Kindergarten Redshirt
Our son starts kindergarten in less than 2 weeks and he is 6 years old. Yes, our son is one of the older kids starting. Sure. Go ahead and say it. He is being redshirted. I brought this up because I was browsing the blogosphere and came across a couple posts on this very topic on the same day that I was thinking about it. How weird or not so weird really since alot of parents have the same worries that I do. The reasoning behind our redshirting was not to give our son an academic or athletic advantage. He simply was not ready to go to kindergarten last year at the age of 5 and so we were able to keep him at home. I know he was not ready because I am his Mother. All children are different. Emotionally our son was not ready to go out in the world alone mainly because he had no previous daycare or preschool experience. Sure, he could have done well with the academic curriculum last year but the academic aspect of kindergarten was not why we kept him out an additional year. It was the social/emotional/mommy knows best thing! I'm happy that our son didn't have to go to preschool or daycare but I'm sure some of you think it is the worst thing in the world for a child to not be pre-schooled. I also understand that some of you have no choice but to send your children on to school even if they are not ready. This past year we spent alot of time preparing our son for kindergarten. We unofficially homeschooled, we participated in lots of sports, traveled, and had all the fun that we could because once school starts sadly most of the fun is over. I wish that weren't true but in most schools (from what I've heard and read anyway) kindergarten isn't like it used to be and teachers are more concerned about testing thany anything else. I tell my son that school is going to be fun and learning is fun but in all reality the way things are today in schools, this just isn't true anymore. Anyway, as this school year comes near I am much more confident in my 6 year old son's readiness and so is he. I think most people who redshirt can sense that their child is not ready and ultimately we know our children best. Sure, there is going to be an age gap there but too me it's not a big deal. I'd rather see my son do well in school. And, if school doesn't work out to our expectations we always have homeschool to fall back on. We are absolutely NOT afraid of pulling our son out of school and homeschooling if our school ends up being a POS. All in all I don't see it as a big deal if my son goes to school at age 5 or 6. The only ones who has to deal with it is our family. So what if my kid is older than yours. You'd never know it unless you asked. Labels: kindergarten readiness, kindergarten redshirt
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Last Night MY ARM GOT STUCK IN A BLANKET
When the hubs (herein referred to as HOT Daddy since "the hubs" is getting silly) and I got married, we received a homemade blanket (bedspread) as a gift. The blanket has covered our bodies and the bodies of our little boys ever since which is going on like around 9 years now. Anyway, It's FINALLY falling apart and tearing around the edges. I'm not sure what took me so long to notice that it was falling apart. Maybe it's because I'm so used to our comfortable old blanket. Well, last night my arm got stuck in a hole of the blanket and that is where I draw the line. I'm going blanket shopping or is that comforter/bedspread shopping? WHO CARES? I'm going shopping! Since blanket shopping is such an exciting item to shop far, I'm enlisting my fellow bloggers in helping me decide what to buy or at least give me some direction. Plus we haven't bought a new blanket for ourselves in like EVER. Is that weird? SO onto the blanket...I'm looking for something smooth, thick, and warm. Wow. That kind of sounds x-rated, huh? Or is it just me? So, what colors and styles are in? What's on sale? What's trendy but affordable? A specific store to shop at? Online? I'm open to Wal-mart, Target,etc. Hey, Wal-mart is the only thing we have that's NOT an hour away. P.S. Everytime I look at the title I think of that P Diddy song and now that stupid song is stuck in my head. Geez, that's just dumb. Does anyone even know what song I'm talking about? Labels: blankets, marriage, shopping
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Some Changes Coming Your Way OR Mine?
I've got some changes coming for the mom blog. I've added some new stuff this past weekend and a photo of myself at the top. Of course showing a photo of myself is not new it's just that I took it down some time ago with the newer look and now I've decided to put it back up again. I've also added a cool button where you can add me to your technorati favorites. It's the cute green button under my photo. I hope you'll help me out and add me to your favorites. I've also added sk*rt and digg. Sk*rt and digg are sites where you can submit your blog entries too and spread the traffic & information LOVE. I'd be happy to see some of my posts added to those sites by my fellow bloggers & moms. Overall, it's to help the site and this blog become a better resource for moms everywhere! Are you with me? I'm also going to *try* and do a photo everyday starting monday to help document our lives via photos so you may get two posts in one day or you may just get a photo. You'll have to stop by the blog to see. I don't have a DSLR (only a Kodak P850 right now) but I'm hoping this will be motivation to save more money to get the DSLR that I want. Additionally, as I've stated numerous times on here, I am NOT a professional writer and do not strive to be one or to be an author of a book. I'm just a website owner/blogger/internet marketing person. I'm a true mommy blogger without the good writing skills ;) You'll also see a new header graphic coming soon courtesy of the hubs and he will be offering up his design/installation/hosting services as well in the near future. I'll post that as it comes available. Lastly, go the main page ContestForMoms.com to see our large list of contests & sweepstakes for moms and go here to submit yours to us anytime. We add contests & sweepstakes every few days and we are always looking for new ones SPECIFICALLY for moms. Besides, this is a great way for your blog or site to get lots of FREE traffic. Labels: contest, mom blog, motherhood
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OMG! Kindergarten Here We Come!
 So we found out our son's Kindergarten teacher yesterday. The phone call made the impending arrival of the "First Day of School" more real. I'm a mess about it but, hey, what's new? Supposedly, we have the worst Kindergarten teacher out of the three available in his school. Does someone hate us? Seriously. Are we permanently screwed? It seems like we always get the raw end of the deal. Anyway, I'm anxious to see how the whole "school" thing works out for us and our son. It will all go down in about 12 days. OMG! We have to arrange an in-home meeting with our son's teacher before school starts. Until now, I've never heard of this. However, I think it will be good for our son. How many of you have done this? Ok. It's Friday and I will attempt to NOT work on anything this weekend. Does checking email count? Or reading about blogher 07? I could have totally gone but never planned for it plus I'd rather save up a bit more money for a Canon or Nikon DSLR. The hubs and I are going to a conference for his PHD program in Washington DC in December so we're sort of saving for that too! Well, maybe I'll go to Blogher next year. How about you? Who else is not AT blogher right now? Labels: first day of school, kindergarten, motherhood
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Oatmeal Cookie Laugh
We got home yesterday evening after being away for a few days at the in-laws and we needed groceries. The boys were wanting a snack before we went to the grocery store. I offered them oatmeal cookies since that was about the only thing that wasn't ruined or something the 3 year old wasn't allergic to. Our 3 year old looked at me and said, "Don't want no freakin' oatmeal cookie!" I have to admit it was quite funny even if it was a bit rude so I had to share it here. Got anything to make me laugh? P.S. We are giving away 5 free memberships ($36 value) to emealsforyou.com over at AMomsReview.comLabels: funny kids
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Poison Something...
So our son has been walking around for the past 2 days decorated in Calamine lotion. Somehow, somewhere he has gotten himself into some poison ivy or poison oak. At least that is what I presume right now simply because he has a HORRIBLE rash all over his face and now it's all over his hands. Will we ever get a break? We just got over pure torture where the boys vomited and pooped all over everything for a WHOLE week. What's next? Lice? Probably since our 6 year old starts school in a couple of weeks. Well, school starts if and when the rash goes away. I'm sure the mention of that would thrill our son if we told him. I will freak out if I end up with a rash. Right now the rest of us are fine including our 3 year old son. No signs of impending rashes and that is exactly what Google told us. We read on the Internet, of course, that poison ivy, oak or sumac does not spread to other people. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. How have we ever managed to live without Google? So, dear moms/parents/friends/whoever out their, do you Google your illnesses? Labels: motherhood, poisin oak, poison ivy, sumac
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He Has My Heart
 My little Boonka (my nickname for him).Click the photo for a larger version. :) I also wanted to pass along some other fine resources to all of you that frequent the mom blog. 1. Do you have a 6-9 year old son? Find out how your son could determine the future of Hot Wheels cars here2. Free high quality printable Ratatouille coloring & activity book. It's a PDF file so it could take a few minutes to load but it's well worth it. My son loves his! 3. More back to school information. We are adding resources & articles daily. 4. Check out the new WORK AT HOME JOBS posted over at Jobs For Stay At Home Moms5. Why don't you join us over at the mom message boards? We are in the process of getting a makeover. Stay tuned for a new look and a contest where you could win cash! Lastly, isn't everyone excited about it being Friday? Labels: motherhood, parenting resources
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Mommy Meltdown
So our son starts Kindergarten in 3 1/2 weeks. Yep, you heard me 3 WEEKS! I am freaking out over here. Instead of homeschooling we are going to *try* out public school. If things don't work out the way we expect them to then homeschooling here we come! These are a few things that have pushed me to my limits this week ( my Kindergarten anxiety included)... Judgmental people ( I know you've heard enough already) Dumb (very dumb) teenagers posing as helpful young adults who just don't know how to handle kids.(I don't want 19 year old kids being my son's role model ) People asking us why our son is going into Kindergarten at the age of 6 instead age of 5, and why we don't just send him on to 1st grade (Because we are his parents! THATS WHY!) Feeling like people are judging our parenting based on our son's introverted personality. WTH? (Maybe this is all perceived but whatever) Not having a support system locally. This sucks. Enough said. Needing a break and not getting one. Work BURNOUT. So have you had any near meltdowns lately? Any Moms who have kids starting school this year? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Take a few moments and tell us who your favorite Winnie The Pooh Character is over our Mom Reviews site. You could win the newest special edition Winnie The Pooh DVD, The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh: The Friendship EditionLabels: kindergarten, mommy meltdown, motherhood
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As If Booger Eating Wasn't Enough
I know you all are tired of hearing about boogers and gross stuff and all that but this is not entirely about that. I promise. On our way home from our weekly (insane) grocery trip, we went through the Wendy's drive-thru (Yes, were fast-food eaters here, who isn't?) and got a quick bite to eat. I ordered a pop with my food (soda, Coke, or whatever people call it these days but I think it was Pepsi) and the 3 year old wanted a drink. I gave it to him mostly empty then he walked around the house saying, "Damn it pop! Damn it pop!" His Daddy has got to stop dropping the curse words! Did you hear that dear hubs? Why, yes, I am talking to you (right here on this blog). Edited to add: Oh, before I forget, stop by amomsreview.com and let's talk about BARBIES today! Labels: cursing, eat boogers, motherhood fast food
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Here's The Little Booger
My little man that is... NOT the actual booger from the previous post because y'know that would be kind of gross. Photos courtesy of the hubs paintshop skills...Look! He's Racing Lightning McQueen and He's Winning!  Isn't he adorable? Of course I'm the momma and I'm biased! ;) Shameless Promotion once again: Here's a new section I'm working on. If you have an original article or tips to contribute on Summer Ideas and Activities for Busy Moms feel free to send it along to me with your byline and we will include it on the site. Labels: 3 year old son, motherhood, paintshop skills
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Bringing Nasty Back
As if puking and diarrhea for the past 5 days weren't enough, my 3 year old had to go and eat his own booger FOR REAL. I actually did not think this kind of thing happened since I have never actually seen it done but, people, my own flesh and blood, I REPEAT, ate a booger. I guess I should feel lucky that he didn't eat someone else's. I'm trying to find the positive in this. :) P.S. The boys are better. THANKFULLY. Labels: boogers, eat booger, motherhood
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It's Not Over Yet
So the boys are still sick. Last night our 6 year old felt a little better so we went outside and looked at the planet Venus through the telescope for about 20 minutes. Then we headed back inside for bed. By bedtime both boys seemed to feel better. This morning the 6 year old asked for some breakfast. Obviously he was really hungry since he hadn't eaten ANYTHING since July 4th. I made him a bland grilled cheese sandwich and let him eat a few bites along with some gatorade. That was a mistake! It's not hard to figure out what happened next. Yep, the puking has come back! We are now in our 4th day of vomiting and diarrhea which is basically pure torture on their little bodies and on my sanity. The hubs and I are still not sick. THANKFULLY! Because if I were sick along with the boys being sick I do not know how I would make it through. Surely I would but it's not something I want to go through. This is the worst sickness my little boys have ever had and it's strange because no one else has gotten sick not even the cousins they played with over the holiday. I guess we've narrowed it down to the rotavirus or food poisoining. The hubs mom and my mom are nurses so that is why we have yet to take them to their doctor. If anyone has any words of wisdom now is the time to speak up. Hopefully I won't be absent from the blogosphere for the next few days because we all know what that will mean... THAT I HAVE BEEN INFECTED. Gosh, motherhood is sooo fun right now that I can barely contain my excitement! ;) How about some sympathy linking? We have some new reviews up over here at AMomsReview.comSign up for the contestformoms.com newsletter(on the main page of the site) for another chance to win some LTDChix.com T-shirts! And, I have an announcement of sorts over at Jobs For Stay At Home Moms I'm excited to get working on this! Labels: motherhood, sick kids, vomiting and diarrhea kids
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The Holiday Explosion
A few hours after our holiday celebration was thought to be over, the biggest explosion of all happened... Are you sure you want to know what happened? Both of our boys woke up with horrific vomiting and diarrhea. I cried when my oldest couldn't stop throwing up. I laughed through tears when my youngest just threw up and went on all strong & brave like nothing had just happened to him. That's what happens when you've been puking for most of your young life. Today they are lifeless little boys. They've picked up some very nasty virus that I hope and pray does not get to me because I HATE to vomit. We are trying to keep the boys hydrated so as to avoid an ER visit. Hopefully they will be back to their usual selves in a couple of days. In the meantime, it sure is quite around the house. So how was your 4th of July holiday? Labels: 4th of july, vomiting and diarrhea kids
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Apparently I'm not friend material
Have you ever been the out-casted mom? The lone mom sitting at your kid's activities and games while all the other moms are chatting together in their little cliques? Ever been the mom left out solely based on the assumption that all the other moms think you are a teenage mother all the while you are their EXACT age and (gasp!) maybe even older? Luckily, most of you have never had to experience this but I do on a FREAKIN' daily basis. Why is that women, even the older ones, still act like their in high school? I thought we were over this but boy was I wrong! Why is that some people must be so judgmental? It's not like I've done something to be excluded. I could understand if some of the things mentioned in this blogger's article were involved but I haven't gotten that far yet. I know that I am not perfect and I make judgments on occasion but not like this. C'mon isn't this ridiculous? Have we not gotten out of the high school mindset? Will some people never grow up? Until someone comes along and explains this further to me, I'll chalk it all up to jealousy. I know in the end that I'm the better person. Labels: clique, mom clique, mommy cliques, mommy friends, motherhood
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