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Yesterday was a crazy day for me. I got a call around lunch from my son's school to please come get him, he had a fever and a sore throat. After picking him up we headed to the drug store to pick up some meds, I received a series of texts from my husband. Hubby- Anne just got bit Me- by what??? Hubby- the dog she was pulling on his tail while I was in the bathroom Me- Did she get hurt Hubby- no not really Me- OK maybe this time she has learned her lesson. A few minn later I get some more Hubby- Are you headed home yet? Me- No we are getting the meds and then some groceries be home soon tho Hubby- Can you hurry? Me- WHY???? Hubby- I am getting a stone. Me- Seriously? Hubby- Yep Me- K on my way So needless to say I was a bit overwhelmed yesterday. After speaking to my son's Dr she decided it was time to see the ENT at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. I knew what we were in for today going down there. My son was having his tonsils out. So Tuesday morning we are getting up bright and early and headed back down to the south side of Pittsburgh to have his surgery done. At my son's request we have been video documenting this process and will have a Vlog for you when this is all over.

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I have been seeing the commercials for the Your Baby Can Read system on TV and have thought that if this can work it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. So after a while of thinking and debating my husband and I decided to purchase it for our daughter. My thought was if she could get something out of this program great if not I would use the program as she got older for flash cards. Either way I would get use out of this program. We received the program last Friday and have watched the first video many times in the past few days. I am so far liking the program altho I am seeing no great advancement in my daughter, my son is first involved in helping his sister with this video which is nice and second encouraging her to stay interested. The program comes with lessons there are five lessons. Each lesson contains a DVD, Flashcards that have the word on them and a pull out section that has a picture to correspond, A book with the words from that lesson in it. On the DVD first they review the words by not only having the written word on the screen while reciting it but then showing your child what that is. When they are done with the words there is a game at the end. We have found this to be a fun family time. I will be keeping you updated on my daughters progress with this program periodical. So please check back for updates. I do want to disclose that we did NOT receive this program at any discounted rate for this review, We purchased this program on our own.

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I can't believe this picture is already a year old!

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It is that time of year again, time to close up the windows, send the kiddos off to school,or put the little ones down for a nap. Then grab a blanket and a cup of tea and curl up in your favorite reading spot. I like to call it Mommy Fall Time. I find that reading an inspirational book during this time is the best way to recharge me for the upcoming year of homework headaches with my oldest child and cabin fever with my youngest. This year I was sent Intimate Conversations by Alicia Britt Chole for the MOPS Blog Tour. This is a wonderfully written book. I found it easy to read because of the way it is broken down not only by small chapters but within each chapter there is a section for reflection, whether you choose to keep a journal of your thoughts along the way as I did or just reflecting on what you have read. I do want to say that I found myself many times during this book wanting to share with a few close friends. I would suggest if you are going to read this book do it in a book club or just with a friend. You can find Intimate Conversations at the MOPS website www.MOPS.org

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Well I hear it every week from my working mom friends, "TGIF". I said that too when Friday @5pm meant something. No more responsibilities well till Monday Morning that is, the time when you call all your girlfriends and figure who's house you were meeting at and where were you going for the night. Or even 9 years ago when I had my son and was still working I would look forward to that same time so I could get home and spend the weekend with my son. I worked really hard to be where I am now, A hap plied married mother of two great kids who runs her own business out of the house so I don't miss out on anything with my kids. I don't feel like I have the right to ask for me time when I am not the only parent in this house. But on the other hand I am completely jealous of my husbands ability to go places and not think twice about the kids. Even if I do get the opportunity to go out with friends or just shopping by myself for a few hours all I can think about is what are the kids doing and are they OK. So I have to wonder will this feeling ever stop do I make my self go? I think this week has been harder than most for a few reasons, first my son and daughter have been sick over the past few weeks and that always makes things complicated. We also are in the home stretch of our Kitchen/living room remodel and need to have certain things done when my parents get back from vacation this week, that is the other thing my parents have been gone for two weeks and that is always hard on us because my kids are so attached and love spending time with them, as well as we take care of there house and animals while they are away. We also this week took my father in law back for some tests. In the past he has fought testicular cancer. That alone puts us all on edge. As we hit this milestone in this particular week I too find myself saying TGIF (then I look at our family calendar and realize that there is not a day free till after the beginning of November.)

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The time is upon us, Fall. I love this time of year it cools of from all those scorchers of the summer months and the leaves start to turn. Since we live in Northwestern Pa we get some great views during this time of year. There is one reason I do not like fall tho. The heaters! Where we live we do not have whole house heat, each room has a built in heater and they are regulated individually. My husband and I debate every year when it is time to switch them on. My theory is if it is going below 45 at night they need to be on at night. I feel the perfect sleeping temp is somewhere between 50 and 60. At night I am the one who goes to bed first so at night while he is up he will turn them on and or up. I end up waking in the middle of the night in a sweat. At my age this is starting to scare me, is it menopause or my husband messing with the heaters again? I know we are not the only family who goes thru this I can remember as a child, visiting my Grandmother and being told to distract her so that my father and his brothers could sneak over and turn down the thermostat during family gatherings. Do you and your spouse agree over the temp and when that heater should kick on?

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My BFF and I at our bonfire this weekend

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This afternoon I ended up taking my husband to the ER. He came home last night with an ache in his back and took the trash out for me while reaching to replace the bag he bent wrong and pulled his back. I tried to convince him last night to go to the ER when it would not be as busy and an easier visit on me. Although just like a man he insisted that he did not need to go and would be fine in the morning. Surprise Surprise he was in extreme pain in the morning. It still took me a few hours to convince him to go to the hospital and stop playing he man. Apparently it was a good thing that he compromised when he did because as soon as we got there his back started to go into spasms. As we were ready to check out and he was not still 100% better he asked the nurse for just one more shot. She informed him that he had been given enough meds in our short 3 hour stay to put him, myself and her out for the evening. Mind you that the ER at our local hospital know my husband very well as he suffers from stones at least two times a month. We have been home for a few hours now and my husband has been sleeping for most of that time. I am hopeful that he will be feeling better in a day or so as this week is a busy one for me. This weekend we are having a bonfire party. We do this every fall usually a few of my husbands friends although this year we are having approx 30 people here. I also have four printing jobs due this week, I am the room mother for our son's 3rd grade class and this week we have open house that entails me to call the moms to make cookies and have a poster ready for every one to sign up to help with the parties through the year. We are also in the process of remodeling our house I will be taking over my husbands duties with my father since we will be loosing his help as of Thursday due to a well deserved vacation my parents are taking. I am venting aren't I sorry for that my friends. I do find tho that if I blog it I end up getting it done. So note this universe I will be busy this week but by Saturday night I will be enjoying my friends at a very well deserved party. I am thinking that this week I will have to start vlogging more just to save time. I hope everyone has a productive and fun week.

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OK so I had to get on here right away and blog this. My husband is in our bathroom giving our dog a bath and my 2 almost 3 yr old daughter is right there with him. I here her talking to him and I hear him say I don't know what you are talking about get your mother. I am busily working away in the living room so I just yell in so I can translate for my husband when I hear Anne: Mommy I stuck Mom: What your stuck Anne: yep Help I am thinking where in the world could she get stuck in the bathroom and all I can figure my adventurous little girl is stuck behind the toilet. I get to the bathroom to find her in the laundry basket playing. No she wasn't stuck! Mom: Anne you are not stuck and don't play in the dirty clothes Mom to Dad: I thought she was stuck behind the T-O-I-L-E-T Anne: no mom I was not stuck behind the toilet. Mom: What???? How did you know what I said? Anne: You spell it! Mom and Dad: WOW!!!! I can not believe that she knew what I was saying!

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We are looking for a new name for our radio show. We are holding a contest to name our new show. All you have to do is leave us a comment here with your name idea. The winner will receive a gift card to the Olive Garden.

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This past weekend we celebrated my son's 9th Birthday. First let me say where did the time go? We had our family and friends party together this year and I have learned my lesson on that. If you are ever thinking of doing this let me be the first to say don't. I felt like I had no time to spend with our family. Robby on the other hand had a great time and after all that is what matters.

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Today is Grandparents day. So let me start by saying Happy Grandparents Day to all those Grandparents out there. I was thinking today about my Grandparents I only have one still alive. When I was married (the first time) I was lucky enough to have all four of my grandparents there, I also was lucky enough to have known quite well one of my Great Grandmothers. I sit here and think of all the fun things I did with my grandparents over the years and how they have influenced my life. I know I find my self referencing things they have taught me to my children. I am very happy that my children have my Grandmother and there Grandparents in there lives to help mold them. Maybe just maybe I will hear them referencing there grandparents to there children some day.

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Today was our son's first testing with his new Karate School. I am not sure who was more nervous him or me?!?! By the end of testing I was completely amazed at what my son could do!

When he tests again he will be going for his Blue Belt.

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I know there will be many many many posts out there today about the tragic events that happened on September 11,2001. I am sad like most Americans are today. But I also have to send out a Great Big Hug to the families and loved ones of the HERO'S of Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville PA. The men and women of this flight did more than they know by taking back our skys that frightful morning. Personally they saved my family. Not only did this flight fly over my parents home where my mother was babysitting my almost 1yr old son but it was headed back to our nations capital and had it crashed closer my family that lives by there might have been in the path of destruction. I know there were many people who lost loved ones on that day and I can only pray that they are comforted in knowing that the lives that were lost on that particular part of that horrible day saved so many others and I will always look at them as one of our GREATEST HEROS!!!!!!! As of today 8 years later there is no permanent memorial to honor these heros please check out www.honorflight93.org and see what you can do to help future generations know about our heros of today!

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Anne and her Great Grandmother (GG)

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Well we just get the kids back into the swing of school and already we have a long weekend. I kind of feel guilty trying to keep my kids on a schedule over the holiday weekend but I know if I don't then when Tuesday morning rolls around I will regret it. We have so much going on this weekend too. Saturday we are going to my in-laws for a picnic Sunday we are driving to Maryland for my nieces birthday party and on Sunday we are going to visit two friends one is an old friend of my husband's and the other is my best friend since I was a child. I can only hope that my kids do not fight me with the schedule. At least after this Tuesday we will completely be back into the swing of things for school and we can get to a regular routine around here well that is until Thanksgiving break. Have a great holiday weekend.

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Today was our daughters first dental visit. She was a trooper. I on the other hand was not. She sat in the chair and let the dentist look in her mouth and count her teeth like she was her best friend. I knew going into this that she would need more work done and that this was just a consult. We will be going back to have her front teeth fixed in a few weeks and they will have to give her sedation for that, they probably should give me some too. LOL I am sure my big girl will do great then too.

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Last night as we were setting everyones clothes out for the first day of school I reminded my son that I wanted to take a picture of him and not to let me forget. Out of the blue I feel a tug on my leg saying "Meeeeee Toooo I go to school tomorrow and you take my picture toooo" How can you resist such a sweet inocent request? Although I had already planned on doing some Pre-School related things with Anne thru out the day while her older brother was off soaking up the third grade. We made her own little area for school. She had already got a cute new outfit so we laid it out on the couch right beside her big brothers and we even had a book bag all set up (thanks Aunt Amy). When I then went to the kitchen to pack the non perishables for Robby's lunch I hear the pitter patter of toddler feet right behind me saying "where is my lunch box?" Yep we have one of them too and it matches Lily. That just made it that much better so we packed up Anne's right along with Robby. Sadly when Anne woke up this morning Robby had already gone off to the third grade and although she was disappointed and wanted him to come home "RIGHT NOW" we did make it thru the morning of learning the letters in her name and going over the flashcards we have been doing over the summer. (Can't wait till she is older and I get to remind her that her 2yr old preschool had her dog that she could make do flashcards.) Now that lunch, Yep out of her lunch box is over and she is down for a nap I am planning what to do this afternoon. I see a project coming on..........

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This past weekend my husband was in a childhood friends wedding. I was a bit apprehensive about going to this wedding because he was in the wedding and I didn't know hardly anyone going to the wedding. I do have to say we had a great time! I met tons of new people and even a few I already knew surprised me. We have another wedding this upcoming summer and my husband is also in that one. I am feeling a little bit less apprehensive about that one since this went so smooth. I also found out that we have some really great friends and just how strong my marriage is. Thanks Brian you are the best husband ever! Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Martin, I hope you have a wonderful life together and I hope that Scott makes Jamie as happy as Brian has made me.

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So today I went up to our local outlet mall to the COACH store. It took me two weeks to convince my husband to let me spent almost $200 on a new purse. Trust me it took a ton of coaxing, dealing and bribing. So as he left for work this morning he says to me that I can take his credit card and go. I proceed to get the kids ready (take his meds to him at work that once again he forgot) and I am on my way. I get there and get the kids out of the car my daughter in her stroller and convince my son to let me push her till we get to the sidewalk, Always an issue with us. After spending at least an hour looking around the store I finally pick one much less than what he said I could spend. I then proceed to stand in line for what seems like forever with two children who really don't want to be in a "Mommy" store. I get to the front of the line and the cashier starts to ring me up, I proceed to give him my husbands credit card and he tells me that I can't use it because my name is not on the card. Now I have to say that if the credit card company ever got a signature other than mine such as my husbands they would question it. I don't think he has ever signed for ANYTHING. I proceeded to tell the clerk that I would be happy to give him anything with my name on it showing we are married I would also give him a call at work and he could verify for me. He said no and I walked out! VERY IRRITATED!!! Tonight before we go to get my husband final fitting for his tux for the wedding he is in this weekend I will need to take him with me to buy my purse. Yes I still want it.

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Fourteen years ago my brother was about to get married to what I saw at the time as the woman who was taking away my brother. We fought, oh my did we fight, at one point what now I can only imagine as an attempt to smooth things over my brother put us on the phone together and we had it out.

Looking back now at that time we have to laugh wishing I knew then what I know now. As of today I don't go one day without talking to my Sister-in-Law, although I only refer to her as my Sister. She is one of my biggest supporters, and defenders as I am hers. I am grateful that my brother chose Amy as his wife. She is an awesome Mother, Aunt, and Godmother and Sister. As I sit and write this my Brother and his family are getting ready to come home for a week. Oh yea did I forgot to mention we are as close as can be and yet we live 4 hours away. I have many women in my life but none as special as my sister!

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Fern's music is fun and lively, she has a few CD's under her belt. USA Today recognized her talent when they recommended her christmas album nationwide. Her charisma even persuaded Virgin Mobile to present her as the face of their 2004 ad campaign. She is a former dancer, pianist, and preschool director, I believe that this gives her a great backround to draw on to give your childs first expierence to their own music a postive one. We have been given the privlage to sample one of her CD's Kids! Off To Dreamland. My daughter found this CD to be great. We used it last week before bedtime and she loved it. Now you will get this oppertunity too. We are giving away, Kids! Off To Dreamland Fern, the Stars and the Planets Kids! Christmas! Fern! Kids! Dance with Fern Kids! Hopping Into Easter with Fern How to win one of these CD's 1. Follow me on Twitter @FleegerFamily 2. Tweet about this contest make sure you put @FleegerFamily in your tweet 3. Blog about this contest Be sure to come back and leave me your URL so I can check out your blog 4. Grab our Widget and post it on your site again don't forget to come back and leave your URL 5. Subscribe to this blog. Each of these will get you 1 entry into the contest This contest is open to US mailing addresses only. The winners will be announced on an upcoming episode Mommy Moments then posted on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to notify us with their mailing information .

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

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OK so I didn't get to go to Blogher 09'. I was sad I couldn't go but in the end I ended up happy I was home. Not only did I have a great weekend with my family but on Thursday my daughter came down with the flu and was very sick, so I was happy I was home to take care of her. As you can see by the picture she was feeling so much better by Saturday night and the Bowlher live party. She LOVES Danielle from ExtraordinaryMommy.com , so when she saw me watching her on the red carpet from Bowlher she wanted to watch too. I have a strong feeling that she may end up being the youngest blogger real soon! To all my friends who got to go I hope you had a great time and I can't wait to hear all the stories and tips. I hope to join you next year.

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I have had a friend of mine this past few weeks send out some jealousy vibes. My first thought why in the world would you be jealous of me? My second thought was STOP! She has been trying to imitate what I do and how I live my life for a while now and I always though she was just so much like me. Then when I realized that she was doing these things just because I was doing them I was a bit flattered but in this past week I have gotten frustrated with the jealous comments. Besides my feelings on this I had to take a step back the other day when my son who understands what is going on and has even pointed it out to me a few times, looked at me and said why does XXXXX want to do everything you do and then tries to ruin it for you and why doesn't she just have her own life? I tried to explain this in his terms like when one of his friends gets a toy or video game that he really wants. He did understand but as usual my wise beyond his years son said "yea I feel that way for a second and then I get over it and am happy for my friend." So once again I have learned how to deal with a problem I am having by being a parent. I am going to get over it and hope that she will too.

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As I told you in the last post my family was in town this weekend and we had a blast! First my Brother Frank arrived minus his oldest daughter and wife (they were greatly missed). Then my brother Joe arrived from California. We had a great dinner and a bonfire, catching up on old times and letting Joe get to know our kids. The next day we went to Pittsburgh for my cousins graduation party. As I sat in my uncles yard watching my brothers play basketball in the driveway it took me back to when I was little and sitting at Quail Park watching them stomp all over the neighborhood kids and then some punks would come from the North Side and try to beat them, My brothers would walk all over them! And if our friend Vernon was there then that was a great game of three on three. I miss those days.

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Well I am not on my way to BlogHer but I also have a big weekend coming up this weekend. First tomorrow night my Brother is coming home and bringing one of my two nieces (the other had a prior obligation so she and her mother will be staying home and greatly missed) and my nephew home for the weekend. Then on Saturday my brothers best friend growing up (my suto brother since he was with us for everything) is coming home. We have not seen him in over 10 years. He is now retired from the navy and was stationed in CA. we are so excited to have the three of us back together again and to have him meet our children. I am sure I will have many pictures and fun times to talk about next week. Till then for you ladies at BlogHer have fun and keep us updated, and for thoes of you who can't go this week too I hope you have a great weekend see you all on Monday!

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Earlier today I was baking cupcakes with my daughter and as we were waiting for them to cook I had her sitting up on the counter and we were talking. When she was done telling me all about the cupcakes, how they were made, how they were cooking and how Daddy was going to love them. I told her "I Love You" and she said the cutest thing back to me "Mommy I Love You Too Much!" with such conviction. Now since my son was born I have had this little saying with him he says " I love you infinity and beyond and I say I love you best in the whole wide world. Never thinking at the time about more children I didn't see anything wrong with this. Within days of my daughter being born I realized that this may hurt her feelings. I have been searching for something special to say with her too. I think today's events have just solved my problem.

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Mommy Moments Shared via AddThis

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Join me LIVE on my Mommy Moments show on BlogTalkRadio at http://tobtr.com/s/598127 or call (347) 857-2433 on July 8th at 1:30pm. This will be a chance for me to introduce myself and let you know what our show will be all about. I would love to hear from you on topics you would want to talk about. Don't forget to check out our new blog at http://www.mommymigraines.blogspot.com/ This is your place to leave me your "Mommy Migraine Moments" we all do things as mom's that are "shortcuts" tell me about yours.

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This morning as I sit here with my kids on the couch in front of my desk I am having a deja vu moment. My son is trying to play his video game and my daughter who recently awoke is sitting next to him with her controller (no batteries) doing everything he does. The other day as he was singing the theme to his fave cartoon she was imitating him and I was able to grab my video camera and capture it. I have to laugh tho because I can remember running around with my little cousins and telling my mother to make them stop doing what I am doing. Now as a mother I see how much just imitating her brother has given her an advantage. At this age altho my son is super smart he just didn't have the verbal skills she has from repeating everything he says. I am amazed at the connection they have, there is 6 years difference between them and some days they are like twins.

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I was not asked to review Smile Box but I felt that everyone should know about this if you don't know already. I do not remember how I came about having this software on my computer but you can get it from www.smilebox.com I had it on my computer for a while now but have not done anything with it, finally the other night after downloading my vacation photos I decided to check this program out. After making a cute interactive postcard for my family and friends I went to send it and found out that this will cost. If you only want to send it the price is $2.99 then there is a monthly fee of $5.99 if you prefer. At that price you get a lot more you can print your creation, E-Mail it, Post it to your blog, or Burn it to a CD. As you can see below I have posted our vacation journal interactive postcard to my blog, enjoy and I hope you will go check them out. Keep in mind just to try them it is free and they have hundreds of templates to choose from.

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Make a Smilebox postcard

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We are finally home from vacation. We had what seemed like a forever drive home. It took us two days to get from Key West Fl. to Volant Pa. Our entire family had so much fun there. I will have pics and video to upload this week. But for now I will leave you with the picture I took of the sunset!

This was the sunset on the last night we were there. We took a great catamaran out for a sunset cruise by sunsport cruises if you are ever there you will hear alot about the furry and although theirs is fun the sunsport cruises are so much better!

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For those of you that live in states that have tons and tons of sunshine, Go ahead laugh it's OK. afterall I am laughing too. So once again I have come to our condo in Key West Fl. now you would think after being here off and on since I was 18 years old I would know that I am GOING to burn. So this year I not only put 50 on my kids but on myself as well. Little good that did, us Northerners as we are called here got burnt. I of course am the worst my face is lobster red, Anne is just slightly pink and Robby only has it a bit on one shoulder. So last night mom and dad went and got more (a different kind) sunblock. So we shall see but I have no intentions of coming home BURNT!

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My family and I are about to embark on a two day trip from our small town in Western Pennsylvania to Key West, Fl. If you went on summer driving vacations as a child you will remember the typical "are we there yet?" and you parents enlisting the typical driving games.... Lets see who can stay quiet for the longest or the licence plate game or even my fave punch buggy and pa-diddle. Then there was the typical how many times can we get mom and dad to stop and eat. I like to think that I am smarter, and that the tricks that we pulled on our parents just wont work on me. So I have a few basic things to help you get thru those long car rides. 1. If you have a DVD player in your car USE IT! I do recommend going the week prior and purchasing or even now a days you can use netflix and getting the kids some new movies. Ones that you know they havent seen and they want to. If you do not have a DVD player in your car check out on line and in your local stores they are portable and very affordable. We like ours because not only will it work in the car but if we are staying in a hotel and there is no DVD player ours will hook up to a tv and plug into the wall. So I make sure I get some great family movies for the evening or a rainy day. 2. I also like the wipe off tablets. Now I do not mean the ones with markers unless you have older kids but I am speaking about the ones with the little bar that when you swipe it across it erases the picture. I also like the new markers for kids that will only write on the special paper. I know they can get expensive but again these can work for in the car or in a hotel room and you do not end up with marker everywhere. 3. For the older kids I have found that your basic things such as their hand held video games and Ipods are great distractions. I make sure that the night before we leave I have them all charged up and on my son's Ipod I put a movie or two that he can watch but may be too old for my younger daughter to watch. This gives him something to watch when we are watching the kiddy shows on the DVD in the van. 4. Seating. This can be one of the most important issues. We have a mini van and my daughter still has to be in a car seat. For long rides her legs hang over the side and this can get very uncomfortable as well as not being good for the circulation in her legs. We take a cooler or a Creight packed with things we will need when we stop at her legs and if necessary I put a pillow on top. My son lately has opted out of sitting in the seat right next to his sister and is now sitting in the "way back" as he calls it. This is a bit easier because we can allow him to buckle himself in and then turn sideways with a pillow behind him and put his feet up in the back. I also have a pocket hanger on the back of the seat in front of him so he has places to put all the things he wants to take with him. 5. Clothing is an extremely important thing to have on and with you. Even for older kids this is important. We always try to leave in the evening after the kids have had a full day of playing while my husband gets to sleep in that day. So as we start off I have the kids in comfy climate appropriate clothing. As we get closer to our destination (sometimes a much warmer place) this clothing can get too hot and uncomfortable on your child. I put an overnight bag for each child with some more appropriate clothing. Keeping in mind what we will be doing that day if we are getting out to play a bit and then have to get back in the car for more driving I will give them something a bit loose fitting so when we are getting back in the car they are still comfortable. Keep in mind that you might want two things just in case of accidents. 6 Food. This can be a tough one considering you are probably passing what seems like every fast food restaurant known to man and you child reminds you every time you pass one. This is something that I like to get the kids involved in. I recommend if you are traveling more than one day have a specific bag for each day, and remember the more your child consumes the more unscheduled bathroom breaks you will need to take, as well as if your belly is overstuffed think of how uncomfortable you are which in kids relates to the more complaining. I will have a Vlog up later today on how to pack these but the basics are have snack bags. You can always make these yourself or purchase them already made up. I find that if I follow these basic things we have a successful road trip. Good luck with yours and have fun out there this summer.

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The last few weeks I have been reading a great book. Life on Planet Mom. Now let me preference this review with this, If you are a MOPS mom this is this years theme book.

Now let me tell you about this book. First there are little sections in the book that you have to stop and read I call them Coffee Time (since they have a graphic of a coffee cup with them) I believe they are there to give you something to think about. My fave is "Do you understand love better now that you're a mom? How so?" I used these as journal entries during the three weeks I was reading this book. Let me just say I understand me so much better and have recently started to read excerpts to my husband at night and he seems to be getting a better understanding of me and what it means to me to be the mom to our children. Also in this book there is the Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale now I know what you are thinking, classic magazine quiz. But I have found this one to be right on the money if I am ever feeling a bit stressed just sitting and taking this sometimes can put things in perspective for me. Another section is How to rediscover your mate as we all know after having kids your relationship with the hubby is the first you put aside. There is a part of this chapter that is Ten Discussion Starters That Do Not Center on Children. Who couldn't use that. One of the other chapters that I found my self pondering on was My family Tree is Suddenly a Forest basically this talks about how you relationship changes with your parents and siblings now that you have a family of your own. I feel this book has given me the perspective not only to be a better mom to my two children but how to be a better person to my self as well as the world around me. Prior to reading this my world consisted of my children, Husband, a few friends, and what was going on in all their lives I didn't step back and think about how what that small group of people and what we were doing affected the world around us and how I can do better not only in my little world but in the bigger picture.

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Today I went to the local outlet mall to get some clothes for my kids for our vacation to Key West. I had to get my daughter a bathing suit, she is two years old and looks adorable in anything. Although her father is WAY overprotective of our little girl. Knowing this I bought her two suits, both bikinis one was a shirt looking top with a small bottom and the other was a typical two piece. As I pulled out all the clothes I had gotten for the kids I purposely left these for last knowing my hubby would FREAK! As I pulled them out I stated that there was one that he would like and one I liked and we would see which Anne liked and the other would promptly go back. I of course put mine on first with the hope that once it was on she would not want to take it off like most of her clothes. She got the bottom on no problem and the top on and I pulled it over her chest she then promptly tried to pull it down over her belly as I explained that it didn't go that far she looks at me and says "No mommy too small I want that one" pointing to the one daddy was holding. So I pose the question How old is old enough to wear a two piece?

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I am sitting here today waiting for my son to get off the bus on his last day of 2nd grade. Everyone keeps telling me I am being sappy, altho I just can't seem to help remembering his first day of Kindergarten. How he got on that bus so excited and I held it together till he got out of our long driveway and I lost it. At the time I had no other children and he was my entire world. Shortly there after he started into sports first there was karate, that was fun but it was way to time consuming. Next came soccer and he was good but again we were getting into arguments to go to practice. Then this last year he asked me to skip soccer and sign him up for baseball in the spring. I did reluctantly after all the only thing I knew about baseball was to go to games and look for cute guys when I was in collage. Let me just say that was one of the best things I have ever done. Besides getting to spend time with his friends he is really excelling. According to my father who knows way more than me about baseball my son has over an 800 batting average. (Apparently this is really good) So at the game the other night 6-2-09 Robby came away with the game ball. A little thing the coach does at the end of each game for the MVP of that game. Robby not only got up to bat 5x but he hit all five and scored 3x. I am so proud of him!!!! So as of now my son has gotten off the bus as a proud third grader. I know there will be many more accomplishments to come and so many more reasons to stand up and proudly exclaim "Yes I am Robby's Mom!" as of now I am a the Proudest Momma Ever! Oh and he just gave me his report "WOW could I get any happier today!" Way to go bud!

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Tonight as my husband and I were watching the Penguin game my daughter woke up and wanted a sippy and to sit with daddy on the couch. Shortly after she wanted to sit with me and the jealous dog wanted to sit with Brian, as he tried to cuddle with him Brian decided he needed some space. The dog was not so accommodating so he made the dog get off the couch and proceed to exclaim "The dog Pissed on the couch!" As Brian was trying to determine if it was truly the dog or if it could be that Anne's sippy leaked on the couch, as I had interjected, Anne proudly exclaimed "George Pissed On The Couch!" I just laughed as I have told my husband at least a thousand times to watch how he expresses himself. Do you have any funny antidotes of your children and the funny things they say feel free to leave me your stories too.

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We went to Erie for Memorial Day and had a blast I have a feeling that we have a Beach Bum on our hands!

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Hey there everyone. I know it has been a while since I have been on, I just haven't felt up to it my Migraines were back altho now after quite a few procedures and med adjustments I think we finally have them under control. In that time I have spent the time that I could reading and trying to grow my business. In my endeavors I have found a great new book. Making Work at Home Work. by Mary M Byers. You can purchase this book thru the MOPS web site under the MOPS Shop. I have found that this book has so many good ideas on how to blend both my family life and my business under my (well lets face it ) small roof. This year has been especially trying due not only to the onset of my migraines whenever they feel like but that Anne has decided that she no longer wants or is willing to take naps. This was the time in the past when I would get my business done. As my customer base was growing (thank goodness due to my husbands recent layoff) I was finding it more difficult to keep my daughter and my husband for that matter occupied and out of my hair for a few hours each day so I could get work done. I found that at the end of each chapter she has posted a "lesson learned" section. a nice over view if you have been reading in the evening while hubby watches TV or the kids are playing at your feet. I also enjoyed the Mom Profile after each chapter. It really shows you that there are moms out there doing this and it just takes some organization and rules that not only your family needs to respect but you need to respect also.

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