Confessions from Householdsix » life

Let’s Try Parenting

Amanda — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:50 +0000

What has happened parenting? I see so many parents who want to be their child’s friend. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told my 9 year old that, “I’m not here to be your friend. I’m here to try and mold you into a productive member of society.” Our new neighbors have barely moved in, and already I had two little girls come to my door yesterday asking if I “wanted to buy something.” They had a board book, a pony tail holder, and some Silly Bandz. They were just trying to pick up some extra cash. There was no adult in sight, and the older of the two girls was all of four or five. The younger was maybe about three. Just walking around post, and walking up to strangers’ houses asking them if they want to buy stuff. During naptime I might add.

Yesterday must have been parents’ day off and no one told me because a little later we went over to the clinic so my older son could get his allergy shots. There was a boy who told my son he was eight. Not a parent in sight. This kid was literally climbing the walls and jumping on the furniture. It was absolutely insane. I tried to get a picture of him climbing up the wall with my phone, but he jumped down too quickly the last time before we left.

If this keeps up, I’m going to start a column on this blog called “Colonel’s Kids Gone Wild,” since that’s mostly what rank (well and LTC) lives here.

Wordless Wednesday – Silly Bandz

Amanda — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:28:39 +0000

My boys are really into these Silly Bandz. Even my 3yo. They even managed to find a package of Army shapes. Here, Aaron is showing off his pirate shapes, and the three humvees Zach gave him.

Nutritional Advice from the McDonald’s Drive Thru

Amanda — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:42:58 +0000

After Zach got his allergy shots today, I took the kids to McDonald’s to grab dinner. Not high on the nutritional priorities, but it’s hot, McD’s is fast, and once in awhile it won’t kill anyone. So I go through the drive thru and order. Then I pay. Then I get to the window where they give me my food. A girl leans out with the big sweet tea cups and says, “You aren’t going to give these to your kids are you? They’re like five cups of sugar each.” I said, “Yes I am. The Hi-C has just as much sugar, and also red dye which makes my kids off the charts hyper. They’re lactose intolerant, and they can’t have the milk. I’d prefer they not have soda. They don’t need Vitamin Water. So yes, I’m letting them have sweet tea, and yes, I’m letting them get the gigantic cups. Think of it as their Starbucks.” She then tried to tell me again about all the sugar in the sweet tea. So I had to explain, “I’m not exactly here because McDonald’s is known for its health food. It’s fun for the kids now and then.” I really wanted to say, “Shut up and gimme the damn tea. I’m thirsty,” because I had ordered one for myself. She kinda rolled her eyes at my health food comment, but really. You choose to question a mother giving her kids the sweet tea (albeit the gihugo cup size they offer), and not the chicken nuggets or fries? Really? Even McDonald’s salads are laden in calories (and a preservative that if you’ve had your gall bladder out will make you learn every public bathroom between the restaurant and your house). If I want to eat healthy, I’ll stay home and cook.

My Kids Think They’re Getting Soda

Amanda — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:36:54 +0000

I found a new product at the grocery store that we all love. No, this is not a compensated review. I’m sharing what I found because I know how hard it is to balance what we want nutritionally for our kids with their want for the junk foods they see everywhere. Juicy Juice has sparkling juices now. I searched that nutrition label high and low for added sugar and dyes. I’ve been fooled by those claims before. I couldn’t find any (I bought orange). Now, I still consider this product a treat not only because of the price, but also because it’s juice. Juice is liquid calories none of us need on a regular basis. BUT, my boys drank the sparkling orange Juicy Juice and thought they hit the jackpot because mom was allowing them to have orange soda. This is something that is generally banned from our house due to the red dye used to make it (my oldest can’t have red dye). The juice isn’t overly carbonated, so for kids who like the fizzyness of soda, but not to much like my kids will like this as well.

Reason #564 I’m Glad Our Rude Neighbors Moved

Amanda — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:58:53 +0000

I’m so glad our rude neighbors that we had to share a driveway with for the last year FINALLY cleared housing the other day. The reason now? I noticed for some weird reason there’s no garbage can or recycle bin on their side of the driveway. I guess they had some last minute garbage when they left. What did they do with it? Why they put it in our can of course. Normally I wouldn’t care, but we are limited to what can fit in our can each week except the one bulk garbage day per month. This isn’t a bulk week. Also, they didn’t ask, just did it. Again, would’ve been fine if it were a small amount, but it was a fair amount of garbage for me to notice it in the big can. They threw what looks like the remnants of their salt from the winter in there too. If I get any crap from the garbage men over it not being in a garbage bag, I’m not going to be happy since it’s due to someone else’s rudeness. Let’s have some common courtesy Colonels*, yes?

*I live on a post that the majority of residents are LTCs and COLs. You would think at that age and stage in the military there would be more common courtesy. Not with the last group who lived here. It varies year to year.

National Guard Life article

Amanda — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:13:17 +0000

Don’t forget about my contributions over at Today’s Military Spouse to the National Guard section. There’s other great articles on the site as well. Surf around, and if you like what you see, visit often, subscribe, and/or see the social media bookmarks (Facebook and Twitter).

What’s Wrong With This?

Amanda — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:00:53 +0000

I bought this spray to help straighten my hair. I was reading the bottle again today because I was looking for a product I could use on dry hair before I used my flat iron. This one says it can be used for just that, but there’s also a caution. At least I still have my hair.

Front of the bottle:

Back of the bottle:

Wordless Wednesday – Summer Projects

Amanda — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:55:39 +0000

Each summer I usually tackle at least one project around the house. So far, we have a rock garden. No more weeds. I took the hint when the landscapers weed whacked our flower bed, got rid of the rest of the weeds, laid landscape fabric, then put rocks on top. No more weeds, low maintenance, and I think it’ll look pretty cool when we decorate for Halloween in the Fall.

I stopped by TJMaxx to see if they had a wind chime I liked for the other side of the hook, and I found these patio cushions. I’ve been looking all Spring and Summer, since the Summer merchandise was put out, for new cushions that didn’t cost almost as much as a new patio set. I was seriously ready to Craigslist this set and just get a new one.

What I Learned This Weekend

Amanda — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:11:01 +0000

-I suck at growing plants, so I’m making a rock garden once and for all. It’s almost done.

-The boys fight all the time because they’re so much alike.

-Zach has no grasp on the fact that his little brother acts the way he does because he learned those behaviors from Zach. Note to all the older siblings out there, if you’re an ass to your younger siblings, it only teaches them how to do it back to you. Mom and Dad know what they’re saying when they mean KNOCK IT OFF!

-Gerber tools are sharp. Ask my finger.

-Video games are one mother’s bane and another mother’s (mine) sanity. Mario is the reason I can load the dishwasher and change loads of laundry when the boys are awake.

-The boys have no concept yet of heat, allergies, asthma, or humidity. They just want to play outside. Never mind that we’re all melting, have blocked up noses, and can barely breathe.

-You stand out in the commissary on Sunday morning in a tank top and shorts when almost everyone else just came from church.

-When I say Zach has Asperger’s, people automatically assume that it was caused by his getting vaccinated or by his diet. If I say we’ve tried the diet and it didn’t work, the Diet Nazis tell me I’m wrong, and it’s “the cure” for autism. Yeah, I wish it were that easy.

-Zach says EVERY.SINGLE.THING. that pops into his head. Often it’s like living with John Madden.

-Aaron is smarter than he often lets on, and already has a wicked sense of humor at 3.

We Had a Pizza Affair

Amanda — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:27:47 +0000

At least that’s what it feels like. Almost every Wednesday (there are some exceptions), you’ll find us at Jigsy’s in Enola. The kids love their Wednesday night buffet. We love that we can get Old Forge pizza only 20 minutes from home.We also love that when we go there, we’re not just customers. The atmosphere is warm and inviting – like family.

Last week, we went to Scranton for the day to visit my in laws. Well, we can’t drive up there and not stop in Southside at Alfredo’s. We just can’t. My husband’s love affair with Alfredo’s started long before he ever met me. He was a delivery driver for them at one time during high school or college. After we met, he got me hooked. Their double crust white is absolutely heavenly. It tasted like sex on a plate last week. I totally felt like I was cheating on Jigsy’s.

The only draw back was on the way home, we were stuck in this traffic on the interstate. Forty minutes to go ten miles.

But while stuck, we had this view: