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I LOVE cooking from recipes, and making up meals, I LOVE spending time with my boys (all three) and entertaining my family and friends, I LOVE bargain shopping (vintage stores included), I LOVE flipping through fashion and design mags, I LOVE the smell of libraries and how often I could get lost there, I LOVE scanning realty websites, I LOVE Trader Joes and LUSH, I LOVE fresh flowers and all four seasons, I LOVE Cincinnati and am always ready to travel, I LOVE stationary and stamps, I LOVE diamonds and pearls, tulle and lace, I LOVE smelling coffee and drinking tea, I love marshmallows and chocolate, I LOVE cozy sheets and morning sunshine, I LOVE me and I love GOD!

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Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts

Saturday, October 13, 2012

{cold weather family fun}

My Little Princes



Adin Mumma for Umbra Wobble Chess Set / Melissa & Doug Standing Wooden Art Easel / Bananagrams / Classic Marbles / Pick-Up Sticks design by Wild & Wolf / Harmonica design by Wild & Wolf

When the temperature drops and it's too chilly to venture outdoors I like to find fun things for my boys to do around the house. Although we are in the age of Wii, DS, Playstation and computer games...sometimes I encourage them to unplug and get back to the basics.

We get out the easel, play UNO or pick up sticks. I am looking forward to reading The Little Prince this season as I lucked out on a discounted copy at Anthropologie.

What are your go to cold weather kid's activities?

xoxo,
Ronita


Sunday, July 15, 2012

{Video ALERT: Proud Mommy Moments- Summer Edition}


Tre's Yellow Stripe Test from Ronita Dean on Vimeo.

I am always very proud of my boys but these two events stand out and we are celebrating. Last year Roman did not want to have anything to do with floating on his back. What a difference a year makes!!

Tre' tested for his yellow stripe and did such a great job!!

We are so very proud of both of them.

xoxo,
Ronita

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Parenting through it...

Source: bit.ly via kara on Pinterest


I had a very enjoyable Friday with a work friend to end what felt like the longest most trying week in my parenting history (I know it's only been 6 years and there are more challenges to come). Goodness, it's so hard to express how you feel when you pour all your good stuff into your children and sometimes how they translate it doesn't go how you hope. It can be exhausting. I know that with God and my family the boys will be ok and so will I. I thank God for patience and understanding and strong resilience. 

Without the hard times we wouldn't appreciate the great times. 

 This picture is a beautiful interpretation of woman, naturally, and makes me want to take some time for me...do my hair, do my nails, sip some tea and relax. 

 I deserve it! 
 HAPPY SATURDAY 
  xoxo, 

Ronita

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Parenting: Mommy what color am I?


(via)

The time has come where my little Tre' (6 years old) realizes and verbalizes that he sees a difference between the color of his skin compared to that of his classmates. He even recognizes that he is a different shade of color compared to me and my mom. I love his innocence when choosing a crayon to use to color in his face versus a classmate he has drawn or even mine for that matter.

 I am so excitined for him to discover the differences that are in people, not only in the color of their skin but their traditions, their heritage and even for him to understand that although people are different we are all equal and loved by God.

I thought maybe if I get some really beautifully illustrated books that might help with our discussion.
Here are some I found and ordered off Amazon.







Shout out to one of my really good friends, Emily, who gifted Roman with this book for his 2nd birthday!! We are going to crack this one open tonight.



Do you have any books, songs, strategies or words of wisdom when it comes to talking about race and ethnicity with your children?


Looking forward to hearing them!

xoxo,
Ronita



Thursday, January 12, 2012

Styling and Photos: My Little Model in the Making




A friend of mine asked me if Tre' would be available for a styling session she was working on. Of course he was and boy what an amazing job she did.

Check out more pictures from the shoot, here. 

Thanks to Kiwi Street Studios and Lindsay Dewald Styling for the opportunity and outstanding pictures!!

HAPPY Thursday

xoxo,
Ronita

Thursday, November 3, 2011

How to Really Love a Child

(via)

I would add pray for them and together
(teach them about God's love)....often!!!

I love this and it is perfect timing!
I love my little guys and they are such blessings (even through the trials and tribulations)!

xoxo,
Ronita

Friday, January 7, 2011

30 before 30...

(via)
My good sister friend, Barbie, and I were having a great conversation a couple weeks ago. We started taking about how life is so amazing and how things have changed for her since she and her husband have had their little darling diva, Lillian! She and I talked about all the things we wish we could accomplish soon that would just be the icing on our cakes! Our conversation got me thinking and before it was over we decided to both write a list of activities/goals we wanted to accomplish before we both turned 30.


I want to share with you my list and I will keep everyone posted on what I accomplish throughout the months. I will also place the list on the right bar of my blog and mark off the goals as they get accomplished. I have until September 26, 2013 to reach all of my goals.

Wish me luck!!!
My 30 before 30

1. Perfect making omelets
2. Howard Homecoming with Barbie
3. Travel to Italy and Greece
4. Visit vineyards in California- rent a convertible
5. Buy a house with a BIG kitchen, 4 beds, at least two baths, a man cave, big yard to share with all our family and friends
6. Host a major holiday in my new house- where I do all the cooking
7. Have 1 more healthy Dean baby
8. Make a really great gumbo without my mom’s help
9. Write a memoir of my family’s account/story of surviving Hurricane Katrina- even if not published something to keep in the family
10. Take French and Italian cooking classes
11. Organize a successfully romantic and super fun couples retreat for our close friends
12. Sew a dress from scratch
13. Master my sewing machine
14. Reunite with Zeta- become a financial active member
15. Skinny dip in the ocean
16. Get more involved at my church through a community group
17. Go on a mission trip with my church
18. Get on schedule to save $1,000/yr for each boy to give to them when they are 18 (set up accounts)
19. Volunteer with the boys at a soup kitchen
20. Organize a massive yard sale/purge all my stuff and donate the money to a battered women’s shelter
21. Pay off at least 3 major bills: car note, student loan, credit card- become debt free
22. Start a small business: I am too creative not to!!! - even if just on etsy (tooting my own horn)
23. Travel to visit all my girlfriends- by myself, no kids or hubby for some quality girl time (Texas; 2 parts, DC, Columbus, Cleveland, Cali, Arizona, etc)
24. Take a long train ride somewhere fun!
25. Master basic photography
26. Take better care of my health and encourage my family to do better
27. Communicate more with my grandmother and Scott’s grandmother- pick their brains for family history and stories from “back in the day”
28. Visit my dad at least twice a year
29. Continue to be the best wife and mommy I can be
30. Pray more and worry less- continue to grow in my walk with God and understand that God is in control.

xoxo,
Ronita

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Parenting Vent...private school might be an option...

Sorry I have been M.I.A. I have had a busy couple of weeks at work and Tre' has started his Fall term at school. Let me start off by saying...

Finding the right type of education that best fits your child's learning needs as well as finding a school that fits into your expectations as a parent is a challenge.

I consider myself to be a pretty picky person when it comes to my children and it has been a struggle finding a school that best fits Tre's intense love for learning and discovery, as well as his vivacious personality. We are not all sold on his current school and have been determined to find the right place for him. We want a place that has a balance of outstanding education, fun extracurriculars, and a high level of parent involvement opportunities. That of which is currently lacking.

We are now researching the possibility of sending him to a private school. Although we don't have the finances outright to support such a lofty option, deep down in my heart, I know where there is a will there is a way!!! Especially, being a product of a private school, where my parents were in the same boat as us- but somehow they were able to send three children.

Over the next couple months we will be hitting up open houses, school fairs, and applying to ever scholarship we can find. I was so ecstatic to find out that now many area private schools are offering need based scholarships beginning in the Kindergarten, where before it was 6-12th grades ONLY.

As we continue to enrich his little mind outside the classroom our search will continue for a school that can challenge him inside the classroom. We shall see where this road will lead. Please keep us in your prayers. I know that God has a plan.

xoxo,
Ronita

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Friday, January 29, 2010

documentary called "BABIES"....= Amazing



(Youtube)

Babies is a documentary film by Thomas Balmes, depicting the early lives of four infants growing up in Bayar in Mongolia, Poni in Namibia, Hattie in San Francisco and Mari in Tokyo, respectively. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States by Focus Features on April 16, 2010 (youtube.com), coming out in NY & LA around at that time then wider release in select markets 4/23….then DVD comes out October/November.

The Focus Features web site for the film says it follows them “from first breath to first steps, on a journey at once universal and amazingly original.”

I am excited to see this documentary because it shows that even though these babies are in completely different parts of the world, they all need the same basic things. The preview is so captivating and the imagery is vivid!!

Take a look and let me know what you think!

xoxo,
Ronita

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The BIG Reveal..Prince #1 is Turning 4!!!

Every year we have fantastic fun themed parties for my little one's birthday. Because his birthday is on November 4th (middle of Fall) we have to get really creative. For his 1st birthday we did a huge costume party with all his family and friends. For his 2nd birthday we did Elmo at the Pool and had an indoor pool party at our local Y. His 3rd birthday we had a S'mores party on our back patio and this year, in honor of Tre's new found love for..... we are having a...........................................................................................................................drum roll please.....



(photobucket.com)

Dr. Seuss Party!!!

I am still doing my research and deciding on some key elements. The menu I'm sure will include green eggs and ham !! This is going to be a very colorful very whimsical celebration full of rhymes and tongue twisters. We may even have a special appearance by The Cat and The Hat...stay tuned for photos of the event!!


We are excited and Tre' is thrilled to read some of his favorites to his friends!!

xoxo,
Ronita

Monday, October 12, 2009

PARENT - Job Description

I received this in an e-mail and thought it too funny not to share...Happy Monday!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required..

RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly..
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects..
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst..
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and only wish you could do more.

BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance , no pension, no tuition reimbursement , no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know they are appreciated for the fabulous job they do...or forward with love to anyone thinking of applying for the job.





** AND A FOOTNOTE 'THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

My Mommy Survival Kit.....




So after 3 1/2 almost 4 years (wow) of being a mom there are some handy items that I have decided not to live with out! Take a look at my ever growing list and chime in on some of your mommy survival kit items:
  • Resolve Carpet Cleaner (enough said..)
  • Baby Wipes- any brand with ridges to remove even the messiest residue

  • Shot Spot Remover

  • Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

  • Neosporin Antibiotic Cream

  • Calamine Lotion

  • Witch Hazel

  • those fun and attention averting magnetic letters on the fridge

  • humidifier/vaporizer

Saturday, July 25, 2009

How many times can they call me mommie?...what's in a name?..

I hear this name so many times during the day I often wonder is this what should be on my Ohio drivers license. I can remember when Tre' was just beginning to talk and all I wanted to hear him say was momma...now I can't even count the number of times I hear it in a day. When he is happy, when he is sad, when he is hurt, when he wants something, when he is excited, when he just wants to cuddle......

Knowing that Roman is not too far away from repeating this same name...it makes my heart flutter just as when I saw their first sonogram pictures...the realization of motherhood.