Happy 2nd Birthday Savannah!

It was my niece's 2nd birthday yesterday and she specifically asked if I could make doggy cupcakes. She's a pretty bright little girl and can say so many words already. How could I refuse!
My sister lives out of town so I volunteered my house for the party. The food was great and the cupcakes were a hit. I'm pretty exhausted today...it must be that bug from last week...still haven't shaken it yet.

p.s there's a tutorial on how to make these cupcakes if you are interested on Fork in Food.

Coupons Coupons COUPONS!!!

I am a major bargoon hunter! I love coupons!! I look forward to the Saturday newspaper so I can go through all the flyers and clip coupons. Today I needed to run to the grocery store to pick up a few things and I thought I better check my coupons and redeem before they expire.

Here is what I got for FREE! Two Glade Plug-Ins Scented Oil air fresheners, two Pledge Multi Surface Spray, two Yoplait Yoptimal Yogourts and one Wisp Flameless Candle.

Whew!! WELL...I managed to get $44.67 after taxes worth of stuff for FREE!! They weren't buy one get one for free or gift with purchase...they were "get this thing completely free". I was practically skipping out of the store.

Sick and tired...

Sorry...I haven't been blogging the past couple of days here...I've literally been sick AND tired. I think the lack of sleep from the overconsumption of caffeine over the weekend killed me this week.

Monday was brutal since it was the first day back from March Break. Late nights and lack of parental responsibility meant that Monday morning was a huge rush to get homework that hadn't been done all week finished and forcefeeding sleepy heads that didn't want to eat their breakfast. On top of that I had "crazy monkeys eating my brain" (borrowed that phrase from one of my favourite bloggers Andy) ALL DAY LONG. I could barely keep my eyes open all day and had to pop Advils every four hours just function.

Tuesday was much of the same. I literally could not keep my eyes open and had to convince my daughter to take an afternoon nap with me. Didn't make things better and woke up with a worse headache than before. Luckily I still had leftovers from the party and didn't have to cook.

Did I mention that my husband is away again this week? Figures that sickness always coincides with his trips. Feeling better today. Thought about doing "Wordless Wednesday" but felt guilty that it was becoming a "Wordless Week".

Honey I WRECKED the Kids

I was shopping this afternoon and came upon this book. The title alone made me stop and take a second look. "Honey I WRECKED the kids...When yelling, screaming, threats, bribes, time-outs, sticker charts and removing privileges all don't work." I felt like it was directed right at me. I'm going to snuggle into bed and start reading this tonight. If the author, Alyson Schafer, has some cure for me..."Screamin' Mama"...then I'm going to at least try it.

I have met Alyson Schafer before...we had been on a home reno/family therapy show and they asked her to come and give us some tips on getting my daughter to sleep in her own bed. I loved her...she was so funny and had some great tips. I have a feeling this book is going to be full of humour and amazing ways to fix my kids and me.

Family Birthday Party

So...my son turned 10 this week. I usually throw a family dinner/lunch when my kids have a birthday. I think there were about 27 of us for dinner...and the kids outnumber the adults. I love entertaining but it usually leaves me so exhausted. I've been non-stop today...shopping, cooking, cleaning...I could barely walk by the time everyone left. I forced myself to put away all the food and now I'm sitting in bed chatting with you.

It takes some planning but I usually have a main meat dish and then a ton of side dishes. The star of the evening was the prime rib roast. It's the rave...my dad makes the best gravy. I couldn't decide what kind of cake to make since turning 10 means no more power rangers or army men decorations. I decided at the last minute to make faces on my cupcakes. It's not my best work but I think pretty good for last minute.

My son said it was the best birthday ever! I'm glad. It makes all the work worth it.

Another Award!!

I'm so happy that Tanielle gave me this awesome Kreativ Award. Thanks. I'm so grateful that people enjoy reading my blog. Tanielle's blog is The Polka Dot Daisy and she makes the cutest crafts. Check her out!!

The rules of this award are to tell seven things I love and pass it on to seven bloggers I love.

Here goes...

1. I ♥ eating out.
2. I ♥ my computer.
3. I ♥ potluck poker nights.
4. I ♥ The Young and the Restless.
5. I ♥ craft books.
6. I ♥ a bargoon.
7. I ♥ my family and friends.

Now to pass it on...

1. Anna at Spoon it On
2. Cate at Cate's Plate
3. Veronica Lee at Of Mice and RaMen

4. The Obnoxious SAHM
5. Mother Mayhem
6. Simoney at Great Fun 4 Kids

7. Simply B, Simply Me

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I love all my bloggy friends and it was so hard to pick just seven. I promise to share more love next time.

Earrings - Giveaway

Hi everyone!


A friend of a friend of mine is having a give-away on her Etsy site. I thought I would share it with all of my friends here in the blogosphere.

Here are the details of the give-away on her site... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5592866

It's about that time of year where I'm trying to think of a fun way to celebrate my 1 year Etsy-versary. So the first thing I've come up with is a giveaway contest!! Who doesn't like (practically) free stuff?

Here is what is up for grabs:

in monotone earrings:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=18256265

OR cate earrings:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18295886

WHAT you need to do:

Come up with a commentary of the earrings that you'd like to win. Don't be shy! Convo me with it OR if you're not an Etsy member yet (you really should join though! it's fast and easy)email me at supervonbon [!at] hotmail.com and the winning entry will be picked by me and their story used as my new description for that item! The earrings will be packaged and sent to you for your creative efforts!

Please send your entries by: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25th.

Good luck everyone!!

First born hits 10!!

I can't believe I'm the mother of a 10 year old! In fact I can't believe I'm the mother of 3...or the slave to 4...chef, gardener, chauffeur, or toilet scrubber. Who am I? How the heck did I get here! It wasn't long ago when I could do whatever I wanted...whenever I wanted...answered to no one...

Well...today is a milestone...I told the grocery clerk that it was my son's 10th birthday today. She asked me "What was it like 10 years ago?" I told her I was alot free-er. Hahaha...she said she meant what was the weather like 10 years ago. Then my sister piped in and said "She was in alot of pain 10 years ago" Har har har...yeah...the pain started 10 years ago alright...and it hasn't stopped yet!!

Spring Break - Day 3

It's day 3 of March Break. It was a rough start getting out of the house this morning to get to my sister's place. We are staying overnight so we rushed to finish our packing this morning but of course as we headed out the door it was the usual chaos..."Where's the charger for my DS?", "I forgot my book", "I need a driiiiiink!" After much screaming I was able to get the kids into the car and off we went for our mini vacation.

It was a gorgeous day and as you can see from the pictures warm enough for the kids to run around in their t-shirts on top of the mountain of snow in front of the house. They had a great time pretending to mine for diamonds as they chipped away at the "mountain".

March Break...Day 2

March Break day 2 was pretty much uneventful. There were five kids instead of the usual three because I promised my friend that I would watch her kids while she was at school. It's actually nice because they keep each other company and I don't see them for most of the day except to pour drinks and serve food.

Food is the most stressful part of my day. It's hard enough catering to the food preferences of three kids...try five...I made sure I had plenty of snacks just in case my main meal was a flop. Well...all I can say is that I ended up inventing a delicious new dish today completely be accident. I screwed up the frozen pizza!! You may wonder how I did that...read my food blog Fork in Food to get all the details.

My first blogging award!

Friday I picked up a penny hoping that all that day I would have good luck. The Super 7 draw for $15M was that night...was very disappointed that I didn't win...boo hoo.

But then on Sunday, The Obnoxious SAHM, featured me in her Sunday Spotlight and I was on cloud nine all day. I really felt the love!!

And then today one of my favourite blogs, OF MICE AND raMEN, presented me with her "I heart your blog" award. Check her out! She has some of the cutest, funniest, strangest pictures I've ever seen. I heart her too!!

Spring Break Madness

It's Monday morning...kids are still home...it's Spring Break...help! I haven't made any plans this year. Recessionary times means watching our pennies so we are going to relax and hang out at home. We will be visiting my sister for two days...without hubby...so they can play with the cousins. I'm hoping that I will be able to keep my sanity after all this is over.

This is the expression I got when I told my friend that I had nothing planned with the kids for Spring Break except hanging out at home...EXACTLY!!

BTW, thank you to The Obnoxious SAHM and to everyone who came by yesterday. I received a lot of love and can't wait to get to know some of my new friends.

Spring Break Pain Relief

I went to Costco this morning to do some returns and all I left with was this king-sized bottle of Ibuprofen. Spring Break is next week...including this weekend it will be 9 whole days with the kids. 24/7. I know that with all the fighting, screaming, crying, whining and shouting I will be popping these babies like they are candy.

Hmmm...on second thought maybe I should have picked up the Extra Strength instead.

Sunday Spotlight is on me!!!

I can't believe someone actually reads my blog! I just started a month ago and thought I was just "talking" to myself. I was so surprised and touched that "The Obnoxious SAHM" gave me her Sunday Spotlight. Thank you so much. You've made me feel so validated. I know I'm not the only one out there that's struggling to be the perfect mother, wife, sister, and friend. Together we can support each other in the most important job in our lives.

I've posted my Sunday Spotlight Award over to the right. You can click on that to check out "The Obnoxious SAHM". She makes me laugh and that's why I love her!

Watch out Paris Hilton!!

My daughter came up behind me last night and she was all decked out in her bling and designer Kitty bag. I couldn't help but laugh. It was so cute. Cute for her age. She's only five. BUT if she likes all those things now will it only get worse? I hope not...my wallet isn't big enough. Right now she doesn't mind wearing hand-me downs from her big "sisters" but I dread the day when she starts dictating what she wears or will not wear .

AND look how comfortable she is on the phone!! We'll be fighting for time soon! I'm not looking forward to that either!

What a cluttered life we lead...

I am so sick of the mess that we live in!! Today my son was sick which meant that I was stuck at home. I've been meaning to de-clutter so I thought I would tackle our family room. I emptied just TWO of their many toyboxes and this is what it looked like. My problem is that I don't know where to begin. There are millions of game pieces of games long lost. What I cannot seem to do is to throw these pieces away. I feel bad that I will be filling our garbage dump with so much plastic and I can't give them to Goodwill because there isn't a complete set of anything. I have collected all these little pieces and hope that I can make something crafty with them one day. Stay tuned and hopefully I will come up with something....

Turning F%@#

Alright...the season has started...the year has begun...a milestone year. I really can't believe it myself but it is true. I'm turning FORTY this year!! Most of my friends will be turning forty too and last night was the first and certainly not last of the parties.

Forty is almost like the ultimate f-word. It's the beginning of the end. Is this the turning of the tides? At twenty your whole life is ahead of you...now at forty it's the beginning of the end. We look back at our lives and think about what we've accomplished...where we've been and kick ourselves about the regrets.

I used to think forty was old. When I looked at my parents and thought about how old they were...at forty. Oprah says that fifty is the new forty. I would like to think that too NOW that I am forty. I don't feel old...not until those stray white hairs come peeking through...or when I'm yawning at 10pm...or walking up the stairs makes me reach for my puffers...or when I look at the mirror and see all the wrinkles around my eyes. Can someone shoot me now?

I'm kidding...as I turn forty, not for another couple months, I'm going to go into this with a brave and optimistic attitude...'cause I really don't feel forty...honestly I don't. I am not going to act forty. And I am certainly not going to let people treat me like I'm forty...whatever that means.

Anyway, I worked on a scrapbook for my dear friend of twenty years and I've posted some of the more humorous pages about turning the big 4-0.

25 Random things about me....

I was tagged by Tanielle this afternoon about confessions...but I thought this might give a better insight into me. If you decide to do this please comment back so I can read yours too!

1. I’m easily addicted to things.
2. I love all things FREE.
3. I spend most of my day on the computer and tv. We have 6 Tvs and 4 computers.
4. If I’m home ,I can watch Y&R three times a day.
5. I have a very bad temper.
6. I love all techie gadgets.
7. I can’t resist buying craft books but never have time to make anything.
8. I download music but I don’t really listen to it.
9. I love eating out because I’m not a very good cook.
10. It’s so hard to throw anything out or give anything away.
11. I like having an afternoon nap.
12. Officially, I’ve only worked full-time three years in my entire life in Canada.
13. I have frying pans for big toes.
14. I’m afraid of the dark.
15. I think I’m turning Guyanese.
16. I’m superstitious.
17. Family is very important to me.
18. I’ve abused the Shoppers Optimum Program.
19. Love coupons. Bought $350 worth of stuff for only $30 in Florida one Christmas but had to make almost 20 CVS runs to get that.
20. Misses life in HK.
21. I like to eat when I’m happy, sad, depressed or bored.
22. Can’t stand the smell of beer.
23. Haven’t worn a watch in almost 10 years.
24. I’m available at a moment’s notice.
25. I enjoy hanging out with my 71 year old friend.

Confessions

I was tagged this afternoon by another blogger, Tanielle, and thought I would join the fun.

Here are the rules: Copy and paste the whole questionnaire and replace my answers with yours. You have to state and create a link for the blogger who tagged you. Pass to 4 other bloggers. Remember to inform them by commenting on their recent post. Display the logo anywhere on your blog. Last, answer each question with truth and nothing but the truth since this is a confession tag. Have Fun!

1)What is your blogger name? Screamin' Mama
2) When is your birthday? June 18
3) How long have you been blogging? the mid February 2009
4) Who tagged you? Tanielle
5 ) Tell me your 5 most favorite body part. I seriously don't have one...here are the ones I hate...my nose, my big toe, fat arms, wrinkles under my eyes, and my alligator skin.
6) What do you wish most for your birthday? To be 20 years younger
7) What color are your nails now? Just natural...haven't had time for polish lately.
8) Any depressing thoughts lately? That my daughter will be going to Gr. 1 in September and I will have to look for a job.
9) What's your next 1 month's plan? To finally get everything into a place of it's own and get rid of the clutter.
10) At what age did you have your 1st crush? I think it was in Gr. 4...when I was 9.
11) Did you attend any school reunion after you graduated till now? No but I'm planning one this summer with my high school crowd.
12) Have you ever passed gas in public and pretended you didn't smell anything? I'm going to have plead the 5th on this one.
13) Are you a clean freak? Not really. I would rather do anything other than clean.
14) Which era do you wish you were born into? I'm a huge fan of Star Trek...I would love to live in the future.
15) Are you a vegetarian? Not at all!
16) How many pillows do you sleep with at night? One
17) Are you a light sleeper or an I-don't-care-if -there's-a-bomb-here sleeper? I'm a deep sleeper...probably 'cause I'm so exhausteed by the end of the day.
18) Do you secretly wear comfortable granny panties when your man is not around? I prefer bikinis myself.
19) What is your ultimate dream job? To work at Michaels...the craft store.
20) What is it your hubby does that annoys you the most? He likes to tap his fingers on the counter...in the car...ets.
21) What is your dream car? I would like a luxury car like a Lexus.
22) Do you easily wake up in the morning? No...I have to force myself out from under those warm covers.
23) Do you like hairy men? Not at all!
24) How about goateed men? Hate any kind of facial hair!
25) Which one would you prefer, 2 hour spa, 2 hour Thai Massage, or a two hour foot massage? I would love a 2 hour Thai Massage.
26) Have you ever wished you had a different name other than your real name? What name is that? I hate my name...I think I would like something like Serena.
27) What is the most extreme sport you have ever done? Skiing...I'm a chicken.
28) Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia? I worked in Hong Kong for 2 years and would love another opportunity to go there.
29) What is your favorite food? I love Thai or Indian.

Finally,30) What is the most embarrassing moment when you were out on a date? Before going out on my first date I drank a big bowl of soup and then at the movies I drank a large Coke. By the middle of the movie I had to go to the bathroom like 4 different times. He must have thought I was so nervous!

Now I tag...

Spoon it on

Great fun 4 kids

Okkar Lif

Simply B, Simply Me

"No thank you" to peanuts button.

I received my button from Cunning and Crafty today. It's really cute. I think I will try to put this on him whenever he goes for a playdate or a birthday party as a reminder that he is allergic to peanuts. It's hard not to be overly protective but this allergy is life threatening and it's better to be safe than sorry.