Friday, January 30, 2009
Favorite Ingredients Friday (Super Bowl Edition)
Good Friday to you all!
In preparation for this Sunday's Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's time for my Favorite Ingredients Friday Super Bowl Sunday Edition recipe exchange! Stop by here if you want to check out all the yummy recipes from last year!
Please share with me your favorite appetizer, side dish, salad, grilled foods, or any other type of recipe that you'd find yourself serving at or bringing to a Super Bowl Sunday party! :)
My contribution is quick and easy to make and it's what I'll be taking to a party this weekend.
Seafood Dip
(Serves 12)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dry vegetable soup mix
- 1 cup imitation crabmeat, diced
Directions
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, vegetable soup mix, and crab. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour.
- Serve with toasted french bread or crackers.
See how easy that is!
I look forward to seeing your Favorite Ingredients Friday Super Bowl Sunday Edition recipe! Don't forget to link your specific recipe post link on Mr. Linky so I can see what's cooking at your house!
Oh, and be sure to put the title of your recipe in parenthesis! It makes it so much quicker for everyone to go back and search for recipes.
Labels: cooking, Favorite Ingredients Friday, recipe exchange
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Since when did it become more expensive to sew clothes than it is to buy them in a store?!
Materials for Snuggle Bug's pajamas.
I'm pretty new at the art of sewing. In fact, I've started to take a sewing class on Thursday nights. As part of my class, I purchased materials for a pajama project. I'm going to sew Snuggle Bug a pair of fleece pajamas because he loves, loves, loves the softness of fleece!
So, yesterday I set out to buy the materials, from Joann's, that my pattern instructed. Here's what it cost:
- 1 yard of blizzard fleece (for the bottoms & a bit extra for the interfacing of the shirt)- regularly priced at $9.99 per yard, on sale for $5.99 per yard.
- 1 yard of blue anti-pill fleece (for the top)- regularly priced at $8.99 per yard, on sale for $5.39 per yard.
- 1 yard of non-roll polyester elastic for the waistband- $1.59.
- 250M Guiterman blue thread (to match the bottoms)- regularly priced at $3.59, 40% sale price of $2.15.
My grand total, after state and county tax- $16.35!
$16.35 and that doesn't include my pattern (thankfully I got that for $1 on sale) or my time! For the price I spent on my materials yesterday, I could almost purchase a pair of fleece pajamas at The Children's Place. In fact, I think I got the kids each a pair of pajamas just before Christmas on sale for less than that! And The Children's Place makes quality pajamas, so I'm not talking Wal-Mart here.
So tell me, what happened to sewing to save money? Even though I purchased everything on sale, I don't think I saved any money? Is there a cheaper place to purchase fabrics than at Joann's? Is purchasing fabric online any cheaper or does the shipping kill you?
Labels: sewing, shopping, Snuggle Bug
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
WFMW (extremely cheap movies)
Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip! If you've gone to a regularly priced movie lately, especially with your family, you'll know it costs an arm and a leg these days!
But, the tip I'm about to share with you will help.
Recently, I discovered that a nearby re-run (or "cheap") theater has $1 Tuesday movies. That's right, on Tuesdays, all their movie tickets are sold for $1, no matter what time the showing.
So, yesterday I took Snuggle Bug to a 5:00 o'clock showing of The Tale of Despereaux. We paid just $2 for both of our tickets and, rather than spend more than that on popcorn and a drink, I simply popped up a bag of popcorn at home (I got a box of 3 packs on sale for 50 cents) and packed it and a bottle of water in my purse. Snuggle Bug was as happy as a clam munching on our popcorn as he watched his movie!
So, check with your re-run or "cheap" theaters to see if they offer even cheaper movie nights. It worked for me, maybe it'll work for you!
To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!
Some of my past WFMW entries are found here.
Labels: entertainment, Works-For-Me Wednesday
Monday, January 26, 2009
Birthday parties galore!
The kids and I attended two birthday parties this past weekend.The first party on Saturday was a zoo! The mom had invited at least 30 kids, plus parents, to attend. It was hectic and crazy and not the kind of party I would arrange, but the kids seemed to have fun.
The second party yesterday was at Chuck-E-Cheese. Let me just say that Oronzo and I avoid that place like the plaque when at all possible! Our children will have to BEG US to have a birthday party there before we'll even consider it, and I don't see that happening because both Snuggle Bug and Boo were afraid of "the mouse." They did have a blast playing all the games with the huge stack of tokens they got.
The pizza was marginal at best.
So far, our kids' birthday parties are rather small affairs. I like to stick to the same list of little friends (about 10 kids max) that I invite. Because I keep it small, I try to pick a central theme and incorporate a few activities for the kids to do. For example, Snuggle Bug's 4th birthday party involved everyone making their own pizzas. The kids loved it!
I'm trying to decide what to do for Boo's 2nd birthday, which is coming up next month. I know princess parties are popular, but I want to hold off on doing that until Boo is a little older and can understand it better. In fact, when she's a bit older I'm going to do a "fashion show" birthday party where I'll have her and her little girl friends get all dolled up with costume jewelry, dress up clothes, and have their hair styled and maybe even a bit of kids make-up put on and then put Oronzo's professional photography skills to work in doing a "photo shoot" of the girls with fun props like feather boas, and hats. But that is a party idea for when she's a little older.
Right now, I'm trying to figure out what to do for a 2 year old little girl. I'm open to suggestions! Can you help me come up with some theme ideas?
Labels: birthdays, Boo, celebration, parenting
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Termination Trial date set!
Boo attempting to stand on her head.
Earlier this week, there was another court hearing for Boo's case. The judge set dates for the termination trial, now scheduled for 1 full day and 2 half days in mid-March! He doesn't suspect it'll take all 3 days but he scheduled them just the same. Finally, we have a date set that will give us the answer we've been looking for for nearly a year now!
So, what this means is that all parties (Boo's bio mom's lawyer, Boo's lawyer, and the state Assistant Attorney General) will be allowed to call witnesses and present evidence to support their case as to whether or not the rights of the bio parents' rights should be permanently severed. If the judge rules for severance, then Boo's bio mom would have 30 days to appeal that ruling. If she does that, which we suspect she will, then we'll have to wait a minimum of 8 months for the appellate courts to review the case and make a final ruling. If that final ruling is still severance, then we will be allowed to petition to adopt Boo!
Oronzo and I are cautiously optimistic that we will get to eventually adopt this precious little girl who has turned our world upside down! If so, we're really hoping to be able to finalize an adoption before the end of this year.
Of course, your prayers would be very much appreciated!
Labels: adoption #2, Boo, foster children, foster-to-adopt, fostering
Winner of my Notecard giveaway!
It's time to select the winner of my notecard giveaway! I used Random.org and the number that came up was...
#2- Momma Bean
Momma Bean, since you don't have a blog that I can find and you didn't leave an email for me to contact you at, please email me or leave me a comment on how to reach you. I'll need you to email me your mailing address and your notecard preference and how you'd like your notecards personalized! You have three days to respond or I'll have to pick another winnner!
As for those of you who didn't win this time, fear not, I'll hold another notecard giveaway again in the near future. :)
Thanks for your interest!
#2- Momma Bean
Momma Bean, since you don't have a blog that I can find and you didn't leave an email for me to contact you at, please email me or leave me a comment on how to reach you. I'll need you to email me your mailing address and your notecard preference and how you'd like your notecards personalized! You have three days to respond or I'll have to pick another winnner!
As for those of you who didn't win this time, fear not, I'll hold another notecard giveaway again in the near future. :)
Thanks for your interest!
Labels: bloggity goodness, giveaways
6:00 AM
Notecard giveway!
I haven't hosted a giveaway recently and it's high time I do something about that!
Since I'm getting better with my Photoshop skills, I'm going to offer a chance for one lucky reader to win a set of 6 notecards each, personalized any way you'd like. I'll put on your first name, your first and last name, a "Thank You" greeting, or even "A Note from..." greeting.
You'll get to choose from one of the designs shown below.
All you have to do is leave me a comment if you're interested and I'll choose a winner this coming Saturday, 24 January.
Spread the word!
Here are the design options:
Labels: bloggity goodness, giveaways
Friday, January 23, 2009
Favorite Ingredients Friday (bread machine pizza dough)
Good Friday to you all! It's time for another Favorite Ingredients Friday recipe exchange! I can't wait to see what you all come up with!
Check out my upcoming themed schedule below:
Upcoming 2009 "Themed" Schedule
January 30- Super Bowl Edition III
February 6- Chocolate Edition III
February 20- Homemade Pizza Edition
Earlier this month I hosted a pizza baking birthday party for Snuggle Bug. He and his little friends had a BLAST rolling out pizza dough, choosing their own toppings, and then watching their individual pizza's bake in the oven. I tried a new pizza dough recipe that I found on Recipe Zaar and it was fantastic so I'm going to share it with you. You really need to try it. I've made breadsticks with this recipe as well.
Earlier this month I hosted a pizza baking birthday party for Snuggle Bug. He and his little friends had a BLAST rolling out pizza dough, choosing their own toppings, and then watching their individual pizza's bake in the oven. I tried a new pizza dough recipe that I found on Recipe Zaar and it was fantastic so I'm going to share it with you. You really need to try it. I've made breadsticks with this recipe as well.
Pizza Hut Style Pizza Dough
(bread machine variety)
Ingredients
1 1/3 cups water
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons cornmeal
3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
Directions
1. Add ingredients (except for cornmeal) to machine bread pan in order as per manufacturer's instructions.
2. Set to "Dough" cycle.
3. Lightly grease one 9 x 13-inch pan and sprinkle with cornmeal.
4. When the dough cycle is complete, roll out dough and place in pan.
5. Let rest in pans for 10-15 minutes.
6. Add toppings of your choice.
7. Bake at 350°F until done (approximately 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of toppings).
Now, I look forward to seeing your Favorite Ingredients Friday recipe!
Don't forget to link your specific recipe post link on Mr. Linky so I can see what's cooking at your house!
Oh, and be sure to put the title of your recipe in parenthesis! It makes it so much quicker for me to go back and search for recipes as I build my weekly menu.
For guidelines and my past Favorite Ingredients Friday recipes, click here.
Thanks so much for your participation. I do appreciate it!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
History in the making, the inauguration of Barack Obama!
Today history was made. The first African American man was sworn in as the 44th United States President!Barack Obama became president at noon today, even before he was sworn in.
He began his inauguration speech with the following words,
"My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition."
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition."
To read President Obama's entire inaugural speech entire speech, go to CNN. It's fantastic!
I heard it reported that President Obama did not enlist the assistance of any advisors (except maybe of his wife, Michelle) in writing his speech. It doesn't surprise me. The man has always impressed me as an inspiring, eloquent author and speaker.
I was impressed that he and Vice President Joe Biden made a point to walk out of the White House with George W. Bush and wait for him to board the helicopter to leave. Apparently that usually isn't done. I thought it was classy.
I have to tell you, I'm elated at being a witness to the historic event of Barack Obama being sworn in as the 44th president, even if I had to settle for watching the events unfold on the big screen t.v. in our pilot's lounge with many of my co-workers.
This man inspires hope in many of us. We have to be careful not to expect him to work miracles in these difficult times, after all he is a mere mortal man, but he does inspire with his sincerity, his warmth, his dedication, and his amazing oratorical skills that seem to reach out to embrace all walks of life.
This is a man of humble beginnings. He was the son of an immigrant, the son of a mixed racial marriage. He came out of nowhere four years ago and he's already accomplished amazing things! He strikes me as a man of integrity, sincerity, and vision.
It's been said that Barack Obama is the John F. Kennedy of our generation. I believe it. This man and his family seem to have the charism and the charm that the Kennedy's did.
Time will tell how well President Obama leads our nation. I have confidence that he will do quite well!
Labels: 2009 Presidential Inauguration
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Date night...here we come!
For all of you who are parents, especially of little ones, when's the last time you and your spouse have had a date night?
Oronzo and I don't get out much, at least not without the kids (Snuggle Bug is now 4 and Boo is nearly 2).
As foster parents, there are stringent rules on who can babysit for us. Our sitters have to be over 18 years old. And they have to be finger printed and background checked through our licensing agency.
It's not easy finding sitters in normal circumstances but it's even tougher when you have to ask your potential sitter if they'd be okay going in to get finger-printed and fill out a form allowing our agency to do a background check on them.
Oronzo's mom and sister went through this process for us and we had one other sitter who's qualified as well. But, unfortunately, the times that these 3 people are available to sit for us are few and far between.
However, tonight Oronzo and I are going on a date night!! Oronzo's mom called earlier this week and offered to drive here (she lives 2 hours away) and babysit for us tonight. She misses seeing the kids and she knows we haven't been out without them for a while. I didn't think twice in accepting her offer!
Our date night tonight will consist of dinner and a movie, and maybe a trip to the bookstore so we can peruse books at our leisure while we drink espresso and hot chocolate in the bookstore cafe. We may even talk about something other than the kids!
I'm excited at the thought of ordering a meal that I like, not what I think the kids will eat with me (they still don't eat enough to order them their own meal). And I'll get to eat my food while it's hot instead of spending my meal time wiping little faces and hands, running interference in arguments, and trying to trick my kids into eating veggies!
I'm excited at the thought of seeing a movie that isn't rated G and isn't animated! We still have to see what's out there, it's been so long since we've looked at adult movies.
And I'm excited at sitting in a bookstore and not chasing after little ones. Who knows, I may even have time to purchase a book for me! :)
Can you tell I'm excited about this date night?! It's the little things in life. :)
Labels: date night, parenting
Friday, January 16, 2009
Favorite Ingredients Friday (Pie Edition II)
Good Morning everyone! Thank goodness it's Friday!
Okay, it's time for my Favorite Ingredients Friday- Pie Edition II recipe exchange! I love, love, love making pies so I can't wait to see what you all come up with!
I found this particular recipe in one of Paula Deen's cookbooks, The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook by Paula H. Deen, page 81. This pie is scrumptious! If you can't find vidalia onions, sweet onions will work too.
The Lady and Sons Vidalia Onion Pie
Vidalia onions are Georgia's most famous taste. The sweet onion is grown in southeast Georgia, just a few miles west of Savannah. They can be stored in a cool dry place to use throughout the year.
Ingredients
3 cups thinly sliced Vidalia onion
3 tablespoons butter, melted
One 9-inch prebaked deep-dish pie shell
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 slices bacon, criply cooked and crumbled
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Saute onion in butter until lightly browned. Spoon into pie shell. Combine milk, sour cream, salt, eggs, and flour. Mix well and pour over onion mixture. Garnish with bacon. Bake for 30 minutes or until firm in center. Pie has taste and texture of a quiche.
Serves 8
I look forward to seeing your Favorite Ingredients Friday- Pie edition recipe! Don't forget to link your specific recipe post link on Mr. Linky so I can see what's cooking at your house!
Oh, and be sure to put the title of your recipe in parenthesis! It makes it so much quicker for everyone to go back and search for recipes.
Labels: baked goodies, Favorite Ingredients Friday, recipe exchange
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Boo's family visits
Loving My Amazing Life left a comment that reminded me that I have more foster news to share. She asked, "Did boo have her visit w/the Aunt? If so I hope it went ok."
Let me back up a bit and explain what happened with Boo's first visit with her bio mom.
Let me back up a bit and explain what happened with Boo's first visit with her bio mom.
That visit took place right before Christmas and we were so stressed about it. Boo hadn't seen her bio mom since she was born, so it'd been about 22 months. We knew that she wasn't going to know her bio mom from a stranger on the street and we were worried how hard it would be on her to be put in a room with her and a CPS Aide, also a stranger, without us.
The day that the visit was scheduled, bio mom arrived with her older sister (the aunt who had gotten Boo taken away and placed in foster care and then abandoned her by leaving the state). The aunt wanted to be allowed to visit with the mom. CPS said they'd let her sit in on part of the visit.
Oronzo brought Boo to the CPS office and insisted on being allowed to sit in on at least a portion of the visit as well, to make it a bit less traumatic for Boo. He was given 20 minutes in the room with the bio mom, the aunt, and the CPS Aide that was supervising the visit.
During that time, Oronzo said that Boo's bio mom tried to get Boo to hug her, kiss her, and let her hold her. She was having none of it, because she didn't know her. Any time that Boo started to get fussy or distraught, her bio mom would introduce a new toy to her to distract her.
When the 20 minutes were up, Oronzo and the aunt were asked to wait outside in the hallway while the rest of the visit continued with bio mom and the CPS Aide. Boo protested when Oronzo left the room but he said he didn't hear her screaming bloody murder from out in the hallway.
While he and the aunt waited in the hallway, he took the opportunity to ask the aunt a lot of questions to try to gather some background info about Boo's family. The aunt seemed more than willing to share, and didn't mind airing a lot of their dirty laundry either.
After the visit was over, Boo rushed into Ornozo's arms yelling, "Daddy!" When Boo's bio mom tried to get Boo to hug and kiss her goodbye, Boo burrowed into Oronzo's arms and wouldn't do it.
For a few days following that visit, Boo was exceptionally clingy with us and we had a tough time getting her to sleep at night. She wanted us to rock her to sleep and she'd wake up off and on throughout the night with bad dreams and crying out for us.
So, we thought we were done with visits with bio mom and the aunt for a while, but a few days after Christmas we got a call from the CPS worker telling us that the aunt hadn't left town yet and she was requesting another visit before she flew back home to her state. I argued with the CPS worker on this request but lost the argument and we were forced to drop Boo back off at the CPS office for an hour supervised visit with her aunt. Keep in mind, she hadn't seen her aunt in almost a year before the aunt tagged along for the visit before Christmas, so she really doesn't know her.
When Oronzo arrived to drop her off, she immediately started crying and clinging to him. When he had to hand her over to the CPS Aide, she screamed, "Daddy!" and reached back for him as she was being carried away. It broke Oronzo's heart!
I followed up with the CPS Aide after the visit and was told that the visit went, "Okay." He said it was clear that Boo didn't know her aunt and wasn't really interested in her. She did stop crying and played with some toys that they had in the room. The CPS Aide said that he was concerned because the aunt showed up dirty, as in her clothes were obviously unclean. He said he'd be writing that up in his report. I asked if she appeared to be under the influence of anything and he said, "No, I don't think so. She was just dirty."
Same thing happened for a few days following the visit, Boo was particularly clingy with us, difficult to get to sleep at nights, and kept waking up crying with bad dreams.
These family visits are frustrating, to say the least, especially the ones with the aunt, but until the judge decides to severe parental rights (I'm thinking positively here, it hasn't happened yet) and until the appeals process is over, we have no choice but to put Boo through the stress of the visits. I just pray that the visits are few and far between.
The good news is that I'm scheduled for a 19 day deployment to Hawaii next month (woo hoo!) and I got permission from the CPS worker to take Boo with me (Oronzo and Snuggle Bug are coming too, so that we can have family time together when I'm not at work)! That means that for 19 glorious days, I won't have to wonder and worry about whether or not bio family is going to pop up wanting a visit. What a blessing!
Labels: Boo, foster children, foster-to-adopt, fostering
Monday, January 12, 2009
We're back!
Boo and I have returned safe and sound from our long weekend in NE! What a fun-packed weekend it was. Thankfully I got over the stomach virus after the first day of being there and we had a blast at my cousin's wedding! Hooray!
Boo looked so cute shaking her booty out on the dance floor in her pretty red party dress! She danced with all the little boys, and some little girls too. :) I haven't downloaded the pictures from my camera yet but when I do I'll see if I can find one to share.
Okay, I'm off. I need to get a letter and pictures prepared for Snuggle Bug's birth mother. It's time for another update for her!
More later.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Back in NE for a wedding.
So Boo and I are currently in Nebraka to be a part of a cousin's wedding, so sorry no FIF today. The travel to get here was rough, as I was suffering from a stomach virus and had a squirmy Boo on my lap the whole time, but we survived and made it safe and sound. Thankfully the stomach virus has passed and I'm feeling like a human being again.
It's amazing how relaxing my trips back to NE are for me. When I'm home with family, it's like I can lay down all my burdens for a while and just relax. I sleep better, I smile more, and I enjoy watching Boo interact with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. They've all fallen under her spell and love her to pieces and she's totally at ease with them. I love that!
I can't wait for her to attend the wedding and dinner/dance reception tomorrow. I bought her a pretty red dress, and made her a matching hair bow for her long dark hair. She's going to be the bell of the ball! She loves to dance, so I know she'll have a blast! I brought the camcorder to get her on video.
By the way, thanks for all of the great advice on Snuggle Bug's nightmares. I'm using many of the suggestions you've offered. I also spoke to his pediatrician and was told that the nightmares are really age appropriate. He's getting older, his imagination is growing, and nightmares are not uncommon. The pediatrician also agreed that he could be picking up on our stress with the fostering situation and even having Baby Bug back in our life, after having her return home to her parents my be confusing to him a bit. He recommended that we just give Snuggle Bug lots of extra assurance and cuddle time and told me it's okay that I let him sleep with us when he gets really scared in the middle of the night. Although he did say that if it continues on for a couple of months, then I need to put a stop to the coming in to our room to sleep.
The thing that Snuggle Bug insists on the most is sleeping with the light fully on. Our pediatrician said that doesn't hurt anything so we just leave the light all the way on and that seems to help.
Okay, time to go read a book while Boo takes a nap. Did I mention how much I love coming back to Nebraska to get away from it all! :)
Hope you all have a great weekend!
It's amazing how relaxing my trips back to NE are for me. When I'm home with family, it's like I can lay down all my burdens for a while and just relax. I sleep better, I smile more, and I enjoy watching Boo interact with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. They've all fallen under her spell and love her to pieces and she's totally at ease with them. I love that!
I can't wait for her to attend the wedding and dinner/dance reception tomorrow. I bought her a pretty red dress, and made her a matching hair bow for her long dark hair. She's going to be the bell of the ball! She loves to dance, so I know she'll have a blast! I brought the camcorder to get her on video.
By the way, thanks for all of the great advice on Snuggle Bug's nightmares. I'm using many of the suggestions you've offered. I also spoke to his pediatrician and was told that the nightmares are really age appropriate. He's getting older, his imagination is growing, and nightmares are not uncommon. The pediatrician also agreed that he could be picking up on our stress with the fostering situation and even having Baby Bug back in our life, after having her return home to her parents my be confusing to him a bit. He recommended that we just give Snuggle Bug lots of extra assurance and cuddle time and told me it's okay that I let him sleep with us when he gets really scared in the middle of the night. Although he did say that if it continues on for a couple of months, then I need to put a stop to the coming in to our room to sleep.
The thing that Snuggle Bug insists on the most is sleeping with the light fully on. Our pediatrician said that doesn't hurt anything so we just leave the light all the way on and that seems to help.
Okay, time to go read a book while Boo takes a nap. Did I mention how much I love coming back to Nebraska to get away from it all! :)
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Labels: Boo, family, Snuggle Bug, vacation
Monday, January 05, 2009
Nightmares of Bat Child- Help!
Snuggle Bug has been suffering from some pretty terrifying nightmares lately. It started about a week ago, he came racing into our room in the middle of the night terrified and crying! He scrambled into our bed and plastered himself to my side, his little heart slamming furiously against his ribcage! All I could get out of him is that he was afraid of "Bat Child." It took him a while to fall asleep, even in our bed.
Bat Child is a friendly character out of a Halloween book by Mercer Mayer. I haven't read that book to him since about Halloween. For some reason, Bat Child is now a terror to him.
For the past week he's cried when we get him into his bed for the evening. He wants me to hold him like a baby and rock him for as long as I'll allow it. He wants me to sing to him. He wants me to hold his hand. He wants me to lay next to him. He does everything in his power to stall having to be alone in his room at night time.
I know that his fears are real, that he's not just trying to avoid going to bed, because I see the terror in his eyes and his tears are real. He insists on sleeping with the light fully on and I don't dare try to turn it down (we have a dimmer switch light in his room) after he's gone to sleep because he realizes it when we wakes up in the middle of the night. His night light that he's had for quite some is no longer enough.
I've tried comforting him. I've tried chasing out Bat Child and telling him to go away and never come back. I've pulled objects out of the room that he's said scare him. I've walked through every inch of Snuggle Bug's room to show him it's safe. I've assured him that our house is safe, that Mommy and Daddy are here to protect him, that we won't leave him alone and we won't let anything happen to him. I've offered to let one of our two cats sleep in his room to help keep Bat Child away.
Nothing seems to work. This poor child stays awake like a zombie until his body betrays him and exhaustion takes over and he falls asleep. And if he wakes up in the middle of the night, he comes into our bed crying.
Please, I need some advice! Is there anything else I can do to help him? Is this "normal" for a new four year old to be going through? Our life has been pretty consistent for him. The only thing I can think of that might have triggered his nightmares is maybe he's picking up on our stress (we've been mighty stressed about Boo's case and we're loosing sleep ourselves over it).
Snuggle Bug has his 4 year well-check this week. I'm going to talk to his pediatrician about it and see what he thinks but I'd appreciate your input as well!
Thanks!
Labels: Bat Child nightmares, parenting, Snuggle Bug
Friday, January 02, 2009
Favorite Ingredients Friday (Casserole Edition II)
Good Afternoon everyone! Sorry I'm getting this post up so late today! I'm not working today and I've been cleaning house and entertaining two active little ones! :)
Okay, it's time for my Favorite Ingredients Friday- Casserole edition II recipe exchange! I'm hoping you have some quick and easy casserole recipes for me because it seems I'm always short on time these days!
The recipe I'm sharing is a Best-Casserole-Recipes.com recipe. I love it because it's quick and easy and my family loves it because it tastes good! :)
Instant Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
1 can creamy chicken mushroom soup
1 1/2 cup minute rice, raw
2 cup diced chicken
Half of 3 oz. can chopped green chilies (use all if desired)
Grated cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare soup as directed on can. When soup comes to a boil, add green chilies and rice. Cover and remove from heat. Allow to stand at least
10 minutes.
Add chicken. Put into a casserole dish and cover with grated cheese.
Bake until cheese melts.
I look forward to seeing your Favorite Ingredients Friday- Casserole edition recipe! Don't forget to link your specific recipe post link on Mr. Linky so I can see what's cooking at your house!
Oh, and be sure to put the title of your recipe in parenthesis! It makes it so much quicker for everyone to go back and search for recipes.
Labels: cooking, Favorite Ingredients Friday, recipe exchange
