Sooo...yesterday after I put all the toys in their respective places, gave the boys a bath, and dressed myself, the twins and I embarked on a little adventure....We headed to a children's open call for MMA modeling agency. I have to be honest, I was a little excited and a little nervous. I had no idea what to expect. The only thing I new for sure was if they liked the boys we shouldn't have to pay any money towards head shots. The fact that I just typed head shots kills me...me talking about head shots...hahahaha insert laughing emoji. Anyway I digress, I was able to get a sitter for Jack so the twins and I could go out to the open call. When we pulled up something just didn't feel right. I parked, we headed up to the second floor and walked in the SMALLEST waiting room. There were five chairs in the waiting room (we took up 3) so when the other children arrived with their parents and siblings there was no where for them to sit or even stand! The receptionist asked them to wait in the hallway.
Anyway, They called the boys back in the first group of six children...I didn't know whether to follow them? Shouldn't I be with them? I immediately get nervous. I'm pretty sure I am also sweating. You know the nervous sweating others can see? The booker tells me not to come back with them and as she is telling me to stay in the waiting area I see the twins. Buddy is in front of Doc and they are walking single file. There is another little girl leading the line. When she stops to sit in the first chair, Dockie hip checks Buddy and steals the seat next to the little girl. This immediately erupts into an all out brawl. Buddy then tackles Doc. Doc pushes Buddy off. Did I mention that they are also yelling at each other "No this is my Seat!"
Soooooooo, seeing and hearing this I kinda push past the booker to intervene. I try to calm them down in my best "mom, yelling but not yelling voice" you know when you are kinda talking through your teeth with a fake smile on? Well that's me. Again let me remind you of the sweating and the fact that is it PACKED! I ask the booker if I can just separate them into two different groups; she says fine but is not amused. Then she starts talking to the children. She individually asks each child a series of get to know you questions: What's your favorite color? Do you have any siblings? How old are you? The little girl answers all her questions politely.
Now it is Docs turn:
Booker: "What's your name?"
Doc: "Thomas" (he uses his trucker voice)
Booker: "I see you have a brother..."
Doc: "No I don't."
Booker; "Oh okay, well whats your favorite color?"
Doc: "Blue...blue in my shoe...you know blue/shoe" (he is wearing brown cowboy boots and we had just been talking about rhyming words earlier that day...)
Meanwhile I'm texting Michael from the waiting room, just kind of hoping this all smoothes itself out...I mean boys will be boys right? Maybe she will think it's funny and cute that they wrestle and lie about siblings instead of following directions.
Okay so the end of this goes like this:
Booker: "Thomas, follow me."
Booker:" Barbara can I see you in the hallway?"
Me: "Sure, (mumbling now 'do I bring my purse, should I just leave it, do I bring the kids out here too?'"
Booker: "Yeah so I need to ask you to leave. We could never book or send them out on a casting call. They are way to unpredictable."
Me: I laughed and said "thanks"
Me: "okay boys we need to go"
Buddy: "No one asked me MY favorite color!"
Me: "Well, when you wrestle your brother to the ground over a chair, they ask you to leave."
Back to reality. Amused by this entire situation, we stopped for ice cream on the way home. I also drank a few glasses of wine before bed.
About Me
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- A warm hello to all my readers. I am a mom of three amazing boys and a wife to a loving husband. I hope you enjoy this blog as a way to get new ideas for gifts, recipes, activities, and everything else in between.
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Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
To Clean or Not to Clean?
Do you clean - up before bed?
I honestly never asked myself this question before we had children. I mean seriously what did Michael and I have to clean up, throw some empty wine or beer bottles in the recycling? Put the 2 dirty dinner dishes in the dishwasher? Those are both extremely- natural life clean -ups. Now however, there are about 10 dirty dishes, bins of toys over turned, spilled snack bags, and old water bottles everywhere.
I have to say we do usually straighten up the toys before we go to bed. It is so exhausting to find that last burst of energy at the end of a long day to clean, but we do it. We clean because waking up to an existing mess is worse for me; I need to start each day bright and fresh. I like to start off a new day with the best set up, set up for success. Also I find that the boys will sit and play a little while longer when all the pieces are in the right bins.
This all brings us to last night... Last night we didn't clean up. Last night we had a cocktail instead... now today I'm already off to a "meh" start....slow to rise, slow to finish this post, slow to life...
Here is our daily mess! Hope you are all having a better morning so far than me.
I honestly never asked myself this question before we had children. I mean seriously what did Michael and I have to clean up, throw some empty wine or beer bottles in the recycling? Put the 2 dirty dinner dishes in the dishwasher? Those are both extremely- natural life clean -ups. Now however, there are about 10 dirty dishes, bins of toys over turned, spilled snack bags, and old water bottles everywhere.
I have to say we do usually straighten up the toys before we go to bed. It is so exhausting to find that last burst of energy at the end of a long day to clean, but we do it. We clean because waking up to an existing mess is worse for me; I need to start each day bright and fresh. I like to start off a new day with the best set up, set up for success. Also I find that the boys will sit and play a little while longer when all the pieces are in the right bins.
This all brings us to last night... Last night we didn't clean up. Last night we had a cocktail instead... now today I'm already off to a "meh" start....slow to rise, slow to finish this post, slow to life...
Here is our daily mess! Hope you are all having a better morning so far than me.
Can you find the left over pretzels mixed in with the lego mania? Its the first thing my eyes go towards and I cringe! Who doesn't set up a five person sleeper tent (inside) during the winter?
Monday, February 23, 2015
Did You Eat?
Manzi'd From Scratch Green Smoothie Recipe
Mike and I started with the bullet blender back in the day when we first started making smoothies. I loved it because it comes with two big travel cups with lids and two small cups. The big cups were great for me and Mike and the little ones were perfect for the twins, however since our family increases in size for Fathers day I bought Mike the Vitamix. It is expensive, but totally worth it!!!! I can not say that enough. It also makes the smoothies more like a nectar thick liquid rather than a honey thick drink....did I already mention it's amazing...no chunks with the Vitamix but you will have some chunks with the bullet.
vitamix
bullet
Our daily recipe for 2 or more people:
Two BIG handfuls of baby spinach
2 bananas
-- originally we would peel and freeze them but with life thats to much prep
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
3-5 pieces or chunks of frozen pineapple
1 tablespoon of flax seeds
1 cup of plain or vanilla greek non - fat yogurt
add water or almond milk about a cup to get things moving
--Additions********
-we add left over fruit we have on the counter
-sometimes I squeeze a little lemon or lime to brighten the flavor
-the measurements of the frozen fruit are best estimates
-sometimes we add frozen broccoli florets
-this recipe will make a lot, we can fill 3 solo cups full
~~~~ I typically do not like to add black berries or raspberries bc of the seeds...they get stuck in my teeth when drinking the smoothie and since I am already addicted to flossing 24/7 it just adds to my daily nesessities
Mike and I started with the bullet blender back in the day when we first started making smoothies. I loved it because it comes with two big travel cups with lids and two small cups. The big cups were great for me and Mike and the little ones were perfect for the twins, however since our family increases in size for Fathers day I bought Mike the Vitamix. It is expensive, but totally worth it!!!! I can not say that enough. It also makes the smoothies more like a nectar thick liquid rather than a honey thick drink....did I already mention it's amazing...no chunks with the Vitamix but you will have some chunks with the bullet.
vitamix
bullet
Our daily recipe for 2 or more people:
Two BIG handfuls of baby spinach
2 bananas
-- originally we would peel and freeze them but with life thats to much prep
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
3-5 pieces or chunks of frozen pineapple
1 tablespoon of flax seeds
1 cup of plain or vanilla greek non - fat yogurt
add water or almond milk about a cup to get things moving
--Additions********
-we add left over fruit we have on the counter
-sometimes I squeeze a little lemon or lime to brighten the flavor
-the measurements of the frozen fruit are best estimates
-sometimes we add frozen broccoli florets
-this recipe will make a lot, we can fill 3 solo cups full
~~~~ I typically do not like to add black berries or raspberries bc of the seeds...they get stuck in my teeth when drinking the smoothie and since I am already addicted to flossing 24/7 it just adds to my daily nesessities
Home Remedies
Today one of my boys is sick --insert sad face
He was coughing all night .... Coughing is the worst...its so frustrating. So this morning I knew we had to stop that cough! As a mother, actually just as a human, I am not so keen on taking medicine for coughs, colds, headaches, etc. I am firm believer that if your head hurts your body is telling you something (DRINK MORE WATER!). Michael and I start every morning with a cup of Lemon Water, we squeeze half a lemon into a cup of water and chug it down. The benefits of lemon juice are insanely good for you. This along with our green smoothie breakfast helps to ensure we have a decent amount of healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for the day. Did I mention our boys love drinking these smoothies.
Lemon Water Benefits
Back to our coughing problem: Today to help my little "Dockers" Im going to give him a teaspoon of honey this morning, the is afternoon, and again before bed. The honey coats the throat and helps decrease that tickling sensation. With every natural home remedy I try I cross my fingers, "Here's hoping"
Honey Study in Children
He was coughing all night .... Coughing is the worst...its so frustrating. So this morning I knew we had to stop that cough! As a mother, actually just as a human, I am not so keen on taking medicine for coughs, colds, headaches, etc. I am firm believer that if your head hurts your body is telling you something (DRINK MORE WATER!). Michael and I start every morning with a cup of Lemon Water, we squeeze half a lemon into a cup of water and chug it down. The benefits of lemon juice are insanely good for you. This along with our green smoothie breakfast helps to ensure we have a decent amount of healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for the day. Did I mention our boys love drinking these smoothies.
Lemon Water Benefits
Back to our coughing problem: Today to help my little "Dockers" Im going to give him a teaspoon of honey this morning, the is afternoon, and again before bed. The honey coats the throat and helps decrease that tickling sensation. With every natural home remedy I try I cross my fingers, "Here's hoping"
Honey Study in Children
Friday, February 20, 2015
Favorite Things
This morning I wanted to post a few of my favorite things in addition to todays outline.
I mentioned these yesterday but they are totally worth mentioning again. Pants
These candles are my favorite for many reasons- price, availability, the amazing handle that lets you move it throughout the house without burning your fingers, but most of all its made in the U.S.A.
Cinnamon is probably my favorite scent for winter and Lemon for summer
Mason Jar Candles
For Christmas this year I picked up a bunch, added a country candy cane ornament and a raffia bow (my favorite bow material). I added the schools name to the back of the ornament with the year for a little something extra. They came out great and my boys were able to give all the office staff and other wonderful ladies a little something to thank them for all of their hard work.
Monogramming! I am a sucker for a good monogram. I recently started picking up sale golf shirts or sweaters for the boys and I get them monogrammed. I love the "stacked" monogram for boys. For Jack's first birthday I found a linen romper on clearence for like ten bucks, of course I grabbed it. I took it to a local monogramming spot and for $10 more dollars I had them put a 5in number 1 on the back with a circle around it. I also had them put a "J" on the front. It looked so cute and special.
Here is a birthday cake my sister- in -law made me...she knows about my monogramming addiction...
I mentioned these yesterday but they are totally worth mentioning again. Pants
These candles are my favorite for many reasons- price, availability, the amazing handle that lets you move it throughout the house without burning your fingers, but most of all its made in the U.S.A.
Cinnamon is probably my favorite scent for winter and Lemon for summer
Mason Jar Candles
Monogramming! I am a sucker for a good monogram. I recently started picking up sale golf shirts or sweaters for the boys and I get them monogrammed. I love the "stacked" monogram for boys. For Jack's first birthday I found a linen romper on clearence for like ten bucks, of course I grabbed it. I took it to a local monogramming spot and for $10 more dollars I had them put a 5in number 1 on the back with a circle around it. I also had them put a "J" on the front. It looked so cute and special.
Here is a birthday cake my sister- in -law made me...she knows about my monogramming addiction...
A good cup of coffee. I am definitely one of those people who has a Starbucks addiction. This is going to seem so silly but I had a complete Eureka moment...Tired of hearing my hubby complain about the amex charges from the bucks, I started buying the ground coffee. I dusted off my favorite mug (it's a yellow- gold mug that I found in vintage store in Northern Liberties). Recently I started straying...shhhhh don't tell the bucks...I started buying La Columb. I grind it in the store and bring it home. I display it in glass air tight canisters....glass canisters
Its a little late but these Minted Valentines, from minted.com
I am now going to list many more favs....
-the smell of mint
-flossing (I am so Addicted!) I keep the sticks in my car, so there is never a day I can not floss
-Gap Pink perfume (just kicked it old school)
-my life, my children, my husband, my family
-Coconut oil used for lotion
-Honey Nut Chex
-Cinnamon ( sprinkle this stuff anywhere and everywhere I can, I love a tiny sprinkle in the coffee grinds before it brews)
-Red Wine (I'm currently addicted to Septima a malbec) Wine
Saying "Thank You" Every night before I fall asleep I like to say a thank you prayer. I find it calms me...
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Todays Outline for life...
Today is a new day... I figured if I actually publish an outline for what I would like to accomplish today, maybe I will.
I also just finished reading Oprah's new book "What I know for sure" so I have this new found energy to seize the day. I can not encourage you enough to read this book. It offers a sense of peace...
What I Know For Sure
TO DO:
`Make Coffee
`Put on I-tunes top 50 country songs
`Get Dressed in real clothes (not just my new favorite leggings) high times
`Big Adventure- Wegmans
- We need a full grocery order... daunting to some, but to me it just sounds like Hard Work. The Twins are getting to big for the car cart attachment and my youngest son Jack sits in the front, so attempting to go up and down every aisle in the grocery store with (almost) 4 year old twins and a 17 month old screaming to get out and walk with his big brothers--- it just seems HARD! But, I know myself it will get done.
`Unload groceries with out opening the back trunk hatch and having the water jugs fall onto the driveway and split open... every time, every single time.
`Email teacher about up -coming birthday book reading for twins
`Email Oprah and tell her how much I loved her book
`Begin set design for We're Going on a Bear Hunt
`Make dinner
-Tacos
`Clean/ Straighten up house before husband gets home to make life look effortless and seamless
-wink face emoji
`Try to not eat the remaining chocolate in the house ...stay tuned......
I also just finished reading Oprah's new book "What I know for sure" so I have this new found energy to seize the day. I can not encourage you enough to read this book. It offers a sense of peace...
What I Know For Sure
TO DO:
`Make Coffee
`Put on I-tunes top 50 country songs
`Get Dressed in real clothes (not just my new favorite leggings) high times
`Big Adventure- Wegmans
- We need a full grocery order... daunting to some, but to me it just sounds like Hard Work. The Twins are getting to big for the car cart attachment and my youngest son Jack sits in the front, so attempting to go up and down every aisle in the grocery store with (almost) 4 year old twins and a 17 month old screaming to get out and walk with his big brothers--- it just seems HARD! But, I know myself it will get done.
`Unload groceries with out opening the back trunk hatch and having the water jugs fall onto the driveway and split open... every time, every single time.
`Email teacher about up -coming birthday book reading for twins
`Email Oprah and tell her how much I loved her book
`Begin set design for We're Going on a Bear Hunt
`Make dinner
-Tacos
`Clean/ Straighten up house before husband gets home to make life look effortless and seamless
-wink face emoji
`Try to not eat the remaining chocolate in the house ...stay tuned......
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Did you eat?
Did you eat, otherwise pronounced "J-eat" the question all slurred together quickly, was a regular question for me growing up. My entire family always wanted and still wants to feed anyone and everyone they see. Let me also just say it doesn't matter if indeed you have already eaten, you will be fed anyway. Okay thats enough background...throughout the blog I will be posting what I'm making for dinner or whatever is cooking in Manzi-Lands kitchen.
Dinner: Chicken in the crock pot
Ingredients: 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cans of chicken gravy
a bag of baby gold potatoes cut in half
baby carrots
3 stalks of celery cut into pieces
salt/pepper
How to: Throw all those things listed above in a crockpot and turn it on high for four or more hours.
I know this dinner seems a little boring and odd to post but here's my reasoning...We just got over a long weekend where my family celebrated my husbands birthday, we took the kids on a mini -cation, came home, and it snowed...snowed enough where I wasn't going to go out and do the grocery shopping...this all brings us to the present day where I only have three chicken breasts in my freezer and after looking through all the cabinets I pulled out this Magical Crock Pot Wonder (cue a fairy wand and magic fairy noise). Egh, it's dinner. There is a protein, a starch, veggies, and I don't have to think about it...Magic
Dessert: Rice Pudding
Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup arborio rice
a little less of a 1/2 cup sugar (so exact I know)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract ( I honestly prefer the vanilla bean in the pod but (hands up and out) I'm out)
pinch of salt
finish with a 1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream
How to: Bring milk, rice, sugar, vanilla, and salt to a boil stirring frequently then put on med-low heat and stir often...this one I say you do have to watch but only for 30-35 min, make sure your don't burn the rice or milk mixture...after about 30 or so minutes add cream stir to combine and cover. I let mine stay on the stove bc we will be having it tonight.
This is really easy and not to "gourmet" I never seem to have raisins since the kids eat them constantly and I'm not huge rum or liquor adding type of gal to my desserts... I blame it on all of the Italian rum cake I had to eat as a child.
Dinner: Chicken in the crock pot
Ingredients: 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cans of chicken gravy
a bag of baby gold potatoes cut in half
baby carrots
3 stalks of celery cut into pieces
salt/pepper
How to: Throw all those things listed above in a crockpot and turn it on high for four or more hours.
I know this dinner seems a little boring and odd to post but here's my reasoning...We just got over a long weekend where my family celebrated my husbands birthday, we took the kids on a mini -cation, came home, and it snowed...snowed enough where I wasn't going to go out and do the grocery shopping...this all brings us to the present day where I only have three chicken breasts in my freezer and after looking through all the cabinets I pulled out this Magical Crock Pot Wonder (cue a fairy wand and magic fairy noise). Egh, it's dinner. There is a protein, a starch, veggies, and I don't have to think about it...Magic
Dessert: Rice Pudding
Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup arborio rice
a little less of a 1/2 cup sugar (so exact I know)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract ( I honestly prefer the vanilla bean in the pod but (hands up and out) I'm out)
pinch of salt
finish with a 1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream
How to: Bring milk, rice, sugar, vanilla, and salt to a boil stirring frequently then put on med-low heat and stir often...this one I say you do have to watch but only for 30-35 min, make sure your don't burn the rice or milk mixture...after about 30 or so minutes add cream stir to combine and cover. I let mine stay on the stove bc we will be having it tonight.
This is really easy and not to "gourmet" I never seem to have raisins since the kids eat them constantly and I'm not huge rum or liquor adding type of gal to my desserts... I blame it on all of the Italian rum cake I had to eat as a child.
Today is a new day...
SO for the record, this isn't my first rodeo...I have tried to start a blog in the past but to due to raising children, zero free time, and life nothing really came of it...regardless, I am going to give this another go...
This time I am going to keep things simple. Hopefully the simplicity of this blog will help anyone out there who needs an outline for the day to day (ehem me.) I will be posting the ins and outs of my crazy and fun family of five. So lets get started...
This time I am going to keep things simple. Hopefully the simplicity of this blog will help anyone out there who needs an outline for the day to day (ehem me.) I will be posting the ins and outs of my crazy and fun family of five. So lets get started...
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