mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

{friday finds}: 07.08.2011

This AH-dorable project for a candlestick-turned-table is just ingenious and I could see it working for just about any room decor!  {@ Thrifty Decor Chick}

Can you say "YUM-O!"?  This peanut butter banana smoothie seems wonderfully refreshing and would be THE perfect summertime beverage choice of my kids!  {@ Alli 'n Son}

Here's a fun project for all you moms -- why not give your kitchen knife block a makeover?  Such a great idea!  I think I might have to give this one a try.  {@ The Prudent Pantry}

This is a fun DIY 3-tiered cupcake stand that is certainly one-of-a-kind!  {@ Nothing But Country}

I am SO in need of this pina colad sorbet right now!  Talk about a delish dessert!  I can't wait to make this with my kids!  {@ Tidy Mom}

Five Things: Kids nicknames.

I am sure many of you have at least one - if not several - nicknames or pet names for your kids.  In our house it seems new names are always popping up.  Here are just a few that can be heard in the T household.

• Wil-da-beast - This of course is one that Will is called quite often.  He will happily respond to it, too.  There's a modified version that he equally loves - Will-da. 
• Wethan - Will totally got us hooked on calling Nathan this lovely name.  It all started back when W couldn't pronounce "Nathan" and it just sort of stuck.  D and I still on occasion call N "Wethan" but he really doesn't like anyone but Will referring to him as such.
• Willie - D is the only one that refers to Will by this name.  I, personally, can't stand the name.  It reminds me of Wilie Nelson.  Not that I have a personal problem with him it's just I'd prefer not to associate my son with his image!
• Nate Dogg - This name comes from none other than the original Nate Dogg.  I personally could never get enough of Warren G featuring Nate Dogg tunes back in the day!
• Willers - I can't quite remember when I started referring to Will as Willers but I remember thinking it sounded awful but then I just couldn't stop calling him that!  Good thing he doesn't mind it!

There are countless other pet names and nicknames that I often make up for the boys but these are just a few of the most used ones.  What are some of the made-up names the kids in your family have

♥

 

Five Things: The cold has me thinking I'd rather be . . .

• . . . soaking in the sun at the Grand Wailea where D and I were married. 
• . . . enjoying bubbles outside with the kids instead of snowballs.
• . . . wearing flip-flops.  You know - shoes that don't take eons to put on your feet!
• . . . chowing down on some festival food while enjoying the outdoors.
• . . . somewhere WARM!  ♥

 

Five Things: December 5

So we officially have twenty days left until we celebrate Christmas.  I am excited.  The kids are excited.  My sister abroad is excited.  You're catching onto this, right? 

Here are five things I am looking forward to about the holiday.  Incidentally, they have nothing to do with gift-giving either, which is merely a product of the celebration, but certainly not among the top five things!

• We have this family tradition of going to a movie the day of Christmas, usually sometime in the afternoon or early evening.  I love doing this!  I can't wait to pile into the Suburban (mom, are you driving it up here?) and head on over to the theater together!
• Taking my mom, stepdad, brother, sister, brother-in-law - and of course the kids - to see the lights at the Plaza.  It's been years since we've seen them - I think even before the kids were born!
• Setting a table and using our dining room!  Right now that room is such a catch-all for my random (and frequent) Target purchases, our violins, crafts, etc.  Just today I brought out my tablecloth, napkins, and napkin rings to inventory what I have and need.  Love the idea of setting a table for my family!
• Playing Scrabble or other board games.  As much of a tradition as Christmas Day movies are, so is family game night!  My mom claims she's actually the Scrabble champ, but we might have to prove her wrong this visit!
• Just being.  That's right.  The best part about family is just being with them.  This by far is the thing I am most excited about.

What are you most looking forward to about the holidays?  ♥

 

Five Things: Thanksgiving Favorites.

I am so looking forward to spending Thanksgiving at my mom's next week.  Here are my top five faves of a Thanksgiving meal:

• Stuffing - Mmmm....I love a good stuffing and it's got to be loaded with cranberry sauce.
• Plain green beans - I'm not a big fan of the traditional green bean casserole but I do love plain green beans with just a little salt and pepper!
• Ham - I'm a fan of ham.  I could actually stand to skip the turkey and just do ham.
• Dinner Rolls - with lots of butter of course!
• Pumpkin pie - I do love me some pumpkin pie (though I could do without the crust).  And, I like to load it up with LOTS of whipped topping!  ♥

 

Five Things: Holiday Mom Picks Under $40!

Today's edition of Five Things features some fantastical gift ideas for moms and gals on your holiday list.  Check out some of the great stuff out there!

• Zebra Ring by Faith Creations, LLC - $25 - This is one very cool, very unique piece that any mom would love to sport!  I love the oversized shape ring.
• Cottage Picture Frames Set by Pineapple Hill Designs - $12.95 - I love the distressed look of this frame set and think it would be great in almost any home decor theme.

• Vintage Inpsired Half Apron by Whoopsie Daisies - $35 - Ok, I could actually get used to wearing an apron if it were this cute!

• Cha Cha Carnival Camera Strap Cover by Shealynn - $23.50 - What an adorable stocking stuffer for the mom who's getting a new digital camera under the tree!  I just love all of these camera strap fabrics!

• Dream Necklace by The Vintage Pearl - $35.00 - This is such a cute gift for any gal, not just a mom!  Who couldn't use a little extra reminder to dream?!  ♥

 

Five Things: Weekend plans.

We're preparing for a chilly - but fun - weekend today.  Here are some things we'll be enjoying:

• Lighting the fireplace.  Yep, that's right....I picked up some Duraflame logs today while at Target and am anxious to get those babies going.  D and I will be on the hunt for some firewood too since he's cleaned out the soot and ashes from last winter.  Thanks, hon!
• N and W are having their favorite friends over for a playdate tomorrow.  Not sure if I'll even have the kids clean their rooms beforehand because I'm sure stuff will end up strewn all over the place.  What fun!
• Rock climbing.  Last night after N's racquetball lessons, we all walked over to the rock climbing area in the gym to find out the costs, etc. so we could get to climbing.  Now that N is five years old, he's able to do it!  And, we also discovered it was FREE!  Score!  I don't know why but I somehow had thought there was a cost associated with using it but not so.  On Sunday we plan on meeting up with N's friends and their moms to give it a whirl!  We filled out all the paperwork last night so all we have to do is show up.  I'm sure pics {and a funny story} will be forthcoming.
• I'll hopefully be getting my flu shot this weekend on either Saturday or Sunday.  Yay, me!
• Enjoying some Texas football, of course.  Let's hope it's a shutout on the Bears, as predicted.

Have a great weekend, everyone!  ♥

 

Five Things: Halloween Treats for You!

Yesterday I received a Preview Pak from one of the mom-blogger-companies I work with quite often and WOW, was I impressed and excited!  It was almost like my own little Christmas!  Well, until my kids got a hold of my goodies.

 

Anyway, here are Five Things I totally dig about the cool preview pak:

• HP and Walgreen's have teamed up together to offer busy moms (like me and you) fast, easy, and quality photo printing possiblities.  My pak included four gift cards for ten FREE prints each!  For your chance to win one, leave me a comment with your favorite scrapbooking, storage, or photography tip!
• MobiStories is the new hip way to keep your kid in love with reading!  Offering virtual books for kids, they offer a fun and unique product that will help keep kids engaged in storytime and learning.   Want to see what I am talking about for FREE?  Visit their website and select your books from their extensive library using promotion code BSM147A.  Enjoy your free books!
• Kajeet is a revolutionary cell phone service for kids.  Their service is ideal for parents wanting to offer their kids access to a cell phone but without the hassles of traditional cell phone plans.  They offer you a way to manage your kids' calls, phone options, and even a cool GPS phone locator!  I'll be sharing more information on their service and even a bonus offer soon so stay tuned!
• I received a wonderful music cd from Lango, a company that gives kids the opportunity to engage in a second language and learn in a fun atmosphere. They offer classes to children ages 18 months to 9 years, as well as summer immersion camps.
• Many of our kids have grown to know and love Build-a-Bear Workshop.  For your chance to win a cute stuffed friend of your own (or for your kiddo!) AND a $10 BearBuck$ gift card, check out their website and then come back here and leave a comment with what you'd buy with your $10 gift card!

For extra contest entries, feature these giveaways on your blog or website and leave the link here - no limit! Deadline to enter these giveaways is Monday November 10, 2008.  Good luck!  ♥

 

Five Things: Things I'm Digging.

• My new wedges from Target.  I've been wearing them everywhere, seriously!  I even got brave and put on a pair of trouser socks with them the other day and voila! - they're great with socks, too!
• Facebook.  I can't get enough!  Enough said.
• My flannel sheets.  D and I have two sets for our bed and we've used both sets within the past two weeks.  My plan is to get the kids a set of their own this weekend. 
• Break 'n bake cookies.  I posted about this last week and since then we have bought even more cookies.  This past week we busted out the Nestle brand that have Halloween colored chocolate chips in them.  Mmmmmm!
• This new cleanser I've been trying.  One of the company's reps recently sent me some samples of this line and I have to say I am thinking of signing up as a rep myself just to buy at a great discount!  This cleanser is freakin' awesome! ♥

 

Five Things: Farm Photos.

After picking up N from school today, we headed straight over to the farm for some Friday fun.  D was able to join us as well so it ended up being a fun family event.  Here are my five faves of the day:

N was insistent on me bringing his cowboy gear since he knew he'd be riding a pony.  The only thing missing was his new cowboy holster (think: John Wayne) that his Grandpa gave him recently for his birthday.  We didn't have time to put it on before we got in line to do the pony ride.  Oh, this picture just melts me!  He's such a little Kansas boy (with a big 'ol Texas-sized smile)!

W was in awe of the baby goats.  He went around the entire pen area tapping each one on its back, making sure not to miss even one.  He was having a ball but we did have to remind him not to pull their ears or tails.  The two goats seen here were just hangin' out while W tapped on them like little drums. 

W wasn't able to ride a pony (he'll have to wait till he turns three) but when we went into the dairy barn, he was fine with just saddling up for a pic.  

I don't capture them like this often, so I'll take it! ♥