It's the Little Things

This morning my newly 4-year-old little boy extended a very special invitation to me.

 "Mommy, can you watch George with me?"

Curious George is his absolute favorite thing to watch in the world. That 30 minutes of Curious George is also when this mama knows she can get the morning routine finished without any little buddy interruptions.

 But this time I stopped to think...pretty soon he will grow out of wanting to snuggle with his mama on the couch. He will also grow out of the unbridled joy he gets watching a curious monkey, not unlike himself, finding all kinds of adventures.

"Sure buddy," I said.

 I put down the lunch supplies, grabbed his fluffy zebra blanket, and there we sat all cozy and tuned into George together.

 If it's the little things that mean a lot, than this morning's mommy/boy time ranks at the top. And these sweet times will only last a little while longer. Today, I chose to cherish this gift of time and opportunity with my baby boy.

A Father's Love

My mind drifts back to a time as a little girl following my dad around the yard. 

He would sit me up on the porch, or a fence post, or in his workshop in the barn and let me ask him as many questions as possible.  As I thought of new topics, I would also watch him plant his garden, work on the flowers, or fix his cars.  It was good to be a daddy's girl on Pleasant Lane.

One day, as a five-year-old in pigtails, I heard something clink on the sidewalk.  Dad picked up a gold coin and exclaimed that my fairy godmother must have dropped it.  Suspicion ran though my mind, but also a colorful imagination couldn't help but figure my fairy godmother was somewhere hiding behind the dandelions.

As I grew older, my dad continued to answer my questions about the world.  He would tell me I could do or be anything I wanted to be.  His faith in me was something that held to me and pushed me when others doubted.  His voice always gently nudging me towards my potential.

On this Father's Day,  I am thankful to have a father who loves me and always wants the best for me.  I wish everyone could have a dad like mine.  Happy Father's Day.

Backyard Campfire Makes For Dinner & Fun

My boys love the outdoors and what boy doesn't love fire?  This weekend we worked hard in the yard clearing brush and trees.

The benefactors of all the labor turned out to be three little boys who enjoyed roasting dinner in the embers of our labor.

A backyard campfire is an easy thing to do and can help kids reconnect to nature while enjoying some campsite cooking and fun. 

If you don't have room for a campfire, a portable fire pit will work as well.  This is an activity that requires strict supervision and lots of ground rules, but the set up and safety preparation are worth it when you see smiles and kiddo satisfaction of making their own dinners.

Dinner preparation is easy with what we call the Hobo Dinner.

This link will show you how easy it is to prepare the dinner in foil and the kids love to custom make their own dinner in the foil pockets.  Just make sure you have heavy duty foil available or double wrap the foil packet.

Our favorite thing to do is write our initials on the packet in mustard. It is the little things you know..

For more great outdoor play ideas visit our friends over at the Active Kid's Club.  It is a wonderful site full of inspiring and engaging activities for little and big kids to have more fun in nature.  

See you outside,
Heather

The Heart Shaped Box

I remember one Valentine's Day, my dad coming home from work.

From behind his back he presents to me the most beautiful heart shaped box.
 
Striped red and gold with a lovely bow and filled with chocolates.

Eight years old, I can still remember my excitement when opening my beautiful Valentine. 

That heart shaped box is still with me, filled with post cards now, tucked away in my attic.

It is one of my favorite memories of Feb 14th.

Happy Valentine's Day.

"Fathers be good to your daughters, daughters will love like you do"
Lyrics by John Mayer- "Daughters"

Myrtle My Turtle Mommy!

No big boys.  Just me and the little one on a morning exploration this week.

We get to partake in some of my little guy's favorite activities, but the treat really is being an only child, even if only for a few hours.

A stop off at Chick-Fil-A for his favorite snack: hash browns, bagel with cream cheese, and a fruit cup.

He asks for ice cream.  I answer back that it is still a little early.  He calls his hash browns chicken nuggets.  I guess they sort of look like them...

We go to his favorite toy store Science Safari, a locally owned toy store that offers educational toys, science classes, and features some exotic creatures.

There's Iggy the iguana, a python, a corn snake, chinchillas, and Myrtle the turtle.  My two year old really loves that turtle.

He watches Myrtle with gleaming eyes and a curious stare and says, "Wook at it mommy.  It wook at me.  It has long neck.  It wuvs me mommy."

"Mommy turtle go home with me.  I buy turtle"  He looked at me as if surely I could make this happen.

"No turtle stays here."  I say. "Myrtle lives here.  She wouldn't be happy at our house."  I hoped he would care about Myrtle's personal happiness more than his own.  One can always hope.

"No, no, no... turtle wook at me, turtle love me, turtle go home with me!"

And with that he put his little head down on the rail of Myrtle's pen.  He looked up at me with these sad eyes and the beginning of a tear glimmering in the corner.

Boy, he's good.

I try to convince him that we can come back and visit Myrtle later.

"Myrtle my turtle. Myrtle is my turtle!"

I sigh that really tired sigh.  Huhhh...  Patience is coming hard and I'm eyeballing the door and planning our daring escape wondering if I should pick him up with the football hold or two hand cradle, and then...

 I see it, Silly Putty.

"Look at the egg, it's Silly Putty!" I exclaim holding up the red plastic egg, as if it is the best thing since sliced bread or yellow belly slider turtles.

He comes closer and eyes the egg and looks up at me and starts grinning and says, "Illy Putty, Illy Putty, my Illy Putty!"

And with that Elvis leaves the building under his own will, but now I have "Illy Putty" stuck to the car seat, but it has to be better than leaving with a turtle who probably will out live me.

Small sacrifices.

Princess Mommy

I must admit, I have become my mother's daughter.

Countless years spent teasing my sweet mama about her almost religious weekly hair appointments, and now, I too look forward to my time in the chair.

When hair is new and then...all is right with the world?  Well, at least all is right with mommy.

She feels just a little bit better, more refreshed.

Sound shallow?  Surely not.

This trip to my hairdresser and friend Emily's chair resulted in fun, yet fleeting curls.

Princess hair that as a mom of boys, you really appreciate having, since there really isn't a prom night or a gala ball in sight.

When I came home with my red carpet worthy doo my boys just stared at me with looks that said, "What the heck?"

But once they got used to it, they gave it a thumbs up.  My 5-year-old even said, "I like your springy boingy hair mama."

My oldest said, "You do not look like my mommy, but cool."

So for a night, I had Hollywood hair.  I will never be able to replicate this, but for a moment, just like Cinderella, I enjoyed my starlet hair.

Once midnight came (actually this Cinderella made it more 11:00'ish) the curls had to compete with the pull and gravity of my pillow against my temporary lovely locks. 

It's the little girlie things like this that keep us boy mamas running with some pink and polka dots.

A great reminder to enjoy the little things and savor being a girl even when you are surrounded by mud pies, shovels, and wiggly worms.  Maybe I can use those mud pies as part of some new facial treatment?  Hmmm? 

Broccoli and Red Cabbage: Super Food Spotlight

Oh, broccoli and red cabbage...I hardly knew thee.

I know that you are both healthy and good for us, but research puts you in a super food group that hails you as potent cancer fighters and curers of other ailments, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Hmmm...?

Why am I contemplating this on a Friday afternoon, well...I happened to have some broccoli and red cabbage sitting in the fridge and thought it might make good complements to my omelet.


I'm also on a Fitness Challenge with my college friends and mama needs to make up for a little pizza we had last night. Ah hem..

While searching for recipes, I ran across some interesting pages that talked about the cancer fighting and other health benefits of these two fabulous veggies.

According to research broccoli has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer fighting immune boosting properties

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It Takes a Treadmill Village

Once again we braved the packed gym for my Fitness Challenge workout today.  I have never seen so many mini-vans at one place in my entire life.  And just for recording purposes, it looks like the Honda Odyssey wins over the Sienna in my neck of the woods.  Mini-vans as far as the eye can see...

I decided to jump on the treadmill for a long winters run.  Today I ran for an hour and logged 4.8 miles and burned 648 calories.  Not bad, but I could be faster.  I'm getting there little by little.

A curious thing is when I stay on a treadmill for more than 20 minutes, you get to see the treadmill styles of others around you.  I find it quite amusing.  It's a little like bird watching, except, you are one of the birds.

Some folks, we will call them the roadrunners, jump on their treadmill and ramp up the speed really fast only to jump off after 10 minutes.

Then others get right beside you and try to race you to the imaginary finish line.   You know, you speed up, they speed up, back and forth..

Then there was treadmill talker.  The entire time he talked on his cell phone on a business call as he walked briskly.  I know entirely too much about his meeting tomorrow and his holidays.

There are also readers, music boppers, and my personal favorite the treadmill grunter.  Yes, sometimes in a treadmill race, a good grunt is all you need to finish off your opponent.

Watching the village of treadmills around me provided enough entertainment to take my mind off of my own heavy feet, red face, and the sound of a little voice in my head that kept saying,  "Stop and go to the sauna, head to the sauna"....

It truly did take a treadmill village today to get me through.

Your Mama

Well, my fitness challenge is going much better.  Yesterday I did some Zumba to ring in my 45 minutes of cardio.  My 2-year-old son had fun trying some Salsa moves too.  I love Zumba and for any of you who might be thinking of a new exercise routine.  This mix of latin moves, strengthening, and dance just might be for you.

Today was a pamper mommy day.  For the first time in a long time, I had the entire morning and afternoon to do what I wanted.  The day started with a coffee and a not-so-fitness challenge-of me- chocolate croissant.  It was from Whole Foods.  Does that count as wholesome goodness?
 
From there a massage to treat my neck and shoulders which are out of whack from coughing.  It really helped me feel better and ready to tackle another day of staying healthy and on track for the fitness challenge.

Then a wonderful lunch with my hubby sans any little person asking to go to the bathroom over and over.

While cleaning out our Explorer at the car wash before carpool, I realized I couldn't find my cell phone.  My mind went to such places as to picture me throwing it away in that big communal garbage can.  Yuck.

Just then I noticed a young guy debating over which air freshener to buy and walked over and asked him if he might call my cell phone so I could locate it.  He looked at me sort of puzzled, laughed, and said, "Sure."

He called and it rang at the very bottom of what is the abyss of my purse.  I thanked him and he said, "No problem, that is just like something my Mom would do."

Whoa now, your Mama? ...and then it hit me.  He thinks I look old enough to be his mama or near about.  Oh wow.  In my minds eye, I am still looking pretty hip and happening, but who am I kidding stretch pants rarely lie.

Back to the fitness challenge and to my closet to throw away any mom jeans I might own.  Here's to good health and the occasional chocolate croissant.

New Year Fitness Challenge

 

My gym is so crowded right now.  The exercise room is filled with everyone who usually only uses the pool in the summer.  The classes so full you can barely turn to side kick and yet, I know, in just two short weeks it will thin out and return to optimal breathing room.

Why do many of us make resolutions to get healthy, but never keep them?  For many January 1st signals a call deep inside that this year things will be different.

This week I embarked on a Fitness Challenge with some of my college friends.  It gives points for exercising at least 30 minutes a day and you get points for weight loss.  Two years ago I won this friendly contest and this year isn't going as expected.

First an asthma-like coughing fit threatens to ruin my chances at the prize.  Then there's just a busy life that takes a lot just to get from Point A: school to Point B: work and then back to Point A and then maybe go to Point C and don't even get me started about Point D.

But determination prevails and plans to continue on my quest to kick some booty and lose a little booty are in effect.  Plans to continue to eat whole foods, drink more water less coffee, and exercise everyday are in reach.  (I really love coffee, this could be hard) 

As parents we owe ourselves and our families a healthy parental unit full of energy and ready to take on what our days of the new year have to offer.

Bring it on 2011! Who's with me?
  

Oh Holy Fight

I love the song Oh Holy Night. It is absolutely one of my favorite Christmas songs. My good friend Carol sang this song at our December wedding in 1998.  It just brings back such wonderful memories for me.

Now, I have a new memory.
Today my five year old decided to change the words to Oh Holy Fight.  Here's his new rendition.

 
Oh Holy fight
The stars are bright and tooting
It is the night of a night to fight

Long lay a girl
She fights to fight a Power Ranger
The red one, a Power Ranger and Santa too.


This boy song has not ruined my favorite carol, but how did we get from Oh Holy Night to include a Power Ranger, Santa, and they all fight it out?

I will never completely know.  This is my world.

General Sideburns

This is who we sent to school today.  His name is General Ambrose Everett Burnside and, yes, he is quite imposing. 

My Hubby Bee did a great job creating Burnside's outfit and famous facial hair.  (Yes, hubby is the one who uses the sewing machine and he uses it well.)

The thing about General Burnside, as Union Civil War generals go, he was sort of, well, so so.  My little guy wanted him to be grander.  I explained we really couldn't rewrite history and Burnside is what he drew from the hat.

While researching old Burnside we came upon some fun facts about this man.  He was known for his interesting facial hair.  His muttonchops did battle with every other muttonchops and so the term "sideburns" was born.  It really was quite the impressive facial hair.

But this man who someone noted had a "bigger heart than head for leading a great army" was kind, compassionate, and rather congenial.  Not exactly what Lincoln may have needed in the Battle of Fredericksburg.  But his kindly demeanor served him well as the Governor of Rhode Island and later a U.S. Senator.

Even though historians have Burnside down as one of the failing Union Generals, he did not fail in life.  One account of his funeral said it was one of the grandest shows of respect for any Rhode Island citizen.  Now there's the grandeur.  Plus, those sideburns were awesome.

Elf on the Shelf

He knows when you've been sleeping, he knows when you're awake...

So the song goes, but some children do wonder how Santa monitors their behavior, especially when it's down to the wire. So some families have enlisted the help of a little pixie-elf who shows up usually after Thanksgiving to watch the naughty and niceness of the household. 

Well our little elf is back this year and I wanted to share again the story of how this popular Christmas tradition got started for many families across the country and the world.

You see this at the stores as a kit called The Elf on the Shelf 

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"Thankfuls" for Thanksgiving

As we wind down our Thanksgiving celebrations, one can't help but feel extremely blessed for family and friends.  We trekked to Tennessee for Thanksgiving this year and when I say trekked, I mean it.

When you have three boys, a large dog, and two adults in a Ford Explorer, you kind of feel a little on safari, wild animal noises and all....

We were blessed to see both sides of grandparents and to see high school and college friends this time around.  What a wonderful time of laughter, story telling, and sweet comfort that comes with common ground.

It doesn't matter how much time has passed, true friendships always pick up right where they left off.

We missed some of our family who could not be with us this Thanksgiving.  Some who live far away and those who have left us for another place.

The memories of loved ones lost always seem to be freshest at the holidays, no matter how long since the passing.  Their presence is felt in little things like a photo or a favorite tradition. 

As I put away my scarecrows and harvest decorations this morning with help from my littlest blessings, I could not help but wonder how they will count their "thankfuls" when they get older.  As my five year old stated, "I have many "thankfuls"  mommy, and I have to count them all this week."

I count my "thankfuls" abundantly.

No matter what is going on in the world or how hectic daily life may be, what is most important is not just in front, but beside and behind, nudging us to make the most of opportunities to revel in abundance, be blessed, and count those "thankfuls".

No worries if the trek to get there is a little bumpy, noisy. and tinged with a faint smell of dog breath.  I count myself thankful and hold on for the safari ride.

Fall Family Fun

When the leaves start to turn and the cool crispness clings to the air, it just might be time for a trip to one of your town's nearby farms where pumpkins are king and a short hay ride leads to more fun out on the back forty.

There are several farms close to Raleigh where your family can tap into the country fun and frolic of fall.

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Sweet Kitty of Mine

My dear cat passed away this week.  His illness was sudden.  We are finding it hard to say goodbye to our old boy who we called our furry friend for almost 16 years. 

Before the children, before the dog, even before the hubby, there was my Oreo.

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Kid Kindness and the Claw

It is so tempting with all those smiling fuzzy bears and shiny prizes, the lure of the claw machine is almost too much to bear.

"Mama, can we try?  Mama, can I have a dollar?"

If you concentrate really hard you can actually see your dollar slipping out of the claw machine's loose and slivery grasp.

Such is the scene on a day when our five year old just cashed in his coins for a nice bank roll, $7.50 to be exact.  A trip to the store is almost a given with that much money burning a hole in your play shorts.

"Honey don't try

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Quality TIme with the Baby

 This Wednesday Middle B'ee is at big boy school today and Little B'ee is beside himself with some one on one mommy time.

As we drove away from the school after leaving big brother for the first time, Little B'ee just kept asking where his brother went.

"Whe Bubba go?  Whe Bubba go?  Whe Bubba go?  Whe Bubba go?"

After he realized we didn't leave Bubba for nothing.  Little B'ee settles into this new routine

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Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is Back Ya'll

My favorite season is fall.  Who doesn't enjoy the crisp feeling in the air, the leaves, and the fall clothes.

Well, here in our part of the south temps are still hovering in the mid 90's and still no sign of this blessed seasonal change.  Except...

...at Starbucks.  The Pumpkin Spice Latte is back. 

We here at the Mommy Message got the first taste test of the season this morning and are happy to report, the yum of fall has begun!

People love Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte.  If you tweet you may know it topped Twitter's nationwide trending topics Sunday.  

If you don't tweet you may just love the drink and have eagerly awaited its arrival for the past seven seasons Starbucks has put it on the fall menu.

Starbucks representatives confirmed (via the coffee chain's official Twitter account) that the fall favorite was available for ordering.

"The Pumpkin Spice Latte rumors are true! It's not on the menu, but you can order it!" they posted Sunday afternoon.

One taste really is a little bit like fall in a cup.  Let me know if you get to try one this week.

Happy upcoming fall ya'll,


Heather
a.k.a.  Mommy Bee

Foot in Mouth Disease

I never wanted to be that person.  Maybe you know these people who blurt comments out without thought or warning.  They might say things like, "Oh a red head, he must have a temper." Or my personal favorite when someone looks at all three of my boys with their red, blonde, and brown hair and asks me without hesitation, "Do they all have the same father?" Nice.

But, now I am sadly among them.  Totally an innocent mistake, but one that made my stomach churn and wishing one could reel in words with an imaginary fishing pole.

I don't even know why I am writing about this grievous blunder, maybe it is somehow therapeutic?

Anyway here it goes..

On our family outing to Target we made a visit to the toy aisle.  There standing in the aisle with us picture the cutest family

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