Madagascar Birthday Party

Madagascar Cake

White with Bavarian Cream filling - Major Hit!!!

Personalized Birthday screens

Daddy made 5-6 screens that rotated w/different characters

In the background is a plasma screen playing the movie

Renni Bird surprised both kids by coming up with Grandma and Grandpa for their birthday weekend!!

The Original Mini Me did face-painting

The Madagascar soundtrack played over speakers

Also had Madagascar coloring pages J personalized

with "Happy Birthday Motor Mouth & Mini Me"

Musical Chairs

Thanks to Miss Sherry for helping with that!

We held the party in Park Cafe at church

Our kids have great friends whom they love.

This year, the kids were told they had to share a party theme. They were deciding between Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar. I steered them towards Madagascar. Not sure why. I just did. Bad idea!!

Madagascar party themed food is not all over the web. I ended up focusing on the cake and going really low key with the snacks this year. We did juice boxes and put the kids names on them (the boxes all look alike). 

Plus, Madagascar 2 party supplies were only available for a short time in stores. I ended up calling every Party City in Chicago and in Tulsa. At first, I told the kids they could only invite 2 friends because I could only find goodie bags for 4 kids. Finally, I managed to get enough supplies for 8 kids. When I found more stuffed animals, I invited 3 more younger friends 'cause I could give everyone a stuffed animal and the little kids wouldn't notice they had a different bag. I also cleared it with the parents, so they understood. I know. Overkill, but kids can really get their feelings hurt at birthday parties.

I think the kids really enjoyed themselves and hopefully they took really long naps for their parents that afternoon!

Knowing Me, Knowing You - Apr '09

The Fairy Blogmother has a monthly installment called 'KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU'. After reading my answers, be sure to check out hers!

1. Who does the grocery shopping in your family?

Used to be J when we lived in Tulsa. Now, it is me. J used to do the cooking, so it made sense for him to do the grocery shopping. Plus, I couldn't find many of the brands I was familiar with in Canada. It was confusing to me. I'm always a bit lost in a grocery store. I walk the aisles, looking for what I need. Living here, things are different. I go to Pete's for fresh fruit and veggies, Costco for bigger items, and Wal-Mart for dry goods, milk, toiletries, pull-ups. It's worth the drive to Wal-Mart just for the savings on apple juice and pull-ups.

2. Are you watching American Idol? If so, who are you picking to win it?

Watching it intently and I want Adam Lambert to win. I think he is a true musician in the way he is able to rearrange the songs to suit his style each week. His vocal range, strength, and ability to control is voice is top notch. Next would be Danny Gokey.

3. What is your favourite type of fruit?

Strawberries. My dad's pears. MacIntosh apples.

4. Are you a night owl or a morning person?

I don't know. Probably a night owl. When I wake up early in the morning, I get so much accomplished but when I'm up late at night, I do too. I think I'm just not a mid-afternoon person.

5. Speaking of bed -- when you're sleeping do you have your socks on or do you take them off?

Before peri-menopause, I was a socks on kinda girl. Now, I can't wear anything.

How Do You Prove Your Kid is Yours?

I've often wondered this while in public:

How do I prove my kids are mine?

My kids do not carry ID on them and I don't carry ID for them - not picture ID at any rate.  My kids don't look like me - not really. Especially the boy. Just this Saturday, I was asked 'And whose children are these?' I was in the Green Room at church, after hours, alone with my kids. Lady, they are mine. I imagine I could carry a family photo in my wallet, but when I'm going to the playground, it's the cell phone, keys and maybe a few dollars.

Today, J was out with Mini Me at a McDonald's Playland. Mini Me didn't want to leave and began screaming and crying: "No! I don't want to go!" People stopped and were staring.  She was fighting against leaving with J. He modified his planned departure to casually refill his drink - to show he wasn't rushing out with someone's kid. Mini Me was in rare form. She stood against the wall and wouldn't go to him.

When they got home, J asked Mini Me who he was. Her response? "Bad Guy."  So we can't even depend on our kids to tell people we are their parents. Nice.

Wordless Wednesday - Scream

I know Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be, well, WORDLESS. And on Wednesday. However, I have to tell you, Mini Me was screaming outside the Edvard Munch exhibit at the Chicago Art Institute. A lady came up and commented on how appropriate that was considering he is most famous for 'Scream'.

My American Idol - 5th Judge post is due tomorrow so I'm posting this on Tuesday. So I guess that means I can break rules all around.

I Don't Like My Foot

3 years ago, I tripped on a cord at work and messed up my left foot. It was a long, drawn out affair. It was broken then not broken then broken then not. I had 3 rounds of cortisone shots. For the record, those football players that get shot with cortisone and are on the field 20 minutes later are machines!! Cortisone is worse than childbirth.  At least with childbirth, you forget the pain. Not so with cortisone.

When Mini Me was born, I was wearing ugly boots J purchased to work in the Katrina clean up. By the time Mini Me's 1st birthday rolled around, I had had foot surgery and was wearing a big boot. I must say, I do miss having a handicapped sticker because that is primo parking, my friend. Every now and then, I look longingly at the motorized wheelchairs at Wal-Mart, remembering our good times together. If I weren't with the kids every time, I might take one for a spin, just for old times sake.

Last year, on Mini Me's 2nd birthday, I was in normal shoes and no longer going to physical therapy 3x/week. This year, I was back in tennis shoes on Mini Me's birthday and doing foot exercises throughout the day. Sigh. I don't like my foot very much anymore.

Really? Ex-communication

So, I'm reading about the 13-yr old boy in England who supposedly fathered a baby by his 15-yr old girlfriend. Only, as it turns out, he might not be the dad after all. 2 other boys (both under age) have said they could be the father and, allegedly, so could about 5 others. After reading that doozy, I click on over to this story. What a night!

9-Yr Old Brazilian Girl's Abortion Fuels Debate in Brazil

Allegedly, a 9-yr old girl and her sister have been raped/molested by their 23-yr old stepdad for about 3 years. She gets pregnant with his baby. Only it's twins. She's 9. Doctors tell her mom the girl's 79 pound frame cannot support 1 baby, much less twins and recommend an abortion. She allegedly has the abortion. 

Who does the Archbishop ex-communicate? The stepdad? Hell no. The girl's mother and the girl. Apparently, it is worse to murder a baby (or twins) that could kill you if you try to carry them to term than it is to rape your daughter.

Fortunately, the counsel of bishops overturned the decision. But what a great message to send to a 9-yr old girl who has allegedly been subjected to unknown horrors. Your rapist's soul is better than yours because he only raped you. He didn't kill you. Nice.

I Won An Award!!

Looky, looky here!

I won an award!!

It's my very 1st blogger award.

The Rules:
1) Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post
2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude
3) Link to your nominees within your post
4) Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5) Share the love and link to the person from who you received your award

And, in no particular order...

1. LouandAce

2. TRUE Musings - The Real Kevin Pauls

3. Whittaker Woman

4. Lit and Laundry

5. Amanda Donaho Photography

6. The Road Not Chosen

7. The Mommy Project

8. Serenity Now

9. Tales From the Fairy Blogmother

10. Rare Rocks 

Thankful Thursday - Mutti

It is said you can increase your happiness

 25% by being THANKFUL.

I call my mom, Mutti. 

It is German for mom/mommy. 

I'm really grateful for my Mutti, 

because she is so SMART! 

My Mutti taught me some classic real life lessons, just by living her life. Mom shaved 10 years off their mortgage by calling the banks, checking rates - every week for months. When the rates dipped low, she informed her bank she would be switching her mortgage to another lender. Her bank matched the rate and waived fees. That's typical of my Mutti!! 

The plan this week, was to cancel our home phone service and return 2/3 cable boxes. It's a recession, you know. The home service was going to double at the end of our introductory period. On Monday, I called and told our service provider we are scheduled to have our phone disconnected Tuesday, but I saw a commercial offering the same service for less. They gave me the introductory rate for 6 more months AND I'm getting our extra cable boxes for only 99 cents/month! I didn't even ask for the last part but that works. We'll keep 'em now. Thanks, for the lesson, Mutti!!

I learned from the best. She's also the one who taught me how to sock away money, resulting in us having a down payment for our first home. 

My mom rocks!! 

I'm very grateful for her. 

Today and every day.

But shhh...Don't tell her about this blog entry. She thinks I'm an ungrateful child. Let's keep it that way. LOL!!

American Idol - Live Week 6

My 5th Judge Opinion. 

Theme:

Motown

#1 - Matt Giraud

Yeah, Baby!! Let's get IT on!! Started on the piano, moved to the stage. Very comfortable in his skin - Justin Timberlake-ish. Nice vocals. Song showcased his voice.

#2 - Kris Allen

Have I told you this guy just bugs me. He always seems so karaoke/high school musical/cruise ship. Jim Carrey's younger brother.

#3 - Scott MacIntyre

Oh dear lord. I want someone to come take him home. Cheeeeeesy!! All he needed was to pull out a tambourine. How much more can I take till I puke.

#4 - Megan Joy

Train wreck. She made 'For once in my life' sound like the theme from Love Boat. Yikes, girl! MOTOWN week and you pick THAT song with a JAZZY voice? This could get you going home, my friend - and I have even more mad love for you than Randy!

#5 - Anoop Desai

It's time Anoop purchased a pair of $200 jeans. Those $50 GAP jeans aren't doing anything for me. Voice was sweeeeeeeeeet though. 

#6 - Michael Sarver

It was a white boy singing a black boy song. But I enjoyed it. Maybe I'm a Las Vegas loungey kinda girl. 

#7 - Lil Rounds

It wasn't a heat wave for me. It was a madness wave. Lil developed some sort of manic lisp for this rendition. I can't keep from wanting the song to be over. And that flapper outfit? With a 60's song? Really? No.

#8 - Adam Lambert

Wow. Oh. My. Freaking. God. Standing ovation from Smokey Robinson. End the competition now. Give the man the title. He is ah-mazing! That last part. WOW!! He sang that entire song in falsetto. And he is beautiful. I love me some Adam.

#9 - Danny Gokey

I wasn't ready for this. Whew. This song did nothing to showcase Danny's voice. You can't pick fun songs if they don't showcase your vocal abilities. I'm with Simon - clumsy and amateurish. Never go on after a better singer...But I do love you Danny.

#10 - Allison Iraheta

She did a great job. There were some mumbly parts, but she did a great job at making a man's song her own. Allison is another one who bugs me. But I will admit this girl can SANG. 

There ya have it!

The view from my couch.

And then there were 9....

Michael Sarver went home

Ahahahaha!

I actually did it. I bought a Snuggie!

I called the toll-free number but it was going to be $17.99 +$7.95 s&h + an extra $7.95 s&h for a 2nd Snuggie. Nope. No thanks.

Then, I was walking through Staples and saw 2 boxes left. They were $14.95 each. I purchased 1 because I wasn't sure we would like it and the other box had been opened and I didn't want OPF (other people's funk) on my Snuggie.

Verdict:

It's okay. It does keep you warm, but the collar falls down. If you are sitting on the couch, it works great. But when I sit at the table to homeschool, my back gets cold. I would not pay more than I did for it. Who knows, if I get into sewing this summer, I just might make a modified version for everyone in the family for Christmas. 

Ahahahaha!

Burn Baby, Burn!!

This morning, the last of our house guests left. We've had house guests for the last 2 1/2 weeks straight. In fact, on Friday and Saturday, we had 8 people in our humble 3-bedroom loft. We never had that many guests when we owned a house!

I've enjoyed my niece being here. It was like having a little sister around. We always enjoy having J's parents here. This time, they surprised Motor Mouth and Mini Me, by bringing J's niece for the birthday weekend.

As much as I have enjoyed having family here, I am ready to burn my bras. I have had to wear a bra all day, every day for 2 1/2 weeks. 

Where is my lighter?

Happy Birthday Motor Mouth!

Today is Motor Mouth's birthday.

He turns 6 today.

I have so many memories of the day my first born came into this world. The first glimpse, other than an ultrasound, was when I saw his head crowning. Soon, there was this tiny creature and I was cutting the umbilical cord. I remember him laying in the bassinet after having been cleaned and weighed. He was perfect. I didn't know what to do, so I counted his fingers and toes. He was so beautiful. 

Today, 6 years later, I look at my son. He is still beautiful. Motor Mouth is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I love him so much.

Happy Birthday Mini Me

Today is Mini Me's 3rd birthday.

It was a Monday evening at 5:10 pm when I received a phone call from the adoption agency director telling me there was a baby at the hospital and did we want her? We did. But we had to wait until the next morning to meet our baby. 

Mini Me was the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. She was born via c-section, so her head and face were perfect. When TT, her birth mom asked if I liked Mini Me, I told her I loved her. And I meant it. Our family was complete. All was well with our world.

I was so excited to have a baby girl, I bought pink everything I could find. We weren't going to redecorate the nursery. But J couldn't resist. We had a girl!!

Today, Mini Me is a quirky, fun little girl with the most amazing laugh. Two nights ago, I sat and observed Mini Me as she belly laughed at a movie. It was such a beautiful sound. I can hardly wait until she wakes up and I can hear that laugh again!!

Happy Birthday, Mini Me

Today you turn 3!

Thankful Thursday - Obvious Choice

For Thankful Thursday this week, I'm going with the obvious choice: my husband, J.

Have you heard the saying, "I kissed a lot of toads before I found my prince"? I haven't kissed that many, but enough to know the supreme value of my husband.

J is creative. He has creativity pouring out of every fiber of his being. He is the essence of creativity. As such, I benefit because the stuff he comes up with is like no one I know. Things he does around the house, things he does for parties and family times. J's gifts and talents enhance our lives.

Like the time he made this elaborate fabric draping for over our bed. He built in 2 pin lights (1 for each of us) on separate dimmer switches. This was so I could read in bed at night. Who does that?

There are so many sweet, thoughtful things J does. Things you wouldn't think of. Like last summer when I got really sick and was tossing my cookies every hour. He put a blanket wrapped in thick towels on the floor around the commode for me to be comfortable. Who does that??

On the mornings I don't manage to get out of bed and shower before the kids wake up, he gets the kids their milk and handles the morning routine so I can have my alone time. He is always thinking of ways to get me time to myself. In Tulsa, J would take the kids to the mall - a place I hate and they love. In Chicago, J can be seen taking the kids to a museum, or for fun on Michigan Ave. My kids love shopping, thanks to their daddy.

J is a good man. The Bible says, "He who finds a good wife has found a good thing..." Well, I have found a good man. I have found a good thing. Now, I just need to treat him like the treasure he is!!

Widney Wednesday - St. Patrick's Day 2009

Greening of the Chicago River!!

Greening of Motor Mouth

Green Mini Me

Green Original Mini Me

Green Eggs

Green Shamrock Pancakes

Green Cupcakes

Shepherd's Pie - Not green but oh so good!

American Idol - Live Week 5

This is where I give my 5th Judge, person @home point-of-view. It's what this real person thinks about the performances each week. 

Songs Theme:

Grand Ol' Opry. Country music. Hmmm...

#1 - Michael Sarver

Michael sang and his voice sounded okay. But I could barely understand the words. Very mumbly. I thought this could get Michael sent home.

#2 -Allison Iraheta

I just don't like her.  The performance was dull. 

#3 - Kris Allen

I thought Kris did a good job on the song. I don't know the song, so I can't speak to the original. But he's not someone that has star power. Kris could leave and no one would remember he was ever on the show. 

#4 - Lil Rounds

Lil did Martina McBride's 'Independence Day'. For someone who doesn't listen to country music, I think she did a good job but he song was too big for her voice in the end.  

#5 - Adam Lambert

Wow!! Talk about taking a song and bringing it into your comfort zone. What a showcase for his voice. Rock star.

#6 - Scott MacIntyre

Boring!! People need to stop voting for this guy. 

#7 - Alexis Grace

Yikes. That was a train wreck.

#8 - Danny Gokey

Awkward!! He brought it home later on. But Danny needs to be careful with his song choice. Yes, you are a Christian. That is great. But if you keep picking Jesus songs, you WILL go home - and not to your Heavenly home. Just off the show, dude.

#9 - Anoop Desai

Oh my! Anoop will be always on my mind after that song. Excellent song choice to showcase his vocals. 

#10 - Megan Joy (Formerly, Megan Corkery)

That girl can sing! She made that song her own. And she looked beautiful!!

#11 - Matt Giraud

Matt brought it home!! He came out looking like a star. I didn't realize he had such a great voice.  At this point, based upon this performance, if we were voting for the top 3, Matt would be up there.

Check back tomorrow to see which 2 went home!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

HAPPY  ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

Mini Me School Update!!!

I applied to 11 preschools for Mini Me.  Everyone I know of received their kids' school acceptance letters almost 2 weeks ago. My kids? Nada. It's a random lottery so I've been trying to convince myself it is not personal. 

Homeschooling has not been going well. It's my fault. In fact, my pupil said, "You're not my teacher anymore. You're FIRED!"

By the end of last week, all I wanted to do was go into a corner and cry. However, I have been far too busy to take that much time to indulge my PMS. 

On Saturday, I made my daily trek to the mailbox. I saw a letter from a school and knew they had started sending the decline letters. Good thing I read it, because Mini Me got accepted at a Montessori preschool that, statistically, is harder to get into than Harvard!!!  

Mini Me is going to sch-ooooool!!! 

Mini Me is go-ing t-o-o-o schooo-oooool. 

Yippee, yippee, yippeee, yippee, yippee. 

Yippeeeee-kai-yea!!! 

Whoooooo-hoooooooo!!!!! 

Yeeeeeeee----hhhaaaaaaaaaaa!

Yessssssss!

I'm a little excited. 

And she will wear a little uniform!! 

My baby girl is growing up!

What Do You Want for your Birthday?

So, my kids came up with an idea at Christmas that I thought I would share with you all. I go with them to the store, and take pictures of what they want. I then sent the pictures to their grandmother. Two sets of grandparents sent money, so I took that and my photos and got them exactly what they wanted. It worked out great.

The kids' birthdays are coming up in 1 week!

When we were at Target, they asked me to 

take pictures of what they wanted.

I haven't told anyone what they want 

I'm debating on this stuff vs. bikes 

vs. gift cards from GAP or Old Navy.

To be honest, Mini Me would like an assault rifle to shoot all the pigeons Motor Mouth likes. But I've convinced her that maybe she wants to work on completing her wooden food and kitchen set with the baking, breakfast and veggies.

Motor Mouth is all about dinosaurs, 

whales, and sharks right now.

If you have grandparents who live far away, 

this idea might work for you, too!

The Original Mini Me

My Niece

The Original Mini Me

In town, visiting

At big, glass, 2-storey McDonald's

Sitting near gelato bar

Downtown Chicago

Apple Store

Standing on glass staircase

Ghiradelli Store

Ice cream break!

Outside Harpo Studios

After attending taping of show

With Reggie, Oprah's make-up artist

The Original Mini Me is here for 2 weeks.

Pray for J. He has 3 of us to contend with!