I Want to Be a Princess...

Okay, so this is my random post for today. I have to say it was thought provoking for me as my three year old innocently made this comment over the weekend. First is my disclaimer: I know that this is often a sensitive issue so please take it as a child's completely innocent thought and a comment that should create inspiration or be a thought provoking statement to anybody...of any background.

We had family over most of the last week for the holidays. You know how it is...where you have to recover after having company and a holiday. Kids have been off schedule, excitement has been brewing, house is in disarray, and so on, but the memories always outweigh the chaos. As we were recovering from all of this holiday fun, I am so glad that I didn't miss this particular comment LaLa made. Have you heard of the new princess movie that is coming out in December? I believe it is the Princess Frog. We really enjoy Disney, the movies, and...well, everything else...especially with two princess-obsessed girls...and my husband-the Disney fanatic of them all! We have really been anticipating this movie coming out.

Well, the commercial for the movie came on the television. LaLa looked up at me and said, "Mama, I don't have that princess dress. I want to dress up like Tiana." I said, "No, we don't have that one. Maybe that can be something you ask Santa for." LaLa responds, "Yeah, mama, that's a great idea. I just need her beautiful dress, put my hair up, and hey, mama, can you paint my face brown like that?" Now, this response caused me to pause a minute. First of all, I didn't realize what she was talking about at first. Then, I realized how innocent children are to issues such as race. I wish adults could be that innocent as well. After that, I wasn't sure how to answer. I can just see her wanting me to paint her face brown, dress up like the beautiful princess, Tiana, and insist on wearing her costume on an outing. Honestly, I wouldn't mind doing it because I know it is just part of her imagination. However, can you imagine? She would definitely cause quite a commotion.

However, ultimately, it made me realize that lots of little girls from other races have probably felt the same way. I guess that little statement from LaLa made me realize that children are innocent and sincere. All they know is they want to be a princess...white, yellow, red, or black. If the princess is different from the way you look, they innocently want to be different to look like a "princess"...or the way the princess is portrayed.

So, first, I applaud Disney (although I wish it was done a long time ago) on varying their princesses to look like all the different little girls of the world that desire to be a princess. Princesses aren't just one color...and it has to be hard for little girls that mostly see princesses as one color. More importantly, I also encourage all mamas to really encourage their little princesses to know that it's what is on the inside that makes a true princess.

I remind my girls...Christ is our Heavenly Father and King of Kings...that makes us all princesses...don't let anyone ever tell you anything different!

Mama Drama Rule #79: Your kids will often teach you more than you teach them in life! I know my kids do!

Sweet Thanksgiving Moments...

Sweet Thanksgiving Moments...

LaLa and Little Bit being sweet!

Thanksgiving Table...I really want a bigger table...one day...hint hint!

Dessert table...yummy!

Robert and his family.

Me and my family. Did you notice the sweet GIVE THANKS banner that LaLa and her daddy made last week. It turned out really cute!

My little brother and his sweet girlfriend, Katie (especially for putting up with my brother!).

One of my children actually posed for a picture...or stood still for a picture...amazing for kids this age! How fast my sweet girls are growing up. One of my favorite moments from this year is Little Bit saying gobble gobble when you point to her shirt!

What a wonderful day...to Give thanks (as Little Bit's shirt reminded us) and to be Full of Thanks (as LaLa's shirt reminded us too). It was a great day with lots of food and family!...Hmmm...now to plan out my tactics for BLACK FRIDAY! Best of luck to you all as you hunt down some wonderful deals!

So very many people in our world cannot say the same...

The food is prepared. The house is clean. The table is set. Family are on there way to celebrate. Our day will be thankful and full of blessings. Our day will have peace and good health. Our day will be joyful.

So very many people in our world cannot say the same...

It makes me wonder how far we have ventured from where President Lincoln desired our great country to be through his Thanksgiving proclamation made so many, many years ago.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God...

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

 Our country is still great, but how I wish that we would place more of our faith and decisions in the "ALMIGHTY HAND". How I wish and pray that our leaders, in all areas of our government, would give such a sincere speech and devotion to the "MOST HIGH GOD". How I wish our country's purposes were consistent with the "DIVINE PURPOSES".

Pray for our leaders. Pray for our country. Pray for restoration toward where we originally founded this great country. Pray for those that President Lincoln mentioned this thanksgiving..widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers, etc. We have many fellow countrymen that have lost loved ones overseas, spending thanksgiving without their families, struggling financially, or battling personal struggles.

Let's do what we can to ensure that this thanksgiving is exactly as President Lincoln proclaimed...a time to share in our blessings, follow and thank our Almighty Creator, support our country, and help others.

God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!

Mama Drama Rule #78: Our country is not lost...we've just forgotten where we came from and who got us there.

*Thank you to LaLa for making me research how exactly Thanksgiving Day was started! Also, thank you to Emily for bringing this up recently. It was a great reminder...one that is all to easily forgotten!

I'm so FULL of THANKS!

My kids drive me crazy at times. I am often so sleepy because one of my kids will wake up in the middle of the night or really, really early. I have this annoying habit of not being able to turn my brain off at night when I get started on a project...which also leads to a really tired mama. I lose my patience at times. My house gets messy. I often start ten projects all at once. I choose an extra fifteen minutes of sleep over a shower at times. I fall asleep before I finish my prayers sometimes. I forget to tell my kids, husband, family, and friends how wonderful they are to me at times. I am not a good phone person. I get completely distracted after talking for five minutes. I only check phone messages every week...or so (which tends to drive my family and friends crazy). I'm not very good in emergencies. I often wonder if I am making the right decisions from the small things as feeding my kids organic or not organic to big things like should I go back to work or continue to stay home. A lot of the times...there is no right or wrong answer. I completely stress over any confrontation or decision making.

Regardless of all of the different things where I know I fall short...

I look at these two precious girls...I mean really stop in the moment and look at my kids...and know that there is something that is absolutely wonderful in my world—my own piece of heaven from God, Himself. I may not be everything I want to be or do everything I should do, but I know that I am so blessed to be given the opportunity to be their mama.

My heart is so full of thanks...to God...for these two girls.

This Thanksgiving, when I am trying to cook and maneuver all the food and preparations for our families, I will try my hardest to step back from the chaos and the expectations...and be in the moment with a heart full of thanks to God. I know I fall short. I know I do not deserve this position, but I am blessed to be given the opportunity....to be called MAMA by LaLa and Little Bit.

Mama Drama Rule #77: Take a moment to realize just what an incredible honor it is to be called...mama.

Create Cornucopias...

While searching the web, I had a difficult time finding cute stuff for thanksgiving theme. I couldn't believe that thanksgiving had fewer ideas surrounding fun food ideas than halloween and Christmas! Most of thanksgiving involves...food! I did come across one idea of using a sugar cone for mini cornucopias. I'm sad to say that my final pictures didn't come out! Note to self: make sure to push the camera card all the way into the slot before taking pictures! It was super easy...once I figured it out! So, let me save you some trouble and share what I was doing wrong!

This is the link where I started with my ideas. I wrapped some tan raffia around these and put veggies in them for LaLa's preschool feast. I plan on using them as place cards for our family's thanksgiving dinner. I will use the raffia again and write names on them with icing. Someone suggested placing runts candy inside of them! I'm a big fan of runts...so I think I may try that route, if I don't eat all the goodies before family gets to see the end result!

First, you need to steam the sugar cones. Now, in the instructions that I found online, it said to hold the cone over boiling water to let the steam do its magic. Let me point out that I tried that...and it resulted in much frustration. Avoid that! Use a steamer basket above your pot of boiling water. I cheated. My steamer basket was in the dishwasher...I simply used a colander and placed it over my boiling water. Let the sugar cone sit in the basket for several minutes until the cone becomes soft...not gooey. Soft and gooey are great technical terms! You'll know what I mean though!

Next, carefully tilt the end of the sugar cone up to look like a cornucopia. Make sure to sit the soft cones on wax paper or somewhere where they will not stick to the surface. They will harden quickly.

This is where I would add my wonderful final picture...if I had it! You could add all kinds of yummy items inside. It would be cute for a kid's table this thanksgiving too. My Little Bit and LaLa enjoyed eating the two that I broke before I realized that the steamer basket made the BIG difference! The raffia looked really cute too! Also, just so you know...the cones will be very hot when you are bending the ends. My kids just stood there giving me funny looks as I was manipulating these hot cones! At least it was entertaining to them!

Mama Drama Rule #76: Saying THANKS is so simple...yet so often forgotten! Remember to say thanks...especially to those that do so much and so often get forgotten!

Pilgrims, Indians, and Baby Jesus...only in the mind of a three year old!

As we were creating our little turkeys yesterday, LaLa and I begin to discuss the history of thanksgiving.



Mommy to LaLa: Are you excited about dressing up like an Indian for your feast at preschool?



LaLa to Mommy: Yes, I'm going to be an Indian princess.



Mommy to LaLa: oooh...that sounds fun. Do you know what the Indians did for the pilgrims on the first thanksgiving?



LaLa to Mommy with a dramatic sigh: Yes, mommy. They were nice and helpful. The Indians brought the Pilgrims food and Indian corn. They were friendly. They even brought baby Jesus.



A very surprised and confused Mommy to LaLa: Well, they were nice and helpful. Yes, they were very friendly. They taught them a lot too. They shared their food and helped them plant their own crops. They didn't bring baby Jesus though...Remember, God sent baby Jesus in a manger...



LaLa interrupts Mommy: Mommy, I know all of that! You just don't remember. It's okay. You can look it up later when we are done with our project. That's what you do when you don't know something. You look it up. Right now, we need to concentrate on one thing at a time.



I laugh and let it go. What's left to say at this point?! Later that day, Robert and I are putting the girls to bed (LaLa is still insisting on sleeping on that floor in Little Bit's room!). I asked LaLa again about Thanksgiving. She still stuck to her same story...Pilgrims, Indians, and Baby Jesus. Robert had to turn his head to stifle a laugh! I guess we are going to have to spend some more time on this topic!



Mama Drama Rule #75: Count your blessings...Being a mama is the greatest blessing. It's something I never knew that I wanted until I had the wonderful opportunity to experience it!

Gobble, gobble...and a good deal!

Hmmm...You know how you are just perusing around and think...oooh, that's a good deal. I'm SURE I need this because I can do something just wonderful and crafty with it. I think the teacher and the mama in me is just drawn to items like that. Hence, that is why I had my husband haggle a deal and purchase over thirty of these squash/gourd thingies from the state farmer's market.

I am definitely NOT a haggler! They say twenty and I say okay...however, my husband will stand there and haggle until they just get tired of him! It works out for me though! He managed to get my box of over thirty for only eleven dollars! They were all colors and shapes. I used them to decorate around my house and out on my back porch for a fun fall feel! However, I was still left with quite a bit of these things. Actually, some started going bad! I HAD to think of SOMETHING for these wonderful items! Finally, I thought I would take full advantage and suggest these for a fun craft for LaLa's preschool party. Now, just to find a project to go along with them!

Then, I FOUND the perfect idea!


Isn't he a cute turkey? LaLa made this one, and it will be just PERFECT for our centerpiece this Thanksgiving! Little Bit looks at it and says, "apple"...no, not quite. Then, she'll say "gobble, gobble." Poor thing she seems quite confused!


Where to start to make your own little turkey? Well, the "directions" actually suggest a pumpkin, but I had to use up these things! LaLa and I chose fun fall colors that we wanted to use and printed the templates off. LaLa had one to cut. My mom cut the rest of them! (She's pretty handy with that detail stuff!) Next, I used toothpicks that I had in the pantry. I just taped them to the back of each piece-the head and the feathers. I figured out that it worked better if I made the hole with a toothpick, and then LaLa inserted in the actual toothpick attached to the feather. We also added these cute, FUN googly eyes to the turkey. My daughter loves to say GOOGLY. Last, we attached the turkey's wings on the squash/gourd thing! We just used Elmer's glue...and it worked just fine. I attached tape on it to hold it while it dried. We sorted the pieces needed for the craft in separate baggies so the kids can just take a bag and work on their turkey!

I think it would be cute if each of our Thanksgiving guests write something they're thankful for on a plain feather. We could add it to the turkey for the meal. Later, we can take it off the turkey and add it to our family's scrapbook for memories of our many blessings this year!

Hmmm...I still have a lot of these things left! Now, off to plan more ways to use them!

Mama Drama #74: Be full of thanks EVERY day...not just on turkey day!

Can I just hide in a closet and take a quick nap? Do you think my kids would notice?

Our newest drama is sleeping. Yes, sleeping. I've always been a napper and a late owl. I am most productive late at night, but I would always take a good nap the next day. Well, kids obviously throw a wrench in this theory! My kids have never, ever been good sleepers. I have all of the books on children sleeping. I've actually read them, highlighted parts, and implemented them. Let me just tell you....It doesn't work on my kids. Something will work for a little while. Then, just when I start becoming human again after gaining much-needed sleep, they start waking up again. I remember time after time sitting in a restaurant or church admiring a sweet little baby. Their parents would comment on how their baby is sleeping 8-10 hours a night already. I smile, but I am really yelling at them profusely in my head. If your baby sleeps, don't tell a sleep-deprived mama!

I remember before children (BC) not being concerned with the lack of sleep that children caused. I would come home from teaching and take a nap. I remember hearing other coworkers complain, but I never truly understood their need for sleep! I thought my husband and I would alternate on taking care of the kids so we could both sleep. What was I thinking? My husband suddenly became capable of sleeping through a tornado when we had our first daughter. I thought, I will just hire a nanny or a sitter to take care of them during the day so I can rest. Again, what was I thinking? Did I win the lottery? I was one of those that had never been around babies or small children (younger than school age). I, seriously, had no idea. I guess that is why I have learned so much as a mama!

I became very scared when I realized that life with children was so much different that what I had envisions BC. I had to learn quick and learn well. Thus, became my obsession with these books! I love school. I know, I'm a nerd. I loved getting my doctorate. It was new and exciting. Surely, someone with a doctorate, with a background in child development, can get their child to sleep. I'll just read some more books. I'll just write this author. Perhaps the author has some valuable information that they did not disclose in their book. Let me just tell you, my kids still do not sleep regularly. I think it's a myth that other parents tell each other just to make you jealous...and insane!

Our current sleep situation is odd, but it is working for us right now. LaLa is currently sleeping on this little pull out sofa the girls have on the floor of Little Bit's nursery. I'm serious. She has a queen size beautiful bed in her room, but she insists on sleeping in her sister's room. Getting them to sleep takes some threats, some incentives, some coddling, a lot of patience, and some time. Little Bit stands in her crib saying, "No, no, LaLa. Bye, Bye, LaLa." I think in baby language that is "Get out of my room you crazy sister! I want to go to sleep. Don't make me climb out of my crib again and kick you out." Eventually, though, they both go to sleep. Once they are asleep, they are staying asleep until the morning.

At that blissful moment, when I know both girls are asleep, I take the biggest sigh. I might even do a giddy dance around the house...or maybe just in my head because at this point I am usually too tired to do anything! I just want to know what happen to my BC dreams of rocking a sweet child to sleep, singing a lullaby, and waking them up sweetly the next morning after 8-10 hours of sleep??

Mama Drama Rule #73: Ignorance can be bliss...until reality hits!

A High Flying Movie Night!

(This post didn't show up on Sunday for some reason! oops!)

For Friday night movie night, we enjoyed Disney's movie Up! that just came out last week. I loved it! Now, my husband is more of a fan of the traditional princess/prince kind of Disney movies. Remember, he is the Disney fanatic...the one that wants to be cremated and placed in the It's a Small World when he dies and the one that chose to go there for his thirtieth birthday! He's special! I loved the movie though! It held my girls' attention pretty well. I missed a small portion of the movie because I had a phone call, but LaLa was actually able to update me on everything I had missed! It has an actual message in the movie aside from the traditional happily ever after ones! The movie teaches priorities, friendship, respect for elderly, etc. A great sense of adventure is just contagious once you watch the movie. My LaLa and Little Bit played like they were "adventurers" all weekend!

The girls would both have on a backpack and tell me they were off on an adventure! Imaginations can really go wild with this little movie! For the movie night, we added a few special touches! We made a pizza together as has become a fun tradition. We also made yummy cupcakes to be our cluster of balloons! It was a great way to add in a color mixing lesson! Honestly, they were more interested in tasting the icing than catching on to the little teachable moment! However, LaLa and I were doing a craft over the weekend that involved paint, and she asked, "Mommy, are we going to mix colors to make a new color?" See, you never know when they are actually listening to you!

The best part of the night that really got us all in the adventure spirit was the balloons! While the girls were napping, my mom dropped off clusters of balloons in various colors! They loved the balloons! I was able to get so many things accomplished because they were completely amused with playing with all of the balloons! I'm learning the longer that I become a mama that the littlest things become the most important things to children. Fifteen dollars for a few dozen balloons made my little ones so happy and so amused! I think it was the surprise factor that was involved and the number of balloons...even I had to smile when I looked at all the balloons all over the house!

Now, in the movie, the house floats away with zillions of balloons attached to it! The goal is to get to paradise lost. My husband jokingly said to LaLa that maybe we should attach all of our balloons and make our house float away. Just so you know, three year olds do not think this is funny! They are very literal, and she was very concerned about our house floating away after that! My husband, after discovering this unbelievably hilarious, continued to joke with LaLa. He said maybe we could attach balloons to Little Bit, and she would float away. From then on out, LaLa would only let Little Bit hold a few balloons at a time out of concern that she was going to fly away! At least she loves her sister! I would have probably tried out the concept on my little brother when we were kids...just to see if he would really float away!

We had to experiment the next day to see what the balloons could really lift! LaLa felt better about the balloons when she realized that it would take a lot more balloons than we had to make anyone or anything actually float away! ooooh! Another teachable moment...they just pop up everywhere when we're looking!



Mama Drama Rule #72: Kids get excited when the adults are excited! Excitement is contagious!

Planning Thanksgiving Activities for Little Ones!

Are you getting ready for Thanksgiving Dinner and Parties for your family? We are also hosting Thanksgiving at our house so we are trying to think of some creative ideas to keep the little ones busy and build lots of memories! Right now, we are getting ready for LaLa's Preschool Party at school. Her school seems to celebrate big, which is a great deal of fun! Here are some ideas that we are working on for the preschool party. As we work on our items over the next week, I will add pictures, but hopefully, this will give you some ideas and some inspiration if you have your own parties coming up!

We are going to enjoy a feast! Yum. I know a lot of little ones do not eat some of these traditional foods, but it gives them a variety and an opportunity to try new things! I have tried to brainstorm ideas for fun ways to present the food...maybe in a different way from what they are used to, but it seems that most people SKIP right over Thanksgiving to Christmas! The only idea that I have came up with is "turkey kabobs" and putting the veggies in mini cornucopias!

Ideas for decorating: Indian corn, leaves (cut outs and real), pumpkins, gourds, cornucopias, pine cones, turkeys (of course), corn stalks, scarecrows, etc.

The kids can dress up like pilgrims or Indians. Our little class is dressing like Indians. LaLa's teacher "tea" dyed shirts. Have you ever heard of that? I had in my head "tie dyed" shirts, but no, it's not the same. She literally took boys undershirts (they come in a 5 pack for a few dollars) and dyed them a tan color using tea bags! We learn something every day in preschool...even this mama! Then, we are cutting the edges in fringes and threading beads on them.

Game Ideas: Turkey, turkey, stuffing (duck, duck, goose), BINGO (using Thanksgiving items and candy corn or acorns as markers), TURKEY says (I found the cutest turkey at Michael's for 6 dollars! I used my coupon and got it 50% off!), pin the wattle on the turkey,

Craft Ideas: Create a Pilgrim hat, Make an Indian headdress, build a turkey using a pumpkin, gourd, or large squash. making Indian jewrly using pasta (teaching opportunity for patterns!)

Table Setting: Make Placemats using kids' handprint as a turkey, make napkin rings,

Fun "Gift" ideas for your guests or your host(ess): The dollar tree actually has cute aprons right now. They also have matching rolling pins, whisks, serving plates, etc. What a cute opportunity to make a little basket! I collected a couple aprons to put an initial on them! Plus, they have cute packages of chef gear for little ones. It includes a chef hat and small apron! If you have "little helpers" on Thanksgiving, what a great, inexpensive way to make them feel special! I love the idea of my girls helping me in the kitchen creating dinner for our family, friends, and extended family; then, years and years later when they have their own families, I would love to continue that tradition! Of course, there is a great deal to do when preparing thanksgiving dinner (I usually cook 2-3 turkeys). Even the most creative mama can only get so much accomplished in the kitchen with two little girls! I plan on having some "special" crafts to keep them busy when I need my space in the kitchen. I am sure that the extra family and company will also keep them very busy!

Mama Drama Rule #72: A thankful heart and thankful actions are more important than thankful words!

Check back this weekend for our Movie Night REVIEW! The movie UP! came out this week on dvd! Our fun and our night was two thumps UP!

I AM A Crazy Cheap Craftin' MAMA For Christmas!

First, let me just put out there that if you are friend or family....you will probably see one of these items for a Christmas gift...just remember wonderful is wonderful regardless of how much it costs! If you would rather keep the "magic" alive & think I spent a fortune and hours of tireless effort...then read no farther! I always laugh because people think I spend a fortune on my kiddo's parties...uh, nope...a little creativity with dollar store items go a LONG way. It's like my coupon addiction...you walk into a store or see catalogs, and you think...hmmm..there has to be some way I could do that cheaper! If you are in any of my current categories of ...crazy (yep, what mama isn't), cheap (well, duh! at this point we all are!), craftin' (this can be my downfall...as we all know!)...then, read on and be prepared to steal some grand ideas for your Christmas plans!

I fully believe in being reasonable for Christmas. Most of us (me included!) spend and spend all caught up in the excitement and wants...then, we feel that January remorse! As a teacher...on that monthly pay...I really felt that slam after Christmas! Now, I feel it all over again as a one income family! I love to craft & I love to create...so these blogs were wonderful for me! I get quite carried away in dollar stores...especially now that I have my embroidery machine. I am trouble with a capital T in those stores, especially during the holidays, but I try to remind myself that I am technically saving money because I am only spending a dollar for stuff that I would otherwise spend much more for...BUT everything I see...I think...hmmm....what could I do with that? That is why these blogs cracked me up! This is ESPECIALLY true on this particular day because I visited three dollar stores (yes, I'm quite serious) and Target and Michaels...just to visit their dollar sections! I feel quite accomplished with all of my goodies, BUT please know if you do not hear from me in future posts, it's because my husband found out exactly how much one woman can spend....even when each item was only a dollar...and maybe you should contact someone...you know that can prosecute him. He would probably claim insanity because when he found out how much...he had to be insane...because that could just not be possible! So, if you have any great husband excuses for why you spent so much money in dollar stores, I would love to hear them! I will definitely try them out!

Here's the blogs...Enjoy!

http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/ (This site is by an author, Jessica Hill. She is actually a guest writer for dollarstorecrafts (see below), which is exactly how I discovered her site today!It was funny because I actually bought...um, over 15 mugs...today in my dollar store binge! I planned on using them to embroidery monograms or a single initial on them for gifts! I am very excited that I have discovered her site right before the holidays! Perfect timing! Let's just say, I was on her site for QUITE a long time with a pen and paper taking notes!

http://dollarstorecrafts.com/ (This site is by Heather. Her site is full of wonderful ideas that are all made from things you can find right in the dollar store! She has categories on her site that make her site so easy to navigate and to get inspired for just what you are looking for! I have been playing on her site for a while, and every time I get giddy! She has a lot of items that I would have never even thought of! You'll get so excited because it is all stuff that even a non-crafty person can do!)

Mama Drama Rule #71: INSPIRATION is the hardest part of CREATION...so don't try to reinvent the wheel...let others inspire your own creation!

A Wiggly Good Time!

We went to the Wiggles concert on Sunday. It was a full day trip because it was over an hour away. I have to be honest and say that the wiggles is definitely one of my favorite concerts. I am actually being serious. They keep my entire family completely entertained! They go out of their way to make sure the children and the families enjoy their time, and they definitely make sure that you get your money worth. This was our third wiggles concert, and I have learned quite a bit along the way! You might think I'm a little quirky for even blogging this, but I have more times than not looked up this very same topic online when I have been planning my family's trips to various concerts!

First, the wiggles is the only concert that I know for kids where the characters come out into the crowd. They also will read your child's sign if you make one and hold it up at the appropriate time. (I actually read this online the first time we went and was so excited to see that it was true!) I learned that my kids were even more excited if I included their names in the sign we all created, then the wiggles would say their names. Wow, this is unbelievable to small children. LaLa continued to say over and over...I can't believe Murray knows my name! They make you bring half size poster board sheets now. We happen to have ours rolled up in the bag, and I didn't hear this rule until later...fortunately for our sign!

Second, bring whatever "character" stuff to eliminate the need to make extra, expensive purchases at the event. Wow, those "souvenirs" are so pricey! I thought about buying a "wags" lovey for my Little Bit, but it was fifteen dollars! The first concert we took LaLa to we were so unprepared! We went empty handed, and we spent a fortune. We have learned...after that experience...to go prepared! We took all of the little stuffed characters with us, the hat, the sword, the light up red car, etc. Just so you know too...they always sell something that is going to light up and just attract your children like moths to a flame! Well, fortunately, we did buy this item three years ago at our first wiggles concert. We just bring it every time we go back. We also keep those bracelets and necklaces that glow on hand. They are at the dollar store for a pack of six or so, and they are marvelous for events like this!

Third, save even more money! Bring snacks and drinks! I always try to pack something fun and different. This time I packed these neat dinosaur fruit snacks where you try to put them together to make a dinosaur! Oh! Something else to bring that is specifically for the Wiggles concert is a bone for wags and roses for dorothy! A lot of times if you get there early, you can also get some cute pictures in front of the stage. We were able to get some really cute pictures before an elmo show of LaLa at "sesame street". Another random and money-saver is to try craig's list or ebay to get tickets. The closer it is to event...the more desperate people are to sell tickets...cheaper! My friend managed to get some great Elmo tickets this way! Wiggles is our tradition. We went ahead and ordered from ticketmaster to ensure that we did get tickets this year. If you sign up for ticketmaster, they will tell you when tickets go on sale. Sometimes, as for the wiggles concert, they will also do a presale to provide you with an opportunity to get even better seats!

Fourth, make it memorable. Work together with your kids to make a special outfit. They can even paint on a shirt or try iron ons! Take pictures. Make a scrapbook together after the event. It makes the memory last, and you will not believe how much your kids will invest into making a scrapbook, talking, and sharing it with anyone who will listen! Create a countdown with sticky notes counting down the days before the special event. This can build the anticipation for anything! Enjoy your kids' expressions throughout the event. The first time Robert and I took LaLa to the Wiggles concert, she was about a year and a half. She literally opened her mouth, eyes staring straight ahead, and clenched both fists shaking her entire body because she was so excited. I just stared at her, and I almost cried myself because of her enjoyment. That is what it's all about!

It's easy to say you don't want to do things (concerts, museums, trips, etc.) because your child is too young to remember them one day or to put things off until they are older. However, most of our personalities are developed by age three...before most of our recalled memory ability is developed. Don't wait until they are older. It is so meaningful to their development at every part of their life! It doesn't have to be expensive or anything huge. It has to be something that builds experiences. Our children personalities, their inquisitive nature, their passions are developed through these experiences that we offer them.

Mama Drama Rule #70: Even if they never remember that we took them to this place or on this trip, we can know that it is all part of what makes them into what they will be one day!

Lions, Tigers, and Bears...oh my!

This is the only picture that I got where both kids are still & actually looking at the camera. Now, I just need to edit out my big nose! This is at my brother's house (BOBO). We went trick-or-treating...enduring cold & rain...in his neighborhood & at his house!

Oh, sweet little Dorothy...where is your little doggie? I made her little outfit...without a pattern I might add! Her favorite part was the shoes and the dog in the basket, which also held her candy! Next, we went trick-or-treating at Gumpy & Mimi's house. We took most of their candy!

What a ferocious little lion...definitely not in need of courage! I love her little tongue sticking out on the side! As you know, my Little Bit is RARELY still...so this picture is extra special for me! I ordered this outfit off ebay for 99 cents and paid 1 dollar for shipping. I added some extra fabric for the mane and a bow on top and on her tail...just like Dorothy's lion friend! I tried to teach Little Bit to roar before halloween...she would QUACK every time. A Lion that quacks...

Then, we went to our neighborhood to trick-or-treat at our two neighbors' houses. We have a football player (Fernando Bryant? I don't know if I spelled it right...or what he plays) that lives across our street. My husband obviously knows who he is and was so curious about what all they were doing for halloween due to all the visitors...nosey isn't he?! So, he and LaLa made there way over there to trick or treat and check it out...yep, he used his daughter as an excuse! They had made their house into a haunted spooky house for their trick or treaters...Robert and LaLa made it to the door before she screamed, "GET ME OUTTA HERE!" He was all excited, but his little excuse was not having any of it! Finally, we gave out candy to our visitors...this was the girls favorite part?! Maybe we should JUST do that next year!!!! I would have been A LOT dryer and warmer!

My family has pointed out that I have neglected to share our halloween experience & my two cuties dressed up...so, better late than never!

Mama Drama Rule #69: Sometimes the MOST simple things makes our children the happiest...in my case, it was our doorbell ringing!

More Thanksgiving shirts...

Isn't she a cutie?! This is LaLa's turkey shirt! After my last order this afternoon, I'm out of the little babydoll tops! I want to make her some cute pants to go with it. I have a "pattern" that a friend sent me. I've never tried a "pattern" to sew with...so we'll have to see how it goes...on a day when I have A LOT of patience!

This face just cracks me up?! You may ask yourself...how did she ever get LaLa to 'model' this shirt and others in the past. Oh, trust me, it always costs me to "hire" my little model! This time? It only cost me three candy corns! That was her requested payment!

Michelle's shirts for her two girls. Don't you just LOVE the khaki?! I only have these in 4T now. I was able to find one 18 month that I have hidden for Little Bit! The brown is only in size 6+. I would have loved to find brown for my girls!

Do you notice that no two shirts are ever the same? I think they change as my moods change?! The sibling shirts have the same fabric...just switched around!

$15.00 for solid long sleeve applique gobble shirts

(0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 onesies are done in embrodery...not applique)

(sizes 12-5T)

$16.50 for solid long sleeve applique gobble shirts for sizes 6+

Someone asked me today if I would do a gobble shirt for an adult...hmmm...I haven't thought of that one. I might try it! Then, I instantly thought...ooooh, hubby and I could have matching shirts on Thanksgiving! I don't even think he would go for that one...maybe I can try the candy corn bribe for him too?!

Monogram Madness Project: Gobble Shirts

These GOBBLE shirts are for a friend of mine that has twin girls and a new little baby boy (Maggie, Mallory, & Maddox...cute names too, huh?)! Isn't that cute?! The GOBBLE letters are appliqued with fall cotton fabric & embroidered onto the shirts. The little onesie is all embroidery. I just love these cute girly tops. I made LaLa one too...I will try to bribe her to do a "photo shoot" sometime today! They are perfect for Thanksgiving dinners with family and feasts and parties at preschool. Since I found my camera...finally, I thought I'd just post these real quick! I'll try to post the rest later!

I am selling the solid long sleeve t-shirts or onesies for baby or toddler with GOBBLE appliqued for 15...turkeys, names, etc. can be added for extra. Big boy or girl shirts are 16.50 because the actual shirts cost me more! The turkeys on the shoulders are embroidered appliques, but I hand sewed them and heat bonded them onto the collars because the position was too awkward and small for the machine! I got a little carried away because the big girls just looked cute with turkeys matching their little brother's shirt! BTW, the shirts are fine for the washing machine, but I always lay them out flat to dry because of the embroidery. I have dried them before on accident...they were fine, but I think anything with embroidery lasts longer if you don't dry them.

I'm only going to take a couple more orders because I don't want to take on more than I can handle! So, don't wait too long! I am completely out of 24 months size...and can't seem to find any!

If you don't have an embroidery machine...and can't sew, you can still make a cute holiday shirt! Cut out the letters in some fall coordinating fabric. Then, buy some "fabric glue" and "stitch witch"(I think that is what it is called. It's heat/bond adhesive for fabric and mending. I use both because it makes it stronger with my wild girls. Now, these do not hold up well, but if you just want something cute and special to survive a dinner or something...this is the quick and cheap way! Take your iron and your adhesive to bond the letters or the turkey on your shirt. Then, take the glue and do the edges. Let it sit for 24 hours...and voila, an instant party shirt. The only problem is that the edges of the fabric will fray after a while or after being washed, but it will definitely work for a picture or a day!

My Heart Attack...thanks to Little Bit's Creativity...

I know, I've been somewhat of a blogger slacker lately...no pictures, little blogging, etc! I honestly do not even know where my camera is! Life has been crazy! Holidays hit...starting with Halloween. Then, doesn't it seem like such a big blur all the way until New Years? Whew?!

I have to take just a moment to share my latest MAMA DRAMA...or, I guess, I should say trauma! My Little Bit is just becoming such a rascal. I credit this, of course, to her father. He's been wild, busy, and a dare devil since he made his appearance into this world. Thus, it seems that our children are taking after him! I was more of the artsy, book loving, quiet busy type...not this rambunctious type! See, it has to be because of my husband!

Well, I took Little Bit to her 15 month check up yesterday, which any mama knows that doctor visits are never fun and always a sort of juggling act of trying to ask your questions, make sure you are doing everything, the 'ever-so fun' vaccinations (I'm being so sarcastic) and trying to steer your healthy ones from the sick kiddos in the office and all the germs in the building! I did end up getting Little Bit the flu shot. She has to go back in a month to get the booster...I'm still looking into that part of it! They were out of LaLa's age group flu shot. Did you know they came in age groups? Shouldn't they come by weight...not age?

Anyway, the doctor mentioned that my Little Bit was very busy and a bit of a dare devil and an attention seeker...well, yeah, you can say I've noticed. She pulled out all of her tricks for the doctor. She climbed up on a chair by herself. Then, she proceeded to try to stand and jump off...she has no fear! Then, she reached for the doctor, pointed out his nose, eyes, etc. I didn't know she could do this because when I try to get her to do anything beyond nose, she looks at me clueless despite my multiple attempts!

Finally, we all make it home after a very busy day of preschool, doctor visits, multiple stores searching for special pajamas for LaLa's preschool class' program, baby gym, lunch, and the grocery store...and one quick random stop for LaLa's emergency bathroom trip on the way home. I put Little Bit down for a nap...I collapse at the desk and try to get some work done. Suddenly, I hear a THUD. A THUD where your heart stops because you know it's a bad thud. I immediately see LaLa so knowing she was not the THUD, I run upstairs practically flying all the way. I open Little Bit's door to see her face down sprawled out on the FLOOR! She is squalling and just laying there. I scoop her up, and she immediately stops crying and says "boo boo". This means she had to climb out of her crib and propel herself across the room. She's 15 months old!?! I quickly checked every part of her body, which seemed to be just fine. Then, I checked her crib to see if she had manipulated something to climb with. There was a little baby doll and a lovey...nothing to give her enough lift to climb with!

I ran to call the doctor, which somewhat calmed me down. What do you watch for in case of a possible cocussion when your one year old jumps out of their crib? Just so you know....you watch for pupils changing in light and dark rooms (good), you watch for one pupil being a different size than the other (bad), vomiting (bad), walking wobbly or falling again (Little Bit does this all the time?! I told the dr. she had walked into the wall and fallen again since the crib incident...this is just the way she is!?). Then, we had to wake her up every two hours to ensure there was not a concussion. This is rather a big fall for a one year old. We could not figure it out...how did she get herself out of the crib? Needless to say, I barely slept out of worry she would do it again or would have some sort of concussion.

I was on lookout all day throughout her naps. When she woke up from her afternoon nap, I was in her room putting up laundry before I got her out of the crib. She was babbling and talking. She threw out her "baby" and said "bye bye baby". Then, she proceeded to push her body up until her chest was teetering on the rail, feet not touching the mattress. It looked like some gymnast thing because the rail usually comes to her nose! Then, she grabbed the sleigh part of the side of the crib while she was pulled one leg over the crib slats using her toes curled around it until she got it lodged over the side. I was stunned! Is she part monkey? I said NO NO and grabbed her before she did a repeat of the day before...you would think she would learn?! I said, "You are going to give a heart attack before I reach thirty!" She looked at me, smiled with her big dimples on both sides, and said, "NO NO HEART ATTACK." Does that count as her first sentence? I think it's going to be her mission statement for the rest of her life! Now, if only, I survive it!

My husband and I have rigged up the mattress to be lower than before. It was on its lowest setting, but we managed to fix it...creatively...where it is even lower. Now, the rail comes to the top of her head. Give her a month and she'll probably figure that one out! I guess I should start researching those dome net things that go over a cribs. I vaguley remember making fun of those BC (before children) when I had seen them in a magazine. I guess that serves me right!

Mama Drama Rule #68: When you become a mama, they should hand you a bottle of hair color and heart medicine. Your children will innocently bring out your gray early and encourage heart attacks prematurely...

Super Cook...not this mama!

I have discovered an awesome website! The other day, I was trying to think of something to cook that involved random ingredients that I had in my house. I thought, surely, there is a recipe somewhere that involves these ingredients! I was desperate...so, what does every mama do when they are desperate and need answers?! They GOOGLE it, of course! Upon investigating several sites, I finally found one that was perfect. It has become one of favorite places to visit now, and it is genuinely helpful in utilizing the ingredients that I have without running out for a last minute item or desperately trying to change up our normal menu!

I also really like the layout. I primarily play on the left side of the page. I will input what ingredients I have in the search box. Then, as I see other items that I may have pop up, I click on those. On the right side, it will begin to compile a list of recipes that you can make with your ingredients. It even provides quick verses crockpot.

Try it out! I have already added it to my favorites! It's www. supercook.com.

Good luck trying something new & using those items in your freezer and your pantry that you thought you would never use!

Mama Drama Rule #68: When you don't know where to turn for information, there is always the GOOGLE option!

I am working on several gobble and turkey shirts for embroidery orders! LaLa told me today that she really thinks my embroidery machine is tired, and we should let it rest! I think she's right! My machine and this mama are very tired! I keep looking at the clock today thinking...surely, it's almost time to get ready for bed! Time change has messed with all of us this week! I will post them soon...

My Lost Love

My lost love was once so near to me...

I loved when we had time together, sharing our memories, and enjoying all the details.

I remember when we treasured each moment.

A day didn't go by that I didn't think of a time we could share some more time together.

So many memories and treasured moments have now gone by...without a chance to share them with you.

No chance to pull out my cardstock. No chance to pull out my embellishments. No time to plan pages.

Now, every time I walk by your section in a store, I wince at the lost moments and how far behind that we have gotten. Every time I develop pictures and haphazardly put them in boxes to get to later, I feel a sad, but empty feeling. I know they deserve a special place on an 12 by 12 page, surrounded by journal notes, and cutouts and embellishments.

Yes, my lost love is missed. It's something you know you should have invested more time in, but then time went by and you got so far behind that it just seems a lost cause now.

Other hobbies and interests invaded my world. Small little children took over my extra time.

Yes, my little scrapbook corner sits there with dust collecting, calling my name. Poor Little Bit's baby scrapbook is only an idea...LaLa's is pretty cute--to bad it's only her first year...and she is now almost four! Maybe when both of my girls in college one day, I can knock the dust off, open their neglected scrapbooks and begin again to reconnect with my lost love--scrapbooking.

Mama Drama Rule #67: The plans you had of all the wonderful things you were going to do for and with your kids often change once the kids actually come! Although it's difficult, try not to hold yourself to those BC (before children) expectations! I try to remember that making the memories are much more important than having them scrapbooked in a cute album!

Quick Coupon Information & Reminders

Just a reminder that it's the beginning of the month. It's time to print out a new set of updated and restocked coupons! I am going to experiment this month and only print out what I would buy. I usually print them all out, but I am spending a fortune on ink and paper. IF you are a coupon guru, share how you deal with all the printables! I'm always so nervous they won't be there when I need that coupon! Here's some sites to check out...or to print out some coupons!

www.southernsavers.com (great coupon planning site)
www.hotcouponworld.com (coupon planning site, a lot of info, LOVE the coupon database!)
www.couponmom.com (coupon planning site, lots of inside info)
www.coupons.com (print)
www.smartsource.com (print)
www.redplum.com (print)

Also, I printed 'oodles' of pasta coupons! It will make whole wheat pasta at publix only 14 cents this week! There are several free or close to free items this week at publix that I believe I might even be able to conquer! There seems to be a debacle over a typo on a publix coupon this week. I am quite interested to see how my store will handle it. Go to southern savers and click on weekly ad to get the info on that one! It'll be interesting! Now, just to figure out when to actually go shopping with my mama drama for the week! We have preschool, recovery from a very, very busy and off schedule and over scheduled weekend, baby gym, a makeup babygym, lots of embroidery orders, house to be cleaned, laundry to be washed, a well check up, flu shots for girls...and that's only the beginning of the week! Have you ever entered into Monday...tired before it even started?!

I guess I need to take my own advice...

Mama Drama Rule #66: You can't eat a whole elephant all in one bite! One bite at a time. Yeah, you'll have a tummy ache (and who eats an elephant anyway?!), but the HUGE, IMPOSSIBLE task will be FINISHED!

So, I'll just start the week with tums before I even take the first bite!