I'm still here--sorta

I felt I should just post and say hi.
I won't be blogging for a bit as life has gotten a little too busy for much computer time. I'm fine and I'll be back when I can.

Hundred Dollar Holiday

This is something I'm mulling over in my brain. What if we stopped spending money on making Christmas a commercial event? What if my kids stopped establishing toy hordes every holiday? What if I could just relax and enjoy Christmas with the people I love most?
We would still travel. I love seeing family for Christmas and I believe that is what Christmas is all about. But I think I'd like to spend more time serving others in memory of the service that The Christ gave during his ministry.
I don't want to stop spending altogether. I just don't want to spend all my money on stuff that I don't know if people will really like or not. If I buy food for a nice meal to serve, toiletries for a woman's shelter, warm clothes for needy kids, the money is still going into the economy. Just in a different way. Could I teach my children by example that love is giving of oneself and not of the latest toy/gadget fad?
Really, I think we do a very good job already. There is always room for improvement. I guess I am just putting this out there so when I decide to really do this, our entire family doesn't get shocked around November LOL. We generally get the kids a pass to the zoo for a present. I like to make things for family members. I am committed to buying more locally made items for gifts this coming year.
I like the idea of giving my children (and my spouse!) a "date day" for a gift. They each get one full day of just me. I'm considering that. I like it for birthdays too. I recently read the book, Hundred Dollar Holidays: The Case For a More Joyful Christmas by Bill McKibben. Here is a site that is dedicated to the idea. Food for thought.

Kids are brilliant!

I've been looking for this study for awhile. My friend Shallay just gave me the push I needed to look for it in earnest.
I don't agree with the way they came by the children for the study, but the results should be required reading for every parent--and doctor!
Here it is.

G's Prayer

Dad: How do we start?
G: I dunno
Dad: Who are we talking to?
G: Heav'y Fadder
Dad: What are you thankful for?
G: Toys
Dad: What else?
G: Hot dogs
Dad: What else?
G: Toys
Dad: Are there any blessings you would like to ask for?
G: Toys, hot dogs
Dad: Anything else?
G: Toys
Dad: Are there any blessings you want to ask for someone else?
G: Toys and hotdogs
Dad: Anything else?
G: NameJeeChystMen!

I'm just glad I was holding E and could hide my laughing in his huge 'fro!

Food again

I am moving my recipe life to another blog. I have set it to accept crawling by search engines--unlike this one. You can go look at it iffn' ya want. It's called Cookin' Somethin' Outta Nuthin'. It is still very much a work in progress. Suggestions are welcome!

If you have mastered the art...

Of getting your children to do chores, PLEASE enlighten me! M is driving me nuts. Short trip, I know and it really has been a long journey, but the chores! Eeek.
I'm trying to get him to do more around the house. Partly because I really need the help during the day, but also just so he learns to do some basic chores. He will unload the dishwasher with a bit of complaining--it's getting better (I think?). He still sometimes proclaims it the "worst chore ever" until I say, with relief, that I would be happy to unload the dw, if he will load it. He then grumbles his way through.

Yesterday, well and Friday, he was supposed to pull weeds. Really a fairly mindless job since everything that is green in the garden so far is a weed. If it's green, pull it. I explained it, gave him gloves and a weed pully thingy and sent him to work. It was too hard. It was too hot. It was the worst chore ever. He whined, he screamed, he came in crying hysterically. I avoided smacking him. Or wringing his neck. I finally passed the babe to Dad, put on my sandals and went and pulled with him. He maybe pulled 5 weeds. He is too old for me grab his hand and make him do it. He was told he could not play with the neighbors till the chore was done. He never got to play with them. He had been asking for donuts. He got none because I gave up my prep time to pull his weeds. I explained all this to him. He just says he is the stupidest kid. AAAaaargh!
This is the same kid who wants a farm. I asked him how he would live on a farm if he can't even pull a weed. He said he would love to work on a farm. Yeah. Riiiight. Then again, he does want goats, which would pretty much take care of the weed issue.
So anyway..
Comment away and share your brilliance with this poor mother.

Weird

My baby has a cold. He is feeling a bit better. But he is losing his voice! I'm sorry, but it is the funniest thing ever. He thinks so too. Every once in awhile he'll hear his own voice and talk more just to hear it.
And he is getting much better at the crawling. Getting FAST!
And I'm losing my marbles. I must be. It's the only explanation for a woman who is planning to make 5 outfits (yes, outfits--as in skirt/shirt/jacket and pants/tee/shirt/maybe a jacket) for kids and have them done by May 25th-ish. With just a crummy Singer to sew on. And they're Ottobre. Which means I am spending today and tomorrow just tracing the patterns. Psycho.
And do you think it is pushing the awesomeness of dh a bit far if I am in the exact state of just-dragged-my-rear-outta-bedness as when he left this am? I hope not. I still need to make dinner.