Tonight to keep the kids out of Daddy's hair, I had them come and cook every bit of dinner with me. Although it took much longer than if I had just done it myself, we had so much fun and there really were so many "jobs" they could help me with.
They washed and dried the zucchini and squash then as I sliced they put the slices into the pan. My son sprinkled the salt and pepper on them and with a little butter they were ready to go. They each took turns "painting" the pork with the brush and some BBQ sauce which was their favorite part of course! For dessert they made pudding and the did every bit themselves. Henry helped measure the milk and pour it in, they both took turns whisking and then we put chocolate chips in their for a surprise.
They loved making it, they were proud to eat it and to have Daddy eat what they made and they ended up loving the pudding the most (shocker). It made my daily chore of making dinner so much more enjoyable and I didn't have to fight anyone to eat because they made it. I realized that I need to do this more often and treat it less like a chore cause that was the best dinner we've had in a long long time.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Trust Me, You Need a Reminder
Just a reminder to all the parents out there. All the Mommy's and Daddy's and anyone raising children these days. Every home gets messy. Every kid eats a bowl of cereal or peanut butter sandwich for dinner sometimes and that is ok. My kids had peanuts, bananas and hot dogs for dinner just the other night, and CPS didn't visit and the kids lived to tell about it the next day.
The other parent's you compare yourselves to, they have bad days. Their dishes pile up and their laundry is ready to go again before the last load is folded and put away. Everyone gets tired. Everyone feels like having a lazy day. Of course their house "always" seems clean- cause they were expecting you SO THEY CLEANED UP!!
I often need reminders like these and I have alot of "self-talk" going on with myself about parenting. I know I don't make ALL of the right decisions, I know that I am not the BEST parent ALL of the time but I WANT to be and that makes a difference. I get lazy and tired and just plain sick of the house sometimes or the battles or the laundry or how much I feel like I spend my entire life in the kitchen, but I want my children to know I love them and I always loved them every moment of their childhoods and entire lives.
I need a reminder that while that "other Mom" might be the neatest neat freak and not even a hair seems out of place, I am a much more interactive story teller than she is. I need to remind myself that even though I may have forgotten a tad bit of sunscreen on my daughter's little neck, she loved that I jumped right into the baby pool and pretended to be all kinds of silly water animals with her to brighten her day. I have to be reminded that even though we had pizza twice this week, they loved it both times and would eat it again tomorrow if I talked it up one more time. So we ran errands and she had jelly all over the front of her shirt, she thought my peanut butter and jelly on homemade waffles was the most fun lunch EVER!
Everyone has overwhelming days, hell weeks and sometimes longer. Every person in charge of raising a little person gets stressed, feels like the worst parent ever at times, gets too tired to be patient every minute of the day and just wants to escape life for a little while and pretend that there aren't so many responsibilities. I need reminders from myself, from other parents, my husband and especially my kids. I know they aren't trying to be insulting when they say "I don't like that for dinner, that's yucky" to a meal they have eaten a zillion times. I know that when they are upset about being disciplined and they say "Dad, GO TO WORK!!" they don't really want him to leave.
I also know that when I am not feeling well and my son makes sure my water glass is full all day long so I can "drink fluids to get better." He is not only being sweet but reminding me that he listens to what I say and he cares about me feeling better. The fact that each of my kids smile EVERY morning when I get them out of bed, like they can't believe I have showed up AGAIN after all these mornings, that I am the luckiest Mommy in the whole world and they are overlooking my faults just as much as I am over looking some of theirs.
Have a great day parents and remember to take in the reminders. Remind yourself and your children how much you love them and you love this life, no matter what.
The other parent's you compare yourselves to, they have bad days. Their dishes pile up and their laundry is ready to go again before the last load is folded and put away. Everyone gets tired. Everyone feels like having a lazy day. Of course their house "always" seems clean- cause they were expecting you SO THEY CLEANED UP!!
I often need reminders like these and I have alot of "self-talk" going on with myself about parenting. I know I don't make ALL of the right decisions, I know that I am not the BEST parent ALL of the time but I WANT to be and that makes a difference. I get lazy and tired and just plain sick of the house sometimes or the battles or the laundry or how much I feel like I spend my entire life in the kitchen, but I want my children to know I love them and I always loved them every moment of their childhoods and entire lives.
I need a reminder that while that "other Mom" might be the neatest neat freak and not even a hair seems out of place, I am a much more interactive story teller than she is. I need to remind myself that even though I may have forgotten a tad bit of sunscreen on my daughter's little neck, she loved that I jumped right into the baby pool and pretended to be all kinds of silly water animals with her to brighten her day. I have to be reminded that even though we had pizza twice this week, they loved it both times and would eat it again tomorrow if I talked it up one more time. So we ran errands and she had jelly all over the front of her shirt, she thought my peanut butter and jelly on homemade waffles was the most fun lunch EVER!
Everyone has overwhelming days, hell weeks and sometimes longer. Every person in charge of raising a little person gets stressed, feels like the worst parent ever at times, gets too tired to be patient every minute of the day and just wants to escape life for a little while and pretend that there aren't so many responsibilities. I need reminders from myself, from other parents, my husband and especially my kids. I know they aren't trying to be insulting when they say "I don't like that for dinner, that's yucky" to a meal they have eaten a zillion times. I know that when they are upset about being disciplined and they say "Dad, GO TO WORK!!" they don't really want him to leave.
I also know that when I am not feeling well and my son makes sure my water glass is full all day long so I can "drink fluids to get better." He is not only being sweet but reminding me that he listens to what I say and he cares about me feeling better. The fact that each of my kids smile EVERY morning when I get them out of bed, like they can't believe I have showed up AGAIN after all these mornings, that I am the luckiest Mommy in the whole world and they are overlooking my faults just as much as I am over looking some of theirs.
Have a great day parents and remember to take in the reminders. Remind yourself and your children how much you love them and you love this life, no matter what.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Duct Tape, is there anything you CAN'T do???
Talk about the end all be all product. This stuff can handle almost all home repairs, screens, pipes, woodwork, metals, car parts. Shoot duct tape is holding half of the homes together in the ghetto and rural places on the map I am sure of it! I don't mean that in a bad way either, this stuff is amazing.
There is a book about all the great things you can do with it. Kid's are making wallets and prom dresses out of this stuff. Their are fashion designers making all kinds of wearable things out of duct tape. Have you seen the printed duct tapes??? Crazy!
So I heard that they are also an "unauthorized" way to kill warts. I know this is gross but hear me out. I have one that has turned into 3 on my thumb. I have tried all the over the counter, over priced crap that is offered. I still have this wart...we are talking years folks! I went to the doctor and had him use the super sub freezer on it and all it did was hurt like hell, make my entire hand throb in pain for days and guess what??? WART!
I am now on day 2 of duct tape therapy and I am going to keep you posted. I hear that it takes about 6 weeks. So if you ask me about my silver gray band aid on my thumb... I will let you know how this goes people and if it is worth it :)
There is a book about all the great things you can do with it. Kid's are making wallets and prom dresses out of this stuff. Their are fashion designers making all kinds of wearable things out of duct tape. Have you seen the printed duct tapes??? Crazy!
So I heard that they are also an "unauthorized" way to kill warts. I know this is gross but hear me out. I have one that has turned into 3 on my thumb. I have tried all the over the counter, over priced crap that is offered. I still have this wart...we are talking years folks! I went to the doctor and had him use the super sub freezer on it and all it did was hurt like hell, make my entire hand throb in pain for days and guess what??? WART!
I am now on day 2 of duct tape therapy and I am going to keep you posted. I hear that it takes about 6 weeks. So if you ask me about my silver gray band aid on my thumb... I will let you know how this goes people and if it is worth it :)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Backyard Wildlife
Our yard is full of backyard wildlife. You would find it hard to believe we are in the suburbs with all the types of birds and nests we have. We also have families of bunnies that seem to stick around even though they are too close for their own comfort and the groundhog...well he never seems to leave except to hibernate. The squirrels don't even skitter away when the kids are out and we also have some snakes. Nothing too out of the ordinary (except the creepy groundhog of course, I think we are the only ones with a backyard pet like that)
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So I wasn't surprised when we went out today and found this. The kids just love all the nature we have here and I am always teaching them about all of the creatures we find. This cicada really threw them for a loop though. They just couldn't understand that it is NOT ALIVE, it is just the shell. After I held it for a few and showed them where the bug actually split out and left the shell they were a bit better and now he is safely sealed in the bug catcher so we can show him off to Daddy when he gets home.
Scariest toy in the UNIVERSE
I'd like to thank Luke Skywalker for getting rid of this guy and I would like to kick my husband's butt for bringing this toy into my home!! I found him last night tucked into bed next to me when I went to lay down and nearly hit the ceiling. This is the freakiest and scariest toy EVER MADE and I am so grateful (dripping with sarcasm) that my MIL saved it all these years so it can now live with me! AHHHHH!!
I refuse to let it sleep upstairs, it has to go back to the basement every night, yet somehow he always makes it back up here during the daytime. Luke I need you!!!!
I refuse to let it sleep upstairs, it has to go back to the basement every night, yet somehow he always makes it back up here during the daytime. Luke I need you!!!!
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| The very frightening Rancor Monster |
Wapakoneta Kamping- July 2011
Just back from another wonderful camping trip with the family and this has definitely been the best this year! After the trip where Jon and I got dripped on with icy rain the entire time and the most recent where Callie put her head through the camper screen, this one was definitely the best so far! :)
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| The set up for our weekend getaway |
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| Arthur making a Rock Sandwich |
It was super great because the place was loaded with shade and our campsite was connected to their camping cabin so it was like one big sprawling estate! We got right down to it setting up our kitchen and walking the grounds to check everything out and familiarize ourselves with our new home away from home. It was determined early on that Lofty and I would be the Gourmet's for the weekend (which is not too much of a chore since we both have fun cooking). While we were getting things ready in our "kitchen" Jon took the kids to the park- located on the surface of the sun- and they made him "lunch" of bowls and cups of rocks. YUMMY!
The cousins all got along great and fell right into step with each other. Arthur running around after Henry, Callie running around after both of them and all of them equally concerned at where the others were at all times! Henry and Arthur played more games with rocks than I thought were imaginable and never grew bored of that gravel!
Meal times were good and we pushed that kitchen as far as it would go cooking for 7 people at a time! Lofty and Nancy brought a TON of fresh fruit and we munched on it the entire time we were there. Michigan blueberries, raspberries and cherries and the kids tried their first apricots too! We were lucky enough to spend Howard's first birthday with him and celebrated with a Yummy cake! (it was a week early but we all know that when the opportunity presents itself, you gotta party!)
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| Howard appreciating some of that cake! |
We threw Howard a Pirate Party- since no where in Wapakoneta do they sell party hats! The kids loved it and it was definitely good for some photos ops!!
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That afternoon we headed to the pool with Henry and Callie. I was so proud of them! Henry swam the length of the pool with just arm floaties on and no breaks!! Callie was jumping in off the side and didn't even want me to catch her! Both of them were so brave. Arthur, never having been in a large pool before, watched from the fence and asked his Mommy a zillion questions, "are they allowed to splash all that water OUT of the pool??" Which is so cute cause you definitely can't do that in the bath tub!!
Pool play and park play and running around had all the kids and parents tired but all attempts at normal naps failed horribly. Jon, Nancy and I took Henry and Callie to the family swing and THAT is where we had to swing for about an hour and let's just say that my butt wasn't the only thing that fell asleep!
Overall we had a fantastic trip and enjoyed getting together so much that we are already talking about the next trip. The kids were adorable and enjoyed the campground so much. The play ground and pool were obvious hits but the parade and hayrides were also super entertaining and the birthday party was just "icing on the cake." Catching up with our siblings was also much needed and appreciated. We had such a good time it was hard to say goodbye. Thank you to Lofty, Nancy, Arthur and Baby Howard for a lovely time. We can't wait to see you all again super soon!!
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| Plumber |
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| Jonny's Lunch |
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| Old Blue Eyes |
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| Callie and Howard |
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| Uncle Lofty feeding the baby |
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| Arthur, sleepy after a long weekend |
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Cleaning up...Daddy Style
We are headed out of town this weekend and I have learned my lesson about leaving the house messy! I try to make sure we are good to go with laundry and clean up so I don't come home to twice as much work. My husband will help unload the car and then that is where he stops the "unpacking" process.
So in an effort to run around like a chicken with my head cut off and get things done, while getting things packed up, I ask the kids to clean up the puzzles. The puzzles that they took every piece of and put in a basket then threw around the room, while I was folding a load in the bedroom. In the meantime, my Dad calls on the phone to check in, my husband calls to see what he needs to pick up from the store and all the while I am telling the kids to "put the puzzles together and on the shelf or else!!" My Dad must have heard me say it about 13 times in one conversation!
They apparently did not think they had to listen to me and this could be A: because they were superheroes today and superheroes don't have to listen to their Mommies? or B: Mommy took a phone call so she doesn't really mean what she is saying? Either way, I meant it!
My final order to them (maybe it was a plea) was "Do you know what Daddy is gonna say when he sees this?? This is your last chance to clean it up before he gets home and when he gets home he is gonna make you cry AND throw the puzzles away!!" (now normally I pride myself in not having to use these tactics and handling situations myself, but sometimes you just need some ammo at the end of a day of taking care of kiddos and diffusing all the bombs that go along with a day in the life)
Sure enough Daddy comes home and tells them to clean up. Of course, they listen right away. They are cleaning up, Daddy is helping them clean up and then he comes to me and says, "wanna see my big finish??" They have cleaned up and put all the puzzles together and he is still getting the garbage bag!!
They are shocked, Henry is crying, Callie doesn't know what to do and I am secretly smiling to myself at how satisfying it feels to let them know I am dead serious when I say, "CLEAN UP OR I WILL THROW THIS STUFF AWAY!!"
Of course, it is not in the trash, just the basement and out of the way for awhile. Maybe that is what we need to get them to appreciate it. Might sound mean but hey, it works every so often.
So in an effort to run around like a chicken with my head cut off and get things done, while getting things packed up, I ask the kids to clean up the puzzles. The puzzles that they took every piece of and put in a basket then threw around the room, while I was folding a load in the bedroom. In the meantime, my Dad calls on the phone to check in, my husband calls to see what he needs to pick up from the store and all the while I am telling the kids to "put the puzzles together and on the shelf or else!!" My Dad must have heard me say it about 13 times in one conversation!
They apparently did not think they had to listen to me and this could be A: because they were superheroes today and superheroes don't have to listen to their Mommies? or B: Mommy took a phone call so she doesn't really mean what she is saying? Either way, I meant it!
My final order to them (maybe it was a plea) was "Do you know what Daddy is gonna say when he sees this?? This is your last chance to clean it up before he gets home and when he gets home he is gonna make you cry AND throw the puzzles away!!" (now normally I pride myself in not having to use these tactics and handling situations myself, but sometimes you just need some ammo at the end of a day of taking care of kiddos and diffusing all the bombs that go along with a day in the life)
Sure enough Daddy comes home and tells them to clean up. Of course, they listen right away. They are cleaning up, Daddy is helping them clean up and then he comes to me and says, "wanna see my big finish??" They have cleaned up and put all the puzzles together and he is still getting the garbage bag!!
They are shocked, Henry is crying, Callie doesn't know what to do and I am secretly smiling to myself at how satisfying it feels to let them know I am dead serious when I say, "CLEAN UP OR I WILL THROW THIS STUFF AWAY!!"
Of course, it is not in the trash, just the basement and out of the way for awhile. Maybe that is what we need to get them to appreciate it. Might sound mean but hey, it works every so often.
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