Green smoothies

So I've jumped on the green smoothie band wagon. And I have to say, it's a delicious band wagon at that! I found a few variations on Pinterest (God, thank you for Pinterest and the recipes it provides). I went with one that called for stuff that I usually have on hand.

-a handful of baby spinach
-a handful of frozen fruits (not berries-they turn the smoothie brown)
-a splash of OJ or apple juice (and just a splash)
-a splash of water
-and half a banana

Y'all, it is SO good. Sloan, my 3 year old, watched me make it the first day and tried it and loved it. Jackson, my 6 year old, even liked it. He is a little pickier with his veggies, and by picky, I mean he doesn't eat them, but he loved it too! He's had one every time I make them! Thankfully, he tried it and drank more than half of his cup before Sloan opened his big mouth and said there was "salad" in it. I tried to ignore him and encourage jackson to just drink it, but if you ignore Sloan, he just gets louder and more insistent until someone responds. So, I had to let the cat out of the bag and tell Jackson the spinach was in the smoothie. It bothered him a little, but he got over it and even helped make one this morning and put the spinach in it himself!!

Y'all, it tastes so good, that Jackson had to ask if it was an every day food (I.e. not a treat or dessert). Try it. And don't tell your kids what's in it before they try it!

I never...

I think this season of my life should be called "Never say never" or "see, I told you so" or "hypocrisy" because it seems almost daily that I find myself doing or saying something that I swore I'd never do or something that I saw others do and judged them and their choices.

Yesterday was a prime example. But let me start with a story a long while ago when Jesse and I were dating. He had an old Bronco that he took off roading and rock crawling. I went with him a few times and once there was this couple with their baby in their truck joining them on their off roading adventures. I ain't gonna lie. I judged them. Dumb rednecks, I thought. Who brings a baby to this stuff?

Well, fast forward to yesterday and I find myself bringing all my children to a friend's farm to shoot guns. Yes, even my 9 month old daughter. Awesome. Redneck baby.  But I did bring her proper ear protection so that she won't damage her ears until she's old enough to go to concerts and damage them on her own. I know some of you are judging me.  But I'm ok with it. C'est la vie.
(Notice how I just used a French saying to class myself up??? I'm sure I fall into the classy redneck category if there is any. You know, I do shop at Target more than Walmart...).

Chalkboard project

Chalkboards and chalkboard art are uber chic right now. I've been wanting a framed chalkboard for my entryway for, like, ever! ;) but I could never find what I wanted for cheap, so I've been formulating how to make one myself. Translation: make a chalkboard for cheap and easy. Cheap and easy. That's me...ha! ;)

Seriously, though, I think I figured it out. I bought an ornate frame from hobby lobby for half price (although I would have preferred one from goodwill) and found a thin painting canvas that fit in it. I painted the canvas with chalkboard paint and painted the frame with green "olive" paint and superglued that bad boy together. After it all dried, I pinterested (verb; synonymous to googling, but done on Pinterest) chalkboard art and voila! Entryway chalkboard.
I did consider spray painting the frame for a more modern, consistent coverage because the gold ended up showing through the brushed on paint, but I think I like the muted look.

Attitude adjustment

My kindergartner got in trouble at school today. He had a difficult time during rest time. Sadly, this was due to his new Baylor cuddle-up-it (which is a blanket/pet like a pillow pet) that he got for Christmas. He can't control himself, apparently when it's rest time, and he has to play as disrupt others instead of rest. So...log story short, he is my child who thinks that all is lost when he gets in trouble. Thus, he went up to his room when he came home and wrote the note below, saying that Sloan could have all his stuff. And he piled all te stuff he likes onto Sloan's dresser. He even put his clothes on the floor next to Sloan's dresser. It's hard being six years old.

OSHA

Being a mother is hazardous to my health. I'm sure OSHA would shut down this operation I've got going in my house. I don't wear safety goggles or hard hats or have the proper medical emergency kit ready. Why, just a few minutes ago, my daughter basically gouged out my right eye (dramatic much?). Seriously, though, I'm having a hard time typing bc I can't see due to the swelling and watery right eye. I was just laying her down for nap when she poked her little fingers RIGHT into my cornea.
But in a bigger picture, this all makes me want to say, have some sympathy and grace for us moms that you see out in public who look a little worse for the wear. We might just have been attacked by our own children... ;)

Merry Christmas y'all!

We kept up the usual traditions, but added a new one of putting stockings upstairs on the landing so we could open them in mommy and daddy's bed before the mass chaos of presents downstairs.

My favorite part of the day

As my kids get older (which is a relative term), my favorite part of the day is becoming the time when they get home from school. Partly because I've been refreshed by having a day of mommy time (or rather mommy and Abby time), but mostly because they love playing outside and I love watching them play outside.
I took this picture from inside because it was 46 outside. I love to watch them play, but I don't want to freeze!! They are kids, they can deal with the cold better than I can!