Out Past Eight??

Last night was a treat from heaven! We went out to supper as a couple, without our children! This last took place in February so literally it happens "once in a blue moon."


My mother-in-law was kind enough to take the kids for, not one, but two nights! After a quick scramble of finding clothes, toothbrushes, and well, Jesse's entire toy box and bedding, we were off to Manning! I was back in no time, and the grownups were off to supper.


In a bit of shock, we found DeLucca's Italian Grill and headed in. The girl that served us was awesome. I'm kind of a stickler for good service; there's something about having done a job that makes me have really high expectations. Sometimes unrealistic expectations. Anyway, she was great.


She filled us in on the specials and proceeded to explain that they have flavored butter that comes with the fresh-made bread. WHAT? Flavored butter? Yeah, it was peach, and I wanted to lick every last bit off the plate; it was so good.


As we looked over the menu, I asked Jay what he was leaning toward. He had the sweetest response: "It all sounds good, but I know it's not going to be as good as what you cook". He proceeded to say that it's stuff I would normally make on a Wednesday night.


This is so sweet, but not very true. There was a ton of stuff on the menu that I have no idea how to cook. We ordered, ate, and laughed at ourselves. I mean, after all, we were just talking about our silly kids.


You would think that we would talk about something more worldly, friends, or future happenings. Nope, just the response we'd get out of our three-year-old if I went to pick him up and had bleach-blond hair.


As we got in the car, we realized it was 8:30 and giggled as if we were out past curfew. We called the kids to say goodnight and headed home.

Toddler Hell!

Today, I felt like a crazy mother. You know, the one you see that never has it together. Kids crying, snot running, people judging. You know, I know you know.
Jesse has reached the "stage" of, I'm doing it "my way".
We started the day great! We made smoothies and eggs for breakfast. He told me what he wanted to wear, and even managed to hit the garden store with out major issues.
Then, after pulling into targe', it happened! Meltdown!
"Oh dear lord, please help me"! Stay strong, firm and remember "you can do it"!
After the shopping cart cry-out, and the return desk bawling we moved onto the carseat catastrophes. Yup, multiple!
After about thirty minutes of battle, a nice lady offered her assistance.
Funny enough just recently I blasted a lady for trying to help.
Today was different. We were at the car, daisy in her seat and Jesse flipping his lid like I was beating him. I was mortified. Mostly because I wasn't doing the normal things I would do.
I was being judged by everyone!
She simply asked if she could help, and I was at the comical stage of helplessness . I asked " Can you get a three year old in a carseat?"
Deep breath. Never in a million years did I think I would seek help from a complete stranger.
I was at my end.
Together we got him in and then prayed together. Asking for peace for the both of us.
In the middle of the parking lot, I realized that, as mothers we band together.
There is a gentle, unspoken commonality that we understand about each other.
Next time you see that mom having a meltdown, or her child is, I suggest doing what this lady did.
take note, then if you feel moved, offer help. In a kind and gentle way.
After the nice lady, it continued. He wanted control. We pulled over several times. Me, strong arming him back into the buckle.
At one point, only a mile from the house, pulled over (again), a man came and asked if everything was "ok?"
I simple said "yup, battling it out with my three year old".
He laughed and stated "I wouldn't win that battle".
"Oh, I'm winning today"! And I did.
I managed to swindle him in and get to the house. It only took me 2 hours for a 20 minute ride, But I won! We were home, safe. And Jesse was as normal as if we had just pulled out for the day.

Cool school garden, Claud A Taylor

Stumbled upon this very cool school garden today while playing with the family.
It's so refreshing to see the school taking the time to teach about where our food comes from. Awesomeness all the way around! From the pallet made compost pile to the neatly aligned rows sprouting fresh greens :-) Thanks for taking the kids back to the root!

"I don't like it!" Famous words of a child

Lately my three year old son has been muttering those very words, preceded by "I need food, I'm hungry."
Normally he happily shovels down whatever is on his plate. Now, if it's not asparagus, marshmallows or candy, he snubs my offering.
What is this and where is my garbage disposal?
I know everyone says "they will eat when they are hungry." But dang it, I just make a killer blackened chicken, and he's going to eat some of it!
Gotta be sneakier then kid. Ha! Yup I bribed him.
I have found myself doing this quite often with him. At bedtime, to go potty and now to eat supper.
I normally don't like to encourage manipulation with food, but he did need at least some protein.

Time Travel?, I think not

Each time I come to write, I think "Wow, Where has the time gone?" It seems as if I am living in some random time warp that I manage to escape, for a brief moment before I am completely sucked back in.
I guess that moment was while I was typing because I here my 3 year old sneaking around in the bathroom.
Ok, all is safe. He was brushing his teeth. How could I be upset with that?
All these little things pile up and the next thing you know a week has just evaporated. During the times I can actually recall this month, I did discover a few interesting things.
A.) I am an out right Grocery Store Snob! I found myself being uber critical in a store. Yes, they were out of almost all good veggies, bread and fruits. But I should look at the bright side, I found a great supply of skirt steak.
I hear the two sides battling out in my head! Good points, bad points and back and forth. Ugh. The truth is it just boils down to how I eat and the things I want to feed my family. I may snub the mass quantity of chicken in the cold case when I am buying it, but would never do so if someone offered it to me for supper. So, I guess that makes me a snob with manners?
Anyway, my point is, Shop at a grocery that fits your family. If it's important for you to have grass fed beef, or free range eggs shop where you know you can get them.
If not use the paper to find the best deal :) Just make your food, the way you like it.

B.) I need to listen more. My friend has told me over and over about using different products to clean, places to find deals ect. Only this past week, when everyone in the house was sick with that nasty virus, and I was out of carpet cleaner, did I decide to listen to her.
I opted to use her Vinegar and Water tactic to clean the puked on carpets. Holy macaroni it was awesome. I did have to take a bit more time to get it all out, but it really worked great. ( I also added peppermint oil, so it smells like a giant peppermint patty. So word of advice, go easy on the oil.)
C.) Becoming a mother was one of the most difficult transitions I have yet to deal with. The unspoken social changes that occur are unlike anything I care to explain. Having found a group of women that understand and acknowledge the changes is the best gift.With that, I'd like to thank those who have helped, encouraged and rooted me on. I am so grateful.

Whoaa, Christmas!

Hey Y'all,
It has been way to long since my last post, and I do apologize. However, these past few weeks have been.. Well, INSANE!
This is the first year of Jesse being in any kind of public program. I'm sure you have hear all the ladies talk about how "That fist year".
Well let me just say, wether it's true or not, we have been passing around a number of things. Ok, so yea, it started with an ear infection, pawned into a number of other things and then BamB! Christmas is here. All we have left is a cough and remnants of a another ear infection.
Somehow we have managed to get the shopping in. And well, this is also the fist year Jesse has some understanding of "Santa".
The only thing the kids is set on is this butterfly game. So, of course, I find the best deal and go to get my simple high of satisfaction.
I'm not one to.....hmmm, be adamant about something, but I had some my homework and that thing was mine.
Let me just say, amazon will be my friend and toys r us can, well, not be included in my world.
Here it is 9:11 and the boy is getting ready to go to bed.
Let the Wrapping kaos begin!
Merry Christmas y'all, and may you enjoy the crazy call of parenthood :)

Birthday Party on a Dollar or two

Goody Bags

Today is my baby Daisy's first birthday and I am "That Mom" who would buy a pony and walk it down the red carpet to present it to my queen of sheba. Yes, yes, I am. And I am ok with that, however my reality is not.
Ok, so first I went overboard on the invites. Small and sweet was my intention, but I think there might.be more people at her party then there were at our wedding..  Silly me, oh well at least I know I can cook for a crowd and it will be great.
But wait! The kids, it's a kids party and half the quests are kids, what are they going to do?
Well, clever me, I'll make up a game, hand out goody bags and send them home all sugared up.
The game: a simple bean bag toss using a recycled 1/2 pallet, some cool vynal baskets fome the dollar store, and bags I already have! Nice. One down and two to go.
The goodie bags; brown bags tied with twine filled will a few "normal candy", some I can't even begin to understand and simple blowers and toys.
Woohoo, I just killed one bird with two stones...wait, two birds with one stone.
Anyway, I find myself obsessed with this birthday stuff. The party is Saturday so stay tuned for more on this ongoing crazy mom.