Z is up early this morning. Before that magical time of 8:00 when I have told them they can leave their rooms this summer. The girls know me. They know that trying to interact with Mommy before she has had at least 10 minutes of quiet time downstairs and a gallon or two of coffee isn't a good idea. Z is still learning that. But he has learned quickly that telling us he had a bad dream usually passes as an excuse for that early departure from his room. And so I forgave the 7:58 foray into my domain. Never mind the fact that I had heard him moving around for at least 15 minutes so am pretty sure that there was indeed no bad dream unless it was the fear of me without coffee.
I'm out the door soon for a doctor appointment, so I asked him what he wanted to eat instead of putting it off in hopes that my own personal chef will appear at the front door. Waffles, mommy? No but we have french toast. The kind of oatmeal that comes in packets? No but we have the packets Mommy made. Dejectedly, he settled on an English muffin with both honey and cinnamon sugar. A recipe invented by my husband. Because who doesn't need both sugar and honey first thing in the morning?
You see, the kids are still adjusting to a few changes here. A few months ago I decided to take more control over what we are eating. And that includes trying to make more food here instead of buying the convenience food at the grocery store. So frozen waffles that come in a box are gone. So are pre-flavored oatmeal packages. I spend a good part of my life now making pancakes, waffles, or french toast sticks in the middle of the afternoon so I can freeze them. The oatmeal packets? Actually not so bad since I get to use my food processor. Kevin fears the food processor. Something about it being a trip to the ER waiting to happen. So I'm not the safest cook around.
But the kids still aren't on board. They ask when I'm going to stop feeding them healthy breakfasts. They want to go back to all of the foods that boast that they are fortified with vitamins and minerals. They want the advertising. They want the simpler time back when you opened the freezer and there were two or three boxes of waffles to choose from. And when I'm elbow deep in flour this afternoon making waffles, I probably will too. And I'm trying to stay away from that recipe for English Muffin bread I found.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
It's Not Easy Being Green
I don't like to clean. I do enjoy the satisfaction of having a clean house, though (maybe because it's a novelty around here), so I'm trying really hard this summer. And I have been inspired by a friend to make Mondays my official cleaning day. And, of course, because I go into any project full throttle (and then typically abandon the project--my house if full of half finished projects), I researched cleaning lists so I could have the best list possible. Just a little type A--not very much at all really.
And then I went completely overboard. I decided that I wouldn't just clean on Mondays. I would clean GREEN on Mondays. I've mixed more chemicals, albeit natural chemicals, than I did in chemistry class. And the results have been much worse. The all natural floor cleaner? I'm not sure what kind of reaction it is exactly but it definitely produces heat. One of these weeks it is going to melt a hole in the plastic squirt bottle. The not so BPA free plastic squirt bottle. I searched and searched for something without BPA but evidently people are only concerned about the chemicals used in their drinking implements not their cleaning supplies. I do have to say, though, that the floor shines for about 10 minutes after I finish. You know, those 10 minutes until the kids all come running inside with dirt all over their shoes.
The all purpose cleaner? Not so much. Maybe I should have stuck with just the vinegar and water. But I tried the recipe with baking soda too. And while any kid who has ever made a volcano for the science fair can tell you what happens when you mix vinegar and baking soda, when you add water you get a slightly different reaction. One in which the baking soda doesn't so much dissolve as it stays gritty. And, of course, that grit is not a good look for the bathroom mirrors. And not a good feel for the counters.
So I've gone back to the good old fashioned cleaners that make my hands feel like the skin is going to peel off at any minute. And that have all sorts of warnings about using them in well ventilated areas.
But evidently I haven't quite learned my lesson. Because making homemade floam is on my list of things to do with the kids this week.
And then I went completely overboard. I decided that I wouldn't just clean on Mondays. I would clean GREEN on Mondays. I've mixed more chemicals, albeit natural chemicals, than I did in chemistry class. And the results have been much worse. The all natural floor cleaner? I'm not sure what kind of reaction it is exactly but it definitely produces heat. One of these weeks it is going to melt a hole in the plastic squirt bottle. The not so BPA free plastic squirt bottle. I searched and searched for something without BPA but evidently people are only concerned about the chemicals used in their drinking implements not their cleaning supplies. I do have to say, though, that the floor shines for about 10 minutes after I finish. You know, those 10 minutes until the kids all come running inside with dirt all over their shoes.
The all purpose cleaner? Not so much. Maybe I should have stuck with just the vinegar and water. But I tried the recipe with baking soda too. And while any kid who has ever made a volcano for the science fair can tell you what happens when you mix vinegar and baking soda, when you add water you get a slightly different reaction. One in which the baking soda doesn't so much dissolve as it stays gritty. And, of course, that grit is not a good look for the bathroom mirrors. And not a good feel for the counters.
So I've gone back to the good old fashioned cleaners that make my hands feel like the skin is going to peel off at any minute. And that have all sorts of warnings about using them in well ventilated areas.
But evidently I haven't quite learned my lesson. Because making homemade floam is on my list of things to do with the kids this week.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Not Quite What I Had in Mind
Those who know me well know that I love to plan things. There are times when it is not a positive trait. But even Kevin admits that my obsession with research comes in handy when we travel. Well, he doesn't complain about it as much.
I am determined to expose the kids to different and unique experiences--especially when we travel. I dig through websites, travel guides, and more in an attempt to find things that we will all enjoy. And, with any luck, the kids will learn something along the way.
But in many ways I am all about the experience. The experiences are what I remember from vacations I took with my family when I was young. Stopping at a fruit stand along the side of the road (definitely not an interstate) and eating fresh peaches that my grandpa sliced with his pocketknife. Taking a train up Mount Washington in New Hampshire. And years later, my father driving up the same mountain in the family station wagon and then the overheating brakes as we had to go down the mountain. And those are the types of things I want my kids to remember.
So last summer when we went to Kentucky I found an old fashioned soda fountain where we had lunch one day. The girls still talk about how much fun it was. I've found a similar place for us to eat this summer when we're on vacation. But I was looking for more. And I think I've found it. We're renting a townhouse on one of the sea islands in South Carolina. So crabbing seemed like a great idea. I had a vague idea of what we would need. A net. Some lead weights. String. Chicken necks for bait. I was fine with all of this. Chicken necks seem lot easier to handle than the worms when we went fishing a couple of weeks ago.
But tonight I found more detailed instructions. And evidently the chicken necks (or parts as the instructions called them) should be hot and stinky. That just has me written all over it. Because nothing says a good time like hot stinky chicken parts.
Maybe I'll rethink our plans.
I am determined to expose the kids to different and unique experiences--especially when we travel. I dig through websites, travel guides, and more in an attempt to find things that we will all enjoy. And, with any luck, the kids will learn something along the way.
But in many ways I am all about the experience. The experiences are what I remember from vacations I took with my family when I was young. Stopping at a fruit stand along the side of the road (definitely not an interstate) and eating fresh peaches that my grandpa sliced with his pocketknife. Taking a train up Mount Washington in New Hampshire. And years later, my father driving up the same mountain in the family station wagon and then the overheating brakes as we had to go down the mountain. And those are the types of things I want my kids to remember.
So last summer when we went to Kentucky I found an old fashioned soda fountain where we had lunch one day. The girls still talk about how much fun it was. I've found a similar place for us to eat this summer when we're on vacation. But I was looking for more. And I think I've found it. We're renting a townhouse on one of the sea islands in South Carolina. So crabbing seemed like a great idea. I had a vague idea of what we would need. A net. Some lead weights. String. Chicken necks for bait. I was fine with all of this. Chicken necks seem lot easier to handle than the worms when we went fishing a couple of weeks ago.
But tonight I found more detailed instructions. And evidently the chicken necks (or parts as the instructions called them) should be hot and stinky. That just has me written all over it. Because nothing says a good time like hot stinky chicken parts.
Maybe I'll rethink our plans.
Battle of the Sexes
Yesterday was grocery shopping day. Let me be up front and say that grocery shopping is not my favorite thing to do. But my family seems to think that part of my job description is providing dinner every night, so I grocery shop. After looking at the various ads, I contemplated going to all four of my regular stores. But then I decided I was crazy. The kids are home from school for the summer. What person in their right mind takes three kids to four different grocery stores in one day? So instead I set my sights on three stores. Because that would be so much easier than four stores.
I pulled out the ad for Meijer and checked for coupons. Almost two hours and various interruptions from the children later (the third Wii remote was hidden under a book--evidently they don't teach complex searching strategies at school until third grade), we pulled out of the driveway armed with my reusable bags and the coupons. Z seemed to think that he needed to entertain all of the other customers by singing and dancing through the middle of the aisles. They were definitely not entertained as they zigged and zagged around song and dance boy. But, all in all, the trip was a success. And we saved twenty-six percent. Not too bad.
After lunch, we headed to the gourmet grocery store. It shows up on my credit card statement with the words "and Spa" as part of the name. Seriously. Because nothing says spa like a big slab of baby back ribs and free samples of bean dip and chips. But they're giving away a free loaf of bread every week at least through the end of September. Plus they have the best produce in the area, and my kids eat an insane amount of fruit. (Vegetables not so much.) Evidently I had failed to feed my children enough for lunch because they were scrounging for every sample chip crumb that they could find. And we won't talk about the checkout experience. How many weeks in a row do I have to tell the girls where to stand while I'm paying? I admit that the checkout area is not designed well, but the four-year-old has grasped the concept. Why can't the eight-year-olds?
More coupon clipping and list making later, M and I headed off to Kroger after dinner. Where they were out of a couple of things on my list. But after searching the entire store, I found what I am convinced was the last bag of Chocolate Quaker Quakes in the store. Maybe in all of Southeast Michigan. Happy with my Quake tracking skills, we headed to the front of the store and saved 48%. I was thrilled. M was thrilled. We were quite proud of ourselves and dreamed of our triumphant return home.
Our dreams quickly ended when we got home. Kevin looked at the receipt and informed me that I was only 2 percent away from saving 50%. Because he's smart at math that way.
Of course, our shopping wasn't over for the day because M came downstairs around 9:50 complaining of a leg ache. We were out of Children's Motrin because the only thing we go through more of than fruit in this house is Children's Motrin. So off Kevin went to hunt and gather for his family. And he came back with two bottles. Because it was Buy One Get One Free.
And with that, he had beaten me for the day. He suggested I frame his 50% off receipt as proof of his shopping superiority. Let's just say that isn't going to happen anytime soon.
I pulled out the ad for Meijer and checked for coupons. Almost two hours and various interruptions from the children later (the third Wii remote was hidden under a book--evidently they don't teach complex searching strategies at school until third grade), we pulled out of the driveway armed with my reusable bags and the coupons. Z seemed to think that he needed to entertain all of the other customers by singing and dancing through the middle of the aisles. They were definitely not entertained as they zigged and zagged around song and dance boy. But, all in all, the trip was a success. And we saved twenty-six percent. Not too bad.
After lunch, we headed to the gourmet grocery store. It shows up on my credit card statement with the words "and Spa" as part of the name. Seriously. Because nothing says spa like a big slab of baby back ribs and free samples of bean dip and chips. But they're giving away a free loaf of bread every week at least through the end of September. Plus they have the best produce in the area, and my kids eat an insane amount of fruit. (Vegetables not so much.) Evidently I had failed to feed my children enough for lunch because they were scrounging for every sample chip crumb that they could find. And we won't talk about the checkout experience. How many weeks in a row do I have to tell the girls where to stand while I'm paying? I admit that the checkout area is not designed well, but the four-year-old has grasped the concept. Why can't the eight-year-olds?
More coupon clipping and list making later, M and I headed off to Kroger after dinner. Where they were out of a couple of things on my list. But after searching the entire store, I found what I am convinced was the last bag of Chocolate Quaker Quakes in the store. Maybe in all of Southeast Michigan. Happy with my Quake tracking skills, we headed to the front of the store and saved 48%. I was thrilled. M was thrilled. We were quite proud of ourselves and dreamed of our triumphant return home.
Our dreams quickly ended when we got home. Kevin looked at the receipt and informed me that I was only 2 percent away from saving 50%. Because he's smart at math that way.
Of course, our shopping wasn't over for the day because M came downstairs around 9:50 complaining of a leg ache. We were out of Children's Motrin because the only thing we go through more of than fruit in this house is Children's Motrin. So off Kevin went to hunt and gather for his family. And he came back with two bottles. Because it was Buy One Get One Free.
And with that, he had beaten me for the day. He suggested I frame his 50% off receipt as proof of his shopping superiority. Let's just say that isn't going to happen anytime soon.
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