Almost Time

For this boy 

to celebrate 2 years of life.  

It seems like yesterday he was this tiny little thing:

 I just can't believe it's almost been 2 years!  On Friday, March 30, 2012 we will be putting two candles on his cake.  He will sing along with us instead of being a tiny, confused bystander.  He will blow out his own candles and clap along with us when they're out.  He asked for Lego Batman this year, and a basketball, football, helmet, hockey stick and puck...he really likes sports.  Of course I and eager family members are happy to oblige this simple wish list.  I even got him a sister to his "baby ittle broder". 

He still cries for me when I leave, usually needs my help to climb into his seat at the table and needs a stool to wash his hands.  But he's growing up so fast and is hardly my baby anymore.  Last year I could look back and see him grow month by month.  Now it's measured more in 3-6 month increments and soon it will be yearly progress.  Henry has come such a long way from his wobbly, mumbling 1 year old self.  Now he says, "please" and "thank you", speaks in complete sentences and loves to sing songs to and with us (he even makes up his own songs).  When I tell him I love him he usually says, "I wuv you too, Mama".  He reads books and tries to tell me the color of his toys (he's usually wrong).  This little boy who still needs at least 1 nap per day and can't pour his own drink (well...he can but it usually ends up on the floor) can shoots basketballs with amazing accuracy, climbs rocks like a pro and has an uncanny ability to remember names.

Friday will be bittersweet and the cake will be chocolatey.     

Bzz: Dr. Oetker Pizza Ristorante Review

Recently, Bzz Agent gave me the opportunity to try Dr. Oetker Ristorante Pizza.  This was the first time hearing of the brand so I was curious to see if the pizza would be available at my local grocery store, which is notorious for not carrying a lot of variety.  To my surprise when I checked there were 4 of the 6 varieties.  Apparently Dr. Oetker is the most popular frozen pizza in Italy and they produce more than just pizza, including baking mixes.  

Dr. Oetker Pizza is thin crust, gourmet-style pizza that is available in the following varieties: Pizza Spinaci (Spinach), Pizza Mozzarella, Pizza Funghi (mushroom), Pizza Vegetale (tomatoes, peppers, onions and chilies), Pizza Quattro Formaggi (four cheese: mozzarella, Edam, Emmental and blue cheese) and Pizza Speciale (Pepperoni and Ham).  Each pizza contains 3 servings and costs about $6.  You can get complete ingredient lists and nutritional information for all of the pizzas by clicking the above external link. You can also find stores near you that sell their pizza.

Using the coupons provided by BzzAgent I purchased the Pizza Vegetale for the adults and the Pizza Speciale for the kids.  I really, really wanted to try the vegetable and mozzarella pizzas but I knew my kids would hate me forever if one of the pizzas didn't have pepperoni.

I got a picture of the Pizza Vegetale box before throwing it away.  I don't have any photos of the Pizza Speciale.

You might notice that my pizza is on foil.  That is not how these pizzas are supposed to be cooked- they should be placed directly on the oven rack, but I HATE doing that, so I didn't.

The directions were as simple as any other frozen pizza and it only took about 10 minutes to cook in the oven.    

Ta-da!  Looks pretty close to what's on the box.

  
It is what it promises- a thin crust, crispy pizza.  The veggies were really good and they were large pieces, not tiny chunks of barely-recognizable vegetables.  On the Pizza Speciale, the pepperonis were the same as any and the ham pieces were large.  I don't like ham on pizza but I ate one for the sake of reviewing and it was good.  Again, it was much better than the pizzas that use tiny chunks of meat.

A few years ago I gave up on all but the Giant brand frozen pizzas because they were too much money and not good.  Giant's was the only one I actually liked and it cost less than Domino's or Little Caesars (until recently, anyway).  Dr. Oetker Pizzas were good, but kind of expensive.  On their website it says the suggested retail price is $4.99-6.99.  $4.99 I would pay for one for myself if I felt like eating something a little better than big-name pizza place would provide but I would make the trip to Little Caesars for the kids, for a much larger pizza for the same price.  Unfortunately the stores where I live charge a higher price of about $6 for Dr. Oetker pizza.  More than likely I would wait for a coupon or skip them and buy a cheaper pizza and fresh veggies to put on top while cooking it.  It doesn't make much sense to me to spend $5 or $6 for a pizza that I have to go to the store to get then cook too, when I can get one hot and ready for the same price.  Either way I have to drive!  But if delivery or driving to a cheap, local pizza shop isn't an option and your typical frozen pizza is getting boring I suggest trying one of these gourmet pizzas. 



    

Maybe if I Paid Attention

I am forever forgetting important things at the grocery store.  If I'm making spaghetti I forget sauce.  Today it was tacos- I forgot the taco seasoning packets.  Oops!  I could have gone to the store to get them but I'd probably get distracted by something sparkly and forget again.  Plus I'd have to pack up all 4 kids and drag them along for a couple stupid seasoning packets...that I need if we were planning to have dinner tonight.  Ugh.  
Cue Google.  I would have Swagbucked or Binged but then I'd have to log in and I'm not even willing to buy food to feed my family so that was out of the question.  
I Googled "make your own taco seasoning".  I was SO happy to get tons of results but then was quickly overwhelmed and just chose the first result that didn't look spammy.  I ended up on About.com on a page called Taco Season Mix.  Great!  Can't go wrong, right?  Usually that statement ends in death and food poisoning and bitterness but I actually got a pretty tasty recipe that was super easy to make. 

Here's the deal:

• 1/4 cup instant minced onion
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 2 tsp. crushed dried red pepper flakes
• 1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp. instant minced garlic
• 1 tsp. ground cumin

I play by my own rules so I changed it a little.  I didn't have marjoram and my garlic is powdered.  I didn't put in as much onion and I totally omitted the cornstarch on a hunch.  It was REALLLLLY good!  Really good.  And the kids didn't even notice that it was different from their regular tacos which is a huge plus because they notice everything.  Even better was that I did notice the difference and really liked it.  When I make it again (if I don't forget to buy more chili powder) I will use a lot less salt.  That was too much salt.  After finishing my dinner I looked back over the instructions (which I hadn't noticed before because I was too busy ignoring them) I saw that the recipe was meant to last more than one night. 

Instructions:

"Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and blend thoroughly with wire whisk. Spoon mixture into a tightly closed container and label as "Taco Seasoning Mix". Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months. Makes 6 packages (about 2 Tbsp. each) of mix. 2 Tbsp. equals 1.25-oz. pkg. purchased taco seasoning mix."

That was supposed to make 6 packages, huh...okaaay.  I used it all.  On 1lb. of ground beef.  Perhaps that is why it was too salty, but I would have used the same amount of the other ingredients on 1lb again because it was just right. 

I probably shouldn't even be allowed in the kitchen. 

Dear HP: I Dislike the Test Page

I should just write these letters to the companies that I'm angry with but it always makes me feel a little better once I write them to myself (and anyone who actually visits my blog). 
Anyway...
Dear HP,
I'd like to thank you for using all of my blue and black ink by printing out a test page every time I turn the printer off, forget to have paper readily available or one of my kids opens the door to the cartridge holder area.  It's really great to spend a fortune on ink only to have it all used up by test pages.  Then I go to print something I really wanted only to have it not work, even though I've only printed a handful of positively useful coupons/pictures/whatevers and an even smaller handful of completely useless something or other that the kids or I wanted to print.  For instance, today I wanted to print an awesome Target coupon and instead I got a splotchy printout that Target probably won't accept.  I'll try anyway but not knowing if it will work or not is really annoying.  This is a seriously awesome coupon- $10 gift card with purchase of $50 or more.  And I'm not sure if it will work because your a test page-happy printer that steals all of my ink.  Maybe if the coupon works I should use it to buy a different brand, one that doesn't steal ink. 

Horrified by the Toddler

I guess with Jonas almost being 4 he is more kid than toddler but that's not the point.  The point is how horrible I felt yesterday after he said something mean. 
The kids and I were chilling in the alley behind our house yesterday- it's the hangout for the neighborhood, which isn't saying much since there are like 7 kids in the neighborhood and 4 of them are mine.  
Anyway, they were playing and I was reading Eclipse (don't judge).  Jonas was about 10 feet away, riding his tricycle when one of the neighbors (a nice young adult that the kids usually adore) walked by.  He was a totally innocent bystander, just walking to the grocery store or his car when he passed Jo.  I heard Jonas say something and it sounded mean.  Instead of waiting and talking to him after like a smart parent of a horrible 3 year old I made the mistake: "What did you say, Jonas?"
Neighbor said, "I think he said 'get away from me'."
Then evil little Jonas said, "NO!  I said, 'Yoooou arrrre Uuuuuugly."  He wanted to make sure we heard him clearly this time. 

I swear my freakin' heart stopped.  I started fumbling for the right words to say, wondering if there were any right words to respond to something so awful.  What do you say when your kid is a big stinkin' meanie?  I started apologizing and saying stupid things.  I was telling Jo how mean that was and he had to apologize.  The neighbor was all, "It's okay" but how can I believe that when I'm so horrified. 
I told Jason what happened and was all freaked out wondering if the neighbor thought Jonas said it because we had said it.  Having your child do something so awful to someone else just screams BAD PARENTS.  I don't know if it's worse because I've never said that about anyone in front of the kids.  I guess maybe I've been watching tv and said, "oh that person is ugly" or something like that but I've never looked someone in the eye and said it, nor have I talked badly about anyone's lack of attraction behind their backs (except famous people).  I'm so very self-conscious about the way I look so I'm not all about to hop aboard the let's-make-fun-of-the-way-other-people-look train.  I typically ascribe the term ugly to behavior rather than appearance.  This bothers me. 
I tend to worry too much what other people think about me and in a case like this I'm going way over board, at least Jason says so.  I'm still totally freaked out by the whole ordeal and I just want to avoid any future that involves the neighbor walking by me when I'm anywhere near my child.  I just hope he doesn't feel too bad.  I know I would.       
      

Buffalo Chicken Dip- So Yum...But...

Did you know that when you search for Buffalo Chicken Dip on the net that the majority of your top search results will give you recipes using canned chicken.  Ewww.  Not only is that not nearly as good as fresh chicken but it's much healthier to use fresh.  No canned nastiness, no extra salt or other additives.  That's a win for fresh.  My guess is that maybe some big companies that produce canned chicken paid extra for top spots in the search engines, or they partnered with companies that they could benefit from so that they'd end up in the top when you search for specifics, like dips.  Sure it might be easier, by like, a few minutes.  But I just throw everything in the crock pot and it's ready to go later that day.  Which is exactly what I plan to do for tonight when I host my Premier Designs jewelry party! 
Now...who's coming to MY party??! 


Oh and by the way, here's a recipe for some Buffalo Chicken Dip using fresh chicken:
Buffalo Chicken Dip.  Sure, you could substitute regular for canned using any recipe you come across, or I could support the people who make it better by sharing one of their links instead :) 

Trick-or-Treat or Snowball Fights for Halloween?

Well it looks like the possibility of snow for South Central PA is becoming more of a reality as a storm heads our way!  It's supposed to be here by Saturday morning.  It isn't the first time snow has visited us in October but I honestly can't remember the last time it happened.  My kids are excited for sure!  We have a lot of Halloween and Autumn activities planned for this weekend, including a hay ride on Saturday and trick-or-treating on Halloween and I really hope the snowstorm doesn't ruin our activities.  I'm not worrying too much just yet- plenty of storms that were "certain" to hit us missed us entirely.  Something to do with the valley we live in making weather somewhat unpredictable, I think. 

I like to visit http://wgal.com/ for weather-related news because they have radar, which I'm completely addicted to watching.  I live in the approximate center of the teeny tiny picture below but you can see the giant mass of snow headed my way.  I'm not rushing out to buy my milk, eggs and bread just yet but it looks like this one might get us. 




Happy...Snoween?!!! 

Dear Baby Doll Makers

A letter to the makers/creators of toys:

My boys want dolls.  But my boys want BOY dolls.  They want boy Crib Life dolls and on that note they also want boy Zoobles (although I still think they are way overpriced).  They want boy Squinkies (THANK YOU Squinkies, you're on the right track!!). 

At least my 3 year old boy wants boy versions.  I don't think my 18 month old cares just yet and seems happy playing with pink stuff, though we did pick up a baby dressed in blue just for him.  But all I hear ALL DAY LONG is, "Mommy, mommy, mommy I want a boy Crib Life" and, "Mommy, mommy, mommy I want a boy Zooble!". 

So here's a hint: some boys want boy versions of girl toys.  Think about it please.  And while you're at it, think about a pink nerf gun.  My daughter would totally appreciate it. 

Money or Mama

I was chatting with the kids today and Amara asked for a trampoline after I announced a win (2nd this week- yeah!!).  I told her that trampolines cost a lot more than my prize and that they were too much money, not to mention too big for our yard.  She asked why one of her friends has one.  I had to explain that some people need or choose to work and that some people need or choose to stay home and that we were the latter family.  I told her that if I worked that we could probably afford a trampoline and asked her if she'd rather have more money or more mommy. 

Suddenly my house erupted in a cacophony of kids protesting.  From one end of the house I heard from Zachary, "more mommy!  I want you to be home!!".  From the dining room (our common room) Amara was telling me that daddy would never get her to school on time and telling me how much she wants me to be home.  Jonas was saying, "stay home mommy, I love you." and Henry said, "uv you mama.  Kiss." 

Melt. 

We don't have a lot of money but I'm thinking that we made the right decisions (sort of by choice and sort of by necessity) for our family.  And I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Common Sense, Common Courtesy

I'm a very passive person.  I let people walk all over me, allow people to talk down to me and rarely stand up for myself.  So my outlet for complaint is my head, my blog, friends or Jason.  Today, it's my blog because my head hurts from the smoke, my phone is dead and J's at work.  He'd tell me to suck it up and say something anyway.

If I were working in someone's home I would never consider doing anything that wasn't approved by them- I wouldn't help myself to the kitchen without asking, I wouldn't go into their bedroom without being invited and I certainly never, ever would smoke in someone's house.  If I walked into an obviously smoke-free home I wouldn't even dream of asking to smoke in their house (not that I smoke, but if I did) and I would NEVER throw cigarette butts anywhere but the trash while outside and away from open doors. 

So why, I wonder, would anyone ever come into MY house and do the above without asking?  WHY?????  Why would you bring your disgusting cigarettes into my house and then proceed to smoke them without an invite from me, the freaking homeowner.  Yeah, sure it's in the basement where no one but the grownups go to do laundry but it travels, guys.  I'm sitting in the dining room trying not to puke.  I'm much too passive a person to say anything, just the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach.  About as sick as the cigarette smoke makes me feel. 

I just feel so...so...disrespected.  And headachy.  I'm glad I have somewhere to go tonight- I can air out the house.  And maybe this weekend I'll buy some NO SMOKING signs for the house.  I can deal with passive-agressive.