Juicy News You can Use

Chicken Little got his first drink of juice today. I'm not sure if he enjoyed the apple juice more or chewing on the sippy cup. He did a lot of talking, but no one here speaks Chicken so we aren't sure what he was saying. Here's the closing comments of his speech as he was winding down. He was full of information a little while earlier.


We have two too many snot nosed kids around here so today we launched what I'm calling "The B family Fights the Flu Campaign."
It was Chicken Little's cruddy nose that prompted me to give him some juice.
I'm pretty sure he was an eligable juice candidate several months ago, but I'm just now getting around to putting a sippy cup in his little hand.
best. mom. ever.


I work in a hospital and have been getting lots of information lately on the H1N1 or Swine flu virus. One email in particular stuck with me because it contained tips on fighting the flu this year.
Did you know most of the germs that you bring in your house are from your shoes? I didn't realize that so we are removing our shoes this flu season and immediately washing our hands upon entering the house. I am keeping alcohol foam by the door for immediate availability. We can't have Chicken Little scooping up H1N1. I've always been a germ-o-phobe, but it's on a new level now. I was asking one of our pediatricians about getting the flu vaccine this early since it's usually not recommended until later in the fall. He recommended it now as they are already seeing the flu this year. The concern is that the different flu viruses will mutate and become resistant to treatment. UGH! Try to stay healthy this flu season.

Drinking from my Saucer

I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loved ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.

So God, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Author unknown

A is for Apple

The preschooler has learned all about the Letter A and apples this week.
He has talked about them all week and tomorrow is the BIG day. They get to TASTE the apples and he is excited. One would think he has been apple deprived his whole life.
We provided red apples for Thursday's tasting event.
It's too bad I didn't think to make caramel apples before now.
I wish I had a bite of one right now.
I found this recipe from the

Kraft food

website.
You will need:
5 Washed apples
1 package (14oz) Caramels
2 TBSP water

Insert wooden pop sticks (from bag of caramels) into stem end of each apple. Cover large plate with wax paper; grease paper with butter. Set aside.
Place caramels in large saucepan. Add water; cook on medium-low heat until caramels are completely melted, stirring constantly.
Dip apples into melted caramel until evenly coated, spooning caramel over apples if necessary. Allow excess caramel to drip off. Scrape bottoms of apples, then place on prepared plate. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature 15 min. before serving. Store leftover dipped apples in refrigerator.
Rolling caramel apples in 1/2 cup PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts will add 90 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 1 gram of saturated fat per serving to the nutrition information.
Yield: 5 servings

Halloween Bucket

Thanks to Avery's mom! She will be trick or treating with style this year. I even got to use the Commander's drill (with some help) for attaching the name tag. :)
This project was loaded with treats. :)

brotherly love

This child is full of love, full of life, and full of energy.
I hope he never loses his zest for life.


This child is happy go lucky and strong beyond belief.
His babysitter says if all babies were like him then she would keep more. He's just so easy going.

The older kid looks out for the younger one better than anyone. He also hazes him. The little guy can't even mind his own business in his crib without getting poked in the stomach between the crib rails. If he's got a pacifier, then it will be confiscated and hidden when the older one sees it. One day he was crawling along when the older one decided to play wheel barrow with his feet. The little guy took a chin dive, got up, and kept on going. He's mighty!

Alligator caught in Chicago River

I got this article from the Chicago Tribune. I wonder what people thought if they spotted it on Chicago's tour by boat.

CHICAGO - Authorities say a young alligator captured in the unlikely waters of the Chicago River is now safe in the hands of animal experts.

The 3-foot alligator was spotted Thursday in the North Branch of the river, near Damen and Fullerton avenues. Attempts to capture it then failed, but the Chicago Animal Care and Control Department and a reptile expert from the Chicago Herpetological Society caught it early Friday morning.

The society says the alligator was probably a discarded pet.

It was not the first time an alligator has been captured in or near the Chicago River. A larger one -- weighing about 45 pounds, was caught in June 2008 in Bubbly Creek near the site of the old Union Stockyards. The creek is a tributary of the river's South Branch.

Show us your life-Baby Showers

I don't normally play along in these, but this one is just fun.
Kelly is having a baby shower linky party. Feel free to play along.
This was Solar's baby shower who only has a few days/weeks left. She had a green/pink baby shower with appetizers. TW fixed the best spinach dip ever. I wish I had some of it right now.
That was such a fun day seeing so many friends/family.
I absolutely can not wait to meet Little Miss LKM.