When Mom is Sick- A Poem by Yours Truly

When mom is sick,
there is still work to be done-
the dishes do not wash themselves;
and the children still need to have fun.

When mom is sick,
nothing seems to go her way.
Kids won't nap, temper tantrums to throw-
it feels like forever in a day.

When mom is sick,
she tries her best to fight through it all.
She makes the bed against all odds,
and completes each important telephone call.

When mom is sick,
the world still goes on- though she is down.
She puts her best foot forward and completes all tasks
with a half smile and never a frown.

But when other family members are sick,
it's rest, love and bed for them all day.
Mom becomes a doctor, a nurse and a waitress-
and you know what? She wouldn't want it any other way!

Side Note: I had my poetry published by age 15 in National Poetry Books, as well as local newspapers. If you ever read my poetry then, you would of never guessed that I wrote the above. It's a far cry from the dark, lonely child I once was.

Top Ten Tuesdays- Things I know for sure!

Warning!!! Reading this post may actually decrease your intelligence. I had a long night of 2 out of 3 kids awake from being ill, so I had nothing to think about. Read at your own risk!

In life, there are a few things that I know anything about. But today, I complied a list of information that I am pretty sure that I know a thing or two about- lucky you!

10. I'm pretty sure that the song "Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifais not about a bumble bee.

http://pics.tech4learning.com

9. I'm pretty sure that if I were to go out all night like I did 10 years ago it would take me approximately 5.35 days to recover. I am not willing to try this at home- sorry.
8. I'm pretty sure that I talk to myself 97% of the time. I did the math in my head- good huh?
7. I'm pretty sure that if you take the toys out of cereal boxes and fast food meals kids are still going to want to eat them.
6. I'm pretty sure that companies give you free 3 month subscriptions to their services in hopes that you would forget about them and have to pay. Which reminds me..................
5. I'm pretty sure that if I put my kids to bed at 10 pm or 7 pm they are still going to wake up at 6 am.
4. I'm pretty sure that laziness is genetic.
3. I'm pretty sure the first thing you do in the morning is wake up. (Hardy-har-har- right?)
2. I'm pretty sure that the only time a waitress/waiter asks you how you are doing is when your mouth is too full to answer. I think they are trained to do so.
1. I'm pretty sure that when you are done reading this post you'll be scratching your head and thinking that I need to do something more constructive with my time!

A Mom's Invoice

This is a photo of an invoice that I emailed my husband today. I expect full payment within 30 days or I am going to garnish his wages!

To view this as a PDF File Click Here. Feel Free to email it on!

Don't forget to check out my Review and Giveaway for the Tassimo T20 Brewbot!

Coming up........ Kid's Craft: A Valentine's Day Marbled Picture Frame

Have a great Weekend!

Web site Spotlight: Top Secret Video Transmission of Santa

This year, using the Top Secret Video Transmission of Santa Web site, I am going to pretend to catch Santa in the act by "video recording" him visiting our house for my children. This is yet another great Web site in which you can use with your children Christmas morning. At TSVTS you can upload a photo of your Christmas tree and have it look as though Santa has visited your house while your children were asleep. Best of all it is completely free with a short survey or $4.95 if you decide not to take one!
Also check out

Web site Spotlight: A Message From Santa with PNP

Top Ten Tuesdays: Mommy vs. The Claus Man

Oh it's that time of the year again............... and this Top Ten Tuesday is going to reflect on that one special day~ Christmas.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas, but sometimes I feel a little underappreciated and appalled that I have to give one man all my credit:

Here are the Top Ten Reasons why mommy is bitter with Santa Claus:

10. Santa isn’t the only one who can make a glass of milk and a plate of cookies disappear overnight.

9. What? Santa can visit every child in the world in one night! Big deal~ if I had different time zones to play with imagine what work I could get done!

8.  Making children laugh and jump for joy for one day is tough. Try doing it for 365. We won’t even mention Leap Year!

7.  Ohhhhh poor Santy needs 8 tiny reindeer to pull his sleigh while this mamma drives the children around in blizzard like conditions with no 4 wheel drive.

6. Try lugging around a baby in that big round red belly of yours!

5.  Ok so Santa’s boots are in fashion (for this year anyway.)

4. At least I would of multi-tasked and cleaned everyone’s chimneys while I went down them and brought presents.

3. Elves. I wish I had elves.

2. Uh, I had a list of people who should receive coal for Christmas last year…… what happened?

1. You look better in red velvet than I could ever pull off!

Just kidding Big Guy XOXOXO My kid’s are huge fans!

Have a Wonderful Holiday Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Foreclosure

"It's the process..... not the product!" and at least we had fun creating it! My children's creation:

Where I hopped today!

Top Ten Tuesdays

I consider myself to be a pretty "hardy" person living in an area that endures 4 seasons of weather. One would think that I would be used to the cold and snow by now; considering I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. Yet- a looonnnggg winter can bring on an even longer day when you are stuck inside with the little ones. Here is a list of ideas of what you can do with your bambinos during the winter months.

Sometimes my Top Ten Tuesdays are fun- sometimes they are useful. This one is both fun and useful:

10. Good ole' fashioned tents out sheets and chairs. Turn it into a book nook by having your child use a flashlight and pile of books.

9. Make popsicles using a Popsicle tray. We made ours with yogurt, juices and Kool-aid. Or use recycled yogurt containers and spoons. Freeze accordingly or use the great outdoors if you get cold enough!

8. Have fun with shaving cream- great sensory play. Add food coloring to make it into a lesson about mixing colors!

7. Rice bucket- can't get outside to play in the sand? Get an old bucket or tray and fill it with rice for another great sensory play. My kids love it when I hide items in the rice and let them try to find it!

6. Turn snow into a work of art! Fill spray bottles with water and food coloring and tie-dye the snow.

5. Have your little darlings draw and color a picture on a sheet of white paper, laminate it and cut it into puzzle pieces for them to put together.

4. Have a scavenger hunt around the house to introduce/reinforce letters and letter sounds. Example: Tell your little one that they need to find 5 items that start with the letter "R."

3. When I was a child, we played a game called "Sardines." If you are not familiar with this game it is the complete opposite of Hide-n-go-Seek. One person hides and everyone else counts. When they count to 10 they then search for the one person who is hiding. The twist? Once you find the person who is hiding- you hide with them until only one person is left searching. It's pretty amusing having everyone squeezing into one area and still hide- no laughing ;-)

2. Make homemade play dough- (I use 2 cup flour, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup salt, 1 teaspoon oil- mix together in bowl). Create something cool and allow drying and hardening. Paint with tempera paints when hardened completely.

1. Take out your Camcorder or digital camera and create a short film. (I will be making a tutorial on this at a later date: TBC................)


Where I hopped today: 

16 Days Until Christmas

16 Days until Christmas and all through the house;
not one present wrapped yet -not one toy car nor one toy mouse.

The Christmas cards are stamped but are still sitting there;
In hopes that the mail carrier will self address them when he gets here.

The cookbooks have great ideas for cookies yet to be baked,
And visions of mommy sleeping when she is awake.

The Christmas Tree has been purchased and sits there awaiting;
for little boys and little girls to start decorating.

Away to the store, last minute I dash!
To buy those last minute gifts in a hurry- in a flash.

Wrapping and ribbons- tape and bows galore-
I NEED another day no wait one more!

Just listen to me explain before this post becomes out of sight-
There are only 16 more days and 15 more nights!

Anybody else feeling this Holiday STRESS??????????!!!!!!!

http://www.christmas-tree.com/stories/nightbeforechristmas.html- Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem

Top Ten Tuesdays

So being the artsy fartsy type, I am often disorganized and all over the place. Especially with my thoughts. The husband is always on me to make lists and get organized. Watch out Letterman this Classifier is now listing.

10 Reasons why I know I am done having children:

10. I have enough extra skin around my midsection to conduct a scientific experiment.

9. I ran out of bedrooms to house the children.

8. It takes about 15 tries until I call out the right name to the right child that I am speaking to.

7. Whenever the topic of "who's going to have the next baby" is brought up at a family gathering and everyone looks at you and kindly says "Hey, why don't you give your cousin a shot at it."

6. EVERYTHING in life is centered around a family of 4. So my only option here is have 3 more children or teach my children that they will never have a birthday past 23 months.

5. I ran out of bathrooms to toilet the children.

4. I remember EXACTLY what labor is like.

3. The next step up from an SUV is a mini-van. The next after that is a small yellow bus.

2. I remember EXACTLY what it is like not to sleep for the first 3 months or more.

1. I don't remember what it is like not to change a diaper!

Kid's Craft: A Letter to Santa Present

Want to add a little something special to that letter to Santa? Make it a complete package by turning it into a present for Santa. I am personally going to keep my kids letter as a time capsule so they can open it up to their children in the future.

This craft is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children. 

Classified: Easy

What you need:

1. Lined Writing Paper (8.5x11" paper or trim down to size)
2. Red and Green Crayons
3. Red, White and Green 9x12" Construction Paper
4. Wrapping Bow
5. Curling Ribbon
6. Glue
7. Kid Scissors
8. Store Ads found in Sunday Papers

What to do:

For Toddlers-
Introduce/practice letters of the alphabet while helping your toddler write a letter to Santa. Write on top of a 8.5x11" Lined Paper "DEAR SANTA, I WANT A....." and go over each individual letter.  Introduce cutting and pasting by having your child cut out 3 items they really want this year from a newspaper ad from a local store with kid scissors. Help if needed. Assist in gluing the items onto the paper. Have them select a 9x12" Red or Green sheet of construction paper to create the present. (Note: see directions below) Colors: Red and Green.

For Preschoolers-
 Have them practice their writing skills by having them copy "Dear Santa, I want a...." on the top of pre-lined paper. Practice cutting and pasting by having your child cut out three items that they want this year from an ad in the newspaper at your local store independently. Revisit colors red and green by having them select which color they want for the present. (Note: see directions below)

For School-aged children- Have them write an entire letter to Santa on their own. Practice cutting, gluing, folding paper and following step-by-step directions.

To create the present:

1. Glue your child's Santa letter to the center of a sheet of red or green 9x12" construction paper. Allow to dry.



Step 2 and 3

2. Cut two strips of the opposite color (red strips for green present and green strips for red present) into 2"x12" and 2"x9" to make ribbon.
3. Have your child glue onto the blank side of the construction paper, centering each vertically and horizontally. Allow to dry.
4. Create a name tag and either you or your child write "To: Santa" on it.
5. Fold into three sections- see photo.
6. Punch two holes into the joining sides about 1/2" away from the edge of the paper.
7. Tie together with curling ribbon.




Step 5


8. Flip over and glue the "To: Santa" tag and a bow to the "present."
9. Leave out by your door step so Santa can pick it up. Watch their face light up the next day when you tell them that Santa must of came to pick up their present! I am going to keep mine in my child's Memory Box to show them in the future!

Kid's Craft: Christmas Tree Foot and Hand Print Painting

After a long day of being snowed-in, I needed something different and messy to do with the kiddos. Roll up your sleeves and take off your socks and shoes for this project- because it's gonna be a ticklish kind of mess ;-) Toddlers and preschoolers love to paint with their hands and feet!

Preschool Tree

Classified: Easy. Takes about 30 minutes or so with each child.

What you need:

1. Left Foot, right foot
2. Left hand, right hand
3. Green, Red, Yellow, White and Brown Tempera Paint
4. 12x18" Yellow and Blue Construction Paper
5. Palette
6. Sponge brush
7. And something to wipe your kids hands and feet off quickly- I used baby wipes.

What to do:

1. Paint the bottom of your child's foot (either one) and stamp it 10 times on the piece of 12x18" yellow construction paper so it forms a pyramid. One foot on top- row 2 has two feet stamps- Row 3 has three feet stamps and so on. Make sure to slightly overlap each foot.
2. Paint hand brown and stamp upside down for tree trunk.
3. Allow to dry.
4. Cut out the tree and bark and glue it to the blue sheet of construction paper.
5. Paint child's hand white and stamp it around the bottom to create snow.
6. Have your child dip their fingerprints into the red and yellow paint to make ornaments on the tree.
7. Dry and Hang!

Toddler Tree

Snowed In: What to do with the children?

I know that from living in the Western New York area for my entire life that it is par of the course to experience snow. I also know that you learn to really appreciate summer. This is not the first time that I have been "trapped" within the confides of my own home- but with 3 kids! Needless to say I almost lost my mind.

How does one fill in a 24 hour non-stop-trapped-inside-the-house gap of time without banging ones head until complete unconsciousness? Of course I did crafts (one of which we are going to finish tomorrow- trust me I will post it) but even that only goes so far. Yes I let them watch T.V.- but that only thrills me for so long. When the little man went down for his nap, I took the older ones to play outside in the 3 feet of snow while I attempted to shovel. Thank heaven for great neighbors and their big hearts! After an hour and 20 minutes it got cold. We played games, had snacks, read books inside.

I think I looked at the clock every thirty minutes.

I drank a pot of coffee and went to the ladies room 40 times to waste approximately 12 minutes of time of which 2 was spent alone in solitude.

What do you do with your children when you are "trapped" inside? Please share your thoughts and idears. What creative things do you come up with?

UPDATE: Check out an insert from my Top Ten Tuesdays for a list of activities!

Mom Craft: Tinsel Silver and Gold Christmas Tree

Done with that Turkey day dinner? Have you begun to buy Christmas wrap and decoration? Want to do something creative with all that stuff lying around the house (Well, sort of)? Then the Tinsel Christmas Tree is a craft for you!!

What you need:

• Green tinsel garland.
• Jingle Bells (silver and gold)
• Gold wrapping bow
• Gold or silver curling ribbon
• Pop (sorry soda- us Buffalonians use the word "pop") bottle of Styrofoam cone (you pick the size)
• Foil pie lid (optional)
• Glue gun and sticks

What you do?
If you chose to use a 'soda' (that was hard to type) bottle, clean it out and screw on the cap. If you are going to purchase a Styrofoam cone, the following directions will both be the same!

1. Start by gluing an end of the green tinsel garland to the top of the bottle/cone.
2. Twirl the green tinsel garland around to the base, gluing here and there with the glue gun and wrapping more and more to make the base wider than the top.
3. Hot glue the bow to the top and the jingle bells sporadically around the circumference of the tree.
4. Glue an end of the curling ribbon to the top of the tree and twirl around to the base. Cut and glue an end.
5. Optional: glue entire tree to a tin foil lid. It gives a cool reflection and acts as a base for the tree.

Want to see more ideas? Don't forget to check out my Artsy Moms Page!

Does losing an hour really make a difference? The time changed and changed my children too!

I know that for most of us an hour doesn't make a huge difference. In fact, I spend most of my time wishing for an extra hour every day. To lose an hour is devastating, not only to me but to my children as well. I, I, I.... I hate this "Time Change" garbage. I always look at the clock and say "hmmmm it's 2:00 now, but it's really 3:00, so that's why Gavin is tired!" Seriously. Even when my daughter woke up this morning at 6:30 a.m., I had to gather my thoughts at say "It's really 7:30 a.m. she slept pretty well."

But how much longer do we have to torture ourselves like this? For the longest time I blamed Daylight Saving Time on farmers. Sure, I think the agriculture industry is fantastic, I just don't understand why they can't get done what they need to get done in the hours of which light is set? Apparently is has more to do with less crime, less automotive accidents and more economic growth. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the farming industry! http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/03/090305-daylight-saving-time-facts-history_2.html I was even more stunned to find out that the changing of hours didn't even start to mess with our heads until 1966! Fun Fact:" Up until then it depended on local State governments to participate in the "Daylight Saving" extravaganza. http://www.fun-facts.com/item/71750

I would love congress to come to my house on any given time changing day. It's a mess. The kids are all out of sorts, I'm tired from an "extra" hour of sleep, and I can NEVER remember how to change the time in my car! My daughter was so off today, that when we were in church exchanging the sign of peace with one another, she crossed her hands and stated "I'm not shaking hands with no one today!" I think that it may have slightly offended the nice couple behind us, but hey she is 2, and she sorta, kinda, maybe has my attitude; especially if she is tired.

I am sooo looking forward to when we lose an hour. 

Kid’s Craft: Halloween Bat Cupcakes

So I am typically not a baker. I LOVE to cook, but baking is not my thing. My chitlins kept insisting that we make “bat cupcakes.” So I gave in…………………………………

Classified: Medium (Just due to the fact that it takes some time)

Materials:

1.      Whatever cupcake mix you chose. Hey if you’re a baker- go nuts and make it from scratch!

2.      Baking material: bowls, cup cake pan and whatever you need to make your cup cakes.

3.      Chocolate frosting!

4.      M&M’s, Reese’s  Pieces or some small chocolate candy that can be used as eyes

5.      Black decorating sparkles I used Wilton’s Black Cake Sparkles 

6.      Black decorating gel

7.      Chocolate melts

8.      Bowl to melt chocolate melts in microwave

9.      Wax paper

10.  Bat Template

11.  Tape

12.  Scissors

13.  Plastic bag or frosting piping bag

14.  Cookie Sheet- to make chocolate bats.

Steps

1.      Make cupcakes according to directions and allow time to cool. Pretty simple huh?

2.      Print out Bat Template. I printed 2 sheets.

3.      Tape Bat Template sheets to cookie sheet.

4.      Tear off a piece of wax paper long enough to fit your cookie sheet and tape over the bat template.

5.      Parents: Melt chocolate melts in the microwave. Please Note: Melts do not appeared “melted” until they are stirred. It should not take any longer than two minutes depending on how your microwave works. IT WILL BE HOT! PLEASE BE CAREFUL! A hurt mommy is a sad mommy!

6.      Stir chocolate melts and pour into piping bag or plastic storage bag. *** Note: If using a plastic storage bag, cut a very small corner out of the bag.*** TIP: If chocolate begins to harden in the bag, place under warm water until melted (again).

7.      Trace the templates with the chocolate, quickly placing the eyes the candy eyes before each bat dries.

8.      Repeat until all are traced. Once complete place in fridge to cool.

9.      Frost cupcakes with chocolate frosting.

10.  Sprinkle with black decorating sparkles to make the bat appear “furry.”

11.  Take chocolate bat molds out of fridge and careful remove from the wax paper. Place the bats onto the cupcake.

12.  Draw details onto bat; eyeballs, nose, inside ears and outlines on bat wings with decorating gel.

13.  Watch out- they’re yummy.

Links of the day:

Wanna see a mama who can really bake? Check out: http://lnowak.blogspot.com/

Ode to the MIA Sock

By: Yours Truly

So, I count my feet,

One and two.

All is present,

Including my shoes.

Everything is fine.

I go about my day.

Nothing to worry about-

Until I heard my socks say……………………

Sock number one

Spoke to sock number two-

“Want to escape to Tibet?
Or Timbuktu?”

“We can race against time;

Learn how to fly?

We can swim in the oceans-

Wait! Why do you cry?”

Sock number two

Holds back his tears and whispers to one

“I’m scared to leave my friend,

Although it sounds like fun!”

“I have too much to offer,

I have too much to lose.

But, you can go on your way

If you ever so chose.”

Later that day,

When the spin cycle began

Sock number one

Executed his plan.

Was he snatched by a troll?

Did he escape through the drain?

Was there a sock fairy involved?

It’s driving me insane!

How did it happen?

Nobody knows!

Only thing now

Is I have really cold toes.

So, I count my feet

One and two-

Only one sock accounted for…………

Now where are my shoes?

Sadly enough, back in the day I used to write poetry all the time and have been published on a few occasions. I now only write when I am inspired, Apparently, today was the day!

Link of the day: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/

http://www.poetry.com/- Free poetry contests- perhaps I should submit this one? Tee Hee!

Infantitis

Condition: Infantitis

Definition: Infantitis is a condition that usually results after the birth of a baby. However, in some cases, it can be present towards the end of pregnancy when the fetus completely takes control over a woman’s body.

Duration: Typically birth- 21, or, whenever your legal responsibility has expired. In some extreme cases, as when you produce a male offspring, the condition can continue until your death.

Symptoms:

1.      Head Ache

2.      Insomnia

3.      Hair Loss

4.      Weight Loss (can’t find time to eat) or Weight Gain (nibbling too much on kid food)

5.      Altered Mental Status

6.      Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (from repeatedly cleaning the same thing over and over)

7.      Dry Mouth (from repeating yourself continuously)

Prevention:  To date there are no clear findings to suggest any prevention in Infantitis aside from having your head examined. Until there is more known about the condition, it is strongly advised that you enjoy the parenting ride.

Link of the day: To find out about "real" diseases and conditions, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ - Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.