Being A Mamma Has Its Many Perks!

I love being a mom! There are SO many blessings that come with the job.

The least of which is being able to escape jury duty! I got a summons in the mail yesterday (groan!) but when reading the fine print noticed that I qualify for a postponement or excuse because I "give care to a dependent from the hours of 8am to 5pm". Whichever person decided that a mom's duty ends at 5pm has obviously never been one, but I'll go with it, if it will get me out of jury duty.

When I called the courthouse this morning to beg off of duty she told me that "just being a mom" doesn't guarantee an excuse. WELL!

But, after further reading the very fine print on the jury form I found out that being a "breastfeeding mother" WILL get me off the hook! Yeah for boobies!! For that reason alone I'll keep up the milk-making. :-)

Vroom....Vroom....

My baby got his first toothbrush, and now, for an early 1st birthday we got him a riding toy. He's growing up SO fast, I can hardly keep up.


We've (and by that I mean I, mostly) have been wanting to get him a riding toy, but one that I can push as well. We looked and looked, and decided that this one was the way to go. He'll be able to use it until he's 3 (or so the box says) so he should get some serious use out of it.



I know I'LL dig it out of the garage! I think this will kick our daily walks up a notch or two! After John put it together the 3 of us took a walk around our neighborhood, with William smiling and waving at everything and everyone! He was in his glory! I'm sure he's going to get many miles on this little car!

Zzzzz....

The Olympic Games are killing me.

I usually hit the hay early, oh, around 10 or so. I went through a Seinfeld phase a while ago, where I would stay up till 11pm watching reruns of Seinfeld (hey, I never watched them when they were first playing....oh, so long ago for the 1st time). But not since the arrival of our bundle of joy. Oh no. I go to bed early.

But now that the Olympics are on, I just can't seem to peel myself away from the TV. With the difference in time between West Coast US to Beijing, and all the cool events being on late, late at night, it's forcing me to stay up way past midnight. Unfortunately, my little man has no idea that the 2008 Games are going on. He wakes up spanking early, just like always.

I try to remember that I COULD just look up the results online, but somehow that just wouldn't be the same. I have to watch it all "Live" (or so they say!).

Anyway, I'm glad they're coming to an end soon. I need to get some shut-eye!

Shhhhh....We're Filming Our Commercial!

With John working his tail off and higher prices on food and gas we've been feeling the crunch, just like everyone else. So, William and I decided to help out a little financially, to offset our living expenses. To do so we decided that our best resort would be to film a commercial.

A Carl's Jr. commercial.

I'm sure you've seen them, so you know why I thought this would be our best bet in achieving financial stability. *wink*wink* (Even if you haven't seen them, I'm sure you will catch on!)

The first thing we needed to do was get all our equipment ready to go. I left that up to William. He's much better at that sort of thing than I am.



Then it was time for a wardrobe change. (Can't be gettin' all famous in pj's!) This cute little number is straight from Korea. Thanks Jinny!





I got a little resistance from my star when I mentioned that we were going to shoot a Carl's Jr. commercial.








He was a little worried about what his friends might think of him, what, with food needing to be schmeared all over his face and all.






But then I assured him that even though his dirty little mug would be plastered all over prime time, he would still get to consume all food used in the shoot.




Here are some stills from our commercial. Opps...this one would be great, except it doesn't count...eyes closed. Major stations aren't looking for close-eyed stars.







A little better here...except the sour face would turn off future consumers.








PERFECT!! Lovely smile, and no annoying red paper in the way!








After we finished shooting, my little star was exhausted and ready for some shut-eye.










The director was very happy with the shoot. All was successful! *Click HERE to see the spot.

**Disclaimer: this photo shoot was not endorsed by Carl's Jr., or any Carl's Jr. affiliate.

Calling All Exhausted Mothers!

Over in motherhood land we occasionally get a little wiped out. A little bleary-eyed. A few sags here, bags there. A little stalled in the love department. Well, if you've stopped your busy day to read this, take heart. I've got some simple solutions to ALL your mommy problems!

Let's see....the first must-have for ALL new mothers is:

1. Lizard Wine. Believe it or not, most new (and sometimes not-so-new babies) wake up during the night. They need to be fed, diapered, coddled, cuddled, whatever. They always need us at 3am. Their needs simply cannot wait until 6. So, to improve your vision for those midnight escapades try this. Lizard wine.


2. Next on my must-have list is scorpion wash. It will help to reduce pain in your achy arms and shoulders, and will invigorate your tired body.
3. After showering with that stuff, you can move on to your morning brew: weasel coffee. This coffee is first eaten by weasels, then regurgitated and gathered to be cleaned and roasted. It has a chocolaty flavor, for all you chocoholics.
4. Lastly, what sort of person would I be if I didn't suggest a little somethin' something' for sprucing up the love life! Aphrodisiac pearl lollipops have been used in China and Japan since ancient times. A small caveat - if you have allergies to shellfish this pop might not be for you.
All of these great mother-items can be purchased here.

Have a great rest of your day!

Fighting Frumpies One Fly-Away At A Time

I find that just being able to shower and comb my hair each day is a huge accomplishment.

Never mind makeup.

Never mind having curled hair; styled hair. Just having it clean each day is a ginormous WOW. I have to wake up at the crack of dawn, though, just to check that off my to-do list. But it's worth it. Now that W has been sleeping almooooost through the night I've been able to get more continuous sleep, waking up earlier isn't such a drag anymore.

I decided that my scraggly, split-end hair needed a trim. I called my "hair lady" and scheduled an appointment. The last time I got my hair cut was when W was still in the clueless, la-la land phase, and everything was hunky-dory when it came to being with other people other than me, The Mamma. I tried to get a friend to watch him, but she was busy. Bummer. Oh well, I thought...I'll just take him with me.

Never. Again. What was I THINKING!?! That's right, I forgot...since being in whacko land I have a hard time thinking straight. I wasn't thinking. I put all common sense in the diaper champ and pitched it into the garbage can.

I pulled up to the salon with my son babbling happily away in the backseat. It seemed like everything was going to be great. My plan was to wheel him in in his umbrella stroller and have him "read" one of his books while I got all primped up.

What a joke! The moment we walked in he started shrieking. Literally shrieking. There are no words for the intense, ear-piercing vocalizations he was making. My stylist had to take the cape off me so I could pick him up from his stroller to comfort him.

But quiet and calm were not on his agenda at the moment. He continued to shriek and scream. After what seemed like a long time, he finally calmed down a bit. Only enough for me to convince the stylist to cut my hair as quickly as she could, before the diatribe continued.

And continue it did. For almost the whole time. Eventually another stylist finished her client's hair cut and she thankfully rescued my son. And saved the rest of the salon from going nutso.

I tipped my stylist generously, and left.

I'm sure all the childless women in there made mental notes to themselves to check the status of their birth control pills!

Tooth Issues...At 11 Months

We bought our son a toothbrush (sniff!) tonight. He's got 4 teeth, so I thought a cute little toothbrush was probably in order. (Plus I'd get to get out his cute toothbrush holder that's been under the sink for over a year!)

I've been concerned about his teeth. The tops of his teeth look stained light brown. Does anyone have any ideas of what this is? I usually wipe his teeth with a damp cloth, so it's not like I've been neglecting them...they just look like they're decaying or something.

I called my dentist to get his opinion on the situation, and wouldn't you know it, his entire office is on vacation. I'll put another call in to them next week.

The initial tooth brushing episode didn't go as well as I had planned. I had to literally pin him down on the floor in order to get a few swipes in with the toothbrush. He was all gung-ho with his new toothbrush when we were in Target, picking one out...but once we got home...yeah...not so much fun, that new toothbrush.

I'm hoping in the upcoming week I'll be able to model tooth brushing for him, so maybe he'll like it better. I sure hope so, because the staining on his teeth is worrying me.

Will The Worries EVER Cease?

I recently had a colloquy with a friend who invoked the question as to how mothers actually enjoy going on a vacation with their brood. It doesn't actually have to be a vacation. It can be anything. A picnic. An afternoon at the pool. The beach. Name it.

Due to incessant worrying about nap times, feedings, fussiness, etc. it's hard to enjoy a vacation/outing and just relax. I join her in her quest for truth: When can one (and by "one" I mean Mother) just sit back, relax, unwind...without the constant pressures of motherhood?

I have a feeling the answer is never.

We're doomed.

As soon as we pass the stage of 24/7 nursings, we move on to the crawling phase. The never-ending phase of wondering "what did he get into now?" "where did he go?" "why won't he stop that annoying banging?" "I wish he wouldn't destroy ALL my nice things"....the list goes on and on.

Then enter the toddling phase. We're not quite up to this one yet, so I can't get all philosophical on you, but watching my friends deal with this joyful phase is making me want to ball up my young 'un and shove him back up me.

Ok. Not really. I like him out.

I don't think mothers ever really get a break until their hoydens leave the nest.

Then again....probably not! I find myself constantly calling my mom. (Sorry Mom!)

At least she doesn't have to worry about me crawling over to the fan and sticking my fingers in it!

Whackos, We Post Preggos Are! (I mean, I am!)

I don't want to make generalizations by saying "we post preggos", grouping everyone in the same jacuzzi as me, but I'd like to think that I'm not as strange as I purport to be.

I recently had a conversation with my mom about the fact that my hair is falling out, it seems, like in ropes. Seriously. Huge wads of my dishwater-colored hair, slipping out from it's rightful place. It's downright disturbing.

I can't even take a shower without leaving a little assemblage of fibrous proteins stashed on the shower's edge. (I used to let it fall down the drain, but...yeah...not such a good idea.)

My mother reassured me that it was out of whack hormones, leftover from pregnancy, that was causing the upheaval on my head.

Lovely.

I have an ELEVEN MONTH OLD SON (of whom I could wax lyrical all day, if given the time and space) but to think that his former presence in my body (did I mention it was ELEVEN MONTHS AGO!?!) is still reeking havoc on me is somewhat freaky. (But havoc only in the hair department, no where else!)

Yup...we get to carry our progeny for nine months, and for a year afterward still have to deal with whacked-out hormones.

And then...we get to do it all over again! No wonder we're (and if you don't fall into this category of primiparous or maltiporous women, I'm sorry for grouping you in it!) all screwed up during the majority of our prime.



And to think...I saw a newborn recently and instantly I wanted another one!

Too Much Crack Action For Me!

Is is just me, or has anyone else noticed? The "uniforms" at the Olympics, I mean. Seriously, folks...there's alota crack action going on if you ask me.

What is this? Even the President is appalled.

He's not even sure where to put his hands for the photo op!

I happened to catch a men's volleyball game, and their uniforms cover their tushies. Shorts, tanks. I'm good with that. But why are the women having to constantly pick their panties, um, I mean "uniforms", out of of their rear ends? (Sorry, the white ones, with their sheerness, look like some of my unmentionables!)

Maybe undie uniforms help ratings.

Maybe the gals like picking sand and Lycra from their cracks.

Maybe I'm just getting old. And too conservative for beach volleyball.

Comfort Food

I really don't like to cook.

There are so many better things to be doing each day than thinking about what the next meal is going to be. My husband recently pointed out to me that he'd like variety in his meals. Kay. (I'm usually a one-dish deal. Hey, I've got a baby-on-the-verge-of-toddlerhood under my toes all day!

The need to power search for new foods is on! I recently stole came across this recipe on the internet, Chicken Spaghetti, and thought I'd share it with you. It truly is delish!

• 2 cups cooked chicken
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 1 - 4oz. jar diced pimentos, drained
• 3 cups dry spaghetti, broken into 2 inch pieces
• 2 cups reserved chicken broth from pot
• 1 teaspoon Lawry's salt
• 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 additional cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Cook 1 fryer and pick out the meat to make 2 cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Don't overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients, except additional 1 cup cheddar. (Yes, add 2 cups reserved chicken broth to the mixture!)

Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly.

This also freezes well, for up to 6 months. If anyone actually tries this give a shout out and let me know how it was.

If anyone has any yummy recipes they'd like to share with me I'd love to have them!

(I'm feeling a little guilty in just posting someone else's recipe....thepioneerwoman.com is the real hero!)

We Press on!

In a unanimous decision, the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District today ruled that “California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education.”

Today’s decision stands in stark contrast to the opinion this same three-judge panel issued in February, which would have made California the only state in the union to outlaw home education had it remained in effect.

“It is unusual for an appellate court to grant a petition for rehearing as this court did in March,” said HSLDA Chairman Mike Farris, “but it is truly remarkable for a court to completely reverse its own earlier opinion. We thank you for your prayers and give God the glory for this great victory.”

When the court vacated its earlier decision on March 25, 2008, it invited interested organizations to file friend-of-the-court briefs. “I have never seen such an impressive array of people and organizations coming to the defense of homeschooling,” said Farris, who was one of the attorneys who argued the case on rehearing along with Alliance Defense Fund attorney Jeff Shafer, who represented the father. The father was also represented by Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation.

California’s three largest homeschool organizations, California Homeschool Network, Homeschool Association of California and Christian Home Education Association joined together in one brief to defend the right of all parents to homeschool. HSLDA, Family Protection Ministries and Focus on the Family also joined in a separate brief. Numerous other private organizations came to the defense of home education as did California’s governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction.

We are extremely grateful to all of the organizations who worked tirelessly to protect and preserve homeschooling freedom in California. We are also thankful for you, our members, for your prayers and support during this trying season.

The freedom to homeschool is a precious gift from God. But keeping it free requires vigilance and perseverance. We must continue to work together diligently to preserve this precious freedom in California and elsewhere.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

To read the full opinion click here.

Better Late than Early (Moore)

School is just around the corner for students in our neck of the woods, so naturally my mind has wandered to "when-can-I-start-teaching-my son" thoughts. I know, I know, he's only 10 (almost 11) months, but still. Never to early to start planning. I wholeheartedly want to home school him, as that seems to be the most beneficial to children, especially in the young, impressionable years.

I've been reading Home Grown Kids by R. Moore, and a section of his book really stands out to me, and I thought it worth repeating here.

It is quite possible to teach a bright three or four year old how to read, but while he is spending time doing that he is missing out on something more essential to that stage of his development - something he might not be able to make up later. Premature emphasis on any learning, particularly by rote memory, can close pathways to other learning. When leaders of student radicals were studied in the late 60s, it was found in most cases that intellect had been developed at too early an age with a corresponding lack in emotional development. These young adults had brilliant minds but had progressed emotionally only to the temper-tantrum stage.

Yikes. Makes me think of all the "child advocates" who are pushing for younger and younger compulsory school entrance age. Where, may I ask, is the evidence that younger children thrive in school? That they learn more than children who start formal education later?

As a mother who plans on teaching her son herself, it would seem wise to create situations where learning occurs almost "by accident"...where he would be free to be himself, make mistakes without fear of reprisal, mocking, or belittling...all of which create hostile learning environments; all of which inhibit learning. When children are allowed to "grow up" a little more (mature their senses, which is key for learning) and develop Godly values before being put in a herd with their ignorant peers they will almost always (it would seem) come out ahead of those who are forced to go to preschool (or nursery school, whatever). Just because "everyone is doing it" does not mean that it's the right thing to do.

The task ahead of my husband and me is to provide an excellent home structure where he feels safe, secure, and valued as a little person.

Wow. What an awesome task ahead of us. And apparently no rush to "school" him just yet!

Summer Cleaning

I decided to clean out my cupboards yesterday. Oh my...I can see this is going to be an exciting post! Hang on to your hoop skirts!

Basically everything in my cupboards was just thrown in there, Tupperware with glass, glass with aluminum...a big mish mash of everything. I fenced myself in the kitchen, so my dear Son couldn't get in and smash to bits my remaining pieces of Pyrex.

I first took everything out of the 4 cupboards and laid them on the kitchen tile. (WOW! Big mess...my Son's eyes practically bugged out of his head seeing it all out of order like that.) Taking everything out also allowed me to clear out the several 6 legged vermin that had decided to take up residence in my barely used dishware. (I can't believe I just admitted that! EKK!)

Then I divided the items by composition, deciding that I had more glassware than plastic, and that the glassware belonged in the largest cupboard. Easy enough. Fitting it all in was another dilemma. I had no idea I owned so many 1-quart bowls! And that's after my Son smashed several! At least I won't have to worry about serving dishes this upcoming Thanksgiving.

I stuffed (literally!) the barely used Tupperware in the far reaches of the other cupboard, with priority given to the small dishes W uses.

Voila!

I was done!

Now only if I had remembered to reserve a spot for all the dirty glassware still soaking in the sink!

Poopy Piddles are the Pits!

First, let me congratulate myself on my fine use of alliteration. Here in Mommy-land I don't get to enjoy all the fine things of the English language very often...unless you count the numerous times I say dada...

or nigh nigh....

Yes! Those count!

ah....oh.....ok...onward! Forward!

I love taking walks or rollerblading with my son. I try to go outside with him at least once a day, preferably more, but since the days are so sunny and hot sometimes it's only once. Whatever. We still make it out every day.

Yesterday I strapped on my blades and we hit the trail, with my Music on the Move speaker playing my favorite tunes. (LOVE that feature of my jogger!) The trail starts out on quite a downward slope. (LOVE that part of the trail, too! Until it's time to turn back around....augh!) As we sailed down the paved passage I pointed out to my son the beautiful trees, singing birds, annoying, barking dogs,....then it happened. I saw in the distance a smokin' pile of poo, freshly deposited. It was too late. I was going too fast. I had no choice but to glide my right blade right through it. Of course I was able to stop shortly thereafter, to survey the damage. There, slicing through the center of the poo was the imprint of my roller blade. I don't say bad words. (Especially in front of my son.) But I came awfully close. I now had to wipe off the poo the best I could in the dead grass and move on. (Blades with poo AND dead, flaky grass do NOT make for the best blading conditions! Trust me on this one.)

Seriously, people...pick up after your pooches.

I used to scoff at walkers who walked with little blue bags of poo....for miles! No more. I admire them. Thanks for doing your part. I will never again stare at the poop bag in your hand and roll my eyes.

We did make it a little further up the trail before we turned around, plowing up the steep upgrade back to our house. I feel great for getting my son outside to enjoy nature.

A Quick, Yummy, Healthy (somewhat!) Apple Crisp

I remember my mom making this recipe when I was young. It made the house smell wonderful, and we usually ate the entire dessert in one (1) sitting. Here's the scoop:

First peel and slice about 5 Granny Smith apples. Make sure you slice them rather thin. This should yield you about 5 cups. Place them in a 2 quart baking dish and sprinkle 2-4 tablespoons of white sugar on them.Then in a separate bowl mix 1/4 cup of flour, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 cup of oats. After mixing them add 4 tablespoons of melted butter and pour over the dry mixture. Using a fork, mix until it looks like crumbles.Lastly, sprinkle the crumbly mixture over the apples and back for 30-35 in a 375 degree oven. Let cool. Eat. Repeat.
Keep in mind that while the main ingredient is apples, eating too much just might make your tutu a tad too tight for your upcoming dance recital! Beware!

People Need Manners!

I have to vent for a minute. I cannot stand people who think the outside world is their bathroom. I'm talking about clipping nails in public places. My friend and I were taking our kids to the pool the other day when she shrieked, saying that under her chair were toenail clippings - large ones, and lots of them. I'm all for personal hygiene, but honestly...at the pool? That's just downright disgusting. Nails can be full of fungus, bacteria, and other grodies...and to shoot the little bits of fungus-filled shrapnel around a pool area (or any other public place) is in poor taste. Be kind to those have to use the area behind you and keep your keratin bits where they belong - in the bathroom trash can!

He's in the system.

He's #8. Cubby hole #8 that is.
I finally did it. I put my son in nursery this morning.
I thought about it all week long and this morning I took the plunge. We're both better off because of it. I got to hear a sermon, which hasn't happened in a long time, and he got to play with other kids. Not really sure why that's a GOOD thing, as he'll probably walk away learning all those kids' bad habits, instead of learning what I want him to learn, but 2 hours probably isn't going to hurt him.
I have to admit, though, that halfway through I did seriously consider fleeing the service to douse hand sanitizer on him, but (thankfully!) I refrained.
It was a positive enough experience that (unless he comes down with some plague by Wednesday) he'll probably join the ranks of toddlers in nursery again next week.