Who's Got Picky Eaters? I Got Picky Eaters!

You probably guessed it from the title that this is about my picky little eaters.  They are getting a little more adventurous (pretty much just Sage in the veggie department) but we have a long way to go.

I wanted to share a little something I figured out to get my kiddos to eat meatloaf.  There's just something about that brick of  ground meat, veggies and tomato sauce that my kids can't stand.  So here is what I did.  I mixed everything up exactly the way I would to make a standard meatloaf.

Then, instead of plopping it into the baking dish... you ready for this one?  I made it into meatballs.  That's right.  Meatballs!

What is it about those little spheres of meat that kids love so much?  I'm talking onions, bell peppers, the works and they still ate it.  In fact, they loved it!  I was so proud of myself for that one.  I kind of like it better that way myself.  We don't eat a full two pound meatloaf (yet) so the meatballs make it to were I can cut the recipe in half and we still may have a few juicy jewels left to throw in Dad's lunchbox in the morning.  Do you have any picky eaters at your house that whine about meatloaf night?  Feel free to use my idea.  They just may enjoy 'em!

Who's Got Picky Eaters? I Got Picky Eaters!

Five Question Friday, 11/20/09

It is Friday once again so that mean it's time for Five Question Friday hosted by Mama M at My Little Life.  It's interesting to see how everyone else answers the same five questions.  So here goes. 

1. Are you a Black Friday shopper?

Heck-to-the-NO!  I'm not much for shopping as it is so I sure don't want to fight with a bunch of crazy women over a $5 microwave.  Now my hubby will get up there at 5am to get the small things such as towels.  They usually do have good deals on stuff like that and he doesn't mind the crowd.  I,on the other hand, am a little claustrophobic and don't care for the crowds.  Believe me, I wish I was a more aggressive when it came to getting those once in a lifetime deals and such.  I'll pass, though, thank you very much.

2. What was your favorite childhood toy? (Think Easy Bake Oven, Cabbage Patch Kids, Shrinky Dinks, etc.)

I loved my CPK and thought that it was so awesome that my sis and I got one, but I was actually more of a pen and paper kind of kid.  Give me a notepad and a box of colored pencils.  I'll be occupied for hours!

3. Favorite Christmas movie?

I absolutely love all Christmas movies from It's a Wonderful Life to the more recent Polar Express.  My all time favorite A Christmas Story.  You know how TBS runs it for 24 hours on Christmas Eve every year?  Well I am one of those that will watch it several times within that 24 hours so long as I don't drive the rest of the family nuts with it! 

4. What is the "must have" item on your Christmas list this year?

Truthfully, I received the sweetest gift ever three years back and have not been all that picky since then.  My baby.  No, not one of the kids.  I almost love my kids as much as I love this gift, though.  Not really, I do love the kids a little more.  Yes, I am talking about my 1967 Ford Mustang, ba-bee!!

I have wanted one of these since I was a kid.  I grew up a Ford girl (thanks Daddy) and THIS is the exact car I always wanted.  When Sean came across it at such a good deal, he had to get it for me.  

I'll tell you what I wouldn't mind having, though.  I want one of those Kitchenaid mixers.  You know what I mean.  The ones that do everything. I've been wanting one for years now and just haven't broken down to buy it.  Maybe Santa will be extra nice this year and put me one under the tree.

5. Do you go all out with decorations or do you keep it simple and classy?

I try to make the decorating part of Christmas fun for the kids so simple and classy are so out.  Our tree consists of homemade ornaments from both home and school as well as some cool stuff we find at Wal-Mart or the Dollar Store or something.  Last year I did come across a really good deal at Ikea for boxes of really pretty ornaments that were super cheap.  So this year may be a little more of what Mommy wants!

So those are my answers to the five questions for this week.  Now pop on over to Mama M's and see what she and everyone else said.  Happy Friday!!

Five Question Friday, 11/20/09

Setting a Goal

I am tired of being tired.  Tired of being fat.  Ok, I'm not really all that big.  I do barely hit the tape measure at five foot, though and when you weight what I do (no ones business)  you are a little chunky.  Sean is the best husband ever and tells me that I look good just as I am, but I don't feel good.  I don't fit into my clothes right anymore.  I still have never worn that adorable pair of AE jeans I bought right before finding out I was preggers with Kati.

Geez!  That means that they have been hanging in my closet being so lonely for almost two years.  **shedding a quiet tear**

So now I am setting a goal.  It's not going to be a big goal, but a goal none the less.  I hope it won't be so overwhelming if I start small.  I'm going to get my big round butt back up on the Wii fitness board and get busy.  I really love doing it, but slacked off a LOT.  Yeah, I completely stopped doing it.  Hopefully I will eventually be going from this...

to this

I guess I better go to bed now... 5:00 comes pretty early.  Wish me luck!!

Setting a Goal

Who? Me? Nooo. Yes?!

I know I haven't exactly been doing this blogging thing for long, but I absolutely love it.  On that note, I am proud and so humbled to say that I have received not just one, but two, count 'em two awards!  That's right.  First I need to give a big, big thank you to Tamara over at The (Un)Experienced Mom.  She is funny, witty, and I just love reading her complete truths about motherhood.  We all know that while it is the most rewarding job in the world, it isn't the easiest.  So go ahead, check her out!


First we have the Lemonade Stand award.  

I love this one because of it's cute, child-like appeal.  I mean, what kid doesn't want to have their own lemonade stand.  I even had one at one time.  We sold what we didn't drink!  Recipients of this award have shown a little attitude or gratitude.  Or maybe a little bit of both. 

So these are the rules.  I'll follow to the best of my ability.


1. display the award logo
2. nominate up to 10 blogs that have shown attitude/gratitude

3. link to your nominees
4. let them know they have been nominated by comment
5. link the person from whom you received the award

Doesn't sound so hard.   

And the nominees are...


The Crayon Wrangler @ Coloring Outside the Lines--  I just love her and her wonderful way with words.


The Crazy Baby Mama @ well, The Crazy Baby Mama--  now here is someone that tells it like it is.  I love it!


Megan @ All A Bunch of Momsense-- even though she loves doing taxes ;), I think she is awesome and I love to read what she has to say.  plus she gave up the recipe for Death by Chocolate and what woman wouldn't love to die from a chocolate overdose!?




Hurricane Red @ I've Got POOP In My Pocket-- she completely cracks me up with the stories of her kids.  That boy of hers is a hoot!

Tamara has also graced me with the Heartfelt Blogger award.  This one is given to bloggers that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.  I just love the picture associated with this one.  It's so purdy.  Ok, tell me I'm a big dork now!  I'm used to it... really.

Basic same rules apply (go ahead, scroll up, I'll wait) except it's 9 blogs instead of 10.  Anyhoo... here goes:

Dawn @ Life of a Domestic Diva--  we have just discovered one another recently, but I like her already.  plus she's a Dallas Cowboy fan and that makes her number one in my book.


Brittainy @ Brittainy's Journey-- she hasn't been blogging long either, but her posts are always a worthy read.  and I grew up knowing Brittainy and think she just deserves it!


Tabitha @ I Choose Bliss-- she is a what true inspiration is all about.  'nuff said... check 'er out.


and last but certainly not least are

Michelle and Erik @ Pray for Dylan-- they're little guy has been fighting leukemia since 8 weeks old but has now been declared cancer free!  you can't get any warm and fuzzier than that!  **tears of joy**

So there we have it.  Eight great blogs that I love to read.  I know I've bent the rules a bit by splitting the number of nominees between the two, but it's my first time so I need a break on this one.  It already took me foreeeever to get this post done.  So go on, check out all of these awesome blogs!

Who? Me? Nooo. Yes?!

It's A Buuug!

I have GOT to tell you about my son's shower last night.

Just wait, it's funny.

So last night I had Raiden jump into the shower while I cooked dinner.  He has gotten into this scared of everything phase here lately that is driving me insane so it is a feat to even get him in there in the first place.  (Thanks to the brats that told the Bloody Mary story to him!)  With the threat of an old school beating some gentle coaxing, he finally got in and I continued with dinner.  Let's say about five to ten minutes later I hear a panicked yell.

"Mom!  Mom!  Mom!"

"What is going on?"

And that's when I see my naked, wet son run through the living room cupping his boy parts.  

"What's wrong, Rai?"  Trying not to burst out laughing.


"Mom!  There's a bug in the shower!"

"Kill it."

"It's big, Mom!  Really big!  Go get it please!"

I put my spoon down and proceed through the living room into my bedroom and into the bathroom.  The shower is still running and Sage is sitting at the computer looking a little confused by the sight of her naked brother's bolt from the shower.  

not the boy

"Just how big is it?"


"Reeeeally big."


"Where is it, Rai?"

"In the shower.  Kill it."

I open the shower curtain and there it was wallowing under the water.  He was right.  It was big. 


Let me give you a little idea of what we deal with here first of all.  Two houses down we have what the kids in the neighborhood call the crazy lady.  She's not that bad, but she is a little crazy.  She has all of the dogs and cats the city ordinances will allow plus birds, lizards and no telling what else.  She likes to "decorate" her yard with so much crap that you can hardly see her house at all.  Granted, some of it is cute, but it is waaay over done.  With that being said, I can only imagine what the inside of her house looks like.  

not her house

She is the epitome of a pack rat.  She is in her 50's and owns EVERY vehicle she has ever bought (an amount which is well into the double digits).  We are just very lucky that she has other places to store them.  She just lost her husband about five months ago, bless her heart, and has bought two more cars since his passing.  Luckily she lives on the corner because she has nine vehicles at her house.  Yes, for one person!  So with that little background of our neighbor, you can see why we get a few bugs that meander over to our house.  **Back to the story**

I look at this bug.  It's about a two inch plus long wood roach.  I don't know what they are actually called, but we call them wood roaches because they prefer to live in trees and you can find them in your firewood piles.  I HATE 'em!  

 not said bug

no way I had time to grab the camera

Raiden is still freaking out.  I grab my sandal, smash the sucker, grab a wad of toilet paper and drop it into the toilet.  

"Flush it, Mom!"

"I did." 

"I didn't hear it."

Peek into the toilet.  It's still there.

"See I told you."

Flush for real this time.  Re-check.


And there's my Boo-boo Bear still standing there naked as a jay bird (how naked is a jay bird anyway?) with all of the female members of the family standing around him.  Didn't phase him a bit.  Now he has one more thing to be scared of, though.  Yay, motherhood. 

It's A Buuug!

Not Me! Monday

Did anyone one else get off track last week and not post their Not Me! Monday?  Well I really did.  Now to get back on track and talk about the happenings of our little life that are funny, sad or down right wrong.  That being said, you may just get two weeks of not-happenings rolled into one lovely post.

Has anyone else ever forgotten to cook dinner?  Well not me!  It seems that beans will not cook if you don't turn the crock pot on.  Whoda thunk it!?  I did, however, get in there and notice my mistake in time to get them started and ready at dinner time.

It seems my daughter has not found a new place to sit and have her snacks.  And none of them probably fell into the toybox while she sat there.  Hey, it made her happy so who am I to tell her no, right?

I now must not stress the importance of the kids picking up their toys.  Especially flat Lego pieces that tend to blend into the tile.  It seems that when I stepped down from the little stool that leads to the candy healthy snack bowl, I did not step on said Lego piece and almost bust my butt!  No, not me.  I was as graceful as a swan when I stepped off of the step with a full glass of tea in my hand that I really did not spill.  Yay me!

Kaitlan so did not have an incident with the baby powder last week.  I, of course, was not the one who left it on her daddy's nightstand where she could reach it.  What a mess!

This past week was not when I had a mini-meltdown.  I never let stress get to me nor do I ever feel guilt.  Guilt for things I can't even help, like my friend H.  We did not find out that her little boy (two weeks old today!) has a skin disorder that he will be stuck with for the rest of his life.  I did not go into a guilt-induced stupor that included not cleaning the house or eating much at all.  Guilt over what you ask?  Guilty that I have three perfectly healthy children when my good friend who went to great lengths to have this beautiful bundle of joy just to find out that she has to be extra careful so she doesn't damage his skin causing him pain.  Guilt for this among many other things.  I am so not getting over it, though!  I have simply been blessed and cannot get hung up on the things that are in God's hands.

On a much lighter note, my husband did not FINALLY get my van fixed and promise to get the legal stuff done on it for me today.  I totally do not need that sucker!

So that was my week... or not... whatever!  Just hop on over the MckMama's blog and join in yourself.  You won't regret it!

Not Me! Monday

Pick it up!

Ok, people.  I have decided that I must pick it up.  Yes, pick up my sad butt and turn it around.  Yesterday was a difficult day for me and I wrote about that.  You may noticed that I deleted that post, though because I have decided that I  will no longer let myself feel that way.  I was down and feeling bad for the way I have mistreated my husband in the past.  For how I disrespected and made him feel bad.  Well not anymore, folks!  I love my husband and children and they love me.  I am going to get back into my routine (with time for blogging, of course) and make myself feel like me again.  I am actually kind of excited about this.  I know that there are so many things in the world that I cannot change and people that have life much worse than I.  That is why I will no longer accept the negative and accentuate the positive.  What was that song that said something about that?  Oh well, it'll come to me later at the strangest time... promise, it always does!  So if I start to sound sappy and down, just kick my in the backside and tell me to pick it up!

Oh yeah, I don't know why my comment thingy hasn't been working, but I've tried to fix it.  If it still doesn't work, I'd love to know.  And thank you to any of you that read the dribble I put out here.  It really means a lot to me!

Pick it up!

Five Question Friday

Friday, Friday, Friday... who doesn't love Friday!?  The best thing about Friday's for me is that I get to spend the next two days with all of the family.  Yay!  Also, Friday brings Five Question Friday.  A fun Friday game from Mama M!  Feel free to link up and play the game yourself.  So, here goes:

Questions for 11/13/09: (Thanks to Sandy for her question and to Liz for inspiration--I tweaked her question a bit!!)

1. What is your favorite "eat" on Thanksgiving?

2. What is the name your best girl friend and the best trait about her or how you met (or heck, both!!)

3. What would you say is one of your "weirdest" quirks?

4. What is your favorite genre of music? (Hip hop? Classical? Rock? etc.)

5. Are you a Night Owl...or an Early Bird?

Five Question Friday

Veteran's Day/Birthday

Today is a pretty special day for two reasons.  First reason.  Please don't forget about our soldiers out there.  Past, present and future.   Without their bravery and sacrifice, there is no telling what kind of nation we would be.  There is no way we can repay them for all they have done for us.  To honor them is all we can do.

Also, today is my sister's 28th birthday.  Wow, it was strange enough when it was my turn at 28, but now my sister.  I have to say that I am so proud of the woman she has become, though.  We didn't have the easiest childhood, nor the roughest, but we have always been sisters and there for each other.  Two more years, Brandi.  Two.More.Years!  (inside joke!)  You are one of my favorite little sisters!  Love!!

 

Veteran's Day/Birthday

Tuesday's List

Oh, yay!!  It is fall and I am loving it.  It's really a toss up between fall and spring as to which season is my favorite.  It is also Tuesday which means it's time for another installment oooof dunt-dunt-dunt-da Tuesday's List created by the lovely Jessica at LoveFromTexas.com.  She is completely adorable and you really should check out her blog if you haven't already.  Check out her recipes... yum! 

Anyhoo,  I'm supposed to be tell you some of my favorite fall fashion and accessories.  That is the theme behind this week's Tuesday List.  So, here goes:


1) boots!-  I love to wear my boots.  Back a few years ago I got these totally adorable brown cowboy boots.  Yes, I said cowboy boots.  Or cowgirl boots.  hehe!  They have a beautiful turquoise inlay and I would post a pic of them, but I need to clean them.  The best part is that they have a nice heel.  About 3 1/2 inches and are so easy to walk in.  I think I wore them almost everyday two years ago!  These are not it, but they came from the same store and I thought these were kinda cute.

2) scarves-  This is something that I have just gotten into.  I bought one scarf last year or so to keep my ears warm and decided it wasn't that bad.  Now, between my daughter and I, we have a few more and love our scarves!

3) sweaters-  Not big bulky sweaters, but cute sweaters.  Ones that are not itchy.  I love sweaters, though!

 

4)hats-  No, not hats for myself, but hats for my kids.  I love hats on my babies.  Especially my bald baby girl!

I'm sure there are more, but the baby is waking from her nap.  Let's bring on the fall, though and keep winter out.  I don't like the cold!  But please, check out Jessica's blog and link up for Tuesday's List.  It's really fun!

Tuesday's List

So, you think YOU got it bad?

As the title phrases, some of us tend to think we have the absolute worst life ever.  There are times when I join the ranks of pity-party-throwers and do the whole "woe is me" thing.  The last few months for us have been somewhat of a struggle.  We didn't think it would be this hard when I quit my job to stay home to care for the baby.  The funny thing is that when my husband was making half of what he makes now (granted that was 10 years ago) we were doing a-okay.  I guess now we have more to show, though.  Right?  I mean, we have a home, cars (even if not all are driveable), our health and two more kiddos.  Oh yeah.  That.  I guess the two extra kids do make a difference.  Plus all of the debt incured since then doesn't help.  BTW, I hate credit cards.  Just thought I'd let you know that. 

All that said, I do want to point out that I have three beautiful and healthy kiddos.  Sean and I would actually like to have one more, but we both have that what if that tugs at us.  What if there is something wrong with the baby before it's born?  What if something is found to be wrong once the baby gets here?  We had small scares, but never anything actually happen like that.  I still worry about my sons heart being that they called in the pediatric heart specialist and did the whole EKG thing right after he was born.  I really feel he is okay, though.  Eight years and we've never had a problem.  I do want to point out that other people are not so lucky.  Many already know of little Stellan and his fight with SVT.  Please say a quick prayer for him.  God is listening.  I just hope He has it in His plans to save Stellan.  I'm still praying for you and for your family.

So, you think YOU got it bad?

Momma's Lil Monkey

So, it seems that I have a mini monkey on my hands.

I have the tiniest 1 year old I have ever seen, but she doesn't seem to know that.  As far as stats go, she is 28 inches tall and 14.5 pounds.  Yep, that's why I call her my itty bitty.  I believe, though, that in her mind she is 10 feet tall.

We have an entrance into our attic through our bedroom closet that has a storage space my husband has built for me.  (Thanks, Honey!)  With three kids and a husband who is not only a pack rat, but a habitual project starter and NOT a project finisher, you end up having a lot of stuff to store.  I had it opened up yesterday and Miss K decided she wanted to try the ladder out for herself.  You know I just had to grab the camera for this one!  To my surprise, she climbed all the way up like she was some kind of pro!

  This is four rungs up.

*excuse the messy closet.  Again with the projects and I need to arrange a yard sale asap!

Climbing a little higher.

Almost to the top!

I was so proud of her!  Then today (I missed the pic opportunity on this one) I look over at her and she has just climbed on top of my bed.  My bed that is at least an inch taller than she is.  I'm still not sure how she managed this, but I'm kinda proud of her on that one too.  Now I just have to make sure I keep a real close eye on her!

Momma's Lil Monkey

Can I get a little help here!?

Ok, ladies.  I have a question for you.  Do you ever feel taken advantage of by your own family?  Let me explain.

I am a stay at home mom and I really do love it.  What I don't love about it though, is that I seem to be the only person that lifts a finger in my home.  I so appreciate my husband and his working outside of the home.  I want my children to focus on school and strive to meet their goals in becoming successful adults.  I also want them to pick up after themselves, though.  I would be extremely embarrassed to show you pictures of my children's rooms right now.  Disasters, I tell you!

So does it seem fair that I have to clean the house, wash the laundry, cook, clean up after cooking, care for the baby, change almost every diaper (especially dirty ones), carry out the trash, do the dishes, mow the yard, pick up the dirty laundry, check homework, check for dirty ears, check for clean socks, sweep, mop, vacuum, check for dirty finger nails, put away the laundry, etc, etc, etc....*breeeeathe* all while the rest of the family is watching tv or playing video games?

I think you get the gist.

I constantly feel rundown and completely unappreciated.  Is it so bad to ask for a little help?  Can't someone else watch the baby for 5 minutes instead of me having to take her into the restroom with me?  Or pull the overflowing trash bag out before it, well, overflows?  We're talking about a 33 year old grown man as well as an 11 year old and an 8 year old.  Am I being over dramatic and selfish?  I know I should do most of the housework and I don't really mind that, but can I get a little help here?

Can I get a little help here!?

He Giveth and He Taketh Away

This is a bittersweet time for me.  My friend H had her adorable little boy yesterday morning that she and her husband worked so hard for.  I won't go into details, but they tried really hard and with a lot of heartache, love, and a lot of poking and proding on poor H, they finally have their little A.  I am so happy for them!  Congratulations!!

Today is difficult day for another friend of mine.  Our dear friends, P and J's daughter was born one year ago today.  She was taken away one year from tomorrow.  They also tried for a very long time to have a baby and were finally blessed with baby M.  It was so exciting for all of us.  I was due with Kaitlan October 13th and P was due November 16th.  The girls were going to be best friends.  Once again, not to go into detail, but things didn't go as planned with their baby girl's birth.  I had a feeling in the first place that things were not right due to the fact that the doctor had vacation planned the week P was due to give birth and scheduled her for induction two weeks early.  To make a long story short, she had a pretty long labor and wasn't ready (dilated at 8) when the doctor decided it was time because he wanted to go home.  Literally.  He was heard telling the nurse that if they could get this done they could be home in 30 minutes.  Then, after unsuccesfully trying to force baby M out into this world before she was ready, they had to do an emergency Cesarian and J heard words muttered from the nurse that no parent ever wants to hear at their child's birth.

Uh-Oh
Uh-Oh?

Needless to say, M was severely damaged from the forceful pulling of the foreceps and past away the next day.  I miss her even though I never got to experience her personality.  Never got to hold her or play with her.  My daughter's best friend was taken.  My friend's daughter was taken.  We love you, M.  Always will.

In Loving Memory of M.  You will forever be a true angel.

He Giveth and He Taketh Away

Bummin Around with Dancers

We had a great time for halloween this year.  Both of the girls dressed as Harajuku girls, which I explained in this post.  Raiden was hobo.  The best part was just before we were to head out and as the first set of trick-or-treaters showed up at Poppy and Memaw's house.  One of the little boys looked right at Raiden and said, "Hey, you're a bum!"

Just a downtrodden, hardworking hobo.

Keeping a low profile

Looking very tired

ok, just tired of Mom taking pictures

Then we have my girls.We did a kool-aid dye job on Sage's hair.

I would never claim to be a cosmetologist, because that foil wrapping stuff is hard!

It turned out to have a nice orangey-red tint to it though.

We even tried to put some in Kaitlan's little bit of hair, but it didn't turn out.  Mom was scared to leave it on too long.  We all know how the little ones want to touch and explore everything.  This was cute, though.

Then Daddy made her some arm warmers out of a pair of socks.

Once done, everyone looked awesome!

There was a haunted house that scared the bejeezus out of Raiden.

He came out and realized it wasn't so bad.

This guy was awesome.  I wonder if he had a sore throat the next day, though.

And of course, one more of my Lil Pinky.  I was nervous about the eyeshadow, but I wouldn't have missed this picture for anything.

Bummin Around with Dancers

Not Me! Monday

Nooo!  It's not Monday again, is it?

Nope, that's right not right.  Monday, oh, Monday.  Did anyone else wait until the last minute to get their kids and their costumes ready for Halloween this weekend when they had all week long to do it?  Not me!  I am not a procrastinator.  Anyone who knows me would tell you that.  Ok, they would not tell you that!

I also would not give my baby girl a cookie while I finished up dinner just so I could get it finished without having to hold her or listen to her hungry cry.  Especially not a chocolate cookie so that I would have to clean her up before dinner.  Not me.  I would never spoil my children.

And of course, it was not my son who called his cousin's female friend "he".  As in, "Dad, Batman is not gay.  Ask him... I bet he'll tell you he's not!"  Nor was he promptly hauled off into the backyard to "help" Dad with something out there.  He was not then told that she is, in fact, female in an effort to save him from further embarassment.  I must add, I also was not confused about this when they first walked in the door.

And no, that is not her on the top left!

Not Me! Monday