I have to go feed my pet

After spending 2 days at the National Stationery Show and Surtex last week, I have to say I'm overwhelmed by the talent there. I go every year to buy art for the company I work for to put on journals, notecards, and you name it. I typically spend most of my time there at the Surtex Show, and after half a day, I'm typically overwhelmed, and am already forgetting half of what I've purchased! We ended up getting lots of great stuff, and meeting new and old artist friends.

One of the things that really caught my eye this year were these crazy, adorable walking pet balloons. I didn't have time to get one for Jake, but this is the type of pet I could really see us having! It was fun seeing people at the show walking around with these happy balloons. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of this trend, and I know I'll be looking for one for the next addition to our family!

Super Heros Unite

(design © Heather Zschock)

As always, we've had a busy several weeks with lots of birthday fun, lots of work, and not enough time. Thus, this blog has not been updated quite as much as I would like. For one thing, I think it needs an overhaul, and I'm starting to gather a few ideas of things I'd like to do. Like most of my larger projects (like our guest bedroom, and basement), it seems that things take about 6 months to come together if I'm truly honest with my time constraints! I also have a tendency to play with Jake at any given moment. Redesign blog, or play with Jake? Clean out basement, or play with Jake? Hmmmm...which would you decide? (He is pretty cute, isn't he?)

In March, Jake turned 4, and we celebrated with a really fun Super Hero party. I had a few indoor games like "Pin the Badge on the Super Hero" planned, but I really didn't have enough to keep 11 kids reasonably happy and under control for an hour and a halaf. FORTUNATELY the weather cooperated with us. If it had been a rainy day, I would have been in big trouble!

(design © Heather Zschock)

The highlight was a visit from Spiderman himself (who wishes to be anonymous). When the children arrived, we gave them bags with capes I had made, masks that my sister graciously made, with stickers to decorate. (I made 12 capes!??! What was I thinking!?!?) When that activity was winding down, Mr. Anonymous snuck upstairs and put on his Spiderman costume (doesn't every man own one?). I announced that a "bad guy" had taken the goody bags...which may have scared a few of the kids (oops!), and then I asked them to all call for help from Spiderman. They obliged, and out popped Spiderman! Who also scared them, until we told them who he really was (can you guess?).

Spiderman led the little super heroes on a "clue finding mission" around a nature preserve by our house. We had set up clues and goody bags with "power rings", "heat ray vision" glasses, etc. At each stop, Spidey would pass out the goodies and announce that his "spider senses were tingling", and it was off to the next stop!

They all had fun, and I think this will be a memorable party for him...which for me, is the most important!

Yes, we'd like more sugar please

As a parent, does it ever drive you nuts that someone is always passing out candy and some form of sugar to your kids? After a much sugar-filled few days, I'm beginning to really resent the tasty stuff. Do I really want a very visible box of TEN CHOCOLATES from someone's birthday to come home with us from pre-school so I can listen to a fuss fest half way home about why we're not eating the whole thing? Or that I really don't think Jake needs the frosted donut AND the munchkins at the same time? Or that I can't get through the check-out line without him grabbing half the goodies (and let me tell you, if anything rips open in the struggle, we're not buying it, it's the store's fault!) Or why I don't want the bag full of candy as a goody bag after LOTS of treats at the party.

Honestly, I love candy, and think it's one of the best things about being an adult because you can have it whenever you want. BUT, there is also some common sense that comes with all that adulthood, and I can actually stop after a certain point.

Am I being an uptight mom, or do you resent all the sugar offerings a little too?

It you want to order these tempting prints, stop by boopsiedaisy.

It's kind of corny...

No major plans around here, but we made these tasty treats for Jake's buddies. Isn't it fun how excited kids get about holidays? Happy Valentine's Day! Hope it's a good one!

Just let me sleep

I came across this print by Yellow Button Studio on Etsy while looking for something else. So true, right? A co-worker of mine who also has young children and I always commiserate about why it's so hard to get a good night's sleep when there's always something, or someone, or some bad dream waking us up. And how children have the tendency to diagonally take over the bed. I also read an article recently about how it's not normal to be tired all the time. Really?

Ka Pow!

As both my super heroes have gone to bed early (my husband because he had knee surgery today, and Jake actually WANTED to go to bed), I've had a few moments to begin thinking about Jake's upcoming birthday party. I was searching for some ideas on-line, and found these funny (large) centerpieces. For some reason, I just think they're kind of hysterical. I've told Jake that the party is going to be a generic super hero party (I'm sure he knows what generic means!) because I don't want it to get too out of hand since the super hero thing can really go either way. I might be nuts.

If you DO want a specific superhero for YOUR party, you can get one of these funny centerpieces at Play Patterns.

Eye Boy to the Rescue!

Jake has come up with a new super hero...EYE BOY! He has created a whole story/world around this character, and now it's up to me, Super Mom, to create the perfect EYE BOY costume. What a challenge!

I had him describe the costume to me, and drew it for his approval. He's quite exacting. Really, I'm not sure how I'm going to make this, but I thought polar fleece would be the best bet, so I ordered all the pieces tonight, and will wing it once it comes. I think the fact that it won't be shiny is a little disappointing to him, but I persuaded him that a cozy super hero costume will be more comfortable to catch bad guys.

He has concocted a whole cast of bad guys. There's Horrible Head (who does really horrible things), Ugly Head (who does really terrible things), Christmas Tree Head (who steals all the Christmas decorations)...and these are just a few!

Stay tuned for future episodes of...EYE BOY!

P.S. Didn't Superman's aunt create his costume on Lois & Clark? Perhaps I really DO have the next super hero!

You're invited

Jake told me the other day he wanted to have a sleepover party. (He will be 4 in March). Mom! We'll have muffins! And popcorn! And mom! We'll decorate! With balloons! I can just see myself approaching the other mom's at his preschool..."You don't really know me, but my son is in your son/daughter's class, and we're having a sleepover party..."

I think we'll wait a couple years...the super hero party is still the top contender in my mind. I brought it up with him last night, and he seems to have forgotten about the sleepover idea (thank goodness!)

(Sleeping bag from Pottery Barn Kids)

How charming!

I've been toying around with some party ideas for Jake's upcoming birthday. I'd like to keep the party small, manageable, and preferably at home. Usually when I search for party ideas, I find decorating ideas. That I can come up with, but mild panic sets in when I try to think what to actually DO with all the little ones and keep them happy and somewhat chaos free for a couple of hours. If I could have the party outside, it would be great, but his birthday is in early March, so the weather is iffy at best.

During my searches, I came across this great little company called One Charming Party. Conveniently, they have a themed "Super Hero Party" which is right up our alley. They provide you with party ideas, activities, 3-D invites, super hero certificates, and a guide to all the party supplies for $25. I'll need to do a little more thinking about our party, but I'm definitely intrigued by this kit!

I also came across this pretty awesome Super Hero party ideas via Hostess with the Mostess. Don't you love the idea of the kids popping out of a phone booth in their costumes?

If you want to see more ideas I've found, visit this pintrest board I created...

Chores are Fun?

Last night, after we read a book about Fozzie Bear learning to do chores, Jake decided we should make a chore chart for him today. This morning, he remembered his plan, and dragged me to the computer so we could whip this up. He came up with all the chores himself. Now he's running around the house, earning stickers. Could it be this easy? We'll see how long this lasts!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I haven't come up with any life altering resolutions this year, but I would like to try to write in Jake's diary more frequently. I messed up Jake's baby book when I started it way back when, and gave up pretty quickly. Instead, I started a diary for him, thinking I could always go back and enter the facts at a later date. In the beginning, I would record when he ate, slept, when, how much, how tall, how heavy, etc. But as he grew, so did our adventures, and the entries became more detailed. Now I jot down the fun things we've done, and the cute things he says, etc. I just ordered Jake's diary for the new year. I don't get to it every day...and I wish I could and would, but I've got a lot of his life recorded, and I'm grateful that I have. I think someday he's going to love looking back on his early years (or at least his wife will!). I also record mom advice for future years and keep little mementos throughout the year. What prevents me from writing sometimes is actually a LACK of space. When I get going, I find I have a lot to say. This year, after much searching, I ordered this Cavallini daily planner from Jenni Bick Bookbinding. I splurged, and got his name embossed on the front, and I let him chose the color, so of course, it will be pink this year!

So, how about you? Any great resolutions this year? If you need some inspiration, check out Marc and Angel Hack Life. Or, if you'd like an inspiring love story, read about Mara and Danny's adventures...you'll probably read the whole thing. And, if you'd like to declutter your life, take on the Clutterfat Challenge and see what happens!

Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to all!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and FUN holiday filled with lots of love!

Testing the Infrastructure

My niece is turning 12 tomorrow, and she had a biiigggg sleepover party last night. My sister sent me this cartoon she did of the event. Pretty funny!

This is a picture of her on her 4th birthday...a fun Dora treasure hunt party. I was Swiper. It really does go by so fast!

Happy Birthday B!

Knitting Moms

I'm encouraging my mom to knit a similar super hero-ish sweater for Jake. Don't you think every grandson needs an awesome lightening bolt sweater made by his grandmother?

If your mother won't knit one for your son, you can buy one here.

Look! See how cute he'll look in it? I hope my mom DOES make it, otherwise, he might turn her into a pumpkin with that magic wand. (No pressure of course!)

P.S. Maybe she'll make me one too!

Am I a tiger mom?

Earlier this summer, when I was visiting my family on Cape Cod, we happened to be at an event at the local library. I noticed that they were hosting a children's reading program which involved "pledging" how many books, or hours would be spent reading during the summer.

As my sister was in another room, and no one else was around to ask about this program, I filled out a "pledge" for Jake that we would read 100 books this summer. (4 or 5 a night, with over a month to go... reasonable, right?). When I told my sister, she looked at me like I was a nut (or a Tiger Mom, taking over the library pledge).

At the time, what I didn't consider was that it really needed to be 100 DIFFERENT books, which changed things a bit, as we recycle favorites on a very regular basis. But, we rose to the challenge, and went to the library frequently. Jake (although he's only 3) really had fun with it, and was excited about the idea. And, we did it! We read over 100 books! We were lucky enough to be back on the Cape when they had the party to celebrate the completion of the children's "pledges". I was a little shocked that he came in the top three for reading and received an extra prize (but as my sister pointed out, most mom's aren't pledging 100 books...what do I know, I'm new to this as Jake is my one and only!).

I love to see Jake's excitement and responses to books, and I think he now has a pretty incredible vocabulary for a 3-year-old. Reading provides the time for me to explain new words and actions that tv just can't. Not that I'm anti-tv...I think it has it's time and place, and a lot can be learned from it. Although, 100 books may sound like a lot, it really wasn't that difficult to do (as a mom reading to her son). Perhaps a more standard pledge may have been 20 books? But, just think what we both would have missed out on!

I didn't read Amy Chua's somewhat controversial book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, but in her article entitled, "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior" in The Wall Street Journal, she rose several interesting points (many which I find quite harsh). She claims that with children, "nothing is fun until you get good at it." and "once a child starts to excel at something...he or she gets praise, admiration and satisfaction. This builds confidence and makes the once not-fun activity fun." I agree with this to a certain extent in that you should encourage your child not to give up too easily on a difficult activity because with a little hard work, it could turn into something they really enjoy (for instance, in my case, this could be skiing! I was always scared, but my dad kept at it, and it turned into a life-long activity which I love.) She believes in rote repetition, which may work, but I also believe that you can make learning fun. Why should it be considered "boring" or "not fun" to read a book? Books, and the imaginations of the authors and illustrators are certainly a gift to me.

Jake and I made our reading fun, I'm proud of him (as only a mom can be!). I think we'll start on a hundred more this fall!

P.S. Cool 3-D tiger print available from Lil Co. here!

P.S. It worked!

Do you remember the tie-dye t-shirts I was hesitant to make? They came out great! I bought a kit, and it's a whole different ball game from the vats of boiling dye of my youth. It's a fun project, and very easy. You can buy a kit here. We chose "Moody Blues". The colors are really vibrant, and have remained so after several washings.

Tie-Dyed T-Shirts...am I nuts?

One of Jake's best friends just turned 4, and we've invited him over for a craft party (for two) this weekend. I've been thinking of all different projects they could make, but have been thinking it might be fun to try tie-dying. They're probably a little young for the project, but I came across this tutorial from the Family Fun site that involves spray bottles (some friends and family members may know how fond Jake is of spray bottles), so I thought this might be fun to try. No doubt I'll end up dying both children pink in the process, but I think they'd be very proud of the t-shirts they could make.

Thoughts? Nutty, or go for it?

Twins

I got Jake and my husband, Rich matching shirts (sort of) for Father's Day. Doesn't every father want to wear matching outfits with his son?

They're pretty cute, aren't they?

Happy Dad's Day!

I think Jake is lucky to have such a great dad...especially one who will fly on elephants with him!

I lost my father 10 years ago, and miss him like crazy. It makes me so sad that he and Jake won't get to play. He was a great dad, and would have made an excellent grandfather. It's hard for me to talk to Jake about him, because I start to cry...but I've been trying to tell him more about my father lately. I hope the stories I tell can make Jake feel connected to him in some way.

Happy Dad's Day!

I'm very sorry...

In the last few weeks, my SWEET little boy, has become a bit of a beast (to put it mildly). I sent two e-mails in the past week to his friends' mothers apologizing for his behavior. Yesterday, it went something like this:

Alison,
Thanks for a fun party...you did an amazing job! So creative and fun. Sorry Jake beat, punched, and stabbed your guests with a fork. We're working on that!
H

And, if the stabbing wasn't enough, the daily accounts of how he's going to "fell" his friends, and "pow them down" are about to put me over the edge. Please tell me this is normal?

I'm thinking of having cards printed with this little beast I created. Then, I could just pass them out as necessary.