They Like Me! They Really Like Me!

Or at least someone does. Morninglight Mama presented me with a blogging award, which is the first one I've ever gotten. And maybe it'll be the only one!

In the meantime, I'm busy composing my acceptance speech. It will have the title quote in it, as I've always wanted to say that.

Anyway, on to the fun part. The award I was so generously presented with was the Arte y Pico award (I speak no Spanish and have no idea what that means, sorry -- anyone, anyone?). Apparently, Morninglight Mama believes that I am deserving due to my creativity (really, it's the wee ones, not me), design (definitely a stretch!), interesting material (again, the wee ones, although I did breed them, technically), and also contributing to the blogging community (awww).

Isn't it beautiful?

Now for the other fun part. This award comes with rules. They are as follows:

1. Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community. Coming...

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog. Check!

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name of and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award. Check!

4. The award winner and the one who has given the prize has to show the link of Arte Y Pico blog so everyone will know the origin of this award. Check!

5. Show these rules. Check!

Now for the five. And keep in mind that I can only include five, so know that there are blogs I read and love that I couldn't include. Without further ado, I present you with:

First, I'd like to ensure you go visit Karen's site. The Rocking Pony always has something to make me giggle or smile. She deals with her children with grace that I hope I have as my children get a little older and spend more time in public. Plus, she makes rocking t-shirts that I drool over every time I see them.

Manic Mommy is the blogger who gave me courage to start my own blog, although I don't think she knows that. I'd been reading Dawn's Because I Said So for awhile but felt too inadequate to write a blog. But something Manic wrote this winter finally got me over the hump. I can't remember specifically what it was, but her blog is definitely a favorite.

Angie's Spot is another blog I read regularly. Her most recent two posts made me cry and laugh in that order. I can only aspire to have that visceral an impact on my readers someday.

Irene's blog has some of the most impressive photos. She gives great tips on how she takes them and how to improve your own photos, not that this helps me -- yet. Plus, she throws in some great stories, too. Go check out Our Little Piece Of The World!

And the final blog... Kellan from On The Upside has a razor sharp wit. She always cracks me up and is wonderfully self-deprecating without a touch of self-pity. Plus, she gives me a great view of all that I have to look forward to as Mister Man and Little Miss get older.

It was really hard to narrow it down to just five, as there are so many wonderful blogs out there -- and so many more that I'm discovering via SITS. But congratulations, Ladies!

Are You Saucy?

I’ve mentioned The Secret Is In The Sauce once before and how cool I thought the concept was.

They’re verging on dangerous now. Every day, they feature a new blogger who I’d otherwise never come into contact with. And I keep having to add more absolutely hilarious blogs to those I read. The downfall is that I have a limit as to how much I can read, and I can’t just stop reading some of them. So if I’m behind on reading your blog, blame SITS. Unless I started reading your blog because of SITS in which case it’s a blessing and a curse!

They’ve also helped me discover what I’m going to get my mom for her birthday (July 1, so I’m starting to run out of time!). Check out this way so cool necklace that they featured – and gave away, although not to me – recently.

And now, they’re giving away a bouncy house! As you saw from my post yesterday, my kids rather enjoy jumping. Plus, it’s a nice pseudo-therapy for Mister Man. And ok, so maybe I love the fact that they both took four hour naps yesterday after spending two hours jumping. I soooo want this!

If you haven’t stopped over at SITS before, go check them out. Community is key, and they’re developing a great one. Besides, apparently this finding cool things to give away is gaining momentum. If you haven’t become a SITS girl by now, it may be time to rethink it (and yes, they allow men, too, before you ask!). Tell them I sent you. All you have to do is grab their banner and put it on your blog. Then show up, roll call and go enjoy some good bloggy writing. If I can figure out how to do it, anyone can!