Archives for June 2012

A Purposeful Summer

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Jump!
The other day The Nester reminded me that we only have 18 Summers with our kids.  18?! Isn’t that a crazy thought?  Makes you want to be really intentional with them doesn’t it?  It pretty much confirmed for me what has been on my heart for the past few weeks and that is a Summer blogging break.

I will be taking the Summer off to focus on my little ones, all 6 of them {although some of them are not so little} and to do some behind the scene things around here and my other blog. I am working on shifting my other blog to a new blog and changing the name.  I also have 2 eBooks that I am finishing up.  One is for moms who have lost a child and the other is an expansion of a series I did on How to really Be a Good Mom {Letting Go of the Bad Mom Mentality}. I’ll be sure to let you know when they are out.

Another project I have going on here at Mommy Kudos is working on a local version of Mommy Kudos.  I happen to live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas and have been wanting to give out kudos to my favorite local places, activities and great stuff for moms, babies and kids.  So I will be finishing that site and linking to it here.

I do have some post coming up on Mommy Kudos this Summer while I am taking a break.  I get to share with you What {other} Moms Love!  I am excited about this new feature.  If you’d like to be a part and share on Mommy Kudos what you love as a mom then contact me for information.

While I’m away I’d love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter! I’ll be chatting there about our Summer and adding more Summer Fun Ideas to the Pinterest Board.

Have a wonderful and purposeful Summer and I’ll see you back here soon!!

 

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Fit Moms For Life {And a Giveaway to get you started}

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I don’t know about you but the idea of being Fit Moms for Life is super appealing to me.  I am very excited about sharing this book with you! If you are tired of being out of shape, overweight and unhealthy then this book has the potential to change your life.

Dustin Maher has created a book that is all inclusive on how to really become a Fit Mom for Life. This book is not just an exercise plan or an eating plan.  No, this book is detailed and thorough and will show you how to set long term goals, how to take the pain of what you have been experiencing from being out of shape, overweight and unhealthy and turn it in to motivation to take care of yourself.

Maher says that Traditional Cardio Doesn’t Lose Fat.  Perhaps in all your efforts to get into shape you have been doing it all wrong?  I know I was. This book will help to set you straight and on the right path towards fitness.

This book is not only informative on how to eat right to lose fat and what exercises to choose but it also filled with motivational stories from moms who have tried Maher’s methods and have been highly successful.  These stories are real life examples of what you can achieve if you will put these ideas into practice in your own life.

Fit Moms for Life is an easy read that will have you motivated and ready to jump into a healthy lifestyle after changing your mindsets about how to go about getting healthy. I’m following these principles and already seeing results.  Won’t you join me?!

TO PURCHASE: You can find Fit Moms for Life on the Fit Moms for Life site.

Want to WIN the book Fit Moms for Life to get you started on your journey toward health?  Enter below using the rafflecopter form {if you are reading this in email or a feed reader click over to the site to enter}.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent the book Fit Moms for Life for free to review.  All of the opinions shared are my own.  I only share on Mommy Kudos what I use and love.

 

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Taking Care of Yourself Tuesday: It’s the Little Things

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Taking care of yourself well can be all about the little things.  Taking your vitamins, taking time to feed yourself well, exercising, taking time to pursue things you love, are all little things that add up to a healthy and happier you.  It’s so important for moms to love themselves well so that they can love others well. you cannot give what you don’t have.

So, today I thought I would encourage you to do a little thing that I think many moms should do to feel a little better about themselves.  Today I want to challenge you to take a good look at your undergarments.  That’s right, you know the bra that you’ve been wearing for years or the panties that are comfy but getting holes in them? How about the plain old granny panties? Toss them out and invest in some new ones.

Why do we do this as moms?  If our kids had holes in their underwear we would buy them new pairs but we tend to neglect ourselves in this way {If you don’t then kudos to you}.

I still have maternity underwear and I haven’t been pregnant for 3 1/2 years! I’m tossing it and putting more effort into pretty undergarments {maybe even matching! I know it’s amamzing!}.  I know that I feel better when I feel pretty and taken care of. Even if you are pregnant or nursing you can find some pretty alternatives to drab bras and panties.

How about you? Does your undergarment wardrobe need a makeover?  When you think about it these things are not that expensive and you’ll be happy you invested in yourself.  I’m pretty sure your husband will be happy about it too!!

Disclosure: affiliate links are present in this post.  I only ever recommend what I use and love myself.

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Tons of Ideas to Make Summer Fun for Kids!

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I don’t know about you, but I tend to need ideas to make Summer fun for my kids.  I can get lost in my To Do lists if I don’t plan ahead.  So, every Summer I grab a calendar and start planning in some simple and fun ways to spend time with my kids.  I like to ask my kids for their ideas and a “wishlist” of activities they would like to include.

With my calendar in hand I schedule the necessary things first (like doctors appointments) and I block off our vacation days if we are taking one. Next I go to work on adding the fun things we have thought of.  I like to include one fun thing each day.  For days when you have a lot of other stuff going on, pick something quick and easy. Here are some of the things on our Summer Fun list this year:

  • Water Day (water balloon fights, sprinkler and slip n slide play)
  • Go to the Library. Then have a contest to see who can read the most pages in a day (the younger ones can do picture books or have books read to them)
  • Visiting the local Farmer’s Market and try some new fruits and veggies
  • What makes me special Day (highlighting each child and what are the things you love about them. Everyone can join in.)
  • Write and perform a (short) skit
  • Decorate your room Day (use items you already have, make something or splurge on something new)
  • Go to a field or park and have a family soccer game
  • Make Homemade ice cream
  • Have a shaving cream fight in the backyard and then run through the sprinklers
  • Write and illustrate your own book
  • Make a homemade version of your favorite candy bar
  • Art Day. Paint, draw, color, and then send your kids creations to their adoring fans (a.k.a. grandma and grandpa)
  • Baking/cooking class (making a favorite treat or simple meal)
  • A Visit to a local art museum
  • Have a reading hour everyday at the same time
  • Have a Lego building contest
  • Buy solid t-shirts and decorate them with fabric paint or tie dye
  • Picnic at a favorite park (or try a new one)
  • Taking those who serve you often (mailman, firemen, local police dept, etc…) a “Thank you” treat (cookies or brownies)
  • Pajama Day
  • Kids in charge Day (this one takes a brave mom!)
  • Play board games
  • Plant your own flowers or herbs Day
  • Make homemade play dough
  • Have a book or clothing swap with your kids friends.  Make it into a party
  • Explore local places that you have always wanted to go to (museums, parks, stores, etc…)
 There are many more ideas but you get the picture.  Next I put on the calendar things that I want to spend time working with my children on.  Some of these repeat in my calendar.  Even though these things take work I am trying my best to make these things fun too. Here are some of those ideas:
  • Tying shoes
  • Name writing and handwriting practice
  • Spelling
  • Grammar rules practice
  • Learning Bible Verses
  • Learning the Books of the Bible
  • Manners
  • Etiquette

For even MORE ideas follow my Summertime Fun board on Pinterest.  I’ll be adding ideas throughout the Summer.  Have an idea I should add? Leave me a link in the comments to add it.

What are your ideas for a fun Summertime with your kids? I’d love to hear!

Next, I’ll share with you some ideas for lunch and snack plans.  I hope you have a wonderful Summer with your kids that is full of wonderful memories!!

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