Jr. Peanut's Classmate

Ugh. So my last post was a celebration of my son's life. Well, since then, I've found out that my son's classmate has a rare liver cancer that he has been battling for a couple years now. The cancer has now spread to his brain and he is in a lot of pain. Oddly enough his classmate has been having severe headaches. I am so thankful that my little boy is okay from his headaches because after reading his friend's story (which I didn't find out about until this week and I didn't realize how severe it was) I've been so sad. I'm totally crying just thinking about it. He's 4 years old-- Jr. Peanut's age. I can't even begin to imagine what he is a going through, let alone his mother and father. It breaks my heart.

His family just found out last Friday about the tumors in his brain and he has been given 2 months. If you're reading this...please say a prayer for him and his family. Then go hug your little ones and be glad they're healthy.

Jr. Peanut-isms

My son recently gave me a frightful scare. He was having headaches for almost two weeks that weren't accompanied with a fever. They were so debilitating for him that he would just lie on the floor wimpering. If I didn't give him ibuprofen or tylenol for the pain...he'd throw up. I was so worried that I woke up one morning crying and thought of all the horrible things it could be. Aneurysm, tumor, meningitis, really a whole slew of things. So we took him to the pediatrician and then the emergency room to get a CT scan. The CT scan showed nothing and he's better...so I'm not as worried. Honestly, I think it's a reaction to sugar (candy). So, in celebration of Jr. Peanut here are some of the silly things he says. I am so very thankful that God gave me this silly little boy!

After eating a meal, he grabs his belly:
"Mom, my baby is growing bigger and bigger. It's almost coming out."

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Or when he's hungry:
"Mom, my baby is making noises."

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Peanut: My bottom still hurts.
Me: It does? What happened, did you fall on it?
Peanut: No, it cracked...all by itself.

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On the pot:
Peanut: Mom, my poo poo is not coming out. Can you wipe my bottom?
Me: Why do I need to wipe your bottom if your poo didn't come out?
Peanut: It doesn't come out unless you wipe it.

This is because Jr. Peanut often (about 80% of the time) calls me over to wipe him before he's truly done. I think the record for false finishes was 3 times. I've learned to tell him I'll come in 5 minutes.

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After a shower, Jr. Peanut is running around naked:
Me: Peanut, go get your underwear and Jammies on.
Peanut: You go get them
Me: I'm not your slave. You go get them.
Peanut: Then where's my slave?
Me: I don't know. Go ask your dad. I just know it's not me.

Dinner/Dessert Conversation

Jr. Peanut:I'm going to marry The Princess (his sister)

me:Are you going to marry The Princess or Cassidy (a classmate)

Jr. Peanut:Cassidy

me:Are you going to marry Cassidy or Brooke?

Jr. Peanut:Brooke

The Princess:Are you going to marry Karson or Jack?

me:He can't marry a boy (at least not here in California).

The Princess:Oh. That's right. In Paris, you can though.

me:Who told you that?

The Princess:Daddy did.

Thanks, breadwinner for that stellar piece of unnecessary information for a 6 year old.

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Links That'll Save You!

So...in keeping with last week's post, here are some links that will help you pinch your pennies! Enjoy!!!

• Joann's Coupon (exp. 04/17/10): 40% off one item
• Michael's Coupon (exp. 04/10/10): 50% of one item
• Staples: (exp. 4/10/10)Free Ream of Copy Paper
• Aaron Brothers (exp. 4/10/10): 50% off one item/25%off custome framing
• Local Coupons for Dining & Services: Bogopod --This once saved us $150 for a large party.
• Bath & Body Works (exp 4/18/10): Free Shower Gel
• Gap (exp 4/30/10): 15% off
• Justice 40% off entire purchase
• Macy's (exp 4/15/10)$20 off 100 for a registry item
• Office Depot$20 off 100

I Feel the Recession

I know they say that we are no longer in a recession...however, here in California, I feel like we still are. I think most everyone is still house poor...including myself. These are some of the things that I've done during these recessionary times.

• I've reduced the number of channels we get from satellite TV.
• We no longer do toll or long distance calls on our land line.
• I clean my own house :(
• I've called and gotten my DSL rate reduced.
• We're not doing large birthday parties for the kids anymore.
• Got rid of my satellite radio.
• Cut back on the eating out.
• Husband brings lunch twice a week.
• I follow people on twitter that offer bargains.
• We've limited the number of times we use a babysitter.
• I no longer buy books new. I either borrow them or buy them used for a $1

These are just a few things that I've done. What do you do? I'd love to hear and get more ideas. :) Hope you're surviving!

I'd Like to Take My Kids to D.C.

A few years ago, my husband and I took our first child with us to Washington D.C.. My daughter was too young at the time to know where we were, but it was AMAZING for me! I had never been there but of course I've always seen replications of the places there on TV or in film.

There are so many things for them to see. Most of which they've only seen on TV...the White House, Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Building, Arlington Cemetary, and of course all the many FREE museums!!

I recommend watching some films that feature Washington DC before you go because it makes your experience more fascinating. For instance, if you watch National Treasure -- it will help you create an itinerary of places you may want to see...and there are sooo many. Just think about it...there have been hundreds of historical events that took place at our nation's capitol. It's like walking around one huge landmark. You can teach your children so many history lessons here! Show them old pictures of historical events like MLK's famous speech in front of the Washington Memorial.

I also recommend not going during the summer because it's extremely hot and humid. If you can-- try finding someone that could get you into the White House for a tour. It's a lot harder to do now (a lot of security/background checks) but it's totally worth it!

TV Show Update

So...I'm giving up on Fringe and Brothers and Sisters. Fringe is always on the brink of getting the axe and I'm so behind on the shows that I've decided to let that one slip though the cracks. As for Brothers and Sisters...that's just too much drama for one family and besides, I hear Rob Lowe is leaving.

Another Rendition Of I Watch Too Much TV

I used to read a lot of books (as you can figure out from the name of this blog) and now, I'm lucky if I read one a month. I always ask my friend how she has time to read so many books and she Facebooks a lot. You know what she told me? She doesn't WATCH TV!!! So that got me thinking...I really watch a lot of TV:

1. Brothers and Sisters
2. Chuck
3. The Mentalist
4. Modern Family
5. Fringe
6. Lost
7. Cougar Town
8. Ugly Betty
9. Friday Night Lights
10. Grey's Anatomy
11. Private Practice
12. Shark Tank
13. Hung
14. Entourage
15. American Idol

Sadly, in addition to these shows, I am also enrolled in a movie rental program by mail too. *sigh* I guess you now know why I am a FORMER bookworm. So please help me...which shows do you think I should give up? 15 shows is way too many!

The Winter Season

I'm not sure if I've ever described the winter season on my blog before. It's truly the worst season for me. My two youngest children have perpetually dripping noses that generally turn into ear infections within one to two weeks. They generally are not contagious after the first week but people always think they are sick. It's such a nightmare for me though because:

1. I can't hang out with my friends and their kids (so I go stir crazy)
2. I can't send them to school (such a waste of money!)
3. They generally have to go on antibiotics (and how healthy is this really?)
4. Which means I have to take them to the doctor
5. which means now that we have crappy health insurance, I have to pay $100 to the doctor and $40 to the pharmacy
6. I often catch their illnesses.

You see where I'm going with this? It's just an expensive and miserable season for me. I think I'm basically paying my children's preschool money to get my kids ill and have me keep my children at home with me. I almost think that I should just take my kids to the doctor's office and just sit in the sick room. At least it would be free and I'd get the same "immune system build up." However, I think if the CDC or news ever heard about that, they'd be up in arms. I remember watching the news the other day and they were talking about how people were having swine flu parties when people had mild cases of it. That way-- they'd only catch the mild version of the swine flu. Needless to say, the CDC sent out a message quickly that that was a terrible idea (they didn't want virus mutations).

Ho hum. What's a mom to do?

It's Been a While

I haven't written for a while. I actually misss blogging but sometimes life kind of gets in the way. When I saw Julie and Julia, I was totaly inspired to start blogging again but then I got kind of busy. I've been organizing a lot of things but I've kind of been on hiatus of late.

What have I been up to? Hmm, let's see. I've been volunteering at my daughter's elementary school. My middle child has started preschool and I've been dragging my baby on all sorts of errands or putting her down for a nap so that I can clean my house...(I sooo miss having a housekeeper *sigh*). I also have gone back to school (slowly though). I took a photography class last semester (totally fun! Maybe I'll post more pics now...). This semester, I'm taking a programming class and we'll see where I go from there.

Hopefully I'll write more soon! Probably something a little more thought out.