When Things Don't Go As Planned

Well the kiddies turned four and we had a great day planned.

I was going to make them pancakes, then we were going to get dressed and head into NJ. The plan was to pick up Tommy and head into the NYC. We were going to take the kids to The Museum of Natural History, Fao Schwartz to pick out one of their birthday presents, and then go to a bakery and pick out cupcakes.
It was such a good plan.

I woke the kids up on their Birthday and promised them that I would make them pancakes.

I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. (I'll share the recipe this week.)

I went into the kid's room and woke them up. I should have known then that something was up

I woke the little dude up by singing Happy Birthday too loud.

The kids came downstairs. I decorated the house and blew up 15 balloons all by myself.  I guess that I have a lot of air!!

I decorated the table with play doh so while I was cleaning up they could be creating their birthday masterpiece. By the way that is a bottle of syrup not breakfast wine. LOL!!

Tommy and I (Tommy on the phone) sang Happy Birthday to Speed Racer.

Then we sang Happy Birthday to Princess.

Their two separate people so I feel that we should sing to them separately.

After we sang to them, Speed Racer said that his belly hurts. I told him that he's just hungry because he didn't eat his dinner last night. I told him to start with his bananas. He ate them and then he threw up.

I thought to myself this poor little boy is sick on his Birthday.

I called Tommy and told him that Speed Racer is sick and that we're not going to be able to go to NY.

I had Speed Racer lay on the sofa. He laid there for awhile and said that he was hungry. So I made him some toast. We took a bite and got sick again. I'm not gong to share all the gory details but he got sick about 10 times and one of those times he got sick all over my cell phone.

I had him go upstairs to take a nap. Ballerina and I spent some time together downstairs. I felt so bad for her too because it's her day too and I was giving all my attention to him. So when he went upstairs for a nap. Ballerina and I got her all dressed up, played Candy Land, put make-up on each other. She got a make up kit from her Aunt Pammy and Uncle Gavin.

Ballerina posing for her birthday pictures.

All dressed up with no place to go. I immediately started thinking of things to do with her once Tommy came home from work at 1:00.

We played with the balloons.

 She put on her crown and earrings. Every princess needs her jewels!!

After Aiden woke up he was still sick. I let him lay on the sofa for awhile and then had him take another nap. He went upstairs and started to play. I knew that he was starting to feel better. He played for a few minutes and took another nap.

He woke up from his second nap and was feeling better.

We decided to stay close to home.

I needed a new phone thanks to Speed Racer. So we spent some time at Verizon and then took the kids to Wal-Mart to pick out their birthday present and spend some of their birthday money. They had a great time shopping. It was all about them and what they wanted. Speed Racer just kept piling the toys in the cart.

After shopping it was dinner time and everyone wanted pizza. I know that I shouldn't have given him pizza but he really wanted it and I felt so bad for him. He was fine with the pizza. He was better!!!

On the way home from dinner I realized that I didn't have a cake for them. So we stopped at Weis and I went to get cupcakes, but they did not have a good selection. So I got Tasty Cakes. I know horrible Mommy but they were happy!!

Ballerina's cupcake

Speed Racer's cupcake.

Here's the Birthday boy about five pounds lighter.

Showing off one of his gifts. Transformer!!

Birthday hugs to each other!!

He is such a good little boy. I was so happy that he was feeling better!!

Tommy showing Ballerina how to use her new toy Mobi-Go.

One of his other Birthday toys!!

I promised the kids that we would take them someplace fun over the weekend for their birthday if everyone was feeling well.

Check back tomorrow to see what we did!!



My Life Changed Forever....

Four Years ago today.
I can remember it  like it was yesterday!!

Tommy and I could hardly sleep the night before!! We knew that in just a few hours we were going to meet our children.

Tommy, my Mom and I headed over to Morristown Memorial around 4:00 in the morning. I was so afraid that we would get caught in some kind of traffic on route 80. It was smooth sailing.

Shortly after we got there and got settled my mother in law joined us for the fun. It was very important to me to have both of our mothers there.  I remember how much Tommy took such good care of me during the WHOLE process. I was and am truly blessed to have such a great husband who truly loves and takes care of me.

I remember that I couldn't wait to get in the operating room!! The four hours I was there seemed more like 10 years.

The nurse finally came in and took me away. She made me leave Tommy behind so I could get my epidural. I was so afraid!!! I heard how much it hurts and I was not looking forward to it at ALL!!!  I was greeted by my anesthesiologist who had me cracking up from the moment I met him. He put me at ease by making fun of my Doctor. I love my Dr and and he has a GREAT reputation for delivering babies but they make fun of him because he's something like a Diva.

I got that lovely epidural and then my knight and shining armor came in after my Dr opened me up. I had asked Tommy not to look at me opened up but he kept peeking. I would have done the same thing. HEHEHEHE

At 11:13 am my first child was born. I was greeted by Speed Racer.

The picture below is of me meeting my son for the very first time.

Picture done by Tommy

Three minutes later and much work my baby girl was born.

I remember meeting her and then told Tommy to go and be with our children.

 I told him not worry about me that I felt like I was in good hands.

After he left the anesthesiologist asked me if I would like a cocktail for the next part.

Now if you know me at all you know I NEVER refuse a cocktail!! He gave me my cocktail and off to neverland I went!!!

I don't regret my choices!!! If I waited for the kids to come there could have been so many things that could have gone wrong. I probably would have been able to deliver Speed Racer but Ballerina was positioned up under my ribs so they would have had to done a C section anyway!!!

I remember bits and pieces of after the kids were born. The two thing that sticks out in my mind was seeing our parents in the recovery room and waking up looking at my brother who was sitting at the foot of my bed and then throwing up.  I remember his face!! It was kind of funny!!!

My recovery was hard because I was so weak from being on bed rest for four months. But as I look at my happy and healthy children I feel that everything I went through from the beginning was well worth it!!

Today they are four and they are such beautiful creatures who I adore so very much!!

Ballerina!!!

Speed Racer!!

I am so thankful and blessed for this wonderful family I have.

Our children are a nice blend of both Tommy and I!!!

90 Year Young

Today is Nana's 90th Birthday!!!

Over the weekend we celebrated her milestone.

We surprised because we were afraid that she would get too anxious about the party. She was escorted by my uncle and his two sons.

Nana has lived a very good life with many obstacles along the way. Despite some of these obstacles she kept on living her life!!

She had a good childhood but like everyone from that generation they had their rough times.  She tells the most incredible stories from her childhood in Philly making me wish that I grew up there.

Nana married my Grandfather Robert Walters. She gave birth to six children but only raised three. Three of her children died very young. (Tough thing for a parent to deal with.)

Nana lost her husband when my father was around 16 years old. She was lucky to find love and security with her second husband George Shafer. I called him Pop George. I remember him and he passed away when I was about four.

Several years later Nana met Ed Densten who would become her third husband. After she met Ed she began to travel and see the world. Without Ed I don't know if she would have done all the traveling she did.

I am so very lucky to have such a great relationship with my grandmother. She has been a real inspiration to me.  I have so many memories of cooking, gardening, decorating, dressing up, and organizing with her. She was never afraid of trying anything. She would build things with her own two hands and sometimes other's help

This is a candidate picture. I think that she was praying here. I think that she was VERY THANKFUL!!!

She is one of the youngest people I know.

The cake was so yummy!!

Nana is  well loved by her 3 children, plus three more (in-laws), 11 grandchildren (plus more because of marriages), and six great grandchildren (with one more on the way).

With the exception of one grandchild all of her family was gathered with her this weekend. It's hard to say or believe but that hasn't happened in over 25 years.

I feel very blessed to have such a great Grandmother and that my children are lucky enough to play with her!!!

Happy 90th Birthday Nana!! 

A Few Things to Share

As many as you know Martha Stewart moved to the Hallmark channel. I was able to live without watching her for a little over a month. As we got closer to Halloween I realized that I just missed being inspired by her. So, I called the cable company and saved myself a couple dollars by upgrading my plan for a year. I just love a DEAL!!!

As I started watching the Hallmark channel I have come across a new favorite chef....

Lucinda Scala Quinn. If you don't know her she works for Martha and is the editor for "Everyday Food" The Whole Philosophy for her show is bringing back the family meal. The meals she's making are healthy, easy, and fast. Isn't that what we are all looking for?

http://blog.madhungry.com/

Be sure to check her out!!!

On another note. I recently made these cupcakes by Giada.  I made them for Halloween Weekend and they were so good I thought I'd share the recipe with you.

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) canned 100 percent pure pumpkin (recommended: Libby's)

2 cups vanilla cake mix (recommended: Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla)

1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Frosting:

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup sour cream

To decorate: mini-chocolate chips, sprinkles, colored sugar, small candies

Directions

Cupcakes: Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 36 mini cupcake molds with paper liners. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, cake mix, milk, oil, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. Using an electric hand mixer, beat the mixture on low speed until smooth. Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Using a small ice cream scoop, fill the prepared molds with the batter. Bake until puffed and golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting, about 20 minutes.

Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter, cocoa powder, and sour cream. Using a hand mixer, beat on low speed until smooth. Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.

Using a small spatula, spread the frosting on top of the cupcakes. Decorate with mini-chocolate chips, sprinkles, colored sugar, and small candies.

Cook's Note: The batter can also be spooned into 12 regular-sized cupcake molds and baked in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Now run to the store to get these ingredients. You will be so happy you made them!!



North Wing Update

I was very lucky this week...

My Dad came to our house on Thursday and Friday to work.

We got a lot done and I am getting so excited!!!

So here is the work!!

This is where the fridge use to be. We put it in the basement!! We were going to donate it but I realized that we really need two fridges!! (Mudroom area)

My area!! This is probably where the iron board and clothes rack will be.

This is Tommy's area looking into the kids area. I can't wait to see how he decorates his area!!

Tommy window. I have a feeling that great things are going to happen here!!



This is the last wall to be put up. We were waiting to get all the big supplies in and out.

Next weeks work!!

This vent is working. We ran the duct yesterday.



This is the mudroom area. This is where the bench, hooks, and shelf unit will be.

Dress Up

The kids have really gotten into dressing up lately.  Alright, really Ballerina has gotten into dressing up.

Here are some pictures...

Halloween Night. Ballerina was a bunny and Speed Racer was a Country Rock Star aka Cowboy. He corrected everyone who called him a cowboy.

Don't you just love the Bunny's pose.

Country Rock Star.

Aren't they so cute?? Ballerina is too funny!!!

 She has gotten into my scarves and uses them. She looks like a fortune teller.

She is a regular chip off the old block!!

Ballerina will even dress up in a store. Here we are at Burlington Coat Factory in her very special pink hat.

 She recently got some Birthday money and went to the store and bought an Olivia dress up trunk. Now all she wears is this red tutu!!! She even has us calling her Olivia. We are all going to be confused when we are around my sweet little niece!!!

So here I am dressing up too. You can either call me Frenchie, Monica, or just a mom dressing appropriately for Halloween!! LOL!!!

When I was little I would dress up all the time. I would use any kind of material I could get my hands on. I would even dress my brother's up!!! They were such cute girls!!! HAHAHA

The Little Blonde Hen

Since I  started this blog I've been looking for the perfect name. I have changed the name several times thinking that the new title was perfect.

Recently, I came across the perfect name for my blog with a little help my kiddies and a little bed time story.

Last week, I decided that I would read the kids "The Little Red Hen"

As I was reading the book I came across the following paragraph...

"So the little red hen had to do all the housework.

She cooked the meals and washed the dishes and made the beds. She swept the floor and washed the windows and mended the clothes."

As I was reading  I thought to myself boy that sounds just like me and the kids thought the same thing because they both said "just like you Mommy."

I laughed and thought hey that would be a great title for my blog. I was a little concerned about copyrights and I don't have red hair. At the moment I have blonde hair so that's why it's The Little Blonde Hen.

I also decided to change the look of my blog. Lately it's been a little hard for me to blog but I really enjoy blogging. I want to share more things with you like recipes and craft ideas as well of things going on it our lives.

So beginning Monday you'll see some interesting changes.

Hope you have a great weekend