I Miss(ed) Bread

I met her at Menchies to break up.  I'm sorry... it's not you, it's me, I told my BFF (Best Food Friend), Melissa.  I had tried to break up earlier that year but it didn't stick.  Melissa and I like to eat.  Not like "let's split a salad", but "Hey, are you done with your seconds?  Let's head back."  It's a joy to have a friend who you love to eat with. But it was time for a break. 

You know those "I'm going to lose __ pounds" new year's resolutions that everybody makes?  Well, I don't.  Why?  It's a guaranteed failure.  I'd rather feel too heavy than too-heavy-and-a-failure.  BUT, at the dawn of this new year, J and I challenged each other to a six-month Biggest Loser competition.  We've actually had only one weigh-in, since we're so busy, but I did win that one.  We're taking into account pounds, inches, percentages (and I've added 'effort' to the categories, which should ensure some sort of prize for me).  As incentive, we each got to pick our prize. Prize for the finance guy? My massage gift card that I haven't used since he gave it to me as a mid-pregnancy gift (that baby turns 3 next month), and 5 ten-minute massages from me whenever he wants. Prize for the designer with a possible shopping 'problem'? The Pottery Barn photographer's tripod floor lamp that I have been lusting over for several years. (I actually told him that I was going to buy the lamp regardless of who wins because I have worked so hard).

We're down to about a month until the final numbers are tallied.  The scale hadn't really moved...in the right direction at least.  I was working out regularly, but I had pumped it up to "I-have-to-be-sore-from-the-workout-at-least-once-a-week."  Friggin' NOTHING.

So I came up with a secret plan to win.  It had come to something drastic.  Something I've not really attempted since high school, when I thought I was fat but actually was skinny.  I had to alter what I was eating. If you know me at all, you know I love bread.  I mean, a deep and abiding love for bread.  Love. Bread. And all baked goodness, really.  But I know a few people recently who lost massive amounts of weight due in large part to cutting out carbs (say it like it's a bad word).  My brother-in-law lost 25 lbs in 2 weeks (I'm sure half of that was because he is a guy and can lose weight just by thinking about it).  I figured that should secure 1st place. I took the plunge and dropped carbs and sugar from my diet.  It was a week of Greek yogurt, nuts, fruit and veggies, chicken, lettuce wraps, cottage cheese with fruit, fruit leather. I felt like Emily Blunt on 'The Devil Wears Prada' who says "I'm on a new diet, where I don't eat anything at all and right before I feel like I'm going to faint, I eat a cube of cheese."  J is in 'busy season' at work and is rarely home for dinner, so he had no idea what I was or was not eating. 

Bingo, right?  Except not

Friday rolled around, and a few weeks of single momming it, capped by a Friday of crazy offspring ruining my dresser with nail polish and pouring out bottles of essential oils left me weak. Weak.  So when I heard "Hey, I'm heading home--I'll be there for dinner, want me to pick up pizzas on the way home?" I said yes, yes, a thousand times yes.  So weak. And, oh, it was heaven!  Cheap pizzas never tasted so good!  For the first time in a week I wasn't hungry!!!  I truly think there is something literal in "comfort foods".

Saturday: Girlie's birthday.  I am not about to skimp on treats when we're celebrating a birthday.

Sunday:  Invited to a friend's for dinner and J is right there, so I can't explain why I'm not eating the amazing layered Jello and whipped cream dessert.  It would ruin the 'secret' part of my diet.  So I had to eat it.

Monday:  Memorial Day.  A good day for eating carbs.  Plus J was home.  See how I'm winning?  By eating carbs and not telling him my secret diet, then he doesn't know, and so I will win!!  Catching my twisted mind game, yes? Evil laugh.

Tuesday:  No school again.  So, really like another vacation day.  (I also don't have to go to the gym on vacation days).

Wednesday: Pasta night at Recipe Swap.  That's right, pasta.  Why don't we just call it "Get Melynie Fatter" Night.                                                                                                              

You see where this is heading. By now I had altered my diet to "Don't Eat So Many Carbs."  Then came "Only a Little Bit of Sugar."  "Carbs and Sugar only on the Weekends" and finally "Back to My Regular Healthy Eating, With Exceptions Made for Stressful Days, Birthdays, Weekends and Special Occasions."

I know what you're thinking...where is she going to put that lamp??  Right?;)

I ran into one of my newly-skinny friends and mentioned how great she looked to J that weekend.

He suggested that maybe we should try a carb-free diet.

I snickered.

UPDATE: This post was written a month ago.  The 'diet' came crashing down and died a sad, slow death when my friend Vanessa had a birthday and some of us celebrated with avocado egg rolls, chicken madeira, and coconut-chocolate cheesecake.  I am now days away from the final weigh in. Last night we made homemade ice cream for family night.  That was right after the apricot almond and fresh strawberry pies that we made this weekend. I think you get the idea.  Ah, well.  I am licking my lips very happily. ;)  And this, friends, is why I don't diet.

Tough Guys

 

You know when sometimes you just need a man around the house?  Well, lucky for me, I've got these two fellas to keep me company.  And they're tough.  Not only can they survive leaps from the bunk bed and can tear around the neighborhood in bare feet, they also are masters of intimidation.

 

I went to tuck them into bed and Buddy said to me "Mommy,  I don't have to be worried when I go to school.  Sammy said that if someone is mean to me, I just have to go get him."

Sammy chimed in, "Yeah, if someone is picks on Buddy, I'm going to go up to them and say [intimidating voice] 'Hey, that's my BROTHER you're being mean to.  And if you don't STOP, then I'm going to go tell the recess teacher.  And YOU might have to SIT ON THE WALL!!"

The wall. Very worrisome indeed.

 

His fearsome threats are not limited to playground bullies, either.  As I was backing out today, I was muttering about the across-the-street neighbors who keep parking directly across from my driveway and make it very difficult to pull out.  Sammy assured me, "I want to go talk to them and say [intimidating voice] Listen, you are lucky my mom is a good driver, but next time, you might want to think about parking somewhere else."

 

I. love. that. kid.

 

My little Buddy uses his 'tough voice' for everything.  One of my favorite church hymns is "There is Sunshine in My Soul" and we sing it every morning on the way to school. It gets stuck in our heads, and that little 4 year old can be heard all day ferociously growling out "blessed SUN-shine, blessed SUN-shine."

 

It makes me smile every time.

 

So, if you've got a "problem" you need "help" with, I know a guy.  Or two.

Keepin' It Real

A hilarious e-card on Facebook read "I live in a madhouse ruled by a tiny army that I created."  Truer words were never spoken, friends.  Don't smile like it's not true, you know it is!

I find myself going through my day, mentally jotting down a million things that I must remember to record because they were so hilarious or darling.  My days are like wild rollercoasters, that I am clinging to with the last bits of my unmanicured nails.

I love the questions I'm asked like "Can I be a ninja when I grow up?" (yes, as long as you're a good ninja) or "Are clouds living creatures?" (no, but if they were we could get one for a pet).  Those are questions from this kid:

 

Wear a bucket on your head.  Whatever.

Buddy brought this home from preschool and explained the life cycle of a butterfly.  "First, the butterfly is a marshmallow.  Then it turns into a gummy worm.  Then it forms a tootsie roll around itself, and then it turns into a cracker!!"  See, now what was all this chrysalis talk when I was growing up?

Right before Easter, I made my kiddos dress up like Christmas because I never got a picture of it.  That RS gig has me hopping.

Speaking of Easter, we had the most beautiful naturally colored eggs you've ever laid your eyes on.

And I made some super easy Easter egg placemats.  I'll post a tutorial on them next year.  Which is super fast, considering that I started this project when Girlie was 2.  Not kidding.

 

And someday, probably this summer, I will get around to dressing my kids up in their Easter clothes and taking pictures.  Look for it.

 

 





 

I asked Sweetie if she had drawn on her legs.  She said no.  Buddy suggested that it was just hair.  That's some wowza hair.  I'm actually glad that a disproportionate amount of this post is focused on Buddy.  We just read "The Birth Order Book" for book club and I'm afraid that I'm ruining him in classic 'middle child' kind of way.

 

Here's an awkward selfie. 

In an effort to 'take a picture every day this year', March 10th's picture was of me.  In front of the court house.  Having just paid $200 for going what I thought was 6 miles over the speed limit.

There have been better days.

 

 

 

Not much better than days like this.  As we got out of the car at the YMCA, Buddy smiled up at the world and said, "Well, it's a beautiful sunny day today!"  He was being totally serious, my poor Seattle baby.

 

 

 

There was a spot of hope today.  I was washing dishes when I happened upon a spot of blue sky-it's right behind the trees.  You may have to click on the photo to see it.  But it's there.  Speaking of things that are there, are we loving my tiny chandelier?  It's a Christmas ornament that was love at first sight at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.  I hung it up to make doing the dishes feel a little fancier.

 

 

 

I opened up a cupboard to find this.  This is just one of many 'surprises' that greet me every. time. I. turn. around.

 

 

 

Chaos.  Chaos is a monster that I battle daily.  Most of the time I lose, I'll be honest.  And don't get me started on laundry.  I do a dozen loads a week.  If I even hesitate in the conquest for victory over The Laundry, all the clothes decide to get dirty at the same time, take on a life force of its own and devour me.  And my bedroom floor.  As pictured below.

 

That's something that you won't see on Pinterest.

 

In other news, here's my spring mantel.  Let me know if you have questions.

 

 

I got irritated at my garden last year for its lack of vegetables.  So I showed it who's boss by planting a bunch of flowers in it.

 

 

Sweetie likes to 'mommy' us by bringing blankets and pillows and tucking us in.  It's heaven.  Especially the part where she come to cuddle us.

 

 

We spent a good 1,700 hours shelling peanuts so we could make our own peanut butter.  Totally fun activity.  The kids loved it.  I hoped that it would give them appreciation for what I do three times a day, given their loose interpretation of "finish all your food".  We'll see.

 

 

 

Finally, I found this.  And liked it enough to share it.

 

 

 

 

Much love, Melynie

 

 

Vacation Review and Tips

I tried to think of the most creative and catchy title ever.  Obviously.

Here are some details, from our experience.  I share them just because I would have liked to have read something like this to get tips and compare costs when I was planning my vacay.

1--We booked through getawaytoday.com.  I initially wanted to book things separately myself instead of a vacation package, but it was convenient and ended up being a huge help, as you'll see.

2--We flew Alaska Air from Seattle.  I found tickets at the end of November (supposedly a great time for booking flights) for just over $200 ea.  I also purchased the travel insurance for $150 total.

3--We rented a minivan through Hertz.  $389 for the week.  Upon good advice, I booked the week before our trip, when the companies are anxious to get their inventory used up.

4--We stayed at the Residence Inn Anaheim during our Disney leg of the trip. It rocked.  It was one of the few places that could comfortably accommodate my clan of 6.  It was a 1 bedroom suite (2 queen beds and a pull out sofa) with eating area and kitchen (full sized fridge/freezer--great for keeping sack lunch stuff cold/frozen). Free, awesome breakfast every morning and free dinner "managers reception" Monday-Thursday.  The dinner was great the first night that we arrived, but it was the only night we ate there because we wanted to max out our time at the park.  It had a big pool, kiddie pool and hot tub, basketball court, kids eating area.  They gave out balloons at breakfast and it was a short drive to the park (they claimed it was only a mile).  Two nights plus 2 day (1 park per day) tickets to Disney/California Adventure for all of us (Sweetie didn't have to pay for the parks) was about $1300.

5--At Disney--
     1--Get a Photopass.  Find any of the Disney photographers (which are, incidentally, not well 'marked').  They will take your picture and load the pics onto a card, which you can then give to any other Disney photographer and they will keep adding pics to your card.  Take a picture of the number on the back of your card, in case you lose it (you can still access your pics).  If you go to Jedi training, the photographers there will give you a card of the entire session.  Then, go to the Disney photopass website, set up an account, and load all the of the card numbers onto it.  You can then buy prints of the pictures (2 4X6 prints for an INSANE $15, or buy a CD or download of ALL your pictures for $70, which is what I did).  So, get lots of pictures taken to make it worth your while.  They take great pictures and capture moments that you don't.

     2--FAST PASSES.  The most popular rides have free fast passes.  You use your Disney tickets at the kiosks near the rides to print out fast passes.  It gives you a ticket to a much shorter line, and an assigned time to come back.  So, scope out what rides you want to go on, and grab fast passes, then come back at the time and enjoy your ride.

     3--Talk to the Disney character 'handlers' to find out specific times and locations of the characters you really want to see (for us, the princesses).  They have a little secret schedule they can peek at and give you the scoop.  Head to the locations early to get in line, because the lines fill up FAST and are very, very, very long.

     4--Bring your lunch.  The food there is outrageously priced for miniscule portions.  Like, $6-7 for a kids meal with milk, applesauce and --not kidding--2 tablespoons of mac and cheese. (We bought dinner for the kids there, and then waited until we got back for the night and sent the boys out for Red Robin)  I took a backpack loaded with food and water.  And it will take you so long to go back to your car...just bring it. 

     5--Bring sunscreen.  Especially if you're from Seattle and have forgotten that the sun still exists.  Especially since your kids will be particularly sensitive and although you may have a handsome son that will darken beautifully in a snap, you may have a little girl that will get sun poisoning, which is worrisome and not pretty. 

     6--Stay for the parade at least once.  It will probably be your favorite parade ever.


6--In San Diego, we stayed a night in the Comfort Suites Mission Valley.  Do NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stay here.    The rooms are crowded, the upholstery is dirty, the beds are double sized, the condition is crummy,  and breakfast is a joke.  Never mind the ticks and blood on the walls in our friends room.  THIS is where the travel agency came in handy.  With a phone call, the situation was handled, and for a change fee, we were happily re-situated.

7--Do, instead, check into the Doubletree close to Sea World.  Clean, beautiful rooms. The BEST Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries, awesome pool, hot tub and firepit.  Also, they welcome you with the most amazing, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie you've ever had.  Our room had 2 queen beds and a pull out twin bed.  They boys shared that.  It wasn't ideal, but they managed (#firstworldproblems).  No breakfast there, which was a bummer, but we had a small fridge, so we got yogurt, fruit and cereal bars to eat.  We stayed in San Diego for a total of 4 nights, plus 7-day Sea World passes for the whole family, including change fee was about $900.

8--Sea World.  Due to the off-season time of year that we went, the hours were only 10-5.  But, due to the off-season time of year that went,  we had no lines (I mean, walk right onto just about any ride) and could park close enough that it was no problem to walk out to the car for lunch.  We didn't know that the first day that they DON'T ALLOW ANY FOOD into the park. Only unflavored water.  You've been warned.  We had to buy lunch the first day and it was a small fortune.

9--Three life changing restaurant recommendations in San Diego
     Phil's BBQ
     Filippi's Pizza Grotto
     Café Coyote, in Old Town San Diego

     Remember 'What About Bob?'  The scene where Bob was eating with them and he kept saying "Mmmm, mmmm, mmmmmmm, mmmm, mmmm, mmmm"?  Yeah, it was kind of like that.
 
10--The Mormon Battalion Historical Site was awesome!  Located in Old Town San Diego, it was so well done, fun for the whole family, free, and well worth our time.

11--Moonlight Beach was a fantastic place to spend the day.  Beautiful, showers, sand volleyball courts.  Part of it was currently under construction, but I'd still totally go again in a heart beat. 

There.  You've got all my info from the trip.  You're welcome.  Hope it helps.

Love, Melynie

California Adventure {Day 5}

 

Saturday was spent at Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas.  It was an AMAZING day!  The weather was so perfect.  I overheard someone say "No, honey. Maybe in the summer when it's warmer." and it shocked me because I am so enjoy-the-moment that I'd forgotten that it was still winter!!  It was as if we'd been transported to glorious summer. (It was about as hot as a Seattle Summer).

 

My lovely Girlie.

 

Watching them playing in the crashing waves was the BEST!!

 

Sand, anyone?  Come on, let's exfoliate!

 

 

Surf kings.

 

 

Can't even tell you how much I love that these are all mine.

 

 

My little honey was the cutest little beach bum.

 

 

He was so...very...tired...

 

 

The San Diego temple was right off the freeway.  It was GORGEOUS!  It looked like an enchanted castle (Disney on the brain...).  In fact, they don't light it up anymore at night because people were getting into accidents.

 

 

This was a fantastic surprise!  We went to Old Town San Diego for some amazing Mexican food and happened upon the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.  The renovated it about 3 years ago and is was SO well done!  Really, really awesome. 

 

We walked in and Sweetie asked the sister missionary "Where is the princess?"  Lucky for us, one of the sister missionaries had worked as a Disney princess and sang some princess songs for her.  Sweetiie was, once again, enchanted.

 

 

It was perfect for families and kids.  Here are the kids panning for gold at the end. 

 

I want to do this vacation all again.  And next time we might rent the Fiesta Cab.

Sea World {Days 3 & 4}

 

Then we spent two days at Sea World.  Here I am with two of my favorite things--Mandy and flamingos.

 

They got a little wet on this ride...

 

 

The little girl is oblivious that the polar bear could eat her for breakfast.

 

 

Killer whales.

 

 

One of the coolest things we got to see was a baby killer whale that was born that morning.  Mommy whales are pregnant for 18 months, and when they finally give birth to their 350 lb babies, they don't rest--even to eat--and, instead, swim for a week straight.  That teaches their babies how to swim and strengthens them.  The mommy whale has a system worked out with her trainers--she swims by the platform with her mouth open and they run along and throw food in her mouth so that she can keep swimming.  It was AMAZING to witness this!  The love and sacrifice of mothers is amazing!!!  Isn't baby Shamu cute?  That little fin next to his mama? 

 

If I can photoshop Sweetie's finger out of her nose, we might use this for our Christmas card picture this year.  

 

My boyfriend and I.

 

 

It made the trip SO fun to be with sweet friends!

 

 

This photo (above) was taken just minutes before this photo (below).

 

Luckily it was our only minor meltdown. 

We were waiting for J and the big kids on a ride.  I motioned to J that Buddy was breaking down and he made a camera motion at me.  I thought he meant "Take a picture of it", but what he was actually saying was "I told him he could take a picture."  J's idea would have been better.

 

The Sea World version of the tea cups.  The kids are thinking "Rock on."  The grown ups are thinking "I'm going to throw up."

 

Touching starfish.

 

 

All our cute kiddos.

 

 

The fantastic dolphin show.

 

 

The get-you-totally-soaked rafting ride.

 

Another highlight of the trip!  I kind of want a pet dolphin now.

 

 

A view of the bay from the Sky Tram ride.