I have a confession to make...
I don't know about you but I'm not much of a cook. I mean, I know how to cook and can make some really good dishes, I just don't enjoy cooking. Now baking...that's something I do enjoy doing. Especially baking desserts. Which isn't the best thing for a diabetic to do but I do try to make most things sugar-free.
Anyways, back to cooking...
When I spend an hour or two getting ready to make dinner then actually making it, it gets eaten in one minute flat...by my husband (of course it takes longer for Hudson and Brayden to eat). I mean, did Tommy even taste the food! He inhales it like air! Why go through all that trouble? At least kiss the cook to show your gratitude! ;)
Also, the boys can't eat everything I make for dinner (i.e. steak). Sometimes they won't even touch what I make, so I end up making a few different dishes to make everyone happy. See why I don't enjoy cooking?!
Well, I'm trying to make it easier on myself. I read an article in Real Simple magazine about how to make a weekday meal plan and shopping list. One of my problems each day is that I don't have enough ingredients to make a full meal. Tommy calls me everyday when he leaves work to ask if he needs to stop by the grocery store for anything. Nine times out of ten he does have to stop and pick up something for dinner.
So, in order to stop going to the grocery store almost everyday I thought I would try out this meal plan thingy. The article had a tear-out chart to use. Here's how Real Simple explains how you use the chart:
1. Decide on your weekday dinners and write them in the menu column. Try to slot dishes that rely on more perishable groceries at the start of the week and sturdier foods at the end.
2. Write down the ingredients you'll need to buy for each dinner in the appropriate columns to the right, which correspond to the aisles of most supermarkets.
3. Grab your list and head to the store. Shop down each column and you're good to for the week.
That's it! Sounds easy enough so I'm going to give it a try. Here is a link for a printable version of the planner if you also need help planning dinner each week. Good luck!
If you have any good meal planning tips do tell! I'm all about sharing these days since that's what I'm trying to teach my kids to do. ;)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Getting the "Evil Eye"
I'm getting anxious just reliving yesterday's lunch out.
Tommy and I don't bring the boys out to eat very often. There are a few reasons for that. The main reason is that it can get pretty expensive. But for me, it's more about the attention we get when we go out and how the boys are going to act.
I'm terrified of the boys having a tantrum at a restaurant. So far they haven't but I'm sure it's going to happen at some point.
Tommy and I brought the boys to Panera Bread for lunch yesterday. Bad choice. I forgot how quiet it can be inside. People are busy having quite conversations, meetings, working on their laptops, and reading. I was instantly nervous once we sat down. And the only table available was in the middle of the place. Their tables aren't very big either. I had my salad in front on me then had Brayden's plate on top of my salad. Tommy had the same thing going on in front of him. We can't put the boys' plates in front of them. They would push the plates on the floor or grab all the food off the plate then throw the food on the floor. Ahhh!
They do the same thing with their sippy cups. They'll take a drink then chuck the cup on the floor. So we keep their sippy cups in front of us too and hold the cups for them while they drink.
Lets just say we attract a lot of attention when we go out to eat. I feel like an exhibit at a zoo! Some of the attention is good. People will smile and wave to the boys. They will start a conversation with us about twins. Or they will give us a sympathetic look like they know what we are going through.
Then we get the looks from people who think we are a nuisance and should not be allowed in the restaurant. They give us that "I can't believe they brought their kids in here" look. If Hudson or Brayden laugh or giggle too loud they turn around and give us the "evil eye". It drives me nuts and makes me nervous. I'm not a confrontational person so I get really anxious so I just want to hurry and eat so we can get out of there.
That's what Tommy and I did at Panera Bread yesterday. We didn't even get to finish our meal! We just boxed up all our food and left. We were both exhausted once we got to our car I think because we were both so tense inside the restaurant. The thing is, the boys really didn't even misbehave. They just weren't in the mood to eat much. They wanted to get out of their highchairs and run around. We tried to give them some food and they would yell because they didn't want it. They did eat the Mac n' Cheese but once it was gone they got upset and didn't want anything else.
I don't know what else to do in these situations. They are usually fine when we go out but we never know how they are going to act and that's what makes me nervous. If they are hungry then everything usually goes well. If not, things can be a bit crazy. If we eat at a loud restaurant with a bunch of other kids around, I feel relaxed and go with the flow cause if the boys act up no one will notice.
Anyone have any tips on how to get toddlers to behave at restaurants? I need advice! I heard to ask for a table away from other people so you won't disturb them, but that' not always possible. And also to bring toys to keep your kids entertained. However toys usually work for about one minute with our boys until they end up on the dirty floor. I need more tips!!! The boys are not quite 17 months old yet.
Tommy and I don't bring the boys out to eat very often. There are a few reasons for that. The main reason is that it can get pretty expensive. But for me, it's more about the attention we get when we go out and how the boys are going to act.
I'm terrified of the boys having a tantrum at a restaurant. So far they haven't but I'm sure it's going to happen at some point.
Tommy and I brought the boys to Panera Bread for lunch yesterday. Bad choice. I forgot how quiet it can be inside. People are busy having quite conversations, meetings, working on their laptops, and reading. I was instantly nervous once we sat down. And the only table available was in the middle of the place. Their tables aren't very big either. I had my salad in front on me then had Brayden's plate on top of my salad. Tommy had the same thing going on in front of him. We can't put the boys' plates in front of them. They would push the plates on the floor or grab all the food off the plate then throw the food on the floor. Ahhh!
They do the same thing with their sippy cups. They'll take a drink then chuck the cup on the floor. So we keep their sippy cups in front of us too and hold the cups for them while they drink.
Lets just say we attract a lot of attention when we go out to eat. I feel like an exhibit at a zoo! Some of the attention is good. People will smile and wave to the boys. They will start a conversation with us about twins. Or they will give us a sympathetic look like they know what we are going through.
Then we get the looks from people who think we are a nuisance and should not be allowed in the restaurant. They give us that "I can't believe they brought their kids in here" look. If Hudson or Brayden laugh or giggle too loud they turn around and give us the "evil eye". It drives me nuts and makes me nervous. I'm not a confrontational person so I get really anxious so I just want to hurry and eat so we can get out of there.
That's what Tommy and I did at Panera Bread yesterday. We didn't even get to finish our meal! We just boxed up all our food and left. We were both exhausted once we got to our car I think because we were both so tense inside the restaurant. The thing is, the boys really didn't even misbehave. They just weren't in the mood to eat much. They wanted to get out of their highchairs and run around. We tried to give them some food and they would yell because they didn't want it. They did eat the Mac n' Cheese but once it was gone they got upset and didn't want anything else.
I don't know what else to do in these situations. They are usually fine when we go out but we never know how they are going to act and that's what makes me nervous. If they are hungry then everything usually goes well. If not, things can be a bit crazy. If we eat at a loud restaurant with a bunch of other kids around, I feel relaxed and go with the flow cause if the boys act up no one will notice.
Anyone have any tips on how to get toddlers to behave at restaurants? I need advice! I heard to ask for a table away from other people so you won't disturb them, but that' not always possible. And also to bring toys to keep your kids entertained. However toys usually work for about one minute with our boys until they end up on the dirty floor. I need more tips!!! The boys are not quite 17 months old yet.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Boy Talk
I read an article in the magazine American Baby last night called "Boy Talk". It talks about how all tots benefit from building good communication skills and how boys in particular get a boost. The greater a boy's grasp of words at the age 2, the better he'll be at avoiding tantrums and outbursts by the time he's in preschool. I sure would like to avoid this from happening if I could!
Researcher Claire Vallotton, Ph.D., assistant professor of child development at Michigan State University, in East Lansing says, "Language skills help boys control their behavior." She suggests starting him off by teaching a few baby signs.
Hudson and Brayden know the names of a LOT of things however they aren't saying much. Hudson can say a handful of words and tries to say more, however Brayden still just says "eh" to everything. So if teaching them a few signs will help them communicate and hopefully avoid outbursts later on, I'll try it.
If you're interested in teaching your little one a few signs too, go HERE for a short tutorial on the basics.
Also, if you'd like to receive American Baby magazine, it's FREE! Go HERE to sign up for a free subscription.
Researcher Claire Vallotton, Ph.D., assistant professor of child development at Michigan State University, in East Lansing says, "Language skills help boys control their behavior." She suggests starting him off by teaching a few baby signs.
Hudson and Brayden know the names of a LOT of things however they aren't saying much. Hudson can say a handful of words and tries to say more, however Brayden still just says "eh" to everything. So if teaching them a few signs will help them communicate and hopefully avoid outbursts later on, I'll try it.
If you're interested in teaching your little one a few signs too, go HERE for a short tutorial on the basics.
Also, if you'd like to receive American Baby magazine, it's FREE! Go HERE to sign up for a free subscription.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The ABC's of Me
I saw this on a few blogs so I thought I'd participate. Feel free to copy and paste on your blog too. Just remember to change my answers to yours (duh!).
A. Age: 29...soon to be 30 this summer. I'm getting depressed just thinking about it.
B. Bed size: King. I like my space. :)
C. Chore you dislike: Laundry.
D. Dogs: Titus (Great Dane), Bella (Jack Russell who lives with my parents), and Batman (Heinz 57 mutt who lives with my mother-in-law).
E. Essential start to your day: I'd love to say a workout but I'm not a morning person. So I'd say watching the news.
F. Favorite color: blue and green
G. Gold or silver: hmmm...I like both but my husband hates gold, so I don't wear it too much. I guess silver.
H. Height: 5'8"
I: Instruments you played: clarinet in 6th grade.
J. Job title: wife, mom, housekeeper, clown, cook, jungle gym, mediator, and magician just to name a few.
K. Kids: twin 16-month boys named Hudson and Brayden
L. Live: Nashville, Tennessee
M. Favorite Movie: too many to pick from but I love all chick-flicks.
N. Natural hair color: blond
O. Overnight hospital stays: after the boys' delivery and again maybe a week later.
P. Pet peeves: people who stand too close, complaining, eating with your mouth open
Q. Quote from a movie: "Just smile and wave boys, smile and wave." - Madagascar
R. Righty or lefty: righty
S. Siblings: two older brothers named Adam and Eric
T. Time you wake up in the morning and go to bed at night: whenever the boys wake up...which is around 7:30-8:00. I usually go to sleep around 10:30 unless I'm reading a good book...which would push it to midnight or 1:00 am.
U. Underwear: ummm...yes.
V. Vegetables you don't like: you name it, I don't like it.
W. What do you drive: silver Yukon XL...have you seen the size of my dog?!
X. X-rays you've had: foot, chest, and teeth
Y. Yummy food you make: pudding pies
Z. Zoo animal favorites: koalas
"ABC's of Me"
A. Age: 29...soon to be 30 this summer. I'm getting depressed just thinking about it.
B. Bed size: King. I like my space. :)
C. Chore you dislike: Laundry.
D. Dogs: Titus (Great Dane), Bella (Jack Russell who lives with my parents), and Batman (Heinz 57 mutt who lives with my mother-in-law).
E. Essential start to your day: I'd love to say a workout but I'm not a morning person. So I'd say watching the news.
F. Favorite color: blue and green
G. Gold or silver: hmmm...I like both but my husband hates gold, so I don't wear it too much. I guess silver.
H. Height: 5'8"
I: Instruments you played: clarinet in 6th grade.
J. Job title: wife, mom, housekeeper, clown, cook, jungle gym, mediator, and magician just to name a few.
K. Kids: twin 16-month boys named Hudson and Brayden
L. Live: Nashville, Tennessee
M. Favorite Movie: too many to pick from but I love all chick-flicks.
N. Natural hair color: blond
O. Overnight hospital stays: after the boys' delivery and again maybe a week later.
P. Pet peeves: people who stand too close, complaining, eating with your mouth open
Q. Quote from a movie: "Just smile and wave boys, smile and wave." - Madagascar
R. Righty or lefty: righty
S. Siblings: two older brothers named Adam and Eric
T. Time you wake up in the morning and go to bed at night: whenever the boys wake up...which is around 7:30-8:00. I usually go to sleep around 10:30 unless I'm reading a good book...which would push it to midnight or 1:00 am.
U. Underwear: ummm...yes.
V. Vegetables you don't like: you name it, I don't like it.
W. What do you drive: silver Yukon XL...have you seen the size of my dog?!
X. X-rays you've had: foot, chest, and teeth
Y. Yummy food you make: pudding pies
Z. Zoo animal favorites: koalas
Monday, March 21, 2011
Boy, Have We Been Busy!
Yep...we're still alive and well. Actually, we're great! Why? Because as of yesterday, the boys are now free to roam the downstairs of our house!!! First time in eight months!! And they L.O.V.E it!
That's one of the reasons why I haven't blogged in so long. We've spent a lot of time working on the house (what's new?). Spent most of the weekend finally putting all the tools/paint/equipment that was spread throughout our house back in the garage. And we are pretty much finished with the entry hallway too! Just needs one more coat of paint on the walls and I need to touch up the crown molding. We still have bare plywood floors everywhere but I have good news. We ordered our flooring a few weeks ago! It should be ready for pick-up by the end of the month. Ahhhh....so excited to finally get the downstairs COMPLETELY finished so I can start decorating! Then we'll probably take about six months off before we start working on the upstairs. Tommy and I are pretty tired of home remodeling. It gets old pretty fast. However, we'll probably fence in our backyard next. I'll post before and after pictures of the house once we get the flooring installed. Better to surprise you then. ;)
We've also been spending a lot of time outdoors since the weather has been so warm. Lots of trips to the park, playing on our deck and running around our backyard. The boys love to run around the yard (hence the need to fence it in). Our next-door neighbors are building a huge detached garage, so Hudson keeps running over to "play" in the holes and with all the electrical wires and pipes. Ahhh...boys will be boys!
Here are some pics of the boys playing on our deck...and spying on the neighbors next door.
Did you notice the pacifiers? Brayden has three teeth coming through at the same time and the paci helps him. Hudson has a paci too because he kept taking Brayden's. Pesky brother. So I gave him one too. I'm just making it harder on myself for when it's time to take them away completely.
With all the warm weather, sunshine, and rain it was time to mow the lawn for the first time this year. And by "time" I mean it was Tommy's time to get out there and do it. Here is H and B watching daddy mow the backyard while eating dinner. I hope they're taking notes. ;)
That's all for now. I hear Hudson yelling "momma" over and over again on the baby monitor. Better get dinner ready.
I'll try to get in the groove of blogging again. :) Until next time. E
That's one of the reasons why I haven't blogged in so long. We've spent a lot of time working on the house (what's new?). Spent most of the weekend finally putting all the tools/paint/equipment that was spread throughout our house back in the garage. And we are pretty much finished with the entry hallway too! Just needs one more coat of paint on the walls and I need to touch up the crown molding. We still have bare plywood floors everywhere but I have good news. We ordered our flooring a few weeks ago! It should be ready for pick-up by the end of the month. Ahhhh....so excited to finally get the downstairs COMPLETELY finished so I can start decorating! Then we'll probably take about six months off before we start working on the upstairs. Tommy and I are pretty tired of home remodeling. It gets old pretty fast. However, we'll probably fence in our backyard next. I'll post before and after pictures of the house once we get the flooring installed. Better to surprise you then. ;)
We've also been spending a lot of time outdoors since the weather has been so warm. Lots of trips to the park, playing on our deck and running around our backyard. The boys love to run around the yard (hence the need to fence it in). Our next-door neighbors are building a huge detached garage, so Hudson keeps running over to "play" in the holes and with all the electrical wires and pipes. Ahhh...boys will be boys!
Here are some pics of the boys playing on our deck...and spying on the neighbors next door.
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| Hudson haming it up for the camera. And Titus' butt. |
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| Hudson playing with a stick he found. |
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| Brayden playing with a noodle he found in the neighbor's backyard and Hudson watchin' (don't worry, I asked the neighbor if the noodle was theirs. It wasn't. So now it's ours.) |
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| Brayden coming to hit me with his noodle. |
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| Hudson holding a twig incorrectly. Brayden watchin'. |
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| Brayden hitting his brother with the noodle. Payback for being bigger than he is. |
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| Just try to take that noodle from him. |
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| Brayden "thinking" about testing me. |
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| Hudson testing me. One second after this photo was taken I yelled at him to get off the table. He laughed at me. FAIL. |
With all the warm weather, sunshine, and rain it was time to mow the lawn for the first time this year. And by "time" I mean it was Tommy's time to get out there and do it. Here is H and B watching daddy mow the backyard while eating dinner. I hope they're taking notes. ;)
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| Peek-a-boo!! They caught me. |
I'll try to get in the groove of blogging again. :) Until next time. E
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