PRESCRIPTION: JUMPING JACKS

Mama Sweet: While at the pediatrician’s office, we were playing outside on this great pirate ship play structure. My youngest daughter and I were pretending to swim in the ocean around the boat. We were the most beautiful mermaids ever. It was so fun to giggle and be silly together. Mermaid swimming was definitely one of my favorite sweets!

Great tip: The next time one of your kids has a cough and you are trying to determine if you "hear" something. Have them do 20 Jumping Jacks to clear the mucus before really listening. It clears the unsettled mucus and then you can decide whether or not to take them to the doctor.


Mama Sour: My youngest has pneumonia again. Yikes! This winter must come to an end! As I sat in urgent care, all I could think about was my increasing rate of return to the facility the longer I sat in the waiting room. I have become a total germophobe with my children because I just can't handle them being sick anymore this season. Poor kids are bathing in Clean Well. (Clean Well is a great non-alcohol based hand sanitizer that you can find at Whole Foods. It's awesome!)

SKIP, JUMP OR WADDLE TO THE CAR

Mama Sweet: My three year old can be pretty stubborn when she doesn't want to do something. This week, I have figured out a new trick to help motivate her. When it is time to go and she digs in her heels and screams about leaving, I ask her "how" she would like to leave. I ask,"Would you like to skip, jump or waddle like a penguin to the car?" She is instantly excited about her new activity and we have fun getting there...not to mention that we look really cool too! What a mama sweet it was this week to be waddling like a penguin with my daughter to our car. Hilarious!

Mama Sour: Daddy’s away. My three year old said, “I miss Daddy really much.” Precious. I am ready for him to be home for us all!

FREEZE DANCE

Mama Sweet: I am one of the leaders of my daughter's Daisy Girl Scout troop. There is nothing more fun than getting a group of girls dancing and freezing. The giggles were endless and fun was had by all as leaders and Daisies both were dancing and "partying in the USA!" What an amazing feeling it is to be helping these girls grow into strong, confident and wonderful women. I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity.

Mama Sour: Losing our sweet Great Grandma brings back lots of grief for my girls who lost their grandma almost two years ago. It's hard to watch their sadness as I comfort them and hug them. Then, I pull out the Lion King and read to them!

A HEART FULL OF LOVE

Mama Sour: The girls’ great grandma passed away yesterday. Our daughter is named after her and my husband and I were married on her 60th wedding anniversary. She was so special to all of us. She was the epitome of the sweet Italian grandmother singing in the kitchen, making meatballs. She actually passed away because her heart had grown too big. It was full of love for life and everyone in it. We should all be so lucky.

BONGO BELLY BRUSHING

Mama Sweet: When the girls throw a fit over brushing their teeth, my husband will ask, "Is there anyone who would like to do Bongo Belly Brushing?" Suddenly, their tantrums turn into a race to the bathroom. Whoever is there first with a prepared toothbrush will start playing my husband's belly like a bongo. My husband will brush as slow or as fast as they tap on his belly. It is hilarious! Everyone has a great time AND the girls' teeth get clean!

Mama Sour: WINTER ILLNESSES 2010 continues- this week- hives. Apparently, there is a virus out there now that is comprised of a fever with hives. Lucky us, we have contracted it and have learned how huge hives can grow. Poor girl and poor mama. I'm tired! Isn't it spring yet?

DECORATE YOUR OWN CUP, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Mama Sweet: This "green" mama just figured out that I could use a dry erase marker to label our plastic cups without destroying them. The girls decorated their own cups and enjoyed themselves immensely. They are so much more motivated to stay hydrated, healthy and happy. Once we are done with our cups for the day, we stick them in the dishwasher and they are ready for the next day's artwork. Such a simple sweet but I have never seen my girls drink more water. It's fantastic!



Mama Sweet & Sour: The incessant bickering and fighting that goes on between my girls can, at times, be out of control and so irritating. This morning, I decided to use a technique from the Positive Discipline book and make them create their own plan. I put them both in their shared room and told them they needed to stay in there until the timer went off. During that time, they were supposed to come up with a plan for becoming better friends. They spent their entire time laughing and giggling. When we went in to listen, they had come up with a few great ideas. However, the bonding that went on during their "planning" time was the ultimate catalyst to a great friendship. The fighting is so sour but their friendship is starting to become so sweet.

CAR SAFETY GAME

Mama Sweet: In order to help the girls stay safe in the parking lot, we have come up with this fantastic game. After we look "left, right, left" we walk into the parking lot and I start asking them what color car is moving or about to move? This helps them pay attention to brake lights and moving cars. However, they have the best time. They race to be the first to answer and scream at the top of their lungs! It is such a funny safety sweet for me. These girls don't even realize that I am teaching them to be responsible. It is so much fun!

Mama Sweet: There is nothing more important than "special date" in our house. My husband and I both try to take each girl out on a special date to give each of them our undivided attention. Today was date day and both girls felt special and were thrilled with each of their dates. It creates such a special bond for everyone. It is the sweetest of sweets!

Mama Sour: No sours! It was a great day!