'Princess Pea' is ONE!

It all started with 4 cake mixes, homemade colored icing and layers and layers of Birthday goodness!The layered cake is the 'Princess and Pea' mattress cake. It turned out so great. The green ball is a pea with a crown on it for 'Princess Pea'.....that's Jaeli's nickname.
Then came the balloons and gifts....Jae got a lot of great stuff! Thanks to everyone that came and supported her at her party!

And finally, the eating of the cake and cute family pictures.....My favorite, the green toes! She wanted her feet in her cake more than her hands. IT WAS A SPLENDID DAY! Happy Birthday on Tuesday 'Princess Pea'! We love you so much!

Hippity, Hoppity Easter's On It's........Wait, It's Over

We started the day before Easter, with an Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Zundel's house with all the cousins......Then on to Easter Morning at our house................Finally, to Grandma Leishman's for more fun.
And we had 'Other Easter Bunnies' visit. Great Grandma & Grandpa Andreasen and Nana & Uncle Paul. Fun times!
Final Outcome......HOLY COW!!! Spoiled, spoiled little girl.

And She's Off!

Our little one, ACTUALLY walking with her new car/walker. I just thought it was too cute to pass up. A lot more practicing to go. You've got to notice her feet and bum....how the walker gets ahead of her and she has to get her bottom half to catch up. Also, sadly, she walks like her mother......with her feet out to the side like a duck! :) SOOOOO CUTE! :)

'Make a Complaint Monday'-Caught Up In the Same Routine

The same routine every day...................that's my complaint today. Short and sweet.

Wake up
Feed Jae breakfast
Play
Jaeli's Bottle Time
Jae's nap
Feed Jaeli lunch
Play, play, play!
Jaeli's Bottle Time
Feed Jaeli dinner
Jaeli's Bath
Play
Jaeli's Bottle Time
Bed

Holy cow. Oh, and entwined in that routine is me attempting to clean the house, do laundry and think about dinner. Now, I don't want you to get the wrong idea, because I adore Jaeli. Is it insane of me to think that I need a change in routine? Any suggestions? I know I'm not the ONLY mom out there that feels this way.........so HELP! Obviously Jae would have to come with me....so anything we could do together that may be different? That may break up our same old routine? I may be going a bit crazy.........Just MAY!

Splish Splash

I had to put this video up. Jaeli, just the night before, discovered how to *splash* in Grandma Leishman's tub. At first she was very cautious.....very soft. Then she got into it! I was laughing so hard because every time she splashed, it would propel her backward in the tub. Daddy is taping us and when he says "Splash" it's almost like Jaeli knows EXACTLY what to do. It's so cute to just watch her discover the small things--like splashing in the tub.

The Snack Catcher Video

I apologize if it is a little long AND that it is turned sideways..........stupid camera, okay or the person operating it. Here is the cutest video ever!

Maybe 10 months is a little young to know how the Snack Catcher works, but she had fun figuring it out and mommy had fun watching her. Then I had a slight panic attack and hurried to clean the mess up AFTER the camera was off.

'Make a Complaint Monday'- Jaeli's Habit

I love books......especially childrens' books.  I think they have fun messages, brightly colored pages and different, new words for little ones.  Children can learn soooo much from reading and just looking at books.  Jaeli is getting quite the collection of books, BUT, she is chewing HOLES in them!  As a former teacher, and mother it makes me sad to see her ruin books.  I guess she REALLY, REALLY likes the taste of cardboard and paper. 

 

When she starts to chew, I take the book away, hoping the message will reach the cute little thing, but no luck.  I have also moved all the books to a shelf she cannot reach on her own, YET, so the only way she can have access to a book is when mommy, daddy or grandma reads it to her.   Any ideas on how to keep my child from chewing on her books would be greatly appreciated.  I really want her to appreciate and gain a love and respect for books.

Stupid Snack Catchers!

So, I saw the snack catchers at Target and fell in love. What a great idea!! I thought, "Jae really likes little snacks, especially her poofs, so why not these cool containers called snack catchers? The snack is supposed to stay in the cup unless the child reaches in and gets one.

Well..............here's what happened when Jae got a hold of hers...............she figured out, immediately, that she could stick her WHOLE hand in the cup and dump it upside down to get ALL the poofs out at once.....smart little girl I have here.

I also had to add the cute little barrett on the TOP of her head, yes, enough hair now for that. And then the famous scowl is here. :)

Story Time

I had to post these precious pictures of Jae reading stories with Grandma Leishman.  She won't sit on my lap like that! 

I couldn't help but smile when every animal's sound turned into a growl!  Even the iguana and monkey.  It was hilarious.  And right now, as I'm typing, she is STILL growling! :)

'Make a Complaint Monday'-Decisions BITE

I would like to complain about making REALLY hard decisions.  I know we all have to make them, so I am looking forward to some responses on this 'Make a Complaint Monday'.  

Dan and I have been having to make some hard decisions lately, and I hate it..........

 

* Should we sell the Subaru and get a van?

* Where should we take the Subaru to get fixed?

* Should we replace our fence?

* Should I, at this moment, pursue starting a Preschool?

* What should the theme for Jaeli's 1st birthday party be?  HAHA, this really is a decision right now.

You get the idea.  Some of these decisions BITE!  And these are just a few things we're thinking about right now.  Are any of you making huge decisions in your life and just don't want to?  I am feeling like I want to go back to being young and having no worries.  I'm done being the mom, the adult.  In the words of my sis-in-law, "my plate is full".  I don't have room for more BOLOGNA or those nasty army peas from a can my mom used to feed us.  WE are officially overwhelmed.

HAPPY DECISION MAKING!

What's in Your Fridge?

Jaeli is in mine!!! Lately, Jaeli is LOVING being so independent, for example: pulling herself up to ANYTHING! I came home from the grocery store and started putting things away. She wanted to see what I had put in the fridge. I can't tell you how much I ADORE her thighs!!!!!
Here she is, already browsing for snacks. My girl in THAT way, for sure! Also, just some fun with mom. I LOVE BEING A STAY-AT-HOME MOM!!!!! I get to see and capture all of these fun moments.She has learned that she can slowly pull herself up my leg to be held. This melts my heart! I feel needed and loved. I love my little 'Pea'.

'Make a Complaint Monday'

I don't have a complaint today. After talking with some friends, the reality of opening my own Preschool has really hit me, kind of a slap across the face. This is what is preoccupying my mind. I'd like to have it open and running by the Fall, but oh my so much to do. PLEASE, PLEASE leave your ideas or hints here for opening, starting and running your own business-things I've got to get or do before I can open it. I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, let me know if you have a child that is 3-5 years old that you would like to have go to Preschool, not necessarily mine, but you get the idea. I'm trying to feel around for how Preschools are used or are in demand lately.

Finally, check out my Teaching Blog: www.tantalizingteachingtidbits.blogspot.com

to get some great painting ideas and others for you and your children. Remember, tomorrow, there will be a Tuesday Tidbit posted. :)

Just Like Daddy

First off, I know, LAME picture with the whole name badge thingy.................BUT

SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE DADDY!!!!

Her bib, for those of you that are having a hard time reading it, says: "I'm a Little DAN".

ATTENTION

**Attention All Readers**

I now have a new BLOG ADDRESS for my Teaching Blog. It is............

www.tantalizingteachingtidbits.blogspot.com

A huge thanks and HUG to Monica for helping me figure out how to change it. I couldn't stand having PANDEMONIUM spelled wrong on a TEACHING Blog for cryin' out loud! Check out my post about Art and helping your children CREATE at home. :)

'Make a Complaint Monday'-Hurry! Baby-Proof That!

This 'Make a Complaint Monday' is dedicated to Lacey.....yes you Lacey Jo. Thanks for the idea.

How many of you have had to baby proof a house? My complaint.........BABY PROOFING (or trying to baby proof)! As I walked into the house today after trying to get the brakes fixed on the car-to no avail, then hitting the Walmart, which I ALWAYS love, I popped open a delicious, cold refreshing CAFFEINE FREE DP. I set it on the couch (I know, my first mistake) and Samsun, my son (really my kitty) had to jump and get love. There went the DP, my NECTAR of life.......spilling all over the couch..my rear end slowly getting soaked......Samsun trying to lap up everything he could. WHERE IS MY COFFEE TABLE???? Ya know, the thing that you can set stuff on and pretty much know it'll be safe?

YEAH, it's down in the basement.......from our poor attempt to baby proof our house. Having to adapt and move everything we're used to for little Jaeli Pea is inconvenient? Are there professionals that will come and baby proof a house? Leave a name and number here if you know. :)

P.S and by the way: Preschool Pandemonium is updated as well. Take a look.

Wiggin' Out!!!

Okay, so I am wiggin'! Answer me this: How do you spell the last part of my Teaching Blog? Preschool .............

1. Pandamonium
2. Pandemonium


Yes, yes, I know. Embarrassing.

P.S. If ANYONE knows how to change my BLOG ADDRESS to the RIGHT spelling, I would appreciate it. I don't know if I can now. :(

My Stepping Stone

A small stepping stone in MY quest to Semi-Survival......Thanks to my wonderful husband for installing it. I had forgotten how annoying it is to hand wash EVERY little thing EVERY breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Dishwasher, BEFORE. ICK! And WHAT is that duct tape at the bottom? We couldn't EVEN use it because it stunk so bad when we would run it. Dan figured out it was because they had hooked the draining hose up wrong. Go figure. There was nasty water sitting in the hose just rotting. Oh the smell!!! NIGHTMARES!

My new baby. Ah, soooo nice. And it ACTUALLY matches the other appliances.

The "OTHER" One

Just wanted to post about my new Blog. It's going to be all about teaching. I am hoping I can start my own Preschool, so this Blog will be dedicated to that process. It will also include lesson plans or just activities YOU can be doing at home with your own little ones. Check it out, BELOW or on my sidebar, and vote on my poll there.

www.preschoolpandamonium.blogspot.com

These are my kiddos from my first year of teaching. So fun!

It's FINALLY Here!!!!

Okay, so being a mother that really enjoys hair and make-up (BEING VAIN, if that's what you want to call it), I have been anxiously waiting for Jaeli to get hair. I couldn't wait to use cute barretts, bows and so on. Well.............without further ado.......THE Barretts

Yes, I slicked Jaeli's hair to one side and plopped that glorious barrett right on top of her head. The BEST thing is, she doesn't even know it's there. So, compared to the headbands and huge bows, she leaves the barretts alone. I LOVE THEM! Poor, poor child. :)

The Top View

P.S. and by the way, We EAT books here, we DON'T READ them! :)

'Make a Complaint Monday'-Supplying Your Children

My Classroom right before School started.

I have been thinking about 'Make a Complaint Monday', but nothing HAD sparked until Dan, my wonderful hubby, spotted something on KSL. Being a former teacher, I had an "IT'S ABOUT FREAKIN' TIME" moment when he related the article to me:

**Parents SHOULD be expected, IF THEY ARE ABLE, to supply their children with school supplies.**

I'm not sure when you went through Elementary school, but don't you remember YOUR, YES YOUR VERY OWN PARENTS, supplying you with school supplies? I mean, your teacher may have given you a pencil here or there, but for the most part the sparkly pencil box, a variety of erasers and the colorful folders to keep work in were provided by your parents. As a teacher, you do get an "Allowance" for the year, from the State and the Legislature.....BUT I can tell you that it's not enough to provide your students with EVERYTHING they need for a whole school year.

Again, as a teacher, I didn't mind helping my students out. In fact, I couldn't wait to buy crayons, folders and glue sticks in bulk for the class. Hearing, "You must be a teacher", at the check-out stands put a smile on my face. In the picture above, look at the students' desks. This was just the beginning of EVERYTHING I had for them. But teachers can't do it. Most of them REALLY do wish they could......but on our "Allowance" and paycheck, we can't.

Thank you, as parents, for understanding...........and if you can, supply your children with all you can. :)

My FREAKING Awesome Husband helping me put names on the notebooks.