Chuck E. Cheese...Finally

So, we finally made our trip to Chuck E. Cheese with Aunt "A" today...it was a blast! The Fred did what she loves to do most...putting tokens in the slot and running away, dancing in front of the video screen, taking her picture in the Chuck E. Cheese car, going down the slide head-first, and running away, screaming, every time the curtains come back for the stage show. She did have enough tickets (thanks to MommaDrool and Aunt "A") to get a Dora (doodooDoradoodooDora) coloring book, markers (which she later used to draw on the table at the Mexican restaurant), and two Tootsie Rolls. The day was a success...both kids fell asleep as soon as we hit the doorstep.

Wake-Up Call

The Fred has been sleeping through the night for quite some time now, so when I heard her screaming for me at 3:45 in the morning, I knew that something must be wrong. I jumped out of bed and ran to her room (successfully running into at least three large pieces of furniture between my room and her room). When I got to her room, she was sitting up in her crib calling my name. I asked her what was wrong, and she said, "Momma, I'm ready to go to Chuck E. Cheese and play now." I had made the mistake of telling her that we were going there with her Aunt "A" the next morning...whoops...last time I do that. Eventually, I convinced her that she had to go back to sleep because Chuck E. Cheese was still sleeping too. Luckily, it worked...she was back asleep within 15 minutes. Word to the wise: do not coax your children to get in bed by telling them how much fun you will have tomorrow...you may get an early morning wake-up call. I know, this is Parenting 101...I must have misplaced my owner's manual.

Favorite Recipe: Pseudo-Shepherd's Pie

This was one of the Husby's favorite things to eat as a child, so when we first started dating, I decided I should probably learn how to make it. After making it for him the first time, he said, "All my mom used to do was mix vegetable beef soup with ground beef and instant mashed potatoes. This is really good!" The secret is out...the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Thought I might share my Shepherd's Pie recipe creation...this is a very easy recipe to make and even the kiddos will like it. Enjoy!

Pseudo-Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:
1 pound ground sirloin
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup frozen peas
1 onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
3 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package Simply Potatoes Original Mashed Potatoes (in the egg/milk section at the store)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup A1 Steak Sauce

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add olive oil to a skillet and warm over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 8 minutes over medium heat.
2) Add ground sirloin and heat until cooked through, stirring frequently.
3) Stir in peas, Worcestershire sauce, and A1 Steak Sauce and simmer for 6 minutes.
4)Spread meat mixture into the bottom of a glass baking dish.
5) In a bowl, mix potatoes with 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Spread potatoe mixture on top of meat. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheddar cheese on the top of casserole.
6) Bake casserole for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

"The Fred" : A Name Genesis

Many of you have asked me how I came to refer to my daughter as "The Fred." It is really a very simple story, but since so many of you have asked, I thought I should elaborate...

When The Fred was born, her paternal grandmother began to refer to her as "Freddy Frog." From what I have been told, The Fred's aunt was referred to by the same name when she was little. I have never been one for long names, and every pet I have ever had has been referred to by an alternate nickname in addition to their "given name." For some reason, I felt the need to carry on this tradition with my children. I eventually shortened "Freddy Frog" to "Fred Frog" then to simply, "Fred."

Since I am a huge fan of Steve McQueen (I know that some of you are sitting there saying...who is Steve McQueen), I decided her name should be formalized to "The Fred"...just like "The Steve." I know...crazy, random story, but it should offer an explanation for my unlikely choice of a nickname for my first-born. If I have another girl, I plan to refer to her by something equally masculine like Moe, Bob, or Larry...just to make The Fred feel good.

Payback

I am starting to think that SweetBoy might be the most laid back little individual ever. He seems to be perfectly content just hanging out, sucking his thumb, watching the world at work. Even the past few days, while running a very high fever, he has remained content...besides needing a little bit extra TLC. Sometimes, I wonder how I ended up with two great kids...and then, I remember that I am likely to receive my payback in adolescence.

Speaking of adolescence, what is up with the goth/emo kids at the mall that scare all of the old people? You know who I am talking about. They hang out around Hot Topic, wear solid black from head to toe or look like they are dressed like clowns, and move in packs...generally, just looking like they could be members of the trench coat mafia.

The Husby and I were enjoying a stroll around the mall after dinner the other night when we saw an interaction between two of these packs: a clown-looking group of young girls and an emo group of boys...three on three. We heard the girls giggle as they passed by and one of the girls said, "He is so wet!" Excuse me? Wet? What the heck does that mean? Is that like hot? And then I realized...I HAVE BECOME MY PARENTS!!!

I could hear the exchange between me and my father replaying in my head...

Me: "John David and I have been going together for two weeks now."

My Dad: "Going together? Well, where are you going?"

Me: "Daddy, that is not what that means! It means he is my boyfriend! That's what it's called!"

Wow...I guess it kind of snuck up on me. I really hadn't planned to become my parents just yet, but I guess there is no time like the present. Mark my words though...if either of my kids decide they want to be goth/emo/clowns, I will be forced to make fun of them daily and become the obnoxious, uncool parent...just a warning.

Gal Pals Left Behind

Why is it that, once we get married, it is hard for our single friends to relate to us? And why after having children does there seem to be an entire communication breakdown between us and our still childless counterparts? I have to believe that this is a problem encountered on both sides of the relationship, but how exactly do we overcome this barrier? Is it even possible?

After hanging up the phone from talking to a former high school/college girlfriend of mine, I realized that I had just carried on a conversation that was very difficult to...well...carry. Since my girlfriend is still single and kids aren't even on the horizon for her, I felt like we really were lacking all of the things that we used to have in common. Interests have changed, as well as priorities. I'm sure that she feels the same way...I mean...I don't exactly sit with anticipation as she divulges all of the details of her weekend spent clubbing, but I am sure that she feels the same way when I talk about the funny thing that The Fred did the other day.

So, what is the solution? Should we keep up our mundane banter until our interests and priorities once again coincide? Or, should we put these gal pals behind us and hope for the best? I'm unsure of the answer, but I continue to hope that either my life will slow down or theirs might speed up. I would like us to be on the same page again.

Luckily, I have had the opportunity to fill some of the voids in my life that have appeared as a result of these disintegrating relationships by finding new friendships...with new gal pals...with similar interests and priorities...with the same questions. Is it time to leave the old gal pals behind to make room for the new, or should we just wait for our lives to end up in the same place again?

Husby's Heart

I have to brag on the Husby for a minute...

We enjoyed the American Heart Association's Heart Walk this morning at The Summit, and the Husby and my FIL were both featured artists for the Wall of Hearts. Several local artists designed hearts made with various mediums that were then sponsored by different area companies through donations. Both the Husby and my FIL did woodwork for their hearts, and they both turned out beautifully. They are both incredibly talented. The Husby's heart was purchased for $1000 prior to the exhibit, and my FIL's heart was put up for silent auction with several others. SweetBoy and I had a great time looking at all of the creative hearts at the exhibit...fun for a good cause...I can't think of anything better!