she's not a spokesperson, she just plays one online

By the way, she really doesn't have a website...I told her she has to learn how to spell first before she can get her first blog!

caught on tape: my life

Thanks Susan for sharing this one with me!

my daughter's wedding will be like this

just when I thought things were bad

...I realized I wasn't having a bad day like this guy.



Thanks to my cousin for pointing this out!

Amara, a little birdie told me so

Sounds like I have to work on my mom sayings. I don't use them enough. Or sing them to the William Tell Overture.

today's good: I didn't have to make dinner. Dad2Amara treated us to a nice dinner out at a local diner!

today's bad: I had my hairdresser cut my hair. Shorter. Way shorter...

the meaning of parenthood

Recently, I started to look at this blog a bit more contemplatively.

I had started it as an online journal about motherhood, delving into my dealings with a then rambunctious three-year-old.

It progressed to include a few opinions littered here and there.

And then I started to participate in writing prompts.

Now there's really no rhyme or reason - it's a mish mash of all of the above. I'm not sure why the scrutiny began. I think I wanted the blog to have deeper meaning.

I had a major case of writer's block and decided not to take part in today's CHBM Carnival. It asks what it is you strive for in life and why. The question is just too profound for a mom who feels like she is lacking in worldly wisdom right now. It is like a conundrum that I can't truly grasp.

I came armed with excuses. I'm lethargic. I should spend some time with Amara before I head out to a work dinner I need to attend. I want to catch up on email and work. Excuse after excuse.

So off to the Internet I went. And there, the heavens opened up. And I realized what my response would be. Seems fitting to find an answer on the Web for a blog prompt.

I sincerely, wholeheartedly strive to be the best role model I can be to my daughter.

Many times, I know I come across superficial. I do enjoy material things. I am somewhat obsessed with celebrity moms (OK maybe just Posh). I can be catty and petty. But I am only human.

So when it comes down to the very bottom layer of my being, all I ever do, I do because I believe it is what is inherently right. I want Amara to grow up to be a moral, outstanding woman, confident and generous. And if all this means I can continue to experience the unconditional love of my daughter, I have accomplished so much.

What spurred this love fest?

:: TISSUE ALERT ::


A friend of mine shared this with me today. I strive to be more like this dad. We all should strive to be more like him.

Want to learn more about this father/son duo? I know I did. You can check out their website here.

today's good: After watching the Hoyt video, I think today's good is that my family is happy and healthy. There will be no bad today.

Amara does Madonna

My daughter goes old school.


OK so the way I envisioned it was a bit funnier. But you can never go wrong with Madonna!

easy as 1,2,3

Come on Amara's ABC adventure.

You can do one of your own at My ABC Adventure.

today's good: I'm done with the week's laundry! Wheee!

today's bad: Because I procrastinated (although I prefer to say my mom duties got in the way), I have an interview set up for an article I'm writing this afternoon. Grrr. Working on a Sunday. And where the heck was my Target circular this morning? Definitely not in my newspaper...

I feel fantastic

Here's another one of those videos that Amara loves to watch and I'm getting too lazy to keep looking for!

I guess she's becoming a Jonathan Coulton fan.

And thanks to Jawbone Radio for always putting these up for Mom2Amara to find!



If you haven't seen the other video Amara loves, you can find it here!

good cop, baby cop

Pearl is back!

I still love her in "The Landlord" (And if you haven't seen that yet, where the heck have you been?! Click here to watch it.)

But damn, this is pretty funny too!

today's good: I get my new sofa for the playroom tomorrow!

today's bad:I'll explain in my next post...just think sandstorms at the beach...

random

Amara loves this video.

So instead of having to search for it each and every time she asks, I'm posting it here!

dreams

My girlfriend, Susan, shared this with me.

And she's right: this is why mommies tell their children they can be anything they want to be. You just have to believe!

I had goosebumps watching this the first time.

Let it be a lesson to all of us -- it's never too late to chase your dreams!

say what?

(Amara with her friend Jenny)

What do you get when you put together dozens of preschoolers and ask them to sing goodbye for the last time before summer break?

Um, yeah, what did they say?!?!

rolling

Bean got an early birthday present -- a brand spanking new bike!

Dad2Amara and I were going to just "look around" for a big girl bike and then surprise her on her actual birthday. But once we all walked into the local cycle shop, Amara laid her eyes on this bike, and we knew we weren't leaving without it.

I have many issues with this bike.

First, how can a bicycle for a not-yet-four-year-old cost so freaking much?! I could have funded half of a new purse with the money we spend on the bike plus helmet.

Second, who designed this thing? Why would they create a bike that has white wheels, a white seat, white pedals, and a white basket? Are they racist? OK just kidding on the KKK part. But can she ride this bike after Labor Day? OK again, just joking around. But honestly, kids tend to ride their bikes outside. And outside there's a lot of dirt. Why would you make anything for a preschooler white?!

Third, a big girl bike with training wheels means my little girl is growing up. Sniff, sniff.

And last, here's what can happen on a big girl bike:

today's good: I signed up to become a member at the local fitness center. I think the only way I know how to religiously workout is to spend money to do it! I meet with a personal trainer sometime next week.

today's bad:Call me a slug. I worked half day yesterday then decided since I had a bad weekend and I will have to work this coming Saturday for the mommy website, I was entitled to the afternoon off. So I was hanging out, reading blogs, and watching two random guys finish work on my new fence. Amara was a doll - she hibernated in the basement. Oh and did I mention yesterday was the last day of school? Great, now I need childcare FIVE days a week.

OMG

oh, rain-BOW

Remember when Cartman said that?

Anyhoo, I think I've found myself with too much time on my hands. Or it's the fact that I'm procrastinating and don't really want to iron. Guess I can leave that for later tonight when I watch the NBA finals.

But thanks to The Poop, one of the media parenting blogs I follow, I'm able to not only share a Muppet favorite but it being sang by one of my favorite performers, Sarah McLachlan.

Enjoy!

wii love babies

I haven't a clue who this family is but I love their baby!

why some grandmas shouldn't babysit

But Lola's2Amara are ok...

confessions of a preschooler

Don't mind the background music -- that's one of her favorite songs. And I know there's a glare. This was completely done on a whim. Amara has discovered web cams and loves to "make movies."

But this one completely describes her to a "T."

You can tell she's truly a princess.

what Amara's learned to say

Um, did anyone notice who she said taught it to her?