5 about Christmas

We are having very good Christmas. We celebrate until the Epiphany so we have a just a few more days of merriment.

1.

The little darlings decorated gingerbread houses - these activities are not always fun - but this was really fun! Christmas miracles are real...

2.

Christmas party lighting is quite flattering...

3.

I had a strange candid camera incident. The internet was being repaired and our nativity is near the modem. I noticed the repair guy was really looking at the nativity. I thought he was admiring the beautiful Italian craftsmanship. He asked who the people were in the scene and why the manger was empty. For a moment I thought he was joking. But no he was serious. {side note...the manger is still empty....we can't find the Baby Jesus ANYWHERE in the house}.

4.

We have not visited Santa in 4 years...I know, I know. George did great and went straight to Santa's lap and told him what he wanted. George really likes to point out how he is smiling but Celia is not smiling.  Good boy Georgie! The Junior League of Houston does a fantastic Lunch with Santa.

5.

On the other hand, we have been very consistent with attending the Nutcracker ballet. This year was Mary Kate's 9th and Caroline's 6th annual Nutcracker visit. We have attended large and small scale performances in various cities and Mary Kate performed in a production one year. I've enjoyed every one but this year might be my favorite by The Allegro Ballet. We drove way out to the Houston suburb of Katy. The costumes and props were very well done. The part I liked the most the entire event was very child focused - so many darling little ballerinas. And I really liked the ticket price.  

Merry Christmas

5 on (last) friday ~ take 7

I was ready on time last week except for a final edit...so close...

1.

Pumpkins are here...these are my favorite this year...
 

Though we do not have any on our doorstep because they would rot in a day in this heat.

2.

Celia ~ I have posted many pictures but have not said much about her. In a few words: she is too good to be true. I have loved (almost) every minute of Celia. Admittedly, those four months of waking several times a night were torture after sleeping through the night for a couple of months. But otherwise she has been pure joy. I am so glad we have her. Getting to dress her is a fun bonus! 

3.

Speaking of Celia...seriously?!?

4.

Those people at the Container Store know their stuff. I had a drawer I did not know how to tackle. They had the perfect solution...

5.

FAQ: Does Celia wear cloth diapers?

Most of the time she does. Though I am happy to use disposables when needed. I tolerate cloth diapers. I do not know disposables are "bad" for babies but I know cloth cause no harm. Cloth are certainly extra work. They must be changed more often. I wash them every other night. She uses bumGenuis 4.0 with a liner. She was 6 months old when we started so I bought 12. Usually, younger babies will require either more diapers or more frequent washing. This number of diapers works just right with the washing routine.


bumGenius 4.0

All of the children have used cloth diapers - some more than others. When Mary Kate was a baby I used them exclusively for the first year. I was willing to do almost anything to save money so I could stay home with her. Then morning sickness started with Caroline and something had to give. Caroline used them for a day. Yes, just a single day - again something had to give. George used them 50% of the time. With our travel schedule and his frequent diaper rashes (cream can not be used with microfiber cloth) that was all we could manage. The water and washing machine in London were not the best for these type of diapers. Detergent buildup made them impossible to make completely clean.

What are the cost savings? My rough estimate with Celia is using them exclusively for about 9 months we will breakeven on just the cost of the diapers. This does not include utility or detergent expenses. My best guess is we are about at the breakeven point. When I think disposables cost at least $1.25 a day, I am motivated to use cloth. 

Have a nice weekend!

5 on friday ~ take 6

1.  

We went to a local OU watch party.  Here is how I spent the first quarter of the game...

2.

I still wash Baby's clothes separately in Dreft. I may or may not stop when this container is used.

3.

A failed attempt at a family picture. We tried to gather around George...

4.

FAQ: does Brent help around the house?

No, he does not. Nor does he babysit. To call it helping or babysitting gives the wrong impression and implies he is less responsible than I am for these tasks.  Yes, I am the stay at home parent so the house and children are my primary responsibility. But when he is home it becomes his primary responsibility as well. If there is a task to be done either one of us does it. We do have a general division of labor. I cook and do laundry. He does dishes and takes out the trash. Neither of us sits down until the chores are complete. He never leaves his socks on the floor - ever.

When Mary Kate was a newborn I was hesitant to leave her with him. He quickly set me straight by informing me he loves her as much I do. Since he put it that way I said "see ya"!  I find it a shame all husbands and fathers are not this way. It is ridiculous the number of men who can not or will not put their children to bed. Also ridiculous are the comments: Oh your husband is okay putting all four kids to bed? What did you do to get him to watch all four kids for the weekend? He has traveled for 14 days and never fretted over how I was managing at home. He is able to carry on for a few hours or days without me.

I wish I had great words of wisdom on how to train a husband. He just knows how to act right. He says it is not that difficult.  

5.

Mary Kate's first dance...

5 on friday(ish) ~ take 5

1.

I've wanted to learn how to create mood boards and downloaded Photoshop months ago, but never to took the time to try it. Next Friday, Mary Kate has her first middle school dance.  The package man brought the following selections...

Nordstrom

2.

When in Oklahoma City last weekend we went to an amazing restaurant...Kitchen No. 324, located downtown at 324 N Robinson. I ordered the Bacon and Monterey Jack Strata...

Kitchen 324

I am a bacon fanatic and they possibly have the best bacon in the universe. They call it small batch bacon. They cure and smoke bacon and salmon on-site. It is exciting to see OKC join the local food movement and this food was top notch. If you are ever OKC I highly recommend this place.

3.

Caroline made this card for Brent...

4.

Bathroom selfie...was in a hurry before I was caught...

5.

Baby riding Nana's deer...

5 on friday/sunday ~ take 4

1. College football is back!  And the icing on the cake: all four children looking at the camera, smiling and being relatively cooperative... 

2. The Littles had their checkups last week.  Both are growing and in good health. Praise be!  Both are in the 90th for height, but Baby is only 20th for weight. She is her father's daughter. She is a little piggy but a busy girl - her secret to keeping a trim figure.  The appointment ended with high drama - immunizations.  We all needed CFA for lunch to recover. 

3. We FINALLY painted the girls room...

Revel pictures to follow...

4. FAQ of the week...how do you keep your children's hair looking so nice? 

I am happy to share my top tips:

I use a brush and water.  I am surprised by the number of children who go to school without brushing their hair.  I have two with curly hair and two with straight. Curly hair needs a bit of water to arrange the curls.  Straight hair needs a bit of water to smooth cowlicks and help under turn the ends after sleeping on the locks. 

I insist they keep it out of their face.  I want to see their lovely faces not stringy hair.  Also they like to be in the kitchen so they have to pull their hair back and wash their hands to help. We use hairspray and clips to help.  

Finally, I am not afraid to cut their hair.  Rarely does a child walk around with long, beautiful hair - this especially goes for toddlers.  It might look like "curls" but it is really a mullet. I prefer to keep toddler girl hair in a bob. A cute cut is noticed, a mullet is noticed as well but for all the wrong reasons. Also the texture and thickness of their hair determines if it should be shorter or longer.  Caroline's hair does best shorter and Mary Kate's longer. Their hair is really easy to style and never tangles. 

5. The 2013-14 school year is off to a much better start than the 2012-13 school year. Last year the morning routine fell into place quickly but the afternoons were a struggle the.entire.year. We picked up were we left off and did not miss a beat. There is still running around with activities but the Littles are better in the car and the witching hour(s) are letting up since they are older. 

5 on friday ~ take 3

Thanks for reading!  I am back...

1. First a rant...I have jumped head first into volunteering. I took last year to weigh my options and with 4 little darlings, a new house, new city and re-integrating - I was in survival mode. Now I would like to contribute and pull my weight. 

Well, I am significantly more annoyed than I was a year ago.  I do not understand why people (moms) volunteer who do not want to volunteer or only do so out of obligation.

If you have filled a role for 5 years...take a break!  Used uniforms will still be sold.

If you do not agree with the leader's style...let her do it all. The library books will be shelved eventually.

If you work full time...let that be what you do and spend your spare time with your family.  For the love of pete, the teacher appreciation breakfast is not the event of the century. You are not adding to your family's (or your) well-being by staying up until 2:00 am making a casserole. There are plenty of mom's who have nothing else to do but fret over matching paper products! (I for one understand the importance of coordination but sometimes you have to let go of things.) 

2. In case you have lost sleep over Celia's Game Day wardrobe problem...

Boomer to the Sooner!

3. Since 2006, I expected to handle all things house and child related on my own Monday-Friday.  If Brent happened to be home it was a bonus.  Early in the summer he changed jobs...WITH NO TRAVEL or client dinners!!! The first two weeks of school have been great. One on one homework help. Grilling on a weeknight. No babysitters. No AM school runs.  A-maz-ing!  

4.  The Littles...

They were so sweet and climbed into my chair to read books while I changed into house clothes tonight.

5.  Figs...I thought I did not care for figs until I tried them.  They are like candy.  Figs are in season right now...try them ASAP! Tell them Jody sent you...

http://www.rawfullyorganic.com/

5 on friday ~ take 2

Here we go...

1.  School started this week! 6th & 4th grade...

I thought summer flew by too quickly so I was sad it was time to start again so soon.  But then as we prepared and organized, I became enthused, not that I had a choice.

2.  1st Day of School Eve blowout and concert...

3.  In middle school Mary Kate changes for PE.  I forgot to sew her name label into her dress shirt then did not have time when I remembered.  I thought what are the odds she will not come home with it on the first day?  Well, the odds were not in my favor and she came home without the shirt. Thankfully a teacher helped her and they located it the next day.  PTL! Small victories people, small victories. 

4.  OU football season starts in just two weeks. I am not on top of my game with Celia's appropriate game day attire. Here is the sweetest little thing last season...

5. I love the weekends - but who doesn't? Friday night is full of calm and anticipation of two days with Brent at home. Then bam...it is Sunday night and we are prepping for the work/school week. I hope you have a nice weekend!  

5 on friday ~ take 1

1.

The rage in blogging at the moment is 5 on friday. I am joining up for at least one week.

2.

Tonight I went to Kroger for a quick grocery run. Ick. I will drive the extra mile to HEB - my true love.

3. 

I have slept away from home 23 of the last 31 nights. My wanderlust is really flaring. I traveled to Phoenix, London and Costa Rica. Our next big trip is to Lubbock, Texas for Thanksgiving. Though a well known garden spot, we are really going to see my (& Brent's) godson (and his family).

Flight to Phoenix with my niece Millie and George...

Flight to London and I used all the comforts offered...

When in Costa Rica drink Imperial beer...

4. 

I am sad school starts on Tuesday.  The summer flew by too quickly.  The milestone of 4th & 6th grades stings a bit.

5.

This was fun.  I am looking forward to doing it again...

Snapshots {11}

Georgie and Mumford Boy...

Snacking while waiting at swim lessons...

A year later this finally arrived from Ireland...

Ballerina girls...

My sister Allie's graduation day...

Ballerina Caroline...

Ballerina Mary Kate...

Good Thing #9

A top takeaway from the UK is the electric kettle. EVERY kitchen there has one. A good friend from Florida used(s) one. I thought it looked handy but never thought to buy one. It appeared to be a necessity across the pond so I had John Lewis deliver one. It is very useful - boils water in a snap. I am a bit disappointed by the US version below - it takes longer for the water to boil. But I went on looks alone and did not research the options. I usually avoid small appliances because I find them a waste of space and limited in use. The best feature is auto shut - no chance of the water boiling away.  I suffer from if-you-give-a pig-a-pancake syndrome. I ruined a pot when we were in temporary housing when we returned last summer. Yeah for one less fire hazard in my day!  

Buy it here

Snapshots {10}

To infinity and beyond...

Bad sign:  a diaper and no baby...

Zoo train outing...

Last sorority wedding...

Addiction takes many forms...

She was so sweet playing the in the dog food.  She picked up any spilled pieces...