Sleep Interrupted

So the last four nights my little 18-month old daughter has been struggling with a cold.  I've been awake more than asleep during the night.  It got me thinking, really what else do you do when you are awake and suppose to be sleeping, of all the things, people and noises that have woke me up in my life.  Thought it would be fun to make a list.

• Squealing little sisters.  My sisters (when they were young) liked to play this "let's see how long we can hold the same high note."
• Neighbors fighting, having a party, talking, stomping, etc.
• A dance club on campus.  Yeah, I chose a dorm that was next to the on-campus dance club.  I feel asleep and often woke up to the beat of a loud base Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  
• A skunk.  When I worked a camp, I had a friendly skunk, who like to come into my tent and scavenge for food.  I had no food, but he kept coming back.
• Homesick campers.  
• Alarm clocks that didn't belong to me.
• Snoring roommate.
• Drunk roommate.
• Hugs from a husband.  Every morning before my husband gets out of bed he gives me a hug.  It usually wakes me up -- that one I don't mind.
• A baby talking about tacos and the moon.
• Birds, song birds and otherwise.
• Lawnmowers.  That was when I used to sleep in.
• Telephone.
• Sirens.
• Thunderstorms.
• Waves on the ocean.
• Wind.

Just a sampling of what has woken me up over the years.  I'm sure you can relate.

Free sample

I normally don't post free sample deals. But I found this one for Arm and Hammer Toothpaste. I love this toothpaste. It really help keep down on plaque build up. I've been using it for more than 15 years and don't plan on changing any time soon. I will admit the taste was a little hard to get used, but after a few weeks I didn't even notice it. Best toothpaste I've ever used!

Click here for a free sample!

For more coupons from Arm and Hammer, go here! There is even a $1 off coupon for toothpaste!

What's Cookin' --Deviled Chicken

I've taken a little break from blogging to catch-up on life. With the packing before the move, the unpacking (almost done, just the basement is left), and trying to constantly entertain a toddler, I decided to keep my to-do list simple this week. Just get the laundry caught up, clean the floors as needed and clean up the kitchen a few times a day. At nap time, I've actually been getting caught up on reading blogs and searching for deals.

Tonight I made Deviled Chicken, which I found on this awesome blog. I particularly like her series 30 Minute Meals Get Real. She chronicles how making dinner with three young children really occurs -- tears and all.

We liked this meal, but this chicken recipe is still our favorite.

Interesting Website

I just found this website Hillbilly Housewife. It has realistic ideas for meals and I love the "make from scratch recipes. " I'm anxious to try the garlic bread sticks. Check it out if you are looking for some new ideas!

What's Baking -- Angel Food Cake

This is so good, it's worth the time to beat those eggs. I made this for my husband's birthday last month.

Angel Food Cake
This recipe is from Cook's Illustrated

1 cup cake flour (I used regular and it was good)
1 1/2 cups sifted granulated sugar
12 large egg whites
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp almond extract

Icing
2 Tbsp milk
1/4 tsp almond extracts
1 cup confectioners sugar

1. Preheat oven 325 degrees
2. In small bowl whisk flour with 3/4 cup sugar.
3. Place other 3/4 cup sugar in a bowl next to mixer.
4. Beat egg whites at low speed until just broken and beginning to froth.
5. Add cream. of tartar and salt. Beat at medium speed.
6. With mixer still at medium speed, beat 3/4 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp at a time until all sugar is added and whites are shiny with foam soft peaks.
7. Add vanilla, lemon juice, and almond extract and beat until just blended.
8. Sift flour mixture over egg whites, about 3 Tbsp at a time. Gently fold in with rubber spatula.
9. Pour into a large tube pan (16 cup capacity)
10. Bake until golden brown. About 50 to 60 minutes.
11. Pop cake out of pan when completely cooled.
12. Drizzle icing on top when cake is cooked.

Toddler the Helper

I stop all day long to let my little 18-month old help me. There are times it would be faster and a little less frustrating for me to do the task myself. But I strongly believe in giving kids responsibility and a chance to help. My daughter often signs "more" after she helps me because she wants to do something else helpful. Today at story time at the library she was one of two kids who helped clean up. I was happy that she was willing to help.

Examples of what my helper does:
Any garbage, she helps throw away
She puts her snacks away (I have her snack shelf in the pantry closet at her level)
She puts her hamper away on laundry day
If there are dirty clothes that need to go in the hamper, she puts them in
We pick up toys often throughout the day
I give her a paper towel and she "cleans" when I clean
She helps me put new diapers away (then climbs in the box)
She puts her cup in the sink
I try to find things for her to carry for me as I put things away

Still unpacking

I'm very excited that I've almost got our computer/craft room organized. I put shelves in the closet that gives me lots of options to put my crafts in one spot. And I can find them easily. I still need a work table, but we're trying to find the right thing. I also realized that we have tons and tons of books. I've been building my children's library with books from garage sales and Goodwill. It's great to have them all, but it was a challenge to reorganize them again.

My other new challenge in the new house is having the washer and dryer on the lower level. We used to have it on the main level. With a toddler, it's a little hard to get it done quickly, but we seem to be working it out. I seem to do more when she's napping and I can freely run up and down stairs. I also seem to be doing a load or more a day. Hopefully, I will get back into a routine that works soon. In the meantime, I gotta do what works.