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Theta Mom®

Redefining Motherhood

I Have Google Magic

Since late October, I’ve had some major Google drama. The kind of drama that forced me to make the move to WordPress. If you want to read up on all of the reasons why I left Blogger, be sure to read this post. Anyway, it has been so frustrating for me the last few months because I have not been able to sign into Google Friend Connect to follow any blog.  Not one single blog.

My reader was completely messed up, many were not receiving my feed and any blog I previously followed (before the Google breakdown) did not have my public profile showing. I was a blank blue square on GFC and some blogs couldn’t display my profile at all. It was a complete nightmare.

Up until now.

For whatever reason the stars have aligned and I now have Google magic!!! If I was previously following you, I magically can see your blog again in my reader! And what’s more exciting is that I see my cute little profile picture on your GFC widget. And the really good news for Theta Mom?

I can follow blogs again!!! {Insert AMEN here}

So, I can proudly welcome the “Celebration of Friday Follow” because I can actually do just that. Follow!!! Be sure to check out the blog hop hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families, and Midday Escapades and get yourself in on the action. It’s a fabulous way to meet some new bloggy friends.

And if you follow me please leave a comment and let me know so that I can follow you. And if you are a new reader, welcome to Theta Mom! I look forward to getting to know you better. Now while I have all of this Google magic, I am off to meet some new followers!

Time Out for Theta Mom Thursday

Time Out for Theta Mom Thursday is back and I am hosting this party once a month! For those of you visiting for the first time, the goal is to grab one hour of time within one month to do whatever you want…without the kids. It’s such an amazing proposition, I know! On the last Thursday of each month, post how you spent your time out (add my button from the right side bar or link to me) and be sure to stop here to link up and meet other Theta Moms to see how they spent their time out!

 

So I am officially kicking-off this monthly time out party! Woo Hoo!

And I must say I certainly enjoyed my time out this month. January is such a busy time for us as a family because we have a few friends and other family members that have birthdays this month. It’s always fun getting together to celebrate, but it’s just as fun to go shopping for the presents!

Remember my chotchkie drawer? If you missed that post, it really is a must read so check that out here. Well, I went to Target (one of my absolute favorites) picking up a few items from the dollar bins to add to my chotchkie collection, but I was also there to shop for the many presents I needed to purchase. Seriously, you should see our weekend calendar in January…it’s birthday party central.

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I can’t tell you how relaxing it is to be in a store that I really enjoy without reaching for a sippy cup every five seconds as a trail of goldfish speckles the floor. I don’t have to listen to the cries of my daughter because she no longer wants to ride in the shopping cart. I don’t have to argue with my son as he tries to get me to buy every single thing in the store.

Nope…it was just me, my red Target cart and the peace of mind that this was my time. I enjoyed shopping for the gifts, picking out fun birthday cards and finding cute bags and wrap to match. I even picked up an adorable shirt for myself! So take that, stranger in my closet!!! It really was a glorious afternoon, well spent without the kids.

Sooooo……I can’t wait to read your blogs! How did you spend your one hour this month? If you are participating in Theta Mom Thursday, link up and share your time out and be sure to visit some other Theta Moms as well!

I am so loving this!!!

 

 

 

The #1 Playground Rule

Going to the playground with my baby girl is really fun until she wants to run away from me and then I have to chase her…

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So a little break here and there is a good distraction, I think…

 

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Until the moment occurs when the only thing my baby girl wants to do is take off her shoes and run away again…in her clean, white socks. So I’m forced to keep her put while I manage to place her shoes on her feet for the one millionth time…

 

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So what’s the #1 rule when taking my baby girl to the playground, while keeping her happy AND her socks clean???

 

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                             HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THOSE SWINGS!!!

 

Don’t forget Time Out for Theta Mom is this Thursday! Be sure to post about your time out and come back here on the 28th to link up! If you missed that post or for further details, click here. I can’t wait to see what you’ve all been up to!

I Have a Chotchkie Drawer and I Know How to Use It

Last week the weather was cold and rainy. Simply the perfect conditions for me as my kids were driving me crazy. It never ceases to amaze me; the times when my children seem to annoy me the most are the times in which I am unable to get outside with them. It’s like forced torture with additional cabin fever.

You know the moment when you have completely reached your threshold and there is no escape? Well, that was me on this particular day.

I was done.

Truly, it was one of those days where I had enough.

So, that’s when I ran upstairs and went straight for my chotchkie drawer. Every Theta Mom needs a chotchkie drawer. You know, the one filled with useless crap that you purchase at the dollar store? It’s the drawer containing all of that cheap, junkie toy-garbage that your kids drool over because it’s wrapped and it’s new.

{If you don’t yet have a chotchkie drawer, I strongly suggest you make one. Immediately. It could save a life.}

So, as I reached into my bag of tricks, I found this beauty I picked up in one of the dollar bins at Target called Grow Capsules:

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You fill a cup up with warm water and throw one of those suckers in.

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Then, you watch your children scream and shout with delight as the capsules begin to “come alive.” Seriously, my kids were mesmerized. And there were so many beautiful moments of silence when they excitedly waited for the creatures to “come to life.”

This process takes about 4-5 minutes for each capsule…and it comes with 12 of those capsules…catch my drift? We are talking almost an hour of solid entertainment.

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Yes kids, truly magical.

So there you have it. It only takes a buck at Target to entertain my kids on a cold and rainy afternoon with a little help from my chotchkie drawer…

Which saved a piece of my sanity.

Parazul Review and Giveaway

***This contest is now closed. Thank you for all who entered, making this the biggest response to a giveaway @Theta Mom! And congratulations to GeorgiaMist! An email has been sent.***

Parazul is a company that was developed and inspired by beautiful vacation destinations. Parazul carries a full line of handbags and accessories that immediately has women asking the question, “What’s your Parazul personality?”

You will find The Alaskan Collection and The Caribbean Collection on their full website, each containing gorgeous designs. Whether it’s sporty chic, a night out on the town, flirty and fun, or even a high-tech style you are seeking, you will find the right look you are craving at Parazul. This company has created a line of handbags that each come with a 100% silk scarf as well as the Parazul logo charm. Although they add charm and style to each bag, you can purchase the scarves and charms separately. To view their full line of scarves, click here and for the full line of charms and accessories, click here. You can even build your own bag at Parazul, choosing your own style, color, scarf and charm! So there really is a Parazul look for all personality types. You can view their full line of handbags, including both Collections here.

I reviewed The Pink Scarf Bag with Pink Logo Scarf that retails for $340.00. I was so excited when my bag arrived! I took it out of the box and it was packaged beautifully in a Parazul signature logo bag. Seriously ladies, this bag is stunning.

Parazul

Many of you already know I am a handbag freak and I love a good bag. This Parazul design certainly does not disappoint! What I love most about this bag is the attractive 100% silk scarf and elegant Parazul charm that give it its own unique look. The scarf contains the Parazul logo and the colors are striking. This bag is also the perfect size for me. I am still in that stage where I need enough room in a bag for all of the things I cart around for my kids. So not only do I want style, I need functionality. The bag is made with a sturdy modern canvas and it’s trimmed with brown leather. The inside of the bag is lined with that signature blue Parazul color and appears easy to maintain.

You can purchase The Pink Scarf Bag with Pink Logo Scarf  for $340.00 here  or The Beige Classic Bag with Beige/Black Logo Slim Scarf (pictured below) for $250.00 here OR you can enter to win because Parazul is giving one lucky Theta Mom reader this bag (pictured below) The Beige Classic Bag with Beige/Black Logo Slim Scarf, retail of $250.00!!! Is this an amazing giveaway or what?

 Parazulgiveaway

 How to Enter The Parazul Giveaway:

 Required Entry: Follow my blog publicly and tell me you are.

 Extra Entries: (You must leave a separate entry for each extra entry to count and extra entries won’t count unless the required entry is done)


1. Follow Theta Mom on Twitter here and leave me your twitter name. (1 entry)

2. Become a Fan of Theta Mom on Facebook here and leave me your FB name. (1 entry)

3. Subscribe to Theta Mom via email. You must activate the subscription for this entry to count. (2 entries)

4. Subscribe to Theta Mom any other way. (1 entry)

5. Grab one of my cute buttons and add it to your website. (2 entries per button)

6. Click to vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs. Just click the banner on the right side bar and tell me you clicked. (2 entries)

7. Tweet this giveaway! Just copy/paste the following: Enter to win The Parazul handbag #giveaway retail value: $250 @ThetaMom  http://tinyurl.com/y9ypsl9 PleaseRT (1 entry per daily tweet)

8. Post about this giveaway on your blog and link back to me. Leave me your link to show the post. (2 entries)

9. Add Theta Mom to your blogroll. (2 entries)

Giveaway Rules:

This giveaway is open to US residents only. It begins on January 22, 2010 and will end on February 4, 2010 at 9 pm. One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. The winner will be announced and must respond with a current email address within 48 hours to claim. Otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. Enter as many extra entries as you would like Theta Moms and good luck!

I was provided The Pink Scarf Bag with Pink Logo Scarf from Parazul. I was not compensated for this review. These are my own honest opinions and experience with the product.