Friday, June 24, 2011
Atomic Living Design
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Becoming a COUPON DIVA!!
I am on my way to becoming the next COUPON THANG!! Lol! Well, I can say that I am definitely learning. I am not yet to the point of devoting 60 hour a week on couponing like some of the big extreme couponers I've seen on TLC, but I am becoming a coupon disciple!
At Kroger's this week, they are having a their Buy 5 Participating Items & Get $5.00 off instantly at checkout.
I just got a huge deal on Frosted Flakes cereal on sale for $1.99, I got a coupon from Kellogg's for buy 2 and get $1 off, and I got Huggies Diapers for $7.99-$3.50 (coupons) = $4.49 each!!
Since I had 2 x $3.50 in coupons I actually only paid 99 cents for 2 jumbo bags of diapers!!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Cool Freebie of the Week: Martha Stewart Download - Grilling Cookbook
Check out this Martha Steward Free Download - a Grilling Cookbook. Just in time for Summer entertaining!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Oak Ridge Free Admission Days Are Here!!
It's SPRING BREAK for the kiddies and I'm sure they if yours are like mine they are CLIMBING the WALLS now! Well, just in time- it's FREE ADMISSION to local museums starting tomorrow!! From March 17th-22nd, you can take the family to the American Museum of Science & Energy and check out their new exhibits, like Take Flight. The other big museum here in town is the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, where your kids can play in a life-size DOLLHOUSE, which I have had to pry my children out of when it's time to leave! They also have a train exhibit, where the kids can play on a life-size train, and check out the dress up clothes in Granny's Attic.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Things to LOVE...
Looking for a CUTE and ADORABLE Valentine craft for your girls to bring in to class this year for their Valentine exchange? I LOVE these DIY Friendship Blossoms by on Disney's Family Fun Magazine. You could even substitute pretty tissue or craft paper for the petals to make them even more airy. This may be a fun project to try these the oldest...
Friday, February 11, 2011
Valentine, I'd Definitely Clean More If...
You got me this adorable little Sleeping Beauty inspired retro apron with white polka dots!! I'd clean the whole day away... at least once. Then I'd just walk around in it for show when I have to answer the door and look adorably Betty Sue Homemaker... Yes- I am the woman of the house... Oh yes- these are my lovely children... Yes- I have four children and still look this fabulous WHILE CLEANING!Oooooh wait- Maybe you should get me this one instead... The Queen of Hearts- Yeah, that's Me!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Dish- Sausage & Potato Soup Success!
I wanted to try to make a good Sausage and Potato Soup recipe because our family LOVES the one you can find at a local restaurant chain. I went on allrecipes.com and found this recipe for Super-Delicious Zuppa Toscana that looked easy enough for even me to duplicate. I omitted the bacon, but that was only because *GASP* we didn't have any! I know- it's a crime. I must say that even without the bacon, this soup ROCKS! I also diced the potatoes instead of slicing them thin- I like that the chunkiness of dicing them makes the soup denser. I also thickened the soup up with a mixture of flour and heavy cream. Next time, I will surely add the bacon- because bacon makes everything taste even better! :)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Oak Ridge Schools Year-Round Debate
"No more pencils, no more books..." Remember that little end of school ditty you learned to sing as you and all your classmates ran from school at break-neck speed to dive into the family wagon? It signified the end of the school year and the beginning of summer break- think ocean, beach, tan, oh blissful sleep...
Well, the talk around town lately has those rosy images of spending summer lazing around the neighborhood pool fading fast. It seems that Oak Ridge is currently kicking around the idea of transitioning all of the city's schools onto a year-round schedule.This would mean that the kids would go by the 45-15 calendar- or 45 days in and 15 out. Basically, the kids would have 9 weeks of school, and then a 3 week vacation.
As a mother of four, three of which are currently attending Oak Ridge schools, I have mixed feelings concerning this debate.
Let me start off by saying that one of the primary reasons that my husband and I chose to move into Oak Ridge in the first place was because of the reputation of the public school system here- and as of yet, we have not been disappointed... Oh, don't get me wrong, as it goes with building any relationship- there have been some growing pains and a few bumps and scrapes along the way, but overall, the schools that our daughters are attending have been well worth our time and consideration. We are VERY satisfied with all of our daughters' progress so far. That being said, I do have conflicted feelings on the issue of converting ALL the schools to a year-round program.
We do have a child that is already on the year-round schedule. She attends the preschool and is really thriving in the school program. It is not at all an exaggeration to say She LOVES school! This is so cool, because my husband and I were reluctant to send her at first. She has had a little growth spurt recently, but she is still the smallest in her class. Try to imagine an 18 month old in a classroom full of rambunctious 3 year olds and you can picture what we saw on our daughter's first day of school. Our daughter is 3 years old, but her height and build looked more like that of an 18 month to 2 year old toddler. Her classmates were giants in comparison- and they all wanted to treat her like a little doll baby! Her teacher recently confided in me that initially she was worried that our daughter should be in a toddler class due to her tiny stature, but she has really made such wonderful progress! We have known since she was a baby that she needed extra help, and that she was developmentally delayed, but last year we discovered through genetic testing she has a rare genetic condition which will require her to need some extra guidance and therapies, probably for life.
For my child, and children with special needs like her, year-round school makes sense. The breaks are shorter, so they don't have as much time to fall out of the school routine, or miss out on any of the necessary therapies that they receive during school. For us- the stimulation she receives at school of playing with other little people her own age- yes, she has siblings, but they are either older sisters that dote on her, or a younger sissy that she gets to baby- is something that has been an integral part of her making so much progress this year. To be around children her age, where she can watch and see how they communicate, play, and interact with the world around them on a daily basis- this has really made a major impact on her personal growth, and maturity this school year.
For her and kids like her that need and thrive on the constant stimulation and active schedule that they experience in school, the year-round schedule is really a positive. Especially when you factor in that all children may experience some regression when school is out of session, however, in children with special needs or those who are at risk for other reasons- there is a greater level of regression that occurs in between semesters.
On the other hand- my two oldest daughters attend a very good elementary school that is on the regular schedule, and we have no real issues with it. My older girls love school, and are right on track with their studies. I couldn't be prouder of them actually! The summer comes and I find I am relieved to enjoy a little down time with all the girls together. As adults we are used to the regular school year, after all- it's the same schedule we grew up with as kids, hence it's comfortable for us- and for many parents. A lot of my friends point out that they do their big family vacations during the summer. My husband and I always talk of planning that grand summer vacation trekking across country to see the Grand Canyon and do Route 66 or do our 1st big out of country trip to Austrailia... but so far, that's all it is- talk.
A friend of mine put it best when she said- "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" And this is probably the collective opinion of many parents here. Overall- the satisfaction level we have with the Oak Ridge school system is pretty high- will this be compromised if all the schools go to a year-round schedule? Will resources become strained? I think our concerns as parents should be ultimately, how does this benefit our children- and will it benefit them in the long run?
A year-round schedule would throw us all off in the immediate moment, in the right now of things, but in the long haul scheme of things, being in school year-round- won't that prepare them for the later reality of the work-force? None of us adults get a 3 month summer vacation from work- unless you are a teacher that is... On the other hand, a friend with teenagers pointed out that her kids all got their very first jobs in the summer. There are high-school kids who plan on summer as a big source of income- working at the local pool, gyms, or shops full-time so they can earn extra money for college, to pay off a car, or buy a cell phone. These are extremely valuable life lessons that come into play for many teenagers. I remember I got my first job in a bakery one summer galaxies ago, then at Woolworth's pet shop. I was fourteen- and I learned valuable lessons about personal and financial responsibility. Sure, these kids could get jobs during the school year- but then there would be the stress of work competing with academics, sports, and other
extracurricular activities.
At this point in time, I don't really see the year-round calendar as a necessity for most of the schools. I think it's a good option for children that have special considerations, or circumstances. I think it will take a lot more discussion at this point to get all of the parents on board with the idea.
What's your opinion on this issue?
Well, the talk around town lately has those rosy images of spending summer lazing around the neighborhood pool fading fast. It seems that Oak Ridge is currently kicking around the idea of transitioning all of the city's schools onto a year-round schedule.This would mean that the kids would go by the 45-15 calendar- or 45 days in and 15 out. Basically, the kids would have 9 weeks of school, and then a 3 week vacation.
As a mother of four, three of which are currently attending Oak Ridge schools, I have mixed feelings concerning this debate.
Let me start off by saying that one of the primary reasons that my husband and I chose to move into Oak Ridge in the first place was because of the reputation of the public school system here- and as of yet, we have not been disappointed... Oh, don't get me wrong, as it goes with building any relationship- there have been some growing pains and a few bumps and scrapes along the way, but overall, the schools that our daughters are attending have been well worth our time and consideration. We are VERY satisfied with all of our daughters' progress so far. That being said, I do have conflicted feelings on the issue of converting ALL the schools to a year-round program.
We do have a child that is already on the year-round schedule. She attends the preschool and is really thriving in the school program. It is not at all an exaggeration to say She LOVES school! This is so cool, because my husband and I were reluctant to send her at first. She has had a little growth spurt recently, but she is still the smallest in her class. Try to imagine an 18 month old in a classroom full of rambunctious 3 year olds and you can picture what we saw on our daughter's first day of school. Our daughter is 3 years old, but her height and build looked more like that of an 18 month to 2 year old toddler. Her classmates were giants in comparison- and they all wanted to treat her like a little doll baby! Her teacher recently confided in me that initially she was worried that our daughter should be in a toddler class due to her tiny stature, but she has really made such wonderful progress! We have known since she was a baby that she needed extra help, and that she was developmentally delayed, but last year we discovered through genetic testing she has a rare genetic condition which will require her to need some extra guidance and therapies, probably for life.
For my child, and children with special needs like her, year-round school makes sense. The breaks are shorter, so they don't have as much time to fall out of the school routine, or miss out on any of the necessary therapies that they receive during school. For us- the stimulation she receives at school of playing with other little people her own age- yes, she has siblings, but they are either older sisters that dote on her, or a younger sissy that she gets to baby- is something that has been an integral part of her making so much progress this year. To be around children her age, where she can watch and see how they communicate, play, and interact with the world around them on a daily basis- this has really made a major impact on her personal growth, and maturity this school year.
For her and kids like her that need and thrive on the constant stimulation and active schedule that they experience in school, the year-round schedule is really a positive. Especially when you factor in that all children may experience some regression when school is out of session, however, in children with special needs or those who are at risk for other reasons- there is a greater level of regression that occurs in between semesters.
On the other hand- my two oldest daughters attend a very good elementary school that is on the regular schedule, and we have no real issues with it. My older girls love school, and are right on track with their studies. I couldn't be prouder of them actually! The summer comes and I find I am relieved to enjoy a little down time with all the girls together. As adults we are used to the regular school year, after all- it's the same schedule we grew up with as kids, hence it's comfortable for us- and for many parents. A lot of my friends point out that they do their big family vacations during the summer. My husband and I always talk of planning that grand summer vacation trekking across country to see the Grand Canyon and do Route 66 or do our 1st big out of country trip to Austrailia... but so far, that's all it is- talk.
A friend of mine put it best when she said- "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" And this is probably the collective opinion of many parents here. Overall- the satisfaction level we have with the Oak Ridge school system is pretty high- will this be compromised if all the schools go to a year-round schedule? Will resources become strained? I think our concerns as parents should be ultimately, how does this benefit our children- and will it benefit them in the long run?
A year-round schedule would throw us all off in the immediate moment, in the right now of things, but in the long haul scheme of things, being in school year-round- won't that prepare them for the later reality of the work-force? None of us adults get a 3 month summer vacation from work- unless you are a teacher that is... On the other hand, a friend with teenagers pointed out that her kids all got their very first jobs in the summer. There are high-school kids who plan on summer as a big source of income- working at the local pool, gyms, or shops full-time so they can earn extra money for college, to pay off a car, or buy a cell phone. These are extremely valuable life lessons that come into play for many teenagers. I remember I got my first job in a bakery one summer galaxies ago, then at Woolworth's pet shop. I was fourteen- and I learned valuable lessons about personal and financial responsibility. Sure, these kids could get jobs during the school year- but then there would be the stress of work competing with academics, sports, and other
extracurricular activities.
At this point in time, I don't really see the year-round calendar as a necessity for most of the schools. I think it's a good option for children that have special considerations, or circumstances. I think it will take a lot more discussion at this point to get all of the parents on board with the idea.
What's your opinion on this issue?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
My Quick Fix- Dining Room Chairs
My quick fix tip of the week... is FUN with SHOWER CURTAINS! WHO_HOO!! Seriously though, I had company coming over and needed a quick fix for my dining room chairs. As you know- I have FOUR little kiddies running around the house and since they are all under 8 years old, there's a lot of oopsies and extra spillage during meal-times. Sometimes with a 3 year old there's out-right food tossing... C'mon- you know what I mean! These dining room chairs had really looked like they'd been worked over by the lunchroom mafia! Originally, when we first bought our dining room set they had been an impractical off-white, but my hubby re-upholstered them a couple of years back. Even though we had chosen a dark colored fabric, you could still see spill-marks, and it was evident I had attempted to clean them MANY times but the stains were still there. It was too embarrassing! I needed a quick fix- something I could do to dress them up quickly, and inexpensively, so that I wouldn't break the bank fixing all the chairs. Well, I happened to be in the Bath section at a local store- and I was in the clearance section when I spied them- fabric SHOWER CURTAINS! Hmm... they're fabric... and they are meant to be used in the bathroom- so they are water resistant... and they are a lovely chocolate color, which would be more forgiving for spills. They also measure 72" by 72" so there was plenty of material to cover 4 chairs... so far. I think I'll have enough for all six! Since they were on sale- it was a total steal at $15 bucks! Look out Design on a Dime- here I come! My friends LOVE it- they couldn't believe it was a shower curtain- and the girls were like, 'OOOOOOH PRETTY!' Overall, it was a successful fix. I am planning to scotch guard them. Now we're in the durability testing phase :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
the color of LOVE...
And I definitely LOVE these earrings from Andewyn Designs on Etsy! These gorgeous beauties are aptly named 'Meet Me in Sedona' and Honey- I'd meet you anywhere if you got me these little pieces of divine bliss for V-DAY!
Friday, January 28, 2011
HAPPINESS IS... 2 Dozen Cupcakes
Mom Magic is turning a dozen cupcakes into a really cute simple little birthday cake for the baby's first birthday!! It was SO crazy easy that I started to feel guilty- I really went back and forth with the idea of ordering pretty cupcakes from one of the local bakeries. They had some really cute options with stuffed animal decorations, or popular character themes. There were some truly adorable first birthday options but I just really felt like there was something missing overall. Then I thought about the recent Christmas party we'd done for my kindergartner's class. We didn't just serve out a pre-made snack- the kids decorated their own reindeer cupcake using pretzels, candies, and they spread on their own icing. They had a BLAST at that party. And I have a friend who did a cookie decorating party for her twin daughters- that was so much fun and my girls still remember that party! The interactive aspect of those two parties was really a key element in getting the kids to feel involved and that they were all part of the overall party experience. I think that ultimately, what I wanted instead of just bringing out pretty little cupcakes and singing the requisite Happy Birthday tune, was to get all of my daughters to participate, and really feel like they were all a big part of the good time. This is sometimes a difficult thing when you have four children and four birthdays a year- six if you include Mom & Dad. I just really want my children to remember that birthdays are a celebration for the entire family- not just a party of one! They are are just another way that we can express that we are a family that loves each other, and it's a celebration of being so happy to have the birthday girl (or guy- in Dad's case) as a part of our family.Baking cupcakes is just too sinfully simple- you follow the basic instructions on the back of the cake mix, but in most cases- cooking time is shorter! So, I was able to knock out a dozen cupcakes in about 3o minutes, about 5 minutes pr
ep, and 25 minute baking time. I used baking cups and sprayed them with a little Pam before spooning in the mix to keep the cupcakes from scorching. When they were finished baking, I arranged them on a large circular plate and let them cool down. I had thought I would be totally Betty Sue Homemaker and make my own icing, but time didn't allow for it. If you want to make your own icing- it's simpler and TASTIER than you think! Here's a recipe to try out- Quick and Almost Professional ButterCream Icing. When the cupcakes were completely cool, I did the icing on the ones I was using for the cupcake cake. Then I used Pez candies and a LiveSaver Gummy to spell out the baby's name. It gave it a kind of easy whimsy that blended in with the whole homemade fun look. I also baked an additional dozen cupcakes for the girls to decorate themselves using different colors of Pez candies and Willy Wonka Nerds. Might I add that cupcake cakes are definitely A++ in my book. It's a single serving option! Each child gets their own cupcake- so no more fighting over the BIG piece. Cupcakes are just cute and cuddly... and TASTY... and somehow seem more sanitary. IDK! The girls really LOVED it- that's what matters in my book- And that's how we're making tomorrow's memories today!
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