Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, only WITH words. It’s for those of us that can’t contain the chatter, but in a good way. More info. in my tabber box titled WW on the right. Thank you for playing along!

What kind of mom would I be if I didn’t post some back-to-school pictures of my kids in September? After all, sending one’s children back to school for the new scholastic year is pretty monumental, right? Especially one when becomes a crier, like I did.

I suddenly have a 5th grader, a 3rd grader, a 1st grader and TWO kindergartners.  It’s a bit disconcerting, and a big bit exciting.

And for the record?  I’ve never been so busy in my life.  I thought that when my kids were all finally in school I’d have a lot of down time.  Make that a lot of down time.  But I was wrong.  I guess that’s what happens when one over schedules all of her new-found-free-time. 

If anyone still believes that social media is a fad, they might feel a bit deflated when they see this:

Pretty astounding, isn’t it?

It seems like there are two types of parents.

One type cries when their children start school.

The other type lets out a long sigh of relief that it’s that time of year again.

I thought I was the second type of parent.

Until this year.  When I sent all of my children to school.   It turns out that I’m that parent who can’t help but cry, but pretends to have something in her eye.

All of my babies are in school.  All of them.  I should be happy.  I know this.  But, I’m sad.

I’m sad.

My babies aren’t babies anymore.

Last week a few scenes in the upcoming movie (summer 2011) Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer was filmed a few doors up from my in-laws Pharmacy.  Emma is a HUGE Judy Moody fan, so we wandered up to take a peek and got a real treat.

We got to meet Megan McDonald, the author of the Judy Moody books!  She was so incredibly nice and took the time to autograph FIVE of Emma’s Judy Moody books.

And, she invited us to stick around so that the kids could meet the actors who are playing “Judy Moody”,

and “Stink” in the movie.

Looks like it’s going to be a great family movie!

I love decorating.  I love it even more when my friends ask me to help them find the perfect pieces for their homes, especially bedroom furniture sets.

Like this one that I adore:

The colors make my heart sing (love me some brown, taupe and red), the look is sleek yet comfortable, there is plenty of storage and neither too masculine nor feminine.  Now, who else wants me to pick out furniture or accessories for their home? 

I found this particular bedroom set on one of the sites within the CSN Stores network.  I’ve ordered from CSN many times, and particular like their cookware store.  In fact, recently I ordered some (4) Le Creuset bakeware pieces at incredible prices.  The closeout is probably still going on so you might want to check it out if you are a Le Creuset junkie.

All this is leading up to the greatest part of this post!  CSN Stores is offering one of you a $100 gift certificate to any of the stores within the CSN family of stores.  How great is that?

Entering is easy:

• Visit the CSN Stores and then come back and tell me in a comment what you’d by with $100.00.

For EXTRA entries (separate comments, please):

• Tweet this giveaway (up to 5 times a day, spaced at least 1 hour a part).  Please be sure to include the link to the giveaway.

• Follow me on whatever platform (s) you use most….Facebook, Twitter, etc. (each platform is worth one entry).

GOOD LUCK.

Fine print: This contest is open to US and Canadian readers and ends September 5th at 11:59 p.m PDT. If you choose to purchase an item that does not have free shipping, you will be responsible for shipping costs. If you are in Canada, there may be International fees that you will be responsible for. You must be 18 to enter.  Winner will be drawn randomly and contacted via email.

When I was little fishing meant reeling in a fish and then running off to play or do whatever else it was I was doing when my dad or grandpa caught me a fish and then called me over when it was my turn to do the fun part.

I was never around for the whole hook and bait process, for the casting, or for the hook extraction from the fish once it was caught. And slowly murdered, I might add. 

This time I paid attention, and I have to tell you. I’m not a fan.

All it took was seeing the fish flop around and the hook being taken out.

Thank goodness my dad does for my kids what he did for me!

I did get some good pictures though…………..and the smile on Garrett’s face when he reeled the rainbow trout in was priceless.

Don’t bother asking how the fish tasted. There was NO way I was going to prepare it for consumption after seeing it slowly die!

I’m playing along with PSF and Give Me Your Best Shot.

Don’t forget to check out my Twisted Silver jewelry duo giveaway worth $120!

I’m convinced that my electronics not made by Apple are trying to punish me for switching sides.

Ever since Jeff gave me an ipod touch I’ve coveted all things Apple. Like an iPhone and an iPad. I wouldn’t mind a Mac, either, for that matter.

Anyway, as soon as Jeff surprised me with an iPad, some strange things happened. My Palm Pre (touch screen phone NOT made by Apple) started acting possessed, and by possessed, I mean conference calling someone every time I was talking to someone else. You all know THAT’S no good.

Then, someone stepped on my laptop and ruined the screen…..not such a big deal (I’m being facetious here) except it means I have to send my laptop in for repairs.

And you all know what that means…..

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I’m desperate. And without my main brain.

Somehow my PC’S plan of trying to strand me with out my “brain” thus making me see that he IS essential and better than an old iPad is back firing. It’s just making me want to replace him with a MAC all the more.

I don’t think I’m going to be able to forgive him.

Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, only WITH words. It’s for those of us that can’t contain the chatter, but in a good way. More info. in my tabber box titled WW on the right.

I wonder if it’s even possible to find more majestic landscapes?

It’s amazing just how many wondrous places there are on this earth!

Don’t forget to check out my Twisted Silver jewelry duo giveaway worth $120!

It’s my pleasure to welcome to my blog for a guest post,  one of the nicest blogger’s I know. Ginny Heikka is the author of more than just the words at My Cup To Yours.  She’s also the author of FOUR children’s books, and writes for a few other publications as well.  The joy she finds in motherhood always makes me smile.

As I write this, my daughter is playing Monopoly with a friend, and my son is in his room driving a remote control car around.

I just finished doing some writing and was wrapping up a few things on my computer when I looked at my calendar and saw that I have a school check-in day with my daughter at her middle school this week.

Middle school.

I know I’ve mentioned the fact that I can hardly believe she’s in sixth grade, but it seems like as the date gets closer, I can’t even think about it without getting choked up.

I’m not emotional about it because I’m sad.

I’m not sad.

I’m just… emotional.

It’s the same way I felt when I walked her into preschool, her tiny hand holding tightly onto mine, her thumb in her mouth because she was a little unsure.

I felt like this her first day of kindergarten too, as I hurried away after dropping her off, hiding my tears under my sunglasses, hoping nobody would notice that I was crying.

It’s not that I want her to stay young, and it’s not that I don’t want her to be away from home.

That’s not it.

It’s just that I’m amazed

and overwhelmed

and sentimental

about the fact that she used to be a tiny baby in my arms,

mostly sleeping or crying,

and now she’s on the brink of becoming a teenager,

then a woman.

In seven years, I’ll have raised a woman.

See? Here come the tears again.

“Mommy, we’re going outside,” she just called.

They must be done with Monopoly.

“Okay,” I say, masking the emotion in my voice.

I remember when she was younger and I used to have to go outside with her.

I remember when I’d bring a blanket out on the grass and let her crawl around and play.

I remember the time when she was two and ate a flower and I called poison control in a panic.

And the time she was four and finger-painted hand prints all over our white Labrador when I had gone inside to get the phone.

The memories…

they make me laugh and cry.

There are so many of them.

And I know there are more to come.

I know that.

It’s not like her going into middle school means my journey as a mom is over.

Really, in so many ways, it’s just beginning.

Maybe that’s what my emotion is about…

the changing season,

the new phase.

Endings and beginnings.

It’s just that I love her so much.

And with the school year starting in a week, and the fact that I know by now how fast the days, months, and years fly by,

I’m acutely aware of this time,

this moment,

this beautiful end of summer

with my little girl.

Are you entering a new season too? How old are your kids and what’s changing for them… and for you?

Don’t forget to check out my Twisted Silver jewelry duo giveaway worth $120!

It’s that time again, friends.

Twisted Silver {check out their blog for fashion ideas} has generously offered to give one of you a jewelry duo worth $120.00.

The best part?

I got to pick out the pieces, and let me tell you, I LOVE these pieces.

The first piece in the duo is the last, and I mean last EVER Twisted Silver Flower Necklace.  It’s been retired and I reserved the last piece JUST for you.  Made up of Brass, copper and silver it achieves that layered look that’s SO in fantastically.  In fact, I love this necklace so much that I ordered the second to last necklace for myself.

The second piece in the duo is the versatile Track Bracelet. Made of brass and silver, it’ll compliment the Flower Necklace beautifully. It also looks great stacked with other Twisted Silver bracelets.  Bracelet stacking, by the way is one of my favorite fashion accessories.

In order to qualify to for Twisted Silver jewelry duo, you MUST:

• Visit the Twisted Silver site and then leave me a comment telling me which piece(s) you’d chose if you had $120.00 to spend.  I’ll be paying attention and will chose the most popular pieces for my next giveaway!

For extra entries:

• You may share the contest on your platform of choice like Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc.

• Up to 5 Tweets a day (spaced by at least 1 hour each) will accepted as extra entries, but you have to leave a comment for each Tweet, and please include the link to the contest in the tweet as well as @Twistedrocks.

Contest ends at 11:59 p.m on August 29th P.D.T and is only open to US Residents.  Winner will be drawn randomly and will be contacted via email.