The "Take My Junk Please" Mom

I'm not sure why, but I really do love having a garage sale. I've only had one before (right before we moved to Lincoln), but I found it awesome that people would pay me to haul away stuff that I would just give away. Even though my first garage sale I only made $100, I still thought it was totally worth it. I mean that's like two dinners out for my hubby and I, plus I had way less trips to take to the Goodwill when it was all over.

My hubby, on the other hand, thinks we could be doing something more fun on a Saturday morning. He's nuts. There is nothing more fun than 1) meeting new people as they come by to troll through your stuff, 2) seeing how others treasure your junk,3) hanging out with your neighbors as they take part in the community garage sale, and 4)people paying you (I don't care if it's even just a nickel!) to haul off your junk! Seriously, I'm super excited about it.

This time around, my garage sale will be even more awesome! I enlisted my cricut to make fancy signs. Since I don't scrapbook, I have to make up projects like these to use my cricut so that my husband feels his $300 investment in the machine is being utilized. I'm also taking part in a community wide garage sale date, so I got free advertising and more traffic to boot!

Last night I even dreamed about my garage sale. The idea of purging myself of clutter was delightful in my mind! And let me tell you since having Collin, I feel we have more clutter than ever.

My biggest challenge will be keeping Collin at bay as we sell some of his toys, clothes, and books. He's already been digging through a box of books in the garage pulling out some old favorites. Yikes! How do you explain to a 2 year old that all the cash he'll get for old books will turn into new books??!!

If you live in the area, stop on by this Saturday from 8am-3pm. I really have some good junk...errr...stuff! :)

A "Proud" Mom

Today my husband and I took Collin to a birthday party that was at a horse ranch. I was a bit apprehensive because even though Collin rode a horse before, he's going through this phase where he's decided he's "scared" of everything new. (Maybe that's the food issue too...scared of new food). Anyway our last horse outing was during Christmas and the horse sneezed when he was about to get on and of course a total meltdown followed. Since Collin has a memory like a steel trap, I was sure he would not even get on the horse. My husband decided that he was getting on the horse no matter what though, so we gave it a try. We of course had to talk about riding the horse for about thirty minutes and watch the other kids do it before he said he was ready to try it. And I was pleasantly suprised! He loved it! He actually rode the horse twice and did the tractor hay ride! It was a great day! Thanks Kerry for the invite! Collin conquered a fear!!! The video is so fun! Try to ignore my nervous giggling and commentary and focus on the cuteness that is Collin.

An "Active Parent" Mom

I know my kid is only 2, but today I visited my first preschool in Lincoln. There are only about 4 preschools in this town, so apparently you have start early if you want your pick of the liter. It was so much fun to see the colors, stories, and imaginative play of the preschool. It really brought me back to memories of my own. And yes, I totally remember my preschool.

Before going, we told Collin that we were going to check out a school today for him to attend...just like Nemo wants to go to school. (Nemo is his latest obsession). The whole car ride he was talking about the toys and games that might be there. It was so cute. The best part though was after about 15 minutes of touring the place, Collin looks at me and my husband, then the teacher and proclaims, "Have to go bye bye" while heading toward the door. I guess 15 minutes was plenty for him. Good thing he's not starting for another year!

I felt like I was really taking an active part in my child's education today. While I know I'm going to cry my eyes out the day I actually do send him to preschool, I know it is the right thing for him. I'm really looking forward to him learning and having little friends. So cute!

A "Lady Who Lunches" Mom

Today was awesome because my wonderful husband took the day off so I could have lunch with an old friend. I was so excited about this that I actually think I was a better mom today before and after my lunch date. It's amazing what a 3 hour break can do to help a mama out!
I started the morning taking Collin to Story Time at the Library with my husband. It was so fun to watch Jerry watch Collin because he never gets to go with us. The picture here is from an old story time a few months ago, but you can get the idea. Anyway, Jerry took Collin to lunch after and my girlfriend picked me up at the library for our lunch date. I got to talk "adult" and have a margarita. And when I got home, I was super excited to spend the rest of the evening with Collin. I missed that little bug-a-boo!

A "Enabling Pusher" Mom

Here's my kid. Cute, right? We are at Disneyworld for his 2nd birthday and here he is eating his birthday cupcake with gusto. You would never know that this kid is the world's worst eater. He's still eating baby food veggies and fruit. The only "real" food he eats are anything carbohydrate related. He used to love cheese. He used to love strawberries. He used to love turkey sandwiches. No more! Now he loves chicken nuggets, crackers, and granola bars.
This is proving very frustrating to me. I waste a lot of food trying to "introduce" new foods to him. He is also totally capable of feeding himself with a spoon, albeit a bit messy (I've seen him do it), but throws a crazy tantrum for me to feed him with it. And yes, I give in.
Hence, I have become one version of "that mom." I believe I am an enabler/pusher. How can I be both? They seem contradictory, right? Oh no...see I enable him for awhile and then I get fed up and become the pusher...trying to all of a sudden get him to feed himself with a spoon, etc. I never thought I would be either one. How did this happen?