The Tooth Fairy Commeth

The small girl is keenly aware of the pecking order as it applies to the Tooth Fairy.

“Mommy, Madison has lost TWO teeth.  These ones…..right here…. “, she leans in and opens her mouth wide.

“But, Addie?  Addie has lost SEVEN!”

When you are six years old, lost teeth separates the big girls from the little girls….at least in my sweet one’s mind.  And she already ranks herself low on the age totem pole, because well, that’s where she falls.  With a July birthday, she will always be the baby of the class.  Not to mention, she’s a peanut.

For months now, we have been wiggling, and wiggling and wiggling that bottom, right tooth.  By last Friday, I could barely stand to touch the thing….since I could almost push it flat.  But it just wanted to hang on.

Until Saturday, when the seatbelt yanked it out.  That’s right.  The seatbelt.  Because, naturally, Delaney had the seatbelt in her mouth, right by the stubborn loose tooth.  As we rounded a corner - that tooth came flying out.  Despite the mouth-full of blood, she was ecstatic.

Overjoyed is more like it.  She couldn’t stop giggling.

She hasn’t stopped smiling.  She can’t stop looking in the mirror and telling every.single.person we see.

She delicately placed the tooth under her pillow and woke us at 5 am, delighted by the silver dollar the Tooth Fairy had left.

She is positive she caught a glimpse of her wing and crown as she flew into the room and touched her pillow.

I have to confess, I had no idea I would revel in the magic of the Tooth Fairy as I have the past few days.  I can’t wait for her to visit again.

Have you had a visit from the Tooth Fairy?  And just how generous is she in your home? ( Shhhh -  I’ll confess - Delaney’s Tooth Fairy is the VERY SAME Tooth Fairy that visited me when I was a little girl and she is carrying the VERY SAME magical Silver Dollars.)

Dreams, Wishes and a Special Giveaway for Expectant Moms

Driving with my small dude tonight - he was sharing the dream he plans to have when he goes to sleep…

It involves him, a soccer ball, a break away, a BIG KICK and, naturally, a goal.

The small girl, of course, wanted to chime in with her big dream too….though, she claimed, she was a bit frustrated, because this dream is one she has been thinking about for A LONG TIME.

A BABY SISTER.

(Cue screeching tires.)

And to combat my attempts to reason with her…. ie: Mommy and Daddy are happy with our little family of four, she responds: BUT ALL OF MY FRIENDS HAVE LITTLE SISTERS.

While this effects my desire to have another child NOT AT ALL, she is right about one thing - there are lots of babies and soon-to-be-babies in our world - and, I will admit, it is just a little slice of heaven.

I simply adore anything that celebrates the joy of this time.

Not that long ago I received an email from an old friend - sharing news about a woman who was doing just that - finding the fun and celebrating the joy in pregnancy…. AND doing good in the world.

Sign of Labor is the brain child of Ingrid Moriarty - a photographer and mother. As an expectant mother, she wanted other drivers to know she was on the road with them. Her special touch behind the lens was to encourage women to see the beauty in this time.  And when she was in labor, she most definitely was hoping she could get where she needed to be (and in time!)

The Sign of Labor decals and car flags are the result.  The decals and car flags let other drivers know there is extra-precious cargo on board. Darling as a shower gift….perfect to remind women of the celebration of their pregnancy as an active time.

Naturally, the decals are not safety devices and are not intended to promote driving while in labor.

As if I wasn’t already drawn to Ingrid, as part of her company’s mission, she donates 5% of all proceeds to a non-political, non-profit organization that supports the awareness and improvement of pregnancy in the U.S. and around the world.  Their June donation was made to the March of Dimes.

Giveaway

Now, here is the fun part….   I have SIX - that’s right - SIX Sign Of Labor Bundles of these decals and car flags to give away!

• Two Blue - Boy
• Two Pink - Girl
• Two Green - Surprise

In order to enter, leave a comment here - share your favorite labor story, or (if you don’t have one) tell us who you would give this to if you could (and we have to know if you would like blue, pink or green!)

For extra entries

• You can become a fan on Facebook, or
• Follow Sign of Labor on twitter

Contest runs through Labor Day week - until Sunday, September 12th at 11:59 CST.

ExtraordinaryMommy.com is not responsible for prizes that are shipped from outside vendors or sponsors. All entries will be pooled together and six(6) winners will be selected. The winner will have two calendar days to reply via email. Unclaimed prizes will be placed for availability to newly chosen winners after that time. Giveaway is open to all U.S. residents only, must be at least 18 years old to enter. One entry per person, entries accepted through September 12, 2010 ending at exactly 11:59 CDT.

A Letter to A First Grade Teacher: Take Care of My Girl

Dear First Grade Teacher~

Somehow sending my sweet girl off to school for first grade was nearly as bittersweet as last year’s steps into Kindergarten.  I should be good at this by now, right?  I’ve seen her in her uniform.  She’s been under a teacher’s care for the full day.  She’s come home stronger, smarter and sassier.

And yet, I still feel compelled to share a few words with you.  I want you to know her.

That goofy nature, the desire to make silly faces, the contagious giggle?  She gets that from her Daddy. She comes by her love of play and joking ways honestly.  From him she has learned to laugh and tease, smile and see the best in most every situation.

The sensitivity?  The dramatic?  I’ll own up to those traits.  She and I share those. Oh, and the freckles, too.

But that tendency to be a bit shy?  She doesn’t get that from either of us.  That is all her. So is her heart, her kindness, her wish to be independent, her beautiful singing voice, her love of friends and that deep-down-belly-laughter.

She doesn’t love to read yet, but I’m trying.  Math and Science are ok, but art?  And music?  Just try to stop her.

I just want you to know, in walking my little girl into your classroom, I am both excited and apprehensive.  I’m thrilled for the adventures that lie ahead of her.  I’m delighted she has you to guide her.  But I am watching time slip away.  With every uniform skirt she dons, every classroom she enters, with every word she learns to read and write, with every moment she lets go of my hand to take a friend’s, I am forced to let a little piece of my baby girl slip away.

I know you will handle her with care.  I have watched you with the children, the eye contact, the smiles, the enthusiasm, the genuine love you share.  For this, I am grateful.

And if you would, warn her second grade teacher.  I don’t think I’ll be letting go by then either.

Love,

Delaney’s Mom

A Photobomb of Peace - inspired by Karen Walrond

Sometimes you meet someone and their personality is so big, so bright, so passionate that you can’t help but be drawn to them.

This is how I feel about Karen Walrond.  I met her in Salt Lake City at the EVO Conference.  There is something so illuminating, so truly arresting about her.  You would think it is her smile.  Or maybe her zest for life.  Or her passion to highlight The Beauty of Different in each of us. (her upcoming book).

But I think it is that she chooses to make the world a better place Every.Single.Day.

If you have heard of Karen, you are familiar with her flair for photography. And her gift for sharing her process in order to give others a little of that flair.

If you have met Karen, you’ve likely stared at her as I have, mesmerized by the goodness that seeps from her pores.  I have always believed that it is my job to share ‘good’ with you.  I want people I know and strangers to walk away from me with a smile.  I think Karen lives by the same creed, but she has made that job a lifestyle. There isn’t a chance you walk away from her with out a grin.  In fact, you probably skip.

And even when she is angry….deep down in her soul, she views that emotion as an opportunity to encourage change.  About a week ago, I read a post on Karen’s site:  Photobomb is this woman’s answer to a CNN article discussing a Florida Church’s plans to have a Quaran-burning event.  With blood boiling, she issued a challenge to her readers…..help her photobomb the church.

Photobomb, you ask?

Find a photograph you have taken - one that, to you, signifies peace. Write a message of giving, love or peace on the back and send it to her.  She will, in turn, send these positive, accepting, peaceful images to the church.

I am moved not only to oppose the church’s message of intolerance, but I feel strongly about supporting people like Karen, who spread their goodness every day.

Now, you only have four more days to join in, but I encourage you to do so.  Karen will accept photos postmarked through August 25th.  More details on her site.

Seafood Paella - Delicious and Simple

My husband studied abroad in Spain about a million years ago.  Since I began cooking for him….practically the day we started dating…he’s been telling me the BEST meal he has ever had is:

Seafood Paella

I’ll be honest….it sounded ok to me…but nothing I’ve felt compelled to tackle.  Until tonight.

You see, a few weeks ago, I asked for a little help (from all of you).  I’m working healthier foods, healthier habits, into my life.  So, I dusted off my Cooking With All Things Trader Joe’s cookbook. (I recommended it as a gift last Christmas!)

One of the first recipes I found:  Seafood Paella.

There were a few things appealing about this recipe for me:

1) I love seafood

2) I could get everything I needed in one store.  And I love Trader Joe’s

3) The prep and cooking time = 20-25 minutes

4) The ingredients are healthy - no extra butters and fats

So, I did it.

Two thumbs up from my husband.  Coop thought he liked it, singing, “I love Paella”, but changed his mind….and Delaney did her due diligence - tried every piece of it - the rice, the shrimp, the scallops, the edamame, the sausage, but just wasn’t a fan.

I was happy.  Here’s the recipe from the book: (Cooking with All things Trader Joes)

• 1 9 ounce box of Spanish rice
• 2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 refrigerated Chipotle Pepper Gourmet Chicken Sausage, cut into 1/2 ince slices
• 2.5 cups of water
• 1 TSP Spanish Saffron (half the jar) ** warning - this spice is pricey!**
• 1 cup frozen Shelled Edamame or Green Garbanzos
• 1/2 pound frozen small or medium size scallops
• 1/2 pound frozen Medium cooked tail-off shrimp, thawed
• 1/2 cup White Wine

Heat olive oil on high heat in a deep saucepan or skillet
Saute Sausage for about 1 minute
Add water, along with contents of Spanish style rice box, saffron and frozen edamame. Stir until combined,  Bring to a simmer and cover.  Reduce heat to low.  After 8-10 minutes, when most water is absorbed, add scallops, shrimp (if using raw) and wine. Stir to combine.
Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, until shrimp and scallops are opaque and cooked through.  Add more water if necessary to keep rice moist.  If using cooked shrimp, add at the very end and cover pan until heated through.

Back to School Teacher Gift - Thank You TipJunkie

I honestly don’t know what I would do without my online friends.

You keep me sane, give me recipes when I pledge to eat healthier, suggest songs for my iPod, help me decide on a new smart phone and then today…. one of my online girl-crushes proved, once again WHY I must visit her site regularly (never mind that she is one of the kindest people I know).

Do you know Laurie from TipJunkie? You must.  Her site is a treasure. She posted this amazing little article about Back to School gifts for teachers last week.  I’ve kept it open on my desk top since I first saw the link on Facebook.  (I stalk her there too - I’m cool like that)

In the article, there were four crafty suggestions….each one easier, more affordable and MORE adorable than the next.  (Those are key for me, by the way - EASY AND AFFORDABLE)

I let my sweet girl choose which one she wanted to make.  I was personally fond of the Winnie-the-Pooh framed quote…but Delaney prefers to sprinkle the world with candy.  And so….this is what we did:

The cost per gift:

• $1 jar from the Dollar Store
• $2 Hershey’s Kisses
• $2 ribbon
• $2  craft letters
• $1 paper
• Total:  $8 per gift (with ribbon and craft letters left over)

Seeing Delaney’s joy when giving her gift to her teacher?  Priceless.

Thank you, Laurie.

You are Invited to a Virtual Baby Shower

What is a girl to do without friends?

And when you are expecting a baby??  Good heavens….it is your friends who will keep you sane, calm your worries, hold your hands - look in to your eyes and tell you that THIS JOURNEY IS GOING TO BE AMAZING….

And so we have baby showers….not just to ’shower’ the new mother and impending little one with gifts, but really and truly to gather around to say, “we are here now watching you grow and we will be around to do the same for your new sweet one”.  At least that is what I imagine we feel as we host, attend and are the recipient of baby showers.

In just more than a week, I am joining my close friends Ria Sharon and Suzanne Tucker, of the amazing site, My Mommy Manual as they co-host a virtual baby shower with St. Louis TV Station, KMOV in honor of morning anchor and expectant mom, Virginia Kerr.

The event, A Mom is Born: A virtual Baby Shower Celebrating a Woman’s Journey into Motherhood will be held on Wednesday, August 25th from 11am to 1pm CST.

This is only the second virtual baby shower ever (Ria and Suzanne held the first last year!) and it will benefit the March of Dimes Missouri Chapter. The shower will celebrate and honor the transition a woman makes as she becomes a mother…..as well as highlighting how friends and family can support her during this amazing time.

Anyone with internet access can attend virtually….(I’m looking at you)  You will be able to interact with Virginia and the hosts via live chat during the broadcast.  You can watch live on A Mom is Born.

Some fantastic prizes have been donated by event sponsors and will be raffled during the broadcast. For a raffle entry - share your ‘top tip for a new mom‘.  You will also have the chance to learn how to personalize a Holding Hands bracelet.  (A perfect fit considering My Mommy Manual’s motto is “Why do this alone when we can hold hands?”) The Bracelet symbolizes the connectedness of all mothers.  A limited number of bracelets will be sold during the event and a portion of the proceeds will go to the March of Dimes.

How can you support March of Dimes through this event?

• Make a donation via the ChipIn widget below.

• Buy a Holding Hands bracelet for yourself or a loved one.

• Support A Mom Is Born sponsors: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Kolcraft, Goodnite Rooms, Pixie Posie Photography and our Venue Sponsor, Overlook Farm.

Overlook Farm is excited to announce a special package for moms. From now October 15, 2010, (Virgina Kerr’s due date), we invite moms and friends to spend a relaxing night in one of our luxurious inns for the special rate of $125/night. Simply become a fan of Overlook Farm on Facebook to receive this special rate. Mention the virtual baby shower on our wall, and you will be entered to win a Girl’s Weekend Getaway for four to Overlook Farm. Unwind on our 200 acre property, take a soak in our greenhouse hot tub, explore our many gardens, or steal a quiet moment with your best friends with a glass of wine while you watch the sunset over the Mississippi River valley.

Can’t wait to see you there!

Live TV : Ustream

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