Book Recommendation

The Cow in the Parking Lot.

This is what I have most recently read. I have a problem with anger. This is not really a shock to those closest to me. It is part of my bipolar issues. My mania come out in anger. I have been working so hard on controlling it and learning new strategies to help. Medication does a lot but I still have anger issues. I have read ALOT of books on anger management. I have taken a little here and there, but this one is by far the best. If you have problems with anger or know someone who does... GET THIS BOOK. It says something about Zen in the title. Please don't pass it by because you are not Buddhist. I am not Buddhist, and this book did not make me become one. It is just good sound advice about anger and managing it.

Enjoy, its a great read!

Star Wars Birthday Party

Ben had a Star Wars birthday party this year. I got lots of ideas from some of my favorite bloggers. Here are the blogs that were most helpful...
Tip Junkie had some of my favorites for games and she had an agenda for those of you who like to plan ahead. It really helped me stay organized
Make and Takes also had some good ideas.

I will tell you the ones I used for our party:

• I made the light saber pretzels.
• I put my own spin on the cupcake light sabers.
• We walked on lava.
• We destroyed the Death Star with our water balloons.
• We went on a relay race for Clones and Droids.
• We had a Jedi Training Course (obstacle course)
• We played pin the light saber on Yoda.
• We had an asteroid hunt through the house.

The kids had lots of fun. I was glad that only a few showed up though it was hard to keep all those boys on task. That is the teacher in me I suppose. We had two girls come, and Cadence, Ben's lifelong friend made the drive up north!

Here are some of the pics of the day:

Birthday boy has to have some presents to open!

We had a blue and red side of the table with Star Wars fruit snacks we found at the Dollar General and the pretzel light sabers. These were so easy to make. I got red and blue melts at Hobby Lobby and dipped the pretzels in halfway. Didn't they turn out cute?

This is the light saber cupcakes. Thanks to Mary for helping create my idea. I loved her idea of putting aluminum foil under the cupcakes for the effect. She iced them and set them up. The blue was easy, but red and grey were a little more difficult. I didn't really feel like I perfected the grey it looked more like purple black.

Pin the light saber on Yoda

Cadence getting ready to pin the light saber on Yoda.

Peanut and the Death Star. (and a few other chalk creations on the driveway)

Kids getting ready to throw their balloons to destroy the Death Star.
This was by far the most fun of the day. The kids loved throwing the balloons to make the Death Star disappear. We ran out of balloons if you do this I suggest lots and lots of balloons.

This is what it looked like when we were done. I had also just sent the kids on the Clone and Droid relay race to find the dark blue and light blue cards that said clone and droid on them.

Here we are counting up the cards making sure we had them all.

Emily walking on lava. This was pretty easy. We had an extra red tablecloth and some rocks. The kids had to walk on the rocks or fall into the lava.

Here is Dominick running through the obstacle course. When the kids were done they had completed their Jedi Training Course.

Here is Ben opening some of his presents.

We did eat the cupcakes but I am not sure where the pictures of the birthday boy blowing out the candles went. At the end of the party the kids went on an Asteroid hunt around the house. This was small pieces of aluminum foil with pieces of candy in them. They got to keep the ones they found and put in their treat bags. The favors were pretty boring this year just store bought stuff. I had good intentions........BUT....I let it go.

Favorite Blog of the Week

I found a favorite for this week!
This is a crafty blog with tutorials for kids and adults to do. I found her on Skip to My Lou. She posted 31 Valentine Crafts for you and the kids. Go take a look and let me know what you think.

Benjamin Asher Cullum

This post is late because our Internet has been sketchy with the weather. Yesterday, February 3, 2011 was Ben's seventh birthday. This post is for him.

Ben,
I can't believe that you are seven years old today. I remember the minute you took your first breath. I remember taking you home from the hospital, and just like today the weather was snowy. You have brought me such joy since the day you entered the world. I am so proud of all the things you have done and I look forward to all the things you will do. But most of all I am proud of who you are becoming. You seem to grow taller and wiser with every passing day. You are a good friend, a good brother, and a good son.

This past year has held a lot of changes for all of us, especially you. You have weathered the storm of changes with such grace that it amazes me. You have started two new schools and you have thrived in both places making friends. You are so smart and kind. I hope you never lose the kindness you have for other people.

My wish for you on your birthday is that you would always look for the good in everyone and everything. I wish for you to find happiness in life where ever you are and whatever you are doing. Always remember that we love you and you always have a safe place to fall.

Love,
mommy

Happiness is....

Happiness is loving your job. I have to tell you I have had a few jobs in my lifetime. I also have to tell you that the one I have now I absolutely love. I love working with kids and their families one on one to make things better for all of them. I love the people I work with. We are all interested in helping people including one another. They are a great support system and I love them all.

I suggest if you don't have a job you absolutely enjoy doing...find one.

Ben's birthday

I cannot believe that Ben is turning seven in a little over a week. His party is Saturday and I am going a little nuts trying to get it together. We invited his whole class since we are new in town but I have only had three RSVP's. I am thinking that is okay, but I hope he does too. :)

He is having a Star Wars party this year. As with all his parties lately I am doing the station thing. I am making Light Saber pencil holders for favors and we are having galactic pizza and yoda sodas! I will post as I get stuff together and definitely a post after the party.

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday, EVERYONE!

It is a beautiful winter day here in Southeaster Oklahoma. The sun is shining and it is crisp. There was some frost on my windshield but not much more than that. It is supposed to warm up to the fifties today so we should be in great shape weather wise!

Started the job chart today. I explained it all to the kids and they woke up this morning ready to do their jobs. I like it. I also like that my son can use his iTouch to record his chores. I also put it in their hands, they do it and earn stuff or don't do it. I am not nagging. Did you hear me? NOT NAGGING. (we'll see) :)

Everyone have a terrific day!