WW: Pudding Painting

Swimsuits Revisited, Alternately Titled Just One Week

You may recall my issues with Target in December about their prominent display of swimsuits before Christmas even hit. It seems that December Shelley actually held out hope of looking somewhat presentable in a swimsuit by the time warm weather hit. April Shelley knows better.

After wearing the same swimsuit for 4 years, it's about time for a new one. Not because I want to go swimsuit shopping. Who wants to do that? But because my current suit is not nearly supportive enough for my mommy chest. Gravity and breastfeeding two children have left their mark. I also noticed at swim class the other day that it is starting to wear thin. *sigh* It's time.

I think I've created some sort of mental block that prevents me from even noticing the swimsuit section anymore. Hubs suggested I look at Target tonight. Now that they've been displayed for 4 months I suppose it's time. I picked a few options and tried them on.

Shopping for a swimsuit has to be at the top of the list of causes of depression.

I did not find anything suitable (ha!) so it looks as if I'll be sporting my thinning, non supporting tankini to swim class at least one more week. Perhaps I'll scrounge up a little courage and look at the mall this week. I may have to drink a few glasses of wine first.

It makes me wonder, though. Why is it so difficult to ditch the junk food and exercise? Why do I sit around blogging about my expanding waistline instead of shrinking it? Am I comfortable being chubby and afraid to change? Is it really that difficult to choose carrot sticks over chocolate cake? OK, obviously it's not easy or we'd all be a size 6. But isn't my health worth it?

So this week I'm going to do it. Just for a week. That way I won't feel like I'm on a strict diet for the rest of my life. For one week I'll eat more veggies, step away from the Mountain Dew, avoid chocolate (crap, really? do I have to give up chocolate?). This could be more difficult that I think. And, Hubs, stop laughing! I am also going to *gasp* exercise at least 3 days this week. And running to the fridge for another soda doesn't count.

To be honest, I told myself I would do this once before. But I didn't admit it on my blog. I didn't want to disappoint anyone if I failed. This time I think I need that pressure. The commitment. I need to admit for all the world (or at least my meager blog readership) to see that I mean business. At least for a week. If at the end of the week I am still alive to tell about it, I'm hoping I will find the motivation to continue another week... and another... and another. We shall what results from this little experiment!

Recipe Review: Amish Baked Oatmeal

Even though I haven't posted any lately, I've actually tried many new recipes in the last few weeks. I'm very excited about it. I'm also getting back into planning my menus ahead of time. It's all part of my "get your crap together" initiative. It seems I have a lot of crap to get together and I'm failing miserably. If you're looking for a good planner, I love this one. It has 2 pages... one for the weekly menu and one for other scheduling things.

Now for the recipe!

For breakfast this morning, we tried this Amish Baked Oatmeal recipe. You actually mix all of the ingredients the night before and let it chill out in the fridge overnight. I tend to serve a lot of cold cereal and toast for breakfast since I'm usually still half asleep so I liked the idea of doing the prep work the night before. Throw it in the oven in the morning and you get this...



I knew if I mentioned the word "oatmeal", Big One wouldn't bite. So I may have fibbed a little and told him I was making a special breakfast cake. I should know better. I placed the bowl of "special breakfast cake" in front of him and walked away.

"Oh. So this is cake."

You had to hear it. It was sort of muttered under his breath, dripping with disappointment. I imagine he was thinking something along the lines of "I should have known Mom wouldn't really give me cake for breakfast". He didn't eat his special breakfast cake although he did try one bite.

And me? I liked the flavor. I just have issues with the texture of oatmeal in general. I want to like it so I keep trying. I had hoped the baked version would be more appealing but there was still something about it that I didn't quite like. Flavor? Great. Texture? Not for me. If you like oatmeal, I would definitely recommend trying it.

WW: Easter Fun

***I just wanted to be clear that not ALL of this stuff was for my kids! My niece and nephew were here over Easter weekend so this was the stuff for all 4 kids. I just realized that it probably looks like we totally spoiled them but really it's not as bad as it looks!

Terror at the Mall

Tonight I encountered the most terrifying scene I've ever witnessed at the mall. It was ugly. Brutal even. At the center of the storm? Big One, of course.

Don't worry, no children were injured in the making of this blog post.

Tonight was supposed to be our family swim class. Unfortunately, the instructor that doesn't really instruct was sick. No sub. So no swim class. (They waited to call until after I shaved my legs, by the way. But that's a different rant post.) Big One was bummed so we decided to take him to the mall to play and possibly ride the Easter train. The only requirement? He had to eat dinner at the mall with us.

Can you guess how that went? Read the title of the post. You may be able to hypothesize about the events that unfolded next.

Big One refused to eat. We warned him no less than 20 times that he would not be playing at the play area or riding the train if he did not eat. Yet still he refused. Just when I think he's getting to the age that he can understand cause and effect he reminds me that he is only 3 1/2. The temper tantrum started at the table. The drama. The kicking. The screaming. I had to excuse myself before I totally lost it.

Little One and I abandoned Hubs with Big One and his fit. Sorry, Hubs. But the scene would have been a lot worse had I stuck around. We hung out on a bench and waited for them. Big One walked along willingly for maybe 50 feet. Then all hell broke loose.

The child was literally kicking and screaming in the middle of the mall. We tried the "walk away and he'll follow" technique but I just can't let myself get too far away from him. I've read too many stories about pedophiles stalking the malls.

I tried the tough love approach. He continued his kicking and screaming. I picked up my 45 pound flailing preschooler and started through the mall. Of all the nights for him to wear his McQueen crocs. One flew several feet, fortunately avoiding any fellow shoppers.

Hubs and I basically took turns swapping the kids. Tonight also happened to be a night I forgot the stroller so both kids had to be carried. I'm sure the reactions ranged from "Glad it's not me!" to "I've been there before" to "What horrible parents!" I was too pissed to even look at anyone too closely.

Until we reached Old Navy. An employee standing in the window glared at me. Excuse me? Obviously, you either have no children or are delusional enough to think they would never act this way. It really drives me nuts when people judge others. If there's one thing I've learned from being a parent it's never judge!

I'm just so frustrated because in many ways he is self sufficient and acting like a big boy. And then he brings me back to reality with something like this. I know he's a preschooler and this is normal. But man it sucks when you're the one dealing with it.

And I promise I'm never going to laugh when I see another parent dealing with a monster tantrum in the store. That did not help, fellow mall shopper. But thanks for trying!

Despite the fact that we both wanted to break something by the time we got home, I am proud of us for sticking to our guns. I would rather be that family with the child throwing a tantrum than the one who gives in and lets their child get away with things (don't get me wrong, we've been that family too).

I guess the bottom line is, we're all "that family" at some point. Some of us more than others.

There was a humorous point in the evening after we got home. Little One started some drama after her bath and I lost it. I started crying. Hubs and Big One were also in the room. This is what happened...

Me: sobbing
Big One: Mommy? Are you crying?
Me: Yes.
Big One: Why?
Me: Because I want just one day when EVERYONE is happy. All day long. Just one day. ONE DAY!
Big One: (whispering) Daddy, I think we should leave now.
Hubs: Why?
Big One: Because I think Mommy's getting angry.

I almost started laughing. But I still needed to cry. Just a little. By myself. Hubs knew just when to send Big One in to hug me. And then we were back to good.