Random Musings from a Mom with Cabin Fever

So, it's been over three weeks since I last posted! After spending the last several days caring for my youngest, who is battling the stomach flu, I realized that I need to blog to clear my head. ;)

In my defense, it has been a busy three+ weeks... Since I last posted, I've done the following:
*watched five whole movies (Netflix - a couple with the kiddos, and the rest with my husband), plus bits and pieces of Cars and Cars 2, which my youngest is obsessed with...
*bought and wrapped two adorable baby girl gifts (which both still need to be delivered)
*attended church three times (and our life group once)
*celebrated our oldest nephew's 18th birthday (as I was 19 when he was born, he was the first baby I ever truly loved with all my heart)
*enjoyed a relaxing no-school day with friends
*took my daughter to dance class twice (her dad took her last night)
*took my youngest to two Music Together classes (we missed this morning since he's still not up to moving much)
*helped set up for our local MOPS group's biennial silent auction
*worked at said silent auction (which was a huge success!)
*attended a great MOPS meeting where we learned about essential oils
*had friends over for pizza
*took my little one to his first live play (Seussical, the Musical) with friends from MOPS
*had my first Orange Leaf frozen yogurt (yum)
*took my oldest to 4H Clover Kids and to my education cluster meeting (they're always back to back once a month)
*shopped for spring dresses for myself and my daughter two days in a row
*took my son to piano (he is thrilled to only have lessons every other week this year)
*delivered two meals to MOPS moms with new babies
*prayed fervently for close friends whose daughter had a health scare (praise God, she is going to recover completely!)
*also prayed a lot for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and the Texas explosion
*worked out 12 times and taught yoga once
*was vomited on (along with my breakfast)
*celebrated my twin nephews' 10th birthdays
*went to the 50th wedding anniversary party for friends of my parents
*witnessed one of our youngest nephew's baptisms (he was absolutely adorable during the baptism - all smiles and giggles!) During this baptism, it occurred to me that by the time baby J is 10 years old, I'll have three teenagers. How is that possible?!?
*missed a nominations committee meeting at church because of B's flu
*read a book written by an old high school classmate
*helped with our elementary school's Wendy's Night fundraiser

I'm sure I missed something... Like the countless loads of laundry, the toilets scrubbed, etc. And now that I've written out that list, it's not all that impressive. Nothing more than the average mom performs in three weeks. We've all been there, right?

Oh, I also complained several times about chilly and wet weather. It has been a very unspring-like spring. Because I'm sure you have lost sleep over wondering what my weather preferences are, I just have to share.

Nikki's Ideal Weather Calendar:
January - 20s/30s with lots of light flurries (just enough to keep the brown grass covered in sparkling snow)
February - 30s with a few less snowflakes, but still chilly enough to keep the snow from melting yet
March - 40s/50s with more sunshine, wind is acceptable if it comes from the south
April - 60s with alternating showers and sunny days
May - 70s with sun enough to make everything bloom and grow
June, July, & August - 80s/90s with just enough rain to keep the farmers happy, otherwise lots of sunshine and not too much humidity (NO tornados or dangerous lightning; hail is only allowed if it's the tiny little cute stuff)
September - 70s/60s with a few more puffy white clouds, evenings should be perfect football weather
October - 50s with more clouds permissible, as long as there is some pretty blue sky to set off the fall colors
November - 40s and a little less sun, no snow allowed until after Thanksgiving
December - 30s/20s with plenty of snow (one good blizzard on a mid-week day so the kids can enjoy one snow day would be perfect), NO ice

Seriously, is that too much to ask? One thing I love about Iowa is that we get to experience all four seasons. But last year, we skipped spring weather and went straight to 90s in March. That's just wrong. This year, winter seems to want to last five months. Not good, either. Bring on the sunshine and the blooming flowers and trees!

I'm done moaning and groaning now. I promise to post my letter N suggestions very soon. ;)

*For those new to my blog, check out the beginnings of ABC Summers here.*

M is for...

...making many meaningful memories! Cheesy, I know. But what could be better than creating fun times for your children to remember and maybe even recreate with their own children someday?

Places to go that start with M:
*towns/cities starting with M (Minneapolis is within day trip distance from here)
*Macaroni Grill
*Machine Shed Restaurant
*Maid-Rite
*Maggie Moo's
*Mama Lacona's Italian Restaurant
*Manhattan Deli
*Mars Cafe
*Maxie's
*McDonald's (around here the Happy Meals are discounted on Wednesdays)
*Mezzodi's
*Me & Mommy to Be (awesome consignment store in Ankeny)
*Mimi's Cafe
*Maquoketa Caves State Park
*Menace soccer games
*Menards (I don't know about you, but my husband and I both remember going to Menards with our dads when we were little and always getting candy!)
*Mercy or Methodist Hospital's maternity ward to look at new babies
*Meredith Gardens downtown (only open to the public over the lunch hour on Fridays)
*Merle Hay Mall (or any other mall)
*Metro Sports Facility (to ice skate in the summer!)
*Metro Waste Authority gives great tours of the landfill - it's surprising how educational and interesting it is!
*Michael's for cheap craft supplies
*Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque
*Mom & Tot Playtime at Triad (one hour of open gym for 1-5 year olds with a parent)
*Monkey Joes
*MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) activities
*movie theatre (some have morning movies in the summer)
*Movies Under the Stars (summer series in Ankeny's Wagner Park)
*Music Together classes
*parks that start with M (Michael Park, MacRae Park)

Things to do that begin with M:
*have playdates with friends like Madalynn, Maddie, Maggie, Molly
*make mosaic drawings using the colors magenta, maroon, mauve, midnight blue, mint green, misty rose, moss green, or mustard
*send mail to friends or relatives
*get manicures with your daughter(s)
*play with marbles
*wear masks for a pretend masquerade
*teach your children how to give a good massage
*make/draw a maze or find a book of mazes to do
*find a merry-go-round to ride (carefully)
*go miniature golfing
*count money in the child(ren)'s piggy banks
*talk about months (especially March & May)
*watch movies that start with M (Madagascar, Madeline, Mars Needs Moms, MegaMind, Mirror, Mirror, Monsters, Inc., Mr. Popper's Penguins, Mulan, or The Muppets)
*read books starting with M (Madeline, Miss Nelson is Missing, or The Mitten)
*listen to music by artists staring with M (Mat Kearney, Matthew West, MercyMe, Mumford & Sons) or songs starting with M like "Moses Thought It Odd," "Make That Two," "Moving," "More Than Just a Minute," "Maybe the Monster," "Meltdown," or "My Brother Did It," all by Justin Roberts
*watch kids' shows like "Mr. Ed," "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," "Martha Speaks," "Maya & Miguel," "The Muppet Show" or "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse"
*play Marco Polo, Mother May I?, musical chairs, or one of the many versions of Monopoly

Foods that start with M:
M&Ms
macadamia nuts
mac & cheese
malts
malted milk balls (Whoppers)
mandarin oranges
mangoes
manicotti
Manwich sloppy joes
maple syrup
marshmallows
mashed potatoes
meat
melon
milk (or milkshakes) :)
Milk Duds
Milky Ways
mini donuts
mints
molasses cookies
monterey jack cheese
mousse
mozzarella
muenster
muffins

M was another tough letter to "find" around for photographs. We had to really use our imaginations on this letter. Then again, that's kind of the point of found photography! The top "M" is part of a big metal spiderweb at the natural playscape, and the bottom "M" is one of those spinning monkey bar things at the park.

Favorite M Bible verses:

"The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart." Matthew 12:34

"(Obedience comes from ) a heart that loves God." Mark 12:30

"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Matthew 5:42

It finally feels like spring is here! Makes me excited for this summer's ABC photography plans. :) Stay posted for letter N.

*For those new to my blog, check out the beginnings of ABC Summers here.*