Playgroups are No Place For ChildrenReader Appreciation | Playgroups are No Place For Children

Psst.

Jennifer — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:07:58 +0000

Uncommon, makers of custom iPhone cases are offering my Facebook page fans 20% off a case.

The best ideas come on pendants from Etsy shops

Jennifer — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:30:26 +0000

Does anyone remember a long time ago when I wrote a post about what you do with birth announcements and Christmas cards? I am certain that I wrote something about this problem, but of course I can’t actually find the actual post to refer to.

Details, details. Here are the Cliff Notes from the post: Do you keep or throw away birth announcements and Christmas cards? Actually, the comments section of that post were really helpful. I know that somewhere in the discussion of that post, we talked about different ideas for saving your kids artwork. At least I think it did.

Anyway.

Considering that I have old diaper boxes filled with Carson and Ella’s bee-yoo-tee-ful creations sitting under the shelves of my already unorganized pantry, I’m not exactly someone to dole out advice on what you do with these masterpieces. But I DO have THE BEST idea on how to preserve at least one or two of their very best pieces!!

Hop on over here where I’ll tell you all about it AND I’m giving away one of these great ideas!! (hint: It’s jewelry! Come on, clicky, clicky.)

I have a Conundrum for you

Jennifer — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:10:45 +0000

Remember a few months ago when I told you about Jared, the little boy in my neighborhood who appeared to roam freely and was wreaking havoc for me and my kids? THAT was a conundrum.

Turns out that after I wrote that post, I saw the little boy only once. He came over once at the beginning of summer, was mostly polite, and stayed about an hour. Since then he hasn’t come over again.

It’s almost like Jared’s parents read my blog. Which is awkward. (And unlikely.)

It appears that I got myself all in a tizzy over nothing, worrying that this little boy was going to be a wart on an otherwise fun-filled summer. This whole conundrum completely sputtered out.

Speaking of conundrums, I have some Conundrum wine and a lovely relaxation basket to give away over here! Wanna chance to win? Just click over here and tell me about your conundrum!

I’m not actually giving away my children, just a shirt

Jennifer — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:05:25 +0000

Cute kids wearing cute shirts, huh?

On any given day, I contemplate advertising my children on Craigslist, “Free to a good home!” (I’m mostly kidding.)

Those cute shirts they are wearing, though, I’m giving away a shirt of your choice from The Rocking Pony!

Clickity click right here to head over to the giveaway!

The Wicked Witch of W@lmart

Jennifer — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:00:07 +0000

Two things that I’m not particularly fond of are 1) grocery shopping WITH my children AND 2) grocery shopping at W@lmart. I know perfectly nice people (like me) shop at W@lmart, but there are definitely quite a few odd ducks that shop there, too. I’d just much rather shop at a grocery store, where odd duck encounters are few and far between. In fact, I currently live in a grocery store mecca. Within five miles of me, there are four different gourmet-ish (I made up that word) grocery stores. These stores are GORGEOUS! and NEW! and they serve coffee! and have a sushi bar! and expensive cheese! and sadly they are brutal budget killers.

Thusly, I shop at W@lmart.

Yesterday while moping through W@lmart, nervously keeping my eyes on my son, and trying to navigate around swarms of people, we happened upon an elderly woman. She looked kind and sweet, and frankly out of place in a store like W@lmart. She smiled warmly at me, as I tried to push my cart out of her way.

“Carson,” I said, “stand over here by Mommy so the lady can get by.”

The elderly women pushed her cart passed us, then bent down to say something to Carson, pointing an arthritic finger in his face while her faced suddenly changed expressions.

“Carson,” she nearly cackled, “You better stay by your mommy or…,” she paused dramatically, “the WICKED WITCH WILL GET YOU.”

Carson and I stared at her in disbelief. I was struck dumb and couldn’t think of any equally as hostile retort, other than, “come on Carson, let’s go this way.”

I still can’t wrap my brain around someone saying that to a little kid! Was this something acceptable when she was raising kids in the Middle Ages?

I dare say, this would only happen at W@lmart. (And certainly not at my estranged boyfriend’s place, Meijer.)

(On a side note, have you seen this W@lmart Bingo card? SO FUNNY!)

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Today’s FINAL Reader Appreciation giveaway comes from Fruition Designs!

Karla from Fruition Designs is offering up a printable version of holiday or mommy cards!!

To enter, just leave a comment!!

Comments will close at 7 AM, EST, November 23, 2008.

Congratulations to T with Honey, winner of the Build a Bear Workshop gift certificate and Mom24, winner of the Sassafras Kids Pizza Making Kit!

Comments closed, thanks for playing!!

There are worms everywhere

Jennifer — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:30 +0000

I filled out a job application yesterday for my former school district here in Tennessee.

For some reason, with all that’s going on in my life, starting a job after THREE years at home with my children suddenly seems like a good idea. I mean I have NOTHING ELSE going on right now AT ALL.

(Except for the fact that we just moved, we close on our house in one week, I have ZILLIONS of things to do for the closing, once moved in I’ll have to unpack my entire house in lightning speed to get ready for Christmas, CHRISTMAS HOLY CRAP IT’S IN A MONTH, A MONTH!, Christmas shopping, Christmas decorating, Christmas parties, Christmas baking, and finding childcare because I’m GOING BACK TO WORK.)

I feel a little like yakking in the bathroom.

Three months ago, I’d have never dreamed that I’d be sitting in my kitchen in TENNESSEE, filling out an application for a JOB. Yet, here I am, filling out a job application, talking to my future boss on the phone about the schools that need a speech pathologist and the hours I’d work.

Originally, being a stay-at-home mom was something that I thought I’d do until the kids were in Kindergarten. Eventually, I pushed the timing back to *maybe* junior high. I’ve never even left my kids with a babysitter. But the thing is, I really think I NEED this.

The universe is on my side (so far) on this, too. Every time we’ve moved before, I’ve had to jump through about a gazillion hoops to get a teaching certificate. I recently discovered that my Tennessee teaching certificate is still valid, so there are NO HOOPS. Several of my former co-workers have emailed me and told me how desperately they are in need of Speech Pathologists. Randomly at a birthday party last weekend, I ran into a special education preschool teacher who begged me to come back to work. I was pulling my hair out in frustration trying to answer specific questions about the number of semester hours I’ve completed for the job application and realized that my mom works in Admissions at my former university and can get me all that information.

You have chills now, don’t you? I KNOW! It’s like I’m being guided by some unknown force into returning to work.

I really don’t think I have a choice.

But it doesn’t mean that opening this can of worms isn’t also opening an enormous ulcer.

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Today’s Reader Appreciation giveaway is yet another way the universe is telling me that it’s time to return to work. Well, sort of, if you think really, really, really hard about it.

Who’d like to win a brand new laptop messenger bag from Tom Bihn.com, exactly like the one below…

One lucky winner will win that laptop messenger bag!! Tom Bihn has lots of great bags, messenger bags, laptop bags, backpacks, briefcases, to choose from! I’m thinking that I’m going to NEED a new bag for work!

To enter, leave a comment on this post!!

Comments on this post will close at 7 AM, EST, November 22, 2008.

Comments closed, Thanks for Playing!

When the husband’s away, the wife will spend his money

Jennifer — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00:25 +0000

I feel safe telling you now that he’s on his way home*, that Tate has been on vacation this past week. And when I say vacation, I’m referring to the type of vacation that took him away from home for 6 days, enjoying the bliss known as being “child-free.” It was a full-on MAN vacation filled with bows and arrows and farting, so although I could have come along, I decided to take my chances with the kids.

I really don’t want to be THAT wife, the one who’s jealous and not supportive, the MARTYR. Considering that I’m going on 6 solo days of parenting, in an increasingly crappy rental, fresh from a move that I wasn’t too jazzed about, I think I’m handling his vacation rather well. Oops, there I go, being the martyr.

Anyway, several times Tate has called while on his CHILD-FREE vacation, complaining about something. My poor eyes have nearly rolled out of my head with his moaning. Seriously, who calls the spouse who’s SINGLE PARENTING to complain about their vacation!? Oh right, Tate did that. Tate, the one who promised to “love and cherish” me, not “leave me alone while he’s goes on vacation, only to call and COMPLAIN.” Oops, and there I go again with that darned martyrdom.

He’s also called a few times with MY honey-do list, because apparently taking care of two toddlers alone for 6 days leaves me with ample time to do grunt work. Before arriving home, I’m supposed to have done something about calling somebody, but I can’t remember because, uh oh!, I wasn’t listening. I’m also supposed to find recipes for persimmons (what???), but gosh darn if the Internet wasn’t down (*eyes roll straight outta my head*).

And since I’m so good at not being THAT martyr wife, I did what any good wife would do. I went shopping. Certainly 6 single parenting days earned me a some new shirts a pair darling little flats, and some EXPENSIVE makeup from Sephora.

*Just in case you’re a creepy Internet stalker and thinking that you’ve got a small window of time to come over before Tate gets home, I think it’s only fair that I tell you about my Rottweiler named Jeffrey Dahmer.

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/snark

Today’s Reader Appreciation giveaway is from Good for the Kids!

Angie from Good for the Kids is offering….drumroll…..

A $50 gift certificate for today’s giveaway!! $50!!! $50!!!!!

To enter, check out Good for the Kids and tell me how you’d spend your winnings (and feel free to comment on the above post, too).

Comments on this post will close at 7 AM, EST, November 21, 2008.

Comments Closed! Thanks for playing!

One way to get your toddler to eat breakfast

Jennifer — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:00:01 +0000

PICTURE REMOVED

Carson has started eating breakfast while standing on an empty tote at the kitchen counter. Sure it’s a pain in the rump to clean up, but I DON’T CARE. I’m just happy that he’s eating.

Thank you all so much for all the truly useful advice you all offered me a few weeks ago concerning Carson’s dismal eating habits. I’ve definitely cut down on milk and snacks, and have tried to be all, “Oh I don’t care what you eat! Fine with me if all you have all day is one cheerio and two sips of water! Noooo problem! It’s fine, really. Fine!”

His eating IS getting better. Baby steps, baby steps.

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Today’s Reader Appreciation giveway comes from Sassafras, which sells all kinds of gourmet housewares, baking kits, and children’s toys and accessories!

Sassafras is offering one lucky winner a kid’s pizza making kit! This would be a great Christmas gift for your budding chef! And what a terrific way to get your kids’ involved in the kitchen!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post and cross your fingers that you’re the big winner!

Comments will be closed on this entry at 7 AM, EST, November 20, 2008.

Bonus!!! Sassafras is also offering 10% off of all orders for YOU, my readers, with the code PLAYGROUP!!

Comments closed!!! Thanks for playing everyone!

The contents of my purse. The stolen post.

Jennifer — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:22 +0000

I’ve stolen the idea for this post from Ali. I’m hoping that the extradition to Canada to face her wrath will be too complicated and she’ll forgo prosecution.

So now that we’ve gotten the fact that I’m a thief out of the way, I’d like to show you the contents of my purse. You’ll be pleased to know that none of the contents of my purse were stolen.

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Hand Treatment (LOVE!), 2 tubes of C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint (I’ve already talked about my love of these), 2 tubes of Lip Smackers (flashback: 1987), 3 packages of peanut butter crackers, a USB cord, 100 calorie pack of Lorna Doone cookies (they’re FOR THE KIDS!), my name tag from Blissdom ’08, small bottle of 50 SPF Coppertone, Jessie Baylin CD (LOVE her!), trash, crumbs (not pictured), my cell phone, a maxi pad, an old grocery list, 3 coupons that are worthless, Skip Hop diaper caddy, my wallet, {***GIFT CERTIFICATE TO BUILD A BEAR!!!!!!****}, USB flash drive, baby nail clippers, 1 Germ-X hand wipe, 2 Dentabursts, a going away card from her, All About Trains DVD (what? don’t you carry DVDs in your purse?), my business cards, the formula from Aveda to color my hair, a juice box, a box of raisins, spare contact case, contact lens solution.

One of these items is today’s Reader Appreciation Giveaway…

Can you guess which one?? I mean, it’s not {***OBVIOUS***} or anything.

Well just in case you need a little help…here’s one more HINT.

Have you all seen their new Christmas Moose (or is it Meese?)…Holly and Hal? SO cute.

To enter to win the $25 gift certificate to Build a Bear Workshop, leave a comment telling me whether your purse is as random as mine!

Comments will close at 7 AM, EST, November, 19, 2008.

Don’t forget you can still enter the nonny & boo $50 gift certificate giveaway until tomorrow morning! Who new that the timing of this giveaway would be so perfect in the light of the Motrin ad fiasco and babywearing mamas….

This contest is over, comments closed!! Thanks for playing!!

The day the Internet died

Jennifer — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:00:51 +0000

You know that your Internet addiction is bad when your modem stops working and your brow develops a bead of sweat, your stomach fills with fluttering butterflies, and your brain cannot form thoughts.

Well actually, my brain could form thoughts…like, “I NEED to check my email.” “Twitter??? What am I missing?” “I wonder if she friended me back on Facebook?” “How many subscribers have I lost today?”….and on and on and on and on.

Thursday evening, after mentally planning my evening filled with Twitter, Google Reader, and StumbleUpon, my Internet DIED. No amount of troubleshooting could fix the modem or the connection or whatever the heck was wrong.

Friday morning I nearly pulled out every strand of hair, trying to get my Internet to just please oh please, just for one minute, I’ll never ask for anything again, oh please just work, I’m dying here, DYING, PLEASE WORK.

But no. The Internet had died.

There was one good thing that came out of my Internet exile, and that was a clean house.

Let me tell you, clean houses are HIGHLY overrated. Clean houses with working modems are far more enjoyable.

Let’s move on to today’s Reader Appreciation giveaway!! It comes from nonny & boo, an online store specializing in GORGEOUS baby slings and wraps, and so much more!!

nonny & boo is offering a $50 gift certificate to one VERY lucky winner! It would be a great gift for yourself or for someone you know who’s expecting a baby!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post! Good luck! I hope YOU win! Yes, YOU.

Comments on this entry will close at 7 AM, EST, November 18, 2008 (as long as my modem hangs on, that is.)

Congratulations to Kristy, winner of the premium Picnik subscription from Colleen at Mommy Always Wins, to Reeva, winner of the gift certificate from Oliebollen.com, to Beth winner of the gift certificate from studio jk vinyl, and to Jen, winner of the placemats from Olivekids.com!!

Comments are closed! Thanks for playing!!!