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!