Bloggin 2 Noggin: 12/1/09

A Great Diet For The New Year

Here is a great diet to Start the New Year. This is a specially formulated diet designed to help WOMEN (mothers) cope with the stress that builds during the day. I am going to put it to the test and see if it really works!

BREAKFAST
* 1 Grapefruit
* 1 slice whole-wheat toast
* 1 cup skim milk

LUNCH
* 1 small portion lean, steamed chicken with a cup of spinach
* 1 cup herbal tea
* 1 Penguin Biscuit

AFTERNOON TEA
* The rest of the Penguins from the packet
* 1 tub of Gino Ginelli ice cream with chocolate topping

DINNER
* 4 bottles of wine (red or white)
* 2 loaves garlic bread
* 1 family size Supreme pizza
* 3 snickers bars

LATE NIGHT SNACK
* 1 whole cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)

Wishing you and your loved ones and happy and healthy New Year!

Favorite Books From A Four Year Old Perspective

"Little Bits" literally owns enough books to start her own bookstore and this is no exaggeration. I buy books, and then see another book that she does not have and of course, feel the need to buy it. Then I tell myself I am not going to buy anymore books for awhile because I know she has more than enough. So I stop and my mom starts. It is really a no win situation. I have just given up and come to the conclusion that you can never own too many books.

I thought it would be great to share some of our favorite books, from a four year old perspective. We have read and/or tried to read almost all of the books that are on the lists from the New York Times to the ALA. Some she adored and others she wanted nothing to do with. My hunch is that she is not alone in her opinions. Here are some favorites that I would bet will quickly become cherished in your house as well.

"Little Bits" recommends:

1. Harriet You'll Drive Me Wild by Mem Fox.

2. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly by Simms Taback. (she liked this so much we had to get every other version ...There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bat, Snow etc)

3. Miss Nelson Is Missing by Harry Allard and James Marshall.

4. The Seven Chinese Sisters by Kathy Tucker.

5. Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall.

6. Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Seuss

7. A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon.

8. When I Was Little- A Four Year Old's Memoir of Her Youth by Jaime Lee Curtis.

9. What Cried Granny by Kate Lum.

10. The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster by David Conway.

11. Mrs. Lather's Laundry by Allan Ahlberg.

12. Happy Birthday Moon by Frank Asch.

13. Elosie and the Very Secret Room by Hilary Knight.

14. Best Mother Goose Ever by Richard Scarry.

15. Brave Little Monster by Ken Baker.

16. The Retired Kid by Jon Agee.

17. Ballet Kitty by Bernette Ford and Sam Williams.

18. On Top of Spaghetti by Paul Brett Johnson

19. Bubble Bubble by Mercer Mayer.

20. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper.

21. And Here's to You by David Elliott

A Magical Pinkalicious Birthday Bash

Planning a Pinkalicious birthday party was not an easy task. If you asked me did I pull off a fabulosity party being as modest and humble as I am I would have to say absolutely without question...in fact it was probably the best Pinkalicious party in history. At least in my very modest opinion.

Pinkalicious decorations are impossible to find so I had to become very creative. Stating the obvious I used suprise..pink table cloths, napkins, plates, forks, knives and spoons. I ordered 3 dozen pink balloons in two different shades. One shade was a true bubble gum pink and the other was a pearlized and just a touch softer in color. This is the part that I love so pay attention. I made my very own Pinkalicious garland and hung it above the fireplace! I know I am a genius, yes it is true I am the best mom in the world as well.

For the Pinkalcious garland I printed several images from the book, and found some cute pictures on the web as well. I cut the pictures (after printing) and then pasted them on a larger piece of pink plain scrap paper. Using a hole puncher, I punched two holes in each picture and strung it with what else but pink ribbon. I spaced the pictures apart a little bit apart so they were not on top of each other.

I found (on the web actually I think it was on the author's website) a picture of the cupcakes from the book. So I had the image blown up to (11 x 17) and typed Happy 4th Birthday Abby. I did this with several picutures of Pinkalicious as well. One of the images I used was the picture of Pinkalicious when she turned pink and another was her eating a cupcake. I put the pictures up in our entrance, in the kitchen and in our playroom which is where I had the tables set up for the children to eat.

On the table I purchased a plain glass vase and pink glass beads (in various sizes) and of course what else but pink flowers. This was a nice touch to the table. I must admit I did not go with all pink food, the thought was just a little over the top for me. The table had enough of a pink feel without all pink food. I served on clear or pink plastic trays such as the veggies and dip, cheese and crackers and the little cupcakes I had out for when the guests arrived.

After the magician (on the invite I printed Abby's 4th Magical Pinkalcious Party)I served the food.

The little cheeseburgers were the hit of the party and I really did not need anything else but I had salad and a sandwich platter made. Then all the children had a chance to pull on the string of the cupcake pinata which they thought was the greatest. As you can see my daughter was more excited about the candy from the pinata then talking to Pinkalicious (which she kept telling me she really wanted Pinkalicious at her birthday party) For most of the time Pinkalicious was at the party she did not talk to her...but that night she did not stop talking about Pinkalicious!

Of course, no party would be complete without cake which turned out so pretty I did not want to cut it at all. I was not sure what I wanted her cake to look like, I just knew I did not want her to have cupcakes for her party. So after much thought and search I was able to find a the ideal cake for her party.

I just happen to find these adorable cupcakes at a Home Goods several days before the party!

I found pink lights and put them in the plant which was in the same room the kids ate in and did there craft when they first arrived. I personally think it was a nice touch and my daughter just loved the pink lights. I don't think she ever saw them before!

When I found the big pink pom-poms (I guess...not sure what to call them) I knew I wanted them. They were great for decorating. Believe it or not they are Lily Pulitizer. did not even know she made party decor.

Everyone had a goody bag and a balloon to go home with. The balloon had a note tied to it saying Thank you for sharing my birthday with me Love Abby.

A Pinktastic Birthday and Bash

Mommy is so behind...on everything. Right now in my life I really feel like crying. I am just having mommy madness breakdown for oh, I don't know, maybe the past three weeks now. It all started in the middle of the month which was "Little Bits" fourth birthday. I seem to get very sappy before, during, and after her birthday. Why? I don't know...just overwhelmed with emotions. Each year seems to pass more quickly, the thought of her getting older, and just wanting time to stand still are probably the main reasons I become even more hormonal than a teenager and nine-month- pregnant woman combined.

So, with that said, I have finally come to accept that my baby is now four, She looks older too. I guess it is due to the fact that she has lost so much of the baby fat, and her expressions are charming, adorable, oh so girly girl and sometimes sassy. She knows she is absolutely adorably cute. Really I am not one to brag, but "Little Bits" just has something about her that melts the heart of almost everyone she encounters. In her sweet, innocent, and wide eyed look she will turn to me and say, " her said I was cute" as if I did not know or hear the person. Even though they were actually telling me.

Tomorrow we are having her birthday party at our house and she wanted to have a Pinkalicious party. Well, if you have ever tried to plan a Pinkalicious party it is not and I repeat NOT an easy task. Yes, of course I do know that her birthday was in the middle of November and we are having her party late this year. That of course, is with good reason. On the day of her birthday we took her to the Big Apple, New York City baby, to see the musical of Pinkalicious. The show was well done, and my daughter really enjoyed it; so of course it made the trip worth doing.

I will be posting all the pictures from the party, the decorations, the food, the cake, the works... with much thought I have to say I think we are going to pull off one terrific Pinkalicious party tomorrow with Pinkalicious herself coming to the party.