RESOLUTIONS

FAMILY TIME = WHAT'S IMPORTANT MOST!

I am not sure about you...but every year my resolution is the same...I actually have 3 of them and I interchange the order every year....the first is always LOSE WEIGHT (get healthy...eat better...whatever you want to call it), the second is GET ORGANIZED (some years I talk myself into believing--it's not about losing weight...it's about organizing your life...and the pounds will drop off as everything falls into place...as if no work is needed to get thinner)...and the final one is to SAVE MONEY (who doesn't need to do this?). So this year once again...I'm setting up my three resolutions...but I'm adding a 4th one to it and I may even make this number one. ENJOY FAMILY TIME. So many times I'm involved in the hustle and bustle of work...I truly want to spend more time smelling the roses...and the roses I'm smelling involve, playing with the kids, doing more crafts with the kids, making more time for my husband, just enjoying the truly simple things in life! This week I'm off from my job at the Martha Stewart Show...and it gives me the opportunity to play the role of stay at home mom...and I do truly love it. Yes it gets crazy...yes there are fights, yes there are times the girls throw things...etc. but through all the madness is one loving family who enjoys spending time together.

Last night I had a dream that my youngest 3 year old rebecca was back to being a newborn. I missed those tiny hands...small smile...and even midnight feedings. Time goes by so quickly that in a blink of an eye Graceann will be looking into high schools and even colleges...yikes. I want the world to slow down...but somehow it won't...it keeps pace...I finally figured out...it's me who can slow down. I can take the time to enjoy every minute and I truly will try! That's my resolution...HAPPY NEW YEARS!

THE NEW 40

So I turned 40...happy birthday to me...ok well maybe 40 +1...all right 40 +2...ok, ok...45...but that's the new 40 right?

My girls made made me this cake for my birthday...looks like we have some budding pastry chefs in the family...

look inside and see the unique colors....

Caroline and me on my birthday...

if you look closely on the cake plate my girls wrote...the big 35...they're catching on...

My husband took me to lunch and we had filet mignon and shrimp scampi...yum

oh...I almost forgot we started the meal sharing some calamari....

Happy birthday to me...

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE DEYOS

Scenes from a very merry Deyo house...Gemma got what she always wanted...a spongebob DS lite game!

Pauline got an actual American Girl Doll...Rebecca!

What a great time we all had...and 3 garbage bags of wrapping paper and boxes!

Rebecca got her favorite Mickey Mouse block set!

Caroline can't wait to dig into her gifts!

She got to them pretty quickly!

Our beautiful Christmas tree!

Gemma and her gifts!

Santa got alot for everyone!

5 MORE DAYS...

5 more days til Christmas...can you believe it? My motto has always been shop by Halloween and be wrapped by Thanksgiving. However there are 5 days left before the big day and I'm still scrambling. It always comes down to "if I just had 2 more weeks". But you know what...if I had 2 more weeks I guarentee I would be saying the same thing again..."if I only had 2 more weeks". There's always more we can get done if we just had the time. I would love to have baked more, crafted more, and of course shopped more. But I remind myself while all of these things are great...it's more important to remember the true meaning of the season. Christ is born! And behind all of the scrambling I want my girls to know that this is the true reason of the season. With that in mind...here's my Christmas wish list...(in no particular order)

Peace on Earth!
Respect for World Leaders!
All Troops home with their family (since there is now Peace on Earth)
A White Christmas!
A Healthy and Happy New Year.
and finally new boots (that last one is particularly for my husband to notice).

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!

THE TREE LIGHTING IN 7 MINUTES!

Not quite Rockefeller Center...but definately just as beautiful!

The Tree in all it's Splendor! Last night we went to the tree lighting in town. What a magnificent sight....when they counted down from 10 and turned on the lights--how magical....wait...that's not quite what happened. We were running late to the tree lighting (thanks to NJ Transit) and we were 7 minutes late....within those 7 minutes the countdown occurred...the Lights were on and half the town had drank their hot cocoa and ate their munchkins. I did a double take...was I more than 7 minutes late? No it started at 7 and we arrived at 7:07. My watch wasn't broken....had time stood still? Not exactly sure what happened...maybe we'll save this answer for the Twighlight Zone...nonetheless the girls had a good time. I was a bit disappointed because Pauline and Caroline won the tree ornament contest. Their names were called (in those 7 minutes) and they weren't able to collect their prize...we'll get it at a later date. Count all your Christmas Blessing because they too will disappear in 7 minutes and you'll wonder like I did where the time went.

Pauline standing at the tree....notice her winning snowman ornament in the background? It was actually made from recycled straw pumpkins...we called it our RECYCLED HALLOWEEN SNOWMAN.

Caroline did her own recycling too. She recycled a water bottle and made an angel ornament. She too won a prize for her efforts!

And in a blink of an eye...Santa Claus was there to grant our special wishes....(My wish was to recoup those 7 minutes!)

MARTHA'S CRAFT SALE!

Tee-shirt featuring one of my handmade buttons!

Homemade buttons!

My Craft table...featuring buttons, scarves, and outfits!

What a weekend....Friday night and Saturday I participated in Martha's 2nd annual Craft Sale. I sold crocheted and knitted scarves, along with homemade clay buttons. I also sold some clothes featuring these buttons. It was a huge hit and I had so much fun. Friday night was the preview sale with staff and family and friends. Saturday the craft sale was open to the public. I had so much fun meeting with fans of the show. It was such a hit that I sold out. If anyone is interested in purchasing more scarves or buttons....email me at threepluskids@aol ....and thanks for your support.

WHERE I'VE BEEN....

Ok...so it's been awhile since I've written. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did and I certainly have alot to be thankful. I've also been really really busy crafting, crafting, crafting! This Saturday is the Martha Stewart Employee Craft Sale and I'm selling homemade buttons, painted shirts, and handmade crocheted and knitted scarves. Last night I was up till 3 am working on projects. Tonight will most likely be the same....I'll let you know how everything turns out and promise lots of pictures!

WATCH OUT FOR THE CURB!

Last Saturday I drove my daughter to her first basketball scrimmage. I was very proud of her--her fourth grade team is learning the sport and did extremely well. The score ended in a tie. I think the final numbers were 8-8. Yes it is basketball and not softball--and like I said they're learning. Didn't Michael Jordan start somewhere too? Anyway, we left the game and I was looking forward to 101 things I needed to get done. I pulled away from the parking spot and hit a curb. I didn't think much of it until I was halfway home and wondered what that strange noise was. It didn't take long to realize I had a flat. My husband came to the rescue and bailed me out--changing the tire. All the 101 things that needed to be done were going to have to be put on hold. We had to go to the tire place and get it fixed (but the damage looked bad--so most likely we needed a new one). By the end of the day 200 dollars later and minus 101 things that never got done--the van was fixed. Yeah.

That brings us to this past weekend. I ran to Kohl's to use my bonus bucks and to take advantage of their early bird special. I cashed in on some specials...mostly for me and then headed home. Only as I was leaving the parking lot...I hit a curb....and once again I heard....bump, bump, bump etc. Another flat tire! How could this happen 2 weeks in a row! I pulled into the parking lot and called my husband who I knew was going to have a cow over this one. He said he'd be right there. And sure enough he came to my rescue...and changed the flat. 200 dollars later, the van was fixed. How could I be so careless? My husband was actually really wonderful and instead of having a cow, a bull, a turkey and a monkey...he very calmly said--"no one was hurt". I love this man--just another reason why I married him. So when he doesn't remember to make a duplicate key, or take out the garbage, I will remember his comment "no one was hurt" and move on. And if there is another lesson to be learned---SLOW DOWN AROUND CURBS!

WHERE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE...

God knows exactly where you are--at every moment of the day...Yes you are accounted for!

Last night I was exhausted from work. We taped two shows and the day just felt draining. I couldn't wait to jump on a train and head home. My husband called to tell me he was running late at work because he was involved in extra paperwork. The babysitter had to head out early--so I was in a rush to get home. I made the 6:40 train with about 5 minutes to spare. I felt like I was in good shape. We left the platform on time--even better shape. Then the train came to a screetching halt. The train didn't move. We were informed that there was a disabled Amtrack train in front of us....it would take only a few moments. Well a few moments turned into a half hour, then an hour, then an hour and a half. Thankfully we had service in the train and I was able to reach my sister who could relieve the babysitter who had to go. People started getting frustrated. No one could get off the train. We finally started to move just before 9 pm. I eventually got home around 10 pm. Yes I was tired, yes, I was upset, yes I just wanted to be anywhere but that train. But I reminded myself of a story that a friend emailed me regarding 9/11. It went something like...God wants you right where you are at every minute. One man took his son to school for the first day--and missed the collapse of the Twin Towers. Another man went to the drugstore to pick up bandaids for a blister that same day and missed the collapse. Another man overslept...and also missed the collapse. Yes...for some reason I was meant to be at that very place--stuck on the train. I have to trust that that is where God wanted me at that moment--well actually more than a moment...2 and a half hours.

Then I tried to find the silver lining in that delay. Thankfully my good friend Fran gave me two bags of chips that served as dinner for those around me on the train. Thankfully my sister was available to relieve the babysitter. Thankfully I had my knitting with me. I finished a scarf (one Christmas gift done). Thankfully...I was accounted for on that train...and I did get home...and was safe. Next time you're stuck somewhere...just remember, you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

WE MAY NOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER--BUT TOGETHER WE HAVE IT ALL!

My 5 beautiful daughters!

RANDOM THOUGHTS....

I am so proud of my five girls. I love them even during the moments when I'm trying to get sleep and they somehow manage to wake me up at 6 am on a Saturday. I love them when they tell me a half hour before their basketball game they need kneepads (especially when it's at 8:00 am and hard to find a sports store open). I love them when they decide to express their creativity by coloring all over the kitchen wall. I even love them when they act like magicians and make food disappear between the couch. I just love them! That's what we do as moms--love our children no matter what. My favorite saying is...WE MAY NOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER--BUT TOGETHER WE HAVE IT ALL! And we do...overall we are always there for one another. When someone hurts or upsets one sister...I love seeing the other sisters step up and protect each other. That is my greatest wish that all my daughters always stay close and help one another out.

This past weekend my daughter Caroline had a basketball game. She did great--until a girl from the other team pulled back her finger and jammed it. It's probably just a sprain and she'll be back in the saddle in no time....but this player just seemed so rough. If looks could kill this girl would have dropped on the spot...because all Caroline's sisters peered and seethed at this girl for what she had done.

More random thoughts....My daughter's school have been collecting boxtops. Usually at the end of the year whichever class collects the most gets a free lunch. The stakes are higher because now whichever class collects the most gets a NUD day....meaning a no uniform day. So here's my dilemma--I"ve been collecting them since summer....I have about 100 or more. The contest ends mid-december. I can divide the boxtops up and in the mix they won't account for much...or I can give them all to one daughter and her class most likely will win the NUD day. Then I had another idea...I will use the boxtops as bribery...be good...don't wake mom up on Saturday at 6 am, don't ask mom for kneepads right before the game, don't hide food in the couch, don't color on the wall (even though I love you no matter what)...and you'll get the boxtops!

Happy Random Thoughts Monday!

A CRYING FOOL!

Becca....my box of tissues!

I am a sucker for sad movies, tv shows, and anything else that could make you cry. I'm a blubbering fool. Last night my daughters and I gathered around to watch Ghost Whisperer (our favorite show--yeah it's now on everynight in reruns). So last night's episode dealt with 3 little boys who perished in a fire while they were living at an orphanage. Melinda (the main character--Jennifer Love Hewitt) was hosting an auction of items from the old orphanage that had just been sold. While rummaging through things her character encountered these 3 little boys. As the story goes on she spends a night at the place and reads a book to these little lost boys--Peter Pan is their favorite. Apparently one little boy died and they never found his body. As the story progresses we find out that the man who bought the orphanage plans to demolish it so Melinda is trying to get these little boys to "cross over". It soon becomes evident that the man who bought the place was actually one of the boys who was thought to have perished. He escaped the fire and never looked back. Now he wanted to burn the place down...along with his memories. Melinda figures it all out and brings the man back to the place and tells him his friends are here. He helps the little boys "cross over". Needless to say, I cried and cried as the boys reunited with their friend who had escaped and who is now 50 years older.

I was holding Rebecca as I blubbered like a baby. Rebecca suddenly turns around to me and gives me the biggest hug and starts wiping my tears and says "It's ok Mommy...I promise it's ok...don't cry." I told her I was just sad at the tv show and yes, everything would be ok. Imagine a 3 year old wiping my tears for a change.

You never know what life is going to give you...just remember the things you have now is what you'll always cherish. Thanks Rebecca for wiping mommy's tears and making me smile...you're the best tissue I could ever have!

Gemma and Becca...best of friends.

I don't have twins but I feel like I do. Gemma and Rebecca are 14 months apart. They love playing together, they share a bedroom, they share clothes, they share shoes, and they even share their toys. They're very close and yet they couldn't be more opposite of one another. Gemma is all princess--girly girly. She likes to wear dresses, curl her hair, and wear lipstick. Rebecca is more interested in climbing a tree, wearing pants, and playing with cars.



It's very funny to me to hear them play together. Since Gemma is older she usually bosses Rebecca around--when they play Barbies I often hear Gemma tell Becca "I'll be the princess doll and you be the boy doll". Or when they're coloring, Gemma says "Becca, I'll take the pink crayon and you color with the black one". Becca always let's Gemma have her way.

I think its great when you can record all these "little life moments" with your children. I try to jot things down when I can. I'll never forget the time when my oldest daughter Graceann proudly said at the age of 3...."mom that Dorothy from the wizard of oz is a really good singer....she should get a job singing".
Try keeping a notebook and jot these things down...you know what they say..."out of the mouths of babes". The other day Gemma was bothered by her sisters teasing...and finally cried out..."stop, you're making me annoying". It's quickly become the catch phrase in our house.

Enjoy your children...minute by minute.

The Art of The R.S.V.P

Caroline and her sister Graceann serving at Mass

RSVP stands for Repondez s'il vous plait. That's a French phrase that translates to please respond.

In Western culture not replying to an RSVP request with a confirmation of one's attendance or absence is often considered rude. (Wikepedia)

This Sunday my daughter Caroline altar served her first Mass. It was an exciting yet scary time for her (scary because she worried whether or not if she would remember what to do). Her older sister Graceann was serving with her—so she did have a guardian angel looking out for her. It was an extremely proud moment for me. To see her grow in her faith makes me feel really good. So good in fact that I like to highlight these little moments by inviting those who are close to her to participate and be a part of this special day…and then celebrate them with a little gathering afterwards. Although there is no such thing as little gathering since it's always quite a production of food and festivities when my family gets together. I invited family and friends to come to Caroline's Mass. I sent an email and followed up with a personal face to face invitation. Some people mentioned they would come…and others I never heard from. As a host I wasn't sure how many people to expect. But as a mom of 5 children under the age of 12 I didn't have time to be calling everyone and checking on why they didn't RSVP and whether not they were coming. So instead I slaved in the kitchen the night before making homemade sauce, lasagna and meatballs. I cleaned the house like a crazy woman—and stayed up late til it all looked perfect.

Caroline did a perfect job. I was so happy to see her serve at Mass. I took some photographs as discreetly as I could. A few family members and friends joined us at the church. When all was over we headed back to the house where only 1 of our invited guests showed up. It was quite apparent that we didn't need both trays of the homemade lasagna. And of course I wasn't happy. As my friend Wikepedia said above….it's rude when you don't RSVP.

I will admit that there have been times in my lifetime when I didn't RSVP….and to be on the receiving end of it…well let's just say I'll never forget to RSVP again.

HUSBANDS...YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THEM...AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T LIVE WITH....OK I WON'T SAY IT.

I feel sick as a dog...well do dogs actually feel sick? not sure where that expression came from...so I'll look it up tommorrow and let you know. Last night my head ached (nothing to do with the Yankees winning) most likely because I coughed and coughed and coughed. The house was a mess and the last thing I felt like doing was cleaning. Yet when I come home from work I can't help but go into "mom mode" so I started picking things up off the floor, wiping the cracker jack off my antique desk, scraping the fruit roll ups off the hardwood floors etc. Eventually I could do no more...in comes my knight in shining armour who offers to help. He orders pizza for dinner so I don't have to cook. And then tells me to go to bed early because he'll clean up. The kitchen table was a mess and the sink was filled with dishes (Graceann was home sick yesterday...and decided to hold a bake-a-thon in honor of her day off--yes Gracie everything was really delicious...just clean up when you're done!).

So I dragged myself up to bed and fell asleep. I tossed and turned and coughed and turned and coughed and tossed and coughed and turned. When it was finally time to wake up I felt as if I hadn't slept at all. Bob was already up and out the door. In my best zombie impression I trudged downstairs to get ready for work and the kids ready for school. And that's when I saw it. The kitchen table was a mess and the sink was filled with dishes....did I not hear correctly? Didn't my knight in shining armour say he would take care of it and clean? Then I finally understood what his interpretation of clean was...mop the floor. I know I can't complain, after all how many wives have husbands who actually will mop. I so appreciate it...I really really do....but sometimes priorities have to be considered. Mopping can wait til the weekend...dishes piled high in the sink can't. My head was continuing to spin.

I finally got all in order with the kids...and a little screaming to boot...but they were off to school and I was off to work. Then the babysitter called to say the pantry door was locked. Somehow--someone "accidentally" locked it. Yes we put a lock on the pantry because at times the kids need to be kept out of it. Now we only have two keys to the locked pantry. One of the keys my husband had and one of the keys I had. Two days ago my husband told me his key broke. I have been hounding him to make duplicates for months. So I gave him my key--and a wish and a prayer that now he would get duplicates. So when the babysitter called I told her I would call my husband and find out what he did with the key. I asked him...and he told me he didn't know where it was. After the morning I had (remember I am a bear with lack of sleep) I couldn't believe he didn't know where the extra key was...so i took a breath and asked him where the key I gave him yesterday was. He told me he'll have to find it...he didn't know where it was.

Now you might think to yourself...why didn't I just get duplicates of the key made...and you'd be right to wonder that...but I am tired and cranky so don't let me hear you ask that question or it may not be a pretty sight. There are certain jobs that are made for women and there are certain jobs that are made for men. I know what you're thinking now..."she just set back the women's movement 40 years"...but remember, I can't help it. I am cranky, I am tired, I coughed and turned and tossed all night. Ok back to our roles as men and women. Women make the heart of the home...they clean, they cook, they tend to boo-boos, they comfort the kids...(I know why don't I just say they're barefoot and pregnant and that's it while I am at--but remember I may not be conscious of what I'm writing due to the state I'm feeling...so just accept it and bare with me). Men on the other hand have these roles...they fix the cars, they take out the garbage....apparently they mop floors, and they make duplicate keys. End of story...men make duplicates. I don't even think I ever stood foot in a hardware store (although if I did I'd probably find alot of great tools I could use for crafts). Am I wrong? Am I delirious? Go on tell me....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I am a wild thing...on Halloween at least....here I am dressed at the Martha Showl


Halloween went off without a hitch this year....just a perfect day to treat...treat...treat. Yes it drizzled just a bit but overall it was such a beautiful night. The girls got lots of candy and a special treat was being able to trick or treat with their cousin John Paul who lives 2 states away. Since Halloween was on a Saturday this year my sister Maria was able to visit for the weekend. The kids had a blast.

John Paul--albert einstein with his cousin Caroline the Pirate

Gemma always a princess!

Becca was dressed as Mickey...and whenever she went trick or treating the person opening the door would ask...who are you? As they waited for the answer MICKEY MOUSE....out came this little voice that said. "I'm Becca".

My sister...was a sister...Sister Maria...Bless you!

Pauline was a bloodied barbie doll...a bit gruesome...but she wanted to have fun with makeup....here she is holding her nail polished pumpkin.

Every year I encourage the kids to "pool" their candy together so there isn't any fighting...everyone can eat what they like...and their isn't any stealing anybody's candy like I used to do with my siblings. Of course I started this year one....so they know what to expect...might be hard to set this rule up now. Anyway....lots of treats for a fun night out.

Speaking of a fun night...part of the most fun was gaining an hour for Daylight Savings Time. However, not in the Deyo Household. My husband Bob and I actually lost an hour because Gemma woke up 2 times and wouldn't go back to sleep...it actually took us about 2 hours to get her settled in her bed and to fall asleep....so while most people are walking around quite rested today...I am walking around as if I have a hangover....

Hope your Halloween was as much fun as mine was...of course the scariest part of Halloween is now the fact that Christmas is right around the corner...time to go shopping and wrapping....

Christina

A METS FAN'S DILEMMA

WHEN YOU LOVE THE METS...WHO DO YOU ROOT FOR PHILLIES OR YANKEES?

I am a die hard Mets fan. I have been since I was 5 and they made it to the World Series. I remember my parents watching the games and myself crying because I was missing Bugs Bunny (must have been an afternoon game). After crying for as long as I could...I figured if I can't beat them I might as well join them...and its been a love affair ever since. I've enjoyed the glory years...and the disappointed years. Unfortunately the disappointed years most recently have involved the Philadelphia Phillies....as a Mets fan it's extremely hard to root for the Phils....and yet no where in my right mind can I imagine rooting for the Yankees. It just doesn't happen. If you truly love the Mets...you truly despise the Yankees (and I'm sure vice versa). So now the dilemma is this....it's the 2009 World Series between the Phillies and the Yankees. Who should I root for by default? As hard as it will be....I have to say LET'S GO PHILLIES....I just can't bear to root for the Yankees.....

Now here's an easy one for me....my daughter Graceann will be pitching for her softball teams playoffs....no question...LET'S GO PANTHERS...LET'S GO GRACEANN!

NO KNEAD BREAD....AND MAD HUNGRY FOR BACON EGG AND CHEESE SANDWICH

JIM LAHEY FROM SULLIVAN STREET BAKERY SHARED HIS RECIPE FOR NO KNEAD BREAD--WHICH I MADE THIS WEEKEND

No Knead means no work--but you do trade that in for time. Basically you mix flour, yeast and water and just let the blob mixture do it's own thing over 12-18 hours. It couldn't be any easier--and there is nothing better than the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. This recipe was first shared with the NY York Times. Soon after it became all the rage and we were even making it on The Martha Stewart Show.

I am having trouble linking the recipe so if you can google Jim Lahey and no knead bread and the recipe will appear. I encourage you to give it a try...it's a great weekend project because you have the time to just let it sit there...although it's so easy that you could do it during the week at night...let it rise and then just before dinner stick it in the oven to bake. You do need an enameled cast iron dutch oven to let it bake in. I actually burnt something in mine and it couldn't be saved...so being faithful to my boss I ran to Macy's and bought her 7 quart dutch oven. And it even was on sale. Fantastic! The kids loved the bread and as I mentioned before the smell is deliciously intoxicating.

The bread is great spread with butter....and also great with homemade sauce and meatballs....

The secret to my homemade sauce is a pinch of sugar...it gives it a nice hint of sweetness to it. First I saute onions and garlic in olive oil...then when golden I throw in some crushed tomatoes...and then some tomato paste and a pinch of sugar...of course salt and pepper to taste.

Lucinda Scala Quinn was on Martha's show last week featuring her book MAD HUNGRY. It's a book filled with mouthwatering recipes for Mad Hungry men....but as the mom of 5 daughters...this book has great offerings for them because we're all a little MAD HUNGRY. Lucinda came on the show and made a delicious Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich. I made this Sunday morning for my Hungry Man Bob and my mad hungry daughters. I fried two eggs and then between them I added a slice of cheese and bacon. And then put it all on a buttered and grilled bagel.

The egg sandwich is easy to make.

I prefer sesame bagels....but I used "everything" bagels for my husband Bob.

Yum...it turned out delicious.....

A perfect Sunday breakfast....it's as delicious as it looks....