Gingerbread Marshmallows

Gingerbread Marshmallows dipped in melted dark chocolate, dried on wax paper and then toothpick dipped in melted dark chocolate to make the buttons!  Yummy, package in pretzel 2x10 bags!

Snowmen Cake Pops

Turkey Cake Pops

Letting Go

Letting go of things that are comfortable to you is hard.  Letting go of things that hold sentimental value is even harder.....but we did both! We got rid of our old couch that was physically tore up by the kids and we broke down and bought a new one.  Our new one arrived last week and we put our old one out at the curb (which pained me) it sat at the curb for almost 24 hrs before it disappeared....I think the exact text from my husband read "the old couch walked away just before lunch, this is all that's left" and he sent me a picture of a piece of the stuffing from the cushion that the kids had tore the fabric on.  Like I said it was sad to let it go but we just had to.  That was probably THE MOST comfortable couch we will ever own, we are already complaining about the new one and have even looked into the return policy (25% restocking fee, what a crock), so we need to just let it go.

It was a two piece L shaped sectional, even Alec is sad about letting it go....a couple times that day I found him outside sitting at the curb with the couch.  He loved jumping on it and jumping off of it and jumping behind it (you get the drift he just plain loved it  loved jumping on it).  We have a "No Jumping" law on the new one (I'll let you know how that's working out another day).

M said her goodbyes too, she sat out there for awhile playing with a stick and singing and dancing.  I remember nursing her as a baby on that couch (in fact I remember having to sleep on that couch the last 10 overdue days of my pregnancy with her) she spit up on it, we napped on it, she learned how to walk along it.......  I could go on and on and it just seems so wrong to be so darn attached to a couch, but obviously we are (especially my husband).  So we said our goodbyes and we are letting go.  We will have fond memories of you "Old Couch".....yes it was even around when we started dating!

Mommy Guilt

Alec started a new daycare today (we have had an amazing summer babysitter) So I of course had a big 'ol dose of 'Mommy Guilt' to swallow.....even though its part-time, the guilt isn't any less.  He had a fantastic first day, they said he was 'Good' and gave him all smiley faces on his little progress report (what more can a working mother ask for???)  and by the looks of this, they WORE him out!!!

We found him passed out on our bed at 9pm half way through a DVR episode of "Rescue Heroes" this is so unusual for him! Sweet little Buddy........Love HIM!!!

And HER!!!

SMILE

I remember my SMILE when I found out my name was changing to Mommy.....

I remember dreaming into your eyes and wondering what your first SMILE would look like.......

I couldn't wait for that first SMILE......

I remember Daddy's SMILE when you finally did SMILE.......

I remember all your little SMILES......

I know how to make you SMILE.......

I usually know why you have No SMILE.....

I know that teared up SMILE  I had when I sent you off to Kindergarten......

I SMILE as I watch you Dance, Score a Goal, Swim or act Silly......

I've caught myself with a SMILE just because of something you said........

You make me SMILE.....

Tonight your SMILE changed.......

Like you, it's a good SMILE......

To think you lost your third tooth, made me cry  SMILE......

We all Love your new SMILE.....

Recent Conversations

Kids have a funny way of making you want to scream laugh......

We went Up North this weekend, just me and the girls (and kids) and on the way home I had this conversation with Macy...

Macy "Mom are we in Michigan yet??"

Me "Honey, we never left Michigan....we just went Up North"

Macy  " Oh, Up North is still in Michigan?"

Me  "Yes Honey its still Michigan, and remind we when we get home to give you a Geography lesson"

Macy  "Whats a 'Guy-jog-raffy' lesson?'

Me  "I am going to show you a map of Michigan and show you the different places we go"

Macy  "OK,  are we there yet..... this is taking Forever"

Remind me to have a lesson on 'Patience' too!

Now for the Boy version of a recent conversation.....

Alec  "Mommy can you tie this blanket around me?"

Me  "Sure what are you going to be Honey?"

Alec  "I'm getting Married"

Me  "Oh, that's fun....Who are you Marrying?"

Alec  "You Mommy"

Love HIM

You Two Melt my Heart........XOXOXOXOXO

This little Cat....

This little Cat has been keeping me running all Summer, going here, going there, this play date, that play date, the Pool, the Park, the Zoo, the bike rides, the sidewalk chalk, the coloring, the camps, Reading her online books.......she on occasion has even had the nerve to complain she is bored!!  She is definitely ready to go back to school (which she asks about every other day "how many days until school starts?").....I love this busy little Cat!!

She is a Beautiful little Cat 

Like Father Like Son

I think its every Father's Dream to watch their Son Play

with the Tonka Trucks they grew up 

playing with

"Take Me Out to the Ball Park"

Today we took the kids to their first major league baseball game.....The Detroit Tigers vs California Angels  we had fantastic seats (8 rows behind home plate) and we all had a great time.  We told them yesterday that we were taking them to a game, so all day today they were asking "is it time to go yet?"

It was time and it was hot, thankfully a big cloud blew over us after the 4th ining and we didn't have the sun beating down on us any longer (not that it stopped us from smiling or anything).  

I love my family and I love that the kids are getting to an age where we can do things together instead of always leaving them home for fear they won't behave (not that they always behave or anything) but either way its nice!  The kids got to ride the tiger carousel and eat peanuts and hotdogs and drink lemonade.....Life is good today!

Arrrrr......too bad they lost 5-1

A Best Friend

A "Best Friend" is someone you trust, someone you can laugh, cry and have fun with.  A "Best Friend" is someone you never loose touch with even as the years go on and the lives get busier.  A "Best Friend" is someone you've shared death, birth and everything in between with.  A "Best Friend" is someone you can not talk to for months and still just pick right up where you left off with.  A "Best Friend" knows some of your secrets and trusts you with hers.......This is my Best Friend!

 

We had a Fabulous day at the beach together the other day with our kids, yes its so hard to believe that we are allowed to be Mothers, but we are.  Obviously doing a pretty good job at it too, look how happy these "Best Friends" are.....

My "Best Friend" and I have been having fun together since we were in Junior High....We have had some pretty wild  amazing experiences together through High School, College, Marriage and Motherhood....I wouldn't have it any other way!  Sitting on the beach watching our kids play while we laughed and reminisced about how old young we were, well it was the BEST!!  

Tie Die

This Past weekend we Tie Die'd Tshirts with all the kids (Tennessee Cousins included).....Yes it was Fun, but Yes it was a lot of work!!  Not a small child kind of project if you know what I mean.

The end result was some pretty cool looking Tie-Die T-Shirts and you should of seen the excitement as we cut the rubber bands and rinsed out each child's T-Shirt..... Well worth it!  

"At North"

We spent the last week Up North at my Aunt Patti's cabin....or as Alec calls is "At North"!!! He absolutely looooooves it Up North, he loves everything about it (swimming,fishing,eating,playing,swinging,gator riding, boat riding, 'nature walking', chicken visiting, family & friends loving).   We had the most amazing weather and the most amazing times.....

These Boys had some quality time together doing the father-son things Boys do.....Alec's all time favorite daddy activity is a "Foyer Ride" aka: Four Wheeler Ride.  They even saw some wildlife and went fishing.....another favorite for Alec.

Macy finally after 6 years got up enough nerve to go tubing with her cousin Aiden....We took it slow, at first they were unsure, but soon Aiden was acting bored and Macy was loosening the grip!

She is becoming very confident in the water and can swim independently yet still loves the security of a life jacket (which is fine by me)......She also loves jumping off the dock with a raft.

In summary it was an Amazing Vacation "At North"

Spinach Salad and a Strike!

I made this yummy Spinach salad the other day and it was delicious!  So I must share the recipe...

Spinach Salad

One bag of prewashed Baby Spinach
1/2 Red Onion sliced
1 Avocado cubed
1 Tomato chopped
1 Package of Blue Cheese (i think about 4oz)
Chopped Crispy bacon
Sweet Catalina or Ranch Salad dressing


A STRIKE:   We took the whole family bowling the other day, It was Alecs first bowling experience (well except for that one time we took our baby to the bowling alley....LOL) and he was pretty excited to say the least.... he chose a green ball (his favorite color) and he almost got a strike.  Macy was a natural at bowling she even beat me (something I'm not proud of) I usually at least break a 100, but for some reason could not get it together!  In fact everyone was joking that I should bowl on the kiddie lanes with the 'bumpers'...Oh Well!  Good times had by all, especially these two cuties!

STRIKE

BALL HOARDING

"You get what you get and you don't throw a fit"

At least that's what I always tell the kids when they are throwing a fit about: what color bowl they want or what character they want on their glass or what kind of yogurt or what kind of valentines they think they are buying.....However, I'm not sure that I take my own advice.  In fact I probably have a "do as I say, not as I do" attitude, among other things. So the other morning when I'd had it with A for waking me up for like the 3rd time wanting to crawl in our bed and kick me for hours on end until he falls asleep  and then only minutes later to have M walk upstairs and says 'Good Morning Mommy',  I said to myself  "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit"......but indeed I did want to throw a fit and sort of did.  I tend to whine about my sleep deprivation, yet when given the chance to 'sleep in' or take a nap, I don't! (I want to do the other 10,000 things I also am missing out on since joining the motherhood scene).

 So I am my own worst enemy, and will have to take what I get;  its just recently that I realized its the 'don't throw a fit' part that I need to work on!  So enough on my whining sleep deprivation soapbox, lets talk about dinner/lunch/snack whatever you want to call this creation I made today.....

Chinese Lo-Mein Noodles (my made up version): You need these 3 types of Oils and some sugar and soy sauce for the seasoning part.

I boil 2 bags of KA ME Chinese noodles (egg noodles or original) and set cooked noodles aside while I finely chop Julienne 2 large carrots, 2 celery stalks and one whole bunch of green onions (cut the whole green onion up).   Heat the 3 different oils up in a wok or large saute pan: about 1/3 C of each oil (toasted sesame/Almond or Peanut Oil/Wok oil) once heated add 3 Tab. soy sauce and 3 Tab. Sugar and 2 cloves minced garlic to sauce and add all veggies.......stir fry for a few minutes then turn off heat, add noodles and a large pack of bean sprouts and ENJOY!!  keep in mind I like to make up recipes so I probably added a little more of the oil than I guesstimated...if it needs more oil I would go with the Wok Oil since it has the most flavor, and also adjust soy sauce and sugar as needed.  You can also add pieces of shrimp, chicken or ham to make it a whole meal instead of just a side dish....Kid approved too!

Have a good night everyone, this Mama is tired!

The Family Table

We went to Frankenmuth a few weeks back for their famous Chicken Dinner....It was definitely 'Family Style'.   I think every family has their own 'Style' or way of doing things, Our family has always made a big deal out of Birthdays (especially a kid birthday).  This was no exception, It was Uncle Mike's Birthday and also the last big game to decide the Superbowl teams.  Since my parents are no longer with us my Aunt Patti (my mom's sister, the one on the right in purple with the pretty smile) is an amazing adopted mother to me and my family, thats just her 'Style'.  I love her style, she keeps the family together: whether it be up north or at Frankenmuth she does a splendid job.

 At Frankenmuth you have a few options: order from the menu, buffet or family style,  we of course always order family style (well except for my brother Charlie, who is on some crazy diet and ordered something too healthy to be eating at that table, but thats another post).  The dinner was great, as great as I remember as a kid (I think Grandpa & Grandma started the Frankenmuth tradition for us, because ya know birthdays were a big deal for them too).  The best part though always comes at the end in the form of Ice Cream: their orange sherbert & vanilla swirl! that's their signature desert (also come with the little plastic toy in it).  The kids had fun and we had fun watching the kids have fun, because that's what its all about.....SEE

 A had a camel and a mermaid in his chocolate ice cream and god only knows what else he added to his it......but he enjoyed it.  He also enjoyed drooling over the whip cream topped deserts sitting out at the buffet (this boy has a serious Reddi-Whip addiction), the waitress was so kind to let him have one the one he licked! and M well she just enjoyed sitting next to her cousin, and everything else!

The Green Bay Packers won that game and were headed to the Super Bowl......We finished our deserts and we were headed back to Aunt Patti's for more desert (Birthday Cake)  and present opening.
Good times were had by all, German Style!

"Daddy Daycare"

So both kids had a Snow Day today, Thank God for "Daddy Daycare".  My lovely husband stayed home with the kids so I could brave the weather and work (because hospitals never have a Snow Day).  He spent the whole day entertaining/feeding/educating/disciplining/caring for our children, and hats off to him because this is no small job!   I know "What happens at Daddy Daycare, stays at Daddy Daycare".....but lets talk about what I think probably might sort of happen (but never really know).

1.  He makes them breakfast when they start nagging for too many snacks.

2.  He takes a nice warm uninterrupted shower while they beat each other up  watch a movie.

3.  They eat foods I'm never able to convince them to even try.

4.  They go outside to play in the snow (so he can shovel the driveway and clean off admire his new car).

5.  They come back inside have lunch hot chocolate w/ whip cream and marshmallows.

6.  He becomes impatient with them because by now A is cracking up and over tired, probably calls me at work for me to hear A crying.

7. He figures he better make them lunch so he can give them a nap (its probably 3pm by now).

8.  He probably now accidentally nods off himself and lets A nap for like 3 hours.

9.  SHIT its 6:30pm, he figures he better wake A up, start dinner and figure out what M is up to?

10.  I arrive home from work, they are finishing up dinner and have gotten their second wind and are no where near bedtime.

I love my kids dearly and there is nothing like that excitement when I walk through that door after a long day at work, they run at me  with open arms and big hugs....this is the BEST!!   Then my husband starts explaining what a LONG day its been (never mind the unplanned nap he took) and how sorry he is the house is such a mess, but that they had LOADS of fun!   I take a deep breathe, give him a kiss and realize everyone is safe and happy.  I have to remind myself that its his way, not mine and "What happens at Daddy Daycare stays at Daddy Daycare"! We are all hoping for school tomorrow......because, "only a teacher loves a snow day".

  Love ya Babe   XOXOXOXO

A Blizzard and Fish Tacos

Tonight I finally made the fish tacos my husband has been begging me to make, and they were worth the wait.

Now some of you might say Ewwww......Us No! they were yummy and I was able to incorporate a dinner for the kids too.  The kids just had the fish part and some coleslaw (yes my kids eat cabbage).  If your wondering: No we didn't eat the lime, we just squeezed the juice out of it, fancy restaurant style.  So, here goes...........

Fish Tacos

1 1/2 lb white fish (I used Orange Roughy, but Talapia, Grouper or Cod are acceptable)
2 C. Bisquick
2 Tab. Old Bay Seasoning
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning (or Cayenne pepper or any other spices you like you choose the temperature)
Salt & pepper

Slice fish into nugget size pieces and put in a big Ziploc Baggie w/ the Bisquick and seasonings,  shake until all is well coated.  I let this sit while I chop all the toppings up (like the Pico De Gallo(yes that's homemade but that's another post), cabbage, shredded cheese,limes).  Once your all organized, heat up about 3/4-1 C Canola Oil and pan fry the Fish (approx 10-12min).
Serve on warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, Pico De Gallo, sour cream, lime juice and cheese.  Delicious, ya know if Fish is your thing!!

Now we are just sitting back watching the "Great Blizzard of 2011" hit us hard....both kids are passed out they swam at the gym tonight for almost an hour.  Drive Safe tomorrow everyone, especially if your crazy like me and are going to work have No choice but to go to work!

Indoor Snowmen

It’s been Cold,  We’ve been Sick and Frankly We’ve been Bored!!!  So in an attempt to save myself from running out of ideas to keep the kiddies entertained we made Indoor Snowmen today, and I must say they were quite Fun!

and it kept us entertained for some time…..

It even sent me searching into the cupboards for something to make ‘arms’ out of,  because we can’t have armless snowmen.

Not sure how I felt about the colors being mixed,  isn’t that like a Play-doh cardinal sin???   Oh, Well!  Happy Winter Everyone

Anticipating a Blizzard!!!

I really hope this Snow Storm lives up to all its hype, the number of inches they anticipate is growing by the minute…. needlesstosay I decided to stock up on Groceries and a few necessities tonight just incase:  BIG MISTAKE!  apparently everyone else had the same idea as well.  Except they didn’t have a 
whiney sweet 5 yr old with them following them around the store wanting this and that and throwing this and that in the cart and begging for unnecessary candy.  It was one of my most miserable shopping experiences to date (right up there w/ Thanksgiving and Christmas).  So we have lots of food and won’t go hungry, Cold maybe, but not hungry.  My husband has even planned a vacation day for Wednesday (which for him is huge) and unfortunately they canceled Preschool Information Night (ya know the one where I sign him up) and rescheduled it for a night I’m not available, so that is a bummer.

In all A and I had a good day, our usual challenges with him that I hope will soon improve, Boys!  He went to gym class and we had a lot of fun playing with the big huge parachute and all the toys (today’s theme was: Sports team)  each child got a gold medal at the end that said “winner” and they all made a huddle and yelled “Go Team”.  After gym we went to McD’s for lunch and he was asleep in the car by the time we got home, mind you we live 5 minutes from McD’s!!  He woke up a few hours later feeling like a new man and we went and picked up M from school, came home, made dinner, played and then went to Catechism.  There has to  be a way to make Mondays run smoother, we struggle a lot on Mondays (well at least I do).  Thankfully tomorrow is Tuesday, Night all!