My poor chompers!

Dear Dr. M.,  We are not best friends right now... Just so you know.... Sincerely, Me. 

Ahhh, The Dentist... it's just about the worst place to visit (no offense Pete).

Although my dentist is adorable...  I don't like visiting him when my pearly whites need immediate attention.  It always involves the horrible shots and emanate PAIN! 

Such is the case today.  I am a little anal when it comes to my teeth.  I take very good care of them and haven't had so much as a cavity in 8+ years.  Well, I have been having terrible tooth pain for the past few weeks and I finally decided to get it looked at.  And after enduring xrays, biting, ice and tapping tests there was absolutely nothing wrong! No decay no cracked or chipped teeth... nothing.  So we decided to change out some old fillings just in case one of them had a small crack that may be leaking.  BAD idea... it lead to a crown!  Dr. M did you do that on purpose?  Long story short... I'm in pain, and I am fantasising about my bed... Oh and I'm broke, or at least I will be when the bill comes. Arggg, Just when things start to smooth out...  WHAMO!

I just hate going to the dentist!

Friday's Guilt Tip ~ #3

~Lunch Box Notes~

I don't know about you, but my working Mom guilt tends to creep in when I know that Hunter is have something exciting or even stressful happening in his day.  those are the times as mothers we either want to bare witness or be there waiting to provide the soothing hug and the always powerful "Everything is going to be okay".  Well we can't always be there, but this is a way to let our little people know that although we can't be there, we are still thinking of them. 

Place a little note in your child's lunch box, folder, pencil box or school bag, even their pocket, someplace your child will be sure to see it at one point during the day.  These could be encouraging words seen before a big test, or a simple boost of self confidence.  Most importantly it is a way to remind your child(ren) that you are thinking of them and love them all the day long.  I made mine on the computer, but you could use a simple note card, a post it note or even a napkin.  You never know when a little note from Mom is going to make a world of difference in your child's day, and I think it's a perfect way to be in your child's heart when you can't be there in person.  For you Moms with small children or even babies who can't read, place a photo of you with a little note or I love you on the back, in their diaper bag and ask your child care provider to show it to your child and read the message on the back every day.

Hold onto the hugs, steal lots of kisses and cherish those little creatures you are so blessed to have.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Guilt-less Friday

Rainy Days and Mondays... Didn't use to get me down?

But this is rediculous!

Rain, rain, go away Hunter wants to go outside and play!

It's still raining.  The sun hasn't shown it's lovely warm face for days.  Now for the romantic that I am. most rainy days I would be longing for a warm blanket, a hot cup of tea, and a good book sitting by my bay window listening to the glorious sound of Mother Nature watering her gardens... But really... kiddies trapped inside for days, Tball games being cancelled, closets expanding to maximum capacity because they are housing both winter and summer clothing... (Sigh)

I'm so over it and FYI Mother Nature, you are over doing it!

Oh well, I was taken back and reminded of another rainy day that was very welcome at the time and thought I would share some precious snap shops.

Teacher Appreciation

We love our teachers!

It's teacher appreciation time... Have you told your teachers that you appreciate what they do?  Sometimes we take our teachers for granted. And I am sure there are times our teachers must feel they are in a thankless job. They are give our children the tools they will need to go off into this big bad world, so remember to send them a little note, or tell them thanks the next time you see them.

This is what Hunter brought to his teacher.

(Cute saying and inspiration from my friend Kristal's and her sister)

My sleeping beauty

Shhhh... I can't be bothered, I need my beauty sleep!

One day I will be threatened on pain of death for showing this photo, but I love it! 

Hunter has wanted a sleeping mask for a long time, and I ran across one in the dollar bin at Michaels! Guess what... he loved it.  I snuck into his room after he fell asleep and snapped this lovely piece of future blackmail.  

He's A-DORABLE!

Night, night sleeping beauty...

Mothers Day 2011

I hope your Mother's Day was as beautiful, and wonderful, and as fantastic as mine was...

Hunter, Grandma Helen and Grandpa Phil took me to brunch at The Grand America for Mother's Day.

(BRUNCH : " I'm taking mommy to brunch. I don't know what that is, but it's something like lunch!")

It was so, so nice.  Great food, great people and I even ran into a few old friends.  I love my people so much.  I love being surrounded by people I love, who love me...  It's simply the best feeling ever.

On Mother's Day I always stop and remember what a wonderful Mother I was blessed with.  Often people ask how I do it.  How I cope with the every day rigmarole of single motherhood?  And without a doubt I know I got my strength, devotion and determination from my Mother.  She was so strong, so beautiful and so full of love.  She never gave up or gave less and neither will I.  I miss her every day, but I am overwhelmed with the legacy she left our family.  I love you Mom!

Friends, here is my plea to you.  Regardless of the strength of your relationship with your Mother, do yourself this favor.  Give her a hug and tell her you love her.  Thank her for the little things.  I often think of what I would want to do given one more moment with my Mom, and I would do exactly that.  Not because I didn't do it enough when she was here, but what really is enough.  Can you ever get too many hugs, kisses and I love yous from your kids?  NO WAY! Seriously do it before you are left wishing you would have.

My greatest hope is that my son will remember me and our times together as wonderful times, full of love... Every day full of love.

Thank you Helen and Phil for such a wonderful day.  We love you dearly.

 Helen & Phil... Photo courtesy of Hunter D Photography

 Goofy Hunter

 Goofy Mom

 Grandma Helen to the rescue!  Fancy places are soooo bow-wing!  Good thing she brought a DVD player and a Movie!  I think the neighbor kids thought so too...

Hunter's favorite part of the Grand...  The Buck!

 It's raining, it's pouring... The mean Mom made us stand out here and get a picture...  Sorry guys but I had too...

Tackle T-Ball

~My little All Star~

Hunter is playing T-Ball this spring and is having so much fun!

Please do not call DCFS on me, but yes, this is the first time he has played team sports.  And I must say he is a SUPER STAR!  Yes, I am bias, but really he is very good.  The very first game he was using the T every time and by the 3rd game no T and hit it over everyone's head 3 out of 4 times, the 4th hit was a line drive down the first base line.  He was so proud of himself, as was I.  Tackle T-Ball is the funniest thing to watch.  You might ask why I call it Tackle T-Ball... Well, when the ball is hit all 10 little kiddo's chase it down, and dog pile each other to get that little tiny white ball.  I suggest that everyone put their kids in tackle T ball, it is so much fun!

 Girls are playing on the opposite team... "Ummm coach can I play 3rd base now?"  Look how close he is standing to that little girl...

 No "T"

Friday's Guilt Tip ~ #2

Sorry folks, I know that I did not post last Friday because my Internet has been down....  I had very good intentions on making up for the MIA Tip...  I was going to post it on Monday, and then Tuesday for sure...Nope not on Wednesday either.  But here it is FRIDAY!!! The most perfect day to post Friday's Guilt Tip.

~Picture Perfect~

Bring a picture of you at your very Mommiest to work!  Not just of your kids, but you playing, interacting, or just plain being silly with your children.  Place it in a spot where you are sure to see it several times a day.  This will serve as a reminder that you are doing the best you can.  You are being that mommy your children so desperately need and love, and confirm what your little people already believe... you are the best Mom in the world! (and don't you forget it)...

With all the wonders of technology these days this Tip is easy, breezy, lemon squeeze (as Hunter would say).  If you don't have an office to put a framed picture up, set the picture as your background on your cell phone or computer screen.

This is my desktop picture I have on my computer at work.  I get to look at this all day long.  I love my little man's huge smile...

Just remember that every little moment between you and your children is in fact what makes up your life!

Happy Guilt-less Friday!

And to all of you Mom's, may you be blessed with warm hugs and sweet kisses this Mother's Day...

Happy Mother's Day!