Green Thumbs 2009

Well they came and are now gone...... and my heart aches a little with every goodbye. Green Thumbs( Ken and Eva) my parents were here for a visit. Every year they come and stay with us while Chris travels for some business stuff. I love these visits because I get some wonderful tutorials on gardening and all things home related. I call my parents Green Thumbs because I swear they have some magic touch and I think GREEN runs through their veins.. I swear this is true. Every flower seems to stop and salute when the Green Thumbs walk through the door. Their visit was wonderful. I had a rough week prior and was feeling a little blue. Both my head and heart were in need of love and support. Well a few days of spending time with these two gardening experts and I feel FANTASTIC! I love their visits. My mom makes some killer meals.... my dad coaches me on lawn stuff, and the boys have fun playing with Grandma CHA CHA and Papa Ken.. I also get to spend time with them bouncing various Life Topics by them to get their "take". As for the gardening, every year we have a planned project. This year it was to add some trees to my backyard. We added two Japanese Maples and one Saucer Magnolia which I had not heard of before... It was soooo much fun. Additional highlights from the visit, Moms Meals, Mom on her little micro laptop at midnight surfing the net and teaching me all the latest(she is over 60 so this amazes me), watching Slumdog Millionaire( it deserve the Oscar). And today I feel happy.. just plain ole HAPPY and JOYFUL. They brought with them sunshine and warmth and love and it was just what the doctor ordered! And they literally brought the Florida sun, every day was 80+. How I love a sunny beautiful day. Since we are on a super tight budget the flowers I bought and the trees are my Mother's Day 2009 presents. The little trees are so cute. Watching Mason and CJ stand next to them made me smile.....I hope the trees grow... maybe someday those trees will be strong, and beautiful and bend when they need to and stand firm when they need to.. just like I hope my boys will do...... I love my little trees and I adore..... absolutely adore my little boys ... my soon to be "men". My job today and always... "make these boys into loving, kind, humble yet secure, emotionally stable men.. who have a relationship with our creator".. "grow, little trees, grow"..... I promise to keep watering you!

I got two of those topsy turvy tomato growers... let's see how they do.....

Paradise for Cha Cha,, beautiful day ,planting flowers and her boys

one of two japanese maples.....

flowers!

over 65 and doing this stuff with ease

I love my dad so much!

New tees from papa pa and cha cha. VIVA PANAMA( where my dad is from)

On Friday we went to a piece of Havana near the house. New Cuban, I loved it. There was not a morsel on my plate. But mom's Spanish food is still the best by far!

In heaven they will serve TRES LECHES CAKE.

Cuban coffee served in sweet little cups....don't let the size fool you. It will knock your socks off!

We took a drive by the new Berewick School.

knock out roses came back on their own this year

Boys played in the sprinklers... it was 85 + all weekend

On Saturday, we went to the Children's Festival at Concord Mills.....the boys spent the entire time at (but of course) the Fossil Dig

And then we went inside( it was hot even for moi who loves it HOT!).. inside at the Concord Mills play area.... my handsome dad and boys

Sunday after grands left we played outside for over 2 hours....sweet little boys.. sweet little trees

CJ asked me to take a picture of his playdoh turtles , he made 4( each of us) and a caterpillar

I could stare at this face all darn day!

And at this face for the entire day too....... how I love these boys....

The boys love watering. They were laughing so hard. I loved hearing them laugh and play.

PS: and yes I got a new camera........ Just a quick shout out to my friend Nichole who read about my camera mayhem and gave me an extra that she had.... I tell you I am so lucky to meet such wonderful people and even better call many of them dear friends. Nichole thank you. I just bought a new one because I really needed one. I will return yours back to you. Sending a huge virtual hug of thanks! Honestly I was a little overwhelmed by your wonderful act of kindness. So sweet! The world really needs more sweet people, good people, kind people.. probably now more than ever.

EDITED: A few people asked me to repost " MEET MY FRIEND JOHN" a letter about being positive..... please see

http://prettypinkmomlifecoach.blogspot.com/ for some inspiration.... hugs G

EASTER 2009

Uncle Jerry sent us Easter pictures I can capture for posterity( as you know my camera is fried)... Easter was really fun and EASTER is MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY.....

We visited my Sis In Law in Youngsville and had a great time with family there.... Lots of fun activities etc....

Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday outside Lori's lovely home...

Bunny Cake.... what is cuter than this? My mom does one too....

Mason in new fun beach hat from Uncle Jer...

We Povs.. on Sunday AM..... after mass back at Lori's

Handsome Bennett Cary

Uncle Jer with kiddies after mass and before Brunch

Grand Pov's and grandchildren

William, Ben, Ryan and Lori

Here's to a good week. Namaste...( the light in me bows to the light in you), Gieselle/Gigi

Lost without my Camera

Hello dear readers....

Happy Friday. We Poveromos are doing fine... Great moments, wild-chaotic moments, some scary moments.. but all moments full of REAL LIFE. My camera is broken for good. I took it to the Camera Shop yesterday and they tell me it is broken beyond repair. All I could say was..." BUT I AM A BLOGGER AND I LOVE TO TAKE PICTURES FOR MY BLOG!!!!!!" The sales people immediately started to show me some new cameras...... about 18 months ago I would have quickly/effortlessly pulled out the ole CHASE VISA CARD without hesitation.... but now.. NOT SO FAST! I felt like I was in a scene from a movie... Do any of you remember CANT BUY ME LOVE? There is a scene where the young main character(pretty girl) starts to cry in a store because she has ruined a dress that is $1,000.00. and she knows she can not afford to pay for a new one. That is how I felt. The camera people showed me cameras that were $100 - $200. We have the money.... but we have greatly cut back on any EXTRA Stuff. NO STARBUCKS, NO Lunches out( very, very few)...... no manicures..... NO MANICURES/Pedicures!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!! So I cried my way home( not really).. but told Chris all about it.. and he said..."G We will get you a new camera!" Can not happen soon enough... I told him it can be my Mother's Day Gift!

What a wild time this is.... I will be honest.. some people are frugal by nature. I AM NOT! I am feeling every inch of no MANICURES..... no FEEL GOOD PURCHASES..... NADA, NADA, NADA. Don't get me wrong I can enjoy free pleasures.... playing with my babies... a kiss... a pretty flower I have grown.. but I am missing my sweet little pleasures.. chai latte, manicures/ pedicures stuff like that. Oh well..... LIFE GOES ON...... and there are more important items to update you all on....

Boys:

Mason used our potty on Wed..... YEPPER he has been showing interest and just sat right down and peed! We danced and sang and laughed. and CJ got jealous so we stopped and gave him some extra attention......... Mason is 20 months now. I love having a four 1/2 year old and almost 2 year old..... while I love to see little babies and will always love how they smell etc.. I can honestly say... I am done and kind of glad to be at this wonderful stage! Mason is saying a lot of words or close to words... my favorite is "DAT DOOOOO" for thank you. I melt every time I hear it.

CJ is enjoying a small green house project they have at school and enjoying Land Before Time Games on the computer.

Easter was great! Easter is my favorite holiday. While I like Christmas..I am all about Spring! So a holiday that celebrates pastel colors, and flowers... that is up my alley. Uncle Jerry gave us a great gift..( my favorite) AN EASTER EGG from the OBAMAs!!!!! It should be coming in the mail soon. I am very excited. I love our First Family!!!!!!!!!!! At almost 40 I can say I am now very comfortable in my pretty "liberal" Democrat skin.

Chris is knee deep in school. A class on STRATEGIC PLANNING. I am reading two really good books. The first is, The Essential Green You, by Deidre Imus and the second is What TO Look for in a Classroom by Alife Kohn. I really like Kohn's writing and view on education.

Honestly I am in need of some fun! I am excited for springtime, warm weather, pretty flowers, open toed shoes......feeling the sunshine on your face, cute springtime dresses...... an evening glass of wine.....the beach! Whenever I feel myself getting kind of down... I like to think of things that make me feel happy. Fun songs do that for me... another thing... thinking about the TV Show SEX and the City. I just think about funny scenes from the show and I CRACK UP. To "de"stress you can often find me late night... sitting all alone after everyone is sleeping watching reruns of the show or the movie... It is light and giddy..... and carefree... and takes me away from icky thoughts. of recession... job loss, people struggling..... And I know this too will pass. I know it will. and I will emerge.. stronger... cuter... and with new skills, like the ability to make my own CHAI LATTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love ya Gieselle/Gigi

PS: The song I have playing is called 1,2,3,4 by the Plain White Tees. It is for my husband. I love you.... in good times and bad... etc I LOVE YOU...

Make a Smilebox greeting

Coach Varna Rocks....

So I have written before how Berewick is our little slice of heaven. And it continues to be. We have met a lot of really great people in our little town within the city of Charlotte. Berewick/Steele Creek offers a lot for CJ and Mason to get involved with. As I have written before I have been amazed at all the different Mommyprenaurs there are in Berewick and Steele Creek. We have a Cooking School, Sewing Classes, a Fab Photographer specializing in Family Photos, a lot of cute children's clothing boutiques, my Mommy Life Coaching Business.... a Nanny Placement Agency just launched by one of my dear mommy gfs(girlfriends)see: www.oliveyounanny.com and now Coach Varna's Soccer Clinic. Varna is a great girl. I did not know until recently that she is a Teacher and accomplished Soccer Coach. CJ has now had two classes and is loving it! Prior to the first class he really did not want to go. He whined the entire way to his first class( both my boys can be shy in new situations) and here is a secret: I am like that. That is why I like people to feel comfortable/appreciated/supported... BECAUSE I HATE TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE( Tidbit about me for the day). Anyway Varna has a very calm, relaxed manner about her that was great for FIRST DAY JITTERS...

If your interested in information about the clinic and how to sign up, shoot me an email at
gigi.pov@hotmail.com and I will forward your information to Varna. I also have a link to Varna's Family Blog on my Blog see: "Party of Four".

One aspect of Coach Varna and her clinic that I loved the most is that CJs first experience with a Coach is with a FEMALE COACH. I just love that. And since he is only 4 and may forget I have just immortalized it via this blog. THERE IS ALWAYS METHOD TO MY MADNESS. The goal for this blog... is to tell our story so the boys can one day read it. It is all about keeping a record... I want to make sure these boys (my gifts from God) know how loved they are and how my world is BRIGHTER because they are in it!

Speaking of Mommyprenaurs and Mommies are YOU taking care of yourselves? In need of inspiration? See recent post on my Life Coaching blog.......

http://prettypinkmomlifecoach.blogspot.com/

Peace and love , Gieselle/Gigi

From the Mouths of Babes.........

So about two months ago (maybe even longer) I watched this documentary called Raising Cain(about making boys emotionally strong and competent). On the video I watched a teacher facilitate a discussion with her students. She asked them questions to get them to offer solutions to a problem. Loved the approach so last night as I bathed CJ and Mason I decided to try and get their thoughts( well CJS......) on our issue of NOT Sharing toys and other stuff. Here is how the conversation went:

Background: CJ had just watched Ni-HAO KaiLan on Noggin or Nick Jr. The episode was all about if you have a problem work to solve it. If the problem is your fault say your "Sorry" and work to solve the problem. So he was in the bath singing a song about solving problems. I had a light bulb moment and thought to myself..." NOW IS THE TIME TO APPROACH THIS"......

MOMMY: "Hey guys.. you know I am tired and I do not have all the answers on this problem we have on sharing. When you guys raise your hands to one another to hurt one another because one of you has grabbed something out of the others hands it makes me sad to see you want to hurt one another and I do not know what to do."

CJ: "Well Mommy when you have a problem you have to say your sorry if its your fault and work to solve the problem."

Mommy thinking to herself(I LOVE YOU Ni-HAO Kailan)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Mommy: "Ok that sounds fair."
Mommy: "So what do we do if we have another problem come up where one of you has something and the other wants it??????"

Note: Mason could care less about this conversation... at this point he is having much more fun taking water in a cup and dumping it outside the bath....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mommy to herself: OK I will deal with this water thing in a moment!!!!!!!!!!
Mommy out loud" "OK so how do we solve this sharing problem?"

CJ: " Well why don't we try this...... when one of us has something that the other wants .. you say mommy.. " CJ you have five minutes to play with that and then Mason will have five minutes. Then when the five minutes is over, Mason has five minutes and on and on...."

Mommy thinks to herself( HECK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA)!!!!!!!!

Mommy: "CJ that is a really good idea. Did you hear that at school or on TV?"

CJ: "I don't know."

Mommy: Well let's try this out this weekend. And for now let's tell Daddy all about this great idea you had CJ".

Mommy and CJ smile and are excited. I think to myself. WOW that really is a good idea. Will it work in the heat of a sharing battle?.. stay tuned........

Now back to the water all over the floor..................

See below some random shots from school this week and some pictures from one of Cjs best buddies ( Daniela) bday party. Fun was had by all. Happy Friday.. The sun is shining and we have some fun Easter related activities planned. Love ya, pretty pink mommy Gieselle/Gigi