#Gratitude365 February 23 2014
Hubby coming home! His hug. His laugh. His snore. It was only 4 days he was gone. But those things are always missed. I think we need to have opportunities to miss those we love most in order to fully get present to not to take any of it for granted. Maybe I'm coming to this conclusion based onthe circumstances of my husband's out of town trip. His grandfather was diagnosed with cancer in November. They are not sure how much longer he will be here to enjoy the people he loves most. I'm grateful that my husband had this opportunity to go out and have this visit with someone who is clearly important to him both as a child and now as an adult.
When is the last time you were reunited with a loved one?
Happiness
Friday, February 28, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 66
#Gratitude365 February 22, 2014
I'm grateful for softball practice today. If it weren't for Amberly having softball practice, we would not have left the house at all. The boys got to play with some other siblings that were at the practice and had a good time playing something new type of TAG. I get so much enjoyment watching my kids play with others nicely. Those are the little moments that we need to just observe, take a mental picture and remember the seemiingly unimportant events that show you that indeed you're not failing at motherhood.
I'm grateful for softball practice today. If it weren't for Amberly having softball practice, we would not have left the house at all. The boys got to play with some other siblings that were at the practice and had a good time playing something new type of TAG. I get so much enjoyment watching my kids play with others nicely. Those are the little moments that we need to just observe, take a mental picture and remember the seemiingly unimportant events that show you that indeed you're not failing at motherhood.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 65
#Gratitude365 February 21 2014
Do you ever have days where you get a "feel good message" from someone and it is just the kind of thing that lights the path?
That happens to me from time to time and I enjoy every single one of them. Sometimes it is a message from someone who took my class several months ago and they want to drop me a line giving me an update on their progress. Other times it is someone who moved far away and their baby is now a preschooler and they are still fascinated by how signing plays such a great role in their family's communication effectiveness. And then once in a blue moon I get a message from someone I've never met who has found either my Sign4Baby blog or youtube channel online and wants to let me know they can see I'm making a difference for people and just want to cheer me on.
It was that last type of message I got today.
I just want to pause and give gratitude for people who take the time to reach out and let someone know what you think of them. Maybe that is a family member, a colleague, a stranger, a small business owner, a teacher and the list goes on... It is really meaningful to the recipient to hear words of encouragement and power through times where challenges present themselves or can give them just the recharging they need to take action on their next big idea. I love it when people are awesome.
When is the last time you thought about how awesome someone is and sent them a message expressing just that? I encourage you to do it. You'll feel good and make someone else feel good.
Do you ever have days where you get a "feel good message" from someone and it is just the kind of thing that lights the path?
That happens to me from time to time and I enjoy every single one of them. Sometimes it is a message from someone who took my class several months ago and they want to drop me a line giving me an update on their progress. Other times it is someone who moved far away and their baby is now a preschooler and they are still fascinated by how signing plays such a great role in their family's communication effectiveness. And then once in a blue moon I get a message from someone I've never met who has found either my Sign4Baby blog or youtube channel online and wants to let me know they can see I'm making a difference for people and just want to cheer me on.
It was that last type of message I got today.
I just want to pause and give gratitude for people who take the time to reach out and let someone know what you think of them. Maybe that is a family member, a colleague, a stranger, a small business owner, a teacher and the list goes on... It is really meaningful to the recipient to hear words of encouragement and power through times where challenges present themselves or can give them just the recharging they need to take action on their next big idea. I love it when people are awesome.
When is the last time you thought about how awesome someone is and sent them a message expressing just that? I encourage you to do it. You'll feel good and make someone else feel good.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 64 (Part 2) HOA Inspires Action
Yes, I had something else of great importance to write about that I needed to dedicate a separate blog post to it. This is the first time I've done that in this series, but it was necessary.
One of my friends on Google+ co-hosts an HOA (Hangouts On Air) called Legally Speaking. I hadn't tuned in as of yet because the law doesn't interest me. However they had a couple of guests whom I have circled on Google+ and thought to myself "I'm gonna watch and give some support to 4 friends all at once." Not really thinking that I would be too interested. I couldn't watch live because the timing doesn't work out for me, but that is what is so great about HOAs, the ability to watch them later. Well, watch later I did. Three days later. Ooops. Honestly I had forgotten my good intention of supporting my friends and then happened to see a link with a message that the topic would be of great interest. Immediately I tuned in.
I'd already begun reading the book Evernote Success by Jason Frasca and had listened to Les Dossey on his HOA called "Get UnStuck with Les" so I at least knew a little about where each of them were coming from in the topic being delivered
Everyone can stand to become more efficient and effective. Am I right?
Since I've been getting familiar with Google+ over the last few months I've gained clarity in the projects I want to complete to take my brand to the next level. Having a plan of "how" was where I lacked clarity. But we are not supposed to worry about the how in order to get started. So I knew it would just flower when it was supposed to. At a recent meetup with some mompreneurs, one of my friends shared a brilliant idea in breaking down an actionable checklist for all the projects you have going on. This HOA was part of the "a-ha" in not just how to plug in that system, but the going after what I want.
This is worth watching so I wanted to link it here for you directly:
The actions I took after watching this HOA :
Purchased the book Getting Things Done
Created our family dream vacation vision board with my daughter
Completed my 2014 Vision Board
Did some number crunching to see my dreams can become a reality
I just went to their event page to say the image they have advertising the show is not so far fetched given the actions I took directly after watching (Clearly they created it with a little tongue in cheek if you read the footnote - but still I will be looking back to this pivotal turning point as 2014 draws to an end).
I'm grateful for the hosts putting together a great show. Also the guests for sharing some fabulous content.
I'm grateful to myself for taking the leap and watching the show and for taking action. Also grateful for that mompreneur group that I'm part of because while I could not attend the Vision Board meeting on Wednesday night, it made all of this present in my mind. PLUS, my friend Amelia came to my Signing Story Time program and offered to let me take an extra poster board and as many of the magazines as I wanted to create mine since I missed the gathering. That Reticular Activating System is hard at work.
Friday, February 21, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 64 (Part 1) My Babysitter Rocks
#Gratitude365 February 20 2014
I have an awesome babysitter. First I called on her with less than 24 hours notice for something I really should have booked a week before knowing the kids were out of school and I had a Signing Story Time program at Kensington Library. She said she could watch the kids for the hour and half - most babysitters wouldn't want to bother with that little time... the driving 25 minutes each way makes it not worth it - but I was going to be bringing the kids to meetup at a park closer to her. I didn't have the name of the park but explained it was just 2 blocks west of the library and directly off the freeway on Adams Ave. She confirmed that she had looked it up and that it was on the opposite side of the freeway from the library. Yep. Good to go. Or so I thought.
I arrived at the park right on time, 10am. A little miracle in and of itself. I was thinking I might have time to make a Starbucks run before my program. She is generally on time or early. I went to check my phone to see if she'd left me a text saying she was running late. I then realized my phone battery had died. If you wait til your phone is dead before you plug it in to charge, it takes a long time before it has enough of a charge to use any functions, at least when plugged into the car charger. I thought to myself "Maybe I told her 10:15...." so we waited. Still no babysitter and still no way to call or text her or check my messages to see if she had perhaps left a message saying something came up (though that is totally not like her). 10:23 and I have 7 minutes before my program begins. I load the kids up into the car, beg them to understand they need to play at the library playground opposite the area where I have the story time program.... Beg them to understand really means me begging that they behave kindly to each other and do not need to interrupt my program. It has happened before where a sitter has canceled and I've had my kids in tow. Not often, but a handful of times over the nearly 7 years I've been doing this.
We arrive at the library. Kids go to the playground without my prodding them to not follow me back to the grassy knoll where the moms and babies gather for story time. As I am setting up I see my good friend and the kids' former swim instructor, Amelia, from A Splashing Success. She is there with her little girl and asks me if I need help looking after the kids. I quickly tell her how my phone died and I can't find out why my sitter was a no-show and explain that since the kids are all 5yo and older that I think they will do fine. Not 10 minutes into my program, Amberly comes around the corner. She patiently waits until there is a break between book and song and tells me our babysitter has arrived! Apparently there is a park just a block west of where we were and as she was looking at Google Maps, which didn't have our park listed, she missed it completely, waited at the other park, called my husband to ask if we were okay since we hadn't arrived yet. He said we might just be running late because getting the kids ready to go anywhere throws us behind on any best laid plans, but to call back in 5 minutes if we still weren't there. She of course called back and he used the "find my phone" app to tell her we were at the Kensington Library. I'd left my phone in the car to let it continue charging. I wonder if I hadn't and my phone still wasn't charged if the app would have worked?
I'm so grateful for my babysitter who took extra steps to figure out where we were and realized the mis-communication rather than shrugging her shoulders and calling it a day. I'm grateful for technology to be so advanced that my husband could pinpoint where I was and provide the info to our sitter. And I'm so grateful for a friend being in the audience that day, that in the event the kids ended up needing to be supervised I know she would have jumped right in and supported me despite my decline of her initial offer.
Now, I want to explain how the universe worked in this whole charade. First, I had reached out to 3 sitters before I got confirmation back that our favorite one was indeed available and would help me out which got me feeling anxious and worrying what I might do if I couldn't find someone to babysit. I played out a scenario in my mind of bribing them to play on their own at the library playground.... this visualization came true. Second, I considered reaching out to a couple of mom friends to make the big request of taking my 3 munchkins for the hour and a half I needed. A friend who I did not call, ended up showing up. Third, I purposefully did not stop and get coffee before heading down the freeway so I could be on time, thinking that because this was different circumstances than normal, I did not want to even be 2 minutes late in case something weird happened and I needed every possible minute to have a plan B. Forth, when we arrived at the park and I didn't see our sitter immediately, even though I had a full half hour before my program started that was literally 2 minutes away, I began thinking of all the things that could go wrong. That's when I discovered my iPhone battery was dead. Fifth, I wouldn't let the kids go play on the playground while we waited for Milana, "in case I need to round you up and get back in the car" I told them. When we go to the library I first unplugged my phone that still wasn't charged, as is my habit, and went to put it in my pocket, then reconsidered and left it charging in the car. I think that helped with Cory, my husband, being able to track us down. Sixth, I envisioned my kids playing nicely as we drove over to the library. And, Milana said that when she walked up and found them they were doing great, being kind and getting along.
Everything went wrong that I thought about. Everything got fixed that I gave thought to. Isn't it interesting? Do you have a similar story where pieces kept dropping but then something clicked and everything fell into place?
I have an awesome babysitter. First I called on her with less than 24 hours notice for something I really should have booked a week before knowing the kids were out of school and I had a Signing Story Time program at Kensington Library. She said she could watch the kids for the hour and half - most babysitters wouldn't want to bother with that little time... the driving 25 minutes each way makes it not worth it - but I was going to be bringing the kids to meetup at a park closer to her. I didn't have the name of the park but explained it was just 2 blocks west of the library and directly off the freeway on Adams Ave. She confirmed that she had looked it up and that it was on the opposite side of the freeway from the library. Yep. Good to go. Or so I thought.
I arrived at the park right on time, 10am. A little miracle in and of itself. I was thinking I might have time to make a Starbucks run before my program. She is generally on time or early. I went to check my phone to see if she'd left me a text saying she was running late. I then realized my phone battery had died. If you wait til your phone is dead before you plug it in to charge, it takes a long time before it has enough of a charge to use any functions, at least when plugged into the car charger. I thought to myself "Maybe I told her 10:15...." so we waited. Still no babysitter and still no way to call or text her or check my messages to see if she had perhaps left a message saying something came up (though that is totally not like her). 10:23 and I have 7 minutes before my program begins. I load the kids up into the car, beg them to understand they need to play at the library playground opposite the area where I have the story time program.... Beg them to understand really means me begging that they behave kindly to each other and do not need to interrupt my program. It has happened before where a sitter has canceled and I've had my kids in tow. Not often, but a handful of times over the nearly 7 years I've been doing this.
We arrive at the library. Kids go to the playground without my prodding them to not follow me back to the grassy knoll where the moms and babies gather for story time. As I am setting up I see my good friend and the kids' former swim instructor, Amelia, from A Splashing Success. She is there with her little girl and asks me if I need help looking after the kids. I quickly tell her how my phone died and I can't find out why my sitter was a no-show and explain that since the kids are all 5yo and older that I think they will do fine. Not 10 minutes into my program, Amberly comes around the corner. She patiently waits until there is a break between book and song and tells me our babysitter has arrived! Apparently there is a park just a block west of where we were and as she was looking at Google Maps, which didn't have our park listed, she missed it completely, waited at the other park, called my husband to ask if we were okay since we hadn't arrived yet. He said we might just be running late because getting the kids ready to go anywhere throws us behind on any best laid plans, but to call back in 5 minutes if we still weren't there. She of course called back and he used the "find my phone" app to tell her we were at the Kensington Library. I'd left my phone in the car to let it continue charging. I wonder if I hadn't and my phone still wasn't charged if the app would have worked?
I'm so grateful for my babysitter who took extra steps to figure out where we were and realized the mis-communication rather than shrugging her shoulders and calling it a day. I'm grateful for technology to be so advanced that my husband could pinpoint where I was and provide the info to our sitter. And I'm so grateful for a friend being in the audience that day, that in the event the kids ended up needing to be supervised I know she would have jumped right in and supported me despite my decline of her initial offer.
Now, I want to explain how the universe worked in this whole charade. First, I had reached out to 3 sitters before I got confirmation back that our favorite one was indeed available and would help me out which got me feeling anxious and worrying what I might do if I couldn't find someone to babysit. I played out a scenario in my mind of bribing them to play on their own at the library playground.... this visualization came true. Second, I considered reaching out to a couple of mom friends to make the big request of taking my 3 munchkins for the hour and a half I needed. A friend who I did not call, ended up showing up. Third, I purposefully did not stop and get coffee before heading down the freeway so I could be on time, thinking that because this was different circumstances than normal, I did not want to even be 2 minutes late in case something weird happened and I needed every possible minute to have a plan B. Forth, when we arrived at the park and I didn't see our sitter immediately, even though I had a full half hour before my program started that was literally 2 minutes away, I began thinking of all the things that could go wrong. That's when I discovered my iPhone battery was dead. Fifth, I wouldn't let the kids go play on the playground while we waited for Milana, "in case I need to round you up and get back in the car" I told them. When we go to the library I first unplugged my phone that still wasn't charged, as is my habit, and went to put it in my pocket, then reconsidered and left it charging in the car. I think that helped with Cory, my husband, being able to track us down. Sixth, I envisioned my kids playing nicely as we drove over to the library. And, Milana said that when she walked up and found them they were doing great, being kind and getting along.
Everything went wrong that I thought about. Everything got fixed that I gave thought to. Isn't it interesting? Do you have a similar story where pieces kept dropping but then something clicked and everything fell into place?
Thursday, February 20, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 63
#Gratitude365 February 19 2014
My computer was constantly disconnecting from the internet and my husband had run a virus scan a couple times this year already. I've been extra careful to not click every interesting link I see on twitter or facebook, but was still having this problem. My husband showed me how to check the CPU and not keep so many tabs open. That wasn't completely solving the problem. Plus, I NEED a lot of tabs open. Well, now that I'm using Evernote I don't NEED to keep them all open til I get to read important article, I can save them in a notebook in the cloud... more on that another day...
Finally he convinced me to drop Firefox web browser and use Google Chrome. For 3 days now I've had beautiful internet connection again and wonder why I didn't listen to him sooner.
Grateful for a husband who fixes shit.
My computer was constantly disconnecting from the internet and my husband had run a virus scan a couple times this year already. I've been extra careful to not click every interesting link I see on twitter or facebook, but was still having this problem. My husband showed me how to check the CPU and not keep so many tabs open. That wasn't completely solving the problem. Plus, I NEED a lot of tabs open. Well, now that I'm using Evernote I don't NEED to keep them all open til I get to read important article, I can save them in a notebook in the cloud... more on that another day...
Finally he convinced me to drop Firefox web browser and use Google Chrome. For 3 days now I've had beautiful internet connection again and wonder why I didn't listen to him sooner.
Grateful for a husband who fixes shit.
#Gratitude365 Day 62
#Gratitude365 February 18 2014
Having an appreciative little boy who was far more excited to celebrate his birthday and have a day be about him than he was interested in material gifts. Are some kids just born that way? It is pretty amazing how easily he can express his joy in being the star of the day and ask people to say "happy birthday" to him. So innocent and joyful. We interpret this from a child in a far different way than if an adult were to express it, even with the same happy tone. It is wonderful that one desires to be celebrated and connect with others over their existence and getting one year older. I know I love being celebrated for my birthday, but hold back a little in how I express that. I'm sure there is something to be learned here.
I am not sure what about the number 5 makes it feel like Owen is no longer a baby. I sigh a little breath of nostalgia thinking about the night Owen made his entrance. They say the third one either takes forever in labor or comes super fast... Owen was the later and it stuck with him. He has been keeping up with big kids his entire childhood career. A few years ago I made the comparison that he is like a fireball wrapped up in cotton candy and that description still rings true to this day. He wipes my kisses away, hugs me a hundred times a day, sneaks sweets and healthy eats all throughout the day and has a smile that wipes away any dismay. He's a handful all on his own and lights up our lives. Happy Birthday Owen!
Having an appreciative little boy who was far more excited to celebrate his birthday and have a day be about him than he was interested in material gifts. Are some kids just born that way? It is pretty amazing how easily he can express his joy in being the star of the day and ask people to say "happy birthday" to him. So innocent and joyful. We interpret this from a child in a far different way than if an adult were to express it, even with the same happy tone. It is wonderful that one desires to be celebrated and connect with others over their existence and getting one year older. I know I love being celebrated for my birthday, but hold back a little in how I express that. I'm sure there is something to be learned here.
I am not sure what about the number 5 makes it feel like Owen is no longer a baby. I sigh a little breath of nostalgia thinking about the night Owen made his entrance. They say the third one either takes forever in labor or comes super fast... Owen was the later and it stuck with him. He has been keeping up with big kids his entire childhood career. A few years ago I made the comparison that he is like a fireball wrapped up in cotton candy and that description still rings true to this day. He wipes my kisses away, hugs me a hundred times a day, sneaks sweets and healthy eats all throughout the day and has a smile that wipes away any dismay. He's a handful all on his own and lights up our lives. Happy Birthday Owen!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 61
#Gratitude365 February 17 2014
The kids are out of school the entire week and with the husband having the day off from work we decided to go play some frisbee golf. There's a short course at Sunset Park in San Marcos that we'd played once before. It is a pretty awesome park. So many families were there with blankets and food and making a day of being at the park.
The kids are out of school the entire week and with the husband having the day off from work we decided to go play some frisbee golf. There's a short course at Sunset Park in San Marcos that we'd played once before. It is a pretty awesome park. So many families were there with blankets and food and making a day of being at the park.
Playing Frisbee Golf
This park has really modern playground equipment - the kids love this spinny-go-round the most:
Amberly wanted to play catch. I love watching how Cory coaches her to help her fine tune little things. The boys and I played catch and passed the soccer ball around. I took my shoes off and took advantage of the earthing opportunity.
Even though we were just out at the park the day before, it is so nice to get outside together! And I love when we go to a park where we can do so many things that we are there for 3 hours before we realize it.
Presidents Day may not be traditionally a family holiday, but we managed to make it into one.
Grateful for fresh air, family time, watching the kids dizzy themselves silly and being active.
How often do you get out to the park with your kids?
#Gratitude365 Day 60
#Gratitude365 February 16 2014
Neighborhood parks.
Swings.
Playing catch.
24/7 Comedy on iHeart radio
Neighborhood parks.
Swings.
Playing catch.
24/7 Comedy on iHeart radio
Monday, February 17, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 59
Kyle lost his first tooth! He's been waiting a long time for this and his excitement just made me happy. This was one of those times where I didn't have to do any convincing to take his picture.
Lovin' Kyle's Smile!
And since I'm writing this late - I have to share the sweet joy he had coming to wake me up before the sun was up to tell me the tooth fairy left him $3. Phew. He didn't remember the last deal where his sister got $20 for an extracted tooth (this one not from tooth decay but the new tooth had come all the way up behind the baby tooth and wasn't showing any signs of coming out. Truthfully the tooth fairy had nothing smaller than a twenty but I rationalized it easily.
#Gratitude365 Day 58 Valentines Day
#Gratitude365 February 14 2014
Waking up to LOVE.
Brownies. Heart shaped at that!
Chocolate covered strawberries.
Wine. My favorite that I discovered at Ruth's Chris. Not one, but TWO bottles of Conundrum.
Honey Coupons!
Waking up to LOVE.
Brownies. Heart shaped at that!
Chocolate covered strawberries.
Wine. My favorite that I discovered at Ruth's Chris. Not one, but TWO bottles of Conundrum.
Honey Coupons!
There were 3 Heart Brownies, but I ate one right away!
My most favorite wine!
Every part of this gift was my favorite. So much love for my husband who thought this all out.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 57
#Gratitude365 February 13 2014
Being in the zone.
Today I had a presentation at the Del Mar Library, covering an introduction to baby sign language. I've reached a point in my business where I can lead a dialogue with a group and artfully still provide the bullets of what I want to cover while inviting them to contribute. It was a great feeling to know that these moms today were going home having some great tools to journey forward in their early communication endeavors with their babies.
I was very excited to have my new business cards for this presentation. Deciding between my professional head shot avatar and this "action" photo taken by my amazing photographer, Hillary via Stills by Hill, was a toss up for me because I love both images. So, I polled my mompreneur group and almost unanimously they voted for the action photo to be used.
Being in the zone.
Today I had a presentation at the Del Mar Library, covering an introduction to baby sign language. I've reached a point in my business where I can lead a dialogue with a group and artfully still provide the bullets of what I want to cover while inviting them to contribute. It was a great feeling to know that these moms today were going home having some great tools to journey forward in their early communication endeavors with their babies.
I was very excited to have my new business cards for this presentation. Deciding between my professional head shot avatar and this "action" photo taken by my amazing photographer, Hillary via Stills by Hill, was a toss up for me because I love both images. So, I polled my mompreneur group and almost unanimously they voted for the action photo to be used.
#Gratitude365 Day 56
#Gratitude365 February 12 2014
Mindful breathing. It is something I know helps center me and I haven't gotten into a habit to do it daily. Today I remembered on two occasions to stop and take a minute to just breathe deeply and pay attention. My mind is so much more clear.
Perhaps it is the mindful breathing that contributes to those amazing shower ideas that come to me. That, or the combination of watching a few business training videos this past week. I remember watching Marie Forleo's series last year and being very inspired. I have 2 ideas that hit me to get one of my projects off the ground - partially inspired by "my birthday wish" FB cover image - now to timeline it out and schedule the action plan.
1. Mindful breathing
2. Free online business training videos
3. Shower ideas
Mindful breathing. It is something I know helps center me and I haven't gotten into a habit to do it daily. Today I remembered on two occasions to stop and take a minute to just breathe deeply and pay attention. My mind is so much more clear.
Perhaps it is the mindful breathing that contributes to those amazing shower ideas that come to me. That, or the combination of watching a few business training videos this past week. I remember watching Marie Forleo's series last year and being very inspired. I have 2 ideas that hit me to get one of my projects off the ground - partially inspired by "my birthday wish" FB cover image - now to timeline it out and schedule the action plan.
1. Mindful breathing
2. Free online business training videos
3. Shower ideas
#Gratitude365 Day 55
#Gratitude365 February 11 2014
Kids for Peace had their big celebration to wrap up the Great Kindness Challenge and invited me to attend to see what I had helped to create through my twitter support. It was a fun event! Raoul Martinez from Fox 5 San Diego was the emcee and he just loves to laugh and have a good time and the kids take to him really well. It was really great seeing all the sponsors who were in attendance, demonstrating that they really care about this and not just sign a check over.
One of the fun things was meeting Chloe, an 11 year old actress who stars on True Blood.
Chloe Noelle and Me at GKC Celebration
It has been inspiring to be part of the energy that is exuding from Kids for Peace and I'm so thrilled to continue on in the role of their social media Twitter manager. In just the 3rd year of the Great Kindness Challenge over 500,000 students participated, over 1,000 schools signed up, all 50 states were represented
....and over 27 million Kind Acts were committed. Those are some big big achievements! I went home with a happy heart for sure.
Kids for Peace had their big celebration to wrap up the Great Kindness Challenge and invited me to attend to see what I had helped to create through my twitter support. It was a fun event! Raoul Martinez from Fox 5 San Diego was the emcee and he just loves to laugh and have a good time and the kids take to him really well. It was really great seeing all the sponsors who were in attendance, demonstrating that they really care about this and not just sign a check over.
One of the fun things was meeting Chloe, an 11 year old actress who stars on True Blood.
We connected on Twitter and she was cordially invited to be part of the celebration. I'm so glad I happened to notice her and recognized her so I could get a picture. It sounds like she would like to do more with the organization. I'm just amazed at the maturity that I see in kids who have big exciting lives, the way they can take a minute to think outside of themselves and seek out something greater to make a difference.
It has been inspiring to be part of the energy that is exuding from Kids for Peace and I'm so thrilled to continue on in the role of their social media Twitter manager. In just the 3rd year of the Great Kindness Challenge over 500,000 students participated, over 1,000 schools signed up, all 50 states were represented
....and over 27 million Kind Acts were committed. Those are some big big achievements! I went home with a happy heart for sure.
#Gratitude365 Day 54
#Gratitude365 February 10 2014
One of the places that I hold my classes at closed and made their announcement late last night. What good came out of this were the several messages of the mommy community looking out for me to make sure I knew about it and see if I needed a place to hold my class. It is a wonderful feeling to have people care about you and what you're doing and want to reach out for support. The moms who had been in this particular class were also flexible and we were able to hold our last class of the session at one of their homes. It could have been a situation that created a lot of uncertainty and stress, but the great thing was that I focused on the support and care that shined through.
Grateful for the network I have surrounded myself with over the last several years.
One of the places that I hold my classes at closed and made their announcement late last night. What good came out of this were the several messages of the mommy community looking out for me to make sure I knew about it and see if I needed a place to hold my class. It is a wonderful feeling to have people care about you and what you're doing and want to reach out for support. The moms who had been in this particular class were also flexible and we were able to hold our last class of the session at one of their homes. It could have been a situation that created a lot of uncertainty and stress, but the great thing was that I focused on the support and care that shined through.
Grateful for the network I have surrounded myself with over the last several years.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 53
#Gratitude365 February 9 2014
Movie Day! We went to see The LEGO Movie and it was AWESOME!
I couldn't help but to clap at the end.
Will Farrell's character is pretty cool.
Cory and I were singing "Everything is Awesome" the rest of the day and more throughout the week (as this post is sooooo late!)
This is already a for sure blu-ray purchase for us. If you don't have kids, I think you'll still get a kick out of going to see it in theaters. Here's the trailer in case you want to hear the song "Everything is AWESOME!"
Gratitude for kid movies that parents actually enjoy watching with their kids!.
Movie Day! We went to see The LEGO Movie and it was AWESOME!
I couldn't help but to clap at the end.
Will Farrell's character is pretty cool.
Cory and I were singing "Everything is Awesome" the rest of the day and more throughout the week (as this post is sooooo late!)
This is already a for sure blu-ray purchase for us. If you don't have kids, I think you'll still get a kick out of going to see it in theaters. Here's the trailer in case you want to hear the song "Everything is AWESOME!"
Official Warner Bros. Trailer from their YouTube channel
#Gratitude365 Day 52
#Gratitude365 February 8 2014
Girl Scout cookies! Aren't they smart for making them available only a short time once a year?
When I got home from teaching 2 classes, the boys did not want to go to Amberly's softball practice. Whew. I wanted to rest. Right after Cory and Amberly left, the boys alerted me to the cookies hubby had purchased from one of Amberly's friends. He told the boys that those cookies were his. Not only did the boys want cookies, but I wanted cookies!
There was only $6.50 in my purse and we really wanted both Somoas and Thin Mints. Kyle to the rescue! He donated 6 quarters to the cause. We walked over to our neighbor's house and got 2 boxes of cookies. Amazing how we can pull everyone together for a simple goal of getting our hands on these delicious treats.
Girl Scout cookies! Aren't they smart for making them available only a short time once a year?
When I got home from teaching 2 classes, the boys did not want to go to Amberly's softball practice. Whew. I wanted to rest. Right after Cory and Amberly left, the boys alerted me to the cookies hubby had purchased from one of Amberly's friends. He told the boys that those cookies were his. Not only did the boys want cookies, but I wanted cookies!
There was only $6.50 in my purse and we really wanted both Somoas and Thin Mints. Kyle to the rescue! He donated 6 quarters to the cause. We walked over to our neighbor's house and got 2 boxes of cookies. Amazing how we can pull everyone together for a simple goal of getting our hands on these delicious treats.
What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie? Do you buy oodles of boxes to hoard in your freezer for the year?
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 51
#Gratitude365 February 7 2014
Thankful for moms who spread the awesome giveaway I did on the Sign4Baby Page. There were over 100 comments - the most action I've seen on Facebook in a long time!
Looking forward to having 3 new mommas and their babies joining us in the next session of Sign, Play & Learn ; )
Thankful for moms who spread the awesome giveaway I did on the Sign4Baby Page. There were over 100 comments - the most action I've seen on Facebook in a long time!
Looking forward to having 3 new mommas and their babies joining us in the next session of Sign, Play & Learn ; )
#Gratitude365 Day 50
#Gratitude365 February 6 2014
Today it was really cool to look up as I was getting set to begin the Signing Story Time program at Kensington Library and see a virtual friend in the audience!
Abby brought her two girls to enjoy story time and I recognized her right away. We've met IRL just two or three times before but she has the kind of soul that I know I will be glad to know for a long, long time. We have gotten to know one another more through Google+ than in the private facebook groups where we first knew of each other. If it weren't for Google+ and the deeper relationship we've been able to form there, I don't know if I would have been able to pin who she was. What was really sweet is she came up and didn't just assume I knew "who" she was and made it a point to introduce herself by name (I interact with A LOT of people both in person and online so I sometimes can't recall who or how I know someone!).
In this day and age we are connected and intertwined with more people than ever before and it is nice to have some of those initial connections grow as you learn more about what you have in common.
I'm very grateful to be connected to this mama for many reasons:
1. We're both in the natural or crunchy mama community
2. We're both mompreneurs
3. She is an excellent writer
4. She really enjoys helping others
5. She is forward thinking and began learning about Google+ before opening her practice
6. While her parenting and birth preferences tend to align with my own, she does not judge other for their preferences
7. She is an educator. I tend to like educators. And I don't mean a school teacher, while I like them too, she educates on things she knows from experience and shares with her fellow citizen through her blog. The best educators are the ones who remain active learners and she clearly is that.
8. When I started a facebook group called Google+ bootcamp, there were just a handful who stayed committed to it for the ful 30 days. I made it clear that I was not the leader - rather we were all there to figure it out together - and she stayed til the end, adding tremendous value.
9. I can tell she is another person who believes in and practices the Golden Rule.
10. She has just opened her practice where she will be focusing on helping moms postpartum - a truly needed focus. As a mom who suffered from PPD I only wish I would have had Abby as a resource.
Gratitude for blossoming friendships!
You can circle her on Google+
Photo credit - I took this from Abby's photo gallery on her Google+ page - working on finding out if there is a professional photographer to properly credit.
Today it was really cool to look up as I was getting set to begin the Signing Story Time program at Kensington Library and see a virtual friend in the audience!
Abby brought her two girls to enjoy story time and I recognized her right away. We've met IRL just two or three times before but she has the kind of soul that I know I will be glad to know for a long, long time. We have gotten to know one another more through Google+ than in the private facebook groups where we first knew of each other. If it weren't for Google+ and the deeper relationship we've been able to form there, I don't know if I would have been able to pin who she was. What was really sweet is she came up and didn't just assume I knew "who" she was and made it a point to introduce herself by name (I interact with A LOT of people both in person and online so I sometimes can't recall who or how I know someone!).
In this day and age we are connected and intertwined with more people than ever before and it is nice to have some of those initial connections grow as you learn more about what you have in common.
I'm very grateful to be connected to this mama for many reasons:
1. We're both in the natural or crunchy mama community
2. We're both mompreneurs
3. She is an excellent writer
4. She really enjoys helping others
5. She is forward thinking and began learning about Google+ before opening her practice
6. While her parenting and birth preferences tend to align with my own, she does not judge other for their preferences
7. She is an educator. I tend to like educators. And I don't mean a school teacher, while I like them too, she educates on things she knows from experience and shares with her fellow citizen through her blog. The best educators are the ones who remain active learners and she clearly is that.
8. When I started a facebook group called Google+ bootcamp, there were just a handful who stayed committed to it for the ful 30 days. I made it clear that I was not the leader - rather we were all there to figure it out together - and she stayed til the end, adding tremendous value.
9. I can tell she is another person who believes in and practices the Golden Rule.
10. She has just opened her practice where she will be focusing on helping moms postpartum - a truly needed focus. As a mom who suffered from PPD I only wish I would have had Abby as a resource.
Gratitude for blossoming friendships!
You can circle her on Google+
Photo credit - I took this from Abby's photo gallery on her Google+ page - working on finding out if there is a professional photographer to properly credit.
#Gratitude365 Day 49
#Gratitude365 February 5 2014
I had a facial today! Last year I made a resolution to go twice a month for a facial and vowed to keep it up this year. So many reasons to do this:
1. Keeps your skin looking its best!
2. Built in relax time - I love the neck, shoulder and arm massage that is part of my 1 hour facial
3. Value "me" time - which is important for new moms especially
4. Get your learn on - my esthetician at Firefly Wellness is always teaching me things to take better care of my skin.
5. Your skin is your largest organ - treat it well and it will treat you well
6. Put your best face forward - literally - important when you are a small business owner, right?
7. Simply having my scheduled facial coming up around the corner keeps me mindful of my skin care regiment and more committed to it.
Did you make any self-care resolutioons this year? I did and I'm having difficulty sticking to them. My gratitude to my old self for sticking to this one so my future self can keep feeling refreshed and well cared for.
BONUS: When I saw Karen she gave me a few certificates to gift to some local San Diego mamas and that makes me happy to give someone else the gift of "me-time!"
I had a facial today! Last year I made a resolution to go twice a month for a facial and vowed to keep it up this year. So many reasons to do this:
1. Keeps your skin looking its best!
2. Built in relax time - I love the neck, shoulder and arm massage that is part of my 1 hour facial
3. Value "me" time - which is important for new moms especially
4. Get your learn on - my esthetician at Firefly Wellness is always teaching me things to take better care of my skin.
5. Your skin is your largest organ - treat it well and it will treat you well
6. Put your best face forward - literally - important when you are a small business owner, right?
7. Simply having my scheduled facial coming up around the corner keeps me mindful of my skin care regiment and more committed to it.
Did you make any self-care resolutioons this year? I did and I'm having difficulty sticking to them. My gratitude to my old self for sticking to this one so my future self can keep feeling refreshed and well cared for.
BONUS: When I saw Karen she gave me a few certificates to gift to some local San Diego mamas and that makes me happy to give someone else the gift of "me-time!"
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 48
#Gratitude365 February 4 2014
One of the moms I met at the Your Natural Baby Fair has been taking my classes ever since April 2013. She and her daughter were out of the country for 6 weeks visiting family. Today they returned to class and had a gift for me. It warms my heart to know that the families I work with think of me when on vacation. Furthermore, her sister-in-law has a 3 year old and 2 month old and was researching a local baby sign language class by the end of the visit! Love that reach!
Hubby took the boys in for their dentist appointment today. Love that he has some flexibility in his work schedule to jump in and handle these things from time to time. We have been fortunate where he's had a position that fit our family's needs so well for the majority of the 8 years we've been parents. There was a short period of time he worked a night shift - oy! That was hard. It was a reminder not to take things for granted.
We had a record setting 66 in attendance at the Mission Valley Library today for my Signing Story Time. A couple of moms who take my class are part of a pretty big playgroup and invited them to check out the program. I just love the energy in a room where moms are having fun and learning and the babies feed off of that. So grateful too for the moms that spread the word and support my business.
One of the moms I met at the Your Natural Baby Fair has been taking my classes ever since April 2013. She and her daughter were out of the country for 6 weeks visiting family. Today they returned to class and had a gift for me. It warms my heart to know that the families I work with think of me when on vacation. Furthermore, her sister-in-law has a 3 year old and 2 month old and was researching a local baby sign language class by the end of the visit! Love that reach!
Hubby took the boys in for their dentist appointment today. Love that he has some flexibility in his work schedule to jump in and handle these things from time to time. We have been fortunate where he's had a position that fit our family's needs so well for the majority of the 8 years we've been parents. There was a short period of time he worked a night shift - oy! That was hard. It was a reminder not to take things for granted.
We had a record setting 66 in attendance at the Mission Valley Library today for my Signing Story Time. A couple of moms who take my class are part of a pretty big playgroup and invited them to check out the program. I just love the energy in a room where moms are having fun and learning and the babies feed off of that. So grateful too for the moms that spread the word and support my business.
#Gratitude365 Day 47
#Gratitude365 February 3 2014
Loved when Kyle asked me "Mom, can you make those butterfly with the fruit sandwichh things?" Over the summer I would create english muffin open sandwiches with peanut butter and banana slices and blueberries or some other variations. So sweet that he had a craving for somethinig special I made them, especially because I am not crafty in the kitchen, and that it was a healthy item. The sweet voice he used to ask me too, the way he expressed it, just endearing, really. Gratitude for moments like this where Kyle and I connect over something simple.
We had a great attendance at my afternoon Signing Story Time - I feel grateful when moms spread the word to others in their circles.
Tonight Amberly had softball practice and I got to watch a good amount of it. This coach of theirs is incredible. He broke down the swing for them to practice with specific language to understand each part of the swing. They got to practice hitting. He takes the time to explain what they're doing, why they're doing it and checks that everyone is understanding, and having fun. He is patient and has a voice that commands attention like a lovable science teacher rather than a militant drill sargeant. He introduced a fun game at the end of practice that is sure to be an ongoing "hit" with the girls. It's called "Last girl standing" and as each girl gets a chance to have an at bat, they need to hold off on swinging if it is a bad pitch or they're out, if they swign and miss it's an out, and if they swing , make contact but don't put the ball in play, they're out. As each girl gets a "hit" they line up in the "next round" line, otherwise they go to the "out' line. Amberly won the first game! She was so excited. They played again. This time around more of the girls had made contact and put the ball in play. To wrap up practice, coach reviewed what they had learned, told them what was on the agenda for the next practice, asked them how they thought they did today.... all little things that tie up practice with a nice bow, yes, but really it does more than that... he's really teaching them. I know every single one of these girls will be walking away from this team having grown as a player and likely as a person. Grateful for someone so committed to be leading this team.
Loved when Kyle asked me "Mom, can you make those butterfly with the fruit sandwichh things?" Over the summer I would create english muffin open sandwiches with peanut butter and banana slices and blueberries or some other variations. So sweet that he had a craving for somethinig special I made them, especially because I am not crafty in the kitchen, and that it was a healthy item. The sweet voice he used to ask me too, the way he expressed it, just endearing, really. Gratitude for moments like this where Kyle and I connect over something simple.
We had a great attendance at my afternoon Signing Story Time - I feel grateful when moms spread the word to others in their circles.
Tonight Amberly had softball practice and I got to watch a good amount of it. This coach of theirs is incredible. He broke down the swing for them to practice with specific language to understand each part of the swing. They got to practice hitting. He takes the time to explain what they're doing, why they're doing it and checks that everyone is understanding, and having fun. He is patient and has a voice that commands attention like a lovable science teacher rather than a militant drill sargeant. He introduced a fun game at the end of practice that is sure to be an ongoing "hit" with the girls. It's called "Last girl standing" and as each girl gets a chance to have an at bat, they need to hold off on swinging if it is a bad pitch or they're out, if they swign and miss it's an out, and if they swing , make contact but don't put the ball in play, they're out. As each girl gets a "hit" they line up in the "next round" line, otherwise they go to the "out' line. Amberly won the first game! She was so excited. They played again. This time around more of the girls had made contact and put the ball in play. To wrap up practice, coach reviewed what they had learned, told them what was on the agenda for the next practice, asked them how they thought they did today.... all little things that tie up practice with a nice bow, yes, but really it does more than that... he's really teaching them. I know every single one of these girls will be walking away from this team having grown as a player and likely as a person. Grateful for someone so committed to be leading this team.
#Gratitude365 Day 46 Superbowl Sunday
I picked the Seahawks to win and that is how it went down. Grateful to see the underdogs come out on top. Also grateful that we could watch the halftime show with no uncomfortable stripper-like dancing.
The Superbowl is one day we don't concern ourselves with healthy eating, we eat all kinds of junk, yet my kids ate more baby carrots than I've ever seen. How about that? All the work of getting them to eat healthy foods and on a junk food day they are grabbing baby carrots. That makes me happy!
I picked the Seahawks to win and that is how it went down. Grateful to see the underdogs come out on top. Also grateful that we could watch the halftime show with no uncomfortable stripper-like dancing.
The Superbowl is one day we don't concern ourselves with healthy eating, we eat all kinds of junk, yet my kids ate more baby carrots than I've ever seen. How about that? All the work of getting them to eat healthy foods and on a junk food day they are grabbing baby carrots. That makes me happy!
Monday, February 3, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 45
#Gratitude365 February 1 2014
Such a full day! I started out, as I do most Saturdays with two wonderful classes of babies and parents to teach. I was really sleeping quite peacefully and didn't want to get up, but knowing how much fun I will have in class with these dedicated families makes me get up and start the day. Grateful to love what I do and do what I love.
Amberly started softball practices and met her new team for the first one today. Practices will be 3 times a week and two hours each. Whoa. From the introduction both Cory and I feel like this coach is going to be awesome! We've had less than good luck with coaches not being very experienced before, but this one has been coaching 20 years and we can tell he just enjoys it. Gratitude for getting our wish of an experienced coach for Amberly so she can continue to grow in the sport. Oh, and I'm excited to have at least one other player on the team from our school and already know the mom so I have someone to chat with that will extend beyond just the softball field.
During practice the boys were riding their bikes. Eventually they got bored of that. So we did some "races" running across the opposite field and back. I encouraged the boys to take the shoes off as I had done and run barefoot, figuring we would get some extra good energy spent but then get some energy from the earth via a practice I learned from Dr. Mercola called earthing. Have you heard of this? I'm going to make it a goal to do this at every practice I attend. That will be at least a start. After the boys got tired of running they started play leapfrog and doing summersaults in the grass. So fun to just watch them laughing doing something so simple. Grateful for the opportunity to be outdoors together where we can all smile, get fresh air, enjoy some sun and be together. It really is my husband's love of sports that gets us out to do this as a family and it is so good for us.
There was one moment where Kyle was just checking out the leaves on the ground. I was able to get a picture without him complaining. Normally he doesn't like when I take his picture, especially papparazzi style - sneaking instead of asking his permission. Perhaps being outside changes his mood on this issue? Anyway it was cute and I am glad I captured it.
I did end up bringing the boys home a little early since we had plans for the evening. My thought was to get the dishes done but when I came home, I saw that Cory had already cleaned the whole kitchen! I made sure to tell him what a nice surprise that was. We have this long standing agreement that I will do the dishes and he will take out the trash, I carried the babies in my belly for 9 months and he has regular household maintainence under control. And I do not do his laundry.... so every once in awhile he knows I get sick of doing the dishes because it is a never ending chore. I appreciate his little surprises from time to time. I keep telling him that we need to re-visit this agreement because he is much quicker at doing dishes haha!
Continuing the hubby's birthday weekend we went to see the San Diego Sockers play. This was our second time going to a game and we had a great time. The fact that it was t-shirt night was a bonus. When we got to our seats we saw the kids old soccer coach there with his wife and 3 kids - they go all the time - we'll have to coordinate next time to sit together since we've seen them both times we've been haha! The game was really exciting and fast paced. Our team came back from behind to win it - which makes for an even more fun evening out. One moment I just loved was seeing Kyle take the giveaway shirt off so he could wave it around after a goal had been scored. Cory got a kick out of that too. Thank you San Diego Sockers for providing affordable family fun!
Such a full day! I started out, as I do most Saturdays with two wonderful classes of babies and parents to teach. I was really sleeping quite peacefully and didn't want to get up, but knowing how much fun I will have in class with these dedicated families makes me get up and start the day. Grateful to love what I do and do what I love.
Amberly started softball practices and met her new team for the first one today. Practices will be 3 times a week and two hours each. Whoa. From the introduction both Cory and I feel like this coach is going to be awesome! We've had less than good luck with coaches not being very experienced before, but this one has been coaching 20 years and we can tell he just enjoys it. Gratitude for getting our wish of an experienced coach for Amberly so she can continue to grow in the sport. Oh, and I'm excited to have at least one other player on the team from our school and already know the mom so I have someone to chat with that will extend beyond just the softball field.
During practice the boys were riding their bikes. Eventually they got bored of that. So we did some "races" running across the opposite field and back. I encouraged the boys to take the shoes off as I had done and run barefoot, figuring we would get some extra good energy spent but then get some energy from the earth via a practice I learned from Dr. Mercola called earthing. Have you heard of this? I'm going to make it a goal to do this at every practice I attend. That will be at least a start. After the boys got tired of running they started play leapfrog and doing summersaults in the grass. So fun to just watch them laughing doing something so simple. Grateful for the opportunity to be outdoors together where we can all smile, get fresh air, enjoy some sun and be together. It really is my husband's love of sports that gets us out to do this as a family and it is so good for us.
There was one moment where Kyle was just checking out the leaves on the ground. I was able to get a picture without him complaining. Normally he doesn't like when I take his picture, especially papparazzi style - sneaking instead of asking his permission. Perhaps being outside changes his mood on this issue? Anyway it was cute and I am glad I captured it.
Kyle: Studying the leaves
I did end up bringing the boys home a little early since we had plans for the evening. My thought was to get the dishes done but when I came home, I saw that Cory had already cleaned the whole kitchen! I made sure to tell him what a nice surprise that was. We have this long standing agreement that I will do the dishes and he will take out the trash, I carried the babies in my belly for 9 months and he has regular household maintainence under control. And I do not do his laundry.... so every once in awhile he knows I get sick of doing the dishes because it is a never ending chore. I appreciate his little surprises from time to time. I keep telling him that we need to re-visit this agreement because he is much quicker at doing dishes haha!
Continuing the hubby's birthday weekend we went to see the San Diego Sockers play. This was our second time going to a game and we had a great time. The fact that it was t-shirt night was a bonus. When we got to our seats we saw the kids old soccer coach there with his wife and 3 kids - they go all the time - we'll have to coordinate next time to sit together since we've seen them both times we've been haha! The game was really exciting and fast paced. Our team came back from behind to win it - which makes for an even more fun evening out. One moment I just loved was seeing Kyle take the giveaway shirt off so he could wave it around after a goal had been scored. Cory got a kick out of that too. Thank you San Diego Sockers for providing affordable family fun!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
#Gratitude365 Day 44
#Gratitude365 January 31 2014
Happy Birthday to my husband! We had a pretty chill morning, both of us having the day off. It was kind of overcast, which my husband tends to like so he was happy with that. He had planned to either go play golf or frisbee golf. We had this big discussion about which he was really going to do because I might like to go with him if it was one versus the other. He wanted to know why I wouldn't go if he went golfing and I had to say to him that no matter how much I love him, if he's doing something that I have zero interest in, I'm simply not going to tag along. This whole discussion happened the day before - so worries as no birthday drama was created. After becoming a mom I realized that I have very limited time to choose what I want to do, and I went to way too many baseball games and football games pre-kids that I know better now to choose wisely or I make for lousy company. I'm grateful for coming to this conclusion and being able to state it matter-of-factly. Now, my husband might not be as grateful for this philosophy of mine, but he knows what I mean and therefore I'm grateful for his understanding. I once wanted to go to sushi for my birthday and it was quite pitiful to watch him not eat anything because he does not like sushi one bit. Right then I decided I would only go to sushi for MNO. It just doesn't make sense to have him sit through a meal that he can't stand just to appease me.
Owen gets out a little earilier than the big kids on Fridays so we took him to lunch with us. I had a moment of gratitude in sitting across from these two smiles.
We made plans for the 5 of us to go to dinner at Benihana - it was the first time we've taken the kids. Since our youngest is nearly 5yo we thought we could reasonably sit through a teppanyaki dinner show. Owen did great - he had his moments - but really I am glad we waited to entertain this idea so we had an enjoyable experience. Our chef really made the kids laugh. I'm glad we didn't explain to them what the chef does as they had no expectation walking in other than the chef cooks our meal in front of us. While I enjoy the experience myself, it is really fun to watch your little ones experience something fun and different like this. The way they watched and asked questions and would talk about the "show" afterwards made the steep dinner bill for 5 worth it. This will go on my list of new family traditions - of course trying to remember to go Monday through Thursday to take advantage of the birthday special.
After a fabulous dinner out as a family it was time to get the kids back home to the babysitter so we could go and see American Hustle at Cinepolis! We'd been wanting to see the movie for awhile, and well, a birthday seems like a good enough excuse to splurge on fancy movie theatre tickets. I'm glad we did because this movie was HOT! Seriously, Amy Adam's character got ME hot and bothered. Whomever did her wardrobe for that movie needs a special award. I'm pretty sure Amy Adams is on my husband's celebrity short list (for that gorgeous red hair) right behind Tina Fey (for her witty comedy writing). I really wasn't sure what American Hustle was about, but the sexy factor and having to think all the way through to stay on top of the con games made it the right pick to see at Cinepolis. Grateful that we managed to get tickets being that we've missed the window of opportunity many times since the theatres are small and tickets are seriously limited.
Just last week I bought a couple of new scarves as I wrote about here and I've actually been practicing. Quick side note, I have bought many things before and not used them the way I imagined I would... so I think blogging about it AND expressing gratitude for the inspiration helps that imagination come to life. I played around with my scarf and wore it 3 different ways this day - one way to dinner - another way to the movie when I found the first style a bit constraining to my neck - and a third way to bed --- thank you Amy Adams for the inspiration.... because it felt like it was my birthday if you know what I mean. I sort of, kind of a lot want to go find a store that has 70's clothes and play dress up. Wouldn't that be fun? Ohhh, I bet there are people throwing American Hustle costume parties. I need to get invited to one of those. I would even get a wig. Red, of course. Maybe for my husband's birthday next year I'll get the wig ; )
What do you do to make birthdays special for others? Do you oblige your significant other in participating in activities you have zero desire in doing?
Happy Birthday to my husband! We had a pretty chill morning, both of us having the day off. It was kind of overcast, which my husband tends to like so he was happy with that. He had planned to either go play golf or frisbee golf. We had this big discussion about which he was really going to do because I might like to go with him if it was one versus the other. He wanted to know why I wouldn't go if he went golfing and I had to say to him that no matter how much I love him, if he's doing something that I have zero interest in, I'm simply not going to tag along. This whole discussion happened the day before - so worries as no birthday drama was created. After becoming a mom I realized that I have very limited time to choose what I want to do, and I went to way too many baseball games and football games pre-kids that I know better now to choose wisely or I make for lousy company. I'm grateful for coming to this conclusion and being able to state it matter-of-factly. Now, my husband might not be as grateful for this philosophy of mine, but he knows what I mean and therefore I'm grateful for his understanding. I once wanted to go to sushi for my birthday and it was quite pitiful to watch him not eat anything because he does not like sushi one bit. Right then I decided I would only go to sushi for MNO. It just doesn't make sense to have him sit through a meal that he can't stand just to appease me.
Owen gets out a little earilier than the big kids on Fridays so we took him to lunch with us. I had a moment of gratitude in sitting across from these two smiles.
We made plans for the 5 of us to go to dinner at Benihana - it was the first time we've taken the kids. Since our youngest is nearly 5yo we thought we could reasonably sit through a teppanyaki dinner show. Owen did great - he had his moments - but really I am glad we waited to entertain this idea so we had an enjoyable experience. Our chef really made the kids laugh. I'm glad we didn't explain to them what the chef does as they had no expectation walking in other than the chef cooks our meal in front of us. While I enjoy the experience myself, it is really fun to watch your little ones experience something fun and different like this. The way they watched and asked questions and would talk about the "show" afterwards made the steep dinner bill for 5 worth it. This will go on my list of new family traditions - of course trying to remember to go Monday through Thursday to take advantage of the birthday special.
After a fabulous dinner out as a family it was time to get the kids back home to the babysitter so we could go and see American Hustle at Cinepolis! We'd been wanting to see the movie for awhile, and well, a birthday seems like a good enough excuse to splurge on fancy movie theatre tickets. I'm glad we did because this movie was HOT! Seriously, Amy Adam's character got ME hot and bothered. Whomever did her wardrobe for that movie needs a special award. I'm pretty sure Amy Adams is on my husband's celebrity short list (for that gorgeous red hair) right behind Tina Fey (for her witty comedy writing). I really wasn't sure what American Hustle was about, but the sexy factor and having to think all the way through to stay on top of the con games made it the right pick to see at Cinepolis. Grateful that we managed to get tickets being that we've missed the window of opportunity many times since the theatres are small and tickets are seriously limited.
Just last week I bought a couple of new scarves as I wrote about here and I've actually been practicing. Quick side note, I have bought many things before and not used them the way I imagined I would... so I think blogging about it AND expressing gratitude for the inspiration helps that imagination come to life. I played around with my scarf and wore it 3 different ways this day - one way to dinner - another way to the movie when I found the first style a bit constraining to my neck - and a third way to bed --- thank you Amy Adams for the inspiration.... because it felt like it was my birthday if you know what I mean. I sort of, kind of a lot want to go find a store that has 70's clothes and play dress up. Wouldn't that be fun? Ohhh, I bet there are people throwing American Hustle costume parties. I need to get invited to one of those. I would even get a wig. Red, of course. Maybe for my husband's birthday next year I'll get the wig ; )
What do you do to make birthdays special for others? Do you oblige your significant other in participating in activities you have zero desire in doing?
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