Happy Holidays from The Crumbs!

Ah, the holiday season. Now that the evil stomach flu has made the rounds, finally hitting Suvi and I hard earlier this week, we are rushing like minions to get everything done in time.  (Yes, we've been watching lots of Despicable Me this week...love that film!)

Anyway, the kids were utterly thrilled to construct their gingerbread house with characters from Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, including their favourite, Bumble.  You know, the big, hairy guy that scared them all until his teeth were yanked out by sweet little Hermey, the Elf, and tamed by that squeezable adventurer, Yukon Cornelius.  Here's how the final project looked:

Now have a look at what we came down to this morning...

Notice anything?  Yes, there are a few missing candies and yes, Bumble is gone!  Ack!!  Upon closer inspection, one can clearly see the trail of the criminal responsible: tongue tracks.  Yep.  Big, slobbery, doggy tongue tracks.  Martha ate flippin' Bumble.  Ugh!!

Thankfully, after a brief memorial, the kids moved on to more intellectually stimulating holiday preparations, such as trying out their Holiday Specs.  Have you tried these things and looked at the lights on the tree?  Totally wild, man!  (especially after a holiday beverage or two)

That, and they've been completely entranced by a certain Hanukkah ditty that came out a while back and they cannot get enough of.  I'm sure you've heard it but it's been on repeat in this household (with the video, of course) for weeks and weeks.  I don't think the kids will ever care about the original of this track because the Candlelight version is so much better.  Plus, Suvi is crushing on at least three of these boys and Max wants to be one of them.  It's all pretty funny!  But hey, they're getting a small lesson in Jewish culture (we're not Jewish) so more power to them!  Enjoy if you haven't seen it before (warning, it's addictive!):

(can't see the embedded vid?  Click here)

Hope your ho-ho-holiday preparations are going swimmingly and you have a healthy and happy season, whatever you celebrate!  Happy Holidays from the Crumbs!

House of crazy faces

Last night, while waiting for Grandpa and Grandma to get on Skype with us, the kids decided to take some effect shots with Photobooth.  Who knew such simple technology could bring us all to tears.  I think my body still aches from laughing so hard...


Introducing Big Mouth Beaver Boy and his ability to suck people's heads into his mouth.

I'm not exactly certain what these beings are in this shot but it looks like their master in the middle can make them duplicate so I'd stay away.  I smell danger...

Daddy Crumb thought Suvi looked like a character from Hoops & YoYo (not sure which one) in this shot.  Max looks like he's got a Pixar superhero chin (a la Mr. Incredible) and Finn's just stunned by his own stretchy face.

Last but not least, Wild Baboon Boy, still stunned stretchy-face Finn, and Suvi "Crimson Chin".  Watch out for this trio of fairly odd superheroes.

Happy Monday.  :)

Fresh, new skin for the new year and a giveaway

I’ve been told I have nice skin on many occasions over the years.  Don’t get me wrong, I fought the dreaded pimple monster throughout my teenage years, like most of us.  Overall, though, I’d say that I’ve been fortunate.  A zit here and there to keep me on my toes.

That was until I turned 35.  Not sure what happened exactly that year but I suddenly found myself with some serious skin trauma.  Long story short, I’d developed a bit of a skin condition and was trying to treat it via topical meds from my dermatologist.

It was never so bad that most people would even really notice unless they were close up to me but I was pretty upset by it and for a time felt extremely embarrassed about my face.  I guess I’ve gotten more used to it because it’s still there and I haven’t done anything different than in the past.  

I’d always heard about Proactiv and wanted to try it out but never really got organized enough to order it.  This month, however, I get that chance.  I’m participating in a 30-day test run of the New Proactiv system through MomCentral.  

Here’s what I’m testing:

The 3-Step System: Designed for daily use in the prevention and treatment of blemishes, it gently cleanses and exfoliates while targeting blemish-causing bacteria in the pores.

§ Step 1: Renewing Cleanser: A unique oil-free formula, with exclusive micro-crystal pharmaceutical-grade benzoyl peroxide, that contains smooth, tiny beads to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and other impurities.

§ Step 2: Revitalising Toner: A refreshing, alcohol-free toner with glycolic acid that helps balance skin tone and remove dead skin cells to reveal the vital, radiant skin beneath. Its special formulation to balance skin's natural acids includes witch hazel to refine and purify pores and aloe and chamomile to soothe and soften.

§ Step 3: Repairing Treatment: A light, oil-free lotion containing exclusive micro- crystal pharmaceutical-grade benzoyl peroxide. The Repairing Treatment penetrates deep into the pore to help heal blemishes and help prevent future breakouts. The advanced delivery system is safe for the entire face and any other blemish-prone areas.

Sounds good, non? I will keep you posted on how it goes.  It's already making my face feel smoother and tighter, both positive results!  

Oh, and I get to give away a full-size bottle of Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer valued at $33 CAD to five of my Crumbs readers (Canadians only this time!) who post a comment about why you’d like to try Proactiv or if you already use it, what you’re experience has been.  So get to it!  Chances are good you may win yourself a bottle.  Tweet daily for extra entries and let me know here, too.  (be sure to copy me @CynthiaCrumb) 


Oh, and you can enter on all of the blogs that are participating in the tour but you'll only be able to win on one. :)  

Contest ends at the end of my 30-day trial – January 8^th, 2011. 

Here’s hoping for a new year with fresh, clear skin again! 

Disclosure - I am participating in the New Proactiv Canada program hosted by Mom Central on behalf of Guthy-Renker. I received a 30-day trial kit and a gift card a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Mmmm....coffee.....

Despite the stomach flu circulating here, despite a lack of sleep and so many things to get done, despite my general grouchiness as a non-morning person, this particular morning has been fantastic. While the gang snuggled up in our bed at 8:00am to watch Elf (“I love smiling! Smiling’s my favourite!”), I snuck downstairs to the kitchen to test out something…

Within a matter of moments, I had a hot, delicious cup of Starbucks Breakfast Blend coffee in my hand!  Oh, the thrill of not having to brew an entire pot and wait and wait! 

My new Tassimo is exactly what I needed this morning and I’m so grateful to the beautiful Stephanie (a.k.a. SassyModernMom) from How to Survive Life in the Suburbs, the uber-fantastic Duri and the lovely folks at Tassimo Canada.  Because of all of them, I now am the proud owner of the perfect morning machine. 

Ahhhh….back to my beverage.  Happy Sunday, everyone!

(and don’t forget to get over to MapleMixtape to enter the “win your own personalized mixCD” giveaway that ends in just a few days!)

Win yourself a really great (and totally personal) holiday gift of music!

Yes, a bit of a cheater post but thought I'd share with you lovely Crumbs readers a giveaway I'm running on my other blog, MapleMixtape.   I posted my favourite Canadian songs from 2010 (with a few others, too,) that you can check out (because they are fantastic tracks!) but if you comment there, you'll be entered to win a personalized mixCD that I will make just for you.

Because you know we take music very seriously around here.

So head over here if you have a moment and hear some great Canadian music and enter to win!

http://maplemixtape.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/2010-wrap-up-playlist-and-a-giveaway/

Later, beautiful people.

Hardwood floors, projectile vomit and Christmas. Good times...

Our hardwood floor in the kitchen - you know, the one Daddy Crumb installed himself this summer during the infamous kitchen renovation of 2010 - has started taking a beating.  I knew it wouldn't last as the smooth and shiny beauty it was when it was first laid down.  In fact, it wasn't long before things started, um, "giving it character" as a few people have so lovingly explained to me.

Still, it's been difficult for me to watch it "gather personality".  A few bumps and scratches started to appear. The dog has been tirelessly encroaching on her "not allowed in here" restricted area.  Her darn nails have made the most scratches of anything so far.  I tried to capture them for you but the camera clearly does not do it justice.  I know, you're looking at the photo saying "what?  What am I supposed to be looking at?" but I swear, there are all kinds of scratches there!  Really!  Damn dog...

Anyway, even after last weekend's fantastic holiday party here where a few glasses/beer bottles were dropped on the floor, I was keeping relatively calm.  It wasn't until last night that I really felt ill about the floor.

I was just outside the kitchen at the time and Daddy Crumb was at the island.  Max had said he had a sore tummy and was having a drink at the table when suddenly he stood up beside his chair.  I made some joke to him about something and within two seconds he opened his mouth and it was like The Exorcist had arrived in our kitchen.

I have literally never, ever seen projectile vomit like that of Max's last night.  No word of a lie, he stood there without expression and simply opened his mouth and vomit violently spewed a solid five feet across the kitchen, covering a huge amount of floor space.

Daddy Crumb was dumbstruck and I was calling for Max to come to the bathroom quickly.  He wandered toward me, still expressionless (I'm telling you, horror movie kind of stuff) and I ran to get the powder room light on for him.  He turned the corner and looked directly at me when again he opened his mouth and another gush of vomit flew from his mouth.  Again, it was easily a five foot distance (that seems to be his range) and landed at my feet.

Let me tell you, I have a very sensitive stomach and it took every ounce of calm for me not to want to start throwing up myself.  Between the smell and the sheer volume of what had to be cleaned, I was almost ready to run outside and eat snow.

And take it from me, I'm a mother of three - I have seen, smelled and worn all kinds of bodily fluids of the worst kind over the last 8 years and nothing has bothered me quite like this did.

Still, even after multiple wake-ups during the night and repeated vomiting in bed (we ran out of bedding!), I could never resist this poor little guy.  He needed hugs.

Today I've been still reeling over the whole episode, but a few things are making me feel better.  Like this (snowfall...):

And this (our big, fat scotch pine):

And then I noticed this and thought, I should do a close up here and maybe make a few cheeseheads smile today, too.  (like you, Abe?)

Here's hoping the nasty Exorcist bug stays far, far away from your house this holiday season.  {shudder}

All I want for Christmas is...

This Holiday post is
sponsored as part of the UrbanMoms Network.

Pssst...there's an Old Navy gift certificate giveaway at the end of this post, too!  Make sure you don't miss it!

I usually have trouble letting people know what I want for Christmas.  Each year, without fail, my father asks me what's on my wish list and my immediate answer is usually "I don't know!  Whatever!"  I think it's partly because of the guilt I feel asking for something that's just for myself and partly because I just don't have the time or brain power to even figure out what I'd like.

So this year, I've decided to make a list.  Not because anyone should feel obligated to get me anything on this list, but I figure anything that can help my poor Dad or husband out is a good thing.

Here goes, then.  What I would love for Christmas this year...

Let's start with the basics:

- chocolate.  Always a safe bet.
- a holder for my (soon to be under the tree) Tassimo cartridges
- an iPhone would be loverly
- case for my ukelele would also be sweet
- gift card for Banana Republic a good option
- a panini press
- bottomless iTunes?  Yeah, baby!

If you're feeling a little more ambitious:

- a DJ system would be very cool (you know, two turntables and a microphone...)
- a grand piano.  I mean, I wouldn't know where to put it but I've always wanted one
- a new car.  Our old one (Jezebel) is the equivalent of one of the zombies from the Thriller video but she doesn't have the same dance moves that she used to.
- a sauna.  Yeah, that would be really, really nice.  Daddy Crumb, can you get on that?
- lifetime supply of Spanx.  I'm not afraid to admit it.  I love Spanx.

And if the sky was the limit:

- a self-cleaning house. Who wouldn't want this?!
- ten extra hours each day.  Oh, the things I could do...
- a house band featuring any players I choose.  In my house.  At any given time.  And the players would look something like:  Neil Finn, Bjork, Emily Haines, Abe Laboriel Jr on drums and Victor Wooten on bass.

I think that's all quite reasonable, non?

Ultimately, the best gifts I will receive this year are ones I already know I'll be getting: watching the kids on Christmas morning as they live and breathe the real magic of the season.  That, my friends, is priceless.

Are you ready for some magic, too?  One lucky reader will win a $100 gift card from Old Navy to help with that holiday shopping!   Just pop over to Urbanmoms.ca and enter!

What kinds of things are on your wish list this year?  And please don't say world peace and eternal happiness... that's just a given!

Yeah, I got a real bad temper...

We enjoy Pee Wee Herman in this household.  I've told you about this before and wrote about it over at Bunch a while back, too.

But I should have suspected things were getting a little out of hand when Finnegan came to me with this yesterday.

Don't know what this is?  Have a look at this short excerpt from Pee Wee's Big Adventure.  Looks like Finnegan is now following in the footsteps of that angry prison escapee, Mickey.



(can't see the embedded vid?  Click here to view.)

Yep.  He's a 3-year-old on the edge...

Five minutes to curtain, Mr. Belafonte

Do you remember The Muppet Show?  Did you watch it as a kid?  I sure did and I loved it.  So did the rest of my family.  That's the topic of my Old School, Still Cool post this month at BunchFamily.  Head on over to check it out!

In the meantime, have a look at my Uncle Jim's Animal costume from around 1978.  Not bad for a homemade costume by a teenager!  (my aunt behind him was Peter Criss from KISS that year...)

Wakka wakka...

Hug A Finn Day and an extra special guitar

This weekend, we are hosting our annual holiday party for approximately 70 lovely people in our home.  Should be fun.  But something is extra special this year - my good friend, Jowi Taylor, is actually bringing his project, Six String Nation, to our home to share with our guests during the night.

I posted about this project here a while back but thought that since I'll be "meeting" the Voyageur guitar in person this weekend here in my very own home, I'd take the opportunity to share this fantastic guitar with you again, in case you missed it.

I'm going to send you over to my other blog, MapleMixtape, to check it out.  If you have any interest in Canadian history, culture and/or music, I hope you'll head over there!  Seriously.  It's amazing.

http://maplemixtape.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/the-most-meaningful-guitar-in-canada/

Oh, and did you know it's Hug A Finn Day today?  Yep, it is.  So, in addition to getting lots of hugs myself today, I also got to get an extra special one from my youngest band member, Finnegan.