being Mom2Amara | a Cleveland mom

skating on through

2009-01-08T08:01:00.002-05:00

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. I'm sleep deprived. It's not work. While I'm buried in paperwork and other junk, I am trying to keep my head up and not let dumb people that place get me down. I'm starting a new chapter in my blogging life over at Filipina Moms. And our calendar hasn't cleared any since the holidays. But like Amara, I'm skating on through life. Just wanted to check

how do I get her to keep her mouth shut?

2009-01-06T08:08:00.004-05:00

Spending 14 days with Amara over winter break proved to me two things. First, she talks. A lot. And second, I need to teach her to be more mindful of what she says. The girl just doesn't know when to keep quiet. I mean, is it normal for a five-year-old to spew just anything that comes to mind aloud? Is biting your tongue a virtue she just didn't receive? We visited Aunt and Uncle2Amara over

starting the year with some bling

2009-01-05T07:43:00.004-05:00

Amara started 2009 rocking it. (She chose the outfit and all the accessories. Surprised?) Me? I wish I had a huge rock to flash ya with right now. But I do have some of my own kind of bling to show off. MJ over at SugarMyBowl.com is also the founder of some phenomenal websites including FilipinaMoms.com. A few weeks ago, MJ asked me to take over the Filipina Moms site as she pursues other

just say no to resolutions

2009-01-02T05:40:00.001-05:00

I loathe New Year's. Last year, I resolved not to resolve. I created a not to do list. And this year, I'm still at ground zero. I haven't budged. But at least I'm consistent. I have the same goals as I did 12 months ago. I don't want to be a cliche. I don't want to make resolutions. But I do want to live a better life. I want to lose 50 pounds and be a hot mama tone up and eat healthier.I

a typical family conversation

2009-01-01T17:34:00.001-05:00

Want to know what Lola and Lolo2Amara talk to us about over New Year's brunch? Check out my new post at Filipina Moms!

Christmas deconstructed

2008-12-27T12:09:00.004-05:00

It's two days after Christmas. Santa has come and gone. And I finally feel like I can breathe! It's 61 degrees out in Cleveland. That's considered a heatwave here at the end of December. So I went for an invigorating run this morning. I'm still in my workout clothes, enjoying my coffee. Amara's upstairs, playing with Kit and Leslie (her original American Girl doll). And Dad2Amara is working

Santa came early

2008-12-25T07:17:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas to all of you! Santa's already been good to me and Amara (Santa being Dad2Amara...Amara's not awake yet to see what the jolly big guy has brought her.) Amara was able to open one gift from me and Dad2Amara on Christmas Eve. And that was only because we wanted her to have her new princess sleeping bag for her camp out by the fireplace. (She was hoping to keep vigil for Santa

Disney fun

2008-12-23T16:49:00.002-05:00

MJ at SugarMyBowl had this video. And because of my family's love for Disney, I had to have it!

crooked halo

2008-12-22T06:51:00.000-05:00

In true holiday spirit, Amara's Sunday school hosted its annual Christmas play. Imagine my surprise when they announced Amara would be an angel. How ironic. My child, an angel? But, what is that? Hmmmm... Notice the crooked halo on Amara. It's like a sign from God! But soon she took off the wings and tinsel so she could sing "happy birthday" to Jesus. So Grandma and Grandpa2Amara,

a sprinkly mess

2008-12-19T06:20:00.003-05:00

Eight Girl Scouts. Eight canisters of sprinkles - glitter, ones shaped like gingerbread men and trees, and traditional red and green stuff. Icing in every holiday color possible too. And one kitchen table. Last night was a huge mess! But I think the girls all had fun. We exchanged gifts. And after two loads of dishes, vacuuming, mopping, and scrubbing, the Grey House is back to normal.

cookie break

2008-12-18T11:17:00.002-05:00

We interrupt this blog for a short - six or seven dozen - cookie break. I'll have pictures tomorrow of the big Girl Scout cookie decorating party. Have a good Thursday!

stolen ideas

2008-12-17T06:49:00.000-05:00

I am no craft diva. But Amara and I braved the crowds at the shopping center and hit Michael's to buy a few supplies. Once I saw these ornaments, I knew I had to steal the idea from Jen at Our Daily Big Top. And while our handiwork is not as cute as hers, I like them a lot. And two days from now, Amara's Girl Scout troop will be decorating cookies at the Grey House. We're doing a gift

kindergarten friends

2008-12-16T07:04:00.000-05:00

Amara has a best friend. Dad2Amara would always comment on how exactly a kindergartner would have a "best friend." He said there was no way a five year old could comprehend the true meaning of the relationship. After this past weekend, he realized he was wrong. We took Amara and BestFriend2Amara to see holiday lights at our local park. The evening started with McDonald's. (I was annoyed

conversation with an elf

2008-12-15T06:16:00.000-05:00

Santa made a stop at Dad2Amara's company party. Amara nervously waited for him to call her name. She finally looked at me, puzzled. As a dutiful elf mom, I asked what was wrong. Amara: What if Santa asks me if I was a good girl this year? Mom2Amara: Well, have you been? [crickets. silence.] Mom2Amara: Amara, why don't you tell Santa you tried to be a good girl. Amara: Will I still get a

things that bother me

2008-12-12T05:54:00.001-05:00

I'm really in a fantastic mood. Really. I don't know if that means the holiday spirit has kicked in. Or I'm just so glad to have a long weekend (I was off yesterday and I'm not going into work today). But leave it to me to still knit pick. Yea, I've come across some stuff that bothers me. Even in the midst of my happiness. So in no particular order... 1) I hate that the dough for oatmeal

a fix for my oily skin

2008-12-12T00:04:00.006-05:00

Even after having Amara and being out of college for eons now, my skin still breaks out. I hate it. And with the crazy Midwest weather, my skin never looks healthy. I found a plethora of skin care products on the website. I admit. I was overwhelmed. But fortunately they allow you to shop by skin type. Me? I've got oily skin. My order arrived quickly. And I was like a kid on Christmas,

ice princess

2008-12-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

My dancer has now taken on a new hobby. Amara has asked Dad2Amara and I numerous times if she could play soccer. Or take karate. Both are ideas Dad2Amara and I are not keen on for various reasons. But when she asked me if she could learn how to ice skate, I knew I couldn't say no. It just so happens that a co-worker of mine is the director of a skating program. And she happily registered Amara

birthday wishes

2008-12-08T06:11:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday, Lolo2Amara! May you have a wonderful year filled with love! (Lolo2Amara seen with Dad2Amara and Amara last summer)

idiot, idiot, idiot

2008-12-05T18:12:00.002-05:00

Seriously? I could blame the horrendous cold that has taken over my head. (I haven't had a voice in two days.) Or I could say the gazillion hours at work has finally goten to my brain. But I just saw the latest post on Momversations and realized that I suggested the topic! Too bad I didn't put any link to my blog when I turned in my brilliant idea. Damn. Who knows if they would have linked

stay cool

2008-12-03T07:57:00.001-05:00

Sunday school was cancelled this past weekend because of the turkey holiday. Amara had to sit with Dad2Amara in the pew. (I had to work.) And she was not a happy camper. With Sunday school, she's able to learn about her religion in young, fun setting. It's a wonderful opportunity for her. But sitting in the pew, she was getting bored. She was restless. Thank goodness our church has activity

Sephora, why must you do this to me?

2008-12-02T08:13:00.001-05:00

It has been ages since I've hit Sephora. My Bare Minerals seems to last eons. And I've trying to kick my eye shadow and mascara habit. So when I found the need to go to Sephora, I welcomed it with open arms. It is after all the mecca of all cosmetics. I picked up some lip gloss, my perfume, and some foundation. And that's when Sephora turned evil. It's like the store employees said, "here,

but inside is so delightful

2008-12-01T08:04:00.002-05:00

The weather may not yet be frightful. (Although if you ask me, cold and rainy weather sucks too.) But I have finally given myself the ok to decorate the house for Christmas! When we moved into the Grey House, I saw all of our holiday decorations and thought "how in God's green earth am I going to fit all of this here?" But now I'm scheming on how I can get more garland and ornaments without

what’s wrong with sugar cookies?

2008-11-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

I love cookies. Typically I enjoy the dough more than the cookie. But this time of year, I’m all about Snickerdoodles and Mexican wedding cookies. I’ll do the peanut butter bars. There isn’t a cookie I don’t like. Yet it looks like someone in my neighborhood despises sugar cookies. This article showed up in my newspaper Thanksgiving morning. Seriously. House robbed, thief takes Tupperware of

weird things on the internet

2008-11-25T07:18:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while, I'm sent a link or two that I find hilarious. But I rarely forward them on. I hate to be the girl who forwards 100 emails a day. But this week, I've seen some really random things. And of course, they're all on YouTube. I was frightened by this. Yet wildly amused. And this is a real product. Honest.

O Christmas tree

2008-11-24T06:06:00.003-05:00

I resisted the urge to put up Christmas decorations. But that didn't mean we couldn't hit a local tree lighting ceremony this weekend. Grandma and Grandpa2Amara joined us. It was cold. And the ceremony was awful. The sound system failed them. No one could hear Santa or the choir. Dad2Amara and I had our not-so-hot cocoa. But we had a great time. It's hard to believe that we're a month