Mommy likes to freeze

So I thought instead of a blog about Carsyn today I would give you some info on some Mommy likes I have found enjoyment in lately.



Mommy Saving Mom.com or you can find her page on Facebook. She has provided me some AWESOME coupons and freebies! Also I have learned other money saving methods. I have never been into the coupon scene but after visiting my good friend Lauren in November she inspired me to start SAVING! Plus if I want to build my house in the near future I need to start doing my part. I have to say I used to be much more thrifty before I married my husband and his "non-thriftyness" has rubbed off on me! With only one income now I am reverting back to my original ways.

Freezer cooking- Let's start with how my first meal freezing night started. Last weekend we had some people over for the "BIG" game. I went to FERNWOOD SEAFOOD (great place for you locals!) to purchase some shirmp. Usually my dad brings me my shrimp from the Coast but he wasn't home and there was gumbo to be made. We couldn't watch the Saints without Gumbo...so the man at Fernwood tells me to buy this 6lb frozen box of shrimp from a distributor in Biloxi. It is $30 for the box but the shrimp are already de-headed, de-tailed, and peeled! Heck yeah they were only $1 more a lb than the fresh ones! So I proceed to make my gumbo the following day- no homemade roux here- sorry I prefer the Semi-homemade approach like Sandra Lee. Anyway when I finished I had like 4 lbs of shrimp left!! What was I going to do with it I couldn't re-freeze.



Sooo began my first night of freezer made meals! It was so quick and easy and the husband actually came into the kitchen and we spent some quality time mixing. I placed the remaining gumbo (atleast 5 bowls) into the freezer and then made my all time fave Shrimp Corn Chowder and Rotel Shrip Casserole (DOUBLE YUM!). Now I have THREE meals ready to go! I felt like an employee of Bubba Gump Shrimp co. at the end of the night! But we love shrimp and it cook so quickly I made the 2 meals in an hour!



So since it will be raining this weekend and into next week and Danny will be gone to Market I decided to go ahead and make some more meals. Here I went to another fave website Allrecipes.com to look up some ideas. So on the agenda are Taco Soup, Ex-girlfriend pasta(a family fave), and bbq pork loin.



Recipes:

Shrimp Corn Chowder
saute green onions in butter
add a can of cream of potato soup
add a container of cream cheese
add a half gallon of half/half
add a can of fiesta corn
simmer for 40 minutes-yummmmmm

Taco soup
Brown ground chuck
add a can of rotel
add a big can of tomato sauce
add a can of pinto beans
add a pack of ranch dressing
add a pack of taco seasoning
add a can of fiesta corn
simmer for 40 minutes- season with chili seasoning to taste while simmering.
serve with sour cream and cheese and tortilla chips

Rotel Shrimp Casserole
saute green onions in butter
add shrimp and a can of cream of mushroom
add can of rotel tomatos
cook zataran's yellow rice separately
mix it all together place in 9X12 baking dish cover with cheese and bake at 350 for 35 minutes

Ex girlfriend pasta
In crockpot combine
boneless chicken tenders
1 can of mushrooms
2 cans of cream of mushroom
1/4 cup of white cooking wine
a pack of Good Seasonings white cooking wine
a pack of cream cheese
stick of butter
simmer in crockpot for 7hrs on low
add Parmesan cheese and serve with angel hair pasta

I didn't say the meals were very healthy but they sure are DELICIOUS!

My little big girl...

I can't believe how big my little girl is getting! She is so independent and repeats everything I do. I have her pictures divided into folders on the computer named Carsyn year 1, year 2, and now year 3. YEAR 3!! It makes me so sad to see the number 3! I am VERY regretful that I didn't take more pics of my little girl when she was younger- and I sure wish I had the education then on photography that I do now. I am very sad I do not have pics of her tiny ears, rolls, and feet from her first few weeks! That is why I love taking pictures for people so they can have these fleeting images forever.






I have been trying to do a better job of taking more pics of Carsyn. The problem is finding time to edit in between paying jobs.






This first set was from the other day when we were very bored so we played dress up and went to a field down the street and took pics. She is finally warming up to my camera now but it only lasted 5 minutes and then she said "All Done." Did I mention she is a silly-billy these days?

Next are some pictures from today- it was so glorious outside- 70 degrees PERFECT! Carsyn's hair looked so pretty that I wanted to get a picture of these curls so I can remember them forever!

More silly faces

Mr. cow the best lovey in the world

Aren't they beautiful!

If you enlarge this picture you can see my reflection in her eyes- super cool, huh?!

Oh did I mention that Carsyn took it upon herself to decorate her new DVD player?! Yes when I first saw it I immediately scolded her but after we got it off of the screen I kind of like her creative doodles- kind of makes it more kid friendly? What do you think?

Look at those precious little fingers...yes they created the crayon masterpiece...

My sweet baby

When Carsyn wakes at night and I am so tired and even angry I try to remind myself that in a few short years she will want nothing to do with me but right now I am her world. She LOVES her mama!

An afternoon in the life of Carsyn

Today I decided to get my camera out and practice some new settings on Carsyn. These are unedited but I think the bathtub pics are HILARIOUS!

On school days C goes from 8:15-11:30. Then we have lunch and then from 12:30 to 1 she plays in her room and I usually wait for her to do #2 most days. Then by 1 she is asleep. She usually sleeps around 1 hr and 15 to 30 minuets. At 2:30 we cuddle and then at 3 we have snack. We usually go run errands after 3 or if we have a playdate do that until 4:30 or 5 when I start dinner. She spends every waking minute in her new playroom with Barney or Elmo on in the background. Tonight she called it the Barney Playroom- ha! 7 is bathtime and in bed by 8 most nights.

This afternoon we had no playdates and no errands so I snapped a few pics while she was reading. And then again in the bath. I need to do better about taking pics of my own child instead just of other people's children. I get so wrapped up in the "proper technique" that I usually just toss the snapshots of C.

Well enjoy!

The jumping on the bed series...

The reading her book series...






(I LOVE how her toys are curled in!)

(In case you can't read the shirt it says "Daddy's smart but Mommy knows Everything!") :)

I bet these pics would be precious in b/w as a storyboard- just might have to do that! I just didn't have time before I wanted to post them.

Bathtub series part 1





And the cat in the bathtub series...he is a strange cat...Im not usually a big fan of cats but I got him when I got my husband. He unlike most cats likes water- he always comes in the bathroom during bathtime. Tonight he wanted to practically get in with Carsyn. She thought it was hilarious when he started drinking from the bowl.

The potty

In my last post I mentioned that Carsyn was not going potty but low and behold as soon as I said it she decided to make me eat my words. For no reason at all she just decided to start going again this weekend. She is a BIG fan of the m&ms that she receives and she receives them often because this child pees more than any person I know! In the afternoons I just let her run around without a diaper on and she just goes to the potty on her own will. I will be in the kitchen and hear the potty flush. She will run in and say "TANDY TANDY TANDY." I am not sure how Im going to get her to learn to go without a Tandy reward.



I thought it was so cute when she ran up to Trey, family poodle, and said "Trey trey I went pee pee on potty!" as if he was going to give her a high five! Ha ha!



Going #2 however is another story. While she used to go with no problems now she acts as if she is being murdered if I try to make her do it on the potty. This weekend when I knew she had to go I made her sit on the toilet and I brought her books to read to occupy herself until she was ready- I left the room and she came and got me when she was done. That was the only time she has done it. Today she screamed bloody murder until I put a diaper on her so she could go. And to the corner of the living room she ran. I don't know where this fear came from or how to change it. When she is in her corner she steadily yells at me "NO NO Mama Do AWAY!"



I told her teachers at school about her new found potty independence so they have been taking her and her report showed that she has gone to the potty both days!


Last Thursday to Tuesday was a long time stuck in this house. Carsyn had a slight cough and runny nose so I kept her in as much as I could. Come Tuesday I was about to lose my mind from the continual sweat pant outfits and interiors of this house. Thank goodness for fresh air and sunshine these past few days! I can see Spring around the corner and I have lots of plans for it!



Carsyn and I are hitting the road this weekend to Hattiesburg and Mobile to visit old friends. It's always an adventure to take a road trip with the Belle!

No School No School

Oh my precious Diva...

Yes I had a fear that Miss. Carsyn would not be too thrilled about returning to school this week. I mean who would when they have pretty much the entire Toys R Us at their house AND their new BFF Barney on the TV 24/7!!!! Yes I knew the screaming would ensue when we drove up to that school building yesterday. It took everything I had to get myself out in the 24 degree weather...HELLO 24 degrees in South Miss!!! I think I would rather be a fan of global warming at this moment...just kidding don't go get all AL Gore on me.

Anyway Carsyn made it through the morning although apparently she made it ubundantly clear that she WAS NOT happy about it due to the "Not herself" checkmark on her report! And since I started this blog entry and have now returned to finish it we made it successfully through our first week back to school. Every morning I had to force her to get dressed but today when I drove up to carpool she excitedly said "HEY MOMMA!" so I think she forgave me.

And not to jinx myself but considering we have been couped up in this house most all day everyday due to NASTY Mother Nature, Carsyn has been surprisingly content and easy to deal with! She has actually been PLAYING... with her toys... BY HERSELF!

So Carsyn was chosen as student of the week for next week(I think one student a week is chosen until all have been spotlighted). So I decided I would answer the questionairre on here and add in a few answers as well.

What is C favorite color? I would say blue every time you ask her a color she says Blue and always chooses blue if that is an option.

What is C favorite food? Meat - this girl is a carnivore if I have ever seen one! She ALWAYS requests MEAT if you ask her what she wants to eat. Meat could be anything from a slice of turkey to chicken to pork to shrimp. I am happy to say that my 2 year old does not have a picky palate- she often requests olives, carrots, and broccoli on her own will! Salad comes in as a close 2nd..who has ever seen a 2 yr old eat salad?

What is C favorite toy? At the moment I would have to say her baby dolls. She will play with them for hours and just walk them around, rearranges them, strolls them. It makes my heart smile to see her care for her babys.

What is C favorite movie? Before Christmas C would have never sat to watch a movie but now I can't get her to turn off Barney! The same 2 dvds over and over and over all day long!!! When she wakes up in the morning- Barney, when she eats lunch- Barney, when she wakes up from nap Barney, when she eats dinner Barney! Surprisingly I have not tired of him yet although the child actors on there do make me worry? Where do they find those kids?

What is C favorite past-time? Reading she LOVES reading and rocking. Which is great any time other than bedtime when she doesn't want to stop and go to sleep.

Is C sleeping well? NO! She was on a good streak for a little while but here again lately she has started waking 2 times a night ...sigh...

What is C favorite music? She has a cd that she calls the party cd that we play over and over and blare that plays child hood songs like Happy if you know it and Skip to my Lou. Although she does often request "Ice Ice baby" too. ha ha

C always says Peas and Tanks (please and thanks)most times without being asked. And now she has started saying "excuse me mama" when she toots or belches. ;) We are working on Yes mam and Sir although her favorite word is still NO!

Does C go to the potty? Umm that would be a negative. I am not sure what happened but she hides behind the couch to go #2 and yells at me to go away and she rarely tee tees on the potty. She used to go almost all of the time. She definitely is capable because she will bring me her diaper and wipes when we change although it does not seem to bother her to sit in soiled diapers. I have tried letting her baby doll potty and giving her prizes but none of that seems to matter.

Carsyn is a little chatterbox and I never know what is going to come out of that little mouth next! She has started attempting to say her ABC along with Elmo and she tries to count although it usually goes 2-a-10? But I am proud of my budding princess I know she will definitely be a star student !

Watching her fave pal Barney

She took all of her chairs and arranged them like this in the living room and put all of her babies in each seat.

Watching Barney(I presume) in her princess tent

Mommy Stay-cation

I wish I had some fun photos showing what I did during my Mommy Stay-cation but alas I was enjoying myself too much to think to do it!

On Tuesday Carsyn and I headed to Hattiesburg for me to make some exchanges and After Christmas deals. I find myself overwhelmed as to where to start when I am surrounded by so many stores since I no longer have that luxury! This time I came prepared with a list!

Nonny met up with us so I could get done quicker- amazing how much slower a 2 yr old makes the process.

All week I had been anticipating my lunch at Olive Garden that my husband so sweetly gave me a gift card to in my stocking! (BTW he really did awesome with my Christmas happies this year!)

After lunch I dropped Carsyn off at my mom's for a nap and then off I ran to finish my list. I came back for a quick good-bye and Carsyn just shooed me away telling me she was "Goin swing wiff Grace"

I headed back to Mccomb for peace and quite for 2 days! When I got home Danny was just getting off work so we headed to The Caboose for an awesome dinner with adult conversation!
The next morning was AWESOME! I made myself some apple cinnamon crescents and ate them in bed watching The Today show (anything other than PBS would have made me happy!) and playing on my new laptop. Part of my mission was to switch over my computer files and begin work on my new photography website/blog. I didn't get as far as I had hoped but then I headed out in the dreary weather for the tanning bed and hair appointment. Ahh the simple things in life! I had lunch all by myself at home watching whatever I wanted to on TV. I did have to go run some yucky adult errands like paying taxes but still it was so much quicker without a 2 yr old.

That evening the husband and I just had egg sandwiches and watched a movie. I realized I didn't remember what life was like before Carsyn arrived. I started to miss my little Belle.

On Thursday morning I continued my laziness and self indulgences. I was informed by Nonny that Carsyn had done pretty well until that night and she awoke wanting me and screamed for 20 minutes. Ugh Mommy guilt!

New Years Eve we headed down to Gulfport for dinner with my cousin Allison/Cory and my BFF from college Ashley and her husband Dustin. We ate at Vrazel's and it was a great night. We headed to the Coast house (so glad it hasn't sold yet- sorry In-laws ;) and played a rousing game of Boys vs Girls Trivial Pursuit. In our old age we barely made it to the end and I was fizzled out by midnight. So the boys won by one but I was half-asleep so I don't count it!

The next morning we headed to Hattiesburg to pick up Carsyn and go to Clinton for Smith Family Christmas. Danny and I were so excited to get her we raced to see who could get to her first. She was happily watching her barney dvd (her new absolute favorite) on her new dvd player (my absolute favorite)in the car and Danny asked me to drive so he could sit in the back with her to cuddle. We were not too excited about the long drive but we made it quickly and then had a relaxing day at the Lake House. Carsyn once again got more STUFF! My word this child does not want for ANYTHING!

So I am EVER so grateful to my mom for my mommy staycation! It was wonderful but I realized it is easier to leave your child when you are going somewhere rather than be at the house without her! Carsyn had a great time playing with Nonny and Gracie. Now its back to reality! I predict a not very happy toddler tomorrow when she returns to pre-school! I guess we will have to go through that transition again!