Family Night in a Basket

Last night after wrestling my younger two children to sit still while my eight year old presented the family home evening lesson that she had worked so hard to prepare I thought to myself "what's a girl to do to get the little ones to sit still and listen...even for five minutes?" And then, after our activity and treat we put the kids to bed and I checked my facebook.  And, I found the answer to all my "sit still and listen" woes...laundry baskets.  Yes, laundry baskets.  Oh, and popcorn.  My friend posted this picture last night with this caption:
"FHE- put the kids in their own basket, give them a bowl of popcorn. They don't bug each other and they listen great to the lesson."

Thank you. You smart, smart ,woman. There is now more hope for all family home evening lessons of the future. Think of all the great things you could teach them if they just sit still and stay in the baskets :) 

Free Chick-Fil-A

I spent the morning making my family into cows...or at least trying to make them look like cows. It wasn't what I had planned for the day but when I was reminded that it was "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-Fil-A I, of course, had to drop everything and participate.

What is this "Cow Appreciation Day" you ask? Well, once a year at Chick-Fil-A they give away a free meal to anyone who comes in dressed like a cow. They even provide costume ideas and cow face printouts on their website to help you out.
http://cowappreciationday.com/
Then, when you enter the restaurant they ring the cow bell and act like you're fantastic. At that point you waltz up to the counter feeling like hot stuff and you order your free meal. Three free kids meals we got today. But adults can get free meals too. Yes, I saw grown men with their families, a group of college boys, and mothers with children all dressed like cows and looking pleasantly happy as they devoured their free food.

The manager looked like we had given her a lovely wrapped gift by coming in dressed up and she took our picture as she walked around the store smiling at her other patrons who had paid nothing to eat her food.

Maybe she didn't realize how much money she was giving away.  Wink Wink.  Just smile and keep eating and looking cute.

Apparently this is an annual event. You can get your food any time during the day for free as long as you are looking like a cow. And, if you are less ambitious you can just wear one article of cow clothing and still get a free entree. So, hurry, they're open until 10:30pm and your whole family can eat for free. You know your husband wants to dress like a cow for dinner. :)

Krisy Kreme Rewards

I heard a rumor that Krispy Kreme will give kids one free donut for every "A" they have on their report card.  And, since we just recieved my daughter's report card in the mail we really wanted to try it out.  I'll admit, I'm a little chicken about stuff like this sometimes.  Why?  Because I don't want to waltz up to the donut counter with my kids and flash the report card only to recieve a weird look from the guy at the counter. When there's no flyer or poster or big promotion I'm sometimes afraid to ask. 

But, I had heard this a lot and my daughter assured me that it was true.  So, it was off to Krispy Kreme we went.  And, sure enough, we were showered with free donuts.

 I think I just became Krispy Kreme's biggest fan.  When we walked through the door they gave us each a free donut.  Then, when we showed them the report card they showered my daughter with praise and let her pick out six donuts of her choice.  She was quite flattered.

Then...then...., they gave us hats and the kids got to watch the donuts be fried and glazed and the conveyor belt. 

And as if this wasn't enough the guy in the back brought out some raw donut dough and showed the kids what it looks like before it rises and cooks.  They got to touch the dough and take it home.

There were enough sweet little rings for all of us.  I have one little cherub who was particularly happy about it.  She looked like she had just robbed a bank and gotten away with it.  She has a passion for food and a serious physique to keep up.  She ate two.  I know, what kind of mother lets her toddler eat two donuts....I was caught up in the moment....that's my only explanation.

We bought an extra half dozen just to support what a cool thing they are doing.

Did your kids get A's on their report cards this term?  If so, take a family outing to your local Krispy Kreme.  One donut for every A.  And, if you are nervous or just plain doubtful you can call ahead to make sure your store participates. 

P.S.-It's  only at actual Krispy Kreme Stores not at counter type stands (like the grocery store that sells them)

My Favorite Things: The Sleepy Wrap

I decided that just for fun I am going to start a section on this blog called "My Favorite Things".  Every once in a while I find something that I not only like...I LOVE.  Something that makes my life easier, makes my kids happy, helps us as a family, and is just all around GOOD.  You know, stuff that I would be totally willing to do and infomercial for even if they didn't pay me.  The kind of stuff that I would buy for everyone I know if I could...but I can't...so I'll just tell you about it. Today's feature:

THE SLEEPY WRAP

I think the best word to describe myself after the birth of my third baby is "exhausted." I had been on and off of bedrest for several months and was way behind the curve.  We were preparing to move and my husband was right in the thick of applications and interviews.  My parents had come to visit me the week before the baby was due and my dad suffered a major heart attack at my house and was hospitalized.  Thankfully, he pulled through and returned to my house just a few days before baby number three made her appearance.  And, to top it all off, as all parents find out, three is more than two.  Three kids.  Two hands.  It was just plain harder to get things done.

If this was a fairy tale story I would now tell you that I was fortunate to be blessed with a blissfully easy baby who slept all night and cooed happily in her swing by day while I got everything together.  Ha.

Don't get me wrong, she was adorable.  And precious and sweet.  Look at this little angelic little bundle....totally loveable.

She also had a two minute tolerance for being put down. 

I know, I know, don't spoil your babies by holding them all the time right?  Well, come on now people.  She was a very small (OK, 9 and a half pounds) but very YOUNG infant.  For some reason she just wanted to be close to her mama all the time.  But, her mother was one the verge of insanity because as you may know it is very difficult to accomplish anything in life while holding a baby.  So, I tried the swing and the bouncy seat.  I tried the baby BJORN and some other slings that I found.  She wasn't amused.  She wanted to be HELD...like real life HOLDING.
Not only that but my shoulders and my back were killing me after trying to carry my little chubba in these inferior baby carrier things. Had the people who made these things ever tried them?  I had to hold her head with one hand if I bent over so it wouldn't flop all over the place. And if she fell asleep I just had to hold her head all the time. Bottom line these baby carriers were uncomfortable for me and apparently my baby didn't think that much of them either.  But, holding her all the time wasn't feasable and having her cry all day didn't seem too desireable.

So, I spent hours searching the internet for something better and I found.....DRUMROLL PLEASE....

THE SLEEPY WRAP!  TA DA!
Basically a long piece of stretchy fabric that you wrap around yourself.  These people are geniuses.  You slide your little bundle into the sleepy wrap and it feels like they are just snuggled right up to you in a cosy little ball.  And when she fell asleep I just tucked her little head under the fabric and her head was supported and she slept like a ...well,....baby. And it was comfortable. Super comfortable. I could wear it all day and it still didn't bother me a bit.  It saved my sanity.

And now that she is running around the house and eating at the table sometimes I miss that SLEEPY WRAP.  We were so close for all those months.  My baby was so content and I was comfortable and I felt like a good mama.  And I had my hands free to make my dinner and hug my other kids.  I love this thing and if I could make a baby reccomendation for any mom this would be it.

So there you have it.  If you need a free hand or your baby carrier hurts your shoulders or back or you know someone who is having a baby, check it out.