Party in the Park

my daughter's 4th birthday bash

I wanted to go simple and I believe I succeeded.  The first glitch came about a month ahead of time when Annabel's teacher decided to use my idea for an end of school year party.  She had no idea that I had planned the same thing for my daughters birthday but I worried for a brief moment that this would ruin things.  Another mom told me not to worry, she'd come-her kids love the park with the water spout.  18 kids later it was obviously still a good idea!

The plan was the county park where there is a water spray play area.  It cost $1 a person to get in, and without offering to pay that back I still got 18 kids, roughly 10 families.  There are picnic tables at this spot in the park and I got there around 30 minutes early to pick my tables. 

We spent some time putting down purple table cloth, a line of finger foods, the cake and 2 princess beach pails filled with flower foam to hold my chocolate dipped marshmallows on a stick (awesome).

I had out these cheap little frisbees, a water gun and a box full of water balloons-the kids had a blast.

 my husband and another father filling water balloons.

The party favors were simple as well.  An idea I pulled of another website, possibly Martha Stewart-simple brown bags with a personalized clip for closure-girls got butterflies and boys got fish.  I added the personalized tag.  Simply scanned in my daughter's signature and added a few lines of text from there.  I used photoshop, but one could easily use MS Word or any word/graphics program.

these were stuffed with pencils, paper, stickers, erasers, tattoos-a vacuum's dream.  

Each kid took home a water gun and frisbee as well.

We spent less than $100 on finger food, all in total the party probably cost $150.  My daughter had a blast, friends stayed late-a good time was had by all.  It's a party I'll probably repeat again until she complains.

all systems down

whew...

I had big plans to update this blog over the holiday weekend, for the first time ever we had nothing planned at all.  Friday night the computer crashes and its a hardware issue, neither one of us geeks are very proficient in hardware so we called on the local computer store who a few hundred later replaced the motherboard (major computer part for the non-geek).  We have it back by Saturday night, but our router dies--only it masks itself as more hardware issues.  Here we are on Weds and its the first time I've been able to get online from our desktop. Still can't get on from our laptop.

It's also the first time I didn't panic over a computer crash.  My files are stored on an external drive, its kind of a nice feeling (although I'm certain I should back up said external drive sooner rather than later).  Other than a slight annoyance of not being able to hop on the computer any ole time (and ok, the fix was not free), this was the least painful computer issue we've ever had to endure.

So another month where I start with a promise to myself to post more.  I have test driven several other blog crafts and recipes, and I've even taken photographic evidence.  Time just does not allow me to play but I see a break coming up.  

And yes, this means another promise to you my nonexistent reader that I will post more soon.

Celebration Day

Today is a big day for us-the 4 yr old's birthday party.  Can't wait to see how it goes...pictures to follow.

Osama Bin Laden

"The impulse to celebrate a death depends on what side you're on."  

The Psychology of Revenge: Why We Should Stop Celebrating Osama Bin Laden's Death

by Pamela Gerloff, The Huffington Post
I couldn't have said it better myself.  I agree with this author, "Celebrating the killing of any member of our species--for example, by chanting USA! USA! and singing The Star Spangled Banner outside the White House or jubilantly demonstrating in the streets--is a violation of human dignity. Regardless of the perceived degree of "good" or "evil" in any of us, we are all, each of us, human. To celebrate the killing of a life, any life, is a failure to honor life's inherent sanctity"

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure."
supposedly Mark Twain, but I don't know if he really said it. Enough said really.  Time to move forward and face what comes next.

Chauffeur Kat

There has been a delay in posts due to the fact that I've been stuck driving my kids all over town!   Swim team overlapps with soccer season, and I found myself going all over tarnation to pick up soccer shoes and a t-shirt before swim team ended and then actually get to the soccer fields just 15 mins after swim team ended.

confusing, I know...we were 10 mins late.

My crochet project has gone well, but I haven't taken a photo yet-I know, slow poke.  But lets face it, there is no one out there yet reading any of this.

oh and today I participated in National Woman's Build Week.  We had a ton of fun putting siding on a house in our area, and lugging some of the lumber from trucks to backyard.  I might have pictures later.

Holly Homemaker what?

I don't know where it's coming from but I'm in a creative mood.  Currently I"m working my way through this video, er well I have 3 times with the same spool of yarn.  My arms are a bit sore, but my son has already insisted I make him a blue boy one for next winter.  Pics to come when I have it done.  Seriously, if I can teach myself to crochet in a week, anyone can.

Cooperation

I recently watched a talk show that asked the age old question-what are we doing here?  Loaded, I know.  I was really kind of surprised at my reaction and the way I was able to answer the questions asked.  The main one being "who is it that I am and what am I doing?"...really narrows it down, I know.
 
We are here so that we can grow into the full person we were meant to be.  Most of us are missing that point.  We're all too busy competing in a dog eat dog world, collecting our success and displaying them on the mantle for all to see.  We hoard our talents out of fear someone else might win or get more than we do if we share.  We're nuts.

It's supposed to be about cooperation. We should be fine tuning our talents and sharing them with the world with the idea that we just might help another along their journey.  Taking only what we need, and giving all that we can.  Smelling the roses along the way.

So Kat you ditching all your stuff and going on a spiritual quest? No, far from it.  I do however have a renewed outlook.  I feel more motivated to help my fellow man with my own talents, regardless of the return in my investment.  After all, for me it's all about seeing those eyes light up when I help someone or somehow make their day.  It gives me more spring in my step, makes me in turn smile.  My paycheck pays the bills, but it can't give me that feeling.

Missing in Action: Sweet Home Chicago

why yes, I've been gone for some time now.  I grew lazy, and don't sue me for needing a break from the computer.  I'm on one all day. That being said, I don't want to give up just yet.  Maybe I'll find my niche here in the blogosphere...

we took a brief jaunt to my favorite city, Chicago. 

"Sweet Home" couldn't really describe it any better to me.  

I took this picture with my iphone through the plane's window,

it reminds me of my oblique photos from work. 

The full size image is better, but I doubt it could be georeferenced

I never rode the trains when I was a kid, and I really only knew my way to Michigan Ave, a few restaurants, and the museums.  oh, and Wrigley Field was a piece of cake to find-there is only 1 side of town in my mind.  For your own safety I'd avoid the south side of town at all costs.  (Go Cubs).

We spent a full week there, took the trains everywhere and now I know the Loop and how to navigate my way anywhere (disclaimer: There is no guarantee I won't get lost momentarily, but we'll get there eventually).  It was a good thing my non-directionally challenged husband was there with us.

I finally made it to the top of the Sears Tower, which is apparently now the Willis Tower or if you ask Annabel it's the Serious Tower.

You'll notice the vein popping out on my forehead.  I was pretty freaked out standing in this see through box, 100andwhatever stories up.  I only looked down a few times.  Below is my daughter.  She and my son had no fear.  Both loved looking down and they clung to the floor like little tree frogs.  In most of our photos I can be seen grabbing on to them-I had this internal instinct to hold on to them and keep them away from the edge.  They shook free of me, obviously.

It really is a must see if your visiting the city.  I can't believe it took me thirty some odd years to finally do it myself.  It's one of those things you just always put off and then suddenly you move away and it doesn't get done.  For the record, my husband played it cool the whole time but at one moment I questioned him and with a straight faced he replied: oh I'm pretty freaked out.  He then returned to herding our 2 children into the corner of the box.  He held it together better than I did, I will admit.

My other must see in Chicago are these 3.  Although I must admit I don't think I've still ever done the Planetarium (building on the peninsula). We actually only hit up the Field Museum (large, rectangular building on far right)-perfect stop for kids.  All Nick wanted to do on this trip was see dinosaur bones.  We kept putting it off, had heard that maybe it wasn't so great...but finally went and I do believe it was our favorite stop.  We missed a ton, you can spend all day there and we got there maybe around 1? We're slow starters.  They have the mega daddy of dino bones.  Someone said there was 'like 4 or 5' but try several rooms full.  Oh, and they have a bread shop with great sandwiches right by Sue (the T-Rex).  Perfect spot for lunch, we ate right next to Sue (I recommend a pretzel bread sandwich).  The kids ran in circles for awhile by Sue with my college buddy's little girl-eventually the museum staff yelled at them so I don't think I'd recommend setting your kids free here.  (That's us, taking other people's kids down with us).

Sue

I married somewhat of an aquarium snob and the last place he wanted to go to was the Shed (center facility in the photo up there, right on the Lake).  My contact for free tickets fell through so he lucked out and it was another spot we'll be saving for next time. I happen to love it.  If it had been warmer we would have let the kids go nuts in the fields surrounding these museums too.  As it was they only spent a short while running around burning off energy-they were pooped each night.  We simply ran out of time and couldn't fit the Planetarium in, but I hear it's wonderful and I know its a must see.

I will of course never understand how you can visit a major city like Chicago and NOT go to the local art museum.  I'm lucky enough to have a childhood friend on staff (okay, my brother's best friend from childhood-but that kind of makes him my friend by default right?) .

I was pleasantly surprised that 6 yr old Nick recognized several famous paintings right off (2 cheers for Little Picasso!) .  The suits of amour were his favorite and he scared the begeezids out of the security guard when he almost climbed up to take a picture next to one.  I always love Dali, and some of Whistlers work really caught my eye. 

My only disappointment is the Museum of Science and Industry.  Don't get me wrong, they have some great exhibits-some.  It's been ages since I had been there, and I had hoped it was just my bad memory-but I do recall thinking the same thing the last time I left there.  So many of the neat experiment exhibits were broken or so over crowded with people that we didn't have the patience to stop and try them out.  Possibly if we knew which day wouldn't have been so crowded, I don't do crowds well.  The sub on exhibit is really neat but the tour sold out, the kids got finger printed, and Nick controlled a tornado-oh and the baby chicks, so cute.  We missed a lightening presentation, but we heard it from below and it was definitely a good thing to catch.  I'm not going to tell you to skip this place and our kids had a ton of fun, but if there is one you want to keep putting off it's the one in my opinion.   Many exhibits were boring or broken down-or worst yet the cool ones cost extra!  My poor brother had to rush through and get back home for rehearsal.  It just wasn't my favorite.

New since my days is Millennium Park.  It would be awesome in the summer.  We walked quickly through most of it, it was pretty cold.  The bean (or officially, Cloud Gate), a sculpture in the park that shows the reflection of the city was a favorite spot on this trip for me.  Nick seemed to like it as well, he took a ton of photos of his reflection.

Overall it was a great trip.  My son even teared up when the idea of coming back home came up for the first time.  I know the dinosaur bones was his favorite spot, Annabel says hers was cousin Lily's house.   I loved playing tourist, seeing a few old friends, and chilling with my brother's family every night.  Possibly I'm a bit biased, but in my opinion it's going to be one of Nick's best memories as a child.  (I know he'll never forget all the people we saw on the train.  Who knew you could pierce so many parts of your face, lol.)  If you've never been to my city, you are missing out.

I've been out sick!  An upper respiratory bug hit our house hard and is just finally leaving.  Not that anyone is following me, but more post coming soon!

a crafty copier: t-shirt pom poms.

I came across this idea via eighteen25 (quickly becoming another favorite blog).  The husband had just tossed a pile of t-shirts on the floor, en route to goodwill. The only natural thing to do was to grab my scissors.

and a piece of card board.

go gators

wrap the cardboard using 1 strip of t-shirt to secure one side of the 'wrap.' I loosely tied it before cutting the other side.  Once the other side was free from the cardboard I tightened the strip of t-shirt to secure pom.   I think the tighter you wrap, the more 'perfect' your pom will be.  My goal is rarely for perfect.

voila, 2 silent cheer leading pom poms in mommy's school colors.

I took it a step further the following night and made a mini pom.  

wrap your heart out like you did above

I'm certain I should find a better way to secure this small pom, maybe a small wire.  It's still in one piece, but I haven't set her free with it yet.  with just a little more effort it will make a cute hair accessory.  I'm thinking hair clips.

invincible

this is my theme song, I hear it when I do something I think is cool.  There is no need to worry b/c I use my powers for good already. 

Invincible Ok Go

as my husband says: "their videos will bring you happiness"

you should check them out.

your blogging test cook

I took a cooking class in high school, but beyond that I have no real training outside of my mom. In her defense, I didn't listen to her ever. She's a much better cook and I could have learned a lot.

That being said, I really love to try and cook. A year ago my husband took on the responsibilities of cooking dinner each night (that is a whole other story). You might say I took a long over due break from the kitchen and succumbed to whatever he put on the plate in front of me. With a few demands on my part for real meat or none at all, I was pleasantly surprised at what a good job he did-and still does.  

Wait Kat, you said you love to try and cook, where are you going with this?

My inner cook was renewed in time for the holidays and I really do owe it all to the fact that he took on dinners for the year. I had been burnt out by years of trying to do a lot, plus dinner.

So now I share with you my new favorite blog: Our Best Bites

I love to try, but like I said on day 1-I'm really not original. I had family both expected and unexpected about to arrive and the excuse of little ones was really not valid anymore. They are little, but at this point I felt the need to prove I could take at least partial control again and this was one of my moments to do it.

Enter, the 4 min treat (add time for unwrapping a bag of Rollos, I didn't time it-but I curse them for their need to individually wrap, even when I'm snacking-I'm mean come on, what gives?)-or as titled by Our Best Bites, "Easy Pretzel Turtles"

These were in fact the most popular treat at my house this year, and honestly the easiest one I made.  I slapped some wax paper down on a cookie sheet, lined up the pretzels and set a Rollo or Hersey Kiss on each one (note: Rollo made for a prettier treat, kisses were a bit messy-also Mom Royer said she had seen these at a party (popular treat!) but not with a Rollo which she stated made it much better).

The above photo is the point where Our Best Bites says to essentially just sit and watch, and I would have to agree.  You can't trust a timer on this one-just give it a few minutes.

Remove from oven and I added an M&M on top of each and gave them a small nudge so they'd stay in place (OBB notes you can instead add a nut or 2-I don't think either of us tried a nut and M&M) . Being in the most festive holiday spirit I have felt in years, I stuck with the green and red M&Ms only.  If you drop the holidays, you can use any old color from the bag.  I will not wait until next year to make these again, so see you soon blue, brown and whatever other color there is...