Weekend Recap

Week-end... get it?
In no particular order--tried the princess crown on the baby
Showed off our muscles
Showed off our baby
Showed off our new (borrowed) sling
Showed off our butterfly face (at a birthday party)
Showed off our frosting face

Climbed a rock wall in a fancy dress at a different birthday party

Played outside in our fancy dress
What I braved to go work at the church nursery on Sunday (actually it wasn't snowing by then, but it sounds better doesn't it?)
Spent way too much time making Facebook Flair. Let me know if you want me to send you either of these :-)

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up!

Handy Hacks

Hack: clever or quick fix; finesse something for use in a new way--or a way to save yourself time, effort and or money.

**A huge time saving tip--brown several pounds of ground beef at once. After much trial and error, here's the best way--put your still wrapped still frozen directly from the deep freeze beef in your crock pot; as much as will fit. Cook it on low until it's soft enough to unwrap. Mush it around with your spoon, and cook on low for several hours until browned (My crockpot has automatic shut off so I set mine to cook overnight for 8 hours). Suck out the grease with a turkey baster and spoon in two cup increments into freezer bags. Freeze FLAT.

If you are ever running late for dinner, it takes about two minutes to defrost these. Awesome--and not much work to begin with.


**Reuse single serve applesauce containers as paint pots

**Save on paper towels by using yesterday's newspaper or newsprint to clean windows and mirrors. The newspaper especially will keep from streaking much better than paper towels.

It's also fun for the kids.

**Reuse a cinnamon shaker for toothpick storage. One shake and one toothpick pops out.


This also works amazingly well for toddler entertainment.

**Vinyl gutters can be re-purposed for easy access, front facing bookshelves.


**Another use for your pet kennel: Baby Jail.


**For thousands of abso-smurf-ly terrific parent related hacks, let me direct you to a clever little site called: Parent Hacks

Creativity

Or maybe it's just messy. Whichever. It was fun.







Here's what I say when the house is a wreck, "We're a creative family."

funny family

Aviana age 4 1/2: Mama! Bwee-elle is being a nuisance!
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We were looking at a book illustration whereupon the children were building a sandcastle.
I said," and look, here they put a bridge over the moat."
Aviana said, "Yes, and here they built a precipice!"
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Kevin, after I come in from hanging out clothes. "You really need to check with me before you just go rushing out with the laundry."

He said it because a rain storm was coming, and he wanted to check the radar but it certainly did sound funny! He sure cares about my laundry.
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Aviana is quite proud of the fact she can say a tongue twister.

Of course it's not that hard for her, because she can't pronounce "sh" yet: 'See sells seesells by the seesore.'
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Brielle, singing the goodnight song from Sound of Music: So long, Farewell, Achoo, Achoo, Achoo

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Aviana wants to watch one of the videos we just got from the library. "I want to watch the stone one."
"The stone one?" I wonder.
"The Stone one!" she repeats earnestly.
"Ohhh," I realize, "You want to watch Schoolhouse Rock!"
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Cadrian comes crawling pathetically toward me, like a cariacature of a dying man in the desert, screaming at the top of his voice. He reaches my leg, and latches on as to a life preserver. And is completely quiet and content.
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Aviana: Put Tadrian down on the floor so he can feast on twums.
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Aviana was pretending to read Little House on the Prairie. She said, " The Ingalls family crossed the Mississippi and then said they crossed the Delaware." Then she said, "That was just a joke! Washington crossed the Delaware!"
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"My swim suit is modest because it's a full piece," says Aviana. "It's not modest if you wear a zucchini."
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Brielle 2 1/2: I was tissing dat boy today betuz I wanted to turn him into a frod!
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Me: Here try this, you'll like it.
Brielle: No.
Me: It's chicken. You like chicken.
Her: No I don't.
Me: You don't like chicken?! Since when?
Her: Since Tuesday.

Note the new widget

I decided to add a widget to MommyLife.net, written by Barbara Curtis. She's a mom of 12, who has written several books I love, including Lord, Please Meet in the Laundry Room, Mommy, Teach Me, and Mommy, Teach Me to Read. She is intelligent and funny; both huge for me to be a loyal reader.

You may have noticed I don't have a blogroll. Blogrolls seem to be a bit like popularity contests; like if I don't add everyone I read, plus everyone who reads me, I'd feel badly that I might hurt someone's feelings. I just opted out. I know I probably read too much into it.

So now, adding someone's widget; whoa! This is a very big deal for me. I hope you check out her blog. Here's what she says about herself:

"I know busy moms already have a lot of responsibility - but in these dangerous political times, we need to know what's going on. Don't waste time watching TV propaganda - which lies and distorts and covers up for Obama while destroying anyone who speaks up against him.

If you don't have time to comb the news yourself, you can count on MommyLife as a source. I sift through the news each day - thanks to many moms (and dads) who send me tips - then blend with humor, inspiration and parenting tips. I usually post 5-15 times per day."

Daybook--23 March

For more daybooks, and to join the fun, click on the image above...
My Daybook ~ 23 March

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Outside My Window ...grey, blah, windy

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I am thinking ... about my chore chart--what to do from it; and my testimony for MOPS tomorrow; what I'll say

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I am thankful for ... Time with God this morning without children...and also my sister-in-law's discount on a new clock and down comforter!

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From the learning rooms ... Easter crafts, lots of books

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From the kitchen ... spring time salads, lemonade salad, using lots of ground beef

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I am wearing ... black slickies, with a long sleeved cross country tee shirt from college, the requisite bare feet

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I am creating ...a scrapbook layout a day for at least a week (I'm four for four right now)

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I am reading ...New Dawn.. and some other stuff

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I am hoping ... my 'talk' goes well with my cleaning twins. They need to be doing a better job.

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I am hearing... Aviana singing (which is a welcome change from the screaming when I started this post; I bought new toothbrushes and hers was pink. That's worth screaming about...)

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Around the house ...giving away stuff from our storage room, lots of books...

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One of my favorite things ... family time

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A few plans for the rest of the week ... MOPS, my mom over, hopefully getting together with my sister
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~

Creating an early reader

To-Done List

*sweep and mop floor
* mop floor again after girls play outside
*go get mail
*clean carpet after Mama tracks in dog doo
* mop floor again after juice is spilled
*wipe up juice from inside refrigerator
*clean out refrigerators and freezers
*wipe down " "
*make cheese
*sweep floor again after girls eat cheese with crackers
*mop floor again after baby spits up
*LEAVE THE HOUSE so the kitchen stays clean

for today.

Bored...nothing to do

I got stuck waiting in the parking lot of the grocery store...

It's Real Life--through a child's eyes

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farmfreshiowa.blogspot.com/2009/03/its-real-life-through-childs-eyes.html"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K0pVyLEXkxE/SFivEkx6awI/AAAAAAAACdM/dchZQ22B8rQ/s320/it%27s+real+life+badge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213109061808712450" border="0" /></a>

Here is the It's Real Life badge and the code to copy which will put it on your post. The badge will appear on your page and will link back here to the fest.

This week's theme is a photo tour through a child's eyes in your life.

Give your child your camera and see what they go around taking pictures of. The only catch is--no primping, prepping, picking up or otherwise making your house or self look better than it looks at that moment.

Commentary to go along with the photos always welcome.

Helping Brielle with a puzzle. Boy I look pleasant.
Dada out by the shop. Behind him you see a couple of our grainbins, the red trailer, his White tractor, an auger and...
Belle (our clothes stealing Lab), the chicken coops and the trash burner

Aviana's favorite stool. I didn't realize this was a Barbie princess when I bought it, but oh well...
A rather artistic view. She's standing on a hay wagon, looking through the slats at the north cattle yard and corn crib.

That is me reaching for a clothespin; it only looks like I'm dancing.

He had just fallen over when I was in the kitchen.
Yes. That's laundry. It was on the table, it's not really that high of a tower. I don't think.
A classic early morning shot of the kitchen.
The girls' "new" loft.

Your Turn!

Dance

Aviana loves to flit around the house like a little ballerina, and has been intrigued by all things dance for at least a year and a half. We have thus far stymied her obsession with ballet books and CDs and DVDs designed to be a dance class such as Baby Ballet.

Recently her desire for being a dancer has grown to mammoth perportions because my niece, 5, is Aviana's hero. Aviana wants to be like Cora and do everything Cora is doing. Cora is in dance class. She even got to attend one of Cora's classes. Since then she has been talking about taking dance class like Chinese water torture.

I'm not a huge believer in early organized learning for children, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to look into it. We live at least half hour from "town"; driving that far for an hour lesson isn't even an option at this point in my life. Our nearest little town offers two dance studios.

One isn't even an option; I have seen the costumes those girls wear and heard the music to which those girls perform. The other is owned by a Christian, so I gave them a call.

Last week we visited a class. In the 50 minutes we were there, the girls played "follow-the-leader" skipping, galloping, and two stepping. There was some sashaying back and forth across the room. A lot of waiting. They went through the pieces for their recital twice.

All this for $15 a class.

There was a lot of disrespect, obvious and not so blatant to the teacher. There was a lot of not listening and disobedience. There was a lot of meaness between the girls that didn't get noticed or addressed. Frankly, I was appalled.

This week they were kind enough to let Aviana participate. She was so excited, she was vibrating. She was telling me the time every thirty seconds starting at about 2 o'clock. It was a long time to 5. She enjoyed herself, although she could only remember a couple of things they did, and reported some little girls pinching each other and being mean which the teachers didn't see.

Another problem I have is the classes are right at dinner time, and our children have early bedtimes. Brielle and Aviana both were exhausted from running into town, waiting around, rushing supper...and it was fairly stressful for me too.

Suffice it to say; we'll be keeping up our steady diet of playing dance studio in our garage sale costumes.

I think that'll do.

It's Real Life assignment! child's eyes

Thursday! the 19th
Theme: Through A Child's Eyes

Give your child your camera and see what they go around taking pictures of. The only catch is--no primping, prepping, picking up or otherwise making your house or self look better than it looks at that moment.

Commentary to go along with the photos always welcome.

You can play along even if you're not a mama! If you don't have a child you can borrow one, or get down at a three foot level and see what catches your eye.

Post however many pictures you want at your blog, and then come here Thursday, 19 March to link up and show us your Real Life Through A Child's Eyes.

Hope you can play!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here's my drooly almost eight month old. I don't think you even need a shirt to tell you to kiss him.

He pulled himself up two steps today. Goodness, am I in for it.

Daybook-16 March

For more daybooks, and to join the fun, click on the image above...
My Daybook ~ 16 March

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Outside My Window ...sunny; I'm optimistic we'll be able to forgo socks today!

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I am thinking ... about how much I loved the second hand store I visited yesterday!

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I am thankful for ... FINDING MY LIBRARY CARD

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From the learning rooms ... St Patrick's Day, Spring activities

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From the kitchen ... grill recipes, shamrock pretzels

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I am wearing ... red knit capri outfit

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I am creating ... a cozy little niche in the world

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I am reading ...The Last Jihad

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I am hoping ... I find some good deals today--my mom and the kids and I are going SHOPPING!

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I am hearing... Cadrian "talking" to his toys, Aviana talking to me

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Around the house ... keeping up, as usual

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One of my favorite things ... bare feet

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A few plans for the rest of the week ... St. Patrick's luncheon playdate, another playdate, story hour

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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~

oh yeah, he's lovin' the solids.

It's been a while

I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. I have a personal goal of posting at least once a day.

But sometimes, zee reel life, weel, she geets in dee way of my online life...

Anyway, let me 'splain. No there is too much. Let me sum up.

Or... since my mind is nearly completely blank--how about some randomness?

I have a parsnip growing in a cup of water on my kitchen counter.

I have 47 books in my line of vision.

I lost my very life blood, my link to the world, my reason for living, yes, My Library Card. It's lost.

I'm on the hunt for a dress for Aviana to match this one. She wears a 5 but a 4 or 6 would work. If you see one at a second hand store, snatch it up for me; I'll pay you back! Thank you.


I went out to dinner with some friends last night.

Then I stayed over at a friend's in kind of a grown up slumber party. We watched DVRd cable shows until midnight, and was treated to egg casserole, fresh fruit and sweet rolls for breakfast.

I had to make a trip to the store 15 minutes after I woke up because I had packed only one diaper for Cadrian, and he promptly pooed in it; after pooing out the sides of his night diaper I hadn't had a chance to get him out of, and all over my friend's bathroom rug.

We ate and talked, and messed around, and did some scrapbooking. All day long and I got two layouts done, and finished a couple projects.

My husband was irate when I got home because I didn't answer my cell(because I didn't know it was ringing!) and he was going to a concert tonight, and was worried I about I don't know what. It's not like I was on Mars. He knows my friends. He could have called either one of the other girls to reach me if it was that big of deal.

Anyway.

Girls fed. In bed. Baby fed. In bed. I'm off to get a little more creativity done.

Looking on the bright side

I had TWO door to door salesmen stop by today. I live in the country, people, shouldn't I be immune from that?

But no. Clearly no distance clause.

Some girls said they'd clean the carpet one room of my house, just for taking a look at their wares.

You want to clean for me? For free? Come on in.

I'm nice like that.

When I realized they were selling Kirbys I told them I already have one, but it didn't matter. They were just glad to get in the door.

One girl stayed and showed me how grimy my floor is while I nursed, surreptitiously checked facebook, and kept an eye on my girls, who were watching the dirt demo with rapt attention. You'd think they'd never seen anyone vacuum before.

While they were thus occupied, and just after I had gotten Cadrian to sleep, someone else came to door. (Baby wake up!) This guy was trying to sell me supplemental health insurance for cancer, heart attack and stroke. When I explained to him about Samaritan Ministries--the share program we do in lieu of health insurance--I had him begging for more information and leaving almost promising a referral.

How do you like that? He came to the door trying to sell insurance, but left with something bigger in his hands.

The Kirby people came and went...they worked as a team apparently so I had four people through my revolving door of "promising prospect". I was hard nosed though and did not cave even when he offered me the new vacuum at supposedly whole sale.

The girls missed their quiet time/naps. I missed lunch. FOUR AND A HALF HOURS of my day was spent watching, conversing, listening, agreeing with and just generally being nice to these people.

Four. and. a. half. hours!

On the bright side, they did tell me my house was the cleanest they've been in. I don't care if they were lying to try and get a sale.

And my sweet was quite entertained by the soapy side show that is sales.



And the carpet looks great.