Tuesday, June 30, 2009
On holidays
Well, the time has come for us to head up to Northern Ontario for our annual summer getaway. Thrilled, the Wee Ladies are running around aimlessly, putting in time as they knock over plants, make forts, and surprise birthday parties for their stuffed animals. As cute as this is, it makes packing and organizing harder and more last minute. I will be offline for a while. But the great news is that Nenny With Twins will be on the site periodically working her magic. Love her. Thanks to her. I will be checking emails occasionally when I am not hanging out with the bears and loons.  I am already a hairy beast in the nether regions and can't wait to see how beastly I will be after 10 days of not brushing my hair or shaving. There will be bathing suits but only with a pair of boxer shorts over top. I should be packing. Haven't started and am hoping to leave in a couple hours. This is when my multi-tasking abilities are truly tested. There will be no July Who's DDM until my return mid-month. Sorry about that. But I am sure to have some good material when I get home. Keep coming back to see what Nenny With Twins is up to. Insert air horn now.... (HONK!)  Have to keep the bears away. All's I'm sayin's all. Labels: Announcements, Nenny with Twins
Monday, June 29, 2009
Understanding toddlerese
As I was at the sink washing up the dishes this afternoon, Hubby was on our back patio with the Wee Ladies. I had just put some toys back in the toy chest. With my back to the action, I heard:
Spark Plug: Where's my horsey, Daddy?
Hubby: Your horsey?
Spark Plug: Yeah! My horsey!
Hubby: Hmmmm. Your horsey...
Not looking and assuming Hubby didn't know what he or Spark Plug was talking about because I am a mom and am fluent in toddlerese, I piped up without thinking twice:
DDM: It was right in here beside the toy chest. Her purple My Little Pony horsey was on the floor and I just threw it in the chest a second ago.
Hubby: No, that's not her horsey.
DDM: Oh? Well, what is her horsey?
Spark Plug: Horsey! My horsey! Neigh! Neigh!
Hubby: It's my 9 iron.
Of course it is. I should have known better. I may be fluent in the interpretation of the toddlerese language but I clearly have some difficulty understanding its meaning.
Just like when The Destroyer asks for a coffee, which really means "I want another hit of juice." Her drug is sugar; mine is caffeine.
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS Click here to check out my column at Scarlett Lounge. Labels: DDM, Hubby, Spark Plug, The Destroyer
Friday, June 26, 2009
Life's a beach. Today.
It is officially summer holidays. School is done and the Wee Ladies are home with me now full time, without breaks, every waking second, no childcare until September. I am torn. One the one hand, I am excited because we get to do lots of fun stuff. On the other hand, I think about how insanely insane I am bound to feel at times with them all running circles around me, all the time. We got our summer off to a good start today. And if we can keep the momentum, we will be fine. I know. It's only been a day. Give it time, you say.
We went to the strawberry patch this morning. Good fun. Like last year, they trampled over the rows of berries, ate all the rotten ones on the ground, and stained their shirts. But hey, at least they will be regular. The Destroyer was found helping out all the elderly folks picking their berries for their freezer jam. She would head over to their baskets and help herself to their fresh picks.
We then made a trip to the beach. I put all 3 Wee Ladies in their life jackets before they even left the van. We took all of our stuff and picked a spot to plant ourselves. The Wee Ladies ran around, made sand castles, played in the waves, and threw rocks in the water. My favourite part? Watching them chase seagulls. Spark Plug announced, "Attack! Attack!" She threw a fist in the air and jetted off after the birds sounding like a rocket launching. The Destroyer follows the seagulls all over the beach; up the hill towards the parking lot, onto the rocks, across other people's blankets with her sand covered Crocs, and up onto the picnic table. She is my loose cannon. EvieG enjoyed the waves and was much easier to watch. She stayed on the shoreline making castles.
We had a visit from friends tonight and we piled the kids into our vehicles and headed for the park. The kids ran around and played for an hour or so and had a blast while we adults talked and got caught up. It was a great visit.
The Destroyer had to bow out of this event as we skipped her afternoon nap. She made it all the way until about 6:30 when she finally crashed at home with Hubby. I think I will try to stick to this new summer schedule of no naps for her. Because if she can make it until that time and go to bed to sleep all night, well then I am all over it. No more of this staying up and running around until 9:00.
I like this summer gig so far. The only issue I can see is keeping the house clean and staying on top of everything that comes with a family of five. Because if we are so busy soaking up the summer sun, then everything else will go into a tailspin. I have to develop a new summer routine. One that breaks up the chores even more. And maybe Hubby will have to help out with some of it in the evening.
We are going away next week. Up north to our annual vacation spot in the northern Ontario wilderness. Hubby is only taking a couple of days off and then driving home. My MIL is staying with us for the rest of the trip. We can't wait. We love it up there. 5 more sleeps.
Right now I am feeling all warm and fuzzy about summer holidays.
Ask me how I feel about it in a few weeks.
All's I'm sayin's all.
Labels: Family, Fun
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Spark Plug turns on her Blue Steel
Spark Plug calls herself 'big'. She told me the other day how she wants to be big all the time, not little. She is feeling more independent, confident, and proud. This is great and we really saw it today in her nursery school graduation celebration.
Last year she had an end of year celebration at the pre-school she went to. Her class went up on stage and sang their little number. Spark Plug freaked out the entire time while on stage. She stood centre-stage with her arms sticking out straight towards me wailing like I was leaving her there forever. There was so much water streaming down her cheeks that it blurred the bumble bee make up. She was telling me through her panicked breaths that I had clearly put her in an uncomfortable situation and shame on me for making her stand up there.
How the tides have turned.
During today's ceremony, Spark Plug was one step away from performing Zoolander's Blue Steel.  She was on fire, magical, magnificent. I have have never seen a kid work a camera like she did today. She strutted out onto the stage glowing. She beamed at us, clapped her hands, and skipped an extra skip. She sat down in her chair in the front row and enthusiastically smiled her biggest smile to show her pearly whites that she had checked during her first trip to the dentist yesterday. Her little piggy tails wee bouncing as she did the actions for their songs. But before she started getting involved in her performance, her teachers had to capture her attention. Away from the cameras. There she was, sitting in her chair, posing. She was eating it up! I heard the teachers call her name and finally, she took her eyes away from the lens and began the show of her life, singing and actions complete. She received her little certificate. When her name was called, she got up from her chair, walked proudly to her teacher, took the paper, and turned to the camera. In one swift movement, she turned on the smile and looked for the flash. She was complimented by many after the ceremony.
What do I do with this? I am oozing with pride that she is gaining confidence but am scared silly at the same time. Where did this come from? Who told her to turn it up like that? What is it in her that makes her love the stage and flash so much? For a child who is usually quite shy and prickly, it leaves me wondering.
She is growing so quickly. Really. She is even complaining that her legs hurt every now and then. She ate 2 grilled cheese sandwiches, 4 baby carrots, 4 pieces of cucumber, and 2 servings of blueberries for lunch yesterday. Her feet are gigantic. Her legs long. I think she is going to be taller than me, judging by her feet alone, like you would predict the size of a puppy based on its paws.
I am not one to encourage the starlet in them. But as of today this kid seems to have some natural starlet in her. We will just have to make sure that she uses her ability to love the stage and camera for the better. Not in a Miley Cyrus sort of way. Because there is no way that I want the Wee Ladies to go anywhere near that whole 'kid star's are cool' mentality.
I just want them to be them. Even if they are making up their own version of Blue Steel.
All's I'm sayin's all.
Labels: Spark Plug
Monday, June 22, 2009
Camping in Real Life
At the request of some, I am writing the follow up to EvieG's camping trip. Click here to read about how she graduated Kindergarten and left for two nights away on her own all in one day. She had a great time, but it wasn't without incident.
EvieG left on Friday evening for a weekend away with the Girl Guides. They slept in a bunkhouse, shared in cleaning duties, sang songs, and did lots of crafts. It was a true camping experience in a team environment. She wants to do it again.
They split them into groups. They were in the same group all weekend. They stayed together and even sat next to each other at the table. Each group was looked after by one adult leader.
There was a girl in EvieG's group who has behavioural issues. I did not know this until we picked her up on Sunday. While EvieG was trying to enjoy her first ever camp experience, she was bullied by this girl on more than one occasion. She was pushed a few times; into the bushes and onto the ground. She was choked by this girl. Twice. Once was hard, but the second time she said she had a hard time breathing. Her spot at the table was next to this girl. Not only was she repeatedly bullied, but she was made to sit with her during meals. This girl was given a time-out for 'about a half hour' as discipline.
When we got out of the van at the camp, a little girl came running to me and squealed, "Ask EvieG about getting choked!" I thought, What? What kind of camping trip was this? I asked one of the leaders to fill me in on what this little girl was referring to. She told me that indeed EvieG was choked and that this girl was disciplined. She also told me that she had been a problem all year; that there was a discussion among the leaders whether or not to even let this child participate in the trip. And EvieG was in the wrong place at the wrong time?
We are in the process of following up with the leaders.
1. Why was the child allowed to attend when she has a history of behavioural problems? 2. Why was she not sent home after she was violent with EvieG the first time? 3. Why were they not split up and put into different groups?
I fear for EvieG's safety. I am upset that this could have soured EvieG's perception of camping. I am disappointed that there was a lack of firm action taken with this child, who was obviously a threat to other kids. I am disappointed that there was a discussion about this child prior to the trip and the decision was to let her participate. I am upset that it takes one child to ruin it for someone else.
I think EvieG will want to participate again next year. But only if this child is not going to be a part of it. If she is, then I will keep EvieG home. She enjoyed the time away and said she didn't want to come home. She wanted to stay. I am happy she can cope and move on. Good for her.
It made me very uneasy and all I can do is follow up and express my concern to those in charge. Because if the safety of a child is put at risk by another child, well then, to me it is an easy decision.
Keep the problem child away.
All's I'm sayin's all. Labels: Battle, EvieG
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Strawberries+butter tarts=this year's challenge
My mom is here visiting us for a few days. We are all happy to have her and are enjoying our visit. I am spending quality time with her and will therefore be off the radar until next week. I apologize for the lack of new posts, but I will post a few from the archives. Today's selection is U-Pick, a hit from last July. Strawberry season is upon us. My mom brought us 4 containers yesterday and they are almost all gone. She also brought homemade butter tarts. Last year I attempted to make jam. It was a frustrating experience but I came out with a satisfactory batch. This year, EvieG has requested strawberry tarts, thanks to Grandma bringing the strawberries and the butter tarts. I don't know. I had a hard enough time with jam, let alone getting all fancy with jellied tarts. But who cares how they turn out, right? I would make them solely for bragging rights. 10 years from now, she will be sitting with her friends comparing notes about their mothers. And she will recall proudly, "My mom totally did everything from scratch. She used to make like the yummiest strawberry tarts. She was like huge into cooking in season, you know? And those tarts were to die for!" I will have done my job well; convincing beyond a reasonable doubt that everything was like totally homemade. What she won't remember is Tenderflake and strawberry Jello with frozen berries mixed in, cooked at 35o degrees for 10 minutes. With a heaping pile of ReddiWip on top.   All's I"m sayin's all. Wednesday, July 9, 2008 U-Pick I have never canned anything in my life. I just eat the preserves of my Mom and MIL. This year, I decided to do something myself. We are strawberry freaks, so I decided I would make my first batch of strawberry jam. I took the Wee Ladies to the strawberry patch. Luckily for me, a friend of mine came along with her daughters. This meant more eyes on the Wee Ladies. We got there, grabbed our baskets and went to work. The girls picked randomly along the rows. I was slow and precise. My girlfriend is a strawberry picking machine. She was half a row ahead of me at all times. EvieG was also precise and when she brought me her basket, I noticed she had already picked off all the green stems. She presented them to me like they should have been on a plate with chocolate sauce dabbled across them. Cut and prepared. Ready to serve. Spark Plug spent most of the time trampling over the plants, picking berries, and then placing them in her basket only to remove them to her mouth. She left with an empty basket and a full tummy. The Destroyer picked up the mushed berries from in between the rows and ate them. She left with dirty fingers, a dirty face, a full tummy, and a possible illness. She came out unscathed.  We took them home and I put the flat on the counter. I stared at it for a day, deciding if in fact I was really going to tackle this whole jam-thing. I went out and bought the jars. I then needed the Pectin crystals. I was looking at the options. There was the regular Certo, the Certo Light, and the new No Sugar Needed Certo. Hmmmmmm......The regular is like spreading several cavities on your toast. The light is, well, a couple of cavities, and the no sugar version is a little added unsweetened apple juice. That was probably the best choice for the kids. The healthiest choice by far.  I got up Saturday morning all hell-bent on making the best batch of jam ever. Better than Grandma's. And I had this new, healthy way of doing it too. No extra sugar needed. Jam's best kept secret that no on knew about, except me. I washed the berries and took the stems off. I heated the jars and lids. I squashed the berries and measured them according to the recipe. I added the juice and the crystals. I cooked them for 3 minutes and stirred until all was dissolved. I ladled the jam into the jars and sealed them. I labeled the lids and waited for them to 'pop' to tell me I was better than Grandma. I proudly displayed the jars full of healthy red goodness for all to see. I let it sit and settle for 24 hours.  During this process I had to deal with 2 hungry crying babies. I had to prepare lunch, stir, and ladle all at the same time. I was a stressed out, multi-tasking monster. There was jam everywhere, jars everywhere, and snot everywhere. And my whispies were fully flying. What I forgot to do in this jam session was the most important, vital thing that all Grandma's do when cooking. Taste the stuff. I missed this part. But at least I followed the recipe to a tee. That is one thing I never do. But I did this time. Sunday morning rolls in and I, proud mom, 'pops' open my first jar of strawberry jam ever. Hubby was there for my inauguration into the "Mommy Who Can Can" club. I put in my teaspoon and all cocky like, scooped out a heaping mouthful, opened my mouth and....."Oh, my god. That's......not good.....oh, man, that...is...in...need....of...some...major....SUGAR." I was so devastated. Hubby took a bite and said, "Ummmmm, that's.....pretty bad. You know, we aren't diabetic. We don't need the no sugar version. You should have just made the real stuff. Like Grandma." CRAP! Ya, like Grandma. I composed myself, tasted it again, and added several teaspoons of sugar. Ahhhhh, that was better. My ego was popped along with the lids on the jam jars. I thought I had moved up the crafty mommy chain by making some real homemade jam, on-the-stove-from-scratch. Just like Grandma. But I totally botched it. Like my $12.80 in strawberries, I was crushed. So my diabetic Father-in-Law is now a proud new owner of 8 jars of unsweetened strawberry jam.  There was no reason AT ALL to divert from Grandma's way. There is something to be said about the classic baked goods we grew up with. It is real. It is pure. There was none of this no sugar bulls#*t. Why did I think I had to get all on my high horse thinking that my kids would be any healthier because they had a teaspoon of no-friggin-sugar-strawberry-jam on their toast? Whatever, I say to myself. I should have put in the darn sugar and done it right the first time. Don't chince on the good stuff. I make my cookies from scratch and I always use real butter, sugar, and chocolate. As some guy on the Food Network said, "Make it like Grandma's."  So I will. I went out to the strawberry patch yesterday. Instead of picking them myself, I bought the flat this time. I paid more, but it was worth avoiding the gigantic headache of monitoring the Wee Ladies in the field. I am going to do it right this time. With some sugar..and maybe a couple extra teaspoons just to make it extra sweet. The above picture is what I used the first time around. Under it is what I should have used the first time around.  It's like I'm all 17 again rebelling against Grandma. Trying to prove that my way was the best way. Only to learn that I was wrong again. As I have heard a million times, "You should always listen to your mother." I'm 33 and it still hasn't sunk in. Will the Wee Ladies do the same thing to me? All's I'm sayin's all. Labels: Battle, DDM, Family, Hubby Comments: Labels: Reflection
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Public Washroom Intolerance
There is nothing I dislike more than public restrooms. They are germ harbouring stations that keep illnesses spreading like wildfire. I have three Wee Ladies with small bladders. Having to take them into a public washroom always gives me the hee-bee-gee-bees.
I can be a bit of a germ freak. I hate constant sickness. And with three kids, I do everything in my power to avoid illness. Not only because it means discomfort for the Wee Ladies, but more because it makes my life a living hell for a few days. I like to be on my best game, you know.
A trip to the public washroom consists of several dozen, "Don't touch anything!" And "Don't touch that! Ah, ah, ah, ah, no!" I lead them into the stall. I look in all unoccupied cubicles before selecting the cleanest one. I practically put the Wee Ladies in between my legs to guarantee they don't put their hands anywhere gross. I slather the seat with thousands of layers of toilet paper, covering every inch of the seat. I don't trust toilet seat covers. They never work. They are too loose; too unpredictable. I pick up the child, place her on the seat, and place her hands in her lap so her fingers don't go over the edge of the seat and touch the bowl. They do their business. I then pick them up to put them back together again. I flush the toilet. With my foot. I barely touch the latch to open and lock the stall door. I usually use my shirt. If it is a short-sleeved shirt I use the bottom of my t-shirt.
We get to the sinks and wash our hands. I cringe if they are not sensored. That means I have to touch the taps. I use my elbow to get the soap and then I lather us all up and rinse. We drip dry and then I use my shirt again to leave the bathroom. I always sigh with relief when I leave a public bathroom.
So what if the taps are manual, you ask? And you have to turn the taps off after washing your hands already? Easy. I use my Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer when I get to the car.
What happens if the bathroom is out of soap?
That's when I bring out the anti-bacterial wipes that I have stashed in the centre console of the van. Or the ones under the passenger seat. You can usually find some in the day bag too.
The worst is when you ask the Wee Ladies if they have to go to the bathroom and only one says yes. And then after going through the whole rig-a-ma-roll, the other says, "I have to go tinkles, Mom!" Ugh. No wonder my hands look and feel like sand paper. Because I all ever do is wash them.
Some of you might call me anal. Some might accuse me of being partially responsible for perpetuating all these super bugs because I am overly concerned with germs sometimes. Well, you know what? So what? I need to function. I can't afford to have three Wee Ladies barfing all night long because I slacked off in the bathroom routine at the Tim Horton's. So if I go overboard in avoiding the germs that thrive in the public loo, well then so be it.
All's I'm sayin's all.
Labels: Battle
Monday, June 15, 2009
Dora DVD Winner
Congrats to J.C. who won the newly released Dora the Explorer: Super Babies' Dream Adventure! Thanks to everyone who submitted their name. There will be more! Both giveaways and blogs. Today was an exceptionally busy day with the Wee Ladies and so I will be writing a regular blog post tomorrow. I am going to bed. All's I'm sayin's all. Labels: Announcements
Friday, June 12, 2009
EvieG graduates and leaves me all in one day
This has been a truly momentous day for EvieG. This means me too, only mine was more emotional. EvieG had her Kindergarten Graduation this afternoon. And then add to it shipping her off on a bus for 2 days tonight. This makes for one anxious DDM. It's like she went out and got all big girl on me in a day. Her Kindergarten ceremony was the cutest. She was up on stage in her pretty dress, stockings, and tattered running shoes (her 'indoor' shoes). She has a graduation cap made from black Bristol board. I felt like this was her big grad, her big, shining moment where next would come interviews and internships. But no. This is only the first academic milestone that put my heart into a state of elation, happiness, pride, and anxiety all at the same time. She sang songs, recited a poem, and she received her diploma. And I was the sap in the back welling; trying my hardest not to burst into fits of tears. I was relieved when they darkened the room for the slide show so I could wipe my eyes. They celebrated with cupcakes. I refrained since I am all detox and stuff. But I did start salivating like one of Pavlov's dogs when I passed the cake-mix-goodness with sparkles. We made a big deal about this and even took her out for dinner. She wasn't hungry. I guess it was Betty Crocker's fault. We went home and got her all set for her camping trip. She is going with her Girl Guide group an hour away and is going to sleep in her sleeping bag in a bunkhouse. She is ecstatic about this adventure. Me, I am torn. I am happy she wanted to be a part of this trip. She begged me over and over to let her go. I kept saying that I would talk to Hubby. We decided to ask some other parents of the wee girls and it seemed that many of them were sending their girls. So we decided to support this confidence and independence. We let her go. For the whole 2 nights. We drive to pick her up on Sunday. We packed together yesterday. We used our Royal Blue Coleman cooler to pack all her stuff in. It has an easy, flip up lid, and can be pulled on its wheels. Very convenient. Ten bucks says someone's going to say, "Oh goodie! Who remembered the case of OV?" The cooler minus the cold ones didn't fit her pillow or waterproof seat, so we tied those to the cooler with bungee cords. Awesome. I sat with her, organized everything, labeled with permanent marker, and packed it all up. We went over the rules about camp several times. All the while, my heart was flitting with anxiety. And then she left. We signed her in, put her on the bus, and blew our thousand kisses. She was so excited she barely said good-bye. In fact, she kind of dissed Hubby. She gave him a quick hug, only because I told her too and said, "Bye, Daddy!" She gave me a bit more than that but she was really ready to go. I was emotional again, welling, and the whole bit, and even had a bit of a cry after they pulled out of the parking lot. If we had said no to this excursion, she would have been heartbroken. So here I am as I write this missing my EvieG enormously as she is settling into her first real away experience. She is strong and independent. We would never want to squash that. We want to nurture that in her. I am just worried for her as she goes on her own. This whole parenthood thing really tests our emotional strength. As I was bringing The Destroyer and Spark Plug upstairs for their bath, I thought Man! This is only the first child! We have 2 more to go though all of this with! They are going to do me in! It's worse than a made-for-TV-movie!This is the first academic achievement and trip away from home for EvieG. All in one day. She really is growing quickly and with that I am trying hard to cherish her time as a little girl because before we know it, she will be tossing her graduation cap into the air in her gown and then be gone. All's I'm sayin's all. PS Click here to enter to win an newly released Dora DVD! Labels: EvieG
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The receipt was as long as my arm
I am just over a week into my rebooting. Click here for some background. I am doing well with this and feel a lot better. I have lost 5 lbs so far. Can I keep it up? If my bank account doesn't dry up first. If my receipts keep growing in length like they are, then I am in trouble.
I am eating a crapload of fresh veggies like salad with olive oil and flax seed, tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli, asparagus, and cauliflower. Tons of fruit too like strawberries, pineapple, melon, and oranges. I have been adding some tuna, salmon, sole, and beef to the mix. Also, yogurt and cottage cheese. I am drinking my 8 glasses of water a day which has been great. It keeps me full and was not as hard to do as I thought it would be.
So no bread. Or sugar, coffee, or alcohol. And really, it hasn't been too awful. In all honesty, I do crave coffee in the morning. Every morning. Today I had a mint tea. I don't crave beer or wine. I do crave bread. Spark Plug and I made chocolate chip cookies this afternoon and I did sneak some cookie dough. And had a bite of a baked cookie, just to make sure it turned out alright. I could feel my mouth start to salivate. And after the bite, I did want more. But I did not cave in.
I am continuing this for another week, at which time I return to Holistic Lady and have a debriefing. I wonder what she will say?
Here is the kicker. Buying this much fresh food is expensive! I am shocked at how much I spent when I bought everything for this menu. My receipt was probably the equivalent of a small forest. It was seriously as long as my arm from my shoulder to the tips of my fingers. We have gone through most of the food and I went shopping last Friday. Here we are not even a week later and I had to go back to the grocery store this morning to replenish most of the produce. It costs a lot for uber healthy eating. We are going to have to really watch what we buy after this 2 week diet is done. Maybe be a bit pickier as far as what I stock the fridge with; a little more bland with our menu but still try and maintain the good health.
I thought I would buy almond butter for the Wee Ladies until I read that it costs $7.69.
The important thing is that I am getting myself back on track. Hubby says I am smiling more. This is good. I have a better perspective and am calmer. I am more patient and even tempered and it has only been a week. Holistic Lady told me that this would likely happen.
If I keep this routine up, or a version of, what will I feel like after a month? 3 months? I am going to try to stick to it. I want to see how I will change as I keep going.
I hope to scour for spare change for those local strawberries instead of the grande mild coffee with double cream.
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS As a follow up to the last post- Spark Plug and The Destroyer are sleeping amazingly well now that we blacked out their window. Thanks to the staple gun that made it happen.
PPS Don't forget to click here to enter to win a new Dora DVD!
Labels: DDM, Reflection
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Black out
We have had some trouble sleeping around here. Not so much trouble, I guess. It is more of a I'm-up-waaaaay-too-early kind of problem. Just 5 more minutes doesn't apply here. It is the I-didn't-even-hear-the-rooster-call-baby-and-there-is-no-way I find myself saying every morning. Spark Plug and The Destroyer share a room and are up at the crack of the first ray of sun, even when it pushes its way through the cloud cover. We put a stop to this crazy, insane nonsense.
They are slowly killing me. They must be melatonin-deficient. Not only do they insist on pushing back their bedtime as far as possible, but then, when I think there is nothing to worry about because they will sleep in- it all comes crashing down on my head like a lead bar. And that is how my head feels in the morning when they come barreling into our room asking for their breakfast on a silver platter even before the birds start chirping. And there I am. One leg and arm dangling off the side of the bed as I lay on my stomach, mouth open with drool as I moan groggily, while spewing out the sweetest scented morning breath, "You have got to be kidding me!" Snarf as drool is wiped. "This has to stop! Someone tell that sun that I am going to kick him where the sun don't shine! Hard! And tell him to give me just 5 more minutes. Then maybe I'll rethink my negative actions. And no Spark Plug. I am not going to go and get you a banana. How could you possibly be hungry at this ungodly hour?"
Hubby and I came to a mutual agreement. We decided to black out their windows. Their room could be successfully hidden from any enemy. The Gremlins could thrive here.
I went and picked out some fabric. And a staple gun. We lined the fabric on the back of the shutters. We doubled it over. We pulled the trigger. I put pillow cases along the cracks at the bottom of the blind to block out any light spilling through. We closed the blinds, closed the door, and stood in silence, staring at the blacked out windows. We sighed in unison.
I hope that for the love of my intact but fragile emotional state, the 2 of them sleep through past the point of where the first ray kisses their cheeks and lifts their lids through the shutters. I hope that for the love of my efforts to rid my caffeine withdrawal headaches, they are kind enough to ignore the automatic pilot that jump starts them every morning, look at their blacked out window and say, "Oh, it's still dark! I think I will snooze a little longer."
This just might work.
And then EvieG will end up getting up at the first sign of dawn. Either the others will sense her presence and follow suit, or she will end up going downstairs to clang around in the kitchen as she makes breakfast for everyone. And then they will be up honing in on her territory, which will lead to screaming and whining and crying.
One way or the other, it is likely I will not win. Unless I make another trip for more fabric. And staple gun EvieG's blinds shut too. I just might have to....
Would it be possible then that I would have to set the alarm?
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS Click here to enter to win the Dora DVD Giveaway! See the post below for more details!
Labels: Battle
Monday, June 8, 2009
Dora the Explorer DVD Giveaway
Enter to win the new Dora the Explorer: Super Babies' Dream Adventure DVD! This DVD includes 4 new-to-DVD episodes, featuring the Super Babies' Dream Adventure where Dora reads a Super Babies story to her baby twin brother and sister that takes them on a naptime adventure. As the babies are getting ready for their nap, the Dream Fairy fails to show up because she is still asleep. Audience participation helps the Super Babies as they try to wake up the fairy so she can deliver all the good naptime dreams. The other three episodes are, "Dora Helps the Birthday Wizzle", "Pirate Treasure Hunt" and "Benny's Treasure". The Wee Ladies enjoyed all of these episodes and eagerly participated through each one. In true Dora style, they are encouraged to interact with the characters and plot. This DVD retails for a suggested US$16.99. It has a running time of 95 minutes. Click here to enter! I will select the winner at random next Monday, June 15. All's I'm sayin's all. PS June's Who's DDM? is up and running. Labels: Contests
June Who's DDM?
Who's DDM? for this month is up. Click here to check it out.
I will be blogging tonight when I have more time. Stay tuned!
All's I'm sayin's all. Labels: Announcements
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Curb the crave
I am rebooting my system. Officially. I went to see a Holistic nutritionist last night and she is now the person who will provide me with a plan that consists of foods I can tolerate. Because after I left there, the only thing I can pretty much eat is dairy and barley. I am going to cleanse my system.
I have a history of intolerances. My brothers tease me about it all the time. I can't eat this and I can't touch that. I do not have any severe, life threatening allergies, but there are foods that my body tries to pick a fight with and sucker punches occasionally. The past few years I have become careless and have eaten more of the foods that I should be avoiding. The result is now sluggishness, hormone imbalances, fatigue, and irritability. I have been a real peach to live with. I can't eat those either. I have a stone-fruit allergy.
Some could argue that this is motherhood making me like this. It is to a certain degree, but it is out of character for me to break into tears at 3 am when I am supposed to be sleeping. I never have issues sleeping. Ever.
I made the call. The call for support to get my body rid of all the crap and start putting in what it likes. And cocoa isn't on that list either. Or alcohol. Or coffee. I'm screwed. She told me my body is not happy with me right now. It is like it is giving me the silent treatment. Like it's telling me to talk to the hand cause the face ain't listening.
This isn't forever. And it's not like I am going all Jekyll and Hyde every time I eat something that is not in the 'cool crowd' according to my body. I am detoxing and cleansing so in the end I will be able to eat whatever I want.
She tested me for food intolerances. She is making me a meal plan to abide by for the next 2 weeks. I don't have it yet. I am to drink 8 glasses of water today. I actually did it. From consuming a couple of coffees and a glass of wine and maybe a glass of water, I went over the 8 glass limit today. And it wasn't too hard, after I put my mind to it. I am dehydrated, calcium-deficient, zinc deficient, and a sugar/caffeine addict. I have had a headache all day as I go through withdrawal; as my body drop kicks the toxins away from my general area.
I love sweets. Anything starchy and sweet. Or chocolaty. I am that girl who without fail, walks down the cereal aisle and slows down to gawk at the sugar cereals. Every time. I never cave in to those, but I am sometimes very close. And it wouldn't be for the Wee Ladies. Oh, no. It would be all for me. I would hide it in its special place- 2 boxes behind the Brownberry Stuffing and to the right of the 5 lb bag of potatoes. Honey Comb, Sugar Puffs, Lucky Charms..... ooooh. Oh, and Count Chocula. For us, it is actually in reality a lot of fruit, granola bars, yogurt, teddy bear crackers, and whole grain everything. This is why I thought we were doing alright with our food and sugar intake. Apparently what I thought was good sugar, or low sugar, is still too much sugar. I never went for the Viva Puffs or Wagon Wheels, although I slow down in that aisle too. Holistic Lady looked at the menu I provided. "But there's hardly any vegetables on here!" she scolded. I said, "Well, we always have veggies for dinner." In her German accent, she sternly responded with, "That's not enough." OK, you win. I need to work on it.
So we are all going to get an overhaul; the Wee Ladies and Hubby indirectly. We will be living by a relatively wheat-free, fish-filled menu with I'll-have-veggies-with-that. And there is no dessert until you have eaten dinner. And dessert will be something like lentils, rice cakes, or Spitz sunflower seeds. Nuts are forbidden. I am legitimately allergic to tree nuts and mildly to soy and peanuts. I always eat PB and have increased my soy intake greatly over the past few months. I guess my body hadn't decided to let those things back into the cool club.
I am going to keep progress reports on this journey over the next few months as I straighten myself out. I will keep you up to date with what I am doing to make my life healthier. I want to have the energy to keep up with the Wee Ladies. I don't want to be moody like I have been at times.
I don't want to be as acidic as the litmus paper told me I am. Because according to Holistic Lady, that's when the toxins take over. And that is when you increase your chances of hitting up the Marble Orchard before your time. I don't want people to say, "Well, she was nice. But she could have avoided it. She should have said no to that last Timbit."
Plus, I don't like the word acidic. I don't want to be full of acid. That would make me poisonous.
Hiss.
All's I'm sayin's all.
Labels: DDM, Mission, Responsibility
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Crest Oral B Blogger Challenge Complete
I was asked to participate in a one-month challenge by Oral B and Crest. I went to the dentist before beginning this challenge to get an overall report of the current state of my mouth. I then used both Oral B and Crest products over the course of a month and then after the elapsed time, I returned to the dentist to see if there was any improvement in my mouth.
When I went to the dentist, they told me my overall oral health was good. But I have a mild case of gingivitis. Most of it is in between my teeth. My plaque and tartar levels are fine. But the gingivitis is there because I am not a consistent flosser. I only floss when I feel lots of build-up between my teeth. This is not a good habit to be in. I made a pact with myself to start flossing regularly after this challenge was over.
For the next month, I used the Oral B Vitality Precision electric toothbrush. I brushed twice a day. I brushed for the allotted two minutes. After the two minutes were up, the toothbrush would change its speed and rhythm to let me know I was done. There was only one speed for this brush.
In the morning I used the new Crest Pro Health Day toothpaste. It is a blue, minty gel with a mild gritty texture. At night I used the Crest Pro Health Night toothpaste. This is a thicker minty toothpaste and was even more textured than the day product. It felt like there was even more sand mixed into it. These fluoride toothpastes work to whiten teeth, freshen breath and battle cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity (hot and cold), and tartar.
Once I finished brushing, I used Crest Pro Health Antiseptic Oral Rinse. This is an alcohol free rinse that is supposed to kill germs that cause bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis. I was also to use the Crest Glide floss, but because I wasn’t a regular flosser, the dentist told me to continue my normal routine in order to get the most accurate results for this challenge. So I only used the floss when I felt I needed to.
I stuck to this challenge really well. I did what I was supposed to do without problems, even though 2 minutes sometimes seemed like forever with the Wee Ladies running around in the morning.
I liked the toothbrush. It got to all of the teeth and polished well. My mouth felt really clean using it. I charged it every 3 days or so, when it started to slow down in speed. I like to really give my tongue a good cleaning with my toothbrush. I felt that the small head of this brush did not do as good a job as my manual toothbrush. I also found that after this challenge was over, my gums and teeth felt more sensitive to the touch and to hot and cold temperatures. I concluded that I could have pressed too hard while I was brushing. I have not continued to use the electric toothbrush and have gone back to my manual toothbrush where I feel I can control my brushing a little bit better. I am still using the Pro Health Day toothpaste. It feels and tastes fresh. It is light and makes my mouth feel clean. It makes me feel good about starting the day without really bad morning breath. I think it has a tangy taste to it and the minty flavour doesn’t seem to last long. It does the trick though.
The Pro Health Night toothpaste is a real hum-dinger of a toothpaste. It is thick and creamy and grainy. You brush your teeth with this stuff and you really feel like you are giving your mouth the gears. It leaves you feeling really clean and it’s almost like you can see the coffee stains disappearing. It is more heavy duty as far as the sandy texture and the only thing I worry about, after having discussed this with people in the dental field, is how it affects the enamel on my teeth. I will not use this long-term, but will get it out a couple of times a year to give my teeth the what-for; to whiten and brighten them.
The Pro Health rinse is great. I never used a rinse, but I do now. Twice a day. I swish and gargle for 30 seconds after I brush in the morning and after I brush and floss at night. It leaves me feeling super clean, like if I were to smile in the mirror, my teeth would give that shiny little sparkle and include the dinging sound like in the cartoons. I feel like the germs are dying on contact with this stuff. I am on my second bottle. And I bought the big size.
I always used Oral B Satin floss. Not anymore. I love the Crest Glide floss. It is thicker, doesn’t cut my gums as easily, and had a hint of mint. It is gentler on my gums and shows more evidence of food. I am a fan of this floss and it is now my floss of choice.
I went back to the dentist for my ‘after’ appointment to see if my gingivitis had improved. It has a little bit. The biggest problem area is at the back of my mouth in between the molars. Hey, it is a step in the right direction. I’ll take it. My biggest problem is the lack of flossing, which I am already improving on. I have been flossing almost everyday since the challenge. They told me that once I start flossing more, I will see a noticeable difference in my oral health.
I thank Oral B and Crest for this opportunity to try out some new products. I will gladly use the rinse and floss consistently. The toothpastes are products I will use sporadically. I will not use the Vitality Precision toothbrush regularly. I am definitely more of a manual toothbrush person.
This challenge made me more aware of the time I spend on my teeth and has helped me establish an improved routine for maintaining a decent level of oral health. My gingivitis hopefully will continue to get better. More than anything, this challenge finally got me to floss regularly. That is amazing. I finally realized that I can take the time to brush thoroughly, rinse, and floss, and not miss out on anything.
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS I included this post over in DDM's Try Ons with pictures. Click here to see it over there.
Labels: DDM, Mission
Monday, June 1, 2009
Should I dare ask about a level 5 camping trip?
We went to Florida tonight. What a great trip it was to the backyard! We didn't actually leave the house, but talked a lot about it! I am glad EvieG and Spark Plug enjoyed the process of planning, packing, and finding their passports.
EvieG announced that she and Spark Plug were off to the van and then to the airport with the intention of landing in Florida where they would walk to Grandma's Florida house. This then changed to Grandma picking them up at the airport because they didn't want to get lost, or carry their luggage very far.
The bags contained their stuffed animals, books, a toy microphone because you never know when they might get a gig, one toothbrush, a hairbrush, and the handle to the Swiffer 360. Good thing they remembered that because you never know when you might have to clean all around you, or who you might sit next to on the plane. I always thought something like this would be useful if you needed to swat the person next to you.
We went to our travel folder in the filing cabinet and retrieved our passports from 2006. Spark Plug was born in 2006. She was only a few months old in her photo. Her passport is up for renewal this year which is a good thing because if we had to travel anywhere right now, they probably wouldn't let her through security. The picture bears no resemblance to her whatsoever and I would likely be detained, we would miss our flight, and then I would have to deal with the over-exhaustion of the Wee Ladies in an airport and on a plane. All I would want is a box of Timbits for them but instead I would probably be questioned about the legitimacy of my daughter, to which I would tell them all about how I gained 60 lbs, had her, lost it when I got pregnant again, probably around the same time her passport picture was taken, and then tossed out a third kid a few months after that. They would see that the only other traveling I have done is going over the border to Detroit to buy Cookie Crisp cereal at Target. I wouldn't have to have a mug shot taken. They could just use my passport photo.
I asked if I was going too. EvieG told me that they had to get to the airport somehow; that she didn't know how to drive the van. I was in my robe! I hadn't packed yet! And then the trip to Florida morphed into a camping trip out in the backyard after EvieG confessed in my ear that she was 'just pretending'. I was still sitting and staring at the passport pictures during this confession. I was just about to go upstairs and pull out my home-waxing kit before throwing my flip flops and bathing suit in a bag.
She and Spark Plug proceeded to lug out 2 kitchen table chairs, a quilt, the electric vacuum for the 'quick' jobs, a rock to keep the vacuum upright, and one of Hubby's hiking boots, to set the camping mood. They worked well together as the attempted to assemble their tent. They were adamant that they were going to sleep outside. I asked, "How will you stay dry? It's going to rain tonight." EvieG replied by getting the dry cleaning plastic from over a sweater I picked up today. She had her fly ready to go. She even put sticky tape over the hole where the hanger stuck out. MENSA.
It is about 8 degrees Celsius right now and she did this whole assembly in nothing but her underwear. She didn't even notice the goose bumps rising all over her little body. Spark Plug was out there in her polyester Dora nightie and pink floral socks. Tough Cookies.
We finally pulled the chute on them. We had to break the news gently. The trip was over. The camping trip was done. The tent was not quite there, but almost. There is time to work on it tomorrow. EvieG was so disappointed. She said, "But Mom, this is a level 2 camping trip!"
I said, "A what?"
"A level 2 camping trip!" she retorted. "A level 1 is the tent in the living room. A level 2 is in the backyard! And a level 3 is in the front yard! I have only ever done a level 1!"
Confused, I then demanded clarification. "Well then, what is a level 4?"
Looking at me like I am the dumbest person in the world, she matter-of-factly responded with, "That's in my room."
Wow. That would be a huge challenge, a level 4. I don't know if she could survive that high demanding, uncomfortable, test-you-to-your-core-in-the-wilderness-tactical camping trip, or anyone else for that matter. It just might be unbearable. She might not come out alive. Never mind the skunks and coyotes. The monster in the closet might come and get her. It might be worse than Survivor.
MENSA.
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS Speaking of travel, click here to check out my column at Scarlett Lounge!
PPS I had fun doing the GAWK 'n TOO but it took me the rest of the weekend to recover. I am out of practice.
Labels: EvieG, Family, Spark Plug
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