Found Time

 

SuperBoy and I have been struggling.  A lot.

He has been on a string of nasty with me for daaaays.  I am fed up.  Today we had to drive to Kansas City for an allergy appointment and we would have a little time alone.  I usually love one on one time with my kids, but I am not joking when I say that for the last week the kid has had nothing but venomous words for me regardless of what I do.

I was not looking forward to this trip.

I steeled myself with resolve and headed out the door.  It was raining and cold.  We were running minutes behind on a very tight schedule.

There was a lot of standing water on the highway and we encountered the inevitable accident.  Traffic was at a standstill and it became apparent that we would not be on time to his appointment.  I called the office and asked how much wiggle room we had?  None.

I asked if we could get the testing done and then phone consult in regards to the results?  No.

I was paying a sitter.  We were already all the way to Kansas City. Was there anything we could do?

No.

We would have to reschedule.  She is booking for January.

We got put on the top of the wait list and promised a call soon…. but we would have to come at a moment’s notice which most likely means we will be dragging Thing1 and Thing2 along for the ride.

SuperBoy was not happy.  He’s been pretty miserable and was looking forward to getting some answers.  He started in with “Great.  Now we’ll have to drive and drive until you can find a place to turn around and then drive allll the way back….”

I could have yelled.  I could have pulled over and throttled him.

We drove to Legends and parked the car.  When he asked what we were doing I said: “I don’t know.  Our plans changed and I’m not going to let that ruin my day.  We’ve just found time.”

We talked about random things we could do.  We had three hours.

 

In that three hours we watched Puss in Boots in 3D (a new experience for both of us)

 

Danced and laughed in the freezing rain

Checked out cool dinosaurs and other Jurassic phenomena

And cracked open a super cool geode.

 

Then we battled the wind and laughed as we got soaked to the bone…. dried off, ate in the car and drove home.

I am grateful for the plans that went awry today.

I had some invaluable time with my son who is struggling….I strengthened my resolve to love and cherish him and banish the demons that make me want to pull over and throttle him (see above).

More importantly, I taught my very tightly wound son an excellent lesson on how to take a step back, breathe and make new plans when things don’t go the way we intended them to rather than let it destroy our day.

He didn’t know I was taking notes for myself today, too.

Toy of the Day at the SuperHouse: Crayola Dry Erase Activity Center

We love the Crayola Dry Erase Activity Centerat our house.  We got one for SuperBoy last summer when he had his tonsils out and it was such a hit that we got another one for SuperGirl for Christmas.  It seems it might be time to round one up for SuperBaby now, too.

I’m trying to find ways to occupy the kids while I’m unpacking and cleaning that don’t cost money and doesn’t require a lot of hands on involvement from me.  The Crayola Dry Erase Activity Centers were one of the toys that we didn’t pack but carted around with us.  Today I remembered (DUH!) that I could print all new coloring pages and games online at Crayola.com for them to use in their writing boards.  We spent a few minutes browsing the pictures and games together and printed several off.  Now they are quietly (this is key) occupied while SuperBaby plays in his bed takes his nap.

Love it when I remember to use resources like this!

What a Difference Preschool Makes

I love the days that I volunteer at preschool.  For 2.5 hours I get to help do art, put out snacks and sing songs with my son and a room full of his “friends”.  Approximately every 5 minutes SuperBoy looks up at me and gives me a goofy grin…or a thumbs up that makes me all warm inside.

At preschool, SuperBoy is the model of good behavior.  He listens, follows directions, shares with the other kids.  He eats his snack then politely asks for more…waits in line and washes his hands before it is time to sit down.

We get to have hugs, he sits on my lap.  Volunteering at preschool is FUN.  For days before it is my “turn” to volunteer he says “Mom…are you going to be my teacher today at school?”

Then yesterday, on the way home he said to me, “Mom, why are you different at preschool?”  I asked him to clarify….fearing I already knew the answer.

“You act different when you are at my school.”  Again, I asked him to clarify…what does he mean by “different”.

Come to find out I was right. “You don’t yell at preschool and you do all the stuff with me.”  That particular morning I had put him off several times when he wanted me to do art with him… in lieu of dishes, laundry and a blog post or two.  Let it be noted that we do art several times a day…this particular time, because my afternoon was to be spent running carpool and volunteering, was being spent on house chores.

My stomach fell, my heart broke.  I was different at preschool.  I was nice there…I was not nice at home.  I am such a horrible mother.

Oh wait.

“SuperBoy, why are YOU different at preschool?”

“Huh?”

I explained all of the above: the minding, the listening, the all around good behavior.

“Oh yeah.  I don’t know.  I guess I like Miss Kathy and Miss Donna.”  And you don’t like me???

So we talked about why that might be.  The fact that the ONLY thing we have to do while we are there is focus on preschool activities.  For me: there are no bills to pay, no dishes to wash, no diapers to change or other kiddos to take care of.  For SuperBoy: all of the attention was dedicated to him and his friends and entertaining them, there was no diversion.

I’m feeling more rational about it all now… I won’t cry myself to sleep anymore…or maybe just once more.  I would love for our house to always be like preschool… but it’s not.  It’s my home, my business, my preschool, and the place where three little bodies vie for my attention all day long.

What a difference preschool makes.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie

What?! Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie?!

Yup. Perfect lunch for a lazy day when you have time to bake with the kids…impressive yet easy snack for preschool or play dates … tasty treat no matter what age you are!

I first saw this recipe… somewhere.  I don’t remember where…but I ended up locating it at Simple and Delicious.  If you are interested in the full recipe you can find it there.  SuperBoy and I decided we would give it a whirl to take for snacks at preschool and this is what we came up with:

Using pre-made pie crust we rolled out the dough and used a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter:

This was per the directions…as you will see later, I’ve decided a 3″ biscuit cutter would work better.

After this we brushed on a little egg wash and started scooping out the peanut butter, one teaspoon at a time.

And then, of course, the jelly…

Then we added the top of the pies and crimped the edges with a fork.  SuperBoy thought it best to “smash” the edges, I thought we should take a more delicate approach:

Turns out he was right.  More about that later.

Then we doused them with the egg wash again and stuck them in the oven.  Several minutes later…

A sweet and tasty treat.

Okay.  I can’t lie.  Remember when I said (1) I would use a larger biscuit cutter next time and (2) SuperBoy had the right idea squishing the edges down hard? His are the ones that didn’t leak.

Several of them leaked out everywhere.  Good thing I’m not a food blogger…I’d be shunned.  It’s all good, though.  We let them cool and scraped lifted them off the stoneware… gave them a little dust with powdered sugar and voila!

They were really tasty… and the critical reviews came back with four stars:

Halloween Treats: Spiderweb Cookies

Let me be honest: Maybe my least favorite holiday is Halloween. I’m not terribly creative about costumes, decorations…the whole lot of it. I’ve always enjoyed other people’s kids at Halloween so I thought when we had our own kids that you automatically kicked in some kind of creative mom gene.

Nope.

Or so I thought. Turns out baking is considered creative from time to time so I’m in luck!

We had our first Halloween party of the season Friday with my Mom’s Group so I had a chance to look through some different ideas and I found this recipe for Spiderweb Cookies at Family Circle.  It was hard to decide they had so many cute treats there! This one was really simple and they were so yummy!

The recipe makes 14 cookies… which sounds like a small recipe… it actually makes 14 very.LARGE.cookies… so it’s plenty!

Mix together in a bowl:

• 2 – 2/3 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3.4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp allspice

In a second small bowl combine:

• 3/4c. canned pumpkin
• 1/4c. milk

In a mixing bowl or KitchenAid mixer beat together:

• 1c. sugar
• 1/4c softened butter

When these are mixed thoroughly, beat in 2 eggs until blended, 1 min.

*Tip: Use room temperature eggs for the best result in your baking.  If you don’t have room temperature eggs set them in lukewarm water for 5 min before cracking and adding to your recipe*

On low speed,  alternately mix in the flour and pumpkin mixtures ending with the flour mixture.

Drop 1/4 cupfuls of dough onto 2 cookie sheets coated with non-stick spray spacing them 2 inches apart. The directions say to spread slightly with a spatula.

*Tip I found this ridiculously difficult to do and ended up using my small Wilton offset spreader….and there was nothing “slightly” about it…there was a lot of spreading.*

Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes.  These are “cake cookies” so you can test them with a toothpick, when it comes out clean…they are done!  Place them on a wire rack to cool.

To make your frosting mix together with an electric mixer (I use my KitchenAid):

• 3c. powdered sugar
• 3 Tbsp. light corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 3 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. milk

Put 1/3c. of the frosting (which is almost a glaze texture) in a small bowl and add:

• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. milk

Mix together until smooth and then put it in a plastic ziplock bag and snip the end off to use for decorating.

Flip the cookies upside down and frost the flat side of the cookies with a light layer of the white frosting.  Starting in the center of the cookie, use the dark frosting to make a spiral. Starting in the center of the spiral, drag a knife to the edge of the cookie in sections to create the spiderweb effect.  Let the frosting set (it won’t take long).

Back to the Table with Libby’s and a Giveaway!

It is no secret to anyone who reads my blog that I am far from perfect, and I’ve chosen to embrace those flawed aspects of my life and keep on movin’ on. Having SuperBaby however really REALLY knocked the wind out of my sails. One thing that went by the wayside when I was pregnant was dinnertime routines.

That’s not true. We had routines. They involved me throwing together something that passed as a healthy, well rounded meal and serving it to my family … in front of the television.

Very shortly after SuperBaby arrived my husband and I agreed we needed to take back dinnertime; and fast.

Sitting together as a family to eat your meals is much more than gathering for food. it is a time to enjoy each other. It is a time to share with each other. I truly believe that sitting down to eat together shows a level of respect for the family unit that is healthy and necessary.

So we came back to the table.

A couple of months ago I got an email from Erin at The Motherhood inviting me to participate in Libby’s Back to the Table event in Kansas City with some amazing KC bloggers;  benefiting  Hillcrest, a great Kansas City cause.  Let’s see…food, charity, bloggers…How could I refuse? I did receive compensation from The Motherhood for my time, but really, this event was right up my alley!

Last week we all met at the Farmhouse restaurant in Kansas City with author and mother of seven Hannah Keeley. We chatted, shared tips on what keeps our kids at the table and ate some great food.

Then we got to work. We filled 30 reusable grocery bags with some great canned goods and topped it off with our own ideas of what would help families make and share dinner together:

• Tracie from Penny Pinchin’ Mom and Kelly from Kansas City Mamas brought Ziploc Containers
• Candy from Mommypalooza brought measuring cups and spoons
• Anjanette from Eat From Your Pantry had the great idea to add votive candles and a coupon organizer
• Heather from My Kansas City Mommy brought mixing bowls for each bag
• Kristen from Dine and Dish brought a “Chatter Box”… a Chinese takeout box with 25 conversation starter questions in it
• I brought a special day “Red Plate.  This was a tradition in my family growing up.  Kristen found a great place you can visit to read about the “Red Plate”.

Hillcrest received 30 bags stuffed with these items to share with families that are transitioning into independent living.  For whatever reason they’ve been down on their luck and are working their way up.

Because Libby’s was THAT COOL about this event…they have a goodie bag for each of us to pass on to one of our readers.  The goodie bag includes some canned goods (fruits and veggies) from Libby’s, a state of the art can opener, and a copy of Hannah’s book Total Mom Makeover.

All you have to do is leave me a comment with your favorite tip for keeping family dinner a number one priority.  That’s it!

Entries will be accepted until midnight CST on Sunday, October 10.  The person with the best “Back to the Table Tip” will be the winner!  You must be over 18 to win.

“D” is for Dinosaur

This week at preschool, the Letter “D” is up to bat.  That means, for share day, they get to bring a dinosaur and/or a dinosaur book.  SuperBoy is going to be elated.  Like, over the top.  He loooooves dinosaurs.

And I’m in New York.  I’m getting ready for a first meeting with an impressive woman and I have work to do.  Work I chose to do, work my husband and I agreed was good for me, good for the blog, and ultimately, good for the family.

I’m nervous…I’m trying to get my head in the game.  Seriously…my meeting is in nine minutes and all I can think of is “D” is for dinosaur.

I have a great sitter that we found thanks to my friend Kris and Sitter City.  She sent me pictures yesterday of the kids making Halloween masks in the kitchen.  I can hear the “ROAR” from here.

I’m excited.  I’m nervous.  This is an incredible opportunity for me. As I sit here in my quiet New York hotel room I am reading through materials…organizing blog posts…getting my head in the game.  “ROAR”

I don’t know how women who travel on a regular basis do it.  This is enough for me.  Two weeks ago I was at Type A Mom Conference (and loving every minute of it).  Last week I was working with Libby’s to get families Back to the Table.  Yesterday I landed at LaGuardia facing the biggest blogging adventure of my illustrious career.

But, “D” is for Dinosaur.  And I’m not there to zip the backpack.

What Does SpongeBob Put in the Water?

I always knew that as a parent I would restrict the amount of television my children watched.  I knew that I would foster their minds and grow amazing people.

Well, I AM growing amazing people, but that first part? The crap about not watching television? That went out the window when I got pregnant with SuperGirl.  I made it through the first year, hanging out with my buddy…keeping him entertained…growing an amazing person.  Then came the morning sickness, the fatigue, the body aches.  Those things that while very difficult to deal with in my first pregnancy…were, on some level, endearing to the pregnancy…I was PREGNANT.  It was amazing…toilet bowl and all.

With SuperGirl I no longer had the advantage of lying on the couch willing the world to stop spinning…I had a child to entertain…. or did I?  Enter: Sesame Street.  I felt pretty good about my choice.  One show a day…just to buy me a little downtime.  Then one day I dozed off (yeah..that’s right) and Dragon Tales came on.  SuperBoy was beside himself with glee.  I thought to myself, “Well it IS Public Television…it’s educational, right?”

You see where this is going.

Now, three kids and four years after I made my grand proclamation about the brains I would foster without any help from electronic stimuli; I find myself writing a post about SpongeBob.  I fully expect to see a pig fly past my window any moment now.

Both SuperBoy (4.5) and SuperGirl (2.5) are relentless in their quest to watch SpongeBob. “Check if dere is SpongeBobFwherePants aaahhhn?” We have seriously had to limit the number of shows we let them watch in a day week.  I’m amazed that when given a choice of shows, even SuperGirl will pick SpongeBob.  I’ve caught myself wondering time and again what it is that makes this show so special…so attractive to kids.  Seems like your run of the mill cartoon to me, even rather more annoying than some of the others.

Recently SuperBoy had a tonsillectomy.  After he awoke in the recovery room they came to get us and we stood dutifully by his side.  A nurse poked her head in and asked if he would like to watch cartoons.  Lying there, still as a rock, he nods his head very briefly, “Yes”.  She scrolls through the guide and when she passes SpongeBob my husband says “Oh…that’ll work”.

SuperBoy is lying in this little bed, in a little room with very little light.  He has absolutely no affect.  He has an IV and is hooked up to the standard pulse/ox machine.  The theme song for SpongeBob SquarePants begins and my husband nearly falls over laughing.  I look at SuperBoy to see what I missed; he hasn’t moved.  I look to my  husband for an explanation and he points to the heart rate monitor.  SuperBoy’s heart rate has sky rocketed.  Before I could get worried enough to find a nurse, the theme song ends and instantaneously his heart rate drops to normal.  All the while with no change on his expression whatsoever.  I almost peed my pants.

When the cartoon itself began, his heart rate escalated again, slightly.  We were in silent hysterics.  Then reality hit.  What have we done by allowing our children to watch this cartoon? All of this time I’ve been wondering why my kids like this so much…maybe there was more to my concern than I originally thought. Maybe SpongeBob is creating his very own little square-panted minions.

What does SpongeBob put in the water??

What You Say is What You Get

I’ve wasted a lot of time lately beating myself up over my parenting abilities.  I think I did a rather exceptional job when the kids were babies, but now they are growing up and I’m not sure what to do all a good portion of the time.

My main point of concern is with SuperBoy.  Four going on Fourteen is how I feel most days.  The sweet, loving, caring toddler that I used to rock to sleep each night has been replaced by a scowling, snotty, tantrum throwing preschooler that I am not yet well acquainted with.  I stay up at night worrying about what we have done to cause this shift in his behavior.  I cry over the fact that SuperDad and I argue too often in front of the kids. I mean really….when can we have these arguments discussions when they AREN’T around? They wake me in the morning and when I finally get them all to bed at night I KNOW the older two are awake in their beds for a long time after lights out.  When are we supposed to be grownups? I know the answer, it’s why I cry when he misbehaves: All of the Time.

So there it is.  I’ve turned my child into a snotty brat.  What you say is what you get.  He is imitating the life around him, we are raising him and this is the results of our labor.

Now.  SuperDad has pointed out recently something that I’m already aware of: I’m having some issues with negativity.  Really?! *shock and awe*  I was already struggling with the reality of this when he began making comments.  I figure if someone else is not only noticing it… but brave enough to mention it to me, it might be time to take action and do something about it.

I’ve made a decision to be a more peaceful person.  Less argumentative.  Less determined to be right when I’m pretty sure I might not be but … in fact maybe I’m plain wrong.  More loving and calm.  I’m trying to focus on the positive.

I’ve started going to church again.  I find this to be the very first and most important step to finding my peace.  I’m not a praying person by way of clasping my hands and falling to my knees and crying out “Dear Lord! Forgive Me!”.  I’m more of a deeply reflective, meditative kind of person, quietly opening my heart and asking for direction.

I’m trying to be more peaceful.  I’m opening up my heart.  You know what I’ve been given in return?  The truth.  My eyes wide open.  I’ve been so focused on the negative aspects of what my horrible parenting has reigned down upon my children that I missed the point.

I noticed SuperBoy offering a toy to his sister in exchange for the one that he wanted to play with.  Not screaming and yelling, pushing and shoving…but offering a solution to the problem.  I feel like I’ve been hammering this into their heads for ages.  And there it is.

Today, sitting on the couch and coloring with SuperBoy he told me that I put the marker back into its holder incorrectly.  I said something to the effect of “I’m sorry” and he replied with “That’s okay, Mommy.  Now you know and you can do it better next time!”  Then he looked at the picture we were coloring and he said “I really like the way you stayed in the lines, Mommy, such a nice job.”

I have since heard him say at dinner “Mommy, its too bad SuperGirl won’t chew with her mouth closed.  I would really be so proud of her if she could figure that out.” …in turn his sister now chews with her mouth closed most of the time…making sure we all take note, of course.

Imitating what he hears us say.

What you say, is what you get; apparently its not that bad….all of the time.

Active Life Extremem Challenge for Wii: $34

Looking for games for the Wii efficianado in your life?  Today you can get Active Life: Extreme Challenge Bundle with Mat for $34.98 plus free shipping.  This is a 42% savings!  A fun game for those long winter days ahead where everyone is trapped indoors!!

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