Gage's New Thing

One day in the car Boston said, "mom?" And I guess I took too long to respond because by the time I did, his response was, "never mind." Gage thought that was hilarious. He quickly repeated what Boston said and as he said, "never mind," he cracked himself up. So, for about 3 weeks now, it's "mom..mom..mom.." and as I respond, he quickly says, "never mind." He even calls me Traci sometimes and it tricks me because I always fall for it and say "what?" Then, last night in the middle of the night, he came to the side of my bed and was hitting my arm saying,"mom..mom." When I finally said, "what," I couldn't hear his response. So I said, "what" again. Finally, in a tiny soft voice I heard, "never mind" and a laugh. Okay, it's funny, but not as funny in the middle of the night. Of course, when I woke up this morning and remembered it, it was a lot funnier.

Pinewood Derby, Birthday Celebration, and Gifts from Grandma

Pinewood Derby results are in....it was a silver medal for Trevor's fast looking car. His car did great and tied for first and lost in a raceoff to a car that looked like an army tank. That tank was some fierce competition. He did get an award for the "FASTEST LOOKING CAR." In the end, Trevor and Zane had a great time designing and adding the final touches (rocket boosters) on to make it look as fast as it was.


Mallory got to dig in to cake Friday night and wasn't too sure if it was "her thing!" She did it slowly and happily at first, but eventually didn't like the idea of being all sticky and dirty. I thought it was cute, but eventually gave in and got her out and gave her a bath. Happy First Birthday!



We got a package in the mail on Friday and it was from Grandma Julie. She sent hats that she made for the boys and Mallory's birthday present. All were handmade goodies that we are so thankful for. The hats fit perfect and should really help on those cold mornings at the bus stop. The gift for Mallory was opened last night and it a beautiful quilt perfect for a little girl. The colors are so sweet and I can't believe how tiny the squares in it are. Way to go mom!

Quick Taco Seasoning

A few months back I was making tacos and I went to pour in the seasoning mix and realized it was chili mix and I didn't have any taco seasoning anywhere. I happened to be talking to my mom on the phone while all of this was happening and she gave me this great seasoning mix for tacos that is supposed to be like Taco Bells. Well, I can't really compare the two, but in all honesty it is the best I have ever tried. Zane requests it once a week and I use it as my back up when I haven't planned anything and it's almost 5 pm because I have all these ingredients on hand (except the cayenne pepper and I just add black pepper). Plus, even if you don't have tortillas you can put it in a bowl with sour cream, cheese, black beans, and salsa and it's pretty darn good. We had these tonight and it reminded me that I needed to share the recipe.

Taco Seasoning
-seasons 1 lb. of ground meat-
1 T. flour
1 T. corn starch
1 T. dried minced onion
1 tsp. beef bouillon granules
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 onion salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. sugar

Combine and store in an air tight container
To make taco meat, brown 1 lb. ground meat in skillet; drain. Add seasoning mix and 3/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat ans simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Can A Year Really Go This Fast?

I never thought Mallory would be a year old, but she made it and so did we. Even though it sped by a lot has changed in a year - mostly my thoughts on girls:

1. Girls have accessories - whether it be barrettes, head bands, or just ruffles on their jeans. I didn't realize this was another world and that I would give in to it.

2. Mallie looks like a girl now, but for the first few weeks of her life, I thought I still had a boy. She looked like all three of the boys when they were newborns and besides the evidence in the diaper change, I still wasn't quite sure this was a girl.

3. I can't tell if it's because she is the baby of the family or because she is a girl, but she loves to be held and talked to ALL the time. Okay, that's not too hard for me to do - talk - but I run out of things to say to a baby who doesn't talk back.

4. I love a girl more than I thought I would. I didn't think that I wouldn't love her, only that it might take more effor than it has. I do love her not any more than the boys, but I am grateful for the chance to love a girl.

I'm Done...I think

If you have ever been to my house, I change the decorations and posistioning of my furniture about once a month, if not more often. I figure that if I can't remodel, I might as well change things up. Not that I really want to remodel, but I always have these fantastic ideas in my head that I can't quite fulfill because of time (maybe money as well). Well, I guess my blog is another place that I find that I can be creative and change up. I am leaving this header and not changing it unitl at least after Valentines Day - (notice the Valentines theme). So, don't get confused thinking you've come to wrong blog - it's the Underwoods, only different!

Tonight's Lesson

As a follow up to my last entry...right before bed we had a little lesson with the boys. Zane took a hanger that we keep in their closet (for situations like that of the other night) and bent it straight and demonstrated how they could stick it in the hole of the doorknob and "pop" the lock. This will do until the lock is swtiched. For the boys - lesson learned. Plus, Boston prayed in family prayer that he would be helped in using a walkie talkie if he ever got locked in again. Too bad we don't have walkie talkies!

How My Boys Bond - Chapter 1

Last night Trevor decided to sleep in the room with Boston and Gage. Gage continually came out and when he didn't come out to our room, he locked the door of the room which would lock them in since the lock was reversed - that was a result of Boston's terrible two's that had never been changed back! I finally went in there one last time (of course, it's always one last time) and told Gage not to come and out to stop locking the door. It was getting really late and they needed to be asleep. I went to my room thinking all was well because I didn't hear from them. Zane finally checked on them about 9:45 and thought they were all asleep. Suddenly, he heard a little whimper.."we're just babies...we're just babies...Trevor locked us in and me and Boston and Trevor are just babies....I have to wait until the sun comes up...I want the sun to come up so I can get out..." It was Gage! He wasn't alseep. He was whimpering in his covers because Trevor had locked them all in so that they wouldn't come out and bother us anymore. Gage told us his version and I felt bad that we hadn't checked on them earlier and hadn't unlocked the door before they all fell asleep. Well.. I thought that it was sad, but didn't know the real story until the boys got up for school this morning...

I told the boys what Gage was saying and Boston said, "yeah, we were locked in and when you are locked in and have to go to the bathroom, you just have to go out the window." I thought, "what?" They had just gone to the bathroom right before bed and I knew they didn't have to go. I asked him what he was talking about and he and Trevor told me that when they realized they were locked in they were a bit scared. Trevor had them all say a prayer that we would come and unlock it soon. Then, they all went and sat in the closet for a bit (I'm not sure what that would accomplish) and then Gage and Boston peed out the window. Trevor said, "don't worry mom, we lifted the window high enough and there was plenty of room." Boston said, "yeah, I didn't even hit the bushes, only the dirt." So, it was basically like a 20 minute game of Survivor - less the wilderness, lack of food and water, and competition. As crazy as it sounds, I think they bonded. In Trevor's defense - he realized what he had done right after he locked it and knew he couldn't fix it until we came to get them out. He told me he calmed them all down and got them all to sleep - most of them anyway.

I think Gage was a little scarred from the experience because at 4 am he ran in to my room and said, "mom, guess what?" As I said, "what," he yelled, "never mind," and ran away. That is his newest thing, but at 4 am? What was he thinking and why was he up. He must have been tossing and turning because of his WILD experience perhaps? Who knows. But, if this is what it takes for my boys to work together then just maybe...Actually, Zane is reversing the lock back to it's original state today!

Aren't These So Cool?

The answer is YES. My friend, Melissa, made these for me for my bday and I am so grateful for her creativity. Now, I just might look fashionable while I am trying to figure out how to use this new camera I got for Christmas. Just might. She made the pincushion by looking at another one that was made for her. Now that's the kind of brain I want.

All She Wants To Do Is Stand

Mallory is not happy laying about anymore. Of course, she is nearly one and shouldn't be happy laying about. But, she still army crawls, so I know she is not on the fast track to walking. But, as of the last few days all she wants to do is stand. It's that kind of standing where she thinks she is stronger or steadier than she is because she keeps falling down and along the way bumps her chin on what she was holding on to. I can't stop her, so just cross your fingers that she gets steadier.

Old Navy Sale

It's that time when Old Navy has everything 50% off the clearance price! I stumbled on it on Saturday night and the cashier said it was ending Sunday. But, I went in today for a return and it was still going on and so I asked. The cashier said they got an email that extended it until this Thursday. It was awesome. The most I paid for anthing was $5 and I got socks for .24 cents. They had winter coats for $10 for kids. Well worth your time!

4 Years Later

Can a project this small take 4 years? It can for me. I cut these out of felt and sewed these 4 years ago planning on decorating T's room with them. I think they look better in his new room anyhow. It's sports themed with vintage sports posters and these colors. So, all's well that ends well.

Me and Richard Simmons

I have decided I need music. I think that I forgot that I even like music because I forget to turn it on. But, when I do, I am like a whole different person. I don't have an IPod, which I know...makes me so LAME. But, eventually I will. I have decided that I am going to turn on my favorite music around 3 or 4 or maybe even 5pm (you know - that hard time of the day when kids are tired, you are tired, and you aren't sure when you husband might walk through the door for some relief) and just dance. I might even look like Richard Simmons with his "Dancing to the Oldies" because I plan on getting in shape this way. What could be better - music and the benefit of exercise to go with it. Try it! It really works for the spirit and the shape. It might even make you feel like you are a real person who has an opinion and who was maybe even cool in the day (and secretly thinks they might be now). I even have it playing now and I just might be COOL.

Sassy Apron Swap

I am excited about this swap I just entered. I am a bit scared because I just made my first aprons this Christmas, but I am hooked on aprons and this was just too much fun to pass up. Plus, I could sew a few between now and March to make sure at least one turns out cute! Check it out - sassyapronswap.blogspot.com

Coupons Anyone?

This is a bit silly, but I got 6 extra Michaels ads in my paper on Sunday and there is a 50% off coupon in each for one item good until this Sat. If you want one, come and get one.

But I'm a Boy Mom...

When I was pregnant with Mallory I promised I would never give in the girly stuff. I wanted to be a boy mom and was proud of it. Well, as of about a few weeks after her birth, I caved. And, it has been well worth every minute. If girls are going to give us harder times with hormones and such, then why not enjoy the things we do have control of - hair bows, hats, outfits, and decorating their rooms. At least we have control until they start talking! I also promised that I wouldn't paint her room pink and I didn't, but I do dress her in pink almost everyday. Well, here are a few photos of her room and I will admit I probably went a bit overboard for a baby who doesn't even know much of what is in her room. But, like I said before, do it while you still can.

Christmas Highlights

What a wonderful Christmas! I think I can honestly say THE BEST ONE so far. It was hectic leading up to it and on Christmas Eve I thought my head was going to explode, but as the evening came and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at our friend's house, it all came together. The kids didn't wake up until 8 am and we didn't go out until 8:30 am. The boys all slept on our floor since they would have to pass by the family room to get us and see everything if they slept in their room. Santa brought each of the kids three gift including a Creepy Crawler Oven, Star Wars Legos, sippy cups, and dinosaur puzzles. The grandparents in Cali sent funny hats from Alice in Wonderland and Dr. Suess along with the DVDs to go with them. We adopted at least five new WebKinz and I am sure there are more adoptions in our future. And, yesterday we came back from Cincinnati where we stayed with cousins karaoking to High School Musical 1 & 2 and jumping on their new jumping pit in the basement. I loved singing the duets (I was always Ryan) with my sister in law (she was Sharpay)! Well, 10 pounds later...it has been a nice Christmas Season and I feel ready to move on. I am usually sad to move, but this year I am ready. In fact, today I started my New Year's Resolution a little early and jumped on the elliptical and plan on continuing way in to the new year. Something had to been done because we just had too much great food to eat for the last 2 weeks. I am not complaining, just reporting. So, Happy New Year to all and to all a good night.

Happy Birthday Zane

Actually, Zane's birthday was yesterday, but I did want to mention it. See, I didn't write about it yesterday because Christmas Eve is always a BUSY day and a bit hard to celebrate a birthday. It was crazy busy yesterday. Let's just say Zane isn't exactly the easiest person to throw a party for because he just doesn't care about it. Well, the girl in me cares about it a lot and every year we try so hard to make it a special day. He is well worth the stress (mental usually!) and effort. He is the big 34 and well, I can't tease him about it because I follow and become the same age 6 days later. When I talked to him at work when we first met (12years ago), I told him that I didn't want to date anyone younger than me. He then asked how old I was and I said, "21." He asked me when my birthday was and I said, "December 30th." He said, "Good, I am six days older," and then walked away. A few weeks later we were dating and needless to say we were engaged about 4 weeks later. So, 12 years later...I still love him and am lucky to celebrate with him and our four kids. Happy Birthday Zane (yesterday)!

Sharing

Most of you know that Gage, my 3 year old, has juvenile diabetes. Well, yesterday I was going to test his blood sugar and he turned to dad and said all proud, "I get to get tested because I have diabetes." I told him that it wasn't fair and I wish that I had diabetes too. He turned to me and said, "It's okay mom.... maybe you can have diabetes next time." I thought he was so sweet and innocent. He was willing to share, but for now, it was his turn to have it. Well, I am not sure how long this great attitude toward testing and shots and forced feedings (running around after him with a pb&j sandwich) will last, but for now it is for the most part a sweet experience as far as trials go. He is a sweet guy who when he is refused an opportunity to eat a piece of candy that he asks for says, "Ohhhhhh man," just like Swiper the Fox instead of screaming and yelling. Of course that's not every time, but most of the time and I like to remember it that way. Well in this season of candy and good food, I wish all those with diabetes or any type of health issue a blessing of extra health and happiness!

Embroidery Patterns

These are the two embroideries we did for an Enrichment Activity two weeks ago. If you want them they are yours to create with. They just use a backstitch for all stitches except a french knot for the berries. Really easy - I promise. If I can figure it out, you can too! Merry Christmas~

New Header

Just so you don't think I think that this header is working with the page, I don't. I know it doesn't fit, but it is currently under construction and it might be awhile - you know with the holidays and all. So, someday it will fit in the box and until that day, enjoy the pepto background and wrong fit at the top. THE END!