Mad Science!

How about a little Mad Science?!

That's what we did for our son's 8th birthday party. He enjoys science and a mad science party sounded fun and different.

We originally hired a company that would come for an hour. The host would have the kids wear borrowed lab coats, show a few fun things, and the kids would make slime to take home. That would cost around $150-$175.

After doing some research I figured that I could be the mad scientist and save a few bucks.

Here is what we/I did.

• Bought test tubes and filled with candy
• Brown paper bags with homemade stickers for goodie bags
• Baked the cake - (not cute)

• Bought colorful tablecloths and balloons
• Made slime with "slime cups" and mix (bought online)
• Made "snow" (bought online)
• Made volcano's with paper cups and plates - had the ingredients already
• Bought the birthday boy a lab coat ($10)
• Made name tags for added effect
• Bought dry ice (Huge Hit!)
  
• Used black lights to show off glowing slime
• Bought freeze dried ice cream to sample ($1.88 for a pack. One pack gave 13 kids a sample.)
  

The goodie bags had the slime and snow they made, a test tube with candy, a kaleidoscope, and "Chinese" finger toy (locks two fingers together) The goodie bags looked empty initially because they had to make some of the items that went inside.

A lot of the items are things we already had in the attic from Halloween decor. The other items were very reasonable. The party ended up costing around $120. I still saved money and that helped pay for gifts. I would have spent way over $200 if I would have hired the "professionals".

The experiments were:

• Slime
• Freeze dried ice cream
• Volcano's
• Snow

This took about 45 minutes to an hour to complete with 13 kids.

This turned out to be an absolute blast for the kids. It seemed like they had a really great time. For us, the adults, stress. That's all I can say. Tons of work, loud, and busy.

We wanted a great party with out spending a lot. Hope you have found some ideas for your next shin dig.

xo M

Science Fair

Well, it's been that time of year again. Science fair season. We started off a few weeks ago with the school science fair. Both boys did well and placed first in their grade level.
Next we were off to Pacific Lutheran University for a full day of science fun. We checked in at 8AM and got the show rolling. The boys had to stay with their display and talk to judges. It's a good chance for them to explain what, why, how and all the ins and outs of their project. Last year our oldest son received honorable mention at regionals. This year both boys participated and just enjoyed the experience. Neither of them placed.
It is definitely tougher competition. The boys placed first at their school level BUT... so did all the other kids there. It's really amazing how 300 kids from k-5 can come up and create such awesome experiments. Very impressive.
So, maybe next year.

How many?? Crazy lady Octuplet mom Nadya Suleman

So what do you all think of this? It's sorta nuts don't ya think. Okay, so I get that it's not up to us to decide who can and who cannot have children. It's also not up to us how many we add to our families. BUT....seriously...how many at once do you need?

I've heard the reasons why people are talking about this women. They say shes unbalanced. They say the doctors were acting in an irresponsible dangerous way. They should not implant six embryos at once. Of those six, two multiplied and she ended up with eight babies! Yikes!

People are upset that she is single, no earned income, sucks off her parents and so on. I have to admit, it all sounds really bad. Sounds confusing and overwhelming to think of the money and living situation.

She has hired a publicists to help find book deals, tv appearances, and maybe even her own show. No thanks.

This is my question. Why hasn't anyone complained about the McCaughey (McCoy) Septuplets from 1997 or Kate Gosselin and her show? No one has mentioned that these ladies had pregnancies that resulted in a mass birth. Maybe the difference is Bobbi Mccaughey and Kate Gosselin had multiples due to fertility drugs, NOT embryos that were implanted. How about the Duggers and having 17+ biological children in one family? That's sorta weird too.

The Gosselin and Dugger families have shows, press, books, magazine covers etc.... That's how they make their income. The Gosselin family of 8 kids and both parents receive free trips and other perks. I remember the McCaughey family receiving a 15 passenger van and the community built them a larger home. Is that what this lady is counting on? She may be waiting a while.

I don't like the fact that she cannot support 14 kids and wants student loans and grants to finish her masters degree. Her own mother has bad mouthed her. Who is going to watch these kids while she sucks off Pell grants?

Last but not least. This Nadya Suleman has obviously had some bad plastic surgery. It's not cute. I have heard so many people say that she is trying to look like Angelina Jolie. I can see what they mean. This lady needs some help. She is no Angelina. Maybe her ugly sister. Sorry.

Here is a link to a video clip interview with the Today Show.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29038814/

I love Scentsy!

My friend Jody has started this great new home business. I love her products. Check it out.
https://www.scentsy.com/22286

If you want to order online click on events and choose February 7th on her calender. That way you are shopping from my party!

Everything I have seen is quality. The scents have essential oils and the smell lasts. You can use the scents repeatedly. No more sooty candles.

These would be a great gift for someone who loves candles. These would blow their socks off! So, think of birthdays, teachers gifts, thank you's, etc....
Everything is 10% off and free shipping!! Stock up.

Thanks.

xo M

Scary and sad.

This is something that I had never seen until recent weeks. In the newspaper there are multiple pages of legal notices from mortgage companies that are foreclosing on homes. These notices show the amount owed, the names, and address of the poor folks. How sad, scary, stressful and embarrassing.

Now I know that there are the people who fibbed on the loan applications and said they made more income than they actually did. Shame on them. They got in over their heads and couldn't pay for the big bucks house.

There are also those people who were doing fine and making a living. Then they may have lost their job and now they are behind in payments.

Sad, sad, SAD. Anyway you look at it, it's just ugly. Terrible. These are young people, middle aged people, people with kids and people who were going to retire. What a mess.

I can only pray that our family never has to feel the pain of loosing our home. I also pray that no one I know has to suffer such a stressful fall.

Okay, enough depressing stuff. Let's talk about something cheerful. ...... Hmmmm. My dog is cute!

xo M

A New Year's tradition

One of the things we do every New Year is demolish our gingerbread house. We spend quality time building a house every year. Once the New Year has arrived we don't eat the house we destroy it. The boys love this wild and messy tradition. It's easy to clean up because everything is dry and crumbly. We just scoop it up and toss it into the trash. The boys help vacum up the crumbs and pieces of broken candy.

FUN!

Happy New Year.

xo M

Twilight

All I have to say is I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!

The book is just a great page turner. Couldn't put it down. I got so ran down and sick because I stayed up so late reading this book.

The movie. I think I need to see it again. I was super critical of it. Comparing the book to the movie and critiquing the acting. I want to see it and just enjoy the story, not be a movie critic.

I have heard people say, "I'm not into vampires". This is not what you think it is. It's not sucking blood and bats.

I am taking my time reading the second book. I want it to last. I know I am getting the third book from my kids for Christmas. Can't wait! Then, sadly, I will be on the fourth book and the story will end. :(

It is listed under children's books. This is a bit embarrassing. It doesn't seem to matter to most women my age and older. I have talked to tons of ladies who have enjoyed reading about the Cullens and Bella.

The coolest thing is that I have a client from Forks. Forks is the town that the story takes place in. She was telling me all about it. When she goes back for the Fourth of July I may have to tag along for a personal tour.

Another good easy read. Enjoy!

xo M

Winter Wonderland

It is C-O-L-D! We love it. We sled down our hill and ride quads all day long. The city closes our street and it is perfect for sledding. The boys play outside from morning till night. We take hot chocolate and chicken noodle soup breaks. FUN!!

Prunes

Newest find and addiction. PRUNES. Yep, you got it. I heart prunes. Just like grandma.

I am telling you that these little gems are yummy. I had a coupon to try out these Sunsweet "ONES" and can't get enough of them. They are individually wrapped....love that. They are sold for around $2-$3 per 7oz. container. I noticed inside my container there is a coupon for .75 off.

In case you all have forgotten what prunes are. They are pitted plums. The package says they are "bite for bite better than fresh fruit" and that dried plums deliver more nutrition than any bite of fresh fruit. I am just going to believe that because they are so good. You can eat 5 prunes for 100 calories. Mmmmmmm Super sweet like candy. Nice texture. Just yummy.

My son loves them. I just toss one into his lunch box and he thinks he got a treat. Let's just hope no one realizes that he's eating prunes.

I have to point out the super cute packaging. I could just stick a bow on top and give it as a gift. Wouldn't that be funny. So, watch out friends...your all gettin' prunes for Christmas!!

xo M

High School Musical on Ice

We took the kids and my mom to see High School Musical on Ice. It was an okay show.

I am always impressed with ice skating. These people go out there and ice skate, dance, sing, act, and memorize it all. They do up to three shows a day. I guess that's why Disney signs up young people to do the shows.

The music was good, the set was okay, our seats were great, and the souvenirs were expensive. I guess that's all I can say about it. The show was mediocre. There were some "WOW" moments. Overall it was just so-so. The ice show I loved and was blown away by was the Monsters Inc. THAT was amazing.

They had the show playing several days and times at the Comcast Arena in Everett and they have more shows playing at the Key Arena in Seattle. I don't know why they do that. We went the Saturday show and the seats were only a quarter full. Thats right! About 25% full!! They can't be making money. The only way they can make up for it is by selling those junky souvenirs. It was terrible. Not only do they come up and down the isles, sell in the corridors, they have the vendors lined up like a wall when you leave. They are standing outside waiting for your $$$. You can hardly walk out without bumping into the sales people. I think we grabbed the kids, held our breath, and made a run for it.

I have attached a link for You Tube with a 2 minute video clip I found. Take note of the photos I took. You can see the empty seats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggf6g0xBvcE&feature=related

xo M

Sceens from Halloween

Thought I would share some photos from Halloween.

The boys were a clown and a magician. People thought my oldest was a girl. You could hardly recognize him in the clown get up.

I made peppermint patties into spiders. It sounded like such a cute idea to give out to the classes. What a project. Take my advice and don't make 60 of these. Cute but way to much work. The kids didn't care anyway. They just wanted the candy.

The cub scouts had a trunk n' treat. It was really fun. Thank goodness it didn't rain. The photo is our trunk, otherwise known as the jail of the dead. We went for the scary look instead of the harvest, kid friendly, cute look. My husband and the boys were super proud of the gore they created.

A friend of mine dressed up as Sarah Palin. Whether or not you voted that ticket or not you have to admit she looks great. (On a side note: I am glad the race is over and looking forward to supporting a new president. Sorry Sarah...have fun in Alaska.)

Then there was the horse we saw trick or treating. Yep, a real one. Can't beat that.

Now I gotta gear up for Thanksgiving. Can't wait for turkey and gravy...and pupkin pie!

xo M

Rikki Rikki

I went out to a nice dinner with my good friend Linda. I always ask her to choose the restaurant because she has celiacs disease (can't eat wheat gluten). I don't mind at all because I love visiting with her, I love getting out of the house, and I just love to eat about anything.

She wanted to try out a Japanese restaurant in Kirkland. It is called Rikki Rikki. The website is http://www.rikkirikki.com/

We went thinking it was just a sushi place. It was more than that. It had a good menu. The food was moderate and the prices were "Kirkland" prices. A bit high I think. The menu they show online has been changed slightly with increased prices.

The atmosphere was like a moderate sushi bar. Not a high end place. Comfortable for sure. Good service. Tight seating.

The California roll was 3/4 real crab and 1/4 artificial crab. Linda had to request all real crab due to the celiacs. I didn't think it was the best sushi around.

I LOVE black cod. When I saw it on the menu I had to get some. It was very small and wasn't that great.

The best part of the whole dinner was dessert, of course! I had the tempura ice cream. It was big enough for one hungry person or two people to share. Very yummy.

I don't think I would go out of my way to visit Rikki Rikki again. I would go to I Love Sushi in Bellevue.

xo M

Mini Cupcakes. Cute and tasty.

I have to say that I am pretty proud of myself. I made these mini cupcakes for the class party on Friday. I even made and tinted the buttercream frosting. I had never decorated cupcakes like this. I always just spatula the the frosting on. It was fun to do it this way and turned out so darn cute! Oh, they taste really good too.

I wish I would have made chocolate cupcakes instead of white. The orange frosting would have looked better. Oh well.

xo M

Cosmetic Brushes

Okay ladies. You need to wash your cosmetic brushes. If you own nicer quality brushes you should take care of them. Many women are using mineral make up now days. This make up is usually applied with a brush. If you own one you should keep it clean. Most nice brushes are made with natural fibers than can be washes like hair. AND no one likes dirty hair...especially on your face! Ewww.

Some brushes that I keep clean are my eyeshadow, powder eyeliner, blush, mineral make up, and bronzer.

Here is what you do. Use a bowl and add some warm water and a few drop of your favorite shampoo. Swirl the brush around. You will be shocked at how much old make up comes out. It may make the water look like mud. Take the wet soapy brush and swirl it around in the palm of your hand, rinse, and start the process over. Do this until you feel like it is clean. Make sure to rinse well. While doing this keep the hairs nice and maintain the shape of the brush. Once it is washed and rinsed shake out the excess water. Set out to dry.

Having quality makeup brushes is important. Your makeup will go on better and the brushes can last for years.

Hope this helped. You all look beautiful!

xo M

The photo shows my freshly cleaned brushes laying out to dry.

Sorta been dreamin'.

Sorta been dreaming of Disneyland. We were there last year during October. We had such an amazing time. Wish we could be there again.

We bought tickets to the "Trick or Treat on the Street" party at California Adventure. They shut the park down and only allowed a certain number of guests in for the trick or treat extravaganza. They handed out pounds of candy throughout the park, had special shows, and of course a parade. The characters were dressed up too.

We dressed up as a royal family. A few young girls asked for photos with us and one asked my husband for his autograph. Funny. I think they thought we were Disney people??

Trick or treating just won't be the same this year without Mickey and friends.

xo M

The photos are from our trip and 6x6 scrap book pages I made. The best photo is of us on the roller coaster in our costumes! WEE!

Now this is something you can sink you teeth into!

Carmel apple anyone? How can you not love such a treat? These turned out so pretty and tasty too.

We used carmel and chocolate chips. Melt the carmel, coat the apple, then roll in your favorite candy treat. Put it in the fridge for about an hour. Once the carmel is set up you can slice it up or eat it off the stick. We let ours sit at room temperature so they wouldn't be so hard.

One hint. Once you wash the apple make sure you dry it thoroughly. The water will not allow the carmel to stick.

Gather the kids around for this one and make sure you load one up for your self!

xo M

MIA

I know. I know. I haven't been tending to my blog. I have been a bad blogger.

No good excuses. Just lazy and busy.

I know, how can you be lazy and busy all at once? Somehow I manage to do both. If I am not busy then I am being lazy. In turn I end up with no posts on the blog.

I can tell you that I blogged for our local paper. That was fun. I wrote for them twice in September. They printed a little bit from one day and printed everything I wrote from the second day. Pretty cool huh?

All I know is that I always feel like I am playing catch up. Today was so beautiful and I spent it shuffling papers and cleaning the office.

What I really want to do is scrapbook and play with stamps. You know, crafty sorta stuff.

Alright, that's enough for now. I will try to get some stuff up on the blog soon. You all take care.

xo M

Foot in mouth disease.

I have a case of foot in mouth disease.

First let me say that I don't think I have many haters or enemies. If I do they are kind enough to be nice to my face.

I ran into an old friend at the grocery store. This old friend really, really dislikes me. She thinks I did something towards her, against her, to her...whatever. Any ways whatever it is, I didn't do it. She has totally misunderstood the whole situation.

When she saw me I said hello. She turned beat red and said "oh great, this is my luck day." I sorta approached her to maybe have the chance of a reasonable conversation. She started talking very loudly to draw attention. She was saying that she would never forgive me, don't even think it will ever be the same, and that I have betrayed her.

I don't hate her. I feel sorry for her. I do wish we could talk. So, I tried to talk. When I did..I screwed it up BAD! Of all the things I could have said....I said the wrong thing. I feel like such a heel. What a jerk. Instead of maybe having a chance to make things civil I made it worse. I totally added fuel to her fire. I could just kick myself. I ruined my opportunity to make a moment of peace.

Great. Now what? Don't you ever wish you could do a conversation over? Don't you ever play the "I shoulda' said" game?

Do I send a card or something? I probably should just forget it. It's really over with now.

Thanks for reading my rant.

xo M

Hot outta the oven.

Don't you love the fair? I know a lot of people who prefer to pass on all the fun. Not me. I like seeing the vendors, going on the rides, the animals, people watching, and of course the food. It is sort of a tradition to go to the fair. Sometimes we go twice! It's one of those things my husband and I both grew up doing. He even thought it would be "romantic" to propose at the fair. I know sorta sweet and sour at the same time. Let me repeat...He proposed at the FAIR! Yikes. I don't usually share that.

Anyways. I love scones. I saw this box of "Fair" scone mix at Costco. My lovely client Julie told me she buys boxes at a time because it's so good. Well, I tried it out. It was pretty easy to make. You do have to do a little bit of kneading. That isn't something I do everyday...especially with something made from a box. So the boys and I mixed, kneaded, and cut out the triangle shapes. We got the warm scones outta the oven and loaded them up with home made jam and butter. YuMmy! Mmm, Mmm, good. Nothin' like a warm scone.

The box comes with 4 pouches. You can make a dozen scones from each pouch. All you need is water to mix it and some flour to knead it. You can do a variation by adding some blueberries, cheese, or nuts. The box also has recipes for shortcake and gourmet waffles.

Enjoy!

xo M

PS. I may be blogging for the New Tribune one day during the fair. Fun.

Spicy.

Have you tried habanero peppers? Well let me give you an idea of how hot those little suckers are.

On a some sort of pepper scale a green pepper is at the bottom as far as spicy hot goes. It is ranked at zero. A jalapeno is rated at around 2300-2600. So, there is a bit of a bite. The habanero is rated at the top of the heap. It comes in at 230,000-260,000. VERY hot and spicy.

I have to tell you that I once ordered habanero chicken thinking it would be zippy and tasty. It was painful! I couldn't close my mouth it was so hot. I think I was panting like a dog.

So, my sweet boys and I decided to have a Dorito Habanero taste test. We had my mom, her husband, the two boys an myself line up with our one chip. It looks like a regular dorito. (Play a fun HOT trick on someone by switching doritos!) We had milk ready for those that needed to put out the fire. I have to say, it wasn't as hot as the chicken I had. I was sorta disappointed. My oldest son was the only one that seemed to need the milk. I really liked them actually.

If you want a spicy chip to go along with that sandwich these may be for you. Habanero Doritos!

xo M

A different kind of wedding.

Now I know not everyone will appreciate this posting. Some people have super strong feelings one way or the other. So be it.

Well, I went to a gay wedding. Yep you're read correctly. I went to see two men "tie the knot". I guess it's called a commitment ceremony.

My sister in law was invited as a guest and brought me along as her date. I didn't know these two men. It didn't matter. I had to go watch. Sorta like a reality show. I have to say that I was curious how the whole thing would be pulled off. Would there be one in a dress? Would it be like a traditional wedding? Who walks them down the isle? Would there be rings and a KISS?

As we were going to the roof top of this building to watch the ceremony I realized that we were in the elevator with lesbians. I think they thought my sister in law and I were "together". Yikes. Well, if that's the case I hope they thought I was the girl!! LOL.

Any way. There were no dresses. They wore matching suites. A mother and sister walked them down the isle. There was a song, a minister of some sort, rings, and even a kiss. I have to say that I didn't think the kiss would bother me. Well, it sorta did. It went on a bit to long.
The reception was normal with toasts, music, and cake. The food was really good! We pretty much ate and ran.

Overall I would say the whole experience was like any wedding. ..except with two guys. People were genuinely happy for them. They seemed "in love". There was nothing that caught me with my mouth hanging open. They were just two PEOPLE who want to have a committed life together.



xo M

Lemme tell ya.

Lemme tell ya. I have been so busy with hairdo's, lashes, and life.

We are going camping. This means that I work my butt off the week before AND the week after our trip. I have to cram everyone in or they freak out.

I am really looking forward to being a vegetable. That is what I am hoping for any ways. I don't want to take any major hikes or strenuous bike rides. I just want to sit there with a book and a marshmallow roasting on a stick.

I know, I know, not likely to happen. Somehow I will get sucked in by my boys. I can see it now. Me, the mountain bike, the not so cute helmet and sweat rolling down my neck. My butt checks bruising, my tummy growling, and my body aching. Oh well. I have to look on the bright side....I need the exercise.

So, have an easy week. I hope to blog like a mad women when I return. Take care.

xo M