Have You Ever Seen A Mom Do A Backflip Off The Bed...

without waking up the sleeping angels? Well, if you were in my bedroom about 5 minutes ago, you would have seen this amazing feat! My heart is still racing from the experience.

So, I am sitting in my big snugglie bed, minding my own business, reading my fave blogs while listening to HGTV and the sleeping sounds of my two snoozing sickly angels. Out of the corner of my eye, I see something run across my bed, making a bee-line towards my feet. Eeek! It is a horrible, nasty spider! Quick back flip and then I am off the bed and ready to do battle with the eight-legged freak! (Think bad martial arts stunts) The first thing I can grab is my phone and I am racing around the bed, trying to kill the deadly beast before it harms one of my babies! Well, several minutes later, the awful creature is nothing more than a greasy spot on my freshly made bed (see last post in regards to why my bed is freshly made), I am about ready to faint from the realization that I just took on one of my worst fears, and my sleeping beauties have not even stirred! Quite an accomplishment, if I don't say so myself.

As I try to get settled into bed again with a nice glass of cold milk and a piece of cake to get my energy levels back up...a towel covering the dreaded spot until the snoozing sweeties wake back up...the 4 month old wakes up and wants to nurse!

No rest for the weary...

I Hope It's Not Another Repeat!

After spending last week taking care of one sick kid after another, I was so excited to have Saturday and Sunday under the belt with no sickness! Being cooped up in the house the past few days, I was dying for some fresh air. So, we went to a local farmer's market, an outdoor antique market, Church and brunch. It was also really nice. All of the kids had big appetites for a change and I was looking forward to a good nights sleep.

Last night, I fed Bryleigh and was playing with her in my nice snuggly bed when she suddenly covered everything within spewing distance...me, bed, nightstand, cradle, floor, walls, etc. After the huge clean-up, she was hard to get back to sleep and fit-full through the night. Bleary eye-ed this morning, I woke up to her smiling face and the news that Kadence is running another high fever and has "die-a-ree-a". Lovely!

I hope this isn't the start of another long and yuck filled week!

(Right now, the three of us are camped out in my bedroom. Bryleigh is napping, Kadence is watching cartoons, and I am blogging. Who knows how many times I might post today...)

WHiVSiV...I hope not...

If you happen to be in Vegas this weekend, do me a favor. Look for this man...



He is gone on a Boys Only weekend with some of his notorious buddies from high school. The entire group goes by the tag name...The Mouse Farts.

It can be guaranteed that there will be lots of drinking, debauchery, and general distasteful behavior...



With this in mind, I will be paying top dollar for any good stories and / or photos that I can use for blackmail at a later day...namely when I want to go shopping and he wants me to conserve finances!

Please proceed with caution...because if he knows that he is being watched or photographed, he will resume his normal prim and proper status!

Easter Celebrations - Better Late Than Never...

Sorry these are so late getting posted. It has been pretty crazy around my house the past few days. Kyla woke up Easter Morning with a nasty cough and a 101+ temperature. She stayed home from school on Monday. Then Bryleigh came down with a cough and yucky nose on Tuesday. Kaleigh developed a 102 temperature on Wednesday and stayed home from school today...And this is when that proverbial straw broke this mommy camel's back. Brad left this morning for a long boys weekend in Vegas, Kadence is now sick with a 103 temperature, Kaleigh still has a 101 temp, Bryleigh's nose is still a little yucky, and Kyla now has an ear infection! And the thing that really got me is tonight was the kindergarten open house. I had everything in place until I learned that this school year the children are required to have a 2nd dose of the Chicken Pox vaccine and Kyla cannot get it because she is on antibiotics for 10 days. So after waiting in line for an hour, I was told that I have to come back after she gets the shot! When will my life go back to some sense of normalcy? I really need it...especially since I did not been able to go to Yoga for the second week in a row! My Zen state of mind is gone and I have turned into a screaming harpy!

Any way...enough of my poor me, poor me.

Enjoy the Easter photos...while I enjoy some chocolate.

~~~

This year we decided to color alot of eggs...72 eggs to be exact! We had to make sure that each child was able to color a dozen eggs. I know that sounds like alot of eggs, but we didn't color as many last year and there was H*LL to pay because of it. These children may be small and look so cute and innocent, but they are meaner than snakes when they don't get their fill of coloring eggs. So we are now swimming in lovely colored eggs. Anyone for an egg salad sandwich?







Notice how these first few photos only show the girls. Mikey was too embarrassed to color eggs with "the girls". I think he has a crush on Hailey and Hannah or maybe the crush is on their mom (She is my sweet friend and "adopted" sister...all the kids call her Aunt Amy) So Brad had to hunt him down and carry him to the patio. He wasn't real happy...can you tell?



He kept his hood on the entire time because he was afraid that "Aunt" Amy would kiss him! Whenever she is around, he keeps his distance...but secretly loves it when she corners him and steals a kiss.





Bryleigh could have cared less about the egg coloring. She wanted Lizzy. Elizabeth is such a good dog and loves her babies. She acts just like Nana from Peter Pan, constantly "babysitting" the kids.



Brad came up with the wonderful idea of letting the kids wear surgical gloves. He said that it would keep their hands clean. No brightly dyed fingers in our Easter photos! It was a good thought, but didn't work like it was suppose to.











And here is some of the finished product. The "ugly" dark green egg was suppose to be a camouflage egg. Obviously it didn't turn out very well...



Early Sunday morning, after the Easter Bunny decided to hide Kyla and Bryleigh's baskets…





Mommy and Daddy had the rare pleasure of actually waking the girls up for once!





Kyla had no problem finding her basket...



and even helped Bryleigh find hers.



Then she tore into her basket. She loved the egg filled with chocolate...



but she really loved the frilly bunny ears and feathery fan!



Here are my beautiful girls! Don't you just want to pinch their cheeks and cover them with kisses!





Mom Mom and PaPa with the kids...



My nieces and nephew...



And finally...the happy Scarlet O'Kara family...



Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

P.S. Will someone come and visit me? I am getting stir-crazy being surrounded by sick kidlets! And if you visit, don't forget the Margaritas. I will love you forever and ever...and call you my bestest friend. :)

Beautiful Day At The Park...

It was one of those days that really makes you thankful that you live in Sunny Florida. The sun was shining, the breeze felt heavenly, and the temperatures were in the low 80s. The kids wanted to do nothing more than spend every moment outside.

Enjoy the photos.

In The Clear For Five Years...

Great news! I am not the "3rd" in my pattern of "Great Things Happen In 3s" pregnancy announcements. Went to the appointment yesterday morning and received the negative test. So we were able to proceed with next form of bc that we are trying out. We were assured that this one would work and there would not be any "surprise" announcements until we decided to have it removed. Guess you could say that we are "in the clear for the next 5 years" unless we decide to try for another precious baby before then.

I was fortunate enough to have 4 years to devote my time and energy to Kyla before Bryleigh came along. Now I can do the same for Miss Bry. The Mr. is as happy as a clam because his "boys" are intact. Now I can use that extra large bag of frozen peas for dinner!

So the big question is...Who is my "Number 3"? Will this be you in a couple of months?

Is It That Time Of Year? Or Is There Something In The Water?

It was one year ago yesterday that my youngest daughter made her growing presence known. After celebrating St. Patrick's Day with some family and friends, I developed what we thought was a really bad case of food poisoning...probably from the combination of blue cheese dressing on the salad and lots of vinegar on the Corned Beef. A combination like that has got to make anyone have an upset tummy.

When I was still feeling awful a week later, I made an appointment with my doctors office. Imagine my surprise when she told me I was pregnant! I guess it really should not of surprised us considering that we became pregnant with our oldest child while I was on the bc pill...so why would it be any different when I was on the bc ring!?!?



While I was thinking about all of these memories yesterday morning, I received a wonderful e-mail from a dear friend and former co-worker. She was excited to tell me that she was pregnant with her second baby. Her first is only 10 months old and we enjoyed being pregnant together at work...another buddy to share aches, pains, and cravings with!

This morning I get another e-mail from another former co-worker. She was also excited to tell me that she was pregnant with her first. She wanted to thank Bryleigh for bringing her good luck! The last time we saw each other, she held Bryleigh close and my sweet baby girl gave her good baby thoughts and rubbed against her belly.



So the question is? Is it just that time of year for babies to start growing? Is there something in the water? Or is the Luck Of The Irish with Bryleigh?

P.S. On a side note, these two announcements have also got me a bit freaked out. You know how good things happen in 3s...while I am suppose to go to the doctors tomorrow to try a more reliable form of bc. Before this can take place, I need to have a pregnancy test. Wouldn't it be just my luck...

Another Great Success!

The whole gang loved yesterday's recipe. Had hoped that I would have enough left over to make Irish Beef Stew...but the meant was the first thing devoured, followed quickly by the green beans and cabbage. I love it that the kids request seconds and thirds on meat and veggies.

Do you want to know what else they love and request all of the time?

Salad...



and Sushi!



How crazy is that?!?! When they have the choice between french fries or side salad, they will ask for the fries but end up stealing my side salad. One time when I was grocery shopping, we walked by the Sushi Station and a chorus of little voices belts out..."Sushi! We love Sushi!" How can you turn down a request like that?

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling...

they must look something like these...





I usually make the traditional Irish Boiled Dinner (i.e. Corned Beef, Cabbage, & Potatoes). Since we are all watching our diets, that one is out of the question. Have you seen how much sodium in in one serving of Corned Beef! Yikes!! So, I am trying a new recipe.

Irish Spiced Beef

3 tbsp. packed brown sugar
2 tsp. ground cloves
2 tsp. ground allspice
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. cracked black pepper
4 lb. beef bottom round or beef chuck pot roasts
1 3/4 cups lower sodium beef broth
1 bottle (12 fl. oz.) stout or dark beer

MIX brown sugar, cloves, allspice, cinnamon and pepper in bowl. Add roast and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 12 hr. or overnight.

REMOVE roast and place in oven-safe sauce pot.

ADD broth and beer. Cover and bake at 350 degrees. for 3 hr. or until roast is fork-tender. Remove roast and let stand 10 min. Thinly slice roast. Serve with pan juices. Sprinkle with parsley.

Serves 8.

Will let you know how this turns out.

Guinea Pig Friday Update

Well, the recipe remake was a success! Made a double batch and this was all that was left. Was looking forward to eating it for lunch on Saturday, but some "gremlin" must have gotten hungry. By morning light, it was gone! Guess I will be making it again.

Not sure what to make for Guinea Pig Friday this week...maybe Turkey and Bean Burritos? Any suggestions?

Guinea Pig Friday...

You might be asking yourself..."What in the world is Guinea Pig Friday?" Well, it is something that I just made up. Like most of you, I enjoy cooking and have many family favorites that are probably not the most healthy things to eat on a regular basis.

So, I decided to create Guinea Pig Friday. That is when I take an unhealthy recipe and try to remake it healthier. Then my family and friends get to be the "Guinea Pigs" that I test it out on.

Today, I am going to remake a recipe that doesn't sound so great, but it really does taste good. The name sounds funny and the ingredients do not sound so appetizing together, but it is something quick, easy, and no matter how much I make, there is never enough to save for leftovers. Here is the recipe...

Tater Tot Casserole

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 bag tater tots, frozen

In a casserole dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, crumble up the ground beef. Make sure that it evenly covers the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the diced onion on top of the beef and then use the salt and pepper. Spread the cream of chicken soup over the top and then cover that with the shredded cheddar cheese. Finally, arrange the tater tots over the top.

Put in a preheated oven and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

I am going to try and remake this using ground turkey, no salt, fat-free soup, low fat cheese and fresh shredded potatoes. Will let you know how it turns out.

How Would You Have Handled This Situation?

Last night, my husband told me a story about a friend of his. The husband had decided to buy some diamond stud earrings for his wife to celebrate their upcoming anniversary. He purchased them early to receive a great price during the recent long holiday season. Because he wanted to make the gift a surprise, he also opened up a new credit card using his work address for the bills. Then he hid the earrings in his golf shoes in the closet. With all of his careful planning, he was sure that it was going to be a secret gift for his better half.

Imagine his surprise when he received this phone call yesterday for the wife. She was madder than a wet hen and calling him every name she could think of. I imagine the conversation went something like this...

W - So...who is she?

H - Who is who?

W - Someone at work? Someone you met during one of your "business trips"?

H - What are you talking about?

W - The woman you bought the g^% d@mned diamond earrings for!

H - Oh sh!t! How do you know about the diamond earrings?

W - So it it true! You're cheating on me!

H - I am not cheating on you!

W - I just received a phone call from a representative from the credit card that you secretly opened up, asking how I like my new earrings!

H - Those f#$king a$$h*l^$! I was trying to surprise you for our anniversary. Go look in the closet. I have them hidden in my stinky golf shoes. The one place that I knew you wouldn't look!

Like the saying goes...

The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions!

Now We Know What Was Really In Those Coconut Cream Pies!

I am heartbroken. Mary Ann is a pot-head. The hut that she shared with Ginger is really a Hot Box. The Professor ran a Meth Lab. Never would have guessed this. From Scooby, Shaggy, and those pesky kids as they roams around in their Mystery Machine...but not from Sweet Mary Ann! The Goody Goody Farm Girl.

She was sentenced recently to five days in jail, fined $410.50 and placed on six months of probation after pleading guilty to one count of reckless driving as well as having marijuana in her car.

I wonder what else they were growing on the island? Is that how the Howells continued to make their millions?

I Am Insane!!!

That is the only explanation as to why on earth I thought it would be a good idea to take all five children (under the age of 7) to the doctor's office. Two needed school physicals so that they could start their new schools, one needed a exam to make sure that her ear ache was getting better, one needed her 4 month check up, and one was along for the ride.

All was going relatively well until it was time for the oldest to get his urine checked. Mikey was completely appalled at the though of having to pee in a cup and refused to do it. After talking with him for a couple of minutes and assuring him that it was standard procedure for "big boy" exams, he relented...but would only put a few drops in the cup. No more than that because it was just too gross!

Next was the finger prick to check their blood. Mikey was wary, but took the finger stick like a champ. He thought it was cool watching his blood fill up the tiny testing tube. Kaleigh flipped out and had to be held while the nurse did her job. She tried to smack the nurse, but thankfully she was quick with her job. Kadence was upset because she didn't get her finger pricked and started to cry. Kaleigh then started worrying aloud about the possibility of actual shots. (She was due to have 4, but I tried to distract her until it was time.) She tried to quietly hid under the exam table with hopes that we would forget about her.

Kadence stopped crying when it was time for her exam and behaved so well. She sat very still for the doctor and did everything that he asked her to do. Thankfully she didn't have an ear infection, but did have the start of a sinus infection. So more antibiotics for her. Have to take her back in 10 days to make sure that she is infection free.

Bryleigh also did great. She laid very still while she was given her check-up. The little monkey is in the 90th percentile for her age! She is almost 15 lbs and as healthy as a horse. My sister's kids are tiny for their age and rank in the 10th percentile while both of mine are bustin' off the charts. She gets the mice and I get the moose!

Finally it was time for the real fun to begin...shots! Both Kaleigh and Bryleigh had to have 4 each. Kaleigh was first. Figured that she would be the hardest. That she would run for the hills if Bryleigh went first. She scream hysterically for the next 15 minutes...and I finally understand why some people use to slap hysterical people to calm them down. As soon as the shots were administered and she was given her lollipop and stickers, all was forgotten...at least until someone mentioned it. Then she was limping and crying...really working it.

Bryleigh did pretty good. She cried of course, but noting like the Oscar worthy performance by Kaleigh. Afterwards, she was smiling and giggling again.

All in all, we were in the exam room from 2:40 until almost 4:30. Never again will I try this again. No more than two appointments at a time from here on out...

On the way home, I had some pretty cranky little ones. Thankfully the two youngest ones fell asleep as soon as we got home. The three oldest ones went out to play. Had to take pictures of the sleeping beauties. They looked so sweet and angelic. Wish I could have taken a nap too or at the very least, drank a margarita!

OMG!

I just talked with an Urban Legend on the phone...

I made a phone call to inquire about the billing status on one of my accounts. The woman that I spoke with was named (and I kid you not...) Velveeta! I even asked her to repeat, as well as spell her name. The poor girl must get that question directed at her alot!



Just goes to show you...a name is so very important!