Dance Tutorial and What I Know For Sure (this week)

I love to dance.  Dancing is key to my sanity (this is where you scratch your head and say, huh? she's sane?).  I, we, dance a lot in our house.  Our favorite is the kitchen dance-check out a couple of our finest moments here and here.

Lately, my kids' dance moves have been...well, um, disturbing.  Butt slaps, pelvic thrusts.  What the hell?  Dancing does not have to be inappropriate.  It just doesn't.

Here are my tips on dancing: 

I am not a professional dancer, but I do consider myself sort of an expert on the subject of social dancing. Dancing should be fun, freeing, affirming, crazy, ridiculous.  You should enjoy the music and the moment I know that for sure (this week and always).

***Of course, there's nothing wrong with sexy dancing.  Knock yourself out you hot mama you.  I just don't need my 8 and 10 year old dancing like that.***  

Here are few other things I know for sure (this week):

• The Thirty One Giveaway winner (selected using Random.org) is...Amy Gora! Congratulations! 

Thank you to independent Thirty One consultant Stacey Hurley for sponsoring this giveaway.  Click here for more details about Thirty One and/or to book a party and/or an order with Stacey.

And thank you to everyone who participated.  It was fun and I can't wait to do more giveaways.

• Art is everywhere- even the rocks in our backyard.

My little artists hard at work painting nature.

• This is the only time I will share screen time with Gwyneth Paltrow. Check it out, I'm blogging for Moms Clean Air Force now.

• Will Smith as the Fresh Prince is my goofball dancing idol.  My kids and I watch this video at least once a month (usually at breakfast) to feel better about life and to steal some of his totally ridiculous moves. I've posted this before, but it's worth posting again, and again and again.

• Here's another great early/mid nineties dance segment.  This one from My So Called Life.  Ricki is his true self on the dance floor--freedom of expression. Love it.

• Politics and politicians are all kinds of crazy right now.  But what I know for sure, is that it is ALL much more enjoyable on Twitter.  Seriously, follow along with Twitter pals during a speech or when something crazy happens, like Clint Eastwood, and it's a lot of fun.  Hey, come play with me @AngelaYBlood.

• Sweaters are overrated, people. I am excited for school to start next week, but I don't want the weather to get colder.  

I would much rather live in a state where we could wear shorts and go barefoot year round.

• I miss the Olympics, but I'm looking forward to new shows on TV.

What do you know for sure (this week or always)? Please share what you know.  Remember you are my village, so help me out.  Leave a comment with something you are sure about right now.

One Tough Cookie

I have four children.  Four very active, curious, energetic, beautiful children.  But I only have one Wade.  And Wade is one tough cookie.

He is cuter than most two year olds, if I do say so myself.  He is funny and already going for the laugh.  He has a mature sense of humor, more like a four year old, and loves to joke about poop.

This summer has been a lot of fun with Wade.  He's sort of, what would you say? Um, bad ass.  Can you say that about a toddler?  Well I just did.  

Wade hangs with the big kids.  He is unafraid.  He is smart.  He potty trained himself.  No lie.  And maybe most importantly, he sat through and loved The Princess Bride.

But, with all this fearless, bad ass-ness comes a few drawbacks.  Turn your back for a second and it's just all kinds of not good.  Take for example the other night at dinner.  I excused myself to use the restroom for a mere five minutes, maybe it was even less time.  While I was gone, Wade had managed to throw his entire plate of rice everywhere.  Everywhere.

Last night, in the time it took me to order a movie On-Demand, Wade ran away and decided it was bath time.

Look at him, he's like "yeah, what? I'm in the sink."

First let me say this, I know he needs a hair cut.  I am not trying to be the Celine Dion of my neighborhood and have the kid that everyone else wishes would get a hair cut.  It just hasn't been a priority in the schedule.  I am not making a statement with Wade's too-long hair.

Even throwing rice or bathing in the sink, the boy is cute.   But the boy is trouble.  

"I need to make sure my older kids are good," I explained to my pal Steph the other day.  "I need Peyton and Lucy to be good kids.  They need to go to youth group at church, go to college and get good jobs.  You know I need people that will bail Wade out of jail when he gets older."

I kid, I kid.  Sort of.  Wade is cute and challenging.  It's going to be an interesting ride being his parent.  The only thing I can tell you that I've learned so far, is that rice is much easier to clean if you wait hours after it's been thrown around the room.  Although, just like glitter, the dried rice has been showing up all over the place and I can't seem to get it all gone for good.

Here's Wade having his kind of "fun" with the big kids the other day.

Get in on the Back To School Giveaway

This is your last chance to enter to win not one, but two cute bags from Thirty-one.(The winner will be announced on Friday.) 

Read the details below:

Thirty-one products are pretty and pretty cool.  You can't go to your kids' baseball game or the pool these days without seeing at least a handful of moms with a thirty-one bag. You know why?  Because they are practical and fashionable. 
And it happens to be my first giveaway.


You could win not just one gift from Thirty One, but two.  I am giving away a thermal tote and a cinch sac in the adorable Flutter pattern.

All you have to do is, leave a comment here, like the Facebook page, or leave a comment on the Facebook page and you will be entered to win.  This is the perfect back to school prize.  And if you are interested in hosting a party (so you can get more free items, discounted items and hang with your friends)click here. 
 (Click here for more information on Thirty-One.)

Back To School Resolutions

We attempted to do some back to school workbooks and it didn't go too well.

After a loooooong couple days with all of my lovely children, I will tell you....I am very ready for school to start.

Yesterday morning we headed up to the elementary school to meet the kids' teachers for the new school year.  The new school year that doesn't start for six days, nine hours and five minutes.  Roughly.

Last year, I went to the meet the teacher event, called "World of Welcome," full of excitement and hope. My children proceeded to turn into mini devils.  The morning ended with JT biting Lucy.  Yup, we left quite an impression.

So really, unless JT bit the new teacher, this year had to be better right?  And it was.  All three kids seem, dare I say, excited about school starting.  And nobody bit anybody.  

I'm not only ready, but I'm excited too.  I'm excited for a lot of different reasons--the kids soaking up some knowledge, hanging with their friends, getting away from me and coming home happy (okay, that last part is wishful thinking I know).

The last couple weeks of summer are always a little rough.  We've had our fun.  We're ready to move forward, but not ready to let go.  We are all a little nervous about all the unknown that a new school year can bring, for all of us.  We have butterflies.  

But mostly, we get so sick of each other these last couple weeks that we can't wait for the first day of school.  A change.  A fresh start. 

Last year, in the vein of newness and fresh started-ness, I came up with a list of resolutions.

My 2011/2012 Back To School Resolutions with Updates:

• Finding the perfect morning routine that gets the children to school loaded up with a healthy brain-food breakfast and no anxiety. 
• Actually spending time with the baby, Wade, while the others are at school and finally reading him a book. 
• Learning to love little league/pee-wee football.  If your kid is in it you understand, you have no choice in it taking over your life.  So you better learn to love it.
• Not getting mad at my husband and playing the who works harder and is more tired game every night.  
• Drinking less wine.  I must admit I was going to name this post "How blogging made me an alcoholic" because I am enjoying a glass or two or three with each post.
• Tweeting more.  Yup, that's right I really want to get skilled in...Twitter.  

Click here to read more about last year's resolutions and my back to school revolution.

The only thing I followed through with is tweeting more. Whomp. Whomp.  So, just like my New Year's resolutions, where I've resolved to learn a new language and lose 10 pounds every January for the last 15 years, there are things that will stay on my list.  I will still be searching for that perfect morning routine, still trying not to get mad at my husband while playing the who is more tired game.  And don't even get me started on the drinking thing.  Just don't.

A couple new items on the Back To School Resolutions for 2012/2013:

• Volunteer in my kids' classes more.  I told JT's new teacher she would see me more than when she was Lucy's teacher, which was never. Mwha-ha-ha. More than never, those are good odds.

• Get more creative with my kids' school lunches.  Even at home, I lack creativity.  After this summer, my kids will never want another hot dog again for as long as they live.

• Say "hi" more and judge less.  The end.

• Get more sleep. And kick the baby out of the bed, for good.

• Drink less.  Analyze less.  Lose my temper less. Laugh more.  Run more. Relax more.

We will enjoy the next 6 days, nine hours and five minutes.  And yeah, we may bug the hell out of each other, but that's part of the process of school prep right?  

I will be making this hooray, I'm happy face again on the first day of school. Believe it.

Get in on the Back To School Giveaway

The chance to win not one, but two cute bags from Thirty-one is still on for two more days. (The winner will be announced on Friday.) 

Read the details below:

Thirty-one products are pretty and pretty cool.  You can't go to your kids' baseball game or the pool these days without seeing at least a handful of moms with a thirty-one bag. You know why?  Because they are practical and fashionable. 
And it happens to be my first giveaway.


You could win not just one gift from Thirty One, but two.  I am giving away a thermal tote and a cinch sac in the adorable Flutter pattern.

All you have to do is, leave a comment here, like the Facebook page, or leave a comment on the Facebook page and you will be entered to win.  This is the perfect back to school prize.  And if you are interested in hosting a party (so you can get more free items, discounted items and hang with your friends)click here. 
 (Click here for more information on Thirty-One.)

Standing the Test of Time- The Princess Bride

Connecting with your kid can be tough.  

But sometimes all it takes is a classic, oh-so-quotable movie to bring generations together.

Pace Yourself
Life is changing fast.  For all of us.  My kids' lives look different in so many ways than mine did at their age.  

I had a record player in my room.  Every time we went to K-mart, I got to pick out one 45 that I could buy because they only cost around one dollar.  After I picked out a good record, I would rush home and play it over and over.  Picking up the needle and placing it at the beginning of the song.  Memorizing "Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell, "Mr. Telephone Man" by New Edition and I think I even bought some Hall & Oates records.  And there's this one story of the time I took one of my 45s to school for show and tell in third grade.  My teacher wasn't very happy because the record just happened to be "Centerfold" by J. Geils Band.  Scandalous.

My kids have never even seen a record.  When I tell them stories about not having DVDs or even remote controls for our TVs, they look horrified.  When my husband tells them he didn't have cable television until he was in high school, they look at him like he just told them he used on outhouse for a bathroom growing up.

It's not just the past 20 years, it's even the past five.  Think about all the fancy phones, Facebook, etc.  
I want to clarify that I am not saying there is anything wrong with technology. Personally I think it is a phenomenal time to be alive.  It's just different.  And changing fast, all the time.  (Although, I do hate Wii and all video games. Ugh. Sorry. But my kids just seem to get so grumpy after playing, maybe it's just my kids.)

Silliness Stands the Test of Time
For a recent movie night, I wanted to pick a movie out that I loved as a kid.  A movie that we could all enjoy.  I picked out the classic The Princess Bride.

I wasn't sure that my kids would like it, but I ordered it from Mommy Bear Media anyway, determined to connect with them.  Mommy Bear Media is a great place for family friendly movies. (I was invited to write reviews and it has been such a fun assignment.) 

When the movie arrived in the mail, my daughter's friend, Grace, was there.  "Oh we loved this movie! There's something for everyone," she exclaimed.  With the Grace stamp of approval my daughter was willing to give it a chance.

We set up the living room picnic dinner and I sheepishly pushed play.  

I wanted them to like it, but really didn't know what to expect with my tech savvy, uber modern little ones.  This movie was made in 1986 for god's sake.  My kids range in age from almost 11 to almost 3, would they get the goofiness?  Well, they were laughing before the movie even started.  Even the menu screen is funny.  Here it is plain and simple...silliness stands the test of time.

With over-the-top characters (Inigo Montoya, Miracle Max, Princess Buttercup, Prince Humperdink and more), funny accents, physical comedy and fabulously fun lines, this movie was a complete hit with my whole family.

When I was your age, television 

was called books.

Grace was right, there was something for everyone in this movie. My kids were getting into the idea of friendship and loyalty.  My husband was enjoying reliving the fun and remembering all the quotable lines like "Inconceivable!" and "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."  I was loving the relationship between the grandfather (Peter Falk) and his grandson (a young Fred Savage).  He tells his grandson "When I was your age, television was called books" right before he proceeds to read his annoyed, reluctant grandson a story.  He's trying to connect to his grandson who is entrenched in a video game. Huh, sounds familiar.

Some things stand the test of time.  Some things bring people, families together.  Some things like good storytelling in a classic movie called The Princess Bride.

What's Your Line
If you've seen the movie you've got one--a favorite line, a favorite quote.  What's your favorite line from The Princess Bride?  Share it in the comments for fun.  


This was one scene my little kids thought was soooo funny.  



Take a look at Mommy Bear Media--they have a wide variety of older movies and the best new movies on DVD for the whole family. And they offer free 2-5 day shipping on all orders.  In addition to their website, you can follow up with them on Facebook and Twitter as well. 

Check out other reviews I've written for Mommy Bear Media:
Family Movie Night and 12 Years Part Two (And Matt Damon)

Weekend Update and The Kid Whisperer

This picture looks like the cover of an album from the 1970s or a pamphlet on addiction. 

With only one week left of summer vacation, we are living it up with lots of: baseball, baseball and more baseball; 

Baby Wade can't wait to get in the game.

BBQs, picnics and breakfasts outside;

You can't beat breakfast outside.   

boat rides on the lake; grandparents and cousins; and lots of hanging out.

Breakfast outside again AND cousins? Summer=awesome.
Yes, there are two babies underneath the plastic picnic table. Yes, there are.

Sometimes in this business of parenting, managing a family, organizing (or at least attempting to) a life, you can forget to sit back and enjoy it.  That is normally not a huge problem for me.  But I will admit to possibly not appreciating my partner in crime enough-my husband, Tim.  I also admit to possibly being a little overcritical and naggy.  You might say a bit of an overemotional, control freak (um the worst kind of control freak by the way). Gasp! I know shocking, right?

But it is jam packed summer weekends that remind me why I love this man.  Why I agreed to the whole "let's have another baby" suggestion over and over.  Because he's amazing.  I feel like gagging a little at the mushy sentiment.  Seriously, I would probably make fun of other people writing crap like this.  So have at it, make fun if you will.  I can take it.  

Because Tim isn't the perfect guy for everybody.  You've got your perfect or you're looking and will hopefully find your perfect.  Tim is a perfect match for me because he is laid back and supportive.  He's funny and more importantly he thinks I'm funny (most of the time).  He's a good listener I think.  One time I asked him how in the hell he could deal with my crazy mother when we used to visit her.  "How can you just sit there so calmly and listen to her go on and on and on?," I asked.  He proceeded to boast about his amazing secret talent of tuning out and just looking like he's listening. I was like wait, what?

Way back when I first fell in love with him, my littlest brother was 7 years old.  I was amazed at how well he played with him.  Not just played with him, but connected.  He was like a kid whisperer.  I knew he would be a good father and that made me love him even more and think he just might be my perfect match.

Even after this whole busy business of managing life has taken its toll (and believe me, we may be a perfect match, but we are so fucking far from perfect and a toll has been taken), he is still a kid whisperer.  This weekend with our own kids and his nieces and nephews, it was in full effect.  And I fell in love with him even more, even after all these years.

Fun with a patriotic ping pong game.

Tim looks thrilled to be holding two cute babies, although Wade looks a little pissed that his cousin Mia is getting his dad's attention.

That's what summer is about, right?  Relaxing into the moment, soaking up the sun and remembering what's good about life. 
***Okay on a totally neurotic, pessimistic note, I am a bit worried that I am loving life so much lately that I'm setting myself up for a terrible fall (oooh no pun intended,  seriously I meant the season).  Ugh.  Sorry, the crazy in me is always waiting for the other shoe to fall, if you will.  The superstitious in me is writing this to cover the bases, if you will.  


****Back to positivity, have you gotten in on the giveaway fun?  The chance to win not one, but two cute bags from Thirty-one is still available for a couple more days.  Read the details below:

Thirty-one products are pretty and pretty cool.  You can't go to your kids' baseball game or the pool these days without seeing at least a handful of moms with a thirty-one bag. You know why?  Because they are practical and fashionable. 
And it happens to be my first giveaway.


You could win not just one gift from Thirty One, but two.  I am giving away a thermal tote and a cinch sac in the adorable Flutter pattern.

All you have to do is, leave a comment here, like the Facebook page, or leave a comment on the Facebook page and you will be entered to win.  This is the perfect back to school prize.  And if you are interested in hosting a party (so you can get more free items, discounted items and hang with your friends)click here. 
 (Click here for more information on Thirty-One.)

Boys and Girls and What I Know For Sure (this Week)

Men are from Venus, Women are from Mars.  Remember that book?  Well I never read it, but I get it.  In so many ways men and women are very different.  And you know what?  It starts very young.

I broke up a million fights this week between my own boys and between my boys and the neighbor boys.  "What are you doing?," I screamed (remember I am not a calm mother).  "Get off each other!  Stop fighting!," I screamed louder.

Every time, the boys turned and looked at me dumbfounded.  With a "what are you talking about lady? we're having fun here" look.  How is pushing each other, wrestling with each other, piling on top of each other, pulling back your friends' arms behind their heads or finding "pressure points" fun?

I. Do. Not. Get. It.

Boys are different.  In a lot of ways they are great, I 'm not bashing boys.  I have three wonderful ones for god's sake.  But I still don't get all the wrestling.

The other day, I had nine boys in my backyard acting crazy.
Inside, I had three girls and a baby baking brownies with me.

  
Taking turns measuring and stirring.  Singing and dancing while they stirred.  Pretending they were famous chefs.  Pretending they were making brownies for the royal family in the castle and they had to be extra tasty. Imagining all kinds of scenarios.  Breaking out into a dance to a clean version of a Rhianna song every now and then.  This, I get. Totally.

The boys?  They were "fighting" over who got to wear the bucket on their head and was taken down in a wrestlmania championship.  Mmm-kay.

I will never understand boy play, this I know for sure.

Here's what else I know for sure (this week):

• Thirty-one products are pretty and pretty cool.  You can't go to your kids' baseball game or the pool these days without seeing at least a handful of moms with a thirty-one bag. You know why?  Because they are practical and fashionable. 

And it happens to be my first giveaway!!!!


You could win not just one gift from thirty one, but two.  I am giving away a thermal tote and a cinch sac in the adorable Flutter pattern.

All you have to do is, leave a comment here, like the Facebook page, or leave a comment on the Facebook page and you will be entered to win.  This is the perfect back to school prize.  And if you are interested in hosting a party (so you can get more free items, discounted items and hang with your friends)click here. 
 (Click here for more information on Thirty-One.)

• Speaking of back to school, I love this Old Navy commercial. At first I was like, "oh no, poor Jason Priestley," but then I was like "oh yay, Brandon and Andrea."  Funny for us old original 90210 fans, who I guess are all parents and Old Navy's target market.

• I am having a blast with MomPulse.  Here's the latest video if you missed it.

• I need a new song.  A song that becomes my back-to-school, get-my-groove-on anthem.  I'm taking suggestions.  In the meantime, I heard this song on the radio in the minivan the other day and I couldn't contain myself.  I loved it in 1996-ish and I  LOVE it now.  C'mon 'N Ride It. I dare you NOT to dance.

• Deer scare the f*#k out of me.  This week I went on  a tranquil bike ride with my kids on a peaceful trail.  It was wonderful.  We parked our bikes and explored a little and then I saw it, I mean them.  

The deer. Staring me down.  I know I sound crazy, but once I saw this video about animals attacking humans and I never forgot it. Ever.

• Social media is where it's at. Click here to follow along on Twitter.  Click here to like the Facebook page.  Oh and wait, check me out on Pinterest too.

What do you know for sure (this week)?  Please share in the comments or on the Facebook page.  Remember, each comment is an entry into the Thirty-One giveaway.  And plus, I want to know what you know.