Naptime Blog

When I was my daughter’s age, there was no such thing as cell phones, Blackberries, I-Phones…  We used Encyclopedias to find out information on any given topic.  We had the telephone book to find a home or business phone number, all landline phones.   We did not own a computer until I was in my early teens, and the first time I used the internet was on dial-up (gasp!), but didn’t know it was so slow because I had nothing to compare it to.  My daughter is amazed that growing up there were no cell phones, no Wi-Fi and internet connections, no technologically advanced means of interacting.

After I finished my homework each day, I actually went outside, walked a few doors down and rang a friend’s doorbell to see if she was done with her homework yet so we could play.  We chatted for hours, but in person.  We played and made up games and had fun. 

Kids today have fun, but quite differently than we did.  Although I am not quite certain I am convinced it is as healthy as going out in the fresh air and “running bases” for three hours with your friends face to face (friends that my parents knew and their parents knew me), but we have to make the best of what we have, right?  My husband and I keep up with much of the latest in technology whenever we can (although I do not own anything Blue Ray yet!) and intend to keep my children up with the latest in technology as well.

I recently reviewed a copy of Read Between the Lines: A Humorous Guide to Texting with Simplicity and Style by Shawn Marie Edgington – www.rbtlguide.com .  Although I consider myself up on all the acronyms and shortcuts to text messaging, I was curious what I still had to learn.  The book is an adorable guide, geared for women, moms like me, who want to keep up with today’s technology and stay in contact with the world. 

For me personally, I have a Blackberry and BBM (use my Blackberry Instant Messenger) more than texting, but the same rules pretty much apply.  Actually, the BBM allows me to carry on a conversation by text with those in my BBM list.  The only drawback is that I can only chat with those who have a Blackberry.

Shawn Marie lists a whole dictionary of acronyms that are used in texting.  I will certainly be going back into the book in my “travels” with not only texting, but with using Twitter, Facebook, my BBM, and other social networking sites and tools.  This shorthand guide is very helpful.  Shawn Marie also talks about other ways in which texting is making its “debut”…  how parents can use it to their advantage with their teens (Generation Text) instead of it being the enemy… how high school and college teachers/professors can use texting to engage the students more in class and in doing homework/projects…  how businesses, politicians, corporations, doctors offices, the older population, just about EVERYONE can jump in the technology bandwagon and start texting.

For me, I am already using these social media tools, and enjoyed the book as it clarified some things and gave me a great little guide.  For anyone who wants to get themselves into all the current technological advances but are afraid to test the waters, this book is a great place to start.

I can’t even imagine what technology will offer by the time my daughter is MY age!

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (4 months)www.nevaland.com

We just got home a couple hours ago from a weekend out of town. It was a nice weekend spent visiting my parents, sister and her husband, and friends. The boys had a fun time and were totally spoiled by their family and friends and loved experiencing different scenery.

My oldest son (he’ll be three in late April) really loves the farm my sister lives on. He wanted to spend the entire day outside today. It has been raining a lot over the last few days and he had cabin fever. He kept leading me around, showing me different things. He would eventually end up at the big area where the dogs were outside playing. He would stand at the fence for the longest time, just watching the dogs. I had to stand there too. If I walked away to the nearby carport to sit down, he would turn around quickly and walk the 30 or so steps (actually he almost ran) to get me. Once he fetched me, he would take me back and put me in my place. It’s funny because he struggles so much with his walking, but if he REALLY wants something, he can do really well. I think he over thinks it sometimes (as we all do in life).

He would also take his little Thomas and Percy trains that he hauls everywhere and line them up at the fence, facing the dogs so they could “watch” his furry friends as well. Once, I picked his dear trains up to put them away and he got frustrated and put them back, carefully arranging them, faced towards the fence.

At one point, I tried to take a nap while my family was awake to watch the boys, but my sweet son woke from his nap and I was awakened with the ear piece of my eyeglasses poking me in the eye. He was trying to put my glasses on me while I slept. Once he got them on, he grabbed my finger and took me right back where I belonged… outside (and fully awake). At least he was thoughtful enough to get my glasses for me so I could fully enjoy the scenery. My youngest son was content watching football with daddy and rearranging his aunt’s house.

I sure will miss these days when they’re all grown up.

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

I looked forward to my day at the spa for MONTHS! I went with some friends last April and ranted and raved over the whole experience. They have indoor pools and outdoor heated pools (swim in the winter!), saunas, Jacuzzis, massages, mani/pedis, ahhh… HEAVEN! My mother-in-law got me a gift certificate for a full body massage, but I wanted to wait until after the baby was born so I could truly enjoy it. I invited some friends, made my appointment for my massage, and off we went!

We checked in to the spa at 2:00 pm. After getting to our lockers and getting changed, we decided to have lunch first. After getting our food, we sat down to eat. We were just about to get up and go in the pool, when one of my friends, who was facing the window, jumped up and screamed… then the power went out. Outside, we could see wires on fire. The power went back on after about two minutes, but then we saw more sparks outside on the lines and the power went dead again. This happened one more time, and we really started to get nervous.
Someone had said that lightning struck the power lines, someone else said the telephone wire fell onto the power line and that caused the problem, but whatever the problem was, we were advised it would take a minimum of two hours for the power to come back on. Firefighters arrived, the power company arrived, and we went to the locker room and got dressed again in the dark. I cancelled my massage appointment and we got on the line to check out.

Everyone had flooded the desk to get refunds and demand money. People were yelling and screaming, pushing through those of us on line, demanding to be heard. I felt bad for myself, who truly deserved a day of relaxation at the spa, but also felt bad for these workers, as it was not their fault that they lost power. Luckily, after withstanding the line for about a half hour, I was able to get a free pass to return again and home I went.  I need to figure out another day where I have either a babysitter or my husband is available to watch the kids when we do not have any plans.  With four kids and a hectic work schedule, that will not be an easy task.  But trust me; I will make time for it.  I NEED my day at the spa!

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (4 months)

With the huge amount of “reality” shows on TV right now, I sometimes wonder how real they really are. I mean, if it were really reality, would it be that interesting?

I started wondering about a reality show about me and my life. I can guarantee you that I would bore people to tears and they’d get tired of seeing me in the same old pajama pants and t-shirt. Inevitably, they’d vote me off for not brushing my hair and for having spit up on me. lol I have no time for drama like most on reality television do. I am just too busy chasing two adorable toddlers.
I do think it would be kind of funny to have a REAL reality show where cameras just follow people around totally unscripted. It’s obvious that most of the shows are scripted. Each show has the participants doing something fun and exciting or at least interesting (going on weekend excursions, cool field trips and other things that many stay at home moms can’t afford).

In my reality show, they’d follow me as I wake up, make the kids breakfast, pour me a cup of coffee and check my email before the boys wake up. Once they are awake it would be hour upon hour of reading books, playing with trains, putting together puzzles, learning new things and watching Thomas the Train and Caillou. Naptime finds me blogging and catching up on things around the house. When the boys wake again it’s the same thing. Throw in my son’s ECI and occupational therapy sessions and a few trips to the doctor and grocery store and there you have it. It’s my life and I love it, but I am not sure it’s the reality TV people are looking for.

You’d watch it though, right?

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

It always goes so fast! I think many educators will agree that Christmas Break is one of those many, well deserved breaks. I love the Holiday’s and this year was extra special because it was Jayce’s 1st Christmas. He recently started walking, so it was extra fun watching him stumble around the house on Christmas day. Because we have 2 kids now, we don’t do much visiting on Christmas day. We like to be at home so our children can enjoy good food, family/friends & gifts. We cook a big meal, similar to a Thanksgiving meal, with all the fixings.  We often have family members stop by for good food and fellowship.

I try to relax as much as possible during my 2 week break from school. I work in a very difficult environment and some days are better than others. But it seems as if the last few days of my break always speeds by! It is very important to take time out for yourself to just relax and DO NOTHING. I know as mothers many of us find that to be a difficult task, but trust me: we have to do that! I feel like a better wife & mother when I take some me time out to treat myself. Make sure you find some time during your busy week to put yourself 1st; you will thank me for it…

~Shanta

A few weeks ago I wrote about Christmas shopping for food.  Wanted to share the official Christmas menu!

I am of Italian heritage.  Anyone who has ever eaten over our house growing up on holidays (heck, even on an average Sunday!) would think my family was NUTS!  The amount of food my grandmother, then my mother, and now I prepare and consume on a holiday can feed a small country.  This is the menu for Christmas dinner. 

The antipasto course is first.  We prepare provolone, soppressata, dry sausage, mozzarella, ricotta salata, pepperoni, and other cheeses and meats in antipasto trays.  Along with seasoned peppers stuffed with cheeses and prosciutto, seasoned artichoke hearts, and an olive salad, the cold trays complement the hot trays: stuffed mushrooms and warm Italian bread.  For many, this is a meal in itself (and really, it is!).  But this is only the beginning.  Enjoyed with red or white wine, the antipasto sets the stage for the rest of the afternoon.  Yes, dinner starts at about 3:00 PM.

The women clear off the antipasto dishes and check the pasta baking in the oven, while the men and children find their way into the living room for football and new toys.  And everyone gets a chance to digest the antipasto until the next course is served.

The pasta course is usually lasagna.  I personally would prefer a stuffed manicotti or baked ziti, but the traditional pasta for Christmas Day is lasagna.  Layers of pasta with ricotta, mozzarella, and teeny tiny meatballs are baked in the oven.  I spent last Sunday preparing the sauce (which I call ‘gravy’) and the ‘gravy’ meat, including the meatballs.  One hundred and twenty mini meatballs for the lasagna and 65 large meatballs along with sausage, a piece of beef, a piece of pork, spare ribs and braciole were cooked in the gravy in advance.  This Christmas I am expecting to serve thirteen people.  Luckily, the gravy and any leftover gravy meat can be (and will be!) frozen for future meals.  The lasagna and gravy meat are our second course. 

By this point, no one wants to eat anymore, but somehow everyone finds room.  This Christmas, we are cooking a 20 pound fresh ham along with a 5 pound roast beef.  Onions, stuffed artichokes (my personal favorite food!), candied yams, roasted potatoes, green beans, salad, corn, and red cabbage add to the fun (oh, joy!) of the meal.

Notice we still have not had dessert!  Dessert in itself is three different courses, maybe four.  We start with fruit and then nuts.  Winter fruits, including oranges, apples, pears, and finocchio (fennel, a fruit that tastes like black licorice) is served next.  Following the fruits are the nuts: walnuts, almonds, Brazilian nuts, hazelnuts, and baked chestnuts, we are now finishing up the bottles of wine, preparing for the liqueurs.  The after dinner cordials are served with boxed chocolates, including chocolate covered cherries, after dinner mints and jelly rings.

Finally (now that everyone has eaten enough food to last them for 6 more days) it is time for coffee and cake.  We serve the desserts our guests have brought, usually including pastries, cheesecake (my father usually makes his Italian cheesecake specialty) and a chocolate cake.  We made dozens and dozens of cookies to satisfy every palate: butter cookies, peanut butter cookies, butterscotch walnut cookies, anisette cookies (my grandmother’s specialty), and nut cups.  My parents will bring the tri-color cookies that took two days to prepare (rainbow cookies, and they are worth every minute!) and my aunts will bring the struffoli (honey balls).  All of these cakes and cookies are served with a choice of coffees (American coffee, espresso, cappuccino). 

And then, everyone rolls home!

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (2 months)
www.nevaland.com

So, how are you saving money this holiday season?

As far as gift buying goes, it seems like, more than ever, I am seeing lots of coupons, doorbusters, Cyber Monday, Black Friday, you name it type of deals. Many retailers are offering deep discounts on items that families want to buy for the holidays. Add in a coupon or two and you can grab yourself an awesome deal. Don’t discount garage sales, thrift stores and barter sites. Many items are like new.

What about entertaining?

Many people are cutting back on throwing big holiday parties due to the cost of food. Don’t forget that buying store brands can drastically cut your grocery bill. Party staples like paper plates, plastic cutlery, sugar, tea, coffee, cookies, chips and more are all available in store brands. In addition, some stores, like Walmart ($20 holiday meal) are offering special package deals for holiday meals that can really save you some dollars. Another option is potlucks… invite your friends over and request that they bring their favorite holiday dish. This is a win win because you save money on food for your guests and get to try delicious new recipes. Maybe have each person type up the recipe and pass it around to add to everyone’s recipe collection.

Check out your community for free holiday get togethers. Many subdivisions have a free meet Santa or Christmas at the pole type of thing. Kids and families can get their photo taken, play in fake (or real) snow and much more. Check your local newspaper or community calendar.

Just because money is tight, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun this holiday season.

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

My husband and I are cooking Christmas dinner this year.  We are hosting 15 or more family members.  Both my family and my in-laws are of Italian descent, and both families have kept the holiday traditions alive through the years with menus.  I cannot believe how much food is actually served at a holiday in our family!

First, we begin with an antipasto (appetizer) which consists of various cheeses and deli style meats.  These antipasto trays are served with bread and some salads, peppers, olives, sweet breads, stuffed mushrooms, and more.  (Hang on, I am FAR from done!)

Next is the pasta course.  Christmas is generally lasagna, with mini meatballs inside.  We cannot forget the “gravy meat”, which is meatballs and sausage among other meats served in the lasagna sauce.

Then comes the main course, which is either one or two of the following: roast beef, fresh ham, leg of lamb or turkey.  This is accompanied by various vegetables and starches, such as stuffed artichokes, green beans, broccoli, salad, baked potatoes, yams, more bread and other fixings that go along with the meats.  (And the meal continues, thank goodness this is only one day a year!)

Fruit and nuts come next, with various winter fruits and nuts, including my favorite, chestnuts.  I guess we use the excuse that there are all these fresh fruits and veggies in the meal, therefore we are eating “healthy”! 

If anyone still has room left (which most of us FIND room for dessert!), dessert is last, served with different types of coffees and liquors.  Oops, I forgot to mention the red and white wines that are served throughout the meal.  So yes, I guess my family is stuffed and drunk by evening!  Everyone who comes to dinner has either baked cookies, pies, cheesecakes, and/or purchased a variety of these as well as pastries for dessert.  Wow, I am getting a stomach ache just thinking about all this food!  But I believe everyone should experience this kind of meal if just ONCE!  Amazing!

Our supermarket hosts a special each holiday season, just before Thanksgiving, that if you accumulate a certain number of points from shopping in the weeks before Thanksgiving, you can earn a one time use 20% off coupon on a future purchase to be redeemed the week of Thanksgiving.  So my husband and I took advantage and managed to purchase any items for Christmas dinner that we could in advance with the discount coupon. 

Now just imagine how much money it costs to purchase all of these things?  The dry sausage and cheeses alone are a small fortune!  We decided to save wherever we could and buy generic.  Many of the food items above do not come in generic, however, I am proud to say that I saved a fortune on other items needed to prepare dinner!  For instance, instead of buying ‘Reynold’s Wrap’ at $6.99 a roll, I bought the store brand at $3.99!  I bought store brand baggies to wrap up the cheeses in and saved another small fortune!  And because I want to be able to toss after dessert and get some much needed rest, we got the store brand coffee cups and dessert plates as well! 

We will need to spend an afternoon the week of Christmas shopping for more groceries for Christmas dinner.  So while many people shop for gifts, this year I will be adding “groceries” to my Christmas shopping list!

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (2 months)
www.nevaland.com

I love fall. It is hands down my favorite season; the crispness in the air is amazing. It is chilly here in the Washington DC area. I love the smell of fire places and the smell of all the yummy things I can from the Apple we pick. Here is a picture of Tristan eating an apple picked fresh off the tree like a big boy.

Mommy didn’t even have to cut it up. Tristan went on a hayride, picked apples, picked a pumpkin and tasted all kinds of new and exciting foods. He also made lots of friends. I love that my baby is open and loving. See the super cute jeans he is wearing. Those were $5 at Wal-Mart. I had him in jeans. When I changed his diaper at 8am he was bone dry from the night before. So I put a new one on him and when we made a pit stop 2 hours later he had peed all through the diaper and his pants. I had shorts as backups in the diaper bag but it was way too chilly for shorts. I was so happy when I saw those pants for $5. That is a steal. They have Mickey Mouse on this little tag on it and Tristan loves to point to it. He loves Mickey Mouse. While we were at Wal-Mart I picked up some more of the microwave meal for toddlers. They are wonderful when we are having a busy day and I can’t cook him lunch. In each one is a full serving of vegetables. Parents Choice makes them and I can’t get them at my local Wal-Mart so when I saw them at that one I jumped all over the deal.

-Chrystal
www.everydayoates.blogspot.com

My husband thought taking the twins to see Sesame Street Live was going to be a mistake.  He said they were too young, as they are only fifteen months old.  But I know how although they really do not exactly ‘watch’ television, they do love all the Sesame Street Songs and will look up at the television every time they hear “Elmo’s World” and other Sesame Street jingles.  So I knew the boys would have fun at Sesame Street Live.

I had gotten ten tickets to see the show, and we really had good seats.  My friend Lynda and her son Nicky joined us, and Paul and I had our four kids.  My two cousins came along to help with the bunch.  The boys had their own seats, which I was a little worried about at first, but it really worked out very much to our advantage. 

Louis sat like such a big boy in his chair, watching intently each scene.  He is so into detail, and every time I looked over at him it seemed he was studying each costume, each backdrop, each prop.  Because we sat in the first and second rows, when the characters came around dancing, I was worried that he might not want to be touched, but every time a character passed him and patted his head or gave him a high five, Louis was very much into it.  While he sat, every time a song came on his eyes lit up, and he was bouncing his legs in his seat to the beat!  Paul had gotten French fries at the concession stand, and Louis ate them one by one without missing his mouth OR one second of the show.  I was so pleasantly surprised by how he sat so good during the entire hour and a half.

Early in the show, Anthony went to sit on Lynda’s lap, as she was in the front row.  Although both of the boys are outgoing and friendly, neither one of them really like being separated from Mommy and Daddy for too long, so I didn’t think sitting with Lynda would last very long.  But every time I caught a glimpse of Anthony, he was chomping on some Oreos, drinking his juice, dancing to the beat on her lap.  At one point, Anthony was even standing in front of Lynda bopping with Nicky (who is a year older than the twins, 2 ½) to the tunes of Sesame Street!

Joseph slept through the whole show.  At six weeks, he is still very much a sleepy boy, even through all the noise from the show.  Joseph has three older siblings, and it is NEVER quiet in our house, so he is used to sleeping through tornadoes!  He only woke up right after intermission to drink his bottle, but then went right back into his dreaming. 

Juliana tried to play slick…  she is seven and a half years old and claims to be way past Sesame Street.  Well I caught her dancing along and watching the show as if she was watching Sesame Street for the first time.  Juliana was amazed with the neon colored swimming fish and tried to figure out if they were 3D images or something else, as they were “floating” in mid air.  Because we were so close to the stage, she was able to see the dancers dressed in black holding the fish on stage dancing with them.  Juliana thought that was the coolest thing.  She enjoyed every minute of the show and had a ball. 

During intermission, the kids got Elmo balloons, and when Anthony saw the vendor come out with what seemed like 100 Elmos, he started calling “Mo-Mo! Mo-Mo!”    Both Louis and Anthony were calling for Big Bird, and were fascinated when towards the end of the show he was within inches of them! 

Lynda bought all the kids Sesame Street Live shirts, and when we put them on all the kids and took a photo, they looked adorable!  I must be honest however, since we had all the kids at the show and I kept watching each of them, I really didn’t catch much of the storyline.  I did, however, enjoy seeing the characters myself, and loved the music.  Yes, even as a grown woman I still have a soft spot for Sesame Street!

 Juliana is holding the twins on her lap (Anthony is on the left, Louis is on the right), sitting with Nicky.

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (Newborn)
www.nevaland.com