Made Me Laugh

All over the internet mother's are sharing how they are trying to teach their baby sign language. Because baby's have undeveloped verbal skills, moms and dads around the world are trying to teach their sons and daughters to be great communicators, even at an early age. At first I thought it was a great idea. Until I tried it. It's almost impossible to stop and calmly and delightfully say, "Hungry, hungry?" while holding my fingers up to my lips only to watch Grace look at me like I'm some kind of fool who eats her fingers. There's not enough time in the day! I've got dinners to cook, dishes to do, a house to clean, kids with homework, I work! So I saw this little blurb in one of the many baby/child e-newsletters I get and I've pasted it below. It matches my sentiments exactly.

Title: Your baby can learn sign language!

Here's how to say:
• "Please change my diaper": Turn beet red and make straining expression, then smile.
• "I'd like something to eat, please": Cram fist in mouth and suck wildly.
• "I'm tired": Make a series of weeping gestures before closing eyes and lolling head backward.
• "Please pass me that thing up there that I can't reach": Point and grunt, then continue pointing and open mouth into screaming position.
• "No thank you. I think I've had enough": Throw food or object to floor with exaggerated grin.

Oh, so true!

Classroom Christmas Gifts

2009 TEACHERS' GIFT
It's that time of year again: to give a special Christmas gift to the kid's teachers. School teachers usually get dollar tree coffee cups filled with candy, pencil holders or rulers that say, "World's Greatest Teacher," or a picture of the child they see {everday} with a "thanks for being my teacher" note attached ~ and that's if they get a gift at all. Teachers are shaping the minds of our next generation. They should be thanked! So, I began my internet search and found this little idea at FamilyFun.go.com. *I love this website* It's always filled with great crafts, recipes and party ideas. This year's gift is cute, creative and, best of all, inexpensive! I already have some of the matierals needed and I think Angel and Alliah's teachers will be thrilled. Not only can they proudly walk out of the classroom with a beautiful gift, but they can display this bouquet at home showing their friends and family what a great teacher they are, AND they can eat the candy when Christmas is over! What a concept.

CANDY STICK VASE

Materials: Aluminum can, Candy, Double-sided foam mounting tape, Ribbon, Plastic cup

Instructions:
• To make one, first snugly wrap 3 or 4 rings of double-sided foam mounting tape around a clean, dry, and labelless aluminum can (ours was 15 ounces).
• Peel off the tape's protective covering to expose its second sticky side.
• One at a time, attach colorful individually wrapped candy sticks (available at candy shops; we used 26) to the tape, setting them as close together as possible and pressing them firmly in place.
• For a festive finish, tie a ribbon around the container. To use the vase for fresh flowers or plants, set a plastic cup inside the can as a liner before adding water.


2009 CLASSMATES GIFT
As for the kid's classmates, I found this idea of a Christmas mouse waiting to be eaten! All it is is felt, googly eyes, and a candy cane. I'm gonna skip the pom-pom nose. Why spend more money than I need to? I'll just make the nose out of the green felt, too. This is so easy, even the kids can help! What a great way to encourage my kids to show the Christmas Spirit by giving to those they spend most of their days with. I think these will be a classroom hit!

MERRY MICE

Materials: Red and green felt, Scissors, Glue, Pom-poms, Candy canes, Googly eyes, Tape

Instructions
• Cut a 6-inch-long teardrop-shaped body from red felt. Near the center, cut 2 parallel slits that are 1 inch long and 1/2 inch apart.
• For a pair of ears, cut a 5-inch-long rounded bow-tie shape from green felt. This will be used to make the ears.
• To put the mouse together, fit the ears through the slits in the body. Glue on googly eyes and a pom-pom nose.
• Finally, add a curly tail by slipping a candy cane beneath the mouse and tucking the straight end between the body and the ears to hold it in place.

...Only 22 more days!

We did it! We made the big move this past Thanksgiving weekend and boy are we tired. I will write more later. Got lots of unpacking to do. Type atcha later...

Thanksgiving Week Menu

Here we are again...our weekly menu. I tried to be extra creative as I planned our meals for this week. I mean, really, we are going to be eating some yummy food this Thursday on Thanksgiving Day. How can any other meal compete with Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and oh so much more. I tried to think of some things that are not only some of our favorite meals but would also tantalize our taste buds. Here it is....

BREAKFASTS
Monday: scrambled eggs, potatoes
Tuesday: English muffin with peanut butter, banana
Wednesday: cereal
Thursday: chocolate chip pancakes
Friday: chorizo n eggs, potatoes
Saturday: breakfast sandwiches
Sunday: cereal

AFTERNOON SNACKS
Monday: Edamame with lemon
Tuesday: cheese, crackers
Wednesday: cucumber and carrots with ranch dip
Thursday: It's Thanksgiving!
Friday: Free choice Friday

DINNERS
Monday: bbq hotdogs, chili beans
Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie *yummy*
Wednesday: Tri-tip, green beans, rice-a-roni
Thursday: Thanksgiving!
Friday: hamburgers, seasoned potatoe wedges
Saturday: green chili enchiladas, mexi-rice, corn
Sunday: pork roast, veggies, chicken & broccoli rice

Again, just let us know when you want to join us...I'll make some extra.

Love Your Hubby Day

So I was told today is "Love Your Hubby" Day. I've never heard of this "holiday" before, but what the heck, I'm game. I'll celebrate! I'll note that somehow, someone forgot to tell Hallmark about this amazing day because they'd have thousands of cards to choose from, along with key chains, beer mugs and money clips to purchase. So, on this special day, I'm throwing this shout out to you, babe: I LOVE YOU! You have and will always have the key to my heart. You are my lover, my best friend, my laughing partner, my strong supporter, and the one who knows how to make me smile - even when I'm blazin' mad. I'm so very glad you're mine. "I'm my beloved's and he is mine." ~Song of Solomon 6:3

I'm sitting inside a Jiffy Lube getting my truck's oil changed. Didn't expect to be 1 of 3 ladies sitting in here that's for sure.

What's For Dinner This Week

Last week I decided to blog about what we were going to be eating for week. I try to create a new menu each Sunday night. Like I said last week, the kids love it and I love not being asked a bazillion times what we're gonna eat. There are many blogs I read that give the 4-1-1 on what's going to be on their dinner table, and seeing these blogs further infuse my weekly planning routine. So, here's what's on this week...

BREAKFASTS
Monday: waffles with strawberries
Tuesday: English muffin with peanut butter, banana
Wednesday: ham-n-cheese pocket, 1/2 orange
Thursday: oatmeal and toast
Friday: eggs and potatoes
Saturday: pancakes and scrambled eggs
Sunday: cereal

AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS
Monday: Edamame with lemon
Tuesday: sliced beef stick, cheese, crackers
Wednesday: cucumber and carrots with ranch dip
Thursday: crackers, jalapeno cheese spread
Friday: Free choice Friday

DINNERS
Monday: chicken enchiladas, chx fajita rice, zucchini
Tuesday: spaghetti w/Italian sausage, green salad
Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pie
Thursday: fish sticks, white rice, corn
Friday: bbq chicken legs, pasta salad, black bean chili
Saturday: Tostadas, sopa
Sunday: pork roast, veggies, chicken broccoli rice

...And don't forget to call and let us know what night you'd like to join us! :o)

Nine Month Pics

I know I'm a few weeks late posting these new nine month pictures of Gracie, but I have been one busy mama. I had the online access code in a side pocket of one of my purses and, for the life of me, I could not find it anywhere! Finally, JCPenny emailed me the code, thus the pictures. When we walked into the studio I warned the photographer that Grace is a hard one to crack. She can be smiling and hysterically laughing, but when she sees a camera her smile goes into hiding. It's only on a good day when we're relaxed at home that she will smile for the camera. The photographer responded with great confidence, and conviction even, saying she could make any baby smile. Nope. Not my Gracie. But even without the smile, didn't these come out just beautifully? I LOVE THEM! I'm proud to say that I've been very good about getting her 3-6-9 month pictures taken. Hopefully at her 12 month photo session we'll be able to see those little pumpkin teeth and big ol' cheeks of hers.

Are You Serious?!?!

I'm boggled: Where does one find the words in which to respond when your husband asks, "Why do you always NOT want help?" Uh, what planet did you just fly off? Really. Today, he's such a dork!

Isaiah's Gift

I got a call from my sister Nicole this morning *what a great way to start the day!* She called and invited me over to see her and the boys before I went to work and, of course, I agreed! As I was driving over I was getting so excited. You see, I absolutely LOVE playing with my little nephew Isaiah. He'll be two in just a few months and he is LOADS of fun. When I walked in the door he started screaming with excitment and gave me the biggest hug *heart melted*. After we played for a while I sat to hold Baby Elijah who is almost three months already. How time flies. He was in a good ol' mood smiling - even laughing. I raised him in the air and he laughed. I brought him back down, bitting his tummy and he laughed all the more *so much fun!* Since I was enjoying my time with Baby Eli, Isaiah started coloring while watching "Yo Gabba-Gabba." It's one of his favorite shows. He drew the picture I posted above. The thing that got me was that earlier, he was putting things in my jacket pocket and I'd take them out, he'd put things in, and I'd take them out, like a game. Each time he put something in my pocket he'd laugh and wave his hands in the air with delight. When I finally got to work this morning I felt something crumpling in my pocket. I knew I took everything out when he put it in, but my baby put his picture in my pocket and WITH his yellow crayon. I KNOW he didn't put them there during our 'game' because I was sure to get everything out as soon as he put it in, so I'm thinking he snuck in this little love gift, just for his Tia Kristie. And for him to part with his yellow crayon??? I tell you, the boy LOVES to color and he loves his crayons...and he gave me his picture AND his crayon? *Awwwwe...* Amazing how an almost two year old can make my heart dance and make me feel so loved. I love you too, Isaiah!