Muffin Tin Monday: Circles and Spheres

Great minds think alike! Unknowingly, I did the same topic for the shape theme as our Muffin Tin Mama Leader Katy! And I thought I was being so clever. LOL!

As the title indicates, for the shape themed muffin tin, BFG and I did a lesson on circles and spheres. It was pretty fun and BFG loved helping me to prepare it. I broke up some dried spaghetti to be her "toothpicks" to pick things up for dipping and eating. That was fun watching her explore with that up until she dipped a slice of banana for me into the ranch dressing and it fell off and she managed to dig it out and force it down my throat despite my protests. Oh, and excuse my melon balls. I don't have a melon baller and was free handing it.

Here are the contents: grapes, Sixlets, honey nut cheerios, fruit loops, honeydew melon, cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, crackers, dried spaghetti toothpicks, ranch dressing, banana slices, and mini cheese hot dog slices. (Have ya'll tried these? Oscar Mayer makes them and they are so cute! And not too expensive.)

Have blessed Monday, y'all!

Mama Said

Dress Up Diva

Believe it or not, I actually had a brilliant idea! Strap yourselves to your chairs for this. Well, it's probably an old idea, but I just thought of it. So, don't spoil it for me!

Hancock's had there Costume Creations fabric 50% and I bought a yard each of three fabrics for BFG to dress up in! No sewing, no gimmicks, cheaper than cheap-made-in-china-costumes, endless hours of imaginative play, multiple uses---dresses, skirts, capes, wedding veils, mermaid tails, etc. and/or tablecloths, curtains, just plain ol' decoration.




BFG (oh, I'm sorry), Cinderella (that's all I've been allowed to call her for the past month or so) has really been into her stuffed birds "making" a dress for her to wear to the ball just like in the movie Cinderella. So, she was thrilled beyond belief to have this material for her creations. Even my 7 yr. old niece has had a ball playing with them. Okay, even I've had fun. The fabric is so pretty!
I don't know if it's still on sale or not, but this is the time of year places put it on sale. And I think this would work for boys, too. You can get a satiny black or blue for Superman and Batman capes or furry animal fabric or shiny silver to be robots or Transformers.

Oh, and so far it hasn't unraveled. I didn't do a thing to it. But if you have an unraveling fabric, you can trim the edges with pinking shears or even turn over the edges with a glue gun.

Have fun!
Mama Said

Am I The Only One . . .

After a few more weirdo things happened to me today, I started wondering

Am I the Only One:

• who gets popped in the eye by one of those white plastic things that hold on tags. It just like flew threw the air, smacked me in the eye, and dropped to the floor. But my eye has been hurting and twitching ever since.
• who has such poor grocery and eating habits that when I actually buy fresh fruits and vegetables (last night), BFG and I spent the whole day devouring them like they were gourmet delicacies. BFG totally pigged out on bananas and grapes and I ate an whole half of a honeydew melon plus all the fresh veggies. Pathetic. I'm just waiting for out guts to revolt over being fed stuff so healthy.
• who tries to take two grocery carts at once to the cart corral (pulling one, pushing one) only to bang the car next to me with both of them which I may not have noticed if my sis hadn't been screaming Are you sure you can take both of them? while she came running to the rescue.
• who whose husband and brother-in-law play wacky games with the kids while me & my sis are at the grocery like freeze tag where when you are hit with the ball you have to freeze or making the kids play dodge ball with their eyes closed. Please don't call DCS. I really think the kids enjoyed it.
• who tries to look at drapery fabric at Hancock's only to have every single bolt you and your sister touch fall to the ground including one that you touch that hits a shelf of breakable decor items. The items miraculously manage to just all scoot back a half inch and not break, (Praise the Lord!) but managed to make enough noise we had to duck our heads and leave.
• who unknowingly goes into Tuesday Morning after they are closed to pick up BFG's Halloween costume real quick and manage to buy the wrong size after they had to announce on the loud speaker that they were closed and we had to leave. (BTW, we were the only ones there.) Plus, this costume is what had the take-your-eye-out-tag-thingy and BFG decided she would be Little Mermaid instead (a costume I had gotten at a yard sale this summer for like $3 and just remembered to show her, why I didn't think of this first I'll never know).
• who has a Lysol automatic air-freshener sprayer thing that periodically sprays in a rapid succession like 20 times right in a row when it is turned OFF! It is freakin' weird, y'all!

I better get off here. My eye is killing me!

Mama Said

Muffin Tin Monday: Build-A-Bear Repeat

BFG had a special request for Muffin Tin Monday today: Build-A-Bear again! We had bear toast that we covered with peanut butter and decorated with the contents of the tin. Here's what we used from top left to right: Keebler cracker sticks, Fruit Loops, Fruit Loops, Teddy Grahams, Fritos, chow mien noodles, Coco-Crunch, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, shredded cheese, granola, and Annie's organic bunny cereal. Of course, BFG didn't eat but a bite or two of the finished bear, but she chowed down on the toppings.

Here were our results. I got the bright idea of the Teddy Grahams being the "big bear's" teddies. But I have just laughed and laughed over how these turned out. Doesn't mine look like some weird tribal native getting ready to sacrifice the teddy? Hilarious! I have to say though that by happy accident, an upside-down Annie's bunny makes the perfect bear nose. Check out the other Muffin Tin Mamas over at Sycamore Stirrings!

Mama Said

The Smokies In Review Part 2

After making everyone laugh so hard in Part 1, I'm afraid y'all will be disappointed with Part 2 especially since y'all apparently like to laugh at my misery and this was a great day! :)

Part 2 is our trip to Dollywood. I have to say Dollywood was really fun! I had not been since it was Silver Dollar City like, um . . . over twenty years ago. Check out this first picture! How sweet is that! And look how darn high we were! I was terrified. Rhett kept pointing out things for BFG to look at and she'd turn and make our little bucket-thing sway and my heart would come up my throat as I made everyone freeze. I'm not scared of heights really, more scared of malfunctioning rides.

But check out the view! Way, way better than Clingman's Dome and so much easier!

They have real-live coal-burning train at Dollywood. The same one I rode as a child when it was Silver Dollar City! This was one of BFG's faves! Knowing she was going to get to ride a real train is actually one of the things that helped her get over not getting to go to Disney World. It's so easy to forget that some of the simplest things are what mean the most to little kids.

Another totally awesome thing there is a bald eagle sanctuary! It was so cool! Rhett and I talk all the time about how we've never see a bald eagle. We're so weird, I know. And Rhett always asks elderly people if they've ever seen one. So, this was a big deal to us. Now, this eagle is not in the actual sanctuary. The sanctuary is a netted-off woodsy area and you just look up the hill and see all kinds of bald eagles hanging out. This eagle was in like a viewing display thing. He was a rescue and only has one wing. Isn't that wild? So, I don't know if he can be in the sanctuary or not.

So . . . This I have to address: Was Dollywood as good as Disney?

Rhett would say hands down "YES!" As we were leaving Dollywood, he asked BFG and she said yes. But, come on now, she's 3 and just had a day full of rides and fun. She's easily swayed. As for me, I would have to say that Dollywood did have some perks over Disney at least for us at the time of year we went.

1) 3 yr. olds are still free @ Dollywood!!!!! and mine & Rhett's was about $25 cheaper each. Plus, if you go after 3:00 pm, you get the next day free. This was our plan, but unfortunately our after 3:00 day was the day we had climbed Clingman's Dome so that took care of that. We couldn't walk.

2) BFG is so tall for her age that she was eligible to ride all but the fiercest roller coasters. There were some she qualified for that I just had to say no to. I just don't think a 50 ft. drop @ 60 mph on the log ride is appropriate for a 3 yr. old even if Rhett did think he could hold on to her to keep her from flying out of the no-seat belts log. She did get to ride some pretty scary stuff though. I guess I didn't know how tough my little darling is. There was one rocket booster swing type ride thing that I rode with her and I was the one scared. I was sitting there praying for Jesus to protect us and and she was patting my leg saying, "Don't be scared, Mama, don't be scared."

3) Dollywood has a color-coded armband system to signify what rides you can ride. We got her measured when we first got there, got her armband, and knew by the back of the park map everything she could ride. So, there was no getting to the front of the line to be measured only to be told that you couldn't ride.

4) It was the Bluegrass and Barbecue Fest so we had some gooood eatin'!

5) It was all elderly people working in the park. I'm talking like probably in their 70s, which did make me a little nervous. I could just see one of them having a heart attack or something while we were stuck at the top of a ride.But everyone seemed healthy enough and I much prefer elderly people to teenagers. They were all super sweet to BFG and treated her like she was one of their own grandchildren.

6) Absolutely no lines!!!! We didn't even have to get off the rides. We just kept on going over and over again! In fact, the elderly people preferred that we didn't get off because it was less work for them!

7) You are surrounded by patriotic and religious themes in the park (actually, in all of the Gatlinburg area) which I think is pretty darn cool. Disney supports and promotes values and beliefs that are contrary to the Bible.

So, I guess it was pretty darn close to being better. And it probably was a better experience overall. Just different. I don't know why seeing your child hug a big dumb mouse is so important. It just is.

Oh, this will give you a laugh. I got targeted on two water rides. 1) On the Smoky Mtn. River Rampage, there is this section were people can put in a quarter and when the raft comes by it shoots water right at a person (depends on which one you put money in I think). So, I got nailed right in the face. Then on their new River Battle ride, you ride in a boat with water guns and can shoot people on the sidewalk. And they have guns and can shoot water at you except they are up higher and it's easier for them to get you. So, we are riding and out of no where, some grown man we do not know was running from gun to gun shooting at us and getting us soaked. Rhett was mad! Of course, the crazy man ran off and hid before we could get off the ride. What an idiot! Who would pick a big 6'3" guy to shoot at and aim at his wife and little girl? He was a doofus! But at least he was smart enough to high-tail it out of there before Rhett could hurt him.

Mama Said

The Smokies in Review Part 1

We did have a pretty good time in the Smokies and it was closer and it was cheaper since we shortened our trip and Dollywood was way cheaper than Disney. I'm still upset we missed out on the trip I had planned for so carefully. But, c'est le vie! This is a pic of part of the waterpark that was at the hotel we stayed at. Very, very cool and they are not even done building it yet. It will eventually include an indoor waterpark. It's called Wilderness at the Smokies. The waterpark is included with your room and is for hotel guests only. We scored our room for only $89/night and we were 1 of 5 families staying there. Most of the time, the only people we saw were the desk clerk and the lifeguards. It was good and weird at the same time.

After a full day at the waterpark, we went to the Black Bear Jamboree which is a dinner-show. It was fun! ALL kids ages 11 & under eat and attend FREE! So, if you think about what you would spend on a sit-down dinner out anyway, it really wasn't that bad. They take your family's picture as you go in, which of course you can buy. They film each night's performance and if you buy the picture, you get a DVD of that night's show for "free". Then, while you are eating before the main show starts, they film everyone and you are on the movie, too. Of course, I knew they would zero in on BFG and sucker us in. I wasn't counting on them doing close-ups of me eating my corn on the cob and my ribs. Yup, there I was(am?) gnawing on a rib bone right at the end and they FREEZE-FRAMED on my face! So, about 100 people or so are watching it right now getting a good laugh. Oh, and you should see our picture. BFG looks terrified. Seriously, she looks like we just kidnapped her or something.

The next day found us at the top of Clingman's Dome. ( I have no idea if that's how you even spell it.) Now, that was an interesting part of our trip. Let's put it this way, I do not ever plan on climbing that thing again. Rhett had some fading memory from his childhood where he climbed it with his family and there is some infamous picture or something. So, up we go. Now, you drive for miles up into the mountains just to get the sorry thing. (I apologize to whoever made up this Dome thing. Was it Clingman? But what were you thinking? This was like a sick joke.) First of all, it is alot colder up there. Of course. And who had forgotten everyone's jackets at the motel room? Me. So, BFG had on a sleeveless shirt and shorts. Other people were in coats, y'all. I took BFG's blankie and tied it around her like a straight jacket. So, she had to climb the mountain without the use of her arms. That is when she was climbing. Yeah, not the best idea to expect a 3 yr old to climb 6000 feet up. Of course, we had no idea it was 6000 feet up until an elderly lady told us at the top.

At the bottom, we had unknowingly arrived at the same time a tour group had. Rhett heard the tour guide telling the group to take their time that they would definitely get winded. Rhett laughed and laughed. Ya' know 'cause most people in the group were senior citizens. Well, what we didn't think about was how thin the air was. Within minutes, Rhett and I were wheezing and gasping for breath. I am not kidding. I could not breathe up there. And not even like all the way up there. I mean like barely on our way. Rhett couldn't even carry BFG. We had to crash out on a bench while all these 70 yr olds breezed past us.

At one of the many benches we stopped at, BFG found this big, beautiful just luscious snail crossing the asphalt path. Uh, yeah, we were on a paved path--not even hiking. Anyway, it was just a gorgeous snail and BFG was fascinated. She wanted to stop and watch it cross the path. Are you kidding me? I was freezing, couldn't breathe, and had noodle legs. I was not waiting on a snail to get across this path. Plus, Rhett and I were so put out all we wanted to do was to get this whole thing over with. We made her leave the snail. Yes, she threw a fit and yes, I wanted to just snatch the thing up and bring it to the top with us. But, unfortunately, the Smoky Mtn park guide was stopped there with us and we had passed a gazillion signs reminding us that disturbing the wildlife was a federal offense. The rest of the way up the mountain we had to listen to BFG cry and whine, "I miss Snaily. I want Snaily. Snaily is my best friend." Very annoying made even more annoying by having to waste precious oxygen to yell at her to drop it. I promised her we would check on "Snaily" on the way back down and we'd see how far he got. Just make a note to yourself to never ever make a promise on a snail.

We finally got to the top of the mountain. I was so so happy! Rhett seemed to keep walking, so I said, "We're here! This is it, right?" Wrong! I turn and see some concrete spiraling ramp thing going up even further with some weird-o straight out of the 60's dome thing. So, on we went with me and BFG whining the whole way. You notice from the picture that it was an overcast day. We had hiked up the mtn. in a cloud. People typically climb Clingman's Dome for the view. The view, y'all! We could barely see the person in front of us. Totally not worth it. The only cool thing was that we were walking in a cloud and it wasn't raining. But the water kept condensing and dripping off our our hair. If BFG were a little older, it was the perfect water cycle lesson.

Smile! Click, click! And we were headed back down. Finally! But as you know, going down is worse than going up. My leg muscles were water. I could barely manage to keep myself from tumbling down the mtn. They hurt so bad I even considered what would happen if I balled myself up and did try to roll down. I still think I may have come out better since I had shin splints for the next week from this thing. BFG just could not walk at all. We had to take turns carrying her down the mtn. with mostly Rhett doing it and even he was struggling. Everyone we met on the path was laughing at us.

We finally got back to Snaily. And, unfortunately, Snaily never made it across the path. Someone stepped on him and obliterated him, which kind of makes the don't touch the wildlife signs ironic 'cause we could have saved him. But, they didn't ask me when they made the rules. Well, BFG is just a mess over this snail. I know it was worse since she was exhausted and her legs were hurting. She cried and she cried and she pouted and pouted and demanded another one. I just could not wait to get to the car. As pathetic as this sounds, by the time we get in the car, I am screaming at her over that stupid snail. "I can't get you another one! It's over! Snaily's gone! If I got you another one, Mama would go to JAIL! Is that what you want? Mama to go to jail and never see you again?" At times like these, I have no shame. Although I have to say a night in jail may be preferable to climbing Clingman's Dome in the above conditions with a 3 yr old.

We start driving back down the mountain with BFG crying and squalling about that snail. I suddenly have to slam on my brakes 'cause there is a bear cub in the road! I seriously almost hit it. I was stunned and I think Rhett was too. It the first bear I've ever seen in the wild. Before we could say, "Bear!" it had run up a steep embankment out of sight. Guess who was the back seat and missed the whole thing? You got it! BFG starts squalling over that and saying, "I miss everything! Whaaaaaah!" It seemed like she cried forever. I think I finally gave her a piece of gum or something and that helped. It's hard to chew and cry at the same time. Don't get me wrong. I wish she had seen it. I would rather she see it than me esp. since I would not cry uncontrollably over missing it.

All in all, it was a miserable 3 hours or so that I could have lived without. Although, seeing the bear was really cool. And that's what vacation's all about, right? Crazy stories make memories.

Mama Said

We're Still Alive and Kickin'

Just wanted to let everyone know that we did make it home from the mountains. I'll fill you in just as soon as I can. As soon as we got home, we set to work repainting BFG's room. Yeah, it was one of two rooms out of ten that had a fresh paint job from the previous owners and did not need it. But yellow just wouldn't cut it for ol' BFG. Her room had to be Cinderella-blue. It only took hearing, "When are we going to paint my room, mom? When do I get a blue room, mom?" about a thousand times before I caved. So, the lesson learned is if you ever want something from me, ask me a thousand times and it's yours!

We've also had Revival this week which has plum worn me out! Loved every minute of it! Thrilled at the decisions that were made for Christ! But I am sooooo sleepy. I feel every minute of my twiddle-age as all I want to do is head off to bed with my heating pad and neck pillow and stay locked in the house for the next few days.

Zzzzzzzzz . . .
Mama Said

Muffin Tin Monday: Hello, Ocean! & Vacation Misc.

We did a thematic unit on Oceans/Beach because that's where I'm supposed to be right now. But God and Hurricane Ike had other plans. We based our unit on the book Hello, Ocean! because I found a cool lapbook on Homeschool Share. You can check out our lapbook below. We didn't quite finish it but that's okay. I'll keep it and pull it out to finish and review when we actually get to go to the beach.
Muffin Tin contents: Sand Dollar Sandwich (two tortillas with cheese melted between), Coral (Cheetos), Deep Divin' Desert (blue jello with gummy fish), Wet Sand (peanut butter with graham cracker crumbs mixed in), Shovels and Driftwood for the Sand (Keebler Cracker Sticks and pretzels) and Whales. Oh, and Ocean Water to drink (lemonade with blue food coloring). BFG had a blast with this muffin tin! I think it was her favorite one. She really pretended to be digging in the "sand" with her "shovels" and she kept having "beached whales" (Her Whales would be dipped in the peanut butter.). She would say, "Mom, have a piece of coral." and then whisper to me, "It's really Cheetos!" and giggle and giggle.

Isn't our lapbook precious? I think all this preparation and leading up to our trip is what made not being able to go so disappointing. Luckily, Rhett came up with the idea of going on BFG's birthday which is Thanksgiving week. He thinks he can take just a few days and put it with the Thanksgiving holiday. Shhhhh! We aren't telling the fam yet. So, for this week, I guess we are going to head to the Smokey Mountains. I think we'll have fun. There's a waterpark we can go to and of course Dollywood. And I think we might try one of those dinner show things. It's just not what we all were expecting. But down here in the South, going to the Smokies is like a rite of passage. So, might as well get'er done for BFG.
I found this idea on the Crafty Crow. I didn't make it exactly the way it's supposed to be 1) 'cause I don't roll like that when it comes to sewing (um, 'cause I can't sew) & 2) I was in a super hurry. I still like it though and BFG was mesmerized.
And it rolls up all cute and everything. I think the best part is if she drops her crayons in the car while coloring (which always happens) the crayons will stay all tidy in one place instead of flying all over the floorboard.

Well, chickadees, I'm off to the mountains! Holler at'cha when we get back!
Mama Said

Cancelled!

Yup, that's right. Our vacation is officially cancelled. Praise the Lord that they did refund all of our money due to the weather. But this has been a miserable past few days trying to figure out Ike. There has been tears, yelling, threats---all done by me. The Happy Quest didn't hold through on this for me.

I am so, so upset. I just wish we had not told BFG we were going to Disney until we were in the car on the way. Plus, this was our first vacation in three years where Rhett was not in school and doing online schoolwork. Not to mention that last year, I had this freak surgery and was not allowed to get in the water or even sit in the sand. I know I sound like a spoiled brat and should be grateful we get a vacation at all. And I'm sorry for that. It's just really hard looking at my precious baby girl's face and telling her that her dreams aren't coming true after we've talked it up for the past couple of weeks.

The whole thing is just ridiculous. I've run myself ragged to get an ocean-themed lapbook done with BFG and now we aren't even going. We are still toying with the idea of just running down to Disney for two days and coming back before it hits. But I'm really scared of getting stuck on the interstate for days trying to get out. Aaaaaaagggghhhhh! I just wish I knew what to do. This is the absolutely only time Rhett can get off probably for the next 6 months. So, it's do-or-die.

Mama Said

Summer Beauty

My roses that Rhett gave me for my 30th birthday this past spring. Aren't they beautiful? I'm so glad this last bunch bloomed before we left.

Hannah & Ike & Josephine! Oh, My!

(Don't forget the survey!!! Look to your left right now!!!! See it!!!)

Aaaaagh! Thanks for ya'll's prayers! It looks like we will miss Hannah. Now, we have to worry about Ike and Josephine! Please pray again. Thank you so much!!!! We have even talked about not going. But I just know if we don't go, it will be beautiful weather down there. If we do go, we will be evacuated. No, we won't be evacuated 'cause then we'd get our money back. It will just be terrible winds and rain and we will be forced to leave because we are so miserable. Sigh.

I'm still planning though just in case. Although after a gazillion errands yesterday and more to do on Friday, I think I might opt for the swimsuit and white T-shirt plan. It's soundin' pretty darn good about now.

Anyone have any good car activities for almost 4 yr. olds? Or any tips on making a 10 or 11 hour drive any easier for BFG? I have to say this is one time that it is almost a relief to have an only child 'cause she doesn't have anyone to fight with in the backseat.

Mama Said

Vacation Countdown!

Yea! Our vacation is almost here! We leave on Saturday for a week of sun and fun and one day @ Disney! Reality check: Hurricane Hannah is headed right to our vacation destination and with mine and Rhett's vacation record---it will probably rain the entire time we are there. I'm hopeful it will hit and move on before we get there. But I'm tellin' ya do not be surprised if they have to evacuate Florida on Friday and we miss our entire trip.

But I'm carrying on with the vacation planning. This is probably my favorite part anyway. I love to plan what to pack, what has to be done before we leave, what we are going to do in the car, where we are going to eat on the trip, what activities are we going to do, what toys to take to keep BFG occupied while we lounge around, etc. I LOVE planning! It never works out the way I plan and then I get mad. But C'est le vie! (sp?) And the more I plan, the more I pack which makes Rhett an unhappy hubby. In his mind, we could all make it through the entire trip as long as we each had our swimsuits and a white T-shirt. I'm serious. If I said, "Everyone, put on their swimsuits and a white T-shirt. We're leaving.", Rhett would be so, so happy and would leave for our trip that way. Honest truth. No kidding. He started in on me weeks ago about what I didn't need to take and what we could get by with. He does it in a jokey, hint-hint nice way. But I know what he really means. But, no one worry. I usually win this one (minus a float or beach chair unless I supervise the packing of the car). Of course, now we only have ONE beach chair, HIS, because MINE is now lying in a ditch somewhere because Rhett used it to weigh down a tarp covering the truck bed and of course once we hit oh say 15 mph, the beach chair flew OFF never to be seen again despite prolonged searching! But that's another story and I'm over it. No hard feelings. I hope whoever snatched it from the side of the road before we could get back home to look for it is having fun sitting in it considering we live no where near the beach. And I hope Rhett has fun sitting in the sand this year.

Anyway, I am having a really tough time deciding on whether or not to bring BFG's big stroller. Our umbrella stroller is not worth bringing. I hate it. I think I'll put up a survey and y'all weigh in for me. Here's the details: BFG is a few months shy of being 4 yrs. old. The big stroller will take up half of the backseat. We can rent one the day we are at Disney. The town we are visiting has trolleys in the sightseeing district, but the pricey tickets are only good for 3 days out of the 7 we'll be there. We should spend more time at the beach than walking around, shouldn't we? There may be a hurricane in which we will not be walking around outside, but may have more inside walking around if we go to malls, museums, etc. The more she walks, the more she naps, maybe?

Please help! And pray Hannah will hurry up and get over with or even better break up and never hit!!!!
Mama Said