Micromanagement: Killing Employee Morale

 Don't get me wrong; I enjoy to be micromanaged as much as the next person...

Here is an article that will get you thinking:

http://www.ceoconsultant.com/business/micromanagement-killing-employee-morale/

Such an effective tool, right?

More Buzz

Oh know you didn't. Oh, yes I did... I bought M some Toy Story boots. They are adorable:

If we are having another boy, I will get my kicks dressing him up in boots and other things. Why should girls have all the fun? :)

Buzz

Who knew a Pez dispenser would be so popular. With Daddy traveling, I let him take Buzz to daycare. This thing goes everywhere: bath, bed, and now daycare...

Fun At Cici's

Nothing beats free entertainment. Unfortunately, one day he will want money to operate this thing!

Until then, I will let his imagination drive the car!

Take Me

Lucky snuck into the car while I was loading my bags for work. I don't think he wanted to stay outside on Monday.

Sunday, Busy Sunday

Price comparing at Sam's Club was just too exhausting! At least I got a Buzz movie out of it! Buzzzzz, everything's a Buzz these days.

Oh No...More Pink

Cute concept; wrong color:

Why are all the cute baby things pink? People have boys, you know! We too like cute things.

Surprise

Time for a surprise party:

M was in the process of dancing to the disco music here (explains the blur).

Happy 50th birthday, dear friend. You are very loved! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your extended family!

Killing Time While Momma Gets Her Hair Cut

Time to climb on the couch:

OMG, Toni's kids have a Buzz toy! I think I'll go explore upstairs (note: there was a stair gate that he climbed right over).

Nothing beats eating Cheerios off the floor:

Thanks for squeezing me in on a Saturday morning, Toni. You are wonderful!

Reason #61: Why To Worry When Your Toddler Is Too Quiet

Always, always worry when your toddler is out of sight and being very quiet!

Thank goodness he didn't flush!

M's New Hobby: Stickers!

As M is very much into Buzz Lightyear, I thought I would get him some Toy Story stickers. I purchased a box and the stickers. He had so much fun:

I love how he clustered the stickers into one big pile!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Work had an event: free baseball tickets! M had a blast.

En route to the ballpark

Eating ketchup, yep, ketchup

Got to meet Elle

The slide was so much fun. I must have gone down at least five times!

 

 Watching the game...or the scoreboard--not sure.

This bounce thing is so much fun, Mom!
 

Time to leave. It is way past bed time!

M truly enjoyed his first ballpark experience.

What will baby M look like? Who will baby M look like? Is this it?...

For realsies?

I Got A New Way To Walk

Regarding a previous post this month, I have become more proactive about my health. The reason I had such sore muscles last week was because I had lifted weights lightly (trying to relieve wrist pain) and may not have stretched enough afterwards. As the weather is beginning to cool a bit, I have been walking more. Really, really miss the family walks we have taken in the past and hope we get back into our evening walk routine.

D & I took M for a walk on Sunday evening (even after a day of gardening). I took M for a short walk/jog on Tuesday morning, yes, morning. This is a bit unlike me, but Jonesy had woken me up consistently from 3 am onward so I knew I needed to get the blood flowing before work. That evening M and I took a walk before bedtime. He was so chitty chatty! I could tell he enjoys our walks as much as I do.

In the spirit of walking, I have acquired an ear worm. To all you moms out there who find yourselves humming songs (AKA ear worms in your head) from children's shows, here is a great one from Sesame Street:

Destiny's Child on Sesame Street
(If at all possible, listen without watching for the video is a bit dated.)

Happy Wednesday to all. Be sure to check out the new Lightbox Widget to the right. It's full of photos of M over the past 5-6 months.

Crib Find: Score!

Found a crib idea for Baby M. Best of all, it is cardboard: score! Might also serve as entertainment for Toddler M so he can push around his baby brother.

Hipster Crib Is a Cardboard Box

Belly Buttons and Puppies

Good Monday morning to all! I am feeling a bit sore from yesterday's projects, even after about 9.5 hours sleep. Let's hope the day sets a good tone for the week

Caught M playing with his belly button this morning (too cute). I did the same thing as a kid.

M playing with his belly button

Snuck in some photos of the dogs:

Riley	Lucky

Lucky & Riley

Sunday Gardening Project(s)

Finally got the bed mulched. I weeded and redefined the rock border a few weeks ago. D pulled some large rocks from the creek to better set the tree edge and minimize erosion.

Thanks, Lucky, for posing so tactfully for each of the above photos. ;-)

FINALLY planted the purple-leafed birch, hemlock, and weeping willow (compliments of Pine View Nursery) mimosa (compliments of Natalie), and red bud ("weed" in the flower bed compliments of our neighbor Nancy). I also relocated some sedum. Let's hope that they all survive after 1+ months of watering in pots--fingers crossed! You may have to look closely to see these little trees, especially the willow near the creek:

Purple-leafed birch, hemlock, mimosa, redbud, and sedum

Weeping willow tree

After 4+ hours of work in the sun, I was officially tired. Thankfully D watched M and did some laundry while I gardened. He was nice enough to leave the vacuuming to me. :-D I also formally hung the curtain and valance in M's room. What a busy weekend! Think I'll get to bed early tonight and start my week off right.

Saturday Afternoon Capstone Craft Project

I was all set on productively updating my Capstone results, until Microsoft Word locked up on me. Argh...I then chose to peak my creative interests with an art project for the nursery.

I have been collecting arts and crafts for my nursery project (thanks Auntie Mary for shopping with me a few weeks back). After several Google Image searches, I was finally inspired. Here is the end result:

Wood painted felt shapes on scrapbook paper with ribbon trim set on 8"x10" canvases

More canvas art to follow--maybe even a few for toddler M's room. I'd like to wait until we have the nursery bedding to ensure the patterns match.

To Market, To Market...

To market, to market to buy a fat [pig];
Home again, home again, jiggety-jig...
...Does anyone else know this nursery rhyme?

We visited the Farmer's Market this morning. Got lots of fresh goodies: apples, peaches, blueberries, sweet rolls, local coffee, grouper filets, corn, fresh pasta, and even sampled some wood-fired pizza. M already tried an apple and ate everything but the core! We even ran into a few friends this morning.

M walking with Daddy to the market

M enjoying an apple

M ready for a nap