LeeAnn Sommers

Monkey Bizness and Little Monkey Bizness along with The Pajama Program will be collecting new pajamas to donate to children in need.  Monkey Bizness and Little Monkey Bizness locations throughout the U.S. will offer incentive for their customers who donate a pair of new pajamas the last two weeks in September and the first week in October.  Donated pajamas will be given to local licensed shelters, group homes, orphanages or foster care facilities where children are in need. Through the Pajama Program, we hope to contribute to a warmer, more loving environment for children when they are at their most vulnerable and in most need.”  Says Jason Paulo, CEO, Monkey Bizness Franchising.  The Pajama Program, to-date, has given away more than 350,000 pairs of pajamas.

For more info: www.monkeybizness.com

Whatever it is that has been bugging you, doesn’t seem so bad anymore, does it? If only we all could have the spirit that this little boy has!

A lot of people have gone out of their way to rub it in that their kid slept through the night at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months old…OK my son decided to give us a full 8 hours when he was about a year old. (I am not kidding)

After trying all the tricks, swaddle, rice cereal in the bottle, music, fan humming, sleeping at an angle; it was actually a animal nightlight from Grandma that did the trick for us. Whew! That hurdle has been cleared! Unfortunately sometimes it doesn’t get any easier when they’re toddlers to get them to go to sleep and stay asleep (in their beds) until morning. Share what has worked for you at night time as well as for naps. Other Moms in the MIX will appreciate the feedback!

So this is the time of year for the “LIST.”  The list of who was the craziest, who was the break out star, who made more money, who was most searched etc etc.  But my favorite list so far has to be the “quirkiest” celeb baby names of 2008.  We saw Gwen Stefani deliver Zuma.  Ashlee and Pete Wentz welcome Bronx and Nicole Kidman said hello to her Sunday Rose.  Honorary mention to “Honor” of the Jessica Alba offspring line.  Who do you think went a little too far this year with naming their children?  Have we made peace with Suri and Apple after the latest wave of baby lunacy?  I hope so!

 As much as I heart Gwen Stefani, I think Zuma is quite strange (especially on a boy) but I totally loved the name Harlow Winter Kate.  Chime in on your year in review of 2008 Celeb Baby Names.

OK so we are a nation of spoiled-instant gratification-non-waiting-no tolerance for inconvenience Americans.  And I’m just as guilty as the rest of you!  So they did this poll recently and asked “if you could have any drive-thru service that does not already exist, what would you want to have?”   The over whelming response was Drive Thru Daycare!!

Yes! Yes! Yes!   Here’s LeeAnn Sommers at the window… “Uhhh yeah I’ll take my kid and a strawberry shake please”…Love it!  Now I realize not everyone has kids so maybe this prospect is not as exciting for you as it is for me so let me know what your fantasy drive-thru service would be.  Keep it clean gentlemen!! 

I know as a Mom, we have moments as parents where you just don’t feel like what you are doing is right or “enough” for your kids.  I saw this in Parenting Magazine and instantly felt better.  Wanna add a reason why “you are a better parent than you think you are.”  Sound off!!

Here are 10 reasons you are a better parent than you think you are: (from Parenting)

1.      You are the best mommy or daddy in the world for your child - Regardless of what the experts or anyone else says, in your child’s eyes you are their one and only. If you can live up to that kind of love and acceptance, you’ll be happier for it.

2.      You trust your gut - Most of us try not to get too worried or upset by the proliferation of news stories about lead-poisoned toys or tragic stories of kidnapped children, but it’s not very easy. When push comes to shove, your gut can be your guide. If you feel more than a tingle of doubt, you’ll do the right thing by your child. You’re wired that way.

3.      You give the best love you know how to give - Love isn’t perfect or always kind, but you want to be a good parent and you try every day to be the best parent you know how to be.

4.      You feed them every day- Not always meals with enough vegetables or fruit, but you feed them, and you worry about their health. And that makes you a good parent.

5.      You smile at them, beam even, and they make you proud - When you smile at your child (and you know you do, often) you are transmitting your love and tenderness. Kids are sponges and they feel every iota of that sweetness.

6.      You teach them about wonderful things — You fill their heads with the wishes of childhood — Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and other wonderful creatures. Even if they don’t believe you, their eyes light up with the spark of imagination.

7.      You love them unconditionally, even when you don’t like them very much - Most kids know that you love them no matter what. Even when they have tantrums in the grocery store and hit their sister or brother and refuse to eat their dinner. Even then you love them deeply.

8.      You comfort them when they’re scared - Monsters, bad dreams, and things that go bump in the night hold no power over the comfort of your arms and your murmured reassurance.

9.      You want your child to be happy - Almost more than anything else, you want to see evidence that your child is happy, well-adjusted, and secure. You want this for them more than you want it for yourself.

10.  You are their one true love - For so many years, you are your child’s sun, moon, and stars. You are the keeper of their small open hearts, their only one. This essential truth, when fully appreciated, makes parenting the most fulfilling thing you’ll ever do.

Pat yourself on the back, mama and papa. You’re doing a great job!!

Another unwed, teenage Mom story..only this one does not belong to Jamie Lynn Spears, this one is a heartbeat away from the White House.  What??  You didn’t hear??!!

Here is the headline from CNN today:

When Sen. John McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, announced that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter, Bristol, was pregnant, the news prompted a big response from the community. Many say the issue is a personal matter, while others say that the pregnancy deserves public attention.

Yes it was the EPT test heard round the world!  GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin’s daughter who is a 17 year old and just started her senior year in high school is 5 months pregnant and Palin’s camp was quick to say the 2 teens would indeed wed after the baby arrives.  Maybe Alaska is more like Louisiana than we all think!

So the firestorm around whether this news should or should not effect Palin’s nod for VP seems to be growing by the minute.  Of course the Republicans say it doesn’t matter and applaud the teen for keeping her baby but some conservatives belonging to that party are having bigger issues with this teenage pregnancy on the grounds that it does not fall in line with conservative beliefs and values.

For the record, Obama 100% believes the pregnancy should not effect Palin’s bid for office.  I personally agree with Obama and this should not keep Palin from running for office..HOWEVER with a touch of conservativeness on this exact topic in my blood,  I’m not sure any family leading my country sets a good example when their unwed teen gets pregnant.  C’mon!  What if one of the Bush twins would have gotten pregnant in the White House as unmarried teens?!!   I guess they can play the “Palin is just a regular person” card but I don’t want a regular person making decisions for my country.  I want an outstanding, role model, high standards and morals type person.  I want her family to be an example of what other families should strive to be.  If not..why aren’t my next door neighbors running the country?  Cheering on a kid that gets knocked up does not resonate with me.  Sorry!

Agree?  Disagree?  Your turn to sound off!