Perseverence does pay off

I have cause for celebration.  My little Beanie has finally graduated his Level 1 swim class!!!  Can I get a woot woot? 

Okay yeah, I know.  It's only Level 1.  But you have no idea.  It has been a long, uphill climb (or should I say "swim") for us.  If you have forgotten, let me remind you here.  So you see?  There is cause for celebration. 

I am so proud of Lil T.  I can see how he is slowly building his confidence.  Don't get me wrong, he still doesn't like going to swim class.  But hey, at least he doesn't HATE it as much now.  A couple of times, he actually was looking forward to going.  The dilemna for me now is do I let him continue?  I was going to stop taking him to classes until Spring, when it gets warmer.  But now that he's graduated to the next level, maybe I need to keep continuing.  Problem is....it's freezing cold.  Sure it's an indoor pool but the water is freezing cold.  And then he'll be soaking wet when we leave.  Yeah, I know.  You can't catch a cold from being in the cold.  And you can't get sick from being outside with wet hair.  But I'm a mom.  And mom's have to believe that sort of thing. 

I'm just afraid that if I stop classes now, it's all going to backfire on me.  Come Spring, I don't want to have a screaming child refusing to get into the pool again.  And then we'll be back to square one.  Yeah, I guess I have to do what I have to do.  Continue to torture the kid.

Lil T showing off his award for passing Level 1 swim.

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

I love Fall!  And I think it's finally feeling like Fall.  I mean, it IS October. 

Fall has to be one of my favorite seasons.  Minus the allergies and leaf raking, that is.  I love the vibrant colors of fall foliage, the cooler weather, hot apple cider, and taking my little Beanie apple picking and pumpkin picking.  That, which of course leads to bushels and bushels of apples for us.  Okay, maybe not bushels.  But definitely enough to last us through the season. 

Speaking of apple picking, we went this past weekend.  So what better way to kick off the Fall season than with a delicous Butterscotch Apple Crisp.  This recipe was adapted from Pat and Gina Neely's Butterscotch Apple Crisp.    I've lightened up the recipe...somewhat.  Every calorie counts, right?

Hope you enjoy it!

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

Filling

-  5 applies, peeled, cored and diced  (I used Golden Delicious apples since they're Lil T's favorite)

-  1/2 cup butterscotch chips

-  1/4 cup light brown sugar

-  1/4 cup all-purpose flour

-  1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

-  1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

- 1 lemon, juiced

-  3 tablespoon unsalted butter, cubed

Topping

-  3/4 cup all-purpose flour

-  1/4 cup light brown sugar

-  1/2 cup rolled oats

-  pinch of salt

-  1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced

-  3/4 cup pecans, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly butter a 2 qt. baking dish.  (I used individual ramekins)  For the filling, toss together apples, butterscotch chips, sugar, flour, cinnamon, allspice, lemon juice, and butter in a medium bowl.  Fill the baking dish (or ramekins) with the apple filling.  For the topping, in a seperate bowl combine the flour, sugar, oats, salt.  Cut in butter, either using food processor or two forks.  Stir in pecans.  Sprinkle the topping over the apple filling.  Bake for about 40 - 45 mins (20 - 25 mins if using ramekins) until the apples are tender and the butterscotch is bubbling.  Let cool 5 minutes before serving.  Serve with a scoop (or 2) of vanilla ice cream or butter pecan ice cream.

Huh? What-cha say?!?!?

Men have selective hearing.  We all know that.  But did you know that it actually starts when they're at the tender age of four.  Case in point, Lil T.

Lil T has remarkable hearing.  He can hear the faintest of whispers.  Conversations that Papa in Suburbia and I don't want him to hear, he hears.  We could be whispering in the next room and he'll hear every word of the conversation.  We could speak in cryptic and he'll understand what we're talking about.  He can make out the lyrics of a song that's playing on the radio, which he'll sing along to each time it.  Even I have a hard time hearing what these singers are singing sometimes.  Yes, he'll croon "Rollling in the Deep" right along with Adele.  But when it comes to me giving him a simple directive like, "Okay time to wash up for dinner" or "Clean up, it's time for bed", he'll totally "not hear" me.  I have to repeat it about 3 times, each time a little louder and with more annoyance in my voice. 

Scenario - It's time for dinner and Lil T is playing in the living room and I'm in the kitchen.  Mind you, there are no doors or walls blocking the travel of sound.

Me - "It's time for dinner.  Go wash up please."   Silence.

Me - "T, did you hear me?  It's time to wash up for dinner."  I wait another second.  Total silence.

Me - "I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN.  GO WASH UP NOW OR YOU'RE GOING TO TIME- OU...!"  Before I even have time to finish the sentence....

Lil T - "Mommie,  what-cha say????"

ARGH!!!  It drives me nuts!

Being in control is over-rated.

Hello.  My name is Mama in Suburbia.  I am a stay-at-home mom and...I'm a control freak.

There.  I said it. 

Okay, in my defense...I'm not exactly a control freak.  I just like things done a certain way.  I like organization.  I like cleanliness.  I like order.  I don't like chaos. 

Hmmmm, on second thought, I'm not only a control freak...I'm an anal perfectionist.  Great!

You see, this isn't really a terrible thing.  Yeah okay, maybe it is.  But what makes it bad is that I am constantly at war with my I-need-to-be-in-control-also four year old.  Yes, it's the mommy/son battle for control.  Already.  I am sooo not looking forward to the teenager years. 

I am turning into one of those moms you see at the playground or at the store.  The ones who you try to avoid.  You know, the ones constantly yelling at their kids.  "Stop doing that."  "I told you to stop already."  "Don't play with that." And all he ever hears is "whaar, whaar, whaar, whaar, whaaar...." (just like Charlie Brown's teacher).  And the more I yell, the more defiant he gets.  He gets that crazy glimmer in his eyes, a devilish smile starts to form, and off he goes.  And off I go.  Yeah I know, I'm not the control freak.  He is. 

What I need to do is go have a couple of drinks breathe, before reacting.  Wooooo-saaaaaa.  Breathe and think before I overreact.  1. Is he in any danger?  2. Am I or anyone else in any danger?  3. Are sharp objects involved?  4. Will I regret this later on? Probably so, but it's okay.  If the answer is "no", let it be.  Seriously.  Kids will be kids.  They want to have fun.  They are going to test you.  So as long as there is no danger involved and no one gets hurt, I need to just take a chill pill.  Right?  Easier said than done...but I will try.  I don't want to be a screaming mom all the time.  It's annoying.  And it's exhausting.  I just need to let loose with the control once in awhile.  It's a give and take.  I let loose the reins a bit, he won't pull as hard.  Kinda like...walking a dog?  Or something like that.

It's no fun butting heads all the time.  This anal, perfectionist, control freak of a Mama will learn to let go a bit.  Once in a while.

Come to think of it, by doing so, I  might actually be gaining all the control.  Muahahahahah....

It's NOT just another Hallmark holiday...

Maybe it's me.  Maybe I'm just a thoughtful person.  Or maybe it's a female "thing".  But when it comes to birthdays and anniversaries, I feel that these are special days.  And special days need to be celebrated.  Right?

Well, yesterday was my birthday.  And as much as I hate to celebrate a day that reminds me that I'm another year older (much, much older), it's still a special day to me.  And call me selfish and self-centered if you'd like, but I think a birthday needs to be celebrated.  Just my opinion. 

So here's my 2 cents, for what it's worth.  Just some advice for all the boyfriends and husbands out there on celebrating your girlfriend or wife's birthday:

1.  Birthdays and anniversaries are not "Hallmark" holidays.  These are special occasions and deserve some special attention.  They're not like Veteran's Day or Columbus Day (not that those aren't important holidays).  And they're not "just another reason for Hallmark to make and sell a card".  You need to buy a card.  Preferably prior to that special day and not just stopping at CVS on the way to dinner so you can pick one up and scribble a note on it in the bathroom.  Plan ahead.

2.  Birthdays and anniversaries deserve a gift.  No matter what your girlfriend or wife says, you need to get her a gift.  Again I repeat, GET  A GIFT!  If you ask her what she wants, pay attention.  Even if she says she doesn't want anything...PAY ATTENTION!  GET A GIFT!  Notice I didn't say buy a gift.  If you're short on cash, you need not spend a lot of money or any money.  You can make her something too.  Write her a poem.  Not a literary genius?  Make her a jewelry box.  Not a handyman?  Give her an "IOU voucher" for a favor or a project that she's been wanting you to do.  You get my drift.  It's really the thought that counts.  I know, it's so cliche.  But it's true.  The fact that you thought enough of her to buy or make her something special...it means alot. 

If you're going to buy her something but don't know what to get, get her a gift card.  Some people think gift cards are thoughtless.  They're not.  Get her a gift card to her favorite store (hopefully you have some clue as to where that would be).  At least she can use it to buy something she likes.  Don't ever say, "I didn't get you anything because you said not to."  She was being nice when she said that, idiot!  And don't ever say, "You always return everything I get you, so I didn't get you anything."  Big mistake!  That's why you buy a gift card... 

3.  Flowers are nice.  Unless she's allergic to them.  But if not, buy her a nice bouquet.  Short on cash?  A single rose will do.  This will definitely earn you some bonus points.

4.  Don't forget about the kids.  If you have kids, get her something from them too.  Go pick out a card with them or have them make a card.  It really means alot.  She'll treasure it.  I know I would.

5.  Make dinner plans.  Either cook her a special dinner or make reservations.  She should not have to cook today.  To earn bonus points...make her breakfast.  In bed is preferable, but not a must.

6.  Get a cake.  We love dessert.  Don't collapse it with candles that remind her of her age.  One or two is enough.  Who doesn't love blowing out candles? 

And there you have it.  Not too hard, right?  It's totally doable.  Seriously, it doesn't matter how much she says she doesn't want to celebrate.  She does.  Who doesn't want to be treated extra special once in a while.  Trust me, just do it.  It'll make her happier... and your life easier in the long run.