Deck Repairs And A Beach Trip

Good morning readers!

My husband is back to work today after having an entire week off.  It was nice having him home and it was sad to see him off this morning.  He spent most of the week rebuilding a new deck in our backyard.  It was a lot of blood, sweat and tears ... and sun burn ... but so far it looks wonderful.  I love it!  It's far from finished but I'm very happy with what he has done already.  I definitely want to show some before and after pictures once it's all complete but this project is costing more than anticipated so it's going to take a little more time.  I'm so happy that we've finally had a chance to move forward with some of the work that needs done to this house.  We had a new roof put on a few months ago and now the back deck.  I've also been slowly working on the flower beds and making the landscaping look nice.  I have so many great ideas ... only wish I could afford to do what I want.  In time.  It costs so much owning and maintaining a home, doesn't it?  We'll get there.

During his vacation we did get a chance to visit a beach.  The disadvantage with living in Pennsylvania is we don't have any beaches.  Rivers and lakes, yes.  But no real beaches.  We wanted to take the kids to a beach that was close enough to be a day trip.  Rob found one in Maryland right off of the Chesapeake Bay.  It was smaller than other beaches I've been to (hey, I was once a Long Island girl.  I'm spoiled when it comes to beaches) but it was very nice.  The kids LOVED it.  They weren't afraid of the water, collected sea shells, played in the sand and had a fun time.  Brianna still hasn't stopped saying, "I wanna go beach.  I wanna go beach."  She loved it so much and didn't want to leave.  In fact, it was a nightmare trying to get her in the car when we decided to leave.

So we'll give this beach two thumbs up.  Sandy Point State Park. 

Well, I need to spend the day catching up on housework and getting back into my exercise routine.  I started to slack off while hubby was home.  No excuse! 

Monday Musings

Well, in an effort to keep this blog consistent I decided to start making a specific entry every Monday.  For now I'll call it 'Monday Musings' but I may change that title at some point.  I've seen quite a few other bloggers do something similar to this so I apologize if it seems I'm stealing anything.  I am just trying to come up with some new ideas to keep this thing going ... and maybe a bit more interesting.

What will I add to Monday Musings?  Hmm?  Any suggestions?  Ideas?  Let me know.

Maybe I'll start by talking about the previous week/weekend -- My parents went to visit family on Long Island so my dad asked me to go to their house every few days to check on things and to water his plants.  My first trip over there was last Friday.  They live in another county and since we were in the area I took the kids to an amusement park there.  We have season passes.  We spent only a few hours there and then headed to the community pool in the development where my parents live.  Then I checked on the house and watered their plants.  Last week was a horrible 90+ almost 100 degrees.  It was the kind of weather that left you breathless as soon as you walked outside.  The heat definitely affected my brain on Friday because as I was driving home (with my kids in the back) I ran out of gas.  I have never done that before.  Ever.  I'm always so good at making sure the car is always full, or at least half full.  I didn't bother to notice that the needle on the gas gauge was pointing to the RED.  Ooops.  I was able to laugh about the situation because the car did give me a warning and I was able to pull into a gas station.  Wow.  Although I didn't realize what happened and I called my husband who left work to save me.  Sorry honey!  He figured out the problem, pumped some gas and drove it home while I took the other car.  Nothing like breaking down in the miserable heat but I was so thankful it happened at a gas station.  What luck!

It was a busy weekend, especially for the guys.  My husband and son went to a monster truck show in Maryland on Saturday and didn't arrive home until 1 am.  Yikes!  They had a lot of fun.  They both love attending these monster truck shows and it gives them a chance to do some male bonding.  My daughter and I just stayed home and spent the day doing not much of anything.  I can't wait until she's older and our mommy/daughter time can be more exciting.  On Sunday we all took a trip to my parents' house so I could, again, water plants and check on things.  We headed back to the amusement parks (thanks to those season passes).  It was a lot of fun and I was surprised that the kids, who normally fear going on most rides, went on so much.  Matthew loved the spinning turtles and insisted on going three times in a row.  Twice with Daddy and once with me.  He also joined his sister on a few of the slower rides.  Actually, everything at this park is slow rides since it's designed for kids only.  Lots of fun.  Then we had dinner at Sonic before heading home.  Another late night so the kids have slept in this morning.

Then maybe I'll write about any plans we have for the current week - Well, my husband is working today and tomorrow but then he is taking vacation time until the middle of next week.  It's not going to be fun and games, at least not in the beginning.  He wanted to take time off so he could work on redoing the back deck.  It needs done ... desperately.  It's going to be a big job but luckily the weather is going to be a lot better then it was last week.

 

Oh that forecast just looks wonderful!  I don't mind the rain.  The plants need it!  My parents are planning to come home tomorrow or Wednesday so I don't have to worry about going over there to check on things but I will bring the kids there at some point to hear about their trip.  

Then hopefully when Rob is finished with the deck we can enjoy some more time at the amusement park and possibly spend a day at a beach.  No, we don't live close to any beaches and it will take at least two or three hours to get to the closest one but I've been dying to go.  I love the beach.  

I'd love to add a meal plan for the week but I'm not very good at keeping that going.  I usually plan the meal on that exact day and sometimes it changes.  Sometimes I cook.  Sometimes my husband cooks.  If the weather is nice we'll throw something on the grill ... and I mean he throws something on the grill.  I'm afraid to touch that thing.  Fridays are our pizza night.  He makes the pizza.  So delicious!   I may write about what books I'm reading, do any reviews on products I'm using, or talk about a lesson I've learned within the week (like how not to let your gas tank get TOO low).  Maybe I'll talk about any positive news whether it be personal, local or national.  When it comes to the news it's not usually positive though - except today the world awaits for the birth of the royal baby.  I'm not a fan of the royal family but I guess that's an exciting event for most people.  I can remember hearing the news that Prince William was born.  Seems like it was yesterday. 

I may even leave this with something motivational or inspirational.  Today I'll end it with one of my favorite Bible verses:

  

^"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Marshmallow Peep Smores

Last Easter my dad purchased a few-too-many boxes of marshmallow Peeps for the kids.  Four months later we still haven't finished them.  So we decided to use them to make Smores. 

Matthew wanted blue and I took pink. 

First put the Peeps in the microwave for a few seconds, until they start to rise. 

Then split a graham cracker in half and cover one side with chocolate (we use Nutella).  Then put the Peep on top of one graham cracker and close it down with the other. 

Viola!  Peep Smores.  Yummy!

Whew! Temps are rising!

 

It's a brutal 90 degrees out there today.  The kids spent part of the morning soaking in the pool while I worked on my tan.  Now we're enjoying some time indoors with a movie and air conditioning.  

Stay cool everyone! 

Staying Home With Kids Or Not

I was browsing through a parenting magazine that I receive every month and came across a very interesting article about working moms vs. stay-at-home moms.  It was talking about the difference between the two; the benefits and the disadvantages.  The guilt that both sides face.  They also discussed the term "mommy wars" which is something that has been going on for many years.  I don't understand it.  Whether or not we choose to stay at home or go to work after having children is a decision we make that is best for our family.  Just as deciding to formula feed or breastfeed is our decision that needs no criticizing.  Most mothers work because they need the money for bills or they need the insurance.  That's very understandable.  Some mothers choose to work so they can use that money towards family vacations or their children's college education.  I can understand that one too.  I mean, the cost of living is insane and the cost of college tuition is crazy.  I admire all working mothers no matter what the decision may be ... except one. 

Yes, I'm going to write about this. 

In the article were a list of reasons why women choose to work or stay home.  One answer from a working mom seemed to confuse me and it's an excuse I've heard a few of my mommy friends make. 

I couldn't be a stay-at-home mother because being at home all day with the kids would drive me crazy. 

I don't even know what to say on that.  If your only reason for going to work is to get away from your kids then I have to ask why did you even have kids to begin with? 

My decision to be a stay-at-home mom was simply because the cost of daycare was more than we wanted to pay.  I mean, if I would have gone back to my job most of the paycheck would have gone to childcare and it didn't seem worth it to either me or my husband.  Also, we both believed that my time would be better spent at home with the kids until they both went to school.  I can't say being at home with them all day/every day is easy.  There are moments when I feel I'm about to lose my patience.  A good example is this morning when I couldn't get my twenty-three month old to settle down from one temper tantrum after another.  She's almost two and is at the age where she's testing her limits and not understanding why she can't have her way.  My son never acted up like this so handling this behavior is something I'm new at and learning how to deal with.  Being at home is very monotonous.  It isn't often I get a break and yes I do feel it's important for every mother to have me time.  But to say out loud that you would go crazy if you were home with them all day?  I just don't get it.  It sounds cruel to me.  Trust me, I know all about "going crazy" from time to time.  It's not easy; however, I would never choose to put work or anything else before my kids simply because I couldn't stand to be around them. 

I don't mean to push anyone's buttons here.  I know this is a sensitive topic for most mothers.  These "mommy wars" are ridiculous.  Deciding to be at home or to go to work doesn't make you better.  You do what works for you and your family.  I have a mix of working moms and stay-at-home friends and family that I admire very much.  It's the whole "I have to work because my kids would drive me insane" attitude that rubs me the wrong way. 

Enjoy every moment you have with your children whether it be all day or just a few hours a day because they grow up too quickly.  It's completely worth it. 

Shopping Success

Clothes shopping is something I do not enjoy, especially for myself.  Since I've been losing weight I didn't have a pair of shorts that fit.  I searched so many places and couldn't find anything.  What is with the style these days?  It's hard to find a pair of shorts and pants that don't look like they've been bleached or have holes and rips in them.  Finally, last week I went to KMart and found two pairs that I like ... and are a size smaller than I ever thought I could be.  Score! 

Today I went to a kid's consignment shop on the other side of town.  They are having a $1 clothing sale today and tomorrow so I decided to stop in and see what they had available.  I was expecting a large crowd and only a limited amount of clothes available but it wasn't so bad.  I managed to get four shirts for Matthew.  Nothing for Brianna.

I love striped shirts on boys.  It makes them look so grown up. 

The kids and I also went to Walmart because I've been desperately looking for a pair of sandals for Brianna.  She has one pair and the Velcro broke.  They also seem to be too dressy to wear anywhere.  I wanted her to have a pair she could wear when we go to the water park, public pool near my parents' house and the beach.  I searched in many stores in the last several weeks but couldn't find anything in her size.  Finally, today I found something at Walmart.  Not exactly what I was looking for but this will do.

When it comes to clothes for the kids we've been very fortunate to have family and friends who have been passing their childrens' clothes down to mine.  My son gets most of his clothes from my nephew.  Brianna got most of her clothes from a neighbor and also my cousin's daughter.  We've been quite lucky in that aspect.  Kids grow fast and don't stay a certain size for long. 

Hagerstown, Maryland

Yesterday Rob and I took the kids on an out of state trip to Maryland.  We make a trip to Hagerstown every 6 months so my engagement ring can be cleaned and inspected in order to keep the warranty.  My husband, who worked in Hagerstown at the time, bought my engagement ring at a jewelry store there.  Well, there is no other jewelry store located near us so we have to make the trip twice a year.  It takes a little over an hour to get there and we don't mind going at all.  It's a beautiful town with a lot to do. 

So we went to the jewelry store to drop my ring off and then let the kids play in the play area inside the mall for awhile.  Then we headed to a park nearby.  It's a park we had been to before we were married and have always planned to go back.  It's called City Park and located in downtown Hagerstown.  The park is huge and we enjoyed a hike around the lake watching the ducks and spotting the fish swimming around.  There are three playgrounds but the kids only played at two of them.  We didn't have a chance to visit the train and art museums but I'm not sure the kids would have enjoyed them anyway.  I give this park two thumbs up. 

It was a nice day and I love any chance we get to spend as a family.  My husband works forty hours a week Monday through Friday and by the time he gets home it seems like we're too busy getting things done around the house so the chance we get to go out and have family time is enjoyable. 

4th Of July Fun

Happy Independence Day (1 day late).  I hope it was good for you!  I can't put it into words just how grateful I am to be an American and being part of this great nation.  Freedom wasn't handed to us.  It was fought for.  I can't say I'm happy with the direction our country is going lately but I'm still grateful (and I'll leave it at that). 

We stayed at home most of the day and had my parents over for a barbecue.  Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, kielbasa, baked beans and I made potato salad the same way my mother always made it (sorry not sharing that recipe).  I also made some desserts. 

I made Matthew a red, white and blue drink I saw on Pinterest.  It didn't come out as perfect as it should have but Matthew liked it.  First you add ice, then cranberry juice or fruit punch (I chose cranberry), then blue Gatorade.  The recipe also says to add Sprite last but he doesn't like carbonated drinks so I left that out.  

I made cupcakes but I regret this.  24 cupcakes for 6 people?  There is so much left but I guess it will be nice for Rob and the kids to enjoy.  Anyone want a cupcake?

This is a dessert I found on Brianna's High Five magazine.  So yummy!  First you crush some strawberries with a fork and put them on the bottom.  Then add vanilla yogurt.  Then blueberries and a little more yogurt.  Then top it off with crushed sugar cookies.  Matthew said he wants me to make this again. 

Of course, The 4th of July isn't complete without watching fireworks.  We sat outside of a nearby church so we could see the ones that were shooting off from the city.  I am not an expert on how to take firework photos so this was the best I could get. 

Then back home to play with sparklers before going to bed.