So.
Life's a little crazy right now.
Superman and I decided about 3 weeks to buy a house.
Yup.
So we're in the middle of buying a house.
We're also trying to rent our current home out.
Easier said than done, my friends.
So that's why my blogging has become a bit sparse of late.
It's been so long that the Blogger page took an extra 5 seconds to load. Because I'm never there anymore.
Plus, I got the fam here. Mom, Dad, Little Brother (who is 8 inches taller than me now) and Grandma (who is still 3 inches shorter than me.)
They're busy spoiling my kids whilst I run around looking at houses and signing papers an biting my finger nails.
The blog has definitely taken a back seat.
And now Miss Marvel is crying. I'm feelin' the need. The need to feed.
Speaking of which, have you seen Eclipse? What did you think? The Mom and I are going on Thursday. While the kids watch a free movie with the Dad.
{Can't think of a good closing/wrap up}
Ciao!
6.21.2010
It's a love/hate relationship
Love: having a clean house. (And I don't just mean the kitchen and family room. The BEDROOMS are clean. Major accomplishment in the aMayzing household.)
Hate: cleaning it. Deep cleaning it. Filling-an-entire-trash-bag-with-crap-from-my-bedroom cleaning it. NO JUDGING.
Love: Diet Dr. Pepper.
Hate: needing it before 10 am because I'm out of Excedrin.
Love: teaching my kids.
Hate: when they have to learn hard lessons.
Love: figuring out parenting techniques that work for difficult children.
Hate: when it works for one but backfires for another. (Reverse psychology is hard to do for only one child when two are present. And it's kind of exhausting.)
Love: Miss Marvel.
Hate: that she's getting so big already.
Love: my family coming in town for two weeks!!!!!
Hate: three weeks from now, they'll be gone again.
Love: getting ahead financially.
Hate: not having things set in stone to get ahead. The juggling and wheeling and dealing and wishing and hoping and praying.
Love: having good friends.
Hate: the possibility of leaving them and having to make new ones.
Love: being an adult. Staying up late, eating junk food if I want, being my own boss.
Hate: being an adult. Responsibility. Finances. Exhaustion. Slower metabolism. Stress. STRESS. STRESS. STRESS.
Love: blogging.
Hate: being too busy for it, or not having anything fluffy or worthwhile to say.
Love: good TV shows. (I use the term "good" loosely here. "Entertaining" might be more accurate.)
Hate: having so few of them during the summer. (Though reality TV is saving me. Thank you Bachelorette, Cut Off, SYTYCD and the OCD Project.)
Love: eating.
Hate: gaining weight. And doing dishes.
Love: chocolate.
Hate: running out of it.
Hate: cleaning it. Deep cleaning it. Filling-an-entire-trash-bag-with-crap-from-my-bedroom cleaning it. NO JUDGING.
Love: Diet Dr. Pepper.
Hate: needing it before 10 am because I'm out of Excedrin.
Love: teaching my kids.
Hate: when they have to learn hard lessons.
Love: figuring out parenting techniques that work for difficult children.
Hate: when it works for one but backfires for another. (Reverse psychology is hard to do for only one child when two are present. And it's kind of exhausting.)
Love: Miss Marvel.
Hate: that she's getting so big already.
Love: my family coming in town for two weeks!!!!!
Hate: three weeks from now, they'll be gone again.
Love: getting ahead financially.
Hate: not having things set in stone to get ahead. The juggling and wheeling and dealing and wishing and hoping and praying.
Love: having good friends.
Hate: the possibility of leaving them and having to make new ones.
Love: being an adult. Staying up late, eating junk food if I want, being my own boss.
Hate: being an adult. Responsibility. Finances. Exhaustion. Slower metabolism. Stress. STRESS. STRESS. STRESS.
Love: blogging.
Hate: being too busy for it, or not having anything fluffy or worthwhile to say.
Love: good TV shows. (I use the term "good" loosely here. "Entertaining" might be more accurate.)
Hate: having so few of them during the summer. (Though reality TV is saving me. Thank you Bachelorette, Cut Off, SYTYCD and the OCD Project.)
Love: eating.
Hate: gaining weight. And doing dishes.
Love: chocolate.
Hate: running out of it.
6.19.2010
The Hulk's Star Wars Party!!
If you're looking for inexpensive ideas for a Star Wars birthday party for a little boy, you've come to the right place! If you're not looking for ideas, but want to see how awesome I am anyway, stick around.
First, I gotta tell you, my Superman was the MVP of the day. I was planning on running the show but Superman surprised me. He stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park! Honorable mention goes to our friend, David. He's a big Star Wars fan and surprised us with some games he made. We would've been in trouble without them!
As the kids were getting there, we had a little R2D2 for the kids to play with. Superman found it on eBay several months ago and it's been a fun toy. He responds to voice commands, moves, and makes the R2D2 noises. It was a big hit with party goers. So as the kids were getting there, R2 kept them entertained.
My original plan had been to buy silver balloons to tie to the kids ankles and do "The Death Star Stomp." (Kids try to pop each other's balloons.) But the only bag of silver balloons I could find had like 50 balloons and it was twenty dollars. No way was I gonna spend that on balloons meant for popping!
That's where David's games saved the day.
Once most of the kids were there, we played "Pin the Storm Trooper on the AT-AT. " David had drawn a big AT-AT, then we printed out storm troopers from a site online. The kids loved it.
The next game we played was "Fly down the trench and fire the missile at the thermal exhaust port directly below the main port," or "throw the ball in the hole."
David had drawn the thing they had to hit with their missiles to blow up the death star with a hole cut in the middle. We had them "fly down a trench" (run on the picnic tables) and fire their missiles (throw a whiffle ball.) (Yes, I know that running on picnic tables isn't the safest of ideas. But it was the only trench we could come up with. If we had been at home we might've had them run through folding chairs, or behind the couch.)
(Superman in his Tom Cruise stance, explaining the game)
Superman explained that he had heard that Darth Vader was going to blow up the park and we had to blow up the Death Star so the park wouldn't blow up. Most of the kids realized it was a game, but one took Superman seriously. He was waiting in line with his hands over his ears in case the park blew up! Poor guy. We explained to him that it was just a game.
The Hulk, blowing out his candles
After the games, we had cupcakes and opened presents. I made yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting and baked them in silver foil liners. The plan was to get Star Wars rings for the tops of the cupcakes, but I couldn't find them at party stores in time. Then I was going to decorate them with yellow icing, but decided against it. I knew my work wouldn't be appreciated and decided not to waste my time. I considered making green punch/koolaid as Jedi training juice, but decided against that as well. Most of the kids there couldn't read anyway, and it meant having a juice dispenser and cups and a LOT more work. So I bought the Koolaid that comes in the plastic bottles. No one spilled or needed refills. Easy peasy.
After presents, we introduced the peice d'resistance. Light sabers and training orb. (Think Empire Strikes Back when Luke is training with Yoda in the swamp in Dagobah.) We made light sabers from foam swim noodles. I bought them from the dollar store, so 20 light sabers only cost me $10. We cut them in half and put duct tape at the end.
I made the pinata from a punching bag balloon that blows up into a big sphere. Mized glue with water and pasted on strips of newspaper. The original plan was to spray paint it silver like the Death Star, but I realized that making a training orb would be much better. It didn't require spray paint and in the movie, Luke learned how to use a light saber with a white training orb. I found some puff paint that I mixed with water and painted the pianta after it dried. Poked a hole and filled with candy. Duct taped the rope to the top.
The kids had a blast trying to hit it. We had the youngest kids go first since it was a pretty weak pinata. Even the kids waiting in line had fun because they had light sabers to play with. By the time we got to the end of the line, the pinata was ready to break. I had ziplock bags for each kid that they used to hold their candy. Looking back, I wish I had just filled 20 bags with even amounts of candy, then each kid would just have to pick up one bag.
We were done with all the games about 20 minutes before I had told the parents to be back. So Superman had the kids divide up according to light sabers colors and battle. They loved it!!! The foam noodles were so soft that no one got hurt. Well, the two girls there came up and told me that they had been hit on the arm, but none of the boys complained.
All in all, it was a great party, and really cheap. I think I pulled the whole thing off for less than $30. We had 19 kids there. 4 parents stayed to help. I had one on camera duty and one on baby duty (Miss Marvel only slept half the time) and the other two were helping with everything else. Blindfolds and napkins and head counts and keeping kids in line.
There's not much I would change about what we did. We invited nearly 20 kids, thinking about half would attend. But I guess we picked a good Saturday since nearly all were able to attend. We had planned to divide the kids into two groups so they wouldn't have to wait in line as long, but we didn't have all the kids there right away and they were getting restless.
But everyone there had a great time. It was the Hulk's first friend party and I'd say it was a smashing success.
First, I gotta tell you, my Superman was the MVP of the day. I was planning on running the show but Superman surprised me. He stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park! Honorable mention goes to our friend, David. He's a big Star Wars fan and surprised us with some games he made. We would've been in trouble without them!
As the kids were getting there, we had a little R2D2 for the kids to play with. Superman found it on eBay several months ago and it's been a fun toy. He responds to voice commands, moves, and makes the R2D2 noises. It was a big hit with party goers. So as the kids were getting there, R2 kept them entertained.
My original plan had been to buy silver balloons to tie to the kids ankles and do "The Death Star Stomp." (Kids try to pop each other's balloons.) But the only bag of silver balloons I could find had like 50 balloons and it was twenty dollars. No way was I gonna spend that on balloons meant for popping!
That's where David's games saved the day.
Once most of the kids were there, we played "Pin the Storm Trooper on the AT-AT. " David had drawn a big AT-AT, then we printed out storm troopers from a site online. The kids loved it.
The next game we played was "Fly down the trench and fire the missile at the thermal exhaust port directly below the main port," or "throw the ball in the hole."
David had drawn the thing they had to hit with their missiles to blow up the death star with a hole cut in the middle. We had them "fly down a trench" (run on the picnic tables) and fire their missiles (throw a whiffle ball.) (Yes, I know that running on picnic tables isn't the safest of ideas. But it was the only trench we could come up with. If we had been at home we might've had them run through folding chairs, or behind the couch.)
(Superman in his Tom Cruise stance, explaining the game)
Superman explained that he had heard that Darth Vader was going to blow up the park and we had to blow up the Death Star so the park wouldn't blow up. Most of the kids realized it was a game, but one took Superman seriously. He was waiting in line with his hands over his ears in case the park blew up! Poor guy. We explained to him that it was just a game.
The Hulk, blowing out his candles
After the games, we had cupcakes and opened presents. I made yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting and baked them in silver foil liners. The plan was to get Star Wars rings for the tops of the cupcakes, but I couldn't find them at party stores in time. Then I was going to decorate them with yellow icing, but decided against it. I knew my work wouldn't be appreciated and decided not to waste my time. I considered making green punch/koolaid as Jedi training juice, but decided against that as well. Most of the kids there couldn't read anyway, and it meant having a juice dispenser and cups and a LOT more work. So I bought the Koolaid that comes in the plastic bottles. No one spilled or needed refills. Easy peasy.
After presents, we introduced the peice d'resistance. Light sabers and training orb. (Think Empire Strikes Back when Luke is training with Yoda in the swamp in Dagobah.) We made light sabers from foam swim noodles. I bought them from the dollar store, so 20 light sabers only cost me $10. We cut them in half and put duct tape at the end.
I made the pinata from a punching bag balloon that blows up into a big sphere. Mized glue with water and pasted on strips of newspaper. The original plan was to spray paint it silver like the Death Star, but I realized that making a training orb would be much better. It didn't require spray paint and in the movie, Luke learned how to use a light saber with a white training orb. I found some puff paint that I mixed with water and painted the pianta after it dried. Poked a hole and filled with candy. Duct taped the rope to the top.
The kids had a blast trying to hit it. We had the youngest kids go first since it was a pretty weak pinata. Even the kids waiting in line had fun because they had light sabers to play with. By the time we got to the end of the line, the pinata was ready to break. I had ziplock bags for each kid that they used to hold their candy. Looking back, I wish I had just filled 20 bags with even amounts of candy, then each kid would just have to pick up one bag.
We were done with all the games about 20 minutes before I had told the parents to be back. So Superman had the kids divide up according to light sabers colors and battle. They loved it!!! The foam noodles were so soft that no one got hurt. Well, the two girls there came up and told me that they had been hit on the arm, but none of the boys complained.
All in all, it was a great party, and really cheap. I think I pulled the whole thing off for less than $30. We had 19 kids there. 4 parents stayed to help. I had one on camera duty and one on baby duty (Miss Marvel only slept half the time) and the other two were helping with everything else. Blindfolds and napkins and head counts and keeping kids in line.
There's not much I would change about what we did. We invited nearly 20 kids, thinking about half would attend. But I guess we picked a good Saturday since nearly all were able to attend. We had planned to divide the kids into two groups so they wouldn't have to wait in line as long, but we didn't have all the kids there right away and they were getting restless.
But everyone there had a great time. It was the Hulk's first friend party and I'd say it was a smashing success.
6.11.2010
I'm not ashamed to use my blog for my own intents and purposes
Sometimes those purposes include a chance for me to win stuff. So sue me.
A local theater has a really great thing going. They show kids' movies FOR FREE throughout the summer. Free for kids, free for adults! The showings are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11:00 and 1:30. If you live in southern Utah County, this is a great summer activity. Look here for the movies they'll show this summer and the address.
Another thing I'm a fan of this summer is the local library. (There's nothing I win from this plug, just thought I'd share strictly for your benefit.) Our has a "Mother Goose" time for toddlers that mostly songs twice. They also have a traditional story time three times a week, but they might have to change that. There were 60 kids at story time the other day! But my boys love it. Well, honestly, I have to drag Spiderman there, but he is always glad he went once it's over.
A local theater has a really great thing going. They show kids' movies FOR FREE throughout the summer. Free for kids, free for adults! The showings are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11:00 and 1:30. If you live in southern Utah County, this is a great summer activity. Look here for the movies they'll show this summer and the address.
~~~~~~~~
Another thing I'm a fan of this summer is the local library. (There's nothing I win from this plug, just thought I'd share strictly for your benefit.) Our has a "Mother Goose" time for toddlers that mostly songs twice. They also have a traditional story time three times a week, but they might have to change that. There were 60 kids at story time the other day! But my boys love it. Well, honestly, I have to drag Spiderman there, but he is always glad he went once it's over.
~~~~~~~~
And do you guys know Evelyn @ Hanging by a Silver Lining? She used to be Perks of Life, but now that is a private family blog. She's giving away a $20 gift certificate to CSN stores. And they sell everything including the kitchen sink. So head on over and enter yourself!!
The Shark asked her readers yesterday what their guiltiest pleasure is. Mine? Reality shows. And not just American Idol and Biggest Loser. I love Say Yes to the Dress. The Bachelorette. So You Think You Can Dance. The OCD project. Cut Off. I've watched some of The Hills and even caught some of Jersey Shore last night.
I'd better stop now before I lose readers. Or my mom faints.
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
Crystal @ Wanna Be Balanced Mom is giving away a two night stay in a luxury suite in Park City! Head over and check it out!
~~~~~~~
The Shark asked her readers yesterday what their guiltiest pleasure is. Mine? Reality shows. And not just American Idol and Biggest Loser. I love Say Yes to the Dress. The Bachelorette. So You Think You Can Dance. The OCD project. Cut Off. I've watched some of The Hills and even caught some of Jersey Shore last night.
I'd better stop now before I lose readers. Or my mom faints.
What's your guiltiest pleasure?
6.08.2010
I'm not sure that the Wizard Oz is wise because...
Because, because, because, because, BECAAAAAAAAAAAUSE!
Because he said something I'm not sure I agree with.
The Wizard of Oz told the Tin Man, "Remember. A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."
And I'm just not sure that's true.
I don't perform acts of love to make others love me. I serve those I love simply because I love them. That's one way I show them that I love them.
I actually just had a discussion with my boys a few days ago about ways we show love. They decided to help with the dishes (for the first time ever) and I told them that must mean they love me. (If you know anything about me, you know I absolutely despise doing the dishes. Probably has something to do with not having an operating dishwasher.) So getting help with the dishes is a pretty big deal.
We then talked about things I do for them that let them know I love them. I've been reading "The Five Love Languages of Children" and was a bit curious to see what they would say. They talked about me playing games with them and laying down to chat with them at night -- Quality Time. They talked about hugs and kisses -- Physical Touch. I learned a lot about my kids and how I can show my love for them. Interestingly, the book said that for babies and young kids, Physical Touch and Quality Time are their main love languages. As children grow other languages may become more prevalent, but while they're young, those are the primary ones.
But my point is, I don't hug my kids and sing to them at night so that they'll love me more. I do it because I want them to know how much I love them. And I don't want that wacky wizard teaching my kids that it's more important to BE loved than to love others. People from Kansas don't always know what they're talking about. (I can say that since I'm from Kansas.)
I suppose *I* should be the real wizard in my children's lives and teach them how to love, and why we love.
The wizard was right about one thing, I guess: Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Because he said something I'm not sure I agree with.
The Wizard of Oz told the Tin Man, "Remember. A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."
And I'm just not sure that's true.
I don't perform acts of love to make others love me. I serve those I love simply because I love them. That's one way I show them that I love them.
I actually just had a discussion with my boys a few days ago about ways we show love. They decided to help with the dishes (for the first time ever) and I told them that must mean they love me. (If you know anything about me, you know I absolutely despise doing the dishes. Probably has something to do with not having an operating dishwasher.) So getting help with the dishes is a pretty big deal.
We then talked about things I do for them that let them know I love them. I've been reading "The Five Love Languages of Children" and was a bit curious to see what they would say. They talked about me playing games with them and laying down to chat with them at night -- Quality Time. They talked about hugs and kisses -- Physical Touch. I learned a lot about my kids and how I can show my love for them. Interestingly, the book said that for babies and young kids, Physical Touch and Quality Time are their main love languages. As children grow other languages may become more prevalent, but while they're young, those are the primary ones.
But my point is, I don't hug my kids and sing to them at night so that they'll love me more. I do it because I want them to know how much I love them. And I don't want that wacky wizard teaching my kids that it's more important to BE loved than to love others. People from Kansas don't always know what they're talking about. (I can say that since I'm from Kansas.)
I suppose *I* should be the real wizard in my children's lives and teach them how to love, and why we love.
The wizard was right about one thing, I guess: Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
6.07.2010
Did I really just quote that movie to my son?
Spiderman: Can I go play with my friends?
Wonder Woman: No. I'm talking to their mom on the phone right now. They've got to go.
S: No they don't. I saw them playing outside.
WW: Well, they're inside now, getting ready to go. They can't play. We need to go, too.
S: No we don't! I don't want to go! You're not telling me the truth!
WW: Yes, I am. You just can't handle the truth.
Wonder Woman: No. I'm talking to their mom on the phone right now. They've got to go.
S: No they don't. I saw them playing outside.
WW: Well, they're inside now, getting ready to go. They can't play. We need to go, too.
S: No we don't! I don't want to go! You're not telling me the truth!
WW: Yes, I am. You just can't handle the truth.
In case you aren't my facebook friend.........
...or you're never on it..........
I present:
Superman and I at the 80s party.
I present:
Superman and I at the 80s party.
Note the skinny tie and headphones.
Yellow jellies. Neon, puff-painted bag. Side pony. Huge bangs. 3 watches. Pink leopard print HUGE earrings. Blue, orange and purple eye shadow. Pink shimmer on lips and cheeks. Hot pink dance skirt.OUT OF CONTROL!!!!!!!
6.04.2010
A few items of business
1. Don't put something on "high" on the stove then walk down the street to chat with a friend.
You will be left with this:
and a house that smells like 17 smokers live in it.
(It's seriously really really bad.)
2. Tomorrow is the Hulk's Star Wars birthday party. (Thanks for all the help, by the way!)
Superman and I made 20 of these last night:
Yes, 20. We will have nearly 20 kids there.
3. I'm currently working on the training orb pinata. We'll see how that pans out.
4. I still need to get these:
for the Death Star Stomp
and these:
For the tops of the cupcakes.
4. I also need to make cupcakes.
5. While I'm out, I hope to find one of these:
Hot, right? A friend is turning 30 tomorrow and her husband has planned an 80s party. We're supposed to be in full 80s regalia. I've got my vintage sweatshirt, neon jellies, leggings, blue eye shadow, pink lipstick and enough hair products, but I still need a skirt! Acid wash is surprisingly hard to find at the thrift store right now.
6. Luckily, I've got these guys:
to bring me joy unmeasured.
You will be left with this:
and a house that smells like 17 smokers live in it.
(It's seriously really really bad.)
2. Tomorrow is the Hulk's Star Wars birthday party. (Thanks for all the help, by the way!)
Superman and I made 20 of these last night:
Yes, 20. We will have nearly 20 kids there.
3. I'm currently working on the training orb pinata. We'll see how that pans out.
4. I still need to get these:
for the Death Star Stomp
and these:
For the tops of the cupcakes.4. I also need to make cupcakes.
5. While I'm out, I hope to find one of these:
Hot, right? A friend is turning 30 tomorrow and her husband has planned an 80s party. We're supposed to be in full 80s regalia. I've got my vintage sweatshirt, neon jellies, leggings, blue eye shadow, pink lipstick and enough hair products, but I still need a skirt! Acid wash is surprisingly hard to find at the thrift store right now.
6. Luckily, I've got these guys:
to bring me joy unmeasured.
6.01.2010
Tuesday Confessional
I ate so much junk food yesterday that I had a serious stomach ache last night and thought I was gonna lose my dinner. (I use the term "dinner" loosely. Doritos, DDP, chocolate chip cookies and strawberries do not a dinner make.)
I didn't got to the CBC. Well, I went for the social on Friday. It was fun. I got to meet ladies I love. But didn't get around to everyone I wanted to talk to. I'm trying really hard not to be bummed about it. The bloggernacle isn't making it very easy, though.
The Hulk turned 4 on Sunday and I have no pictures. Can't find the camera. His Star Wars party is Saturday and I'm hoping I'll find it and the memory card before then.
Spiderman starts baseball tonight. I'm having a mini-meltdown over the fact that I'm old enough to have a kid play baseball.
I think my kids are just about the cutest things ever. All I wanna do is squeeze them till their heads pop off.
I didn't got to the CBC. Well, I went for the social on Friday. It was fun. I got to meet ladies I love. But didn't get around to everyone I wanted to talk to. I'm trying really hard not to be bummed about it. The bloggernacle isn't making it very easy, though.
The Hulk turned 4 on Sunday and I have no pictures. Can't find the camera. His Star Wars party is Saturday and I'm hoping I'll find it and the memory card before then.
Spiderman starts baseball tonight. I'm having a mini-meltdown over the fact that I'm old enough to have a kid play baseball.
I think my kids are just about the cutest things ever. All I wanna do is squeeze them till their heads pop off.
Feel the need to confess anything today?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)