Help! I'm stuck in Pinterest-land!

I can't seem to break away from Pinterest and I have things to do tomorrow.  But I can't seem to stop making new categories!

I want to:

make pillow mattresses for my little guys,
sew tutus for the girls,
find an old Shel Silverstein book and frame poems for the unborn baby,
take a dinner to a new mother,
organize my gift wrap supplies,
make stuffed bell peppers for the unborn baby ;),
bake cream cheese chocolate chip cookies that are egg-free,
sew bibs,
make vacation t-shirts,
ETC!!!

Must. Stop. Pinning.  I can be crafty tomorrow.  Now I must sleep.  I'm going.  I'm logging off.  really.

I have goals people.

If I don't write down my thoughts and goals, they may as well have never existed.  My memory is like that nowadays.  If it's not on my blog, it didn't happen.  Right?

Last year I made it a goal to give up the 3 C's:  Chocolate, Carbonation, and Caffeine.  I caved on chocolate after 3 months when I realized it didn't make any difference in how much Peach would spit-up.  Turns out it was nuts, not chocolate.  And carbonation and caffeine are a thing of the past that doesn't tempt or interest me at all.

I also had the goal, as I do every year, of losing weight.  And this past year, I did.  I ended the year 34.6 lbs. lighter than 2010.

Now to my 2012 goals & resolutions. 

I actually have most of these broken down into more specific goals, but you don't care THAT much.  ;)  And these are all things I'll probably blog about this year mixed in with other random bloggity goodness.  Okiedoke?

1.  Fill the freezer.

2.  Continue losing weight.

3.  Smile more.

4.  Get a new camera so we can take more pictures.  And don't drop it!

5.  Let Danny take more pictures of me.

6.  Learn a new language with the kids.

7.  Determine what that new language will be by where we will be stationed next.

9.  Declutter everything.  If we're possibly moving overseas I don't want everything in storage.  I'd rather just not have it.

10.  I want the kids to see me reading scriptures everyday-- not just family scriptures.

11.  Buy a table big enough for the whole family.  Or maybe I should wait until I find out where we're going...

12.  Try a new recipe every month.

13.  Sew something every month.

14.  Teach my kids piano, typing, and sewing along with their homeschool lessons. 

15.  Count my blessings everyday.

Wait?  Where's number 8?  Oh yeah.  Number 8 is on the way.

A good Daddy paints fingernails

alternate title:  One more reason my husband is awesome.

Easy gift for my aspiring artist

Have I told you how much I love Pinterest?  Pinterest is chuck full of talented people for me to glean ideas from.

This framed crayon inital was an easy fast inexpensive project I got from there. 

I estimate it costs me less than a box of candy canes. 

I used two boxes of crayons minus the neutral colors.  The crayons were 40 cents a box at the back-to-school sales.  I bought approximately 27 boxes.  seriously.  The cardstock was probably less than a dime.  The frame I've had for years and years.  But originally it was like $2 at Ikea.  So maybe a nice box of candy canes.  ;)

Here's the original, my inspiration.

I really like that she used a black frame.  And I thought I had a black frame.  But I can't seem to find it.  story of my life.  This deep purple frame actually matches well.

Now to wrap it so the crayons don't fall off . . .

We have a new little person around our home.

This is Chester Charles.  We call him Chester.  He arrived on Monday, December 12, and keeps an eye on the kids to report back to Santa each night

But sometimes, when he's particularly bored because the kids are being good (hey, it happens!) he gets into mischief.   

The kids were just tickled that Chester tried to make hot chocolate and the lengths he went to build a tower to get high enough to use the microwave.  Hey, it seems like he fits in well in our family.  I know a couple two year olds that would do such a thing!

When a tired, no-good-with-a-camera-Momma takes a picture

I tried REALLY hard to get a nice picture of all seven kids in their new pajamas Grandma W. sent. 

I'd get the oldest four to stand still and look at the camera, and the twins and Peach would run off.

Then I'd get Peach to come back, but she'd come right up to me instead of in front of the Christmas tree where I wanted her.

I convinced Pookie to hold her-- but then I had to rein in the twins. 

Hammy and Squdge wanted to be sure I caught their smiles on camera.  Yup, thanks!  I caught the runny nose too.

"Mommy, show Grandma W. my monkeys!"



So Grandma W., this is the best I got.  Please excuse the Sharpie on the walls.  I have budding artists.

(and I don't know what's going on with the shadow in the corner of the camera)

To the Tune of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Note:  You may have to stretch a syllable or two and in some cases cram all the syllables into the same line.  ;)

One more day till Danny comes back ho-ome

Feel my heart get light

From now on my troubles will be out of sight

One more day till Danny wipes their tushies

hands and noses ooze

Next week I'll be shopping for toys, clothes and shoes

Pants for boys and toys for twins

a gift or two for Dan

Shoes for Gab that her toes fit in

a book for little Ham

I must not forget to shop for Peach

learning toys and books

When I go out shopping I won't get strange looks!

Because I will shop by myself next week!
(I know that last part didn't rhyme.)

 Happy Friday my peeps.

I'm not gaining many popularity points.

I think I may have secured the title of Meanest Mom of the Year. 

We just started a new points system with the kids.  It's very much like the Mommy Store but they can redeem points daily.  Their only limitation is they can only pick one goody/treat per day.  No saving up 50 points and buying five candy canes to snork down at once.

For example:

Today the goodies available to buy are Cherry Cordial Cookies and candy canes.  Most of the kids picked a candy cane.  But since I had two green apple Tootsie pops left, I offered the twins that option.  They happily chose "pop-pops."

picture here

Of course they would NOT stay in their chairs at the table.  High chairs aren't even an option anymore-- they can escape in less than 30 seconds from them.

I should also add, it's FREEZING outside.  So sitting on the porch licking a lollipop is not an option either.

I reminded them about twelve times to sit at the table with their lollipops.

Then I told them, "If you don't stay at the table I will have to take away your lollipop." 

In about 90 seconds there was lollipop stickiness on my curtains, digital grand piano, lightswitches, doorknobs and the bottom of the television (which was off so I don't know why it lured them). 

I had to keep my word.  We don't issue threats unless we're willing to follow through.

I took the lollipops.  I knew full well that if I threw them in the kitchen trash they'd dig them right back out.  So I marched outside to the curb, where the big black garbage can is waiting for the garbage man, with twins trailing closely behind, and tossed them in. 

Squdge threw himself down in the middle of the road a helpless Pop-Pop-less heap.

The crying didn't cease for about 10 minutes.  The pouting much longer.  Gabbers just watched in disbelief.  The only reason they did stop crying was because I put Word World on so I could stuff workboxes and teach a long division lesson.

Enjoying our tree and ornaments

I bit the bullet and bought a pre-lit Christmas tree (instead of waiting for the after-Christmas sales). The cost wasn't so bad and it didn't look like the pinecone infested number from the Base Exchange. 

There is something SO magical about a big Christmas tree when you're little.  and not little.

I love how this picture blurs the lights-- like my memories of Christmas trees.

So far we've had about four casualties. 

I told them when we put the cinnamon applesauce ornaments on the tree,

"They're not cookies.  They're yucky.  Don't eat."

I actually didn't even mention the word "cookie" until I heard one of the twins say it.  Even with reminders, it continues to happen.  My Tater has tenacity.  Every other day he tries another.  I'm not as concerned about the ornament as I am for my carpet when he spits it out.  Cinnamon stains.

You can see our Charlie Brown tree in the corner.

Peach likes to circle the tree trying every snowflake and then tossing them on the floor.  Snowflakes are her favorite-- but she keeps an open mind.  She's licked cinnamon applesauce ornaments, shiny red bulbs, reindeer, etc. 

And now without further ado, for you that have kids that don't eat non-food things or if it's just you and you want an easy-peasy Christmas craft/ornament, here's the how-to.

Make your own (non-toxic) Cinnamon Applesauce ornaments

• Combine equal portions of cinnamon and applesauce.  
• Mix together well with your hands.  Add more cinnamon until it's a rollable consistency-- not so sticky. 
• Roll out 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.   
• Cut out with cookie cutters shaped like gingerbread men, star, Christmas tree, wreath, etc. 

• Use a straw to make a hole near the top.  That's where you'll string ribbon or yarn to hang it on your tree. 
• Let dry overnight if you're somewhere with very low humidity like Utah or North Dakota (in the winter anyway).  Or put it in your oven on a low temp like 190 degrees checking on it for an hour or so. 

Sometimes I like to make several trays worth and run my dehydrator.  The white noise helps little ones fall asleep at naptime or nighttime and a homey Christmastime smell permeates my home.  These are also a fun addition to a gift bag, neighbor holiday gifts, or your visiting teaching sisters.