tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11240939056163301912024-03-13T16:57:36.314-05:00A Little WallAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.comBlogger578125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-91170719030860569562014-09-19T07:00:00.000-05:002014-09-19T07:00:11.708-05:00I am leaving, please come with me!Not you, my loyal followers, but this website hosting platform, Blogger. I now have the website <a href="http://www.alittlewall.net/">alittlewall.net </a>all for myself. I know, a .net address, like this is 1997. But someone in China already bought alittlewall.com. I am not kidding. I tried to get it and was able to trace the ownership to China. Seriously, they have the great wall, why do they need my little wall? <br />
<br />
But back to the blog. I have used Blogger to house this blog for more than six years and it has been great. Super easy to use and quick to start up. But now I need a bit more. I want the blog to be a more professional looking and I have launched a small business selling teacher gift packaging (more info on the new site!). To do that all in one place, I have to go to Word Press. And I need to do it before I blow up and get so popular that I have to ask, like 45 of you to move with me. <br />
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This is most likely more detail than you wanted so here is what I am asking you to do:<br />
<ul>
<li>If you have followed me on BlogLovin, please update it to the new one <a href="http://www.alittlewall.net/">www.alittlewall.net</a></li>
<li>If you follow it here, you don't have to do a thing but when you go to <a href="http://alittlewall.net/">alittlewall.net</a>, click on the "Follow on Word Press" button on the right side of the page. </li>
<li>If you are here via Facebook then great for you, nothing to do as I will continue to post from the new blog onto Facebook.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I hope the seven of you will follow me on to Word Press....pretty please!<br />
<br />
You know you don't want to miss what these guys are up to.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-56964450661599354362014-09-08T07:00:00.000-05:002014-09-08T07:00:01.229-05:00Just in case you want to kiss upI am really not on board with the "first day of school gifts". How could that not be sucking up, loud and clear? (This is foreshadowing, in case you are wondering). What I am on board with, is a thank you gift for putting up with my child all summer AND yeah new school year. That clearly is not sucking up. Not in the least.<br />
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Last year I gave the teachers <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2013/08/first-ish-day-of-school.html" target="_blank">doughnuts in a cute container</a> and it was a big hit. This year, I made this label for my friend Sonia. She needed something for the crossing guard at her daughter's school (they have required drop-off and pick-up; a dream). Since men like smoothies, I suggested Smoothie King and with a card reading: "Thank you for making our days run smoothly". I love a good pun.<br />
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I have since made another one for Zach's Kindergarten teacher with a gift to a local, kid friendly yogurt store (she has twin first graders) that says:<br />
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So maybe I am on board with first day of school gifts....</div>
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Really, I am on board with gifts for teachers in most settings. Especially when they involve gift cards and me getting to make something. Plus, Zach's first week was tough. I think he handled it great, but I know that is largely due to his teacher being so warm, calm and supportive. I can imagine her week and I thought a little treat for her family over the long weekend, was not too out of control. But my concept of "out of control" can tend to be skewed, I have been told.</div>
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In case you want <strike>to kiss up</strike> be supportive of your teacher, here is <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/x351gyay6te8ucp/Smoothie%20labels.pdf?dl=0">a link to the printable </a>of the first card.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-63400689505065103222014-09-05T07:00:00.000-05:002014-09-05T13:19:05.455-05:00School's back <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You guys, I have a kindergartner, how is that possible when I am only 26 years old? And how is it possible this guy is in big-time elementary school?<br />
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His smiles were much more genuine then, but he still has the ability to shrink his eyes to 1/8th their normal large size when he smiles. He gets that from me - he is so lucky.<br />
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This is not going to be a weepy long post about my oldest starting kinder. Mainly because it has been done for me and I don't really do weepy. <a href="http://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com/2014/08/the-real-back-to-school-checklist.html">This post</a> is my favorite first day of school ones (not weepy, just funny) and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kim-simon/to-my-fellow-moms-on-the-first-day-of-kindergarten_b_5693541.html" target="_blank">this one</a> made me cry. Everything has been said and it is all true. However, I didn't cry, I practically danced out of the school and once I dropped James off, the only thing going through my head was:<br />
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I then spent an hour and a half at the grocery store (I had to make two trips and chat with friends) went to an eye doc appointment and prepped dinner. I could not have been happier. I then made what I thought was an <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/apple-peanut-butter-delights.html" target="_blank">awesome snack</a> which both my children refused to eat asking instead for cheese and crackers. Naturally they did, it is the standard Wall snack. No worries, I polished off three to make myself feel better.<br />
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My friends keep asking me how I am doing, with a sympathetic look in their eye and I tell them I am fine. I am EXCITED. These boys are used to being in school. Zach likes it, James does as well once he gets past me not being there (I am awesome in his eyes, more of you should cry when I leave). Zach is so social and has oh, so many questions, he is a great fit for more schooling. He has already come home asking me to be sure to read him the author and the illustrator of the books we read before bed and has learned the sight word 'am'. Kindergarten = success.<br />
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Oh there have some hiccups too. Like getting up early. No one in our family is thrilled with this plan and we are pretty terrible at it. But luckily since Zach has to wear a uniform (basically, he can chose from khaki or navy shorts and a red, navy or white shirt) him getting dressed is fairly easy. When he does not get distracted by legos or something. And since they eat lunch at 10:40 I don't really worry if he doesn't eat all that much breakfast.<br />
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We have been riding our bikes to school, since we live less than a mile away. My sister says I am such a stereotype. Totally. I just need some pedal pushers (now called skinny pants) and I could be a 1950s housewife.<br />
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Except that on the way home, this guy sneaks my phone out from the pocket and plays games on it.<br />
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He also started school and did great for about three days then realized that this was also for real. He goes every day and staged a revolt (see paragraph above about my awesomeness). The revolt involved full body convulsions on the floor and a piercing scream to go with it. You would not know it from these angelic photos, but he is a beast when he wants to be. Which is anytime I tell him "no".<br />
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Happy first weeks of school my friends!<br />
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Here is the look back at the boys first days of school and the best example of the fact that clearly I birthed twins, 2.5 years apart.<br />
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<b>Zach:</b></div>
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2013</div>
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2012</div>
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2011</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPhoRhV2WAyPwf1up6txGdbvnfpFimK8vb6BXSSCol_rGdso_QJdQjquDjKCt6xukEXY7RfqTOzEaj_s3l2Jm1h7RPdxS3duSu-VAz7HzH_1I2Io-9cEJRZNiwU8NCiPq2oNwwmhPKOw/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPhoRhV2WAyPwf1up6txGdbvnfpFimK8vb6BXSSCol_rGdso_QJdQjquDjKCt6xukEXY7RfqTOzEaj_s3l2Jm1h7RPdxS3duSu-VAz7HzH_1I2Io-9cEJRZNiwU8NCiPq2oNwwmhPKOw/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" height="333" width="400" /></a></div>
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2010</div>
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<b>James:</b></div>
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2013</div>
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2012</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-13111154237442641202014-08-08T07:00:00.000-05:002014-08-08T07:00:04.439-05:00A Week with a Kindergartner<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Last week Zach had no camps, and James was in school until 2,
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Zach had been looking forward to this week for a
few weeks, as I told him we could do whatever he wanted - this was his week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was looking forward to it as well, as it
has recently hit me how much he will be in school in a few short weeks. His
school day is 8-3:15. He can totally handle that much time, but it is big kid
school. For real school that you can't cut or be late to for valid reasons like
your mom is too tired to pour you cereal. I wanted to have this time with him,
just he and I, like we used to be. Plus just having one five year old is a
piece of cake! No bathroom assistance needed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The first place he wanted to go was to the children's museum.
Murder. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am just over the museum. Oh, it is awesome, don't get me wrong.
There is so much to do and super cool educational stuff, blah, blah, I am just
over it. We have been going since Zach could sit up. We would meet our playgroup
up in the Tot Spot (where James went maybe twice) and let our first babies
stare at themselves in the mirrors while we analyzed their sleep schedules and
debated what kind of diapers really were the most absorbent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
But off we went. We made the vinyl mask
and cape you see above, we climbed the huge climbing structure; we played a
matching game and a fractions game. He loved every minute of it and wanted to
go back the next day. We did not. We had grocery shopping and dentist
appointments to keep us busy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Wednesday I made him go to the kid’s
center at the Y so I could do my Pilates/yoga class, and then we headed over to
see How to Train Your Dragon 2 at the movie theater. We snuck in lunch and
bought popcorn, drinks and sour patch kids. The movie ended right about the
time James was done at school so we scooped him up and headed home. Don't think
the Walls are done with their day, it was only 2 pm. We had two more activities
planned - all before dinner. We went and swam with our friends in the
neighborhood (Hi Whitney!) and then took dinner over to a friend who had a baby
(Hi Amanda!). I totally overstayed both places, as is my way and we didn't get
home until after six. Whoopsies. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Thursday, blissfully, both boys went to
Discover Gymnastics in the morning and I relished my glorious two and a half
hours of alone time for the week. I got a bit over relaxed in those two hours
and totally dropped the ball on swim lessons. Whoopsies again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Friday, with James back in school, Zach
and I headed back out to Splashtown with Ashley, Charley, Jen and Tyler. We
went in May for Charley's birthday and Zach loved it. I did not. I don't like
water parks. I don't like the rides, they terrify me. My dad would tell me I am
being a chicken, and he would be right. I am fully convinced I will flip out of
my tube, my contacts will fly out of my eyes and I will drown. Nothing in
between that could happen. The park is actually very nice and clean, with a
great little kid’s area that our kids could do all on their own. I think even James
would like that section. </div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
My first water park experience was actually better than I thought
until one ride in particular. It was a covered tube ride that you go down in an
inner tube. Charley refused to go down it and I insisted I would stay with her so
that Ashley would not miss out. I am such a generous friend, as you all know me
to be. So Ashley walked up 384 steps with Zach and about five minutes later she
comes shooting out one of the slides. Then we wait on Zach. And we wait. A few
more people come down, and then the lifeguard at the bottom blows her whistle
to shut down the slide saying, "A little boy is stuck". Holy shit.
That is my little boy. And he is stuck in a dark slide many feet up in the air.
The lifeguard confirms what he looks like and which tube he would be coming
down (via Ashley) and runs up the steps. Meanwhile I am trying not to scream
and position myself in front of the slides so when he comes out, I am the first
thing his terrified face sees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
About that time the life guard comes shooting
out of the pink slide. Ashley, almost nicely, reminds her that he is in the
yellow one. Up she darts again and down she comes in the yellow. At this point
Ashley takes matters into her own hands and runs up the steps, coming down a
few minutes later with Zach on her lap. Laughing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Another mom comments that she can't
believe that mother (Ashley) is staying so calm when her child is stuck in the
slide. "Oh that is me", I replied. I am the mom. Only one of us
needed to be freaking out and Ashley had that covered for me. She really is
generous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Turns out that he was not stuck. They
would not let him go down as the lifeguard (and I use that term loosely) at the
top didn't realize he was with Ashley and that she had gone down first. So once
Ashley got to the top, she grabbed him, plopped him on her lap, with a warning
to the lifeguard not to stop her and flew down the slide. Zach was none the
wiser, while Ashley and I were both shaken and needed to take a break.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Later in the week Ashley calls Splashtown
to discuss how the guard at the top handled the situation. Again, yes, this is
not her child, don't make a big deal. They end up giving her six passes for the
park. So just to reiterate - we got six free passes to the park for Zachary NOT
getting stuck in the tube slide. She is such a good friend on so many levels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Luckily, no one got stuck this trip (I
still refused to go down that ride) and I screamed my face off on the one ride
I did go on, that my throat was sore for days. Days! And we all know how loud I
talk anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
At least I was not traumatized this time.
And my week was a success. Zach had fun, we got to spend one-on-one time
together and hopefully I don't have to go to Splashtown anytime soon. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-10690745723635594962014-08-06T07:00:00.000-05:002014-08-06T07:00:04.423-05:00It got really hot in hereFor James's birthday party this year (vs. <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2014/07/i-need-to-stop-calling-him-baby.html" target="_blank">his actual birthday celebrated at Chuck-e-Cheese</a>), I decided to do hold the weekend after his birthday aka not on the 4th of July weekend. We rented the <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2012/09/happy-birthday-james.html" target="_blank">same giant water slide</a> from his first birthday which arrived at 7:00 am that morning. The boys slept until 8 (which they never do). I am not the least bit bitter about it, can't you tell? I guess we did get our money's worth!<br />
<br />
So, it turns out that if you have a party on a non-holiday weekend, people show up. Like, a lot of people. We had about 24 kids plus their corresponding parents in my house. Not outside, but IN my house. The water slide lasted exactly 30 minutes for the majority of the kids (except Miles, thankfully). The three year olds started it by coming inside and insisting on getting dressed. Not just to get cool, no, they wanted to get fully changed.<br />
<br />
Vince was the lifeguard at the bottom of the slide, making sure that kids waited their turn and didn't go down head first. Liv stood at the front door welcoming everyone inside. This was after she had iced all the cupcakes. Where was I? Talking to all my friends and trying to pretend it was not 82 degrees in the house. I told them both that I didn't know what I would have done without them!<br />
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James wanted to have <a href="http://www.nickjr.com/team-umizoomi/" target="_blank">Team Umizoomi</a> as his theme this year. Well, technically he wanted Umizoomi and Spider-Man both as themes. No. You get one theme and we go with it. My one concession was to let him have a l<a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2013/01/4-year-old-fun.html" target="_blank">eft over Spider-Man candle </a>on top of his pink cupcake.<br />
<br />
Generous. I am so, so generous.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTS30S_NlGnGCh1krJe-sXQnDwkJqCvMjI1vBlgjJsr5kLVrAggkJonhUN77G9eIRPffcGIU_M4-sb7ZdR1tx7-XwYkuw8PkK-gmvm6bNFXJM1i2sGWMHcHRHCUGIeLgusUEKSOlF_Zk/s1600/IMG_6598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTS30S_NlGnGCh1krJe-sXQnDwkJqCvMjI1vBlgjJsr5kLVrAggkJonhUN77G9eIRPffcGIU_M4-sb7ZdR1tx7-XwYkuw8PkK-gmvm6bNFXJM1i2sGWMHcHRHCUGIeLgusUEKSOlF_Zk/s1600/IMG_6598.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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James is very into pink everything this year, so he only wanted pink cupcakes. Obviously, I ignored that and had Liv ice them in pink, green and blue; the Umizoomi colors. Topped with some rings from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/210487009" target="_blank">Etsy</a>, and they were done.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBLKJ44bkjnDrSaXPeDrdlZlyuL-IuvGt4RISCbRL7Yv_0YDpNAked7-tpIqGM_d8doczqGgoMTIcRgPYWLKo4EGv2D_1tItV7yXge5ljFghEE64d8qJJaZOy4JLE5OgwuMoPEv6iQIw/s1600/IMG_6595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBLKJ44bkjnDrSaXPeDrdlZlyuL-IuvGt4RISCbRL7Yv_0YDpNAked7-tpIqGM_d8doczqGgoMTIcRgPYWLKo4EGv2D_1tItV7yXge5ljFghEE64d8qJJaZOy4JLE5OgwuMoPEv6iQIw/s1600/IMG_6595.JPG" height="640" width="304" /></a></div>
For the party favors, I kept it simple and just grabbed a bunch of James's favorite things, figuring what one three year old likes, others would as well. So in went a lollipop, cheddar-blasted Goldfish, a bouncy ball and fruit snacks. Side note: James 100% balked at my organic fruit snacks. Sorry, party goers.<br />
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Team Umizoomi is a team of tiny super heros that save Umicity using math. I am not kidding. They do a lot of measuring, counting and geometry. Geo does a lot of shape creating via his shape belt. I found a link on Pinterest <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/176766354099774435/" target="_blank">to make belts</a> like the one that Geo wears. It is orange with shapes all around it. I, of course, have no pictures of mine, because I finished them the night before.<br />
<br />
For the record I would like to state that I whole-heartedly disagree with the <a href="http://www.brainchildmag.com/2013/08/the-case-against-party-favors/" target="_blank">no-favors moment</a>. I am sure I actually didn't need to state that, you all get me. I love to do the favors. It is fun for me. I don't care what other people give out (at all) and you could throw a bag of chips at my children and they would scream, "BEST FAVORS EVER!!". So again, let's all just <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2014/06/everyone-just-calm-down.html" target="_blank">calm down.</a><br />
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You guys, I can't even tell you how hot it got in my house. I was sweating like a fool. Everyone was crowded into the hottest part of my house (on a good day it is 77 degrees back here) and opening and closing the doors. I was so mortified. However, no one (but the pregnant lady, sorry Lanie!) seemed in a hurry to leave, so I guess everyone was just used to be hot in July.<br />
<br />
The finale of the party was a <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">piñata</span> . Oh, you are wondering where it is? Alex is holding it. In his hands. While James swings a bat at him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4f7xe7PGt_p3fEO98fyJWJFAMHiSH405Ot19XhC71PWDAKbivcQVYUnx7x0bKW6P77x7kE6037NZzSO0j-BZZCZa49dFpz-kvbv_3XaPMhG97wu-TArkPEDFKTZDBepVzBgQ47Xvw1Q/s1600/IMG_6641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4f7xe7PGt_p3fEO98fyJWJFAMHiSH405Ot19XhC71PWDAKbivcQVYUnx7x0bKW6P77x7kE6037NZzSO0j-BZZCZa49dFpz-kvbv_3XaPMhG97wu-TArkPEDFKTZDBepVzBgQ47Xvw1Q/s1600/IMG_6641.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
So, a homemade <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">piñata</span> </span>was not part of my party vision. Especially a tiny one that was not strong enough to be hung on a rope.<br />
<br />
The weekend before the party, Zach asked if we could make a <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">piñata</span>, for fun. I said sure and looked up how to make paper mache. We had an old Chick-fil-a helium balloon lazily floating around the house, so I grabbed that we set to work. I didn't add glue to the mix, because this was just for fun! It didn't need to be strong!<br />
<br />
We got elbow deep in paper mache, coating the entire balloon. We let it dry, Zach painted it, then we popped the balloon. About this time Alex walked in and said, "Oh, you guys are making a <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">piñata</span> for James's party!" Zach got so excited and what I could do? Say, ummmm, sorry, but this is not my vision plus I did the paper mache wrong? Nope, hence us having a globe looking ball for an Umizoomi birthday party that pulled off its string a minute before we tried to hang it up.<br />
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The boys and I went to the store and I let them pick two kinds of hard candy to include. And really, all the kids liked it and Alex got his due for suggesting it, by having to hold it.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-36188433003892102462014-08-01T07:00:00.000-05:002014-08-01T07:00:07.843-05:00What the Walls ateHaven't you been wondering what in the world I made for dinner this week? Well, lucky you (not you Darren), I am here to tell you. One of my friends and readers Jen, also seen <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2011/05/head-cracking.html" target="_blank">here</a>, asked if I would put some meal planning suggestions on the blog. I have been thinking about it ever since. This was months ago. Months. There are so many great bloggers who meal plan, like <a href="http://www.supergluemom.com/" target="_blank">her</a> and <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/" target="_blank">her</a>, I struggled with what I really had to offer. Then I told myself to calm down, she literally just means, what did you eat and will my kids eat it. Because that is the question of every mother, everywhere.<br />
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I try to casually meal plan each week. What I mean by that is that I don't clip coupons, because I can't remember to bring them, and I don't read circulars, because they confuse me. And yes, you should totally be taking my smart advice.<br />
<br />
I like to look through my cookbooks and my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kinseyw/yummmmm/" target="_blank">dinner</a> and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kinseyw/kid-friendly-food/" target="_blank">kid friendly</a> Pinterest boards to see what I feel like cooking this week. I am much more likely to actually cook, if I am excited about either trying something new, or making something I know my family will eat.<br />
<br />
Anyway, on with what the Walls ate!<br />
<br />
<b>Monday</b> - Out to dinner downtown with Alex. Well, crap, already blowing my meal plan. Push the fish to Tuesday.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Tuesday </b>- Sauteed Trout with <a href="http://cafezupas.com/2012/07/roasted-kale-chips/" target="_blank">roasted kale</a> for us and <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/panko-crusted-fish-sticks-50400000123563/" target="_blank">Panko-fish sticks</a> and peas from the freezer for the boys.<br />
<u>Trout Recipe:</u><br />
2 fillets of ruby red or rainbow trout<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tony-Chacheres-Original-Creole-Seasoning/dp/B00D1G7LZM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406866318&sr=8-1&keywords=tony+chachere" target="_blank">Tony Chachere's</a><br />
Olive Oil<br />
1. Rub the non-skin side with olive oil and sprinkle the Chachere's on to your liking<br />
2. Heat a good glug of olive oil in a pan until hot<br />
3. Cook fish, non-skin side down for 3 min then flip<br />
4. You will know when the fish is done (in 2-3 more min) when you jab your spatula in it and it flakes.<br />
<br />
<u><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/panko-crusted-fish-sticks-50400000123563/" target="_blank">Panko-fish sticks</a></u><br />
This is my favorite and only fish stick recipe. The boys love it and I have been known to force it on their friends as well. You can use halibut like they say in the recipe (which I never have), cod or snapper. If I can get fish that has not been frozen, I like to make a bunch and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx6Af9PrzGs" target="_blank">flash freeze </a>them for later. Pull them out for dinner, 10 min in the toaster oven and you are set. I obviously don't make the tartar sauce. Please, that would be a total waste of my time. Not making fish sticks, when Gorton's make a hell of a fish stick, no. Just the tarter sauce.<br />
<br />
<b>Wednesday</b> - Rotisserie chicken, mac and cheese, roasted cauliflower and broccoli. See how fancy I am!<br />
<br />
<b>Thursday </b>- <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2014/07/dont-be-scared-by-these-tacos.html" target="_blank">Black bean and spaghetti squash tacos </a>and roasted brussels sprouts for us and quesadillas and strawberries for the boys. Just when you thought I was normal-ish with the chicken, I threw this at you.<br />
<br />
To make the tacos easier for the weeknight, I pre-browned the meat and roasted the spaghetti squash a few days ahead when I was already in the kitchen and the oven was on. They will keep in the fridge, then all I had to do was microwave the beans, meat and squash on Thursday. I used some of the Mexican cheese and corn tortillas from our tacos, combined with Monterrey jack for the quesadillas. Everything gets used and you only slightly feel like a short order cook.<br />
<br />
Side note: I roast everything in my toaster oven. I detest turning on the big oven to heat up my entire house. Invest in a good toaster oven (or have your mom do it for you, like I did) and it will be worth it. Everything takes 8-15 minutes in there. You most likely know this and are rolling your eyes even harder at me.<br />
<br />
<b>Friday</b> - Make your own pizza. The boys think we are super fancy when I pull out the pizza stone. I buy either the DiGironio (have you had them lately? Delicious!) or the frozen dough in the bread section of the freezer. You can make it, but even I don't do that. Mainly because I can't ever remember to let it rise, or whatever else bread is supposed to do.<br />
<br />
<u>Pizza</u><br />
Frozen dough (2 for a family of four, but get two extra)<br />
Classico Fire Roasted Pizza Sauce<br />
Mozzarella Cheese (3 packages)<br />
Basil<br />
Garlic Salt<br />
1. Follow the instructions on the dough to cook<br />
2. Top with sauce and cheese<br />
3. You really don't need these instructions, I am just assuming no one is still reading.<br />
<br />
But if you are, let me make it worth your while....Why the extra dough, you are thinking. Well, to make these of course:<br />
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<a href="http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/pizza-rolls/92c71061-a22c-4521-b2f6-9989a9486765" target="_blank">Pizza Rolls</a><br />
Alex and boys approved, and inhaled. Clearly, I have a thing for pizza as this is my second post about making small ones and freezing them. Here is <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2013/06/mini-pizza-two-ways.html" target="_blank">the first</a>, in case you were wondering/trying to forget. I made these while the pizza was cooking and baked them while I was cleaning up. I have to do stuff like this before I sit down. I want to die, but it is worth it to have it all in the freezer and done before 7pm.<br />
<br />
I omitted the pepperoni and added a layer of sauce. You will want to make more and will be so happy you have those TWO extra balls of dough to do just that. Plus, you can use up all the cheese and pizza sauce and feel super proud of yourself. No? Just me?<br />
<br />
Cook the delicious mounds of bread, cheese and sauce, flash freeze them and then pop them into a lunch box. Mom of the year. I am certain they will make children forget about all the yelling this summer has brought.<br />
<br />
No? Just me? Liars...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-28670493964052420892014-07-23T07:00:00.000-05:002014-08-05T14:58:18.055-05:00I need to stop calling him a babyJames turned three and I have not really processed it yet. I mean, I have, clearly we had two parties to celebrate, but I still think of him as my baby. Especially since I am trying to finish our 2012 photo album and keep seeing photos like this one.<br />
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But he is not that chubby faced baby of one, he is now three. With many opinions that he will share with you via a very loud voice and some exceptionally close talking.<br />
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On his actual birthday we had breakfast at Einstein's and then he went to school, armed with pink cupcakes for his class. He wanted to go only one place for dinner, Chuck-e-Cheese. Of course. I invited Vince and Liv to come join us for the festivities. As if anyone could turn down animatronic mice and pizza. Vince came in early and took the boys to see Rio 2, as a birthday treat, which was an extra treat for me, since I just got to meet them at Chuck's at 6.<br />
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James's teacher's made him this birthday crown that he decorated and wore most of the evening.<br />
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Our family gets very intense on the basketball games.<br />
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And cheating, that is totally, totally cheating, Zachary.<br />
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What night would not be complete without a family photo in a parking lot?<br />
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So maybe our family gets intense on most games...given the photo of James on the motorcycle, Alex and Zach playing basketball, and me killing giant spiders attacking my jeep. They had already killed my guides!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-2492922620982381252014-07-18T07:00:00.000-05:002014-07-18T07:00:07.226-05:00Don't be scared by these tacosBecause they are delicious. These black bean and spaghetti squash tacos are from my favorite blogger, turned cookbook author, <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Kitchen </a>and are so, so good.<br />
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Alex and I are back on the paleo kick and these basically fit the bill. I added ground beef to make it "a meal" for Alex, but they would be just as good without. They sound super weird and off-putting, but the spaghetti squash acts, sort of like the lettuce/peppers on a fajita and all the seasonings make it very flavorful. Why do I ever doubt Deb??<br />
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<b>Spaghetti Squash and Black Bean Tacos</b><br />Recipe from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030759565X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=030759565X&linkCode=as2&tag=marmamcoo-20">Smitten Kitchen cookbook</a><br />Makes enough for sixteen 6-inch tacos<br /><br />3 pounds spaghetti squash (either one large or 2 small) – You don’t want to go any larger than 3 pounds because there won’t be enough seasoning to flavor your squash mixture, but feel free to go smaller<br />1 lb ground beef (you will not need it all for the tacos)<br />2 tablespoons (about 1 lime) freshly squeezed lime juice<br />1 teaspoon chili powder<br />1/2 teaspoon ground cumin<br />1/2 teaspoon ground coriander<br />1/2 teaspoon coarse salt<br />1 15-ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained very well<br />roughly 1/4 cup finely diced red or white onion – only used for garnish, add as you like<br />crumbled queso fresco or Cotija cheese - both are so similar in taste and texture that it doesn't really matter which one you use<br />fresh cilantro leaves<br />10-16 6-inch soft corn tortillas</div>
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<ol>
<li>Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and prep and cook up your spaghetti squash. Rinse your squash, cut it in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, throw about 1/2 tablespoon olive oil on each half, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place both halves face down on a rimmed baking sheet. </li>
<li>Roast the squash halves in the pre-heated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, 25-40 minutes, or longer depending on the squash. Remove from the oven and set aside until they are cool enough to handle. </li>
<li>While the squash is cooking, brown the ground beef. I added the same seasoning for the squash (see step 4). </li>
<li>Prep your squash ingredients. In a small bowl mix together the 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Add the 2 tablespoons of lime juice to the bowl and whisk to combine.set aside. </li>
<li>Dice up your red onion, wash up the cilantro and trim off the bottom stems, rinse and drain your black beans and throw your cheese into a bowl. </li>
<li>When the squash is finished cooking, let it cool for a few minutes so its easier to handle. Working over a large bowl, gently scrape out the flesh with a fork. </li>
<li>Pour the chili and lime mixture over the squash strands and toss well to combine. You will notice that the color of the squash will change from a golden-yellow to an orange color.</li>
<li>You can heat up your tortillas at any time, either while your squash is cooking, cooling or after it’s been mixed together with the spices. </li>
<li>Then just assemble your tacos. Sprinkle each tortilla with a layer of black beans, squash, cheese and cilantro. <span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit; line-height: 25px;">Enjoy!</span></li>
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<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">I had left over black bean/ground beef mixture and squash. I frozen them separately and then reheated later. Such an easy and healthy meal.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-41369862803099254242014-07-16T07:00:00.000-05:002014-07-16T12:16:17.434-05:00No, my children have not killed me...yetWell hello my loyal followers! How are the seven of you this hot July day? I am so sorry for my extended absence. I never understood why other, more professional bloggers took the summer off, until now. It is really hard to sit down to write with someone pulling on you all the time. The boys are not in any consistent school and the different schedules have thrown us all off.<br />
<br />
So, to catch everyone up, I will do what I like to do when I take these extended breaks (like <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2014/01/here-is-what-you-missed.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2013/10/have-you-missed-me.html" target="_blank">here</a>, oh and <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2012/08/elephant-in-room.html" target="_blank">here)</a>. A summary post; catching everyone up on our actions.<br />
<b>June</b><br />
I created a hashtag for the summer: #wallsummer2014 I was reading somewhere that you should have a hashtag for your summer photos, so you can easily find them at the end of the summer. I can put that above hashtag into Instagram or Facebook and quickly pull all the photos. You know, for the summer photo album I will never create.<br />
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Zach attended Rice Soccer Camp and Zoo camp, in back to back weeks while James went to school Monday, Wednesday and Friday.<br />
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So my days looked like this:<br />
8:50 park at Rice University to hike across the soccer field, with James to drop Zach in a pack of kids around a soccer ball.<br />
9:00 race back to the car with James to drive him to school<br />
9:20 - 11:15 exercise/grocery shop/dry cleaners/bill pay, etc.<br />
11:15 - drive back to Rice to pick up Zach. That is sweaty hat below. Gross right? He totally got my sweat genes vs. Alex. It works much better on a boy.<br />
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11:30 - 1:45 Quality time with my first born (OK, this part was nice)<br />
2:00 pick up James and let the wrestling/arguing/punching begin!<br />
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We all went down to Galveston for Father's Day weekend with my sister and her family, plus my parents. It was a lot of kids but luckily my sweet aunts (Hi Vickie and Laura!) let us stay at their condos so we had some room to spread out. Plus my parents stayed at a hotel, where it was very, very quiet, I assume.<br />
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James said he did not like the ocean "trying to get him" and the dirty water getting into his mouth. True on both counts. Luckily, the Galveston Country Club has a giant baby pool that everyone enjoyed. Especially the adults, as they serve you beverages. The did not have Bud Light Lime (see photo above), but I made do.<br />
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As of June 14th, I have been retired for a full year. You guys, I had lots of thoughts about that which I will be sharing later, but mainly I was busy packing for our next trip - a 12 hour drive to Seaside, Florida.<br />
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We stopped on the way, in Pascagoula, MS to see the <a href="http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/gator-boys" target="_blank">Gator Boys</a>. If you don't know what the Gator Boys are, they are a group of guys who go to people's homes throughout the South, wrestling alligators out of their back yards and taking them to the <a href="http://www.airboatswamptoursofmississippi.com/" target="_blank">Gulf Coast Gator Ranch</a>. That was our destination.<br />
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My brother in law told us not to stop in Mississippi under any circumstances, but I don't think he realized we got the last room at the Hampton Inn....with a hot tub.<br />
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The boys were super perplexed why we made them take a shower after playing in the hot tub. We just told them it was a family rule.<br />
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Alex was the only one of us actually willing to touch the alligator. A bunch of wimps we are.<br />
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Then it was on to the beach! Seaside was beautiful, so much better than Galveston. James still did not like the ocean "trying to get him" and the dirty water getting into his mouth. I finally realized he was talking about the salt taste to the water and had to explain that was what an ocean tasted like. AKA get over it already.<br />
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We went with Ashley and her family and stayed in this great house. We rode bikes and took a golf cart everywhere. I had never been to Seaside and I see now why everyone loves it.<br />
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<b>July</b><br />
We were back for about a week, then we left again to head to the river for the 4th of July. After two 12 hour trips with my children, one 3 hour jaunt felt like nothing. Until we had to stop to let the dog use the restroom in the middle of nowhere.<br />
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And then we all had to go at Buckee's.<br />
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My parents bought Zach his own little kayak and he took right to it. He was not the least bit scared and by the third day, he could turn and go straight for a while. He loved it!<br />
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Two skinny cousins rinsing after brushing their teeth with toothbrushes their Granny Marsh put their names on.<br />
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This was the first time that Zach actually toobed the river. He made it all the way to the dam at the end of the street. Technically Lauren and I were in the paddle boat pulling them and James was in the back. He did not last long in the river. Shocking.<br />
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And last but not least, James turned three!<br />
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We spent his actual birthday night at Chuck-e-Cheese, complete with the birthday crown he made in school. I guess that is one perk of going to preschool on your birthday. The other is that your mother is not driven batty by being with you for three weeks + one day. </div>
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We had his party this past weekend, complete with giant water slide and homemade pinata.<br />
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You will note that Alex had to hold the pinata as the string ripped completely out. My suggestion was to just put it down on the ground for them to beat on, but I was overruled. <br />
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I just had to check my calendar to make sure that was all. Isn't that enough? Hopefully now that they are back in school a few days here and there I can be back to a better blogging schedule. Hopefully. But the summer is not yet halfway over and it is getting hot people. Really, really hot.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-41049971068733732132014-06-09T07:00:00.000-05:002014-06-09T07:00:06.290-05:00Everyone, just calm down.I stumbled upon a post from a blogger that I follow who created <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/thoughts/a-word-for-the-new-year/" target="_blank">a theme for her year</a>. I can't be sure I am that warm and fuzzy, but then I saw this image from the <a href="http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Easy-Makeovers-Small-Life-Changes" target="_blank">January Oprah magazine</a>.<br />
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It just spoke to me, so I tore it out and pinned it (with an actual pin) to the wall where I keep my jewelry. You know, for inspiration. I had been out of work six months, the holidays were over (thankfully) and now what? What did I want to do now? Do more blogging? Wear lipstick again? The world was my oyster - three days a week for four hours. What can I make happen?<br />
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Nothing, I have made nothing happen, but luckily this is not a blog post about that.<br />
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What this post is about is that 2014 is not so much about making things happen, but about the need for people to calm down. I can't fix myself, but I can sure tell others what they need to do. And it is calm. down.<br />
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It became crystal clear that was the real theme, when I read <a href="http://renee-robinson.com/a-letter-to-my-boys-the-real-reason-i-say-no-to-electronics-repost/" target="_blank">this article</a> about screen time, AKA the new hot topic for preschoolers. Having everything BPA free and organic is so 2013. It is screen time, screen time and screen time. This was just one of many posts I have read in the past year. Starting with "<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765622681/Dear-mom-on-the-iPhone-Let-me-tell-you-what-you-dont-see.html?pg=all" target="_blank">Dear mom on the iPhone</a>" followed quickly with "<a href="http://reallifeparentingblog.com/dear-mom-on-the-iphone-youre-doing-fine/" target="_blank">Dear mom on the iPhone: you are doing fine</a>".<br />
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The article that settled in under my skin is not from a blog I follow, but I can guarantee you that the blogger is a wonderful woman and mom who is only trying to encourage and remind us exhausted mothers to not always give into the screen. And I know that some of us listened and took it to heart and are now better mothers.<br />
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However, after reading it the first thing that came to mind was - calm down. I mean, I love the points she makes for her kids and I totally want mine to think I want that.<br />
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<i>"I want to talk to you when we are out to eat. I want to listen to your questions. I want to have training opportunities. I want to allow space for conversation that can take us deeper. And if you are always distracted with electronics, well… I might miss those moments."</i><br />
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But right now, I don't want that. I don't want to answer any more questions. I don't want to train. I don't want deep conversations, I have them every time we are in the car (today it was why the homeless man is hungry and where did he get the cardboard). But I do recognize that, my kids are little and we are together all the time, so surely once they are bigger and not coming to me to pull up their underwear I will want all that she talks about.<br />
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I think it is more than that for me, though. I, personally, think technology is such a wonderful gift. Yes, can it be overused, but so can cookies. No one writes post after post about how cookies are evil and when people see kids with cookies they get sad for their future. Calm down.<br />
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Think about how our mom's had it rough. Imagine this if you will....Mom has to drag a sick kid to the doctor. She has taken off work, or has another kid in tow. They all have to wait for an hour, with no way to entertain the children. She has read all the books in the place and all the ones she brought with her. The kids have eaten all the snacks and are now fighting. She had no recourse. You know what we have? Iphones. I can pull out my phone and within seconds everyone is quiet. I can take a minute to calm myself down and we don't get kicked out of the waiting room.<br />
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Same goes for restaurants. I don't bring the iPad with us, but I know plenty of parents who do and I don't judge one bit. Because I pull out my phone in a similar situation to above. If the kids are finished eating and are starting to get rowdy, I take no shame in wanting to eat a meal without yelling. Plus, this is the benefit of the technology. We have to suffer with the dangers and grossness of the digital age; shouldn't we at least get to enjoy the perks? Again, let's just all calm down.<br />
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This weekend, I took the boys swimming out at their grandparent's house and Liv wanted to see if the boys would like the books she downloaded for them. The one they are reading is about an otter that did something (I was on Facebook when they were reading and not really paying attention). But about every other page had an embedded link to a video of different types of otters swimming. They were enthralled. We don't have otters at the Houston Zoo, so they could not see them in person.<br />
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I don't really have a great and eloquent point to my rambling (no one is surprised). Plus, I could go on and on about how there are much bigger problems affecting America's children, but I think that would circle me back to cookies and I am not taking a stand against those either.<br />
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I would just like it if we could all calm down and realize that the majority of parents are doing the best they can. We can't begin to know what they deal with at home, why would we judge what they do in public?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-13810640742774392882014-05-30T07:00:00.000-05:002014-05-30T07:00:12.916-05:00I am the mother of a graduateLast Thursday Zach graduated from Pre-K and I didn't cry. Who is proud? Me, too! OK, I might have teared up when the director started reading some poem about how we gave them our kids as babies and they are giving them back to us as kids. But I pulled it together. It is just Pre-K after all, I needed to calm down.<br />
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Zach's teachers told him to dress up and he took them very, very seriously. Going so far as to tell me I had to wear a dress and not exercise clothes. He even picked it out and told me I had to wear my fancy shoes. He needed to calm down as well.<br />
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We went to Chick-fil-A for a celebratory lunch after and I tried to get a photo of all four of us (plus Liv) but as usual it looks like I was not there. Some stranger just took photos of my family.<br />
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The entire ceremony lasted about 7 minutes and I put Alex in charge of videoing the part when he got his diploma. I should have remembered Zach's <a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2009/04/praying-to-gods-of-rice-cereal.html" target="_blank">first solid food</a> and known how this would go. Ridiculous.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-7852934264726984672014-05-28T07:00:00.000-05:002014-05-28T07:00:08.940-05:00Three is the new twoEveryone who has had a baby in the past five years (maybe longer) will know what I am talking about. The questions start almost immediately after you have your second baby - will you have a third? And God forbid you have two of the same gender, then everyone wants to know if you will "try for the boy/girl". When did having two kids stop being plenty? Because let me tell you, two kids is more than plenty.<br />
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But of course you parents of one kid don't know this. You are enjoying all the special moments with that solo kid and worrying about every little thing (no judgment, I totally did it). But if you decide, and are able to, have another, your world is turned on its ass. Totally. I can't even fathom what throwing one more person into the mix is like. I know too much now, it is not like the naivety of going from one to two. I only have two hands, four chairs at a table and I have a hard enough time listening to two people talking to me at the same time. What in the world would I do with another?<br />
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And yet.... as my boys get bigger, I have a hard time getting him out of my head, this third Wall boy (we all know it would be a boy).<br />
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Back in January, I took James' car seat into the Baby's R Us trade in event and smugly thought, I am handling this so, so well. Look at me! I am not sad or sappy about giving away this car seat we bought for Zach, that James has now outgrown. Only hoarders attach sentimental value to inanimate objects. <br />
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Seriously, I was really handling it well.<br />
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Then we turned down the baby isle and I lost my mind. I legitimately needed a new thermometer and the next thing I knew, I was holding back tears and throwing diaper paste and safety latches into my basket.<br />
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Keep in mind my actual baby, James, was with me. And that I had plans to potty train him in the coming weeks. And by "I had plans" I mean he has been crying about wanting to wear underwear for weeks. Point being, I don't need diaper paste, a safety latch or the Purell I now own. As if I Purelled with James anyway. Clearly I was not handling this as well as I thought.<br />
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But what I have finally realized is that I am not sad about not having a third baby, I am just sad that my two babies are not actually babies any longer. I am not looking for that third Wall baby, I just want my two Wall babies to stay little. I get sad that I will never rock them in the chair and listen to the sleep sheep (that I can't give away) while they sleep in the bassinet next to me again. My babies are turning into kids. Great, happy, funny kids, but the more baby fat James looses, the closer it gets to me being alone with three boys in my house.<br />
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When I see pregnant women, I don't long to join their ranks again, But, I remember the excitement and the anticipation you feel when there is a tiny being growing in your belly. There are so many questions and so many different ways your future can go. I miss that.<br />
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And when your infant comes home and you rock your baby to sleep, or let him sleep on you, it is just the best, sweetest feeling. That small weight in your arms, relying on you, needing you. I miss that too.<br />
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I am not sad about not having a third, or not having a girl, I am just sad that that time period in my life is coming to a close. OK, maybe a little sad about not having a girl. But as I told Zach when his asked, if I wanted a girl baby; yes, I did, but I just didn't know I really wanted him.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-57544561195890463052014-05-26T07:00:00.000-05:002014-05-26T07:00:02.122-05:00For the extrasLast week was the boys final week of school. James is out of the twos program and Zach is out of the school, headed to kindergarten in the fall. I am currently in complete denial about it, which is preferable to the mini-panic attack I was contemplating. Three months, people.Three months exactly until they have school again. Terrifying.<br />
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Last week I was all sorts of crazy after getting back from a wedding in St. Louis on Monday, pre-K graduation Thursday, then rolling right into Alex's birthday Saturday. I had previously set up t<a href="http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/2013/05/teacher-gift-idea-printable-target-gift-card-holder.html" target="_blank">he teacher's gifts</a>, so I was ready for that. But what about those extra people, you know, the directors, art/music teacher, etc? I didn't want to phone it with a Starbucks card (because I did that for Christmas, let's be clear, I am not above it.) but I was tired. I really didn't want to get too crafty.<br />
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As if, that was possible. I was purchasing the Target gift card for the teachers when I spotted these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lexar-JumpDrive-Flash-Drive-LJDS50-16GABNL/dp/B00A361FBE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1401071647&sr=8-3&keywords=lexar+jumpdrive+s50+8gb" target="_blank">8GB zip drives</a> in the check out aisle for 5.99. Surely I could come up with a clever saying for that, right? I feel everyone can use a zip drive. I seem to always loose them and for 5.99, they seemed perfect.<br />
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It took me a while, but I landed on the phrase, "Hope we didn't drive you too crazy this year". Because you all know I am a handful.<br />
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In case you could use this as well, I set up a <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/awuuubokcrhfnlf/Zip%20Drive%20Labels.pdf" target="_blank">PDF file</a>. Just cut out the gray rectangle and you are ready to go!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-58804135220202961212014-05-12T07:00:00.000-05:002014-05-12T07:00:07.867-05:00The P Word<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As some of my loyal followers might have noticed, there are few things I don't talk about on the blog. 1) how skinny I am (I know, I know, I am clearly getting <i>too</i> thin) and 2) potty training. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I know you thought I was going to say penises.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was at lunch with my friend Melinda last week, telling her the story of James' potty training and she said I had to put it on the blog. I gave her my lecture about how people don't want to read the word "potty", "pee" or "poop". And by people, I mean me. People, do not use any of those words in your Facebook status. We, moms, are thrilled for you and your diaper free house, but I don't want to read about it unless you are telling me how to do it in one day and with no alcohol, Then you have my attention.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Unless you have successfully completed this stage using the above mentioned conditions, I barely want to talk about the subject that monopolizes 95% of my life. But she insisted it was a funny story and should be shared. So, if you would like to not read about pee or the potty, please go away now. Or at least after you look at this photo of me in a pee stained shirt.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszmv33meSuQe65XckS4RR3Nn7D7UESE8C6sPFP2qqi7ZYWZn3A_i2sUHhoQeXeBRy5zpJtasY5Y5p-cQ88l04acXgEvpY2l2vq72OV2qKe5abqEBtjvvDwuojkl0bkHZpLQwVVfEQR5w/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszmv33meSuQe65XckS4RR3Nn7D7UESE8C6sPFP2qqi7ZYWZn3A_i2sUHhoQeXeBRy5zpJtasY5Y5p-cQ88l04acXgEvpY2l2vq72OV2qKe5abqEBtjvvDwuojkl0bkHZpLQwVVfEQR5w/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is right, those stains are pee. I sent this text to my sister so she would understand the dire position I found myself in. I still don't know how he manged to hit my shirt. There is pee all over my bathrooms. Please don't come visit and expect to use the bathroom without me handing you a Clorox wipe and protective shoes. I mean, I clean it up, but my baby boy manages to pee out the door and into the living room.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I don't get it. I really don't get it. Zach was not like this. Granted, I am clearly remembering it all perfect - but he was done in three days, his pee always went directly into the pot and he was standing up in about 2-3 weeks. Done and done.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Then came the love of my life, James. He was determined to wear underwear. Spider-man underwear which he and his lisp call Biderman underwear. He first refused to go on the potty, he just peed in his pants. Like a boss. Not the least bit concerned that his socks and shoes were now soaking wet. He would look you in the eye and lie that no, his socks were not wet and no, he did not need to change his pants; he was busy and could you please stop pestering him with this insane talk. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Once that phase passed he now runs to the bathroom, sits down (that is what baby boys do) and pees everywhere. I am running right behind him shouting, "put you penis down! You can do it!" like a perverted cheerleader. He just beams at me, pees on my good yoga pants and says, "I did soooo good not pee-pee in my underwear". He is just so proud of himself, I can only agree. Even though of course he has peed on his underwear as they sit on the floor at his feet.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I tried to talk to my co-parent and got zero help. "He will just have to learn" and "He didn't do that for me [for the 2 hours I had him]" do not help me as I am using my, now catlike reflexes to dive out of the way of the stream.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So here I am. Cheering and doing a dance to the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RINi5Z0do8s" target="_blank"> "We did it!" song from Dora the Explorer</a> after every successful trip to the bathroom, even if "success" now means he didn't get his shoes wet. Or mine.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So now, he is exclusively going in the backyard. Yes, we are those people. I don't care. Not even a little bit. My baby drops his pants to his knees and flashes his teeny tiny bottom and my bathroom stays clean.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Unless it gets rains again. Sigh.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Clorox wipes and vodka can be shipped to my mailing address.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGBTq7Gh0rHx2eE3wMrHD96pR193dTFbU8ZtZ7Fi04HCsqoos9oy4WwcyQ85AoXDgNAHu7jTOJfsr21psUjMbHg1Jwtr3WEAAbmsRjJCwGq3Lb-vOiiiAgEweixlhL8Te8J1MMU0DICs/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGBTq7Gh0rHx2eE3wMrHD96pR193dTFbU8ZtZ7Fi04HCsqoos9oy4WwcyQ85AoXDgNAHu7jTOJfsr21psUjMbHg1Jwtr3WEAAbmsRjJCwGq3Lb-vOiiiAgEweixlhL8Te8J1MMU0DICs/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-42046345290201778522014-05-08T07:00:00.000-05:002014-05-08T07:00:03.582-05:00The end is comingThere are exactly 10 more days of school for the boys. Well, technically, James only has five. Holy crap. That is coming really, really fast. I can't focus on the summer yet, or the weeks that we have very little to do...what I can focus on is end of the year teacher gifts! Naturally, I can get really excited about this.<br />
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I thought some of you might be getting panicky/excited as well, so I did a round up of the things I have done in the past in case you need suggestions for this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD5qr0TXlgKmbgT1irdY7qWfYOf-l-dl0-p2wDlYSxJs5BsyaZwhO9AGh9ekuNqcE1Bdjt17ROlZNGDaCPL2_vlaj798wNFhJDg8gjFLpTyQdHBPnsFfSRFY1LcBH6a7dHmT9kFPXHnQ/s1600/IMG_5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD5qr0TXlgKmbgT1irdY7qWfYOf-l-dl0-p2wDlYSxJs5BsyaZwhO9AGh9ekuNqcE1Bdjt17ROlZNGDaCPL2_vlaj798wNFhJDg8gjFLpTyQdHBPnsFfSRFY1LcBH6a7dHmT9kFPXHnQ/s1600/IMG_5872.JPG" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2013/08/first-ish-day-of-school.html" target="_blank">Donuts</a> - Send the teacher's off to summer with a sweet treat and a gift card for the local doughnut place. Since she won't be rushing to get to school, she has time, but you know she is up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sTyqFUWSdtU5n_E8H_5Xqngp115sFa1fnMgD5hkntrVyxgrIOf1xg_WDVIiNo-lBMz7k1x3ClnZSLZlS3Z75-E3IruiNFORBoh3uLh1WnM0FcPtTtRAeoxSnsXcn2LDSRJoO8Ruq2ys/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sTyqFUWSdtU5n_E8H_5Xqngp115sFa1fnMgD5hkntrVyxgrIOf1xg_WDVIiNo-lBMz7k1x3ClnZSLZlS3Z75-E3IruiNFORBoh3uLh1WnM0FcPtTtRAeoxSnsXcn2LDSRJoO8Ruq2ys/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-school-was-trying-to-make-me-sweat.html" target="_blank">Gift Cards</a> - Check out the bottom of this post for a link to printable gift card holders. Make the teacher smile all while saying - thank you for making sure my child wiped!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KHc_rM_ZLH-H1xTemqoXyaR6DoGFjDj_av3MtKewWZoe5qIibajbB0xF8wuvQoOmrZij6q_bp0j90uoEVIDUboNajn3I-SZNoKQIrwQrEItUcrir_lJuEnwvAN1xXTVc_7EwXDTfVNY/s1600/IMG_6328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KHc_rM_ZLH-H1xTemqoXyaR6DoGFjDj_av3MtKewWZoe5qIibajbB0xF8wuvQoOmrZij6q_bp0j90uoEVIDUboNajn3I-SZNoKQIrwQrEItUcrir_lJuEnwvAN1xXTVc_7EwXDTfVNY/s1600/IMG_6328.JPG" height="400" width="258" /></a></div>
<a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2014/02/10-steps-to-crafting-happiness.html" target="_blank">Cookies</a> - If you didn't use this for Valentine's day, you could totally use it now. Package up some cookies to wish your teacher well this summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPISGRfAeGxLyKQxeKbay6BrbDokUHLIVXANujrNqrrolulbPgePzvqRXoasQT2gSk22XRkLJ5Cxn5MnfVJYn9ruwX66VJglggqBu5cVxqs8AWA_nc9r2kNyNf0rlyf8NmolqRPtGvfSs/s1600/IMG_4657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPISGRfAeGxLyKQxeKbay6BrbDokUHLIVXANujrNqrrolulbPgePzvqRXoasQT2gSk22XRkLJ5Cxn5MnfVJYn9ruwX66VJglggqBu5cVxqs8AWA_nc9r2kNyNf0rlyf8NmolqRPtGvfSs/s1600/IMG_4657.JPG" height="400" width="198" /></a></div>
<a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2012/10/pinterest-made-me-do-it.html" target="_blank">Cup + Lemonade</a> - Super easy, super cute with printable tags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRHGozIBkUJX-JF20nI7ZRgt8xJ8OfdQy9rvkBfiY77LqO86LpsO1QWG9QHdBdnhiG-nbRv6Ryjrh92izQ2P-EwvN8oNSlZeAyVkNKzZsaHA5A1RYQc1YJ_EXKod6SpnwQzi_rF1BCZk/s1600/IMG_5573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRHGozIBkUJX-JF20nI7ZRgt8xJ8OfdQy9rvkBfiY77LqO86LpsO1QWG9QHdBdnhiG-nbRv6Ryjrh92izQ2P-EwvN8oNSlZeAyVkNKzZsaHA5A1RYQc1YJ_EXKod6SpnwQzi_rF1BCZk/s1600/IMG_5573.JPG" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/04/free-printable-teacher-appreciation-bookmarks.html" target="_blank">Bookmark</a> - This is what I did last year, and might do again. I printed out this cute bookmark and included it with an Amazon gift card. Easy and fast.<br />
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Also you can check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kinseyw/for-a-great-teacher/" target="_blank">For a Great Teacher </a>Pinterest board for more suggestions than you most likely want. Happy Summer!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-9940888728239509052014-05-05T07:00:00.000-05:002014-05-05T07:00:07.397-05:00Muffin Tin DoughnutsCan the people at America's Test Kitchen do anything wrong? Not in my book. Every recipe I have tried has been perfect. This one is no different. Who doesn't want doughnuts made without frying and in your pajamas? Exactly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtze7aF90Hiu7GPHD8c2-sPETpqE8-7kWZ0WoaDqx-2HTQmNSLXgYBbLBayiOwyqSJhPUyNp2H1e5zh1EoidE_TM52PFm37FR8GqsqPgWdSIceol5F3KG-1MJLq71gYKL4V-H-hFR5oI/s1600/IMG_6512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtze7aF90Hiu7GPHD8c2-sPETpqE8-7kWZ0WoaDqx-2HTQmNSLXgYBbLBayiOwyqSJhPUyNp2H1e5zh1EoidE_TM52PFm37FR8GqsqPgWdSIceol5F3KG-1MJLq71gYKL4V-H-hFR5oI/s1600/IMG_6512.JPG" height="312" width="400" /></a></div>
I have zero changes to the recipe and I just used milk with a splash of white vinegar to make buttermilk. I am certain they would be even better if I actually used buttermilk. They taste like cinnamon sugar cake doughnuts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_E90c6SI8Rk-3N1_VTZHPT8egDlkoXto97Ed96WxpnxOx2vnMEmJmKSG_oUPnC2FmleB5fdDmNwDuK4tqqgoDgkwlrT8AbNb0NjJc9hn4L5ZsVgqGgzNMucDRhtqpiJlnxbQD931crg/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_E90c6SI8Rk-3N1_VTZHPT8egDlkoXto97Ed96WxpnxOx2vnMEmJmKSG_oUPnC2FmleB5fdDmNwDuK4tqqgoDgkwlrT8AbNb0NjJc9hn4L5ZsVgqGgzNMucDRhtqpiJlnxbQD931crg/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" height="400" width="395" /></a></div>
I also made a quick pink coating for James (who only wants pink doughnuts) out of juice and powdered sugar. I poured chocolate syrup over Zach's when he asked for chocolate. Neither of them liked these changes. But both of them liked the original version. Naturally.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhzQJGToM8joVKY5ZlTlyHWJiqjsOob0pdIMkiJvrBiOoaYmQZnEYxlLFmqf6g9WmR4N77sRm7i5MagWAPz_b16U_xoQuJHNO8zbVIUtTfJUEdVxtbqzzXf6njuvClPM0gUcqLYJptBQ/s1600/IMG_6510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhzQJGToM8joVKY5ZlTlyHWJiqjsOob0pdIMkiJvrBiOoaYmQZnEYxlLFmqf6g9WmR4N77sRm7i5MagWAPz_b16U_xoQuJHNO8zbVIUtTfJUEdVxtbqzzXf6njuvClPM0gUcqLYJptBQ/s1600/IMG_6510.JPG" height="317" width="400" /></a></div>
The recipe is quick and easy, perfect for lazy Saturday mornings. We don't have those being Walls, so I made them on a slow Friday morning.<br />
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<b>Muffin Tin Doughnuts</b><br />
<a href="https://www.cookscountry.com/recipes/7427-muffin-tin-doughnuts" target="_blank">Cook's Country</a><br />
Makes 12 big or 18 medium sized muffins<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1/4 cup cornstarch<br />
1 tablespoon baking powder<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
1 cup buttermilk<br />
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted<br />
2 large eggs plus 1 large yolk<br />
1 cup sugar (coating)<br />
2 teaspoons cinnamon (coating)<br />
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted<br />
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Directions<br />
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat to 400. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Whisk flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and nutmeg together. Whisk buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs together in a separate bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.<br />
2. Scoop batter into prepared tin and bake until doughnuts are lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Let cool in tin for 5 minutes.<br />
3. For the coating, whisk sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Remove doughnuts from tin and dip into melted butter. Roll in cinnamon and sugar, pressing to adhere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJFpEBVpsY11dC_Js_5x7BKAhK9hNX6ulaGFLASc7oXvMKbnZeQLDWf8penNixEsUAsbz__tl0rVg33bST02NUoWZjYK79RMzX9amNzSsYYa2o6LYh4bCtX2VliPsO-7BzxYmwbQIUI0/s1600/IMG_6511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJFpEBVpsY11dC_Js_5x7BKAhK9hNX6ulaGFLASc7oXvMKbnZeQLDWf8penNixEsUAsbz__tl0rVg33bST02NUoWZjYK79RMzX9amNzSsYYa2o6LYh4bCtX2VliPsO-7BzxYmwbQIUI0/s1600/IMG_6511.JPG" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-17240979496869156052014-04-28T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-28T07:00:05.968-05:00Fork painting? Why not.In my continuing effort to break up the tackling/basketball playing/running through the house screaming, that are my afternoons, last week we tried fork painting. Of course we did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv1E9BVkFgFNVyclYINVHpnCdSv_7HuNci28lEs1VNWaEz9MFTcPZhe-qPp2rxoh1nnwWG63j7ya7Uyi8QPFtWrPVgiitAS1NXgo01G94IiZCDV801x9sxQFreIG1xvCmYO3reh3SebY/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv1E9BVkFgFNVyclYINVHpnCdSv_7HuNci28lEs1VNWaEz9MFTcPZhe-qPp2rxoh1nnwWG63j7ya7Uyi8QPFtWrPVgiitAS1NXgo01G94IiZCDV801x9sxQFreIG1xvCmYO3reh3SebY/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
We had a random Friday off from school (not good Friday) and I went through my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kinseyw/activities-for-the-boys/" target="_blank">Activities for the Boys</a> page on Pinterest and wrote down five things we could do. I also put Despicable Me on the list, as that was my fall back plan. My boys will watch that movie in total silence and it is heaven. But back to an activity where I have to interact.<br />
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The boys love to paint and don't get to do it all that much, given the mess factor, so it is a real treat. Painting + a movie = mom of the year, around here. I saw <a href="http://www.blogmemom.com/spring-art-tulip-painting/" target="_blank">this pin </a>for tulip painting and I knew I had a giant stash of plastic forks ready to be used.<br />
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It's a pretty straight forward exercise and I won't break it down for you (you are welcome), but it was a hit. They both (James with some help) could press the forks in the paint and on their papers and then they just free-handed some art.<br />
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I might have helped James with his stems...maybe...<br />
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But Zach's apple tree was all him.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-62927496995792469982014-04-25T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-25T07:00:03.210-05:00Why does someone always end up shirtless?Seriously, it is Easter, James.<br />
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Easter. Where is your shirt??<br />
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Well, anyway, Easter was fun this year. I think I got more excited than the boys about hunting for eggs and might have set my alarm for a tad early. Did you know it is still dark at 6:00 am? Me neither. Well it is, so I just laid there until 6:30 when I could sneak out and hide the eggs. Where was Alex you ask? Passed out like a drunk person (he was not) next to me. He said he would get up, but him being "quiet" is like a moose being quiet and I was not ready to explain why I was carrying a bag full of eggs to Zachary. Wayyyyy too many questions.<br />
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When they did wake up they immediately took out the inflatable punching gloves the Easter bunny brought them.<br />
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They also received the finest toys Walgreens had to offer. A dino water gun, an Easter skateboard key chain and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle that lights up. Oh and some minion eggs the Easter bunny forgot to do and didn't finish until midnight before Easter. That bunny <i>really</i> needs to work on time management.<br />
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Oh, sweet matching shirts with monograms....hidden by giant punching gloves and mohawks. Can you hear my sighing all the way over there?<br />
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Later that morning the Sonderfan/Gallun's came over for our annual Easter brunch. I love this tradition we started. We all bring food and the kids just play and play, which we means we can chat and chat.<br />
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I, of course, tried to get crafty and made cupcakes with green frosting, like my mom used to. I put out all sorts of toppings and let the kids decorate. All was fine, if messy, until Harper put a gum egg in her mouth. This is a photo of her doing just that. <br />
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She is so, so proud of herself.<br />
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Until Jennifer had to go digging it out making her very angry at Jennifer's choices.<br />
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The morning culminated with the annual smash-the-confetti-eggs-on-Grandpa Bruce's head. As the boys are getting bigger this tradition is getting a tad more rough. But still amusing.<br />
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Quiet a difference from<a href="http://alittlewall.blogspot.com/2011/05/head-cracking.html" target="_blank"> two years ago</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-80487906448214169712014-04-21T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-21T07:00:05.487-05:00Well, hello matI saw <a href="http://thediymommy.com/make-a-hello-mat/" target="_blank">this doormat</a> on Pinterest the other day and knew I needed it immediately. The author even included PDF files for tracing and cutting. Truly crafty people are so great. Wouldn't this be cute for a new home gift too?<br />
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However, her files would not work with my cutting machine. Such terrible crafting problems I have, I know. So I just popped into the virtual store associated with my machine and found a font that I loved just about as much. .75 cents later it was mine. I followed her scale for the layout and just sent the 12x12 paper through the machine.<br />
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I taped the stencil in place and using some leftover acrylic paint and my one stencil brush, I gave it a shot. Worst case I would be out .75 and the $10 I paid for the mat.</div>
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But it worked perfectly! I gave it a quick coat of polyurethane and put it in front of the door.<br />
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I am now working on not cringing when people walk over it and/or asking them if they like my mat. You know I get so excited about my crafts.<br />
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Again, I am <i>working</i> on it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-29072060678420672922014-04-16T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-16T07:00:09.192-05:00Pop pop paintingI received an Amazon package the other day, and instead of plastic air puff it was filled with one very long strip of brown paper. It looked a lot like those rolls you can buy for your kids to color that I never buy as I can't figure out where I would store it. However, I had seen a link for <a href="http://www.messforless.net/2014/02/bubble-wrap-stomp-painting.html?m=1" target="_blank">bubble wrap stop painting</a> which I stored on my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kinseyw/activities-for-the-boys/" target="_blank">Activities for the Boys</a> board and thought that would be the perfect activity for this giant paper.<br />
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I taped the paper to the floor and got ready to tape bubble wrap to their feet.<br />
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James desperately needed a haircut and pants in these photos.<br />
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I put paint into paper plates and they took turns stepping in the plates, and having me paint the bottom of their feet.<br />
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Not the cleanest of activities, but it did last a while. And Zach got to where he just did it all himself. Squirted more paint in the plates, stomped, then marched around on the paper. Since I used washable tempura, whatever did get on the floor, came up really easily with a quick mop.<br />
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James lasted a few stomps then went back to playing pirate and trying to sword Zach whenever he came close.<br />
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I have some of the paper left and we are for sure doing this again during the summer. I might let them each have their own paper and see if I can make it last a big longer. Once it dried I let Zach cut shapes out of it to tape up in his room. Trash to treasure, people.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-57731449072342063562014-04-14T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-14T07:00:11.054-05:00Masking Tape Eggs - 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last year I wrote the below post about masking tape eggs. Well, we tried them again this year and it worked so much better. Zach loved it and made, not only eggs, but letters as well. I wanted to re-post with the instructions in case anyone wanted to give it another go. With older children. Which I recommend.</div>
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PS look how tinyfat James was!</div>
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One of the things I miss the most about working part time is the extra time I had in the afternoons. I could go to the grocery store, the craft store, get dinner made or spend a extra time with my children. Which was technically the point. </div>
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So now that it is light later I decided to do a quick art project with the boys after they were already in their pajamas. I saw this wet chalk craft and knew I had to do it. Partly because my boys love anything with water and also because I love peeling away tape and seeing a crisp white line. Normal.</div>
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I cut quick egg shapes out of card stock and taped them to their table. They loved wetting down the chalk. I believe the instructions said to just dip the top in but both boys preferred a full chalk dunking - you can see various pieces of chalk being submerged in this photo.</div>
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Look how serious that baby is! And how he is not screaming at me! It was glorious.<br />
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Such fat, fat fingers. The better for pinching your legs when you do not do as he says.<br />
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Once the eggs had dried I peeled off the tape and voila! Zach's is on the right and James' is on the left. Isn't my baby advanced? Doesn't it look like a 35 year old woman who could not stand to not have it filled in, did it? I know; we are advanced applying to Harvard.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-85624622628777839962014-04-11T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-11T07:00:16.697-05:00Soccer with a runnerZach's basketball is over at the YMCA now. Oh, did I not post about that? Because it was marginally better than soccer (at least there were no tears thanks to constant bribing) but it was still a beating. For me. Zach and Alex made out fine, but I am not ready for sports.<br />
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After basketball was over, Alex asked when soccer at the Y started and I pretended like I could not hear him. I could not do it again. The eating dinner fast to get Zach and a cranky James to practice, the aforementioned constant bribing to avoid tears and the games where spectators, who shall not be mentioned, shout the entire time "supportive" things from the sidelines.<br />
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I mean, I get it, I have boys. Most likely they are going to play sports of some kind. But they are FIVE and TWO, does it have to be now?<br />
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Is anyone surprised I am making sports all about me? You guys know me too well.<br />
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But you know who is ready? James. This guys seems to have been born running. I think it is a second kid thing, because he, of course, wants to do everything Zach is doing and ever since Zach played soccer last year, James has been very into playing here at the house.<br />
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I had heard about an organization called <a href="http://www.soccershots.org/houston" target="_blank">Soccer Shots</a> mentioned in some of my moms group emails. I sent Alex a link to check it out and he signed both boys up right away. They don't do games, it is just 30-45 minutes (depending on age) of fun with a soccer ball. Perfect.<br />
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And you guys, it is great. James loves it. He is super serious and pays strict attention to what his coach says. He does not scream at her or appear unimpressed. Rude.<br />
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You will notice we are not close to the players, as some parents are. Most of the kids are first kids and their parents are total hoverers. I like to sit on my stadium mat at the opposite of the field and avoid eye contact while secretly filming his every move. He could be a future soccer star for all I know! I need to have it on video. I hover from afar.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-35558546446064498582014-04-09T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-09T07:00:07.065-05:00Spring Break tried to kill meI do not know how you people do this. And by "you people" I mean people who spend an entire week with their children, voluntarily. Every other spring break I have had the luxury of daycare still being in session. So, I would take a few days off, pretend I was a stay at home mom, then send them back to school.<br />
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Then came this year. Spring Break was three weeks ago and <i>just now</i> can I bring myself to think about it.<br />
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By Friday I could not even look at my children. When Alex left for work that morning I asked when he would be home and when he replied "normal time" (which is stupid as he does not have a normal time), I might have shrieked at him "IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG WEEK!!!". He then ran down the sidewalk to his car. I can't imagine why.<br />
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Oh the week started with the best of intentions. We went to Galveston, had a great time but were a bit sick of each other by Sunday. Please recognize that as foreshadowing.<br />
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I had signed Zach up for three half day camps Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and planned to leave James with a babysitter on Friday to spend some time with just him. I really thought I had this all under control. You know how I do.<br />
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Let me break down where it all went wrong.....<br />
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Monday - We had to go to the Rodeo. And I mean HAD to go. KK made me purchase half price carnival tickets from Uncle Chris (whom I still have not paid back, whoops) so I had 150 carnival tickets to burn. On the first day of spring break. Do you feel the anxiety in your belly too?<br />
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Well, turns out it was actually a perfect day. The weather started off bad which scared people off so no one was there. We didn't wait for any ride, spent all our tickets and came home with about five stuffed salamanders.<br />
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First stop was to get Zach a new cowboy hat. James has taken over his old one, as it was too tight for that big Wall head.<br />
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I heart this picture so much. <i>That</i> is the smile I am always trying to get out of him.<br />
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The boys rode the ponies.<br />
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Saw some baby chicks being born,<br />
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And rode mini-tractors and mopeds.<br />
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We came home and our baby sitter came early so Alex and I could go to dinner.<br />
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Monday = excellent.<br />
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Tuesday, Zach had his first day of gymnastics camp so we dropped him off, along with his friend Charley. Ashley, Annie, James and I headed to the Y to exercise. We got our cars washed and ate a Carraba's, then scooped up the big kids and headed home for naps.<br />
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I got a bit cocky after Tuesday, I admit it. Two days in and we were having a great time!<br />
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Wednesday ruined the entire week. Zach went back to gymnastics camp (which was awesome, PS and he loved it) and James and I hit the grocery, had lunch, then picked up Zach. As mentioned, I got cocky and thought we could, for sure, go downtown to meet Alex for lunch at 12:30, still getting James home in time to nap AND for Zach's friend to come over at 2:30. I was so, so wrong.<br />
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Alex was in a meeting, that claimed he could not get out of, so he was running late. By the time we got home it was 2:00 and I had 30 minutes to try to straighten the house, make Zach rest his body a bit and put James down.<br />
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Disaster. James could hear all the commotion when the friend came over and refused to sleep. I didn't even fight him on it. Zach's friend from school had not done anything that day so he was wound up and ready to run while my child had been running since 9am and was <i>done</i>. It was our worst play date by far. So many tears. We finally took them all up to a local frozen yogurt place just to see if a change of scenery would be helpful. It was, a little.<br />
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I was now terrified. I had two more days plus the weekend with these children and I clearly did not know what I was doing.<br />
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Thursday, Zach was at <a href="http://www.artmixlearning.com/" target="_blank">Art Mix</a> until noon, so Ashley, Annie, James and I recreated Tuesday and went to the Y. We decided to pick up the big kids and take them to Toyokohana, which is like Benihana. That was a hit. James would eat rice for every meal, and Zach liked watching them cook his chicken right in front of him.<br />
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Look how beat down I look. Terrible.<br />
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We met friends at the park after nap and that night we celebrated with chocolate ice cream, Oreos and chocolate sauce.<br />
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Only one more day!!<br />
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Oh, but the last day was Friday and Ashley and I had big plans. We had a babysitter to watch the little ones so we could take Zach and Charley roller skating. There is a <a href="http://skatedairyashford.com/" target="_blank">skating rink</a> in West Houston that does a Toddler Skate every Friday from 10-12 for 5 and under kids. You can bring scooters and ride on toys. Zach received skates from Santa and was super excited to try them out.<br />
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You guys, this skating rink has clearly not changed since the 70's. It looked just like Spinning Wheels where I spent every Friday night of my 5th grade year.<br />
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The actual roller skating did not go over well. Though you would not know Charley had been crying and clutching at Ashley prior to turning on the smile in this photo.<br />
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Ugh, girls. No talk of poop or penises and they know how to smile.<br />
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Anyway, both kids gave skating a valiant effort, but ended up speeding around the rink on the scooters I brought with us.<br />
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He is only smiling because I whispered "poop sandwiches" in his ear and I am only smiling because my week is almost over.<br />
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We ended the week with ice cream at a local place near Ashley's house where the kids ate inside ("It is too bright!") and we stayed outside. Good luck to you ice cream shop employee.<br />
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Can you spot where I went so wrong? Was it the gazillion activities I crammed into basically four hours a day? Bingo.<br />
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I am still learning and that was a very painful lesson. I will know better next time. Don't try to do anything with me, I will not be available.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-75728252920046937972014-04-08T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-08T07:00:00.542-05:00Watch out, we will hug youHave I ever told you the story of the time I hugged the head of the San Antonio office upon meeting him for the first time? No? It is totally normal.<br />
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Uncle Chris recently sent me this link to the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140227203309-5926874-11-rules-for-hugging-at-work?trk=tod-home-art-list-large_0" target="_blank">11 Rules for Hugging at Work,</a> which brought my ugly hugging history back to the service. However, I would like to note that I only broke rule #11.<br />
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So I was a young and spry 25 back in 2003, and I was the marketing manager for the Austin and San Antonio offices for my firm. I drove down to San Antonio to meet the office managing partner and discuss his marketing plan, etc. I was stationed in a conference room when he popped in to say hello. He walked over to the desk and I stood to greet him. <br />
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Once I stood up I realized how close he was to me, so I did the natural thing I do, when someone gets too close. I threw both arms around him in a big bear hug. I then, immediately, realized what I had just done, released him and plopped back down into my chair. We were both fairly horrified. I think he mumbled something about how he looked forward to working with me and backed slowly out of the room.<br />
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I was then stuck with the next obvious question - what happens when I leave the office? Do I hug him good-bye? Have I just set a hugging precedent? And, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??<br />
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Turns out he too was a hugger and while I just popped my head into his office and waved from the doorway that time, for the rest of the two years I worked with him, we hugged every time we saw each other. A big, full bear hug. Or, more likely, he was just really good boss who wanted to keep his weird employee happy.<br />
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You know who else in our family hugs inappropriately? This guy.<br />
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If he has recently met you, please expect a full leg/crotch hug when you depart. He hugged the train conductor at the Hermann Park Zoo the other day. He hugged his soccer coach (twice) after their first practice together. He may not seem impressed with you, but he would like to hug you.<br />
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I could not be more proud.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359252729690151846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124093905616330191.post-66362415502743208732014-03-24T07:00:00.000-05:002014-03-24T07:00:05.288-05:00Farm PartyMy friend <a href="http://beechersboutiqueevents.com/" target="_blank">Ashley</a> had a farm themed party for her youngest daughter with a real life petting zoo. She had pony rides with the petting zoo, face painting and a balloon artist, Chick-fil-a and doughnuts for dessert. AKA a kids dream. She is an event planner, after all.<br />
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I was fairly surprised that both boys wanted to go into the petting zoo. They both tend to get skittish around animals, even if they are fascinated by them.<br />
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James just wanted to hold this dirty brush. Not to actually brush any animal, just to hold it and try to brush his own hair. I had to take this photo fast before i had to swipe his hand away again<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span><br />
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But then Zach and I saw this tiny goat. Could you die? Is he not the cutest thing ever?<br />
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And doesn't he look like a real farm kid kneeling to pet it?<br />
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Until it got a bit too friendly and knocked him over.<br />
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He rebounded fine. And you guys, it was funny seeing your kid get "attacked" by a 2 lb goat. Hilarious.<br />
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He also, of course, wanted to get his face painted. But instead of picking a "something" he said he wanted to look like an army man. So she painted camo on his forehead. He looked like a walking bruise. He wanted to get his entire face done, but he had a basketball game that afternoon. I didn't think he needed full camo on his face prior to running up and down the court at the Y.<br />
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James refuses to get his face painted. Refuses. He wants nothing to do with it, but will take a balloon sword to hit you across the knees with. Always be on guard.</div>
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