Friday was a day that will go down in history as an exceptional day in the life of this hard-working mama. My parents had been desperate for some solo Lucas time so Abel met them half-way between our house and theirs on Friday morning before going into work. That left me at home alone all day Friday.
Let me repeat: home alone all day! Is there anything a mom dreams about more? (Well, yes a few things, but this ranks pretty high up there!)
Obviously there were 101 things I could have done around the house to be productive but I decided to give myself a much needed pass. A pass on the entire day. What did I accomplish between the hours of 10am and 5:30pm when Abel got home? Well, I read more than 400 pages of the 3rd Twilight book, ate lunch and took a nap. What else? Hmmm...absolutely nothing. Seriously. I don't think I've been so relaxed in, oh, 3.5 years.
When Abel got home we ate dinner and went to see The Hangover. We laughed like crazy. What an awesome day.
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Favorite Things Friday: VistaPrint
Before Christmas, Jessica of A Parent in Silver Spring wrote a review of photo Christmas cards and mentioned a company named VistaPrint. She mentioned all the great items you can get through them for the cost of shipping and I immediately clicked over to their site. I didn't get my Christmas cards there, but did order some great items to use as Christmas gifts. Since then I've ordered glossy postcards and business cards for a community organization I'm co-chair of and personal business cards for myself. The deals are amazing! That's why I'm featuring VistaPrint as my Favorite Things Friday today.
To illustrate just how great these deals are, here's a quick overview of my orders to date:
To illustrate just how great these deals are, here's a quick overview of my orders to date:
Personalized pad of sticky notes, personalized notepad, personalized wall calendar, personalized note cards and personalized return address stamp: $7.19
250 glossy business cards, 10 personalized note cards: $7.15
100 glossy, personalized postcards: $6.49
250 glossy business cards, 10 personalized note cards: $7.15
100 glossy, personalized postcards: $6.49
250 personalized business cards: $5.45
For my own personal business cards I included only my name, home phone, cell phone and e-mail. They are the perfect "mommy calling card" to give out at the park and yet are also professional enough to hand out at the many community and political events I attend.
Here are my tips:
- Once you get to the website simply click on any of the "free" items to see the deals.
- The more free items you purchase the higher your shipping will be, but it only seems to increase incrementally so order away!
- When you place an order be sure to say "NO" to the many, many offers they suggest as you head toward the check out. Even the free ones!! It's a tad bit annoying but totally worth it for inexpensive, quality personalized products.
- Unless you are in a real time crunch, go ahead and choose the slowest shipping method. I've never had an order take more than 2 weeks to arrive (and most have arrived in only 1 week) no matter what they say.
- Once you create an account, they will send you regular e-mails with all the free deals. It does get a bit addictive!
Happy printing!
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Giveaway!
Are you reading my new blog, Out by Ten, for lots of great ideas for getting out and about with your family? Well, click on over and leave a comment for a chance to win 4 lawn seats (an $80 value!) to the upcoming show "Bugs Bunny on Broadway" at the Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 11.
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Twilight
I'm not sure how long ago my sister first told me I had to read the Twilight series. But, I blew her off. Then my mom started them. And I blew her off, too. Then Abel randomly suggested we watch the movie a few weeks ago. He was ready to turn it off in about 15 minutes but I was hooked. It wasn't a great movie, but it was good enough. And I knew that people who are crazy about Twilight said that the movie didn't even come close to doing the book justice. I could see the potential. Luckily my mom was visiting the next weekend and was able to bring the first book with her.
I could not put it down.
I finished it in a few days and promptly bought the second one at Target. I can't even remember the last time I bought a book instead of getting it from the library but I just had to have that book. Immediately.
I finished the second book last night.
Numbers three and four are all checked out at the library so I put out a plea to our town listserv to borrow them. I was fully prepared to buy them tonight but luckily a friend and neighbor replied that I could borrow her copies. I'm going to pick them up tonight.
If you, like me, have blown off this whole Twilight hysteria I'm begging you: don't wait another second. Start reading today! You won't be disappointed.
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
I could not put it down.
I finished it in a few days and promptly bought the second one at Target. I can't even remember the last time I bought a book instead of getting it from the library but I just had to have that book. Immediately.
I finished the second book last night.
Numbers three and four are all checked out at the library so I put out a plea to our town listserv to borrow them. I was fully prepared to buy them tonight but luckily a friend and neighbor replied that I could borrow her copies. I'm going to pick them up tonight.
If you, like me, have blown off this whole Twilight hysteria I'm begging you: don't wait another second. Start reading today! You won't be disappointed.
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Monday, June 22, 2009
8 weeks
Abel: Lucas, do you want a baby brother or a baby sister?
Lucas: Um. I want a Tuck. No, a Ming Ming. No! A Tuck!
Smiling Mama: Based on the picture, at this point I'd say it's a toss up!
Lucas: Um. I want a Tuck. No, a Ming Ming. No! A Tuck!
Smiling Mama: Based on the picture, at this point I'd say it's a toss up!
Yay! I'm pregnant! Due end of January. Needless to say, we're thrilled. Stay tuned for many hundreds of posts to come on the subject!
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Favorite Things Friday: Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Cups
Back in April I expounded on my love of Hershey's chocolate. Growing up in Pennsylvania and traveling to Hershey Park every summer of my youth, I think it just got into my blood. I especially love Reese's peanut butter cups. And, yet, there's a brand of peanut butter cups that can't hold a candle to Hershey: Trader Joe's. I have a love/hate relationship with Trader Joe's for many reasons (don't we all?) but the 20 minute drive to the nearest location is totally worth it for these peanut butter cups. The peanut butter is so incredibly smooth and the milk chocolate amazingly delicious. Trader Joe's peanut butter cups are, to paraphrase Edward Cullen, like my own personal brand of heroine. That's why I'm featuring them today as my Favorite Things Friday.Yum!
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Two Dog Day
Dog 1
Yesterday morning about 9am, I was still in my nightgown washing dishes and Lucas was still in his PJs playing in the living room. I planned to pack a lunch and head to the pool to get there at 11am, just as it opened, so there was so sense in us getting dressed to lounge around the house then change into our swim suites. Or, so I thought, anyway.
Suddenly I heard Lucas yell something then the storm door opened and slammed shut. By the time I turned off the water and bolted the 10 steps to our front door, Lucas was sprinting down the sidewalk and was already about 4 houses away--the far end of my normal comfort level for him to be away from the house when I'm outside but not walking with him. I started yelling his name and telling him to stop. Not only did he not stop, he didn't even break his stride to pause or look back at me. Finally he did stop and I realized the reason for his escape: our elderly neighbor was out walking his dog, Max, the love of Lucas's life. By this time I'm standing out on the sidewalk.
Remember: in my nightgown, screaming. And also: mortified.
Luckily our neighbor turned around and walked Max and Lucas back to our house. I thanked him and apologized. He just chuckled. I took Lucas inside and immediately sat him on the naughty step. I was fuming. Lucas was devastated and started screaming at the top of his lungs. I think he was less concerned about being disciplined and more upset about not seeing Max for longer. I swear, anyone walking by would have thought I was beating the crap out of him. Which, I assure you, I was not. But, given how upset I was, I easily could have been.
Dog 2
After a busy day, I decided to pick up pizza for dinner last night. When Lucas and I got home, a new dog was outside with our neighbors. She was awfully friendly and came over to say hello to us, practically jumping into our van. At that point, I noticed the neighbors were all inside. One yelled out to us that it wasn't their dog. I looked around and no other potential owner was in sight. The dog had a collar and tags and so I made a split-second decision to put her in our fenced in yard and hope that we could locate the owner quickly.
Lucas was in heaven. He started proclaiming: we got a dog! We got a dog! I explained to him--the first of many, many times--that this wasn't our dog and that her owner was probably very sad and looking for her. We'd just give her some water and keep her safe until her owner could be found.
I quickly took a photo with my phone and posted a Lost Dog message to our town listserv. For someone who has never owned a pet and who is really not comfortable at all around animals, I was taking it all in stride. Our local animal rescuer (a neighbor who is always helping lost/abandoned animals, etc.) called soon to offer a crate and dog food in hopes we'd be willing to keep the dog for up to a few days rather than take her to the local (and very quick to euthanize) shelter. I agreed, but with a bit of trepidation.
Lucas spent the rest of the evening obsessed with the dog. He looked out every window to follow her around the yard. We went out several times to pet her, take her water and attempt a game of catch. When inside, Lucas was frantic to go outside. When a plane flew overhead, he got worried the dog would be scared (our neighbor's dog whines like crazy whenever planes fly overhead, which unfortunately for us is often). When Abel arrived home, he cheerfully announced, again, we got a dog! We got a dog!
Luckily after just a few hours the owner called and walked over to collect her. Lucas said a very heartfelt good bye and I had to admit that I enjoyed Shadow's company for that short time as well.
But, I think we had quite enough dog adventures for one day!
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Yesterday morning about 9am, I was still in my nightgown washing dishes and Lucas was still in his PJs playing in the living room. I planned to pack a lunch and head to the pool to get there at 11am, just as it opened, so there was so sense in us getting dressed to lounge around the house then change into our swim suites. Or, so I thought, anyway.
Suddenly I heard Lucas yell something then the storm door opened and slammed shut. By the time I turned off the water and bolted the 10 steps to our front door, Lucas was sprinting down the sidewalk and was already about 4 houses away--the far end of my normal comfort level for him to be away from the house when I'm outside but not walking with him. I started yelling his name and telling him to stop. Not only did he not stop, he didn't even break his stride to pause or look back at me. Finally he did stop and I realized the reason for his escape: our elderly neighbor was out walking his dog, Max, the love of Lucas's life. By this time I'm standing out on the sidewalk.
Remember: in my nightgown, screaming. And also: mortified.
Luckily our neighbor turned around and walked Max and Lucas back to our house. I thanked him and apologized. He just chuckled. I took Lucas inside and immediately sat him on the naughty step. I was fuming. Lucas was devastated and started screaming at the top of his lungs. I think he was less concerned about being disciplined and more upset about not seeing Max for longer. I swear, anyone walking by would have thought I was beating the crap out of him. Which, I assure you, I was not. But, given how upset I was, I easily could have been.
Dog 2
After a busy day, I decided to pick up pizza for dinner last night. When Lucas and I got home, a new dog was outside with our neighbors. She was awfully friendly and came over to say hello to us, practically jumping into our van. At that point, I noticed the neighbors were all inside. One yelled out to us that it wasn't their dog. I looked around and no other potential owner was in sight. The dog had a collar and tags and so I made a split-second decision to put her in our fenced in yard and hope that we could locate the owner quickly.
Lucas was in heaven. He started proclaiming: we got a dog! We got a dog! I explained to him--the first of many, many times--that this wasn't our dog and that her owner was probably very sad and looking for her. We'd just give her some water and keep her safe until her owner could be found.
I quickly took a photo with my phone and posted a Lost Dog message to our town listserv. For someone who has never owned a pet and who is really not comfortable at all around animals, I was taking it all in stride. Our local animal rescuer (a neighbor who is always helping lost/abandoned animals, etc.) called soon to offer a crate and dog food in hopes we'd be willing to keep the dog for up to a few days rather than take her to the local (and very quick to euthanize) shelter. I agreed, but with a bit of trepidation.
Lucas spent the rest of the evening obsessed with the dog. He looked out every window to follow her around the yard. We went out several times to pet her, take her water and attempt a game of catch. When inside, Lucas was frantic to go outside. When a plane flew overhead, he got worried the dog would be scared (our neighbor's dog whines like crazy whenever planes fly overhead, which unfortunately for us is often). When Abel arrived home, he cheerfully announced, again, we got a dog! We got a dog!
Luckily after just a few hours the owner called and walked over to collect her. Lucas said a very heartfelt good bye and I had to admit that I enjoyed Shadow's company for that short time as well.
But, I think we had quite enough dog adventures for one day!
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
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