We Believe.

Do you?

The best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

With Love Always,

The Gailey Family

Dear Daddy:

This is why Mommy stopped buying Costco muffins.

Too bad both you and Mason didn't know.

*FYI: I do know that a baby should have neither product containing egg nor chocolate, but try telling that to the brother who left his muffin unattended on the floor and the baby who has to eat butternut squash everyday. I almost feel he earned it... but don't tell that to Dr. Lepore.

Creativity Roadblock.

I find myself at a loss for blogging lately, so here is something I did a few weeks ago for Young Women in Excellence. And yes, they were as tasty as they look:

Found these little beauties on Conversations with a Cupcake.

And found these super-tasty, super easy, cupcakes here.

The only differences I made were on the Apple Spiced Cupcakes. Instead of cinnamon sticks for the stems, I used pretzels. Also, I spread green Wilton Candy Melts on mint leaves, put in the fridge for a few minutes and then peeled the candy off the mint to make edible leaves for the "apples".

*What I would have changed, had I known... I would have just used a spice cake mix for the cupcake part. (It didn't taste much different, to me.) The recipe on the blog makes really heavy cupcakes. I am a Betty Crocker kind of baker. Plus, it's much, much easier.*

P.S. Congratulations to me. Did you notice that I successfully made links?! Go, me!

Livin' the dream.

I've often wondered as a housewife, what it would be like to find myself the employer of various household help. I dream of having a maid, butler, or a cook. I am sure that I am not alone. Today, I took a step into the life of the rich and famous as I woke up and found myself face to face with my own, sticky, chocolate-covered butler.

"We made you breakfast in bed, Mom!"

How sweet. However, it was not yet 6:30 and the baby was still sleeping. Nothing short of a hostage crisis was going to pry me out of the warm comfort of my sheets. The idea of cleaning Carnation Instant Breakfast out of my carpet put the brakes on the whole deal.

"Thank you very much! Please don't try to bring it upstairs by yourself. The baby will be up soon, and then I will be down to join you for breakfast."

The baby did not wake until 9:00. He's never done that.

As the old adage goes and still applies in the Gailey household, "You snooze, you lose.". Finding a warm 1/4 gallon of milk, soggy cereal, and the last two packets of Instant Breakfast wasted on my kitchen table made me sad. Oh well, how about a raincheck, Geeves?

My wasted breakfast, complete with tray for convenience.

My new employees.

*Notice the chocolate on their noses and chins. Butlering is very hard work, indeed.

Just can't hold it in...

Just got our Christmas card photos back. I love them! (Of course, some arm-fat photoshopping could have been in order... turns out, elastic cap-sleeves=not flattering...)

All the same, I still LOVE them, so I can't wait until my card comes out to share. This is one of the awesome "didn't-make-it-to-the-card-but-made-it-to-my-heart" rejects. Stay tuned for more...

If you're in the Vegas area, and you are looking for a rocking photographer: http://hazleburyphotography.blogspot.com

Unwanted Visitor

Dear Neighbors,

If this little darling is yours:

might I suggest that you keep him indoors?

Not that he isn’t just lovely…

but if I find him or more of his poop in my backyard…

I’m calling animal control to have him disposed of.

So. If you love him, please keep him to yourself.

I’d appreciate it.

Love, Your Cat-Hating Neighbor

My Little Runaway.

Now, before you watch this and think of what a horrible mother I am, just know that all this drama was self-inflicted.

The story:

While Josh was working a dental clinic for veterans a couple weeks ago on a perfectly wonderful Saturday morning, I made chocolate chip pancakes and then I put the boys in the bath. After warning them several times that bath time would be over when the splashing was out of control, I finally took them out of the bath, kicking and screaming. Having had a bad week with misbehaving children, I was in no mood when a soggy Ethan, standing on my carpet, told me that I was a mean mommy and that he was going to run away.

"I am going to get in the shower," I said. "By the time I get out, I want your things packed. Oh, and don't forget your toothbrush and underwear."

To my surprise, he was, in fact, packed when I got out of the shower. Since this kind of scenario has happened before, I decided to really ham it up. "Don't forget to tell your new mommy and daddy that you need to go to the dentist in December. Oh, and try to stay in the school district, won't you?"

It was when he tearfully requested photographs of his "old mommy and daddy and Sloan and Mason", that my heart broke and I knew that both of us had taken it too far. However, unwilling to lose ground, I prepared for his departure. I'll let the video take it from here:

The Tooth Fairy Proudly Presents:

Basic Oral Hygiene:

Use a fluoride-rich toothpaste as you...

... brush at least twice, daily.

Floss regularly, at least once, daily.

And don't forget to visit your dentist every six months for a regular check-up.

This public service announcement brought to you by:

The Gailey Family

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

I must be magic.

I turn my back for one minute...

... and apparently time turns back, too.

A-Visiting We Go!

So, a few months ago, my Grandma had a few health scares. When I realized that I hadn't been back to Illinois to see her since 1997 (I am not a terrible granddaughter... I have seen her on several occasions since then, I just haven't been back east since then. I'm only almost terrible.) I booked a flight and Mason and I, in the company of my sisters and brother, were off on Grandmapalooza Tour, 2009!

Here are the highlights:

Sami and Brandon, modeling Grandma's latest garage sale finds.

She's always super generous!

Does anyone remember that scene in Willy Wonka with the lickable wallpaper?

Seriously, actually, licked this when I was seven.

Mason, waiting for our plane in St. Louis. I do think that he was as confused as he looks...

Other accomplishments:

-Eating 1 pint + 1 quart (I can't add those two measurements. Stupid metric system.) of Krekels Lemon Custard in 36 hours.

-Sniffing the air inside ALDI. Weird? I just may be.

-Nursing Mason for 3+ hours on a plane. Quite literally. (Did I use it right, Jana?)

Yeah. So, 2 full days in Illinois, and these are all the pictures that I got. Hmm. I just might be a terrible granddaughter after all. At least I've got my memories...

And the winner is...?

So, I am entirely stumped. I have been meaning to post a winner, but I have some issues. Namely these:

1. Most people that commented did not post this on their blog or let me know that they e-mailed friends. Hmm. Did you mean to enter??

2. I only got one funny response! I confess myself disappointed. This funny response I received via e-mail and my first issue applies.

So, I have narrowed the winner's circle to these and if y'all will help me pick a winner...

1. Melissa: Indicated a design dilemma and a need for free vinyl.

2. Maggie: The sole individual to post on her blog. If we're being fair, she won by a landslide.

3. Morgan: THE funny response. Morgan says:

"Here's an even better entry.....I like all the sayings and stuff and I've seen it in people's homes. We're finally in a position to look for a new home of our very own! (yes, I know, exciting) and I will finally be able to put a sign on my door that says "take your freak'n shoes off and don't get sh** all over my carpet" (in one way or another of course.) and maybe even put something pretty with our wedding and family pictures on our wall. :) So thanks for hosting the contest. :)"

Crass? Yes. Did it make me giggle for the rest of the day? Yes.

Please leave a comment and vote for your favorite.

Giveaway!

Just when you think you're done decorating your house, your sister has a KILLER deal on vinyl, and you just can't stop yourself:

My front door, if you can't see it, it says:

"You are Welcome... but your shoes are not."

The Boys' room. The map goes over the entire wall. Both the map and compass were custom order.

Isn't it AWESOME?!

The plane has nothing to do with the vinyl. Got that at Home Goods. Ignore the dust.

Their room has a "transportation" theme, and the map really completes the look.

The boys bathroom. I have 15 custom "bubbles" all around the room on the walls...

... and mirror.

I also have, on the boys' bathroom mirror, a custom vinyl in an "etching" color. It's awesome. I would post it, but I don't know if I am allowed to post a poem due to copyright laws... Hmm.

Perfectly spaced was awesome to use. Their products applied easily, shipping was FAST (Seriously. Fast.), and customer service was great. As you can see, I got several custom items. They designed quickly, and with each revision, I got an e-mail and was able to make changes as needed. I know it's my sister, but seriously. If my childhood is any indication, favoritism had nothing to do with my service. (Sorry, Sami... had to say it.) Also, pricing was VERY competitive.

So, why should you care about my great deal??

This is also good for you, my loyal readers. In an effort to get more traffic to their site, Perfectly Spaced has authorized me to do a GIVEAWAY!!! The rules:

Send an e-mail to 3 of your friends/family (who may be in the market for vinyl...) and get them to go to the site. Or post about this post on your blog.

Post a comment here, on this post, telling me why you deserve $15.00 in vinyl product, and who you sent information to. (Funny entries are good... I am not above emotional bribery.)

Get to it! As soon as I have enough entries, I will let y'all know who the lucky winner is.

www.perfectlyspaced.com

P.S. Everyone is a winner when you get a great product for a low price, even if you don't win... I'm just sayin'.

My new favorite quote:

"We don't have a dog right now. We have a Mason."

-Sloan

Dinner Party

If I could live in one era of my choosing, I would definately pick the 1950's. I think that I missed that portal. I love the idea of fancy dinner parties, wearing ironed dresses all day long, T.V. shows with built-in commercials, soda shops, and Rock n' Roll before it was just Rock. Ah. The simplicity of it all. Or perhaps I have been mislead by popular culture and Hollywood.

Nah.

I decided that it would be fun to time-warp for an evening, and enjoy a nice, quiet, elegant night with friends, complete with "The Newlywed Game".

Boy was I right. This is the life:

I started with hand-made invitations, (which I would share with you, except I managed to blow up yet another computer. (I really don't know what I do to them...)) Erasing the photographic evidence that I had made them. mailed out per ettiquette, 4-5 weeks in advance. Dinner was Italian-themed and four courses.

All-in-all, even with my car dying on me as I was trying to take my baby to the sitter, it was a good night. I don't know that I'll do them frequently, but I do think that I'd like to do another party sometime.

Thanks again to all who came! It was awesome.

Little Fish in a Big Pond

Just dropped my BABY off at KINDERGARTEN! Unreal. I didn't cry, and I am proud to say the neither did he, though I do think that a tear or two would have been a nice gesture...

Here's how it went down:

Stoically entering the gates of education.

Mingling with fellow students. (Doesn't he look the gentleman, hands all in his pockets??)

Trying desperately to keep a brave face.

Trying to let Mom down easy.

Failing to let Mom down easy.

Resolutely walking toward the unknown.

Saying his tearful goodbyes.

Entering the institution of Education.

Good Luck, Ethan! We're so proud of you!

Love, Mom & Dad

Oh, and while I'm at it...

Mason Smiles!

What a stud!

And it... was awesome.

Did you ever think that you knew your own mother better than you actually did??

I did.

Background:

My parents hail from the great state of Illinois, which also happens to be the home of Krekel's, the birthplace of the best frozen lemon custard in all 50 states. I spent many a dinner time at Grandma's house, eating only what was required to earn some of that tasty treat. Ah, Krekel's. A long time it's been, my friend.

12 years, to be exact.

Desperate for some of my favorite frozen treat, I devised a way to make it... substituting lemon pudding for vanilla in my favorite homemade ice cream recipe. It was divine! After tasting the dessert for himself (after 6 years of waiting...) Josh suggested that we make it for my mother as a surprise while visiting in August. What a great idea! Or so I thought...

After keeping the recipe under wraps for 2 months, lying through my teeth to keep it a secret, and a secret shopping trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond to pick up the only ice-cream maker left in Post Falls, Idaho, our mission was accomplished.

Mom sat at the table quietly, her ice cream in front of her. Josh, Brookie, and Jana all peeking over their bowls and snickering with anticipation for the scream of excitement that surely would follow, "Lemon ice cream?! How could this be?! It's all I've ever wanted and more!"

After moments of agonizing silence, I decided to prompt her: "How is your ice cream, Mom?"

Mom: "Well, it's good, but it tastes like lemon."

Brookie:"Yeah..."

Mom: "Well, I'm trying to find the Brickle" (She was expecting the original recipe, "Brickle-Frickle" with Butterfingers candy bars.)

Brookie (laughing): "We changed the recipe, what do you think?"

Jana: "Oh, no. This isn't going well."

Mom: "Well, it's good, but I don't know why you'd make me lemon ice cream."

Brookie: "You don't think that it tastes like Krekel's?"

Mom: "I wouldn't know. I've never had Krekel's lemon ice cream."

Brookie: "What?!"

Josh (snickering): "This is awesome."

Jana: "Oh... I want to cry for you."

Brookie: "What?!"

Mom: "I always had the strawberry or chocolate ice cream."

Say what? My mind is still reeling. I guess I still have a lot to learn.

*If you want to try the recipe, I'll have it posted on another (not so long) post, later.

Adventures in Babysitting

Hi. My name is Kennon. I like water.

Lesson learned: Never trust two quiet two-year-olds even if they seem occupied with two boxes of raisins and reasonable company.

Für Meine Mutter...

Dear Grandma,

We're thinking about you.

We can't wait to come and see you.

We're brushing up on our German.

Love,

Ethan, Sloan, & Mason

Before the After the Final Rose

Jillian--

I reject your reality and substitute my own. 

Ed was the wrong one for anyone the moment he pulled out those green, shorty-short shorts. Let's set aside for a moment the fact that he abandoned you for his work, or even that he looks like a bug. Let's even forget his E.D. and lack of passion. You two are just too different; mark my words, this relationship is over before it has begun.

I don't blame you for sending Kiptyn home. First, the name. I don't know how you get past the name. Second, the eyes. Just thinking of them makes me shiver. I swear, they are red.

I do, however, blame you for sending Reid home. What were you thinking? I guess you really hate perfection, eh? Jake and Reid ought to start a club...

What I don't understand, is the counter on my TiVo. I was perplexed that I was watching Ed and Kiptyn riding in limos to propose to you only 1 hour into the show. I was amazed that there was a solid 15 minutes spent watching you and Reid hug each other. I was proud that they finally gave Chris Harrison a bigger part by way of offering advice to the Bachelorette. Way to go, ABC. I didn't see that coming.