolutely LOVE this time of year as January draws to an end!  It is undeniably my favorite time of year (unless you count the hot, humid summer - which I happen to LOVE).  It's my fave mostly because a) I celebrate my birthday in February, b) I LOVE Valentine's Day and c) it's a sign that spring and warmer weather are just around the corner!

I own at least a dozen Valentine themed dishtowels, dishrags, and the like. I am sharing with you a few of my favorite.  I love being able to wake up each day and start with a new one! They're so festive and bright and who doesn't love pink and red hearts everywhere??! ♥

Baby's First Vlog

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Like Mother, Like Son.

Nathan came home today from school and informed us that he'd won a spelling bee in his class.  And, he was even more excited that because of his win, he would be competing in the school spelling bee on Friday.  I nearly jumped into the ceiling with excitement! 

You see, I am a fourth grade spelling champ myself and I get a rush just thinking about competing in a spelling bee!  They are so. MUCH. FUN!  I received an email from his teacher confirming all the deets and she also suggested we practice several words with him over the next few days (little does she know we started doing that the moment he told us what would happen on Friday!). 

Nathan told us that it came down to him and one of his female classmates (a total doll!) and that they both got hung up on the word square but that she then had the opportunity to beat him by spelling her next word correctly.  When she didn't, Nathan was declared the winner!  I am so freakin' proud I could burst!

I know that he's only in Kindergarten and quite frankly, I really just want him to have fun with the spelling bee.  But, part of me (the very competitive part) is secretly hoping he takes it all the way to the finish line.  If not, no biggie....after all, I was in FOURTH grade when I did it but who's keeping track?

I'm such a proud mama! ♥

Project 365 - Day Thirteen:: Why, yes, I've got that!

 
These are a glimpse into our bookshelves that house the boxes I use to save and store ALL of the kids' papers and projects they've EVER brought home.  Nathan has 4 boxes - one from 3 year old preschool, 4 year old preschool, Pre-K and now his Kindergarten box.  I think he will need at least two boxes for Kinder.  This is Will's first box. I just can't bring myself to throw any of their creations away - even a scribbly paper! 

I know that there are several methods out there for keeping and organizing your kids' school papers, including throwing most (or all) of it away.  I just can't do it.  My little obsession with keeping everything, however, has finally paid off.  This evening on the way back from group violin lessons Nathan asked me if I saved any of his work that he brings home.  I cautiously said, "yes...why?" (not sure where this was going!).  He then asked me if I remembered his little apple book he made earlier in the Fall.   Again, I told him I did remember that.  He told me that he wanted to get it out and read it again.  I was so thrilled!  I know I've got that book in his Kindergarten box! 

I happily told him that I of course had it and that I save EVERYTHING he brings home.  I also told him that he has three other boxes from preschool with stuff.  He was stunned!  He then asked me if I would please promise to save everything from his school until he gets to college.  Then, I was the one who was stunned!  I told him that I would try but we would just have to see how it all plays out.

So for now, I'll be fetching that apple book he wants to see.  This totally validates my hoarding of their school stuff - for now. ♥