And the winner is.......

AS MANY OF YOU AS I CAN GET AROUND TO MAILING BOWS TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That did an entry from the bow giveaway mind you) 

I know, I know - I am crazy BUT I am trying to get my little business off the ground and I gotta tell you - I am not doing much in the way of internet sales so I was hoping that if some of you could actually see how cute my product is - you would maybe blog about it and link back to me and I would get some new readers and some new customers! 

I will be emailing you shortly for addresses!!!! :) 

:) 

Holly 

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Hope you have a GREAT day!!!!! 

Crockpotalooza

I LOVE my crock pot so when I saw this one - I was excited and had to play!!!!! I would have to go ahead and share my number one crock pot recipe which I am ashamed to say is so easy I almost feel the need to post another one BUT - my kids eat this SO great and it is SO easy - you just really can't argue.

Anyway - here goes

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Put as many frozen - yes I said frozen - chicken breasts as your family will eat along with at least 2 cans of Campbells Broccoli Cheese Soup (for example - I generally do three big pieces of chicken and 2 cans - sometimes 3 - we like a lot of sauce :) 

Let that cook for a while - yes I said - a while - if I put it in at naptime - I put it on low because my crockpot cooks super fast.  If I put it in after school - I put it on high but I really think it is best if it is in the crock pot for at least 4 hours. 

Now here is where your variations will come in. For example - my kids eat it better if there are not huge chunks of chicken so I pull the chicken out of the crock pot in the afternoon ( maybe hour 3 ish) and shred it up with a fork - the chicken is SO soft and easy to shred by now. Then I add in frozen broccoli. This one is also going to be a matter of taste - I need for the broccoli to be really mushy so that it will get all mixed in - you might want it to be crisper so just wait longer. Then garnish with shredded cheese, and serve over rice. Now - if I were going to feed this to grown ups - I would make my rice, put down a nice little bed of rice, put a nice chicken breast on top with pretty crisp broccoli and the great yummy sauce running over the rice and sprinkle shredded cheese on top - so pretty. I do not feed grown ups however (well I guess the BD but he really falls into the feeding the kids category) SO I add my rice and add my cheese to the crock pot and stir stir stir stir a big hot pot of broccoli rice mush - they eat and eat and eat and eat that stuff - like poor little starving urchins and - it is a nice one bowl meal - easy clean up. 

Long story short - that is my officially un-official crock pot recipe to share. 

Childhood Re visited - Air Hockey

A Father's Dilemma

Now tell me again - you want me to carve - what exactly?

Free Bows!

I am going to do a giveaway from Bloggy Giveaways  - just comment and let me know what colors and themes and sports you and your girls love and I will start giving them away!!!! 

I am going to do a random drawing to pick winners on Friday October 31st. 

:) 

Holly 

Early morning in my favorite place

By the B Squared (I know it seems like I have been writing quite a bit lately but my sisters have some pretty interesting posts coming up soon.. check back for updates) 

Anyway...

Early Morning in My Favorite Place

By the B Squared

 (AKA the Baby Boy who is incidentally, not such a baby anymore) 

My Mommy is always taking my picture - my two favorite things to do now when she takes my picture are put my fingers in my nose and cover my face. This time - I covered my face - I mean come on - it was 6:00 in the morning - how can she expect me to have my prettiest face on - really? and that flash - SO bright!!!! 

I LOVE to dance on Mommy and Daddy's bed ESPECIALLY early in the morning to my favorite show - Signing Time. I really like the sports ones although the Zoo train is pretty great also. I am not sure why Mommy and Daddy keep dozing off during this great stuff - the animals and kids with balls and stuff are great! 

Phew - I am pretty tired. I think I will rest for a minute in my Monkey Jammas (pajamas) and rest on Daddy's legs.

Has my Mommy mentioned how BRIGHT that TV is really early in the morning?

Sweet baby boy - resting on his little hands, watching his favorite show, hanging out with his Mommy and Daddy. 

Life is Good. 

Not Me Monday!

Ahhh another Not Me Monday - love it.......

This week I did not.....


EVER blot lipstick with a diaper - not a clean one and certainly not the back side of a wet one that was rolled up and on the counter to go to the trash.... never

This gets me to my next Not Me

I have NOT been using tons and tons of disposable diapers when I have perfectly good cloth in the B Squared's closet just because it is faster and easier - never would I do that.

I did not fall asleep on the floor while playing Little People with the two little ones - nope - not sound asleep (no drool or anything) only to wake up to find them both at the bathroom sink making a swimming pool for the Polly Pockets.

I never shoved anything anywhere it wasn't supposed to be while cleaning up quickly.

Once again - my eating habits are impeccable as is my hygiene.

Well - that is enough not me because I would certainly never rush in to do my Not Me post while the children were eating lunch unattended - what kind of parenting would that be?

Have a great Monday!!!!

:)

Holly

Why playing in the toilet is awesome

By the B Squared (Baby Boy)

Age 2

Well - first off - the toilet itself is AWESOME

A. it's forbidden
B. it has working parts and gadgets like this great flusher and a lid that if you use all of your super human toddler strength you can maybe get off
C. it is filled with water!!!!! I mean - really how great can one thing be?

THEN you get caught playing in it and three awesome things happen...

1. Your Mom makes this great gasping choking sound of horror. Don't be afraid first timers - it might be a little scary at first but it is so funny to see her thrown so far off her game - the reaction itself is well worth the crime.

2. Then while she is freaking out going to find something called disinfectant and something else called a plunger - you get to stand at a stool at the sink and play with - wait for it - more water! Only this stuff is warm and soapy - so great.

3. Finally you get stripped out of your clothes (something about germs and poop and stomach virus's - I am not sure) and you get to run around having some nekky time because by now your sisters have dismantled Mommy's sewing machine and she has run out of time to finish dealing with you.

All in all - an experience I highly recommend.

Yours Truly

The B Squared

A few questions - A few answers

1. Where is your cell phone? in my car
2. Where is your significant other? watching TV with the B squared - Sportscenter - sigh - I can't believe the B squared already watches Sportscenter!
3. Your hair color? brown
4. Your mother? Mimi
5. Your father? Papa
6. Your favorite thing? {at this moment} listening to the girls play together like best buddies and the men in my life giggle (yes a 6'5" man can giggle - it is cute)
7. Your dream last night? I wish I could remember!
8. Your dream/goal? To be happy
9. The room you're in? My room
10. Your hobby? scrapbooking, making bows, baking
11. Your fear? loss - but I always tell the SMC (who is somewhat fearful) that the best thing about fear is that it gives us a good reason to be brave
12. Where do you want to be in six years? here - doing this with my family
13. Where were you last night? getting our pictures made with Christie
14. What you’re not? tall
15. One of your wish list items? iphone
16. Where you grew up? Santa Cruz California
17. The last thing you did? went and handed the BD clothes for the B squared so he could get him dressed while he was changing his diaper :)
18. What are you wearing? sweat pants and my signature v neck t shirt
19. Your TV? is on a sports channel
20. Your pet? Logan - outside waiting to be let in - Penelope - running around like a crazy pug in her new fabulous black and pink winter coat
21. Your computer? MAC
22. Your mood? good :)
23. Missing someone? hmmmm good question
24. Your car? Nissan Quest
25. Something you’re not wearing? my shoes or socks and my feet are cold!
26. Favorite store? Once Upon a Child
27. Your summer? Gone Too Fast!
28. Love someone? Yes Big Time!
29. Your favorite color? Yellow
30. When is the last time you laughed? This morning at the big pile of kids on my bed
31. Last time you cried? you know - I honestly can't remember

Anyone that feels like joining in....post a comment here with the link to your post....=)

From behind

So I am always taking my family's pictures from behind them. Now it is not that I love their cute little muffins (as we call bottoms in my house) but rather I think that is my perspective - behind them - in the background - watching - waiting to be needed - but just hanging back. As parents we do so much waiting and watching and laughing and smiling and grimacing and cringing and general observing - I really enjoy being in the background and I realized that today. We had our family pictures done today by Christie Lukas and I kept stepping out of the shot - behind the kids - wanting to go behind the camera with her. I am not a photographer - have never laid claim to that glorious talent but it turns out - that is where I am the most comfortable. I am excited to see our pictures and will share them if I am feeling brave. :) 

Not Me Monday!

I am a big fan of Not Me Monday~ unfortunately - this week - I feel like there are so many that am in overload and don't know where to start!

Let's See - this week I did not......

Wake up on Monday morning THRILLED to send the BBG off to school and know that the SMC had dance where the B squared could play to his hearts content while I talked to the other Moms all because I was excited that I had a morning full of activities and I barely had to speak to the children - Not Me!

Actually shout at any Man, Dog, or Child that came into the kitchen while I was trying to clean and cook last night - GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN! GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!

I never sent anyone anywhere without shoes and socks on.

I never ever ever ever in a million years would read 5 minutes with the BBG and then say it had been 20 and write down 20 on her reading chart - are you kidding me? What kind of a mother would I be?

I never once felt like squeezing naughty little hands while I gently re-directed them to more constructive play.

As always - I drank no soda and only ate low calorie, organic snacks and meals.

I was never hugged by a pediatrician or a doctor's office staff member - that would mean they know me way too well and I am in there WAY too much.

I did not bleach a soccer sock.

I did not burn cookies.

I never said uh huh uh huh uh huh to a little person telling me something very important while really thinking about something else.

and I NEVER EVER EVER

sat around and read blogs on my computer while my children watched a show - nope NOT ME!

:)

My first bow injury and casualty

Well - it had to happen - right - I mean - you just can't give me a sharp object like really good Fiskars scissors, let me play with it all day, and expect everything to just be ok - right? Sigh - I survived but this was first bow injury - cutting ribbon - got a little crazy - cut myself - sorry if I am offending any of you squeamish types. 

Well this leads to my first bow casualty because instead of putting a band aid on the bow injury like any normal person would do - I crash around the house like a crazy person looking for my camera to take a picture of it so that I could do what you ask? Yes - put it on the blog! Well - by the time I finished crashing around, took the picture, got myself cleaned up - guess what happened - yes - my first bow casualty. Burned chocolate chip cookies - sigh - always hate to see good cookie dough go to waste - a real shame. 

Photo Story - a day late

There is nothing like a little face paint - pure joy 

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Grab my Button - dilemma!!!!! SOLVED

Hooray! Thank you thank you thank you ladies! BIg thanks especially to my new BFF blogging buddy Holly (I know just like me - cute right?)

Thank you thank you thank you!

OK ladies - I need one more help out today - I really want to do a "grab my button" giveaway - grab my cute I Heart Bowheads button that Mimi made for me and I will send you a free bow!

However ....

Every which way I try to put this code up it looks like this...




Not like the code that I am trying to give you. I am still searching but any help would be appreciated!

Holly

Figured it out - here is some blog love!

I really have no time to be messing with this at this moment but I am going to try one more time and then - more at nap time :) 

Blogs I read: 

http://reesesviewoftheworld.blogspot.com/

http://mycharmingkids.net 

http://blog.cjanerun.com

http://sunshineandlemonade.blogspot.com   (recently added - thanks HUGE for your help!) 

Angie at Bring the Rain 

and lots lots lots more but let's see if this works now

Secret is in the Sauce Blogathon!

I am loving getting in on all of these "get linky" things that I have never been able to do! This looks like a GREAT blog that I am just now exploring! 

Go check them out 

http://thesecretisinthesauce.blogspot.com 

I am about to put the button on my side bar. 

:) 

H 

What my kitchen counter looks like...

on a Friday night before all of our Saturday games. 

Notice I must have the right bows ready for each uniform :) 

Not Me Monday

I love these Not Me's - they always make me laugh. I am excited because this is the first "Not Me Monday" that I get to participate in although I have been reading them from the beginning. My other blog adayinthelifeofhollyandco.blogspot.com I keep private so only friends and family can read.... oh man - digressing again..... ANYWAY - this is my first linking to McMama! Let's see if I don't mess it up.

First I need to think of some actual not me's ..... hmmmmm over here in perfect land gonna be kind of stretching .... (here of course you know that I am completely kidding)

This week I DID not....

Let the B Squared eat Cheese It's for breakfast on the morning that the SMC was sick because I really did not feel like making anything else and she wasn't eating anything anyway and the BBG was already off at school.

I DID not..... work on scrapbooking instead of working on the sinkful of dishes ( I for SURE did not do this more than once!)

I DID not feel INCREDIBLY relieved when the Softball team was down by one in the final inning of play and my child was nowhere near the batting order because I did not want to be the Mom of the kid that struck out in the bottom of the ninth.

I DID not (in this same game) jump to my feet like a hysterical fool when my child hit the ball knocking an innocent two year old quite literally off his feet.

I was never ever ever anything but a sweet, adoring wife to my big handsome husband who dotes on my every word and never watches any sports of any kind.

I NEVER EVER EVER EVER felt like locking a sweet, perfect, loving two year old in his room - never even once considered that one - nope.

and I for sure never ate anything this whole week that was unhealthy or high in calories in any way - nope

NOT ME!

:)

PERMANENT PERMANENT PERMANENT

This was the cry from upstairs when my sweet responsible BBG discovered the B squared drawing on his FACE - yes I said face - with a permanent marker. Poor thing - she has a little too much of her Mommy in her because she just kept saying - "oh no - a sharpie - why did it have to be a sharpie? That is permanent permanent permanent!"

More tomorrow

:)

H

some totals

So - I was thinking this morning - scary I know - 

My grand total adding all three kids up for nursing was 30 months. My grand total -  if you take into account that a pregnancy is really 10 months - for being pregnant - 30 months. That makes a grand total of 60 months which means that for 5 years of my life - I was either pregnant or nursing. Good grief - that seems like a lot! Now that is really great and all but the  B Squared is now 2! At one point am I going to drop that 25 pounds of "baby weight" that I have been hanging onto like a prize? Today starts day one of my new life style change. Diets don't work - I need to think about what I put in my mouth. That will work. I will keep you all posted (at the moment I think I have approximately 2 readers but I am hoping to grow that) on my progress. 

The first day of the rest of my life starts - TODAY! 

:) 

Oh yeah - bow update - I made some adorable Jesus Loves Me bows last night - unfortunately - I can't go have my playdate/photo session with Reese and Heather today because my SMC has fever - sigh - off to the doctor - I will have to post an update about that as well.