Cockapoops-A-Lot

Here at Scully's Ark, we have introduced another furry friend to our family tree. As if two cats, three chickens, two goldfish and three tutti-frutti frogs weren't enough. Bailey, our hypoallergenic, shed-free Cockapoo is as cute as can be; loves to cuddle, give kisses and has learned to sit, give paw and lay down on command. If only she would learn to stop pooping in the house! Hubby is not very excited about that.

Let me explain how we came about getting Ms. Bailey...

It was a no-school Friday for my three girls and they had just received their progress reports which were stellar. Yeah! They could have cared less about the yellow slip of paper that came home in the yellow envelope; sealed and taped. All they cared about was that their hermit crab, Bobby The Explorer, had passed away while we were on vacation for 10 days. Whoops, my bad (I forgot to ask my father-in-law to give the little guy water).

Back to no-school Friday... what is a Mama to do with three little girls on a rainy day off? Go to the mall you say? Yup, but not for clothes shopping. We are on a mission for three tutti-frutti frogs to replace Bobby The Explorer and McDonald's.

On top of all of the frog excitement, I had to go to the mall's Sprint store to get my cell phone fixed, which they happily told me would take an hour. Ugh. I should have gone there first, bought the frogs and then snagged some lunch for the little monkeys. Now what are we going to do? Happily, my oldest daughter told me there was a pet store in the mall. Really? Where? Uh-oh... now I'd done it.

You can finish the story from there. Don't forget to get an image of me walking out of the mall with three frogs, a puppy and no new clothes. Oh yeah, and the word "sucker" on my forehead.

Bed Wetting 101

We lucked out with our eldest daughter when it came to potty training and bed wetting. She effortlessly sat on the potty and went. Never an accident. Never a pull up. Never a nighttime pee.

Our six year old daughter has been a different experience. She still wets the bed three to four nights a week. I was not a bed wetter, so I am usure how this whole thing works. My mother-in-law claims it is hereditary (supposedly my sister-in-law wet the bed until she was eight).

We follow a rigorous routine every night for our six and four year old; no drinks after 7pm and they need to use the potty immediately before going to bed. What a great feeling it is when I hear the trickle of pee hit the toilet water. What a cruel reality it is when I find out the pee also hit the sheets.

The idea of regressing back to the diaper aisle after months of not having to is terrifying. I thought I had finally hit that point of parenthood where you can say good ridden to diapers, sippy cups and pacifiers. Could I have been wrong?

Oh, what's a Mommy to do? Accept defeat and invest in over-priced nighttime diapers? Prohibit fluids after lunch? Buy waterproof sheets? Attach a Bed Wetting Alarm?

The laundry is getting to me folks. Please send me know your words of wisdom.

Copy Cat: How to Make the Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich Every Time

I have been sick in bed since Saturday night.  All I need is a trash can, the occasional popsicle and a cozy blanket.  This is the first time I have been able to sit in front of my laptop without feeling nauseous, so all I can muster up is a post I saw on OhDeeDoh for the Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich.  Although it doesn't sound yummy to me at this very moment, I know in a few days I will be back to my food-loving self and cook one of these up.

The Perfect Grilled Cheese

(from OhDeeDoh.com)

Ingredients
Bread (sliced)
Cheese (sliced)
Butter (melted)
Other sandwich fillings (optional)

Equipment
pastry brush
small pan with lid
spatula
stovetop

Instructions

1. Start warming your pan on medium low.

2. With a pastry brush start paint one side of a slice of bread with melted butter

3. Put this slice into your pan butter side down

4. Quickly assemble your sliced cheese pieces (and any other fillings) onto the bread

5. Top with other piece of bread and paint it with melted butter

6. Cover (doesn't have to be air tight) to generate more heat to melt cheese

7. Cook for about 2 minutes (if you're worried you can check the bottom to make sure it's not burning) until golden brown and cheese is melted. A medium low heat should prevent burning

8. Flip and cook on the other side for no more than a minute until bread is golden brown

9. Remove from pan and serve

Additional Notes: This will produce a soft sandwich (still with some crunch on the bread) like that you might get in a diner and what I've found many kids like. For an even crunchier texture don't use the cover. We kept it simple this time but suggested fillings include prosciutto or ham, apple slices or chutney. Note that we used a semi-hard extra sharp New York cheese here. American cheese will melt more quickly and, hence, need less time in the pan.

Las Olas Surf Safaris for Women

One of my favorite catalogs and shopping websites for clothing is Athleta.  I am a subscriber to their blog, Athleta Chi, which comes to my inbox once a week offering new ways to stay fit. 

Today's "Chi" gave me a sneak peek into surfing for women of all ages and lifestyles.  It is not just for the 20-something, triathlete anymore.  Bev Sanders surfed her first wave at the age of 44, after 18 years in the snowboarding industry.  Instantly, she was hooked and in 1997 founded Las Olas Surf Safaris for Women.  Their motto?  We make girls out of women.  Rock on!  I found myself on Las Olas' website clicking away to see what these safaris are all about.  After twenty minutes, and as assumed, I found out they are truly a-m-a-z-i-n-g.

 

The world premier surf safari resort (praised by Fitness, O, Conde Nast and Shape magazines) is located on the coast of Mexico providing a tropical atmosphere for surf and play.  In addition to surf lessons taught by world class surf instructors, the resort also features a yoga and massage specialist on site for those sore muscles.  They have a passion to reduce their environmental footprint, which starts with a strict "buy local" program.

Dates and pricing is available here.  Who's game?

Braniston: Round 2

There was a glimmer of hope for Team Aniston last week when the media reported Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie may be on the verge of separating.

I am a believer in the probability that Brad and Jen will renew their love for one another.  Angie simply stimulated Brad’s libido.  She doesn’t hoodwink me into believing she is pure and virtuous.  Sure, her buxom lips and tribal tattoos are eye-catching, but I could achieve that in a day by visiting my local plastic surgeon and tattoo parlor.  She resembles a malnourished Judas who needs her stylist to venture out beyond the black color palette.

The media claims Angelina and Brad argue incessantly and that she is a control freak threatening to take the kids away from him. I can envision Angie walking around their French estate donning a black, silk robe with a glass of vodka in hand.  She eerily screams, “no... wire.... HANGEEEERRRS!” at the children making her the ideal candidate for a Mommy Dearest remake.

There are claims the break up is not true based on the fact that Brad and Angie were seen kissing recently at the Super Bowl.  All I have to say to that is hogwash.  Mommy and Daddy have to make out; for the sake of their 99 kids.

As far as Jen is concerned, her recent birthday vacation with Mr. Gerard Butler was simply based on friendship.  Besides, she can’t possibly be attracted to his Scottish accent or bulging biceps.

If I could schedule a private meeting with Brad, it would be similar to one he recently devised so he could introduce Jen to his identical offspring; Shiloh.  I would arrive at Central Park in a black Denali, as to confuse paparazzi.  We would watch his children frolic in the grass as I give him a praiseful pat on the back congratulating him for not marrying Skeletor.  He would then cry on my shoulder as he recalled the happy days of being marred to Jen, whom he tells me I remind him of.  We would then return to his penthouse suite as we joyfully watch reruns of Friends and sip cappuccino. 

Sadly, the night would come to an end.  Brad would walk me to the door where, in exchange for my kindness, he would gift me with a customary vial of his blood that I can wear around my neck.

I'm Back!

Back from San Diego that is, and ohhhh how I love thee. 

Warm air, coastal breezes, palm trees and S-U-N. 

Even though the locals said it was their true-winter, this New England local thought it was simply marvelous. 

Anything beats -1 degrees with wind. 

Anything.

La Jolla, CA

Boots No. 7- Miracle Worker?

I am magazine obsessed.  There is nothing better than opening my mailbox and seeing a clean, never-been-touched copy of Real Simple or Every Day With Rachael Ray or Better Homes & Gardens.

Yes, this is a perfect day for me.

While thumbing through BH&G while Reagan soaked in the bath tub, I came across a cult-favorite miracle serum that I can buy at... are you ready?  Target.  The price?  $23.

Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum is comparable to prescription-needed Retin A (according to the British Journal of Dermatology).

Target sells one bottle of it every 8 seconds.

Oprah loves it, too.  Nuff said.

The Boots line isn't new to me (I love their self tanning lotion), but the serum is.  I may only be 29, but I am all about protecting my skin from the elements and aging before it happens.

I may as well right "sucker" on my forehead when I walk in to Tar-jay today, because yes BH&G and you Brit dermatologists; I am going to give it a whirl.

Love Me Some Amy Butler

The woman is genius.  Pure genius.  I love her bedding, but I may need to convince hubby that a pink and green room is not feminine; it is soothing.  Not sure if when that is going to happen.

In the meantime, he could care less what he dries his behind with, so I want to get Ms. Butler's gorgeous and oh-so-chic organic bath towels.  Good for the earth.  Good for me.  Good for my style.  Enough said.

I'm Baaack!

And ready to blog my little heart away!  I officially sold NEST on Friday.  As you can imagine, it was a long week last week packing up personal possessions, throwing out personal junk and helping the new owner transition comfortably.

Hubby has been in San Diego, so the three kiddos and I have been camping out at my parents house.  It has been a nice little vaca, but now back to reality.

I found this whimsical window design last night when happily scrolling through one of my favorite blogs, Black*Eiffel.  It was designed my Rob Ryan; a new artist to me, but soon to be a favorite! 
I immediately thought... 'if I still owned NEST, I would most-definitely try and incorporate this design on the front window'.  It has an Anthropologie look and feel to it (which happens to be my favorite store in the world).  What do you think? 

Treat Coupons for Kids (a.k.a. Bribery)

I came across some great ways to get your kiddos to stop whining, arguing and screaming.

It may get them to eat their broccoli, too.

May the force be with you.

by babalisme  

download here

available at target

by ambrosia girl

download here

 

 when all else fails, bring in the big guns

1-2-3 Magic

The Discipline Book