Monday, April 28, 2008

And we have a winner!

Thanks to all who entered the Funky Mama Moo Juice giveaway! I wish that I could send you all a CD...but since I only have one, I was forced to draw a winner.

funky msma - giveaway

And the we had it pick a winner....

funky mama - moo juice winner

According to random.org the winner is...Blueberry! Congratulations - I am sure you will love it at much as we do...it's awesome!


But wait, there's more! I have a copy of another amazing Funky Mama CD, Grandma's House, so I drew a second winner! Hooray - more Funky Mama to love!

funky mama - grandma's house winner

Congratulations Carrie! You win too!

Congratulations to both of you ladies...I sent you an email, so if you will reply with your mailing information I will have these awesome CDs in your hot little hands ASAP!

Best Shot Monday - Lake Edition

We just got back from a long weekend at the lake, and I have a TON of pictures. But here are two of my favorites for BSM:

Bennett 2 B&W


DSC_0108 B&W

Now head to Tracey's to see other awesome shots from the week!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Summary Saturday Sunday: Project 365, Week 17

April 19:

April 19


April 20:

April 20


April 21:

April 21


April 22:

April 22


April 23:

April 23


April 24:

April 24



April 25:

April 25

Thursday, April 24, 2008

It's that time....GIVEAWAY TIME!

Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival Button

It's that time again...bloggy giveaway carnival time! Yay!

Funky Mama

I couldn't be more excited, because our favorite singer, Funky Mama, has given us a copy of her BRAND NEW CD, Moo Juice to giveaway! This is super exciting, since her newest CD is AMAZING and won't be available for purchase until September! For those of you who haven't yet experienced the amazing tunes of Funky Mama, you are totally missing out. She is by far the most listened to around here...she is THAT awesome!




Funky Mama's NEW CD!

To hear some of her awesome songs, you can click here! I promise, you'll be hooked!

To enter, leave a comment and be sure that I have a way to access a valid email address for you. Entries will be accepted until midnight CST on Sunday, April 27th. A winner will be drawn on Monday, April 28th using a random.org.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Theme Thursday - Before and After

This week's theme is Before and After. I will be the first to admit that while I don't use photoshop much, I do use it for some minor fixes. I also spend all day with toddlers. Both photoshop and toddlers are places were just a few minor changes can make a HUGE difference.

See?

Before:
Park Afternoons (34)

After:
Park Afternoons (34) 2
Why yes, that is Bennett fighting with his friend on the playground.


And seconds after that:
Park Afternoons (22)
It is clearly unfortunate to be in time out at the playground. Who knew that rules about being nice to your friends applied everywhere?


And a few seconds after that?
Park Afternoons (35)
Ben went to keep Bennett company during his time out. He was very sympathetic.


But fear not. As the emotions of little people change on a dime, all was forgiven rather quickly.
Park Afternoons (37)
At least until the next time...

For some great before and after, head to Stacy's!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Planet Heroes

One of the most popular toys around here are Planet Heroes.

Think I'm joking? Just check out the collection:


Planet Heroes


For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Planet Heroes, this is Ace (from Earth), Zip (from Mercury), Digger (from Mars), and Gustus (from Jupiter). We also have the Planet Heroes rocket, but that didn't really fit in the picture. Overall, I would say these are among the most played with toys in the house.


But for those of you who have a love of all things Planet Heroes like we do, you'll be pleased to know that on their website you can order a free copy of their latest DVD. And you can even pass it off as being educational....after all, it is all about the planets!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Inquiring Minds and Earth Day

First, Happy Earth Day!



Morning Walks (5)
Why yes, that is Garrett. Kissing a tree. Clearly he is very earth centered. Or maybe just weird...you can decide that on your own.

And now for the inquiries!


So I have questions. And because you all are so cool, I'm sure that you have answers. Or at least I sure hope so...



First: Movies

I have Blockbuster Total Access, which I love. But I would love to know what 'must see' movies there are that I haven't seen yet. So tell me all your favorites...because I'm sure I haven't seen them yet!



Second: Blogs

At the moment I use blogger, but I keep debating about making a switch. So, what are your thoughts?



What's the best blogging platform?
Blogger
Typepad
Wordpress
Squarespace
Other
Um...what's blogging?
pollcode.com free polls



Third: Books

I am always on the lookout for great reads...so let me know what you're reading!

Best Shot Monday - A Little of This, A Little of That

I have two shots from the last week that I love, and they couldn't be more different.

The first I think is pretty.

Spring might make it after all...

And the second? Well it just makes me laugh...is there really any more appropriate expression for a 3 year old boy?

Garrett thinks he's a funny guy...


To see what other great things people have captured, head to Tracey's!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Summary Saturday: Project 365, Week 16

April 12:

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April 13:

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April 14:

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April 15:

DSC_0120


April 16:

April 16 - Arboretum


April 17:

DSC_0014


April 18:

Pump It Up

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Theme Thursday - Spring

This week's theme is SPRING! And I am pleased to report that after much MUCH anticipation, it appears as though spring has actually come to stay around here. I have even packed away my sweaters....which I am sure is going to mean that a snow storm will pop up in the next few weeks.

But in any case, here are the signs of spring that I found this week:

DSC_0023

DSC_0032

DSC_0049

Arboretum in the spring (9)

Arboretum in the spring (2)

I could go on and on, but for now I will refrain. Besides, I have to have something left for Project 365 this week!

For more visions of spring, check out what everyone else has over at Stacy's!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

What's In the Bag?

So a while back, after seeing what Jen had in her diaper bag, I decided that I wanted to do the same thing. And I wanted to start small, so first I did my purse. Which admittedly has a lot of crap in it. I like to be prepared.

And I have finally gotten around to the diaper bag. So here we go!

The bag:
DSC_0001


From one of the front pockets:
DSC_0005
Three packs of restaurant crayons, plastic farm animals, a race car, and Nerds.


From the other front pocket:
DSC_0015
Todder tableware, and a first aid kit. In the first aid kit: neosporin, band aids, butterfly closures, tweezers, gauze, burn cream, and adhesive tape. I also have a bottle of hand sanitizer, which somehow got left out of the photo op. I'm so prepared, I should have been a boy scout.


From the back pocket:
DSC_0007

DSC_0008

DSC_0009


From the inside:

DSC_0011
Snacks, drink mixes, bibs, and small ziplock containers (which are very handy!)

DSC_0012
Diapers, pull ups, wipes

DSC_0014
Spare clothes. Necessary for obvious reasons.

DSC_0016
Toys! And yes, they are almost all from kids' meals. I put them right into the bag while we eat, and they don't get brought out until we are in need of some new 'entertainment'. I highly recommend this - the toys are usually small, don't need batteries, and don't have too many parts. And it's pretty easy to 'lose' the ones that make annoying noises...







I know that some of you have already done this, but if you haven't then I want to know...what's in your bag?!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

20 Questions

Courtney answered 20 Questions about herself, and invited other people to do the same. And because I love to am practicing following directions, I joined right in! So here we go...


What is your superpower?


Knowing things. Partly just because I know, and partly due to my crazy real dreams.


Who are you most like in life?

I'm like me. Which I know is a total cop out, but it's true. I can't think of anyone else I'm really like. But I'm willing to take suggestions, if you care to vote.


Do people ever tell you you look like a celebrity?


Not too often, but when they do it's almost always "that girl from the stripper movie!". Funny, Elizabeth Berkley was in Saved By the Bell too, but no one ever mentions that. I really don't see the resemblence.


What are your views on weddings?


I don't think I really have any particular view on weddings. I think that they are generally lovely, and I hope special for those involved. But really, I can take them or leave them.


What was the last book you read?


Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult.


Who is your hero?


Anyone who has the guts to follow their dream.



What are five songs that would be on the soundtrack of your life?

I have no idea. But I can name 5 songs that I currently like, which I think is better than nothing.
1. Say, by John Mayer
2. Our Song, by Taylor Swift
3. Into the Night, by Santana
4. Funky Mama
5. Best Days, by Matt White



Have you ever been burned?


Yes. In every sense. Do you know anyone who hasn't been?


What is your worst habit?



That probably depends on who you ask. I think that one of my worst habits is probably stressing out about things in a major way. I really should learn to relax more. I relax about as well as I grow a second head....which is not to say not I don't do it very successfully.


What is the best lesson your parents taught you?




That they are proud of me and that they support me. They might not always understand what I do or be interested in it (they are not science or medicine people by any stretch of the imagination), but they have been very supportive anyway. The lesson? That loving someone doesn't always mean agreeing with them, but it means supporting them anyway.


What are three things that hang on your walls?



Pictures (TONS of pictures). An Irish Welcome sign. A dart board.




Who do you think will actually WIN the presidency? Will it be the right choice?


I honestly don't know who's going to win. Will it be the right choice? I don't know that either. But it will be the choice that the country will have to endure, so I sure hope that it ends up being a good choice.

Is your bed made right now?




Of course. My bed is always made. And yes, I know this is weird.


Where would you like to wake up in the morning if you could be anywhere?




I would just like to wake up and have it be morning, rather than wake up in the middle of the night. Which I tend to do.

Do you do anything creative?




I do things that I think are crafty, but I'm not sure I would consider myself creative. Or perhaps I would consider myself creative but not artistic.


What would you like to be doing in five years if there were no limits to who you could be?




Graduating from medical school.


Why Craigslist?




What about Craigslist exactly? I know what it is, but I have never used it for anything. But I know lots of people who have.


What is really the greatest thing about meeting someone new?




I'm not sure that you can ever know too many people, so the great thing about meeting someone new is that it's a whole new chance to really know someone. And everyone has things to teach, so it's another new chance to learn something and make yourself better.

If you didn’t have to work, would you?




I think a lot of this question depends on how you define work. If you define work as just not sitting at home and doing nothing, then of course I would work. Would I have a paying job? Maybe, maybe not. But I would certainly keep myself busy.

What are you doing to make less of an impact on the earth ?



I recycle, and I try not to be wasteful. I could be better about it, but I am trying.

Now, onto the important things...what are YOUR answers?

Monday, April 14, 2008

Best Shot Monday - Havin' Fun

One of the favorite indoor places to go is Pump It Up, a place that is filled with inflatables to jump on and slide down. We probably make it about once a month or so, but I have to say that last week's trip was hands down the best time we've had yet!

We climbed!
Fun at Pump it Up (19)

Fun at Pump it Up (90)

We jumped!
Fun at Pump it Up (51)

Fun at Pump it Up (52)

We slid!
Fun at Pump it Up (46)

Fun at Pump it Up (20)

And (my BSM) we were all smiles!
Fun at Pump it Up (88)

Fun at Pump it Up (24)



To see what has everyone else smiling, head to Tracey's for more BSM!