Another Mithing Toof!

Wow! What a week. S lost ANOTHER toof today (contrary to the picture, he is happy about it. His movie was starting and he could not be bothered for a picture).

This site lists some Tooth Fairy customs from around the world - most are pretty standard - though, I now have another reason to be happy I am not a Mongolian dog.

In this pocket you will find

A teensy, tiny tooth of mine.

So while I sleep where dreams are made,

Let's see if you can make a trade.
In this pocket I will lay,the little tooth I lost today.

Please, dear fairy,tonight as I sleep

leave me a coin.

My tooth you can keep.
- Author Unknown

Tooth Fairy Templates

Click here for a copy of the templates I have used for the Tooth Fairy.
I did not create these, they were a share from one of the photography sites I visit - I so wish I could remember where I got them so I could give credit.

If the creator happens by, please post so I can credit and thank you appropriately.

Click the link above, a window will open with two tabs (girl on one tab, boy on the other), click tab, right click on image, save picture as, etc.

Santa And The Tooth Fairy On The Same Day? Oh my!

S is more excited about losing his first tooth than any of the presents he got from Santa.

I Know What I'm Getting Phil For Christmas

Shhhh! Don't tell.

North Pole Reprazent

Yes, Virginia, Santa Claus is keeping it real.

(I saw this T-shirt on Woot today)

"Mommy, the kitty wants his picture taken"

Sure he does. Its written all over his face.

How To Shoot a Stuffed Pepper and Other Things I learned About Food

My G, Lisa (aka Babs, aka Super G, aka Super Fuzz, aka ...), is creating a cookbook of cherished family recipes. She asked if I would photograph some of her dishes.

I don't know nuttin" about food styling or ANYTHING about taking pix of food - but I thought I would give it a shot anyway.

Believe it or not, it may actually be easier to take pix of six year olds than it is to take pix of shrimp dip. Shrimp dip has no catchlights! I know how to dress a kid for a portrait - how the heck do you dress a stuffed pepper?!

All in all, it was not a failure - I certainly learned the boundary of my knowledge and skill set. Click on the image below to see the gallery.

What She Wants - When She Wants It

B wanted her picture taken yesterday - and I was more than happy to help out.

When she wants to have her picture taken - look out!

Sugar Plum Fairy

It has been a long and crazy Thanksgiving weekend. We took the kids to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy (from the PA Ballet) yesterday. S was smitten; B looked at her and said "She's just a lady in a dress". Oh no! Is the magic gone?

Chicken! They LOVE Chicken!

If you're in the market for some fan-flipin'-tastic chicken recipes, give these a go.

I like to cook, and don't mind doing it as long as the stuff gets eaten - below are two recipes that are kid and husband approved.

About a year ago, I made Chicken piccata for the first time. To my surprise and delight, the kids gobbled it up and raved about it. I've made it a few times since; most recently about a week and a half ago. I made it for dinner on Wednesday night, and by Sunday they were asking when I would make it again.


Not wanting to be a one trick pony, I went in search of another chicken recipe for this week. I settled on this version of Chicken Marsala (although I didn't make or use his BAM! spices). Phil liked it so much he got that "look" in his eyes; and again, the kids LOVED it.

Give 'em a try - they're delicious and super easy.

What Does Your Web Address Say About You?

I received this in an email today - cracked me up.

.

.

All of these are legitimate companies that didn't spend quite enough time to consider how their online name might appear!

1. 'Who Represents' is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is: http://www.whorepresents.com/

2. 'Experts Exchange' is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at: http://www.expertsexchange.com/

3. Looking for a great pen? Look no further than 'Pen Island.' It can be found at: http://www.penisland.net/

4. Need a therapist? Try 'Therapist Finder' at: http://www.therapistfinder.com/

5. Then there's the 'Italian Power Generator' company. Check it out at: http://www.powergenitalia.com/

6. 'IP computer' software; there's always: http://www.ip_anywhere.com/

7. And the designers at 'Speed of Art' await you at their wacky Web site: http://www.speedofart.com/

Green Goo

This evening, Miss B and I ran a little science experiment - she fondly calls it Green Goo. I kinda think of it as Green Volcano - but hey, whatever you call it - its COOL.

We've done this experiment with kids' tours at work a gagillion times - its fool proof (I'm living proof) and there has never been a kid yet that didn't think it was COOL.

The ingredients for our little experiment were:

Vinegar (our acid) - mixed with yellow food coloring
Baking soda (our base) - dissolved in water (a supersaturated solution) - mixed with blue food coloring
A few drops of dish soap
Interested kid


When the vinegar and baking soda are mixed, they form carbon dioxide. The gas created lots of little bubbles that quickly filled the glass and overflowed and spilled down the sides. The soap gives the bubbles a little structure. The yellow and blue food coloring mix and turn the bubbles green (color science too - damn, I'm good).

Miss B was thrilled - and there was very little mess. Like I said already - its COOL.

(I recently purchased a a better video camera, but for a variety of reasons, I had to shoot this on my 6 year old Sony cybershot. My apologies for the horrible quality. We'll do a better quality job next time)

I'm super sensitive to loud noises - so this one is not for me.

But give it a try if a Bubble Bomb is what you're after

Kung Fu Pandas

(Click on image to view gallery)

This weekend I took the kids (B, S, and G) to a Kung Fu Panda DVD party at Premiere Martial Arts. PMA is where my sweetie tales his Krav Maga classes (... I wonder what he's planning ...).

The kids had a great time - they were given karate outfits, took a class, actually broke boards in half, and earned their white belts. All that was followed by pizza, a pinata, free DVD's, and a screening of the movie.

Mom was a rock star ... for about 30 seconds.

BTW - B was not feeling fantastic (stuffy nose, etc.), so she sat out the karate stuff.

Sunny Day

Pen and Ink artist, Miss B, describes her latest work.

I Like Colors

Resident artist, S, created this work of art after school on Friday.

He calls it "I Like Colors". Listen to the artist explain his work

Fav Site of the Week

I came across the site Read At Work.
When the site opens it looks exactly like a Windows XP desktop.
The folders on the desktop have about 20 ebooks that look like Powerpoint presentations.
It is hysterical.
I am totally bookmarking this one.

Check out some other cool sites that may come in handy during long meetings.



.... I'm sensing a theme today

Fun With Performance Reviews!

Its performance review time at work.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about how ridiculous the process is.

I came across the “Hall of Fame of Review Phrase Shame” today and thought I would share.


My favs are 2, 4, 8, 11, 13, 14*, 16 *, 20, 21 - I may sprinkle a few into some reviews just to see if anyone actually reads the darn things.


1. Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom…. and has started to dig.
2. His men would follow him anywhere… but only out of morbid curiosity
3. I would not allow this employee to breed.
4. This employee is really not so much of a ‘has-been’, but more of a definite ‘won’t be’.
5. Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.
6. When she opens her mouth, it seem that it is only to change feet.
7. He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle.
8. This young lady has delusions of adequacy.
9. He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
10. This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
11. This employee should go far… and the sooner he starts, the better.
12. Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together.
13. A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus.
14. He certainly takes a long time to make his pointless.
15. He doesn’t have ulcers, but he’s a carrier.
16. I would like to go hunting with him sometime.
17. He’s been working with glue too much.
18. He would argue with a signpost.
19. He has a knack for making strangers immediately.
20. He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room.
21. When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell.
22. If you see two people talking and one looks bored… he’s the other one.
23. A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on.
24. A prime candidate for natural deselection.
25. Donated his brain to science before he was done using it.
26. Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn’t coming.
27. Has two brains: one is lost and the other is out looking for it.
28. If he were any more stupid, he’d have to be watered twice a week.
29. If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you’d get change.
30. If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the oceans.
31. It’s hard to believe that he beat 1,000,000 other sperm to the egg.
32. One neuron short of a synapse.
33. Some drank from the foundation of knowledge; … he only gargled.
34. Takes him 2 hours to watch 60 Minutes.
35. The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.

Meryl Runion and Speak Strong (SpeakStrong) provides Power Phrases (PowerPhrases) and other tools to help you improve communication skills at work and at home. She is the author of the books PowerPhrases!, How to Use PowerPhrases, Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors and How to Say It: Performance Reviews. She can be reached by email:
E-mail Meryl.

Click here to find out

I am certain my little grey cat is plotting to kill me

Almost Back From Vacation

Phil and I are almost back from vacation (it may take a few more days). We've been totally out of touch for a week and loving it.
..... More in a few days

The Big Dig

(click on the image above to view the gallery)

This weekend we took the kids down by the C&D canal to search for fossils.

There are a bunch of fossil sites along the canal.

We went to one at the base of the Reedy Point Bridge in Delaware City.



We found lots of these. Sean is holding on in a photo in the gallery.

The kids thought fossil hunting was cool - but giant dirt pile climbing was even cooler.

...

...

Costumes

I have many more images to work through - but here is the first set.

(click on the image above to view gallery)

Our Pumpkin Party

We had our pumpkin party this weekend - I didn't take many pix - click on the image above to see the ones I did manage to take.

We had rain and really strong winds - so the party had to move in doors. Thankfully, we had cleaned the garage last weekend - so we just set up the pumpkin carving station in there.
Props to Ann, Brian, and Phil - they spent most of the afternoon carving very intricate pumpkins.

Special thanks to Babs for her counsel with regard to the menu - it was a smashing success.

Lisa suggested:
(Lisa just tells me the ingredients - the links are to recipes that seem to approximate what Lisa told me)

- Crack pizza (named because of its addictive quality)
- Grape, Gorgonzola, and fontina pizza
- Caramelized onion and Boursin pizza
- Heart attach balls (pork, wrapped with pork - see recipe below)
- We also had mummy dogs, yummy pumpkin soup, and sweets as far as the eye could see.

Heart Attach Balls

1 # pork sausage

1 box Stove top stuffing

Enough H2O to loosen it up - I dunno, seemed like a cup'ish

Roll into balls, wrap each ball with a 1/3 slice of bacon, bake at 350 degrees until you are reasonably confident you've killed all the Trichonosis (~ 30 minutes)

S, B, and G Make the Papers

Go Phillies!!

As usual, Sean's tie is anywhere other than where it is supposed to be; and Bridget is "calling it in" from left field - that is one silly goofball.

Images of Our Fall Weekend

Click here to view the gallery
(when the gallery opens, use the spacebar and arrow keys to navigate) We went to Longwood Gardens again this weekend - one of our favorite places.
S and B brought along their friend G.

Go Phillies!

Its been a long 15 years

I Love Fall

I love the temperature, the colors, wearing sweaters, the pumpkins, Halloween, all of it.

I used to L-O-V-E Halloween parties; I'm not so keen on kids Halloween parties any more...15 -20 kids, 6 years old or less, in multi-colored costumes, covered in juice, candy, and cheese puffs is quite possible the most seizure producing combination I can think off.

We are going to have a pumpkin carving party this year instead - fewer kids, to be sure - but they'll be armed with knives. I'm not sure if this is a step in the right direction.

Here is the invitation I made - the kids really liked it:

Start "Em Early

We've been teaching S and B some moves too.
They may bethe next "Carpenters"

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The Definition of Pathetic?

A cat with a runny nose.

Poor baby kitten Cris (aka Crisco) has a terrible head cold.

I've never in all my years had a cat with all the human symptoms of a cold - watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, irritability (o.k., every cat has that).

He is the most pathetic thing I have ever seen.

How We Celebrated Our 10th Anniversay

A little dinner, some drinks, and then we hit the dance floor.
Phil can still shake it pretty good after all these years.

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(I love it - we totally look like swingers!)

Thanks once again to Cary at LOTD for this totally amusing time waster

10 Years, A Decade, A Dime

Today, September 19, Phil and I have been married 10 years.

This morning my sweety gave me a card for our anniversary; when I opened it, I had to look at the envelop - why? Because it was the EXACT same card I had just handed him. What does this mean? It certainly indicates we have the same affection for tasteless greeting cards.

Sweety,

In case you hadn't thought about an anniversary gift yet (times a wastin' buddy), here are some ideas from About.com:

10th Anniversary Traditional Gift:
Tin or aluminum. The pliability of tin and aluminum is a symbol of how a successful marriage needs to be flexible and durable and how it can be bent without being broken.
(do not buy me cookie sheets! I may have to demonstrate how they can be bent)

10th Anniversary Contemporary/Modern Gift:
Diamond jewelry. A marriage that lasts ten years is as durable and beautiful as a diamond.
(ahem! Did you read this?)

10th Anniversary Gemstone:
Diamond jewelry or blue sapphire.
(HINT - blue is not my color)

10th Anniversary Color:
Silver or blue.
(Silver please)

10th Anniversary Flower:
Daffodil. Trumpet-shaped daffodils represent joy, cheerfulness, and happiness.
(daffodils are hard to come by in September, how’s about some mums for the garden)

Ways to Celebrate Your 10th Anniversary:

Purchase tickets for a movie, sports event, concert, theatre, etc. to attend together. (Nope)

Buy some wine, bread, and cheese and find a nice spot to have a romantic afternoon. (Nope. Wait, get the wine)

Pick a bouquet of daffodils from your garden if your anniversary is in the spring. (Nope)

(TAKE ME TO THE CARRI BEAN, or I will not renew your contract)

Gift Suggestions to Make for Your 10th Anniversary:

Stuff a pretty tin box with new paper money, confetti, love note, book on romance, magazine, love coupons, a current picture of the two of you, etc. (Sweety, if you did this, I’d have to think you were a little “funny” if you KWIM)

Put together a CD with songs from the year you were married. (A mix tape! – OHMIGOD, I would so totally crack up. I bet it would all be Air Supply – I am aware of your addiction, my love)

Assemble a memory photo album with pictures highlighting your 10 years together. (Oh please, then I just have to look at pictures and think how fat I’ve become. Don’t waste your time)

Love note with daffodils printed on it. (O.k., I’m over the daffodils already)

Love coupons. (Could be fun. Let’s see what you come up with)

Sorry I kept you Hanging

When I posted last weekend that we were expanding our family, it was not my intention to keep you hanging - then it happened and I thought it was funny ...

No, really, I had no idea you could go out to adopt a cat(s) and it could take longer to get the cat(s) then to get a gun.

Heck, when I found out I was preggers with twins, nobody came by and asked me to fill out an application, wait 3 days to ensure I was "sure" (kinda wish they had), and then call references to see if I would be an o.k. mom.

But I guess orphaned cats deserve better than actual living breathing children.

O.k., rant over - love the cats, hate the process.

My niece and nephew went with us to help S and B pick out a kitten (of course they each had to have one). My niece is known for being a "cat whisperer". I think she did a fine job.

The new puddytats are calm, friendly, and like each other and us.

So, without further ado - I am pleased to introduce Nana (his birth name was Kurt, but B likes Nana better) and Crisco (Crisco is his birth name, and that's A.O.K with S).

Nana

Crisco

Go Yearbook Yourself!

Me - 1974

Upload your photo to Yearbook Yourself and see what you would have looked like over the last 50 years

I saw this on LOTD

Our family is expanding!
And yes, it is by two again. Come on! I'm like freakin' Noah - everything in twos.
More later ....

Pssst, Molly... your mom said you couldn't wait.

Here's an unfinished gallery for you

What's On Your Christmas List This Year?

So far, Sean has a motor bike and this 3 DVD set on his list.

Sorry kid, you're SIX!, you're not getting either one.
Could Santa interest you in a Wii?

Relive the gritty unfolding of the Vietnam War with this award-winning documentary, Vietnam: An American History. Capturing the gripping reality of America's costly battle, this documentary provides an objective look into the Vietnam turmoil -- see it live and in the moment. Own a piece of history with this spellbinding visual masterpiece!

He, he, he, he he! I love it!

Ted's new book

Nugent '08

For MRL

Just a slight remix - I had to redo because of the title of the last post - yikes!

Rose

My BFFHS and Our Mini-Me's

Amy was my best friend from High School.


She came out to visit us this week.

B and A look like mini versions of us.

(For goodness sake, I hope they behave better!)

Pssst! I think there's gonna be a wedding!

Melissa and Matt

Poor Uncle Matty took a lot of abuse from the kids the other day.

Wednesday in Grand Haven

My goodness - such gorgeous kids



Miss S- Mr. J -

Passion Fruits

I have no idea why - but today, Sean called everyone and everything "Passion Fruit".

Saturday the wind was from the south and the waves were big; Sunday the wind was from the north and the waves wer HUGE. Today - no wind. That made swimming easier - but we think we like the big waves better.

One for Mattyfoo.

Egads! Someone else picked up a camera and snapped one of me - this won't happen again soon.