I’m sad to say I really didn’t get any projects done this week. I did take Diva and Manchild to a pottery painting place on Saturday, so when I get our pieces back, I’ll post the pictures.

I think the kids enjoyed themselves – even if they did fight over the toys while waiting for me to perfect my piece and write Diva’s name on her mug. Manchild’s castle box is stinking cute. I should’ve made him paint a mug too, but he wanted that castle. I restrained myself from fixing it, so it’ll keep its toddler painting charm.

Most of the weekend revolved around basketball and getting ready for the Super Bowl.

I spent most of the big game at Target. It had been a long time since I was alone at Target. I was without any child to distract me and practically had the place to myself. It was shopping bliss, and my bill sure did reflect how much fun I had.

I did get to hear the big plays on the radio while driving across town to Jumpshot’s friend’s house where he watched the game. And yes, I did yell in the car by myself. I’ll admit it.

I promise projects next week. Got Valentine’s to make.

Congratulations to the Saints and the Who Dat nation as well!

I hope you had a good week. It’s been a busy one for us.

It was Jumpshot’s last week of basketball. Poor guys tried their hardest but had another losing season. They were 5th graders playing against 6th graders. It reminds me of comparing children during the baby years how even a couple months can make a big difference. Apparently the same thing happens as you get closer to adolescence. In just half a year I’ll have a 6th grader…let’s move on before the tears start.

Diva started art class this week. We went on the night the nice guy on the phone told us to. We got there early, so we waited in the car. Being the only car in the parking lot was a little spooky, but I told myself the others should be coming soon. Five minutes passed, then 10, and still no one came. Were we in the right place?

So I called James to get the number of the place so I could call and make sure we were right. We were at the right place. So we went in and met the art teacher. “How old is she?” she asked about Diva. Apparently the class she belongs in meets on a different night. So we had a practice run. When we went on the appropriate night, we knew what to do.

Diva had a great time. They made Valentine’s. Manchild was cute entertainment for the other moms waiting during class time. He lined up folding chairs and ran around – for an hour. I got a scarf I’ve been working on for at least 6 months completed.

And last but not least, I had my first giveaway. Last weekend I cleaned out a kitchen drawer and clipped the Box Tops I’d been hoarding. I clipped 102 Box Tops. And the winner of a dozen Valentine cakepops for having the closest guess without going over is

Katie with a guess of 82!

I’ll get with you soon to figure out a good delivery time! Thanks to all who played. I’ll have to do another one soon.

Have a great week, everyone, and go Saints!

I feel like being lazy. I’m stuffed. Jumpshot had a basketball game, so he and James are there. Diva had her first Art class, so it’s just her, Manchild, and me.

I stopped on the way home and picked up Burger King. Yes, I actually had a hamburger! I usually don’t eat red meat, but I didn’t want to cook for myself, and the kids wanted BK, and I don’t like the BK Chargrilled Chicken. So a Whopper Jr. it was.

Whopper Jr.’s always remind me of my high school band days. It seemed every road trip included a trip to BK. My friend Rachael introduced me to the straw wishing game. For a long time, I always got two straws, one for my drink and one to wish on.

What? You’ve never heard of the game? You place an unwrapped straw between the palms of your hands and make a wish. Then you bring your hands together, bending the straw. If you bend the straw perfectly in half, your wish will come true. Our wishes always involved getting our crushes to notice us. They did, so maybe the straw game works.

Anyway, I’m reeling from my red meat high and don’t feel like moving off this couch. It’s nice and warm. I think I’ll put on another episode of Team Umizoomi so I can be lazy a little while longer.

Here’s to a lazy night!

Sweet Smelling

To see more Wordless Wednesday visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Happy Wednesday!

That’s right, I’m holding my very first giveaway just in time for Valentine’s Day.

One winner will receive a dozen Valentine’s cakepops from yours truly. Keep them all for yourself or share with a friend. It’s up to you.

All you have to do is visit my Project Update Monday post and guess how many Box Tops I clipped for my children’s school in the Comments. The closest guess without going over wins. You can enter as many times as you want. Just get those comments in before midnight (CST) on Friday. I’ll post the winner in my Weekly Wrap-Up on Saturday.

I’m so excited! Good luck!

Warning! Cakepop cuteness. Don’t view on an empty stomach.

Also, I cleaned out a drawer in my kitchen, and I have awesome news to share!

A friend ordered some cakepops for her friend’s wedding shower on Saturday. I had spotted a fleur-de-lis candy mold at the party supply store, and now I had a great reason to buy it. I hope the party was fun!

FlyLady uses the 15-minute principle, and I decided to implement it on my drawer full of Box Tops I’ve been saving for the kids’ school. I’ve probably saved them up for over a year. So I set my timer for 15 minutes and went after it. OK it took more than 15 minutes, more like 45, but once I got started I just had to finish.

Finally, it’s not a project as much as it is the beginning of a multitude of ones.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Giveaway alert! If you can guess how many Box Tops I clipped, I’ll send you a dozen cakepops. The person who guesses the closest without going over wins. Just leave your guess in the comments. Enjoy the slideshow!

Today, I’m going to share some great blogging posts I’ve discovered that have helped me get and keep going.

Setting up your blog is quite intimidating. If you want, Shannon Albert has offered to setup a Wordpress blog for FREE! That’s right FREE, but only until February 28. Shannon has other tips for setting up your blog here.

Jennifer at Playgroups Are No Place for Children has a whole blog section dedicated to blogging tips. She has been a wonderful source of inspiration for me.

Especially with creative blogs, it’s important to protect your ideas. Tip Junkie has some tips on this subject.

If you’re brave and fortunate enough, think about attending a blogging conference. Tip Junkie has the 2010 list here.

From reading all these tips, I was inspired to redesign my blog and have organized my week so I know what I’m writing about.

I start off the week sharing what projects I’ve been working on with Project Update Monday. I take a break on Wednesdays by participating in the blog carnival Wordless Wednesdays. I recount the week on Saturday’s Weekly Wrap-Up and share interesting things on Sunday Share Time. The rest of the week is dedicated to blogging about my fantubulous family.

It’s hard to carve out time to write sometimes, and it’s getting more challenging as I continue to juggle all my responsibilities. But I just keep reminding myself, no matter how small my readership is, I’m doing this for many reasons:

1) To keep a journal of my family’s amazing journey.

2) To share what inspires me.

3) To inspire someone else.

4) To reassure other women they are not alone in facing the challenges of being a Super Mom!

Happy Blogging!

Can you tell I’ve been a little busy? I’m sorry I haven’t posted in a few days. I haven’t forgotten. I’ve just been falling asleep earlier than usual. Yay! So it looks like I have to rearrange my writing schedule.

The whole state of Louisiana is celebrating the Saints clenching the NFC Division Championship. Jumpshot is very excited about the team going to the Super Bowl. He’s on the hunt for some Saints gear. I should probably put up some fleur-de-lis decorations as well.

The rest of the week is a blur, so let’s see what I can remember.

I realized a few days ago how far Manchild’s vocabulary has come. He also likes to sing and knows a lot of songs on the radio. Tick tock on the clock…. Yeah. His new annoying habit is pinching my nose when he wants my attention. I have no idea why he does this, but it does get my attention.

Diva and I spent days studying for her phonogram test. We’re up to the double-letter ones, and for some reason or, aw, and wh were giving her problems. She told me it was because she hadn’t committed them to her long-term memory yet. I was floored. She’s in kindergarten! Her teacher is good. She’s also starting to decode and read. It’s awesome!

Jumpshot is having some rough days. My worry levels have increased this week. He had to write an essay about problems kids his age face, and his topic was about bullying. I was heartbroken. He’s always had an issued being picked on because he’s so passive, but it wasn’t until I read his essay did I realize how big of a problem it’s become. It’s progressed from verbal teasing to getting kicked, hit, scratched and such.

I’ve already had one conversation with school administration, so now I’m on the hunt for information to bring to them to help them solve this problem. It’s mostly in aftercare, where the supervision is minimal and discipline lacking. So if you have any information that I might find useful, please share in the comments below or email me at sally@dwtkcast.com.

I hope you have a great week next week, and thanks for reading!

I’m half-asleep, so I’m phoning it in tonight with a classic “My Favorites” list.

1. My favorite knock-knock joke

I came up with this one on my own while teaching Jumpshot about jokes when he was about 3. It has become my go-to knock-knock joke with each child as they master the art of joke telling – a skill I do not possess, which is why, if asked for a joke, I will tell you:

Knock. Knock.

Who’s there?

Water.

Water who?

Water you doing?

But you have to say it Waaateeer you doing? Really drag out the Water.

2. My favorite book

When I was a senior in high school, my friend Matt told me about a book he was reading for his English class, which he thought I would like. I stayed up all night reading it. It was the first book that had that effect on me. Buttercup tells Prince Humperdink that he could never sever the love between herself and Wesley not with a thousand swords. My favorite line from the book, from any book.

3. My favorite TV show: Gilmore Girls. I own all the DVDs. Believe it or not, James introduced me to this show, and I was hooked from the first episode I saw. He used to record episodes with our little VCR – remember those – when I was attending night classes. I still watch the syndicated shows on my days off. I just remembered I watched it while I was in labor with Manchild.

4. My favorite song: 3 a.m. by Matchbox Twenty

I wore out my copy of Matchbox Twenty’s breakout album, especially Track 3. It was the whole reason I liked the band and their music. I always liked their B sides more than their singles. I’ve heard a couple tracks from their Tabitha’s Secret days and find them infinitely better than their present day incarnation.

5. My favorite job

I was the station manager of the college radio station for three years at the university I attended. Best. Job. Ever. and one of the hardest. It’s hard making friends when you’re the boss, but I managed to make a few that I still hold dear to this day, including my best friend, James.

Keep the conversation going, and leave a comment. Have a great day!

Yesterday, I got to attend a crop. It had been ages! I saw some scrapbooking friends and made some new ones too.

In between gabbing, I finished the Valentine’s book I started. I used the Love verse from Corinthians as my inspiration.

I’m also still working on my New Year’s Resolutions. One of them is taking control of the household chores instead of them controlling me. It has begun with discovering Flylady and shining my sink. I am not perfect, but she preaches letting go of perfectionism and focus instead on progress. She’s my new best friend even though she doesn’t know it.

I hope to have some new cakepops to show you next week. Have a great week creating new projects!