As if I needed to add more to my already super-long to-do list..
Momma's been bit by the sewing bug, again.
You can't take me anywhere, I swear. Happily looking for red fabric for my son's boy scout vest, and what do I find? Oh yes, Mecca. My two-year-old didn't help, either. She saw the character prints and immediately hoarded them, hugging and petting them, threatening to bite the hands off of anyone wanting to snatch them from her hands.
That's my girl!
So, these days, other than soccer games, mountains of laundry, and other projects I've yet to talk about *cough*frames*cough*, you will fine me happily caffeinated, hovering and perhaps twitching from lack of sleep, all to the sounds of the sewing machine whurring away masterpieces amateur works for my family. The girls mainly, because there isn't too much you can make for boys, other than pajama bottoms. Or pillows. Or curtains. (Don't worry, they won't be left out, I assure you).
But making the girly stuff is entirely too much fun!
So yes, you see Dora and Boots. First one up is my two-year-old, she's getting a new spring ruffly outfit. I mean, she did almost throw-down with the Walmart lady for that fabric. How could I say no? {grin}
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February 28, 2009
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Join My Blog Frog CommunityFebruary 27, 2009
A Chocolate Mistake
I have a nice full box of cocoa in my cupboard. I've been craving sweets as of late, so I thought, if I want to do the crime, I have to do the time - so if I'm going to eat 'em, I need to bake 'em.
(Which usually leads to my deciding, oh, about half the time, to NOT go ahead with it. Good deterrent from eating sweets, if you have to get off your lazy butt to make them right then and there, eh? Hey, whatever works, right?!)
Last night I did. I got up. I "baked". 'Cept all I did was throw ingredients into a saucepan to make melted chocolate, thinking I could create something awesomer than awesome.
Only, I've apparently lost my chocolate-making mojo. The "fudge" didn't settle. It was more like soup, even after being frozen (since I thought freezing it would help it harden).
Behold, as you can see, my frankensteinian creation from last night. Not too pretty, because I messed it up,but still, all kinds of chocolatey good.
Pretty, isn't it? Haha. Not so much. But, I will say, it was fricken tas-ty! And, um, a little addicting {grin}
Ah well, what flub?
crunch crunch crunch
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February 26, 2009
The Great Pumpkin Bread Mystery
Yesterday I spoke of a mystery. The mystery behind the picture. Here's the first chapter:
Everyday I walk into my kitchen about a-bazillion times a day. Today, though, I had a mystery on my hands. I walk in to find this:
You might not be able to see the mystery right away, so let me walk you through the clues.
Exhibit A. Hmm, what is this? Crumbs on the freshly swept floor. Hmmm.
Exhibit B: Huge gaping holes in loaf of pumpkin bread. Hmm.
Exhibit C: Aha, part of the mystery solved... knife left on the bread.. but.. what is this!? More holes in the pumpkin bread!
Found you!
Nope, couldn't have been you. You're too short, and there was no stool found nearby.. (although, your hands are full of the stolen goods).
So, who done it?Stay tuned while I investigate more and get to the bottom of...
"The Great Pumpkin Bread Mystery"...
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Thoughts
Friends of ours celebrated a new addition to their family on Tuesday. A boy- a squishy, freshly-born, bundle of squeaks and stretches joined them in the wee hours of the morning.
A good bloggy friend celebrated a new addition to her family, too. She's a member of the 'Oh, you've got your hands full" club, like me, having just birthed her sixth. She's busy taking it easy, as it should be, marveling at how teeny they are, and how suddenly your other children are huge, and grown, and probably panicking in much the same way I did, about time going way too fast, yet seeing it slow to a crawl when they hover around that brand new-to-the-world face, dependent upon you.
I found this post the other day, of my infant (who's 5-month's-old today!) of when he was only one week old. How teeny he was. Where the heck does the time go?
Does anyone else feel as though they're "refueling" like a jetliner, or somethin', when you're drinking a beverage while breastfeeding? Easy come, easy go.....
It hasn't been a piece of cake breastfeeding two at once, lemme tell ya. I'm one tired momma of six kids. I barely have time to pee, or run a brush through my hair, or check if my shirt is right-side-out.
Someone wanna explain this "momma" to me?
What.The.Hell.
....
Friggin' no words. I'm fresh out. I said it all already over here about this hot mess.
Words: In making my shopping list, I could barely say the word "Worcestershire". I don't think there is enough coffee in the world to wake up your tongue enough to get that word out unscathed. Seriously, couldn't they just call it 'the-tasty-stuff-to-add-to-burgers-that-has-anchovies-in-it'? That would be easier to spit out than "Worcestershire" sauce. Sheesh!
Anyone else wonder why Organic milk lasts so much longer than additive/preservative-infused metallic-tasting hormone-saturated milk? Don't believe me? Check it out the next time you go shopping! Organic milk lasts a good 3 weeks to a month from the date I buy it to it's "sell by" date, no joke!
I need to make chocolate cookies. I need to add this to my to-do list. Some tasty cookies and milk for dessert this week. Super-yum!
By the way, when did paper become tasty?
Oh yeah, when the paper comes from Parenting Magazine, and when daddy's reading that page.
Haha, seeing another picture of my husband here reminds me of his gettin' a good toddler-kickin-smoosheroo. Aww, my poor baby-daddy. Makes me giggle uncontrollably.
In other kid-kickin-butt-and-takin'-names news - my oldest has a soccer game tomorrow. Can't wait to get action shots of her! My kids are kickin' all kinds of butt this season! Here's my 9 year old son and 8 year old daughter, both with the ball. Both teams played hard, played hard teams, and won! (And my husband coaches both, so we're doubly proud)
Ta da! Thirteen words, embedded into thoughts. {bows} At your service. For all of the above - my children, my husband, my friends, new babies, humor and everything, all of it - I am Thankful.
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February 25, 2009
Update on Blogger's Sudden Drop of Followers Problem
You may want to re-post this on your blogs if you are experiencing this problem. Your followers are actually not 'lost' as much as they are now following "anonymous". They can still follow what you're writing, hence why you should post a message to them, so they can "reappear":
For my followers, please doublecheck your settings, by going into to your dashboard, scroll down to the blogs you follow at the bottom and click the "Manage" link.
Now, go post a message on your blog and link to this tutorial to get your followers back to viewing you publicly, and all should be well again :)
*EDIT* They merged Blogger's Followers with FriendConnect. You should notice your followers are in a widget form, now, similiar to blogs that had FriendConnect previously, so now other people can follow you, too, without Blogger. Nice addition, just wish I would've had a little forewarning! *shakes fist at Blogger*
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Green Eyes
Just like momma :)
More on the "mystery" behind this picture to come tomorrow. You won't want to miss it.
For more Wordless Wednesday, don't forget to visit 5MFM, and MomDot, and don't forget Angie's Wordful Wednesday too!
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February 24, 2009
Happy Birthday Mom!
I should vlog me singing, off key, to her. Hmm. I just might. Heh. Anyways... here's my Happy Birthday tribute post to my mom! Who's *mumble*mumble* years old today! {wink}
Here she is at Christmas holding my youngest.
And in one of the oldest Polaroid pictures known to man, here is four generations of my family. Priceless!
From left to right, my mother, me (in the awesomest 80's outfit. Ever), My great-grandmother, who's holding my sister, and my grandmother. Circa 1983 I believe. I think this was Thanksgiving.
Please wish her a happy birthday for me in the comments, will ya? :)
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To-Do Tuesday - Week 3
I won't lie, making this list, huge or not, challenges me. It dares me to complete it. And you know what? It's ok if I don't. Sometimes things get in the way. But I am totally busting my butt, doing my best, and so freakin' proud of what I'm getting done. It challenges me to do these things, listing them here, for everyone to see. I feel so good when I complete something, coming on here, checking it off.
I think I must have just hit my stride after this last baby. A system that works. (Now if only the sleep thing could work, that'd be awesome!)
If you haven't joined us doing this yet, and just watched the past couple of weeks, join us. We won't bite. Write up a simple list, make it easy - make it of things you do anyway, whether you write it up or not. C'mon, play around with it. I'm telling you, I haven't felt better these past few weeks, between doing my menus on mondays, or the tackles along with these to-do lists. Try it, you'll see. It feels so good :)
Just so you know, you can join us at anytime, it doesn't have to be today - the list will go up on Tuesdays, but you can make your list and link to us at any point in the week!
If this is your first time and you're wondering what To-Do Tuesday is all about, click to check out the first post to find out more.
Remember, with "To-Do Tuesday", we're attacking our to-do lists each week, blogging about our lists and what we've got going on, and sharing it with each other to help keep each other accountable. Everyone should come back here to link up in the Mister Linky as the central "To-Do Tuesday Hub" so we can visit who's participating and offer encouragement to each other throughout the week. Don't forget to add the "To-Do Tuesday" button to your post, linking back to this post!
Let's continue to cross items off our list as we go and help support each other in completing our lists! Don't forget my useful HTML tutorial on how to effectively "cross-out" or "check off" your items on your to-do list!
So, for this week's "To-Do Tuesday" here's my list for this week:
Survive soccer season (oh, this isn't an item to put on the to-do list? Damn!)Who am I kidding, it's going to kick my @$$ every week.Solidify Blog-Her. Bigtime!Tickets done.
Re-order kid's vitamins
Donate clothing
Sell box of stuff in hallway, or something
Finish frames project, and post about it
Bagels!! (ran out of flour!)
Sausage rolls
Take bedspread to cleaners
Mail packages
Finish going through kids totes
Get boxes out of our bedroom, finally
Go through requirements for Boy Scouts for rank by Feb 28th
Rearrange furniture in living room? Maybe?
Stuff on the list every week:
Grocery shop today for the weekBlogging -
- Finish writing and double-check shopping list before trip
- Print coupons today and add to list if necessary
Weekly cleaning
- Respond to comments everyday
- Clean out reader every day
- Write posts:
- this weeks post for H2B@H
- this week's post for TypeAMom
- Post new contest
- Vlog for NewBaby.com
- start posting queued reviews here
- Tackle It Tuesday
- Wordless Wednesday
- Thankful Thursday
- other posts in queue
- Respond to emails every day
- Bathrooms - tuesday
- Bedrooms - wednesday
- Kitchen - thursday
- Living room/side room - friday
- Dining room - saturday
- out front - tuesday
- out back - wednesday
- van - thursday
Ready? Set? Go!
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Organizing Children's Clothes
My oldest's clothes are all in her room as we speak, since she's first in line in the 'mom's-going-through-and-taking-out-clothes-that-don't-fit' mode for spring cleaning. Yes, I start early, cuz I have six kids. I have to. She has two closets that are packed. Yup, packed. And two totes and a box, along with two brown grocery bags of clothes. Clothes-horse much? Yup. And all of it will get passed down to my two other daughters. SCORE!
Why do I do save my children's clothing? It's simple. To save money. (The kids also get a big kick out of taking care of their clothing to see their siblings wear their stuff, too.)
Let's face it, children's clothes are not cheap. I talked about this over at TypeAMom.net. I bargain hunt with the best of 'em, shopping during end-of-season sales, clearance racks and consignment, etc., but the real savings is being able to save clothes from one child to the next. With six children, that savings can really add up. Quick. However, it can also be difficult to store all of it, too. Sometimes I think it requires a special degree of organization to accomplish, though, because even the best intentions of keeping up with it fall by the wayside when you're constantly adding to it, or digging through it to find something, with the constant "Mooooooom this doesn't fit me anymore!!" or "Mooooom I don't have anymore uniform pants!"
I find the easiest way to store children's clothes is in the storage totes you can find at Walmart, Target or any home improvement store. I use both the solid and clear totes, as I think they work quite well. I used to put tape on the top when we had a house with a garage, but now that we've moved the totes to an interior closet (since the military gave us a house with no garage), I had to re-tag the totes with tape on the sides while organizing them.
With six children, the easiest way to do it is to mark the child's name and the age/size of clothing on the side, and summer/winter if it applies (if it's both, I leave it as just the size). I actually had, at one point, changed it to just gender and size, but forgot this time when writing the tags out that I'd changed it (whoops). Either way works well (just remember before you start tagging your totes, or drink more coffee, heh).
I should've taken a before picture, but this tackle wasn't planned to happen when it happened. In fact, while it was on my to-do list, I was actually just looking for a missing soccer cleat. Once we started tearing apart the closet going tote by tote, I just dug in and finished what I had wanted to do, so I only have pictures of during the process.
Me with baby-man perusing baby clothes in a box I'd forgotten about. Pays to clean out your closet!
Little dude getting into a Pooh Mobile that used to be his sister and brothers...
..and also into a poster I found as well.
End result: Success!
Now all I need is a few extra totes to get rid of those boxes.It's quite the process, let me tell you, but it's SO worth it to save their clothing. If nothing else, it gives you the opportunity to relive raising your older child all over again, putting your newest child in their clothing.
Picture on the left is of my now-four-year-old. Picture on the right is of my almost-five-month-old. Same pajamas. And they look kinda related, don't ya think? ;)
- To save money on these totes, shop during clearance sales, if you don't mind colors. You'll often find red and green ones on sale around or after Christmas-time, orange and black ones on sale at Halloween, or after. They'll also be on sale sporadically during the year, but you can really cash in very soon, when the spring cleaning fever sales start.
- Be sure to launder all clothing before storing. Ones that are stained aren't going to get cleaner with storing, so if they're stained, it's best to use them as rags or find other uses for them (we use old clothes as play clothes, car washing rags, fabric for crafting projects)
- If something happened to a label on an item of clothing, so that the size is not easily distinguishable anymore, pin a tag onto it that says what size it is before storage. It eliminates the guessing game later, when going through the tote (if it's a multi-size tote 3T, 4T for example).
- Put socks and small items in a bag, so they don't get lost in the shuffle.
- If you choose to save shoes, ensure they are cleaned before storing, and place them on the bottom, with the soles of the shoes on the bottom, laying clothes over top the shoes (to prevent dirtying the clothing). I also find perhaps laying a piece of newspaper or something over top helps, too. I only keep shoes that are in excellent or near excellent condition.
For more, visit 5 Minutes For Mom for more projects being tackled, Blissfully Domestic for more domesticated bliss, and be sure to hop over and add your to-do list this week to the To-Do Tuesday mister linky.
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February 23, 2009
Blogger's Sudden Drop in Followers?
Has anyone noticed a sudden drop in their follower count today? I saw Jay congratulate his 200th, but when I visited him it said 185. Earlier today I noticed I had my 100th, and now I have 87.
Anyone else noticing this?
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Oovoo vs. Skype - Which is Better For You?
Article updated October 2011
As you recall, after having seen the ooVoo video, and noticing it's uncanny resemblence to Skype, I wondered what the differences were, and what your opinions were. After having time to play a bit, here's what I have to offer as far as the differences on the great ooVoo vs. Skype debate.
Although they are both video-conferencing and messaging software, but they are in fact different animals. One difference I see between ooVoo and Skype is that ooVoo allows for your friends who have NOT downloaded ooVoo, to still be able to talk with you from their web browser with their Web Video Calling feature. I think that's a pretty nifty idea, especially for those who may be on the move, at a public place, friend's computer, etc., who can't download the program, or don't want to for whatever reason.
Skype, however, can be used to video chat from the Skype program to Facebook, and allows video calls on Facebook itself.
Skype also has WiFi capability, allowing you to get online anywhere there's a hotspot using Skype credits, paying only what you use.
ooVoo also has a web video chat feature which allows you to embed video onto your blog, website or social networking site. ooVoo also allows you to upload recorded videos directly to YouTube once recorded, too.
Skype however, can be used on a computer, of course, or you can get Skype on your mobile phone, home phone, or on TVs as well, so you can keep in touch with your contact list while away from your computer. Skype works on a wide range of mobile phones, plus it can be used on tablets. For home phones, you can purchase a Skype-ready cordless phone or buy the FREETALK® Connect•Me phone adapter to use on any phone you already own. For TVs, you can purchase a Skype-ready television or use your Bluray player with a webcam. Skype-to-Skype calling is free, but you can call anywhere in the world on Skype and pay from 1.2 cents a minute (via credit or subscription). I figure, since Skype has been around longer, it's got the edge there, with more technology available. Neat!
OoVoo is also available for your computer, mobile phone, or tablet, but there's an asterisk on their plans page that indicates not all features are available for Mac-users. Skype, however, doesn't offer much less than it does with Windows-users (no emoticons, no Facebook integration without using beta version 5.4), and has no issues running on OS X Lion.
Skype also can import contacts from mail servers, your phone's contact lists, Facebook and instant messages, as well as being able to use Skype with Facebook friends, or send IMs and text messages to contact's cell phones.
Both services offer a text or video chats, HD video, a recording option for saving presentations or interviews, screen sharing, and the ability to send files to other parties.
But another difference between them is calling ability. With ooVoo, whether you choose the standard, plus or pro option. Skype, however, you can call anywhere in the world with pay as you go, by paying monthly, or going with Skype Premium (currently 50% off). While you can call anywhere in the world with Skype, phone minutes on ooVoo can only be used to call mobile phones in the US, Canada, Hong
Kong & China and only landlines in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Hong
Kong, China and Israel.
Conference calling is also a big difference between the two. With ooVoo, you can call up to six people with the free version, or twelve people with their ooVoo Pro option to conference. With Skype, you can contact up to 24, via both Skype and landline, to conference.
Skype is also ad-free, whereas ooVoo is only ad-free for their paid versions. Also, Skype is available for Linux, whereas ooVoo is not (only PC, Mac, Android or iPhone).
I also like that, on Skype, when browsing online, every telephone number because a button you can press to dial, instantly, if you pay for that extra service Skype has, to use it for phoning people as well (currently, if you wish to use it for free, you're just calling your contacts via Skype-to-Skype application, not their phone numbers, similar to instant messaging). Should I decide in the future to do so, that's pretty handy, to say the least.
In both cases, I see both ooVoo and Skype advocating for the use of a headset. I do not have one at the moment, but I do see how they could help, especially in business-type cases, and will get one in the future. For now my laptop's built-in speakers and microphone will do just fine (that is, however, until one of my children begins to interfere with calls. Then I might decide to go with the option that allows me to actually hear my calls, and for my callers to hear me).
What do YOU think about both ooVoo and Skype? Which do you use? Do you use your webcam? Why or why not?
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Menu Plan Monday
Another week of menu planning awesome. I have to be honest, this Menu Plan Monday is working quite splendidly for me. I love getting this menu planned early, getting it typed up, linked up, one central hub for me to refer to come grocery shopping time makes it super easy for me, and easy is good for this tired momma!
If you aren't menu planning yet, I definitely suggest you try it for a couple weeks and see for yourself how helpful it can be.
Monday
- pumpkin bread
- hot dog macaroni & cheese casserole (cut up hot dogs, mac & cheese, vegetables all stirred into one dish)
- pot roast, roasted potatoes, carrots (LW)
- sausage rolls
- ravioli
- bbq chicken legs, mashed potatoes, california vegetables, biscuits (LW)
- bagels (LW)
- chicken nuggets
- burgers/dogs, fries and corn on the cob
- pancakes
- grilled cheese
- baked macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables (LW)
- eggs
- leftovers
- pizza roll ups (a version of Kate's Pizza bread) (we made meatballs with our ingredients instead last week, as we were pressed for time LW)
- take-your-pick (should have ample stockpile)
- sandwiches
- chicken tortellini w peas
- omelettes
- hot dog macaroni & cheese casserole (cut up hot dogs, mac & cheese, vegetables all stirred into one dish)
- enchiladas
- french toast
- grilled cheese
- teriyaki chicken, fried rice, chinese vegetables
- eggs
- chicken nuggets
- bbq beef brisket
Don't forget to visit Organizing Junkie for more menu planning ideas and all things organization.
Tomorrow is another To-Do Tuesday! Yet another thing that's helping keep my head on straight, getting my to do lists done (or mostly done). There's something about getting it written (or typed, for that matter) and having it there, staring at you, to help get it done. Why not join me if you haven't already?
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February 22, 2009
Why We Call Our Toddler "The Devastator"
**Warning - if your a dad, stop reading now. If your husband is in the room, don't let him read this.**
We were happily playing the laundry-basket-car-game. See? So much fun (except our infant looks like someone scared the bejeebies out of him)..
..so we stand them up, happily playing, but lil' man wants daddy, so hubby snags him..
..and I sneak in for the shot, only blinding my husband, whoops (the baby is immune to my sneak attacks)...
..our toddler then sneaks in for an attack of her own, giving daddy a toddler-style smooshin' (you know, in the way that makes men make silly, squeaky sounds in pain), causing my husband to sing tenor in his own opera..
..prompting me to crumple to the ground in hysterics, snapping this picture of my toddler, wondering what her mother is doing on the ground, laughing uncontrollably...
..while dad attempts to recover from his injuries, our infant son clueless as to what is happening..
..hubby laying his head back, thinking if he rested a while, that he was going to be okay, but oh no... not so much.. our toddler wasn't done with him yet...
..she pretends to feign sympathy, but really pulls out her finishing move, her punishing 'hair-pull', sealing daddy's fate into submitting the toddler reigns supreme (all while baby-man inspects daddy's Steeler's watch).
It's all fun and games until daddy gets smooshed.
Final score - Toddler 3, Daddy 0.
I guess it's a good thing she's cute, huh?
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Tagline Contest
As you already know, I underwent a little bloggy makeover. However, amidst the spiffying up around here, a few things didn't survive, and I'm sorry to say, my old tagline and I have parted ways. So, this blogging momma needs a new one. After spending many hours with my husband going 'round and 'round this topic, we came up with some doozies, but to be honest, there wasn't any one of them that really leaped at me as 'the one', so it seems I could use a little help.
What say you, friends, do you think you can help me come up with a new tagline? Perhaps I should turn it into a contest, yes? What do you think? Deets to follow soon!
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February 21, 2009
Alert the Media!
**We interrupt this broadcast to bring you an important message**
I fell asleep early at 10:30pm.
Restlessly tossed and breastfed the two youngest throughout the night, tag team style.
Woke at 9:30am.
Never (unless I was sick), in the history of ever, have I been able to rest for that long. Ever. Did I say ever?
Restless sleep or not, I was on my back (side, front), laying down solidly for almost 12 hours. Wow!
**We now return you to your regular broadcast day, already in service.**
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February 20, 2009
Out of the Mouth of Babes Part 10
4-year-old, coming down the stairs, calls out "That was awesome!!!" after a thump-thump-thump
He walks over to me. I ask "What baby?"
He replies, "I fell, and that was awesome!"
('Cuz falling down the stairs is awesome, I guess)
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9-year-old : "The Magic 8 Ball is magic, did you know that Mommy?
me: "Oh yeah? Do you know how it works? What questions to ask?"
9-year-old : "Yeah! Like, I ask it 'is spiderman my second favorite super-hero..' " and he walks away, stops talking.
...
Seconds later I hear "SWEET!! It's right AGAIN!!!"
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Husband: "Do you know what a conscience is?"
8-year-old daughter: "Yes! It's what it means when you're awake!"
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Just after I gave birth to my youngest, my 2-year-old daughter wants to breastfeed. My husband, concerned over my supply, asks if I have enough. I motion to the gigantic brick-like mountains that resemble breasts and say "Uh, absolutely!"
My 8-year-old daughter agrees, "Yeah, she has milk, she gets plenty of milk from her coffee!"
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Having just put dinner in the oven, my 8-year-old walks into the kitchen, looks at the oven, sees "350" and says "Wow, it's getting dark even earlier! It isn't even 4 yet!"
"Baby, that's not the time, it's the oven temperature."
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We often call my 8-year-old daughter "Captain Obvious" for some of the silly things she says that are, well, obvious. One night at the table, however, my 13-year-old said something and my four-year-old pipes up and says "You're off the hook," referring to my 8-year-old, then turns and fixates at my teenager and declares "You're Captain Obvious now!"
My husband says "You're off the chizzain!" (gettin' gansta with him, cuz that's how he rolls)
My 9-year-old son didn't hear him, and says "Huh!?"
My 8-year-old, formerly known as Captain Obvious, responds "Daddy says he's off the CHICKEN!"
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Like these? Catch up on my other "Out of the Mouth of..." posts:
Out of the Mouth of Husbands
Out of the Mouth of Babes, Part 9
Out of the Mouth of Babes, Part 8
Out of the Mouth of Babes, Part 7, and other Kidlet Cuteness
Out of the Mouth of Babes, Part 6
Out of the Mouth of Babes, Part 5
Out of the Mouth of Babes, Part 4
Out of the Mouth of Babes, Part 3
Out of the Mouth of Babes, Part 2
Haha, Out of the Mouth of Babes
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February 19, 2009
The Best Mother's Day Gift. Ever.
I remember straightening up around me, primping while fidgeting, my hands barely able to clasp the towels, or the shifted makeup. I almost dropped the compact. A broken mirror would've been horrible, to say the least. What would that have meant?
It took all of me not to look it's way. It sat there, taunting me to look it's way. C'mon, you know you want to. No! A little bit more time. Just a little. Keep busy. I could feel my heart through my cheeks, reddened with adrenalin, heart rattling against my rib cage, trying to break free and check itself since I wouldn't. I would wait.
I left, torturing myself with every step, I exhaled while slumping along, feet slithering against the cheap carpet provided by the military. I sat, perched on my bed, staring towards the light from the other room. I swear it had hands waving me towards it, sweet whispery digits enticing me to cheat. Just one peek. What'll it hurt?
The clock nearly took me out when I tried to look at it without actually looking at it, hurling it's angry numbers at me. I had more time. More. Dammit! Don't cheat. Just wait, it'll be worth it, you'll see.
Oh torturous impatience clanging around inside me, seeping out through my pores, I began to sweat, licking my upper lip, wiping my crumpled brow, rocking to myself against the poor excuse for a bed on the miserable carpet.
How. Much. Longer.
As if it clicked, time ticked down, the minute changed, the race was on. Only my feet almost gave way. The room seemed so far, yet I was there before the thought of a blink occurred. It stood before me, welcoming me. The warmth. Oh the warmth. Come see, it's alright.
Three minutes is so long. Sitting propped on the porcelain, laying in wait. It read like a foreign language to me, a rush of stars came over me, blinding me yet my hand was before my face. Was I holding it or it hold me?
Get ready, momma. She's on her way.
And I'm thankful everyday.
February 18, 2009
Christmas Carols in February
I couldn't resist. My four-year-old's version of Deck the Halls:
"Taste the season, house of howwy, fa wa wa wa wa, wa wa wa wa!"Pardon the extreme close up. It was on the sly. I secretly taped him. What a horrible angle, but what an adorable angel :)
For more Wordless Wednesday, don't forget to visit 5MFM, and MomDot, and don't forget Angie's Wordful Wednesday too!
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February 17, 2009
To-Do Tuesday - Week 2
I will say, having this list definitely helped me get most of my stuff done, and have it somewhere accessible that won't get lost. What about you? Did you join us last week? If you didn't last time, c'mon and join us today! Go for it! (By the way, you can join us at anytime - the list will go up on Tuesday, but you can make your list and link to us at any point in the week!
And if it's your first time and you're wondering what it's all about, click to check out the first post to find out more.
Remember, with "To-Do Tuesday", we're attacking our to-do lists each week, blogging about our lists and what we've got going on, and sharing it with each other to help keep each other accountable. Everyone should come back here to link up in the Mister Linky as the central "To-Do Tuesday Hub" so we can visit who's participating and offer encouragement to each other throughout the week. Don't forget to add the "To-Do Tuesday" button to your post, linking back to this post!
Let's continue to cross items off our list as we go and help support each other in completing our lists! Don't forget my useful HTML tutorial on how to effectively "
So, for my second "To-Do Tuesday" here's my list for this week:
Purchase/renew Norton 360 (subscription ran out)
Finish paying all bills for the month this week
Grocery shop today for the weekBlogging - respond to comments everyday
- Double-check shopping list before trip
- Print coupons today and add to list if necessary
Clean out reader every day
Respond to emails every day
Write posts:Finish frames project (will post about that!)
- this weeks post for H2B@H
- this week's post for TypeAMom
- Post new contest
- Vlog for NewBaby.com
- review for TypeAMom (or at least start them)
- start posting queued reviews here
Tackle It Tuesday- Wordless Wednesday
- Thankful Thursday
- other posts in queue
Bagels!! (I'm such a slacker!)
Pumpkin bread
Sausage rolls
Get my butt to Walmart and get more contacts, dangit!
Take bedspread to cleaners
Mail packages
Super-big cleaning (once biggie a week, one a day)Start going through clothes with kids - pulling out stuff that's too small, taking inventory of what to replace
- Bathrooms - tuesday
- Bedrooms - wednesday
- Kitchen - thursday
- Living room/side room - friday
- Dining room - saturday
- out front - tuesday
- out back - wednesday
- van - thursday
Get boxes out of our bedroom, finally
Go through requirements for Boy Scouts for rank by Feb 28th
Rearrange furniture in living room? Maybe?
So what's on YOUR to-do list?
Don't forget to tag your post "To-Do Tuesday" and add our button to it, the code found below!
February 16, 2009
Recycled Crafts - Valentine's Day Chocolate Boxes
I love to find ways to re-use and recycle. I also love to decorate, so combining the two is always a huge plus for me, as you end up with free decor! :)
Did you get a pretty box of chocolates for Valentine's Day? Don't throw away the box! If you're like me, and you like to decorate for almost every holiday, you can re-use it as a pretty Valentine's Decoration!
With a simple tack, you can hang it off the wall, as is (as shown below), or hang it on your front door with a wreath hanger. Or, if you have some pretty red ribbon and a hole punch, you can hang it tied from a pretty bow! If you received more than one beautiful box for Valentine's Day, you can make them into a Valentine's grouping on a wall, or separate them by placing one as a centerpiece for a wreath, on a wall, or wherever it works! The possibilities are endless!
Mine was small and is shown hung from the wall on a tack.If you like to decorate using knick-knacks on shelves, tables, and the like, you can use it right along with your other Valentine's Decor. Here I have it shown on the display you see in my entry way:
Was the box you received a box that's pretty sturdy that could be used to hold something on a table, perhaps? Here's the table underneath the above display in my entryway. Note the Ghirardelli box, a gift last year.
Do you do things like this at your house? If so, tell me how you repurpose your gifts to decorate!(Side note: Yes, I realize V-day is over, but you could save these for next year's decorations! Kind of like shopping the day after Christmas for Christmas decor, you know?)
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Menu Plan Monday
Our menu last week didn't go by the book. Some days we had leftovers, or we had something come up that prevented us from doing that particular dinner. So some things with a "LW" on it might look a bit familiar, as I just carried them over from last week (get it? "LW" = last week). It helps save us on our grocery bill, stretches things out for us, no biggie.
Also, let me just say, for those of you who might have seen it last week's menu, the chocolate pie I had planned for Valentine's Day was OMG.the.absolute.best.thing.ever.made. in the history of ever. Ever. EVER! {composes oneself} It needed it's own entry as to why I gained a pound, when the Wii Fit asked me why I'd gained. Uh, Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Pie isn't an option for the answer? Damn!
So, taking into account some repeated entries, and my overall laziness with breakfasts in not making the promised baked goodies for my kids - you'll see some repeats. But I made up for it, bigtime, with that chocolate pie. Oh yes, yes I did, alright.
Monday
- waffles
- chicken nuggets
- Italian Crockpot Chicken with homemade biscuits (LW)
- eggs
- leftovers
- burgers/dogs, fries and corn on the cob
- bagels (LW)
- hot dog macaroni & cheese casserole (cut up hot dogs, mac & cheese, vegetables all stirred into one dish)
- roast chicken w/ homemade gravy, stirred potatoes, green beans (LW)
- sausage rolls
- grilled cheese
- shepherd's pie
- pumpkin bread
- leftovers
- pizza roll ups (a version of Kate's Pizza bread)
- pancakes
- ravioli
- spaghetti with garlic bread, peas
- french toast
- hot dog macaroni & cheese casserole (cut up hot dogs, mac & cheese, vegetables all stirred into one dish)
- pot roast, roasted potatoes, carrots
- take-your-pick (should have ample stockpile)
- grilled cheese
- bbq chicken legs, mashed potatoes, california vegetables, biscuits
- eggs
- chicken nuggets
- baked macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables
Don't forget, tomorrow is To-Do Tuesday, for your weekly to-do lists goodness. How'd you do this past week on YOUR to-do list? I didn't do too shabby. Stop on by!
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February 15, 2009
Valentine's Day Hilarity and the Table Sucker
Our day of hilarity began before I was even fully functional (read: awake enough to even considered coffee, let alone consumed it). My son calls out with urgency "Mooom? I can't get the game out of the Wii!!"
Immediate and total awaked-ness right that very second. WHAM!
"Whaaaaaaaaaaat?"
And so I try. Got nuthin'. Turn it off, and on. Nothing.
I'm foot-stompin' mad. Brand new Wii given to us for Christmas and not even 2 months old and we've gotten a game stuck.
And I haven't had a drop of coffee to kickstart my brain, yet.
So I Google the problem, try a couple 'fixes' but to no avail, so I call Nintendo, start a repair ticket, yadda yadda *stillnocoffeeinmeyet*. My husband comes home and I deliver the blow. He takes it better than I thought he would, but no one is happy considering how much we've grown to love the thing already (damn Nintendo for inventing crack in a box). I'm about to pop this bad boy open to see if I couldn't hand-crank the game out myself when I display for him what is happening.
"Babe?" he says to me.
"Yes?"
"Are you sure there's even a game in there?" he ponders.
Crickets.
"Uh..."
..and I don't finish that 'thought'. (Mind you, I'm still not caffeinated, yet. I mean what I say - powered by coffee.)
Because I am now fearful that I am the single dumbest person on the planet, I suddenly and immediately call to attention our doom-and-gloom children pouting nearby and ask for the swift collection of every Wii game we own, on the double. Cases and all.
The cases make their entrance, and I tell ya, we couldn't get 'em open fast enough, only to find one is missing. DRAT! It's gotta be in there. I swore hubby was on to something.
It's about then, as I'm about to sink my pitifully sad and uncaffeinated butt back into my chair, that my oldest son arrives....
... with the missing game, found sitting a top the receiver.
There was never a game in the Wii.
....
New Mommy Rule, effective immediately:
5. No one plays the Wii or does anything requiring actual brain function before mom has had coffee. (This goes along with rule #3 - Try not to use your brain to figure anything else out before first cup of coffee is finished.)--------------------------------------------------------
Dinner began with my four-year-old shoving every single solitary piece of steak into his mouth, all at once, trying to impersonate a carnivorous chipmunk, so the giggles spewed forth and became infectious all around as we were poking fun at his chipmunk cheeks, all-the-while covering our steaks, giggling and commenting how he was eyeing our plates looking for more.
As soon as the giggles began to subside from that episode, the baby, who was on my lap, decided the table seemed tasty, and began sucking on it. We all paused altogether, looked at him, and exploded into laughter in unison.
He looks up, and belches. Hard.
Mmm. Tasty dinner table. Gives new meaning to the phrase "Table for one"
Just as soon as we became somewhat composed, tears wiped, breathing ensues, this same four-year-old, who'd demolished his steak, began biting the table, emulating his infant brother. I called out "STOP! You're leaving teethmarks! You can't bite the table!!!"He immediately stops. "But why?!" and meant it.
Cue the giggle explosion once more, as my husband attempts to explain that he has teeth, his brother doesn't, but nope, he succumbs to tears and laughter as we all nearly pee our pants. He truly didn't think biting the table was a bad idea.
Then, as soon as I thought I might control openly weeping at how hard I was laughing, he began to pout in the only way he knows how because "everyone was waffing at him".
Oh good gracious I couldn't stand the cuteness. Of course, though, this made us laugh even harder.
Seriously don't think I've laughed that hard with my kids in a while.
So, my gift to you for Valentine's Day (albeit late): Feed your toddler steak, chipmunk-style, feed your infant your dinner table, and pretend to break your Wii. And laugh at it all. A lot.
Laughter is one of the greatest gifts to share with your family.
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February 14, 2009
My Valentine
I thought I'd take this opportunity to share with you my Valentine :) My beautiful husband is up for promotion and had to get professional Army pictures done for his file recently, called a DA Photo (bonus points if you know what that stands for!).
I love it when he gets all dressed up. He wears a uniform everyday, but to see him put this one on, such pride, such honor, such care to ensure it stays perfectly pressed, and everything sits just so. He loves serving his country so much.
He means so much to me, how much he loves teaching our children anything and everything. For example, he loves soccer and coaches every season without fail. This fall my son tried out flag football for the first time, and even though my husband had never played it, let alone coached it, after a game or two on the sidelines with me, where'd my husband end up? Assistant coaching, learning the rules so he can coach next time. (Could've been he wasn't aware of how loud the cheering mom screamin' her heart out was *cough*)
He's most certainly my other half. Like a puzzle of love created just for us, we fit together expertly, so crisp and stark, yet so bending, allowing more room to add another family member, yet still fitting together as fate intended. Like he was born for me, and I him. My hand in his hand. My head on his chest. His arms held out to me, as they were made just to shield me, encasing himself around me like a shell, tough. Strong. Willing.
I love his strong arms extending their comfort to our children when needed, or to be there to catch them should they fall.
I am thankful for each and every moment we have together. In the military you learn hard and fast to make each moment matter. In our case, it only amplified what we already did - living each moment ridiculously in love, with each other and our children.
I love the twinkle of tears within his eyes when I go out of my way, in my super-secretive self, and get all sweet on him, or get him the most perfect thing ever imaginable - whether that be something to fuel his love of magic, or something Steelers for himself or one of the kids, I can somehow always read his mind, and know exactly what to get him. I know him better than I know myself, I think. And even better? We're still learning things about each other, after all this time!
I don't know where I'd be without him. I can't imagine my life if he's not a constant by my side in this crazy life. His devotion to me and our family, his writing me love notes, sweetly letting me sleep or taking over chores to give me time to do something else. I love the way he looks at me, even still, like we're still newlyweds, that newness is still there, yet, we've been together so long we know each other's ins and outs, that fearless knowledge that comes with knowing someone so closely, so wholly.
I love this picture. This articulates without words my husband. You wouldn't know it but it was cold this day. Bright, shining, beautiful water, baby-soft sand. The time spent at that beach on that borderline-chilly, explosively buzzing about the beach as though warmer times had already arrived, rolled up clothing that didn't stay up and got wet anyway, children frolicking in the waves and in the wet sand building sandcastles, and with the buzz of children and sunlight and cool air, there's my husband, hip deep in it, pants rolled up oddly like everyone else, smiling and goofy and mine. All mine.
Happy Valentine's Day my love.
By the way, DA stands for Department of the Army.
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