What I Learned This Week

Whew…the things I learn…

As I’ve mentioned before, this is one of my favorite themes of the week, and as busy as I seem to have been lately, sometimes the only post I get around to posting each week on this blog (I have another family blog too where I update photos for relatives far away).

This week, I’ve learned:

1. That I like to challenge myself beating my time on a 5K. My friend and I (I’m on the far right, and the friend in the middle is the one I’ve been training with) beat our first 5K time by 2 minutes at 58 seconds on Sunday! We did 35 minutes and 14 seconds! Nevermind our other friend who did 29 minutes…. I’m anxious for our next one, which probably won’t be until next fall. It is just getting too darn hot.

2. You can find GREAT deals on Amazon. I found all of our camping gear we needed (for our 3-year-old) last week as well as some Leapster items, no tax, and no shipping! So worth it!

3. Life gets much busier with even just one child, and seems busier each day. How IS that? (I should cherish it, right, because one day he will want to do only his own thing, without his parents, right?)

4. Multitasking gets impossible after having a child. Or is it that I’m an older mom and it is the loss of brain capability too?

5. Having routines in certain areas (like menu planning, grocery shopping, regular blogging) can just fall off the face of the earth one day, for some reason, and it can be hard to get them back into place. Should I just accept that and move on or fight to get it back?

6. Your child can be a t-ball dropout, but love, love, love joining gymnastics with a buddy!

What have you learned this week?

Be sure to check out Julie’s blog!

 

What I Learned This Week

Woo-eee! Yep, those are the words that came to mind just thinking about what I’ve learned this last week (and a tribute that kind of sounds like whoopin’ and hollerin’ for Julie).

This week or so, I’ve learned:

1. One can have goopy oopy eyes in the morning, even after inserting contacts, and like 2 hours later. Where does that goop come from? (Sorry, maybe TMI, but I feel like I am crying goop as I write this.)

2. Lucky Charms can be like crack for a three-year-old. Addictive, has-to-have it, every morning, and get at those charms, kind of crack. I’ve already told my son after the big box is empty, there is no more. Because I feel guilty as a mostly healthy-eating mom to have even purchased them in the first place. Bad mom. Anything that leaves a blue tongue even after brushing the tongue cannot be good for your child unless you want him to have ADHD later, right?

3. Even after running pretty regularly, you can take a 6 mile hike, mainly downhill the whole way and feel like you blew out your calves and now walk like…well, not sure what like, but painfully and funny like. Day 4 now after and I’m starting to feel some relief at least.

4. Your child can start making up stories about how someone is taking his snacks at school. After talking with the teacher you can realize that perhaps he is creative and smart (positive words, right), and really just wants another snack at home and thinking of sneaky ways to get it.

5. Sometimes, as much as you would like not to have to, you just have to take some TV-free nights and get caught up on all those things you can’t do in front of the TV. (When I’m talking TV time, it is really just an hour-hour and a half after my son goes to be when I’m already too pooped to do anything else.)

6. On that “pooped” note, something I learned long ago is that people from other countries don’t know that slang word and look at you really funny-like when you say, “I’m pooped.”

7. While planning for a camping trip, I’m learning Amazon has some great deals, and for no tax in our state, even better, thinking about all the necessities to add a three-year-old to the mix. I’ve also learned that without reviews, one can surely question a product’s reliability.

8. Gel nails don’t really last all that long, and can even pull up a bit just a few days after you get them. I also think my nail tech didn’t know what she was doing. I ended up scraping off most of the shellac by Friday (only 6 days of use).

9. I’m learning there are all kinds of different booster seats for kids at age 4. Now I’d love some advice on the best ones that do have back and side head rests in case my kiddo wants to go to sleep. I know he’s too young yet, but I saw one on sale and it got me thinking. Any suggestions?

10. I learned that wow, some weeks I can make it to 10! Hmmm…a big one lately? To-do lists have saved my sanity a bunch over the last few weeks. I’ve had a lot to do, and unless I write it down, it slips out of my aging mind. Thank you t0-do lists!

What have you learned this week?

What I Learned This Week

This week was amazing. It was the second week of my spring break and I got to spend quality time with my son and some great friends (and my hubby too).

Here are some things I learned:

1. Ostriches WILL try to eat your hand when feeding. Better to feed from a distance.

2. Picnics on the back porch are fantastic! Your dogs may be confused why you’re on the outside and they are on the inside however.

3. You may wonder that three is too young for your son to play t-ball, and consider doing something more involved like gymnastics. (Last “trial” practice today)

4. Being a part of one of your best girlfriend’s wedding is an amazing thing.

5. Having someone else take a picture of you and your husband at the wedding may leave you looking like…well…you don’t have any clothes on, versus that you’re wearing a strapless dress.

What have you learned this week?

Be sure to check out Julie’s blog!

What I Learned This Week

As Julie mentioned on her blog, the week really seemed to fly by, but in good ways.

Here are a number of things I learned in that fly-by week of mine:

1) Age 3 1/3 is a pretty fabulous age. I am just loving spending time with my son right now. He’s loving, can understand so much more, and he makes me laugh, hard. Example in #2.

2) When one sticks suction cups from a hanging bath toy bag on one’s chest, they DO stick, and make a “SLURP-POP!” sound coming off, sending your son and yourself into hysterics. I must clarify…HE put the cups on his chest, not me, and they certainly weren’t on MY chest.

3) Having a few days off with your son, filled with special fun activities, is AMAZING, and just fill that …oh, I’m terrible with metaphors….fills that bubble? That vase of rocks? That…. _____________ (you fill in the blank), that glorious place that makes you feel all happy inside.

4) Going on an early morning run right after a rain in the desert is a great thing. Only when you think you’ve plotted out a course that is long enough in your mind, to find out you didn’t go as far as you hoped (and ate a cream cheese covered bagel afterward), can be disappointing.

5) Spending time your friend,  celebrating her marriage in a week, is a wonderful thing. (Note new black dress.) Having a great photographer there doesn’t hurt either!

6) Having a day off to oneself (today) is something great to look forward to (even after the disappointing run-the distance only, yet cream cheese bagel, which was great), knowing I get to go to a fantastic restaurant at lunchtime with friends and include a margarita!

7) Leaving off on lucky number 7 (not my lucky number, but I’m sure it is someone’s, right?) today can be a good thing if it means having a little bit of time to scrapbook my son’s 3rd birthday and Halloween before lunch!

What have you learned this week?

What I Learned This Week

Another week of learning. I guess that is good when one aspires to be a lifelong learner, right?

So, as I am two weeks away from being a bridesmaid in a wedding (only my second time), here are some things I’ve learned about that:

1. I think I’m spending more time thinking about my nails and accessories for my friend’s wedding than I did my own 8 years ago. (We did a simple, in the park, close friends and family thing.) Though stressful, it is kind of fun to have the excuse too.

2. I’m definitely spending more money dressing for, sleeping in a hotel for, attending parties for this wedding than my own. I even bought special undergarments for two different outfits for this wedding, and I sure didn’t for my own cute dress I wore for my wedding.

3. Preparing a “Here’s everything you need to know for 24-36 hours with our son” list, while we’re gone, will be an adventure.

4. I’m not sure if this will be a learning experience or not, but when a party says, “Wear your little black dress,” will people really be wearing their little black dresses or will they all show up in jeans, a cool shirt, and heels, and I’ll be overdressed?

5. Again, maybe not a learning experience yet, but could use advice, if getting a French mani/pedi done for a wedding, should you do gel wraps for both to protect and pay the extra price? I think what I’ll learn from that is that I’ll have to pay the extra $ to have it removed in the shop. Thoughts anyone?

Be sure to check out Julie’s post this week!

What I Learned This Week

Hard to believe another week has come and gone, and here are some things I’ve learned:

1) After waking up several times during the night to “Mommy, close my door,” and one’s own coughing, it can cause you to be a little grumpy…most of the day.

2) Adding t-ball practice to the list of activities for the week can cause one to now ponder A) Can I still get in a good workout myself? and B) Guess we’ll have to get take out dinner home those nights?

3) Sometimes Mommy needs a day off, or two, alone (never going to happen, right?).

4) I am sooo behind on email responses to great friends.

5) I love my son more than anything in this earth, and can be in a great mood tucking him in at night, until he gets an excitable nerve, kicks his feet out of the covers and right into my face. Makes for a frustrated Mommy.

6) Sometimes it is best just to close one’s office door to get a few quiet moments of work completed.

7) I am an overplanner. I love to plan activities and events, but I’ll tell you, I tried to keep last weekend a bit more open and it was NICE!

8) I have to become more of a flexible thinker. I just do, and not get stressed over things. Easier said on certain days more than others. Why is that?

9) Making binoculars (“noculars” as he called them) with my son out of toilet paper rolls on Saturday was a blast, and we definitely need to do more things like that, or at least more regularly.

10) Sometimes making sure I have enough food in my tummy can make me a happier woman. Like right now, I think I need a snack and that’s why almost all of my “learnings” seem so sad. Granola bar, here I come!

What did you learn this week?

Be sure to go see Julie’s!

 

What I Learned This Week

Last week, I sure intended to do this post, and instead, ended up with this one. Check it out if you have time.

I’ve still learned a lot since then, including my favorite this morning:

1) My son would LOVE to go camping, and fishing, and catch some “gooey fish”. For those of you familiar with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, that’s where they are from. I’m hoping we can take our first trip camping this summer. I loved it as a kid. Any hints for taking 3 1/2 year olds tent camping besides making sure you are near a toilet?

2) You can have an item on Craig’s list for weeks, get “hits” asking you if it is still for sale, no one comes through, and a friend and her kids can come over for a visit, mention casually, “Hey, let me know before you put that up for sale and I’ll buy it from you,” and end up carrying it home that very day.

3) Sometimes letting an item go for less than you originally wanted on Craig’s list is a good idea if you just want it out of your house.

4) On the Craig’s list note again, I’ve found you can purchase something, use it a little and resell it for just as much in a few years.

5) You can put together a somewhat healthy lunch for a 3-year-old at the gas station convenience store if you forget the school isn’t serving lunch that day. (Yogurt, milk, apple, cereal bar)

6) You can get all hyped about running and your running partner can hurt twist her ankle at work in a silly pair of shoes, leaving you partnerless for that day, without an iPod for company on top of it. Whoa is me, right? (Actually, I feel sorrier for her.)

7) It costs a LOT of money to be part of a wedding party, but it is sooo worth it to take a bridesmaid dress to a custom shop to have alterations, even if it costs a pretty penny. I won’t even touch that, knowing how to sew.

8) I don’t know what a good present is for a “classy” bachelorette party for an awesome friend, and how much I should spend on her. Can anyone help me?

9) Leftover Honey Nut Cheerios cereal bars from the gas station (see #5) are pretty tasty. Just ate the one my son didn’t eat last week, with coffee. Yum. Maybe not so healthy every day, but yum.

10) Being a mom is BUSY! I so want to find more time to blog and read blogs, and I need to learn how to find the time to do it. I love it and it feels like a necessity, like food and water.

What have you learned this week?

Be sure to check out Julie’s blog!

WILTW: Time

I’m feeling a little strapped for time this week, but aren’t we all, almost every week?

Here are some things I’ve learned lately about time:

1) You can think adding 3 days’ worth of exercise to your week shouldn’t be that hard, but other things pop up and try to steal that allotted time, causing one to have to get very creative.

2) Enough time to sleep is very important. I think last night was the first night in over a week that I actually got to hear my alarm go off, at 5:25 AM, and not be woken up by my son or my own coughing from my cold. Problem was, I’m supposed to get up at 5:15 AM. I’d changed it one morning I was awake since 3 AM, hoping to get some sleep at some point, stretching it to 5:25. That didn’t happen. The TV ended up on at 5:00 AM. That set me back a bit today, rushing, rushing around!

3) Sometimes we have to steal moments of time. For instance, I was supposed to host a club after school today, but due to a dance, I didn’t have any students. That extra time allowed me to get caught up on some personal things at my desk, like making hotel reservations and starting this post! That’s a wonderful thing to find, extra time!

4) 20 minutes seems like a long time to run. Once you hit the 20:00 mark though, you realize you can do just a little more. That bit of time isn’t so long after all!

5) The biggest one, when you don’t have time to do some things you love, you just have to get creative and have to figure out a different way of doing them. I’m not sure that really works yet, but I’m going to try that style of thinking when in a few weeks I have to figure out how to run 3 days a week after work and add on t-ball practice, of which I don’t even know the schedule of yet! I can do it, right?

What are some things you do to try to save time or look at it differently throughout the week?

For more of what others have learned this week, see Julie’s blog!

What I Learned This Week

Like always I am a lifelong learner. Some things I am ready for, and others I am not. Some I pursue and some pursue me!

So this week, hmmm…let me think about the highlights.

I learned:

1) It is almost impossible to watch any more than 5 minutes of the Super Bowl when you have company over and your mom suggests, “We girls can sit in the kitchen to eat” and you have a three-year-old who wants more attention from the guests than to watch the game or let THEM watch the game. Little did I mention we had out-of-town family visiting, so it felt rude to tell my mom I really wanted to be watching the game too. Thank goodness for DVRs, and watching the last half of the game probably well after it was over.

2) A three-year-old who never really masters a tricycle, then outgrows his trike CAN very well get on a two-wheeled bike with training wheels and do soooo well!

3) My house does pretty well in freezing temps that we had last week, while many had burst water pipes and no heat. I don’t want to gloat because many of my friends were suffering, but I’m glad our house did well!

4) My friend Becca rocks on making headers (as well as other things! Look for my new one to replace those books up above soon!

5) I think I’m starting to get the hang of Word Press, and with more practice will like my new site here!

For more of the WILTW carnival, see Julie’s blog.

>WILTW: This Last Week of 2010

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As always, little life lessons are learned in as little as a week, and that’s why it is always fun to reflect.

1. The first one I learned just yesterday, while trying to load photos from Christmas Eve in my family blog. Google only allows 1 GB for photos/images and I had exceeded my limit, starting my blog back in the fall of 2007. What? I didn’t know there was a limit, and I guess with videos, that goes up quickly. So, I had to purchase 20 GB more for only $5.00. Have any of you had to do that yet?

2. I’ve learned too, that I dislike my method of “housing” my photos in iPhoto and folders on my desktop versus my old method of using some great Nikon software that was no longer compatible with my upgraded software. It is so much harder to resize and name my photos in one easy step. I must resort to something new. I really like all my photos stored in folders by month and year on my desktop for easy historical reference. It is going to take some time, but maybe that needs to be one of my New Year’s resolutions, along with losing the 5 pounds I’ve gained over the holidays (since Halloween), right?

3. I learned that being 40 and getting little exercise in one’s life, due to having a little one and less time definitely has its setbacks. After sitting on the floor helping to unwrap/play with new Christmas toys, lifting one’s 37 pound child into a toddler swing moments later can send sharp pains in one’s back, causing major discomfort for multiple days afterward…

4. Christmas is sure a blast with a 3-year-old. And, he can cry when he sees that Santa ate all the cookies and drank the milk that was left out for him.

5. Bean bag chairs are still really cool, and even better “lounge-size” so Mommy can also sit in it with child to read stories. It is also awesome for a great nap.

 

For more fun stories, check out Julie’s blog.