A little humor

Since I've been feeling so poorly lately, I thought I'd post some funny Maxine cartoons for you to enjoy....it always helps me feel better to laugh ;)

   

    

   

      

Dinner Creations

So Jake and I were having fun last night using left overs to make dinner.  Our creations turned out pretty well!

Jake made honey mustard chicken salad:
Lettuce, grilled chicken (using George Foreman grill) and homemade dressing.
Dressing consisted of: honey, mustard, Italian dressing mixed together.
Yum! Yum!

I made a casserole that is a variation of spagetti and rice.
Sauce consisted of Italian sausage, canned diced tomatoes (with sweet onion), and spices (I used italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic salt, and pepper....basically whatever I could find that sounded good.)
I then layered a greased baking dish with cooked rice, sauce, cheese, then rice, sauce, cheese again.  Baked at 350 for about 15 mins.
Mine was good, but I have to admit- Jake's was better.  I'll have to practice more.....


Since being on a tighter budget, it's fun seeing what we can make with what we have, rather than going out and buying more groceries for specific recipes.  We're dipping into our creative cooking side- and it's fun!

Dance Class

Madelynn had her first dance class this morning.  It's at the community center, so it's more for the socialization and fun than expert dance lessons.  This really cute college girl taught the class: Miss Sarah.  She was really nice and sweet and a great instructor!  I think she might have come from some theatre production though, because she wore this really dark black eyeliner and mascara with bright green eye shadow.....very scary to a 2 year old named Madelynn.  Maddie would just start to get comfortable (and by comfortable I mean out from behind my leg, but always with one hand attached to my leg) then Miss Sarah would try to get down on her level and talk to her, and Madelynn would quickly slide on all fours under the nearest chair.  All she needed was a tail tucked between her legs and it would have been exactly like a cowering puppy.  Annie on the other hand LOVED the music and kids dancing, she jumped and screamed excitedly along the whole time.  The last ten minutes of the class, Miss Sarah had the children roll a ball back and forth to her.  When the kids had the ball, she would ask them a question "What animal is this?" (holding up a picture.) "What sound does it make?" "What color is this feather?"  Madelynn perked up and quietly joined in.....answering not only when she had the ball, but for every other child when they had the ball as well.  Then Miss Sarah passed out stickers and spent a couple minutes with each child individually (there were only 4 kids total.)  Madelynn was suddenly in sticker heaven.  She even told Miss Sarah thank you and gave her a big hug.  She then proceeded to tell all the kids goodbye with a big smile and talked the whole way home about what she learned and how much fun she had.  What a goober! Hopefully next weeks class Madelynn won't take so long getting warmed up.

Look how smart I am!

I'm so excited!!! I tried on my pre-Madelynn jeans (yes, pre-MADELYNN jeans) and they fit!!!! Granted, I remember them being alittle loose, and now I can barely breathe in them- but nontheless, they FIT!!!! And oh, my feet sure look nice and blue right now...... 
I quickly jumped on the scale after putting on the jeans fully expecting to have lost about 10lbs (since I did walk around the block that one time.) And wha?!?!?!?  I was still the EXACT SAME WEIGHT!!!!  How did that happen? My fat just somehow got re-distributed.....??? That must have been some massage Jake gave me last night.....
I just read this email a friend sent me, and it suddenly all makes sense.

With time, we gain weight

because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads

that when there is no more room,

it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.
So we aren't heavy,

we are enormously cultured,

educated and happy.
Beginning today,

when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think,

¨Good grief, look how smart I am!¨

Have a fantastic day, all you other wonderfully smart women (and men) out there!

Prince Ali!

We went to see Aladdin at Aunt Judith's school last night. It was a great performance made especially for children. Aunt Judith had the lead as Jasmine, so everyone got hear Maddie yell "Aunt Judith, Aunt Judith!" every 4 minutes when she came on stage. And of course "monkey! monkey! ooo! ooo! aaah! aaah!" when Abu got on stage.  Madelynn loved the music and large parade scenes, then during the non-musical scenes we had to sneak out and get cookies from Grandma (who was volunteering at the concession stand.) She is starting to learn to whisper.....well, in that loud half whisper voice toddlers use..... So sorry to the cast and crew of the performance and all the audience who heard her 'whisper' loudly "mommy! Where are you going mommy!" when I tried to sneak fussy Annie out to Grandma (don't worry, I wasn't abandoning my child- Grandpa was with her.) Overall, very fun time- North Garland always does a good job with their plays......and are very forgiving of young children attendees.... ;)
I have to add: it was so funny (I know, I'm so mean to laugh at my child), at the end of the play all the performers come out for everyone to meet them.  The blue genie came up to talk to Madelynn and the sheer look of terror that crossed her face was absolutely priceless.  I'm sure all her conversations to her therapist later in life will center around some large blue being, and how her mean old Mother encouraged her to meet him- bwahaha! 

Favorite Children's Books

Maddie, Annie, and I went to the library for storytime today.  Madelynn had so much fun singing and dancing with the other kids! I know, I know- "but you said storytime?!?"  They read the story about the itsy, bitsy spider; then sang the song with the movements. Same with I'm a little teapot, etc.....you get the idea.  Annie had alot of fun too- she jumped and jumped on my lap while everyone was singing and dancing. I'm so glad Madelynn loves to read! I think that is so very important!  Here are some of my favorite books:

This one is quite the tear-jerker. Especially if you have a little girl.
Someday
By: Alison McGhee

This is a Dad talking to his Daughter about how he and God will always be there and love her.

PS, I'm a huge Max Lucado fan and love that he has wonderful adult and children books and movies and even CDs!

Just In Case You Ever Wonder

By: Max Lucado

 Madelynn loves this book (both before Annie was born, and even more now.) It's a really large board book, so the pictures are large and she can turn the pages easily.  It's really good about helping explain how things will be different with a new baby.

I'm a Big Sister

By: Joanna Cole

Of course the 4 board books she always goes for at bedtime (and I like because they are short) are:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?

Time for Bed

Moo, Baa, La La La!

Goodnight Moon

And these touchable counting books
By: Piggy Toes Press

I can't wait to share more books with her as she gets older (and can read larger books.) There are so many good ones out there.....don't get me started on how much I love Anne of Green Gables, Louisa May Alcott, and Janette Oke books!
And of course I can't forget the adventures of Amelia Bedelia and Pippi Longstocking!

What are you favorite books/authors?

What is that!?!?

I just looked down at my shirt and found a really weird spot of something on it.

"what could THAT be?"

"is it food?"

"let me smell it......"

"i don't think it's poop"

"let me taste it..........no, better not just in case....."

"should I change my shirt?"

"the new one will just get something on it too......"

"but what if someone comes over?"

"who would come over?"

"i'll change right before Jake gets home.........if I remember......"

*sigh* such intellectual conversations I have these days......

The Sandwich

They say if you sandwich something bad in between 2 good things it won't be as bad....

Madelynn is riding her tricycle very well, and is even steering!
Annabelle is very constipated and impacted.
Jake brought me home some sushi, and is now baking me cookies!

Nope, my heart still breaks for poor Annie.  She just cries and grunts, and cries some more.
I wish I could give her some of my cookie.....

PS.  I found my dream life: www.thepioneerwoman.com 
Think I'll go there now, just close my eyes and presto- Jake, Maddie, Annie, and I are on a ranch riding horses and all that other fun farmey stuff......

Congratulations to all my preggo mommies!

Here is a list of books I always try to recommend to all my pregnant mommies.  I have read and re-read them with each kid. 

1.  If you're trying to conceive, or trying NOT to conceive (especially in that funny in-between time right after delivery); this book is wonderful in teaching how to effectively do so without using any medical contraceptives.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility
By Toni Weschler

2. This book is great in answering all your questions about being pregnant, what to expect at each doctors visit, what new baby developments are happening, etc....
What to expect when you're expecting
By Heidi Murkoff

3. This next one is great in teaching how to teach your baby to fall asleep, and stay asleep through the night.  Now, I just followed the general ideas this book presented rather than following it exactly.  It was really good in teaching about setting schedules so I could get out of the house some. Also about why there is a 45 minute intruder with naps....
Babywise
By Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam

4. The BEST baby name book I've ever been able to find.  It shows the trend of each name through the years. Any possible nickname the name could develop, also a 'if you like this name, then you might like these names as well....' section. Wonderful.
The Baby Name Wizard
By Laura Wattenberg

5. My husband and brother in law  agree that this is a good book for Dads.
The Expectant Father 
By Armin Brott and Jennifer Ash

6. This gets you started on the basics and is good for reading before you deliver.The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
By La Leche League

7. This book is great for problem solving after you deliver and have started breastfeeding. 
The Nursing Mother's companion
By Kathleen Huggins

8. An excellent Christian book on helping Fathers raise a confident daughter:
She Calls Me Daddy
By Robert Wolgemuth

9.  There are actually many good books on baby signing- I have 3 and highly recommend any of them. Perhaps the most extensive one, if I had to choose is:
Baby Signing 123
By Nancy Cadjan

I hope these books will be able to help you as much as they have helped me.
Any more books anyone would like to add?

Toddler Lessons

My goal was to come up with 5 things I've learned while parenting a toddler.  While I walked around getting the girls ready this morning I just kept adding to my list more and more things I've learned.  Some may be able to commiserate with me......

Lessons Learned while Parenting a Todder

1. There is a button on your butt, that when you sit down it alerts your child that they need something.
2. We spend the first part of our child's life getting them to walk and talk, then the 2nd part of life telling them to sit down and shut up. (I actually heard this one somewhere....)
3. On picture day they will inevitably get their face marred in some way.
4. If you have a busy day planned, your toddler will refuse to take a nap and cry the whole day.
5. If you ever decide to have more kids, then your toddler will suddenly decide to start waking up in the middle of the night.....and sleep in your bed.....
6. Just when your child falls asleep for naptime, the garbage man will come.
7. Why can't toddlers learn to put their clothes ON, before they learn to take them OFF?
8. Why do kids hate greenbeans, but will eat dirt in an instant?
9. Kids never pat their heads unless eating spagetti.
10. Forget toys, electrical outlets are much more fun.
11. Children will play happily by themselves unless you have to use the restroom.
12. Your childs favorite stuffed animal will soon become the dogs favorite as well.
13. No matter how hard you try to hide, if you sneak a piece of candy they will find you and demand a piece as well.
14. Jetta is never in the right, and Emily Elizabeth is not 30 (despite the way she talks.)
15. Whoever did the research on breastfeeding and not drinking coffee is in the insane asylum somewhere.
16. Elmo......what can I say.....God bless Elmo.  If only I could have thought of it first.
17. 2 year olds never tire of peanut butter sandwiches, though mommy doesn't care if she never saw it again.
18. Mommy-ism is a second language: potty, boo-boo, tee-tee, etc....
19. You always run out of diapers on the coldest, rainiest day of the year.
20. All you have to do is stock up on bannanas for your child to decide she doesn't like them anymore.
21. The higher you place things, the more dangerous the antics become to reach them.
22. If you see your child running around naked, look first for the dog.  He will always find the diaper before you do.
23. I am the human hanky. Maddie even wipes her dolls nose on my shirt.
24. Bragging about your child will only force them to forget how to do whatever said accomplishment.
25. As soon as you get them dressed in 50 layers to go outside, the sun will suddenly come out and the weather will warm to 80 degrees. (This may only apply to crazy Texas weather.)
26. No matter how often you change the diaper pail, spray it with flower scented, anti-bacterial, anti-odorous, spice and fruit infused air freshener.......it will still stink.
27. The dog will always be faster at picking up after your toddler than you are......especially if it's her toothbrush.

Anyone have any more lessons to add?

Wha...? More snow?

Texas got MORE snow??? Might as well enjoy all the snow we're getting while we can, we might not see any next year..... This cold weather thing is so weird in Texas!

New Years

For New Years Eve (NYE), we had Jake's brothers over for dinner and games. Haha- that statement is just alittle misleading. It was more like THEY cooked US dinner and played A game. We got a great dinner of steak and potatoes with wonderful homemade poppers and then the boys played Axis and Allies into the night; while Kathryn (Scott's girlfriend) and I got to catch up. Dinner and Entertainment for free- my kind of night! I think we have a new NYE tradition. *wink wink*

Luke and Leo taught Madelynn how to play Halo 3 on the Xbox. She had alot of fun with her cousins! ;)

On New Years Day, we had a relaxing day at home as a family- watching movies and loading up on black eyed peas and ham. Wonderful! A great way to start 2010!