PLEASE don't make me Say it AGAIN!

 

We are struggling in our home to organize chaos! We call it herding cats. Are there systems in place in our home, yes, but we are finding that the struggle is to get our children to follow these. For example EVERYDAY since the beginning of school days the after school routine is: Hang Up Coats & Backpacks, Put Lunch Bag On Counter, Wash Hands. SIMPLE!  The older my family gets the more complex these three instructions become.  They morph into some twisted altered state and things like throw coat on couch, or toss backpack onto floor, seem to stick into my children's brains!!

The final straw for us, one word,  mornings.  There isn't anything I detest more than chaotic, unprepared, stress filled mornings!  I don't believe that is the way to begin a day, and more importantly no way to begin a child's day before sending them off for school.  We were having a particularly chaotic Monday morning which began with no one setting their alarm, the children waking a half hour after their necessary wake up time, and snowballed from there. Tears, shouting, forgotten school clothes, it was UGLY!!

I  made up my mind even with all of our wonderful intentions and our "systems" they just simply were not working.  The children KNOW they are supposed to set alarm clocks before bed, but it was not happening.  They KNOW they need to lay out clothes before bed, but only some were following this fully. We needed to find something to help us to more clearly define our systems already in place.

I decided to make a run to staples for laminating ($1.99 per page).  I filled out some organizational charts and felt it was worth the shot!  I had three for each of my school age children. Morning, After School, Night.  They were each filled with what I felt were the essentials.

Morning Routine looks like this:

Put on school/PE clothes, Brush teeth, Brush Hair
Quietly make my bed
Come downstairs and eat breakfast
Clean up my spot and any mess I made
Get my hair done
Put my lunch bag on my backpack
Make sure I have everything I need for the day
Read quietly and wait until it is time to leave

Seems simple enough, but for some reason we have struggled with this EVERY morning! Until now.  I am no longer the constant nagging and reminding mother.  I no longer stress myself out trying to get my children to get ready in the morning.  All I say now is did you get your list.  SIMPLE!  Outlined, written, no reason to say "oh I forgot"

Thus far the blessed lists have been absolutely fantastic!  They have helped the ones that need further help and they have re-enforced our routine for the ones that are already organized.

After my children have completed their set of lists for the morning they bring it to me all filled out, I go through it and make sure they did indeed accomplish these things and they will earn a star.  We have decided to keep things simple and give them money for the stars I had been thinking that a trip to the library, or they could earn special outings, but I wanted something more tangible where those that were following and earning the stars could feel justly compensated.

Here is the wonderful Link from SuttonGrace Blogspot  Charts

Take a look and see if this may be something you could implement into your family to help keep everyone on task and organized while fostering independence and a sense of accomplishment, AND keeping your sanity!!!

I am going to include our set of reminders for After School and for Evening to help get you thinking what your list may be.

After School:

Come in quietly
Put hat, gloves, scarf inside sleeve of coat
Hang coat/backpack, put lunch bag on counter, wash hands
Give mom or dad take home folder
Eat my snack quietly at table
Finish homework and ask for help if needed
Have mom or dad check my homework
Put my homework in my folder and in my backpack

Evening Routine:

Eat Dinner, clean up after myself
Make sure my backpack is packed with everything I may need for tomorrow
Have school/PE/dance/sports clothes, library books, ready for tomorrow
Set my alarm clock to wake up tomorrow
Put on my pajamas, brush, floss, rinse my teeth
Make sure my room is clean and I put back everything in it's place
Say my prayers before bed
Turn off lights and go to sleep

We have had a few stragglers here and there, but I kept it simple for them. They did not earn their star for that day and I encouraged them to try again for next time.  I will keep you posted on how we continue with this.  I am greatly encouraged by our initial success and I plan on continuing to emphasize the importance and use of our lists.

Awww Despicable Me!

I have no idea how this came to be, I believe it was a family fun night gone wild! Long story shorter my children decided that this year our family HAD to be the cast from Despicable me. The children all REALLY got into this idea and started handing out roles for each person in our family. (if you haven't seen this movie, DO!)

At first I just smiled thinking that it would pass over like most things do in our family, but as October 31st crept closer the children were still VERY insistent on BEING Despicable Me!

So reluctantly Mom and Dad jumped on the Despicable Me bandwagon and we have been having a BLAST!!  I am so thankful that I really listened to my children and that we have been able to do this together.  It has taken some creativity and some thought and time, but our family has had so much fun with it this year! 


Unlike the other years this years "themed" Halloween has brought all of us together in a really wonderful way! We are working together, admiring everyone's costumes as they come together, encouraging, cheering, talking, interacting, all around enjoying this entire process!


We have found pieces to our costumes all over! Goodwill, Ebay, Walmart, Amazon, right in our own house, Etsy, garage sales, and friends!  My favorite ABSOLUTELY has to be Alex's find!!  He came running up to me and shouts "SQUID LAUNCHER.....OH YEAH!!" and I looked and he was holding (I would just like to insert this here and say it was brand new, unused, clean) the holder for the scrubbing bubbles toilet wand.  It didn't hit me right away, it was more like a joke grenade (as my husband so affectionately calls them) but after ten seconds or so you could see dawning realization creep across my face and then.........it happened........"OH WOW!! YES!!! IT .......IS.....a squid launcher.......OH YEAH!!!! GREAT job Alex!!"  We ALL break into FITS of laughter! And now this morning I am ordering a plush squid from Amazon, bald caps, and giant ears??  I know right, and I am laughing thinking about how much we will all giggle when they arrive, and how much we will giggle when we all actually put on these costumes!!

We still have some work to do on them to get it all pulled together and ready, but the key here is that we will all do it together and have fun!

So there is still time! Grab the family and see if you all can't come together and think up a Family Fun Halloween Night Costume for your family :oD  Who knows what fun you may have, or what you may find at YOUR local Goodwill.  The key here is to have fun with it and do something special as a family that you will all laugh about for years to come!

DVD MAGIC!!!

Okay so I probably just got absolutely sick and tired of having a box FULL of DVDs that we couldn't watch.  With six little people over the last eight years we have gone through our fair share of DVDs.  Some of which we have had to repurchase due to lots of little hands and LOTS of scratches!!  Earlier today I said to my husband we need to spend a day going through all of these DVDs and figure out which ones we can still use.  We can get a skip dr. and try to fix them and see how many we can save.  (oh yeah like let's just add that to our great idea but never gonna happen list let's get real you have six small children)

I was trolling the web for some ideas to see what may save my sanity as well as the DVDs!  Well I have gotta say I have found a MIRACLE for DVD revivals!!

So how many of you like me have a box or case FULL of scratched DVDs??  Nothing is worse than having your kiddos favorite movie skip and trying to explain why it isn't working and WHY you CAN'T make it work.  Once all of the tears and crying settle have you ever went out and bought another one???

I PROMISE you won't be sorry to try this!!  I have saved 10 DVDs so far that we haven't watched in years.  So many years in fact some of the very small children have never watched them!!!  I am honestly amazed at how simple and amazing this is!!

Yeah I know I sound like an infomercial and like I am about to try to sell you some oxiclean or ginsu knives!  SHAMWOW!!!

You can actually find the solution possibly right in your own bathroom!!

TOOTHPASTE!!!  YES!!  Well not just any toothpaste, Children's toothpaste.  I read that Crest works very well, but I used Children's Colgate, because we had a tiny tube of it from the dentists office.

Take a few small dabs of it and use your fingers to smear the entire shiny side of the DVD.  Smear it around for a bit rubbing in circles around the entire DVD.  Rub until the paste starts to dry.  Rinse thoroughly under water and repeat a second time.  I do this just to be sure!  For really badly scratched DVDs I repeated a third time.  Dry with a soft towel, I used Viva paper towels, and give it a try.

Tip- you can always watch it first to see where the scratch is and after you follow the above directions put it back in and go right to where the skip was.

I hope this works as well for you as it did for me!!! HOORAY!!!

Pass The POPCORN Please!!

Who doesn't LOVE popcorn!  It has been brought to my recent attention the dangers and harmful chemicals contained in microwave popcorn. 

Information and Sources:
  Researchers at the University of Toronto reported that the chemicals lining junk food/fast food wrappers and microwaveable popcorn bags are leaking into your food (source). Dangerous chemicals such as perfluorinated carbocylic acids (PFCAs) or more specifically,  Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as C8 (a Teflon Chemical), line microwave popcorn bags and get in to your bloodstream from consuming the food inside the bag. PFCAs have been linked to cancer and other development problems in animals.
“According to Daily News Central “In a study published last month, Food and Drug Administration researchers said microwave popcorn bags alone could expose the public to ‘hundreds of times’ more C8 than normal use of nonstick cookware.” The C8 is then ingested by the people eating the popcorn.” (source)
“Maureen McFadden of WDNU reported on 5/3/06: “Recent tests found PFOA, which can be extracted from Fluorotelomer, does cause cancer in animals.” Scientist Glen Evers explains, “Even before we cook the popcorn, the butter is already contaminated with a paper flurochemical that will be absorbed into your blood and stay in your blood for a long, long time.” (source)  info from thehealthyapron.com

I always believed that the FDA would keep things like this off of the shelves and who would ever put something harmful on consumer shelves to be eaten and harm people.  The more information that is out there the more I am realizing how proactive parents and individuals MUST be!!

So why would this post be titled PASS THE POPCORN PLEASE??   Well I guess I thought I was being clever here.  It actually has a double meaning because you CERTAINLY want to pass on microwave popcorn!! Anything that is putting chemicals like THAT into your diet is NOT welcome in my home!!

So does that mean we should pass on popcorn entirely.  NO!!!  Recent studies have come out sharing the AWESOMENESS of popcorn!!  Claiming that those wonderful little kernels may even contain more antioxidants than fruit!!! WOAH  Long study short the hulls of the popcorn (not the white fluffy stuff) contain between 242-363 milligrams per one-ounce serving. (By comparison, fruits like apples and pears often have about 160 milligrams of the antioxidants per ounce.) Overall, about 1.5 percent of popped corn is comprised of polyphenols, according to TIME Healthland Read more on this at Popcorn Facts

So is it back to the ole air poppers?  Too many appliances, not enough room in my kitchen!

REMEMBER I try to keep things super simple, quick, and healthful for my growing family!  So if you have an air popper go for it, but this is what my family reaches for!!

Grab a lunch bag, put in a scoop of popcorn kernels, fold top flap down and seal with a piece of tape, place in the microwave and microwave until you only hear a few pops per second, (our microwave has a popcorn setting we use)  pull it out and take a sniff no need to worry about chemicals!  SERVE IT UP to your family and PASS THE POPCORN PLEASE!!  

This is an AWESOME snack for the kiddos after school, while watching a movie, or whenever!! LOVE IT!!

***UPDATE**  Another option is your stove top!!  Heat some oil in a pot (works best if there is a handle don't use a teflon pan, sorta defeats the purpose :oD) and pop in some of your kernels, place the lid on (clear lids are the most fun!).  Once they start popping shake the pan back and forth to prevent burning and watch your popcorn pop!  

Veggie Salad

 

I tried this for the first time at a local restaurant and loved it!  Not really something I would have thought to put together myself, but it works and really tastes delicious.  I love that I can make it and keep it in the fridge to snack on all week and feel good about it!

Green Pepper
Tomato
Onion
Cucumber
Green Granny Smith Apple
Fat Free Italian Dressing
Salt and Pepper

Chop each of these ingredients (I peel the apples and the cucumbers) , mix together in a large Tupperware container add a little dressing, salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!!

Window Cleaning

With our busy household I am ALWAYS cleaning windows, mirrors, our front door, back door, basically anything low enough for them to get their little hands on!! I've tried a BUNCH of different products Windex, Clorox Wipes, Vinegar, Homemade concoctions.  This weekend I was spring cleaning and was working on our back door.  I spent a solid 15 minutes on it wiping and cleaning it.  When I finished and looked out ready to be dazzled by my work the reality was far less sparkly!!  The glass was cloudy, streaked, not at all what it should have been! I went online in search of an answer.  Surely Pinterest or Google wouldn't let me down!  I found a TON of homemade concoctions.  Vinegar, Dish soap, Rubbing Alcohol, a bunch of different potions all in search of a better way to clean the glass surfaces.  Now I'm all for homemade, but again I just don't have much time of patients for some things.  I shouldn't have to work so hard to clean!!  I want something simpler so I can JUST GET TO THE CLEANING ALREADY!!


I FOUND IT!!

I'm ALL for natural cleaning products!  I personally HATE chemicals and products that destroy the earth! This happens to be one of the exceptions for me.  I am NOT pouring this down the drain, or putting it on surfaces that my children will be eating off of!!  That being said the answer for me came in a single bottle purchased for $1 at the dollar store, and the other half of the answer came from my pantry that was purchased at Christmas time from Walmart for a little over $1  So for around $2 I was able to have my SPARKLING WINDOWS! AAAAAAHHHHHHH! (my best attempt at an ethereal angel chorus)

WHAT IS IT ALREADY!!  Okay Okay sorry, let me have a few moments to BASK in my window cleaning SUCCESS!!

AMMONIA and COFFEE FILTERS!!

REALLY!!  I didn't even put it in a spray bottle because I couldn't find one!  I just put a little on a couple coffee filters and wiped down the window and used two others to dry it to a streak free SHINE!!

AMAZING!  The filters were WONDERFUL!  Super inexpensive and they worked so much better then newspaper or anything else I have EVER tried!

It made it almost FUN to see such a HUGE difference!  Give it a try super easy and you won't be sorry!!

Family Pancakes

I am ALWAYS on the lookout for recipes.  For my family they have to fit three categories. #1 Easy to make, #2 My family loves to eat them, #3 Healthful and full of nutrition.  I have worked on this recipe for a while, and I believe I have a sure WINNER here!!  I LOVE how I can put yummy things into their pancakes and they gobble them up completely unaware of what I have put in their diet!!


Family Pancakes:

In a mixing bowl combine the following

2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 cup of Sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons of Baking Powder
1 Egg
2 cups of Milk
1 tablespoon of melted Butter
1 teaspoon of Vanilla

Optional but recommended: Sprinkle in some Flax Seeds, Wheat Germ, Cinnamon, Sliced Banana **you could also add some walnuts if your family isn't allergic and likes them**


Mix them up, put on warm griddle until they bubble a little, this happens pretty quickly, flip.  I keep them in a warm oven 200 degrees until I serve them.  These are awesome to serve with sugar free syrup, turkey bacon, some fruit, and a smoothie.

Super Yummy and Good for your family!  I call that a breakfast WIN!!!

**UPDATE**  You can substitute honey or agave nectar for the sugar or leave it out entirely! Same with the melted butter!!

Bible Stories

I had a real wake up call from God last week.  One of those moments that I am thankful that we attend church every Sunday, because honestly I had not thought of this myself.  We speak of God daily in our home, we pray and thank God for what he has blessed us with, we pray and ask God for help for ourselves and for others.  We attend church on Sundays, our daughters attend a Christian School. God is with us, around us, in us, a part of us each day!  So as a mom I feel that I am doing a good job teaching my children who God is and help them grow a relationship with him.  Well that was until last Sunday morning in church!!

During the children's sermon our Pastor asked the children if they had the bible memorized.  My overly confident and ambitious eight year old raised her hand and said YES!  HAHAHA I was a bit mortified but was proud that she felt she knew a lot of what was in the bible.

After service one of our fellow parishioners and I had a chance to say hello and exchange a few words.  He stated how wonderful he felt it was that she felt she knew so much of the bible.  I explained how they had bible lessons at school, at church and how much they were learning.  He looked at me and said "I thought you were going to say how much they were learning at home."

(mouth open, glazed look, and a huge DOH!!)  What in the WORLD has been in my head!! Why haven't we learned more at home?  Have I been teaching them?  I thought I have been doing right by them??  We have a bible book and have read it to them, but not reading the bible daily!!  Well consider me awoken with one kind well intended sentence! See this is just one of those instances of a message from God to mom, WAKE UP!!  I had a choice too!  To listen, or to make some excuses!  Too busy, they won't understand, they learn that at church and school, anything would fit here.  But those words hit me over the head and woke me in a way that I realized what an opportunity I was missing!!

So I made a decision!  Our family readings would be from the bible!  HOW FORTUITOUS TOO because for Christmas Grandma bought all of the girls a bible!  We read from my youngest daughters bible!  We read two lessons, talk about them, the older girls follow along in their bible and will read some things from their bible for the rest of us to hear.  We talk about it, ask the questions at the end of the lesson, and than when we are finished we pray together.

What a blessing this message was!  I still can't believe that I have been so lax and remiss in my responsibilities as a mom.  Sad face for that, but happy that God sent a messenger to me and I heard him loud and clear!!

I wish to share my wake up call with you and ask perhaps if you need to share in it with me?  Are you reading from the bible and teaching your children God's words?  Or like me are you leaving that up to your church, school, others or just honestly never even really thought of it?

It has been a very powerful and beautiful time together!  Not only are we getting a bedtime story together, but we are also speaking God's words and learning his lessons as a family!  Who knows what may come of that together or how that may grow in our lives, but I can tell you I am committed to it, and it will continue in this house!  We are an example that it is never too late to start!!  I encourage and invite you to do the same!!

Help Learning Spelling Words

 I found a wonderful online resource to help children learn their spelling words for school.  I have two school age children in my house.  They are both excellent spellers, but who couldn't always use a little extra help and practice.  Some days it is difficult for me to get the time and how do I say it .....quietness in the house to be able to sit down and work on spelling words.  This is a great way to get the girls some extra practice.


This website offers different ways to learn and practice the spelling words through games, missing letters, tests, flash cards.  There is a membership fee if you choose to become a premium member for a family or a classroom, but there are PLENTY of games and things you can do without the membership.

Spelling City

LOVE IT!!

If anyone else has found other sites or software that they enjoy for spelling please share it with us!

Thank you!

Daylight Savings Time!!

No one LIKES to lose an hour of sleep, but when you are a mother of young children you dread the spring forward even more!  Your angels are finally on a well scheduled routine.  Going to bed at 8:30 every night and waking at 7:30 like clockwork and then the time change steps in and ruins the entire routine!  DOH!  Thanks Benjamin Franklin!!

For some reason this year's Spring forward was just extra exciting this year.  It started out like every other year's daylight savings time day.  By that I mean waking a half  hour before church, jumping out of bed and running all over the house raising it to def con "GET YOUR BUTTS OUTTA BED WE'RE LATE" Red and throwing clothes on children who knows what sizes got put on who I'm just thankful the boys weren't wearing dresses to church!  Yeah that pretty much sums it up.

By some miracle we ALL managed to get dressed and we made it to church!  And before the Pastor entered for the service.  That is how we judge if we are late or not :oD We pulled up in our usual fashion. Ushering children out of the van as they disembark one at a time I begin to feel a bit like the Count on Sesame Street while I supervise the correct number leaving the car as to not leave anyone behind. (I am certain this is how my little ones have learned to count)  1.....2.......3......4.........................5......6 HA! HA! HA! (My Best Count-like voice)

After easing into the pew I breathe a sigh of relief feeling like yet another year of success battling the time change monster!  Church on time bright and early 7:30am technically now 8:30am still WEIRD!  Making it to church for early service extra Mom points!  So I gotta say I'm feeling pretty good about myself Sunday morning!  I guess as a Mom we should grab onto those moments, smile at them, and then wave as they pass by, because the only certainty in Mom World is that they will. Usually just as quickly as they appeared too.

Mine lasted until the end of service.  Everything proceeded along very well.  Mostly quiet children, sitting nicely in the pew coloring and whispering nicely to one another.  The little ones left for the nursery partially through the service, but in a fairly non disruptive manner with Dad.  The older ones had to be reminded to "shush"  a few times and to "listen" but all in all it was a great victory notch in my mom belt.  The final hymn, all was well, and singing with everyone while the little ones cleaned up their coloring supplies.  Last line of the hymn we are home free another great Sunday!  And the lights in the ENTIRE sanctuary go out.   Now I'm not quite sure why....perhaps instinctively my head snaps around and I see it.  Standing NEXT to the pretty black and green glowing buttons is Alex (my now four year old) with a wide eyed sheepish look that said "uh oh" the moment I looked at him.  I realized what he had done and could only shake my head and give him my look of disapproval.  But come on really?  Curiosity, youth, green glowing buttons at just the right height.  I really couldn't be too upset with him on this one.

Our Pastor, who oozes awesome, after walking out of the sanctuary in the usual fashion had managed to turn the lights back on and with a chuckle said "Everyone LOVES buttons!" Which of course elicited a great collective chuckle from the entire early morning congregation.

Well we rounded out this experience with a few teachable moments.  Alex and I talked about not touching the buttons again now that we knew it would turn off all the lights in the sanctuary and would not be a nice thing to do to everyone again.  We waited until our Pastor came in for coffee, and my brave little boy said he was "sorry"  I was so proud of him!  So lights back on, good laugh, lots of important lessons learned by all!

At the end of the day, I think daylight savings still REALLY messes with the time continuum of our family, but this year I'll still count it a success!!

Fizzy Lemonade

 

Fizzy Lemonade is my kiddos favorite summertime drink!! 

1 can of Minute Maid Raspberry Lemonade (un-thawed)

1- 2 liter bottle of Sprite

Mix together and serve over ice.  You can also garnish with raspberries or some mint!

Enjoy!!

Butter Noodles

Okay my super quick and easy noodle recipe!  This one is an in a pinch recipe that when I don't feel like cooking I can still get dinner on the table with minimal effort and time!!

1 box of wheat noodles
butter
parsley
garlic salt
Parmesan cheese

Boil water, cook noodles, strain and pour into bowl or back into pot (why dirty another dish)  put in butter (1/2 stick) chopped parsley, sprinkle in a little garlic salt, and some Parmesan cheese.  Mix it up and serve!

YUMMY!!

Some Of My Favorite Products

So here are just a few of my favorite products for little babies.  Over the course of caring for six children I have found these to be my favorite and most used products and suggestions.  EVERYONE chooses their favorite brands for a reason.  After trying a bunch of different things I have just found these to be my favorites. 

#1 Disposable Diapers

I LOVE Huggies.  I have tried a lot of different disposable diapers and I have found these to be my absolute favorite!  They are GREAT at holding in the explosions that happen in our house.  They save money on clothes and time on laundry!  They are super comfy for the little ones, I love the quality, I love the absorption, I love Huggies!







#2 Baby Wipes

Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes are THE BEST!  The new Thick Sensitive Wipes are even Better!  They make other baby wipes feel like sandpaper!  You only need to use one or two compared to other brands that are thinner and you use more.  I buy these at Walmart and use a $1.50 off coupon to purchase these!  You can usually get this coupon in one of the large boxes, in the paper once in a while, signing up on their website, in the mail, or writing them a letter.  Love em!  One of my girlfriends even used one for her 3 year old when she forgot her diaper bag.  And her 3 year old asked her why they don't use those! 

#3 Baby Soap

Hands Down I LOVE California Baby!  This is initially expensive to purchase, but WELL worth it!  You can purchase it in the smaller sizes, but to save on $$ and running out I purchase the Super Large Container and put it into a foam dispenser.  It lasts our family (if the kiddos don't find the large bottle) an entire year!  Put a little into the bottom of a foam dispenser and fill the rest of the way with water.  Shake it up and it will last and last!  Just learn from my mistake and lock up or put up VERY high the large bottle!  All Natural Ingredients and smells WONDERFUL!  I LOVE this soap because I KNOW it is the very best I can do for my baby!! *Tip it also makes it quicker and easier if you purchase the pump for the large size container* AND BE SURE to put the soap in a foamer.  IT WILL SAVE YOU SO much $$$                                California Baby Shampoo and Body Soap



#4 Powder

SKIP THE BABY POWDER!!  Talc powder when inhaled (AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO) by you and your baby is VERY dangerous.  It is carcinogenic and is VERY similar to ASBESTOS!!  Steer clear of Baby Powder!  Go for Corn Starch Powders or other natural alternatives!  The particles in corn starch powders are larger and less likely to be inhaled and not nearly as harmful.  Still exercise caution when using and storing the powder. Keep it away from siblings! Trust me not pretty! Any brand here I use this brand and a generic as long as it is CORN STARCH!


#5 Bundle Me Car Seat Covers

I LOVE the Bundle me car seat covers ever since I found them!  Of course I live in Ohio so this is a MUST for me.  I combine this, and a blanket over the top, when I put the handles up for the REALLY cold months. I don't have to try to wrestle my sweet baby into a coat.  I can just slip them into their care seat, carry them out to the car or into wherever I am go.  If they fall asleep on the way no problem I can unzip this and pull it off of them so they don't get too hot once inside without waking them.  I am also able to slip them into their car seat without waking them with this. WINNING!        Bundle Me Car Seat Covers

#6 Car Seats

I honestly don't have a favorite for infant car seats, but I do have a few suggestions to help when picking on out.  If buying used be certain that it hasn't been in any accidents before, and that it is not more then 5 years old.  When purchasing a new car seat a few things to consider.  Do your homework before you go to buy.  Go online, most websites have a ratings system where consumers can rate it after they have purchased.  They can help you to decide.  Remember not everyone is going to like everything, so most will have some positive and negative.  TEST THEM OUT!!  May sound weird, but practice clipping the straps and un-clipping them as well.  Is it easily done?  Are the straps easily adjusted?  What about the handle?  Easy up and down?  Listen closely is there a noise when you move the handle bars? Same with the stroller if it is a combo.  Practice opening and closing, is there room for stuff underneath? Are you able to push it easily, is it heavy, are there places for drinks, easy straps.  Do the linens come off easily to wash? What color is it, consider dirt because it's gonna happen.


#7 Clothes

Baby Sacks are AWESOME!!  Here is just an example, any will do.  I prefer the full baby sack with the zipper and long sleeves as opposed to the ones that have elastic or drawstrings at the bottom.  They usually end up around babies armpits after a bit of wiggling.  Carters makes some awesome baby sacks!  Keep in mind you want your baby to be comfy.  Soft material, easy on and off clothes for night diaper changes.*This is NOT a good outfit for going in a car seat*




#7 Laundry Soap and Dryer Sheets

You want to find a gentle laundry soap for your baby.  I popular one is dreft.  I find the perfume a little overwhelming though.  I use ECOS for all of our laundry.  It is gentle and good for the environment.  I feel good knowing I am doing something good for my family and the environment!  I also use method dryer sheets unscented for the little babies.  You could use a wash cloth with a few sprinkles of essential oil in the dryer if you wanted. Lavendar is an AWESOME scent for calming a baby.




#8 Cleaning Supplies

When nesting kicks in I almost ALWAYS start cleaning EVERYTHING!  Especially during winter time and cold and flu season!  So many people reach for the bleach, bleach wipes, Lysol, and other harsh cleaning products. What most people don't think about are all the chemicals they may be exposing their baby to.  So really be aware of ingredients and what you are putting into your babies environment.  You can make your own.  Lots of recipes online, I use water, vinegar, and a little dish soap.  Or if you wish to purchase cleaning supplies I LOVE Method products!!


#9 Swings

Okay first let me start by saying I believe in baby wearing!  Wearing your little angel bundle around like a little capuchin monkey!  Anyone around me will tell you my husband and I hold and kiss and love those little people as long as they will let us!  BUT.....there ARE times while they are sleeping that it is nice to be able to sneak away and get a little laundry, dishes, or time to do whatever and a swing is a blessing!  My absolute favorite swing is a papasan swing.  There are a bunch of colors and different models, but essentially they are all the same.  I have one upstairs in our bedroom and one downstairs in the living room!   




#10 Baby Bags 
I have tried a lot of different baby bags.  I really don't have a favorite brand or anything, but there are a few things to look for.  Choose a neutral color.  You may use it for more then one baby, and at times your hubby or Grandpa may be carrying this.  Be kind and stick with a neutral color.  Choose a dark color it will last longer.  Consider the material and fabric durability, washable, repellent?  

Do you have any favorite products?  Please share them with us!!










 

Ashie's New Shoes

I have to share this, because it's too good not to.  I can't say this is the first time this has happened to me, or even the second.  Children just have a way of teaching you things weather you like it or not, and usually the most teachable or learn-able moments I could say would be the ones where you don't like it very much!  I file this story under the category of being flexible!  Because let's just face it life is almost NEVER going to go as planned and although it is very important to plan it is equally important for us to be flexible and to teach our children by example!

My story starts with a week long family quarantine from the flu!  You can imagine with eight of of us how bad that can get! Since we had been sick all week and cooped up in the house (kiddos say pooped up which would be appropriate with the flu)  we decided after the hubby got off work we should go out to eat.  Get outta the house and as my mom would say "get the stink blown off us" :oD

 The hubby and I let the kiddos decide together where we would eat, and they decided on Don Pablos a yummy Mexican restaurant for those of you that don't have one near you.  It was around 4:30 by the time the hubby got home and everyone was VERY hungry.  So while he was showering after work I got the kiddos loaded up into the van as quickly as I could.  We all jumped in and up to Don Pablos we went on a quest for some chips and salsa, cheese dip, and tortillas!!  We arrived just before the rush, found an awesome spot along the sidewalk (safest place if you have a big family!) opened the side doors and started ushering kiddos out when my hubby says "Where are Ashie's shoes (2 year old)?" DOH!!!  I didn't even think to check that little booger, and he SNUCK into the van without any shoes on.

We both looked at each other and giggled, and  loaded everyone back up and headed across the street to Shoe Carnival for some new shoes.

I think it's experience, age, a combination there of, but in that moment my husband and I had a choice to make about the situation.  He could have gotten angry with me for not checking more closely before we left, and in return I could have shouted at him how I care for everyone all day and how he could take some responsibility for his children once in a while too.  It could have gone any number of ways but the ultimate direction would have been South!  At this point we knew he didn't have shoes, and no amount of upset or bickering could resolve it, instead we have learned to have a sense of humor about these sorts of things, to accept the situation and then to problem solve. 

The result an AWESOME life lesson for all of us #1 check to make sure everyone is wearing shoes, coat, pants, etc. before we leave the house, and #2 how to be flexible and roll with the punches when life doesn't go as planned, and OH BOY IT WILL!

Well the story turns out great too!  We end up getting there when they are having an unadvertised buy one get one free sale.  ALL of the kiddos sizes have gone up at least a full size since we have last purchased all of them shoes when we have them measured. So EVERYONE ends up getting new shoes, we saved money, and had a blast in the process!  Not to mention a REALLY fun night out with the family and a fun story to share with all of you!

I'm calling it a WIN and a REALLY smart boy that found a VERY sneaky and creative way of getting a new pair of Buzz Lightyear Shoes!

Helpful Tips For New Moms

Being a mom of six certainly has its rewards.  One of which is experience!  So I get a lot of questions about products, tips, ideas, you name it.  What I have found though is that we all sort of get into our own groove and habits.  So read up, ask around, and find what works for you!


Tip #1 Keep A Change Of Clothes In The Car
 At some point your tiny little bundle is going to have a diaper EXPLOSION!  This usually happens when you are eating out, or at the grocery, ALWAYS keep an outfit for your little one tucked away in your car and even your diaper bag (best to cover bases)  Doesn't need to be a favorite outfit a sleeper or a onesie in case of emergencies!  You may even wish to keep a clean T shirt tucked away for yourself in the car just in case. This is some SERIOUS experience talking. The most memorable explosions have happened in the sanctuary at church, in line at Disney World, at the NY State Fair, ALL over a cart while grocery shopping, out to eat at a pizza shop.  Keep a change with you at ALL TIMES!!! You will thank me!!

Tip #2 Keep Some Diapers In The Car
At some point we ALL do it, and if you don't my hat is off to you because you are a rarity!  Get into a big rush, thinking about a million things and walk out WITHOUT the diaper bag!  I keep 4 diapers tucked into our van somewhere, usually in the side door compartment, or in the rear side compartment along with a pack of wipes.  These may save your life when out and about!  I have run out of diapers before and used these, I have used these for girlfriends, you never know when someone else may forget one, THIS has saved me SO many times!

Tip #3 Baby Sacks
In my opinion baby sacks are AWESOME for new babies at night!  Nothing quite like caring for a newborn on their sleep schedule.  And nothing quite like waking in the wee hours trying to change a diaper in the dark followed by an attempt to wrestle them back into a sleeper with a bazillion snaps that don't seem to quite line up!  Make it EASY and buy a few baby sacks!  Just be sure to pull the zipper out before you zip or unzip the sack to be certain your little angels skin is safe from a nasty pinch!

Tip #4 Don't Go Crazy Buying Baby Clothes
I know baby clothes are SO cute!  They ARE adorable!  You may read this and simply ignore me, but down the road you will remember and say I wish I would have listened!  There are exceptions to every rule!  I have a friend that has a 4 month old baby that is only 8lbs (preemie)  BUT the majority of little bundles are ONLY in 0-3, 3-6, 6-12 for only a few months each!  The first year to two years there is a HUGE growth spurt and changes!  Most of my babies never even wore size 0-3 months.  Get some basics, a few favorite outfits, but don't go too crazy!  At this age a babies needs are the simplest and most basic, food, clean diaper, warmth, and love!  So save those pennies, BECAUSE you WILL need them down the road!

Tip #5 Advice
You are going to get LOADS of advice. Some solicited some unsolicited. HAHAHA my best advice (SEE!) on advice is to have some thick skin on this, have a programed response "I'll consider it" or "I'll pray on it" something that ends the conversation (if you so choose) as to avoid a LONG discussion where you are defending your choices and leave it feeling defeated and exhausted, lastly there are SO MANY ways of raising children, a few things are so clearly wrong but there are so many different ideas on how to raise children.  Gather as much information as you can and make your best decision from there.  TRUST your instincts and choose what is right for you and your baby!  *Oh and don't worry you CANNOT spoil your baby!  Answering your babies cries for help will not create a spoiled child, but a special bond of trust*

Tip #6 Take LOTS of pictures
You're baby is going to change so much!  Especially in the first few weeks!  If you can swing it hire a professional photographer to come to your home and snap a few pics of your new angel!  You want to keep that digital camera charged and at the ready.  Click a few pictures every day if possible.  You will never regret it and will love looking back at those special memories!

Tip #7 DON'T Rush Out Into The World
I've seen SO many new moms rush back out into the world days after their babies are born.  Don't be in a hurry!  Take a "Baby Moon" and enjoy this precious time with your new baby. Cuddling, nursing, and getting to know one another.  This time is SO precious!  Allow those around you to take care of you while you heal. You will be taking care of someone else for the next 18+ years of your life take this time for yourself and your baby!  Besides your baby doesn't have enough immunity to be exposed to the world yet!  So take that Baby Moon and enjoy those cuddles!

Tip #8 ASK FOR HELP!
I'll repeat ASK FOR HELP!!  Okay I wanted to do it all and be it all and do everything right when I was a first time mom.  I was DETERMINED to do EVERYTHING right!  This is the biggest first time mom mistake though!  Relax a little and ask for help, you can't do everything all the time.  The most important thing is for you to spend time with your new baby, and to rest so your body can heal!  People around you want to help, but may not know how.  Ask a friend to coordinate it for you.  There are AWESOME resources out there now!  Meal Baby, Meal Train  That way they are asking on your behalf and you don't feel as though you are putting anyone out.  So bottom line ASK FOR HELP!!

Tip #9 Ditch The Shoes
So like I said I wanted to do everything perfect, and for some reason for me that meant all matching clothes and matching shoes for each outfit.  I made the mistake of dressing my new baby like a small adult.  Let your baby be a baby and be comfortable.  Their skin is so sensitive so choose gentle and soft materials, their feet DO NOT need shoes nor should they wear them, so ditch the shoes!  I hate wearing shoes, but I always thought it looked so awful when children were barefoot.  Now there are SO many awesome options!  Little socks that look like shoes for boys and girls!  So ditch the shoes until you have a toddler!

Tip #10 Be Prepared
Don't wait until the last minute to get what you need.  You NEVER know when your little one may make their appearance. So start getting ready!  Be sure that you are prepared ahead of time with all of your (if a hospital birth) birth bag, post baby needs, as well as all of your babies essentials.  Be sure they are all washed, put away, laid out, packed, organized for easy access for your babies arrival. Read up not just on your pregnancy, but also on caring for your new baby, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, natural family planning, whatever topics may interest you. Keep an open mind too while reading, because A LOT of the things I said "I'll NEVER do that" ...... yeah I did/do.

Tip #11 RELAX
Sit back and relax and enjoy this special time!  You will have a child for the rest of your life, but a baby for only a year.  Take naps when you can, relax on the house cleaning visitors are there to see you and the baby NOT your house, slow down and take it all in. Sleepless nights, breast feeding, diaper changes, you will figure it all out! Enjoy this precious time because it may not feel that way today (especially if you are sleep deprived) but you will look back and say "WOW that went by fast" and you will miss that special time!

What would you add to the list??

The Definition Of CRAZY!

While contemplating the "title" of my blog I was faced with a few challenges.  First I had to figure out what I wanted to share with everyone, and second I had to figure out just how to say it!  A common occurrence for me, whatever the reason I often find myself tongue tied or in this case I guess you would call it writers block.  Feeling certain, confident, and clear in my mind, but garbled, jumbled, and confusing on paper.  This of course brings forth the question of weather my thoughts are indeed option A or (the less favorable of the two) option B!

Having never "blogged" before I find the whole process enlightening and liberating!  A small space to make the statement "THIS IS WHO I AM AND WHAT I AM ABOUT!" It is defining, enlightening, and liberating for someone who spends their every waking, and YES even sometimes sleeping, moments caring for others!

When choosing the title "A Crazy Momz Blog"  of course I was faced with the TRUE definition of crazy.  Is it BAD to be crazy?  What exactly does it mean to be crazy?  I have always seen crazy with a fork in the road.  To the right you have the "bad" definition of crazy which involved mental hospitals, insanity, and a snug fitting white jacket. To the left you have the "good" definition of crazy which involves individuality, excitement, and an eccentricity that others admire!

My quest for the truth of course led me to the CLEAR and convincing resource of what crazy is.....yes none other then the dictionary! Where I found this:

 cra·zy  (krz)adj. cra·zi·er, cra·zi·est

1. Affected with madness; insane.

2. Informal Departing from proportion or moderation, especially:

a. Possessed by enthusiasm or excitement: The crowd at the game went crazy.

b. Immoderately fond; infatuated: was crazy about boys.

c. Intensely involved or preoccupied: is crazy about cars and racing.

Ignoring option 1 and skipping over to option 2 I don't perceive being crazy as a bad thing!  I mean what mom shouldn't be "Possessed by enthusiasm or excitement" or "immoderately fond" and "Intensely involved".  I've honestly never thought it an insult being called crazy, but upon further investigation I have a clearer awareness and understanding of what crazy genuinely involves, and now I count it a compliment.

I am possessed by enthusiasm and excitement, immoderately fond, and infatuated, as well as intensely involved with my children and family!  I AM a CRAZY MOM and super proud of it!!

Are there any other crazy Momz out there?  If so the next time someone tells you that you are crazy I encourage you to respond  with a smile and sincere  "Thank You!" 

RAINBOW Cupcakes

One of our family traditions is to allow the birthday girl or boy to choose a treat to take for their special "birthday treat"  for school, Sunday school, and dance class.  (what can I say we are overachievers)  My second daughter is turning 8 this weekend and had decided on cupcakes.  Well she decided she would ask everyone around her what their favorite color was to help her decide what color cupcakes she would choose.  She took her little note pad everywhere with her.  For a week she was polling anyone she could ask.  At the end of it all she realized there were A LOT of different colors, and A LOT of different colors people liked!  So the sweet-hearted little girl decided on rainbow cupcakes. "That way EVERYONE will have their favorite color!"  :oD

I am all for nourishing anything in my children where they are thinking of others, so off I went to the store to pick up rainbow cupcakes ingredients!!  It is a little extra work, but the results are MAGIC and oh so worth the extra time and love!

Start by making your favorite vanilla cake recipe.  Out of a box or scratch either one works!  Next decide how many colors your rainbow cake or cupcakes will have!  I chose 4 colors purple, blue, yellow, and red. It turned out very nicely.  You could pretty easily add green for the cupcakes and if you are really ambitious orange, but with the 4 I chose they filled the cupcake papers pretty quickly.

I used Ziplock bags to make this as mess free as possible.  This is a two person job.  I enlisted the hubby to hold the bags as I filled.  I eyeballed the cake batter, but you could of course measure it if you were so inclined.  Pour it into your Ziplock bags, and add the food coloring into each bag.  Close em up and enlist the kiddos to help squish and mix the batter.  Best to do this up at the table and encourage them not to get TOO enthusiastic about the mooshing.  Bags held together very well for us, happy to report no messes on this step!

Prep your cake pan or cupcake cups.  I like to spray them a tiny bit before I add the batter.  Start with your bottom most color.  Cut the tip off, be careful not to cut too much off of the tip.  You can always cut more, but not less.  Squeeze a drop of batter in each cupcake paper (for cake pans just add more)  I used the Ziplock bag like a pastry bag, and used a finger on my other hand to help stop the flow in between cupcakes papers.  (I am sure this could be done with bowls as well, and spooning in the batter you could try that as well) Repeat this step with each of your colors, if you run out of one color just skip it in some of the cupcakes, they turn out cute even without ALL of the colors :oD

It's that simple!  Bake, frost, and enjoy!  They come out of the oven like magic and are a big hit for the kiddos!

*TIP* I usually spoon out some of the batter into a few cupcake papers BEFORE I dye all of it.  I like to have a few dye free as a just in case for the kiddos with dietary restrictions for food dyes.

*TIP*  Here are a few cool links for you on Rainbow cakes to help inspire you!
Family Fun
Twig and Thistle
Playing House

Babble

Lunch Boxes

Easy Lunchboxes

Every year while school shopping we are faced with the great task of choosing  a back pack and a lunch box.  Thus far I have gone for the color coordinated lunch box to match the back pack.  I have even gone with the cooler lunch bag that you place in the freezer to keep the food cold.  I have always ran into the same problems.

Not enough room in the bag for the food, tips and spills, too many containers.  I usually end up purchasing prepackaged foods.  Gogurt, pre-packaged fruit, juice box, crackers, dessert, Crustables, Lunchables, ect.

I am not a fan of prepackaged foods.  I much prefer to make it myself that way I know what ingredients are included and I there aren't any preservatives and "extras" that I don't know about.  I was STUCK in a Packed Lunch RUT!

While cruising around Pinterest (yeah I'm addicted)  I found some AWESOME links to lunch ideas.  That was all I needed to get my lunch creativity flowing again!  After looking at many options and websites I decided on the Easy Lunchboxes.  LOVING the idea and eager to give it a try.

Ordering was super easy (ordered one click through Amazon AWESOME!)  It was at my door in a few short days!  I ordered a lunch bag and accompanying 4 containers ($21)  VERY reasonable!

I am LOVING it!  Three of the containers fit in the lunch box cooler!  I am able to pack ONE container for their snack time, Two containers for lunch! AWESOME!  The containers are a GREAT size, and I am packing some WONDERFUL lunches!  I lOVE the variety I am able to pack in their lunches and snacks and how FULL of nutritious options I can make it for them!

Along with the lunch bags I also ordered a package of tiny food cutters (flower shapes)  for fun!

YES it is taking me a little longer to make their lunches, but I am doing it the night before and I am enjoying it so much!  I enjoy it knowing it is a special treat from home that they get to open and enjoy during their day!  I am so excited to share this!!

Here are a few "lunch links" to inspire you as well.

Easy Lunchboxes
Another Lunch
Eighteen 25
Crafty Food
Family Fun
MeetThe Dubiens
Parenting
 Super Healthy Kids

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Honestly I cannot think of a more perfect food!  This one is an absolute family favorite!  My children GOBBLE this up, and the hubby and I love it too!!  Super easy, super delicious, and packed with veggies and love!


Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken Broth
Noodles
Olive Oil
Celery
Carrots
Onion
Garlic
Bok Choy (optional)
Rosemary
Salt & Pepper
Parsley (optional)

Directions:
Start by dicing up the celery, carrots, onion, and garlic.  Heat olive oil medium heat in your soup pot.  Once warmed add celery, carrots, onion, and garlic to pot.  Stir occasionally about 3-5 minutes. Add chicken broth, noodles, and chicken.  Bring to low boil and cook until chicken is cooked, this will depend on the size of your chicken  about 5-7.  Chicken doesn't need to be completely cooked through as it will continue to cook once diced. Remove chicken and allow to cool for a few minute while noodles finish cooking.  At this time add in Parsley, and Bok Choy, Rosemary, Salt and Pepper to taste.  Dice chicken and add to pot.  YUM!!

Sometimes I make this without the chicken.  The Bok choy and parsley add some greens to this, and my kiddos love it!!  I call that a BIG WIN!! 

*TIP* I like to use wheat noodles (no yolks)  I also like to use fresh rosemary. This keeps in the refrigerator for quite a while.  You could also use oregano  I didn't put quantities, because it doesn't matter much.  It's your soup, make it to your liking.  I use a large stock pot and use four large cartons of chicken stock the rest of the ingredients I use whatever I have on hand.  You could also use kale in this recipe! To make this easier you could use a rotisserie chicken, or canned shredded chicken.  This recipe is awesome and super easy!

Permanent Markers NOT So Permanent

So I found this out by necessity. One of my little angels decided it would be a good idea to "decorate" our computer hutch with a permanent marker drawing.  I'm not quite certain who did it, because the culprit/artist did not sign their work. Then of course there is the question "HOW IN THE WORLD did they get a hold of a permanent marker?"  Good question, to which I honestly do not have an answer for.  I'm convinced they manufactured it themselves, because I never did find the offending marker.

Did you know that permanent marker ACTUALLY ISN'T permanent!  Honestly this "artwork" has been on our computer hutch for a good 6 months.  I tried a myriad of tools and chemicals, Magic Eraser, Windex, Soft Scrub, Clorox Wipes, to no avail.  It looked as though this doodle was here to stay!  Until I happened across the answer!  I am PROUD to say the doodle didn't stand a chance, I have declared VICTORY over the doodle!

The SECRET!!  An Eraser!  HA!  Yeah a plane Jane regular pencil eraser!  I scoured the girls school box at home and came across some pencil topper erasers.  It took a little elbow grease, but after I erased around it a few times, I wiped it clean with a Clorox Wipe and VOILA!  Any leftover spots I just went back over with the eraser and wiped again.

Before

Give IT A TRY!!  It is MAGIC!! Does anyone else have a doodler in the house?

*TIP*  Try a few different erasers.  I tried a few different ones to see if they all worked.  A few of the erasers on the pencils did not.  The pink gummy erasers worked very well as did the white erasers!

After

Strawberry Banana Julius

Strawberry Banana Julius

So this is my second take on this recipe.  My family prefers this one as opposed to the original recipe.  I'm a minimalist on this one and I prefer the original.  But I say it's a win because this one is packed with fruit.

So again I don't measure, and neither should you, because who really has the time,  but this is as close as I get!!

Ingredients you will need:
Ice
Orange Juice
Milk
Strawberries (I use frozen)
Bananas
Powdered Sugar
Meringue Powder

Directions:
In the blender pour in a hand full of ice (about a cup), Add in two bananas, a hand full of strawberries (about 6, Yeah I have big hands LOL), Pour in some orange juice (about a cup full), Fill 3/4 of the way up with milk, Add 3/4c powdered sugar (more or less up to you :oD)  Add 2-3 TBSP of Meringue Powder.  Mix on high until well blended and ENJOY!!


*TIP* Same thing as the Orange Julius recipe the Meringue powder can be found in the Wilton Cake aisles at Walmart, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.

I also freeze the bananas.  Just pop em in the freezer, the peel will turn brown but the fruit is perfect!

The Strawberries if you are super ambitious you can freeze your own, OR  check out the freezer section.  I bought a bag of frozen strawberries at Walmart, AWESOME!

Enjoy!!

Orange Julius Recipe

So I have been mixing up batches of these babies for the kiddos to enjoy with dinner.   It has been so much fun sharing this drink with the kiddos.  It is amazing how a single smell or taste can time warp you back into childhood.  This recipe does that for me!  I remember a time with my parents walking through Southwyck mall eating a hot pretzel, sipping on an Orange Julius, and enjoying the lighted fountains, possibly even being lucky enough to throw a few pennies in!  I have tried for years to get this recipe figured out, and I think it's pretty close!  You be the judge!

Ingredients:
Orange Juice (of course!)
Milk
Ice
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
Meringue Powder

So I totally loathe measuring anything! So change these measurements however you would like add more or less of a favorite ingredient, it's your Julius!  But for recipe purposes this is as close to measuring as I will ever come if I can help it :oD

In your blender  fill the bottom with ice, about a cup-cup and a half, add more if you wish!
Pour in about a two cups or so of milk (whatever you have will do 1%,2% whatever is on hand)

Add Orange Juice fill blender no more than 3/4 of the way full, this will get frothy and needs the extra room

2 Teaspoons of Vanilla

3/4 Cup of Powdered Sugar

1/8 Cup of Meringue Powder

Put the lid on tight and mix all of this up on high for a few minutes.  Allow time for all of the ice to crush and for it to get frothy.  You can also add some frozen strawberries and banana!  This will get nice an foamy, but remember if you don't drink right away it will separate after a bit. 

*TIP* The Meringue Powder can be found at Walmart, Hobby Lobby or anywhere they sell cake products.  You can buy a small container for $4.98 at Walmart or a Large for $14.98. They sell this by the cake decorating supplies it is in a canister and is made by Wilton.   I have also heard of people using vanilla pudding mix, but I have not given that a try.  Orange Julius used their own concoction of powdered egg whites, milk, sugar, and preservatives.  The Meringue Powder is pretty close minus the powdered milk, that is why I add milk to it.  Some people also use a frozen orange juice concentrate in their recipes.  I prefer the KISS method to recipes......Keep It Simple Silly (polite)  The less ingredients and simpler the better in this house!  So experiment and enjoy!!

Let me know how you like it!!

 

Real Moms Do CRAZY!

I grew up like most girls , watching the Disney fairy tales where the handsome prince rides in and sweeps the princess off her feet and they live happily ever after.  I found my prince, I had the wedding, and the happily ever after was on its way in 9 months!  I prepped myself with all of the "right" pregnancy books, and as many parenting books I could read. I read about breastfeeding, co sleeping, natural child birth, bonding, attachment parenting, my brain was a walking library! I was DETERMINED to be the absolute best mom that I could and to do EVERYTHING "right".  I WAS going to be this perfect combination of June Clever, Carol Brady, Mary Poppins, Martha Stewart, Cinderella, AND Cindy Crawford!

Yes I know what you are thinking real life isn't a Disney film right, well cut me a little slack I was 23 and of course could do anything! When did reality strike?  Thinking back the most standout moment was on my 23rd birthday.  We had just moved, new baby, new job, new state.  My perfect little angel had spent the entire night nursing and I got up early exhausted yet determined to TRY and get some cleaning done.  I ended up working all day while my hubby was at work.  Determined to fit this image I had created I had to have the house cleaned, the baby happy, and dinner ready when he came home!  I worked all day vacuuming, scouring, wiping, picking up, I WAS doing it!! Exhausted seems to fall short of what I was, ready to pass out standing up, but pleased with what I had accomplished my hubby arrived home to take me out for my birthday.  On our real world budget that meant walk around the mall and having a hot pretzel, but of course I was just thankful to get some time out of the house! I may have caught a quick nap in the car, but I recall having a wonderful time!  We came back home tired, but with a smile and a light-heartedness  knowing I was returning to a clean home.  When we opened the door a horrible STENCH enveloped us!  As we entered I could see speckles all over the carpet.  (oh by the way I forgot in my list of new to include our new PUPPY!  Yeah you know the Bradys had Tiger )  So this perfect new puppy of ours decided that it would be a good idea to make a snack out of our perfect cat's litter box!  Evidently dining in wasn't enough for this tiny pooch and he decided to take his snack to go.......ALL OVER the carpet!!  All I can remember from that point was a lot of crying, vacuuming stinky cat poo, more crying, brushing the dogs teeth, more crying,  and thinking that my life at 23 was over and perhaps that DA#! Dog's would be too if I got a hold of him!!! 

I realize now that I was mourning loss.  The loss of who I was, and the loss of who I thought I was supposed to be. 

Fast forward to the present, I still have days like this.  I have moments of success, moments of joy, moments of fun, and moments I would like to forget!  I am a Real mom and I do CRAZY! If you would believe my family I AM crazy! I do dance parties, I do play doh, I do forts in the living room, I do laundry, I do time outs, I do a bazillion diaper changes, do overs, apologies, spill wipes, mistakes, and all of the messy CRAZINESS that is being a mom!  I just do it now with the knowledge that these precious moments in our life are fleeting that I should cherish ALL of those moments good, bad, and in between, because one day our home will be quiet and I will miss it! 

So for all of those Real Moms out there that do CRAZY too I decided to start a Real Moms blog where I can share my experiences, recipes, family fun, and just real things.  No Super Mom complexes here because who needs MORE pressure and things to try and live up to!!  This is for Real Moms and Dads too that know that Martha Stewart has an ENTIRE staff to do that stuff, and clearly June Clever was an alien, and Carol Brady secretly HAD to of been on Prozac to stay that calm in that house (at the very least the writers had to of been)!! Life is real, and messy, and crazy, and we all do "the best we can with what we have, and where we are at!" 

So welcome Real Moms (and Dads!!) who Do CRAZY!! :oD