Mom Can Stay Home

Moms who work from home often say it is the best of both worlds...I love being home with my kids and contributing financially to my family.

Learn how one mom is doing this...Melissa Jennings from M Jennings Designs just won August's Spot Light Blogger on the Blog Train!

You can read more about her and the Blog Train Here!

Building Independence Is A Kids' Key To Success

What is better than hearing, excitedly, about the first day of your child's independence and a new chapter in her life?



I feel so blessed to have this on video and the ability to share it with others!

Starting School Is A Kids' Key To Success

How many of you have sent your child off to school for the first time (new school, college, etc.)?

Can you see my hand stretched way up high?

And I have been a wreck! Not because my first born isn't ready, is scared, or doesn't want to go but just the opposite...she can't wait to go! I am morning the loss of my babe!

I have been told if she is excited, I did my job right but I can't help feeling a loss for her baby/toddler years. They are gone...

I know I need to buck up and look to the future because it holds some pretty awesome times and experiences, too. I also know, I did the best I could raising her thus far, and it seems good enough.

sigh...wipe...sigh....go get 'em!

What I hope She Learns In Kindergarten?

1. To Treat others as she would want to be treated;

2. Stick up for the kid(s) who is being picked on or ask for help and stand up for herself if she is being picked on;

3. Not to pick her nose or wedgie in public!

4. Learning to read would be good too!

What I Learned:

1. She can do more than I give her credit for;

2. She has a gift of bringing joy and love to others just for being her; and

3. I have done a pretty good job so far! (Don't pick your nose or bottom in public, Em!!)

Long Acres Farm Is A Kids' Key

Do You Have A Place Like This Nearby? If You Don't, You Should!

Wow, so much fun! How many Parents can say after an outing for the kids can say, "I don't want to go, when can we come back?"

We had so much fun enriching the kid's minds and growing their confidence as they directed us in the huge corn maze! Did you know a four and two year know which way to go to successfully complete a maze? Fellow maze-goers took hours to find their way out. We did it in 53 minutes! (It must be because they are closer to the ground!)

We had a little help from the "coach" a-top the scafolding tower that ran the course but for the most part the kids directed the show.

The park also had things like goats to feed and pet, a gem stone/fossil panning operation (we found two shark's teeth and some gems and fossils), huge hill-side slide, tennis ball sling-shots, water pump races, a huge sand pit, pillow jump, peddle go-carts, climbing wall, "go-green" trivia, wonderful tasty treats, and so much more!!

What I Hoped My Kids Learned:

1. They can do anything they put their mind to;

2. Having fun and making memories with our family is treasured; and

3. I respect their individuality.



What I Learned:

1. My kids can do more than I think;

2. They are so much fun to be around; and

3. Bring extra clothes for mishaps (tinkling in a corn maze for a 4 yo can be tough!).

"No Cost" Family Fun Is A Key To Kids' Success

What is it about doing "nothing" or the little things that is so darn fun and important? For me these little moments that may have lasted less than 5 minutes meant the world!

Emmy and Sam have taught me how to play and how to really have fun. Thank you "Sunshine" and "Monkey"!!

You'll never know how much Momma Loves You!