Monday, November 25, 2013

The real thankful post that doesn't make it to Facebook

Just because I'm not writing them on Facebook doesn't mean I'm not thankful. 

Granted, some people are doing it and doing it well.  They're real.

Then there's the others.





Y'all know what I'm talking about.




THOSE others.





Sometimes I think this month is almost like the Humblebrag.




"Today I'm thankful for my BMW.  It's sleek, fast, good on gas, and makes me look good."

No joke.  A true necessity in her life.

Another one...

"Today I'm thankful for my house.  4500 square feet of wonderful - that my cleaning lady doesn't mind keeping up with!"


Sounds like someone needs to get on her knees and scrub a toilet or four.

And another:

"Day 17.  Today I'm thankful for our best friends, the XXXXXXX.  They are a model Christian couple who inspire my wife and I to be more model Christians."


Stop, buddy...you're giving us a bad name.


Ok, enough friend bashing...because they're about to be unfriended (they're not that close to me anyway....).  Why can't people be real on Facebook???  Why can't we post the real thanks???

Here's a few to start- posts that I could have or would have done if I was doing the thankful month...


-I'm so thankful that Baby L. didn't pee on me during the late night diaper change.  Cause I wouldn't have changed anyway, and it's no fun going back to bed smelling like pee.

- I'm thankful that my hairdresser didn't cut my hair too short.  She must know that this is the only time it will be actually "done" and will remain in a pony tail until I see her again.

-  I'm thankful that Dave chose to sit on the other side of the room last night.  While I love to be near him, Shelby's cassoulet left me with some after burners that would have made his eyes tear up. (darn beans!)

- I'm thankful that A. flushed the toilet this morning before Ally started drinking out of it.

- I'm thankful that it was only a minor cut.

-  I'm thankful that orthopedic shoes are a tad more fashionable now-a-days.  Note: tad.

- I'm thankful for my family.  Who love me and support me.  And snuggle with me - even though I just whispered under my breath "I really don't want to be touched anymore today."

-I'm thankful that I get to be a mom.  At some point in my life (actually 2 points) I was sitting on a Dr's table where they look at me and say "I'm not sure this is possible for you in the future."

- I'm thankful for our extended family.  Like fudge- full of fruits and nuts - but the end product is pretty darn cool.

- I'm thankful for amazing friends- the family I choose.

- I'm thankful for this life.  No BMW.  No cleaning lady, no "model Christians."  Just a bunch of normal people doing normal things taking care of their normal house.  Just good people with funny quirks, good food and a Great God.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Baby Girl's Owl Birthday Party

 
I decided to do an "owl" theme for Baby L's first birthday.
 
 
Not for the sake of being trendy, but because there was an ADORABLE invitation on
shutterfly that I absolutely fell in love with...
 
 
and things going a little "hooty" from there.
 
 
Perhaps I went a little overboard, but hey...
 
 
she only turns one once, right???
 
 
Here's my little 1 year old on the day of her party.
 
I saw the onsie at Babies R Us, and it was just too cute- so I grabbed it.
 
 
Hey...the birthday girl has to coordinate with her party, right???
 
 
 
It actually came with jeggings, but I found a coordinating tutu for $2 and the tights for $3...
 
wahlah, birthday outfit.
 
Barrette made by me.
 
 
 
 
Here's a look at our party favors given to the kiddos in attendance:
 
I made a white chocolate dessert mix
also known as "crack" in our family.
Scrapbook paper, some circle punches, a heart punch and
a cut triangle.
 
Cut and glue.
 
 

Baby L's seat of honor:
 
I made bunting to hang throughout the house (one was owl, of course!)
I originally bought tulle to make a tutu for her, but then I found one so cheap.
So, I tied it around the chair.
 
Flare for the chair.
 
 
Tiny bunting around the tray, and an owl bib.
 
 
 
 
The edibles.
(Minus the hot stuff which is over on the counter)
 
Yes, those are owl plates and an owl table cloth.
(Oriental trading Co...yo.)

 
 
 
 
This is my little girl.
 
I don't even need to prompt her anymore.
 
I picked up the camera, pointed it at her
 
and she gave me this:
 


She's ready to open!
 
 
 
 
Somewhere along the lines, things got out of hand with Big brother C and cousin Jaden.
They were wrestling over one of L's gifts and C's hand went flying.
C's hand had a digital camera attached to it.
Which smacked L across the face.
 
She was heartbroken and horribly hurt...
 
After I tried (unsuccessfully) to calm her, daddy stepped in to help.
 
And help he did. 
 
He's such a good daddy!


 
Cake time!
 
If you all ever need an awesome cake, let me know...
I know a GREAT lady!
 
Bottom tier= regular buttery goodness cake
Top tier= gluten free chocolate cake
 
Smash cake= dairy free cake.
 
All yummy.
All amazing.
All affordable.
 
 
(Sorry about the front of the cake,
 we had a few little guys "sample" the cake before I could take a pic)
 
 

top shot:
 


We all went to sing, and she got all bashful on us. 
 
Which was too cute.

Then she plowed her hands into it like it was no big deal.

 
nom nom nom
 
 
 
 
Sitting with papa Ken.
 
Cousin Emma decorated papa Ken.
 
He's a good sport.

 
Another decoration:
 
(which, coincidentally are still hanging in my kitchen!)


 
 
 
Thanks to everyone whoooooo came out to celebrate out little girl's birthday!
 
(see what I did there???  I'm a hoot!)
 
(doh! did it again)
 
Ok...I'm done now.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Saying it.

I have all these posts swirling around in my head.


However, I also have a babe that doesn't like to nap.


She gives me about 45 minutes of reprieve a day.



In that 45 minutes, I must shower, change, clean up the house, and finish any amount of commitments that I have.


Which are starting to number many.


And I have a pile of laundry waiting to be folded.


Unfortunately, this is falling on the back burner....which saddens me.


I will make it a priority again...not for you, dear reader (hi mom), but for me.


This is a creative outlet.


To get my crazies out.

To feel heard.

To entertain....or, at least, feel like I'm entertaining (again, hi mom....).


I've got lots to say.

Soon, I'll get around to saying it.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Helpful hint: dealing with Halloween Candy

Are you sick of the incessant BEGGING for Halloween candy yet?


Are you sick of the crazed constant-hyper sugar rush?


Seriously...I'm about desperate to get this crap out of my house.


I've taken to smuggling a few of the crappy pieces out in the garbage...


...I got caught.

You'd think I was an informer for the Gishtapo from the looks I got.
 
 
 
I found Operation Gratitude that we'll be sending some candy off to.
 
 
But I also want to be mindful of the boys' wants and desires.
 
 
After all, A. RAN for 80 minutes straight for candy.
 
 
RAN.
 
 
This was obviously something that meant a lot for him to put an effort forth.
 
 
 
So, we're devising a plan....a strategy, perhaps...to share this candy with others.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Papa Ken LOVES Snickers. 
 
 
He'll be hunting with Papa Ken in a few short weeks.
 
 
 
 
So, he put all the Snickers in a plastic bag and popped them in the freezer.
Next stop:  deer camp.
 
 
(Read:  NOT my hips)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Next up:  The rest of the darned chocolate.
 
 
This strategy I've employed for the last few years...and had a HIGH rate of return on it.
 
 
Save it for s'mores.
 
 
That's right.
 
 
 
 
Take the meltable chocolate, place it in a ziplock, and freeze it until next summer.
 
 
(Yes, Reese's Peanut Butter cups make the MOST amazing s'more...if you haven't had one, you don't know what you're missing.)
 
 
This way, most of the Halloween candy is widdled down, and the good stuff will get eaten by them....
 
 
.....eventually.
 
 
 
And you save a buck or two come spring.
 
 
 
Win/ win, right???