Naptime Blog

It seems to be that kids are grasping technology younger and younger as the years go by. Working at a cell phone store has proven that to me. I remember when I got my first phone, I was 16 years old and was told it was only to be used in case of emergency or to call my mom and let her know when I was leaving work after staying late. Of course I could talk after 9pm because it became free. My brother got his first phone when he was 9, I believe, and my sister was 8. They got prepaid phones which I could understand because their phones would only be turned on after leaving school and letting my mom know they were walking home. My brother who is now 11 teaches my mom how to work her computer sometimes. Most recently, I saw a 13 year old boy purchase a 32gb iPhone 4 for himself the other day. What is going on? It seems like if you do not have a phone by the age of 6, there must be something wrong. We were gifted an iPad about a month ago and so far love it. I have downloaded multiple toddler apps and Shaughn probably uses it more than me. The boy will be 2 in September and can unlock the iPad, get to his memory game and beat it in one player mode before I can say “Be careful with that!” Its amazing. My husband complained that as children, we had crummy cardboards with pictures, and our son plays on an iPad. Technology always fascinates me and at the rate it’s progressing, I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Krystle

Well I was completely convinced that I was going to do a Go Diego Go party, but of course at last minute I changed my mind. I changed it to Blue’s Clues and thought it would be an easy and fun theme. Ha! Little did I know what I got myself into. Since Blue’s Clues has been “off the air” for years now, many of their licensed products have been since discontinued. I must have searched over 100 websites that had the Blue’s Clues party packs and accessories, only to get to the actual page and find out they are out of stock. Then the ebayers who had items listed for plates, table cloths, etc had higher prices probably because they knew it was impossible to get. After I already sent out the invites, I spent any free time I had panicking on what to do. I went to the dollar store and got blue plates, cups, napkins, silverware and a tablecloth. Not bad for less than ten dollars! I’ve come to terms with the fact that there’s not “Blue” the character on there, but I also got a poster board that I can hopefully draw Blue on. Hopefully is the key word here. On the website of Publix, a grocery chain here, under their cakes section they had a thumbnail photo of a Blue’s Clues cake in the Preschool Favorites section which I was so excited about. I clicked the link to see all the preschool faves and guess what, Blue’s Clues cake was not listed. So I called, thinking maybe there was a mistake in the list since they had a picture. Nope. No mistake. The cake decoration set had been discontinued! So now I had to think of how to make a cake without doing just the paw print, or cupcakes to make a print. On Amazon, there was someone actually selling the cake decoration set that was used in bakeries for $10! Things are slowly coming together for Saturday’s get together. I am not, by any means, doing a big thing this year. I felt the ONE party was a good celebration for Shaughn and for us as new parents, so this year it’s only going to be my family and Brent’s family for a nice little gathering What did you do for your child’s second birthday?

I love them. That is the highlight to going to Red Lobster, which I rarely go anyway, but when I do I have to eat them! I’m not much of a recipe poster mainly because I don’t cook all that often. When I do have the time to cook, I like to do things different and try new ways of making things that isn’t the everyday norm. Even though this recipe isn’t out there or unique, it’s still delicious and a great add to any meal! So here is the recipe that I use when I have the urge for these yummy rolls. I definitely add a little more cheese however!

Red Lobster Biscuits – Cheese garlic biscuits

2 c. Bisquick
2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1/2 c. melted butter
1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Mix Bisquick, milk and cheddar until a soft ball forms. Beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Drop by balls onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Mix butter and garlic and brush on rolls while still on the pan and hot.

This year is going by way too fast! Is it because we have kids that time literally flies by us? I swear it was just January. So our son will be 2 next month and I can’t believe what a little man he has become and hos quickly he learns things. It’s true when they say their brains are little absorbent sponges. I can tell Shaughn not to do something once and he will listen (the majority of the time anyway). We can teach him something and he will pick it up quick. My mom is teaching him spanish right now which he seems to be understanding quite well already. The kid probably understands more spanish than I do! Maybe it will be good for the both of us so I can learn along the way too. Hey, maybe Brent will catch on too! Do any of you teach your children other languages? Shaughn also knows some little phrases in sign language but that was before he could actually tell me what it was that he wanted. Now he can say the words and will sometimes say them along with the sign to make sure he gets his point across to us. I love how he also now mimics sound effects he hears either on the tv, or on my phone. Every time a Verizon Wireless commercial comes on and says the “Droid” sound, he says it and then laughs so I now have that sound on my phone as a text message so he can hear it quite often! Just one of the things that amuse us

With all the craziness going on recently and the hectic schedules my husband and I have to keep, we unfortunately had to give Zappa back. Talk about heartbreak. He was so full of energy that he had accidentally knocked Shaughn down a few time, causing him to get hurt. Kids come first and though I wanted to keep him, I knew what had to be done. I loved the protection that he contributed to the house and how protective he was over this family after a couple of short weeks. His owner was completely understanding thankfully and was supportive of our decision. Well, the upside is that my sister, who fell in love with Zappa first before I saw him, convinced my parents to keep him and they live right next door to Zappa’s original owners which I’m sure they love. I was so grateful for spending whatever time I did with the pup and it gave me ideas for what I want in the future, when Shaughn is much older to play with it. I still get visitation rights which I think he enjoys because he’s always so excited to see me. Have you had a pet that you fell for but just could not keep?

Krystle

Target is super awesome in my book, and I always love browsing their aisles to see what’s new. They get in some beautiful furniture and home decor, no doubt about that. We did our grocery shopping there this time around, and nabbed some good items. My husband came with Shaughn and I this time which is rare, but a treat indeed. We chose Target because Shaughn received a gift card there and it was only right that he got something for himself. He chose a huge bouncy ball, which is fun to watch your husband try to get it out of that awfully built cage they’re kept in, and a Sit & Spin. He’s trying to master the Sit & Spin now and that’s a funny thing to witness. While at Target I spotted in their frozen snacks section Fried Ravioli. I’ve never had them before and would normally not purchase them, but really wanted to try them. It was the Market Pantry brand, Target’s store brand. My husband popped them in the oven and heated up a jar of four cheese pasta sauce…..holy cow were they delicious!  It will probably be a while until I purchase those again, but it was certainly a delightful treat and recommended for those who have never tried it.

Krystle

Let’s just say June has been incredibly way more than I bargained for!

While being a mommy and wife, which we know is a full time job, I needed to get a job to help catch up on some bills that need to be paid so I was applying anywhere and everywhere. Finally I get a call back from a Best Buy in my area, which is one of my favorite stores to begin with, setting up an interview. After the 2 interview processes,  I get hired. I work in their mobile department and so far enjoy it.

The first day working was a Monday, and they scheduled me off on Tuesday. This was a whole new schedule because I also go to school from 9am-1pm and now Best Buy has me working from 2-close. Doing the math, that doesn’t leave me much time with Shaughn or Brent. Well on my first day off, I was involved in my very first car accident, which really messed things up for me since then. My mother in law was in town that week and just completely helped us out with things around the house and with Shaughn since I was literally never home. She stayed for a total of 3 weeks since she had to go back home but having here here, especially during that time, was such a Godsend to me.

I don’t know what I would have done if she was not here. Brent’s in school full time and with sharing a car…I probably would have lost my mind.

I have heard that sometimes the “Terrible Twos” actually start before the 2nd birthday, and sometime they begin closer to the third and maybe after. I wish I knew when to anticipate this so called terribleness. I definitely don’t brag about it but my child is pretty calm, I can’t imagine him being this ball of tantrum throwing disaster that everyone says he will be. He listens pretty well, he doesn’t throw fits anywhere, and is happy pretty much all of the time. He is opinionated for sure, but doesn’t take it to the next level that people have made me fear. I am a first time mom so everything I hear I take into consideration and try to anticipate it when it comes about but this one I am not read for, I know it. I don’t want my sweet little boy to hit me, or break things, or talk back. Is there anyway to avoid it? I need some advice on what really to expect and if every child goes through this phase. I know not every one is the same, but how did you manage your child when they got to this stage?

-Krystle

As I may or may have not mentioned in the past, my hubby and I are huge fans of coffee, more specifically Starbucks. It was our little sinful treat that sometimes we would sneak off late one night and grab a cup to ease our caffeine cravings. Now that Shaughn is older he has cravings of his own! There are things in the house that he absolutely must have like bananas, but now that he recognizes the Starbucks logo he must have a cup of his own haha. What we do, as a little treat, is when we go get our coffees, we will also get him a mini sample cup with the logo of whipped cream. Their cream is amazing and is not super sweet, which I love so I don’t mind giving Shaughn a tiny cup of whipped cream every now and then. It’s definitely not an every day thing, heck we can’t afford Starbucks on a daily basis! Now he will eat his cream with a spoon all by himself. Granted he makes a mess but sure enjoys it and I’m happy too

-Krystle

I am almost always the person who grocery shops in the household and I will usually go with Shaughn, more to give Brent a little break but it’s also fun for me because he is very well behaved in the store and makes shopping easier to deal with. Our most recent grocery excursion took us to Publix Supermarkets where I was able to get some good deals on some items, including their store brand products. Most particularly they were having a sale on their brand of paper towels for a double roll, which was great. I choose the one I want and hand it to Shaughn who’s sitting in the cart waiting, and he will place them into the big area of the cart. He smiles and claps when he’s made it into the cart and I laugh and cheer him on. Publix also has some good specials on store brand items and specialties they make in the store which are delicious. I’m glad I went into the store when I did to grab the deal on paper towels because we always need those in our house!

-Krystle