3.30.2009
3.23.2009
High Praise
So we've really been working on potty training The Manimal.
Who am I kidding? Diva Husband, being home all day with the child, has really been working on potty training The Manimal!
At any rate, things are moving right along. Literally.
We've discovered that the kid has a thing for Hot Wheels cars, so every time he poops in the potty (we've pretty much conquered peeing, except at night), he gets to pick a new "poopin' car".
Yesterday, he pooped in the potty not less than FOUR TIMES. And each time there was substance.
I've heard of cases where children exert their control by choosing to/not to pee or poop. I've never heard of a situation where a child actually SPREADS OUT his poop so he can get more cars.
In related news, I was...ahem, using the facilities when said child walked in and started chatting (Yeah, I'm a mom. There is no privacy in my home.). He asked what I was doing.
"I'm pooping, Manimal. Is that OK?"
"Oh, yeah. Das good. Pooping in da potty is good."
We acknowledged that pooping in the potty was in the words of the Domestic Diva herself, "a good thing" and I completed my business.
"Lemme see da poop, Mommy."
He checked out the toilet and said, "Good job, Mommy! I berry proud of you!"
Who am I kidding? Diva Husband, being home all day with the child, has really been working on potty training The Manimal!
At any rate, things are moving right along. Literally.
We've discovered that the kid has a thing for Hot Wheels cars, so every time he poops in the potty (we've pretty much conquered peeing, except at night), he gets to pick a new "poopin' car".
Yesterday, he pooped in the potty not less than FOUR TIMES. And each time there was substance.
I've heard of cases where children exert their control by choosing to/not to pee or poop. I've never heard of a situation where a child actually SPREADS OUT his poop so he can get more cars.
In related news, I was...ahem, using the facilities when said child walked in and started chatting (Yeah, I'm a mom. There is no privacy in my home.). He asked what I was doing.
"I'm pooping, Manimal. Is that OK?"
"Oh, yeah. Das good. Pooping in da potty is good."
We acknowledged that pooping in the potty was in the words of the Domestic Diva herself, "a good thing" and I completed my business.
"Lemme see da poop, Mommy."
He checked out the toilet and said, "Good job, Mommy! I berry proud of you!"
3.21.2009
Smell-O-Vision
Right now, on a Saturday morning, I'm roasting chicken. With fresh garlic and thyme. And lemon pepper. And olive oil. And sea salt. It's making my mouth water.
We've been purchasing most of our food through Angel Food Ministries, and this month, there was a bag with chicken legs and thighs. While my boys (the biggest one included) are somewhat picky when it comes to chicken, and prefer the white-as-snow boneless, skinless breast meat, I wasn't going to let that much food go to waste.
So I'm roasting it. Did I mention the fresh garlic and thyme? And lemon pepper? And olive oil? And sea salt?
Then after I roast it, I'll meticulously pick the meat from the bones to use in other dishes, like chicken flautas. Or tacos. Or chicken salad sandwiches. Or chicken and dumplings.
You're drooling on your keyboard. Here's a napkin.
We've been purchasing most of our food through Angel Food Ministries, and this month, there was a bag with chicken legs and thighs. While my boys (the biggest one included) are somewhat picky when it comes to chicken, and prefer the white-as-snow boneless, skinless breast meat, I wasn't going to let that much food go to waste.
So I'm roasting it. Did I mention the fresh garlic and thyme? And lemon pepper? And olive oil? And sea salt?
Then after I roast it, I'll meticulously pick the meat from the bones to use in other dishes, like chicken flautas. Or tacos. Or chicken salad sandwiches. Or chicken and dumplings.
You're drooling on your keyboard. Here's a napkin.
3.18.2009
After drinking the green beer...
Not really, as the thought of green beer nauseates me. But I've been busy as the proverbial bee in my world, so you, my bloggy friends are in for a real treat.
In the interests of going green, I'm "recycling" an oldie, but a goodie. One of my first posts, and still one of my faves.
Originally aired in October 2006...
So, like many of you, I have several males in my life. After many hours of painstaking observation, I wanted to share an amazing discovery I have made. All males, regardless of age, share an affliction.
Male Pattern Blindness.
There is no other logical explanation for what goes on in my home, and others like it across the country. Allow me to share.
My darling husband, on his days off, has been known to grab the cordless phone, stand in front of the refrigerator, and ring me at work to ask me where the ketchup is. And I, being the person who put it away each and every time prior (another male syndrome to be addressed at a later date), can tell him with compass-like accuracy the exact coordinates where the ketchup is currently residing.
I know this is consistent throughout the gender. My sweet son #1 cannot, as a general policy, find his gym shoes in the morning even though we have a firm rule in our house that the gym shoes, backpack, and jacket go by the door before he goes to bed.
This in, in part, because "by the front door" is such a vague term. In my mind, "by the front door" is a specific location, limited to approximately two square feet of space near the coat hook. His interpretation is a bit broader, of course, and extends to the entire 24 square feet of the entryway, including underneath the hall table. He also doesn't share my seemingly logical assumption that said gym shoes should be placed together. So, of course, when he goes to look for the shoes, they may be under a table or separated in some fashion. Needless to say, this arrangement, in combination with his gender bias toward Male Pattern Blindness sets him up for almost certain failure in his search for shoes.
I hold little hope for baby son #2.
In the interests of going green, I'm "recycling" an oldie, but a goodie. One of my first posts, and still one of my faves.
Originally aired in October 2006...
So, like many of you, I have several males in my life. After many hours of painstaking observation, I wanted to share an amazing discovery I have made. All males, regardless of age, share an affliction.
Male Pattern Blindness.
There is no other logical explanation for what goes on in my home, and others like it across the country. Allow me to share.
My darling husband, on his days off, has been known to grab the cordless phone, stand in front of the refrigerator, and ring me at work to ask me where the ketchup is. And I, being the person who put it away each and every time prior (another male syndrome to be addressed at a later date), can tell him with compass-like accuracy the exact coordinates where the ketchup is currently residing.
I know this is consistent throughout the gender. My sweet son #1 cannot, as a general policy, find his gym shoes in the morning even though we have a firm rule in our house that the gym shoes, backpack, and jacket go by the door before he goes to bed.
This in, in part, because "by the front door" is such a vague term. In my mind, "by the front door" is a specific location, limited to approximately two square feet of space near the coat hook. His interpretation is a bit broader, of course, and extends to the entire 24 square feet of the entryway, including underneath the hall table. He also doesn't share my seemingly logical assumption that said gym shoes should be placed together. So, of course, when he goes to look for the shoes, they may be under a table or separated in some fashion. Needless to say, this arrangement, in combination with his gender bias toward Male Pattern Blindness sets him up for almost certain failure in his search for shoes.
I hold little hope for baby son #2.
3.17.2009
Happy HTML St. Paddy's Day!
May those who love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping!"
3.14.2009
Interview with the Star
This interview's been making it's way around the blogosphere and on Facebook. I started out trying to interview both boys, which rapidly degenerated into...well...I have two boys. Use your imagination.
Sweet Son #1 only half-heartedly participated. In his defense, though, he doesn't really understand blogs and doesn't know that his mom has one.
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Sweet Son#1: Turn the TV down.
2. What makes mom happy?
SS#1: The Manimal not destroying stuff for 10 months. (Where the "10 months" thing came from is beyond me. Personally, I've be thrilled if he went 10 minutes without destroying something!)
3. What makes mom sad?
SS#1: Oh, I don't know.
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
SS#1: Tickling her.
5. What was your mom like as a child?
SS#1: You never really told me. (Did I mention he wasn't really "into" the interview?)
6. How old is your mom?
SS#1: I think it's like 29 something? (Did I mention he's my favorite?) :)
7. How tall is your mom?
SS#1: Probably like 5 feet. (I'm nearly 5'10", for the record.)
8. What is her least favorite thing to do?
SS#1: Uhm...
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
SS#1: Go to work, mostly.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
SS#1: Being the director of a band. (This is funny. I was a band director in another lifetime, before SS#1 was even a glint in my eye!)
11. What is your mom really good at?
SS#1: Teaching us new songs. (I direct the children's choir at our church, in which SS#1 participates somewhat grudgingly.)
12. What is your mom not very good at?
SS#1: Using a saw. (Let it be known that I've NEVER used a saw in his presence. As a matter of fact, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've EVER used a saw!)
13. What does your mom do for her job?
SS#1: Event Planner
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
SS#1: Tacos (Sigh. Not really. We have them once a week in deference to my Mexican Diva Husband)
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
SS#1: Being nice.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
SS#1: Spongebob (I don't even know what to say to this.)
17. What do you and your mom do together?
SS#1: Bake cookies.
18. How are you and your mom the same?
SS#1: We're both human beings. (Thanks, Captain Obvious.)
19. How are you and your mom different?
SS#1: She's a girl and I'm a boy. (Again, my boy knows his stuff.)
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
SS#1: *Giggling* (I guess an 8 y/o doesn't want to think about love!)
21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
SS#1: IHOP (Oh sweet mercy. Again, in deference to the Diva Husband's love of pancakes, we go out for breakfast about once every few months.)
Sweet Son #1 only half-heartedly participated. In his defense, though, he doesn't really understand blogs and doesn't know that his mom has one.
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Sweet Son#1: Turn the TV down.
2. What makes mom happy?
SS#1: The Manimal not destroying stuff for 10 months. (Where the "10 months" thing came from is beyond me. Personally, I've be thrilled if he went 10 minutes without destroying something!)
3. What makes mom sad?
SS#1: Oh, I don't know.
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
SS#1: Tickling her.
5. What was your mom like as a child?
SS#1: You never really told me. (Did I mention he wasn't really "into" the interview?)
6. How old is your mom?
SS#1: I think it's like 29 something? (Did I mention he's my favorite?) :)
7. How tall is your mom?
SS#1: Probably like 5 feet. (I'm nearly 5'10", for the record.)
8. What is her least favorite thing to do?
SS#1: Uhm...
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
SS#1: Go to work, mostly.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
SS#1: Being the director of a band. (This is funny. I was a band director in another lifetime, before SS#1 was even a glint in my eye!)
11. What is your mom really good at?
SS#1: Teaching us new songs. (I direct the children's choir at our church, in which SS#1 participates somewhat grudgingly.)
12. What is your mom not very good at?
SS#1: Using a saw. (Let it be known that I've NEVER used a saw in his presence. As a matter of fact, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've EVER used a saw!)
13. What does your mom do for her job?
SS#1: Event Planner
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
SS#1: Tacos (Sigh. Not really. We have them once a week in deference to my Mexican Diva Husband)
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
SS#1: Being nice.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
SS#1: Spongebob (I don't even know what to say to this.)
17. What do you and your mom do together?
SS#1: Bake cookies.
18. How are you and your mom the same?
SS#1: We're both human beings. (Thanks, Captain Obvious.)
19. How are you and your mom different?
SS#1: She's a girl and I'm a boy. (Again, my boy knows his stuff.)
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
SS#1: *Giggling* (I guess an 8 y/o doesn't want to think about love!)
21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
SS#1: IHOP (Oh sweet mercy. Again, in deference to the Diva Husband's love of pancakes, we go out for breakfast about once every few months.)
3.13.2009
Keen-Wha?
Yum-O! I'm so in love. Tonight I made quinoa for the first time. If you haven't tried it yet, and you like rice and other grains, you must try quinoa.
I got an organic red quinoa and cooked according to package directions (much like cooking rice), then added mushrooms. It was soooo tasty. I'd also made green peas and discovered that mixing the peas with the quinoa and mushrooms was yummy.
Looking forward to trying more variations!
I got an organic red quinoa and cooked according to package directions (much like cooking rice), then added mushrooms. It was soooo tasty. I'd also made green peas and discovered that mixing the peas with the quinoa and mushrooms was yummy.
Looking forward to trying more variations!
3.11.2009
3.09.2009
Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming...
It rained in Chicagoland this weekend. And by rained, I mean monsooned.
Is that a word? Monsooned? As in past tense of monsoon? Yes, I realize the word's a NOUN, but people, if you were anywhere near our fair city this weekend, you'd know what I'm talking about.
Because it wasn't just rain. Rain implies spring. Rain implies growth. Rain is lovely, because it's not snow.
This, my friends, was torrential downpours. For two.whole.days.
It monsooned.
And "raining cats and dogs" didn't really describe it, because clearly, even Princess the Wonder Dog (her new name by the way, since she's long given up--at least I hope--being a Poopy Puppy) didn't really want to venture out. Well, that's not completely true. She ventured out a lot. I swear she went out sixteen times in one hour. For exactly forty-seven seconds each time.
Except for the last time. I made her stay outside for 10 minutes. She's a big girl. She can handle it.
Sweet Son #1 isn't a fan of storms of any kind, especially those that make the sky go green and make our weather radio go off twice in twenty minutes. Fortunately for him, it was only rain, rain, rain for us.
The Manimal was mostly curious about the water that was GUSHING from the sump tubing outside. Literally gushing. Our little sump pump earned its keep this weekend. Unlike a previous storm experience, our basement is nice and dry. Which is nice. I love a good thunderstorm, especially when it stays OUTSIDE.
Hope you stayed dry this weekend!
Is that a word? Monsooned? As in past tense of monsoon? Yes, I realize the word's a NOUN, but people, if you were anywhere near our fair city this weekend, you'd know what I'm talking about.
Because it wasn't just rain. Rain implies spring. Rain implies growth. Rain is lovely, because it's not snow.
This, my friends, was torrential downpours. For two.whole.days.
It monsooned.
And "raining cats and dogs" didn't really describe it, because clearly, even Princess the Wonder Dog (her new name by the way, since she's long given up--at least I hope--being a Poopy Puppy) didn't really want to venture out. Well, that's not completely true. She ventured out a lot. I swear she went out sixteen times in one hour. For exactly forty-seven seconds each time.
Except for the last time. I made her stay outside for 10 minutes. She's a big girl. She can handle it.
Sweet Son #1 isn't a fan of storms of any kind, especially those that make the sky go green and make our weather radio go off twice in twenty minutes. Fortunately for him, it was only rain, rain, rain for us.
The Manimal was mostly curious about the water that was GUSHING from the sump tubing outside. Literally gushing. Our little sump pump earned its keep this weekend. Unlike a previous storm experience, our basement is nice and dry. Which is nice. I love a good thunderstorm, especially when it stays OUTSIDE.
Hope you stayed dry this weekend!
3.04.2009
I Give Up!
So among other, more spiritual sacrifices, for Lent I gave up drinking pop and eating fast food. Anyone who knows me, even slightly, probably knows my affinity for Diet Coke. I've been a loyal DC fan since...well...college for sure. Never Diet Pepsi, Diet Rite or any other brand.
I actually took "The Pepsi Challenge" (remember that?) once in college at a mall and chose..you guessed it. Coke.
I'm not even a big fan of Coke Zero or Diet Coke with Splenda. Give me the full octane plain old Diet Coke any day. Well, until last week anyway. I've not had one in days, and you know what? I'm feeling pretty good. Haven't craved one at all!
Not completely true. I craved the fizz. The bubbles. The cold.
And I discovered that a cold Pellegrino with lemon does the trick! :)
So we're doing pretty well on that front. I've also managed to avoid any fast food for the last week. This was done more in support of Sweet Son #1, who made it his Lenten Sacrifice.
My water consumption is up, my fast food consumption is gone. I'll be a whole new woman in six weeks! :)
I actually took "The Pepsi Challenge" (remember that?) once in college at a mall and chose..you guessed it. Coke.
I'm not even a big fan of Coke Zero or Diet Coke with Splenda. Give me the full octane plain old Diet Coke any day. Well, until last week anyway. I've not had one in days, and you know what? I'm feeling pretty good. Haven't craved one at all!
Not completely true. I craved the fizz. The bubbles. The cold.
And I discovered that a cold Pellegrino with lemon does the trick! :)
So we're doing pretty well on that front. I've also managed to avoid any fast food for the last week. This was done more in support of Sweet Son #1, who made it his Lenten Sacrifice.
My water consumption is up, my fast food consumption is gone. I'll be a whole new woman in six weeks! :)
3.01.2009
Good Day!
I can remember visiting my Wisconsin grandparents when I was a child. For lunch, we would usually have leftovers from dinner the night before, accompanied by homemade pickles and some of the famous Wisconsin cheese (California cows ain't got nothing on those fabulous Wisconsin dairy-makers!).
During lunch, my grandma would turn on the radio, which would run the local agricultural report, the weather, and Paul Harvey.
Paul Harvey died yesterday at the ripe old age of 90.
His trademark phrases of "Stand by for news!" and "Now you know the rest of the story" punctuate my memory of those lunches with my grandparents. I don't have too many memories of listening to the radio at home, except for when my dad would listen to ball games out in the garage in the summer, but Paul Harvey will be forever associated with lunches at my grandparents' home.
My Papa died in 1990 and my Grandma, still very much alive, lives in a senior apartment complex. Paul Harvey's voice in their kitchen has been silenced for many years, but will always be alive in the ears of America.
Good Day, indeed.
During lunch, my grandma would turn on the radio, which would run the local agricultural report, the weather, and Paul Harvey.
Paul Harvey died yesterday at the ripe old age of 90.
His trademark phrases of "Stand by for news!" and "Now you know the rest of the story" punctuate my memory of those lunches with my grandparents. I don't have too many memories of listening to the radio at home, except for when my dad would listen to ball games out in the garage in the summer, but Paul Harvey will be forever associated with lunches at my grandparents' home.
My Papa died in 1990 and my Grandma, still very much alive, lives in a senior apartment complex. Paul Harvey's voice in their kitchen has been silenced for many years, but will always be alive in the ears of America.
Good Day, indeed.
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