Where did the day go? I have been working on getting these photos from this morning loaded all day, and somehow it has taken me til the very last minute to get it done. The four older kids headed back to school this morning. Honestly, everyone was thrilled to be starting back up again. I am grateful that my kids enjoy school.
I’ve got to rush before I leave to pick the kids up in a few minutes, but here’s a quick peek at my the back-to-school morning traditional shots.
KitKat started …

**Contest is closed** The lucky winner is her5boys (I checked and doubled checked and she submitted all of the required entries plus some!) Congrats! Thank you, everyone, for all of the entries!
For the last day of my end-of-summer giveaway week, Famous Footwear and Mom It Forward have teamed up to bring us a delicious (and stylish) giveaway!
I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who didn’t love shoes and ice cream. Am I right? A great pair of shoes and some yummy ice cream are almost all we need to …

I hope you don’t mind that I’m cheating a little this week and sharing more than one “best shot.” The kids and I spent 3 hours at the pool today. We’ve been spending as much time at the pool as possible this week as we finish off the last week of Summer. If it weren’t for the fact that AJ got tired and cranky….and the fact that we needed to eat something for dinner, I would have stayed all night, too.
I am mourning the loss (hopefully temporary) of my water …

**Contest Closed** The winners are comments 5 and 22: Cecily R and and Heather C. Congrats, you two!
For my 4th day of giveaways, I’ve got something very exciting to offer not one, but TWO readers today:
500 Die Cut Business Cards from the Digital Room!Have you always wanted a business card, whether it be for an etsy shop, your home business, your blog, or simply as a personal contact card?
The Digital Room gives you the options to:*Choose from three Business Card Sizes: 2×3.5”, 2×3”, or 2×2″*Choose Paper: 14pt cardstock (matte …

Last Thursday, I got to have a live #GNO (girls night out) with the original queen of #GNO…Jyl of Mom it Forward. I was chatting with Jyl before my trip to Utah and she was good enough to put together this little girls night with a few local friends.
Included in the bunch were: @thesassymom, @jylMOMIF, @makeandtakes, @prairiemama, @brownclemmer, @theworkingmom @thesassymom

I was thrilled to spend a few hours with my BlogHer 2010 partner, Kim (aka PrairieMama) and her youngest daughter, Libby. Libby liked the Olive Garden’s bread sticks (even the …

I came across this short video today, and decided to be weird and share it with you guys. This is Twizzler in 2005, and I am floored by how much he looks like AJ. I always thought they looked so different.

I was actually challenged this week by my friends at the Blog Frog to add video into a blog post this week–it’s something I rarely do….Just thinking about video makes me sad since the kids LOST my camera that records video. They LOST a camera! Can you believe it?
Thank goodness …

**Contest closed. The 5 winners are: Shawnalee, Jophie at Jophie’s Jungle, mverno, marye302, and Egare1.**
Summer time is a perfect time for reading–next to the pool, on the front steps while the kids ride bikes outside, on the comfy chair next to an open window….I love reading and wish I could do more of it.
Too bad I have all these kids running around. They put a damper on my reading time.
I am pleased to introduce you to a new book, released this month, called Light Up Your Child’s Mind …

Psst….I got something in the mail today, and I had to share it with everyone!
Remember about a month ago when my mom came into town? Well, while she was here, we drove up to Gettysburg, PA to spend an hour with Bonnie, of Sadie Days Photography (formerly known as Bonnie Loves Pictures). I was sad to learn that Bonnie is getting ready to move, so this was probably the first and the last meeting for the two of us, but those of you out in the Denver, Colorado area will …

Many of you know that I am going to be spending my birthday weekend in October in Las Vegas with some of my best blogging pals at SITScation. Whrll has just announced that they are going to sponsor one lucky blogger to the event (that’s conference fees, hotel, and airfare). I made this little slideshow to show Whrll and SITS why I need to go, and why I should by the one to win the sponsorship. Cuz I deserve it, right?
Would you do me a favor? Watch the short slideshow …

**Contest Closed** The winner is Lisa. Congrats, Lisa, and Thanks everyone!
It’s day two of the last week of summer (for my kids) and we’re ready for the second giveaway!
What is it about little girls and painted nails? I suppose the childhood love of painted nails never goes away, does it? I still love it.
Reese, my 6 year old, asked me yesterday if she could paint her nails. Nail painting is a great bonding activity for mom and daughter, but I have to admit–I hate the smell of nail polish and …