Living with Logan

Bounty DuraTowel Review and Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

If you're anything like me, when the winter weather gives way to sunny days and warm breezes, I get the urge to purge. I go through the monsters' clothing, I sort through toys. And... much to the shock and horror of the entire fam, I start cleaning everything. Yes, folks, I have been bitten by that evil little Spring cleaning bug. Spring has sprung, even though Mother Nature wasn't all that cooperative for the first little while.

Now, here at the Monster House, we make messes. Lots and lots of messes. Some of them are easy to take care of, and some of them aren't. And with Logan's allergies and sensitivities, I have had to become really aware of things that could pose a potential hazard to him. I don't just mean chemicals, though I am starting to shift to chemical free cleaners.

One major change that I have made is that I have stopped using the traditional dish rag. That little scrap of fabric is a breeding ground for bacteria, and something I don't even want to think about seeing under a blacklight or microscope. But, it's tradition, right? The dishrag folded over the partition between the sinks after the dishes are done and the sinks wiped out. The same dishrag that I just used on the counters, rinsed, used on the stove top, rinsed, used on the coffee pot, rinsed, used on the cabinet doors, rinsed, washed dishes with, and wiped sinks with. And, because of all that, I effectively spread bacteria and germs evenly all over my kitchen. Yummy, right? Who could ask for anything more?

Well, Bounty has come up with a much better alternative. Bounty's DuraTowel is my new favorite cleaning tool in the kitchen. The disposable dishcloth. The cloth-like texture and weight of this paper towel makes it a worthy opponent to any kitchen clean up task. And using disposable dishcloths can leave surfaces up to three times cleaner than your traditional dishrag.*

Now, you know me. I have seven monsters running around. I cook from scratch every day. We have sit down dinners together every evening. I bake a lot. I do a lot.. a LOT... of dishes. There are fingerprints on everything, and pretty much anything that can be spilled usually is. So I was skeptical. Very skeptical. Because you just have to know that things that work for smaller families with fewer disasters usually are not up to the task of the Monster House.

Scary stove

So, I decided I would use DuraTowel on the meanest kitchen job I had available. Scrubbing the stove. And people? This was not just a few spatters of tomato sauce. This was after Sunday dinner, with the pot roast and the real mashed potatoes and the gravy and the honey glazed carrots and the dinner rolls and the veggie sides. You should know that anything that could boil over, splatter, spill onto the burner and cremate itself that day, did. And it scared even me. So I thought to myself, "Self, let's see how this....(little snicker in my head).. paper towel... does on my stove." I have pictures as evidence. You won't believe this. *I* didn't believe it. And I was there! Check this out. Look to the right. Observe the scariness. Usually? I have a routine where I use a razor blade, rinse, use scotch brite pad with powdered cleanser, rinse, use a spritz of my favorite liquid cleaner, and do a little polish with a dishrag. But this time.. I didn't.

I did the spritz with the kitchen cleaner. And I used a shake or two of powdered cleanser. But I didn't used a razor blade. I didn't use a scotch brite pad. I didn't use anything except 2 DuraTowels, certain that they would be in shreds within the first 34 seconds of cleaning. And then I would get out the trusty razor.

PRETTY STOVE!

It was not in shreds in 34 seconds. Or even in 5 minutes. Or 10. In fact...well.. the pictures speak for themselves. So here's another one. People? It held up. It held up as well as the scary bacteria breeding dishrag. It didn't shred. And though I have to admit that by the time I was done with it, the layers had separated, there was not one hole in those paper towels! I'm not a gentle cleaning person. I hate to do the dirty cleaning at the end of the night. I put major elbow grease into it. And I am so impressed, I can't even tell you.

To be completely fair, I took a picture of the before and after, side by side, DuraTowel. The two sheets on the left are after scrubbing my stove, the oven door, the control panel, the knobs and the part under the knobs (yes, I have more than one knob. But I have to hide them, because the monsterlettes can turn on my stove if I don't.).

Dirty. Greasy. But NOT SHREDDED! WOW!

Bounty DuraTowel can be found at your favorite grocery or mass merchandise store for the MSRP of $3.19. AND.... you can enter here to be one of three, yes THREE, lucky winners of Bounty DuraTowel by using the rafflecopter form below. It just doesn't get much better than that!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
*based on a secure P&G demonstration comparing a used dishtowel to DuraTowel under a blacklight after cleaning up 1tsp. spaghetti sauce, 10 mls coffee, and 1/8 tsp creamer on a laminate countertop.

Bounty and DuraTowel are property of Proctor and Gamble, and images and references are used here with permission for purposes of this review and giveaway only.

I was given free product for purposes of review. I was not compensated monetarily, or otherwise, for my honest opinion on this product.

The Day The Tears Showed Up

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:32:00 +0000

The Monster House sends love and prayers to Boston

Today, I have a post up on Special Happens, (I'll wait on ya, so you can know what I'm referencing, if you want to click over and read before you continue here.) because I specifically did not want my monsters to see it here. I don't let them watch the coverage in Boston on CNN, and I won't let them read the post I wrote for SH. Yet, as I listen to the monsterlettes play in the other room with #1, I feel the need to write a little more. I'm still... just too raw.

I'm still wondering. And I'm still reflecting. And today...today is the day the tears showed up. As I listen to the monsterlettes, I cry. I cry and I ache for the family that lost their son. I ache for the families that lost their daughters. I have vivid video in my head of the mother, sobbing as she tried to have a press conference, trying to tell the world about her daughter. And the only thing she said that I can remember with clarity is, "This doesn't make any sense!"

She said this through sobs that wracked her body, the anguish apparent, her soul screaming because her baby was taken from her with the type of violence that no one understands. And the tears keep coming.

I'm just a small town Momma with a mouth way too big for my own good. And that's okay. But the truth remains. I am scared for my monsters. I am terrified to know that my monsters are growing up in a world where children are shot and killed at school, and bombs go off at a family event. I am horrified that I am having to create explanations that my little monsters will understand, for things that even adults don't understand.

Early yesterday morning, by accident, #5 saw coverage of a bomb dog working. He wanted to know what was going on. I had to think fast. So I did. "Well! Did you know that even dogs are superheroes sometimes? There are special dogs with super powers that work with policemen and firemen and other heroes for our country, and they can actually *smell* bombs or drugs or other bad things and show their human partners where to find the bad stuff! How cool is that! So, that dog you see? He's showing people how he does his job!" #5 was properly awed and half whispered, "Cooooool!"

And I hated every minute of it. I had to explain a bomb dog to my 7 year old. My seven. year. old. I could go into the inevitable comparisons now, with the "when I was 7, I was only traumatized by the fact that my cousins had all the Strawberry Shortcake figures and I had none!". But I won't. Because the fact of the matter is.. there is no comparison.

I don't know how to deal with this. I just don't. Give me an autism meltdown. Give me a sensory overload. Give me an allergic reaction. Give me a significantly overtired 4 year old that wants to eat ice cream for dinner. Give me a poop-splosion. Give me...anything... instead of having to explain what a bomb dog is to my seven year old son. Granted, he thought this was some nifty televised show and tell. But that's not the point.

There was another 7 year old. He put it better in four words than I can in four thousand. "No more hurting people". And that's all that needs to be said, though the tears are flowing again. Now, we just need everyone to.... listen to the four words and take them to heart.

Epilepsy Warriors ~ A Force to be Reckoned With!

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to a non-profit foundation dedicated to helping our kids with epilepsy, and their families. Founder and president of The Epilepsy Warriors Foundation, Susan Noble, has tirelessly dedicated her time and effort for more than two years to get this truly vital foundation the respect and recognition it deserves, as well as providing a valuable resource which "addresses the ever growing needs for advocacy and research as well as lift the societal burdens and limitations brought about by epilepsy".

Did you know...

2.2 million people in the United States, and more than 65 million people worldwide have epilepsy
In the U.S. more than 300,000 people who have epilepsy are under the age of 14; more than 500,000 are over the age of 65
Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) accounts for 10% of all epilepsy related death; 85% of these fatalities occur between ages 20-50

The Epilepsy Warriors Foundation is made up of parents and caregivers of children, teens, young adults, and adults who suffer from seizures, and/or have been diagnosed with Epilepsy, Dravets Syndrome, LGS.

Impressed? So was I! But there's more! The Epilepsy Warriors Foundation is hosting a Bridge of Hope Gala Dinner in Chicago,IL on Saturday, April 20 from 6-1030pm at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.The dinner will benefit University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Changing the Face of Beauty, and The Epilepsy Warriors Foundation. Funds given to the Epilepsy Warriors will be donated toward an Epilepsy Research Center to be located at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, and to the Health Learning Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital to have more resources for Epilepsy families and patients.

Jere's a little teaser for you: not only will guests of the Gala get dinner, but they will hear Joey LaRocque, former linebacker for the Chicago Bears, and president of Guardian Helments speaking about epilepsy, there will be video messages from Minnesota Gophers coach Jerry Kill, and CBS 2 Chicago News Anchor, Rob Johnson, a silent auction, and entertainment sure to delight everyone that attends. It will be an evening that every guest will be talking about for months to come.

If you live in or around the Chicago area and would like to attend the Bridge of Hope Gala Dinner, you can purchase tickets through eventbrite by clicking here. If you don't live near Chicago, but would like to help promote the Gala, donate to The Epilepsy Warriors Foundation, or offer an item for the silent auction, please contact Susan Noble (susan at epilepsywarriors dot org).

Image and links property of The Epilepsy Warriors Foundation, and used here with permission.

Watch Out for Falling Rumors

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:54:00 +0000

Today I found out just how bored people get. And I found out what happens when people get bored and mix it with a little too much curious, and add a dash or twelve of speculation and gossip. It would seem that there are people with nothing better to do than spread vicious rumors about the Monster House. Rumors which, if they were true, would destroy a family -any family- in nothing flat. What a sick and disgusting thing to do. But hey.. that's entertainment, right?

I could be angry, and some part of me is. Very very angry. But more than that, I'm hurt and I'm sad. I'm sad that there was nothing better to do than gossip about my family and cause pain. It must have been a slow TV night.

So, without giving credibility to the gossip mongers, let me say this. We are all still here. We are all healthy, functioning people. If ever that changes, well, that would be my business and no one else's. And if I ever feel the urge to spread my business from here to kingdom come, rest assured I will rent the first billboard to be seen in these parts, and inform everyone all at once.

Consider this your warning, gossipers. I'm cranky, I'm stressed, I'm cynical, and I'm loaded for bear. Do not approach my children and pump them for information. Because what you've heard? Are rumors. Which means they know nothing about what you're talking about because.... it's NOT TRUE. And also? If you approach my monsters? It would not be in your best interest.

So glad we had this little discussion. I'm sure we understand each other very well now. That. Is. All.

Rumors image via google images by sodahead.com

someecards image via google images by topaz93 on pinterest

Confessions of a Non-Conformist

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I have a confession. I did not wear blue today. I wore purple. It was clean, I was running late, and it was the first shirt I yanked out of the dryer. And I'm not sorry. I know, I know. Flog me. Shoot me at dawn. Ban me from baking for a week or more. I should be punished. How dare I not wear blue on World Autism Awareness Day?! Blasphemy!!

To be honest, April wears me out. Truly. I'm starting to have a real love/hate relationship with April. On the one hand, I love April because it's Spring and I keep having delusions of impeccable landscaping. And on the other hand, I have this dread. This overwhelming "MUST SHOUT ABOUT AUTISM FROM THE ROOFTOPS OR I'M A BAD PERSON!" dread.

But I decided I'm not going to allow the guilt to get to me this year. I've never been a "Light It Up Blue" kind of girl. I did promote the heck out of the Chili's Light It Up Blue Give Back Event, but that was for donations to help the Autism Council of Utah. This is my state. This is my child that will benefit. I couldn't say no. I wasn't waving banners and screaming, "I heart Autism Speaks!" (Because, I don't. Heart Autism Speaks, that is. I appreciate some of their information. That's it.) I'm not putting a blue bulb in the porch light. I'm not providing pictures of Logan for facebook events - that was part of the deal with the Daddy when I started blogging. I would not use Logan as a poster child in any way, shape, or form, away from the blog. I'm not having fundraisers for Team Monster House. I do have several friends that participate in these things, and I support them wholeheartedly. But this type of thing is not for us. I don't live in a large area, where if I took 7 monsters to the store all dressed in blue, people would ask questions and provide a golden opportunity for me to wax poetic about ASD. Everyone pretty much knows everyone else here. They're aware, ok? I have a really big mouth. REALLY big. I'm sure they appreciate the reprieve.

I consider myself to be a fairly outspoken advocate for my child, as well as other children with various special needs. I don't need to prove my mettle in April just to feel better about myself. We all know that autism is every day at the Monster House. Short of taking daily video of Logan singing "Da da da da dalalalalalalalalala!" at the top of his lungs every time he hears "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers and posting it here, what more am I supposed to do? Video of Logan on the sit 'n' spin every. single. day. in the middle of my kitchen floor for hours at a time? Yeah.. not gonna happen. Sorry 'bout that.

So, bring on the insults. Bring on the guilt. Bring on all the things that you're supposed to say when you encounter a non-conformist, if you must. I can handle it. I may respond with, "Can't we all just get along?!" But what I won't do is engage in a huge debate about why you're right and I'm wrong. Because it just isn't true. Your choices are right for you, and ours are right for us. And guess what? Neither of us are wrong. We're just doing things.. differently. May the force be with you.

oranges and a lime image by google images via hisdancingleg.com

Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day with Caden's Autism Heroes

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

As part of World Autism Awareness Day, Caden's Autism Heroes on facebook is inviting everyone who is interested to celebrate by posting a picture (or several photos, if you wish) of a loved one with an ASD, or yourself, if you have an ASD . To participate with this event, please visit the page and either post a pic directly or message Caden's Autism Heroes with your picture or story and they will post it for you. Please make sure that if you are posting pictures of a family member or friend that is not yourself or your child, get their permission first! This event is entirely online and will be seen by followers of the page. You are also invited to share autism stories of pre-diagnosis, diagnosis processes, successes, challenges, etc. All that is asked in return is that you share the page and show the world what autism really looks like! This is a great way to share stories and information in a neutral space, and get support. Go to it, y'all!

There's No Place Like Home, Unless You Have ASD

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:54:00 +0000

One year ago tomorrow, CBSnews published an article; What Are the Top Places to Live for People with Autism? The article cites the resource guide provided by Autism Speaks' (hereafter referred to as AS) website, as well as Top Ten Places to Live on the same site.

While I am thrilled that there is such a thing as a resource guide, and a Top Ten available, I was disappointed in the fact that the Top Ten list is part of the AS press release for April 2011 and has not been updated as of today, 4.01.2013. We all know that ASD has been getting much more press, much more visibility, much more recognition in the last two years. And while I don't expect miracles, I would have appreciated a more recent Top Ten.

For families who are willing to do everything, right up to and including moving to another state, getting new jobs, new schools, new providers, and uproot everything familiar for the sake of the potential good the new location has to offer, a 2 year old list just isn't adequate. Don't get me wrong. Autism Speaks has had a lot of impact on the awareness of ASD. But if they're going to keep their "expert opinion", and cutting edge status, don't you think that a current listing would be helpful? But guess what? After doing google searches for longer than I care to admit... I couldn't find anything newer than 2011. Not from CBS, not from LA Times, not from AS, not USNews or WebMD. But all of those sources had something to say in 2011. I'm baffled, to be honest. What made 2011 a red letter year? Especially now, after a phone survey to parents got everyone all het up, and made the numbers of ASD potentially grow from 1 in 88 to 1 in 50. Wouldn't it stand to reason that we need new listings? Makes sense to me...

Now, as far as the AS resource guide, let me tell you - it's a thing of brilliance, constantly added to and revised, not only by those at AS, but by families who live in any given state and use those services. I cannot say enough about it. Hey.. wait. You mean I can click on my state and enter my zipcode and find what I need to know (or the lack thereof) right now? How freakin' cool is that? 18 thumbs up for the resource guide, AS!

Having a child with ASD and other diagnosis' causes parents to constantly reevaluate. Are we in the best place for our monsters? Should we move to upstate New York? Is there some way to get what my child needs medically and for therapy without being more than a million dollars in debt (and if you figure that out, could you please email me? Because we are..more than a mill in debt, that is..)? What can I do more of, at home? How can I rearrange my schedule/methods/perception/ability to better serve my child? Am I doing enough? Am I asking the right questions? Is my child's diagnosis my fault? What more can I do? If I go from sleeping two hours a night to one hour a night, could I get more research time in? Is my child's diet harming or helping?

Sometimes... it's time to take a breather. Sometimes.... even though it's April, and April is sacred because everyone touched by autism is supposed to have a blue porch light and a shiny new bumper sticker that says "I love someone with Autism!" and wear puzzle piece jewelry and change their Facebook profile picture to "Light it up Blue!"... well, sometimes it's time to not do that. Sometimes it's just time to say, I don't need to Light it up Blue. Autism is every day here. And we might move to improve access to resources my child needs. Or we might not, if we can find the resources here. And we might try a different diet for three years, but we might go back to the original if nothing changes after that time. And we won't care what other people say if we eat gluten and casein. Maybe April is a good month for you to just be...you. Because really, if we're being honest, does April change who you are? Or who your child is?

continental US map by google images, via searchroots

parents swinging child by google images, via itriagehealth

Utah Chili's Locations Give Back for National Autism Day

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 18:38:00 +0000

I just got the most amazing email forwarded to me that I just had to share. By now, I'm sure most, if not all, of you have seen the story circulating on facebook about the "broken cheeseburger" at a Utah Chili's and how incredible the server and manager were when they apologized to the girl with autism and replaced her burger- whole, and with smiles. Well, this story inspired a Give Back event and Chili's has taken it one step further. On April 2, all Utah Chili's locations will donate 20% of your bill to benefit the Autism Council of Utah, to celebrate National Autism Day . Now, in order to get this donation made from your purchase, you will need to provide a printed copy of the email annoucement. Don't have a copy of the email? Don't worry! Contact me at frazzledmomma@livingwithlogan.com and I'll be happy to forward it to you. Well done, Chili's!!! Well done! Standing ovation from this Momma in Southern Utah! We need more businesses like you.

image via Chili's Facebook page, as shared by Anna MacLean

Special Happenings

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:53:00 +0000

It occures to me that I have been negligent to my readers. Shame on me! I should be flogged, or prevented from baking for a week, or something equally drastic. So, let me remedy this situation. You all know about the awesomeness here, because well... you ARE here. But did you know that you can find even MORE awesomeness written by me over at Special Happens? That silly owner/editor over there, Gina St. Aubin, actually has me as a contributor. Sometimes I have a great deal of pity for the people that work with me. *ahem* Where was I? Oh, yes. If you don't know anything about Special Happens, let me enlighten you! Special Happens is:

a growing community resource, full of inspiration, information and insight (mostly) from contributors who have children with special needs. We are focused on sharing our experiences and developing a community of support for caregivers, families, friends, therapists, and educators surrounding children with special needs

Now, even though I know you have stopped reading my post at this point, and clicked right over to check out the incredible that Special Happens is, I have even more to share! Special Happens is currently accepting applications for new contributors! I can personally guarantee that it is a pleasure to work with the team of contributors that is there currently, and I really love the communication we all have with each other. We bounce ideas off one another, encourage each other, upon occasion there's a bitch and moan session... you know.. like a family!

So, if you have been wanting to write about your experiences with your child who has special needs, or you are a caregiver for a child with special needs, or you have anything else to do with special needs children that you'd like to be able to share with others, what are you waiting for? Oh. You want to know how to go about the process of applying, do you? Well that would be helpful. Here ya go. To apply, click this link and read all about it!

Good luck to you! I'm looking forward to seeing who joins our fabulous team of ~~nutty~~ ~~exhausted~~ ~~partially lucid~~ incredibly gifted writers (I'm there for comic relief and snark. Really. I so don't measure up to the greatness that is available there).

Image and quote are property of Special Happens and used here with permission.

Wake Up To Wonder Forge on Easter Sunday!

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

As you know, I'm posting non-food Easter basket ideas this week and next week. So, our non-food Easter basket filler feature (whew! Try saying that five times fast!) today is Wonder Forge! I do so love this company!

Their new Spring games are sure to tickle the fancy of your monsters, just as they did for mine. For all the little monsterlettes out there, Disney Easter Matching Game is a great way to spend some quality time together while playing a game that even a 3 year old can understand. All your favorite Disney characters, decked out in fun Easter outfits, ready to play!

There will be all kinds of silliness as matches are found. If your family is anything like the monster fam, you'll be screaming "DONALD DUCK! WOO HOOOOO!" when a match is successfully made. Okay, if it's Phineas and Ferb or Tinkerbell, you won't shriek Donald Duck, but you know what I mean. And the pride of finding those matches creates the most awesome smiles on little faces! Check out *my* monsterlettes as they found their first matches! Yes, I am painfully aware of the state of nakedness. Sensory issues. What can I say?

Judging from the reaction of my monsters from preschooler to high schooler, I'd have to give this game my Momma smile of approval. It's good, clean fun, with the familiarity of characters that Disney brings to even the youngest of children. This is one game that is an Easter basket must have. Appropriate for players age 3 and up, each game includes 72 picture tiles and one game rules manual. With the low, low MSRP of $7.99, you can't lose! Disney Easter Matching is available now at your favorite Target store. Head on over, people!!

If your monsters are a little older, and want more of a challenge, Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Clash Alley Strategy Board Game might be just what they're looking for! All the cool of a 3D board game, with the added attraction of strategic thinking, cooperation and teamwork, and physical dexterity as the turtles race through a warehouse on important missions like rescuing April, recovering objects, and the most important mission to any ninja turtle.... picking up a pizza!

You'll battle Shredder, mutants, and Kraang, as you make your way through the warehouse and complete your mission. This game is appropriate for players age 6 and up, and comes with 1 game board, 4 movers, 4 mover bases, 4 mission tiles, 12 villain tiles, 3 dice, 13 platforms, 44 action cards, 4 mission cards, and 1 game rules manual. Some assembly is required, but it's worth it! Check out my little ninja turtles!

Reasonably priced at the MSRP of $16.99, it's sure to be a hit with the monsters and your wallet! What could be better? Well... this game is also available at your favorite local Target store, and it won't cause a sugar high, sticky hands or faces, or purple tongues during family pictures. It's Easter basket nirvana for parents! Thank you Wonder Forge! You've done it again, and earned the highest honor the monster house has to offer: 18 thumbs up. Keep up the good work!

Disclaimer: I was provided with free product for purposes of this review. All views and opinions are my own. I was not compensated monetarily for my opinion. Product images property of Wonder Forge and used here with permission. Images of nearly naked monsters and game playing monsters are my own.

New DVDs from Lionsgate Home Entertainment as Easter Basket Fillers!

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:38:00 +0000

With every holiday, we are faced with the dilemma of food allergies and candy. There is very little in the way of candy that Logan can have, so we try to make sure that the candy kept to a minimum, while still allowing the children to have their Christmas stockings, Easter baskets, Halloween buckets, etc.

Just in time for Easter, and much to the delight of the monsters, all new Care Bears and Power Rangers DVDs are now available from Lionsgate Home Entertainment!! This brings back pieces of my childhood, when Care Bears was popular (the first time!), and my teen years, when Power Rangers was a big hit (the first time!). Ok. I'm dating myself, I know.

Get to know the Care Bears again in Care Bears: Totally Sweet Adventures! This all new CGI animated film shows the bears as they go on all new adventures, with new music, a new look, and a new attitude! Take a trip back to Care-A-Lot and revisit your childhood with your children. This DVD includes 4 new episodes: Emerald Bridge, Jealous Tea, Sad About You, and Lazy Susan. You'll watch Grumpy get unstuck from "Stick-'Til- You're-Stuck sand, see the bears teach a new friend how to find her courage against the sneaky Beastly, and see them bringing sweetness back to Sweet Dreams' Bear's bad dreams. And you'll LOVE the bake off bonanza that happens when Share Bear gets jealous of Grumpy's delicious cookies at her potluck!

This DVD runs 88 minutes, and is available now for the SRP of $14.98. Also available via digital download and Video On Demand beginning March 5, 2013.

If you've got a house full of boys that think the Care Bears are a little too tame, check out the other DVD available on DVD and digital download March 5th from Lionsgate Home Entertainment! Power Rangers: Clash of the Red Rangers - The Movie. 2013 marks 20 years of global success for Power Rangers as the #1 kids' live action series. How cool is that?! This new Power Rangers movie is loaded with high energy entertainment and action packed, as the Samurai Rangers team up with the mysterious RPM Red Ranger to fight off dual threats from Master Zandred's Mooger army and a robotic super villain from the RPM Ranger's dimension.

This feature runs 45 minutes, and is available now for the SRP of $14.98.

So if you're looking for something to fill those Easter baskets that won't cause an allergic reaction, rot teeth, stain the carpet, or cause a sugar high, pick up one or both of these DVDs and watch the eyes of your monsters light up with surprise and delight!

Program Content and Package artwork:™ and © 2013 SCG Power Rangers LLC. Power Rangers and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are the exclusive property of SCG Power Rangers LLC. All Rights Reserved, Used under authorization. Package design and summary: © 2013 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

Video courtesy Lionsgate via youtube, and used with permission

My Comedy of Errors

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 22:23:00 +0000

If I had a dollar for every time in the last ten years that someone said to me, "You should write a book! You're an amazing writer. You make people feel things when they read. It would be a best seller!", I wouldn't HAVE to write a book, because I could go buy an island somewhere with all the dollars I got.

But here lately, I can't get that thought out of my head. It's perpetual. It's psychological warfare. It's brain washing. Or something. Write a book. Writeabook. Writeabookwriteabookwriteabook.... ad infinitum.

Here's some facts about me. I don't think I'm anything great. I'm a mom. I have a buncha monsters. I have perpetual drama at my house, and I'm snarky and sarcastic and occasionally profane. I hate doing laundry, going to IEP meetings, scheduling appointments of any kind, standing in lines or sitting in waiting rooms, and listening to people that have no idea what they're talking about. I love old movies (especially those darn musicals!), shoe shopping, nights off, and have a terminal addiction to reading. In short, I'm just.... (brace yourselves, people)... normal. In this case, normal is not just the setting on the dryer. And..... it's not something that is necessarily marketable. Occasionally, it's entertaining, as you've seen here. But that's the exception to the rule.

So here's the problem. What would I write about? Fiction? Okie dokie. Here ya go. I looooooove it when I have to schedule three days worth of meetings for IEPs for my kids, the monsterlettes have fevers and are projectile vomiting, we're out of the organic juice popsicles that Logan isn't allergic to, and the car is out of gas. It makes me all giddy and giggly! No?

Non-fiction? Okaaaay. But you asked for it.

Me, texting a dear friend:

"I think it's time to start to consider the possibility of thinking about writing
a book. But what would I write about?! Heaven knows I have words. It's just
the getting the words in the right sequence......"

And her reply:

"How about how all your kids came about?"

Me ( I couldn't help myself):

"Um. Uh. Well, you see... once upon a time there was a bird who met a bee,

and they loved each other very much..."

Her:

"Oh, no. You know what I mean."

Me:

"That whole thing with the marriages and the husbands and the divorces and

the stupid that is life in the present tense would make people throw the book

down screaming. Not exactly the story I was imagining.. ;)"

Her:

"Put a fun spin on it. Snark it."

Me:

"Comedy of errors? Lucille Ball-ish?"

Her:

"Yes!"

Me:

"You know I'm transcribing this whole convo on the blog as a post, right?"

Her:

"Whatever."

Me:

"zoom in"

What?!? It's nonfiction! And the un-named friend above knows me and my version of humor rather well. And.. I have to admit - comedy of errors? Sounds strangely appealing. Lucille Ball-ish? Sounds intriguing. Me writing it as a book? Instant stage fright. And also? I do NOT look good with red hair. Don't ask. It was a mistake. A big mistake. And I couldn't bludgeon the stylist that did it because I was 8 months pregnant with the twinnies, and the walruses on the Nature channel looked like Sports Illustrated swimsuit models in comparison.

So the question is, my dear, fabulous, incredible, wonderful, fantastic, unbiased readers who have never met me in real life, whaddaya think? Seven monsters and snark? Could it work? And one more thing.... what would YOU want to read about, if I wrote a book about seven monsters, a Momma with rapidly dwindling sanity, and a monthly grocery bill to rival most mortgage payments? Seriously! I wanna know what you wanna know! Lay it on me, people. And we'll see if I can't get you some entertainment on the blog while I'm at it. Practice makes perfect, after all! I'll start you off. Do I sleep? Only on alternate weekends and holidays. How do I do it? The same way you do. One breath, one step, one day at a time. How often do I get to shower? Is this a trick question? With or without monsters pounding on the door? Be more specific!!

Okay. I'm done. Ask those questions, people! You can find me by commenting here, below the post, leaving a comment on my fb page, send me a DM on twitter (but I really am not on twitter very often, if at all), or email me at frazzledmomma at livingwithlogan dot com. I will respond. Just remember.. if you send me snark, you'll get snark back! And so forth and so on...

note to self by empowernetwork.com via google images

screen pic belongs to me

Quote to Note

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:35:00 +0000

"Never, for the sake of peace and quiet, deny your own experience or convictions" ~Dag Hammarskjold

UN Secretary General 1953-1961

Dag Hammarskjold image by www.daghammarskjold.se via google images

Sacred Family Saturday!

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

How to Make Calvin and Hobbes Snowmen

Okay, people. See that thing up there ^^ in the big bold print? Click it already!

Seriously, click it! This is what we're going to ~~screw up~~ ~~slave over~~ attempt today! We say we're going to have a Calvin and Hobbes front yard every year, and never manage it. Even if I have to steal other peoples' snow, we WILL have Calvin and Hobbes snowmen. We WILL!!

Snow Day! image by d10watch.blogspot.com via Google images

Calvin and Hobbes walking by movie-posters.fedio.net via Google images

Prophets of doom by onceuponageek.livejournal.com via google images

Momma's Hit the Wall

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I have hit the wall. And hit it and hit it and hit it, and recovery is not going well. I really am past the point where I can back up and regroup. There is so much going on, all the time, and I just don't have the elasticity anymore. This Momma is having a little moment.

You know how people say, "I don't know how you do it!"? Well, I want to grab their faces in both hands, and say, "I don't know, either! Please find a new role model. Please. I beg you." I am cranky. I am sad.. a lot. I cry more now than I ever have in my life. Spare me the insta-diagnosis of depression. Little pills won't fix the trouble my #5 has in school, the freakish massive allergic reactions Logan has been having even while on meds, the perpetual anger and drama with my teens, and a multitude of other things pertaining to my family that I don't know how to deal with.

Here's the thing: I'm no different than anyone else. Certainly I'm no different than any other parent of special needs children. I'm no different than any other mother of a large family. The problem is, I forget. When I see other mothers, other families, out in public, I forget that we're out in public. I see well mannered children, smiling mothers, clean cars, creased khakis, combed hair. And I wonder, "Why? What is wrong with me, that I can't be like that and do all that, too? Why?! Why am I not Donna Reed?!?!"

Ok. Let's take a breath here. Donna Reed? Really? I want to be Donna Reed, and wear high heels while vacuuming, have facial muscle cramps from smiling all the time, remove an earring to talk on the phone, and apply makeup and style my hair as though I'd just walked out of the salon by no later than 5am? That's what I want? Don't let's be silly now.... I am far, far too in love with my yoga pants and hair clips to be able to embrace that nonsense!

But it's easy to feel inferior, inadequate, and ineffective. It's soooo easy to walk around feeling like I'm just spinning my wheels in this rut I've dug for myself. What's that line from Pretty Woman? "The bad stuff is easier to believe." And there's that one other issue; I feel like a hypocrite.

I have a blog (obviously). I write on this blog. I talk about my special needs son. And all the monsters. But, I created this blog specifically to find and share resources that would be helpful to other families with special needs kids. Here's the problem. Logan is doing great now. I mean, he's doing really, really great. And I feel like a hypocrite.

Now, in my rational mind, I know that he isn't "cured" (because there is no such thing). And I know that he still has struggles. And I know that his medical issues will never, ever go away. But it's hard to know all that in the Momma part of my mind, while sitting in a meeting discussing test results with the school, and having them tell me that he no longer qualifies for any services because clearly, none of his "issues" are affecting his ability to learn. I struggle with this every day. Am I a hypocrite? Is this all some wonky, ongoing bad dream? Are Logan's PDD, SPD, seizures, fine motor struggles, and allergies really figments of my imagination, as the Daddy insists? Realistically, no. They are not figments of my imagination. But I second guess myself every. single. day.

I have hit the wall. So where do I go from here? Online support is amazing. I love knowing that I'm not the only one. But I have to tell ya... I'd give about anything at this point for a hen party, friendly voice, some good news, a night off. Something.

hitting the wall by onsconnect.org via the google images

donna reed and fam by dvdtalk.com via the google images
confused woman by nannanormasgranddaughters.blogspot.com

How to Behave When You Win a Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Everyone enters a giveaway at least once in their life. At some point, everyone wins something, whether it's the PTA raffle or Publisher's Clearing House. Online, the opportunities to enter blog giveaways are nearly endless. And we all wait with our fingers crossed to get that thrilling email:

Oh, joy! Oh, rapture! I'm a WINNER! And we walk around all day feeling proud of ourselves for being the random winner that rafflecopter pulled out of it's databank.

Recently, however, I have seen posts from different bloggers about winners that kinda overstepped their boundaries. So, today we shall go over the proper behavior for a blog giveaway winner. Because all giveaway winners should be as well behaved as this blog's winners have been!! Y'all are the bombdiggity!

When you receive a winner email from the blogger hosting the giveaway you entered, respond ASAP! There is usually a time limit to claim your prize. Usually 24-48 hours. If that time limit expires without a response from you, another winner is chosen and you miss out. Bummer!!
After replying to the host blogger's email with thanks and oodles of praise for choosing you, do not, under any circumstances, contact the company supplying the prize. It's tacky! And seriously, what are you gonna say? "I won, so cough it up or you sleep with the fishes!"? Just don't. At most, tweet your excitement about winning @so-and-so's giveaway, and you're so thrilled to be getting a prize from @such-and-such company.
When you receive your prize, make sure to email the blogger to inform them that it arrived. Tell them how thrilled you are. Thank them for the giveaway again. Bloggers love happy email! Conversely, if you never get the prize within, say, 6 weeks, it is absolutely acceptable, and appreciated, to send a quick email to the host blogger to let them know that their sponsor did not follow through. The blogger and the sponsor work closely together before and during giveaways, and the blogger will have the quickest and easiest access to the proper person to let them know the prize is missing.

This isn't hard. It's basic good manners. Why anyone would take it upon themselves to contact, say, Proctor and Gamble, and tell them that they won a year's supply of Oil of Olay (FOR EXAMPLE! Seriously. This is just an example.)through my blog, and think that it would be taken seriously by the P&G people is beyond me! And also, it makes the blogger look bad. Really really bad. So bad, in fact, that bloggers have had companies sever their professional relationship with them. And that is so very not okay.

So, be good little boys and girls. Be mature. And enter those giveaways! We bloggers love it when people are excited about things we're able to offer! Don't let a few dingbats ruin the fun for everyone. By nipping this problem in the bud, and spreading the word, companies will continue to view advertising and giveaways on blogs as a positive thing. Which means giveaways will continue, which means people will continue to win.

Go. Enter. Win. Be mature. That is all. Good luck!

image by iamanitinerantpoet.blogspot.com via Google images

Bad Teacher

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:02:00 +0000

Teachers have a rough job. 30-ish kids in a class, all with different needs, all in different areas of academic success or failure, all with their own little personalities. Parents constantly questioning them. Constant scrutiny from administration, parents, and others. Lesson plans. Making learning fun. Talk talk talking all day long without losing their voices. Meetings, meetings, and more meetings. I couldn't do it. I have the utmost respect for teachers, and am very careful to make sure that every one of my monsters' teachers know that I am there for them any time, any day, for anything they might need. Always. Because that is *my* job when I have monsters in their classes. To be there to help them help my student.

That being said, I have a problem with a teacher. It's a little bit stupid to have a problem with this teacher, because none of my monsters are in her class. Never have been. Definitely never will be. But I have a problem with her just the same.

I have the good fortune to be able to volunteer each morning in our elementary's SpEd room. I love it. I work with several children, and have learned a lot. With that, I also see a lot of the teachers while I am there. As silly as it sounds, I have started to have little lists in my head that go something like this: Oh! Love love LOVE so and so's approach to this! Oh, goodness. I don't think that would be appropriate for my child. Wow, that teacher really knows how to do such and such well.

A couple of weeks ago, after walking my #5 to his classroom and then making my way down the hall to the resource room, I overheard a conversation between a teacher and a couple of students that was so disturbing to me, I don't think I will ever forget it. This teacher had two students out in the hall in front of the closed door to her classroom. The students were upset, one of them crying. The teacher said, "I'm mad at (_insert name here_). Now, tell me who else I'm mad at today." and, those little students proceeded to name names. This is something that has clearly been done before with these students. And I was saddened to know that a teacher would behave in this way toward her class, encouraging one student to throw another under the bus, so to speak.

And then, a few days ago, another incident. This teacher all but ran down the hallway from another room, back to her classroom, where once again, two (different) distraught students were standing outside her closed classroom door. She sharply asked the children what happened. And before they could answer, she snapped, "You're lying. And let me tell you why." and proceeded to rake them over the coals.

I don't know the whole story with either incident. Frankly, I don't care. She teaches second grade. And this is unacceptable. So what do I do? Do I go to administration and tell them what I witnessed? Do I keep my big mouth shut? Do I notify the district? Do I just let nature take it's course, since I know that the teacher will not be here next year since she is moving away?

There are times that this teacher is in charge of both second grade classes, during recess, and other activities. And I can tell you that months ago, before she even knew who I was, she pulled me aside on the playground and told me what an instigator my #5 is. That he's always causing problems. She had absolutely no idea that I was his mother. And it bothers me that she would say such things to a complete stranger about a child.

This woman is clearly not a good teacher, not a good example, not a good fit. Indeed, I find her manner to be abrasive and harmful at best. But all my experience with her has been outside her classroom. Is it possible that her behavior is different behind closed doors? To be honest, I shudder to think. The a-word has crossed my mind more than once. No no no... not that a-word, though it is appropriate. The a-word I'm speaking of is abuse. I can't just stand and do nothing, knowing what I know.... but at the same time, what can I do?

That brings to mind a whole other subject. What nightmare-ish things would occur if she has special needs children in her class? Would they be belittled, labeled, and harassed simply because of their differences? The NT children in her class already are belittled, labeled, and harassed. In public. And most likely in class as well. I ache for her class. It could be so much better for them! It could be a great experience to be in second grade! But she clearly won't allow it.

images via Google images

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:46:00 +0000

Happy Monday, everyone! We have a winner for the 30 Day Jumpstart program from Step It Up with Steph. And the winner is:

Dani Freeman

Dani, check that inbox, email is headed your way! Congratulations! Be sure and come back to tell us how you like working with Steph!

Jumpstart Your Fitness Resolution Flash Giveaway!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:59:00 +0000

The most common New Year's resolution seems to be the one that starts out, "This year, this is the year I will get back into shape. I will lose the baby weight. I will start eating right. I will stick to my fitness goal." And, inevitably, it seems that this is also the resolution that is the hardest for us to see through.

Oh, we start out with good intentions, perhaps by purchasing more produce and cutting down on the convenience foods. Or by making it more than a week with that yoga DVD that we tried once last summer, and started having results with before life, once again, got in the way.

This is where I get to tell you all about the 30 Day Jumpstart Program by Step It Up with Steph. Stephanie Mansour, CEO of Step It Up with Steph, is a highly sought after personal trainer and coach for high powered females in Chicago, and combines yoga, pilates, personal training, and body image and confidence coaching for her clients. She was named a top 20 trainer by Nike in Chicago, and has been featured on CNN, AOL, Yahoo!, WGN TV, Crain's Business, and TV stations across the country. This is all because of her unique, holistic approach to being healthy and fit anywhere, any time, with her no diet/no guilt program.

Wait, what? No diet? No guilt? How is that possible? Well, Stephanie maintains that the mindset you have is imperative to losing weight. Here's a quote from her site that I just fell in love with:

It’s not about a strict diet; it’s about freedom.

It’s not about a burdensome workout; it’s about exciting “me” time.

It’s not about looking good for a reunion; it’s about feeling good for a lifetime.

There's no reason to dread your workout anymore. Here's what Steph offers her clients in her 30 Day Jumpstart Program:

Exact exercises, times, and video tutorials on how to work out ~ no more 60 minutes of cardio - YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME!
Food tips that work. Steph is careful to note that she is not a nutritionist; these tips are basic food tips.
The exact system Steph uses with her private clients to get them into the proper mentality
Videos to guide you through your daily (quick) yoga routine, Pilates routine, and workout routines
30 day workbook plus 30 daily videos to understand why it's been difficult to commit yourself, how you can change this, and how you can strengthen your relationship with yourself
Step by step instructions and video to show you how to create your own mantra and positive affirmations. "I want to lose 10 pounds in 2 months" is not what your brain needs to hear. In fact, talking like this will sabotage your efforts.
MP3 recordings of positive affirmations to create your own pump-up play list to use during your workouts
Weekly phone calls (4) with the group to ask questions and stay on track, and the recordings if you miss the call
Private facebook page to talk with me and other members of the group as you go through your workouts, the work book, and program
A daily schedule to follow as a guide and have structure in your day
The exact amount of water you should be drinking. If you don't do this, you will not be able to lose fat quickly!

Buy It:

Purchase the program for $197 before January 8 and join the newest group!

Win It:

Enter within the rafflecopter form below. There is only ONE, super easy mandatory entry. The rest just earn more entries for you! The more you share, the better your chances of winning! This is a flash giveaway which ends at 1159pm MST, January 6, 2013.This giveaway is valid in the US only.

Disclosure:

Comments posted below the blog post will not qualify as entries. Entrants must be 18 yrs or older to participate. I was not compensated in any way, neither monetarily or through free product, for this post. Views and opinions stated in this post are mine alone. Quotes and image belong to Step It Up with Steph, and are used here with permission.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Back To School

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:51:00 +0000

The shootings in Connecticut this weekend have impacted the entire nation, indeed, the entire world. Every parent feels acutely the loss of so many young, innocent lives. I am no different. I have been a bundle of emotion, from overwhelming grief, anger, disgust, disbelief, and back to grief again. Sometimes, all of it, all at once.

But as the news reports continued throughout the weekend, there arose a different issue, one that I never saw coming. And perhaps, I should have. There are rumors which were fueled by news reports that the shooter had mental illness and Asperger's Syndrome. The problem being that, well, the world was ready to accept that Asperger's is a mental illness, a valid reason behind this tragedy of immeasurable proportions, this unspeakable, overwhelming crime against children and teachers. That Asperger's could justifiably explain this kind of violence. This is patently untrue.

Because so many people know little to nothing about autism spectrum disorders, even our school administrators, teachers, and districts, it is vital that we as a special needs community take this opportunity to educate. My friend Jill, over at Yeah. Good Times. has written a beautiful letter to her children's school board, district Superintendant, and school board which eloquently explains the facts about Asperger's and developmental disability, and points out the flaws in the rumors that autism spectrum disorders are mental illness.

Please take the time to visit Jill's site and read her letter. And, if you are inclined to do so, feel free to copy her letter and send it to YOUR school administrators (making sure to insert your own name where hers is! ;) ) with her blessing.

Today is back to school day. Not only for our children, because the weekend is over.. but for the world. The time has come to teach and learn. Who better to teach than those of us that know it so well, who have researched and lived developmental disability right along with our children? Take the opportunity that is handed to us, and help educate those that don't know, but fear it all the same.

My love and prayers to all the families in Newtown, Connecticut. We will remember your children, whether small or grown. And we will never, ever, ever forget December 14,2012. Ever. May you feel love and support now and always, and come to know peace and healing. Our hearts are with you.

Jars By Lisa and Half Baked Mixes ~ a review

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:56:00 +0000

If you follow me on facebook, you know I've been promoting Jars by Lisa pretty heavily. Jars by Lisa is a fun place where you can order glass jars hand decorated by Lisa herself. You can choose designs from her extensive photo collection on facebook, or contact her for a custom design order. I've ordered from her before, and been delighted with the results. And the people who received them were delighted with their gifts.

I am so excited to be able to review the latest for Jars by Lisa, which is a partnership with Half Baked Mixes! This Christmas jar collection features gorgeous hand decorated glitter jars in your choice of Santa's Belly, Candy Cane Stripe, or Glitter Snowflake. Inside each jar in this line will be your choice of cookie mix :Soft Molassses Gingerbread, Pumpkin Walnut, Oatmeal Fudge (gluten, egg, nut, corn free!!), Melting Snowball (egg free), Classic Sugar Cookie, or Candy Cane Crush Brownie Bite.

Each jar order is carefully wrapped to prevent breakage during shipping, and arrives by US Priority Mail. So, whether you have your mail delivered to a PO box like me, or right to your door, your package will get there safely and quickly. And, it's not too late to order! Christmas orders can be placed through December 18, and will arrive in time for Christmas (US only). Or, when ordering, use the shipping address of the person you're giving it to. Easy peasy!

Half Baked Mixes has made sure to take as much of the work out of cookie making as possible. The only things you will need to add to complete the mixes are ingredients such as butter (or your butter substitute), milk (or milk substitute), eggs, and vanilla extract. Instructions, ingredients, and allergy information are included with each mix. We all know how crazy it can be to find a treat our little monsters (and even the big monsters, like the Daddies and Mommas) can have that won't cause a reaction. Now, even Santa Claus can have allergy friendly cookies when he visits your home on Christmas Eve! No more rice cakes spread with almond butter for him! Leave that stuff out for Rudolph and crew! Half Baked Mixes strives to provide mixes made with the freshest ingredients possible, as well as offering a variety of seasonal flavors and favorites.

This is a perfect, beautiful gift for teachers, family members living too far away to come home for Christmas, therapists, neighbors, friends, nurses... the list is endless. It adds that personal little touch that tells the recipient how much you care. And let's not forget the awesome cookie smells that will waft from the oven as they bake. Are you interested yet? Click on the picture below. It will take you directly to the catalog, with all the options, pricing, and information, including clickable links to take you to Lisa's contact page to place your order.

And now, a little surprise. I know exactly how much thought and care goes into each cookie mix, and how much effort into making it as allergy friendly as possible without losing great taste because... well.. brace yourselves, everyone. I *am* Half Baked Mixes.

As a mother of children with allergies, it's important to me that I provide a variety of foods for my Logan and all the other monsters. I was so tired of all the high prices, flavor free stuff I found. So, I made it my quest to find and/or create the good stuff without sacrificing Logan's health. I think I've managed to do that. And then I thought, I must share with others! And Half Baked Mixes was born.

Partnering with Jars by Lisa is doubly special, because Lisa is a special needs mother of seven like me, who has built her business from the ground up based on word of mouth and returning customers. And she's done an awesome job with it, too!! So, click on the picture above, browse around, and spread the word on facebook, twitter, wherever you like! We love to hear from you, so questions, comments, suggestions, adoration, poetry, etc. is always welcome! Remember, orders must be placed no later than December 18 to insure delivery in time for Christmas! *US only*

Livin' The Lice, er... LIFE

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:35:00 +0000

This has been a pretty busy week for the monster house. Oh, it started out well enough, with lots of time volunteering at the elementary school on Monday. I was feeling like I was starting to get my life back in order after the kidney stone debacle. I was showing up places on time, and could actually remember what commitments I had.. and even where I was supposed to be! And then, on Tuesday, after staying after school to help #5's teacher with some Christmas craft projects, it all fell to pieces.

#5 had been scratching at his head for about a week. Like a good, caring Momma, I had been checking his head daily, and there was never any visible reason for the itchiness. We switched shampoo. We did deep conditioning. And still he scratched. I checked for lice. I pushed fluids in case it was a sign of dehydration (hey, at this point, I was trying anything). And still, he itched. And then, on Tuesday afternoon during the daily head check, there they were. Little white specks. And 3 bugs. Lice. In my #5's HAIR! Oh, the horror. Oh, the drama. Oh, the bride of Frankenstein screams in my head! Oh, the itching that I'm feeling just typing about it!

So, he got a free pass to stay home from school the next day, and we got busy doing lice shampoo, tons of laundry, checking all the heads of all the other monsters, and shuddering because our brains had convinced all of us that we had bugs in our hair. But, no one else did. Until yesterday. When Logan, who had not scratched even ONCE, had 3 bugs in his hair. I discovered this while doing his beloved faux-hawk right before time to leave for school. Of course. And so we got busy doing lice shampoo, tons of laundry, checking all the heads of all the other monsters, and shuddering because our brains had convinced all of us that we had bugs in our hair, part II. But, we survived it!

So, after all that, I was relaxing last night with a book in the La -Z- Boy in the family room. The kids were all in bed, even if they weren't asleep yet. And, it was quiet. I was loving it! And then... DRAMA! The teen boys, #2 and #3, ran down the hall carrying a broken red guitar, shrieking like little girls and doing a very bizarre hop/step/dance thing. Come to find out, they had caught.... a mouse. Holy crap. Wait... what?! A... mouse?! Of course I simply had to do the obligatory girl things, hopping up and down and shuddering, being of absolutely no help whatsoever. Pointing toward the door and shrieking, "Throw it in the dumpster outside! Let it be a lil mouse-sicle! Throw it out! Throw it out! NOT on the grass! In the trash bin!"

What's next? Frogs? Grasshoppers? Water turning to blood? Leprosy? Fire raining down? More shenanigans from the ex? Because I have to tell ya, I'd like to be a little more prepared, have a little warning, before anything else happens. Let my people go! Um... I may have just jinxed myself, here.

But the good news is, it's Friday! Woohoo! The start of a fun filled weekend of baking Christmas cookies with the monsters, going to a Christmas party and seeing Santa Claus (will the twinnies sit on his lap this year? Stay tuned! Story at 11...), and counting down days until Christmas. How was your week? And what will you be doing this weekend?

Child scratching head by ckphu.com, via the Google

House mouse by sodahead.com, via the Google

Wonder Forge Game Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Last month, I was asked if I'd like to review some of the top new games for Holiday 2012 from a company called Wonder Forge. After reading about the company, and learning more about them, I was so impressed, I simply HAD to say yes! I'm always on the hunt for new games for family game night that can be played and enjoyed by the whole family. Let me share a little bit about Wonder Forge with you, right from their website.

Wonder Forge, and their preschool sub brand, I Can Do That! Games, was created in 2007 when a small group of creative types came together to develop extraordinarily fun, original play experiences for kids and families.

The Wonder Forge takes an innovative approach to licensing, bringing cherished literary classics and award-winning television shows to life in a whole new way, through dynamic and inventive game play.

Wonder Forge family games provide brain challenging fun for all, while bridging generation gaps and building family bonds....

I received a selection of games, ironically enough, on Halloween. It's ironic because, well, the twinnies dressed up as The Cat in The Hat's Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Halloween, and my little #6 was not in the mood to have turquoise hair until we pulled this out of the box and could show him pictures! Dr. Seuss' Fun Machine App-Play game was an instant hit, and we had to play a quick game of memory with the tiles before preschool.. with turquoise hair. Though this particular game is an App-Play game, we have enjoyed it both with and without the Daddy's iPad.

The fun from Wonder Forge is not only geared toward boys. Disney Princess addicts, have no fear! Disney Princess Enchanted Cupcake Party and Disney Princess Dazzling Princess are perfect for your own little princess. Racing to crown cupcakes, dressing up, pretend play... it doesn't get much better than this! There's no way to avoid embracing your inner princess while playing these darling Disney Princess games.

Who Shook Hook is my personal favorite. I realize that I'm oozing praise from my pores at this point, but I have to share this. While this may not have been the intention of Wonder Forge, my little guys have been using Who Shook Hook as part of their fine motor practice, and loving every minute of it. Logan's hands shake when doing any type of fine motor skill, so having a game like this has really helped to make his practice a fun time rather than one of drudgery. Way to go, Wonder Forge! Very cool. Very.

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Neverland Challenge game was another instantaneous hit at the monster house, bringing out each monster's inner pirate with sword action, a cannon ball, treasure, and lots of giggling and silliness while trying to keep balance and crab walk. This is our favorite game for right before bed time to get all the wiggles out. Even the teenage monsters like to get in on the action. But shhhhh! That's supposed to be a secret! *wink wink, nudge nudge* It gets better! This game has been nominated for the Toy of the Year (TOTY) award by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). This is so completely fabulous, I'm providing a clickable link HERE, because Wonder Forge would love your support. Please vote for them by checking the box right at the top for Disney Jake and the Neverland Pirates, then scrolling down and clicking submit.

Whether it's family game night, entertaining a sick child, having a play date, or just spending some quality time together, Wonder Forge has definitely figured out how to make games that will surprise and delight. We may not be Siskel and Ebert here at the monster house, but we DO know games and family time, so we have 18 thumbs up (7 monsters, 2 parents... 18 thumbs up. Do the math, people! ) for the good people of Wonder Forge. Keep up the good work, and best of luck for TOTY!

Official game images property of Wonder Forge, and used with permission

Images of children and children playing games are mine

Very special thanks to G. and S. Bosshardt for contributing to this post

Dear Santa's Little Helper...

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Dear Santa's Little Helper,

I know I'm tardy in writing, but let me just say: you made my day, my week, my year. Truly. I cried happy tears. I am still overwhelmed, and I am in awe to the point that I still tear up every day as I use your gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Your gift is.... well.. it's perfection. I am humbled. And also? Curiosity is killing me, because I can NOT figure out who you are!!! That is all.

Love,
Me

For everyone who doesn't know what the heck is going on, or why on earth I'm writing a thank you letter to Santa's Little Helper in November (and no, I don't mean the dog from The Simpsons), I'm going to tell you a story. A very cool story. A story that should be a fairy tale, but actually happened in real life. And I still can't believe it.

Once upon a time last week, there was a Momma. That would be me. Now, this Momma has had a heck of a time with a #5, and school lately. His teacher is amazing and wonderful and incredible and I love her extremely, but we are both all emotional now, trying to figure this silly #5 out. The boy is stubborn, and most likely smarter than any 7 year old has a right to be. Anyway, after a rough morning at school with #5, I walked out to my car at lunch time with aforementioned child for an impromptu lunch date and heart to heart, in hopes that it would help with... stuff.

Now, in this wonderland in the sticks that we call home, no one locks their cars or their houses. And, when we reached our mom enforcement vehicle (remember, I drive a retired black and white police cruiser), several wrapped boxes were in my front seat. Not little boxes, either.

I admit it. We stood in the parking lot like idiots,my precious #5 and I, staring at our car like we had never seen it before, and saying intelligent things like "huh??" and "What's that?" And then, we remembered that we were hungry, so we put the boxes in the back and headed out to eat. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't dying to get back home so I could tear in to that wrapping paper because I was really hoping the presents were for me, and not the monsters. I know. I know. I actually have guilt about that part. I should be a better mother. I love presents a little too much. Mostly because I never get them, but that is entirely beside the point.

I dropped #5 back off at school, amidst a flurry of stern admonitions, expressions of love, and "I just know you're going to have an awesome afternoon! See you in a couple of hours, baby!" while crossing my fingers and hoping that there would be no call that afternoon. Then I broke the speed limit the entire length of the three houses that are between my home and the school, and took ~~the loot~~ ~~the stash~~ the pretty boxes into the house, with help from my #1, because I was still recovering from having a kidney stone. (story for another day)

The boxes were labeled "open first" and "open second" and then there were a couple of smaller, unlabeled boxes, and an envelope labeled "open last!", which was underlined three times. I got the hint. I opened the envelope last. Remember, there was no name on these boxes, so there was a tiny little thing in the back of my brain saying "DANGER, Will Robinson! These presents are not for you! DO NOT OPEN!" but I ignored it.

Want to know what was inside? Do ya? Check it out, people. This is what was inside. Can ya STAND it?! I stood there, looking at the box with the Daddy. I looked at him, he looked at me. We both said, "Oh, no way. No WAY! There's no way." Because we're eloquent like that.

Well, in fact... WAY. It was a brand spanking new Bosch universal mixer with food processor and other completely awesome goodies. This is the mixer that I have silently wanted for ten years, and never got because I couldn't ever afford one. And some how, somewhere, Santa's Little Helper found out I was doing everything in the kitchen by hand. The card in the envelope confirmed, without a doubt, that these boxes were indeed for me. In November, when no one expects Santa's Little Helper to be off vacation yet, there it is.

Needless to say, I have been mixing, baking, shredding, and killing candy canes with insanely sharp food processor blades, and making cookies, bread, rolls, and cheese balls, and buying lots of sugar and flour and eggs and vanilla, and planning lots of scarily involved things to bake and mix and chop and slice and whip for Thanksgiving next week. And the Daddy has been roaring "No touch the Momma's machine!!" at the monsterlettes. And the monsterlettes beg me to use "the machine" at every moment of the day, because they giggle while they watch things mixing through the lid. The fam, as you might guess, has not complained about this. Not even one tiny little squeak of "What?! Homemade rolls for dinner again? Aw, man! Pumpkin bread for breakfast? But I wanted Cap'n Crunch!" This is the epitome of awesome.

The timing was impeccable. I mean, seriously. Right before the most awesome holiday baking marathon of the year. So, I'll thank you again, and I'll think of the magic of that day last week every time I use it. And I will never ever get over the feeling I had that afternoon, which was just like the feeling I got on Christmas morning as a little girl, looking at the sparkly lights on the tree and seeing the proof that Santa is real.

Thank you for reminding me, a cynical, deeply sarcastic 38 year old child, that Santa is real.

Santa's Little Helper image via the google, by virginmedia.com

Bosch Universal Plus image via the google, by boschmixers.com

Air Quotes and Villains

noreply@blogger.com (The Momma) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 05:51:00 +0000

Yesterday, I asked my cute little #6 what he would like for lunch. I offered a couple of options, and fully expected the child to select from them. But, no. That was not to be. Instead, the boy looked me dead in the eye and said,"Mumma, I want *air quote* gwiwwed teez *air quote*. An oval *air quote* gwiwwed teez *air quote*" Let me translate for you, as we have a little speech issue here, and it's not nearly as easy to understand in print as it is in real life. #6 wants an oval grilled cheese sandwich. Not just any oval grilled cheese sandwich, but an air quoted grilled cheese sandwich. And also? What's an oval grilled cheese sandwich? I'd love someone to explain that to me, as the only bread this child has ever seen usually has square slices, unless someone stepped on, sat upon, or otherwise mangled the bread on the way home from the store. This happens more than I care to admit. We have a lot of french toast shaped like scary abstract art sculptures..... but I digress. *Ahem*

I'll have you know that my over active (and extremely under used) imagination went right to work. I couldn't help myself. It was the fault of the air quotes. I just know it. But when he did that whole thing? My brain went there. I totally imagined a mustachioed villain, speaking out of the side of his mouth while twirling that long evil 'stache, standing on a street corner waiting for innocent children to walk home from school. "Hey, kid! KID! Wanna buy a dime bag of..... *air quote* oval grilled cheese *air quote*?"

Is this what we have come to? My 4 year old is now using oval grilled cheese as code for some sort of black market baby crack? What would that black market baby crack be? Cinderella fruit snacks? And who taught my monsterlette the proper use of air quotes anyway?? It boggles the mind. I'm not old enough or mature enough for this kind of trauma. This kind of thing is what prompts the Daddy to encourage me (yet again) to go to the doctor and get a nice prescription for ativan....

Air quote image via the google, by panoplyofnothing.blogspot.com

Villain image via the google, by tvtropes.org

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