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Happy Birthday

What a fantastic Friday.
Our baby boy turns 2 today.

Happy Birthday! Let's Party!

 

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

 

 

 

Secret Santas

This year we each are playing Secret Santa to another person in our family. When I was growing up we did something similar with the ENTIRE extended family on Christmas Eve. I thought it would be so much fun to try it in our house this year. I'm the only one who knows who is who's "Santa". Which means I know Baby Girl is my Santa but I'm leaving that shopping trip to her and Daddy. As of today, so far so good, no one has squealed who's Santa they are. 

We really wanted to teach the kids more about giving and the love behind a GOOD Gift. It was clear our summer vacation had confused our children, they must have forgotten we aren't financially rich....not yet at least. The Christmas consumerism had invaded our house like an extraterrestrial takeover. There were advertisements for plastic toys made overseas everywhere. I was up to my ears in catalogs and Christmas lists as long as my arm. And all the talk about a jolly mystery man in a big red suit who supplies all the presents 'ANYWAY'. 

Now I thought they understood that money doesn't grow on trees and Santa is just a representation....'yeah, yeah Mom' *clears throat..."Christmas is all about the gift of Baby Jesus to the world" *in his best Easter speech voice. Now can I have these twenty six gifts I circled? SMH. 

We thought the best way for them to REALLY Get IT was to see the joy in one another's faces and know that THEY (Momme & Daddy, Family, friends etc) made those feelings of joy possible. To not ask for every toy in the catalog or on tv because the person who pulled their name from the hat may not be able to buy them EVERYTHING they think they want. 

As shoppers I think the older girls really SEE how the right present can make a person feel good. Can make a person look at things differently or have a renewed enthusiasm. They also saw how things begin to add up and learned a little lesson on "sales tax". When we shopped we shopped with purpose, to fulfill something within for the person they were playing Santa to. 

We'll start wrapping gifts this weekend and then we'll shop our local DollarTree & Learning store for stocking stuffers. I'm not quite sure how we're going to pull this off without everyone blabbing what they wrapped up while they were Santa. It's already taking poor five year old PacMan everything he has not to tell his arch nemesis and best-ist sister ever that he is her Santa...wait til he gets a load of her presents ....wha-ha-ha! 

I'm about to burst at the seams just thinking about their excitement. I can already feel the LOVE. This is going to be an AWESOME Christmas. 

Oh Christmas tree...

Our Christmas tree

 thus far..

 

..we still haven't dug the ornaments out the garage.

 

We kinda like it like this this year.

 

If we fish them out, I'll repost.

 

I'm planning some Christmas Eve crafts and shenanigans...so we may make some ornaments then.

 

I found a bunch of super cute crafts on Pinterest---> follow me.

 

If you read my winter ramblings post you know I also put a small tree upstairs this year.

 

 

It was in the hall but BabyGirl lost her night lights...

 

and it turns out, Christmas trees make great night lights.

 

Now all the kids want a tree in their room.

 

SMH.

 

I'm going to hunt for some small ones during after Christmas clearance sales.

There's that Marshmellow Mom behavior again, lol.

 

Well, Happy Saturday everyone. Please feel free to comment or subscribe to our blog.

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Momme's Favorite Christmas Things

My favorite Christmas movie:
A Christmas Story

My favorite modern Christmas song:
Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You"

My favorite classic Christmas song:
Silent Night

Favorite Christmas Carol:
12 Days of Christmas

Favorite Christmas Dessert:
German Chocolate Cake

Favorite Christmas Pastime:
Falling asleep under the tree on Christmas morning

Favorite Christmas tradition:
Choosing & Decorating the tree

Momme's other
Favorite Things for Winter:

• eos lip balm
• laura mercier tinted moisturizer
• a good humidifier
• Lands End outerwear for the family
• Duraflame Safe Touch electric fireplace

 

Märshmellow Mom

It's official. I am that mom.

The mom whose kids (the two youngest) run all over her. 

I'm the marshmellow mom. 

I didn't realize it until today.

Today, when I found my twin, my twin marshmellow mom.

I pointed her out right away. Smiling hello,

trying to not to laugh out loud

and then I felt like a mime looking in a mirror.

My kids got started.

I couldn't speak, our every action was identical.

The need to establish structure, the soft and sweet reminders to behave

followed by the frazzled laugh and the nervous empty threat.

All classic marshmellow mom behavior. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

I try to be stern and structured and they rebel.

What happened to me?

Or have I always been this way?

The three oldest don't give me this trouble.

Or did they?

The gruesome twosome.

Our two I mean our one year and 347 days old son

and our four year old daughter.

Their behavior is a bit notorious in our family.

They laugh in the face of time outs and quiet corners.

They have ART ANYWHERE ANYTIME! Grrrrr.

Snack time brings out their inner Viking.

What's a mom to do?...they're so darn cute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a question

I was asked this question:
Am I worried about their future because of the uniqueness of their names?
My answer:
Absolutely not!

When we were deciding on what to name our children I dug deep into the depths of my heart, mind and bible. Choosing a name, in my opinion, was one of the most important parts of becoming a mother. I am a believer. I know the power of the tounge and the power behind a name. My husband helped; but he knows and trusts me completely and always honors my thoughts. So, I researched names, name origins and the Hebrew language. So that our children were named for the most important prophets, familial names, names with meaning...like our Angel of God.

So again, am I worried about their future because of the uniqueness of their names?
Absolutely not!
Ignorant judgemental people don't hold those kinds of keys.
    

 

winter ramblings

I'm think I'm running out of topics to blog about. Nothing too exciting going on. If you read our last post you may have picked up on it. It's gotten cold outside.

DivaDaughter and I were able to put a few Christmas decorations up outside before the temperature dropped. We also pulled the little pink tree out of storage and strung a string of blue lights around it for the upstairs. I picked up the Sunday paper(on a weekday, for a dollar) and it looks like Menard's has their live ones on sale for 15$. We got a White Pine, it's green needles were softer than the others. I'll post a picture this weekend once we get it together.

Hopefully 'the little kids' let the tree be. My roses are doing well this week. I simply gave in and let BabyGirl have ONE. I explained that the others are for Momme and she is not to bother them. We've got a few Poinsettia plants, one from my beautiful friend K. She's such a doll, with a husband five kids of her own and still time and energy to think of me. My loving hubby also brought me a beautiful Amaryllis. Thank you honey, I love my hubby. If you couldn't tell, I love plants and flowers too! I wish I would have started a picture diary because the Amaryllis is about to bloom.
A picture journal...that would be a great start to a science project. Hmmm? My wheels are already turning for the school science fair this Spring. We'll see what the kids think. Knowing them, it'll most likely be something on animals and/or some type of chemistry. Anyhow, enough mind wandering and rambling...I've got laundry to fold.

Please feel free comment and subscribe.

Our Thanksgiving: a couple of snapshots

 

Our Turkey.

Hubby had the real turkey smoked to a juicy perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

Our table. 

Our table.

Set by our 8 & 9 year old daughters.



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our menu: Thanksgiving 2013

Some randomness since I haven't had time to write this week.

• Smoked turkey
• Baked ham
• Roast & Potatoes
• Dressing
• Lasagna
• Mac & cheese
• Collard greens
• String bean casserole
• Candy Yams
• Hawaiian salad
• Cream cheese pound cake
• Sweet potato pie
• Dutch apple pie
• Gravies
• Homemade cranberry sauce
• Various beverages

whew, ....I'm beat.

 

Thankful

Today I began to think about all the beautiful people who have impacted my life. My parents,
grandparents, brothers, aunts, husband and children who have helped to mold and shape me and given me so much love and life through the years. My uncles, cousins, teachers and friends who all make me incredibly glad to have them, to know or have known them because they've all touched my spirit in ways they'll never know. I'm thankful for you all.

this week at our house

Thank GOD it's Friday.😇
This week we had two parent teacher conferences,
Kinder and fourth grade. They went alright.
Watching my son gush and blush about his work was, interesting.👅
And then there was AC, nonchalant, somewhat shy...
puh-leaze! Neither me nor her teacher were buying it.
We both know the talkative know it all who is the real AC.👏
I'm proud of her, brain farts and all.
I had an 'ah-ha' moment about the standards
grading and my expectations.
It was a challenge to get the years of numbers and
percentage based A-F, Ace to Flunking grade system off my brain. 😌
Somehow having a Kindergartner
again helped it all make sense.
New school system, new rules, 'right'?
Or should I say 'ready'...to progress?
Ok, I'll admit it, that was lame. 😖
Of course not an uneventful week goes by in a family of 7.
It took some time to process to the point I felt like sharing
but my husband was the victim of an ignorant racial slur outside of
Tar-ge' the other night. 😠
He was so angry! So was I! Most of all I felt so bad.
It's hard to believe that people can be so stupid.
And just days apart our son tells us how he sometimes feels alone
and excluded at recess and...😪
I can't even talk or type about it now.
Our decision to move here has been both a blessing and a curse.
I remember how each of them struggled
their first years...
I wonder. I worry.
But why worry, when I can pray.🙏
On another note,
We're almost ready for Thanksgiving.
I've started grocery shopping.
Chopping veggies and making cornbread to freeze...
My Dad is coming out. 😊
Then we get a call.  My baby is sick...AGAIN. Fourth time this school year.
Uggh. The nurse said he spiked a fever and had chills.
SMH. Its been a rough start to school for him. 😓
Diva Daughter turns 8 Friday, or today depending on when I click the
publish link. She wants doughnuts at school, a tablet, a new doll, 80 "bucks",
dinner at Chili's and a cake at home. Ummmm, not happening! At least not this year.
We got a little more rest this week after Baby Girl let me put her to sleep
with her "magic carpet" and a book. Now, if we could just keep this up. 😫

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Thoughtful Thursday

 

perspective

over

perception

 

 

geek gear arrives 2014

 

Marvel & DC Comics on sale at zulily

It's okay...

I've joined a blog link up.

The topic this week...

 

 

..."it's okay". *GULP*

 

Here I go...

 

It's okay...

...That this post scares the piss outta me.

It's okay...

....that I just said typed the word piss

and 'outta'...and in one line at that.

It's okay...

...that I'm not exactly organic Annie;

we really are trying to change but the

bad stuff tastes so good.

Remember, "progress is a process".

Its okay...

...to take time out for Me.

It's okay...

...for hubby to have weekend diaper duty.

It's okay...

....that I 'm out of things I care to share, today.

 

 

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something new in the kitchen

I love to cook....and bake.
I made my first pound cake at 9 years young.
My hubby loves to grill and smoke
and eat.
Our kids love to eat.
SMH. Seems like they rarely stop eating.
So, I try to introduce a healthy variety of food.
Eating veggies is rarely an issue at our table.
Now meat? Thats another post.
I guess we have a budding vegetarian in the family.
We like to try new things...
PacMan learned to use chopsticks at 4.
We are kinda becoming a family of foodies.
We love trying new dishes and gadgets
With all this being said...
why am I just now getting a griddle.
I love this thing.
I feel like, I have found the kitchen tool that will
forever change the way I cook.
Our next stove has to have a built in griddle.
I grill chicken breasts,
cheeseburgers (hubbys favorite lunch/late night snack)....
that I 'sometimes' enjoy making for him.
This one item has made my life so much easier.
Pancakes, pssst. No problem, eight at a time.
Sausage, sure honey...coming right up.
I mean have you ever tried to make grilled cheese
sandwiches for seven people in a round skillet?
Talk about a short order circus.
Anyhow, I'm thankful :)
for the latest addition
to our kitchen gadget collection.
So...readers, talk to me...
what kitchen tool or gadget are you
reaching for most often?

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Spring Fashion Forecast

I love fashion.
As a beginning blogger I was uber excited to learn about the 1015 Spring Fashion forecast contest.
The first Spring 2014 trend I’d like to explore is COLOR.
I think the IT colors for spring 2014 will be bold and bright fuchsias,
pungent yellow, royal blues and all kinds of oranges.
Along with eye catching colors I think fierce prints will be ever popular.
Prints like the Aztec inspired designs as well as some fresh patterns featuring
geometric shapes and playful color blocking....


To read the rest of my fashion forecast visit...
http://1015store.com/showroom/index/overview/id/1043

Mommes Pot Pie

Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie 

 

Fresh, frozen or canned veggies (I use a combination)

 

     I put in 2 bowls of fresh diced potatoes

 

 

1 bag of frozen peas, a can of corn, can of chicken broth

getting started

 

combine all those and cook on low

 

 

 

grill desired number of chicken breast (2-4) until done and cube

(I seasoned with salt, pepper & garlic powder)

add cubed chicken, can of cream of chicken and 1/2 can of milk

should look something like this...
 

 

 line 2 baking dishes (one for top and 1 for bottom) with your favorite biscuits

  and bake accordingly 

 

( I only had one can so I made the top biscuits myself)

Fill one baker with fully cooked and seasoned (to taste)

chicken pot pie filling

and top the baker with the second biscuit batch

 

bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes

 

and serve.

 

The recipe above is my own that I developed through trial and error, if you'd like to learn more or get other recipes sign up to follow our blog or check out cooking courses at Craftsy...

 

 

 

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A busy, busy time

So...in addition to our regular scheduled busy-ness we've also had a fourth grade concert, a dental emergency, four a.m. nosebleeds from you know where (hint: it rhymes with bell) and a very cranky Kindergartner (see next post). Regardless, I thought it was about time I did this post...

 

Things We Do in OT (part 1)

   

If you know me then you know my motto:

"Progress is a Process".
 

It has been over a year now since our journey

to wellness began.

Its been about 8 weeks since our occupational therapy began.

I say "our" because I feel like "we" meaning my husband and I

are learning just as much as our daughter about how to best help

her and accommodate her so that she has less stress, anxiety and can

focus her attention on being the happiest, healthiest child she can be.

 

Anyhow, the first thing we learned in OT, is how much weight and

deep pressure can relax her.

Swinging, deep pressure activities and weighted blankets and toys are

our friends. Weighted stuffed animals are our favorites.

Having one on her lap during table time allows her to calm and sit a

few minutes so we can work on pre-school things.

 I'm adamant about trying every avenue other than medicating our child.
I just cannot drug my child in order to conform to the mainstream.
And I'm not judging! I can only speak for me and mine.

I've had many moms ask how OT has helped versus medicating.
 Many moms assume its all finger paints and finger plays but its not.
 In just a few short weeks we began to really see a difference and
we've picked up some ideas for at home along the way. So here it is...

 

 

•         core exercises such as yoga
•         hand eye coordination exercises
•         body sox (increase body awareness, balance, coordination and its quite therapeutic)

 

 

 

                                      

 

 

•  there are finger painting, finger play days (this helps with fine motor and handwriting)    

 

• our favorite sensory integration that we do at home (other than painting and water play) is foam

 

 

 

• another favorite are the awesome swings that provide deep pressure and relax

 

• the ball pit

 

• round scooter to strengthen her arms

(it took a few visits but I was so proud when she finally tried)

 

 

Here she is on it with Wontee.

 

 

•  deep pressure roller this is good for body awareness, her joints  and she's building strength

as she crawls out to me

 

 

 

 

Not every visit has been easy but I'm grateful to God, my hubby and to be there with her learning, grateful she has a therapist who can take a lick and not give up or loose her cool. We've got LOTS more to do...(just watch who she becomes). I'll be back with part two after the holidays. Much love!

Momme's Whole Cranberry Sauce

1 12ounce package of cranberries
1 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup of water
1 tablespoon of grape seed oil
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. of ground cloves

coat sauce pot with oil and warm
add cranberries, juice & water
cook on low until tender


...........here mine are before they soften.


add sugar & seasonings and simmer
until desired consistency
remove from heat and
let sauce stand.

I pack mine in a container
and refrigerate, until I'm ready to serve them...no more than seven days
unless you freeze them or pressure can them.


 

Thank you.

I would like to take this moment and this day to thank our men and women of service. Personally, professionally these individuals and their families make tremendous sacrifices on our behalf and for that I salute you all. Happy Veterans Day.

K5 Update

We are a couple weeks into our review of K5 Learning and my second and fourth graders really love it.

The first week we took our time exploring what was on the site and they took assessments.
After their assessments were scored I was able to log in and view their score reports. I was happy to see that their scores were on par with their abilities with them scoring well above grade level in their favorite subjects and on level in those that they usually need more practice in. 

The second week they worked on  a number of exercises choosing from Reading, Math and Spelling.

During the second week my Kindergartener and I began exploring the site but he shows little interest at this point. He still prefers more animated programs like abcmouse and starfall.

Our thoughts so far: The kids love that they have their own log in names and passwords. I love that I can log in anytime to view assessment results, program progress and even choose assignments and grade levels for each student.

I'm excited to see what the upcoming week will have in store as well as see if the K5 has any impact on their first trimester grades.

Craftsy

Craftsy has a ton of exciting cake design courses.

 

 I'm currently taking the Modern Cake design but plan on

 taking the Designer Handbag cake course next. 

Who's with me? Anybody?

These type of things just happen to be better with a friend

 to motivate and inspire.

 Leave a comment below if you're interested.

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Confessions from a fourth grade party crasher:

I did it.

I crashed my fourth graders Halloween party.

Why?

I'm that kind of mom;

plus this year she went from cutesy cute costume to...
tween girly costume and I felt some type of way.

Well...

What did I find? Sugar, sugar and more sugar?
What did I expect? It's Halloween.

I guess I didn't expect our little lady to be
spinning in a huge ice cream Sundae
topped with every candy on the bar;
gum balls, gummy worms...
you name it, it was on her Sundae .

As I stood there listening to her and her friend
go on and on about how cool the party was
and how there were games and some sort of eating contest
I looked around and PANIC (in my head)
all of a sudden my mother of a mind went
from a sugared up fourth grade class party
to a liquored up frat party

and I did not like that.


It was all too much.

What next?
(fifth grade that's what)


So, I reminded her to use her napkin
 and told her I'd be waiting in the parent pick up lane
(and don't forget your jacket)

As I sat seriously contemplating a return to private school
I wondered.


When did I become this mom?
This, buttoned up?
This...strict,stick in the *** mom?

Are you laughing?
Because I'm serious.

No really.
It took me all of thirty minutes to cool my head.

I'm kidding,(I think). 
I'm not so bad(outside my mind).


Just cautious, ever careful...
a little overprotective but that's okay.
Later we talked about the party, in pieces.


I realized I was overreacting (in my mind) :) Hi Wendy)
and that it REALLY was...just a fourth grade party


and then I prayed...that with HIS guidance, she turns out better than alright because this Mom thing,...is so serious.


 

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