Gone Baby Gone

Since I am about out the door for an adventure filled holiday weekend with 12 10-year-olds at Surf Camp (yes we've had thundershowers for 24 hours now, oh joy) I thought I'd post my Best Shot Monday today! I won't be home until Monday afternoon (unless of course we get rained out) so we'll just call this a Best Shot weekend!

After reading the Parent Bloggers Blog Blast prompt, I got all weepy and nostalgic about the days when I'd take my daughters to the beach when they were babies. Sunhats and big bottomed bikinis stuffed with swim diapers are a thing of the past for this family-she says half heartbroken and half with a sigh of relief-but our beach excursions will hopefully go on and on.

Even though the chance of thunderstorms will be in effect through this holiday weekend, I am still going to post an ode to my favorite place in all the world...the beach.

May you all enjoy your weekend, whatever it may hold.

Do the Do

When my grandmother recently asked my straggly haired daughter is she ever “does her hair” I tried not to take offense. As most of you well know, my youngest is her own creature; a force to be reckoned with. A thrasher ballerina and fearless warrior cowgirl princess. Before she could answer the hair question I jumped in with a “yes Grandma, we do her hair everyday for school.” As much as my urchin girl has come to accept (and I think love) her mop in it's most natural state, she passionately embraces the glory of fancy girlie do. Fine by me. I adore them both.

Although I don’t consider myself a girlie girl at all, I also love me a fun hair do. I’m a short hair kinda gal so little clips and stubby pigtails are right up my alley. This is why when I got to pick out a few fancy “no slip” clips by Maiden America to try, I was sure to order some for my daughters and a few playful designs for myself. And one for my baby niece who has the cutest baby hair-do in all the world. Go see for yourself-she is ADORABLE!

I only have a few words to say about these clips. Love. Love. Love. Maiden America offers a gazillion beautiful designs (for every kind girl), they live up to their “no slip” guarantee which pretty much rules and they are a mom run business and the clips are made by moms. What’s not to love?

More rave reviews can be found at the Parent Blogger Network.

A Gift from Rwanda

Jen has updated her blog with the most stunning photo of Odette's daughters Grace and Lillian.
I just wanted to share it with you.
Sigh.

A Brave and Borrowed Best Shot

Jen left today for Rwanda. I have thought about her all day. She left a heartfelt and honest post on her blog before she left and posted lovely photos. I am borrowing one for today's Best Shot because I love everything about it.



photo by jen lemen

Even thought I didn't take this photo, I feel like I can borrow it from Jen (since I gave this little gem to her to carry with her on her trip, it feels OK). It's my way of honoring her as she forever changes the lives of everyone she touches in Africa. She is the bravest person I know.



What would you like to honor with your Best Shot today?

Love Notes for Thursday

Spent the afternoon yesterday with my daughter's Girl Scout Troop writing love notes to the girls of Rwanda. These will go with Jen Lemen on her trip. Along with a suitcase full of zines and her camera (of course).

Have you heard? t's a Hope Revolution! And it's gonna change the world.

Playing Eco

The Discovery Channel Store comes up with the coolest toys. The camera my daughter has is great fun so I thought I'd try out one of the eco friendly games they've got going. Considering we love games around here I thought Rapido sounded kind of fun. You know, quick and challenging. My youngest daughter looooves a good race so a game where you have to race to win is alright by her. Except when she can't win. Perhaps it's a sore loser kind of thing or maybe the game is just a little too advanced for her (or maybe a little of both) but after trying it out, she's not super excited it.

I thought it seemed fun enough-picking up these little marbles with a bamboo tube in the same color pattern as your little game board but she's not hip to it. I think it was because each time she picked up a marble she would end up losing it out the top because she was tipping the tube and they were rolling out. Bummer. I will offer a kudos to Discovery for trying to get some games made of 'sustainable materials' out there (instead of plastic) and I'll definitely be giving this game another chance in like a year when my daughter is closer to 6. I'll let you know what happens.

If you're looking for something that might be a better fit the younger set, check out Rapelli. Some of the Parent Bloggers will be reviewing it soon so be sure to read what they have to say.

Review brought to you by The Parent Blogger Network.

Something About Mother's Day

One of the many perks of having preschool aged children is getting handmade Mother's Day gifts. I'm a sucker for every painted, glued, stitched, drawn, folded, pipe cleanered, popsicle sticked work of art.

On the other hand, when you've got a near middle-schooler, they are old enough to translate to your spouse your deep and desperate desire for a spa pedicure. Pedicure gift certificates are my most favorite things. Ever. Second only to macaroni jewelry.

Speaking of jewelry, you can still enter the Blue Poppy Motherhood necklace giveaway by leaving a comment on the Mother's Day Post at Shutter Sisters.

I do hope all of you moms enjoyed your Sunday and took plenty of photos to choose from for your Best Shot Monday. I bet you did, didn't you?