Monday, September 30, 2013

Type A Conference weekend: Part 1 (LINKY)

Wow, I have so much to write about this week. And consequently, so little energy! My weekend kicked off on Friday with the Type A Parent Conference at the Westin Buckhead Atlanta. I wasn't able to arrive until after school hours, so I popped in to catch a few friends and a chair massage courtesy of MSN's Bing Lounge. Not a bad way to begin a long weekend of activities!


Friday, September 27, 2013

FROZEN: Coming to theaters November 27th from @DisneyAnimation

I think we are going to love this new Disney movie! FROZEN opens in theaters on November 27th!

"Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom."




“Like FROZEN on Facebook


 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What my bum needs (oh my...) #LetsTalkBums

Lets face it, parents spend a ton of time wiping, patting, powdering, diapering, and talking about their children's backsides. We take care in selecting the best fitting diapers and the softest wipes.

As a final assignment for the Cottonelle "Let's Talk It Out" campaign, I am starting a conversation about what our grown-up bums need. Cleanliness and freshness - of course - but mine needs something else...

Maternity Underwear.

Yep... and I am not happy about it.  I didn't even think about this when I was pregnant six years ago. My body was younger and smaller, and other than switching to some comfy cottons, I didn't need much. This time around, at only 20 weeks, I am feeling puffy and uncomfortable with every move. As if belly pains and muscle aches weren't enough, I now get to pull my wedgies out of my bum every time I stand up or take a few steps. I have a feeling that baby number two is going to know a bigger Mommy than Amelia did! The spread is ON.

Sigh.

Well, at least there is really good news for my bum! Cottonelle's FreshCare wipes are soothing and soft, perfect for the cleanest clean. Paper alone can never win again! FreshCare wipes are available in stores now, and with a new sleek upright canister.

In the mood to talk about your bum? Visit Cottonelle on Facebook to "Talk it Out".

And here's Cherry one more time - let's see how her mission continues:

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This is a sponsored post in affiliation with Cottonelle. All opinions are 100% mine.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Kindergarten homework projects

I don't know how long it will take for me to not be completely fascinated by kindergarten; these kids are incredibly active and busy! Amelia's kindergarten teacher does not give a lot of specific homework, but she asks us to work at home with our children however we wish.

I scoured the Internet for some Kindergarten worksheets, mostly focusing on letter formation and sight words.

Letter Formation:
Here is a full A-to-Z set of printable trace and print letter worksheets. Amelia knows how to write all the letters, but she does many of them bottom-to-top. I like that these worksheets have a dot at the top of each letter, as a clue showing where they should start with their pencil. I watch her do these to make sure she is practicing the correct method of letter formation.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Type A Parent Conference is coming to the ATL - soon!

It has been almost two years since I attended my very first (and so far, only) blogging conference. What to Expect from Bloggy Bootcamp

As a "hobby blogger", I am not strongly focused on monetization or constant reviews and giveaways. I blog to chat, to share thoughts, and occasionally to reduce some of the stress of balancing parenting with work and the rest of life (and soon a newborn! Yikes.) Because of this, I do not attend conferences that involve extensive travel - it's just an expense that I cannot justify at this time. So I was very excited nearly one year ago that we would be getting The Type A Parent Conference Atlanta!



I purchased my ticket with early bird pricing, possibly a year in advance.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

When Mama is home alone...

When Amelia is at school and I am not at work...

  • I will clean the house  (but really... that's not much fun)
  • I will unpack those last few boxes from the move (well... maybe)
  • I will plan ahead for dinners and have easy-to-make options for the week (um, who am I kidding?)
  • I will compose extra blog posts and be pre-scheduled for a couple weeks (this has never happened)

To be honest, there are few minutes in any given day where I am not working on the computer or doing something for my family: grocery shopping, cooking, playing, laundry...

When I do have those minutes? The rest of the to-do list gets set aside. Every now and then I need time to do absolutely nothing. When Amelia is at school this week and I have a break from work duties, maybe I will turn on the TV. Enjoy a bath. Sit on the deck with a bowl of ice cream.

Oh, maybe I'll go play her video games.

The to-do list will get tackled eventually. But honestly, does it really matter? Mama needs some down time too!

Good moms have dirty houses, messy floors, laundry piles, and happy kids.


- - - 
Linked up to Mama Kat's Writers' Workshop this week!  
Mama’s Losin’ It

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

#WW: Feelin' Southern... in a jar

It was an iced coffee kind of morning. The air had a twinge of Fall and our no-commitments morning was just what my tired body needed. The peace and quiet added to the nostalgia of my morning and I was just feeling, well, Southern.

So I put my iced coffee in a jar.


Foods and drinks in jars are fun and ooze good ol' Southern charm.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Deck weather!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids.  Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday on Really, Are You Serious for more information.
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We had amazing weather this weekend! The mornings were cool and breezy, which gave way to sunshine and puffy clouds in the afternoon. The family really enjoyed some "deck time". One of my most favorite parts of the new house, the deck is surrounded by peaceful tall trees. 

Amelia and I enjoyed a deck breakfast and a deck afternoon snack yesterday. Excited for the fresh air and no rain! Steve poked his head out an upstairs window to capture the moment:


And on Saturday, we decided it was finally time for an official "belly pic":
20 weeks - halfway there!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Canned green beans that taste good #dinner

So, I have a healthy eating dilemma. I am a complete carb-a-holic. I love pasta, breads, and potatoes. I don't shy away from meat, either. Chicken, steak, ham... all yum in my book. I guess you could say I am a true "meat and potatoes" kind of girl! I blame it on my Southern charm.

So my dilemma... I know I need to eat more vegetables. During pregnancy especially, since my doctor insists I have four to five servings of fruit and/or veggie each day. Restaurant vegetables are delicious and I try my best to order green beans, corn, or broccoli whenever I can. However, at home, I just can't stand the way my cooked vegetables taste! How do restaurants make those amazing, smoky, tasty green beans? They certainly don't pour them out of a can or a freezer bag and boil.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

A notice to bloggers: Balance Bike giveaway opportunity

*Bloggers:*
Sign-up and offer your readers the chance to win a Kinderfeets balance bike!

(And lovely readers, this means I'll be taking part in this great giveaway for YOU soon! Opens October 1st. Oh, how I wish we had a balance bike! You will have a chance to WIN one!)

Open to US only
Oct. 1st - Oct. 15th 


Bloggers receive 2 free links w/announcement post. 
Additional links available for a small fee. 

Co-Host REFERRAL! 
Let them know that BalancingMama referred you.
The blogger to refer the most sign-ups will receive 4 additional free links as well as 2 follow pages. 
Additional Co-Host spots are possible, so promote!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

#WW: School Lunch

The only way I know Amelia will actually eat lunch while at school is if I pack it myself. I know her favorites! Balancing Mamas need to try to stay organized to survive 5-day-a-week lunch packing. Despite the price (and being less eco-friendly), I have to rely on the convenient individual packets of snacks and fruits. And for other items, I try to wash, chop, and store in little containers so I can simply grab and pack each morning.

Oh, and thank goodness for a thermos! Now I can add macaroni-n-cheese and baked beans to the school lunch selections. Those are her favorite foods, but eating them cold was no fun! I found a stainless steel small thermos that is a lifesaver. 

What are your school lunch solutions? 
 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Big girl... plus baby

The reality is beginning to creep into my head. Another human being will be joining this household in 19-20 weeks. I have good days and bad, battling exhaustion and "growing pains", but so far, so good. I cannot even imagine life with a baby again, but when I find myself dreading the effort, I remember Amelia's incredibly cute chubby cheeks and big blue eyes!

You totally love the second one just as much.... right?


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(post from February 2010)

Why do I work so hard?

This is why.

Photobucket

She makes all the effort, exhaustion, and frustration soooo worth it.

What more can I ask for?

I'm in love with my daughter.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Adding a ??? to our kingdom (gender reveal day!) #pregnancy

So, what's new with you? We had an exciting morning. Ultrasound day! I am 19 weeks and a couple days, so halfway there! I am so glad I will be uber-pregnant in the winter this time. No sweating myself to death!

First things first: The baby is healthy! Moving a lot and all looks well. Baby has long arms and is measuring a few days older vs. the calendar, but that is not surprising considering my girlie was 9 pounds and continues to be in the 95th percentile for height at age 5 1/2. (Mama is going to be the only short one in this family!)

On to the big news.....

My sweet Amelia will continue to be my "favorite GIRL in the whole wide world."

We're having a BOY!


I got these balloons to surprise Amelia. They will be in the car when I pick her up from school. She was hoping for a sister, but I think she will be excited anyway. She is going to be the sweetest and most helpful big sister ever!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

#WW: Serene Tennessee

On our road trip to Nashville, TN recently, we stopped by Cheekwood Gardens for the Light: Bruce Munro exhibit. We had no prior information on the event, my husband just happened to come across the website when we were planning something to do that night of our arrival. We really had no idea what to expect.

We are big fans of the Atlanta Botanical Garden here in town, so we knew we would enjoy meandering through wooded paths in Nashville as well. The Light exhibit did not disappoint, and Cheekwood Gardens are truly gorgeous! A fabulous stone mansion, now serving as a museum, sits atop the hill overlooking the property. The charming southern porch perfectly frames the Tennessee hills and mountains. I felt like I needed a Scarlet O' Hara gown to truly fit into the lovely surroundings.

Tennessee is a beautiful state. We had a wonderful vacation together, and I am so glad to have discovered Cheekwood Gardens!






Love family travel in the South? Check out another BalancingMama post highlighting  family travel in Atlanta.

Update: #Cinderella bedroom getting fancier!

I am so happy with the new furniture in Amelia's Cinderella bedroom! With new baby coming in January, we had to upgrade Amelia's set since her dresser was the match to the crib. She has a Cinderella themed bedroom, which I designed in blue, black, and silver. I didn't want to go with white - I think black is more sophisticated, and it will last her well into her college years.

The furniture she had previously was a dark brown, and it bothered me. It didn't match my theme or colors! We were also in desperate need of additional drawers. Her clothes keep getting larger, and my storage space did not!

We just received delivery on the Neo Classic Black bedroom set from American Signature Furniture. It is the perfect match! Not too contemporary, a fantastic price (this is kid furniture, after all), and drawers galore!




Visit my first Cinderella Bedroom post for information on the other adorable elements in this room!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Most wonderful time of the year


Labor Day! The start of a fabulous season. School is in full swing, we will begin to see fall weather in just a few weeks, and the college football t-shirts are being donned with pride. 

I think it is a law that Southerners must live and breathe college football. I could care less about NFL,  but I will cheer SEC all the way! Well... unless anyone is playing Georgia. Yes, I live in Georgia. That means I endure entirely too much Bulldog gear and red with black. My car proudly wears the orange Power T - and my husband insisted on his Florida Gator as well. I tolerate the Gator because it serves to further annoy the Dawg fans; win-win. 

I am aware that my team has been pure awful for a while, but I stand strong. We will see what a few more years bring. Number ONE recruiting class across all sources! I'll take it!

Anyway, happy Fall. Happy September. Happy fooooootball! Go Vols! 

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