Family Traditions

Most families have traditions. Some are as old as dirt and some are new. When Big E and I married 9 years ago we (like many other married folk) had to merge or create traditions. Now, some came much easier than others, but nonetheless traditions emerged. 

A fond memory for both of us was watching the Wizard of Oz on t.v. I remember huddled on the couch in our jammies enjoying the movie while being scared of the Wicked Witch of the West. Big E's family not only watched the movie as a family, but enjoyed popcorn and homemade milk shakes too! Yummy! 

So, tonight as the movie aired we enjoyed our kids and popped some popcorn in memory of our childhood. We have done this in the past with our growing brood and enjoy it annually! Although, we didn't make it to the milkshakes this time around, but Big E and I enjoyed some adult beverages while watching the kids act out the scenes. 

So cheers to the Wizard of Oz and long live traditions!!!

SLSK

The smell of brownies...

Each of us has a favorite dessert in our family. I am sure your family does too! I would have to say that I have a few, but then does that really surprise you? Probably not...

M loves chocolate chip cheesecake and homemade chocolate chip cookies

G is a fan of straight up Hershey's chocolate bars (a very picky eater even when it comes to desserts)

E loves anything that is sweet from suckers to cookies. Today she asked me to make her a pie. Does a two year old know really anything about pie? I guess she does...

Big E loves key lime pie and creme brulee although he isn't a huge sweets guy either. It must run in the family.

I love dutch apple pie and my mom's recipe for lemon bars. They seriously melt in your mouth!

But when I am not in my "Martha Stewart Mood" I find that a good ole box of brownies does the trick any day of the week. The kids and I put some together tonight and I am enjoying the fragrant smell as I type. I guarantee that the entire pan will be gone by Saturday! Yummy!!!

Halloween

Big E and M carving pumpkins

Little E and G with their pumpkins...no carving for these little guys ;-)

The three amigos before the candy extravaganza!

I thought I should post my Halloween pics before Thanksgiving is here and gone! We had a great evening! It was a very mild night and the kids didn't have to hide their costumes with heavy coats and gloves. A bonus for being farther south this year. I was walking around the neighborhood in flip flips and capri pants. I know this won't happen every year. I realize that I am still in the Midwest. However, this brings a smile to my face knowing our first trick-o-treat experience in MN was a balmy 26 degrees. Big E and M only made it to three or four doors that year.

All in all, the kids made a great haul in the candy department. We were able to connect with neighbors and have some great laughs. Little E was a trooper and old enough to enjoy the evening without having to be trapped in a wagon or stroller (yeah for the parents too). Just another milestone that will make a great memory in this wonderful thing called life!

SLSK

It's 4:30 am and I cannot sleep!

Are you kidding me??? This hardly happens to me!!! I freakin' can't sleep. Now this happens to my hubby a lot. He is a light sleeper and if he is awoken during the night it so hard for him to find that deep sleep again. I always relish in the fact that I fall asleep quickly and stay asleep until my alarms (three kiddos) wake me from my slumber.

I guess I have too many things rolling through my mind tonight. My Mom always advised me to keep a notebook by my bed and write things down as they came up. So here is my list tonight...

1. I am worried about G and his behavior lately. He isn't listening well. He is trying to "buck my authority" more and more. He has discovered telling "half-truths" when he gets into trouble, etc. Now, mind you this is not the first time we've done this. He's tested my patience many, many times before. Each developmental stages brings new challenges with him. Don't get me wrong, he is a tender hearted child. I know he is testing me to see where the "line" is drawn. We've got a discipline system in place. It seems I need to tweak it a bit. Plus we haven't had a lot of mommy-son time together lately. I'll have to work hard at playing/reading with him more this week. Let's see if that helps too.

2. I've been thinking about my sister's safety lately too. She is a young, pretty single gal in Chicago. She is living in a safe neighborhood, but I still think of the vulnerable moments that cross our paths everyday we don't realize. I cringe at the thought of someone harming her. She is a smart chic, but there are some sick tickets out in the world today. I'll call her in the morning. Encourage her to take a self defense class and pray for her (as always). 

3. I am already pondering Christmas shopping and managing the list and budget. It doesn't help that with every cartoon there are hundreds of commercials that feed into my children's psyche regarding "buy me now"! So, I started a list, but I really need to crack down because the smaller budget will play a big role in who gets what. Plus, E and I both want to work hard at keeping Jesus at the center of our Christmas celebration. It is our family goal every year. We've come up with some good ideas so far!!! Now that the kids are older I think it will be fun to do a little community service work through our church.

4. I hate how chubby I am! My jeans are too tight. I cannot afford a gym membership. We don't have any exercise equipment in our home and the budget doesn't offer any room for a purchase soon. I can manage my food in portions, but hate to diet. I just eat more. So, I need to record some exercise shows and working out during nap time, take walks/jogs when I can, and realize that it is going to be a slow road ahead. My kids are too old/heavy for strollers, my hubby travels making my schedule different each week and I can always find too many excuses to do it...that is the real truth. Note to self...get over it and suck it up!

5. It is now 5:30 am. I am going to need a nap today. My hubby is traveling for the next 4 days so my energy counts. I need to try to sleep another hour and realize that life is pretty good with a roof over my head, food in the pantry and clothes to wear (even if they are too tight) ;-)

Just in time...my battery is going to die! Night cyber world!

SLSK

book club/goodreads.com

As my kids are maturing I have rediscovered an old hobby...reading. Now, I am serious this is just a new thing for me (again). We're talking since August. It all started with a neighborhood friend asking me to join a small book club. I was hesitant because I didn't want to commit to something that would be too time consuming, conflict with our evening schedule and on and on. But after listening to the ground rules and knowing a few members in the group were also mothers with young kids I decided it could work out well for me.

The details are simple:

1. No more than 400 pages

2. Must be something that is thought provoking, something that will warrant good discussion

3. Must be something that no one in the group as read before.

 

We are on our 4th book and did I say that I am LOVING IT!?!! The whole concept is great! I am reading books that I'd never choose on my own (which is a great challenge). I am getting out of the house for a guaranteed evening a month. (Seriously, I am not trapped, but I my schedule is more kid-centered than grown-up centered.) And did I tell you I still have a brain up there??? Man, it is so nice to reconnect with the brain cells that have been dormant for 8 years of babyhood. Plus, some of these books provide interesting topics to start a dialogue with my hubby. Other than the other fun things we get to talk about daily such as bills, schedules, family issues and of course...football ;-) 

Getting involved in a book club is a small step, but a great investment in my "self". It is also encouraging my oldest to spend her spare time reading books. (Monkey see, monkey do.) I am grateful for my new/old hobby. Three cheers for book club!

On a side note, my "hip sister" provided me with another bonus during this new adventure. It is a website (another social network) that is geared towards books. It is a great way to keep track of your reads, post ratings, give recommendations and see what your friends are reading. So check out www.goodreads.com. If you're a reader this is a cool site to discover. 

Have fun!!!

SLSK