Naptime Blog

Even though it’s a day most get off from work, and is usually associated with barbecues and perhaps some alcoholic beverages with great friends and family, one must also take the time to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day.

Taking a little time to show appreciation for all our men and women in the armed forces and some who gave their lives for this country. Whether you support the war or not, men and women are still over there fighting for us as a country and risking everything they have.

This year, we honored my husband for the time he served with the Air Force and had the traditional burgers, ribs,& beer cookout with my family. It was a beautiful day out, so we were able to take advantage of the pool and cool down. I tried to keep a patriotic theme, and I think it worked out well! I hope everyone had a great day!

Krystal

Next week is our “Spring Break” :) and the next thing a teacher loves best beyond our students is our “SPRING BREAK” This year we have been blessed enough that my husband has enough vacation time to take off with me! I love that. We are planning to load up the old SUV and hit the road, this year we are headed north.

My oldest son who is 9 has always wanted to see the BIG city. So we are jumping on Hwy 13 to the New Jersey Turnpike. Yes, you may have guessed it; we are headed to New York City baby!! This is going to be an easy breezy road trip. We are saving money by staying with family members.

Our agenda goes a little something like this:  (but we will remain flexible w/ children onboard)

• 1st  Stop granddaddy’s house (Delaware)
• 2nd Stop New Jersey to visit family and get a free room for a couple of nights (LOL)
• 3rd Stop New York CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!
• 4th  Stop Washington, D.C
• 5th  Williamsburg, VA to Busch Gardens

Last but certainly not least, home sweet home. Wish us safe travels,,,,

~Shanta

I just signed up to become a Mom-Bassador with Mothers Day Party!  I will invite a few of my friends over on Mother’s Day weekend and be a part of the Largest Mother’s Day Party in the world!  I’m going to get free goodies for me and my friends, and it is a great feeling to know that I will be joining 200 other moms around the country, working together, helping each other, celebrating MOMS!

Can you imagine inviting a few of your best friends and family over for a fun-filled afternoon or evening that includes a special video, worldwide connection, FREE stuff and a program of activities. Your event can include networking, health information, financial awareness, food focus, green, music, arts, crafts and more.

All you need to do to get involved is agree to host a party in your home, place of business, local bookstore, club restaurant or community center. Sign up and tell us what you want your event to look like. We’ll network you in with women everywhere, send you goodies, entertain you with music and literature and mentor if you to get started with your own business.

Here’s some more info about Mothers Day Party:  It’s a WORLDWIDE PARTY! But, the best part is, that we are all about creating new ways for women to be seen, heard and recognized. We want to shatter stereotypes and encourage diversity. We want to support YOU, the woman inside the role of mom. If you’re not a mom, then we still want you, because EVERYONE mothers someone or something. Ultimately mothering is not about biology but about psychology. It’s the nurturing we do in the world for our businesses, families, talents, home and planet.

See, we’re just about as inclusive as it gets, and MOST IMPORTANT, we don’t just want to just feed you the kool aid. We want you to find out for yourself, through meaningful interactions, inspired self-reflection and empowered activities just how incredible YOU are.

Visit www.mothersdayparty.com to join me and become a Mom-Bassador!

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (4 months)www.nevaland.com

I have never really considered myself the Martha Stewart type, but with things being so expensive now-a-days, I have gotten really resourceful when it comes to spending.

I am starting to gravitate towards those gifts that have a lasting meaning. I remembered a great vacation we took to Disney World and they had the cutest t-shirts from the Dr. Seuss book ‘Cat and The Hat’.

All these kids were walking around with Thing 1, Thing 2, and so on, shirts on. They were just adorable. I even saw twins with them on! Well, even though there is a huge age difference between my two boys, I thought it would be really cute to get them similar shirts. When I started looking for them online, I was AMAZED at how expensive these kids t-shirts were!

I looked on ebay.com and found a seller of the iron transfers for a really great price. I rushed to Wal-Mart and found some basic red t-shirt, Jayce’s was $3 for a size 24 months and Lil g was $5 for a size 14. I ordered a copy of that classic book to add to the kid’s collection and for less than $30 we had the best stocking stuffers ever,

I even made the t-shirt myself, which makes for an even more memorable gift.

Take a look

~Shanta

Since we were up North for Christmas, we celebrated with my family down here afterwards. My mom asked what Shaughn wanted for Christmas and of course, I don’t know what to say. I suggested anything educational that would teach him, until I spotted a $20 drum set for toddlers. I am not forcing music upon my child but he certainly seems interested in anything that makes noise. He has this really nice KidiJamz keyboard that he plays alot, and his Leap Frog Learn & Groove Drum and Maracas keep him very entertained. He likes beating the lids of my pots and pans with spatulas so I figured this would be a gift he would surely enjoy. My mom got it for him and he definitely loves it. My husband set it up for him while still at my parents house and he immediately started banging away with his drum sticks. It’s as if it came naturally to him, I swear. At least one time a day he crawls over to his drums and plays for a few minutes all by himself. When he’s done with that, he gets out of his chair and goes about to the next activity which is usually another musical toy. He’s starting up his own band! So far it’s a band of us three and we had needed a vocalist until today, when Shaughn grabbed the microphone connected to the keyboard and sang into it WHILE pressing the keyboard keys. We have to schedule a tour soon lol!

 

-Krystle

The most romantic day of the year is approaching very quickly.  The jewelry commercials are in full swing, making the day seem magical and amazing.  And for some of us, maybe it is.  If you are a parent who is married or in a romantic relationship, why shouldn’t it be?  Just because we have kids and jobs and chores and responsibilities doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy the day and the notion of “St. Valentine’s Day”.  As a matter of fact, maybe it isn’t a bad idea after all.  As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I always stress the importance of keeping the romance alive in a marriage.  It is so easy to forget to nurture the relationship when there are so many other things going on in the family.  So Valentine’s Day seems like a great day to focus on the romance and get those butterflies in your stomach once again.  All we need to do is be a little creative and have fun in the process!

Here are some ideas to help you have the best Valentine’s Day!  We can even involve the children, too!  Well, they can be involved in some Valentine’s Day fun!

What do you want for Valentine’s Day?

The stores are filled with chocolates and candy.  Florists love this time of year because their flower sales are never better than on Valentine’s Day.  Maybe you haven’t gotten chocolate hearts or roses since you were dating.  Would you like them again now?  Why not hint.  Or better yet, ask!  And if your budget does not allow for a dozen overpriced roses that will die in a few days (I love roses myself but I know some people do not like the thought of wasting money on something that will die in a short time), tell your significant other that you would LOVE a single red rose that represents so much and won’t break the bank.  Even dollar stores have silk flowers that will last much longer than the real thing, and it is the thought that counts, right?  Romance does not have to cost a fortune, and if you want to exchange the traditional chocolates and flowers gifts for Valentine’s Day, let your man know that’s what you want.

Turn on the television and you will see all the commercials for the different jewelry stores.   The open heart, the heart pendant, the hugs and kisses bracelet… gold, diamonds… diamonds, gold.  Are you overdue for a piece of jewelry?  You can give some hints!  Only you and your significant other know what is in your budget, and if your budget allows for a piece of jewelry for Valentine’s Day, why not tell him exactly what you want?  Be specific, show him a photo, take him to the jewelry store and show him.  If your honey is the type that likes to surprise you (and you are always happy with his choices) – GREAT!  If not, there is nothing wrong with giving a suggestion or two!

You might want a gift certificate for a mani/pedi, a massage, a day at the spa… voice your suggestions to your Valentine…  and I hope you get what you want! 
And while you’re at it, Valentine’s Day is a great time of the year for some “couple time”.  Although it might be difficult to get a dinner reservation on Valentine’s Day, and it might be hard to get a sitter, consider either going out a few days before or after the 14th, or order in.  It might also be a good time to whip out the recipe book on foods that are aphrodisiacs, put the kids to bed early, light a candle and enjoy your meal!

What to get your guy for Valentine’s Day:

In keeping with the same theme, why not ask your man what he wants for Valentine’s Day?  And if he is like my husband, who never helps by answering “nothing” or “I already have everything that I want”, you can always get him chocolates!  Other old favorites: cologne, a watch, anything electronic, tickets to ANY sporting event, a gift certificate to the nearest sports bar, a gift certificate to the movies or the video store, sexy boxers, or even a sexy nightie for YOU to wear FOR him!

Get Creative

Why not take out a 2 line ad in your local newspaper expressing your love to your man?  Or how about taking him on a surprise date to a place he’d enjoy: a driving range, a paint ball adventure, a car show are all interesting ideas.  I am always into personalized gifts, no matter how small.  Wouldn’t it be cute to have some fortune cookies personalized for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day?  And even if you have had a tough week, try to find a few moments in the course of the evening to flirt with your husband.  Send a cutesy or flirty text message…  maybe even a little naughty.  Give him a big kiss when he comes home from work (or when you get home from work).  Try to find the energy to enjoy each other.  After all, it is the day for lovers! 

Involve the Kids

Have the kids do Valentine’s Crafts for Daddy.  Bake some heart shaped cookies or cupcakes with the kids for dessert.  I always loved when my father came home from work on Valentine’s Day.  He’d bring home roses and chocolates for my mother and a chocolate heart for each of us.  We have continued this tradition with our children, and now that we are a family, we make it a day of love for the whole house, not just romantic love.  It adds to the ambience of the day, and makes everything a little sweeter.  When the kids go to bed (or to Grandma and Grandpa’s!) then it becomes a romantic holiday. 

If you are a single parent, why can’t your little one be your Valentine?  Make each other little cards.  Not only will you be enjoying some quality time with your children, he/she will love the opportunity to show you his or her creativity!

However you decide to celebrate (or not celebrate) Valentine’s Day, it only comes once a year.  Be creative, have fun, and show those you love the most how much they mean to you.

Enjoy!

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (4 months)www.nevaland.com

Shameful right? Please don’t judge me. 

Yes, our Christmas tree is still up. Yes, it’s Jan. 31 when I’m writing this (and February when you’re reading it).

Is it just me that has that one task that really needs to be done, but no matter how many times I try to get it done, something gets in the way, almost like fate? Yeah, fate is why our tree is still up. Seriously though, I have gone over there and started to box up the ornaments about 15 times in the last few weeks. I’ll get a couple off, then my 2 year old will need me to play with him and I surely don’t want to say no. I’ll try again and the phone rings causing me to be on the phone with doctors and insurance people for the next couple of hours ironing out details of my son’s treatment and appointments. We’ve also recently upped my sons’ occupational and physical therapy appointments.

Of course, my 1 year old comes wiggling by and I have to immediately stop what I’m doing to smooch him all over and hug him tight. Kids sure are distractions aren’t they? Good ones, though!

So, I give up for a day or two. Some other task gets in the way like the dishes or the fact that every time a cold front comes in the whole house gets sick. As I type, I am miserably sick with allergies or something and even my fingertips are a combination of pain and numbness. Oh, and did I mention that I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel in both hands last week?

Wow, I’m full of excuses aren’t I? The fact remains… why is my Christmas tree still up? Oh well, I am aiming to have it down by Valentine’s day. Wish me luck, okay? If not, we’ll just have a merry Valentine’s Day and I’ll put a few boxes of chocolates under the tree.

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

For Christmas, we wanted to get the boys some Thomas the Train pieces, but we are on a tight budget. I decided to try Ebay (which is my version of a garage sale… I just don’t have to wake up super early to get in on the deals).

I was pleased that I was able to buy the boys a bunch of very gently used train pieces. We won so many auctions that I put some back for their birthdays. For what I spent for these used pieces, I would’ve only gotten 3 or 4 pieces brand new. I think with kid’s toys this can be a good idea, especially with well-made, wooden pieces like these. I have also bought brand new clothing, shoes and bedding for the boys at a fraction of the price.

Another place I look when I am in the market for toys, books, clothing or other items for my kiddos, is a local community Yahoo group. People who live in my subdivision will post items for sale (and sometimes for free) that their children no longer need. You can also put out a wanted email. This is great for those times that you need an item soon and can’t wait until an Ebay auction ends. I have scored a nice outdoor playset for the boys this way as well as a train table for $25.

My point is this… if you need or want something in this economy, it’s still possible to get it and save a lot of money. These days, for many people, new isn’t always an option with pricier items. Gently used can help both you and the seller. I have sold items we no longer need and used the money for diapers or other things we do need. I made a little money and helped someone else save money and gain a nice item.

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

Another Christmas has come and gone, we are in the New Year, kids have gone back to school, the holiday cookies and cakes are out of the house, and we are now in January.  I love the holidays.  Although it is extremely exhausting, I enjoy the decorating, the shopping, the baking, the sending and receiving Christmas cards, and the family time.  Possibly my favorite day of the whole year is Christmas Eve, with the anticipation that I remember as a child being re-invented with my children and the beautiful traditions that I had growing up and which my husband and I are continuing with our family, the holiday is simply magical.  I love Christmas morning, and each year gets more and more amazing, as this year we had four loves to celebrate with, including a seven year old who is still a Santa believer (thank goodness!), twin boys who don’t quite understand the concept yet, but absolutely adored ripping off wrapping paper and enjoying all their new toys, and a new baby who celebrated his very first Christmas.  But there is something about the day after New Year’s Day that makes me want to clean it all up and get back to normal.  And now even that day has come and gone and I am still staring at a tree with a ton of gifts under it and decorations that unfortunately are not going to get put away by the munchkins who come and clean the dishes in the sink each evening (yeah, right!)

On December 23rd I ordered my last two Christmas presents online: a small set of drawers for the new clothes for the kids and a children’s twelve bin toy organizer for all their new toys.  I expected the delivery on New Year’s Eve, and when I checked the UPS site for tracking and learned that the delivery was rescheduled for Monday, I was not a happy camper.  So the first day of “back to normal” (Monday the 4th) was spent putting these things together and putting away the kids’ new clothes and toys. 

I still have a lot of things to keep sorting…  something that usually was done by this point.  I am in the process of removing the small clothes and sorting the clothes that are too big (why do people buy clothes in a size 3T for children who are only 17 months old or 12 months for a baby who is 3 months old?  I always put those outfits away and when the kids are big enough to wear them I usually either forget I have them OR they are for the wrong season!  But I will save these thoughts for another blog!).  I am also in the process of putting away the gifts of my husband and I, and am either waiting for him to put some of our new things together (and take out the cardboard and boxes) or doing it myself.  Add to that my (work at home) full-time job and my writing, PLUS still caring for four children (and 2 of them were sick over the holiday week, hindering my plans of putting everything away) and I am really itching to get this tree down already!  Only thing: I can’t get to it until all these other things are out of the way!

My husband is calling me Scrooge.  I would love to see him sort through all these gifts, toys and clothes and put the decorations away!  Too bad he has to work tomorrow!

What our tree looked like on Christmas Eve

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (3 months)
www.nevaland.com

My husband and I have always been the type to jump up and go. We love a quick weekend road trip!! When we added a new baby to the mix it slowed us down a bit. Well this past weekend we woke on a Saturday morning and decided we were going to make a quick trip to Raleigh, NC to visit some family. It’s about a 2 ½ hour drive for us, so we thought we would spend the day and come back home late that night, Well, that WAS the plan!

First of all, our family members were SOO excited to see us. They practically begged us to stay the night. We repeatedly told them next time we would stay longer and we weren’t prepared for an overnight stay. They never accepted no for an answer. Before I knew it, it was 10:00 at night and we were laughing and having a good old time. The only thing was, we had about 4 diapers, no changing clothes, no toothbrush and very little milk  for the baby. What were we thinking? By 11:00, Jayce was winding down, he had 2 diapers left and we lost his ONE paci somewhere in the house.  By 3 am, he was back up, very fussy and was down to his last diaper

Short & sweet version, we had a BALL!!!  I hope we continue to do those spontaneous trips, but maybe next time I will be a little more prepared…

Here is another holiday picture of my boys for you to enjoy!

~Shanta