Tuesday, February 23, 2016

A Milk Run...with the Family

Milk and yogurt is all we went into Aldi for...we ended up with $80 in groceries! It started out with a deal on eggs that I called my mom about asking if she wanted some...she did.  Then we found a deal on bananas.  Phil thought we needed some canned tomatoes and some more fruit so we bought a couple flats of them.  Phil wanted some ramen for emergency lunches to keep at the school. A couple bags of water softener salt. Then oranges decided they needed a new home, finally I decided some cheese sticks and lunch meat for good measure to round out the cart.

Monday, February 22, 2016

A Warm Spring Day...In February!

Snow one day and 60s later in the week.  The story of Indiana weather and life.  I enjoyed being able to wash the cars, though with the huge long lines at the car wash I ended up doing it myself in the driveway, it was 66 degrees!  We turned on the whole house fan and opened up all the windows and pulled in lots of fresh air, and hopefully got rid of all the germs from the winter in the process, so tired of everyone being sick!  Phil took the kids on a walk down to the neighborhood park to play, while I took care of the much needed cleaning of the vehicles.  The kids had a blast playing in a remaining pile of leaves in the yard that had gotten missed over the fall, I was hoping they'd blow away and not be my problem anymore, but alas Karma got me there...
Nora playing in the leaves

Pete making the big pile to jump in.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

An Actual Snowy Day!

This year has been pretty sparse on the snowfall for us.  We've managed to be missed on about every system and lake effect possible this year.  Some people are thrilled with that but not me, I bought new snowboots and coats for the kids only to have them sit in a closet all season long!  Finally we got some last week, though by Friday and Saturday it was in the mid 60s for temperatures...don't you love Indiana weather?! It was Nora's first time really getting to enjoy playing in the snow, Dexter had a hoot in it even because it wasn't too deep to touch his tummy, and Pete of course had a blast playing in it!
Nora helping Daddy shovel snow

Dex in his sweater

Snowy Selfie

Family Selfie.  If only Pete had a better expression on his face it would have been great.  Looks like he is ready to sneeze!

Saturday, February 13, 2016

MommyCon Chicago Ticket Giveaway!-closed



MommyCon! MommyCon! MommyCon!
To say I'm a little excited might be a bit of an understatement. I'm going to be heading to the Chicago event on March 5th this year.  I attended there last year as well; this year I'm going kid-free with friends!  Friends that I have met in this motherhood journey through natural parenting and general momminess.  Last year was fun with Nora, and I wouldn't have dreamt of going without her at the time, but this year I didn't think she would be thrilled with the idea of being in the carrier for a long stretch, which wouldn't be conducive to me actually paying much attention during the sessions since I'd more than likely be running after a fleeing toddler. Phil is either going to stay home with the kids or come along and do babysitting duty there but still hang out with me when Nora allows.  We haven't quite figured out our plans yet but are hammering out the details.  Part of me is excited for the prospect of a day of hanging out with friends, and the other part of me is excited to share my love of MommyCon with my hubby!
Nora during Chicago MommyCon 2015
What is MommyCon? This is how their website describes it, "MommyCon is a boutique style convention dedicated to bringing modern parents and mothers-to-be together. Our focus is on natural and organic parenting methods and timeless tidbits as we journey through parenthood together. Our seminars and workshops include; babywearing, birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, car seat safety, natural health and medicine, baby gear, childproofing and so much more! We end our day with amazing giveaways and each attendee gets a gift bag from our sponsors."
Personally it is a chance to spend time learning about issues with being a parent, including cloth diapering, breastfeeding, babywearing, sleeping (the baby/kids that is), and other issues with being a mom and parent in these times.  I loved the speakers last year and felt that I was able to learn new things that encouraged me to try new things that I hadn't done with either of the kids.  This year it is going to be even more exciting!  They are expanding a bit more into early childhood for those who are out of the baby/toddler phase of parenting and putting some more Mom-focused areas into the program because you are your own person too.  There will be 80 exhibitors in the hall to find new products, shop, and learn more about.  The Keynote speakers this year at Chicago include body positive photographer Jade Beall of the Beautiful Body Project, Sally Kuzemchak of Real Mom Nutrition, Jennifer Labit, CEO of Cotton Babies, and acclaimed actress and YouTube sensation Angel Laketa Moore.  I've heard and know of some of these speakers but others are new to me so I'm excited to meet some heroes and find some new favorites in the parenting scene.  

One of the great MommyCon sessions from 2015
The official schedule hasn't been posted quite yet but should be soon.  Once it is posted I'll make a new blog post about it and let you know what sessions I'll be going to. I like to plan ahead rather than while I'm there so I make sure I get everything in that I want!
Cloth Diapering 101 from last year
Now for the part you have all been waiting for: the giveaway!  I have two tickets to MommyCon to giveaway, so I'll be drawing 2 names when the giveaway is over and each person will get one ticket to MommyCon Chicago! Remember if you'd like to purchase a ticket use Promocode HOOSIER16 to save $5!
a Rafflecopter giveaway  May the odds be ever in your favor!

Nap Time Project: Valentine's Heart Banner

Pete came home from preschool wanting to make and string together hearts for grandma's house, because she didn't have ANY Valentine's Day decorations. Nora was snoozing away so we started working on it.  I couldn't find the construction paper but did find scrapbooking paper so we used it, which they turned out cute enough I went ahead and laminated them for multi year use. I folded and drew the line for Pete to cut on and he cut everyone of those hearts out, which for a preschooler I'd say was pretty good.  I ran them through out laminater and ended up cutting them out of the lamination because I doubted Pete could cut a border around them, that's a bit more advanced. I used my sewing machine to string them all together, it went much faster than punching holes and tying!


Supplies Needed:
Scrapbook paper, 4 hearts per sheet so plan accordingly
scissors
pencil
lamination supplies
sewing machine

Draw the lines for your hearts, and cut.  I could fit 3/4 of the hearts in each laminating sheet and laminated them.  Cut apart leaving a border around each one. Next sew about 1/2 inch to the edge do a couple stitches with nothing there then add the next heart and sew into it another 1/2 inch.  Make the banner as long as you'd like or needed.  
Pete cutting out a heart
Showing off the finished product

Monday, February 8, 2016

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday while walking my laps at the YMCA I was checking out the local facebook classified ads and found a deal on a Ford Ranger Pick up truck.  I took a screen shot of the information and sent it to Phil.  He called the guy about it and set up a time to check it out.  We picked it up today after Phil got done at work. This is Phil's absolute dream truck so he's pleased with the purchase.  

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Crazy Cake

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 TBL Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 cup sugar (or 1/2 cup Zing baking blend sugar substitute)
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 TBL applesauce
2 TBL oil
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all the dry ingredients together.  Add in the wet ingredients and mix until just smooth, don't over do it because it will turn out flat once baked.  Bake in a greased 8x8 glass pan or 12 cupcakes.  Bake for 35 minutes for a cake and 18-20 for cupcakes or until knife comes out clean.



This is my go to cake for Nora with her egg allergies and I've switched it to be a bit healthier and it turned out extra moist and delicious with the changes. I don't feel too guilty eating it or giving it to the kids either!

4.5 weight watcher smart points