Weekend trip

I have been gone since Friday evening. Terry, the kids, Lena and I went to my husband's side of the family for our (belated) Christmas gathering. It was a full house. Friday night, on our way up, Terry, the kids and I stopped for supper. We went to Perkins. We had some coupons, and thought it sounded yummy. Caleb really wanted to have the rainbow pancakes. When we ordered, we specified that Caleb is extremely allergic to eggs. We asked that the pancakes be made specially (away from the eggs) on the griddle. Our waitress assured us she would let the chef know, and that he is a great chef, so there should not be an issue. Well, 10 minutes later, the waitress brought us our food. She informed us that as she was grabbing the pancakes, the chef told her that the batter has eggs in it. With all our food sitting in front of us Caleb nearly starving to death she asked if he would like to have something different. I am thinking I would like to give her a swift kick in the booty for waiting until our food was done to tell us there is eggs in the batter I politely told her that he will have a cheeseburger instead. So, Caleb had to sit there watching us eat as he waited. Terry and I gave him bacon and potato wedges. I wasn't all too happy with our waitress or that "great" chef. You would think he would know about the eggs and tell her when she put the order in....HELLO??!!
We got to Terry's Mom and Grandma's around 9. We just settled in for the evening. Saturday, we opened gifts and our stockings. It was a fun morning. We snacked on food all day and I really wasn't super careful with my points allowed each day with Weight Watchers. I will have to do some extra exercising this week and really watch the food choices. We opened gifts with Terry's Grandma and the rest of the clan in the afternoon. Caleb was opening one gift that someone wrapped in a Velveeta box. When Caleb saw the box he said, "I got Macaroni and Cheese!"
We took the kids sledding at a nearby hill Saturday afternoon. Caleb had just woke up from a nap, and he really wasn't ready to go sledding. As we were getting out of the van (at the sledding hill) Caleb said, "Dad, I am not really excited about sledding!" It was so funny. Nathaniel and Terry had a blast. I didn't go sledding down the ice hill, because I prefer the snowy hills. It was fun to watch, though....except this stray dog was there doing as Terry calls, "the Humpty Dumpty." It was nasty....yes, it all started with Nathaniel. He was sliding down on his jacket (laying on his stomach) when the dog went over to him and hopped on to ...ahem....ride him. It was so gross!! Then the stupid dog went over to Terry's little cousin and got on her head!! It was so nasty! We got after that dog, but it just didn't get it!
Saturday night, Terry's brother and his wife, Terry's cousin and his girlfriend, and Terry and I went out for a few hours. It was fun to go out on a date, and be kid-free for awhile. We had a fun time. Sunday morning, we all got up and got ready for church. After church we relaxed for awhile. Then, we had lunch and posed for a few pictures. By 3:00 we were all loaded up and on our way back home. It was a fun weekend, but it is so wonderful to be back home.

I have a few reviews and a few contests this week! I am so excited about so many products out there! Stay tuned! Don't forget to sign up for my Kaboost giveaway! It ends this Thursday!

Don't forget to sign up for my KABOOST contest! Contest ends on Thursday, January 31st!

Make me Proud

I am constantly amazed at how observant Caleb is! We were driving to the cities, and we just entered Saint Paul, when Caleb says, "Dad, are we in Saint Paul now?"

I know I am his mom, and I am a bit biased, but really, THAT IS AMAZING!
So, now, Terry and I tell him every city we drive through. Maybe he will be able to list them all on our bi-weekly drives to the cities.

Madelyn said, "baby" yesterday. When she sits at the computer with me, she looks and giggles at people on the screen. So, yesterday I was showing her pictures of babies. I said baby a few times when *blurt* she said, "baby!"

Tonight, I was looking at some clothes a friend of mine gave to Madelyn, (THANKS Christina!) and there was a onesie in there with a kitty on it. I held up the onesie and said, "look at the kitty...meow!" Well, Madelyn thought this was funny and sputtered a few courtesy laughs. So, I said it a few more times to raise the courtesy laughs to a greater laugh. Then, after I laughed with her a few times, she said, "meow, meow...hee hee." OH my Goodness....she is such a little dolly! She'll be talking in no time! Gotta keep up with her brothers!

13 Things to look forward to~

1. January is almost over: which means, the longest month of winter is almost over. This means super, butt-nipping cold is almost gone.
2. The days are starting to get longer: which means, the daylight hours will be longer=happier people.
3. My babysitting/nanny job is going to be starting into full swing by next week. This will mean my life will get a lot more busy, but I think all in all this will be so good in so many ways.
4. Nathaniel does NOT have school on Friday: which means some great time with my oldest son! I like when he doesn't have to go to school. (I miss having him home during the days).
5. We are going to my husband's side of the family for a Christmas (belated) gathering. It has been awhile since we have been up to Grandma's and I know it will be fun for visiting. Terry's brother's family moved up there recently, so we will get to see their new home, too. Grandma's house is remodeled, too, so it will be fun to see the (much needed) update.
6. I have some super products coming my way to review, and I think you all are in for some treats...HINT, HINT....yes, that means some SUPER contests will be coming your way very soon!
7. I am planning a girl's night sleep-over to happen in February. I loved hosting it last year, and I am SO looking forward to a night with my special girly friends...for laughing, munching, giggling (yes, laughing and giggling are different)...yakking, and maybe sleeping. OK, I know I can't handle staying up all night anymore, so I will be sleeping.
8. Madelyn is starting to say more things, and I am really looking forward to when she is talking. I love this stage she is in, and it just amazes me how much they really know.
9. Speaking of Maddie, she has her first birthday coming up in a month and a half! WOW! I can't believe she was born almost a year ago! Time goes so quickly!
10. In March, my parent's will celebrate 50 years of marriage! That is so wonderful and inspiring! I am so happy for them! It truly is a blessing! Congratulations to my parents!
11. LADIES NIGHT OUT in February. This is such a great night with my girlfriends at our home church. Game night, laughing, yakking, giggling to the point of: (1) tears, (2) rolling on the floor, (3) walking funny all the way to the bathroom before an accident, or (4) spitting a beverage out of your mouth. It is so much fun, and I hope we all can make it!
12. SNOW MELTING!! Need I say more?
13. Spring! Ditto...need I say more?

Time to get more organized!

I would like to send out a BIG Thank You to Angela from Seven Dogs and a Baby for picking me as a winner for the beautiful MomAgenda desktop! I love it, and I really love how it is pink! I have been on such a pink kick lately...(I think it is because I have a girl now)! I am excited to start keeping track of everything I plan. I never needed to write things down before I had kids, but now I must write everything down. Example: 10:00 P.M. Go to bed...

Opps...missed that appointment!

Thanks again, Angela! I am super excited and so appreciative!! You rock!

Kaboost: Review and Giveaway!

I love the new and improved "booster seat" for kids! I get a little nervous with putting a booster seat on chairs. I think of my child falling off, or the booster falling off the chair with my child still in the booster. I love how the KABOOST lifts the chair up to meet the table. This way, my child can sit in the "big person chair" and be able to see their plate. Caleb did not want to sit in the booster seat, and he doesn't fit in the high chair anymore. So, instead of having him stand on his chair or on his knees, the KABOOST was a perfect fit all around. I like that the KABOOST lifts the chair up, and how it saves the seat from the wrath of food. You know, when you lift up the booster seat and find left-overs? EWWW...well, the KABOOST is a better answer to the transition to the "big table". I love how the KABOOST fits most every chair! Using its adjustable spring system, KABOOST easily adjusts to fit most 4-legged chairs (round or square legs). I really like that the KABOOST is portable, too! Here are some great features:

• Compact and lightweight
• Easy to fold and carry
• Perfect for taking to grandparents, friends and restaurants
• Quick & Easy
• Snaps-on chair in seconds
• Engineered to improve chair stability
• Holds up to 300 lbs (Ages 20 mo. to 6 yrs)
• Stays attached even when chair is moved
• Snaps-on chair in seconds
• No assembly required
• Non-slip, won’t scratch floors
• Grips chair legs firmly into place

I completely promote the Kaboost and I think it is a superb product!! Really, I think everyone with kids should have one!

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Guess what? You can buy a Kaboost for $39.95 from a location listed, or you can try to win one from my blog! Kaboost has offered to give a Kaboost to one of my readers! Here are the rules:

1. Go to the Kaboost website : here, and check out this great product.

2. Come back here and tell me (in the comments) how you could benefit from owning a Kaboost.

3. Sign up for my feed for a second entry.

4. Post about this contest on your blog for another entry! Please comment with each try!That is it! Contest will be open until January 31st at 7:00 PM (CST). I will announce the winner sometime on the first of February! This contest is open to addresses in the United States of America. I am sorry that I can't afford shipping everywhere. If you want to pick up the postage, I will mail outside the USA. Thanks for stopping by! Thanks Kaboost for the opportunity to review this great product and for sponsoring the giveaway!

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Don't forget to sign up for my other contests: Valentine's Day giveaway, Compass KidZ, and Twisted Silver. Thanks and good luck! These contests are are apart of Bloggy Giveaways Carnival: Winter '08 Edition!!!

Comments are now closed!

Winner is:

Anonymous who said...
"I think this would be great for any of my last 4 kids! It doesn't take up any extra space, either, so it is perfect!"J.L.B Congratulations!

Contest to check out~

5 Minutes for mom is offering their readers a Red ‘65 Mustang Pedal Car from their store http://www.pedalcarsandretro.com/! I think this is a totally rad car, and I know Caleb would look styling driving this around!! 5 Minutes for Mom has another store, too, called http://www.a-rocking-horse-to-love.com/. I would love to win this car! Unknown of the contest dates.
They are also giving away a Insignia Bluetooth MP3 Player and a pair of Insignia® - Bluetooth Wireless Behind-the-Head Headphones from Best Buy! Contest ends Tuesday, February 5th.

Seven Dogs & a Baby is giving away the devotional book: The Busy Mom's Devotional. This contest will be open until Jan 23rd at midnight! She is also giving away a Glo-e Baby (12") Dog for one lucky reader! I want the very cute monkey! The contest will end Jan 25th at midnight. They are also giving away a (This is me) T.I.M dolls! These dolls are super cute and fun! You have until Jan 28th at midnight to enter!

Momviews is giving away an Lover's Spa kit to bring in the romance! This sounds like a great set including : Edible Massage Oil (175ml), Hand Held Massager Bubble Bath (175ml), Sensual Sea-like Sponge, Coconut Water Scoop, Pleasure Balm, 4 tealight candles, Special Invitation Card, and a Black Satin carry bag. This sounds super! Hurry, contest ends on January 27th.

Our Seven Qtpies is hosting a giveaway for a Groovy Interlocking Plate and Bowl set from Boon!
I would really love to have this plate for my little eater who loves dipping everything! Contest is open until January 31!


*I will add more contests as I find them...

Happy to say

I am so thankful that my children are feeling better! Finally, after a few weeks, we are doing pretty good. Thank you for those prayers that were lifted up for Caleb and Maddie! We all appreciate it! I hope that they can make it until summer without anymore sicknesses, but that is wishful thinking I think. I started babysitting yesterday and it was fun. Their little girl is just precious. I think it will be a fun (and busy) time. Her little daughter was sick the same time as Caleb and Maddie were, and so we needed to wait to start the "nanny" position. I think it will be a good opportunity for Caleb and Madelyn to make a friend, and I hope to become friends with little girlie's mom. It is fun, because we found out that we are in MOPS together. I think all around this job will be rewarding.

And the winner is....

Well, I know there is anticipation as to who the winner is of the Groovy – Interlocking Plate and Bowl Set from Boon! Thank you to everyone who signed up! I had 86 comments! WOW~ I went to Random.org to find out who won, so here are the results:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:26
Timestamp: 2008-01-18 22:01:15 UTC

I would like to congratulate: Lace! I have contacted her with the great news! She got a second entry to this contest by blogging it, and that comment gave her the win! She is Lucky #26! Head over to congratulate her! Thank you, Lace!

Thank You to Boon for sponsoring this giveaway!

Come back next week, I will be doing another review and giveaway!

The hits just keep coming~

We had another long night. I gave Madelyn banana slices for supper, and 10 minutes later she puked them up. Terry gave her baby oatmeal about 30 minutes later. She kept all that down until 2:00 AM. I woke up to her puking all over the two of us, and the bed. I am so ready to be done with this! I really don't want to wake up to her doing that anymore. Spit up is one thing...my milk leaking is one thing...but this is horrendous! So, after her and I took a shower together, she was NOT ready to sleep. I wasn't sure if I should nurse her or not. Terry said I really shouldn't in bed anymore. OH BUT I NEED MY SLEEP~ I do understand, though...I really don't like changing all the bedding in the wee hours of the morning, either. I tried to get her to go back to sleep by nursing and rocking. Every time I laid her in the crib (while she was sleeping) she woke up crying. She was suffering with really bad gas, and I think her little tummy was so bloated and uncomfortable. Finally, I was so tired that I told Terry it was his turn to try getting her to sleep. I feel bad doing that when he has to get up at 4:30 AM for work, but I knew that I needed to get some sleep at this point.
He did get her to sleep, and we both got a little more sleep. Madelyn woke up at 5:00 AM and she did not want to sleep anymore. This is the second day, in a row, with waking up that early! I am not a morning person, so this is not that great for me. Caleb was up at 6:15. I long for a time when I can go to bed...sleep THROUGH the night, and get up when I am ready! OK, I know you are laughing, because it is wishful thinking, right?
Caleb ate breakfast~Oatmeal, and Maddie ate oatmeal, too. She kept her breakfast down, and he had some come back up. ARRRGH...just when I thought he was over it. Both had nasty diapers today, but at least Caleb's is getting some form to it. I know that sounds gross, but I just want them both to super heal, so we can get back to normal. At least both kids are in pretty good spirits (minus the whining). Lately I have thought, 'Really, do I want more kids?'

"Joe Cool"

Next up to bat....

OK, so the kids are still sick. Maddie had a nasty diaper early this morning, and then by 9 she had a humongous blow-out! I learned when you do the "sniff-test" to their little bottoms, to NOT touch your nose to their clothes. Can I get a, "NASTY!!"? Oh, yes, it was quite gross. So, Maddie was on her way to the tub for a bath. After her bath, I was drying her off, when Caleb decided he was to throw up. It was a challenge to hold on to Maddie while getting Caleb to the toilet....then, to proceed to hold his head down with every cough. Oh, the joys of mommy hood. I was just glad that I had Madelyn out of the tub. I think Caleb had a reaction to what I gave him for breakfast (Coco Pebbles). I would like to think the stomach bug is out of him...but, I can't say for sure. His lips are tinted a bit blue today and his breathing is a little staggered...so, I have to nebulize him, too. Terry and I believe he has asthma, unfortunately. It is a busy household this morning. I was supposed to start babysitting yesterday, but between her daughter and my kids being sick...we need to wait it out. Hmm...I wonder when we can start calculating the 24 hour safe mark? Will we ever get well?