Spring Break at our house means. . .

No bedtimes, no beach. . . just a

few cranky kids and strong coffee way out of reach

One super tired mama,

Oh, and a little bit 'o drama

Caroline is into EVERYTHING and as all two-year-olds know, the coolest word is "NO!" So, it's been a bit rocky with all three of them stuck in the house since it's cold outside, and having just had two birthday parties, we've got a little"It's all about me" syndrome catching.

But we're all together, and that's a gift! I feel so lucky to be a "work at home" mom (for the most part!) and to get to spend time with the little gremlins, even though I'm convinced my four-year old is trying to put me in the paddy-wagon. I hope that we can all find the sunshine in each and every day this week, even if it's in the face of a runny-nosed kiddo!

Redefining Luck

I have never been "bumped up" or made an earlier flight. I have never been given a warning or let out of a ticket. I have never won a drawing or prize. I just don't have that kind of luck. That's my mom and my sister...things always work out for them. And it seems like a lot of my friends are lucky too. Freebies, discounts and getting the last of something always seems to happen to someone else.

At least that is how I have looked at things for a long time. But the other day, after our exciting snow followed by the quick melt, a huge icicle fell from my roof and barely missed me. How lucky! Somehow it took the shattering of ice crystals on the glorious sunny day for me to shake myself out of my glass half-empty blues. I have never been in a car accident, I have healthy children, close friends and family. I have a roof over my head and always have and none of us have ever missed a meal.

I have always known how many great things I have in my life but somehow I got lost in the little details. The things that may sometimes make life easier but not necessarily better.

Kate S.

Family fun - while writing this I decided on a craft I wanted to share with my kids to explore how lucky/blessed we are. For the month of March and as we celebrate the Lenten season in our home I am going to put a "pot" out that we will fill with gold coins (gold pieces of paper) that we will write why we are lucky. I'll have us do this as we sit down for dinner. I can't wait to hear the conversations that come out of this endeavor!

It's been a looong time

since my last blog, mainly b/c we redesigned the entire Richmondmom.com site, so have been focusing my efforts there. Thanks so all faithful followers for hanging on!

It's March, and we're about to run the Monument 10K: 16 amazing ladies on the Richmondmom.com and Stroller Strides team. We've been through snow (lots of it), ice, rain, sleet, and a cooooool, slow, reluctant spring as we've trained together, slowly becoming runners (many of us for the first time ever)and this Saturday, we run together towards the finish line along wiht 31,000 of our friends. Special thanks to Rachel Pustilnik of Richmond Stroller Strides, our fearless trainer and leader who has encouraged us and cheered us on for the last 10 weeks.

Like the little enging that could, we repeat: "I think I can, I think I can. . . "

Good luck ladies! Can't wait to see you at the finish line.

It's "Get Organized" Month: Win a Garage Makeover! DEADLINE 1/16/09!

January is National Get Organized Month - LoftStormers and Closet Tailors http://www.closettailors.com/ are choosing one deserving family to receive a complete 2-day Garage makeover...a winner will be chosen in two weeks. Click here: http://naporichmond.wufoo.com/forms/go-month-submission-form/

The actual makeover will take place the last week in January. Anyone in the Richmond or surrounding areas is eligible to enter. The more we get the word out about the contest, the more entries we will receive - the deadline for entering is Friday, January 16.

Rick Cobb, owner of Closet Tailors and I are doing this in conjuction with January being National Get Organized Month http://www.napo.net/. We'll have before and after photos and of course a thrilled and happy deserving family! Up to $1500 in cabinetry and shelving will be donated by Closet Tailors and LoftStormers is donating the 2 day organizing time and clean-out along with our truck to haul away unwanted items.

Big Sale A Comin': Tots on the Go

2/7-2/9, 10am-3pm. www.totsonthego.com : 10-70% off GREAT BRANDS!

How Cool is This?

Put Your Brainpower to the Test in Mindbender
at the
Science Museum of Virginia

RICHMOND — Find hidden clues. Collect secret passwords. Solve puzzles. Unravel brainteasers. Join with others to take on quirky challenges. With your clues and passwords find out if you have what it takes to unlock the final puzzle to become a member of the Mindbender Society in the visiting exhibit Mindbender at the Science Museum of Virginia, Saturday, Jan. 31-Monday, Sept. 7.

“Check your preconceived notions at the door,” says Science Museum Director and CEO Richard Conti. “Not everything is as it seems in Mindbender.”

Stop by the TV screen at the entrance to the exhibit to meet a character named Mr. E. He provides the 4-1-1 on exhibit puzzles and challenges — and tells you how to collect the information you need to unlock the vault to the Mindbender Society. Pick up a clue card so you can keep track of the information you collect.

Keep an eye out for brainteasers that contain clues. You need to solve these puzzles in order to unlock the vaults in four of the areas. Along the way you visit the parlor, library, kitchen, map room, disco room, dining room, and rec room. Information in each of the four vaults helps you unlock the Mindbender Society vault at the other end.

Just what kinds of things have been devised to give your brain a workout? At Tricky Triangles 16 sticks form eight triangles. Your job is to remove four sticks and leave four equal-sized triangles. At Every Line Adds to 15 the name is a major hint. You insert the numbers 1-9 into straight lines so that the total of each line is 15. Feeding Frenzy is a group activity. Team up with other visitors. Your job is to fill food trays on a conveyer belt with food. How many trays can you fill?

At Amazing Maze you and your friends work together to tilt a table in different directors to drop a ball into the appropriate holes. Spelling Fever could also be called Disco Hopscotch Fever. Push a button to generate a question on a screen. When it’s your turn, you have to hop on the correct letters to spell out your answer. Flying Machine features a mechanical flying machine you and your friends move to hit flashing targets.

Once you’ve completed the challenges enter at least three passwords you’ve found into the final vault in the Wall of Fame. If you’re successful, take your picture for the wall and print out a copy along with your Mindbender Society certificate to take home.

Mindbender is produced and toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Oregon. © 2008. Mindbender is sponsored by Thinkfinity.org supported by the Verizon Foundation.

Mindbender is included with exhibit admission. Tickets are $9 for youth ages 4-12, seniors 60+ and active military and $10 for adults 13-59. Tickets to see Mindbender, visit Science Museum exhibits and see a film in the Ethyl IMAX®DOME are $14 for youth ages 4-12 and seniors 60+ and $15 for adults 13-59. Children 3 and under are free. Science Museum exhibits are open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The museum is also open on school holiday Mondays, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Half Pints-50% off clearance sale

Check it out now!