FEATURING:
One rough, tough biker babe -
One rough, tough biker babe -
And, the cutest scarecrow EVER!! -
Happy Haunting :)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Never A Dull Moment
Life with a (almost) one-year-old and a two-year-old can be interesting. Case in point: my day today.
Some days just don't go as planned and today was a prime example. The plan was to make sugar cookies with Ashlyn and take them to Brian's workplace. Turns out, Ashlyn wasn't really in the mood to bake this morning. This might not have been a bad thing, since she tends to slow things down a bit. She frosted ONE cookie and she was done.
I finished the cookies, cleaned up a bit and was about to put the kids in a bath when I made a startling discovery. Trent had locked, or rather, had barricaded himself in the bathroom! He was just in the kitchen with me two minutes before, how did this happen?
Now, if you are confused as to what I mean by "barricaded", let me draw you a mental picture. Trent had gone into the bathroom, closed the door, and opened a drawer, making it impossible for me to open the door from the outside. Got it?
My first course of action was to try to get Trent to close the drawer. That didn't go over very well. He's 11 1/2 months and doesn't follow directions. But, boy did I try. After a few times of trying calmly, I started getting desperate and began yelling, "TRENT, CLOSE THE DRAWER!" This alerted Ashlyn and she came a runnin'. She began repeating everything I said and did. Yelling only made matters worse, because Trent didn't understand why mommy was getting angry, and he began to cry. Great.
The second course of action was to get a wire hanger, bend it into and "L", wedge it under the door, and try to close the drawer. After trying that a couple times and getting NOWHERE, I called Brian.
Me: Um, Trent is locked in the bathroom.
Brian: So, just pick the lock.
Me: No, you don't understand, he is in the bathroom with the door closed and the drawer open.
Brian: Oh, that's not good. Get a wire hanger and-
Me: I'm already doing that.
After giving me a few pointers, I tell Brian I will try some more and call him back. Poor Trent just doesn't understand why instead of rescuing him, I am shoving wire hangers at him. Then I call Aaron since he now lives 2 minutes away, and tell him that I could really use his help. I explain the situation and he says he will be right over. Aaron gives the hanger-under-the-door method a couple tries and we quickly realize that is not going to work. I call Brian again and tell him to come home.
The third course of action is to try to get into the bathroom through the window. So, we pull the ladder out and Aaron takes apart the window. Trent is crying even harder by now and I am beginging to worry that he has somehow hurt himself. I don't keep any cleaners in the bathroom, so I know he is not ingesting anything harmful, but I am worried that he has hit his head, or poked himself in the eye with a bobby pin, or somehow cut himself.
As soon as Aaron gets the window open and says, "Hey Trent buddy", Trent immediately calms down and stops crying. Aaron thinks the whole thing is pretty humorous and snaps a photo, for posterity.
Notice all the hangers? That was Ashlyn's attempt at helping.
By the time Aaron saves the day and gets through the window, Trent had been in the bathroom for 1 1/2 hours, and had been crying for at least an hour! Poor guy. He quickly recovered once he was held and smothered with hugs and kisses.
Brian arrived just after Trent was rescued. After thanking Aaron for coming to my aid, and giving Trent a few more kisses, he took the cookies and headed back to work.
Here are my unsuccessful tools -
Aaron putting the window back together -
Next on our home improvement list: child locks on the bathroom drawers. Today does not need to be repeated, EVER!
Some days just don't go as planned and today was a prime example. The plan was to make sugar cookies with Ashlyn and take them to Brian's workplace. Turns out, Ashlyn wasn't really in the mood to bake this morning. This might not have been a bad thing, since she tends to slow things down a bit. She frosted ONE cookie and she was done.
I finished the cookies, cleaned up a bit and was about to put the kids in a bath when I made a startling discovery. Trent had locked, or rather, had barricaded himself in the bathroom! He was just in the kitchen with me two minutes before, how did this happen?Now, if you are confused as to what I mean by "barricaded", let me draw you a mental picture. Trent had gone into the bathroom, closed the door, and opened a drawer, making it impossible for me to open the door from the outside. Got it?
My first course of action was to try to get Trent to close the drawer. That didn't go over very well. He's 11 1/2 months and doesn't follow directions. But, boy did I try. After a few times of trying calmly, I started getting desperate and began yelling, "TRENT, CLOSE THE DRAWER!" This alerted Ashlyn and she came a runnin'. She began repeating everything I said and did. Yelling only made matters worse, because Trent didn't understand why mommy was getting angry, and he began to cry. Great.
The second course of action was to get a wire hanger, bend it into and "L", wedge it under the door, and try to close the drawer. After trying that a couple times and getting NOWHERE, I called Brian.
Me: Um, Trent is locked in the bathroom.
Brian: So, just pick the lock.
Me: No, you don't understand, he is in the bathroom with the door closed and the drawer open.
Brian: Oh, that's not good. Get a wire hanger and-
Me: I'm already doing that.
After giving me a few pointers, I tell Brian I will try some more and call him back. Poor Trent just doesn't understand why instead of rescuing him, I am shoving wire hangers at him. Then I call Aaron since he now lives 2 minutes away, and tell him that I could really use his help. I explain the situation and he says he will be right over. Aaron gives the hanger-under-the-door method a couple tries and we quickly realize that is not going to work. I call Brian again and tell him to come home.
The third course of action is to try to get into the bathroom through the window. So, we pull the ladder out and Aaron takes apart the window. Trent is crying even harder by now and I am beginging to worry that he has somehow hurt himself. I don't keep any cleaners in the bathroom, so I know he is not ingesting anything harmful, but I am worried that he has hit his head, or poked himself in the eye with a bobby pin, or somehow cut himself.
As soon as Aaron gets the window open and says, "Hey Trent buddy", Trent immediately calms down and stops crying. Aaron thinks the whole thing is pretty humorous and snaps a photo, for posterity.
Notice all the hangers? That was Ashlyn's attempt at helping.By the time Aaron saves the day and gets through the window, Trent had been in the bathroom for 1 1/2 hours, and had been crying for at least an hour! Poor guy. He quickly recovered once he was held and smothered with hugs and kisses.
Brian arrived just after Trent was rescued. After thanking Aaron for coming to my aid, and giving Trent a few more kisses, he took the cookies and headed back to work.
Here are my unsuccessful tools -
Aaron putting the window back together -
Next on our home improvement list: child locks on the bathroom drawers. Today does not need to be repeated, EVER!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Slackerville
I have been seriously slacking in the blogging department lately. And I feel as though I should apologize for not keeping up with the comings and goings of my fellow bloggers. I am afraid that school has taken a nasty hold on any free time I used to have, and I am therefore, just not as able to keep up with my favorite blogs like I used to. So, sorry everyone. I will try to do better, but I’m not making any promises. With that being said, I hope you enjoy a few new posts from me as I try to play catch-up.
Have You Heard The News?
I regret to inform you – unless you already heard – that Mother’s Cookie Co. has declared bankruptcy and has closed its doors for good. So, so, so very sad. What is this world going to do without the infamous Circus Animal cookies? It just doesn’t seem right that my kids will grow up without the frosted shortbread animal-shaped cookies with sprinkles on top. Sigh. We paid homage to the great cookie company tonight by indulging. Good bye Circus Animals.
Sitter Swap
My siblings and I have started a babysitting/date night swap. We each suffer through one night of chaos in exchange for three nights of peace. With the rising cost of babysitters, it is a great way to save some cash and still spend one-on-one time with your spouse.
It was our turn to have all the kids on Friday, and although it was a bit hectic for me and Brian, the kids had a blast. Since the weather was nice, they were able to run around outside for awhile before it got dark. Then we had dinner, read Halloween books, made a pumpkin man, watched the classic “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, and made these cute marshmallow jack-o-lanterns:
If you want to make them, here's how: Take one large marshmallow and put it on a stick. Melt 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips with 1/4 teaspoon oil and dye orange. Take a green miniature marshmallow and roll it between thumb and fingers for form a stem. Roll marshmallow in orange chocolate and place stem on top. Lay pumpkin on wax paper and add the face using miniature chocolate chips. Refrigerate to set. It is super easy and the kids had a lot of fun making them and consuming them :)
It was our turn to have all the kids on Friday, and although it was a bit hectic for me and Brian, the kids had a blast. Since the weather was nice, they were able to run around outside for awhile before it got dark. Then we had dinner, read Halloween books, made a pumpkin man, watched the classic “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, and made these cute marshmallow jack-o-lanterns:
If you want to make them, here's how: Take one large marshmallow and put it on a stick. Melt 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips with 1/4 teaspoon oil and dye orange. Take a green miniature marshmallow and roll it between thumb and fingers for form a stem. Roll marshmallow in orange chocolate and place stem on top. Lay pumpkin on wax paper and add the face using miniature chocolate chips. Refrigerate to set. It is super easy and the kids had a lot of fun making them and consuming them :)
Farm Country
Brian and I recently took the kids to the Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point and a good time was had by all.
- Price of 2 adult admissions = $7.00
- Price of 2 under two admissions = FREE
- Price of ice cream cones afterward = $3.74
- Total for 3 hours of fun = $10.74
Trent's expressions were priceless - good thing I caught a few on camera.
Thanksgiving dinner anyone?
Or is it Turducken you crave?
Monday, October 6, 2008
Just Another Monday Morning
I just got an interesting phone call from Brian. Apparently he had quite the morning - an experience that only he, because of his luck, would have. He was driving down the road this morning, when he looked in the rear-view mirror and saw a police officer behind him. No big deal, he was going the speed limit. But, since he was being "watched" (I hate that feeling), he was extra cautious as they went through a construction zone.
When he came to a stop light, Brian looked to see if he was still being followed. Yep, still there. The light turned green, Brian crossed the intersection, and that is when the situation took an ugly turn. Suddenly the officer hits the lights and siren. Brian pulled over quite confused.
An officer approached and went through the routine - license and registration please. Then he asked Brian to turn off the car and hand over the keys. Okay, that's new. Meanwhile, another cop car pulls up. After waiting and wondering for several minutes, the officer along with his "back-up" ask Brian to step out of the vehicle. He then was told to put his hands on his head and "spread em". And then, and here's the kicker, he was cuffed!
Brian: Um, can I ask what is going on here?
Officer: You are under arrest for possession of a stolen vehicle.
Now, if you know what Brian drives, then you will now be rolling on the floor laughing like I was. Brian drives "Old Blue", a 1995 dodge neon that I bought after I graduated from high school. I have wanted to get rid of the car for years, but Brian being the responsible one that he is, has insisted that he will drive it till it dies.
Brian: There has got to be some mistake, I have owned this car for 11 years.
Officer: That's what they all say. Why don't you have a seat on the curb.
So Brian sits himself on the curb, wondering how he is going to convince the officer that he is in fact the rightful owner of the car. I mean, if Brian was going to steal a car, you'd think he would have picked out something a little nicer. Ironically, do you know how many times I have wished that the car would be stolen, just so we don't have to wait for it to die?
While Brian is waiting and praying that nobody he knows sees him, two more cop cars show up. That makes four! So at this point, seated on curb with his hands cuffed behind his back, Brian is sure that everyone passing by (this happened right off of State Street) is privately praising the officers for nabbing another sleazy drug dealer.
One of the additional cop cars to arrive on the scene was from another city - the city where the "stolen car" was from. Just as two officers were about to put Brian in the back of the cop car to take him to the police station, the cop from the other city intervened. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that "Old Blue's" plates and the stolen plates were off by one letter. Oops.
So, after being uncuffed and profusely apologized to, Brian was once again a free man.
Officer: You are the first guy that I have ever pulled over for having a stolen vehicle to be genuinely confused.
Well duh.
When he came to a stop light, Brian looked to see if he was still being followed. Yep, still there. The light turned green, Brian crossed the intersection, and that is when the situation took an ugly turn. Suddenly the officer hits the lights and siren. Brian pulled over quite confused.
An officer approached and went through the routine - license and registration please. Then he asked Brian to turn off the car and hand over the keys. Okay, that's new. Meanwhile, another cop car pulls up. After waiting and wondering for several minutes, the officer along with his "back-up" ask Brian to step out of the vehicle. He then was told to put his hands on his head and "spread em". And then, and here's the kicker, he was cuffed!
Brian: Um, can I ask what is going on here?
Officer: You are under arrest for possession of a stolen vehicle.
Now, if you know what Brian drives, then you will now be rolling on the floor laughing like I was. Brian drives "Old Blue", a 1995 dodge neon that I bought after I graduated from high school. I have wanted to get rid of the car for years, but Brian being the responsible one that he is, has insisted that he will drive it till it dies.
Brian: There has got to be some mistake, I have owned this car for 11 years.
Officer: That's what they all say. Why don't you have a seat on the curb.
So Brian sits himself on the curb, wondering how he is going to convince the officer that he is in fact the rightful owner of the car. I mean, if Brian was going to steal a car, you'd think he would have picked out something a little nicer. Ironically, do you know how many times I have wished that the car would be stolen, just so we don't have to wait for it to die?
While Brian is waiting and praying that nobody he knows sees him, two more cop cars show up. That makes four! So at this point, seated on curb with his hands cuffed behind his back, Brian is sure that everyone passing by (this happened right off of State Street) is privately praising the officers for nabbing another sleazy drug dealer.
One of the additional cop cars to arrive on the scene was from another city - the city where the "stolen car" was from. Just as two officers were about to put Brian in the back of the cop car to take him to the police station, the cop from the other city intervened. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that "Old Blue's" plates and the stolen plates were off by one letter. Oops.
So, after being uncuffed and profusely apologized to, Brian was once again a free man.
Officer: You are the first guy that I have ever pulled over for having a stolen vehicle to be genuinely confused.
Well duh.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Take A Deep Breath In...
and exhale. Whoopee!! I am officially on fall break and it couldn't have come at a better time. I usually go to school 6 days a week (my bio lab is on Saturday mornings - ugh!), so knowing that I don't have to go back to school until Monday is absolutely fantastic! I am in desperate need of a little R&R and my kids and hubby could definitely use a little extra TLC, so that is exactly what I plan on doing over the next 5 days.
Here are a few things on my agenda (dates and times not included):
Having pumpkin pancakes on conference weekend kicks off the pumpkin season for me. They are delicious and I invite you to join me. And when I say "join me", I don't actually want you to come to my house, I am just going to give you the recipe so you can make them yourself:
Pumpkin Pancakes
In a bowl, combine the following -
1 1/4 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg
pinch of cloves
In a separate bowl, whisk together -
1 cup milk
6 tbsp canned pumpkin
2 tbsp melted butter
1 egg
Fold the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients. Pour 1/4 cup for each pancake onto a medium heat skillet and cook about 3 minutes per side. Serve with butter and syrup. Makes about 10 pancakes. Bon Appetit!
Have a great weekend everyone, I know I will :o)
Here are a few things on my agenda (dates and times not included):
- Take the kids to the library for story time.
- Bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with Ashlyn.
- Go on a hot date with Bri - it has been months since we had a kid-free night.
- Take a leisure stroll around the neighborhood.
- Have a crafty girls night with my mom and sisters.
- Take the kids to the zoo.
- Soak in a long, hot bubble bath.
- Drive through the mountains to enjoy the beautiful fall leaves.
Having pumpkin pancakes on conference weekend kicks off the pumpkin season for me. They are delicious and I invite you to join me. And when I say "join me", I don't actually want you to come to my house, I am just going to give you the recipe so you can make them yourself:Pumpkin Pancakes
In a bowl, combine the following -
1 1/4 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg
pinch of cloves
In a separate bowl, whisk together -
1 cup milk
6 tbsp canned pumpkin
2 tbsp melted butter
1 egg
Fold the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients. Pour 1/4 cup for each pancake onto a medium heat skillet and cook about 3 minutes per side. Serve with butter and syrup. Makes about 10 pancakes. Bon Appetit!
Have a great weekend everyone, I know I will :o)
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