Did I ever tell you about that one time I called poison control?

No, I probably didn't since It had only been 2 weeks since my fifth child was born...

I haven't found my groove yet. It's been almost 9 weeks since Keziah was born, and I'm still trying to figure it out. Before my fifth was born, I was ALWAYS early to everything. Now? ALWAYS late. I used to be organized, sort of. Now? Not at all. I used to blog the crazy, bizarre, funny daily happenings.. now? You mean I'm supposed to form a sentence? Huh? I don't think it's the addition of the fifth child so much as the homeschooling. This homeschool gig has sucked me dry. Don't get me wrong, we get er done... the kids are learning... but I feel like every moment of my every day is focused on the kids, and by the time they are in bed I have nothing left.

But, I digress.

What was I going to tell you about? Oh. Ya,

Poison Control...

Miss Keziah was two weeks old when we had her dedicated... we wanted to do it while my parents were here, so they could be a part of it. Because of the meaning of her name the church ordered Cassia Oil to use for her dedication. Cassia oil, by the way, is a skin toxin. (they only put a tiny drop on her hair for the dedication) They gave us the bottle of cassia oil to have. When we got home I put the bottle up on a shelf in her room. Also, cassia oil smells like cinnamon... the boys thought it smelled really good!

See where this is going?



A few days later the boys were playing in Keziah's room when all of a sudden we heard Elijah start screaming. I was on the phone, so my parents (who were still visiting, thank God) ran to see what had happened... that's when I caught a whiff of the oil. I started yelling "that's a skin toxin, that's a skin toxin" before hanging up on my dear friend Lori... who suspiciously doesn't call very often anymore... hmmm? (just kidding)

Seriously, Elijah's face looked like it had third degree burns. I called poison control to find out what to do. I went something like this... " ACK! Ohh myyy word! my 2 year old just put cassia oil all over his face! It's a SKIN TOXIN! What do we do???" After much praying, and washing by the diligent Grandma, his face started to look better... and by the next day looked as if nothing had happened. Poison control did call back to check on him... or was it the crazed sounding frantic mother they were checking on?

My dad took the bottle of cassia oil and hid it somewhere... I still have no idea where, I think he did that on purpose.

Annie Laura...

Auntie Laura is here! Auntie Laura is here! the older boys yelled out last Saturday when my sister arrived. Josiah has been calling her "Annie Laura" ever since. I like the sound of "Annie Laura", so I've been calling her that too... I think it'll stick.

The boys have had a blast with her... they beg for breaks from school so they can play battleship or sorry or uno or whatever game they've pulled out of the game closet.

I have been able to squeeze several appointments, including physical therapy for my headaches in this week since I've had help... a HUGE blessing!!

She even did a nutrition lesson for school one day...

the boys sporting their art project that went with the nutrition lesson

Do I HAVE to drive you back to the airport tomorrow Laura? Are you SURE you can't stay longer? We really have loved having you here!!

It's International Babywearing Week!

Check out all the details HERE.


babywearing in action...



ps. Daddy's can wear baby's too!

My Baby A to Z Winner...

is...

Julie B!! Congratulations Julie!

The rest of you boogie on over to Parent Bloggers and enter for another chance to win a copy!

Thank You My Baby A to Z!!

The Holiday's Are Coming...

Part of me really looks forward to the Holiday's... watching the kids get excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas is always fun. Josiah informed me today that we need a Christmas tree ASAP! Why? Because Walmart is all decked out in Christmas decor, and no way will we be out done by Walmart! "Well, first we have Thanksgiving" I tried to explain to him. Meanwhile my mind had gone into panic mode. GAH! Thanksgiving means I have to figure out what to make, how to make it, and how to make it special for the kids. No pressure.

For a long time I felt sorry for us... poor us, all the kids have is me trying to make it all special. But, the kids don't see it that way, and neither should I. We are blessed to have each other!

Now... what to make, how to make it, and how to make it special??? Ideas are always appreciated!

This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Butterball.

Want to win a free turkey and $150 towards your Thanksgiving?

Here’s how to participate:

Write a post on your blog telling us about your home-cooked holiday meals. Post anytime this weekend - Today, November 7 to Sunday, November 9 and include links to http://www.butterball.com and http://blog.parentbloggers.com.

Also, please include the following blurb:

“This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Butterball.”

Make sure to send your blog post link to parentbloggers@gmail.com

What can you win?

All the essentials for a picture-perfect turkey - a roasting pan, meat thermometer and carving set, along with a $15 Butterball gift certificate to put toward your Thanksgiving turkey and a $150 VISA gift card to help buy the rest of the ingredients for the meal! One lucky winner will be selected at random.

My Baby A to Z

"I want to watch, because I like to learn about shapes!" - Josiah, 4

My Baby A to Z has very interactive puppets that teach in a super fun way... when I am doing school with the big kids, Josiah will often ask if he can watch [My Baby A to Z] so " I can learn too!"
The 'come explore shapes with me' DVD introduces basic shapes, has really cute music (Elijah dances every time he watches), adorable puppets, animation and real life video from around the world.

The DVD is available here: www.MyBabyAtoZ.com. and on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/My-Baby-Z-Explore-Shapes/dp/B001EO5JQQ/)

But! Before you run off and buy it...

I have one to giveaway!!!! Please leave a comment, with your email address so I can find you if you win (if you do not want your email address published, please email it to me after you leave your comment - sarahsdandelions@msn.com)

WAIT! There's MORE! Not only do I have one to giveaway, the Parent Bloggers have TWENTY! to giveaway!! So, run on over there and get your name in the pot!
http://blog.parentbloggers.com/2008/10/16/my-baby-a-to-z-campaign-launch/

After all that, if you still didn't get a copy, you can use this code - V5K7736Q - to get 20% off at the My Baby A to Z website.

Remember, Christmas is just around the corner!! I'll have lots of reviews coming up with other great Christmas gift ideas!!

Thanks to The Parent Bloggers for making this review possible!

"Cowboys can ride chickens too..."