Tweens
Monday, December 7, 2009, by Sherra
Oh I wish I could be more like my friend Leigh Anne.
Okay, not really but I do truly admire the special people who transform their house into a magical holiday home with festive decorations by the box full. (But seriously, 25 boxes?)
This weekend was a little different for us than past years. First, we usually decorate our house on Thanksgiving weekend but since PhilBillPaul and Scary Baby were in Texas, we waited.
Second, we were minus 3 kids so the 10 year-old darling daughter had the honor of unboxing all our decorations that PhilBillPaul brought down from the attic after they brought home a Christmas tree she picked out.
I really wish I had taken pictures of the 3 red and green plastic bins filled with all our holiday treasures. Because I can’t do justice to what we found inside with mere words.
The surprises we found are a direct result of the fact that we have put the *big* kids in charge of decorating for the past several years.
I will be the first to point a finger at Roger Leroy because she has always been the most eager to get everything out and decorate the tree, the house, lights on the porch and in her room, etc.
She keeps it well-hidden but she’s a super festive kid.
But we all know that decorating is WAY more fun than UN-decorating.
She had put things away in a most unorganized fashion. Like items were not together. Tangled lights and broken ornaments. There were some tears as Scary Baby unwrapped special ornaments stuck to melted candles.
Side note to my mother: “Yes Mom, you are absolutely right. It would be way, way easier to do it myself…but then I would miss all the glory of a teachable moment…and have nothing to blog about.”
And I really let them do it because I am always looking for opportunities to relinquish some of my control-freak tendencies and be more “fun.”
Picture a warm, fuzzy Hallmark or Taster’s Choice holiday commercial.
Minus the warm, fuzzy part.
Yeah, that’s our house.
Anyway, we cleaned out the boxes, salvaged the ornaments and threw away the melted candles.
I turned on my iPod holiday music playlist.
And then we let Scary Baby trim the tree all by herself.
She did an excellent job and I’m sure the big kids will enjoy the fruits of her labor and lavish praise upon her.
In the midst of all our fun, I did make little treat bags for the college kids who stopped by and are back at school taking their last final exams this week. I made Leigh Anne’s Reindeer Cookie Bark. (As always, cute pictures and detailed instructions are on her blog.)
Since Christmas is no time to cut out sugar, PhilBillPaul even whipped up two batches of Buttermilk Fudge for us to test. The recipe is a keeper with or without pecans. YUM!
Is your house all decorated for the holidays? How many boxes of decorations do you have? Not being nosey, just interested…
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Thursday, December 3, 2009, by Sherra
Continuing my series on Clean Rooms and the lack thereof in my house…
First, I want to clear up some confusion from Monday’s post about the teenagers and clean rooms. Those pictures and conversation were from several weeks ago and we did have a very nice Thanksgiving.
Mostly because I did not take pictures of their room during their Thanksgiving break.
Second, I know it is Thursday as I have now come out of my heavily medicated state from back-to-back migraines. I had to go easy on the first round of drugs because I had to drive to the airport to pick up PhilBillPaul and Scary Baby on Monday afternoon. So Tuesday is but a blur and therefore no Wednesday post.
That explanation is really just for my mom and Granny as they sometimes stress when I don’t stick to my blog “schedule.”
Now back to…
Clean Rooms
After we surprised Scary Baby with her Thanksgiving trip to Texas with Daddy, we struck a deal that when she got back, she would be cleaning out her dresser drawers and closet that were atrocious.
I have never seen clothes multiply more rapidly for one child than this one. She goes to sleep and in the morning her drawers won’t open because they are stuffed so tight. Her closet has its own issues. Seems clothes jump off the hangers and pile themselves on the floor.
In a tribute to her 10 year-old independence and my vast experience with the first three darling children, I let her tackle this on her own.
Why?
Because they have all repeatedly told me with love in their voice, “PLEASE STAY OUT MOM. I CAN HANDLE IT AND DON’T NEED YOUR HELP.”
So this time, I listened and said I would leave her alone.
For anyone wondering, I did give her clear and simple instructions.
- Clean out one drawer at a time so it’s not so overwhelming.
- Create a Give Away pile with clothes that do not fit and are not stained or torn.
- Create a Throw Away pile for clothes that are too gross for you or anyone else to wear.
I was a little annoyed when she said, “Come in and look BUT don’t worry, I’m NOT done – it’s just really funny and I want you to see it before I start.”
And yes, it was quite high until she JUMPED into the pile.
Lord help me but I didn’t see anything funny. And I crawled back into my room thankful for remnants of medication still floating in my system.
But then I summoned her back to my room and said “Here’s my camera. Take before and after pictures so you can document your progress.”
She was all excited to take pictures and asked how many she should take. Love digital…take as many as you want!
Then I fell into a deep sleep for about two hours until she was pecking on me saying, “I’m done. Want to see the pictures?”
The darling kid actually took aerial shots of inside her drawers.
FYI: She took 19 pictures. I edited that down to 5 just for y’all.
Lesson learned: Never doubt your child’s ability. They can do just about anything they put their mind to!
I’m pretty sure Scary Baby is for hire and will come and clean out your child’s room for cash. She’s always looking for ways to earn a little money.
P.S. I still have to review the Give Away bags – I have often found perfectly good clothes in them because, by the end, the darlings have a tendency to stuff anything in the bags because it is easier than folding or hanging.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009, by Sherra
On Tuesday, Scary Baby impersonated a 62 year-old woman from Italy.
I’m told she was suppose to look grouchy.
She loved getting to wear high heels and stockings. I guess one girly-girl out of three isn’t bad.
How nice it felt for me to have “OLD LADY” clothes and jewelry to help her get into character. Cool and hip – that’s me.
Thank goodness she had extra white hair paint from Halloween.
And how lucky was it that I ordered an extra Magic Bun this summer so I could expertly make at least 10 attempts to put her hair in a bun? The thing is complicated, I’m telling you.
I love my suggestion to put the American flag in her purse. Flag compliments of Krispy Kreme from Veteran’s Day. How American is that?
She couldn’t wait to get on the bus in her new outfit. Yeah, there is a sidewalk under those leaves. The neighbors love us as I’m sure you can imagine.
On top of the festivities of Immigration Day at school, she informed me she needed to take a Thanksgiving treat in for her class.
Good thing I was already baking when she told me. There was actually enough to make two dozen mini muffins – can you guess what flavor?
Ha – NOT maple!
I switched it up and made these scrumptious Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese. Yum!
The muffins and the day were a great success. She passed her immigration test and is allowed to stay here in the United States. I hear her husband did not pass. Ouch.
Dancing With The Stars Finale
On Monday night, I did vote as did PhilBillPaul {wink} so Donny and Kym got 10 votes from us. Even The Grunter registered online and voted. He defiantly threw 2 votes Mya’s way just to get me to squeal.
But giving her two of his five votes didn’t work.
CONGRATS DONNY!!
Donny and Kym win! / Dancing with the Stars / ABC
I so loved seeing an *older* man hang with the young folk and WIN!!!!
(He’s the oldest to win in nine seasons!)
Woo-hoo.
Such a great, feel good show in a sea of TV that is barely fit to watch.
What on earth will I do now on Monday and Tuesday night?
Happy Thanksgiving
It will be a little smaller gathering than usual at our house as PhilBillPaul is flying to Texas to spend some time with his family. Shhhh…it’s a surprise but he’s taking Scary Baby with him. She was so excited about Immigration Day she would have just worn us out if we told her early.
The three big kids and I will be having a small, quiet Thanksgiving here at home.
However you are spending your Thanksgiving, I hope you have a wonderful day with your loved ones!
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Monday, November 2, 2009, by Sherra
Remain seated.
My Monday post is on Monday.
Halloween was a 3 day affair if you don’t count the party Scary Baby went to two weeks earlier. Who knew that one picture I snapped that evening would be her best Halloween picture?
On Thursday, the darling twins went to a dance at their college and emailed me their winning costume. See if you can guess what they were from the dark, blurry pictures they emailed me…
Their creative friend Jordan came up with the idea for five of them to go as…
Interlocking Tetris pieces
Tetris is a computer game for those who are still scratching their heads. 
They won first prize. So glad they are carrying on the family tradition of award-winning Halloween costumes!
On Friday, Scary Baby went to party #2. She opted for a hobo look complete with self-drawn magic marker beard (washable marker she informed me quickly when I saw her face).
She needed to take a dish to pass – not dessert {gasp}. She picked mummy dogs and cheesy fingers. These were big hits at the party – file this for next year if you need ideas for easy and amusing Halloween party food.
Crescent roll dough makes everything better. Wrapping hot dogs in the dough and cutting string cheese in half was grueling work but someone had to do it.
On Saturday, Scary Baby went for the full blown scary vampire-like costume.
Newsflash: She did have a cape but we didn’t get a picture of the whole outfit. Why? Because when you tell ask your very literal husband to take a picture of his darling daughter on the porch…he takes a picture of her on the porch. As in ONE picture. Nice.
The poor 4th child has so few photos compared to the first three–I hear it’s a natural consequence of birth order.
Sunday, we had a delicious crockpot of chili compliments of Chef PhilBillPaul and I whipped up a very labor intensive dessert.
Okay, so maybe slicing an apple into 8 pieces, wrapping in crescent roll dough, pouring melted butter, sugar and vanilla followed by pouring a can of Mountain Dew® (hello Ann – are you reading this?) all over it and sprinkling with cinnamon took all of 5 minutes but oh baby, were these ever good.
The picture is unbaked but they look pretty much the same baked. Scary Baby said they look like chicken. We all agreed they did not taste like chicken! Find this crazy delicious Apple Dumplings recipe at Pioneer Woman.
And here’s the candy she didn’t want…
So relieved to see that someone was thoughtful enough to give out those 1/2 ounce bags of healthy pretzels to offset all the candy. Whew.
She can’t be related to us but we did say thank you.
Happy November! How was your Halloween weekend?
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Monday, October 12, 2009, by Sherra
Dear Mom,
The cupcakes I made on Sunday were so amazing and delicious that I really wish I could mail a box to Illinois so you could try them.
But I can’t.
Because we ate them all.
Sorry 
I can tell you all about them though so maybe you’ll be inspired to make them yourself. Or not.
What started out as a recipe I found and printed…Nutmeg Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream Frosting become Spice Cupcakes with Maple Syrup Frosting at my friend Leigh Anne’s house. I sent her the recipe and then she made them before I did. No real surprise since she is a baking and cupcake queen! But I couldn’t believe she changed the recipe so there wasn’t any NUTMEG?!
Anyway, I couldn’t get them out of my mind so I whipped them up this weekend. Except I turned them into…
Nutmeg & Cinnamon Cupcakes with
Maple Brown Sugar Buttercream Frosting
Long name I know, but oh so divine!
You can use Leigh Anne’s non-nutmeg recipe and instead use 2 tsp of nutmeg and 1 tsp of cinnamon. I might just do 1 tsp of nutmeg and 1 tsp of cinnamon next time. No matter what spice combo you choice, this recipe is a keeper! (You could just eat the frosting and not make the cupcakes…just sayin’)
Friday night I had made a fun little Halloween treat with Scary Baby and one of her friends. She wants to go to two neighborhood parties so I wanted to try this Candy Corn Cookie Bark. I will admit the oreos and pretzels made me a little skeptical.
Yum! I would add even more pretzels next time. For much better pictures and detailed directions, visit Leigh Anne’s blog.
As you can see, my quest to cut down sugar at our house is going very well.
It’s October – we’re obviously taking a little break.
I had two perfect treats to send home with Wizzy and Jordan who stopped by on their way back to college after a weekend of fun visiting Jordan’s family.
Jordan also scored Roger Leroy’s little Halloween treat bucket.
Because Roger Leroy wasn’t able to stop by on her busy weekend. I think they saved her a cupcake.
We’re loving our gorgeous Fall weather. Has it snowed there yet?
tiny lol
Love,
Your Darling Daughter
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009, by Sherra
The rain has finally stopped. Knock on wood.
After 4 years of drought we try not to complain about rain. But who could predict the Atlanta area would flood?
Thanks to those who emailed and called to check on us. We were fortunate with only a little water in our basement.
Lots of sad stories and loss.
For some people, really bad days.
Maybe you caught the story of this poor guy last week.
Luckily he wasn’t injured when he drove his car into the sinkhole because someone moved the orange barrels that are back now surrounding the hole.
And to add insult to injury, the story got worse when thieves stole his radio while his car was in the sinkhole.
Poor guy.
Meanwhile we headed to North Georgia on Saturday to visit the girls for Parent Weekend.
Because we hadn’t seen them in FIVE WHOLE DAYS.
And they really miss us.
As you will now see from these touching family photos of our time together in the pouring rain with all outdoor activities canceled.
We acquired an extra teen which we don’t mind at all. They are usually nicer to us than our own.
We decided to drive to the apple orchard since we were so close. Even though Rachel Pretty had already announced she didn’t want to go to the orchard. She doesn’t like orchards.
We took her feelings into consideration and then we drove to the orchard in her car because we needed six seat belts.
Scary Baby insisted on going out in the pouring rain to stick her head in the stockade with her new wax lips.
Then Rachel Pretty screamed at us because we were dawdling. We were on a tight time schedule and our 30 minutes of being inside and dry was up.
She threatened to leave us but PhilBillPaul dangled the car keys from the orchard porch.
Nice to know her car will start without the keys.
We all got back in the car for more family bonding while PhilBillPaul drove us back to the campus as it continued to pour down rain and I squealed whenever we drove through standing water on the road.
Pretty found some gum in the back seat. It turned out to be really old.
So she did what we would all do. She rolled down the window in the pouring rain to spit the gum out.
Only to have the gum ricochet back in from the window frame and land on her.
Which turned out to be the highlight of our day.
Well, that and the healthy serving of apples at the orchard.
Don’t judge an apple fritter by this photo. They really are delicious. But if you have never had one and I didn’t carefully label this photo, you might think it was something else…
I am refraining from putting you through the cell phone video of the girls singing Taylor Swift and Beyoncé songs at the top of their lungs when the iPod died.
We stopped by Wal-Mart, gave them a coupon for dinner at a local restaurant and drove them back to their dorm.
Quality family time. That’s what we’re all about.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009, by Sherra
I’ve never been one.
No offense to those who are earthy crunchy. Moms or otherwise.
Most of you know of our bad eating habits, the lack of vegetables, the love of desserts here at the Humpfreeze house.
I know it will be surprising to discover I’ve been trying to bring a few more healthy choices into our life.
Baby Steps
We’ve been taking small steps trying to wean all of us three of us off the “white stuff” meaning the refined sugars and enriched flours and food that is filled with preservatives. We’re trying to eat more “Real Food” which is a book I’ve enjoyed reading recently.
Stop laughing.
I can hear people who know me, oh so well, that they think this may be impossible.
All I can tell you is we’re trying.
I’ve been inspired by another blogger, Jo-Lynne who has made much bigger changes with her family cooking.
We think it could seriously help us with Scary Baby and her appetite and her attitude. We’ll get back to you on that. I can tell you she’s being a trooper about trying to change some of her eating habits.
First Step
I’d like to get rid of all boxed cereals. You might have thought I had told Scary Baby that she had to eat liver and onions for breakfast now. Boy, oh boy, this kid is seriously addicted to boxed cereals.
So I made homemade granola.
I left out the coconut and doubled the sunflower seeds. PhilBillPaul and I actually really like it. Scary Baby isn’t eating it. Plain or with whole milk. She’s not having it.
Side note: Granola recipe here and PhilBillPaul made the granola bars which we both like too. Scary Baby – not so much. I also tried this Baked Soaked Oatmeal a few weeks ago and really liked it. I cut it in squares and heated it on the stove and added a little milk. Can you tell I love oatmeal?
So Sunday night I made a whole batch of homemade breakfast burritos and froze them so she can start her day with some protein…eggs, cheese and sausage. Instead of sugar, sugar, sugar.
No so appetizing-looking when frozen but PhilBillPaul was kind enough to sample one before I froze them and he gave them his seal of approval.
This is a convenient alternative to cereal.
Because let’s not get ridiculous and think I have ever gotten up and whipped up a hot breakfast for child 1, 2, 3 or 4. Doesn’t happen. Ever.
Baby steps – I’m trying. I am convinced that most pre-packaged convenience food filled with artificial everything is not good for us. Just my opinion.
Not turning into an earthy, crunchy mom. But I’ll be sure and let you know if we get a chicken for fresh eggs and a cow for fresh milk.
Can’t wait to tell you what changes we’ve made for her school lunches. Let’s just say it’s a far cry from what the first three ate…
No worries that I’ve banned sugar completely. Scary Baby got busy baking me a birthday cake last night with a little help from PhilBillPaul.
She has plenty of time to decorate her masterpiece because school has been canceled again due to this crazy flooding we’re having down here in Georgia.
Meanwhile, what do you eat for breakfast?
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Tuesday, September 8, 2009, by Sherra
We had all three girls home for the long weekend while The Grunter enjoyed an early birthday present in downtown Atlanta.
We have discussed it and realize he could have worse hobbies.
Even if we don’t share his fascination with this particular one and if you are confused by the pictures, you can read more about Dragon*Con here and book your tickets for next year’s convention.
We enjoyed lots of home cooking (yes, I still remember how – thank you very much), great music at a local Mexican restaurant and a movie.
Our long weekend culminated with the darling twins making time for a round of golf. Scary Baby accompanied our foursome and rode in the cart.
The weather was gorgeous. The first nine holes were fun for all of us. Especially me because I beat everyone. Not gloating, just telling it like it is.
The back nine – well – we had pushed the fun envelope a little too far.
Scary Baby started falling apart because it was taking too long and she HAD TO GET BACK HOME because she was in charge of THE PARADE in our neighborhood that she had organized {insert whiny voice} days earlier. She swears it was approved by dad. I knew nothing about it.
On the 14th hole, I would have paid top dollar for someone to film Roger Leroy falling into a small ditch with a concrete wall that she thought she would just *hop* over. She tried to recover and fell in another hole.
I fell over in the cart laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe.
She collapsed for a third time because we were both laughing so hard.
This is the PT Frog of the Cycle cadet stud.
And I am refraining from mentioning that she fell down on hole #2 as she scampered down a tiny hill to grab an horrible errant shot.
She insists the grass was wet.
We gave up after the 14th hole. Roger Leroy was bleeding from scraping against the concrete wall in the ditch. Scary Baby was whining more.
She was LATE for her OWN PARADE!!!!
She had posted flyers and told EVERYONE.
Please Lord, not another neighborhood flyer.
Side note: Is spelling “Labour” a British version?
Answers to questions I’ll probably never know:
How can free be a “rip-off” and why were they trying to convince us they “are not cute”? This one was a doozie and PhilBillPaul and I are still baffled as to who said it was “cute” and why that was not a selling feature.
As you can see, the street was lined with people.
They pulled their wagon float with a bike.
Extension cords were strewn across the yard for the music. DJ services provided by a neighbor dad.
I’m not sure any singing or skits ever took place.
I did hear they threw candy to the crowd.
Ah, the simple pleasures of childhood…
The poor quality photos were taken by Dad.
While yes, I’m not too proud to admit it, I slept through the parade.
Golfing and laughing at Roger Leroy just wore me out!!
What did you do for Labor Day Weekend?
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Friday, September 4, 2009, by Sherra
I might need to re-vamp my whole blog schedule since I just had to search the archives only to discover I’m so flexible that I never even had a “Flexible Friday” in August.
I’m blaming it on the darling twins. Who will be home by the time you are reading this.
On to real life…
Scary Baby and I were sitting in the car as PhilBillPaul stood in line waiting his turn to use the ATM.
Which I personally think has led to the demise of this generation and future generations who believe you just “go to that machine and get more money” is how you get money. I can’t remember if it was The Grunter or Roger Leroy who told me that some years ago. I am old and forgetful.
Anyway, we went to that machine to get some more money and Scary Baby started snickering in the backseat.
Me: What’s so funny?
SB: That guy has money on his underwear…
Me: Excuse me?
SB: Look, you can see his underwear and it has money on it. And he’s getting money at the machine. {giggle}
Me: Why do you think he needs to get money if his pants are filled with money?
{more giggling}
SB: Take a picture – that would be a funny blog post.
Me: I don’t have my camera. It probably won’t turn out with my camera phone.
SB: Try it, then maybe you can blow it up.
I’m pretty sure she’ll have her own blog soon.
Since the picture from my camera phone quality is so bad I thought you might want to see a close up of the underwear.
We’re just guessing they looked like this. Thank goodness, we really did only see a glimpse.
We then watched PhilBillPaul let the man behind him go in front of him.
We wondered why.
We were still laughing when he got back in the car. We explained the money pants.
(I saved the inappropriate comment of Buttload of Money for here and now.)
PhilBillPaul then told us the lovely man walked up behind him & informed him:
“I was actually here first – before you.”
Meaning he pulled in before us? He was sitting in his car holding his place? Phil outran him to the sidewalk? (That so did not happen!)
Only PhilBillPaul would motion for him to go ahead of him when Money Pants was done. Because he is NICE LIKE THAT.
And he said he’s never in that big of a hurry.
(I can confirm the latter.)
I used this as a teachable moment so that Scary Baby would understand that in addition to having the NICEST DAD ON THE PLANET, we also live in a time and place where someone might hurt you if you “take their turn” or irritate them in public.
Which was really going to be Friday’s post topic but when she spotted the Buttload of Money moment, I had to let that go first!
Did this story make national news?
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Man Slaps Stranger’s Crying Kid
Go ahead, click and read, then come back. I’ll wait.
I had to pause the TV to let PhilBillPaul see it when the local news aired the story.
As many of us can attest privately if not publicly that we have been disturbed by a child crying, screaming, squealing, whining or shrieking in public and wish their parents would remove them from the premises…
Whether it be restaurant, store, library, airplane etc., or my personal favorite… the movie theater.
And many of us can attest to the fact that at some point, the said child was OURS and we are THOSE parents.
(Except in my case – never the movie theater…thank you very much.)
I can only hope that my reader friends are those parents who do actually remove the child so as not to disturb others.
And remember those stressful moments and have mercy and grace on other parents.
As opposed to this grouchy, scary man in Georgia.
The two year old probably started crying when she saw him.
Frankly, I’m scared of him and I don’t scare too easily.
Remind me to tell you about my day in Wal-Mart hell with three toddlers oh so many years ago.
It’s a family favorite in our Humpfreeze story archive.
Until then, have a marvelous Labor Day weekend and click over to iLashGirls and enter to win one of our simply fabulous gifts because our one year anniversary giveaway goes through the weekend!
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Monday, August 31, 2009, by Sherra
We really are trying to get back to normal.
Whatever normal is.
I tend to interrupt people when they say
“When things get back to normal I will…”
Wait. Stop.
Define normal.
We have had a few normal moments.
In between the darling twins arrival, departure, return, departure, return, departure…yes, if you are counting – it means they came home.
AGAIN.
But back to the subject of normal…
We have experienced Scary Baby’s first day of school.
In a brand new school. 5th grade. No pictures. 4th child syndrome. Sorry.
PhilBillPaul had another birthday. That was barely acknowledged because it fell on the 2nd day of school and the day the twins left. Sorry.
This is our normal.
This past Friday after school, Scary Baby had another unnecessary magical elementary school dance.
This one with the theme of Solid Gold 70’s Dance.
Do I really need to tell you that the one with the rainbow afro wig (which doubles as a clown wig at Halloween – I love multi-purpose items) is our precious Scary Baby?
This picture brings us back full circle.
Define Normal?
Hope you have some *normal* moments this week…
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