Wii Fit Plus: Bicycling Game

I was lucky enough to get a Wii Fit Plus pad and game for Christmas.  I have been working on using the Wii fit pad to help me in my weight loss journey.  So yesterday I decided to click on the bicycle  game within the Wii Fit Plus game.  Trust me… NEVER… EVER click the bicycle game.   At first it was a lot of fun.  The faster you run on the Wii Fit Pad the faster your bike goes.  I was having a lot of fun.

That is until I figured out you have to find flags.  It is not like you have to find 4-5 flags… You have to find 13.  I ran in place for 9 minutes total and thought that I was going to die.  I would have quit if it were not for Abigail…

Me:  I CANNOT do this…

Abby:  Sure you can mom don’t be silly…

Me:  I think I am going to die

Abby:  Just get it done mom

Me:  Perhaps I should just reset the Wii

Abby:  Come on mom you have to finish what you started (who taught her that and why did she listen?)

Me:  I hate this

Abby:  You will love it when it is over… just come on mom…

And so I did finish and I did not die.  It stinks when your kids throw what you tell them back into your face!  TRUST ME WHEN I TELL YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM THIS WII FIT PLUS ACTIVITY!!!!!

I know you will all try it but trust me…

Becca

Related articles by Zemanta

• Wii Fit Plus Review (chris.pirillo.com)
• 1 Ultra Simple Tip to Help You Lose Weight (diet-blog.com)
• Wii Fit Plus Targets Target Parking Lots [Marketing] (kotaku.com)

Christmas Countdown 2009: Little Santa Hat Cookies

38 Days Until Christmas
36 Shopping days remaining

The Cookie Exchange Week

For most of us cookies are an important part of the Christmas season.  Holiday baking can be a fun way to bond with the kids, enjoy extended family or relax alone.  In the 2008 Family Fun Magazine I found the cutest Santa Hat Cookies.  They are simple and fun to make and they come out super cute.

Ingredients:

• 2 egg whites at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Red colored
  

Heat the oven to 200 degrees.  With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until a soft peaks start to form.  .  Beating all the while, add the cream of tartar and vanilla extract,then slowly add the add the 1/2 cup of sugar.  Continue to beat until the peaks stiffen.

Spoon the meringue into a quart-size plastic bag.  Snip off a corner and pipe 2 dozen 1 1/2 inch-tall Santa hat triangles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet ( you should have about 1/4 of the meringue left).  Sprinkle the triangles with the red sugar then use the remaining meringue to add one pom-pom and trim.  Bake until the hats are hard but make sure they do not brown.  It should take a hour and 20 minutes.  Turn off the oven and leave the cookies for an additional hour with the oven off to allow crisping.

Becca

Related articles by Zemanta

• Magical Ideas Involving Letters From Santa (jaysdad.com)
• Meringue On Over Here (vivanista.com)
• Build-A-Bear Workshop Tranforms Into Santa’s Workshop (shoppingblog.com)

Christmas Countdown 2009: Holiday Checklist

75 Days of Christmas Countdown:

55  Days Until Christmas

It is so important as the holidays approach to have a game plan.  I think that there are some simple things that can be done early.  These are not things that will be rushing the holiday.  They are things that will help you to be more prepared when they get here.

• Start Baking: There are many holiday treats that can be frozen and thaw well.  By starting holday baking a little at a time now you will have a chance to enjoy friends and family more at the holidays.
• Get the calender out: It is never too early to start firming up plans for the holidays.  If you are planning a holiday party discuss them with friends and family now.  If there is a special trip you would like to pick the weekend now.  If there is a special day you would like to go shopping with a friend confirm the date and make the plans now.  If you would like to go see Disney’s, “A Christmas Carol in 3-D” pick the date now.
  
• Update Address Book: All through the year people move, pass away and change their phone numbers.  Go through your address book and make sure that you have all of the correct addresses for friends and family.  This will mean that when it comes time to send out Christmas cards you will be ready.
• Make a Master Gift List: Write each person you need to shop for.  As you think of things that they will enjoy add it to your list.  Remember to leave room to check off when you buy it.  ALso remember to keep it away from the kids.  This also helps you hunt for the best price.
  
• Develop a Budget: This is more important this year than it may have been in years past.  Many people have said that they will be spending less this year.  This means that we will all have to plan more and spend less.  
  

Related articles by Zemanta

• Great Sale from Mom Agenda! (momblognetwork.com)
• Christmas is a time for sharing (myggsa.co.za)

Christmas Coundown 2009: Christmas Cheer

75 Days of Christmas Countdown

60 Days Until Christmas:

Unfortunately this year we have had some turbulent, personal issues.  This has meant that I have neglected the first 15 days of my famous 75 Days of Christmas Countdown.  With all of that being said I think that the most important thing to address this year is Christmas Cheer.

What is Christmas Cheer you ask?  It is that special kind of happiness that only comes one time a year.  It is a time that we should all be a little nicer.  For some it is a time for family and friends and for others it is a time for giving back to their communities.  It is the desire to gather around with others and just be cheerful.

Now I am not sure why, but many people are lacking in their holiday cheer.  I have kept my mouth closed about this long enough.  I cannot contain my disappointment any longer.  It seems like Christmas has been taken over by the Grinch.  Christmas cheer is a quickly dying experience.  In the stores, on the street, in community centers, Christmas Cheer is dying.

So here is what I plan on doing about it.  I am going to be the Christmas Cheerleader.  I am going to spread Christmas cheer even to those whose hearts are three sizes too small.  I am going to help out our troops with the Girl Scouts, I am going to visit the nursing home with some presents, I am going to do everything I can think of to infect the people in this country with some good old fashion Christmas Cheer!  Join me in my quest to revive what we all love about Christmas!

Becca

Related articles by Zemanta

• Grinches couldn’t steal Christmas after all (thestar.com)
• http://www.askbecca.com/countdown/51-days-christmas/
• http://www.askbecca.com/countdown/60-days-christmas/

Christmas Countdown 2009: 75 Days of Christmas

Well it is almost that time of year again.  Yes I said it… Christmas is upon us.  I know that you are thinking that I am a bit over the edge but it is only 12 more days until my 75 Days of Christmas Countdown.  Day 75 is on coming quickly and I have begun to think a lot about what I am trying to cover this year.

Last year I offered my ideas of what the holidays should be and what they actually are.  If there is one thing that I have learned it is that Christmas never goes the way that I plan it.  It has more bumps then I am ever ready for but in the end the memories are fond when I look back.

I was thinking that this year there are some important things that I would like to cover.  I know that we are all on tight budgets this year.  Many people are out of work and even others are just struggling to make payments on their mortgages each month.  I am going to try and make this year a cheap, yet fun year.  I will be posting budgeting ideas, low cost gift ideas, easy crafts for kids and adults, and of course my insight and humor.  Yet again there is a lot to do and what feels like a lot of time to do it in!

I would like to ask all of you what Christmas topics you are looking for this year?  Shall I post recipies, survival guides, crafts, gift ideas or even a funny story or two?  What are we looking for this year?  What do you want your Christmas to be?

Becca

Spring Break Survival

Oh my… I woke up this morning and remembered something.  IT IS SPRING BREAK.  Now, the words that are to follow are meant with the most love and affection.   I hate Spring Break.  It is not like Winter Break where we all get involved in Christmas.  This Spring Break thing stinks unless you are going away which we of course are not this year!  I remember back in high school and college when I went away with friends.  We had a blast.  One year was Ocean City another year was Disney.  Now I am home with restless kids, a house to unpack and no plan!  So what is a stay at home mom to do with three kids for eleven days?  I am compiling a survival guide in order to make it though.  I need you help though.  Here are a few questions to get started with:

1. What is there to do that is free?
2. What can I do with no car?
3. Is there any activity that you can think of that a 1 year old, a 5 year old, and an 8 year old?  I am drawing a blank!
4. Is there a magic potion to give children that makes them not whine?
5. How much is it a mother can drink without it being a problem?
6. How can I avoid hearing, “I am bored there is nothing to do.”
7. What fun things can you think of to make the kids tired enough to still go to bed on time?  Oh and I have to be able to do it with my not healed correctly broken foot!

I will spend the day developing a survival guide.  I hope that it works!  Today, I am just going to wing it.  So far we have had 5 fights, Abigail has bitten Emma, Emma has scratched Abigail and the baby is a whining mess!  HELP!

Becca

Related articles by Zemanta

• Easter Traditions (askbecca.com)
• Too Many Toys… (askbecca.com)

New Year’s Eve

Not Quite what it should have been:

As the ball dropped in Time Square this year I was feeling a little down.  New Year’s Eve. was partially ruined when Analiese threw up everywhere just before we were about to leave.  This made Abigail beyond anoyed, it made Emma cry and it left me yet again in a place where I was about to feel disapointed in myself.  I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry and be anoyed right along with the kids.  I hate change even when it is so small and minimal.

I had to stop as we got in the car and regroup.  I could not start out the new year bad.  I told Abigail and Emma we were on a mission.  We needed to gather everything we could think of from Grandma’s and Pop-pop’s and make a party at our house. I knew that they still had tons of left overs that they were looking to get rid of and I was short on cash.

As we began to rummage through the treats in their house the girls began to have a good time.  They started to look forward to our small intimate party.  We left with cheese and crakers, some dips and chips, a plate of cookies, fruits and veggies to snack on and even drinks.   In the car on the way home from our treasure hunt I assigned each child a job with an adult to help.  Abigail and Dad were in charge of the food and drinks and Emma and I were in charge of streightening up the livingroom and setting up a small table for our new found snacks.

The amazing thing was that we all had fun.  We watched the ball drop and a few of the musical acts.  This year we did it by the light of our Christmas Tree and the comfort of our couch.  There were people who were disapoointed that we did not come.  We even recieved some funny calls from friends who wated us to come and sit in the car as the ball dropped at their house so that we were a part of the party.  Just between you and I it was a nice change of pace.  I enjoyed this New Year’s Eve more then any other.

I think that the thing that I walked away from in 2008 is that when I adjust to the changes in a positive way the kids will follow.  I think that we will all remember this New Year’s Eve for a long time to come.

Becca

Related articles by Zemanta

• Hillary and Bill Clinton to Initiate Ball Drop in Times Square Tonight
• Happy New Year: I hope you relish it as much as I
• Had A Bad Year? ‘08 Memories Get Shredded In NYC

6 Days Until Christmas

White Christmas this year?

So there are only 6 days left and I can not believe it but I hear that we may have a white Christmas here in NY.  I am so excited about the possible magic.  This snow will be on top of the now we are suposed to get today and the snow that is to come on Sunday night as well.

I wish that I had thought to buy a sled of two for the kids.  I think that we are going to have fun all snug in our beds.  I know that I have been dreaming of w White Christmas and all of our dreams may just come true.  I guess we will see as it gets closer.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 46 Days Until Christmas

7 Days Until Christmas

Wow!  This season has gone so quickly.  I would love to say that my planned went as planned and that I was able to get to everything.  I would say that this year has been a challenge.  Perhaps it wa the short season.  Perhaps it was my unhealed broken foot.  Perhaps I procrastinated.  Either way it is here!

One week until Christmas means that there are many things that I have to do in little time.  These things are vital to assuring that I am not stressed on Christmas Eve.

• I need to complete my shopping.  It has been difficult because I can only shop for an hour or so with my foot.  I think that I have gone out everyday this season.
• I need to Wrap.  This is something that is vital.  I think that while this is obvious I need to keep in mind that it is important.
• I need to do my cards.  Although they may be New Years cards I still want to send them out to all of the people who I do not get to see or talk to often.
• I need to be an elf to my mother-in-law who broke her thumb and cannot wrap this year.  This is important to me.  She would do it for me so how could I not make it a priority.

Well 7 days is enough time.  I just want to assure that I have a reduced stress Christmas.  We are now counting down.  Get ready Christmas will be here soon.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Christmas Spirit
• Holiday and Family Stress

20 Days Until Christmas

OK I know I missed a few.  In the last 20 days I have been sick as have all of the kids.  Today is the first day that everyone made it to school and I am breathing a sigh of relief.  Needless to say I am way behind on my schedule.  I had wanted to be so much further along by now.  I have a bit of catching up to do!

I feel like the Grinch has stolen my Christmas! The house is not decorated, pictures of the kids have not been done, shopping is started but not complete, Abigail thinks that I am Santa Clause and no cookies are baked.  This weekend it the big one for us.  I would like to get everything decorated and all set.  This will leave time over the next week or so to do some baking.  I think that this will have me all caught up.  Wish me luck.  I think that I am going to need it!

Becca

Related articles by Zemanta

• It’s Christmas time in the city
• A-Z Christmas Movies

Next Page »