"A Wink and a Smile"

Once upon a long time ago it was probably a nice thing to do for parents ... you know the ones who rarely took out their camera.  At least each year they would have one current photo of their child.  However in my house, the camera reveals itself at least a few times in a week.  I love my camera and I love taking pictures.  So why do I continue to purchase school photos of my children year after year?  Maybe because they are just so darn cute OR maybe because I feel the pressure to continue this ritual OR maybe it is because I am afraid to hear "mom, where is my 1st grade photo?" Meet PIPPI ... School pictures are posed and I much prefer natural sort of shots or at least semi-natural ;) I did not get to fix this child's hair before her photo session. I did not send her to school with that white headband thing ... somehow it showed up on her head.  I think it needs to go back to the lost and found . What was the person doing who took this picture?  My child doesn't nor...

I probably shouldn't speak too soon, but I am so glad to see this child READING .  Last night I told her that as much as we love to read to her, she really needs to pick out a chapter book and start one by herself.  Off to her bookshelf she went  ... she picked out a Magic Treehouse book (probably a little easy for her grade level, but I won't protest).  She then read about 4 chapters last night.  This morning she walked around the house with a book in her hand and then sat at the end of our driveway still reading while waiting for the bus. MAYBE things just "clicked" and she will be my little bookworm. I HOPE (and pray).

AND I NEED TO GET OFF THE COMPUTER TO DO THAT ;) A friend of mine shared this article  .  It really had me thinking.  I didn't grow up with a lot.  My mom was a SAHM like I am, but my Dad didn't make the money that my husband makes.  My parents gave us what we needed, but not a whole lot of what we wanted unless it was our birthday or Christmas. My mother would rarely buy clothes for herself  ... she made sure we were better clothed.  I can understand that to some extent.  I know that I will do for my children more than myself, but I also know that I am way more spoiled than my own mother was.  If I think I or the girls need something I usually get it (if it is of reasonable cost).  This mindset has got to change. It seems that our society feels like we "deserve" things ... new cars, new clothes for every season, big houses, fancy memberships, etc.  It is so easy to get sucked into that way of thinking.  A little while back my husband and I talked about Dave Ramsey...

They opened a PANERA in my neck of the woods.  I realize that this really is not important news to anyone but me.  However, I LOVE good bread, good coffee, and good soup/sandwiches.   The 3 year old and I just had a breakfast date after dropping the big girls off at school.  It was so nice. YAY!