My body is ready for winter!

About 6am this morning I went to put out the garbage. The garage was warm. The rain we had yesterday made things thaw out a bit. I was happily going about my business (without a coat) thinking how I hoped tomorrow is just this nice.

That is until I slid down the icy driveway!! Black ice covered the steep black tar drive. I was able to stand up and skate towards the grass with my big blue trash bag in tow. I was quite a sight. I'm so glad the neighbors didn't see me. (I'm telling myself they didn't see me anyway.)

I made it back inside and looked at the outdoor thermometer. It is 29 degrees. That's when I knew my winter blood had arrived. 29 Degrees and I thought it was so warm out!

It is going to be a fun day, I am already cracking up!

My Thanksgiving contribution

Since Thanksgiving is not at my house this year I have been given an assignment.
Besides bringing the supplies for cheese logs and cream cheese and olives (the holiday is not complete without lots of cheese!) I'm also in charge of decorations and keeping the pretty little children occupied. I seem to get that job a lot... luckily I love doing it!!!!

My plans are:
~native American dice game-- I just saw this on the crafty crow and it will be perfect (code for cute, cheap and easy)

~Martha Stewart's trivia turkey place settings are very cute... and again EASY! I have pre cut the feathers and turkeys and I am going to have the older kids write the trivia and riddles on them as well as the names of the guests. I found the questions on brownielocks. It is a great website filled with riddles and facts.

~Give thanks Banner from Family fun. We made this last year and it was requested that we bring it this year. It is fun and easy to make... but messy! I am going to make this out of felt and fabric next year... so much easier on future feasts!!

That's it. I'm keeping it simple. Accompanied with the playing associated with getting the cousins together it will be enough to make for a great day!

I'm a bit bummed about the weather. I was suppose to go help my mom get ready for the feast. However, with a snow/rain mix and 50mph winds forcasted I am staying home for another day! My kids are pretty upset. If it was the day of I would risk it... It is only an hour drive and I have driven in worse! But I am being safe for a change. We will leave tomorrow morning and daddy will meet us tomorrow night. As long as we get a few hours to cook (and sneak off to see TWILIGHT with my sissy....sssshhhhh) then things will be just fine.

Happy thanksgiving to everyone!

The words out of my mouth

Twins make life interesting. Add Sunshine into the mix and my life is fun, exciting, and never ever boring!!!

Thanks to my beautiful children I find myself saying the funniest things. I'm pretty sure people who don't have kids would not approve of what I say. I don't believe I would have understood myself 10 years ago!

Just today I have had to say "Please get the umbrella out of the shower":: "why are you wearing socks in the tub?":: "Don't pick your sisters nose, get her a tissue":: "who pee'd on the floor?" ::"are you wearing underwear?":: "I'll send you to school naked if you don't stop hiding and get dressed" ::"you can't say Crap. I know daddy said it but that's not what the stuff in your eyes are called":: and my good mommy award winning- "Please make your bed.....5 minutes.... OK, who can make their bed fastest??.... 5 minutes more.... is your bed made??.... another 5 minutes filled with kids bugging each other.....GO MAKE YOUR BED NOW!!!!!"

Who the heck comes up with this stuff!!!! Or has to say it for that matter! OK, It was an unusual morning I must admit. Really, socks and umbrellas in the tub??? Who thinks of this stuff? What is up with my kids and the tub? This time I was picking out their clothes in the next room... they are fast and creative!

I do get to say fun stuff too. I get to say "I love you" a hundred times a day and never get tired of it. I am allowed to learn their secret languages and talk to their imaginary friends. I am excited to play games and yell "go berry picking" or "Uno". I say "drive safe and have a good day" just to make them laugh and say "but I'm not driving anywhere! I don't have a licence".

No one can prepare you for parenting. I read all the books, but there is no real instruction manual. No book entitled "Dictionary and proper conversation guide for your specific child" Every child is different and you have to do what you have to do to get by. I feel I should be nicer, more patient and less sarcastic but sometimes life doesn't happen that way! (Screaming, sarcasm, laughter and goofiness just happen)

Now I'm off to answer questions, solve problems, and laugh at what just might come out of my mouth next (and hear even funnier stuff come out of my kid's mouths!)

Kady Hope Giveaway!

My friend Jen at Kady Hope is super crafty! She is giving away the cutest owl gift tags... perfect for the upcoming gift giving season! She also has an esty shop filled with homemade treasures. You should check out what she does with polymer clay!

If you'd like to enter her super cute Giveaway tell her I sent you ;) Have a super day!

Maine Seasons

I've been thinking about this for a while now. I realize in most areas there are 4 seasons. Some areas are less. For me there are at least 8. If you think about it everything about each time of year is unique, not only the event that is associated with it.

Starting with the first of the year:

Winter- After the holidays... dark, cold. Think about the smell of the air too...cold!

Mud Season- again, a different smell in the air. It's getting lighter. You have to walk on boards and wear puddle boots

late spring- Trees start to bud, grass is growing, it's warmer, again a smell change!

summer- Warm!! Lasts about 2 weeks...LOL!!! Yeah, it smells warm too... sense a pattern??

school time- It starts getting darker, cooler, excitement in the air, back to routines

Fall- Trees change color, nip in the air, good bye garden! This is my favorite season for smells!

Hunting season- No leaves on the trees, the sun has a different glow, peaceful

Christmas season- holiday cheer, much colder, hopes for snow, so very dark outside!

There was an old lady....

You've heard the song: "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don't know why she swallowed a fly? Perhaps she'll die"

Thing 2 was singing this song last night (apparently they sing it during music class) and I started singing along. We got up to "there was an old lady who swallowed a horse....."

She was not into "she died of course" being the ending!!! I haven't figured out what they say in school (apparently not that!) but she decided to add her own gruesome lines:

"There was an old lady who swallowed a horse! What happened? She puked of course! She puked up the horse, then puked up the cow (you get the idea)... she puked up the fly but I don't know why she swallowed the fly... at least she didn't DIE!!!!!

Yeah, I was a bit queazy after that but I thought it needed to be shared anyway!
I am always amazed at how a 5 year old's brain works.

Oh... so that's what happened!

Ever since my camera went on the blink I knew something was fishy. Thing 2 would say that she knew nothing and that she gave the camera to me! (meaning it must have been my fault). Thing 1 had no clue, so she said ;)

Last night my hubby was taking apart the camera (bad idea btw... those LCD screens are fragile) and the true story finally came out.

This is quoted from thing 2: "Well, remember when I was taking a video of thing 1 in the bathtub? Well, accidently the camera fell in and was floating towards thing 1 and I told her to get it and she didn't"

Thing 1 says: "well I was wet and soap was in my hair and I couldn't"
Thing 2 says: "but mommy I brought it to you after".
I ask "why didn't you tell me it went into the tub?"
"Well, I knew you were going to be mad so I decided not to"... Can you hear that? It's me taking really deep breaths and trying hard not to freak out!

I asked thing 1 why (when she tattles about everything) didn't she tell me thing 2 dropped the camera in the tub??
She said "well, I didn't want to get the floor wet!".....LOL, yeah I bought that for a nickle! The kid needs two towels for the floor alone when she takes a tubby! So honestly, I think she may have been in on it too.

I really want to see if the video is on the camera (I wonder if the memory stick is still good??), I bet it's funny. Of course she may have only thought she was video taping she does that a lot!

Before you think I condone video taping naked sisters in the tub and lying, rest assure they got a loooong talking to! Also, I do indeed supervise my kids in the tub. This was a case of a few minutes to get the laundry out of the dryer and back up stairs to fold in the adjacent room. I knew she was taking pictures of dolls etc... in her room, I didn't know about the XX video production ;)

I'm telling ya, it's always something! Luckily I see the humor in it or I would be in big trouble! I'm sooo lucky to have three girls ;) Oh that reminds me, I better make an apt. to color my hair!!!!

Oh yeah, on a good note.... now that hubby dearest really killed the camera I'll be getting a new one sooner that I thought!!!

wishing I had my camera

Boy, do I miss my camera!! The twins were more than comical this morning and I wish I had captured it on film.

The first thing we did was play scrabble Jr. My version is much older than the one in the link... it survived my childhood with most of it's pieces still intact. The words are on the board and you have to fill them in starting with the first letter which has a picture on it. The person to finish the word wins a red dot (we always called them zits but I didn't go there w/ the twins). It is for ages 6 and up however, I knew the girls were ready for it.

I was surprised by their reaction to it. Twin #1 was very nervous. She got upset when her sister had more words finished than she did. She took forever to figure out where to put her letter on the board and couldn't spot where things needed to be. She had a hard time picking the letters because she was afraid she'd pick the wrong ones. She even stated "I just don't know why I'm so panicky today!" After I helped her a few times, she relaxed and even ended up winning.

Twin #2 loved the game. She's really taking off with letter recognition. She could spot a word that needed just one more letter and was winning. She noticed her sister needed help and pointed out ways she could win a word. I was quite proud, this is something we've been working very hard on!

I still think it is at the right level for them. They loved sounding out the words, naming the letters, and taking turns. I think by playing it more often #1 will start feeling more at ease about it.

After the game we noticed the glass coffee table we were playing on needed cleaning. The girls LOVE Windex so they got it out and started cleaning everything! I went on to make beds and gather laundry. When I came back twin #2 was on the sink and had sprayed through the screens and was trying to wash windows! I tried my best not to crack up right there! It wasn't working and there were paper towel pieces in my screen... I didn't get mad, it was way too funny!

We cleaned up after their cleaning (it took a while with all paper towel and puddles of Windex...) and got dressed. Twin #1 took a while to find her red Wednesday dress. She finally found it in a pile (possibly dirty...sssshhhhh) and all was again right with the world. Twin #2 went to school dressed in her own style... including a stretchy headband around her head with a silver and rhinestone bracelet clipped to it... she looked like an princess from India.

As much as they exhaust me, I am going to miss our mornings next year!

ahhh... out of the mouths of babes ;)

Some of you know that I lost about 50 lbs with weight watchers. That was 4 years ago. I had been doing fairly well maintaining until we moved back to Maine. I won't go blaming anyone but myself here (though I'd like to say my husbands work schedule and constantly bringing home no no foods may have lead to my downfall).

So whatever, I've gone up 2 sizes since moving here but I'll deal with it when I'm ready. Plus, everyone said I was too thin anyway.... I'll be fine as long as I don't go up to the dreaded double digits ;)

That was my thinking until my lovely little twinnie #2's comment.

"Mommy, you know your pants make you look like you have a big booty, it used to be just your night pants but now it's all your pants. You don't have a big booty though, it's just the pants right??"

God I love her!!!! Brutally honest but so sweet! Yes honey, I just have bad pants that's all!! It's not the icecream, baked goods or halloween candy ;) It hurt, I can't say it didn't. I can't blame her though. She never knew me heavier. All my life I was bigger than I am now (I know I'm not HUGE) but she was so little when I lost my weight she only knows skinny mommy.

So what do I do after that reality check? I've dusted off the treadmill and started a food journal. I mean really, how much longer will she believe that it's just my pants???

Orange mallow pie is the winner!

I know, I had a huge crowd rushing to vote but I thank both you so much for voting!


I just remembered that I have a lactose intolerant girl in daisies which limits the things I can make. I think I can make the mallow pie with cool whip (as gross as it may be it doesn't contain milk... I have to see if it has whey.

Please help! Vote for your favorite....

Since it's been the theme of the week I figured lets end the week with a vote! This time for something less daunting that I don't mind talking about!

I'm having a dilemma my friends. #1 told her daisy scout troop that she was bringing an "Orange Pie" to the garden party. The problem: I've never heard of an orange pie!

So, I hopped on good 'ol Google and searched for pies. I found 4 that sound doable but I really can't decide.

Vote for your favorite. And by all means, if you know of a tried and true super easy recipe let me know!! Thanks!

And a big thanks to Cooks.com where these recipes came from. The title is a link to the recipe and their website.

ORANGE PIE (#1)

Pastry for single crust pie
Line a 9" pie plate. Prick pastry. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool.
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. finely shredded orange peel
2 c. orange juice
2 eggs
2 tbsp. butter
Whipped cream
In saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually add orange juice. Cook and stir until bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Beat 2 eggs and add to mixture. Bring to gentle boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and peel. Pour into baked shell. Cool. Serve with whipped cream. Great for those sour oranges that grew so well around here.


ORANGE MALLOW PIE (Orange pie #2)

1 baked pie shell
3/4 c. orange juice
1 tbsp. grated orange rind
3 c. baby marshmallows
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 pt. whipped cream
Melt the marshmallows in the juices, adding the rind last. Chill until partially thickened. Whip the cream and fold it into the orange mixture. Pour into pie shell and chill.


GRANDMA JOE'S ORANGE CREAM PIE (orange pie #3)

1 baked pie shell
1/2 c. orange juice
1 c. whipping cream
1 sm. pinch of salt
2 oranges
1 tbsp. plain gelatin
1/2 c. sugar
2 tbsp. nuts, chopped
Peel oranges and cut into small pieces. Whip cream, adding sugar and salt slowly when almost done. Soak gelatin in 1/2 cup orange juice, stirring over hot water to dissolve gelatin. COOL juice gelatin mixture (this must be cooled or cream will curdle). Add juice mixture to whipped cream. Fold in oranges. Pour cooled pie shell. Sprinkle with nuts. Chill to set.


MANDARIN ORANGE - PINEAPPLE PIE (orange pie #4)

1 sm. can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 can condensed milk
1 lg. container Cool Whip
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 graham cracker crumb pie shells
Combine oranges and pineapple. (Blend with mixer to break up orange slices.) Add lemon juice, condensed milk, and Cool Whip. Blend ingredients well with spoon. Divide mixture into 2 pie shells and refrigerate for about 2 or 3 hours before serving. No Cooking!

my day

How has my day been?? I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster! Enjoy this moment of stay at home motherhood:

Things that annoyed me(aka - the AM):
2AM wake up call for an ear ache, not being able to fall back to sleep til 5:30, lots of pumpkin spice coffee, giant leaf piles that eat shoes (it took over an hour but we found them before the bus came), husbands who work from home for the AM (I'm not going there!), sewing daisy uniforms that mysteriously get ripped and ironing on pedals, preparing for today's daisy meeting, more requests for volunteering.... and ya know the regularly scheduled momma stuff like laundry, house cleaning, and good ol' refereeing ;)

Things that I loved (aka-the afternoon):
Apple bagel snacks for lunch, a rainy afternoon forecast calling for those cute little kitty jackets, realizing I don't have to volunteer today, a little nap while watching Sunday's episode of desperate housewives, supper prepped and ready to go, Yankee candle Pumpkin spice votive on the mantel. Ahhhh... I think that knot in the back of my neck loosened up a bit!

Here's to hoping the rest of the day is as relaxed as I am right now!! Hey, a girl can hope!!

UPDATE: The rest of the day went pretty well too... as well as can be expected with cooped up 5 year olds anyway! I think it's funny how little things can pile up and just get to you sometimes. Really, looking back the day was a success and I am truely blessed!!!! OK, could be that I finally got 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep!!!!

Today is....

Better! Still the regular arguing and constantly persuading the children into happy co-habitation.

What has changed is a my perspective. I'm soaking in the good moments and ignoring the parts that force me to color my hair. This morning's highlights included: Playing chutes and ladders, cutting out paper dolls (with extra paper on the bottom for ice skates), and #1 getting dressed in the favorite red dress which must be worn every Wednesday. I almost forgot about the first great moment of the day. Sunshine was up and dressed when I came out of the shower this morning! Her alarm clock wakes her with the radio every morning and she had heard the news that Obama had won the election! If you've read my previous post you know she is a huge supporter of Obama! Normally she needs a lot of help getting ready in the morning so I was thrilled! I'm wondering if I can hire the radio station to make amazing announcements every morning??

Onto other ramblings.... We have a nice warm day here in Maine! It's just over 60 degrees!! I took advantage and finally cleaned out my neglected van then finished raking the leaves out of the front yard. I'll probably have to do them again but it was so nice and warm I couldn't resist the exercise!

On a sad note... my camera finally kicked the bucket! I knew it was going but now I cannot revive it. I'm happy since I can now justify getting that new camera I've always wanted however, I cannot get it for a few more weeks. I hope to have one by Thanksgiving. It would be very hard not to have one for the holidays!!

Take your kids to vote??? Ha Ha, yeah right!!

OK, I had all good intentions of taking my precious angels to the voting booth with me today. That was until they woke up!!!!!! I love my precious little angels, you all know I do!!

#1 woke up at 5am with a bad dream. I think it was more because of the time change but whatever gets momma out of bed right?? Screaming down the stairs... that works!!

No problem though. I'll still take them. Get Sunshine on the bus (just barely!!) and hubby off to work then announce "hey kids, let's go voting! Go get dressed!"

They went right up stairs and got dressed all excited about the election process.... what you don't believe me?? I know, I don't lie very well do I??

The phone rang (my weakness and first mistake) and as I was chatting away #2 brought me a picture frame in pieces. Why was it in pieces?? Because she wanted to see what was under the picture of course!

"OK Kids, go up and put on your clothes so we can vote!! Wooo Hooo!!"

#1 says #2 won't let her use the upstairs bathroom because it's no place to do her business! #2 comes down dressed like a ballerina, complete with shoes and head dress. #1 is still crying about bathroom. Why won't she let her sister in the bathroom?? Because she didn't want to of course! Finally she gets into the bathroom! I have no idea why she wouldn't use the downstairs bathroom, didn't dare to ask ;)

KIDS LETS GET DRESSED NOW!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!

Hubby calls about the bills and the lack of money, sister in law calls bragging that she's already voted. #1 is wearing ballet clothes now too... but over her school clothes... woo hooo progress!!!!

I know I know I could get them dressed but I stress Independence and really the damage is already done... I'm toast! I think deciding on government issues and a president is going to be my vacation today! No kids allowed! I think they meant to take your kids to vote when they are older... say 18!!!!!

Now I may go get #2 dressed just so she can make it onto the school bus on time! No way is she staying home today!!!! I'm sure I'll have to force them into sneakers for gym class... why can't they wear their ballet slippers????

And yes, as a matter of fact I am hiding in here on the computer... I needed a mommy break!! I'm now going back to my reguarly scheduled morning already in progress!!

Take your daughters to vote day

I just found out about this program which was founded by the same people who established "take your daughter to work day" I had originally thought I would go vote after the girls went to school but I think I would like them to see the process!

http://thewhitehouseproject.org/daughters/

Remember to vote tomorrow, it's your right as an American!!

Things I loved about this weekend:

Trick or treating:: candy apples:: Halloween decorations:: Costume parties and shaking my booty:: my mom for babysitting so hubby and I could go shake it to Motor Booty Affair:: an extra hour of sleep!!:: New England Coffee's Pumpkin spice:: Twister hopscotch:: a child's imagination:: hubby's chili and my corn bread:: snugly Afghans the Sunday paper and 9 hours of football:: getting all the warm clothes organized and that feeling of accomplishment that goes with it:: beloved friends and family=LOVE!