Countdown to Autumn

I think it is time for a countdown, right?  Because let’s face it, I have been slacking big time this summer.  I have countless emails I need to return and for that, I am truly sorry.  It is rude not to return an email and so the rudeness meter at blog command headquarters is off the charts. My trips to the pool with my kids this summer has been off the charts also.  Early in the morning.  Late night swimming.  Sunshine. Cloud cover.  Threat of storms.  Was that a plane or thunder?  Hmmm….maybe we should get out now?  I always think, I will never be able to replace this time again.  The laundry will be there and the rug that needs a good vacuuming but some day they will be off with their friends and I will be glad I made time for fun.

I read one book in it’s entirety. I started about 5 others and quit because of some interruption.  My daughter read 19 books and 2 novellas.  Yes, you read that correctly.  And she tells me there is still time for more.  There is about one week left to summer.  Last night the temperature was in the 50’s.  There were no bee stings.  No tick bites.  But I did get a black beetle stuck in my ear.  I am not kidding.  And they bite. Multiple times.  He finally came out but it felt like he was still in there a week later. It sounds funny but it is a pain that is hard to describe.  So you can stop chuckling now!!

Like most of you, I have two sad students looking over the list of supplies they need and not giving one thought to how much all of this is going to cost!  Are they really going to need 20 #2 pencils in one year?  Or even in a lifetime?  5 subject notebooks.  2 pocket folders.  3 hole punched paper.  Who knew there were so many numbers in the supply list?  My wish for all the returning students is they make a few friends, learn some new things and enjoy every minute of it!  Happy Back to School!

 

 

Great book for new parents! Win a copy!

Even though my youngest child is six years old, I never quite forgot the first days of panic and exhilaration that come with having a new baby.  Every burp or coo is reason for celebration or great concern and you can never be sure which it will be.  Right?  Remember those days?  Or if you haven’t experienced it, just wait.  I advise you get yourself prepared by talking to friends (just don’t listen to the horror stories) and more importantly, get some good reading material.

Not too long ago, I received an advanced copy of the book What’s Your Baby’s Poo Telling You?  The authors are Josh Richman and Anish Sheth, M.D.  It is cleverly labeled “a bottoms-up guide to your baby’s health”.  Those are their words, not mine.  That is a great description of what you will find inside.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure you could fill a whole book based on this concept but they did and it is packed with helpful facts and information for new parents.  It has chapters on diaper rash, supplies for diaper changing and how to hold a baby while changing them (even in an airplane bathroom, which can be very challenging).

Trust me, there is information in this book that I wish I knew when I had an infant.  I was one of those people who foolishly thought by the second child, who needs a changing table?  I spent the next year shuttling around my home either carrying or looking for the changing pad, the wipes, balm and so on.  You don’t need a changing table, but personally, I would highly recommend one.  Just saying.  I would also highly recommend getting a copy of this book.  It is an easy and fun read and you can keep it on the shelf as a reference guide.  And with as many diapers as new parents change and yes, examine what’s in the diaper for health concerns, you will need it!  Click the link below to order this book through Amazon using my affiliate code.   And to add to the excitement, I have a copy of this great book to raffle off to a lucky blog reader.  Just send your entry into the blog at marym5229@gmail.com and tell me in one sentence why you or someone you know wants or needs this guidebook.  Happy summer reading!  And happy future diaper changing!

 

TheBouqs.com is just awesome!

I hate to pick favorites here but one of my favorite partnerships so far is with the fine folks at www.thebouqs.com.  When they reached out to me about their on-line floral service, I was thrilled to put it mildly.  Ecstatic was more like it.  What woman doesn’t like flowers, right?  Please tell me you don’t know any.  But this service is really unique.  The flowers come from volcanic regions in South America.  What?  South America?  That is so internationally cool.   Even my daughter who loves the eye roll and thinks almost everything is a yawn, said, “Flowers from South America?  Now that is cool.”

So a few days before I received my bouquet, I received an email from the company and it said, “Your flowers just left Quito, Ecuador and are on their way to you.”  That brings cool to a whole new level.  I even did a quick social studies mini-lesson with my kids on where Ecuador is on the map and how Quito is the capital city.  Did you know the Galapagos Islands are off the coast of Ecuador?  Now you know I am not just another pretty face.  And it’s not all fun and games down at blog headquarters.  I am still chief, cook and bottle washer.  Remember that expression?  I will make my Dad proud using that one!  Luckily, there are no bottles to wash anymore.

My flowers from TheBouqs.com - reminds me of a Gauguin painting!

My flowers from TheBouqs.com – reminds me of a Gauguin painting!

Anyway, when the Fedex man arrived, I ran down to get my package.  He delivers many of the goodies the blog receives and this time he couldn’t resist asking:  “What did you order that had to clear US customs?”  “These are flowers from Ecuador”, I replied.  “Oh, that is cool.”  Wow, the phrase is contagious.  The flowers (pictured above) were beautiful.  I ordered the Ladybug bouquet and it had ranunculus and larkspur; red and violet flowers mixed in a lovely combination.  They were gorgeous and they lasted about 12 days which was much longer than any other flowers I have purchased.  The box they came in, the brown paper wrapping, the note inside were really well thought out.  You just have to send flowers to someone special from www.thebouqs.com.  It is an amazing service and they will never forget it.  Please click the link below to see what I am talking about: