What do you mean you’re not into princesses anymore?

Time:  Midnight.

Emma:  “Mom, wake up.  I can’t sleep.

Me:  “What’s wrong, Emma?”

Emma:  “I’ve had a bad dream.”

Me:  “It’s okay.  Let’s go back to bed and say another prayer.”

Emma:  “Okay.”

Time:  2 a.m.

Emma:  “Mom, wake up.  I can’t sleep.

Me:  “What’s wrong, Emma?”

Emma:  “I’ve had a bad dream.”

Me:  “It’s okay.  Let’s go back to bed and say another prayer.”

Emma:  “Okay.”

Time: 4 a.m.

Emma:  “Moooooooom!”

Me:  “Emma, GO TO BED!”

Emma:  “Can I sleep with you?”

Me:  “No, go to bed.”

Emma:  “Can I sleep on your floor?”

Me:  “UGGGG!  Whatever.  You and I both need sleep!”  (I am not the nicest person when repeatedly woken up at night)

Repeat this scenario almost nightly for a week or two and I either needed to find out WHY she was having bad dreams or I was probably going to collapse from exhaustion.  Turns out, the bedroom set she picked out in early 2008: 

(Not my actual child pictured)

was no longer what she was “into.”  I’ve known that she eased from princesses and castles to animals and nests awhile ago, but the bed?  THAT BED?  I may be living vicariously through Emma, but I LOVE THAT BED!  I’m the second of five girls.  We didn’t have beds like THAT!!!!  We let Emma get that bed after we found out Austin wasn’t a girl and Emma wouldn’t be sharing her bedroom with her little sister brother.  So, what do I do?  I really needed to sleep. 

I tried reasoning with her, “Emma, you can pretend it isn’t a princess carriage.  You could pretend it’s a ….uh…. burrow?  What’s an animal that burrows that you could be?”  That  bought me a night until she decided it wasn’t “burrow-y” enough.  Hmmmmm……

I took the netting off from around the top.  She really wanted the pumpkin bars off the top too, but I told her I couldn’t get it off without dad, so that bought me a few days until Justin got home.  But then he was home and we needed to deal with the bed issue. 

I had to make a fast run to Hobby Lobby and passed by some plastic flowers on vines on my way out of the store.  (the little hamster in my brain started running).  Hmmmm…maybe?  Then, I walked by the Christmas lights and picked up a box of mini lights. 

Exhaustion (and a $15 clearance sheet set from Target) turned that beautiful princess bed into THIS: 

It could probably use a few more vines, but for now, my little princess animal is happy! 

Teacher Gift Idea

This year, I found a very cute idea online and decided I needed to recreate it for Christmas gifts for my kids’ teachers this year.  My ultra-talented friend, Pam, from Pamela Donnis Designs graciously allowed me to use items from her digital kit, “School Stuff,” to make it for you too! 

The file is 4 inches x 22 inches (two papers together).  The usable area on most large candles is 4 inches x 12-1/2 inches. 

Here’s the finished Product: 

For those who don’t need a play-by-play, here’s the finished product for you to download: 

DOWNLOAD

Materials Needed:

Large Candle

Glue (I used glue lines)

Glitter Glue (optional, but really cute)

INSTRUCTIONS: 

 

Print out two copies of the paper onto nice paper (Cardstock or photo paper).  Make sure you have the layout as “Landscape.” 

   

Trim the papers to size. 

 

Glue the two pieces together on one end and then trim to        12-1/2 to 13 inches in length. 

   

Glue one end of the paper to the candle (the Glue Lines work really well here).  Wrap paper around candle and secure at the other end.

 

Trim paper around the quote.

 

This part is really important.  Put adhesive as close to the edges of the quote as possible.  Otherwise, the paper has a tendency to pull up at the edges due to the rounded candle.  Lots of adhesive close to the edge helps a lot!  Apply to the candle!

   

If you choose (but really, you should choose), outline the quote with some glitter glue.  I’m hoping your piping is better than mine, but look how cute!

 

Thanks, Pam, for letting me share your great designs! 

  Download

 

Emma’s Christmas Dance Recital

Emma is the last girlie in the back row on the right (as you are watching the video).  For the second half of the song, she’s in the front row, same position. 

 

 

               

November Wrap Up!

Rudolph’s Second Job

For those who don’t know, my 6-year-old Emma’s favorite Rock Band song is “Roxanne” by the Police.  I didn’t discourage this because I didn’t know what the words to it were.  When I saw the words, it was too late.  She could read them and she loved the song.  It would be more damaging to have to explain to her what the “Red Light” is, so I didn’t.  I saw the below video on another blog today and was in love!  It’s too funny!  Rudolph, you really don’t have to put on the red light.  Santa should be keeping you busier than that! 

 

53 Mondays–more recipes

This recipe is borrowed from my neighbor, who is about as Mexican as I am.  Thank goodness for her daughter, Paige’s birthmom. 

Paigey’s Birthmom’s Mexican Rice

3 cups white rice

6 cups water

4 Tbsp olive oil

8 ounce can tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

2-4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 white onion, chopped finely

2 chicken bullion cubes

salt and pepper to taste

cilantro, chopped (as garnish)

 

-Put olive oil in pot/pan and heat.

-When oil is hot, add rice and begin to brown. 

-As rice is browning (a few minutes in) add garlic and onion and brown (toasty- off-white).

-When rice is brown, add tomato sauce, water, and bullion cubes.  Bring to a simmer.

-Reduce heat.  Let rice simmer until tender—apx 15-20 minus).

-Fluff with a fork. 

-Add salt and pepper to taste. 

I let my rice simmer a bit too long and it was less al dente than I like, but the flavor was so good and so comforting.  I also did not add the onion and garlic because I wanted to stay married!

53 Mondays–Tomato Soup

I did cook this weekend, but the recipes are upstairs, so I’ll add those later.  I made a super easy and really warming tomato soup today. 

TOMATO SOUP

2) 15 ounce cans of chicken/vegetable broth (I used a 32 ounce box)

1) 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 cup heavy cream (I used half-and-half, because that’s what I had on hand)

salt and pepper to taste

apx 1 teaspoon dried basil  (or more fresh if you have it). 

 

Combine broth and tomatoes in stock pot and heat.  While simmering, add cream and seasonings.  Heat through. 

 

So easy.  So warming for winter!  Yum!  I made some Spanish rice this weekend and had some leftovers and added a few scoops to see how that would turn out and was really happy with the result.  It made for a warm, filling lunch!