I do NOT have a big mouth!

I'll admit it. I've been told I have a big mouth. More than once even. But today, those people were proven WRONG!

I enjoy going to the dentist almost as much as I would enjoy eating my own arm. I went to my new dentist today for my new patient visit. The hygienist cleaned and scraped and counted and measured and poked and told me she was going to perform a probing exam.... Excuse me?? A what? Turns out it was NOT what I had thought and it wasn't so bad after all. While the dentist was checking my teeth (and commenting on how cute the one baby tooth I still have is; I totally got ripped off by the Tooth Fairy) she said to me "You have a really little mouth".

And there we have it. Spoken by a true professional. I "have a really

l-i-t-t-l-e mouth." I think I'm gonna like this new dentist!

But How Much Will I Get Paid?

Here is a link from momversation.com where the ladies talk about the subject of giving an allowance to your children.
We have certain things we expect Carter to do for this allowance he has requested. The tasks linked to the money he gets are for jobs that make my life easier and would not typically be expected of him. I expect him to keep his room tidy, scrape his plate and put it in the sink after he eats as well as many other "must do" tasks that contribute to the overall well being of the family. We give him money for making his bed, dusting etc etc. We have a catch though.... for every job that he is paid to do and skips doing it, he gets docked $1.00 meaning in a few short days he could be down to zero. This allowance thing has been ongoing now for five months and there has only been one week where he had to docked... and it was only for $2. So far so good! Also, it has COMPLETELY taken the pressure off me having to cave when we go to a store and he wants something. He now has his own money to buy the things he wants and has been making very wise spending decisions I must add. I do like the idea from the video where the child gets a certain amount to spend, a certain amount to save and a certain amount is set aside for charity.... I'm thinking we'll incorporate that in the raise I'm sure he'll be asking for sooner than later!

I Want To Live Forever Young

I always think of my childhood friend Laura when I hear this song. She introduced me to it way back when.... when we had very little cares in the world. Our days consisted of hanging out talking about our plans and dreams. We have grown up now and have realized many of those dreams, created wonderful families of our own and have many, many cares in this world. I hope those childhood days will never become vague in my memory. I know in my heart we will always live forever young.

P.S. 22 Chorus Singing "Forever Young" Children from this world-famous Staten Island public school sing "Forever Young"

Hot Bowtie Pasta

500g box of farfalle pasta (bowtie)

2 Tbsp veg oil

1 cup thickly sliced white mushrooms or small button mushrooms whole

1 green chile sliced thin (don't discard the seeds)

2 cups bruschetta

1/2 cup snow peas (optional)

salt & pepper to taste

Boil the pasta according the the package directions and drain.

In 2 tbsp of veg oil, sautee the mushrooms. Stir in the snow peas and sautee until plump and crisp.

Add in green chilies and bruschetta and sautee for just a minute or two before adding in the pasta.

Mix well, add salt & pepper and serve.

Roller Coasters Will Never Be The Same

Never ever in my life was I afraid of roller coasters.... until I became a mother. Carter asked me to on Dragon Mountain with him and I pulled at his seat belt and safety bar making sure it was on properly until the second we started to move. I stretched my arm across him diagonally (like I was going to catch him if he were to fall out!) and away we went. We looped upside down, went through tunnels and at a speed that made me feel like I had a facelift. When we got off, Carter was "whoot whooing" about how great that was as I tried not to show how much agony I was in! I had pulled something in my neck & back. I had clenched my muscles the entire ride to be sure I could stop Carter from falling out if by chance he did, and now I had injured myself. That was once me "whoot whooing" after a cool ride..... but now I'm that parent needs to sit and take some ibuprofen before I can carry on for a fun filled day in the theme park with my kids.

That's Why We Don't Eat Animals

I just finished reading the story "That's Why We Don't Eat Animals" by Ruby Roth to my vegetarian-since-birth children and it explained what factory-farms are in a very direct and clear way. It was sent to us by my sister and I'm certain it will be a story my kids will want to hear again and again as the questions were flowing!

Thats Why We Don't Eat Animals- by Ruby Roth

I just finished reading the story "That's Why We Don't Eat Animals" by Ruby Roth to my vegetarian-since-birth children and it explained what factory-farms are in a very direct and clear way. It was sent to us by my sister and I'm certain it will be a story my kids will want to hear again and again as the questions were flowing!

Fur Coat Lady

My seven year old vegetarian-since-birth son just saw a lady on TV with a fur coat on and said "Look at her wearing a fur coat! I just want to pick up a rock and throw it at her!"

omigosh, PETA would be proud! (and my sister will be as well!)

Movie Going

So, the boys wanted to go see another boy movie and I really had my heart set on seeing My Sister's Keeper. There was no way I was going to talk Chris into a "chick flick" and the boys didn't seem to care if I went to their show or not. When we got to the theatre, I noticed it was pretty empty for a Sunday afternoon and there were not a lot of people around. Last minute, I decided to let them go see the guy movie and I went to the theatre next to it and saw my "chick flick".... solo!

At first, I was a little uncertain of going into a movie alone... what would people think of me? Would they think I have absolutely no one else in the world to go to a show with? Would they think I'm a loner? I walked in, scoped the theatre out with a quick glance around and noticed it was not busy at all. In fact, there were a few prime rows open and empty. I ended up having an entire row to myself with no one in front of me at all. I started to relax a bit and the movie began.

With the first 5 minutes, I could feel myself getting all choked up. A few minutes more into the show and the tears were streaming down my face; there was no holding back. When I realized once again that I was out in public at a theatre and in that theatre alone, I quickly pulled myself together. Then from behind me, I heard sniffling and off to the side a few rows down, I saw a lady dabbing her eyes with tissue. I wasn't the only one bawling my eyes out! I had no one else near me, Chris wasn't there to make fun of me and so I thought about that for a second. I turned my attention back to the movie (which was fabulous!!) and had not a dry eye for the rest of the flick.

Never before, would I ever have considered going to a movie alone but after this freeing experience I just might plan it that way the next time a good "chick flick" is playing!

Playing Catch

Carter asked me to play catch with him today numerous times. At first, we were at my sister-in-laws (who is also our neighbour) but I was helping to get dinner out. Then I couldn't play because I was helping to clean up dinner. Next I still couldn't play; I was having dessert. Then, the next time he asked.... I grabbed a glove and I'm so very glad I did. Catch has always been a "daddy" thing. I don't think I've ever really played the game "catch" with Carter before! I do everything else you can possibly think of for him and with him, but playing catch? Maybe when he was super small.... it's been awhile anyways.

He was giving me pointers and telling me what a great job I was doing. I'm sorry.... when did he grow up? We chit chatted about this and that, talked about what he did while I was at work in the morning and went over our plans for the rest of the weekend. It was only for a short time that we threw the baseball back and forth before he decided he wanted to play with his brother and his cousins. It really made me think about how short the young years are and how these days are not going to last forever. What an opportunity that game of catch was for me to bond with my boy. I can't wait until he wakes up in the morning... I'm gonna ask him if he wants to play catch again with me!