Do Not Pass Go

A property mogul....

Silver bling...

Money, money, money...

I have had all of the above at least once...


...playing Monopoly with my husband's family.


Cutthroat, competitive, name calling ensuing games of Monopoly that more often than not end in laughter.

When my husband told me that his family played Monopoly, I thought okay they liked to play board games.

No, just Monopoly.  And not just on any old Monopoly game board.

On Thanksgiving or when they are all together, my mother-in-law pulls out their Franklin Mint Collector's Edition Monopoly game.

I should have known then how serious they were.

The games often last hours.

It is not over until everyone has lost it all to the victor.

Forking it over and calling it quits after admitting defeat because you are tired of playing is NOT acceptable (at least BC-before kids). 


Also, things get rowdy when trades occur, especially when they occur between husbands and wives.

One year, my mother-in-law made Monopoly pajama pants for the men.  Down the stairs they paraded in their bright yellow pants decorated with Mr. Monopoly.

They were good sports about modeling the pants.

 

In a few years, our children will all be able to play Monopoly with us.  Then, we will really have raucous family gatherings. 


Anyone up for a game of Monopoly?

Is there a family game that you play when everyone is together?

FGF: Bonding with Strangers

Today is Friday.  For my last day of playing a MEME a day this week, I am participating in Feel Good Friday over at The Girl Next Door Grows Up.

What made me feel good this week?

1 Visiting my grandparents and having my daughters get to know the amazing people that they are. I am blessed to still have them here so they can share their memories with the girls and make new memories with them.

2 Having a nice lady in the grocery store see me picking up baby food and handing me a coupon that she wasn't going to use.  There is something touching about small kindnesses from strangers.

3 Another mom laughing when she strolled down the baby food aisle (same day, same place) seeing me trying to entertain the girls.  She was me a year ago with a two year old in her cart and the infant in the carrier in the front, both of whom were well-behaved.  Since I became a mom I can't tell you the number of times I have found myself conversing and bonding with complete strangers (who themselves are parents).We started conversing in the middle of the aisle.

4 I got to spend some quality time with my husband when he got home early the one day.  We took in part of a baseball game, munched on soft pretzels (Carbs?  What are they?), and cheered on our team (who won which made the night even sweeter).

5 Watching Emily try to ride her tricycle or her car.  Her determination and focus is endearing.

6 Participating in a meme a day this week. I got to read several new blogs and make new bloggy friends.

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Don't forget that today is blog hop Friday,  Want to play along? Click on one of the buttons below.

Interested in doing memes on your blog but can't find one?  Our Mommyhood, the List Your Meme group at Mom Bloggers Club, and I Blame My Mother  have comprehensive lists of memes or carnivals to particpate in.  Go check them out.

Writer's Workshop: Before I Was a Mom

It's Thursday and since I am doing a week of meme's I decided to do Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. 

Before I was a mom...

I spent money on clothes and shoes for me (without guilt).

I had a clean house.

I had 130 children that I saw each day (except weekends and summers, oh and holidays). Nice, right?

I could read a book in one sitting.

I used to sleep like the dead.  I once slept through a 4 alarm fire a block from my apartment.

We would decide to go away for the weekend on Friday night.

I would cook fancy schmancy meals.

I loved planting flowers. (Emily likes to pick flowers, roots and all.)

The only games I played were Scrabble, poker, and Monopoly.

...something was missing.

WW: I *Heart* You & Want to Drive My Tractor

As you have probably noticed, I am playing  "a MEME a day" this week.  I am working on some blog housekeeping (Wordpress here I come) and some regular housekeeping to.  We're going through some schedule changes (ah-hm...some early 5 am risers need to go back to sleep) and party planning (my baby is turning one). My regular blogging hours have been temporarily interrupted.

These photos were taken this weekend. Em and her cousin had so much fun riding around in his birthday toy.  She sat like such a little lady.  At least until he got off of the tractor.  Then, she hopped over into the driver's seat and away she went. I held my breath a few times but her cousin was an excellent driver.  Em-not so much.

I had bought Em a little Jeep at a yard sale.  She is still a little young so I thought a used one would be good. It needed a battery though according to the man selling it.  It was a $200 toy that I got for $40.    A little to good to be true since batteries (when you buy the charger to) can cost about $70.  The man selling it said batteries only cost about $25 for two.  Then, it turned out that the Jeep was from 1989 and that it had been recalled since they have electrical problems and could start a fire.  Amazingly, they still honored the recall when I called.  Now we need to get it to the center where they can replace the batteries and the connectors. Hopefully, it starts when that is all said and done...

There is something comforting about the fact that a company will still honor recalls for several years after the recall was done AND when the item is secondhand (yes, I was honest).


Have you ever had any experiences with recalls after a long length of time has passed or funny motorized vehicle stories starring your kids?

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit here, and 5 Minutes for Mom and more wordful Wednesday can be found at Seven Clown Circus.

Any suggestions for tomorrow's meme?

Post-It Note Tuesday: A Visit From Mary Poppins

Monday Minute: Kid Edition (Em Style)

 

This week you need to take these five questions and ask your kid to answer em. Or ask all your kids and provide multiple answers. Don't have a kid? Make one up.

1 - What's your favorite book/story? We're Going on a Bear Hunt is my favorite book.  (We just read this one today.  Em likes the sound effects and voices I make when we read this. We sometimes make a cave with blankets in the living room and let her shine her flashlight around.  Sometimes she gets to excited and bops her sister with the flashlight. It's to cute when she says "sorry, sissy" and pats her sister on the head.)


2 - What do you want to do when you grow up? Mmmmm...a dancer.  I like tutus. 1... 2.. 3... 4...turn...raise your arms... (She has her arms above her head and is turning in a circle.  Or more accurately stomping in a circle.)

3 - What is your favorite game? SOCCER!!!  I like to kick the ball and yell SCORE!!!! I did it!!!  I did it!!!

4 - What's your favorite food? Pretzels. 

5 - Insert your own question to ask your kid
 
What is your favorite activity with Mommy and Daddy? You silly, Mommy.  Crafts.  I luuuvvvvv crafts. Can we do a craft?  Pul-lease... (Why did I ask?)

 
For more Monday Minute, visit Ian at The Daily Dose of Reality.

Making Money From Home Book Review

I recently reviewed Making Money From Home by Donna Partow.  The book is written from the perspective of a Christian woman who has been successful at managing several home-based businesses.  Her advice is based on what has contributed to her success.  This book is directed at moms who have toyed with the idea of working from home but are unsure how to choose and set up their own business. 

The book is separated into four parts: Foundations of a Home-Based Business, Exploring Your Options, Business Basics, Marketing Your Business, and Family First. Each chapter concludes with questions to help the reader reflect on what the chapter was about and to help them apply what they have learned in their creation of a home business. 

I liked that the author included websites and additional resources for the reader to do further research on the topics addressed in the book.  At times though, I felt that she was peddling her website since it was mentioned periodically.  She also included tips and stories from other home-based business owners.

Besides addressing more traditional work at home businesses (such as direct sales), she also included possible sources of income that I had never really thought of before.  Examples included selling informational products such as e-books, special reports, and audio files.  She also included information on affiliate marketing.  I did feel she focused mostly on business owners' online presence.  Very little information was provided about the legalities (zoning, trademarks, permits, and regulations) of owning your own business so more research would be necessary if you were a prospective business owner.

Blogging moms (including those who do not monetize their blog or own a business) will find her chapter on blogging full of useful information.  She addresses possible post topics, tips for great blog posts, and SEO.

This book serves as an overview of how to start up your own business.  If you already have your own business, this book can help you figure out if you could be doing more to make your business prosper.  While no magic answers are supplied about how to become rich, you will find great tips to help you get planning on starting your own business and tips on how to balance your business with your family life once your business is up and running.

*I was provided a copy of this book through the Tyndale Blog Network in order to write an honest and accurate review.  No other compensation was or will be recieved.

Blog Lessons: Tips to Gain Followers

 Photo Credit

Before I started blogging, I had visited a lot of blogs and thought I knew what I was doing.  It turned out that I really didn't know much at all.  It has certainly been a learning experience.  My one year blogoversary is coming up towards the end of the summer.  I can't believe I have only been blogging for one year, it seems like I have been blogging longer.

I decided to dedicate today's post to how to gain followers (since it is Friday and blog hop day).  Having followers does not mean you will necessarily gain repeat commenters or a loyal readership.  A loyal readership is what you should strive for! For that to happen, you need to comment on other blogs and to develop relationships with other bloggers.  You want readers to come back frequently.  It is all about making connections.  Connections to what you write, connections to you personally, connections, connections, connections.

Also, keep in mind I am only writing from my experiences. I am no expert on blogging.  I am still constantly learning every day.

These are tips to get people to your blog.  What happens after that is up to you! 

Write consistently

Put your best foot forward by writing good content.  Also, post frequently.  If you don't post frequently, at least try to post on a consistent schedule (such as certain days of the week).  You want people to come back and visit.  Also, make sure you proofread what you write and think before you hit the publish button (guilty as charged for those of you who stumbled upon my wacky award post last week where I hit publish instead of save since I was nowhere near done writing it).

Blog Hops
Today is Follow Me Friday, New Friend Friday, Friday Follow, and Fun Follow Friday.  If you are interested in finding new blogs to read, making connections with other bloggers, or gaining new followers, check out these blog hops.

Some blog hops may request that you link to a specific post where you mention the blog hop and others do not.  These are great ways to gain visibility for your blog.  Read the directions first at the host blog so you don't get deleted for not playing according to the rules.   Just visit the links to learn more about each of the individual blog hops. Try to link up first thing in the morning for maximum exposure.

Visit other blogs and follow them

It is good blogging etiquette to follow someone who follows you.  If you are interested in gaining new followers, follow other blogs and comment.  Make connections.

Have a variety of ways for people to follow you

People love options. Can people follow you on Google Friend Connect, RSS, get updates via email, twitter, or facebook?

Make sure your blog is listed on your Blogger profile

Check the settings on your blogger profile if you are on Blogger.  This is really important if you are just starting out.   Click on dashboard.  Click on profile.  Make sure your blog is listed in case someone clicks on your profile and wants to visit you. 

Join online forums or communities of bloggers

Mom Bloggers Club is a wonderful resource when it comes to learning more about blogging or meeting other bloggers.  Be active.  Some good groups to join to gain followers are Friends Following Friends and Google Friend Connect Followers. Follow blogs that interest you or that may have some things in common with your blog.

Promote your blog

Tell people about your blog including family and friends (unless you want to stay anonymous).  Include your blog url under your signature on your emails, espceially if you have a business.  Learn about SEO (search engine optimization).  There are key words that you may use in your blog posts that may help drive more readers to your blog through search engines.  You may choose to advertise on an established blog (you may be able to do this for a few dollars each month).

Giveaways

This is a way to gain followers but keep in mind that they may only be following in order to win a giveaway.  Where can you get items to give away?  Business2Blogger and The Product Review Place are two places that connect businesses to bloggers.  There are blogs that offer giveaway linkys on certain days where you can link up your giveaways.  This will bring people to your blog to enter the giveaways.

Update 6/5/10: I should have mentioned MyBlogSpark to which has a lot of great opportunities for bloggers (including those just starting out).

Those Are Not My Underwear

After a trip to the playground one morning where I was bombarded with water by a child that was not mine, my daughters both (at the same time) took an afternoon nap which meant I got some time to rejuvenate my weary mommy soul.

After the girl's awoke, I was renewed enough to trek to Wal-mart.

After leaving Wal-mart, as I was walking to my car, I noticed a car that looked like mine but...my car did not have a pair of underwear sitting on the windshield when I left it parked in the parking lot.

I looked around for someone.  Who I am not quite sure.  The offender who picked up a pair of underwear off of the ground and stuck them on the car?  The person who owned the car? Because that couldn't have been my car.  Could it?

They were at closer inspection a pair of children's training pants...and looking undoubtedly familiar. 

The last time I saw them, they had been in the diaper bag sitting on the floor of my car.  The open diaper bag on the floor...that was now minus my daughter's underwear. I have so much stuff crammed into my diaper bag that most of the time it doesn't close. I always travel with at least one change of clothes for each child because as any parent of a just potty-trained child knows, accidents happen.

I am surmising that my daughter's underwear somehow got knocked out of the bag when I reached in to grab the cart cover that had been sitting next to the diaper bag.  Ooops.

Needless to say, if I had seen a pair of underwear laying on the ground, I sure as heck would NOT have picked them up.  If I had noticed them after shopping, I probably would NOT have even acknowledged them or picked them up even if they had been my daughter's and they were clean (which they were).  Nope not mine.

I guess the person who picked them up figured they belonged to the occupants of our car based on the two car seats in the back seat. Luckily, they were clean.

There is a certain ick factor about the whole thing even though I know I should be grateful that they were returned.

What do you think?

WW: Enjoying the Sun

 

 A little bit of this and that in the sun.

Emily loves to be outside.  She was "helping" her daddy with a construction project the one day.  

It is hard to believe Madison will be one in a little over a month.  I barely remember holding her in my arms as an infant and yet I can still remember Emily as an infant.  Once Madison was born, everything seemed to blur a bit. 

As for the poodle hat, it is usually in Emily's dress-up box.  Her daddy had told her she could wear it to the park.  When the two of them came outside, I asked my husband what the deal was with the hat.  His response, "What?!?! She wanted to wear it."  Of course, she refuses to wear sun hats or baseball hats.  Yet, on this particular day, she refused to take that hat off.  She wore it ALL day long.  Win some, lose some.  But, I have to say she does look kind of cute.  She certainly garnered a lot of attention at the playground.  

We pulled her tricycle out so she could ride it in the driveway.  Note the safety packaging!

For more Wordful Wednesday visit Seven Clown Circus.  For more Wordless Wednesday visit here and 5Minutes For Mom.

The Mystery of the Pacifier

After friends of ours had their second child, we paid them a visit.  We oohed and awwed over their beautiful little girl.  And laughed-hysterically.

As parents, when you have a newborn and they cry, what do you do?  Pull out the reliable pacifier.  The bink, noonie, nuby, binky, paci, or whatever name you affectionately (or not so affectionately) call it by, is one of those items that many parents rely on in the early days of a child's life (and sometimes later).

Our friends also have a four year old.  He is adorable, full of energy and laughter.  Oh, and I can't forget mischievousness.

Our twice blessed new daddy was given a pacifier by his little boy for the baby.  He was shocked that the tip was missing.  He kept turning it over in his hands wondering how such a thing could happen.  He was also very concerned since what would have happened if it had come off in his daughters mouth.  

Then he turned to his son and asked him how it had fallen off.  When his son just looked at him in innocence, he asked if it had been like that when his son picked it up. 

His son shrugged.  Mmmmhmmm.  Then after a minute, in all seriousness he said, "weeellllll some people cut them."

Huh?

In the kitchen there was a telltale pair of scissors on the counter.  When he confronted his son and asked if he had cut it, his son looked at him very solemnly, shaking his head.

"Some people just cut them," he replied.

It's all about deniability, folks.  Spoken like a future lawyer. 

He knew he wasn't allowed to play with scissors.  If he just admitted that someone cut it but not who he wasn't techinically lying and wouldn't get in trouble, right?  Not quite.

Months later, we still chuckle whenever this story comes up in conversation (obviously when the kids are not in the room or we just allude cryptically to that time if they are).  

Love Your Heart Book Review

Love Your Heart by Tim McGraw with Tom Douglas is a heartwarming story about a little girl who is trying to decide on which of her talents to perform for her school talent show.  It turns out that her best talent of all was her kindness. 

The book has beautiful watercolor illustrations and many children can relate to this little girl who wants to win the talent show but has a hard time coming up with a talent to showcase.  It is an endearing story with a message relevant to today's youth and to parents alike.  Helping a friend is all the reward you need to feel good inside.  I loved that the father told his daughter that of all of her talents he loved her heart most of all.  This is a reminder to us as parents to remind our children that kindness, compassion, and empathy are talents to.  Not all talents are as easily measured or recognized as singing and dancing (or teaching a dog to juggle).


*I was provided a copy of this book through BookSneeze in order to facilitate an honest and accurate review.