Without My Kids

Without my kids my house would be clean (or at least cleaner than it is).

There would be peace and quiet and no SpongeBob marathons.

I'd need to set an alarm clock again and wear makeup more than once or twice a week.

No one (except maybe Hubby) would expect their meals to be made, 

their laundry to done, 

and butts to be wiped!

Without my kids I'd have time to workout more, 

read more books

and spend time w/ friends.

I'd get to listen to the radio in the car and not have to explain death every time we pass a cemetery! 

Shopping would be enjoyable again and there would be no reason to buy fruit snacks.

But...

I thought this was cute and oh so true!!!

Comments From the Backseat

We went on our monthly grocery run yesterday. Let's be honest, shopping with kids SUCKS!!! The Easter Bunny was attempting to do some last minute shopping... pretty sure I about blew his cover numerous times w/ the help of Daddy but he managed to grab a few things. After a somewhat drama free day we were on our way back to the homestead when Max had had enough of the car riding. 


When Max was really little (and spent most of every trip in the car in a blood curdling scream), I'd crawl in the backseat w/ him while Daddy was driving, it's been awhile since that was required... thank God! But after two days in a row of road tripping more than 10 miles down the road, Max had had enough! In an effort to keep the last 30 minutes of our drive home somewhat quiet we pulled off the side of the road, grabbed a box of Cheese It's from the trunk and took off... that quieted things down for about 5 minutes.  


After the snack idea failed we decided it'd be in everyone's best interest for me to crawl to the back. But just as I was getting ready to break the law, Max grew silent. Jaxon on the other hand did not! So I did as I normally do, avoid eye contact w/ Max in the rear view while making small talk w/ his older brother. So what if the only thing that came to mind at the time was, "Look Bubba, a cemetery!"


Jaxon: "Wow Mom, there's a lot of dead people in there!" 
Me: "Yep Buddy, there sure are!"
Daddy: No comment loud enough for Jaxon to hear followed by snickering and a "Good one Mommy!"


The conversation only got better from there! Jaxon began asking about coffins, why we put people in the ground and finally, "Does Jesus have to dig all those people up to take them to heaven?" Let's just say, I nearly died myself when he asked this! I explained that coffins are magical boxes that basically teleport our loved ones to Heaven to avoid a bunch of gaping holes in the ground. 


Daddy got a big kick outta that explanation, but ya know what, it worked! And when we went by yet another cemetery on our way to Kindergarten Round-Up tonight, instead of being grilled about coffins and getting to Heaven, he merely commented from the backseat, "Look Mom, a cemetery!"

Pet Cemetary

I've been away from the blog for awhile. It's not that I've been needing new material... with these kids there's always something to share w/ a little personality. It's just that life's gotten in the way and my time's been stretched too thin.


I felt pretty crummy yesterday when I opened an email informing me that my blog had been selected as one of OnlineSchools.com, top 50 Midwest parenting blogs. Not crummy that I'd been selected, that I was honored about. I felt bad that it'd been about 2 months since my last post!


So as I sit here at my laptop today, I vow to get back to the writing and make it up to my Midwestern audience! I'll start by sharing some good old fashioned advice on how to care (or not to care), for your children's pets!

Spring has sprung as they say and with it comes the desire to build a bonfire in the backyard, roast some weenies, a few marshmallows and enjoy some cold beverages with friends. Last weekend was the perfect weather for doing such things so the kids and I talked Daddy into spending some quality time around the fire pit. 


Our oldest has a fondness for fire that's been passed down from my brothers, his Grandpa and his Grandpa the Great (or great Grandpa as most people would call him)! Where there's a fire, the boy will find something to throw on it! Now I know what you're thinking, and yes we try our best to teach fire safety! And if you're thinking this tale goes on to tell of how our son cremated a pet... luckily, you're wrong! I'm merely setting the mood for the rest of the story!


As we're sitting around the fire eating our charred food, youngest Son decides he needs a drink. And while what he really wanted was a sip of Momma's homemade wine, I decided it'd be better for him to have a juice cup instead. When we came back out I could have sworn I heard a cat meowing but that couldn't be right, our cat had just gone "missing" the week before! 


I knew Hubby had heard it too and it wasn't just my imagination when I got back up to my lawn chair, the look on his face said it all. We silently made a pact not to say a word unless small ears heard what we had... it only took a few minutes for that to happen!


2 weeks ago we had a week of the most perfect weather. Everyday was an outside day of play. The windows in the house were all open, the sandbox toys brought out of the barn and shoes were optional all week long. Jaxon's cat Patch had caught Spring fever right along with the rest of us. He managed to pop out the screen on one of our front windows and escape to the front porch. Jaxon thought this was great! After explaining to him that Patch wasn't safe outside w/ the dogs, Jaxon still continued to beg me to let Patch out to play. "I'll watch him Mom, PLEASE?!" 


I finally decided to just let Jaxon prove to me that he could do as he said and watch him. After all, the dogs weren't really bothering him anyway! As the day went on Patch stayed out and Jaxon had done as he promised. Just before dark we made our way in for bedtime baths and guess who forgot to let Patch in?! ME! 


As I was draining the tub and getting the boys in their PJ's I heard a horrible sound coming from outside... that's when I remembered the cat had gotten left behind! I ran out the back door Jaxon questioning what I was doing all the way out to the driveway, where the dogs (who were all bloody) had Patch cornered. Patch was holding his own, that blood all over the dogs was their own! I chased the dogs off and corralled the cat back up to the porch where Jaxon by this time was hysterical. 


After calming him down I simply explained that Patch would have to stay outdoors now but that he'd be fine and asked him to go in after his food and water dishes, which he did. When Daddy arrived home later that night, Patch was still hanging out on the porch so Jaxon was content. After the boys went to bed Daddy & I decided it'd be in Patch's best interest to take him for a little ride up the road! We both knew he'd probably not make it through the night and didn't want Jaxon stumbling across his dead body the next morning!


I didn't even want to get out of bed the next morning. I felt terrible about our decision and even worse about having to lie to our son about where his kitty had gone. Normally lying to him (especially to protect him) doesn't bother me so but this time was different. I knew it'd be the first thing out of his mouth upon waking and I still didn't have a story prepared. I let him sleep later than normal to avoid the conversation that ended up not taking place!


He went to school and didn't say a thing, came home not asking about Patch at all, in fact a week went by before he said anything at all about that cat! The night of the bonfire, you know the night the prodigal cat returned?! That was the first time we heard him say anything about his kitty! He ran up to Patch asking, "Where have you been?" "I've been so worried!" And that was that! 


Hubby and I joke about how it's a little like Pet Cemetery


If you liked this story, check out the link below for the list of all top 50 Midwest parenting blogs chosen by OnlineSchools.com! And thanks for reading!!!
http://www.onlineschools.com/blog/50-top-parenting-blogs-in-the-midwest.html

Tide Story

I ran out of laundry detergent the other day. Having 2 messy lil' boys & 1 very messy Hubby makes this a not so good thing. Not to mention the fact that it's been a muddy mess outside, the eldest child wet his bed the other night and Mommy had to walk through the calf pen in her running shoes! The laundry had piled up as it always does and since we were running out of clothes, bed sheets and shoes... off to town we went for some soap. 


We live in a rual area. Normally I'm all for buying locally unless it's laundry soap! Seriously... $25.00 for Tide, really?! So Wal-Mart is my spot for cleaning supplies. I was at Wal-Mart last week and forgot the soap... this is BAD! Now normally since we've had children Tide doesn't fit the budget so I buy Gain. I wash the clothes never paying any attention to what they smell like as long as they come out clean. 


Tide was what I brought home yesterday since it was by far the best buy. After the first of 7 loads I knew I had something special. The coveralls and poop covered shoes smelled of Mountain Fresh Air as did the laundry room! The freshly washed and dried towels smelled like Grandma according to the Eldest Son. Even the cat seemed to be enjoying the new scent, rolling happily in the loads of unwashed clothes piled on the floor!

He must love Tide too!

So I'm hooked! That's my Tide Story... what's yours?!

Snow?! I Thought it Was Spring!

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning! Weird considering the warm temps we've been seeing over the past several weeks. Max was the first to spot it since he was up making sure Daddy got out to do the calf chores right away at 6. Jaxon slept in till 6:15, that's late for him!


We spent our morning digging out the playroom so I treated the boys to an afternoon of sledding in the 1/2 inch of snow we got! (Who knows, this may be the only snow we see this winter!) 

This was Max's 1st sled ride. Jaxon was not too happy about having to ride in the back! 

This became a fun game... that and bailing out while flying down the slopes! 

Max was making a snow angel! 

Here's Jaxon making his snow angel!

Of course they both had to taste it!

Yummy! 

Not sure if he's trying to be an abominable snow man or what?!  

The snowplow made a pass through the driveway so we can get to school in the morning!!!

If this is the only snow we see this winter... I wouldn't be too disappointed! 

SHHHH... don't tell the kids!!!

Bathroom Break

Want to see what happens when Mommy decides to take a bathroom break w/out help?!

Take a look!

YAY me!

Coffee Anyone?!

I've actually been going to bed each night excited to wake up in the morning... not sure that's ever happened before! Why you ask?! Because of this little machine!!!

Keurig - best coffee drinker's invention EVER!!!

The boys have been getting great enjoyment out of it too! Jaxon LOVES hot chocolate... the Keurig makes the very best he's ever had (he claims)! Max LOVES to watch the machine at work and insists on using a coffee mug for his juice each day now! If anyone can tell me where to find a plastic coffee mug that comes w/ a lid, let me know!

Jaxon ran us out of hot chocolate K-Cups over the weekend and is devastated that he now has to use the mix packs again for awhile till we go back to the store. We are wanting to try some different flavors but are having a hard time deciding what we should try. 


Any suggestions?! 

My New ADVENTURE

I have decided to start another blog! I have enjoyed this one so much that I figured it couldn't hurt to try using a second blog as a way to keep myself from falling off the weight loss bandwagon! I want to keep my adventures w/ the kids separate from my adventures in fitness! I plan to offer recipes, new tips and tricks (that I am trying and that have worked for me), as well as some fun finds from Pinterest! I've had lots of people ask "how" and I'd like to share... check it out!

http://mommysfitnessstory.blogspot.com/

Jaxon's Christmas Program

This is Jaxon's Sunday School class performing in the Christmas Program at our church.
They are always a BIG hit! 

This is the banner I was asked to make for the program.
It's been over 16 years since I was in the program... it was fun to be apart of it again!

I've been working on getting our video uploaded but found out my camcorder isn't compatible with my laptop...
guess I know what I'll be asking SANTA for next year!

Christmas Morning

SANTA made it to our house again this year! And boy did we have 2 super, excited little boys! As always SANTA picks a special movie for the kiddos and themes his gifts around that flick! This year's movie was Cars 2! The boys got Cars 2 toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, band-aids and pencils. They also got the movie and the card table pictured below! As well as a whole buncha other good stuff... take a look!

SANTA brought a folding table & chairs set... it's top is a dry erase board, very cool! 

He also brought a McDonald's kitchen playset! They're "lov'in it"!

They got a musical instrument set w/ Max's favorite, "shakey eggs"!

And this really cool garage that's sort of like a doll house for boys. Daddy spent lots of time putting that together!

This was the 1st & only present Max showed any interest in ripp'in into!

Pinterest inspired me to make this John Deere flannel board for Jaxon...

and this felt board for Max!

SANTA was good to the boys even though they both shared a seat on the "naughty list"! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Jaxon's all ready for his Christmas Program! He loves that train sweater and was so excited about wearing it!

Here they both are ready to go. I was shocked to get both of them to stand sort of still and smile!

Max is excited for SANTA to come!

Daddy & his boys!

Mommy & her boys!

Jaxon insisted that Daddy & I get a picture together... he's quite the photographer!

B-I-N-G-0

Found this on Pinterest....

1st square under "I"... yeah, that's MAX!

Fitting considering the topic of my last post!

Where's Your Shoe, Cinderella?!

If you follow my adventures you already know how very much I loath Holiday shopping in stores. Most gifts were bought on-line this year and will continue to be in the coming years at least until both my boys can stay home w/ a sitter. However there is still a need for groceries during the Holidays and last week we were in dire need. 


Snow was in the forecast and Hubby gets his panties in a bunch at the mere thought of the frozen stuff. I knew he'd pull my keys if I attempted to go any other day so after Jaxon got out of PreSchool Monday morning, we set out for an adventure to the land of Wally World... a week from Christmas.


Our lil' adventure started out really well. Since we would get to town at dinner time I decided before we left that we'd stop at McDonald's for lunch. They have Chipmunk toys in their Happy Meals right now and I knew that would make Jaxon's day and work as a bribe all at the same time! To avoid an argument I ordered Max his very 1st Happy Meal (to share w/ Mommy) so he'd get a toy of his own as well. After finishing our dinner we were on our way.


It was cold that day but the parking lot was packed for a Monday afternoon so I didn't even bother trying to get close to the door. We bundled up in our winter gear and pushed our way through the wind to the entrance to Hell! There were people everywhere! I don't if certain individuals get the entire week off for Christmas but I am sure some of those Bozo's should have been doing something other than last minute shopping!


I needed some supplies from the craft isle for Jaxon's Christmas party so we made our way over (to the opposite side of the store that I needed to be on), to hunt for something they didn't carry anyway! And why did they have to go and move the crafts next to the toys?! Jaxon began his usual, "I just want to pick out 1 toy!", routine about the same time that Max decided he'd had enough of riding in the school bus sized cart we always have to get!


I settled with Jaxon on "looking not buying" and we headed over to the toys. Just as we were finishing an argument on whether or not my new niece/nephew would like a "rubbery creature" as a Christmas gift, Max went and kicked off one of his shoes. Luckily I was paying attention. After putting his shoe back on for what must have been the 125th time that day we headed towards the grocery isle. 


We had just finished picking out which types of chips to use in our cookies when I noticed that Cinderella was once again missing his shoe! I told Jaxon to walk around the side isle we were in and look on the backside to see if it was lying on the floor... it wasn't. We began backtracking through the store in panic mode and ended up stopping a sales clerk to have her ask over the walkie if anyone had seen a toddler's shoe... no one had. 


The clerk suggested that I finish my shopping and ask again at customer service before leaving the store. I decided that was a good idea but figured I might as well stop and look at shoes while we were standing there just in case. We picked out a new pair reluctantly and made our way back to the groceries. I can't even tell you how many things I forgot that day. We ended up going back through several isles several times because all I could think about was how badly I wanted to just be at home!


We wrapped up our shopping and waited in line for 15 minutes at customer service just to discover that no one had found the tiny shoe. I left my name and number and a brief description of the shoe with the clerk and headed to the checkout, sick to my stomach. That shoe was a hand-me-down from Jaxon. It was the shoe both the boys learned to walk in. A tiny pair of Nike Shocks my Mom had bought for Jaxon's 1st birthday... a pair I would have never sold on a garage sale but would have tucked away in a keep sake trunk to show them both one day!


I am still waiting for a phone call... unfortunately it's been over a week now and my hopes have completely faded that the shoe will be returned to us. AND I have now decided (after another trip to Wally World yesterday), that Max's shoes will be removed at the door upon entering... he gave me another scare in the electronic isle! Thank goodness the shoe ended up under the cart this time!!!

Candy Cane Guessing Game

This is my second attempt to win some cold, hard Christmas cash! My first guess at In Good Measure http://yourlocalsecurity.com/in-good-measure/ was 918... Jaxon's birthday is on the 9th & Max's is the 18th.

My second guess is 1015... me & Hubby's anniversary! Wish me luck! 

Counting Down the Days

We are getting so excited for Christmas around here! A few weeks ago Jaxon already began asking, "How many more days till Christmas, Mom?" Since Jaxon's learning to write numbers at PreSchool I thought it'd be fun to do a countdown. We cut out 26 squares of red construction paper and Jaxon wrote the numbers 0-25 on each square. We began our countdown on the 30th of November and as of today we only have 17 more days till Christmas!

And if you haven't already heard, I'm sponsoring my very first giveaway! Be the first to leave me a comment on My Interview w/ Mark Cuban http://jaxonsstory.blogspot.com/2011/12/interview-w-mark-cuban.html on what ways you as a blogger Mommy or Daddy have used your platform to generate income and win two Landmark movie tickets!

Here's Jaxon starting our coutdown!

An Interview w/ Mark Cuban

My blogger friend, Jeff, recently asked if I'd be interested in sharing part of an interview he had done with business savvy, Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban on his new book, How to Win at the Sport of Business. Using material from his popular Blog Maverick http://blogmaverick.com, Cuban compiles insider knowledge on what it takes to become a thriving entrepreneur.

Cuban tells his own rags-to-riches story of how he went from selling powdered milk and sleeping on friends' couches to owning his own company and becoming a multi-billion dollar success story. His unconventional, yet highly effective ideas on how to build a successful business offer entrepreneurs at any stage of their careers a huge edge over their competitors.

While I am certainly no entrepreneur myself, I would recommend Cuban's book to anyone out there who is interested in turning a profit from their blog. Cuban's book will leave you feeling not only inspired but guided in a direction to help you become the entrepreneur you are striving to become.

The following is only part of Jeff's interview w/ Mark. If you are interested in reading the rest, click on this link... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-rivera/mark-cuban-on-how-to-win-_b_1106048.html. 

One part in your book I loved and my heart sank at is when your fiance lost your $7500 ring.  What's your advice for those moms out there who are distracted by a relationship? How do you balance a real life with your dreams?

"I never was able to balance. Each person has to make their own decisions. But remember, your competitors aren’t sitting by idly waiting for you to have a nice dinner with your significant other. They are trying to kick your ass. So choose wisely."

Mark, you mentioned that you were approached countless times to write a memoir but instead chose to ePublish.  Why?

"The time obligations of a traditional release were more than I was willing to undertake. I couldn’t ask for advances and then not want to do a book tour. Plus, the editorial deadlines were much more forgiving. I made changes hours before the final release."

You have three kids. What life lessons do you give them so that they don't
go through all the heartache that you've gone through?

"That is a life-long process. My oldest daughter is just 8, so we arestill dealing with the basics. But I try to do some things in my businesses that are great for my kids. For instance, we changed the programming on HDNet Movies so that every morning we run commercial-free, kid and family-friendly movies. I was mad that my kids always were so excited about commercials they saw in their favorite shows that I wanted to give them a commercial-free environment."

One of my favorite parts of your book, How to Win at the Sport of Business, that completely broke my heart was when your ex-secretary robbed your first company of over $83,000, leaving you only $2000 after a year of work.  If there are moms out there that have lost everything, what advice do you have for them to pick themselves back up?

"Keep working. Don’t feel sorry for yourself because it won’t do any good."

There are many young moms who are just beginning their lives and can relate to
you when you said you were sharing a small apartment with 6 people and
sleeping on the floor.  How can someone keep their eye on the prize when they’re
living on Ramen noodles?

"Who cares how you are living today? I loved every minute of living in that dump. The low rent and utilities and eating Mac n’ Cheese all the time allowed me to afford the startup of my business. Instead of paying myself much, I could put it in to my business."

Where can we get a copy of your eBook, How to Win at the Sport of Business?

"Anywhere eBooks are sold: Amazon, BN.com, and sites that support independent bookstores too."

And since I am feeling rather giving w/ it being only 24 more days till Christmas, I am sponsoring my first ever giveaway! Be the first to leave me a comment on what ways you as a blogger Mommy or Daddy have used your platform to generate income and win two Landmark movie tickets! Check out this link for more information! 

http://www.hdnetmovies.com/program_categories/kidscene/

All of the Lights

Daddy's a fan of multi-colored lights... Mommy is NOT! Every year Daddy tries to convince Mommy to put up colored lights... every year she turns him down. That is until this year! Mommmy got outvoted! Jaxon & Daddy (w/ a silent vote from Max) decided this was the year for colored lights... Mommy's still not convinced! 

The thing is, I like things to match. All my decorations are red & green. If they made a strand of red, green & white lights, I'd be OK w/ the multi-colored variety. Maybe it's my OCD but the blues, oranges, and pinks really bother me. I feel like they clash w/ my reds & greens! 

But once we got the decorations up on our tiny tree the other day, the multi-colored lights have been bothering me less and less. And it looks more matchy then I thought it would w/ my wrapping paper (which I was most concerned about).  

What do you think? Do colored lights add more HO HO HO to your Hoilday when there are kids in the house?! Or are you like me, a traditional fan of the white lights?! 

Max tasted all the decorations for us! 

Here he is hanging an ornament!

Christmas card, maybe?!  

My BIG Elf... he decorated the entire tree by himself this year!

Black Friday

This is about a week late BUT it's worth mentioning. 


I don't do Black Friday! I do shop online but I avoid stores. I can not deal with crowds of people, standing in lines and packed parking lots. The commercials that flooded the TV last week left quite an impression on Son # 1. He's recently had a lot of questions about Holidays, specifically St. Patrick's Day. Random?! Completely, considering the time of year. 


Trying to explain to a 5 year old that St. Patty's Day is several months away is difficult. Luckily he's decided that wearing green can be an anytime deal and that the need to ask several times a week isn't necessary since he is now dressing himself.


Thanksgiving morning, while we were getting ready to go to Grandma's, Jaxon asked me what Black Friday was. Here's how it played out!


JAXON: "Mom, is Black Friday a Holiday?"


ME: "Sort of! It's a shopping holiday where people get up really early and wait in big, long lines to buy things for super cheap."


JAXON: "Do you have to wear black?"


ME: "No... but that's a really good idea!"


Love his innocence! And speaking of Holidays, Pinterest has made one of my wishes come true by adding a HOLIDAYS category... YAY!

Snowmen Milk Jugs

Snowmen Milk Jug Craft

24 MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!! I'm just a lil' bit excited!!! I'm also a lil' strapped for cash having to buy for 2 boys this year! I have been "pinning" away, scouring Pinterest for inexpensive decorating ideas (like this) and gift ideas. These are super cheap and really easy to make. Ask the kids for help, just not w/ the glue gun!


Here's what you'll need...

• empty, washed out really good milk jugs (we chose 3 but you could do as many as you like)
• scissors
• black & red paint
• pipe cleaners (we chose black but you can match the color to your own decor)
• yarn (again match to your decor)
• hot glue gun
• orange construction paper

Here's what you do...

1. Save your milk jugs! And like I said before, make sure you wash them out real good, if you don't they will stink! The kids loved this part because I let them do this in the bathtub! 
2. After your jugs are good and clean, cut a hole in the back of them where the label is to insert your lights. I cut my holes the size of the label.
3. Make the yarn earmuffs by folding your yarn in half several times in a bundle and tying a knot around itself. After you've tied the knot, cut the looped ends so the ends stick out. Or any other way you choose! Big, fuzzy pom poms would work too!
4. Paint the snowman's eyes and mouth on the jug w/ black paint and give him some red, rosy cheeks.
5. Hot glue the pipe cleaner on one side of the jug and hold till it dries. Now hot glue the other side down and again hold while it dries... try not to burn your fingers!
6. Glue your earmuffs over the ends of the pipe cleaner, it'll hide any unsightly mess you've made w/ the glue gun!
7. Finally, cut out a, orange nose and glue it to your snowman's face.

There you have it... stick your light in the backs and set them out for display!

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest to check out all the other fun, cheap, kid-friendly craft and gift ideas I'm finding! 

What's For Lunch?!

I get asked this a lot! The boys LOVE Mac n' Cheese so when I found this recipe on Pinterest, I just knew we had to try it! This is Paula Dean's recipe so you know it's gonna be good! I did tweak it a bit though... gotta make it somewhat healthy! 

I used whole wheat pasta, low fat butter and sour cream, omitted the eggs and used low fat mozzarella instead of cheddar cheese AND it is still amazing!!!

http://www.food.com/recipe/paula-deen-crock-pot-macaroni-and-cheese-257276