Moving--House for Sale

It is official--we are trying to sell our place.  The place is fairly clean, considering we have 4 small boys......So far, no showings.  Looks like house sales have slowed down.  Not sure how long I can keep the house in its "clean" state. 

I packed up most of the toys.  That way the kids can't get in to them, and drag them everywhere.  The hardest part is making sure everything is tidy before we leave the house.  After the "get ready for school rush", I have to go around, make beds, pick up toys, pick up PJ's, make sure all dishes are washed/put away, or at least in the dishwasher.  Hopefully a family comes along soon, and wants to buy.  All it takes is one---we just have to have that "ONE" come through our door!!!  I have emailed the listing to practically everyone I know, asking them to pass it along to anyone they know of that might want an acreage.  Maybe that will work.......

Keeping my fingers crossed......

Hunting for Deals

As long as you are willing to check back often, here is a good place to go to hunt down deals!!! But beware, you may end up spending even though you don't really want to!!!!  This is good for clothing, electronics, housewares, travel---just about anything!!!


Another good travel deal--Allegiant Air!!  We drove from Calgary to Great Falls, 4 1/2 hrs, and saved a lot of money to fly to Vegas. 


Another good, discount US air carrier, Southwest Airlines.  We were very pleased with their customer service, and the price was right.  This one isn't as convenient for us Calgarians though---nearest airport is Spokane (about 7 hours drive).  We drove down, spent the night, flew out first thing in the morning, and then drove all the way home after flying in.  I would consider staying in Kalispell, or somewhere like that on the return drive home!!!  Break it up a bit!!!

The Difficulty of Donating......

I have been in the process of cleaning out all my baby stuff, something I dreaded, but it was time.  The bigger stuff (crib, jolly jumper, change table, etc), I listed on Kijiji.  They all sold, rather quickly.  The clothes and toys, I took to a Kids Toy/Clothing sale, and barely sold any.  I got a rid of a few other items, like a Leap Frog play table, activity mat, etc, but the clothes went untouched, even at a $1 an item.  I had Gymboree, Gap, Old Navy, and Children's Place stuff, most of it in great shape.  I remember being pregnant with my first child, 7 long years ago, going to these sales, and buying stuff up!!!  I guess times have changed.....

Needless to say, I came home with alot of stuff---about 10 diaper boxes full of clothes, ages 0-18 months.  What to do with it????  I went to Kijiji again, hoping to offload my excessive amount of clothes.  I placed an ad, offering a diaper box of clothes for $10.  You could even pick what items went into the box.  I thought this was a fantastic deal.  I had over 100 views to my add, maybe 8 people inquire, and not one actually come to get any. 

After a week of no luck, I called my church, to see if they knew of any families in need.  No such luck.  I looked up a few shelters, emergency centres, etc, but all they wanted was new items.  I couldn't believe how hard it is to donate items!!!!  I couldn't find any takers for hundreds of dollars worth of clothes (I realize they are used, but they still have a lot of great life left in them---especially the baby stuff!!!). 

Next step, garage sale!!!  I again offered stuff $10 for a bag, or $1 a item.  I ended up selling about half of my clothing, and the rest went to the Salvation Army bins.  Hopefully it will make its way to someone that can use it.  Now, I just need to find a place to donate my used baby toys and stuffed animals (3 large rubbermaid bins.....).

Tee-Ball Drills/Practice Plans

I know I am constantly searching for drills and practice plans, so I thought I would share a few of mine from the last few weeks.  I have a group of 10 kids, ages 5-8.  We only practice for about 20 minutes, and then play a game for the last 35-40 minutes. 

Practice 1



6:30 Warm up game—Shark and Octopus: Everyone begins the game as an octopus and stands on one side of the playing field. One person is chosen to be a shark and they will stand in the middle of the playing field. Play begins when the shark calls out, "Octopus, Octopus, swim in my ocean!" All players must run across the playing field trying to get to the other side without getting tagged by the shark. Anyone who is tagged must sit down where they are tagged. They now become the shark's helpers. When the shark calls out, "Octopus, Octopus, swim in my ocean!" again, the players will try to run back to the other side. Anyone who runs within arms reach of the sitting players and gets tagged must sit down. The game continues until there is only one person left.


6:40 Stretching—Coach to lead players through stretching head to toe.


6:45 Catch with partner—just let them do what they feel is right.


6:50 Teach throwing technique—2-3 finger grip


Step 1: on knee (non throwing knee up) use glove to hold forearm, and just use wrist to throw to partner 3 feet away. Use the key phrase, “honking geese”. The wrist and hand should look like a goose’s head after snapping wrist and throwing ball. I get the players to honk and they love it!!!!


Step 2: place baseball behind head, elbow up and throw to partner. Glove hand points at partner. Move about 6 feet back.


Step 3: stand up, turn sideways to partner, with glove hand closest to partner. Ball and glove at chest, point glove and glove toe to partner, bring ball behind head, and then throw, twisting hips towards partner


7:00 Alligator Catch—Scoop ball up off ground. Glove hand is bottom jaw of alligator, non-gloved hand is the top jaw. Bring hands together to scoop ball up off ground, and keep in glove. Coach has players line up, and rolls a grounder to each player. Using the above technique, scoop ball and throw ball to coach.


Practice 2
 
6:30 Warm up Game—Relay with glove



At start line, do 3 jumping jacks, run to next pylon


Do 3 tuck jumps, run to end line


Throw ball up to self and catch it 5 times, run back to start


6:35 Catch with partner—make sure to turn sideways, point at partner with glove hand, and snap the wrist on follow through


6:40 Batting Practice—using tee, in two groups, have the children choke up high on the bat, and swing down and through, to aim at the pyramid of balls in front. This will work on the chopping, downward action of the swing. Have each take about 5 swings, and then rotate. Each time through, lower their hands on the bat, until we are at a “normal” position.


Reminder that what ever foot is closest to the pitcher, that hand is the on closest to the bottom of the bat.


6:50—Game!!!!


 
Practice 3
 
6:45 Warm up Game—Freeze Tag



6:50 Catch with partner—make sure to turn sideways, point at partner with glove hand, and snap the wrist on follow through


6:55 Fielding –in 2 lines, coach will roll ball out to player, who will use the “alligator scoop technique” to field ball. Also remind players that they need to be behind the ball—if they were to miss the ball with their glove, it should roll right between their legs.


7:05 Base Game—starting at pitchers mound, players will run to whatever base is called out, just to get a better understanding of which base is which.


7:10 Batting—using tee, in two groups, have the children choke up high on the bat, and swing down and through, to aim at the pyramid of balls in front. This will work on the chopping, downward action of the swing. Have each take about 5 swings, and then rotate. Each time through, lower their hands on the bat, until we are at a “normal” position. Reminder that what ever foot is closest to the pitcher, that hand is the on closest to the bottom of the bat.


The most important thing to remember, is to have fun!!!!!

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

This was a great little video that my mother in law sent me for Mother's Day.  I think I may have to read the book.

http://vimeo.com/8054255

 It really made me think about treasuring every day with the kids, even the bad ones.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I wish time would slow down.  My kids are getting too old, and I feel that it is just around the corner, and they will be gone........

I had an interesting conversation with my sister one day last year (she was only 20 at the time).  She made the comment that she would love to fastforward time.  She didn't like the stage she was at.  I looked back upon my highschool days, and remembered feeling that same way.  Now, what I wouldn't give for a pause button!!!  At the same time, I think I have learned to treasure each moment (some I treasure more than others......), and enjoy today......

Cleaning House

I have been working hard to clean out some of my clutter.  I started with the baby clothes.  I found it so difficult to dig through the boxes, and get rid of my baby stuff.  I guess this comes with the fact that I would love to have another baby!!!  With that being said, I don't really want any more "kids"!!!  I miss how a little baby snuggles into you, how they smell, and just how tiny they are......
Each piece of clothing brought back so many memories, reminding me of when my boys were tiny themselves.  It feels like I am getting rid of those memories by getting rid of my stuff.  I think I need to get over it!!!!  I did keep a few special items, and filed them away in the hope chest.  The sleepers the boys wore during the first weeks of their new lives (all preemie size as the boys were all little squirts!!!), and my favourite onesies.  One of each for each of the boys.  Hopefully they will be somewhat sentimental like their mom, and actually want this stuff some day.  I have a little pink sleeper of mine (almost 30 yrs old!!) downstairs.  I never got the chance to use it, but I had it packed in my bag, ready for the hospital, every time!! 
Anyways, I listed a bunch of it on Kijiji this afternoon, in hopes that in can be put to use in someone's home.  It feels good to clean up some, but I still have a long ways to go.  I realize now that I really should stay away from shopping centres!!!!

Bring on the Busy......

I do this to myself every spring.  I think we will have so much time, just to enjoy the weather, etc, and then I sign us up for soooo much stuff!!!  Right now, our week nights are packed!!!  Monday and Wednesday nights, I coach Baseball for Tree and Cob.  That goes from 6:30-7:45pm.  I then have to quickly pack up, run home to drop kids off, and then make it to Boot Camp for 8:00pm, M/W.  I am hoping to play ball myself this spring, but so far, I am just on a spare list.  This will be Thursday nights.  On top of all this, I have started running.  I ran my first 1/2 marathon on April 25th, and did not bad, but would like to improve.  Of course, that means more training.  It is tough to fit in runs that last 1-2 hours, when you have kids!!!  At least the days are longer now, so I can get to it after supper.  I am tired at that time of day, but what can one do!!  My husband leaves for work at 5:45, and really, that is too early to get up to run (I would have to be up at 4:30am.....).  But, I love the exercise!!!  It is nice to see some of the pounds disappear, and to feel healthy again!!!  It is surprising, but now that I have started to work hard, I find it hard to eat that extra big piece of cake, or to eat the chips that are out!!!  I guess that is a good thing.  It also feels nice to go out and buy new clothes.

Goob and the Potty.....

As I knew it might be, Goob has had a little bit of set back on using the potty.  He seems to still do awesome when we are out and about, but at home, has little interest in it.  This morning, he fought with me over whether he got to wear pull-ups.  We were wearing pull-ups most of the time, but now he realizes he can just pee in them, and it really does nothing!!!!  So, I have been putting underwear on him the last few days, but he doesn't like that, as it gets quite wet when he pees!  Therefore, the arguement this morning.  Needless to say, I won!!!  He did pee in his pants, and was very upset by it, but equally upset that I had to though those clothes in the wash.  Hopefully we will be back on track after a few days of this!

Lucky Mom!!!

I am spoiled!!!  Several trips in the last few months, and now an iPad!!!  We were down in Vegas, just putzing around on our last day.  I got hooked on the Twilight Series just before we left town.  I watched Twilight the night before we left, then I downloaded New Moon to our iPod touch, and watched that on our way from Calgary to Salt Lake City.  Once there, I had to buy the book, Eclipse.  Anyways, we were out shopping, and stopped in at book store so I could pick up Breaking Dawn.  We started to look at the Kindle, something I had been considering getting, as I hate buying books, and having them lie around, but I absolutely LOVE reading.  Anyways, they were around $300-$400, depending on the model.  Right next door to the bookstore was a Best Buy.  We went and checked it out, as my husband is a electronic junkie!!!  We were looking at the iPad's they had available, and one happened to have the Kindle App on it.  I previewed a book on it, and thought it was alright!!  I had also thought about getting a cheap laptop, as my husband is not a very good sharer when we are on vacations!!!!  (At this point, I will admit I am a little bit of an electronic junkie myself!!!). 


Anyways, the iPad seemed to be the best option, as it is a great "vacation" laptop, as well as my Kindle.   So, to make a long story short---I am spoiled!!!  Happy Mother's Day to me!!!!