Bags are packed...

...Or we still have 39 days until our trip.

BN and I decided to stimulate the economy a little by taking a trip to Disney World. We told the boys we were checking on dates available since we wanted to take advantage of the" buy four get three more" deal. They both immediately ran upstairs to "pack their bags" before we even finished telling them the good news.

When we go on long trips, I always encourage the boys to pack a backpack with things they'll miss from home - toys they might want to play with during downtime. I decided to check out their bags and see what is important to them at this stage in their life. I feel guilty but the curiostity is killing me.

REPETE'S

Power Rangers, Ironman, Batman, empty Nerf gun, binoculars, stuffed dog and Nemo cell phone.

PETE'S

Ironman x 2, watch, empty camera case?, binoculars, wallet (not empty), Tech Deck collector cards, chirping bird, Connect Four game, pen and notepad, candy and gum (contraband!!)

What's funny about this to me is that it is so typical of their ages. Four years ago, Pete would have packed the same stuff as RePete and in fact, I think he did - minus Ironman (he wasn't popular back then). And now, Pete is so grown up. The wallet (BNs old one), his watch, pen and paper, less toys. As his mom, those crack me up. The candy and gum might mysteriously disappear.

I vow in front of the whole entire blogworld, or all three of my blog friends, that in another four years I will NOT go through Pete's bag. He will be 13 (gasp). I sure will be curious though.

~R

I learned about parenting...

from Captain Underpants.

If you have not read these books to your boys (or rowdy girls), then you are all missing out on funny stuff. Not to mention parental insight.

Just today, I read volume eight to RePete and had to edit my rules about saying such things as butt, poop, pee pee, and on and on. George and Harold observed that for the first few years of a child's life, the parents talk daily of poop and pee. They ooh and ahh every little tinkle and turd. They give the kids balloons, candy,...parties and other such goodies. I even posted pictures! *gasp* All in the name of excrement.

THEN, the child is potty trained and suddenly saying things like poop and pee are taboo. The young ones are hushed and the parents are mortified. Why is that?

Such a wonderful point to ponder.

Lego Storage Solutions...

...or My Excuse to Drive Four Hours to IKEA. (Yes, I am still coming down from that IKEA high and it was almost a week ago that we drove up to Potomac Mills.)

Today the boys and I spent the entire day (minus a little time for a math worksheet) playing with Legos. Pete commented that he loved being able to build Legos rather than sit in a classroom all day. I agreed. It was nice and even after my temper tantrum yesterday, I still think it's a whole lot of fun having the boys with me all day, unlike some people.

Out of necessity and choice, we have the boys sharing a room. We moved into a smaller house four years ago (only 3 bedrooms) and we think sharing a room teaches many coping interpersonal skills. Sharing, courtesy, respect. I'll let you know when it starts working!

And last year we moved them from the bigger of the spare rooms to the smaller one. I figured smaller room = smaller mess. Yep, I'll let you know when that comes true too!

It's in my madness nature as a trained interior designer to make sense of crazy spaces. I've tried other solutions and time and time again, they failed. But not anymore. I've found the magic box(es). And my beloved IKEA never disappoints.

This set comes from the Trofast series and they rock. Meet the new Lego work station. Try not to drool.

Look at 'em all color coordinated.

I also bought larger versions to use for toy storage and even for dressers. Now their clothes are all in the closet and out of the play area.

I couldn't love IKEA more if they gave me free stuff. *knock knock* Hello? IKEA?

~R


To see the results two years later, click here.

Lazy Mom's Gingerbread Houses

The boys and I threw together a little party for some of our friends last week to make "gingerbread houses".

**WAIT** Scared of a mess? Object to children on sugar highs? **LOOK NO FURTHER.***

If game, you'll need:

12x12 piece of cardboard (or thereabouts) wrapped in foil

graham crackers (as if I would go to the trouble of carving perfectly shaped gingerbread pieces for 10 kids)

royal icing ( I use Martha Stewart's recipe from an old holiday book I have but couldn't find a link on the net.)

candy, candy, candy

did I mention candy?

oh, good because you'll need lots of candy.

Prep work: Start by carefully breaking the grahams in half (squares). Did you chip a corner, don't toss it, eat it! I pre-made the royal icing and divvied it into baggies. Each mom brought a favorite candy and the kids were excited.

If your kiddos are smaller, they'll need your help assembling. Once that is done, step out of the way, cuz the sugar high will set in about now and gum drops will fly.

Just cut a small hole in the corner of baggie and ice a square on the foil. Set-up two sides and ice together the corners. Build the other two sides. Now you can either use a flat top or an "A" frame roof. You might need to hold the "A" in place for a few secs until it will hold by itself.

Squirt a bit of icing here and there to mimic snow settling on the surfaces of the house and the ground. Sprinkle or place candy here, there and everywhere.

Here's how a few of the houses at our party turned out. I think there may be a few budding architects in the group.

Can you guess which two belong to my kids? I did help RePete with the structure. And Pete? Loves candy.







We found out that three marshmallows was too many for a snowman, especially with a hat!





Poor Frosty was caught in a snow storm.

~R

Snow Globes

We made our using these items:



You'll end up with this:



Are you still there? Here's how to do it.

• Thoroughly clean and dry the baby food jar.


• Hot glue the little figure to the lid.


• Fill the jar with distilled water.


• Sprinkle in the glitter - the more the merrier.


• Apply a silicone adhesive to the outer rim of lid.


• Screw that baby on tight!

To finish it off, hot glue ribbon around the lid. My boys loved these!

~R

Well, crap, time flies

when I am having fun.

Movie update. Slept until the mean vampires tried to snatch Bella. I mean how many times can you watch those two stare at each other or better (worse) yet, watch Bella flutter her eyelashes in confusion. Books? Much better. In fact I find myself thinking about reading and then remember, I'm done with them and slump my shoulders a bit. Oh well, good thing I have other things to occupy my time.

Like Cinnamon-Applesauce Ornaments.

Here's the cast of characters: (including my helper Repete)



Mix 1 cup applesauce with 8 oz cinnamon in a bowl until combined. I also add a few pinches of clove. I like mine extra smelly. Mmmm.



It'll look a bit like this...poop-ish...



Form into a ball for rolling and then roll to 1/4 inch in thickness.



Have your best helper ever cut out little gingerbread men or stars or trees or fish or whatever...



Then have him cut holes for the ribbon using a straw...



You can air dry these in place for 1-2 days or pop them in the oven on 250 degrees for a bit. (10-15 minutes) Just check them for dryness because I don't watch the clock. Oh and be careful when you open the oven door. The poof of cinnamon smell will just about knock you over. No lie.

Once dry, hang them on your tree for cinnamon-y goodness all season long or share them with friends. I also use non-Christmas shapes and my friends hang them in the kitchen for good smells all year long. After a few years, rub them with a bit of clove oil to "freshen" them right back up.



~R

Today is the day!

Now I've pulled two moms over to the dark side. We'll be going to see the movie tonight. Can't wait.

*************************************

Speaking of that, I was in Wally with my boys and Pete was flipping through the posters. I thought nothing of that because I've looked through them in the past and it's nothing but Spiderman, Harry Potter, Hannah Montana and such. This day I did see Edward on the end. hahahaha

Anyhoo, Pete is really concentrating on a few of them so I walk over and see women in their underwear. (I won't even go into a rant about that.)

R: Pete, c'mon, let's go.

Pete: Mom, those ladies are HOT!

R: Do you mean they are only wearing their underwear because they are too hot to wear their clothes? *snicker*

Pete: No, I mean they are nice looking. (said while doing the multiple eyebrow raising thing)

UGH!!!

***************************************

It's also my birthday. My mailbox is full of birthday wishes which is so nice. What is weird is all the forums and websites that I have accounts with also sent birthday greetings. Such a strange thing to do.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day today.

~R