Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Well, cross that one off my bucket list.

So, I don't know if you guys knew this or not.

I'm kind of a big deal.

I'm a model.

I do my little turn on the catwalk. And, I am way too sexy for Milan, New York and Japan.
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A couple weeks ago, my friend sent me text encouraging me to be a hair model for a hair show that was coming to our area--they needed models that were over 5'8".

So, my over 5'8" self showed up on Sunday, throwing caution to the wind. I decided I'd go along with whatever they might want to do with my hair. Except for a mohawk. No mohawks for me.

You see, while I play the suburban stay-at-home mama in real life, there's something down deep inside me that longs to be a bit of a rebel. I want to express my weirdness on the outside. I really want to get my nose pierced. I kinda want a tattoo on the inside of my wrist too. But---since I'm pretty sure Brad would consider leaving me if I got a tattoo, I figured I'd settle on a fun, new hair cut.

Until Sunday, the only rebellious looking thing on me was the small silver hoop I have in the piercing on the top of my left ear, and maybe my toe ring. Are those even cool anymore? I don't care---love my toe ring. I've had it for years.

Anyway, as I was sitting at this model call the short, eccentric Italian man, who seemed to be in charge, announced that he needed a virgin with a good neck. At this, I was whisked out of my seat and into his chair.

What's a virgin with a good neck? Someone who has never colored her hair, and has a nice neck.

There is in his chair, this virgin became a bit of a whore, in a strictly hair-dye sense.



So, here are the facts:

*I did strut my stuff on a stage, but I left the camera at home, so Brad could take pictures of the girls in my absence---way more important!

*The eyeliner they use may never come off--I've tried, twice, to wash it off.

*Being a model is actually very humbling work, I found out. It is not about the model AT ALL--it's about presenting a product. So, while I got to get all dolled up for a bit---it wasn't about making me feel pretty, it was about showing off their art work on the canvas that was my hair.

*The short, eccentric Italian guy made two girls cry, because he cut their hair shorter than they expected. He shaved one girl's head. I was really glad he didn't want to shave my head. I guess there's where my rebelliousness comes to a grinding halt. That and mohawks.

*I really, really love, love, love, love my hair in all its red, purple, pink, orangeness!

*I've been to New York. I had a layover in Milan once. I've never been to Japan, but I'm pretty sure, for a moment, I was too sexy for all three of them.

*I have terrible, laughable "model" face.



*You're welcome for putting the lyrical genius of Right Said Fred in your head this morning.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Mama Loves: Wine Corks

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! So glad that you've stopped by!

Mama Loves is a linky party where mamas can share anything that has made your life easier as a mama.

Maybe you've found: 
  • a toy or book that captivates your child(ren)
  • gear you just can't live without
  • a recipe your choosy toddler gobbles down
  • a parenting book that you've found perspective changing
  • an activity that wears your kid(s) out (these lead to good naps, which we all love)
  • an outfit that flatters your post-baby body and makes you feel fabulous
  • or anything else you're loving--creativity welcome!
Share it with us! Blogging has made me a better mama, because I've learned about all kinds of great things, like those listed above, from mamas just like you. Here's your chance to share it with all of us!

To link your post up, click on the linky tool at the bottom, and follow the directions, it's really easy. You can also add this beautiful button to your post. Just grab the code in the box, copy and paste it into your post. Easy.

Manic Mother


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I'd seen an idea on Pinterest awhile back to make some wall art with wine corks.
We have a fair number of corks around here.

Instead of attempting this while the girls were sleeping, I thought maybe they'd enjoy the sensory experience of the corks, while I attempted to make art.

Hadley loves to work quietly on puzzles, or other activities, so I shouldn't have been surprised that she quickly caught on to me finding corks to stand on end to make a heart.

She would search through the bag. To find just the right cork for me. Then she'd balance it on its end, and add it to our project.

We did this together:


To be honest, I didn't want the red or yellow one in there, but Hadley found those, and she was so excited to include them, so there they are.

I wasn't quite ready to bust out the glue while the girls were awake. So, while they were sleeping, I glued the corks on a board to be hung on our wall.


Hadley is so proud of our project!


My point in this post, is not to tell you about our project. It's to tell you how awesome corks are! While our girls were throwing corks all over our living room enjoying the sensory experience of a bag full or corks, I came up with a few other useful/educational things for us to do with corks that I thought you might be interested in.

I got out the shapes from our shape-sorter, and had the girls attempt to make circles, squares and triangles with the corks:




Even if your littles aren't yet ready for making shapes, standing the corks up helps with hand/eye coodination:


To get more advanced, your kids can make letters or words out of the corks:


If you don't drink enough wine for these projects, restaurants or wine bars often save corks, and will be happy for you to take them off their hands, just ask! I might be able to spare a few too.

Can't wait to see what you're loving!!

Also sharing this here.

And here.



Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Fore! A great toddler activity that sort of has to do with the game of golf

This winter I've tried to create different ways to entertain and teach my girls.

On Pinterest, I saw an idea to have your toddlers balance marbles on golf tees, secured in foam.

Cheap and easy--especially if you golf (or know someone who does), have received a flower arrangement secured in that green foam stuff, and have a few marbles laying around.

I decided to take this idea a few steps further (and to make it a bit safer for my girls, who would love to swallow put things like marbles in their mouths).

Instead of marbles, I used wooden balls, you can find at any craft store. They're larger than marbles, which made me feel better about them. I painted them.


I painted the golf tees too. This way it works on hand/eye coordinations AND color matching.

I secured the tees (with a little glue) in a foam retangle (4"x 3").


Our girls get SO excited when they balance those balls on the golf tees!



A few minor flaws I've noticed about my design:
  • It needs to be secured on something heavier like a block of wood, or even a heavy piece of cardboard--it's too tippy the way it is.
  • The tees need to be positioned further apart. The girls get a few balls balanced, and then knock them off attempting to get the others balanced; it's frustrating for them. Maybe just put them in a row--at least a couple inches apart, or just a couple inches in all directions.
I hope your kids enjoy this as much as mine do! It's really benefitted their color matching and hand/eye coordination abilities, and it's a great quiet activity for toddlers!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Whoa!

I think Brad and I say Whoa! way too much.

Our girls say it all the time--about everything.

Here's your supper, Hadley.
Response: Whoa!

As I take off a very wet or very dirty diaper.
Response: Whoa!

As a pick up the girls from their nap--one girl in each arm.
Brynne's response: Whoa!

I love the enthusiasm!
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So much to be thankful for this past week!

I had a moment where I realized just how much our baby girls were growing up (1058). You know those moments?

You're stunned, maybe a little bit emotional, but you have to quickly recover, because this is toddlers we're talking about. Two of them. They don't pause for "moments" like that.

On Monday (MLK day), it was gorgeous outside (1059). We took the girls for a walk at our local nature reserve--get this--without a stroller! (1060 &1061) They did so well (1062)! Brad and I bravely took them out over the water, so they could get a closer look at the geese, which they loved. (1063) They held our hands and obeyed beautifully. (1064) I was so proud of them!

Our girls' artwork has been decorating our refrigerator, which I love, but it was a lot of paper. So, Brad helped me create this: (1065)

Just a board, screws (left sticking out about 1/4 inch and hooks you can get at an
office supply store.

I found Hadley enjoying her books the other day in her new favorite hiding spot. (1066)


Peekaboo!


Brynne loves that spot too. (1067)


Brynne hammering: (1068)


Hadley's tall, tall towers built with Duplo Legos (great toy for toddlers!!): (1069)


This left-handed mama might just love her propensity to use her left hand. (1070)


Hadley signing that we should be quiet, because her baby is sleeping. (1071)

Brynne hiding, and popping out at just the right moment with an enthusiastic "BOO!" (1072)


Our community small group met at our house this past Tuesday (1073). I was told that I shouldn't stress, and should let our little community see us as we are, in our mess. I couldn't help myself but to clean anyway. I am happy to report that I mis-timed our dinner a little bit, so there were actually a few dishes in the sink when people got here (1074). I'm even more happy to report---I was able to let that go, and enjoy good fellowship (1075).

The girls posing with their papa: (1076)


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Also linking with Heather at Life Made Lovely.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Mama Loves: Balloons

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! So glad that you've stopped by!

Mama Loves is a linky party where mamas can share anything that has made your life easier as a mama.

Maybe you've found: 
  • a toy or book that captivates your child(ren)
  • gear you just can't live without
  • a recipe your choosy toddler gobbles down
  • a parenting book that you've found perspective changing
  • an activity that wears your kid(s) out (these lead to good naps, which we all love)
  • an outfit that flatters your post-baby body and makes you feel fabulous
  • or anything else you're loving--creativity welcome!
Share it with us! Blogging has made me a better mama, because I've learned about all kinds of great things, like those listed above, from mamas just like you. Here's your chance to share it with all of us!

To link your post up, click on the linky tool at the bottom, and follow the directions, it's really easy. You can also add this beautiful button to your post. Just grab the code in the box, copy and paste it into your post. Easy.

Manic Mother


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Here's a few great things you should check out!
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Our girls love balloons.

They only first saw/experienced a balloon for the first time at a birthday party.

Just look at our little Brynne's face! That's what I call a party!


If that isn't pure delight, I don't know what is.

When I was a little girl, my grandparents used to get us those punching balloons. You know. The ones that are attached to a rubber band. You hold the rubber band, and punch the balloon. 

So, I found some of those and bought them right up. They were stocking-stuffers for our girls.

Yeah. They love those punching balloons:


See? Brynne is making almost exactly the same face!


Hadley loves them too.

Here are some of the great things about punching balloons:
  • they are sturdy--it takes a lot to pop these
  • when the air gets low, you can untie them, and air them back up
  • the best part is that they are cheap--I got a set of two for $1.50
I do recommend supervision. Our girls don't play with these without supervision.

Lots of supervised fun for $1.50. Totally worth it!

Can't wait to see what you're loving!






Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Specially Christmas: Mandy Style

A few weeks back, in the aftermath of the holidays, I wrote about traditions that make the Christmas holiday special. I also invited people to share stories!

My dear friend Mandy at Twin Trials and Triumphs wrote this beautiful post for me to share here.

It's lovely.

The images and feelings it conjures make me tear up a little bit (in a good way).

It makes my mouth water.

Best of all---she shares of bit of her family's Christmas tradition with all of us!

Thank you, Mandy, for sharing a piece of your soul here.
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When I think about the holiday traditions I grew up with, my mind goes right to my grandmother’s house. Our small family would congregate there for all the major holidays, and some minor ones, too…an opportunity to relax, enjoy each others' company, and there was always the most delicious food.


Green beans at Easter…slow-grilled ribs for the summer holidays, along with my aunt’s potato salad (always eaten on the patio, generations’ old quilts lining the swings)…butter beans at Thanksgiving…”knick knacks” at Christmas, including pastrami and mustard on pumpernickel and the world’s best Chex mix.

My heart swells and my mouth waters just thinking about it.

While it saddens me that my girls will never experience the joy of running up the walk to my grandmother’s house, knowing they’d be greeted by the biggest of bear hugs, I am thankful that I can at least pass along some of our family’s recipes to them. I think the senses of taste and smell are so incredibly powerful, and I hope to instill a sense of family in our girls’ hearts with some food traditions of our own.

In our girls’ three years, I have taken some family recipes, as well as some of my own, and have begun to associate certain dishes with particular holidays.

Valentine’s Day = strawberry cake with cream cheese icing.
St. Patrick’s Day = brownies with mint filling.
Easter = carrot cake.
Summer holidays = ribs, baked beans, potato salad, and banana split pie.
Thanksgiving = homemade cranberry sauce and Watergate salad.
Christmas = cinnamon pull-apart bread.

When the girls get a little older and are able to actually help in the kitchen, I have plans to make a photo book of our traditional recipes, complete with pictures of us cooking together. For now, I know they enjoy the yummy food, and I hope one day they’ll enjoy having that record of our own little family’s traditions.

As part of Julia’s Specially Christmas, I’m sharing my Christmas recipe. It’s nothing gourmet, but it’s quite yummy, and easy enough for the hustle and bustle of Christmas morning. And I hope one day that the smell of cinnamon wafting from the oven transports my girls back to the Christmas mornings of their youth.

Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread

¾ cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 cans (7.5 oz. each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
½ cup butter, melted, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut biscuit dough into quarters with scissors. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a large zipper seal bag. Add dough quarters to bag and shake to coat. Place half of coated pieces into greased 12-cup fluted tube pan. Drizzle with ¼ cup melted butter. Top with remaining biscuit quarters and melted butter. Top unbaked loaf with remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake 40 - 45 minutes, or until golden. Let loaf stand 5 minutes and invert onto plate. Top with glaze.
Glaze

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 - 2 Tbsp. milk

Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar with electric mixer until well blended. Add milk until desired consistency is reached. Spoon over warm loaf.
From our family to yours…I hope you had a fantastic holiday, filled with wonderful traditions and good eats, too!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Goofy, Giggly Toddlers Make Me Smile

This time of year is rough for me. It's cold. I feel a bit couped up and isolated. The girls are both (knock on wood, say a prayer, turn around and spit thrice--I really shouldn't even be acknowledging this) mostly healthy, and we're trying to keep that that way for more than five minutes, which means we limit outings.

It's as if the girls knew their mama was having a bit of a rough time. They have been so full of giggles this week (1046). How can I not be both entertained and joyful with two goofy, giggly toddlers running around? Just have a look at these two!



Tights! They're just so cute! (1047)




The girls have just about the best papa in the whole world (1048)! He comes up fresh new things for them to try, and so patient with them! Yesterday he took them ouside to make and throw snowballs before all the snow melted (1049).

See their wee little snowballs in their hands?
They were running towards to the edge of the deck to throw them.

Brad also put on the girls' aprons and brought them into the kitchen with him, so they could make ham salad together (1050).
Isn't this one of the cutest things you've ever seen?!
We took the girls out to eat last night (1051). Our girls did so well! It was so encouraging to see them behave so well (1052), and fun to see them be excited about eating in a new place (1053).

I now have this on my mantle (1054):


I made it. It makes me happy. It's an important reminder for me.

I was so blessed with encouragement this week from my dear friend, Melissa, who hijacked my blog and told me just what I needed to hear (1055).

I got to go to a local bakery on Saturday to enjoy a delectable scone, hot coffee and uplifting conversation with my friend, Kelly (1056). She was so intentional about making a breakfast date with me--that blessed my heart (1057)!



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Saturday, January 14, 2012

Mama Loves: Sensory Play

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! So glad that you've stopped by!

Mama Loves is a linky party where mamas can share anything that has made your life easier as a mama.

Maybe you've found: 
  • a toy or book that captivates your child(ren)
  • gear you just can't live without
  • a recipe your choosy toddler gobbles down
  • a parenting book that you've found perspective changing
  • an activity that wears your kid(s) out (these lead to good naps, which we all love)
  • an outfit that flatters your post-baby body and makes you feel fabulous
  • or anything else you're loving--creativity welcome!
Share it with us! Blogging has made me a better mama, because I've learned about all kinds of great things, like those listed above, from mamas just like you. Here's your chance to share it with all of us!

To link your post up, click on the linky tool at the bottom, and follow the directions, it's really easy. You can also add this beautiful button to your post. Just grab the code in the box, copy and paste it into your post. Easy.

Manic Mother

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I found this great website on Pinterest called The Imagination Tree.

This chick does a ton of sensory play with her kids, and I was inspired.

So, I attempted this one.

If you've gone to see what it's all about. She has it set up outside. A good idea.

I'll say this: it would appear, that all sensory play is messy. But--it's SO very important to a child's development.

I attempted this very messy activity inside.

It was rough. There were certainly times when I felt like I needed to run into my room and scream into my pillow. Helene, I totally get it.

I gave my girls three mixing bowls, and filled them with dry rice, lentils and egg noddles. I gave them a few paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls and mixing spoons.


I put all of this on a plastic table cloth in an attempt to keep all the mess contained. It does work, for the most part. (After vacuuming and Swiffering, I'm still finding random grains of rice all over our house. I have no idea how this happened).

So, my girls enjoyed running their fingers through the rice and lentils and noodles. Mama did too!



The thing is---this is super easy to do.

The beauty of this is that you just grab whatever is in the pantry---dry beans, rice or noodles. No extra cost, or trips to the craft store--BONUS!

The other great thing about these items is that if your babes try to put any of this stuff in their mouths (my girls did) it's all edible and safe.

I have to say---running your fingers through a rice/lentil mixture is very calming. Seriously---it is! It feels good. My girls LOVE it. And they ask to do it all the time.

While I realize their asking means I'll be finding random grains of rice throughout my house 10 days from now, I'm so excited that they ask! Really.

Them asking means they like it. It means that it means something to them. It means that those strong feelings I get of needing to run into the other room to scream into a pillow at the pure messy-insanity of this exercise, is not in vain, because my girls are getting something out of it---so help me! 

So, I do love sensory play. I encourage you to try it! Mostly, because your kids will love it, it's really cheap, and you will be doing something good for them. Even if it almost kills you.
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I'm excited that we do have a Mama Loves Pinterest page. Your stuff is up there (unless you've told me otherwise). And---it's a hit! Other mamas love good ideas! Please share this page with you friends!

So, going forward, I'd love to share your ideas there, unless you, otherwise, tell me.

Please know, my idea for a Mama Loves Pinterest page was well intentioned. I love your ideas, and I love sharing your ideas with others. I hope that doesn't stop you from sharing here. If you'd like to stay off Pinterest, just let me know.

I can't wait to see what you're loving this week!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Encouragement for You

"Mama-ing," as sweet Julia calls it, can be exhausting and often very isolating.  So I'm hijacking Julia's blog today (forgive me, sweet friend!) to let her know that she's doing a wonderful job.


All our girls together :)

Julia, I know that you're working hard with very few thank you from those little sanity-stealers angel-girls.  I know how you fight momma guilt and bitterness and try to pour yourself out as a sacrifice.  I know how hard you pray and how many sleepless nights you put in.


I just wanted to know that it matters to God.  It matters to me.  It encourages me.

And that's all I wanted to say.

(Oh, yeah... and I love you, sweet friend!)

Monday, January 9, 2012

Buffalo gals won't you come out tonight...

...and dance by the light of the moon.

Our girls have been loving all things moon-related lately.

Did you see the moon this past week? It was glorious and bright. That, coupled with our unusually weather has made some some pretty spectacular evenings with our girls.

There was one night in particular. We took the girls out to look at the moon, then we let them run around in the yard barefoot for a few minutes. They loved the feel of the cool grass on their feet. Barefooted babes in January (1133). Doesn't that just make you smile?

Last night Brad took me outside to show me the ring around the moon---all full and bright (1034). Magnificent! I love that things like that speak to him (1035). I love that he knows they speak to me too, so he comes and gets me (1036).

This warm weather also allowed us to go for a run and make a quick stop at the park to swing on the swings with our friends Laila and Nori (1037).

We also got to smell and admire all the confused flowers in the garden (1038) and see the daffodils sprouting (1039).



We also got to enjoy a morning at Fresh Pasture Farms (1040).

It was so much fun to watch Brynne fearlessly run around with the chickens (1041). 



And how cool that the girls were allowed to, gently, gather our eggs to take home (1042).



 There was more besides just the moon and the weather.

I got to sit down to breakfast--for two hours (!!) with one of my dearest, closest girlfriends (1043). It was the first time we'd gotten together, without there being a baby involved, in over two years. It brought much joy to my spirit!

Brynne had a great ear check this week! (1044) We might have two healthy girls this winter yet!

Hadley learned how to make corn in her kitchen this week (1045). She boils the water, and seasons it up with salt and pepper. It's pretty darn cute!



holy experience