Saving

My Children's Nutrition

My Waistline

Myself

Hostess

: :

Earlier in the week I was watching a news story on TV about Hostess possibly filing for bankruptcy protection.  When the story was over Jenna turned to me and said, "What's that?"

I began to explain bankruptcy and the poor state of the economy when she interrupted,  "No, not bankruptcy ... what's a Twinkie?"

Be still my heart, my baby girl doesn't even know what a Twinkie is!

Sure, Hostess produces nothing but chemical cupcakes, HoHos, DingDongs, Suzy Qs and Twinkies, and they're all nutritional garbage ... but really?  Have I deprived her of even knowing what one was?  They were staples of my childhood, one of my favorite treats ... but instead of being an occasional treat they were staples.  There all of the time.  And I acquired a taste for junk food that I've been determined to not share with my children.  But they need to experience life, right?

So the next day I ran right out and bought a box of Twinkies and HoHos, in an effort to save Hostess.  Tonight Jenna got to sample her first Twinkie, and it was love at first taste ...

Apparently it's a love that knows no distance because as soon as the Twinkies and HoHos and I were re-introduced I was right back to where I was as a child ... helpless to their lure. 

About 4 days later both boxes were empty and I had eaten about 4 of each myself.  Now I know the real reason Hostess isn't welcome in my home.  It's not entirely for the nutritional protection of my children, it's because I can't control myself.  Old habits die hard, I guess : )

The Rest of Izzy's First Week

Kara really, really, really wants to take Izzy for a walk and hold the leash herself.  I told her she could practice in the backyard, and she did.

It took a few days for us to get used to Izzy and for her to get used to us and our house ... but I'd say that she's getting pretty comfortable here now!



Jenna just loves to play with Izzy and Izzy goes crazy when Jenna gets home from school, so I'd say the feeling is mutual.

We FINALLY got some snow this week, and Izzy seems to love running and scampering around in the yard and burying her face in the snow.





The biggest accomplishment of the week is the fact that Izzy will now not only let Mark near her, but he can pet her and she'll even jump up on the couch or bed next to him on occasion.  Quite the improvement from a week ago when she did nothing but bark and growl at him every time he entered the room!

It's Here! It's Here! It's Finally Here!

S N O W !!!

I'm the first to admit that I'm not a big fan of cold or snow or winter in general in the Midwest ... but even I have been wishing for snow around here.  I can't remember a time when it's taken this long to get here, so I was just as excited as the kids when there was enough accumulating to actually go outside and play in it. *



* I have a good reason for the poor-quality photos.  They were taken from indoors where I was perched, in the window, taking pictures and drinking coffee with my fuzzy socks and slippers on my feet.  When I say I was happy for the snow to play in I meant for the kids.  It looks pretty, but I like to avoid it at all costs!

A Boy and His ...

dog.   Cousins' Dog

--------------

Jack was so excited to have Izzy to himself this afternoon while his sisters were at school.  A chance for him to get to play with Izzy all by himself, and have her undivided attention.

I think Izzy was just as afraid of Jack as he was of her, but they finally realized they made good pals today.

They played ball and chased each other all around the yard on this GLORIOUS January afternoon.



And I'm happy to report, they wore each other out in the process ...

Win-win for me!



Welcome, Izzy!

Today we brought home our new foster-dog Izzy.  Izzy's brave mommy and daddy and brothers and sister all packed up and moved to Helsinki, Finland for the next 6 months on what is sure to be a grand adventure.  They've been planning this adventure for months now, and a long time ago we agreed that we would take Izzy in while they were away.  It's been a while since we've had a doggy in the house and the kids are super excited about having her stay with us for a while.

It's not hard to see why ... look at that face!

I'm the first to admit ... I've never been much of a "dog person". 

We  had Dakota for 12 years and he was a part of our family that we miss, but I have to say there's  nothing about the shedding, dog food splattering, in-the-house accidents, muddy paw prints everywhere that I'm nostalgic about.  But for some reason, I'm quite sure that Izzy might be the perfect pet to win me back over to the dog side.  She's smaller, doesn't shed, super friendly, and just the right size to leap up on the couch and rest her head on my lap. 



While Kara was a bit hesitant about her at first, now both of the girls are big fans.  Izzy and Jenna took an immediate liking to each other.  In fact, Izzy sat next to Jenna in the car for the entire 2-hour drive down to our house and didn't move a muscle.  Jenna pet her the entire way and talked to her soothingly, so now I'm pretty sure they're bonded forever. 



Welcome to the family, Izzy!  We're glad to have you here until summer : )

Thanks to the Reynolds family for choosing us to be Izzy's foster family.  We'll take good care of your puppy while you're gone!

January?

I can't get over this January weather we're having.  Not only have we not had any measurable snow yet this winter but this week the temperatures have been over 50-degrees every day!  It feels like spring.

Today just takes the cake ... 61-degrees on January 6th?!!  Crazy!!!

I love the balmy temperatures but am deeply worried that a winter Armageddon is on the way.

Deal of the Day?

Usually I'm all about hitting the after-Christmas sales but this year I just haven't had the time or the energy.  Today I finally had some time alone with the kids all back to school, so I hit the clearance sales at Target.  I found one of those grow-your-own amaryllis kits dicounted to just over $2 and happily took one home to grow.

I think I might know why it was on sale ...

My Favorite New Thing

For Christmas I got a lantern from my sister-in-law and I just love it!  I've seen lanterns popping up on people's porches since fall, with candles glowing, and I've had severe lantern-envy.  I'm hoping to find some others to make a grouping on the front porch but for now, I'm loving my favorite  new thing.

Thanks, Mary Karen!

As The Kids Get Bigger, The Legos Get Smaller

54 minutes

130 pieces

26 page instruction manual

Happy little boy





Mommy feels a sense of pride and accomplishment that she hasn't felt since the days she gave birth.

Mommy misses Duplo blocks.

And she needs a drink.

Wii

As I mentioned earlier, my parents gave us a Wii for Christmas this year.  We thought it was a good time ... the kids are getting more into playing video games on their ds, and this would allow us to have some quality family fun together.  Or so I thought.

The Wii was set up on the 29th and in the last 6 days I've witnessed more crying, whining, fighting and general unhappiness than ever before.  The biggest problems are frustration over not knowing how to play a game yet, and having older sisters (or dad) purposely doing things to annoy/insult/upset the littlest member of our family.

The best outburst happen when playing the new Mario game.  Apparently there are horses or dragons or something on one of the levels that Jack desperately wants to get on but never can.  On the same level it seems that other players can reach out their long tongues and snatch up another player.  Therefore, wails of "Spit me ouuuuuutttt!" can be heard echoing through the house and when I go to yell at the culprit I sometimes find it's not the 6 or 8 year old but rather the 38 year old child laughing to the point of tears. 

I've only caught 1 such outburst on film, and it wasn't even the best one I've seen, but it will give you a pretty good idea of what's been going on around here lately ...