82 degrees!!! In March!!! In Iowa!!! Woo-Hoo!!! Yipee!!! The whole family enjoyed the fantastic weather. Well, maybe not Dad and Bailey, who were busy raking and picking up sticks....but the little one had a ball, and so did Mom (who also took her turn raking and picking up sticks, thank you very much).

Lauren doesn't have a lot of clothes appropriate for this weather yet - so her "outfit" is sort of a hodge-podge. She didn't care though - this kid is DEFINITELY an outdoor-type. First, she spent a good 30 minutes on her swing. We really need to get her a real swingset...I don't think the baby swing is going to cut it this year. Then she found the landscaping rocks - and she had a BALL! Picking up rocks, piling them somewhere else, getting mud on her hands and then bringing them to me as if to say, "Do something about this ucky, woman." She did NOT like it when we came inside to clean up.

I can tell already this is going to be an every-night-bath-needed-spring and summer.

Here are a few snapshots from this afternoon. Sorry I didn't get any of the yard workers. Bailey might make me take a shot of her blister though. ha.

My husband and I purchased $50 worth of gift certificates from Hessen Haus for $25 (101 4th Ave., Des Moines) at http://whotv.realdeals-tv.com/

Tonight we decided to have a date-night and cash in on Des Moines’ German cuisine. What we were surprised to find was an experience we might want to share with the kids in-tow. Granted, the Hessen Haus IS a “bar,” it was also much, MUCH more than that. In fact, as we entered the front door, we saw at least two families dining with young children. I immediately noticed that high chairs were available.

We headed clear to the back of the restaurant to the non-smoking section. This section is not really separated from the other section, so if there ARE smokers around, you would be exposed. However, we were early diners arriving around 5:30 p.m. (seems the families with kids had the same idea) and the restaurant was not smoky at all. In fact it wasn’t until around 6:45-7-ish that it started to feel more like night life. I feel confident that for lunch or an early dinner families would be in the clear.

Other things I noticed that made me consider this venue for a family outing?

* It is literally a hop, skip and a jump from the new, AMAZING Science Center, making it a handy stop after a family day of fun at SCI.

* The parking ramp for the Science Center is right there, too, providing for hassle-free parking for the family minivan.

* Children’s menus full of kid-friendly American food, including Hamburger/Cheeseburger, Grilled Cheese, Corn Dog Bites and Chicken Tenders. Leave the ‘kraut to the grown-ups, this place has grilled cheese, milk and the like for the kids.

* Beverages for kids include Coke products, Iced Tea, Lemonade and good ole MILK! Did I mention the plastic cups with lids????

* The children’s menus were paper (good for pre-dinner drawing/coloring), and offered German-themed activities, like the Black Forest maze. Cute.

* Prices are VERY reasonable. The most expensive thing on the kid’s menu is $4.20. Everything else is $3.95.

* A very unique and cultural experience for the whole family.

Where they fell short:

* No changing table in the restroom. I’ll cut them some slack though, since it IS also a “bar.” But fyi – owners? There is totally room for a fold-down changing table in there. Install one! And don’t forget the Men’s room, either. That would be absolutely wunderbar!

* A REAL non-smoking section would be nice.

Husband trying to quit smoking + Hormones-kickin' in Preg-o Wife = T.E.N.S.I.O.N.!!!!

1. My pants won't even come close to buttoning, but maternity pants look stupid.
2. You can't wear sweatpants if you want to take your husband out for a nice b-day dinner.
3. Breastfeeding two babies has left me with a situation - and I can't believe people actually use bandaids to remedy it -- do they really do that? or was that a 70's solution?
4. The restaurant we are going to has things on the menu like "in raisin sauce" "served with pickled cabbage" or "sauerkraut". HURL!

Well, the traveling was totally worth the hassle. We had a WONDERFUL time visiting family. The girls spent quality time with my grandparents, my aunt & uncle, and my Dad. It really warms my heart to see my children experience many of the same happy memories that I was so blessed to experience. I watched them play with toys that generations have dug through and enjoyed. I witnessed my Grandpa read to my daughter in the same loving manner he used to read to me. I am SO happy that my girls get to experience this kind of love, and so overwhelmed with emotion that I get to feel it all over again, too. Here are some photo highlights from the trip:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/7476540@N04/5e738x

I don't like traveling. I like my destinations, but I hate the PROCESS of traveling. It is bad enough when you travel alone, but throw an 18-month old and a pre-teen into the mix and you have a recipe for the opposite of fun.

First, there is the packing - BLUK! And since we aren't just visiting ONE house overnight - I've packed separate bags to hopefully make the in and out process easier (we'll see). And it is March in the Midwest, which means we have to pack for weather conditions in the 70's OR the 20's. Layering, I guess.

And then there are all the baby goods....the pack 'n play, a booster chair, diapers, wipes, sippy cups, bibs, toys, etc. And then my pre-teen will want to pack 6 books instead of one, 12 outfits instead of 4....ugh...I have a migraine already.

Did I mention the laundry? Of course I wasn't caught up with laundry, so I've been doing load after load since yesterday just so we can pack. And then there is the laundry we'll have when we return.

My husband is staying behind for this trip, he has to work next week. But since the kids have Spring Break, and once softball season starts we won't be able to go anywhere - I thought we should take advantage of this time and visit family.

Ok - back to packing - AAGH.

Mark, while watching American Idol results show tonight...

* "Oh, just SIT DOWN, Paula."
* "Diana's a little 'pitchy' tonight."
* "Sanjaya is prettier than Haley."
* "WHAT?!@# You have GOT to be kidding me!" (when Sanjaya was NOT sent home...AGAIN!)

Bailey, while watching American Idol tonight...

* "Chris is SOO the best."
* "What the heck?" (When Sanjaya was NOT sent home..AGAIN!)

It's a........BABY!!! Baby #3 is on the way! After more secret-keeping than I can handle (over 2 months worth) - we finally had our Dr. appointment today and learned that we are approx. 11 weeks along and in the Dr.'s words..."everything looks perfect." YEAH! We are all thrilled and can't wait to meet this little one. He or she is estimated to be due 10/4/07. Stay tuned for more news on this little peanut. And for those of you that think this image looks like nothing? There is a dotted line running the entire length of the baby's body. It's head is facing down and to the left. Nothing more exciting than seeing your baby's flicker of a heartbeat on that ultrasound screen. It is truly moving and SHWEW! What a relief! We gladly accept your continued prayers though for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Usually I agree with Simon - but just for the record, here are my top picks based on tonight's performances:

And my prediction of who is going home (or should have gone home weeks ago):

What I learned today....

NOT a good idea to put a Toddler down for a nap in just a diaper. WAY too removable.

Mark put this shelving unit together for me yesterday. I spent two hours organizing and loading it to its max today. I need more shelves! That area to the left of the shelves - that's all Christmas!! If it didn't involve moving all of that stuff again, I'd consider painting the laundry area of the basement....but then again - no.

The white countertop thingy that used to be next to the washing machine I moved into the "someday scrapbook room." I am hoping to use this as a workspace once I find a nice stool with a chair back or bar-height stool with a back - whatever they are called. I'd like to find one at a garage sale because I don't want to pay $70 or more for it. The lavendar/blue dresser on the right is an old dresser of Bailey's that I picked up at a garage sale for $40 and painted. It now holds craft supplies, material, gifts and other crafty stuff. The black thingy in the front is a cabinet that holds our internet stuff. I can't really move that because of the lack-of-outlets situation in the basement (grr.)

Anyway - this is what the future scrapbooking workspace looks like:

And finally, here is a picture of the current "cabinets" that I am going to tear out and put up a work table against that wall. That way I'll have two work stations. Here's dreaming anyway.

I'm the first to admit I've become a little fashion clueless over the years. I'm ashamed of this. Anyway - I bought these flats last week - and I love them - but my jeans are too long for wearing flats...so is it still in-style to roll your jeans? Not the 80's roll...but the big cuff? Please tell me this is still ok. And if not - what is the alternative besides skinny jeans?

Check it OUT!!! http://www.neave.com/strobe/

SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!!!! Last night we set the clocks ahead - yeah - more daylight!!! And today I think we hit 65 degrees...or close to it anyway! It was beautiful outside. But there is a downside to this mood-lifter.

Every Spring I get the itch to redo everything. Rearrange furniture, repaint rooms, change my purse to a "spring purse," change the bedding to "spring bedding," basically just give myself, the house and everything in it a facelift. Financially, this can't happen...but I can pick and choose a few things to change. And the things I can't? Well they are going on my garage sale must-find list (like a high-backed bar chair for my someday I swear it'll be a scrapbook room).

I bought a new purse today at Target. ($18.99) It has me in a very springy mood.

And here is the Duvet I want from Wal-Mart. I think it is a pretty good deal, considering it comes with 2 shams AND it is machine-washable...AND any color should go with it. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5291716

The other thing I am consistent about each year when the weather turns warm is this. I wish we didn't have a dog. We were lazy in the bitter cold and just let her out in the back yard to do her business. Well, now that the snow is melting - I swear there are more "piles" than there is grass....and I HATE that. Lauren is old enough this year to play in the yard - so it HAS to be picked up thoroughly. So I have laid down the law that from now on, when Sadie needs to go out...she gets a leash on her and we WALK HER....on the sidewalk...and pick up her stuff out there...so NO MORE IN THE YARD!!!

I found another recipe on www.pillsbury.com that I want to try this week. I'm incorporating it into my meal planning this week for "breakfast night." I also noticed that you can take the recipe and print off a shopping list right from the Web site. Sweet! And if you make up some of this to quickly heat in the morning on your way to work - think how much money you'll save! I hope this one is as good as the other Pillsbury recipe I tried recently (see Super Easy Chicken Pot Pie in a previous post - yum!)
Easy Breakfast Pizza
Prep Time: 30 min
Makes: 8 servings Nutrition Information

1 (13.8-oz.) can Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pizza Crust
8 eggs
1/4 cup half-and-half or milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 (8-oz.) container chive, vegetable or regular cream cheese
8 slices bacon, crisply cooked
Green onions, if desired

1 . Heat oven to 425°F. Grease 12-inch pizza pan. Unroll dough; place in greased pan. Starting at center, press out dough with hands to edge of pan. Bake at 425°F. for 6 to 7 minutes or until crust begins to brown.
2 . Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine eggs, half-and-half, salt and pepper; beat well. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook and stir until thoroughly cooked but still moist. Remove from heat.
3 . Remove partially baked crust from oven. Spoon cooked egg mixture over crust. Drop cream cheese by teaspoonfuls over eggs. Arrange bacon in spoke fashion on top of pizza.
4 . Return to oven; bake an additional 8 to 12 minutes or until toppings are thoroughly heated and crust is deep golden brown. Garnish with green onions.

At what age do you only offer your kids what you made for the meal - no exceptions - no substitutes...this is what Mom made and if you don't want to eat it - that is your choice - but no alternatives? We started the morning off with blueberry yogurt. Lauren only ate a few bites and grew disinterested. I offered her a breakfast yogurt bar - again - a bite or two but not really interested. So, I figured she wasn't hungry.

An hour or so later I showered and fixed myself 2 pieces of toast with raspberry jelly. As soon as Lauren saw that, she started to say "Yummy!" and "Please!" So I gave her a piece. Wrong? Not sure - but the pictures are worth any mistake I may have made.

Change of plans for Saturday dinner....this looks too good and too easy to pass up:

(update - it is Sat...and here is what it looks like: Super Easy Chicken Pot Pie
**recipe from pillsbury.com
Prep Time: 15 min ; Start to Finish: 55 min
Makes: 6 servings Nutrition Information

1 box (15 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
1 can (18.6 oz) Progresso® Rich & Hearty chicken pot pie style soup
2 cups Green Giant® frozen mixed vegetables (from 1-lb bag), thawed, drained
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 . Heat oven to 425°F. Make pie crusts as directed on box for Two-Crust Pie using 9-inch glass pie pan.
2 . In medium saucepan, heat soup, thawed vegetables and flour until warm. Spoon into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute. Cut slits in several places in top crust.
3 . Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. After 15 minutes of baking, cover edge of crust with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Cut into wedges.

Feelin' a little crafty today - thought I'd share. You can print your own SUPER EASY handprint Easter chick at http://www.dltk-kids.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/image/bachick.gif

My Mom (Grandma Peggy) is a knitting maniac! Look at the latest cute outfit she whipped up for Lauren!

Confession - We spend too much money on groceries. This is mostly because I am horrible at meal-planning and we make too many meal decisions as a family at the last minute. This means we usually don't have the ingredients and so we are running to the store at the last minute. This is not only more expensive, but time-consuming!

So, in effort to tighten the pursestrings in the grocery category and to hopefully use up some pantry goods, I am going to really start planning meals...at least dinner. Baby steps.

I thought I'd post our first-week's attempt at this in case you want to join the bandwagon.

Sunday: Tacos
(Supply list: taco shells, hamburger, seasoning, lettuce, cheese, tomato, sour cream)

Monday: BBQ Pizza (See recipe in previous post)
(Supply list: BBQ chicken, pork or beef - the kind that you can buy in a tub, pizza crust (ready-made), cheese, onion)

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup (I've got book club - so Dad is on his own. I think he can handle this one)

Wednesday: Omelets, Bacon, Toast (Yes, breakfast for dinner - why not?)

Thursday: Baked Chicken and Spinach Stuffing (see http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/showrecipe.aspx?rid=41135 for the recipe...and lots of other good ideas on this Web site, too!)

Friday: At our house - Friday night is frozen pizza night. Yeah! Easy!!

Saturday: Hamburger/Rice Casserole served with corn and peaches (contact me if you want the recipe - easy and good...all you need is hamburger, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, rice...that's pretty much it!)

I hope I can stick to this!

Bbq Pork Pizza
submitted by Krista B.

Makes: 6 servings
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Slice a medium size sweet onion into thin slices.
Separate slices into rings. Heat a medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion rings and cook 3 minutes to soften slightly.
Meanwhile, heat one container (18 oz) fully cooked BBQ shredded pork in microwave as pacage directs for 2 minutes. Lay one fully cooked whole wheat pizza crust on a pizza pan. Spread with softened onions, BBQ pork and top with one cup shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sliced jalapeno peppers, if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes, or until pork is heated through and cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve.

I SWEAR to you this is an ACTUAL toy that is FOR SALE at places that sell toys!! Wrong on so many levels.

This very special Barbie doll is accompanied by her pet dog Tanner. Tanner is soft and fuzzy, and his mouth, ears, head and tail move — just like a real dog. Tanner comes with a dog bone and chew toys, and you can open his mouth to "feed" him dog biscuits. When Tanner has to go to the bathroom, Barbie doll cleans up with her special magnetic scooper and trash can.
Tanner dog has movable mouth, ears, head and tail
Comes with doggie biscuits and a pooper scooper

Dress decision for Easter:

The other dress I couldn't put back - so it is for 18-month-pictures:

Dinner During A Blizzard Warning

Thank you, Stacy for this AMAZING and EASY recipe that was perfect to warm-up with on this INSANE IOWA BLIZZARD! (I've slightly altered this recipe because I"m too lazy to get up and get the piece of paper it is written on.)

2 cans of Chicken Broth
4 Cups of Frozen Hashbrowns or Simply Potatoes (refrigerator section)
1/4 C. Minced Onion (I'd use less)
1/4 C. shaved carrots (or sliced - whatever you prefer)
dash of seasoned salt
dash of pepper
1 8 0z. pkg. cream cheese

1. Bring everything but cream cheese to a boil
2. Reduce heat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes
3. Cube cream cheese and add to soup
4. Stir frequently until cream cheese melts

Great with sourdough bread! YUM!

Last night was Bailey's band concert. Let me just say that a 6th grade band concert is not the ideal event if you are 17-months-old and it is close to your bed time. I came armed with a puppet, books, Cheerios and a sippy cup (both not allowed in the auditorium), a pen and paper, Little People...I thought of everything! Except getting a sitter of course. This is one of the challenges of having my kids so far apart in age. But - we lived through it. Bailey enjoyed having her little sister there - even if she was a little twerp..and Grandma was able to capture a brief moment of cuteness out of Lauren in the photo below. You can just see the little devil in her eyes though, can't you?

MY picks for the best-dressed at the Oscar's. A LOT of boring gowns in boring colors...but here are the stand-outs in my opinion:

And the WORST...

Freezing rain, heavy, wet snow and a stiff wind make for a power outage situation. As soon as the sleet started I began praying that the power would stay on at our house. I can't imagine no power with a toddler and an 11-yr-old! No TV, no computer, no heat, no way to cook, no lights. It was at this moment of thought that I realized I am more addicted to Dora than Lauren! Yikes!

Thankfully, our power stayed on last night, and I woke up to a BEAUTIFUL winter landscape that made me take in a deep breath, thank God for His handiwork and relish in the divine beauty of the moment. (Cue record screech sound). And then I remembered we'd have to dig out of this. Ugh. And I do mean dig - this snow is so wet and heavy, I don't think the snow blower will be able to handle it. It is back-breaking snow that is meant to be enjoyed from the other side of the window.

Grey's Anatomy tonight ! Yeah! I love this show - but was a little leary last week when they pulled an off-site ER-style episode. All I can say is - Meredith better die - because if she lives - too predictable - too cheesy. So far the show has proven better than that. I hope they don't disappoint me tonight.

Kid Safety: Fisher-Price Recall
Fisher-Price recalled its "Laugh and Learn" Learning Bunny Toys because a part can detach, posing a choking hazard to kids.
Call Fisher-Price at 866-447-5003 or visit cpsc.gov for more information.

Just in case I didn't make it perfectly clear that I am married to THE MOST WONDERFUL man on the planet....

Today is Feb. 15...the day AFTER Valentine's Day. The day AFTER my husband sent me flowers, bought me a nice gift and took me to lunch. Today is the day he surprised me on the way home from taking Bailey to school. Today is the day he brought me a Venti Peppermint Mocha and an egg McMuffin and hashbrown. Not because it was Valentine's Day...but because it was the day AFTER Valentine's Day and he still loves me.

On our wedding day he told me privately that he wanted to spend the rest of our lives making other women jealous of me. I think he's doing a great job. I don't know how I won this lottery named Mark - but I am so grateful.

My husband rocks. I, on the other hand, suck at Valentine's Day! I hope the card I gave him shows him I love him. What are other women doing for Valentine's Day? Are you getting your man a nice gift? Dinner? Chocolate? It seems like one of those holidays where it would be easier to be the man....or am I really just that unromantic?

I have an 17-month-old daughter who is OBSESSED with books. This is a great thing, don't get me wrong, but there are some books that I am just SICK TO DEATH OF READING! This is a sign that they are a top-notch pick for toddlers her age, I'd say. When they want to hear it again...and again...and again...and again...and then MORE! I've looked for recommendations on new books to try, but not had a lot of luck with these lists. I've checked out the library's recommended reading list for babies and toddlers, but only a few were actually books she enjoyed. I thought I'd share with you some of Lauren's favorites - in case you are looking for new books to read over and over until you think your Mommy skull will split. =-)

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle

Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown

You're My Little Love Bug, by Heidi R. Weimer

Each Peach, Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

That's Not My Fairy (and all other "That's Not My" Books), by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells

How is it that Valentine's Day is only 3 days away??? How is it that I have NOTHING purchased for my husband or girls for Valentine's day yet??? Not a card, not a piece of candy - nothing! And those cute homemade valentine's day cards I wanted to make because now I"m a stay-at-home Mom and I should have not only the time to be crafty, but the ability? NOT EVEN STARTED! I think I pretty much suck at the stay-at-home Mom thing. But I'm enjoying the hell out of it!

Thanks to HoneySuckle White for this good-lookin' recipe!


Mandarin Turkey Stir Fry

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: :10
Total Time: :30

Ingredients
1 package Honeysuckle White® Turkey Breast Tenderloins, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup snow peas
1 can (11 ounce) mandarin oranges, drained
2 cups instant white rice, prepared according to package directions

Instructions: In a large container, pour soy sauce over turkey; refrigerate for 5 minutes. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook turkey, stirring constantly until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Add garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add sesame oil, bell pepper and snow peas; cook for 2 minutes. Add mandarin oranges; heat through. Serve over rice.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 11.5oz/326.0g
Calories per serving: 572
Calories from fat: 52
Total fat: 6 g
Saturated fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 71 mg
Sodium: 682 mg
Carbohydrate: 90 g
Fiber Carbs: 2 g
Sugar Carbs: 13 g
Protein: 36 g

CHEESE!

Winter is a great time to tackle the dreaded task of cleaning out the closets. And while you're in there - get rid of the clothes and shoes you rarely wear. Don't throw them away though - here is a GREAT way to recyle gently-used shoes. Thank you Real Simple magazine for this tip!

Donate Your Shoes
Soles4Souls distributes gently worn footwear to the needy, including victims of natural disasters worldwide. So far, the organization, only a year and a half old, has donated almost 2 million pairs. Consult its website, www.soles4souls.org, for more information on how to donate shoes. Donations are tax deductible.

We went to Wiggles & Tunes at Keyboard West this morning. Lauren (17 months) LOVED IT! The 45-minute experience was filled with songs, actions, child-sized instruments, child-friendly props like puppets, stuffed animals and scarves that float when thrown. Although the class is typically 10 sessions, I can only vouch for the freebie we tried today. It was fabulous fun.

I picked up a brochure on the way out, which says that their typical 10-session class costs a whopping $120! Although it was a great time for Moms and babies, and though it may be comparable in cost to similar programs offered in the area, I’m just not sure it warrants such a steep fee. If you want your child exposed to music, dance, rhythm and song in a playful environment with other children, you’ll very much enjoy this program. I think this budget-conscious Mom will be breaking out the songs and nursery rhymes at home or going to the library for music programming instead though.

It is Day FIVE trapped in the house because it is so !@#$ cold outside! I can't take it anymore - and I need to get OUT! The library? Target? ANYTHING! But how do you justify that when it is -20 with the wind chill - would be a not-very-good-Mom thing to do I think. So I have one thing to say...

You BETTER be right, Phil!

Phil Says Spring is Right Around the Corner!
Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/07 at 7:28 a.m. at Gobbler's Knob:
El Nino has caused high winds, heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the west.Here in the East with much mild winter weather we have been blessed.
Global warming has caused a great debate.This mild winter makes it seem just great.
On this Groundhog Day we think of one thing.Will we have winter or will we have spring?
On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.I predict that early spring is on the way.

I dreamt last night that I bought this really funky ring – way too big for my short stubby hands that are identical to both my Dad and Grandpa’s – but it was really funky and cool….and now I think it was a sign that I am to buy myself some jewelry today.