And the award goes to

Last night we watched the Academy Awards.  While watching, we got a little hungry and made ourselves some Rice Krispy treats awards:

One Oscar for each of us

When sharks attack

babies get eaten.

To see this hand knitted outfit and others, click here

Dear Santa

Our town published some children's letters to Santa in the local newspaper.  Here are two that I found particularly humorous:

Dear Santa,

Thank you for coming to my house last year and thank you for the presents.  I am glad that you did.  I hope you and the reindeer liked the cookies and the carrots.  This year I decided to make you a present.  I will leave a box on the top of the roof.  It will be waiting for you on the top of the roof.  It might look like something that you can eat, but it is not.  Travel safe!  

Your friend, Gavin S.  Age: 7

Dear Santa,

Can I have John Deere tractors?  And a John Deere Gator?  I love John Deere.  My daddy is a farmer.  He has tractors.  And spreads poop on fields.  Did you know I'm going to be a farmer?  I want a Happy Napper like my Sissy, Isabelle.  I love to eat her Chapstick. 

Bryce Mason S.  Age:  3

Tummy Times Comic- 5

(Click on image to enlarge)

To see previous comics, click here

My preeeeecious...

How funny is this t-shirt?

Don't you just love it when you find that lone onion ring amongst your french fries?

You can find this shirt here

Tummy Times Comic- 4

(Click on image to make it larger.)

To see previous comics, click here

Four boys, four times the cuteness

I typically try to post one entry a day.  But I just couldn't wait to post this entry. 

Sadly, Baby Chuck won't be able to meet the other boys in our family this Christmas.  However, I'm hopeful that one day, all four little guys will meet and play together. 

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Here's looking at you, kid

What would you do with a bunch of Styrofoam eyeballs?

Let's see what German artist Timm Schneider did. 

Seeing faces on inanimate objects always cracks me up (as evidenced by this post, this post, this post, and this post.)


First seen on Foodiggity
To see these photos (and more) visit Timm Schneider's website

Tummy Times Comic- 3

 (Just click on the image to enlarge it.)

To see previous comic strips, click here

Tummy Times Comic-2

Here's my Thanksgiving comic strip: 

(Just click on the image to enlarge it.)

By the way- HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE!!!!

To see my first comic strip, click here

Pre-Thanksgiving day jitters

Hubby and I couldn't travel back home this Thanksgiving*, so we're holding a small get-together here.  (Luckily, one of hubby's aunts lives nearby and is able to celebrate with us.)  It's my first year cooking a full Thanksgiving meal, so I'm definitely feeling nervous.  To lessen my load tomorrow I started preparing some items tonight.

 I successfully defrosted the turkey.  *Phew*

But my attempt at dessert didn't turn out quite so well.  

What went wrong?  Why does my cheesecake look CRAZY?

Hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family. 

    
*We miss everyone back home very very much.  Whenever you eat your turkey leg and sliver of dessert, please think of us. :)

Yummy sleeping arrangements

Do you love food?
Are you entertaining out-of-town guests?
Do your out-of-town guests love food?
(If you answered "yes" to all three questions, read on, dear reader, read on!)

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, I'll bet many of us are scrambling to figure out sleeping accommodations for out-of-town guests.  Hubby and I are firm believers in the Aerobed, but if you're not interested in taking the traditional route (i.e., spare bedroom, blowup mattress, or small closet), take a moment to consider this option:  The Slice of Pizza Sleeping bag.

*Drool* *Snore*  Doesn't this look delicious and comfortable?

While sleeping in this baby your guests are guaranteed to have sweet savory dreams.

Click here to see these photos or purchase this gustatory masterpiece or others (like the Baked Potato Bean Bag Chair)
First spotted on Foodiggity
 

 

Tummy Times Comic- 1

Hanging out with Baby Chuck every day provides some humorous inspiration.  

(Sorry the image is so small.  Just click on it to read the details.) 

Twinkie-tastic Thanksgiving

When I think of Twinkies, I think of childhood.  Soft, sweet, slightly oily, and spongy, this oblong yellow cake has long been a staple in school lunchboxes and vending machines.  But, it should no longer be categorized as a mere childish snack because it's reaching adult tastes as well.  Take a peek at the official Hostess Twinkies Cookbook and you'll see how Twinkies can be incorporated into Thanksgiving Day menus.

Yes, you read that correctly.  Twinkies for Thanksgiving.  Close your gaping mouth and read on.

You can use the yellow cake portion to create stuffing.  Then, what to do with the white cream?  Don't toss it out!  Instead, use it to create a sweet glaze for turkey meat.  Mmmm.  If you're interested in reading the complete recipe, you can find it here from the Huffington Post. 

First read at Edible Crafts blog
image taken from here

Baby Manny meets Baby Chuck

If you've been following this blog, then you already know that hubby's sister gave birth around the same time that I did.  (To see those posts, click here and here.) Last weekend Baby Chuck and Baby Manny** chatted online.  I'd like to imagine that their conversation went something like this:

Or, perhaps their conversation went something like this:

Tee hee hee.  We look forward to Skyping everyone again soon. 


** Henceforth his pseudonym will be Manny Pacquiao.

Kitty Litter cake

You can eat this box of dirty kitty litter.  

No, I'm not kidding.  This isn't a real box of kitty waste; it's a cake.   This edible look-a-like is made from cake mix, instant pudding, cookies, and Tootsie rolls.  Whether you find this creation extremely creative, terribly gross, or both, it's sure to be a conversation starter at your next party.


Cake first spotted on the Edible Crafts blog and recipe originates from Amanda's cookin' blog

The great baby escape

This weekend Baby Chuck met hubby's aunt.    

She gave him lots of hugs and kisses and told him about the great state of Wisconsin.

Baby Chuck-  "Really?  You get that much snow?  I'd like to see that for myself."

 

"Mom, I'm all packed.  Can we visit Wisconsin?"

One day, Baby Chuck.  One day we'll trek across that big lake.

Spooky celebrations

Today we're celebrating two events:
(1)  It's finally Halloween, my favorite holiday of the year. 
(2)  It's the one year anniversary of my blog.  *Throws imaginary confetti in the air and blows noisemaker*

As we all know, Charlie just loves wearing costumes.  (As seen here and here.)  With the new addition to our family, Charlie was gracious enough to whip up two matching costumes, inspired by Dr. Seuss characters.   Although Baby Norris is still too young to fully appreciate this holiday, I do think he enjoyed dressing up. 

Baby Norris- "So this is what it feels like to have hair.  I kind of like it."

Charlie- "Aw mom, I'm having a bad hair day."

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin play (Part 1)

This past weekend hubby, Baby Chuck, and I were invited to a pumpkin carving party.  We had a lot of fun and I learned a few new carving tips and tricks. 

Here's my finished pumpkin:

My homage to pumpkin pi.  (Get it?  Get it?  Oy vey, I'm too corny. )

Five finished pumpkins sitting in a row.

Let the countdown to Halloween begin!

I wonder what that feels like?

 I can attest to the wonders of swaddling a baby.  We do it every night to Baby Norris and it helps him to sleep.  The transformation really is remarkable.  One moment he's upset, arms flailing about, bottom lip quivering and then, once swaddled, he calms down.


And the wails become whimpers.

And then...
they...
disappear (and we sigh in relief.) 

Why does swaddling work?  Why does it calm him down?  Does it remind him of being in the womb?  Or, does it prevent him from jerking himself awake?

I asked Baby Norris, but he didn't have anything to say on the matter (go figure).  So, I tried another tactic to understand the swaddling phenomenon...

and asked hubby to swaddle me for a late evening nap.

Charlie, of course, had to investigate.

Conclusions?
I still don't understand it.  Babies are weird.

I hated being swaddled.  I didn't feel secure, I felt claustrophobic.  I couldn't roll around.  I couldn't find a comfortable sleeping position. And  I most certainly could not scratch a very annoying itch on my nose.