Candlelight Dinner for Five

We had a pretty low key Tuesday.  B and were both off work so I spent the morning grocery shopping at our brand new Harp's store.  I only had a small list of items, but spent almost two hours in there.  It is a pretty store and since I was by myself I decided to browse around a bit.  I even bought a bag of almonds from the self serve healthy snack display simply because I couldn't walk away from that beautiful wall without buying something.  I like to throw financial caution to the wind when I'm at the grocery store.

M had his first baseball practice last night.  E may have been just as excited as her brother.  She threw a big fit right before they left because for some unknown reason she thought they were leaving without her.  She knows the drill now and takes her own bat and glove, but always says "only bubs will go out on the field."  Sweet girl.  I can't wait for her to be old enough to participate in a team sport.  She is beyond ready.  And no the irony of me saying she threw a "big fit" and then referring to her as "sweet girl" in the next sentence is not lost on me.  Maybe she comes by her quick mood swings honestly.

 While they were gone the tyrant tater napped so I had time to make something a little more interesting than usual for dinner.  I decided on salmon patties and baked potatoes.  Interesting is relative people.  If you eat hamburger helper more than once a week salmon patties are highly interesting.  Not that we eat HH more than once a week...who would do that?  Gross.  Ok, ok, maybe we do eat a bit much hamburger helper.  Get off my case about it already.  This was only my second time EVER to make salmon patties.  I text my friend Devin this pic while I was cooking them and told her that 1) They looked a little on the large side and 2) They looked a little on the well done side.  Honestly though the way things look is the least of my cooking woes.  They tasted great.  Again with the relativity.  They tasted better than hamburger helper.

When I was a very young girl we would sometimes make home made pizza and eat in candlelight.  I'm not positive if the candlelight was saved just for pizza night, but for some reason to me candlelight = homemade pizza.  This memory randomly popped into my head yesterday, and I decided we would try to keep the candlelight dinner tradition alive. Albeit with blackened xxl salmon patties instead of pizza. :)  I already had the candles out when B and the taters got home.  B stuck his head in the kitchen, wiggled his eyebrows, and said "Looks like we're eating in candlelight tonight."  A second later he popped back in and asked, "The kids too?" Heehee.  Yes B the taters have to eat too.  They actually really enjoyed the novelty of a candlelight dinner, and even asked if we could light the candles again tonight. 

On another sort of nostalgic note I was in a local store today and as I was leaving saw an old game on one of their jewelry display tables.  It was a the game PIT.  I used to play this game with my Nanny Sheila all the time, and she always laughed so hard during it.  I don't think it is supposed to be funny but she thought it was hilarious.  I mentioned this to store owner and picked the game up to look at it.  He came over and said I could just have it!  It was just being used as a prop and he said he'd like to see it go home with someone who had a sentimental attachment to it.  Everybody now...AAWWWWWWW.  This seriously made my day!  I can't wait to teach the taters how to play. 

I am also really glad he decided to give it to me because I would have been tempted to buy it anyway. Now I can put that fourteen dollars toward something more fiscally responsible. Maybe another bag of nuts at the grocery store, or maybe fourteen boxes of hamburger helper!

Talk to ya soon,
Angie

It's Spring and It's Snowing

I started this post a few days ago and ever since I typed the title I haven't been able to get "It's Spring and It's Snoowwing" (in a Buddy the Elf singing voice) out of my head.  This hasn't been helped by the fact that it has been sooo cold the snow has just kept coming down and blowing around for a couple days.  I feel like if it would just stop snowing I might have a good chance at getting Buddy the Elf out of my head. 

The cold weather came just as we started Spring Break so we weren't able to get out much.  I mostly tried to find ways to keep the taters entertained in their rooms so I could alternate between watching episodes of PLL and staring at the wall in silence.  That didn't work out as well as I had planned so we found some fun things to do indoors instead.  Below is a little review of what Spring Break looked like at the House of Farrer. 

The boys first float/fish/camp trip of the season.  They went down to the Buffalo river.  A little cooler than planned, but once B plans something it is going to happen.  The show must go on or something like that.

 

Meemaw, the taters, and I took an overnight road trip to Pine Bluff for a wedding, and to meet up with Ali on her way home for the break.  It was a long trip down and it culminated with the tyrant tater blowing chunks (isn't that one of the grossest terms ever) in his car seat when we were like five minutes out from our hotel.  Motherhood is a glamorous business folks.  We did have a great time at the wedding and we got to see lots of family we love but don't get to be around (or put in headlocks) nearly enough.  The first pic of M and E cracks me up.  I have no idea what they were doing.

 

Lunch date with the handsome Webb boys and their momma.  For the record I got a cute pic of these boys on the first try.  I took five pics of E and the tyrant tater and below is the best one of the bunch.  Oy.

Jump Zone with friends.  The tyrant tater wouldn't jump on anything.  He just tossed bouncy balls around all afternoon, and cried every time bigger kids took one from him.  I was trying to ignore his crying/fit throwing, and at one point I turned around and he was being rocked by a grandma-ish lady sitting on the bench behind me!  I guess she fell for the whole big puppy dog eyes filled with tears bit.  She looked sweet and harmless so I told her if she would just watch him for a sec I was gonna go grab a slushee and read for a bit.  Heehee.  ;)

Play time with Ali (and Cookie) at Nanny's house.  E spent the night with Ali a couple of times over break.  She was so excited to have her home.  They took me to lunch one afternoon and I got the impression E felt like I was in the way and hornin' in on her Ali time.  She couldn't get me dropped back off at my office soon enough!

 

M's first overnight at a friends house.  How cute are these two?  SO thankful it was his close friend Knox whose momma is also my good friend.  I didn't sleep at all and checked my phone several times in the middle of the night thinking I might need to race to Bella Vista to get my baby boy who just couldn't sleep without his momma around.  Turns out my "baby boy" is almost seven and doesn't think about me at all when he is having a blast at a friends house.  Sniff. 

First time to eat at Mellow Mushroom.  Ummmm...YUM!  They have those huge soft pretzels with cheese as an appetizer.  That's really all you need to know.

B worked a couple of double shifts so the kids wanted to have a "celebration" for him one night when he got home.  They drew pictures and we baked a cake.  The plan was to hide and surprise him, but when I saw M running around saying "caw caw" I didn't think anything of it.  Six year old boys do some weird things...I'm used to it.  Turns out the "caw caw" was the signal that B was coming.  Oops. I think he was still surprised.

The grand finale was a Chuck E Cheese birthday party for one of our family friends.  We said goodbye to Spring Break with cotton candy goo on our fingers and plastic frogs in our pockets.  What more could you ask for?  Ok...maybe there are some better things, but if you knew how much my kids LOVE cotton candy you would understand my thinking. :)

Talk to ya soon,

Angie



Wordless Wednesday

Talk to ya soon,
Angie

My Lucky Weekend

I'm not really the lucky type, but I had a record breaking number of lucky things happen this weekend. My streak started when this happened at bath time on Friday night.  I'm sure you're confused.  The lucky part is that the dog didn't end up in the tub!  He has decided to take a bath with the taters on many occasions, and it is more than a little work to get him out and dry. 

Saturday morning the fundamental forces of nature aligned and this happened for the first time EVER.  The taters were all seated and quiet AT THE SAME TIME.  Lucky me.  I sat on the couch and stared at the wall for the entire thirty minutes they were still.  I also text my mom so she could share in my slothful joy. The unlucky part is that the show they were watching was something similar to Power Rangers, but not quite as good.  Yes it's possible.  When I googled The Aquabats this is what popped up "Here come The Aquabats! The first musical, crime-fighting super group in history!"  I think that tells you what you need to know.  Or actually what you didn't need to know at all.  You're welcome.

Later Saturday M decided he wanted to help with some chores so he vacuumed, made E's bed, and emptied the trash cans for me.  At one point he was having trouble with the vacuum cord and I asked if he needed help with it.  He said "nope...nothings too hard for a growing man."  Sound like his daddy much?   Hopefully I am lucky enough to keep this little man interested in chores...it will give me even more time to sit on the couch and stare at the wall.  ;)

Saturday night B and I had our second marriage enrichment class.  I didn't realize it was this weekend, so it was a lucky surprise for me to get to spend the evening with my love.  This lesson was about keeping track of the "deposits and withdraws" you make in your marriage.  I liked it, but what I liked best is that we won the door prize AGAIN.  Last time we won the journal and coupon book.  This time when my name was called I turned to tell B that we should probably just let someone else have the prize, but then I heard that it was a twenty five dollar gift card to Johnny Brusco's so I zipped my lips! 

We had dinner at Which Wich after class.  We had never been there before, and I was sooooo happy to find that they serve Mr. Pibb.  I am a Pibb girl, and it is hard to find around here.  See?  Lucky lucky lucky.  I honestly didn't love my wich, but I will definitely be back for the Pibb.  Brent, or rather Burt (he was dining as his alter ego), really liked his wich.



My streak continued into Sunday.  I felt lucky to wake up to such nice weather.  Actually, my kids were probably the lucky ones.  We have been a little stir crazy and Saturday afternoon I was starting to wonder if there was anyway we would all make it to Spring.  A day outside in the sun adjusted my attitude a bit, and I think we might make it after all. 

Talk to ya soon,

Angie



A Day In The Life - Part Time Working Momma

Today I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner for A Day in the Life.

I work three days a week, and am home with the kids two days a week.  Thursday I took notes and chronicled a day in my life as a part time working momma.  It's pretty detailed, but I think it will be fun to look back on and see how quickly life changes. 

I am working on a separate post for a day in my life as a part time SAHM.  Hopefully I will get it done this weekend. 

**Disclaimer:  E spent the night with Nanny and Papa Wednesday so her dramatic little self is missing from our Thursday morning routine.  She is SOOOO not a morning person. 

1:57am - My eyes first see Thursday morning when the tyrant tater wakes just before 2am.  I change his diaper, give him about three ounces of milk, and tuck him back in.  I go back to bed and fall right to sleep.

6:30am - My alarm goes off.  I hit snooze and sleep ten more minutes then get up and go wake M.  I get him dressed and get his breakfast.  I do most of this in a complete stupor.  Like my sweet E I am not a morning person.  It takes me awhile to adjust.  This whole kindergarten thing was a huge change for me. 

7:00pm - The tyrant tater starts to stir around so I change his diaper then tuck him back in.

7:15am - Brent comes home from work to take M to school.  After they leave I load the dishwasher, do a quick pickup in the living room, and start some laundry.  Since I'm feeling generous this morning, I straighten the bed up (fluff the pillows, turn back the covers, etc) so it will be extra nice and comfy for B to hop into later. I only do this once in awhile not everyday.

7:45am - I get in the shower wearing my old fashioned vinyl shower cap so I don't have to bother with drying my hair later.  At some point B returns home and comes into the bathroom to talk with me for a bit before he goes to bed.  Usually we discuss his workout or an arrest he made the night before.  Today we talk about his new found commitment to healthier eating.  All I can think is that I guess he isn't going to want the fish sticks I have planned for dinner tonight.

8:20am - I'm dressed and ready to go.  The shower cap may look goofy but it saves me LOTS of time getting ready.  I grab a snack and a glass of tea for me and pack the tyrant tater's bag for day care before waking him up.  He is not happy to see me this morning.  His face in the below pic says it all.  Heehee.  He is dressed and we are walking out the door by 8:40am.  He will just have a squeeze fruit and dry cereal for breakfast in the car.  Sparky is going to dog camp today so he loads up with us.

 9:00am - I arrive at my office where I will spend the day solving problems that will allow young Walmart and Target customers across the nation to purchase fashionable clothing at affordable prices.  Which means I will create lots of spreadsheets, send lots of emails, ship lots of samples, and drink lots of tea. 

2:30pm - I get in the car rider line to pick M up from school.  He will spend the afternoon at my office.  Today when I grab his name sign out of the glove box and throw it on my dash I notice there is a napkin stuck to it.  When I reach to try and grab it I realize it's no napkin...it is a panty liner!  One of the littler taters carried it out to the car with them the other day and I just grabbed it and tossed it in the glove box.  I frantically struggle to reach the sign before anyone sees it.  I am sure no one was really looking in my car, but you know that feeling when you're sure everyone saw what just happened?  So embarrassing. 


My momma's a nut bag!

5:15pm - Leave the office.  Plan to stop by Dollar General real fast on the way home for milk.  While we are there M decides he just has to use the bathroom.  Like the kind that's gonna take awhile.  He has to go a lot and he doesn't discriminate against dirty bathrooms.  Bleh.  I could seriously write a Dr Suess style book about this boy and his pooing.  Something like I can do it in a store, I can do it on the shore, in the woods of vacant hoods (there's a true store there folks), while getting gas or catching bass, I can do it anywhere.  Anyway, what should have been a five minute stop turned into a thirty five minute stop. 


6:00pm - Pick Sparky up from camp.

6:10pm - Home!  B has already picked the tyrant tater up and E has just been dropped off from her overnight trip.  Makes me happy to see their sweet faces. 

6:15pm - M and E get in the bath while I fix dinner and B entertains the tyrant tater.  I finish the older taters baths and we eat dinner around 7pm.  Fish sticks for the taters and leftover soup for the parental units (you're welcome B). 

7:25pm - R baths in the sink while I do the dinner dishes.  He is getting a little big for the sink, but he is scared of the big bath tub.  For now we are just sticking with what we know works.  B and E play catch in the living room and M plays a game on the computer.

7:40pm - We all sit on the couch to read M's school book.  He is so excited about his first chapter book.  He already has a Spiderman one, but he says it doesn't count because it has some pictures in it.  Sound reasoning I suppose.

8:10pm - I put away laundry in the boys room while the taters (plus Sparky) play nicely run around like wild animals.

 8:40pm - Both boys go to bed.  E practices cutting index cards with her safety scissors while I visit with B for awhile.  Then I do some more laundry.  I know I've said it before but I really need a laundry fairy. 

9:15pm - E and I snuggle up on her bed.  She plays on the ipad while I finish a blog post from the weekend.  I check facebook and twitter so I can be sure I am up to date on all the latest news from the social media front.

10:00pm - I do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  Ok, that's a lie.  I think about doing 30 Day Shred.  Oh ok, that's a lie too.  What really happens is E and I move ourselves from her bed to the couch and watch an episode of Downton Abbey.  Happy now? 

11:00pm - Bed.  Me, E, and Sparky all head to my room and call it a night.  Zzzzzz.

Talk to ya soon,
Angie