One Of My Favorite Blogs

I've been gone for too long.  We've been painting our house and it's taking a lot longer than expected!

One of my favorite blogs is having a giveaway though!  It ends on Sunday!

Check it out!

~Kristen~

Lipizzaner Stallions

Last night we went to see the Lipizzaner Stallions!  Totally awesome!

(Photo copyright belongs to Lipizzaner Stallions website linked to above.)

Seriously...I'm not at all a horse gal.  They're a little intimidating and smelly for my taste. 

However, I do have a little cowboy living under my roof!  Not to mention we won the tickets for free just for being a caller #5 (or whatever) to one of our local radio stations.

It was in Baker, FL which is about 40 minutes from where we actually live.  Of course, I thought I was lost a few times on the way up there.  Then I thought I was lost walking to the arena.  Blah...

I wasn't even sure we were in the right place when a woman with a camera walks up to us and asked if she could use Noah's photograph in their local paper.  I was like, "Of course!"  Check it out!  Noah gets A LOT of attention when we're in public....Of course, he is ordinarily wearing a red cowboy hat, so I can't imagine why!

The show was inside (kind of) with florescent lighting.  So being the awesome photographer I am, I couldn't get a decent picture of the horses prancing around for love nor money.  We did sit right next to where they housed the horses when they weren't showing off though, so.....

Here's my little stallion with one of their stallions.

Also, this is why you don't put your child down for a nap with a Hershey's kiss...

Ava wore her first FSU outfit today.  Long overdue, I know.

Tomorrow I'm going to start my week-long love affair with baking soda to see if I can replace most of the chemical cleaners I have in my house.  Can't wait!

Antiquing Is Green

Antiquing is Green!

I'm sure that's a relief for those of you out there with a shopping addiction.

Whenever you feel the urge to shop, go to an antique store or a thrift store and pick out something special! As for me, I love to get new (to me) things, but I hate to be wasteful.

When your treasure (or anything else) starts to get in your way, donate it back to a thrift store, or put it on your local Freecycle webpage . . .unless it's highly valued. In which case, sell it!

Here's a great antique giveaway from the lovely Ms. Jeanette and her hubby.  Many thanks to Libbie at TheMiddlestSister for pointing it out to me.  Like she said, good luck....but I really hope I win!

As far as my blog goes, I don't think I'm going to continue to go number by number through our book anymore.  I'm going to skip to the ones I consider the "meat and potatoes" of it.  You should buy a copy for yourself though, second-hand of course.  I think it's like 18cents + shipping at Amazon.com. 

It's a great coffee table book!   

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This is a picture of my husband and my little guy "shaving" together. 

They used to do it every night when Steven had to work the next day.

It's not very green to waste that shaving cream on a little boy who doesn't even have hair on his face.

And I thought, "Should I really let them do that?"

Now I'm sitting here at the computer.

Steven's at work.

The kids are in bed, and the house is quiet.

I'm missing it.

I don't think it was wasteful . . .

I won't shave my legs tomorrow, you know....for the earth and all.

Joanna Yarrow - Author

I've been doing this about 2 weeks now....and I thought it was about time to find out a little more about the author of the book, Joanna Yarrow.

After doing a little research on the web, I've decided two things:
1.) I would just love to be this gal's personal assistant.
2.) I have a new role model.

First, check out how fabulous Joanna is...

Here's her company:

Plus, she's from the U.K. which means she's "Shaun of The Dead" and "Coupling" funny.

It doesn't get much better than that!

Make your "hunny-do" lists on a dry erase board like the one pictured above (taken from my bathroom) instead of using paper.

My husband works odd shifts and is often sleeping when I'm awake.  When I want to remember to tell him something, I'll write it on our board in our master bathroom.  It's a convenient place where not a lot of other people go, and we go everyday.

Pretty it up by buying some magnets and gluing small flowers on them, and use them to hang important paperwork or bills on the board.

We've had the same marker for about three years now, because it came with the original purchase.  You can buy your own environmentally friendly markers.

Stay tuned for more ways to save the earth.....and tell your friends about followmylittlefootprints.blogspot.com. 

Giveaways will start in a few weeks!

8: Keep Pet Birds Exotic

"8: Keep Pet Birds Exotic - Colorful parrots, macaws, and other birds are better off left in their natural environment, instead of being dragooned as domestic pets.  Undermine trapping and trafficking by not buying.  Instead, save for a trip to the rain forest - setting aside enough to offset your flight's CO2 emissions, of course.  There you can see birds flying in their natural habitat, and your money will help support local communities trying to keep things that way."

From 1,001 Ways To Save The Environment, by Joanna Yarrow


I've never really been big on (real) birds...I like my live animals cuddly. 

Do you like birds?  If so, visit my friend's Etsy site.  She loves birds, too...and makes handmade crafts that are simply adorable.  Man, I love her stuff!

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We went to Aslan's birthday party.  It was a gymnastics party!  Noah loved it. 

Of course, I left my memory card for my camera at home.  Tomorrow.....

7: Don't Be Floored By Choices

"7:Don't be floored by choices - Instead of artificial fibers, choose a natural floor covering such as sisal, jute, coir, or cork."

From 1,001 Ways To Save The Environment, by Joanna Yarrow


Sisal; Sisal Flooring
Jute; Jute Flooring
Coir, Coir Flooring ( I really like this one)
Cork; Cork Flooring

We will have to remember this for when we build our house somewhere in the not too distant future.

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Today I went to yoga class.

I'm still not very good, but it sure is fun.

When I went to pick Noah up from childcare, he was watching Transformers.

Seriously.

He's three.

Ok.

I'm over it.

Just wanted to get that out there.

We had a lovely nothing day after that.

My parents and Steven's parents came over for dinner.

We had chili.  It's wasn't good.

Oh well.

Where was my camera though!?!

Boo.

Both of my babies are sleeping now.

I'm going to go watch TV with my husband.

Birthday party tomorrow.

6: Donate Your Weekend Shave

We started Noah in gymnastics at the Methodist church last week, so today was his second meeting.  I forgot the camera last time as I generally do. 

These are the general going-ons.  Where's Noah....?

He's running around the gym like a lunatic!  Can you see him?

I finally got him to try out this thing.  I thought it would be more cool, but....whatever.

He's supposed to SIT or LAY and roll around on this thing.

I really am the worst picture-taker alive because he was just swinging on this thing, granted I did have Ava in my arms.

The end was his favorite though.  They gave him these rings and told him to ROLL them.

"You mean, I actually have permission to throw these....inside?"

I got a little worried this afternoon because Ava had some purple bumps on one of her legs.  Of course, I "Googled" it.  Bad idea.  I was literally on my way to the E.R. when I remembered she had been in the front carrier the whole hour while he was doing gymnastics, so I think it's just a bruise or whatever....but I'll keep you posted.

We also cleaned out her closet today, and I found this outfit in there. 

It says, "Sorry boys, Daddy says I can't date till I'm 30."

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"6: Donate Your Weekend Shave - Save on water, foam, and balm by forgoing your daily shaving ritual at the weekend.  Your partner might object to your stubble, but just remind them, it's all for the greater good."

From 1,001 Ways To Save The Environment by Joanna Yarrow

I'm not sure it's possible to forgo any more shavings than I already do (I'm a hippie) and still have a husband . . .

4: Buy Softwood & 5:Extremely Cool

"4: Buy Softwood - Does your furniture need to be made out of a rare, slow-growing hardwood when you could use attractive, fast-growing (and so more readily renewable) spruce, cedar, or pine?

5: Extremely Cool - Keep a pitcher or bottle of tap water in the fridge.  This will mean that you don't waste water waiting for it to come cool out of the faucet."

From: 1,001 Ways To Save The Earth, by Joanna Yarrow



Unfortunately, most of our family furniture is made out of, you guessed it, particle board.  Ok, ok.  We do really need to update.  But hey, we've only been out of college for a few years! 

As far as the water thing goes, sounds like a great idea in theory.  I'm really not sure why you would wait for it to come cool out of the faucet....then again, I'm an ice cube person.

Side note: Bottled Water is Killing the Environment; Use tap...it's really the same thing.  Or, use a PUR filter system like the one pictured here, in my fridge.

I think the water actually tastes better than bottled.  May just be the psychological impact it's not having on my wallet. 

We just keep in the fridge and we always have cool water to drink.  It's awesome.  Seriously.  Get one.

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Noah.

Mopping with my ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MOP.

Doesn't he look old here?

I can't believe how big he's getting.

Like I said, we're growing his hair out right now.

Little Ava is really going at her thumbs now....

3: Lusher Lawns

"3: Lusher Lawns - Longer grass retains moisture better than short turf, so in hot weather let your lawn grow to at least 1 1/2 in. before you cut it to avoid brown patches and unnecessary watering."

From: 1,001 Ways To Save The Earth, by Joanna Yarrow


Currently, we "rent" from my grandparents.  Hence, the handyman decides how to cut the grass at our house.  Boy, does he cut it short, too!


I have heard and read that you should only cut grass like 1/3 of an inch each time you mow, because it will be traumatic to the grass if you cut off too much at one time.  In Florida, our grass grows pretty quickly.  If you only cut it like 1/3 of an inch every time, you'd be cutting the lawn like every three days. 

I know people that do this, mowing the lawn every three days. I'm planning on getting him an electric mower when we're able though.

It just seems like that's a crazy amount of gasoline to use....

So I wonder, what's the neutral point between too short of grass or too much gasoline used....?

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Here's some pictures of my kiddos getting ready for church on Sunday.  This is how they start every morning now.  Side by side watching "Super Why!". 

We're trying to grow Noah's hair out, so you'll have to excuse him.  We're avoiding pictures of him right now until he stops looking like a "throw-away-child", as my mom would say.

Isn't she adorable.  Shortly after I took this picture she spit up all over her dress.  I had to change her into something much less cute which made me sad.

We had a date night last night, and my parents ended up showing up at the restaurant. I really dislike Outback, but it's my Dad's favorite and Steven likes it too.

You may thinking, "how annoying", but Steven and I love seeing my parents, and we're usually so busy. So it was just luck to see them there!

2: Speak Up

"2: Speak Up - If you see something you think might be pollution - from trash dumped in a park to foamy scum on the surface of a river - notify your local government or environmental agency. Perhaps someone else has already pointed it out, but it's far better for the problem to be reported twice than not at all."


From: 1,001 Ways To Save the Earth, by Joanna Yarrow


Do you know where to report a pollution problem in your community?

I do.  Find out, and keep that information on your fridge.

If you live in Okaloosa County, call 850-651-7400.

That's the direct line for the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. You can then ask for environmental enforcement. "The deputies deal with a wide spectrum of environmental enforcement including: abandoned cars, run down buildings, illegal dumping, poaching, and watching the local logging operation" (OCSO).


Would you know pollution when you saw it?

I'm going to be on the lookout, and you should too.

"Special wastes" include tires, appliances, rubble (construction debris), yard waste, recyclable items, used oil and can be disposed of free or at a reduced rate at certain locations in the county.

"Household hazardous wastes (HAZ-MAT) " include pesticides, batteries, used oil engine, degreasers, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, solvents, brake fluid, stale gasoline, anti-freeze, paint, pool chemicals, paint thinners, insecticides, paint strippers, spot removers, furniture polish, fluorescent bulbs, tar, and oil filters.

I didn't know all of those. Did you?

We already recycle our batteries and CFL's, although we did recently switch to rechargeable batteries, we do still have some of the old-fashioned kind lying around. It's so easy to recycle them, there's no reason to. Check out our battery recycling kit!

We got ours from ThinkGreenFromHome

Then, of course, there is noise pollution and litter.



The enviormental enforcement department at the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office recomends, "Watch what you buy. Read labels. Choose the least toxic. Think about the disposal requirements for the leftover product. Plan ahead. Buy exact amount as needed, use it all immediately, don't store it. Always look for newer, safer alternatives. Avoid product loyalty toward any hazardous project" (OCSO).


How clean is your community?

Check out your community's pollution scorecard by typing in your zip code at Scorecard.

Let me know the results.

1:Offset Your Flight's CO2

"1: Offset Your Flight's CO2- Aviation may soon account for 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions. When there’s no alternative to flying, why not help mitigate the environmental costs? Specialist companies (Better World Club, carbonfund.org) allow you to calculate online your seat’s proportion of the flight’s emissions and negate it by buying “offsets” – a contribution they invest in CO2 (carbon dioxide) reduction measures, such as planting trees. On a return flight between New York and London your 1 ½ tons of CO2 incurs a $15 offset."


From: 1,001 Ways To Save the Earth, by Joanna Yarrow

Ok, so this one is unfairly easy for me, because we NEVER fly. I mean that. I have taken one trip on an airplane my entire life. I'll remember it for future plans though.

If you do fly a lot, consider reducing your ticket to business class or economy class. You can use the extra you would have spent on your ticket offsetting your CO2 emissions. If missing out on your first class seat seems like a fate worse than death, just pretend your ticket was $15 more. Also, if you're flying round trip somewhere, consider only offsetting your return trip until you've grown accustomed to offsetting. Then, it won't feel like such an inconvenience right off.  Better still, whenever you take a flight, plant a quick-gowing species of tree at your own home.  Then you'll get to enjoy knowing you personally offset your CO2 emissions, and you'll get some extra shade.

On a personal note, my little Ava rolled over for the first time today! She's 5 months and 3 days old.

My Mom With Ava

Finding Her Feet

She certianly does love her Daddy...

Introduction To Saving the Earth

Ok. Writing a blog seems a bit narcissistic, doesn't it?


I actually created this blog in August of 2009, and thought I would write about my children and things I learned about being a good mom. The thing is, people can only look at so many pictures of my (adorable) children before they're like, "boring".


Hence, I've decided I'm going to do more.


I'm going to give you special people a little more of something I'm really passionate about.


Going green.


It sure is the trend these days, going green. And while the trend may seem similar to fur-donning boots worn on the outside of pants in 2003, or clip-on glasses of the late eighties.....Please realize, IT's NOT.


It's not a trend. You do have time for a lot of changes.


It's important, and you know it is. There.


What qualifications do I have to suggest that you change your lifestyle, you ask. Well, nearly none.


In 2007 I was head of the UWF Emerald Coast Campus' Recycling Program, which basically means I was an unpaid sanitation worker. If that doesn't get your skirt blown up regarding my skills, maybe this will.

I have a book!  This book...

...and I'm going to show you how easy it can be to save the earth, because I'm going to make these changes at our house.

Best yet, I'm going to include pictures of my adorable family saving the earth for documentation.

It’s going to be great, and trendy if you're into that.

January MOPS

Today we had MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) at my church.

We talked about healthful eating and living which always thrills me, since I consider a box of choclate-chip cookies a good meal.

When I got home I decided I was going to make my family start eating a little better. I say "make" because I'm the one that does all the shopping and cooking so it won't really be that difficult.

Turns out, my guys already eat pretty well. Noah has at least three servings of fruits or veggies a day, already. So, I'm making it a goal to increase that number. I think I already have the cookbook "Deceptively Delicious". I just need to get it down out of my cabinet. I also need to monitor how many sweets he eats, though. Since I have such a bad sweet tooth, I often let him munch as well.

Another thing I've decided I want to do is plant a garden. I've been wanting to do it for a while now, so now I have a healthy reason to make Steve help me. I'll be researching exactly what I need to do to plant one tomorrow, because I know you have to get started early and Spring time comes quickly to Florida.....even though it's supposed to be like 18 degrees tonight. Brrr....

For now, I'm going to go finish my homework for the Bible Study we just started on Wednesday called "Growing Kids God's Way. There is supposedly a lot of controversy behind it, so I'll have to post how it goes.

Then, of course, Desperate Housewives.

I've got a ton of pictures to post. I'll do that tomorrow. Steven just went to night-shift, so I'll have more time for blogging now.

I want to figure out the nifty trick of hyperlinking text in a blog too. I'm so computer illiterate.

Catching Up

My baby girl can sit up all by herself! This video is from TONIGHT.

So, it’s been a while, huh?

Ever feel like you just can get caught up?

I know I do. Often...

It used to happen even more frequently, too.

A few years ago, I found myself pregnant before I was married. Not the "right" order. I got married.

So, then I found myself married before I had finished school. Again, not the "right" order. I (kind of) finished school.

I took the easy way out and got a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from our local university, because I was sure I needed a degree. Academia wise, it was too easy. I didn't even walk. It did have it's price though. My marriage suffered, as did my poor husband. It took me two years to loose 20 pounds of baby weight. I visited the family that lived around me A LOT like you're "supposed" to do, and was resentful for never having time to myself. My house was always clean and sanitized.

I was generally stressed out, exhausted, and never really GOOD at anything.

I missed a lot of good things “catching up” though; I just didn't know it until I realized (tonight) I don’t have video of the first time Noah sat up.

I'm sitting here at my computer and I just want to cry, one of those big crys where you wake up with a headache and your nose runs for the rest of the week. My husband already thinks I'm crazy though.


My mother-in-law, one of the smartest women I know, told me this poem one time:

“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait until tomorrow,
because babies grow up, I've learned to my sorrow.
So hush-a-bye cobwebs, dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep!”

These days, I hardly ever answer my phone the first time it rings unless I'm expecting my husband to call or someone else is watching my babies. I currently have 18 voicemail I haven’t listened to. I don't look at emails that have the word "FWD" in the message line.

I’ve always been pretty good at saying “No”, but I’ve essentially beaten the castle at this point.

I have an entire list of things I neglect, but my marriage and my children aren't on it.

I have a ton of pictures from the holidays I’m going to post. I will blog again, but sometimes it's just "on the list". It can wait until another night, because I’m about to go watch a movie with my husband.


Go ahead….Neglect some things. You’ve got my permission.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Ava was four months old yesterday....and yesterday she found her feet. It's like she just never knew they were there before. I can't believe she's already 4 months old.

Saturday we went to the Niceville Christmas Parade, but we didn't stay long because it was so cold and we walked there. Husband's idea...

Here's Ava all bundled up:


Here's Noah and Daddy:


Sunday Noah had another singing concert. They called it "Christmas Hangups". It was for the children 3yrs to 5th grade, so it was really cute all around. I am the WORST videographer, but he's the one in the red, cowboy hat.

Here's Noah singing "Away In A Manger":


Here they are signing "Jingle Bells":


All I can say is, Christmas is so much better when you have children!

I Need A Time Out

Ever had a day where you have to constantly remind yourself to be nice?

Today was that kind of day for me. I guess I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Nearly everything was a struggle, and I know that makes it hard on my family.

Steven went to Powell Agency (insurance company) this morning and changed the value of his jeep from Blue Book to stated. Essentially, his jeep is now worth about $7,000 in an accident. Oddly enough, it saved us money because his car is now labeled a "collectible" instead of "recreational". Labels, labels...



Then he took me to Cracker Barrel, which is one of my favorite places to eat. We drove his car to Tilberg's house to get repainted, and then we came home and helped Noah with his Christmas tree for school. We cleaned the agency, which I love getting done on Friday nights. Now my lovely children are sleeping soundly in their rooms, and Steven and I will be able to have a little bit of a date night.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. Why was I so grumpy?

I will tell you one thing, Noah had one heck of a time out today which is always a good attitude adjustment for him. He stood in our corner for about 10 minutes yelling, screaming, and crying. It's like he just had something going on he needed to have a little bit of a breakdown about.

While I was listening to him I thought, "That's what I'd like to do". I thought, "I just need to stand in a corner and not worry about who's watching me and yell, and scream, and cry". I didn't, of course. My husband may have thought that was a little weird.

I was thinking though that we just don't take enough "time outs" for ourselves as we get older, do we?

Homework For Moms . . .?

I feel like Noah's school (society in general, really) is asking a lot of us moms. It's not that I don't want to be involved with my child's schooling or anything, but really...homework at three? He already do some crafts at home. He's in school 4 hours a day, 2 days a week. Who do they think ends up with the work when they send homework?

Tuesday they sent us home with poster board to cut out paper candy canes. So, this morning I'm rushing around trying to get my "homework" together before I can go drop Noah off. I got 20 of them out of one poster board, but it took me like 35 minutes.

Today they sent him home with a poster board of a Christmas tree to cut out and decorate. Have I mentioned I feel like I live at Walmart...?

No big deal for me really, because I'm not officially doing anything else. I clean my Dad's office on the weekend, but that's about the extent of my contribution to working society right now. To me, it really seems like I do a lot though...and what if I was working....? I can't imagine being a mom who works full-time, has children (we'll add a husband to this item on the list), and then has to come home and help them with their homework.

However, it won't be something I'll have to imagine in two or so years when I join the ranks of the gainfully employed. I do find the longer I stay out of work, the more nervous I get about going back. Pre-children I had a really good job, too. I was an assistant internal auditor at a local bank and probably could have moved up to a cushy position with an even more cushy paycheck. I don't regret making the decision I made to stay at home at all though.

My children have helped me learn more real world skills than my little job ever did. I was never really good with things like multi-tasking, thinking on my feet (lets just say poop happens), accepting help, congeniality, or not sweating the small stuff. Hopefully, by the time I'm looking for work again, the economy will pick back up. Lets just say I'll be more qualified this time around . . .

Since I've been at home I have been trying to come up with ways to make money without leaving my child with someone else. There are a ton of scams out there, aren't there? I have found a few ways that are LEGIT though, and I'll be sharing more as I have time and as I find them.

Here's two:

http://www.focusonservice.com/
This one gets you a free meal (plus $10, I think) at Longhorns twice a year.

http://www.mysteryshopperservices.com/
This one is affiliated with multiple businesses. You can look up assignments by your zip code. Each assignment tells what it pays ahead of time.

It's awesome because you can bring your children! As for my family, we're just sitting at home anyways. May as well get a free meal (or whatever) and a little extra spending money.




Here's some pictures of my son being industrious today. You may have noticed he doesn't like to wear a shirt. It's Florida....what can I say?

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is worth more than precious rubies.
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
She will not hinder him but help him all her life.
She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
She is like a merchant's ship; she brings her food from afar.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls.
She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
She watches for bargains: her lights burn late into the night.
Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting like fiber.
She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes. She quilts her own bedspreads.
She dresses like royalty in gowns of finest cloth.
Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council meeting with the other civic leaders.
She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions.
She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.
Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her: "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!"
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

So, I'm not an early riser, and I don't know how to sew....I'm a work-in-progress.

Brums....and more...

It's December 2nd. I haven't posted anything in a week, because this week has been a blur. I forgot my camera during Thanksgiving, the house is trashed even more than usual, I missed my bible study yesterday, and I still have a ton of errands to run today even though that's what I did all day yesterday.

I haven’t been walking either so I think I may be having withdrawls.

Even so, this was probably the best Thanksgiving we've had as a family. I normally tire of holidays because it always feels like we're rushing from one place to the next to "see", but not actually get to hang out with everyone. For some reason this Thanksgiving was just better. I feel like our little family is complete in some way . . .it's relaxing.

First we went to Aunt Janet's house. Then we made the drive to Mom's house in Panama City. Even though Ava can't stand being in the car, she was so worn out from visiting with everyone that she slept almost the whole way. Mom was enjoying the holidays by playing poker with all her friends. If you ask me (even though we don't really gamble), that's an awesome way to spend a holiday. Allen gave us some more of his tasty oranges. Can't wait to eat some! Steven got some last Christmas, and he was on a orange kick that last like 8 months or something.

We got most of our Christmas shopping done the week before last, but Noah wanted this gift we had gotten for Aslan. Drums. I LOVE THEM! Now that he's used them though, we'll probably get something a little different for Aslan. They are loud, and do take up a lot of space in his little room.





He calls them brums....haha.

Steven is so cute about it. Every time we start Noah doing something new he says, "It'd be so cool if he learned how to (insert hobby turned pro here....i.e. dancing, drum playing, windsurfing, soccer). I loved that when I was younger."



Noah has finally decided that Ava is allowed to watch tv with him. She's just not allowed to touch his chair.



Grandpa and Grandma Harding sent us about 60 box tops in the mail. I knew I should have waited until his Daddy was home to open them, but I let him open them anyway. His face was better than on Halloween or Christmas! He was so excited. We printed out sheets for him to tape them to bring them to school on. He colored them and I taped them all on.



We cleaned out Noah's toys in preparation for Christmas, and we sent three boxes to Gavin. We also took some bigger things to the Methodist box. I can't believe he had that many toys in his room. It's so clean now. I'm washing his sheets now, but I'll post pictures later to prove it can be clean!

Ava can officially put her passie in her mouth. In this video, she never actually gets it all the way in, but you get the idea.



Oh, and Noah can write and type his name now. Pretty cool. I wish they could have kindergarten on computers because he's much better at typing than writing.

I'm sure there's a ton more I'd like to write about, but these were the highlights!

November 25th, 2009

Whew...is today almost over already?!?!

Noah and I made turkey cookies today! We're gearing up for tomorrow. I love Thanksgiving . . . .all the food and fun of Christmas without that Santa stuff and excessive commercialism.













We got the idea from a handout from Noah's school. Here's the recipe for "Easy Turkey Cookies":

Ingredients for one cookie:
1 round sugar cookie, approximately 3 1/2" in diameter
Approximately 2 spoonfulls of white frosting
A small portion of yellow cake-decorating frosting in a tube
6 pieces of candy corn
3 M&M's Minis candies
3 red hots (we used one)
1 thin pretzel stick

1. Use a plastic knife to spread white frosting onto the cookie.
2. Place the candy corn in the frosting near the top of the cookie for feathers.
3. Squeeze small amount of yellow frosting for the eyes and beak as shown.
4. Place the M&M's Minis candies in the yellow frosting for the eyes and beak as shown.
5. Add the red hots below the beak for the turkey's wattle.
6. Break the pretzel stick in half. Near the bottom of the cookie, place one end of each half in the frosting for legs.

Ok, so our turkeys look a little funny because I didn't read ahead to the part that said the cookie should be about 3 inches in diameter (ours were like 1 1/2). =0)

I'm about to cuddle up with my husband and a glass of wine and watch "Funny People". I've heard it's not that great, but I'm optimistic.

Still considering whether I should participate in "Black Friday".

November 22nd, 2009

I think my children are finally asleep....I love when they do that! =0)




Today we went to church, then went shopping, then came home and got ready for bed (that's what it felt like anyways).

So, Steven's been off work for the past three days, and I'm ready for him to go back. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing him. We're just both so busy right now that it feels like I have a very needy roommate. I think when he's off, I spend so much time getting done what needs to be done, I don't have time to do things I want to do....like drink water and exercise.

I watched "My Sister's Keeper" last night. It was a great movie, although I bet the book was even better. Books are always better.

I read that November is Premature Baby Awareness Month. I know it's always "something month", but babies certainly do have a special place in my heart.
http://marchofdimes.com/prematurity/index.asp

I finished all my Christmas cards today, except for the very few I need addresses for. It's been a productive day.

I didn't drink a lot of water today, and I didn't walk my mile. I did go shopping at Walmart though....that's cardio, right?

Off to watch Desperate Housewives . . .