Holidays

It’s another one of those holidays…

1 Comment / Holidays, Pets /

You know, the kind when dogs eat chocolate and people surf the web looking for information about how horrible this is, how quickly their dog is going to die and how big the vet bill is going to be.  While Christmas isn’t quite as big for dogs and chocolate as Halloween, it’s been busy around here with the search engine folks.

There have been more cats ingesting chocolate and candy than in previous candy-filled holidays, (at least based on the numbers of people arriving here via search engines).  So far, none of our cats have had any chocolate.  Megan was eating a plastic bag that held chocolate but she always eats plastic bags, so that’s not really anything unusual. 

Also, it seems some dogs have been getting into the Christmas ham and this is troubling to some people.  It’s troubling to me to see TW tossing scraps to the dogs but I don’t really think a bit of ham is going to be a problem for most dogs (or cats).  It never has been for any of ours.  Jake will sometimes open the refrigerator door and nibble from the ham or turkey if it’s on the bottom shelf and not in sealed tupperware.  He’s still alive and well and here to nibble on RJ’s Christmas candy without any ill effects.

Happy holidays to all of you, and to your pets, too.

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Got Game?

Friends & Family, Holidays, Toys & Games /

Last week, on what we (and Santa) called "The second day of Christmas" the children all received a game.  A few days ago, my sister’s gifts for the three youngest children arrived and two more games were added to the mix.  Tonight, we’ve played six of the seven (One is a Goth Horror Trivia game that I don’t think the small kids or TW will be very successful with so that’s why we skipped it.  If you want a review, I’ll get Chris in here to guest post – just say the word. )

1) Swipe.  Easy, easy game and fun too.  And there was no slapping involved which is good because the last game we bought by the folks at Uno included slapping and I have vowed never to play that game again.  It comes in a nice little travel case so it would be good for a trip or a soccer game.  Pop it into the glove box of the car or a diaper bag for the older kids.

2) Cing-o.  It’s a dice game and harder than Swipe, but after a round of talking it out, everyone had the idea.  And, you have to do math (math is hard!) so that’s pretty helpful if you have an 8 year old who isn’t sure of the answer to 3 x 6.  It also comes in a travel case, this one has a nice keyring type clip on it.  Do you like Yatzee?  If you do, then this might be a nice travel game for you.

3) Shut the Box.  This is an excellent "back in the day" type of game and my sister sent the nicest version that I’ve ever seen.  If you are going to buy a game then go all out, spend the $50 and give this one.  You won’t regret it.

4) Stargo by Discovery Toys.  It’s bingo but with constellations.  It comes with a bunch of constellation cards that tell you the myths behind the constellation and you also get information about when and where the constellations are visible.  Plus, a compass to help you find each constellation.  It’s a silly game and at first the 13 year old wasn’t thrilled but he ended up having a blast and we played four rounds before they all headed out for a walk with the compass.  (FYI we really played this to celebrate the Sagan Blogathon, it seemed like a good way to remember Carl Sagan on the 10th anniversary of his death).

5) Art fish.  Go fish with art cards.  Simple and interesting.  The only challenge is in properly pronouncing the artists names.  (That’s not always easy.)

6) Loot was the most difficult game of the bunch, but even the youngest child (who is 8) caught on pretty quickly (the game is listed as a 10 and up game) and won.  There’s strategy involved in trying to sink and plunder other ships or save your won merchant ships.  It can get confusing because you are supposed to point the card you play towards you to remember that it is yours. Also, you draw at the end of your turn and that’s not generally the way card games work.  So that was a problem at various points in the game.  We only played one round and I think the next time we’ll see some players who use a little more strategy than was used the first time.

There you go – our game reviews for this holiday. 

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Prematurely finished

5 Comments / Holidays /

So, I’m finished with my holiday shopping.  Except for one item for Prince J, one item for RJ and one item for E (and of course the converse high tops from 2004 that Christopher wants which I will never find).  Those three items I still need to get,  they are easy and I’m really just waiting for my daily schedule to allow me to pick these items up.  So I’m finished. 

Now that I am finished with my holiday shopping, you would think I would be all happy and rubbing it in the faces of every one of you who are still suffering.  But really, that’s not what this post is about.  This is about me remembering why I do not like to finish my holiday shopping early. 

Now, there is nothing to do.

Oh sure there is decorating and baking and crafting and wrapping and stuff like that.  But without holiday shopping, it feels weird – like I’m not doing what I’m supposed to be doing.   This happens to me every year that I finish early.  I find myself at loose ends.  Worse yet,  I find myself shopping anyway – buying more gifts and more gifts and more gifts. 

This year, I refuse to do that.  I am finished and I am staying finished.   Aren’t I?  Bah, this is worse than quitting smoking!

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On the first day of Christmas…

3 Comments / Friends & Family, Holidays, Kid Talk /

OK so it isn’t the first day of Christmas but today, it feels like it. 

We’ve officially kicked off the holiday with wooden ornament crafting courtesy of the nice women at APO Industries.  And when I say courtesy, I mean courtesy.  Rebecca was kind enough to send us a sample pack of wooden ornaments – free –  and all she wanted in return was for us to enjoy ourselves and then blog about it.  So here I am, blogging about it and we really did enjoy ourselves.

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Let’s do a quick review of the Flamingo House children, shall we?  Michelle is almost 17 and today, she is sick.  She also is in the midst of college finals.  Yes, let your imagination loose and you are probably getting a clear picture of Michelle today. 

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Next, we have Prince J who is 13 and even on his best day will tell you that he would rather NOT be painting.  And on a day when a brand new Eragon for Gameboy was waiting, well let your imagination wander and you’re probably getting a clear picture of Prince J. 

P1010004 Next up RJ, who is 11, and always agreeable even though she’s begun to experience that pre-teen angst.

P1010007And then Miss E who is always up for painting and crafting but is especially appreciatiave of holiday crafting.  There you have it – the kids who participated in the holiday wood ornament painting event.

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Let me tell you – it was fun.  And I’m not being even a little sarcastic.  Michelle was not her bubbley self but she did smile and she didn’t hide from the camera.  Prince J giggled all of the way through his painting, even as he said he’d rather be …. (fill in the blank).  This kid will rant and rave about crafting but he always does it with a smile and a laugh, it’s actually one of his most redeeming qualities.  P1010014
RJ chose the most complicated of ornaments and she did an excellent job.  The gold star on the candle makes it seem more festive, she says – and she’s right.  Miss E loved her rocking horse and reminded me very much of the year Jennifer and Christopher painted wooden horses for the holidays.  Kids grow too quickly.  Miss E enjoyed her painting so much that she painted the extra shape and would have happily painted more. 

P1010023For awhile, I thought we might pull out the wood burner and do a little creative burning onto these cut-outs.  I think Prince J would have liked that and the shapes would have handled the burning just fine.  Not enough time for that tonight, maybe next time we’ll give that a try and then stain the shapes with an antique red or antique green stain.

Yes, there will be a next time.  You can see the entire gallery of photos, here.

Now about the wood cut out ornaments.  The set we had was the Jack Collection – 5 ornaments for $5 and free shipping.  The shipping was very, very fast.  The only thing you need to remember is, it doesn’t come with paint and the set doesn’t come with string or ribbon.  I don’t find either of those to be a problem, having paint around the house is always a must when you have kids and I prefer to choose my ribbon and string for these sorts of things anyway.  Rebecca also sent us the Dog at the Mantle – 2006 ornament.  I’m actually going to stain that and use it as an embellishment on a gift for a certain family member who shall remain nameless because he/she reads this blog.  Heh. 

If you’re looking for a wood ornament craft then I’d recommend Rebecca and her mom at APO Industries.  And if you order, I’d love it if you’d blog about it and link me to your blog.  (Especially if you share photos of the fun!)

On the first day of Christmas…. lalalala

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How Many Dead Dogs?

3 Comments / Holidays, Pets, Questions and Answers /

There is not a day that goes by without at least one person arriving at my blog through a search for dogs eating chocolate (though the actual search phrase varies, and is often interesting like the one who said “how long do I have to wait until my dog dies from eating chocolate”). Tonight, in the last 2 hours, I’ve had five people visit in search of the answer to the dogs death by chocolate question.


While I did have folks assure me that chocolate is toxic to dogs, I stand by my belief that it’s a myth. None of my dogs has ever died from chocolate and believe me, they’ve eaten a LOT of chocolate. I wouldn’t stick the cute little orange pumpkin full of candy on the floor in place of the dog food or anything like that but I’m not going to lose any sleep over Jake grabbing a snoutful before I can stop him.


Now if anyone stumbles on some study that shows how many dogs day in the aftermath of Halloween chocolate madness, then I’d consider changing my mind.

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Daily Dose of Denise

7 Comments / Day to Day, Friends & Family, Holidays, Personality /

Today is my birthday. 

It’s started just like any other day and I like that.  Seriously.  I really don’t like a fuss, even the Ferrick-fest I didn’t like.  Sort of.  Too much fuss.

The only thing that will be different today (I hope) is that Jenn is coming! Yea!

Michelle and Chris both work today.  I have already worked this morning.  I have laundry and housework to do.  I might do some yardwork or might not.  I have some blogging to catch up on and a ton of books to read. 

I think I’ll be extravagant and hit the Starbucks when I take Michelle to work. 

The perfect birthday – no fuss, no mess, no cake (or cupcakes), no big gifts (except the big check from my mom, which was really nice actually).  Perfect. 

Hmmm, hashbrown casserole would not be considered fussy.

Happy birthday to ME!

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