It Takes a Village... To Make Reindeer Cookies.

Last night I was attempting to come up with some Reindeer cookies for Puddin Pop's class.  I had a plan in my head but the end result was less than expected.  I decided to get some help from my Facebook friends and posted this...

I asked (begged) to be told they looked like Reindeer.  The general consensus was... Bears.  Fozzy Bear to be exact.  I can't say they were totally wrong.  I also got tips and links and all sorts of helpful suggestions...

 I took all that info.  Swished it around in my brain.  Tried cutting the pretzels...FAIL.  I wasn't about to go buy new, larger pretzels either.  I was convinced the supplies I had would do the trick.  I re positioned the face (put more space between eyes and nose) and moved the Antlers to the top so they'd look less like ears and came up with this...

 It's gonna have to do.

Thanks to everyone who helped come up with this.  Had a blast collaborating.  Let's do it again.

Who's Your Cable Company?

I've been participating in a "test drive" for Verizon FiOS over the last six months and will NEVER go back to my local cable company as long as FiOS is available.


First off.  I've always been a fan of Verizon as a company.  I've used their cell service since it became available and have never received anything other than exceptional customer service any time I reached out.  I feel they are one of the few companies that insure customer satisfaction at all levels.  If an issue needs to be escalated to a higher level the response time is quick and the issue is ALWAYS resolved.  That's been MY experience.


With my old WiFi service, I would get bumped off the network several times a day.  The company told me it was nothing on their end and said "we can't even see any interruption is service."  


I haven't had that issue even once in the past 6 months.  Maybe it wasn't me after all.


FiOS offers an "In-home Agent".  I'm not a fan of calling companies to resolve issues and the "In-home Agent" has been a favorable alternative that I have used more than once.


One night, after getting the kids to bed and settling on the couch to catch up on some DVR'd programs, I hastily picked up the remote and instead of hitting the power button pushed something else.  What?  I have no idea.  All I could get on the screen was a blue screen.  Nothing I did brought back any picture.  I tried everything I could think of for about 10 minutes and then thought to try the "In-home Agent" that had been installed on my laptop.


I logged in, found the proper problem in the "Television" tab and began to answer a series of questions that it prompted.  Without ever touching anything other than the keys on my laptop, the modem was shut down, the TV was turned off, They were both turned back on and the picture was restored.  No lie.  That's service.  Why would I ever settle for less?


Verizon has also added a My FiOS App.  This app allows you to to everything from your phone.  If you forget to set your DVR and are away... no problem.


You can watch OnDemand movies or the 25 streaming channels from your phone.


You can even use your phone as a home remote.  Since I have issues with remotes to begin with, and have only had my android phone for two weeks, I'm a little scared of this app right now, but it will definitely be in my future.


You can even control compatible appliances like cameras, locks and thermostats while away from home.  A little scary and VERY Cool.  When the kids are old enough to stay home alone they'll have no chance of getting into trouble.  Mom will be watching.


I encourage you to check for FiOS availability in your area.  You will NOT be disappointed.  










I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Verizon FiOS and received a free trial of the products and services necessary to facilitate my review.

Will You Look For Me?

I overheard the kids talking at bedtime.

It melted my heart to hear them.

This is what I heard...

Handsome: On the second day of school, do you ever see kids walking to the white buildings while you're on the playground?

Puddin Pop: Yes.

Handsome: Do you ever see a kid that looks like me?

PP: Yes.

H: Well it is me.  That's where we go for "gifted".

PP: Oh.


H: So will you look for me on the second day of the week?

PP: I'll look for you everyday, 'cuz I don't know what day that is.

The Tooth Fairy Dilemma

Handsome lost another tooth.  He's 8 so we've been through this a bunch.  As we were putting his tooth in a box to put under his pillow he says, "Mom, promise me you won't do the Tooth Fairy's job."  Not wanting to make a promise I couldn't keep I responded with "What makes you think I would do the Tooth Fairy's job?"  He says, "I'm not sure but if you don't do it and I don't get anything then I will know that the Tooth Fairy isn't real."

CRAP.

The issue here is Puddin Pop (or so I thought).  At 5, she has her first wiggly tooth and I would hate for her ideals to be crushed by her brother finding out the truth.  I debated on what to do.

My choices were...

A) Do the Tooth Fairy's job.  I never promised not to, although I'm not sure the conversation would be perceived that way.

B) Don't do the hob but give Handsome the $1 in the morning and promise to keep the money coming for each tooth as long as he didn't spoil it for his sister.

At bed time he realized that the tooth was downstairs.  He ran to get it and tucked it under his pillow.  He was holding the box in his hand under the pillow because "He wanted to make sure he didn't push it to the floor so the TF could find it." (this happens ALL. THE TIME.)  Out of nowhere Puddin Pop says...

"You know it's just Mom that takes the teeth and gives you money."


What?


He says, "Well then where does the Fairy dust come from?"  I sprinkle glitter dust on the pillow and leave a trail across the bed.

She says, "Duh.  Mom has a secret stash of glitter."

Handsome: "I'm not so sure."
PP: "You mean to tell me you believe in fairies?"
Handsome: "Yeah.  So what?"
PP: "Well I don't.  I think it's Mom."
Me: "It's time to stop talking and go to sleep."

The tooth Fairy came, minus the Fairy dust, and no one mentioned another word about it.

How is it the 8 year old wants to believe and the 5 year old refuses to?

She's more and more like me every day.