Looking back

Just looking back on my blog, I realize how much my children have changed, how much I have changed. I went from a mother of one to a mother of two. Two very active children, I might add. I remember when I first had Desmina I had all these delusions of grandeur that I would be the best mother. I would never yell, I would never hit, I would never lose my temper. I would be patient, I would be kind. I would serve home cooked meals every day. I would home school. The list goes on. And while I have not lived quite up to my expectations, I am still happy. I may lose my temper. But I'm a work in progress. I am at a better place than I was at a year ago. I still yell, but not quite as much as I used to.

Recently I was reminded to spend more time with my kids. Play with them and look at them with child like eyes. I want them to remember me for the fun we had. I want them to go to bed each night knowing I love them, despite the fact that I yelled at them for pouring pickle juice on my freshly mopped kitchen floor. Every day is a new day, a new day to start anew.

On homeschooling, we decided to give public kindergarten a whirl. I had so much fun in school. I loved having my own little cubby, my own desk, a school supply box. Don't tell anyone this, but I loved home work. I even made up practice work sheets just to learn some more. I loved the kiddy games we played, Seven up, Red Rover, Doggy, doggy, games that aren't as fun with two children. I have social anxiety bad. I have to mentally prepare myself to step outside the house even if it's a trip to the store. I hide it well. I prefer for friends to come to me. Thus, socializing my children will be a challenge. I can do the academic aspects of home schooling. The nerd in me loves it, but the geek in me fears being around other people. I just don't want to pass that anxiety on to my children, like my mother did to me. I do wonder what Desi will be like in school. Will she listen to her teacher? Will she boss the other kids around? Will she throw her infamous temper tantrums? I am not afraid of the school system. I don't think it's faulty. I know it's not for everyone, but I believe that it's worth giving it a shot and see if will meet my children's wants and needs.

Vegan strawberry daiquri cupcakes

adapted from several recipes. Thanks Amie, for the strawberry one and putting up with my cupcake talk.

3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 cups sugar
1 package of vanilla pudding mix(check the ingredients because a lot has nonfat milk)
16 oz pureed or crushed strawberries
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup canola oil
2 TSB distilled vinegar
1/2 cup of rum
1/4 cup coconut milk (optional)
2 lime zests (optional)

In a smaller mixing bowl combine oil vanilla and vinegar. In a blender add the strawberries and rum. Mix until it's pureed crushed. If you don't quite have 16 oz of strawberries, add coconut milk. Combine the strawberry concoction to the wet ingredients. Add lemon zest.

Sift together flour baking powder sugar and vanilla pudding mix. Create a well in the middle of the bowl and pour the wet ingredients to this. Stir just until the ingredients are combined. You don't want to over stir. This will be very thick and not liquid like some batters.

Add to muffin tins and bake on 350 for 30 minutes. This yields about 24 cupcakes, but I ended up wit only 21.

Top with a whipped butter cream icing Jennifer P has great recipes. Add cherries on top!

RAWR

His name is Dinosaur. Yes, the kids named him.

Collard greens, turnips and black eyed peas

I made up this recipe upon a whim. At first I cooked the collard greens and turnips then added the uncooked peas and water. I think this overcooked the collard greens and turnips, but it was still very flavorful. No bitter after taste that turnips and collard greens are known for. The balsamic vinaigrette was a good balance. Fred and the kids loved it. Next time I will cook the BEPs first.

1 cup dry black eyed peas
1 bunch collard greens
1 turnip
2 cloves of garlic
2 to 3 tomatoes
splash of balsamic vinaigrette.

Rinse and soak the BEPs. Rinse and cook the peas. Drain. Or you can just used canned or frozen BEPs.
In a skillet, sautee turnips and garlic with soy margarine. Add Collard greens. Then add the tomatoes. Then add the BEPs. Finally add a splash of balsamic vinaigrette for flavoring. Serve over brown rice.

Overheard

While driving home
B: [trying to spell his name] B...A....
M: No, Bodhi, there is no A!
B: You hurt my heart. There is A in my name!

He usually knows how to spell his name too, don't know why he was insistent about the A part. I assured him that his last name had an A and he was happy with this.

Topic of the week

Bears and hibernation

Today we talked about bears, the different type of bears and where they live and what they eat. Both Desmina and I learned that Koala bears are actually marsupials. Bodhi learned about the different types of bears.

Our plans for this week are to head to the library and pick up some books on hibernation, a bear puppet, and a science experiment. Pics to come!

Spirng has sprung

Welcoming Spring

I was brave and let them help.

My little helpers


Spring rolls to welcome spring.

Hello Spring,

are you aware that this is Texas? Where are you?

Rally annoucement

If you know anyone who is interested in attending, please send them this info.
For more info, you can visit Thehitting stops here.

That kid

"That kid." You know the one that hit your precious baby at the playground. Or the one that is always screeching at the top of her lungs. What about the one that eats glue all the time? Then there is the biter.

As a parent, we want to protect our children. We want to think that our children would never to such and such. No, not my Charlie. There must be something obviously wrong with that child or else she wouldn't be biting all the time. It is clear that her parents are just not disciplining her.

As a parent of "that kid," I can tell you that there is nothing wrong with my parenting. My children are perfectly normal. I just happen to have a biter, or did rather. If you followed my blog, you may remember that Desmina has had several incidents with biting the land lord's daughter and another "precious child." Luckily the land lord was understanding and never kicked us out. The parent of the other child, on the other hand, failed to see that her child was also part of the problem. Now I'm not saying that Desmina was always guiltless.

This period of time caused me a lot of grief, heartache, and low self esteem. Being a parent of "that child" is a very hard pill to swallow. I just hope that she won't always be labeled as such. I'm just tired of the looks, the rolling of the eyes, or the whispers every time I don't react quick enough. People are so quick to judge the offspring of someone else. Why must we have these "mommy wars?"

I just ask for you to remember before rolling your eyes at a kid on the playground, or telling all your friends that Roscoe's mom lets her children run wild, take a step back. Please remember that sometimes "that child" can very well be your own.

Look at my big boy

Before

After

Snow Angels

Yes, that is real Texas snow!

What does Christmas mean to you?

For those that know me, know it's ironic that this is my favorite Christmas song. This song is so powerful. Can you imagine being so taken aback by something that you can't even stand? Faith never ceases to amaze me. I used to envy it. I admit I used to feel lost around Chritmastime. Then I realized something. There is something about Christmas that unites all humanity together. Christmas doesn't only belong to the Christians, despite the name. It's about bringing families together, believing in miracles, and sprinkling magic before your children's eyes. It's about reaching out to people and lending a hand or several hands. It's about cooking for your family or feeding a stranger.

Does it matter if people don't celebrate Christmas the same way. The world would be a better place if we treated it like everyday was Christmas.

So this year even if you don't think you have a reason to celebrate. Remember that you do. You have humanity to believe in. Spread joy and peace around the world!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love this song

There is something peaceful about watching snowfall. Perhaps it's the thought about life breathing beneath the white blanket. Or maybe it somehow brings families together. I love winter. I love snuggling underneath the blankets. Winter invigorates me. It reminds me that magic still lives within us.

I have never truly embraced my femininity. I have always been to busy being angry at women being objectified. I shudder each time I pass a Hooters or any similar establishment. I roll my eyes when I see ads with heaving breasts. Yet I have to admit there is something powerful and alluring about our bodies. Our bodies are built to create and sustain life. Becoming a mother helped me realize that.

As I look at my daughter and in my expectations I have for her , I have an epiphany. How can I be a true feminist if I suppress the side of me that I am actually fighting for?

Don't know which one we'll choose yet...

Minaisms

She puts a hanger around her torso. "Look Mommy, I'm Saturn!"

Yesterday while driving to see some friends. "Who wants to smell my feet? Free samples!"

After her Daddy telling her his secret that he farted.
M: I farted in dance class
Daddy: Did it smell bad?
M: No, it smelled pretty!

While riding around the car.
M: I love you.
Daddy: I love you too!
M: I was talking to me!

After relating the story to my sister, she says, "I was talking to you, Ivy!"

Corporal punishment in public schools

Let's not argue whether or not spanking is ineffective. That is not the question. The point is should spanking be allowed in public schools? Is it a "right"? By banning corporal punishment what are you losing out on? Do you trust another person to discipline your child with love? How would you feel if your child was a target of a teacher? A teacher may tolerate more from a different child then s/he would another. A child may be branded for his or her school career because of teachers' reports. Instead of punishing the behavior, the teacher is punishing the child. Let's ignore the fact that most spankings in school are done to minorities
Although can we honestly ignore the blatant discrimination?
Let's do it anyway and answer a few more questions. What benefit does a student get from a spanking in school? What lesson does a student learn? Not to get caught? Spanking does not teach the child to stop a behavior. It does not give the child the tools to make the right choices. Teaching the children critical thinking does that. What does the teacher gain? Power? Respect is neither gained through fear nor power.

It is not the school's jobs to punish our children. When people talk about it takes a village to raise a child, they are not talking about punishment. They are talking about ensuring the safety of our children, looking out for the children's welfare and teaching our children to become productive members of society. This is not accomplished by violence. Discipline simply means guidance. Teachers can still guide our children to the right path without succumbing to the paddle.

Seven Year Itch?

Not so much. I'm as happy today as I was yesterday. And as happy yesterday as I was seven years ago.

Fred proposed to me to this song. We went to the planetarium that night. After the show, he pretended like he forgot something. All of a sudden he was on his knees with a ring in his hand. I thought it was a joke at first, until this song played. Then I knew.
Today is our seven year wedding anniversary. It's been quite a journey. I am glad to be able to share it with him.