...dyeing Easter eggs.
1. 5 kids x 6 eggs each= too many hard boiled eggs.
2. I can never boil a full batch of eggs without at least one shell breaking in the water.
3. Who knew dyeing eggs could be so complex. Now you can dye them normal, tie dye, metallic, glittery, with crayons, with tape, stickers. Just..wow.
4. No amount of newspaper will protect your wood table from that bowl of dye that is guaranteed to spill. No worries. It comes off after about a month of scrubbing.
5. What do you get when you dip the egg in every color? A really ugly egg that is called "so pretty" because it was made by your child.
6. Why do we hide these eggs? No-one gets excited about finding the boiled eggs...I mean, really.
7. Once they are boiled, dyed, hidden, and found...there is no way that shell is coming off the egg without a fight.
8. It is the ONLY time when it's okay that the egg whites are now blue, green, purple, and metallic brown (thanks to that "pretty egg").
9. Deviled eggs, potato salad, and salad topping: There's only so much you can do with a hard boiled egg. What in the heck do I do with the other 20 eggs? No, really. What??
10. Boiled eggs make for a smelly weekend. You know what I'm talking about. I have 4 boys. and with gas coming out both ends....Let's just say Easter has its own distinct smell.
Happy Easter to you all!!
Showing posts with label Things I've learned.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label Things I've learned.... Show all posts
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Monday, March 6, 2017
Things I've learned...
...loving good Mexican food.
There is no Mexican food like 'New Mexican' Mexican food.
Chips and salsa are more than just an appetizer. They are addictive.
Some dishes require milk to enjoy properly.
The best restaurants are usually located next to a laundry mat.
If they don't ask "Do you want red or green?" you should just stand up and walk out.
The Breakfast Burrito. Enough said.
If you don't know what green chili is, you haven't lived.
Not all beans and rice are made equal.
TexMex is not Mexican food.
Free sopapillas are a restaurant's way of giving you a tip.
There is no Mexican food like 'New Mexican' Mexican food.
Chips and salsa are more than just an appetizer. They are addictive.
Some dishes require milk to enjoy properly.
The best restaurants are usually located next to a laundry mat.
If they don't ask "Do you want red or green?" you should just stand up and walk out.
The Breakfast Burrito. Enough said.
If you don't know what green chili is, you haven't lived.
Not all beans and rice are made equal.
TexMex is not Mexican food.
Free sopapillas are a restaurant's way of giving you a tip.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Things I've learned...
...from my children.
What I think is cool is definitely not cool.
Something happens to me on the eve of each of my children's 13th birthday and I wake up not knowing anything.
Things don't get easier as my kids get older....they just get a different kind of hard.
No matter how easy the older kids had it, the youngest has it the easiest.
I am responsible for anything and everything my teenagers forget to do.
I apparently don't need to sleep. If they wake up early, I should be awake. If they are up late, I should be awake. If they wake in the night, I have to be awake with them.
There is an endless amount of money on my little debit card to be spent on them.
I cannot be trusted to pick the music in my own car.
Anything that is in my bag is community property.
There is always hope, sunshine, happiness and joy in these 5 little people.
What I think is cool is definitely not cool.
Something happens to me on the eve of each of my children's 13th birthday and I wake up not knowing anything.
Things don't get easier as my kids get older....they just get a different kind of hard.
No matter how easy the older kids had it, the youngest has it the easiest.
I am responsible for anything and everything my teenagers forget to do.
I apparently don't need to sleep. If they wake up early, I should be awake. If they are up late, I should be awake. If they wake in the night, I have to be awake with them.
There is an endless amount of money on my little debit card to be spent on them.
I cannot be trusted to pick the music in my own car.
Anything that is in my bag is community property.
There is always hope, sunshine, happiness and joy in these 5 little people.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Things I've learned.
...being a mom.
When you say things you never imagined you would say: "Don't pop your brother's pimples!" "If you keep peeing on the seat, you will have to pee sitting down." "Please stop farting on your sister."...then you might be a mom.
When you look forward to being sick just so you can sleep in a little, even if it means you are miserable....you might be a mom.
When you're one childless day this summer is spent shampooing carpets...you might be a mom.
When you wake up with a child sleeping on the floor on both sides of your bed....you might be a mom.
When you have children waiting outside the bathroom from the minute you go in until the minute you come out... you might be a mom.
When getting your laundry washed, dried, folded and put away is the highlight of your month....you might be a mom.
When hours of your day are spent in your van, driving children from place to place...you might be a mom.
When you are the only person who knows where all the dishes belong...you might be a mom.
When you smell your kids' breath to make sure they have truly brushed their teeth...you might be a mom.
When you think your people are the most talented, most valuable, smartest, best looking people around....you are most likely a mom.
When you say things you never imagined you would say: "Don't pop your brother's pimples!" "If you keep peeing on the seat, you will have to pee sitting down." "Please stop farting on your sister."...then you might be a mom.
When you look forward to being sick just so you can sleep in a little, even if it means you are miserable....you might be a mom.
When you're one childless day this summer is spent shampooing carpets...you might be a mom.
When you wake up with a child sleeping on the floor on both sides of your bed....you might be a mom.
When you have children waiting outside the bathroom from the minute you go in until the minute you come out... you might be a mom.
When getting your laundry washed, dried, folded and put away is the highlight of your month....you might be a mom.
When hours of your day are spent in your van, driving children from place to place...you might be a mom.
When you are the only person who knows where all the dishes belong...you might be a mom.
When you smell your kids' breath to make sure they have truly brushed their teeth...you might be a mom.
When you think your people are the most talented, most valuable, smartest, best looking people around....you are most likely a mom.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Things I've learned....
....reading books
...You shouldn't limit yourself to only one genre. You open up a whole new world by mixing it up.
...When buying a book written by a comedian, you should always go with the audiobook. It's better that way.
...Audible is great. but can be dangerous to your bank account.
...Not all "classic" books are classics.
...With all the platforms for reading books these days, no-one has any excuse for not reading.
...I will take a book over a movie any day...my handsome is way better than someone else's.
...anything can be used as a bookmark...post-it notes, receipts, toilet paper. All good options.
...Goodreads.com. Pretty much the best social networking site ever.
....One of the only things that can keep me up past 2am is a good book.
...No other platform can beat holding an old fashion book in your hand. Something about turning pages and toilet paper bookmarks.
...You shouldn't limit yourself to only one genre. You open up a whole new world by mixing it up.
...When buying a book written by a comedian, you should always go with the audiobook. It's better that way.
...Audible is great. but can be dangerous to your bank account.
...Not all "classic" books are classics.
...With all the platforms for reading books these days, no-one has any excuse for not reading.
...I will take a book over a movie any day...my handsome is way better than someone else's.
...anything can be used as a bookmark...post-it notes, receipts, toilet paper. All good options.
...Goodreads.com. Pretty much the best social networking site ever.
....One of the only things that can keep me up past 2am is a good book.
...No other platform can beat holding an old fashion book in your hand. Something about turning pages and toilet paper bookmarks.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Things I've learned....
...drinking soda.
There is really only one thing to learn:
Diet Coke with extra ice.
The end.
There is really only one thing to learn:
Diet Coke with extra ice.
The end.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Things I've learned....
...coming from a big family.
1. Some things are worth fighting for and a hot shower was one of them.
2. "What's mine is mine. What's yours is mine. Wait...that's mine!" And so went life.
3. Food rationing was real: sugared cereal, orange juice, milk. Oh yes, it's real.
4. With 6 sisters, my wardrobe was 3-4 times as big as most of my friends.
5. You learn to do laundry at an early age because if you didn't, you were not going to be seeing that shirt but once a quarter.
6. Going with Mom or Dad to do errands alone was special time and looked forward to.
7. Our clean was another people's messy.
8. At school you were known by your last name, not your first.
9. Noise was like air....with it life is better, without it, you just might die.
10. The best part about coming from a big family is that we took care of each other. You always had a friend. You always had someone on your side. Always.
1. Some things are worth fighting for and a hot shower was one of them.
2. "What's mine is mine. What's yours is mine. Wait...that's mine!" And so went life.
3. Food rationing was real: sugared cereal, orange juice, milk. Oh yes, it's real.
4. With 6 sisters, my wardrobe was 3-4 times as big as most of my friends.
5. You learn to do laundry at an early age because if you didn't, you were not going to be seeing that shirt but once a quarter.
6. Going with Mom or Dad to do errands alone was special time and looked forward to.
7. Our clean was another people's messy.
8. At school you were known by your last name, not your first.
9. Noise was like air....with it life is better, without it, you just might die.
10. The best part about coming from a big family is that we took care of each other. You always had a friend. You always had someone on your side. Always.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Things I've learned....
...doing yard work.
1. Cutting down bushes is fun. Cutting out roots...not fun.
2. The lawn mower can also be used as a grass vacuum.
3. Having an ice cold Diet Coke handy is a requirement that cannot be skipped.
4. Yard work requires at least two trips to Home Depot within 3 hours.
5. Listening to an audiobook makes time go by faster. Plus you can yell at your children to "Get to work!" and not have to listen to their whining or excuses.
6. Let the tan competition begin.
7. If there are sticks anywhere within a 50 yard radius, you can forget about getting help from any boy 11 years and under.
8. Your husband is sure to need five tools that you do not own to get the job done right.
9. Without fail, your child will inform you they have a banquet that you have to attend 15 minutes before you are supposed to be there and 5 minutes after finishing said yard work.
10. There is almost no other work that is more rewarding than a yard well done. That and childbirth.
1. Cutting down bushes is fun. Cutting out roots...not fun.
2. The lawn mower can also be used as a grass vacuum.
3. Having an ice cold Diet Coke handy is a requirement that cannot be skipped.
4. Yard work requires at least two trips to Home Depot within 3 hours.
5. Listening to an audiobook makes time go by faster. Plus you can yell at your children to "Get to work!" and not have to listen to their whining or excuses.
6. Let the tan competition begin.
7. If there are sticks anywhere within a 50 yard radius, you can forget about getting help from any boy 11 years and under.
8. Your husband is sure to need five tools that you do not own to get the job done right.
9. Without fail, your child will inform you they have a banquet that you have to attend 15 minutes before you are supposed to be there and 5 minutes after finishing said yard work.
10. There is almost no other work that is more rewarding than a yard well done. That and childbirth.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Things I've learned...
...being on Instagram.
1. Giving photocredit is only important if your child took the picture. If you took the picture they are posting, photocredit is not required.
2. No longer do you have to wait until their wedding day to embarrass your children. You can do it instantly. Thank you Instagram.
3. I feel like I am in high school again because I find myself checking to see how many people likedme my photos. I'm just glad they don't have a "dislike", "hate" or "completely idiotic" button.
4. It's such a great way to keep in touch with and see what your family and friends are doing. You may learn more than you ever wanted to know.
5. #stefbooks2016 is my "books read this year" junk drawer. I love that I can reference them in an instant. So convenient.
6. Who needs a bathroom reader when you have Instagram?
7. I guess my friends really like my husband and my oldest son as their pictures generate more likes than all other photos. Should I be concerned?
8. Hash-tags link pictures. Maybe check your # before using it. I'm pretty sure you don't want your child's first birthday photo coming up next to soft porn...or hard porn for that matter. #becareful
8. I love that I seem to take more and better pictures of my children than ever before. Filters rock!
9. It's how we carry photos around these days. Who needs a wallet when you have Instagram. Heck, you have instant mini-movies to show. Awesome!
10. How did I ever live without it?
Linking up with Writer's Workshop today!
1. Giving photocredit is only important if your child took the picture. If you took the picture they are posting, photocredit is not required.
2. No longer do you have to wait until their wedding day to embarrass your children. You can do it instantly. Thank you Instagram.
3. I feel like I am in high school again because I find myself checking to see how many people liked
4. It's such a great way to keep in touch with and see what your family and friends are doing. You may learn more than you ever wanted to know.
5. #stefbooks2016 is my "books read this year" junk drawer. I love that I can reference them in an instant. So convenient.
6. Who needs a bathroom reader when you have Instagram?
7. I guess my friends really like my husband and my oldest son as their pictures generate more likes than all other photos. Should I be concerned?
8. Hash-tags link pictures. Maybe check your # before using it. I'm pretty sure you don't want your child's first birthday photo coming up next to soft porn...or hard porn for that matter. #becareful
8. I love that I seem to take more and better pictures of my children than ever before. Filters rock!
9. It's how we carry photos around these days. Who needs a wallet when you have Instagram. Heck, you have instant mini-movies to show. Awesome!
10. How did I ever live without it?
Linking up with Writer's Workshop today!
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Things I've learned....
....matching socks.
There are seven people in my house. If each person has only one pair of socks for each of the seven days in the week that means, at minimum, there are 98 socks making their way through the laundry every week. But I can say, with confidence, that there are more than 98 socks roaming around my house.
Needless to say, I have learned a few things from matching socks.
1. They are the easiest thing to lose,
but the hardest thing to find.
2. Little boys don't care if socks are matched or not.
Heck, they don't even have to be the same color.
3. Never-mind that socks are bought in pairs.
Some socks just aren't meant to be together.
And so one of them leaves.
Where they go, I do not know.
4. I have a Most Wanted pile.
I know there is a match...somewhere.
I've seen the match....recently.
I know its here....someplace.
I just can't seem to find them both....at the same time.
5. It's okay to throw socks away.
There should be no guilt,
no anxiety,
no what-ifs,
no regret.
Just let it go.
6. If you leave a sock at my house, you will not be getting it back.
A mother knows her socks.
And your socks...are not mine.
See #5.
7. Holey socks are not sacred.
Yes, they are obviously your favorite,
but since darning socks is completely ludicrous,
please see #5.
8. Boring, one colored socks are optimal and easiest to match.
Buy those!
9. Socks should not have a foot preference.
That's just way too complicated forme socks.
I hope someone from Nike is reading this.
10. The only way to make sure all matches are found is to move.
There are seven people in my house. If each person has only one pair of socks for each of the seven days in the week that means, at minimum, there are 98 socks making their way through the laundry every week. But I can say, with confidence, that there are more than 98 socks roaming around my house.
Needless to say, I have learned a few things from matching socks.
1. They are the easiest thing to lose,
but the hardest thing to find.
2. Little boys don't care if socks are matched or not.
Heck, they don't even have to be the same color.
3. Never-mind that socks are bought in pairs.
Some socks just aren't meant to be together.
And so one of them leaves.
Where they go, I do not know.
4. I have a Most Wanted pile.
I know there is a match...somewhere.
I've seen the match....recently.
I know its here....someplace.
I just can't seem to find them both....at the same time.
5. It's okay to throw socks away.
There should be no guilt,
no anxiety,
no what-ifs,
no regret.
Just let it go.
6. If you leave a sock at my house, you will not be getting it back.
A mother knows her socks.
And your socks...are not mine.
See #5.
7. Holey socks are not sacred.
Yes, they are obviously your favorite,
but since darning socks is completely ludicrous,
please see #5.
8. Boring, one colored socks are optimal and easiest to match.
Buy those!
9. Socks should not have a foot preference.
That's just way too complicated for
I hope someone from Nike is reading this.
10. The only way to make sure all matches are found is to move.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Things I've learned ...
...talking to multiple customer service representatives.
I am just going to put this out there for those of representatives who are confused.
The word is ask.
A-S-K
Not aks.
I know some people struggle with that as it is a very difficult word to read, sound out and pronounce.
But here's a little trick I use. Just remember, the soft "sssss" sound comes before the hard "K" sound. Kind of like it's spelled. If you can remember that, you should be okay.
And since you are a professional in a profession where you use the word ask often, for example when you say, "I am going to need to ask you some questions for verification," and the like, you probably should know how to pronounce the word correctly.
It might help to write the word ASK down on a sticky note and put it on your computer screen. Maybe consider writing it on your hand with a sharpie marker and practice pronouncing it correctly on your breaks. Heck, maybe your co-workers will join in.
Look at that, a win/win!
Remember ASK not AKS.
S before K.
Just trying to help. You're welcome, World.
***Next week we will work on saying library, and not libary.
I am just going to put this out there for those of representatives who are confused.
The word is ask.
A-S-K
Not aks.
I know some people struggle with that as it is a very difficult word to read, sound out and pronounce.
But here's a little trick I use. Just remember, the soft "sssss" sound comes before the hard "K" sound. Kind of like it's spelled. If you can remember that, you should be okay.
And since you are a professional in a profession where you use the word ask often, for example when you say, "I am going to need to ask you some questions for verification," and the like, you probably should know how to pronounce the word correctly.
It might help to write the word ASK down on a sticky note and put it on your computer screen. Maybe consider writing it on your hand with a sharpie marker and practice pronouncing it correctly on your breaks. Heck, maybe your co-workers will join in.
Look at that, a win/win!
Remember ASK not AKS.
S before K.
Just trying to help. You're welcome, World.
***Next week we will work on saying library, and not libary.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Things I've learned...
...having boys.
1. They fart. Any time. Any place. Rules related to farting are futile and do not work.
2. They play. They fight... Wait 5 minutes... Aaaaaand...they're over it.
3. Teasing is their way of showing love.
4. Gaming is to boys what chocolate is to women.
5. When it comes to the toilet….boys have horrible aim.
6. When your boy grunts at you, just be glad that he is trying to communicate.
7. The inability to multitask in innate. And it never leaves them. Ever.
8. Boys sweat. A lot. Their armpits. Their hair. Their feet. Pretty much everywhere.
9. Once puberty hits, their stomach is replaced with a black hole.
10. Just because they are rough on the outside they are still soft on the inside.
1. They fart. Any time. Any place. Rules related to farting are futile and do not work.
2. They play. They fight... Wait 5 minutes... Aaaaaand...they're over it.
3. Teasing is their way of showing love.
4. Gaming is to boys what chocolate is to women.
5. When it comes to the toilet….boys have horrible aim.
6. When your boy grunts at you, just be glad that he is trying to communicate.
7. The inability to multitask in innate. And it never leaves them. Ever.
8. Boys sweat. A lot. Their armpits. Their hair. Their feet. Pretty much everywhere.
9. Once puberty hits, their stomach is replaced with a black hole.
10. Just because they are rough on the outside they are still soft on the inside.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Things I've learned....
...teaching my son to drive.
1. Never yell.
2. Never-mind. Yelling is okay as there are times your life might depend on it.
3. It's okay to pee your pants every now and again. It cannot be helped.
4. Don't assume that your child knows the difference between a stop sign and a stop light. DO NOT ASSUME.
5. The white line is optional...
6. Parking in an empty parking lot is harder than it seems.
7. All cars should come with a brake on the passenger's side.
8. I don't see the freeway in his future. You're welcome.
9. Roundabouts are evil and confusing and should be banned from Earth!
10. Prayers are answered. I know this because I am still alive.
And those are the things I've learned teaching my son to drive.
1. Never yell.
2. Never-mind. Yelling is okay as there are times your life might depend on it.
3. It's okay to pee your pants every now and again. It cannot be helped.
4. Don't assume that your child knows the difference between a stop sign and a stop light. DO NOT ASSUME.
5. The white line is optional...
6. Parking in an empty parking lot is harder than it seems.
7. All cars should come with a brake on the passenger's side.
8. I don't see the freeway in his future. You're welcome.
9. Roundabouts are evil and confusing and should be banned from Earth!
10. Prayers are answered. I know this because I am still alive.
And those are the things I've learned teaching my son to drive.
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