Simple Inspirations

That is what I sounded like this morning trying to get the kids ready for school.  After nearly a week of after 3 am study sessions and early mornings, combined with sick kids and Asher late nigh snuggles..I am happy to be even nearly coherent and still verticle. 

Although I did fall asleep on the table after supper yesterday for 10 minutes.  My hand fell in Ashers spaghetti.  Yum. 

I found it hard to focus about 3 last night, er morning, on names in Italian that painted pictures that had every letter of the alphabet in their names.  Then I was struggling to remember what that had to do with teaching 13 year olds geography and english??? Then I was struffling to find the "e" on the keyboard..it had appeared to move.  Then I typed a sentence that was not even in my textbook when I was feeling WIDE AWAKE and realized that although I was "awake" for all intensive purposes my brain had taken a LOA and would not be back until it received better working conditions and health benefits. 

I let it know not to get its hopes up any time soon. 

It refused to remind my legs how to get out of the chair.

I promised a compromise..I had to use the little girls room something fierce.

I love Baby Einstein tours, they are Asher’s all time favorite movies.  Ones he not only watches - but learns from.  This latest video is his all time favorite, its got all the things he loves - puppets, music, animals, words he can repeat.  It is adorable watching him repeat not only the songs but the individual words on the video. It also rocks because he lets me study more when they are on.  I put them in the little DVD player and he watches them at lunch, between ransack runs, while getting his diaper changed, even on the potty.

This video is called the World Animal Adventure. It’s chalked full of exotic animals - Asian panda’s, snow monkeys, giraffe’s, elephants, gorilla’s.  There are two ways to watch this movie, one is the traditional video, the other is "grow with me" and has more words for learning babies.  This is the one Asher likes the most.  The extra words really draw him in.  You can also select a small segment, perfect for those times you need only 5 to 10 minutes to fold some laundry or make some lunch, there are some great puppet shows in this section.  There is a World Animal Song and one of my other favorite things is the Spanish and French Language tracks.  Like you would expect the video is bright, colorful, informative, fun, and educational.  It got two thumbs up from my 3 year old and my 18 month old. 

Make sure to check the website for more great Baby Einstein products, they are seriosuly among the greatest toys you can buy your children. 

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Baby Einstein and received a World Animal Adventure DVD to facilitate my candid review.”

but now the kids are sick.  One vomitting, one coughing and wheezing, one on the toilet continually…and Asher.  Its a busy day, but hey I’m not lonely.  LOL!  Chey escaped to school this morning though.

It was a busy but great weekend.  Chey had Gabby, Sophie, and Bethany over Friday night after youth. I am sure they were up ALL night.  I studied until 3 ish and they were still awake and playing DS. Saturday Zoe and Freedom were up bright and early and went with Wendell and the rest of the family to watch Kyra’s semi final soccer game.  They lost, but this is the farthest their team has ever made it.  So that was exciting.  Then in the afternoon Freedom went skating with Kyra and the university girls hockey team.  Sunday morning I volunteered in the kitchen at Church, Pastor Leon gave an AWESOME message and then I bought (Well technically Wendell bought) tickets to see Darlene Zschech in November.  That is exciting.  She is bringing her whole band.  I can’t wait.  We hae had some of THE BEST speakers etc. from Hillsongs church this year..Donna Crouch who is AMAZING, Brian Houston at the conference in Oct, Darlene Zschech in November.  Seriously, wow. 

I also managed to turn 29.  With mixed feelings.  I DO not feel 29, in fact I never have felt like I made it past 22.  I just expanded horizontally.  The 16th of September came and went and I was not sure I wanted to celebrate.  But I did.  My amazing friend Nettie surprised me with a yummy dinner and a cake.  Her family is so amazing, we are lucky to know them.  It is funny that I manage to make good friends with the only Mom at school YOUNGER than me.  I was left contemplating 30 next year.  30.  Old.  I realize it is just a number, but I have always had an unnatural fear of getting old.  I am not scared of dying I know where I am going (Thank God), not afraid of being sick or crippled (I know I am healed and protected Thank God)…its just the idea of being old.  Old is uncool, out of touch, no fun, isolated, out of their prime, just…yuck.  Now, I know a lot of really cool people over 30 (my husband, my in laws, my mom).  They all rock.  Yet, here I sit contemplatig ways to avoid turning 30.  I have issues. 

For 30 I have managed to accomplish more than most..married 10 years, 5 kids, a univerisity degree, I never drink, smoke, do drugs, I am part of a great church, a great relationship with my Mom, my in laws, my kids, my kids friends, , I have a realtionship with my God and my Savior, I am involved at the kids school, at church, we own a house and a great yard, two vehicles, I am healthy and so is all of my family..I mean I have it made.  Its not that I made it to neary 30 without acheiving anything and leaving a legacy of regret.  SO what is my problem???

Wireless connection.  All is GOOD in the world.

This week I got to sample of the two new Atkins products – Atkins Penne Pasta and Atkins All Purpose Baking Mix.  I have to tell you, I am usually weary of anything that promises to be "good for me"  even if it froma company as reputable as Atkins. But…I was pleasantly surprised. 

The Penne..its great.  Great texture, great taste.  I took about a cup of prepared noodles and threw them in a skillet with some olive oil, some onions, some green peppers, a TON of mushrooms, some thyme, basil, garlic, and pepper.  Threw in about 2 TBSP of the pasta water and sauteed it for about 15 minutes and it was YUMMY!!! (check the site for about 200 other recipes if you prefer..here)

The Baking Mix intimidated me, I enjoy comfort baking.  You know, things that are yummy and smell comfortable and nostalgic.  So I hunted the Atkins site for some recipes and I was blown away.  I was prepared to make waffles because that was pictured on the mix bag but the site had a TON of recipes for cookies, cakes, muffins, …..everything you could imagine.  I ended up making blueberry muffins (2 cups of mix, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 2 eggs, 3 tsp of baking powder, 1/2 cup soya milk, 5 TBSP of sugar, bag of frozen blueberries, probably 3/4 cup).  The kids gobbled them up.  I never mentioned that they were AhhK!!!!  good for them and chalked full of vitamins and protein.

Don’t forget to check out the contest HERE.  Enter Your Favorite Atkins Cuisine Recipe for an Opportunity to Win Fantastic Prizes, there is a limit of one entry per person per product (you can submit one recipe for Atkins Cuisine Penne Pasta and one for Atkins Cuisine All Purpose Baking Mix).

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Atkins and received samples to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

of Chey.  Friday night she made the church band.  YEEHAW.  She rocks.

Literaly.

Mom: Can you please eat your apples Abby, Mommy wants to finish the dishes.

Abby:  Nope.  I can’t.

Mom:  Abby, why can’t you eat your apples?

Abby:  Cause I’m gonna die. 

Okkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy.

You all know I love the circus, …amazing Asian elephants, fascinating tigers, popcorn, ringmasters…..truly magic. The words "ladies and gentlemen" make blood boil …If you are interested in this AMAZING experience read on…

Check out the site ringling.com for specific dates and shows near you or to check out thier amazing animal line up…Barnum and Bailey does it like no one can.

As with Disney on Ice, Mom Central is excited to extend the following special family offers when purchasing tickets for select Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey shows this fall and winter. Look for the box marked "MC Promotion" when purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster.com:

**Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code MOM in the MC Promotion Box on Ticketmaster.com. Offer good on all weekday performances, which includes all weekday evening and Friday matinee performances; minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.
 **Offer #2: All weekend performance tickets will be $4 off the original price.
**Offer #3: Get the best Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP seats available – We have reserved seats in these sections just for you! Enter the code MOM. No discounts available on these sections.

* Not valid on Circus CelebritySM, Front Row or VIP seats and may not be combined with other offers including special Opening Night pricing.  Other fees may apply.

Looking for something fun to knock your kids socks off?? Try Disney on Ice.  One of Zoe’s best memories  is of Disney on Ice..the lights, the music, the crowd, the treats. There is something so special about watching their faces as their favorite characters come to life before thier eyes….

Check out these dates to see if there is a show near you:

Anaheim/LA/Ontario
Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy
December 16-January 3

Atlanta
Disney On Ice presents Celebrations!
October 14- October 18

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
December 26- December 30

Charlotte
Disney On Ice presents Celebrations!
Sept 8-Sept 13

Chicago/Rosemont
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
Sept 8-Sept 13

Cincinnati/Dayton
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
September 17-September 27

Disney On Ice presents Celebrations!
January 8-January 18

Detroit/Auburn Hills
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic

Newark/East Rutherford/Uniondale/New York City
Disney On Ice presents Celebrations!
November 10-November 29

Philadelphia
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
October 14-October 18

Sacramento
Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics
October 28-November1

San Jose/Oakland
Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics
October 14-October 25

Sunrise/Miami
Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics
September 17-September 27

St. Louis/St. Charles
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
September 3-September 6

St. Paul/Minneapolis
Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics
December 10-December 13

Toronto
Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics
December 18-December 27

Washington D.C./ Fairfax, VA/ Baltimore, MD
Dinsney On Ice presents Celebrations!
October 2009

I so want to share this with you too….this is a great deal…**Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code MOM in the MC Promotion Box on Ticketmaster.com. Offer good on all weekday performances, which includes all weekday evening and Friday matinee performances; minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.
 **Offer #2: All weekend performance tickets will be $4 off the original price.

Don’t forget to check out http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/.  Not only does ithave the cutest theme music going on but there are live clips of the show that will enthrall the kids and give them something to envision, but you can also check show times using your zip code, there are also games activities etc for the kids to play.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Feld Entertainment. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

last year Cheyenne and her friends soent the evening watching Hannah Montana DVD’s and painting their nails…..

This year at her camp out the evening was spent (with me yay I am a cool Mom, and Dad who is a cool Dad) looking for pictures of Taylor Lautner without a shirt and listening to One Time by Justin something or other.  When did they grow up??? Was it unreasonable to hope they would like cookies and milk and carebears until marriage???  I was very parental sounding….pointing out the nafarious scheme painted by the 15 year old who promises you his money, his life, his undivided attention all while riding a skateboard, living at his Mom’s, and checking out his "girlfriends" best friend.  Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. Lots to spread around buddy.