Our first pet(s)

We gave Ryan a fish bowl for his birthday with the promise of a trip to the pet store.

Tonight, we went to the pet store after dinner. Ryan looked and looked and looked...


...and decided on a frog.


We were told that frogs live well with beta fish, so Kaylin left the store with a fish of her own.


Please give a warm blogosphere welcome to Kelly the fish and Billy the frog.


The frog grosses me out almost as badly as the dried blood worms we bought to feed it. Blech. I mean...YEA! Pets!!!

*expired* Super Summer Giveaway {Jadyn's Jewelbox}

This contest is over, but you can see my current giveaways by clicking: HERE.

Jadyn's Jewelbox jewelry designs are about making a statement. Starting a conversation. Telling a story. Jadyn’s Jewebox features distinct designs inspired by fashion vogues from eras past – from Art Deco to modern times. This jewelry showcases a mix of new and vintage beads, chains, semi-precious stones and charms.

From the owner:
"Jadyn's Jewelbox was inspired by my daughter, Jadyn, who loves rummaging through my old jewelbox filled with treasures from three generations. I'm drawn to the thrill of the hunt for unique components that I use in my designs – especially vintage. That’s what tells a good story. I love making upcycled jewelry from a mix of new and vintage beads, chains, semiprecious stones, brooches and other jewelry parts and pieces. I especially like beads with texture such as carved floral beads. I definitely have a weakness for that! I also make bridal jewelry and welcome custom work for any occasion."

The winner* of this contest will win this necklace...


Perfect for a special occasion or a night on the town. A wonderful way to add sparkle to that little black dress. An intricate brass Art Deco style pendant inlaid with jet black crystals and carved with flowers and leaves is the focal of this necklace. It suspends from Austrian crystal jet black and crystal clear cupcake style rhinestone chain. The necklace measures 19 inches and the pendant is 2.5 inches long. It finishes with a gold lobster clasp.


There are multiple ways to enter to win. Each entry needs to have your first name, city and state and email address (typed as "yourname(at)yahoo(dot)com" to avoid spam):

1. Simply leave a comment on this post with your first name, city and state and email address.

2. Subscribe to Intentionally Katie and leave a separate comment once you're a follower.

3. "Like" Jadyn's Jewelbox on Facebook: here. Leave an additional comment once you're a follower.

4. Follow Jadyn's Jewelbox on Twitter: here. Leave an additional comment once you're a follower.

5. Link back to this contest post either on your own blog, on Facebook or on Twitter. Come back and leave a separate comment for each link; this can be an additional three entries.

You can see more creations from Jadyn's Jewelbox on their blog or at their Etsy shop or contact her directly at 480-205-4388.

*Open to US and international residents. The winner will be announced on Friday, July 2nd and has 48 hours to contact me to claim their prize. If I don't hear from the winner by Sunday, another entry will be randomly selected.

Winner Announcement - Buttoned Up

The winners of the Buttoned Up giveaway are both SavannahsSmiles and Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend! Congratulations Christina and Teresa!

Check back tomorrow for the next Super Summer Giveaway. Be sure to see how you can enter multiple times. The first entry is a freebie and you can leave additional comments for following my blog, following the giveaway company on FB and Twitter or posting about the contest on your own. Lots of chances to enter!!!

Q&A Wednesday - Disneyland Tips

Jackie from New Zealand asked, "We are heading to Disneyland later in the year, will need to get around by taxi or bus. What do you think are good places to take 8 year old boy, 11 year old girl, Mum, Dad and Nan? We have Disneyland pass, Universal Studios tour, Medieval dinner and thats all so far. Thanks."

I'm no expert, Jackie, but I did just go to Disneyland last year. It was my first visit as an adult and I hope to return with our family when each child turns five.


I know you didn't ask for frugal tips, but since you're traveling half way across the world for this trip, I'd venture to guess that you'd like to save where you can.

The first thing I would suggest, before you enter Disneyland, is to stock up on some Disney souveniers outside the park. I'm not sure what you have available in New Zealand, but if you even wait until you get to the states, then hit a store like Target or Walmart to find Disney-themed shirts, bags, etc. If you buy them on site, you'll pay a fortune and if you buy a few things ahead of time, you'll be less tempted to go crazy when you arrive at Disneyland. Because seriously...their stuff is really, really, really tempting.

I'd also suggest going to the grocery store and buying bottles of water and snacks (granola bars, dried fruit, stuff that you can carry in your purse) while at the parks. The food inside is pricey and Disney doesn't mind if you bring your own.

As far as places to go, I'm a big fan of the character dining. I'm not sure if your kids are too old to think that's fun, but I did a character breakfast in college and still loved it. The characters come around to your table and give you one-on-one picture taking opportunities. We did Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel on a day that we weren't planning on going to Disneyland, but I later learned that for the places that are inside of the parks (Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure and Breakfast with Minnie and Friends in Disneyland) you can enter the park early and avoid the crowds to get in. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time (like now) because time slots fill up quickly.


Someplace that we also really enjoyed was Downtown Disney. It's across from Disneyland and is a great place to spend some time either during the day or at night. It's mostly a shopping area; no admission required. They have live entertainment outside and tons of Disney stores to walk through. The Rainforest Cafe is a fun, family place to eat and is at the entrance of Downtown Disney - your kids will love the atmosphere and the food is really good.

My last tip is the Fast Pass system for rides at Disneyland. Once in the park, ask about an employee about it. You can grab a ticket at certain rides and avoid waiting in lines later in the day. You can do twice as much in the same amount of time by avoiding the long lines.

Be sure to also check out my interview with the Good Deal Gal about how to do Disneyland on a budget. There are other tips on that post from both of us about ways to enjoy your Disney experience.

Anyone else have any tips for Jackie? Please leave a comment if you do!

Summer Vacation Done Right!

We got off to a rocky start this summer break. Kaylin was competing for attention, Ryan wasn't used to being home so much and wandered around the house looking for something to do, the kids weren't used to so much time together, fighting ensued, jealousy developed...it wasn't fun.

But once I discovered that I was dealing with a classic case of middle child syndrome and began spending one-on-one time with each child at the beginning of each day, Ryan and Kaylin remembered that they have a best friend in each other.

And it's been great.

They've gone back to doing everything together and dressing alike daily...

(stuffed animal "jewelry")


(wearing goggles when there are no plans to go swimming)


(pretending their bedrooms were outer space and wearing full protective space gear - I think Jason was an alien they found on another planet)

(combating evil together)


Ryan has even started "doing Kaylin's hair" every day. He's so proud of the fact that he can make his own hair spikey that he wants everyone to enjoy his hairstyling talents...


Here are a few other pictures from last week. We went to a fun new-to-us public pool...




We've also had play dates and friends come over to swim...


...and Ryan has developed a new love for indoor kitchen hockey. As a result of falling in love during a play date, he got hockey sticks for his birthday. (Thanks, Jake and Joe!)


Every day, I've thought, "Now THIS is what summer should be like!" I'm glad we all found our groove.

Interview with Ryan {6 years old}

In the spirit of family interviews, I decided to ask my newly six year old a few questions to add to my scrapbook. This may be entertaining only for me, so feel free to skim or skip this altogether!

Me: So Ryan, now that you're six, do you know what you want to be when you grow up?

Ryan: A policeman. That way, when people are speeding, I can stop them so they don't get in an accident and fall out of the car and die if they're not wearing their seat belt.

Me: What is your favorite color?

Ryan: Blue. And orange.

Me: What's your favorite animal?

Ryan: Monkey. No, a fish. No. Um...coyotes. Definitely a coyote.

Me: If you could have any pet you wanted, what would it be?

Ryan: Hmmm...a tiger. (Just like his mama - I have never told him this, but I totally wanted a pet tiger growing up! Mom - can you believe he said that???)

Me: What's your favorite food?

Ryan: Donuts. And my favorite book is the Bible.

Me: What is your favorite dessert?

Ryan: It's already on there. Donuts.

Me: Then what's your favorite dinner?

Ryan: Guess. Try to guess.

Me: Um...tacos?

Ryan: Nope. But Mom - it has a P as the first letter. Actually an M. Okay, I'll just tell you because it's a long word. Mac 'n' Cheese.

Me: We hardly ever have mac 'n' cheese. Why is that your favorite?

Ryan: Because it's sweet.

Me: Sweet? Like donuts?

Ryan: Yeah!

Me: Okaaaaaaaaay...what's your least favorite thing to eat.

Ryan: Chili.

Me: Really?!?!?

Ryan: Yeah, because it's too hot when it comes out and when you're done baking it. (?????)

Me: What is your favorite thing to do?

Ryan: Play with my friends.

Me: What is your favorite thing to do with our family?

Ryan: Watch tv.

Me: Really? Why? We hardly ever do that as a family. Do you mean watch movies?

Ryan: That too.

Me: Why is that your favorite?

Ryan: Because I get to snuggle with Daddy and Mommy.

Me: What's your favorite thing to play with your sister?

Ryan: Goose. Duck, duck, goose. (It sounded like, "Bond...James Bond...")

Me: What's your favorite sport?

Ryan: Hockey!!!!!

Me: What's your least favorite sport?

Ryan: Soccer. Because you can't even pick up the ball when you're not a goalie.

Me: What is your least favorite chore?

Ryan: Vacuuming. I actually like cleaning the bathroom.

Me: We're going to make a good team, buddy.

Ryan: Are we done?

Me: No. What's your least favorite house rule?

Ryan: Lying.

Me: What, you want to lie all the time?

Ryan: No - not lying.

Me: Why is that your least favorite?

Ryan: Okay, it's not lying. That's not hard. Not screaming. Cause you always say we can't even scream outside sometimes.

Me: What is the easiest rule to follow?

Ryan: Help Mom and Dad.

Me: That's not a rule.

Ryan: Like chores and stuff.

Me: Do you mean helping others with a happy heart?

Ryan: Yeah, that one. Are we done?

Me: No.

Ryan: This is too much! I want to go downstairs and play hockey with Daddy. I think he's done with the dishes.

Me: Almost.

Ryan: I know one! What's my favorite state?

Me: What IS your favorite state?

Ryan: Where the cheetahs live.

Me: Africa?

Ryan: Yeah! Africa!!!

Me: That's a country. (oops, I meant a continent...)

Ryan: Okay. So Africa is my favorite country. Now are we done?

Me: Yes. We can be done.

This may have to be an annual birthday tradition...or maybe I can video tape the interviews for simplicity and voice fluctuation. Some of the things that came out of his mouth cracked me up.

A Father's Day Interview

Last week, my friend April interviewed her husband and it was hilarious. Then again, she could make an interview with the Pope hilarious.

Thanks to this blog, I have a great record of my thoughts and feelings, but it occurred to me after reading April's interview that I'd like to look back someday and remember what was going on in Mike's head. So, because I am a complete copycat I was so inspired, I decided to borrow the idea.

And what better day to interview the man I love than on Father's Day?


During dinner last night, I started in without warning...

Me: Is it okay if I interview you for Father's Day?

Mike: (looking at me suspiciously) I guess...

Me: So, did you have a fun Father's Day?

Mike: (nodding) Sure.

Me: What was your favorite part of the day?

Mike: Eating steaks.

Me: I was so excited to find grass fed steaks on sale for $4.99/lb!

Mike: And swimming would be close behind it.

Me: It wasn't breakfast in bed?!?

Mike: That turned out to be more of "breakfast at the table."

Me: I'm sure it wasn't much fun eating alone up there anyway.

Mike: Actually, that probably would have been 4th. Batting around the balloon with the kids would have been 3rd. (Mike made up a game with me and the kids where we batted a balloon back and forth in the family room, similar to volleyball. We played for almost an hour - the kids loved it.)

Me: Wha...??? Come on!

Mike: Well, you could tell the kids didn't help much. (with breakfast) Except for the flower.

Me: No, I picked that.

Mike: (chewing) Actually, the best part of my day was these crunchy green beans. Anytime you have to chew a green bean 50 times, you know they're good!

Me: (laughing)

Mike: (still chewing...) Seriously.

Me: What's your favorite thing about being a dad?

Mike: When the kids tell me they love me.

Kaylin: I love you, Dad.

Mike: (at Kaylin) When you come up to me, unsolicited, and tell me you love me, it makes it all worthwhile.

Kaylin: I love the whole family.

Mike: I love it when you say you love the whole family.

Me: What do you think about being a father of three?

Mike: It's stressful at times, but very exciting to see how they turn out. (turns to the family room) NO, Ryan...DON'T push Jason down.

Ryan: I'm trying to make him laugh! Watch this...

(brief intermission to put the kids to bed)

Me: What's it like being married to me?

Mike: Challenging.

Me: HEY!

Mike: (laughing)

Me: No, seriously!

Mike: What do you want me to say, honey?

Me: That it's amazing and that I'm awesome and that every day is an adventure...

Mike: I could, but I'd be fibbing a little bit.

Me: Nice!

Mike: Wait a minute...what does this have to do with Father's Day???

Me: It doesn't. I was just trying to find out what's going on in your head.

Mike: Riiiiiiiiiight...are we done now?

Me: No.

Mike: But it's my Father's Day. I want to go watch a man movie.

Me: Can I have five minutes?

Mike: No.

Me: Three?

Mike: I'll give you one.

Me: So what's your favorite thing about Ryan right now?

Mike: That he's really being helpful in a lot of different areas. Contributing to the household. And that he's starting to get into sports more.

Me: What about Kaylin?

Mike: That she's affectionate. She like to give me hugs.

Me: And Jason?

Mike: He's just so darn cute.

Me: What's your favorite thing to do with the kids?

Mike: All three of them at the same time?

Me: (shrugging) Whatever.

Mike: Probably swim.

Me: What about separately?

Mike: Ryan...I like to play sports; football and basketball with him. Kaylin...I really like that she'll just hang out with me; hang out on the back patio right next to me. Shoulder time. And with Jason I like that he likes to give me hugs. And I like to see the smile on his face.

Me: (typing away)

Mike: That's all I have for right now. I'm ready to go relax.

Me: Thanks for letting me interview you, honey.

Mike: You're welcome.

Me: Would you mind if I put this on my blog?

Mike: Um...sure.

Me: You didn't say anything embarrassing.

Mike: If I did, just edit it out.

Me: No need...it's fine the way it is.

Mike: Wanna watch The Patriot?

Me: We need to buy you more man movies. There's more to life than Braveheart, The Patriot and Band of Brothers.

Mike: I need to own The Gladiator.

(...aaaaaaaaaaaaand...SCENE)

Ryan is SIX

June 20, 2004 was Father's Day, just like today. I spent all day in labor and three hours pushing - Ryan was 9 lbs 4 oz with a gigantic head that was face-up instead of face-down. Once my doctor manipulated him a little bit, he finally graced us with his presence at 11:38pm. Mike was thrilled for his first child to be born on Father's Day. Barely, but he made it!

(Ryan - 1 week old)

This year, having a birthday on Father's Day meant that neither Ryan, nor Mike, would be exclusively special all day long, as they deserve. And I couldn't have that.

So we pretended yesterday was Ryan's birthday. I gave him the choice of celebrating yesterday or today and, of course, he chose the earliest day possible.

I repeated the tradition of filling Ryan's room with balloons while he was sleeping Friday night. Jason has loved playing with them as they've floated around our house all weekend.


After waffles for breakfast (his choice), he opened some gifts.


I wrapped up a fish bowl and announced that we were finally getting him a pet. He was so excited he could hardly stand it.




Then my mom picked him up to go shopping for a pair of "Nike swoosh basketball shoes." They are the second pair of Nikes Ryan has owned (the first were size 3-6 months - thanks Auntie DutchMac!) but these will officially reign as Ryan's most expensive shoes to date.


He felt like a big shot wearing them to his first basketball game yesterday. Such a great way for a six year old to spend his birthday!


After the game, we swam and bar-b-qued with my mom and Mike's brother, then had a giant cookie cake for dessert. Ryan stayed up way too late and went to bed exhausted with a huge sugar high. Just the way a six year old birthday should end.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!

*expired* Super Summer Giveaway {Buttoned Up - Organizational Products}

(**This contest has ended. Check out the current weekly contest by clicking HERE.**)

Give the gift of time! Three entrants to this contest will win a booklet containing 20 coupons to help you lighten the load of someone you love. The set includes coupons for everyday tasks like taking out the trash, doing the laundry and running errands. Give one coupon at a time or the whole book at once - and put a smile on someone's face!

- Ready to give coupon booklet is perfect as a birthday gift or a stocking stuffer.
- 20 pre-printed, illustrated coupons.
- Each coupon is perforated so you have the option of giving one coupon at a time.

There are multiple ways to enter to win. Each entry needs to have your first name, city and state and email address (typed as "yourname(at)yahoo(dot)com" to avoid spam):

1. Simply leave a comment on this post with your first name, city and state and email address.

2. Subscribe to Intentionally Katie and leave a separate comment once you're a follower.

3. "Like" Buttoned Up on Facebook: here. Leave an additional comment once you're a follower.

4. Follow Buttoned Up on Twitter: here. Leave an additional comment once you're a follower.

5. Link back to this contest post either on your own blog, on Facebook or on Twitter. Come back and leave a separate comment for each link; this can be an additional three entries.

*Open to US residents only, please. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 25th and has 48 hours to contact me to claim their prize. If I don't hear from the winner by Sunday, another entry will be randomly selected.

One-on-One Time with Kids

After posting about my middle child syndrome situation recently, I got a lot of feedback about giving each child one-on-one time. It occurred to me that the days that the kids are well behaved MAY be days that they get individual positive attention from me and/or Mike. That totally makes sense!

Every morning, I've gotten into the habit of giving each child my undivided attention for at least 15 minutes. It usually starts with Jason. He and I eat first and the kids tend to dawdle at the breakfast table, so while they are finishing up, I get down on the floor and play with Jason for a while.

Once the big kids are done eating, I read them their Bible lesson. It works out well - Jason plays happily on his own because he just got a bunch of attention from me. That gives the rest of us a chance to read our daily devotion book and go over some scripture memory verses together.

From there, I ask who wants to play with Jason first. Ryan usually wants to play with Jason while I spend time with Kaylin. Since we're on break from school, I'm currently using the one-on-one time as learning time. I have some flashcards that explain sounds and I go over different cards with each child. Kaylin gets the general alphabet sounds and Ryan gets the sound groups like sh, ch, ing, ough, ow, ed...and dozens of others. When the child gets burned out on learning (generally around 15 minutes) then we switch. I let them be the guide in determining how long we do the cards, unless they give up after a ridiculous amount of time, like two minutes.




It's surprising how just 15 minutes with Mom fills their love tank for hours. All three kids will play happily once they get that positive attention first thing in the morning. The big kids get along better with each other, they want to play with Jason and they are creative in coming up with games and activities instead of wandering around the house bored or getting into trouble...it's been amazing!

The mornings have become so calm around my house. The kids are running and giggling and playing, Jason rolls around on the floor with his toys and is perfectly content for long stretches of time, I've been catching up on the household chores and have even been able to work out in the family room, uninterrupted, while the kids play around me. Seriously...amazing!

I even got this post typed while Jason napped and the kids played freeze tag downstairs!

Now, I don't expect that first 15 minutes to last the whole day, just a couple of hours while I get my own stuff done. Once my to do list is checked off, I'm able to fully engage with the kids and I'm not distracted by piles of laundry, dishes or errands calling my name. On that note, I was just told that {pretend} bees are attacking and that I have to hide. Gotta go take cover...

Winner Announcement - Kelly Joy Boutique

The winner of the Kelly Joy Boutique giveaway is...#11 - one frugal lady!!! Congratulations!

Check back tomorrow for the next Super Summer Giveaway. Be sure to see how you can enter multiple times. The first entry is a freebie and you can leave additional comments for following me, the company on FB and Twitter or posting about the contest on your own. Lots of chances to enter!!!

Q&A Wednesday - Freezing Fresh Foods

After my post listing out my kitchen staples last week, Kendra asked, "This was helpful to see what you keep in the freezer. I need to be better about freezing things before we need to pitch it. Like the chicken broth in my frig right now! :-) A couple of questions: The chopped onion & celery in your freezer, is that what you've chopped from fresh and then frozen in little ziplocs? Also, how do you make your bread crumbs, just process the heels till crumbly? Thanks for sharing this! :-)"

I try to set aside about an hour a week to prepare food for the freezer. I freeze almost everything. Usually fresh foods that I don't think I'll use before they expire or things that I want to be ready-to-go for labor intensive recipes.

When I get lots of celery, onions and bell peppers at the produce co-op, I usually cut most of them up to freeze. I've noticed that if I fill up a whole zipper bag, they will be in a huge frozen lump when I need to use them. Instead, I've learned to leave a little room and freeze the bag flat so I can easily manipulate half of the onions out of the bag and return the rest to the freezer, if needed.

We often get "weird" stuff from the co-op; things that I know we won't eat like kale, artichokes, yams and eggplant. I'll cut those up, too, and freeze them to hide in pastas, quiches or soups. I even cut up and freeze the broccoli stems that I used to throw out.

I also tend to puree vegetables (spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, beets) to hide in casseroles and sauces. Cauliflower can be easily hidden in mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs.

For bread crumbs, I keep a zipper bag with the heels of our loaves of bread on the top shelf of the freezer. When I have time, I'll put the leftover bread in the food processer and make crumbs. Sometimes I bake them on a cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes to dry them out, sometimes I put them back in the freezer without baking. I use the baked bread crumbs for meatballs and things that are mixed INto a recipe and the non-baked bread crumbs on top of casseroles (because they'll get baked/dried out anyway).

I hope that was helpful. Any other questions about freezing???

Ryan's 6th Birthday - A Dinosaur Theme

We had a dinosaur-themed birthday party for Ryan today. I created the invitations in Photoshop, then printed them out on green polka dot cardstock. Ryan helped by cutting out the dinosaur shape, stuffing and licking the envelopes and writing his friends' names on them.


I found someone on Craigslist selling a bunch of dinosaur decorations, so the whole house was dino-ed out.


She even included some dinosaur footprints that she cut out; Ryan taped them to the walkway leading up to our house.


I went with a green, yellow and orange color scheme for balloons and hung green streamers from the doorway for a jungle effect.


Jason was even decked out in a dinosaur outfit and his dinosaur hat with spikes on top.


Most of the guests were from Ryan's Kindergarten class, and they were all so excited to see each other again (since summer break began a few weeks ago) that all they wanted to do was play freeze-tag and soccer in the backyard.

The weather was unseasonably cool (75 degrees and cloudy) which allowed me to set up tables outside for lunch and cake. (I love when it works out where I can leave the crumbs and mess outside!!!)

I made an easy lunch of dinosaur chicken nuggets, Goldfish crackers, dinosaur gummies and juice boxes.


The only game they played was "Pin the Tooth on the T-Rex." I had another game planned, but they were so busy playing together in the backyard, I didn't bother breaking up the fun.


Mike created an erupting volcano in the grass. This experiment didn't last as long as I expected, so I suggested the kids play Duck, Duck, Goose afterward, since they were already in a circle. That kept them busy until I was ready to bring out the cake.

(Recipe: Mix 2 Tablespoons water and 1 Tablespoon baking soda in a Dixie cup. Put the cup on a paper plate, cover with foil and cut a small hole above the cup. Add some red food coloring to 2 Tablespoons of white vinegar and pour all at once into the baking soda/water cup.)

The volcano cake was not only cute, but sugar-coma chocolaty and delicious.


We finished up with Ryan opening presents and everyone left with their party favors: a dinosaur coloring book and crayons.


The budget for this party was very reasonable. The second-hand decorations really helped cut costs while helping the house get transformed into a pre-historic land. And seriously, all these kids wanted to do was play together. This party was like a giant play date with cake and presents. I think everyone had fun. I know Ryan did!!!