Let me tell you about Oatmeal.....

                                         ????

I will explain.......

Colby has an imaginary friend.  His name is "Oatmeal" and we hear about him all day.  Oatmeal does not live with us; Colby doesn't even know what he looks like.  This is because Oatmeal lives in Florida.  He is 40 years old. 

We first heard about Oatmeal a few months ago. One morning while eating oatmeal, Colby announced that he has a friend with the same name.  We all laughed and said, "What a funny name!", but Colby continued to talk all about his middle-aged Floridian friend.  From what we've heard, Oatmeal is quite the guy and has had many experiences in his life.  Whatever the subject is that we are discussing, Oatmeal has been there done that.  Most of the stories Stella brings home from school are followed by an enthusiastic Colby saying, "My friend Oatmeal did that too!"  Oatmeal has been stung by a bee in his eye.  He has been to Africa where he saw a green moose.  He drives a garbage truck.  He swam down to the bottom of the ocean and hit a shark on its head.  The tales of Oatmeal go on and on.... (I will update as I hear more.  They are too good to pass up!)





5 Things I am Thankful for Today....

1.  Bengal Spice Tea.  I can't seem to drink enough of it these days. 

2. The pancake recipe I know by heart.  It's what we have for dinner most Monday nights while Kelsey is swimming.  The kids know Monday night is Pancake night!

3.  Safety Gates.  Guess what Max learned to do last week?

4. Colby's love of dinosaurs.  Why is it that all kids love dinosaurs and can remember all sorts of things about them.  "Mommy, an apatosaurus is a plant eater."  Thanks, Colbs.

5. Planting daisy seeds with Stella's Daisy Troop.  Sure, it's crazy to lead 10 five- and six-year old girls in an activity while dealing with a now crawling 9 month old and a bored-out-of-his-mind 3 year old, but it's worth it. 

Operation Eat Your Veggies: Take One

My kids, like most other children, hate to eat any vegetable.  They haven't always been this way; when they were babies they would gobble up anything I offered them (luckily, Max is still in the midst of this. His favorites are peas and spinach!).  But, somewhere between the ages of 2 and 3 it is suddenly not cool to eat veggies anymore.  I've tried everything to try to get something green in them, so when a friend of mine told me about a kale chip recipe I knew I had to try it.  She swore her non-veggie-eating children loved them and begged for more.  And, truth be told, the adults in the house could benefit from some more leafy greens..... 
So, we set off to work making our "Monster Chips" (I renamed them to make them seem cooler). 

At first, Stella was very brave and couldn't wait to help make our chips.  This was very surprising because she is usually the first one to make awful faces and gagging noises at the mention of a vegetable. 

See?  She was licking her lips in anticipation!

I couldn't belive how CLOSE she was getting to something so green!  It was great.

Colby didn't have the same reaction at first..... when I asked him how he thought the kale chips would taste, this is the face he gave me. 

So, we washed the kale leaves and then tore them up into "chip-sized" pieces.  They thought this part was fun.

Colby eventually warmed up to the idea of kale so much, he pretended he was a plant eating dinosaur and ate several leaves before we even baked them!  (of course, these were spit out onto the counter moments after this picture was taken)

Here's our kale all ready to bake into yummy goodness!  (notice the chewed up, spit out kale in the background....)

Our finished kale chips.  Colby's hand could barely stay away.

Stella took her first bite of what was to be a very tastey new snack......

and quickly turn and ran to spit it out in the trashcan.  Colby ran to spit his out too fast for me to catch a picture.  Oh well, I tried.  Honestly, I think I just got the wrong type of kale.  Our leaves were too curly and made for a very disgusting texture when chewing them.  Next time I will try to get a flat leaf variety.  I haven't given up yet.

Max just thought his toes tasted way better.... and this time he was probably right. 



Jen Time

I love being a mom.  I feel like it is what I was born to do.  When I was younger if people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I had a handful of answers.... a psychologist, a teacher, a neuropsychologist.... but in my head all I really wanted to say was, "I want to be a mom when I grow up." 

I mean, is there anything better?  I have a fan base of 3 little people that adore me (see above).  If I've been away for an hour, I usually get an exceptionally warm welcome back (with Max, I just have to be out of sight for a split second!).  I can get a big hug at any moment if I just ask.  I get to pretend to be a kid again and get messy with paints and dig for worms and play with play dough and bake cookies and have jammie days (a little too often I'm afraid...) and that's my JOB.  Sure, the pay sucks and there's no vacation or sick time, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

That being said, I am in desperate need of Jen Time.  Time where my name isn't "Mommy" and I don't have to fold laundry (or worse, put it away) or do dishes or do any of the icky-jobs that come with being a stay at home mom.  Luckily I have the most amazing husband who can see in my frazzled eyes when I need that "Jen Time," and let me sneak away for a few hours on the weekend.  I don't need much time.... a few hours alone can be enough to get me through another two weeks of being a mommy. 

Two weekends ago, I had some Jen Time and did my new favorite thing:  Treasure hunting.  I went to a goodwill and found a flea market and just poked around looking for something to catch my eye.  I would love to find an old piece of furniture that I can fix up myself.  I've been completely inspired by some new blogs I've tuned into lately (it's what I do while I feeding Max, which is often).  This one in particular is amazing.... I want them to come and decorate my house.  I have also discovered my inner Martha Stewart and have a running mental list of a million things I want to make and create.  Like this sweet little monster, and anything from this site (this site has made me desperate to get a sewing machine).  Now just to find more Jen Time so I can actually do them!

One more random thought..... today while I was in the shower (which, by the way, wasn't until 2:30pm), I found myself making a bucket list and I couldn't get one idea out of my mind.  I really want to be in a flash mob.  What's a flash mob?  So glad you asked.... according to Wikipedia, a flash mob is "a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and sometimes seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment and/or satire.^"  Here is an example:

How fun would this be?  Imagine you're out running errands with the family when all of a sudden music comes on and you bust into a choreographed routine, only to walk away as if nothing happened when it's over.  I love this! 


ps.... Thank you Dad for giving me some much needed "Jen Time!"  xo

Ode to Single Moms

Poor Kelsey has been sick for the past 3 days.  He spent ALL DAY yesterday in bed and only came out of his room a couple of times today.  And, although I feel bad for him (he really is sick.  This isn't a little cold with him acting like a total wimp.), I can't help but to turn it around and feel really bad for me too.  Kelsey being out of commission means that I was suddenly a single mom to not three, but FOUR children.  Yikes.  How do single moms do it?  Whenever I have days like this, I always think of those super moms out there who have to do this.  Everyday.  It makes me yawn just thinking about it. 

So, yesterday while Kelsey stayed in bed with a fever and chills and aches and sniffles, I went into Super Mom mode.  I kept the kids busy busy busy all day, and we had a really fun time.  The morning was filled with water play at the kitchen sink (they are addicted to this!  Colby especially could do this all day long), painting with their trucks and stamping with cookie cutters, and playing in the playroom.  After a successful morning, I decided to be brave and go on a giant outing.  With all three.  By myself.  We had checked out a pass from the library for free admission to a local children's museum called Imagine Nation.  This was our second time checking it out.  We didn't get to use it the first time because we had a huge snow storm the day we were supposed to go.  I wasn't about to not use it again!  I sat the kids down at lunch and told them my idea.   Then I gave them my pep talk.... I said things such as:  "It's only going to be me...."  "If Max needs milk, we'll all have to take a break together....."  "We have to all stay together the whole time...."  Stella and Colby agreed to the conditions, finished their lunch, and we were off to Imagine Nation. 

It was a fun little place and the kids had a blast.  There was so much for them to do and see.



The kids at their new job for ESPN





Colby's favorite part?  Why, the water play area, of course!



. 



Dr. Gilmore



The kids were all amazing while we were there.  Even little Max, who was pretty much in the sling the whole time, was so good.  They were all so well behaved that we just HAD to stop for ice cream on the way home (the ice cream was more of a reward for me, but don't tell them!). 

Thankfully, Kelsey is feeling a teeny bit better tonight and will hopefully be closer to normal tomorrow.  I don't know how much longer I can pull this single-mom thing (I even had to break my don't-bring-all-3-kids-to-the-grocery-store-at-the-same-time rule today... ugh!). 

Artist in the making

Stella made this picture in her art class at school and I'm in love with it. This is going to go in a frame asap and will live on the walls of our house for the rest of our lives. 

Water Water Everywhere

We were completely spoiled yesterday. The weather was absolutely perfect and our town hit a record temperature for the day with a reading of 72 degrees. The sun didn't stop shining all day. The kids and I took full advantage of it and spent the entire afternoon outside playing (although the kids were bummed we didn't hook up the sprinkler and slip-and-slide!).

Here's few pictures of everyone enjoying the day......



 Today, the temperature was a good 25 degrees cooler than it was yesterday. What would have normally been a warm winter day seemed too cold to want to be outside longer than necessary thanks to yesterday's tease. So, we spent most of our day inside (not counting the hour Colby spent outside helping Daddy with yard work. So cute to see him trying to carry a big shovel up our giant hill!). We got a lot done, and it was a great day overall.

A highlight of the day was cleaning my kitchen floor. Yes, you read that right... it was, and IS, a highlight to clean my kitchen floor. Stella and Colby look forward to it because I have discovered the best way to get this awful chore done. We did this once a couple weeks ago, so it was definitely time to do it again. I spread a couple of towels on the floor, give the kids a bunch of bowls, ladels, pitchers, and cups filled with water and let them have at it.

Once they're done playing (and they could do this for at least an hour!), I just use the (sopping wet) towels to wipe up the entire floor.  Let dry and voila!  Clean kitchen floors nd 2 happy kids. 

And, speaking of water..... Stella and Colby have started swim classes.  Colby went to his this morning with Daddy.  It sounds like so much fun.  They get to play games and sing songs, all while splashing around in a pool.  Stella goes on Friday nights to a class that is just for kids.  No parents allowed.  I thought for sure she would be a nervous wreck (this coming from someone who had full fledged tantrums before her swim class), but she loves it.   Last night, parents got to watch and see how their kids are doing.  Kelsey was the lucky one and got to go watch Stella show off her skills while I stayed home with two very sleepy boys.  He is one proud papa after seeing Stella master some strokes and he had to add, "She's the fastest swimmer in the class!"  Like father like daughter.  I'm just glad she didn't inherit my swimming abilities, or more importantly, my tantrum throwing skills. 

Here's our girl in action!  Look out Michael Phelps!

Her smile at the end gets me every time!

Who WOULDN'T want....

A hot dog octopus on their mac & cheese? I mean, come on!

Spring has Sprung!

The sun was shining bright today and all of the snow is GONE. I can't believe how fast it all disappeared. One day, the snow banks were up to the mail box and blocking the views at all of the intersections in town, and the next day it was gone. Nothing but grass now. I think Kelsey is very happy to know his snow blower is parked for good in the shed until next year. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the tulips and daffodils I planted in the fall.

Today, the weather was a tease. It was 60 degrees and so sunny. Everyone came out of the woodwork to head outside. I have been waiting for this day for so long. The kids and I have had cabin fever for months now. Poor Colby asks me everyday, "Can we go outside and play?" and I usually have to answer him with one of the following: 1) "It's too cold out today, Buddy." 2)"It's raining out, Buddy." or 3) "Max is still awake and it's too cold/rainy for him to be out, Buddy." But today was different. As soon as Max and Colby woke up from their nap, we all headed to our favorite park in town.... Panthorn Park, home of the infamous "rolley slide." Apparently everyone else in town had the same idea because it was packed with kids and parents who all looked like they had spent one too many snowy days inside this winter.

As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, a huge smile grew on Colby's face and it didn't leave until we did. I haven't seen him so happy in awhile! Stella and Colby took off for their favorite spots. Stella jumped on a swing and stayed there for a good 20 minutes, pumping away and going higher and higher. Colby headed for the ramps, which he ran up at full speed and jumped off the end onto the ground. Finally he could jump off something without getting yelled at!

Max was so content in his sling, watching the madness of running, screaming, laughing kids all around us. He also got his turn playing as he had his very first ride in a playground baby swing. At first he wasn't so sure what the heck I was putting him in and had a look of complete concern on his face, but as soon as I gave him a little push, he was in love. He thought it was the funniest thing he had ever done and giggled every time he swung back towards me. When the swing would come to a stop, he bounced around kicking his legs trying to make it go again. He had so much fun. I felt bad when I had to take him out when it was time to go home.

We were all dragging our feet when it was time to get home for dinner. I think the kids were scared that it would be another 4 months before we went back to the park. Luckily for all of us, tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer. I really hope that this weather stays with us for awhile.

5 Things I'm Thankful for Today

Today I am thankful for.....


1. Starting the day with an empty dishwasher.

2. Homemade blueberry muffins. Making and eating them with Colby.

3. Stella finally (fingers crossed!) growing out of her wearing-a-dress-everyday-stage. She wore jeans to school today. By choice. Without tears.

4. The weather forecast promising temps in the 60s for the rest of the week.

5. Baby tylenol for my sweet, pitiful, teething little boy (whose drool stain on his shirt goes down to his belly button).

(but look how sweet he was here on his new favorite toy.....) :)