Party! and look what I found...

We set a date for the kid's b-day bash! YAY! Save the date... April 23rd... yes, the day before Easter, but that's all the park we wanted had for a while. It is a party for Gavin (8), Macy (5), and Molly (4). (Macy's bday was in December but we had to cancel... making up for it now.) They talked about it and have decided on a Dragon and Fairy Princess theme. Dragons for Gav and Mol... fairy princess for Mace. So cute. We are working on party ideas (decorations, type of cake, lunch, favors) and we are having a blast! I hope it all comes together as planned, because we can't wait!

They have all made their birthday wish lists, so I am posting them here for those of you who "don't have a clue what to get a kid" and have asked, "What does such and such like?" This will make it easier on you.

Gavin

Star wars legos

Alien legos

Sea monkeys in a GLASS (not plastic) container

Gameboy games for his gameboy advance sp

and last...

a foam basketball with a suction cup goal (in the target $ isle)

Macy

Dolly clothes, specifically jammies and princess dresses (about 14 in doll)

Pretend food 'like for my babies'

1 polly pocket doll with lots of clothes

Little strawberry shortcake pieces

Little princess' like polly pockets

and last...

a Shrek coloring book

Molly

Cooking toys, mixing stuff, and things that 'turn on and off'

Polly Pocket girls and boys with clothes

Littlest Pet Shop pets with their toys

Leapfrog scribble thing with letters to trace

and last...

a purple Giraffe

I stinkin' love all the thought they put into their lists! You should have seen Miss Molly's face... she was thinking so hard, and when I read the list back to her she really was so proud of herself!

Disclaimer: You are not required to bring gifts to the party or any party of ours! EVER! If you WANT to bring a gift and don't know what to get I suggest you get the purple giraffe. ;)

Ok now LOOK WHAT I FOUND AT GOODWILL!

Macy LOVES dark skinned babies. Most kids will reach for the lightest skinned baby doll in sight. Preferably, the one with straight or blonde hair. Not my girl. Miss Macy will pick the darkest baby she can find, and has been dying for a baby with "Esther" hair. Basically, big hair. She thinks it's so beautiful. I'd really like to get an Asian doll for them too, but they seem harder to find. I don't think I was ever this into dolls. I liked trolls best. Anyhoo, I found this at goodwill today for $1.99!! It is such a beautiful little doll with the exact hair she has been after. It says JS&A Baby So Beautiful 1995 Playmates Toys on her bum. She has a few light scuffs, and hair that needs to be tamed. I need help though! Does this sort of dolly hair need to be cleaned differently than that of the barbie doll? I have cleaned barbie hair with windex and conditioner... what about this? The hair is in a wig... I believe glued onto the dolls head. I can't find a bit of information on this online though, so PLEASE help if you can! I'd like to get her cleaned up and dressed for Macy's bday gift. (we got her something on her bday so it's awesome we found something so cheap because we weren't going to get her anything else 'fancy')

Arwen found where I hid it in the bedroom. She loves 'baaa beee'

"Please help with my hair. I look a wreck!"

Such a cute find... but she really needs to get some clothes on!

Side view of the mess aka hair

Sweet scuffed face. Any secrets to getting these off?

So sorry

Joe, I am sorry I didn't make you pumpkin pie when you asked me to months ago. I am sorry because today he got tired of waiting and tried to make it himself. Oh it was adorable! He carefully read the directions EVEN the ones on the cream cheese package. (I guess a guy needs to know how to open it correctly *giggle*) Surprisingly they look incredible (and edible) now that they are done. The pies weren't looking so hot there for a while, but as always he did ;)

Pie #1. Those lumps? Oh, that's just the unsoftened cream cheese.

Pie #2. Less cream cheese surprises

Attempt at pie crust

Carefully reading the directions ;)

Wednesday's confession

Wednesday was the first day of Joe's Spring Break! I promised (on accident... hadn't had my tea yet and was just saying yes to everything Molly said) Molly we could go to the zoo the first morning she woke up and Daddy was here. Well, Wednesday was that day. It was a perfect day for the zoo, because it was a slightly rainy day. The crowds mostly steer clear of the zoo on cloudy/rainy days. I suppose no one wants to get wet. Well, we headed out with our rainboots on and our hair pulled back. (Mine and Macy's hair goes crazy on humid days!) Totally awesome day.

When we got home, Joe and I were exhausted. In order to acquire some quiet time, we decided to play a game. The kid who pretended to sleep the longest and BEST would get a nickel!!! As you can see it went well. Even Arwen joined in!! Soon, though, she was giggling and bouncing on people to 'wake them up.' Molly claimed Arwen woke her up and got 2nd place (a nickel and dime). Macy and Gavin tied for 1st place (a quarter) when we made them get up!

The confession:

Me and Joe tricked our kids into giving us some quiet time by making them compete against each other for pennies.

She loves laying in a big girl bed. Especially, if that bed is in the sun.

She isn't very good at pretending.

This one is a little actress! She was AMAZING at pretending to sleep.

I kicked him to see if he would 'wake up,' as you can see, he thought it was funny.

Monday's Recipes

My Meatless Monday started with...

Crock Pot Refried Beans

3 cups dried pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 small onion (chopped as small as possible if you have a picky eater) OR 2 Tbsp dried minced onion

4 cups water

3 cups chicken broth, beef broth, or veggie broth (This time, I used leftover turkey broth.)

1 1/2 tsp black pepper

2 Tbsp minced garlic

1/4 tsp ground cumin

*Next 2 ingredients added to final steps... NOT the crock pot.

*1/2 cup Daisy Sour Cream

*1/2 cup shredded or crumbled cheese (Whatever you have in the fridge will work. We used Colby Jack this time.)

-Put first 7 ingredients in a crock pot and cook on high for 4-5 hours (the longer you cook the mushier they will get... you will need to add more water if you let it go longer).

-After they are done, empty all the contents of your crock pot into your food processor. Mash the beaners up to a smooth consistency. NOW add the sour cream and cheese. Mix until they are combined into the beans.

-Store in whatever containers you have available, and put in the fridge. It will last about 3-4 days.

Taco Seasoning

2 1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp dried Italian Seasoning

1/2 tsp paprika

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

-Mix all of the above in a baby food jar, small plastic container, ziploc baggie, empty spice bottle, or whatever small container you may have sitting around. Store with the rest of your spices. (we usually double this recipe because we use it quickly)

Meatless Meat

3 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cup red lentils, rinse them and drain

1/2 an onion chopped OR 2 Tbsp dried, minced onion

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1 Tbsp fresh snipped cilantro OR 1 tsp dried cilantro (I never have fresh cilantro. This ingredient is optional.)

2 tsp taco seasoning (add more if you like spicier foods... some of our kids do not)

-In a medium saucepan stir all together. Bring to boil. Then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 12 minutes. Use a fork to mash the lentils if you'd like (I usually forget this step... doesn't matter though, it still tastes the same.)

Tortillas

I am not sharing my tortilla recipe yet. It's not right yet... Rather, Joe and the kids loved it, but I did not. I LOVE flavor and these had none. They were good, but if you are going from store bought tortillas to this then your taste buds will get a shock! It is not hard to find a recipe online. Google tortilla recipes and pick one to try.

Now, for the final product!

Take your homemade tortilla and top it with delicious refried beans, spicy lentils, shredded cheese, salsa or pico (My pico recipe is missing... will get on that one soon!), and a dollop of Daisy. Now, enjoy all that yummy hard work! If you are going to try this, and have any questions, feel free to ask!

Kid cuteness

Before I get to Monday's recipes, I wanted to share these pictures. I thought Ma would get a kick out of it...

Just a bit ago, I sent the 3 eldest kids to bed for being naughty. The girls, of course, walked pitifully to their rooms crying. Arwen followed them, and did exactly what they did! This is the scene I walked in on. Arwen had climbed up on Molly's bed, and was laying there fake whining! It was too funny! (She is at 'that age' where she mocks everything the big kids are doing.)

Arwen fake whining in time out.

Still putting on the show.

Wait, Macy, why aren't you whining? OH! Time to get down!

This is Arwen climbing out of time out... the time out she put herself in. LOL! Check out that cute cloth diaper and the fabric tutu Ma made her! SO CUTE, and Arwen loves it!

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Before bed yesterday, Molly and I were trying to make fart noises with our armpits. Yes, we roll like that... in the comfort of our own home ;) Macy (aka Angelina Rose) walks in, and before getting into bed, says, "I can't even tell you how disgusting that is!" HAHAHA! What a princess... I thought I was the princess here. I think I have been dethroned.

Meatless Monday

Today, I am starting a recurring post. Every Monday (that allows me time) I will post our meat free dinner menu, tips on adding veggies to your diet, or something along those lines. As you may have read, I have declared myself a vegetarian. Well, I guess vegetarian is not the word for it, as we are classified more as strict flexitarians. A flexitarian is someone who avoids, but occasionally eats, meat. I added strict, because we will only be eating poultry or red meats that have not been exposed to pesticides or hormones, have not been treated with antibiotics, and have not been unnaturally confined to 'fatten up.' What this means is, we will have to go straight to the farmer. We are still looking into the where of it all, but I think we have found what we need in Rolling Hills Farm's CSA (community supported agriculture). After we visit the farm, we can schedule a pick-up once a month in Dickson! Nice. Until then, we will be tackling the kitchen cupboard with all those legumes in it. Tonight, for dinner, we are having meatless tacos. I make the 'meat' with lentils, onion, and homemade taco seasoning. The refried beans and tortillas are being made from scratch. I didn't decide what we were having for dinner until it was getting late... the beans may be harder than I'd like but they will taste WONDERFUL! I know, because I can smell 'em.

Ps- This picture is one I found on the internet. Just add pearls, and you are looking at me... well, sometime in the future anyway ;)

Who YOU?!

Joe tells me this happened to him on Friday...

As he was walking through the school a surprised Freshman announces, "YOU are Mr. Waarvik?! I thought Mr. Waarvik was a much taller and larger man!" That will give you an idea of how Joe runs his class. Anyone else thinking of Professor Snape? Yeah my husband is bad ass. I think this picture proves it. HAHA the things a Daddy does at the request of a daughter.

Feed the Fish

I am supposed to be cleaning because we are having company tonight. Instead I am sipping my tea slowly in order to have an excuse not to get started (again... I have already done a lot). While I was procrastinating I found a new gadget, and added it to my side bar! So, whenever you are procrastinating you can feed my fish, or just watch them follow your mouse around their 'tank.' Adorable. I want a fish now. No I want a Chinese Dwarf Hamster! Those are the easiest pets and, they are really soft.

You've got MAIL!

I got those new diapers I was talking about! Speedy shipping thanks to Babysteals! OMG they are sooo soft and CUTE! BUT I can't figure out the snaps. Maybe I have figured them out and they are just plain stupid... or maybe I'm just plain stupid... I don't know. What I do know is that there is NOT enough information or pictures on the internet about how to use these diapers. I plan on documenting how to use the snaps as soon as I get them right. I sure would have appreciated it if someone else had posted pictures after figuring it out. No worries! Super SAHA (Stay At Home Alice) to the rescue!

Above: This is where it all goes wrong. "Excuse me but your 'lady junk' is hanging out."

Below: Just a cute shot from the side

Angelina Rose says

This is the conversation 'Angelina Rose' and I had today about crayons and people...

Is this crayon yellow, Mom?

It's Dandelion.

Is this yellow?

It's Mac n cheese.

Is this yellow?

It's Green Yellow.

I am looking for a NORMAL yellow! Is this the NORMAL yellow?

That is just yellow, but I am not sure why you call it normal yellow. What is normal?

My duck is normal yellow, like we have normal skin.

Your skin is normal color?

Yes.

Well what about your BFF? Her skin is not the same as yours, is it normal too?

No. Well, see, my skin is a normal peachy and hers is a normal dark. Her normal is a different normal... her normal.

So what is not normal then?

If you are violet color you are not normal.

While writing sentences 'Martin' asked...

What is avoid?

To stay clear of... for example if you are allergic to peanuts you should avoid them.

Angelina Rose then adds, "If you are allergic to dust you should avoid our house!"

I thought that first conversation was going to end worse than it did! It would seem after much discussion the only unusual skin color is violet. That is ok with me. What is not ok with me is how dirty Macy seems to think our house is LOL! After I google planting a garden and have the kids down for a nap I am going to sweep or dust something ;)

Changing eating habits

As of tomorrow I am a vegetarian. I can't do it today because I have chicken in the fridge to make tamales with. It's too expensive to throw out. So I will start when it is gone. If I ever eat meat again it will be grass fed and $15 a lb! That's ridiculous so I'll just quit eating meat. I was never very fond of it anyway.

Alice Thinks

Did you notice the poll on the right side of the screen? I dislike (very much!) going to people's blogs and hearing the same song play over and over. So I have been thinking about adding music to our blog... obviously it would be music I like (without naughty words). I am wondering what you think about blog music... PLEASE TAKE THE POLL over there ---> to let me know what you think.

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Last week we were almost hit by a truck slightly bigger than our own. It wasn't pretty and I immediately began to cry. I almost threw up multiple times due to anxiety. After I got the kids in bed I sat down and started reading the Bible. The first verse I read was this, "When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up." Psalm 94:19 MSG (or "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." NLT or "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." NIV) I started giggling... He would give me that verse in my distress. Thank you Father.

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Does anyone else ever feel like Goldilocks? I feel like I complain too often. "It's too hot. It's too cold. That's too far. I'm too young/old." When I notice I am doing this I try and remind myself of a few things... God used Esther to save her people even though she seemed 'too young' or Elizabeth who sheltered and encouraged Mary and gave birth to a baby even though she seemed 'too old.' Obviously both were 'just right' for God to use. I try to remember that I am also 'just right' for God to use as he sees fit.

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Yesterday we had a short visit with a fantastic family. When we got there SJ says to Joe, "Nice Makena!" Makena is car... he apparently likes our SUV! Macy climbed up the side of the hill in her dress, nice shoes, and new coat... that is so unlike her. Arwen played with her new friend wonderfully. She hardly ever plays with other kids! THEN when we got home Arwen pooped and peed on the potty or as she puts it, "Poopoo n piepie on poppy!" I know some of you are thinking, "oh gross!" But I am such a proud Mama. She is so little to be potty training but I think we are going to go with it. Here's a few pictures (not of the baby sitting on the potty LOL although that would be cute!).

He was such a gentleman holding the door for her and showing her how the MAH-kee-nah (car) worked.

I don't think he wanted to smile because Macy was hugging him AGAIN LOL!

Silly boys

This is my big girl climbing 'the mountain' with her BFF.

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Taking corn crap BACK out of our diets... we were slacking. Thinking about participating in One Day Without Shoes on April 5th and trying to convince Joe to do it... it's a school day. Will any of you be doing this?

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As of Friday, Joe is officially a Math teacher. He now teaches Algebra II and Stats. I'm so proud of him! He could have been an accountant, lawyer, pilot, or could have joined the Air Force... all of which he would LOVE to do but instead he is stuck with teaching. Saying my husband is a Math teacher is much sexier than economics in my opinion ;)

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The other day, in the car, Gavin asked us what a falcon was. We both took turns explaining different features, but felt we weren't quite getting the falcon aura across....so we simultaneously raised our hands (Joe just one... he was driving) and made monster claws in the air! "Rawr! Talons!" *Insert hysterical laughing from the 2 of us while kids look on as if we had gone absolutely bonkers* (If you're trying for the right mental pictures, monster claws look suspiciously like bare bear claws).

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Remember that picture of my baby crying because she can't walk well in Macy's or Molly's boots? Well, a sweet Mama over on diaperswappers traded us some rainboots for Little Love bows! Arwen LOVES her boots, but the bottoms are smooth and she is slipping all over the floor. Can any of you help me figure out what I could do to the bottom of her boots to get them to stop slipping and sliding? I'd really appreciate ANY advice on this one!

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Don't forget to get your Little Love bows HERE. I bought diapers today and need to pay for them now LOL! I am going to leave the post up until they are all gone... I will prob add more to it as time goes on and the # of available bows dwindles.

A Little Love *SALE*

All gone... sent them to a sweet little girl who turned them into headbands for orphans in Mexico :) So stinkin sweet
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