Merry Christmas

This year has been a doozy for me in so many aspects.   Even today as I write this, I have just attended the funeral of my precious Papa.  This is my second papa to die within days of Christmas.  I'd like to think they are both lucky to get to go to Heaven during it's biggest party!  I have learned so much this year about unexpected changes and turns in the road.  One huge one was the start of Momsie which has led to so many new personal goals for myself.  I hope that this next year continues to bring new challenges and lots of laughter.  Here's wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday (whichever one you celebrate) and a great start to a brand new year!

FYE: Portable North Pole

This website is a great tool for continuing the bribery surrounding Santa Clause.  If your child is on the "Nice" list use this personalized video to give them a pat on the back and motivation to keep up the good work.  If they have been on the "Naughty" list make sure they listen closely as Santa encourages them to behave a little more!  So cute!

Also make note that Momsie will be on "Christmas break" until after the holidays!  Mama needs a break to maintain this house during the craziness of guests and gift buying/wrapping/tearing open!  There may be some posts here and there but for the most part we are signing off.  Do check in because I will be sharing my personal Christmas card on here closer to Dec 25th!  It'll make you laugh, I promise!

local business: pink lady gumbo

I had the pleasure of meeting the woman behind Pink Lady Gumbo last year as our kids shared a teacher.  We usually were just flying past each other dropping off kids but I am loving her blog.  Check out her great recipes and food tips all wrapped up in her great sense of humor.  Enjoy...

Pink Lady Gumbo




*UPDATE: Yesterday while I was at my pediatrician's office I looked through a Little Ones magazine and lo and behold, Adeana's daughter was the cover girl.  Adeana is the lady behind Pink Lady Gumbo and apparently she also a photographer.  Ari looked adorable...check it out!

Adrienne Patterson: The Real Meaning of Christmas Part 2...

Another of week of December has rolled by and we are knee deep in either shopping for gifts or for the less organized, just beginning our lists. Gift buying has become a bit more difficult since having kids because I know have to consider the Santa Clause factor. Growing up our family didn’t believe in Santa Clause so all the rules and regulations for St. Nick are new to me. I had to have a Santa 101 class from my hubby where he promptly taught me 1. Santa gifts are not wrapped, 2. All big gifts are from Santa, 3. Parents do give gifts in addition to Santa but they are small and wrapped and mainly to supplement the Big Guy. I have gotten the hang of it pretty well but it’s a lot of work and now we have added the Elf on the Shelf and this whole fat-guy-in-the-red-suit fantasy has become a full time job!! I will admit it is fun and I think my father forbidding Santa might have been a bit extreme but there is a part of me that still struggles with this whole idea.



It seems to me that we will go to far more extremes to ensure our kids believe in Santa Clause than we will even consider doing to ensure they believe in the Big Guy that truly is real and the center of this holiday….Jesus! Sure, Santa is fun and exciting but only because we work so hard to make sure he is. We feed the fantasy for months and will climb on the roof to shake bells, sprinkle our yards with Reindeer food, call Santa, write to Santa, leave cookies and milk, all of this to be sure they believe in something that isn’t even real. How much effort to we make to teach them about a guy bigger and better than Santa that gives gifts ALL year long, truly exists and can give them life everlasting? I am not saying we need to forget about Santa but I do think there needs to be at least as much emphasis on the real hero of this season.



So as you work daily to build up the anticipation of Santa be mindful of ways that you can also teach them about the true reason we celebrate this season. Babies in mangers and wise men on camels, angels in the sky and a big bad kind named Herod all make for a pretty exciting story as well!! Read the Christmas story, make a birthday cake for Jesus, buy a neat Nativity scene and make the true story of Christmas become as real and amazing as Santa Clause….


Beth's note:
If you like Adrienne's thinking head over to this blog, Gus and Lula for even more inspiration. She has some great ideas to put the meaning back into Christmas.

Lauren Alexander: Final Rotisserie Chicken Recipe...

I hope you all have enjoyed the recipes I've shared over the last several weeks using the handy, dandy rotisserie chicken as a starting point. Did you use any? I sure hope so because they are easy and some of my favorite go-to recipes for those nights where I don't have the time or energy to be super creative (which is most every night if I'm being honest). Today is the last recipe in this series and I hope it leaves you with a good taste in your mouth. Literally.

 

Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

4 sandwich rolls, split and toasted

4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (1 cup)

Celery stalks for serving

 

Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the wing sauce and chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Dividing evenly, form sandwiches with the rolls, chicken mixture, and blue cheese. Serve with celery stalks. If you aren't a huge fan of blue cheese substitute ranch dressing instead. You can also serve carrots on the side to help with the heat factor depending on how hot your wing sauce is.

 

I like to think of this recipe is a healthy alternative to those yummy, crunchy wings ordered in a sports bar. In all fairness, they're two different meals. But if you've got a craving for the taste but not the calories, try swapping out the wings for this sandwich and maybe you'll fool the family and your tastebuds while still squeezing into your skinny jeans.

 

Happy eating!

Winner of Momsie's Birthday Giveaway....

Congratulations Michelle J., winner of the double giveaway courtesy of Monkey Joe's and designPOST!

I will email you today with details on how to claim your prizes!

Santa This Weekend...

Just wanted to give you a heads up on some events going on this weekend with the big jolly guy!

Painting With a Twist

Breakfast with Santa

8:30-11:30am

$35/painter

more info, here

Stonecrest shopping center

11:00am-2:00pm

more info, here

 

more info, here

The Singing Christmas Tree

Ovens Auditorium

more info, here

Popular Posts from 2011 (#5)...

Don't mess with ma babies!


The steam is still coming out of my ears as I write this.  Deeeep breaths, deeeep breaths.  Ok, not helping at all.  Let me preface this by saying a lot of my frustration right now comes from the fact that I really want to slap a 7-year-old.Relax, I didn't but oooh I wanted to.  I guess thats not really fair considering his mom may be the one who needs to be slapped.  So let me back up and say that in my 4.5 years of being a mom I have really never had to deal with any bullies.  Sure we have encountered other toddlers that want to steal a toy or play a little too rough but never an outright bully.  In all honesty my youngest, Sullivan is the one I have to watch but he is not even two yet and pushing and not sharing kinda comes with the age.  BUT that is why I keep a close eye on him and appropriately discipline him when I need to.  Even when I don't think he did anything that bad I still make a point to remind him "we don't hit" and "we share our toys."  Mainly so other moms know I am aware of my child and not just surfing my iPhone (I mean I am surfing my phone but I still try to be aware of my kids).


So today I decided to take the kids to McDonalds so they could play in the indoor playplace.  After bribing them to eat their nuggets I set them loose.  After awhile I gave the 5 minute warning and told my son to pick one last thing to do. He headed over to this bouncy pole thing.  You basically stand on a little platform and the pole bounces up and down.  He waited patiently (yes my kids are looking good in this story...let me have my glory for once) for a little girl to finish.  Her mom walked over to let her know her turn was over, which I thought was really nice.  EXCEPT she was only saying that her turn was over so her big brother could have his.  Oh what big brother you ask??  The one that just walked over, shoved my kid out of the way, and hopped on.  Yes, while the mom was standing there.  I thought surely she was going to scold him but she was more concerned with stopping a would-be fight between her two kids to notice.  She also had to get back to her conversation with her friends.  Ya know, fine I can deal with everyone being a little preoccupied so I let it go but after the kid stayed on while Oliver just looked on I decided to bust my way on over there.  


I came up and kinda loudly asked Oliver what was wrong.  He said, "This boy won't let me get on."  So I said in my nicest "mom voice," "Oh sure he will, your turn is next."  To which bully boy responded, "No he isn't next because my sister is going next and then her friend and then I am going to have another turn, so he can't go."  Remember this is a 7 or 8 year old kid not a 4 year old.  I politely let him know that no, Oliver would be next because that was fair.  He again told me no he wouldn't.  So I said, "Well you actually pushed him out of the way to have your turn so YES he will be next."  As I turned to walk away so I didn't get heated with a kid he looked at my son and said, "You're never going to have a turn, never, never, never, not for forever!!"  Its not even like he was upset to have to get off he just was mean.  What was making me more mad than anything was that his mom was oblivious.  Maybe she was also oblivious when it came time to teach manners (just sayin..).  So obviously I maturely yelled across the restuarant, over that mom's head, "just ignore what that boy is saying Oliver and take your turn next." When I walked back over Oliver was asking why they were so mean and I just said "Ya know what, lets just go but remember this is how I never want you to behave.  Don't ever ever ever talk to an adult this disrespectfully and always be kind to others."  Hmmph.


I know, I know, it was just a kid but I really can't believe some kids have the nerve to talk to an adult that way.  Especially one they don't even know.  I also can't believe that in such a small space this mother never even noticed.  Or maybe she did and just didn't feel like dealing with him today.  Who knows, I am sure that she tried her best to raise respectful kids but today was just not their day.  It did give me a good opportunity to talk to my son about how to speak to adults.  Which then led us to the conversation of how not to talk to strangers. Its always so hard to explain that they should be respectful to adults unless of course that adult is trying to lure them to their windowless van with a sucker.  I just keep it simple and said be nice to adults, say yes ma'am, no ma'am unless that adult tries to take you anywhere.  Then its scream, punch, and kick em in the crotch.  Same for that mean kid if we run into him again!  

GIVEAWAY REMINDER

I have had several people tell me in person or via email that they really want to win the FREE Monkey Joe's party or the design services from designPOST but I only see one comment here or on Facebook!!  I know with the technical issues this week it may have messed things up so just want to send a reminder that you need to make sure you leave a comment under the original post or here or on our Facebook page.


I also wanted to clarify what exactly the free design services entail.  All of my services will be done free of charge.  The only thing you pay for are the actual items that are purchased for the room/project.  So for example, if you are looking to spruce up your bedroom I can help you choose lamps, rugs, paint colors, bedding etc.  I will create design boards and do the shopping and no charge for my time and work.  Or maybe you are ready to switch your baby to their big boy/girl room.  I can help you make the transition by designing a room layout and shopping the market for all the room essentials.  I can work with any budget and the project can be as big or small as you need!  


Due to the issues with the website this week I am extending the deadline to enter until Monday, Dec 12th.  I will announce the winner at 8:00am.  So go leave your comments!!  


Also a reminder to "follow" us and "like" us so you can always be in the loop.  And bookmark this web address so you can get to us in one click every time! 


*http://www.designpostdaily.com

Popular Posts from 2011 (#4)...

I can already think of more things to add to this list just since turning 32 in June.  I mean, just today I discussed the importance of comfortable flats on the playground with some other moms!  O-L-D.


I'm pretty sure I have motherhood to thank for most of these...


1.  I don't like the radio turned up too loud in the car.
2.  I have seen some shoes in the window of Rockport and actually considered going in to try them on.
3.  On the same note I have complimented a girl's shoes only to find out they were from Easy Spirit.  Dead serious.  
4.  I look for the "heart healthy" symbol on food when grocery shopping.
5.  Not even for fashion's sake will I go back to low-rise jeans.
6.  I don't like to drive at night.
7.  I always have tissues in my purse.
8.  I turn the channel if the language or violence is too graphic. (Even when the kids aren't in the room)
9.  I watch Oprah every day.  Not just the days that a celebrity or make-over is on.
10.  Nothing could come between me and my robe and slippers.  (pretty soon I will be calling it my housecoat!)
11.  Part of my big summer plans include tending my vegetable garden.
12.  I can't drink caffeine after noon.
13.  I know several recipes by memory and I am not afraid of a crock pot.
14.  I think it is foolish to go out without a good SPF.
15.  The last time I was at a bar I ended up helping a drunk girl clean a spilled drink out of her purse because I looked at her like "someone's little girl."  And I said a little prayer that she would get home safely and without alcohol poisoning.   


Geesh, next stop...readers with a cute neck strap and black Reeboks!!  Anyone else turning into their grandmother?!  If so, leave me a comment to make me feel better!

Popular Posts From 2011 (#3)...

This post was originally posted January 24th of last year.  I think it was the first guest post from Adrienne.  After seeing how many people were reading and loving her post I decided she definitely needed to become a "regular"!  This post still cracks me up because it is just so real and so true!  Enjoy again...

I am thrilled to bring you some words from another mom today.  I love to hear how things work in other households and I can always appreciate moms that keep it real.  Adrienne keeps it really real in this!  I laughed until I cried reading this because it is so true!  Some people may find it offensive but I feel pretty sure that most mothers will be able to relate.  I can assure everyone that as Adrienne's sister, I know she is a great mother and probably one of the ones that other moms look at and envy.  This just goes to show that we all have our doubts, fears, and frustrations!  Enjoy and stay tuned for more posts soon from Adrienne.  She is already working on her next post which she says she will try to sound a little more positive so people don't question her love for her kids!

1.  I thought I would like to play with my kids….it really isn’t that fun.  Truth is I have very little imagination and what I do have isn’t geared towards games like “House”…isn’t imagination supposed to be an escape from reality?!  As for my visions of rainy days playing board games and doing puzzles the reality is more that they spend more time knocking the puzzle pieces off the table and moving the game pieces in all the wrong directions.  If you are type A like me this is just absolute torture…GAME OVER!

2.  I thought I would have more sweet moments.  I envisioned them sitting in my lap while I read to them, sweet prayers before bed and putting them to bed with a cute bedtime routine of tucking in and kisses and hugs……well it seems that books are more interesting when pages are torn out and you flip to the end as quickly as possible.  Kids are unable to sit still for longer than 5 seconds and their attention span and focus is pretty much non existent.  By the time bedtime rolls around the only prayer I am uttering is “God please let them go to bed now before I kill them” and the bedtime routine is multiple warnings and threats of what will happen if they wet the bed, get out of bed or come in my room during the night.

3.  I thought they would be more interesting and I would cherish sweet conversations in the car and precious questions as I modeled motherhood…more like annoying and persistent. Sure there are the cute, funny comments here and there but for the most part the questions are dumb, repetitive and make no sense.  I don’t know how to tell a 3 year old what a cell phone tower is for, I am not sure why a dog has four legs and I really don’t care about answering the question you are asking me in your new made up cat language!  Truth is I would prefer silence a lot of the time, just some damn peace and quiet with my own thoughts!

4.  I thought that if I taught them properly and gave good explanations they would be obedient….nope, not even close!  I don’t care how you approach it or what you do you aren’t going to prevent your 2 year old from pitching an all out tantrum when you don’t produce juice the instant they ask for it, you won’t get your 4 year old to quit peeing the bed at night and your 6 year old is not going to eat green beans!  Their brains are hard wired for irrational behavior and levels of persistence that would test Jesus himself.  They are selfish and impatient, inconsiderate and unpredictable.  You think you are in charge but really they rule your world and more often than not you will find yourself giving them whatever they want so they will just leave you alone or go away!

5.  I thought teaching and learning would be fun….wrong again!  It is more of a reminder of how small their brains really are and how little compassion I do have!  I mean how hard is it to figure out a puzzle with 5 pieces and do you really think that you can get dressed if you put your cowboy boots on before your pants?  I want to be patient as I explain yet again that you cannot put your cup on the edge of the table but when the 4^th drink of the night is spilled I just want to slap them…USE YOUR BRAIN!!! But alas their brain is small and great patience is required to teach them…

6.  I thought I would feel more fulfilled and rewarded as a mom…truthfully I feel like I have been beaten and abused by small demons at the end of most days.  They suck the life out of you with their thousands of needs and demands with no regard to your needs whatsoever.  I clean up and serve meals and meet their every other small need in between.  Locating blankets, fixing sippy cups of chocolate milk, breaking up fights, fixing broken toys, dry endless tears, wipe butts and noses, and clean up vomit.  My every moment is dedicated to their needs while mine don’t even make it to the back burner they just get thrown out the window.

7.  I thought I would keep up with my looks and my youthful energy…how sad to get in the car, run errands and return home only to find that you wore two different shoes and you had spit up covering the back of your left shoulder!  Equally as sad to tell your 1^st grader that while she may be scared to be dropped off in car line you cannot walk her in b/c you have left the house with no bra and are wearing your maternity yoga pants and dad’s holey undershirt!  Caffeine is my best friend and I fall asleep most nights before I can even tell my husband good night (or he can ask for sex!).  Hard to find times when I’m NOT tired!

8.  I thought I would stay organized…for awhile you can hang on to that but it will not last!  First baby had fully decorated nursery, stocked diaper bin, clothes neatly folded, my bed was never left unmade regardless of the mess during the day when I went to bed everything was in it’s place!  Baby number 3…nursery is a hodgepodge and the Diaper Genie constantly stinks.  I don’t know if I even have diapers and I confess to wiping her more than once with sanitizing hand wipes b/c yet again I have run out of wipes in the car!  My bed is never made and the laundry room has become the family closet!  I am late most everywhere I go and if we happen to be on time then I have probably punished all 3 kids and said enough awful stuff to put them in therapy the rest of their life to make it there!

9.  I thought I would really appreciate moms from all walks of life, after all we were comrades traveling this weary road together right?  WRONG!  Moms can be really weird and just plain annoying!  There is the “healthy nut” mom who cooks super organic healthy meals every night and her kids eat everything she prepares. You are embarrassed to hear your kids having to explain to her kids which fast food restaurant serves free kids meals which night of the week!  What about “natural” mom who has long nasty hair, wears Birkenstocks with long peasant skirts and tries to really sell you on the environmental advantages to cloth diapers and making your own baby food…please!  There is “strict” mom who doesn’t let her kids watch any TV, they can read at a 5^th grade level in kindergarten and they are totally obedient…lots of fun on a play date while my kids are running around like wild dogs, begging for Nick Jr. and can’t seem to count to 10 playing Hide N Seek!  And then there is the WORST kind of mom, “super patient/actually seems to enjoy her kids” mom.  She can barely carry on a conversation w/ you b/c she is so into her kids and seems to want to answer their every question and hear all their stories.  Meanwhile I am telling mine to go find a toy and as I pinch the back of their arm I whisper violently in their ear that I will spank them till they can’t sit down if they don’t quit begging me for a treat!  

10.  I thought this would be lots more fun….but it is A LOT of work!  Even the “fun” is hard work. Just to go get ice cream involves dressing them, brushing hair, finding shoes, rounding them all up and into the car only to find that one is missing her blanket and the other has pooped in her diaper.  You finally get in and on the road and they fight all the way there about who orders first or who sits by who.  You get there and before the last cone is served one has dropped hers and is hysterically crying.  The mess is cleaned and another cone ordered just in time to observe that most of the double dark fudge one ordered has stained her outfit and completely ruined it AND it is somehow all over the back of her head.  500 napkins later you have cleaned it up and now two of them need to go to the bathroom where they proceed to touch everything in the nasty public restroom.  Hands are washed and as you go to dry their hands with the hand dryer you realize too late it’s one of those that is made with a jet engine that is so loud and strong that the kids are screaming and terrified.  Back to the car where an all out war rages over who gets to sit in the middle seat and the ride home is filled with crying b/c despite a “fun” night of ice cream we didn’t get to rent a movie.  Fun? Not nearly as much as I thought!!

Popular Posts from 2011 (#2.5)...

One of Lauren's first posts.  She was living in a new city and dealing with making new "mom friends" or heck, just any friends at all!  Her tips should help anyone looking to find Mrs. Right...

When you were still swimming in the dating pool, what was it that caught your eye? What were you looking for in that special someone? Chances are it's not too terribly different that what you're looking for in a friend (Although it could get a little awkward when I ask my new friend to change the little one's diaper or read him a book). The list usually goes something like this...dependable, honest, trustworthy, funny, common interests, etc. So when you're looking for a good friend maybe you should look at it as if you're still that younger you looking for Mr. Right.

1. Don't look desperate- A good man can smell it from a mile away and so can a girlfriend. You may think you and Mrs-I-love-her-hair would hit it off but if you come on too strong and don't give the poor girl a minute to just get to know you, it could be over before it even began.

2. Don't be shallow- Mom was right when she told us over and again to "never judge a book by it's cover". Maybe in high school it was acceptable to pick your friends based on whether you could share clothes or how popular the other was but if you keep that up you just may miss out on a really great friendship. I think there's something to be said for a gut reaction as to whether you and a fellow mommy will hit it off but don't let it stop there. Strike up a conversation and you may just be surprised what you find.

3. Don't be quick to judge- One of the first things I checked out on a guy when I was still dating was their shoes. I can't tell you how many guys I didn't give a second glance to because of a poor choice in footwear. Honestly, it could have been Brad Pitt in a pair of man sandals and he wouldn't have gotten so much as a handshake. Although, this theory did lead me to my knight in sandy Rainbows but that's beside the point. The point is that I could have missed out on some really special people had I continued to be so quick to judge. You never know the day your fellow mommy has had and heaven knows it's hard to pull it together when you're last on the priority list. Imagine if someone caught you on that Target run at 8am when you realized you had run out of diapers and hadn't had time to so much as brush your teeth or get the kiddo out of their pjs. Yeah, no judgement necessary, we've all been there.

4. Don't dominate the conversation- So the handsome stranger finally asks for your name and 30 minutes later you've launched into "...and then this one time in 3rd grade..." Honey, this is not going to end well. Chances are he's desperately looking for an exit and so will your potential new friend. Listen, people want to learn about you and they're feeling you out as much as you're feeling them out. But if the conversation is not a give and take then your fellow mommy is going to feel more like a shrink than a new friend.

5. Most importantly, be yourself! What's the point of telling Mr. Right you just love to hike and never ever eat fast food when down the road he's inevitably going to find you channel surfing with a mouth full of french fries? It's so much more work than it's worth to create a fictionalized you when the real you is who will be there at the end of the day. I find it unbelievably refreshing when a fellow mommy admits to a complete freak out on her kid or also having had a "headache" the previous night. It's real! It's who we are and what's the point of trying to make a friend if you're just going to be some cleaned up version of yourself? Chances are the girl you're talking to is sighing in relief that you're so honest...and probably checking out your shoes, too

Popular Posts from 2011 (#2)...

This post went up early last year and I swear I have read it at least 10 times since!  Creating healthy meals that the kids will actually eat on a daily basis is my nemesis!!  Thanks to all who contributed last time and if there are any new ideas please share!

Every mom-friend I have has at some point asked, "What do you feed your kids?"  We all get burned out trying to find things that are healthy and that the kids will actually eat.  I try my best to get my kids to eat whatever I fix us for dinner but I also need ideas for breakfast, lunch, and the nights when I know our meal will be a no-go for them.  One of my friends reached out for some help a while back and she was brilliant enough to hold on to the list she compiled(thank you Stacy!).  She shared this email gold with me and I wanted to pass it on.  Hopefully you can get some new ideas and a little inspiration to keep trying new things with those picky eaters.

MEATLESS

-Mac and cheese
-Breakfast for dinner (scrambled eggs, pancakes (pumpkin, blueberry, etc), omelettes (can add chopped veggies))
-Homemade veggie pizza (on bread, bagel, english muffin, Boboli crust)

-Cheese quesadilla (can add black beans, salsa)
-Perogies (in freezer section -pasta with cheese potatoe in middle)
-Grilled cheese (can add thinly sliced tomato, or spinach)
-Ravioli

-Hummus or guacomole (dip veggies, pretzels, or tortillas in it)

-Sweet potato french fries (side idea)

-Trader Joe's veggie potstickers

-Dr. Praegers broccoli and spinach cakes

-a can of noodle soup with the liquid drained off-- makes for quick noodles

-Trader Joe's mini-pizzas

CHICKEN/TURKEY/BEEF

-Black bean & ground turkey/beef tacos or burritos

-Turkey sandwiches

-Turkey meatballs (in frozen or produce section of grocery)

-Rotisserie chicken

-Chicken/rice/broccoli casserole

-Quesadillas with Perdue precooked chicken, cheese, black beans, salsa

-Homemade pizza (same as meatless but add turkey or reg pepperoni)

 -Homemade chicken fried rice (left-over chicken, peas, corn, carrots and I scramble a few egg whites for added protein
-Chicken & broccoli calzones (use Trader Joe's pizza dough, pesto sauce, mozz cheese, left-over chicken & frozen broccoli)

-Chicken noodle soup with wide egg noodles

-Meatloaf (weight watchers has a great recipe that uses turkey, oatmeal and shredded carrots

-Shredded BBQ chicken or pork (homemade, or in produce section of grocery)

-Chicken salad

-Deli meat rolled up, with or without a tortilla or cheese

OTHER IDEAS

-Ham, egg, and cheese burritos

-Crumbled sausage (freezer section of grocery)

-Fish sticks

-Grilled ham/turkey and chz (can serve with soup to dip in)

-Pasta dishes (spagetti and meatballs, beef stroganoff, etc)

-Bagel bites

-Gerber pasta pickups

-Sloppy joe's (just the meat even)

-Pasta salad

What are your go-to kid-friendly meals?  Favorite easy recipes?  Share your suggestions! 

Popular Post from 2011 (#1)...

This post reminds me that I do NOT want it to snow this year!  It also proves that God graciously helps mothers forget the not-so-great memories because I had completely forgotten about this whole story.  That, my friends is why women decide to have more children...this wonderful amnesia!  Originally posted in January 2011.

Because of the snow my husband had off work.  That gave us time to sit down and devise a budget.  In doing so we found that we could save a little on some of our bills.  Because of that I called our phone service and requested a new bundling package.  Because of that I received a huge box in the mail with instructions for activating a new phone line.  Since technology is the devil I ended up with a pile of cords, a non-working phone, and the urge to kick something.  That was even after a repairman stopped by.


Because of the snow I have been stuck inside.  Without a phone.  Because of the snow my older son has also been home all week going stir crazy.  Because of the snow I wasn't able to go buy diapers when I saw the stash getting low.  


Because of that I opted to use a diaper I had on hand that is two sizes too big.  What's the  worst that can happen?  Because of that decision I came into my son's room after nap time to a disaster of epic proportions.  Without being too graphic lets just say it appeared that nature called...all over his crib.  Because of a too-big diaper my son was standing up with a diaper half-off in a crib that I am considering taking to the city dump.  Because of my son's tendency to walk around all four sides of his crib and touch every spindle, I have just spent the last 30 minutes scrubbing every inch of his white crib.  All of this while my other son walked around asking for a snack (seriously, who can have an appetite after seeing that!?) and singing 'doo doo every where."  And, it was truly, everywhere.  Note to self: Activia yogurt is not a good snack for 12 month olds.  


Because of the events that have occurred here in the last hour I am seriously considering going back to work full-time.  I am angry at the snow.  I am grossed out by what I swear I can still smell on my hands.  I am amazed by what being a mom entails.


On the bright side I have fully Lysoled, dusted, and mopped one room in this house!  I also have one child bathed!  Because of today I am treating myself to a glass of wine before 5:00.


Please tell me you all have had a day like this before?!

Technical Issues...

As you probably noticed when you came to Momsie today, the domain name has changed.  I have told yall before- I hate technology but I am willing to endure it to keep this little blog chugging along.  Apparently on that 1-year anniversary I also needed to renew my domain name "momsie charlotte" but when I went to do it the name was taken!  Seriously, who else needed the name momsie charlotte?!  So I decided to just go back to the original name which adds the "blogspot" portion.  So take note if you have us bookmarked, the new site is:

www.momsiecharlotte.blogspot.com

Maybe in the future I will buy my old domain name back to eliminate the blogspot part but either way things should work fine now and get you to the blog!  Technology...bleh.

Happy Birthday Momsie! (*GIVEAWAY*)

It was one year ago today that Momsie was born!  I remember nervously throwing the web address out there to all of my friends and holding my breath to see if anyone would like it.  I was shocked at all the positive remarks I got within days of launching Momsie and was so happy that people seemed to really like what I was doing.  I have felt so much support from friends, old and new, even when things have not gone smoothly and I cannot thank you enough for that!


I started Momsie because I really wanted to have a resource for Charlotte moms that would connect them to local people, products, and businesses.  But what I have loved the most is meeting and hearing from all of you!  I look forward to all of your comments and I love hearing your personal stories.  I also really appreciate the support you all lend me when I need it!  


Thank you for your patience when things have gone a little of course or been delayed.  That kind of support from other moms means the world to me and I hope that this next year I can continue to bring things to you all that will help you in some way.  Today I want to bring you a chance to win some gifts as a big FAT thank you!  This giveaway is sponsored by Monkey Joe's (Park Rd. location) and it is a super generous offer.  They are going to give one winner a FREE birthday party package!  How awesome would it be to have a fun party for your child at absolutely no cost to you?!  Plus all you have to do is show up...the decorating and clean up is on them!  Specifics about the party can be found below in red.  

To enter for a chance to win this party for your child: 

• leave a comment here or on our Facebook page.  Tell me about your favorite post on Momsie this year

AND

• If you haven't already, become a "Follower"...all you have to do is click that follow me tab over there on the right and then let me know you did so in your comment

Make sure to "like" Monkey Joe's Facebook page so you can be in the loop for future events and coupons!

(The Barrel of Monkeys Birthday  Party accommodates up to 16 children.  The party must be booked Monday-Thursday and is valid only at Monkey Joe's Park Road. This party is valued at $169- but additional add ons can be purchased to upgrade this party if the winner has a larger group in mind or would like Monkey Joe's to provide something extra.)


And wait, wait, wait!  Thats not all the prize will include.  I have decided to offer some free services from another area of my mother/wife/blogger/decorator life.  The winner will also win a Full Service Decorating package for *FREE ($200-400 value)!  So if you have a room that is in desperate need of a make over I will tackle it free of charge.  Wouldn't it be nice to start off the new year with a crisp new room!


I will also choose a second place winner to receive a *FREE Holiday Decorating Session ($25 value).  This includes a 1-2 hour session with me to get your home ready for the holidays!  


Both of these prizes come via designPOST.


(*FREE= No service charges.  Winners are responsible for any decor purchased.)


So hurry up and enter, the winners will be randomly chosen and announced next Friday, Dec 9th at 8:00am.  Thank you for all of your help in making this blog a success!  To celebrate over the next week I will be posting, or re-posting, the most popular blog posts from this last year.  Check in every day next week for an oldie but goodie!


xoxo...Beth