Oh How Pinteresting!

Once again, I have been dutifully searching the halls of Pinterest to find YOU amazing DIYs, recipes and inspiration.  (Ok, well maybe to find me some amazing ideas, recipes and inspiration. :)  Here are some of the awesome ideas I found this week:

St. Patrick's Day has always been a big deal in our house as my dad is half Irish.  We've celebrated the American tradition of being Irish by eating the corned beef and cabbage on this fun holiday.  I am so excited now that I get to pass this part of our heritage and tradition down to my goslings.  While we pretty much ALWAYS have the corned beef and cabbage dinner, we don't always dress the house for it...well, this year I'm goin' all out with this fun DIY craft.

Source: hgtv.com via Pamela on Pinterest

Organization is so much fun to research.  There are a million different ways to keep track of your stuff and keep you on task.  This is one of my favorite organization tips with a little country style.

Source: southernhospitalityblog.com via Emily on Pinterest

I love, love, LOVE crescent rolls! They are great for breakfast, lunch, dinner AND dessert! Here's a great place to get yummy crescent roll recipes!

Source: kidskubby.com via Scott on Pinterest

And finally, a little inspiration for your Wednesday!

Source: shrinkingjeans.net via Giulia on Pinterest

Always ~ Momma Goose

Toddler Tuesday

Brother Goes to the Dentist

For some reason I thought all dentists were the same and that pediatric dentistry was just a term used when dentists "could" treat children.  Who knew there were dentists that cater soley to children? Well, I finally it out and was so very excited because going to the dentist with Brother Goose has always been "an adventure." To say the least.

Enter California Kidds Pediatric Dental Group.  Wow, they R.O.C.K.!

We started going to California Kidds because Brother had a giant piece of his molar missing.  Now, when I say giant, I mean more than half!  Apparently, the cavity had gotten so bad underneath that it eroded the tooth away.  Gross!  (The trooper never once complained about it unless there was something stuck in it.  Even then, it was just that he needed a tooth pick to get the stuck food out.)

The moment we walked through the door, I knew we had found our dental home.  There are toys to play with, movies to watch, pages of kid's picture books framed on the walls and the staff was super friendly to my kids in a way they understood.

Today was our second visit and Brother got his tooth fixed.  They had to cap the tooth.  After an internal delimma, I decided that sterling silver was the way to go.  (Why pay extra for the enamel color for a tooth that won't be there much longer, isn't going to be as strong and while I pay extra for now, will still be the same price for the Tooth Fairy!)  Plus, part of the attraction of going to the dentist today for Brother was that he was going to be getting a "chrome" tooth.  Which, he came up with all on his own.

Brother made me so proud this morning.  He did everything the dentist asked, laid completely still while they were working on his mouth (I'm sure the flat screen above his head playing Curious George helped a little) and he took the sedation medication like a champ!

It is so nice to feel welcome at a medical/dental office.  I've been to plenty where you feel like a number or a hassle in the staff's day.  I don't want that feeling for my goslings, it is scary enough for them to go to the doctor or dentist.

So for this afternoon, Brother is to lay on the couch, watch Curious George and cuddle with Momma...Doctor's orders. (Ok, I might have added that last one in.:)

A big thank you to the California Kidds staff and Dr. Kunkel!

Always ~ Momma Goose

Mellow Monday & Menu Plan

Happy Monday my friends!

Today is such a great Monday.  Daddy is home (due to a dentist apt.), we hit it hard at the gym, Lil' Miss is taking nap number two of the day and...

Brother starts baseball!

I am so excited!!!  Baseball has been such a tradition in my family.  My brother still plays on several leagues.  The best news - Brother's team colors are orange and black!  As long time Giants fans, you know how happy that makes this Momma and Uncle and Grandparents and Auntie. :)

We're starting the season off with a bang.  Practice every night this week and a scrimmage on Saturday.  I cannot wait to watch several 4-5 year old boys running around the bases.  I will definitely keep you posted on the season.

On a side note - do you know how adorable my sweet boy is going to look in his uniform?!  If he'd let me take a picture of him today in his practice clothes I would have had it here for you to see.  (Maybe I'll sneak one in tonight.)

With today's crazy activities I am so happy we have a crockpot and a self cooking meal for tonight.  Courtesy of Pinterest, we are eating Creamy Chicken & Noodles.  It really is a toss and go kinda' meal.

Source: healthymealpins.com via Buffy on Pinterest

Creamy Chicken & Noodles

Ingredients:

4 Chicken breasts
1 8oz block cream cheese
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 packet of Zesty Italian dressing mix

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into slow cooker and cook on high for four hours.  Cook noodles (we're using bow tie) according to package directions.  Cover noodles with creamy chicken.  Enjoy!

We're indulging a little tonight with the Texas toast!

Here's what else we're eating this week:

Monday:  Creamy Chicken & Noodles with Texas toast and green salad.
Tuesday:  Tacos with lime-cilantro rice and fruit
Wednesday:  Lasagna with a broccoli slaw salad
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday:  Winco calazone with green salad
Saturday:  Family Date Night - Mexican Food!!
Sunday:  Enchiladas

Do you meal plan?  I do because it saves me time, money, and answers the never ending "What's for dinner?" question.  After you've checked out my menu plan and then see others at Orgjunkie.com.

Always ~ Momma Goose

Thinkin' Thursday

You've heard the old saying...

One step forward, two steps back.

I've been thinking that's been my life lately.  I'll get very organized, my goslings are super well behaved, I've made sure Daddy Goose's uniforms are cleaned and he has everything he needs for a good lunch, my house is clean, I've kept up on my Bible study homework, I'm eating healthy, exercising several days a week and then...

BLAM!!!

We go on vacation or one of us gets sick or lazy or... (insert other pathetic excuse here!)

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT trying to say my life is hard or that I have it so rough.  And I know there are much bigger things in life to worry about other than whether my goslings have great hair when we go out.

I also do not pretend to have a perfect life, but I am striving for that "ideal" life?  Isn't everyone?  Of course, to define what is perfect or ideal for me will not be the same definition for you.  I do enjoy a organized and "clean" house, but isn't that just fluff?  For me, the real definition of an ideal life is happy, healthy family and friends.  So, why do I feel the way I do...two steps behind?

Part of my problem is that I sometimes sweat the small stuff or get caught up in the chore of life and then feel like because I haven't finished my laundry this week we've taken two steps back.

That just isn't true!  (I say as I bang my head against the wall hoping it will sink in this time!)

What is true:

Those two sweet smiles are PERFECT!

We had a great vacation!

I recovered from a horrible flu/virus!

No one else has gotten this horrible sickness.

We have a roof over our heads, food in our refrigerator
and enough clean clothes.

Daddy, Brother and Lil' Miss Goose and the rest of
my family and friends are happy and healthy!

And so much more to be thankful for.

As I type this, Lil' Miss is happily sleeping and Brother is enjoying a little earned Curious George.  We're working on a clean house and laundry and I'm pretty sure I've eaten healthy today.  We're moving forward!

How about you, what is the ideal life for you?

Always ~ Momma Goose

Coffee Talk & It's OK Thursday!

This morning, I had a great visit over coffee with a great friend.  We enjoyed several cups by the fire while catching up and watching Lil' Miss undressed herself and parade around in a diaper to entertain herself AND us.

My heart smiles when I get to spend quality time with friends and family.  It is one of those irreplaceable times that leave you feeling good throughout the day.  This friend is especially special, we've known each other a looooooooooooooong time!


It's also left me with a feeling that its OK that...

...I stayed in my jammies until noon.

Well...tecnhically not my jammies, but a close version of them.

...I ate my breakfast standing at the kitchen counter.

Don't all mommas do this?

...I Had a couple chocolate chips in said breakfast.

Peach greek yogurt, granola, strawberries and chocolate chips...I dare you not to love it!

...it was a little more than a couple.

Shhhhh! They're a flat belly diet food! LOL!

...I'm overly excited about the Mary Kay box that appeared on my door step this afternoon!

 I heart pink!

...I'm excitedly nervous about my trip next week.

More to come on where we're going another day. :)

...I'm saddened that football season is over.

Did the Ravens REALLY win the Super Bowl?

...I'm saddened by Lil' Miss's allergy diagnosis.

It can be a tough life without those chocolate chips.

...Lil' Miss is allergic to milk, eggs, cats and dust mites.  (More to come on that, as well.)

There are waaaaaaay worse things in life that can happen.

What's OK with you this week?

Always ~ Momma Goose

Toddler Tuesday

We got a little bad, yet expected, news on Friday.  Lil' Miss is allergic to milk

It all started several months ago when I noticed that she would get a rash around her mouth every time she'd eat yogurt.  I'd take her off of it for a time and then try again.  We did this for a while and then she didn't get the rash anymore.  One time I gave her some mac-n-cheese (which she spilled all over herself) and it gave her a rash - so she didn't get any more of that kid staple.

More recently, we noticed eczema type rashes all over her body.  We (me, my family as well as her doctor) thought that it was probably due to the weather change.  I changed up our shower routine, a new specialty lotion and it went away.

Finally, last week she had a severe reaction to some cottage cheese.  I got REALLY nervous.  Hives, swollen eyes and all.  Thankfully, after a few minutes it subsided, but it was the sign I needed to push my doctor a little further into allergy testing.  Last Wednesday we went and got the allergy blood test to confirm what we already thought to be true, she is allergic to milk. (Which, by the way, is a whole other sob story. Ugh, holding your sweet innocent baby down while they stick needles into her...we were both crying!)
 
(Now funny enough, Lil' Miss will spit milk back out at you, so we never got a clue about her allergy from milk.  She just plain does not like it!  I've even tried all kinds of flavors:  chocolate, strawberry, almond (plain and flavored) and even soy (plain and flavored) all with the same results.)

From the beginning she's had other issues such as acid reflux, GERD, asthma and ear infections.  Now I am hoping and praying that they are all due to her allergy.  (Maybe we can finally get rid of her nebulizer!)

We are headed to the allergy doctor tomorrow in hopes of further diagnosis and explanation of life from here on out.

As usual, I got right on the internet and have found many milk-free resources online. Like this awesome one, GoDairyFree.com

Source

The website gave me the best news about her allergy yet:

Studies show that approximately 60% of infants allergic to cow’s milk will “outgrow” the allergy by the age of 4, 80% by the age of 6.

Let's just pray that Lil' Miss is one of the 80% that outgrows her allergy.

Do you know of any good resources or food substitutes for her allergy?

Let the milk-free fun begin!

Always ~ Momma Goose

The Nail Files

Happy "Friday"...ahem...I mean Saturday!

 

A long week of momma adventures of school, doctor appointments, Bible study and

a play-date left me with a lack of time to post this yesterday.

Ms. Shelbe did a great job with my sparkly Valentine's Day colors and polka dots.

Hope you love the pink and red combo as much as I do!

Always ~ Momma Goose

If you love painted nails and other girly things, go check out these gals!