Guest Writer, Anyone?

It has been incredibly difficult to get a moment to write on the blog lately. I have a million valid excuses but most of all, I am just too tired when I finally have an uninterrupted moment on the computer to think of anything important or half way interesting to write about! So, if anyone has something on your mind or a great tidbit you would like to share, please email me and I will give you a guest writer log in so that you can ad to the blog.
We would all love to hear from you!

The Kindergarten Question

From the moment I new I was pregnant and having a summer baby, I have felt pretty strongly that I was going to wait until she turned 6 to put her into Kindergarten. This being said, now I am finding myself unsure of that decision. My oldest turns 5 this summer, approximately 4 weeks before school starts. So now, I am wavering on the Kindergarten question. Do I start her in a class where she will be among the youngest or do I wait one more year, as I had originally planned, when she will be among the oldest in the class. I was held back and attended pre-Kindergarten because I was a June birthday. So my perspective is only of being part of the older crowd. The only advantage I really remember was being 16 before most of my friends. I don't really know if I would have struggled more being a year earlier. Most of my elementary teacher friends say that since my daughter is a girl, it's a no brain-er. If we were talking about a boy, it's a little tougher for them if they start too early. My concern is that if I wait, she may be bored by the time she does start, then the struggle will be keeping her interested. But if I start her too early, she will grow to hate school because it is too hard. That being said, she seems to be hitting the benchmarks for kindergarten readiness (based on my research, that Masters in Education is coming in handy, if not lucrative). So if I don't have that excuse then I guess I have to admit that I have a fear of turning my precious, innocent, little girl out into the world. Where she will be exposed to harsh words and harsh realities. Maybe that is the biggest thing that makes me want to keep her out another year.

Magazines

I have come to really like magazines since they are pretty concise and too the point. I don't have much time for anything else these days. I can scan through an article pretty quickly and get what I need. Some of my favorite mommy helpful magazines are Family Fun (for crafts, recipes, party ideas, costume ideas, etc), Real Simple (organization, product tests, decorating, and fashion), and Taste of Home's Quick Cooking (really easy, fast recipes from real people). I received a Real Simple and Quick Cooking subscription as gifts and really loved them!! Do you have a magazine that you really like that you would like to share with the rest of us??

My Funny Valentine

Happy Valentine's day to everyone. I hope that you all have a special day and that you take the opportunity to remind your kids and Hubby that you love them (of course we do that everyday, but today we have license to go overboard). I don't like to buy into the commercial aspect of the holiday, though I'm not going to turn down roses ;-), but there are some fun and inexpensive ways to make the day a little special and fun to celebrate our love for our families. My favorite thing to do for my girls for any time of the year is cut their sandwiches with a large cookie cutter in a special shape. I only do this on special days so that it stays fun and exciting for the girls. Today, it is a heart shaped peanut butter and chocolate sandwich. Some of the best cookie cutters I have found are from Wilton at most major stores such as Target, Wal-Mart and Michaels. They usually have a set that includes various sizes of the same shape so you can go crazy with different sized hearts made of everything from Cheese to sandwiches. And cookies too, of course!!
Do you have any fun and inexpensive suggestions for Valentines day treats??

The Season is Upon Us!

Cold and Flu season!! Since returning from our Christmas trip, our family has been passing bugs around. We haven't gotten the flu, thank Heaven, but we seem to not be able to shake our colds. Our humidifier is getting an extra workout this year. And doesn't it seem impossible to keep the water in the humidifier clean?? I thought I would pass a long a little tip that I heard on one of my shows, though I can't remember which one. It was suggested that a few drops of tea-tree oil in the water will help keep the water in your humidifier (and the air) clean! Tea-tree oil can be purchased at health food stores and online at www.vitaminworld.com . So there's your tip for the day. Hope you all are happy and stay healthy this Cold and Flu season!