memories are the scraps of life

Elf on the Shelf

2011-12-12T16:18:00.000-05:00

Last year I saw a cute little red elf at Jenny's house. She said it was "just a little thing we do with the kids." I had no idea it was a thing, thing. Elf on the Shelf is a cute little tradition we have now started. Santa sends an elf to your house. Each night your elf will fly back to the North Pole to let Santa know if the children have been nice or naughty. When the elf comes back sometimes mischief is to be had other times fun. Thanks to Pinterest I was able to see lots of mischief other elves have made in their homes.

Our elf wasn't able to join us until December 3. As soon as we finished reading the book that the elf brings we named our elf Manny and determined our elf is a she!

Our first morning with Manny the children found her in the fridge with the milk. She had turned the milk green! Goldilocks said, "I love Manny so much. I want to make her a doll." And Little Bo Peep added that she wanted to make her a book. I had decided to make Manny a skirt because I really didn't want to order the official skirt and wait for it to arrive. We got to work and left her gifts under the tree. Little Bo Peep even left a note telling her about the gifts. That night I got to work hacking our elf. I found a tutorial by Kim on making elves bendable and grippy and added her feminine touches. I'm still trying to find the perfect earrings for her.

The next morning we found Manny sitting on top of the Christmas tree.

And she had found her gifts!

She even posed for me with her new gifts.

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup." ~Buddy

Who has two thumbs and needs to clean the top of her fridge?! This girl!

Manny must have used all her magic to move all the couches around the tree and gather everyone for a Christmas tree gazing powwow.

Silly elf turned our Advent tree upside down!

During rest time Manny played a little hide and seek in the glass cupboard.

Manny got into the ice cream and ate ALL of it and left a mess behind! Crazy elf.

I'm not sure who laughed harder over the graffiti. Our house has entered the bathroom word phase. Poopy, butt, pee-pee, stinky, etc. have all been banished to the bathroom. It didn't take long before Little Bo Peep realized she could just stand in the bathroom and say these words over and over, but it has eliminated a lot of the obnoxious talking. However Manny did not keep the written words in the bathroom, she added a speech bubble to the girls' picture, "stinky poopy butt" and added a nice fart to Little Bo Peep too! Brad and I laughed hysterically when ~~we doodled on the frames~~ we found Manny's doodles. And the children got a good chuckle the next morning!

Manny brought doughnuts for breakfast and even made some for herself! She must have found the recipe in the Tiny Treats book.

I think Manny misses the snow at the North Pole and had to make a snowman one way or another.

We are looking forward to the other fun mischief Manny will get into over the next two weeks!

Happy Birthday Goldilocks!

2011-10-15T21:38:00.000-05:00

We celebrated Goldilocks fourth birthday with some of her friends this year. She wanted a princess party, I on the other hand am SO over the princess parties.

I got to work right away ~~changing her mind~~ suggesting other party ideas. She loves Jessie from Toy Story. There are tons of cute Jessie party ideas my mind was running wild with, she wasn't having that idea. Then one day while walking out of the library with our usual stash of books including Goldilocks favorite, it hit me, Charlie and Lola!

"Goldilocks, would you like a Charlie and Lola party?!" {insert squealing, jumping, clapping} She was ecstatic!

Me:1 Princess party:0

For the party we read some Charlie and Lola books, watched "I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato," played dress up, created our own Soren Lorensen and made butterfly and ladybug finger puppets. For lunch we had moon squirters, green drops from Greenland, cheesy spaceman noodles, ocean nibblers and of course pink milk! The cupcakes turned out just how I imagined them, love when that happens! Soren Lorensen is Lola's imaginary friend. No one can see him, except for Lola. Yet somehow he managed to make his way to Goldilocks' party. The goody bags included a game of Flip Flop, a Lola puzzle and some crayons. We all had an exceptionally, really good time!

goldilocks actual real birthday

~ 1 little bo peep trying to wake up the birthday girl ~ 2 reading her new charlie and lola books ~ 3 measuring tape, yep my kids love their measuring tapes ~ 4 jessie cowgirl hat ~ 5 charlie and lola love ~ 6 her pink huw-we-hoop ~ 7 resting before opening her presents ~

I was so pleased that we were able to give Goldilocks all three gifts she had asked for this year, simplicity is joy!

party prep

~ 1 cutie pie coloring her invitations ~ 2 cupcakes ~ 3 invitation middles ~ 4 invitations ~ 5 happy for fondant ~ 6&7 soren lorensen ~ 8 invitation fronts ~ 9 more cupcakes ~

party people

~ 1&2 creating personal soren lorensen ~ 3 woody, jessie and buzz also made an appearance ~ 4 listening to charlie and lola books ~

Mr. Darcy after the MRI part 2

2011-09-15T13:57:00.000-05:00

Our pediatrician called Monday morning to let us know everything came back normal with the MRI and the blood work! Praise God!!! We have a healthy little man running around us, he just grows a little slower than most. :) Thank you all for your prayers!

Mr. Darcy after the MRI

2011-09-08T15:46:00.001-05:00

Mr. Darcy did so great today! We were told over and over he might cry when he was given the meds (like laughing gas) to make him sleep, not a single tear. After he woke up he chugged two juice boxes and had a few crackers. After we got home he was a bit wobbly (he had a lot of blood drawn for the other tests the doctor wants done, AND the medicine he had can make him dizzy). Otherwise he has had a perfectly normal day! His doctor isn't in the office until Monday so we won't know anything for a few more days. Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, phone calls, texts and emails! The waiting continues but I'm so relieved the MRI is over and he did so well.

The Woes of Mr. Darcy

2011-08-26T08:52:00.000-05:00

In June Mr. Darcy turned 2! He is a bundle of energy, bringing laughter to our family. When I took him to our pediatrician for his 2 year check up I asked about his soft spot. It is still open and quite large I thought. After checking him over she agreed with me that it is still large. The soft spot on top of a child's head usually closes around 18 months of age. She was also concerned that he has only grown 1 inch in the past year. I knew he was on the smaller size but after she said this I realized he is still wearing the same clothes he wore last year. The combination of these two slowed growth developments had her thinking his thyroid may be the culprit. He also had a heart murmur she had never heard before.

We had some blood tests done and they came back normal. Praise God! We went to a cardiologist and he said only about 15% of heart murmurs are anything to be concerned about and Mr. Darcy's is not one of those. He should out grow this one. Praise God again!

We went back to the pediatrician last week and his head has not grown at all in the past two months but the soft spot is still the same. I talked with her about him falling a lot lately. At first it was falling off his chair at the dinner table. Well he is 2 and refuses to use a booster seat and likes to wiggle, what else is going to happen?! But he also has been falling while just walking or running. And he fell down the stairs a few days before his appointment. He has never fallen down the stairs before, fortunately he was fine and more concerned that he dropped Bullseye. All these falls could be due to a growth spurt, except he isn't really growing very much. The doctor wants to be sure there is nothing to be concerned about so September 8th we are going in for an MRI and some more blood work.

Most days I'm fine and don't really think anything about all of this, other days it is very hard to think something could be wrong with my little Shnuggle Mouse. We are praying everything shows that he is a health boy who is just slower to grow. Hopefully the next two weeks will not be filled with much anxiety. I'm also praying he won't be too hungry that morning since he can't eat until after the MRI.

Crazy Thoughts When I Can't Sleep at 1:30AM

2011-08-01T00:50:00.001-05:00

I got this complementary magazine subscription a few weeks ago. I thought that was nice of the magazine until I realized what it was. It's just the grown-up version of seventeen. It's the "now that you are 30 we thought you might enjoy this magazine," the "you're too old to read seventeen so here, try this on for size," magazine.
Thanks for reminding me that I'm 30.
Then I remembered that my sister turned 16 and I turned 30 in the same year and neither one of us had a party. Well now I'm having a party, a pity party.

Invitation list: 1
Party time: Now- I'm over it
Party place: Andi Land (aka my head)

I thought a lot about turning 30 last year. I didn't really have a hard time accepting it. I just keep thinking there is so much hype about turning 30 and being old. Should I have had a problem with turning 30? Some days I do feel old, but I think 4 children would do that to anyone. Some days I like being 30, some days I don't. With 3 months left of this thing called 30 I wonder what I will look back on and remember from this year.

I had a baby when I was 30. I am trying to read through the Bible this year for the first time. I am tring to tackle all my unfinished projects My garden is in the cities garden tour. I now need glasses. I finished Kindergarten with Little Bo Peep and will be starting 1st grade with her and a relaxed Kindergarten year with Goldilocks. I wonder what else will mark this year. I wonder what I want to mark this year.

It's the Little Things

2011-06-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

Seriously.

Last summer I got a fancy-shmancy-pants new camera. I am still in love! Two weeks ago the little rubber eye cup ripped off, you know that squishy thing around they viewfinder to cushion my eye cause my fancy-shmancy-pants camera doesn't use the screen to take a picture, well yes that thing ripped off. :'( So I ordered a new eye cup. It came erlier this week, HOORAY! I also bought a new camera strap actually it is a camera sling, double HOORAY! This little number rocks my socks off.

Fast forward to last night.

We went to a BBQ some friends had before the fireworks. It was so great to see some much missed friends. I could go all night sitting in a group of friends like that But we needed to head over to the field for the big fireworks display. I packed up the stroller and started to head over. And then Brad spotted my little brand new teeny tiny eye cup laying on the driveway. Bless him and his knack for noticing random things! I stick it in a pocket and continued over to the field. When we got there and set everyone and everything up I snapped the little thing back on my camera and got some nice shots of the display. After the show we packed up and headed home. When we got home the horror struck. Where was my eye cup?! ~~anger~~ ~~sadness~~ ~~frustration~~ ~~disappointment~~ I guess I won't get that nice little cushion for my eye anymore. boo. I'm too practical to buy another one to just lose it all over again.

This morning I asked Brad if he thought I was being dumb to take the kids back this morning to see if we could find my lost frivolity. He said no, which made sense since he prayed with me last night that I would be able to find it again. So the kiddos and I loaded into the ~~bane of my existence~~ minivan and headed back to look for my treasure. We got there walked right over to where we were sitting and I spotted it right away! Praise God!!! Then the children played on the playground for a few minutes before coming back home.

Recap: I got a fun camera. Broke the eye cup. Got a new eye cup. Took some photos. Lost new eye cup. Slept. Found new eye cup.Played on the playground.

I'm happy. Here is my favorite photo from last night.

What little things are you thankful for today?

The Big Reveal

2011-06-24T21:24:00.001-05:00

While I still have a few art pieces I want to finish and hang up, the girls room is finished. Thanks to Ana White we were able to build beds and a book shelf for the girls. We used a combination of the Simple Bed plan and the Twin Farmhouse Bed plan for Little Bo Peep's bed and the Trundle Bed plan for Goldilock's bed. The 6 Cube Bookshelf plan is what we used and modified for the bookshelf.

Here is the finished product.

I did more than my fair share of research of how to prepare, paint and seal the furniture but I will spare you the abundance of information. Instead here is a quick overview and then more detailed photos.

Furniture:

Sanding (before assembling furniture!) medium grit (60-80), fine grit (120), and finally very fine grit (220). Wipe down with a microfiber cloth in between sanding.
Minwax Clear Sanding Sealer (after assembly)- 1 coat
Zinsser Primecoat 2 primer and sealer- 1 coat
Glidden Cinnamon Spice (GLN03) satin finish- 1 coat
Rub wax (candle sticks work best I hear) along edges where you will later scrape and sand off the paint down to the wax and have magically distressed furniture. This is where I failed myself. I had read about this process years ago and wanted to just have a nice coat of brown paint coming through instead of using acrylic paint on top of my lovely green paint. But alas I forgot the wax step so later on I had to use the acrylic paint after all. :(
Glidden New Grass Green (GLG04) satin finish- 3 coats
Distress- rub sand paper (I used fine or very fine grit sandpaper) along edges where over time furniture would be bumped. I wanted to distress the furniture because with small children they would do it for me and I didn't want to cry over "messed up" furniture. This is where I realized I had missed the wax step. When I started sanding it went right down to the wood sealer. Had I remembered the wax I would have just scraped the wax off with scrapers or sandpaper.
Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylic Burnt Umber- If you chose to use acrylic paint on top of your final color or you are forced to due to baby brain use small paint brushes, q-tips and paper towel to rub and apply the paint to the sanded down areas.
Minwax water based Polycrylic Clear Gloss- 2 coats This will give your furniture a nice finished glossy look. If I hadn't been going crazy with all three children in one room, if I hadn't been suffering from cabin fever, if I hadn't been 7 months pregnant and just wanting to be done with the whole thing I may have done 4 coats. The more coats the shinier the finish.

Walls:

Zinsser Primecoat 2 primer and sealer- 1 coat
Wall color: Glidden Spring Bluebell (GLB22) satin finish- 2 coats
Ceiling color: Glidden Summer Sandcastle (GLC06) flat finish- 2 coats
Closet walls: Glidden Powder Pink (GLR 18) semigloss finish- 3 coats Because we have a "family closet" in our laundry room we moved the girls dress up collection into their closet and wanted to make it special for them.
Base board and trim: I don't know if this is even available anymore Martha Stewart (Sears Brand) Sugar White (H25) semigloss finish- 2 coats The BEST thing I have ever used for painting is the Wooster Shortcut 2" brush. It is ahh-maze-ing in corners and edges. *swoon*

Room Makeover Price:

Paint and supplies $267.74 (this included paint for the walls)
Wood $367.23
Base board, shoe molding and trim for bookshelf $54.03 (we had some left over from our kitchen remodel so we only had to buy about 10' of base board!)
Wainscoting $21.17 (the back of the bookshelf)
Hardware $73.27 (nails, screws, wheels, pulls, anchors for the bookshelf, etc.)
IKEA $267.04 (mattresses, mirrors and a few other small things)
TOTAL $1050.48

Yep! That's me, 6 months pregnant and cutting wood!

I *loved* the look of the Farmhouse Bed just not the height. I used the dimensions of the Simple Bed but the layout of the Farmhouse Bed

6 Cube Bookshelf x 2 see in the middle the two ends are glued and nailed together. I then covered it with the 1x2 and the front is seamless!

dang it all, I couldn't finish the top by myself. But you can see the middle blends right in with the rest of the front.

Ahh thanks Love for helping me finish the top! And would you just look at that wainscoting.

Minwax Sanding Sealer

Zinsser primer

Glidden Cinnamon Spice (GLN03) satin finish. Melt some chocolate, you know the kind from the bulk food store to dip pretzels in, that is the exact color of this paint when it is in the jar and wet. Then let that chocolate harden back up and that is exactly how this looks when it is dry! ***Don't forget the candle wax!***

Glidden New Grass Green (GLG04) satin finish. Isn't it so pretty?!

First coat

This is where I used the Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylic Burnt Umber

To distress the crooks and crannies I used: old flat head screw driver, bone folder and sand paper. Everywhere else I just used sandpaper.

More distressing with acrylic paint

They were SO excited to finally get to come in and poke around. We had tried to keep them out as much as possible to make it more special when they moved back into their room.

HOORAY for new beds!

The wainscoting, base board and trim really make this look like a built-in! Notice the trim on the side (it's on the other side too), since we live in an old house our walls are far from straight. When the shelf was placed against the wall there were HUGE gaps between the wall and shelf. After some shock and discussing we went back to the Orange and White Big Box Store to get some nice trim to match the crown molding on the underside of the top. mmmmm, all better!

We even added some trim around the cut out for the outlet.

My grandma passed these quilts down to me. I've been told they were made from clothes of my great-uncle, her brother-in-law. So precious.

If you are still here, thank you for looking through all our hard work. We are very proud of our project and pleased with the outcome! If you have ANY questions please ask. Good luck with your own project, and leave a link I would love to see your work!

Two Months, Twelve Days Later

2011-06-24T15:11:00.000-05:00

It is hard to remember days before he was among us. I would like to introduce you to Eustace Scrubb. (Our love of Narnia has finally come to the blog.) He joined us a few days early. I guess that bed rest really did pay off! He weighed in at 8lb 4oz, 21 inches. He was my biggest baby. When the nurses were cleaning him up I heard someone say, "8 4." "How much?!" was my instant response. All four children have been 21 inches it's a sweet little connection they all have. He is on a wonderful schedule, a sweet baby and everyone loves him to pieces.

First story with daddy, our family tradition.

Brothers!

1 week old

1 month old

Restrictions

2011-02-17T09:11:00.000-05:00

I hate to tell you this, but I've been avoiding you. The girls room is finished, except I still haven't hung some pictures back on the walls. In my mind that makes the room un-finished. I know it is ridiculous but that is why I haven't posted any pictures, but I will very soon, with or without pictures hanging!

The other reason I've been avoiding you is this little squisher inside me. The past week has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Talking about it to friends and family makes it real but I think writing about it is going to make it even more real. That whole "seeing my thoughts in print" thing and all. So here goes for being real.

I've been having contractions since about 16 weeks. That happened with Mr. Darcy too. With Mr. Darcy my doctor said, "this is your third pregnancy, it's normal." Well last week when I went in for my regular visit I asked when I should start being concerned about the contractions I've been having this time around. After a few questions I think she realized the contractions this time were more intense than my last pregnancy. After checking me she found that I was dilated to 1cm and 50% effaced. I was 30 weeks and 5 days. She sent me home saying to take it easy. The children and I went back home and watched a movie. I sat down with them and only had two small contractions during that hour. Then I had to make lunch. In the next 20 minutes of making lunch I had four fairly intense contractions. It was like that the rest of the day.

resting = little contractions
working = intense contractions

I called her back Thursday morning to find out specifically what I could do and not do. I told her about the lunch thing the day before and she sent me straight to Labor and Delivery Triage to start steroid injections for the baby's lung development.

And she put me on bed rest.

I have been independent since the day I was born. My mom has told me about when I was a baby she would leave me in the nursery at church and the workers would tell her I had cried. It wasn't because I missed my parents, it was because the nursery workers wouldn't put me down and just let me be!

Now here I am having to watch everyone around me take care of my children and home--while I just sit--and do nothing. I know this is what is needed right now for this baby to stay inside me a little longer to grow stronger and increase his chances of a full term delivery. But it doesn't change the fact that one minute I want to scream and the next I want to cry because I can't just go grab Goldilocks clothes for her or get Mr. Darcy out of his highchair. I feel fine. I can do all these things. But I am constantly having to remind myself not to pick up my children, not to help them clean up their messes, not to go put the clothes in the dryer Brad put in the wash this morning. I don't like being told that I can not do something.

I went back to see my doctor on Monday. She said I had dilated a little bit more but really no changes. I am allowed to walk around to keep up circulation. But I can not DO anything, no lifting, no chores, very limited stairs. I will go back next Wednesday to see her and start having non-stress tests. I will be 32 weeks tomorrow so I am at least in the clear of the "earliest delivery the like." After 34 weeks they will not do anything to stop delivery. Our pediatrician would like me to make it to 35 weeks. And after 37 weeks I can return to normal activity! I'm trying to brace myself for him not coming until 41 weeks like Goldilocks did, but trying to stay positive reminding myself five weeks from now I can start doing my own laundry again.

Things I am grateful for during this time of restriction:

Brad, for being mom and dad and taking care of everything around the house
my mom and sister, for coming to take care of the children during the morning while Brad is at work
that this little squisher hasn't yet come but is still growing safely inside where he needs to stay
Netflix
my laptop
Netflix on my laptop
family and friends who are bringing us meals (by the way have you seen this site?! MealBaby)
being able to do a somewhat normal school day in bed
Little Bo Peep being able to read almost anything
getting to shnuggle a little more with my children
the contractions have calmed down since being on bed rest
I'm trying to be grateful for this time to depend on others, asking God to teach me how to accept help and enjoy the benefits of relying on others

Note to Self

2011-01-16T22:31:00.000-05:00

I'm here. Still here. No, over hear under the wood, past the saw dust, behind the paint cans....

This has been my life the past two weeks. We are finishing day 12 of this insane project. Who had this brilliant idea anyway?! ME?! Oh yeah, it was me. Well it still is a brilliant idea, maybe just a bit overkill. Three children, 27 weeks pregnant, and half my house is out of use due to remodeling the girls bedroom, um yeah. The word of the ~~day~~ month is OVERKILL!

We started school on Monday. Then we stopped school on Tuesday. The children are out of sorts with less house and I am overwhelmed trying to balance life and the project so school is getting pushed back a week, maybe two.

Reason #84 why homeschooling rocks: flexible schedule.

But this is how Monday morning looked:

I get up and realize I haven't really completely planned for school since we ~~jumped head first~~ started the bedroom makeover. No matter, I can still do this.

Children get up. Breakfast. Get dressed.

I go down to the basement to grab the school stuff. I bring it upstairs and on my way up tell the girls to clean up because we are going to start school. -- Then I hear it. -- Some odd noise coming from their bedroom. -- The bedroom that has just been painted with a fresh coat of paint the day before. -- The girls are in the kitchen cleaning up. -- It must be Mr. Darcy. -- I turn in the room and see...

Nope, no picture for you because the horror that faced me was too great for me to stop and grab my camera.

I realized later that I reminded myself of Kate Gosselin in the earlier seasons when one or more of the children had made a big mess and she would start in one of her panicy voices "Oh, my WORD. OHHH my WORD." That is all I could say. There stood Mr. Darcy with pink paint all over his hands, clothes and the paint stick that he was holding. Why did I get him dressed?! And why did I put my favorite shirt of his on him that day?! Along with a really nice pair of jeans? Why did we leave an empty can of paint to dry out IN. THE. HOUSE.???

Note to Self: You have an 18 month old BOY living in your home!!!!!

I took his paint covered pants and diaper off. {how he managed to get paint on his BumGenius diaper I still don't understand} I put him in the tub. Washed his hands and then took his shirt off and started cleaning that. Meanwhile the girls keep asking when we are going to start school and what did Mr. Darcy do and I just kept up with my, "Oh my WORDs." I finally stopped rubbing the paint because I was afraid it was going to just get worse. I got a new diaper for Mr. Darcy and strapped him in his high chair. Poor Goldilocks was so looking forward to school she just kept asking me when we were going to start.

I turned to the trusty internet to see what to do. Acetone or Mineral Spirits seemed to be my best option. I started with the acetone. It took care of most of the paint, Praise God! Then I started using the mineral spirits because the acetone seemed like it was doing something funny to the screen print on the shirt. Then the smell started getting to me so I put them in the wash. There are still a few tiny spots I want to see if I can get out, but they have been hanging on the line waiting for me to deal with them because once the paint was mostly out we had our morning of school and then I went back to the project.

I just kept telling myself that it could have been worse. He could have eaten the paint, or wiped it all over the walls {not sure how he only got paint on himself and our "painting chair"}, or he could have wiped it all over the furniture and the girls might have just joined in.

Note to Self: You have an 18 month old BOY living in your home!!!!!

To date

the room is painted

new trim is nailed up and ready to be painted

the doors have been stripped of all old paint and are waiting for the spring when they will be stained

the wood is all cut AND sanded for the beds and the bookshelf

the head board and foot board of Simple Bed are assembled

Tomorrow the building will really start and hopefully be finished so that Tuesday the long tedious painting can begin. For now I am off to bed looking forward to building in the morning!

Patience and Paint, At Least In the Near Future

2011-01-05T22:34:00.000-05:00

Two friends today posted something about patience today on Facebook. Two friends who don't know each other. One is the sister of one of my bestest friends and the other is one of bestest friends who I had the pleasure of seeing last week but actually lives far away. (Wonder if she got The Office reference there?!) Anyway, I was struck with the randomness of these two girls and their comments about patience. And the difficult time I am having with my own patience this week and I know it will be tested even more over the next few weeks.

Merriam-Webster defines patience as: the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient

But I really like what Wikipedia says: Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances,

So why is my state of endurance under difficult circumstances?

This is what I was dealing with all day yesterday, last night, today and again tonight.

I know, I know, why do I have ALL three children sleeping in one room?! Yesterday morning I had three great helpers taking all the Christmas decorations down and then we cleared out the girls room.

I remembered to snap some "Before Pictures" but only after having moved Little Bo Peeps bed.

Do you see Mr. Darcy moving the rug all by himself? He is such a GREAT helper!

Goldilocks and Little Bo Peep are so excited to sleep in Mr. Darcy's room. Unfortunately they keep asking me "Where are our new beds?" and "What color is our room going to be?" Nap time and bed time have been less than exciting for Brad and me, but I just keep reminding myself it is only for a few weeks at most.

Yes we are painting, rearranging and building. Little Bo Peep is to big for her toddler bed and I just can't find what I want in a bed so we are turning to Ana White! We are building Ana's Simple Bed with some of our own modifications and a trundle bed. We are also building two Six Cube Bookcases but will be making them look like built-ins.

I have been researching like crazy about painting unfinished furniture, that is where my stress is coming from the most, well that and three giggling children who won't go to sleep.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 (New Living Translation)

⁸ Finishing is better than starting.

Patience is better than pride.

⁹ Control your temper,

for anger labels you a fool.

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

2010-12-31T20:23:00.000-05:00

There are many days where this quote comes to mind but not more often than New Year's Eve.

Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?

-Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Happy New Year

Planning a Calendar

2010-12-31T06:30:00.173-05:00

Have I mentioned before that I love Google?! Well I do. I know Google is taking over the world and I LOVE it!

My most used Google product is my Google Calendar. Google has plenty of tutorials for their products but I just wanted to show you how I use my Google Calendar. I must warn you now, this is a photo heavy tutorial!

There are several ways
to get to your calendar. If you are on your iGoogle page the "more" drop down menu at the top left of your page has a quick link to your calendar. If you are in your Gmail account or Google reader they both have a quick link to your calendar on the top left of your screen. Or you can go to the More Google Products page.

Here is my Google Calendar all naked and sad.

Now lets make this gadget all beautiful again.

First lets go to settings. Click the drop down arrow and select calendar settings.

Now select Calendars.

Here you can view all of the calendars you have created or subscribe. This is where you can also create a new calendar. When you click the "Create new calendar" button. You will be taken to another screen. You can fill out all the information including keeping the calendar or making it public. This screen will also allow you to share your calendar with other people. Our menu calendar is shared between Brad and I but our Homeschool Co-op calendar is shared with everyone in our group.

Clicking on "Notifications" next to any calendar will allow you to set a default notification for all events created on that calendar.

By checking "Daily agenda" I receive an email every morning with every event for the day on any calendar I have set for this option. In my Gmail settings I have the option set so that my emails are forwarded to my cell phone's email which is sent as a text message.

One feature that I love is texting appointments to my calendar. We do not have an internet service with our cell phone but we do text and I now my Google Calendar would not be as useful if I was not able to use the assistance of texting.

Select Mobile Setup

Follow the steps for adding your cell phone to your account. Then click save before you go to another tab.

Don't forget to save Google Calendar in your contacts. Once you have done this you can send appointments to your calendar from your phone. When I leave a doctor appointment I send my next appointment to my calendar before I leave the parking lot. When I borrow books from the library I send my due date to my calendar. The text looks something like this,

Jan 3 library 3 items due

I then get a follow up text message from my Google Calendar that reads,

Created event: library 3 items due @ Mon Jan 3, 2011 (Andi)

My doctor appointment text would look like this,

Jan 3 10a dr smith for little bo peep

And Google Calendar would respond,

Created event: dr smith for little bo peep @ Mon Jan 3, 3011 10am (Andi)

Now I know Little Bo Peeps doctor appointment won't be forgotten on my main calendar and I won't end up with any pesky library fines.

The next tab under settings is Labs. Google has labs all over the place and they are just that labs. Some of them disappear some of them become permanent. Read through the labs that are listed enable the ones you like but don't get too attached just in case Google decides to end that lab. And don't forget to click save before moving on to another screen.

These are the two labs that I have enabled on my Google Calendar. I like being able to jump to a specific date especially when I am lesson planning for school. And I adore seeing my little squishers any time I can so why not on my calendar background?!

The last settings tab is the General settings and this is where you can upload your background image.

Go through and select the settings you want for your calendar. This is where you will add your background image. I chose "scaled to fit" for this image. Any time you see "learn more" links click them and learn how to make your life a little easier. And don't for get to save before you navigate away from this page.

Now this is a little better! Lets look at "Other Calendars."

As you can see I like to know the weather and the moon phases. Those moon phases help keep me sane some days. If the children are out of control and I don't know why, I just take a quick peek at my calendar and see that tomorrow is a full moon and then I breath a little easier! Under all those calendars listed see the "Add" drop down button? One of the options is "Browse Interesting Calendars."

There are Holidays, Sports and More. If you see something that strikes your fancy click Subscribe and it will now show up on your calendar.

Now lets look at the "My Calendars," the ones I have created.

I like to have my calendar items separate so I can see them individually or as a group. In the above photo you don't see any of my calendars highlighted on the left which means the events are not displayed. When I want to look at our menu for the month I can just look at that calendar, but if I need to make sure we don't have a complicated meal the same night we are going out I can look at the menu calendar AND my main calendar (Andi).

Lets create an event.

I left clicked my arrow on January 3 and this event window popped up. If it is a quick event like going out to dinner with friends I can enter it in this window, "7p Dinner with Smiths" then click "Create event." This will now show on my calendar. I can also change the calendar in this pop up window. "8p Charlie Brown Christmas Special" and change the calendar to "tv show reminders."

If I need to add more information or make this a recurring event I need to click on "Edit event details."

I can enter the event in that last pop up window or on this screen. In my example I am making an event "Pay Bills" on my "School" calendar, I think Brad would start doing cartwheels if I really did start paying the bills!

If this event is all day I leave that checked, if the event has a designated time I un-check "All day" and can then choose the time. The time can also over lap several days like a vacation that starts at 5:00PM on a Thursday until the following Wednesday at 2:00PM. If I need to set up a different reminder for this event or multiple reminders I do that on this screen.

If the event repeats,

I check the Repeat box and set up the details for the repeating event.

Lets take a look at my "tv show reminders" calendar.

Sometimes your event title is too long to display on the day. If you have forgotten what the whole event is or just need to see more details click on the event and a pop up window will come with all of those details including who created the event. Now I never miss an episode of 30 Rock or The Office. I know it is shocking to think I could ever forget such a great show is on, but it happens from time to time, thank goodness for the internet!

You will notice at the bottom of that pop up window you have the option to "copy to my calendar." You also have this option if you "Edit event details." If you "Edit event details" you can also copy the event to other calendars. Maybe there is a special program we should watch for school I can just copy that to my "School" calendar and won't forget if I am looking at the "tv show reminders" OR the "School" calendar.

Here is what my calendar looks like all dolled up!

I don't forget birthdays or anniversaries because I set them as recurring events.
I don't forget pesky house chores like watering my indoor plants.
I schedule my rest time. Maybe that should be on there more often....
I don't forget lunch appointments or doctor appointments.
I have all of our lesson plans on the calendar so we never forget to play with the Light Bright or finish our Math lesson.

This is an easy way for me to keep track of everything going on in our life and it is FREE!

One last tip is to print your calendar. My "Andi" calendar changes so frequently that I don't print it I just sign on and view when I need to see everything at a glance. We do print our menu and I also print our "School" calendar.

Choose which calendar or calendars you want to print and then click "print."

To the right of the "Print" button there are other view options. You can look at one day, week or month at a time or you can look at four days at once. The "Agenda" option lists several days of events sorted by date.

If you are still reading, thanks for sticking with me! If you have any questions just let me know. I wouldn't consider myself an expert but I do use the Google Calendar a lot and have found it invaluable.

My Special Christmas Gift

2010-12-30T18:22:00.000-05:00

I finally just remembered to take a picture of a gift Brad made for me for Christmas.

I found the 5 Shelf about two weeks ago, tweaked the plans a little and Brad did the rest! I love him! And I adore my new shelf.

Rest

2010-12-30T10:24:00.000-05:00

Mmmm, rest. Just the word brings a form of peace in me. This past year Brad and I have really tried to make time a couple days a month to rest. We leave the house in order to get away from the noise and responsibilities of the home for an hour or two. It is on the calendar. We encourage each other to follow through with this time. Yet somehow I still don't feel rested.

Sunday, at church the sermon looked at Ephesians 5:15-20

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He focused on the second part of verse 18,

Instead, be filled with the Spirit

The part of this that stood out to me most was that this is a continual process. We need to continually ask God to be filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are saved the Spirit is with us, we don't lose our salvation or the Spirit but we need to be recharged. The example given was that of a cell phone battery. Your cell phone has a battery. When the power is drained you do not have to replace it but it does have to be recharged. That charge will not hold for years or even weeks, only days. We need to be recharged by the Holy Spirit continually in the same way.

Leaving the house and taking a break form the children and household responsibilities will only take me so far. I can only find true rest in Him. I was reminded again this morning as a homeschooling mom I need to set aside time to rest. Heather from Oh My Stinkin Heck has a super blog. She guest posts about homeschooling on The Pioneer Woman and today she had a great post about rest. Here is an excerpt

In all the discussion about curriculum, planning, organization, teaching and learning there is one very important post that has yet to be made–a post about the importance of rest.
For many of us homeschooling is part of a greater balancing act. We juggle the job of educating our children with additional responsibilities; caring for a family and home, nurturing our relationship with our spouse or significant other, participating in community or church activities, working full or part-time in or away from home, not to mention carving out time to indulge in our personal hobbies or interests.
We are, in a word, busy.

You can read the rest on The Pioneer Woman. I pray that 2011 will be filled with rest for both you and me. Go take a moment to add it to your calendar, leave a sticky note somewhere or tie a string around your finger. However you will remember take the time to find rest.

My Beloved Collage

2010-12-29T06:30:00.000-05:00

This is my collage that I put together three years ago.

it measures 2'x3'
it has 60ish photos
we love looking at all the pictures of when Little Bo Peep was little and Goldilocks was first born
there are no pictures of Mr. Darcy

I now have over 100+ new photos sitting in a box overwhelming me.

how do I choose only 60ish of the 100+ new photos
what do I do with this masterpiece
why isn't this wall ten times bigger to hold more frames

One thought I had was to take this collage and mod podge it to a canvas I have sitting in my craft closet. There is a spot in our bedroom I could hang the canvas. But I know in a few years from now I will want to make another collage to fill the frame. Do I just keep putting the old collage on a new canvas and fill our basement family room walls? I have not ever used mod podge on photos on a canvas, does it work? I must look into this...

HELP me, please!!!

Holiday Nights

2010-12-28T17:45:00.001-05:00

The night after Christmas Brad and I went to Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. We had a lovely time walking around looking at the houses as they had been decorated for Christmas originally. I was excited to use my new camera and try out some different shots. Too bad for me, and the budget, because the photo walk confirmed that I want a new lens, now if I could only decide which lens is best for me now.

Yummy deserts at the Ford Home

Lanterns lighted the way around the entire village including here outside the Ford Home

Lights strung on Main Street

Window display in the Main Street Toy Store

Workers distributing more lanterns outside Thomas Edison's Menlo Park Complex

A Christmas Tree in the Sarah Jordan Boarding House

My favorite photo of the night, the Edison Homestead

The Christmas Tree inside the Edison Homestead

Martha-Mary Chapel, Brad's sister and husband were married here almost 11 years ago

One shot that got me really thinking I would like a different lens

The 1913 Herschell-Spillman Carousel

And this is the winning shot that confirmed that I would like a new lens, I just couldn't get the sign to focus and the lights on the carousel to go all bokeh

Model T Truck

William Ford Barn

Merry Christmas

2010-12-28T16:54:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas a few days late to blog land. Here are a few scraps from our Christmas Day festivities.

Santa got a little full from the yummy cookies we left him and wasn't able to finish the last one. Good thing the children can help out with that!

Santa left Goldilocks a pair of real ballet slippers. This was also the last picture taken of her before a stocking holder fell on her head.

Little Bo Peep also received a pair of ballet slippers from Santa.

After the children opened their gifts from Santa, he leaves one gift for each child in our home, Goldilocks went to get her stocking. We didn't even see her head over to the shelf but in the darkened basement I suddenly noticed the lights twinkling. Before I knew it all three of the children's stockings, holders and all were falling on her head. Fortunately only one really hit her, the corner landed right in the middle on the top of her head. Once the bleeding and crying were stopped we were able to happily finish opening the stockings.

Journals, markers, toothbrushes and a few little toys had all been stuffed in the stockings.

"No, I'm Princess Belle, not Goldilocks!"

Cinderella

Books, books, books. We love getting books!

Mr. Darcy loves his sisters' Jessie dolls and was excited to now have his own Woody doll.

Mr. Darcy showing Goldilocks were to find her cute button nose amongst the flashy new glasses.

Mr. Darcy was gathering all his trains and cars in this bag and carried it all around.

Such a proud little boy with his bag of trains.

Mr. Darcy's new Island of Sodor

Christmas Fettuccine

After watching The Holiday a few years ago Brad and I now have Christmas Fettuccine, mmmmmm! I hope everyone had an amazing day, Merry Christmas!

Minivan Express

2010-12-24T06:30:00.001-05:00

Brad and I were getting the children ready for bed when Goldilocks went to put her dolls on her bed and discovered something shiny sticking out from under her pillow. I found her standing in her dark room examining the ticket. I turned the light on and asked what she found. "A ticket," she replied. Little Bo Peep figured out something was going on and was excited Goldilocks had a special ticket that was found in her bed. We asked her if she had one in her own bed, she said no but then ran to check. They both started jumping around and went to look in Mr. Darcy's bed and found one for him. Goldilocks started making train noises, how she jumped from ticket to train so fast I can only attest to The Henry Ford and Thomas and Friends.

Stickers, Glow-in-the-Dark bracelets, snacks and juice boxes were all waiting for the children in the Minivan Express. Christmas music was playing and I had my special punch for the tickets. Little Bo Peep wanted me to punch her name like in the Polar Express, sorry cutie my punch isn't that magical.

Here are a few houses we saw. Brad and the girls were really excited to see the Snoopy Snow Machine. Brad because it brought back childhood memories and the girls, well, they just love Charlie Brown.

There isn't a doubt in my mind that next year when they find these golden tickets under their pillows squeals and jumping will soon follow.

Sweet Kitchen of Mine

2010-12-24T00:26:00.003-05:00

Just for my Nina!

Aren't those lights to die for?! The snowflake idea isn't my own I found it over at In Between Laundry, isn't she too cute? I was out today getting some super glue and sandpaper and ran into Joann's to see if they still had these snowflakes and they did, two in a package for $1.00! I spotted the glittery stars and already had the ribbon so $3.00 and I have a cute new kitchen decoration.

Oooh there is my cookbook, post to come soon and see the pretty lights. They make me so happy.

A little of our tradition.

The door is no longer yellow. I will go on a hunt to see if i can find one of the few pictures of yellow. Fortunately for you the pictures won't leave permanent damage like the real thing.

Notice what I keep listed on our message board? MIA Toys. Whenever the children or I find that there is a missing toy I jot it down so we can keep a look out. Which reminds me there is a missing magnet that needs to be added to the list...

I made this collage shortly after we "finished" the kitchen three years ago. I don't know what to do to update it now. How can I possibly take out any of these sweet photos of my family?

We had a visitor who didn't want to sleep tonight. Good thing he is cute!

a little bokeh before bed

Nine Years Ago Today

2010-12-23T23:42:00.000-05:00

Brad proposed to me.

He had told me he had the whole day planned, which did give me the sneaking suspicion that he was going to ask. He had everything planned out and an envelope for each part of the day to let me know what was coming next.

He came to my parents house and made me breakfast before we went to church. After church the first place we headed for was the Detroit Institute of Art. We had a wonderful time walking around. And then when we were in a room with a Van Gogh painting, my favorite artist, he handed me this card.

The card reads: So you're engaged...

That has a nice ring to it!

And he wrote: I have a question for you.

While I opened it up and was reading he pulled out the ring. He said, "Andrea, will you marry me..." I interrupted with, "Yes!" and he finished, "...please?" He is such a gentleman.

Unfortunately the ring is currently living in the box because it won't fit on my finger when I'm pregnant.

This was one of the last cards he gave me that day and one of my favorites.

Brad had asked his friend to make an Origami purple rose, one of my favorite flowers. The rose is one of the first things you see when entering our front door. It is such a sweet memory of an amazing day.

This was our first picture as an engaged couple. I love you Brad and am still thrilled that you asked me to marry you.

The Kitchen, finished???

2010-12-22T14:59:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here waiting, oh there's the buzzer....

Okay I'm back. I was sitting here waiting for my washer to finish. I know, how lame must I be to sit around waiting for my laundry! The thing is the last time I did laundry, well I think the date was *insert embarrassed glance* in the early teens. With five people living in this Mad House I'm not sure how I was able to get away with giving my washer and dryer such a nice break. Well it's piled up nice and high for me today.

Why, you may ask, have I let the apparel pile so high: my kitchen.

Yes, that post is from three years ago. We finished that cabinet, added the cabinet, door and floor moldings, and I hung some pictures. But that was three years ago. Last month (maybe it was October, the days blur together) Brad and I were talking about finishing the kitchen. Everything that is left is detail work, painting molding, under cabinet lights, crown molding, you know the usual details that are left for three years before you just do it. My parents were taking ALL three children for a sleepover Friday night. So Brad and I decided that Saturday morning would be a perfect time to finally start finishing the kitchen. (Thank you again Mom and Dad!!!! It was lovely to go out to dinner and come home to a quiet house.) Somewhat bright and early Saturday morning Brad and I started cutting and staining counter-top molding, hanging under cabinet lights and once again turning our kitchen into a work zone, I LOVE IT! Sunday we finished the counter-tops and lights. Monday I straightened all the cabinet doors and outlet covers. Yesterday I stripped the paint off the pocket doors (which means NO MORE yellow!!!! I'm still trying to figure out why people paint perfectly good wood doors...), and Brad primed the molding last night. Tonight he will paint the molding and my new shelf, an early Christmas gift from him! The crown molding will happen after Christmas, but this is one happy chicky over here waiting for my washer to finish.

Cleaning, cooking and baking to do tomorrow for our Christmas Eve family dinner, glad it will be in a work-free-zone!

Christmas Advent Activities: Christmas Morning

2010-12-16T12:31:00.001-05:00

We have a small Christmas tree in the basement. Next to that is the bookshelves that hold our stockings. So we leave milk and cookies downstairs for Santa. Every year he brings each of the children one gift. Last year it was so sweet because he left the lights on the tree turned on and Little Bo Peep noticed there was a light on downstairs. When we walked down the steps I could tell she was nervous that Santa was still down there! We enjoy opening that one special gift from Santa and the stockings that Brad and I fill. This is all before my family comes over for the morning. When my parents arrive its game on for me and my mom. That is Christmas Morning Cake game on!

Growing up my mom would make Christmas Morning cake and we would eat some, open gifts, eat some more cake, play with our gifts, eat some more cake.... I don't know if a cake ever made it to lunch time. Now with more people eating my mom and I both make a cake. I'm just putting this out there for you mom but I've been perfecting the frosting all year by using it on the cinnamon rolls. *insert evil laugh*

I think it was when I was in highschool that I realized Christmas Morning Cake could be had other days of the year besides Christmas day, that was a super day!

Here is the recipe for you to enjoy any day of the year, but I must say there is something special about having it Christmas morning.

Christmas Morning Cake

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon salt (optional)

Cinnamon Nut Mixture:
3/4 cups chopped nuts
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar

Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla.Add dry ingredients alternately with sour cream. Pour half of the batter into a 9x13 inch greased pan or a Bundt pan, well greased. Add 3/4 of the cinnamon nut mixture. Spoon on rest of batter to cover nuts. Cover that with remaining cinnamon nut mixture. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 30 minutes. When cake is cool, frost with powdered sugar frosting if desired. (And if you don't desire, you might be losing a grip on reality, just sayin'.)

Christmas Advent Activities: Make Paper Snow Flakes

2010-12-16T12:31:00.000-05:00

I love The Mailbox Magazine, and I adore the yearbooks. In the December/January 2006-2007 preschool issue page 61 has a super cute, super easy idea. Use coffee filters, folded into quarters, to let children punch holes in them. I added some lines to a few and Little Bo Peep was able to cut them to add to the snowflake. The girls and I had so much fun making them. A huge thank you to Karen Tubbs from Malad Headstart, Malad, ID for submitting this to The Mailbox years ago.

Yes those are Easter window clings, but they are PRINCESS window clings.

Christmas Advent Activities: Minivan Express

2010-12-16T12:28:00.003-05:00

Last year when ~~I was forced into humiliation~~ we finally bought a minivan I never imagined I would enjoy the ~~over-sized~~ ~~obnoxious~~ ~~ugly~~ ~~uncool~~ thing. I'm not saying that it brings a smile to my face or anything but I am looking forward to this activity next week.

The thought of one day having a vehicle that car seats will not enter keeps me going every day I have to drive that beast.

Every year we drive around looking at Christmas light displays. I had that on our list originally then I found this idea: The Minivan Express.

Last week Brad was helping the girls pick out the advent ornament for the night and didn't realize I had their tickets in the envelope. He said Little Bo Peep helped him put them back in the envelope but didn't ask about them. I'm hoping with her impeccable memory, this little scrap will pop to the front of her mind when she finds the ticket under her pillow next week and she will realize that this is the special thing on our list for the night. I know next year when these magic pieces of paper find their way into the children's beds they will all remember what is waiting for them in the minivan.

I found this awesome shimmery gold paper at Joann's so I made a document on the computer to print my own tickets. Here it is just for you!

In the van my ipod Christmas playlist will be playing and these fun treats will be waiting for the children. Stickers, glow-in-the-dark bracelets, fruit snacks/ gold fish and juice boxes. And we will be sure to punch their tickets before the express leaves the station!

Can you see the shimmery goodness?!

I guess one day when the van finally leaves my driveway and is replaced with something more hip and much less kid-friendly I might shed a tear for the memories that were made in these seven seats of practicality.

Christmas Advent Activities: Make Reindeer Food

2010-12-16T12:28:00.001-05:00

Years ago in one of my first classrooms I came across a cute idea for making Magic Reindeer Food.

Mix:
1 cup dry oatmeal
3 tablespoons red sugar
3 tablespoons green sugar
(You can substitute the sugar with glitter, just don't tell any PETA members)

In the classroom I would attach this poem with a ribbon to the bag holding the children's food:

Sprinkle this reindeer food outside tonight,

The moonlight will make it sparkle bright.

As the reindeer fly and roam,

This will guide them to your home.

I made this last year with the girls and my nephews who are Little Bo Peep's age and they all had such fun. Little Bo Peep asked me a few weeks ago if we were going to make the food for Santa's reindeer so I'm looking forward to telling her one night that we are making this off my "special list!"

Christmas Advent Activities: Make Christmas Gifts

2010-12-16T12:28:00.000-05:00

Little Bo Peep found a cute idea in a library book a few weeks ago. The Christmas Book: The Ultimate Christmas Activity Book for Children She and Goldilocks will be making these for their grandparents.

*SPOILER*ALERT*SPOILER*ALERT*SPOILER*ALERT*SPOILER*ALERT*

*SPOILER*ALERT*SPOILER*ALERT*SPOILER*ALERT*SPOILER*ALERT*

Grandparents should stop reading this NOW

This is a link I found that is the same gift idea as in the book.

Christmas Advent Activities: Drink Hot Cocoa by the Christmas Tree

2010-12-16T12:27:00.002-05:00

How to Make Real Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup sugar
4 cups milk

In a saucepan, add: 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/3 sugar and 4 cups milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously. Heat all the way through without allowing the mixture to come to a boil. When steam begins to build and a few bubbles escape along the sides of the saucepan, the cocoa is done.

Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Cheesy Family Times

2010-12-16T12:27:00.001-05:00

Last night we were playing Don't Spill the Beans by the Christmas Tree (#12 on the list). The girls and I play this game a lot so they know the rules. At one point Little Bo Peep put two beans on the pot and I stopped her and said that was cheating. We kept playing but I was still thinking about how to teach an almost 5 year old what cheating is. She obviously knows how to do it, but how am I supposed to explain this and the consequences. A few minutes later Brad was taking his turn and Little Bo Peep said, "Daddy, that is cheesy." I guess teaching the actual word might be the first step!

Christmas Advent Calendar

2010-12-16T12:25:00.000-05:00

We are over half way through our advent calendar. Each day the girls pick an ornament to hang on our advent tree and I pick an activity from my list that we do as a family. Every day Little Bo Peep asks, "Mumma, what are we doing on your special list?!"

Here is My Special List for you to copy or take ideas that you would like to do. There are very few items on the list that are restricted to a specific date, everything else is up for grabs. This makes it possible for me to pick an easy activity like coloring pictures for our Compassion children when we have a full evening.

I taped a page protector to the front of an envelope to store the list. In the envelope I keep the ornaments, coloring pictures, tickets and any other little items that are needed for different activities.

Here are some links for some of our activities:

3. Drink hot cocoa and eat cookies by the Christmas tree

7. Make Christmas gifts

10. Make Reindeer food

13. Minivan Express

20. Make paper snowflakes

Dec 25. Merry Christmas! Eat Christmas Morning Cake, visit the basement tree to see what Santa left for us and open gifts!

Where Do Your Postage Stamps Live?

2010-12-13T15:50:00.000-05:00

Mine live where I use them.

When ever I am reorganizing an area (or even better inventing space, like when we remodeled our kitchen three years ago!) I put things where they are used. We have beautiful built-in cabinet in our dinning area. It was one of the things Brad loved about our house when we first walk in six years ago. The top half has glass doors and I keep serving bowls and some cute glasses in there. The bottom half houses four baskets: one for my magazine mission, one for washcloths and bibs, one for play dough, and the other is for coloring books and a small box of crayons/pencils/markers. In the middle of these two cabinets is a drawer. This drawer has served several purposes since we moved in: a catch all, candles and matches, stationary. It's current assignment suits the drawer the best.

Current contents:

receipt folder
post-it notes
bills
envelopes
thank-you cards
postage stamps
return address stickers
stapler
tape
calculator
paper clips

Looking in this drawer reminds me of a small office but it also seems a bit random, I assure you it is very purposeful.

Brad pays the bills at the dining room table. He used to go to our "office desk" in the basement and collect a few things, then he would go to the computer stand and collect a few other things, then he would get his laptop and head to the table, often needing to retrieve at least one more thing before finishing the bills. After years of doing this I realized I could make his time paying bills more efficient and less agonizing by bringing all these needed items together in one place, where he uses them.

My mom taught me a place for everything and everything in it's place. I just take that saying one step farther, and make the "place for everything" where I use the "everything." Would you really keep your butcher knife in the bathroom cabinet?!

Organization

2010-12-10T23:28:00.000-05:00

Some people get a high form cooking or shopping. I get it from organizing. Call me a nerd but it comes naturally and I enjoy it! A friend told me I should start blogging about all my organization tips I use around my house. The problem is I don't see them as "tips" I see them as, well, as nothing. It doesn't occur to me that I may be in the minority to reorganize my linen closet on a regular basis or have all my flatware lined up neat and tidy. I just do it because that is how I function.

Tonight I was catching up on some blog reading and Lori got me thinking. Maybe I should stop and think about some of the things I do that may not come naturally to everyone. She was talking about ways to keep her schedule in order and this is what I told her.

google calendar.

I can have different calendars (life, school, bills, menu, even tv show reminders!) all set to send me my daily schedule on my phone via text. I can text appointments or reminders to my calendar so I never forget anything. After I have everyone buckled when leaving the library I send a text to my calendar before I leave the parking lot "library 13 items due dec 23." I haven't had a late fee in over a year! My calendar is set up to remind me of appointments two days in advance so I never forget about a doctor appointment or those library books! And I can print off the calendars. Just the menu to hang in the kitchen. Or mine, hubby's and the tv schedule so we don't over book anything. And each calendar can have a different color to keep everything festive.

I know I sound like an ad for google but this calendar keeps me organized!

I think that is my biggest organizational tip. I know I have more but I use it every day, multiple times a day. And just for fun, here are my utensil drawers crumbs and all!

Changes

2010-12-06T10:53:00.001-05:00

That's all I can think about for this post. There have been a lot of changes in our family since I last posted. All summer I kept thinking about posting saying, "We just got back from a long relaxing vacation," or "Things have been so crazy around here let me tell you all about what has happened," yet these things would have just been funny intros to nothing. We had a quiet summer and our autumn hasn't had much noise.

In June Mr. Darcy turned one. We had a great train themed party with friends and family.

In July we purchased a membership to The Henry Ford. The children love the train rides, going into all the houses and buildings and the beautiful carousel.

August brought joyous news that we are expecting baby number 4!

Goldilocks turned three in September. She had a beautiful princess party.

October brought a huge change for me, the dreaded 30.... I told a friend one day that I wasn't sure if I was dreading 30 or if I felt like I should be dreading 30 because everyone does. Turns out the past 6 weeks haven't been bad at all. I guess I'll just wait a few more months to see how I really feel about 30.

We found out November 10 that Squisher #4 is a boy! We are so excited that Mr. Darcy will have a buddy just like the girls have each other. Our Christmas tree went up in November as usual and the children are all so excited about Christmas. Little Bo Peep asks daily, "Is it Christmas today?" It doesn't seem to matter that we have multiple countdown/advent calendars the anticipation is too much for her little self to wait yet another day.

December 14 will bring our half way mark for Kindergarten. Little Bo Peep is doing so well with school and Goldilocks loves tagging along for all the Kindergarten lessons. If she understood what Kindergarten was I think she would insist on saying she too was in Kindergarten. I think some days she is more excited about math and science than anyone else!

Back in May I really felt God convicting me of something I felt He had placed on my heart months before. This is the email I sent to my fellow homeschool group moms in January:

I was talking to Brad tonight about one of the struggles homeschool moms have about teaching. Often we doubt ourselves and our ability to teach our children. My sister-in-law, who also homeschools, has a book, Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe, by Todd Wilson. The title caught my attention. I skimmed through it at her house one day and then went to his website. He is a homeschooling dad and has a heart for other homescooling dads. We just read Help! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom. I love how he speaks truth with such humor. I am planning to purchase the Lies book soon. If you want a copy let me know and we can save a few dollars on shipping.

I was also talking to Brad about teaching for Magnificent Milestones [our homeschool group]. It is one thing to teach your own children at home with no one around, but it is intimidating to teach other's children, especially with that person sitting next to you! I don't usually feel confident about my teaching. I need to be encouraged in my homeschooling by other homeschooling moms, but I should also be encouraging other homeschooling moms. I know that God has blessed me with the ability to teach. Brad suggested maybe this would be a part of my ministry. His comment made me start thinking about the uncertainty I have heard from most of you and that maybe I could be encouraging you as we begin our homeschool adventure.

I need to set time aside to plan for M&M and for teaching my own children at home. Right now I am thinking once or twice a month I will go to Panera (free Wi-Fi and all!) and spend some time planning. We can encourage each other with ideas, lessons, frustrations and any other things life throws our way. If you would care to join me let me know and we can figure out a day and time.

I read Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe, by Todd Wilson after this email. While I am in my first year of teaching "school" I have been preschool homeschooling for a few years and was homeschooled myself from 6th -12th grade. I felt over and over again that Todd was talking to me because no one else could possibly feel this way, right? Wrong! Some of the other moms in our homeschool group also read the book and Jenny and I committed to be "real friends" as he calls it in the book. It is wonderful to be able to call her if I am having a problem or frustration and know that she can rely on me to answer my phone when she is having a day. Even though I have her as a real friend this email is still in the back of my mind and the guilt is eating me....

God keeps giving me gentle reminders to what He wants me to do. I have had at least five friends ask me over the past few months about homeschooling. All the emails I have received from them have been similar, "I've been seriously considering homeschooling my child, when did you start and what curriculum do you use?" I feel I need to start looking at these emails seriously not just thinking "Oh that is cool so-and-so is thinking about homeschooling." I need to start setting aside time for this ministry God has placed on my heart. Motivation, where to start, my abilities, time, the excuses are endless but as Nike said, "Just Do It."

Frugal Friday: Google Reader

2010-05-07T07:20:00.000-05:00

Have I told you how much I L.O.V.E. Google Reader?!

I wake up in the morning, check my email, read my updates in Google Reader and I have already saved time and often money. Yep, Google Reader saves me money! Okay so it really has to do with the blogs and alerts I have sent to my reader, but Google Reader does save me time.

Hip2Save is one of my new favorite blogs, thank you Nina! This week alone I have snagged two free items. Yesterday I received 500 free business cards and earlier this week I received a free Neti Pot!

I was talking to a friend yesterday and told her she really should have some business cards made for her upcoming art shows and then I found that awesome deal for 500 FREE cards. Coincidence? No, I think it is a God thing.

Google Reader also keeps me up to date on all of my Craigslist searches.

After you have signed into your Google account, the top left says "more" with a drop down menu. When you click the drop down menu at the bottom it says "even more."

Select Alerts

You can type in your search terms and choose "Deliver to Feed." Now you can read all your searches in your reader. You can also select "manage your alerts" to delete or add new alerts.

Right now I have several craigslist alerts coming to my reader. While you are able to have a search directly from your local craigslist sent to your reader, it will only search local results. I prefer to search through Google for smaller items. I have some DVDs arriving today from Seattle today!

My alert was searching for "craigslist thomas great discovery dvd." Tuesday a craigslist listing from Seattle showed up in my reader. I emailed asking if they would ship the DVDs allowing me to pay with my paypal account. She agreed!

While some people do not feel comfortable doing this, I have received several items this way. I am currently waiting for the perfect American Girl Bitty Baby clothing set listing to show up in my reader.

Google Reader saves me time and money, thats frugal I can handle!

Good Cake

2010-05-04T13:22:00.001-05:00

Last year we spent Thanksgiving at my sister-in-law's house. As the dessert was passed around I took a small piece of, what was being called, Cheese Cake Bars. They didn't look like Cheese Cake but I was polite and took a piece. After one bite I regretted my decision in taking one piece and not taking the whole plate! I found out my niece had made this before in one of her homeschool co-op enrichment classes that my mom had taught. I promptly asked for the recipe and found out the cake is lovingly referred to as Good Cake. Although Little Bo Peep calls it GoodGoodGoodGoodGood Cake!

Good Cake

Ingredients:

1 package butter cake mix
1 stick of butter (4oz), softened
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 box confectioners' sugar (1lb)
3 eggs, slightly beaten
8 oz cream cheese, softened

Preparation:

Combine cake mix, butter and 1 egg and pat into 9x13" pan.
Mix sugar, 3 eggs and cream cheese and pour on top of the crust mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees F fro 35-40 minutes, or until browned.

Serves 12

Buckeye Country

2010-05-01T13:32:00.000-05:00

Sometimes in life you just know you are making the right decision. Other times those decisions are confirmed later in life, this is one of those times.

B was raised as a Buckeye. He went to The Ohio State University. When he bleeds obviously it is scarlet.

This past winter, while playing out in the snow, Little Bo Peep found something and asked what it was. I thought it looked just like a Buckeye nut. B was convinced it was just a shriveled apple or some other fruit. We found a second one but agreed it must be fruit because there was no way Buckeye nuts could be in our yard.

Yesterday while I was cleaning out my gardens I found not one but three more, two had rooted themselves!

B's first comment was, I knew this was the right house for us! Now we are moving them to better suited parts of the yard and waiting to see which variety we have gracing our garden. I guess this is one step closer to having a house full of Buckeye Nuts and one further from all Spartans, sorry Dad.

Frugal Friday: FREE Pizza and Reading

2010-04-30T06:50:00.000-05:00

Honestly, who doesn't love reading?! And can anyone pass on free pizza?

I don't have a lot of memories before the age of 10 but I remember vividly the chart hanging on the closet door of my third grade classroom. Pizza Hut Book It started 25 years ago encouraging children to read and rewarding them with free pizza. I am almost certain Book It is the reason for my love of Pizza Hut. B and I had Pizza Hut for our wedding rehearsal dinner!

This fall Little Bo Peep will be joining the Book It program. While I won't be enjoying free pizza we will be celebrating her reading accomplishments as a family at Pizza Hut! If your child, K- 6th grade, loves pizza as a parent you can sign up. Teachers can also sign up for the whole classroom.

Have fun reading and eating pizza! Not so much together, unless you don't mind greasy books, but have fun reading, reading, reading!

Confession Time

2010-04-27T15:44:00.000-05:00

Goldilocks received the Thomas and Friends Sodor Mining Co.for Christmas.

Now we have almost every playset and a good 90% of the trains. Can I just tell you my children benefit from having an OCD mother!

Little Bo Peep knows the trains names, colors and numbers. She knows if they have a tender or not. Which trains appear in each episode. And because of her knowledge, I too know much of this information. The amount of Thomas information I have in my back pocket is useless to most but to my children it is priceless. Daily all three play with the trains and the Island of Sodor.

I have been scoring big time with Craigslist. I have found a lot locally but I have also been searching around the country. I google "craigslist thomas take along" or "craigslist harold helicopter." When I find something I email and ask if they are willing to ship and let me use paypal for shipping and the items. I've had some say no but I have gotten a bunch of stuff this way. In the process of buying large lots I have some double items so my to-do list this week includes listing my "extra" lot on Craigslist.

Some of the trains have been for Easter and Mr. Darcy's upcoming birthday. But my real confession, I think all the trains and destinations are just as much for me as for my children!

Whirlwind

2010-04-26T13:42:00.000-05:00

That is what is going on around here! Potty training, hair cuts and reading!

Mr. Darcy's hair has been getting longer and longer. I couldn't take it anymore.

before

after

He looks like a boy! With his ~~cute~~ handsome haircut, all his cuts and bruises, 100% boy!

He did really well while I cut his hair. I fed him and then put him in front of Thomas and Friends. He just sat there until I was almost done then he started swatting at the clippers.

Mr. Darcy has also started climbing the stairs, pulling himself on top of tables and getting into everything. Too bad Double Dare isn't around anymore, he would have rocked the Physical Challenge!

Goldilocks is wearing underwear all day!!! She is amazing! I'm sure nap and bedtime diapers will soon be gone.

Little Bo Peep is days away from reading everything in sight!. She has been showing signs of reading readiness for months. The only thing keeping her from reading sooner was my ~~laziness~~ caring for two other children. Honestly I have been hesitant to dive into the reading program that we have because I didn't want to push her. She has been showing more and more signs of being ready and I couldn't put it off any longer.

With so many changes since last week I can only imagine what tomorrow will bring.

2010-04-23T23:33:00.000-05:00

Marie at Make and Takes posted this today. I can't stop laughing at how much I relate to this clip. Enjoy!

Thankful Thursday

2010-04-22T18:01:00.000-05:00

It is Thursday correct? Yep that is the kind of week I am having!

There are many women who have had positive influence in my life. With Mother's Day a few weeks away ...note to self: think about gifts for moms... Where was I? Right, I have been thinking particularly about other mothers who have influenced me recently. Today I would like to thank a few of these women.

I wish Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman was my neighbor! The wonderful aroma that must gently drift from her kitchen would make its way into my home and inspire me to bake even more. Since we are states apart her recipes that she documents on her blog will have to do for my nose. I would like to say THANK. YOU. for sharing this amazing little ditty with me (and the rest of her followers!). I love cinnamon rolls but these are beyond any Cinnabon I have ever indulged in. I have not tried her frosting, I am sure it is wonderful, but I choose to use my favorite.

My Favorite Frosting
4C Confectioners Sugar
4T milk
3T butter (heaping)
1t vanilla
1 dash salt
Beat all ingredients with mixer 3-5 minutes. If too thick add a LITTLE milk. If too runny slowly add Confectioners Sugar.

Thank you Ree for sharing this recipe and not keeping it to yourself. It has made Saturday mornings delicious around my home!

A friend had told me about Ree's blog before and I have been reading it for a while but if it had not been for Ginger at Ginger Snap Shots I may have never known about the Cinnamon Rolls. Thank you Ginger for mentioning out-of-this-world sounding cinnamon buns. Ginger homeschools her two daughters. I think Little Bo Peep and Goldilocks will be very much like her daughters. She writes about their homeschooling experiences and everyday topics. Last month she talked posted about her daughters' learning styles. This is something I have been trying to keep in the front of my mind while planning for school. She linked to a few sites that I was able to gain a better understanding of my girls' learning styles.

Thank you Ginger for posting about your homeschool and sharing so many great ideas.

A few weeks ago I finished reading The Duggars: 20 and Counting!: Raising One of America's Largest Families--How they Do It. I have always been fascinated by big families. The Duggars are no exception. I chuckle to myself when ~~random strangers~~ people make comments that I have my hands full with my three little ones. Yes, I am busy, but it is nothing compared to many other mothers. There were many things Jim Bob and Michelle talked about in the book that were a bit extreme for me. I still took a lot away from the book.

We just finished our family closet. This was an idea I had tossed around for a while the book just nudged me to take the last step. I have taken a blanket to several doctor appointments for the girls to sit on with a few small toys. The one thing that stood out to me most was talking quietly.

Michelle talked about how her children know the softer her voice is the more upset she is. This was rolling around it my head for over a week. I kept thinking, "She is crazy, there is no way that would work for kids." Then I found myself yelling at the girls to clean up, it's time for lunch, Mr. Darcy was pulling things out left and right, I was hungry and trying to do five things as usual, and then that thought hit me again. So I started whispering, "it is time to clean up right now. we are going to eat lunch when we are done. etc." They both stopped, looked at me and started cleaning up. After a few minutes Little Bo Peep looked at me again and asked, "Mumma, were you yelling?" I continued whispering, "no, it is just time to clean up." I was floored. This must be a fluke. There is no way this would work again. The next day I started to lose my temper and tried again. It. Worked. Again. I told B about what had happened. He said, "Maybe it is like God speaking to us in that still small voice." I think he hit the nail on the head. Since then he and I will start whispering and both girls know we mean business. I dare you to try and keep your blood pressure high while whispering at your kids next time they won't listen!

Thank you Michelle for sharing your ideas and wisdom you have gained over the last 20+ years of mothering.

Which moms have influenced you lately?

Cutie Pie Words

2010-04-12T16:37:00.002-05:00

Little Bo Peep:

Shakey Socks

Wiggley Windows

And Rosie has Squeezey Doors

Random Thoughts of the Day

2010-02-23T15:38:00.007-05:00

I got an email from a friend last night saying her husband got the job he had applied for, in IOWA! Is Iowa a corn state?! I'm going to need to look into this one. I am so excited for them but going to miss her SO much. When she told me about the job last month it got B and I talking about if we ever moved out of state. The conversation didn't last very long after looking at the weather in one state and seeing that his company in the other state isn't nonprofit. It is always fun to dream about great adventures like that, I just can't wrap my mind around her moving.

Goldilocks is such a second born. She is a ham through and through. Today we went to our homeschool co-op and Mr. Darcy fell asleep on the way home. Not fun. The drive is 0.3 miles. Yep, around. the. block. I pulled in the driveway and took our bags in the house and came back to get the children. Little Bo Peep says, "Mumma, Goldilocks is asleep." What?! You have got to be kidding me. I jump in the van to see if I can wake her up before she gets into a deep sleep. I look at her face, oh yeah she is out, "Goldilocks?" Then she couldn't hold it together any more, she got a little smirk on her face and started giggling. Both girls started laughing. Yes my 2 1/2-year-old was fake sleeping just to get a laugh.

I told you these were random thoughts.

I am in L.O.V.E.
I was reading my Google Reader this morning and this was there waiting for me! I have been going crazy trying to get my hands to stop cracking and give them a little moisture during this winter. The past few nights I have slept with Aquaphor and cotton gloves. If you know me you will know that this was hard to do, it bothers me when B wears socks to bed. I wear flip flops until the snow can cover my feet. Then I pull out my Birkenstock's. although yesterday I was out in flip flops during our blizzard *enter sneaky smile here*

I had to try the Sugar Scrub, today. It is bliss. I am off to wash my hands again.

Long Winter Part III

2010-02-18T15:03:00.004-05:00

Little Bo Peep started Kindergarten! The girl was more than ready to have some formal education. Three weeks in and still loving every minute. We are stretching Kindergarten out over one and a half years that is if she will let me go that slow! Goldilocks is tagging along for most of our lessons. She wanders away sometimes but she loves finding out what is in her next workbox. I'll go into workboxes in another post but if you are really dying to know this should get you started. Mr. Darcy is loving being a part of school too. He has some of his own trays for Teeny Tiny Tot School. And is mastering the art of getting-into-my-sisters'-stuff.

One thing we have been doing for months is singing name songs. Little Bo Peep was asking all the time how to spell "this person's" name or "that person." So after hunting high and low I finally found the perfect thing.

Name Songs

From the site:

3-Letter Name Song
(Three Blind Mice)
A-m-y spells my name.
A-m-y spells my name.
I can spell my name so fine.
I can spell it all the time.
Whenever I sing this little rhyme.
A-m-y

4-Letter Name Song
(Are You Sleeping)
B-r-a-d, B-r-a-d,
Spells my name,
Spells my name.
I can be so clever
At home or school whatever,
By myself,
By myself.

5-Letter Name Song
(Bingo)
There was a mom who loved a girl
And Becky was her name oh!
B-e-c-k-y, B-e-c-k-y, B-e-c-k-y,
And Becky was her name oh!

6-Letter Name Song
(I’m a Little Teapot)
S-t-e-v-e-n that’s my name,
Listen very carefully I’ll spell it again.
S-t-e-v-e-n that’s my name,
That spells Steven, That’s my name!

7-Letter Name Song
(Mary Had a Little Lamb)
R-i-c-h-a-r-d,
That’s my name, that’s my name.
R-i-c-h-a-r-d,
I can spell my name.

8-Letter Name Song
(Are You Sleeping)
M-a-r-i-a-n-n-e
That’s my name, that’s my name.
I can really spell it,
I can really spell it,
By myself, by myself.

9 or 10 Letters
(Row, Row, Row)
J-o-h-n-a-t-h-a-n
I can really spell my name.
Listen one more time.
J-o-h-n-a-t-h-a-n
I can really spell my name.
Listen one more time.

11 or 12 Letter Name Song
(Little Tom Tinker- slowly!)
- - - - - - - - - - - -
I can spell my name
- - - - - - - - - - - -
I’ll spell it once again!

13-Letter Name Song
Choose a nickname!!!!

Little Bo Peep can spell every ones name now. Goldilocks is doing a great job too, if I could only get her to name colors correctly...

I rewrote the lyrics for our family because I didn't want them to be so generic.

Little Bo Peep's name song (Mary Had A Little Lamb)
L-B-o-P-e-e-p
She loves to dance, she loves to fly.
L-B-o-P-e-e-p
She's my L'Bo Peep. (She sings: I am L'Bo Peep)

Jenny has also started Kindergarten with Pumpkin. Not really surprising but we ordered all the same curriculum. Two peas in a pod we be! She has a Busy Bee Box similar to my Special Box. I peeked in hers this morning and I'm thinking I may need to refill mine, so I'm off to plan.

Long Winter Part II

2009-12-05T22:59:00.004-05:00

I have been plotting this post for weeks... Most days I have just lacked in the motivation a few days I lacked in the time. ;) While sitting here folding diapers and putzing around on the web I decided now is better than never.

1. ICE
I have been reading about an idea I had last year on a few blogs. Colored Ice! Simple, quick and FUN! Last year Little Bo Peep and I made red, yellow and blue ice (just fill up your ice trays with water and food coloring). We charted what happened to the ice as it melted. I did this to teach her how to make secondary colors. We started with a red cube and a yellow cube. She was able to play with the ice in a closed zip-top bag for a little while before it started to melt and the colors started to blend into my favorite, orange!

2. SPECIAL ADVENTURE
Another thing I've been reading about is something I have been waiting since last year to do with the girls. We made a red and green countdown paper chain for Christmas. Every day we take a link off and have a Christmas Adventure! Some of our adventures will include: watching a Christmas movie and eating popcorn, making ornaments and reading a Christmas book. I'll post the entire list of our adventures later. It has been so fun the past few days having an adventure as a family during my favorite part of the year.

3.READ
I just came across a challenge I think I may be up for. Reading 100 books in a month. My girls L.O.V.E. to read. We went to the library on Tuesday to get some more Christmas books and walked away with 60 books. The guy behind me asked if I was a teacher! I said, "I homeschool." :)

I am now going to fill you in on what has been going on around our Crazy Castle.

Friday I put Mr. Darcy in the exersaucer so I could make lunch. I knew Little Bo Peep was in his room playing with him and could hear that she had turned on the music on his swing. When I went to get him I found Alice (Little Bo Peep's Bitty Baby) sleeping in the swing, lights and music on, covered with Mr. Darcy's blanket while eating up the batteries in the swing! I laughed and turned it all off but didn't have time to put Alice in her own bed. When I went back in there later to get a diaper I almost had a heart attack from seeing a baby in the swing when I knew I had just left Mr. Darcy in the other room!

Earlier this week Mr. Darcy was playing on the floor in our living room and Little Bo Peep and Goldilocks started playing with him. The next thing I saw was them "wrapping" him up in the blanket he was lying on and calling him "Baby Jesus." Little Bo Peep and Goldilocks were taking turns being Mary and the Angel!

We had a wonderfully busy Thanksgiving weekend. B's sister and her family from Rhode Island were here. His parents stayed with us. My brother was home for the week. We gave my mom a surprise birthday party on Friday. Had lunch with some friends from Ohio on Saturday. We dedicated Mr. Darcy on Sunday and then had the ENTIRE family back to our house for lunch. It was all wonderful but busy.

We also found out that B's brother and his wife Rebecca are parents!!! I am SOOOO EXCITED!!! My kids won't be able to babysit for their kids like they have joked about for years. Mr. Darcy and their new squisher will be a year apart, HOORAY! I just keep thinking of all the things we can do together now that we have one more thing in common, motherhood. Mom2Mom sales, Mom's Night Out, 2AM laundry... Hooray for another baby!

Now I'm off to watch Blake Lively, I *heart* SNL!

cmas pageant

Longgggggggg Winter

2009-10-30T16:38:00.002-05:00

This was the message on my answering machine the other day:

Hi Andi, it's Jenny. It's going to be a longggggg winter. I have an idea so give me a call.

When I called her I expected her to tell me of great plans to move us all to a warmer climate... Wishful thinking? No, I love the seasons too much to move south. Her idea was to compile a list of activities with supplies that can be pulled out at any time. This idea has been swimming around my brain the past few days. It hit me today, don't keep this between us, put it on here to share with others.

I'm sharing this with you on one condition, you share with me.

I know I can't make you share ideas, but I would SO appreciate any input from you!

Over the years of teaching and now being a mom I have collected many books and websites I turn to when I need ideas. With all of these resources overflowing from my classroom bookshelves and my Delicious account busting at the seams I don't have time to look for an activity when I have one, two or even three kids screaming from boredom. I need something fast that doesn't take any planning or preparation. I can only retain so much information so I think this post will be perfect.

I'm planning on making it a regular post. We'll see if I can get to posting ideas weekly but for now I'm aiming for twice a month. Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss any ideas and if you post a list of your own add it to Mister Linky (at the end of this post).

Long Winter Day Ideas

Shaving cream in a bag-- Buy the cheep bottles of shaving cream at the dollar store. Keep some gallon size zip lock bags with the can. Squirt some shaving cream in the bag, seal and squish! Sometimes I add a few drops of food coloring or a dab of paint. If you mix primary colors it doubles as a lesson for secondary colors and the effect white has on colors.

Water race-- Pull out a piece of wax paper, a straw and get a little water in a bowl. (You may need to tape down the corners of the wax paper.) Dip your fingers into the water and put a few drops onto one end of the wax paper. Start blowing the water with the straw. Once your child becomes a pro you can have races to see who gets to the end first. Here is a video for all of the visual learners! (Side note- this lady is AMAZING! Pull up her page any time for a song playlist your preschool kids will enjoy, which takes me to my next idea.)

Sing a song-- I know it sounds too simple, but it's not easy. When I'm trying to get seven things done at once and my kids are bouncing off the walls singing is NOT the first thing that pops into my head. While I have a lot of songs tucked away in my back pocket I still forget about them ALL. THE. TIME. Last week I spent a few days putting together a song book. I now have a binder with 40+ songs that my kids can look at and tell me what they want to sing. I put a distinct picture with each song so pre-readers can still pick.

Special box-- I have a box that I pull out when I need the kids to play with out my attention. It only comes out once in a while so it stays special and I change out the contents periodically. Right now there are some books that are related to current holidays and season, metal trays with magnets, a few foam puzzles, a magnet puzzle book, a few finger puppets, and Mini PlaySkool games: Don't break the Ice and Cootie.

I hope this gets your juices flowing. Link up below with your ideas and subscribe now to get updates in the future. Here is to an enjoyable winter regardless of the length!

Dear Anonymous

2009-09-17T03:32:00.001-05:00

A comment left here from my last post:

Anonymous said...

They should teach that being a mother is a blessing and that some people won't be able to procreate so if you are blessed with children, you should be grateful and not complain. I know a ton of women who would love to be in your shoes so next time you are listing off the "challenges" you face as a parent, you might want to count your blessings instead.

My first reaction to this comment was to hit delete. This is my blog and I have the freedom to say whatever I feel and think. The more I thought about the situation I realized Anonymous has the right to speak their mind. While the comment was uncalled for I do not know their situation and the struggles they may have gone through or are going through. After thinking hard and praying about this I have decided to respond the only way I know how, with honesty. I strive to be real in life and on this blog. I like to think "what you see is what you get," that is what I am trying to do here.

Dear Anonymous,

I am aware that children are a blessing, I have never claimed otherwise. No one ever told me I would be spending hours every week in the laundry room scrubbing out stains. I was not informed that waking up out of a dead sleep I would have SteveSongs running through my head instead of Green Day's latest hit. I wish someone had been more honest about the day to day happenings in the life of a mom. I wish someone would be that open with teenagers who are tempting fate. Had someone been this blunt with me I still would have had children, but I would have been a little more prepared.

I watched my parents lose four babies and have had dear friends suffer the same loss. I hurt with my friends who can not conceive. And I rejoice when after months of trying God blesses them with a miracle. Even those blessed with children are only human and do not have a smile all day. Parenthood is not all lollipops and roses.

Dealing with Postpartum Depression for the second time is no picnic. Every day I battle with myself over the thoughts and feelings I have. No one told me this was a possibility. I never imagined I would have to force myself to hold my baby. Having a third baby was not supposed to emotionally detach me from my other children. A new baby shouldn't pull me further away from my friends. I never dreamed having another child would bring loneliness.

There hasn't been a day in Mr. Darcy's life that I haven't shed tears at least once. Daily I struggle with my ability as a wife, mother and friend. The strain this mental illness is putting on my relationships with my husband, children, family and friends weighs on my heart every day. Every morning I force myself to get out of bed because my husband and children need me. Each moment of doubt, loneliness, anger, sadness and fear I push forward because one day I will be better. This is a war I will win.

My friend Ruth from church posted about a series that just finished on Sunday mornings.

Our church recently did a series on Habakkuk. We talked about how we all experience "dips" in our lives in one way or another, where we encounter something that either causes us to take pause or sometimes even causes us to complete stop in our tracks of life. Habakkuk shows us how that even in those dips, God is wanting us to press in closer to Him (not just turning to Him during the good times). It's in those moments where we can really learn to trust Him. Of course, there's not always an easy answer to our situations. There won't always seem to be a way out. Sometimes it's something we have to continue to live with. God knows that. He understands that we don't always understand, that we ask why, that we even get upset with Him at times. And that's okay. Our Father loves us deeply, and wants to help us grow, just like us parents want for our children.

The last week of the series, we showed a video of some other people at Paradox who have gone through various dips in life. The stories share their dip, some of their heartache, and where they are at now. Some are past those moments, and some are still in the thick of it, trying their best to cling to Christ.

Making the decision to be a part of this video was a big step for me. Through the whole series I felt God whisper to me, "I will use your hurt, pain and healing to help others." I felt this was the first part of God using me to help others. I'm still waiting to see how this will help others. It was not easy to be that vulnerable in front of the whole church. It isn't easy being this open and honest on this blog, but I think this is one more step. One more step to helping someone and one more step toward my healing.

Every day I am reminded of God's blessings. He gives me strength to keep fighting and not give in to the lies. Anonymous, you may have been trying to remind me that my children are to be cherished, but maybe next time you will take a step back and think from the another's point of view.

What Should Really Be Taught...

2009-08-24T10:49:00.004-05:00

in sex-ed.

How many people live in your house x 2 = loads of laundry per week.

Add 30 minutes at the beginning and end of a typical trip to the store. And take around 3 extra bags full of items you may or may not need.

A typical conversation with a friend will go something like this:
You: "Ted and I were going Johny stop hitting your sister to take a Susie spit that rock out now drive to the Susie give that toy back to the baby shore Johny where is your other shoe on Sunday. We were thinking of Susie stop screaming having a where did I put the baby's spoon picnic. Do you want to join us? Johny bring me your shoe so I can tie it."
Friend: "Yes we would love to join you."
You: "Join us for what?"

You will never miss a meal again. You will not eat at these meals, but you will never miss one.

Snack will become a four-letter word. Along with mom.

You will become an expert on product recalls instead of movie reviews.

Every children's morning show theme song will be memorized in place of the Top 20.

You will never again need to set an alarm clock.

Okay moms what else should they really teach?

10 Things I Hate About You

2009-08-16T18:09:00.004-05:00

I hate the way you make me look, and your awful folding chairs.

I hate I’m now a Soccer Mom, I hate it when people stare.

I hate your big dumb sliding doors and the way you drive so fine.

I hate you so much it makes me sick, it even makes me rhyme.

I hate the way you’re always roomy, I hate it when you fly.

I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry.

I hate it when you’re not around, and the fact that you always haul.

But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

Nuks Unite

2009-08-10T08:04:00.002-05:00

Last night right before bed Goldilocks was giving Mr. Darcy kisses via their Nuks.

Frugal Friday: Natural Cleaning Disclaimer

2009-07-18T21:59:00.003-05:00

Jenny called me this morning asking if I always get an explosion when I mix my cleaner. Her husband and daughter got a great laugh out of her exploding cleaner. Which my daughter did too the first time (as did B when I told him the story today).

Apparently she usually mixes in a bowl and has not used the pop bottle method before, before today that is! I told her the first time I mixed it I had the baking soda in the bottle and then added the vinegar and BOOM! Suds, liquid, mess EVERYWHERE!

Since then I put the baking soda in the bottle and then add the vinegar a little at a time. There is obviously a chemical reaction with these two, everyone knows that. But there must be something that makes it extra, shall we say, spectacular, when the two meet in a closed space. (I'll have to get the chemist answer from my good friend who is a chemist teacher.) So if you are going to mix this cleaner in the pop bottle ADD THE VINEGAR SLOWLY.

Also instead of the lemon juice you buy in the bottle I now use True Lemon, thank you Rebecca! It comes in these little packets, like sugar at a restaurant. The box is with the spices at your grocery store. There is also a True Lime which I will be trying with my Corona very soon!

I found online that 2 packets = 1 Tablespoon. This stuff smells AMAZING and the cleaner smells great because of it.

Have fun with your exploding cleaner!

Frugal Friday: Natural Cleaning

2009-07-17T11:50:00.001-05:00

I have been slowly replacing all my chemical-filled-cleaners with natural cleaners. B and I have used baking soda since we were married to clean sinks and tubs, it is the fastest way I have found to cut through soap scum. Last week I was cleaning the tub with baking soda as usual. The kids started stirring and I wasn't close to being done. I had the tub cleaned but not the walls. Baking soda was taking too long, what to do now? I had been curious about a cleaner I had made recently. I went to get the spray bottle and tried it.

It worked! And fast!

What was the cleaner you ask?

Fruit/Veggie Cleaner! My friend Jenny had posted it on her blog months ago. I have been using it for fruit and it works great. Now I know it works great as a household cleaner too! Thanks Jenny!

Of course I didn't think to take before and after pictures. But I wasn't able to finish the walls completely so I can show you some pictures. The before picture is the worst spot now, but there was spots that were even worse! Just spray, let it sit for a minute and a quick scrub.

Before (I can't believe I'm posting this.)
After!

Now to find a natural alternative to Pledge.

Please note my disclaimer for this cleaner!

Tootsie Warmers Pattern (Giveaway!)

2009-07-16T11:51:00.005-05:00

I'm thinking about selling my pattern for the Tootsie Warmers in my etsy shop. I asked a friend if she would test the pattern and give me feedback. The more I think about it I realize I should get a little more feedback. The first three replies will receive my pattern for FREE! The only catch, you need to know how to crochet and be wiling to give me feedback within a month. If you can do those two things leave a comment with your preferred shoe size and I will email you the pattern!

Simple Joys

2009-07-15T20:27:00.006-05:00

For several months I have wanted to get Little Bo Peep a camera. I've looked on ebay for a specific camera that is made for kids. It retails for over $60 so I was not going to buy a new one but all the affordable ones on ebay had some flaw so I just put it out of my head, well kinda. A friend from church gave her son her old camera and he takes pictures which she will occasionally upload on Facebook. This got me thinking. I have an old camera collecting dust, why not give it to Little Bo Peep!

So today I did just that!

She has been taking pictures all afternoon. I'll spare you the blurred photos and 57 shots of her clothes close up, but I did want to share a few of her cute first photos!

When I first gave her the camera she really wanted to take a picture of my computer and the TV in my room. When I told her to go take pictures of other things in the house she refused! Kids are so funny.

Okay I took this of her while showing her how to use the camera, I love her!

She had to get one of her sister.

We have been getting meals from some people at church and today my earlier mentioned friend brought us a meal and she brought her boys with us. I think her son, S, who has the camera was impressed that another kid had a camera. He was a great subject for her first photo shoot.

And his brother.

Tonight we let the girls sleep in their tent in their bedroom. They were SO excited! Little Bo Peep took some pictures. Goldilocks was rushing back and forth from her bed to the tent taking all of her lovies and pillow to sleep with in the tent, this girl knows what she wants! B was a little disappointed that he didn't get to be a part of their first camp-out.

Setting up.

Taking pictures of each other.

Here is B's pictures of them.

You have to love the vast amount of ceiling shots!

I'll also share a few cute pictures of Mr. Darcy and the rest of the family. ;)

4th of July fireworks

We had butterflies. They were supposed to come next week but of course they came a month early and I got to tend to those and a new baby all at the same time, gotta love homeschooling!

The kids and B watching Sesame Street.

Goldilocks and her cute self.

Cutie Mr. Darcy

Mr. Darcy

2009-07-02T11:39:00.003-05:00

He arrived early! I was due 4th of July, I went into labor June 27 and delivered June 28. He was 7 lb 4 oz and 21 inches. Everyone is doing great!

Pictures

2009-06-16T07:07:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago my friend from college, Crystal, took pictures of the girls (and a few of B and I). Here is a link to some of them. She is AMAZING!!! Thanks girl!

I'm Here

2009-06-16T07:02:00.002-05:00

I'm here.
I see my background needs to be changed.
I'm swollen.
I'm ready to have a baby (too bad my body is taking it's sweet time!).
I've been enjoying the great outdoors with the family.
Maybe I'll be back later to post pictures and give updates.
Life with three kids is around the corner!!!!

I Scream, You Scream

2009-05-14T13:26:00.002-05:00

Baskin Robbins: Soft Serve Cones

ONLY .88!

In honor of the nationwide Soft Serve launch, Baskin Robbins is offering Soft Serve for just .88 thru 5/25! Regular 6 oz. vanilla soft serve cones (and kid 3 oz. from what I heard) vanilla soft serve cones will be reduced to .88!

A Mothers Questionnaire

2009-05-11T13:54:00.004-05:00

I found this over at Spesamor Acadamy. She posted it for Mother's Day and I thought it would be fun to see what Little Bo Peep has to say.

1. What is something your mom always says to you? I spy with my little eye

2. What makes your mom happy? the t.v.

3. What makes your mom sad? the t.v. (I guess I cry because I watch Sesame Street every day and not anything I want to watch...)

4. How does your mom make you laugh? (no answer)

5. What was your mom like as a child? you liked peanut butter and jelly like me and Goldilocks

6. How old is your mom? TWO!

7. How tall is your mom? big

8. What is her favorite thing to do? build towers (really?!)

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around? take things out of my room (which only happens at night when she won't go to sleep and whatever she is playing with is taken away)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? for Mr. Darcy (I guess if I were the mom of the real Mr. Darcy I would be famous for giving birth to one handsome man!!!)

11. What is your mom really good at? making stuff

12. What is your mom not very good at? breaking things

13. What does your mom do for her job? wash your hands

14. What is your mom’s favorite food? crumbs (what?!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom? nothing (sad)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Angelina Ballerina's mom

17. What do you and your mom do together? play games

18. How are you and your mom the same? Little Bo Peep, Goldilocks and you, we are all people

19. How are you and your mom different? (no answer)

20. How do you know your mom loves you? (no answer)

21. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go? to Bubbe's house (my mom)

Magazines

2009-05-11T12:34:00.005-05:00

Magazines are one of those things I have a hard time letting go of after I finish reading. I might need to reread it years down the road. There are so many good ideas in there I will never remember if I get rid of them. If I throw it out I will need something in there two weeks later. My list goes on and on.

I toss catalogs all the time but my magazines are all piled and stuffed among my art supply closet. I just can't seem to get rid of them.

Today I threw out the first magazine... maybe ever.

For years I have wanted to start one of those binders that organizational articles are always talking about in my many magazines. I just never could wrap my mind around how I would put one together. How do I group things together, how do I cut apart my magazines, I can't just punch holes in the pages (I might punch right through something important), and each magazine is a different size so the pages won't be uniform. All reasons to keep me saying, "I'll make a binder later."

Saturday I was with a group of moms and we were talking about organizing your home and life. I feel organized, I know when people come over they think I have it together on keeping my home organized. Well I know there are a few areas that need help (my storage closet already met my wrath) and magazines are one of those areas! Lori brought her magazine binder to share with us. She keeps ideas for crafts to do with her kids, seasonal decoration ideas, recipes, etc. She uses page protectors for all the magazine pullouts (and things she prints from the computer). It was beautiful! For some reason seeing this binder was what made me realize I can do it too.

So this morning I looked through a Family Fun magazine and pulled out all the articles that I wanted to save, marked them so my eye jumps right to them when I flip through the binder and out of one magazine that was 120 pages I saved NINE pages. That was 111 pages that were cluttering up my house. I really don't want to think about how many pages are sitting in my basement....

Thanks Lori for making me see I can do it too!

Clean Home Carnival (part 2)

2009-05-06T12:56:00.004-05:00

I completely forgot to post the pictures from my closet cleanup. I was in the basement about eight hours that day... long day! B did help as did the girls (THANK YOU B FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!!!!!!!) We donated a bunch of stuff and I have a ton of stuff for a Mom 2 Mom sale (just need to pick one now). We still have a bit more to do in the closet. The tools and such that are in there need to be organized but I couldn't do another thing that day. So here are the pictures:

BEFORE

DURING (the girls had fun playing bath)

AFTER

Thanks JulieMom for the challenge!

Tot School and Ketchup

2009-05-05T20:26:00.007-05:00

Not so much ketchup as catch up!

I blame the wonderful weather God has blessed us with the past few weeks. It is the only reason I have not been posting or even reading others blogs. I'm here tonight so I will do a short review for you.

While we have been outside a TON my camera has not been joining us for some reason, I really must have a talk with that contraption and convince it to come outside with us more often.

Tot School has consisted of zoo trips and playing outside. We have been doing a lot of reading inside some coloring and puzzles but mostly we get outside as much as we can.

We now have a membership to our local zoo. B and I have been talking about getting one for a while. Jenny called me a few weeks ago to see if we would like to go to the zoo with them for the morning so I decided it was time to get that membership!

Unfortunately for us we decided to go on the last day of Easter/spring break for our school district, which also happened to be one of the first nice days. We along with every other mom in the tri-county area had the same brilliant idea: zoo trip= get out of the house for a few hours.

When the weather gets nice our state flower comes out too. You don't know what our state flower is?! Why it is the beautiful orange cone!

After sitting in construction traffic I sat at one stinking light for over 20 minutes. The "zoo traffic" was just as bad if not worse than the construction traffic.

We finally made it into the parking lot. Being 6 1/2 months pregnant at the time would immediately cause me to park at the farthest point from the entrance. So after we parked, took a long stroll through the parking lot, paid for our membership, and put sunscreen on we were finally inside looking at the animals.

Little Bo Peep and Pumpkin had fun and didn't even fight the whole time in the zoo! (There was a moment when someone wanted to hold someone else's hand and soemthing else or other but that was only 30 seconds so it doesn't count, right!?)

We had a nice snack while the warthogs came to say hi (I think they wanted some of our food...)

Why are kids so drawn to water? The girls didn't care about seeing anymore animals they just wanted to stand at this nasty gate and look at the mucky water. Really?!

Goldilocks would live outside if we would let her!

We went back to the zoo last week as a family. When I was a kid we took pictures in front of the fountain, the water had not been in the first time so Little Bo Peep and I had to get a picture this time.

The girls loved the butterflies.

We heard a bunch of people telling their kids, "look at the kitty." Why would you ever tell your kid that beast is a kitty?! It is one thing to teach them that tigers are a part of the feline bread, but don't use the word kitty, please.

The flamingos are now one of Little Bo Peep's favorites (power of suggestion from Pumpkin!).

This peacock had it bad! We watched him for a while strutting his stuff and he would not give it up.

As soon as the little lady walked away he could care less.

The arctic exhibit is wonderful! The girls love watching the seals above water and down below.

One of the polar bears gave us a nice show!

And there is this cool wall of ice that we all had fun touching.

If you have a zoo near you a membership (unless you are one of those tremendously lucky people who lives near a nice free zoo) is a great investment.

We finished reading Charlotte's Web this morning. I checked out the audio book from the library and we have been reading it during lunch time. I used to use audio books in my classroom at lunch time almost every day. I think it is a great time to listen to a book and help calm younger children before nap/quiet time. We took the book back this morning and checked out the cartoon and the movie that was made a few years ago. Little Bo Peep can't wait to watch them. Our new book we started today is Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus. Little Bo Peep and I read Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine back in February. She didn't get it totally so I though I would put off reading some more of these books for a few months. But Little Bo Peep is talking about Junie B. all the time so I thought I would try again. My sister started reading these books when she was younger and LOVED them! My students (both boys and girls) loved them. I love them. While some argue that she is bratty I think she is just an exaggerated normal almost-six-year-old girl. I take every inappropriate word she uses (stupid, dumb, hate, etc.) to teach once again how we need to be careful of the words we use. My students would catch Junie B. saying words that were inappropriate that I would pass over if I wasn't paying attention. And I would hear them playing and correct others for using "inappropriate" words. I think the books you read with your children for fun or school can all be used to teach something. Now to choose our book to read after Junie B. 1-4 is done....

Don't forget to check out other Tot School posts.

Just Like Mumma

2009-04-13T14:08:00.004-05:00

I mentioned in my last post how much I love my baby carrying pouch, but I can't use it for long periods of time. It starts to pull on my shoulders and back. I was reading a new post on The Cloth Diaper Whisper about slings. She mentioned she uses a Moby Wrap. I have wanted to carry my babies for longer periods of time but just couldn't bear the pain. I think this could be the answer.

I have been looking around at different brands and checking out all kinds of how-to-wear videos on YouTube about these wraps today. This morning I was watching some videos and the girls both ran over to watch with me (any thing to watch "TV," right?!). Little Bo Peep asked what they were doing in the videos. I told her that they were using a baby wrap, something I would use to help carry Mr. Darcy once he is born.

A little while later she ran and grabbed her blanket and told me (in Elmo's World fashion), "This is how I use a baby wrap." I tied her blanket for her and she ran to get her baby to wear. Of course Goldilocks had to join in on the baby wearing fun!

I will be off to my local Joann store to pick up some fabric to make my own Moby style wrap.

Mr. Darcy

2009-04-13T14:06:00.000-05:00

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a fictional character from Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. He is not so fictional in the minds of many Austen fans! He is the ultimate for any young lady looking for a respectable gentalman to marry. So my love of Austen, my love of Colin Firth, and the fact that our son's name also starts with an F, have brought me to the decision that his blog name will be Mr. Darcy.

I'm Sorry...

2009-04-09T23:07:00.006-05:00

...but, for real?!

I am about to buy more diapers for Mr. Darcy and have been looking at different websites. I think I will go with the same shop I bought from last time, but I just want to make sure I have the best price. I am also looking for some diaper cream that is safe for cloth diapers which is how I ended up at the site where I found the The Babykeeper For Public Restrooms by Mommysentials.

So really if you have time to hang your baby from the stall walls why are you not just wearing your kid?! I love my pouch and B loves our Bjorn we wear our kids. I am wondering how many parents have time and energy to carry this thing with them and then whip it out to use while you or your three-year-old is about to pee their pants.

Just wear your kids!

It gets better. There are testimonials on the site!

I was one of the lucky ones to use a prototype of the Babykeeper. The first time I used it I was at Costco with my three-year-old and my nine-month-old. My older son had to use the restroom and I needed both hands to help him. I strapped the baby into the Babykeeper and hung him on the stall. I wanted to cry with joy at how much easier the Babykeeper made what used to be a stressful event. Thank you Mommysentials! -Kelli E.

It is a great invention! Do they make them for husbands? -Betsy G.

Then it goes on to explain how the inventors (two sisters) developed this item.

She found herself needing to use a public restroom with her baby in tow, and realized there was no safe and sanitary place to put her.

Reading the reviews and then the reasoning behind this contraption led me to one thought.

I don't know when the last time was that you were in a Costco bathroom, but I was in there last week. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SANITARY PLACE IN THOSE BATHROOMS.

Clean Home Carnival

2009-04-08T07:11:00.002-05:00

I just came across this post from JulieMom. She just started this last week so I'm not too far behind jumping on her bandwagon. She mentioned she is a natural organizer. I don't have my bookmarks alphabetized, but then again I don't have bookmarks I have Delicious. I remember going to friends houses when I was younger and I would help them organize and clean (I'm not calling you out because I know you have changed your ways!).

I feel that I am naturally organized, sometimes. My family and friends always make comments about how organized I am, but truthfully when this comes up my mind jumps to all the areas in my home where I don't have that "on top of" feeling. Several weeks ago I rearranged the girls closet so they could access their toys and shoes and I could feel sane when the door was opened to get something out. The top shelf still needs a bit of tweaking but the shelves for the little people have not been put up yet so the big pieces are all lined up in the top of the closet (I need another great weather day so I can paint the shelves...) A few days after I worked in their room I went to town in the basement. I switched the "family room" and the "classroom/dining-area-for-more-than-6/office/craft-room/library." We now have a classroom/library which is all very organized (I do still have a bit to do in the closet) and a great open family room (I have some work to do in the office/craft room area). But the thing that has been in the back of my mind and overwhelming me to no end for months (really years, since we moved in....) is our storage closet. It reminds me of this clip from FRIENDS. There is a door in Monica's apartment that no one has ever opened and no one knows what is behind the door. When asked she won't give in to the questions so Chandler takes matters into his own hands.

This is what I want to work on this week. I'm afraid it will take longer than a few days but we have a three day weekend so maybe B will help (hint hint hubster!). I'm working up my nerve to go take a picture for you to all see and be shocked by what lives in my basement.... Check back later to see if I braved my own fears.

Tot School Tuesday

2009-04-07T13:52:00.007-05:00

Little Bo Peep is 38 months and Goldilocks is 18 months

The past two weeks of Tot School have just been Tot School, no themes, no intentional teaching just school. The girls have been doing well picking different activities off the shelves and cleaning up after they finish. Goldilocks needs encouragement and sometimes there is great kicking and screaming while having to stop an activity to go back and clean up after herself. I did discover the other day as long as I sing the Clean Up song she will help but the second I stop singing she stops picking up!
Clean up, clean up,
Everybody everywhere.
Clean up, clean up,
Everybody do your share.
It is stuck in my head all day long on top of random Sesame Street and Raffi songs!

Goldilocks is doing well pouring, she loves this activity.

Little Bo Peep can't get enough of the bouncy ball activity. I feel bad taking it off the shelf because she has so much fun with it.

Goldilocks doesn't like using her rug very much. She fights me on sitting down for an activity but will joyfully complete the same activity at their little table.

Can you tell which is the more strong willed child?! The fun we have to look forward to with this one. :D

She did sit down with me on her mat to play with the big box of blocks. But this was one kicking and screaming episode when clean up happened!

And had to take some to the table just to prove her point.

Guess which activity is now being fought over?!

Goldilocks just discovered it the other day but I was pleased that they actually were fine taking turns using the cute magnets. I have another set I need to pull out then they can want both sets instead of each having one!

We all three played the Candy Land Castle game.

I think we got this game before Goldilocks was born. Little Bo Peep loved pulling the candy cane lever and matching the pieces to the board. Goldilocks also loves pulling the lever but doesn't enjoy matching them the same way. I was surprised they took turns, both matched pieces and had fun the whole time. I don't remember any crying and I know there was no pieces being thrown across the room! We did change the rules a bit. When the piece you pull out doesn't match any on your gingerbread person board you are supposed to put it back in the castle. Instead we put it on another board if someone needed it.

We have been playing games as a family much more. I love games (which I have posted about before) and I love it even more that my girls are able to join us now and they are having fun too! Little Bo Peep loves going down to the game closet and picking out a game for us to play.

Cooking together (and yes Goldilocks is eating off the knife, I couldn't get her to stop! I see sword swallowing in her future....)

Music and Movement

Goldilocks was trying to carry all six ribbons and three bean bags!

Bingo Dabber ~~eating~~ painting

Squishy Bags (shaving Cream and a dab of paint)

I was surprised the cream lasted all day inside the bags. It wasn't as fluffy at the end of the day as pictured but still squishable.

Color Forms and Foam Puzzles

I got these puzzles at a garage sale last summer and have seen several other blogs saying they recently purchased the same ones at the Dollar Tree, in case you would like the same.

Wee Wedgits one of Goldilocks favorites!

Block Land (Little Bo Peep was making a piano)

Chess with Daddy

She feels so big when she colors just like Little Bo Peep.

Here is the picture I was able to sneak in and get while they were both sleeping in their beds!

Since we are currently receiving the last dregs of winter I grabbed some black paper and magnifine glasses to look at snowflakes.

This past Saturday I went to a few Mom-to-Mom sales. I haven't been to one in almost a year! I made off with some great finds!!!! I got a bunch of clothes for our little boy. I also found some great school finds and this:

Goldilocks watched Little Bo Peep once and then climbed on and started spinning herself. I was a bit disappointed that there is a button on top that plays music. I prefer them to play with their imagination, they are stimulated enough without more music. But for $3.00 I couldn't pass it up. Then after they were both trying to get a turn I realized

one song = one turn

Brilliant! I guess stimulation isn't always a bad thing.

This was the rest of the school finds I got (plus a Light Bright Cube) for a total of $19.75!!! (this stash would have been over $100 brand new)

Check out more Tot School

Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk

2009-04-01T15:45:00.006-05:00

Little Bo Peep just came running over to me, "Mumma, Goldilocks made a mess in the kitchen." Now this doesn't raise any alarms for me because she says this even if Goldilocks has gotten out two books and has them both open at the same time. I replied, "Okay." She didn't leave obviously waiting for me to come running back with her. "Mumma, Goldilocks made a big mess with her milk!" This got my attention. The past few days Goldilocks has been turning her cup upside down and shaking milk out through the sippy. Not a big deal but something worth getting up to stop before I have too much of a mess on my floor.

This is the mess I found Goldilocks sitting in:

Lord, please give me strength.

I grabbed some towels and soaked up what her pants didn't absorb. Change her diaper then took the wet stuff to the basement. While I was down there I found a dry skirt for her to wear. Take a wild guess where I found her when I came up to put the dry clothes on her.

Nope.

She was standing on the kitchen chair about to climb onto the table! And of course this time Little Bo Peep didn't think it necessary to tell me her sister was in danger!

I have been thinking about buying some ShamWOWs for a few weeks, I'm so getting some this weekend!

This one is going to give me a run for my money so I better start buying products that will save me money and time like the ShamWOW!

Fanny Pack?!

2009-03-30T14:39:00.002-05:00

Okay I know, blast from the past just saying the words! Just hear me out.

One of my secret indulgences is Burn Notice on USA Network. Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) is the on-again/off-again girlfriend of Michael the lead character. I loved this Gabrielle in Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken. She is awesome on Burn Notice. Her style is amazing. Watching the show in recent weeks it causes me to wish I was in a pre-mom body with lots of money so I could look like her. There are a few things that I could wear even with a post-mom body, if I only had the money! There are some super cute pants, sassy sunglasses, but the one thing I really want: her hip bag.

But alas I do not have the funds to sport this around town (plus if I did there are 100 more practical things I would end up buying first). I have been searching my trusty internet to find a tutorial to make one similar to this hip bag. I just can't find what I am looking for, they all look far too fanny pack-ish.

Have you ever seen something like this? Looking for any help.

Long Week

2009-03-30T13:23:00.000-05:00

The past week was a long week around here. B was working late a lot, he had an important class he was training since they are going through some big changes. It was hard for the girls and I to wait for him to be home so late two weeks in a row (this week looks MUCH more promising for him to be home on time, yippee!).

I was working hard on the raffle portion of our second annual Psaghetti Dinner with Paradox. This year all the proceeds went to our children's ministry at church again. Last year we were the only ministry that made money. (GO US!!!!) So this year the funds are suporting the ministry for the year. It is our way of helping out the church which is feeling the pinching pennies like everyone and every business around here.

While the week was stressful getting everything ready and making sure all the prizes were in order our night was a great success!!!!! I don't have a total of the night yet, we are still counting (which I think is a great sign).

There is snow on the ground right now. Not much but still snow. grrrr. And what am I reading about this morning? Gardening. I have wanted to garden for years now. The problem is the neighborhood we live in is near the lake. Our lake is DIRTY! and causes different levels in the ground to be unsafe for food. While we are a couple miles from the shore it still concerns me. Last year I found an above ground gardening stand.

While this item is great and would allow me to plant above ground it costs $80! I have been trying to think of different ways to make something like this for much less money. I know growing our own veggies would save us money and it would be fun to reap from our labor. So my search for an answer is still on to find a way to garden.

This is my 200th post. How fun is that?! Thanks to all my family, friends and followers for still reading my ramblings!

Give Away

2009-03-30T12:58:00.002-05:00

Amy has another give away that I sooooo want! The tray she is giving away is something we already have. So why do I want another one? Well I have two girls (and a little boy on the way). If Little Bo Peep and Goldilocks could have one and I only had to buy one of them that would be awesome! So go over and check it out!

OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!

2009-03-25T07:01:00.002-05:00

OH MY GOSH!

It happened.

I wish I could go take a picture for you, but I can't.

I don't want either of them to wake up.

I am still in shock.

Goldilocks slept in her toddler bed

ALL NIGHT!!!!!!

A few weeks ago we put the bed in Little Bo Peep's room. We went through the whole thing with her saying that it is now their room and Goldilocks would sleep in there all the time.

Well the first night Goldilocks went and climbed into the bed and laid down. AWESOME!

Then she got out of bed. BAD!

This went on for a while until we put her in the pack-n-play because I really didn't want to put her back in the nursery.

It was well after 11:00 PM before they were both asleep that night. Over three hours of goofing around and laughing and getting out of bed (for Little Bo Peep, B and I).

We have been trying different things the past few weeks to get them to both sleep in the same room. The thing that works best is having Goldilocks go to sleep first (since she will fall asleep within minutes if she is alone) and then putting Little Bo Peep to bed a little bit later (since she will go to sleep fairly quickly if Goldilocks is already sleeping).

There have been a lot of nights that Goldilocks wakes up when Little Bo Peep goes to bed and then they play and laugh for a while...

Last week we started trying Goldilocks in the bed again and after getting out two or three times we would put her in the pack-n-play. Last week I told her she needed to get used to the bed because I was going to need the pack-n-play for the baby soon!

Last night she didn't get out of bed at all. When Little Bo Peep went to bed Goldilocks did wake up, but neither of them talked or played they both went to sleep.

All night long Goldilocks stayed in bed. (One night she woke up at 1:00 AM and got up to play! B went to lay her back down and before he was back in bed she was playing again so she went in the pack-n-play at that point!)

They are both still sleeping. In the same room. In beds. The pack-n-play may be starting it's vacation til the baby arrives!

I just wish I had a picture. maybe I can slip in as they are waking up and get one...

Tot School Tuesday

2009-03-24T12:53:00.003-05:00

Little Bo Peep is 38 months and Goldilocks is 18 months.

The past two weeks we were focusing on the letter B.

Babies were played with constantly. Oh wait that isn't unusual in our home!

Goldilocks was pushing the high chair around like a stroller. Apparently she too is an interior designer just like her big sister! They are both always rearranging furniture and rugs.

Our friends Becca and Lorelai came over to play. (I found out that B does not like the phrase "play date," but what else do you call it?)

The girls all tried eating play dough thanks to Goldilocks... She kept licking it and before I knew it she took a little bite then a HUGE bite. :rollseyes:

Boxes are everywhere in our home so the girls had fun playing inside them and dumping them, it was as if they knew it was B week!

We have tons of the baby chain links all over the house. The girls usually make necklaces with them but sometimes they wear them as bracelets.

Beads are always a hit and are used a lot by all three of us.

One of the books we got from the library this week is "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear."

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around,

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, show your shoe

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, that will do!

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, go upstairs-

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say your prayers-

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn out the lights-

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say good-night!

I was teaching the motions to the girls and this is Goldilocks version of "touch the ground:"

For two days she kept "touching the ground!"

Show your shoe.

Say good night.

We were able to spend a lot of time in the beautiful outdoors.

Yes Goldilocks was climbing onto the table, I thought she was trying to sit down but once I stopped taking pictures I realized what she was really doing!

Little Bo Peep loves looking at the other side of her place mat.

She has learned the entire sign language alphabet just from this. Sign language was my foreign language in high school so I love teaching the girls signs. Which is why I made this file folder game for her with some extra flash cards I had on hand.

More outside time. Goldilocks was in the car for over half an hour. She just kept driving backwards. If she got stuck she would just stay there turning the wheel until someone came to move her!

She was in this spot for over 15 minutes working on her Dee-troit lean.

B had the girls flying like airplanes, such fun with daddy.

I guess I was mistaken in thinking this was a rack for purses. Little Bo Peep decided shoes would work better here and Goldilocks agreed.

Tasty tea party. I think they are using Bigelow tea!

Goldilocks made sure to take every piece off before she tried to put the rings back on in order.

Here is Goldilocks with a new learning activity. She is supposed to reach in the box and pull out the block and then put in on the sheet. After matching the blocks there is a small hole on top of the box to drop them back in, this is the part she hasn't really grasped yet!

Little Bo Peep, my budding artist.

Goldilocks decided she wanted to do a learning activity just like Little Bo Peep. So she got out the mat, picked an activity, and did it. While she did not use the tweezers, she did put the beads on the little suction cups. And this was all on her own.

I guess it is time for me to step it up with her and school!

We went to the movies and payed $2.00!!!!! for all of us to see the movie, of course we spent $8 on popcorn and a drink, yes just one small drink! *sigh*

The Tale of Despereaux was very cute!

I guess Goldilocks can't get enough of school because she had to play with these stacking bowls on Saturday!

Go here for more Tot School!

Questions

2009-03-19T13:19:00.004-05:00

Danielle, this is a typical morning for us:

Eating breakfast while watching Sesame Street, then we get dressed, play or do Tot School and then lunch/nap. Really not that exciting. ;)

Lauren it is a backed full-out cheese cake! Here is the recipe:

(For some reason the picture of the fake plastic food looks so much better than mine!)

PHILADELPHIA OREO CHEESECAKE

Prep: 20 minutes plus refrigerating Bake: 45 minutes

1 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz.) OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN sour cream
4 eggs

PREHEAT oven o 325 F. Place 30 cookies in food processor; cover. Process 30 or 45 sec. or until finely ground. Add butter; mix well. Press firmly onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan.

BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until will blended. Add sour cream; mix will. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Chop remaining cookies. Gently stir 1-1/2 cups of the chopped cookies into cream cheese batter. Pour over crust; sprinkle with remaining chopped cookies.

BAKE 45 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Cut into 16 pieces. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator. Makes 16 servings, 1 piece each.

TIP: For easy removal, line pan with foil, with ends extending over pan's sides. Lift from pan, using foil handles.

The recipe obviously doesn't need to use the name brand items it's all just an advertisement! But I would recommend refrigerating over night to completely set the cake, four hours only gets the edge pieces mostly set.

This recipe was on the back of the KRAFT food & family recipe magazine Holiday 2006 issue. If you don't get this magazine go sign up now! B and I have found several fun dinner recipes in the pages of this magazine.

Cravings

2009-03-17T20:30:00.003-05:00

This afternoon I was reading a blog were she was talking about how her kids were napping and she was waiting for them to wake up so they could go outside (it was GORGEOUS today!). I just laughed because my girls were NOT sleeping because of my cravings. This pregnancy has brought junk food cravings like crazy. Yesterday I really wanted this Oreo Cheesecake but didn't have the cream cheese. So after B got home we all went to the store to pick up some cheese cake (and doughnut holes since cheese cake wouldn't be ready last night, haha).

Once Goldilocks was sleeping and after Little Bo Peep and I had a bit of school time with a new sign language game I made I started on the cheesecake. Well, I forgot I needed to use the food processor to make the crust. "It will be okay, Goldilocks sleeps through all kinds of stuff...."
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!
She woke up after only sleeping an hour. She stayed in bed talking to herself and resting, Little Bo Peep rested in the living room and once the cheesecake was done we went outside.

I just finished a piece, yum!

Tot School Tuesday

2009-03-17T07:22:00.003-05:00

Last week and this week we are working on the letter B, I'll update next week with our bounty of B activities!

The two weeks before we learned about Dr. Seuss. His birthday was March 2nd. We read books he wrote and books about him the week leading up to his birthday so Little Bo Peep was aware of who he was before his actual birthday (which was on a Monday this year). For some reason my camera was MIA for most of the two weeks. I was able to snap a few pictures when our friends J and E came. We made a fish bowl with red and blue fish after reading One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

First the children colored coffee filters with blue markers.

Then they sprayed the filters with water to make the ink bleed.

After we sprayed we painted one hand red and one blue and stamped them on a piece of paper.

In order to have the final project finished to take home (and us to hang on the fridge) I used the blow dryer to quickly dry the filters. Then the children were able to glue them on the paper over the hand prints.

Here is Little Bo Peep's fish bowl, I wasn't thrilled with the coffee filter once it was dry I was hoping it would be a bit more see-through.

We focused on the letter S while learning about Dr. Seuss. I found Little Bo Peep sewing! She has played with these sewing cards on and off but was never able to "sew." She was playing with some activities on her own and when I came to check on her I found this:

For Dr. Seuss' birthday we made him a birthday cake.

We decorated it like the Cat's hat. We also read

while we ate cake.

I found out Little Bo Peep's favorite Dr. Seuss book is Green Eggs and Ham. I wonder if it has anything to do with Thanksgiving...

Don't forget to check out other Tot School posts.

Give Away

2009-03-12T13:27:00.001-05:00

Liz at Give Away a Day is giving away a pair of my Tootsie Warmers today! Go check it out to enter.

Free Movies for Kids

2009-03-02T10:09:00.003-05:00

For you local readers, I just received an email this morning.

Hello-
The local MJR Theaters are hosting a Free Children's
Film Festival from Feb 28th through March 22nd for The
following films: City of Ember, Igor, Madagascar Escape 2
Africa and Tale of Despereaux. These movies are FREE for
children 12 & under and the Adults only pay $1!

Click the link for the specifics:

http://www.sourcenewspapers.com/stories/022209/loc_story25001.shtml

Enjoy!

The first movie was this past weekend, but there are still three more weekends!

Funny Words with Little Bo Peep

2009-02-26T09:09:00.004-05:00

Little Bo Peep received some magnetic dress up dolls for Christmas and immediately started calling the redhead "Stay-sha." She has another doll she also calls "Stay-sha."

A few weeks ago she started talking about "Mr. Yella." I had no idea what she was talking about. Almost two weeks went by and I still had no idea who she was talking about. Then one day I listened a little more closely to the whole conversation.

Cinderella is the #1 played movie in our home. It finally hit me! "Stay-sha" is Anastasia and "Mr. Yella" is Drizella, the stepsisters of Cinderella!

Goldilocks was sleeping in the pack-in-play the other night when we called my brother for his birthday. Little Bo Peep informed him that Goldilocks was sleeping in the pineapple. Since then she has been asking, "Is Goldilocks sleeping in the pineapple bed today?"

Baby Boy

2009-02-21T21:23:00.003-05:00

Now that we know we are having a boy we have been searching for his name. With both pregnancies for the girls we never agreed on a boy name which was fine because we didn't need one. We have been going back and forth for weeks now not agreeing on a single name. Then on Wednesday we finally found it! I had taken Little Bo Peep to the library and saw a book with the name as the title. This name has been tossed around since we were first married, maybe even while we were dating. We just never both liked it at the same time. Until I showed B the book. He said, "You really like it?" and I said, "As long as the middle name is the one I want." So we have a name all I can say here is that it starts with the letter F. Now I just need to find his blog name.... Any ideas?

memories are the scraps of life

Elf on the Shelf

Happy Birthday Goldilocks!

Mr. Darcy after the MRI part 2

Mr. Darcy after the MRI

The Woes of Mr. Darcy

Crazy Thoughts When I Can't Sleep at 1:30AM

It's the Little Things

The Big Reveal

Two Months, Twelve Days Later

Restrictions

Note to Self

Patience and Paint, At Least In the Near Future

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 (New Living Translation)

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

Planning a Calendar

My Special Christmas Gift

Rest

My Beloved Collage

Holiday Nights

Merry Christmas

Minivan Express

Sweet Kitchen of Mine

Nine Years Ago Today

The Kitchen, finished???

Christmas Advent Activities: Christmas Morning

Christmas Advent Activities: Make Paper Snow Flakes

Christmas Advent Activities: Minivan Express

Christmas Advent Activities: Make Reindeer Food

Christmas Advent Activities: Make Christmas Gifts

Christmas Advent Activities: Drink Hot Cocoa by the Christmas Tree

Cheesy Family Times

Christmas Advent Calendar

Where Do Your Postage Stamps Live?

Organization

Top Questions

Changes

Frugal Friday: Google Reader

Good Cake

Buckeye Country

Frugal Friday: FREE Pizza and Reading

Confession Time

Whirlwind

Thankful Thursday

Cutie Pie Words

Random Thoughts of the Day

Long Winter Part III

Long Winter Part II

Longgggggggg Winter

Dear Anonymous

What Should Really Be Taught...

10 Things I Hate About You

Nuks Unite

Frugal Friday: Natural Cleaning Disclaimer

Frugal Friday: Natural Cleaning

Tootsie Warmers Pattern (Giveaway!)

Simple Joys

Mr. Darcy

Pictures

I'm Here

I Scream, You Scream

A Mothers Questionnaire

Magazines

Clean Home Carnival (part 2)

Tot School and Ketchup

Just Like Mumma

Mr. Darcy

I'm Sorry...

Clean Home Carnival

Tot School Tuesday

Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk

Fanny Pack?!

Long Week

Give Away

OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!

Tot School Tuesday

Questions

Cravings

Tot School Tuesday

Give Away