My Guilty Pleasure

I have a confession to make. I recently had a moment of clarity, a moment of self-realization. It happened while multi-tasking: doing the dishes and watching Hannah Montana. (I can't believe I am admitting this.) I got goose bumps when she started singing. My mind said, "how corny," but apparently some part of me was in disagreement. I found myself asking, "do I like Hannah Montana?"
I let this train of thought proceed, and rapidly, the following thoughts enter my mind:
- The song I have stuck in my head lately is 'Here We Go Again' by Demi Lovato. I stop everything when the video comes on... (and I don't EVER listen to pop music unless it's on at the gym.)
- I would rather watch "Witches of Waverly Place" than any other show and one day I thought it would be fun to BE Selena Gomez!
- Aaaah. I get goosebumps every time I hear Troy and Gabriella sing!
- Oh my goodness. I am even starting to think the Jonas Brothers are getting cuter.

It's official. There is no other explanation. My name is Heather and I am a Disney Channel Junkie!!! What may be worse... I think the shows are probably too old for my girls, but we watch them any way. Why? To feed my own DC habit! Sick. I've GOT to kick this.

Our Little Martha

We made some cookies last Friday to take to a picnic. (As an aside, the cookies never made it to the picnic.... it was their own fault though, they were too good.)
Here is the tutorial on how to make "Coconut Clouds" by my own little Martha Stewart. (After we were shooting, I told Nat she was like Martha. Nat said, "Martha is a good cooker. We should make her a card to tell her she is a good cooker." I think that's a great idea =)

Thrown For a Loop

Well, John and I are both feeling like ships lost at sea.

John is a planner. He likes to know things and plan for things and keep moving forward. Lately, we've been thrown a few curve balls. We are moving and have been trying to look at houses from 5 hours away. We finally picked a region where he would like to be transferred and focused our efforts there. We just found out that he is NOT getting that region. He is being stationed in his second choice. The second choice is OK, but just ... well, it has a whole other set of issues and well, ...(sigh)... it was just NOT our first choice.

We tried to get used to the idea this weekend. What else can we do? right? We've tried to look on the bright side of things. Then, we checked out a house his sister found out about. It is in a pretty good location and is in the region he'll be working in. It is 60 acres, a decent house, and free gas, priced at $160K. (No, not a typo.) We couldn't get a hold of the sellers, so we drove by and looked in the windows. John tried again and again to get a hold of them all weekend. He REALLY wanted that land. REALLY REALLY.

Finally, he made his sister go to the seller's home last night. She found out that the property already has a sales agreement. Ugh. John was pretty devastated. I didn't know how upset he was, until he came home early from the gym. He had a sick look on his face. He couldn't even finish his work-out and just had to come home. Poor thing. He could finally see the culmination of his goals for the last 20 years coming into place and WHAM!

He is feeling a little better this morning. "It's out of my hands," he said. I just keep trying to tell him... tell US... that God has something worked out for us and this, apparently, was not it. We just have to keep believing.

Oh, the Joys of Having Large Dogs

Well, here is my latest wound. The girls, Jazzy and I were catching fire flies in the dog park with some other kids. I had just latched Jaz back to her leash so we could go home when I stopped to talk to another mom. Unbeknownst to me, another dog and owner were approaching the dog park. Jazzy noticed though, and off she went, spinning me in a circle and about knocking me off of my feet. I was totally caught off guard and very unnerved. I felt like it was a miracle I hadn't broken my back or neck. I was worried I had really hurt myself. Ugh. After pausing for a minute to make sure I could still stand, I got the girls together and got out of there. I, of course, had to carry Julsie and she, of course, had to wriggle around in my arms complaining of a shoe problem. First, I stopped to fix it. Next, I just took them off. Still, the screaming wouldn't stop. I got inside, threw everyone in bed immediately (still screaming) and jumped in myself. After all of the chaos, John woke up, consoled Nat and got me some ibuprofen. When I woke up in the morning, I was pleasantly surprised with only sore shoulders and minor back pain. Once I sat down, I noticed THIS lovely calling card. This was done by the leash, through a big pair of John's sweatpants. Can you imagine if this had been my bare leg? Oh yeah, that's right, I can. I had one of these on my opposite leg (bare skin) two years ago from Si. I've got to learn to let go of the leash, 'eh?

Fun with Friends at Hershey Gardens

Last week we spent a lovely day with our friends, Kylee and Lexi, at Hershey Gardens. There are so many beautiful photo-ops there, so I have a ton of pics for you. I just couldn't help it. I am not the best at laying these blogs out, so I'll just describe each pic briefly, beginning at the top left.

#1 Ky and Nat - good buds. #2 A view from inside the butterfly house

#3 Our picnic lunch under a little mushroom-like tree, complete with a darling little table

#4 My Jules #5 Nat and Ky in the "Indian House." Ky gave us all a very thorough lesson on the American Indians while we were there - where they slept, where they sat, what they cooked with - very informative.

#6 The whole pink-wearin' gang in the rose gardens.

Outdoor Evening

Last Wednesday, the whole family headed to Memorial Lake State Park. We took Jazzy swimming and grilled burgers. It was a nice and relaxing evening just hanging out as a family. We played in the sandbox and swung on the swings too. Here are a couple random pics and a short video. I'm still learning how to use it and seem to always miss the best parts of what they are doing. Like on this one, I missed most of Nat's song. I figured I'd post it anyway because many of you haven't seen Jules run... or be a stinker!

Mommy Movie Review

There is a movie that I LOVE. I've told a few people about it, and in each case, they had never heard of it! That experience got me thinking, I don't have a TON of time to watch movies, but when I do, I don't want it to be a "stinker." So here is my idea. We (you and I) will post about good and bad movies we've seen - movies for moms, kids, families. Yes, I want to hear about movies from YOU! To get your movie review posted, just leave me a comment or send me an email. I'll put up your "guest post" for everyone to read too! Oh, and be sure to leave comments on what YOU think about the movies reviewed here (like, "she's crazy that one stinks!) I'll start.

Here is my GREAT movie: Disney's "Meet the Robinson's"

This is a wonderful family movie that everyone can enjoy. You DO have to pay a little attention though to get the most out of it. It is fast paced and you'll miss a lot of the elements of the plot, not to mention the absolutely hilarious little jokes placed throughout.

The main character is a super smart orphan boy named Lewis who, after much disappointment, has become disenchanted with the idea of becoming adopted. He attempts to "invent" a way to solve his problem by looking into his past when something gets in the way. We follow him on a wild ride into the future where he learns what family really is. It is a heart-warming story that isn't "mushy." It's full of many surprises that keep it fresh and exciting. The final twist is a great one! I've watched it 10 times and could watch it 100 more.

You May Be Starving Your Children If....

...you find your eldest has raided the refrigerator and she is discovered gnawing on a raw zucchini.... with fervor. (After finishing what she wanted here, she decided to make herself a hot dog bun ... JUST the bun... with ketchup and mustard.)
Hey wait, or maybe it's just something with my kids and summer squash. You see, the youngest picked up a yellow squash at the grocery store last week and sunk her teeth right in.

My Stinky Night

The girls and I hit the $2 movies on Saturday night. Beforehand, we ran a few errands ... and ran into a few snags.

Snag 1 - Jules poops in her diap as we walk into Michael's.
Snag 2 - I go to change her and realize my diaper cache is empty, but I know there are some in the car. Unadvisedly, instead of wrestling the kids to the car and back, I decide to risk it. I de-diaper her and let her go "commando."
Snag 3 - No SOAP! Although I rinse with water and use a baby wipe, I can't get the poo smell off of my hands - Yuck! I'm not even exaggerating.
Snag 4 - (a direct ramification of Snag 2) Jules pees all over the floor near the check out while Nat and I are contemplating the snack we should smuggle into the movies. I don't mention the "accident" to anyone and simply clean it up with my stash of diaper wipes which were, unlike my diapers, actually in my purse.
Un-snag 1!! Yay! : I get Jules to the car and my spare diapers and clothes are exactly where they should be.
Un-snag 2: We hit the bathroom at the movie theatre immediately and there is soap! We finally get the poo smell off of our hands.
Un-snag 3: We enjoy the movie and eat TWO (2) Jumbo popcorns!!
Snag 5: Nat forgets her bear at the theatre and we have to go back to get it.
Un-snag 4: It's there!
Snag 6: We come home and are immediately confronted with a terrible stench. I am afraid, and I run to take out the garbage, hoping that's what it is. No such luck. To my dismay, I see that Jazzy has gone diarrhea in her kennel. (Luckily it's only in her cage and not the carpet or walls). I give her a bath outside and bleach the kennel floor as it begins to rain and lightning is seen in the near skies. I do get inside just before it pours.
Snag 7: Nat decides to go potty in the training toilet seat instead of the regular toilet. You guessed it, #2. And I had to empty it, wipe the #2 from the bowl and sanitize. Ugh.
Snag 8: One more poopy diaper for Jules.
Snag 9: Nat spills an entire bowl of oatmeal on the floor. Between the Sham-wow and Jazzy, we cleaned it up pretty easily --- and at least that didn't stink.

Which is More Ridiculous?

-That it is now 13 days past the state budget deadline
OR
-That in his 7 year tenure as Governor, Rendell has NEVER passed a complete budget on time

I'm sorry, apparently the state education system is in the gutter because even our highest elected officials can't remember that July is the month immediately following June. Otherwise, they could have seen this coming, right?

-That while prospects for resolution are still dismal, the legislature has taken off the last 2 weekends
OR
- That a House of Reps member said in reference to his state car "my girlfriend usually drives this car."

I think I know where we could trim a few dollars off the budget.

- That PA state employees including State Troopers, corrections officers, etc. have been working for "free" since July 1, and will receive no paychecks beginnning on July 17th
OR
- That inmates in State prison will continue to be paid for their "important work," while the guards watching them will not.

Isn't there just something philosophically wrong with that? Check out this article to read some of the statements made by the Gov's office and DOC about this situation. Ask yourself what their statements say about the non-incarcerated prison staff. Oh, and do you believe their paychecks are their only source of cash? Kind of blows holes in their theories.

One last fact for you to chew on: The state deficit is $3.2 Billion dollars. That's $3,200,000,000.00, or $8,760,000.00 per day, or $365,300.00 per hour.

Finally, check out this article about the budget and how state employees are "held hostage" in order to get pet projects funded.

Lake Tobias

Well, we finally made our first trip to Lake Tobias. We had a great time. For those of you not from the area, it is a wildlife park. There are TONS of animals there including lions, tigers and bears (oh my!). There are monkeys, fish, ostrich, capybara, a reptile show, camels,... a petting zoo, and I could go on.

The best thing about it was the affordability. It only cost $4 a person to get in (under 3 is free). Then, to take the safari ride, it is another $5 a person. We got a whole day of fun for four for only $27!

The other best part was the safari ride. We rode in a topless bus =) and were able to pet lots of big animals. My favorites were probably the elk. We made fast friends with one in particular. He stayed with us the entire stop. He must have known we were "elk people." Either that, or everyone else was a little timid with the crackers at first. Even the girls hand-fed this gentle giant. Well, here, see for yourself.

On the way back home, we hit up the 3B Dairy Isle for some GIANT cones. (check out Nat's "kids cone") Mmm. The perfect ending to a great day!

New Element to the Blog!

If you didn't notice already, there is a new "gadget" on the right. It's a slideshow! Sometimes I just have random pics I'd like to share, but don't have a story to go with them. Now, you can check them out here!
If you want to see larger pics, I think you can click on it and see it in full screen. Hope you like it=)

Dimple Dilemma

So, around the second week of June, Julsie got a black eye/cheek. She was following Nat from the kitchen to the living room when she tripped and face-planted into the arm of the couch.
She immediately burst into heavy tears. I could tell it really hurt so I quickly retrieved a juice box from the freezer to "ice" it.
The next morning she woke up with a swollen eye, but it looked better as the day went on. I was feeling pretty good about it, but soon she started to get a black eye and cheek and every morning when she woke up, her eye would be swollen again. :( Here are a few pics of it in the yellow-green stage. (her left eye)









Finally, it all went away.... or so I thought. Then, just about a week ago I noticed a new facial feature when she smiled - a dimple! How cute! My daughter is suddenly getting dimples. Well,... wait... just one. Upon further inspection, I realized that the "dimple" hurt to the touch. Uh oh. There's actually a big lump under the skin and when she smiles, it creates a dimpling look. The area is a little off-color too.
John wanted me to take her to the doctor, but I doubt they could do anything. Hmm. I think I'll just wait and see if it dissipates on it's own. What do you think? Any advice?

Yes, I Was "That Lady"

You know, that "Lady" you get behind at the grocery store checkout that clogs up the works and makes you late to your important event?

After much preparation, I hit Weis Markets to use my $10 off $50 coupon. With both girls in tow, we maneuver our way through the store... again and again as I am not familiar with it's layout. We finally get everything on the list and go to the checkout. Then, it hits me. I don't have my regular wallet. From vacation, it's still with John's purse... I mean, "bail-out bag." I have another wallet with me, but I don't have my Weis card! I tell the cashier and she lets me use the store card. phew. Disaster averted. Or so I thought.

I hand her my $25 in coupons and as I go to pay, I grab a card from my wallet and swipe it. I wait. Huh. It says the card isn't valid! Oh no! I had accidentally swiped my AAA membership card! Oops! How silly of me.

I pick out a real credit card from my wallet. Now, my usual credit cards are in my "regular" wallet. In this wallet is my first and oldest card from '98. I haven't used it in a while because it gives no perks, but I keep it just because it's so old. Anyway, I take it out and it still has the sticker on it with the authorization phone number. Uh oh. I swipe it and IT doesn't work. Apparently I never did call to authorize my last version. By now, there are 2 other people in line behind me, clearly wishing they had picked another lane and presumably thinking that I am some penniless person with credit problems and some sordid story - likely including domestic violence and illegitimate children.

"I have my debit card number memorized. Can I give that to you?" By now, a customer service person was there. "No, sorry, we're not allowed to do that." I explain where my real card is and she says, "well, we could hold your order here for you and you could run home, get your card and come back." "Hmmm. Ok."

Just then, the lady behind me offers to PAY for me and I could just send her a check. (How nice was that... really nice or she had a really hot date waiting for her.) "That's ok," I said. I am ready to pack up and it hits me once she said "check"; "Can I use a check?" "Yes!" says the cashier. "Personal checks? You can take a personal check?" "Yes," she says. "Oh thank goodness, I have my checks."

So, I write out a check, relieved this is all over. "Can you swipe your driver's license?" OH NO! "I don't have my license. It's in my real wallet.... I know the number though." She tries to type in my number, but it just won't work. Just then, a manager-type man comes up and says, "let me take her over here." "Well, she's paying with a check now and..." "I know," says the manager, "but you should have been off 10 minutes ago." So, like a child going to the principal's office, I follow the man. I get to his station and hold my head in my hands. I can't believe this. I explain to him that I don't have my license and that I know the number, but it wouldn't work.

Luckily, he put me out of my misery. He remembered to type in the "PA" before my DL#, unlike the poor cashier - who I had probably stressed so much that she forgot. Finally, it went through. I apologized profusely and was on my way.

I spent $56.00, saved $30 and paid $26. After all that... I ask myself, was it really worth it.

Tip Tappin' Away

Here is Nat on her very first day of tap class. She was very apprehensive about it .... until I brought out her tights and leotard. Once she donned the outfit, she was ready to go. As you can see, Jules had to get on a leotard too and was all ready to dance. Poor thing. I felt so bad she couldn't come and she cried as we left.

I think Nat had a lot of fun. She was worried that her skipping skills weren't up to par, but I tried to convince her that she would get better and better if she just kept trying.

I LOVE dance and hope she enjoys the experience enough to do some sort of dance again in the fall.

Oooooh and Aaaaah

Hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July festivities. We did. John worked 12 hours yesterday, but as soon as he got home we got ourselves together and went to Sunset Park in Londonderry Twp. The 257th Army Band, "The Band of America's Capital," performed and was followed by a fireworks show.
We came prepared with snacks, a big blanket, and extra warm clothes for the girls. While I was wishing I had brought myself a sweatshirt or something, the girls, of course, wanted no part of their warm clothes. But like any good mother - I forced them. =)
We enjoyed our snacks.... in the first 30 minutes of being there =) We just can't help ourselves. If food is in front of us, we eat it like we may never eat again. At one point, John said, "have you noticed anyone else feeding their faces since the moment they sat down? I mean, other than anyone in our family?"
Sometimes he cracks me up. I looked over and saw a large rectangle in the grass, about 8ft by 20ft. It was filled with pea gravel, tamped down tight. I said, "what is that thing? I mean what's it for?" John said, "I don't know, but it must be filled with gators because no one will set foot in it."

Anyway, back to our story. So finally, the fireworks begin and Julsie says her first full sentence "I wanna go home." For the entire show, she sat cradled in John's arms and would not remove her hands from her eyes. Poor girl.

So, as the show was going on, I commented on something I had noticed a few year back. Do you remember, how when we were little kids, everyone oooohed and aaahed at the fireworks? Back then, each fire work was set off individually, until the Grand Finale, of course ... which is what made it so special. But as each firework exploded in the night sky the entire crowd would, spontaneously and in unison, say "oooooh" and at the cue of the next bang, say "aaaaah."

I loved the synchronized "ooohs and aaaahs." It made you feel like part of something, like this entire group of strangers and you had something in common. This wave-like, rocking chorus of "ooohs and aaahs" made the fireworks extra fun.

But have you noticed? No one ooohs and aaahs anymore! It's so sad to me. I tried to personally bring it back last night, but not even my own family was catching on. Maybe its because the rapid succession of fireworks now comprising the main part of the show, comparable to our old Grand Finale, simply doesn't allow for it. Maybe it's because, as one kid so eloquently yelled out in a moment of silence, "hey it's just like Dutch Wonderland." The 4th used to be the one and only time of the year I saw fireworks. Now, you can see 'em almost every Saturday night at Hershey Park and like anything, if you start indulging in something "special" every day, it's just not special anymore.

Poopy, Puppy

Poopy:

As the trip got underway, Nat was having problems with her underwear. More specifically, she was having bowel issues resulting in trouble with her underwear. (Good thing I packed plenty

for her... and hey, it happens to lots of people when they are on vacation... different food, new surroundings). I know, TMI, but this next part is cute.

So, we were in the bathroom stall at a restaurant for the third time that night. In her dramatic, yet despondent style, "I've had it with this.... I've NEVER had a life like this."

_____________________

Puppy:

The girls loved swimming in the pool with their new water rings. Both girls are getting more comfortable in the water and both thought they could swim. Jules was so convinced, that while I stood 6 inches away, helping Nat, she stepped right off of the second step and was submerged.

Nat was "swimming" much better. We held onto her bathing suit and helped her go, practicing some "doggy paddling." Jules, wanting to be just like her sister, would "doggy paddle" too. While in her ring, she would begin to kick her legs hard, stick out her tongue and pant. "heh heh heh"

Scary, Wary

Scary:

On coming into the hotel via a side door after dinner, John noticed a small frog on the glass. He, of course, loving frogs and being an animal guy, pointed them out to the girls who were less than thrilled. Then he pointed out another and another! By now, Nat was sooo scared, which made Julsie start to cry too. Ugh. Daddy continued to stand outside the door, attempting to convince the girls that the frogs were great. They weren't buyin' it. By now, the thought of going past/under those frogs to get inside completely terrified Nat. We had to force her and we all ran inside together. Once inside, she just let out all her fear and cried and jumped and screamed.... did I mention it was around 10 pm?

She was supposed to sleep with mommy that night, but Jules was now super tired and cranky and just had to cuddle with mama until she fell asleep. This left Natty in daddy's bed.

"Daddy, I don't want to sleep with you."

"You don't? Why?" (they had been fighting to sleep w/ daddy all week)

"You're too scary."

"I'm too scary?"

"Yeah."

"Why? how did I scare you today?"

"Your toes." (After coming in from the frog incident, he had sneakily tickled her with his toes, pretending he was a frog.)

"My toes? And what else?"

"The frogs."

"The frogs?.... Yes and what else?" ... silence.... "what did I put on you today at the store?"

"A snake." (You see, earlier in the day, while at the check-out, he slipped a fake plastic snake on her and she screamed bloody murder right in the store. I, of course, was not nearby or that would not have happened. )

"Well Nat, you make a pretty good case, I guess I do scare you a lot."

____________________________________________

Wary:

While enjoying a perfect evening on the patio of a Mexican restaurant, commenting on the lack of flying bugs, perfect temperature and joy of eating outside (when you aren't the one hauling everything out and back in), I see ... well, it was either a big roach or a giant beetle. Yuck! I didn't mention it because I didn't want anyone to flip. I really wanted my cheesy, spicy enchilada, and the bug was headed in the other direction.

About 10 minutes later, I see John staring (uncharacteristic of him), at the next table. They notice it too and look back at him. He says something and I see her jump up and sit in a chair on the other side of the table. Apparently, he had noticed the bug near her foot... and told her.

Luckily we stayed and I got my enchilada, but Nat spent the entire meal crouched on a chair on the other side of the table just to be safe.

Luckily??? Well, maybe not so luckily. I loved the food, but the waitress accidentally spilled an entire 20 oz glass of ice water on our table. Very unluckily, we were sitting at the only outdoor table topped completely with grating. (The others had a plexi-glass top.) The freezing water drenched my jeans from knee down and got John too. The waitress had no idea. She just was worried about wiping up the table and kept asking if our food had gotten wet. It was funny and neither of us were upset enough about it to tell her. I mean really, what could she do? We just had to drip dry. Too funny. - Didn't ruin our night!

(Accidental) Pun Fun

We got a GPS just before we left. We desperately need it. I shamefully admit that EVERY time we drive back to NW PA we take a wrong turn around St. College. I know. We've made the trip 100 times and it's amazing we still mess it up =) Anyway, this was the GPS's maiden voyage and we were just getting used to it.

Wait 2 questions for you:

1. Does anyone know if you can blow up a GPS by making it re-calculate every nanosecond (flipping U-eys, circling gas pumps, and in parking lots and such)?

2. Does anyone else call it a "She"? because I totally do and John made fun of me for it.... then he called it a she =)

But I digress - back to business

At one point, near the end of vacation, Ms. GPS came out with a novel phrase (to us): "Turn Right Sharply." John and I both looked at each other. "That's funny," I said, "I haven't heard her say that one before." Then imitating Ms. G, "turn right sharply." Natalie chimed in, "haha that is funny. She must have thought we were shopping for pencils."

Back from the Beach

Well, we've been back from vacation since late Sunday. My refrigerator is no longer empty and my laundry was done on our first day back thanks to John's help. (...without even being asked. Yeah, I totally almost fell over too.)

It took us about 4 or 5 hours longer to get home than our GPS said. We detoured through Strasburg, VA to see an old friend and visited for a little while. We also made frequent stops. The girls are completely in love with McDonald's burgers and sundaes. Every time Jules sees the sign, "burger, burger." =) If you look closely, you can see the hot fudge mustaches in these photos.

The vacation was great, the hotel was beautiful and we ate out for dinner and breakfast each day. (That's probably the best part for a mom... no cooking! no clean-up!) We totally indulged and broke our pre-beach clean eating trend with pleasure. We had ice cream and pancakes and steaks and burgers and cheesy Mexican... mmm. Finally, to complete the food fest, we stopped at Pizza Hut on our way home because as John said, "that's the only thing we haven't splurged on yet." mmm. For dessert we had the cinnamon sticks. As a cinnamon addict, I highly recommend them.

Anyway, we had a great time visiting with our friends Tim and Susan. If you remember, we went to their beach wedding last year. Tim and John were college friends and I met him in '99. Susan is great, a real sweetheart. She even had pink bags (smart color choice) filled with beach toys for each girl when they arrived - big hit. Tim completely hooked us up - the hotel, lifting at Gold's everyday (where John got free smoothies which he now craves daily), parking at the beach. We were spoiled.

The girls loved Tim and Susan. They've been mentioning them every day since we got back. JJ: "Tim... nice.... hug... kiss." She was ready to go back to his house yesterday. =) They don't have any kids yet, but he wants GIRLS badly and I hope he gets them. They will be his little princesses, I can see it now.

We were also lucky to get to see his dog, Cali, one last time. He got her in '99 - the same year John got me =), so we've known her all her life. She is a beautiful, kind and loving Rotweiler. She is an old lady now and has had one leg amputated and is battling cancer. She won't make it much longer, but her 10 years have been filled with love. It's probably a blessing she won't live to see his children because she and her "sister," Sam, have always been his "girls" =)

Anyway, that's the enough sad stuff and the end of the detail portion of the trip. Tune in later for the bloopers.