HELP!! My 3-Year Old is Turning Me Into a Zombie!!!

My son is almost 4 (will be the beginning of December) and he is literally turning me into a zombie! From the time he started walking, he has walked himself to our room, and crawled into bed with us at sometime in the middle of the night. At first it was cute, but now it is driving me mad! I purposely keep myself up until after midnight in the hopes that he will fall asleep in his own bed, and when he does, I sneak upstairs, trying not to wake him. But like clockwork, at 3am there he is.
We have a king sized bed, but when your son sleeps sideways, it doesn't really matter how big your bed is. To make matters worse, he's been going through this I want mommy to do everything phase for about the last 2 years, so he sleeps as far away from his dad as possible. That leaves me with a tiny sliver of the edge of the bed to try and sleep on. So, I spend what's left of the early morning hours hanging on to my sliver for dear life. Let me tell you, it's tough to get any sleep, knowing that you can fall off the bed at any moment.
And as if this wasn't bad enough, this morning I woke up laying in pee soaked sheets. This was very ironic since we were up until well after midnight listening to my son scream at the top of his lungs because he wanted his cup. My husband and I have stopped letting him take a cup to bed with him, as we are trying to potty train him (that's not going well either), but apparently he found a drink somewhere.
So, I am desperate here. Am I the only one out there who has gone through this? Can someone please give me some good advice on how to get him to sleep in his own bed? And while your at it, how the heck do I potty train him? You can see my previous post on this issue; he is so stubborn!!
Many many thanks in advance! :)
~Dana~

A Recipe Review - Bean Potato Enchiladas

OK, I can already hear most of you; "mashed potatoes in Mexican food, huh", but this recipe is actually quite tasty.
I made a few adjustments when I made the recipe, and I think there are more adjustments to be made the next time. I used instant mashed potatoes instead of making the mashed potatoes from scratch. I really didn't care for the texture of the mashed potatoes, so I think next time, I will make them from scratch, but not mash and whip them as the recipe calls for. When I make taco meat, I add little cubed pieces of potato, so I think I will try that.
I also suggest that if you try this recipe, you use two cans of enchilada sauce instead of one. I always use extra enchilada sauce when I make enchiladas of any kind because my husband likes his enchiladas saucy. But it also keeps the shells from drying out while baking.
All in all this was a pretty good recipe. If you are a vegetarian, then this would be perfect for you. I think next time, I will add some ground beef, and maybe cut down on the amount of taco seasoning I use. But it is definitely a keeper. :)
Bean Potato Enchiladas-
Rating - 3 Smiles
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bean-Potato-Enchiladas/Detail.aspx

A Recipe Review - Bean Burrito Casserole

If you are in a pinch, and need something quick and simple for dinner, this is your recipe. The main ingredient is frozen bean burritos, which most of us have in our freezers. It's so easy to make that my husband actually cooked it himself! I pre-heated the oven, and put all the ingredients on the table for him, but he did the rest. He was quite impressed with himself, and I have to admit that I was too. :)
This recipe seems very versatile to me, so I'm sure you can use any type of burrito you would like to use. Beef and bean burritos would be good, and I bet those frozen chimichangas you see in the freezer section of the store would be awesome too.
Both of my kids loved this recipe, and that's tough for me to do. My son usually eats anything, but my daughter is a very picky eater, and she loved it!!

Bean Burrito Casserole-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bean-Burrito-Casserole/Detail.aspx

Chinese anyone?

You Are Chinese Food

Exotic yet ordinary. People think they've had enough of you, but they're back for more in an hour.

What Kind of Food Are You?

I am Paper

You Are Paper

Crafty and creative, you are able to adapt freely to almost any situation. People tend to underestimate you, unless they've truly seen what you are capable of. Deep down, you're always scheming and thinking up new plans. Your mind is constantly active. You are quite capable of anything you dream of. You can always figure out a way to get what you want. You can wrap a rock person up in your sheet of trickery. A scissor person can sneak up and cut you to pieces. When you fight: No one can anticipate your next move If someone makes you mad: You'll attack them mercilessly when they're unprepared

Are You Rock, Paper, or Scissors?

A Recipe Review - Tollhouse Pie

OK all you chocolate lovers out there, this is the recipe for you!! I decided to switch it up, and review a dessert recipe today.
I actually found this recipe years ago, but I'm in the mood for chocolate, so I'm off to the kitchen to make this as soon as I am finished here. If you have ever had Tollhouse pie in a restaurant, then you know how good it is. It's basically a giant chocolate chip cookie in a pie crust, and it is heaven on a plate! This recipe, although not exactly like the pies in the restaurant, is so rich and good that you won't care that it doesn't taste exactly like the restaurant pie.
I've made this a couple of times, and the first time I used a regular pie crust like it calls for. I'm not a big fan of regular pie crusts, so the second time I made it, I used a graham cracker crust, and the third time (did I mention I love chocolate?) I used a shortbread crust. Both of these crusts were delicious!!
If you are a chocolate lover, then this is a must try recipe! I guarantee you will love it!
If you have a favorite dessert recipe you would like to share, please, please send it to me at ddh_favors@yahoo.com I am always looking for new recipes, and all will be appreciated. :)

Tollhouse Pie-

Rating - 4 Smiles (although 1,000 is more like it)
http://www.recipesource.com/desserts/pies/15/rec1513.html

Supporting Your School Through the PTO

Well, I just had my very first ever PTO meeting last night, and I am overwhelmed to say the least. I always thought being a part of the PTO would be fun, and I'm sure it will be, but I never had any idea what these ladies go through every school year. WOW!! I would recommend that everyone out there help out your child's PTO at least one time. You will come away with a new respect for the amount of time and effort that goes into all those extra things the PTO is in charge of.

Fundraisers - Your PTO is most likely in charge of all of the fundraisers that take place throughout the school year. There is a lot of behind the scenes work that needs to be done to make these fundraisers successful. For example, the box tops, labels, and Tyson programs that your school may be in charge of. I bet you didn't know that once you drop off your labels and box tops at school, your PTO members have to take every single one and cut the small portion that each company requires, and then bag them or rubber band them in certain quantities. A successful fundraiser of this nature can being in thousands of labels and box tops so just imagine the amount of time it takes for the PTO members to sit and cut all of these out. My advice to you is to ask one of your PTO members exactly what portion is needed from each label and box top, and make sure yours are cut out. You have no idea how much this will be appreciated.
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Gifts - You may not be aware, but in most schools, the PTO is in charge of gifts for the teachers and staff for Christmas, birthdays, and appreciation weeks.
Room Mothers/Fathers - If you have a child in elementary school, then you are familiar with all of the holiday parties that take place every year. Your PTO is in charge of selecting room mothers, and making sure to communicate with them regarding these parties.

There are so many other ways that your PTO helps out your school from coordinating parents to help out with field trips, helping teachers, yearbook, special activity days, and the list just keeps going. And did I mention these wonderful men and women are volunteers?
So, if you want to help out your school, and make a difference, consider volunteering for the PTO. It will be a very fun and rewarding experience, and I'm sure you will find yourself drawn to it year after year. If your schedule just will not allow you to volunteer, then you can do your part simply by participating in the fundraisers that your child brings home. The fundraisers are generally the biggest money maker the PTO has every year, and the profits from them allow them to fund more programs for the school. Even if can only afford to purchase one tub of cookie dough, or one roll of wrapping paper, every little bit helps.
So, get out there and support your school and your PTO! :)

A Recipe Review - Cheddar Biscuits like Red Lobster's

This recipe was a God send!! Although I haven't made them recently, they are a family favorite here in my home. They are the perfect addition to any seafood meal (they made the shrimp scampi a little better), and are very versatile so you can use them to accompany any meal.

Bisquick baking mix is recommended on the recipe, but I discovered that the Wal-Mart brand baking mix tastes as close to the real thing as you can get, and it's less expensive.

I have to admit that even I was amazed at how much these biscuits tasted like the real thing. If you love Red Lobster's Cheddar Baby Biscuits, then you will love this recipe!!


Cheddar Biscuits-

Rating - 4 Smiles
http://recipes.robbiehaf.com/R/89.htm

A Recipe Review - Emeril's Shrimp Scampi

I absolutely love shrimp scampi, and I have to say my mouth was watering while watching Emeril cook this on his show a few weeks ago. It looked so good that I just had to try it. But sadly, it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. :(

I still haven't put my finger on it yet, but it was just missing something. It seemed like all the elements were there, garlic, lemon, butter, olive oil, but it just lacked the zing that restaurant shrimp scampi has. Maybe it just didn't have enough of some of the ingredients; perhaps the garlic, or maybe it needed onion instead of capers. My guess is that it was the lack of onion. I never cook with capers, so I have become accustomed to the taste of onions, and generally put a little in almost everything I cook. I will try the recipe with more garlic, and onions instead of capers and let you know how it turns out.

I did notice that Emeril has several new shrimp scampi recipes online now, so I'll probably try one or more of them in the weeks to come.

If you are looking for a mild, easy to make shrimp scampi recipe, then you will love this. If you are like me, and are looking for something with a little kick to it, then you might want to try one of the other shrimp scampi recipes Emeril has to offer, or change the elements in this recipe to suit your taste buds.

Emeril's Shrimp Scampi

Rating - 2 Smiles
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-shrimp-scampi-recipe/index.html?rsrc=search

Do you have a delicious recipe you would like to share?

If you have found a recipe in a cookbook, magazine, or on the internet, or if you have a family recipe that everyone in your family raves about, then I would love to give it a try. I also would love to try any recipe you have found that sounds good, but you're not sure what it will taste like. If you want a guinea pig, I'm your girl. I am always looking for new recipes to try out on my family, and I would be happy to write a review on it, and share it with the world.
Please send your recipes to ddh_favors@yahoo.com and please let me know if you would like a written review, or if you are just sharing it for me to try. If you would like a review, and you have found a link to the recipe, please provide the link, so I can link to it in the Recipes I have Reviewed section of the blog. :)

A Recipe Review - Rachael Ray's Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake Baked Ziti Yummo!

If you like Italian food, but don't have the time to cook it the authentic way, then this is a must have recipe for you. This recipe aired on Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals at the beginning of last year, but I notices that is is set to air twice in September of this year as well.

My kids and my husband love Italian food. In fact, if it wasn't for me, they could probably eat it in some form every day of the week. As I get older (I'm 31, but feel much older most of the time) I am finding that there are just certain foods that I love that I just can't eat anymore. Italian foods, and most Mexican foods (my absolute favorite) are sadly among the not so good for my stomach foods. But, I was once able to eat them at one time, so I figure I can at least review them so that those of you with younger stomachs can enjoy them. :)

OK, back to the recipe. I have to say that I was impressed with the simple ingredients and abundance of flavor. Baked ziti is my husbands favorite meal, so when I put this dish down in front of him, his eyes glazed over with delight. I didn't even have to tell him that it wasn't baked; which is my favorite part of this dish! It really does taste like you've been slaving away for hours in the kitchen. The last step of broiling the dish to melt the cheeses is what gives it that baked in the oven look and taste.

When Rachael says it's enough to feed a crowd, she means it. This meal provided our family of 4 with a hearty dinner, and enough for my husband and myself to have lunch the next day, with quite a bit left over. I actually froze the left over leftovers, and we had enough for lunch a couple of weeks later. This truly is the meal that keeps on giving.

Rachael Ray's Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti-

Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/scuderi-kids-fast-fake-baked-ziti-recipe/index.html?rsrc=search

Potty Training a 3 Year Old Boy - HELP!!!!

OK, I am at my wits end with my son. He has to be the absolute most stubborn child on the planet! We have been working on potty training religiously for 4 months now, and he just refuses to "get trained". He is in pull ups, which he calls his big boy diapers. We put him in regular underwear when we are feeling particularly brave, but my couch just can't take the pee anymore! But I have to tell you that it is so infuriating to watch him do the potty dance and run around the house when he needs to go, rather than just go to the da** bathroom. If we pick him up and take him in there he starts screaming and just goes in his pull up anyway. And then looks at us with a sly smile and says "I'm wet. I need a new diaper." Well, what the heck did you think was going to happen when you peed in your pants? AARGGHH!!!!
My daughter is almost 11, and she was potty trained a month after she turned 3. It was literally a 1 day process. Are girls just easier to train than boys? It's times like this that I wish I could just take him and drop him off at a potty training class somewhere and pay someone else to do it. Maybe I just need a Potty Training for Dummies book or something. He's going to be 4 in December, so he is plenty old enough, not that he seems to care!!

A Recipe Review - Paula Deen's New Millennium Sandwich

A couple of weeks ago, I was flipping through the channels, and landed on one of my favorite channels, The Food Network. There I found Paula Deen and her adorable sons sharing recipes and memories from their days as The Bag Lady; the business that started an empire. One of the recipes on this episode peaked my interest, and my taste buds, so I decided to give it a try. The sandwich they were making was The Bag Lady New Millennium Sandwich. It was their classic chicken salad sandwich with a twist, and it was to die for!!


If you like to cook, and you like chicken salad sandwiches, then you will love this recipe. The recipe calls for you to start from scratch and boil the chicken, and not start with chicken from a can. I make chicken salad from a can all the time, so I'm sure it will work with this recipe too. I boiled a 3 pound chicken, and I have to tell you that the smell of the broth alone made us all hungry! And the broth was just another plus for this recipe. I saved it and used it in a chicken noodle soup the next day and it was delicious!!



This sandwich was a family pleaser, and one I plan on making over and over again. If I don't have a need for the delicious broth, I will probably try it with canned chicken, and for variety, I may try tuna, also one of our favorites. I will post back down the road when I try this and let you know how it turned out.



The Bag Lady New Millennium Sandwich -

Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/big-lady-new-millennium-sandwich-recipe/index.html?rsrc=search

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