A fellow blogger, Tales From The Crib, has been giving herself the award "Mama Wins" occasionally. In her own words she describes this award as " to honor the little things we as moms do that get little, if any, recognition. these are the kinds of things that i find myself doing (occasionally) that make me say to myself, 'i should get an award for this.'" Every time she awards this she has chosen something specific i.e. carrying on adult conversations while little children running around the house crazily, relaxed the "little-or-no sugar" rules to truly enjoy the Easter holiday, bravely forge ahead with their motherly duties no matter what kind of health problems they are dealing with. (I took/paraphrased those from examples from her previous "Mama Wins" blog posts - you can click on her name above to go to her blog).

This morning when I read her "Mama Wins" post it resonated with me. She gave herself the award for "today's award goes to you mamas out there who let your kids wear what they want to wear, when they want to wear it, even if you believe it brings shame to you and your name". As I have written about on occasion, this is something I tend to struggle with. It just so happens that yesterday, I overcame this issue for one outing :) Mondays are very busy for us. After a morning of errands and taking Bankston Hays to Mommy and Me we pick up Ann Elise from Preschool and take her to gymnastics. She has to change into her leotard in the van. Once we are back home she runs up to her room and picks out something from her "play clothes". Today, that selection consisted of an old "princess on a horse" T-shirt with several red dirt stains, a non-matching pair of coral colored knit shorts, neon striped Hello Kitty socks, and pink tennis shoes with rainbow colored glitter. Awesome!! The great thing about this? I not only let her out of the house, I let her go to the Library. Yes! Once Wes got home from school, the four of us loaded up and went to the Library - Wes in his uniform, Bankston Hays in a sweet appliqued shortall, and my very own Punky Brewster! I only wish I had taken a picture. It would have made a great addition to this post!

My kind of day

Today was just right. Ever have those kind of days? It started off with ALL of us getting to sleep in a little later than usual. We did not have a set plan for today other than "do what needs to be done". We headed outside and before we knew it all kinds of things were accomplished!
-yard work completed
-storage room cleaned out and re-organized
-teak patio furniture sanded
-old flower pots emptied and stored
-kitchen cleaned
-den picked up

And we still had energy for the fun stuff!
-Kris and Wes through the baseball
-Bankston Hays enjoyed singing
-Ann Elise made mud pies
-all three kids worked together to make a mud fort for the Star Wars and medieval knights figurines
-good bit of bike, scooter, and 4-wheeler riding

You know it is a good day when:
-your children do not ask if they can watch TV
-your children do not ask for a snack
-your baby is so sweaty, dirty, and sand-encrusted that you have to bathe him before naptime
-ate a deeelicious supper of grilled pork chops, homemade macaroni and cheese, black eyed peas, and cornbread
-got to eat outside on a clean patio because the weather was perfect (and kept your kitchen clean!)
-the kids are bathed and ready for devotion before 8 pm

Wanna try the deeelicious pork chops we grilled tonight?? We have used this marinade recipe twice and it's a keeper!


Grilled Pork Chops Marinade
1/2 cup Water
1/3 cup Soy Sauce
3 T Lemon Pepper Seasoning
2 cloves Garlic
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

Mix all ingredients and pour over pork chops. Allow to marinate at least two hours. Grill for 15 minutes.

The week for questions...

Gotta another question for you out there...what is your favorite vacuum cleaner?

Looks like The Five Dubs might be getting close to purchasing a new vacuum cleaner - and considering we have never done so - we'd like your input!

Are you brand loyal? Hoover, Dyson, Eureka, etc.
Are you a baggie or a bagless?
Are you a retractable cord or do-it-yourself cord?

Any and all advice, experience, opinions are welcome!

Blog world question

When someone comments on your blog or asks you a question in your comment section, what is the appropriate way to respond? Do you comment on your own blog, hoping they return to that same post to read your response? Do you go to their blog and post your answer in the comments of their last blog post? Do you e-mail them, Facebook them, etc? I'd like to hear what you think!

So, how did those Easter iron-ons wash?!?!

It has taken me about a week to get back to normal after my sinus surgery. But, we are moving and grooving, now! A few of you commented that you'd like to know how my new found iron-on appliques washed and wore. To that my answer would be...as well as I expected! :)

The fine seamstress who created these little cuties made perfect note that if these were to be worn and washed over and over, it would serve them best to be stitched on after ironing. She even suggested the kinds of stitches to use. I chose not to stitch ours for several reasons:
A) I can not sew - my mother in law has refurbished her sewing machine and passed it down to me so, I would LOVE to learn
B) I was ironing them on the night before the Easter events I ordered them for
C) I knew they were only to be worn once or twice

In my experience - after the first wash they pulled up in one or two spots and were easily ironed back down, after the second wash a tad bit of fraying and more pulling up along 1/3 of the perimeter and again ironed back easily, after the third wash the results were about the same.

This would not keep me from choosing another pattern. I still think they are adorable and inexpensive. I could get matching t-shirts for the whole Carter brood (5 little ones) - they would fit everyone, everyone would match, at a total cost of $40 - potentially less than one outfit from a store!

Outfit Solution for a Hoppy Easter Egg Hunt

It is no secret that I love to dress my children in cute smocked or appliqued clothes. I love even more for them to match or coordinate! Holidays are some of the most fun times to match their clothes. But, in buying matching outfits for three - especially outfits they may only get to wear once or twice - I must spend more money than I want or need. With Easter approaching I started planning their outfits and wanted to find something cute Ann Elise and Bankston Hays could wear for her Easter Egg Hunt at Preschool.

A few months ago I introduced you to my new found friend, Etsy? She stepped up and helped me solve my matching/coordinating holiday clothes for Easter! I found this seller that makes charming iron-on appliques. As I browsed her site I found the most precious designs in adorable fabrics. I was tempted to buy one of everything. But, the more I debated, I settled on just ordering Easter theme appliques for now. I figured I would see how they worked first and then buy more. :) As I waited for them to arrive I went on the hunt for solid color T-shirts and ended up finding several at Wal-Mart online (site-to-store, which is a FABULOUS service) and a few at Target. Once the appliques and instructions arrived, I went to work transferring the designs:

The pieces to the bunny applique:

Plain blue T-shirt from Target:

First step - ironing on the body of the bunny applique:

Second step - ironing on the egg part of the applique:

Third and final step - sewing the button eyes on the applique:

How cute is that?!?

Can't forget baby brother! He's wearing the carrot to match!

It's getting crazy around here!

Our little Bankston Hays is coming to life! HA! He has really been letting us know just how keen his awareness is. A few examples:
1) He loves to watch us play Hide-N-Seek. He squeals and claps as soon as the counting begins.
2) Every time the alarm on our door chimes to say the door has opened he makes a bee line for it - he is thinking "the door is open - I can get outside!"
3) At Mommy and Me he sits in my lap and enjoys the singing and motions until it is time for the "Balls", "Dinosaurs", and "Snack". He immediately jumps up, squeals, starts saying "dall" and "di-oh-sor", and goes to help Mrs. Madelene pull them out. He also promptly gets his carpet square and sits down on it waiting for his snack.
4) He knows which of his clothes have dinosaurs on them and points to them and tells you so.
5) Loves, loves, loves him some baseball! He has been found digging in the outside toy bin, pulling out a big baseball glove, putting it on correctly and walking around throwing and chasing after a baseball. He also does a pretty good job of hitting off a tee.
6) When at Wes' baseball practice he will pitch a fit because he cannot be ON THE FIELD. It is not good enough to be near it - he must be on it! After all, Wes and Daddy are getting to play!
7) Over Spring Break Bankston Hays came out of my nephews' room with a play camera up to his face, eyes closed (taking a picture)

Cooking Tip/Newest Favorite Recipe

I really enjoy cooking and I want our family to have sit down meals together. Soon after Bankston Hays was born I realized that was becoming more and more of an undertaking. Finding the time to shop, prepare, and cook and the effort to clean-up was becoming less and less. I solved it by "cooking double". Whenever I am going to cook a casserole, I try to double it. Then I freeze the extra casserole for later. This helps keep a supply of good meals to pull out on those most common "busy days". If it is a recipe the kids will not eat (yes, I was one of those mothers that said my children would eat whatever I put in front of them - they don't), instead of doubling it, I just split it. I try to keep 8x8 throw away pans available and I'll split the casserole into two of them - freezing the second for later. This has been a very easy adjustment and has made meal time easier. It is also nice for when a friend has a baby or other need - you have a meal ready to go!

I wanted to share my newest favorite recipe! My mother-in-law actually found this recipe on the Food Network website. She made it first and I loved it. I have made it a few times since and tweaked it a little to our liking (well, mine and Kris' liking - the kids don't eat it). It is a keeper! I am also including the recipe for the rolls I serve with it. Super Duper easy! I call them BSU rolls because they used to make them and serve them at the Missions Banquet.

Chicken and Wild Rice and Green Bean Casserole

4 Skinless Chicken Breasts (boiled and cubed)
2 cans Green Beans (I used French Style Green Beans)
1/4 jar Roasted Red Peppers (diced)
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 box Zatarain's Wild and Long Grain Rice (made according to directions)
2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
pinch of salt

Bake at 375 degrees until bubbly and browned.


Easy BSU Rolls

2 cups Bisquick
1 cup Sour Cream
1 stick Butter

Melt butter in microwave. Add Bisquick and Sour Cream. Spoon into muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned.

Holiday Books

A few years ago I started a collection of Holiday/Seasonal Books. I decided it was a great way to teach the kids about certain holidays our country/faith acknowledges. I keep these books stored with my decorations for the corresponding holiday/season and pull them out when that time of year comes around. The kids look forward to "what books come next" and learning about these traditions and celebrations.

When we ventured into the world of Preschool, I was re-introduced to Scholastic Book Clubs. We started receiving order forms every month or so and I quickly came to realize they offered some great books at great prices! I have bought some really neat books for every imaginable holiday. Some of these books are educational, while some are fun and silly. They offer books about Thanksgiving, Easter, even Groundhog's Day for $3 or so. We have lots of fun reading these and learning together!

This week I am sending in an order for an "I Spy" or "Where's Waldo" type of book. These are lots of fun to keep in the car. The kids enjoy trying to find things while we are in traffic, waiting on siblings, or even on long trips!

Cowboy Day

Most of your know or have heard me talk about Wes and his LOVE of dressing up. Around the age of 18 months he received his first pair of rain boots as a gift from my mom. They were the cutest little things! They were red and covered in Dalmatians. They graced his big baby feet everywhere...to water "his" flower garden, to stomp in rain puddles, to romp through the mud, and to run errands (while wearing the sweetest of smocked shortalls).

Some days it was even hard to get them off his feet for naptime!

Before long our first born was all about some role play. I believe his first "costume" was derived from Kris' Lasik goggles and a long sleeve T-shirt- turned cape.

As the idea of dressing up for Halloween became imprinted on his mind and he started seeing costumes for purchase, his world view was expanded. Soon we had Spiderman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Fireman, Policeman, Dragon, Construction Worker, and Cowboy costumes hanging from his dress-up peg hooks. Later he acquired Darth Vader, a larger size Spiderman, Incredible Hulk, Storm Trooper and Race Car Driver costumes. (Most of these were gifts or purchased on clearance - $5 or less - after Halloween) And, to this day he is still a fan of dressing up. Some days, he morphs through several characters!

Last week his afternoon unit at school was on Cowboys. The teacher sent home a note announcing they would have Cowboy Day at the end of the week and to feel free to dress up. Wes immediately began scheming his costume plans. You see, he has outgrown a number of the pieces of his (actually my brother's) cowboy costume. The main piece to re-create on his agenda: the belt buckle! He homemade his own belt buckle and proudly left for school on Cowboy Day feeling ready to take on any bad guy of the Wild West!

Note the cardstock pistol. Kris drew that for him to carry since they were not allowed to carry "real" guns!