iPad Momma

I am not your stereotypical techie geek (I use this term in only the most endearing way…).   I tend to catch up with technology only after it has left me in the dust.  Admittingly (this nonword is always flagged by spellcheck), I still don’t know how to upload pictures from my camera…yes, I am this far behind the 21st century.  However, I have found a new love affair with this declared novel of modern communication…I am an iPad Momma!   My hubby brought one home, and I inconspicuously rolled my eyes at his apparent toilet flushing of our hard earned cash….However, a few stolen moments with this slim invention, and I was hooked!  I can throw it in my purse and have access to my world while I wait for my daughter at dance or when I’m lost and my nav system has decided it can’t get satellite reception. 

My husband and I have two iPad covers.  His is clear and mine is a flashy pink.  We know who is in command of our new baby based on which cover it donns.  Lately, however, my kids have taken to their new sibling.  I will find them intently engaged in some app that we have uploaded for them.  What I love about some of these kid friendly apps is that they are both educational and fun.  For instance, my 6-year-old is less than interested in practicing his spelling words using the traditional paper and pencil method.  However, my 8-year-old made him a mock spelling test using Spellboard, which he is completely motivated to use to practice his words several times over.   This chick thought it might be fun to share some of the iPad apps that are popular in my household.  (These have only been personally trialed by youngsters ages 6 to 8.) 

  1. Spellboard
  2. Color & Draw
  3. Blokus
  4. TicTacToe
  5. WritePad
  6. Mad Math
  7. Roadtrip Bingo
  8. Math Magic
  9. Sight Words
  10. Mad Libs

Zippy Recap

iPad Momma:

  • iPad makes many kid friendly apps that your brood will love and learn from.
  • We would love to hear which iPad apps your kids are into.
  • Let us know of any chick apps that you use or have heard about.

Stay Light & Breezy Girls…

Love, 

The Zippy Chix

16 Comments by admin on December 5, 2010
filed in Schwag
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Pin Trading at Disney

My hubby and I recently took our kiddos to Disney, the supposed pinnacle of every child’s (and adult’s) vacation experience.   I must admit that I am the stereotypical mom on the Disney commercial, pink cheeked and showering my kids with balloons and Disney ice-cream bars.  I swoon at each Disney character that we pass and am not shy to jump onto the parade route and shake my tail feathers to the dismay of my older child, who turns away from me in utter embarrassment….oh well, we are making memories nonetheless!…I suppose that many of you are not new to pin trading at the Disney theme parks.  Many of you may argue that this rising tradition is a complete waste of money.  I get it…it is certainly no guarantee for a great time.  However, my kids started pin trading when we went to Disney in 2008 and continued their pursuit on our recent trip.  They love it!

Pin trading?  What is this some of you may ask?    Big bling for children and adults who are kids at heart…There are pin trading posts located at all Disney locations.  Kids typically wear a lanyard as a backdrop for their pins, but I have also seen them on hats and holders that you can wear like a purse that you drape across your chest.  Typically you purchase several starter pins.  They have pins of many Disney characters, popular attractions and rides, special holiday additions and so on…there are tons to choose from.  Most cast members also have a collection of pins that they wear.  Kids can trade pins with cast members all over the parks.  My kids have collected pins over our two visits of their fav rides and characters who dazzle their dreams.  They then hang their lanyards in their rooms at home as a way to reminisce about their Disney adventure.  It’s becoming a fun filled tradition in our family that I hope will continue to impress my angels through the years!

Zippy Recap

Pin Trading:

  •  Pin Trading is a wonderful way to capture your child’s Disney experience.
  • We would love you to share your experience with pin trading.
  • Do you have any vacation traditions that your kids look forward to?

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

3 Comments by admin on November 23, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
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The College Freshman is Coming Home!

So, the college freshman is coming home for the first time since August to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family.  Now we are all sooo excited to see her and can’t wait for her to walk through that door!  However, she has not bothered to call, text or send an email in the last 2 months…unless of course she needed something and then it was all about her:)  Let me say that I realize this is absolutely normal, but….it still irritates me. 

So my question to you Chix is do I just ignore the issue and enjoy the few days that she is home, or do I casually bring up her lack of communication before she leaves to go and finish out her semester.  I do not want to seem needy, but an occasional note to say that she is still in the land of the living would be just lovely:)  I have sent her many lovely notes over the past few months…

Let me just make it clear that I am not looking for long drawn out conversations with my offspring while she is at college…because I know that she is ohh so busy with those 12 credits that she is taking.  Not having to work and only taking 12 credits…..seems like an absolute vacation to me; funnily enough I think that she may be treating it as such.  I realize that college freshman need to find their way and fly….but completely ignoring texts, hmmmmm…I know that she answers ALL of the other texts that she receives as I get the bill. Just the ones sent by her parents lay sadly unanswered….lol.

Last week I saw another mom of a college freshman at the grocery store and she asked how my offspring was faring.  I noted that she absolutely loved school and the reason that I knew this was that I had not heard from her.  This other mom eagerly agreed and added that her offspring also did not answer her texts and she felt incredibly hurt by the lack of communication. 

She went as far to tell me that she had bought a book on how to deal with sending your child off to college and the changes that will occur.  Well that made me feel a bit better as I was not actually hurt by my offspring (I realize that it is normal), but that I was more irritatingly amused by the entire situation.  Off to work I schlep every morning at the crack of dawn, as my DD sleeps until noon daily and attends 12 hours of class a week.  Hmmmmm….something seems wrong with this situation.  The least she can do is send me some motivating notes or messages that will encourage me to keep going to work so that I can pay for her fun!

Any of you chix out there with thoughts on this issue…..feel free to chime in and let me know how you would handle or NOT handle this situation. 

ZippyChix Recap:

  1. The college freshman is coming home for Thanksgiving….hug her tightly or lecture her incessantly for lack of communication??
  2. Should your child feel obligated to call their parent occasionally, answer texts, and emails…or is it OK for them to ignore parental attempts at communication?
  3. Who remembers those college days…sleeping until noon, partying all night…hmmm maybe I am just envious and want to vicariously relive those years:)

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love, 

The Zippy Chix

22 Comments by admin on November 18, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness
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Scrapbooking for Beginners

Scrapbooking can be a daunting task or it can be an enjoyable way to sort your pictures for future generations.  I dabble in scrapbooking quarterly and am planning to hit it a little harder in the upcoming year.  It gives me a thrill to see my offspring flipping through the completed pages and I smile when they are enjoying family photos presented in that extra special manner.

Rules for Light and Breezy Scrapbooking:

1.)  How do I organize ALL of those pictures?

  • Do not attempt to start from the beginning of time.
  • Choose a few events that you have several pics from and let the fun begin!
  • If all of your photos are digital and still in the camera….do not fret, just upload them to a photo editor.  I use Picasa 3, but there are many out there and it will walk you to a picture ordering site such as snapfish. 

2.) Once I choose the images that will be used, then what?

Purchase a few supplies at your local craft store…don’t forget the coupons:

  • Good quality, acid free paper.  My preference is stampin’ up paper, but you have to order that.  The local craft store will offer some nice alternatives.
  • I use 8.5” x 11” paper, but many scrappers use 12” x 12”.  Smaller is my preference as the page goes quicker and I like it simple.
  • Plastic shields for the finished product.  I get these at the office supply store as they sell them inexpensively in bulk.
  • Acid free markers
  • Decorative paper
  • A few generic stamps
  • Ink pads
  • Scissors
  • A paper cutter
  • Mementos from that special event…i.e. tickets, a program  etc..

3.) Purchase a scrapbooking magazine at the grocery or book store.

  • No need to reinvent the wheel….be zippy and lift a design that you love. 

Now that you have several photos and a few supplies you are ready to roll.  If you have friends that are scrappers invite them over for an evening and share ideas and supplies.  If you are not creative no worries, just look in the magazine and choose a pattern and use it for several pages.  The more you scrapbook, the easier it becomes.  It is an enjoyable way to spend time alone or with friends and the results are oh so worth it!  When you are taking photos this holiday season….think about your scrapbook.  Take a few background shots, take some pics of the X-mas tree or menorah to use as filler for your holiday pages, take several of the same shot with different expressions, it might make for an interesting page.  The world of digital really opens up our ability to get those extra shots in without spending extra cash.  ENJOY the scrapbooking!

Please share YOUR scrapbooking tips with us!

Zippy Recap:

  • Choose photos from a few recent events to begin, don’t try to organize 20 years of photos…it will be too daunting.
  • Purchase a few supplies from your local craft store, use coupons to keep the expense down.
  • Lift a page from a scrapper’s magazine….imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and great for maintaining a creative edge while scrapbooking!
  • Make it more fun and invite some friends to join you!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

9 Comments by admin on November 16, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
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Thanksgiving Recipes

Earlier we wrote a blog about holiday traditions called Favorite Zippy Traditions.  It was fun to hear about fellow bloggers’ traditions and customs.  Thanks for your comments and suggestions!

Now that we are gearing up for one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving…a guilt-free reason to eat a lot, I’d love to hear about your favorite holiday recipes.  Every year, my family gathers at my house and we cook together. 

This tradition started about six years ago when I was pregnant and on bed rest.  My husband, the engineer, and father in-law, the accountant, cooked the whole Thanksgiving dinner, requiring mathematic equations and numerous lists to manage the meal prep.  At the time, I laughed and rolled my eyes watching these 2 men stumble along in the kitchen, but in the end it was a gift… we now have an annual list of side dishes, cooking start times and end times cataloged in a nice formalized file…I have to admit in this instance my husband’s anal tendencies have worked to my benefit! 

Some of our favorites include:

Corn Casserole II By: NANCED35

Ingredients:

  • 1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn
  • 1 (11 ounce) can whole niblet style corn
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 (8.5 ounce) package dry corn bread mix
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 x12 inch casserole dish. In a mixing bowl, combine cream corn, niblet corn, eggs, sour cream, muffin mix, and butter. Pour into prepared casserole dish. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until lightly brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle cheese over the top. Return to the oven for 15 minutes or until the center is firm.

Broccoli Casserole 

Ingredients:

  • 2 boxes frozen chopped broccoli
  • 3/4 c. mayonnaise
  • 1 sm. onion, minced
  • 1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • Ritz crackers (approximately 18, 10 for casserole itself and 8 for topping)

Cook broccoli and drain. Add remaining ingredients, except for crackers, and mix. Add crumbled crackers and put into casserole dish. Crumble remaining crackers on top. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

 Artichoke-Sausage Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf Safeway SELECT Artisan Pugliese or Como bread
  • 2 cups Safeway Chicken Broth
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, bulk or with casings removed
  • 1 pound packaged sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup Ready Pac Packaged Diced Onions
  • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • 1 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 (14 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
  • 1 cup Lucerne(R) Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and put in a large bowl (Tip A). Add chicken broth and mix to moisten bread; set aside.  Add sausage to a 12-inch frying pan over high heat. Cook, breaking sausage into 1/2-inch lumps, until meat is lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, onions, and poultry seasoning; reduce heat to medium-high, cover pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are juicy, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover, turn heat back to high, and cook, stirring often, until juices have evaporated and vegetables begin to brown, about 5 minutes (Tip B). Remove pan from heat. Meanwhile, add parsley, artichoke hearts, and cheese to bread cubes in bowl. Add hot sausage and vegetables; mix well (Tip C). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon dressing into a 9- by 13-in. casserole. Put dressing in oven and bake until top is browned and edges are crispy, 25 to 30 minutes.

We’d love to hear from you….please share some of your family favorites…Yum Yum!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls!

Love,

The Zippy Chix

3 Comments by admin on November 14, 2010
filed in Creating Tranquility
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Teacher Gifts for the Holidays

So, I’m gearing up for the holiday rush, and truly love this time of year.  I reminisce over the magical experiences I have had over the years, both as a child and as a parent.  My kids have already had the Elf on the Shelf make his first appearance, and the excitement vibrates through our house every morning when “Benny” is found after his gleeful evening at the North Pole.  Like clockwork my kids are on their best behavior…I should have started this earlier!!  We are happy and contented as we eagerly approach the holidays. 

However, I have a question for my fellow bloggers….at what point do you cap teacher gifts?  Between bus drivers, CCD teachers, classroom teachers and speech therapists, I have calculated 19 individual gifts from my children.  Granted I give token gifts (often bought from Lakeside Collections), but I know that the list could be expanded to include PE teachers, music teachers, school secretaries, school principal, etc…but at some point I have to say NO!  I am thankful for all the people who care for my children, but the holidays can bring insanity with it, and I’m all about staying light and breezy too!

Does anyone have a rule of thumb for calculating gift giving to people who work closely with your child or children?  What are some popular gift ideas?  I personally like to give edible gifts, such as muffin or cookie mixes in jars , or scent diffusers in holiday containers.  These gifts can be found for as little as $5.00 to $10.00 a piece, which adds up when you have a long list of receivers!  In my opinion, teachers most likely receive several small gifts from many children, and over the years this can probably be a bit daunting if the items create a sense of hoarding.  They don’t quite know what to do with the gifts, but don’t want to get rid of them for sentimental reasons.  For this reason, I like to provide gifts that can only last a short period of time…What are your thoughts??

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

9 Comments by admin on November 11, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness
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Diorama Drama

Yet again another end to a long week…TGIF.  Kids stumble off the bus with backpacks hanging loosely from their shoulders.  They run for the door full speed ahead, barge into the kitchen and make an eager lunge into the pantry begging for another piece of left over Halloween candy.  I concede reminding them to wash their grubby paws prior to introducing a conglomerate of bacteria into their digestive tracks.  They cheerfully comply as they know that a delectable sugar filled treat is awaiting them.  Feeling like we are off to a fun filled weekend, I leisurely go about my after school routine with a bit more ease than my type A personality allows during the regular work week.  I unload their lunch boxes and the dishwasher, give the dogs their flea and tick preventative and take the trash out.  Feeling productive, I decide it’s time to take a load off, and I park my bumper on the couch for a quick perusing through the newspaper.  The stress of the jam packed week is starting to melt away….Ahhh. 

I look down at my watch and note that an hour has passed since the munchkins exited the swinging doors of Bus # 99.   I reason with myself that I should continue to complete several chores prior to uncorking a bottle of Merlot to commemorate the end of the week.  After opening the mail and folding a load of laundry, I unzip my 3rd grader’s backpack to clear out her take home papers.   I am cursing again!  In her folder I uncover several morning work assignments, a citizenship test and a description of a new long-term assignment relating math concepts in a DIORAMA….Why do all kids have to complete this apparent rite of passage in their elementary school years?…$&@& I say!   Yes, this is the same chick who authored the recent blog Homework Horrors.  Some may assume that I have some hang-ups about recent assignments for my eight year old.  I totally validate your opinions and realize that I have some control issues!…Facing the reality of this impending craft project (this chick isn’t crafty), I turn to the other chix for help….here are a few tips we came up with that helped me complete this mission with my little one:

1.      A glue gun is a must have!

2.      Glue pictures or print out a scene on the inside and outside of the shoebox for a backdrop.

3.      Glue the shoebox on a craft board so that your little one can transport it easily without damaging their creation.

4.      Craft sticks are versatile tools that can support any theme.  They can be used for signs, people…use your imagination.

5.      Blend textures.  Use common household items such as aluminum foil, sandpaper, cotton balls to spruce up the project.

6.      If the shoebox is glued onto a craft board, bring the scene outside of the box.  Create roads for a city or a fence for a field.

7.      Use toys in your scene such as a matchbox car or build something with legos.

8.      Have patience (this is a reminder for me) and enjoy the time you spend with your rising star!      

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

2 Comments by admin on November 10, 2010
filed in Creating Tranquility
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Combating Holiday Mayhem

The Holiday Season at the height of its madness has the potential to stress out even the coolest of chicks. It is our wish for you this year that “slowing down and enjoying the season” will be the motto for all Zippy Chix in the blogosphere. 

How to slow down one may ask?  Well take a deep breath and realize that this is all supposed to be fun and enjoyable…there I said it!  Sometimes it may feel as if the maternal unit is responsible for the holidays and all it entails as we tend to hold our breath and try to ensure that magic is had by all….but at what expense?  Slow down and enjoy is my mantra…enjoy the process and allow all those involved to participate in the event. 

Participation appears to be the key.  If you do for your family they will expect, if you expect from your family…they will do.  So, during this holiday season…assign tasks to all participants.  Have the kids help with the decorations….no they do not have to be perfect, have your teenager bake the cookies, put on some fun Christmas music and assign household cleaning tasks when guests are due and things are askew.  By doing this camaraderie evolves between family members, things get done much quicker thus giving EVERYONE in the family (this means you too) enough time to slow down and enjoy the traditions. 

Take some time at the beginning of the holiday season to write some lists.  Write a detailed present list, write down the events that you will be hosting and some of the menu items involved, start shopping lists of these items and begin to pick up some of the non-perishables on your weekly trips; this will cut down some of the last minute madness. 

As for the shopping….try to pare down the list this year.  Economic times are tough for all so make an agreement with friends not to exchange gifts.  Consider a tradition of making a dinner date with a group of good friends as a holiday celebration.  Whether you go to a restaurant or have a pot luck dinner at one of your homes, the goal is time spent with good friends and traditions being formed. 

Now, there is some shopping that will just have to be done.  Try doing 50% of your shopping online this year.  Google for promo codes to your fave stores and look for that free shipping.  Believe it or not you can sometimes save money when purchasing items online.  Just think if you have at least half of your shopping complete…you can actually go to the mall and not be quite as frantic.  You can meander through the shops and enjoy the decorations while purchasing those final gifts that are on your well thought out list.  See… it is easier already:). 

Please feel free to share some ways that you combat holiday madness. All ideas are graciously welcomed.  Thanks and let’s kick off the holidays with thoughts of “slowing down and enjoying the season”.

ZippyChix Recap:

  1. Slow down and enjoy the season!
  2. If you do for your family they will expect, if you expect from your family..they will do.   
  3. Make an agreement with friends to share time, not gifts.
  4. Try doing 50% of your shopping online….PROMO codes will help you save!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

14 Comments by admin on October 28, 2010
filed in Creating Tranquility
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Favorite Zippy Traditions

I’ve walked into several stores within the last week and am amazed that Christmas decorations are already adorning shelves.  I know that this chick should expect this early consumer marketing blitz, but it never fails to surprise me year after year.  Thus, I give in to my mental eye-rolling and find myself dreaming of eggnog and visualizing the Yule Log.  Indeed, I’m a sucker for the holidays!  Halloween through New Years is one of my favorite times of the year.  There is no doubt that money funnels down the drain and my head begins exploding with childhood demands beginning with “I want…”  Nevertheless, I somehow turn a blind eye and cheer the arrival of the holiday season filled with both headaches and wonderful traditions.  In honor of the upcoming holiday season, I thought I might share some of the Zippy traditions that have been tried and true for the chix!

  1. Hayride each Halloween night filled with cute and creepy costumes, glow sticks, and spooky music.
  2. Witch’s Brew for the grown-ups.  Tantalizing mix of spirits mixed in a cauldron brimming over with fog. 
  3. Roasting pumpkin seeds from the Jack-O-Lantern.
  4. Guests make a feather to add to the “Perky Turkey,” which lists something they are thankful for during Thanksgiving…No, the Perky Turkey is not real.
  5. Watching the Macy’s Day Parade.
  6. Trimming the tree with picture ornaments of the children…my have they grown (feeling sentimental here).
  7. Watching the kids find the magic elf hiding in the house each day from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.  Watching them whisper their holiday wish list is so cute.
  8. Opening holiday PJs on Christmas Eve.
  9. Apple Pie.
  10. Reading a poem from my Great-Grandmother’s Poetry book after the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day.

There are so many memories that mark the Holiday season.  The list could go on….Despite the rush of the season, memories are made through the traditions we honor.

Zippy Chix Recap:

Favorite Zippy Traditions: 

  • We’d love to hear any holiday traditions that are special in your family.
  • Do you enjoy the holiday season or are you one that can’t wait until the hustle is over?

Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love,

The Zippy Chix

11 Comments by admin on October 25, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
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The Rent is Too Damn High!!

I have to say, I’ve been avoiding all the political hoopla this election season because the political arena has gotten too outrageous and seems to only breed hatred, rage, and more division between people.  We are from the same species, yet we can turn into viscous animals when we feel passionate about something.  It is good to have passion, but when the stakes are high and the outcome only brings more harm than good, I find myself putting up blinders to protect myself from the negativity, especially when it comes to politics.  I may not be fully partaking in my civic duties, but at times I don’t think it would matter if I did anyway. 

With that said, I have to say I really got a kick out of Jimmy McMillan’s stance that “The rent is just too damn high”, and nothing else matters.  He was clear and consistent, and brought a bit of light and breezy to the conversation between NY Governor wanna be’s!  His approach to the political game is to draw media attention to a specific issue versus himself.  Although unlikely to win Governor-Elect, his agenda will be known for years to come.  This catchy phrase has already caught on like the Wendy’s commercial “Where’s the Beef”?  So maybe, this Jimmy guy has a point and maybe he’s smarter than we think because he has not only made his point known, but both conservatives and liberals can joke about the Rent being too Damn High together, instead of being so Damn Nasty to each other.  After November, people will still remember Jimmy McMillan taking poetic license for all the problems in New York (or the whole country for that matter), and that is just too Damn enlightening!

Zippy Questions:

  • Have you heard of Jimmy McMillan’s The Rent is Too Damn High Party?  Have you seen the video of his performance during the Governor of NY debate?   If not click here and check it out!
  • After viewing the video, what are your thoughts?
  • Interstingly, Jimmy doesn’t even pay rent, but this doesn’t stop him from speaking up for others.  Do you think that the fact that he doesn’t pay rent negates his platform?

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

6 Comments by admin on October 21, 2010
filed in The Buzz
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Choosing Cuisines Around The World

This chick has been exploring ways to expedite the meal process in her household.  It is enough to make it through the day, but what I truly hate is the thankless question presented to me every night; “Mom, what’s for dinner”?  I reflect on the last grocery run which typically involves a fly by visit on my way home from work.  I usually don’t have a plan, and other customers must smirk when they see me…a lunatic running frantically up and down aisles throwing things into a cart while glancing at the time….tick tock tick tock!  Oh well, I’ve covered the basic food groups and hope for a palatable meal come dinnertime.  This act has been going on for some time, and I have to say it is not sustainable for much longer.  I dread planning meals, I dread the store, I dread unloading, I dread cooking…but the fact is dinner has to happen at least 365 days a year…don’t even talk to me about breakfast and lunch.  So, I have surrendered to the madness, but would like to make it easier for myself.  My biggest problem is coming up with meal plan ideas.  If I could find a systematic way to engage this process, the rest wouldn’t seem so insufferable. 

Just the other week, a light bulb went on.  It has probably already been done, and I’m sure books have been written about it, but what the heck, I’ll tell you anyway.  I have created a daily template consisting of 5 themed meals a week.  The other days are for leftovers or ordering in. :)   My five themes are categories for meal plans, so I can sort ideas based on the theme of the day.  My meal plan looks something like this:

  • Sunday—Casseroles, American Cuisine

  • Monday—Soup day (i.e. chicken noodle)

  • Tuesday—Italian (i.e. baked ziti and garlic bread)

  • Wednesday—leftovers for mid-week break

  • Thursday—crock pot dish (i.e. pot roast)

  • Friday—tends to be my pizza/movie night (see Family Friday Fun blog)

  • Saturday—Mexican or Asian (i.e. tacos or stir-fry)

***When I’m feeling daring, I will switch out a night for another worldly dish, such as Indian (a favorite of mine)!  I am not much of a seafood lover, but if I was, that would be another great category. 

I have compiled recipes that are typically kid friendly and can be rotated through my themed categories.  This way my family doesn’t get bored by too much repetition.  I can pull out recipes per theme from an array of choices, and voila my week is planned.  Now, I just need to get Pea Pod so voila my groceries arrive at my doorstep…but that may be asking too much! 

Zippy Recap:

  • I have no time to plan a meal or the desire!
  • Creating a systematic and themed plan makes decision making a breeze.
  • When I need to I sort my recipes by category and pull out the meal plan for that day. 
  • This makes grocery shopping more manageable and efficient….but I still would prefer having the service delivery option!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls!

Love,

The Zippy Chix

8 Comments by admin on October 19, 2010
filed in Vitality
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Homework Horror

Whatever happened to the rule…10 minutes of homework per grade?  I must be seriously delusional for believing that!   I find that I become heavy footed and begin stomping around my kitchen every time I open my third grader’s backpack.  I’ve been known to sigh and mumble disapproving words under my breath, consciously monitoring my inclination to emit a string of curse words…With my mental temper tantrum in full rage, I look to my sweet child whose innocent enthusiasm to be given a “special project” is endearing.  I then make a willful attempt to back down from the proverbial edge, remind myself that I am a responsible grown-up, and make a half-hearted stab at encouragement muttering the lie, “This looks like fun.”

My third grader, who has historically been compliant and independent with her homework, had three hours of homework last Monday and two hours last Tuesday….that was just the start of the week!  Indeed, the whole year has not been this intense, but if this is a new trend, I am not liking it!  As part of the over-researched generation, I took to the internet to give me some guidance.  I found several bids that indicate that the 10 minute rule per grade is appropriate.  In fact, the National Education Association sites that the National PTA recommends just this.  What I found interesting, were a few articles that discussed the link between elementary school homework and achievement.  One such article references a well-known psychologist from Duke University, Harris M. Cooper, who is an expert on homework (I never knew there was such a thing).  His research has shown that although there appears to be a correlation between homework and improved achievement among middle and high school aged students, there appears to be no significant improvement in achievement for elementary school aged students.

When it comes to the youth of America, achievement may be operationally defined a million ways.  With the initiation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, standardized testing is here to stay.  When it comes to quantifying achievement, such tests are often used as the benchmark.   Some may argue that although achievement tests may not show remarkable improvement with the provision of homework, it may help children develop good study habits that will support their success in school when they get older.  Yet, some advocates assert that cultivating study skills at a young age is not always developmentally appropriate…..This chick certainly doesn’t know the answers to such questions.  However, it is a fact that the amount of homework for elementary age children has increased over the years.  Have our young children biologically evolved so drastically over years to warrant these increases?  I say let them be little!  They’re in school approximately seven hours a day, not including bus rides and aftercare in some cases.  If measurable achievement is not gained from the provision of extensive homework, why is it being given?  If the standard is 10 minutes per grade, then teachers need to stick to it.  I will attest that two and three hours of homework for my third grader are not beneficial following a long day at school.  Upon completion, she’s exhausted and has had no real opportunity to relax and play before bed.  I don’t believe that the psychological effect is worth the academic gain in such instances.  Enough is enough! 

Zippy Chix Recap:

Homework Horrors

  • The general recommendation for homework for elementary school children is 10 minutes per grade.  This is supported by the National PTA.
  • Studies show that increased amounts of homework for elementary school students does not translate into improved achievement at school. 
  • Are you having any issues with the amount of homework your child is getting?

Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love,

The Zippy Chix

22 Comments by admin on October 17, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness
tagged , , , , , , , ,

Dear College Student

Dear readers as I try to navigate the torrential waters of having a college age student, I thought that you may be amused with this gentle reminder to encourage my freshman to remember why she is actually in school.  Feel free to use it as a template.  As always….I am staying light and breezy on this one….

Dear College Student,

I hope that all is well with you and that you are having a nice evening.  I had a lunch with Grandma today, it was really enjoyable.  She took me to a cool restaurant that had lots of vegetarian items. :)   We enjoyed your call while we were having lunch together….we had just been chatting about you.  Your ears must have been ringing.

Honey, I think that you need to consider getting a little more sleep.  I know that you are having a great time at school….and you know that I am ALL about fun and want you to enjoy yourself.  For years you have heard me retell stories of the great time that I had in college, however my phone bill came in today and it shows your phone texting in and out at all hours of the night.  No wonder you are exhausted and having trouble focusing on a book….you must be seeing double.  We had minimal technology when I was in college, so this was not an issue way back in the olden days. 

Now just so you understand, even though you have withdrawn from the class that you abhorred, the other classes will still require your utmost attention.  The tests and quizzes and readings in those classes will require time and energy.  College work requires vigilance; I know that you are impatient sometimes and don’t like to spend too much time on any one thing, but you are going to have to use good time management skills in addition to clocking in more hours in dreamland.  

You need to learn to schedule your time and promise yourself that you will go to bed by a certain time during the week.  Try getting up earlier a few days a week and hitting the library or if your room is empty closing your door and cracking the old books.  If you want to achieve desirable grades you will need to make sure that you invest time daily when you are alert, fed, and feeling well or you will not get the most out of the college experience. 

That being said, with your current schedule there is still ample time for fun.  You know that I am so happy that you are enjoying a social life…just balance yourself.  Make sure that you make time for yourself, for school, for your girlfriends and for your boyfriend.  YOU can do it!!!! Time management is the key to all things!!!!

I love you very much,

MOM  XOXO  

That is the letter that I sent…..not quite the words that were in the forefront of my thoughts, but much more civil. :)   Has anyone had any experiences with college age children?  What are your secrets?

Zippy Recap:

  1. Even the most responsible college freshman will potentially falter
  2. When they are going to school hours away it is easy for them to push delete on an email….so be calm, cool and collected when writing your thoughts
  3. Picking up the phone or answering texts appears to be optional in college :)
  4. When all else fails take yourself back to when you were a freshman….hmmmmm my transcripts do not match the recollection of my actual grades

Stay light and breezy girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

19 Comments by admin on October 12, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness
tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Technology Rage

As I sit here attempting to open a Word document for my next light and breezy blog, I find my blood pressure rising and my frustration level increasing because my %@&* computer is not functioning properly.   I’ve heard of road rage, but I’m wondering if I have something called technology rage.  So, I want my computer to understand a few things:

Dear Computer,

I know you are not a living creature.  I know you probably don’t understand why I’m mad at you right now, but could you please hurry up.  I’m a momma with lots to say and no time.  Don’t you recognize that I depend on you to make my life more convenient and efficient!

And another thing, could you please stop beeping at me.  I have enough noise and chaos already.  You are supposed to make my life easier aren’t YOU????

I frequently get the message that I need to contact your administrator to fix a problem, but who might that actually be?  Could you please clarify since I’m your owner and don’t know how to fix the problem!

Sincerely,

Your Highly Dependent Owner and Slave!

Yes, my hobby and interest is to blog to other moms and women around the internet.  Yes, I work full time and run a household.  Still, it amazes me that only 10 years ago, I did not know what facebook was, did not have a laptop, hardly used my cell phone, and had no idea what it meant when someone said, “Google that.”!

As my dependency on technology and computers has heightened, I have also starting to wonder if there is a conspiracy going on…I mean my printer is always getting jammed or running out of toner at the most inconvenient of times.  My keyboard continues to pop out letter keys at me while I’m typing (already replaced one keyboard this year!), and my computer and internet service appears to run at a snails pace, no matter what internet service upgrade I’ve purchased.  At times, I could write faster than it takes to pull a word document up these days.  Yes, it may be time for a new laptop or a major upgrade…but seriously my computer is only a few years old….must we spend large quantities of money just to keep up with all the advances in technology only to have them last a few years before crashing!!

On the other hand, I can not live without my computer and all the accessories it comes with.  It’s kind of a love-hate relationship that I have accepted.  I only wish my computer would be a little less high maintenance…. Oh well, high maintenance is the nature of the game when you’re a multi tasking, frazzled, highly demanded upon kind of gal! 

Zippy Recap:

  • I often have to remind myself that the computer is not a living and breathing entity.
  • Sometimes I wonder if technology was invented as a conspiracy to drive the human race into a bunch of raging lunatics!
  • I still want to clarify that to contact the administrator when the computer is having an issue is not a good solution, when the administrator is me!
  • Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to vent my fury.  It always feels good to rant my feelings for the entire internet to see….oh if the Zippies could be so lucky!!!

Stay Lighter and Breezier than me girls! 

Love,

The Zippy Chix

7 Comments by admin on October 7, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness, Uncategorized
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Pet Etiquette 101

Okay neighbor….you don’t think I’m watching, but I have eyes everywhere.  Fido and you walk by my house every morning.  Although you and I are not associated with the same social circle, we have shared a number of cordial words and genial waves over the years.  I am in fact a dog aficionado with two cute and cuddly canines roaming around my house sampling treats and being spoken to like adorned children.  Moreover, I think that your Fido is adorable as well, except when he takes a dump in my yard.  It’s hard enough pooper scooping after my two angels, but my yard is not a toilet facility for your Fido.  I get the fact that when Fido has to go that it may be arduous to redirect the task.  I am reasonable; all I ask is that you, my shady neighbor, scoop the poop.  I realize that this is not a pleasurable task, especially when the byproduct is fresh.  However, step up or please divert your usual morning romp away from my yard.

In case you’re reading this, I would also like to share with you a few thoughts about polite pet decorum.  I am not insinuating that your Fido crosses these proverbial lines as I haven’t spent enough time with you.  However, I want to make sure that you understand several of the unspoken rules of responsible dog ownership since you clearly have boundary issues. 

  • Scoop the poop if Fido is not at home.
  • Don’t allow Fido to bound clumsily at guests.  Perhaps Fido is only trying to greet them, but allowing Fido to knock them on their A$$ is no way to keep or make friends. 
  • If Fido begins humping someone’s leg, be sure to address the issue.  If he doesn’t stop, you may want to consider removing him not only from your guest’s leg, but from the room. 
  • Redirect Fido if he begins putting his nose in someone’s crotch (we’ve all had it happen!).  PLEASE refrain from saying things like he must smell your dog.  That only makes matters worse.  Perhaps offer your guests a few carefully crafted words highlighting the fact that this type of situation has happened to you.  Misery loves company.

In a nutshell…no jumping, no humping, no precarious snuffling and lastly, PLEASE scoop the poop! 

Zippy Chix Recap:

Pet Etiquette 101

  • Please clean up after your pooch in public.
  • Be sensitive to social situations where your dog may put others at risk or make them feel uncomfortable.
  • Do any of you have any other statutes to add to the Zippy Manual of Conscientious Dog Ownership?

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…. 

Love,

The Zippy Chix

7 Comments by admin on October 5, 2010
filed in Creating Tranquility
tagged , , , , , ,
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