The Very Messy Caterpillar!!!

Alright, alright, so this project wasn't THAT messy. lol. I just love the play on words. So, I unfortunately cannot take credit for this awesome idea since I came across it on a random blog a few weeks back. I am not sure whose blog it was but if you are reading this, thanks for the idea!

What you will need:

1. Egg Carton - preferably with no eggs in it :) (seriously though no eggs!)
2. Some pipe cleaner...let your little one pick out the colors (Kayleigh loves picking things out, pajamas, shoes, socks etc). This is their project so the more they are involved the better
3. Paint - OH BOY!
4. Paint brush
5. Scissors
6. Markers (optional)

Alright so now that you have run out to whatever store and spent some money on supplies, lets get started. We do all of our painting projects in the kitchen since our apartment is fully carpeted. I still put down some cardboard (broken down boxes) for easy clean up.

Oh God, what is she going to do to me now?

Leave the egg carton whole while the child is painting it even though we will just be using half. It's just easier for them. I also put little dollops of paint on the carton because it's easier for them and I feel like I am wasting less paint.

The finished product...

Cut the painted egg carton in half until you have what looks like a caterpillar! Poke two holes in one end for the pipe cleaners.

Do I look like a caterpillar yet?

 Insert the pipe cleaners. Look how cute!

Optional: Use marker to draw a face on the caterpillar and enjoy your child's creation!

So now that you have created a caterpillar, how about we learn about them? Once a week, Kayleigh and I visit the library down our block. It has an indoor play area which she loves and I also take out about ten books to read to her during story time each night. Some moms think I am a little crazy, but I read to her each night for about fifteen to thirty minutes! She really loves it and it makes her happy and therefore makes me happy. Also, don't think you have to wait to start reading to your child. Kayleigh was two weeks old when I began reading to her. It calmed her down but I think it was just the sound of my voice. I can't just talk to a baby though, so reading was much easier.

So here are some books I plan to read this week to Kayleigh as we learn about CATERPILLARS!

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle - we actually own this book and read it almost everyday. Kayleigh pretty much knows the whole book by heart. If you haven't read this to your little one yet, it is guaranteed to be a favorite!
• Ten Little Caterpillars, by Bill Martin Jr.
• Arabella Miller's Tiny Caterpillar, by Clare Jarrett
• The Crunching Munching Caterpillar, by Sheridan Cain
• Charlie the Caterpillar, by Dom DeLuise
• The Caterpillar and the Polliwog, by Jack Kent

Happy Nine Years!!!!!

WOW! Dan and I have been together for nine years now! We started dating October 23, 2002. Seems like a lifetime ago, but in a good way. I can't believe how far we have come. We graduated college together, Dan graduated ATC school, although we are still struggling with his medical issues at work. We have been to countless Caribbean islands together as well as a few states. Oh yeah, we got married and had a kid with another on the way. When you look back, who would have thought our journey would have been so amazing! We have definitely had our share of struggles but we both got through them and I truly believe it just makes you stronger as a couple as well as a person. It's not over either, I am so excited to see what's coming. Let's reminisce and look at some pictures from the past. Warning: we look like babies! lol.

2001 - Not dating yet but best of friends.

2002 - Couldn't find a digital pic of the both of us so Johnny gets the pleasure of being in this post. Good times at goodbar....it's where our romance flourished! lol

2003 - Still going strong after spending a few months apart. These little long distance practices would come up handy later in life.

2004 - At least one of us is still enthusiastic! LOL. Just kidding...Love you babe. This was taken at Brady's where we spent many a night and many dollars.

2005 - Graduation! We're adults now...lets go to Bradys!

2006 - Mayan Riviera, Mexico...we spent a lot of time in the shade after we both got burnt.

2007 - St. Maarten...definitely our favorite vacation spot. We can't wait to go back there again!

2008 - At our friends Corey and Lauras wedding. One of the most fun nights of my life and we weren't far behind them!

2008 - So I needed to put this pic in because I love it! This was at the Winter Classic Sabres game. Definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my life! When those black hawks went over Ralph Wilson stadium it was just amazing. Thanks for making me a sabres fan and I enjoy watching all the games with you!! GO SABRES!

2009 - This is right before our Wedding dinner...Introducing Mr. & Mrs. MacLeod!

2010 - At our friends Tasha and Kevins wedding. I was 9 months pregnant here but stayed up later than my hubbie and friend and cut a rug on the dance floor!

2011 - Family vacation in Jamaica. Life has definitely changed (for the better) since we brought our little bug into the world.

So there you have it. A glimpse into our past. Looks like fun right? I have to say I have some wonderful memories with this guy. I know they say there are plenty of fish in the sea but if you are looking for that award winning catfish you always hear in stories and legends, well ladies, you can stop looking because I definitely caught the guy.  Love you babe and here's to many many more happy years together!

Happy Fall!

I absolutely love fall! I love the smells, the weather and the food!! I scored some awesome wallflower refills from Bath and Body works so my house currently smells like: crisp apple pie, pumpkin spice and fall leaves. Obviously they are all in different rooms so its not overwhelming.

The bug and I got a chance to go visit a pumpkin farm a few weeks back. Unfortunately, we didn't go apple picking and since we are about to embark on a journey to NYC, I don't think that is going to happen this year. Oh well, I guess I won't be posting any apple pie recipes. :)

Kayleigh LOVES pumpkins, or as she calls them "punkies." Everyone has them on their porches so when we walk to a friends house or to the library, she points out every last one.

Here are a few pictures from the pumpkin farm. It was seriously 85 degrees that day and this pregnant lady was not having it. Remember, I like fall weather. I plan my babies around the cold weather because I just don't know how women are nine months pregnant in high heat. It's just not for me. Enjoy the photos!

Kayleigh and her friend checking out the pumpkins.

Happy Harvest! Hope you all get a chance to get out there and roam through a pumpkin patch, pet the animals and collect some apples!

Puzzle Time Activity

So Kayleigh is currently fascinated by puzzles. She never used to get them but now she thinks they are just the bees knees. Putting the correct pieces in the puzzle is fun, but I thought I would spice it up a bit.

First line up all the puzzles you have on the floor.

 

 

 

 

 

Kayleigh likes this so much better than one puzzle at a time. I think it is a little more challenging and she enjoys not only getting the puzzle piece into the correct spot but picking the correct puzzle!

The  put all the pieces in one box so your child can go through and choose which piece they want to start with.

Success! Good Job Kayleigh!

Someone is always very proud of themselves when they complete a puzzle.

So this can keep Kayleigh busy for about 45 minutes. She does need encouragement to keep going and does better if I sit and appreciate her new little interest. I hope it keeps your little one busy for a while!

Kayleigh and her ABC's

So Kayleigh is obsessed with coloring and she is also obsessed with letters and numbers. Right now she can identify all her letters (not consecutively) and about 6 numbers (again not consecutively).

This all happened because of Melissa and Doug blocks. We got them for her last Christmas and they are by far one of her favorite toys. When she turned about a year she would bring us a block and we would ask her what the pictures were. They were pretty easy words for her to say (dog, ball, bird etc). I had no idea that my husband was also going over the letters on the blocks, which is how she learned them. I was doing dishes in the kitchen one day when I would hear him ask "what's this one?" She would reply with the right letter. I was amazed! Needless to say, it was a favorite past time of hers and now shes onto bigger and better things.

So we color a lot and since I am sick and tired of buying coloring book after coloring book I am now going to pbskids.org and printing out letter pages with her favorite characters on them. It definitely kills some time and she gets to color her current favorite thing: letters. So here is a little clip of her reciting some of her letters. I started the video late so she is reciting the letters of her name and starts with "A" instead of "K" because of my great film making skills. Sorry about not being in focus, I will never be a cameraman I suppose. Enjoy the video!

Mommy Mac's Chili

Hi there! So I am not a recipe cooker. I usually just throw a bunch of stuff in a pot and somehow it turns out delicious. I guess I am just lucky. I do have a banging recipe for Chili though. I have made it for football games, parties, potlucks as well as many other gatherings and I always get people asking for the recipe. Well I am not a selfish person and I would love to share the recipe as long as my friends still come over to enjoy my food. So here we go:

Mommy Mac's Chili:

- 1 lb. of ground beef (I sometimes get the 1.25 or 1.35 lb packages which is fine. Just try to stay between 1 and 1.5 lbs.)
- 1 lb. of stew beef (The same rule above applies for this. Also, cut the meat into about 1-1.5 inch pieces since most places leave it pretty big).
- 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped in about 1 inch pieces
- 1 red pepper, chopped in about 1 inch pieces
- 1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can of dark red kidney beans, drained
- 1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste
- 1 package of chili seasoning
- 1-2 tablespoons of Franks red hot sauce (This is to taste. If you like it hot add more. If you don't start small and add until you are satisfied)
- 1.5 tablespoons Sofrito
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Garlic Salt to taste

1. Saute garlic, onions and peppers in some EVOO in a wok until slightly soft. About 2 minutes. Salt and Pepper vegetables while they cook.
2. Add ground beef and stew beef to the pepper, onion mixture until meat is well browned.
3. Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and mix well
4. Cook on high for 2 hours, then on low for 1 hour.
5. Serve with any additional toppings you like on chili. However, it is necessary that you go out and get a good loaf of Italian bread. Butter the bread generously (The butter will melt into the hot bowl of chili when you rest your bread on the bowl). Use the bread for dipping and enjoy!

Freeze! & Embrace the Camera!!

That's what I feel like Kayleigh should do at this age. Freeze so she can be my little buddy forever. I love having conversations with her everyday, talking about what we are having for breakfast, lunch and dinner and getting millions of hugs and kisses everyday! She is so lovey all of a sudden and I am enjoying every moment of it. I love when I am in the kitchen and I hear "MOMMY!" She just wants to know what I am doing most of the time and then goes back to playing. I love that you love your big girl bed and are sleeping like a champ which we have been missing since you were about 6 months old and started crawling and pulling yourself up. I LOVE that you are so attentive and caring to your baby dolls. You feed them, try to put them down for a nap, pretend to flip them in the air just like Daddy does with you. It makes me confident that you are going to be a loving, doting and protective big sister as well as mentor to this little girl who is growing in my belly.

Speaking of little girl growing in my belly...can we say active?? I have already felt hiccups on more than one occasion and her little kicks and punches are beginning to pack a punch! She also moves a lot whenever Kayleigh is throwing a fit which I think is hilarious. I think it's hilarious now until in about two years when they set each other off and I have two toddlers throwing a temper tantrum. Oh well, you can't dwell on the negatives, right?

So my little bug, I know you have your off days but let me tell you that I feel you have outdone yourself the last few days. I seriously wish I could bottle up everything about you right now and save it for years from now when I need a boost.

As most of you reading this know, Steve Jobs passed away earlier this week. Honestly, I didn't know the guy (surprising right?). I am so sorry that he passed away a young man, but the reason I am bringing this up is because someone posted one of his quotes which I would like to share with all of you:

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on." - Steve Jobs

Thank you Steve Jobs for the words of wisdom and thank you Kayleigh for helping me love what I do. As much as I love our little relationship right now (I am like a god to you right now, who wouldn't love that?) I long for the days when we can go shopping together, get a mani-pedi, watch beaches...obviously without your father. It's only going to get better, but for now, its pretty close to perfect!
 

I love you bugger!!

Thats right.....I am a stay at home mommy....PART I

So I have been a stay at home mom now for a little over eighteen months. I just wanted to share some of the questions that family, friends and complete strangers have asked me about this decision.

Disclaimer: I in no way intend to offend any of my working mom friends out there but some of my responses may seem like that. Be assured its more me defending myself against some of these absurd questions than hating on the working mom, because I applaud you all and the ability you have to balance work and home.

Question #1 - Aren't you bored?

Yes! In fact, the only thing that keeps me from hanging myself everyday is the longing to one day go back into corporate America and sit in front of a computer screen for 8+ hours a day and do the same thing over and over again. By the way, Ben Franklin called that insanity. Okay, that was a completely sarcastic response. NO! I am not bored. Do you have visions of me sitting on my couch watching bad TV, combing through facebook and eating bon bons? Well sorry, for any haters out there, that is just not me. In fact, I started attending breastfeeding and new mom support groups when Kayleigh was just 3 weeks old. I met a lot of moms through those groups and I now get out of the house almost everyday for hours at a time. We visit museums, playgrounds (both indoor and outdoor), zoos, story time, friends houses along with many other fun activities. I also enrolled Kayleigh in "The Little Gym" at four months old. This was both to get us out of the house as well as to meet more people since I moved to Ohio when she was two weeks old. She is still a member of "The Little Gym" and LOVES it! I am on facebook way too much but this was a problem before I began to stay home.

Also, on top of experiencing all these fun new activities with my little bug, I also have a ton of time to dabble in some fun hobbies such as cooking and photography. Don't worry, I keep myself busy!

Question #2 - Don't you feel bad you are wasting your education?

I was a Quality Assurance Specialist/Analyst/Senior QA Engineer for five years and got the job through a fellow Canisius Alumni. I had a great job for quite a while and I feel I used knowledge that I obtained in my college education. I went to a great school, made great friends, met my husband and learned some wonderful life skills that I don't have to be in an office to use. I am very grateful there are people out there who are concerned that I am sitting at home blowing bubbles and speaking baby talk all day. Well maybe this will make you all feel better about what I am doing since the fact that I have no concerns doesn't mean anything to you.

Believe it or not, I have the same job description I had when I worked for my old company. How the hell can that be? What white rabbit am I now pulling out of my ass to make myself feel better?? Here is a short job description of my title from my last company: "I ensure the quality and integrity of my company's products." Guess What? I do the same thing! Except that I care a little more about the products that I ensure the integrity and quality of because I developed and perfected these products for nine months before I released them into the world for everyone to enjoy. Pretty crazy right? My children are my products now. I am not outsourcing the job to someone else (how American of me!) to ensure they become the top product out there! Eventually I may bring in some outside testers, a.k.a. teachers, because it takes a village right? For now, we are a small company and all the extra work will be done in house. So I am using my education, so you can all sleep soundly tonight knowing that.

Unfortunately, this is where I am going to have to stop although I have a plethora of questions to share with you still! Again, I hope my responses didn't offend anyone, although maybe the controversy will get me more followers. :)

Until next time....