Kimochi

I follow the blog and am a fan of "Deal"lectible Mommies. Recently she blogged about a new product, Kimochi. They are basicaly toys that teach your child emotions. I say check it out at http://www.kimochis.com.

My first reaction, before going to their website, was "You have GOT to be kidding me. Are these people completely incapable as parents to teach their children emotions?"

Well, I decided to check out their website anyway. I am so glad I did. I looked up each character and fell in love with Cloud and all he could potentially offer. See, my eldest child, Mister Smartypants (said lovingly NOT insultingly because he really is super smart), has an anxiety disorder. We won't get into messy and personal details but I can see this as a great supplement to his OT (occupational therapy). So I take back my first reaction. I now believe these toys are brilliant and helpful.

Despite being fairly reaonable, I am not so sure I am willing to spend the money though. I am cheap. Plain and simple. So I am hoping to win the giveaway contest that "Deal"ectible Mommies is holding.

Wish me luck! (and make sure you check out Kimochis and "Deal"ectible Mommies in order to enter the contest!)

I have surrendered to the goat

A number of years ago I read an article. The basic idea was a mom went to a zoo with her toddler and he wanted to spend the entire day visiting the goats. "Do you want to go see the monkeys?" "No." "Do you want to go see the elephants?" "No." The mom finally realized it wasn't worth seeing all the other animals if it meant having a screaming toddler. The goats made her son happy so why not stay put? You can make it into a learning experience. "Did you know we can drink goat milk just like we drink cow milk?" You get the point. Anyway, in her words she "surrendered to the goat."

That phrase has become a sort of mommy mantra for me. Even hubby has been known to say it. I may be reading the same book for the 100th time to my darling toddler but I always say "surrender to the goat." It has an odd calming effect on me and reminds me I am doing *insert activity here* for the well being of my children. It is also great at restoring my overall sanity and if you are a parent you know sanity is a rare commodity.

So now I am doing it again. I am surrendering to the goat. This time the goat isn't my children and their current passion. The goat is my friends. I have been told many, many, MANY times I should blog (apparently my life is fascinating although I prefer the term mundane). I have refused to set up a blog because I know myself. I will do great for several days. Maybe even several weeks and then my poor little blog will be forgotten. It won't be completely forgotten, of course. My mom will ask when I will update it and I will often be heard saying "I really need to write a blog entry." Heck, I may even have a friend write on my FB wall that I need to update my blog.

I know this is true because my shutterfly account is still waiting for the updated pictures of my kids. Sorry mom, dad and in-laws, I promise to get those pictures up. I just don't promise when since I am now blogging ;)