Tag: group-writing-project

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November Group Writing Project

This writing project has ended. Please view the full list of wonderful entries at the November GWP Finale, and subscribe to MamaBlogga to find out about the next group writing project!

After the five previous very successful Group Writing Projects, we’re gonna do it again. It’s time for the November MamaBlogga Group Writing Project!

In honor of Thanksgiving, the theme for the November Group Writing Project is “I’m grateful for my child(ren) because. . .” Feel free to go in any direction that appeals to you. Even if you don’t choose to participate, you can encourage others to participate!

  • Your post can take any form as long as it reflects this theme—this includes anything from serious to sarcastic, about your children, your future children, your pet, etc.
  • You can participate with a blog post, a podcast, a video, a page on your website, etc., etc. If you don’t have a website, contact me and I’ll be happy to publish your entry here on MamaBlogga.
  • Only NEW posts (i.e., posts have not been published prior to 5 November 2007) are eligible. Posts must be submitted through the submission form before Sunday, 11 November 2007.

Why participate?
There are lots of reasons to participate! All entries that meet the guidelines will be listed and linked to here on MamaBlogga. This an opportunity for you to discover new blogs (and for others to discover yours!). Last week, I came up with five ways to get the most out of the GWP.

And, of course, there is one more incentive: one lucky post author, drawn at random, will receive a $30 gift certificate to Amazon.com (to be announced Monday, 12 November 2007).

Finally, we’d appreciate it if you linked to this post or to the guidelines/submission form on your entry post so that others can learn about the project and participate.

As a side note, I didn’t settle on the topic for this GWP until this morning, so I didn’t get to send out the topic to previous participants early. If you want or need longer, we can change the final deadline (and, therefore, announcement date) of the project.

Now get writing!

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Contests

October Group Writing Project Finale

With twenty-one twenty-five (including four late entries!) wonderful entries, I’m happy to say that the October Group Writing Project has been excellent! I can’t say enough about the wonderful entries that we’ve read over the last week. Without making you wait a moment more, here is the final list of entries:

  1. Terrible Schmerrible by Ursula Zamora
  2. An age old question… by Tiffany (Three Ring Circus)
  3. What is the best age?? by Jennifer Hitchcock
  4. Emerging by Tracey
  5. Don’t grow up too fast my darling by Summer
  6. 3 yrs. + 1 yr, + 2 yrs? Are you crazy? by Brandi @ Home, Hope and Future
  7. Day of Poo and Stinkor Looming by Maria C.
  8. The best things about this age. . . by Summer M.
  9. Like watching water boil by Shawn
  10. The best thing about Abbie being 3!! by Jessica
  11. Tomorrow, One Day Older by Phyllis
  12. These are a few of my favorite things by boogiemum
  13. Today, while the blossoms by Jordan (MamaBlogga)
  14. The best thing about this age by Urban Mummy
  15. When He Comes Running Back by Mommy Zabs
  16. the best things about this age by melissa
  17. Be 4 by Mama Zen
  18. My favorite age by Deb – Mom of 3 Girls
  19. The Blessing of Four by Jill
  20. The Best Things About this Age… by Andrea
  21. There is always something wonderful about this age by MomOnTheGo
  22. Terrific Two’s by Candace
  23. Rock-a-Bye Big Boy by Elaine
  24. The Best Thing About Having a Tween by Believer in Balance
  25. What I Learned From My Toddler by Sara @ Real Life

All of these great entries clearly took time and consideration. Read through them and find inspiration from mothers of all ages.

Now, feel free to spread the link love by copying the above list (instructions) and posting it to your own blog. Believe me—they all deserve it.

The Winna!
Chosen at random, I swear, the winner of our prize, a $30 Amazon.com gift certificate, is <drum roll>…

Don’t grow up too fast my darling by Summer of Summer’s Nook

Congratulations, Summer! The gift certificate will be winging its way to you soon!

Still working on your entry? Even though we’ve awarded our prize, we’ll continue to accept, read, link to and comment on submissions through next week.

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October GWP Days Three – Six

I slacked off a bit, there, I know, but the good news is that I finished my novel(la) about twelve hours ago, so hopefully that will be less of a distraction!

Anyway, we have ten thirteen more entries for the October Group Writing Project, bringing the total to 18 21. As always, these entries are of the highest caliber, so be sure to read them and comment.

This has been a fun project for me as I’ve gotten to vicariously experience the best things about your children’s ages (and your ages)—and as I’ve focused more on the positives about my son at this age.

Thanks to everyone who participated. Be sure to tune in Monday morning to find out who won!

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Kids/Parenting Fulfillment

Today, while the blossoms

Sunday’s For Better or For Worse comic strip pretty aptly describes parenthood. I’ve mentioned the “time-space continuum” that is motherhood before, but after a discussion earlier this week I was thinking about it again.

There is something at every age that we want our children to grow out of. Right now, I’d like Hayden to grow out of throwing fits and not communicating verbally (although he has a plethora of new words over the weekend: bubble, baby, Jesus (‘Dedus’)).

But somehow it seems like the memory of all those things fade almost as soon as they’re past. Sometimes when I complain to my mother about the typical foibles of his age, my mother tells me that it’s all a very distant memory for her (my youngest sister will turn 16 this week).

Ever since he was born, I’ve been in “hurry up and grow up” mode. Get past the lump stage; start reacting to me; start sleeping through the night already; start crawling; REALLY, start sleeping through the night; start walking; stop nursing; start talking. I’m always ready for him to move on to the next milestone.

And then you think about the good things of this age, and you remember to treat each moment a little more preciously:

  • Spontaneous hugs, kisses and snuggles.
  • Unconditional love.
  • Adorable stories—For example, a few weeks ago in church, his class had a lesson on animals. He wasn’t paying much attention until they got to a picture of a cat. He ran up, grabbed the picture from the teacher and started giving it kisses. Did I mention who his best friend was?
  • His little lectures—I don’t think I’ll ever be able to capture them on camera, since he will never do anything cute once he sees the camera’s on, but Hayden talks all day long. But even cuter than the babbling are the very adult-like expressions and hand gestures that accompany them. I feel like I’m getting a college lecture all day long!
  • His laugh.
  • His expression and the way he’s scrunching up his shoulders and pointing here:
    Hayden reading 19 months
    Having the ad upside down doesn’t hurt the cuteness either.

I could go on for a long time (who couldn’t go on and on about their own child?!), but even just listing those five is making me feel better!

The title of the post comes from a song that I’ve referenced before. It’s a lullaby that my mother sang to us when we were little and we sing it at each of the sisters’ weddings:


Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine,
I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine.
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I forget all the joy that is mine
Today.

Today I can appreciate the best things about this age.

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October GWP Day Two

Four more wonderful entries in the October Group Writing Project today! Here they are:

Definitely read and comment on all of these great entries, and don’t forget to submit your entries!

Today was a little tough, but my favorite thing about this age today was when Hayden found a dishrag and proceeded to clean the dishwasher, kitchen shelves, couch (it was dry, so no worries there) and the entertainment center. Now, if only I could channel that impulse productively!

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October GWP Day One

We’re off to a good start in the October Group Writing Project! Here are today’s excellent entries:

So read, comment, enjoy all of the ages and don’t forget to submit your entries!

The best thing about today:

When Ryan walked in the door after work today, Hayden was so excited to see him that he started running toward the door.

But he was so excited that his feet couldn’t carry him fast enough—and he fell flat on his face.

But he was still laughing uproariously!