After a recent trip to our local library, it dawned on me that there are just a ton of great finds to be discovered within those walls - and the walls of all libraries. This light bulb moment has created a new semi-series for me in Examiner land. 

Should Abby and I make wonderful discoveries on our outings, they will now be shared within my column with the primary heading of Library discovery: ... 

Our first such discovery was Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star as told and illustrated by Iza Trapani. This book turned out to be a lovely little gem, which found its way off the library shelf and into my hands simply because Abby is majorly addicted to Twinkle, Twinkle right now. If you want to learn more about the book you can, of course, head on over to the actual article. 
If you happen to stumble across such wonderful finds and you'd like them included; please feel free to toss me a line on Facebook, here, or you can always shoot me an e-mail. I'll track down the book myself, give it a read, and provide a review of sorts. 

Hope to be hearing from you!
 
Recently I've done a series of articles that focused on potty training. It began from my collecting various tips and tricks from moms I know and wanting to provide real advice from real moms. 
It seemed to me that there are a ton of books available on the market about potty training dos and don'ts, but what a mom (at least this mom) really wants is for someone more tangible to say, "Hey, I've been there and done that, and here's what worked for my kiddo, and here's what didn't." Not some obscure expert writing a book. 

From this idea came two Fun Friday pieces; one of which wasn't meant to have anything resembling a potty training or otherwise focus, but ended up touching on it within the piece. The other, came from the desire to share the sometimes humorous and honest truth about potty training. 
Next up, was a story I literally stumbled upon, but was interested on getting my reader's take on the story. Basically, a three-year-old girl found herself removed from preschool because of frequent bathroom related accidents. I was hoping to (and did within the comments) start a discussion about children who are ready in every other way for preschool, but maybe haven't left the minors and gone pro in their potty training efforts. I hope you'll join in on the discussion. 
I'll be rounding out all of our recent potty training information with an interview with a friend (and mother of five) who found great success in the pages of one of those potty training books I wasn't comfortable with. We'll basically be taking a look at the book from her perspective and how she put the advice into action. If you haven't already, but sure to subscribe to my Examiner.com column so you don't miss out on this interesting information. You can subscribe at the top or bottom of any of my articles. 

Hopefully this piece will be coming our way soon. 
 
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Valentine's Day is officially behind us for another year. That big rush of air you randomly experienced? A collective sigh of relief from those who find Valentine's Day to be the most ridiculous of holidays, who see Valentine's Day as nothing but a sorry reminder of loss or whatever state of aloneness they might be experiencing. For other's still, it's just another day. 

I don't remember the last time my husband and I actually did anything that would actually indicate a recognition of Valentine's Day as anything other than another day. (Yep, we're those people). I often wonder what people think this says about our relationship, but well, it's just not how we roll anymore. *shrugs* (I did remember to tell him "Happy Valentine's Day," though. You're jealous of the romance, aren't you?) 


At family dinner tonight my mom went all out - the kids loved it and it was a fantastical kind of evening for us all, so I'm not totally "bah humbug" about it, but it certainly doesn't make my top 10 list of favorite days of the year. (Hmm, that implies I have a top 10 list...I'll get back to you on that). 

Throughout the afternoon that I spent with my parents and the evening we all had together, more than once the phrase, "Bah humbug" turned up in conversation. This got me thinking. (Scary, I know). We most definitely need a phrase that is 'Bah humbugish' in nature that is for Valentine's Day alone. Just think of how beneficial such a phrase could be to so many. To the haters, the take-it-or-leave-it-ers (?), the closet lovers of the Day who need a front...Oh the masses for which such a phrase could benefit! 

So let's get crackin'! What phrase can we create that can do for the anti-Cupids of Valentine's Day that Scrooge did for Christmas? Of course, we must keep in mind what happened at the end of Scrooge's tale, he did have a change of heart...Whose to say? But for now, let's find a Bah Humbug ---> Bah Lovebug? Nah. and start a new trend for all those who found Valentine's Day to be a little lacking in the sparkling love department. Hit me with your comments. 

P.S. Even if you love Valentine's Day like nobody else's business, bust out your creativity and help the cause anyways. 


 
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Original Pioneer School building, originally built in 1905.
This Saturday, February 12, 2011, the Billings Barnes & Noble is hosting a book fair for Pioneer Elementary School. 

This little school is over 100 years old and currently has 55 students learning within it's buildings. The original school building still stands and is used. 

There are several activities planned for the Book Fair as well as opportunities for the community to get involved in raising funds for this small school's library. 

Even if you don't live in the Billings area, if you plan to do any shopping on BarnesandNobel.com this weekend, why not contribute a percentage of your sale to Pioneer Elementary School?

For details on how to do that and more information on this event, head on over to: 

 
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Matching jammies for their first slumber party.
This past weekend Abby reached a crucial milestone in becoming a kid. Gone is the toddler, she is now fully embarking upon honest to goodness “kid-dom.” She had her first slumber party with her cousin counterpart, who is exactly one year older than her.

Earlier in the week Abby declared her desire to have a sleepover, when I inquired as to who we would be inviting for such an event, there was no hesitation when she said we needed to call ‘Kayla. A phone call was made to my sister and after she had a conversation with her husband, it was agreed, we would get Makayla on Friday night.

Following you’ll get an up close and personal view of what it looks like to have a 4 and 5-year-old slumber party.

4:30 p.m. – Call my sister to see if we can pick up Makayla and take her to the store with us.

4:45 p.m. – With a giddy girl in tow, we dash up to the door and are greeted with equally matched giddiness. With her little roll-along suitcase in tow, followed by a flurry of kisses and “have funs” we are out the door and ready to kickoff our night.

4:50 p.m. ­– Upon getting the girls safely buckled in, as we head out of the driveway their giddiness cannot be contained as they giggle uncontrollably and play an adapted game of hide and seek…Buckled. In the car. Makayla: “Count to two Abby and I’ll hide.” Abby: “Okay! One, two, three, four…” Makayla: “No! Just to two Abby!” As she ducks her head to the side of the car seat.
5:45 p.m. – Following a successful outing to the store we arrived home and the girls volunteer to help make the pancakes. This required no small amount of negotiating skills on my part, as we determined who got to pour what in, followed by how long they got to stir before switching. Overall, phenomenal helpers.

As I finished up the pancakes and got the eggs and sausage going, the girls played some UNO Moo and Whack-a-Mole. 

6:15 p.m. – We settle in with our breakfast for dinner and both the girls eat ridiculously well. Despite warnings from both her parents and Makayla herself that she doesn’t eat eggs, she had two helpings – we’ll simply call it the magic of Aunt Bec.
7:00 p.m. – The girls and I play a couple of rounds of UNO Moo before they decide they do in fact still have room in their tummies and vote that it’s most definitely time to get the popcorn popping.

7:30 p.m. – With only a small level of debate the girls pick their movie of the night and we end up with the fantastic third installment of Toy Story. Picking out the movie went too smoothly so we were due for at least a minor argument, which was the result of who got to sit on which chair and where.

Major drama was averted by piling pillows up for the girls to lay on complete with blankie snuggling. We got the popcorn popped and they settled in for loads of giggling fun.

9:15 p.m. – “Okay girls! Time to get ready for bed!” Already jammied up, this was met with no resistance as they shared the stool to brush their teeth…It was too easy.

--Phone call from my mother: “Well at least since they’re so little, you won’t have to deal with the whole staying up all night.” Me: “Oh, yeah…Totally.”

9:15 p.m. – 12:15 a.m. –
  • “I need water.” 
  • “I’m scared.”
  • “Aunt Becca, Abby doesn’t want to sleep in the tent.” 
  • “I want a cup.” 
  • “I’ve got to go potty.” 
  • “Can I call my mom to say goodnight?”
  • “Abby wants to sleep in the tent again.”
  • “Where’s my sleep buddy?”
  • “I’m cold.” 
  • “Will you zip us in the tent?” 
  • “I love you.”
5:45 a.m. – Hearing the girls get up to use the bathroom, I continue dozing on the couch. However…I am again raised from my sleep to realize I still hear two silly girls. As I drag myself off the couch, I see that the light in Abby’s room is on. I open the door to two guilty looking girls who each want to blame the other for playing at this ridiculous time of morning. However, I send them back into the tent where they sleep until…

8:30 a.m. – “Shhh be quiet.” We’re up and running for the day. The girls have their breakfast, we catch some Saturday morning cartoons, and cap off our slumber party with some Go Fish and Crazy Eights.

While getting them to go to sleep definitely wasn’t easy-peasy I think we’ll go ahead and bill our first slumber party as a success!


 
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We are now a week away from Valentine's Day. Admittedly, it's one of my least favorite "holidays," but it is a day I appreciate for the little ones in my life. I remember how much fun I had making my little Valentine's mailbox in school and giving and receiving valentines to my classmates. 

Over in Examiner.com land, I've embarked upon a week of sharing love stories to our children that are must‐haves for your home library. 

We started the week off with On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman. This is an incredibly beautiful book that should be given to each baby upon their arrival into this world. For a closer look at this book, head on over to my Examiner column and check it out. 
What are your plans for Valentine's Day this year? For us, I think we're going to go on a heart scavenger hunt around the house. Keep an eye out for all things Valentine's this week on the Examiner front. 

 
Note to self: Despite the numerous books on parenting available, there is no actual rulebook to guide you through the process. This is unfortunate. 

My most recent Fun Friday piece lists 10 things no one tells you before you become a parent (which could actually be a good thing), and number five on this list was probably the most currently pertaining out of all of them for us - well that and number ten. Number five basically talks about the challenges of following through on the consequences we set out for our children. 

Note to self: This is quite possibly one of the hardest things about parenting - consistency and follow through. 

The ladybug has recently decided it would be more fun to play during her naptime instead of sleep - this would be fine if I thought she didn't legitimately still need a nap. On the days she wins and nary a snore is to be heard from her room, the evenings are drama central. So, what's a frustrated mama to do? I had threatened to take her toys away, but had yet to actually have to back up my words...Last week she lost her toys in her room. 

Note to self: Sticking to my guns is infinitely harder than anticipated when she oh so pathetically and heartbreakingly sobs over each special (and not so special) as it was placed in a box. Being the lawmaker is not all roses and sunshine. 

It took her three days to earn those toys back, and this week she lost them again. I am going to win this battle, darn it! As I type this she's up there dreaming the afternoon away, and I'm thinking the real thing no one ever tells you is that it's often hard to know if you're on the right track...Or anywhere in the neighborhood of the right track, and it's only going to get more challenging.