About five weeks ago our oldest son began taking martial arts lessons.  He has loved every second of it.    Since then we have also signed up our youngest son.  They are in two different classes because of the difference in age.  Luckily the classes are back to back.  So twice a week we "set up camp" in order to make it through both class.  Our daughter (and youngest child) keeps herself entertained...kind of.  Usually she is in my lap or watching herself perform her version on ballet in the mirrors. Yesterday, was our oldest son's first opportunity to stripe test.  I grew up dancing and taught dance for 10 years.  So, I am not at all familiar with the terminology of martial arts.  However, I will say that the discipline, class structure, determination, etc. is very similar to dance.  Where was I???  Oh yes, it was our first experience stripe testing.  In order to earn the next belt color, you first have to earn three black stripes.  You have the opportunity to earn a stripe once a month.  Our son had been studying so hard.  He was responsible for terminology, techniques, and self defense. As a parent, you sit at the back of the room.  You are able to watch all the kids but you cannot help them or give any hints during testing.  I could physically feel myself flinch each time he was asked a question.  However, he seemed so calm.  I was a nervous wreck.  Plus trying to keep the other two kids quiet and entertained seemed unusually hard.  The test went on for 45 minutes!!!!  That is a long time for a nervous momma!  At the end of the test, all students "lock it up" (sit with legs criss cross and hands on knees).  The teachers read a list of names.  If your name is called you stand up.  Our son's name was called!!!  Wait...is that a good thing or a bad thing???  A few more hours, I mean seconds, passed and the question was answered.  All students standing received their stripe!!!!  EXHALE!  I finally took my first breath in 45 minutes.  In total confidence, he turned around and gave me a thumbs up.  He melts my heart.  Is it okay to tear up in the middle of a martial arts studio???

Ok, so this post is not going to be very exciting.  For my family members, it will not have pictures of my kiddos.  It also does not have any yummy recipes.  However, it is about the best educational game I have ever purchased.  I think we can all agree that a game that is fun, easy, and educational is a major A+! About six or seven years ago I was invited to a Discovery Toys party.  To be honest I really wasn't all that interested in going.  I had heard that the toys were really expensive.  I always like the items I see at home catalog parties but I always feel torn and stressed because of the sticker price.  Plus you know the hostess is earning points, credits, etc.  so you want to help her out but you don't want to break the bank!  So by the end of the evening, I settled on Busy Bugs.  I figured it looked somewhat useful and it wasn't too expensive.  Years later, it is my all time favorite educational game.  All three of my kids have learned how to sort, pattern, add, subtract, etc. with this game.

Chocolate Pudding Frosting...YUMMY!  Yesterday I made vanilla cupcakes using a box mix.  My plan was to frost them with a caramel frosting, however, none of us liked the way it tasted.  So, the cupcakes sat...naked.  There is nothing worse than a naked cupcake!  It is just plain wrong.  I realized this morning that I never got around to making a batch of frosting.  I looked in my pantry to see what ingredients I had to work with.  Then I remembered, I had recently seen something about putting pudding in frosting.  I hadn't looked at a recipe or researched it so I decided to just wing it. This is what I used: 2 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp. butter (cold)
1 tsp. vanilla
4-5 tbsp. milk (add slowly, you may need only 3-4 tbsp.)
3-4 tbsp. chocolate pudding mix (just the powder)

Piping bags!  I love the way they help frost cakes, cookies, and cupcakes but they are a pain to fill.  Until I learned something new on The Chew www.thechew.com.  It wasn't even a segment devoted to piping bags.  I just happened to notice the technique while they were making Shepard's Pie.  It is so simple, I can't believe I never thought to do it. Are you ready???  Before filling your bag, prop it upside down in a jar or glass!  That is it!  Ta-da!!!

Ahhh, "me time" what every mother can never get enough of.  It is something that is essential for any mom to survive.  Don't get me wrong I love my kids more than life it's self but I also love myself (especially when myself is in a quiet place...ALONE).  The fact is most mom's probably don't get the type of "me time" they feel they deserve.  I think we can all agree that a secluded beach, good book, and something cold to drink would be an idea way to spend "me time".  If you don't like the beach maybe a spa or quiet area in a library.  Anyway you look at it, we all need more of it.  But what do we do when it just doesn't fit the schedule or budget or any other issue that may come up?  I have finally figured out that question, after months of arguing with myself and feeling pitiful that I was the "only" mom that didn't get that special time.  I even posted it on Facebook awhile back.  My status asked the questions, "How do you spend your "me time" and  how often do you get that precious time?"  I received so many responses.  Some moms had the opportunity to have a couple hours a week, others tried to take a small amount of time each day, and still others hoped to get an ounce of time within a month.  After reading all of the posts, I realized that I needed to change my attitude towards my personal time.  My husband works six days a week.  His work day usually lasts between 10 and 12 hours.  Soooo, I needed to get creative. As I have mentioned before, my life has recently taken a huge change.  Actually, you could consider it an overhaul!  Six months ago I was a 10 year veteran teacher with one child in public school and two children in full time private daycare.  A huge bonus to being a teacher is having so many holidays and summers off.  I really felt I had the best of both worlds.  We were able to have two incomes and I still had a lot of time at home with the kids.  What I didn't realize is how easy my alone time was to fit in.  Some days I would rush out of school so I could run to Target or Hobby Lobby before I went to pick up the kids.  Also, money wasn't an issue so scheduling a pedicure every two weeks was a piece of cake.  My how all of this has changed! When we decided I needed to resign and homeschool our children "me time" came to a screeching hault.  Now we follow a  very strict budget and my children and I spend just about every waking moment together.  This was a huge adjustment.  Gone were the days of running errands by myself and sitting for 45 minutes while someone massaged my legs and feet.  Today,  I am totally embarrassed of the way my feet look.  Oh well... :)  Getting back on track, I had to change my perspective of what my "me time" should look like.  I realized that the pedicures, Starbucks, etc. where out of the question. I was unexpectedly saved when my husband and I received the most amazing Christmas present from my parents.  Drum roll please.....

The Keurig!!! It has become my new and might I add, inexpensive me time.  Everyday, yes I said everyday, I make a wonderful cup of coffee and that is my "me time".  It is not glamorous but it is a guarantee that I will get it.  Most of the time I wait until the afternoon to make my precious cup.  By that point homeschool is over and the kids are more than willing to play upstairs or in the backyard.  So then I get coffee and quiet!  AMAZING!!!  Yet again, it's the little things in life! So I just have to ask the question again.  How do you spend your me time? Elizabeth ***While I wrote this blog post (during today's "me time") the following things happened:
1.  I made my cup of coffee and anticipated a great amount of quiet time, and then...
2.  My three year old daughter insisted on sitting in my lap even though I was typing on the laptop.
3.  My oldest son decided that this was the best time to discuss many activities in his Cub Scout handbook.
4.  My daughter wanted an apron tied around her waist and then two minutes wanted it removed.
5.  She also gave me multiple hugs and laid her head on my shoulder. :)
6.  My middle son asked to go outside (1 out of 3 isn't bad) :) I wouldn't switch my old "me time" with my new "me time" any day.  I love spending so much time with me kids.  It really will be gone before I know it.  AND when I finally do get that glamorous "me time" it will be so much more appreciated.

"Today, I am going to get that counter cleared off!"  How many times have I uttered this statement?!  We have one counter in our kitchen that is such a "catch all" and once it is full the stuff just begins to creep to all the other counter tops and kitchen table (and stairs, cubby....)  What I mean to say is that when you have three kiddos, everything is a catch all!!!.  It is something I have battled for years.  I have read so many blogs about organizing your command center.  I try and try but day by day the clutter creeps back.  I decided on a whim to give it another try. Now, I did not spend a single dime on this organization project.  I would much prefer cute baskets and scrap booking paper for my labels but it is just not in the budget this month.  My goal was organized and functional!  Maybe on another day I can change out baskets and labels. :) Here it is, in all it's glory...the counter!  There is a little bit of everything on it and sadly this is how it usually looks.  Even if I get it cleared off with in 5.2 minutes (yes that is actually how long it takes) it is full again.  It is actually a step in the right direction that I am letting anyone other than family see a picture like this.  Typically, I do a mad clean sweep before anyone comes over.  Did I mention I don't like it when people drop by unexpectedly? :)