Thursday, September 16, 2010

Arts and Craft Day - Pine Cone Bird Feeder

I've been trying to do more arts and crafts with Madisyn more lately. Today's project was making a pine cone bird feeder with the pine cone she found in front of our house.


We started with tying a string onto the pine cone and then spread on the peanut butter. Madi really liked this part and kept eating the PB.







Then we rolled the pine cone in the bird seed and stuck it in the freezer for a few hours to harden up.

Then end result came out really well. Sometimes I don't realize how big our dogs are. I'm not sure how well this will go over with the birds, but at least the dogs liked it!


Friday, September 10, 2010

29th Birthday celebration

The last year of my 20's...

Since I'm 9 months prego, my 29th b-day celebration was quite tame. I spent most of the day playing with Madisyn and when Nathan got home we headed out for some L&L for dinner.

After dinner we met up with the family at Farrell's Ice Cream parlor. I celebrated my 10th birthday at Farrell's Ice Cream, and then they disappeared. It was a fun, loud place where my fun & loud family could be ourselves :)





Thursday, September 9, 2010

Bento Box - Attempt #1

My first attempt at a bento box style snack pack for Madisyn. She really liked it and ate it all while we were shopping at Costco.

Free Birthday Deals in So Cal

Free Birthday Deals in So Cal
Applebee’s – Free dessert and song on your birthday.
Bakers Square – Get a free peice of pie on your birthday at Bakers Square.
Baskin Robbins – Baskin Robbins will send you a coupon for a free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream on your birthday plus other special promotions when you join the Baskin Robbins Birthday Club.
Ben & Jerry’s – Get a free ice cream treat on your birthday when you become a ChunkSpelunker with Ben & Jerry’s.
Benihana - Join “The Chef’s Table” and receive a Benihana Birthday Dinner certificate worth $30 to use during the month of your birthday.
Bennigan’s – Get a buy 1 entree, get 1 entrĂ©e free and a free brownie ice cream dessert coupon on your birthday.
Black Angus Steakhouse – Get a free steak dinner on your birthday when you join the BA Prime Club. You also get a complimentary dessert for signing up for the club.
Blimpie – Get a coupon for a free 6” sub on your birthday at Blimpie’s.
Bob’s Big Boy – Get a free hot fudge ice cream on your birthday.
Bob Evans – Sign up your child for their birthday club and they’ll get a free kids’ meal on their birthday at Bob Evans.
Boston Market – Kids 12 and under will receive a birthday coupon good for a free kid’s meal, drink, and dessert at Boston Market.
Buffalo Wild Wings – Get a coupon for a free dessert to celebrate your birthday at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Burger King – Sign up your child to be a member of Club BK so they can get a free kid’s meal on their birthday.
California Pizza Kitchen – Sign up your child (10 and under) for CPKids and they will receive a free CPKids meal during the month of their birthday.
Carrows – Join the Carrows E-Club to get a free dessert on your birthday as well as one for joining.
Chevys – Join Chevys Compadres Club and get a free dessert on your birthday.
Claim Jumper Restaurant – Join the CJ E-Club and get a free dessert on your birthday.
Cold Stone Creamery – Cold Stone Creamery will send you an email with a coupon for a free ice cream creation to enjoy on your birthday. All ages are welcome!
Dairy Queen – Join the Dairy Queen Blizzard Fan Club and get a free ice cream cone on your birthday as well as a coupon for a blizzard when you join.
Dave & Buster’s – Get a free $5 game card credit on your birthday.
Denny’s – Come in and get a free Grand Slam on your birthday.
Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor – Sign up for their email list and get a free sundae for your birthday.
Fuddruckers – Join the Fudds Club and gett a free burger on your birthday. (May not be available in all areas.)
Hard Rock Cafe – Come in and get a free dessert on your birthday.
Hometown Buffet – Join the eClub and get a free birthday coupon in the mail.
IHOP – Come on into IHOP and get a free meal (a sundae at some locations) on your birthday. (May not be available in all areas.)
Joe’s Crab Shack – Go to Joe’s Crab Shack on your birthday and get a free piece of cake.
Macaroni Grill – Come on into Macaroni Grill on your birthday and get a free dessert plus a song.
Maggiano’s – Join the Maggiano’s Birthday Club and get a coupon for $10 off your meal purchase.
Marie Callender’s – Join Marie Callender’s E-Club and get a coupon for $5 off your meal and piece of pie when you visit during the month of your birthday.
On the Border – Get a free appetizer on your birthday when you join On the Border’s Club Cantina. When you initially join you will get an instant coupon for a free bowl of queso or empanadas.
Outback – Get a free dessert and a song when you go to Outback on your birthday.
P.F. Changs – Come in and get a free dessert on your birthday.
Red Lobster – Join the Overboard Club and they will email you a suprise for your birthday.
Red Robin – Join the Red Robin eClub and get a coupon for a fee burger on your birthday. This is for all ages!
Rock Bottom – Join the Mug Club and get a free appetizer on your birthday.
Round Table – Get a free personal pizza when you visit on your birthday.
Sephora – Sign up as a Beauty Insider and get a free gift from Sephora on your birthday – valid within two weeks of your birthday.
Sonic – Members of the Wacky Pack Kid’s Birthday Club will receive a coupon for a free Wacky Pack during the week of their birthday.
Taco Bell – Get a free combo meal of your choice on your birthday at Taco Bell. (May not be available in all areas.)
TGI Friday’s – Receive a coupon for a free appetizer to use on your birthday when you sign up for Friday’s E-Club. You also get a coupon for a free appetizer just for signing up! You must be over 21 to get this birthday freebie.
Tony Roma’s – Get a free dinner on your birthday from Tony Roma’s.
Toys ‘R’ Us – Children ages 2 – 10 will receive a birthday card and surprise gift from Geoffrey when you sign them up for Geoffrey’s Birthday Club.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Buca di Beppo AND Zankou

Making more progress on my list - Last week we went to BOTH Buca di Beppo AND Zankou Chicken.

Madisyn really enjoyed her Alfredo :)


At Buca we shared the lasagna, chicken fettucini and jumbo rigatoni. Mmmm...





Tri-Tip and Chicken Kabob Plate @ Zankou. It was delicious.

Friday, September 3, 2010

More couponing genius



Another example of my couponing prowess at work :) Not as stunning as my Walmart trip, but still pretty darn good.

Glade - Free after coupon
Hair dye - Reg. 8.99 on sale for 5.99, plus a 2.00 coupon = 3.99
Solei Razors - On sale 3.99, Buy One Get One Coupon = 8 Razors for 3.99
Hello Kitty Band-aids 0.97 each - $3.00 of 3 band aid products = FREE
Degree (Travel Size) = 0.97 - 1.00 coupon = FREE
Pantene Pro-V = 3.49 - 1.00 Target Coupon - 2.00 Manufacturer Coupon= 0.49

Total for all products before tax = 8.49 :) Not bad.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Martha Stewart Craft Case

OMG I MUST have one of these at some point in my life.



Getting good at couponing

I'm getting the hang of this couponing stuff. We went to Walmart today, and I followed what I had saw on "Hip to Save" blog to a tee. I didn't pre-print some of the coupons, so I couldn't do it all.

I ended up getting all of this stuff for a whopping total of 53 cents before tax and 1.21 out of pocket. I was so impressed with myself today :)


Monday, August 23, 2010

Slater's 50/50



Last night we went to Slater's 50/50 with my in-laws. My poor husband and mother in law both had stuffy noses and couldn't really appreciate the experience due to their lack of taste.

We started with the vampire dip - which was AWESOME! Garlic, artichoke heart, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses served with bread and the BEST pita chips EVER! I ordered a Nutella shake and my father in law ordered the heath bar shake. Nathan had a Coconut Porter from Maui Brewing Co. I really enjoyed my shake, but I was disappointed with Nathan's beer. There was really no coconut flavor at all.

For the main entree I decided on the Thanksgiving Burger - one of Slater's Signature Burgers. It was a 1/3 pound turkey burger with stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and sage mayo. Pretty good. The bun was super fresh and soft.



Nathan had a veggie burger. Enough said.


My father in law went with the signature 50/50 burger which is 50% Ground Beef and 50% Ground Bacon. Sounds good, but it was too mushy. Although it was cooked well done, it looked and tasted rare because of the high fat content of the bacon.

Over all, it was a good experience. And to top it off, I had a 50% off one entree coupon :)

I would definitely order the Vampire Dip again. Sooooo goooood. I would probably try a different burger - maybe the PB &J Burger with the PB &J Shake. That would be a yummie combo. They have a great selection of beer. They even had the Bootlegger Palomino Pale Ale on the menu, but were out last night. We went to eat early (4:30pm) before Nathan's game and the place was empty when we got there. As we were leaving at 5:30pm the place was packed with a wait out the door. So, if you go, go early. If you go to their website, http://www.slaters5050.com/home, there is a link to Open Table, where you can make reservations.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

My inner foodie needs to be fed

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was really good about my diet. I ate a lot of cookies toward the end, but I only ended up gaining 29 pounds through the whole thing. Fast forward 2 1/2 years and I'm now 9 months prego with #2. I've already hit 35 pounds and I just recently found my appetite again.

I know that once he is born, I will go back to dieting to loose all of the weight I put on. Thankfully, I started 20 pounds lighter this time, so it won't be so bad.

But before I start back on the diet kick, there are a few places that I need to indulge in. Here is my list of places to eat at before I start my diet:

1. Chicken and Waffles @ Roscoe's in Long Beach
2. Mahi Mahi Lunch plate @ L&L (DONE)
3. Pinks Hot Dogs
4. Zankou Chicken http://www.zankouchicken.com/ (DONE)
5. Taqueria De Anda in Fullerton
6. Lasagna @ Buca Di Beppo (DONE)
7. Chicken Strips @ Hurricanes in Huntington Beach
8. Kona Pie @ Dukes in Huntington Beach
9. Cheeseburger @ TK Burger in Huntington Beach
10. Indian food at some new place in Fullerton
11. Burgers and Shakes @ Slaters 50/50 in Anaheim (DONE)
12. Veggie Grill in Irvine
13. Thai Food - anywhere good
14. Boiling Crab

These are just a few that are on the top of my head right now, I'm sure there will be more later.

So honey, if you read this, please keep these in mind for all of the times I can't figure out what I want to eat :)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.


Preparing for the Birth:

1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month


The Baby clothes:

1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, colour co-ordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
______________________________________

Worries:

1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing
______________________________________

Pacifiers:

1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and sterilise it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
______________________________________

Diaper changing:

1st baby: You change your baby's diaper every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
______________________________________

Activities:

1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
______________________________________

Going Out:

1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
______________________________________

At Home:

1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
______________________________________

Swallowing Coins:

1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!
______________________________________

Pass this on to everyone you know who has children . . . or everyone who KNOWS someone who has had children . .
(The older the mother, the funnier this is!)


1. You know you're a mom:
when you take a shower you either have a child or bath tub toys at your feet.

when you sing "Dora Dora Dora the Explorer" or Wiggles songs in the shower. With all the right words. And on-key.

when you go to use the bathroom you count the seconds before one of your children or your husband come knocking at the door.

when your Tivo is loaded with more kid shows than your own shows.

when your idea of 'A night in with the girls' involves princess dresses, fake make-up and making beaded necklaces.

when your out with your friends and all you can think of to talk about is your kids.

when you tell jokes, you realize they are the goofy ones your kids made up.

when someone else's kid pukes at a party and you keep eating!

when you no longer need an alarm clock because your kids get up at 7:00 a.m. everyday no matter what time they go to bed.

when you go to the fridge, takes the milk- bottle out to have a sip and you don't notice that the nipple is still on it.

when you excitedly shout "Scoop!" when you pass construction equipment on the highway and your kids aren't even in the car!

when the Metro seems way too quiet without little children squirming in the seats

when cleaning by yourself is no longer a chore. It's a vacation!!!

when you are looking at the movies section of the newspaper and you run to tell your husband about the new animated movie coming out.

when you clap when someone goes potty

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Eating Organic

We've been trying to eat organically lately and I always forget this list at home when I go shopping so I don't remember what is OK to buy conventional grown and what I should splurge on and buy organic. I'm really trying to do as much organic as possible, but sometimes it is SOOO expensive.

Dirty dozen= produce to buy organic because it is more likely to be contaminated.
1. Celery

2. Peaches

3. Strawberries

4. Apples

5. Blueberries

6. Nectarines

7. Bell Peppers

8. Spinach

9. Kale

10. Cherries

11. Potatoes

12. Grapes (Imported)

Clean 15 = items less likely contaminated and ok to buy conventionally grown.

1. Onions

2. Avocados

3. Sweet Corn

4. Pineapples

5. Mangoes

6. Sweet Peas

7. Asparagus

8. Kiwis

9. Cabbage

10. Eggplant

11. Cantaloupe

12. Watermelon

13. Grapefruit

14. Sweet Potato

15. Honeydew Melon

Saturday, August 7, 2010

You are my Sunshine



While waiting for Daddy to get home from work, we made a few videos and this was by far the cutest one. She loves to sing the Sunshine song and she loves to sing really really loud.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Frustrating day with students

OMG! My students are killing me today! They are so resistant to thinking and it pisses me off! If something is event remotely hard or challenging, their brains turn off. They have been so conditioned to wait for the right answer that they have forgotten (or never learned) how to think on their own.

I am having a really hard time dealing with the attitude of 16 year olds today. I knew going into teaching that I would be dealing with attitude on a daily basis, but I really didn’t expect it to be this bad. Today is especially bad. I want to punish them all with a super duper a hard test and make them all fail, but I know that ts not the right answer.

I have been doing a two day lesson about Global Warming using the video The 11th Hour. I really thought that this would be a good lesson that would provoke thought, debate and even action. Boy was I wrong. I had the kids answer a question that had no right or wrong answer. This was SUCH a hard task for them. They want everything to have one right answer – which hardly anything does!