Coming Up For Air

Going back to school this week was a slap back to reality. No more sleeping in until 6:30. (Yes, that's sleeping in around here.) No more staying in pajamas all day. No more blogging anytime I feel like it.

I was so busy this week I didn't know if I was coming or going. Monday was a teacher work day. I LOVE those days. I got so much done. My desk was clean and free of piles. Everything was organized and put in its proper place. I made a goal right then and there to grade papers immediately, record them, and pass them back. No more piles. No more tossing things onto my desk.

Yeah, right.

That lasted about 2 hours on Tuesday. Then I was right back to my old ways. *sigh*

We had ice and snow this week. It didn't last long, so we enjoyed it while we could.

You might wonder why there are no pictures of Cole in the snow. Apparently Daddy "ruined everything" so he sat on the porch pouting.

I told my mom a few weeks ago that I thought Claire needed new snow boots. Um, yeah. I found 9 pairs of boots in her closet.

Grandma got this little princess desk for a steal. $3.00!! Little Miss was very impressed and got down to business coloring, all the while admiring herself in the mirror.

Notice Claire's room. Pretty well picked up. Granted, you can only see a small part of it, but take my word for it. It was clean. Was being the operative word.
This morning while I tried to clean my own room, the kids were playing nicely and quietly in Claire's room. So quiet, in fact, that I resisted the urge to check on them just because they were getting along and not fighting and I was getting something accomplished.

Not only is it now a mess, but large pieces of furniture were moved. Apparently the "puppy" needed a clubhouse set up in the corner of her room. So after cleaning my room, I set out to fix this room. *sigh*

The kids discovered that the middle part of the couch pulls down to reveal cupholders. Biggest.deal.ever.

This week includes more of the same. I am looking forward to next Monday when the kids and I are off for MLK Day. And I certainly wouldn't mind a 2 hour delay or a snow day this week. What about you? Anything exciting to look forward to this week? Are you too busy to keep up? Any snow where you are?

Unbreak My Heart

Did you hear the news? The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad news?

He's...he's...engaged.

*sniff*
The nerve.

And look at Karina all smug in her size 0 dress.

Hmpf.

I guess I'll have to hold out for my other boyfriend.

Except I think he's gay.

Sheesh.

It's tough finding a good man these days.

I guess I'll stick with the one I've got.

Not everyone can pull off a 40th birthday cake hat like he can.

Drumroll Please...

THEWINNER

IS...

CONGRATULATIONS, COLUMBIA LILY!

Please email me with your address so I can ship this bag o' goodies

to you ASAP!

Thanks to everyone who came over and played! I had a TON of fun reading through all of your comments, checking out your blogs, adding people to my daily favorite reads, and making new friends.

AND my birthday is coming up this month, so you never know when there might be

another giveaway.

And now, your moment of zen...

Time's Up!

My blogiversary giveaway has come to a close. Winner will be announced Monday afternoon...my first day back to school!

While you wait to hear who won the bag of my favorite things...here's a little chubby cheek fix to get you through the day.

Best Party Mix Recipe Ever

Today's recipe is my new favorite snack. It is very addictive, but oh so good. This would be a wonderful snack to serve at your Superbowl Party. That is, unless your team just LOST to San Diego and is out of the playoffs. *sigh*

To make this super easy snack mix, you need: Bugles, Crispix cereal, Goldfish, White Cheddar Cheez-It crackers, small pretzels, butter flavored popcorn oil, cashews, one packet of ranch salad dressing mix, and one packet of ranch dips mix. Oh, and a really big pan.

In your really big pan, dump in the entire bag of Bugles.
Then, while trying to open the Cheez-Its, ram the corner of the box under your fingernail about 1/2 inch deep...or just deep enough to cause bleeding and cursing. On second thought, don't do this. It hurts. It hurts bad.

I wonder if my bloody finger is going to prevent some of you from making this. It's probably not the best advertising technique.

Instead, carefully open the package of Cheeze-Its and dump the entire box into the pan.

Add a 6 oz. bag of colored Goldfish crackers.

Now you need 3 cups of your favorite small pretzel.

Then add 2 cups Crispix cereal.

Then pour in a 16 oz container of cashews.

Mix it all together.

Now slowly pour 3/4 cup of the popcorn oil into the mixture, stirring as you pour.

Then add both packets of ranch seasoning, stirring well as you sprinkle. Please don't let the ranch scare you. It's not so much ranchy as just really deliciously seasoned. There's something about the ranch seasoning and the popcorn oil together that make it unbelievably good.

Bake at 250 degrees for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let it cool and enjoy!

It makes a ton, so be sure to have your Tupperware or freezer storage bags ready. Okay, it doesn't actually make 2,000 pounds, but it does make a lot. Not that there is any left over at my house because we ate it all in about 1 day, but the average family might not scarf it down quite so quickly.

If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think!

I'm not the only one giving stuff away!

If you haven't signed up for my giveaway, click here! And hurry! Contest ends Sunday at midnight.

Apparently I am not the only one starting the new year off with a giveaway! Check out these fabulous contests!

Rhea at Texas Word Tangle is giving away 3 books and a stir-fry pan...among other goodies! Go enter now!

Melissa at Fairytale Boutique is giving away a hand-made tutu. I think Little Miss would look adorable in it!

Jeannie at Jeannie's Happy World is giving away hand-made earrings and a watch!

And Jessica at The Russo Corner is giving away a TON of beauty products! Awesome giveaway!

AND The Mom Jen has a review blog (WHO KNEW?!) and is giving away some label goodies. Go check her out!

Check back tomorrow for a new recipe! Have a great Saturday!

2009 is the new 2008

If you haven't yet entered my blogiversary giveaway, click here before proceeding. If you wanna. No pressure.

People always say how quickly your kids grow up and not to blink or they will be grown. You don't truly understand the meaning of that statement until you actually live it. Someone recently told me, "The days drag on forever, but the years fly by." That pretty much sums up our 2008. I really coudn't remember any specific events or milestones we experienced over the past year until I started looking through the pictures. What a year it was...

I started blogging.

Cole began sleeping in a "big boy" bed and Little Miss gave up paci. My gosh that seems like a million years ago...

The Russian Peasant became an internet phenomenon. Okay, not really...but she is darn cute.

We lost one dog...and gained another.
Cole overcame his fear of the cattle...and Little Miss became Fair Queen.
Cole saw his first movie at the theater...Kung Fu Panda.
We survived a major flood...and Hurricane Ike.
We got a swingset...

and a new car.Cole started preschool...
and turned 5.
Claire turned 3... and became a princess.

We had a visit from these guys.

Aunt Susie got married.

.

And before I knew it...I blinked. And my babies weren't babies anymore.