Parade Day

Princess had a GREAT time being in the parade on Saturday. She was in her element!!

We were not cold at all. We all had on multiple layers!!

Tree Farmer had Big E on another float.

We divided and conquered!





It was strange to be in the parade this year verses being a spectator. Both has its perks. Don't know which one I like the best.

Friday Night

Christmas

OK. I have been VERY worried lately. EM wants a baby doll crib for Christmas. Well, I was going to order the one from American Girl with the storage underneath, but then I found another one. It has a bigger storage cabinet underneath (which helps to make the crib taller and less likely for Big Girl EM to get inside) and is really cute. Add to that about $25 cheaper! It is also real wood. Well, I have ordered this crib 3 time's with 3 different places. A couple of days after I have placed each order I have received an email saying they were out of stock. Until while ago I had not heard anything from the company I have ordered it from this time. So, needless to say, I have been worried. I have emailed and called the company. That did not make me feel any better because when I called I never got an answer and the emails were also never answered. I really thought I had screwed up and Princess EM was going to be without a crib on Christmas Day. Low and behold! I just received an email from the company stating that my package had shipped. I took the tracking number over to UPS and it not only shipped it may be here today or Monday. I am still a little worried. After all, that is what I do. I just have a bad feeling. Hopefully I will be wrong!

F.Y.I

Nordstrom is changing the logo on their makeup, so they're selling everything for $1! The make-up line e.l.f. ( eyes-lips-face) has been bought out by Nordstrom and will be re-packaged with the Nordstrom name on it. They are getting rid of all the make-up in ELF packaging. They are selling everything for $1. You do have to pay shipping. They have everything - powder, mascara, lipstick, a mineral line (100% natural), brushes & cases, nail polish, lotions, you name it - it's there. The website is http://www.eyeslipsface.com/shop.asp

Also, When you check out there is a space for a coupon code. Use CAROLINA and save an additional 50% up to $15.00.

December 7, 2008

Big E's 6th Birthday!

Hard to believe Big E is 6 today. Six year's ago I was miserable. After 21 hours of labor with an epidural that did not work on the right side of my body I was exhausted. Today, I am still exhausted.

Big E has had a good day. He had his first sleep over last night. They slept soundly, had pancake's this morning and then went to church. After he got home from church he had lunch and then it was time for his presents. He was shocked to get an Nintendo DS Lite!!! His baby sister gave him Mario Kart to go with his new big boy toy. Needless to say that is all he has done since. He is figuring it out. He was even kind enough to let me play twice. I told him that I had already played in the car rider line at his school. He thought that was funny. I told him I had to make sure it worked. Truth be told I had to make sure he was going to be able to do it. Plus, I finished reading the book I have been working on (Blogging For Dummies) and did not feel up to starting another book. I thought playing the DS would be a great way to kill an hour a day. Hee! Hee! I initially thought he was too young for a handheld computer game. But I am also very tired of all the little plastic toys in the house that do not last, bores him and then they break. I think the DS was a good choice. It is also something I can use for punishment when his sassy mouth gets way out of hand. He has played all afternoon with only 10 minute breaks about every 30 minute's. Honestly, I do not know how his thumbs are standing the workout.

Still can not believe that my first born baby is 6. He is getting so old.

He will have a party after the new year. Hopefully when it is warmer outside. He loves camping and riding his motorcycle. It is just too cold this year to get a group of boys together for a campout and fun go cart ride's and fishing. He understands this and is Ok with the decision. I feel bad 'moving' his birthday, but to give him what he wants the most it is necessary.

He is so cute! His poor lips are getting very chapped. He is on the couch playing his new game, with his tongue out of his mouth...licking his lips.

Throw It Out Thursday!

Last Thursday I started purging the mess in my house. I still have most of my children's clothing since they were born. Yes, I was able to yard sale a few items and I also gave away a bit. For the most part I still have it all. That is a lot of clothes. Especially with having a boy (5 almost 6years old and 3 years old) and a girl. Last Thursday I placed all the winter clothing in a Rubbermaid container (1 for Big E clothes, 1 for Princess E clothes). I packed both containers full. The lids barely stayed on. I did have to rearrange and take a few items out of the containers so there was at least a chance that the lids would fit. On Sunday my Mom came to visit and she hauled the containers (and a few boxes and a bag of hangers) back to her house. There is a children's consignment shop near her that is fantastic. She has dropped the containers off there and I hope to see all the items go to a good home and maybe in return I can get a little cash to go and by new clothes for the weeds.

Today, Thursday, I returned to the clothing situation. This time I loaded 4 boxes and 2 bags full of children's clothes and some of my old 'after pregnancy, a.k.a fat clothes). Actually, Princess E put all items in the boxes, one by one. (She had to do something.) Then took them to Good Will. Another load OUT OF THE HOUSE.

I received an email from a neighbor yesterday asking for clothing and jewelry donations for 'Dress For Success". That is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing them with professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to thrive in work and in life. I am making a donation!! She is going to come and pick the stuff up too. Can't beat that. Easy and hopefully the clothes will go to good use.

The house is getting lighter!! Finally! After all these months of storing mess I am finally getting rid of some of it. I am in the mood to get rid of a ton of things. It would almost be worth moving just to 'spring clean' everything. With having 2 young kid's I can't see the point of saving anything that isn't absolutely necessary. The have so much stuff all by themselves. Why do I need a whole cabinet of cookbooks? I have my recipe box with all the staple recipe's in it. I also have a ton of recipe's in a file on the computer AND I normally GOOGLE for everything else. Why should I waste a whole kitchen cabinet? I am not!!!

I urge everyone to throw something away on Thursday's. It is a way of breaking free of all the crap that seems to cripple my mind. You don't actually have to throw it in the garbage, but ya could if ya wanted. Throw it in the garbage, donate, consign, sit it by the road with a FREE sign, give to a good neighbor....just get it out, out and away!

You will sleep better.

Let me know how it works.

Still need

Still need a laptop....

Boy's will be Boy's

Kid's were out of school all day today. It was kinda nice. We stayed home. I figured everyone else would be out and about. I invited some friends to come over. Baked a frozen pizza for lunch and forced the kid's to play outside. Even put the Fisher-Price tent in the backyard to help lure the kid's to stay out and play. The trampoline was put to some use. I can not say good use...but use.

The saying, "Boys will be boys", is a saying that I do not care for. I don't know if a trampoline represents a boxing ring to all boys or just to the one's that come over and visit us. I am including my own Big E. {I do not want anyone to think that I am excluding him from this occurrence. He is just as bad as any of them. No one is worse than the other. I am placing no order whatsoever on any of these boys. I really like all of them. Yes, I feel as if I have to cover my butt as to not 'offend' anyone. Of course, neither one of the Moms involved are naive to their offspring's actions. Nor are they overly sensitive. Neither one of them have time to be. That makes it all good. Big E and Juicy Fruit were outside on the trampoline and they were having an OK time. They were jumping a little but yes, they were doing wrestling, power ranger, ninja moves...making contact. They had to be called down several times and told to separate. We asked them to jump because that was what the trampoline was for. Then another kid, Jones, came over and I thought it was nice. They were getting alone pretty good and it is nice to have new folks around to keep things interesting for Big E. He had already been playing with Juicy for a couple of hours. I had to come inside with Princess E and tend to her and warm up. Ms. CatBird (Juicy Fruits Mom) came in to. We just knew the boys would be fine. They are old enough... When we went back out I saw Big E pulling on Jones shirt. He had the arm. The shirt was stretching. This act to me, is like finger nails on a chalk board. I hate stretched out shirts. Yes, hate is a BAD word, but dislike does not cover the disdain that boils in my blood when I see an article of clothing stretched. When I saw this going on I called him down. At which time ALL the boys start telling me that Big E, and Juicy Fruit were essentially 'ganging up' on Jones. They had their reasons. I don't really care. The matter was taken up and dealt with with both Big E and Juicy. A trampoline is made for jumping and a few tricks here and there. As long as no one is in the way of the person doing the tricking at the time. I just don't understand why this consistent rough housing goes on. Little Jones should have a) come and told me, b) gone home when all this started happening. But then again I see why a) and b) did not happen. I guess there was a little element of fun. Don't see how. Unless there is such a thing as "BOYS WILL BE BOYS."

This is a warning to Big E regarding the trampoline. They can either jump or treat it as a boxing ring. The choice is his and his friends. However, if they choose the later, the trampoline will be picked up by the garbage truck. It is a shame. Why can't they just jump? I hate to take the thing away (and I know a few other parents that don't want me to destroy the trampoline because it makes a great babysitter for them) but I will not condone/accept these actions. I hate the eyesore anyway. It is supposed to be here for the kid's to have fun.

Plus, Big E is going to learn that 'ganging' up on someone is not accepted. Neither is all this 'play fighting' going to continue. This fighting stuff is going to stop. Don't know where it came from to begin with. To have a friend and keep a friend you have to be a friend.

Dinner!!

Greetings!

Ok!! Just had a fantastic dinner. Granted it was nothing fancy. When I say fantastic, I mean the kid's ate everything I put on their plate and Tree Farmer went back for more. He actually commented that we could have this once a month. I have to add that I did not find it complicated at all. It took maybe 40 minute's to put together. That includes browning the beef and chopping onion AND chasing Princess E. Cleaning is also included...

I put it all together at 12:30 today and then baked it at dinner time.

By the way, I used my Pampered Chef stoneware casserole dish. I think it is 12 x 9 ish. I don't know exactly. I just tried to measure it with the ruler and that is what I got... It is pretty big.

I was planning on having leftovers for tomorrow night. BUT there is not enough left!!! That never happens here. Normally there is so much left that it sits in the frig and well, takes on a life of its on. So, now there is nothing for dinner tomorrow night. AND the kid's are home all day for the holiday SO I KNOW THERE WILL BE KNOW DINNER TOMORROW!!!

Maybe you can make it one day.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Cindy's Baked Spaghetti


Ingredients:

6 oz. uncooked angel hair pasta or spaghetti (I used angel hair)
1 lb. hamburger, ground chuck...
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided use
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
3/4 cup beef broth
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Cook spaghetti according to directions. Drain and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook hamburger and onions in a large skillet, stirring until meat is brown and crumbles. Drain well.

Stir the salt, pepper, chili powder, 1/3 shredded cheddar, the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and mustard into the meat mixture. Simmer 5 minutes.
Stir in spaghetti and beef broth.

Spoon mixture into a baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar and the shredded mozzarella.

Bake 20-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned slightly.

Laptop

I need a lap top computer

Don't ya Hate it When...

When you made the decision to be a stay at home Mom because 1- you have separation anxiety. Not the kid, the Mom, I can't stand to leave my children under someone else's watch. 2- you don't want to miss anything. Then you take your kid to school and he looses his first tooth without you. I missed a milestone. All because he had to go to Kindergarten.

Yesterday my 5 year old was at school having circle time. Please note that he has had a loose tooth for about 3 weeks. This is his first loose tooth EVER. I have politely begged him to try and get the tooth out while at home and I was with him. But he politely said no and I let it be. I just knew the tooth would come out at home. Low and behold he was at school yesterday and the thing fell out while he was sitting at circle time with his class. Now, I was heart broken. I was wanting to be there. To top things off...I was the last one to find out that the tooth had come out. The LAST ONE!! I was HOT (at no one, just HOT) to say the least. But when I was picking him up for school he looked so cute. The teacher had given him a tooth necklace (the tooth opens up to hold the lost tooth) and a sticker announcing the occasion. They made a HUGE deal about it at school and he was happy as can be. He went on to tell me that he was the only one in his class to ever loose a tooth at school. SO...I guess it all worked out. Maybe I will be with him when the next one falls out.

Minus one...

Here are some picture's of the toothless wonder...

Here he is getting in the truck. Notice the tooth necklace (tooth is inside) and the I Lost a Tooth sticker.
A little better shot of the hole and the necklace and sticker.
Close ups are always blurry.

Missing a tooth!!!

NEWSFLASH!!

Eli has officially lost his first tooth.

I know this only because Johnny went and had lunch with him at school. No, Johnny was not there when the tooth came out. The tooth came out while the class was sitting on the carpet for circle time, or whatever they do. Johnny said he thinks it was a big deal for the class. Something about they made him a necklace or something. I will find out more after I wait in the pick up line for an hour to get him from school.

Yes, I am ticked off. I have been waiting for that tooth to come out. It was loose for 3 weeks. I have tried and tried to get Eli to pull it out. Of course he wanted none of that. I have spent all these years being a stay at home Mom so I would not miss any these special events in my kids life's. This was his first tooth to come out. There will not be another first.

HAPPY At Nonna's

I had to share this picture. It is just that good.

Here are some reason why it is a good picture...

1- They are both IN the picture.
2- They are not hurting one another.
3- They are both looking in the same direction.
4- They are both pretty clean.
5- They both have on decent outfits.
6- THEY ARE BOTH SMILING!!!
7- They are both HAPPY!!!!

Sorry

I tried to put them in the correct order so all ya'll had to do was read down. It did not work the way I intended. I wrote everything in the order in which it happened, hoping to post backwards...I will know next time to start with the last and work to the first. Just hang in there. I don't have time to redo. I barely have time to think backwards.

Still The First Day of School

Low and behold this is the pick up line and it is one hour before school lets out. All these cars are in front of me. The line went all the out off school grounds.Finally I get to pick him up. He closed the door and put seat belt on.

He seemed satisfied with his day.

Man he was tired when he got home. I asked him what he did during the day and he said, "Nothing."

E First Day III

E's cubbyloaded with his bag, pillow and rest time towel. They don't 'nap' in Kindergarten. Busy as a Bee doing his morning work. He was too afraid to look from his crayons so he borrowed some from Aaron who sits across the table from him. His teacher came to him and showed him where his stuff was located.

E with his teacher getting his lunch card

He would not say bye to me. It was like I was not even there. Not a good picture. But they are the Busy Bee's in Room 503!

E First Day of school II

Getting on the bus! Yes, I chased the bus to the school. There it is going around back to unload.

E has no clue I am standing in the hall. I wanted to make sure he made it to his class. He never saw me! He looks a little lost but the teacher pointed him in the right direction. I still can't believe I let him ride the bus the first day. He wanted to really badly. Since Southern Belle was going to be with him and she has an older brother I thought he would be fine. Sure enough he was. My nerves were still rather shot.

This is a little hard to explain. If you notice in the door there is a little reflection. That is from his backpack! You can see the back of his shoe close to the floor. He was moving so fast I could not get the picture on time. Plus I was moving too. Trying to stay out of his sight... He turned around to take his bag in his cubby. I did not care if he saw me now. He had made it on his own to class. The thing is, he did not want me there. He barely said anything to me. He went on about his business. He went straight to his seat and started his morning work. He will never say it but I think he was nervous too.

E First day of School

I can barely remember the day. It was so long ago. I do remeber that the night prior he uttered his first positive comment about Kindergarten, "I can't wait to go to school tomorrow." I recall being happy at the time that he finally said something good about starting school. Of course, then I was scared that he was going to hate it.

Since I don't have alot of memories about the days I will just post some picture's. After all, I have been told that is all you want to see.

Getting ready to head out the door with a brand new backpack!

e very proud and excited for E.

E, e & Southern Belle (also a kindergartner) Family shotBus arrives and E crosses the street to embark on his first day of school!

Yes, I followed the bus that day to school. I actually raced the bus. I wanted to get there first so I could make sure he made it to his class OK.

Too Far Behind

I am so far behind that I am feeling I will never catch up. I was going to post stuff about Big E's first day of school...but now that I have logged in, found pics and ready to go it is time to get Little E down for her nap. So I am out of luck again. I know E has been in school for over a month now. I know that e has been in preschool now for almost a whole month. I thought there would be more time but I have figured out that most of the 'free' time I was dreaming about is now spent taking them to or from these places. UNBELIEVABLE!!

Apple Picking with Cute Kids!

Princess E and her Apple

Dare Devil on Ladder

Say Apple's

Big E's Soccer Camp

Displaying His Team's Flag Proudly!

Getting his completion card from his coach

Getting ready for Kid's Vs. Parents in Cowboys & Indians

Another Dance Class!!

Another Dance Class!!

Touching...AND Not Fighting

Nothing Can Make Ya Laugh?

Oh, you thought nothing could make you laugh...

Check out Big E and Little E.





They won these at Chuck E. Cheese a couple of weeks ago. What a day that was. They have not played with the glasses since.

Found these picture's and thought I would share.