9 on the 9th November

I totally slacked on 9 on the 9th this month! In fact...I didn't even finish my list, ignored Mr. Linky and forgot that I had it scheduled to post. Crazy.

Nine trivial things I do not understand.

1) Why there were nearly empty checkout aisles at my local Super Wal-Mart reserved for people with 20 items or less and two open aisles with lines of four carts or more open to shoppers with more than 20 items. There were two cashiers standing in front of their aisles trying to attract shoppers, but I was turned away because of having 24 items.

2) Why Strawberry Shortcake and her friends do not have parents, yet are referred to as kids by the very adult looking Sour Grapes and the Peculiar Purple Pie Man of Porcupine Peak.

3) The need for pre-made Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches in the grocer's freezer.

4) How human beings a fraction of my size and with stomachs as big as my thumb can consume more food than I can in a single sitting.

5) Why is there such a thing as "Mommy-Guilt" yet we never hear the phrase "Daddy-Guilt."

6) How a certain anonymous preschooler can throw a knock-down-drag-out screaming fit for a solid-(I kid you not) 45 minutes without passing out from exhaustion when I want to pass out after just witnessing the fit...however, I am certain that controlling one's emotion's takes more energy than losing it.

7) Why I can remember things that happened when I was three years old, but cannot remember where I placed my coffee cup less than 5 minutes ago.

8) Cowlicks.

9) Why many streets in my current city have three or more different names. For instant, there is a street close to us names GSR, after driving it for three miles it becomes BS, then in just 5 more miles it changes again...the road does not curve and the changes happen in the same county. What's up with that??

8)

9 on the 9th - Is it just me???

Quirks. We all have them. I have more than nine, but that's how many I'm going to share with you today. Instead of calling them quirks, I refer to these as part of my "Is it just Me" list.

Here we go, for the 6th edition of 9 on the 9th at All That Naz....the meme that encourages you to once a month list your own top nine of anything.... Mrs. N's 9 Is It Just Me's???

1) Is it just me or does anyone else get weirded out by naked Barbies? It seems that none of my daughter's Barbie dolls are ever fully clothed and it seriously bugs me to the point that I dress them myself.

2) Is it just me or does anyone else scream while killing insects? Seriously, something inside of me is convinced that a roach will die faster if it's hit simultaneously with a shoe and 90 decibels of shrill sound.

3) Is it just me or does anyone else like to sneak some time alone to lip sync to 80's music?

4) Is it just me or is there anyone else out there who cannot rhythmically bob her head?

5) Is it just me or does anyone else have a thing for ears? I promise, there is nothing pervy about this one...but I just love to gently pinch the lower earlobes of my family members.

6) Is it just me or does anyone else think that the "Blue Wiggle" is just a tiny bit cute?

7) Is it just me or does anyone else love eating raw batter (cookie, cake, brownie, etc)?

8) Is it just me or can anyone else pop every joint in her body? (Neck, shoulders, elbows, back, tail bone, hips, knees, all 20 finger knuckles, wrists, feet, ankles, and all ten toes)

9) Is it just me or does anyone else apologize to inanimate objects?

OK, now it is your turn. No, you do not have to post 9 of your quirks, but if you want to, that's just fine with me. If you'd like more information about the rules to 9 on the 9th, click here.

If you do join in, please don't forget to sign Mr. Linky. Last month I put on the wrong Mr. Linky and didn't know that anyone participated. Sorry about that.

9 on the 9th - Homeschooling

As a mom new to homeschooling, here are nine things I like best about teaching my children from home. Some items are conceptual and others based from my limited experience.

Remember, this meme is for you. Are there nine things...nine anythings you'd like to share? If so, put them on your blog and link it below.

1. Programs can be tailored to the individual learning styles of each child
2. In addition to the basic subjects, kids can pick subjects that most interest them...last night I met a mom whose 16 yr old son is studying New Testament Greek and Brazilian Portuguese.
3. The abundance of support programs and materials available that make the first two items on this list possible. Here is an example of an amazing home school blog.
4. We don't have to wake up at 5:45 a.m. to get anyone on a bus or at a school by 7:00 a.m.
5. Flexibility --if something is not working we have the ability to change it
6. Knowing that my job is to "grow adults" not just teach facts, with that comes the freedom of teaching life skills throughout the day.
7. Field trips and hands on learning experiences.
8. Being able to see my daughter light up as she comprehends a new concept or masters a challenge.
9. Opportunities for my kids to learn together and even from each other

There are more that I could list. What about you?

OK, I'm now ready to check out your 9 on the 9th!

Christian Recording Artists - 9 on the 9th

Welcome to the 3rd edition of my monthly meme 9 on the 9th. The meme that allows you to list any list of 9 you'd like...as long as it is family friendly.

Due to our recent move, I'm playing it safe this month and listing 9 of my favorite Christian recording artists. In no particular order they are...

1) Rich Mullins

2) Todd Agnew

3) Selah

4) David Crowder Band

5) Steven Curtis Chapman

6) Chris Tomlin

7) Natalie Grant

8) Nicole C. Mullen

9) Mercy Me

Oh, I do not want to stop...

Will you join me? Feel free to borrow my theme or choose one of your own. Don't forget to sign up on Mr. Linky and link your post to mine.

9 on the 9th - Mrs. N's Favorite Love Songs

The power of music. There is nothing like an honest romantic ballad to weaken my knees. Here are my top nine. Some are of the cheesy variety, I will admit to that, but I cannot turn my back on the music.

1) How Do You Fall in Love - Alabama - This was our first dance song at our wedding reception and while it wasn't my favorite song at the time, I adore it today.

2) God Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts (Selah also has a beautiful version) - I think this is a song to which almost all couples can relate. The road to true love is rocky. I've had my heart broken more than once before falling in love with Dr. N and now I can look back on that broken road and see it paved with beauty because it led me to my man.

3) Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton - This song...oh, how I dream of Dr. N one day crooning this to me while attending a romantic party on a yacht...a girl can dream. I also confess to changing the lyrics to better fit my hair color and length at the present, i.e. "...she brushes her short caramel blond hair..."

4) Heart and Soul - Rod Stewart -- I admit, some of the lyrics are out there, but the chorus, oh the chorus.

5) I Do -- Paul Brandt --This is one of the most lovely wedding songs ever written and I think of my husband every time I hear it.

6) Sometimes When We Touch - Dan Hill - I know this is a song about unrequited love, but it is still one of my favorites. His voice in this song is so pure and tender, and the lyrics...beautiful..."I want to hold you till I die, until we both break down and cry..." who hasn't felt this way at least once in life.

7) I Love the Way You Love Me -- John Michael Montgomery -Oh those lyrics...unfortunately, Dr. N thinks it is cheesy, but I love it.

8) Angel - Aerosmith - My mom is a huge Aerosmith fan, so I was exposed to their music from childhood and I have to say, I love Steven Tyler's voice. This is one of those 80's songs that gets me every time.

9) Something in Red - Lori Morgan - This song follows a romance from its beginning into marriage. I love how she uses colors to represent various stages. If I could only sing...

Would you like to play along and create a top 9 list of your own? After you write your 9 come back here and link it to my Mr. Linky. By the way, the folks at Mr. Linky are fabulous and very patient with non-techie-types like yours truly.

Reminder - 9 on the 9th is coming up

Just a reminder that the second edition of 9 on the 9th is coming up on Wednesday, July 9. I should have a Mr. Linky working for it this time. My list should have you singing -- hint hint. I hope you can attend and please do spread the word.

9 on the 9th - Birthday GIfts for Kids

Welcome to the inaugural "All That Naz 9 on the 9th." Click here to learn how you can play along with me. And please remember, you can make your post to be a simple list, or you can expound on your list. Your choice.

My top 9 gift choices for a child's birthday

Having a four-year-old and a one-year-old means that weekends are usually reserved for Par-Tays. Birthday parties that is. Here are nine favorite gifts that the X-Factor and I like to give to help the birthday boy or girl celebrate the special day (I usually check with the parents first to make sure I'm not purchasing something that is already owned of a type of gift that is not needed). My goal when buying a gift is to find something that the child will love and that will not drive parents to the edge of sanity.

1) Books - I consider quality books a gift to both parent and child. The X-Factor and I both get excited when she receives a book, and we love time spent in the library or local book store. My favorite books to give to little girls are My Child, My Princess, Beth Moore; A Little Girl After God's Own Heart, Elizabeth George; and any book from the series "My First Little House Books." As for gender neutral books, one can never go wrong with children's books by Dr. Seuss, Max Lucado, and Margaret Wise Brown. And for you bargain hunters, check out Kohls for book deals.

2) Puzzles - Educational and fun for all ages. The X-Factor and I spent hours working on a life-size Belle. She was in love. Leap frog, Infantino, and Melissa and Doug also make outstanding puzzles (except the Melissa and Doug floor puzzle map of the US has some serious geographical issues).

3) Blocks - Wooden or the jumbo Duplo's that lock together are both fantastic, but wooden are my favorite. They can be used to build towers and words.

4) Art & Craft Supplies - Rolls of paper, washable paints and markers, smocks, paint brushes, stickers, art sets, craft sets, pompoms, and other artsy& crafty tools make fantastic presents. Once I bought some craft necessities and put them in a cute container that the child could decorate herself. Mess free art supplies like the Color Wonder(TM) kits from Crayola(c) tend to be a parent favorite.

5) Gift Cards to Some Place Fun - While it is not always the most fun to open, what child wouldn't love a visit to Chuck E Cheese, McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A, zoo, or other local fun spot. The X-factor once received tickets to ride a carousel at our local mall and a gift certificate to an ice cream shop.

6) Board Games - It doesn't get better than family fun. I love a good game of Hi-Ho Cherry-O, CandyLand, and Pretty, Pretty Princess. I tend to avoid noisy games and games with lots of extra parts and pieces.

7) Realistic Looking Fake Food - Both of my kiddos love to play with fake food. Since kids are drawn to objects that look real, I prefer to buy food that looks like the real stuff, but is impossible for the child to chomp. My local Dollar Tree sells some fantastic looking fake fruit and veggies. Avoid the grapes of course, but the apples, avocados, pears, carrots, and tomatoes grow fabulously in a pretend garden. One idea is to buy a few items and put them in a cute little basket, you could even add gardening tools.

8) The unexpected - Gifts that are atypical for birthday parties or don't seem to fit the birthday party budget are great buys. One way to do this is finding a toy on super sale. A few months ago, Toys R Us had a buy one get one free deal on Little Tykes Toys. I've also found $30 Fisher Price toys like "Little People" sets at Dollar General and other closeout stores for $10-$15. Another out of the ordinary gift that was a big hit was a giant bouncing ball. I wouldn't choose this gift for an apartment dwelling family, but for active kids who have a nice big yard, go for. Even more fun than that ball was placing it in a huge box. The child was thrilled to see such a huge package and then the box itself also became a toy.

9) Accessories - While I am a sucker for kids clothing, I usually don't buy it for birthday presents unless I include something the child thinks is fun or if the child loves clothing. There are some pretty trendy little fashioniestas among us. However, accessories are usually needed and appreciated by parent and child. Sun hats, ball caps, hair bows, slippers, shoes/flip-flops, umbrella's, socks, and jackets make great gifts on their own of as part of a package.

9 on the 9th

Please, please, pretty please join me for my monthly meme, 9 on the 9th. Since Dr. N. dazzles us with his list of top 5's I too wanted a list. But the husband has 5 and Letterman has ten, so I decided to do 9 on the 9th. Here is how it works.

On the 9th of every month, I will post a top nine list.

Easy-Breezy, that's the beauty of it. And here is how you can play along. It will make my heart happy. So please, play.

On the 9th of each month (I'll remind you on this blog) you post a top 9 list. Please include a link to this blog in your post and leave me a comment so I know that you did it and can check out your list. Sorry, I don't have Mr. Linky yet, but soon, I will.

Your list can be about anything...anything of the PG nature that is. Examples are "9 favorite summer vacation spots", "9 reasons to wear a skirtini," "9 ways to keep your kids active and happy during the summer." The possibilities are endless really. Make it silly, make it informative, make it a rant, make it a rave, make it whatever you'd like.

See ya tomorrow.