WORKS FOR US WEDNESDAY

Washing my son’s hair at bath time has always been quite an event for us. He can play in the water outside all day and get it in his ears and face, but if it happens at bath time – let the screaming begin. One night during the hair washing battle, I wondered what we had done with the little hair washing visor I had purchased a few months back. I hadn’t seen it for months; I assume we trashed it because it was worthless. It was one of those visors that is made specifically for washing hair. It was very flimsy and it didn’t cover his ears. We had trouble keeping it on too. As I sat wondering what we had done with it, I thought of his Spiderman visor. So I went to get it and we’ve been using it ever since. It works perfectly. The wide band covers his ears and the cardboard visor is strong and withstands the water. I start by putting it around his neck and then bringing the front and sides up under his hair. I hang it on the shower nozzle when we are done so that it can dry. This definetly works for us. Now my husband and I don’t argue about who has to wash his hair.

We purchased this one at Wal-Mart in the Infants/Toddlers department.

Note: The strange brown mark on his neck is a batman tattoo.

For more WFMW tips, click on over to Rocks In My Dryer...

Wish Update

The same evening as the "wishing star" question was asked, we went outside to see if in fact there was one. According to Brayden there was. There were millions of stars, but he set his eyes on one and claimed it to be the famous star. He whispered his wish and then we went back inside. He did later tell me that he wished for a "tiny baby dog that wouldn't scratch him when he jumps and a teddy bear". (he has a dozen already). The funny part is that he got up the next morning and started looking around the living room like he had lost something. I asked him what he was looking for and he said "where is my wish from the wishing star"? He thought that he would wake up and find what he had wished for. I explained that the wishing star doesn't actually bring you your wish. It tells your parents what your wish is and then they decide whether or not you can have what you wished for. He said "oh" and went along his merry way.

Yesterday he was watching some shows that we had DVR'd a few weeks ago and a Berenstein Bears episode came on and it was titled "The Wishing Star". Ah-ha, that's where he came up with the idea. Sister Bear wishes for a teddy bear that she sees in a store window. She got her wish. Maybe Brayden will get a bear this week from the wishing star! (He won't be getting a tiny baby dog though)

By the way, I'm leaving for San Francisco today for a business trip, so I won't be posting until next Thursday.

Recent Conversations...

While laying in our bed this morning watching TV…

B: Is there going to be a wishing star tonight?
T: I don’t know. Why?
B: Because I have a wish.
T: What is it? (knowing that I’m not supposed to ask)
B: I can’t tell you, it’s a secret.

It’s been driving me crazy all day. I want to know what it is. I told him we would look for a wishing star tonight. Maybe I can con him in to telling me his wish if I tell him one of mine.

On the way to school…

B: When do people get to have girlfriends?
T: When they are 16.
B: When am I gonna be 16?
T: In 11 years. Why? Is there someone that you want to be your girlfriend?
B: Yes
T: Who?
B: I don’t know their names yet?

Notice he says “their names” - as in more than one!

This WFMW isn’t really that exciting, but it definetly works for me, so I thought I’d share it.

First, let me begin by saying that I am a very messy cook…but then again aren’t all good cooks? :) At least I always clean up my mess! That’s where my tip comes in. I hate to have wet or messy hands and have to run all over the kitchen dripping until I find the dish towel. So, I take a clean dish towel and fold it in 3rds lengthwise and tuck about 2 inches into the waistband of my pants. The towel is always right there when I need it. I take the dirty dish towel from the previous day and throw it in the floor. If I drop something on the floor while I’m cooking, I just grab the towel with my foot and wipe it up. At the end of the day I toss it into the laundry. Tomorrow, the regular dish towel goes to the floor, and I get a clean one to use for my hands or to tuck while I’m cooking!

For more awesome WFMW tips go to Rocks in My Dryer and check out the other participants ideas.

The ABC's of ME

Accent: I don't think I have one, but all my northern friends swear that I do - they would probably describe it as southern.

Bible Book that I like: Psalms

Chore that I don’t care for: Laundry. I H-A-T-E it with a passion

Dog or Cat: Definetly Dogs, we don't currently have one but we are on the lookout.

Essential Electronics: DVR - I really can't don't want to live without it. It's the only way I can ever fit my favorite shows into my schedule. I can squeeze a lot of commercial free TV into Friday nights between 10pm and 2 am!

Favorite Cologne: Couldn't pick one favorite, so here are my top 4 - Mary Kay Belara, MK Journey, Clinique Happy & Marc Jacobs

Gold or Silver: Silver or White Gold only.

Handbag I carry most often: My black purse from Target.

Insomnia: I wish! I might could stay awake long enough to get some things done

Job Title: Official - Juvenile Product Category Manager / Unofficial - Mom, Wife, Daughter & Friend

Kids: 4 yr old son Brayden

Living Arrangements: Me, the hubby and Brayden in a 3 bedroom one story home with a huge backyard that takes forever to mow!

Most Admirable Trait: My friends would say generous or helpful. I will go out of my way to volunteer to help or give to anyone that ask, no matter what. That's not always a good thing for me. Sometimes it gets me in over my head.

Naughtiest childhood behavior: I was always the goody goody kid. There wasn't alot of naughty behavior, but probably the worst thing I ever did was steal a stop sign.

Overnight hospital stay: The birth of my son and last year's 3 day stint due to viral meningitis.

Phobias: I'm not really afraid of anything like heights, water, snakes, etc. I'm probably most afraid of speaking in a large group or afraid that I will never be or do what I was destined to do.

Quote: "If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it" - Albert Einstein

Religion: I try not to get wrap up in the word "religion". You can have religion all day and end up in hell. I'm a Christian that believes the bible...all of it. I have a living, breathing relationship with Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior.

Siblings: 1 brother, David 6 yrs older than me

Time I wake up: Supposed to - 6:15 / Really do - whenver I decide to quit hitting the snmooze button

Unusual Talent or skill: I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue and I make really good sound effects (train whistle, sirens, cats fighting...)

Vegetable I refuse to eat: brussel sprouts

Worst habit: Oh I'm sure my husband could give you a whole list, but I would say my worst is leaving my clothes all over the bedroom. That would definetly be #1 on his list.

X-rays: just my teeth

Yummy stuff I cook: cookies, cakes & casseroles

Zoo animal I like most: Chimps - I could sit and watch them all day. I used to collect stuffed ones when I was younger. I always swore that when I moved out on my own I would get a real one. Well I did about 5 years ago - his name is Brayden! :) He jumps around and acts just as crazy as they do!

I'm tagging Tiffany

Sing me a song...

As Bobby and I listened from our room, we could hear Brayden singing this...

"We are people"
"We are animals"
"*loud* WE ARE BIIIRRDDS"
"We got a new house" (which we didn't, not sure what that's all about)
"We got a new house"
"We got a new house"
"I got a big truck"
"I got a big pick me up truck"
"I got a big truck"
" I got a big - *paused while thinking* - nothin'"
"I got a big nothin"

Then he just hummed the rest of the time. We were cracking up. He's got such an incredibly creative imagination. You should hear some of the stories he makes up. It's also a lot of fun listening to him while he is in his room playing. He uses different voices and plays 2 or 3 characters all at one time. It so funny.

Out of the blue while riding in the car yesterday…

B: Did you and Daddy make me?
M: Well, Jesus made you, but me and daddy kind of helped.
B: *gasp* You were in Jesus when I was in Jesus?
M: Um, not really.
B: So Jesus made my head and you and daddy made the rest?
M: Uh, something like that.

Horrible answers, I know… but I was driving in very heavy traffic when this conversation took place and I was barely listening.

This recipe has been around for years, but I'm surprised by how many people have never heard of it, so I thought I'd share it.

Quick Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c Creamy Peanut Butter
1 c White Sugar
1 Large Egg
1 tsp Baking Powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients together until well blended. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Use fork to make criss cross on top of each cookie, flattening just slightly. Sprinkle lightly with sugar. (you can also roll the balls in sugar) Bake for 7-8 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet until set, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 25-30 cookies. Enjoy!

If you post a "On the Menu Monday" recipe on your site, let me know and I'll link to you.

THANK YOU ALL!!

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you that stopped by and offered the much need advice I needed in regards to my son and kindergarten. After discussing it with my husband and praying about it, we have decided to wait. Some of you had some really great points and really helped make the decision easier. I even read your comments to my husband. It also helped that Brayden had some really immature moments this weekend... a lot more than usual. There were several times that I looked at my husband during one of those moments and said "and that's why he's not ready". I feel 100% at peace with this decision and that feels good. Now we just need to figure out the whole new preschool thing. Thanks again!

I need your help...

I have a dilemma. Brayden will turn 5, 6 weeks before the kindergarten cut-off date. Do we start him this year or wait?

We have been going along this whole year with the intention of enrolling him to start. However we had his 4 yr old check up last week (yes, it's a bit late) and the pediatrician seemed surprised. He said he usually recommends that children that turn 5 after June should wait...especially boys. So, now that this kink has been thrown into our plan, I'm struggling daily with the decision. The Dr. made some very good points and when I weigh the pro's and con's, waiting definetly wins. I've done a lot of internet research and have found great arguments for both. Based on most of the info I found...

If he starts now, he will always be the little kid, the young one, the follower. He will be 5 the entire time he is in kindergarten, where as most others will have turned 6 sometime in the year. As for athletics in his future, he will usually be the smallest on the team.

If we wait, he will be taller than most of the kids, the older one, the leader. He will be 6 the entire time he is in kindergarten, right along with most of the other kid's in his class. As for athletics, he will most likely be the bigger kid on the team.

If we decide to start him now, we take the chance that maybe he isn’t ready and that it’s a struggle for a year and then he has to redo kindergarten.

If we decide to wait, then we have to find a new preschool program for him. We love the place he is at now as for being safe & nurturing, but they just don’t teach them anything. Well they try, but here is the issue with that. They have 3 “circle times” a day. These are the times where actual skills are learned. (writing, word recognition, etc) They cannot force a child to attend circle time though, they are given a choice. If you were 4 would you choose “sit and listen” or “run wild and play”? Exactly. Half the time he says that they didn’t have circle time that day because none of the kids wanted to. Who’s running this show?? I have spoken to 2 other centers and they say that, yes it is true that circle time cannot be forced, however both also said that they very seldom have a child that does not want to attend. Do I keep him where I know he is definetly loved and cared but not necessarily learning anything or do I try to find him a better learning environment and hope that he is cared for just a well? (the pre-k program I am looking into is highly recommended)

As for Brayden, I don’t really think he cares. He’s been really excited about starting kindergarten, but I mentioned maybe “Pre-K” instead and he gets excited about that. He doesn’t know that pre-k is just my term for “a new preschool”. Most of the kids in his current class are leaving to start Kindergarten, so he fine knowing that he will leave too. We have 8 K-5 schools, so he’s already prepared for the fact that he probably won’t be going to school with any of his current classmates. The new preschool is actually inside the high school, so he will get to go to a “big school” too.

I’ve gone back and forth on this for a week and it’s driving me insane. I need opinions from moms who have already been there. Please!!

By the way, according to the kindergarten readiness check list, he meets or exceeds every single learning skill that he must have to attend. It's the socially and behaviorally ready that I'm concerned about. Naturally he is going to be less mature than anyone else in his class.

Works for me...

My WFM this week is my version of an emergency car kit. It’s a plastic storage box that I keep in my trunk. It’s got everything you need “in case of an emergency”. Not just a “stranded in the snow” emergency kit, but it’s got everything you need for kid emergencies too. There are a lot of sites out there that make suggestions for what to put in your car emergency kit, but they don’t tell you about these items…

• Bath Towel – Works great when soaking up an entire Route 44 drink from sonic - trust me, I know.

• Complete outfit for my son – There have been many occasions where I have picked him up from daycare with marker or paint on his clothes. If we have to go somewhere before going home, I can change him into “appropriate for public” wear. Also, good if you have a little one that have just taken on potty training and still in that occasional accident stage.

• 2 Wal-Mart Sacks – Great for putting the wet towel or dirty clothes in.

• Pajamas for my son – If we are out late and I know he will fall asleep before we get home, I can change him before we go instead of trying to do it in his sleep when we get home.

• A 30 minute calling card and a blank check (well hidden under everything) – Dead cell phone or no service? As for the check we were actually traveling through a very small town and we stop to get gas. They didn't have the ability to take a credit card and I didn't have the checkbook. Thank goodness for that check.

• Rope (actually it’s more of a string) – No, it's not to tie up the kids. It's for those times that that you purchase something and then realize when you get it to the car that it doesn’t quite fit in the trunk. The string is to tie the trunk down.

• Ziploc Bags - I actually added this last week after reading someone else's WFMW tip. I've gone back through and can't find it though. The tip was to use ziplocs for "car sick" bags. Of course, the best thing to do is pullover, but sometimes that just isn't possible.

• Baby Wipes - Oh so many uses for baby wipes! I keep them in the glove box too.

• The items in my box that most sites also recommend:
  

• First aid kit - great for all those playground mishaps
• Bottled water – they suggest using it if your car overheats. It’s also great for washing dirty hands and faces or rinsing owies.
• Matches
• Non-Perishable snacks
• Fix a Flat
• Flashlight
• Jumper cables

When Brayden was an infant, I had a couple of diapers and a diaper trash sack. Also a Ziploc with one portion of baby formula in it, an empty bottle, and an extra pacifier. This is great for the times that your mommy-fried-memory forgets the diaper bag.

What other items would you add??

Swiss Chicken

This is the favorite chicken dish in our house. It's very easy and the chicken is so moist!! I usually serve it with steamed broccoli and sometimes I serve it over rice. YUMMM...

4-5 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4-5 thick slices Swiss Cheese ( I prefer to get mine from the deli)
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup milk
2 cups Herb Seasoned Stuffing Mix (I'm not a big herb stuffing fan, so I use the Cornbread Stuffing Mix, instead of the seasoned)
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place chicken in a lightly greased 13 x 9 glass baking dish. Top with Swiss cheese slices. Combine soup and milk and stir well. Spoon mixture over chicken and sprinkle with stuffing mix. Drizzle butter or margarine over crumbs.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes.

Check out these blogger's recipes too...

Tiffany

Sandra

Deal or No Deal

I’m assuming most of you heard of the latest game show craze on prime time TV. Well we have only watched it 3 or 4 times, but Brayden has already learned how it works. Out of nowhere this weekend, he gives his rendition of the show. Complete with sound effects. So I asked him to perform his new act for Nana & Papa last night. It went a little something like this….

B: Ok Nana, it’s your turn. Pick a case.
N: 21
B: Ok, that’s Melinda. Melinda, open the case. *swoosh* as the case opens
B: (to Melinda) Is it good or bad? Bad (in a high pitched girl voice). It’s bad nana.
N: How much is in it?
B: 700
N: What’s the banker offering?
B: (goes and stands in the corner with a pretend phone to his ear and whispers…) How much is it?
B: 80 50 thousand
N: Deal

So we moved on to Papa and it went pretty much the same, except this time Melissa had the case and the bankers offer was 50,000. Papa took the deal

So then it’s my turn and again it goes the same, except the girl’s name was Michelle Lisa. After opening the case, Michelle Lisa says it’s very bad. The banker only offered me $50 and I said no deal. To which Brayden replied “Nope that’s not how we play here” and then he walked out of the room and went back to playing.

Not sure what’s up with all the “M” names??

This will turn your world updside down

I bake a lot. I am always sending a few pieces of cake or some cupcakes to work with my hubby. I’m also known for sending large portions of cake home with friends and family after gatherings. Instead of putting it on a plate with foil or saran wrap over it (sticks to the icing). I put it in a Ziploc or Rubbermaid disposable bowl. So you ask, what’s so cool about that? Well, I turn the bowl upside down. I put the cake on the lid and then put the bowl on top, kind of like a mini cake carrier. The deeper ones work better. It’s much easier to cut and serve this way, rather than having it down inside a bowl. You also don’t have to worry about getting your dishes back. For home, I have a large plastic storage bowl that I use when the leftover cake or pie is small enough to fit. I can then get the big bulky cake carrier out of my fridge or off of my cabinet. They will usually store 3 pieces of cake or 4 cupcakes. If you need something a little bigger than the disposables, you can usually find some plastic bowls with lids at a dollar store.
Your friends and family will be oh-so impressed at such an ingenius idea! Soon they will all have there own "upside down bowls". Mine all do anyway...

I LOOVVVEEE to cook! I am always looking for new recipes to try. I love to open a cookbook, find a recipe and go for it. Most things turn our great, but there have been a few that the hubby says to put on the "please don't cook this again" list. I also enjoy receiving new recipes and sharing my favorites with others.
So, following the lead of Shannon from Rocks In My Dryer, I've decided to start a new weekly feature. It's called "On the menu Monday" It will feature my families favorite recipes. I would love for all of you to play along. It will be a great way for all of us to build our recipe collection. If you want to join me each Monday, just let me know and I will link to you within my post. It doesn't have to be an original recipe. It can be your favorite recipe from your Betty Crocker cookbook, just make sure that you give Betty credit for it! If you have a story that goes along with your recipe, please share that also!! Bon Appétit!

This is one of my families favorites. It makes a lot (well at least for my little family of 3) and it can be made several days in advance and put in the fridge until ready to bake. It is a Taste of Homes recipe, but I made several changes.

Baked Spaghetti

1 lb of lean ground beef
12 oz of spaghetti or macaroni noodles
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
1 T butter
2 14.5 oz cans of Italian diced tomatoes
1 container of fresh sliced mushrooms, rinsed and drain
1 3.8 oz can of sliced black olives
2 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
¼ c water
¼ c parmesan cheese

Brown the ground beef. Drain and set aside.
Cook the spaghetti, drain, and set aside (see pasta cooking tips at the bottom)
In a large skillet, sauté onion, green pepper, and mushrooms in butter until tender. Add tomatoes, olives and cooked ground beef. Simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes. Place half of the spaghetti in a greased 9x13 glass dish. Top with half of the vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Repeat layers (pasta,veggies/cheese). Mix the soup and water until smooth; pour over casserole. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
10 servings, 419 calories per serving (save 50 calories per serving by using low fat cheese and low fat soup)

Pasta Cooking Tips:
· Since this pasta is going to be boiled and baked, you don't boil it until it's tender. Boil until flexible but still quite firm about the recommended cooking time. Otherwise, it will be gummy by the time it's boiled and baked.
· Do not add oil to your pasta to keep it from sticking. This actually coats the pasta and keeps the sauce from adhering to it.
· Do NOT rinse pasta unless the recipe says to do so (cold salads, etc). The starch that makes the pasta stick to itself also helps the sauce stick to the pasta.
· Don’t overdrain your pasta! Pasta needs to be moist to combine well. Unless you are adding sauce immediately, always leave a little bit of water to help keep the pasta from sticking.

If the kids don’t like the veggies in this recipe, you can puree them all together after you have sautéed them. Then add them to the tomatoes and puree again until you just have a liquid sauce. They will never know they were in there. It doesn’t look as good but it tastes the same.

Quote of the day

When I picked Brayden up from preschool on Friday, he informed me that...

"If you eat a lot of food and drink blood and drink slime, then you will die. For real mom, you will. You will die forever.

Where does he come up with this stuff!