Food Snobs

When we go shopping, our purchases usually focus around the products that are the least expensive. Great Value is the "name brand" that typically resides in our cupboards because we have found that you barely notice a difference. . . in MOST things. There are a few things out there that we just need to have a specific brand of. The reproduction of that food is not even worth masticating. Here is a list of things that we do not skimp on at our house:

*Oreo's








*home cooked tortillas (thanks, Custers. . . I can't go back to precooked.)








*Cheetos (crunchy, please!)










*Crunch Berries (I practically lived on these while pregnant with Grant)










*Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce










*Cinnamon Toast Crunch










*Hidden Valley Ranch

This, by the way, is an unfinished list, and I will undoubtedly add to it, as we remember the food necessities that we like to have in our life.






So. . . . , are you a food snob about anything?

Dear (month of) April,

Remember when you represented birds singing, flowers blooming, beautiful pastels, and the ushering in of warm weather and sandals. Please return to that.

Signed,
Usually love the snow, but this is getting old

A Mother's Creed

I,
Da'nelle Robins,

do solemnly swear,
that as a mother
I . . .

• Relinquish the rights to a full, uninterrupted shower, unless taken after 10 PM
• Will no longer wear black
• Will reach into a baby's mouth to retrieve any small object he/she may have found
• Give up a consistent night's sleep for the next 2-5 years. I will instead compensate it with 2-3 blocks of sleep intertwined with 5 minute accidental naps during the day
  
• Will comb and style my daughter's hair even though she will undoubtedly take it out on the way to somewhere important
• Eat my meals only after I have prepared, cut up, and fed my children first. I understand that doing so will generally leave my own food cold and required to be consumed quickly.
• catch vomit with my hand and wipe disgusting messes from all parts of my children's bodies
• will learn how to walk, cook and do Pilates with baby weight* (*baby weight is the weight of a child that holds on to you wilst trying to move or do exercises)
• must learn to sacrifice my way of life, my pride, my selfish wants, and take every opportunity available to teach a principle about what is happening
• Willingly allow my patience, nerve and personal space to be tested to the utmost degree

In return, I will. . .
receive more joy, love and happiness that I could ever have known to be possible.

Signed, Da'nelle Robins

Mothers Who Know

I found this awesome video about being a mother, and since that is 95% of my day; it really touched me. I just love Sister Beck and how timeless her words are. I hope you can recognize her message and become inspired through it.

It is about 8 minutes long, so watch it when you can sit down and appreciate it.

P.S. You may need tissues

Naked Baby Walking

Last month Grant decided he wanted to start walking. He had some great attempts during the day, but always looked like a drunken sailor as he wobbled across the floor.
One night while getting ready for bed, he took off in his official white trash uniform. For some reason, it really helped him as he was able to move so freely and unencumbered.

Only to add to his success was the assistance of a one-handed pink stroller push.

These photos are going to come in real handy in the future, right about the time he starts thinking he's too cool for mom!

So without further adieu, here is: Naked Baby Walking.

Creativity Burnout

Being a mom has really shown me a new way of living in real life. To maintain sanity, sometimes you have to be a little creative. Now to my credit, I have been a school teacher, so I know how to make mundane things seem interesting. This skill has come in very helpful as a mom. For example:

Not Creative: Lucy, stop!
Creative: Lucy, I can tell you are going to be a good soccer player, but please don't kick your brother's head.

Not Creative: What the. . gross!
Creative: Grant, thanks for helping us get our money's worth out of these diapers by filling them to maximum capacity.

Not Creative: Lucy, get your clothes on, NOW!
Creative: Lucy, let's use some of that energy and you can bunny hop right into your pants here.

Not Creative: C'mon, buddy!
Creative: Grant, it sure is fun to find your Cheerio landmines on the ground- that explosive crunch keeps me on my toes!

If you have ever read the book "Just Go to Bed" by Mercer Mayer, I think he portrays it very well. Here the dad is trying to be patient and creative with his little Critter, but by the end he's having a bit of creativity burnout.

This is why I think moms have a creativity outlet of their own. Whether its scrap booking, crafting, cooking, blogging, running, preschool, or whatever else, they just need something to refuel their creative juices after being squeezed dry during the hours. So whatever it may be for you- carry on faithful soldier- and make it a good one!

Home Accessories

Soooooo, do you ever wonder if sometimes you are the one who owns the children's furniture. . .


. . . or that they actually own you?


This isn't what I anticipated when I planned out my home decor.

Oh well, I am sure it is just a phase that will pass,

in like 10 more years.

I think it was stated best by an actor in the TV Show "Men of a Certain Age" who once said, "One day you wake up and your tripping over tricycles and your house smells like poo." You said it, buddy!