Celebrate Oral Health Month with Oral-B Giveaway!

With 5 kids at home, we certainly have a lot of teeth..

We have experienced a wide range of dental issues with them, from not having enough enamel with my son, who ended up having 8 teeth pulled by the age of 6 to my 11 year old who cannot handle the thought of needles, so would rather have a tooth pulled with no freezing!!

This year has seen lots of dental visits, and also lots of teaching on how to brush and floss properly.  My kids have been using these great toothbrush products and they actually get excited to brush their teeth now!!

I am hoping that between the teaching and the new products, this next year of dental visits will be better, and in turn help my kids to learn the value of doing things the right way.

A mom can hope, can't she?  LOL!

*  Seven Oral Care benefits for a clean, healthy mouth.Brush your mouth-not just your teeth-with new Oral-B CrossAction Pro-Health. By combining CrissCross® and Power Tip® bristles with soft gum stimulators and a new textured tongue cleaner, CrossAction Pro-Health provides Seven Oral Care benefits to help you achieve a clean, healthy mouth.

1. Removes up to 90% of plaque in hard-to-reach places*

1. Helps improve gum health in four weeks by reducing gingivitis

1. Provides up to 55% better cleaning along the gum line**

1. Removes surface stains and polishes teeth

1. Removes odour-causing bacteria from the tongue

1. Stimulates gums

1. Works gently on enamel and gums

*  The Oral-B Pro-Health for Me Vitality toothbrush is the perfect electric toothbrush for kids. It is designed to cater to the oral health needs of tweens without cramping their style. This electric toothbrush has a waterproof handle with fun designs and is compatible with multiple toothbrush heads. It also features a brushing timer that ensures their brushing style goes the extra mile for the dentist-recommended 2 minutes.

• Two Oral-B Sensitive Clean Brush Head Refills included. This brush head provides a gentle brushing experience.

• Rechargeable Battery that is impossible to overcharge.

• 2 Minute Timer - Signals to let you know when you have completed 2 minutes of brushing.

• Ortho Brush Head refill available designed to clean away gunk around braces.

*  Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss — Clinically proven to help reverse gingivitis in 2 weeks.*Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss is our most advanced floss ever. It’s clinically proven to help reverse gingivitis in 2 weeks when used as part of a complete dental routine.

• Slides up to 50% more easily in tight spaces versus the leading floss

• Helps effectively remove plaque and food particles in between teeth to help prevent cavities

• Invigorates gums and provides a minty cool feeling every time you floss

• Light coating of natural wax for superior grip

• Gently stimulates gums Helps remove plaque to reverse gingivitis in 2 weeks*

*When used as part of a complete dental routine.

I have one of these prize packs (worth app. $50) to giveaway here on my blog

Open to Canada only.

Ends on April 25, at 11:59pm EST.

Leave a comment with your email address for each entry.

Include any links you have to earn the entry.

Mandatory Entry:

• What part of oral health do your children struggle with the most?  And what is your best tip?

Extra Entries:

• Like the Oral-B Facebook page
• Like Mom's Musings on Facebook
• Like Mom's Musings on Twitter
• Tweet the giveaway (up to once a day): '#WIN an #OralB prize pack http://tinyurl.com/cqow33b @momsmusings ends: 4/25/13 #giveaway #PGmom'
• Blog about this contest (5 entries)
• Post on Sharing Sites (Digg, Stumbleupon etc...)

Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this post are my own. By entering the following contest, you are accepting that if you win, your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program, however, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more then once, another winner will be selected

Wordless Wednesday - Walking on Water!

Wordless Wednesday - Winter Cottaging with 8 Kids!!

Carlito C. Catepillars MathHouse Game - Review and Giveaway

I was sent a set of the Carlito C. Catepillars MathHouse Card Game to review.  As I am typing this up right now, my 13 and 6 year olds are sitting at the table playing the game!

KINDER Canada $200 Basket Giveaway!!

With 5 kids, all various ages, I have done a lot of things to keep my kids occupied with fun activities.

One of my favourite things to do is have a "Kids in the Kitchen" cooking class with them.  Call me crazy, but I love to invite their friends over and create a meal that they can bring home to share with their families...maybe I am crazy?

Everyone's Talkin' About It!!!

You know, the kids are back to school today!! 

I am so excited about it and my kids are mostly excited too!

Today I have a Junior Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 5, Grade 8 and Grade 11...

They grow so fast. 

Wordless Wednesday - Oh Summer, Where Art Thou?

You can usually find other WW's at:

5 Minutes for Mom, Tara's View of the World, Shashers Life, Life in 3D's,

My Organized Chaos, It's OK to be Weird, My Wee View and others!!
If any of these blogs don't have a WW you can just stop in and say hi anyways:-)

Update on Kitchen Challenge

It hasn't happened...shocking I know!  I just can't bring myself to start the kitchen, it kind of overwhelms me to look at it and then I don't know where to start.  So, instead, I decided to focus on a laundry solution.

That is the only reasonable thing to do when avoiding one job, right?

Anyhow, I had read over on I'm A Lazy Mom and read this lazy mom tip and it got me to thinking.  We really need to implement this sock idea in our house...I think every house should have this plan, it just makes sense!  So, each of my kids will be able to take care of their own socks!!  YAY!!  No more socks in the living room, or hunting around at the last minute for a pair that fits...forget about matching.

I had the bright idea to continue on and come up with another way to make life lazier...

I work in a group home setting and I love how the house is run.  Our house also supports a few people that live on their own but just need a little bit of help.  So, I got to do the apartment shift last week and this morning it finally hit me.  When I went there, one of the jobs is to make sure that there were appropriate outfits picked for the following week.  Each outfit was placed neatly in one of those hanging cubby things.  It was genious!!

I hadn't thought about using that idea in my own home until this morning.  I woke up after dreaming about this cubby thing for my kids...yeah, I dreamt about organizing!!  I don't know what is going on with me!!

Anyhow, I headed out to the store today and bought the plastic drawer units.  One of the stores here had the 5 drawer one on sale for $20 so I bought 3.  The 2 older kids are fine with their clothes, they don't need any help...I also bought the mesh bags that the Lazy Mom talked about in the link above.

So, the girls will pick their outfits for every school day next week.  Each drawer will have a pair of pants, a shirt, a sweater, socks and underwear.  We will no longer have to make sure they have a clean outfit the night before, or fight in the morning about what they have on.  It will take so much stress out of our daily routine and I like that plan!!  We are going to label each of the drawers so they know which one is for Monday, Tuesday etc...

The mesh bags will be the responsibility of each child.  They will have their name on their bag and when it is their laundry day, then they will zip up the bag and throw it in the machine.  Then the bag goes back to their room, with their laundry and I never have to fold everyones laundry again!!  Just the little ones:-) 

I will let you know how it is all working after the first week.

That makes me happy:-)

Maybe I will deal with the kitchen next week...yeah, right...something else will come up;-)

Random Conversations at Our House Tonight...

Grace: I told the teacher you were a garbage man, she asked if you can get us 51 meters of cardboard for the castle we are building (medieval unit)

Grace: In the middle ages there was something called "Black Death".  That was when they didn't have garbage men and they just threw their garbage wherever.  It would become poison and the people would die.

Grace: In the middle ages if you were poor you didn't see the dr.  You would just die instead, if you were sick.

Keri: In the middle ages, if you had a headache, they would use a hammer and tool and bang a hole in your forehead.

Keri: In the middle ages, if they thought you commited a crime, they would tie a brick around your feet, throw you in the water and if you could swim to the top you were innocent; or they would put hot rocks on your hands and if they didn't burn you were innocent etc...

Keri: Hey Grace, dad is middle aged:-)

Hysterical laughter from everyone but dad!!!

Our New Tassimo!!

So, my blogging friend Tara (who I have met in real life too at the Blissdom Canada party, was contacted by Tassimo to receive one machine for her and to give to away to fellow bloggers!!  I am so excited that she chose me to be one of the recipients:-)

I tried my first Tassimo cappucino with Shash one day and fell in lurve!!

I am really not much of a coffee drinker, so I love the fact that the Tassimo Home Brewing System can make more then just coffee. The whole family can enjoy it, the kids can make their hot chocolate and I can make my cappucinos.  I can't wait to try out some of the other specialty blends they have out there!!

We were going to save the machine for a Christmas present for the whole family, but we were just too excited (and kinda still like kids when it comes to presents) that we opened it tonight and enjoyed a special candy cane cappucino!! 

We all loved how it turned out, I am just not sure if the kids are going to go to sleep now;-)

I really dislike the way I sound on video, but I am going to overlook that and post the video we made here of the second round of candy cane cappucinos.  I really am excited, even though it doesn't necessarily come off like that...I just really hate talking on a video camera.  The picture quality is also not so good, it is taken on my (new to me) Blackberry, so I am still experimenting with that.

Emjoy the video, and if you get the opportunity to buy one of these, I would definitely say that it is a GREAT gift idea!!
PS.  I also want you to know that I received a Tassimo, I was not asked to do this post...so this is my honest opinion and no one has paid me to say these things about Tassimo:-)

10 Money Saving Tips for Back To School

I have 5 kids and this year is one of those monumental years. It will be the first year that all, yes ALL, of my kids will be in school. The 4 older ones are gone all day, every day and the youngest will be in preschool for 3 hours a day, 2 days a week:-)

I am one of those parents who dances for joy when school is back on...I love my kids, and I appreciate them even more when they are not in my face figthing gone all day and we can do the fun stuff with them at night...LOL!!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year" I LOVE that commercial on tv...

I wanted to share my wonderfully, awesome to me, tips on saving money when sending the kids back to school.

As you may know, we are a cheap, er, frugal family. We like to pinch pennies and are getting better at saving for holidays and trips. The fact that I am working this year makes it even easier though:-)

Tip # 1 - Reuse as much as you can from last year. Go through the old school stuff and see what you have left. There may be enough pencils, pencil crayons, pens, rulers, paper etc...leftover from last year that you can use again this year.

Tip #2 - Hand me downs:-) I know some kids just don't like them, but for us we utilize the best that gets passed down. We get lots of offers for clothes for the younger girls mostly, and that is great. They seem to go through the most, and quickly!! New rule at our house though is 1 bag in, 1 bag out...otherwise Mt. Neverest erupts again and we have a hard time bringing it under control!!

Tip #3 - Even though hand me downs are great, every kid likes receiving new clothes. We watch for the sales and sometimes the sales are even better then the regular department store. The teen and preteen in our house like to have name brand clothing. I held out a long time before breaking down and buying stuff like that for them. I wanted to know that they would be happy with anything and I am very thankful for my kids. So, for all their hard work that they put into the house, we rewarded them this year with some nice new clothes. Aeropostal seems to be the latest craze here and they had an awesome sale - so for my son we got 2 pairs of jeans and 2 shirts for $60, and because of an extra discount they had going on there we saved $10 off...then my daughter I rang through seperate so we could get another $10 off!! and hers came to $40 for 7 shirts...not bad. And just as little as the other local department stores...the kids were thrilled!!

Tip #4 - School lunches...I know, how can you save on that and prepare ahead of time? We have watched for sales on juice boxes, individual snack items and purchased reusable water bottles for each of them. We also go to a local store here where they sell seconds on boxed snacks, so the box is broken and we get the box of $2.99 snacks for .80 instead. We stock up BIG TIME from this store...

Tip #5 - Another thing we have figured out is that we wait until the end of the first week of school. By this time, there is some sort of letter that has been sent home to all the kids listing some items that they need to bring in. Sometimes it is individual and sometimes it is for the class as a whole. By waiting for these lists we don't get suckered into buying what the ads are telling us we need. Only buying what is requested saves money in the long run, since nothing is wasted.

Tip #6 - Check out the special food days that the school offers. We usually send money with the kids for pizza days, because it is fairly cheap. We hold back on hot dog days because really, we could just send them with a hot dog and it would be way cheaper then the $1 they ask for. We have a rule of $5 a month per kid towards purchasing school lunches. So our bigger kids generally get something once a month instead of weekly, or they will use some of their own money for treats.


Tip #7 - Indoor and outdoor shoes are requested by many teachers. Again, I wait until the teacher tells us if they are going to require them or not. Usually we will see what we have kicking around the house. We have a few pairs of shoes for each of the younger kids (and they are generally the ones who need the 2 pairs) so we will pick the best pair for indoor and the other pair for outdoor. We have also purchased shoes, when needed, at the second hand stores to keep costs down.


Tip #8 - We had some backpacks given to us this year, so they all have a new one to start out with. Our 12 year old wanted to buy one at the store, she had her eyes on one and has offered to pay half of the cost. It is a $25 backpack...we are still deciding if we are going to do that or not. But this is another way that we cut our costs. The older kids have little jobs and make a bit of money, part of what we expect is that they help out with some of their expenses. Not all, but they are learning to take responsiblity for what they want. It is a good lesson too:-)


Tip #9 - COUPONS!! I know that I mentioned a coupon I used at Aeropostale last week, we use coupons A LOT!! My hubby even has the nickname Coupon at work:-) We can save a whole bunch of money by using coupons and it is actually kinda fun and exhilarating when you walk away knowing that you saved a bunch of money:-)


Tip #10 - HAVE FUN!! I know this is not money saving, but don't stress out...don't get stuck in the commercial aspect of it all. Make it an exciting time for the kids, that will ease any transition issues that they may be having. If you are on a lower income, there is lots of help out there, use it!! And just HAVE FUN!! Enjoy the last days of summer and make those memories that will hold you all over until Christmas:-)


It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

"I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

My Controversial Post for the Month...

This is controversial...this is my disclaimer at the top:-) Don't read on if you don't like being offended:-) Have I covered my butt enough??? ;-)

The new Ontario Curriculum for Health and Phys Ed...It has been in a number of newspapers...I am sure you can find it if you need to:-)

I really am only ticked on a few things...not the whole.

Dalton McGuinty has made some changes that are to start in September in the schools in Ontario. Lots of people are up in arms about it and the protest rallies are rolling out...

How much of it do I disagree with? Maybe I have a different perspective then most people in my circle...which is fine. We are all unique individuals with unique perspectives...life would be boring otherwise.

This post focuses on the sex ed part of the curriculum...if you want to read it all, you can find it here.

The first change, and I am not sure if it really is a change...but the kids are going to start learning about body parts in grade 1. You know, the proper words...boys have a penis, girls have a vagina etc...I don't see an issue with that.

Why not? I think it is important for kids to have a sense of reality. Cute little nick names are inappropriate (my opinion) and become confusing.

The other issues that they address in grade 1 are hygiene, 5 senses, and healthy and unhealthy feelings in a relationship (potential abuse, bullying).

Grade 2 - They will cover the stages of human development, body changes and factors that contribute to healthy growth and living.

No problems there...it is good for them to start learning that...properly...

Again, in grade 2 they talk about how you learn that your body is yours...and no one should be touching it...and that it is ok to tell an adult when something uncomfortable happens.

Oh, and they cover oral hygiene...

Grade 3 - building healthy respectful relationships.

identify the characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., accepting
differences, being inclusive, communicating openly, listening, showing
mutual respect and caring, being honest) and describe ways of overcoming
challenges (e.g., bullying, exclusion, peer pressure, abuse) in a relationship

This is also the grade where they start to talk about visible differences (colours, disabilities etc...) and invisible differences (personal values, beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation). I think this is where a lot of people start to get up in arms about it. Specifically the last 2 mentioned.

We all have our different thoughts, values and beliefs on this topic. But the reality is, it is a part of everyday lives now. It is seen everywhere and to ignore it and deny it is wrong. That would be raising our kids with a false sense of reality. To learn in grade 3 that you need to respect people, no matter what; that you need to learn to communicate openly with others, that you need to be inclusive...is in no way interfering with what I choose to teach my kids at home.

So...they learn how to build and maintain a healthy relationship in class...they learn to look past invisible and visible differences...and to build relationship with the PERSON...not the value, belief or sexual orientation...I don't see the issue there...

Grade 4 talks about the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty...it is happening earlier now...we have already, by this point talked with our kids quite openly about their bodies and by this point they already know it all. This is a class that is needed...just because we are open and discuss these things in our home, doesn't mean that the family who lives next door does...and things are happening earlier...and there is more to blame then just education (have you seen the TV shows/commercials and movies these kids watch now a days?, that is another controversial post on its own;-)

They talk in grade 4 about the "feelings" of wanting to be more then friends. This is applicable at this age...I am not sure how early in the year I heard from Cutie Pie that her friends were "dating"...she is in grade 3...Cutie Pie knows what our stance is in regards to dating, so no matter what she learns, if I have done my job, it shouldn't matter, and I should be able to trust her judgements as she grows.

Oh and the favourite topic in grade 4...personal hygiene...no questions or issues with that one at all:-)

Then we get to grade 5...reproduction, menstruation and fetilization (whether natural - penis/vagina or mechanical) sounds fine to me...they also learn about emotional and interpersonal stresses and how to manage it. No matter what the cause is, this is absolutely necessary for kids to learn.

How do these kids feel about issues they can control in their lives (positive or negative attitudes, respect etc..), issues that they can't control in their lives (gender identity and sexual orientation being a few - along with disabilities and skin colour) I mention these two because this is where the controversy seems to come from.

Whatever your beliefs are, if they are so important to rally and fight things...then this shouldn't be a problem. You will be that parent who will be ready to openly discuss the teachings and let them know where you stand. I truly believe that the followup discussions are key to whatever they are learning...even if it is about bullying!!

Again, to learn how to handle stress at this age is vital...Have you spent time with a kid this age lately? They have stress...it doesn't matter what family you are being raised in...there is stress (I know!!). Whatever the stress is related to doesn't really make a difference. Just the idea that they will learn some healthy coping methods is good for me to know and to build on...

It talks as well, in grade 5 about relationships. That if you choose to be in a relationship at this age, you need to be prepared to deal with the hurt and responsibility that ensues. It talks about healthy ways to end a relationship...how to show someone you like them...This one seems a bit much...to a point. But I can see where they are coming from.

Like I said...with kids in school right now...grade 3 and grade 6...I hear all about the relationships their friends are in. I have even been told that a couple of my kids had been asked to date someone...my kids responses were - We don't do that...we don't have time, etc...because of what we taught them, they are aware of the complications and consequences of relationships at any age. I cannot be with them at school...and they are not the "norm" I guess...considering how many boyfriend/girlfriend talks I have heard...

I trust that I have taught them right and I know, because they have, that they feel open to talk about these issues with us. I think I did something right so far;-)

Grade 6, grade 6, grade 6...here is where I start to have a minor issue...this is from the document:

describe how they can build confidence and lay a foundation for healthy relationships by acquiring a clearer understanding of the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during adolescence (e.g., physical: voice changes, skin changes, body growth; social: changing social relationships, increasing influence of peers; emotional: increased intensity of feelings, new interest in relationships with boys or girls, confusion and questions about changes)

Doesn't sound bad...but one of the examples...

Teacher prompt: “Having erections, wet dreams, and vaginal lubrication are normal
things that happen as a result of physical changes with puberty. Exploring your body
by touching or masturbating is something that many people will do and find pleasurable. It is common and is not harmful and is one way of learning about your body.”

Here is where it gets nitty gritty;-)

While I am ok with the kids learning about their physical changes, lubrications, wet dreams, erections...I have an issue with them learning, in grade 6, about masturbation. Maybe this is where people will start to throw stones at me...I have been ok with it all until we get to here.

I think that maybe this goes a bit too far...the whole masturbation thing. In grade 6, I think it should be basics, still. Like how babies are made, body changes, and how to deal emotionally with the physical changes...I think it could open a whole other door at this age...and when there is age of majority set in our country...I do think that it puts that age of consent into jeopardy...

And that is all I am saying about that...:-)

They will also learn about dating relationships in Grade 6. And I am ok with that again.

I am going to stop at Grade 6...because by the time they hit Grade 7 they have seen and learned much more then I have ever taught them...because that is what happens when kids get together. Whether in the school system or the homeschooling system...relationships are built regardless...

In a nutshell, to try and wrap up my feelings on this whole issue...I stand firm in the belief that I have already started teaching my kids right from wrong, healthy versus unhealthy, our morals, values and beliefs and that they will choose to do with that what they will.

I cannot hide my kids from the world. Whether I agree or disagree with others choices...is it right to teach my kids to "dislike" that person? Or, as a Christian, is it more important to build that relationship, love everyone, be respectful and SHINE in our world?

I choose the latter...I choose to raise my kids to not be ignorant to the world, to not be naive when they are posed with a situation...I also look forward to the family discussions that we will have after these issues are taught in class. What better way to keep lines of communication open with our children and what better way to teach them how to live a life that they can look at and be proud of their decisions and choices.

BUT...this is my opinion...I have been through a lot in my life...I am in a different stage then others and I KNOW that I will receive some backlash about this...and I am OK with that:-)

...and the hunt begins - and ends quickly with tears!!

This is how we spend the morning of Easter at our house...fun times!!

That bunny always leaves a huge mess in our house!! Look at all the candy on the floor!! Funny how the kids don't complain about cleaning up after him, but they complain about cleaning up after themselves;-)

Dora Colour Magic!! Pooky was thrilled!

Cutie Pie got a kite and a High School Musical puzzle...(do you think we have WAY too many toys in that corner? Time for a clean through of those again:-)

Some things never change...Mr. H..."put it in the bucket" was the echo of the morning...just like his first easter too!! He replied that his mouth was his bucket...

The bunny even put some candies up high for the older kids!!

Love the hair...and the face!! This is because she was told the candies were not all hers!!!

So we gave her one of the dyed eggs, which she practically ate whole...but she couldn't cry anymore!!

And now we head off to church to celebrate the real reason for Easter!! Jesus is RISEN!!

Cutie Pies Holiday Reflections

Cutie Pies diary entries from the Christmas holidays...used with permission from Cutie Pie herself;-)

Dec 21 2009

Today I split my toe open. I got 2 stiches in my toe

Dec 22 2009

Today I split my head open I did not have to get stiches but I got specile purpple glue on my head

Dec 23 2009

My brother woke up puuking in our tolat

Dec 24th 2009

This morning my mom is puking in the toilet. Tomorrow is Christmas and I hope nothing happens.

Our holidays in a nutshell...as seen through the eyes of an 8 year old...

Overheard...

The older kids are all in school, and I am getting ready for placement tonight.

Pooky and Faith are playing (as nicely as they can) with Faiths new toy dog that sings...

I told Pooky it would be good to teach Faith how to push the paws to make him sing, so we don't have to do it all the time.

The music comes on and Pooky starts singing with the dog...

Mary had a little HAM!!

She is obviously getting The 3 little pigs mixed up with Mary and her lamb;-)

My kids are hilarious!!

Overheard...

Kids are making lunch in the kitchen.

TV is on (our white noise machine) and Angelina Ballerina comes on.

Princess, the 11 year old says: Hey this is a new one
Cutie Pie, the 8 year old says: No, it has always been like this
Princess: No it is new, the music is different. Mr. Hockey, isn't this different?
Mr. Hockey: Yeah, this is new
Princess: See, this is a more modern one...

Hmm...so if today is modern day (computer animation), then last year was what? The stone age? (cartoons) And if that is true...how old am I really???

Trick or Treat

The kids had a blast out there last night. As soon as I find my camera cord I will post up some pictures. Faith was a hit, she would blow kisses at everyone who gave her candy!! Now we have to practice our will power (I really mean MY will power) to not eat all of their candies (the chocolates in particular:-)

I am feeling much better, just dealing with the sinus issue and a bit of an occasional cough. I really need to knock it out of me, so I have been home resting for the last 2 days.

Faith turns 2 tomorrow...I can't get over how fast another year has flown by. We have slowed down quite a bit with appointments, for now, but I am anticipating they will pick back up shortly. She will be having some reassessments in the next month and that will determine what we really need to focus on.

But, really, 2 years ago!! I will have to get that post written up...but I was at the ultrasound clinic 2 years ago today, finding out that we were having another girl, a secret we held on to and didn't tell anyone (though we bought a few pink things after that appointment)...

Wow, so many memories of the before the birth and remembering how unknowing we were...unknowing that our lives would forever be changed, unknowing that our families lives would be affected forever, unknowing that we would have to make some huge decisions regarding the life and or death of our baby...

How blissful those days were leading up to her birth...and now 2 years later, how grateful to have experienced and come through all the trials since her birth...wouldn't change any of it for the world!!

H1N1 and vaccines...hot topic:-)

Today I go for my shots, 2 of them, H1N1 and the seasonal flu shot. It is required in my class otherwise we don't get to attend placement, therefore dropping out of the course...I am doing it.

You know, there is so much hype. I used to be against all forms of immunization, until Faith came along. When her siblings were not allowed access to her for 2 months...yup, 2 whole months, my perspective changed.

I still keep up to date on the research, I still make the decisions about following through and at what times, but I am more open to them.

My question to others out there, even though I usually stay away from controversial subjects is this. Do you really think the media is 100% accurate? Do you really think and believe that you are getting 100% of the information? If the vaccines were totally safe, do you really think the media would announce that?

I don't believe they would. I know, I am going to get some slack for that stance, but again, as I have said previously, my blog, my opinion.

For an argument on the biggest issue we hear, mercury, read how much mercury there is in tuna, or how about those old fillings in our mouths all the time...

So many of the potential (keyword) outcomes are exactly that, they are rare. Rare means that you do have to take a chance...if you choose not to immunize, you take a chance of contracting the virus, if you vaccinate, you take a chace of contracting a rare outcome...

Life is full of chances, everytime you cross the street, everytime you get behind the wheel of the car, everytime you go to the dr's office, everytime you shake someones hand, hug someone, try on clothes at the store...think about it. Unless you live in your little bubble, and don't "live", you are taking risks every day.

For our family, we are trying to decide if the kids should get the shot this year or not, both of them. A lot of our thought processes are on: Do we eat enough green, immune boosting products? Do we get enough rest at night? Do we take regular vitamins and supplements? How old are our kids, do they know not to pick their nose (even in private)? Do they know not to put their hands down their pants (you know this is not just my kids:-)? Do they wash their hands apporpriately and all the time? How many kids in their classrooms know to sneeze in their sleeves? How many kids know to wash their hands?

We learned in class that the flu bacteria will sit live on a surface for 2 days...so that kid who went to the washroom in class, then didn't wash very well, and then picked his nose and played with that puzzle has just left the bacteria, for another 2 days, on that item...

These are our deciding factors. Our decision has not been made, but when we look at the potential risks on both sides, I am leaning in the direction of getting the needles...we are also praying about it, trying to find peace with a decision, like we had when we made many controversial choices after Faith.

Yes, you heard me correct!! My kids will probably be in that lineup...

Pizza Casserole

We made this for supper tonight and I decided that it was definitely blog worthy!! This will make an appearance over and over again!!

The Real Recipe...

Old Mill Cookbook.

8 Slices Bread
2 cups sliced pepperoni
2 cups coarsley grated mozzarella cheese
10 Mushrooms
1 green pepper, sliced thinly
6 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup or more spaghetti sauce

1. Grease a 9 X 12 pan
2. Remove crusts from bread, then cube the bread and set aside
3. Layer some bread, pepperoni, cheese, mushrooms and green peppers. Repeat twice more.
4. Mix eggs and milk and pour over ingredients in the pan
5. Just before placing in the oven, pour spaghetti sauce on top.
6. Bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour.

How we did it...

C made 1/2 a recipe. B made 1/2 a recipe. Our girls made a whole recipe. (Based on family size:-)

Each kid got 5 pieces of bread. They had to remove the crust and rip it up.

Each kid got one slice of pepperoni (the sandwich type slice, they were cheaper). They had to cut it into small pieces.

Pooky started grating the cheese. I finished it. (1 whole block, split out over 3 meals)

I opened the 2 cans of mushrooms. Princess drained them and the kids got them split out on their plates.

We didn't use green peppers because they were too expensive to buy.

Each kid cracked 3 eggs. Each kids picked out their own shells.

I poured enough milk to make the eggs go over the whole mixture.

Then the kids assembled their own pans.
1. 1/2 the bread
2. 1/2 the pepperoni
3. 1/2 the mushrooms
4. 1/2 the cheese
REPEAT the layers once.

Then they poured the egg mixture over the top.

They are now covered in the fridge. We will add sauce to them tonight before baking

The final product:

This is all that was left when I remembered to take a picture:-) Inhaled!!

And Faith...while she couldn't enjoy this meal, she enjoyed corn on the cob and ribs...not too bad!!

Girls weekend

The men in our lives are gone away for the weekend. It is a nice break for us all, we do miss them, but we get to have our girl time...what does that include?

Cutie Pie screaming because Faith dumped cream soda on her new to her sweater, Pooky raiding the peanut butter and celery (that we bought to make egg rolls), Princess being driven to track and field (by an awesome person so I didn't have to lug all the girls!!), and Faith just being herself, walking and getting into everything. Add to that, the 10 year old that I support coming over to make egg rolls with us today.

What am I thinking?

Egg rolls are fun to make and so easy. All you do is cook up some bean sprouts, celery, and green onions, add some meat (chicken strips/pork) and let the kids fill and fold away. It is fun and easy and cool, and really affordable. Last time we made them we ended up with 26 egg rolls for $8.00. Can't go wrong there!!

I have totally fallen off my eating plan. I have resorted back to my old ways and I think the scale is going to reflect that this Tuesday night. I was thinking that I would head out and work out like crazy on Sunday night and Monday too. I need to do something to get moving again, and lose this chocolate and chip (thanks E) weight that I believe I have put on.

I am heading to a match visit with another family on Friday this week. It is with a 4 year old autistic boy. I am excited. I really enjoy working with kids and I seem to get so much more out of my time then they do.

Last week was Princesses birthday, so we took her and the 10 year old out, with our cousin as well and went bowling. They had a blast. It was so fun and I think we are going to be doing it again soon.

I also became an auntie again. I have a new nephew and he is soo cute. He has so much hair and really makes me wish we could plan and have a boy...but there is no way. We will just visit and enjoy him. It was fun to shop for boy clothes again, they have so many cute things now, I don't remember clothes being that cute when Mr H was that small...we have come a long way!

Another fun endeavour that I have taken is planning a Princess Tea Party at our church. We had one many years ago and it was so much fun. The girls had a great time being served and reminded of where we sit as princesses. I am hoping that it all works out well and that we raise enough to buy a playground for the kids and have some leftover for the summers VBS.

I have so many fun ideas, like teapot invitations to advertise to our friends and family, goody bags with special treats in them, a secret guest speaker - whose name won't be divulged until the party and also some door prizes and lots of special treats to eat. I am really excited about this and hope it all turns out.

Anyhow, my update for now. My sister is blogging now and she has posted a really great story...it is proof that things like this don't just happen in my house....which makes me feel good!!

You can read about her adventures at : Get Out Of My Kitchen