Bah Humbug!

Shopping for Christmas gifts on a budget can be pretty stressful on it's own, but going to the mall to shop during this time of year is downright inhumane.

The extremely narrow aisles are filled with rude desperate shoppers who glare at you while your trying to maneuver your cart with your daughter in it while THEIR cart is in the way. You want to yell what are you looking at, move your cart?!
I'm trying to shop just like you are! To keep the peace and to prevent yourself from tramatizing your child you focus on the task at hand. Shopping.

People will literally snatch things out of your hand! The shelves were nearly bare so shoppers were desperate! Thank goodness what was left wasn't half bad.

When you finally reach the register you are actually happy to pay and get the HELL outta there.

Are Family shows under attack?

I was recently informed one of my FAVORITE shows is now cancelled. This show happened to be on ABC. It was a wonderfully imaginative fantasy filled show. It is a show you can watch with the WHOLE family. I'm literally heartbroken over it because it was a quality show. Not only for this reason but because it was my father who turned me onto this show while he was in the hospital last year. It was one of the few shows that cheered him up. The show was Pushing Daises. How many of you have watched this show?

I have found it increasingly harder to find shows in which you DON'T have to change the channel or cover your child's eyes multiple times because of inappropriate content.
My solution: No more prime time television with the children.

I have watched the family channel, The Disney channel, Nickelodeon etc... and yet I still find inappropriate content and behavior. Sometimes I am downright appalled!
What is going on? Who deems this junk appropriate for my children?

I would love to know what shows you deem safe for your children to watch?
And for those of you who are step-parents, how do your children adjust to NOT being able to watch all the shows they get to watch when they are at the other parents home?

Would love some feedback.

Pre-Birthday Party Preparations

This week is my step-daughter's birthday. She hates when I say "step". So I always introduce her as my daughter. She does sometimes alternate from Mom to my first name. I think it confuses people but what the heck! It makes her feel good and that is all I care about.

This will be her first birthday party at our new home. I hope everyone shows up.
My princess spent the majority of the weekend circling what she wanted out of the Toys R Us and Walmart catalogues. Boy! were there A LOT of circles. I get a kick out of kids. They think BIG you know?

My husband and I had already shopped for her gifts last week but I still wanted her to feel like she had a hand in it. And she did get a few of the items she circled. She made her guest list out two weeks ago and kept asking me who else? Who else? Birthday gifts on her mind.

I'm still trying to mentally prepare myself for this party. All the guests to cater to. I'm not so sure I'm up to it but it's much too late for second thoughts and I would do anything for my little girl.

I'm going to attempt to make a three tiered cake with my new cake pans purchased at Walmart.

Wish me luck!