You Are My Sunshine

I have received a Sunshine Blogger Award from the talented and inspirational Kae James of Where is MY Pacifier?

I’ve only been blogging for a short while and in that time I have been blown away by the kindness, welcoming, and support from the other bloggers in this community.  So I am very honored and excited to be nominated for this award.  Thank you so much Kae for introducing me to the concept!

The Sunshine Blogger Award is a way for bloggers to get to know each other and also get other bloggers to link to their website (who doesn’t love a good shameless plug?) and to introduce their readers to new blogs they might not be aware of.  It is an opportunity for me to share with all of you a little more about me…so here we go!

To accept the Sunshine Award, I have to:

1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger with a link to the website. Thanks Kae!
2. Share 11 random facts about myself
3. List 11 bloggers I believe deserve some recognition and a little blogging love! (I can’t nominate the blogger who nominated me.)
4. Let the 11 bloggers know I nominated them.

So here we go:

1.  What are some things you have given up to be a better parent?

I think the biggest thing I’ve sacrificed since my kids were born is the time I get to spend with my husband.  We were always that couple who did everything together.  We would spend hours talking in bed at night, go on random movie/tv binges on the weekends, take long road trips to interesting (or not so interesting) places.  I definitely underestimated to value of being able to have a conversation with one’s spouse without constant interruption from a jealous seeking three-year old!

2.  What are some things your child does that drive you nuts?

I’m with Kae, on this one.  Whining is a big pet peeve of mine.  I think that’s pretty standard for most toddlers and preschoolers.  My son also combines his whining with fake coughing, just to make it more acoustically stimulating.  The other thing my son does that drives me absolutely crazy is pretend to be his little brother.  Now, this doesn’t sound irritating at first until you realize that he’s using it as an excuse to get away with whatever behavior he thinks babies get to do that he doesn’t.  For example, if he doesn’t feel like walking somewhere he will “pretend to be Dommy” and then just collapse on the floor and wait to be carried.  He weighs 42 pounds.

3.  What are your coping mechanisms when your child drives you crazy?

I have to admit that I’m not above using the tv or my iPad to calm my crazy three-year old. Even better, I let him take the iPad into the bathroom with him where he will sit and poop for half an hour.  That is pure bliss.

4.  What do you enjoy doing when your child is not around?

I like to grab a drink, take my iPad, draw a long bath, turn on the jets, and watch an episode of one of my favorite tv shows.  My most recent favorite has been Bones!

5.  What did you want to be when you were younger?

I was going to be a veterinarian.  Then I realized I hated math and chemistry, so that pretty much ended that dream.  My dream for the last 5 years has been to be a writer.  I’d like to write novels some day when my kids are older and I have the time.  I’m enjoying blogging so much, though, so I think I’ll stick with that too 🙂

5.  What do you do with your child on a snow day?

My son actually loves to shovel the drive way.  He pretends to be Thomas the Train (no surprises there!) and the shovel is his snow plow.  I think he would do all the driveways in the neighborhood if we let him.  When its time to warm up we like to cuddle in the big recliner in the living room under a blanket with hot chocolate and read books about the solar system (his other obsession).

7.  What movie do you watch once the kids are asleep on a Friday night?

I’m going to answer this with my big guilty pleasure movies (so no judging!):  Twilight, The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, Pitch Perfect, Crazy Stupid Love.

8.  What topic do you enjoy blogging about most?  

I love blogging about the silly and strange things that come out of my son’s mouth on a daily basis.  He never ceases to amaze me.  I love the opportunity to share his unique personality with the world.

9.  What was your best vacation and why?  Where did you go?

I think the best vacation I ever took was a 6 day road trip my husband and I went on with our two dogs before our first son was born.  We drove from our home in Lancaster, England (Northwest England) down to the south coast and along the Jurassic Coast.  We drove between 3 and 6 hours a day and stopped for long hikes with the dogs twice a day.  We climbed hills, walked along the fossil beach and stayed in a variety of bed and breakfasts along the way.  It certainly wasn’t our most exotic trip, but I don’t think I’ve had so much fun on any trip before or since.

10.  What is you favorite song on your iPod right now?

I am currently obsessed with the new Fall Out Boy album, Save Rock and Roll.

11.  What is something you’re looking forward to?

Well, in the immediate future I’m looking forward to taking the kids to the Florida Keys next week.  We haven’t been on a beach vacation in…well, never.  And its going to be -14 degrees F here next week.  Brrrr.

My nominations for the Sunshine Awards are below.  Some are new blogs like mine, and some are well establish blogs that I just love.

Bethany @ Bad Parenting Moments

Kim @ Let Me Start By Saying

Carla @ She’s All Write

Emma @ Outmumbered

Tamra @ TJParkerPhotography

Infinite Free Time

Taylor @ Taylor Grace

Martinis and Minivans

Robyn @ Hollow Tree Ventures

Anna @ My Life and Kids

Divine Secrets of a Domestic Diva

Hope you all find something you like, and thank you so much for reading Outmanned.