You see, I’ve noticed these fancy blog awards on other bloggers’ sites that have caused me some major drooling issues. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for some sort of parenting blog award (my Ripe Tomato Award from Blog Salad notwithstanding, since that’s a general blog award), thought I, as I signed myself up on the Blogger’s Choice Awards site and proceeded to nominate my blog for not one, not two, but three award categories. (Oh, come on, don’t you think I can win the “Best Blog of All Time” award???)

What would a blog award do for me, you ask? Besides polishing my ego just a smidge, an award would give me more press and marketing value, both very necessary ingredients to my future goals with Parenting By Trial and Error. Future goals that you, my dear reader, will undoubtedly become a part of. Oh yes, I have big dreams for this little blog and plans to make them happen very soon.

So, if you like my blog just a wee little bit; if you have gotten even one smile or, better, a good belly laugh from one of my posts; if you enjoy good quality writing or, at the very least, enjoy reading about all the mistakes I make and embarrassing situations I get myself into as a mom of four, then please, I beg you, go vote for my blog for a Blogger’s Choice Award.

It’s so very easy. See the badges labeled “Blogger’s Choice Award” right next to this post (assuming you are on my blog)? Just click on one, either one (or, if you really want to show me love, both), and vote for Parenting By Trial and Error. It takes 3 seconds of your time and for that, you will have my eternal gratitude. What a bargain!

If you’re a die-hard fan, feel free to click on the “Join Me! Top Mom Blogs” button on the right side as well. The more clicks I get, the further up the list I go. Last I checked, I was at number 20, which put me on the first page, but just barely. I’ve been bouncing between 20 and 21 (page 1 and page 2) for a couple weeks.

And hey, if you vote for me and you’d like a vote in return, leave me a comment and a link. I’ll make a point of voting for your blog as well.

Let’s spread the love around! (And I don’t mean that in a 1960s, hippie sort of way.)

Ron S. Doyle, author of Blog Salad, is fast becoming the most beloved new kid in our writers’ group, certainly with the bloggers among us. He can be counted on for technical advice, hilarious anecdotes, sympathy and encouragement. But the weird part (for me anyway)? He looks a lot like a young version of my late grandfather. (Check it out for yourself.)

In Ron’s “Pay It Forward” fashion, I will be creating my own blog award in the near future to give out to the 15 blogs I find most compelling. Of course my award graphic won’t be nearly as cute, but I’ll do my best.

Thank you, Blog Salad, for my very first award!