I got out of the shower yesterday morning and the towel that I had set on the toilet to use was gone. I looked around, but then had to get a new one out of the cabinet. Still unsure of where the towel was, I walked into my bedroom. My bedroom door was open, so I walked over to shut it. It was there that I discovered Charlotte on the floor in the hallway with my towel spread underneath her. She was painting her toenails bright pink "all by herself". The polish was ALL over her toes. And the towel. I was not very happy....but at least it was on the towel and not my carpet!
Gwen has taken to telling me to "hode on" (hold on) when I ask her to do something. Very cute, but totally not appropriate. It's made me realize how much I use that phrase. Like ALL the time. "Can you get me a drink, please, Mommy?" and I reply, "Hold on. I'll be right there." She also told me earlier this week when I asked her if she needed to potty, "No yike it potty." (pretty easy interpretation, but if you are not used to 2 year old speak, that means, "I don't want to go potty, but thanks for asking.")
Today at Costco I let the kids get a treat at the snack bar. My rule is if you get an ice cream, I get one bite! I got a Diet Coke. One child I will not name, but is old enough to not have to ask this question, said, "Why do you get Diet Coke? Does it have less calories or something?" ------ Uh, yeah. DIET coke.
It's going to be a good night. Last night of The Office with Steve Carell. He's my favorite! And then tomorrow I'll be up bright and early for the royal wedding. Yep. Getting up at 5! Gretta wants to get up with me, too. A little girl party!
Better go get dinner started. Kids are starting to drool and growl.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Six Dozen Eggs
Today I boiled 6 dozen eggs for my kids to dye. I know, maybe that seems like overkill, but they really like to dye them. And what fun is it to get all that stuff out and only be able to dye one or two? I've decided just to view it as a craft. The eggs cost me about $1.25/dozen....they each get their own dozen to dye however they want. Will we eat them all? Pretty close. Most will just get eaten whole and I will use some in a casserole the kids like that has wide egg noodles, thick chunks of ham, slices of hard-boiled eggs and a creamy white sauce. It's a tradition! Beware that if you stop by in the next few days we will offer you a hard boiled egg!!
I had some interesting questions here today.
#1 - "What is a pervert?" Oh, my. I asked where in the world they had heard that word. "At Grandma's. We watched a movie called The Sandlot and they call one of the boys a pervert." My definition was a boy who is always trying to see girls' private parts -- like peeking in their room when they are getting dressed or oogling them in a bathing suit. "Oh, YUCK!" was the reply. Although, after the birth of my second child our family doctor was in the room checking out the baby. I had realized post-partum - since I could actually see my toes - that I developed toenail fungus. I asked him about it while he was there. Being the jokester that he was, he replied, "I hope you know that only perverts get toenail fungus."
#2 - "How does a grandma get pregnant with her own grandson?" Thanks, Oprah. It really was an interesting show. A woman and her husband could not conceive and the grandmother-to-be offered to be the surrogate. But it was a little difficult to explain. Hmm.
We just came up out of the basement from a tornado warning. Had to drag all 6 kids down to the basement about 9:45 PM. They were down there for about an hour. Of course the three oldest fell asleep, but the youngest ones were wide-eyed. Ahhhh - they are finally back in their own beds and our house is no worse for the wear, thank goodness! Off to bed myself now.
I had some interesting questions here today.
#1 - "What is a pervert?" Oh, my. I asked where in the world they had heard that word. "At Grandma's. We watched a movie called The Sandlot and they call one of the boys a pervert." My definition was a boy who is always trying to see girls' private parts -- like peeking in their room when they are getting dressed or oogling them in a bathing suit. "Oh, YUCK!" was the reply. Although, after the birth of my second child our family doctor was in the room checking out the baby. I had realized post-partum - since I could actually see my toes - that I developed toenail fungus. I asked him about it while he was there. Being the jokester that he was, he replied, "I hope you know that only perverts get toenail fungus."
#2 - "How does a grandma get pregnant with her own grandson?" Thanks, Oprah. It really was an interesting show. A woman and her husband could not conceive and the grandmother-to-be offered to be the surrogate. But it was a little difficult to explain. Hmm.
We just came up out of the basement from a tornado warning. Had to drag all 6 kids down to the basement about 9:45 PM. They were down there for about an hour. Of course the three oldest fell asleep, but the youngest ones were wide-eyed. Ahhhh - they are finally back in their own beds and our house is no worse for the wear, thank goodness! Off to bed myself now.
Friday, April 15, 2011
"Do Not Step -- Cat Barfe!"
This sign - "Do Not Step -- Cat Barfe!" with an arrow pointing to the direct location was made by Ben and placed on the floor last night. He didn't bother to clean it up or even tell anyone verbally. He just made the sign with a pink marker and placed it on the floor and went on about his business. That's the story of the life of a mama, huh? Clean this up, clean that up, wipe up this, wipe up that. If anyone else sees the mess, they quickly sidestep and pretend they never saw it. (Although the sign clearly gave it away that he saw it...he just wasn't touching it.)
I have been inspired to start a mentoring program with my daughter, age 12. It is a study written by Shelley Noonan called Beautiful Girlhood. It's all about the transition from girlhood to womanhood. You read a short chapter in a book of the same title and then follow along in the companion guide. I had heard Shelley speak a couple of times before and always loved her. But this week I had the opportunity to speak one on one with her over the phone. She spent about 20 minutes encouraging me. She has such a beautiful spirit. You can find her materials at www.pumpkinseedpress.com If you have daughters, I highly encourage you to check out her resources.
Upon recommendation from my husband, here is a recipe for a lemon cake. It was his birthday request. I must admit....it is really tasty!
Lemon Glaze Cake
1 pkg Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake mix
1 pkg lemon instant pudding (small)
4 eggs
1/2 c oil
1 c water
Grease and lightly flour a bundt or tube pan. Mix all ingredients in a mixer. Pour into pan. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour (check at 45 min). While in the pan and still hot, prick all over with a skewer or fork or toothpick and pour glaze over cake. (Glaze: 6 T lemon juice + 1 c sugar mixed and warmed, but not to boiling, in the microwave). Let cool completely. Invert cake and ice with lemon icing (I just use the store bought tub).
Maybe you can make this as an Easter treat!
I have been inspired to start a mentoring program with my daughter, age 12. It is a study written by Shelley Noonan called Beautiful Girlhood. It's all about the transition from girlhood to womanhood. You read a short chapter in a book of the same title and then follow along in the companion guide. I had heard Shelley speak a couple of times before and always loved her. But this week I had the opportunity to speak one on one with her over the phone. She spent about 20 minutes encouraging me. She has such a beautiful spirit. You can find her materials at www.pumpkinseedpress.com If you have daughters, I highly encourage you to check out her resources.
Upon recommendation from my husband, here is a recipe for a lemon cake. It was his birthday request. I must admit....it is really tasty!
Lemon Glaze Cake
1 pkg Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake mix
1 pkg lemon instant pudding (small)
4 eggs
1/2 c oil
1 c water
Grease and lightly flour a bundt or tube pan. Mix all ingredients in a mixer. Pour into pan. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour (check at 45 min). While in the pan and still hot, prick all over with a skewer or fork or toothpick and pour glaze over cake. (Glaze: 6 T lemon juice + 1 c sugar mixed and warmed, but not to boiling, in the microwave). Let cool completely. Invert cake and ice with lemon icing (I just use the store bought tub).
Maybe you can make this as an Easter treat!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Legos
We have a new Lego store that opened on Friday. My two middle boys (ages 10 & 8) LOVE Lego. From the day we heard a Lego store was coming, they have been saving pennies. They have gone to both sets of grandparent's to work and earn money. Usually, these two can't save a dime between them. It just burns a hole in their pocket. But, they were so diligent in saving. They both had over $200 to spend. When we arrived at the mall at 10:00 AM, it was already a 40 min wait to just get into the store. Thankfully, I just had the two of them. We played a few games of "I Spy" to pass the time, then I saw an Eddie Bauer store right there and left the two of them in line for a few minutes and went in to pick out a few birthday items for my husband. Very good use of my time, I must say! After we were allowed into the store, the boys made a bee-line for the Star Wars sets. It was so fun to see them with their eyes wide open. I don't know why it was such a different experience for them. They pour over every page of the Lego catalog when it comes. They trade nights reading it at bedtime. It is so rumpled and dog-eared at the end of just one week. But I guess it was the opportunity to be able to see each kit in person and touch the box and double check, "Yep, that giant kit is still $400". (Yeah, you read that right....this one Star Wars kit is $400) After much deliberation, adding up totals in our heads, putting certain kits back, second-guessing others, they finally decided on their purchases. We then had to make our way back to the front of the store to get in the giant line to pay. We waited another 30+ min to check out. Again....I was so thankful the little girls were not with us. The store is really cool with many cool models made up. They even have a Mini Figure station where you can assemble your own Lego guys. You pick the head, the hair, the torso, the legs and one accessory. You get 3 "guys" for $10. It will be even more fun in a couple of weeks when the hype has died down.
Also, another fun thing. You can sign up all of your kids for free bowling for the summer. Go to kidsbowlfree.com and enter in your kids names, ages, etc. Then, from now until the end of August, they can bowl 2 free games EVERY DAY. This is no joke. You have to pay for shoe rental. Each week they send you an email with that week's coupons. And for $30 for the summer you can add 4 adults to that, too. It's a great deal. Around here I know that Woodland Bowl participates in this. All you have to do is make a reservation for the day you want to go. There are no special hours or other strange requirements. A free activity....what could be better?!
Also, another fun thing. You can sign up all of your kids for free bowling for the summer. Go to kidsbowlfree.com and enter in your kids names, ages, etc. Then, from now until the end of August, they can bowl 2 free games EVERY DAY. This is no joke. You have to pay for shoe rental. Each week they send you an email with that week's coupons. And for $30 for the summer you can add 4 adults to that, too. It's a great deal. Around here I know that Woodland Bowl participates in this. All you have to do is make a reservation for the day you want to go. There are no special hours or other strange requirements. A free activity....what could be better?!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Do You Have a Vacuum?
The freezer part of our fridge was starting to run warm. The ice cream and frozen juice concentrate were melting and the frozen waffles were just "refridgerated". The repairman came out today and was explaining that sometimes the "motherboard" malfunctions or gets a burn spot. Sometimes the heating coils quit working. Sometimes the fan motor blows out. He pulled the fridge out all the way from the wall and said, "Do you have a vacuum? I've found your problem." The entire vent on the back of the fridge was covered with dust bunnies. Thick dust bunnies. When he removed the outer cover, he whistled. "Wow. You should see all the dust on these coils. No wonder this thing can't stay cool. You've got no where for the heat to escape. It's covered with dust." So I paid $75 for him to vacuum out the inside of my fridge. I guess that's better than having to replace it, but WAY more embarrassing. I would usually pull it out enough to get my broom back there and sweep the floor, but I never knew I had to actually clean the back side of the fridge. Now I know. And so do you!
Also - I wanted to pass on a suggestion. I have found a company called Shirley's Prepackaged Crafts. She sells a 9 month (Sept - May) subscription of crafts delivered to your door. Each month you get 12 crafts along with the instructions and all the supplies needed (except glue, tape and scissors). They are geared toward preschoolers. Each month has a theme, a color and a shape of the month. She also includes tips and fun snack suggestions. You can buy just one month for $18 or you get a discount if you order all 9 months. We have done 2 of the crafts for April and the little girls had fun. Each one only took about 5 - 10 min. She can be found at www.shirleysprepackagedcrafts.com If you want to try out the May kit, you have to order by April 15th. Isn't that a great idea?!
I am working really hard on cutting my grocery bill WAY down. I have been meeting with some other moms who have it all figured out. So far I am spending about $100 less/week. I still have some work to do, though. My next goal is to get to Aldi and Walmart and compare prices to what I usually spend at Target and Costco. We'll see.
Also, I'm needing a little motivation. I signed up to do a triathlon which is happening on April 17th (didn't realize it was Palm Sunday when I registered). Anyway, the two people I signed up to do it with have backed out - for legitimate reasons. But now I don't want to do it, but I've paid the money, but...., but....., but... Anybody free next Sunday who wants to do a sprint tri???
Also - I wanted to pass on a suggestion. I have found a company called Shirley's Prepackaged Crafts. She sells a 9 month (Sept - May) subscription of crafts delivered to your door. Each month you get 12 crafts along with the instructions and all the supplies needed (except glue, tape and scissors). They are geared toward preschoolers. Each month has a theme, a color and a shape of the month. She also includes tips and fun snack suggestions. You can buy just one month for $18 or you get a discount if you order all 9 months. We have done 2 of the crafts for April and the little girls had fun. Each one only took about 5 - 10 min. She can be found at www.shirleysprepackagedcrafts.com If you want to try out the May kit, you have to order by April 15th. Isn't that a great idea?!
I am working really hard on cutting my grocery bill WAY down. I have been meeting with some other moms who have it all figured out. So far I am spending about $100 less/week. I still have some work to do, though. My next goal is to get to Aldi and Walmart and compare prices to what I usually spend at Target and Costco. We'll see.
Also, I'm needing a little motivation. I signed up to do a triathlon which is happening on April 17th (didn't realize it was Palm Sunday when I registered). Anyway, the two people I signed up to do it with have backed out - for legitimate reasons. But now I don't want to do it, but I've paid the money, but...., but....., but... Anybody free next Sunday who wants to do a sprint tri???
Monday, April 4, 2011
Pee Problems
What is wrong with my kids???? Seriously. A week ago, Ben put a pillow down his pants to be funny pretending he was a fat man. Joel said something silly then started tickling Ben, who then started laughing so hard he peed his pants and his pillow. Really. Have you ever peed your pillow?? Then last night I put clean sheets on Ben's bed at 8:15 PM. At midnight, Matt took him to the bathroom like we do every night and discovered that he had already peed the bed. It's not the peed bed that bothers me. It's the peed bed when the sheets have only been on there for 4 hours. Plus, I didn't see that the plastic cover I put on under the sheets had a hole in it -- so it was a peed mattress. Not just sheets. (which is bad enough....we have SO MUCH laundry that trying to add a load of sheets, blankets and comforters really messes with our system).
Also yesterday, Gwen (who as I have mentioned before has regressed in the potty training department) was outside naked from the waist down. She came running in saying, "Potty!" I rushed her to the bathroom only to discover that there was poop on her leg. That meant that she had pooped somewhere and come in to tell me. I cautiously retraced her steps and found a small pile on the back patio. How disgusting is that??!! Cleaning poop off your back porch from your daughter?! I was so eager to get to the pile I spotted that I stepped right in a pile that I had overlooked. I had shoes on, but still. I have cleaned dog poop off my shoes before - and that's bad enough. But to clean human feces off your shoe is just wrong. What is wrong with this child?
On a positive note, Matt and I went to Cincinnati over the weekend for a homeschool convention. It was great. We had a fun time being away together and going to the various sessions and looking at all sorts of cool materials. I tend to go to more of the parenting seminars than ones on actually homeschooling your kids (hmmm - maybe that's my problem!) Anyway, on Saturday afternoon Michelle Duggar spoke. We don't have cable, so I have only see their show one time in a hotel. But, I have heard all about them. I was not sure what to expect, but I was so impressed. She had some great insight and thoughts on being a mom. One she shared was how she keeps her voice calm and quiet. She was convicted several years ago about yelling and since then she thinks about how when you have other people's kids in your home you don't yell at them because they might go home and tattle on you. Well, the kids in your home do belong to someone else (God) and they won't need to tattle on you because He already knows what tone of voice is being used. Ugh. OK. Great word picture for me. She also encouraged us to praise our children 10x as often as we scold them for whoever praises our children will ultimately hold their hearts. How true. They will gravitate toward those that like them and let them know!
So get out there and find all the great things your kids do today....and hope they don't poop on the floor.
Also yesterday, Gwen (who as I have mentioned before has regressed in the potty training department) was outside naked from the waist down. She came running in saying, "Potty!" I rushed her to the bathroom only to discover that there was poop on her leg. That meant that she had pooped somewhere and come in to tell me. I cautiously retraced her steps and found a small pile on the back patio. How disgusting is that??!! Cleaning poop off your back porch from your daughter?! I was so eager to get to the pile I spotted that I stepped right in a pile that I had overlooked. I had shoes on, but still. I have cleaned dog poop off my shoes before - and that's bad enough. But to clean human feces off your shoe is just wrong. What is wrong with this child?
On a positive note, Matt and I went to Cincinnati over the weekend for a homeschool convention. It was great. We had a fun time being away together and going to the various sessions and looking at all sorts of cool materials. I tend to go to more of the parenting seminars than ones on actually homeschooling your kids (hmmm - maybe that's my problem!) Anyway, on Saturday afternoon Michelle Duggar spoke. We don't have cable, so I have only see their show one time in a hotel. But, I have heard all about them. I was not sure what to expect, but I was so impressed. She had some great insight and thoughts on being a mom. One she shared was how she keeps her voice calm and quiet. She was convicted several years ago about yelling and since then she thinks about how when you have other people's kids in your home you don't yell at them because they might go home and tattle on you. Well, the kids in your home do belong to someone else (God) and they won't need to tattle on you because He already knows what tone of voice is being used. Ugh. OK. Great word picture for me. She also encouraged us to praise our children 10x as often as we scold them for whoever praises our children will ultimately hold their hearts. How true. They will gravitate toward those that like them and let them know!
So get out there and find all the great things your kids do today....and hope they don't poop on the floor.
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