PI-YO!

Posted on March 12, 2015 by momsranting

beachbody.com

PIYO (pronounced PIE-YO). It’s a new workout for me.

So far? I LOVE IT. I am so sorry to Jillian Michaels, who has been my workout guru thus far. I feel like such a bad friend to her right now. But it’s true, even though the PIYO workouts have increased in intensity and it’s not as easy as I led myself to believe at first…. I still feel so good DOING them, and I am much more motivated to continue my workouts than I was with Jillian.

I’ve got the kids with me most days, Sammy is the expert in child’s pose, and Jenna is Miss downward dog. They seem to love it too. Yesterday Jenna turned to me and said “beach body”, perfectly in time with the DVD, and you should see her sumo squats!

I don’t feel like I’m getting yelled at, in fact, Charlene tells me I can do child’s pose whenever I want, I don’t even have to ask. Who is Charlene you ask?? Charlene Johnson. My new imaginary best friend. She doesn’t make me do rock star jumps.

In fact, the workout is so different than most programs I’ve tried recently. A cross between Pilates and Yoga, there is a lot of fluid movement, then throwing in push ups and all different types of squats.

I’m actually trying to follow the 2 month calendar that comes with the set of DVD’s I bought. I’m following it, very loosely. But as my butt and hamstrings are sore most days, I feel something good must be coming from it.

And Charlene… well, she’s just so, so NICE. Always telling me what a great job I’m doing, and it’s ok to take a break, and even thanking me for being there!! She has some pretty good music during her workouts too, which doesn’t hurt.

Somehow as I recently compared the workouts, my mind wandered and I started to compare Jillian and Charlene, like who would win if they decided to duke it out on the yoga mat?

Probably Jillian, hands down. She’s definitely more aggressive all together, I can see her fighting dirty to make sure she wins, eye poking, fish hooking…the works. Poor Charlene…..

I guess I’m enjoying the more relaxed yet hopefully super effective PIYO workout. I love the positive reinforcement, and I feel really cool when I can keep up with all the moves. Sorry Jillian Michaels. Please, don’t hurt me.

Take THAT Jillian Michaels!!
courtesy of: tombclock.com

“I KNOW you didn’t just say that!!”
tmz.com

Spanish lesson

Posted on March 3, 2015 by momsranting

image courtesy of:
clatl.com

My 13 year old is taking Spanish class.

He is the master of Spanish Class.

He sometimes asks me to give him a sentence, ANY sentence, and he will translate it in Spanish.

I start with some basic stuff that I will know as well. “Where is the bathroom?” “Give me a pencil.” “Your dog smells bad”

He doesn’t know the word for “smells”, argues that it’s not an important word when having a basic conversation. I think if you are in fact with someone who only speaks Spanish, and you smell gas or a fire…. it could be a really important word to know.

I move on.

“Your cat is stuck in my throat”

He smiles, “Su Gato es stucka en la garganta”

I run to Google translator. “Ok!” He’s laughing…. “it’s really not es stucka!” (no kidding)

but I was still impressed.

And can I just say…. I had NO idea I could actually find an image to go along with having a cat stuck in your throat, or a cat about to be stuck in your throat. But there are many. So this is a phrase that may well come in handy, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Poop talk

Posted on March 1, 2015 by momsranting

Let’s talk about poop.

You don’t want to talk about it?

That’s ALL I seem to talk about these days. Not one day goes by without mention of poop. So you can leave now, or just hear me out.

I think about poop a lot, as I’m working on potty training the 2 year old. Sometimes we have conversations that go like this:

Jenna: Mommy, I pooped! It’s so cute!!
Me: No, Jenna. It’s not cute when it’s in your pants. It’s only cute when it’s on the potty.
Jenna: Blank stare.

Followed by another day:

Jenna (on the potty): I pooped!! It’s not cute. (sad face)
Me: No Jenna… it’s soooo cute!!! Poop is adorable on the potty, we love poop on the potty!

We flush the poop. Wave bye-bye. She yells down the toilet “Have fun with your friends!!”. Because in our world, poop and pee can’t wait to get out and into the potty, where they can be flushed to catch up with their family and friends having a big poopy party.

I was organizing books today, and noticed our large selection of potty training books. One of their favorites??

Where’s the poop?
by: Julie Markes

Where’s the poop indeed.

A cute take on showing little ones that EVERYONE poops. Even wild animals like elephants, kangaroos, tigers and monkeys.

One of Jenna’s favorites? Baby penguin.

The parent animals are always very attentive to the whole poopy business…

Nope, I pooped behind that rock. Now go find it!!

It’s a pop up book, but here’s a hint for parents… the poop is always hiding in the lower left corner. wink.

Of course. It has to be tied in to humans at the end, or there is a real chance we could be teaching our kids to just go poop behind whatever they want. Cover it up, and let us find it. Fun!!

Here is the little boy, proudly telling his mom about his own poop.

Where is it?? Where is that poop? Jenna knows!!

: 🙂

Anyway…. that’s what we do around here. Pretty much every day. In case you were wondering.

Sick day Creme Brulee

Posted on February 26, 2015 by momsranting

my little caregiver ❤

I’ve been sick. Again. Like we’ve ALL been sick this whole stupid winter.

This time I’ve had a headache and raging sore throat, complete with hacking cough, chills, and sandpaper voice. It’s bad enough that I’ve been sleeping with cough drops under my pillow for emergency relief during the night-it’s only been that bad a couple times in my life.

Yesterday as I sat on the couch, shivering and feeling sorry for myself, my little ones did their best to take care of me. Sammy made me some delicious water. Jenna plied me with many pieces of plastic cake.

Somehow, this did not relieve the aching burn in my throat. For dinner, I had no desire for “real food”. As I rooted through the fridge, then freezer for something soothing…. I came across this.

One of the reasons I love Target. Like, really LOVE Target.

I thought it was worth a shot, something smooth, warm, delicious…. and fast.

right out of the box.

The box contains 2 little ceramic ramekins and 2 little packets of granulated sugar. I made one, and saved one for later. For myself. Because I’m sick.

Directions are super easy, move the oven rack higher, and put the oven on broil. Spread the sugar evenly over the top of the crème brulee and stick it in the oven when it’s hot enough. Do yourself a favor and put it on a cookie sheet or something like I DIDN’T, so you don’t have to reach in and melt your hands as you try to pick up this little ceramic dish full of hot liquid custard when it’s done.

Turn on the oven light, and watch in amazement and the sugar starts to melt and bubble. Keep in it for about 6 minutes. Take it out.

Oooh La-La

Now, you are supposed to let it set out for about 10 minutes, and then put it in the fridge for another 10 minutes. This allows the custard to firm up.

I didn’t wait.

I think I put it in the fridge for about 3 minutes so I wouldn’t completely scald myself, then got impatient.

Mmmmmmmmmm. Words can’t describe the awesome relief. My throat maybe cried a little in gratitude.

It was a perfect coating of delicious, creamy goodness for my tortured esophagus. A little runny for some, easily remedied if anyone had the time or inclination to follow directions. I gave a spoon to my husband. Just one spoon. He pronounced it “eggy”.

Since he calls ALL crème brulee we have ever tried “eggy”, I am going to assume he also feels it was restaurant quality.

And you get to keep the cute little dish!!!

I’m eating the 2nd serving tonight. All by myself. Not a bit guilty about that.

Hello movie star smile!!

Posted on February 24, 2015 by momsranting

Oooohhh, sparkly whites!!
quoteimg.com

Have you ever tried to whiten your teeth at home?

I’m sure most of us have tried the at home “strips”, right? I have NEVER used them properly. First, I lack the patience to sit for the prescribed amount of time for each treatment. I’ve put them on, and then ripped them off 5 minutes later when I feel that horrible ZING shooting from my tooth into my skull.

I have never finished an entire box. I think my best record is using probably 10 strips over about 3 months time. I don’t know if they’ve worked or not….but psychologically I always feel better even after using one for just 10 minutes.

Haven’t used them in quite some time. Every time I go to Starbucks, or indulge in a cup of tea at home, I consider my pearly whites. I like having a white smile, how can I preserve it???

Enter my latest find.

well, look what caught my eye!

I was walking through Walgreens, minding my own business, looking for rubbing alcohol. I think the little laser gun next to the smiling face distracted me. I looked closer….. on SALE for $34.00!! Super fast teeth whitening with NO sensitivity??!!!

Is there even a question about purchasing this? I didn’t think so.

Now, of course I am skeptical. But it also looks really, really cool. And, it’s on sale.

I am on a mission to prove to myself and my fellow blogger if this kit really lives up to it’s claim. You’re welcome.

I’ve read all the directions. I can do a gazillion treatments in a row, slight chance of some gum irritation, or gum whiteness….but nothing that will last. That’s for the one day results. I can spread my treatments over a week. Whatever I want really. Bottom line seems to be 10 treatments for noticeable effect…. and up to 20 treatments for best effect. After that, I can keep the system, order replacements of whatever I need, and retreat a couple times a year.

Pretty stoked.

So here goes. I’m probably going to end up doing the week treatment, given my track record of follow through. I’ll post before and after, and you can be the judge. Then decide if you also need to have this amazing little wonder kit, or if you can just save the money for more teeth-staining coffee 🙂

How weird that I am just now noticing my uneven lips when I smile? Here is the smile BEFORE…

The life cycle of a preschool friendship

Posted on February 23, 2015 by momsranting

three guys

Sammy has a couple friends, made before he even knew what a friend was. The boys met during little gym classes, and it was one of those convenient friendships to cultivate because we-the moms-were also friends.

Time at the zoo, kiddie park, the splash pad at Crocker park, and plenty of birthday parties for themselves and siblings… these things have continued for the past couple years. We don’t see each other very often, but this friendship is a given. We are past the point of encouraging them to play together, they don’t need us for that anymore.

braving the inflatables together

Well, the boys are getting older. They could be in Kindergarten next year…..

I see it looming on the horizon.

The transition between friends that mommy made for them….. and friends they will make for themselves. With kids they see all the time at school, and probably live closer to as well.

I thought about it today, at a birthday party where the boys were still all sitting together…. I wondered when this is going to end?

It makes me sad, because I know it probably will end. How many of us are friends with kids we met before the age of 3??

I’m not even friends with most people I met AFTER the age of three!!

I really like these boys. They are good kids, fun kids, and they play so well together.

in the beginning…..

They just aren’t old enough yet to maintain it, not on their own. And when they are older, it won’t be cool for mommy to bring them along to play with so-and-so just so she can see HIS mom…… they will want to hang out with little Michael next door, or Jimmy from school, not Sammy who they see every once in a while.

One day they won’t have time to remember each other, because they will be too busy discovering so many other things, so many other friends….. and this is how it goes, right??

Maybe I shouldn’t think about it. Wondering, is this the last time? The last birthday? The last train ride at the zoo?

Kind of like the way I imagine an aging couple might vaguely wonder “is this the last time?” with each further spaced moment of intimacy they share.

Surely I can’t be the only person who thinks about this stuff…

Well, for now I savor it. Sammy was so lucky to hook up with these guys, and I have enjoyed watching all of them grow and change. I hope if there is a transition away from each other, that it is painless for them, actually, I know it will be. They don’t know enough yet to understand the poignancy of an outgrown friendship. And by the time they are mature enough for this…they may not even remember each other.

Jesus, next I’ll be talking about puppies dying!…. someone slap me and get me some chocolate!

Ok, Ok…. I’m ok.

Let’s focus on the positive. Great kids. Great families. All things change, let’s just enjoy the ride.

hamming it up

My holding advice

Posted on February 21, 2015 by momsranting

Talking to my future sister-in-law today, as she frets about how her 1 month old suddenly wants to be held all the time. He cries when she puts him down. Won’t stay in his own bed all night. Won’t nap for long without waking unless he is being held. Wants to be held. All. The. Time.

So she asks me for advice.

Is she kidding????
courtesy of: Pixshark.com

I may not be the best person to ask, seeing as how I have not been successful in forcing independence on my own children…. but I guess desperation makes people, well, desperate.

So I told her what I could.

Mostly about how Sammy did the same thing. I held him constantly, and when I did attempt to put his cute little baby head down for a nap, he was up within 15 minutes and looking for those comfy arms again. Some days, I would just give up trying to let him sleep alone. I gave up and watched a damn movie that he would sleep “like a baby” through, as long as I kept holding him.

We talked about baby-wearing, which is supposed to raise more independent and confident children in the long run.

The whole family tried baby wearing

So this was a way to hold the baby without having to hold the baby. Theoretically, you can get a lot of stuff done since your hands are free. I was too nervous, and still kept a hand on the baby. Plus, I probably didn’t try using the wrap enough to get comfortable with it. Once I had it on, it felt stifling to me. Trying to get the baby out fast when she started to cry was a little difficult, as was shimmying my way out of it if I didn’t want to try untying it first. I got my first wrap with Sammy, and remember one day trying to cut the grass on a muggy summer evening. I was in “super mom” mode, determined to do all the things I was doing before having the baby.

My initial confidence waned as each pass over the lawn (with my electric, NOT self-propelled mower) resulted in a hotter, sweatier me…. and a decidedly droopy baby in the carrier. He started out with head right under my chin…and ended nestled in my chest, as the material stretched and bounced with each plodding step. I envisioned him eventually dangling somewhere around the knees, swaying and being bumped along as I walked.

I saw other moms breezing through the grocery story, the park, life in general…with a smiling baby tucked inside their sling or wrap. I was jealous of these perfect moms, who could wear their babies so effortlessly.

smug much??
amazon.com

So, I just held mine. A lot. I still do.

All I can really say is that eventually. EVENTUALLY….they don’t want to be held so much. I doubt I could get my 17 year old on my hip anymore…although she was the one who broke it in for the others.

As for the sleeping alone bit…. I’m definitely not qualified to give advice on this. I share a pillow with one or two other people most nights. All I can say is, who WOULDN’T want someone nice and warm to cuddle with?? And if all else fails, and you need to try doing something else besides holding your little one during their nap, try letting someone else sleep with them!! 🙂

Hell nights

Posted on February 14, 2015 by momsranting

thisiswhyimbroke.com

If I was given one wish right now, I might wish for Jenna to sleep at night. I am desperate for it.

We are back in a cycle of night waking, crying, wanting to go downstairs, then walk over there….then over THERE… all the while pointing and crying relentlessly if I don’t comply. There is really NOTHING over THERE. She just doesn’t want to be HERE, wherever we are at the time.

I feel very close to that kind of tired that comes with having a newborn. The kind of tired that has you noticing the sunny day around you, yet not feeling the brightness penetrating the gray haze you are trapped in. The kind of tired that might contribute to falling asleep at the wheel and driving into a light pole on the way home from work. Ahem. Anyway….

It’s really…. Annoying.

I asked my husband the other day, “Can you imagine how much better life would be if we actually slept a night through? All the way through??”

I might have seen a tear in his eye…. and I think it was probably just too painful for him to contemplate. So he didn’t.

It’s not always this bad. Jenna has cycles of horrible sleep, followed by cycles of ok sleep. But no cycles of great sleep. Not yet.

I have been told we are at fault because we all share a room. Also, because I have held her too much. Also, that she is manipulative….VERY manipulative. The upside of this would be that she is also very intelligent.

I am going to say that I doubt all children who share rooms are bad sleepers. I also doubt I have spoiled her into this behavior. I also don’t believe she is manipulating me. She is not evil. Well, I am saying this now, but in a few hours I will absolutely agree that she is the most evil child in the world because I will be exhausted and she will be tossing and turning, wanting a drink of water, wanting to go potty, wanting to go downstairs, wanting to watch Paw Patrol on my computer, and then ONLY sleeping when she is lying directly on top of me, clinging like an octopus.

I have Googled the hell out of this phenomenon.

Learning about things like sleep regression, and “wonder leaps”… all good excuses for your kid to sleep like crap. Can’t blame it on teething anymore…she’s done.

I suppose it helps to know there are other parents with similar issues. I love the advice: Cry it out. DON’T cry it out! Hold them. Don’t hold them! Lock them in their own padded room. Let them sleep in your bed. Melatonin. Sleep therapy. Lobotomy. (just kidding, I made up that last one. Pretty sure no ones tried that yet)

lobotomy free!!

I am telling myself it will be so much better by age 3. Sammy was up a lot too until then. One more year.

(determined look on face, followed by huge yawn).

Love Day

Posted on February 11, 2015 by momsranting

Valentine’s day is coming up. The day to express our depth of sentiment with chocolate hearts, roses, pretty pink fluffy things.

I asked at Sammy’s school if he could pass out his valentine’s tomorrow, and was told the school doesn’t celebrate holidays, so the teacher had to ask first.

I thought about it all during the day yesterday, what if they say he can’t?? I already promised we would get valentine’s for his friends, we debated on writing just his name on the back vs writing the name of the friend and then also his name. What kind of candy or treat will we choose? Both of us giddy to have something fun to prepare for sharing with the class.

I remember Valentine’s day in school. We prepared an old shoe box with colored paper, heart cut outs, glitter and tape, turning it into a container to hold our cards. We all got up and passed out our cards and candy to our friends, then walked home eating goodies from school.

I remember the drama when one well intentioned boy wrote “I love you” on all of his cards, probably under direction of his mother…..and the class erupted in giggles and shrieks. Some of us were secretly pleased to have a real admirer, before we realized everyone got the same message.

No more valentine’s in school?

I felt bad for Sammy, and wondered how I’m going to break it to him?? I want him to have that experience, that bit of fun and feeling special. Already planning on what we can do instead of class valentine’s if he really isn’t allowed. And why are we seriously not allowed to celebrate anything anymore??

I hate that some people get offended about everything, causing schools to stop celebrating at all.

Chill out people. Go have some Dove chocolate.

All for naught…. I was later emailed that he is allowed to bring valentines.

I will save up my pre-formulated arguments for another time. Instead, we are headed to the drugstore after school today, to debate the finer points of sponge bob over teenage mutant ninja turtles and their respective messages of love.

Money to burn

Posted on February 9, 2015 by momsranting

I feel obligated to buy things when I am invited to parties. You know those parties, the ones for Tupperware, or candles, or make up, or anything. I’m a sucker.

At least in the past I could come up with an excuse to avoid going, and therefore avoid spending money on something I would probably never use.

Nowadays, thanks to more savvy marketing, you can host a party without having to talk to or see anyone… there are tons of online parties, catalog parties, and now when I’m handed the catalog and order form…. I feel I must write my name down on that line, and pledge some amount of money to avoid being sneered at, and possibly hated by the hostess. I don’t want to be the one responsible for screwing up her chances of getting FREE merchandise!!!

I recently got invited to a party for nail wraps. Jamberry nails.

This was a tough one for me. I don’t HAVE nails. I don’t paint my nails. I don’t get manicures. I would say my hands are not “pretty”, they are definitely working hands. And I wouldn’t want to call attention to them with any flashy nail adornments anyway.

But I took the catalog.

Of course, if you buy 3 sets, you get one free.

So I geared myself up for finding a use for 4 sets of these nail wraps.

Duh. I have daughters. What better cause for wasting money??

So I got a couple sets for each of them. It was pretty cool they come in adult and child sizes…. even for my 2 year old.

Putting them on is a little involved. You have to prep the nails with rubbing alcohol and a cuticle pusher. pick the right size wrap, then peel it off and blow dry it on warm for a few seconds so it gets nice and soft. press hard. cut off the excess. File down any extra. blow dry again to bond it. press it some more. Each nail.

jamsistahs.com

I got pretty decent after I finished putting on the second set. Surprisingly the 2 year old sat still and just watched, fascinated.

You know what?

They looked ADORABLE. And it’s been days, and they are STILL on. That never happens with polish.

Now I want more.

Of course the teen likes them

As if she could get any cuter.

I like these things, already thinking of how I can coordinate Jenna’s summer outfits with her Jamberry’s. And they don’t hurt the nail when removed.

Yes. I’ve found another way to ~~waste~~ ~~spend~~ invest money. I can say invest because I am investing in the cuteness of my girls, I am helping the economy, I am promoting small business. All good things. And seriously…can you imagine what Jenna’s toenails are going to look like this summer 🙂

momsranting

My place to talk about my family, my life, and maybe some other stuff too

Author Archives: momsranting