Harlem Globetrotters 2013 in the QC: Write The Rules

I just told the kids that the Harlem Globetrotters were coming back to Charlotte next month.  You should have seen the look on their face! They absolutely LOVE them! 

This year they are throwing out even more tricks an surprises. I heard that this year, the world’s tour theme is  “You Write the Rules! ” It takes kid participation to a whole new level. For the first time ever, fans will decide the rules for the game that could affect the final outcome. I already voted online for my choice of basketball shenanigans, and wow it is any eye popper!

I remember the first game I went to.It was in 1997, or was it 1998…..anywhoots, I was in college at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I.. They played against our Women’s Basketball team. Talk about a blast!! After we whipped their butt, we honored them with a J-DUB ritual of dumping water on their heads. That was the worst thing we ever did.  Don’t you know those ballers chased us down OUTSIDE the gym, then dumped ice cold water back on us!! OUCH!!! Needless to say, we never did that again to ANY team we played since then.

Before I forget, here’s the link to enter your rule-  Click here to vote for your favorite, craziest rule.  The Globetrotters offer clean entertainment & I can’t wait to see how this year will top all 86 previous seasons since 1926. So if you’re looking for an awesome event the whole family will enjoy, get your tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters brand new “You Write the Rules” tour.

With rules like double the points for every basket, and two balls in play at the same time, there’s an exciting rule that every kid will enjoy. After the game, Globetrotter stars will stay on court to sign autographs and take photographs with your kids.Yeah baby! Innovators of the alley-oop, 3 man weave, slam dunk and 4 point shot,here we come! Get your tickets today! 

Harlem Globetrotters 

Time Warner Cable Arena – Saturday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster

(click the picture to go to the Ticket master site)

Ok, time for a little trivia. Did you know that they have female players?

The first female to play for the Harlem Globetrotters since 1993, Fatima “TNT” Maddox, tells girls how to Succeed as a Female Basketball Player. Find tickets to watch the Harlem Globetrotters play at: HarlemGlobetrotters.com 

Till the next Harlem Brain Buster, QC Supermom

Friday Four! A Father-Son Pep Talk

Remember LUCY AND RICKY RICARDO (“I LOVE LUCY”) ? How about MORTICIA AND GOMEZ ADDAMS (“THE ADDAMS FAMILY”)? I see my family somewhere between them all with a bit of CLIFF AND CLAIRE HUXTABLE (“THE COSBY SHOW”)mixed in.

There is never a dull moment in our home. I feel like I’m always the one  giving the chit chats. “Sit down, Do your work, Stop that!”  Yesterday I walked in on my husband having a pow wow with our six and four year old son in the bathroom. I didn’t hear everything, but the tiny bits that I did hear, I’ll share them with you. 

I heard him share these life gems with our future gentlemen:

1. Peer pressure is all about insecurity. Be confident in who you are and you won’t have to “fit in.” People will come to you.
2. Hold open the door, pull out the chair and give her your coat. Chivalry is not sexism. Hold open the door for anyone. Respect is not sexism.
3. Know your way around power tools. (And my favorite…….)
4. When picking a wife, you can never do better than your mother.

Of course there was more, but those are the goodies that I caught before having my nose filled with his “fatherly advice.”

 

Till Next time, QC Supermom

 

I found this page it had some awesome tips to share with your male partner-

 

Don’t Miss Out! Tickets Lottery for the 2013 Easter Egg Roll Opens Today

Enter today for a chance to join President Obama and the First Family on the South Lawn for a day of singing, dancing and egg rolling.

Wednesday Wow: I am NOT a Hoarder! I Recycle

If I throw away all of those mixed matched gloves, I could never make such great crafts.

It’s not trash unless there is a big hole, a couple of large stains AND 2 sizes too small for the youngest in the house. I hate throwing things away! Although my husband would call me a hoarder. I beg to differ. Call me an extreme recycler at best. What ever will I do if Michelle Obama daughters   stops by for crafts or  tea and I don’t have their favorite tea or  age appropriate craft to share?… because my kids and husband were happily tossing my supplies out the back door???

By definition, I’m good. As it states: Hoarding is a compulsive disorder in which a person collects mass amounts of objects, creating large and potentially dangerous mountains of stuff in their home. Often, the hoarder will not be aware of how out of control their addiction is, but will continue to purchase more.

I have these yoga pants. Every time I put them on, my teen daughters start to team up on me.They ask  “Are you really gonna wear those again mom”? Now a days, I just slide them right on up and grab my keys while heading to the door.  After all, I buy my clothes, they fit well and they feel so darn good when I put them on, almost like they were made just for me. So much  that I modeled in them with Noah at a recent Fashion Show at my favorite consignment store.  I restore! Doing this increases both our creativity and savings account. Name it, I bet with a little thinking. And thinking some more,it can have a second life.

For example, baby tees. I had a few bleached ones. A few of them, I put printer printed letters on them, others I redesigned them with bleach.

Bleach Art:  ‘Add more bleach!’ Why throw away a spotted shirt? Using bleach pens, paint brushes and a few stencils, you can have a brand new baby T. Best of all, it

takes very little time.

To make little monsters: draw the monster with a bleach pen, outline the bleach with black

 fabric paint, and add buttons for eyes ) Now, it becomes the cutest “T”you’ve ever seen.

 Now speaking of tea.I purchase and drink over 3 boxes/containers of tea a month. I love great full body tea. So once I got my compost bin going, I was very happy to find a loving home for the used

ones, but I’ve learned that they may be missing a hole ‘nother phase in life before the big “last stop.” -think eye packs…..

 My rule of thumb is simple- it doesn’t always work, but it’s my plan.  1. Write everything down online. 2. Keep flat surfaces clear. 3. Find a place for everything. 4. Never leave a room empty handed. 5. File, don’t pile. 6. Purge and declutter often. 7. Make a plan. 

Need more help? Click here

QUIZ: WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOARDING?

I do fear that my family will submit my name to the producers of Hoaders. Till next time, think 3R (recycle reduce reuse) QC Supermom

The Golden Rules 101

I heard someone asked, “Are children bad mannered because of a lack of affection from parents?”  Her friend answered “No, kids are bad mannered because of lack of discipline and most parents that suck will say that they do discipline but the truth is that they waffle back and forth and scold there kids then feel bad about it and butter the kids up.”

I sort of agree with that,

WE HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD THAT ACTS LIKE HE GETS NO HOME TRAINING. HE LOVES TO YELL “NO!” AND DOES IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF HIS BELLY! (HOW EMBARRASSING) Our  NOW 4 YEAR OLD USED TO DO THE SAME. NOW HE’S A WHOLE LOT BETTER.

I do call kids out on their behavior though. In my home, if kids say things like, “I want a soda!” My response is, “I am sure what you meant was, ‘Mrs. Smith, may I have a soda

Try to focus on how good the manners made someone else feel not just insisting your child parrot back the magic words

please?” They look at me dumbly for a moment and then they stammer out the phrase. And then we stumble through thank you and you are welcome. When I see kids treating wait staff poorly, I do the same thing. I also do it in front of their parents. 99% of the time the parents are embarrassed when I say, “Sam, please remember to say please and thank you to Lakesha. Mr. Perkins and I come here all the time and I don’t want them giving me a bad table because of you.” And please note, I speak up after multiple transgressions. I do not slam a 6 year old who forgets to say please because he is so excited about the movie he just saw. I speak up when a 10 year old acts like a jerk on many occasions and has never reigned themselves in.

Please, thank you and excuse me. 

Most times reminding our fellas to use magic words do work. Like any learned behavior, manners must be introduced as early as possible and reinforced consistently. In our home, if you can talk, you can use manners. We have them use them everywhere, especially at home, with each other, from us, parent on down; after all charity begins at home. Simple enough, but they will get it and learn about generosity, feelings, thankfulness and meaning.

SENDING OUT GOOD KARMA WILL BENEFIT ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR CHILD’S LIFE. IF YOU CAN’T BE ANYTHING ELSE, BE NICE. IT WILL COME BACK TO THEM IN SO MANY POSITIVE WAYS.

.

Here’s  two GREAT links to check out: Just click on it.

Etiquette Emergency for Bad-Mannered Kids

Setting Boundaries With Toddlers

THANK VERY MUCH FOR STOPPING by- QC Supermom

Friday Four: Science and Valentine’s Day

Amen sharing his Hulk juice!

The Heart of Science- a home school lesson

Help your kids celebrate Valentines Day without the candy and it can still be sweetest day ever!

So how in the world do you combine science and Valentine’s Day? With a love potion of course! My children had a ball helping their dad and I make Hearts Day a blast. With a small investment of $3.00 and 3 minutes it was done!

Bubbles of cool mystifying air.

Here are the four steps to making your very on signature Love Potion.

1. Buy dry ice. We purchased 2 lbs from the local market.

2. Gather food coloring. You can use regular food dye, Kool-aid, or any thing of the like. One of my sons like the Hulk, so we had to get him green. Since it was Valentines day, we also used red. The girls insisted on it- they are so mushy! 🙂

3. Take out a couple of glass containers. We used different sizes, including mason jars. (make sure they are clean) Fill them 3/4 water.

4. Safely combine a ice cube size of dry ice to the colored liquid of each glass and watch the magic! Your children will LOVE it!

Here’s the video- It was mysteriously amazing! Click here!

Enjoy! If you bring this amazingly simple, yet exciting science project to your children, come back and let me know how it goes.

Wednesday Wow: A Fun (and affordable) Valentines Day

I love Valentines Day, always have! My parents should be blamed for that. As they would never let one pass with out celebrating it as a family holiday. Watching him bring gifts to my mom was the cutest. We would chant “kiss her kiss her” until he did. He also brought us supplies to make each other gifts.

So far, my husband has already given me my Valentines ‘Day gift. Yesterday I got two nice dresses from The Junior League WearHouse. I picked them out myself.  Keeping my parents tradition seems fitting. It makes for simplicity and sincerity. Although my mom did get candy, flowers and all things in between, We have a universal no clause: No candy, no live flowers, no spending over $40.. and no cluster crafts. So how do we celebrate Valentines Day?

We think outside the box and call for every ounce of affordable creativity that we can find online! You can do it too. Here’s what we have planned.

The kids and I will surprise  their dad with a gift tomorrow. They want to put on a play about how we met. I know that’s gonna be hilarious! I might share it in Fridays blog post. 

We have teen girls and for us, it’s all about spa facials, nail polishing, with aromatherapy and baking. Thank Goodness they do not have any interest in having a boy friend right now. We can enjoy the relaxing company of ourselves with a night of pampering.

Our 4 boys under 6 years old are firecrackers! Real gentlemen in training. I’ll focus on fun, gooey, science crafts, cute hand made cards and jewelry with them.

There are so many things they can do with my supervision.

I think I’ll even surprise my husband with a wall in our room full of love notes or one large poem. That will surprise the wazoo out of him.

Even for my awesome group of Stay At Home Moms. We get together the day after for a party with ALL of the trimmings. Since most stores have a surplus sitting on their shelves the prices are slashed down 75-90%. The kids don’t care about the date, and the savings is worth the delay. What are your plans for Valentines Day?

Valentines Day-can’t you tell?  But I refuse to sugar infuse my children or spend like a mad mama to have a great day of LOVE with family. Let me know how you plan to celebrate the sweetest day of the year.

Here’s a cute play list- click here!

A cute candy holder- Click here!

Cute preschool science- Click here!

CUTE mother load of Ideas! Click here! 

Another mother load of great science ideas. Click here! 

“All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.”

— Leo Tolstoy (“War and Peace”)

Till next time, QC Supermom

Valentine’s Day Love for the domestically abused

Happy Valentines Day!   Kiss kiss and a punch can’t be right.

Let’s talk about red when its not fondly thought of. No one should live in fear of the person they love. I pick at my husband a lot. If he wakes me up too early in the morning, the next 60 minutes is bad for him.Everyone in a while he’ll say that I’m that aggressor and sure I know that he’s just kidding, but Sunday, I was reacquainted to an old family foe-domestic violence. Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, it happened to my sister. This year instead of waiting on my husband to pamper me. We’ll be pampering a few abused moms at the shelter.Nothing heavy; just a smile, love packages, chit chat and our time.

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse,occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

In college, my 6-8 brother in law was exposed as the abuser. I learned so much dealing with my sister in pursuit of getting her and my nieces out. I felt so much anger towards them both. Him for hurting my family and her for allowing it. My big sister was pretty, smart, employed and my role model. Over time and probing conversations and observations I picked up a few things. If your beloved

•  Calls you names, insults you or puts you down
• Prevents you from going to work or school
• Stops you from seeing family members or friends
• Tries to control how you spend money, where you go, what medicines you take or what you wear
• Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful
• Threatens you with violence or a weapon
• Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets
• Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will
• Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it
• Portrays the violence as mutual and consensual

Then –

•  threatens violence.
• strikes again
• apologizes, promises to change and offers gifts.
• and the cycle repeats itself.

LEAVE!  Don’t wait!

Pregnancy, children and domestic violence

Sometimes the violence begins — or increases — during pregnancy. Even if your child isn’t abused, simply witnessing domestic violence can be harmful. Children who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to be abused and have behavioral problems than are other children. As adults, they’re more likely to become abusers or think abuse is a normal part of a relationship.

The longer you stay in an abusive relationship, the greater the toll on your self-esteem. The only way to break the cycle is to take action.

Tell someone, a friend, loved one, health care provider or other close contact. At first, you may find it hard to talk about the abuse. But you’ll also likely feel relief and receive much-needed support. Today my sister is alive, happy, self sufficient and dating again. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Peace to all my abused moms. I pray your peace & strength…….QC Supermom

(And yes…although my husband isn’t abused, men do get abused too. )

Other resources: 

Tyler Rose’s Rising

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Valentine’s Day: Does ‘V’ Stand for Domestic Violence? The Cathy McNaughton Story

“If you have survived an abuser, and you tried to make things right… If you forgave, and you struggled, and even if the expression of your grief and your anger tumbled out at times in too much rage and too many words… If you spent years hanging on to the concepts of faith, hope, and love, even after you knew in your heart that those intangibles, upon which life is formed and sustained, would fail in the end… And especially, if you stood between your children – or anyone – and him, and took the physical, emotional, and spiritual pummeling in their stead, then you are a hero.”
― Jenna Brooks

Friday Four: Moms fight homesickness for females ballers

 

Being homesick can change many things during a basketball season. If you went away to college far from home you probably have experienced a little homesickness. It’s quite normal and in my opinion nothing to be ashamed about! Arriving and living in a new culture for most people can be overwhelming and very difficult.

I did a little bit of research. Seems that it happens more often than people think. Sure most basketball players start playing in grade school way before college and they are used to being away from home. I have traveled to many of my sons games. I couldn’t afford to go everywhere they went but he was always with a familiar face. Now that he is in college a great distance away, I can’t help but think about him and other basketball players that attend school out of state.

Psychology experts describe “homesickness” as “a longing for home while away from it,” and also call this feeling “separation anxiety.” Some people get over it quickly, while others take more time. It does not come easy to be thrust into a new college environment where you don’t know anyone.

As a mom I am so proud of my child. He is getting good grades and doing what he loves to do. When he left for school I suggested he hung pictures of our family and friends in his room and by using video services such as Skype and ooVoo to provide free online video chats. It has worked like a charm. But the basketball part is a different story.  I know that he thrives on connections, whether from me or others, on and off the court. A smiling face and atta boy goes a long way. So it was easy for me to focus on the UNCC Women’s basketball players.

They are someone’s child and could use a Atta girl while playing till they go home to their own mama’s.

I would like to see more moms in the stands. Imagine an entire section doing the wave and cheering funny chants. Can you imagine how bright their spirits would be to see more moms there?  Or better yet. How about an All Mom’s Shoot Out during half time? Cool right? We moms could show that we still have skills—– 🙂  They, the promotion team do stuff like that.

True, many people feel that female games are boring and not worth air time. But it has came a long way since the 1900’s. No bikini bodied baskets, but entertaining no less. All of the games we’ve been to this far had all types of promotions going on to get us there and surprises to keep us coming back. 

We found it to be very exciting. They played like girls, not boys and they should -after all they are females.

These ladies play a great game and what I love most about their games is the crowd engagement. They ask you to visit by their game.

Here are four links to check out this week end:

1 Click here for Queen City Stay At Home Mom Game Night

2. Click here for UNCC’s Women’s page!

3. Click here for scholarship money

4. Click here for tips on playing successful ball

Homesickness affects the majority of students on campus at some point, whether they’re from out-of-state towns, or even just down I-5. For moms we can help them feel better while away from home.

Till the next bounce, Take care! – QC Sueprmom

Wednesday Wow: What’s in the Compost

In our home, food shouldn’t be wasted,dirt is vital to life and everyone can help compost . I just can’t say it enough! WE COMPOST!

I love the idea of saving money and reducing waste by composting certain food scraps and yard waste.We even get a little exercise in as well. Teaching these natural life skill to my children is important too.

We have been composting since December. For the most part, its been easy, inexpensive and exciting to see how everyone can work together toward a common goal of seeing  this labor of love grow healthy and strong.

Up until yesterday, I have been very proud of our compost bin. Everything was going well. The browns and greens  were beginning to break down and the kids were taking an active part in helping maintain and waiting to feel the “heat.“.

Even my husband had began to respect my back yard operation. I loved all that rain we got the other week. It helped the compost and our water bill a great bit.

 So much that I realized that I was getting too low on leaves (the browns). I did recall the helpful lady from the city saying that I could use ripped up strips of newspaper (not the sales ads) but I didn’t want to. So riding to the market I seen a huge 3 row pile of leaves & promised myself that I would pick at least one bag up. Two days later, I had it. I did seem heavy to navigate into the van, but I guess I was so eager to get it home that I paid it no mind. I was thinking  “OOOh this bag is huge-I scored BIG! ” Once I got home and my daughter asked to empty it. She came back to me and said “Mom, the leaves aren’t suppose to smell. I think you have a body in there!”

Needless to say, I’m too scared to check it out. I’ve brought my newest table scarps in locally & saving it in a bag on the other side of the back door till I get someone to investigate it for me. My stomach is too weak to pitchfork any corpse, and I don’t want my kids to see death like that……YUCK!  I’m thinking the hopes of seeing this 3 ft, labor of love  turn into a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, to control weeds, provide nutrients to plants, improve soil and save water is now a pipe dream. Any tips? Can I save my compost, and look forward to making compost tea or should I call animal control to retrieve whatever had the bag heavy and smelly? Oh, the woes of a fresh composter……

New gardeners learn by by trowel and error.

-QCSupermom

2 Week Potty Training Plan

You can not make them go POTTY! Let me say that right off the bat! There are no set rules to training your lil one.

 We have trained our 9 kids in nine different ways. No plans- just action. We just went with the flow using the same potty chair from 2006. Now it’s time to hit the rewind button with our now 2.5 year old. We have always had two in diapers at the same time. So now that Noah is here, it seems normal to begin. Hopefully he will be the easiest one yet. Then we’ll be on a serious money saving mode.

Like I said earlier, we didn’t have a PLAN, but we followed the normal potty training guidelines. Listening to my son, following his cues, and catering to his materialist tendencies.

• YOU CAN NOT MAKE A CHILD GO POTTY.Find what motivates your child and gently dangle that carrot. “Oh, that Incredible Hulk action figure does look really nice. When you’re ready to use your potty I’ll make sure we buy you one. Or two!”. I’ve found some songs that may work too. Click here to listen.

“Mommy, here are some stickers.  These are your reward for cleaning up my poop.”  -Mikey, age 3

(Said after pooping in his big boy underwear for the third time that day!)-  QCSAHM  

• Bring the potty everywhere. Toilets and urinals are intimidating and staying home all day while potty training isn’t very fun. Don’t be embarrassed. 

• Lavish your child with praise. They love that! Tehun does a little dance after  exiting the bathroom.

• Cool underwear helps. Tehun loves Elmo and Word World  he  went nuts for his Elmo prints. (YOU CAN NOT MAKE A CHILD GO POTTY.)

• Limit your child’s drinking schedule and remind him or her to try to use the potty  every half hour is a good starting point. We set our cell phones as a reminder.

• Stay calm, don’t give up, and keep calm. (autistic trainers click here!)

That poop burned my butt.  It was like a building that exploded and wood burning.  My poop was the wood.”  -Will, age 4

(Poor Will has chronic GI issues and has gotten very creative in expressing how his bowels are functioning.  It may be gross – but it’s never dull and he handles it all like a champ!) -QCSAHM

• Keep a bag stocked with paper towels, baby wipes, underwear, socks, shoes, and two extra changes of clothes with you, even in the car.

You can choose any potty training method that you think will fit your parenting style AND your child’s temperament. No matter which one you choose, it ultimately won’t affect the number of accidents your child may have – that’s unique to each kiddo. If your child is one that has a harder time ‘holding’ it, just know you are certainly not failing…stick with the plan and know it will all come together soon! Above all remember that-YOU CAN NOT MAKE A CHILD GO POTTY. 🙂

Signs of potty training readiness:

• Can walk steadily on their own

• Can pull his/her pants up and down

• Tells you when they have a dirty diaper

• Can sit quietly for 2-5 minutes

• Your child is interested in the bathroom

• Your child demonstrates independence

• Has words for pee and poop

• Can follow basic directions, like “pick up your toy”

I truly hope this helps someone. If you know anyone who is approaching potty training time please share this post with them and if you have anything to add please leave a note in the comments below.All kids are different and I’ve got two more to train.

When he Ìs ready to use it, the potty will be right there. Sooner or later it will be used. Either as it was intended or as a step up to reach the sink.

Can’t wait to see how it will turn out. If it works in 2 weeks great. If not, I’ll continue to use Huggies and Elmo videos! Have you had any potty training mishaps?

-QC Supermom