Play time for Everyone!

It's that time of year again... tax time. When most people sit down to do their taxes, they have one household to figure up. Since I am the book keeper for my parents, and I have two businesses to keep track of, not to mention our own household... well you can imagine my love for tax season.
However this year was a little different. We do not have construction 'mess' piled sky high, and most of the boxes have been unpacked. I have spent lots of time trying to organize our things, and it has paid off- big.
We decided that John and the boys would take off to a friends house today, and give me some quiet time to work on paperwork. I went to work before they were even down the driveway, and four hours later... our taxes were filed. It's a personal record, for sure! The boys were home a few hours after that... and I hear they had a great time.
As for me... I am happy to report I watched several episodes of Desperate Housewives... while enjoying some ice cream! It was a much needed 'couch-potato' session- now if I could just get rid of this horrible cough and sinus headache before Superbowl!
We still have LOTS of cleaning and organizing to do... but I am loving the payoff so far!

Giant Chicken Nuggets.

I had a great morning... until I got the boys to school and realize that their lunch boxes are not with us. They are conveniently still in the fridge, 12 miles away. So I drove back to Zach's school to inform him that he would need to get a lunch from the cafeteria. Then I went to the grocery store, and purchased some stuff for Kyle's lunch.
Phew, crisis averted.
After I got home, I was excited to ask him how their day had been. How did Zach do on his spelling test... How did he like his cafeteria lunch... all the important stuff a mom needs to know. I looked at the menu, and discovered he had 'breaded chicken sandwiches on a roll' today. So still trying to get him engaged into my witty conversation, I asked "Did you eat your chicken sandwich today?" He looked at me like I had just spoke in a foreign language.
"Mom, we had a giant chicken nugget on a piece of bread today."
Ummm... yeah. We all started cracking up... and then he said "I'm very serious Mom, and that's just rude."
I guess we're not supposed to laugh at giant chicken nuggets because it's just rude.
(So, take my advice... and don't even giggle at the cute penguin on his head.)

Turning over a new Veggie?

**UPDATE** THE BOOK THAT I SPOKE ABOUT IS BY JESSICA SEINFIELD, AND IT'S CALLED DECEPTIVELY DELICIOUS.

Every day I spent with a little person in my womb, I ate all the things I thought would bring a healthy baby into this world. I choked down all sorts of things, because I wanted the very best for the little 'peanut' I was growing.
Then... I was told by the pediatrician to back off on the veggies... because poor Zach had an orange cast to his skin from ingesting too many veggies. That child could not get enough sweet potato and butternut squash, and I was so happy that he was already making wise nutritional decisions.
Fast forward five years, and well... everything I make is "DISGUSTING." Some days I felt like the containers he ate from had more vitamins than the food he ate.

So for Christmas I asked for a book I had seen, that teaches us to sneak some pureed veggies into our loving children's meals- without them ever catching on.
I am going to take that challenge...
So I spent my afternoon baking squash and steaming veggies.... then 'puree-ing' my heart out.
I served my first sneak attack, er, meal tonight... and am happy to report great success.
I coated the chicken with wheat germ and bread crumbs. I stirred in some veggies into the side dishes... and watched them gobble it up. John raved, and the boys didn't suspect a thing...
My first sneak attack was a direct hit!
Although, we could argue that it might be better to teach them to eat and appreciate all sorts of foods. And by hiding them, I'm not teaching them good habits. Yeah... whatever. I'm going to pick my battles, and fighting my two stubborn guys every single night at dinner isn't going to be one of them!
And please, if you join us for dinner... shhhhh... it's our secret.

Little people and their computer.

When we remodeled the boys bedroom, there was this great nook that lend itself very well to a desk area. I could see lots of art projects and homework happening here. I also thought, eventually, they would have a computer to work on.
I found this great keyboard and mouse on clearance for 10 dollars, and then this software at Sam's for preschool/kindergarten. I figured I would hook my old computer up, and give it a try.
Zach did very well... and I knew he would because he has a few computers in his classroom. And he's practiced on them at the library... but I didn't see this one coming... Kyle Baer also does very, very well on it! He clicks and types away... and I can hardly believe my eyes.
John and I have decided to keep the boys away from mindless video games, and so we struggled with giving them a computer so early. Some of those games disguise themselves as hand held learning games, but are just precursors to video games. And I know how unpopular I will be to be the moms who let their kids use them- but I must stand my ground on this one.
I just know from our own experiences, that the children we seen with little or no control over their time limits on these games, have had incredible struggles in life. Struggles with school, socialization, and now they interfere with relationships and work habits. While I think there were also other things that contributed to this problem, and not just the lack of supervision... I can't help but point the finger at those games.
John says it a little more simply, "They need to play outside."
Yeah, I agree.
However... I walk into my son's class room and there are three computers. I go to the library and see them all lined up. Computers are part of their future, no matter what.
Ahhh, the struggles of parenting. I know moderation is the key, along with supervision to teach them limits. So for now, the computer is a great 'reward' for them to earn.
Oh the booby traps out here for us poor parents trying to do the right thing.
And a really cute three year old singing his ABC's to the computer doesn't help!

Love 'em!

What a crazy week.

My heart breaks for the earthquake victims, and the images that have come out will stay with me a long time. I just can't imagine a country without running water getting dealt such a terrible hand. I don't believe any civilized country should be without clean water, and that should be every one's concern.

Then, I found out a classmate from high school took her own life. Which is sad, but sadder that she was a mother. The time I have on this world is already too short if you ask me. I pray her soul finds peace, and she finds whatever she was looking for.

And of course, each and every time you witness, or hear of a tragedy it makes you take stock of what you have.

And when I look around, I have tons to take stock in...I am lucky enough to have such a wonderful friends and family. My little guys, are exactly what I wished for... even the rough spots!Yep, that's my munchkin and his daddy out on the dirt bike the other night. Kyle is fearless, so it didn't surprise me that he was grinning ear to ear. However... my more hesitant child, Zach, wore the same grin... (It's a blurry shot.. but I love that it captures him enjoying his ride with Dad!)

And Kyle has discovered that he really likes being by himself with all his toys while Zach is in school. I have to take his breakfast to him in his "Man-Cave"... and he likes it that way! (Who wouldn't?) I am not sure what I did to get this great grin... but I'll take it... cracker crumbs and all!

And my quiet little babe sleeping the afternoon away. He's slept in his own bed the last three nights... and I miss my little teddy-baer. I know it's part of him growing up... but it's the only time I get to snuggle with him. I'm not saying I haven't enjoyed my sleep... but I know the days are slipping by too fast.

I guess when tragedy strikes the world the way it's seem to this week, we all share the pain. However, instead of watching those horrible images over and over, I turned the tv off. The boys and I spent time coloring in coloring books, and snuggling on the couch. I got my camera out and snapped some pictures... because I haven't been lately.

I'm still sending prayers to those families this week, but instead of focusing my attention on their pain, I'm going to spend my time loving the best gift I've ever received... my very own family. And I'm going to be so thankful for each day we get together.... hope your doing the same! :)

For those of you without Facebook...

Here's the update on Joann's morning. The patient should pull through, slowly, but with a full recovery. She was brought down with two boys, a late wake up, and four ears that couldn't hear anything but screaming. She finally passed out from all the screaming... and awoke to find her precious minutes had been stolen.
She almost broke wind before slipping in a puddle, and since the four- early mentioned -ears still weren't working... she had to use all her energy shoving two pudgy butts into car seats.
Her back was soaked from the rain, her stomach growled, but she and the Caravan- thankfully- knew the direction it must head to finish her morning mission.

The broken ears seems to start working after a few miles away from the scene of morning destruction (and the lack of a mommy who was NOT willing to turn on the DVD player) and a calmer destination was reached. Unfortunately the destination had already started it's activities... and two of the broken ears suddenly could hear the quiet of the playground... which made him very unhappy.
The patient was able to get herself help before the morning was complete destruction.. because now the 'troops' that she battles are less powerful.
She should make a full recovery, but of course, she has only won the battle... and not the war.

My guys...

My guys feed my heart and soul each and every day. They make me happy to be alive, and they give me purpose. I am so darn lucky to be their Mom.

I spent time with them today building a train track. It goes through my dining room, and wraps from the living room into the kitchen. They thought it was so cool that mom was on the floor with them... but I was thinking how cool it was that they wanted me there.

Zach asked if I would take a picture of his train... I told him to hold it for me. (Oooh yeah... a picture of my guy LOOKING at me!) I'm starting to think how bright I am... I'm sure he'll out-smart me sooner or later.

Then, because he does it 'all by himself' and doesn't need any one's help... Kyle decided to start going #2 on the toilet! We've been working with him, but he wanted nothing to do with it. I bribed him, I begged him... but I heard him yell "Maaaa"... and I ran to the bathroom. He'd got the chair up by himself, and took care of business without any one's help!
After Mom and Dad's happy dance.. he said "I gonna get a newwww Mighty Machine!"
Apparently he remembered mom's bribe.
He's already out-smarting me while on the toilet. I just finished reading their bedtime story to them, and I listened for them to drift to sleep. I thought about how fast they grow... and how quickly the time has already gone by. I thought about how all their milestones are mine. I am so lucky their my guys... and I'm so lucky they put up with me. :)

Fresh Start

I love the beginning of the New Year, and the feeling that anything is possible. I love the feeling that your destiny is in your own hands... and whatever change needs to be made is within your reach.
I spent the day yesterday organizing the boys room with they're new storage bins. I sorted all sorts of pieces and parts to various toys. I set up the boys' new desk area, and their 'new' computer with all the kindergarten/preschool learning games they got for Christmas.
Then, we spent most of the evening playing with all the new 're-discovered' toys.
Getting this house organized is one big task.... but with my new found energy... I am up for the task!

We discovered there was a steam locomotive at a local park, so we ventured out for this morning to check things out. We ended up at the Oroville Lake Museum.. and stretched our legs. It was nice to just get some fresh air and spend some time exploring.

After a while, we came back home to finish our 'cleaning expedition'. It's amazing how wonderful it feels to put things in order. For the last 2+ years we've been remodeling to give ourselves storage... and finally things are coming together.

It's nice to feel a 'fresh start' and know that we have a fabulous year ahead of us.