New directions...

...find me now at Life In Trixieland.  Sorry I didn't let you know sooner...

Let's talk about Make Up...

I know, I know, I need to get over the hump and start blogging regularly again.  Stuff happens, ya know?  Its not like I have a job, 2 kids in school and a husband to visist with at the end of the day or anything...

Anyway, the topic makeup has been on my brain lately.  I love it!  So, of course, now the "in" think is to be photographed WITHOUT make up!!!  What???

Check out my recent post over at All Kinds of Pretty and let me know what you think...

Parenting FAIL or yes, we were totally THAT FAMILY this morning during church...

Sometimes I feel like a complete failure as a parent.  Today was one of those days...

We have been attending the 9:30 service at our chuch - Faith Church in Oakland.  A few months ago, Faith started a second service, so that there is a modern/contemporary service at 9:30 and traditional worship at 11:00.  I spend my teen years attending churches with a contemporary worship - so I was very excited about this new service.  I attend most Sunday mornings with the girls. 

I reallly love the format of the modern service.  There is just a teensy problem though. 

Right now since attendence at the modern (early) service is pretty low there is no children's service for the kids during the sermon.  Now, I know what you are thinking - when I was a child, there was no such thing as children's church - we sat through the entire sermon and we were quiet as little church mice...or else! 

Well, there is where the FAIL part of this post comes in.

It seems like we have yet to have a Sunday where I have not had to take one (or both) of the girls out of the service for not being quiet or just flat out being disruptive.  Most of the time, I am pretty philosophical about it - they try to behave for the most part.  But today...oh, today...

It was awful!  I took Tara out twice during the praise service - she kept wanting to go back and forth between her seat and her friend - the preacher's daughter...of course.   Who is always perfectly quiet...  After the second time she came back to our seats, I told her she could not go back to her friend.  Much drama ensued, leading to the first visit to the vestibule.  The second time, she literally made a break for it and went all wet noodle on me when I tried to keep her in her seat.  Cue the second visit to the hallway. 

After a sterm lecture from me and a pop on her bottom that she sullenly told me she was going to wipe off...she settled down and started coloring in a coloring book quietly.  I'll take it.

Then Savannah, who up until this point was behaving perfectly, decided to snatch the coloring book from Tara and, when Tara (understandably) protested, she stage whispered that she wanted to show her something.  She began flipping pages - loudly - and after a moment, I notice several disapproving glances our way.  I realize she really doesn't intend to show Tara anything and to settle it, I take the book back.  

Cue the drama - and just plain out orneriness from Savannah. 

I had had it at that point.  I was near tears with embarrassment.  I had not been able to listen to the message and I knew that they were being disruptive to others there trying to worship.  I yanked them both up and we left right in the middle of the sermon.  Well, not really yanked, but you know what I mean.

I have never been so embarrassed by my childrens' behavior!!  I fussed all the way home and sent them both to thier rooms until I calmed down enough to talk to them about it.  Actually, Dan took Tara and I took Savannah. 

Intranets - if there is some secret to getting your kids to behave during the church service, PLEASE let me in on it.  Nothing I do seems to make an impression. 

I love our modern worship, but right now, I feel the only alternative is to attend the traditional service from now own, so that the girls can attend children's church during the sermon.  Honestly, I think that is the only way I will be able to actually spend my time in worship and not as referee. And the traditional service is beautiful and the girls love children's church, so maybe that is where I am supposed to be.  I will go back to getting my praise fix from K-LOVE.

I am pretty sure that after today the other attendees of the modern service will not be sad to see us go...

You betcha...

Have I mentioned that I despise Sarah Palin?  Yeah, I think it has come up before...

So, obviously, I love this...



I heart Tina Fey!

Yum...

I made this gazpacho. 

Heaven. in. my. mouth.

That's all.

Peep, Peep

I haven't been posting lunches that I make for the princesses anymore, but I saw these on another blog  the other day and they were so cute I just had to try them.  Then they were so cute, I had to take a picture.

Deviled eggs - I mounded the egg yolk filling and added a carrot sliver for the beak and chocolate sprinkles for the eyes.  (Yes, I know chocolate spinkles don't go with deviled eggs, but they were the only thing I had around that I could think of to work as the eyes.)  Also on the plate, apple slices and pretzels.  Simple, I know, but I knew even if they did not like the egg, they would eat the apple and pretzels.

I thought these were so cute and the girls were impressed!  With the appearance anyway.  Tara ate her entire plate.  Savannah, on the other hand, pronounced them cute but would not eat them. 

Oh, well, you win some, you lose some.  And they are still cute!  Peep!!!

Haiku for my hair

Wind is not my friend.
Nemesis of good hair days.
Damn you, wind, damn you.

Oh, how the proud have fallen...

Remember way back at the beginning of the school year when I bragged aspired to make the princesses thier school lunches at least 4 times a week?

I had such a great first semester.  Then I got bored with photo-blogging the lunches, so that dropped off.

Then I just got bored.

Now, I am doing good to make lunches 2-3 times per week.  This is not good, y'all.  don't get me wrong - St. Mary's has great lunches as far as school lunches go, but man, they are expensive!  About $4.50 a meal.  Now, for your average 12-year-old, that is pretty darn good - but when the eaters are ages 4 and 6 - they probably eat about a dollars worth. 

I think part of my problem is just letting my evening get away from me.  Out of routine.  Out of wack. 

This is a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but I really do like sending thier lunches and knowing exactly what they are eating.  So, just got to get back in the groove.

Oohhh, groove...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIaTEOUCft0

Things I wish my daughters did not have to learn the hard way.

1. Play-doh gets hard if you leave it out overnight.

2. It hurts when your friend won't play with you.

3. You can't buy everything you want just because you want it.

4. If you do not go to the bathroom before you leave the house, it will be a long miserable ride to school. 

5. When you don't share your toys, then your sister won't share hers either.

6. That toy/boy you didn't like will suddenly look oh, so much more attractive when your sister becomes interested.

7. Puppy love hurts.

8. That boy who didn't notice you earlier in the evening did not suddenly fall love with you at closing time.

9. He didn't lose your number, he just didn't call you.

10. Sometimes being sorry isn't enough.

Sometimes I think the hardest part of being a mom is all the things I can't protect them from - right now, its broken toys.  One day all too soon, it will be a broken heart (stupid boys!).  How I wish I could bottle up everything I ever learned the hard way and give it to them in one dose.  But I know that somethings have to be learned by doing.  And then, my job is simple.  I will be there...always.

I love you, Savannah and Tara.

So, what is the one lesson you wish you could save your kids from learning the hard way? 

All Kinds of Pretty

All Kinds of Pretty is the name of a great blog where I have recently started blogging.  The whole idea of it is so awesome - real women, real bodies, real budgets.  When I saw Snarky Mommy talking about it, I had to check it out and once I did, I knew I wanted to me a part of it. 

Since I came across All Kinds of Pretty, I have really been thinking alot not so much about WHAT I wear, but WHY I wear it.  Not just WHAT are my fall backs, but WHY they are?  I don't know about you, but I have slightly strange relationship with my clothes.  I have certain ones that are make me feel like a goddess and onces that I put on when I want that MILF status.  I have jeans that I only wear when none of my others are clean and sweaters that I don't really love but I know they look nice for work. 

I think being a part of this site is going to be great for me.  There are lots of great women posting there, moms like me, some who balance work outside the home with raising thier families, some whose full-time job IS taking care of thier  - we are all so different, but it makes me realize that everyone has that "thing" with thier clothes - clothes help us show the world who we are and they make us feel good.  And that is a good thing.

So check us out.  I think you'll like it.

 

It's a Drag...

So in the news this week is the matter of a gay teenager in Mississippi who has been told she cannot attend her prom wearing a tux and with her date.  I could go into a billion reason why this angers me on so many levels - not the least of which is that she is gay - so what?  I am sure her classmates already know this and aren't going to be corrupted by her presence with her date.  I will go even further and say that she is probably not even the only gay person planning to attend prom - she is just the only one that sought to clarify the "conduct rules" issued about prom attendence beforehand.

But there is another thing about this that annoys me.  The part where the school apparently equates the ideal of a woman wearing at tux as dressing in drag.  Seriously?  Isn't a tux basically a suit jacket and pants?  And don't women wear jackets and pants every day in this country?  Are we really THAT narrow minded as a society? 

Give me a break!  Women have been rocking tuxedos since the tuxedo began.  Thier suggestion that a woman in pants and a jacket is wearing drag is ridiculous beyond all reason!  This is a small point when you consider the much bigger issue at play here - I am praying that Constance McMillan gets to attend her senior prom with the date of her choice in the attire of her choice.  And as a mom, I am thrilled that her parents support her in what she is going through here.

But in the meantime, I give you....Women in Tuxedos:



Film Legend Marlene Dietritch





America's Sweetheart, Meg Ryan





"Not that innocent" Britney Spears





Not sure who she is, but she rocks it...







And perhaps the most famous use of tux on a woman in modern times...What a Feelin...Jennifer Beals

So what are your thoughts?  Is a tux really "drag"?  Seriously?  Is the perfectly nice pants suit hanging in my closet "drag"?

It's Dazzling...

So, this comes as no surprise to those who know me, but I am something of a shoe wh0re.  It is a something of a joke between Prince Charming and me - and I will say that he is a pretty good sport about it.  He indulges me when my shoes encroach upon his shoe storage space [in our micro closet, a whole other story...] and doesn't laugh [much] when I am trying to decide between the black boots with the block heels, the black boots with the skinny heels or the black boots with the pointy toe.

There is a point to this, I promise.  Having 2 little girls tends to cut into my shoe shopping time.  Just sayin... So, it was very interesting to me when, while volunteering at an event for St. Jude recently, I happened to overhear some of the field representatives [okay, I was eavesdropping] talking about one of the girls shoes [which I had noticed] and she was telling them about this shoe "club" that she had joined.

Okay - shoe club - now I am really listening.  So, I butt into the conversation and get the scoop about ShoeDazzle!  Now, you might ask, just what exactly is ShoeDazzle!?  It is a shoe "society" with a membership fee of $39.95 a month.  Each month, you are sent an email containing a link to 4-5 different shoesm which are selected for you based on criteria that you provided when you joined the site.  If you want a pair, you select them and voila!  You are the owner of a new pair of shoes for $39.95.  If you don't want any shoes, you just make sure to respond by the 5th of each month and decline.  And you can cancel at any time.  Sounded reasonable to me, so I joined.

The first month, I got the cutest pair of brown ballet flats - something I had been looking for and just never had the time to shop for (thank you, Savannah and Tara...those girls just do not understand that it is important to try on ALL the shoes in your size when going to a shoe department...). 

But, it is the second month where I truly fell in love.  Just look what showed up in my inbox on Feburary 1:

I adore these shoes!!!!  They are the most gorgeous, shiny, leather, RED heels and I am in love! Again, something I have been wanting and just haven't had time to shop for recently.

So, I am a huge fan of ShoeDazzle!!!  And it is rubbing off on my co-workers because several of them have joined recently, too!

And, no, ShoeDazzle! is not paying me for this...lol...although I certainly wouldn't mind if they wanted to comp me some shoes...

Yeah, what she said!!!

So, if you haven't heard about all The Family Guy / Sarah Palin bru-ha-ha, I guess you have been hiding under a rock for the past week.

So, in a nutshell Chris goes on a date with this girl with Down syndrome and at some point during thier conversations, she says she is the daughter of the former governor of Alaska. 

Somehow, Sarah Palin made this about her son, Trig, who has Down syndrome.  I can't really figure that out...yes, there was a reference to Sarah herself (maybe - really it could be some fictional governor of Alaska...ahhhh, but I digress...), but no one said anything about her son.  And guess, what, Sarah?  When you are a public figure - which you seemed determined to make yourself (as much as I might wish othewise) - people are allowed to talk about you...  Look it up...

I came across this great article today about Andrea Fay Friedman, the actress who provided the voice of the character on The Family Guy.    She has such a great take on the whole situation and in an email to the New York Times, explains to Sarah Palin the use of sarcasm. 

I loved it so much that I sent the link on over to a great blogger named Ellen whose blog To The Max is one that I follow regularly.  Her son has cerebral palsy and I love her take on life and her kids.   Her son, Max is especially inspiring to me since I "inherited by marriage" a nephew with cerebral palsy when my brother remarried last year.

Come to find out, Ellen had seen the article (which didn't surprise me), and had actually written a response to the whole issue for Huffington Post.  After I read it, I wanted to cheer!  Take that, Palin!!!  Ellen is right - you should be grateful! 

The whole thing just goes to show what I already knew.  Sarah Palin will take any opportunity to put herself in front of the media.  This was something that actually showed a kid with a Down syndrome doing normal things - including being a brat!  People are people.  And you know what?  Sometimes it really is not all about you.

Is there a 12-step program for this?

That is 10, count 'em, TEN lunch boxes (and there is one is our fridge at work that is not pictured).  This is what happens when someone with a purse obsession starts packing school lunches.  My newest faves are the little paper-bag styled ones (the pink one with the peace signs and the blue with the small flowers). 

I think I keep the school lunch crowd of teachers entertained - not just with what is IN the lunch box, but in WHICH lunch boxes the girls will be carrying that day.  What can I say?  I like to change it up...

Welcome to the World, Miss Riley!!!

I am a great aunt for the second time.  My niece Kristyn and her beau Ty are now the proud parents of little Miss Riley.  Good - now I can channel all my baby urges her way!!!  Not that I have a lot, but every now and then the idea of those sweet little toes and precious little baby sighs give me a yearning...  Yeah, don't judge - you know you get it, too, sometimes!!!  Kristyn had a textbook labor and delivery, which she totally deserved after the angst-ridden last few weeks she had.  Kristyn is tiny and carried very small (I am not kidding, y'all - I looked that pregnant at about 16 weeks with Tara!!!), and anyway, towards the end, there were some concerns that maybe Riley was not growing enough, so, they decided to induce her at just over 37 weeks.  But it was perfect!!!  She went in Tuesday morning, got hooked up to the pictocin, progressed steadily and had Riley after about 30 minutes of pushing!!!  A total trooper!  Riley came in at a perfectly respectable 6 pounds 4 ounces and 19 and a half inches long!!!  I am over the moon (oh, and Kristyn and Ty are pretty proud, too!!!) 

Anyway, without further adieu:

Bibbidy Bobbidy, Whew!!!!

We have been home for just over a week and I am just now feeling settled in.  How do you even begin to sum up a week at Walt Disney World in a blog post and possibly do it justice.  At first, I was so overwhelmed with the whole week that I couldn't tell friends and family much more than "it was fabulous!!!"  And it was!  So, I decided to just let it stew a while and in the meantime, a friend who is going to Disney soon sent me an email with a lot of questions that I was glad to answer.  Then inspiration struck - I am going to post her questions and my answers here.  So, here goes:

Did you have as much fun as it looked?


Yes - we had as much fun as it looked - probably more! The girls were in heaven and just soaked it all in. We did have to remind them that mama and daddy got to pick some rides/attractions too, but they were good sports about waiting while we rode the big coasters and stuff. I took pictures like crazy trying to capture it all!

How was [the resort]?

We ended up staying on property at Disney's Old Key West resort (instead of where we originally planned to stay off property) - got a great last minute deal at the end of December. It was fabulous and all in all, we only paid a few hundred dollars more once you figured in the price of transportation, etc.


How was the weather? 
 
The weather was great. Only had a few sprinkles on Sunday afternoon. Mornings would start out cooler (high 50's to lower 60's) and would get up to high 60's to lower/mid 70's. We did get to 80 one day. We pretty much wore short sleeves most of the time.



Were the parks pretty empty?

It was not crowded at all by Disney standards. We rarely had a wait longer than 15-20 minutes for anything and most of the time, not that long. I would say for most things, it was a 10 minutes wait or less. We took advantage of the Fast Pass for several attractions - Soarin', Thunder Mountain and a couple of others.

Did you do any other character meals besides Cinderella's Royal Table? Did they take you on time for your reservation?  Was the food any good?  How much time did the Princesses each hang out and visit at your table?



We only did the Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast. It was really nice - the food was actually really good - we both had an omlet - you had a choice of three different entrees. The girls got a plate with eggs, bacon and french toast. There were also muffins and biscuits, juice and coffee. When you first go in, you get in line to see Cinderella first thing - that was really the only time it felt a little rushed and I think that was really more me, thinking we had to hurry along. She talked to the girls and signed an autograph for them (I didn't know about the books then). They let me take a photo with my camera and then they took a picture. Then you went up the stairs and they showed you your table. After several minutes of eating, they started to introduce the Princesses. We were lucky, we were like the 5th table in the "line". The first princess comes out and goes to each table and spends about 3-4 minutes at each table. Doesn't sound like a lot, but it was plenty of time for her to speak to each of the girls and take a picture. Then she would move to the next table. At about the 8th table, they would introduce the next Princess and they would do the same thing. We saw (in addition to Cinderella at the beginning), Snow White, Aurora, Belle, and Ariel. The girls were so amazed. So, to me, the breakfast was worth every penny and then some!

What a way to start the day!  The girls spent thier first hour at Disney having breakfast in Cinderella's Castle.  (They were kind enough to let the 'rents tag along...)

Were the lines long to see any of the other characters?

We saw all of the Princessess and many other characters. The lines were longest for Ariel, the fairies, believe it or not, and Woody and Jesse. I don't think we waited longer than 20 minutes for any of them. The wait to see Ariel was longest - I do think it was about 25 minutes, then we saw Cinderella and Aurora in Mickey's Toon Town - and the fairies - Fawn, Tinkerbelle and Terrence. Micky and Minnie were in thier own area in Toon town and it went so fast and they took you in groups of about 4-5 families to a spearate room away from the queue, so there must have been 2 or even 3 sets of Mickey/Minnies going on at the same time. Oh and we saw Tiana and Naveen in Liberty Square. In Animal Kingdom, we saw several animal characters and also Pocohontas. She as so sweet! In Epcot, we saw the rest of the Princesses - Snow White - who spent a good 5-6 minutes talking to the girls in Germany, Mulan in China, Belle in France and Jasmine and Alladin in Morocco. Marie (from Aristcats) was also in France. Tara loved meeting all of the princesses, but she was not thrilled about the animal characters. At Hollywood, we saw Leo and Annie (from Little Einsteins), and JoJo. I think the characters meet and greets were Savannah and Tara's favorite part - the characters were so nice and the Princesses took the time to talk to them and give them a hug and post for pictures. It brought tears to my eyes several times just to see the "magic" as silly as that sounds!

Snow White was so great!  She spent a good deal of time with the girls and spoke in the same high-pitched voice she has in the movie.  You could practically hear the birds chirping around her.  And the funny thing was there was a fearess squirrel running from the flower bush behind her to the tree next to it gather leaves for his nest.

Meeting Ariel in her grotto!

The girls were so excited to meet Tiana and Naveen.  Tiana is Tara's favorite princess and I think she got a little crush on Prince Naveen!











Which parks/rides did the girls like the best? 

The girls love Magic Kingdom best and we went 2 separate days. Thier favorite part was Toon Town. Tara loved the Dumbo ride and they both likes the cars in tomorrow land and the Small World ride. They both rode Goofy's Barnstormer and enjoyed it, but once was enough for that.



Was Animal Kingdom as boring as it sounds?
Animal Kingdom - we really enjoyed it. It is basically a very elaborate zoo, but the girls are crazy about zoos (we have a season pass to ours each year), so it was right up there alley. That is where they got the face painted and saw Pocahontas - which was one of the hightlights of ther trip! There is a really cool "safari" where we saw lots of animals. There is lots of really great scenary - definately a place to walk around and just soak it in. Also, there is a great coaster there - Everest!!! It rocked! There is also a dinosaur ride. So, an enjoyable day, but not as much to do as the other parks - it was a shorter day for us - we got there about 10:30 and left about 5ish. Most other parks we were there first think in the morning and didn't wrap it up until after 7!


Did you stay at the parks the whole day? Or did you go back to the hotel in the afternoon for naps/rest?
 
We stayed at a park the entire day. We took several breaks throughout the day - they are lots of places for that - all of the parks have a least one "play" area and there are tables and chairs and benches scattered throughout. We would just find a spot to hang out and pull out our snacks and relax for a while.
 
 

Redux

The stinker did it again...I was sleeping sound in my bed and she did it again...

Conversations at 2 a.m.

More like 2:45 a.m., but that didn't flow so well as a title.  Anyway, it goes something like this...

TARA (calling from the top of the stairs):  Mama!  Mamaaaa!  Maaaamaaaa!!!!

ME (stumbling sleepily into the hallway at the bottom of the stairs):  What, baby?

TARA:  Can I sleep on the couch?

ME (trying to focus and do what it takes to get back into bed as quickly as possible...) Ummm...okay.

TARA (all smiles now):  OK, let me get me pillow...and my teddy...

I help her down the stairs (cuz I am so much more coordinated that she at 2 in the morning...yeah, right...).

So I fashion a bed for her, with the brown "soft" blanket, as opposed to the blue or grey blankets that we have as couch throws.

She settles in happily (Lordy, who can be so chipper in the freakin' middle of the night?!?!?).

TARA:  Now the blue blanket, Mama. 

So, I cover her over with the blue blanket, tuck her in and give her a kiss.

ME:  Okay, not go to sleep!  See you in the morning...

I stumble back to bed, burrow down in the covers, Daisy settles herself in next to me, and...I hear the thump, thump of little hands pushing open our bedroom door...

TARA (using a LOUD stage whisper):  Mama!  Mama...

ME:  What, baby!?!?!

TARA:  Can I sleep upstairs in my bed?

Enter whining...

Tara, my sweet, precious angel is everything that you could ever want in a daughter.  She is such a sweet spirit, she is funny, she is silly, she is smart, she is kind-hearted.  I know that she is going to do amazing things with her life and that this world is better because she is in it. 

How can you not love this face?

But...

You know there was a "but", right?

THE WHINING...oh, my gosh, THE WHINING!!!

If she is not completely happy, every syllable that somes out of her mouth has the most annoying, broken record, sing-songy tone of angst.  Allow me to demonstrate...

Maaaammmaaahhhhhhh...Savannahwon'tletmeplayinherroomandshewon'tplaywithmeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

What do you do about the whining?  I think for the longest time, we just assumed that she would grow out of it.  But, she turns 4 in a few weeks and the whining is louder and more annoying that ever.

We have started to really call her attention to it, because, honestly, I think a lot of it is habit.  We will ask her to repeat herself in a regular voice and, [gasp] miracle of miracles, she is capable of talking in regular sentences...

Prince Charming will also talk back to her in a whine to show her how it sounds - that ususally gets her laughing and she will make a point to speak in a normal voice.

So, are we doing the right thing?  Will it get better?  Or is she destined to rival Fran Drescher for most annoying voice?

Ewwww...seriously?

Do you really want to be the woman that dates this guy?

I mean really!?!?  Is there a guy in the US these days that is any skeezier?  I get actual chills (and not in a good way) just thinking about it!!! 

So apparently, he has a new girlfriend - I stress the word "girl."  Seriously, at 24 she is not old enough to theoretically be the mother of his oldest daughters - well, I guess she is technically, but you get the point.  I just don't get it.  She is attractive (couldn't find a good photo except for one from her facebook floating around the web and I draw the line at using that one), wealthy, educated (from Emory, no less). 

He is a moderately attractive guy at best, unemployed, the father of EIGHT children.  All that might be fine if he were just not so disgustingly skeezy --  (pause for chills again)...  What does a beautiful, educated, young woman see in him?  I have seen the show, y'all - he ain't got a stellar personality.

I just don't get it.

Oh, well...start the clock on her 15 minutes...

The catch-up lunch post

So, I got a little (okay, alot) behind on the lunches sometime in December (short month anyway because school let out for Christmas break, Tara had her tonsils out, which meant Savannah stayed with friends and ate the cafeteria meal...ahhh, but I digress...); at some point, I just decided to call it good and just get a fresh start come January.  But, I still managed to take a photo of the lunches I did make (and one crazy supper) so now, all in one whack - a bunch o' lunches for your consideration:

1) Wheat thins, mini pepperonis and mozzerella chunks, red bell pepper strips and strawberries (with some blueberries for Tara).

2) Mini pretzels, cheddar cheese cubes, red bell pepper slices and clemintines.

3) This is the supper that either wins me the Mama of the Year Award or causes someone to call Child Services:  I call it a Waffle Sundae - A whole-grain waffle with strawberry filling (frozen) with maple and chocolates syrups, whipped cream and a cherry.  Hey - minus the chocolate syrup, whipped cream and cherry, it is a very ordinary breakfast - I just let the girls dress it up some for supper.  They ate every bite!!!

I came up with Waffle Sundaes after a particulary stressful workday - I wanted something quick and easy that I knew would go over well and would get me out of the kitchen fast and avoid any whining.  Since then, I don't pull them out often, but Waffle Sundaes for supper are always a hit!









4) Wheat things, cherries-sweetened cranberries, vanilla yogurt, a ham roll up, grape tomatos for Tara and baby cukes for Savannah and a fudge-covered Ritz for a treat.

5) Hot dog chucks and cheddar cheese cubes, red bell pepper slices, strawberry slices and a mini cupcake for each.  This lunch followed Savannah's birthday - the cupcakes were left over from her birthday treat at school.

6) Wheat thins, grilled chicken slices, red bell pepper clices and strawberries and homemade whipped cream.

7) Spaghetti with sauce and parmesan cheese, red bell pepper strips and strawberry slices.

I confess that I did not photograph last week lunches - just needed a little time to get back in the saddle I guess, but tomorrow's lunch is already prepared and photographed, so tune in next wee to kick off our second semester's worth of lunches.

60:1 - Sweet Revenge - Nora Roberts

So I kicked off this year's reading challenge with an oldie.  Once I was a few pages into Sweet Revenge, I realized I have read it before.  Probably more than once.  But, like a favorite movie, I find myself often going back to books I have read before.  So, this one is about a princess who is also a jewel thief who falls in love with the man who is supposed to bring her to justice.

Even though this is technically the 52 in 52 Reading Challenge, since I finished 2009 with a total of 63 books read, I set my goal this year at 60.  You might think that I should have pushed myself a bit more and set it for 70 (ahem, Anita...), but I also have several other things I want to challenge myself to do this year (learn to knit, blog more, focus more on my hair clippie hobby) so I am going to go with 60.  Here is my promise - if I exceed this year's goal of 60, I will pick a goal of 70 for next year!

Hmmm, what else has been going on with us?  It is COLD - I mean COLD.  Did I happen to mention it is COLD.  And I am not even being a whiny Southerner (okay, maybe a little), but I think it is fair to say that single digit temps qualify as COLD anywhere...  I am ready for Spring, but for now, I will settle for the moderate Florida temps we will be enjoying in a couple of weeks at ...DISNEY!!! 

Yeah, after months and months and years of Savannnah begging to go to Disney, we are finally going.  Honestly, I am probably more excited than the girls.  I love Disney.  I worked there a semester when I was in college through the Disney College Program.  It was absolutely the best experience of my college days and only made me love Disney more than I already did.  So, yeah, we are going for the girls, yeah, that's it.  Expect more in the coming weeks of the Great Booher Disney Vacation of 2010.

Well, that is all you get for now.  Everyone is up and moving around this morning and for me, that means a trip to Wal-Mart is in order.  The weekend has begun.  Yeah, I live a wild life...