Sunday, December 25, 2011

A REAL Top Toys List and The Guard Was Not Required

Every year all the major stores produce their own list of top toys for year. I'm not sure where they pull these stats from but I never  pay mind to them anymore. Usually they are over priced pieces of plastic that are a huge waste of money. I decided to use my 13 years experience as a Mommy to make my own top toys list. Some are old toys and some are a few things I actually just discovered this year and some are not  toys. I have to include a couple electronics since I am rounding the corner of having a teenager in less than a month. They are in no particular order. I think they they are each equally fantastic.

The first is the Aqua Doodle. We have had 4 of these and they are great little inventions. The kids love them. The 2 year old all the way to the 13 year old has been caught playing with these. No batteries. No mess. No noise. Win win.

Next is a trampoline/net. We have also has a few of these. Their only con is they take flight in strong winds. They have gotten less expensive from the first one we had 11 years ago. The nets make them safe for the 2 year old as well. We have had 3 and will have another. If it takes flight we will replace it as well. Love love love them.

Having all boys you won't find barbies or baby dolls on my list but you will find Die Cast toys. The little plastic tractors, trucks, cars, lawn mowers, trailers, ect. are crap even if they say John Deere on the package. Don't waste your money. Always buy die cast and they will have them till they have children of their own.

Next is the Apple iPod. Not exactly a toy for younger ones. My oldest has one and so do I. You must buy a Otter Box for them. They are fragile but these nifty little protective cases make them virtually immune to drops and spills.

The next I just bought for Christmas this year and only have a few hours experience with it. So far I am very impressed. No pieces to keep up with except one little laser type pen. Its called a Glow Crazy. I got Eli a travel one and one to play with at home. Eli and I have taken turns. Amazing little pen and glow paper that sticks to the walls and makes them a huge drawing board.

I also adore the Crayola easels. We have had two of these as well. Wonderful for the little artist in the family.

Sidewalk chalk will be a toy that is always readily available in my home as well as bubbles. We have bubble machines, bubble guns, bubble lawnmowers, ect. Great for all ages and great got getting the family together for photographs. Bubbles are timeless and can even be made at home. I must admit tho, I buy the Gazillion brand bubbles. They are a bit expensive but make THE BEST bubbles ever!!

The last 2 is the Wii and the Xbox 360 Kinect. I can't decide between the two. We have both and they each are great for different things. The Kinect does require much more space to play then the Wii but the Wii still requires the hand held remotes. If you can't have both then depending on the age of your children I'd suggest one or the other. The Wii belongs to our 5 year old and the Kinect is great for the 8 year old and up.

I'd love to hear about your favorite toys as well.

Hope you each had a great Holiday. Ours was great. Breakfast with Santa at Chaney's Dairy Farm was great as always.  My family dinner went off without incident. The National Guard was not called in. Thecompliments on the food and the house made my head so big I barely could fit through the doorways. :)
The house was full of kids and family. I could not have wished for a better couple of days with my tribe.

Tree is already down. I waste no time taking down decor. I thought I'd leave it up a few extra days this year but my OCD would not allow it. It was giving me the shakes. (hahahaha)

No food at all was left over. People took plates home for lunch today as well. When they ask for to go plates it really must be good, right?

We Deep Fried our Turkey and we will never fix one any other way. 14 pound turkey, GONE!

Now that Christmas is over I have 2 important birthdays coming up. Peyton turns 13 and Evyn turns 2. 13 is a bitter pill for us to swallow and Evyn's will be Bitter Sweet as well. My miracle baby boy.

Lots of peace and love to each of you. I hope you are all bubbling over with it as much as us tonight.

Hope you enjoy pictures from our weekend.








Monday, December 19, 2011

If I make it through December I'm demanding a vacation.

Holidays are not good to bloggers. I have NO TIME whatsoever to sit. My days are so long that the second I am in a horizontal position sleep spontaneously occurs.

Christmas shopping is done. I think.

Christmas will be at out home this year. I am stoked to say the least. Lesia and Diane are helping me otherwise I don't think I could pull off dinner for 25ish bodies.

I have dusted, scrubbed, shampooed, mopped,washed, vacuumed, wiped down, wiped off, polished, shined, bleached and even painted three times over. And will two more times since the kids will be home 3 days before this meal takes place.

The boys are great. Except for this whining stage that Zac has entered and its about to drive me insane.

Before I pass out for a couple hours I just wanted to share my menu for Saturday.

Deep Fried Turkey
Pork Loin
Chicken
Dressing
Potatoes
Pintos
Cornbread
Yeast Rolls
Fryed Apples
Brown Gravy
Corn
Cranberry Salad
Chicken n dumplings
Green Beans
Red Velvet Cake
Sweet potato Cobbler
Pineapple Upside Cake
Homemade Custard
Pumpkin Pie
Italian Cream Pie

Saturday morning is Breakfast with Santa at Chaney's Dairy Farm. There are 17 of us attending as a group. We went last year and the boys requested to go again this year.

Tomorrow is parties at school.

If you don't hear from me shortly after Christmas you'd better send in the Guard.

Happy Holidays.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Georgia, you suck!

I have to rant before I explode. I'm going to make it short and to the point.
Danny got pulled over in  Dekalb County,GA in May. When he realized the officer had turned his lights on he did not get off at his exit because apparently cops get rather angry when they are on the side of a exit ramp.
He pulled over just sightly past his exit.
The initail citation was for tinted windows. Luckily for him he also received a ticket for not using the bypass which required him to take the exit that he passed just after the officer flipped his light on.
The ticket for tinted windows was 480.00. It's cheaper to get caught with a prostitute in GA then have tinted windows. Yes, we looked.
The second, for failure to use the bypass was for 280.00.
Both were paid and GA closed the case. They neglected to send the information that it had been resolved to KY and therefore last week Danny's CDL was suspended.
Be advised that if you ever need to speak to a actual person in Dekalb County GA that you are shit out of luck. I have emailed these people 20 times. Danny's company has done the same. I have contacted ever single number in the judicial system. They all tell me the same thing or redirect me to a automated system where I can pay these citations AGAIN and then receive confirmation and have the license reinstated.
I am seriously considering contacting the governor and telling him how bad his state sucks ass!!
I have been advised by someone employed inside the court house there that this is a very common complaint and to avoid waiting a month for this to be resolved that it's best to make the drive and handle it in person. Well, he'd love too IF he had a license. He has decided maybe he should make the drive and do something terrible to get pulled over. THEN maybe he might get a chance to speak to someone inside the courthouse. I'm sure the jail has a number for someone inside the courthouse, right?
Jerks.

Water for Elephants



Two words. Must see.
I know. I know......I never ever watch a movie without first reading the book. So this one is now added to my Santa Wish list.