When American Idol decides to have a kid show, we are ready.
Singing ability? Questionable. Fashion sense? Absolutely.
The look below is completed by nothing but his “Incredibles” underwear
Thanks for the glasses Auntie D!
Category Archives: Andrew
My Giggle Tribesmen
Even though I’m having a tough time right now, I know I am extremely lucky to have the family I do. I cherish everyone of them and the times we have. I’m also extremely fortunate to have kids who make me laugh.
During my day of teetering on Sunday I sat and watched some tv while Caroline was napping. The boys were in their room jumping around and making tons of noise. After about 15 minutes of what I can only assume was them jumping off their beds I decided to go up and tell them to stop.
I opened their door and started laughing immediately. Both boys were wearing shorts but no shirts. They had giant medals around their necks and were holding humongous chess trophies in their arms. I just laughed which caused them to giggle and giggle.
Alex said, “What? We’re Zulus and we’re hunting.”
Of course you are.
I’m so glad for those giggles.
Homemade King Cake
We love King Cake around here.
Every time we have king cake the boys mention to each other, “Mom got king cake at school every week when she was little.” I try to tell them it only occurred during Mardi Gras season but I can’t deter their thoughts of what a pitiful school experience they are having compared to me.
My mom sent us a Randazzo’s king cake for Derek’s birthday. It was devoured in 3 days. The only reason it wasn’t gone faster was because I wouldn’t let them have it for breakfast. Alex “got the baby” in the Randazzo king cake so he knew it was his turn to provide the next cake.
Occasionally, Alex would remind me it was his turn to buy the next king cake . Our neighborhood grocery store was the only place which came to mind for buying a king cake but frankly, they looked quite unappealing to me.
While browsing the magazine section one day in Lowe’s, I started flipping through a Sandra Lee magazine. Behind all of the Valentine treats she was featuring was a small section on Mardi Gras recipes. Gumbo, etouffee, and king cake were listed as well as dirty rice.
While reading I whispered, “Homemade king cake.” Alex was at my side in a second. “Oh, can we try? Can we make that tonight?” Seeing as it was already 4:45 I appeased him by buying the magazine and promising to make the dessert soon.
A few days later, after gathering the supplies, I decided the time was right to make the king cake. We were once again stuck in the house all day due to ice. I was desperate for an activity (and frankly, something sweet) so I told the boys we were celebrating Friday night dessert early because of the weather.
Here’s a picture of our ingredients: 3 cans of cinnamon rolls with icing (we didn’t use the extra one shown here), a plastic baby, and sprinkles. Our sprinkles are not the traditional gold, purple, and green since we used what was in the pantry.
1) First we buttered the baking sheet.
2) We unrolled the 3 cans and separated each cinnamon roll.
3) We then formed an oval shape with the rolls. Sandra Lee suggests using 5 cans of cinnamon rolls but I thought that would be a tad gluttonous for us.
4) We baked the cinnamon rolls / king cake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
5) We waited 15 minutes for it to cool (Next time we’ll try 5-10 minutes) , covered it with the cinnamon roll icing, and then covered with sprinkles.
The finished product!
Considering they each ate the king cake 3 times in 24 hours I’d say it was a big hit. (By the way, Andrew got the baby this time).
What!
We rarely eat fast food for dinner but I decided the other night was the exception. The boys had 3 activities we needed to be at, all around dinnertime. We drove through McDonald’s on the way to our 2nd and 3rd activities of the night. I decided Caroline and Andrew would eat once we arrived at Alex’s practice but he needed to eat in the car on the way.
Here was my order at the drive through:
I’d like a #13, a 20 piece chicken nugget (yes, all 3 kids polished this off with no leftovers), 3 milks, and 3 small fries.
After receiving the food, I placed Alex’s food on a tray and handed it back to him.
Andrew immediately wanted to know, “When do Caroline and I get to eat?’
When we get to the lacrosse field I will give you your food.
“What’s my food?”
I got you some chicken nuggets, a small fry, and a milk.
“What!”
What do you mean what. I got you the food you asked for.
“What do you mean I got a small fry?”
I got you a small fry, Alex a small fry, and Caroline a small fry.
“What! That’s all I get for dinner?”
What are you talking about? You have this meal every time we come to McDonald’s. There will be more than enough food for you.
“Why do I only get one small french fry with my meal?”
Ohhhh. No, you get a small bag of fries. With many fries inside the bag.
“Good because I need more than just one fry. I thought you were only giving me one fry. I’m hungrier than that.”
A Message for Al Gore
Dear Mr. Vice President,
I know the environment is important to you. I know this is your passion and such an important cause. I know you try and educate people on ways to keep our planet healthy. But now, Mr. President, I feel I must educate you.
As a mom, I do care about the environment. I do know we should all be working to improve our water systems, stop deforestation, and address the climate crisis. I do want wants best for my children and their future children.
But not today. Not tomorrow. Probably not next year.
You see, Mr. President. I never get a spare minute to myself in the bathroom. I always have a visitor. I’ve had a visitor for the last 8 years. Mind you the visitors have changed but still I am not alone. I’m sure the secret service accompanies you many places but I’m willing to bet you do get a little privacy in this one area.
In the past, currently, and in the future there is only one thing which will occupy my visitors. The toilet paper roll. My visitors enter the bathroom with great surprise and enthusiasm each time they notice the roll. From there, not even your top military commander could stop the destruction. It is only a matter of nanoseconds before mass amounts of toilet paper are lying upon the floor. For years, rolls upon rolls of paper, have been wasted in this manner.
Yes I do I contemplate all the trees that have gone into the making of this precious resource. Yes I do know all of the energy that is consumed in the process of making this toilet paper. And yet, I simply toss it.
Let’s face it Mr. President, I toss it and move on. I simply must. Somewhere in my house the water is running, the lights are on, and my visitors are using every scrap piece of paper to color on. In time I will jump on your environmental mission -probably around the time I go to the bathroom all by myself.
Regards,
Jennifer
Valentine Love
I love my kids and husband more than I can express to you. They are the ones who make me get up in the morning (horizontal children in your bed tend to do that) and the ones who put smiles on my face. I have the deepest love for our children and the man who is my partner.
I love that you go to bed with dolls but insist on playing Legos too.
I love what an amazing dad you are to our children.
I love that you two always want to be together and do the same silly things.
I love how independent and self assured you are.
I love how all three of you can play in the same room with the same activity.
I love that you enjoy crafty things and singing in the shower for all to hear.
I love that you are passionate about sports and can recall every statistic you’ve read in the newspaper for the last 3 years.
I love that you are always talking on the phone, going through my purse, or playing on the computer – all while smiling.
I love that you are willing to do things for our children that are out of your comfort zone – just because you want to make them smile.
I love that you are always finding ways to have fun together.
I love that you are passionate about animals and your life’s dream is to work at the zoo (at the cash register).
I love what an amazing big brother you are. You are always willing to watch, follow, or play with your brother or sister.
I love how much you love our children and me.
I love that you make us all laugh everyday.
I love that you love each other.
I love that you are my equal for taking care of our children. You are always cleaning, cooking, going to practices, and taking care of us.
I love that you were so proud of yourself for accomplishing this.
I love that you are willing to try new things with your brother just because it interests him.
I love that I get to spend everyday with my family.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Moustaches for the Masses
When looking around blog world I noticed many handmade Valentine’s. I especially liked the idea I found on Cupcakes Kisses n ‘Crumbs and thought my boys would too.
Steps we took to make Valentine Moustaches:
1) Alex found a mustache shape he liked on the Silhouette machine. We played with the size until he was satisfied with “the look.” The machine then cut out 50 moustaches from black card stock.
2) Next I took paint pens and wrote “Happy (Heart) Day!” Alex then wrote his name.
3) Buy a ridiculously huge bag of Dum Dum lollipops since it’s the only bag at Walmart. I’m talking 300 Dum Dums people. I’ll have these for the next two Halloweens. Well, at least till the beginning of March.
4) The tricky part was getting just the right size hold to place our lollipop in. We made the hole by using an awl.
5) We then simply slid the lollipop on.
Here’s a look at the finished project. Not the best photo. It was bedtime and I thought this was good enough at the time. Probably should have been patient for another photo.
The boys were thrilled with the lollipop moustaches and can’t wait to give them to their friends.
Do you have any Valentine’s Day creations or plans?
Limit?
I wonder if the weight limit listed is just for the one sitting in the car or does it include those sitting on top of the car too?
Safety is a Bummer
As we were driving home from school the other day, Andrew suddenly announced,
“I like fire drills better than tornado drills.”
Why’s that?
“Fire drills, you get to go outside.”
What do you do for tornado drills?
“We all have to go into the bathroom and put our bums towards the door. It’s so boring.”
Safety in the eyes of a 5 year old.
My Very First Giveaway!
I thought the best way to celebrate my first guest posting was to have my first giveaway. When I told my husband he said, “Wait a minute…shouldn’t we think about this.” I told him to relax and not to worry. It’s not like I was planning on giving away our car or even his flannel pj’s…although on second thought. No, no I’ll stick with the plan.
What I am giving away is one completed coupon box of activity cards.
The winner will receive 48 activity cards, 3 pencils, 1 pencil sharpener, and 1 eraser.
In case you are not familiar with my activity coupon box, go here to read about my idea.
Here are the ways you can enter:
1 entry if you make a comment on this post
1 additional entry if you are a follower (leave a comment to let me know)
*You have until Sunday Jan 16 to enter*
Thanks and good luck to everyone!