About Shari Navetta & her Blog
Shari is a winner of Top 25 Family Blogs by Moms - 2012
What's your favorite thing to do on family night?
My husband likes to cook! Yippee! On family nights, we turn up the music real loud and the kids dance around while he and I cook. Then, we have a delicious dinner that usually took way to long to cook but is super yummy. After dinner, we usually go out on the deck in the summer or face off in a Yahtzee tournament in the winter!
What has surprised you most about motherhood?
How much work it is! LOL! No, I am surprised at the reserves I have even on the toughest days. When they are sick, broken, troubled or just plain old bad or when I am sick, broken, troubled or just plain old bad, there are still mounds of love to give. Even when I am tired of the noise, the socks on the floor and the ungrateful nature of it all, I can still kiss them good night, tell them I love them and mean it.
These quotes made me laugh.
Ray Ramano says: "Having children is like living in a frat house - nobody sleeps, everything's broken, and there is a lot of throwing up."
Phyllis Diller says: "I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then, I want to move in with them."
She also says:"We spend the first 12 months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next 12 months telling them to sit down and shut up."
I think I will always be surprised at the fact that if I wouldn't have done that third in-vitro, and would have given up, I would have never known the greatest joy of my life, being a mom. I am glad I am stubborn! ;0)
What's your favorite game to play as a family?
Our favorites are Legos, Yahtzee, Uno and Battleship. We love to play teams. The kids love parents vs. kids!
My favorite is Legos! I know it's not a game but it is something we play with as a family. Rocco prefers the kits with instructions. Zeke likes to creatively free style. I love to see what he builds. I think Lego teaches direction following, engineering, math skills, creativity, patience, delayed gratification and pride for a job well done. It's my favorite toy!
What are your favorite Blog Posts?
Shari's Answers
Do you try to give back when you declutter? Please share your family traditions for benefitting others.
Funny! I have just spent my entire day "cleaning out my closests" as Eminem would say! I am donating mine and my husband's clothes to a shelter that I have never visited before. I am doing this as part of 30-day program where I help my twin 7-year-olds that everyone has a story. One of my guys has Type1 diabetes and I want to show him(them) that his story is just different than everyone else's. No better, no worse - just different. We have spent the month trying to give back and see many different walks of life. Tomorrow is about sharing what we have and don't use to help someone get a job! I'm a little nervous because I haven't ever done this with them. I hope it all goes as great as it does in my mind! Wish us luck!
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What are your best tips for Black Friday shopping? (Please include a link if it's relevant.)
Ok, please enduldge me in a funny story regarding Black Friday. I have three friends who are sisters. Without going into all the drama that three sisters can bring, let's just say, the youngest one feels left out a lot. Every year, they all go Black Friday shopping. The only problem the youngest one also has a self-diagnosed anxiety disorder about being in lines. They give her headaches and "stomach-aches" (if ya know what I mean). So, in efforts to join her sisters and suck it up, she literally has a Black Friday fanny pack with Motrin, Tums, Pepto Bismal, wipes, extra toilet paper, gum, lipstick and her list!
Too funny! My fav website is www.gottadeal.com! You can search what you are looking for and it will tell you everywhere it's on sale with prices!
Happy shopping guys!
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What makes a great family holiday card? Please share a link to a helpful image or resource.
I like when they give me a synopsis of the year in pictures. I like to see everything from Easter, to summer vacation to Halloween! It makes me feel connected to my friend's children even when I can't be there. Plus, I am a picture junkie! Www.snapfish.com has the best choices for multiple pictures and discounts!
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Do you have a go-to hostess gift? Please share a link if you can.
If I am bringing the kid's to a birthday party of a close friend, I like to bring a lasagna and a bagged salad. Usually the mom is too pooped from the party to create another meal for dinner. Plus, they most likely already ordered pizza that day! Double the recipe and you have dinner for yourself too!
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Ouch! Do you have a trick to keep kids from biting? Please share a link or a picture if it's relevant to your answer.
I have twins. They each bit me once. One of them bit the back of my thigh as I was trying that "Let's race up the stairs to get to nap time" trick. Talk about insult to injury...
I did realize though that each time either child bit me, they had an ear infection.
Don't forget to consider this option before you bite 'em back! Lol!
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What are you most looking forward to as a mom in 2013? Please include a link to a picture if it's relevant.
I am looking forward to watching my twins develop! i know that sounds cliche and just made you roll your eyes. But, I feel like we are FINALLY getting somewhere! I have seven-year-old boys. Let me tell you, it has been a busy life! However, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.They can actually have an intelligent conversations with me and with each other. Conversations about stuff I am interested in not just the latest Bakugan or type of super hero. I am no longer afraid that they will be autistic, get the chicken pox, get the flu from every door handle or not know how to read. Thank Goodness we have crossed most of the major toddler and infant hurdles. So, now I am looking forward to using my energy that has been soaked up by them for the past couple of years to find a new me and help raise money to cure Type 1 diabetes!
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What's the best form of exercise for a tired, busy mom who wants to get back in shape?
My favorite is laundry! According to the Internet, a woman burns her weight in calories while doing laundry for an hour. Bonus: if you have to schlep it upstairs it works out your arms and legs too! Plus, laundry HAS to be done so no skipping this workout. Kills two birds with one stone!
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