What my Toddler Tuesday looked like

Yesterday was one of THOSE DAYS!  My beautiful, awesome, happy, amazing goslings and I went into town to have a little fun and run some errands.

We started the day with a visit to Chuck E Cheese...my favorite place on earth...NOT!!! That place has the right idea...waste spend a ton of cash on useless video games to get tickets so you can get useless awesome toys that will end up in my trash can within a week.  To top it off, their food is like cardboard....no, no...old cardboard.  AND...it costs a small fortune!  Double yuck!!  Yet, I find myself taking the goslings there every six months or so because $10 will buy us an hour or so of "fun" and they can't leave the building without me!  Brother Goose doesn't like their food either, so we get to eat somewhere else.

Our somewhere else yesterday was Subway.  While the food was better, the service was less than better.  In fact, I'm pretty sure the guy at Chuck E Cheese was fully trained in customer service and in kid language.  Back to Subway...as you know Lil' Miss is allergic to milk and even fake cheese, which sometimes is hard for an almost two year old to understand.  Brother Goose got Cheetos and Lil' Miss wanted some...can you see where this is going?  Screaming, crying sad, sad, sad Lil' Miss in Subway. Somehow she got a hold of one and in my mini-struggle to get it out of her hot little hands it bumped her face....annnnnd...now screaming, crying, sad Lil' Miss is now red faced and welted, screaming, crying, sad Lil' Miss. :(

Next visit was Verizon.  My cell phone was stolen last week and I had to return to the store to get my new one up and running.  What was I thinking towing along two hot and tired children?!?!  The poor guy that was helping me was a little clueless.  He must have been a "newer" employee, because he couldn't answer several of my questions, took 45 minutes to long to activate my phone AND was oblivious to my children - which is either good or bad.  Thankfully, there was a table with chairs in the store where we could sit and behave while the guy worked on my phone.

(P.S.  My phone still doesn't work right.  Hopefully, Daddy Goose can figure that out tonight.)

After Verizon was Costco.  A little glimmer of light thanks to a cart that seats two! LOL!  They treated each other with respect in the close proximity AND there were popsicle samples!  Costco must have known that crazy moms with their crazy kids would be coming in yesterday - a smart and successful marketing strategy.  Yes, I bought the popsicles! ;)  Half way through the warehouse, Brother says..."Mom, I'm starving!"  Whaaaatttt??  He ate an entire 6" turkey sub, half a bag of chips and a snack on the way to Costco!  This boy is definitely going through a growing spurt.  $1.50 hot dog to the rescue!

Finally, we were on our way home.  Chuck E Cheese crappy toys, activated cell phone, fed tummies and groceries.

I know this may all sound like not that big of a deal to some.  But...add in that it was 108 yesterday, we missed the friends we were supposed to meet at Chuck E Cheese and Daddy Goose wasn't with us, which we've become quite accustomed to.  Ooooo...and I wasn't mentally or toddler approved activity prepared to sit at Verizon for over an hour.

The silver lining = the day was not lost.  We got to have dinner with four of our favorite people, enjoyed watching Brother play football and then got a surprise visit from an old friend we really missed.

Here's a quick YouTube video of practice. :)

All in all it was just another glamorous day in the life of a momma.

How about you, what glamorous thing did you do yesterday?

Always ~ Momma Goose

Toddler Tuesday: A New Haircut

A couple days ago, I posted on Facebook this status:

"Sitting in the garage watching a timeless tradition, a dad giving his son a haircut.  We just add a lil' fire to the tradition...pictures to come."

As promised here are the pictures from that day.

It starts off very traditional...

Then things start warmin' up:

And the end result - a good lookin' flame haircut:

 

Brother LOVES it!  Daddy and I love it! Even 'Lil Miss has ran her hair over it a couple of times with a big grin.  Daddy has gotten several requests for more haircuts and I'm pretty sure Brother's entire baseball team wants their done, too.

The compliments and reactions have been fun and so far, my favorite comment has been:  "He was running so fast, his head caught on fire."

It was such a fun afternoon to be a part of and hey...you're only 4 once - might as well have flames in your hair!

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

Nutella Cookies & Brother Goose

This is why you didn't hear from me yesterday...

We were busy, baking cookies, making Daddy Goose's favorite no-bake cheese cake and I was happy just spending quality time with my favorite little boy.

Hope you're having a happy Friday!

P.S.  Here's the recipe for our Nutella Cookies.  Super easy and yummy!

Ingredients:

1 cup of Nutella
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1 egg

Instructions:


Preheat oven to 350 F.
Blend all ingredients together well. Form into 1″ balls. Place on a cookie sheet. Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass. Bake 7-8 minutes or until set. Cool.

Always ~ Momma Goose

Toddler Tuesday: Thankful Turkeys

Today Brother Goose and I were gettin' in the groove for Thanksgiving.  I had already started decorating, but we hadn't yet done any crafting for the holiday.  So, when Lil' Miss went down for her afternoon nap we grabbed our glue, scissors and markers and went to town making our Thankful Turkeys.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up these foam turkeys from the dollar section at Target.

I had prepared them earlier by writing "I am thankful for..." on them.  I asked Brother for three things he was thankful for and naturally, grandparents came first.

Thankfully a close second came Momma, Daddy, Sissy AND football!  After writing on the turkeys, I handed it over to Brother and he added his own artwork.

When all the artwork was complete, we took brown crossgrain ribbon (that I got at the Dollar Store) and stretched out enough to fit all three thankful turkeys.  Brother squeezed out a line of glue...

...and made sure they would stick by pounding them on. (He is SUCH A BOY!:)  Using a bow to hide the thumb tack - voila!

Six thankful turkeys!  Daddy Goose is going to fill his out tonight and we'll hang them and make sure to post a picture.  Can you read mine?  I only had three turkeys, so in that little space I am thankful for "God's many blessings," "Hard Working Hubby," and "2 kids!"

Crafting with Brother is one of my favorite past times.  He is so creative and always has a fun story to tell me while we are being creative.

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

Always ~ Momma Goose

P.S.  Did you add up my total cost for this craft project?  Yup, that's right ONLY $2.00!  It may not be the most Martha Stewart looking craft...but it was fun, had little cost and I got to spend great quality time with Brother!

Its OK Thursday

Happy Thursday my friends!

Our week is coming to a close and I'm excited to call today Friday Eve, aren't you?  This week has been fun, but my goslings and I are always counting down to the weekend when Daddy Goose is home all day!  For now, we'll keep on truckin' and I hope you enjoy my It's OK Thursday!

It's OK that...

...I've struggled with my 1/2 Year Resolutions.

I haven't given up!!

...Brother Goose was a little scared at his first soccer practice and game!

He didn't quit and eventually had a great time!

...Lil' Miss Goose's hair sometimes (ok, a lot of times) looks a little like Pebbles Flinestone!

She's super cute anyway!

...I was probably more excited than I should have been to find $5.00 in my wallet!

...I didn't win $26,000 at Bingo on Tuesday.

I had a blast with my girls anyway!

...Lil' Miss Goose is laying on the floor watching Baby Einstein right now.

She's had a tough asthma night and day...she deserves a little pampering!

...that I'm a little jealous that my parents are going to spend the weekend with my sister.

She'll be here in October!!!

...that Daddy Goose and I took 6 months to spend our Elephant Bar gift certificates.

It made our date night all the more fun...and well deserved!

...that I'm really looking forward to my next date night with Daddy Goose!

(Um...when are my parents coming back from my sister's house? LOL!)

...that I'm really looking forward to my next Bingo night with the girls!

Have a great Thursday!  What's OK with you today?

Always ~ Momma Goose

He DID it!!

I had a super proud "Momma Moment" yesterday when Brother Goose made it (smiling) through his dentist appointment! I actually had to hold back tears of joy.

Look at my sparkling teeth!

It has been a journey getting to this point.  We've been a couple of times to get him used to the idea and our last visit was not so fun.  I won't go into detail, but lets just say we were both very, very, VERY unhappy.  Since our last visit, we've talked a lot about the dentist, we've read "Sammy's Dentist Dilemma" (An amazing book, that was given to us by our dentist, Dr. Treva Lee, written by a dental hygienist!), called Daddy Goose for a quick pep-talk right before we headed into the office and I may have even bribed him a little.  I'm not sure which of my tactics worked, but at this point I don't even care...it was a success!

As we walked out yesterday, he said, "Momma, I'm not afraid of the dentist!"  I could not have been more proud of him overcoming his fears.  What a big boy I have!

It's okay that...

...we had to go to the dentist several times before it was successful!

At least we didn't give up!

...I hate paying bills!

Do you know anyone that doesn't?

... I haven't actually cooked all week!

It's been leftovers and sandwiches...easy peasy/lazy week.

...that I don't feel like doing much outside...it is sooo hot out there!

...I finished reading Fifty Shades of Gray in two days!

Now, to find the time to read Fifty Shades Darker & Fifty Shades Freed.

Always ~ Momma Goose

Family Fun Date & Its OK Thursday

Yesterday, we surprised Brother Goose and took him to the Island Water Park for an afternoon of family fun, water and sun.  Lil' Miss Goose and he had a blast and Daddy Goose and I thoroughly enjoyed the uninterrupted family time.

Kids Key Largo Lagoon
Photo from Island Water Park FB page

They have the coolest "lagoon" of slides, falling water and pool for kids my goslings age.  There is also a lazy river we could float along and a wave pool with real sand!  Of course, there are the "big" kid slides, but Brother Goose isn't quite there yet.  Although, Daddy Goose and I would probably have enjoyed them...but that wasn't why we were there. ;)

Taking Brother Goose to the water park was one of the last items on my summer to-do/wish-list.  I am so glad that we got to get it marked off as a family!


It's OK... ...if my daughter's 1st birthday party doesn't turn out perfect!  As long as we get to share the event with our friends and family. ...that I didn't look even remotely fantastic taking my walk this morning. At least I went for a walk. ...that I don't still fit into my clothes from high school. I'm not in high school anymore! ...that I am totally addicted to Rock Band! I completed 15 songs last night!  I rocked it!

It's a Toddler Tuesday!

I got to spend my morning with my favorite toddler girl...Lil' Miss Goose!

Photo Courtesy of Jim Healy Photography

While Brother Goose was at school this morning, Lil' Miss Goose and I had a breakfast date, went to the salon, the grocery store, checked out the new store in town, filled up the tank with gas, went to Rite Aid and then ended the morning with a lunch date.

It was a great morning with my gal, she was an absolute doll to have with me.  She didn't ask for anything at the stores, she didn't cry when I told her it was time to go and she didn't even mind getting in and out of the car so many times.

I know these days won't last, it is the curse of time going by. I am enjoying each second with my goslings.  Well mostly each second. (Ha-ha!) With everything there are a few I wish I could take back or make different.

And with that...I'm going to finish the rest of my chores while my sweet goslings nap, so I can spend the rest of my afternoon playing with the two cutest goslings in the world!  You should do the same!

Always ~ Momma Goose

First Day of Pre-K

Can you believe summer vacation is over in our town?  Our little school,  Kerman Christian, as well as all of the schools in our district went back today.  It feels like just yesterday that I was writing a post on what I was going to do with Brother Goose all summer.  I'm pretty proud to say we got a lot of that list accomplished.

We took the traditional picture this morning.

In typical Brother Goose fashion, he would not smile, he would not look into the camera and he would not say cheese.  I usually have to catch him by surprise to get him to smile.

While you can't tell from the picture, he was so excited about his new sweatshirt that he had to wear it to school today.  Mind you it's supposed to be 104 here today.  I finally convinced him that he should leave it in the car so he didn't have to worry about putting it in his backpack.  And...check out those high tops!  Wow, those are the COOLEST shoes ever, right?  Right?

It was a tough drop of for both of us, but by the time I pick him up his enthusiasm will be enough to make us both forget the trauma earlier in the day.

Let the school year fun begin.  Before we all know it, Brother Goose will be graduating from high school.

Good luck to those of you starting school in the next few weeks.

Always ~ Momma Goose

Toddler Tuesday: For the Love of Food & Family

Baby Goose enjoying her dinner.

Just look at that sweet baby girl!  Somehow she might even be cuter with dinner all over her face.  Maybe its the mere fact that with her messy face, hands, bib, hair and sometimes even feet that I know she's thoroughly loved the meal I prepared for her.  (Anyone that loves my food gets a bonus star in my book.)

I remember the first messy face Brother Goose picture I took.  It was one of his first meals.

Awe...look at those chubby cheeks.

I'm sure we all have these pictures of our kids (or of ourselves) a mess from the days of learning how to eat.  They are classic moments of parenthood and a right of passage as children captured around a family meal.

I am one of those people that prefers and sometimes insists on family dinners.  Even before our goslings, I would wait for Daddy Goose to get home from work so that we could have our dinner together.  (He still won't eat without me.) Growing up, family dinners were a tradition.  While at the time I did not always enjoy it, I am very thankful for the time I spent with my parents and siblings around the dinner table.

These days it is a little harder to have a family meal every night. Daddy Goose works late during the week, so many times it is me and our goslings eating at the table.  However, Daddy Goose and I make it a priority to eat together on the weekends.  Family meals are something that we want to instill as important to our goslings.  I've read many studies that say that families that eat together communicate more, kids get better grades when their parents are involved in family activities (such as meals) and kids are more likely to stay out of trouble.  Besides, we wouldn't all be able to enjoy these messy faces if we didn't sit at the table together.

Do you eat as a family?  Why is it important to you?  It doesn't matter if its at the table, on TV trays, on a picnic bench or in your backyard on a blanket.  Make meals fun, meaningful and maybe a little messy and I guarantee you'll forget about how good or bad your food is and make awesome memories that will last your and your kids a lifetime.

Here are some other fun, messy face pictures of my goslings. Join me on Facebook for more pics of my goslings and make sure to share some of your messy cuties! I'd love to see them!

Momma Goose

Not much better than watermelon on a hot afternoon.

Homemade chocolate pudding Popsicle...yum!