Mommy of Many®

Nov

Story Time & More at Big Spoon Yogurt

By mommy of many™ | Filed in Reviews, children, fun, kids, mom

Yesterday I had the fun of being the Story Time reader at our local, Big Spoon Yogurt. 3, holiday-themed books were preselected, the room was rearranged and kiddos and mommies came in to enjoy some yummy yogurt and listen to some Thanksgiving fun. I’ve always enjoyed reading to my little ones and thought being able to participate in this monthly event would be fun. I was right!

Every 3rd Thurday from 1-2pm Story Time can be enjoyed, complete with a free 4 oz. yogurt for all listeners 6 yrs old and younger.

If you missed out on this month’s Story Time, be sure to mark your calendars for next month and THIS Saturday, November 19th from 1-2pm a Free and Fun special Holiday craft is being offered. A complimentary hot chocolate can be enjoyed during this craft time. Go! Free fun is my FAVE!

Big Spoon Yogurt, serving up yummy yogurt and a lil extra fun on the side.

Good Stuff that helps me keep Doing the Dance of the Children with a spring in my step~

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Tags: Big Spoon Yogurt, children, Doing the Dance of the Children, Family Fun, free fun, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com, story time

Nov

Doing the Dance on Thursday

By mommy of many™ | Filed in family life, mom

~Sigh~

With a heaved sigh, I look at the clock and realize that I’ve had 2 whole hours to “work”. The sigh is because I’ve been at the computer and on the phone the entire time and while I know, for sure, that I’ve gotten lots of “work” done; loose ends tied up, emails sent, contacts made, statuses updated , phone calls made, my calendar updated, Oh yeah-dinner’s in the slow cooker and I made sure to announce my Story Time debut, but if you walked into my house right now, you’d see a stack of dirty pots and pans and every single knife in the house, waiting to be washed, vacuuming that needs to be done, clothes that need to be hung up and at least one bathroom that needs some attention given to cleaning detail.

Is it a M.O.M.’s constant Dancing act (some of you may juggle, or balance. I choose to do my work while dancing) to pick and choose which steps make it into the daily routine? I’m sick of feeling like I’ve worked. No! Wait! A rephrase is in order…I’m sick of KNOWING I’ve worked for hours/days but knowing that the work isn’t something my family can SEE, so there’s a lot of acting like M.O.M. does NOTHING.

I suppose this is my own hang up, something I need to let go of. But the floors still need to be cleaned and the dishes still need to be washed, so letting go of the “I haven’t worked hard enough” feelings isn’t going to change the fact that the work still needs to get done.

~Sigh~

So with another deep sigh, I think I’ll turn the music up, log off the computer and go do some work that will show me some results before I head out to pick kids up from school and head off to a fun Story Time (watch for this post).

Doing the Dance of the Children~

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Tags: children, Doing the Dance of the Children, family life, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com, working mom

Nov

A Mommy of Many® Review-Delight Cleaning

By mommy of many™ | Filed in Reviews

Talk about a M.O.M.’s dream review! Right before the holidays, I’m asked by the owner of Delight Cleaning if he could come clean my carpets so that I can review the services offered by the company. YES!!!!

Ray arrived, cheerful and on time to see if I had any problem areas and helped get a few pieces of my living room furniture moved (I moved most everything, but the big pieces proved too much for me, on my own). I pointed out the spots I’d been unsuccessful at removing from the dining room and hall and headed out the door to take care of some errands.

I came home a couple of hours later to a perfectly cleaned front room, dining room and hall. Yea! No more spots! Get your home in shape for entertaining for the holidays! Check out all of Delight Cleaning’s cleaning services on their website. You can also follow along on Twitter where helpful cleaning tips are offered and questions can be asked.

Lots of Good Stuff from Delight Cleaning that will help me keep Doing the Dance of the Children in a clean home~

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Tags: Delight Cleaning, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com, review

Nov

November 14th and I’m Feeling Thankful…Again~

By mommy of many™ | Filed in encouragement, family life

Reasons to be thankful today-

Hugs even when I’m a drippy-nosed, mouth-breathing, cold infested-wreck

Being able to easily get work done because of internet access in my home-finally!!!!

A conference filled with good news from today’s parent/teacher conference

An unbelievably kind/thoughtful/loving/generous/trusting friend

Meeting with a new friend and feeling so connected

Moving furniture because tomorrow I get my carpets cleaned for a review of the company’s services

Meeting with the owner of a local shop and confirming that I’ll be doing StoryTime for them this week

A glass of wine and a quiet house after a L-O-N-G but full day

Good Stuff!

G’night…Don’t forget to count your blessings~

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Tags: children, Doing the Dance of the Children, encouragement, family life, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com

Nov

A Reason To Be Thankful

By mommy of many™ | Filed in family life, mom, thanks

I’b dot a told…a bad one.

I woke yesterday to a runny nose, a cough and pressure in my sinuses. I took some vitamins, stayed well hydrated and ignored it. There’s no point in M.O.M. giving in to feeling sick because the Daily Dance isn’t going to stop or even slow much. So I pushed on. This morning it was a little worse, but again, I pushed forward, packed up the kids, toys, snacks and hit a park. But this evening this little cold of mine decided it would no longer be ignored and hit me hard. I know that none of this sounds like a reason to be thankful and none of that stuff is, but this…THIS, is Good Stuff-

Maddi comes in from San Diego tonight and not only was she landing at 10pm, but I just found out her flight’s been delayed and she won’t even land until about 11:30pm and who’s picking her up and delivering her here? Her dad. I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL that tonight, of all nights, he is the one taking care of this. A reason to be thankful, indeed!

Now I’m going to drink some effervescent Vitamin C, curl up and go to sleep.

G’night~

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Tags: Doing the Dance of the Children, family life, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com

Nov

Loving the Long Weekend!

By mommy of many™ | Filed in Reviews, birthday, children, family life, fun, kids, mom, weekend

Nothing spectacular has happened, we didn’t go to a parade or win the lottery, but having the extra day to just be has felt SO good!

On Friday, 11/11/11, we celebrated Max’s 9th birthday. It was cloudy out, so we chose to spend a couple hours at an indoor playplace-Wacky Tacky. It was crowded and full of the energy that kiddos with a day off have to burn! Tristan and Max especially liked the foam, air guns. They spent quite a bit of time shooting at anything and everything. When as much energy as possible was expended, we headed home for lunch. Then it was present time! Whoo Hoo! In the last few weeks, we’ve discovered the Plasma Car. One of our neighbors has them and the kids really fell in love with riding them. So not only did Gabi get one for her bday (pink, of course), but Max is now the happy owner of one in yellow. These really are great! They hold up to 180 lbs, sit low to the ground and require nothing but kiddo energy.

Then we enjoyed a nice dinner and dessert was some special Daddy n Max time at a frozen yogurt shop that also boasts a hot chocolate bar! Yum!

Yesterday we ran errands and spent some time visiting with a friend that was up from Pacific Beach. The kids enjoyed some time finding items to add to their Christmas lists at Barnes and Noble while I got to hear what’s been happening at the beach. A great afternoon!

This morning has been leisurely, with kids waking up one-at-a-time over the last couple hours. Max has been taking his Lego Creations vehicle (another bday gift) apart and rebuilding it into one of the other vehicles it’s capable of making. This would NOT of been a toy I would’ve enjoyed. I want things put together and to perform whatever function they’re created to perform, but Max and Tristan both LOVE taking their Legos apart and recreating over and over again. The difference between girls and boys? Or the difference between brains that function at what’s been deemed “genius” level and those of us who have regular ol’ brains? Who knows! But I’m glad they have so much fun with it all!

So it’s Legos and Apple Crumble muffins for breakfast and onto a Sunday that will involve some leftover homework, the beginnings of a school project, church in the evening and then youth group.

A good weekend!

Doing the Dance of the Children and Feeling Thankful For All of It~

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Tags: children, Doing the Dance of the Children, family life, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com

Nov

A Parenting Fact-The Bathroom

By mommy of many™ | Filed in children, family life, kids, mom, parenting

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I do believe that no one has to use the bathroom so bad as when there are chores to be done.

Doing the Dance of the Children~

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Kateri posted on November 11, 2011
oh ya. or if you tell us to do something and we want to feel like we have the upper ...

Tags: Doing the Dance of the Children, family life, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com, parenting

Nov

SST meeting for Max-Good Stuff!

By mommy of many™ | Filed in Aspergers, encouragement, schooling

A little later today I’ll sit down with several people from Max’s school for an SST meeting to get a 504 plan in place for him. This is such Good Stuff! This means that there will be an actual set of tools in place that move from year to year with him so that each teacher isn’t trying to develop their own system each year. It will help take the guess work out of what works well for him and will help him feel more confident when he has challenging situations in the classroom.

Because Max isn’t academically challenged, he doesn’t qualify for an IEP, so it can be quite challenging to know what makes for a successful Max day in the classroom. I’m excited for moving forward!

Stay posted for more info!

Doing the Dance of the Children~

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Tags: aspergers, children, Doing the Dance of the Children, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com

Nov

Let’s Have a Laugh-It’s on Me

By mommy of many™ | Filed in friends, frustrating, sharing, thanks, weekend

Oh what a weekend!

So here’s my story. Feel free to feel all the appropriate feelings as you read and don’t be afraid to laugh. I’m giving you this one, on me.

Many of you know that my life has changed quite a bit in the last 6 months (well, really in the last few years). I’ve moved from Pacific Beach, Ca. to Rocklin, Ca. and with that move came lots of other life changes. Divorce/single-parenting/money issues…

After finding this great house, getting my kids enrolled in school and embarking on my new routine and budget, I found out that the support I thought I was going to be raising the kids on was in serious jeopardy because their dad was no longer working. I decided to become a Silpada Designs Rep to help keep us afloat. It was the one company I knew I could get behind since I’d been wearing their jewelry and watching the effect it has on people for the last 5 years. So I sent out emails and FB messages to let people know that this was what I was doing and why and I started booking parties. Yea!

This weekend I had my first 2 parties. I studied up, asked questions, attended some training and was ready to bring some fabulous jewelry to some awesome ladies!

Saturday morning I got the kids all packed up and ready to go with their dad, as I would be away and busy for the weekend. When he showed up, we switched vehicles (whichever parent has the kiddos needs the van to accommodate them) and I quickly realized I was left with NO gas. Off to the gas station I went. And here’s where the real story begins…

I slid my card and it was declined. I slid my other card and again, declined. I rummaged through my purse, came up with $10 and a $5 Safeway gift card. On $15 of gas and a prayer, I embarked on the journey from Rocklin to Oakland to try to make some money. I took off and was hopeful. No, I take that back-I was confident I would make it! I turned on the music and started driving. All was good for the 1st hour then I realized I was getting L-O-W. I was driving and older vehicle and began to wonder if it had a gas light or if I would simply run out of gas without warning. I started brainstorming. The best I could come up with was that I have roadside assistance and if/when I truly ran out of gas, I could call them. After a few moments I decided that if this was my BEST plan that I better decide I had NO plan! Who wants to run out of gas, pray your way to the side of the freeway and wait for an hour or so for help?! No good! It was about this time that I got my answer to the light question. Yep! It had a gas light and that light was now on. I stayed as calm as I could and realized I had no option (other than the roadside one) but to call my hostess and tell her what was happening. Ugh! Thank goodness she’s one of my oldest friends and while I’m sure she was annoyed, she would have an idea or a solution.

I dialed, she said “hello?” and I lost it! LOST IT! She asked where I was and told me what exit to try to make it to and that she’d meet me. That FABULOUS friend drove 20 minutes to meet me, put some gas in my car and give me the hug I needed.

She ended up having a GREAT party and earning nearly $300 in FREE jewelry! Thank goodness! I did, in fact make a little money and had no trouble getting home. But wow! What a beginning! I was so shook up that I gave every person the wrong part of their receipt and had to make phone calls letting them know I’d had an “off” day and needed their card info again. Geesh!

So, here’s to humble beginnings, being able to laugh at yourself and to being thankful for the beautiful people in my life.

To Life~

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Missy posted on November 9, 2011
I would have driven however far I needed to. I am glad the party was a success. I think we ...

Nov

Some Local Good Stuff To Share

By mommy of many™ | Filed in children, fun, mom, sharing

Yesterday Lex and I headed over to Big Spoon Yogurt to watch Max enjoy the rewards of selling LOTS of cookie dough. After all the yogurt fun was over, I saw a sign announcing Craft Time from 1-2 on the first Thursday of the month. Hey! That was right then! So we decided to stay and check it out.

The day’s craft was a Turkey Cookie

Look how happy his is!

So, for all you local Mommies and Daddies with lil ones, who are constantly on the look out for free fun, make a note that Big Spoon Yogurt on Sunset hosts Craft Time from 1-2 the first Thursday of each month. The craft is free and so is a 4 oz. yogurt for any lil fun seekers who are 6 yr old and younger. And that’s not all! On the 3rd Thursday of each month, also from 1-2, they host Story Time! I LOVE Story Time! I love it SO much, that’s I’m going to be this month’s reader! Whoo Hoo! Come on out and join me!

I hope to see you there!

And until then, I’ll be here, as always, Doing the Dance of the Children~

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Tags: Big Spoon Yogurt, free fun, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com

Nov

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly-Life!

By mommy of many™ | Filed in change, family life, kids, mom, parenting, sharing

My last couple of days have sure been a roller coaster full of icky, angry teenage angst/A fun day in SF/Some Great Pump-Me-Up Silpada Training/Happiness at Seeing Max be proud of an accomplishment/Fun Kid-Time Crafts and, of course some house cleaning.

2 nights ago, there was lots of angry time in my house. I hate it when that happens and I’m suddenly nominated for The Worst Mommy’s Club. It totally sucks the life out of me and does a number on the little ones. I then have to spend time getting my head back on straight and remembering that just because a teen is angry at me, doesn’t mean the words they’re spewing are true. This can, sometimes, take days to undo. Ugh! But at the same time, I have to ease the little ones’ minds after all the guck they’ve heard. It’s a tough, energy sucking job. This episode ended in a teen staying away from home for the last 2 days. This is UNACCEPTABLE! I haven’t received a call or visit from the parents where my teen is staying and I don’t have any contact info for them. So this morn I let my teen know (through text) that if I didn’t have the info by noon, the school and the police would be called. I’ve been told that my teen will be coming home after school. If not, well, I’ll go back to the plan.

On a lighter note, I got to have my mind soothed by heading into San Francisco, yesterday. I was treated to a fabulous lunch and a tour of a friend’s floral studio before heading over to a Silpada Designs training session. Perfect timing because I have a string of parties coming up and I needed some fresh energy! I got it! I’m excited to get out there, show off this fabulous jewelry, meet some great people, have some fun and make some money. All Good Stuff!

I got to take this beautiful wreath home. It’s draped over my dining table, waiting for me to find the right thing to do with it.

This afternoon Lex and I went over to a local yogurt shop to join Max, who was arriving with classmates in a Hummer limo for selling a certain amount of cookie dough. He was so happy! Afterward, we stayed for a craft time they were hosting (this is getting it’s own blog tomorrow, b/c there’s some Good Stuff to share for all my local mommies! Come back tomorrow to check it out!).

Heading back to school.

So, it’s just about time to start the afternoon pick ups and I’m feeling ready for it!

Doing the Dance of the Children Through it All~

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Tags: children, Doing the Dance of the Children, family life, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com, Silpada Designs, teens

Nov

Halloween-The Rest

By mommy of many™ | Filed in Halloween, children, family life, kids, mom

After the school parties we came home, regrouped, freshened up the costumes, bought a bunch of candy and headed out into the neighborhood. I had been invited to bring the kids to a court a couple over from us, so we started over there with some visiting and playing and then hit the sidewalk. Maddi and Anna decided they would stay home and hand out the candy.

Ready to hit the sidewalks

Anna and Maddi ready to hand out candy

My kiddos and neighbor kiddos, ready to Trick-or-Treat

Pretty Maddi

We had a ton of fun! I got to meet neighbors and the kids realized how many classmates they live near. I was especially happy with my new neighborhood when I was handed a glass of wine and told it was tradition and that I could just return the glass to the front porch later. I do believe I love my new neighborhood!

I had made a full crock pot/rice pot meal so that the kids could have so real food after all the sweets, but they never made it to eating. It’s made for an easy dinner night tonight!

I walked with the kids for an hour and then passed them off to their dad who did more than an hour more! The kiddos brought home HEAVY bags of candy. I allowed them 2 pieces and then tucked them away to be doled out over time.

Halloween was FUN! It was nice for us to really feel like a part of our new neighborhood and to see so many friendly faces. We are truly in a good place.

Doing the Dance of the Children~

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Tags: Doing the Dance of the Children, family life, Halloween, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com

Oct

Halloween So Far

By mommy of many™ | Filed in Halloween, family life

The day’s far from over, but there are plenty of fun pics to share. Yes, these are all of Gabi and Lex, but Tristan and Max didn’t have parties and the girls aren’t dressing up. So here’s some Halloween fun from the youngest lil Langs~

Oh wait! Here’s one of Max carving his pumpkin last night

Gabi the Prom Queen in her custom designed dress. She’s feeling VERY special today!

Prom Queen and the Pirate. My lil cuties

Halloween party fun!

Some Halloween Goo Fun

Gabi, decorating a lil pumpkin at her class party.

I can’t wait to share the kids’ jack-o-lanterns and the evening’s antics. There wasn’t any “special” carving happening, but they did them mostly on their own, which always makes for a special design.

Happy Halloween!

Doing the Dance of the Dressed Up Children

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Tags: children, family life, Halloween, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com

Oct

Dear Blog

By mommy of many™ | Filed in mom

Dear Lil Blog,

I’m writing to apologize for abandoning you over the last week. I didn’t mean to go, it came up suddenly, and I found myself in a rushing current of life. I could see you on the bank watching me go by, but I just couldn’t get to you. I’m back now, a little bruised from the various rocks that beat my behind as I bumped over them, somewhat weary from the emotional toll and physical struggle of trying to get out of that rushing torrent, but back none-the-less. I can’t wait to tell you all that was happening while I was stuck and all my thoughts. You were constantly on my mind, but I just had no way of reaching you.

I’m glad you’re still here! We’ll talk soon!

Love,
M.O.M.

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Kristen posted on October 28, 2011
I love your posts, Jenn! Keeping those prayers coming and hoping to hear that your special prayers have been ...

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Oct

Oh Lex~

By mommy of many™ | Filed in children, faith, kids, mom

Here is today’s amusing conversation between me and Lex. It’s getting so it’s a daily occurrence with this kiddo.

Lex-Mom, you know the bread we eat at church?

Me-You mean the host we receive.

Lex-Yeah, the bread we eat.

Me-It’s called a host and…(I went into a brief, explanation of why we don’t refer to it that way and the respect that’s to be given, etc.)

Lex-Yeah Mom, the bread (I suck in a breath and listen to see what else he’s going to say). Well, since Halloween is coming soon do you think they’ll make it shaped like pumpkins for the next weeks?

Me-(Trying so hard not to laugh, but YOU can!) Lex, they never make the host into festive shapes. They’re not going to do that, Honey.

Lex-I asked the guy and he said they were. He smiled and nodded his head.

Me-The guy? OH….(remembering that he was trying to say something to the deacon at Communion on Sunday, when I shuffled him off quickly. And indeed, the deacon was smiling and nodding and surely not understanding a word Lex was saying). Honey, he couldn’t hear you.

So, an intensive course in receiving communion, what it means and why we do it is in order.

Doing the Dance of the Children~

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Megan posted on November 1, 2011
Holy Cow - I can't stop laughing!

Tags: children, church funnies, Doing the Dance of the Children, kids, mom, Mommy of Many, mommyofmany, MommyofMany.com

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