Product Review: Quaker Steel Cut Quick 3-Minute Oatmeal

Every once in a while I get to do a product review for BzzAgent (cool site - you should check it out), and I'm always more excited when I get to review something that my little people will like. When I got the box of Quaker Steel Cut Quick 3-Minute Oatmeal Milo and I were both ready to try it. I talked it up the rest of the day and we made a plan to sample it for breakfast the next morning. Milo has been loving oatmeal during the cold weather, but I usually make it on the stove and it takes a few minutes (nothing major, though), so I was ready for something microwave-friendly.

I gave Milo and Lucy both their own bowls the next morning, and the oatmeal was a hit, although if you buy this, don't add the full amount of water listed on the package - we had a soup situation that had to be regulated before I could give it to either of them. When we got everything worked out, though, they both really liked it. In fact, Lucy, who has become a little on the breakfast-picky side, ate her entire bowl. I call that a huge win. Plus oatmeal is so fabulously filling that we were all satisfied for the rest of the morning.

So, all that to say, I think you should try it. The texture is a little heartier than the regular instant oatmeal and doesn't get as mushy, which is the main difference I noticed. Other than that, the taste was just plain wonderful (we ended up with the brown sugar and cinnamon - yummy). If you're super interested, let me know and I'll give you a coupon, because I love to share.

Happy Tuesday!

The best big lady

Milo looked at me with his sweetest face the other night and said, "Mommy, you are the best big lady I know."

Big lady. For some reason I'm always the big lady to Milo, which, let's be honest, is a little hard on my self esteem. I know I've mentioned it before - he picks out the largest characters in every scenario just for me. For example, in a cartoon picture the other day he named Nate as the owl, Lucy as the falcon, himself as a little arctic fox, and me as the giant polar bear. I started to wonder what in the world was going on, and then I realized how awesome it is to feel little when there's someone bigger around to take care of you. It's a compliment, and he meant it with every fiber of his wise Milo being. I hope my little people always view me as a big mama bear who would tear someone up if necessary. Straight up. Do not mess with these nuggets.

All that to say, I'm okay with seeming large and in charge if it makes these people feel safe. And this big lady is wishing you a happy Monday.

The two cutest little people ever.

See what I mean?

This face is entirely too charming.

Have you ever seen such a handsome little cowboy?

Milo is such a good sport.

A little orange gem

My grandparents quit smoking with Tic-Tacs. I was young when it happened, so there may have been more to it, but in my mind, it's as simple that. And as far as I'm concerned, that's incredibly amazing and takes a world of willpower.

But that's not what I was thinking about when I was a kid. What I was thinking was that Tic-Tacs for them meant Tic-Tacs for us. Grandpa always had a few extra to shake into our outstretched hands, and we also got containers of orange ones to take home with us. Have you ever seen a kid with a container of Tic-Tacs? It's like pure joy all shaken up in one little clear box, and it registers all over a little person's face. I know because Milo and Lucy have recently discovered these little gems... (and I do mean gems because they're perfect for small bribes, a parent's secret weapon).

Anyway, all this to say, Milo and Lucy love orange Tic-Tacs. And even though the orange ones were never my very favorite (don't get me wrong - I wouldn't have said no to any color), I'm enjoying them more than ever now because they make me think so much of Grandpa and Grandma.

All this to say, orange Tic-Tacs. Nostalgia and utility all in the same tiny package. That's what I'm talking about.

A tiny tidbit

On the Friday mornings Nate gets paid, I roll myself out of bed extra early in the morning to grocery shop all by myself. As I drove from HEB to Walmart this morning, I passed one of the large daycares, and saw a man walking in carrying a little girl about Lucy's age and holding the hand of a little boy about Milo's age. I immediately started crying and had to thank God that I get to stay home with these little people. I may have horrendous, frustrating days here and there, but I still love being able to take care of them and teach them and watch them grow. I haven't missed out on any of their big moments, and I've enjoyed all their little ones, too. I'm incredibly lucky, especially because I absolutely adore doing something that I never even knew I wanted to.

That's all I've got today. Have a great weekend!

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Just when you thought you'd seen all of our family photos...

Are you tired of my accosting you with family photos yet? I just finished another batch of editing, and let's be honest. Who am I going to show? Besides Nate, of course, and he's easily impressed. So, here you go. A few more pictures of these beautiful little people.

Those gorgeous eyes. Those pigtails. Those perfectly kissable cheeks. I'm smitten with this little lady.

Oh hey, Nate, the Gap called and they want their child model back...

Oh, hey there, giant bosom. Leftovers from nursing. A lot of people go down in size... I stayed UP. But look at my handsome husband!

This is an art photo type crop because I rightly referred to the original full version of this photo as "Pearbottom Downtown."

Closet purge

I did a big old closet purge today. Maybe a rainy day isn't the right time to completely deconstruct one's closet, but I was desperately trying to not be productive on things I'm actually committed to doing (you know, like cleaning, cooking, or making the orphan costumes I need to finish by next Monday). My little people went down for naps and I headed to my room.

I'll be honest. I only meant to sit down and paint my toenails. But then I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror, and the situation was pretty dire. Unplucked eyebrows, frizzy halo of hair, mismatched clothes that I don't even like. All of a sudden I had this weird revelation. Just because I stay at home with my little people and spend 99.4% of my time doing things for other people doesn't mean I have to look like I never see the light of day outside this home. And why do I spend my time wearing horrid ugly outfits and saving my cute clothes for all the places that I'm not even going?

Thus the closet purge.

I stripped down and tried on every single thing I haven't worn in the last six months. Most of it didn't even fit (don't get me started), which meant it went in the discard pile. Then I looked at the things I had in my closet that I don't even like (for whatever reason) and chunked those in the pile. I also pulled out a few maternity stragglers (how were they hiding in there for this long?). I also pulled out things that just don't look right on me, no matter how cute, and added those to the literal mountain that had developed on the closet floor (it was really handy for getting an eye-level view of my top rack so I may just leave it there).

Now it gets really crazy. I organized all the sleeveless shirts together (in color order, or course). Then all the short-sleeved, then all the long-sleeved, and then the cardigans. My now sadly small selection of pants moved down next to the blazers, and I even left a space for cute outfits that I have already put together for wearing. Yep. It's insane. And I'm pleased. Because I'd rather be wearing the same small selection of clothes (and let's just be real - I still have way more clothes than most people) that make me feel good about myself than ill-fitting clothes, or, even worse, pajamas and sweats. Oh yes, friends, it has gotten that bad.

So there you go. I had myself a little intervention. With myself. Because that makes perfect sense. And now I'm happily dressed in a cuddly tunic sweater and a pair of cute, appropriate for public wearing leggings about to drink myself a big fat latte. That's how today went down.

Now, who's ready for a garage sale?

MORE family photos

Well, here you go. A few more photos, but these ones of my little people. Oh! And Nate. Let's not forget about my handsome and wonderful husband. Enjoy!

To start, I couldn't decide which of these was my favorite. Thoughts?

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

I think there might have been a bug. They're easily entertained.

I know the coloring on this one is different, but I just had to play with it a bit since it was such a fun shot.

Milo and Lucy are delighted with each other.

Now that is one handsome man.

Seriously? Could this be any cuter?

Artsy shot. I'm in love.