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Birthday Quandry: Birthday Party For Three

May 8, 2009 By 7 Comments
A birthday cake
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So here is the question for today…

My nephew, my neice and Analiese all have May birthdays all within two weeks of one another.  Each year we do a family and friends party for each kid.  This year we thought that perhaps we should combine all three of them and do one family party.  This means that family will only have to come to one party.  This means that it will be one day in the full month of May to have to donate to these birthdays.

So here is the problem.  Rob thinks that it is wrong.  He thinks that then friends and family will be strapped having to buy three presents all at once.  He thinks that it is just wrong and has told me to back out of the idea.  The trouble is that it was my idea and I still think that it is a nice one.  The other problem is that we have already mentioned it to people and how do we cancel now.  I am not worried about gifts.  Analiese is turning 2 and already has all of the clothing, toys and stuff that any two year old could need.

I want to know what you think?  Is this party a bad idea?

Becca

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Spring Break Survival

April 9, 2009 By 8 Comments

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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

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Spring Family Fun

March 25, 2009 By 2 Comments
Flowers and family
Image by Dan Phiffer via Flickr

Spring is a time to awaken again.  Just as the trees are budding and the flowers are sprouting it is a time for us to be active again.  I tend to stay home in the Winter and am very under motivated.  Now that it is Spring I have been thinking a lot about all of the fun things we do as a family in the Spring months.

  • Hiking:  Typically we start hiking in the Spring.  It is a great time to go out and hit the trails with the kids.  I love showing them all of the new life sprouting all around us.  The kids love hiking as well.  It is so fun and exciting and it is good for them.
  • Letterboxing: Letterboxing is a fun adventure that the entire family can enjoy.  We went a few times last Summer and the kids LOVED it.  It was like a treasure hunt.  I know that there are many different letterboxes all over the world.  We visit letterboxing.org for box locations.
  • Gardening:  Last spring was the first time that we had a garden and the kids were really into it.  They loved watching all of our plants grow into veggies.  It was something that we could spend about 15 minutes an evening.  It was a nice time that we had with the kids weeding and watering the garden.  The kids each had a basket to place their ripe treasures.
  • Spring Clean Up:  This is the best.  It is when we rake all of the dead grass away, much the garden and prepare for the summer months.  We get all of our Spring out.  It should be fun!

I would love to hear all of the fun things that you do with your families in the Spring.  I think that this year it is important that our family keep Spring family fun lo in cost.  I know that with the economy we have tightened our belts some.  I also know that we are not alone!

Becca

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Killer Flu!

March 14, 2009 By 11 Comments
DENPASAR, INDONESIA - NOVEMBER 7: A scientist...
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Earlier this week I had written about a friends daughter who died suddenly last Saturday.    It turned out that she had the flu which caused her to pass way before her time.  I am floored by this.  This is, thank God, the first year that all of my kids had a flu shot.  I am thanking my lucky stars now.  This strain of the flu is aggressive.  She had not felt well the evening before and died 24 hours later!

In wake of this I hear that the schools will be undergoing massive cleanings this weekend.  The department of health is also offering free flu vaccines tomorrow!  It makes me think though.  I cannot tell you how many times I let my kids be sick.  I am not one to rush to the Dr. the second they get a fever.  I let them work through for a day or two.  Runny noses are never a second though.   I assume that it is a cold and move on.  I know that there are a lot of other parents out there like me.  I know that I am not alone.

This also makes me think about the flu.  Why is this strain of the flu so strong that it is killing people within 24 hours.  I heard about a week before this happen that there were two other girls who died on Long Island.  The day that this child died another girl on Staten Island died of the flu as well.  Why are the strains of the flu suddenly so strong?  Perhaps the flu is becoming stronger because we keep fighting it with vaccines?  Is it possible that in the long run we are doing more harm then good?

I am not a scientist so who knows.   All I know is that I am now a little worried about my kids.  Will the same fate fall upon my babies?  How do we know how much longer we will have with anyone we love?  I am again thinking about how I want to make each day count.  I want them to know that they were loved and have a happy home!

Becca

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    The Funny Things That Kids Say

    March 8, 2009 By 11 Comments

    No WAY!!!

    There are so many things that this term can be used for.  As an adult I do not think that I use it all that often but something is making me think differently.  Baby Analiese keeps saying NO WAY.  The trouble is that I just keep laughing at it.  As a seasoned mother I know better then to laugh at something like this.  The ramifications can be life long.

    I do not know where Analiese has acquired this two word phrase but she  uses it flawlessly.  Here are a few examples!

    Mommy:  Analiese, time for night night

    Analiese:  NO WAY

    Mommy:  Analiese time for Dinner

    Analiese: NO WAY

    Mommy:  Analiese say bye bye Barney

    Analiese: NO WAY

    Mommy:  Analiese Jammies on

    Analiese:  NO WAY

    Mommy:  Analiese we sit in chairs

    Analiese:  NO WAY

    Now I know that by this age No is about the coolest word ever.  I just do not know why or how my daughter figured out to add the simple yet complex word way to it.  It is a puzzle that I intend on figuring out!  I just look at her and laugh but really it is quite snotty and I am so determined not to mess the third kid up also.  For now I am working on saying, “YES WAY” to things in hope that it rubs off.  For now I will most likely keep on laughing that the funny things that kids say!  Here is an old Art Linkletter episode of “Kids say the Darndest things.”  What funny things do your kids say?

    Becca

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    Moving

    March 1, 2009 By 19 Comments

    house-3Last week we found the perfect house.  It is a typical old house with hardwood floors, a large livingroom and 4 bedrooms.  Right away we took it.  It was a no brainer.  For the same amount of money that we pay now we are getting so much more.

    The first thing that made it a huge no brainer is that there are four… yes I said four bedrooms!  Right now we have two and for the 5 of us it is a tight squeeze.  The girls are so excited that they were able to go to the house today and pick their rooms.  Abigail picked the room leading to the attic.  Rob was against it at first but has given in.  He had thought that she would be scared but she is more then excited.  She wants to have a spot in the attic to write.  She is a lot like her mom in that she loves to write, tell tales and imagine.  She is super excited that she has gotten the room she wanted.

    Emma is excited also.  She and Analiese may still share a room although Emma is unsure.  She hates when Analiese cries and wakes her up in the morning.  I think that them sharing still will be the way it turns out.  This will allow a play room.  I am siked about this.  A play room will mean that the toys have a home other then their rooms where they get messed up!

    house-2

    I am super excited about a bunch of things.   Rob and I will have a door again!  I did not think that it would be bad not having a door but I am really excited to be getting one again.  I also have a small area to make an office, a dining room and a fireplace.  Oh and the best part is that we have a huge front porch.

    I led a tour to all of our family members today.  They all really loved it.  I think that it is going to be so great!  The kids already had  a blast in our new backyard and Abigail even mentioned that she found the perfect tree (she like to climb trees).  I think we are going to be VERY happy in our new home!

    Becca

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    Pirate Cake

    February 17, 2009 By 3 Comments
    Simple pirate cake!

    Simple pirate cake!

    No pirate party is complete without a pirate hat cake.  This cake was so simple and so fun.  It is a must for any pirate party!

    Here’s how I did it:

    1. Bake 2 round cakes
    2. Let the cakes cool
    3. Ice the top of one cake
    4. Place the second cake on top of the first
    5. Cut about 1/4 of the circle off
    6. Cut the smaller piece in half
    7. Place cake up vertically
    8. Ice and decorate

    Please visit family fun for more detailed directions to this cake.  This cake is sure to please.  Let me know how yours comes out!  To check out a tea pot cake for your little princess please click here.

    Becca

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    Sick

    February 10, 2009 By 7 Comments
    Do you see any hives?
    Do you see any hives?

    I think that my favorite kids poems ever is “Sick” by Shell Silverstein.  I used to love this poem more then anything and I cannot tell you the number of times I have read it in my life.  I sit here thinking about this poem for a few reasons:

    1. Abigail keeps faking being sick.  This is what the poem is all about.  It is about a girl who has everything wrong with her until she finds out that it is Saturday.  She is then by some miracle better.  This is now Abigail starring in the role of the faking little girl.  She has gotten one over on me a few times in the past few weeks but now I am on to her.  I do not know why she is avoiding going to school.  It used to be something that she loved!  All I know is that no more children will be staying home with mommy unless they have a fever and cannot move off of the couch.  I do not want to entertain all day.  I want to see Abigail and Emma off to school and play with the baby.  I want to work when the baby is sleeping not entertain an imitation sick child. 
    2. The baby is sick:  Yes it is true I think that we have an ear infection on our hands.  This would be the first for baby Analiese which is impressive being that we are moving closer to two with each passing day.  I hate when babies are sick.  They cannot tell you what hurts.  They cannot tell you when their fever is creeping back up.  It makes it all so hard to have to watch them hurt and be sad.  It just breaks my heart how Analiese still wants to be a trooper and has not learned better yet.  She still wants to play even though I know that it hurts for her to hold her head up.  She still wants to come to dinner even though she does not want to eat.  I just find it all so heartbreaking.
    3. I want it to be Saturday:  Yes I know that the week just started but in the poem it is all better because it is Saturday.  I sit here wishing for one of these magical Saturdays!

    ** oh and to top it off I just picked Emma up from school.  She had one hive and this was apparently a reason to come home urggg**

    I hope that you are having a better time this February with your sick little ones!  I am just looking for Saturday!

    Becca

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    Valentine’s Day kids Craft

    February 9, 2009 By 4 Comments

    HEART BOXES

    valentines-box-1

    This is an easy and cute craft for the kids or the moms.  My girls loved it!  Send us pictures of how yours comes out.  We  would love to see all the things that could be done!  You can add a gift inside or just give the box.  The possibilities are certainly endless.   Alli and I had fun with this one.

    Difficulty Rating:  2 Stars Beginner 5-100

    Supplies:

    1. Heart shaped box
    2. Paint
    3. paint bush
    4. decorations
    5. Glue (depending on which decorations you choose)

    Step 1:                                                                               valentines-box-painting1

    For step 1 we painted our box.  This came out more like a light stain.  If you are looking for a bolder color you need to prime the box.

    Step 2:

    Let the box dry.  WHile this would seem like a logical step we felt it was important to include.  If you do not allow proper drying time the decorations may not stick to your heart box.

    Step 3:

    valentine-box-decorate

    The last step is to decorate your heart box.  We chose to do this with all self sticking items.  This meant that we did not have to get the glue guns out and is a great way to accomplish this step.  I believe that when working with smaller children this is the better way to go.  They are able to indepentently complete their craft and bring it home complete rather then leaving it to dry.  AC Moore has great sticker gems, foam hearts, button decorations and much more.  I also think that these would come out great decopauged.

    That is it!  This craft is really that simple.  I love the way that it comes out and the kids will have a use for it.  My girls chose to place their Webkinz codes in their hearts.  This is a perfect size and a great way to keep track of those little papers that you are suposed to hold onto for life!  We hope that you enjoy this craft and again please share how yours come out.

    Becca and Alli

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    Another One Bites the Dust

    February 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment
    Emma in the snow 2-09

    Emma in the snow 2-09

    The Weekend Battle:

    Time and time again I look forward to the weekend.  I am not sure why… I stay at home all week with the baby.  I just look at it as a time to get things done.  All week I put things off and tell myself, “this weekend I will do it.”  The weekend comes and the weekend goes and I never get anything done.  I am not sure why it is that I cannot accept the fact that the weekend is a busy hectic time in which nothing can get accomplished.

    I think that my delusion stems from the belief that over the weekend I will be able to get something done because I will have help.  There are three other people in my family who are more then capable of helping out.  There are two kids and then there is that husband of mine.  Why is it that I still am not able to get anything done.

    So here we are in the beginning of another week.  The laundry pile is even bigger then it was last week, the kids rooms are now to the point that I cannot tuck them into bed and the living room looks as if a bomb has hit.   I guess that what needs to happen is that I have to stop believing that the weekend is a time to accomplish anything!  It is a time to wreck things not a time to clean, organize or work as a team to achieve anything.   All we can do is play and have fun with one another.  I guess I will have to work harder this week rather then this weekend.
    Becca

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