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Bleh

Today's been sorta a bleh day. I haven't really been on my A game in any department, but I haven't been massively failing either. It's just sorta one of those days. I mean, I wasn't super awesome mom who did crafts and sing and play all day with an awesome home cooked dinner, but on the other hand, I wasn't mean and neglectful and serve McDonald's for dinner. It was somewhere in between. I did do one load of laundry, so that has to make up for something, right?

Ever have one of those days? I also feel a bit blah, because though I am normally fine and content with the snow, my sister in law, out in L.A., finds it funny (or fun) to send me pictures of her, laying out by the pool with the sun streaming down on her, in January. And then I think that I still have to put 18 layers on to go out and my pants get wet from walking to and from the car. So bleh. I want dry ground.

So, since I am feeling mediocre, I thought I would list the things that were good in my day, so I don't feel so bleh going to bed. (I wonder how many times I can put "bleh?" in this post?)

-We had a laid back day at school today, which was nice

-I am now past the half way point in "Little Women"

- I worked out

- I got the kids fed and bathed on my own, and said kids are now in bed, early!

- I got to watch an episode of Wizard of Waverly Place when the kids were sleeping (Again, don't judge, I like the show and not ashamed!)

- Since the kids are in bed and my hubby is still not home from the board meeting at school, I am going to make some hot cocoa and spend more time with Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

That's about it, but I do feel a bit better all ready.

(Oh, and I promise in my next post I'll update ya'll on my New Year's Goals. So far, so good. I've done the recipes and am making my way through Little Women! More to come...)

Being eaten out of house and home.

My kids are growing, there is no denying it. In a month I'll have a three year old and one year old on my hands. When did that happen? Though they are both growing at alarming rates, I would like to highlight especially how my daughter is expediting that process for herself. Yesterday for lunch, let me highlight what they both ate.

Food	James	Clara
Chicken Nuggets	2	3
Orange Slices	2	4
Corn (scoops)	1	3+
Yogurt (a bowful)	0	1
Raisin Bran (handful)	0	2

Like my chart? Do you see the huge difference? And mind you, I had to keep on, keep on, keep on telling James to eat at take bites. Clara, I couldn't get them fast enough and cut her off. I am pretty sure she might have gone through my whole cupboard. What the dill? Has anyone else experienced this? This also is not a one time occurence. No, no. I would say 90% of the time she bests James in the eating department. Maybe it's just a phase (for each of them), but it is outta control! Needless to say, Dave and I have just sat down and reevaluated our grocery budget. With this little (cute and adorable) hog in our house, it just has to increase!

(And Happy Birthday to my most wonderful mother-in-law!)

Ramona and Beezus

Did you all read the Ramona books growing up? I know I did, I just can't remember any of the stories or anything, but I remember them being fun, right? Anyways, since I am a sucker for Selena Gomez, (Yes, I do love Wizards of Waverly Place, but don't hate. It's really funny. She makes me laugh. Okay, fine, make fun of me. I like it.) and since our library had it, so I could check it out for free, the Hocker family has recently watched "Ramona and Beezus" and loved it. The little girl who played Ramona was so sweet and endearing, I don't think I can saw enough!



Not only did James like it, because it has fun scenes showing Ramona's active imagination and her squirting out a whole tube of toothpaste, but Dave and I loved it because it was really sweet and funny and was the kind of movie that just puts a good feeling in your soul. You know those kinds of movies? Yes, maybe sometimes it was a little cheesy, but overall, I loved it. So I recommend it. If your not feeling good after you watch it, let me know, and I'll stop watching Wizards of Waverly Place.

Wait, no I won't. But I'll feel sorry for you because maybe it means you don't have a heart. :)

It's a New Year!

That last post was written kindly by my husband unbeknownst to be. Thank you, honey. I am not that good at poetry, so it was definitely not something that I could come up with!

But it is a new year, isn't it? And with a new year, comes new beginnings. Most people turn to resolutions or goals, and for the first time, maybe ever, I have a few for myself. Not really goals, but more challenges. If I don't make them, that's okay. I do want to try really hard though.

Are you ready for them, do you wanna hear?

Okay.

1. My first is to read one literary classic a month. I like to read, alot. But mostly it's current stuff, or let's face it, Harry Potter. So to mix it up, I want to read a tried and true story each month. I got this idea because when we were in Colorado for break I got some time to go to downtown Estes to do some shopping. I went into this awesome little bookstore (think You've Got Mail-esque) and picked up Little Women, probably my favorite book of all time. I finally bought it, so I don't have to rent it from the library any more. I started reading it and again, fell in love. Which got me thinking, how many more are out there that I have forgotten about, or not read at all? I thinking the kind of books that your high school English teacher would give on a "Summer Reading List" that no one actually read. Like "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Jane Eyre." Or any Jane Austen books. And given that I only have to so this once a month, hopefully, it's an achievable goal. Come next December, hopefully, I'll be 12 more books full of knowledge too!

2. To make a new recipe each week. That's right, 52 recipes. To make this easier on myself, it is not limited to dinners, but deserts, breakfasts, cookies, smoothies, sandwhiches, etc. Just new. I got this cookbook from my Aunt for Christmas "Double Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld. She's the one who puts pureed vegetables in her meals to pack them with more nutrients and flavor.

Reading her cookbook really encouraged me. I have been wanting to step up the nutrition level in my household lately, and this was the perfect starting point for me. The whole front section of the book talks about the foods we eat and what food has the most "bang for our buck." She talks about what she shops for, like whole grains, low fat foods, and lots of fruits and veggies. Common stuff, but good to hear again, right? So with this in mind, I am trying to step it up for myself, my kids, and family. More importantly, the recipes are really user friendly, kid friendly, and most importantly, the ingredients are things I've heard of or have currently in my cupboard. I got a Rachel Ray cookbook last year, but ended up getting a little disappointed because almost all recipes included something that I did not have or couldn't easily substitute. "Double Delicious" seems nice, easy, and straightforward. i've already made teriyaki chicken with brown rice and vegetables, and it seemed to go over really well.

So that's my two goals. I hope they are achievable! Every now and again I'll post how I'm coming along, or if I come across an amazing recipe.

If you all out there have any book or recipe suggestions, send them my way!

What are your resolutions? Or goals? Challenges?