Easter Clothing Hang-Ups

I remember when I was a little girl that I loved getting a new Easter dress. Easter was about the only time my sister and I got new dresses (unless there was a sale or they were hand-me-downs or presents from other people). It was a pretty big deal. And I remember it being a pretty simple process: we'd go to a mall (another big deal when I was a kid), or we'd order from the good ol' JC Penney's cataloge. Maybe we'd get shoes, maybe not. We never did the whole Easter bonnet thing.

So WHY is it so much harder (it seems) to outfit a boy at Easter?

Logan's first Easter was pretty simple. He had received a cute sweater vest at a baby shower. He wore that and khakies. He wasn't walking, so his socks matched his sweater.

And after that, it's been all downhill.

For one, the weather is so dang tricky in March and April. A lot of the outfits you see are shorts outfits. I can't risk that when there's a fairly  good chance there could be snow on the ground. Therefore, with the exception of one Easter, Logan has worn brown khakies. Short-sleeve shirts are a bit more workable because you can always throw on a jacket. I remember one year I bought him a polo shirt, did the Easter pictures, and come Easter morning it was absolutely FREEZING. Fortunately we had a yellow and blue button-down and he wore that. My problem with shirts is that I am getting bored with them.We've done A LOT of polo shirts, because they are relatively inexpensive and not ubber-dressy so that he will wear them again. I kind of plan his Easter outfits depending on if we have any weddings that upcoming spring/summer. I'm a bit burnt out on the polo. I like sweater vests, but then it's that whole weather thing, buying two shirts instead of one, and seriously, what are the odds of him wearing the vest again?

I mentioned Logan wearing brown khakies about each year. And I'm ok with that. But I am tired of dressing him the same colors year after year after year. And our color of choice has been green. And we're looking at green again this year. Grr. I can't seem to find a way around it! Last year, he was still in green, but it was a funky patterned button down shirt and we paired it with a cool hat. He looked like a mini Charlie Sheen. It was a "winning" Easter.


To make things more interesting, Logan has decided that he likes ties. He owns two (one Christmas, one that was intended for last year's Easter outfit....I'll get to that later). We went to Champaign for my birthday and went to Gymboree. He found a really cute green and brown stripped tie that he liked. I liked it too until I saw the price tag. Yikes. Between the tie, a shirt (because we have nothing that would go with it)...too much for this momma. Granted, they had JUST brought out their Easter line that day, so I am sure it will go on sale at some point, and Crazy8 has the exact same tie right now for less. But...I'm holding off.

Oh yeah...the tie inteded for last year: I bought him a shirt, tie, and pants from Children's Place. The shirt was too big and the pants were too big. I had the "Charlie Sheen shirt" already, so that's what he wore.

I never would have thought Easter would be this tricky! Here's pictures of Easter's past!

Logan's first Easter. It was also the year day Tippy came to us!





Second Easter, First outfit.







Second Easter, second outfit.







Easter #5 duh...WINNING!



Third Easter

Fourth  Easter (very similar to #4)



Meal Planning

I hate to cook. Maybe "hate" is too strong of a word. Um...nope. Not in this instance. Some people love it. Some people like it. Me, I do it because I have to. And it's not that I am a "bad" cook. I haven't killed off my family. Yet. I just don't like to do it. Needless to say, my family eats out WAY too much.

Part our New Year's Resolution/Matt drinking the Dave Ramsey Kool-Aid has been to change our eating-out habits. It's actually went pretty well. Do I still hate to cook? Yeah, pretty much. But, I've found a few ways to make it a little more tolerable.

The first thing I did was get back into meal planning. I did the whole planning-for-two-weeks-at-a-time thing awhile back and for whatever reason stopped doing it. So when it came to cooking supper, I was flying by the seat of my pants on a daily basis. To help me in my meal planning, I made a Menu board . I browsed ideas on Pinterest and came up with this one:

I used the Command picture hangers to attatch it to the door of my pantry.

Right now I am only planning a week at a time. I know some people do two weeks, some even a whole month. I'm keeping it easy for me at the moment. It's working so far. I try to use my Crockpot at least once a week. Things like chilli, chicken and noodles, and certain casseroles can last us a couple of meals. If we have leftovers, say, from Tuesday night's meal, we will eat them on Wednesday night, and just float Wednesday's meal to Thursday. If I have a TON of leftovers, I freeze them. These are my go-to quick meals when 1) a recipe doesn't work out, 2) Something comes up, or 3) I just don't feel like doing an entire "new" meal. I haven't tried making an extra casserole and freezing it yet, but that's next on my list.

I have to say, it's going quite well. I've tried a few new recipes (thanks again Pinterest), and we've kept our eating out to just the weekends, and with Matt's new work schedule, we're only eating out maybe once on the weekends. It just depends. And in all honest, with Matt's schedule, it is easier to eat at home: with his odd sleeping schedule and Logan now in school, it makes evening adventures out stressful.

I Go Back...

There's a wonderful Kenny Chesney song (ah, but isn't KC wonderful...) called "I Go Back." The song is about how certain songs, scents, and places trigger memories. I was hit with that twice today.

First, I was on Facebook this morning and my friend posted that she had ordered Mr. Sketch markers for her students. Whoa. I was suddenly back in second grade, sitting at my desk with a tray made of foam housing these big, fat, and delightfully smelly markers! Anyone else remember these? It's funny, because a few weeks ago I thought about these particular markers. Logan has discovered that he REALLY likes using markers, and since writing is difficult for him, I'm letting him use whatever gets him interested. The downside: I don't think the Mr. Sketch markers are washable. Anywho...anyone else taking a trip down memory lane now? You can buy them here: http://www.amazon.com/Sanford-Sketch-Assorted-Markers-20072/dp/B00006IFH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330122923&sr=8-1

I picked up Logan from preschool shortly after this. While waiting for a friend, I went through his backpack (I love seeing what he brings home each day) and found an "All About Logan" book, complete with a construction paper cover. There's no specific memory, but the smell of that paper made me think of many an art project.

Mommy Takes a Sick Day (or 2)

One thing I miss about working outside the home is having sick days. I didn't use them often, but it was nice to know they were there if I needed them. Being a stay-at-home mom, or just a mom in general, means that sick days are no more, for the most part. It's weeks like this that make me wish I would have taken advantage of those days back when I had them, instead of going to work or school sick. I never liked to take sick days. And now, it takes a lot for me to just rest when I'm sick, because heaven forbid something not get accomplished (detect the saracsm?) But this was one of those weeks that I had to take some time out to get healthy. And guess what? It was ok!  

Monday night at around bedtime just sort of out of no where I started to feel sick. My head hurt. My nose felt stuffy. I had some sinus pressure (not unusual for someone who still has wisdom teeth that are extremely high and the oral surgeon wouldn't touch them lol). I didn't think much of it: I've had way too many sinus issues this "winter" that have lasted only about 24 hours. Nothing that has slowed me down. Well, Monday was a pretty sleepless night until I finally caved and took some Nyquil. I think if I would have caved sooner I would have been better off.

Tuesday I was still stuffy and had the headach and sinus pressure. I took Logan to school, ran some errands, picked up Logan from school and came home. I made cupcakes for our Valentines celebration at home. And then I really started to feel bad. I got incredibly achy. I was so achy that when Logan wanted to snuggle I had to tell him no. A little touch was just too painful.  I finished up the cupcakes and then spent the remainder of the day on the oh-so-uncomfortable couch. Logan and I watched "Gone with the Wind," which turned into a history lesson tamed down to a preschooler's level. If Matt was still working at his old job and getting home at supper time, instead of just waking up, I would have headed up to bed. Instead, we ordered pizza (since my orginal plan of me making one wasn't going to happen) and watched Back to the Future II. I kept Logan up until Matt left for work so we could both just head upstairs and go to bed. It worked out well, except it took about two hours for me to fall asleep.

I felt somewhat better on Wednesday, but not enough that I felt like doing anything. We skipped our playgroup's Valentine's Day party. I am bummed about this because the Valentine's Day party was our first big Moms for Moms outing when we first joined in 2008, and I knew this party was going to be bittersweet because with Logan going to kindergarten next year, this would have been his last one. After I picked Logan up from school, we grabbed McDonald's for lunch, in which he informed me that I was sick and didn't need to eat lunch. I spent the majority of the afternoon, again, on the couch. This time, though, I watched "The Others." It's my favorite spooky movie and 1) me and my friend Jessica had just talked about the movie a few weeks ago; 2) Zac Bagan's mentioned it in his book "Dark World" and 3) it was available via instant streaming on Netflix.

I'm pretty proud of Logan and how he behaved while I was sick. He played contently by himself, watched some TV with me, and only really asked for assistance when he needed drinks or snacks. He really seemed to "get" that Mommy needed some rest. At bedtime, we usually read 2 books, plus 2 chapters out of whatever Magic Treehouse book we are on. We were ready to start a new Treehouse book on Tuesday night and I forgot to bring it upstairs. Of course he called me on it. But when I told him that Mommy just didn't think she could read anymore out loud, he didn't throw a fit or cry or anything. He just asked for some snuggles (which we do after our stories) and then I went on to bed. Yep. He's growing up way too fast.

Today I am finally feeling better. I haven't spent hardly any time on the couch :o) But my house is showing signs of my sick days: the laundry is piled up, the sink was overflowing with dishes (I did wash dishes, but there's still more to be done), the floors need swept, and I haven't cooked since Monday. Oh, and Logan kinda trashed his playroom today.  I suppose Friday will be my "catch up" day so I can enjoy the weekend.

Our Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is not a major holiday in the England house. With my birthday being right after, we generally try to combine the two and do more of a family thing (as yet to be determined for this year lol). This year I had plans to make it a bit more fun and special, but I came down with a killer cold Monday night. This threw a big wrench in my plans.

This year was different because it was Logan's first school party. In past years for parties (Beginning Steps and Playgroup), I have picked out his box of cards. This year I really wanted Logan to do it, since there are different things he is into now. I could not get him interested in it at all. He even had a fit in the aisle at Wal-Mart. So I went to Pinterest and found this really cool Valentine that involved a Hot Wheels car. Oh boy. He was really interested in that! So that's what we (ahem...Mommy) did. They turned out super cute and it wasn't that expensive to do, thanks to my Extra Care bucks (or whatever they are) at Walgreens. I do wish I would have seen this idea sooner because those big packs of cars are pretty cheap around Christmas.

Since I was not feeling well, and continued to feel worse throughout the day, we didn't do anything fun after school. Kind of a bummer for me, but Logan seemed cool with it. I stayed on the couch about all day and watched "Gone With the Wind." Matt upgraded my copy to blu-ray for Christmas a couple of years ago and to be honest, I think yesterday was the first that I had watched it since it was purchased. Even Logan sat and watched quite a bit with me, but towards the end he was REALLY insisting that I shut it off :o) So I caved and let him watch Thomas.

My plan was to put my heart-shaped cookie/pizza pan to use by making a heart shaped pizza for supper. But by that time, I was so incredibly achy that that wasn't going to happen. Matt ordered a pizza so we had that instead. And of course, we had presents. I made Matt a "do or do not. There is no try" sign and bought him a 2011 World Series stocking hat. He gave me a box of chocolate and a rose that opens and closes at the touch of a button. See, a few years ago I gave him this big speel about not spending a lot of money on something that is going to die in a week. I guess he does listen :o) Logan got Legos...big boy Legos (not Duplos).

Hangin' With Tucker Lane

Yesterday I FINALLY got to meet my nephew. It only took a week. Now, some of you are probably thinking I am the worst aunt in the world. I have had so many people ask me 1) why I wasn't at the hospital when he was born and 2) why I hadn't seen him yet.

So here's my side of the story.

Tucker was born in Springfield, close to two hours away. I have a 5 year old who is in school, who also happens to panic at the mere sight of a hospital. Matt works nights. Oh, and babies take FOREVER to be born. No way was I going to play that game in a hospital waiting room. It simply wasn't going to work. And Heather was well aware that I wasn't going to be there. She was fine with it. I don't know why everyone else can't be.  Tucker was also in the NICU for a few days, which meant only 2 people could visit him at a time. I'm 100 percent firm on my belief that those 2 people should have been his parents, not his crazy aunt. They weren't released from the hospital until late at night, so their first day home was wacky, and their second day was filled with a doctor's appointment and a trip to visit Tucker's great-grandparents.

Now, we did try to see them Saturday, but some idiot decided to get their truck stuck in their dirt-road-for-a-driveway. They didn't get home until late, we didn't think the ol' mini van could handle mudding. It was ok...it was kind of last minute, I didn't have my camera (I don't have a good cellphone camera....and I don't know if I consider those cameras anyway....) or the presents.

So, FINALLY, yesterday Logan and I made the trek to see Tucker. He's cute but was pretty unimpressed by us. I think I saw his eyeballs twice. His day was like this: sleep, eat, poop, squeak, sleep. Pretty boring little guy. Oh, and I think he is going to be a lawyer because Heather was watching a Law and Order marathon.

Logan has talked about Tucker non-stop since he was born. Yesterday he didn't want too much to do with him. We couldn't get Logan to sit with him long enough for a picture and he didn't want to hold him. I don't think Logan expected him to be quite so tiny. But he likes him...and we concluded that Tucker does have stinky feet (this was one of Logan's big questions).

It's been 5 years since I had a tiny baby in the house and I cannot believe how much stuff has changed. Heather found some pretty neat-o stuff for him. He has a super cute bouncy seat, has this neat little bed thing to sleep in (I actually got on her about it because I didn't think it was an actual bed...she got the catalogue out to prove it to me. I felt bad lol). Her stroller is way more compact than mine. Yeah...I pretty much liked all her stuff better than my own :o)  His little room is adorable, decorated in Lion King. I loved looking at his collection of books, which happened to be Trevin's from when he was little. You all know I am a sucker for books.

Dirty Laundry

I remember, about 8 months back, I was worried about the various changes Matt's new job was going to bring to our little family. I never would have guessed that laundry would become the biggest challenge.

I know, right? It seems like such a simple thing: throw it in one machine, throw it in the next, fold/hang put away. Yeah...not so easy with a day-sleeper.

Let me break it down. When Matt worked a normal schedule, laundry was done about every other day. It was folded and put away pretty quickly. I used our bed as my "station" to sort our stuff into different piles. However, the new schedule is totally throwing a major curve in my laundry doing. I can no longer put stuff away shortly after it is done...I'm not talking about each load, I'm talking about after it's all done putting it up at once. I could, but it would mean doing it right after Matt wakes up, which is RIGHT when I'm getting dinner ready. Then it's clean-up, bath-time, a bit of family time and then bedtime for Logan. Yeah. I don't want to spend an hour with laundry. And doing it after Logan is asleep? Well, forget that.

I tried folding in the laundry room. It didn't work. The room is small, there isn't a ton of space to put stuff, and Logan was constantly yelling at me up the stairs. Did I mention the laundry room is upstairs?  I don't think so.

So I have resorted to just doing it all at once, which means big laundry marathons on either Saturday or Sunday. Ugh. Not how I want to spend my weekend, but it's worked out the best. I know when I worked full time (5 long years ago), I did laundry on Saturdays and it worked out fine. And it's working for now....I guess...but I don't like it.

So I ask...how often do you do laundry? What's your laundry schedule like? Maybe there's a better way out there and I'm missing it.

We Made Slime...and a Game!

Logan is REALLY into Ghostbusters right now. He's quoting lines, he's shooting ghosts with lightsabers (we have to improvise, no proton packs here). So I found it only logical and appropriate to make slime.

I found a really easy recipe on Pinterest that called for just a bottle of glue and some Borax. And food coloring. Of course, we must have color. Super easy. And super fun. Remember the scenes in Ghostbusters 2 when the ooze would get all bubbly when it sensed anger? Logan yells at the slime in hopes that it starts bouncing around!

And...speaking of Pinterest, I also found a game to go along with the book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom." Logan loves this book. He loves it! But I was more excited at the fact that when we purchased the letters (which WERE NOT magnetic), he sang the ABC song they sing at school which also incorporates the letter sounds. I was pretty impressed. I think we will be well on our way to reading by the end of the school year.

Anyway, here's a few pictures. Enjoy!