As a mom I often tell my children, “You are so pretty!” or “What a handsome boy I have!” I believe a parent is largely responsibility for shaping their child’s self-esteem, carefully molding it and building into something positive and wholesome.

Besides, have you met my children? They are pretty darn cute, large red cast and all.

I am often quick to add to these compliments a bit of reality, telling Miss E. and Isaac that what really makes one pretty or handsome is their heart and how they treat others. My mom used to say to me “Pretty is as pretty does“, meaning that one’s pretty looks can quickly be tainted by one’s less-than-stellar attitude.

The other day I was fixing E’s hair, which is usually a bit of bonding time and a bit of fighting time for the two of us. (Along with my “Pretty is as pretty does” quote that I toss around during such times, I usually throw out a “My-children-don’t-go-out-looking-like-stringy-ragamuffins-so-stand-still-while-I-fix-your-hair”.  And you thought we were all sunshine and smiles here at casa de phillips, huh?). After I had finished straightening and pulling her hair back, I spun her around to take a good look at my work. I said the normal thing any mother says when she looks at her baby girl, which was something like “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!” and planted a huge kiss on her nose.

I followed up my maternal gushing with the question of, “But what really makes us pretty, Miss E?”

I was hoping to hear her little three year old voice say, “A good attitude.”

Instead she looked me in the eye, smiled really big and said with a large amount of confidence, “A big bow!”

At least she understands the power of a good accessory.

In my pre-children days, I would frequently find myself at the movie theater with my husband, catching the latest budget-busting flick while munching on some popcorn and slurping down a cold beverage. As we sat in that darkened theater (completely oblivious to the fact that in a few short years, and two children later, such an excursion to the movies would be almost seem like a rendezvous to Paris), we would see movie trailers for upcoming kiddie movies that typically involved talking animals, potty humor and thinly veiled attempts to hide major product placement.

I would take a long sip of soda and think, “Ha, ha suckers! Glad we don’t have any children yet who make us go see such detestable children’s movies.”

Can we all have a moment of silence for the naive thinking we all possessed in those pre-children years?

Now I do have children and I (sadly) do not frequent the movie theater to catch those blockbuster films as often as I would like. When I see trailers for upcoming kiddie movies, I find myself silently praying that either A. The children happen to be in the other room when said trailers comes on the television or B. The grandparents are simply dying to take the children to the latest kiddie movie, leaving the husband and myself free to watch something of substance and quality.

Then one day I happened to catch the trailer for “Ramona and Beezus.”

As the voice-over guy spoke about sisterly bonds and nine year old antics, I was immediately taken back to second grade, huddled under the sheets of my bed at night, furiously reading all of the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary. Ramona, by far, was my favorite literary character of my youth. When I was given the chance to preview this upcoming movie and chat with two of its stars, I might have possibly let out a little squeal.

Okay, it was a big squeal. But I digress.

The movie, starring newcomer Joey King as Ramona and Grand Praire-native Selena Gomez as big sister Beezus, hits theaters Friday July 23. Other well-known actors such as Ginnifer Goodwin, Bridget Moynahan, Josh Duhamel, Sandra Oh and John Corbitt ( Yes, “Aiden” is now playing someone’s dad. Sigh.) round out the cast. “Ramona and Beezus” is a breath of fresh air for those parents wanting to take the entire family to the theater for a movie-watching experience everyone will enjoy. This film follows the antics of one highly-creative nine year old girl, Ramona Quimby, as she attempts to save the day for her family. Inspired by the characters created by author Beverly Cleary in the 1950’s, “Ramona and Beezus” takes a timeless look at sibling interaction, family stress (true to the book, Mr. Q looses his job in the movie), and how a little imagination and a lot of love can carry one far in this world.

Those familiar with Ramona (there are 8 books in the series), will find some very familiar content in the film, from how Ramona makes a kitty cat out of the ”Q” in her last name to her infamous yelling of a bad word (no fear, parents, Ramona’s “bad word” is the quite tame) to the quiet nod to Ramona’s beloved red rain boots. For those who might never have poured over the pages of a Beverly Cleary story, “Ramona and Beezus” will still hold quite a bit of charm. Joey King who portrays Ramona nails the whimsical spirit of this character, providing a smile and large eyes that illuminate the screen during the course of the movie. Selena Gomez, although a bit glamorous to portray someone named “Beezus”, is able to dispel a convincing amount of big sister advice while maintaining a sense of annoyance by Ramona’s behaviors.

My main complaint with the movie is that it is long (104 minutes to be exact). At times, it felt like the writers attempted to incorporate too many details from the books into the movie, thus creating something that bogged viewers down at times. My almost-five year old son accompanied me on this movie watching experience. Although he loved the film, he did begin to grow weary in the last 15 minutes. I believe  the overall quality of the movie would have been improved if about 20 minutes of this film had been left on the editing room floor (mainly the love story between Beezus and Henry Hudgins, which just felt a bit wrong on some level).

I greatly enjoyed the movie “Ramona and Beezus”. I appreciated how it strived to remain true to these characters that were created over 60 years ago by a very talented children’s author. I respected its attempts to portray the difficult nature of family relationships in a way that is understandable to both child and adult. I was thankful that the movie told a solid story that is both timeless and applicable to today’s family.

And I am forever grateful that the movie was free from talking animals and potty humor.

“Ramona and Beezus”, rated G, hits theaters Friday July 23rd. Check it out and let us at BurbMom know what you think!

Moms often struggle with finding the balance between keeping a house running (laundry, vaccuming, dusting, mopping, more laundry) and interacting with their young children. Instead of tending to daily chores while small children play under foot or nap, have children help with the household chores. Toddlers have the ability to help with various chores around the home, making an important contribution to the family. Involving young children in household chores increases their self-help skills, enourages independance and builds self-esteem. The best part about a toddler helping with various chores is they tend to think helping is fun and are incredibly eager to help out Mom or Dad.

In the kitchen, toddlers can help sweep up floors with a small handheld broom and dustpan. They can wipe down tables and chairs and take nonbreakable dishes to the sink at the end of a meal. Toddlers can also help load items into the dishwasher, such as spoons, reusable containers, and plastic drink cups.

Toddlers’ rooms are also a great place where they can help out Mom or Dad. Toddlers can put their dirty clothes into the laundry hamper and place shoes into an easily accessable shoe bin. They can put toys away into a toy basket and help tidy their sleeping space. Young children can be taught how to hang up clothing, such as knit shirts or jackets, onto child-sized hangers.

In larger family areas, such as the living room, toddlers can help out by dusting with a dry cloth or a premade duster. They can tidy pillows on couches, put books on lower bookshelves, and help deliver  “lost” items to their appropriate location in the house. Toddlers can also be of assistance in the laundry room by helping sort whites and colors, putting wash into the machine, and folding small items such as washclothes and towels.

Involving children in household chores at an early age teaches responsibility and establishes the notion that a family needs to work together as a unit to keep their house running effectiently. Although a toddler is quite able to help with a variety of chores, be mindful of the chiild’s safety. Cleaning products should never be given to a child to use nor should toddlers be allowed to help clean around hot water, stovetops, or dangerous items such as kitchen knives. Avoid micro-managing toddlers as they complete their chores, instead provide positive guidance and praise them for a job well done.

How does your toddler help out at home? Leave a comment and share with fellow readers about how your little ones help contribute to household duties.

The middle of July marks the half-way point of the summer. By this point in the season, children are starting to become a bit restless, standard summer activities of swimming and playing outside are beginning to lose a bit of their luster, and cries of boredom are beginning to escape from little one’s mouths. Below are a list of boredom busters; a collection of tips and tricks to use on restless summer days.

* Make an indoor “sandbox” out of dried beans. Fill an empty plastic container with dried beans, measuring cups and spoons and set the children lose.

*Watercolor with unusual objects. Try watercoloring with a mixture of condensed milk and food coloring or with colored ice. Mix water and food coloring together to make paints to use on food items such as toast and popcorn.

*Construct a tent out of blankets. Gather various books, pillows, and flashlights to create a cozy reading area inside of the tent.

*Get out a “secret” stash of toys. Keep a box full of forgotten kid’s meal toys and birthday favors hidden away until boredom strikes. Such a collection is quite interesting when reintroduced.

*Set up a dish washing station at the kitchen sink. Allow children to wash plastic containers, toy dishes, and nonbreakable kitchen items in a sink of sudsy water.

*Play an indoor game of flashlight tag. Close the blinds, draw the curtains and gather a bounty of flashlights. Play tag by having the person who is “It” attempt to find the others by shining a flashlight on their hiding spaces. After the game is over, enjoy making shadow shapes on the ceiling with the flashlights

Yesterday afternoon the temperature gage in my car read 109 degrees. 

Unless I have unknowingly moved to Arizona and am planning on xeriscaping my front yard, 109 degrees is not okay with me. 

Due to our extreme heat (which will continue until November when we might be blessed with a cold snap of 72 degree weather), we are forced to retreat to the cool waters of our community pool if we dare venture outside. 

My fair city is blessed with two excellent community pools. Growing up I lived in a town whose community pool was less than excellent. It typically had a long garden hose feeding water into it on a continuous basis due to a large leak. The kiddie pool was merely a 6 inch deep rectangle surrounded by concrete. Although I swam in this pool on a daily basis as part of a swim team, I never graced it waters for any leisurely activity. 

Imagine my surprise when Tobe and I moved here seven years ago and discovered that a community pool can be nice and free from ominous cracks in the depths of the deep end. 

Our family visits the pool on a regular basis (The children and I have already gone three times this week…and it is just now Wednesday.). We all enjoying splashing around in the water and attempting to fool our bodies from thinking we are spending time outdoors in what some may consider desert-like temperatures. 

Being a frequent patron of the community pool has made me realize not everyone understands the social mores which are involved in such a group activity. This has prompted me to share a few of the basic Pool Rules I believe everyone should follow while enjoying my local community pool.

Rule #1: If you currently are growing a beard, wearing some sort of supportive undergarments, or partake in mandatory state-standardized tests during the month of April…then you are likely taller than the height limit for the kiddie pool. Please know if you do not heed the height requirement, I will pull out my mean mama attitude and get the lifeguard to toss you back to the regular pool. 

 

 

 

 

Rule #6: If you decide to bring your young child swimming, please decide to watch said young child. I already have my hands full attempting to watch a fearless little girl do her best impersonation of a fish and keep an eye on a determined four year old boy in gray goggles. My conscious will not let me ignore the fact that your 15 month old daughter is wading in water too deep for her while you scan US Weekly from the side of the pool. 

Any rules you might care to add?

Every time a “dad” holiday pops up (Christmas, birthday, Father’s Day), I find myself always going towards the men’s ties.

The necktie is a pretty simple gift. Elegant, yet practical for every day use. It is easy to wrap, comes in a variety of colors and styles and can be purchased regardless of one’s budget.

The only problem with the necktie…it is slightly boring.

Okay…it’s really boring.

This year, step away from the tie section at your local department store and make a tie cake for dad instead.

Take a deep breath (or twenty) and invite the children into the kitchen with you. Start by making your favorite cake, whether it comes from a box or from scratch. I love the recipe Hershey’s chocolate provides on their website. Once the cake is baked and cooled (never forget the cooling step or the icing will melt), give everyone a knife and start icing. I find peanut butter icing to be quite delicious on a chocolate cake.

Once the cake is iced, let the creative juices flow. Outline a necktie on the top of the cake and fill in with candy. Some great choices for fillers include M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, Jelly Beans, Jr. Mints or even blueberries (for the health-conscious dad). Let the children really take charge of this task and encourage them to design a patterned tie. Consider writing something corny, yet affectionate on the cake, such as “Dad, you tie us all together!”

Most likely the Dad in your life will be quite impressed with his tie cake, likely more so than opening another rectangle box filled with another boring tie.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads lurking around BurbMom!

Last Thursday I was weeding through my email inbox when something caught my attention. A newsletter I subscribe to had a link for pancakes.

Here at casa de phillips, we *heart* pancakes (with the exception of Miss E. who only has eyes…and a stomach…for waffles) so any link with a mention of these tasty treats immediately gets my attention. When I saw the particular type of pancakes this newsletter was promoting I knew we must have them.

Here are the pancake molds said newsletter was telling me I must purchase that instant.

Yes, these are Star Wars pancake molds.

Casa de phillips has one adult male born in the 1970′s, thus he loves all things Star Wars. Casa de phillips also has one 4.5 year old little boy, whose father has shown him all three Star Wars movies.

Now he loves Star Wars.

The minute I saw that my favorite kitchen storewas carrying molds that would enable me to make Star Wars pancakes at home, I knew I must purchase them ASAP. I told the husband I was running an errand, kissed the children and raced to the nearest Williams Sonoma.

My two boys looked at me quizically when I arrived home, carting a large sack from a kitchen store and telling them I had a surprise for them inside the bag. Those looks of confusion changed quickly into joy when I pulled out the new Star Wars pancake molds.

A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach…especially when Darth Vader-shaped pancakes are involved.

Behold the molds:

I immediately set about whipping up my famous pancake batter. Then I transferred the mix into this special pancake bottle.If you have ever attempted to make pancakes from a mold, then you understand that this little bottle is a necessity.

Yoda, Darth Vader, and misc. storm tropper looked good as they sat cooking on my griddle.

Then I attempted to pull off the molds so I could flip the pancake.

This was what my pancake looked like:

I realized I forgot to spray my molds with non-stick cooking spray beforehand. Oops. I trashed the first batch, pulled out my Pam and started again.

The second time was successful. Sure there were a few Yoda’s with funny shaped ears and a storm trooper missing the bottom part of his face, but this little boy did not seem to mind one bit.

I find it a bit humorous that little girls spend a majority of their play time pretending to be an adult. While my son is off playing with a Batman figurine or crafting another piece of art to hang from our mantel, my daughter is busying herself with making sure all her animals are asleep, whipping up such delicacies as banana spaghetti pie and dusting anything she can find. She received a coffee pot for Christmas, which has been one of her favorite gifts by far. Most days she can be found either brewing coffee or washing the coffee pot so she can brew more coffee.

Little girls devote all this play time to imitating real life…until suddenly they are adults and the tasks of putting babies to sleep and doing laundry do not hold quite the same appeal as it once did (okay…putting babies to sleep still holds some appeal but laundry not so much).

Perhaps girls start practicing for their future roll as “mom” because mommyhood happens to be terribly busy.  It takes a lot of skill to change diapers, vacuum up Goldfish crumbs, help Thomas navigate a wobbly wooden track, administer kisses to bumped knees and banged heads, cheer on the latest accomplishments, cook supper that is both healthy and acceptable to the delicate palates of young children, find creative ways to say “no” to the latest wild idea (catapult your sister off the end of a yard stick, anyone?) and keep up with the aspects of life. People often wonder how moms do it. Perhaps it is because we have been practicing from the moment our chubby toddler fingers could push a wobbly toy stroller around the house.

I practiced cooking many a meal on my Little Tikes kitchen growing up. Perhaps such practice lead to my success in the kitchen last night. I whipped up a tasty little dinner for casa de phillips in record time, despite the fact we were gone all morning, I had spent the majority of the afternoon writing and one child had attended school that day (Do school days make things a bit crazy at your house or is it just here?).  After I posted my dinner success on Facebook, I decided I should share it with the blog world as well. It may not be banana spaghetti pie, but it is pretty good. And it is easy, which always wins an award in my book.

Steak Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Rice and homemade pico de gallo

Step One: Sprinkle salt and pepper over a nice quality steak (Tip: wait for a sale and buy quality meat. Cheap steak is cheap for a reason). Chop up about 1/4 of an onion and toss it in the bottom of a crock pot. Throw the steak on top of the onion, cover with either beef broth or water. Cook on low about five hours, depending on thickness of steak.

Step Two: Continue on with life as normal while the steak simmers away in the crock pot.

Step Three: Make up a big bowl of Pioneer Woman’s pico de gallo, taking care when handeling the jalepeno.

Step Four: Toss a bag of Bird’s Eye frozen brown rice into the microwave and cook according to directions (Moment of honesty here: I cannot cook rice to save my life. I have no idea why. I cannot even cook it in a rice cooker. Thus, I have turned to frozen steamable rice. Please don’t judge my lack of rice making skills.).

Step Five: Heat up whole wheat tortillas in the microwave. Sprinkle water on two paper towels and wrap around tortillas before placing them in the microwave for 22 seconds. (We only eat Central Market tortillas here, which I purchase fresh on the day we plan to eat them. Yes, I am a tortilla snob. You will be too once you try these lovelies.)

Step Six: Chop up a bit of cilantro and juice half a lime. Stir into cooked rice, adding butter and salt as needed.

Step Seven: Pull out cooked steak from crock-pot. Shred with two forks.

Step Eight:Lay everything out on the table “family style”. Let everyone build their dream taco with ingredients provided (I also put out sour cream and cheese). Listen to the appreciative oh’s and ah’s come from your family’s lips.

I love a good holiday….especially one that gives me an excuse to eat dessert.

Memorial Day is no exception. As I honor those who have served and continue to serve our great nation, I also plan on feasting on a variety of summer holiday essentials: hamburgers, chips and queso, salads of all variety, and dessert.

In my opinion, no holiday is complete without dessert.

The trouble with summer holidays is that one must wear a swimsuit during those months when neighbors are hosting block parties complete with ice cream sundae buffets and family members are getting together for reunions that involve various types of cakes and cookies. It is much easier to eat one (or two) pieces of pie at Thanksgiving, knowing that your wardrobe can consists of long turtlenecks and bulky layers for the next few months. Unfortunately the summer monthsand its gatherings are not nearly as forgiving.

My desire for a delicious dessert and my need to fit in my swimsuit later this week when I take my children to the pool have caused me to be creative in the kitchen as I prepare desserts for our Memorial Day celebration.

Enter: the brownie fruit kabob.

Making these little sticks of delicious-ness is quite simple and they are relatively forgiving to one’s waistline.

First gather the following items:

*Brownies  (they can be homemade, from a box, or swiped from your mother-in-law’s kitchen while she is out of the room)

*Various types of fruit

*wooden skewers (available on the baking aisle at most grocery stores)

*chocolate syrup

*marshmallows

Directions:

1. Cut brownies and fruit (if needed) into small (about one inch) squares.
2. Line cookie sheet/plate with waxed paper. Alternatively thread brownie squares and fruit onto kabob.
3. Drizzle chocate syrup over kabob. Serve.
4. Take children to the pool with total confidence in your ability to fit into this year’s swimsuit.

The great thing about Brownie Fruit Kabobs is that you get a little taste of chocolate along with a nice serving of fruit. If you want to save some extra calories, skip the chocolate syrup. Opt to dip them into sugar-free, fat-free whipped cream instead.

Spruce these kabobs up for Memorial Day by giving them a patriotic flair. Use raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows to give the kabobs a “red, white, and blue” theme.

Enjoy!