Mom Finally Got It...

For YEARS my mother has wanted us to all have matching PJs and get a picture.  She finally did.

Facebook Friends

Who do you expect to be your Facebook friend?

When I look at people who have 1000+ friends on Facebook,  I have to wonder- do they really care about all those people?  Or do they just "friend" everyone they have ever met?  We are, by nature, nosey people.  Facebook feeds that urge, it lets us know the details and photos of anyone we have ever met- just be "friending" them.  Would you really know and/or care what the person who sat next to you in 9th Grade History is doing if it weren't for Facebook?

I guess all of this stems for the question... Do you expect to be "friends" with your child's teacher?  Principal?  School secretary?  When I was teaching, I didn't friend students or parents unless I had a relationship with them outside of the teacher/parent/student realm.  Not that I post things the general public couldn't know, I just felt that my private life was just that- private.  And I really didn't want to know every thought, photo, etc. that went on in their lives.  There is something to the saying  less is more. 

However, the new job has opened things up.  Am I expected to be friends with parents from my school?  People I may have never met or only once? 

Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Dora

We love Dora and Diego at our house.  I do mean LOVE!!  While at Target today, I found the neatest thing... 

If you know Maggie at all, you know she is becoming quite the little drama queen.  This only eggs it on but she is precious using it!  She dances and sings.  It sings in Spanish and English, has a beat button, and does funny voice things.  Needless to say, it is sleeping in the bed next to her tonight.  We had war over separating from it long enough to take a bath!  

I have to figure out how to post video!

Maggie Plays Golf

Maggie and Daddy played some golf today. 

A hole in One!

Christmas

I know it is a little early for that word, but I am starting my shopping.  I like to be able to spread out the expense and so I start picking up stuff now.  However, I am stuck on Maggie.  So, Moms out there- what does your 2 1/2 year old really like?  We have toys coming out the ying yang and I can't stand too much more clutter.  I was leaning towards dress up stuff maybe?  a little piano?  Suggestions?  I want to be done my Thanksgiving....

I'm Alive...

I'm still here... barely... but here.  Things have been non-stop for the past month, causing August to FLY by!  I can't believe September is just a short 6 days away.  We have been running daily...  For those of you that I haven't talked to lately (which is most of you!) here is a brief run down of our craziness:

- Got called at 11:15 pm on Tuesday, July 20- I got an AP job!!!  New school!!
- Packed up and moved out of my classroom in 2 days (Wed & Thurs)
- Cleaned house and everything else I had put off all summer b/c I thought I still had 2 weeks
- Started before mentioned new job on Monday- working 10 hour days!
- Worked, worked, and am still working.... Craziness!

Maggie's potty training was going well, regressed some, and I think we are back on track.  She does much better everywhere but home still but she is slowly getting better here at home too.

Bucky is working a ton, like always, traveling between his home plant, the Aiken plant, and Dalton.  The miles are adding up.  Which leads me to, oh the car drama... I'll save that for when I can rant and rave on just that topic.  Ugh.

Things are finally starting to calm down and find a rhythm.  Hopefully the next few weeks will give us some peace.  (I am sure I just jinxed us!)   If you want to see some first day fun from my new school check out this link.  It includes a horrible picture of me too!

http://www.aiken.k12.sc.us/site/General/SmilingFaces/BTS2010_11/BTS10_11.htm

Be Jealous

Be Jealous.  I've got "MOM of the Year" in the bag.  My child does this... voluntarily.  Yes, that is right- pulled up a chair, grabbed the sponge, and started washing.  Like I said... be jealous.

Is Annoyed

Disclaimer:  I love my husband dearly.  He is GREAT father, I am just in a grrr... mood.

The longer I am a mom, the more apparent the differences between Mom and Dad become.  Just a few case in points....

1-  He gets to go alone to the bathroom for how ever long he chooses.  I get to go with kid, for mere seconds, while completing some other task.  I just want to pee in peace!

2-  He upsets the kid, I get to deal with it.

3-  Dad is the fun parent.  Mom is not.

4-  Everything is better when Daddy gives it/does it/looks at it.

5-  I want to cut the grass and have 2+ hours of time to think an adult thought without have a conversation about the potty, Caillou, or Dora.

What have you learned?

The Things Mom Gets Excited About...

My goal for the summer was to get Maggie potty trained by the time I went back to school.  We started as soon as school got out and she did really well while we were at my Dad's (I am talking doing EVERYTHING in the potty).   Then came a 9 hour car ride, a bunch of 2 hour car rides, and we were back to square one.  She would do better when not at home but still... #2 just wasn't happening.  However.... we went out the dinner tonight with my parents.  Maggie tells me about 3/4 of the way through dinner "Potty Mommy, Potty".  So away we go (me thinking this was just her way of getting out of the high chair).  Into the stall (I've cleaned them all in town!) and I stand there... and stand there... and stand there.  You done?  Nope Mommy, poopy.  Huh?  I think not but yet I stand.  And then...

WOOOOO HOOOO!  She was telling the truth!!!!  If there had been room- I would have danced.

Ah, to have come so far in life to get excited about poop.  Welcome to motherhood.

Giveaways Galore

I have two fabulous giveaways to share today for all you mommys!! 

Up first....

Anyone about to or currently potty training.  Bloggymom Reviews is giving away the neatest stool, The Little Looster, for around your potty.  Here is the info...

The Little Looster website states, “As an extension of the toilet, the Little Looster never needs to be shuffled around the bathroom. All grown-ups can use the toilet while standing or sitting without needing to move it out of the way.”

Some advantages of the Little Looster include:

Comfort - Provides total comfort & leg support for years of use.
No more painful pins-n-needles feeling when little legs are not supported

Confidence – Promotes complete certainty.
No scary feeling of “falling in.” Kids legs do all the work.

Cleanliness – Allows children to have their hands free at all times.
No need to grip the back of the toilet seat or the inner, germ covered rim.

Up second...

Hairbows!  Hairbows!  Hairbows!  This woman sells the cutest hairbows cheap ($5).  Unfortunately, now that we have all found her, she is "retiring" for awhile to focus on family and school.  BUT... to help clean out inventory, she giving away a pair of bows.  Check her out at Baby Hair Bows.  Here is an examples of the hair cuteness!

(This giveaway ends 7/16)

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July from the Brown's!

Giveaway

Rachel over at Observations of a Token Yankee is giving away a fabulous mirror.  Here are some details...

•Fluent Wall mirror


•Large round wall mirror

•Solid metal black matte frame surrounds the genuine glass mirror

•The metal frame is manufactured by hand utilizing a technique where the metal is heated, cut with inserts and then pulled by hand into this shape and design

•Overall dimensions: 20" H x 20" W x 0.5" D
 
Go check it out!

Education in Car Trips

My Dad lives about 9 hours from us.  We have made the trek multiple times to visit and have based our adventure on the successes or failures of the previous trips.   Doing so has taught us... nothing.  But maybe it can help any of you that are about to embark on summer vacation trips with a little one.  Although note- Maggie used to riding in the car for 30 minutes multiple times a week to visit my Mom when she is in Aiken, so she is good for at least an hour.  These tips are for trips we take for 2+ hours.

Under 6 months- we drove at night.  She slept, we drove.  Worked really well.

About 1 year- drove starting EARLY in the morning.  Worked OK.  Did realize that she must be WELL fed to stay happy. 

19 months- the DVD player is AWESOME.  We don't pull it out for the first 4-5 hours, trying to wait as long as we can before using it.   We left early in the morning again.  By the time the DVD's came out, she was ready for a nap so they lulled her to sleep.  Would have helped if the snow hadn't caused the trip to take over 12 hours....

25 months- Left in the afternoon, right at nap time. Drove 4 1/2 hours (she slept most of it!), stopped and had a nice dinner.  I let her run around for about 30 minutes after dinner and the last 4 1/2 hours went pretty well.  She did get a little fussy when bedtime rolled around and she couldn't get comfortable.

We always pack a cooler with her milk and couple of snacks (bananas, apples, cheese, etc.).  I try to make sure she eats high protein and carb meals so they last longer.  Rest areas are our friends.  They are great for getting out and running around.  Good places to have a snack at a table.  We also keep a bag of toys by her carseat.   I put toys that she hasn't seen for about a week in it and they are like new toys when she reaches in the bag.

I am sure a bunch of mommies have WAY more tips (probably better too) but this is just what I have learned...  Have a great summer vacation! 

Yeah Me!

I am on a roll- I think I need to go get a lottery ticket!  I have won TWO things in the past week!!!  I never win- hence the pure elation you hear (or read)!

First, I won a neato green shower head from BloggyMom Reviews!

Then, I won a Berenstain Bears book from The Momtage!

Go me! Go me!  Go me!

Visit to Nannie's

One of my best friends from college had a baby shower last weekend, so we decided to throw in a trip to Bucky's mother while we were down that way.  Maggie got to play with cousin Landon and the horses!

Fort Knox

Tomorrow begins my guarding of Fort Knox (aka- the PASS test).  I must guard these papers with my life.  They must accompany me everywhere- including the restroom- from the time they are signed out and signed back in.  Yes, signed, every booklet and every answer document.

I must then administer it- reading only what is in my script.  I may not tell my children the check their answers when finished, I may not pat them and tell them they are doing fine- keep working, I may not hover.  I can not look at the test,  I can not discuss it.  I can only be a ball of nerves that I may look the wrong way, glance at the wrong thing, say or do something that is considered "coaching".  I will spend the next 4 days biting my nails, praying my kids remember everything they have ever learned. 

I will teach little and come home more exhausted than ever.  I will live, breathe, and die by my TAM.  I will be nervous, my kids will be nervous.  And they want to pay me based on these results?!  Let me go ahead and start writing checks back to the state.....

Fingers crossed my kids show the true geniuses they are!!!

No More Baby

We have turned two...

No more crib.

No more passie.

Maggie had her 2 year checkup on Monday.  She is in the 75th percentile for weight and 65th percentile for height.  She did terrific having her finger pricked and I was glad to learn her lead levels were fine.  I had worried with our old house and cast iron pipes.  I can't believe how big she is getting!

By far her favorite present was her baby.  Mom got them cute matching outfits which we wear CONSTANTLY!

On a side note... only 18 more days!

ABC's of Me

A - Age: 28

B - Bed Size: King
C - Chore you hate: Vaccuming
D - Dog's name: umm.... Jake (if I ever let Bucky get one)

E - Essential start your day item: DIET COKE!

F - Favorite color : orange
G - Gold or Silver: Does White Gold count?  If not, silver

H - Height: 5'6"

I - Instruments you play(ed): recorder! (I have NO musical talent!)

J - Job title: right now: 4th Grade Teacher

K - Kid(s): Maggie

L - Living arrangements: house my grandparent's built

M - Mom's name: Kimberly
N - Nicknames: SB, Sara-B
O - Overnight hospital: C-Section with the Magster
P - Pet Peeve: Not putting things back where you got them

Q - Quote from a movie: "I'm a hounddog"

R - Right or left handed: Left
S - Siblings: Two sisters- Tiffany and Brittany
T - Time you wake up: 5:55am  (TOO early!)

U- Underwear: Better believe it
V - Vegetable you dislike: turnips
W - Ways you run late: Maggie, Maggie, and Maggie
X - X-rays you've had: Teeth, knees
Y - Yummy food you make: Pretzel Salad

Z - Zoo favorite: Flamingos

Tag- if you're reading this- you're it!

Pics of the 2nd birthday coming soon!

So Big!

My baby will be 2 next week!

It is hard to believe that much time has passed.  The milestones are flying by and I wish I had slowed down to appreciate them more.  I think I have been too focused on what is coming, and not taking notice on what is now.  Then again, hindsight is 20/20.

We moved her into a big girl bed today.  We had a twin bed in her room, part of a bunk bed set Mom had given us.  On Wednesday, I took the box spring off so she could climb in and out with out hurting her self and put the rails on it.  She has been playing on it for a couple of days.  Today, we put her down for her nap in the "big bed".  Then I had to find my inner Supernanny!  It took about 3 times for carrying and putting her back for her to realize, she was staying put.  After a little more fuss, she napped for almost 3 hours!   Tonight went smoother, she fussed but never got up and has been down now for about 2 hours.  Hope it lasts!

Hopefully it will remain a peaceful night so that we can get the rest of the stuff we need for her party next weekend tomorrow!

PS-  Happy 2nd Birthdays to Ryan and Tyler!

Happy Easter!

Hunting eggs for the first time- LOVED it!  That basket was getting heavy....

Showing Meme my loot (once I figured out there was stuff inside them!)  Playing with my cheeping chick.

Note to Mom:  I don't like the feel of Play-doh!  But I do love my new Magna-doodle!

The family!

Farmer Brown

My Granddaddy loved to grow things!  Hence, the greenhouse and raised garden beds that we have.  The greenhouse is meeting its demise shortly, however, we continue to use the raised beds.  Bucky did really well a couple of years ago with tomatoes and cucumbers.  Last year, the birds took care of most of it and we didn't stock pile our bounty.  But alas, I am bound and determined to do better this year.  Maggie LOVES tomatoes and cucumbers and I am tired of paying way too much for them!  In preparation, I sent Maggie and Bucky outside to clean out the bed and get it ready to plant.  I did not imagine how it would be taken care of, but this was his method of corraling the kiddo and working...

The bed is almost ready for planting now though!  Yipee!!  I love spring (if only the pollen gods would leave me alone- then it would be perfect!)

Single Parenting

Bucky doesn't travel much for work- thank goodness. He does work late often, but I can depend on him to come home and help. 

However, this week, he traveled.  He left EARLY Tuesday morning and will be back LATE tomorrow night.  It isn't a long trip, but with a toddler, some days seem very long.  On top of that, it is over a very busy week at school- After School Clubs on Tuesday and Thursday and a faculty meeting on Wed.

Usually when he travels Maggie knows and throws down.  She must know it is one on one time...  BUT- I have been very lucky this time!

Yesterday, she ate a very good dinner.  Took a nice long bath and went to bed around 7:20.  Conked out cold on the couch snuggling.  (That is a first in a long time)

Today, she didn't each much but at 6:15 she said she wanted to play in the tub.  We played until she was wrinkly all over!  At about 6:50 she said she was ready to go night night and down she went.  Wow!

Fingers crossed this continues and she doesn't get up at the crack of dawn!

Coolest Puppet Ever

Last Saturday, when we were in Aiken and went to Pitter Patter.  They carry all kinds of super cute clothes, but also have some of the neatest toys.  Maggie, of course, immediately begins to play and just died to have this duck.

It is made by Schylling.  It quacks "Old McDonald Has a Farm" as you move it's mouth.  She loves it!  Every afternoon she runs in, looking for him and immediately wants me to put him on.  Her favorite thing is to put a ball in his mouth and have him throw it for her to chase.  (yes, we throw balls inside- small ones, but none the less, balls.  I know- great Mom award coming!)

Giveaway

I have been looking for a Bible or book of Bible stories that I could go ahead and start reading with Maggie.  The ones I have come across and are using are good but I just can't seem to get excited about which I know isn't exciting her to chose that book again.  So, I am THRILLED that Dana is giving away The Deluxe Edition, "The Jesus Storybook Bible- Every story whispers his name". by Zondervan Publishing.

Head over to her blog, Thoughts on Life and Dirty Diapers, to read more about!

PS- Dana is supermom.  I think I defer to her opinion as much as I do my own mother.  She is amazing and so are her kids, so if she likes something- it is usually pretty awesome!

Busy Bees

We've been busy bees lately! 

I got a new front door for Christmas (such an adult present) but Bucky just got around to installing it. 

This is the before.... BORING!

This is my new door....

Isn't it pretty? 

Obviously, we still have some molding to put back up and there were a couple of issues putting the storm door back, but my handy hubby has it under control.

While he was working on the door, I had Maggie entertainment duty and managed to get these pics.

Blogging

So I guess you could say I've been "blog stalking" for the past... um... hour.  I always knew there were more people out there that I knew but couldn't ever figure out how to find them.  I found some and found that I am way jealous of some of the layouts and backgrounds.  I have to find a way to update my title... loving the new computer, not loving the fact that I can't use some of my old programs. 

If I "blog-stalked" you over here- I am glad you are here!  I would love to hear from you!

Passie to the Ducks

We went to Sconyers last night for dinner. 

Yummy!  It is one of Bucky and Maggie's favorite places. 

However, besides eating loads of great BBQ and feeding the ducks bread.  Maggie decided to feed the ducks this..

Needless to say, they didn't want it and it was left floating in the pond. 

SNOW!

Yes... we are home and it SNOWED!!!  This is Friday afternoon/night when it started....

That was as close to it as Maggie got all weekend.  

Saturday morning looked like this...

If you recall... that is the SAME reaction she has to sand.  Hmmm... our vacation destinations are becoming severly limited.

Well, at least Bucky and I enjoyed it!