My Local Celebrity

Yesterday Regan and her cerebral palsy story landed the front page of the newspaper. She is thrilled with her newfound celebrity and is sure TLC will be calling her at anytime to be their next big "Reality TV Star". Here is the link to the article: Regan's Story

I'm just a Girl who cain't say No (Oklahoma reference)

Don't get me wrong....I love to be busy, in fact I have tons of energy, and am terrible at being still for too long. With that being said I also tend to say yes to almost everything that comes my way. This week is a great example of how my saying yes to often all comes into play with bad timing.

This weekend we ran to Houston on Friday and Saturday so that we could semi-attend John Marks business conference. We would have loved to have stayed and hung out with all of our friends and been social, but alas we grabbed his fifteen years of service pin, ate dinner and chatted then zoomed off the next morning.

Why the hurry? Well John mark left this morning for St Louis to work all week and then be a groomsman in a wedding of a dear friend of ours on 4th of July weekend. Because of all my commitments he has to attend alone. This week along with my day camp and coaching schedule I have added fireworks stand duties (which is really good for me to focus and relax if only it weren't 100+ degrees in South Texas right now). Although to be honest I am hoping a lot of this incredible sweating outdoors will eliminate any need I have for diet supplements.

Then my friend Lori called to ask if I minded making something for her Bed and Breakfast in the morning because she was in a bind. Which seems like no big deal until I got home and realized I had no eggs (for casseroles or frittatta or quiche) and the grocery store in small town was already closed. So I am trying to be creative with puff pastry, and pray it turns out.

In the midst of all this I have to get Regan packed for camp, and prepare to have two days available next weekend to pick up Rebecca. By the way the picture above is the girls together after five weeks of not seeing each other last summer.

Raising Readers

Books are treasures in my house. Both John Mark and I are avid readers, and never go a single day without satiating our craving for the written word. Because my girls have seen our commitment to reading, and have been raised with books, they are in turn avid readers. I am a firm believer that readers beget readers....especially when you take the time to model it for your children.

Recently, a friend of mine wondered how she could get her son to be a better reader, because he was falling short in the Accelerated Reader Program at school. He had missed out on going on the school reward field trip because he could not seem to make his reading goals. I asked her if either she or her husband read at home ever, and she admitted they were more of a TV family, not really a book family. I wish I would have had some of these tips to share with her then. You can bet Io will share them when the new school year starts. The following are some great tips:

Summer Reading Tips from Tim Shanahan, author of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill’s best selling elementary reading program, Treasures. (Macmillan/McGraw Treasures)
Dr. Shanahan is also the past president of the International Reading Association.

1. Read Together! Summer usually allows families to spend more time together. This is a great opportunity to read more with your kids to help keep their skills fresh. Children learn a lot when you read to them. Even if your child can read by himself, take turns reading to each other, and be sure to talk about what you are reading. Ask questions, answer questions and explore the ideas together.

2. Ask Questions. Even if you are not reading the same books they are, talk to your children about what they are reading. Ask them questions such as what happened in the story or what might happen next, who is their favorite character, or who is the villain. This builds summarization and recall skills, and your interest helps increase their interest.

3. Leverage Pop Culture. Don’t ignore the value of graphic novels or a popular series like the Twilight books or Harry Potter. These are great ways to encourage adolescents to read more.

4. Plan an Outcome Activity. Whether you are reading to your children or they are reading themselves, plan an outcome event or activity based on the reading. For instance, if the book has been made into a movie, watch the DVD together after reading the book. Book reading can lead to picnics, museum visits, ballgames or even family vacations.

5. Mix it up. Don’t just focus on storybooks. Kids often prefer to read about fact rather than fiction, including books and articles about the environment, animals, current events, sports, and other topics. Talk to them about what they like and help them find reading materials that match those interests.

Do you have your own tip to share? Thanks to the wonderful people at Macmillan/McGraw-Hill I can reward my readers who love books as much as I do. I am giving to three readers children's books from the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill's Treasures series. Just follow the giveaway instructions. Remember if you enter Anonymously....please leave an email address where I can reach you. This giveaway will end July 5, 2009 at 12:00 midnight CST.

1. Give me your own reading tip to encourage your kids to pick up a book.
2. Become a follower of my blog or leave me a separate comment letting me know if you already are.
3. Place my button in the sidebar of your blog and leave me a separate comment letting me know
4. Twitter this post and leave me a copy of your tweet in a separate comment.
5. Post about this giveaway on website or Facebook and leave me a link to the URL in a separate comment

Windex Outdoor All-In-One Review and Giveaway

I am in the midst of running like crazy again for the next two weeks, because I help run day camp at the gym in the mornings, I still teach two classes, it is the time of year that I help my friend Tammy out at their Fireworks Stand (and a garage sale at her house at the same time). To top all that I have a potential buyer for the house coming in three weeks so I really need to paint and clean like crazy. At least I have the solution for crystal clean windows close at hand. I have Windex Outdoor All-In-One to get the outside of my house in tip top shape. I have used this before and it works like a dream, so for me to make this my go-to outdoor cleaner says a lot.

Windex's instructions:

SPRAY window and cleaning pad with garden hose.
WIPE window with cleaning pad.
RINSE window with garden hose. No need to hand dry.
The benefits of using Windex on your outdoor windows include:

Windex's® Special Sheeting Action Formula that prevents streaks and spotting
Clean 20 windows† with a single pad! (refills available)
Reach up to 11 ft. so you can safely and easily tackle tough outdoor grime without the hassle of using a ladder.
Now you can test out Windex's Outdoor All-In-One window cleaner for yourself, because I am giving away Three free kits! This giveaway is open to United States residents only. Just follow the giveaway instructions. Remember if you enter Anonymously....please leave an email address where I can reach you. This giveaway will end July 2, 2009 at 12:00 midnight CST.


1. Tell me what you like about Windex (must do to qualify further entrees) in a comment.
2. Become a follower of my blog or leave me a separate comment letting me know if you already are.

3. Place my button in the sidebar of your blog and leave me a separate comment letting me know
4. Twitter this post and leave me a copy of your tweet in a separate comment.
5. Post about this giveaway on website or Facebook and leave me a link to the URL in a separate comment


Ember there are three chances to win so Good Luck!

Do they make sheets for Clutter Cling?

As I am throwing clothes in my laundry today, and sorting through cabinets once again for garage sale fodder to clean out, it occurs to me that I am using sheets for static cling, but I do not know how I keep getting stuck with clutter....is there such thing as clutter cling sheets?

Every six months (seriously) My friend Tammy and I have a garage sale. I do not know how every six months for the last several years I can still come up with boxes and boxes of things to designate for a garage sale. I keep getting rid of tons of crap, and it turns around to show up again. On the plus side it is always a few hundred dollars I can count on twice a year, so I am not complaining. Last year I managed to get rid of some old patio furniture sets which I still need to replace with something cute and sleek (oh wait that might add clutter).

Of course the girls closets are an endless source of income for me because they have so much clothing that they grow out of pretty quickly. There are the video games and movies, they no longer watch or play with. The books John Mark and I have read and do not deem rereadable enough to add to our shelves. Even though we had a very succesful fall sale....I am up to ten boxes and a few pieces of furniture for summer. I wonder How much will accumulate when that is all gone. I really need to develop some clutter cling sheets quickly and absolve myself from all the junk once and for all.

Clear Ears Review

Can I just start this review by saying.....you should really read instructions and not assume anything before reviewing any product. Here was my assumption, and where I got way off track. I received my Clear Ears and placed the product on my stack to review. Then when we went to my sisters this weekend I knew we would be getting in lots of pooltime, and I was anxious to test it out. So Regan and I get to the pool, and because I don't read the instructions.....I put plugs right away in her ears to swim and test them out, But that is NOT what these are for. In fact they are even more fantastic then I had even realized.

You see in my naivete I had Regan swimming around and assumed these were going to absorb water to keep out of her ears. Clear Ears does indeed absorb all the water, but it is for after swimming use to dry up all the excess water that sometimes build up in ears and can cause that nightmare of swimming issues, the dreaded swimmers ear.

Well after our first trial and error, and my realization that I had indeed misinterpreted the entire product, we tried again the next day. At the end of swimming I squeezed and put these very soft flexible foam pieces into the outer ear canal of Regan's ear and waited for five minutes. Five minutes later i pulled out the ear plug, and she shook her head from side to side and said" Nope no water at all, mom...those work great"!

Well it just doesn't get much better than that, and since I had taken the YouTube video doing the wrong thing with Clear Ears (although it is cute video you should have seen it, lol). This time you are taking mine and Regan's word for it.

Clear Ears is available at major retailers this summer and through Cirrus Healthcare at the suggested retail price of $5.99 for five pairs. Which if you have troubles with swimmers ear is well worth the cost.

Should I get a Ticket....We have a Plan

Today Regan and I were heading back from Austin to spend Father's Day with John Mark. With construction constantly changing at my exit off of I-35, I managed to run a stop sign. Luckily no other car was anywhere around me....but Regan pipes up from the back seat with this little gem:

"Oh Great Mom! Now if a cop stops us, I will have to pretend to cry just to save your bootie."

So apparently my child has a backup plan in case I am stopped for random traffic violations. It entails crying hysterically in hopes that the officer will feel sorry for me and let me go on. The sad part? It has worked for a friend of mine

Several years ago a friend of the family was driving with her two children and was pulled over for a traffic violation (don't remember what anymore). As the cop car comes to a stop behind her she turns to the kids in the back and says to her daughter "A, honey I am really sorry about this, and I promise mommy will make up for it"....she then turned to her son and said "K, please pinch your sister really hard!" well her son complied, and her daughter started crying hysterically, and as the cop strolled up and she rolled down her window....he immediately apologized, pointed our what she did wrong, and sent her on her way with not even a warning.

The story had been passed around for years as a funny tale amongst our friends, and I guess Regan had overheard it at some point and adapted a plan of her own. I wonder does anyone else have a ticket plan?

I am soooooo easily Distracted

I admit it I have not been available today.

I am at my sister's house in Austin with Regan and we are having a fabulous girl's weekend consisting of good food, great conversations and insane amounts of girl bonding.

To top that off she has book three and four in the Twilight series which I had been meaning to read....so I got a little distracted. I started last night about midnight, and then throughout the day whenever I get the chance....I read.

Burping my four month old niece...oh yeah I am reading over her shoulder.

Letting Kyla and Regan watch more than the allotted amount of TV programs.....whoops sorry I was reading.

I am supposed to be getting a little work done, I brought three product reviews with me, they will have to wait, Can't you see that I am reading?

Helping Jennifer get her boutique hair bow order ready for shipment to Shreveport, she could use the help, but I am busy with Bella, Jacob, and Edward right now.

This is why I have to be very careful about what I start on. I get obsessive and really bad about self control. I admire you people who can read a few pages walk away, and return at your leisure. I am not one of those people.

The story is out there waiting to be read, and I will not do it justice by letting it sit there. Luckily I have forced myself a small break to eat, bathe, talk to my child, and my sister. I have checked my site but not worked. Luckily there are only about 200 pages left, and I can turn away contently and not look back.

Did I mention she has book four sitting on her shelf too? It doesn't look promising

Recalculating the Figures....my own that is

I am losing weight and taking names....and I am darn proud I must say. The truth is I often lose weight in the summer time because life just makes it easier. I am working at the gym really in the mornings not the evenings like during the school year, so I can do my little neighborhood two mile walk every evening as it cools down.

With the sun out til late, I like to eat early...around 5:30-6:00 and then when I walk around 8:00 pm then my food is settled and I am active. Then anything else I need in the evenings is just to drink not eat. Despite all the great phenphedrine reviews, I am doing this the natural old-fashioned way.

It is also swimming season, and I am a serious fish. Now we do not have a pool, but several very close friends do so I get to swim all the time. So with all this extra exercise can I tell you the best part? I am less hungry....and when I am hungry I am craving all the seasonal fresh fruit like crazy.

With all this success in looking great I wish I had a picture of the "killer" dress I wore to a wedding last weekend. I actually had my husband drooling, and begging me to go home early. I have to admit it was so thrilling to be a "hot mama" once again.

Who says all new years resolutions have to happen in January....I'll take mine where I can get it.

Look Good ...Feel Better, Hope for Cancer Patients

For years my gamily has been big supporters of helping to find a cure for Cancer, it is a disease that has hit my family personally and taken the life of a dear friend of mine. When Mom Central was looking for bloggers to promote the Look Good...Feel Better a public service program serving cancer patients, I didn't hesitate to want to spread the word.

This wonderful organization knows that going through Cancer is hard enough besides having to deal with all the changes that are happening to your skin and hair. It is hard to cope with all the side effects that treatment and the disease itself can entail. The program is designed for women, men and teens to be given the tools and lessons to help deal with their changing life, and help them to feel beautiful at the same time.

Right now Look Good…Feel Better® is reaching out to program graduates and cancer survivors to share their stories of hope, courage, and determination for the “Women of Hope is Beautiful” campaign. The “Women of Hope is Beautiful” are women with firsthand Look Good…Feel Better experience who can demonstrate the emotional and physical transformation that the program offers.

Five women will be selected as the “Women of Hope is Beautiful.” They will be featured on the Look Good…Feel Better website, and will win a trip to the DreamBall at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York on September 24, 2009 as well as receive a professional makeover.

If you know someone with Cancer that could really benefit from a boost of confidence and self esteem, then please send them the link to the Look Good...Feel Better website, so that they can locate a program near them.

Camp Pics Round Two

Last week I dedicated my post to Regan at camp, and this week I am showing off Rebecca at Camp. She has been gone now for nearly two weeks, and still will be gone for two more. This is her favorite place in the whole world to be surrounded by nature and her best friends for a month. We get to see her daily online so here are a few of those pictures taken from the all girls camp she attends.

She arrived safely and posed with one of her best friends
We are really proud that she made her tribe softball team (she's the shortest). It was one of her goals for camp this year

Rebecca adores horseback riding.
Here she is with another friend performing as Hannah Montana at the talent show
She is on shoulders performing in a remake of Dr. Suess's "Oh the Places You'll Go".
She also writes us that she is taking Canoe, Softball, Soccer, Dance, Swimming, Horseback, Charm, Outdoor Skills and Ceramics. This weekend is supposed to be the first field day competition with the three tribes at camp, and I can't wait to see how they do. Go Comanches!

Life of a Golf Widow

I really have to laugh at those ladies who refer to themselves as some type of sports widow. I seriously have very little sympathy. You want to know why? Because most sport widows have it seasonally. You have your football widows (season from August to January)...Hunting Widows ( Season from October to January), Baseball widows (Spring Training to September).

When You are married to a golfer on South Texas. There is no season. It is a year round daylight hours marathon event. I am married to the top golfer in my town, and John Mark went to college on Golf Scholarship. He has been golfing since he was a kid with his dad....and on any given day until dark after office hours, I always know where to find him. He has a true passion for the sport and needs no golf training aids.

In a way I am very fortunate, because he is not into computers, video games, fishing/hunting....which are big complaints from my friends about their husbands. He stays active and fit and has the year round sock tan that just cracks me up. So today when he calls to say he'd see us around dark. I just let him know dinner will be ready when he is.

Father's Day Gift Guide

You know, I have not even begun to think about Father's Day coming up on June 21'st and I really need to get in gear to not only make sure that mine and John Mark's father feel honored....but that John Mark does too. For the last few years the girls have always made John Mark a gift, but now that they are getting older Regan asked if we could actually go shopping for her dad.

Just in time to help me with this shopping dilemma is the Father's Day Gift Guide produced by the wonderful team over at Mom Central. What I really like about this particular guide is the break down in prices. If you are looking for a variety of gifts in the under $25 you just click on that box.

In the under $25 I found an encyclopedia to Acoustic Guitar that I know my dad would really love since he practices nightly. In the under $50 range there were some great suggestions for personalized playing cards...that John Mark could have for Poker Night featuring his girls on the back. In the under $100 there was an incredible Micro Brew Beer basket that I know John Mark would also love all those specialty drinks to try out. Finally In the over $100 category I must admit I am in love with the 7 man domed tent by Jeep. It is just too cool!

Everyday Mom Central will be hosting Giveaways including many of the items on their list. I have already entered all the ones that are posted for today and I hope I win my sweetheart some of these. Head on over and you can ENTER to win too. Good Luck and happy shopping for the special guys in your life.

The Perfect way to get Fresh Flowers

You can imagine my squeals of delight when this gorgeous bouquet arrived at my house. I proudly displayed my flowers in the middle of my kitchen where my husband can't help but notice them immediately (which he does), and then I of course wait for the next obvious question of my mind

"Where did the flowers come from honey"?

Well I might as well wait until pigs fly....because the question never came. John Mark waltzed in during lunch, and just commented on how pretty they were. Not one query of their origin....not one slight hint of jealousy or curiosity. Doesn't he worry at all? Well I finally couldn't stand it any more, and said

"Don't you want to know where they came from"?

Then I got to share that the bouquet came to me from the California Cut Flower Commission to showcase their new hint cards. So that those of us for whom husbands bringing home fresh bouquets on a whim is not a typical occurrence can leave subtle clues around that flowers would be appreciated. Here are the what the cards say:
1.pssst...my favorite flower is in season.
2.I DARE YOU TO BUY ME flowers.
3.Flowers make a girl happy. And you know what happens when this girl is happy... ;)
4.Want to make up for it? You know what to do.
5.Not because you have to. Not because you're sorry. Just because.
6."Don't let all of my hard work go to waste!" - Mr Bumble Bee

Want to win possible free flowers once a month for a year fill out this survey

Want your own hint cards to leave out for the hard-headed significant others in our lives? Thanks to the California Cut Flower Commission and Family Review Network I have 25 sets of these cards to give away.....and I decided it would be much easier to just give them out to my first 25 different commentors.

Here is the deal:

The first 25 different commentors that tell me where they would leave a hint card will win them.

For contact purposes, if you are a non-blogger or your email is not accessible in your blog profile, please leave a valid email address within the comment section.
Contest is open to US readers
Contest ends whenever 25 comments are reached.
Winners will be notified by email.

The Quiet is Amazing

Do not misunderstand me I love my girls with every fiber of my being. I am their number one fan, and always on their side. But can I just tell you.....I always appreciate summer at my house...

With Rebecca gone for the month of June to her camp (we pick her up 4th of July weekend) life at my house is quiet. My phone isn't ringing like crazy, my computer isn't beeping at me with instant messages, and most importantly, the drama that follows Rebecca around like a puppy dog is nowhere to be seen.

Regan, now that she is home by herself with me just quietly goes along with all my plans, she has been reading, working on a math workbook, or quietly watching television in between our outings. She and I have had a lot of quality time, and it is part of the reason I love summer at my house with my diverse girls. With Regan you will have quiet calm and pleasant conversation....but no constant activity.

Branching Out

Today in our mail was a lovely flyer from one of my husband's associates addressed to me. In a few weeks we attend my husbands summer meeting that always includes the whole family. Basically he attends classes for two days and the girls and I sit around pools, and chat with the other wives and families and the token husband or two. Since John Mark works in the financial industry lately things have taken a drastic downward turn.

No longer is it a leisurely 3-4 day conference with golf, and activities along with the mandatory classes.....now it is two days of all classes and one awards banquet. Bare bones, and no longer resort areas. Cut to more budget conscious motel/conference centers. Everybody is trying hard to make it through the economic downturn, and struggle through it until hopefully the light at the end of the tunnel appears.

Which brings me to my mail I received today. His company is looking to expand more with women in the marketplace, and is wanting more females in those
investment banker jobs, but why reach out to the wives? Because I know the hell my spouse is going through. Let me get this straight....you want me to tell my friends that they should look at being a financial advisor in one of the worst financial markets in history? I choose not to sell out my fellow women in that way. It is a struggle right now for my sweetheart and he has an established office for over 15 years. I would not wish on my worst enemy to go through this right now. It is tough!!!

So I nicely ripped my letter up into little bits, and wish all my friends a stress-free life where the financial freedom, retirement, college money of your friends and family are not your responsibility. Feel free to thank me from sparing you the absolute misery we have been going through.

Disability Camp Pics

I have said it before we are all summer camp addicts. I think it makes such a difference in the development and growth of both my girls. This week I am dedicating Regan camp pictures of her time spent at Texas Lions Camp. I encourage all parents to seriously consider giving your child the gift of camp and see the possibilities that are out there. Stay tuned next week for Rebecca at Camp pics.

Regan swimming with some of her counselors

Regan at the camp dance getting down with some friends
Regan receiving best camper from her cabin award
The pure joy, and how much she loves it should be obvious.

Ficklets Review and Giveaway

I have girly girls. They love to be fashionable and accessorize whenever possible, and one of the hardest things I find to make super-cute and fashionable are Regan's glasses. Regan has astigmatism, and since she is not able to do contact lenses by herself, then eyeglasses are a main wardrobe function in our lives. Even though we have about three pairs in different colors....they are still plain and ordinary glasses in Regan's mind. Although now that we have found ficklets they no longer have to be plain and ordinary. They are now fun and festive to match nearly any occasion. We received ours in the mail and there were two pairs....one set of sparkly blue stars, and one set of chic red and white flowers. Well the red and white flowers now adorn her black pair, and the blue sparkle stars are on the pink pair, and Regan suggested to me that her brown back up pair are lonely.

The great part is that at such a reasonable price of about $5.98 or $7.98 a pair, I can but a few more pairs of ficklets as stocking stuffers, and birthday surprises, and Regan can switch out to match any season and outfit. Regan already picked out a pair of footballs she wants for Friday nights in the fall, and she also loved the kissy lips. It is the prefect pick-me-up for any pair of glasses. They also work great on sunglasses too in the summer time as Rebecca tried to quietly take Regan's stars to jazz up her sunglasses. She was caught in time and they were returned, but it looks like I would score well getting them for both girls.

Can I tell you though my favorite part about ficklets? They were invented by the mom of a special needs child. That of course completely warms my heart and made Regan feel very special about wearing them too. I wholeheartedly support that kind of effort.
****I do want to warn before hand that these are small and do pose a choking hazard for any child four and under.

Want to win two pairs for yourself or for the eyeglass wearing child in your life? This giveaway is open to United States Residents Only and will run until June 21, 2009 midnight CST. Remember to leave an email address if you do not have one attached to your Google account, so that I can get in touch with you

1. Mandatory Entry: Visit ficklets and tell me your two favorite styles.

2.Another Entry, become a follower of my blog/ or Twitter Follower and leave me a separate comment letting me know you are.

3.Another Entry, Tweet about this post and leave me a copy in a separate comment

4.Post my button on your sidebar and leave me the link in a separate comment

5.Post about this giveaway on your blog/FaceBook/MySpace and leave me the link in a separate comment

The Teen Queen

I know that my children do in fact age, and have developing personalities, but Regan has always been a little immature for her age. You can always count on her to hug and cuddle. She still loves family time, church, and her stuffed animals......but lately teen Regan has been more and more making appearances.

Things that have changed?

1. She is waaaaay emotional. Crying at the drop of a hat or getting angry over nothing.
2. She came home from camp with black fingernail polish on her nails, and told s how cool it was.
3. She wants to talk Twilight all the time, and categorizes everyone as "team Edward" or "team Jacob".
4. She told me how much she likes her "cute jeans" with the fashionable belt.
5. She reminds me about hair brushing, teeth brushing, and other personal things, that were always on my schedule to remind her.
6 She is anxious to find more of "her" kind of friends so I was really glad when she came home from Lions Camp with three email addresses, and talking plans to meet up with her friends later this summer.

I really am not oblivious....you can't live with Rebecca who is a teen ahead of her years and be anything but aware. Regan was just always easy to count on staying in her mold. I am not trying to keep her little.....but where did my Regan go?

Celebrate Chocolate Truffles: Review and Giveaway

Seldom have I been so excited to test a product and see if it is all it claims to be. Honestly, I usually end up disppointed, and I thought for sure I would be let down when I first was asked by Family Review Network to try out Celebrate Chocolate Truffles. The claim I am going to test? Well eating these about 20 minutes before mealtime is supposed to fill you and make you less hungry.

So since I eat like a trucker on a regular basis, I figure anything that claims to be a bit of an appetite suppressant is incredible, and I obviously can't wait to see if the claims are true. I should also confess to being a huge fan of truffles. It is pretty much a staple for me, and I had recenly finished off the last of my Easter batch from a well known "gold" box company. I was reaaly anxious to test out the camparison.

The first one I tried was two weeks ago, and I was a bit apprehensive because they chocolate had melted a bit in the shipment, and then I put it in my fridge to reset. I tried the raspberry because that is my favorite flavor. I was really surprised. The flavor and texture were rich and and delicious, just what I would expect of qulaty chocolate. the raspberry was a wonderful accent to to the chocolate and not overwhelming in the slightest. I had eaten just one at about 11:30 in the morning and I realized a 1/2 hour later that I still really wasn't hungry for lunch. So not only did this make me eat less, I didn't even really feel like I had to eat at all. I thought maybe that was a fluke, and tested it out again the next day at lunch with the almond version....and the same thing happened. Deliocious quality chocolate, and definitely suppressed appetite.

Want to see for yourself? I am excited to see if your claims match my own.....I really haven't been hungry at luch time in nearly a week. I have had just a big glass of water instead of my usual sandwich or salad. I can't wait to see if you have the same reaction. Win the same 2 boxes of Truffles and Cocoa Almonds that I tried, plus samples of the new products!

This giveaway is open to United States Residents Only and will run until June 17, 2009 midnight CST. Remember to leave an email address if you do not have one attached to your Google account, so that I can get in touch with you

1. Mandatory Entry: Bookmark the site CelebrateLifeNutrition.com and leave me a comment that you have done so.

2.Another Entry, become a follower of my blog/ or Twitter Follower and leave me a separate comment letting me know you are.

3.Another Entry, Tweet about this post and leave me a copy in a separate comment

4.Post my button on your sidebar and leave me the link in a separate comment

5.Post about this giveaway on your blog/FaceBook/MySpace and leave me the link in a separate comment

The Camp Day

Yesterday was a very long day. In the morning we got rid of the last of Rebecca's friends who she "had" to say goodbye too. She IM'd and emailed a few more her final goodbyes, we loaded up her trunk, duffel bag, pillow, and tote bag. Then off to San Antonio where she was boarding the bus to camp. She was sad to be saying goodbye to all of her small town friends.....but very excited to go stay a month with all her camp friends.

You see the same girls are signed up for the same month every year, so she already knows most of the girls who will be attending. She was slightly apprehensive about cabin assignments, and hoping everything worked out just perfectly. We arrived at the Alamo Heights High School parking lot to catch the camp bus, and she was already squealing as we parked the car, because her good friend from Laredo, TX was loading up her stuff. For the first time there were no long goodbye's between Rebecca and I, because this is now her third year at camp, and she loves it so much. I just made sure that I had my phone and no ipods had mysteriously snuck into her bag (there is a no electronics policy). She also had to spit out her gum because it is "illegal" at camp

She immediately worked on saving seats for a few more friends, and giggling with all of the others, and I stood milling around with several other random parents just waiting for the bus to leave. After one final hug, and a promise to write off her bus went. AT least I know she arrived safely and is happy, because like most camps nowadays hers has hundreds of pictures taken daily of all the girls and their activities so that you can see, and read the daily newsletter to see what is going on.

After dropping off Rebecca, it was time to travel another hour to Kerrville to pick up Regan from Texas Lions Camp (she is a former camper of the week woohoo!). They had a wonderful closing ceremony, and I found out when picking her up since so many schools were still in session this week (due to Hurricane Ike and Swine Flu) that they only ended up with 36 campers for the first week. So each camper literally had 3-4 staff to them at all times! Talk about a luxury for Regan. She had a great time and talked endlessly about doing the Zip Line, horseback riding, sleeping outdoors and eating hobo packs and smores. They also had a camp dance and all kinds of fun.

Regan and I then drove back to San Antonio and stayed the night with my brother before heading home today.....to a day filled with festival activities and my husband in the BBQ cook-off. It has been fun!

The first week of summer is over, and my girls are happy and healthy....who could ask for a better blessing?

Not a Pageant Mom

Last night was our local small town pageant that of course coincides with our small town weekend festival. Amidst all the cheering and clapping for the beautiful young ladies and the handsome young men was the sound of constant sighing.

Why?

Because pageants are not my thing.....and Rebecca really wishes they were.

We were there last night to cheer on her best friend Cecilee who was in the junior miss category. The same category that Rebecca was elligible for (a fact which I heard a few times). It really isn't that I am not fully supportive of my girls in their endeavors or pursuits, but I just have a problem with setting them up to value beauty over brains. Here are a few reasons I won't change my mind in the near future:

1. In the small town where I grew up the winner of the pageant was based solely on who sold the most county fair tickets. So basically it was a contest on whose dad had the most money or influence. So my sister and I were too disgusted to ever enter it although I know we were both asked a few times.

2. Rebecca is a very pretty girl I won't deny that, but as she is going through these formidable tween years; we are working hard at keeping her level headed and grounded. Adding a title to her resume will make her head expand to roughly the size of the grand canyon.

3. I really am busy enough without adding more weekend parades and festivals where she would have to be a float rider to my schedule.

4. Even though this particular pageant is based on interview, poise, and beauty (unlike my experience), I have a problem with having my child be judged based on that. What if she lost? Dealing with her tween angst and the fallout that would ensue would probably drive me insane.

We are so proud of her friend Cecilee winning the jr. Miss title, and I think last night was a good lesson in being a supportive friend and learning to watch and admire from the sidelines. You don't always have to get in the game.

Football Season and the Family Television

"Guess what today is?" John Mark announced yesterday as he came bouncing in. I know it is odd to have a husband that bounces, but honestly if you knew him and all of his boundless energy it would come as no surprise. "It's College Game Day!"...he did not even wait for a response from any of us just continues his dancing around in his own world. He dreams of the day of a wall of LCD tvs to enjoy games from every channel in one spot.

The girls and I just watched him for a moment, and then proceeded to go back to our own projects. It is hard to get excited about something you really don't care that much about. It isn't that I don't enjoy football. I just like it as a real life spectator sport. I like the energy of being around a crowd of people who are cheering for their team. I love the social aspect of chatting with friends. I like to watch the sport in real action...and of course I love the cheerleaders because it is familiar and what I used to do.

Watching on TV, I could pretty much do without. I don't mind the Dallas Cowboys because I am interested in how they do, and of course they have the best cheerleaders (Have you seen their show). My girls pretty much feel the same way. Regan would rather be watching anything but sports and Rebecca would rather be doing something other than mindlessly watching television.

Rebecca was the first to break it to her dad that the we had plans for the living room TV. We were doing a Wii challenge since we have a game system on loan to us for the moment. We also had plans to watch Mama Mia later on TIVO.

John Mark looked flabbergasted. Why would we want to play games and watch a musical over football? His shoulders dropped and the bounce disappeared as he headed to the back of the house to enjoy his beloved football in the quiet of the bedroom. Poor guy to have no one on his side once again.

Kobold Toys Science Magic Kit Review and Giveaway

I am always in teaching mode. I search for the teachable moments in life, and look for ways to make learning fun for my girls all the time. It is just the way my quirky brain works....added to the fact that I just love to learn (it is a personal passion). In searching for activities that I thought would be fun this summer I came across Kobold Toys which has the same philosophy that I do about teaching children through fun.

One of my big focuses this past year has been science. Research shows that girls are not as directed or driven to science as boys are, and I want to make sure that both of my girls see the fun and the logic that science can be. This year we have done projects such as making a catapult, growing crystals, and learning about plants. This summer I am going to focus on Science Magic.
Over Memorial Weekend we got to spend some time with our good friends Walt and Meredith with their adorable children Kelly and Zane. We took our Science Magic Kit over there to let all the kids get involved. Rebecca, Kelly and Zane presented us with their first experiment and Regan, Meredith and I were their captive audience. They had a lot of fun, and I look forward to seeing what else we can do with the kit.

Want to do your very own Science Magic show? I am very excited that Kobold Toys is allowing me to give away a kit just like ours. This giveaway is open to United States Residents Only and will run until June 13, 2009 midnight CST. Remember to leave an email address if you do not have one attached to your Google account, so that I can get in touch with you

1.Mandatory Entry: Tell me another educational toy you would like to try from the Kobold Toys website.

2.Another Entry, become a follower of my blog/ or Twitter Follower and leave me a separate comment letting me know you are.

3.Another Entry, Tweet about this post and leave me a copy in a separate comment

4.Post my button on your sidebar and leave me the link in a separate comment

5.Post about this giveaway on your blog/FaceBook/MySpace and leave me the link in a separate comment

Potential Summer Projects

I took another lazy day today, which mean I am really going to do some work after this week off, and one of the most major places I need o focus my time is my house.
We really are trying to put it on the market soon and there are many things I think we can "get by" with , but on the other hand I know that with a little time and effort on my part there are a few projects I can do to make my house look better and more saleable.

The first two things on my list are to finish painting my dining room. I have half painted a beautiful butter yellow color. This room has high ceilings and crown molding which I ignored when I first painted it.....but now it is apparent that I really need to finish the job. This is really the top thing on my to-do list.

Secondly I want to tile the master bath and the girls bath. Mainly because my bathroom has carpet in it (I have no idea why that mildew gatherer was ever a design choice)and the girls is just vinyl which would be fine, but it is the only place in my house with vinyl flooring so in my mind it is a space which can be remedied. I am looking at ceramic and porcelain tile to see which would be my most efficient option and I will let you know how my projects turn out.

How not to relax (several days in a row)

I have been here....I have not vacated the premises....I have much work to do....and I promise summer isn't going to drive me away. So far though I just have felt overwhelmed, and not up to getting the job done. Here is a run-down of the last few days.

Saturday:
1. Take Regan to dance recital dress rehearsal
2. Finish packing Regan for Camp
3. Go to dance recital, and watch with pride as my insanely awesome daughter performs her dance to her very own song.
4. Cut out of dance recital right after Regan performs to get Rebecca to her first group movie date (where I will be sitting in the back with the 7 yr old son of one of my great friends as my date and spying on my child the whole time)
5. Stay up with Rebecca until midnight working out post-movie drama wherein according to her "My World is falling apart mom" and accidentally consume too much caffeine at a late hour.

Sunday
1. Still awake at 3:00 am (stupid caffeine)
2. In the morning prepare for the six hour round trip drive to take Regan to camp
3. Consume more caffeine to drive for six hours.
4. Drive to the Texas Hill Country while rehashing last nights drama with Rebecca in minute detail, and then having her call all her friends to tell them about it and get opinions
5. Be completely touched as my girls hug for a long time as they say goodby e to each other (They won't see each other for six weeks)
6. On the way home stop at a rest stop for much needed relaxation
7. Get Home and start watching "Get Smart" and fall asleep five minutes into the movie

Monday
1. Label and begin packing Rebecca for camp (she leaves Friday)
2. Take Rebecca to friend's pool so she can practice endurance swimming to pass upcoming camp canoe test.
3. Partake in even more of her 6th grade drama...which then needs to be discussed in excruciating details first with me than with at least 6 of her BFF's
4. Take Rebecca to Pool Party for the evening and thank goodness they are feeding us, because I have not been to the grocery store in two weeks and would have feasted on Ramen at home
5. Realize I have once again consumed caffeine at way to late an hour, and post to my blog at 1:00 in the morning......instead of actually working on the reviews that are stockpiling.

Tuesday....oh wait it is Tuesday....Ummmm well,
Happy Tuesday!!!!!!
I am praying for a restful day with no drama from my eleven year old how about you?