Happy Birthday Heidi, Baby, Lent, Valentine's and High School

1.  Today is Heidi's 14th birthday.  Happy birthday to my wonderful, smart, beautiful daughter.  People say they dread the teenage years, but so far, teenager-hood is way more delightful and easy than toddler-hood.   Now, she actually is turning into a reasonable person who you can converse with in a logical, interesting manner.  And she never throws stuff or spits food out or insists on getting the pink cup or cries because her banana broke. Teenagers are way easier than toddlers. 

2.  Last night she had a bunch of her friends over for a birthday party. Birthday parties for teens are way easier than for little kids.   Just throw some snacks and soda at them, and they're good. They entertain themselves (and it can be pretty entertaining at times).  Nothing at all like having a birthday party for a bunch of 5-year olds. 

Happy Birthday Heidi.

It's the homeboy pose.

3.  Keeping on the Heidi theme, it's looking like, after 8 years of homeschooling, she will be attending high school next year.  A public high school at that.  Actually, it's a very small, magnet school that attracts more "serious/academic" students where you can earn a ton of college credit during high school.  She applied and was accepted into it (they look at grades/test scores and meet with the student) so I think we're going to try it.  If it doesn't work out, we can always go back to homeschooling. Maybe I'll write a future blog post on why are looking at high school after so many years of homeschooling. 

4. How about a baby bump picture.

 I'm almost 15 weeks, so that seems like a good time. I've been feeling what I think is movement for about 2 weeks now, so I think everything is going well, but we'll see.  I feel like I have more of a bump at this stage than I did with the other ones.  That either means that I'm fatter (definitely) or it's a boy (maybe) or my memory is terrible (definitely). 

5. So everyone is talking about what they are doing for Lent.  My sole goal is to pray more and yell less.  Many times my life feels pretty Lenten as it is, so being overworked and underpaid, I'm keeping things simple. 

6. From what I've been seeing on Facebook, the Northeast is getting pounded with snow.  Meanwhile, we've had hardly anything.  Makes me glad I don't live in the Northeast anymore. 

7.  I'm out of ideas for takes, so I'm just going to consider this a wrap and link-up. 

Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day and a holy Lent. 

This is the card I'm going to give my Valentine. 

This was created by the Archdiocese of Detroit

 I figure anyone who can stay married to me, must be a candidate for canonization.

7QTF Chocolate Lovers R Us

1.

We love chocolate around here.  I mean, we love, love, love chocolate. 

You know you are a hard core chocoholic when you go for straight unsweetend cocoa powder right out of the jar. 

2.

Or when you ask for a chocolate chess cake for your birthday. 

(For clarity's sake..the cake itself is a (gluten-free) yellow cake, frosted with vanilla frosting and then covered with molded chocolate squares and chocolate chess pieces)

You literally can play with your food. 

Chess and Chocolate lovers rejoyce!

Apparently this is called the Russian Peklav Defense Position....or something like that. 

3.

Keeping with the chocolate theme, I just have to share this.

Source

Happy St. Valentine's Day.

4. 

Of course it's old news that chocolate is good for your heart.  Everyone knows that.

But, did you also know that it's good for your skin, your mood, your cough, your vision, your intelligence, your blood flow and your blood sugar.

5. 

And, then there is this.

What your favorite candy says about your politics.

Do, I dare admit that peanut butter M & M's are my favorite. 

And, what does this say about the Democrats.  Life Savers Gummies?? Airheads?? Nerds??  Push Pops? Seriously? Does any normal person actually like that candy??  If it ain't chocolate, it ain't worth the calories in my not so humble opinion.

6.

Have I ever shared with you my recipe for healthy, homemade chocolate bars?   Just melt coconut oil with peanut butter over the stove.  Add in lots of dark cocoa powder, your sweetner of choice (honey, maple syrup, sugar, palm sugar, raw sugar cane....not too much, remember we are going for healthy here) and whatever other add-ins you like (sea salt, nuts, shredded coconut, dried fruit).   You kinda have to taste it, to get it just right.  Pour in a greased 13 x 9 inch pan, let harden in fridge and then take out and cut into bars.   Ta da....your very own, healthy, super dark chocolate bar at a fraction of the price of the more expensive dark chocolate bars.   Store in the fridge if your house is warmer than 74 degrees or so (coconut oil melts at higher temperatures.) 

Feel free to skip the peanut butter, but I really like it, so I usually add it in.  But, you certianly don't need it. 

7.

So, what's your favorite chocolate?  Me...expensive...I like truffles. Cheap....I like peanut butter M & M's. 

That's all, so go see Jen for less fattening quick takes. 

Happy 12th Birthday Heidi

Twelve years ago today, we got the BEST VALENTINE'S PRESENT EVER!!!

A picture of a picture. And since this picture just happens to have hearts, I'm linking up with Cari for Theme Thursday: Hearts. 

How did this little baby grow so fast into this?

She's smart.  She's beautiful. She's kind. She's a good friend.  She's helpful.  And, she's the best big sister ever. 

Happy Birthday to my wonderful 12-year old 

 Here's to your last year as a non-teen! 

We're so proud of the wonderful person you are becoming. 

   We Love You. 

How to Be a Happy Mom, Even in February

Oh February, you get a bad rap among stay at home (and especially homeschool) moms.  You hear about those darn February blues.  

Everyone likes to moan and complain about winter. Oh..we're stuck in the house. Oh, it's so cold. Oh, I can't wait until spring.  Oh winter..oh, how horrible, ice, snow, cold.

Relax...it's just winter. It comes and goes every year. 

In only four months we'll be sweating. I promise.  

But, in the meantime, don't let February steal your happiness. 

I've always liked February. 

Two of my children have February birthday.  Plus, Valentine's Day. Any day with chocolate as the primary method of celebration is a good holiday in my book. 

And, to make things even better...the Superbowl is over and done with....so all my football hating  comrads no longer have to endure ridiculous football talk from the less enlightened. 

February is a great month....believe it or not, spring is close (no matter what the groundhog says) and chocolate abounds. Here are some ways to help you maintain your happiness and sanity....even in February. 

Go outside, as often as possible.  I think people get depressed in February because they stay inside too much.  As the Swedish say...Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder.  Which means, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.

The Swedish also say Av barn, fyllon och dårar får man höra sanningen. Which means, from children, drunkards and madmen you get to hear the truth.  So, you know they're smart. 

Anyway, go outside.  Dress up, bundle up, put on your boots or your snowshoes, grab a sled, steal a sled  dog... whatever it takes to get everyone out and get some fresh air.  Even if it's just for 20 minutes, it will do everyone a world of good. If you live in a place with routine subzero temperatures, invest in warm outdoor clothing and get out.   The exercise will do you good and fresh air never hurt anyone.

Plus, you'll feel like a hero afterwards...which is also good. 

Sure you may be saying...easy for you say, Amelia.  You live in Virginia. Never fear, I've done my time up in frigid New England.  I've experienced winter.  And, it's not that bad.  Believe it or not, I prefer the risk of frostbite over the ever present risk of heat stroke we had to endure while living in Florida. 

So...go outside.  Even better, go to the zoo.  The zoo is awesome in winter.  Most animals tend to be more active in the cold and you get the whole place to yourself.   Winter is my favorite time to go to the zoo. 

Resist the urge to do too much baking.  When the weather is cold, and we are stuck indoors, I want to do nothing more than bake cookies.  Lots and lots of cookies.  Cookies are okay in moderation....but not as an every-other-day-thing, because then we just end up eating tons of cookies.  Usually, we stick to only eating dessert on Sunday...but when the snow comes down and we are stuck inside for days on end, it's hard to resist the lure of fresh baked chocolate chippers. Resist, resist, resist I say...because it really does more harm than good. 

Take Vitamin D3.  Just do it, it's really, really, really, really hard to get enough Vitamin D from the sun, and I have noticed a SIGNIFICANT decrease in the number of colds and other illnesses we get when we take Vitamin D on a regular basis, during the winter.  I really believe that Vitamin D3 is the one vitamin that most people DO need to supplement.  You can't really get it from food, unless you eat a ton of cod liver oil.  We're supposed to get it from the sun, but unless you work outside, you likely don't spend nearly enough time in the sun to make enough Vitamin D.  

Throw a Valentine's Day Party.  I love Valentine's Day parties.  I think Valentine's Day is my favorite "secular holiday."  Not because I like romance or anything, I'm just in it for the chocolate.  Invite a few friends with kids over, throw out some paper, crayons, markers, stickers and glue.  Let everyone make Valentine's cards to give to each other, and eat copious amounts of chocolate. Don't stress over it...just consider it a reason to have friends over and eat chocolate. 

Don't Be Isolated.  I think a lot of people tend to get depressed in winter because they tend to become a bit isolated.  Don't do that.  Obviously sickness can keep you all isolated but otherwise...get out. Hang out with friends, invite people over.  Or, if you don't have any friends...make some.  Find something to join...a playgroup, a gym, a book club.  Everyone else is looking for friends just as much as you are, so be the one to extend the invitation.  I get it's hard if you are shy..but it's also, so, so important for your mental health.  Just do it.  Use email...it's easier. 

Pick a Project. Any project. Writing, Blogging, Knitting, Juggling. Running. Sewing. Reading.  Drinking (kidding, kidding). Just find something that gets you excited, that you enjoy doing and find the time to do it.  Having a project to work on really does make a huge difference.  Start small, but find something you enjoy as a hobby and make the time to do it.  

Do one thing.  This is my strategy for when I feel edgy or trapped or restless. I pick one thing to do and do it.  It could be a big thing or a small thing, but doing just one thing is enough to make me feel accomplished. Sometimes it even gives me the momentum to do more things, which at least makes me feel accomplished, if nothing else. 

And, if all else fails, remember that February does only have 28 days...so March is coming soon.