I hate snack time!

I feel like I feed my kids ALL the time (most of you feel the same way, I'm sure)! It's gotten to the point where I feel like I can't keep up with their need to eat so I decided to get organized so they would always have good, healthy snacks on hand. Here is what I came up with (I'm sure there are many mothers who have come before me who have done something similar but it took me 7 years to figure this out!)

Here is the "Pantry Basket". It's available any time the kids want it and it's within their reach.


In it, I put apple sauce, pudding, fruit roll-ups (the all fruit kind), graham crackers and rice cakes.

Then we have a snack area for the fridge. The kids are welcome to eat anything in it. (It's the red bin on the bottom shelf)


In this fun bin we have apples, grapes, cucumbers, carrots and cheese. The yogurt wouldn't fit, but yogurt is available too.


My goal is to refill the snack areas once a week and if the kids get hungry at times besides meal times then I tell them to head to the snack bin/'basket. It's made my life a lot better!

Kudos to SINGLE MOMS!

My hubby has been working non-stop for weeks now. I'm talkin' 17 hour days and weekends. He also left this past weekend for a much needed guys trip with his dad and brothers in Las Vegas. I'm so glad he got to go and get away from the office for 2 days but I really, really miss him. This "doing this all myself thing" is no fun!

He has been super stressed at work so I decided to do as much as I could over the past few weeks so when he got home (even if it was midnight) he didn't have any worries. I've been building bookcases, taking out the trash, changing light bulbs, getting up with the kids at all hours and doing all my normal mommy chores. And now I'm tired! I'm pooped! And all I have to say is, "I don't know how you single moms do it!" You are amazing! You are wonderful! And you deserve a break!

I know I do most of the work around the house, that is just how it works here. I'm a stay-at-home mom and I, honestly, take pride in the work I do here but I am soooooo grateful for all that Joey does because it helps me out so much. Oh, honey, I didn't get to one light bulb. I saved that for you to do today when you get home. It's in the bathroom, above my vanity. Thanks! I appreciate you! (It's nice to have you back again, at least for today)


And, really, a big KUDOS to single moms! And to one in particular. You know who you are (Lizard)! You are wonderful, amazing and you inspire me!

Trip to NorCal

Last week we decided to go to the Bay Area to visit our family. We called Joey's dad on Tuesday night and said we would be arriving Thursday afternoon but we told him not to tell Nonni. We surprised Joey's mom and showed up at the mall where she was shopping. She was very happy to see Jude wandering around the Disney Store!

On Friday we headed up to Palo Alto and San Francisco. In Palo Alto we went to a very cool lego exhibit (but I forgot my camera in the car) and then made the trip up to SF to see the Golden Gate Bridge and walk around Pier 39. We loved being with our cousins! It was a great time.



On Saturday we met up with some of our good friends for breakfast. Then Joey played in a no-holds-barred game of family soccer for our nephew, Jared's, soccer team. Our nephew is 11 years-old and he is an amazing athlete. He is on a traveling soccer team and during their break they have a soccer game against their families. Joey was recruited by his brother to play and it was a fun game! Both Joey and Jared scored!

On Saturday night, we went to Jeff and Carli's for a fantastic New Year's Eve party. We played Rock Band, Just Dance and ate way too much food! I am rarely the CHAMPION at anything because I surround myself with incredibly talented people but I AM THE CHAMPION AT JUST DANCE!!!! Wahoo! Aunt Carli outdid herself and the kids had a fantastic time! We had a great time ringing in the New Year with our Anderson family (minus Josh and Kerry, we missed you!)




(Lincoln beat these two ladies at Just Dance...not once but twice!)




It was a great trip and I'm grateful for a wonderful family! (My sister-in-law also took pictures, so more awesome pics to come!)