Recent Favorites

I should really be practicing my flute for this performance thing I have tomorrow, but I’m not. I really need to, too. There are a few Nazi-ish people in the ensemble who aren’t too fond of mistakes, apparently. I had a dress rehearsal for this thing on Tuesday evening, I received the music Tuesday afternoon and only had time to run through it a couple times. Keep in mind the piece I received is a handwritten accompaniment and hard to read to begin with. Well, Tuesday evening rolls around and I’m stumbling through it and the girl next to me points to a key change in the music and says, “You know there are 5 sharps there, right?” I look at her and say, “Yeah, I just got this today, thanks,” and gave her the stink eye. It’s different playing in group again. I love it, but some people are just super hard core. Anyway…that’s just a side note rant. I’m sure it will be great. Ladies in WI, hope you can make it to the Women’s Conference tomorrow!

Ok, I have a few favorites as of late. Of course they are in the cooking and hygiene arenas. My favorites!

First up! The Pampered Chef Pineapple Wedger This thing is amazing. We buy a lot of pineapple (I know, I know…carbon footprint) and while I love it, I hate cutting it up. This thing take off the skin, takes out the core, and slices the center in two half rings. All you do is cut the top and bottom of and BAM! Done. Seriously, a miracle worker. I’ve seen a cutter like this for a watermelon…now wouldn’t that be awesome!

Next: The Pampered Chef Salad Chopper

I am a lover of most things Pampered Chef (I even sold it at one time!) and these things are fairly new. They’re heavy duty kitchen shear type things. They make quick work of chunks of fruit, heads of lettuce, and my favorite, cooked chicken. I hate shredding chicken and don’t always want to drag out the food processor, and these work great. Love em.

Last, but certainly not least, the Schick Quattro TrimStyle.

My old Venus Vibrance finally fell apart, and I never used the “vibrance” anyway, so it was time for a new razor. This is like two tools in one. A razor on one end, and an electric trimmer on the other. Without getting too personal, let’s just say this bad boy is great. Having a waterproof electric trimmer on the other end makes life easy. Throw out your mini scissors and get this. And for around $10, without a coupon, it’s a steal of a deal. If you have no idea what you would use an electric trimmer in the shower on, you probably need this. Just sayin’.

Oh, just kidding, I thought of one more. Sonic Ice. Turns out you can buy it by the bag. And that’s exactly what I have been doing lately. It is the best ice ever. Pour it over a Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper (my latest beverage obsession) and add a straw and I’m in heaven. It’s a pretty big bag too, for $1.99. Now I can make my own Cherry Limeades! And that makes Derrick happy too! 

A much needed break

This past week was rough. Summer wasn’t feeling very good-runny nose, cough, I think some teeth coming in, and was just very whiny and needy. Add in a changing nap schedule and you have one frazzled, frustrated mama. I tried to remember that she probably wasn’t feeling very good and to be more patient, but day after day of whining and Derrick at school half the week and I was ready to sell her to the highest bidder. I was feeling like a crappy mom, really.

Well, yesterday a sweet girl in our ward watched Summer ALL DAY for us while we went down to Chicago to the temple, then to dinner at one of our favorites, Wildifre, and then to IKEA. It was so great to get away and spend time with Derrick and not worry about taking care of a little person. By the time we were driving home I was missing her and I felt refreshed and ready to take on another week. Sometimes we mom’s just need a break, am I right or am I right??

And speaking of the little squirt, she has learned to walk this week! Just last Sunday we were walking the halls at church and she had to hold on to our finger. The next day—BAM! On her own cruising around. Now she’s practically running. She still falls a lot, but she’s getting more and more stable. She can’t stand up on her own without a wall or chair or something to help her up yet, but I’m sure that’s not far behind. It’s so funny to me to see something so short and small walk around.

No pictures today. I know, boo. Hopefully this week I’ll have something more exciting to blog about. I have a few new favorite things, maybe I’ll do a post about those. Stay tuned!

Parky Park

Today I took the girls to Oakbrook Park since it was so nice out, and to burn off some energy for their afternoon naps. As you can see, it was just a touch windy. :)

 Summer loved the swings, and I learned that she loves going down the slide. She’s gotten pretty fearless on it, and as long as someone is there to catch her at the bottom, she’s game. 

Can we talk about park etiquette now? I am a relatively new park-goer, and I may not be hip to what the rules are, so please, indulge me.

When we got to the park there were maybe 10 kids playing, all girls. All of the parents were on the benches near the equipment except for one girl’s parents—or guardians, who knows—who sat at a picnic table a little ways off. They were super engaged in conversation the entire time. Meanwhile, their little girl was taking other kids’ toys, eating other kids’ snacks, etc. Well, most of the kids start to leave and it’s just us with this girl named Tanaya and another mom and her daughter.

We were taking a break and having a drink and graham crackers and Tanaya comes up holding the other girl’s tea cup. She holds it out to me:

Tanaya: “Give me some of your water.”

Me: “Um….that doesn’t look very clean. No.”

Tanaya: “Give me some of your water.”

Me: “No. It’s dirty.” Trying to get rid of her.

She comes back with a different tea cup.

Tanaya: “Give me some of your water.”

Me: “That doesn’t look very clean either.”

Tanaya: “Can you give me a cookie?”

Me: Seriously?? Where are your parents?? “Um, you need to ask your mom first.”

Tanaya: “Can you give me a cookie?” Wow, super bright.

Me: “Ask your mom first.” I’m looking over there to see if they have any clue she’s begging for food. They don’t.

She runs over and then run backs, clearly not long enough to ask.

Tanaya: “Can I have a cookie now?”

Me: “Did she say yes?”

Tanaya: “Uh huh” Yeah right. So I call over and ask if she can have one. She says yes.

I give her a graham cracker.

Tanaya: “Can I have two??”

Me: “NO!”

What the heck? Get out of here, kid! Later, Kylie was just walking near Tanaya and the other girl and she yells “NO! You can’t play!” to Kylie.

Oh no you didn’t.

I reply to her, “You need to be nicer. Share!” I am NOT opposed to stepping in and telling kids to be nice if their parents are too oblivious to do so. I would expect other moms to do the same to my child.

Later, we were on the swings and she comes over and tries to “help” Kylie get on and wants to push her. I tell her no, I will help her. She gets on the swing next to Kylie and then asks me to push her. Go away!! I push her once or twice but then get so annoyed I grab the kids and decide to go home.

Ok, I’m really not heartless. Really. But I didn’t go to the park to watch THREE kids. It just makes me mad that other parents aren’t as cognizant of their children and whereabouts as I am about my own kid. I would never let my kid harass other parents and make them feel awkward about giving them snacks. Maybe other parents don’t feel like they’re being harassed, but with the amount of food allergies and whatnot going on these days, I’m not going to be responsible for someone’s elses kid going into anaphylactic shock.

So, what would you have done? What I really wanted to do was interrupt her guardian’s (cuz I’m pretty sure they weren’t her parents) conversation and tell them to watch their own kid. People like that make me so mad. Derrick says it’s a cultural thing (and you can guess which based on the name) but I feel like that is NO excuse. There, I said it. And even if culture weren’t involved, I’d still be as annoyed.

Anyway, I’m hoping I’m not the only one that feels this way.

Before & Afters

Lately I have developed a major crush on Krylon. Yes, the spray paint. Everything I see, I imagine spray painted. What’s so great about spray paint is that it’s so cheap and it’s so easy. You can’t beat $3 a can at Wal-Mart! And once you get the technique down, it’s a piece of cake. Light coats, back and forth sweeping motion, releasing the trigger at each side. No drips!

Today I’ve been a spray painting fool! Check out today’s projects:

I found a candlestick on clearance at Hobby Lobby today for $4. Regularly priced $40! I’ve been looking for things to put on my mantle and this seemed perfect, although polished brass is def not my style. So I spruced it up with a little brushed nickel spray paint I had on hand. Love it!

           

Next up, my tired, old mailbox. I’ve hated this thing since we moved in, and have dreamt of getting one of those big nice plastic ones. You know the kind, they look like it should be a Little Tykes brand. But I think it’s Rubbermaid or something. But those are freaking expensive, and I’m too cheap to shell out big bucks for a stinking mailbox, no matter how much I love to get the mail everyday. So instead, I picked up a can of $5 spray paint at Wal-Mart. It said on the label “Paint right over the rust!” and I was instantly sold. I mean, look at this thing!! What an embarrassment!

So I covered the neighbor’s mailbox in a garbage bag so it wouldn’t get misted and taped up the flag and went to town. After it dried I covered my newly painted mailbox in a garbage bag and painted the flag red with spray paint I already had. I think it looks fantastic! For only $5!!

When we moved out of our apartment I found 4 old chairs by the dumpster. So naturally, I took them! Their pads were SO disgusting and they had this weird webbing thing going on to provide support. So I took everything apart and spray painted the chairs white. I busted out the circular saw and cut out seat bottoms for support and nailed them to the bases. Then I bought oilcloth on Etsy from Oil Cloth Addict and covered new pads. I love them. They’re not perfect, but I don’t really care. They are just going to get beat up in the kitchen anyway. I love the orange though, and I’m thinking I want to refinish our kitchen table orange somehow. Ideas? It’s brown laminate. Lunch table style. Yum. Oh, when I was taking apart the chairs, there were dates written on the bottom: 11/20/60. Wow!

     

I also finished painting 2 mirrors I bought off of Craigslist awhile back, but I don’t have before pictures. I’ll post pics when they’re up and hung.  Which hopefully will be soon!

Now, what to paint next….

What’s in a name?

Now that we know the gender of the thing growing inside of me, and I’m over halfway done with this pregnancy, I have felt increasing pressure to come up with a name. I’ve always made fun of the couples at work who have no name for their new baby. I mean, you’ve had 9 months to think about it…what’s the deal? Now I’m scared I’m going to become one of them!

When we were choosing names for Summer, we had narrowed down the list to 3, but secretly Summer was always my favorite. You would think we would have 2 remaining from which to choose, but I’ve started to fall out of love with them. And no, I won’t tell you what they are. Derrick’s family are notorious name stealers and as a result we don’t tell ANYONE the name beforehand. Plus, I don’t really care what you think about it or that you hate it or you know a really ugly girl with that name or whatever.

But picking a name is a big deal. I feel like a name can totally shape a person. Pick the wrong name and your kid is doomed to be picked last for dodge ball. It’s a lot of stress to put on parents!

I’m not really one for super traditional names, but I’m not into super trendy ones either. The last thing I want is for my kid to be one of 8 “insert popular name here” in her class as she grows up. That’s what I liked about Summer—it wasn’t unheard of, but I personally didn’t know any baby Summers at the time. And she won’t have to grow up telling everyone how to spell it.

Now, this may come as a shock to you, but I will not be picking on any names in this here post. I know, so uncharacteristic of me! Children’s names are very dear to the parent, and while my heart may be shades of black at times, I don’t want to offend anyone and their own very personal choice. I will suffice it to say that there exists a certain letter combination that I despise. It makes my skin crawl. I have no idea why. But it does eliminate some names from our possible choices. No, I won’t tell you what is it, I don’t care how much you beg. And I won’t even tell you if you’re right if you guess, but you can try. Because I know plenty of people with this combo in their name, their spouse’s name, and in their kid’s name. And if I told you, well then there would just be awkwardness between us, now wouldn’t there? And while this letter combo creeps me out, I really don’t think about it every time I see someone I know with it in their name, I just would never name my own kid a name with it.

So, now we have to start thinking of names. Perhaps I should do a little genealogy and see what turns up. And no, we will not be naming her Winter, or Autumn, or Spring. We are done with seasons. If only I could tell you how many times we’ve heard that, and how many times it’s not funny.

If we just numbered them it would be so much easier…

15 months!

Ok, so 15 months and 5 days. She is still such a sweet, sweet little girl. And yes, I feel like she has become more of a little girl than a baby. It makes me sad to think about that, and then I remember in about 4 months I’ll have another sweet little baby girl to hold again!

Here are her 15 month stats:

Weight: 20 lb 12 oz; 18%

Length: 29”; 12"%

Head: 46 cm; 53%

She can say 4 words: “hi”, “bye”, “ball”, and “beads”. If you’ve ever been around her for more than 5 minutes, you know she loves to tell you “hi” over and over again. Whenever we go to Target and she sees those huge red concrete balls out front she goes nuts and points and yells, “ball! ball! ball!” I love it. Or when we walk by the big crate of bouncy balls at Wal-Mart she does the same thing.

She also still loves her beads. She calls them “bee” and can usually be found with them either around her neck or holding them while she crawls. She has also developed a strong attachment to her mini Magna Doodle. Good luck prying that thing out of her tiny little hands.

She’s not walking yet, but she is pretty close. She can stand for a few seconds on her own, and cruises along any stationary surface, including walls, tables, sofas, or cabinets. And especially her crib. She races right around it, sometimes biffing it, which I find funny. Hey, it’s mostly padded in there.

She knows some body parts, too, including her nose, head, mouth, belly, hand, and arm. She also loves to fold her arms for prayers. She definitely keeps me on my toes and reminds me to pray over our meals!

She’s becoming very independent and wants to do things herself, like take off her socks and shoes.

Look at all those rolls!! She may be tiny but she’s solid!

She loves to look outside, and now that’s it’s starting to warm up, loves to be outside and play in the dirt.

Here she is, beads in hand, ready to go for a walk.

She definitely is a lot of fun and keeps us entertained. I can’t believe how quickly she’s growing up. Only 3 more months and she’ll be in the nursery at church! 

We sure do love her and her spunky little self!

Easter Weekend

We had a great weekend! The weather was beautiful, Sara and Brian were here, and it was Easter! For some reason I don’t have a ton of pictures. So unlike me….

Sara and Brian got in late Thursday night and Friday we hit the ground running. We toured Miller, Sprecher, and then went to the Brewers exhibition game against Detroit. We ate lunch at Oakland Gyros (FINALLY! So delicious….) and Edwardo’s for some deep dish pizza after the game.

Saturday we had breakfast at the Original Pancake House. What’s better than pancakes with bacon baked in them? Nothing. The answer is nothing. Then we hit up Kohl’s and did some serious damage there, but thanks to double employee discount and an extra 15% off coupon AND tax free day, we SAVED $474 dollars. Holla.

Saturday night the guys went to Conference and us ladies started cooking for Easter. I swear, when Sara and I are together, all we do is EAT. Seeing as how we’re both pregnant, we felt it was justified this time. :)

We did catch bits and pieces of General Conference here and there, but not as much as I would have liked. Guess I’ll just have to read it online or wait till we get it in the mail. I heard it was great, and what I did hear I thought was really good.

Sunday we had our traditional Easter: Dinner and Tournament and it was great as always. We opted out of coloring eggs and had an egg hunt and the egg toss instead. Derrick and I dominated the egg toss, but the Greens took runner-up with an impressive showing. The food was amazing, and it was nice to hang out with great friends on a gorgeous day. Probably the best weather we’ve ever had on Easter since we’ve been here.

We rounded out the day with a few rounds of Hula-Hooping on the Wii. My abs are still sore from it. Stop mocking.

Hope everyone’s Easter was great as well. It’s a great time of year to think about the resurrection of our Savior and notice the rebirth of so many things around us. And a great time to eat lots of great candy! :)

Clever readers

You must know me pretty well because most of you figured out my post about going private. Of course I would NEVER do that!! Mostly I wanted to see who would come out of the woodwork and show themselves. It was a sad attempt at an April Fool’s joke, although I’m almost scared to admit I’d been planning it for quite some time. Dork, right?

Well, have no fear, The Wet Donkey is here and is open for business!

That’s what she said.

VIP Lounge

So, I know I said I would never do this, and indeed, I do mock those that do, but after much debate (and considering our familia is beginning to grow) I have decided The Wet Donkey is going to go private. I know, I know. I hate to do this, but I have to think of my family and their safety, right?

So, if you’d like to continue reading the best blog in the universe, leave a comment with your email address and I’ll make sure you get added to the guest list. Only the cream of the crop get into this exclusive club!

In a VIP lounge at a club in Seattle. Our friend slapped the bouncer some cash and in we went. For like 5 minutes, just so he could show us. Scott looks a little uncomfortable, no?

And my only other time as a VIP, at Jet nightclub in Vegas at  the Mirage, where Gene Simmons was in the booth next to Sara and I. Proof: