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.

I just finished watching The Today Show segment on "cocktail playdates" and I'm infuriated! If you didn't catch it - see it here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16818362/

If you are a level-headed, responsible mother who has ever had a SINGLE GLASS OF WINE in the presence of your children - well, Meredith Viera and "Dr. Janet Taylor and mother of four" have painted you out to be a horribly irresponsible and FAILING "babysitter" who is not fit to parent. Poor and unsuspecting Mommy blogger, Melissa Summers was sucker-punched by the news giant - and it makes me MAD!
(See her side of the story here...http://www.suburbanbliss.net/suburbanbliss/2007/01/i_cant_help_it_.html

Now I know it has been quite a few years since I was in journalism school - but it seems I remember something about TELLING THE TRUTH as a core principle of journalism? Sure, getting all sides of the story is key - but it was blatantly clear that NBC WANTED this story to be about Mommies jeopardizing their children's safety at play dates - it was obvious - from the leading questions, the obnoxious set decor and camera shots of children appearing within reach of giant wine glasses - disgusting.

I think we all agree - as did the Mommy victim on the set - that excessive drinking while caring for our children - probably not a good idea....but an occasional glass of wine while we socialize with other ADULTS while our children play together? Why not? Case by case basis, I say -- but let's lay down our pitchforks and quit trying to constantly prove how Moms are doing it all wrong. Someone is always trying to make us feel like horrible failures. Whether you work or stay-at-home...whether you have a glass of wine when you are caring for YOUR child...or whether you use Pampers instead of Huggies. SOMEONE - SOMEWHERE will be at the ready telling you what a horrible excuse for a mother you are because of your parenting choices. Isn't that what our kids are for? To tell us later how bad we screwed it up?

I just think these OPINIONS should not be given by a news personality such as Meredith Viera. Present the FACTS and then let your audience form the opinion.

Can't we just all get along? Mommies Unite! And Cheers to that I say! (clink!)

It's 10:17 a.m. - and I"m showered and have makeup on. Today is a GOOD DAY! Tomorrow I might even push my luck and go for blow-drying my hair!

A Weight-Watcher-Friendly Superbowl Party Recipe - ONE POINT per serving!!!

Spicy BBQ Meatballs

POINTS® Value: 1
Servings: 30
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 25 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Keep the calories low in this popular hors d'oeuvre by making the meatballs with ground turkey instead of ground beef and by using fat-free barbecue sauce.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
1 cup uncooked quick oats
2 medium egg white(s)
1 large onion(s), finely chopped
1 medium garlic clove(s), chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Combine all ingredients, except barbecue sauce, in a medium-size bowl; mix well.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meatball mixture into sixty 1-inch balls; place on baking sheet.
Bake at 350ºF until cooked through, about 25 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a chafing dish or crockpot to keep warm.
Meanwhile, heat barbecue sauce over medium-high heat until hot. Pour sauce over cooked meatballs, toss gently and serve.

Yields 2 meatballs per serving.

PRODUCT RECALL ALERT!




Kid Safety: Graco Recalls Contempo Highchairs
The highchair can collapse while a child is sitting in it.
Call Graco at 877-445-1312 or visit cpsc.gov for more information.