A special thanks to the Junior League of Houston for the following information.
Teach Your Children Well...
Teach your teenagers the value of voluntarism and of giving back to the community! Contact the following agencies to learn how your child or grandchild can help....
AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc.
Contact: Marc Cohen
713.623.6796
American Diabetes Association
Contact: Ralston Creswell
713.977.7706 Ext. 6083
BEAR... Be A Resource for CPS Kids
Contact: Michelle Searles
713.295.2794 michelle.searles@dfps.state.tx.us
DePelchin Children's Center
Contact: Za'ndra Jackson
713.802.7792
Dress for Success
Contact: Chandra Brooks
713.957.3779
Holocaust Museum Houston
Contact: Suzanne Sutherland
713.942.8000 Ext. 102 or ssutherland@hmh.org
Houston Food Bank
713.547.8609
http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Contact: Karen Fritz
713.639.4658 kfritz@hmns.org
Memorial Hermann Hospital
(age 15 & older)
Visit www.memorialhermann.org/services/volunteer.html
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Contact: Danielle Stephens
713.639.7749 dstephens@mfah.org
Reach Out and Read, Texas
(age 16 & older)
Contact: Kim Anderson
713.500.3836
Sheltering Arms Senior Services
Contact: Joan Arnold
713.667.2840
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Contact: Julie Knapp
713.869.7722 Ext. 129 http://www.spcahouston.org/
Star of Hope
(age 16 & older)
Contact: Elizabeth Hatler
713.748.0700 Ext. 222
SuperKids Mobile Pediatric Clinic
(age 16 & older)
Contact: Anu McDonald
713.303.5317
Teen Health Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine
(high school seniors)
Contact: Peggy B. Smith
713.873.3601
Texas Children's Hospital
Contact: Pat Dolan
832.824.1000
The Children's Museum of Houston
Contact: Monica Santillam
713.522.1138 Ext. 209 msantillan@cmhouston.org
The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Contact: Maggi Suttles
713.792.7180
Until the next nap time...
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Another Blueberry Farm to Try
Looking for blueberries to pick in a family-friendly environment? An old high school friend emailed me to recommend Chmielewski's Blueberry Farm in Hockley. My friend said that it's not too far from the west side of Houston & her son really enjoyed it. How about a healthy snack of blueberries?
Until the next nap time...
Until the next nap time...
Expose Kids to Symphony
Looking for a fun, FREE activity with the kids today? Join us at the Houston Symphony’s Sounds Like Fun! Series, held today at 11 am at Miller Outdoor Theater at Hermann Park at 100 Concert Drive. The centerpiece of the Houston Symphony's Education & Outreach program, Sounds like Fun! offers children an entertaining first encounter with classical music and lays the groundwork for further classical experiences. Pack a lunch & bring a blanket or twoel to sit on. Hope to see you there!
Until the next napt time...
Until the next napt time...
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Ohio Trip Continues
Today is Sunday, our last day in Ohio. I'm glad that our flight doesn't leave until 6 pm so we can squeeze some more into the trip. Don't get me wrong. I'm ready to get back into the groove but this has been a great trip.
Last night, we drove ~5 minutes or 2 miles to Aunt Kenny & Uncle Brad's new house for dinner. Grilled shrimp, stuffed mushrooms, chicken, cheesy-wheesy potatoes, salad, bread & of course, oreo & ice cream dessert. Yum!
Little K was shy for the first 10 minutes but before I knew it was up & running in the backyard with the 2 dogs. Perhaps best of all was how cuddly she got with Uncle Brad & Aunt Kenny. Too cute. She even played a bit with big cousins Lauren & John. It doesn't take her long to cuddle up next to relatives.
Pa Pa Don just made his infamous pancakes so we ate a delicious breakfast fit for kings, followed by church. More later...
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Family is Priceless
Yesterday in the mail, PaPa Don received a giant fish pillow from Aunt Margaret in Vegas. The two have a constant rivalry on who can catch the bigger fish. It's a wonderful competition that has prompted the most hillarious gift exchanges. Once unfolded from its vaccuum-sealed package, we discovered the fish pillow is larger than Little K. Here, PaPa Don & Little K examine the fish closely on the floor.
Today we've already picked plenty of peas from the garden & completed chores. In exchange for a 50 cent piece, Little K helped PaPa Don (or "Don" as Kylie insists on calling him, much to my horror) pick up the small sticks scattered over the backyard from the messy sycamore tree. Regular breaks to eat peas were provided. Next, we filled up on fruit from the frig and ventured out to Meijers store up the street. It's somewhat similar to Walmart, but much nicer & cleaner. Apparently, Meijers only is in the northwest region of the U.S. or I'd be a new customer. I told Little K that she could buy one sticker or a candy since she helped PaPa Don this morning. She hated the fact that I wouldn't let her eat them all in the store before paying for the candy by the ounce. Grammy encouraged me to give her a few more while we shopped but we continue to fight the battle of rewarding bad behavior. You know how this battle is played in public when Mom doesn't want a scene. Ugh.
After a temper tantrum over gummy bears in Meijers stores, Little K was sent to bed for an afternoon nap. She called for the fish pillow!
Until the next nap time...
Friday, June 08, 2007
Quiet Heroes
I really liked this and thought it was especially relevant to parents & grandparents reading my blog. What do you think? Add your comments to my blog.
"Quiet Heroes" by Max Lucado
Quiet heroes dot the landscape of our society. They don’t wear ribbons or kiss trophies; they wear spit-up and kiss boo-boos. They don’t make the headlines, but they do sew the hemlines and check the outlines and stand on the sidelines. You won’t find their names on the Nobel Prize short list, but you will find their names on the homeroom, carpool, and Bible teacher lists.
They are parents, both by blood and deed, name and calendar. Heroes. News programs don’t call them. But that’s okay. Because their kids do … They call them Mom. They call them Dad. And these moms and dads, more valuable than all the executives and lawmakers west of the Mississippi, quietly hold the world together.
Be numbered among them. Read books to your kids. Play ball while you can and they want you to. Make it your aim to watch every game they play, read every story they write, hear every recital in which they perform.
Children spell love with four letters: T-I-M-E. Not just quality time, but hang time, downtime, anytime, all the time. Your children are not your hobby; they are your calling.
Your spouse is not your trophy but your treasure.
Don’t pay the price David paid. Look ahead to his final hours. To see the ultimate cost of a neglected family, look at the way our hero dies.
David is hours from the grave. A chill has set in that blankets can’t remove. Servants decide he needs a person to warm him, someone to hold him tight as he takes his final breaths.
Do they turn to one of his wives? No. Do they call on one of his children? No. They seek “for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel … and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her” (1 Kings 1:3–4).
I suspect that David would have traded all his conquered crowns for the tender arms of a wife. But it was too late. He died in the care of a stranger, because he made strangers out of his family. But it’s not too late for you.
Make your wife the object of your highest devotion. Make your husband the recipient of your deepest passion. Love the one who wears your ring. And cherish the children who share your name. Succeed at home first.
Heading out to the park in Kettering, Ohio. More later.
"Quiet Heroes" by Max Lucado
Quiet heroes dot the landscape of our society. They don’t wear ribbons or kiss trophies; they wear spit-up and kiss boo-boos. They don’t make the headlines, but they do sew the hemlines and check the outlines and stand on the sidelines. You won’t find their names on the Nobel Prize short list, but you will find their names on the homeroom, carpool, and Bible teacher lists.
They are parents, both by blood and deed, name and calendar. Heroes. News programs don’t call them. But that’s okay. Because their kids do … They call them Mom. They call them Dad. And these moms and dads, more valuable than all the executives and lawmakers west of the Mississippi, quietly hold the world together.
Be numbered among them. Read books to your kids. Play ball while you can and they want you to. Make it your aim to watch every game they play, read every story they write, hear every recital in which they perform.
Children spell love with four letters: T-I-M-E. Not just quality time, but hang time, downtime, anytime, all the time. Your children are not your hobby; they are your calling.
Your spouse is not your trophy but your treasure.
Don’t pay the price David paid. Look ahead to his final hours. To see the ultimate cost of a neglected family, look at the way our hero dies.
David is hours from the grave. A chill has set in that blankets can’t remove. Servants decide he needs a person to warm him, someone to hold him tight as he takes his final breaths.
Do they turn to one of his wives? No. Do they call on one of his children? No. They seek “for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel … and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her” (1 Kings 1:3–4).
I suspect that David would have traded all his conquered crowns for the tender arms of a wife. But it was too late. He died in the care of a stranger, because he made strangers out of his family. But it’s not too late for you.
Make your wife the object of your highest devotion. Make your husband the recipient of your deepest passion. Love the one who wears your ring. And cherish the children who share your name. Succeed at home first.
Heading out to the park in Kettering, Ohio. More later.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Expanding Waistes & Memories in Ohio
Well, I picked up Little K from nursery school yesterday to head to the airport. She had a 102.8 fever. Super! A quick dose of Tylenol and we were on our way. Thank goodness we bought a portable DVD player because Little K refused to nap. Grammy & PaPa Don met us at the airport and Little K began to sing "Skip, Skip, Skip to My Lou." This was especially funny considering I used to skip through the airports as a child with PaPa Don. Little K looks nothing like me but I'm constantly reminded by her actions that she is indeed my daughter. Little K's fever returned at some point during the evening so we took another dose of Tylenol and she requested to go to bed at 6:30 pm without dinner. We were all surprised.
Aunt Kenny, Brad & 2 gorgeous dogs paid us a visit after dinner and then we headed to bed.
This morning, we filled up on cereal & fruit and headed out to pick peas in Pa Pa Don's garden. Loads of peas later, we needed to burn off some calories. (I was 10 pounds over weight on the way up here. God knows how much I'll be over by the end of our Ohio trip.) We drove to two local ponds to do a bit of fishing. I caught none, Little K caught one and Pa Pa Don caught several the size of large minnows. Two of us were cratering & needed a nap so we returned back to the house. Little K had lunch & went for a nap. Pa Pa Don & I paid a visit to Miamisburgh for the Hamburger Wagon. These mini burgers with bread, onion & pickle are a special treat. As if the calories weren't enough, we then went to Esther Price for plenty of taste testing of chocolates. A box followed us home.
Little K is now awake from her nap. She calls "Grammy" easy enough, but can't seem to master "Pa Pa Don." Instead, she calls out "Don! Don!" There's no confusing her Pa Pa with Pa Pa Don but we're working on the linguistics.
Until the next nap time...
Aunt Kenny, Brad & 2 gorgeous dogs paid us a visit after dinner and then we headed to bed.
This morning, we filled up on cereal & fruit and headed out to pick peas in Pa Pa Don's garden. Loads of peas later, we needed to burn off some calories. (I was 10 pounds over weight on the way up here. God knows how much I'll be over by the end of our Ohio trip.) We drove to two local ponds to do a bit of fishing. I caught none, Little K caught one and Pa Pa Don caught several the size of large minnows. Two of us were cratering & needed a nap so we returned back to the house. Little K had lunch & went for a nap. Pa Pa Don & I paid a visit to Miamisburgh for the Hamburger Wagon. These mini burgers with bread, onion & pickle are a special treat. As if the calories weren't enough, we then went to Esther Price for plenty of taste testing of chocolates. A box followed us home.
Little K is now awake from her nap. She calls "Grammy" easy enough, but can't seem to master "Pa Pa Don." Instead, she calls out "Don! Don!" There's no confusing her Pa Pa with Pa Pa Don but we're working on the linguistics.
Until the next nap time...
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Playhouse Disney Live! Heads to Houston
Playhouse Disney Live! is coming to Houston on Sunday, Dec 30 2007 at 12:30 pm. Your family can enjoy the Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Winnie the Pooh & friends, and Handy Manny just after the holidays at the Toyota Center. Tickets range from $18 - $33 each. To purchase tickets, call 1-866-4HOU-TIX or visit the Toyota Center's online ticket site.
On a separate note, Little K & I are heading to Ohio today to visit my grandparents, her great grandparents. In my attempt to be prepared, my backpack/carry-on weighs more than my 2-year-old. Ouch! My husband will be holding down the fort in Houston while we're gone and catching up on some much needed rest. I'm really excited about our visit since it's not often enough that we get to visit my mom's relatives. Not only do my grandparents live just outside of Dayton, but also Uncle Sean & his family as well as Aunt Kenny & her family. PaPa Don has worked his vegetable garden so that we can relive my memories of picking peas & other gems from his garden while we sing. Little K doesn't remember this from last summer but we're hoping to start making her own memories this year. Get ready, Ohio. Here we come.
I'll try posting updates from afar. Check back often. Until the next nap time...
On a separate note, Little K & I are heading to Ohio today to visit my grandparents, her great grandparents. In my attempt to be prepared, my backpack/carry-on weighs more than my 2-year-old. Ouch! My husband will be holding down the fort in Houston while we're gone and catching up on some much needed rest. I'm really excited about our visit since it's not often enough that we get to visit my mom's relatives. Not only do my grandparents live just outside of Dayton, but also Uncle Sean & his family as well as Aunt Kenny & her family. PaPa Don has worked his vegetable garden so that we can relive my memories of picking peas & other gems from his garden while we sing. Little K doesn't remember this from last summer but we're hoping to start making her own memories this year. Get ready, Ohio. Here we come.
I'll try posting updates from afar. Check back often. Until the next nap time...
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Young at Art is Kid Perfect
Today, our Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group took a trip to Young at Art to paint our own pottery. Many of you have probably been to similar places in Houston just like we had. However, Young at Art gets a big thumbs up for being kid-friendly.
The shop is currently located at 1777 Airline Dr. (an odd location, really). The owner is in the midst of a move to the Heights, where her shop will be on 19th Street. YEAH! Despite her impending move, the owner greeted our group, was so down-to-earth & personable, & remained casual even with ~20 kids running about.
Unlike other paint-your-own-pottery places, Young at Art has a kids' toys area with a chalk board painted on the wall. So creative! Even the wall art is kid-friendly without estranging the adult visitors. In the bathroom, you'll find a stool to help youngsters climb up to the sink to wash their hands. Plus, there's a changing table for diaper duty. The prices seem about the same as any of the other places, too. Don't worry about paint on your clothes. It washes out with water. Clean up is a breeze, too, because the owner takes care of it all after you're done with your masterpiece.
The owner told me that she also does a lot of Parents Night Out events, allowing adults to bring their own food & beverages. I'm not sure what my artwork would look like after a little wine but it sounds fun.
I think our MOPS leader took some photos of our morning so I'll post a shot here when I can. In the mean time, check out Young at Art or wait until it arrives at its new location in the Heights.
Until the next nap time...
The shop is currently located at 1777 Airline Dr. (an odd location, really). The owner is in the midst of a move to the Heights, where her shop will be on 19th Street. YEAH! Despite her impending move, the owner greeted our group, was so down-to-earth & personable, & remained casual even with ~20 kids running about.
Unlike other paint-your-own-pottery places, Young at Art has a kids' toys area with a chalk board painted on the wall. So creative! Even the wall art is kid-friendly without estranging the adult visitors. In the bathroom, you'll find a stool to help youngsters climb up to the sink to wash their hands. Plus, there's a changing table for diaper duty. The prices seem about the same as any of the other places, too. Don't worry about paint on your clothes. It washes out with water. Clean up is a breeze, too, because the owner takes care of it all after you're done with your masterpiece.
The owner told me that she also does a lot of Parents Night Out events, allowing adults to bring their own food & beverages. I'm not sure what my artwork would look like after a little wine but it sounds fun.
I think our MOPS leader took some photos of our morning so I'll post a shot here when I can. In the mean time, check out Young at Art or wait until it arrives at its new location in the Heights.
Until the next nap time...
Monday, June 04, 2007
Candy Unwrapped at Health Museum
Here's a cool way to get kids' minds engaged this summer. Treat your taste buds to sweet science this summer at The Health Museum! JELLY BELLY® presents Candy Unwrapped, now through Sept. 3. This exhibit exposes the science of sweets and sours with the biology, chemistry, physiology and psychology of sugar. Pucker up for the super sour challenge! Pedal your way to an energy burn to discover how much time it takes to burn off a single sugar cube. Take the jellybean taste test - where what you taste depends on what your nose knows. And catch a whiff of smells to see what sweet memories are triggered. Science never tasted so sweet!
Candy Fact of the Day:
Gummi candies are derived from gelatin. Gelatin is extracted from collagen in the collective tissue of animals - mostly pigs and cows. What parts? Their bones and skin. Ewww!!!
Although groups are always welcome, reservations are required in advance to take advantage of special group pricing. A minimum of 15 people is required for the reservation. Field Trip Policies can be found at http://www.thehealthmuseum.org/ or on the Candy Unwrapped exhibit page.
There goes my diet!
Until the next nap time...
Candy Fact of the Day:
Gummi candies are derived from gelatin. Gelatin is extracted from collagen in the collective tissue of animals - mostly pigs and cows. What parts? Their bones and skin. Ewww!!!
Although groups are always welcome, reservations are required in advance to take advantage of special group pricing. A minimum of 15 people is required for the reservation. Field Trip Policies can be found at http://www.thehealthmuseum.org/ or on the Candy Unwrapped exhibit page.
There goes my diet!
Until the next nap time...
Friday, June 01, 2007
Peanut Allergies Strike Again
This morning, I heard DJ Mike on 89.3 KSBJ talking about how his family discovered his daughter Abby Grace is allergic to peanuts. They discovered the peanut allergy in a similar fashion as we discovered Little K's... trial & error with peanut butter.
I want to share some info based on my 2-year-old daughter's peanut allergy. Much of this information was provided to us by our allergy doctor at Allergy & Asthma Associates so it's legitimate.
- Most restaurants that cook with peanut oil are actually using "heat-extracted" peanut oil which does NOT have the peanut allergen in it. Yes, ChickFilA is okay to eat. "Cold-extracted" peanut oil is very expensive so restaurants don't use it.
- Only 10% of folks with peanut allergies will outgrow the allergy. Other food allergies vary.
- Peanut allergies range on a scale of 0 (no allergy) to 6 (super allergic). However, a person's range/sensitivity to peanuts can change year to year. So, consider having Abby Grace tested by a doctor.
Whew! Now, that that's off my chest, I can get to work. Peanut allergies are very scary but living with one is doable without living in a bubble.
Until the next nap time...
I want to share some info based on my 2-year-old daughter's peanut allergy. Much of this information was provided to us by our allergy doctor at Allergy & Asthma Associates so it's legitimate.
- Most restaurants that cook with peanut oil are actually using "heat-extracted" peanut oil which does NOT have the peanut allergen in it. Yes, ChickFilA is okay to eat. "Cold-extracted" peanut oil is very expensive so restaurants don't use it.
- Only 10% of folks with peanut allergies will outgrow the allergy. Other food allergies vary.
- Peanut allergies range on a scale of 0 (no allergy) to 6 (super allergic). However, a person's range/sensitivity to peanuts can change year to year. So, consider having Abby Grace tested by a doctor.
Whew! Now, that that's off my chest, I can get to work. Peanut allergies are very scary but living with one is doable without living in a bubble.
Until the next nap time...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Free Summer Movies in Houston
When school's out, kids around the country come to selected Regal Entertainment Group theatres for our Free Family Film Festival. It's a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and their parents.
Selected G & PG movies start at 10 am each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.
WHERE: Marq*E Stadium 23 & IMAX is located at 7600 Katy FreewayHouston ,TX 77024
THE LINE UP:
Selected G & PG movies start at 10 am each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.
WHERE: Marq*E Stadium 23 & IMAX is located at 7600 Katy FreewayHouston ,TX 77024
THE LINE UP:
- 06/05-06/06 Curious George (G) and Unaccompanied Minors (PG)
- 06/12-06/13 Doogal (G) and Ant Bully (PG)
- 06/19-06/20 Charlotte's Web (G) and Barnyard (PG)
- 06/26-06/27 Everyone's Hero (G) and Arthur And The Invisibles (PG)
- 07/03-07/04 Clifford's Really Big Movie (G) and Flushed Away (PG)
- 07/10-07/11 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (G) and Happy Feet (PG)
- 7/17-07/18 March Of The Penguins (G) and Open Season (PG)
- 07/24-07/25 Rugrats: The Movie (G) and Over The Hedge (PG)
- 07/31-08/01 Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G) and RV (PG)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Summer Celebration in the Heights
Summer Celebration for kids and families will take place this Saturday, 6/2/07 from 11 am -3 pm. The Houston Zoo Mobile will be there with bio facts such as furs and skulls, interactive activities and small live animals. The Northwest YMCA will have info on their summer programs & camps as well as demonstrations on Stroller Fit, Roaming Rompers and Kid Fit classes. Prudential Financial will be on hand offering a complimentary child ID cards that parents can use to record important information such as fingerprints, photos, and physical description. Maui Wowi will offer its delicious Hawaiian smoothies. And you guessed it: the Kids Activity Queen will speak at noon about her book 100+ Activities for Houston Kids and will be selling her latest book.
There will be loads of other fun activities (moonwalk & dancing), games and refreshments. Hope to see you there! The center of the action will be Grace United Methodist Church located at 1245 Heights Blvd. For more information, visit http://www.heightsfirstsaturday.com/.
Until the next nap time...
There will be loads of other fun activities (moonwalk & dancing), games and refreshments. Hope to see you there! The center of the action will be Grace United Methodist Church located at 1245 Heights Blvd. For more information, visit http://www.heightsfirstsaturday.com/.
Until the next nap time...
Friday, May 25, 2007
Memorial Day Weekend: Boon or Bust
What exactly is it that causes you to eat way too many goldfish crackers just before you have to squeeze into a bathing suit for Memorial Day weekend? I haven't found the right excuse, although I nearly found the bottom of the cracker box. Ugh.
The weather is dreary and the traffic will be nasty since everyone wants to get out of town early... before everyone else. It took my dad an hour to get from Bunker Hill to I45 and Crosstimbers today. That's insane. My dad likened it to the madhouse on Hwy 290 during the Hurricane evacuation. Boy, I can't wait to get in the car, in the traffic, while Dora and Elmo play from the DVD player. It seems I'm on a bit of a negative roll.
I am looking forward to the long holiday weekend, although I might buy a MooMoo to wear. Maybe my dad still has his "sans a belt" pants that I could use. Ha! Honestly, I think holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day are really important to honor. Each day, I pray for our soldiers protecting us and I am regularly reminded of the sacrifices my maternal grandparents made in the Marines during WWII. In fact, I asked my PaPa to share his thoughts on Memorial Day and asked him for insight on what to post here. PaPa is a fiesty Marine. (Once a Marine, always a Marine!) but he shares his thoughts here:
"Memorial day used to be a day when people decorated the graves of their kin, military or not.
I assume that practice continues today but I have not been a party to it. Gram grew up in that environment as her parents were pillars of the American Legion. I really think Aunt Mitt, (my mother-in-law) was more interested in the partying after the parade and ALWAYS bringing home the left over baloney and cheese. I got burned out of their activities early into the marriage as I grew sick of hearing "war stories" from veterans who didn't know and/or didn't really engage in combat.
I fully appreciate that it takes one helluva back up for each front line fighter but combat bragging rites are not earned by the rear echelon forces.
If it's not too late for your blog, I'd suggest a word of praise for our domestic services like the nurse on duty in the ER to take care of that holiday accident; the trooper on the interstate tending a broken body when he too would rather be home with his kids; etc., etc."
I hope you use this holiday weekend to think about the freedoms we have because others sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their freedoms for us. Have a safe & happy Memorial Day weekend... wherever & however you honor it.
Until the next nap time...
The weather is dreary and the traffic will be nasty since everyone wants to get out of town early... before everyone else. It took my dad an hour to get from Bunker Hill to I45 and Crosstimbers today. That's insane. My dad likened it to the madhouse on Hwy 290 during the Hurricane evacuation. Boy, I can't wait to get in the car, in the traffic, while Dora and Elmo play from the DVD player. It seems I'm on a bit of a negative roll.
I am looking forward to the long holiday weekend, although I might buy a MooMoo to wear. Maybe my dad still has his "sans a belt" pants that I could use. Ha! Honestly, I think holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day are really important to honor. Each day, I pray for our soldiers protecting us and I am regularly reminded of the sacrifices my maternal grandparents made in the Marines during WWII. In fact, I asked my PaPa to share his thoughts on Memorial Day and asked him for insight on what to post here. PaPa is a fiesty Marine. (Once a Marine, always a Marine!) but he shares his thoughts here:
"Memorial day used to be a day when people decorated the graves of their kin, military or not.
I assume that practice continues today but I have not been a party to it. Gram grew up in that environment as her parents were pillars of the American Legion. I really think Aunt Mitt, (my mother-in-law) was more interested in the partying after the parade and ALWAYS bringing home the left over baloney and cheese. I got burned out of their activities early into the marriage as I grew sick of hearing "war stories" from veterans who didn't know and/or didn't really engage in combat.
I fully appreciate that it takes one helluva back up for each front line fighter but combat bragging rites are not earned by the rear echelon forces.
If it's not too late for your blog, I'd suggest a word of praise for our domestic services like the nurse on duty in the ER to take care of that holiday accident; the trooper on the interstate tending a broken body when he too would rather be home with his kids; etc., etc."
I hope you use this holiday weekend to think about the freedoms we have because others sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their freedoms for us. Have a safe & happy Memorial Day weekend... wherever & however you honor it.
Until the next nap time...
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Travel Tips for Youngsters
I love gum. I chew it all the time. I especially like the Eclipse Big E Packs made to slide right into your cup holder in the car. What's extra cool? Once you've finally chewed through all that gum, you actually have the perfect container for kids' snacks.
1) It fits into their cup holders, too.
2) There are two openings on these containers. One lets folks poor out the snacks into little hands. (Think Cheerios.) The other opening actually lifts up & open so that little hands can reach inside. (Think candy.)
3) The lids stay attached so you don't ever lose them.
4) The containers are plastic so your kids won't break them (well, unless he's a member of The Incredibles... Carson, that means you!)
5) The container came with a big pack of gum so who cares if you only use it on one car trip.
Hope this tip helps you. I love it. I now have Little K's container & another one full of gum for our Memorial Day drive. Ahhh..... Come on weekend!
Until the next nap time...
1) It fits into their cup holders, too.
2) There are two openings on these containers. One lets folks poor out the snacks into little hands. (Think Cheerios.) The other opening actually lifts up & open so that little hands can reach inside. (Think candy.)
3) The lids stay attached so you don't ever lose them.
4) The containers are plastic so your kids won't break them (well, unless he's a member of The Incredibles... Carson, that means you!)
5) The container came with a big pack of gum so who cares if you only use it on one car trip.
Hope this tip helps you. I love it. I now have Little K's container & another one full of gum for our Memorial Day drive. Ahhh..... Come on weekend!
Until the next nap time...
Friday, May 18, 2007
Parents' Sacrifices Offer Solid Ground for Kids, Adults
Mommy is heading to Dallas this weekend to catch up with my college girlfriends and help in one of the gal's wedding plans. Daddy is spending the weekend with Little K and some help from my in-laws. I wish I had extra hands during the week but don't get me started.
I've been reading this amazing book called Keeping the Faith: How Applying Spiritual Purpose to Your Work Can Lead to Extraordinary Success by Ana Mollinedo Mims. It's really good & not preachy. The author immigrated to the U.S. with her parents from Cuba when she was a young child. This and her family's experience of paving its way has opened my eyes to a lot. Take, for instance, some of the sacrifices her father made.
"I look back at my father.
I saw him put on a uniform every morning and drive a meat delivery truck: sides of beef, sometimes a whole cow. At night, he washed dishes at the pizza place down the street. He moved his way up the ranks at the meatpacking company and went from a blue-collar to a white-collar job as a salesperson in the same organization, with a company car and customers to visit. Now retired, he still works a part-time job in the meatpacking buisness, a business he's been in for almost forty years. Everybody is South Florida knows him -- restaurant owners, supermarket owners, and small bodega owners. Some of them have known him from when he was wearing a uniform with his first name on it, driving the truck and hauling beef, to when he would walk in wearing a suit and tie as a salesperson.
I remember the times that I was hitting a softball or kicking a soccer ball. My father would be in the stands, wearing a dress shirt and tie, somtimes the only father around at 5:30 pm on a work night. He rarely missed a game. It wasn't until I was in the workplace and watched so many of my male colleagues work late hours that I realized the price my father must have paid in terms of promotions and raises for leaving "on time" to watch us play sports. It wasn't until I became an adult with the similar choices that I realized the choice my father made every day and every week in favor of being there for us.
That was a large part of his legacy to me... More importantly, he showed me that once you become a parent, you must constantly make significant choices in favor of those who come behind you."
Makes me wonder why I'm still typing instead of picking up Little K early from school on a gorgeous Friday & doing something fun. Oh yeah. I'm heading to Dallas shortly so scratch that. Well, I'll make up for it. The longer I'm a parent, the more I realize my daughter will remember snuggling in her bed, building tents in the family room, and hearing me cheer for her. I don't want to give her the option of remembering Mommy working forever behind the computer. I remember my own Mom & Dad being there for me when it really mattered. And today, they are still there for me. What a profound effect that can have on a person... well into adulthood.
Until the next nap time...
I've been reading this amazing book called Keeping the Faith: How Applying Spiritual Purpose to Your Work Can Lead to Extraordinary Success by Ana Mollinedo Mims. It's really good & not preachy. The author immigrated to the U.S. with her parents from Cuba when she was a young child. This and her family's experience of paving its way has opened my eyes to a lot. Take, for instance, some of the sacrifices her father made.
"I look back at my father.
I saw him put on a uniform every morning and drive a meat delivery truck: sides of beef, sometimes a whole cow. At night, he washed dishes at the pizza place down the street. He moved his way up the ranks at the meatpacking company and went from a blue-collar to a white-collar job as a salesperson in the same organization, with a company car and customers to visit. Now retired, he still works a part-time job in the meatpacking buisness, a business he's been in for almost forty years. Everybody is South Florida knows him -- restaurant owners, supermarket owners, and small bodega owners. Some of them have known him from when he was wearing a uniform with his first name on it, driving the truck and hauling beef, to when he would walk in wearing a suit and tie as a salesperson.
I remember the times that I was hitting a softball or kicking a soccer ball. My father would be in the stands, wearing a dress shirt and tie, somtimes the only father around at 5:30 pm on a work night. He rarely missed a game. It wasn't until I was in the workplace and watched so many of my male colleagues work late hours that I realized the price my father must have paid in terms of promotions and raises for leaving "on time" to watch us play sports. It wasn't until I became an adult with the similar choices that I realized the choice my father made every day and every week in favor of being there for us.
That was a large part of his legacy to me... More importantly, he showed me that once you become a parent, you must constantly make significant choices in favor of those who come behind you."
Makes me wonder why I'm still typing instead of picking up Little K early from school on a gorgeous Friday & doing something fun. Oh yeah. I'm heading to Dallas shortly so scratch that. Well, I'll make up for it. The longer I'm a parent, the more I realize my daughter will remember snuggling in her bed, building tents in the family room, and hearing me cheer for her. I don't want to give her the option of remembering Mommy working forever behind the computer. I remember my own Mom & Dad being there for me when it really mattered. And today, they are still there for me. What a profound effect that can have on a person... well into adulthood.
Until the next nap time...
Monday, May 14, 2007
Acting Out Character, Values
In addition to being a mom and promoting my book 100+ Activities for Houston Kids, I also run a marketing & writing firm in town. This morning, I met with a prospective client about an exciting new project. In short, my company would handle the marketing for a start-up company that will focus on developing character and values in middle school & high school students. Cool, huh? We'd launch a Web site targeting these kids and their schools to motivate them to give back to the community and do small "random acts of kindness" on a weekly basis like opening a door for someone. I'm excited about the project -- whether or not we win the project.
It reminded me how important it is show our children the importance of strong values. My priority values include:
- a strong relationship with God, including participating at church weekly but not just that
- honesty
- being supportive & reliable to family members.
Unfortunately, we all get caught up in the day to day routine that we often forget to find ways to show our kids our values and how they, too, can act with character. This week, I'm going to focus on this and see how we do and how we feel at the end of the week. YOU can keep me honest & diligent.
Until the next nap time...
It reminded me how important it is show our children the importance of strong values. My priority values include:
- a strong relationship with God, including participating at church weekly but not just that
- honesty
- being supportive & reliable to family members.
Unfortunately, we all get caught up in the day to day routine that we often forget to find ways to show our kids our values and how they, too, can act with character. This week, I'm going to focus on this and see how we do and how we feel at the end of the week. YOU can keep me honest & diligent.
Until the next nap time...
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Mother's Day: Thanks for All You've Got
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I've had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend & there's still more to come. Little K & I enjoyed a "party" yesterday just for us with a trip to the Galleria to buy her a pair of short, a ride up the escalator while singing aloud, dinner of pizza and fruit and lots of laughs. Saturday night, Trent & I stayed home to enjoy sushi, wine and lots of conversation. Ahh.... it was peaceful. Sunday morning found us at church and soon we'll be off to visit Grandmother and my mom (& crew) for a late lunch/early dinner at Perry's Restaurant. It's been a jam-packed weekend but really enjoyable. Thanks to my husband who made it so. As the musician Sheryl Crow says, "It's not having what you want. It's wanting what you've got!"
Before I was a Mom...
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom-I had never been: Puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
Happy Mother's Day to you all! Until the next nap time...
Before I was a Mom...
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom-I had never been: Puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
Happy Mother's Day to you all! Until the next nap time...
Monday, May 07, 2007
Potty Training a Princess
Potty-training just stinks... literally & figuratively. I've tried not to pressure Little K since I know she'll get the hang of it before she goes to college but earlier efforts would really be appreciated. For now, she alerts me to the fact that she needs to go... right after she went. As we rush to change her diaper, Little K insists that she sit on her potty. Why? I'm not sure but at least she's working on it. Oh well. If you have tips on potty training, PLEASE POST THEM HERE.
In the mean time, I have photos of her like this one. One day, she'll be mortified but now she thinks this photo is stellar. Princess Potty, I call it. Ten years ago, who would have thought my interests would be focused on this cutie?
Until the next nap time...
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