William is 2!

I didn't get around to posting yesterday, on his real birthday, but I couldn't forget our little William. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. He always makes us smile, and always keeps me on my feet. Seriously, today I was chasing him through Target while he was pushing a Mega Blocks wagon around. Dylan just watched and laughed. Happy Birthday, my sweet William. Oh, and the new music is one of his favorite songs by the Imagination Movers.

Children's Book Review: Pizza Pat

There are several book clubs for adult books, and websites for adult book reviews, but I read children's books more than adults books. I've found some that have become family favorites, and I've run into a few that I wish I didn't spend my money on. So, I thought every once in awhile I'll review a children's book, and maybe those of you who read my blog can suggest some good ones as well.
Now on to "Pizza Pat", by Rita Golden Gelman. This has been a family favorite since our first son, Dylan, received it in the mail from one of those book of the month clubs. It is so fun for the adult to read out loud, and the children find the words like "gloppy" and "sloppy" fun too. It can get to be a bit of a tongue twister, especially if you are trying to speed up the pace, but that makes it more enjoyable!
Poor Pat, he works so hard on making this pizza, but the mice who steal it are so fat and happy at the end that you don't feel bad for him too long. I would definitely recommend this one for those who enjoy reading out loud to their kids.

Long gone are the days . . .

. . .when my calendar had days on it with no schedules!
. . .when I could spend an hour on the couch with the boys in the morning watching cartoons, cuddled up with them.
. . .when asked what I had planned for the day, I could reply, "nothing."
. . .when I could have a spontaneous outing or fun play activity.
. . .when I could take a long shower in the morning and take my time shaving my legs (now, some mornings, I do the "can it wait until tomorrow" feel along my legs).

Seriously, though, scheduled appointments go against everything I believe! My personality doesn't cope well with a full calendar, and I've tried hard for years to fight it. But with 4 boys, it is inevitable. Today was going to be my one day this week with nothing on my calendar but to pay one bill. Then, I had to schedule an unexpected doctor's visit for one son and as we were on our way out the door my other sons' teacher pulls up in front of the house. I completely forgot my youngest had his CITI kids appointment today! My brain is a "one-activity-a-day" type brain, and if there is too much going on, I just forget things like crazy. And I write things down! I have a calendar that I check every morning, but I still manage to forget things! How do people keep it together with such busy lives? Aren't stay-at-home mom's supposed to have more free time to get everything done?