New Year's Resolution 2015

I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions.  I mean, in my mind I have the same general ones that the rest of the world has....eat healthier, be more active, travel, save money, stop yelling at my kids, be kinder, etc.  But even I know I can never keep up with any of those. 

This year, however, I think I have come up with a pretty terrific resolution.  This is something that I find myself wishing I would do every time I go somewhere.  My husband has preached about it numerous times and every time I find myself in this certain "pickle", I think , "why didn't I listen to him?!?!" 

Last Friday I went shopping to get out of the house and away from kiddos for a little bit and every time I went to pull out of my parking spots, I was "that driver".  You know the one...the driver (probably female) who goes backward, forward, backward, forward repeatedly until they safely clear the other vehicles.  Yep.  I did that. Several times.  I'm not usually this bad, but nearly every time I pull out of a spot I'm so afraid of hitting another car.  I even have a back-up camera, but 1) I don't trust it and 2) it's always covered with gravel dust.

So, what is my resolution for the new year??  To always park in a spot that I can drive FORWARD out of!  I can't parallel park (I never go anywhere that requires that anyway), and I am a terrible reverse driver.  Ironically, I've never been in an accident...but I know my day is coming and it will either be pulling out of a parking spot in reverse or merging lanes right into someone else.  If I can keep from ever having to reverse out of a parking spot, then I can eliminate that possible accident.

This may mean I have to park a long way from the building I'm going into, and with winter weather upon us, this could be tough as I don't want my poor kiddos to be out in the cold longer than they have to be.  Also, as someone who always has my kids with me, I prefer to park right beside the cart corral and pulling forward isn't always an option in this case.  I guess I will have to figure that one out as I go. 

So...that super dirty minivan awesome-mobile you will see at the end of the lot facing the "wrong" direction will be me in 2015.  At least you know I won't hit your vehicle :)

Bar Shampoo & Conditioner

I just have to share my review of one of my Christmas presents, because, well, it's amazing!  It is bar shampoo and conditioner from Naples Soap Company in Florida.  My aunt purchased it for my sister-in-law and I while on a trip to Florida.  When I opened it at Christmas I was very intrigued.  I loved the smell (and I am VERY picky about soap and lotion smells) and was excited to try it out.

I have used it 3 times now and I can confidently say that it is my favorite shampoo and conditioner, hands down!  This is huge, because I have tried so many shampoo/conditioners in the past few years and have spent (and wasted) lots of money trying to find something perfect for my hair. 

So, what do I love about it?  This is the only shampoo/conditioner that has ever given me that "just walked out of a salon" feeling.  My hair feels very light, soft and clean!  My hair is always so greasy near my scalp and the only time it ever goes away is after having it washed in the salon.  But, after each of the 3 uses of this bar stuff, no grease!..and thus, it feels so much lighter!  My hair is also very dry and rough...but so soft after each use of the bar.  I'm sold!  And, it smells like a spa and is all natural!

I wasn't quite sure what to expect the first time I used it.  I mean, how do you wash your hair with a bar, right??  The instructions said to apply the bar straight to my hair, and that's what I did.  I was VERY impressed with how well the shampoo lathered, and how little I had to use!  It does feel a little awkward rubbing a bar on my head, but it works like a charm.  The conditioner doesn't lather, so it's a little harder to tell if you've used enough, but my hair feels so silky while the conditioner is in. 

You can read more about these soaps and the creator (a nurse who suffered from eczema and psoriasis) at www.naplessoap.com  I love that they are all natural and created by someone who personally benefited from the product.  I want to try some of their other products as they all have great reviews.  I know it isn't cheap, and I have to pay shipping since it isn't sold in Iowa, but I do plan to continue to use these bar shampoo/conditioners.  There is a similar store in Jordan Creek Mall, but I've read that their products aren't all natural and as I've already found something I love, why change?

If you're curious for comparison, I previously used Pureology and AG hair products.  Also, I believe the Naples Soap scent I have is "Boyfriend", but I'm not positive as it wasn't labeled.  It does smell slightly "boyfriend-ish", but all I really smell is serene spa :)  

Let me know if you try this for yourself -- I highly recommend it! 

Photo Friday #11

Christmas themed pictures this week!  Enjoy!

 

Our tree with ornaments only on the top half

 

 

Each year we receive a giant poinsettia from the man who's life James saved with CPR about 7 years ago.

My kitchen holiday décor theme is gingerbread people

This barn is near my house and I drive past it nearly every time I go somewhere.  Just recently someone purchased it (and the few acres it is on).  While they do not live down here, they did put this wreath up.  It was a very welcoming surprise to see the first time.  I plan to print this picture and give it to them.

 

It's a Wonderful Life!

Hi Everyone!  Merry Christmas to you!  I am loving all of the fun pictures on Facebook this morning...makes me feel like I am celebrating this day with each of you.  And, as a special movie reminded me last night, life with all of you is the best gift! 

I thought I would share our last 24 hours with those of you who are interested.  A few days ago we decided that the 4 of us just couldn't spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas day "alone".  We invited my Dad and Aunt over for a very informal "lets just be together" day yesterday.  The rest of my family is in Arizona visiting other relatives.  They came over around noon and we had several frozen appetizers, cookies, chex mix, etc.  My goal for the day was to watch as many Christmas movies as possible.  While they were here we watched Elf and Christmas Vacation.  The kids got a lot of good play time in too as their great aunt chased them around the house and played "store" with Rylee's new grocery cart and cash register.  We then had very delicious chili made by my wonderful husband (I've been REALLY enjoying his cooking/baking lately!). 

After our company left Rylee was very anxious to get started on the "Santa" festivities.  I made them put their Christmas jammies on first so I could get some pictures.  We then set out a cookie (which neither Santa nor Mrs. Claus wanted after all the food they ate during the day), and put carrots in the yard for the reindeer.  My favorite thing to witness though, was Rylee constantly watching out the windows for Rudolph's red nose. 

 

While I was picking up toys, I realized that one of Wyatt's light-up drum sticks would make the PERFECT Rudolph nose.  It is red and the perfect shape and size.  James took the drum stick outside and ran through the yard....Rylee truly thought it was Rudolph!  We told her that Santa saw she was still awake and had to go deliver presents to the rest of the town first and would then be back after she was asleep. 

 

After that fun, I made the kids endure a few pictures by the tree before bed.  Here's a look at that how well that went -- Schaack Christmas Eve Shenanigans:

 

 

Finally, we put the kids to bed around 7:30, which was a little earlier than normal, but neither of them minded.  We all laid in Rylee's bed and read several Christmas stories before saying Good-Night.

 

As we weren't particularly tired, and couldn't deliver gifts until kiddos were asleep, James and I turned on the tv to see which Christmas shows were on.  It's a Wonderful Life had just started and I had never seen that movie.  Last year I recorded it, but never took the time to watch it.  I knew it was supposed to be a "feel good" movie and as I was in such a fantastic mood and had been reflecting on life lately, I decided now might be the perfect time to watch it.  I had a hard time getting into it, but by the end I loved it and felt a sense of heart-warming (mine has been a little cold at times this year). 

 

Between a few recent events in my life and stories I had been reading all week about peoples' favorite Christmas memories being not gifts, but being surrounded by loved ones I started to realize just how important being with friends and loved ones really is.  It made me also take an honest look at how selfish I have been at times.  One of my favorite lessons from It's a Wonderful Life was that we impact every life we come into contact with and I would hate to think that I had a negative impact on a life.  I also did some reading on Saint Nicholas this week (was curious about the origin of Santa Claus) and decided I could take a lesson from him as well. 

 

After the movie (it's a long one!), James and I delivered the presents to the Christmas tree and stockings and then went to bed.  I was sure I was never going to fall asleep -- too excited!

 

(the reindeer isn't new...just felt the need to leave a little "Santa Sillines" behind)

I decided to take their stockings down from the mantle and place them in front of their gifts...Rylee was not a fan of that this morning...noted! 

 

6:22 AM - "Mom, let's go to the living room."  At least, I think that's what she said, but not for sure because I was STILL SLEEPING!  Guess I forgot to tell Santa that I wanted our whole family to sleep until 7 this morning.  We got up with her and went to the living room.  The first thing she noticed was that her and Wyatt's stockings were missing from the mantle.  She was definitely excited to see presents, but it wasn't quite the reaction I was hoping for.  I'm not sure if she just didn't know what to say, or was waiting for us to say something, but she was just kind of calm. 

 

About 5 minutes later Wyatt woke up and we got started.  We took turns looking in our stockings first.  Rylee's contained Frozen Jelly Beans, Frozen lip gloss and nail polish, gum, m&m's, and hand sanitizer - her obsession.  Wyatt got 2 toothbrushes and m&m's.  James received candy and reusable hand warmers for hunting.  My stocking contained my favorite gift of the season -- an ornament -- picked out by Rylee, my best friend and baking buddy, and it couldn't be any more perfect!!

 

 

Next, we opened presents one by one, in no particular order.  Rylee got plenty of Frozen things, as she requested.  My favorite part of her opening gifts was when she opened her Elsa doll and excitedly said, "It's what I've always wanted!!!"  Best.Christmas Moment.Ever!!  She also really liked the $1.99 recorder that her brother got her :)  She said, "Now I have my own recorder like Danielle (cousin)!"  She and Wyatt both loved her Frozen Watch that sings "Do you want to build a snowman". 

 

 

Wyatt did a good job opening presents, but wasn't overly excited about any of his gifts.  He got a bowling set (that's super loud), a new cup with a hard plastic straw he can't chew off, tractor movies, an Olaf doll from Rylee and a giant dump truck that they are both having loads of fun with!  They both also got jammies and a book.

 

 

It was a pretty successful Christmas for the kiddos.  Rylee has told us "thank you" several times and that she loves all of her presents.  It's been lots of fun watching her play with all of her (and Wyatt's) new things.

 

James and I don't normally do gifts, other than small stocking stuffers.  We are both hard to buy for and prefer to pick out our own things.  This year though, Rylee made sure we had presents to open. It was fun and I really loved everything I got -- 2 pairs of jammies and a beautiful "bling" western belt!  Good job Daddy and Kiddos!  James got underwear and a bomber hat - fun right?

 

We were done opening gifts by 7:00 and moved on to breakfast...which was a strawberry and cream cheese butter braid we had bought from a local FFA student.  It was delish!!  The rest of the day has been relaxing as the kids play with their new things and we watch some Christmas shows.  Rylee and James made us a heart shaped pizza for lunch, which Rylee requested "because we all love each other".  It was yummy too! 

 

This has been a very wonderful Christmas season and I feel truly blessed to have such amazing people in my life.  I hope this post finds you all celebrating with loved ones and feeling fortunate for everything in your lives.  I saw on Facebook that several of my friends are sick, but as shown on It's a Wonderful Life, we can even be grateful for those not-so-great things.  One friend who found out she has shingles posted,"Shingle Bells, Shingle Bells.."  -- Way to shed light on an unfortunate situation!

 

Merry Christmas and Warm Hugs!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, You Can't Get Rid of THAT.

As most of you know who follow my blog, I don't really have much sentimental attachment to anything.  When I get in the mood to get rid of stuff, nothing is off limits. 

As the kids and I were playing in the basement today (where most of their toys are), I got the itch to go through their toys yet again, with the goal of getting rid of another sack full.  I know what some of you are thinking...."Do those poor kids have any toys left?!?!?"  The answer is yes.  They have as many toys come into the house as they have go out because I am a sucker and often buy them things they don't need.  McDonald's happy meal toys that don't get "lost" in the van sometimes make their way into the house too, and I try to make sure they don't survive more than a few weeks here.  Speaking of McDonald's.....a couple of days ago my husband told me my van "smells like McDonald's".  Isn't that what a minivan is supposed to smell like?!?!?!?!  I'm not sure what his concern was. 

Rylee helped me bring ALL of their upstairs toys down to the basement so we could put them all together and see exactly how many dolls we have, tractors we have, etc.  It was kind of fun to see every toy in one room and organized!  It made it a lot easier for both Rylee and I to accept getting rid of some items.  I was actually surprised by a couple of toys she was ready to get rid of.  I think we finally have gotten rid of all the small little items!  Poor Wyatt didn't really get much say in this task. 

The last category we went through were her baby dolls.  She had 6 (and another coming on Christmas day), and before I could ask her to pick 2 to get rid of she told me, "I think I should get rid of 2."  Super glad we agreed on that!  She easily picked her 2.....the first was the doll from my childhood, which I was sure she would want to keep.  Doh!  And her second choice was her very first baby doll...the one she got on her 1st birthday that she took right out of the box, held and fed a bottle to (which Shocked me she knew how to do and was her first real 'girl moment')!  I was a little sad that she wanted to get rid of this one.  Okay, A Lot sad.  Okay, okay, I had an internal meltdown!  You just cannot get rid of your first doll, Rylee Jane!!  I asked her, like 10 times, "Are you SURE you want to get rid of this one?"  The confidence in her voice was upsetting me. 

Okay, fine.  I decided she can be done playing with that doll, but I am definitely not getting rid of it.  I think the first doll deserves a coveted spot in "the box".  You know the one...the box that your mom gives you when you move out of the house for good, that is full of things from your childhood.  Not being sentimentally attached to things, I am trying to keep a very small box for my kids.  Rylee is 3.5 and so far the only things in her box are a few baby outfits (not even sure why I'm keeping those), a small lovey that she was attached to her first year, and now the baby doll.  The only other things I plan to put in it are her blankie when if she ever decides to be done carting it around and the journal I'm writing to her.  And maybe a few things from her school years (though I had zero desire to have any of my school things).  My husband has an entire huge trunk full of childhood stuff that he won't part with.  I don't get it, but not my thing.  Hopefully my kids will be okay with just a small box of things...it's easy to carry around from place to place and won't take up much space (like my husband's trunk that takes up more space than either kids' dresser and requires a "team lift" to carry). 

So, I cleaned up her first baby doll and put her away.  I also didn't let her get rid of my childhood doll either --- it's African American; she needs diversity in her doll family :)  We agreed on another doll that, for some reason only Rylee knows, is always naked! 

I can't believe it...the day came that I couldn't part with an item.  Weird.  It's probably even worse that it was an item Rylee actually wanted to get rid of, but I kept...maybe keeping things is more for the parent than the child???  Hmmm....

My Family Christmas

Yesterday we had Christmas with my family.  I noticed on Facebook that many people had family Christmas gatherings yesterday.  Several of my friends and I discussed the differences and similarities in our family gatherings at the holiday time.  As we are having so much fun this morning playing with all of our new gifts and I am reflecting on our day yesterday, I thought I would share some of our traditions with you all.

Let me first say that we stopped at the mall yesterday because Rylee wanted to go shopping to get Mommy a Christmas present.  While James and the kids did that, I shopped in 1 store to grab another stocking stuffer and then I bought a water and sat in the middle of the mall watching all of the crazy last minute shoppers.  The mall was very busy and I did witness an irate customer within the first 5 minutes I was there.  Shopping on this day reminded me why I complete my shopping way earlier than this and never shop on a weekend.  If you were one of these last minute shoppers, more power to you!!  The best part of the mall for me was riding in the Christmas train with my kids :)

We headed to our family gathering about an hour later.  We normally always have this gathering on Christmas Eve day, but as 5 of our family members will be in Arizona that day, we moved it up to today.  It was kind of a nice change this year since Christmas day seems so far away and we were able to have a little celebration (read: open presents) a few days earlier.  We arrived to my aunt's house, who always hosts, and took our presents into the house and placed them under the tree......well, close to the tree.  There were over 60 presents under the tree!!  This is the norm for our small family of 12.  It just doesn't seem possible that ALL THOSE PRESENTS could be for this one gathering....but none the less, every present is opened by the end. The Christmas tree is so beautiful with all of the ornaments (she has a lot) and piles of presents! 

So, as I was putting presents around the tree I see one that is to me from my niece and nephew...who were NOT supposed to get me a gift!  In my family, everyone buys a gift for everyone, but my brother and sister-in-law and James and I decided not to buy for each other once we had kids.  Ironically, on the way to this gathering yesterday James asked me, "Your brother and sister-in-law know we aren't doing gifts for each other right?  Because I don't want to have any awkward situations."  So, yeah...they broke the rules and it was awkward :)  They got us sweet presents though...we will have to make it up to them next year....or just offer them a night of baby-sitting (best gift ever, right parents??). 

As far as opening presents goes, we all open at the same time.  It's chaos for about 5 minutes while the kids are all opening their gifts.  There is wrapping paper flying all over the place and I'm trying to watch both of my kids' reactions to their gifts and keep an eye on my niece and nephew to see what they are getting and if they like the gifts we got for them.  I don't think any of us adults opened presents while the kids were unwrapping theirs yesterday.  I discovered that gifts not put together aren't as exciting to kids.  Rylee really wanted a grocery cart, cash register and scooter for Christmas.  She got all 3 yesterday, but as they were all in a box, unable to be played with right away, she didn't show much excitement. 

After the kids finished opening their gifts, the adults dived in to ours.  Normally I at least know one thing I am getting, but this year every single gift was a surprise....I loved everything I got and it was fun!  A few things I got were an ISU scarf (I did ask for this, but wasn't expecting it for Christmas -- my birthday is next week), a camera necklace, bath soaps (I'm so excited for my shower today!!!), and chocolate olive oil --- trust me, it is amazingly good!! 

I may have explained one of our fun gift traditions last year, but in case I didn't, here it is.  When we were little, my brother once told my aunt about some cousins of my dad's (which would also be her cousins since she and my dad are siblings).  She didn't know who he was talking about, but he was so insistent that they were real and that he rode horses at their house.  He said their names were "Rick and John".  So, that year for Christmas we all got an extra gift and the tag said it was from "Rick and John".  When my brother saw it, he said "HEY!!!!".....he was embarrassed I think.  Anyway, twenty-some years later the story still follows him and we all still get an extra gift from "Rick and John" each year. 

After the "main event" of opening gifts, we ate supper.  We changed up the order this year, as we normally do gifts after supper.  We also changed up the menu from our usual homemade noodles and real mashed potatoes.  This year we had pastas (lasagna and chicken Alfredo), salad and bread.  It was just as yummy as our traditional meal and made with just as much love by my aunt.  I have to give compliments to my husband too who not only spent an hour in the kitchen helping make the pastas and appetizers, but he also made the dessert and some cookies (which I had planned to do, but he took over).  No wonder my family likes him so much!  By the way, the brownie/peppermint ice cream dessert I had planned to make turned out just as good by adding peppermint extract to vanilla ice cream since I couldn't find peppermint ice cream in the store. 

When we left the gathering, our van was full of new gifts and yummy leftovers that I can't wait to eat!  It was late when we got home last night, so we waited until this morning to bring all of our gifts into the house.  It was like Christmas all over as we took everything out and more carefully examined them.  Wyatt played with his new cars and we put Rylee's grocery cart together so we could play "store" 50 times this morning :)  It's so cute when she says, "Thank you for stopping in our store today." and "Come again sometime". 

All we have left is Christmas day, when just the 4 of us spend the day together and open gifts from each other and Santa Claus.  I don't think Rylee will be near as excited about her Christmas day gifts as yesterday's.  She told me this morning, "Well, I got my grocery stuff and scooter, so all I want for Christmas now is Frozen stuff".  6/7 things she will open on Thursday are Frozen themed!  I can't wait to see what she picked out for me on Christmas day (she kept telling me she was going to get me a Scooter too).  I love Christmas with kids!

Photo Friday #10

Last weekend we visited a fire station and after taking a few pictures of the kiddos I realized it would be a neat place to get some photos in for my project. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Elf on the Shelf brings the kids Christmas jammies the first night she appears (December 1st usually).  Wyatt's look so cute on him, we might wear them past Christmas. Here he is in his jammies, sitting by the tree watching a show before bedtime.

 

Each year we get both kids a new ornament.  So far we have been able to get Rylee something that coincides with an interest she had that year.  This year she got a Frozen ornament.  Last year, she was very into Minnie Mouse and received this ornament.