Girlymama

This morning we woke up to find Ellie’s beloved blanket… in the toilet. Ellie is mum on how it got there exactly, but I’m determined to figure it out. Because, how in the heck? We know she had it around 3 am, because that was when she woke us up because she couldn’t find it. (Husband found it on the floor next to her bed, which she had to have stepped over to go wake us up.)

That is not a good way to start.

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Does anyone know why milk is so sticky? Not that we had to clean any spilt milk up today or anything.
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And a special shout-out and thanks to the well-intentioned lady in the store today who gave my 3-year-old a humongous purple Blow-pop, which she then slobbered all over her Halloween costume, which cannot be easily washed, which is now hanging up in the laundry room, which better be dry by the time we go trick-or-treating tonight or she may find her cute little store wrapped in toilet paper tomorrow morning.
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And its only 11 am. Sigh.

I thought this was so funny.

My very, very favorites are Almond Joys, which makes me “happy-go-lucky.”
Although I harbor a deep and abiding love for Reese’s Cups, which means I have a “Generous soul.”

You can leave comments about how apt these descriptions are now. It will comfort me, since due to this apparently mean baby I am carrying, chocolate still makes me sick. Mean baby.

For Grace’s friend was so fun. Grace had a great time. The birthday girls parents were super nice, as were the other people at the party. I was very intimidated as I pulled up to this amazing house in a neighborhood I’ve always admired from afar. It was like walking into a Pottery Barn catalog. (which is a very high compliment) Holy cow. Everyone was very, very nice, although I was unable to contribute very much to the conversations about beach houses and nannies. Anyway, enough coveting.
There were 20 (20!) kids there and they had fun making jewelry boxes/treasure chests and playing pin the princess on the castle. The pinata was a hit – Grace is a sneaky little scavenger, who managed to get more candy than children twice as big as her. Then she got a lollipop stuck in her hair. Then she really enjoyed the make your own sundae bar. Then she enjoyed a huge slice of cake.
Then we came home where she ran around in the coffee table with her balloon singing “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” at the top of her lungs for 20 minutes straight. Then I convinced her to sit with me and watch a video where she immediately fell fast asleep. Talk about textbook sugar high.
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P.S.
If my kids ask me one more stinking time when they are going trick-or-treating my head may explode.

Due to a serious brain-drain, here’s some other places to go to read something interesting. Since you probably won’t find anything here.

This post about the challenges of spiritual parenting by BooMama.

Lots of Scotts asked for tips to create a calm, relaxing environment for husbands to come home to. (She has 3-year-old triplets, so you can see the challenge.) Lots of people gave great suggestions!!

And Stie’s post made me laugh outloud, and if any of you actually know me and my Husband, you will see why.

This sounds perfect for such a cold, rainy fall day!
Chicken Chili

4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)
1/8 cup good olive oil, plus extra for chicken
1/8 cup minced garlic (2 cloves)
2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and large-diced
2 yellow bell peppers, cored, seeded, and large-diced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for chicken
2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree, undrained
1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves
4 split chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
Freshly ground black pepperFor serving:
Chopped onions, corn chips, grated cheddar, sour cream

Cook the onions in the oil over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Crush the tomatoes by hand or in batches in a food processor fitted with a steel blade (pulse 6 to 8 times). Add to the pot with the basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken for 35 to 40 minutes, until just cooked. Let cool slightly. Separate the meat from the bones and skin and cut it into 3/4-inch chunks. Add to the chili and simmer, uncovered, for another 20 minutes. Serve with the toppings, or refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.

Recipe origin: Barefoot Contessa Parties!

I’m having great hair angst. (Again, tackling the big issues here at fun. crazy. life.)

I haven’t had my hair cut since last September. As in 2006. (Insert sound of my friend Hannahumma fainting here.)  When we decided we were going to India and I realized that I would have a much greater chance of looking okay in the 3 zillion pictures my husband will undoubtedly take if I grew my hair long, seeing as I will not have my hairdryer. Or my flat iron. (sob!) Or even be showering all that often. The plan is to do the ponytail for the entire trip. Stylin’. They’ll be me.
But I’m totally, completely, utterly sick of my boring hair. I think I’d like to get it cut shorter again. Or should I keep it long and do highlights? I’ve always wanted highlights. But will they kill my hair? Ugh. I’m just stuck in a hair rut and its driving me crazy!!!!!

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Our last hurdle to our trip to India is being jumped this week – visa applications. Today the girls and I went to get more passport pictures taken, which you need to apply for a visa. But this time, the girls smiled nicely and took great pictures (unlike their actual passport pictures). Why? Bribery. Donut bribery.

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Remember the party Grace got invited to? With the professional invites? Its tomorrow and I just looked up where this girl’s house is. DANG. I’m very excited to step inside a house in this gorgeous neighborhood that I drool over every day as I drive past taking the girls to school. (Called “Wisteria Lane” — no joke!!!) Grace is really excited, though. Now I just have to pick out our outfits…..

How do you get your kids to tell you what they did at school?

I’m paying good money on preschool, darn it, that I would much rather be spending on something fun like shoes, so you’d better tell me what you did.

Car ride home:
Me: What was your favorite thing you did I school today Grace?
G: Ate cupcakes.
Me: You had cupcakes? Whose birthday was it?
G: I donno.
Me: Well, did you sing ‘Happy Birthday to you?'”
G: No.
Me: What kind of cupcake was it?
G: Good.

Me: Ellie what was your favorite thing you did in school?
Ellie: I didn’t do anything fun.
Me: Did you learn anything new?
Ellie: No.
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And another quote to end the day:
Grace: waking me up from my wonderful nap Mama, Why are you sleeping?
Me: Because the baby makes mommy really tired.
Grace: Yeah. The baby makes me tired too.
Me: Why does the baby make you tired?
Grace: Babies are a lot of work, Mama! looking at me like this the most obvious thing in the world
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Grace: May I be excused now?
Husband: I told you to eat more dinner.
Grace: I did!
Husband: What did you eat?
Grace: My ketchup!

I love Thursdays. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are so full and crazy. But Thursday… my only morning when I have both girls in school and nothing on my schedule. I can be in my home alone. This is something you can not possibly fully appreciate until you have small children. It is a rarity, a treasure to be enjoyed.

I have made a pact with myself that I am not allowed to clean Thursday mornings. No matter how dirty the house is. I will not waste this precious time. Granted, I’m usually found running various errands (alone!) or working at my sewing machine. But its still  wonderfully relaxing. No interruptions, no one to take care of…

I won’t have this come April, since I’ll have a new baby. I’ll be back to having children around. All. The. Time. But for now, I can enjoy these 3 wonderful hours without the slightest twinge of guilt.

Heaven.

“Look, Mom! Its an egg nut!”

“A what?”

“Look!!” (points to an acorn)