Mom Confessions

Alright I have a confession to make....

I am the worst cook in the ENTIRE WORLD!!!! 

There I said it and it's out there for everyone to know! Here are my reasons why.....

1.) All I know how to do is make tacos, spaghetti, quesadillas, and tator tot casserole. 

2.) I have made more burned meals than I have successful ones. 

3.) My husband won't even let me know whether the meal is edible. He just slowly eats it. 

4.) I forget steps in recipes or mix them up. 

5.) I am one awesome sandwich maker that's for sure!!! Just ask SJ she will tell you that her Momma can make one mean sandwich. D3's favorite food is Grilled Cheese...that should say it all there!

6.) I would rather buy a pizza than make one and it is soooo simple to make one!  

7.) I get distracted by someone or something and let things cook for too long....hence the burnt meals. 

8.) I have the knife skills of a troll....do trolls have knife skills? 

9.) I have caught the cutting board on fire. Don't ask how or why I did it....it just happened. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! 

10.) My husband is a much better cook so I think I make myself worse so he would do it more....hasn't happened yet though. 

Gosh I am such a hot mess! 

I am learning to be better at cooking. I make more crock pot meals than I used to but that is okay. Pinterest is helping me come up with new ideas. I found a ravioli lasagna, taco cupcakes, baked spaghetti (in a crock pot), a beautiful honey lime fruit salad, and a few others. Look out for those recipes in a blog post it will be coming to a computer near you... 

Before you leave let me know about whether you are just of a hot mess in the kitchen as I am or if you are a 5 star chef....they have those right? See I don't even know about these kind of things. 

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A Journey in Speech Therapy

D3 has had a rough time with his speech for a while. He started speech therapy last year around this time which I have seen a great improvement in his vocabulary. If you want to read more about where his journey started read What Did He Say?!?!

I have been so focused on his speech that I haven't noticed how smart he is and the things he has learned. I was able to see all of that this week. D3 had a screening for his preschool. I was a little confused as to why he would have to do that because he already has an IEP.



When we got there they were running a tad bit behind so D3 and I had to sit for a little while. He was a good little trooper while we were there. I had a notebook with some pens and highlighters in my bag so he just sat there and colored until it was his turn

Fortunately for us we did not have too wait long!

He went inside this small room that is used for Sunday school since his preschool is in a church. He sat in this little blue chair while I sat behind him in a green arm chair.

His teacher proceeded to go through 4 test. She asked him to count as high as he could. He clear as day said ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, FIVE! Okay okay we need to work on some of his numbers but hey he got 8 out of 10 right! For a lil guy who couldn't even say nine last year we have made some significant progress.

The next three test he had were all timed. His teacher explained that she did not think he would get all the answers 100% right or any of them for that matter.

The first test he did was that he had to identify the number which he saw in the book that she had. She flipped over the first page and demonstrated for him what she wanted him to do. He quickly got the hang of it. The first number he saw was a one which he could identify quickly as well as the next three numbers. He then saw the number 18.....EEEKKK that's a big number. He just looks at her and shrugs his shoulders and says "Me No Know!" She told him that was fine because it was a BIG number. When he got a few more numbers in the teens he told her that it was a ONE and a TWO when it was 12. He is so stinking cute!

The third test he had to complete was to point which bunch of dots had more in it than the others. My little man only got two wrong! How stinking smart is that kid!!! Some of those were so hard for a 3 year old.

The final test D3 completed was counting all the dots which were on the page. Oh boy where there a lot! He looked at the page and said WHOA! It was actually quite cute and made me as well as his teacher giggle! She demonstrated for him what he needed to do then allowed him to get started. He only had 30 seconds to do this test. I am not sure how long he had for the others but it seemed like a lot longer. He started counting the dots in the top row then went down the border then across the bottom row and then followed in a creative pattern. His teacher let him know that he was the first one to count the dots in that way. She also told him she was proud of him because she heard him say some numbers in the teens.

I guess all the counting has done some good!

When it was time to go D3 ran up to his teacher and gave her a huge hug!!!

This brought tears to my eyes. He has made me so proud with how much he has learned in the short amount of time. His speech has doubled in that short time. I still have to pinch myself to remind myself how far he has come.

He is really an amazing little boy.

He makes me smile at how well he has done.

Have you had a moment when your child made you smile and cry at the same time? Have they surprised you at how much they knew? Leave me a comment and tell me all about it!

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Back 2 School

I have been dreading SJ going to Kindergarten. I don't know how I am going to deal with her being gone ALL day long. However it is a milestone that I am more than proud of her for reaching. 

SJ and I had some mother daughter time going through her school supply list. We even went to Walmart just the two of us. She loves when she gets Momma time because it doesn't happen as often as she would like. That is something I am working harder on for not just her but all the kids. 

A Playdoh Alternative: Cloud Dough

SJ and D3 have always liked to play with messy things. I on the other hand do not like being the one who cleans up the mess. I am trying very hard how to come up with new ways to hone in on their creativity. I was able to find the recipe for fizzing cloud dough from Powerful Mothering on Pinterest the other day.

It is perfect for us since everything I used was already in my cabinet. 

1 cup of flour

1 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

Food coloring

Now I did it a little different than the recipe I found for a few reasons...my kids can't agree on one color between them. If I allowed SJ to choose everything would be pink and sparkly. D3 would have everything blue. Special K would probably have it be purple or black....depends on her day. Also I decided to not color it completely so my kids could search for the different colors that are within the dough. 

All I did was mix the baking soda and flour together then added the oil. When I added the oil I used my hands to mix everything and pinch the oil that bunched together. I then added drops of pink, purple, green, and blue food coloring directly to the dough. If you have the powder dye you could use that instead. If you want the dough to be all one color you would then add the coloring to the oil before mixing. 

After everything was mixed together I separated the cloud dough into two boxes. I don't have a sensory box for them which would have totally worked better. It was just something I have never put on my list of things to purchase. It will be now! There was one for SJ and one for D3...K was at her moms so she didn't get to join in the fun. 

I gave them each a tablespoon and some Playdoh molds then let them go to town!

SJ did a very good job about keeping the cloud dough in the box. She really liked using the PlayDoh molds for stamps and didn't care to get too messy with her hands.


D3 wasn't so good about keeping the cloud dough in the box....you can't tell in this picture but he got it all over his legs and the ground. Good thing I was thinking for once and had them do it on the tile so it would be easier to clean up! Yay for this momma!!! He loved putting his hands in it and squishing it.

When it was time to clean up I brought out white vinegar and poured it on their cloud dough. I explained to them that the fizzing which occurred was a chemical reaction. They could honestly care less and just wanted to play with it. However D3 did want me to keep putting the vinegar all over his cloud dough. I didn't get a picture of the reaction due to my hand being all doughy and not wanting to make a mess on my phone.

I will be making this again for the kids. Next time I will make two different batches. One for each kid. I will also make the dough completely one color instead of speckled. They didn't really care about the color specks and would of enjoyed it all one color.

Over all this sensory activity taught the kids different textures, a chemical reaction, and allowed them to be artistic. It was also edible if Bug happen to get some in his mouth! It was an A in my book!!!

Do you guys have any sensory activities that you particularly like for your kiddos? If so leave me a comment and let me know about it!


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Vanishing Twin Syndrome - The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Vanishing Twin Syndrome....you don't hear that term quite often. I had never heard about it until the doctor told me what had happened.

I was about 9 weeks pregnant with D3 when we had our first sonogram. I was so excited to see his little heartbeat. I don't know what it was but I felt like I just had to make sure there was a heartbeat going on. Maybe it was because SJ was so young (6 months old) that I thought my body was playing evil tricks on me. 

Interview with a Kindergartener

I sat down with SJ this evening to talk to her a little bit about school starting in a week and a half. Did I really just type that?!? 

I decided to do this because I want to see how much she changes during her 9 months in Kindergarten. I am planning on asking her the extact same questions in May. I am also going to ask them every year. I will just change Kindergarten to 1st grade, 2nd grade, and so on so forth! I think this is an awesome thing to do at the beginning of the school year until they move out....I will change the questions a little bit when they hit Middle School and High School. Well honestly I might leave some just to see their answers. 

Here are SJ's answers to my questions....

1.) What are you most excited about Kindergarten?

          Seeing different teachers....like Mrs B.

2.) What are you most scared about?

            If monsters are real and if they are going to crawl under my bed.

3.) What do you want to be when you grow up? 

             A ballet teacher

4.) What do you want to learn in school this year? 

              Um about nutcrackers 

5.) What do you like about being old enough to go to Kindergarten? 

               That I had a birthday 

6.) If everyone in school was an animal which one would you be? Why? 

                A duck because it can swim and do whatever it wants to do.

7.) Favorite color? 

                PINK

8.) What do you hope is in your lunch box everyday? 

                A sandwich with no mayonnaise 

9.) What are you going to miss most while you are at school? 

                Mrs G....(her preschool teacher)

10.) Favorite movie? 

                 HOME

11.) Favorite food? 

                 Noodles

12.) Who is your best friend? 

                 Chloe...you knew that one Momma

13.) If you can change anything about school what would it be? 

                  I like school the way it is. 

14.) If you had three wishes for school what would the be?

                   That everything was pretty

                   That there was a lot of stuffed animals

                   That I was a ballerina 

15.) If you could change your name what would it be? 

                    Juliette because it's pretty! 

Do you have any questions you ask your lil one every year before school starts? If so add a comment below! 

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Quote of the Week #4

I remember being 22 and not having a care in the world! All I had to do was finish my degree and work so I could pay my rent. I didn't have any little humans pulling at my pants to give them some milk or kiss a boo boo. Those days were super easy! But was all the partying and not caring worth it? Probably not....

Being a parent is the hardest work I have ever done. You don't get rewards or prizes for the work you have done. If you do it probably comes in the form of a dirty diaper. You aren't recognized for the late nights and early mornings because you are expected to "work" those hours. 

There are so many days when I would like to throw in the towel because the baby has been up since 3 am or the 7 year old continues to give me attitude.

The worrying about whether I am making new the most epic mistake of the year, scared that something is going to happen to my babies, or even the times when I want to pull my hair out because I have listened to the same gosh darn movie for the thousandth time is totally worth the hugs I get at bed time. It makes the kisses seem sweeter. It is something I wouldn't change for all the money in the world. 

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Miracle 360 Cup

Bug is HORRIBLE about biting, poking, and tearing holes in his cup. I have so many stains on my furniture and carpet due to his darn cup leaking!

I don't know why I keep buying the same gosh darn lid and cup. I probably do it because I know he will use the cup. Sometimes it is just not worth fighting the 16 mo old child. You all know exactly what I am talking about. Plus I have the cup which these type of lids go to in like every single color of the stinking rainbow because of this vampire child. 

Well the hubby went and bought Bug a new type of cup. I thought he was crazy when he came home with this thing.

Extracurricular Activities Yes? No?

There is always a debate about whether or not you should put your kids in extracurricular activities. I have been thinking a lot about this recently. I am all for putting them in those activities and I have done so with my children. SJ is starting her second year of dance which she adores! Both D3 and SJ will be starting fall soccer soon. This will be the first year for both of them and they are super excited! I believe that they will benefit from these activities. I also know that I have benefited from being in extracurricular activities. I was lucky enough to have part of my college education paid for because I could shoot a basketball and kick a soccer ball. I will be forever grateful to my parents for putting me in those activities growing up.

A Tragedy That No Parent Wants to Deal With

I write this post with a heavy heart. Not because I am any way related or know this family but because it hurts my Mommy heart.

Sunday, August 2nd the world lost a little boy due to an accident at a baseball game in Wichita Kansas during the National Baseball Congress World Series. He was struck accidentally on the head on Saturday during a game by a practice swing while he was retrieving a bat. He was rushed to the hospital where he fought for his life. 

Alice is NOT in Wonderland

I remember it clearly....I drove into our driveway and all I see is this little brown hutch. It was dark out so I had thought it was a cabinet or a desk or something my husband was going to fix up.

Oh boy was I WRONG!!!

I got SJ out of the van and was carrying Bug and his carrier into the house when I hear those deadly words. 

"Momma it's a BUNNY!!!!"

What the!!! I thought she was joking but NOPE! There was a little white rabbit sitting in this little brown rabbit hutch. 

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Last week we received SJ's paperwork for Kindergarten. I almost cried! I am not kidding! I seriously had tears well up in my eyes because I realized how big she is getting.

This was SJ's 1st day of preschool last year and I cried leaving her.

Quote of the Week #3

Since my journey as a mom began I have always known that I would never know what would come out of their mouth. There are some days I worry if they will say the wrong thing to the wrong person. I have been pretty lucky that people who know my kids know that they are being silly when they are telling stories.

My quote this week isn't one from a book or a movie. It is one straight out my babes mouth. 

I was at work this week and received a text message from my husband that said this quote. I was like "What?!?" and all he told me was "Your daughter"

That totally explains it all....

SJ is my 5 year old. She is the one who says random off the wall things such as "If we didn't have bones we would be floppy." 

She also said that we should cook bunnies for the poor family in the same conversation. 

I'm not sure where she comes up with this other than me telling her to be thankful for what we have because there are a lot of people who have less than we do. I could go on and on about her but I will save it for another post! 

I hope this weeks quote gave you a giggle as it did me!

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My Favorite Ways to AVOID Housework

You all know those days when you have a sink full of dishes and a shower which needs to be scrubbed. As well as the other THOUSAND things which are on your TO DO list let alone not pulling your hair out. Those days for me are usually when the baby decides to stay up all night or the toddlers got up at 4 am instead of 6. You know when you pull an all nighter but they aren't the fun ones like when I went to College.

I Did NOT Sign Up For This!

My oldest isn't my daughter but she is my daughter.

That is a weird sentence. Even re-reading it I know how weird of a sentence it is. However it is probably one of the most honest sentences I have ever written. 

Quote of the Week #2

My Dad's 59th birthday was yesterday July 25th. He spent the day working, attending Saturday night mass with me and my kids, and supporting the Ulster Project by attending the Blarney Sampler. He really spend his day helping me wrangle my kids and telling them to be quiet.

Dad has dealt with so much in his life. Probably more than I know about and that is ok. It may not be fair but unfortunately that is life.

My mom got breast cancer when I was in Kindergarten and passed away when I was in second grade. He raised three little girls on his own for a very long time until he remarried. My dad had to sit by while he watched us hurt because we were without our mother. There was nothing he could do but hold us and cry. He is the strongest man I know! Dad had to go back to school at night so he could give us a life he thought we deserved. My dad made sure our lives remained the same. He made sure we still did the things we loved. Not many men could of stepped up like he did.

This quote is perfect for him! 

I use the things he taught me everyday. 

He taught me how to love even when they don't deserve it. 

He taught me how to work hard. 

He taught me that honesty is the best policy.

He taught me to pray when you aren't sure what to do.

He taught me that dance parties are the best when getting ready for school.

He taught me how to reach the stars.

He taught me that popcorn makes everything better. Don't ask...

I may not remember spending his birthday together but I will remember him teaching me how to be a good person. I will remember him telling me he is proud of me for finishing college in 4 years instead of messing around. I will remember the hugs he gives me every time we leave each other. There is no way I can forget the look on his face when he held my children for the first time. His heart is one of the things that makes him such an amazing man. I am forever proud to be his daughter. 

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5 Things I Learned Nursing

Not everybody can nurse their child and not everybody wants to. That is totally fine! It is your choice and I support you!

There were some days I wished my husband was the one who did the nursing so I could get a good nights sleep! I wasn't that lucky though.

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

Oh my goodness!!! Thank you so much Katie of Growing Up KaterTot for nominating me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. I am seriously speechless because this is the beginning of week 2 of my blogging adventure. I am truly blessed that other amazing mommy bloggers believe in me. 

The Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award is passed from blogger to blogger as a way to get to know one another and meet new friends. 

Worst Day of My Life

It all started off as a normal day. I drove to work like normal. Read my emails and listened to voicemails like I do everyday. The only out of the ordinary thing I had to do was meet a client in the ER because they were having a psychological break down but I have done that before so it was not that different.

My day was going fine. I was sitting in an ER room with my client and her guardian researching information on my phone. Not too bad even though I am sure there were 20 other things I could be doing. 

I get a text from my husband. "Call me as soon as you can."

My Top 10 Children's Movies

As parents we watch a lot of movies on repeat. I will be the first one to tell you that some days I would rather run my foot over with a car than watch that movie one more time! I have compiled a list of movies that I would gladly watch 12 times in a row....and maybe when the kids are asleep. This is not a review of these movies just a reason why I would watch them over and over and over and....well you get the point.