What's For Dinner?

I actually love the mundane tasks of being a (mostly) stay-at-home mom. I love calendars and schedules and filling out forms and school shopping. I don’t mind driving kids to their activities or to the doctor, or having playdates or really even changing diapers (which I should be done with very soon)! I pick up the same toys a minimum of 5 times a day, I never forget that Library is on Wednesday, and I am the OCD mother who checks her daughter’s backpack immediately upon her arrival home. Although the state of my house is far from a picture in Family Circle, I try to keep things organized and thanks to my front loading washer/dryer I don’t even mind doing laundry all that much.

Just PLEASE don’t ask me to make dinner.

Every day I get out of bed with all good intentions to actually provide my family with a nice, home-cooked meal.  And every night one of two things happens: I scramble to throw some pasta together, or my husband makes dinner. After he works all day. Because although I may excel at mothering my children, I SUCK at cooking.

I really don’t know how this came to pass. My own mother made home cooked meals EVERY night. She made holiday dinners, candy and cookies galore at Christmastime, and always made our favorite meals on birthdays. I have many of her recipes in a book she made for me on my 24^th birthday. (Clearly, she saw this coming) Eating out at a restaurant when I was a child was always for a “special” occasion. Not weekly Thursday dinner like in my house.

The odd part is, I have Thanksgiving every year (and cook my own turkey), and I’ve even managed prime rib on Christmas Eve and crazy beautiful desserts for Easter, Mother’s Day and baby showers I’ve thrown. I just can’t do the day to day. I can’t seem to think of a single thing to have. In fact, if I didn’t have children to provide for, I probably would never cook! Isn’t that why they invented Chick-Fil-A??

Making better meals was my New Year’s resolution. It’s April now, and I’ve made no progress. I’m sure there’s probably an iPhone app for that. But I’m trying to turn over a new leaf. It’s in print now so maybe I can do better. I’m open to any and all suggestions.

Patience, please.

I am absolutely the farthest thing from a perfect parent. Some days I even just make it up as I go along. I read an article the other day in a Parenting Magazine that asked you to describe your parenting style in three words.  My favorite: Whatever Works Today.

When you have a 5 ½ year age gap between children like I do, sometimes it’s hard to remember how things went with the first child. And if you’re me, then it’s even worse since you all know I have no memory!!

Potty training Emma was a bit of a chore because Emma is very stubborn. But once she decided she wanted to do it, the next day she was completely potty trained and never even wet the bed at night. Getting rid of her “binky” was another story, however. She had “bink” and “extra bink” (one for each hand) and if she should lose either of them during the night, I was getting out of bed to locate them.  When we finally went cold turkey and took them away, she screamed for a week straight! No lie, I seriously almost checked myself in to the Robert Young mental ward. She actually yelled over and over – “Take me to Target to get another bink!” That was by far my worst parenting experience to date.  So you would think I would have learned my lesson.

Fast forward to Aiden at now 2 ½ who is working on both potty training and getting rid of his binky. Unfortunately, to enter pre-school he has to be completely potty trained, but a) he’s a boy and b) he’s six months younger than Emma when she went to school. So we’re in serious crunch time right now to get it done. As for the potty training, it’s hit or miss.  Some days he actually tells me he has to go, others I take him 15 times but his pull-up is still wet. We’ve tried rewards and stickers, but under no circumstances will he go #2 in the potty. I feel like I’m working against a ticking clock.

As far as the binky, I am hoping that will be much easier. Starting this week we are being diligent about only using it at bedtime. He generally spits it out as soon as he falls asleep. He should be easier to take it from, right? RIGHT?

Oh, and did I mention that he doesn’t take an afternoon nap anymore?

So today I’m asking you to pray for patience for me. A lot of it. And if I don’t make it through the next few weeks, please feel free to visit me at Robert Young.

Bad "Chi".

Last week I had an ongoing, migraine like headache.  I could not find anything specifically that I thought brought it on, but I realized with the pain in my neck and head, I probably had something that was out of line or some kind of pinched nerve. I tried resting and took way more than the recommended dose of Excederin, but nothing seemed to help so I called the chiropractor.  With two weekends of back to back dance competitions looming, there is no way I could have functioned without some kind of intervention!

In the past I have used chiropractic and have always had good results.  In fact, getting both an adjustment and a massage was a lifesaver for me when I was pregnant with Aiden. I was hoping this was just a simple thing and could be taken care of in 1 or 2 visits. Apparently, I was really messed up, as indicated by my scan, and still in a lot of pain even after 2 adjustments, so my chiropractor suggested I try acupuncture.

My initial thought was absolutely not – the idea of having needles stuck in my skin does not really sound like a good time!! But since this was seriously the most pain I have ever been in, I agreed to give it a try. I should mention that I am never sick – I maybe get a once-a-year sinus infection and I don’t even have a regular doctor of any kind. I’ve had two C-sections and that is essentially my health history.

Before the acupuncture they do a scan on you, pressing various pressure points to assess your “chi”.  It’s basically the state your body is in, your “life force” or energy level. I know what you’re thinking, (the same thing my husband was), this is more than a little “out there”. But I learned something really surprising: I HAVE BAD “CHI”. In fact, I was kind of annoyed about it.  How come I have bad chi? I have a great (albeit sometimes stressful) life, great kids – I’m not depressed or sick. I have a good quality of life, I take vacations, I have a roof over my head and food in the refrigerator. I don’t want to have bad “chi”!

So I went through with the acupuncture basically to cure my headache (I’ll spare you the details because I decided to keep my eyes closed the entire time!) and decided that although I will not be trying acupuncture again anytime soon (it’s not even covered by my insurance), I am going to try and improve the quality of my “chi”. After a little Google search, as of today I am vowing to:

1. Eat more healthy foods
2. Watch less TV and spend more time outside
3. Have more color in my life
4. Get a better nights sleep

At least that’s a start.  I’ll keep you posted.

Bookworm

I love to read and have an ongoing list of books I’d like to get to in 2011. I like to read a variety of things, although I do have some favorite authors as well. I feel like my choices so far this year have been random, but I figured I would share the ones I’ve read thus far and see if  they happen to be on your reading list too!

Since January I have read:

1. Freedom – Jonathan Franzen
2. The Help – Kathryn Stockett
3. Inconceivable – the true story of Shawn and Carolyn Savage
4. Unbearable Lightness – Portia De Rossi
5. Sing You Home – Jodi Picoult
6. Safe Haven – Nicholas Sparks
7. The Confession – John Grisham
8. Think Twice – Lisa Scottoline
9. Winter Garden – Kristin Hannah
10. The Girls from Ames – Jeffrey Zaslow

I’m currently reading A Soft Place To Land – Susan White, and in my Borders Inbox right now I have Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein,  Inside the Mouse: Work and Play at Walt Disney World by The Project on Disney, and Decision Points by George W. Bush.  Also on my wish list – Eat, Pray, Love, Heaven is For Real and the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy.

No one can believe that I have not read either the Harry Potter series or any of the Twilight books, but I just don’t think I’d be into either one of those right now. I’d love to hear what you are reading and any suggestions that you might have to add to my list!!

My Disney Obsession

I grew up going to Walt Disney World. We were there when it opened in 1971. I saw the opening of Epcot and the other parks. I have pictures of the old Epcot globe.  My brother and I marched in the Magic Kingdom bi-centennial parade (from start to finish). Where else on earth could your parents leave you at ages 7 and 8 to go with “strangers” and walk in front of thousands of people??

I’ve been to Disney with extended family, friends, my husband (before he was my husband) and now of course with my own family. My 8 year old has been there 10 times already. She even danced on the Disney stage. My 2 year old made his first visit at just 3 months old.  I could probably write my own blog just about Disney (or at least be a Disney travel agent). It’s one of my favorite things to talk about. But every time I say we’re going back to see the Mouse, someone inadvertently asks why! Why the obsession? And I’ve come to realize it’s because most of the time, said person has NEVER BEEN TO WALT DISNEY WORLD!!

So in my best attempt, I will give you the Top 10 reasons why I think you should at least give it a chance:

1. It really is the “Happiest Place on Earth”. 99% of the people that work at Disney are genuinely happy to be there. Try talking to a cast member just for fun. Nothing can cure a bad day like a walk down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.
2. You can channel your inner child.  No one looks at you strangely if you skip down the street, wear a funny hat with ears on it, or want your picture taken with Cinderella.
3. There is something for everyone and every age group to participate in. Even if you’re not a “ride” person, Disney has amazing shows, restaurants, and shopping.
4. Disney makes everything about traveling with children easier.  Magical Express takes your luggage from your hometown airport and delivers it TO YOUR ROOM. The baby care centers throughout the parks offer a cool place to rest, feed your baby, get a bandaid or just watch cartoons for a few minutes. (And trust me on this, I have visited every single baby care center at every single park – breastfeeding a 3 month old is practically easy on this vacation!)
5. Distance to travel.  Just over 2 hours to get there on a direct flight right from our own Quad City Airport.
6. The weather. Although I have been there at all different times of year, my most favorite time to visit is in the fall. Still gorgeous 80 degree temps and a lot less crowded.
7. The entertainment. As I eluded to in #3, Disney has some of the best Broadway quality shows around. I love La Nouba (Circ de Soleil) in downtown Disney, but we never miss The Lion King, Finding Nemo or Beauty and the Beast inside the parks.
8. The food. Three words for you. Dole Pineapple Whip. In all seriousness, the food throughout Disney is great, but what makes it even more fun is the atmosphere. Some of my favorites: The Coral Reef, Chef Mickey, Ohana and The Crystal Palace.  If you like different kinds of food, Epcot has amazing authentic restaurants from all countries in the World Showcase.
9. Mickey Mouse. Do I really need to explain this one?
10. It is the place where dreams come true.  There is nothing more magical then watching the face of a child light up when they meet their favorite princess or wave to Goofy during a parade; or watching fireworks like you’ve never seen before light up Cinderella’s castle. Tinkerbell can really fly, Nemo can swim, and magic really exists.

Spring Break 2011

I love going on vacation. But I also like coming home. There is something about being away that makes me appreciate the comfort of my house, routine, bed. (And I don’t have to sleep with Aiden anymore!)

We had a great time in St. Louis on Spring Break – so many fun things to see and do, and a lot of it is free. We visited the Arch, Magic House (children’s museum), City Museum (if you’ve never seen/heard of this, you should definitely Google it – it’s amazing), and the St. Louis Zoo. We did a little shopping, some swimming and on St. Patrick’s Day took the kids to the Fox Theatre to see the Imagination Movers concert. I posted some of the highlights below:

Welcome to the 21st Century.

I am technologically challenged. It’s true. Everyone knows. My daughter has both an ipod and a DS – neither of which I really know how to use very well. I have a digital camera that I love, but I basically just take pictures with it – I don’t have a clue how to use all the cool functions it has.  We recently got a digital video camera, and although there is video on it, I have yet to figure out how to load the software on my computer so that I can download and edit it. Baby steps.

But I have to say that I am now in love. With my iPhone. The one I was sure I didn’t want and couldn’t figure out. I had a little help at first (thank God for teenage babysitters) but I am now obsessed. I can check my email and my facebook from my phone, manage my calendar (which is huge because you’ve seen the title of this blog!), check the weather, and listen to music. I’m certain once I really start getting into downloading apps, I will be playing games and entertaining my children in the grocery store line and doctor’s waiting room.

My favorite app so far – Walt Disney World information and ride waiting times.  Just to get a little piece of the magic, I can check the weather, crowd level and wait times at my favorite Disney parks.  It doesn’t matter that I won’t be visiting the mouse again until October – it’s just fun to daydream for a few minutes! "The

Happiest Place

on Earth" is at my fingertips whenever I want. Cinderella’s Castle is my screensaver. I’m sure if I wanted to I could make “It’s a Small World” my ringtone. I’m starting to think technology is not so bad after all. J