Coloring Easter Eggs

One of the activities that Rebecca looks forward to each year is when we get to color Easter Eggs.

Well we colored them last night and both her and Jacob had a blast!

We colored 18 eggs! Jacob had a little trouble putting the eggs in the cups gently, but I think he only ended up cracking 2.  After we colored the eggs, the kids played a matching Easter game that came in the egg dye kit that I bought.

Overall it was a fun Easter activity for our family!

Do you color Easter eggs at your home?

Surprise visit

Last night as I was laying on couch holding Benjamin, and the kids were watching cartoons, there was a knock on our front door.

Now that was strange. Most people that just drop by my house (family and close friends) come to the back door as that is where the most convenient parking is.

I couldn't see who it was as our front porch light is not working and it was dark outside.

When I opened the door I was pleasantly surprised to see a co-worker of Bills and his wife. They wanted to stop by and see how we were doing. And they wanted to wish us happy Easter. They also brought over this:

A turkey and a gift card to the grocery store.

These are really nice people. They are two of the many people whom Bill and I have met since moving to this community nearly 3 years ago. This is why we moved here...to feel like we belonged and to raise our children in a community that does stuff like this.

It was a totally unexpected visit but a welcomed one.

And now I am sick....

I am so done with winter and this spring that is really still acting like winter and all the colds and viruses that come along with it.

It is bad enough that Bill is still sick and that Jacob and Benjamin are still sick.

Now I AM SICK!!!! ARRGGGHHHHH!!!!

I woke up this morning with goop in my right eye, some head congestion and it hurt when I swallowed.....

Sound familiar?

Oh that's right. It is the same sinus infection and eye infection that has been plaguing hubby and the boys for the last 2 weeks.

So after a trip to the doctor I am now on amoxcillin and a steroid for the the puffy eye.

SIGH.

Is it summer yet?

And now Jacob is sick....

Hubby figured it out last night...we have been to the doctor/med center/ ER 15 times so far in 2013 for illnesses. That is ridiculous.

Yesterday was our 15th trip. We had to take Jacob to the med center due to congestion and goopy stuff in his eyes.

My sick Jacob. :(

He has an infection that went to his eyes. (So that would be the same thing that Bill and Benjamin have). Praying that Rebecca and I don't get it.

I just want my kids and hubby to feel better! Is that too much to ask?

Spring Break to do list

The temperature may still be cold.

There is snow in the forecast for tomorrow and Monday.

But you know what?

I really don't care, because it is SPRING BREAK week!

I don't have to go to work for 10 days. Rebecca doesn't have school. (Bill still has to work, as he is not an employee of a school.)

I have lots of plans for this week of things that I want to get done (if everyone is well and not sick).

My to do list so far looks like this:

-Make and mail invites for Benjamin's 1st b-day party
-Copy and mail paperwork to KCJFS
-Copy and mail paperwork to doctor
-Redo home management binder with updates
-Figure out new budget
-Sort through toys and donate some of them, organize what is left
-Research preschool homeschooling ideas for Jacob
-Start potty training Jacob
-Menu plan for next week and stick to it
-Laundry
-Declutter kitchen cabinets (donate excess)
-Clean and declutter our master bedroom
-List baby items on Craigslist for sale
-Read 2 books and post reviews
-Study first aid and CPR books for upcoming class
-Sort through kids' spring/summer clothes and see if any necessities are needed

That is just what is on the top of my head right now. This is assuming/hoping no one else gets sick at our house. I really could use a good week to get some organizing done.

Do you spring clean/ organize when you are on a spring break type of week?

Got lectured by my 6 year old

I work in an after-school care program at my daughter's school. Because of this, I allow her to go the the program and then she just comes home with me when I get off.

Well, last night as we were leaving school, Rebecca asked me a question and then proceeded to lecture me....

Here is how the conversation went:

Rebecca: "Mommy, do you know what we are having for dinner?"

Me: "No, I have no idea."

Rebecca: "Why not?"

Me: "Because I didn't plan anything."

Rebecca: "Why not?"

Me: "Because Daddy and Benjamin have been sick and I just didn't."

Rebecca: " But Mommy you always menu plan. You are supposed to menu plan so that we know what we are having for dinner. You need to menu plan."

I think this was a quick kick in the behind for me...It showed me that she is watching and listening to what I am doing. I have been really bad this week about dinner and NOT menu planning and just flying by the seat of my pants. This has led to some unhealthy dinners and quick, processed foods.

My plan is tonight to make a menu for next week and see what I need to get at the store. I really need to get back to it... If not for my own benefit, but so that my daughter realizes that yes it is important and I take her seriously when she says I need to menu plan.

Have your kids ever lectured you over something that you should be doing?

March Madness and My Bet with Bill

If you are a sports fan, then you know that it is that time of year again.

MARCH MADNESS IS HERE!!!!

(For those of you who are not sports fans, "March Madness" is the unofficial title to College basketball's official tournament to find out the Champion. It starts with a round of 64 teams, then a round of 32, the sweet 16, the elite 8, the final 4 and then the championship round.)

Every year, I fill out a tournament bracket, as does my hubby. This began when we were dating as something fun and competitive between us. Over the last 8 years (this is our 9th year to do this), I have "won" some years and I have lost some years. We have made bets some years with prizes involved, like winner gets to pick the next movie we see, etc. Some years, like last year, we haven't bet anything.

This year we are betting again.

Here is my completed bracket....In case you are wondering, I have Indiana winning it all!

If Bill loses the bracket, then he will refrain from getting fast food until the beginning of the NFL season (beginning of Sept.).

If I lose the bracket, then I will work out, train for and run a 5K with Bill. (If you don't know, I LOATHE running! I HATE it!)

So I am really hoping that I win... :)

Do you take part in March Madness? Do you bet on sports with your significant other?

Happy Spring

Kroger's Good for You Yogurts!

 

In an effort to eat healthier, and with the fact that Spring arrived today, my body has been craving fruits and veggies. And with the arrival of Spring, I have been craving smoothies!

 

Now smoothies can be a dangerous addiction if you are trying to be healthy and lose weight. Add the wrong things in and you can have a LOT of added fat and sugar and calories.

 

Well I have found a great item to add into a smoothie to help make it a little healthier!

 

KROGER GREEK LITE YOGURT!!!

 

 

 

Seriously, this stuff is great. It adds a nice flavor to your fruits and helps your smoothie come out nice and creamy. I made a smoothie with Kroger Greek Lite blueberry yogurt (it only has 90 calories!), frozen strawberries, frozen banana, and some fat free milk and it came out creamy and delicious and HEALTHY!

 

Kroger has many healthy and delicious yogurt offerings. They offer many varieties of greek yogurt, including black cherry, lemon creme, and strawberry. Kroger also offers CARBmaster yogurts for those who are watching their carb intake.  CARBmaster cultured dairy blends are lower in carbs, calories and sugar than regular yogurt (without sacrificing taste!) .

 

I would highly recommend that you pick up some Kroger yogurt today!

 

Disclaimer: I received a coupon for a free product as part of a BzzAgent campaign in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Took Ben to the ER last night....

He fell asleep in his high chair on Monday night.

Monday night Benjamin started getting a runny nose.

Yesterday, he woke up stuffed up, with a runny nose and a little bit of stuff/ crud in one of his eyes. I cleaned it off, thinking it was some of the snot that he had wiped across his face in his sleep.
His appetite was down a little, but who wants to eat if they are stuffed up? I put him down for his nap, then headed into my afternoon shift (2-6pm) at work.

I came home an hour early as Bill had a meeting he had to go to, and when I got home Benjamin was still down for his nap. That was a little unusual as he usually only sleeps for 2-2.5 hours, not 3. But if he wasn't feeling well, then he was probably just tired.

I went up to get him and he was moving around like he was awake, but his eyes were still closed. Then I realized they were closed because they were crusted closed with goop and crud. Green goop stuff. I took a warm, wet washcloth and cleaned his eyes so he could open them. I then noticed that his face seemed puffy and redder than normal.

I had Bill take Ben to the Urgent Care center (at 6pm)  and they thought it was an allergic reaction to something, but they weren't sure what. He hasn't been exposed to anything, he hasn't had any new foods, etc. They suggested we go the ER immediately. I had to get friend to come and take me, as Bill had the keys to both vehicles. My friend graciously came and took me and Rebecca and Jacob to the ER, then took Jake and Rebecca back home to watch them.

5 hours later, we were finally seen. Seems that our little guy has an upper respiratory infection, an ear infection, and was having an allergic reaction to the infection. While we were there, they gave Benjamin Motrin, Tylenol, a steroid, and Benadryl. Within an hour his face was less red from the rash and was less puffy. 

We finally made it home at 1:45am.

Benjamin is now on an antibiotic for the infection and a steroid for the allergic reaction. He seems to be in much better spirits today. He is still a little puffy and one eye was crusted shut this morning. Hopefully this illness will go away as quickly as it came on.

Sickness has invaded once again

Last week, I was very quiet on this here blog of mine. I had good reason....

Hubby was sick! Over the course of the week he had a sore throat, fever, and congestion in his nose. He ended up going to the doctor on Friday morning, after his eyes became really red and crusty Thursday night. Turns out he has a very contagious sinus infection that had moved to his eye. He was put on medicine and told to not return to work for 48 hours.

That meant that I had to disinfect everything in the house....couch cushions, all the throw blankets in the house, pillows, handles, door knobs, counters, remotes, the laptop, etc. I probably did close to 13 loads of laundry this weekend.

Sunday he seemed to be a little better, so I left him with the boys while Rebecca and I went to church and to the grocery store.

Sunday night, Benjamin started getting a runny nose......

This morning, he woke up covered in snot and just not feeling well. His appetite has been down all day and he has been kind of cranky and just wanting to be held. It was a good thing I had today off of work. Tonight, he had his last bottle and proceeded to throw it up all over his bed just as I was laying him down to sleep. Then he threw up more all over the floor....

So more laundry is getting done as we speak.

I am praying the other 2 kids don't get it, and that I don't get it.

I am so ready for summer and to get these sicknesses out of my house.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

It is Monday again, which means that it’s "Happy Homemaker Monday," a project which is hosted by Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Each week, she hosts "Happy Homemaker Monday" as a way to highlight what is going on in her world. This week I have decided to join in....So here is a little glimpse into my world on this Monday!

 

 



The Weather:::
Yesterday was GORGEOUS!!!! It was almost 70 degrees and sunny. Today it is raining and in the mid 50s. Still it is not snow and it is not freezing so I am okay with it.

Right now I am:  
Writing this blog post. Watching Benjamin cruise backwards around the living room in his walker. Listening to Jacob at the kitchen table trying to get the last drop of yogurt out of his yogurt cup.

Thinking:
That Daylight Savings Time is kicking my behind. I so did not want to get up this morning. It will be nice to get out of work when it is still light though.

On my reading pile:::
Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

On my tv:::
The Bible (DVRed it last night so I can watch it this week)
I am also hoping to get a bunch of shows off the dvr this week as we only have 6% left on there.

On the menu for this week:::
Monday -  Pizza crescent rolls and green beans
Tuesday- Breakfast for dinner (waffles, french toast sticks, fruit)
Wednesday - Pot roast in the crockpot with potatoes, onions and carrots
Thursday -  Manwich sandwiches, corn, fruit
Friday - Macaroni and cheese and fruit
Saturday - ?????
Sunday - ????????

On my to do list:::
Laundry, laundry and more laundry
Take trash and recycling out to the curb
Organize bills and pay them

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
I am trying to come up with a first birthday cake idea for Benjamin's b-day in a couple weeks.

Homemaking Tips:::
Do a quick clean up of the main living areas of your house before you go to bed. When you get up in the morning you will be greeted by a clean house, rather than more to-dos.

Looking around the house:::
Breakfast dishes are still on the kitchen table. Benjamin has toys all over the living room floor where he has thrown them. The kids' art table has a coloring book open to a half colored page and has a magna doodle on it covered in an artistic creation!

From the camera:::

Bill and  I on Saturday night. We were headed to a dinner auction for our daughter's school. The theme was 1920's speakeasy!

On my prayer list:::
For marriage and relationship strengthening and understanding. For a friend as she is coming up on then end of her radiation treatment for breast cancer, but is now dealing with lymphedema. For my mom, as another tumor was found and removed from her bladder. For my husband as he is entering into a couple VERY busy weeks!

Bible verse:::
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

So there you have it...a little glimpse into my Monday. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Cakes on the brain! (Photo heavy)

Every Friday for the past 3 weeks and for the next 3 weeks, I volunteered to make 2 cakes for my daughter's school's fish dinners. I like to bake and I have been making simple 9x13 cakes with sprinkles ontop.

Last night as I was frosting this week's cakes, I was thinking about birthdays coming up...(my mom, my brother, my father in law, and Benjamin's 1st) and if I needed to make cakes for them. I am not sure what design I would make for any of them....that got me thinking about cakes I have made....and how I do not have the pictures of them in one place for easy reference.

SO.....I decided to organize them today into a post here on my blog :) Maybe now I can just find them easily for reference, and maybe you can get some inspiration. Let me know if you do. :)

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any special hobbies? Do you like to decorate cakes?

Lemon-Lime Spritzer from R.W. Knudsen (Review)

One of the things that I have been trying to focus on this year is to drink more water and less pop.

I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to pop. I drink way TOO much of it. There is something about it that just calls my name.....I like the taste, the energy that it gives me is great, and I like the bubbly sensation that you get from the carbonation.

But I am trying to give it up. I really am. I can get great taste from green tea or by adding some fruit to my water. I actually have more long lasting energy from drinking water. But sometimes I just miss the carbonation feeling that I get from pop.

Well enter.... SPRITZERS FROM R.W. KNUDSEN!

As a Naturally Savvy blogger, I was recently given the opportunity to try the Lemon-Lime Spritzer from R.W. Knudsen.

 

 

I love the idea of having the carbonation without all the added stuff in pop. Spritzers to me are a much healthier alternative.

 

However, in all honesty, I was a little disappointed in the flavor of this spritzer. It was too tart for me, although my husband loved the flavor.

 

Spritzers from R.W. Knudsen are available in a wide variety of flavors, including cranberry, peach, strawberry and many more. I will definitely be trying out other flavors to find the one that is right for me.

 

Disclaimer: I received a product sample in exchange for a honest review as part of the Naturally Savvy blogging program. All opinions are my own. 

My to do list for today

Early yesterday they were calling for around 8-9 inches of snow in my area starting around 1pm.

So I went into work early thinking that maybe, just maybe today we would get a snow day. (I work at a school). I was already forming a gigantic to-do list in my head.

I left work yesterday at 6pm and it was doing nothing.

Went to bed at 11pm...it was just starting to snow lightly.

When I woke up this morning, we got maybe 2 inches. Nothing to write home about.

So much for a snow day from work....

I still have a lot to do though before I go into work later.

Mainly, cleaning and organizing this....

My desk area has become the dumping ground of stuff. It is a mess from doing taxes, figuring out bank accounts, etc. IT IS A MESS. And I don't feel like I can figure out budget or make any payments on anything until it is clean. So that is my goal today. Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with after pictures and lots of progress to report on this to do today.

What are you up to today? Do you have an area that you are cleaning and organizing today?

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

It is Monday again, which means that it’s "Happy Homemaker Monday," a project which is hosted by Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Each week, she hosts "Happy Homemaker Monday" as a way to highlight what is going on in her world. This week I have decided to join in....So here is a little glimpse into my world on this Monday!

 

 



The Weather:::

It has been cold and cold, and did I mention...cold. :)  The sun is out today so that is a blessing. We are supposed to get a lot of snow tomorrow and Wednesday though. Doesn't winter know that it is March and the snow is supposed to be done?

Right Now I am:
Trying to do a million different things before work....  

Thinking:

That I hope work isn't too bad today. That I am glad that I found shoes to match my dress for the dinner auction. That I am grateful for how hard my hubby works for our family.
 

On my reading pile:::

Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

On my tv:::

Cartoons (for the kids)
Sports (for hubby)
Cooking shows and country music videos (for me)
 

On the menu for this week:::

Monday:  Pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, pineapple
Tuesday:  Taco bake

Wednesday: Ham slices, broccoli and rice casserole, mixed veggies and fruit

Thursday:  Chicken in a bag, potatoes, corn

Friday: Mac and cheese for kiddos, Fish dinners from our church fish fry for hubby and I

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Pot roast, potatoes, onions, carrots in the crockpot, crescent rolls
 

On my to do list:::

Laundry
Plan blog posts for the week
Catch up on reading   

Looking around the house:::

The boys are napping. There are piles of things to go through around the computer. Kitchen has kind of been straightened up.

From the camera:::

My little crawler. Cannot believe he will be a year old in less than a month.



On my prayer list::: 

For healing in marriage and relationships.

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

There you have it. A little glimpse into my life on this Monday. Hope everyone has a great Monday!