Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving and it had a lot to do with pie :)  My favorite pie is Banana Cream and every year my family has the same 3 pies: apple, cherry and pumpkin.  Truth is I'm not crazy about any of those.  So this year I made Banana Cream happen and everyone loved it.  I bought it, sorry I worked the day before, but I am so glad I did.  My mom cooked and I HAD to make Sweet Potato Souffle.  I made it for the first time in 2008 and every year it's what I am requested to bring.  My family LOVES the stuff!  This was our attempt at a nice family pic this year:  4 out of 5!
 

I have changed my focus from the kids to the Christmas List for other people: Brady's teacher, bus driver, family, friends, neighbors, etc.  I tend to stick with gift cards because frankly I love a good gift card!  And really who doesn't love some Five Guys? or going to see a movie? or Tim Horton's always comes in handy for the bus driver.

Oh and that big meatball in my life likes to wait and wait to decide on what he wants.  He mentioned a Little Joe's leather vest for riding on his motorcycle or a new pair of jeans. 

I made the mistake of turning him on to designer jeans.  You know what they say - once you go designer, you never go back. Haha.

And our Christmas photo shoot is coming up and I am stressing about clothes.  I think coordinating everyone's outfits is the hardest part.  When Kate and Jack Spade teamed up with Gap I knew my boys would need something!  I love Kate Spade and will admit if I had a little girl I would have gone nuts that day.  I ordered Brady's Jack Spade shirt right away.   

I found a 2T Polo Navy sweater in Pierce's closet that Brady never wore - Score!  So this was how the navy, white and gray theme started.  I had to order a shirt for Reid and dad and a dress for me but we are finally ready.  Now we just need to say a prayer everyone cooperates!   

The Storm is Over

Life is slowly returning back to normal around here.  We went to Target and Wegman's and it feels so good to be out and about.  There were TONS of people out shopping for food and it made me feel a little panicked.  Like why are they buying bacon?  Should I be buying bacon?  What if its the last package?  We like bacon - go for it!   Haha.  Oh and I picked up this essential: 

Only available at this time of the year and it is my favorite!! 

I wish I could say the house was spotless or laundry is all caught up since we have been stuck home but it isn't!  And who really knows when we will get mail again or deliveries.  But that hasn't stopped me from shopping.  I am in love with the cute stripes at Gap this season.  I had to get the gloves! 

 

Steve has really been amazing during the storm.  There were times I wanted to break and he was a rock.  Wrestling with the boys all while going out and shoveling and snow blowing in between.  And he didn't get on my nerves once!  I could totally be stranded with him any time.   

 

Back to work for me Monday and Wednesday next week for me and I am looking forward to it.  I have once again been requested to make sweet potato soufflé for Thanksgiving at my parents house.  That will be taking place Wednesday night.  I am the late girl at work Wednesday (8-6) so hopefully not too late!  How many people really want a colonoscopy the day before Thanksgiving?  Actually, it might be great idea :)  More ROOM!    

Snowed In

We live in Buffalo and you may have heard we are getting pummeled.  This photo is breathtakingly beautiful and awesome. 

Day 1 I was so happy that daddy stayed home and we were all going to be together.  We had plenty of food.  Things were good, the boys headed out to play.  We had no idea it was just going to keep snowing.

Day 2: We are out of bread, the boys are on their last bag of their beloved salt n vinegar chips.  We are hanging in there.  I called in sick to work because we haven't seen a plow since the storm started.  And then at 7pm a front loader came down our street!!  Steve and I put the kids to bed, headed out and I knocked the snow down while he used the snow blower and we cleared a path to get the truck out.  It was exciting knowing we could leave when it was safe.

Day 3: It is snowing again, hard.  I am feeling discouraged.  This is really becoming a horrible snow storm (people are dying) and we are all going a tad crazy.  You know when you get extremely tired and get all silly?  Well, that is me right now.  I am laughing at everything but feel like it could turn to tears at any moment.  Trying to plan the next meal, keep the kids happy and busy, the house somewhat clean and not lose my shit at any moment.

But the truth is I'm kinda scared.  Scared as to if or when we will lose power (my parents just did), when we will be able to leave the house, when can we get gas for the snowblower or my husband's meds?  Or if we can make it to a store will there be milk or bread left?  It's scary to know if something happens, even if its stupid like cutting myself with a knife cutting up vegetables or one of kids falling and needing stitches, how will we get to the hospital?

Nothing like being trapped at home and all of your focus goes right to food.  Maybe because there is nothing else to do but we are thinking about dinner when we are making lunch.  Finding a bag of onion rings in the downstairs freezer and getting all happy makes you feel like a fat ass! 

And this door with all that snow is making me feel claustrophobic.

Day 4: So much for the path we made, it snowed another foot and a half :(  I called in sick to work again because I have no way of getting there.  The thruways are still closed, union and transit road are closed also.  But when we woke up another front loader has come down our street.  Steve siphoned gas from his motorcycle for the snow blower and he is heading out once again to dig us out.  The driving bans are still in place so who knows when we can actually leave.  But it just feels better knowing we can get out when its safe.  I am still worried that when we finally get to a store, they won't have any food anyway.  And Steve is out of blood pressure medicine. 

Trying to keep the kids occupied

I am trying to find the silver lining.  We are warm, our bellies are full (maybe too full) and we are together.  Meatball and I are quite the team during a blizzard!  Had I have known we were going to be trapped for 4 days I could have potty trained P.  Kicking myself for that one.  I'm sure we will look back at these days and laugh.  But right now I need to get out!!

This seemed appropriate.

Brady the Gymnast

I'm having a proud mama moment over here.  Brady is 6 now and has been going to gymnastics since he was 2 when we did Mommy & Me.  Let's throw it back!

He is on Level 1 team gymnastics now and had his first meet (ever) and did so well.  He got 2nd place all around, 6 ribbons and a medal.  He rocked the highest score in vault and did such a good job on rings.  Our little guy is getting pretty ripped (dad's jealous).  You should see him pump out some sit-ups or push-ups! 

He hates his shorts that he had to wear and I hated the price.  $36 for black daisy dukes??  Thank god everyone else's shorts were just as small.  And thank goodness I saved 2 pairs of briefs for those dukes or I would have been running to Target.  His skinny legs are just adorable :)

Brady really seems to enjoy gymnastics which is so nice.  He actually wants to go to practice every week.  And it gave me a Christmas idea for some "gymnastic wear".  Maybe a sweatshirt or some sweats for practice. 

And on a side note: you guys need to check out piperlime right now.  The sale is crazy!  All off season but if you are planning a spring vacation like us, its a great time to shop for maxis.  Some of these dresses are less than $20 and free shipping.  And 20% off right now. Promo BZ4MBCMT7NP8

 

Wrapping Paper

It's that time of year again.  I don't know about you but I like to have presents wrapped in all different colors under the tree.  Gold, silver, red, blue, green, white, etc.  I love color! 

My aunt introduced me to the Current Catalog a long time ago.  And I have been buying all of our wrapping paper from them ever since. 

It is the thickest and really just the best paper on the market.  I hate wrapping presents and don't even get me started on when it rips!  No cheap paper for us and this stuff will not rip.  I am lucky my dad loves to wrap presents so we have him come over and he gets it all done, perfectly I might add. 

They also have great cards which I like to keep on hand for Birthdays and other special occasions.  Check them out or wait till after Christmas when they have their huge sale!!  Jumbo rolls last forever.  Happy Shopping!

www.currentcatalog.com

Emerald Cut Love

I am freakin obsessed with emerald cut diamonds and have been for a long time. 

There is just something so classic about it. 

I could probably pin emerald cut diamonds all day long!

Steve bought my engagement ring back in 2009 (yes we had a 3year engagement) and the jeweler actually tried talking him out of an emerald cut!!  The jeweler was so afraid that I wouldn't like it.  He kept saying they don't sparkle and that I would want a princess cut.  Boy was he wrong!  And what's better than 1 emerald cut diamond? 3 emerald cut diamonds!  I tried taking a picture of my own ring and that was damn near impossible.  So I will leave it to a professional.  Photo cred to Bossy Photography

Even though I don't wear my ring that often, I do love it and try to wear it on weekends.  I am so afraid of wearing it at work when I don gloves all day long. And then when I am in mom mode there's a lot of things that don't get done.  I'm lucky if I shower most days! 

Someday when we hit the lottery this girl will be buying herself some emerald cut earrings to go with her ring.   

Dreamin about my Christmas List

Now most of these will NEVER happen but a girl can dream right?  Where is that damn money tree when you need it :)

Naked 3 Palette.

Ugg Slippers!  Need I say more?

Gap Down Vest, How stinkin cute is that?

Le Creuset French Oven.  Hot damn these things are expensive.  My bestie got me a le creuset stock pot in soleil and it started the love affair.  If you watch Food Network, these things are everywhere.

Canada Goose Jacket.  I mean this is pretty much a need - Its Buffalo cold.  Red would be perfect.

 

 

I am still rocking an iPhone 4 so a new phone is a must! Gold Please.

 

 

 

 

And really any pair of boots from the Frye company would make this girl very happy on Christmas.

 





F the Mommy Wars

Those are my exact feelings. 

Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, stay-at-home mom, work-from-home mom, cloth diapering, disposable diapers, home school, public school, etc.  I think we are all in this together and as long as you have your children's best interest at heart then rock on with whatever you choose!!! 

I get to have the best of both worlds: I like to say full-time mom, part-time nurse.  I stay home 4-5 days a week and work out of the home for 2-3.  And I am just as tired at night when I have been mom all day as I am when I work a 10-hour shift on my feet.  I see both sides and no one has it perfect. 

Let me tell you a story:  I ran into an old friend from college at target.  She stopped in on her lunch break in these nice dressy pants with heels, a sweater and pearls.  I was in sweatpants, no makeup, not even wearing my wedding band, sneakers and dirty hair.  I immediately felt embarrassed.  But ya know what?  She was so happy to see my kids and it made me think she is probably missing hers like crazy.  We were sitting at Target eating (or throwing) pizza and she was running errands on her lunch break because she was so busy.  See my point.   

Do I ever think about my working mom friends and wish I had a cute wardrobe like they do? Yes, I live in scrubs and sweatpants.  Do I ever think how nice it would be to leave my clean house in the morning and get home and wish it was how I left it?  Heck Yes!

Papa watches the boys at our house when I work and we are SOOOOOOO lucky to have him.  But please understand every scenario has its pros and cons.  Just hear me out!  Sometimes our situation makes me crazy.  Papa uses lots of k-cups, rolls of paper towels, gives the boys too much pop, holds the baby in my opinion for far too long, doesn't always follow our nap schedule and lets the boys eat anywhere!  BUT the boys love papa days so we just bite our tongue.  Sometimes I think dropping the boys off somewhere else sounds great - then the mess stays there!  But then daycare doesn't take sick kids so that would mean burning a sick day for me.  And I'm sure daycare doesn't get it perfect either.

I guess my point is no ones situation is perfect.  I think we all need to support each other and each others circumstances.   

   

Brows

I get a lot of comments on my eyebrows so I wanted to share what I use.  First let me say thick eyebrows are back in style.  But I have been waxing since I was 17 so my brows are a tad thinned out.  Eyebrows frame your face - they are important.  I did use a pencil for a long time but have now discovered this kit from Anastasia.  I use it daily, yes even on "mom in her sweatpants with boogers on them" days.  Ha!  It has everything you need. 

I use brunette but it does come in blonde.  It has a wax that you apply first, I use my pinkie.  It helps the brow powder stay but also works to keep your brows in place.  Then apply the brow duo (which I mix) with the supplied brush.  And then a highlighter for your brow bone.

It also comes with brow stencils if you are challenged in this department or just got carried away with the tweezers.  I just got this exact kit for my mom for her Birthday.  (Unfortunately brows thin as we age) Purchased separately costs a small fortune: Brush $17, brow duo is $23 and the gel or wax is $21.  So the kit for 39.50 is a deal!!!  Available at Sephora.com   http://www.sephora.com/beauty-express-for-brows-eyes-P277913?skuId=1306984  Happy Eyebrowing!

Halloween Fun

I don't know about you but October flew by for us!!!  Brady had a great party a school and we all carved pumpkins when he got home.  Uncle Pete, my parents and Steve's parents came over to see the kids in costume.  Taco dip, pizza and wings were consumed by all.  Brady was a skeleton, Pierce was a puppy dog and Reid was Tigger.  Pierce refused to put his ears on but other than that everyone was happy.  It rained (again!) this year but it didn't dampen the kids spirits. 

Now what on earth will we do with all this candy???