But Mom, you said I could

Sometimes I think Mom's have temporary moments of insanity, aka "I do not want to be remembered as the mean mom who always said no". Today, it went down like this.....I was going to get a quick shower while the kids watched a video and just befored I jumped in Toby says "Mom, can I put a little lotion on my hands" and I hesitated and then said OK. After I got out of the shower I discovered he had gotten more than a little and smeared it on my nightstand and bed frame. Then, I had a a brief burst of anger "Tobias, what did you, TIME OUT!".......and then after he sat in time out for a few minutes I told him that I was sorry I snapped and that I need his help to take care of our house which includes not smearing lotion on furniture and running down the hall with the crayons (Abby had made an attractive line that morning).

Again though, as I did some data entry for Basket of Hope this afternoon, I am reminded that it is such a huge blessing to have two HEALTHY children and also that I am rich in love. So it's okay if the house has crayon marks and hand prints and constant "Partners in Crime", I wouldn't have it any other way.

Fruit Pizza

1 tube sugar cookie dough
1 8 ounce container cream cheese softened (reduced fat works too)
1 cup powdered sugar
Favorite fruit, sliced (I prefer berries)

Spread dough out into pizza shape on cookie sheet (rectangle or round), may need a little flour to avoid sticking. Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or just when it starts to brown. After it is cool mix cream cheese and powdered sugar and spread over pizza. Then top with fruit.

Yummy for breakfast or dessert. Doesn't do well has a leftover, crust gets soggy.

Strawberry and Spinach Salad

Big bunch of spinach, washed and drained

1 pint strawberries, sliced

1 cup nuts (pecans, almonds. walnuts) - can candy in the frying pan with a couple tbsp water and a few tbsp sugar on med to low heat for 5 or more minutes until the sugar has dried up and is sticking to nuts

Dressing: 1/2 cup canola oil, 1/4 cider vinegar, 1/2 cup sugar (can do 1/4 honey and 1/4 sugar), 1/4 tsp paprika, 2 tbsp sesame seeds (optional), 1 tbsp poppy seeds (optional) - shake all ingredients until mixed, will have to re-mix if using later

Toss all ingredients to make yummy salad. Everyone loves it! Word to the wise: some prefer the dressing on the side. 

Nice Day

It was a beautiful sunny day today so after lunch the kids and I went out in the backyard for a bit. It is amazing what some fresh air and sunshine does for your psyche. It is also amazing what picking up 40 dog bombs will do for you psyche (and I so adore my dog, lol). No just kidding, if you have not been out today go out, take some deep breaths and SMILE!

This is Chris speaking

My darling wife is out for the evening so I thought I would hijack her blog and share my thoughts for the day in her absence.  

Thought #1:  I think my children have a hearing impairment.  This is evidenced by the fact that they do not hear anything unless it is being shouted at them.  Everything I want to discuss with them has to be done in my "stadium vendor voice."  Tomorrow they are getting fitted for some type of augmentative device.

Thought #2:  I love it when my children sing.... and I don't mean kids' songs.  Like tonight I downloaded "U Can't Touch This" and "Ice Ice Baby," and I could tell they were into it.  Again though I think that they have problems with their ears, because they were holding them pretty tightly several times during the songs.  (Mental note: swing by Baby Gap to look for Hammer-pants.)

Thought #3:  Without prompting, tonight Toby mentioned to me that Jesus turned water into wine.  Now I have read enough parenting books to know that was a golden opportunity to talk about the dangers of alcohol abuse.  Needless to say, after showing him pictures of a diseased liver, I don't think he will ever discuss Sunday school with me again.

Harry Potter 6 out July 17th

Oh man, this one may make me pee my pants but I...must...see..it!!! 

Memories

When Chris leaves in the morning he always says "Have fun today.", meaning to enjoy the children while they are at home. This weekend we watched Toy Story 2, and it's about childhood being short and growing up. Very cute movie. I am really trying to burn their little faces and voice in my brain today. They are so eager for me to play with them all the time, and I know that will change. Today, before Abby woke, Toby and I played Go Fish and read books. Then, we heard Abby stir and walked in to a very cheerful "Good morning. Howdy, howdy, howdy". They have seen Toy Story the original about a hundred times.

This is the pretty song from the movie: