Works for Me Wednesday!

Christmas is just around the corner my friends, and this post may revolutionize your shopping list!


I am really stressing about what to get the kiddos this year. I despise junk toys, and have pretty much decided that I WILL NOT buy things that I think they might play with. I am all about the good/useful/tried-and-true toys. You can imagine that I was soooo excited when my friend at Rocks in my Dryer decided to host this blog carnival to help us all out (what could be better than advice from other moms....no media hype incuded)!


So, here is my entry for "great toy(s) that have served us well and not ended up in the charity pile." These two have been well loved over the past year, and continue to be part of our daily routine. They are not just for pre-schoolers either. The games on some of the websites (like Wiggles and Arthur) are actually more suited for 6-8 year olds. Once my 1st grader figured that out, he plays them all the time. And as for the art studio...well, it provides endless fun, and I secretly am very jealous that this wasn't around when I was a kid. I would have been obsessed. Thanks Fisher Price!!!



We decided to put a "kids only" computer in the kitchen, and it was the best decision we have ever made (maybe that is a bit overstated). The kids love these little gadgets, and I am forever grateful for the hours of (supervised) entertainment that they provide (with no mess). As an added bonus to you, I am jealous that you will get them at a MUCH lower price than I paid just one year ago. Oh, and on top of it all, they are even educational!


If a family computer is part of your "daily routine," these gadgets will revolutionize your life!!!


Click here for the details: Fisher Price Easy Link Internet Launch Pad and the Digital Arts and Crafts Studio





Even if you don't choose to participate....I would love to hear what toys are your favs!!! Please leave a comment with your own recommendations.

Yep! It's True!

Stop growing up so fast Sweet G!!!

Getting in the Spirit a bit early!

I needed a little lift today (with all the craziness that is going on) and one sure-fire way to get my spirits up is with a little holiday cheer.  Yes, I realize that we're barely beyond Halloween (and in fact, my Halloween decorations are still up), but I don't give a flip.....I wanted to listen to some Christmas music!

I heard that Casting Crowns had a new Christmas album out, so of course I had to get it (they are at the top of my all time favs list).  The big kids and I  jammed out to some tunes during bath time tonight, and I have to say.....I love it!  Lots of classics with a "Casting Crowns" twist.  

Highly recommended, friends!  Enjoy!!!

Exhausted and Waiting!

***Update***   All the test results came back fine.  Looks like she just has a nasty virus.  She slept OK this afternoon, and has kept her milk down.  I'll keep you posted.....still a bit cranky!

Let me start by saying....today has not been at all what I had planned (but when does that ever happen these days??).   

Greer has not been well since last Monday.  It started with a little sniffle, fever all day Tuesday, and afternoon fevers the rest of the week.  She broke out in a rash all over her trunk and legs on Saturday, and last night she started vomiting.  The fever also came back.  Her night was good, so I was praying for her to wake up well today.  

She did pretty well till about 9:30 (when she woke up from her first nap a bit too early).  She was very fussy, and wouldn't let me put her down.  I held her for a bit and she just laid limp on my chest.  Then she started vomiting again.  I took her temp, and it was back up to 101.  We both took a quick shower and made a doctor's appointment for 11:20.  My pitiful baby laid on the floor in her boppy and watched Sesame Street without moving a single muscle....I quickly got dressed.  She threw up a few more times before we left.  

After a negative strep test, a cath urine that is clear, and a general looking over (no ear infection and her chest sounded clear), we went for blood work and a chest x-ray.  Needless to say, she has NOT been amused with all the procedures.  At one point, she was just laying on my chest moaning....it broke my heart!

Dr. I should be calling anytime with the results.  Please say a prayer for my sweet baby....she is miserable.  I am praying that she sleeps for a while so that we will all be ready for what could be a yucky evening....I just want some relief for her.  

P.S.  We had to cancel her Laser Treatment that was scheduled for tomorrow morning.  She can't be put to sleep after such an illness.  I am really disappointed because it is going to delay her treatment until early December.  I know it is best though...she really needs to be well.  

I keep reminding myself that God is in control.  God is in control.  God is in control.  

Not me!, Monday

It's that time again!  I find that this little bloggy fun is a great way for me to preserve some of those random happenings in my life (for better or worse!).  It is going to be great fun to look back on these some day!

Check out MckMama's blog for more "Not me!" moments (and for one of the most amazing stories you have ever read) from other "perfect" moms like me!  They are hilarious!

And remember....He is STILL (and forever) the God of Miracles!!!

I did NOT spend a week in complete misery with a "poorly functioning" gallbladder, and I did NOT wait until Thursday to have it seen about.  I do NOT need surgery, and I did NOT decide to stick it out for a little bit longer.  I do NOT have a MILLION things to do in the next 2 weeks and surgery (no matter HOW minor it may be) is SO NOT going to work for me for a while.  

I did NOT run errands dressed up in an old bridesmaids dress pretending to be Ursula on Halloween day.  Reeves was NOT  proud to have his mommy/Ursula read to his class in costume as the "mystery reader".  

I am NOT totally exhausted after a day of trying to figure out what is wrong with my baby girl.  She was NOT absolutely PITIFUL all day today (vomiting, running fever, not wanting to be put down), and I did NOT give in to her every whimper.  

I did NOT rock out with my kids during bathtime to some Christmas music.  I am TOTALLY against Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving....it's just NOT right!!!

I did NOT take care of the most critically ill patient in my history of nursing on Sunday, and I am NOT still weeping for her and her situation.  Sometimes my job is NOT harder than you can possibly imagine.....but it IS (it really is) rewarding beyond measure!

I am NOT praising God for the miracle He performed for the life of sweet little Stellan....He does NOT continue to amaze me in ways that I just can't explain.  

And, last but not least, I DO NOT have a great peace about tomorrow's election.  I trust that God is in control....NO matter what the outcome!!!

What did you NOT do this week!?

...give me something good to eat!

About the time our "Disney" Halloween theme started, we started another tradition that has lasted through the years.  Our friends Keith and Amy (and Jake and Abby) invite us over for dinner before we head out to get our loot.  We always have Taco Soup and the kids munch on mummy dogs and other junk  yummy treats.  It is very delicious and fun and we look forward to it year after year!

They live in an area that is PERFECT for trick-or-treating.  Lots of houses close together and flat streets....who could ask for more!

Here are some pics of the fun!!

"Pirate" Reeves and his best buddy "Indiana Jones", aka Jake!

Lovely mermaids, Maddie and Lucy!

Lucy's stash!

And Reeves' stash (sorted by category....such the first born!).  Makes a Mama (who is also a first born) proud!!!

And, guess who else had a Halloween treat?  Yep....and isn't it spooky with Reeves' silhouette in the window....

Thanks for getting in the spirit, Mr. Raccoon

Under the Sea

I told you we liked a good Disney theme!  For the 3rd year in a row, we have carried on the tradition, and it has turned in to a family affair.  I promise I'll post pics from Halloween 2006 (when it all began), but for now here is this year's edition!

Reeves reluctantly happily agreed to participate for some pre-trick or treat pics as Prince Eric, but as you will see in a post I'll put up later, he morphed into a Pirate as soon as the obligatory photos were snapped.  He was a really good sport about it, though!

 

Greer was a bit overwhelmed by all the excitement, and I never managed to get a smile out of her.  She still looked absolutely yummy as Sebastian!

It didn't take long till she was totally pooped, and Chris took her home to put her to bed.  He had the fun of handing out candy to all the neighbors while I took the big kids trick-or-treating with our dear friends.  More on that later!