Fort Groupie

So Swistle had a fabulous idea to have a Group Effort Pay it Forward Contest. So that's what we're doing! The general plan is:

1. A bunch of us will all independently hold Pay it Forward contests starting today or tomorrow (tues.).

2. The contests will end July 4th, and winners will be chosen.

3. Those winners will then each hold their own Pay it Forward contests (hence the forward part), and so and so on this is the song that never ends la la la.

SO!

The Fort Groupie Cookiemonks Contest!

The Prize: A gift package of lovingly selected books, book things, and candy. This will be determined after a winner is chosen and can be as general or specific as the winner would like. I LOVE choosing books for people! I can just wing it, or you can tell me exactly what you've been dieing to read. Also, a genre suggestion would work and I can go from there. If you have kids I'd like to include them too. As far as the candy goes the same guidelines will work. Book things will be name plates, book marks, etc, etc as I find something cute. I will most likely do my book shopping at Barnes and Noble and Half Price Books. The candy will come from the grocery store I'm sure. If you have any other questions about this let me know.

The End: My contest will end at bedtime on July 4th. To be safe, I'd say 10:00 central time, k?

The Question for Comments: Are you a cake lover, or do you prefer pie?

I think that's all folks. I hope this will be as fun for you guys as it is for me! Yippy Skippy!

Edited to Add: I just got back from short Walmart trip (the WRONG Walmart! Not the one I intended to go too, I iz Stoopid). I picked up a few goodies for my contest. Some funny Texas mementos that can double as bookmarks, some really pretty tab markers, a photo frame pen, and a copy of a gorgeous magazine I love. Just wanted to let y'all know! Lot's more stuff to come!

More Adding Please: No math though, promise. We went to Half Price Books tonight and I found a bunch of funny/cute bookmarks, a neat kiddy craft book, and a possible adult book if it fits the winner (if not I'll read it, yay!). Also, I had a sick friend who hasn't called me back yet. If she doesn't I have a bunch of other kids stuff I can include in my prize. I'm waiting on any other adult books until I know who wins!

Stuff

So I'm trying to figure out exactly what I want to do for the Pay It Forward Contest.  I'm thinking books and book related pretty things.  Candy to eat while reading the books would be good too, right?  Right now I just thought about something like... I don't know.  I need to think some more.  

That was helpful wasn't it.  Yeah, Winston coughed so hard he gagged himself or I wouldn't be awake right now.  I'm going to look up patterns on Ravelry and then browse Etsy until I can't see anymore and can go back to sleep without my brain gnawing at me.

But books, for anyone interested.  Book themed contest coming Monday.  Night Night

Pay It Forward Contest!

a la Swistle! (www.swistle.blogspot.com) I don't know how to do linky thingies yet where the name is the link. More details when she gives them! Yippy Skippy and other such excited words please. Thanks!

Chain of Events

Winston home from camp and taking a much deserved nap on the couch

Thunder outside, storms close by

Cat Power on the cd player, a gift from my brother

Bubble bath with Wednesday, hot and zen and soft baby

Read just to Wednesday Super Brain Baby, and Kittens with soft fur to pet

Rubber cement smell everywhere, working on teacher gifts with baby close by

Winston awake

Tears and Drama and Grape juice all over me

Stories again, with both boys....Dirt and Puss in Boots Rawr!

Dress up, initiated my Wednesday with a major character change

Cooking dinner, Winston asks to do Yoga, and now they are watching Annie like Madeline, I said, except not loved like Miss Clevel, he was shocked and thrilled at the thought of Not love.

The end, for now.

Does it still count

If I blog in my head but don't actually type it?  I guess not, but I've had some really good posts run through my brain.  Too bad I can't catch most of them.

So, to catch up just a little:  

*Winston is in his third and last week of summer camp.  I was initially very weepy and torn about it all, but he loves it and hasn't had any problems adjusting.  

*The five kinds of pumpkins I planted on June 10th are all growing well.  I have pictures that I'll get posted soon.  I'm really enjoying knowing they're out there and having the boys help me water.  The other night I had a HUGE bowl of water left from washing/draining some fresh spinach.  So I took two measuring spoons and my two boys out to the pumpkin patch and we watered the plants with the spinach water.  They LOVED it.  So funny what makes them giggle and squeal.

*I have taught myself, with the help of a few books, the basics of knitting.  I have almost completed the world's ugliest purple cellphone holder and have started on a baby blanket for Winston.  I have yarn and needles already purchased for some wash cloths for Wednesday.  I've already amassed a good collection of books, blogs, and lofty dreams of what I can accomplish my Christmas.  Super Fun.

*As per my Creative Family goals (still to be blogged, but please just go see Amanda's blog, www.soulemama.com )  we are going outside for SOMETHING every evening after dinner.  Tonight we water the pumpkins, played a little soccer and Frisbee, had some sandbox time, and played some circle games (ring around the rosy).  

*I'm working hard at listening to Winston so he will listen to me.  It's not easy for either of us, but always always always pays off.  Also, I'm focusing on talking to Wednesday more so that he will use the words he knows and talk back.  He's really taken off with his language development with Winston gone during the day at camp.  

I think that's all the bigger stuff that's been going on.  Two funny things that the boys are doing and then I'm going to work on my blog list at the bottom down there.  

Winston's light in his room is broken.  So right now we're just using a table lamp and the natural sunlight.  At night though, after his bath, it's very shadowy in his room with just the lamp on.  When he gets out of the bath tub and is wrapped in a towel he sneaks to his room and says, "there's ghosties in there!", and then greet everyone and everything in his room with the word ghosty attached.  So freakin' cute.  Especially since his brother is always in there waiting for us and stands up to surprise us when we come in.  Also today he said he got to ride in Birky's green carriage in gymnastics at camp.  I'm not sure what that was, but it involved both of the long haired hippy boys in his class!  Ha! 

Wednesday has picked up saying "Ummmm" from his brother and me.  Last night at the little organic grocery store he kept saying it between items on our lists.  It was so cute, he was trying to help me remember by saying "Ummmm".  He also knows the names of almost all of the Pooh character today.  Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger.  I'll have to get him to say them again so I can remember his pronunciation.  Also, Bjoo Bjoo, his word for nursing.  I could never get Winston to identify that act with a word.  Wednesday definitely has one.  Yay!

That's all folks.  I still have to tell you about planting the pumpkins on the 10th and post some pictures, but at least I'm here tonight. 

So Ummm...

My baby, the real one that's only 18 month old (as opposed to the 3 year old), he counted to FOUR today.  Holy Majolie times a Million Dudes!  He also says, "Heawh!"  when he hands you something:  "Here Mommy!".  Other favorites are:  "No No No Eat!" to the cats, and "I Fahwah!  I know!"  (I farted, I know).  He is the silliest bruiser of a boy I know.

Winston missed Friday at summer camp (I know I still need to write about that and the pumpkins and the books, it's coming....).  He woke up with a fever after his nap on Thursday afternoon.  He had horrible allergies and an upset stomach as well.  Poor baby.  He only wants The Mr. when he's sick.  I'm so so grateful to my husband for being there for Winston when he get sick.  He's rocking him and playing music for him on his computer right now.  

So. I saw this on SlackerMama's blog and thought it was so gorgeous that I had to try it. I know I'm slow. Sorry.

1. What is your Name? Ummmm....something that might have to do with Bananas.

2. What's your favorite food? Shrimp Cocktail. Except the kind you get at a Mexican food restaurant.

3. What high school did you go to? Woodlawn. Our school color was really purple...(cue twilight zone music)

4. What's your favorite color? Purple. One day I'll be brave and get a purple streak in my hair. Maybe for my birthday this year; along with a sewing machine. I'll be an emo-hippie.

5. Who is your celebrity crush? Seth Rogan in Knocked Up. But Adrian Brody has a great nose!

6. What's your favorite drink? A Virgin Pina Colada. Yum-o. Sometimes I have to embrace with inner Rachael.

7. Where is your dream vacation? London. I've loved Good Queen Bess my entire life. Not to mention the Beatles. And let's throw in Hugh Grant for good measure, k?

8. What is your favorite dessert? Tira Misu is what I put. I think anything that can qualify as a dessert is more like it though.

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? I'm on a path to be a teacher, but I want to be good enough at my job to be a homeschooler as well. Look at that room! It's gorgeous!

10. What do you love the most in your life? My boys. They are dear to me, and The Mr. is my wintertime.

11. One word to describe me. The Mr. said "Lovely". Isn't he sweet tonight? So I chose this picture of a tippy-toe kiss. I am a foot and seven inches shorter than my husband. I have developed very strong toe muscles. Maybe I could start point ballet soon (Ha. Me in a ballet uniform would be Scary)!

12. What's your flickr name? MzEll.

We're Baaaack

So Hi! I got a comment from the ever so lovely Mrs. Swistle while we were in Kerrville/San Antonio. Woohoo!

Key Phrases during our trip:

Winston looking out the window: "Mommy the trees and the hills and the clouds! They have magic!" He is a precious boy.

Wednesday, waiting in the car for The Mr. to check us into our hotel: "Teetee?" "No honey, he's getting our magic keys!" A few seconds go by... "Teetee? Papa?.... Teetee?" He was very concerned for his father's urinary health. It was funny. Guess you had to be there.

Best Moments:

Winston seeing his Grandfather and Lamb (his wife), and being so so excited.

Wednesday kissing himself in the mirror at the hotel. He thought that little boy was so cute!



Coming soon: A post about the books I'm reading/drawing ideas right now. Hopefully some pictures of our pumpkins seeds being planted. And lastly, a post about Winston's Very First Day at Summer Camp (also known as the first time anyone else besides me, my husband, or my mother will have my child for longer than about 45 minutes)! See you soon!

A Day

I have lots of things floating around in my head about gardens and trees and things but they aren't quit ready yet.  So lets make a list.  oooh yummy.

Let make an ideal day for me and my boys.  Just to look back on and remember and have for a sort of guide.

*Up at 7:00-7:30>>>time for getting a drink and watching some cartoons and waking up.

*Couch meeting>>>I just read about something like this in The Creative Family.  Lets sit all together with a notepad and everyone get to day what they want/need to do.  Try to say yes as much as possible.

*breakfast, hopefully preplanned and not too time consuming.

*Get dressed already!  Mama is gonna have to start showering at night to save time during the say.

*Take Winston to camp or school if needed, this is why we need to be up by 7ish.

*If Winston is at home then start a regular day

>>>this is the best time of day to take my boys on some kind of outing.  

Library

Bookstore

Blockbuster

Art Museum

To get supplies for a project (Henna?) Michael's, Sun Harvest, Hobby Lobby etc

Target/Walmart, etc

Pet store

Home for Lunch BEFORE naptime, again hopefully preplanned.  Maybe we could start eating at the small table in the den.  So Winston could set the table and we could talk instead of having the TV on.  This would be a fun time to let one of the boys choose a blessing out of a special jar or something.

*Naptime with either a calm movie, or some calm songsongs (youtube videos).  This can be Mama's time for folding clothes, working on inspiration wires, planning meals, or sleeping if needed.

*Up for Snack and another small Tv time to wakeup

>>>Mama can use this time to get some dishes/laundry/picking up done

*Afternoon project/Adventure:  I think this is especially important to me when Winston is away all day.  I want us to have something to look forward to doing all together.

>>>plant pumpkins

tie dye some clothes

embroidery project

make bread/cook something together

art project/gift project etc

extended outdoor/whole house dress up

Do our yoga together (find that ballet exercise show on Ovation)

*Ideally after that we could come inside and:  put on a record/listen to a radio show podcast while creating all together.  The boys could just play, do puzzles, color etc while I knitted or sewed on the sewing machine for a little while.  This would be journal time as well.

*then it would be time to fix dinner.  I would love to have the boys in the kitchen with me, or making music with all of their instruments during this time.  Also, Winston could help me fix his lunch for the next day too.

*I want us to eat together at the table more, even if we have to go outside.  I want to have a family breath and say a blessing.  This way the boys can start setting the table with The Mr. and being an even bigger part of helping with dinner

*Then it's play outside time!  Mama can garden, The Mr. can work outside and the boys can be boys.  Family walks too.

*Inside for a video and a drink before bed.

*then bedtime routine of jammies, stories, brush teeth, and then songs with The Mr. for Winston.

*Ideally then I would have energy left to read and blog before conking out.

I'm still working out what I'm going to do with just Wednesday for most of the day while Winston is at camp.  

*read more stories

*side by side art and talk about colors

*appts/errands where one kid is just easier to handle

*bath by himself

*sand box 

*blocks(give him his new Noah blocks on Monday!)

That was easier than I thought!  I'm excited to spend some time with just him.  I don't think he's taken a bath by himself in over a year!  That will be so fun to see.

This is why I'm trying to get everything, especially the boys things, so organized.  I want to be able to have these distinct times without there being clutter in the way making it difficult.  

So enough babbling.  But that felt really good to me.  Hopefully it will help.  Yay!