Breakfast

Breakfast is a favorite time in our household. Apparently.

This is a typical good night:

“Love you mom. See you in the morning. Make me a good breakfast.”

I’m like, seriously, this little one is already planning on breakfast while they are preparing for bed?

So you may be asking yourself? Well, what kind of grand breakfast does Briana prepare for them?

Breakfast is typically cereal, breakfast bar, toaster strudel, frozen waffles, toast, eggs, or eggs in a basket. So the options are not always sweet options. They love it when I make eggs in a basket too.

Peyton, at just eight years old, will also make everyone eggs if he gets up early enough! Eli can make everything up to the eggs. Hannah can make everything too but she usually isn’t thrilled about it.

Now, I didn’t realize what a big deal breakfast was for the kids until I had a curious question from grandma. After spending a soccer practice with Sofia, my mom asked me “What are these Toaster Strudels I keep hearing about?”

Hilarious. All she talked about was how she liked to eat toaster strudels, “grandma, do you have toaster strudels at your house,” discussing how her brothers try to eat all the toaster strudels. Obsessed with the silly toaster strudels.

The funny part about it is I rarely buy toaster strudels. Only if there are part of a rocking sale do I buy them so they truly are smoking hot sweet treat for the kids!

Doesn’t take much to win them over. Offer toaster strudels as part of the package and they will love you forever.

Wordless Wednesday 8/26

Sofia Hands

Wordless Wednesday 8/19

3807224898_17cc79ef86

So, did anyone catch me sneaking into this picture the expression almost seems to say. Maybe they won’t notice….

Last Days of Summer

Sofia at Beach

Joy of summer. Pure innocence enjoying the sand on her feet. This was just beautiful to watch. Oh to be three years old again.

5 Year Old Expressions

eli beach

His emotions change quicker than the weather. Happy boy, serious boy, if looks could kill boy, very very upset boy.

How Self Sufficient are Your Kids?

After a discussion with some other moms awhile back, I wondered how self sufficient other children were. While I let my kids try a variety of things on their own from making their own cereal to making eggs for the entire family just to name a couple, I found that other moms decided it wasn’t worth the risk of having to clean up a huge mess after the task was complete.

It is just easier for me to do it in the first place then to clean up their mess later seemed to be a common sentiment. This stance is similar to my husband’s warning, when I allowed our 8 year old son to make eggs,  “You know you will have a big mess to clean up when he is done.”

Guess what? Now, he can cook eggs for the entire family. His college roommates will love this skill someday.

For my kids, sometimes it is about self survival. Sometimes they get early in the morning and want their cereal before I’m out of bed. So they climb up the cabinets to get their bowl. Open the fridge to get their milk. Oops, a little milk spill. Usually, they will have the mess cleaned up with Mr. Swiffer before I even know what has happened.

How did they learn to use Mr. Swiffer? Well, probably from me allowing them to try it out. Again, I may have had to redo their original work but they are learning.

Okay, so I may have to clean up some milk spills. Yes, it may have been quicker for me to just do it for him than clean up the mess afterwads. But what are we teaching our kids if we don’t allow them to make minor accidents or spills?

Wordless Wednesday 8/5

sofia-collage

Blogher & Finally a Blissdom Recap

Yes, I found this post in my unpublished posts. I never finished my Blissdom recap and mainly because I was afraid I was going to leave someone or something out – which I am sure will still happen! I thought it was a fitting post since I’m about to head off to the mother of all conference – BlogHer 2009 in Chicago, IL.

Blissdom was my first ever blogging conference. It was also my first, yes, my first time to ever travel completely by myself. Never in my thirty years have I ever went on a trip by myself. Even though, I missed my family, it was a wonderful experience. Though, I was a little star struck by some of the awesome bloggers who were there.

Andrea & Briana

First, I want to thank Andrea aka mommysnacks for asking me if I was going to Blissdom. She made it all possible. If she wouldn’t have asked me if I was going on twitter, I don’t think I would have even looked into it. She is was my twitter profile pic twin. Even my kids were getting confused by the pics. In “real life”, she is much taller than me as you can see.

Briana and Sarah

Briana and Sarah

Second, I want to thank Julie (Cool Mom Guide). If it weren’t for her, I would have been in my room all alone. She helped break me out of my shell with her spunk! I had many good laughs with her and Sarah (Real Life Blog)- can’t wait to meet again. Another great roomie was Carrie. We had a blast twittering back and forth while in the same room together! I also was able to meet Renée (Cutie Booty Cakes) – another fabulous blogger.

Briana & Emily (one of the funniest, sweetest bloggers!)

Briana & Emily (one of the funniest, sweetest bloggers!)

A Shout out to the #indy bloggers at Blissdom – Sarah & Mary Ellen (Mom Marbles), Emily, and Casey. I didn’t get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked but I have had the opportunity since Blissdom to hang out at some local blogging events.

Bargain Briana and Brandy from Savin Some

Bargain Briana and Brandy from Savin Some

I was able to meet some of the blogging superstars like Erin, Tara, and Erin. I also was able to hang out with Brandi, who is a real sweetie and was brave enough to bring her family. I met Becky, Nickels and Dimes, who was just a ball of energy – I wish I would have found her before the last day.

Marcy, Erin, and Erin

Marcy, Erin, and Erin

I met countless Ohio Bloggers – like Marcy, Jenny, Emily, Carrie, Courtney, Trisha,  as well as Andrea, Erin, and Tara who have been kind enough to adopt me as one of their own – otherwise known as the “token Indiana Blogger!” Those connections that started out as internet friends have blossomed over the months into real friendships and I’m totally jealous they all live so close together.

By the end of the two day conference, I was worn out from all the socializing, learning, and just plain fun or just oblivious. Oh, and I can’t forget about the wonderful swag bag – which included a Land’s End Bag, Crocs gift certificate, music, and Little Debbie Snacks!

The Swag

So while I’m ready to take on Blogher 2009 in Chicago, I know that I will be worn out and a walking zombie after three days with so many more bloggers to meet and parties to attend and much, much, more swag!

Google Analytics Alternative