Surprise! It's a Bouncing Teenage Boy!

I know this may come as a surprise to some of you, but we decided to let our nephew live with us for a few months while he is on a school break.

Now, to our surprise, we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into. Can you say 16 year old hormones? Oh boy, literally. Having a teenager boy is so very different than my 3 girls. I know we haven’t gotten to puberty yet with any of them, but my gosh, talk about a crash course.

What a difference between raising boys and girls! They are so very different. We aren’t used to being around boys, much less having one live with us. I am learning boys seem to have an erection throughout most of the day.

What kinds of things do I need to be aware of during this advanced teenager stage we are in? Any advice from experienced parents?

Calgon, take me away……………

Wordless Wednesday

I've Been Threaded

I wish I had a before and after picture to show you the results. I was out shopping yesterday at the mall with my family when I saw something that seemed quite intriguing. It was a threading booth which I had never seen before. I've heard about it, but this was the first time I actually saw it done.

I stopped to look and was very much impressed, but soon after went on my way. There was something about it that drew me back. I did it. I agreed to let them them thread my eyebrows. To give you a bit of history, I have the bushiest eyebrows which have never been kept up in quite some time. They were a mess.

I sat down and the chair reclined. The lady got her thread and started her magic. Well, either she is a sadist or I am a masochist. That was some painful. I am not sure if the actual pulling of the hairs bothered me the most or the sound of the thread being wound up when it was moved back and forth. Ouch!

I do have beautifully arched eyebrows, but yikes, it sure was a painful five minutes to get there. As they say, "you have to suffer to be beautiful."

Baking Frenzy

Well, today I went on a gluten free baking frenzy. I started with cinnamon raisin bread, made some pancakes, and finally chocolate chip cookies. Since I am still learning how to bake gluten free, I figured I would try all sorts of new things today. Some good and some, well, not so good.

I'll start with the good.
Here's my cinnamon raisin bread. I cannot believe it, but it rose. To everyone's surprise, it tasted fairly well. The kids, especially loved it. I had to put some butter and sprinkles of cinnamon sugar to satisfy my taste. And, it sliced very well thanks to my electric bread knife.

Next were the pancakes. As you can see, they were rather flat. Once again, the kids loved my creation! The girls originally complained about how they looked, but ate every single pancake. I score again.
Now for the disappointment. Here are the horrible cookies. The only one who actually ate them was the baby. But, she eats everything. She's not very selective when it comes to food. I'll just try again. When all else fails, I know the Betty Crocker GF chocolate chip cookies are yummy. Thanks Betty!

Wordless Wednesday

What Kind of Cup?

Okay guys, this one is not for you. This post is just for the ladies. I just placed an order for a feminine product. I cannot wait until it comes in. It is called a Moon Cup (US). When I first learned about it, I thought it was so weird, then I did some research and now think this may be the next best thing.

I was flipping through one of my sister's British magazines and found an article about the British version of the menstrual cup called the Mooncup (UK). This is what started me on this search. I found an awesome website called Ecomenses that lists all of the different brands of cups, her reviews of many of them, and a wealth of information.

I am so darn excited. I have to wait 3-7 days until it arrives. You'd think I was waiting for an envelope with money or a new car, but no, just a menstrual cup. Something that I feel will revolutionize they way I think about and handle Mother Nature's Special Gift each month.

Wordless Wednesday

Texas Longhorn Steer
San Antonio, Texas

Dreams Do Come True!

As you know, I have three little girls that keep me quite busy. Therefore, it leaves very little time for me to do a lot of the essentials. I am always picking up in the morning, in the afternoon, at night. It never ends. Luckily for my dear husband, he helps out and does much of the cleaning.

For the last 2 years, I have been asking for a house keeper for my birthday, mother's day, Christmas, our anniversary, but nope. Not a one. Until today!

Two ladies were here at 6:45 AM until 3:00 PM today. My house is so clean and everything is put away. It is wonderful. Not sure how long I will get the luxury of a house keeper, but I will welcome them with open arms in 2 weeks.

Now, how do I get the kids to follow rules and put their things away? I guess that goes for husbands, too. This certainly was one happy day.

And Then There Were More

MM went back to the doctor and we find out she can't have any dairy including cheese nor can she have sugar. This is near impossible. What am I going to allow my poor child to eat? No wheat, flour, gluten, dairy, juice, or sugar.

I think I may need to consult a nutritionist because I am overwhelmed with this task of eliminating so many foods.

Wordless Wednesday

Panning for gems at the Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio, Texas.

Gluten Free...Again

Well, we are back to gluten free, AGAIN. First, it was SG about two years ago when we were trying to figure out some of her problems. Now it is MM. She has a super sensitivity to wheat, gluten, and dairy. Its no big deal for me, but try to tell a 3 year old she can't have pizza (not gluten free), snacks at school that the others are eating, and just about everything else.

I thought the hardest part would be getting her to quit drinking cow's milk, but it wasn't so bad. She is starting to dig rice and almond milk, mostly if it has chocolate in it.

Back to the gluten free (GF). I find there is a much greater selection at the grocery, Wal-Mart, and Whole Foods than there was 2 years ago. Thank you Betty Crocker! We tried the new chocolate chip cookies. I would say they were pretty good since they were all gone the next day. I picked up a box of their brownie mix tonight. I just wish ole' Betty offered coupons for her products. GF sure is expensive.

I have a feeling I'll be writing about my experiences with all of the new gluten free products we try. Please let these new dietary habits make an impact on my sweet little one's health.

Let's Bowl, Let's Bowl, Let's Rock-n-Roll

I think the pictures say it all. Nothing else needs to be said.

The After Effects

Here's a picture of the "after" major spring cleaning in the girls' room. Gosh, that was some hard work. Although it is clean, the girls were able to mess it up almost immediately.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning, well I guess it is summer cleaning, I decided to tackle today. Allergies, asthma, and infections are on the rise in our house. I suspect this is the best opportunity for me to start de-cluttering and dusting.

Today will be out with the old and in with the new. The girls get new mattresses for their beds. I figured since I have to move things around then it is just as good as anytime to give the bed linens a good scrub down. Their bedroom is getting a good scrub down, too.

When I made it to the laundry room, I decided it was time to give it a good scrub down, too. So I am tackling one bedroom and the laundry room today. Hopefully I will be able to get to my bedroom before the baby wakes up from her nap.

If I remember, I will post a picture of the completed "Summer Cleaning" of the girls' room.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, I just celebrated my 39th birthday and am very proud of that. Most people really dread their birthdays, but not me. I like to rejoice in them. I have had 39 awesome years. Thanks mom (and dad, too)! Best of yet, I am proud to tell my age. Ask me and I will tell you.

I don't think I look my so-called-age. I don't feel my so-called-age. So, therefore I must not be 39 years old. Nah!

First of all, I think I have really great genes, of the scientific/biological type. Next I have 3 young children to help keep me youthful and active. Lastly, I think it is a mind over matter thing. If you feel old, you will be old. I feel young therefore I am young.

Happy birthday to me!!!!!

Family Yoga

Saturday was family yoga day. We started classes called Little Family Itsy Bitsy Yoga, through a program called Itsy Bitsy Yoga. Yes, it was me and all three girls. So, every Saturday and every other Wednesday, we will have family yoga. I guess you can say I am grooming them into little yogis.

Of all the girls, I think CG did the best. For being just 13 months, she sure was interested and trying all of the poses/movements. MM just wanted to play and SG knows more than the basics we were doing. All in all, it was a great experience with my girls!

Wordless Wednesday

Hello Again!

I actually forgot about my blog. I have been so busy with my busy-bees and work. There is never a dull moment. Hopefully I will remember to leave a post every-now-and-again.

I was working just once or twice a month, but now I work part-time. They (my job) actually have me 2 days one week and 3 days the next. It is one thing to be a stay-at-home mom and work occasionally or to work full-time, but this part-time work and full-time mom is kicking my butt. One day I will sort it out and make it work.