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This is nothing special, well to you anyway. I'm not a scrapbook type, or a baby book writer, or even a picture printer. I'm terrible at recording memories. This blog is my attempt at holding on to some of my life as a Christian, a wife, and a homeschooling Mom of 5. I am a country girl that lived in a big city for 14 years, and moved to the Deep South for quiet, quaint, small town living.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Pizza Soup!

Troy is not a soup fan.  He will eat it, but it isn't his favorite.  I usually keep the meatier, creamier soups for him (usually corn, bacon, sausage, or seafood is persuasive), and add sammies or something extra for dinner.  That means the kids and I get all kinds of soup for lunch and we have fun.  This time was pizza soup inspired by these mini pepperonis.  Cuh-UTE.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Ghetto Wipes Warmer

We keep 2 kinds of wipes around, cloth and disposable, because we cloth diaper most of the time.  Since the bench near the diaper box, where I do most changes, is near the radiator, it only makes sense to keep the wipes warm.  I'm a genius, I know.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Happy TOOTH Day!

We have decided to celebrate Tooth day in our home.  I think I made it up, because I haven't heard of anyone else doing this.  Then again, I tend to forget a lot.  Speak up if I stole the idea from you.
 On the day a child loses their first tooth, we celebrate Toothday.  It is sort of like a birthday day, but much less involved.  Since we don't do gifts from Santa, or the Easter Bunny, it doesn't really make sense for there to be a Tooth Fairy.  Plus, have you counted the amount of teeth kids have times FOUR!?! We are too cheap for that!

Liv had her first tooth pulled by the Dentist (it was no where near loose, but the adult tooth was most of the way in behind it, farther back than it should be).  What a way to lose your first.  :(
Liv decided on ice cream for lunch. (Her mouth was a little tender, and Friendly's was crowded making ordering real food a major time extender, so I agreed, lucky girl!)  The kids rode the mall carousel, and we came home to an afternoon movie of her choice while I made one of her favorite meals.

Sloppy Joes, yogurt-fruit salad, with chips.

She also requested a cheesecake months ago.  Can you tell we have been planning this for a while?  Brownie bottom, vanilla cheesecake with mini chocolate chips. 


What other way to make it festive but to add a candle and sing Happy Toothday!

We gave her a gift and Troy and I silently rejoiced in the idea that we don't have to keep cash on hand, remember to exchange tooth for money, and counted the amount of money we will not have to give for gross teeth!  Woot!

Christmas in P-city

At Dad's house the kids know a few things.  There are 2 places to watch movies.  In the Den with whomever is around visiting, or in Grandpop's room watching on demand cartoons with him.  
They love the (almost) unlimited screen time.  
They get it honest.  
Besides Troy being a boob tube addict, his family and mine love some tv/movies.  
I must be the oddball.  
Me and Ginnie.
Ciacie made the point that if the kids opened a gift from her a day, they would have a new movie to watch for the days we were there (the 23rd, 24th, and 25th), instead of waiting and getting them all on Christmas and not having enough time to watch them that day.  
I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that she wanted to watch Despicable me....
 Believe it or not, we still go with the 3-gifts-each tradition.  Gifts from the Brzchalskis, and gifts to family take up a lot of space!  We are spoiled rotten.








 She knows about presents already....
It was a nice, laid-back Christmas.  
It was even nicer that the snow held off until Christmas evening when we high-tailed it out of there!  
We missed being buried under a foot of snow!  There was only an inch in Bmore that fell in the night.  No shoveling needed.  I like to think of it as my own Christmas miracle! 

Monday, December 27, 2010

Don't touch my Boogies!

Not mine.  Just so you know.
The kids want me to put this on loop and they laugh forever over this movie.
We are so immature.

it is official

The new kitties are a part of the family.  All of our little ones, with the exception of Maggie (but give her time...) have played with the toilet paper, leaving an empty roll behind.  Thankfully, that is all they have done, mischief-wise. 

We got Buddy and Jovie (know the reference?) after we fired the exterminators.  So far, our bold little mouse has not made his nightly appearance since we got them.  We are just praying this works!

Edit- The mouse came out in broad day light, with all of us around.  The loud kids didn't even scare him!  I give up!!!!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Gingerbread trailer house?

Oh look at that lovely family, all participating in a holiday tradition. 
How sweet...er, goofy/non photogenic/odd.
"Yes kids, it looks dry to me."
Things are looking good....
There is a little shifting.  Out comes the cans of corn to help prop up the roof.
Uh oh.....
I do think this was not a house, but a Gingerbread Trailer that was hit by a tornado.  I must have misread the box.
Nothing we did could save it.
Festivus Fail.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Decorating cookies

This year I didn't make royal icing for the cookies, figuring we could extend the decorating by only fancying up a couple cookies at a time (only enough to eat that day).  The trays get stacked up with the tub of sprinkles, tools, and plain baked sugar cookies when not in use.

This is ok, I guess.  Not sure if it was less mess than using lots of bagged icing with not so coordinated hands, but it worked.  We have had days of fun at least.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Names have been changed....

and faces have been hidden to protect the ghetto-fabulous.

Who do you know who has to put their tree up in the enclosed (not insulated) porch 
to protect it from toddlers and new kittens?
Not to mention, I have no idea where we they would put it in our little house/school.
  
PS.  It is Coooooold out there! (so I've heard.)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

School is still in session here

Well, not so much with our book work, but we are catching up on some experiments and learning games.  Usually these things are sprinkled in our normal day, but with Christmas prep (mostly baking cookies and my need to stalk online gift deals) I've slacked a little.

I found this cute bug game when we were in PA over Thanksgiving. 
George and Ginnie use it well.  
It buys Liv and I a little time to go over her work. 
Like Ginnie's hat?  I have no idea why she is wearing it.
I just teach these wackos.
George finishes patterns and learns about color mixing. 
 Ginnie matches bug types and colors to the pictures.

I'm mostly happy that if one goes astray, I won't freak if I accidentally stumble on a bright blue (obviously fake) spider..... I hope.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Thanksgiving

I'm doing a little catch up since my camera issues.  
Going way back.... THREE WEEKS!  :O
Not like it has felt like three weeks. 

It was a Pennsylvania Thanksgiving this year.  There were ONLY 15 of us, plus a baby.  From what my"puts-Martha-Stewart-to-shame" Mother in Law is used to for holiday festivities, this was a walk in the park.  Or like a walk in the Stouffer Bed and Breakfast, as we so fondly refer to our stays there. 



She makes it all look so easy.
Every once in a while she will let someone else help.
No idea what little Ginnie is doing here.
Maybe she is wondering how many pounds she is packing on from the holidays.
As if she could ever stay still long enough for calories to stick!
For the grandkids who love to veg out and watch movies (hint- Not a certain 2 year old), 
they get prime seating with Nana.
Ginnie would rather love on torment poor Gidget.
Poor Gidge!

It never fails.

They are worn out after each day.

Except for one little night owl.
She takes after her Nana.