Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

I am in Colorado this weekend, having successfully executed a surprise trip here to throw my sister a bachelorette party and bridal shower. I give the credit to her wonderful fiance for coming up with the idea and making it happen.

Before I left a four hour flight sounded wonderful! Four full hours of time without kids or hubby to read, relax, listen to music, mainly do as I please. It was not as wonderful as I imagined. Four hours is just way too long to be crammed into those seats and unable to move. Sure I finished an entire book and started another one but I was getting uncomfortable and stir crazy about 2 1/2 hours into the flight. Let me just say I am not looking forward to our 6 hour flight with the kids in March but that is besides the point. I am here and now the fun begins!

Today I get to meet one of my best friend's brand new baby daughter who was born in November. I am so excited and looking forward to a relaxing day, chatting with old friends and snuggling an infant.

Tonight my mom and sister and I are going to dinner for some "girl" time. I am looking forward to good food and more good conversation.

Tomorrow morning I am shopping and preparing for the two parties in the morning. In the afternoon the bachelorette party fun begins. Mexican food and the most delicious margaritas you have ever tasted. Followed by more drinks and entertainment at a piano bar. We plan to embarrass my sister thoroughly, as you can only do to a bachelorette.

Sunday I am meeting up for a quick cup of coffee with another friend who could not get out of work for the parties. Then prep for the party. Then Sunday evening brings a co-ed couples shower. We are doing a casino night theme with appetizers, drinks, and karaoke. I think it will be a blast but most importantly my sister will get the shower she didn't think possible.

It is funny how absence makes the heart grow fonder but Colorado is home to lots of people I miss and love and will always be my home in my heart. I look forward to spending lots of time with family and close friends. After the weekend is over I will have plenty of pictures to share and maybe a funny video or two. Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Peanut Butter Buckeyes

From There must be more to life than dishes and laundry...

Looking for a super delicious treat your kids can make with you? Look no further! I found the recipe in the February 2010 issue of Real Simple magazine (pg 42).

Ingredients

6 oz semisweet chocolate

1 cup creamy peanut butter

4 TBSP butter, unsalted, melted

2 cups powdered (confectioners') sugar

1. Combine peanut butter, butter (brought to room temperature then melted in microwave 30 seconds at a time until completely melted), and powdered sugar. Do not beat just simply stir with scraper/spoon until thoroughly combined (this takes some muscle and patience).

2. Form into teaspoon sized balls (I made some of mine too big and they are better bite sized) and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze for 10 minutes.

3. Melt chocolate in microwave, in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted. Do not over heat or chocolate will scorch.

4. Partially dip peanut butter balls in chocolate and return to baking sheet. Leave the top peanut butter only, as shown in picture. I tried using a toothpick to dip them but using your hands works best.

5. Refrigerate 25-35 minutes or until firm. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

I'll be honest I didn't let my kids help me this time but these are really easy and you don't need to use the stove or oven so they are perfect for the kids to help. They also only have 4 ingredients which makes them even simpler. Enjoy!

This Mama Can Rock Climb!

Listen for hubby to say, "Maybe she'll fall and then I'll be glad I have the camera." What a sweet guy!

P.S. Sorry for the background noise in the video. The climbing wall is at our YMCA and it was really busy that morning!

This Is How We Party

My youngest daughter turned 7 on January 10th. 7! I can hardly believe it. They do really grow up right before your eyes. We made her keep her guest list short but we still threw a rocking party, disco ball, karaoke machine, and all. Here are some of the highlights:

Birthday cupcakes (store bought after this mama ran out of time, luckily I redeemed myself with homemade chocolate cupcakes for her class the next day)

The cupcakes were a big hit!

There is her karaoke machine from grandpa and a karaoke CD from us.

Next we were off to Build-A-Bear, with 6 kids, 2 cars, and 2 parents.

Here is FiFi with her bear, Alex.

And in a snap all their creations were complete and FiFi's 7th birthday party was a huge success.

I love you FiFi! I glad you had such a wonderful birthday!

Simply Love Swap

I have a bunch of other things to blog about including FiFi's birthday but hubby took my camera (with pictures still on it) to work so that will have to wait.

Today, thanks to Gina I stumbled across this fun swap (gift exchange) going on in the blogosphere for Valentine's Day.

It is simple, head to Loves of Life, enter your information in the linky, submit the form, and viola a package of Valentine goodness will be coming your way. Of course you have to return the favor. But really, shopping and presents, what is there not to like? And the gift limit is $15 so no need to worry about breaking the bank.

What are you waiting for? Head over to Loves of Life now. Maybe if you're lucky I'll be your swap partner!

Christmas Gift From Hubby

I realize I still haven't shared what my great Christmas present from hubby is. I also still haven't undecorated from the holidays either. Wow, I really am a procrastinator!



Does everyone know what I got for Christmas now?

A Lesson In Mercy

Being a parent is a tough job. I wish I could back to the days when I worried about when to start solids or if I was doing this potty training thing right. I've worked with babies and toddlers and preschoolers my whole life. I get them! Even after a horrible tantrum they are so stinking cute and you chalk most it up to their age and move on.

But big kids like my school age children are hard! I spend a lot of time second guessing myself. I get frustrated when the kids don't listen, when they are naughty, when they are irresponsible. While I love my children more than anything on this earth and consider each one my friend, I feel strongly that my job as parent is not to be their friend but to love them and set guidelines to help them succeed. I am to love, nurture, and support them, yet teach them responsibility, humility, and compassion, as well as that every choice has natural consequences.

Really what it comes down to is I have a short time with my kids and in that time I have to teach them to be responsible adults that can function in society.

Sometimes I think I am too hard, nothing is ever good enough, but I am often complimented on my children's manners and good behavior. To me it feels like chaos more often than not. If I was much more relaxed it would be complete chaos all the time.

Last night Wyn got caught lying. Not just any lie but she watched her sister get in trouble for her bad deed. This blows me away, that my children don't have the integrity to not lie in the first place, but that they will sit back and let someone else take their punishment.

We drilled FiFi about the deed after all three children swore they did not do it. I can read B pretty well and after some initial discussion was pretty sure it was not him. Wyn never lies so I really did not think it was her. Besides her tantrums, pouting, and attitude she rarely gets in trouble.

FiFi on the other hand is in the middle of a lying phase. She is 6 and get caught lying on a somewhat regular basis. FiFi is always punished for lying more severely than if she would've told the truth to start with. I remember B going through a phase of lying around 4 or 5 so I keep hoping it passes quickly.

After the truth was finally revealed, hubby and I realized we had been hounding the wrong child. We both were certain it was FiFi since she has lied to us in the manner before and never gives herself up. Boy did I feel like crap! It just proved to me that I cannot assume I know the truth. That I must show all my children mercy. Did I mention being a parent is hard?

Finalist in the McMommy Holiday Card Spectacular!

Remember when I posted about our Christmas card being featured in the McMommy holiday card spectacular?

I just found out today that I am one of the five finalists! Not only can I win bragging rights to the best holiday card of 2009, I also can win $50 gift card to Doodlebug Dezigns.

Stop by McMommy's holiday card blog and vote, I am finalist #5.

Thanks!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope 2010 is year of happiness and health for you and your family.

2009 was a good year for my family. We moved from Colorado to Maryland, hubby started a new job, I started a new job, and the kids started a new school. It seems like we endured a lot of changes this year but if I look back each year does.

I am excited to see what this new year brings for us! Thanks to all my loyal readers and bloggy friends. I hope to meet some of you IRL this year.