Straight From My Kid's Mouth

Who doesn't love Mark Cuban? Go Mavericks!!

2011-12-03T09:46:00.000-06:00

For those of us that live in the DFW area, we all know who Mark Cuban is and most certainly that he's the owner of the Dallas Mavericks. Well recently my writer friend, Jeff Rivera, allowed me to post his interview with Mark Cuban in regards to his new book and his advice to mom-peneurs on how to start their own business. Being a mommy who would love to have her own business, I was happy to hear what he had to say. I'm also giving away two Landmark movie tickets for my readers that click on the following link and check out Mark's new adventure at HDNet Movies Kid Scene. http://on.fb.me/HDMoviesKidScene

I on the other hand, am hoping I'll get Mavs tickets from Mark! Ha Ha I hope you enjoy the interview and perhaps read his book. Here's what Mark had to say during his interview with Jeff:

One of my favorite parts of your book, How to Win at the Sport of Business, that completely broke my heart was when your ex-secretary robbed your first company of over $83,000, leaving you only $2000 after a year of work. If there are moms out there that have lost everything, what advice do you have for them to pick themselves back up?

Keep working. Don’t feel sorry for yourself because it won’t do any good.

There are many young moms who are just beginning their lives and can relate to
you when you said you were sharing a small apartment with 6 people and
sleeping on the floor. How can someone keep their eye on the prize when they’re
living on Ramen noodles?

Who cares how you are living today? I loved every minute of living in
that dump. The low rent and utilities and eating Mac n’ Cheese all
the time allowed me to afford the startup of my business. Instead of
paying myself much, I could put it in to my business.

There are many mommies out there that dream of creating their own business
but haven't a clue where to start. What advice do you have for them?

Find something you love to do, can do on your own and doesn’t require
any more capital than you can afford to lose personally. The most
valuable asset you have is your time, talents and ability to
communicate. Focus on those strengths and what you can do rather than
what you can’t do.

You were offered many opportunities to publish your book traditionally by the major publishing houses but you were quoted as saying that you didn’t like the financial risk model that most publishing deals would offer you. Why?

Time is the most valuable asset I have. The amount of time required to give the publishers a chance to make their money back wasn’t worth the money to me. My preference was to put out an eBook on my own terms and see how it did and what I could learn. Based on this education, I will be a lot smarter about what I do next.

You have a fanbase of millions. And you have encouraged them to email you their thoughts on your book. What kind of feedback have you been receiving?

100% positive. I’ve been shocked by how quickly people have bought the book and read it.

Where can we get a copy of your eBook, How to Win at the Sport of Business?
Anywhere eBooks are sold: Amazon, BN.com, and sites that support independent bookstores too.

My future Dallas Maverick!

Christmas List

2011-11-26T12:22:00.000-06:00

So I ask my three year old what he wants for Christmas and this is his reply... "I want a phone, a pooter and five wii games." Really son? By the way, a pooter is a computer in three year old language. I'm like are you serious? What happened to a train set, a basketball or new bike? So, guess who's been looking for a "pooter" for my three year old. Yes, it is I! I figured since he's a genius except for when it comes to talking, why not give him a computer. He already knows how to go to his favorites and pick his games so I'm increasing his thought processes and his dexterity as he has to point the pointer, right?? What will he want when he's 10???

Big bootie!!!

2011-08-15T16:40:00.000-05:00

I know moms understand when I say I was using the restroom and as always I wasn't alone... Of course the "fun part" that had him following me in was that my Mom has a new potty that has two buttons to push in order to flush. WTH?? Who needs two buttons? Why isn't the standard handle sufficient? Crazy!!! Anyways, my point to this story is that my precious little man who is always so sweet to me and right there to push the correct button for me says, "Mommy, you have a big bootie." I laughed so hard!! Thank goodness I was on the potty already!! Leave it to my baby to be so honest or too honest. I guess it's time I face the fat chick in the mirror and get a trainer. ha ha You know if he wasn't three we'd be having a heart to heart! I still love him!! Little toot!!

Tail Feathers

2011-07-06T16:53:00.000-05:00

While on vacation this past week my kids were arguing and fussing with my Mom in the backseat. And she says to them, "You're ruffling my tail feathers!" Of course Jordan doesn't forget a thing so the next day when they go at it again, she looks at my Mom and asks, "Are we ruffling your tail feathers?" Giggling she continues to ask where they are and my Mom says "Oh, they are tucked in my pants." We laugh and then my sweet little two year old who talks jibberish most of the time, looks right at her and says clearly "Can I see them?" We bursted out laughing. Just when everyone says he can't talk normal he proves them wrong and shows them just how smart he is!! Love my babies, they keep me laughing everyday!

Tail Rufflers!

Shut up Mommy!

2011-06-15T10:13:00.000-05:00

Really??? Already??? I must have been teasing or annoying him but suddenly he fires back, "shut up Mommy". I'm like what did you say young man, we don't say that. He quickly says, "Mommy, I said shhhhooosssshhhh!" Of course big sister backs him up. He's only two!!!! This is going to be a fun ride!

How can such a sweet boy say such a thing??

Cutting hair?

2011-06-06T15:20:00.000-05:00

So, I'm trying to talk my sweet little angel into cutting her hair short for the summer. It's super long but also super thin so it's a mess half the time. And if it's not in a ponytail it's in her face. I tried to say we'll cut it like her best friend and like the girl on tv and well... nothing!! She refuses. In fact, she said if I cut her hair she is moving out of my house. Really??? Already??? I thought that didn't start till she was sixteen!! What is going on with kids these days and where do they hear that? So, of course I tell her she can't leave my house or I would cry and cry and cry for days and days and days. Her reply, "Well, then I just won't be your best girl anymore." Ok, I can handle that! I think I'm in for some trouble with this smarty pants!

This is the look I got the first time I cut her hair short back in 2008. She didn't want it cut then either. Love her!!

Graduation Day

2011-05-25T21:38:00.000-05:00

We have graduated PreK! Well, not that I had anything to do with it other than getting her up and getting her to school! However, Jordan had the best time ever at school this year. She never fussed about getting up early for school. Each time she would jump up, get dressed and happily bounce out the door. More importantly, she made her very first best friend, Lauren. And thank you Lauren for now my daughter does whatever "Lauren" does, ha ha. If Lauren didn't go to computer that day then neither did Jordan. If Lauren ate PBJ sandwiches for lunch well Jordan now wanted PBJ sandwiches for lunch. By the way, I could NEVER get her to eat a PBJ sandwich. And of course Lauren is playing tennis this summer. Well guess what Jordan wants to do this summer???? Now I love that she has a bestie but really...is this what I'm in for? Does Mommy have no more influence? What happened to my little independent, bossy but very sweet little girl? I'm guessing this means she's a follower and not a leader. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I think I too was a follower at least with my friends. My sisters would say I'm a leader or a control freak! Either way, I'm so thrilled for my precious baby girl. She's grown so much this year. She's not nearly as shy and I see her young lady personality come out more and more each day. I'm so proud of you Jordan. I love you more than life and I wish you the best, always!! My baby girl is growing up...

Kiss Me Long???

2011-05-18T11:14:00.000-05:00

Lots of kissing in the house these days. A few weeks back, Jordan comes up and says "Kiss me mommy." So I lean in and she says "No, turn your head like this (as she leans her head to the side) and kiss me like on TV." What!!!???? I tell her she's silly and kiss her straight on, ha ha and we move on.

So, last night she comes to me and says "I want a kiss mommy." I lean in and she gets a kiss and immediately says, "No mommy, kiss me long." What???!!!!

Since she's so darn cute and only five, I think I'll leave the "talking to" for next year!!!

One of our many, many, many kisses...

More like straight from his undies...

2011-05-16T15:55:00.000-05:00

So, we started off the morning with great excitement in the donning of Keller's new underwear. Spongebob of course! He's only two and half...sigh. Excitedly he put them on all by himself. We used the potty twice this morning with great success and thrills. Potty dance and all. He gave me several sincere promises of using the potty all day long. Off we go with our usual tasks, me cleaning, him playing the Wii. Educational huh! However, he's very good for a 2 yr old. He can even create his own Mii. Love him!

After about an hour or so, I completely forgot that we were in undies today and well, so did he. I hear this "uh" and a giggle. I ran in the playroom to see him smiling and saying "I pee pee, I pee pee." Lovely...I think we'll try potty training another day. Back to diapers. :(

Quick change and back to the Wii.

Pete & Repeat in Key Largo, FL

2011-05-11T17:53:00.000-05:00

Looking at old pics today and found this cute video. Keller's got the SNL head bob going on and copies everything his sister does. Love them too much!! Living it up at Gilbert's in Key Largo!! July 2010

Not so funny now, huh?

2011-05-10T10:16:00.000-05:00

So I start this blog to document my hilarious kids and now they haven't hardly said a word, ha ha I guess it's all about me today, really??? Here are my three goals for this month:
1. Lose 10 lbs - I have my 20 yr reunion next month
2. Potty train my two year old, hahahahahahahahahah
3. Get my annual exam

I think I'll just go have a bowl of ice cream and call it a day!

Come see what Avon has to offer at www.youravon.com/kpatak ! I sell Avon too, I'm multi-talented like that! :)

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T17:29:00.000-05:00

Ok, so my boy is easily tricked! Ha! He went shopping with my husband and even at two, he knows what Mommy has in the bag. :) While my daughter and husband were wrapping my gifts. I said to my son, "Did Daddy get me some earrings or a necklace or a watch?" He quickly says, "Daddy got you a watch." Thanks sweetheart! I know who my buddy is now. ha ha It has been a great Mother's Day. We went to church early this morning and then met my extended family for lunch. Now my husband is making us a nice dinner and all is quiet in the house. I'm truly blessed to have such wonderful kids! And the Mavericks just swept the Lakers. Life is good! God is good! Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there!

My insider!!

Great comment for my first blog...

2011-05-07T21:36:00.001-05:00

So I had this great idea to start blogging about my kids, things we do, places we visit, our favorite things and most of all the down right funny and shocking things they say. And well...straight from my daughter's mouth, she basically tells me I'm on the computer too much. :( At her preschool this week, the kids made Mother's Day cards. I see three drawings, one of me being fancy in a dress, one of her and I together and one other. I asked her about the one of her and I together to which she replied, "This is what we do together". I asked her what we were doing together. She shocked me by saying, "That's you on your computer. You're always on your computer." Ok, so much for starting a blog! ha ha I will now blog only when she is at school or in bed. Talk about feeling like a computer loser!! I tell you, kids are so honest. And I thank her for that. I hope you enjoy my children's words of wisdom and get a laugh or two as I do everyday. I love my life and wouldn't want it any other way.

If they are doing this...I'll be doing this!