Thanksgiving and a Hottie!

Once one becomes married and has children holidays are all about fitting in all the festivities into that holiday weekend.

At least that is how it is over hear. In 3 days we did 3 different houses each filled with all the trimmings a scrumptious Thanksgiving should have. Two pounds added to this body later, I am stuffed beyond belief and want to live in elastic pants for a week while I do all I can to shed the extra padding.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving; after spending time with family of course is the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood, California. After a couple years of ups and downs in the parade this year they really put on a great party of a parade. This is a parade of many "B" list celebrities, but in my eyes one "A" Lister came out. He is non other than Gilles Marini. Just look at his picture. *drools* He is now on one of my must-see TV Brothers and Sisters and DWTS. Or, you may have seen him in Sex and the City. Don't remember seeing him? Think Samantha's noisy neighbor. Yep you've guessed he is the naked guy who Samantha catches doing all kinds of naughty things. *blushes*. What a great way to end a holiday weekend.

Kiddopotamus TinyDiner Place Mat: Review

Do you have a messy eater? Are you embarrassed when you leave a restaurant, because of the mess your little ones leave? If you said yes to these questions don't fret, because then you have a child just like Chick 3. This was us every time we went out to eat. She would mash food into the table, try and throw glass plates, and even leave food all in the high chair. It was never a pretty sight. It was a rush to get out so we could miss the nice stares that the bus boys would leave us, because we made their job a little harder.

While at Toys R' Us one day we came upon the best place mat money could by.



This is the Kiddopotamus TinyDiner place mat.

About the product:

Germ-Ridden Table Tops are NOT safe!
Table tops have germs that can make your baby sick. TinyDiner provides a barrier between your child's food and the germs.

Tucks Into Diaper Bag
TinyDiner rolls away into its built-in scoop, so it's ready when you need it! Simply fold into the sides, roll up and tuck into
the built-in scoop.

Stays Securely in Place
Strong suction cups keep the TinyDiner where you put it. Kids eat directly off the mat, so no worries about plates ending up on the floor.

Scoop Catches Spill
Spills land in the built-in scoop instead on child's lap or floor. Restaurant style highchairs fit under the scoop, so your child can sit right up to the table.

A Safe, Clean Eating Surface
Made in the USA with safe FDA-compliant materials- no lead, PVC, BPA, phthalates or latex. The TinyDiner is durable, washable, and stays flexible.

Review:

Restaurant trips are truly less messy now that this place mat has come into our life! I can cut up the food and place it on the tray without worrying about germs that come from the table. Chick 3 loves to pick up plates and now with the TinyDiner Place mat we can take plates out of the restaurant equation. There is less mess and it really does roll up and fit nicely into the diaper bag. This is a must have for anyone who has children still in highchairs!

When germs attack... AGAIN!

This "joke" describes this house to the T. I take this joke in all seriousness, because right now this is how I feel about these germs. They make me sick literally and figuratively.

These germs took residence a couple months ago and we thought when they packed their bags and left they were gone for good. Maybe I got too comfortable, because they are back.

Chick 2 has missed THREE more days of school. This is the 3rd time she has been sick this school year. This is a shocker, because this girl NEVER gets sick. She has the immune system of steel.

Because kids share EVERYTHING Chick 3 now has the runny nose. I really should change our family name to the Snot family. Maybe we can all have Kleenex for hands with all the snot.

My biggest resentment with these germs is the fact that my normal, loves to sleep child is now up every hour crying because she can't breath through her nose. This mommy loves her sleep and right now these germs are going to get it!

I can picture it now.

Think cheesy western movie.

The sun is about to rise.

On one side of the dirt path you have an ugly looking Germ ready to duel.

His opponent?

A sleep deprived Mom who spends her days wiping noses filled with snot.

The germ gives Mom the look.

Mom returns the look.

Germ has hand on his germ spewing gun.

Mom has her hand on the super size can of Lysol.

Who will win?

Only time will tell.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

The blog carnival is still going on over at ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutu's. She is doing a Holiday Dessert Swap and who doesn't love dessert!

This mommy LOVES and I mean I would marry it loves cheesecake! I also love pumpkin pie during the holiday season. My recipe for this Holiday Dessert Swap combines my 2 dessert loves... Cheesecake and Pumpkin Pie.

This recipe comes from Kraftfoods.com (one of the best recipe websites I frequent)

Philadelphia No-Bake Cheesecake

Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Yields 8 Servings

What you need:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

1 HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)

What you do:

BEAT cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 2-1/2 cups of the whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate remaining whipped topping for later use.

SPOON cream cheese mixture into crust.

REFRIGERATE 3 hours or overnight. Serve topped with remaining whipped topping. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

*This website also gives some cool tricks in the kitchen for their recipes. This recipe has some as well, so head on over to see!*R

I think the best part is no baking. Don't get me wrong I love to bake, but I still worry about burning all the things I make.

Restaurant.Com: Review

I came across the website Restaurant.com from BzzAgent.

About the site:

What kind of people will like Restaurant.com? Anyone who:

• Loves saving money
• Enjoys trying new places to eat
• Was totally confused by the season finale of Lost

So yeah, it's pretty much for everybody. Not that we're surprised or anything — at Restaurant.com, you can score $25 restaurant gift certificates for just $10 (sometimes even less).

Not sure about this site just yet. I like that I can get a gift certificate for less the price, but not sure about the constrictions on how much to spend. if I was getting it for myself and I know I am going to spend the mandatory amount then it is a great deal. As a gift I am not sure I feel comfortable giving a gift where they have an amount they have to spend.

My Journey begins yet again...

When I first joined Weight Watchers I raved and raved about it. Went gun-ho eating healthy, counting points, and exercising religiously. I lost 18 pounds in 6 weeks and was on my way to my goal and then...

Life and illness came and I got back into my old ways. For awhile the weight stayed where it was give or take a pound and then the downhill started. Now I am back to 5 pounds gained... maybe more, and my eating habits? Well we won't go there. The only exercise I got was chasing Chick 3, since she is my mighty climber.

March is coming fast and I refuse to go to Jamaica without getting close if not to my goal, so tonight I get back in that wagon and head on to Weight Watchers. I love the support and when going I get my motivation recharged. Next is getting the exercise part back in gear.

Does this mean I am getting old?

I never did have those party years after high school, or well even in high school. I had my oldest at 20, so being responsible was my only choice. Do I regret it? Absolutely not!

When Chick 2 was about 6 I started going out with my girlfriend to bars (pretty much my first bar was at 26). No I didn't go to meet men (I don't think Rooster would be too happy), but more to socialize and be around adults. I wasn't out every night, but it was more often than I had in the past. Chick 2 was 6 and 7 at this time, so I was able to rest and nap throughout the day.

About a year or so later I got pregnant with Chick 3 and those days were behind me again. Again in no way do I regret it.

Now Chick 3 is 15 months and there are times I am invited to go out yet again. All that goes through my head these days is... "If I am home by midnight I wonder how much sleep I would get." or "If I only have 2 drinks and no more I won't have to spend the whole day recuperating." Those few hours away seem to do more damage to the little energy I do have the next day.

Does that age me? I am young, but when you spend days chasing after a monkey that feels climbing is better than toys, or exhausting the little energy you do have arguing with a 9 year old about homework and computer time going out does not sound appealing.

My ideal night now is tucking the chicks into bed early (if that could ever happen), grabbing a bottle of wine and the remote, and just watching all the shows I never have time to watch until the Sandman takes over.

Wordless Wednesday

On my old blog I would try and do a weekly Wordless Wednesday. Today marks my first Wordless Wednesday on 3 chicks and a Rooster. What a nice mommy I am to show one where chick 3 is everything BUT happy.

**Excuse the mess... We were in the process of reorganizing yet again since chick 3 had turned into a climber overnight.

Mrs. Smith's Bags Giveaway!

ACU's, Stilleto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus is hosting an awesome blog carnival. I posted about the second giveaway and can't believe I missed Monday's. This is SO what I need right now. I crave organization since I know I suffer from momnesia (another post for another time). Want to know why I am in love with this bag? THE DRAWER! My highly organized mom would love this part! If brown is not your color head over to Mrs. Smith's Bags and check out the many different styles. In order to win this bag all you have to do is head over to ACU's, Stilleto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutu's and tell her what color you like as well as your email. There are of course other ways to make you chances greater (like blogging about this giveaway). I know you are all wanting this awesome bag, but I hope I am the big winner!

Sleep Wrap Giveaway

ACU's, Stilleto Shoes, Pretty Pink Tutu's is hosting her first blog carnival from November 16th to December 16th. Today's giveaway is a Sleepy Wrap. What I like about this is that it can hold up to 45 pounds. Chick 3 is just now topping in at 20 pounds, so this would still last a while for me.

All you have to do in order to have a chance to win is leave a comment about what color you prefer and leave your email address. As you can see by the picture I chose black. Maybe it will be slimming as this color is supposed to be. Of course there are many, many more chances to win (like blogging about the giveaway). So head over to this giveaway and try your luck on this nifty Sleepy Wrap!

Signs that change is coming

As a mom I tend to always see my chicks as my babies no matter if they are getting older. Today, however I was given some smelling salts and my eyes were opened to seeing my oldest chick as becoming a tween. She has started to enter some of the stages of puberty. Thank goodness they are only minor. You know deodorant and undershirts.

I am a little scared to enter this stage in her life, because the questions are coming... You know what questions. The ones that make us squirm and stutter, even to those most brave and eloquent speaking parents. For example, she asked yesterday whether or not she can get a shot so she doesn't have a baby. After the whole Jaime Lynn Spears fiasco she has been really worried about having babies at a young age. (so happy this is having the effect it should.) Rooster and I chuckled to ourselves and told her no there is no shot and having children is a choice.

Yes yes I could have explained fully, but selfish me loves that she still has some innocence left in her. I know I need to have the talk soon. I am content with her knowing what she needs to know right now. I know the day is looming in the not so distant future and I am ready for the questions to hit me. My baby is no longer a baby and is not an easy thing for moms to endure. I just hope I get through it as unscathed as possible!

Flashback Friday

I started this type of post at my book blog Chickity-chick Lit and decided to do a form of it here.

On this blog I am going to flashback to old memories throughout my life. Hopefully this way I can jog my memory of moments I have forgotten.

Today's flashback happened way back when this chick was in high school.
The year was 1996 at a ripe old age of 16. Notice the band? Yes that is No Doubt! A good friend in high school had the hook-ups from her sister who worked for Interscope records. Oh how in love was I this year! Adrian Young (Yes the one with black lipstick) was my love interest. That same night we also got to meet Bush... SWOON! Oh how I loved Gavin Rossdale as well. The next day I was so excited to surprise a friend with a poster signed by No Doubt for her 16th birthday.

What is a memory you want to flashback to?

PeekABoo Barn: Review

The Apple Iphone is becoming a phone that everyone has and I am one of those everyone. Chick 2 and Chick 3 love the different applications that they can play. Yes my 15 month old is all about the Iphone. It really isn't my phone anymore and my first page of applications or "apps" are all ones suitable for her to play. She does have a favorite and now favorites by the same maker.


These "apps" are Peekaboo Barn
and Peekaboo Wild by Night and Day studios.

Peekaboo Barn

"A charming barn adventure for toddlers and families you can play on your iPhone or iPod touch.

Inside a little bouncing barn, friendly farm animals are waiting to pop out and surprise your little one. Try and guess who they are; tap the doors to find out!

Work with your child to learn the names of animals — in English or Spanish — and hear the sounds they make! Younger children will love opening the barn doors to find a new animal animation, as they learn about cause and effect and become familiar with animal names and sounds. Preschoolers will enjoy guessing animals by sound, then seeing the animal names, which helps them develop early literacy skills. And everyone will adore the illustrations by Divya Srinivasan, whose work is regularly featured in the New Yorker.

Peekaboo Barn was made for you and your toddler by artists and educators, not marketers, robots, or companies repackaging clip art. Our team has backgrounds in cognitive science and child development, and we’ve worked in educational media everywhere from Yahoo! to the Smithsonian Institution."

Peekaboo Wild

"An outdoor adventure for toddlers and families you can play on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

In the waving grasses of the African savannah, friendly wild animals are waiting to pop out and surprise your little one. Try and guess who they are; tap the rustling grass to find out!

Have a great time with your child learning the names of animals--in English or Spanish--and hearing the sounds they make! Younger children will love peeking through the grass to find a new animal, as they learn about cause and effect and become familiar with animal names and sounds. Older children will enjoy guessing animals by sound, then seeing the animal names, which helps develop early literacy skills. Peekaboo Wild once again features illustrations by Divya Srinivasan, whose work is regularly featured in the New Yorker.

Peekaboo Wild was made for you and your toddler by artists and educators, not marketers, robots, or companies repackaging clip art. Our team has backgrounds in cognitive science and child development, and we've worked in educational media everywhere from Yahoo! to the Smithsonian Institution."

What I love about these "apps" is how interactive they are. Before the barn door is opened or even the grass of the wilderness has parted you hear a muffled animal sound with the sight of the door or grass shaking. My personal favorite is the soft sound of little children voices naming the animals. There are many options to these "apps." You can go through the animals once with it ending with a picture full of animals sleeping, or loop it to go through the animals over and over. You can even change it so only hear the animal name, or just the animal sound. You can even switch the language from English to Spanish.

Chick 3 now says Peekaboo Barn (sounds like Bah Bah Bah) and knows duck and pig (new words because of the game). Peekaboo Wild has been in this family for just a day, but already turning into another favorite. I know these animals will be in her vocabulary soon as well. If you are an owner of the Iphone and have small children this "app" is a must have! Both of these applications are available on Itunes.

Cards for Noah

November is usually a month of giving thanks. I have many things to be thankful for especially when I read about touching stories. I came across this story by a friend on Facebook (thanks Nicole). At once I decided I was going to take part of this amazing boy's wish and thought why not try and get others to do the same!

Here is the story from the Mojo in the Morning website

Send A Christmas Card To Noah Biorkman

Thursday, November 5, 2009 Email article

Noah Biorkman is a very brave 5-year-old boy. He is losing his fight with Neuroblastoma, a form of Cancer that attacks the nervous system. Noah absolutely loves Christmas, so his mom, Diana, is trying to get him as many cards as possible!

Please take a few minutes out of your busy day to do something special for this courageous kid, send Noah a Christmas card.

NOAH BIORKMAN
1141 FOUNTAIN VIEW CIRCLE
SOUTH LYON, MI 48178

*********************************************************************************

My kids are healthy and that I am thankful for. I couldn't imagine what these parents and this boy is going through! My prayers go out to this family and I will be sending out a Christmas card! Please take time and do the same for this brave brave boy!!

The case of the big bad vacumn!

Vacuuming is a normal everyday chore in most people's house. Not here. I would LOVE to vacuum everyday and have this wonderful machine suck up every little crumb and particle left behind by my chicks. Chick 3 however would love if I never vacuumed at all.


Today I vacuumed without anyone present but me and her. As soon as the whirring started she made a dash to the couch as you can see and got as high as she could go. Now why does this stop me from vacuuming if she is out of the way? Because chick 3 is so scared that she cries uncontrollably. If you could see her you would see tears and snot running down that cute little face.

I have decided however that I will just do what I have to do and let her get used to it.