Oh Christmas Tree...

Why is it that no matter how well the lights were working the year before, or how well you store them, or the fact that you not only tested them once, BUT TWICE, before spending two hours putting them onto your tree, this happens when you plug them in?

After replacing one strand in the middle of the tree (because, OF COURSE not one of the 30+ extra bulbs I had in my house fit that particular strand of lights, which burnt out ONE bulb at some point after the TWO tests we'd done to check the strand), and doing some fancy jiggling/adjusting of the connection between two other strands, it's now in working order.

Quote of the Week

"Never underestimate a child's ability to get into more trouble."

~Martin Mull~

You'd think I'd have learned that by now, but Connor just keeps finding new ways to surprise me. The other day, Dan found him up on the counter, having gotten into the candy container in the cupboard, stuffing his face full of chocolate. When asked how he'd gotten up there in the first place, Connor showed Dan how he used the 1/2 depth of the drawer fronts (drawers closed) as toe holds and climbed up the four drawers to get onto the counter. Emily and Jared never even looked at those drawer fronts twice, let alone come up with the idea that the drawer fronts could make a good ladder, and then tested and perfected the idea. How do you "toddler-proof" that? LOL

Pink, Pink, You Stink

This isn't Connor's eye, but it's a pretty good representation of what BOTH of his eyes look like right now. UGH!


The pink started up partway through yesterday and got significantly worse by bedtime, but looks quite a bit better today. We'll see how things go as the day progresses. Em's had it twice and they say the most common form is viral, which isn't even treatable, so I don't know that we'll bother with the doctor, but it looks like we'll for sure be sticking close to home for awhile!

Pumpkin Pancakes

We are testing out a recipe I found online this morning. Dan's eating the first batch and has given his approval. The kids are just getting ready to get started (Dan started first so he could head outside to do yardwork)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk *see notes at bottom
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar

DIRECTIONS


In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

*NOTES*

I ended up adding at least an additional 1/2 cup of milk. The batter turned out REALLY THICK and the pancakes weren't cooking properly in the middle, so I used the extra milk to thin the batter a bit.

Happy Birthday Rinna!

My cousin's birthday is actually tomorrow, but I figure there's probably better blog traffic for wishing her a Happy Birthday TODAY!

We celebrated her birthday with her last Saturday by having a luncheon at our Aunt's house. This is the card that I made, to go along with the bottle of Juicy perfume that my mom, my cousin-in-law/friend Jessica, and myself gave her as a gift.

(I made it somewhat camo in honor of her boyfriend, who is over in Iraq right now)


Again, I apologize that it's blurry. Em's camera and I do frequent battles and I took no less than 15 pictures trying to get one that wasn't blurry. At least you can see it well enough to get the point...

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY RINNA (tomorrow)! I hope you have a fabulous day. We ♥ you!

As Emily sees it

The camera's been found (YIPEE!), and it was right in the van in a little cubby that I specifically suggested Dan look when he was helping Emily search. Clearly my suggestion fell on deaf ears. I got up early this morning to get a good jump on a BUSY day, and just felt this burning need to check that cubby for myself, and there was the camera. I love being right. HA HA HA!

So, without further ado, "As Emily sees it":



Emily insisted that I have my hand on my hip, but I was preparing dinner and had been handling raw meat, so kept my fingers facing outward. I look like a dork, but had to share the picture, because it cracked me up when I saw it!

This and that

I was going to do an "As Emily sees it" post, but I can't find her camera ANYWHERE, so therefore can't post any pictures from it. HUFF PUFF SIGH!!

Instead, I thought I would ramble on for a bit, and see where it takes me! ha!

SOMETHING FUNNY I HEARD THIS WEEK: (Jared to Emily) "Emily, remember when we were just little kids?"

SOMETHING I'M DREADING: The fancy work dinner at a seafood place I have to attend with Dan and the four other guys and their spouses from his office (he works for a large company, but most of the guys are in the field; this dinner is JUST for the office people, and the company party will be later in December). I don't do fancy restaurants, I don't really eat seafood, I'm terribly shy... This dinner is a BIG deal and I'm petrified of the entire thing.

SOMETHING I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO: Seeing "baby mouse" Emily in The Nutcracker in a few weeks. She's been working really hard, and she and I are both sooooo excited for the event!

SOMETHING I THOUGHT I'D NEVER SAY: That my dad was right about the two tattoos I got. It's not so much that I regret getting them, but they don't mean much to me anymore. If I had the chance to go back in time and get them again, I probably wouldn't. That's not saying I wouldn't get a tattoo at all, but I think I'd at least hold off on the lower back one, as that's the one my tastes have changed the most about.

SOMETHING I'M PROUD OF: Emily's school conference was last week and her teacher had nothing but fantastic things to say about my little girl. She's reading at a 2nd grade level, has exceptional behavior in class, is friendly with everyone, extremely helpful... Her teacher says she has zero concerns about anything acedemically or otherwise. Way to go Emily!

SOMETHING I'M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT: I was jealous of Emily and extremely hurt when she was only a few days old. Her daddy came home from work while I was busy washing dishes, and he greeted me with his usual "Hi sweetie pie!" I turned away from the sink to return his greeting, only to discover him face to face with Emily; he wasn't talking to me at all! She's still his sweetie pie, and I couldn't be more pleased NOW, but THEN...

SOMETHING I PLAN TO EAT THIS WEEK: home-made cream of potato soup, topped with crumbled bacon and grated cheese. YUM YUM YUM!!!

SOMETHING ELSE I PLAN TO EAT: My favorite meal of all time...THANKSGIVING DINNER, of course! And lucky me, I actually get to eat it twice this week, because we celebrated with my family yesterday, and will celebrate with Dan's family Thursday. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, pumpkin pie, ETC!!!!

SOMETHING I'M PONDERING: At what point does it go from motherly to creepy if I'm going into my children's bedrooms and checking on them before heading off to bed myself? I've honestly tried just heading to bed without straightening their blankets, kissing their foreheads, making sure lovies are still accounted for, etc, and I CAN'T GET TO SLEEP until I've done it. I assume I'm still in the safe zone since my eldest is only 6.5, but it some point it must turn creepy. Any ideas? LOL

SOMETHING I PLAN TO PURCHASE SOON: Stjude.org has Christmas ornaments for sale; each one is based on a patient's drawing, and proceeds go towards research and patient care. They're entirely affordable, and I think they're CUTE! Check them out HERE.


Okay, that's enough from me for now!

PS Kristina is hosting a contest with a pretty fantastic prize, so head on over HERE and play!!