Willow Smith vs. Sesame Street (Mec Jagger Rmx) - Whip My Hair

"... I whip my hair back and forth..."

JMo - this is for you, roomie!

Whenever I start to look through the blogs I follow and there aren't any NEW postings, my first reaction is to grumble and whine. I mean really people - what are you doing? POST SOMETHING. But today I thought, hey Jenn - did you post today? Nope. So, here it is, in all it's glory.

I don't have a photo today, but I found this one. Madge loves to play DayCare at our place. Here are her three babes all tucked in (yes, the one on the right is wearing a helmet made of bandages - I don't have more to add on that topic). Tucking her babies in like this usually comes with a stern request that the rest of us "keep it down" b/c "her babies are sleeping". At my mom and dad's a few weeks ago she even tried to convince my mom to leave the room b/c she was being too noisy for her baby.

Well, it is New Year's Eve, so I guess it's a good time for another List.

Things I learned in 2010 (in no particular order)

1. Riding the bus to Flin Flon is an option.  

2. Owning an exercise bike is not the same as USING an exercise bike.  Results do not always match.  Better luck  next year.

3. I am a perfectionist.  Which really irritates me b/c I personally don't think that I have perfected it enough to get the title of Perfectionist.  But...apparently...that's the whole deal with the Big P.  Hmpf. 

4. Beaver Creek (hiking area south of S'toon) is likely a lot more fun when you don't have a giant stroller.  

5. Going for drinks after work, although not quite the same, is just as fun as it was in 1998.

6. Jason is by far the smartest person I know.  He can literally do anything, often with just a quick glance at a youtube video first.  He has done 99% of our basement completely on his own.  He would make one helluva Speechie, he can fix his truck, he understands politics (wtf?), he rocks at playing Barbies, and still, after 20 years - he can give me the giggles like crazy.  The big question:  what did I do to deserve such an amazing best friend?

7. And Maddie?  All she really needs from me is my time.  Sometimes that feels like so much to give, but truly, it's not and it's so worth it in the end.    Each day I learn more from her than any list could ever contain.

8. Clean, organized spaces calm me.  But we all knew that already, didn't we.  

Happy New Year, Everyone!

and tomorrow:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JASON!

And...introducing Mr. Squiggles! Maddie's "hamster". It's a zhu zhu pet (a what? don't ask me...) It's this little rat thing that zips around the floor and makes strange noises. Bosco is pretty sure it's his new BFF. Marion was also pretty sure I would put it away the second she left (she gave it to Maddie). I don't know where she EVER got the impression that I would not like a noisy toy. Can't imagine who she's thinking of...

Anyway. I haven't put it away.
Yet.

This morning Maddie took a notion that Mr. Squiggles needed a cage. So she and Jason spent a good chunk of time this morning designing the creation below. Note the bars on the cage. Maddie was adament there be SILVER bars. I didn't know how we were going to make that happen, but Jason (as usual) came through and saved the day.

Christmas Morning! (thank you Grandma Pollock and Mrs. Sage for the finishing touches on Maddie's stocking this year)

Check out the MATCHING JAMMIES! Maddie is thrilled to have the same jammies as her baby. Then she said, "Mommy, I wish you and me had matching jammies." ME TOO! Sarah is currently The Baby of Choice, so she is crammed into these (as they are meant for Bitty Baby, who is a teeny bit smaller). Thank you Auntie Donna Jean!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at our house with Grandma and Grandpa Markosky, and Uncle Bruce. Oh and Maggie, Sammy and Bosco of course.

Writing a note to Santa... (notice the carrots, they are for the reindeer)

Aforementioned note.

Steph sent us this one year (last year?) It's a mug and plate set and it's so perfect for Christmas Eve.

Hello and welcome to:

Give Credit Monday!

The following people will be receiving praise and credit:

1. Allison:  for introducing me to the simple, but freaking delicious, concept of raisins in hot cereal.  I am addicted.

2. Morgan: for her suggestion to get Maddie to bed earlier.  Tonight she was down by 7:30!

3. Patti: for HER bedtime suggestion - she said to take away the nap.  We don't like it, but I know she's right.  It's one of those suggestions that I shall give credit for, but not actually use. Sorry Patti - we all need the nap time.

4. Jason: for working so hard to finish the basement.  I can't begin to understand what a horrible, big job it has been.  Thank you for doing it.  (for those of you who don't know:  basement is now completely painted, just needs a bit more electrical, some trim, painted doors, and carpet - oh and our reward: a new tv)

ok. That's all for now.
The rest of yous will just have to wait. (yeah, I said "yous".  Love it)

So I was reading a Christmas story with Maddie last night.  She sees a picture of Baby Jesus and of course is immediately VERY interested in the baby part of the whole thing.

Maddie:  "What are those?"  (pointing to the part where they "wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger" - in this picture they looked like long thin strips and Mary was wrapping them around him)

Me: "oh, those are the swaddling clothes"

Pause.

Maddie: "Is that his onesie?"


Now I that I'm writing "swaddling clothes" it sounds weird.  You know, like if you say "thaw" too many times.  Try it.  Yeah, doesn't sound quite right does it.  So I just wiki'd it and here it is.  Sure enough, "swaddling clothes" is the right term

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

”

Swaddling clothes described in the Bible consisted of a cloth tied together by bandage-like strips. After an infant was born, the umbilical cord was cut and tied, and then the baby was washed, rubbed with salt and oil, and wrapped with strips of cloth. These strips kept the newborn child warm and also ensured that the child's limbs would grow straight. Ezekiel 16:4 describes Israel as unswaddled, a metaphor for abandonment. ^[4]

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Maddie came home today with this photo in a glittery red frame she painted. This was her gift to us, what the kids made at daycare. If you will notice the signature in the bottom, this is another elle markosky photography moment. I've just scanned the photo, but if you go to Lisa's website (click on the link below), you'll see it in all it's edited glory (as soon as she puts it up...)




I absolutely love this photo.
Thank you so much, Lise

elle markosky photography

Did I mention we took the bus to Flin Flon?

THE BUS.

Actually, you know what? It was much better than I thought.

Benefits of travel by bus:
- no car seat
- can go to the bathroom any ol' time
- stand up and stretch whenever you want
- if something is out of reach I can just bend down and get it
- don't have to keep my eyes on the road all the time
- roads are bad? WHO CARES, I'm not driving!
-the bus is full of other mothers and women who have been there and know what I'm going through



Slight downsides to taking the bus:
-toilet, although handy, is downright disgusting and terrifying to anyone under 5
- don't want to get off at the reststops in case the bus leaves without us
- there are other people on the bus so I can't just put my headphones on and drown out Maddie's running commentary (not that I would EVER do such a thing)

But as you can see, the pros out numbered the cons. I would do it again. In fact, I'm trying to convince Morgan and Georgia to come with us next time.

Jazzlyn is one of Maddie's super cool BIG cousins. Maddie was absolutely thrilled to walk around the reception holding Jazzy's hand. Thank you so much Jazzlyn.

Auntie Laurenn and Uncle Britt

Grandma and Grandpa B


Shelley -
We had such a wonderful time at your wedding. Thank you so much for letting us be a part of such a special event.

Congratulations Shelley and Ernie

12-11-10

Today is Cat Herders Day!

This is a special day for Lisa and I.  AND we didn't even make this one up.  It's on my office mate's calendar of unusual holidays.

Happy Cat Herder's Day, Lisa!

Again, people:  My sister in law is brilliant.

Check out her blog:

CLICK HERE

Maddie and I are heading to Flin Flon tomorrow on the bus.  Yes folks, you read it right:  The Bus.  Good ol' Saskatchewan Transportation Company.

My office mate, upon hearing of our adventure, told me that she rode the bus lots and thought it was great. But she was talking about the Red Arrow from Calgary to Edmonton.  Leather seats.  A tv at each seat.  Cookies and pop.  Ummmmmm yeah.  This isn't quite the same.

But really, actually I quite like the bus.  There's lots of room, big windows.  You can get up and walk if you want to.  There's a bathroom.  There's no car seat.  I think it will be a fun adventure for Maddie and me.

And did I mention Maddie has been packed since MONDAY (we are leaving tomorrow, Thursday).  Yep.  Suitcase has been stocked and zipped since Monday night.

All this talk of bus rides has made me think of some past tales and adventures.  My friend Keely once rode the bus with her brothers (5 and 7 or so at the time, and she was in the middle of that).  That was back in the day when you sent your kid on the bus, got them to sit up front by the driver and everything was great. So off they go, from Roblin to S'toon for a visit to their auntie and uncle.  Well Nathan (the 5 year old) is pretty excited and feels the need to share (quite loudly) the details of their trip, especially the part where they have ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS!  That must have seemed like a million bucks to Nathan.  Hell, I wouldn't mind $100 cash in my purse for the trip today, 30 years later.

I am tired, but finally packed.  I'm trying to be really organized for this trip and frankly it's exhausting.

Oh, I forgot to tell you why we're going:  My cousin Shelley is getting married!  The wedding is in The Pas, but we thought we'd make a holiday of the whole thing.  Shelley and I are almost the very same age (she'll likely quickly point out that she is MUCH younger).  What she won't say though is that she is also very clever and VERY creative.  She took this old door from her Baba's house (or farm? I can't remember) anyway, she painted it, added some other cool touches and now it is art on her living room wall.  COOL, I tell you.

Looking forward to this weekend Shel! And Maddie is THRILLED to be seeing a princess (that's you).

See you soon
good night everyone else.
jenn

Ya shoulda seen the other guy!

I know, you're saying "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED??"


In the gym, end of the day at daycare, Maddie and K_______ running amok, having a blast....when BLAMO! Head bonk occurs. He's fine, and so is she. Just some added colour.

The swollen cheek? A chocolate ball from the advent calendar.

Steph, I'm pretty sure this would go nicely on that website you told me about.
You know the one, it's called

Sh*t My Kid Wrecked


Steph, according to the date on the ornament, you gave this to me back in 2002 in this little box. I have carefully put it on my tree and then tucked away again every Christmas since then.  Until this year, when I opted for the cheapest bidder from the Preschool Christmas Decorating Union.  Yeah, she's cute...but she's also three.  Sigh.

So...here's what I learned today:

1.  Madge has been diagnosed with LOBWS (Late Onset BUT WHY Syndrome).  Yep.  Hello ear plugs.
2. I am a perfectionist.  Seriously, this is news to me.  I always thought that a perfectionist was my kook aunt who spent 12 hours hanging wallpaper in her tiny tiny (teeny really) bathroom.  But moi? No way.  Yes way.  Apparently the fact that I perseverate on not being a perfect enough perfectionist is a dead giveaway.  Hmpf.
3. This next part is just for me.  So please don't read it.  Sometimes I'm really good at finding a win win solution.  Hey.  I said don't read it.  Jeepers.
4. OTHER people say Jeepers.  I was at an appt today and the receptionist said "jeepers creepers".  I could have leaned over and hugged her.  Would have been inappropriate though.  Don't want to do that.
5. I can't control everybody.  And I can't worry about the people that I can't control.  Basically, most people are out of my control.  I can control that I don't care that I can't control.  See, win win.

Recipe: 

Wild rice pilaf with cranberries and apples

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dietitian's tip:Not a true rice at all, wild rice is the unpolished kernels of a wild grass native to the
Great Lakes area. Wild rice is cooked differently from true rices — it requires boiling
in a larger quantity of water.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Serves 8

Ingredients

1/4 cup slivered almonds

3 cups water

1 1/2 cups wild rice, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup dried cranberries

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

2 granny smith apples dice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Spread the almonds on the baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally,
until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer immediately to a plate to cool.

In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice. Reduce heat and cover.
Keep adding water as necessary to prevent the rice from drying out.
Simmer until the rice is tender, about 45 to 60 minutes.
Pour through a fine-meshed strainer to drain. Return the rice to the saucepan and
stir in the dried cranberries. Cover and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar and sugar.

In a large bowl, combine the rice and diced apples. Add the oil mixture and toss to coat evenly.
Serve warm or cold on individual plates. Top with toasted almonds.

Nutritional Analysis

 (per serving)

Calories	193	Cholesterol	0 mg
Protein	5 g	Sodium	5 mg
Carbohydrate	32 g	Fiber	4 g
Total fat	5 g	Potassium	201 mg
Saturated fat	1 g	Calcium	20 mg
Monounsaturated fat	4 g

Haven't done one of these in a loooong time:

Maddie is 32 lbs and 3 feet 3 inches tall.

"Shhhh Mommy! 
 I have three babies sleeping right now."

Maddie loves to play daycare.  This usually involves one or both of the following:
- several babies sleeping on the floor or in play pens (we have two so that helps)
- talking to the "staff" in the room (not Jason or me).  She will say things like "what are we having for snack?"  or "can you get Johnny a chair?" (this means Johnny was having trouble listening at circle time)

Lots of people have been asking about the Wild Rice....

click here

to see  a post I did quite a few years ago.

Beagles are like chips:
You can't have just one.

Bosco
(Maurice Boscorelli)

Sammy
(Samantha Jane)