Button, Button, Who's Got a Button?

So today, we're doing a little more blog remodeling. I figured it would be fun to have a blog button to share, but I didn't want to fidget too much with creating one from scratch. Thank goodness for all the online button generators! I used Cool Text Graphics Generator for this one. And there was ready to go code over at A Heart for Home. It was quick and easy and now I can take my time creating something even cuter!

Make your own button at

New Year, New Look

I don't usually do New Year's resolutions, but I DO intend to get back to blogging this year. After my last post, in which Munch and I wrapped up our alphabet activities, we left to travel most of the summer. That was followed by the start of the school year, and I'm always crazy-busy in the fall. Unfortunately, it got me out of the posting habit- and I still have so much to share! So my goal is to do a little catch up, and I think a re-design is just the inspiration I need. Munch is as busy in the kitchen with me as ever and still insists on taste-testing everything..."just to be sure I make it right."

I've Been Tagged! Now, You're It!

One of the best things about blogging is that I've "met" some terrific people in the blogosphere. They are, as Sasha-one of my favorite bloggers at Barely Keeping It All Together- calls them, "Friends in my Head". So I was especially touched to get these nice awards (see the sidebar) from Tami and Deb. Thank you both, for the cute (and, oooh sparkly!) awards, for visiting, and for commenting! Check out their blogs at:
Tami- Diary of a Mad Woman
Deb- Life With Birk




Here are the award rules:
List 7 things that make you Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.
Make sure to tag the recipients and let them know they have won!
Also link back to the Queen that tagged you.




I've been so focused on my upcoming summer vacation with Munch. Most of my time has been spent researching fun and educational things to do with her. Here are seven Awe-summm bloggers I've recently discovered who are getting me inspired and excited:

Chrissie at Flipflops and Applesauce
Patricia at good + happy day
Mary Ellen and Sarah at Mom's Marbles
The PreSchool Mama
Cindy at Skip to My Lou
Amy at Let's Explore
Megan at Plum pudding

So, Seven Things About Me-
1. Seemingly never-ending baking sessions don't intimidate me.
2. Neither does a roomful of kids.
3. I can come up with a game to entertain the kids pretty easily.
4. I can also quickly tie it to something educational.
5. I'm a pretty easy-going person, except when I'm not :)
6. I have a LOT of patience.
7. I adore being Munch's mommy.

Going Undercover...

I've been going back and forth since the creation of this blog regarding the use of aliases for my family. Early on, when I had an audience I could count on one hand, who knew us really well, and I didn't really know how long I might stick with it, it seemed a little contrived. Also, I wasn't feeling creative enough to come up with good nicknames. But I've definitely been considering it on and off. And I've always used initials for other children, whether family or friends, to give them some anonymity. A recent discussion on the Mom Bloggers Club, in which moms discussed privacy (and potential embarrassment), fear of online predators, and the very real possibility of schools and employers doing searches on various family members in the future validated many of my concerns. I've finally decided that the little time it would take to edit past posts is worth it in the long run, allowing me to just put this issue behind me. The little one also has chosen her own favorite nickname- "Munch", short for "Munchkin", but also quite fitting given the name of the blog.

I'm not a blogger, but I play one on TV...

I've spent too many hours to admit checking out other blogs today and adding more features to my own blog. When Munch starts hollering, "Mommy, TURN OFF the COMPUTER!!!" I'll know it's time to give it a rest (thank goodness she's still napping).

I came across a great site, The One Minute Writer- check it out- I'll bet you've got a writer in you too! (Yes, I'm talking to you, Gina!)
Another one that made me laugh, 'cause the kids at school really do say, write, and draw the funniest things: Always Check Your Child's Homework on Barely Keeping It All Together.
Those links and more are in the sidebar.

I'm loving my new FeedJit Traffic map- it's fun seeing where all the hits are coming from! And, are we surprised that "chocolate" is what I've been posting about most frequently (in the label cloud)? Also, don't forget to add yourself to the "Followers" section! And, if leaving a comment is REALLY that cumbersome, just click a "Reaction" after the post.