The Dentist

This past Monday I took the kids to the dentist for the first time. I’ve always felt like I should take them, but knowing Ethan’s fear of all buzzy type noise making objects made me think twice in the past. Ethan was a little nervous, and I guess Madeline was too, but WOW!!! They did awesome!

Madeline went first, and I think that was the perfect order. A way for Ethan to watch and realize it wasn’t so bad. They gave Madeline sunglasses to wear while in the chair so the light wouldn’t be too bright in her eyes. She thought that was cool. They also let her hold a princess toothbrush while they cleaned her teeth. The lady was so great with the kids. She showed them how things would feel by putting the tools on their fingernail first and talked cute with them the whole time.

And the verdict? Both kids opened wide with no complaints and no crying and no fighting and NO CAVITIES! Wu!

They told me that Madeline was the best three year old they’d ever had and proclaimed them to be the best patients of the day! She even let them pick out THREE toys from the treasure box for being so good. The kids were so happy as we left and proud of themselves for being so good and having no cavities. And how could I not be proud too. And well, let’s be honest, I was relieved! I never thought it could go so well.

Me on the other hand, I went back for myself yesterday and I do have cavities. But not only that, I’ve been grinding my teeth so much in my sleep that they said I have mini fractures in some of my teeth. Awesome. Once they get my mouth fixed up, I’ll be sporting a mouth guard when I sleep. I guess we can’t all have a perfect record at the dentist. I’m just glad my kids did!

My $1 Dress

I always get JCPenney coupons in the mail.  My favorite one is "get $10 off when you spend $10 or more".  I like to go and see if I can find something for $11.  Well this last time around, I told Todd I was going to look for a dress.  I didn't really think there would be any dresses for $11, but figured I could get one for a good price with the coupon.  When I found a dress I liked, I was happy that the price was marked down to $23 all the way from $60.  With my coupon, that would be a $13 dress!  Not bad!  But when I got to the check-out, the dress rang up at $11.  The cashier looked surprised, and grinned at me when I gave her my coupon. 

It's moments like that that make me actually like shopping!  Imagine the wardrobe one could have if this happened more often!  But even if it never happens again, I sure had fun on Sunday wearing my $1 dress.

September's Ten Things

Today it's time for me to share Ten Things that make me smile about this month! 
1.  Madeline started Preschool, and LOVES it!
2.  I discovered Pretzel Rolls, in all their deliciousness.
3.  I enjoyed playing beauty parlor with Madeline and putting her hair in curlers.
4.  I HAVE A NEW NEPHEW!!!!!!!  And I got to hold him for over an hour.  Oh oh!  SO PERFECT!
5.  I refinished my sewing machine table!  Wu!
6.  Ethan is enjoying soccer, and they even won their last game!
7.  I've enjoyed two novels this month, read the entire Ensign, and started the new Relief Society book.  Lots of good reading always makes me happy!
8.  I've jarred peaches, made peach jam, and ate so many fresh peaches that my ears itch just thinking about it.
9.  The weather has been perfect lately!
10.  The Dentist.  Yes, that's what I said.  I'm smiling about it.  But you'll have to wait to hear the story.

Smoke Alarms

Todd and I were getting ready for bed last night when all the smoke alarms went off.  We both sort of jumped and just when we got to the hall, they all turned off.  Todd looked around and everything seemed to be fine, so we continued getting ready for bed.  A few minutes later, they came on again.  I'm still not sure how the kids didn't wake up, the alarms were shrieking so loudly and since they are all connected to each other, both kids had one in their rooms blaring too.  But again, after five seconds or so, they all turned off again.  I can't remember if it was the second or third time, but finally Todd disconnected the oldest alarm in the hall.  We figured the old one was to blame.  My heart was racing, but we climbed into bed.  

You can guess what happened then.  A half hour into sleep and they all came on again!!!  We both shot out of bed.  This time Todd went directly into the garage and got the ladder.  Why?  Because if the one in the hall hadn't been the one malfunctioning, clearly it would be the only one that you can't reach unless you precariously balance a ladder on the stairs!   

Todd climbed up while I held the ladder.  I was shaking more than he was.  It went off again while he was up there.  I imagined the ladder slipping, him falling down the stairs, the kids waking up and crying, but none of that happened.  Todd made it safely down, put the ladder back in the garage and we went to bed.

Still not sure what the deal with that smoke alarm was, but I'm glad it didn't go off anymore.  And I'm glad it didn't do this when Todd was out of town a week ago.  And I'm also still wondering who thought of the idea of putting smoke alarms high above staircases.

My Soccer Boy

Yesterday was Ethan's very first soccer game ever!  He was a little nervous, but mostly excited, and sure looked great in his new uniform.  He was a great sport about letting me take his picture before the game too.

 Before the game started, they each got to practice kicking goals (see below).  Too bad this wasn't during the game, right?  He did good during the game, kept up with the ball and kicked it a few times too.  I have to admit, he got a lot of my un-aggressive/ noncompetitive genes, but I think with more practice he'll be able to overcome them.  :)

 He also has learned how to kneel around his coach and listen and focus on what his coach is saying.  He's never been on a team before, so this has been a great experience.  Their team name is The Sharks, and he's had fun shouting with his team, "Go Sharks!"

 At this age, it's mostly bunch ball, but they had fun.  The Sharks didn't win this time, but no one seemed to mind.  It is all about fun and I think that was definitely accomplished!

Ethan's Primary Program

I can't pass up the opportunity today to join the Proud Mommy Moments Meme and write about Ethan and his Primary Program this past Sunday.

 

Where to begin?  Let me just set up a visual for you first.  Ethan was assigned the front row seat on one of the platforms that was in front of the podium.  And with him being really tall for his age, let's just say he was probably one of the most easily seen kids in the whole program.  Potential to be bad or good right?

 

It was good!

 

Ethan was amazing!  Not only did he know and sing almost perfectly every word to every song, he sang EVERY song with his arms folded, stood and sat exactly on command and was still and reverent the entire time!  I was floored!  I'm not joking when I say that almost every person I passed in the halls or sat by in my others classes mentioned to me how good he was.  "He was the most reverent"  "My kids should learn from him"  "He wins the best-behaved award"  "Ethan was so cute"  "Ethan sang every song so well"  "He was the model for every other child, I couldn't help but kiss him!"

 

On and on.  And on.  Wow!  I couldn't believe it.

 

Now, I feel like I can share this for two reasons.  One, it's a meme about bragging right?!  And two, after struggling with his behavior at home A LOT, it sure was rewarding to see him actually behave so well.  As each comment came up, I thought to myself, "now if only he could act so well at home . . .", but I did realize something:  I know now what he is capable of.  And I know that when (and I really think he will) he decides to just be that way everywhere and all the time, he'll be a killer good kid and I'll have to keep my pride in check!

Nature Bracelets

Have you ever made a nature bracelet?

 The idea is very simple, but I didn't think it up.  I read it once on a crafty blog, but I can't remember which one.  All you do, is make a bracelet out of masking tape with the sticky side out and then go on a walk.  When you find something you like, stick it on your bracelet.  My kids went with Mimi the other day and had a marvelous time.  I don't think they ever would tire of this activity.

 I also love to see how the bracelets turn out.

 And with the weather so nice this time of year, I might just have to go on the next walk and make a bracelet too.

Another Doll

A week ago, Madeline's little friend had her birthday and so I decided to make a little doll for her.  This time, I attempted braided piggy tails for the first time and I think it really made her cute:

It really changes her look and I think it's fun.  I just might have to make a few Christmas ones like this too now.

FYI

If you are ever trying to carry jam jars after washing them and one starts to fall toward the granite counter top, don't try to catch it.  Fight the natural instinct and don't reach.  Because if you do, you'll end up catching the shards instead, and then you'll have a variety of cuts ranging in severity on both hands, glass all over the kitchen floor and in the peach box, and children crying because they want you to make lunch.

Beauty Parlor

Yesterday, not only did Ethan have school, but he also had a two hour birthday party in the afternoon.  So Madeline and I spent a lot of time doing things only girls like to do.  The pedicures (see the post below) were just the beginning.  Madeline also wanted to try out curlers for the first time!  Doesn't she look cute?! 

 I wasn't sure how many it would take, and ended up with two left over.  I think next time I'll use them all.  She was really excited about them.  And loved wearing the curlers.  She kept them in for the two hours Ethan was at the birthday party.

 Yay for curly hair!

 Oh, and we must show you how we painted our fingernails too while the curlers were in!  Like I said, when there are no boys around, things get fancy fast!  Playing Strawberry Shortcake and Doll House with Madeline is fun, but this.  THIS.  I could do all day!

 And of course, you have to admire the curls in the mirror too . . .

 Madeline, you couldn't be cuter!

Hands and Feet

I've sorta been in denial for a few months now about something.  I've been trying to ignore it - hoping it would go away, but it just doesn't.  I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do about it either.  It seems I am allergic to my wedding ring!  I've always been allergic to metal, but usually only cheap costume jewelry.  And I've been wearing my wedding ring for eight years now with no problems . . . until just recently.  For the last few months, I keep getting rashes and bumps that only clear up when I'm not wearing my ring.  I know, I know, I should just stop wearing it, right?  But I'm one of those girls who can't NOT wear a wedding ring.  I never took it off, not to sleep or shower or swim.  I wore it 100% of the time for eight years.  My finger is screaming at me too - so painful and itchy.  A few times, I just put tape over the rash and wore my ring anyway.  But that doesn't really help it clear up.  :) 

I'm hoping that perhaps there was something coating my ring that has worn off and all I have to do it take it to the jeweler and get it redone. 

 On a happier note, Madeline and I had fun doing pedicures while Ethan was a school today!

Refinishing my Sewing Machine Table

This is a project that I have wanted to do for a LONG time.  The original plan was to refinish my sewing machine table in June.  Then it got bumped to July, then August.  Well, when September rolled around, I got more motivated knowing that with cold air coming, I wouldn't be able to do the work I needed to do outside.  So I finally did it! 

Here is a look at the original.  It was my grandmother's and it is pretty old.  I LOVE this thing, but it was very scuffed up and the color doesn't work with the plan for my future sewing room.

 I took these pictures right before I took it apart.

 I took pictures along the way, in case I might need to look at them to figure out how to put it back together. 

 Once it was all in pieces, I started sanding and sanding and sanding.  The original finish on the wood was pretty thick, so it took awhile to get down to the bare wood.  Once I was done sanding, I batted my eyes at Todd and he did the rest of the sanding.  See, I was done, but the sanding wasn't.  Todd did an awesome job and finished all the rounded edges and sides and other parts I didn't do.  Thanks honey!

Then all I had was a pile of wood!  I was crossing my fingers that it would all go back together without stripped screws and other problems!

 After the sanding project, I painted it black.  Then sprayed a clear finish.  And then put it back together (which took a lot longer than taking it apart!)  But LOOK!!!!  Look how it turned out:

 I am very happy with the finished product!

 And someday, when my sewing room is done, I will show you how this beauty looks all finished in my sewing room.

Lunch in the Forest?

My mom took the kids and me to lunch in a really fun location a few days ago.  This place felt like being in the woods.  There were a couple picnic tables and a few benches spread out through the trails.

 There were also two bridges with water flowing under them (or at least, water flowing under them in the spring!)

 And after eating, we went on a nature walk and spotted a giant birds nest too!  So where is the place?  In the forest?  Up in the mountains?

No, it's actually in the parking lot of South Town Mall!

Who would have guessed?!  Thanks Mimi, for the fun lunch adventure.

Zucchini Lasagna

It's been a long time since I posted a recipe here.  I made this a couple of nights ago and it was really great!  A delicious way to use zucchini.  Zucchini lasagna is meaty and cheesy, but noodle-less.  By slicing the zucchini the long way, the slices take the place of lasagna noodles, making a low-carb dinner.  It tasted really good and after eating zucchini every day for weeks and weeks, it was nice to find a zucchini recipe that was new and different.

Zucchini Lasagna

2 zucchinis, sliced thinly the long way (not in circles - these will be your "noodles")

1/2 lb. ground beef

2 cups of your favorite red sauce (I used Prego)

1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 egg

1 tsp flour

fresh basil

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup mozzarella (or more to taste - I actually ran out and mixed in a few other cheeses too)

Steam sliced zucchini until tender.

Brown ground beef.  Drain and add sauce.  Bring to simmer.

Meanwhile, mix cottage cheese, Parmesan, egg, flour, and chopped basil to taste.  Season with salt and pepper. 

In a 2 qt. dish, layer half the meat sauce on bottom of pan.  Top with a layer of zucchini slices, using half of them.  Cover with cottage cheese mix.  Finish layering zucchini and meat sauce.  Top with mozzarella.

Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for about 35 minutes.

Enjoy! 

First Day of Preschool

Today was Madeline's first day of Preschool!!!  She couldn't wait for me to take a picture of her wearing her backpack (that is almost as big as her!)

 Do you think she was excited?

 I was really proud of her for wanting to be in preschool.  I didn't put Ethan in until he was four.

 She took very timid steps into the school, but I could hear her teacher saying, "you are all smiles today, aren't you!"  And she never looked back at me.  I knew she was nervous, but she was committed!  And I was proud!

I was also kid-free for two hours!  The time went fast but hey, I'll take it!  When I picked her up, she was still all smiles.  She seemed to really like it.  She was sad though, that she has to wait until next Tuesday to go again.