The Green Eyed Momma

Watching the London Olympics 

Do you have a student heading back to school? My little guy heads to Kindergarten next month, and I have already started thinking about what to pack in his lunch box. What can I send, other than his sandwich and carrots? What can he manage to open or peel on his own? When I heard about FruitziO and Crispy Green freeze-dried fruit snacks, I was excited to be sending great healthy snacks to school! I surprised my two little guys, with a picnic in the back yard, so we could try the many great varieties offered by Crispy Green and Fruitzio!  These freeze-dried fruit snacks crunch like chips, and taste amazing! My little guy said he can not wait to take the Apples & Strawberries in his new lunchbox, and might even share with his friends! He then asked, "Do you think my teacher might want to try them too?" He wants to share his snacks with his new teacher, and I think it is a great idea!  I am so excited to offer great alternatives and opti...

As we are less than 30 days away from Kindergarten, we have been talking and preparing for the big day. After our visit to St. Louis, we have enjoyed watching the boys playing with the lunch boxes that our nephew no longer wanted. (We jokingly call them their "Murses," meaning "man-purse.") We wanted to introduce Mikey to a lunch box/bag prior to school so he could work with the zipper, we had no idea the fun that would come out of it! Ryan walks all over the house with his "murse," and puts everything he can stuff inside of it! From his blanket, to toys, snacks, crayons, or cars...basically if it fits, he carries it around all day. It is so funny to hear Ryan ask "Where is my murse?"Mikey on the other hand takes it very seriously, and has been asking to put his lunch in there so he can prepare for school! He tries so hard to open his packages, or containers all by himself with a very concentrated face. He wants to be able to be independent and t...

When my nephew was asked how he wanted to spend his summer vacation or where he wanted to go, without hesitation he said he wanted to see our Nation's Capital. Dylan said he wanted to see three things, the inside of NCIS, the Navy Yard, and the Pentagon...sadly you just can't walk into these locations! He still wanted to see Washington D.C., and we were able to join them today for some fun! We headed to George town for lunch, and took them to Old Glory Barbecue...it was so delicious! After a drive around the city, we walked around the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. (Yes, it was an afternoon spent, almost like our trip in May!) The St. Louis Fortner's will take on Washington D.C. for the next seven days, and I am so happy we were able to join them!

As a family we watched the London Olympic Opening Ceremony. Mikey thought many parts were confusing, and I had to explain what a Maypole was, and why Lord Voldemort was so creepy! Ryan was oblivious as to what was going on, but asked why the kids were jumping on the beds? I myself was sadly disappointed, as a huge fan for as long as I can remember, I have never felt this way! So, I say the heck with the pageantry, bring on the games! I can not wait to see Phelps and Lochte go head to head!(I am personally hoping Phelps gets his 3 medals to set the record, but that Lochte gets everything else!) The Fab Five, of the female gymnastics team are going to give China, a run for their money! I will be watching as Bolt, the fastest man in the world tries to set even more world records in track and field! I wish that some of the lesser followed Olympic sports would get more air time, such as USA Wrestling, but I will just have to stay up to date online! Gosh, I just love the...

Elf Mischief isn't always smooth sailing...there are blunders! Just to name a few: The kids are wired, and just wont go to bed The youngest child wakes up, while you are setting up, and walks into the room Elves fall over or off of the table...and end up on the floor Exhaustion sets in, and you are just too tired to think of a new idea Finding your elf has been kidnapped by the family pet Elf Mischief mess leaves a stain or something ends up broken You forget to take pictures of the Elf Mischief The fun is not always flawless, and no one expects perfection! The idea is to have fun, and think quick! Elf Mischief is all about surprise, and sometimes you just cant make everything turn out the way you want. So, how do you answer questions or explain blunders to your little smartie pants? Tell them the elves can not cause mischief unless they are sound asleep! Tell your youngest child you were just helping the elves for one night, as they have to make a quick run to the Nor...

Have you seen all of the pins dedicated to Elf Mischief, Elf on the Shelf, or Christmas Elves on Pinterest? Have you wondered what the heck is going on? Why the interest in Elf Mischief? I'm going to give you the cliff notes: The Christmas Tradition is simple! An elf shows up at your house, and he or she does silly things each night while your child sleeps. There are many versions and ways each family does it...no set rules. Some families set their elf up high on a shelf, so that the elf can observe and report back to Santa. Most elves arrive the day after Thanksgiving or on December first. Some elf kits have magic dust, and require you to "feed," the elf each night prior to going to bed. The elf returns with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. So, the question is...why do it? Why spend the time and effort to plan and set up something each night, when the holiday season is already crazy enough as it is? Don't I already have enough going on at that time of the yea...

Its time to head back to school! Ever wanted to design something for your school, sports team, club, or group with the latest on-line tools? Did you know that as a group, you can collaborate together online? Customizo.com would love to help you setup a design that you can all work together to make your group stand out! Your next school shirt can be exactly what your group wants it to be. Do your young kids have input to what their club shirt needs to look like? Do they have a color, logo, drawing, or picture they want used for their sports team tee shirts? Customizo.com is your solution! Did I mention you can also earn Box Tops for Education through their C-Store for your school? As a mom, I love that I can collaborate with my team members through the Design Studio or Groupizo  social platform, and that our purchase can give back to our school through Box Tops. They have many Hanes Tee shirts, Pullovers, Sweatshirts, and Polos in many colors to choose from,...

Vladik Miagkostupov and Julie Desmarais I had the honor of attending the press event for Cirque du Soleil -  Dralion ! I can not wait to share the details with you! Thanks goes out to Shae Jackson, of Macaroni Kid Downtown Baltimore, for the opportunity to see Vladik perform his amazing juggling act!

If you are thinking about adopting a Christmas Elf, have you considered he or she might have been on the naughty list?  What does your Elf do all night, waiting for your little ones to wake up? Have you heard of Elf Off the Shelf? It is a parody of what can happen when you give your Elf a horrible name: Elf Off the Shelf is available from Amazon.com With this in mind, here are a few ideas that are funny, but NOT suitable for young children: Skinny dipping with Barbie in the hot tub Wine tasting night and a hangover the next morning Guess what is in my pocket...it isn't a candy cane Lets let the pets out of their cages...think small rodents or reptiles Who spiked the eggnog Playing soccer with the glass ball ornaments Writing Christmas bonus checks from Mom and Dad's checking account Guess what I found in Mommy's underwear drawer Everyone is getting coal...craft your own coal rocks Peeping Tom...and why the cops were called Yes, there will come a time w...

Are you a new reader? I'm going to share with you a secret...our house is visited by Christmas Elves. I want to share with you my own Christmas in July, Elf Mischief style! If you are a new reader, then you have never heard of Buddy and Max. If you have been around awhile, then you know that we have been lucky enough to have Buddy and Max in our lives for the last three years. Here is the TRUTH...and why I am bringing you my own version of Christmas in July! Each year I spend months planning all of the fun things that our elves will do each night. For 30 days, there is something silly, crazy, or hands on that our elves do EVERY night, to surprise the boys when they wake up in the morning. Here is the truth, it takes time and effort to plan the fun, but your time and talents are put to great use! Here are a few tips: Brainstorm and keep a list in your purse of ideas, even if it seems silly at the time! (Write the ideas down as they come to you.) Create a simple ca...

Less than 7 days, till the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games! I am so excited, I have always loved the summer games. I will be glued to the television to watch swimming, diving, gymnastics, and track and field! My family thought I was nuts during the Olympic trials, just waiting to see who would make the team. Sadly, wrestling does not get television time, otherwise I would be watching that too! I can not wait to see how they open the games, as each Opening Ceremony is 100% unique to the country where the games are held. (I can not wait to see the Royal Family, and see the Queen!) I have always loved the parade of nations, and the introduction of the countries taking part in the games. There are huge delegations like the USA, but it is the really small countries that can only host a few athletes that really move me. I am also a sucker for what will they be wearing? Will it be a smart looking new sports suit or native costume? The Opening Ceremonies al...

A tragedy happened this morning, in Aurora, Colorado while people attended the midnight premier of Batman Rises. A gunman opened fire into the theater, while the movie was playing. There are 12 dead, and 58 injured from this horrific act of violence. I will not speak of the gunman, or speak of the atrocities that transpired. I want to honor those who perished and were injured, all while innocently watching a film they could not wait to see. All day there were hundreds of panicked tweets, of friends and family trying to make contact with the missing. Six local hospitals in Colorado helped tend to those with gunshot and burn wounds. Police who arrived on the scene, became emergency transport vehicles, as there were so many that needed to be rushed to a hospital. There are countless stories of parents, loved ones and complete strangers shielding the ones they love, or young children, by throwing themselves over their bodies. I am just in awe of the acts of val...

Two SPUD-tastically Kickin' Local Exhibits Mr. Potato Head Exhibit and Kick It Up at Port Discovery Discover the world of Mr. Potato Head and explore with him! Mr. Potato Head can dress up as anything he wants. What do you want to be when you grow up? Come dressed up in costume and explore! Create your own glow in the dark outer space potato head collage, search for potato head items in a Mr. Potato Head Scavenger Hunt, become an archeologist and compare living and extinct plants, enjoy activities with Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers, and more!   - Press Release Have you heard the news? Two new exciting exhibits have taken over the   Port Discovery Children’s Museum ! The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head   and   Kick It Up   are all new this summer, and a great way to beat the heat. I was invited, along with my family to explore and play on behalf of Macaroni Kid Northwest Baltimore. My five and three year old, quickly threw on the Safari ...