Vote for me!

Holy schmoly! I just got back from a weekend at the San Jose Family Camp. Looking spic and span, I opened up my email and found out that I got picked to be one of the six finalists for the SV Moms Blog. WOW! It couldn't have come at a better time as I pick leaves out of my hair and look at the mound of laundry on the floor. It was a great time, but whew how did we get so dirty? And why did we bring back a stack of sticks and a jar of dead bugs? hmmm...

As I huffed and puffed climbing up the hill to our tent, I thought more about how I really need to work out. But of course, publicly blamed it on the high altitude:) With the make over, I can just see myself climbing up the hill with ease next year, maybe even running...okay now let's not go crazy!

Don't forget to vote for me so I can stop whining.

To the SV BLog Moms community- thanks for this HUGE honor! It is super inspiring to think that my random rants can lead to so much more!!! I am sure there are moms that are much more deserving (the other 5 finalists are a testament to that!), I just want you to know that I appreciate the vote of confidence and support. As a new blogger, this means a great deal! Thanks!

Summer camp mommy anxiety

There are exactly 4 school days left before summer vacation is officially here. My kids can't wait - swimming, camping, sleeping in and popsicles, what can be better?

This will be my first summer as a pseudo-SAHM and frankly, I'm a little nervous. I signed my son up for a whole bunch of camps when I was working full time knowing that I would need the childcare. I now have a spreadsheet of the various camps (sports, tech, swim and outdoor science), times, locations, friend whom he is attending with and the carpool situation. It is color-coded and nothing short of an organizational masterpiece! It's a Summer Camp Super-Matrix! Okay, that was then, now I am worried that I over programmed him and that he needs more downtown. Ugh! Does a mommy ever win?

I'm sure he'll have fun, but what happened to the days of summer of MY youth. I grew up poor, well not six people in a room poor. But we never went on lavish vacations or went to summer camp. My parents grew up in the Philippines - summer camp? When you are not working on a farm or in school, you go to the beach, stay inside and hang out. So what did I spend my childhood summers doing? You know it, we stayed inside our one air-conditioned room during the heat of the day and then spent the rest of the day in the New York city streets. We played stickball in the street, kick the can, and opened up the fire hydrant. The rule was " come home when the street lights come on". Wow, imagine raising your kids today with that freedom?? It sounds like a cliché now, doesn't it? Wow, I sound old.

As a child, I never knew any different. I thought camp was a thing rich kids, the Paris Hilton's of the world- got to go to somewhere in the woods. It was not something for normal kids, much less kids whose parents never even heard of summer camp. I'm sure this summer will be great. I suppose margaritas help...and getting to watch my kids enjoy the opportunities I never had.

As the song goes, "It's summertime and the living is easy...” especially with the aid of my summer camp super-matrix. I hope its worth the effort.

Going on a Book Hunt!

I read books occassionally to my daughter's pre-school class. Kiley and I head to our neighborhood public library and try to find books that are not part of the classroom. We love to choose the books together - we'd be there for days if she let me.

This is the list from Friday's visit. I am partial to stories that are untraditional, from kids of other cultures and ones featuring girl-power. I ran short on time, so these books are from our home library. Some were bigger hits than others for the 4 year old set - and yes, I read them ALL in one sitting. And yes, I needed a venti-sized iced-tea afterward.

Smelly Socks, by Robert Munsch
(One of Kiley's all-time favorites, amybe because she loves knee-high socks.)

Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O'Connell

Wash Your Hands by Tony Ross
(good for explaing about germs)

If You're Happy and You Know it by Jane Cabrera
(great for sing-a-longs and Beautifully illustrated)

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
(funny! and about being proud when you are tiny)

The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neil
(Focused on bullying and beautiful illustrations. The kids loved it and we talked about good and bad behavior on the play ground.)

We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Micheal Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
(By far the class favorite! A classic, the boys especially LOVED it! It is a great repeater story and perfect for having kids participate.)