Motherhood...it's a lovely experience...most days!

Breathe in, breathe out!

Yes! what a nice few mommy days I've had, besides the usual "pick this up, pick that up", it has been nice. 

• Christmas Lists are complete,
•  I was able to clear out clothes that we're giving away,
• I've been using the meal planner and sticking to the grocery list!
• Ferberizing Matt still! Not only does he go to sleep in the playard, but hangs out in there when we get home from work!  The babygate in the hallway doesn't bother him anymore. He'll just wait until we come back to the "other side" lol
• Last Saturday, we went to church.  Had a lunch in the car while taking my mother home.  We later picked up our 2010 Christmas family.  Went home and couldn't leave the house to go see the Christmas lights.  We were exhausted.  Instead, we popped chicken wings and fries in the oven and watched movies with the kids.  That was my kind of evening! Fun and relaxing! I'm looking forward to more of this in 2011.

I finally let Matt eat by himself

   
I decided to let Matt feed himself because as soon as I gave him a cracker, he was asking for another one.  He did really well!   He ate all of it, drank his juice and gave me the cup when he was done.  Oh, and he sat in the chair all by himself!  Yes, independence on its way around here...now for the diapers to hit the road!

The grand finale

Yesterday was the kid's Football & cheerleading banquet.  They all received trophies with their names on it.   We're thinking about letting them participate next year, if we can work it around church.

 

 

 

 

 
                                 Tamya's trophy

 

 

 
  Mikey with his teammate "Chef".  He's the smallest 5 year old on the team. Too cute!

 

Until next year!...

Dinner menu

The dinner menu was great last week.  Although I fell off by Thursday because I put back the potatoes when I neared my budget amount. I should've put back all the stuff Mikey picked up! lol

This is so easy for us...simple planned meals for a week!  One less thing to think about!

Mattie the mad happy dancer!

All Matt needs is a beat and he's dancing!

Christmas crafts

This year I tried to think of things for the kids to do.  I printed a build a snowman project.  It was cool.  Only Mikey finished his, I don't know what happened to Tamya's snowman.  I think it only had eyes. lol

During my 4 days off with them, I hope to do some more crafts and visit my NY family on Christmas day!  It's long overdue!!

 

 

 

Great weekend #2 lol

Saturday, we attended my brother in-law's graduation. He graduated from Strayer University. We had errands to run and couldn't  make the dinner, but my MIL took Tamya and Mikey with her. Yes! A few hours peace...almost, we still had Mattie with us.  We relaxed, napped, watched movies, and relaxed!         T & M went over to my other BIL's house.  Yes, more relaxation for me! I was able to straighten up without having to straighten up 5 minutes later! Mike went to get the kids and they all didn't come back till late.  For the first time ever, Matt laid in his playard for over 40 minutes and fell asleep! We're back to Ferberizing him and not letting him sleep with us, then going in the playard. Week 1 down and on to week 2!

First & Third Sunday of the month is spent at church. 9am-12pm or 2pm if Tamya meets with the all girls group.  Since they did meet this Sunday, instead of just sitting around for two hours, Mikey and I went grocery shopping.  With 3 hours of nothing to do, I created the dinner menu for the week and completed the shopping list that came with it.   That trip to the store was the best time I ever had!  Everything was grouped in categories  and I didn't pick up anything extra...well, yes I did...chips and dip. lol

Making and sticking to that dinner menu was the best decision I've made on a Sunday. lol We know what we're having for brakfast, lunch (for work), and dinner which means no spending unneccessary money. I'm so quick to say, "let's just buy something."  The money can be used to get my hair and nails done every two weeks! Or I guess, homeownership. lol   With the list in place, I had time to to wash and braid Tamya's hair, go thru their bookbags, etc.

 

Boy was I on a roll last night! I hope to stick to this dinner planning for the rest of the month and in 2011! There's so many benefits to this-1. don't ahve to think too much about what's for dinner, 2. Mike can pick a meal and cook it, 3. no fast food! 4. no unneccessay picking up and not seeing anything in the fridge later. lol

 

I think this will be a good week! I kinda like being a mom today. lol ;o)

 

Official Lists

Today I'm printing the official Christmas Wish List for the kids!  I found a cute one here:

http://familyfun.go.com/printables/christmas-wish-list-704327/

 

I'll photocopy the list for us and mail the originals to Santa. lol

 

Christmas is in the air! :)

Tamya's too smart for her own good!

  
<-----This is a brilliant girl right here! Two weeks ago, 3rd thru 6th grade took a Maryland state test over 3 days and Tamya scored Advanced for Reading again. Reading to her as a child really paid off.

How can I get her to focus on the little things in life? Like remembering to write all the homework down and not forgetting books. The first quarter ended and the teachers were preparing grades on Monday. We will definitely work harder this quarter on work/study habits. I spent my morning on PBS website printing articles on Time Management, Daily Schedule, and Choosing Priorities. I also printed a blank daily schedule for her to fill out. She can get straight A's if she can correct these little issues.

What's important is that she's still in the gifted class this week! :o)

Dryer sheet bar that lasts for 4 months?!!

Dryer sheets you'll never think about for four months??!! This a must try for me! http://www.bounceeverywhere.com/en_US/index.jsp?utm_source=OROLL_ola