Recently we were faced with the question - "How do we talk to our child about death?" About a month ago, my husband's grandfather became ill. It was very sudden and unexpected. Although he was 78 years old, he was the picture of health. He had a GI hernia, though, that caused chronic hiccups. Not just …
Did you know that RSV is a common seasonal virus that affects two-thirds of all infants by age one and almost 100% of babies by age two? RSV is highly contagious and can live on surfaces for several hours or can be spread by kissing, touching, and hugging. RSV usually only causes mild to moderate …
I recently found an incredible, organic coconut granola. One bite and I was in love. BUT I had gotten it with a deal and it wasn't so cheap. So, I went on a mission, looking at various recipes online so I could somewhat create that delicious cereal until I found another deal to purchase more. …
Twenty-two days into the New Year and here is our diet report: Hubby has lost approximately 9 pounds since January 1st, by eliminating most carbs and really focusing on eating healthier. I've been impressed with his choice of healthy salads and soups at restaurants. So how am I doing? You may remember that I decided …
The other night, when Daddy and I were telling the Captain bedtime stories and Baby D had already gone to sleep in his own room, something happened that was strange....the Captain yawned. After four+ years of being the mother of this child, I realized that he doesn't yawn very often. I asked Daddy to confirm …
I haven't always been a fan of soup, but this winter, soup just seems so delicious on a cold Winter day! We had this Three Bean Taco Soup last night for dinner. It's a bit spicy for the kids' tastes, but hubby and I love it! Ingredients: two pounds ground beef (I used lean longhorn …
Yesterday was January 13th, which was the 13th day of Hubby's low carb diet. I've tried to keep things interesting and it's actually been fun! He's lost weight, I've lost a few lbs, and we plan on continuing eating fewer carbs, more veggies, and eating out less. So far, so good. Well, last night it …
There are growing concerns with high fructose corn syrup, yet it is still a major sweetener in lots of the products in stores today because it's cheap. There are conflicting opinions....some say it's perfectly fine, some research suggests that it is a major contributor to obesity and many diseases. (You can google this...I'm not here …
The Captain LOVES to do artsy and crafty things and while I was a kindergarten teacher, I am NOT as crafty as the typical kindergarten teacher. Lately he has been coming up with ideas of things he'd like to make and I've been assisting him as much as I can. And lately he's had the idea …
I have never been much of a resolution girl. I made them, I broke them, I felt guilty, I moved on. So, the past few years, I haven't made any resolutions. But this year, hubby said he was serious about losing weight and he made a resolution to follow the South Beach Diet as closely …
The Captain has a love for music and a love for musical instruments. I have lost count of how many instruments he has, but he loves them all and could probably tell you all about each and everyone one. Most of them are toys, but some are real. For Christmas this year, he got a …
It is definitely cold and flu season. So many of my friends and family members have been sick already, we are just trudging along, trying to avoid sickness. The boys are both loving berries right now...blueberries and blackberries specifically...and they love to take their vitamins and drink orange juice, so that's a start. We're trying …
I have shopped at ALDI a few times before and have always been pleasantly surprised with their selection of products. The store itself isn't big, but they have LOTS of stuff and all at a reasonable price. The Captain loves to put the quarter in the shopping cart and then retrieve it later. This is …
I haven't posted anything about the horrific events in CT last Friday. The news is everywhere and no one is reading it here first. I just have no words and this heavy darkness has been over us since we heard the tragic news. But this morning, when I read my friend Isra's (aka The Frugalette) …
I'm sure you're feeling the stress from the hustle and bustle of the season, right? There are parties to attend, plays and performances to watch, gifts to buy, and more. It's hard to slow down this time of year, but it is important to make time for family meals where you can actually slow down, …
Happy 2nd birthday to our joyful little Baby D!
'Tis the season for giving! I just love this time of year. I love picking up special presents for special people in my life and making treats to show appreciation. The Bible teaches that it's better to give than receive (Acts 20:35) and it's true. Most of the time, I can't remember right away what …
We were able to travel on the "Polar Express" on the Texas State Railroad. The boys hadn't watched the movie, so they didn't really know what it was about when we told them. They just knew they were going to get to ride on a train, which was enough to get them both very excited …
I'm sure you've noticed a lot of holiday gift ideas, but hopefully you've found some helpful instead of annoying and jamming up your newsfeed/inbox/reader. I have been having fun posting about the different things available this holiday season, and no, I'm not quite done yet. But, both boys are sick and I need to take …
The other day we were eating a meal with some other families and I overheard a sweet little boy say "I'm picky." His mom swooped in and said "yes, he's so picky, he will only eat XYZ." Hmm.... Then I thought to myself....I do that. I do that with my kids! I label them and …
My hubby and I were given the opportunity to experience a gondola cruise from Cloud 9 Living in Irving, Texas. Specifically, the company running the gondola cruise was Gondola Adventures, but all of the planning goes through Cloud 9 Living. This is great because whatever it is that you want to gift, Cloud 9 Living …
I like to order fresh fruits and veggies from Bountiful Baskets and on Saturday I was surprised with two beautiful ears of dried Indian corn (aka "flint corn") in my hostess add-on. I had always seen Indian corn at the stores and I figured they were just ornamental and for decoration purposes only. So I laid …
Everyone knows that Christmas has become a commercialized holiday. While it has Christ's name in it, Christmas isn't about Christ to so many people in this world. That's why it's that much harder for Christians to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas. But I'm up for the challenge because really, it is the …
My hubby and I both LOVE pecan pie at Thanksgiving and well, throughout the year, given the opportunity. I decided to try and see if my hubby would like a pie with no butter or corn syrup. I had the first piece and it was just as sweet, just as satisfying, but the ooey gooey …
All Aboard! "The Polar Express" comes to life this holiday season as the Texas State Railroad rolls out of the station bound for the "North Pole!" Come early and climb aboard with your family to cozy-up and enjoy our festively-decorated vintage train cars. Dancing chefs deliver hot chocolate and a cookie to each guest to savor …
Fall is upon us here in Texas, which means hot one day and cold and rainy the next! We are sure to have a couple of cold weeks during winter at least, so now is the perfect time to protect your wooden deck, patio, fence, furniture, or other wooden structure with Thompson's WaterSeal. Thompson's WaterSeal …
Recently there was a Graco Safety party in DFW to announce the awesome new Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 carseat to a few bloggers. I was unable to attend the local #GracoSafety party like I had planned, but thanks to my sweet mother-in-law and blogger friend, Staci, from 7 on a Shoestring, we received this …
Happy Halloween from Superman and the brave Knight!
Traveling with kids is always a bit difficult. My kids have always slept better in their own beds, which has made some nights away from home dreadful. Neither of my boys ever really liked the Pack 'n Play after they got past the baby stage. We take along Captain Fussybuckets' couch, but it's not ideal …
I am so lucky that both of my boys love fruit. Vegetables is another story, but at least they love their fruit. I have a hard time keeping up with their appetite for fruit and finding new, exciting ways for them to eat it! And with the Captain going to preschool two days a week …
A few years ago, the hubby (a youth minister) and I were at a new church. We were eating a meal and talking to different members of the church. Then, an upcoming ladies' retreat became the topic of discussion. One of the ladies asked me if I was going to go and I said "probably …
I have decided that cranberries are my absolute favorite fruit. I just love them, whether it's jellied cranberries at Thanksgiving, dried cranberries in a salad, or cranberries in desserts. They're sweet and tangy and just delicious and add the perfect flavor to just about anything. Plus, they are good for you! There are so many …
Last summer, I wrote a post called "10 Reasons Why I Love Nick Jr." Since then, Nick Jr. has made some awful changes and I just want to vent about them for a minute. On my list, #10 was "There are songs and fun games instead of annoying toy and food commercials that leave …
Today is October 1st. I LOVE October. It is THE perfect month in Texas, in my opinion. I love the Fall colors, the smells, the tastes, and more. I'm not so fond of Halloween, but it is what it is and I'll take October anyway. Halloween isn't BAD, don't get me wrong, it's just not …
My boys surprise me on a daily basis. I always get a chuckle out of the things that they do because really....who would've ever thought that... 1. hand vacs could be so entertaining for a three year old? 2. or that it would be my responsibility to carry all of their stuff in what …
I first learned about Cookie's Kids on another blog a few months ago. I was impressed with the cute stuff that I had never seen in stores here before. After logging on to the Cookie's Kids website, I learned that it was established in New York City in 1972 and now has seven stores in …
I remember sleepwalking a few times as a child. One time I remember walking out of my bedroom with my small plastic trash can in one hand, and my blanket in another. My oldest brother was sitting at the computer and he asked what I was doing, which I think woke me up. In my …
