Author Archives: Jenn Rian

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

This post is for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop #3.) A lie you told. I also linked up #5.) What was the occasion? Write about the last time you stayed in a hotel here.

I made a friend at school in Kindergarten. I think her name was Amber, but I’m not sure. One day I told Amber that I was going to be having a birthday party at Brady’s Run Park. I was not. What was actually going on was that our church was having the Sunday School Picnic at the park fairly close to my birthday. I knew that it wasn’t my birthday party…but I told her that anyway. I had forgotten all about it until we were at the Sunday School Picnic. Our family was at the shelter when a car pulled up. A little girl with a wrapped present got out of the car. Oops…busted! I had to tell my mom, and Amber, and her mom that I had lied about my birthday. I really don’t recall getting into a lot of trouble. In fact I remember our moms telling us that we could have a play date and maybe I could even ride the bus home with Amber one day (which was exciting for me because I was a “walker”). Then Amber and her mom got back into the car with the present and drove away. I don’t have any memories of Amber after that. I know that we never had our play date and sometime before the end of the year she moved away (probably to a place where people tell the truth). Amber did not come to my real birthday party that year. I’m not sure if it’s because we didn’t invite her, or if she just didn’t believe me, or if she had already moved away by then. I have absolutely no idea why I lied. It was very out of character for me. In fact while preparing for my Mommy’s Piggy Tales posts I asked my mom if she had any cute stories of me at this age. She told me that I was such a good girl all the time, I never did anything wrong, and there just isn’t anything funny about a little girl who’s always behaving herself.

The thing that I find weird about this story is…how did two 5 year old girls get the details right? How did I tell Amber the exact day, time, and place with shelter number to come to? How did she then relay that information to her mother…correctly? Why did her mom just take her to a birthday party without there being a written invitation and without speaking to my mother first? I have no idea! But aside from the lying, those were some great communication skills at work!

This post was originally included in the post Dancing in a box for my Mommy’s Piggy Tale series. That original post has been edited to create this new post.

My Piggy Tales:
*My Birth Story: I’m always late!
*Ages 3-5: Dancing in a box
*Age 5 Kindergarten: Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!
*Age 6 First Grade: There’s a bra in my lunchbox!
*Age 7 Second Grade: Bossy Wheels and Shady Deals
*Age 8 Third Grade: I will not talk in class
*Age 9 Fourth Grade: I didn’t really need those fingers anyway!
*Age 10 5th Grade: Nothing’s Scary in the Fifth Grade
*Age 11 6th Grade: Jenny Got Ran Over by her Grandma
*Age 12 7th Grade: Youth Camp Stinks
*Age 13 8th Grade: “Talent” Show
*Age 14 9th Grade: (N)O Christmas Tree
*Age 15 10th Grade: The Newsboys Wouldn’t Ditch Their Friends
*Age 16 11th Grade: Acrophobia Gets You the Good Seats
*Age 17 12th Grade: In School Suspension

My Young Adult Years
*Dreams and Aspirations: The Long Road There
*Friends and Fellowship: Friends Don’t Get Friends Grounded
*My First Job
*How I Met Cool Daddy Part 1
*How I Met Cool Daddy Part 2
*Colonel Mustard on a Rollercoaster with a Plastic Fork

You can find links to posts about my 1st-5th birthdays here: Celebrating 30 Years in 30 Days

Posted in Flashbacks, Jenn, Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop, Mommy's Piggy Tales

1 Comment

Tags: humor, Mommy's Piggy Tales, Writer's Workshops

Dr. Seuss Posts

Mar 1

Posted by Jenn Rian

If you’re looking for some Dr. Seuss themed ideas for his March 02 birthday, Read Across America Day, check out the links below!

March 02 is Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day!

*A Splendiferous Dr. Seuss Breakfast
Green eggs and ham, bread butterside up, and Moose Juice!

*10 Easy Dr. Seuss Snacks

*FREE Dr. Seuss Fonts
These free Dr. Seuss fonts can be used for printables, invitations, birthday parties,
baby showers, school classrooms / preschool, and more!

Celebrating Seuss 2011

*Seuss Fails 2011
*Dr. Seuss Celebration at the Library 2011
*Dr. Seuss Storytime at Target 2011
*Read Across America with Dr. Seuss 2011

Posted in Dr. Seuss, Links

Celebrating Leap Day (Links)

Feb 29

Posted by Jenn Rian

Happy LEAP DAY! Leap Year only happens every four years so make Leap Day special. Try something new, do something out of the ordinary, and have fun with it.

When coming up with a new tradition for Leap Day consider these key words that are important to the day: Leap, 4, 29, 229.
+Find something fun to do that incorporates leaping
+Set a timer and do something every 4 minutes (Change activities, switch seats at the table, leap in the air, etc)
+Invite over all of your Leaping Lizards for a sLEAPover and play Leap Frog!
+Create a time capsule to be opened on Leap Year 4 years from now.
+Since Leap Day is an extra day try doing something extra and make the day extraordinary!

When searching for Leap Day ideas the internet was unanimous…frogs. Frogs “leap” therefore they are apparently the perfect Leap Day mascot. Below you will find links to Leap Day and Frog themed games, crafts, foods, and more!

Why do we have a Leap Day?
(Email and Feed reader click here to view video.)

LeapYearDay.com and RaenellDawn.com

Feb29th.net
The aim of this project is simple – Stripped down blogging to its simplest form to record one special day in time across the globe. As soon as the first time zone enters Feb29th.net this blog will be open to posts. It’s simple, by filling out the form, you will be creating a blog post on this blog.

LEAP YEAR PARTIES

*Kids Leap Day Birthday Party Planner: @ Leap year Day

*Leap Year Kids Party Ideas: @ Peppers and Pollywogs
Leap Year Party – Frog-themed ideas for invitations, decorations, activities, menu, and goodies.

*Leap Year Party: @ Grey Grey Designs
Featured here and here

*Frog Prince Birthday Party: @ Kara’s Party Ideas

*Frogs and Butterflies Party in the Garden: @ Bird’s Party

*Make a Leap Day Birthday Special: @ Parents.com

LEAP YEAR FOOD

*Leap Year Frog Cookies: @ The Celebration Shoppe

*Cookie Frog: @ Kraft Recipes

*Frog Cupcakes: @ Cutest Food

*Froggy Cupcakes: @ Family Fun

*Prince Naveen Frog Face Cupcakes: @ Disney Family

*Apple Frogs: @ Clean and Scentsible

*Kermit’s Green Apples Peanut Butter Dip: @ Disney Family

*Pickled Frog: @ BHG

*Froggy Friend Lunch: @ This Lunch Rox

*Princess and the Frog Lunch: @ Meet the Dubiens

*Leap Year Snack: @ JDaniel4’s Mom

*Toad-ally Fun Frog Fiesta: @ Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons

*Frogmelon: @ Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons

*Frog Bread: @ Edible Crafts
The recipe from the original source was taken down, but the comments are still there in case that’s helpful.

LEAP YEAR CRAFTS

*Frog Activities for Children: @ DLTK Kids

*Paper Frog Puppet: @ Family Fun

*Letter “F” Frog: @ Play and Learn with Dana

*Paper Plate Frog Hand Tracing Craft: @ Busy Bee Kids Crafts

*Handprint Frog Craft: @ Fun Handprint Art

*Fly Catching Frog: @ Family Fun

*Leap Year Frog: @ Times Record News

*Leap Year Frog Craft: @ Lakeshore Learning

*Frog Catch Game: @ Ziggity Zoom

*Clay Pot Frog Craft: @ FamilyCrafts.About

*Paper Bag Frog Puppet: @ DLTK Kids

*Paper Bag Puppets: @ Enchanted Learning

LEAP YEAR PRINTABLES

*Leap Year Free Printables: @ Creatividee Workshop
Download here

*Celebrate Leap Year with Free Printables: @ Creative Party Buzz

*Leap Day Printable: @ Sherri Foxman

*Frog Maze: @ Print Activities

*Pin the Crown on the Frog Free Printable: @ Tip Junkie
“Here’s a poster you can print out on 4 sheets of paper, glue on a green posterboard and laminate, or simply tape together for an easy and fun game!”

*Musical Lily Pads Free Printable: @ Tip Junkie
Print out these lily pads and tape on the floor. Play with the same rules as musical chairs.

*Frog Hunt and Leap Year Games Free Printable: @ Tip Junkie
Frog Hunt, Ribbit, Ribbit, Jump, and Pass the Toad

*Origami Jumpin Frog Printable: @ Family Fun

*Frog Party Favor Bags: @ Mr. Printables

*Five Green Frogs: Kid’s Music Printable: @ Pickle Bums

*Freebie Printable: Butterfly and Frog Mask Templates: @ Bird’s Party

*Leap Froggin Game Board Part 1 and Part 2: @ Family Fun

LEAP YEAR GAMES
AND ACTIVITIES

*Frog Beanbag Toss: @ DLTK Kids

*Leap Year Activities and Party Ideas: @ Craft Jr.
Frog Paper Plate Craft, Frog Paper Bag Craft, Froggy Catch Game, Musical Lily Pads, Leap Year Coloring Page, Frog and Fly Game, Frog Dominoes, Frog Coloring Pages, Sherbet the Frog Dessert, Frog Cupcakes, Flippin’ Frogs Game, Leap Frog Bingo

*Leaping Groundhogs Game: @ JDaniel4’s Mom

*Frog Activities for Leap Year Day: @ ehow

*29 Fun Things to do on Leap Day: @ Mother Nature Network

*Children’s Games & Activities for Leap Year: @ ehow
Leap Year Division Challenge, Leap Year Beanbag Toss, Leap Year Birthday Cake Relay, Leap Year Verse, Leap Year Frog Cakes
Frog Chorus, Frog Diner, Tadpole Watch, Ribbit, Froggy May I?

*Leap Year Activities: @ Family Corner (forums)
Talk about leaping animals, Find a Leap Frog, Leaping and Jumping, Frog Straw Game, Kangaroo Jumping Fun, Froggy Snack, Leap Year Jump, Tracing, Leap Year Song(Tune of Bingo)

Posted in Leap Day / Leap Year, Links, Round ups, Traditions

1 Comment

Tags: frogs, Leap Day, Leap Year, leaping lizards, round up

Introducing Jonathan Paul

Feb 15

Posted by Jenn Rian

Our newest member to the Cool Family arrived a week ago.

Jonathan Paul was born on Wednesday February 08, 2012 at 11:59am via unmedicated VBAC. He weighed 9 lbs 6 oz was 22 inches long and had a head circumference of 36.5 cm (14.37 inches). Birth story to follow when I have some time.

Things are going to be pretty slow around here blogwise. As you can imagine I have my hands full with a newborn and a toddler and I’m pretty much exhausted. There’s not much time or motivation for blogging right now, but I wanted to be sure to introduce the little man to the blogosphere.

Thanks for following along during the pregnancy.

Related Posts

Click for the latest pregnancy news
*Our Infertility Story: The Short Version
*Trying to Conceive: Take 3 (Secondary Infertility)
*Trying to Conceive Tuesday (Take 3 Continued)
*Wordless Wednesday: Two Lines
*Early Ultrasound 7 Weeks 2 Days
*Early Ultrasound 9 Weeks 2 Days
*The Night I Got Arrested and Changed My Name to David (not really): A trip to the ER, Ultrasound 11 Weeks 4 Days
*NT Ultrasound 12 Weeks 4 Days
*Half Way There! 20 Weeks
*It’s a…
*Wordless Wednesday: Is That a Pumpkin Up Your Shirt?
*Third Trimester Already?!: 2nd Trimester Recap (Weeks 20-27)
*1 Week Left!: 3rd Trimester Recap (Weeks 28-39)

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Posted in About the family, Birth Stories, Birthdays, Jonathan, Pregnancy

12 Comments

Tags: birth, pregnancy

Valentine’s Day Tradition: I Love You Shadow

Feb 2

Posted by Jenn Rian

You can celebrate Groundhog Day and Valentine’s Day with your kids without the focus being on furry rodents and pink and red hearts. Use the month of February to show your kids why you love them with the “I Love You Shadow” tradition.
(This is great if you’re starting a Valentine’s countdown on February 1 but still want to acknowledge Groundhog Day on the 2nd!)

On Groundhog Day, February 2, I had Adaline lay down on a giant sheet of paper and I traced her outline on to it.
(If it’s a sunny day with good weather you can do this outside and actually trace the child’s shadow being cast on the paper as they stand nearby)

You can cut out the “shadow”, but Adaline chose to leave hers as it was.

Adaline wanted to draw a face on her “shadow”, which isn’t really very shadowy, but it made her happy! 🙂

Next we hung the “shadow” on her bedroom door.

Every day we wrote love notes to Adaline and hid them around the house. She was so excited to find a new note. You could write your love notes directly on the “shadow”, but I knew that Adaline would enjoy looking for her note each day. (Also, if you want to save the messages as a keepsake the notes will be easier to store than the entire “shadow” will.)

If you don’t want to do a scavenger hunt for notes each day, you can just attach them to your child’s door for them to see when they wake up. Adaline liked to put the hearts on the “shadow” herself.

If your children are old enough to write, have siblings write messages for each other. The messages can be something small like, “I love the silly dance you do when you hear your favorite song.” or something more serious such as, “I love how kind you are! Thank you for sharing with your sister today.” You can leave notes with scripture and reminders like “Jesus Loves You!”. The possibilities are endless.

(I’m not gonna lie, the thing hanging there with a face on it creeped us out a little bit. But we didn’t write that on one of the hearts, though 😉 “We love your picture even though it creeps us out on our way to the bathroom at night.”)

The idea of leaving love notes for your kids is nothing new. Adding the notes to their “shadow”, as if you were pinning these positive messages onto them directly, will have an even greater impact. Whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow this year your children can look at their own “shadow” and realize how truly loved they are. 🙂

Do you leave your child “love” notes for Valentine’s Day? Do you have any Groundhog Day or Valentine’s Day traditions? Let me know in the comments!

Fun Ideas for Groundhog Day / Groundhog Day: Shadow Puppets (Links) / Groundhog Day Goodies / Valentine’s Day Links

This post is linked to…
Show and Share Saturday / Design Dazzle: Valentine Link Party / Mama Gab: Pin it Party

Posted in Groundhog Day, Holidays, Traditions, Valentine's Day

4 Comments

Tags: groundhog day, hearts, shadow, tradition, Valentine's Day

Groundhog Day Goodies (Links)

Jan 30

Posted by Jenn Rian

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Groundhog Day is February 02 and if you’re looking for some great ideas for Groundhog Day snacks, treats, and eats…look no further!

How should you eat on Groundhog Day? On the ground, of course! Rock it picnic-style all day!

What should you eat on Groundhog Day? Below you’ll find all sorts of Groundhog-themed goodies great for breakfast and snacks. For lunch or dinner try some burrow-itos (tee-hee)! If you’re looking for something healthier you can try a groundhog’s diet for the day. Groundhogs are vegetarians so load up on the veggies!

GROUNDHOG DAY BREAKFAST

*Groundhog Hot Cocoa @ GourmetMomOnTheGo.com