These are a few of my favorite things

A couple of months ago, we had a ladies night at church where we were asked to bring 3 things that represents our favorite things.  I brought a Dr. Pepper (because caffiene is always needed and DP is my favorite), a deck of cards (because I like to play games), and a box of Nerds candy (because I like anything technology related). 

I decided that I should do a blog post with my other favorite things:

 

Kitchen/Cooking Tools
"The Crock Pot"

Isn't every Mom's favorite tool the crockpot?  I currently have 3.  However, one has a semi-burnt cord and could be a fire hazard, so I'm scared to use it!

My next crock pot will look like this.

 

"Pampered Chef Stoneware"

When I got married, I had a Pampered Chef shower and it was wonderful!  I have 3 pieces of stoneware and they are all well seasoned by now.   Its hard to burn things on them and it has a very non-stick surface.

The scrapers that come with them are equally as amazing.  If I can't get some gunk off with a scrubbing sponge, these guys do the trick.  I used to have to scrap with my finger nails!

 

"Dip Clips"

 This is my new find.  You hook them to you plate and they hold your condiments.  I found them and my husband laughed at me for getting them.  I think they are an excellent invention.  I always use a separate tea cup to put my ketchup or ranch dip in so it wont run all over my plate.  These take care of that for you.

 

Grant uses them for his syrup.

 "Salad Spinner"

This is a new tool added to my kitchen as well. WHY did I not have this a long time ago?  The one I got is make of silicon and is therefore collapsable for easy storage.  Here I was trying to dry my salad with wimpy paper towels this whole time.  What a waste, plus its fun!  Grant loves to spin it.

 

"Clorox Disinfecting Wipes"
I am using the these wipes just about every day, several times a day.  They get up the germs on my counter, the jelly spilled on the floor, the orange juice on the table, or the grease on my stovetop. 

 Favorite TV Shows

"The Big Bang Theory"

I'm a late comer to this show, so I am glad they show reruns.  I tried for a while to get Daniel to watch it but he refused.  That is until people at work started calling him Sheldon.  Now we watch it together.  Me and my non-autistic Sheldon.

"The Office"

I've been watching for years and am so sad the character Michael Scott left.  This was the best episode ever.  In fact when I need a good cry, I go on YouTube and watch this episode where Jim and Pam got married.  It is too sweet.  This is the last season, but I am excited about the new chapter in Dwight's life at the beet farm.

"Shark Tank"

Thanks to my parents for introducing me to this show.  They told me I needed to show it to my Entrepreneurship students so I started watching it.  I got hooked.  I hope that if I ever invent something someday, I am brave enough to visit the sharks.

"I Love Lucy"

Okay, so I've seen every episode (or so I think), but I still DVR it.  When there is nothing but trash on, I make sure to watch something wholesome.  This particular episode came on the other day and it reminded me of my son and I.  Little Ricky was flying around the room in his Superman cape and Lucy had to fix it.  The only difference is that my son is Batman.

 "The Carrie Diaries"

This is a new show this year.  It is supposed to be the pre-quel to Sex and the City.  It depicts Carrie Bradshaw as a teenager living in CT in the 80s.  I love seeing the 80s clothes, hearing the 80s music and it really does have a good story line.  The only bad part is its on the CW channel.  That channel is pretty much worthless in my book.

 Websites/ Apps

 "What to Expect, Pregnancy Edition App"

No, I am not pregnant.  Actually according to this app I'm 60 weeks pregnant!  I used it throughout pregnancy to keep up with my milestones and share advice with ladies who were due the same month I was.  I can still get on the forum through the app and us ladies can share milestones of our children and ask questions. 

 

"Ebates.com"

 I shop online.  I shop online A LOT.  Now I can get paid to do so.  I just signed up through ebates and got money back instantly for shopping at stores online that I've been shopping with for years.  I've racked up nearly $12 since January.  I may be shocked at the total come Christmas time!  You can join too through my referal.

http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=9hjwAfWbew2gsG6%2B%2F0vAFA%3D%3D

"Facebook.com and Facebook App"

Okay, I'm addicted, I admit.  You probably are as well.  I've been a member for quite a while and its just plain fun.  I hate drama on it, that part is ridiculous, but the fun part is you can just delete those people.  Oh and according to my students, no one even uses Facebook anymore.  Oh well, its just for us old people I guess.

 

"Flipflops, Fruit Snacks, and Fripperies"

Oh yes, my own blog.  It is not particularly insightful and sometimes I don't know WHO thinks it may be interesting, but I like it and that is all that matters.  I guess its kind of like a diary.  I kept a diary on and off until I was about to graduate high school.  This must be the upgraded version.

"Zulily.com and Zulily app"

 

This is a discount site that posts new items at 8am every morning.  Things for Moms, kids, and the home.  If you ask my husband, I spend too much time (amongst other things) on this site.  You can find some really unique items on there.  The bad part is it may take a while to get it in the mail and you cannot return anything. 

 

I can also refer you here:  http://www.zulily.com/invite/lhobbs769

 

 "Blogpress App"

With this app, I can blog from my phone and easily upload pictures to my blog from my phone.  Saving time?  Love it!  It is also easy to use.

 

"Pinterest.com and Pinterest app"

 

Dear Pinterest, thank you for keeping me up during midnight feedings (and 4am feedings!).  As of today, I have 50 boards and over 2,000 pins.   Recipes, tips, funny quotes...you name it!  I even taught a professional development class over it.  If you are a woman, you should be on Pinterest.

Beauty Products
"Dove Damage Therapy Shampoo"

 This shampoo claims it will help with split end control and yes, it actually does!  For a few months, I tried a cheap shampoo with a fun new scent it made my hair feel so different, in a bad way.  I quickly switched back to Dove and it made all the difference.



"Aussie Instant Freeze"

For years, I've tried to do something different to my naturally wavy hair.  Back in the day I permed it (when that was in), then I curled it with a curling iron (when that was in), and even used those big pink sponge rollers to get that pageant hair look. 

 

I've been trying for years to find the right product for that wavy hair, scrunched look.  I finally found one!  This gives my hair that right body that holds my waves.  Although my hair can get really poofy with it at times, I've learned not to care about and embrace it.

Check out my similar post of awesome products from three years ago:   Products for Productivity and Sanity



Heroes in a Half Shell

 Grant turned 5!  I remember turning 5 and thought it was a BIG deal. I mean, it was a WHOLE hand!  So needless to say, I made his birthday a big deal...and it was.  We ended up celebrating for over a week!

The 1st celebration was at his school.  He got to share cupcakes with his class and his teacher had balloons and decorations ready for him.

The second celebration was the next day.  We went out for 'chips and cheese'.  Grant's favorite meal.

 The staff sang Happy Birthday to him.  The little ham loved it!

 He opened a few of his presents afterward

 He got his big boy bike with training wheels he'd been asking for.

  

That weekend we went to visit Daniel's family.  We had another celebration at Grammy and PePaw's house.

We also had my sister-in-law's wedding shower.

The next week was the big party, the Teenage Mutent Ninja Turtle Party. 

The weather started to not cooperate when the bounce house arrived, but then sun made his appearance and I took a sigh of relief.

Bluebonnets were also in full bloom, as usual.

A surprise guest showed, Miss Leann!

The pinata was a 'hit'!  :)

HEB impressed me again with their cake skills!

2nd year in a row we had to fake blowing out the candles due to the wind.

I guess my husband didn't know where to put the presents.

Reagan and Claire got to 'play'...

...and share chew toys.



Zoo Field Trip

My husband was able to attend the Pre-K field trip to the Dallas Zoo with my son.  He had been looking forward to it for weeks.  They had to cancel the first date picked due to rain.  The second day picked was just perfect.  Not too hot, not too cold, and sunny.

 

Also something he was looking forward to was to was to ride the school bus.  However, when asked if he liked it, he said the ride was too long.  Personally, I would complain of the uncomfy seats and that consistant smell of cheap leather!

I'd Rather Be Blogging

Just like Reagan's bib says, I'd rather be blogging. I'm trying to get caught up, be patient !

Easter Joys

It was unusually cold and windy for this March day in Texas, but we were excited for Easter festivities at our church.  They had a petting zoo and pony rides.

Grant would not stop going after the chickens.

Who doesn't love a pony ride?

Reagan stayed inside with her Daddy the whole time, where it was warm.

Grant with his basket, ready for the hunt.

As usual, the hunt went way too fast and I didn't get any pictures.
Next year he gets to hunt with the big kids.

After we left, we went and "egged" some houses.  I got this idea off of Pinterest.
Click HERE for the free printable.

It says: "You've been egged by the Hobbs Family.  There are 12 eggs hidden in your yard!  Enjoy the hunt, but don't be discouraged when you find the empty egg.  It is a simple reminder of Jesus' empty tomb.  He is Risen!"

Each "egging" held a different story.  I tried to tell Grant we had to be quick and sneaky, but it didn't always happen that way.  I had to unbuckle him from the car, he threw all eggs in one area so I had to direct him to move them around, then double check that he only threw out 11 filled ones, then buckle him back in the car.  At the last stop, he had fallen asleep in the car.  I woke him up, got him out of the car, and he just stood there with a blank look on his face.  The boy was totally out of it, tired.  So I put him back in the car and did the egging myself.

I received these pictures from our neighbor, Harper.  She didn't find her eggs until the next morning.

We visited Emerson and Evan's house where Grant decided he would throw the eggs.  Right after Daniel took the picture below, he hit me in the head with an egg.  I'm glad I taped them shut!

I heard they were quite excited to see their surprise when the got home.

Vivian, my niece, walked outside and said, "Look!  The rain storm left us eggs!"

Corbin didn't find his eggs until late that night.  He decided to hunt in the dark.

It was a fun little activity that I would love to do every year with my children.  What a neat tradition!

Later in the week, I was blessed to be able to attend Grant's Easter party at school.

Here he is with his homemade 'basket'. SO cute.



On Easter Sunday, Grant put on his new suit after much coaxing.  He is particular when it comes to what he wears.  He will only wear collared shirts on Sundays and when I force him on special occasions.  Other than that, he thinks he MUST wear a t-shirt to school. 

When we got to church and stepped out of the car he said, "I look silly!"  I let him know that there would be plenty of boys in his class with suits on.  Sure enough (and thank goodness) there was.  He never whined about the suit again.

 

Reagan looked like a princess in her ruffle filled dress.  She didn't know what to do with all that, except just to try to eat it.