I giggled when I read this article about Elle MacPherson and her panache for dressing as the “ever always” super model to grab her kids from school. Check her out!
While I did not splash out for a new ensemble or a new hair style, I did up my game a bit today. A shower was required. Well, at least for the first day of school. I established a rule for myself that the first day warranted a little effort on my part. Hey, I even put on a little mascara this morning. That is probably the best I have got. For the next 179 days you will find me in work out gear or sweats at drop off. Heck, if I am being brutally honest- on dark, dreary days in the doldrums of January it might even be my pj’s. (That is when you say a little prayer that your car doesn’t break down and you are stranded on the side of the road as everyone you know drives past!)
Here is to a great school year and to never getting caught in your pjs!
Isn’t it the truth? You can’t really see your kids growing, even though their bodies are stretching and changing in front of your eyes. Every few months they seemingly grow two inches and the visible proof is their pj bottoms. Ast
Pinterest. Maybe I am WAY behind the time and you all know about this?
As described on the website: “Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.”
It is a collection of virtual bulletin boards to which people post everything imaginable. Categories include style, photography, DIY, weddings, and many others. Not sure exactly how I would use it, but I came across a few images that caught my eye.
wardrobe ideas
crafty ideas
holiday decorating ideas
Check it out. If you already use it, tell me all about it.
This is a post that many, many moms have asked me to write. Now seems like the perfect time!
Sunday marks the beginning of a new era for us. Our first soccer jamboree. A real team, with a real jersey, and real games. (Up to this point it has just been micro soccer with a scrimmage.) This is also usually means the creation of the snack calendar. You know what I am speaking of, right? Each family chooses a game in which they will provide snack for the entire team (and usually siblings). Just like the dreaded goodie bag (see my previous post the goodie bag dilemma), this has gotten out of control!
Gone are the days when a family provided orange slices and water for half time. Oh, no. The snacks are usually consumed after the game, so it can be pretty much anything. Some mothers freak over the nutritional value and spend precious time trying to provide a kid friendly snack that is healthy. Others totally cave to their little angels and buy cookies, cupcakes, or doughnuts. Don’t get me wrong. I love a good cookie, but do our kids really need a reward for spending an hour playing a game with their friends? Or if you are more like me, you forget until 15 minutes before game time and have to stop at the store and grab the first thing that catches your eye.
Once the calendar is created it is like an ominous cloud hanging overhead. Is it our snack day? With so many children with allergies (some very serious) you must make sure that everyone can safely eat your snack. Do you also provide drinks with your snack? How many siblings will be at the game? Small children dissolve quickly into tears if they aren’t also treated to a snack. The hassle goes on and on. It is hard enough to have a clean uniform and to get to the game on time. Must we cause ourselves another headache?
I already know I am not the only one who feels this way. BUT, who will be the one that says anything? (Probably no one!) Maybe I should suggest this season we follow the trend of many pro teams wearing a “throw back” jersey. We should serve “throw back” snacks. Oranges and water for all! Not a totally elimination of snack, but a step in the right direction.
This is too fun. As described in the App Store: “Doodle Games is a collection of some of your favorite pencil and paper games, brought to life on the iPhone and iPod Touch.”
Great for kids, but pretty sure adult will love to play too! Plus, a $.99 app….can’t beat that.
3 bike rides (mom on running shoes) equaling 8 miles or so.
3 days of swim lessons
60 minutes of tutoring. 60 more minutes reading for fun…..(in my dreams!!)
gift shop purchases totaling $5.40 at the museum
a trip to the Adventure Playground (unbelievably fun for all)
one karate lesson
2 soft serve ice cream cones at McDonald’s
teeth cleaning
pool time
2,000 points at Power Play=1 hour of fun on video games
one snack attack! vitamin water, apple juice, bag of chips
They paid for everything with their budget and they officially have money left for today. Looks like a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo will be on the agenda in the morning. The week ends with mom handing them over to a sitter at 5pm. Man, that glass of wine is well deserved.
Who doesn’t want an easy way to fake being an amazing cook? Well maybe not everyone, but I am always looking for simple (preferably in a bottle) ingredients to make the food I make taste better.
I have two words for you: Soy Vay.
Soy Vay-Veri Veri Teriyaki could be the answer to every problem. Well not literally, but it is the best marinade ever! You can use it on almost anything. Our favorites are flank steak, chicken breasts, and salmon. I first had this sauce on Chilean Sea Bass over 14 years ago-back when you could buy that yummy fish. The main ingredients being soy sauce, sugar, garlic and ginger. Seriously, it makes everything taste better! It is easy to find in almost every grocery store.
If you are gluten free ( by choice or otherwise), you sadly you cannot use Soy Vay. I recently found a marinade that has many of the same tastes. Like everything gluten free, it is close to the real thing. I used it last night on salmon. It was delicious.
Happy grilling! These sauces will make you look good.
…..to Bellevue Square! This makes me smile BIG. Spotted this on the main floor of Bellevue Square as I was scurrying through last week! Couldn’t be more excited about it. I have been less than pleased with the additions and deletions to the mall in the last year or so. Not sure who is shopping in most of those stores….maybe someone who lives in nearby Clyde Hill or Medina? However, I will splurge at this shop once its doors are open!
Stripe attack! Best known for their cotton stripes……
but their solids are pretty darn cute too.
Oh, but the very best is when you can purchase a Splendid treasure at the Nordstrom Rack for a fraction of the price. Check back regularly….you never know when they will pop up!
oh, the dog days of August. Although the days are not sweltering, the summer is, sadly, coming to an end. With just over 2 weeks of break left, I find myself smack dab in the middle of Camp Mommy. What is this exciting camp you ask? Let me explain.
My kids have no, I repeat NO, planned activities this week. So, I have dubbed it Camp Mommy and the boys think it is the greatest thing. They are completely in charge of our week.
Here are the rules:
They have been given a budget for the week.
They may choose any local activity but every cost must come out of their budget.
Any food or drink ( or treats!) purchased during the day must also come out their budget.
There must be at least 1 hour of physical activity each day. This could include bike riding, swimming, a hike…..anything that gets them moving and burns some calories.
They have to read at least 20 minutes each day.
With Day 1 under our belts, it is off to a great start. I will recap our week on Friday. How are all of you surviving the last unstructured days of summer?
