Milk vs. Juice - A Kitchen Showdown

"Arrrrrrrrre you ready to ruuuummmmbbbbllleeee?"

In the right corner wearing yellow trunks with a picture of fruit we have the defending Lunch Box Champion, our favorite low sugar juice box!

In the left corner wearing red trunks with a cute cow we have the Horizon Organic single serve strawberry milk!

Ding Ding Ding!

The Twofer sits down to decide what they want in their lunch box to accompany a Turkey-and-American-on-Wheat.....they both seem to be reaching for the juice box out of habit, BUT WAIT!

L is now sizing up the Horizon Organic single serve milk.
And now M is eyeing up the Horizon Organic milk as well!

They are picking up the milk folks. They SLAM it into their lunchboxes! It's a huge hit for the Horizon Organic milk team!

ScaryMom takes the juice back to the corner to wipe the sweat and puts it back into the fridge.

We have a clear winner folks... Horizon Organic single serve milk is the new Lunch Box Champion!

In all seriousness though, a big thanks and Twofer Thumbs Up to Mom Central and Horizon Organic for sponsoring this kitchen showdown and for the samples of single serve milk.

As a ScaryMom I'm thrilled because Horizon Organic means there aren't any of those icky pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics in it. As you can guess, I read one article years ago about all the stuff they give to cattle these days and I went organic for meat and dairy practically overnight. The fact that my kids like it is just the cherry on top!

Let me know what you think of the kitchen showdown...I may make it a regular segment.
Scary(organic-loving)Mom

Twofer Thumbs Up:

First we learn to ride a horse, then a bike.

We all knew it was in their blood. What with Mr. Scary's love of thoroughbreds and his occupation which often takes him and the Twofer to the track to visit, feed, and in general talk horses.

ScaryMom and M walking Dallas to the riding ring
(notice the fear in my gritted teeth?)

But was it asking too much to think my kids would learn to ride a 2-wheel bike before learning to ride a beast that weighs as much as a small car???

Apparently so.M riding Dallas like a pro

For years L & M knew that the horse center near us offered riding lessons starting at age 5. And for the past year and a half they have been counting down the days until they turned 5 and could take riding lessons. I successfully held them off through the summer, but come fall, there was no stopping them.

L holding Mozart
(and showing him who's boss)

What I didn't know is that there is a fair amount of parent participation in riding. Oh yes, see I am responsible for tacking up the horse (I don't even know if I used that term correctly). I have to secure the bridal, reigns, stirrups, and girth belt thingy that holds the saddle on. The girls are simply too short to do it right now, but they are supposed to learn by watching me every week. (So really, I'm paying over $300 per kid to learn how to be a ranch hand.)

However you can see that within the first 30 minute lesson, they learned to climb onto, as well as start, stop, turn, and otherwise "drive" their new friends named Dallas and Mozart. And I have to say they walked away with huge smiles, and feeling like they could rule the world...not that we need much more of that in our house but I guess it's good starting at a new school and all.

Giddyup Mozart. Ride 'em L!

Am I crazy to let them do this? Let me know by answering my poll in the column to the right.

I'll check results after I'm done mucking out the stalls.

ScaryMom

On Becoming an Empty Nester

The freedom!

The excitement!

I have become an "empty-nester" (during school days). Both my children are finally out of the house (from 8:30am-3:00pm) and I'm ready to redecorate (clean up and organize).

Yes, today was the first day of kindergarten, and I couldn't muster up a tear to save my life. Had I been able to wipe the grin off my face for even a moment, and maybe dug deep or tried the Alexander technique I picked up in an acting class, then maybe.

I was just too excited for them, for me, and for the mimosas I would be enjoying at my neighbor's house shortly after kissing them goodbye.

A few things of note:
1) We are "walkers" and that, it turns out, is half the fun. Catching your buddies along the way...I felt at times like the Dr. Pepper guy. "I'm a walker. You're a walker? Wouldn't you like to be a walker too!"

Notice we're making good use of those backpacks!

The note cards pinned to them are name/address tags,
NOT price tags (I'm Scary but give me some credit).

2) My issue with over-packing has now spilled into school...I stuffed in extra shoes (more on this), sweaters & jackets...and then almost forgot their lunches!

3) My little fashionista had to change shoes within the first 2 blocks because the new ballet flats were giving her a blister...I'm just glad she's not a total slave to fashion. See her bravely sporting the orange Frocs (fake Crocs) below.

M lining up outside her classroom.

L waiting patiently at the end of her line.

4) Both girls seemed nervous but excited and neither of them cried nor clung. They were brave and I am so very proud of them...ok, I feel the smallest tear now starting to form.

5) I have learned the real secret to stopping global warming...make all school memos electronic. Of course, then we wouldn't need a backpack. It always come back to the backpack.

Happy back-to-school everyone,

ScaryMom of 2 kindergarteners

Mine Happy at the Bay

sing to the tune of "My Favorite Things"
Blue crabs and boat rides
And tubing and high tides

Good friends and games
With kids running insane

Cruising the seas and lunch at the beach.
These are a few of my favorite things!

OK, enough singing. But seriously, our neighbors had us down to their bay house and treated us to an amazing weekend filled with too much food, too much sun, and too little sleep. But ya gotta live on the edge sometimes.

So here are some pics and a big shout out to T, K, A, and little M who snapped up my affections with his way of saying "mine" when he refers to himself.

M, ScaryMom & L on the dock

Nothing like a loud motor to get you to nap!

Don't rock the boat!

Family Fun at an NFL Game

Is it appropriate to take kids to an NFL game?

This, dear friends, is what I've been asking myself since last weekend.

The testosterone-heavy crowds didn't bother me.
The sketchy parking lot with broken glass everywhere, and the greasy street sausage didn't make me hesitate either.
Nor did the beer and cuss words...of which there were LOTS.

As season ticket holders, I knew what to expect. But I haven't been to a game since the twofer was born.

However... the minimally-dressed ladies promoting a questionable club, and lining the street corner is what made me question my judgment.

I'm wondering...
were the ladies there 5 years ago? Or do I just look at things differently now?

Protection

We took precautions to increase the fun factor and reduce the "eeew" factor. We chose a pre-season game, got seats much closer to the field than we usually have, purchased 2 mini jerseys and said a little prayer that the crowd around us would keep the belligerence to a minimum. It paid off!

L & M loved the whole experience.

M, L & Mr. looking a the big TV screen

They loved, in this order:
1. the junk food
2. the cheerleaders
3. spying on people with the binoculars

The Mister loved sharing the experience with his little Ravens fans and discussing which players have "the power".

And I loved returning to the parking lot to find the car still in one piece, with all 4 tires inflated, and her beloved Sirius radio still on the dash.

All in all - a great night. Would I do it again? Maybe. I've done scarier things twice.

Janine