Spring Break

Spring Break already came and went for us, but we did go on a little vaca. We went to Pittsburgh. Tom wanted to check out a residency there...and it the second reason we went is because it was the cheapest thing we could do and still get away. Okay, it was nerdly cheap, but we had a ton of fun. Would you ever guess that the world's largest Coffe Pot is located in Pennslyvania?!
Cost: $free.99

We also traveled to Gravity Hill where aparently you put your car in neutral and roll up the hill. For being free it was a fun experience, plus there was some gorgeous horses right next to us. Also, along the way we saw a herd of buffalo. Lydia and Paul went nuts-o mooing and growling at them. Sorry, I forgot to take the awesome pic.

This was Lydia's favorite part of Pittsburgh. We have a national musum pass-thing and so we got into the Carnegie Science Musuem...hope I got the name right. We actually spent all day there and got to check out an old submarine.
Price: Free and I even packed a lunch. I'm so cool. Okay, I had to pack all the food actually, but who doesn't? (except we went to an old diner and that was fun to get out)

You can't see how cheap this hotel room is (oh boy was it cheap...Tom's great at finding a deal) but the important thing is how we made up for it by buying the kids "Dilly-Dips" from DQ. I figure if we keep this kind of treatment up, they'll never care where we lodge. Cost: 2.59 for both! The room...I don't know maybe they paid us!

We actually spent 75% of our time on the road seeing Tom had to be back for work and me other commitments and the fact that the residency was in Ohio and our hotel room in Pennslyvania. (another clue as to how cheap the hotel was.) Lyddie busied herself by lotioning her hands with her juice. Can I also just say how many times we listened to the "Toddler's Tunes" cd. I think I might throw up if I hear "John Jacob Jingle Hiemer Schmidt" again. We can even sing the ABC's backwards.

Paul was happy to shove giant muffins in his mouth the whole way. Well, actually that wore off after five hours of driving.
Cost: How much did we pay in gas?$120.00?! Gee wiz, I should own a gas station.

Here's a nice family picture to remember the fun time in Pittsburgh. Too poor to eat out, too poor to ride the cart thing up the hill and after the museum the kids fell asleep so Tom and I just drove around the city. It was beautiful after all. We just loved all the bridges.

Cost: Priceless. Okay, I just had to throw that in there!

So there it is, our really fun and simple family vaca. I can't wait for the next one!

Rice Overnight

Yesterday I made some brown rice for dinner. We had a ton leftover, but we left right after dinner to see a friend before she went into surgery. When we came back the kids had to go to bed, Tom had to run some errands and then kids woke up off and on until this morning when I found my rice still on my stove. I really didn't want to throw it out because I had made a huge pot full, but that gut feeling told me to toss it. I'm glad I did because this is what I found when I googled "rice left out overnight":

'Rice are susceptible to the formation of spores (bacillus cereus) if the rice isn't cooled down properly. These spores are heat resistant, so they aren't easy to kill either when reheating.'

So, there ya go, bad case of pipe cleaning. On the off chance your rice may get this bacteria throw all rice away if you left it out for, oh I don't know... all night.

Back on Track

Nurtimirror. Looked at it. Liked it. Joined it. It's everything I would love to do as a trainer but am too busy being a mom. I love it.

So here we go. Gonna start updating Teeniemama again, but maybe with some real tips this time instead of personal saga. Here's the big target for the last five pounds: Portion Control. Anyone can give up sugar or go on some weird diet and lose weight, but here's the question: can you still lose weight by merely moderating what you enjoy eating?! Can you stop after just ONE cookie or half a coke? Well, can you? CAN YOU? Although I'm avid about eating as healthy as you can, the truth is if you want to maintain a healthy weight the real key is HOW much you eat no matter what.

There ya go. So let's go. Let's learn to eat our sweet in moderation and keep it off forever.
That's it. My speech is over...and my husband has given me the boot.

Pregnant?!

No, but someone asked me if I was today. Even though it wasn't a devastating blow, (I was so bloated tonight and I couldn't even suck in...we had a quiche for dinner?...maybe..) I've decided it's time to get back on the weightloss wagon (I've been a slacker since Christmas). I still have those five stinking pounds to lose. SO WHOSE WITH ME?! Begone five forever. Let's finally reach that goal.

So, my friend told me about a website http://www.nutrimirror.com/. I've yet to look at it, but get there and tell me what you think. I'm ready to kick some honey buns into their rightful place. If you have some suggestions to help with late-night cravings, leave a line.

I miss my sisters

( Not pictured Robbie, her fam and my bro and his wife and Carissa. Oh, and look at that I was prego!)

I miss my sisters really bad. They are the cool, goofy kind of people who you never get sick of except when you are all PMSing and iritated with each other for stupid reasons, but you don't want them to go, you just want to be honery. Gee, I never thought I'd miss those days.

But actually I miss them because of the genuine friendship and love we share. My bro's a part of it too, so this applies to him as much as the gals. I miss walking into Robbie's house and breaking into her fridge. I don't know why, but we all do it. Maybe her fridge is like her heart, it feeds us all. I miss Kenner's bubbly countenance. She has a knack at making you feel at ease. We could sit on the couch all day and talk about nothing really. I miss Kayla dressing me up, she always made me feel pretty, especially when she lets me wear her clothes, heh, heh, heh. And we like to get silly and take pictures of the most ridiculous goofy faces. I miss Carissa. She was always the baby until this last visit and now she is a young woman. AH, the good ole days of high school, keeps me young. And she's a good shopper...and she pulls off any hairstyle. And we all just laugh and have a good time just being together. Well, sometimes we have to have issues. C'mon there's five of us. I miss my bro telling off the wall jokes or talking about rad cars or using his voice impersonations (hope I spelled that right).

I like that they miss my kids. I like that I have so many good memories with them. I like that wherever they are they are doing good and trying to make life around them better.

I just miss them. I hope they miss me too.

Deep Condition

I tried a home-deep-condition thing on my hair tonight. I read on-line if you put olive oil on your hair and let it sit for 30 mins it's like a good deep condition. Well, I washed and rinsed twice. I look like a bum on the street. Seriously, if I hung out at 8th and Market, you'd never know the difference. At least it shines.

Sometimes saving money is lame, too bad I don't have a choice.

THE CAMERA CORD IS RECOVERED!!!

here are some random photos pictured most recent to oldest:
FHE treat: "Mounds" pretzel style. Paul, what a ham

Lydia was incharge of the chocolate, Paul the coconut and Dad the pretzels. Mom was ground control.

Bubbles are one of the highlights of the day. There is never a time when "ba bubs" aren't wanted...I know Lydia is in her underware; well folks, that's life.

Date night babysitting landed on V-day weekend for us. We made this odd looking cake. The sad thing is it looks better than it tasted. Oh well, at least the babies ate it.

Paul doing his ballarina dances. Tom calls it the rain dance, he doesn't want to admit his son can dance.

He even spots his turns

it is just so stinking cute to watch him dance. This boy loves music.

a friendly trip to the zoo. Yes, it was cold

Lydia coming out of anethesia, it's has already been 40 mins since she was woken up. Poor kid.

Very happy girl pre-op. They are extremely nice at the West Chester Hospital.

Tom reading to the kids, and this is my most favorite time of day. He uses all sorts of funny voices and I end up doubling over.

My big helper making Paul's b-day cake. She is so willing to help when chocolate is involved.

Our humble, but creative christmas tree. Okay, had to put that up even though Christmas is long gone.