Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that Stella is now registered for kindergarten. We went this morning for our appointment and handed in all our paperwork. Next year I will have a whole two and a half hours to myself, what am I going to do with my time?

I am thankful that Teddy goes to school. I love him to death, but that kid. Having to repeat things over and over again gets old really quickly. One would think putting shoes on to go to school would be a given, guess not. I hope it’s the age.

I am thankful there is no school tomorrow. Every day is a fight with Maizie about going to school. Once she gets there she’s fine and always has a great day, but getting her up and out the door is a challenge.

I am thankful that March is just about over. I always feel that February and March just suck (except for my anniversary). It’s cold, wet and snowy. I’m a cranky wench during those months. Once April gets here, it always seems to be a little brighter. Here’s to hoping I’m not a cranky wench much longer.

I am thankful for my husband Ted. Tomorrow will be our tenth anniversary. We have been through so much; better, worse, richer, poorer, sickness and health. I couldn’t imagine going through life with anyone else. I love you Sweetie.

The Bossy Boots and the Eggcellent Color

Every year it’s the same thing, “When are we going to color Easter eggs?” As soon as I bring home the kit, it’s an endless quest by the kids to wear me down and give in. Yesterday was the day, egg coloring day. I decided to get crafty this year and try using food coloring instead of my beloved Paas. I was quite impressed with the results. (The color of the egg, not the doneness…whole other nightmare).

The end product (after some were eaten)

Let’s begin.

First of all, I have the worst time hard boiling eggs (9 and a half times out of 10 they come out awful), so I tried baking some of them. They came out WAY better than the boiled ones. They did come out with some mystery shmutz (of course they did why would they come out the right way), but it wiped off and they get colored and peeled off, so I didn’t care.

Boiled some (those didn't come out well)

Tried baking these (came out very well)

See the mystery shmutz

I gathered my supplies and got ready.

All the needed supplies

Can't forget my assisstants

Not using a store bought kit, I didn’t have the nifty pop out circle doohickeys to put my colored eggs in so I was wondering where I was going to put the eggs after they were dipped. I didn’t want to put them back in the carton because I didn’t want the color to smudge. Then I was stuck by genius (I’m overachieving here, watch out); I cut the bottoms off the egg carton with a bread knife and used it that way. Move over Martha, I’m walking by.

My genius idea

They fit quite nicely

Here’s my egg coloring concoction:

½ cup boiling water

1 ½ Tablespoon white vinegar

20 drops food coloring (red will need more to be brighter)

That’s it.

I put them in coffee mugs because I knew they wouldn’t break or crack with the boiling water.

I let the water cool of a little bit (I didn’t want a cold egg going into hot water). Then we were good to go.

Our assortment of colors

I gave each Kraus kid a spoon and told them to GENTLY put their egg into the cup of their choice. I put mine in purple and within 15 seconds, I couldn’t believe the color.

Only about 15 seconds in the cup

She's sad she couldn't do it too

All was going well until the two Bossy Boots started. So what if Teddy wanted to keep his egg in one cup the entire time? Is he hogging the table with his fanny? You didn’t even want to use that color anyway. Then the 2 BBs started telling me I was doing it wrong, really? I don’t see long ears and fur on you two.

The girls always feel it necessary to sit ON the table

I think that may be the only egg he did

Whatever, you girls want to be queens of the eggs, knock yourselves out. Teddy left his egg in the mug and went to watch Ted play videogames, I went back to Pinterest. By the time I got back to the kitchen, the BBs had finished all the eggs. Then the BBs wanted to frame the “beautiful masterpieces” they ended up creating (the paper towels). Those two have a mind of their own sometimes.

The "masterpieces" they wanted to frame

Overall, we were successful in our Easter egg experiment.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my Dyson. This was by far the best purchase we have ever made. Well worth the money. This sucker cleaned my house like nobody’s business.

I am thankful for contractor bags. When trying to throw out toys, it is best to have bags that are not see through. One peek can lead to a meltdown.

I am thankful I didn’t pack away the winter accessories the other week when I cleaned the front hallway. Mother Nature, being a bickle fitch, keeps giving us cold weather and snow. Really? What is wrong with you? It’s almost Easter; my girls need to wear their sandals with their dresses. They have shitted up their tights all winter and do not want to have to hunt down more pairs in between the bathing suits. Get your act together woman!

I am thankful our garbage men take everything, including furniture. We threw out a couch, a chair, an ottoman and a rug. They took it all. I went to pick up the kids at school and they were a few houses away, when I got home it was all gone. That couch was a queen size sleeper and the mofo was heavy (and covered in wet snow). Sorry garbage man.

I am thankful for Silas Robertson. Enough said.

Stella's Babies

Stella is very serious when it comes to her babies. It gets downright creepy at times. We recently took the kids to Toys R Us and told the kids they could spend up to $12 each. Stella must have forgotten. While she was checking out Strawberry Shortcakes, I asked her if she wanted it. She looked at me and said, “Wait, we can really buy something today?” I shook my head yes, she replied with, “Well let’s get back to the baby aisle.” And that’s how we got Lola.

Lola had become number one lately. She either comes with us or Stella arranges for a babysitter. If she is left with a babysitter (usually Ted) there is a whole list of instructions (I kid you not). She needs to be swaddled, what time she needs to be fed, if she’ll need to be changed, the instructions go on and on. I don’t think I had that many when I left my real kids, hell I was just happy to be out the door.

Lola is on the left and face down in the bowl. The others pic is the dolls watching Stella use my computer.

She feeds them in the high chair and with the bottle. She makes them “cry” and then comforts them. The babies get baths and have their clothes changed almost as much as Stella herself. If there is a sleeping baby, DO NOT make noise and wake her up, the wrath of Stella is ugly. The other day she was using my computer with one hand and holding Lola, wrapped in a blanket in the other. I told you, she takes this seriously.

Stella is rarely without a baby.

Yesterday, when she woke up (in my bed), she couldn’t find Lola; I tried looking for her but couldn’t find her. I told her, she (being Lola) could stay in bed with Daddy and get some more rest and she (Stella) could come have breakfast. She wasn’t having it, cue the water works, so I just left figuring she would come out in a few minutes.

Stella and her Itty Bitty Baby Lucy.

Half an hour later, still no Stella. I went back in my room and Stella was just laying there waiting to be able to find Lola. She wouldn’t get up without her baby. So my search began. I started moving the pillows and the sheets, no Lola. This wasn’t good, Stella’s tearing up, I had to find this doll or this was going to be a horrible day at the Kraus house. Finally, Ted rolled and there she was, I yanked her out and I had a happy little girl. Our day can begin.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that the weather is starting to turn for the better (with the exception of the next few days). Now I actually take showers, get dressed and go out into the world. The kids and I can walk to school more often and spend more time at the playground. In a few weeks, I may be out and about every day.

I am thankful for my dad. When things were really going pear shaped, he came and helped out it a big way. Thanks Dad.

I am thankful for a king size bed. I seriously don’t remember that last time I woke up and there wasn’t an extra person (or two) in there. No wonder I always have a backache.

I am thankful that my kids are doing so well in school. We went to conferences last night and found out that along with doing very well on the reading assessment, Teddy got all the answers correct on the math assessment, just don’t ask him to get his shoes. He straddles that very fine line between genius and madness every day. Maizie of course excelled in reading (that’s why I couldn’t read 50 Shades while she was sitting next to me).

I am thankful that Stella has a fiery personality and her own fashion sense. She wants what she wants; watch out if you stand in her way. There may be hitting, kicking, throwing, tears, apologies, threats, pushing, and foot stomping but through all that Ted and I can’t help but turn around and laugh because that squeaky little voice and her fury is hysterical.