30 Ways To Make A Mom Smile January 30, 2012

There’s a Trending Topic floating around in the online world 30 Ways To Make A Girl Smile, but I think 30 Ways To Make A Mom Smile would be way more amusing…so here we go, in no particular order:

1. Your kids actually eating what you’ve made for dinner
2. Your kids not complaining, while they are eating, about what you’ve made for dinner
3. Everyone in the house remembering where the hamper is
4. ….and how to use it
5. Getting to sleep in, even just 15 minutes
6. Your spouse making kiddo breakfast
7. Your spouse making any kiddo meal
8. ….and cleaning up the dishes after
9. The kids throwing their trash in the trash can instead of hiding it under/in the couch
10. Curling up on the couch watching Saturday morning cartoons or movies with the kiddos
11. Little boys remembering to flush
12. Little boys remembering to put the lid down BEFORE flushing
13. Caffeine IV’s
14. Mommy Juice – Yes it’s real…it’s that special juice mommies drink at the end of a long day to avoid ripping someone’s head off during evening shenanagins
15. Someone inventing a washer/dryer combo, no more mildewey smelling stuff because I forget to switch the laundry for a days
16. A laundry fairy *Calling the Laundry Fairy…can you hear me???*
17. Good notes from the teacher saying how spectacularly awesome your kids are doing
18. A full night’s sleep
19. Homemade gifts from the children
20. Family Vacations
21. Free Family Vacations – Are you listening Disney & SeaWorld?? If you want to spend a special needs family of 5 to your park, all expenses paid, I’d be HAPPY to volunteer my family for the job ;p
22. Grocery shopping when the store is nearly empty
23. A kid free dinner out every now and then
24. People learning not to stare….loud stimmy kids are NOT the same as loud unbehaved kids
25. Diamonds, flowers, chocolates…really anything that sparkles, smells delish, or tastes sugary good
26. Someone in the house taking a second to say ‘Hey we really do appreciate all you do’, you’d be amazed at how far a few simple words can go to make ones day
27. The kids waking up the first time you wake them in the morning….or even the second….but by the fifth time it starts to get a little ridiculous lol
28. A winning lottery ticket….okay this one isn’t just for moms but it’s be nice either way!
29. Someone else taking the trash out…before the trash man runs
30. Plastic Surgery – I know some of you may disagree but I say there’s nothing wrong with a little nip and tuck every now and then…kids can do a number on your body…oh can I add *FREE* to this one too? ;p

What’s on your list?

Wait…You mean you want more?? How about a few pics to make a mom smile 🙂

Proper ways NOT to handle a baby

And finally an old ad from a magazine to make us feel just that much about our parenting….

Disclaimer****All of these pics were pics I ran across on various sites like FB and across the web. None were taken by me, but I’ve had them so long I can’t be positive where they all originally came from.*****

Autism Funding Resources – Nation Wide January 12, 2012

Therapy is EXPENSIVE! Hell, kids are EXPENSIVE, but throw in therapy, durable medical equipment, respite (if you choose to use it), afterschool care….the list could go on and on…..and as many of you know a lot of insurance companies don’t cover things like therapy for autism. I guess they don’t realize, or maybe just don’t care, that 1:91 kids will be 1:91 adults sooner than any of us are ready for, but that’s a rant for another day….In an effort to help cover the costs some great organizations have set up grants to help out special needs families. This is a list of national programs available, but don’t forget to check out local charities and foundations too, they can offer a lot of help.

 

I’m sure there are more organizations out there, these are a few I’ve either had a good experience with or heard good things about from other families. I am in no way affiliated with / or being compensated by any of the organizations listed below, in fact most of them don’t even know me, or that this blog exist. Also, I encourage you to do your research before working with any organization, sadly there are companies out there who will take advantage of those in need…whatever the need may be.

 

 

The Brett Woodhall Foundation – they mainly provide funds for ABA, there is a spot on the site that talks about Grants and Resources available to families http://www.woodallkids.org/contact.html

Variety – offers a lot of assistance to special needs families, they helped us receive funding for ABA therapy for our sons.  http://www.usvariety.org/programs.html In our area they also do *FREE*special needs showings for every kids movie that comes out the Saturday after the movie is released. Check out your local Variety to see if they offer special needs movie showings too!

United Health Care provides grants to families with private insurance (you do not have to be with UHC insurance) http://www.uhccf.org/apply_applicant.html

There are a long waiting lists, but if you have Medicaid there are Medicaid waiver programs, such as CLASS and HBCS, that provide funding. They vary by state but here is a link to a national list that will let you search for state and the waivers available to you http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/Waivers.html

The Shriners / Masonic Lodge is also a great resource for funding, however grants are handled by state, not nationally. After a simple application I found online, and a letter from the my sons doctor they covered almost 6 months of 1:1 ABA therapy for my sons (I cannot guarantee you would get the same results we did, but they are definitely an organization worth looking into)

And finally a list of random grant available to families of children with autism—Some of these I am unfamiliar with but it can’t hurt to look into

http://autism.about.com/od/financialresources/tp/grantsforautism.htm

Still need funding? Not finding what you need to help meet your child’s needs?

Try http://www.giveforward.com/ Give Forward is an amazing website where you create a charity for whatever you need to raise money for. This is how we raised the funds for our childrens’ iPads, thanks to the generosity of friends, family, loved ones, and the kindness of strangers. (note – they do take a small percentage of your total so be sure to factor that in when setting your total fundraising goal)

 

Have any grant programs or charities I missed? Leave your favorite, and a link or contact info, in the comments sections – If it is a group that is only to the area/state you are in please not that in the comment.

Lunches Made Easy (Easier).. January 6, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t this too cute?? I thought so too…but yeah I’m not that mom, in fact most days I’m lucky to get everyone out the door on time,with matching shoes and socks, and hair and teeth brushed…So here’s my lunches made easy easier / solution to massive amounts of wasted snack foods in house….

The Problem:

Spills, Spills, and More Spills === Lots of wasted food

Children Who Dump Out Everything  === Lots of wasted food

Snackaholic Little People === Lots of wasted food

 

 

Wasted food makes me sick for 2 reasons –

• Money Doesn’t grow on trees
• There are so many hungry people out there, I hate throwing a whole bag of food away

 

Then there’s the mess factor, as if there’s not enough to clean up just having 3 monsters – dumped out, crumbled up food is not a mess I care to add to my normal mom duties. Add in that when I buy groceries they are meant to last a whole a week, for lunches at school, snacks, etc.   Top that off with the fact that  mornings are chaotic around here,  and I was spending an extra 30 minutes bagging up breakfasts, lunches, and snacks x 4.

 

So I had a plan…

 

Confession – I actually saw this on an eposide of Wife Swap years ago, laughed at it because it seemed like a time consuming waste, then decided to try it out and it’s working wonders….but getting back  on track…

 

I bought a weeks’ worth of cereals, snacks, and breakfast goodies, bagged them into individual serving sizes, boxed them up, and stashed the boxes in a top secret hiding place…Okay the top shelf of the pantry buried behind my warehouse club supply of paper towels….Suprisingly enough it didn’t take nearly long as I expected, in fact since I wasn’t still half asleep, like in the mornings, it took no time at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Setting up to start

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-Bagged Portion Controlled Munchies

 

 

So far I’ve cut the hecticness down in the mornings for myself, and the kids can’t find the sancks so they don’t get wasted. Pretty Genius huh?

 

Random Ramblings December 28, 2011

Randomly odd things I’ve said, thought, and a few shenanigans thrown in for added laughability.

‘I don’t pee on your paws, why must you pee on my shoes’

‘Yes, you can use the computer…BUT not while eating peanut butter by the finger-full…want a spoon?’ Child yells ‘No Way!’ and is thoroughly pissed…How dare I say peanut butter is only allowed at the computer when on a spoon or sandwich!?

‘You really couldn’t tell your dog food bowl from the trash?’

…and a few hours later…

‘Your stomach hurts? That is what you get for eating all the garbage…dumb dog!’

‘I’m convinced your kids are trying to kill me’ – While suffering mom abuse playing UFC with the boys

‘I’m convinced your kids are trying to kill me’ – This is actually a common complaint of mine…my boys are some SERIOUS shenanaginizers…that’s all I’m saying ;p

~ On a side note, notice that when the kids are up to no good they are always their dad’s kids

‘Put your pants on’

…and an hour or so later…

‘Seriously, if you must stand in the window you really must put pants on!!’

Apparently I am full of dumb rules… why shouldn’t one child who shall remain nameless, not be allowed to pour milk in their brothers’ shoe?

I was watching Beauty and the Beast and I have to ask, am I the only one grossed out by the fact she loves a beast …she didn’t know he was a man… Beast – Bestiality- Barf

Reminders are important…’I know we cut our brownies with a (butter) knife, but we DO NOT run and swing the (butter) knife around like a wild man, EVER’

‘Whoever finds the poo, changes the poo’—I may or may not have been trying to avoid diaper duty

While making brownies with the monsters:

Me – ‘Don’t put your fingers in the brownie batter’
Child- Puts face over bowl and licks batter straight from bowl…because I said no fingers and this way he wasn’t using fingers….
Me- ‘If you must eat batter, get a spoon’
Child – Gets giant spatula, loads it with a massive amount of batter, attempts to eat it
Me- Now gagging at the sight
Child -Spitting out brownie batter
Moral of the story–All things are good in moderation 😉

Shirley & Marcy December 19, 2011

A friend forwarded this to me, and maybe you’ve seen it, but it was too cute not to share:

Shirley & Marcy

A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school.
He didn’t want his mother to walk with him.
She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.
So she had an idea of how to handle it.
She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance,
So he probably wouldn’t notice her.
She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.
The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew.
She did this for the whole week.

As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs,
Timmy ‘s little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.
Finally she said to Timmy ,
‘Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?’
Timmy nonchalantly replied, ‘Yeah, I know who she is.’
The little girl said, ‘Well, who is she?’
‘That’s just Shirley Goodnest ,’ Timmy replied, ‘and her daughter Marcy .’
‘ Shirley Goodnest ? Who is she and why is she following us?
‘Well,’ Timmy explained, ‘every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, ‘cuz she worries about me so much.
And in the Psalm, it says, ‘ Shirley Goodnest (surely goodness ) and Marcy (mercy) shall follow me all the days of my life’, so I guess I’ll just have to get used to it!’

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always

I know you smiled!
Please pray that Shirley Goodnest & Marcy go with everyone you love

10 Quick Ideas For Your Turkey Leftovers November 28, 2011

Are your turkey’d out?? I know I am…but here are a few ideas to switch things up so your leftovers don’t taste so leftover anymore….Hope you enjoy 🙂

–Turkey Sandwiches –This one’s a given I know, but it’s a classic Thanksgiving Leftover Meal.  Layer stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce, and serve on a leftover roll or sliced bread.

–Turkey Noodle Soup – There are so many ways to make soup…This is the quickest recipe I have, but if you have a recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup you love just replace the chicken with turkey.

-Chop your carrots and celery and thrown into a pot of chicken or turkey broth

-Add salt, pepper, and seasonings (I use poultry seasoning, garlic and onion powder, and dill)

-Boil until almost tender (about 20 minutes)

-Throw your egg noodles in and boil for another 8-10 minutes

-Stir in leftover turkey and simmer until ready to eat

–Turkey Taco Soup

– 1 can black beans
– 1 can pinto beans
– 1 can corn
– 1 can cheddar cheese soup
– 1/2 can water
– 1 can Rotel (or diced tomatoes if you don’t like spicy)
– 1/2 pkg taco seasoning
– 2 cups of leftover chopped turkey

Mix all ingredients (juices included) in a medium pan over medium low heat and let simmer for about 20 min. *Idea* Serve over rice or with sprinkle cheese and sour cream.

–Turkey Taco Omelets

This one is one of my favorites….You take the leftover Turkey Taco Soup you’ve already made and strain a few spoonful’s of it…use it as an omelet filling and top with a slice of cheese

-Almost Sheppard’s Pie

Mix the leftover gravy with your leftover veggies and stir in a little bit of leftover turkey meat (It should be kind of runny). Top with a layer of leftover mashed potatoes and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes, and serve with biscuits or leftover rolls.

-Turkey Pot Pie

Line a pan with a pie crust (optional)

Mix equal parts of sour cream and cream of chicken soup. (When making a whole pie pan I use 8 oz of each, to just make for the hubby and I, I bake in a smaller pan and only use 4 oz of each)

Stir in a can or 2 of mixed veggies (or a bag of **Cooked** frozen veggies), salt, pepper, seasonings, and leftover turkey

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes

The last 15 minutes of bake time, throw a pan of biscuits in the oven to cook

When the timer goes off place the biscuits on top of your pie and serve

(I’ve tried baking the biscuits on top of the pot pie but I always end up with soggy biscuit bottoms + this way the kids get biscuits too since they don’t like pot pies)

–Turkey ‘Fake’ Nachos

I make my nachos with red nacho cheese Dorito’s  (hence the ‘Fake Nachos’) but tortilla chips work great too. Heat your oven to 350, layer chips on a baking sheet and top with a little sprinkle cheese. Top that with chopped up turkey and whatever nacho toppings you enjoy (or more drained Turkey Taco Soup), sprinkle with another layer of cheese and bake until the cheese is melty, about 10 minutes.

–Grilled Cheese and Ramens

Make Turkey Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and serve with Ramen noodles or a bowl of Turkey Noodle Soup

-Turkey Salad

Take your favorite chicken salad recipe and replace the chicken with turkey…Here’s my recipe…

-2-3 cooked potatoes – cut into 1-2 inch cubes (they need to still be HOT)

-½ can of drained peas

-2 cups chopped, leftover turkey

-Chopped dill pickles

-3 hard boiled eggs, chopped

-Mayo (If you use miracle whip leave out the lime juice)

-Dijon Mustard – just a squirt

-Salt, pepper, and the juice from ½ a lime

-Optional – Chopped black olives and/or chopped jalapenos

Mix it all together, chill for a couple of hours, and enjoy

– Turkey Club Quesadillas 

Heat pan over medium heat, and butter two flour tortillas. Place one tortilla (buttered side down) in your skillet and sprinkle with a thin layer of cheese, leftover turkey, and crumbled bacon. Top with a little more sprinkle cheese and the remaining tortilla. Cook about 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown, and serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

* Another option – use the leftover drained Turkey Taco Soup and cheese as your quesadilla fillers, then serve with sour cream and salsa instead of ranch

Hope you guys enjoy my recipes…let me know what your favorite is 🙂

 

#YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf ~ Part 2 November 27, 2011

I got such a kick out of doing my You Might Be An Autism Parent If post that I decided to another one because … #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf this hashtag, and all the blog posts it has inspired, has given you more amusement over the past week than you can express…So here’s Part 2 of my #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf list….

• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf Every time the school calls you freak out because you think they’ve lost your child
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf your child has no use for toys
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you dread going out because it’s more of a hassle than staying in
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you go anyways because you know the importance of teaching your child how to behave in public
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf your kids would rather watch documentaries than cartoons
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf before you do anything you have to give a 5 minute warning to help ease into the transition, and you say ‘Good Bye’ to everyone and everything before leaving anywhere
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you worry someone is making a situation uncomfortable for your child but they can’t tell you because they don’t have the words
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you’ve been licked by a child in past few minutes
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you secretly worry about long term care more than you’d ever care to admit
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you know that if you could get them to understand the rules, and follow them, your kids could be UFC champs…Nothing like having your son put you in a Sleeper Hold
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you have convinced yourself that sleep is overrated
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you’ve (or in this case my husband) been given a black eye…not due to a melt down…but given to you by a bored, curious, sleepless child with a really big dog bowl
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you have come to truly understand If you don’t live it, you don’t know it, so don’t judge one for it
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you are a firm believer in the power of melatonin
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you want to tell people who complain their kids to talk too much to just be thankful their kids have words
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you gave up on time out for the kids because they don’t mind sitting by themselves, and instead have resorted to putting the toy in time out
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you taught your kids to brush their teeth by giving them candies for a job well done (I know it seems backwards, but if candy is the reinforcer that works candy is what we use….even if it seems a little counterproductive in the short term)
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you know that any stick, baton, ribbon, bat, necklace, twig, etc. can be a fun stimmy object…which simultaneously and unintentionally doubles as a weapon
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you wonder what people walking by your house must think because you know your kids loudness can be heard all the way to the street
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you’ve considered buying a Diaper Genie…again…because the older they get (the kids not the diapers) the smeller the house gets
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you’ve caught your kids putting your toothbrush in the toilet…not because they were mad at you, but because for some reason it honestly seemed like a good idea
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you’ve walked into a room only to find your child covered head to toe in pancake syrup, chocolate syrup, soap, mud, butter, Jello, lotion, or something similar
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you believe in laughing so you don’t cry
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you’ve scrubbed a bottle of syrup out of your child’s mattress…and a bottle of chocolate syrup…and not on the same day that they covered themselves head to toe in it
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf your kids climb better than the monkeys in the zoo
• #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf despite it all you realize kids are kids no matter what challenges life throws their way

I could make this list go on and on for ages….and I might actually make a Part 3, but until then I hope you’ve enjoyed my list 🙂 What’s on yours?

Dorothy the Fish – Part 2 – Lessons Learned November 2, 2011

But Mom, Are sure Dorothy doesn't want more water?? It's fresh from the fridge 😉

Part 2 – You know what a rotten day it was for my cutie (6 year olds have it rough), and how I bribed him with a fish to rush our way out of a store…Now to catch you up on Dorothy’s Tragic Tale…the story of the shortest pets life EVER….RIP Dorothy

When we left off Ry had just finished his fish parenting lessons…a recap of Fish Parenting 101:

Lesson 1 – We do not shake the Fish (haven’t you heard of Shaken Fish Syndrome)

Lesson 2 – Even though mom poured bottled water into Dorothy’s house before we put her in, we are NOT allowed to take icy cold bottled water from the fridge to top off Dorothy’s jar

Lesson 3 – Dorothy DOES NOT leave her home, in her fish house, on the counter

Lesson 4 – We DO NOT open Dorothy’s lid

Lesson 5 – We Do NOT Shake the Fish….I may have mentioned this one before

 

So, here’s what happened next…. Ry was very mad to find out that Dorothy could not be moved from one container of water to another as he pleases.  After a long debate about how Dorothy could not leave her house to swim in other places, Dorothy was moved to a spot

Ry set this up so Dorothy could come play...I said no...what a mean mom!!

no child could reach and we all went about our nightly business. I figured Dorothy needed a chance to rest after a day of getting adjusted to being Ryan’s new friend. Turns out I’m not as sneaky as I think I am, and just because something is out of a child’s reach, does not mean it’s out of their reach when they really want whatever it may be, your back is turned, and they have a chair. Dinner was finished, all the kids were playing, the hubby and I were watching TV with Mason and in came Ryan. He looked at me and said ‘Help Please’.  Me ‘What do you need help with?’, Ry –‘Help with’.  I can see this conversation isn’t going anywhere productive and I will in fact have to pry my lazy rear up to see what my little man needs help with.  We all go into the kitchen, Ry takes me to the sink, and says ‘Dorothy, Help Please’….by now I see the chair next to the counter where Dorothy was, Dorothy’s lid removed from her house, a dumped out bucket of water in the sink, and a very concerned look on my little man’s face….nothing good can come of this….so of course I handle this the way any squeamish mom would and I took Ry to the side to tell him Dorothy needed water and to  needed stay in her house, and now Dorothy has gone good-bye; and let my honey deal with Dorothy.  Turns out we were too late. Poor Dorothy…may you RIP, your little fishy life was too short. This brings me to my lessons learned:

Lesson 1 – Never underestimate a determined child

Ry REALLY thinks Dorothy wants to come play

Lesson 2 – No more pets

Lesson 3 – I need to put more thought into purchases… using a .15 cent fish to bribe the little man to leave a store peacefully and attempt to make up for his crap day…maybe not my brightest idea…I really should have seen how many ways that could/would/did go wrong

Lesson 4 – While positive reinforces are a WONDERFUL thing when it comes to parenting (and can easily be confused with bribery)…bribery is not

 

I have to say, while I know a pet is a big responsibility, when going over all the things that could happen, this was a scenario that never crossed my mind.I really didn’t think Ry would want Dorothy to swim in all sorts of different places….in retrospect I probably should have seen it coming….

Dorothy the Fish – Part 1- The bad Day & The Bribe October 31, 2011

You know those days where you can’t get a break? Where you feel like life just sucks?  Throw in feeling like it’s all your evil moms fault and top that off with a little bit of autism and you have my little man’s day….this is that story, which leads us into another friends story, may she RIP….. (A 2 part post about bribing your kids, it biting you in the rear, and the troubles of a six year old)

Ry had a dentist appointment at noon. The time we needed to leave wound up being during his lunchtime so instead I came to pick him up an 1/2 an hour early. We didn’t have enough time to go home and hang out so we hopped in the car and were in our way…which is where Ry’s day starts to go downhill and my true evilness shines through….

1st stop, McDonald’s. Ry’s screaming because he thinks he has to go home after (he’s a creature of routine, and most days after we leave McD’s we head back to the house).

I set him up with his lunch and we’re off…this time to drive by the stadium because I really wanted a picture of the World Series Banner. Ry’s upset again….he’s not sure why we’re driving by this stadium but he’s not impressed….and if you ask him since I did pull him out of school the least I could do is cater to his every desire while he’s hanging out with me. A couple of blurry shots as we drive in circles around the stadium and we’re back on our way. We pull up to the dentist 30 minutes before appointment time, I call to see if they can wiggle us in early, no such luck….so I drive to Half Priced Books….which happens to be right next to a fountain (Now, I have to say I knew ahead of time this might not be my brightest idea). Of course Ry wants to see the fountain, he’s screaming ‘water, water’, I’m saying ‘No its cold, let’s go see the books’. Ry wins, we walk over to the fountain just as the water turns off.  Ry doesn’t get why the waters off or why we can’t go ‘swimming’ in the fountain, or why he at least can’t push mommy in.

I convince him to walk over to the book store with me, he reluctantly agrees, dragging his feet and grumbling the whole way. They are out of the only thing he’s interested in, Dragon Tales DVD’s. I’m pretty sure this is my fault as well. We leave, now running behind to get the dentist, and as soon as we walk out of the book store they turn the stinking fountain on again…I mean, really?! With no time to stop and look, I load a generally grumpy Ry back into the car, he’s screaming ‘water’, and we’re off to the dentist.

We get there and let me just say, while I love my boys’ dentist and her staff is great, autism & waiting rooms don’t mix….Then we get

Helping to Keep the Dino's Teeth Clean

called back. I’m not going into details, but it was BAD….it took 4 of us to get him still enough to clean his teeth, him screaming ‘no way’ the whole time, tears, squirming, the whole 9 yards…and then some…it was a mess and half (Good news – No Cavities!)

We leave the dentist, and are off to my mom’s house to pick up some paperwork. Gramma’s is Ry’s FAVORITE place. And even better….it was just he and I so he got the whole house to himself….sounds like a good deal right?….Wait for it…EVIL MOM STRIKES AGAIN! ….After only 30 minutes I say it’s time to go. This does not go over well. Ry never wants to leave Gramma’s house, and certainly not after only half an hour. He is not in the slightest concerned that we have errands to run and it’s only an hour until time to pick up his brothers from school.

We pack up all our stuff, pick up the messes we made at Gramma’s house, steal some candy for the road, and are off. We pull into the strip where Target is and Ry sees PetCo. All I hear from the back seat is ‘Fish! Fish!’. We stop at the pet store – My plan – a 15 minute trip to let him check out a few fish then off to Target to finish up my errands for the day. Call it a ghetto frugal mom trip to the aquarium if you will lol…I know I’ve told you guys before- plans and myself just don’t work out. This was no exception. 15 minutes passes, I tell Ry, ‘We have to go, get ready’, of course he responds with, ‘no way’. But I have an idea!!! I’ll buy him a cheap little fish and we’ll be out of here in no time. He’ll be happy, I like fish, and it’s only 1, what could go wrong?

We now have ‘Dorothy’ (he named her after Elmo’s goldfish), my little man’s happy, and I still have time to get groceries, I’m feeling pretty genius at the moment….We get to the store, I put the fish in my purse, because it’s too cold to leave her in the car and we run in to do some quick shopping. Icing on the cake – Ry finds a Dragon Tales DVD at Target, and it’s only $4.75. By now I’m patting myself on my back for all my geniusness – I have a happy kid, a new fish, the movie he’s been searching for FOR-EV-ER, and it all cost under $6.oo.

Fast Forward an hour, we’re back home, everyone’s having snacks, and Ry’s ready to put Dorothy in her new home. Dorothy’s new home is a recycled upcycled apple sauce jar. I poked holes in the lid for air and we poured her in. Then came Ry’s fish parenting lessons:

Lesson 1 – We do not shake the Fish (haven’t you heard of Shaken Fish Syndrome)

I Promise I Poked Air Holes In The Top

Lesson 2 – Even though mom poured bottled water into Dorothy’s house before we put her in, we are NOT allowed to take icy cold bottled water from the fridge to top off Dorothy’s jar

Lesson 3 – Dorothy DOES NOT leave her home, in her fish house, on the counter

Lesson 4 – We DO NOT open Dorothy’s lid

Lesson 5 – We Do NOT Shake the Fish….I may have mentioned this one before

Want to know how Dorothy’s tragic tale ends….Come back soon to find out….Part 2 to be posted tonight…Hey, this turned out to be a REALLY LONG post, I figured I’d break into a 2 part series so you don’t get bored….You’re Welcome ;p

The One Week No TV Challenge – A Final Update August 31, 2011

What did I learn from the 1 week No TV Challenge??

A few things I guess….

• I love my TV
• I can stream shows onto my laptop as long as no one else is on the internet…otherwise it’s a losing battle…So I did manage to get my GH fix last week, Thank GOD!!
• TV doesn’t affect my productivity, I’m just an unproductive person (Well not unproductive, I just like to put things off until the last possible minute)
• My kids are smarter than I am – I had no idea if Ryan found a remote for a Sony DVD player he could use said remote to control the Playstaion
• I’m more competitive than I previously thought…If someone hadn’t mentioned they didn’t think this experiment would last, I would have caved…but I can’t lose! 😉
• As much as I missed my TV, we pay a lot for cable, and we really only missed a few channels
• If you must attempt an experiment like this, don’t do the first week back to school. Mom’s need that week to be lazy and recover from #SummerVacayChaos #SummerVacayHell

Last night, after a long phone call with our TV provider [You can add channels online, but to cancel you have to call and talk to play 2o questions with a representative – Go figure], I cut down our package and we’ll be saving about $25 a month. The boys were super happy to have the TV back (and to know the DVR still did its job even when their mean mom banned the TV), and while I didn’t get to watch ANYTHING last night, I’m enjoying being a lazy butt and catching up my E! shows this morning. The TV’s not the problem, I just figure being a sahm I’m on mom-duty 24/7, and whether it’s being on call while they’re in school, playing chauffeur to doctors’ appointments, doing house stuff, or the real work that starts at 3:15 p.m. and continues until 7:30 a.m., so if I want to sit on my butt for a few hours every morning after I drop the kids off so be it. It’s my ‘off’ time, I get my stuff done…maybe only half assed, but done nonetheless, and so while TV’s not the problem, it is good to know we’ll be saving a few dollars cutting out unwatched channels.

So was our experiment a success, or a failure you ask? Neither really…just a TVless week…