I got tagged by I am Trish Maire today. She obviously knows I am a sucker for this junk, so here it goes...
Here are the rules:-Link to the person who tagged you.-Leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours.-Post the rules on your blog.-Share the seven (7) most famous or infamous people you have met. Or go with the original 7 weird things about yourself.-Tag 7 random people at the end of your post.-Include links to their blogs.-Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Well, I have met a number of famous people, but I don't like to name drop. I think I will go with seven weird things about me.
1. After breaking my left big toe (technically it was my foot) twice within six week of each other, my toe is permanently crooked. To make it not look so crooked, I have to trim my toe nail at angle so it looks straight across.
2. I have a big issue with mushrooms of all kinds. I can not even begin to explain how much they gross me out. I think it is the whole fungus thing. Anyway, I hate them so much that I tell waiters I am allergic to it in restaurants to make sure they take me seriously when I say, "No mushrooms please.".
3. I am a giant klutz. I am notorious for hurting myself on a daily basis. Oddly enough I am very agile when it comes to dancing and gymnastics. There's no figuring it out.
4. I really, really like to eat raw potatoes. I used to take a whole potato to school with me as a kid to peel and eat. Mmmmm....
5. I eat my food one thing at a time. I don't like to skip around on my plate. I also eat the it from the food I like the least to the one I like the most. That way the taste of my favorite is the last thing I remember.
6. I love the number 6. After that, I like multiples of 3 and 6. I even picked my wedding date specifically because I liked every number in the date.
7. I am terrible with names. It takes me several meetings with someone before I am confident in remembering their name. In order to distinguish people in the meantime, I will come up with odd nicknames for them. It takes me a long time to finally give those nicknames for them up no matter how well I know them.
Alright, I did it! And so now, I tag....
Living in a House of All Boys
Party of Five
Even the Sink
Table for 3
Tiffany's Place
Scrapbooking Gal
Our Girl
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Ava's 4 year check-up
Ava went to her four year old check-up on Wednesday. Yes, I know she turned four a month and a half ago, but this was the first appointment we could get in the new year. Anyway...Ava has always been good with her dr's visits in the past. This includes almost all parts of the exam including the shots. She got her flu shot last year and hardly flinched at all over it. She got her flu shot this year and just complained that she didn't enjoy it at all.
Well, I guess the experience of that last flu shot really got built up in her mind for this visit. She was convinced she was going to get more shots, but I wasn't sure. I just told her that we would see if she needed any, and she would be fine if she did have to get some. She was not so trusting of this, though. She was dreading this appointment and whined relentlessly about not wanting to go if you brought it up.
Well, Wednesday came and I packed her and Leila up to make our trip into town for the appointment. I tried to make it as fun on the ride there as I could by playing her favorite music to sing along-- Dan Zanes. This worked well until we pulled into the familiar parking lot of the ped's office. She immediately went into her whining while I muscled her out of the car, up to the office, pushing her through the waiting room door.
Thankfully, she was distracted by all the books in the waiting area to read that she forgot to keep whining while we waited. Then, her name was called by her Nurse Cheryl. She walked up and immediately asked groaning, "Do you have to give me shots today?" Nurse Cheryl said that she wasn't sure and calmly reassured her that she would be fine if she did. Ava just groaned in disgust with her vague answer.
We go through her check-up doing all kinds of new things that she has not been asked to do in previous checks. She had her vision tested by naming different familiar objects on an eye chart. She did very well. She has 20/30 vision in both eyes which is normal for her age. She also had her hearing checked for the first time since she was a newborn in the hospital. She got to put on the giant ear phones and raised her hand very time she heard the beeps. She passed that perfectly. They checked her blood pressure for the first time since kids are now developing high blood pressure at alarming rates. Everything was perfect there, as any mother that is maticulous about their child's nutrition would expect it to be. Then, she had the normal checks like her height and weight. She is 40" tall and weighs 33.5lbs. Her height is consistantly in the 40% and her weight has actually come up to the highest percentage it has ever been in her life at the 40%.
After all of that, we waited to see her Dr. Dickason. When she came in, Ava was excited to see her. She has always loved her drs. She likes to tell them all the big girl things she can do like spell her name and ride her bike. I don't think the dr could get a word in edgewise. The dr listened to her heart to "make sure it was still thumping", as Ava puts it. We talked about what to expect for the following year and what safety precautions I still needed to take, like with her car seat.
Then, the dreaded words came out of her mouth. "Well, it looks like she gets four pokes today." Ava's face just dropped and a look of fear quickly came over her. She was not happy at all. I asked if this was it on shots, and she told me that it should be other than her flu shot next year. All I can say is thank goodness.
Let me tell you, trying to get a four year to be still in order to have FOUR shots is like trying to wrestle an alligator into submission. The nurse instructed me to lay her down and hold her hands while she began. First she cleaned her legs with an alcohol pad which could have been acid as far as Ava was concerned. She immediately begins with the struggling and water works. Then, the shots came. With each one, she struggled more and more to the put that she broke her hands free of mine restraint and almost found fingers being given the shot. I got her under control, and the nurse was able to finish up.
Ava just continued with, "That hurts!" and "Why do that have to do that to me?". I reassured her that it was over, and the pain would go away shortly. Well, that pain lasted and lasted in her little four year old mind. You would think she had her leg severed in some tragic accident. In fact, she is still telling me how much it hurts days later after the bruising has almost compeletly subsided. I guess the mental anguish will last a lot longer. Let's just say that I am not looking forward to her flu shot next year even if it just one shot.
Well, I guess the experience of that last flu shot really got built up in her mind for this visit. She was convinced she was going to get more shots, but I wasn't sure. I just told her that we would see if she needed any, and she would be fine if she did have to get some. She was not so trusting of this, though. She was dreading this appointment and whined relentlessly about not wanting to go if you brought it up.
Well, Wednesday came and I packed her and Leila up to make our trip into town for the appointment. I tried to make it as fun on the ride there as I could by playing her favorite music to sing along-- Dan Zanes. This worked well until we pulled into the familiar parking lot of the ped's office. She immediately went into her whining while I muscled her out of the car, up to the office, pushing her through the waiting room door.
Thankfully, she was distracted by all the books in the waiting area to read that she forgot to keep whining while we waited. Then, her name was called by her Nurse Cheryl. She walked up and immediately asked groaning, "Do you have to give me shots today?" Nurse Cheryl said that she wasn't sure and calmly reassured her that she would be fine if she did. Ava just groaned in disgust with her vague answer.
We go through her check-up doing all kinds of new things that she has not been asked to do in previous checks. She had her vision tested by naming different familiar objects on an eye chart. She did very well. She has 20/30 vision in both eyes which is normal for her age. She also had her hearing checked for the first time since she was a newborn in the hospital. She got to put on the giant ear phones and raised her hand very time she heard the beeps. She passed that perfectly. They checked her blood pressure for the first time since kids are now developing high blood pressure at alarming rates. Everything was perfect there, as any mother that is maticulous about their child's nutrition would expect it to be. Then, she had the normal checks like her height and weight. She is 40" tall and weighs 33.5lbs. Her height is consistantly in the 40% and her weight has actually come up to the highest percentage it has ever been in her life at the 40%.
After all of that, we waited to see her Dr. Dickason. When she came in, Ava was excited to see her. She has always loved her drs. She likes to tell them all the big girl things she can do like spell her name and ride her bike. I don't think the dr could get a word in edgewise. The dr listened to her heart to "make sure it was still thumping", as Ava puts it. We talked about what to expect for the following year and what safety precautions I still needed to take, like with her car seat.
Then, the dreaded words came out of her mouth. "Well, it looks like she gets four pokes today." Ava's face just dropped and a look of fear quickly came over her. She was not happy at all. I asked if this was it on shots, and she told me that it should be other than her flu shot next year. All I can say is thank goodness.
Let me tell you, trying to get a four year to be still in order to have FOUR shots is like trying to wrestle an alligator into submission. The nurse instructed me to lay her down and hold her hands while she began. First she cleaned her legs with an alcohol pad which could have been acid as far as Ava was concerned. She immediately begins with the struggling and water works. Then, the shots came. With each one, she struggled more and more to the put that she broke her hands free of mine restraint and almost found fingers being given the shot. I got her under control, and the nurse was able to finish up.
Ava just continued with, "That hurts!" and "Why do that have to do that to me?". I reassured her that it was over, and the pain would go away shortly. Well, that pain lasted and lasted in her little four year old mind. You would think she had her leg severed in some tragic accident. In fact, she is still telling me how much it hurts days later after the bruising has almost compeletly subsided. I guess the mental anguish will last a lot longer. Let's just say that I am not looking forward to her flu shot next year even if it just one shot.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Just call me Betty...
...Crocker that is.
For Christmas this year, I was really dying for a Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer in the matte black finish. I was lucky enough to receive it from my mom. I have been so excited to use it, but I had to buy a lot of baking supplies just to get started. Daniel decided to go do that for me yesterday afternoon. He also picked up all the ingredients for the recipe. By the way, this would be my first attempt at making a cake from scratch in my life.
A few days ago, I went on a search for a chocolate cake recipe that resembled the Aunt Etta's Chocolate Cake we buy at The Chocolate Bar inside the loop. I crave this cake like nothing else. I came across a promising recipe that had the chocolate ganache frosting like they use. It is a Double Chocolate Layer Cake. So, I decided this would be the one I try.
It took me most of the afternoon yesterday with the kids helping me prepare the cake mixes. All along the way, I was realizing that I needed a few extra tools to make the process either go faster or work more efficiently. For instance, Daniel could not find a good sifter, so it took me forever to do that. We ordered a battery operated one online, though. Also, I do not have a frosting spatula, but I made do with a regular soft flex one. I finished later than anticipated, so we didn't get to taste it last night much to the kids' dismay. I let it sit in the fridge overnight and put it out to warm up in the morning.
All and all, it turned out amazingly well. It isn't exactly like The Chocolate Bar version, but it is excellent none the less. Daniel, who happens to be the biggest critic of food, was raving with every bite. I think there are some things I would like to play with on the recipe to really make more of a WOW cake. I would also like to play around with the icing and decorating it more. For a first attempt, though, I think I did darn well.
Here is a picture of my finished product. I think it has a great homemade feel to it.
For Christmas this year, I was really dying for a Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer in the matte black finish. I was lucky enough to receive it from my mom. I have been so excited to use it, but I had to buy a lot of baking supplies just to get started. Daniel decided to go do that for me yesterday afternoon. He also picked up all the ingredients for the recipe. By the way, this would be my first attempt at making a cake from scratch in my life.
A few days ago, I went on a search for a chocolate cake recipe that resembled the Aunt Etta's Chocolate Cake we buy at The Chocolate Bar inside the loop. I crave this cake like nothing else. I came across a promising recipe that had the chocolate ganache frosting like they use. It is a Double Chocolate Layer Cake. So, I decided this would be the one I try.
It took me most of the afternoon yesterday with the kids helping me prepare the cake mixes. All along the way, I was realizing that I needed a few extra tools to make the process either go faster or work more efficiently. For instance, Daniel could not find a good sifter, so it took me forever to do that. We ordered a battery operated one online, though. Also, I do not have a frosting spatula, but I made do with a regular soft flex one. I finished later than anticipated, so we didn't get to taste it last night much to the kids' dismay. I let it sit in the fridge overnight and put it out to warm up in the morning.
All and all, it turned out amazingly well. It isn't exactly like The Chocolate Bar version, but it is excellent none the less. Daniel, who happens to be the biggest critic of food, was raving with every bite. I think there are some things I would like to play with on the recipe to really make more of a WOW cake. I would also like to play around with the icing and decorating it more. For a first attempt, though, I think I did darn well.
Here is a picture of my finished product. I think it has a great homemade feel to it.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
MIA
I know, I know...I have not been posting a lot. Things have been crazy here with the holidays and Madison staying with us for two weeks. I should be back into my routine tomorrow. That should help. :)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Santa through the years
Ava with Santa in 2004
Madison and Ava with Santa in 2005
Madison, Ava, and Leila with Santa in 2006
Ava and Leila with Santa in 2007
Believe it or not, I am going to be sad once all the kids are over being scared of Santa. These pictures just make me laugh so hard everytime I see them. It just isn't a Santa picture without at least one screaming kid.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Her first recital!
Ava had her very first dance recital this morning. She woke up all excited for her big day. I meticulously got her dressed, shellacked her hair, and prettied her already gorgeous face. She could not wait to get to her dance studio. Once we got there, I took her into the dressing area to put her in her beautifully hand-made costume. It is a beaded corset top with and flirty little tutu that she could not have been more precious wearing. This thing is exquisite. I plan to shadow box it for her room after her spring recital is over.
After getting her dressed, we headed to our seats to wait for the show to begin. It was a very small recital for the youngest dancers in the studio. The four year olds and up all do a big production of The Nutcracker at a local high school the weekend prior to the younger girls' recital.
After watching a small piece preformed by three of the older students, it was time for Ava to make her debut. She climbed up onto the stage and prepared to take her spot. She made her way over only to find another dancer mistakenly standing there. Now, if you know Ava, she is very particular about things being exactly right. She immediately realized her friend was in her spot. She lets out this giant whine that I hear over and over throughout any given day. I was so afraid the next level of frustration would be soon to follow. Meaning, she would begin to sob about her spot being taken. I quickly shot her a "Oh, don't you dare even think about crying!" look as her dance teacher quickly rushed over to diffuse the situation by directing the girls to their correct spot.
Finally, they began their dance. It started as you would expect first-time little dancers to react when forced onto a stage in front of a hundred staring audience members. Girls missed their cues and forgot choreography. At one point, the girls pair up with one another. Ava's partner turned to the wrong person, though, leaving her all alone. I almost broke down in tears seeing her standing there because I knew she was really upset that the other dancer messed her up. I thought she was about to lose it, too. Suddenly, the other dancer that had been left all alone ran over to pair up with her. Whew...disaster averted!
The rest of the dance went off with your typical recital mishaps. Girls still distracted, falling, etc. It was about as precious as it gets with them.
Here is the video of the entire thing! She is the third from the left if you can't tell.
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