Mommy gets sick!

Up until now I’ve been lucky.  Three head colds, and the stomach flu made their way through my house and I was left unharmed.  Too soon had I spoke the words...and wham!  Mommy is smothered with a head cold.

The difference is, Mommy can’t get sick. When she does? It all falls apart.  There are dishes that at this point I assume toss out and replace with new ones.  Laundry in baskets I can no longer identify as clean or dirty; bits and pieces of family members strewn from one end of the house to the other.  It is here that I think it best to putter down the hall and seek refuge in my bed. 

With the help of Advil and pure determination, the groceries have been collected, pumpkins purchased, and shortbread cookies made at 5:30am for Gracie’s Halloween party (with a bed full of kids how was I supposed to sleep anyway). I have searched for the Halloween decorations, unsuccessful in determining their whereabouts and at this point, I’ve tossed in the towel in that department. 

With the soothing softness of Puffs strategically stuffed up my nose I continue to multitask my morning, searching for pumpkin stencils, so to create Jack-O-Lanterns with the kids (sometime before Halloween on Monday), make a feeble attempt at cleaning the kitchen, while the sounds of Treehouse TV whisper in the background while Puppy sleeps.

I’m thinking that he has the right idea.  Crawl into your comfy crate lined with blankets and a cuddle toy and sleep the morning away.  If only I could do the same.  It truly does amaze me at how quickly this house can literally go to pot when I’m not feeling well.

Yesterday I asked Drew to come help me in the kitchen.  I passed him the hand towel to dry dishes and was given a puzzled, unimpressed look.  Once again I reminded him that his item was called a dish cloth and people used them to dry dishes.  “Buddy, Mommy isn’t feeling well and could use your help”, I explain.  At eight years old this was his response. “Mom, if you leave the dishes on the counter the air will dry them you know. I don’t think I’m really cut out for manual labour.”

I would like to tell you that I smiled and took the time to explain to him that it’s important to help out around the house.  But, in my foggy, headache ridden head I wanted to take the dish towel and toss it at him.  I could hear my voice, squawking out something that made little sense to me, so I’d assume it made none to him, which inevitably led to the dishes remaining on the counter where they still sit this morning. Nonetheless, they are indeed dry. Next purchase…disposable plates.

So, with a coffee, two Advil cold & sinus in hand, and a clean set of tissues up my nose,  I will print what pumpkin stencils I’ve found, collect the last few pieces of Halloween costumes for the kids, let Puppy pee and head to bed.  Giving in to the flu, I am raising the white flag! With any luck, my Fairy God Mother will visit in my dreams, waving her magic wand leaving my house sparkly clean and Me feeling better….Please!

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Puppy Tales

 Mr. Marty McFly

I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of the Mommy Jingles family, Mr. Marty McFly.  Marty is a Boston Terrier and at 10-weeks old weighs in at approximately 5.5lbs.   Marty and his sister Lexi made a short trip to St. John’s to become our newest family member ; and Lexi with my two great friends.  Lacey and Tyler already had a wonderful 2-yearold Boston Terrier named Tuna and we were all very excited to learn that we would be getting a puppy from the same breeder, making Marty and Lexi half siblings to Miss Tuna.

Being a first time dog owner, I was quite nervous and excited waiting for Marty to arrive. With my friends, and a warm fleece “disney princess” blanket we were off to collect our puppies.  As soon as I saw him, I knew he was ours and instantly fell in love.  The sweetest little face and eyes that can melt your heart, Marty was home…and like the first time I brought my kids home from the hospital, “Now what do we do?” 

We had kept him a secret from our kids, hoping it would minimize the, “Mom, is he here yet? Is he here yet?” and to also give them a wonderful surprise.  And, surprise it was.  Captured on film, the look on their little faces when they not only saw Marty, but learned he was ours to stay was a true parental moment etched in my head forever. Disbelief, awe and love; this little bundle of fur would now be showered with love for a very long time.

 Cuddles with Grace

Two weeks later, and I am proud to report that Marty is doing great!  He has the sweetest little personality, is well on the way to fully house trained (minus gale force winds and torrential rain – but, who can blame him),  loves spending time in his little bed, and best of all, sleeps through the night!  Lights out by 10:00 and not a peep all night; 6:30am as I stumble out of bed, I am greeted by Mr. McFly patiently sitting in his kennel waiting to go for his morning pee.  Better still, the boys have now taken to getting up in the morning and brining Marty outside; further making our Puppy Adventure a family effort.

I’d like to tell you stories, of sleep deprivation, chewed shoes, hidden poopy surprises, and more. However, for now, I haven’t any.  As a family, we agreed on boundaries and rules to help Marty along and thus far, we seem to be going in the right direction as I look forward to learning along with Marty.  Seeing my kids with him is truly a special experience.  While Marty, like the kids, will become adolescent and push the boundaries of my very sanity, he too must remember the golden rule.  In this house, I’m the pack leader!  

 Meeting Mommy for the first time

The Sweet Sound of The Recorder

Grade three has with it many great joys. Like his brother before him, yesterday, Drew received his Grade 3 musical Recorder.  His face is beaming as he delicately removes his chocolate colored musical instrument from its cloth bag.  

He delightfully explains that as he progresses through each song in his book he will receive a colored ribbon to tie to his recorder; symbolizing each level of accomplishment he has made.  “Mom, I can’t wait to get home and practice!”. 

Back in the day, it was at this time I too, received my first recorder.  Then in Grade 5, I began my adventure as a flautist.  Music was and continues to be a big part of my life.  More and more I see trickles of what musical talents I have, began to shine through in the kids.

The Recorder is a member of a category of wind instruments known as internal duct flutes.  Like the flute, the recorder has a mouthpiece that acts as a plug creating a shaped windway.  However, what makes the recorder special, is the seven finger holes and single thumb hole, which is known as the octave vent.  Traditionally made of wood, today we are most familiar with ever popular plastic recorders.

 Known as a simple, and elegant instrument, I believe as a parent  I am safe in saying,  that while the recorder can produce sounds of beauty and tranquility by a well-versed musician; it can also be the source of blood-curdling sounds crippling all within ear shot when at the hands of a child (of any age).

Back home Drew has pieced together his instrument and begins the process of practicing his recorder.  Like all great musicians, we all must start somewhere. Or be it a cruel trick by musical educators around the globe. The shrill beginnings of “Mary had a Little Lamb” began to resonate throughout the house. 

As if beckoned by a higher power, his siblings not only ask what he is doing. No. They join the parade! Noah has dug out his own recorder decorated with colourful ribbons and Grace has managed to resurrect my old recorder. 

I would like to tell you that here they paraded around the house, tooting sweet melodies in sweet harmony…however, I cannot.  I blaring sounds of air forced through this pastic weapon, were painful and relentless. “That’s great guys! Maybe we can take it downstairs?”, I pleasantly beg.

“At least their practicing right? We all have to start somewhere.”, but does that somewhere have to be in the same room as me at this given moment?  Then, as if a gift from the powers that be, I glance to the calendar where I am reminded of my manicure appointment at 7:15pm. Only forty minutes from now!!  The door opens as my husband returns home, “Wow, what’s going on here?”, he asks!  

“It’s a musical symphony of recorders Dear! It’ll make your ears bleed with delight!”.  Minutes later as I’m walking to my car I can still hear the honks of their recorders resonating outside the walls of the house.  With a sigh and small chuckle, I drive away with a little smirk on my face…Daddy will survive.

Guacamole or Bust!?

Over the last few months I had found a few new treats to tantalize my taste buds; guacamole, being one of them.  At first I wasn’t a big fan, it did however, grow on me and now I love it.  Nachos, sour cream, salsa and good old guacamole…yum!

During one of my quiet outings, perusing the aisles of the grocery store, I got it in my head to be bold and perhaps make my own.  You must keep in mind that my culinary skills are minimum and repertoire consists of six maybe seven items that I would consider high on the deliciousness scale.  I make a mean lasagne, juicy killer burgers (so I’m told), an awesome nacho casserole dip, macaroni casserole, a lovely Sunday dinner and then we go downhill from here.

Thanks to modern technology I was able to Google a recipe that seemed doable, then, text a friend to see what, if anything I was forgetting. Allrecipes.com, my long time saving grace for food ideas and recipes, called for: Ripe avocados, lemon juice, sour cream, green onions, and garlic powder. My friend suggested a little chilli powder and some cumin seeds (which I had no idea what they were).  Seemed simple enough; one grocery bag and $23.00 later, I was off to produce some tasty goodness!

Avocados’, less the pit, into the bowl. Mush mush.  Sour cream, lemon juice, green onion, pinch of garlic and chilli powder – whip, whip, whip.  It is here that one reaches the critical fork in the road. An executive decision must be made as to determine what else, if anything should be added.  At this point I’m thinking it all looks pretty good.  Not quite the consistency I’m looking for, but nothing a little more sour cream and few more whips of the mixer can’t fix. Right?

Finally, my creation is looking as I believe it should. By now, two of my little people have ventured into the kitchen to see what I am doing.  “Guacamole!”, I proudly exclaim. Their faces do not show quite the same enthusiasm that I have, but none the less, we were about to taste test.  Grace grabs a bag of nachos (always eager to lend a helping hand), while Noah just keeps staring into the bowl, questioning the green substance that lay within.

Nacho, scoop, taste, and….. “BLAH!!!!”.  “Sweet mother of…”, “Mom! That’s disgusting!!” – while simultaneously my Drew enters and states, “Wow, why do you have a bowl of boogers?”.  In unison the three of us spit our muck into the garbage, followed by a mouth rinse with water, and I am immediately hit with reality of my sons statement.

This “guacamole” was terrible! I had once again managed to make a mockery of something they all said, “OH, it’s super easy to make. No problem at all”.  Well, ba-hum-bug to that!  While I have never tasted boogers, I have to admit, that I’m guessing this dip would probably be a close second.  Drew was right, not only did I manage to concoct a full bowl of booger textured, awfulness;  it was in no way aesthetically pleasing to any of the senses.  I concede defeat.

In reviewing my supplies, I believed I had ripe avocados (though I’ll never know), followed the recipe almost exactly, with only minor executive decision making…. Several days later and the children were still mocking my efforts.  “Noah, remember when Mom had you her booger mix? Ha ha ha ha”!

Guacamole or bust? A very large…BUST.