Wednesday, March 7, 2012
#StopKony2012
KONY 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.I hope that you will feel moved to join the movement, share the movie or set up a reoccurring donation like I did this morning.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Inside The Crayon Box With @Crayola and #MyBlogSpark
Crayola wants every child to be creatively alive, so they’re inviting parents “Inside the Crayon Box,” for a special live chat with celebrities and trusted parenting experts that will inspire and spark ideas to expand your child’s creative thinking. If you find yourself looking for new ways to inspire your children to express their ideas and build their creativity, you’ll want to join them to learn and share!
The first “Inside the Crayon Box” live chat is Wednesday, March 7 at 9 p.m. EST. Join Crayola and musician, children’s author and mom, Lisa Loeb for a 45-minute live streaming video chat on the Crayola Facebook page. Lisa, best-known for her number one hit “Stay (I Missed You),” will share as personal stories, practical advice and ways she brings a little creative play into every day for her daughter. They want to hear from you - participants can ask Lisa questions during the event, too!
Interested in the topics to be covered during the chat?
Why Does Creativity Matter?
Creativity is not about who’s the best artists or becoming an architect. It’s a way of thinking that encourages kids’ original ideas and develops their confidence.
Growing Up Creative. Lisa will share stories about growing up in a home where creativity was encouraged.
Simple Tips. Easy Ideas. Like most moms, Lisa juggles a lot. She’ll share simple, easy ways she sparks her daughter’s creativity as part of their daily routine.
“Creativity Matters”
“Inspire”
Just in case you miss the Crayola “Inside the Crayon Box” event, or if would like to share the chat with your readers after the live session, check out the Crayola YouTube Channel where the session will be posted.
To learn more about the tools from Crayola that make it easy for parents to help children develop their creativity www.Crayola.com and like Crayola on Facebook!
Also, be sure to check out Lisa’s book Lisa Loeb’s Silly Sing-Along: The Disappointing Pancake and Other Zany Songs (Sterling Children’s Books, 2011) available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Sing, laugh, and play with pop Lisa in this fabulous collection of ten of the silliest songs ever. Fun activities, games, and recipes accompany whimsical songs. Take Lisa's Silly Sing-Along with you wherever you go and get the high-spirited good times started. Includes a 10-song CD recorded by Lisa!
Disclosure: The Crayola “Inside the Crayon Box” prize pack, product information and prize pack for giveaway (to be given away later in the month) have been provided by Crayola through MyBlogSpark.
Pin It
Thursday, February 9, 2012
After 10 Years Could You Start Over?
Could you throw out every pre-conceived notion you have ever had about your kids overnight? Could you wake up the morning after visiting with their doctor to begin your life as a mother again?
I have found myself in that position recently.
My oldest is going in for a gamut of tests to determine exactly what we are dealing with. For the last two years we have been dealing with him having ADHD...but now they are not so sure that's what he has - or if that's all that he has.
We've already been told my his teacher this year that 5th grade is the turning point in our schools. Kids can be passed on in lower grades if they are on the cusp of getting it but being held back by problems and maturity. But this year...it's make it or break it.
Since we have visited (IE cried, complained and listed all the symptoms that we have been dealing with the last couple of years) I saw a look on the doctor's face questioning why we always said things are better, things are good...
The honest truth?
It's embarrassing to share just how out of control, out of sorts and out of the realm of normal my son's behavior is gotten.
and
good in my eyes had become manageable. As long as we can make is through the day that is all that I had come to expect.
Now?
I know that's not enough.
So after hearing about all that it could be:
Aspegers
Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Or ADHD combined with a combination of other things.
I
well I am having to make changes. I am having to strain my patience to it's breaking point and then take a deep breath and make it stretch ever farther. I am having to stick to my guns and give up all semblance of control. Power struggles seem to flair up into arguments that spiral out of control all to quickly. So I am choosing my battles wisely and sparingly. I am not punishing for how long it takes to get homework done or the amount of work that he has to bring home. I am not excluding him from activities but pushing him to be active, social and happy. I am being more supportive about his needs and the needs that he doesn't even know about.
We are doing more family activities and even inviting friends to come along with us. We are attending birthday parties and getting involved in our community.
I am being more careful with my words towards every member of my family so that he can learn respect from the source that deserves to receive it.
We are attending church. I forgot how welcoming a church family can be. I forgot how families thrive in that atmosphere.
I am praising like no one's business the behavior that I adore and trying my hardest to ignore or reprimand the behavior that I want to get rid of.
We are building in stress relieving activities into our week like baking, thrift shopping and running. The 2 oldest boys and I are going to run a 5K in April and are joining in on practice runs 2 nights a week.
I am giving chores and allowance to build up a sense of teamwork in our house.
I am taking regular breaks once a week and giving over the reins to Hubby once he gets home from work. I am going to sleep at a decent hour and waking early to get a calming 30 minutes in peace with a cup of coffee.
I have basically given up my computer, iPhone and TV during my kids waking hours in lieu of giving them one on one attention that they have been craving in the form of fights, temper tantrums and misbehavior.
We are playing games, making jokes and shedding a few tears along the way. We are struggling, but we are making it. We have good days and we have really bad days. If I have to start over from the beginning with this motherhood thing for my kids, that's what I am going to do. They are my reason for getting up in the morning and there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for them.
Blogging has been an outlet for me. I don't want to focus solely on this issue in the future. But if you don't hear from me for a few days know that I am doing the work that needs to be done in my home to ensure that happiness is always welcome here.
Hiking photos from Sequoah State Park.
Flowers from my own backyard given to me from my oldest.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
5 Nights of Soup Suppers - Vegetable Pasta Soup
Not only is the week all about easy soup suppers but I have found that by making soup, I have way more time for all the things that we are finding super important lately.
Playing the games that the kids got for Christmas.
Reading with Madilyn and Ethan while the two older boys read in their beds.
Eating as a family at the table.
Getting homework and housework done.
Getting all 4 bathes done.
Not only are we able to accomplish all of this and still get supper on the table, but the kids are as ready for bed as we are to send them.
Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups carrots, coarsely shredded (3 carrots)
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, thinly sliced (2 stalks celery)
1 32-ounce carton reduced sodium chicken broth
4 cups water
1 1/2 cups dried ditalini pasta (or any small pasta)
1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs snipped fresh parsley
In a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir for 15 seconds. Add carrots, celery and onion; cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add broth and the water; bring to boiling. Stir in pasta; cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Top each serving with cheese and parsley.
Pin It
Monday, January 30, 2012
Are You Ready For A New Look This New Year?
It's hard not to think about weight loss in the month of January. It seems like everyone I know is constantly talking about the weight that they have lost, the new thing they are trying or the food that they are missing while dieting.
One of my favorite ways of saving calories and still feeling full is soup and salad. And thanks to Progresso I have a ton of great new soups to try out. While I usually just grab something to eat at the restaurant that I work at for lunch...I know that it would be way less calories if I came home and heated up some soup and threw together a simple salad.
Thanks to Progresso through My Blog Spark I am able to offer one of you the chance to win a Progresso “Souper You” prize pack:
(2) VIP Coupons for Progresso Soup
(1) copy of “The Biggest Loser” Workout DVD
Just tell me your favorite kind of soup.
Bonus Entries:
1. Follow me somehow: e-mail subscriber, Instagram, Pinterest Twitter or Facebook. +1 entry. Leave a comment telling me how you follow.
2. Share this giveaway: Through Twitter or FB. +1 entry. Leave me a permalink to your twitter or FB status by clicking on the time stamp on it and commenting with the url of your share.
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will close FEB 12th. Winner will be drawn using random.org, contacted through e-mail and have 24 hours to get back to me with shipping information of a new winner will be drawn.
Pin It
One of my favorite ways of saving calories and still feeling full is soup and salad. And thanks to Progresso I have a ton of great new soups to try out. While I usually just grab something to eat at the restaurant that I work at for lunch...I know that it would be way less calories if I came home and heated up some soup and threw together a simple salad.
Now that the ball has dropped and the confetti has settled, it’s time to consider how you will stick to your resolution for the New Year and maintain your weight management plan, without sacrificing on variety or the taste of foods you love. Thanks to Progresso®, you can have your soup and eat it too! With 40 delicious soups with 100 calories or less per serving, Progresso Soup has a variety of offerings that help you beat diet boredom and satisfy your taste cravings, while helping you stick to your weight management calorie goals. Progresso soups are packed with hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, rice, meat and vegetables that suit your taste buds and make you feel good about including it in your meal choices. This year, the Souper You® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season’s live finale of NBC’s The Biggest Loser Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th In addition, visit http://bit.ly/ProgressoCoup to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup today. Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c Click here to watch this amazing video of the 2011 winner experience. |
Thanks to Progresso through My Blog Spark I am able to offer one of you the chance to win a Progresso “Souper You” prize pack:
(2) VIP Coupons for Progresso Soup
(1) copy of “The Biggest Loser” Workout DVD
Just tell me your favorite kind of soup.
Bonus Entries:
1. Follow me somehow: e-mail subscriber, Instagram, Pinterest Twitter or Facebook. +1 entry. Leave a comment telling me how you follow.
2. Share this giveaway: Through Twitter or FB. +1 entry. Leave me a permalink to your twitter or FB status by clicking on the time stamp on it and commenting with the url of your share.
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will close FEB 12th. Winner will be drawn using random.org, contacted through e-mail and have 24 hours to get back to me with shipping information of a new winner will be drawn.
Pin It
5 Nights of Soup Suppers - Homemade Tomato w/ Cheeto Toppers
I have no trouble sticking to my list while shopping for groceries...that is until I get to the register. It never fails that I have to wait. The impulse shopper inside me loves it. All those shiny magazines are the worst...just waiting for me to discover a recipe that I have to try or a new use for an old thing. One of the most recent magazines that I have bought is SOUPS by Better Homes and Gardens. This week we are having soup for supper every night. I am crossing my fingers that this will cause snow to fall but at least the plumber has finally shown up so that I can light a fire and pretend that it's snowing outside.
I had no idea that tomato soup was this easy to make. In less than 20 minutes I had this delicious soup on the table along with an easy side salad. Not only did it taste way better than the canned variety that we are used to having but it was way healthier! I was able to control the amount of all ingredients since I was the one preparing it. I used 2 carrots, 2 stalks celery and went easy on the salt.
Easy Tomato Soup with Crispy Cheese Puffs
Ingredients:
1 Tbs butter
1/2 cup carrot chopped
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes, undrained
2/3 cup vegetable juice
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 cup of water
Cheetos for topping
In a medium sauce pan heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add carrot, onion and celery; cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until tender. Stir in tomatoes, vegetable juice, sugar Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes; cool slightly.
Transfer tomato mixture, half at a time, to a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Return pureed mixture to saucepan. Stir in enough water to reach desired consistency; heat through.
Top each serving with Cheetos.
I had no idea that tomato soup was this easy to make. In less than 20 minutes I had this delicious soup on the table along with an easy side salad. Not only did it taste way better than the canned variety that we are used to having but it was way healthier! I was able to control the amount of all ingredients since I was the one preparing it. I used 2 carrots, 2 stalks celery and went easy on the salt.
Easy Tomato Soup with Crispy Cheese Puffs
Ingredients:
1 Tbs butter
1/2 cup carrot chopped
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes, undrained
2/3 cup vegetable juice
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 cup of water
Cheetos for topping
In a medium sauce pan heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add carrot, onion and celery; cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until tender. Stir in tomatoes, vegetable juice, sugar Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes; cool slightly.
Transfer tomato mixture, half at a time, to a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Return pureed mixture to saucepan. Stir in enough water to reach desired consistency; heat through.
Top each serving with Cheetos.
Learning To Use My Canon - Week 4
While looking for something to do, I found myself on the Travel OK site. It's amazing the resources, activities and events that are happening right here in OK. This weekend at Sequoya State Park they were doing eagle watching tours. We went for the tour but stayed to play tourist in the park.
We were told that the Audubon Society would be set up at a local nesting tree with telescopes and binoculars. After a quick google search we learned that Audubon society are groups of people who want to help preserve eco systems and focus mainly on birds.
All of the society members were so helpful and encouraging. They loaned each of my kids binoculars and moved the telescopes up and down as my kids stopped for their first look at a bald eagle.
They also told us about other resources that are available and great for kids. Local nature centers and hikes, along with a LIVE eagle cam:
http://www.suttoncenter.org/pages/live_eagle_camera
Not only does taking my kids out on outings like this give me the chance to take lots of pictures, but it's fun to pass on this love of learning that I have. I can't wait until spring comes, I am ready to shoot more than these dreary backgrounds and I am looking for field guides so that my kids can learn about the plants and animals as we are exploring.
Any tips, critiques or ideas for photo shoots? Got a great pin on Pinterest for photography? I would love to see it!
We were told that the Audubon Society would be set up at a local nesting tree with telescopes and binoculars. After a quick google search we learned that Audubon society are groups of people who want to help preserve eco systems and focus mainly on birds.
All of the society members were so helpful and encouraging. They loaned each of my kids binoculars and moved the telescopes up and down as my kids stopped for their first look at a bald eagle.
They also told us about other resources that are available and great for kids. Local nature centers and hikes, along with a LIVE eagle cam:
http://www.suttoncenter.org/pages/live_eagle_camera
Not only does taking my kids out on outings like this give me the chance to take lots of pictures, but it's fun to pass on this love of learning that I have. I can't wait until spring comes, I am ready to shoot more than these dreary backgrounds and I am looking for field guides so that my kids can learn about the plants and animals as we are exploring.
Any tips, critiques or ideas for photo shoots? Got a great pin on Pinterest for photography? I would love to see it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
