Mome reads Mommy, My daughter's way to spell it when she was younger... It stuck. My son calls me Mome... just like it looks. I now sign all my notes to them "Love, Mome". It's our inside secret and makes them smile. I always want them to smile.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Cover-Ups. You know you did it

I always admired siblings who got along.  My brothers and I get along just fine, now, but that wasn't the case when we were young.  My older brother and I fought every chance we got and it only got worse as we got older.  The only time we got along was when we were teaming up to "cover our tracks." Every once in a while we would take it too far and have to cover our tracks.  Getting caught fighting was actually worse than the fighting.  Or in the rare cases that we were getting along, we were usually doing something forbidden and then would ban together to cover it up.

I remember one time we were playing hide and seek in the basement... in the dark.  We weren't supposed to play with the lights off because mom feared someone would get hurt.  No surprise that someone was me.  I ran right into the corner of the piano and it split my eye open.  Crap.  Shortly after I had to go up and set the table for dinner.  I did it with my head down hoping no one would notice.  My grandmother was over.  She noticed.  I told her what happened and explained that we weren't supposed to be playing in the dark.  She covered for me.  That was close.






Have you ever been in a situation similar to Brick and Sue's? See how the Hecks brilliantly true-to-life kids cover up their accident on The Second Season of The Middle on DVD, currently available for pre-order  and hitting shelves on 9/27/11!


Holes in walls were regular occurrences in our house too.  When you try to keep someone out of your room and then just step out of the way to let them "fall" in, make sure you have a door stopper thingy on the wall.  There's nothing like a hole in the wall to bring kids together for the common cause of "butt whooping avoidance."  I think this is how posters came to be.

Did you ever try to "cover up"?   How did it work out?


I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote The Middle Season Two on DVD.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: AGAIN?


Front Yard.  Dead Center. Huge Web.

FiOS Magic




I've been extremely happy with my Verizon FiOS service the past couple months.  Still trying to figure out all the features and have had a couple snafus along the way...but... FiOS does Magic.  Seriously.

First.  We've had some issues with the permanant line getting hooked up.  A temporary line was hung around the yard and several weeks later, after all the important markings were complete, the permanent line was buried.  The very next day it was to be connected but was accidentally cut and a second temporary line had to be dropped.

Then.....

A friend was cutting the grass, that *may have* been a couple feet tall, and accidentally cut the Fiberoptic cable.  Totally NOT his fault.  There were several cables laying throughout the yard.  I called Verizon a couple days later (it was Labor Day weekend so I waited until Tuesday) and they set an appointment for Thursday.  An hour and a half went by before my phone rang.  It was a tech from Verizon, he was in the area and would be right over.  They had given me a 48 hour window for the line to be fixed (new line put in) and the problem was fixed in under two.  Awesome.

Once the line was fixed I realized that my phone still didn't work.  I was pretty sure that it was my crappy phone.  It hadn't worked right since I had purchased it.  It may have been dropped right out of the box so... I worked with it.

It took me three days to find the time to purchase a new phone.  Not so much an emergency with a cell phone. I hooked the new phone up and Voila... NOTHING.  Hmmm.  NOT the phone.

I logged on to the Verizon sight and looked for help.  They had a complete walk through for what to do when you "Have no dial tone."  Step 1.  Check the outlet.  I made sure other things that were plugged in to the same outlet were working.  "Did this solve your problem?"  NO.  Step 2.  Check the main power source.  I located the box in the garage, unplugged it, removed the back-up battery, waited 2 minutes and reconnected the battery and plugged the box back in.  "Did this solve your problem?"  No.  At this point my computer froze... maybe.  It wouldn't take me to the next step.  It wouldn't do anything.  I became impatient and logged off.  I figured I'd come back to it later.

10 minutes later (no lie)...

A white OneVision ( a sub-company of Verizon) truck pulled up in front of my house.  I watched a man get out and walk to the side of my house... then to the other side... then get back in his truck and leave.  Suspicious.  Could it be?  Could my online trouble shooting have signaled help?  I curiously walked to my new phone and took it off the cradle.  I pushed the "talk" button and... had a dial tone.  


I'm really not sure what happened, but know better than to question when things work out in my favor.

This, my friends, is what I refer to as...

FiOS MAGIC!!


Want to experience the magic for yourself?  (click to check availability in your area)

I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Verizon FiOS and received a free trial of the products and services necessary to facilitate my review.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Zhu Zhu Baby Winner!!!!!


And the Winner is.....
drumroll Please...




"Rorie is my fave!!"


Congrats to Rikki!  

Mom Select will be mailing your Zhu Zhu Baby to your house!!

Homemade Playdoh

Puddin Pop's teacher sent out a request for playdoh for the classroom.
We were happy to help.
Puddin Pop picked the colors and helped with the measuring.
We used this recipe last year for Preschool and it really stays soft much longer that the store bought stuff.
It is also made from ingredients around the house.

1 cup Flour
1 cup Water
1/2 cup Salt
1 Tbsp Oil
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
Food Coloring

Mix all ingredients together before putting over heat (I add the food coloring to water and then add in the rest).  Also make sure not to use hot water as it will make the flour clump.
Cook on Medium until a ball is formed stirring continuously. (about 5 minutes)
Remove from heat, let cool for 2 minutes.  Knead for 2 minutes then store in a plastic container. 
 Lasts up to 3 months when kept in container when not in use.



Thursday, September 22, 2011

Little White Lies

I'm guilty. 

I know I've told my kids things that may not be fully true to get them to do (or not to do) something. I'm more guilty of embellishing or making a bigger deal out of something. For instance, "eating boogers could make you very sick. You could end up in the hospital. Plus, no one will want to kiss you...EVER."

It's tough love, but seriously, it's disgusting.  I'd rather scare them away from doing it (which I'm still struggling with) than have them picked on throughout High School for what they did in Kindergarten.  It happens.

Have your kids ever caught you in a lie? See how Frankie, the loving wife and mother of three from ABC's The Middle handles her white lies when her youngest son becomes the wiser. Available for pre-order! 

I remember my parents telling me things like "We know you peeked at your Hanukkah presents because we had a tape recorder and heard you."  Yes.  Tape recorder.  Not voice activated.  Those weren't invented yet.  Just a 30 minute tape.  What are the chances? I DIDN'T PEEK?  This never got me but always rang true to my little brother who would then confess.  Sucker.

I also remember, as a teenager, finding a smoking substance in my father's safe.

I may have "tried it".

When my dad found it missing, he explained to my older brother and I that it was laced with something that would cause our hair to fall out and we could possibly go blind.

That didn't work either.

I took my chances.

I figured he'd feel a LOT worse if either of those things did happen, for having in the house to begin with, and the punishment wold be less.  It turned out that either I was immune or... It wasn't true to begin with.

What lies do you tell your kids, if any?  What good ones did your parents tell you?

I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote The Middle Season Two on DVD.

Friday, September 16, 2011

How do You Handle Multiple Events Between Kids?


I LOVE this show.  I can't actually relate to any of the personalities and I think that's what I like most of all.  They are quirky, clumsy and hilarious.  I know families that slightly resemble this one.  It's just not mine... Thankfully.  It's a comical family dynamic with two working parents and kids with challenges of their own.  The middle child, Sue, has finally found an activity(sport) that doesn't "cut" participants and loves being on the Cross Country team.  The family is grateful that she finally "made" a team after numerous try-outs... and failures.

Axle, the oldest son is on the football team and now their parents find themselves trying to decide which events to attend.  While they really want to support both children, football is a much more exciting sport and they find themselves practically tossing a coin to see which parent gets to attend which event.

My kids are both still young but I can see this being an issue in our future.  Both are very outgoing and I'm sure their will be conflicts along the way.  Do you take turns?  Attend the activity YOU prefer?  Try to attend both, at least partially?  What do you do?

Do you watch The Middle?  If not, I encourage you to.  It's 30 minutes of guaranteed laughs.


I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote The Middle Season Two on DVD

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Handsome Received his Bobcat Badge

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boy Scouts of America for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
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I vaguely remember my brother as a boy scout.  I think it's the uniform that stands out in my mind.  Pretty sure he had a school picture taken in that blue and gold.  He was very proud to be a member.  My younger brother was an Indian Guide.  I only remember that because we had a totem pole in our yard for what seemed like FOREVER.  I was a Brownie.  The level between Daisy and Girl Scouts.  I don't remember having Daisies when I was 5, but they exist now and Puddin Pop is very excited to be joining this year.
Handsome started last year and was awarded his Bobcat badge on Tuesday.  Here's what he has to say about the program...

"We get to play. I like what they teach me and the opportunity to earn badges. I am Happy being a Boy Scout and will be one for years." (age 8)

Boy Scouts of America was Incorporated over 100 years ago (1910) and continues to provide a place where young boys can learn skills and develop confidences that will last a lifetime.

As a parent, I can trust the values that Scouting teaches my children and know that they are leaning valuable life lessons and building friendships that will last.

If you are interested in volunteering or signing your child up, check out Be A Scout.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Monday, September 12, 2011

Zhu Zhu Pets and Babies Review AND Giveaway

When Zhu Zhu Pets first came out I completely fell for their cuteness.



When Zhu Zhu Babies came on the scene, I didn't get them.  They weren't cute, really, and I didn't get the roller ball thingy on the bottom.  Puddin' Pop, however, thought they were the cutest things ever and put them right on her Christmas list.

She received several from some of her friends and was delighted.

I still didn't get it.

A week before school started we received a gift set of Zhu Zhu babies complete with one of the play sets and... then... I got it.  The roller ball on the bottom is used to make the little furballs dance around.  Powered by a Zhu Zhu pet, these play sets are interactive and the kids (my two plus our neighbor) played together for hours dressing the babies and putting on a dance show.





Complete with outfits and accessories, the playtime is endless.  Handsome even made some Lego houses for the babies to rest in between recitals.  The out fits are complex enough to keep the 10 year old engaged and yet easy enough to not frustrate the 5 year old.  They "babied" their pets, dressed, fed and played with them and had a blast coming up with a story line.  They even judged the dance routines  and crowned a winner.  Seeing all the kids play together, taking turns and allowing all to make suggestions and participate equally is a wonderful thing.  Zhu Zhu Pets are designed for both sexes. which is important in our house.  They also appeal to a wide age range making them perfect for the kids to all play together.

Want to WIN your own Zhu Zhu Baby?


*Mandatory*  Go to the Zhu-niverse website and tell me (in a comment) which Zhu Zhu Baby is your favorite.


Extra Entries (leave a comment for each one)
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Contest ends at midnight EST on September 25th.  One winner will be chosen using random.org.  Prize sent directly from Mom Select.


I was sent this Zhu Zhu fun pack from Mom Select.  The opinions are 100% mine.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

I Buy My Wine at Walgreens

I buy my wine at Walgreens.

Yep.

You read that right.

I have two reasons in doing so.

Reason #2
I've kinda fallen for David Stone Wines.  They are tasty and cheap and only found at Walgreens.  Just sayin'


Reason #1

...and More Important than Reason #2

They Card Me! (3x now)

Nothing makes you feel better after a long week of work and kids than being carded for booze. 

Trust Me.

What makes you feel good?

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Teaching Kids how to Treat Others and Why to Like Someone

One of the most important messages I want to tech my kids is NOT to judge others based on appearance.  You don't have to like every one, but you also don't need to voice out loud when you dislike someone.  I want them to judge people by the way the other person makes them feel when they are together.  End. Of. Story.

I was having a conversation with my 5 year old just as she was waking up today, at 11:00.  I was telling her how we were going to her school this afternoon to meet her teacher and, hopefully, she'd get to meet some of her new classmates.  She's a tad boy crazy so I may have also mentioned that there would be boys there too.  Based on the following conversation, I think she is understanding the message above.  She also values my opinion.

Here's what she told me...

You know, Mom, I really have my eyes hooked on "L" (a boy from church).

I asked why she liked him...

He has short blond hair, he's super talented and he's nice.  He's a little crazy like Handsome (her brother) but he doesn't toot all the time.  He likes me... as a friend, and he's just really fun to be around.  I really think you'd like him.

It made me so proud that she had valid reasons for liking this boy.  I hope she continues to make such wise decisions.

What's the most important lesson you want your child/ren to learn?