Which is Why I Don't Listen to the Radio

Here is a conversation that took place in the van the other day as we were on our way hither and yon. Please, do keep in mind that there was absolutely nothing unusual about this exchange.

14 year old: (while looking at a library book) "Wow! I just found the dimensions for the Statue of Liberty. These are incredible!"

8 year old: "What are dimensions?"

3 year old: "Do chickens get chicken pops?"

5 year old: "Are we going to church tonight?"

Baby: "Deesus wufs me..."

Me: "No"

5 year old: "WE AREN'T GOING TO CHURCH?! WHY NOT?!"

14 year old: "The tablet she holds is 24 inches thick. 24 inches!"

Baby: "dis I know..."

Me: "Yes, we are going to church. No chickens don't get chicken POX."

14 year old: "And the index finger is over 7 ft."

8 year old: "What are dimensions?"

Baby: "Deesus wufs me..."

Me: "Dimensions are..."

9 year old: "MOMMYYYYYY! He is kicking the back of my seat!"

Boy: "No I'm not. I'm nudging it."

Baby: "dis I know..."

Me: "No kicking or nudging!"

8 year old: "What are dimensions?"

5 year old: "I knew we were going to church because we always go on church night. Right Mommy? Right? Mommy? Don't we? Right Mommy?"

Me: "Dimensions are..."

3 year old:  "Then why are they called 'chicken pops'? Did chickens invents them?"

14 year old:  "Here is a quiz. 'In which hand does she hold the tablet?' Who would not know that?!"

Me: Pulls van over and runs wildly through a field and into the woods never to return while screaming, "Dimensions are measurements!  MEASUREMENTS!!!"

Police: "Ma'am, you're going to have to come with us."

Okay, I made up those last two little bits, but I think you get the idea.


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Guest Posting at Life in a Shoe

I have a guest post up at Life in a Shoe.

Head on over there to find out I'm even weirder than you thought.


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Linky Dinks

Here are a few interesting links around the web.

• Daily Dwelling's Friday Favorites are up. She has a whole passel of great reads on parenting, crafts, cooking, and more.

• Lora Lynn has announced that they are expecting an addition to their family by way of Uganda!  How exciting is that?

• Kimberly is asking for ideas on Thanksgiving traditions.  Head on over to add yours.

• Amy has some great tips on homeschooling preschoolers.
  

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Be Frugal, Drink Water

I have written before about how we like to be frugal and drink water, but it was brought to mind when I was buying those cute little juice boxes for our Celebrate Fall party.

I was going for simple, so I didn't want to have to pour kool aid into cups, and I wanted the party to be something special, so I went ahead and splurged on something we normally don't have.

I thought of how much extra I would have to shell out if our kids were accustomed to drinking juice or soft drinks as a daily habit.

We offer milk to our children at meal times and tap water at all other times throughout the day.

If we are going out, say to gymnastics, I fill up these nifty stainless steel water bottles from the tap.

On the rare occasion that we eat out, we order water to drink.

It really is a simple way to keep your money in your pocket. Be frugal, drink water!

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Thanksgiving Dinner For Beginners

My husband and I have eaten 24 Thanksgiving dinners together as husband and wife.

In the beginning of our marriage we did a fair bit of eating Thanksgiving dinner at parents' houses and bringing along a pie or some rolls.

As the years rolled on, though, I nervously began to plan and execute Thanksgiving dinners at my own home.  I made my share of blunders and oversights, and I would like to share with you some things I have learned that I believe are essential in planning and serving Thanksgiving dinner.

• If the turkey is frozen, take it out of the freezer and put it in the fridge a full week before the big day.  I am not kidding! Those things take forever to defrost and you will be sorry on the morning of Thanksgiving if you do not heed this advice.  All your hungry guests will be sorry too, because they will be eating tuna fish sandwiches while the frozen turkey stubbornly refuses to finish roasting in a timely manner.
• The night before Thanksgiving dinner, brine the turkey. That means putting it in an ice chest with 2 cups salt, 1 cup brown sugar and just covered with water and plenty of ice.  This will ensure the bird is flavorful and juicy!
• Plan out your menu and prepare as much as possible ahead of time.  The day of the event, you'll want to be focused on making sure the turkey is done, but not overcooked, (internal temp. reaches 161) and having fresh, hot rolls.
• Use the nice dishes! This is the day they have been sitting in the cabinet, rubbing their little plate-y hands together waiting for!
• Make sure to have plenty of ice. Nothing stikes a panic like forgetting you used every bit of the ice in the ice maker last night to brine the turkey, and now having nothing to put in the glasses for the iced tea.
• Make sure the dishwasher is empty so you will have a quick(er) cleanup after dinner.
• Enjoy the day! It likely won't be perfect. Few days are. Don't dwell on what went awry, but on being thankful for your blessings.
• See one of my most popular posts, "The Most Delicious Turkey Ever" for my secret to moist, delicious turkey every time.
  

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