Oh Tiny!!!

Do y'all have an elf?  We do, and he is ALL.  OVER.  THE PLACE!!!

Checking out the decor!

Ziplining

Hanging with our glitter deer.  .  .

Yahoo!!

Chilling with our B-A-B Rudolphs

Keeping us in line

Roasting marshmallows over our candle from Bethlehem

and.  .  .

Chilling in our cereal boxes!

It's hard to keep up with him really, I wonder what he will get into tonight?!!  The boys are up about 6:45ish every morning looking for him.  .  .I know they will be sad to see him go but I think I'll be ready for him to head home! ;)

http://www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org/donate.php

Hey Good Lookin'!

.  .  .what ya got cookin'??  I just had to share what is on my menu this week:

I'm trying this one out for a Candle Exchange Party tonight:

Source: somethingswanky.com via Melanie on Pinterest

.  .  .but first we'll be having this for dinner:

Source: recipenewz.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Then Thursday, I'm going to whip this up:

Source: between3sisters.com via Melanie on Pinterest

The last 2 are from Between 3 Sisters--they've got some great looking stuff on their site!

Last week I made this one:

Source: paleomg.com via Melanie on Pinterest

It was delicious!  I'll be trying it again soon with the grain free cauliflower rice!  Mine looked almost as pretty as hers did.

Busy week this week--what do you have going on?  Time is swiftly getting away from me and Christmas is almost here!  AHHHHHHH!

**disclaimer-this post comes on the end of a weekend filled with pizza, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets**

Haul Out The Holly. . .

Put up the tree before my--SPIRITS FALL AGAIN.  .  .
Ha--remember that one??  I do, one of my favs!  I do miss singing in Chorus, especially around Christmastime!

We got the decorations up last weekend-I decided to keep it simple this year.  Braelyn is all over the place and I don't want to have to constantly run interference between her and my decorations.  PLUS--I've had a lot of my stuff since we got married and I'm looking to "revamp"--I love the ideas on Pinterest but my stuff never turns out quite right.  I know one day I'll have everything exactly as I like it.  .  .and then I'll want to change it again, but this year I just really wanted to keep it simple!!!

So here goes:

Living Room-love that tree, the lights were a total pain 

Braelyn Gate

I thought I had a better pic of the mantle.  .  .it doesn't even look like this!
How do you like those Braelyn-proof stockings??

My little arrangement for my china cabinet, it changes every year

The kiddos before Breakfast with Santa this morning

We went to breakfast with Santa this morning and the kids had a great time!!  It's already been a long weekend with Daddy away. .  .but we have one more day!  Tomorrow is our trip to Build-A-Bear, the boys (mainly Camden) have been begging to go get a Rudolph and an Elf since their birthdays.  Then tomorrow night we will go to Journey to Bethlehem at SUMC, the boys just loved it last year.  It is very well done!  If you are local, come on out-tomorrow and Monday 6-8:30!

Reflection

Sometimes it's good to reflect!  I'm not sure why, but I just came across this old post.  I'm glad I did, I sort of needed to read it today!

Happy Saturday!

Crying it out, and other things. . .

*SIGH* Until Braelyn I never had a child that didn't sleep through the night.  On occasion the boys would wake if they were really sick, or had a bad dream--but that was it.  Right now, we are going on about 2 weeks of Braelyn waking up about 3 and then every 30 minutes or so after that.  We tried putting her in the bed, but honestly, she takes up more than Jason and I combined--and it's really not a good habit to get into.  When we were in Florida I let her cry it out once, I was in the room, I could see her and I knew she was fine-but when Daddy got there it was a no-go!!  He kept saying, she just sounds so upset.  .  .(insert eye roll here, she has him completely wrapped)
Last night I was DETERMINED that she would cry it out.  .  .She cried for 20 minutes and FINALLY gave it up.  You have to understand, she is VERY dramatic and really if you didn't know her better you would think she was in some real trouble in there.  I pretty much had to threaten Jason to stay put!!!  When she was all done, I went in to check on her and what does she do--SITS UP AND STARTS SCREAMING AGAIN (doh-smacking my head).  .  .oh well, I tried.  After that she woke up once more, cried for a second and went back off to sleep.  Here's my question--at what point to I take her to see if there is something wrong (i.e. ears??)??  I suspect she is teething, but I don't want to just keep doping her up.  She's really been waking about when her Motrin would be wearing off so that's a sign there is something going on right??  Okay, I'll give it to the end of the week.  .  .

Braelyn after the girls lost Trivial Pursuit on Thanksgiving-ha!

.  .  .other things.  .  .HOW DO YOU GET YOUR KIDS TO KEEP THEIR ROOMS CLEAN?  I've tried so many different methods, easy organizing things so that they can drop their stuff in buckets, or in a drawer, etc.  .  .but it's not working.  I go in and do a clean out about once every couple of weeks, throw things away, choose things to donate, etc-but the CRAP (and I do not use that term lightly) just multiplies!!  Camden has built in shelves and he displays EVERYTHING, his argument is "it's his room, technically he's correct but I get anxious every time I walk in there b/c of all of the crap.  Anxious & frustrated that everything I've worked so hard to make nice and neat is now a flipping mess again!  Do I just let it go and let him have his space, or do I stay worked up all the time trying to get him to keep it tidy??

Me and the Boys at Margaritaville for Evan's Birthday

Are y'all ready for Christmas?  I'm not.  .  .thinking about Braelyn and my decorations is exhausting and I haven't even lugged them out yet!!  :)  I've been trying to do things here and there this week to get me in the Christmas Spirit!

Pinning!!

As you know, I do love some Pinterest.  I've tried lots of different recipes and ideas from there and I try to post on FB or "repin" into my Tried it and Loved it board if it works for me.  Here are a few I've tried lately:

#1

Source: food.com via Melanie on Pinterest

This one wasn't my favorite, I think it has potential, maybe less velvetta and more cheddar.  Jason enjoyed it, which totally surprised me because I thought he would think it was bland!

#2

Source: rachelschultz.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!  I wouldn't say that this was "The World's Best Chicken"-but it was pretty darn good!!  A nice change from your ho hum every day chicken meal, and if you are careful not to over cook it (like I did) a very delightful meal!  I served with roasted potatoes, green beans, and corn (for the kids).

#3

Source: ourbestbites.com via Melanie on Pinterest

I think this has been my most successful & shockingly delicious Pin so far!  It was phenomenal, and healthy!  A real crowd pleaser (except mom because she doesn't like sweet potatoes or pumpkin).  I challenge you to step out of your box though--you can't really taste those two flavors.  I really made this for Jason because he loves sweet potatoes, I'm glad I did!

#4

Source: sohappytobehere.com via Melanie on Pinterest

So technically, I haven't tried this one yet.  It's on the menu for tomorrow!!  Yahoo!!  I'll let you know!!

What have you pinned lately??  Anything good?

From 0 to 4. . .

...in the blink of an eye!!!!!  Our little Evan turned 4 last week, and once again I just can't believe how fast these years have flown by!!  You are such a big boy now, and you have been through so many changes this year.  Your excitement for life blows me away!  I love watching you experience new things, I love that you are such a sweet and loyal friend to all of your buddies!!  Unlike your brother you are a social butterfly--you will tell everyone you meet what your name is, and how to spell it-along with what my name is (and that they can call me Ms. Melanie), your brother and sister's name and ages.  .  .remind me never to tell you any top secret information!

Where you Started!

First Christmas

 Evan, you love ALL heroes!  You love that your Daddy is a Seabee and you can't wait to be IronMan the Firefighter one day!!  In fact, we went to the Fire Station tonight with your brother's Tiger Cub Den and when all the 1st grade boys were saying how scary and weird the firefighter looked in his gear, you just stared in awe and whispered "He's awesome".  .  .I wish he could've heard you because it was the sweetest thing!

As you embark on this awesome 4th year I hope that you continue to love life, I hope that you never stop looking for my hand when we are walking together, and I hope that you continue to let your imagination provide your hours of entertainment!  We love you more than I could ever express in this blog post Evan!  Thank you for all of the joy you bring to our lives every day!!

4 Years Old!

Her Tear Ducts Grew 3 Sizes That Day

This morning one of my favorite radio personalities Jenn Hobby was discussing movies and tv shows that should be avoided during pregnancy.  For those of you who haven't been pregnant, you have to understand, any little thing will set you off-you will literally cry over killing a fly.  This got me to thinking though--because, I was definitely that way when I was pregnant-ask my mom, she was totally ready to kill me.  BUT listen ladies, it doesn't go away once that baby is out.  I swear, my tear ducts grew 3 times the day Camden was born.  Let me explain.  . .

So, first you should know, I don't like to cry in front of people--EVER!  Once I had kids though, it's like an uncontrollable phenomenon.  I cry over everything.  I've always been someone who chokes up at the National Anthem, it's true, you'll see me wiping my eyes at ball games or military events when they sing it---but put a flag in my kids hand and have him say the Pledge of Allegiance you might as well hand me an entire box of tissues  Something else that shocked me-I cry on their birthdays--it's true, EVERY SINGLE YEAR!  When the kids sing Happy Birthday-it's why I hate starting it at their parties because I'm usually totally choked up and can't get through the first line.  The first time I took the boys to the circus, I cried through the whole show.  The sheer excitement and joy on their faces.  . .OMG!  I've always cried at weddings, but the last one I attended (and was in by the way)-cried uncontrollably--WHAT??  I cry at romantic comedies, cute kids on tv, sappy commercials, songs that have a nice message, anything military, I mean--I probably cry at least once a day--and I'm generally a happy person.  I'd say for the most part, they are happy tears.  It's just something about becoming a mom-it changes your perspective on everything!

WOW-I realize for those who aren't mommies yet I've probably just made you SO EXCITED to enter my world-haha!  It really is great-you just turn into a total sap!!

7 Years Old!

Y'all--can you believe it's been 7 years??  I can't--7 years ago our lives changed forever, and I wouldn't change it back for anything!  My sweet Camden came bursting into this world 6 weeks early, I remember it as vividly as if it were yesterday--seriously, I'm crying as I type!  Every November 4th my mind wanders backwards, I ask myself--remember that entire pizza you ate?  remember how you just wanted to go to bed, but you had this feeling something wasn't right?  remember how you and jason vowed not to say anything to your parents b/c you didn't want to freak them out--then you accidentally gave the doctor your mom's number to call back?  how about the way you kept checking the clock while you were in triage that night b/c you knew you had a shower the next day and BOY were you going to be exhausted.  .  .heh heh heh--little did I know 3 days later you would be making your appearance!

Where we started!

Needless to say, I didn't make it to any of my showers.  Wait--no, I take that back, I made it to one shower!  I think we even considered having them after I came home from the hospital, but I couldn't bring myself to celebrate anything until I brought Camden home.  He stayed in NICU for 3 weeks, not long compared to others, but too long for me!  To this day I still hate the beeps of the monitors, and the word "brady" still makes my stomach turn.  (Sorry Brady Ratchford--your name is fine, it's just when it's used when referring to heart monitors--not like you are reading anyway).  Camden was a champ though--got up to 5 lbs and learned to eat and got to come on home with Mommy and Daddy the day after Thanksgiving!

A little bigger-this was the birth announcement pic

Fast Forward 7 years--WOW KID!!  We have watched you turn into such a sweet little boy!  Even though you pretend like you don't "love" being the big brother we know you do!  I've never had anyone complain about your manners, or your ability to follow the rules.  You charm everyone one you come in contact with, especially once they manage to make you smile!!  You don't make it easy to earn your real smiles, but once it's been earned you give them freely.  I love that you are eager to learn, and you are so proud to bring home good grades, and good citizen awards.  Besides the typical 7 year old activities you love playing with your baby sister, I know I can leave her with you (for a second) and she will be in good hands!  Even though your brother drives you nuts, you have a super soft spot in your heart for him, you always give in when you see that his sensitive side is coming out!  I would describe you as a cautious observer, however, you aren't the introvert that everyone thinks you are.  You are just shy, but much like your mommy, once you warm up to someone there is nothing shy about you!  Camden we couldn't have asked for a more perfect first born!  You bring us so much joy, and we love you so much.  We can't wait to see what your future holds for you!

Camden 7 Years Old-Flashing a "real smile"

Kindness Changes Everything

Someone REALLY smart posted that on Facebook a few months ago, it's so simple and so true.  As soon as I saw it I of course "liked" it, then I reposted it, then I took it one step further and decided I was going to let this be in the FRONT of my mind as I deal with others every day.

 So.  .  .today I had the opportunity to volunteer at Camden's school.  I love being involved at the kids' schools and I'm able to be at Evan's preschool a lot more the Elementary school because I always have Braelyn in tow and the preschool usually has some awesome girls in the nursery that help me with her.  Also, B can be a bit of a distraction in the classroom, which is where I would typically be if I went to the elementary school.  ANYWAY, so I was glad that I was going to be able to help at 10:30 this morning at the school.  So when I walk in it appears everything has been taken care of--there was someone already doing the "running" and apparently another lady arrived early to get started on the "bagging" part of the job.  No problem, obviously I wouldn't be running because I did have the stroller so I tried with all my might to help with "bagging". .  .I mean, I was there at the time specified and I wanted to help.  Long story short I was basically (in front of the principal mind you) told I wasn't needed and I could just go.  .  .I mean, unless I "just wanted to stay".  I know what you are all thinking, awesome-everything is done.  Sure it was nice to be able to walk back home (I walked b/c it was a pretty morning), but listen people--my time is just as valuable as the next person.  IF for some reason the plan changed maybe an email to let the other 2 people know would be nice (or the one person since clearly I was the only one out of the loop).  Or maybe you say "I have somewhere to be, do you mind taking over here"--OR I KNOW I KNOW--THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.  I honestly walked out not wanting to go back.  Now, I know that this lady probably did have somewhere to be, and I'm sure it was never her intention to make me feel like a total loser--but she did.  If we could all just take notice of our words, our tone, our actions we could all make a difference for someone.

I'm sure there was a reason that I was put in this situation.  I deal with volunteers a lot at the preschool, maybe I've made them feel bad a time or two.  Perhaps I should be more patient with my kids (I think we all know I should be more patient with my kids).  Maybe I should choose my words more carefully when dealing with people.  Like I said, I know there's a lesson, I am not perfect.  For now I will start with remembering daily that "kindness changes everything".

Aren't these 2 just too much? 

Happy Anniversary Windsor Creek!

So, I can't believe it but it's been a year since we moved into our new home!  I guess that means it's not really "new" so much, but we haven't exactly put our mark on it yet either.  I have to be honest, I'm not the best at decorating.  I try, I do, but I just don't have the gift.  I have TONS of ideas, but my heart starts pounding when I go onto Pinterest and see things that I love b/c I stress out over how I'll get them all done.  .  .for free--haha, wishful thinking!

To celebrate I decided to take you on a little tour of the downstairs.  Again, we've done nothing in the way of painting, and the curtains were already there.  Jason and I are slow on the uptake, we can never make a decision on color, and until my children decide to stop destroying my furniture we won't be doing anything with that either.  The house is kind of a mess, I took these pics on a whim last week--which was a whirlwind of pastor meetings, pumpkin patch visits, football, and cub scouts!  

had to try my new "panorama" function-family room, and kitchen

dining room, see the art, I did that--oh yes I did.  .  .Jason hates it

kitchen

"formal" living room, yea--right

Eventually we'll get around to painting, and maybe I'll even take some pics of the upstairs.  Camden has told the neighbors his room is "peach", it's not--but clearly he hates the color!  We have done the baby's room, so I guess it's only fair that we paint the boys' rooms as well!  I'm sure we'll find some time.  .  .eventually.  .  .to do something.  .  .anything :)

I need an opinion. . .

So--this year our family has decided NOT to do a big birthday bash in November.  It was getting to be too much, and honestly I think the boys are ready to just do their own thing for their birthdays.  .  .or at least one of the boys is!!

Camden's birthday is up first and he has decided that he wants to take a couple of friends to the movies.  I am totally cool with that, but.  .  .refreshments are EXPENSIVE!!!  I mean, taking just one friend to the movie could cost me almost the same as a birthday party!  I got the idea of putting together a little goody bag for each kid with some popcorn and candy--don't judge, you know you've done it too.  I was then going to buy the kids drinks at the movies.  .  .but even drinks are pricey.  .  .What would you do?  I was thinking that I could put a little mini soda in each goody box, but is that just wrong??  I mean, it's already $10 per kid to get into the movie.  I'm not complaining about taking friends, I'm complaining about the outrageous price of popcorn, candy, and a fountain beverage at the movie theatre.  Is it unethical for me to sneak our own goodies in??  Would you at least buy SOMETHING from the refreshment stand?

What if I purchased a large popcorn and large drink?  Split up the popcorn between the kids and still brought in our soda and candy?  Still wrong?  I don't know.  .  .I'm pretty conflicted, I'm a rule follower you know.  .  .

WHAT WOULD YOU DO????

We've Got Big News!!

B is on the move!!!!  I'll be honest, these weren't her first steps-but when she did stand up (all on her own) and started walking the first time I didn't have time to grab my phone!  She's walking more and more each day, but for the most part she just prefers to crawl or be carried to where ever it is she wants to go!

Okay--so I know this video is sideways, I always forget to turn it when I'm taking video!!  Also, that's 2 posts in one day people.  .  .of course we've got no where to go---see bullet point #6 in our previous post!!

You Never Stop Learning!

Here are some things I've learned lately:

1-I enjoy driving a minivan and I make it look cool.  Not many people are comfortable enough with their awesomeness to learn this.  .  .I can't wait to get a minivan

2-Party City is NOT a good place to go with your 3 year old when they are gearing up for Halloween.  I would narrow this down to say just MY 3 year old but while we were there I heard lots of cries and declarations of "I want to go now, I don't want a costume anymore"

3-Running skirts are so cool, but don't wear them when it's windy.  ESPECIALLY if you don't have built in short underneath.

4-Just because your music is too loud and you can't hear your joints clicking when you run doesn't mean that they aren't.  .  .take some ibuprofen when you are done running.

5-Decorating for Halloween is just as challenging as decorating for Christmas--I just don't have a natural talent for making things look good.  (unless I'm trying to make driving a minivan look good, and then well, you know.  .  .)

6-Sometimes being stuck at home with 3 kids and no vehicle can be a relief.  No pressure, no worries, just hanging out!

That's it, I've got some exciting news coming, I just have to get it together!!  Happy Monday!

I Feel Like I Should Say Something. . .

I just don't have much to say at the moment.  .  .I know--weird!  Honestly, I'm not much of a small talker and sometimes my day to day just seems boring and uneventful!  So if I don't post it's either b/c I'm so busy I can't think straight, or it's b/c there's simply not much happening!

We definitely had a busy September.  Evan started school, I had my first stint of being the PTA Treasurer during his preschool consignment sale--thankfully we've got a great team and my part of it was not as intimidating as I thought it was going to be!  Braelyn has been sick at least twice--she's currently running a fever, but thankfully sleeping at the moment.  Evan started and ended soccer.  Camden started Boy Scouts and flag football (last week), and he's almost completed his first 9 weeks of first grade.  I've popped a toe on my right foot.  . .and had to end my running until I can figure out what's going on with this old body--haha!  Let's see, let's see.  .  .I mean, really--that's it!!  I've been told my facebook posts are not up to par, so I've been working on that.  I have lots of video of Braelyn NOT walking, she'll get there--no rush!!  Jason and I just had a much needed kid free weekend.  The boys went camping with Nana and Mopa and Braelyn spent the weekend with Grandma & Papa.  We caught up on a few chores and SLEEP!!  We did get to finally try our new local restaurant The Graft and it was FAN-TAS-TIC!  I can't wait for my next visit!!

That's really it people--it's all I've got!!

Throwing in the Towel. . .

.  .  .Pulling the Plug.  .  .we had to do it-we had to pull Evan out of soccer this weekend.  He has been unhappy with it since his very first practice.  I'm not one to let my kids quit--I'm really not.  This was a very tough decision for me, I hate when people pull their kids out of stuff just b/c they whine or say they don't like it.  We have tried everything with this one, bribery, making it a "different game"-I told him to pretend he was spying on the ball when he wasn't kicking it, making sure it goes in the right direction, I've asked him to just sit on the bench and hang with his buddies-after all part of being on a team is camaraderie right?  He had no interest in any of it. .  .

  

I mean--this is how he spent his games, and for those of you who know Evan, you know this is out of character.  He did participate in one practice, but we took his OWN ball.  They played games--which he LOVED--but he yelled at anyone who came near his ball.  .  .uh sharing issues??  geez kid!  Of course he won all of the games b/c no one would go near his ball for fear he would beat them up!  So.  .  .we pulled the plug.  .  .it wasn't worth having to drag him there every time to have him cry, and have the coaches trying everything to get him on the field.  Most of the time it's just me b/c games are kind of early on week nights and Jason has been out of town the past 2 weekends--it's just too much!  Do I think he's too young?  NO--I really don't-so please please please don't tell me he is.  The hardest part is he really was pretty good at kicking that ball, and he really does love to play--he just couldn't figure out how to mesh with his team.  He loved t-ball and I'll let him play again, but for now we'll just watch Camden play flag football and kick the soccer ball on the sidelines.  .  .

Tuesday after Labor Day

YAY!  YAY!  YAY!!  The first day of preschool is here!  Evan has been asking when it's his turn to go to school since Camden started at the beginning of August!  I am super excited for this new year--I know he's going to have a blast.  He has a wonderful teacher, and a class full of his friends-even more exciting than that -he has GERBILS in his class.  I'm super excited that they will STAY in his class-haha!!  It's bittersweet that this is his last year at SUMC, but B will be gracing the halls next year so we've still got a few more good years there!

First Day-he insisted on his "cool seabee shorts"

Hanging with his buds!  He found his name and got to it!

Regarding my pot roast.  .  .I'm really bad at pot roast.  I don't know if I just pick up the wrong cut of meat, or if I just don't prep it right--I'm open to suggestions!  That being said-this recipe was really very good.  Jason loved it!  You have to thicken the sauce so when I pulled the meat out I just cut it up in chunks-it did not fall apart as you would expect it to!  I did use the ranch packet in the grits, I wouldn't do that again, I think they are fine just cooked in chicken broth and cheese!

Until next time.  .  .

This Really isn't a Cooking Blog

It really isn't.  .  .BUT--I'm trying another Pinterest recipe tonight and I wanted to share!!  I've been dying to try this ever since I pinned it, but the weather just hasn't been right!!  It's kind of gloomy, and it's September, so even though you could cut the thick humid air outside with a knife I'm going to go for it!!!

Source: plainchicken.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Doesn't that look DE-LISH-OUS??  I know!!  I may not do the "ranch" part of the grits, it seems a little strange.  .  .other than that I'm not changing anything.  I was going to serve with creamed spinach, but I'm thinking steamed broccoli might be better-just b/c it already seems like such a rich meal.

I'll report back with my findings tomorrow!  Evan is FINALLY starting school and we are ALL.  VERY.  EXCITED!!

RESULTS

Alright--so the results are in and dinner was.  .  .okay.  .  .

It was just okay, but we did clean the dish out--so.  .  .it must've been pretty good.  I put together a panel of experts to test this dish out--my experts are all good at eating, and they all love to eat good food.  We were already critiquing it before I pulled it out of the oven.  There were some frantic group texts going back and forth--due to the amount of water in the dish.  I was expecting some, but not quite as much as what I saw when I turned on the oven light!!  Adam assured me that it would reconstitute once I pulled it out to cool, and it sort of did!  I served with a slotted spoon.  .  .

The next thing we noticed is that it definitely needed more salt, and we all like a "saucier" lasagna.  SO.  .  .maybe next time we will drain the tomatoes and add in some spaghetti sauce.  Also, next time I would cut the broccoli even more--the bites were a bit large, and I would add more of the yogurt/goat cheese mixture.  Dad suggested I salt the zucchini and squash next time too and let it sit to absorb some of the water, and Mom suggested adding some italian sausage or fennel.

The last thing I changed was I used moz, parm, and some goat cheese on the top.  I like cheese.  :)

SO--with all of that being said, it was good and I would make it again--with some of the above changes.  I'm sure this makes it no longer paleo or good for you, but whatever.

Before it went in the oven

This was the photo I snapped of my "water" issue!

Super Excited. . .

.  .  .about trying this for dinner tonight!!

Source: whatrunslori.com via Melanie on Pinterest

I'm not paleo or gluten free--my brother, for the most part, sticks to a paleo diet and Jason and my Dad are gluten free.  When mom found this recipe the other day I decided it would be perfect for Family Dinner!!  Doesn't it look delicious, I mean to everyone except my children and possibly my girlfriend Jessica??  I might make a few mods, I'll let you know how it turns out!

*disclaimer, it's my understanding that this dish isn't truly paleo b/c it contains dairy, she does offer modifications on how to take the dairy out for those of you who are gung ho!!

DINNER!

Isn't dinnertime so fun.  .  .ours is typically a lot of work for about 5 minutes of eating and LOTS AND LOTS of whining!  :)  I've done a few things to try and help alleviate my dinnertime aggravation:

1-you are not allowed to say you don't like something before you have tried it, honestly, this rule doesn't work--my kids can tell you they don't like something before you've even gotten the answer to "what's for dinner" out of your mouth :)
2-no talk of treats until dinner is over--and if you had breakfast for dinner or chicken nuggets.  .  .then that was your treat
3-when you are done with your meal you may either sit and have conversation with the family, or you may go to your room and play quietly until we are all done
I'm sure this last one seems harsh, but I found that if one of the boys got up and regained control over the TV the other would immediately be done and even though he really was eating.  Also, ONE of my children will start eating if he sits there long enough and gets distracted from the fact that "he doesn't like anything" on his plate.

These rules and attempting to have everyone's plates on the table before I call them to sit down--this avoids the: "where's mine??" and "I don't want (insert any food you can think of here) on my plate"--is how I try to control the madness.  Generally by the time I get everyone settled and finally sit down with my own plate everyone else is getting up.  This is not actually what I had envisioned my family meals to be.  I had always imagined that we would all sit down together and have stimulating and deep conversations all while enjoying a healthful delicious home cooked meal.....
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!  Yea, right!  Does anyone else have this problem??  Well, today I remembered that I had pinned something on Pinterest a few months or so ago-and even as I pinned it I thought--I'll never do this, it's a great idea, but I'll never get it done.  GUESS WHAT--today I had a few minutes so I decided to give it a go:

Source: howdoesshe.com via Melanie on Pinterest

What is it you ask??  Simple, it's a jar full of questions!  I didn't even have to come up with the questions myself--this fabulous lady has lists and lists of them!  I took the first 2 lists, cut them up--filtered them a bit b/c we are dealing with a 6 year old and a 3 year old, and put them in a jar!  Camden really got into it tonight.  I made him wait until we were all sitting and then he got to choose one.  Since it was our first night, I let Evan choose one too.  I might let them both pull one out each night, we will see.  Honestly, Evan didn't really get it--but it doesn't take him long to catch onto this stuff so I think a week or so and he'll be all into it too!  I will keep you posted on how it goes--some questions are just fun, some make you think, and some dig a little.  I want something to get us all focused on each other--and also it's good for them to learn to have a conversation at meal time instead of just making fart noises and gagging over their (insert any food you can think of here).  .  .

For the record.  .  .2 nights in a row people.  .  .just sayin'

ALREADY??

Yep, I'm already behind.  .  .to those of you who really know me, this isn't a shock--I'm usually running about 5 steps behind anyway, so it's fitting that I'm behind on blogging as well!

Since I was last here, we had a birthday party for B and Camden started school!  I think he's really enjoying it, and the days have quickly flown by!  I've been much more productive (except of course with my blog), and even started running again!  YAHOO!!  Hopefully I'll get back to more regular posting soon--I know all of my many followers anxiously await these posts! ;)

In the meantime. . .here's what we've been up to:

Finally got our lock on this cabinet, but Lord she still goes for it!

Evan helping me clean his bathroom!

B is packin'--watch out!

B's birthday gift from Mommy & Daddy off on her Maiden Voyage

Camden's first day of first grade--I choke up every time I think of how fast the time has flown!

Finally got Evan's airplanes up, now if I could just get some paint on the walls...