Let's play catch up!

Happy Holidays, friends! I cannot believe Christmas in in three days! That's just crazy to me. I feel like I've been preparing for a long time! I guess that's how it is when your tree is up before Thanksgiving and you can stay at home and get things all good and ready before the big day! I'm going to try and post pictures of all our holiday decor today or tomorrow. 

Until then, here is what we have been up to.

Making lots of treats for incoming family! All from pinterest.

 Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Addicting saltine toffee-delicious and so easy!

Brownie Macaroons from Duncan Hines website

A friggin' boatload of hot and spicy chex mix.

Our Christmas card from Shutterfly! I love it!

(Sorry, it's a photo of a photo.)

In other news, Emma has been testing my ever loving patience even more so lately. She's gone off the sugar quite a bit, and now I'm really paying attention to labels. Even her 2% organic milk has lots of sugar! 11 grams in 8 ounces. That's ridiculous. She also gets 1 hour of TV in the morning, and 1 hour after her afternoon nap. That's it. No more TV in the car unless we are going on a long trip. She's been getting into more stuff, but whatever.

Yesterday, we had quite the eventful day. I was trying to make all four of the treats above, and trying to get the house clean. I was in the kitchen making the brownies, and Harrison was in his exersaucer. Emma was running around. I can see the living room from the kitchen-it's a big open floor plan. Anyway, all of a sudden, I hear a huge crash and screaming, look up, and see Harrison's exersaucer tipped over! Emma knocked it over, and he was just flailing all around and freaked out! I dropped the brownies (duh) and ran in there, grabbed him up, and checked him out. He was fine, just scared. Emma ran off to hide and was crying. Oh Lord. I won't fill you in on what happened to her, but her new rule is NO TOUCHING THE FRIGGIN EXERSAUCER when Buddy is in it.

Our weather has been absurd lately. Mid 60's, raining, foggy, humid, just generally disgusting for THREE DAYS before Christmas. Come on weather! Get cold!

I'm super pumped about Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with the kids. This is the first time EVER we will be in our own house for the holidays. We plan on going to 5:00 church, coming home and having our Christmas feast, then opening one gift each and sending the kids off to bed (commence Santa fest!)

On Christmas day, we will get up as normal (thank God my kids aren't old enough yet to wake up at 5:00 am for presents), open presents, and have a delicious, leisurely breakfast.

On the menu:

Our First (Non-Traditional) Christmas Eve Feast:
Brisket (cooked by J on his Primo)
Collard Greens
Black Eyed Peas
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Rolls

Dessert provided by my MIL

Christmas Morning Breakfast:
Grits Casserole via Andrea
Fruit Salad
Whole Wheat Biscuits

Yummy!

OK, I'm off to pick up the precious Pottery Barn easel from Santa, then get ready for my company to arrive! I'll try to get the pictures of the decor up tonight!

Have a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays, y'all!

Sugar and TV

This is going to open a WHOLE can of worms, but here it is.

My child eats entirely too much sugar. And, it's my fault.

My child watches entirely too much television. And, it's my fault.

Commence the mommy guilt trip. There's pretty much nothing else you can say that I haven't thought myself.

Most negative toddler behavior is directly related to sugar consumption and television viewing.

Don't hate. It's true. I have some research. I am very dispirited.

 I have been just trying to survive life with two kids, but giving/bribing with sugary treats and watching bullshit movies/Nick Jr has bitten me in the ass BIG TIME. And, if your kids don't eat sugar or watch TV, don't comment and tell me how you knew it sucked. Cause that's not helpful.

Emma is two and a half. A "nice" age to begin with. Add in a new baby and a mommy at home all day, and she gets more than she needs. In the treats and TV department.

I was talking to a girlfriend today about how guilty I felt. I know I'm just doing it right now to get through certain times. And, we do have TV off times. But, when we pull into Kroger or Publix and she says, "I get a cookie," some shit has to change.No, you do not need a cookie to get through grocery shopping. When she says, "I watch a movie," every time we get in the car, it needs to go. No, you do not need a friggin movie to drive somewhere. How about talking or looking out the window?

But, she's gotten used to it. All. Because I've let her.

 I guess it all "got to me" the other day. I was trying to change her diaper, she was WIGGING OUT trying to see the TV and Curious George and was not having it. I had enough. I turned the TV off and for the rest of the day, no more. It overstimulates her. She becomes hyper and zones out. Emma was watching TV from about 8-10, then we would go somewhere, and come home, and she would nap from about 2-5, then watch it some more that afternoon. I'm just over it. I'm over the behavior that comes from it. The attention seeking, screeching, etc. The tantrums. I know this is not all due to TV, but a lot of it is.

Another part is her sugar consumption. I have a picky eater, to put it nicely. Here is her "typical" diet.

Wake up-eat some dry cereal (like Fruit Loops), have some organic 2% milk
Breakfast-carb (waffle, toast, bagel, etc) and some organic yogurt
Snack-carb (pretzels) and fruit, or carb and gummies (her latest obsession). At least I've been buying Mott's fruit and veggie gummies, but still-loaded with sugar.
Lunch-meat, fruit, carb (i.e. nitrate/nitrite free hot dog, oranges, fruit pouch)
Snack-light since it's early evening. Mostly things like pretzels/pb, apples/cheese
Dinner-meat, fruit, milk (i.e. chicken, fruit/veggie pouch, apples)

Sometimes she earns a dessert or treat. Sometimes I bribe her with a sweet.

I just read that toddlers should not have more than 17 grams of sugar per day. A fruit pouch has 9. Holy shizballs. How do I cut this out, or make it better? I could obviously change her morning cereal (about 1/4 C) to something else. I need to look at the sugar content in her yogurt (girl loves dairy). No more gummies. The pouches, though? Only way I can get fruit/veggie combos in her minus the typical apples, bananas, oranges combo.

I just need to consciously watch the sugar. And the TV can go to hell. I mean, it's a great babysitter when I'm trying to wash dishes, load the dishwasher, feed Harrison, fold clothes, or get ready. But, I guess she'll just have to freaking PLAY in her playroom instead of zoning out to Dora or Curious George. Because, it's not good at all. Not good for her to be seeing all that nonstop. So many studies show how too much TV leads to later issues like a sedentary lifestyle, attention problems, and weight problems.

I don't want that for my kids. I want them to play independently and be healthy.

So, I'm going to be making some changes. Please tell me I'm not alone. And tell me what you do.

No judgies, girls. Only helpful comments, please.

My heart thanks you.

Making Crayons & Visiting Santa

Emma has a gallon sized Ziploc bag FULL of crayons. Every time she asks to color, she dumps the whole bag out. And when it's time to clean up, there are eleventy billion broken crayons laying around. I collected all of those broken crayons today, and we did a little project.

I found a youtube video explaining how to make your own crayons. It was super simple!

Step 1: Peel all of your crayons. Break them into small pieces (if they are bigger than half).

I decided to make all one color crayons, but you can make "tie dye" ones too.

Step 2: Put cupcake liners in a muffin pan. Arrange your broken, peeled crayons in each cup.

Step 3: Bake at 350 for 5-9 minutes. The video said 5, but mine took 9 minutes to melt completely.
Let cook for at least one hour, then peel out of the cupcake liners. We are still waiting on ours to cool.

This was super fun and easy (besides peeling the bajillion crayons). I can't wait to see how they work!

Also, we went to see Santa at the mall on Friday. The minute we pulled into the parking lot, Emma said, "I don't like Santa." I said, "Shoot me now." Not really, but they were both decked out in their Christmas finery, and I was damned if we weren't going to get our picture made. I bribed her with a lollipop and she obliged. 

Cuteness overload!

Christmas Card Outtakes

Y'all. I don't know how profesh photogs do it. Photography with kids? Is a nightmare. Especially when one of them can't sit up yet. For more than 3 seconds. 

They both looked cute as could be, but Emma was NOT a fan of holding Harrison. We had to do major bribery involving an orange sucker.

Below are the outtakes from the 75!! pictures we took. We had three possible candidates for the card, but I'm not showing you those! Yet.

 Umm, Harrison, look up here buddy!

You can see what he thinks of picture sessions.

 Again, please look up and stop covering sissy's head.

 Eyes open, dude.

 Emma is rocking a fake smile.

 He looks like he's in pain.

This is just a hot mess all around.

 Choker hold.

 Strangler

 They are both over it.

 And he's falling backwards.

Aaaand, we're done.

I ordered our Christmas cards and coordinating address labels on Monday morning. They were on my front porch by Wednesday. That's what I call service, Shutterfly!

How did your cards turn out?? Was it as maddening for you to get pictures of your kids too?

Thoughts on showers and bed making

This going to be a riveting post today, folks. Especially for those of you without kids. (Insert sarcasm font here).


Today I want to know some things about how you run your life as a mom. Particularly, how do you coordinate showering and getting ready, as well as making your bed? I mean, I get the general point. But how do YOU, as a mother of young children, who are not self sufficient enough to entertain themselves while you bathe/fix hair/makeup, how do you do it? What are they doing? When are you doing this?

Ahh, the bed making. It bothers me when it's all scromply covers tossed about. Deeply. But, what to do? Make it at 2:00 while they nap? I feel like nap time (for me) is the time I'm folding laundry (another thing I want to know-when do you do it?), washing up dishes from the day, making the bed, taking a shower, or insert one of the other 309404 things moms need to get done. I'd like to sit and read blogs, blog, read a book, or do something enjoyable. Not feel like a maid. But, maybe this is life right now? Do you do all of this during naps?

So please, moms of all ages with kids of all ages. Tell me: when do you do the following things?

*Shower/get ready (Ugh, please don't tell me you rise at 5:00 to get ready.)
*Laundry-not the washing/drying, but the folding and putting away
*Bed making

Those things listed above? That doesn't even count the other things like cleaning, wrapping presents, addressing Christmas cards, spending time with husband, or general relaxation. There's only so much time you have at night after they're asleep. And I'm beat by then!

Please share!

And, because I feel like we need a picture.....

Not me. I promise. Good Lord.

Also, google 'bedraggled moms images' and see what comes up. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

This, That, and The Other

Rest assured this is not a random post. Even if it looks like it. Think of it as an update of sorts. :)

So, I made homemade fabric softener the other day. It literally took 3 minutes. The cost for me was FREE because all it calls for is hot water, vinegar, and baking soda, all of which I already had.  It works wonderfully and smells good too! I got the "recipe" from this website. For the storage, they suggest a large Mason jar because you need to shake it up before each use. I put mine in two little Tupperware containers with lids. It takes 1/2 C per load of laundry. I put mine in a Downy ball. Check out this site for more directions.

 I'm also planning on making homemade laundry detergent next week. Just have to finish up this econo size Arm and Hammer first!

I almost committed a murder on the dogs yesterday. We went to the store to get some formula, and were gone for like 20 minutes. We came home and SOMEONE had eaten and destroyed a present under the tree. A pack of Keurig coffee!! That stuff ain't cheap! After I lost my mind om them, I decided the dogs are now banished to the outside whenever we leave the house. Today of course, it was pouring freezing rain. So I had to blockade the tree. And still came home to some tissue paper out of my wrapping paper stash scrompled on the floor. Death to Smoochy dude.

Emma and I have been hard at work on holiday projects lately! So far we have made handprint Christmas trees, Santa's portrait, a spice cake (it is so ugly, I will spare you a pic), painted a magnet (kit from Michael's), and read Christmas books. Every day, Emma asks to do a 'project.' Ha!

No, she didn't really write her name. She's two. I held her hand and helped her. She did, however, glue those black, pink and red balls on with a glue stick. Startin' her early. She'll be ready for Kindergarten.

Tonight for dinner I made an Italian Roast-recipe from my mom. I've seen it floating around on other blogs, so I'm sure it's not original. Anyway, here it is.

Sirloin tip or chuck roast (I used chuck roast b/c that's all Kroger had)

1 can French onion soup

1 jar pepperoncini peppers (whole banana peppers), drained

2 T Italian seasoning

salt and pepper

Put the roast in the crock pot. Cover with soup and drained peppers. Sprinkle seasoning over it. Salt and pepper. Cook on low for 8-9 hours. I put it on at 9:15 and at 6:00 finally turned it to warm. We don't eat dinner till about 8:00 because we have to get the kids down. It has smelled up the whole house with a delicious aroma! Can't wait to try it! You serve it on a hoagie with melted provolone on top. We are having sweet potato chips with it.

Finally, I have to tell y'all about this ridiculous experience I had today in the grocery store parking lot. Let me set the scene. It was raining sideways and was about 45 degrees. We had to get buns for tonight because apparently I can't follow the list I make for myself for Sunday grocery shopping. Anyway, I had Emma out, right beside me and the car. She was holding the small umbrella over herself. I was getting Harrison out. I got him out, turned to close the door, and a car (in the middle of an almost empty section of the lot) decided it needed to come within 5 feet of my toddler and me holding a carseat to park next to us. ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS? At this point, the umbrella Emma was holding flipped inside out, they are all getting wet, and I LOST MY MIND ON THIS DUDE. I started wildly gesturing and may have had some JC come out of my mouth. Then I continued "talking" with him. I won't go into detail on what I said. I'm sure those of you who know me can imagine. And if not, let me tell you, it was an "earmuffs" moment. (Name that movie for 1 million points!) He then rolled down his window and informed me he wasn't parking next to me, but pulling ahead to the space in front of me. DOES THAT MATTER INTERNET? No. Are you high, swerving in to park in the sideways rain when you see a mom with two kids and a flipped out umbrella standing 5 feet away? He acted like it was comical, which made me irate. I mean, folks, just say no to douche. This dude totally deserves this award.

And on that note, how can I get any better? You're here for quality folks. I deliver. Y'all tell me what's up with you and get ready for some Christmas card outtakes.

Cause all I've got is random.....

Y'all. I am a SLACKER to the nth degree. I'm sorry. I feel like that is my theme song lately. I feel like I'm LIVING Groundhog's Day, the movie. For the love. I have been majorly in absentia from the blog and twitter, and blog comments.

I have to make a random list. Cause right now, that's all I've got.

*I've been on a major historical fiction kick (WWII, Nazi related) right now. I've devoured Pam Jenoff's two books, The Kommandant's Girl and The Diplomat's Wife in days. Cannot get enough. Then, I pored through my extensive "real book" collection and found the book The True Story of Hansel and Gretel. Same theme as the others. I am just so INTO the German occupation of Poland right now. I need to STOP with the book buying. Damn Kindle.

*I've also been eating up Lisa Gardner's "D.D. Warren" series. Cop drama. Again, cannot get enough. I'm at least reading these through my library. Who I mentioned earlier had an "e-library." Love it. Awesome books to check out via my Kindle.

*I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping! Thank you God for Amazon.

*We STILL haven't taken the Christmas card picture of the kids and/or ordered the cards. This is causing me major anxiety. That's on the agenda for this weekend.

*Great Thanksgiving festivities were had at the Trickey Family Thanksgiving Fest 2011! All of the babies had a great time socializing with randomly seen family members. We came home and had an equally fab feast with hubby's side!

*Christmas decorating is DONE. Although, I am still seen frequenting Hob Lob for last minute touches. I think I will do a pic fest soon to show what we've done. Last year was SAD as I was preg and not caring. This is the first year ever that we are having our Christmas at home instead of traveling, and I am SO excited to do the Santa thing this year!

*Mom cross stitched Harrison his own stocking and it's darling! Now we all have one! Although my Grannie Annie made mine for me when I was born, and J's doesn't have his name on it. We are a traditional cross stitched stocking family!

*Harrison is a piggy! He's now had sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, sweet potato/apple mix, and avocado. He did not care for the avocado. He gagged and dribbled them out immediately. I may try again though. I remember Emma doing that with peas.

*I'm debating on what type of milk to give HME once he is off formula at one year. I do not want to do cow's milk. I am looking into rice and almond milk. Advice, suggestions, etc? My friend Gina hooked me up on some advice today though, so I have some beginner info!

*I'm already getting ready for spring consignment! I'm now throwing our full size Chicco high chair into the mix to get a "hang on" highchair for HME. The full size takes up too much room and is slightly annoying. The tray is hard to get on and it's large. And we need all the space we can get.

*Why did Kim on RHOA hire a nurse to come tell her about how to clean a boy's weenie after circumcision? Seriously? What a friggin waste!

*My lack of showering is getting ridiculous. That's all I'll say about that.

*Trying to nail down a date for a blogger reunion at my house! Shooting for February, right girls? I'm open. Y'all bring it. No kids. Word.

*I'm trying to do one holiday related activity per day with Emma. I have a good Word document going so far with things like: gingerbread men, make a cake, certain arts and crafts, making Jesus a birthday card, etc. Any new ideas to contribute?

*Ellie the elf came on December 1, and I already wish she was a full time thing. Emma is like, "She will call Santa mommy." Toddler bribery at its finest.

*I want to menu plan for the rest of the month so I don't have to think about it. I just need the time. That way, I will only have to go to the grocery store once a week instead of devising meals alllll the time. Goal!

*If my kids wet through their diapers much more, I may be checked into the nearest insane asylum. Harrison is on the train too. In a size three. They wear cloth inserts. WHAT THE EFF Internet? #notarealproblem

*I am going to try and wrap presents to go with my red/lime green theme. This should be interesting. Who am I, Martha Stewart?

*This has gone on too long. Holla y'all. And I'm still reading my Google Reader, currently at 149 items, so I may comment on something you wrote 2 weeks ago!

xoxo