Rockin with Disney

Today was so much fun! We decided last minute to take the girls to see Disney's ice show Rockin Ever After. Princess6 and Princess9 both had mentioned it multiple times and since they are neither ones to ask for things too often and have done amazingly well in school and are all around just good kids...it was decided that we'd surprise them. So on our family calendar I wrote 'Big Surprise!' on today's date. Of course my detail-oriented Princess6 who studies that calendar and marks off each day noticed immediately. They were anticipating the event for about 30 hours. Last night Princess9 wasn't feeling too hot and all she could think of was not wanting to miss the big surprise. She was so pitiful....so today she kept thinking of things it could be and even guessed correctly but we convinced her she was wrong without lying...something tricky to do with a smart 9 year old. I quietly packed their princess dresses and we loaded up heading down to South Philly.

They still didn't know here :)

I think it made it more exciting for them to anticipate the surprise. I would have hated it. I like surprises but only if you spring it on me. I usually figure it out if I get any type of hint or clue. So anyway...they were so excited when we finally parked and we told them. They had a blast and Princess3 was in awe. She was so cute because Daddy kept asking he questions and she was so engrossed in the show she didn't hear him. I love having kids and being able to do these fun things with them. It's the memories that they take with them. I have to remember that they aren't going to always remember the day to day things but when we make an effort to have a special day whether its just breaking out the china and having a fancy meal for no reason or decorating the whole house on their birthdays...make the days special and they will cherish them.

So excited..Princess6 asked me every couple minutes "How much longer till it starts? How many minutes?" When I told her 7 she was so sweet with her little "Yay!" She's my quiet one and though she didn't jump for joy..she was extremely happy. 

It's Resolution Time

As I sit here and read all my fellow bloggers' resolutions I think to myself, should I really make a resolution this year? Honestly? Resolutions don't usually last past January, right? But then I think, there's nothing really wrong with trying to make changes in life. Maybe some people need a motivating factor like the turning of the page that is the New Year. I'm one of those. A procrastinator to the core who certainly needs motivating factors to get my butt in gear. I once wrote a 10 page paper in college on a book that I was supposed to have read but didn't the NIGHT BEFORE.  Yep. I totally thought I was going to get a C on that thing and was thrilled when I got back a 95...I know..awesome right? Yeah, I work better under pressure or with the right motivation. Prince Charming gets on me because lately he's become Super Dad with me in school and working and when I was putting on the church play for Christmas I just didn't have time to do a lot of the day to day things. He has taken on responsibilities around the house that I used to do.
However, he likes to point out that I only did them when I was motivated..which was usually because company was coming over. Let me tell you, my house gets the cleanest in the five minutes before my mother in law randomly stops by than it did the previous three and a half days she DIDN'T stop by. So yeah...I need motivation. My motivation right now is the new year. I want to lose that baby weight that I gained with Princess3 which I lost because I was eating better and exercising but gained back when I started school, quit exercising and was stressed and began to eat terribly again...*sigh...so yep..diet starts tomorrow. Only because I finally ate all my Christmas cookies, leftovers, cheesecake, and chocolate chip banana bread and there's no more junk in my house that I didn't want to throw in the garbage. So my two week special K diet starts tomorrow and I plan to exercise and be hungry...that's how I did it before..let's hope it works again! lol...Anyone wanna give me their treadmill so I can run out of the cold? Until then, I guess I'm gonna have to let Jillian Michaels kick my butt....I'd much rather run. ha ha.

Also, I think maybe I will try and do better at this whole mom thing. Now I don't think I'm a terrible mother or anything, but my poor family has been on the back burner since I've been in school on top of all the other craziness. So doing things on purpose like making an 'Unplugged' night where we don't watch TV or use any electronics like the laptop or cell phones...hmm...maybe I should confirm this with Prince Charming since it's basketball season..So we may have to coordinate this properly...lol...but it's something to try. My Princess6 made such a change in the way she responded to Prince Charming when he started playing board games with her..so maybe a board game night. Living life on purpose. Making special efforts to get one on one time with each of my daughters is something to be achieved.

Which leads me to this...getting organized. Making to-do lists each night and trying to get things done without feeling like I'm forgetting something. I always heard "a day not planned is a day wasted" which I can totally see to be true.

Read More. I've been working on Uncle Tom's Cabin for what seems like FOREVER. I really like it and it's on my list of Books to Read Before You Die but I've just not had any time. (That Statistics class really kicked my butt.)

Also, maybe I'll try and be a little nicer to Prince Charming. He does do a lot for me even though he doesn't listen to a word I say sometimes. He's an excellent father though he drives me crazy when we go shopping and let's the kids run down the aisles. I would be lost without him in so many ways although he would never find anything in our house if I wasn't here to tell him where it was. I promised him I would try not to sigh whenever he asks me to do something and I don't want to. (Grr..my mom used to say the same thing when I was a teenager..guess old habits die hard) So that is my main goal...have a good attitude and hide my frustration and show him a little more respect. He's the love of my life and I'm thankful for him and that we are grown up enough to work out our differences. after a big screaming match which started over something stupid because it was about something completely different. lol...anyone been there? So yeah, 2013 is a new page in The Castle. lol.

And most importantly...spend more time in God's Word. Reading my Bible and spending time in prayer is certainly lacking in my life and I definitely feel more at peace when I do spend time with Him.

So...what are YOUR resolutions? Do you not make them because you never stick to them? I think that trying to become a better person is a noble thing and whether it takes a new year, or your mother in law popping in, or your pants getting too tight....whatever the reason, seeing that you need to make changes and trying to make them is always a positive thing and something that not everyone will do.

So Happy New Year and 

Good luck to all of you who are trying to turn over a new leaf!

Hiding From Your Kids?

So, tonight was like any other night. Princess6 and Princess3 were finishing dinner at the table....taking FOREVER....as per usual. I was cleaning up the kitchen and loading the dishwasher. Princess8 was downstairs in the playroom and Prince Charming was upstairs vacuuming (yes he vacuums...I know... I'm a lucky gal). And my parents were in the living room watching t.v. (They're visiting from FL). While putting away the leftovers into the fridge, I noticed a little jello pudding with sprinkles and oreo crumbs that the girls' MomMom brought for them all the way in the back of the fridge. It was like a light shone on that spot with a choir singing..you know, the way it happens in movies? lol.. Well, somehow it was never eaten in all this time and since I'm such a chocoholic...I decided that it was now mine. (Sorry MomMom). I checked for the coast to be clear and opened it up! Quickly pouring the sprinkles on I contemplated for a split second getting some whipped cream, but scratched that thought because there was NO TIME! I knew that any minute one of my princesses would walk in the kitchen and catch me eating their pudding which they didn't even care about because they forgot it existed. I heard Princess6 coming and quickly hid my pudding cup and went to see what she wanted. She asked if she could be done and I nodded since my mouth was full. Taking her plate I told her to go finish her milk...which was really my effort to get her out of the kitchen so I could finish my dessert, which I did...swiftly. It made me laugh because I was thinking...I hide from the girls a LOT. Whenever I have some type of dessert that I love...a little selfish streak takes over. For instance when we buy those Little Debbie's Chocolate Cupcakes...you know, the ones with the white swirls across the middle, they usually end up on top of the fridge out of kids' view. If I eat ice cream, it's usually when they're in bed or somewhere else. I don't like to share. BUT, if they ask me, I'll never tell them "no" because how can I tell my sweethearts "no"? So instead, I just hide like an addict keeping their addiction 'in the closet'. I sneak York peppermint patties, brownies, cupcakes..etc.. For one, I don't want them to eat it..because I'm being unhealthy, and two..I want it ALL! LOL. If I give them one bite, then it's one less for me. So it's easier to keep the 'out of sight out of mind' aspect. So, my question for you is...Do YOU hide from your kids? My Prince Charming never does, he's such a good dad. Me on the other hand, yeah, I'm a little bit selfish. (Only when it comes to dessert).

How can I say "no" to these lovely faces?

Summer Movie Manners...How should kids behave?

This is actually a picture from July4th since I couldn't find one from movie night. 

I love summer. I especially love outdoor movies in summer. Every two weeks I try to take my oldest daughter, and sometimes the other two depending on the movie, to the TDBank Amphitheater in Bensalem about 30 minutes away that has free screenings under the stars. It's a decent size place where they hold some concerts. Normally we arrive before dusk and get good seats. However, last week we went to see Puss in Boots. It was my 3 princesses, my nephew, my husband and myself. Well, I forgot that dusk is earlier now since we are into August so we got there just as the movie was beginning. Needless to say we didn't get our 'good' seats. We ended up sitting towards the back. The sound was pretty good back there, just the screen wasn't as large. I was so proud of our four kids. They were so well-behaved the entire time...even Princess3 (She just turned 3 years old). If they said anything, it was very quietly, not enough to disturb our neighbors. However, in front of us were two moms with their brood. All had to be between age 4 and 7 or 8. The entire time their kids were SOO noisy. One of them was one of those 'loud talkers' who had an almost soprano voice and was pretty much screaming his every word. Did they correct them at all? Maybe shush them a few times? Umm...NOPE. Not a peep. The kids were running around acting like they were in a playground. Maybe I'm being judgemental. I really don't think so though. It's just common courtesy to respect those around you. At least if they were attempting to quiet the kids, I'd have a little more respect. But they didn't even try. That shows a lack of respect for other movie goers. Luckily the sound was loud enough where we could hear, but it wasn't the most comfortable situation. What do you do in those situations? I need some tips. :) I just let it go, but sometimes I wish I was a little more confrontational. There are just unwritten rules in social situations. Such as: you try to be quiet at movies and in libraries, and you give people at least 3 feet of personal space when sitting next to or having a conversation with another person. (The latter is for another post..just wanted to put it out there.) Are we a society that no longer cares about others and is a Me Me Me society? Selfish and inconsiderate? I understand moms not wanting to be negative or correct kids, actually...scratch that... no I don't. Sorry. Kids need correcting. They need boundaries, and consequences, and follow-through. You're not doing your kids any favors by indulging their every whim and letting them live fully under their own rules. Society has rules for adults so kids should learn rules too. Anyway...getting off on a tangent again. I am just venting. Again, how should one handle that situation, or how do YOU handle those situations? I feel like I shouldn't be put in a place where I'd HAVE to deal with it to begin with because we should all be considerate of each other and there'd be no problems. But that's unrealistic these days. I will definitely be going back, but next time we'll just be on time and sit closer where there are less distractions. (BTW..they weren't the only kids/parents being rude. Just the closest ones to us.)

Happy Birthday Princess3!

Happy Birthday to the most precious three year old I know. Here we are at round 2 of the birthday celebrations...the actual party. It was a lot of work, but so nice to spend time with friends and family. I cooked up some Carolina BBQ, cole slaw, potato salad, cornbread, baked beans, and sweet tea. I was going for a Carolina pig pickin' without the pig and barrel roaster. We had a couple kiddie pools set up with slides in them, our swingset, and the slip n slide was on the hill making it extra fun. Spending time relaxing my friends and family celebrating my princess made for a great day. I was exhausted but enjoyed every minute!

our kiddie pools and Simple Set pool. We had lawn chairs at the top of the hill.

This is so much fun! I went down it a couple times the week before. (Feet First..not head first...I'm not crazy..anymore)

Princess8 being silly

Calm My Crazy:{2} Hide and Go Seek

Linking up with Denise from According to Denise again....

Life gets crazy for everyone, especially around birthday parties. My sweet littlest princess turned 3 last week and we are having her party this weekend. My mom is visiting this week from sunny Florida which is great and been helpful. So life gets hectic between trying to clean my house, be mom, get stuff ready for the party, cook for us AND for the party, spend time with the kids and my mom, oh and did I mention I am a college student again? So yeah, papers and tons of reading every week, AND I work outside the home (part time, but 25 hours is nothing to sneeze at when you have all that on your plate too). I'm not looking for a pat on the back. It's my life, and I wouldn't change anything, well, maybe except magically already having obtained my bachelor's degree. But other than that, I am blessed. So needless to say I needed to Calm My Crazy today. Mom, the girls and myself piled in the minivan, ran one errand and headed to the park in a heat advisory. ha ha...It really wasn't too bad at first because the clouds were out. So the princesses and I had the park to ourselves and decided to play a little hide and seek. I love watching them play! All three are at such different stages in life and I am amazed, STILL, by them every day. Princess8 is the oldest and tries so hard to find a 'good' spot. Princess5 always gives herself away, and Princess3's run is so stinkin' cute. Sometimes life needs to hold on for a sec so we can stop and smell the roses and play hide and seek and maybe swing on the swing set a bit. You're never to old to have fun with your kids.

Princess2 Was Potty Trained in "Less" than a Day!!

Okay, well...sorta...but I am NOT joking! She really is potty trained! Let me just answer, because I know what you're all thinking..."No I'm not "Super Mom"" lol...I wish... Actually, I can take no claim for success other than I know how to follow a recipe. So, how, might you ask, was I able to do this? Sit back and I'll tell ya!

 Here's what happened. A long time ago I was directed to an excellent book called Toilet Training in Less Than a Day by Nathan H. Azrin and Richard M. Foxx. Apparently it's been around since before I was born and a friend's husband's mother (ha ha) used it on him (he's my age). Well, I don't know about you but when I saw it, I  didn't believe it was a bit skeptical. Could this really work? Seriously? In one day? (note the sarcasm) Even with all the questions, I soo wanted to believe the hype so I went out and bought the book. I read it through and figured it's worth a shot. Well, when I read it, I figured out that it was a little outdated so I decided that there were some parts I would choose to ignore or adapt...Well, low and behold, the method really worked! I first used this on Princess8 and Princess5.  Don't get me wrong now...every child is different. So things may not work exactly perfect. There are certain readiness signs and if you rush your little one, then it won't work. I tried to rush Princess8 so when it didn't work, I just went back to normal diapers until I was ready to try again. Then when I did it again when she was ready, she never had an accident after Day 1 until a year or so later when she was sick. When I tried with my Princess5...she was not as easy peasy (but she never is..it's in her personality). She had a quite few accidents afterwards and especially when her baby sister was born. BUT for the most part it worked pretty well.
SO, over this past weekend...actually Sunday afternoon I decide to begin the process. If you want to try it out yourself, then you'll need a few supplies. What you'll need is a potty chair, a doll that pees (got this from Toys R Us), the book, a bunch of treats (sweet and salty), and plenty of juices or drinks. Basically, you are using bribery. Actually, they are rewards. You begin by training the doll and showing the child how the doll pees in the potty. You have several "pants inspections" praising for dry pants and chastising (no punishment) for wet ones. Show the doll how to pull their underwear down, sit on the potty, pee, pull its pants up and wash their hands. Meanwhile, you are actually teaching the child at the same time...sneaky sneaky... Then you move on...checking pants every 5 minutes at first, gradually increasing. You also have them sit on the potty every 15 minutes for 10 minutes at a time decreasing as they progress. There are accident "fire drills" for when accidents occur as well. It is pretty well laid out in the book. I don't want to give all the details because I didn't create this method. But pretty much you have a Potty Training Boot camp weekend when using this method...however I must say...I never had to buy pull-ups this go-round. We went from diapers straight to panties for Princess2. And for the other two, I bought one pack each and never went through the whole package for either if that tells you anything.
So the gist of it is, the child will be potty trained in less than a day. Yes. But that doesn't mean that accidents won't occur, because the full learning process may take longer for some. Typically, they've learned the fundamentals on Day 1 but they just need more practice with bladder control. I still put a diaper on her at sleeping times. The first night she woke up completely dry! I thought I had another little prodigy on my hands!...ha ha...but the next day at nap time the diaper was wet and the 3rd day she woke up wet. BUT nap time Day3 she stayed dry. SO, what does this mean? It is just a case by case thing. Like I mentioned previously...every child is different. Have patience. Princess2 had two wet accidents and two poopy accidents, but she's poopied on the potty 4 times in 3 days which is the most challenging aspect of the process...I should know, I teach 2 year olds for a living :)...


Currently we are on Day3 and she remained dry ALL day and asked to go potty numerous times and actually went. She even poopied today on the potty too! (btw I must mention, we did the potty chair just for the first day. The second day we put the seat on the big toilet so she can at least get used to the height because they need to learn to use the bigger potties for the times when you are out of the house.If they don't it's a whole other learning process, and honestly..what's the point of training at home if they won't go and you have to put pull-ups on when you're out. Plus, as far as I know, most daycares don't like potty chairs for sanitary reasons. I've worked at two and neither had them.

Addendum**Now it is Day4 and she has not had an accident for two days and she stops what she's doing to ask to go potty...even in our basement playroom! (Oh and now she is using the regular toilet seat without crying...baby steps...but these are quick baby steps!) Seriously one proud Momma here!

So, my advice to all you moms out there. GET THIS BOOK! You won't regret it (I hope). If anything else it gives you a starting point so you don't feel like you're going at this blind. My Dad always said "You girls didn't come with instruction manuals!" Well, I beg to differ...here's one instruction manual that we DO have! I believe it's less than 10 bucks. A deal if you think of the diapers and pull-ups you'll not have to buy. Good Luck!!

Tips Tuesday: Reading to Your Kids

Okay, so it's time for your tip of the week! Aren't you excited? Well, a friend shared this article with me and I thought I'd pass it along. It's from the New York Times and talks about how reading to your kids can improve their scores in school. DH and I try to do this already . However, sometimes life is so hectic and can be hard to find a minute to just sit down period let alone sit down and read a book. When it was just Princess8 in the house we had all the time in the world (or now it seems), but now with 3 princesses in the house it's a juggling act to get to each of them equally. We don't read every night, but try at least a couple times a week. Actually, I am able to read chapter books with my Princess8 which I LOVE since I myself am a bit of a bookworm. We read Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series and now are reading The Indian in the Cupboard. Princess5 loves anything pink and girly so she is on a Pinkalicious/Purplicious kick. She also loves Princess Sparkle and Fancy Nancy. Princess2 loves Elmo and Blues Clues but really, she loves anything we make interesting. So, maybe this will give you a little motivation to read to your kids. We aren't perfect by any means but I am glad to know that this really helps.

Read How About Better Parents by Thomas L. Friedman

Entering the World of Bloggers

Well, I decided to enter the world of bloggers for real this time...Hopefully I don't get sidetracked, as I tend to do with my busy schedule. Since I'm a mom of three little princesses, with a part-time job outside the home (teaching 2-year-olds) and a husband, as well as an online student...I would say, YEP I'm pretty busy. I DO however find time in all the craziness to pursue new culinary, crafty, or gardening endeavors. So, I decided to share them with the world! Aren't ya'll lucky!?

Over the last 11 years of marital bliss (ha ha), I have developed  a knack for the culinary arts. My next door neighbor, who is a chef, says I'm what the formally educated food experts call a "foodie". I am a self taught, or should I say Web/Food Network taught chef. (Also, I learned much from my mother who LOVES baking from scratch...she's a pretty good cook herself.) I love to bake and cook and am a canned food snob. Yes I still use canned goods if I must, with my crazy busy life, but I try my hardest to avoid recipes that are not mostly homemade. Stick with me on this journey and I will share many of my own creations as well as my tried and true recipes from food favorites like Paula Deen and Giada or my family favorites.

Additionally, I love to sew, crochet and knit. Pretty much anything crafty (although I'm not a big fan of counted cross-stitch...don't have the patience). I'm a beginner in many respects for these areas but I can follow a pattern, and if I get stuck...I go to my good old trusty teacher...Mr. YouTube...who always gets me out of a jam. This artistic quality, I must attribute to my Dad and my Grandma Ethyl who are two of the most artistic creative people I know, so it must be in my genes. :)

So...will you join me on my continued pursuits in becoming Miss Suzie Homemaker, the gal who can bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan...(although I don't bring home a LOT of the bacon..ha ha)...but I can do pretty much anything I put my mind to. [That must be the Croswait stubbornness in me..] Let's get started!