If I Could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond

What I Can Tell You: 

Awwww......This is really the sweetest book. It says everything I try to remind myself about as my kids change over the day to day. Like when I ask my daughter to stop growing because I won't be able to pick her up anymore. Or when I get teary eyed over the fact that they are growing out of their clothes so fast. Or, when they don't ask me to read to them as much any more, or need me to get their snacks and drinks.

I was thankfully very aware of how quick their babyhood would be and that is what got me through the almost 3.5 years of less than 5 hours of sleep. I knew they would never need me as much as they did then. 

What Marianne puts so lovingly into words is that while we will miss the times we had to do everything for them, we are so proud when we see them accomplish things on their own. When they make their own choices and decisions, it shows us their independence and sometimes that scares us or makes us sad. But, what we should be looking at is how much WE have taught them. How safe they feel to make these decisions or how confident they are in knowing exactly what they want. That comes from feeling protected and knowing that even if they make mistakes, Mommy and Daddy will be there to pick them up if they should fall. 

The back of the book reads:

"If I could keep you little, I'd keep you close to me. 

But then I'd miss you growing into who you're meant to be!"

When I had my 2010 Holiday Home Party last week with my girlfriends, I showed them all the book, they all loved it and everyone had a boo-boo face when they read the words above. 

Truly a beautiful book to be shared by a child and the people who love them!

Holiday Gift Idea - Computer Game from Dig-It - Roman Town

On Friday I wrote about a Holiday Party I hosted thanks to Mom Select. Thanks to Mommy Parties and Dig-it Games, I was able to show my guests a really awesome, educational, different game called Roman Town

I had the computer set up and the ladies gathered around for a quick tutorial of the game before playing alone.

We each took a turn digging and reading about the various items we dug up. You select a location, decide which item you want to use to dig and put your diggers to work. When they find something they give you a little speech bubble. Click the bubble and get to sweeping. As you sweep with your mouse the item unveils itself. Then you read a bit about what you uncovered. You can read further or get back to digging.

After you have found everything you are taken to a sorting section where you sort all your finds. After that you will reconstruct and log your items into a journal entry. So fun. 

There is even a section where you compare the items you found to today's counterparts. I had a bit of trouble with this at first. Wow. Very interesting.

My favorite part is the reconstruction puzzles and trying to figure out how to make the reports. My kids love the digging and sorting parts.

You can definitely learn a lot from playing Roman Town and found it very educational but more importantly, interactive. Which means kids will play longer.

The ladies at the party thought the game was really great and they also loved the gifts they received along with a coupon code for the game.

Growing up my husband and I wanted to be archaeologists, this is a great game for exploring and learning about a culture from so many years ago.

What I love about Mommy Parties beside the fact that I get to sit and chat with my girlfriends over cake and coffee but we also learn about items that we would have never seen before. We all agree that it would have been sad to have missed out on this interactive game.

Who knows, maybe one of our children will decide to be an archaeologists because of this game. You never know!

Mellow Yellow Monday

This weeks Mellow Yellow Monday are flowers, I am cold and need some warm light in my life today. I took these the beginning in October before Halloween. I was alone and could focus without kids by my side to rush the shot.

Betty White Starring In Annie's Point On DVD This Week

What I Can Tell You:

I was expecting loads of tears. When the email came from Vivendi Entertainment asking if I wanted to review Annie's Point my answer was obviously yes (hence this email), but I asked if it came with a box of tissues too. 

Thankfully, I didn't need the tissues. This movie was a feel good movie more than anything else. As someone who cries over everything and anything, I stand 100% behind that statement. 

Betty White plays Annie an artist who recently lost her husband. Her son Richard, took over the business and is worried about his mom's forgetfulness and wants to relocate her to a retirement home.

When Annie hears that she is in need of a heart bypass she decides to tie up some loose ends. 

1. Come through on a promise to spread her husband's ashes over Annie's Point.

2. Force her son to really see who his daughter is.

3. Go back to the house she and her husband built many years ago and get a "Lucky 19" Gold Liberty Coin the place in the wall. 

She grabs her granddaughter Ella (a singer, songwriter who is afraid to sing in public) and coerces her to drive to California. They get the gold coin, work to make money for the trip (since her son Richard shut down the finances to make them go back home), get into trouble with the law and spend time in jail, reunite with Annie's long lost brother and finally reunite with Richard who was able to hear his daughter sing when Annie called him and put the phone down for him to hear. 

Thankfully the movie doesn't get to sappy. Annie accomplishes what she set out to do with dignity and wit.

No surprises but a great message and who couldn't use a feel good movie once in a while? Who doesn't like Betty White?

When I started researching this movie, I found that many people were praying that Hallmark would put it out on DVD. Well, the people have spoken and it is available at Amazon now.

Guest Post - Sandra, Creater of Baby Bindle!

Back in November, I introduced you to Sandra, the creator of Baby Bindle. You can read that post here.

In a nutshell, Baby Bindle is a seat pack that attaches to your infant carrier. How many times have you put your keys, wallet and cellphone in the baby carrier while you run your baby into the store, post office or wherever really quickly?

Sandra came up with a pack that literally attaches to the carrier. Like this...

Recently I asked Sandra to write a guest post for Maria's Space. She sent it over today and I want to share it with you. So without further ado, I give you Sandra who has been on a whirlwind since she won a Huggies Mom Inspired Grant for the creation of Baby Bindle.

The inspiration for this blog post came from a recent interview I did with Maria Bailey from Mom Talk Radio and founder of MomTV (you can listen here). The fact that I am such a good example for my children came up. It got me to thinking…

Parents are the ones that need to inspire and be the 

Heroes…not the athletes and actors.

I am so very incredibly proud to be an inspiration for my children. “Go out there and be anything you want to be. Dream big, reach for the stars and don’t let anyone or anything stop you.” For my son who already has a solid male Hero and inspirational figure in his father, a military veteran and coach to the various activities a six year old does. To him, I have been his female Hero by setting an example of kindness and support. When asked in the past what my job was, I have always been proud to say I love being a mother, that is my “job”. It has given me an extra thrill lately to add “I am also an inventor and have my own company“.

For my daughter, I want her to see that becoming a mother does not mean your dreams are now suddenly put on hold. She can dream big, be who she wants to be and still have a family. I love being an inspiration for her future.

Our little town is blessed with an abundance of inspirational women. These women who, without realizing, everyday inspire me and those around them.

The moms who reluctantly leave their families to work outside of the home. A hard, but necessary choice they endure everyday.

Our very own Maria. A wife, mother, photographer, friend and blogger extraordinaire. Keeping up with all she does makes me feel like the roadrunner has come through the room. Beep…Beep (tee hee, thanks Sandra!)

We have the wife and mom who volunteers with Little League, Cub Scouts, the PTSA, she updates our town’s Facebook page, all while raising two children and attending all their activities as well.

The mother of two, who with a face book post rescued our town food pantry from closing. She was the change she wanted to see in the world.

My list can go on and on. This situation is not unique to our little town. Mothers all across the country and the world are everyday inspiring their children. Stand up ladies, be proud and next time someone asks what you do…proudly state “I am a mother, I inspire my children”

Shutterday - Hats

Shutterday - Photo Challenge is HATS.

The Dwight Twilley Meme

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry? That would be Dear John. I had a lump in my throat for the last 15 minutes. Big sap I know. It doesn't take much to make me crazy. I am very passionate.

2. The fictional character most like you? Weird! I have no idea. I want to be a mix of Lorelai Gilmore, quick witted and puts her daughter first. Caroline Ingalls able to take a possum and make the girls pocketbooks for Christmas. Angela Bower, hard worker with the best 80's suits and a hot live in housekeeper. Maggie Malone Seaver, able to work at a high pressure job, have my husband stay home while I made the money and still be a caring, involved mom.

3. The greatest album, ever? This is really hard. I love Ten by Pearl Jam and Darkness on the Edge of Town by Springsteen.

4. Star Trek or Star Wars? Why? Neither. Oh OK...arm twisted. Star Wars. There were two guys fighting over one chick with weird hair.

5. Your ideal brain food? Eggs! Don't believe me? Check this out.


6. Everyone is proud of a certain accomplishment, which one for you?? Having beautiful children. Who would have thought it. I still am surprised when I look at them.

7. You want to be remembered for ...? Being a good mom.

8. Let's talk about recording artists. Who do you find the most inspirational? I am a huge Springsteen fan. I love how he writes about things that matter to him and writes from the heart. Also, Melissa Etheridge, every album tells a story of what is going on in her life. Taylor Swift, she is talented and writes her own stuff (from her heart), plays instruments and is beautiful and unaffected to boot.


9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? Snuggies. It seems everyone has one. Well, I don't but a lot of people do.

10. Your hidden talents . . .? They are hidden for a reason.

11. The best piece of advice you actually followed? Discipline with love in your heart and don't focus on the things you have no control over.

12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed? Wii. I love playing it and so does my family.


13. What is the most comfortable clothes that you wear? My big t-shirts. I love them.

14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? My family.


15. Time travel: where, when and why? I want to return to the moment my son was born. I totally missed it as I was unconscious. Plus, I would also like to be there, the moment they handed me to my mother for the first time.

16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac? Hang with my friends or lie with my kids and watch a movie.

17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or . . .? AIR, food and water, everything else is icing.


18. Environment of choice: city or country, and where on the map? I think any place my family is would be my choice. I would prefer and quiet country town, and all my friends and family would live there too, in New York.

19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country? Good luck.


20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now? This post!

Frito Lay Fan For Life

My family are all big crunch snack fans and we all have our favorites.

My husband loves Doritios
My son loves "corn crunchies" or Cheetos
My daughter loves Lays potato chips
and I love Hot and Spicy BBQ.

So when I had the opportunity to become a Frito Lay Fan I entered. I was fortunate enough to receive one of the best packages yet! A recyclable bag full of Frito Lay products, a chip clip, and a water bottle. Got to have your water around when eating Hot and Spicy chips.

I also received this cool I love Frito-Lay badge to post on my blog.

We opened the bags literally before I could collapse the box it was all mailed in but here is a picture provided by Frito Lay for you all to see.


We must buy at least $15.00 of Frito Lay products every week. Salt and crunch are for us.

Another reason we love Frito Lay is because they are concerned with the plant and have come up with a bag to reduce the waste that makes its way into our landfills.  While the bags are noisy, (we suggest putting them in bowls if you are snacking after the kids are down for the night) they are made from renewable, plant based materials. Currently it is only SunChips® Original flavor bags made this way, but this is the first step to a cleaner, healthier, world.


Disclaimer: I received this complimentary package from Frito Lay with no monetary compensation.

Mom Select - Holiday Showcase Home Party

I just finished cleaning up from a fun, holiday get together at my house. It was the perfect timing to take my mind off the medical drama that has become my life this year.

Thanks to Mom Select, I was able to host some of my best friends and some of the best sponsors, as I unveiled and gave away some amazing gift ideas.

Last month I was sent a box containing the following products:

o   NEW Small Frys from Build-a-Bear Workshop

o   Christmas Cakes from Little Debbie

o   Sneaky 3D Puzzles from Patch Products

o   Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory

o   Play-Doh Shape and Spin Elmo

o   Playmobil Child's First Day at School kit

o   Smart Mom Solutions

The planning for this shin dig started three weeks ago when I Facebook invited 15 friends to a Holiday Showcase Estravaganza at my house.

Over the last three weeks we lost and gained various guests, but everyone was very excited to be coming. All were asked to bring a grab bag gift so that everyone would go home with something. At that time I didn't know that various sponsors would contribute to the party. I was thrilled when boxes arrived that I could use toward the day.

Last night, I printed out questionnaires with 8 questions so I could unveil the products in a fun way. We played a game allowing everyone the chance to win the "Door Prize".

The questions went like this:

These bugs like in a hive but don't sting

The one dough you don't bake with, you play with.

This morning, I baked a Duncan Hines, Apple Caramel Decadent cake so the house would smell like Christmas, started the coffee and set up the table and waited for my girls to arrive.

They arrived and after some talking sat down for some goodies.

I passed out the questionnaires and explained the game. It was fun listening to them all discuss the questions and how little they knew. It was exciting to hear how competitive they were. I would have been the same way if I were playing.

It was so much fun to unveil the products and see who get them right. There were a lot of ohhhhh and ahhhhs as they realized they could have figured it out if they had really thought about it.

It was a tie and I picked a number between 1 and 10 to pick a winner. She was thrilled as you can tell.

The party was a huge success and my girlfriends were so happy to participate and get to check out some holiday gift ideas that they had never seen. The Sneaky 3D Puzzles from Patch Products was a hit.

The grab bag game was so much fun. All gifts were put in the center and I read off some questions.  Everyone got to choose from the pile until they were gone. They could have stolen from each other but everyone was too nice to do that.

I am thrilled to have been allowed to host this party and want to thank all the generous sponsors who provided giveaways and product to display.

More about the Renuzit and Dig-it-Games in another post. This one is long enough. Wish I could have hosted all of you reading this!

Tidbits from My InBox

There is so much going on this month! Whoossh....I can barely catch my breath.

First, medical issues this month will see me back at the hospital for a surgery. May take me a little longer to get back to everyone after the week of the 13th and I apologize if you don't hear from me right away. Trying to staying positive and focused.

Calling all Grey's Anatomy Fans - Check out this contest!

Knight And Day starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz

What I Can Tell You: 
All DVD's should be sold like this!
We loved that it had a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy in it all for $24.95.
Tom Cruise is great in this movie. It started out slow for me. The first 15 minutes I thought, ahh...Ok....then it got good. I loved Tom's Roy who was very witty, controlled and relaxed all while fighting the bad guy. There were plenty of chuckle moments, great but not over the top action sequences, not a lot of blood and no sexy scenes.

Cameron's June (I have to laugh when I say the name because of the way Tom's Roy says it) was a tad annoying to me with all the screaming but it was what it was.

I am on the fence with this movie. I watched it, didn't play on the computer or read which I tend to do when bored. It was entertaining but I felt that it could have been better. Not that I know what would have made it better but something was missing. Maybe it was a chemistry thing what do I know? This is why I call myself the Amateur Reviewer for the past 5 years.

Book Review Wednesday - The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #1: Origins

What I Can Tell You:
I am not afraid to admit I am a huge fan of The Vampire Diaries on CW. Why? I believe it is the beautiful people that make the show. So, reading the book minus the beautiful people I thought would be a challenge. I loved reading it! It was fun reading about the little tidbits of Stefan and Damian Salvatore's past that we get from Vampire Diaries.

I enjoyed reading about Stefan's fiance and how the beautiful, mysteries Katherine came into the lives of the Salvatore brothers and turned it upside down. Stefan the good son who listened and obeyed his father so much that he almost married a woman he wasn't in love with.

While I don't believe it is the best book I have ever read, as a fan of the Vampire Diaries series. I loved reading the details of how Stefan and Damian became the sexy vamps they are.
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ABC Wednesday - T

T = Touching Teeth
Handsome was showing me a new loose tooth.

T - Toy Story Toys
Here is Goddess playing with our new Toy Story 3 Toys

T = Train
This is a Train from the Toy Story Action Links I reviewed here.