Let Your Kids Leap Ahead This Summer

It’s almost here. It’s the time of year kids look forward to all year long…summer.  Its three months of fun without going to school and without having to set an alarm. But, just because kids are turning off their alarm clocks, doesn’t mean they should be turning off their brains too. Three months is a long time to go without learning something, don’t you think?

As parents, we continuously hear about how we should always read to our kids. But, what about helping them keep up in math too? It’s just as important. During the summer, there is plenty of time to slip in some math lessons to keep their brains fresh and help them get ahead for the fall. Leap Ahead is a great online program that offers just that, without breaking the bank. Problem solving, algebra, and geometry are just a few of the topics covered.

If your child is entering grades three through nine, this is a great opportunity. LeapAhead! Online Summer Math Program even offers a gifted program for parents and children who want a greater challenge. Whichever program you choose, there are plenty of exercises to keep your child’s mind active.

Summer Practice = Fall Success

Why not take advantage today?

 

*This is a sponsored post

She's the Town Crier

It's no secret that my three and a-half year old loves to talk. I wonder where she gets that from?Anyway, she just doesn't tell you what she's doing or what project she might have made at school. She loves to tell my business. That's why I now call her The Town Crier.

Most times, I don't mind. But there are times when I don't want people to know that I went to Target for the third time in a week or that we had to rush to Sam's Club because I had no more diapers in the house although I could have sworn I bought another pack. There's also the times when she lets people know I took her to McDonald's for lunch and let her have a soda. I love the looks I get for that one.

From what I made or may not have made her for dinner to what we did all day, she makes sure everyone knows what we're up to. She's also makes sure everyone knows what I'm talking about on the phone. I resorted to talking in code or spelling things, but now she's on to me. Those little ears know too much sometimes.

If you want someone to know something, just tell her. Right before Mother's Day, my husband took her and her sister shopping. He made the mistake of letting her see where he hid my present. When I came home, she pointed to a high cabinet in the kitchen and said (in the cutest voice), "Mommy,there's a present in there for you." I started laughing. My husband just stared at her and reminded her she wasn't supposed to tell.

She even tells on her sister. I don't have to worry if the little one is doing something wrong, because she'll let me know. I think this is going to get her in trouble one of these days. But for now, she's my little town crier.

What Do I Want for Mother's Day?

Sometimes Mother's Day is kinda like Christmas. There's so much hype about it, and at times the reality doesn't live up to all the expectations. Sometimes Santa doesn't fill your wish list, whether it's December or May.

So, what are the big Mother's Day gifts? Flowers, candy, jewelry...they're alright, but do I really want them for Mother's Day? Honestly, no...especially not the candy. Swimsuit season is practically here and a pound of truffles is not going to help the cause. Flowers...well, I guess they aren't bad, but they're going to die in a week anyway.  Jewelry...it's pretty, don't get me wrong, but I'm not diggin it this year. So, what's left?

There are loads of other "Mom" gifts that all the stores are trying to pawn off on all the men looking for that "perfect" gift. But, I don't see any of those stores wrapping a big bow around a box of "peace and quiet", "I'm not doing s***t today", and "Can everyone just STFU today", do you? They also seem to be forgetting "nap in a box".  Those, my friends, would be great! But no, instead, we are brainwashed to believe that a bracelet and a dozen of roses would be oh so much better.

I know a lot of you out there would love some flowers, candy, or jewelry, and that's just fine with me. But, you can't honestly say you wouldn't enjoy a day where the kids didn't scream, a day when you didn't accidentally stick your finger in poop because your daughter moved faster than you could move the diaper, or even a day when you didn't have to ask your significant other to unload the dishwasher (the dishes don't magically walk themselves back into the cabinet, contrary to popular belief).

I think when it comes to Mother's Day, actions speak louder than gifts. Showing a momma she's appreciated, or God forbid, actually speaking the words, can actually get you a lot further. Women dig that stuff, trust me.

Okay, so what's on your Mother's Day wish list? What's on mine? Honestly, I just want to have a nice drama free day with the people I love, and I'm not just saying that. If some gifts come my way, so be it. If not, I'm good. I'll just be steering clear of the poop and the dishwasher.

Oh, How Times Change!

Let's rewind five years, pre-pregnancies and pre-kids, shall we? A Friday night used to consist of a night out...maybe a movie with the hubs, or if we were lucky some drinks and apps with friends. If we were really feeling crazy, a little trip to "da club" and some dancing.

Let's fast forward five years, post-pregnancies and current kids, shall we? A Friday night consists of watching some cartoons, usually some Caillou and Pajanimals, followed by some playing, and then putting the kiddos to bed. Once that's all said and done, it's time to get crazy. Are you ready? Oh yeah, time to clean a bathroom that I haven't had time to clean in awhile. Don't feel sorry for me because the smell of bleach and Lysol wipes is actually refreshing. I'll admit I actually enjoy cleaning. Plus, it was on this week's "to-do" list and there's only one more day to get it done before the week is up.

Once everything is scrubbed and swiffered, it's time to really have some fun. I know, cleaning the bathroom should have been fun enough. But now, I can relax, turn on my DVR and catch up on my 14 episodes of "Young & the Restless" while I sit here and write (something else on my "to-do" list). Through a few Oreos and a glass of milk into the mix and I am one happy momma.

Okay, before you paint a big "L" on my forehead, I'm actually okay with all of this. If you told me way back when that this would actually make me happy, I would have told you to go smoke another one. But, times change, and people change with them, myself included.

Trust me, I still love to go out and hang out with the hubs or some friends, but sometimes (okay most of the time), I'm cool with staying in and doing things I need to do and really can't do while taking care of the kids all day long. When I don't get to do exciting things like clean, just sitting on the couch and hanging with the hubs is pure bliss. Just having quiet time, not filling sippy cups and cleaning poop, is refreshing. Now, time to cross another episode off the DVR...perhaps I can get down to 13!

The Write Stuff

As a parent, we all have a few things...okay maybe tons of things we like to brag about when it comes to our kids. I'll admit, I'm no different. These days, I've really been trying to get my 3 1/2 year old to write letters and spell stuff. Why? Well, it's pretty obvious. I want her to be smart, enough said.
Sure she's in preschool, but they haven't done too much yet when it comes down to writing. So, that's where I step in.

You would think getting someone to write a letter or two would be pretty easy. Well, I'm here to tell you it's not. So, when it happens, it's kinda like hitting the lotto.

I decided to start with the letters in my daughter's name because it's obviously important to be able to write your own name. It took a few days and countless tries, but we eventually got our "M". When we did, I was almost as happy as when I gave birth. I'll admit I even got a little misty. So, what did I do? Took a picture of our "M" masterpiece and posted it on Facebook, of course. It really was an accomplishment because before we started, she really had no idea what she was doing. I was so proud of her once she got it! What was even better was that she was just as proud of herself too.


Let me tell you, it didn't stop there. We've now mastered the "A", "I", "O", and "T", and sometimes "Y". While we haven't been able to spell her entire name, she is making progress, and that's all that matters. We've inserted our letter practice into our routine almost on a daily basis. In the beginning it was kinda like a chore, but now my daughter actually looks forward to it. Go figure!

In the words of New Kids on the Block, my daughter definetly has the "write" stuff. I can't wait until the day she can actually write out her entire name. Don't worry, you'll definitely hear about here!

Can Women Have It "All"?

It's the age-old question that always ruffles feathers and this time is no different. Can women have it all? That of course, depends on who you ask. If you choose to ask Drew Barrymore, she's gonna tell you no. She recently talked about how much it sucks to have to give up some aspects of your career so you don't miss out on things in your kids' lives.(Her words, not mine!) As you can imagine, her words have captured a lot of attention, mine included.

After reading what she had to say, I think she's brave to admit what so many of us are sometimes afraid to. Sometimes women can't have it "all" if "all" means having a killer career and making every activity and being there for every play date. It's just impossible. That's not to say that women can't be successful and still be good mothers. Being a stay-at-home mother does not, by any means, make you a better mother.

Now that we've cleared that up, I think having it "all" means different things to different people. That's okay. I think it's supposed to. I think that going by a universal definition is what has gotten so many of us feeling inadequate in the first place. Having it "all" has made a lot of us feel like crap if we can't work forty hours a week, make dinner every night, have a clean house, and still have energy to play dress up with our kids. That's why I respect Drew Barrymore's comments that women can't have it all.

I know a lot of moms, myself included, who have made professional sacrifices in order to be more present in their children's lives. I know it's not a choice that everyone has the luxury of making these days. There are lots of sacrifices that come along with the choice. Trust me, there are plenty of days when I wonder if I made the right decision. There are plenty of days that I play the "what if" game. But, in the end, I truly believe everything happens for a reason and when it is supposed. You just have to trust in yourself and try not to look back (easier said than done).

So, are Drew Barrymore's comments setting women back a few decades? I'm sure there are plenty of you out there who still think so, and that's fine. I still choose to believe that it's okay to admit that it may be impossible to have it "all".

Nothing Funny About the Easter Bunny

As a mom there are "those" pictures that are a must for your photo album. You know what I'm talking about. You have the shot of your kid blowing out his candles every year. You have those family vacation pics with the perfect scenic background because every three year old wants to have his picture taken with the sun setting at just the right time. Then there are the holiday shots. You gotta have the Santa pics and if you have the jolly old guy, you need to have the fluffy bug-eyed one. Oh yeah, it's the Easter Bunny.

I admit, I love to have the perfect pictures of my kids. Of course all the pictures my kids are in are perfect. I know as their mother I'm supposed to believe that, but that's not the truth. There are some pictures where one looks like a criminal while the other is sticking her neck out like a giraffe. This year's Easter Bunny photo was definitely not picture perfect and really cracked my eggs.

Why you may ask? Well, because my one and half year old would not go near the fluffy guy. My three and a half year old was ready to invite him over for dinner, while the little one had no use for him...not even for a stinkin' picture. She clung onto my jacket for dear life as her sister sat there and talked to this big headed creature that just sat there. Baby girl would not have any part of it. As much as I wanted a picture with my two girls, I wasn't going to be "that" mom who forced her kid to sit there in panic just for a snapshot. So, instead, I have a picture with one smiley toddler and an empty leg of the bunny dude where my other child should have been. The funny thing is that while she didn't want to take a picture with him, she did say goodbye to him and she did blow him a kiss. I just don't get it!

So, since that one didn't work out, I thought I would try again with a different bunny. Well, different bunny, still not so funny. Once again she was ready to throw a freak out while her sister didn't want to leave. Now, I have two lovely pictures of my older daughter with the Easter bunny and none with my little one. I considered photo shopping her in, but decided that would be borderline creepy. I will just have to settle and accept the fact that bunnies aren't for everyone, especially if they have abnormally large heads and hang out in the mall 24/7.