Eau, No: The Strangest Scents Ever - Yahoo! Shopping

Yeah this made my former Lotion Land self smile- at least we never had any of these fragrances- but it still doesn't make up for Grapefruit Jasmine and Purely Fresh

Eau, No: The Strangest Scents Ever - Yahoo! Shopping

Ice Cream

So, last night it was hot! Actually it has been dangerously hot for the last few days- so hot that a certain Alien and Caveman have not been able to play outside and burn off toddler energy.

Plus our kitchen sink is broken- the other day I noticed a terrible, rotting smell coming from the kitchen. A sidebar please, my nose after working for Lotion Land for 10 years is incredibly sensitive- I always smell stinky way before anyone else. I also have a weak stomach for these things. Because of this I wasn't going to find where the smell is coming from, I have a theory- I pushed children out this gets me out of cleaning out the fridge, removing creepy crawly things, and investigating stinky items with the exception of a stinky diaper.

When Big Papi came home he found the pipe leading to the garbage disposal had come off and there was still food inside. OMG!!!!!!! The brave man had to scoop it out while I hid in the bedroom- even just writing about it now I am nauseous.

With the kitchen being out of commission I haven't been able to cook which had led to stress. On top of this I haven't been to Zumba in the last week and last night Big Papi was way late coming home from work and the kid were nuts.

So we did what any family would do, we went out for ice cream. I am actually lactose intolerant so I avoid dairy but we needed a break so we went to the local Dairy Queen and you know somehow life was better.

This weekend is going to be awesome- the kids have a playdate with another set of Cavemen and I have class- plus damn it I will be making muffins for tomorrow morning!

Happy Friday everyone.

To Grandmother’s house we go

So, a few of my friends are sending their children to stay with grandparents this summer. One of my good friends is an amazing stay-at home mom who I am so proud of because she is allowing her girls to stay at their grandparents' house. This friend has never done this before- she missed portions of our high school graduation because they weren't kid friendly. This trip for away from her girls is going to challenge her in new ways.

But, as I watch the comments from her facebook page I couldn't help seeing one of her friends comment on the situation saying, "Let yourself enjoy the time you have while they are away and DON'T FEEL GUILTY about it. This can be hard for us stay at home moms. We feel guilty when we let someone else watch them." Really? It is only hard for stay- at- home moms?

I appreciate she is offering the same advice I am but why is it that stay- at- home moms feel guilty about allowing someone else watch their children but a working mom doesn't? I believe this woman, who I honestly do not know, thinks that because moms, like me, who drop off children at a day care or a sitter's house, do not feel guilty any more. Hello, of course I feel guilty- I feel guilty every time I drop off the kids with Kelly the Amazing Babysitter. When I left the Caveman and Alien for an entire week with Normal Grandma and Titi I cried as I drove off.

Maybe I am more sensitive about situation because I could make choices to stay at home with them more- I just function as a better mommy because I am also a woman outside of my kids. This is the balance we face as mothers, because I was awesome before I had children. My career was going really well, I was getting married, everything was great.

Then the Caveman came along and changed everything. Some things got better because of my son, I learned that a career isn't the only achievement a woman can have, I reconnected with my faith in a new way. I discovered an amount of love I didn't think possible, I met my soul mates through the Alien and Caveman.

But the kids have also brought a new amount of stress and fear about me. I constantly think "am I doing enough?" "Will they turn out okay?" "Did I feed them any vegetables today?" It was easier just worrying about me. I also desperately miss the complete freedom of just being able to do whatever I wanted without holding a summit with my husband about what to do with the kids.

These thoughts do not make me a bad mom- in fact because I am willing to share them it makes me a healthier mom and woman. My life does not revolve around my children- I was a whole person when they arrived in my life.

Being a working mom is a choice, I realize this. But I am proud of that choice- I just wish women would just say moms when talking about motherhood. Especially because the last time I checked stay-at-home moms work really hard too.

The Alien and Caveman Go to the Movies

So, we survived the Toy Story 3 adventure. Here is a time line of events

9:38am- The Alien and I arrive at Cinema Café. Big Papi and Caveman are on route but I think the theater is closed because the parking lot is abandoned with the exception of a few cars. Sit in the parking lot and wait for the theater to open so we can get good seats.

9:45am- grrr there is going to be a birthday party going on in the theater- yuck try explaining to a three year old why he can't have any birthday cake. But because of the birthday party we are able to get in the theater but the ticket counter lady doesn't look pleased we are in the theater before the place opens. Oh well. And word of advice- it isn't a good idea to look annoyed at the people who plan to spend money in your movie theater especially when serious competition is going to open across the street in a matter of a few weeks. Well maybe that is just me.

10:10am- in the theater and realize there are three birthday parties going on. My kids are going nuts asking all kinds of questions about birthdays and cake.

10:18am- had to tell Big Papi to relax because the Alien was making noise. Guess what, every other kid is talking so calm down. A non birthday party parent across from us just ordered a beer. By the way this is one of those movie theaters where you order real food and adult beverages- but not an adult theatre because the name Toy Story would have a whole other meaning. So would the word Buzz and Woody now that I think about it.

All three birthdays have sung happy birthday, I feel like a voyeur.

10:28am- potty break for the Caveman and Alien needed changing. Of course the Caveman waits until after Big Papi takes the Alien to change her (folks he volunteered for diaper duty- he reads the blogs he could have pulled its father's day-palooza but didn't). Coming back the Alien has her first temper tantrum of the morning. Ah the waitress finally takes our order, and I have a Caveman who doesn't eat meat on his pizza, a Big Papi who doesn't eat plain cheese pizza, and an Alien screaming for a snack. I wonder if they are showing Sex and the City in another theater.

10:30am- the house lights dim and there this Google Ad, 

the Caveman claps at the end- hey Google I think I deserve at least ½% of just today's takings for the mention. No? Well it was worth a try and just noticed the Alien's three eyed alien shirt glows in the dark. Waitress just brought the drinks and popcorn- plus extra cups for popcorn, yay! I wisely brought our own spill-proof cups but somehow the thingies that keep the liquid inside have disappeared. Thank goodness it is clear liquid.

After that I couldn't keep track because who uses their blackberry in the movie theater? Okay what normal person uses their blackberry in the movie theater? Plus one of the waitresses might have thought I was a bootlegger or something.

The Alien made it half way through before getting squirmy. I took her around half the time and then Big Papi finished. As for the Caveman he sat in my lap during the last little bits as Andy leaves for college. I won't say what happens to our favorite toys but I cried at the end and breathed my little boy in deep not wanting to ever let go.

To the movies and beyond!

So, today is the day! The Alien and Caveman will be attending the 10:30am showing of Toy Story 3 at the Cinema Café. In preparation for the day I actually got them presents because not only it is their first movie, but also it is graduation day for the Caveman- he finishing his first round of swimming lessons.

Target had an amazing selection of Toy Story 3 gear. The kids will be wearing Toy Story 3 shirts- the Caveman is all about Buzz so his shirt features him- and the Alien is all about Woody but there is a major lacking of girl clothes and toys based on this movie. Big Papi and I actually saw a t-shirt featuring the three-eyed aliens that say "oooh" at Target a few weeks ago. Not thinking clearly we didn't pick it up- but when Crazy Grandma bought the Caveman the Buzz shirt I had the idea of have the kids wear TS3 shirts to the movie. I did this last year when they both saw Elmo at Sesame Place (let's hope this mini trip isn't going to be as stressful).

I went back to Target yesterday and there were no three-eyed alien shirts. So, I went to another Target and even got a red shirted man to look in the storage room. You know I actually have the best conversations with retail sales people. I think they sense I was a member of their tribe for many years. The red shirted Target man went to the rack and said "Is this shirt for you because they only go up to 4T." I responded with, "You don't think I can rock a 4T shirt?" He begins to look panic and says "No! No, not at all, but we are out of the shirt any way." Drat! Then the red shirted Target man said "If you put your kids in Toy Story shirts and take them to the movie where every other kid will be in Toy Story shirts what happens when you lose one of them?"

Good point red shirted Target man! Grandparents who read this blog make a note that we will not be leaving the kids' sides so there is no worry about the shirt issue.

Thankfully Big Papi went to the Target across the water and found the beloved t-shirt! There were plenty of them at that Target.

And this morning they got their TS3 presents! The Caveman received the Toy Story Memory game and the Alien got the Jesse the Yodeling Cowgirl doll! The Alien adores her already!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Father’s Day-Palooza 2010!

So, Father's Day-palooza is upon us! For the next two and half days we shall celebrate all things Big Papi!

The first thing is Big Papi will not have to change diapers, under ware, clothes, or any other item unless he wants to. This is going to work to his advantage because I literally just changed both the Alien and Caveman's stink butts! And the Caveman has been potty trained for almost six months and all the sudden when the moratorium on no diaper changes for Big Papi- conspiracy I think.

The second thing is Big Papi will be able to enjoy a few hours of leisure to himself without children- this after we watch Toy Story 3 tomorrow morning at 10:00am!

The third thing is Big Papi friendly meals will be served each day- tonight it is cornbread topped chili in the crock pot- I know in the crock pot who knew but I am trying it right now. I got the idea online. All you do it make the chili however you like and cook for eight hours on low- during the last hour take a boxed cornbread mix (follow the mixing directions on the box) and put on top of the chili in the pot! You do need to put a paper towel on top of the mixture to collect the condensation and turn the crock pot on high.

Tomorrow night we will have lettuce wraps! Also in the crock pot! And then Sunday the most amazing Big Papi meal- I can't' say here yet because he might lurk on the blog but it involves sausage!

And why am I going all out for the Big Papi? Well he allows me to go to class and gives me plenty of time for myself. And for mother's day he took both kids away for several hours!

Sleep is Silly, Right Mommy

So, the Alien decided it was time for her first all nighter.

I usually get home from class about 10:30ish depending on the traffic and how quickly I get to my car. If you read last night's post I practically sprinted to the car! When I arrived home I was talking to Big Papi in our living room which is also where I have my mini office in a corner. We were talking about the situation in my class and I heard a back bedroom door open.

"Great" I thought the Caveman is up. The Caveman usually wakes up in the middle of the night and comes into our bedroom where Big Papi and I are sound asleep. The Caveman is like a stealth weapon, he gets into the bed curls up with the grown up of his choice and then falls right back asleep.

So imagine my surprise when I see my almost two-year old in the living room, bright eyed and ready to start her day. Did I mention that it was past 11:00pm?

I immediately check her diaper (yep wet, a reasonable excuse for getting up and finding a grown up) after that I put her to bed. She is screaming, so upset at the mere idea of getting into her bed. I ignore the screaming and say "Nite Nite" and close the door.

Twenty minutes later, while I am writing last night's post, she popped out again.

This time Big Papi and I sit with her and read "Horton Hatches an Egg." The Alien is not even close to falling asleep. Well, we put her in her bed and again said "Nite Nite." She responded with a, "Nite Nite Mommy. Nite nite daddy," the usually sign that she is ready to surrender to sleep.

Sleep would not come and this was a game we played all night long.

This morning Big Papi told me that she finally fell asleep for about 20 minutes at 5:00am- and now I am sending her off to the sitter as the crankiest, meanest child on the planet. I almost kept her home because why would I put anyone through the hell that is an exhausted almost two-year old? Both Crazy Grandma and Big Papi out voted me so she is with Kelly.

I need a nap.

Mrs. Rice you are obnoxious and disliked, don’t you know?

So I am a very opinionated person…perhaps too opinionated. The problem with being opinionated is that you are often disliked. Well at least I am.

As many of you know (all six of you who actually read this blog) I am going to college right now. I love being in a classroom, sharing ideas, reading about interesting ideas. Learning about cultures and people who fill my head with so much knowledge I might have to have a bigger hat size at graduation.

But this summer for two classes now I am noticing an alarming trend, my classmates (well a good portion of them) do not like me. They tolerate me, they are polite but I will never be apart of the group. Tonight I went at it when a guy (who I do not think actually reads any of the material for class) said that Castro (yes the Cuba one) has done more for the world than any US politician.

Seriously, you really want to go there? Okay, my school friends Ashleigh and Trish actually nicknamed this guy Snookie in our Russian Politics class because he is an idiot. Well Snookie was the one fawning all over Castro. We were talking about the book Mountains Beyond Mountains- it is written about the incredible Dr. Paul Farmer who is literally saving the world's poor. And while I do appreciate all he is doing I have a problem with Dr. Farmer's high opinion of Cuba's medical standards because Dr. Farmer not only has a medical degree from Harvard but a PhD in anthropology from the school as well. While Dr. Farmer loves the fact that Cubans have what he describes as excellent medical care Dr. Farmer never comments on the brutal dictatorship that led to such amazing medical care. I personally have a problem with that.

Snookie however thinks that Castro is amazing. And I have a problem with that too. Not just the opinion, we're all allowed our opinion (hey my best friend is a Hokie and somehow we have an amazing relationship) but an opinion that is not based on fact. Of course when I said I would have a hard time giving up my freedoms for the sake of free medical care (and yes this is easy for me to say because I am in my nice cozy house with insurance cards for my kids in my wallet) the entire class looked at me like I was a crazy right wing nut.

Snookie said well better not to have freedom than be dead and then one of the giggly girls in my class said "Touché." And then when I commented that Dr. Farmer had no problem complaining about every other government he encountered except for Cuba another girl in the class said "Well they have their medical care in order."

I am happy for the Cubans that they have great medical care according to Dr. Farmer. It is easy to have great medical care when there is no malpractice insurance to pay for.

After this conversation, in which I also said "You didn't learn much from Russian Politics class did you?" (I know super awful, and not the high road Dudepa would be so disappointed) I realized that really none of my regular friends are in the class- and I never felt more alone. I had no backup or at least no one willing to provide backup. Big Papi thinks that people were excited about the "no freedom comment" thrown at me because they are jealous. Oh what? I just know that my life would be so much easier if I just toed the line. I am just not that kind of girl- and frankly we need more people willing to stick their necks out and share their opinions. That is how we make progress people by sharing and listening to ideas. In education especially, when does towing the line become effective? If everyone followed the opinions of everyone else we would be no better than the Cuban government.

Telling this story is not to get my point across about Cuba, make your own opinions. But why is it in almost every situation when I give an opinion I look like a bitch?

In one of my favorite musicals 1776 John Adams sings that he is obnoxious and disliked. Well Mr. Adams I am joining your club. The world needs people like me who are willing to say the things that other people are thinking. I need to get over my wanting to be the most popular girl in school; it just isn't ever going to happen. Instead I am going to stand up for my opinions because I like me obnoxious and all.

So to my classmates I stick my tongue and say "I'm rubber you're glue, and my GPA kicks your GPA's ass"

Countdown to Infinity

So, the countdown is on! Saturday is the Caveman and Alien's first visit to the movies to see Toy Story 3! If you have a three year-old little man then you know all about Buzz Lightyear and the gang. And boy is my little man all about some Buzz lately. Every day we watch Toy Story 2- that is the Caveman's favorite.

The Caveman loves Toy Story so much that he acts out the scenes while the movie is playing. He mimics Buzz's actions and lines. And the Alien is all about Woody, well Woody the doll. We have an original doll from Toy Story when it first came out and the Alien loves him. The other day we couldn't find Woody and you would have thought World War III had broken out. The tears were real and the panic phone call to Big Papi at work did not turn up Woody. That was a fun afternoon.

I have decided to take the kids to the Cinema Café where they can eat pizza while watching the movie. And we are going to the 10:30am showing so that when my little ones are screaming at the screen (Lord please let them not scream at the screen) it should be a bother because there will be a ton of other tiny children screaming at the screen.

And can I give a quick kudos to Big Papi who made a delicious grilled salmon, with rice and sliced apples meal last night so I could shake my bom bom at Zumba. Big help because I had the craziest day at the office and really wanted to eat an entire pizza and that doesn't work with my not eating out/pantry clean out month going on. Plus he had the kids in jammies when I got home and he rushed out the door for basketball.

 

 

Mommy, I’m hungry!

So, yesterday I forgot to take out something from the freezer to make for dinner. Grrr, I think that happens too often because in the morning I don't think about it because I am trying to get kids, husband and myself out the door. And there is probably a mom out there who never forgets about pulling out something to defrost from the freezer.

Thank goodness I had an amazing day at the office and a pedicure from Naomi (at another spa- I know but sometimes you need to get away from your work). When I got home with the kids screaming they were hungry. The Caveman was also incredibly excited because a tractor was parked in front of our house (picture to come) so getting him calmed down and making sure he wasn't trying to climb the thing took at least 15 minutes. I looked in the freezer and saw a package of pre-formed hamburger patties from the cook out we had with my in-laws. And then I remembered catching the end of a 30-minute meals episode while folding laudry this weekend that featured Salisbury steak. Yay, dinner solved.

I heated the oven to 350 and lined a baking sheet with foil. I placed the hamburgers on the sheet and sprinkled original Mrs. Dash on both sides. After placing them in the oven I chopped the remaining portion of the onion from Sunday's dinner and cooked them in a little bit of butter and olive oil with a bay leaf, and thyme. Once the onion was translucent put two tablespoons of flour and cooked for about three minutes and then slowly added the remaining chicken stock from a carton from the other night (nothing wasted please). Perfect pan gravy! I also cooked a half bag of egg noodles and found some frozen corn (steam in bag kind are my favorite!).

And the kids ate it- the kids ate it is always a good thing. Also I now know that we are completely out of vegetables with the exception of some left over salad mix that I think might be heading to the compost pile. So I am going to have to go grocery shopping just for veggies and fruits- hello Port Warwick farmer's market!

Plus a big event is coming to our household on Saturday- the Caveman and Alien go to the movies!

To bed, I said!

So, I have never been so happy to see Monday morning! Ah happy Monday where I ship the kids off to Kelly (greatest babysitter on the planet!), This weekend was rough and tough as it was dangerously hot for my little ones to be outside for so long. But yesterday afternoon we are lucky that everyone is still standing.

Actually it started in the morning when we decided to go to church. I took the month of May off because after spending an entire year teaching high school Sunday school (which most stop going to around Spring Break because hello they are working or getting ready for summer) and Financial Peace University I was exhausted. Add some Russian Politics and Sundays became the only day to actually work on stuff. It is also hard to attend church with little kids. We have two choices for times 8:15am- which should be the one we go to because that means we have the rest of the day to get stuff done, or 11:00am which is the one we usually end up going to especially after I started Sunday school.

Big Papi yesterday was working the sound board at the 11:00am service so to the 11:00am service we went and I actually braved bringing the Caveman in to worship so he could participate in Children's Sermon.

After service we went home to have lunch, which I had already made in the crock pot the day before (yay me) chicken and brown rice casserole which I really enjoyed but the rest of the family not so much. Oh well can't please everyone. Big Papi then went to Crazy Grandma's house to pick up our new pillow top mattress for our bedroom. The new bed is what started the meltdown.

In the afternoon I put the swimsuits on the kids and turned on the sprinklers. I love listening to them giggle and shriek from running around the water. After an hour and half we brought them in (the Alien kicking and screaming "Outside") and gave them a snack. Then they lost their minds.

In two hours we had endless amounts of timeouts because not only were they jumping on the new bed they were playing in my closet. Big Papi and I separated our efforts and I stayed in the bedroom and he in the den. Well the kids stayed in the bedroom and after shouting, "no" "stop" "get out," I had enough. I shouted at the top of my lungs, "go to bed!" and Big Papi rushes in and goes "what in the world." At that moment I just crumbled to the ground and cried, cried I like I was the two year old caught in the closet.

The kids were sent to bed- for their own safety. I wanted a martini.

I think the biggest thing is that because of the budget being so tight right now we can't escape. There is no reason to send the kids for an overnight trip to a grandma's house if Big Papi and I aren't going to do anything. But, we will be doing something soon- Saturday is going to be the kids' first trip to a real movie theatre to see Toy Story 3 (we had budgeted special just for the occasion). Of course this all depends on if mommy and Big Papi survive the week.

Planning Problems

So, I realized as I was driving home from work that I had forgotten to take anything out of the freezer for dinner! A major problem given the Alien/Caveman Pantry/Freezer Challenge going on and I cannot simply order in our usual Friday Chinese dinner. Another problem I forgot to stop at the Wawa near work and was stuck in traffic on the interstate when the little gas light came on. So scary at that moment because I did not want to be that jerk who stopped traffic because she was too stupid to put gas in her car. Thankfully I was near an exit but it was a tense 10 minutes while I found a gas station. The first one I went to only had half the pumps working and some giant car cut me off in the wait line. So I went to another gas station about a half mile down the road.

Still the problem of no dinner plans is a big one. What to do with two starving toddlers and to top it all off Big Papi was also stuck in traffic. Luckily we still had some fish sticks from the pack I had purchased at Costco two weeks ago and I added some sliced apples as a side. Perfect toddler friendly meal- yay for me this time but I need to come up with a system so that I don't run into this problem again.

I think most families try to create menus- it is just so hard because what happens if you plan to make meatloaf but don't feel like it on meatloaf night? Or, more likely, you get home after being at work all day long and then you are expected to make dinner.

Moms, I think it is time to bring out our friend- no not the pizza delivery guy- the crock pot.

There is a great blog called A Year of Slow Cooking by Stephanie O'Dea who literally used her slow cooker everyday! For an entire year! If she can do that certainly I could use mine once a week.

The other source I have found is a website called Recipe Key. You put all the ingredients you have on hand and it pulls up thousands of recipes using your ingredients. The best part is it gives you a ranking on how many items you already have.

My other plan is to use Rachael Ray. I know that she isn't everyone's favorite but her 365: No Repeats book is filled with lots of family friendly meals.

So wish me luck my faithful readers, all five of you, as I spend this weekend trying to figure out how we are going to survive this challenge.

Adam Sandler's Lunch Lady has nothing on mommy!

So, the experiment where we are only eating out of our pantry is working fairly well. Tonight's menu was sloppy dogs!

Okay so Big Papi has a thing about bread when it comes to sandwiches. Hamburger buns can never be used as hotdog buns. Ever, no exceptions. As a child he had a terrifying experience with a hotdog in a hamburger bun and has since be completely OCD about bread. So when I told him I was making sloppy joes he informed me, "but we don't have hamburger buns. How can we have sloppy joes without hamburger buns?"

When I explained that we still had a pack of hotdog buns he for the second time this week looked at me like I was growing horns. I think he does this a lot I just don't notice.

As I learned in my Russian Politics class, diplomacy is an incredible gift. Instead of explaining to my husband that buns were buns, and our no spend money on groceries challenge again, I choose the diplomatic route.

"Honey we're having sloppy dogs, not sloppy joes."

Big Papi: "Oh well alright then."

Seriously!? Just change one word and I avoid a depressed Big Papi.

I made the sloppy dogs with a ton of celery (had to use it up it was starting to go south) a tiny bit of red onion left over from the other night, two garlic cloves, one pound of ground sirloin, kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, ground mustard, dried thyme, chili powder, ground coriander seed, a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce and paprika. Once that was browned I added in a large can of crushed tomatoes and became worried because it was too runny for sloppy dogs. So being clever I created a slurry of flour and hot water in a two cup Pyrex measuring cup and poured the slurry into the sloppy mixture. In just a few minutes the sloppy mixture thickened nicely. I also toasted the buns in the oven to help with the messy factor.

As you can see from the Alien's picture it was a success.

Murphy is coming for dinner

So, guess who had a $500.00 car repair bill this week. Oh yeah can I tell you how much it hurts to pay $500 for anything that doesn't involve sandy beaches?

We had the money in the bank, the benefit of being a Dave Ramsey nut, but we are also trying to pay off the last $4000.00 in debt. This last $4000.00 has been so hard because just when we scrap up some extra money well Murphy says, let's visit the repair shop.

The Caveman/Alien household needs to do something dramatic to stretch our budget. Right now we are spending about $100.00 in food/household items which isn't much but last night I was looking at my over stuffed pantry, the deep freezer half full and came up with the greatest idea ever.

I will not grocery shop for an entire month. I will not order take out for an entire month. We will only buy milk and the rest will come from our pantry, freezer, and vegetable garden.

When I told Big Papi this he looked at me like I had grown horns. I believe he thinks he will starve, but really like a good majority of Americans we have a ton of food in the house that is just sitting there. I am a Costco buyer after all. What would happen to my family if we just said lets use what we have on hand?

Imagine what would happen to America if we actually used only what we had on hand?

So keep looking at the blog because I am going to tell you what the Caveman and Alien are eating. And I'll start with tonight's pantry dinner. For the kids we still had two hamburgers and buns left over from Crazy Grandma's birthday party; dinner for little people done. As for Big Papi and myself we enjoyed a make shift stir fry with sauce using sweet red peppers I had picked up from the farmer's market, a bell pepper from our garden, an onion, some boneless chicken thighs from the party I hadn't cooked and some leftover chicken broth to make into sauce. I served that over brown rice and we also made a simple salad with grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and dressing. I also took hotdog rolls and toasted them in the oven to stretch out the meal. Yum-I am extremely proud of the results and dinner only took about 20 minutes. Plus I have enough leftovers for Big Papi's lunch tomorrow- well not of the rice but there is an extra roll to make the mixture into a sandwich.

I know this is crazy- and I can just see Crazy Grandma looking at this and thinking we are going to starve her grandchildren. The grandchildren will be fine, I promise.

“Mini Mona”

So, we had the ant cupcakes at Crazy Grandma's birthday party. The Caveman was excited to host a party with balloons and pink pointy party hats.

The only person who didn't want to participate is the Alien who Crazy Grandma is now calling "MM" (stands for Mini-Mona, I guess the Alien in her two year old self has striking similarities to my two year old self). First the Alien woke up from her nap screaming, on the floor, and looked confused. I picked her up, changed her diaper, and brought her out to the pink princess party where all her favorite people were. Nope, wanted no part, her chubby fingers clung to my shirt like it was a life preserver. We tried everything to get her to calm down. Big Papi took her; we put her back in the room, offered her a drink, and then by magic when we said would you like a snack she was suddenly okay.

That's when the comparisons between my daughter and I got very interesting.

I have written about my struggle with my body image before, especially what I believe is my habit of emotional eating. Well Crazy Grandma points out "Look an emotional eater like her mother." And I look at my perfect little girl with the bluest eyes I have ever seen and wonder as I give her five organic animal cookies in a bowl if I am setting her up for a battle like mine.

And it continues, of course in front of everyone which is embarrassing about how I should talk to my therapist about this. Guess what Crazy Grandma my in-laws (who were also in the room) I don't believe I told about my therapy. Big Papi and I recently came clean about the six months of marriage counseling we completed last year. And I may have mentioned it, but it felt like a violation, an innocent mistake, but not something I want mention to the other half of the Alien and Cavemen family unit; at least not by anyone else but me.

My mother-in-law doesn't look when I get a second helping of food. Doesn't say anything when I give the kids a cookie, and Crazy Grandma doesn't either but when she makes comments about my daughter's emotional eating it make me pause because what internal dialogue is she saying in her mind?

I am proud of myself that the therapy is working, and I didn't have my usually dramatic reaction or pity party session about my mother's comments. Instead I didn't give a look or comment I simply went on with the party and proudly had an ant cupcake with the rest of them. And they all smiled when the Alien had green grass icing all over her face.

I am not making my mother out to be a bad person, she means well. My mother always means well, she always means well. I could hear her in the background as I was trying to soothe the Alien "Mona is so much better with her than I was with Mona when she was the Alien's age." For my mother that is an olive branch I gladly take. Her opinion of me matters more than anyone else, I have no idea why. But I know by writing this and publishing it I am up for a discussion. The topic may be that I am of course over reacting that they were innocent comments and I shouldn't make the situation all about me. If the Alien is now "MM" then how can I not make it about Big Mona? Or it could simply be something we don't talk about.

I guess I need to warn those fans who live in the Alien and Cavemen universe as I am trying to write daily they may pop into the story. This is not the Alien and Caveman story but mine and I am going to own it.

Blueberries and BlackBerries

So yesterday I made homemade blueberry muffins.

Okay first let me explain how much I love blueberry muffins because really good ones are hard to find. They can't be too sweet but just sweet enough. And one warm with creamy butter is really like nirvana. When I get to heaven I want St. Pete there with a welcome basket of homemade blueberry muffins, champagne chicken, the mushroom soup I had at Sonoma Wine Bar in Virginia Beach, and my entire meal from Hominy Grill in Charleston, South Carolina. Calm down folks it s heaven calories will no longer count, I hope.

And these were perfect because I used the Ina Garten recipe for them! Any recipe from her that I have made has been perfection!

And best of all the Alien and Caveman loved the muffins too! They actually love watching me mix things in my KitchenAid Ultra Power Stand Mixer. The Alien will look into the bowl and just say, "ooooooooo!" The Caveman is a little more direct "That is going to be yummy in my tummy!" Oh course baking with toddlers is an experience because you have to make sure tiny fingers don't go after raw dough or worse crowd you so that you actually can't work. But I love that the kids want to bake with mommy.

I also made muffins because I was feeling guilty about the fact that I had to attend a Saturday class for my essay class for school. I left the kids and Big Papi getting ready for the Caveman's swimming lesson while I made the long trek to class.

I got half way to class and realized that I didn't charge my Blackberry and didn't have the car charger. So I had no contact with the outside world, which is a blessing and a curse because it is nice for people not being able to find you but the anxious feeling of not being able to find out at a moment's notice what the children are up to isn't really worth not having a fully charged BlackBerry.

And boy, were the children up to something. According to Big Papi after he brought the kids back from swimming he fell asleep on the couch and when he woke up he found the Alien happily eating one of the blueberry muffins (including paper) on the floor in front of him. He got up and saw that I had left the muffins high on a counter where we thought tiny hands couldn't reach. He also saw that four muffins were missing and a paper wrapper was on the floor. Big Papi asked the Caveman if he helped his sister get the muffins and the Caveman denied the action, but again he had a blueberry smear on his face. Both kids were sent to their rooms until I got home.

I laugh at the story because I wasn't there to get angry. Plus who naps with toddlers on the loose! We're lucky to have a house left because when Big Papi sleeps he is dead to the world. If I were a toddler I would have gotten the permanent markers and drawn on daddy! Again this is easiest for me to think because I am right now in school mode and don't have to clean up the messes as much as he does.

Wild Kingdom

So my house is quickly turning in to Wild Kingdom!

As you all know we had Bunny Watch 2010 the other day and you would think that would be the end of it. No not at all.

Last night as I was putting in a movie for the children so that I could start dinner I felt something crawling across my exposed toes in my favorite Old Navy pink flip flops. Sure enough the biggest bug ever is crawling across my foot. Jumping I throw the bug of my foot and it crawls away under the entertainment stand. Well I haven't been in the room since! Well not really but I am not willing to go look for the bug.

We have a rule in our house; I pushed out children so Big Papi has to deal with creepy crawlies. And this spring and summer the city has been doing work on our drainage system in our neighborhood so all sorts of gross things have made their way into my home. So he has to deal with the traps and removal of gross things. And when he pushes out a five pound human being from an opening of only 10cm then I'll take my turn at removing the creepy crawlies.

I called Big Papi only mere moments after rescuing my foot from the giant bug and he tells me that yes he will look for the bug when he gets home. I think he lied to me because I have seen the bug now two more times.

On the second occasion I was picking up toys in the same room where there it was, coming after me like it had its guns pointed on stun. I scream for Big Papi, who I think has developed the thing where husbands ignore wives until the screaming gets to high pitch frequencies. So Big Papi comes in, very slowly I might add what if I were on fire, and I point in the general direction of where the bug is, near a pillow and a toy. He picks up the toy and sees the bug and jumps three times like a monkey while screaming like a little girl and the bug escapes under the couch! I of course am laughing and wishing I had at least the BlackBerry out to record this man screaming like a tiny little girl.

Okay, this is a 6'7 mountain of a man against a fairly big bug. In the middle of this the tiny Alien comes over with her sandal clad shoe and steps on the bug which is why the bug went under the couch. So the Alien is braver than her parents apparently. I am now completely upset and I want him to turn the couch over and get the bug!

Of course in the middle of my panicking that while I am watching a Netflix movie the bug will appear and eat me, Big Papi reminds me that he is leaving for basketball. Basketball at a time of crisis for our household as it is under siege. He is going to abandon his wife and small children to a evil bug to play basketball?

Big Papi went to basketball and I haven't been in the TV room since.

Cupcake Summit 2010

So it is Crazy Grandma's 50^th birthday next Monday and the most excited person is the Caveman. I guess at three years old the prospect of a birthday, any one's birthday, is an exciting event.

Together he and I have poured over the books Hello Cupcake and What's New Cupcake, and have decided to make Crazy Grandma the Ant Cupcakes (which look super easy). Then I made the mistake of letting the Caveman look further into the cupcake book and he saw it, the race car cupcake.

You know as a sidebar I need to say that the past few weeks I have been immersed in Russian politics because of a class I was taking for school. We spoke a lot about the relations between western countries and the former Soviet Union especially negotiations on arms agreements in the 1970s. Well sorry Mr. Kissinger you have nothing on a mommy trying to convince a very excited three year old that the race car cupcake, while cute and fun, may not be the best choice for a grown up's birthday. I kept trying to get him back to the ants but he kept going on and on about the race car cupcakes. Plus he wanting balloons, presents, and party hats for the birthday girl- my what a party planner I have on hand.

Then it hit me- if I did the cake in purple glitter it would kind of rock and fit my mom's personality. So now I am going to wait and see what I can come up with. Luckily Crazy Grandma is flexible with the grandchildren's choices. And this is a very good lesson for the Caveman to have that celebrating another person's birthday is actually way more fun than your own.

So stay tuned my faithful readers, all five of you, we will find out which cupcakes prevailed.

Schedules

So the Bunny didn't make it.

Dr. Richie said the Bunny was malnourished, dehydrated and of course had major lacerations from the encounter with our cat Zeus.

I was worried that when I got home the kids would be asking about the Bunny, but thankfully I had Zumba class so if there were questions Big Papi was there to answer them.

We have a new schedule in the Caveman/Alien household this summer because of course mommy is in school.

Monday I have class- if it is in person the kids will go to Normal Grandma's house which they love

Tuesday I have Zumba class and Big Papi has basketball- we are planning on trading the kids at the YMCA like divorced parents.

Wednesday I have class and see Monday

Thursday same as Tuesday

Friday- as soon as I am up to it I plan on adding a third Zumba class which I hope is also going to be shared with Big Papi

Saturday- we have swimming lessons for the Caveman, and then that is the day for homework, household chores, and outdoor fun

Sunday- ah the day of rest again we will probably use that for true family time.

Just looking at this I am wondering, "What was I thinking?" If you know a working adult with kids going back to school give them a round of applause and offer to make dinner. I often feel guilt when I am in class because first Big Papi has to take on a lot while I am in school. Next comes the guilt about the kids and that I am not spending enough time with them. This especially comes when people ask me what I plan to use my degree and I have no answer.

A part of me knows that getting the degree is actually selfish. If I don't need the degree why am I spending so much time away from my family to get one? It isn't like the degree is a bad thing but it is definitely something I want to finish. I want the kids with me in May 2012 to see mommy finishing what she started. And the Alien has never known life without mommy being in class. I want them to see the struggle so that when they are in their early 20s they make different and better choices.

The new semester begins tonight and so begins the guilt.

Bunny Rabbits Are Not For Eating Kitty Cat!

So, this morning after putting the Caveman to sleep early because he lied I was still feeling bad about it. But of course as little kids do the Caveman burst into my bedroom and jumped on the bed giving me a big smack on the lips and told me he loved me. There really is no better way to wake up in the morning.

And then he told me about the baby rabbit.

I am not sure if I have told you about our cat Zeus. We have had Zeus since the Caveman was only about 9 months old. And Zeus, like many cats, like to chase things in the yard and bring them into the house still alive. Big Papi is getting pretty good with bird removal and I have no sympathy for mice. But when I saw the tea cup sized bunny rabbit in the plastic shoe box my heart melted. The Caveman and Alien household does not let baby bunnies die on their watch. So Big Papi texted Dr. Richie (who is a really awesome vet btw) and he said he would have a look.

Of course the Caveman was so excited about the baby bunny. He even brought toys for the baby bunny to play with and wanted to feed him carrots. And I know I have a veggie garden and should want the cat to get rid of any animals who threaten it but come on a baby bunny the size of a tea cup? I don't think so.

I also told Big Papi that under no circumstance were we keeping the bunny! The house is finally getting cleaned and adding another life form to it just isn't going to work.

I will keep everyone posted on Bunny Watch 2010.