Just Call Me Heloise

A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide aknife under the flap. The envelope can then beresealed.(hmmmmmm...)
============================================================== Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
==========================================================For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water andput Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. (Wish I had known this for the last 40 years!)
============================================================= To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.
=========================================================Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped inbaking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).
=========================================================== Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
========================================================== Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. And now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors getsharpened this way!
============================================================== Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! (Now, where to put the body? LOL)
========================================================= Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal forinside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks..
====================================================Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't washwindows on! a sunny day.. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
=========================================================== Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.
========================================================== Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come You can also do this with towels and linen
============================================================= Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.
============================================================= To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
============================================================ To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.
==============================================================Spray your TUPPERWARE with non stick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
=========================================================== Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator anditwill keep for weeks.
========================================================= When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness
==============================================================. Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away
==================================================== Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces (Left over wine? What's that?!
================================================================ To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.
============================================================== Ants, ants, ants everywhere .. Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor orWherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
================================================================= Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
========================================================== When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
============================================================= Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush! and flush.
================================================== Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
========================================================= Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
====================================================Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four AlkaSeltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
====================================================== Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

Deep Thoughts by Flynn, part 7

She was diligently searching for the magna doodle. She asked for a flashlight to look under the couch, but it wasn't there.
I figured it was downstairs, so I told her to go down & look there.
Just as I predicted, she got 1/2 day down the stairs & retreated back up. As she was making her way though the gate, I asked her, "Why are you not going to look for it?"
"I just don't want to."
I already knew the answer, "Are you scared to go down there alone?"
She confirmed it, "Yes."
"But, isn't God always with us?"
Then, with the wisdom of a wise 4-year old, "Just because God is with me doesn't mean I'm not scared."

Abbott and Costello meet Star Wars

Who's On First?
This is hilariously clever...



Sorry to my family who can't access vids. But this was too great not to post.

Notes from Daddy

...just another reason I love him so.

These were on each of our doors yesterday morning when we woke up.

Even better than a treat in our shoes from St. Nick.

One of the many reasons we love Daddy so.

POST Preschool

When I picked Flynn up, she had a 'funny' attitude. I of course was needing to talk to her teachers, and she was 'hot' to get out the door & go down the wheelchair ramp. She was tired but over-stimulated, so a trip to the playplace was in order.
I despise McD's playplace & would rather clean out my refrigerator - but it was 40 degrees outside & I wasn't taking them to a park to expel energy.
Gabe had been running in circles in the living room. LITERALLY. And I knew he needed somewhere to play hard. But we were only there about 5 minutes when a field trip class -- looking to be 2nd grade'ish, came in to play! What in the world?! All the years I taught & all the years Jeff taught, neither of us ever took our class to McDs to play. That's a cop out. And easy for the teachers to just sit there while the TWENTY KIDS UP IN THE STRUCTURE crowd my kids out. Gabe was just scooting off the slide when a handful of them slid down into his back. I was like, "okay, I guess it's time to go." The kids were not happy. And really, neither was I.
/venting
So on the way home, I was trying to force Flynn to share something, anything, with me about her morning.
She finally told me,
"There was a boy, I don't know his name. But he needed the orange crayon. And I had it. So I gave it to him."
And really... that's all I need to know. ;)

PRE Preschool

Update: Daddy called, Flynn is doing well. He took the morning off to stay/shadow her for 2 hours. Then, she will be there an hour alone (well, w/o us), and I will be picking her up momentarily.

I was brief in this post because I was trying to post the video quickly so that the grandmas could see it before work.

So, let me elaborate...

We've been "checking out" preschools for a month or so now. Although Flynn is academically ahead of schedule, she doesn't get socialization - as that's one thing I can't offer her.

Plus, her being at preschool a couple of mornings each week will give me the opportunity to work & be able to concentrate on work (instead of running damage control with she & Bubs).

I'll also be able to put in an office morning here & there. I can't do that w/ her in tow as our office is a very old building & could make her sick.

We heard a lot of the same thing while talking to preschool directors, in that they couldn't guarantee her a safe setting...and sadly, none of them offered to try.

Until MIL suggested [the one we're trying today] & we visited & the teachers were so sweet & reassuring & we heard something we hadn't heard before:

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO MAKE IT SAFER?

As novel as that shouldn't sound, it is! No one else wants to make such an offer.

And so, Daddy spent a couple of hours there today, and we'll pray (again) & make the final decision with her input.

Leading up to this morning, we versed her & rehearsed her on the snack situation...the she takes her own snack & under NO conditions is she to accept a different snack -- from ANYONE (including the teachers). We even made a fun saying, "NO WAY! -- I WANNA STAY SAFE!!"

By this morning, she had me feeling more confident, as she is such a smart cookie & I can't believe that a 4-year old can practice such self-awareness, responsibility, & ownership over her situation. Makes me feel almost comfortable w/ her in someone else's hands.

Now, does this mean that I didn't worry? NO. I had a bad dream last week. I cried the other day. And night before last, I almost had myself talked out of it. I said to myself, "She's just fine here...she doesn't need socialization, she gets it at church....it's even dangerous putting her on the highway 2 extra days a week."

But as much as the bubble sounds appealing, I can't keep her in it. Not her. She's a go get'em girl & she is rearin' to go get.

So, I sat beside her bed a few nights ago. I prayed over her. Besides asking God again to heal her from her allergy, I prayed prayers of protection & safety.

And again last night.

And right before she walked out the door, Daddy & I held her hands & prayed with her.

And I've prayed about 10 million 5 bajillion 7 kazillion times.

I just told my friend Melinda, "It's sooooo hard letting go of your motherly worries & trusting God....One of our hardest tasks as moms!"

It's true. Trusting is easy if you aren't worried. But the true faith takes place when the conditions aren't favorable.

I'm sure we will post another update when she's home...I know she'll have lots to tell me.

She was SO excited to leave for preschool.
Had her bags ready to go before Dad was ready to leave.
He insisted all carrying EVERYthing for her -- but I insisted that she needs to exercise her responsibility at this crucial time!
She stopped & waved good bye.
Then she turned around & said, "Mom! I love you!!"

Melting my heart (even tho I was freezing my chops off).

Here she is reciting all I've drilled her on:

Sorry it's sideways! -- I thought I'd be able to rotate it, but no such luck.

O Christmas Tree

I could not put Flynn off any longer.... I knew this weekend was going to be the one...
the one where we set aside a night to make daddy crawl into the attic & pull down the five boxes of Christmas decorations...
it's so fun to see the things we haven't seen for 11 mos... most we've forgotten about....

and it didn't take long at all with the "two monkeys helping" as daddy said...

here daddy & "the two monkeys" play out the nativity....

and the tree gets an admiring stare by one of the monkeys

Charles Schulz Might Not Approve

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But it's funny, nonetheless.

And we certainly mean no disrespect, as we ARE HIS BIGGEST FANS around here.

My kids aren't your typical kids... their likes are very unique. They aren't into the Disney stuff, the popular cartoons; and although I realize that a lot of that has to do w/ the fact that it's all rabbit ears here (no cable), I like to think it has a wee bit to do with how we're raising them.

Granted, I'm not abolishing Santa, I'm not denying them tv or electric; however, I try to avoid the commercialism & the hype of most things.

I hope it sticks.

For now, it's a love of things like the Peanuts gang, they were into The Chipmunks (before we saw the trailer of the movie with the guy from My Name is Earl), & they love simple things like Grammy's homemade pillowcases, & hand-painted nesters. They get a kick out of playing candyland. And altho we love us some good movie time, they're happy sitting at the table coloring.
Last night when Gabe was heading off to bed, he turned around & big adieu to the nativity, "bye bye baby Jeees".

Let's go back to the whole Peanuts fascination...
When Gabe was tiny, we got the Peanuts "triology" for Christmas. Flynn was freshly 2 & started calling the movie, "Brown". The following year, Gabe was one & almost old enough to join her in the appreciation. Last spring we borrowed "Snoopy Come Home" from Ms Renee (I promise, we will return it Renee) & it spawned an even deeper love for the dog.
Its usual spot is in the dvd player of our car, where it gets watched continuously. Part of me feels bad that they're held captive during travel & they spend most of that time watching the movie, but when I turn around & see their faces, I don't feel so bad anymore...

There's one particular scene "Fun-damental Friend-ependibility", where Snoopy is getting a bath by the little girl who found him. When the scene is approaching, they start to anticipate it. Flynn will look at Gabe, Gabe at her, & they start to laugh. And when the really funny scenes come on, they're sharing it in explosive laughter... and it's as if they're just feeding off each other. If one by some very rare chance, has lost attention, the other will call it back for the best parts..."Bubby Look!"

I know that this stage might not last. Soon they'll be 'big kids' & will have the interests of most kids.

But for now, we're able to enjoy movies together...

and do the Peanuts dance.

Murphy's Law & I hate Murphy

Wrestlemania at the Perrys

I hate Murphy, but he loves us... that Murphy & his bloody law.

The way Murphy's Law pertains to us:

1. Today, the first day Flynn had take a nap in several days, Gabe doesn't ... for the first time in probably a month.

2. The other day, Flynn slept past 7, for the first time in months. Gabe however, was up at 6:30.

3. Flynn was supposed to give preschool a "trial run" Tues. She was sick.

4. We pay for dancing school, whether or not they attend. The 2 sick spells Flynn's had have both fallen on a Monday.

5. After Jeff paying approx $400 in contributions to shower gifts (he added it up) to showers for people at work & me paying a smaller amount than that, we ended up giving birth while neither of us had full time jobs. Thus, being jipped out of work showers (counter-murphy= having good family who threw showers for us).

6. Jeff was convinced to lease with a mutual friend as the leasor, who said to him upon leasing, "Just drive it, don't worry about mileage, etc.". When the contract was up & the miles were exceeded, the friend was no longer there. Hence us purchasing the said car, for the same amount we could've bought it for 5 years prior. Leasing = paying for said car TWICE.

7. My mom might be able to retire in 2 years. Dang you Murphy, Flynn will be in kindergarten by then & I won't need her as a babysitter.

8. Flynn has a modeling offer, to make $300 in a couple of hours. The gig, while we were on vacay.

You might say that's how the cookie crumbles. I tell you that cookies are no good for you.

Counter Murphy = God's blessings...There are more than 8 of them. *wink*

Daddy's Catnip

Gabe's first Thanksgiving, he & Daddy did some hardcore napping. I was on the mend from surgery, so Jeff had to be the attentive caretaker, as Gabe was only a couple of months old.

Their nap schedule went something like this:

Thanksgiving, 4 hour nap, together, on mom & dad's bed

Friday, 4 hour nap, together on couch

Saturday, 3hour nap, together on dad's bed

Sunday, 2 hour nap, together, can't remember where

We laughed & joked at how the nap length seemed to decrease & this was of course, based on how long Gabe would stay asleep.

Jeff said it was as if Gabe was weaning him off naps...so he could return to work that Monday.

This is Jeff & Gabe a few weeks ago. Since Gabe is a "big boy" now & naps in his own bed, he & Daddy can't officially lay down & nap together.

But they find their ways around it.

PS Check out Daddy's foot rest. He was upset when I took the matching ottomon/foot rocker & put it in the closet to make more "play room". Now he just grabs random objects....you know, like a soft fire truck.

Remember this from last year?

Now the whole family is elved!
(clicky-click, but warning, uncontrollable laughter is sure to follow!!)
And I think it's hilarious (& appropriate) that I'm the most seductive dancer of the bunch.

Some Princesses & A Couple of Princes

Once upon a time, a little girl was turning four. She believed she was a princess. So she asked her mom to throw her a princess party.

But she wanted to invite her friend & cousin who were very much not princesses... so they were princes.

So she did, and they all came to her royal party, and had a royal ball.

They played 'Kiss the Frog'.

They enjoyed White CASTLES (get it?!)...

They enjoyed dairy-free 2 bite brownies.

And made crowns, fabulous enough to be worn in a castle.

They had a time of dress up....

And found MAGIC dragon eggs....jewels in sand....and played Princess & The Pea.

The Queen & The Princess were very happy (& tired) after the wonderful party.

Deep Thoughts By Flynn

Trying to convince us to get out the 'Sit & Spin', she said,

"Please get out that thing that goes round & round...I like to feel dizzy."

Reasons I Should Not Supervise Children, Installment #2

We had to wake Flynn from her nap, which typically means damage control for about the next hour or baby prozac, one of the two.
I joined Jeff who was bedside, doing his darndest to make her smile.

I laid next to her & instantly my crazy took over. I started to cry like a baby (have I mentioned what a fabulous baby voice I have?) & she kinda laughed but asked what I was doing.

"How about I be the baby & you can be my momma?" I proposed.

She was happy to oblige & I started to cry for a cup. My legs went flailing up & so did my arms... I cried for a cup & cried for my momma.
She hopped up & started toward the kitchen & that's when I gave her the idea of pretending her bookshelf was a refrigerator & she could give me a "pretend cup." She did & I gulped that right down & started crying for another.
She was a quick & obedient mother; but was still not quite as amused as I thought (hoped) she'd be.

That's when my legs went up again & I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but I made a 'noise' (you know what I'm getting at here) & told her, "Waa, waa, change my diaper."

Her already-large eyes, got even bigger & she stood frozen in the middle of her room, very much deer in the headlights. I said it again, "Baby go poo-poo!! Waa, waa, change baby's diaper!!!!"

By this point, she was edging toward her doorway & had a look in her eyes that I possibly have never seen.

"I don't think I want to play this anymore."

And out the door she went.

Out of 13 Kids

Whose kid was not looking anywhere close to the camera?

THANKFUL

Thankful for...

him...

and her...

and him...

Don't Worry, My Kids Don't Read My Blog

It's Like Riding a Bike

Reasons I Probably Shouldn't Be in Charge of Children

FLynn got a utensil set for her bday. You know that cute line from Target, "Play Wonder."
Anywho, I got out a big giant (Halloween) bowl for her to "cook" in.
And what you do for one, you do for another...
I got out the matching bowl for Gabe, along with some of my safe utensils.
He was cooking too.

Before I knew it, the cooking had ended & Flynn had taken things up a notch...

She had taken the two large bowls & was hopping from one to another, like they were lily pads in a pond. She was even taking a frog stance, squatting down on one, prepping to hop to the next.

This is where a good mother would scold her child, remove them from the situation, put away said inappropriate toys, & redirect her child to a safe setting.

But not me.

I looked at what she was doing, knowing she probably shouldn't. I also thought how fun it looked & how I wish I could do it, except I'd turn the bowl into a saucer.

I looked at her socked feet & how when she'd take frog position, her feet would start to slide.

So I said what every bad mother would say,

"If you take off your socks, your feet will have better traction & won't slide."

Please don't call DFS.

Happy 4th Birthday Flynn

To my little girl,





You'll hear me saying this for years to come, because you got stuck with a mushy momma, but FOUR years ago today, you were about to be born. Daddy & I were scared, you were early & we didn't know what to expect. We'd never been through this before & I guess you never feel ready for parenthood.





I will never forget when they told us "it's a girl!". I was worried, would I be a good mommy to a girl? Would I teach you everything you needed to know?


I'm not so good at girly stuff & I joked that if I had a girl, she'd end up like Janet Reno.


Well, you didn't.


Look at you. You're the perfect balance of princess & tomboy. You play soccer but also play dress up. You know more about playing barbies than I do, but you love to get dirty.








You arrived too early when you were born & had to go through quite a lot. You taught me so much while you struggled to breathe at the hospital. You taught Daddy & I to really lean on each other, and more importantly on God.

You taught us how tough you are. You had tubes & needles everywhere. And today, I attribute your toughness to that. You are truly one tough cookie. And it makes my job easier that you don't cry over every boo boo.

Some things you learned your 3rd year of life:

Read some words, write several words, say butt, pump your legs while you swing, some of the positions of ballet, that Bubby really is your best friend...

You also learned to depend on God; and when we had such a scare over the summer & your airway was closing, we talked about trusting God during scary times. You reminded me that He never leaves us.
Those are the things I want you to learn...and always remember.

When you're laying in a hospital bed, with an iv in your arm, & you're scared, and a tear rolls back out of your eye, and you remind ME that God is with us.... that's when I know that Daddy & I, well, we haven't done so bad.

You are the one who made me a Mom. And I never knew life until that happened. It taught me a lot. You taught me a lot. And everyday I learn more. There's no job, no experience that could ever teach the things that parenting you has taught me. You literally made my life change. Some of it is scary, and some not so fun.

But I would do it all over again. And again.

You've been hearing me say it a lot lately... I don't want you to grow up. If I could freeze time I would. I never want to forget your sweet little girl smell, or how excited you are when Daddy gets home, or the admiration you have for your older cousins. Your innocence is priceless, and the zeal you have, oh that zeal, if it could be bottled, would be sold for millions.

I love you Flynn, so much. And my prayer for you this year is love, our love, God's love... and that you know a life without heartache & scariness (I think you know what I'm hinting at here). And if God decides that this is the year you don't deal with your allergy, then wonderful...that's what we hope for. But if He doesn't, then you're still the special little girl whose Mommy is afraid to let her out of her sight. Either way, we know God is with You & will never leave You...and you continue to be a testiment to God's provision.

Happy FOURTH Birthday to my baby girl.

Love,

Momma