jump-a-thon

Memories came flooding back when Corynn came home from school yesterday with a fundraising form. It's for a jump-a-thon her school is having with 100% of the donations going to the American Heart Association. I did jump-a-thons when I was in elementary school...and I was pretty darn good too! My biggest competition was my dearest friend Jill. I think ours was more for fitness than for charity, but still...it was so nice to see something besides food/candy catalogs, candles or cookie dough!

So the way it works is that the kids ask family and friends for a flat donation. Every child is encouraged to participate in the jump-a-thon...and so no child feels left out the PTA is donating a dollar in every child's name. But shhhhhhhh- its a secret! Once you have at least a $1 donation, you are eligible to participate. On the day of the jump-a-thon there are several events. Who can jump the longest without missing, the most jumps in 1 minute, crossover contests etc. It will be tons of fun!

The coolest thing for us is that Corynn is super excited to participate! She even offered to donate her piggy bank savings so she could join in. And to think we were told that jumping rope was one of those things she would never be able to do. Now not only can she jump rope...but she loves it and is quite good at it!

and yes, grandparents...Corynn will be calling you soon!

buttons

Evie loves pushing buttons! On phones, keyboards, remotes, ipods, computers, the ps3 and on occasion even mine!

Lately, though, it's been the keyboard. She likes to type. She will climb up into the chair and gently type buttons like she's working away on something. So darling! I just love seeing how inquisitive and smart these little people are...amazing! She has learned how to unlock my iphone and access the ipad to her favorite drawing app. Quite the smart little cookie we have.

Yesterday I was playing the piano and she sat at the desk next to me typing up something. She even used the mouse. And some how accessed itunes to started playing the Wicked soundtrack. She loves music so she was over the moon thrilled!

                                                   

And then she climbed down, head bobbed a bit and ran in circles. I love her to pieces! 

soda boycott

I announced to the family last week that I was giving up soda. I have been reading articles about how bad it can be for you. I knew regular soda was sugary and full of empty calories so I've been off the regular stuff for years. I didn't know, however, that through several studies at Purdue, Harvard (and other prestigious bio-tech schools) that DIET soda is seriously harmful. A short concise article can be found here and more studies and reports can be easily found by simply googling it.

From what I've read, Diet soda can mess up your metabolism, cause kidney problems, rot your teeth, contribute to obesity, cause cell damage to your DNA (yikes!!!!!) and even cause reproductive issues. Isn't that nuts!? 

Even if this stuff isn't true, because you can easily find reports and articles stating that diet soda is safe and fine...water is my go to refreshment! There is no disputing that water is good for you!

I thought it would be hard (because sadly I was drinking at least 2 sodas a day) but after the second day, I was fine! Actually felt great! I snagged a taste of our daughter's soda one day and couldn't believe how overly sweet it was. YUCK! 

Our kids are going soda free pretty soon...haven't really talked it over with them. But thinking we could do it like we did our candy free year. Which was basically this: we had our kids sign a contract that said for one year they wouldn't have candy- except for three days of their choosing. If they could accomplish this...they would receive a $100 bill. Which of course we had laid out on the table so they could see them- they were real! Something visual and tangible for them to see everyday and know they were working towards. Obviously, I'm not above using bribes in parenting! :)

Anyway, just wanted to share. My next boycott will be sugar, but that will have to wait a bit until after vacation! Because seriously, what's a roadtrip with chocolate and licorice!?

baby mama (so not what you think)

A few weeks ago my mom stopped by on her way through town. Just a quick visit, but she brought some old photos with her. She was so excited to share them, just a handful of black and white snapshots. As I reached for them, I asked what they were. "There my baby pictures!" she exclaimed. She was so thrilled because these are the only photos she has of her as a baby. And they were just recently given to her.

Imagine growing up never seeing baby pictures of yourself and only possessing a few of your entire childhood. Crazy! I can't imagine. We always had photo books to look through and each of us children has our own album in our bedrooms. And with my kids...holy smokes! Evie isn't even two yet and I'm guessing I have 2000 of her. Ha - just kidding...maybe more like 1500. seriously. But I think its because photos, candid snapshots, captured moments are so easy these days. Technology has allowed us to have a camera with us all the time.

Another perk to technology is facebook! My older brother works for Ancestry.com so he has access to alot of information. But he was able to connect with a great cousin 5 times removed or something like that and she shared a photo with him that was of my mom on the day she was adopted by her stepdad. One she had never seen before...but that marks such a wonderful moment of her past.

So with a few minutes of scanning and a couple of clicks...her baby photos (all 8 of them) are forever stored in digital format. 

Here's her baby announcement...so sweet! 

And written in my grandmother's hand...a bonus since she types everything and has ever since I can remember. 

Sure do love this baby girl!