Peace and Carrots

Sunday

2012-01-22T11:34:00.001-06:00

You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and might
Everlasting King

You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And your face is all I seek

A Weekend In Pictures

2011-11-06T22:18:00.003-06:00

To Nyquil or Not To Nyquil...

2011-11-05T22:27:00.000-05:00

After over a week of poor sleep due to coughing, and several nights of being kept awake until the wee hours due to said coughing...the answer is definitely TO NYQUIL.

Here's hoping it works.

Playroom-slash-Schoolroom

2011-11-04T17:06:00.005-05:00

After we got the kids' shared bedroom moved upstairs, it was finally time to tackle her old bedroom! The lavender had to go; I was envisioning something much brighter. The room has two big windows and lets in quite a bit of light - perfect for a learning and creative play space. I decided on a honey-cantaloupe-type color, and four coats of paint later (yes, FOUR) I'm really happy with how it turned out!

The kids have really enjoyed having the playroom set up. It's been great to be able to do school in the same place where David is playing; we all are able to spend more time together that way. (And David isn't off in another room using glitter glue as chapstick...not that he's ever done that before.) We'll need to change some things as the kids grow, but for now we love this room!

Kids' Shared Bedroom

2011-11-03T21:51:00.007-05:00

Yesterday I mentioned that we had been working on some projects. Oh, boy, have we ever!

Since David moved out of his cradle in our room more than two years ago, he moved into Wendy's bedroom. They enjoy sharing a room, and it works out pretty well for us. What wasn't working for us was having both beds, dressers, hanging clothes, books, toys, stuffed animals, etc. all in one smallish bedroom. The room is right off of the living room, which was also a problem; if James and I wanted to watch a movie, the kids would have a hard time falling asleep. And have I mentioned it was Wendy's bedroom? It was painted a lovely lavender color, with pink gingham curtains...a bit girly now that both kids were sharing.

We have a room upstairs that had been our "dump and run" room since we moved here 5 years ago. It was jam-packed with Christmas decorations, things waiting to be taken to Goodwill, outgrown baby/kid clothes, random items that didn't have another home, and all of the collapsed boxes from when we moved in. James and I cleaned out that room, which took about 3 days and ten years off my life. We made several trips to Goodwill, and we finally got the kids' outgrown clothes sorted & put in the attic.

My sister-in-law (who is awesome) helped me strip wallpaper and paint the upstairs room a bright spring green. That is now the kids' shared bedroom. Wendy's side is very girly and is decorated with flowers and butterflies and Disney fairies. David's side is decorated with a giant poster of a John Deere tractor and many cars/trucks/trains/planes. They love their new room, and it's working great for them!

Stay tuned for details on the new Playroom-slash-Schoolroom...

When Good Planning Goes Bad

2011-11-01T11:53:00.003-05:00

When we decided to homeschool, I did a lot of research on planning and organization. I would love to live in an organized house, but I lack the follow-through to really make a success of many organizing projects. I knew my time would be limited, what with teaching a kindergartener and wrangling a toddler at the same time. I decided to devote a week (which turned into two) to plan out the entire year, make library lists, tear apart workbooks, and file all papers into weekly folders. It took hours and hours of work, but at the end of it I felt confident that we were well prepared for our school year.

Well.

The major flaw in the plan was that it didn't allow much wiggle-room for unexpected things. Because history, Bible, copywork and unit studies were all coordinated with holidays and seasons and trips, it wouldn't take much to upset the balance of things. (The math curriculum is pretty forgiving; with 160 lessons spread over 180 days of school, we have quite a bit of flexibility.) I was so careful in my lesson planning. Things would overlap beautifully, creating a perfect opportunity for maximum learning and retention.

Well.

Then we started working on some projects.
Then we got behind on those projects.
Then the kids got sick.
Then I had a two-week headache. (Ouch.)
Then we had family visiting.
Then I got sick.

Which brings us up to date. Because my beautiful, intricately-woven schedule didn't allow for flexibility, I had to make some major changes. I reworked all of our lesson plans for November, and we will be caught up by Thanksgiving. We'll have to double up here and there, but we will still focus on the important things and enjoy ourselves.

Today we learned about the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, were introduced to subtraction, and practiced handwriting. After Wendy takes a much-needed nap, we'll work on reading. We're going to keep plugging along, day by day, and we will make it work!

NaBloPoMo 2011

2011-11-01T08:59:00.003-05:00

I've decided to participate in National Blog Posting Month, known as NaBloPoMo, again this year. I've tried it in the past with limited success, but I'd really like to get back to writing regularly. I'm not sure what I'll write about.

A list of possible topics:

Thanksgiving traditions
Thanksgiving recipes
Teaching kids about Thanksgiving
Homeschooling updates
Anecdotes about the kids
Interview friends/fellow blog writers (email me if you're interested!)
Anything else that comes into my very-distracted brain

Doesn't that sound exciting? I'm sure you can hardly wait.

Questions about NaBloPoMo? Here's there list of FAQ.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

2011-10-28T11:55:00.004-05:00

That's right. Christmas is in less than two months. And with all of the busy-ness between now and then, that two months will fly!

One of my favorite things about the beginning of the holiday season is the Christmas cards. Planning our cards, making our cards, mailing our cards, and getting cards in return. I especially love photo cards, and seeing how friends' families have grown and changed. We all put a lot of effort into getting the cards just right; one year I went so far as to make all of our Christmas cards by hand, complete with little snowflake-brad embellishments. (One year. I did that ONCE.)

For the last several years, we've sent out photo cards that we've ordered from one place or another. Last year was different, though - last year we used Shutterfly. I was impressed with how many designs were available, with lots of options for personalization. The process was simple, the transaction was quick, and the cards were beautiful! Absolutely beautiful. I had to resist the urge to call all of my friends so that I could beg for compliments about our Christmas card.

Here's what they have available this year:

Holiday Cards

Christmas Cards

Photo Gifts

I'm not sure which cards we are going to use this year; a lot depends on the Christmas pictures we'll take in the next month or so. I do know that we'll be using Shutterfly again and will happily and heartily recommend them to anyone in the market for Christmas cards, photo gifts, and other personalized things.

Want 25 free photo cards? Comment on this post, telling me a little bit about your favorite Christmas tradition, and you could be one of three winners! Giveaway ends at noon CST on Friday, 11/4/11.

Are you a blogger? Want a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season? Register here: http://goo.gl/DDw7Q

I've Been Busy

2011-10-25T11:03:00.009-05:00

I haven't written anything in a long, long while. What can I say? We've been busy. Here are a few snapshots of the things that have kept us hopping:

1. Traveling to Florida

2. Teaching Kindergarten

3. Redoing the kids' shared bedroom (including a LOT of declutteirng and organizing)

4. Redoing the kids' playroom/schoolroom

5. Enjoying fall

So what have YOU been up to?

My Favorite People

2011-09-29T15:05:00.002-05:00

I realize that it's pretty random to pop back onto my blog and post a picture that is over a year old, but, well, it's one of my favorites. I don't think I ever posted it here, but I should have!

This is at the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. We were able to go up in the Arch last June, and I snapped this picture of James, David, and Wendy all looking out and down at the Mississippi River. It was one of my favorite days, with three of my favorite people.

Also, I love that James was wearing David in the Beco carrier. We still use the Beco from time to time; it was a wonderful investment and I highly recommend it!

I Love McKay

2011-07-14T17:30:00.003-05:00

I took a big box of unwanted stuff to McKay today, and in return I got $52 in store credit. I love store credit; I can always find good things to get in return! Here are today's gems:

Books:
Ms. Frizzle's Adventures: Ancient Egypt, Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen
The Children's Book of Home and Family, William J. Bennett
The Goose Who Went Off in a Huff, Paul Brett Johnson
The Usborne Internet-Linked Introduction to Music
Amelia Bedelia, by Peggy Parish
The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury, Janet Schulman
Usborne Discovery Internet-Linked Space
Usborne Discovery Internet-Linked Trains
The Well-Trained Mind, Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
The Parable of the Lily, Liz Curtis Higgs
I Can Read 1: Harry and the Lady Next Door
I Can Read 1: No More Monsters for Me!
I Can Read 2: Frog and Toad Together
Curious George Makes Pancakes, H. A. Rey
The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame

DVDs:
Secondhand Lions
Joseph, King of Dreams

All of this came to $46 something, so I still have credit! Yay!

The End.

2011-06-30T21:08:00.003-05:00

I did it! I posted every day in June! Yeehaw!

It was fun; I enjoyed writing again. It was hard to find the time during the day, but much easier if I just planned to write after the kids were in bed (like tonight).

I doubt I'll keep blogging daily, but I'll keep it up as I can.

(And honestly, tonight I was going to just go to bed without blogging, but then I realized it's the last day of the month. I couldn't fail on the last day!)

He Didn't Do a Backflip

2011-06-29T20:28:00.003-05:00

James and I participated in a workshop at Lipscomb University today, and it was great. Very informative, thought-provoking, soul-stirring, and exhausting. I'll blog about that later.

When I was looking at the schedule for the day, I chuckled a little to myself. "Huh, the guy who's speaking at lunchtime is named Scott Hamilton. I bet he gets jokes about the figure skater all the time."

I really did think that.

Guess what?

It was THE Scott Hamilton. You know, the 4-time World Champion figure skater? You know, the Olympic gold medal figure skater? You know, the man I've watched skate all my life? The one who has always been my favorite?

THAT Scott Hamilton.

Also? He was an incredible speaker. The story of his life, his career, and his faith is truly inspirational. He had us laughing, crying, and laughing again, and he was very gracious when I spoke with him.

I spoke with Scott Hamilton.

Over and out.

Word to the Wise

2011-06-28T21:54:00.005-05:00

If you want to score major mom points by covering the edges of ice cream sandwiches with fun sprinkles......don't use red ones.

Our (Tentative) Curriculum Choices

2011-06-27T17:33:00.002-05:00

I've put a lot of effort into finalizing our list for Wendy's kindergarten year, and I'm still not entirely convinced that my current list is what we'll end up using. Because this is our first year, we're trying out some things that may or may not work for us. Anyway, here's the list, in no particular order:

Math - Horizons 1st Grade Math
Reading - Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, lots of read-alouds
Penmanship - Handwriting Without Tears - My Printing Book (1st Grade)
History - The Story of the World, Vol. 1 & activity book
Art - Usborne Art Treasury
Science - unit studies using the library & online resources
P. E. - maybe a gymnastics or dance class
Music - Piano lessons with Grandpa, Maestro Classics
Bible - nightly Bible reading as a family, memory work

In addition to the schoolbooks themselves, there are various and sundry supplies to purchase - art supplies, paper, things to help us get/stay organized.

It's a little overwhelming.

So if you know of a way for me to earn about $300 quickly, in a legal and morally-upright manner, please let me know!

Lots to Do...

2011-06-26T07:19:00.002-05:00

Before we start our school year, there are several big items on the to-do list:

Plan out school calendar - decide on length & timing of breaks
Finalize decisions about curricula & purchase
Move kids' bedroom upstairs
Set up playroom/schoolroom downstairs

That doesn't sound like much, does it? Those last two items, however, are going to be rather complicated. I'd like to paint the room upstairs before we move the kids up there, but all the way around the room, below a chair rail, is thick painted-on wallpaper. I hate wallpaper. I hate removing wallpaper, and this looks to be the worst I've ever had to work with. We also need to do some baby-proofing up there and add a light in the stairway.

The playroom/schoolroom won't be as difficult to set up, although we'll be painting there, too. It was Wendy's first bedroom, so the walls are currently two lovely shades of lavender. We'll be painting them a nice vibrant orange-y yellow, and it's going to make the room look so bright and cheerful! After painting, we need to figure out some cheap-but-sturdy, easy-to-use storage furniture. I'm hoping to get things organized in such a way that the kids can clean it up by themselves pretty easily.

So, considering all of that work, and considering that we don't really have any workable budget, we're going to have our hands full.

Who wants to come help me remove that painted-on wallpaper?? Anyone?

Saturday Reading

2011-06-25T09:37:00.002-05:00

Mystery Rolls / The Pioneer Woman Cooks : Absolutely delicious! They taste kind of like a Cheez-It, but in a buttery biscuit form.

Honeysuckle and Fireflies / Angie Smith : The first line got me. A wonderful read!

How to Not Splinter Your Daughter's Heart / The Gypsy Mama : Very well written; something most mothers, especially of daughters, struggle with.

Pick Your Own: Where to find pick-your-own farms in Middle Tennessee. I'm looking forward to picking blueberries again this year!

Wendy's Favorite Book

2011-06-24T21:51:00.003-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned in a post that Wendy and I were reading "My Father's Dragon," by Ruth Stiles Gannett. We had just started reading the Kindle version, because I had seen it recommended and it was temporarily free. (It's not free anymore, but it's a whopping $.99, so go buy it.) I hadn't ever read it before but it looked interesting, so we began reading before Wendy's nap one day.

We read three chapters in that first sitting, because neither one of us wanted to stop! We had to find out what was going to happen to Elmer! Was he going to take the cat's advice? Would he be discovered on the ship? And most importantly, would he find the dragon?

The book is a simple and sweet adventure story, wherein good triumphs over naughty (I wouldn't say there's real "evil" anywhere in the story), creativity pays off, and quick thinking saves the day. There are ten chapters, and each chapter takes about 5 minutes to read aloud, depending on how much time you spend discussing as you go. The illustrations are fantastic, and are displayed quite clearly on the Kindle version; some Kindle versions of children's books have sacrificed the quality of the illustrations, but this one is really good.

We ended up enjoying the book so much that the day after we finished it, Wendy asked, "Can we please read 'My Father's Dragon' all over again?" I ordered the hardcover version that is pictured, and it has all three stories in the "My Father's Dragon" series in one volume. We've started reading the first story again and plan to read all the way through the series.

It's been a long time since I read a children's chapter book that I fell in love with.

Not a compensated review. I just love the book.

The Heart of a Little Girl

2011-06-23T14:24:00.003-05:00

She's a wild little horse.

A firecracker.

A masterpiece.

A plotter.

A mighty bug hunter.

Wendy is a wonderful, beautiful, confusing, confounding, strong, opinionated little girl, and she our daughter. That means it's our job - our blessing- to teach her and guide her in the way she should go. To train her spirit, prune her behaviors, and shape her attitude into what it should be. Some days, the task seems insurmountable; parenting is a tough job, especially when you have a spirited child.

I've been doing some reading lately, and two books have stood out as being remarkably helpful as we try to grow in wisdom and effectiveness as parents.

Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp, is a remarkable book. Instead of focusing on turning a child's behavior from wrong to right, Dr. Tripp advocates addressing the real problem - the heart of the child. From the introduction:

"The central focus of parenting is the gospel. You need to direct not simply the behavior of your children, but the attitudes of their hearts. You need to show them not just the “what” of their sin and failure, but the “why.” Your children desperately need to understand not only the external “what” they did wrong, but also the internal “why” they did it. You must help them see that God works from the inside out. Therefore, your parenting goal cannot simply by well-behaved children. Your children must also understand why they sin and how to recognize internal change."

I strongly believe that all parents should read this book. Even parents with children who are always patient, always kind, never talk back, never throw tantrums, always think of others first, always do tasks immediately, always answer respectfully...wait, do you know any children like that? Me, neither. The point remains - all parents should read this book!

The second book is one for parents and little girls to read together and discuss. A Little Girl After God's Own Heart: Learning God's Ways In My Early Days, by Elizabeth George, is a delightful book for girls in the 4-8 age range. It focuses on the fruit of the spirit, giving specific examples of how those wonderful attributes come into play in everyday life. (I hadn't heard of this book until earlier this week when I read about it on someone's blog, but I can't remember who - if it was you, let me know & I'll give you credit!) We started reading this book today, and I was surprised with how well Wendy received it. And the lessons on patience? self-control? gentleness? EXACTLY what we need right now!

There is a book for boys, too: A Little Boy After God's Own Heart, by Jim & Elizabeth George. We'll be buying that one in the next year or so for our David.

I wish I could give copies of both books to everyone I know. I can't recommend them highly enough. They've really made a difference in how I think about parenting!

It's Aliiiiiive!!

2011-06-22T08:59:00.003-05:00

Back in the fall, I made a mistake. If I had thought about the potential consequences, I would never have let this scenario develop.

Let me set the scene:

toddler boy
Mama's big 22-oz travel mug of coffee, half full, no lid
Mama's iPod Classic
Nice iPod dock stereo thing
Mama occupied in another room

You can see where this is going, right? David, for reasons known only to him, decided to take my iPod out of the dock, dunk it in the coffee several times, and then put it back in the dock. Because he replaced it in the dock, I didn't even realize what he had done for several hours, when I suddenly noticed coffee drips leading to the dock, and sticky little fingerprints all over the iPod. I was not amused.

I dried the iPod out as much as I could, and I was shocked that it still worked. Shocked! That didn't last; over the course of time, things slowly started to go wrong with it, until it finally turned into a very expensive paperweight. Resigning myself to its fate, I splurged and bought myself a new iPod Nano and new earbuds, both of which I have really enjoyed.

James wasn't so resigned. He did some research and found a company called Mission Repair that specializes in repair of small electronics and computers. He packed up my coffee-soaked iPod and sent it off. Yesterday, two weeks after he sent it off, it came back, fully-functional! Really! The Mission Repair people reported that it had "severe water damage" (heh) but they replaced a something-or-other and cleaned it up and it works great! The kids and I are currently listening to our favorite audiobooks while we play.

We will continue to use the iPod Nano for on-the-go, in-the-car, out-and-about-type uses, but the Classic will stay firmly ensconced in the dock...out of reach of toddlers and coffee.

If you have an iPod or phone that is in the "expensive paperweight" category, I suggest checking out Mission Repair!

All of these opinions are my own. Mission Repair doesn't know me or my blog, and has not reimbursed or compensated me in any way for this post. I'm just really impressed with their service!

Show Me the Workbook!

2011-06-20T21:50:00.005-05:00

Today, Wendy was asking and asking to do schoolwork. I didn't have anything planned, so I was pulling things off the shelf to see if we could find something to do. I came across her next handwriting workbook, and she asked to see it. I let her look through it, cautioning her that she couldn't start it until we finished up her current workbook.

She ended up taking the new workbook under her bed, where she slowly flipped through it. Then she came and sat next to me to show me every single page in the book.

And then she eagerly sat down with her current book, and proceeded to work at her handwriting for over an hour.

Seriously.

I had to tell her it was time to stop, and she asked if she could work on it again tomorrow. The lure of that brand-new yellow workbook is just too much to resist!

I highly recommend Handwriting Without Tears. This isn't a paid endorsement, nor did I get any free products - they don't know me from Adam. I just love their workbooks, and Wendy does, too!

About My Dad...by Wendy

2011-06-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

My daddy's name is James.
He is 91 years old, 91 inches tall and weighs 36 pounds.
His favorite food is macaroni and cheese.
My daddy is really good at drawing pictures.
He loves to draw.
My favorite things to do with my dad are drive Mario Kart! And play with him.
I'm just like my dad because I am four.
What I love most about my daddy is huggies and kissies! I like him giving presents to me at Christmas.
It makes Dad happy when I am being good.

Happy Father's Day!

Saturday Reading

2011-06-18T08:15:00.002-05:00

Onion Rings and Dippin' Sauce / A Martha Heart: These look delicious! They'd be perfect for a game night.

Baked Kale Chips / Smitten Kitchen: I have kale in my fridge right now, waiting to be made into chips today.

Family-Friendly Picture Books / Thriving Family: I love picture books, and am going to look into some of their recommendations.

Animal Mix-Up Legos / I can teach my child!: David would love this game, and it would be something for him to work on while Wendy and I do school.

Where's the Grace? / Muthering Heights: A great post, a must-read for any mother who sometimes feels like she is spinning her wheels.

Cat-in-the-Hat Jell-o

2011-06-17T11:55:00.003-05:00

As I was mixing up some delicious muffins this morning, my mind was wandering. I realized that I never posted about the food at Wendy's Cat-in-the-Hat birthday party. You know, back in September. *ahem*

Anyway, we had the predictable green eggs (deviled eggs with green food coloring) and ham (ham & cheese sliders), plus chips, veggies, dip and fruit. But my favorite part of the party food was the Cat-in-the-Hat Jell-o.
It's not a great picture, but can you see it? There in the blue dish? They are little Cat-in-the-Hat hats made from layered Jell-o! I wish I had a better picture, but I was so busy at the party that I didn't have time to take good pictures of the food. I found a recipe online and tweaked it to make these. I didn't have a small round cookie cutter, so I used a (clean) medicine cup to cut the shapes, then put them in white mini-muffin cups. They were adorable, and perfect for a Cat-in-the-Hat-themed party!

Cat-in-the-Hat Jell-o:
4 pkg. 3 oz cherry Jell-o
4 packets of Knox unflavored gelatin
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1. Mix 1 pkg cherry Jell-o with 1/2 packet of unflavored gelatin. Add 1 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Cool to room temp and pour into 9 x 13 glass pan. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

2. Mix the can of sweetened condensed milk with 1 cup boiling water. In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 packets unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water. Let stand a few minutes and then add 1/2 cup boiling water to dissolve gelatin; add to milk mixture and stir to combine. Cool to room temp and pour 1 cup of milk mixture over first layer of jello. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

3. Repeat layers - cherry, the rest of the milk mixture, cherry. Refrigerate for 15 minutes between each layer, and refrigerate 4 hours before cutting.

On My Mind

2011-06-16T21:09:00.002-05:00

Despite committing to posting every day this month, I somehow neglected to write anything for today until now, when I should be getting ready for bed.

Here are some things that are on my mind (and in my internet search history):

Homeschooling requirements for TN
Unit studies
Planning our school/family calendar for Kindergarten
Budgeting for curriculum, etc.
Frugal meal planning
Square-foot gardening
Finishing all of the books I'm currently reading

So...what's on YOUR mind?

Ideas Wanted!

2011-06-15T11:56:00.003-05:00

I'm in the planning stages for Wendy's Kindergarten year. Homeschooling gives us a lot of flexibility in what we study, which is one of the things I love. I know what we'll be using for reading, handwriting, math, and Bible time. With those basics covered, I'm left with the other things I'd like to teach her - about seasons, and holidays, and basic science, and all kinds of things!

I've decided that the best way to teach her those other things is to do unit studies. We can use library books and internet resources to learn all kinds of things, and we can do art projects, science experiments and writing assignments based on what we learn. Simple, right? Well, yes and no. It will require quite a bit of forethought on my part to make this work.

Here's where you come in: I need ideas. Below is a list I have compiled of possible unit study topics. I'd like to have 30 or so ideas to work with; in Tennessee we're required to have 180 days of 4-hours-a-day schooling, so I need lots of ideas!

Unit Study Ideas:
Dr. Seuss's Birthday (March 2nd)
How seeds grow
Easter
Halloween
Valentine's Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
4th of July
Seasons
Weather
Space
Maps & Globes
Farms
Oceans
Jungles
Forests
Plains
Transportation
Money
Human Body

So? What would you add?

We Like Books

2011-06-14T05:30:00.005-05:00

It's no secret: I am an avid reader. From the time I was in grade school, I have really enjoyed reading, especially good, clean, absorbing fiction. Now that I have kids who love books and being read to, another category has delighted me - children's picture books.

Now, let me say this: while I love picture books, I'm actually kind of a book snob. There are too many good books out there to let our shelves be cluttered with poorly-written superficial fluff. I regularly go through the kids' bookshelf and cull things that are not up to the standard. (Although I must confess that we have a few Dora books and Princess books.)

Anyway, as I have been looking at and collecting children's picture books, I've found a few authors that I can always trust to deliver a book we'll love for years to come. Some of them are classics, some are a bit newer, but they're all delightful! (Keep in mind that these are just picture books - chapter books are a whole 'nother topic!)

1. Marjorie Flack - The Story About Ping, Angus and the Ducks

2. Virginia Lee Burton - Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, The Little House

3. H. A. Rey - Curious George books

4. Sandra Boyton - Moo, Baa, La La La, Barnyard Dance

5. David Shannon - No, David!, A Bad Case of Stripes

6. Doreen Cronin - Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type, Duck for President

7. Julia Donaldson - The Gruffalo, The Snail and the Whale

8. Robert McCloskey - Blueberries for Sal, Make Way for Ducklings

9. Don Freeman - Corduroy, Dandelion

10. Janell Cannon - Stellaluna, Verdi

(11. Dr. Seuss - that's kind of a given)

Who are your favorite authors for children's books?

I'm linking up to Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.com. Click over for more great Top Ten lists!

June 13th

2011-06-13T19:12:00.001-05:00

It's my birthday.

I'm 33.

I'm okay with that.

My husband and kids made me an awesome cake.

Have a great day!

If You Visit Our Home...

2011-06-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Don't be shocked by the pile of shoes at the front door. Big ones, little ones, flip-flops, Crocs, and "fast runnin' shoes." Good luck finding two that match!
There are two big faded-red stains in the middle of the living room carpet, made two days in a row. Cherry limeade on coffee table + curious toddler = stains. Two days in a row.
There's probably cat hair on the couch & chairs. Sorry about that. Hope you're not allergic. You are? Oops.
If you're lucky, it smells like baking. If you're unlucky, it smells like forgotten-sippy-cup.
We have three volume levels: LOUD, Toy Story, and nap time.
We give lots of hugs and kisses. I think Wendy has kissed every single person she's ever met. Need to work on that before she's a teenager.
You have to keep your eyes open for random Legos, Buzz Lightyears, and crayons. They are everywhere.
If you agree to read the kids a book, they will continue to bring you book after book after book, until you are convinced that we never read to them. (You would be wrong.)
If there's no laundry on the couch, chances are I moved it right before you came in. If there IS laundry on the couch, and I didn't move it, consider yourself family.
You will be surprised to learn that we only have one bathroom, and that is off of the master bedroom. Yes, it's a strange arrangement. It's an old house that is full of character.

Despite the mess, the noise, the chaos and the clutter, we do love our home. We would like to be more hospitable, but it's hard to find the time. Drop by any time, and hopefully our lived-in look won't scare you away!

Saturday Reading

2011-06-11T00:01:00.002-05:00

Perfect Mother / Pensieve: Robin has a way with words - and a way with parenting.

Losing Sight of the Tweets That Matter Most / Stuff Christians Like: a must-read for any parent who is easily distracted

Dreamy Creamy Tzatziki / Wenderly: I've always made my tzatziki by taste, without following a recipe. I'm going to give this one a try next time and see how it compares.

Clever Art with Paper Scraps / BHG: Very simply DIY decorations; would be great for any room of the house!

Greek Nachos / Not Without Salt: These will be coming to my table very, very soon. I just crave Greek food when it's hot outside!

Menu Planning, Make Ahead Meals & the Busy Homeschool / Simple Homeschool: I need to get more organized about our meal planning, especially with us "officially" starting homeschooling very soon. This article has some great links & suggestions!

In short...

2011-06-10T17:33:00.001-05:00

Today's theme has been "get excited about something and then be let down."

But right now? James and the kids are working on decorating my birthday cake.

It's all good.

Bedtime Read-Alouds

2011-06-09T07:06:00.003-05:00

At our house, nothing gets the kids' attention faster than for Mama to sit down with a book. They love to have me read to them, and would listen for an hour, if my voice would hold out that long. We read before nap, before bed, and other random times throughout the day. Reading aloud is a big part of our homeschooling plans, too; as energetic as Wendy is, she can listen to a story and really get involved in it.

Here are a few favorites, posted by child:

David, 2 years:
The Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss
Anything with The Cat in the Hat's picture - basically any Dr. Seuss or "Bright and Early Books"
Blue Hat, Green Ha t, by Sandra Boynton

Wendy, 4 1/2 years:
The Story about Ping, by Marjorie Flack
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, by Virginia Lee Burton
The Little House, by Virginia Lee Burton
A Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon

Wendy and I are usually also reading a chapter book. Our first one was Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and right now we are reading My Father's Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett. I'm not sure what book we'll tackle next; it might be the next Little House book or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

I'm linking up to a 4 Moms post at Smockity Frocks - come see more suggestions for bedtime read-alouds!

Mr. Contrary

2011-06-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

From the very beginning, a few hours after his birth, we have known that David is a pretty mellow guy. Aside from a few hiccups in his first few weeks, he's always been healthy, happy, and easy-going.

And then he turned two.

Duhn-duhn-DUHN...

The "Terrible Two's" have arrived at our house. Now, don't get me wrong, David is still pretty mellow, and is much easier than Wendy was at the same age. But it seems that as soon as he turned two, he started having opinions - strong opinions - about random things.

While we still see a lot of our goofy, affectionate, Mama-loving Boy, we also see this other side of him. The side that scowls, scrunches up his whole face and says, "NO!!" The side that insists on not-THAT-Blankie-but-THIS-identical-Blankie and feet-covered-but-not-tucked and need-the-Go-Go-HAT-book...that side kinda wears me out.

He has these big thoughts and ideas and plans, but can't figure out how to put them into words. He has a pretty big vocabulary, both signed and spoken, but just isn't at a point where he can communicate complex ideas. It's frustrating to me, but I know it has to be much more frustrating to him, trying to get me to understand what is so very important to him at the moment (even if it's just that he wants THOSE socks on and not THESE).

We manage as best we can, soothing when appropriate, setting firm boundaries when needed. But at the end of the day, you know what? At the end of the day, he still asks, "Wock, Mama?" and looks at me with gorgeous blue eyes, chubby arms clutching his precious Blankie.

Yes, I'll rock with you, little turkey. And I'll make sure you have THIS Blankie and not THAT Blankie, and I'll get your feet covered up just right.

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

2011-06-06T21:31:00.005-05:00

Every so often, I'm confronted with a harsh reality - not all of my "good ideas" turn out all that good. Here's a list of ten kid-related things that turned against me:

1. B. Pop-Arty Beads: a jar of 500 little pop-beads, for making pretend jewelry and whatnot. Fantastic as a math manipulative! Great for fine motor skills! But the kids love to just dump the whole jar out into the carpet. There are probably only 250 beads left in the jar, because the rest are scattered all over my house.

2. any Happy Meal toys: I'm pretty sure cheap plastic toys multiply in the middle of the night. I throw them away, and yet there always seem to be more - and we don't even get Happy Meals very often!

3. giant diaper bag: okay, for the first few months of my babies' lives, it seemed like we needed to haul everything but the kitchen sink around with us everywhere. We lived in constant danger of an eruption from one end or the other, and had to have the necessary supplies, plus changes of clothes, available. But after the first, say, 6 months? I tend to carry as little as possible. That giant diaper bag is just one more thing to clutter the bottom of the closet.

4. deep-pile carpeting: before we moved into our house, it had been abused and mistreated and then sat empty for almost a year. The original wood floors are in awful shape, and the floor itself is very uneven - we couldn't fix the hardwoods without a significant amount of under-the-floor work. We didn't have time or money for that, so we slapped carpet on top. I like carpet, but why in the world did I pick a light-colored, deep-pile carpet? Because I didn't have toddlers yet, that's why. DUMB.

5. Squirty bath toys: otherwise known as "deceptively cute breeding ground for mold and bacteria." The first time I realized the funk that was growing in that sweet rubber ducky, I couldn't believe it. (I am interested in these, though. You can take them apart to clean them!)

6. Taking the kids on marathon errands without packing snacks: I should know better. Apparently even an experienced mom can make a rookie mistake. I blame mom-brain.

7. High chair: we used our high chair a lot with Wendy, but it was huge and cumbersome and very hard to clean. We barely used it at all with David, especially once we got this booster seat. We LOVE the booster seat.

8. Diaper Genie: we had a Diaper Genie when Wendy was a baby, and we used it until it started to stink. The diaper smells were embedded in the plastic, so that even when the thing was empty it smelled awful. We got rid of it, and just put our diapers in the trash (or the diaper pail, if we're in a cloth-diapering phase).

9. Starting an Easter knitting project 3 days before Easter: when I decided to make a vest for David, I didn't intend to wait until the last minute. Easter has a way of sneaking up on me, and I didn't get the vest finished - even though I stayed up all night one night working on it. It still isn't done. Maybe he'll wear it next year. Maybe.

10. Letting a toddler take a library book to bed: another rookie mistake. That toddler, who is ordinarily very good with books, will suddenly have irresistible destructive urges, and Mommy will end up taking a tattered and torn book back to the library and begging for mercy from the Library Ladies.

I'm linking up to Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.com. Go check out other great Top Ten Lists!

Lightning Bug Nights

2011-06-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Last night I caught my first lightning bug of the year, and it made me think of a post I wrote three years ago. As I held the magic flashing bug in my cupped hands for my children to see, I remembered myself about 25 years ago...

Originally published 7/15/08

Certain summer nights, regardless of where I am in the world, bring back poignant memories of childhood. There's a certain something in the air - high humidity, the way the leftover storm clouds hang in the sky, the smell of earthworms on the sidewalk, and the music of cicadas filling the sky.

Some of my strongest memories involve summer nights at my grandparents' house in southeastern Ohio. Earlier in the afternoon, the family would have feasted on corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, cottage cheese, sliced tomatoes, and hamburgers, all eaten at the old picnic table on the back porch.

After eating, the adults would retire to lawn chairs in the shade to talk, or to sleep, or to avoid Great-Aunt Margaret. The kids would raid the shed for the wiffle ball and bat, the giant plastic boats, and all kinds of intriguing antique toys that were hidden in the depths of the dark shed, which always smelled like warm wood and turpentine.

After a while, Grandpa would get up from his chair and start breaking apart the ice for the ice cream maker. (For some reason, this was always a big production, involving the bag of ice, a heavy canvas bag, and a small hammer.) Grandma would be in the kitchen mixing up the world's best vanilla ice cream (I'm not even kidding) and the sounds of gossip would come drifting out the kitchen window, as all of the female relatives took care of the cleaning up.

The taste of the fresh, not-quite-solid vanilla ice cream was enough to dispel the lingering taste of Deep Woods Off, and you could hear everyone give a little sigh of contentment with that first bite. Homemade vanilla ice cream, made with pure Mexican vanilla and my grandma's loving hands, needed no additions - it was a perfect delight.

After the ice cream, after the toys were put away, after the wiffle ball and frisbee were retrieved from the roof, came our favorite time - the lightning bugs were starting to come out. (Some of you might call them fireflies, but they've always been lightning bugs to us.) Grandma would hand out old baby food jars with holes in the lids, and my brother & my cousins & I would begin to hunt.

It's not hard to catch lightning bugs, so we'd all fill our jars pretty quickly. Then we'd go find our parents sitting by the campfire that Grandpa had built in his fire ring, and watch the fire and our lightning bugs while we listened to our favorite grown-ups talk about everything and nothing. When the yawns started taking over I'd be shuttled inside, and put to bed in my Dad's old bedroom, in the twin bed with the strawberry-patterned sheets - Grandma knew those were my favorites.

With the window open, I could hear the gentle sound of conversation continuing in the backyard, even over the window fan. My lightning bugs flashed on the bedside table. I scratched a mosquito bite, and then drifted off in perfect comfort and security. I hope my daughter has memories like these someday.

Do you have similar memories from childhood?

Home?

2011-06-05T21:04:00.000-05:00

As I was driving to church this morning, I was thinking, "Anyone who hasn't driven a small Tennessee highway on a beautiful summer morning is really missing out."

And then I realized that I finally...after almost 5 years...feel like this is my home.

I still miss Missouri, and I know I would feel at home almost instantly if we were to move back, but right here, right now, I am settled.

And it is good.

Saturday Reading

2011-06-04T08:40:00.002-05:00

Mochaccino Shakes Recipe / Food Network: delicious for a brunch, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a sweet treat anytime!

This one's for the moms who fake it until they make it / Mylestones: an excellent read for the mom who is sometimes (most times?) weary of it all

Why some people are mosquito magnets / The Body Odd on MSNBC: interesting tidbits; my kids and I are definitely mosquito magnets!

What I Want My Kids To Know About Marriage / We Are THAT Family: A great read about letting your children see the realities of a healthy marriage

My Year in Mississippi / Story Bleed: Grab a cup of coffee, read and imagine

Anger Management

2011-06-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

To look at her, you might think she's my mini-me. She looks so much like Mommy, and even more like pictures of Mommy as a young girl.

However, in some respects, our personalities couldn't be more different. I can summarize it like this:

Me: quiet, shy, a thinker rather than a talker, a planner rather than a doer
Wendy: a singing, dancing, yelling, running, talking Talking TALKING dynamo

The contrast is most evident in how we deal with our emotions. I tend to come across as being calm (despite the inner chaos of my emotional state sometimes). I rarely blow up, and when I do, it fizzles out almost immediately.

But when this girl gets mad? This sweet, charming, loveable princess of a 4 year old?

Oh my word.

The girl can throw a FIT. Stomping, screeching, yelling, hitting, throwing things...if allowed to go unchecked she might just be Tennessee's first case of spontaneous combustion. We have struggled with how to help her deal with her emotions; it's obvious that she is a person that feels things deeply, acutely, strongly. That is a good trait, one that we want to preserve and train - the world needs more passionate people! But how to prune the bad so that the good can grow?

In my desperation the other day, a Scripture came to mind. I had to look up the reference; it's Ephesians 4:26a:

In your anger, do not sin.

That's it. It doesn't get much simpler than that. Anger is a normal emotion - we even see evidence of God's righteous anger in many different situations in the Bible. Anger is a natural response that we will have to deal with all of our lives, and that is okay. That is not the problem. How we act when we are angry is what is important. And even a passionate, headstrong 4 year old can learn that lesson.

I have taught Wendy this verse, and now, just as I can tell she is in danger of spiraling out of control, we say it together. I get her attention and say, "In your anger...?" She (grudgingly) sighs and says, "...don't sin." It defuses the situation and gives us a chance to talk about things without going into the full-blown fury. It lets us connect and bond and learn from each other, and we've made a lot of progress just in the last few days.

And guess what? Correcting with scripture isn't a new idea!

I Timothy 3:16 : All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...

Summer Days

2011-06-02T07:39:00.004-05:00

Around here, summer means:

bug spray
getting mosquito bites anyway
sunscreen
freckles
sand
Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream
grass clippings
wading pools
lightning bugs
sweaty heads
daily baths
lots of tomatoes
popsicles
hide-and-seek
oversized T-shirts as PJs
bare feet
dirty feet
going to bed late
sleeping late(ish)

What does summer mean to you and your family?

My Job

2011-06-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning I was working on making a chore chart for Wendy. She's 4 1/2 and is fully capable of doing simple things like making her bed and picking out her clothes, so it's time for her to learn about responsibility. I've made a simple chart with two sections, "Morning Chores" and "Afternoon Chores." I'm going to stick it on the refrigerator and give her some magnets; she'll be able to move her magnets from "To Do" to "Done!" as she completes the tasks.

Wendy saw me drawing simple pictures for her chart. She's not quite reading yet, so the pictures are just to remind her of the different tasks. Anyway, she asked what I was making, so I explained to her that I was making a chore chart of different jobs that she would have each day. She said, "I want to make one for YOU!" She asked for a piece of paper and got busy writing.

According to her, these are my chores:

Make pancakes
Blow bubbles
Drive when Daddy's not coming
Tuck Wendy into bed
Put bows in Wendy's hair
Buy stuff
Pick flowers for someone if I want to
Bring my purse everywhere
Drink a little bit of coffee

I laughed when she got to #9, and she said, "I know that that's a little bit silly, but that's your job!"

I love my job.

New Look! New Beginning!

2011-05-31T15:23:00.004-05:00

My poor little blog has been neglected lately, but that's all about to change.

Many thanks to Nichole for the makeover! She made my last header, too, which I loved. I asked her if she could help me with something summery, and she found the Fly High collection at ScrapGirls - it's perfect! There will probably be some more tweaking with the overall layout & colors, but I couldn't be happier with the header!

For the month of June, I am planning on posting every day. I KNOW. A huge change from my sporadic posting of the last several months. I am really missing the creative outlet that writing has been in the past; hopefully I can figure out how to fit writing back into my schedule!

If you're still reading, say howdy! I'd like to get to know you if I don't already.

Giveaway winner!

2011-05-27T12:26:00.002-05:00

The winner of the $20 GC to DaySpring is...Nichole!

Congrats, Nichole! Check your e-mail. :-)

The Birthday: 2

2011-05-24T18:48:00.002-05:00

The Birthday Boy!

The Cake

Blowing Out the Candle

Hooray for being TWO!

Beloved...and a Giveaway!

2011-05-20T12:33:00.008-05:00

****This giveaway has ended! Stay tuned to find out who won!****

I wouldn't say that my home is well-decorated...unless you think Duplos and a scattering of My Little Pony shoes make for a classy home. But my home does show the personality of my family, clutter and all. One of my favorite decorations is a carved wood plaque that reads, "The Lord bless you and keep you...the Lord make His face shine upon you." It's prominently displayed above a doorway, right across from our front door, making it one of the first things you see as you enter our home.

Until recently, our master bedroom wasn't particularly inspiring. I love our quilt, and I love the color scheme, but it was missing something...until now!I was given a chance to review this beautiful My Beloved - Charcoal 4 x 6 Frame from the DaySpring Online Store! It's fresh and modern, and I absolutely love the scripture displayed on the frame. Choosing the picture to go in the frame was easy - this is one of my favorite pictures of James and I. It was taken on Christmas Day of 1999 (I think) in Tallahassee, Florida. We both look so happy; it's a great reminder that he really IS my beloved and the best friend I could imagine.
DaySpring is a wonderful company; everyone knows about their inspirational cards, but their home decor items are even better! I have my eye on several things as gifts for loved ones, but I can't post about that here in the interest of secrecy.

Like what you've heard? I have one $20 gift certificate to give away to a lucky reader (winner pays all shipping)! To enter this giveaway, simple leave a comment on this post, telling me how you show your faith in your home! Giveaway will close on Friday, May 27th, at 8 a.m. CST.

I was provided with the My Beloved 4x6 picture frame to review. All opinions are my own.

Easter in Photos

2011-04-25T08:47:00.002-05:00

Today

2011-04-18T09:43:00.005-05:00

Wendy taught me a song this morning, one that she learned in Bible class. I'm sure it's been around for awhile, but I had never heard it before.

"A fuzzy caterpillar wiggled down a tree.
He wiggled right, he wiggled left, he wiggled right at me.
I put him in a box. "Don't go away," I said.
But when I looked again I saw a butterfly instead.
Now I could never make one, even if I tried,
'Cause only God in Heaven can make a butterfly"

I did a little Googling and found a second verse:

"Wiggly little tadpole swimming in a lake.
He wiggles here, he wiggles there, he wiggles like a snake!
Put him in a jar, "Don't go away," I said.
But when I opened up the jar - a hopping frog instead!
I could never make one, even if I tried.
Hopping frogs are made by God just like the butterfly!"

God can completely transform a caterpillar into a butterfly, and a tadpole into a frog...I'm praying He transforms this selfish Mama into one who is more patient, gracious, and loving.

Special Delivery

2011-04-15T14:36:00.003-05:00

I seem to have an aura about me. About my whole house, really. As Heather commented on Twitter, "There must be a sign in Cat that says 'Bring kittens here ---->' :-) " It's true, I've always been an ailurophile. I've always loved cats, from wee-teeny fluffballs with sideways ears and still-sealed eyelids to crotchety, wizened old grandma cats. When I was in school and working as a vet, I seemed to have a never-ending stream of kittens/cats that needed homes. I'm not even working anymore, and yet...

At our house this morning, David was calmly playing near the front door when he suddenly started shrieking and signing, "Scared!" while looking at the door. I hugged him and asked Wendy to peek out the door to see if something was on the porch; we occasionally have random big dogs sniffing around our porch. She looked out and said, "Mommy! There's a baby kitty stuck in our door!"

I said, "There is not a baby kitty stuck in our door," as I went to see for myself.

I was right. There was not a baby kitty stuck in our door. There were four baby kitties between the screen door and the front door, and the Mama Cat was poking her head through the screen with number five in her mouth, just like it was a mail slot. Plop! Five kittens stuck in the door.

I brought them inside. I mean, seriously - it was storming, the kittens were wet and terrified, and Mama was looking at me with big, hopeful eyes. Now I have six cats in my bathroom.

One Mama, a petite black longhair, who looks to be about 8 months old.
One baby, an orange shorthair, male.
One baby, a black longhair, male.
Ditto.
Ditto.
One baby, a tortoiseshell longhair, female.

SIGH.

Anyone want a kitten for Easter?

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pot Pie

2011-04-07T18:23:00.003-05:00

Today, around 3 p.m., I was trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I don't usually plan ahead (I should, I know!) so it can be a little nerve-wracking to assemble a healthy meal for the family from whatever is on hand. But today, as I was pondering, I had a flash of inspiration. A very yummy dinner was the results.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pot Pie
1 - 12oz package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (I'm sure canned would work, too)
4 strips of bacon, cooked & crumbled
1 can reduced-fat cream of chicken soup
1 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 package Ranch dip mix
1 cup Pioneer Baking Mix
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together broccoli, chicken, bacon, and soup. In a small bowl, stir sour cream and Ranch dip mix until combined; add to the chicken mixture. Pour into a deep-dish pie plate or 2-quart casserole dish.

Whisk together baking mix, egg, and milk. Pour evenly over chicken mixture, and spread to edges. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

(I would have a picture, but we dug into it as soon as it came out of the oven!)

Conspiracy

2011-04-01T08:04:00.002-05:00

This conversation must have taken place before bedtime last night.

Wendy: David, I know we've been trying to keep Mama from sleeping, but it's been tricky. Maybe if we work together we can do it!

David: That sounds good; what do you have in mind?

Wendy: Well, I'll take the first shift. I'll stay awake until 11 p.m., then I'll make Mama and Daddy think that I've settled and gone to bed. Then after awhile, once Mama is finally asleep, I'll make my move!

David: So far so good...tell me more!

Wendy: I'm thinking that I'll get up about every five minutes between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. I'll weep and whine, with some wailing thrown in for good measure. I've got all sorts of things I can complain about: it's too dark. I'm all alone in here. I have to potty. No, I don't have to potty!! I'm thirsty. I had a bad dream. I'm scared of the dark when I'm all alone. I want to sleep wif you. I need a tissue! Mama, MAMA...

David: Wow, you're good at this! Okay, you'll be up until 2:30 a.m....how about we let Mama get back to sleep, and I'll take over at 3 a.m.? I'll do what I'm best at: cry/screech/scream unless Mama is holding me. I won't let her know what is wrong. I won't be placated by my Blankie or a book or rocking. I will SCREAM and SCREAM and SCREEEEAAAAAM.

Wendy: Good idea! Nobody screams like you, that's for sure!

David: Once I've calmed down, I'll let Mama think the worst has passed...until she puts me back in my bed! Then I'll scream and screech some more until she thinks she's going to spend the rest of the night sitting on the floor by my crib, patting my belly and shushing me.

Wendy: But won't that put you to sleep?

David: Well, yeah, it will. But keeping Mama up until 4 a.m. is pretty good, don't you think? And we can always wake up again at 6:30 a.m., ready for another day of wrestling/bickering/whining.

Wendy: Okay, it's a plan! What's gonna work? TEAMWORK!

David: *evil chuckle*

In Which I Dream Of Renovating

2011-03-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Alternately titled: The Saga Continues

In case you missed it, my friend Nichole and I are embarking on a weekly challenge to declutter our homes, one hot spot at a time. Last week we worked on the master bedroom. This week, Nichole proposed that we should tackle the Worst Closet In The House.

Now, in our old 1940s house, picking which closet qualifies as the "worst" is a pretty simple task for two reasons:
1) We have three closets. In the whole house. That's right, three closets. (Also? Three closets is not enough.)
2) Even if we had 12 closets, this one would be the worst because of the awkward size & shape.

Presenting...the Harry Potter Closet. You know, the closet under the stairs. Ever since James first called it the Harry Potter Closet roughly four years ago, that has been its name. The closet is shallow, dark, with that awkward space extending under the steps on the left hand side. It has been filled with all manner of clutter. See?

When I took everything out of the closet, I found:
1) an assortment of medications dating back as far as 2005
2) an assortment of pet care items we no longer need
3) the hose attachment I looked for last summer
4) the Spring mini-flag I had wondered about
5) an assortment of cleaners and yard/garden chemicals (this closet has a door the kids cannot open)
6) three kites
7) a big stack of paper plates

I could go on to list many more odd things that were lurking in this closet, but you get the general idea. Have a thing? Not sure where to put it? Stuff it in the Harry Potter Closet and forget about it!

As I sorted through the clutter, I gathered up 1 1/2 bags of trash and 1 bag of things to take to Goodwill. I put a few things back in the closet. Look! There might even be room for me to tuck the vacuum in there!
(Don't knock my shelves. Back when we were newlyweds, we bought a kitchen table for $25, and the folks we bought it from threw in these lovely shelves for free. There are actually three sets of different sizes, but you can't see them due to the awkwardness of the closet.)

I'm looking forward to using the closet as a closet, and not just as a black hole of forgetfulness.

Also? I'd really like to take the oddly-shaped left hand side of the closet and open it up, turning into shelves/bins that are accessible from the room. We could use that space for school storage, and that would make me happy.

Go see what Nichole worked on this week!

In Which I Move The Clutter From Here To There

2011-03-17T09:57:00.004-05:00

Alternately titled: my house is ridiculous.

There has been a lot of talk among my friends, both in-person friends and Internet friends, on the subject of decluttering. It seems that nearly everyone struggles with accumulation of junk in various spots in the house. My friend Nichole, who has actually seen my clutter-filled house in real life, and I decided to make a bit of a weekly challenge out of decluttering.

The rules:
1) Agree on a spot to tackle. (We have many to choose from.)
2) Take a before picture. (OUCH.)
3) Declutter.
4) Take an after picture and blog about the experience.

Today's spot: the bedroom. Nichole tackled the top of a dresser; I'm tackling my desk & surrounding areas. As painful as it was, I took a true "before" picture. The only thing I moved was my desk chair, to get it out of the way so that you could see the full extent of The Clutter.

Exhibit A. Here we have, in no particular order:
1) a toy horse, tiara, phone, clippies, and other kid-things
2) a laminated machine that cooled off long ago and should have been put away long ago
3) various books, notebooks, schoolbooks, etc, that do not belong on my desk
4) three balls of yarn and an almost-finished knitting project
5) a laundry basket & hamper full of clean, folded clothes that just need to be put away
6) lots and lots of other random junk

You can't even see the spot on the other side of the desk. Trust me, it was piled high with boxes, kids' outgrown clothes, and blankets that needed to be folded & put away. I couldn't even open my closet door without kicking stuff out of the way.

And so, here is the after. Much better, no?

I must confess that not all of that clutter has found a proper home yet. I have more to deal with, and I'll be working on that throughout the day. But look! You can see my ugly desk! (It'll have a facelift someday, but until then, it's sturdy and functional.) I would love to keep my desk in this clean and shiny condition, especially since it's what I see first thing every morning.

What's your worst trouble spot? Want to tackle clutter along with us?

Top Ten Tuesday: What to Do with Ground Beef

2011-03-07T21:00:00.000-06:00

At our house, one of the most commonly-used dinner ingredients is ground beef. It's fairly inexpensive, easy to freeze, and easy to use in lots of different ways. All too often, however, I find myself staring at a thawed portion of ground beef and I draw a blank. I have no idea what we should have, and I find myself desperate for dinnspiration. (See what I did there? Dinner + Inspiration? Nevermind.)

Here's a top ten list of easy dinners using ground beef:

1. Tacos - ground beef, taco seasoning, toppings, tortillas, DONE.

2. Chili - this is an easy, mild chili recipe that can be made in the slow-cooker or on the stove.

3. Spaghetti - sometimes I go all-out and make my own sauce, but usually I just use Prego. It's yummy and fast.

4. Tater-tot casserole - there are many different variations of this, but they're all pretty good! (And none of them are even remotely healthy.)

5. Vegetable-beef soup - ground beef, mixed vegetables, beef broth, brown rice, and whatever seasonings strike your fancy. Yum!

6. Stroganoff - one of our family favorites. We love it with noodles, with white rice, with brown rice, and even with mashed potatoes.

7. Sloppy Joes - we love sloppy joes, but we usually serve them as open-face sandwiches, to be eaten with a fork.

8. Meatloaf - confession: I never use a real recipe for meatloaf. That being said, it doesn't always turn out the way I would like it to. I'm going to try this recipe next time.

9. Burgers - especially if you have a good grill. We only have a charcoal grill, and we seldom use it, but I'll occasionally make burgers on the stovetop.

10. Mac & Cheese - okay, this is kind of cheating. James grew up eating Kraft Macaroni & Cheese with ground beef & frozen mixed vegetables added. You know what? It's good. It's really, really good. Also? Fast. Cheap. Kid-friendly.

What dinners to you make with ground beef? What's your fallback recipe?

Visit Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.com for more great lists!

Snapshots

2011-03-07T06:53:00.004-06:00

Once again, my dear, sweet blog has been silent for far too long. Rather than try and catch up all at once, I'll just share some pictures with you, snapshots of what we've been doing. Regularly-scheduled blogging should return tomorrow!

WFMW: Baby Steps toward Organization

2011-02-08T22:12:00.003-06:00

Things have been a bit chaotic around my house since...um...well, since I got pregnant with David. (That was September of 2008.) Since then, I don't think I've even once felt like the house was all the way clean, or organized, or peaceful. I desire that so much, and it's so hard to attain!

I'm kind of an all-or-nothing person. When I decide to change something, I go in with high energy, wading deep into the mess and re-doing a whole room in an afternoon. The problem is that right now I don't have the time, energy, or attention to devote to finishing a project like that. I can't revamp my whole house in a weekend. I can't schedule our days down to 15-minute increments. Someday those things might be possible, but not in this particular crazy-wonderful season.

Instead of tackling everything at once (or ignoring it since I can't do it all), I'm trying to take baby steps.

So I can't organize the whole dining room (which is our catch-all place)...
I can organize that one shelf over there.

So I don't have time to straighten the entire downstairs so that I can vacuum...
I can pick up the toys in the kids' room and vacuum in there, at least.

So I don't have time to fold all of the accumulated laundry and put it all away...
I can fold one basket of clothes & put it away while the kids are watching Dora.

Baby steps toward organization might just save my sanity!

For more great ideas, visit Works-For-Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family!

TTT: Kindergarten at Our House

2011-02-08T07:39:00.008-06:00

Wendy is 4 years old, and we are doing some kindergarten-level things at home this year. If we had decided to enroll her in the local public school, she would start kindergarten this coming August, as the youngest in her class. Since we've decided to homeschool and she shows a lot of interest in learning and "doing school," we're jumping right in!

Here's what kindergarten looks like at our house. (Keep in mind that we don't do all of these things every day; we're pretty flexible with our schedule.)

1. Reading lesson. We're using Teach Your Child to Read in 1 00 Easy Lessons, and Wendy loves it! We've only done 6 lessons so far and I can already see results. She is so ready to read!

2. Read-alouds. We read a lot. Wendy loves picture books and so do I - we have a bookshelf jam-packed with great choices. I've also started reading some longer books. We're almost finished with Little House in the Big Woods, and it has prompted some interesting conversations around our house!

3. Bible read-aloud. As a family, we're reading through the Bible this year. James and I have done it several times, but since David was born, it's been difficult. (That's a bit of an understatement.) We've started the habit again this year, and it's been great for us!

4. Writing practice. Wendy loves to write. I let her pick out a pretty blank book at McKay's, and she just writes and writes and writes. In fact, over the course of several days, she copied the text from, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus," into her blank book. See?

It says, "Hey, I've got an idea! Let's play Drive the Bus!"

5. Handwriting Without Tears. Okay, so we haven't actually started this program. But we will! Soon! With Wendy being so self-motivated to write, I want to go ahead and start teaching her how to write correctly. It's much better to learn things the right way the first time - breaking bad habits is hard!

6. Math practice. Wendy has been learning how to add numbers up to 10. Yesterday, I wrote out some simple sums for her and we sat down and figured them out, using raisins as manipulatives. She did a great job, once her tendency to jump ahead without doing the work was reined in. (I don't know who she got that tendency from. *ahem*)

7. Art/crafts. Most of our "art" time consists of coloring. I need to do a better job of having more involved projects at least once a week. Wendy loves to make things, and I want to help her explore her creative side.

8. Ballet/gymnastics/something. This is another thing that we haven't actually started yet. I keep intending to sign her up for something and then forgetting. I don't even know when sign-ups for that sort of thing happen. I need to do my research and get her involved!

9. Chores. Wendy doesn't have any set daily chores (that'll be changing soon), but rather she helps with whatever we're doing. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, and even cooking are all things she really enjoys helping with.

10. Play! Play, play, play, and play some more! Games, puzzles, baby dolls. Independent play and more structured activities. While Wendy is "ahead" in her learning, she is still just 4 years old. She needs plenty of playtime, plenty of exercise, and plenty of time to just be 4. I don't expect her to sit still for hours on end for schooling. Instead, we work for awhile and take a break, and then come back to work.

Whether you homeschool or not, what does kindergarten look like for your family?

For more great Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit Amanda at OhAmanda.com!

I'm also linking to the Hip Homeschool Hop!

Comfort Food at its Finest

2011-02-07T18:35:00.005-06:00

Some recipes you make because they are healthy. Some are unique, incorporating new and different flavors that broaden your horizons. Some are great for impressing company and getting compliments at potlucks.

This recipe is none of those things. (Except for the potluck compliments. I'm pretty sure I've gotten those.) Instead it is noodle-y, cheesy, creamy and yummy, and is perfect comfort food for my family. My kids love it, my husband loves it, and it uses inexpensive ingredients we almost always have on hand.

Tuna Casserole

1 16-oz box of whole-wheat rotini pasta
2 small cans of tuna in water, undrained
1 can of green peas, undrained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese
Panko crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions, minus 2 minutes of cooking time. While pasta is cooking, mix together tuna (with liquid), peas (with liquid), soup, cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese. Drain pasta and put in lightly-greased 9x13 baking pan. Pour soup mixture over the pasta and mix well. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese and Panko crumbs. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until top is golden & sauce is bubbly.

Enjoy!

Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs (without taking a cruise in the Caribbean)

2011-01-04T07:52:00.004-06:00

As I mentioned yesterday, winter can really get me down. When I find I'm coming down with a case of the seasonal blahs, I fight it with some of these things:

1. Let the sunshine in! The first thing I do every morning (after starting the coffee maker) is open up the blinds. Even on cloudy, dreary days, the natural light comes in and brightens up our day.

2. Play outside! It's hard to get motivated to go outside when it's cold, but fresh air does wonders for the spirit! Bundle up, take everybody outside, and enjoy the crisp air!

3. Bring the horseplay inside! This might be harder if your kids are bigger. Since mine are 4 and 1, we can easily run, wrestle, bounce and play inside without anyone or anything getting hurt. One of my kids' favorite things to do is run, back and forth and back and forth (and backandforthbackandforth) from our dining room to our living room. It burns energy, it's good for them, and it gets the winter wiggles out!

4. Break out the board games! When you're inside most of the day, it's too easy to sit in front of the TV or computer. Make a point to turn off the screens and tune in to each other. Board games, puzzles, crafts, even just coloring together are great ways to exercise creativity and imagination.

5. Create something! Bake cookies. Rearrange your mantle. Scrapbook. Make beaded necklaces with your kids. Paint that old chair that you've been wanting to revamp. Creativity is great for self-expression and mental rejuvenation!

6. Explore! Get out of the house and go somewhere! Go to a different library, a different mall, a museum, a park. Take a drive to a part of town you haven't seen before and spend some time exploring. If your kids are older, they can help you plan your excursion and even map out your adventure!

7. Learn something! Have you always wanted to learn to crochet? Knit? Sew? Make bread? Photoshop? There are so many great tutorials available online, and winter is perfect for trying out a new skill. I love to knit, and every winter I manage to learn a few new techniques.

8. Plan for spring! Map out a garden. Make a list of family outings you'd like to take in the upcoming months. Design a sandbox to build for your kids in the spring.

9. Take a Time Out! Sometimes all it takes to shake the blahs is a nice Time Out. For me, this would probably look like a quiet, sunny coffee shop, with my Kindle and a snack and no children. (That last part is key.) Winter brings with it a lot of togetherness, and sometimes all of that togetherness makes it hard for a Mama to think! Taking a Time Out helps to clear the cobwebs and refresh the mind.

10. Serve! There is no better way to work through problems than to serve others. Help a family member with a project. Work with a church group. Volunteer with a charitable organization. Help an elderly neighbor with snow-shoveling and errand-running. The possibilities are endless!

What do you do to get through the long days of winter?

For more great Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!

Sharing is Nice

2011-01-03T07:10:00.004-06:00

The first Monday of the New Year is always a bit of a shock. The Christmas decorations are put away (they are at our house, anyway), the cookies are gone, and everyone has to return to regularly-scheduled programming.

Bah, humbug.

This stretch of the year, from the beginning of January until, say, Easter, is my least favorite. Between the cold, the ice, the uniform brown-ness of the world...it discourages me. But, hey! We're not going to focus on that! We're going to focus on good things, like yummy recipes.

Jalapeno Popper Dip - this dip was the star of our New Year's Day celebration. If you like jalapeno poppers...if you like dip...if you are breathing...you will love this dip! We served it with pita chips, and it was perfection. (I might finish off the leftovers for breakfast...don't tell.)

Gingerbread Cookies - I had never made gingerbread cookies before this year, but I knew that Wendy would really enjoy helping me decorate them. This recipe was simple and wonderful! The only trouble I had was with cutting the cookies out. The first cookie cutters I was trying to use were too detailed, and the cookies kept tearing as I was trying to lift them out of the dough. Changing to a larger, simpler cookie cutter solved the problem, and they turned out great!

Did you try any new recipes this holiday season? What was your favorite?

Eleven Goals for 2011

2011-01-01T08:17:00.002-06:00

I won't call these "resolutions," but rather things I would like to accomplish in 2011. These aren't in any particular order; I'm not sure what I'll tackle first!

1. Get the kids' bedroom moved upstairs.
2. Set up the playroom/schoolroom downstairs.
3. De-clutter wherever possible.
4. Paint the bathroom.
5. Paint the kitchen.
6. Strip & repaint old porch swing.
7. Paint porch railing.
8. Establish a regular Bible study schedule.
9. Establish a regular exercise schedule.
10. Take more pictures.
11. Do something creative every day.

What's on your list this year?

Reading List for 2011

2010-12-28T16:10:00.011-06:00

This is being edited constantly, so feel free to give me suggestions!

Parenting:
Raising Godly Tomatoes, by L. Elizabeth Krueger
Bringing Up Girls, by James Dobson
Bringing Up Boys, by James Dobson

Non-Fiction:
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver
Radical, by David Platt
One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp

Fiction:
~~The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett~~
~~The Help, by Kathryn Stockett~~
~~Here Burns My Candle, by Liz Curtis Higgs~~
Secrets, by Robin Jones Gunn
Olive Kitteredge, by Elizabeth Strout
Dismantled, by Jennifer McMahon
Her Fearful Symmetry, by Audrey Niffenegger
This Body of Death, by Elizabeth George
Beguilemen t, by Lois McMaster Bujold
Gone, Baby, Gone, by Dennis Lehane
The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See
Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley

taptaptap

2010-12-09T12:26:00.003-06:00

Is this thing on?

Anyone out there?

For some reason, I've fallen into a blogging slump over the last few ~~weeks~~ months. I really can't point to a good reason; I just haven't felt like writing. I've come to realize that I really miss the self-expression - if you can call writing about diapers and tantrums and recipes "self-expression."

So, here goes. Blogging!

***

First off, take a look at my new header! I mentioned something last night on Twitter about wanting a new header for my blog, and when I got up this morning, this beautiful header was sitting in my e-mail inbox! Nichole of Butterscotch Sundae made it, and I think she's awesome. I love how it looks, and somehow it's just what I wanted but didn't have the energy or skills to make. Thanks again, Nichole!

***

Last week I was determined to organize our linen cupboard. By the end of the day, I had organized our linen cupboard, totally rearranged our bedroom, and created an "office" for myself in our bedroom. (I think I used up all of my productivity for the month of December, which is why my house is currently frighteningly messy.) I am loving my new office! It really just consists of an old, scarred desk, with a lamp, framed pics of my sweeties, and a plant that needed a home. I envision prettying the desk up with a nice bright coat of paint (red? yellow?) and some girly drawer pulls.

I'd eventually like to figure out how to get all of my craft supplies near my desk so that I might actually use them for a change. I love to make things, all sorts of things, but all of my supplies are upstairs, so I don't mess with them very often.

When I get my office prettied up, I'll definitely share pictures. It's so nice to have a place that is just mine. Finally, a place to store my ~~junk~~ essentials!

***

Are you ready for Christmas? All of our shopping is done, with the exception of a few stocking stuffers. Our decorations are a work-in-progress, as the kids have been suffering from a virus of some sort this week. Wendy is very excited about Christmas, and David has no idea that anything is different, other than the really fun tree covered in toys that we won't let him touch.

***

So what's new with YOU?

WFMW: Weaning from the Binky

2010-11-16T20:54:00.004-06:00

I haven't joined the Works-For-Me Wednesday carnival in a long time, but I'm back! I have a great suggestion for weaning a baby/toddler from a pacifier!

I read this advice somewhere on the internet when Wendy was a toddler, and gave it a try. Within a week, she was completely Binky-free, with zero tears. Now that David is that age (our pediatrician recommends weaning from the pacifier by 18 months), I've done it again. And guess what?

It worked even better. He is Binky-free after only a few days.

How did I do it? It's easy!

When your baby/toddler isn't watching, cut about 1/4" off of the tip of the pacifier. That's it! That's all! Let your baby have the pacifier at all the usual times, without any restriction. In two days, if baby is still wanting the pacifier, cut another 1/4" off. Repeat as needed until baby decides that the pacifier isn't necessary.

My favorite thing about this method weaning from the Binky is that I am not the Mean Mommy. The decision to give up the pacifier came from the baby, and I didn't have to fight any battles over it.

Two additional points:
*Make sure that your cut is smooth. You don't want baby's mouth to get irritated if he decides to keep sucking on the pacifier.
*Make sure to keep the pacifier clean. Once the bulb is cut, it can trap all kinds of dirt and germs.

Good luck! For more tips and advice, visit Works-For-Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

2010-11-03T09:24:00.004-05:00

I have always loved pictures. When I got my first digital camera, I took zillions of pictures...and they all stayed on the computer, never to be printed out and enjoyed. When I discovered Shutterfly, that all changed - I could print out whatever I wanted, from 1 picture to 100 pictures, in any size, and have them mailed right to my door.

Now that I have kids and I send pictures of them to family and friends for the holidays, I am loving their Christmas cards! They're simple to create, and the finished product is always impressive. They have over 700 designs, so even the pickiest person is bound to find something they like!

One feature I especially appreciate this year is the ability to sort the card choices by color. I have the kids' outfits already picked out for their Christmas picture, so I can go ahead and narrow down my selection. And eventually, when I get the picture taken & edited, I'll be able to choose & order cards & have them delivered in no time! Right now, I think this one is my favorite:

The kids' outfits are red and black with a touch of plaid here and there, so I think this design will look great! (Provided I can get them to be still long enough to get a good picture, anyway!)

Not in the market for Christmas cards? Here are some other great ideas:

Birthday invitations

Calendars (great for Christmas gifts!)

Thank You cards (I made beautiful TY cards for Wendy's birthday!)

If you are a blogger, you can get 50 free cards from Shutterfly! Click here to find out more!

Now We Are Four

2010-09-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Brand New

One

Two

Three

FOUR!

My Darling, Sweet, Complicated Wendy,

You are four years old.

People will tell you all of your life that time flies. You won't really know the truth of that until you are a Mommy yourself someday. Weren't we just swaddling you? And putting tiny dresses and tights on you? And laughing at how your uncoordinated newborn eyes could look at the ceiling and floor at the same time?

On one hand, it feels like you have always been a part of our family. But on the other hand...yes, time DOES fly. You have changed from a tiny, fragile newborn to a healthy, happy baby, to a strong, opinionated toddler, to a little girl.

A wonderful little girl.
A beautiful little girl.
A feisty little girl.
A dramatic little girl.
A sweet little girl.
MY little girl.

I love you, my baby. Let's enjoy what FOUR brings us!

Top Ten Tuesday: Our Preschool

2010-08-24T06:35:00.005-05:00

About three weeks ago, Wendy started preschool. We are homeschooling this year as a kind of trial run to help us figure out whether we'll enroll her in public school next year or continue on at home. After three weeks, I must confess: I love homeschooling.

Granted, this is just preschool, which means that our schoolwork takes maybe two hours a day and consists of reading and art and play. Who wouldn't love that? But I am also really enjoying seeing Wendy grasp new concepts and develop a real enthusiasm for learning.

Here are the top ten things we are doing for preschool:

1. Five in a Row - this is a homeschool guide for teaching children based on reading wonderful children's literature. We read the same book for five days in a row and have lessons based on the story. So far we have read Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Storm in the Night, and The Story About Ping. This week we are studying Madeline.

2. Other Books - going along with our book of the week, we use other books as reference to highlight important points or give a glimpse of another culture. For example, last week, when we studied The Story About Ping, we read books about Chinese culture and about ducklings.

3. My ABC Bible Verses - I choose a letter of the week based on our book of the week, and then we study the corresponding verse from My ABC Bible Verses. This book has a simple devotional story outlining the concept presented in the verse. We read the story on Monday and then work on memorizing the verse and talking about what it means.

4. Dolch Sightwords - I made flashcards based on this list of Dolch sightwords. We look at the flashcards and talk about them, but it's pretty low-key. Wendy is still at the pre-reading stage, so we aren't spending too much time on this, but I figured that early exposure wouldn't hurt.

5. Pattern Blocks - we ordered this set and I am so glad that we did! Wendy loves working with them, and she can already do all but the hardest cards by herself. I do wish the set came with more blocks; there aren't enough blocks for Wendy and me to do cards simultaneously. We'll probably be adding some blocks to our set in the near future.

6. Worksheets - I couldn't find a link to the exact workbook that we have, but there are so many good ones out there! I got ours at Sam's Club and it is great. It goes through shapes, colors, numbers and letters, and also has concepts like basic patterns and matching and relative size.

7. Art - lots and lots of art! Wendy loves to draw and color and paint and work with play-dough and pretty much any other kind of art you can think of! Some of our art goes along with our story of the week or our memory verse, and some is just for fun.

8. Writing Practice - in the last two weeks, Wendy has learned to write her name! I am so proud of her. Her "d" turns out like a "b" most of the time, but with practice I know she'll get it just right. We focus on writing the letter of the week and copying some basic sightwords starting with that letter.

9. Starfall - if you haven't used Starfall, then you're really missing out! Wendy loves doing the first level of activities, and she can do them by herself; she's learning computer skills as she learns to read!

10. Read-aloud - as you can see from the rest of the list, we do a lot of reading! We just started reading chapter books aloud, starting with Little House in the Big Woods. We read a chapter (or sometimes half a chapter) at a time, and for the most part, Wendy pays attention and understands what we're reading. I'm hoping that it will help her develop a love of reading and enhance her creativity!

What kinds of things do you do or have you done for preschool?

For more great Top Ten lists, visit Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda!

WFMW: Mess-Free Painting For Your Preschooler

2010-07-27T20:37:00.004-05:00

Wendy, at almost 4 years old (!!!), loves anything artistic. Coloring, drawing, Play-Doh, painting...she does it all! In the past I have unintentionally stifled her creativity because I was afraid of the mess. Well, no more! (See the masterpiece she made the other day?)

I've come upon a fairly mess-free way for Wendy to paint to her heart's content. All it took was a few inexpensive supplies. Here are the important points:

Paint: I am a huge fan of Crayola's washable products. I found this six-pack of washable paint at the grocery store, and it works really well. It's thick enough to stick to brushes so that kids can achieve really vibrant and colorful effects. It washes right out of the brushes, off the wall, off the floor, out of the clothes, off the skin...you get the idea.

Brushes: I found a package of paint brushes at the grocery store that has worked out great. It was around $5, and has 8 brushes of different sizes and shapes. (It's similar to this set, but not exactly the same.) Wendy loves experimenting with them and seeing the different looks each brush can give.

Palette: Instead of using some sort of paint cup or palette, I use an egg carton. Since our paint set has 6 colors, I cut the egg carton into 6-cup segments. With a small blob of paint in each cup, Wendy is all set! When she's finished, I either throw away the egg carton or, if we're going to paint more later in the day, I'll stick the egg carton in a quart-sized zipper bag to use later.

Water Cup: A sturdy glass votive holder works great! It's low and heavy, so it's less likely to tip over, and it cleans up easily!

Paper: We've used poster board, construction paper, drawing paper, and card stock. It all works equally well for the paints we're using. If using watercolors, I'm sure watercolor paper would be the best bet. Just tape it up on the wall, making sure it's secure. No easel needed!

Location: We have a little space of wall in our kitchen, behind our back door, where I set up a painting station for Wendy. It is out of the general traffic area, in plain sight, and (most importantly) is on an easy-to-clean vinyl floor. I really like having it there, because she can paint while her brother is napping and I can get some much-needed kitchen work done. I tape up the paper, place her supplies on a low stool, and she's all set!

When the artist has decided that her composition is finished, I leave it taped to the wall to dry. Wendy helps me clean up her water cup and brushes, and we wipe off any drips on the floor or wall.

And that's it! Painless painting fun for a preschooler!

(I'm really proud of the egg-carton idea. Can I get some kudos for that, please?)

Mess-free painting works for me! For more great ideas, visit Works-For-Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family!

Top Ten Tuesday: Make Cleaning Fun!

2010-07-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Some people enjoy cleaning and organizing. I enjoy the idea of cleaning and organizing, and typically get 1/4 of the way through a project before getting distracted, leaving things in more of a mess than they were originally.

In an effort to keep myself motivated to make progress on housecleaning, I've compiled a list of things that make cleaning fun! Well, not quite fun, per se, but not excruciatingly yucky.

1. Coffee - starting with a good cup of coffee while planning the day's tasks really helps get things off on the right foot.

2. Attitude - having a good attitude for cleaning is ESSENTIAL. Absolutely vital. Are you muttering while you clean, berating the people in your house for being messy? Or are you thankful for having a comfortable home and for the ability to serve your family?

3. Playlist/Audiobook - a little entertainment goes a long way toward making a dreaded task enjoyable. Energetic music, especially the sing-a-long kind, really helps keep me going. A good audiobook can do the same thing, as long as it's not so interesting that you find yourself just sitting & listening!

4. Movie - I'm sure this seems out of place on the list, but I like watching something good while I fold laundry. Even if I'm way behind on folding (and when am I not?) I can get all of the folding done while doing something fun.

5. Checklist - the Motivated Moms chore planning system has really helped keep me on my toes. I highly recommend it; I'm definitely going to buy it again next year.

6. Apron - I don't have an apron, but I want one! I like the idea of putting it on to remind myself of what I'm supposed to be doing. And besides, they're cute!!

7. Scented Cleaner - to me, a house doesn't seem clean unless it smells fresh. Just yesterday I tried Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Geranium All-Purpose Cleaner, and it is fantastic! I want to use it all over the house, so that I can just sniff it all day long.

8. Tools - you don't need a lot of supplies to clean, but there are a few things that are very helpful. A bucket, good rags for scrubbing, a good duster, and a good mop help get things done in an efficient manner. (I would really like to try the Shark Steam Mop. Have you tried it? Is it a good as it looks?)

9. Snack/Water Breaks - making yourself work too long without a break is counterproductive. It's much better to plan on a short break every hour, with a glass of water and maybe a small snack. Otherwise, you'll exhaust yourself way too soon, and only get things half finished.

10. Flexibility - another essential if you've got littles underfoot, flexibility can help you keep your sanity on cleaning days. Gone are the days when I could whip my house into perfect shape with two hours of work. Instead, it's an all day or many-day process, and it never really gets "perfect." That's just how life is when you are raising small children! It takes longer. Being flexible about the timing of your cleaning helps keep the frustration at a minimum.

What do YOU do to make cleaning more enjoyable? I could always use more motivation!

For more great Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!

Do Be Do Be Dooo...

2010-07-26T06:34:00.004-05:00

Over the last few weeks, I've been making some major changes in my life. I've kept quiet about them on the blog, but I think it's time to share.

Here's what I'm up to:

1) Recording every single thing that I eat in a food diary. I am using FatSecret, which has an easy-to-use calorie counter that helps me stay on target. I've lost 5 pounds in the last two weeks. So there.

2) Exercising! I've never been a fan of exercising - it's hot and sweaty and UGH. But I feel so much better when I get regular exercise.

3) Studying the Bible every morning. I'm participating in Beth Moore's Breaking Free study through our ladies' class at church, and it is wonderful and challenging and refreshing.

4) Trying to be fully-present in my kids' lives. I have a tendency to just do my own thing and let the kids play, but I need to interact with them more and spend more time teaching them and reading to them and cuddling them and wrestling them.

See? We need more of this.

Basically, these changes can be summarized in one idea: I want to stop being and start doing. Life is short, kids grow quickly, and this, now, is the time to get busy!

Masterpiece

2010-07-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

"Is God watching me paint?"

"Yes, baby."

"Do you think He wikes it?"

"I'm sure He does!"

"I think He thinks it is very beautiful!"

I think YOU are beautiful.

Things I Love Thursday: Buds n' Branches

2010-07-22T10:05:00.003-05:00

Back in June, we had the privilege of going to the wedding of my husband's little sister and her long-time sweetheart. I took that opportunity to look for matching outfits for Wendy and David - how many excuses to you get for dressing your kids alike??

After searching high and low, I came across the Buds n' Branches store on Etsy. I really liked what I saw, but nothing was just exactly right. I send a message to the seller, and she graciously agreed to make me a matching set for Wendy and David, complete with their names embroidered on the front.

I was especially delighted by the quick turn-around; I placed the order and had the outfits within the week! The workmanship is great, the fit is great, and the kids were SO cute for the wedding!

If you're in the market for matching apparel for your kiddos, or just want a nice monogrammed outfit, go visit Buds n' Branches! You'll love it!

For more Things I Love Thursday posts, visit Jill at The Diaper Diaries!

(p.s. - I also love the kids' shoes! Wendy's sandals are Stride Rite's Lollipop sandals and David's shoes are Converse One Star shoes from Target.)

Top Ten Tuesday: Makes Me Smile!

2010-07-19T20:08:00.004-05:00

I had a bit of writer's block when I was trying to think of a topic for today's Top Ten Tuesday post. I asked Twitter for suggestions, and Heather came to my rescue! Thanks, Heather!

Top Ten Things My Kids Have Done To Make Me Smile Lately:

1. Wendy was holding the front door for me as I was bringing in groceries last week. I walked through and she didn't shut the door. I said, "Close the door please, baby!" and she replied, "I'm holding it for God!" She always asks us if God is in the car with us, and of course we say yes...I guess it makes sense that He would come in the house when we do!

2. David has been really interested in Signing Time lately. He was watching a video the other day and I saw him grab one plump wrist with the other plump hand and sway back and forth - he was trying to copy the sign for "baby"!

3. Wendy was coloring very intently during our devotional on Sunday night. When she finished, she handed it to Miss Rachel, and said, "I made this for you!" (Miss Rachel is our church's resident grandmother. Everyone knows her and loves her.)

4. David knows that the first thing we do when we come home is take off our shoes, and usually his Daddy helps him with that. Now, whenever we come in, David plops down on the floor in front of Daddy, grabs the toes of his shoes, and asks, "shushuf?" which must be his form of "shoes off?"

5. We've definitely entered the phase of sibling squabbles, but today, all of her own accord, Wendy shared her snack with David! She saw that he was hungry, and said, "I'll share wif him!" She pinched off little pieces of her bread and popped it in his wide-open baby-birdie mouth. It was sweet!

6. David has entered a very hug-y phase, and we are loving it! He will be busy playing, and walk over to us, give us a hug, and continue on his merry way!

7. Wendy laughed in her sleep the other night. Like, a full-out, wide-awake sounding laugh. Even though it woke me up, I had to smile - she must have been having a good dream!

8. David has finally discovered that books are not just for chewing. He has a little touch-and-feel animal book that he will "read" for ten minutes at a time - he's fascinated by it!

9. Wendy makes everything into a song these days. It can get annoying, but it's also pretty funny. It turns simple requests for more milk into quite an entertaining show!

10. David's determination in exercising his new walking skills is really impressive. I have to smile when I see his focus as he holds his balance during a wobbly spell. He is such a busy boy!

Those are ten ways my kids have made me smile lately - and I must say, it was a good thing for me to focus on. These days of parenting an almost-4 year old and a 14 month old can be draining and exhausting. Revisiting all the ways they make me smile sure makes it seem worthwhile!

For more Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!

TTT: Things I Wish I Had in my Fridge

2010-06-22T07:18:00.003-05:00

With summer officially here, I've been craving fresh produce. I haven't made it to the Farmer's Market, and we don't belong to a CSA group, so we're limited to what we can find in the supermarket.

Here is some fresh produce I really wish I had in my fridge:

1. Green beans - I got some decent fresh beans at the grocery store last week, and slow-cooked them in homemade chicken stock - YUM. Seriously - I think I could eat them every day.

2. Seedless watermelon - nothing beats a good, sweet, juicy watermelon. I look forward to introducing Wendy to the joys of outdoor watermelon-eating. Barefoot in the grass, juice dripping off elbows and chin - one of life's simple pleasures!

3. Cantaloupe - Wendy could eat cantaloupe until she can't hold any more. Unfortunately, I'm not the best cantaloupe picker-outer. I've got maybe a 60% chance of getting a good one, but only a 15% chance of getting a great one. Do you have any cantaloupe-choosing secrets to share?

4. Bicolor sweet corn - I love corn on the cob. A little butter, a little salt, and I'm in heaven. I don't think Wendy has ever had corn on the cob (FOR SHAME!!) and I know for sure that David hasn't. We'll remedy that as soon as I can find some good corn!

5. Green tomatoes - for frying, of course!

6. Ripe tomatoes - Mmmm...tomato sandwiches on toast with a little bit of mayo - heavenly!

7. Strawberries - my family LOVES strawberries! We get at least a pound every time we can, and they are always gone within 12 hours. They're great on waffles, in salad, on ice cream, or just alone, sprinkled with a little Splenda!

8. Peaches - when I was pregnant with David last spring, I craved peaches. James bought a few at the store and they smelled divine - sweet and juicy and peachy. They didn't taste that great, since it was way too early in the season, but OH! The smell was perfect!

9. Salad greens - I like a good salad, and I prefer it with crisp, nutrient-packed things. Dark greens, other-colored "greens," fancy, frilly, and fragrant, I like them all! (As long as I have tomatoes. Because a salad without tomatoes is just plain boring!)

10. Plums - the perfect plum is elusive, but it's worth the search. Tight, tangy skin, with a soft, juicy inside - they're just as yummy as they are good for you!

What are your favorite summer produce items?

For more Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!

TILT: Audible & Dr. Seuss

2010-06-17T06:46:00.004-05:00

In Tuesday's post, I mentioned using audiobooks to help make family road trips more enjoyable. I had read other moms' testimonies about using audiobooks in the car, and I went looking for something that would entertain Wendy.

Lo and behold, I stumbled across Audible Kids, and found this wonderful collection of Dr. Seuss books. It includes some classics that I remember from childhood (The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who) and a few others that I hadn't heard before. The actors that do the reading are fantastic. Fantastic. Kelsey Grammer, Dustin Hoffman, John Cleese, Billy Crystal - they're all fabulous! Our favorite is Kelsey Grammer's reading of The Cat in the Hat.

If you're going on a road trip with kids anytime soon, I highly recommend checking out Audible Kids. They have a wide variety of titles available, and it's great for keeping the peace in the car!

See?
Who could ask for a better endorsement?!

For more Things I Love Thursday, visit Jill at The Diaper Diaries!

WFMW: No More High Chair!

2010-06-15T21:00:00.003-05:00

I finally had it with our old high chair. Sure, it was great - comfy, adjustable, sturdy, and easy to use. What it was not? Easy to clean! There were so many nooks and crannies for food to hide, little grooves and joints and flaps.

David, at nearly 13 months old, still needs to be strapped into something at the table, or he's likely to fall/climb/slide right out.

Enter the Fisher-Price Heathy Care Deluxe booster seat! Despite the fancy name, it's quite affordable. I brought it home, strapped it on to one of our dining room chairs, and haven't looked back! It's fantastic. The straps are very secure, both the ones that attach it to the chair and the ones that hold David in the seat. The tray is smaller than a regular high chair, so it fits in the dishwasher quite nicely.

But the best part? The whole seat bottom is one molded piece of plastic. Other than the very thin slot where the strap comes through, there is nowhere for food to go! One quick wipe, and it's clean! *cue angels singing*

We took the booster seat on our recent trip, and it was great! It folds up easily and stays folded, and there is a little lid for the tray so that the tray stays clean while you're traveling. I can't praise it enough!!

For more great tips, visit Works-For-Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family!

TTT: Staying Sane While Traveling

2010-06-15T06:52:00.002-05:00

Last week we returned from a 9-day, 4-state, very busy road trip. If I remember right, we spent about 30 hours in the car over the course of our "vacation" - all with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. We stayed in three different places. We were busy almost every day, and the highlight of the trip was my sister-in-law's wedding. It was not a restful vacation, but here are some things that helped us stay as sane as possible:

1. Snacks - there's nothing like a special snack when kids (and grownups) are grumpy. We traveled with rice cakes, fruit, Cheerios, and plenty of milk for the kids to drink.
2. Music - for Christmas last year, James gave me an iPod player for the car. Now I can have playlists for specific purposes - cheerful kid music, nap time music, upbeat grownup music for fighting the sleepies, etc. Playlists are so much fun!

3. Audiobooks - I'll probably write more about this later, but this was our first time to use audiobooks on a car trip, and it was a BIG HIT. Seriously. Everytime we got in the car, Wendy asked to listen to her books!

4. Activity - kids can only spend so much time strapped into carseats and strollers before they melt into puddles of crankiness. We were blessed on this trip to stumble across a rest stop with a playground, and I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing. Twenty minutes later, we were strapping sweaty, happy, relaxed kids back into the car, where they promptly fell asleep.

5. Naps - speaking of falling asleep...nap time is sacred at our house, and the same goes for when we're traveling. The schedule is a bit more flexible to allow for activities, but we make sure there is a 2-3 hour chunk of time in the afternoon for the kids to relax. We retreat to our room, get comfy (i.e. crank up the AC & take off any uncomfortable clothes) and chill. My kids will not nap if there is anything distracting going on, so this time of retreat and rest is critical.

6. Laundry - packing enough clothes for 4 people for 9 days and various activities? No way. We would need a small Uhaul. No, instead we just planned on visiting a laundromat halfway through our trip to do the laundry. Sure, it's not very fun, but in less than two hours, everything was washed, dried, & folded, and we were good to go. Much easier than trying to pack enough clothes to last for the whole trip!

7. Solitude - this one is really more for me than the kids. I am an introvert. I easily get overwhelmed in certain situations, and I get pretty stressed out. All I need is a bit of quiet, alone time, with no one talking to me or requiring anything of me. This might involve a nap, it might involve reading, or it might just involve sitting and thinking. Whatever the case, a bit of solitude goes a long way towards restoring my peace of mind and making the trip more enjoyable for everyone!
8. Toys & Books - we only take a few toys and books when we travel, and they are carefully selected. They are generally ones that have multiple purposes and can be enjoyed by both Wendy and David. This time, I went a step further and packed a "secret" bag of toys and books for Wendy that I gave her one at a time while we were driving. Her favorite was this dry-erase book; she worked on her letters and numbers for hours!

9. Blankies - my kids both love their Blankies. Not only do we take their Blankies, but we make sure they are all tucked in with them in the car. It just makes everyone happier.

10. Humor - keeping a sense of humor and being able to laugh at the absurdities of traveling with children is essential! Baby wiped his snotty face all over the front of your shirt? Preschooler insisting on talking (constantly!) in an annoying squeaky voice? Might as well laugh about it!!

What strategies do you use when traveling with young children?

For more Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

2010-06-14T08:35:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday, and James gave me a Kindle!!

So...what should I read?

(Family photo from my SIL's wedding last weekend)

(And yes, Wendy's eyes are closed. It's the best picture of all of us that we were able to get!)

TILT: Playtex Ortho-Pro Teether

2010-05-27T00:01:00.002-05:00

Several months ago, I got a coupon in the mail for a new Playtex baby product - the Ortho-Pro Teether. I put the coupon aside, since at the time David wasn't teething & wasn't interested in chewing on things. Then, before I knew it, I saw him holding his pacifier sideways and chomping on it frantically, trying to massage his poor swollen gums.

I dug out the coupon & looked for the Ortho-Pro teether at the store, and was a little surprised by its appearance. It looks a lot like a pacifier, but instead of having a bulb, it has a firm, flattened teething surface with bumps & ridges. The whole thing is that firm-but-gummy texture that teething babies love, and it has a handle for little hands to grasp.

When I gave the teether to David, he immediately knew what to do! He gnawed and chewed all over the thing, and it seemed to help him feel quite a bit better. Now we're on to molars, and he likes it even better! He can stick the flattened part towards the back & side of his mouth & chomp away!

For more Things I Love Thursday, visit The Diaper Diaries!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-26T09:31:00.002-05:00

Mighty Bug Hunter

WFMW: Picasa

2010-05-26T06:22:00.003-05:00

I am by no means a great photographer. I would like to be, but I don't have the equipment or know-how to take really good pictures. I have a point & shoot Olympus that is about 5 years old, and I mainly just take candid shots of the kids.

I daydream of having a great camera and Photoshop one day, but it's just not in the budget right now. What is in the budget right now? Picasa.

Picasa is a free, downloadable photo-editing software from Google. It has all the basic tools you would need for casual editing - red-eye correction, retouching, lighting correction - plus a few extra "special effects" tools. It's easy to use and you can't beat the price!

Picasa works for me!
For more great tips, visit Works-For-Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family!

TTT: Toddler Finger Food

2010-05-25T07:59:00.004-05:00

For some reason, the switch from a diet of formula & baby food to whole milk & table food has seemed like a sudden transition for both of my kids. Suddenly I have to think! About what this little person should eat! This little person who is hungry all the time and who can choke on just about anything!

It's puzzling.

I decided to compile a list of easy, healthy finger foods for toddlers, in the hopes that I'll be able to remember some of these options the next time I'm stumped.

1) Cheerios - okay, this one is a gimmie. David loves Cheerios, and he has the shirt to prove it.

2) Toast strips - plain, buttered, topped with melted cheese; there are lots of options for toast!

3) Steamed diced veggies - carrots and broccoli are easy to steam in the microwave, and can be diced quickly with a pizza cutter.

4) Shredded roasted meat - since I like to cook whole chickens in the Crock-Pot, I have a good supply of shredded meat in the freezer. It's tender and moist, and is easily shredded into toddler-safe bites.

5) Diced fruit - bananas, strawberries, apples, peaches - diced fruit is always a big hit! (I usually don't give David banana as a finger food, because it gets absolutely everywhere and somehow turns into something the consistency of spackle.)

6) NutriGrain or similar fruit & cereal bars - I haven't tried these with David yet, but Wendy loved them! I need to find a recipe for them to try to make them at home. Anybody have one?

7) Well-done macaroni with or without sauce - our family eats a lot of pasta, and David already knows that he loves it! I usually cook ours al dente, but for David's sake, I've been trying to make it a bit softer.

8) Shredded cheese - David loves it! But holy cow, does it make a big mess!!

9) Diced hard-boiled egg - a good, inexpensive source of protein.

10) Plain rice cakes - crunchy and satisfying, they make a good between-meals snack for a hungry baby!

Whew!! It took me a long time to come up with a list of ten finger foods. Do you have any suggestions?

For more Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!

Message from David

2010-05-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Hi, everybody!! Come closer...I have something to tell you!

Today is my BIRTHDAY!!
I'm ONE YEAR OLD!!
Isn't that great?

My Mama says she can't believe it,
but I think it's pretty exciting!
I'm getting so big!

I took my first steps last night
after church. I could have done it
sooner, but I like to keep my parents
guessing - and carrying me!

Thanks for your birthday wishes!
Mama says that we'll have cake on Saturday,
but I don't know what cake is...I hope I like it!

WFMW: Cutting Spaghetti

2010-05-18T21:22:00.003-05:00

Spaghetti is a staple in our house. We make regular spaghetti, Greek-flavored spaghetti, chili spaghetti...we just love it! What we don't love, though, is the mess that results when Wendy feeds herself spaghetti. Sure, it's cute when a kid is covered head-to-toe in sauce & noodles, but that quickly loses its charm when you realize that you are the one who will have to clean it up!

I tried various things to make the spaghetti easier for Wendy to eat, and finally stumbled across just the right thing.

Ready?

I put it in one of Wendy's bowls, then cut it up with kitchen shears.

I know, right? I'm sure other people do the same thing. It's a great way of making the spaghetti more manageable, and it's so quick - just a few seconds and I'm spared all the mess that we used to have.

Using kitchen scissors to cut up my 3 year old's spaghetti works for me!

For more great Works-For-Me Wednesday tips, visit We Are THAT Family!

To My Sweeties...

2010-05-08T21:14:00.005-05:00

Wendy at 1 year old, 9/2007

To know that I'm the one you call when you have a nightmare...

To know that I get to kiss your boo-boos and tickle your ribs...

To know that I get to read you story after story (after story after story)...

To know that you always got the hiccups right around 3 p.m. and made my whole belly shake...

To know what the back of your neck smells like after a bath...and when you NEED a bath...

To know that I get to see every stage of your development...

To see my eyes looking back at me in your faces...

To see your Daddy's determination and strength in your individual personalities...

To be able to talk with you about Baby Jesus in the middle of an ordinary bathtime on an ordinary Thursday night...

This...these things, these times...make my Mother's Day complete!

David at 10 months, 3/2010

TILT: Earth's Best Baby Food

2010-05-05T19:35:00.006-05:00

***"Things I Love Thursday" is usually hosted by Jill of The Diaper Diaries. Jill is currently in the Dominican Republic with World Vision, so Candace at Mama Mia is filling in!***

David is a big baby. That's kind of an understatement; at 11 months old, he was 25 lbs, 12 oz, and very tall, too. He is also very active, crawling everywhere at the speed of light and thisclose to walking. You can imagine that he has a hearty appetite!

On a recent excursion to Target, I realized I hadn't packed a lunch for David. I grabbed a jar of Vegetable Beef Pilaf from Earth's Best from the baby food aisle, and we settled in the snack area to eat. David took one bite and decided that it was just about the best thing he had ever eaten! I looked at the label, and it was full of good things - healthy, organic ingredients. There were no unnecessary additives, like sugar or salt or preservatives. He loved it, and I loved being able to feed him something so healthy!

In a perfect world, I'd prepare all of his meals from scratch, using organic produce, whole greats, and healthy fats. In the real world...well, I don't. Some of his meals are homemade, but many times he eats purchased baby food. Now that I've discovered Earth's Best organic 3rd foods, I feel better about it!

For more "Things I Love Thursday," visit the guest host, Candace, at Mama Mia!

WFMW: Backwards Edition

2010-05-04T21:14:00.007-05:00

This week at We Are THAT Family, the weekly Works-For-Me Wednesday tip carnival is a backwards edition. That means that instead of offering up my incredibly insightful and life-saving advice (ha!) I get to ask a question, and hopefully you comment & give me some ideas.

I am going to a wedding in a few weeks, and wearing this beautiful black dress. [Aside: I know it's not typical to wear a black dress to a wedding, but the bride suggested that people dress in the wedding colors, which are black and red. I look awful in red - hello, Rosacea! - so black it is!] It's a lovely dress, but it needs something. The ceremony will be held indoors in the late afternoon with an evening reception.

What kind of shoes should I wear? Keep in mind that I will be chasing a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old; beautiful but terribly uncomfortable shoes will simply not work.

What kind of jewelry or other accessories?

Help?

For more Works-For-Me Wednesday, visit We Are THAT Family!

Today...

2010-04-30T09:59:00.003-05:00

I made a second pot of coffee, because I need it. It's decaf, but I'm hoping I can fool my body into thinking it's regular.

I put my son in time-out at 6 a.m.

I put my daughter in time-out at 7 a.m.

I put my son in time-out again at 8 a.m.

I put my daughter in time-out again at 9 a.m.

I put my daughter in bed at 10 a.m.

I am having people over for dinner. My house is a mess. I have no idea what we're eating.

I want to go back to bed.

...but on the plus side, my son has really cute feet. Fat, round, yummy baby feet. And everything is going to be okay.

Things I Love Thursday: Dora!

2010-04-28T21:47:00.003-05:00

Wendy, being 3 1/2 years old, absolutely loves Dora the Explorer. She loves to watch the shows and she loves any Dora books or toys that she sees.

When I scheduled her first dental exam, I immediately went to my friend Amazon to look for a book about the dentist. When I saw this book, Show Me Your Smile! A Visit to the Dentist, I knew I had to get it! When the book arrived a few days later, I immediately read it to Wendy. Then she asked me to read it again...and again...and again. She loved the book, and she was very interested in the things that Dora saw and did in the dentist's office. We read the book at least twice a day until the day of her appointment.

Wendy was very excited about going to the dentist, "just like Dora did!" I was a little nervous, not knowing how she would handle a stranger poking around in her mouth. But she was amazing! When the hygienist first asked her to sit down, Wendy looked at me and asked, "Is it going to hurt?" When I told her, "No," she calmly sat down and was a star patient.

I mean, seriously.

She was amazing.

When we got home, she immediately asked if we could brush and floss her teeth. We did, and she said, "Oh, I don't think they're clean enough - we need to go back to the dentist!"

If you've got a child who is nervous about the dentist, or who will be having their first exam soon, read this book to them!

For more Things I Love Thursday, visit The Diaper Diaries!

WFMW: Chicken in the Crock-Pot

2010-04-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

I love my Crock-Pot.

I love chicken.

I love saving time and money.

When I first heard people talking about cooking a whole chicken in a Crock-Pot, I was skeptical. As much as I love my slow-cooker, I couldn't imagine that a whole chicken would turn out right. Whenever I roasted a whole chicken in the oven, it was a hassle and the meat was a little dry, so it wasn't worth it. Wouldn't doing it in the Crock-Pot just make a long process longer?

Boy, was I wrong!

I gave it a try and was immediately hooked. It's easy! Cheap! And best of all, it's yummy and moist.

Here's what I do:

1. Buy a whole chicken.
2. Early the next morning, rinse the chicken & put it in the Crock-Pot, breast side down.
3. Top with whatever seasonings tickle your fancy. I've used garlic salt + Italian seasoning, Lawry's seasoned salt, oregano + lemon peel...it all turns out good!
4. Put the lid on, and turn the Crock-Pot on low.
5. Ignore it for 8-10 hours.

That's it! That's all there is to it. Rinse chicken, sprinkle w/ seasoning, turn on Crock-Pot. When the chicken is done, I pull it out & let it cool before removing the meat from the bones. Then I take all of the skin, bones, fat, etc. and return it to the cooking juices in the Crock-Pot. I add about 4 cups of water, put the lid on, and cook it on low overnight. In the morning, I've got the most beautiful chicken broth just waiting to be strained & put in the freezer!

An additional tip: I have this big oval Crock-Pot, which is a pretty common model. I usually get a two-pack of whole chickens at Sam's Club, and I can cook them at the same time, side by side. It doesn't take any more effort, but it doubles the result - and I can always use more cooked chicken & broth in the freezer!

Saving money & time...yummy & moist chicken...works for me!

For more great tips, visit Works-For-Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family!

TTT: Online Shopping

2010-04-26T22:00:00.002-05:00

I do a lot of shopping online. While I enjoy shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, it's not always practical with two kids in tow. When the kids are with me, I can't leisurely peruse clearance racks or make multiple trips to a fitting room. And making multiple stops with the kids? Unbuckling from carseats, setting up stroller, buckling into stroller, shopping, unbuckling from stroller, buckling back into carseats, collapsing stroller again...just thinking about it wears me out.

Here's a list of my favorite sites for online shopping:

1) Amazon - this one is a given! I think Amazon is probably the world's most popular site for online shopping. You can get just about anything through Amazon, and you can usually get free shipping. We've done all of our Christmas shopping using Amazon several times.

2) Diapers.com - despite the name, they have much more than diapers! They have all kinds of baby essentials: formula, baby food, clothing, baby wash, toys, books...all kinds of stuff! I've been very pleased with how quickly orders are shipped, too.

3) Target - one of my favorite real-life stores is also a favorite online shopping site! Many things ship for free, and I've found great clearance items.

4) Alice - a relative newcomer to the online shopping realm, Alice is revolutionizing the way people shop! Alice carries all sorts of household items, and shipping is always free! There is a minimum of six items per order, but with the variety of products available, filling my cart is no problem!

5) Etsy - after browsing for months, I made my first Etsy purchase last week, and I'm thrilled! I'll share more about it on Thursday. Etsy is a great site for handmade and vintage items of all kinds.

6) Kohl's - another store that is great in real life! Kohl's is famous for their wonderful sales, and those prices are available online, as well.

7) Gymboree - I probably shouldn't browse on Gymboree, because I inevitably find something that would be perfect for Wendy. And then there are the matching hairbows...and tights...and sweater...and shoes... *sigh*

8) Crazy 8 - a less expensive store in the Gymboree family, Crazy 8 has a good variety of quality casual clothes for munchkins.

9) Old Navy - one of the best things about the Old Navy online store is the "Women's Plus" section. It's not available in stores, but the selection online is great! There are also great sale and clearance items throughout the site.

10) Retail Me Not - before I make any online purchase, I search for coupon codes through Retail Me Not. I can almost always get 15-20% off or free shipping - it's definitely worth clicking!

Do you shop online? What are your favorite sites?

For more Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!

Easter...three weeks late

2010-04-26T06:35:00.006-05:00

(Just pretend you're reading this about three weeks ago.)
I have always enjoyed the fun side of Easter. The Easter baskets, the egg hunts, and especially the pretty Easter dresses are always a welcome sign of spring.

This year was no exception. I started planning the kids' Easter attire back in February, and I think they looked wonderful!

Grandma (my Mom) made Wendy's dress. Who knew that $6 worth of fabric from Wal-Mart could look so cute?

I made David's vest. I chose a simple pattern, since I didn't start it until the end of March. It looked so cute on him; I definitely plan on making him a few more vests for the fall and winter!

Easter was especially fun this year, because Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa (my grandparents) were able to visit. Wendy really enjoyed spending time with them, and she keeps asking when we're going to see them again. David spent some quality snuggle-time with his Great-Grandma; she was able to rock him to sleep, something I can rarely accomplish! We had our family's "traditional" chili dogs for Easter dinner, and we all had a good day!

WFMW: Busy Mom's Pedicure

2010-04-14T07:04:00.004-05:00

I like the idea of a pedicure, but I never get one. I almost always have two munchkins in tow wherever I go, so stopping for a pedicure isn't really practical. I'm also very ticklish and have a hard time relaxing to enjoy the pampering.

Here is what I do instead, about once a week:

1) Before showering, plug the tub & squirt a bit of your favorite body wash in the bottom. Run the water on HOT to fill the tub with about an inch of water, then adjust the shower as usual. Climb in & enjoy soaking while showering!

2) After showering, towel dry & file rough spots with implement of choice. I've heard great things about the PedEgg, but I just use an inexpensive file.

3) Smooth your favorite lotion over your feet, making sure to massage into the heel & any other rough spots. Put on thick cotton socks while you finish dressing, to allow the lotion time to absorb into your skin.

4) Optional - after steps 1-3 are done, put a quick coat of polish on those toes! I'm currently wearing this one in Racey Rouge. Polish isn't necessary, though; just doing steps 1-3 will keep your feet smooth & healthy-looking!

Quick, inexpensive, at-home pedicures work for me! For more Works-For-Me Wednesday, visit We Are THAT Family!

TTT: Things I Should Be Doing

2010-04-12T21:39:00.003-05:00

I started two really great TTT posts, but I'm getting over being sick and don't have the energy to finish them today. I guess I have a head start for the next two weeks!

Instead, here's an easy list - the Top Ten Things I Should Be Doing Right Now.

1. Sleeping

2. Folding laundry

3. Vacuuming

4. Putting laundry away

5. Scrubbing the kitchen floor

6. Scrubbing the bathtub

7. Folding laundry (Did I say that already? Hmm.)

8. Decluttering my kitchen cupboards

9. Exercising.

10. Ironing

But instead of any of those things, I'm sitting on the couch, checking in with Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader. So much for productivity!

For more (real) Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!

Some Saturday Smiles

2010-04-10T06:28:00.003-05:00

Cute, aren't they? This was taken back in January.

TILT: My Laptop!!

2010-04-08T08:21:00.003-05:00

I have my laptop back!

I HAVE MY LAPTOP BACK!

*ahem*

After more than two months of having to share a computer with James - which is a little complicated, since he works from home & uses his computer at least 12 hours a day - I now have my own computer back! I've felt so cut off without it.

It's definitely a thing I love.

For more (real) Things I Love Thursday posts, visit The Diaper Diaries!

Hello?

2010-03-27T09:19:00.001-05:00

I've been away from my blog for so long that I don't even know if I have any readers left!

My laptop has been sent away for repair; hopefully it'll be back to full working order before too long.

Don't forget about me - I'm planning to return to regular blogging as soon as I can!

Catch-Up

2010-02-20T12:49:00.002-06:00

I still don't have a functional laptop. Hopefully sometime soon; I really miss being connected to the outside world!

Here's what we've been doing:

Took a trip to Arkansas for a bit of a reunion with my roommates from college. Had a great time, got way too little sleep, enjoyed a surprise snowfall, dealt with a broken water pipe, and picked up a stomach bug.
Kids caught our family's first stomach bug. Gross. GROSS. Fortunately, it stopped with the little people.
Immediately after the stomach bug, kids caught a cold. Many nights filled with snot, coughing, and poor sleep.
Now both kids have infected right ears. Lots of Amoxicillin. Lots of yogurt. David is already improving, since he's been on antibiotics since Thursday. Wendy's just starting hers today, so she still feels crummy.

And...that's pretty much it. A fun trip, followed by lots of clean-up of various bodily fluids.

I'm ready for spring.

And for my laptop to be fixed.

Shocking!

2010-01-29T08:37:00.001-06:00

My laptop power supply informed me this morning that it's time to take a bit of a break from the computer.

At least, that's how I interpreted the sparking and smoking.

I'll be back once a replacement power supply arrives.

Miss me? Good. I'll miss you, too.

TILT: Beco Baby Carrier

2010-01-27T20:00:00.000-06:00

When I was pregnant with David, I started researching baby carriers. I knew that my hands would be full trying to take care of a toddler and a newborn; a good baby carrier seemed like a great way to simplify things. When David was brand-new and tiny, we used a Maya Wrap, a Moby Wrap, and a Baby Bjorn, and were pretty happy with all three.

But then something happened. David, who started out so scrawny (seriously - his legs were like toothpicks!) began to fill out. Now, 8 months later, he's enormous - around 25 lbs, wearing 18-month size clothes, and taller than most babies twice his age. Carrying him in a front carry makes my back hurt within a few minutes; longer than a few minutes, and I'll be in pain for days. It just wasn't working for us!

I researched soft structured carriers that are good for back carry positions, and came to two choices: the Ergo and the Beco. I talked to friends that have used both, and got their ideas of the pros and cons of each. I chose the Beco for two reasons: it is more adjustable for larger people, and the back panel comes up higher, making baby feel more secure.

I ordered my Beco and have used it regularly ever since! It doesn't hurt my back, it's very secure for David, and it's fairly easy to get on and off. It rolls up nicely for portability, and it quickly adjusts so that James can also carry David. Wendy is also within the weight limit, and she loves riding in "David's carrier" just for fun.

If you're in the market for a soft structured carrier, check out a Beco - I highly recommend them!

For more recommendations, visit Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries!

WFMW: Quick Chocolate Fix

2010-01-26T22:45:00.000-06:00

Hi, my name is Jeni, and I'm a chocoholic.

(All together now..."Hi, Jeni!")

I try not to keep chocolate readily available in the house, because I have no willpower. I'll have one piece of candy or one cookie and then go back for a couple more...and one more...until they're all gone. Trying to keep temptations out of the house helps a great deal.

But then there are times when the chocolate craving cannot be denied. I'll go rifling through the cupboards, looking for something, anything chocolate. One of my favorite things to do when that intense craving strikes is make No-Bake Cookies. They're fast, they use ingredients I always have on hand, and they're very yummy. Plus, they are made with oatmeal, so that's practically healthy, right?!

No-Bake Cookies
1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup butter
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 tsp vanilla

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter and cocoa powder. Bring to a full boil, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto waxed paper. Cool until hardened.

What do you do when that irresistible craving strikes?
For more great tips and ideas, visit Works-For-Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family!

Top Ten Tuesday: Rainy Day Activities

2010-01-25T22:00:00.000-06:00

Cold, rainy days are my least favorite as a stay-at-home Mom. I don't mind the occasional dreary day - it's a good excuse to be lazy and do a lot of snuggling. But around here, it seems like from November to May, all it does is rain, rain, rain - and being trapped indoors with a 3 year old is enough to try the patience of a saint!

I struggle with coming up with creative, constructive things to do indoors. The goal is not just to keep everyone entertained and happy, but to also help them to learn and grow and discover. I decided to brainstorm and come up with a list of activities to refer to during the rainy season; I hope sharing it here will help some other mother out there keep her sanity!

Top Ten Rainy Day Activities

1. Play-Doh - Wendy loves Play-Doh! It's so versatile; we use it to make objects (animals, snowmen, etc.) but it's also good for practicing letters and numbers.

2. Water Play - whether in the bathtub or the kitchen sink, water play is fun for everybody! Switch up your usual water toys and try some safe kitchen implements - ice cube trays, measuring cups, strainers, and bowls can make for a great playtime. It's also a good time to talk about comparisons and practice motor skills like pouring and stirring.

3. Dress-Up - we have a bin of odd clothes, eccentric costume jewelry, hats, purses, feather boas, and old sunglasses. Since our collection is primarily girl-oriented, we've started to add things for when David gets older, like a fireman's hat and old neckties. Playing dress-up is a great exercise for the imagination, and can lead to several hours of pretend play.

4. Movie Marathon - okay, okay, so a movie marathon isn't necessarily all that creative or constructive. However, appropriately-chosen movies can be a great topic for conversation and learning. Many movies also lend themselves to themed meals or crafts. Make a pot of soup while watching "Ratatouille," or create paper dolls of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

5. Bake Cookies or Bread - I don't know if every preschooler is like this, but my daughter loves to help in the kitchen! It can be hard to find things that are safe for her to do. When I bake cookies or bread, she can help with most of the steps, and of course she loves to eat the yummy results!

6. Build Fort - we are going to do this today! Sheets, pillows, blankets, a few well-placed chairs, clothespins, broomsticks - whatever you have on hand! A fort is a great place for a special picnic lunch and a story!

7. Build a Town - I think just about everybody has some toy cars and some toy people. Why not spend some time making a town out of a stray piece of cardboard or heavy paper, and then play with it? You could make buildings out of small boxes, blocks, or small plastic containers, and draw streets and parks on the cardboard...we haven't done this yet, but I know that Wendy would get a lot of enjoyment out of it!

8. Make Puzzles - Make some kind of artwork, and turn it into a puzzle! Just cut the paper into puzzle pieces, and put it together. It's fun, inexpensive, and can be tailored to your child's age and ability.

9. Write Letters - everyone enjoys getting real handwritten notes in the mail. Spend some time writing letters or drawing pictures to send to loved ones and friends, then get them all ready to drop in the mail.

10. Cleaning - when all else fails, something in the house needs to be cleaned. My brother and I knew not to complain of boredom when we were growing up; my Mom would immediately assign us a chore like dusting or vacuuming. It only took two or three times before we got the idea!

I would love to hear your suggestions for rainy day activities, especially for preschoolers! What do you do to keep your sanity?

For more great top ten lists, visit Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.com!

Peace and Carrots

Sunday

A Weekend In Pictures

To Nyquil or Not To Nyquil...

Playroom-slash-Schoolroom

Kids' Shared Bedroom

When Good Planning Goes Bad

NaBloPoMo 2011

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

I've Been Busy

My Favorite People

I Love McKay

The End.

He Didn't Do a Backflip

Word to the Wise

Our (Tentative) Curriculum Choices

Lots to Do...

Saturday Reading

Wendy's Favorite Book

The Heart of a Little Girl

It's Aliiiiiive!!

Show Me the Workbook!

About My Dad...by Wendy

Saturday Reading

Cat-in-the-Hat Jell-o

On My Mind

Ideas Wanted!

We Like Books

June 13th

If You Visit Our Home...

Saturday Reading

In short...

Bedtime Read-Alouds

Mr. Contrary

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

Lightning Bug Nights

Home?

Saturday Reading

Anger Management

Summer Days

My Job

New Look! New Beginning!

Giveaway winner!

The Birthday: 2

Beloved...and a Giveaway!

Easter in Photos

Today

Special Delivery

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pot Pie

Conspiracy

In Which I Dream Of Renovating

In Which I Move The Clutter From Here To There

Top Ten Tuesday: What to Do with Ground Beef

Snapshots

WFMW: Baby Steps toward Organization

TTT: Kindergarten at Our House

Comfort Food at its Finest

Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs (without taking a cruise in the Caribbean)

Sharing is Nice

Eleven Goals for 2011

Reading List for 2011

*taptaptap*

WFMW: Weaning from the Binky

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Now We Are Four

Top Ten Tuesday: Our Preschool

WFMW: Mess-Free Painting For Your Preschooler

Top Ten Tuesday: Make Cleaning Fun!

Do Be Do Be Dooo...

Masterpiece

Things I Love Thursday: Buds n' Branches

Top Ten Tuesday: Makes Me Smile!

TTT: Things I Wish I Had in my Fridge

TILT: Audible & Dr. Seuss

WFMW: No More High Chair!

TTT: Staying Sane While Traveling

Happy Birthday to ME!!

TILT: Playtex Ortho-Pro Teether

Wordless Wednesday

WFMW: Picasa

taptaptap