Go to Mrs. Hannigans and Kelby Carr for more 411!

Well I am off.  I am having the big PAR-TAY on Saturday for the kids and I am taking a bloggy break.  Can I make it?  Will I be able to handle the withdraw? And the true question, Can I give up Twitter?  We will see!

Finally getting a glance at the calendar I am reminded that summer is winding down and in a few short months my son will be off to kindergarten.  This is scary for me, this is my first one off to school, off to new adventures.  He is excited, I am not.  I know, everyone keeps saying “It will be okay,” and I know it will be but it doesn’t make the sadness of watching my son take this HUGE step any easier.  Little Guy is certainly spreading his wings and he’s ready to soar.  Mommy though has a lot to gear up for.

Summer school has been great for N, he is learning a lot, and also getting a small glimpse into how his school days will go in the fall.  His teachers have been great, and N has his extra early education teacher helping ease the transition.  

A child with S.P.D has a harder time with new situations, loud noises and lots of people, but I have already talked to the team at school that will make the change a lot easier for N.  We have already set up times for N to sneak a peek into his classroom, and see the big gym and cafeteria.  We also have a plan in place to deal with lunchtime and assemblies.  Having a plan in place helps us know N will be well care for at school.

Schooling doesn’t end at that brick and mortar building.  We have been working at home to get ready.  I have found workbooks that I bring out to practice letters and numbers.  We work on letter forms and shapes, lines and curves and starting at the top to form letters.  We are also working on numbers with coloring and stickers, which N LOVES.  If you are wondering the books are from School Zone, awesome, fun and easy to follow.

Watching N grow into this big boy is awesome.  Just as this garden needs lots of love and care to grow, so does the kinder”garten” kid.  Yes it is a big change but an exciting one.  We are ready, I hope.  And I will rap it up with a question am I a total dork buying this *T-shirt for N?  It is just so darn perfect! 

*  I wanted to add this side note to tell you about were the t-shirt is from because it is such an awesome site. Verimeri tees are designed for kids by kids.  They offer t-shirt design contests and fundraisers.  The coolest shirt is the buddy tee.  Designed by a young child as part of an anti-bully movement- Super Cute!
Stumble it!

A pitiful crop from my own little strawberry patch made me very sad this year, the kids were able to have a small sampling of fresh strawberries from the patch . I ended up picking most of my strawberries up at the store and farmer’s market. The kids take the strawberries right out of the fridge and snack on them throughout the day, leaving stems on the coffee table, dining room table and yes the floor!

I was given a website for strawberry recipes, which has come in very handy, California Strawberry .(Check out their great tip section on the home page freeze em’ right!) Yes strawberries are for more then your shortcakes and jams (MMM jam)- put them in your salad or the one I might give a go, a ceviche.

I taught the kids how strawberries grow, from a plant, flower turns into a green berry which then turns red with help from the sun and water. They have learned a lot with the garden this year and the berry is the sweetest reward for all our hard work!

For the kiddos to check out Strawberryville.com, lots of kid friendly tips, games and geared to your child’s age!

WARNING! If you attempt to try the challenge do so with extreme caution.  Challenge can cause extreme leg, back and ass pain.

The kids are out and about all day,running, jumping swimming and all sorts of summer activities.  So in a effort to curb my lazy I decided to join in on the slip and slide fun .  Yeah not just slip and slide but large play set slide with hose running  water down slide, down to large slip and slide.   I never intended to do the deed but son was a little hesitant, mama had to reassure and take on for the team.  Then I took a couple more trips down slide, because hell it was fun!

T’was fun but now I have some pain.  May you join in on the fun!

I found picture over at Adrienne’s House.  How perfect! 

He loves the dirt but hates the bugs.

He can play t-ball and football

and then play house with his sis.

He loves with his whole heart.

His passions are endless.

As much as he gets frustrated

his excitement is ten fold that.

He went to bed a toddler

and somehow in the night

he changed into a great “Big” boy!

I love you my Five-year-old!

Happy Birthday my Nollie Rollie Pollie!

1. Heather Q-Duck duck Goose nursing cover

2.Allison J- Dream baby CD

3.Carla- Dream Baby CD

4. Linda- Barenaked Ladies Snacktime

5. Marlena- Paintbrush and paint set.

6.Wendy- Mollyanna stroller bag.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all for entering!  I will get in contact with the winners to get all your info.

Please remember any winners that do not claim their prize by July 23, 2008 will forfeit their prize and a new winner will be choosen!

Sorry this contest is closed

Today is the last day for the My Babies Birthday Bash Giveaway.  So today I will let you post a comment here to win one of these fabulous prizes, cue Vanna:

1. From Duck, Duck Goose and Notes From my Nest a nursing cover.

2. From Baby Music to Go and Merry Miller two winners will receive a copy of the Dream Baby CD.  For a review and free download click here!

3. From BNL Snacktime one lucky winner will will win the Snacktime book and CD

4. Paintbrush set and paints.

5. From Mollyanna.com 1 winner will win a stroller bag!

To see pictures click here!

Leave a comment below to be entered into the giveaway

GOOD LUCK!

Please do NOT forget tonight is the Wishpot launch party over atMommytalk!  Yes tuck the kids in bed grab a glass of wine and get ready to chat with some cool chicks and win prizes-check out here!  Please read today’s feature at Mommytalk written by Jessica Smith CMO of Wishpot Baby!

BONUS let me know in the comments that you are attending the Wishpot launch party at Mommytalk and I will give you an extra entry into the Baby Birthday Bash!
Stumble it!

Featured on Mommytalk today
The kiddie pool is a summer necessity, sitting in the pool on a hot summer day is a great way to cool the restless natives.  You can make it even more fun for the kids but having them fish in their summertime oasis.  This is what you will need…

*Craft foam sheets

*Fish Pattern

*Scissors

*Fabric paint

*paper clips

*Magnet

*Small dowel

*String

Trace and cut fish pattern, on craft foam sheets.  Use the puff paint to decorate fish, make gills or number your fish.   Once the paint is dry, might need a day, set paper clips on the fish’s mouth.  Take string tie one end to the dowel.  On the end of the string tie a small magnet. 

On Nolan’s first day of Summer School he came home with a snack tackle box, which is perfect for your summer fishing “expedition.”  Here is what you will need…

* Cleaned out egg carton

*paper

*feathers

*crayons

*5 small pieces of paper numbered 1-5

Have the kids glue a piece of paper, fit to size, to the top of the egg carton.  Have them write their names on their tackle box and decorate.

Open up the tackle box and have them put the numbers in the carton. have them put in their tackle box

1-Licorce whip(fishing rod)

2-gummyworms(bait)

3-marshmellows(bobbin)

4-choclate covered raisins(sinker)

5.goldfish crackers(minnows)

Throw your fish in the pool, grab your fishing rod and tackle box and enjoy fishing in the “swimming hole!”

Stumble it!