Pregnant Stars Posing Nude for magazines...what do you think?

Recently I read an article on how Jessica Simpson posed nude for a magazine cover which some stores kept covered because they were getting complaints. Don't get me wrong I think being pregnant is a wonderful and beautiful experience but I think posing nude (pregnant or not) for the cover of a magazine comes off as a bit trashy. I get it when it's for magazines like Playboy, but when its a regular magazine like Elle or something not meant to be used as porn I really don't see the point in that. I think that they look just as attractive if not more so with their clothes on. Maybe that makes me old fashioned but how I think of it is would I want my kids, their friends, or even a potential boss to find these pictures someday down the road and take them the wrong way. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with a pregnant woman showing off the beauty that comes with being pregnant but I have seen plenty of women that have done that without taking their clothes off. I just don't understand the need to have pictures taken of you nude and posted on the front of a magazine for all the world to see. What do you think?

Potty Training...

Nowadays when it comes to potty training they have movies, books, and all sorts of potties from the musical to the sticker giving, and even a dance. I remember back in the day when it went from diapers to extra thick underwear and that was it. Now potty training has all of these whistles and bells that I really don't know if they are necessary. It has taken a few months for me to realize that the pullups we were buying for my daughter were enabling her to be comfortable still going in her pants. Last week we switched her to underpants to see how she would do and she had one accident and has since been going on the potty without a problem with the exception of nap and bedtime when we put her back in pullups. Now don't get me wrong I think some things are useful like the potty seat so that she doesn't fall in when getting on the potty and even some of the potty books to help explain why things change from going whenever wherever to going on the potty, but I really do believe that the musical potties and sticker ones and talking ones take it to a place that potty training just doesn't need to go. What do you find useful while potty training your little one? What do you think about all of the tools for potty training?

Bully the Documentary

No, I have not seen it yet, but there is a lot of hype surrounding this movie and I find myself almost outraged about it. It has gotten an R rating because of a scene where some children are using the F word excessively. I just dont understand it because the ratings of so many movies in the past that I feel are way worse than this documentary, which by definition is meant to show factual events, have gotten a mere pg 13 rating. You want examples? I am happy to oblige with movies that I personally have seen:

1. Sucker Punch "pg 13 for thematic material involving sexuality, violence and combat sequences, and for language"
2. Abduction "PG-13 for sequences of intense violence and action, brief language, some sexual content and teen partying"
3. Limitless "pg 13 for thematic material involving a drug, violence including disturbing images, sexuality and language"

because you know I would rather my teen see a movie about violence, drug use, teen partying, and sexual scenes than to learn about bullying...note the sarcasm. And these are just a few examples that I can think of off the top of my head.
I'm sorry but in my mind anything meant to teach my kids to not be bullies and to stand up and don't let themselves or others be bullied around them is something worth letting them see even if there are a couple of curse words in it which I'm sure by the time they're 14 or 15 they have probably already heard from their friends or other places as I know I heard it by that age from friends, neighbors, and even random people in stores even though cursing was not allowed in my parents house. My children are not yet old enough to understand this as both are not even at preschool age yet, but when they do get to the point where I think they will understand it I want them to watch it and to understand how bullying affects EVERYONE. I will list a few links in the comments that you can go to in order to read more about this.

Getting rid of the pregnant belly...

I am having so much trouble getting rid of the gut from my last pregnancy. I have been eating healthy and exercising every day and have even tried the waist thing that's supposed to help but I just cant seem to get rid of this gut that makes me look like I'm 3 months pregnant. This is really bothering me as my favorite time of year is coming up; Summer. I love going to the beach and to be honest I would be embarrassed to go looking as I do right now. The worst part is that I cannot seem to find an affordable bathing suit that would cover this gut up. There are either skimpy bikinis, old lady one pieces that look like they have floral skirts attached, or they are over 200 dollars and lets face it none of those options will work for me right now. I will try almost anything within reason at this point. My husband has me doing 50 sit ups and 50 crunches every day but it doesn't seem to be doing anything...any suggestions? because I have completely run out of ideas.

Sunny Days = A Happier Family

Sunny days in my house means a happier family. My kids have so much energy and getting them out of the house makes it easier for them to run around and have some fun without getting into trouble. Although they get dirty and will need baths at the end of the day. I am glad I get the kids outside because they get fresh clean air, LOTS of exercise, and time to get messy without a massive house cleanup for me. Not to mention that it gives them more time to run around with the dog who often likes to hide out in my bedroom. We just finished an hour long walk and it pooped my kids out so much that 30 minutes before nap time and they are both knocked out (which is rare for my 2 year old). I love this weather because it makes me feel more relaxed and I can sit with a cool drink on a chair and watch my kids run and play for a couple of minutes or I can run around with them teaching them about caterpillars and acorns and onion grass or catching bubbles or playing soccer etc... I feel as though warm weather provides an infinite amount of things to do with kids from riding bikes to making dirt pies or even gardening though unfortunately we live in too much of a wooded area for anything to grow and even if it did the deer would come and steal it at night. I love this weather. What do you think about this weather? What do you do when it is warm and sunny outside?

The Hunger Games

I remember the first time I saw the first book. It was the only copy in the store and it was shoved in the back behind a bunch of crappy vampire books jumping on the twilight bandwagon. What caught my eye was the cover. When I read the description I have to admit it looked okay, but once I started reading I couldn't put it down and when I finished that I waited eagerly for the next installment to be released and the same with the the final book. I ate it up faster than a flame eats through gasoline. It was different from all the form books that are copies of copies of copies of the same story with different names and slight alterations. This is why I am so excited about the movie. I love the actors/actresses that they picked (seen via commercial) and I really cannot wait to see how they portray the story. I'm hoping that I can convince my mother in law to babysit so that my hubby and I can go to the midnight showing with some friends that invited us. So if you haven't already go read the books!!!!