I need some pro advice

Right now, as fun as Zeb can be, he also makes me INSANE. I think he needs a leash. I'm serious. No matter where we go, he RUNS wild. When we went trick or treating in downtown perrysburg he'd make a break for it ANY chance he got. As soon as we got into the offices to get the candy he'd make a run for their back rooms. When we were outside he'd tear over to the road or neighboring buildings. ALL of the other kids we were with remained mostly with moms or at least kept in close proximity. Yesterday we went to the 577 foundation (a fun kid's place) and he took off immediately. He does not care where I am or where he's going. Oh, and his stroller is not a great option. He's quite the litle houdini and can writhe and squirm out of any restraint.

So, my question to you all is, should I get him a leash? you know, one of those little monkey backpack things that they wear that also attaches to me. I won't use it unless we are outside or maybe at the library. He makes me crazy at the library-running rampant and pulling hundreds of books and dvds off the shelves. Are leashes pathetic? are they mean? do they even work? will he just grow out of the runaway phase?

Zeb is so dang funny lately. His current favorite phrases/words include "I'm stuck"- even when he isn't stuck at all- and dirt and shirt. Here's a little video to show you some of his latest antics- fake laughing and eating playdough (nothing too exciting- but it sure shows off his ginormous mouth).

prop 8 and some lighter happier news

I'm glued to the tv and internet today and I wish that I could vote in California. I've been a little bit of a news junkie lately and I read the most disturbing article on the npr website. It had me outraged and very nervous. And did anyone see the commercial that they are actually airing in some California precincts today? It depicts LDS missionaries going into the home of a Lesbian couple to confiscate their rings and tear up their marriage license?!? It can be seen on youtube. Go vote YES for prop 8 you Californians!

In lighter news- gas went UNDER TWO DOLLARS here!! 1.99. Sorry, Laney! I know your prices in New York are still pretty steep but we are in heaven here in Toledo.

AHHHH! It's kind of a big day today. I am so excited that we get CNN. I am also excited that all of the political commercials are coming to an end. It must be that we live on Ohio- but at least 75% of commercials on tv right now are political! Kent and I counted FIVE in one short commercial break during our show last night. Not to mention we woke up with Obama signs on our doors this morning!
For those of you who haven't voted yet and need some info on anything- I found the greatest website! Smart voter is the greatest site that gives you all of your ballot information- or at least resources on where to find the info. You can also just google "lucas county sample ballot" to see all of the issues on your ballot- but include your county instead of mine :) HAPPY VOTING.

I guess all little boys do this?!

This little rugrat sure needs a lot of sleep aids! He has been miraculously great about having his bink only at bedtime, but now he also needs a few other items. He's always been a blanket and tigger boy and just recently he's added his four, six, and eight wheeled friends to the bedtime routine. I think he learned the trick from his buddy, sam. Luckily Zeb is still the easiest kid in the world to put to bed. He loves everything about his bed and falling asleep in it (he just still sometimes struggles with staying asleep in it).

Best Halloween Costume Ever!

Leisy loves keeping up with the latest Hollywood gossip. We accept it and love her for it. I'm always getting in trouble for asking "Who?!?" when I should be well aware of who just named their baby Zuma, Apple, Moxie Crimefighter or something crazier than Zbinden. Today while she was looking at Hollywood Halloween costumes her fascination kind of became mine as well. So much so that I am blogging about this. I actually liked watching Project Runway with Leisy and must admit my dissapointment that they completed their final season. We both quite enjoyed Heidi Klum's personality but I REALLY liked her costume this year. It has to be the coolest costume I have ever seen - I would totally dress up like this if I had as much money as her.

Before:

We had a baby shower at my place this weekend and we decided to make cinnamon rolls since it was a breakfast open house. I really love a good cinnamon roll but I've never had much success in making them myself. This morning I made a batch that was DIVINE. It was so easy and pretty fast for a homemade roll. It is definitely not healthy and I am so glad that they were nearly gone when everyone left! they really were so good.

1 cup warm milk
1 pack rapid rise yeast
2 eggs
1/3 c soft or melted butter
1 tsp salt
1/2 c white sugar
4.5 c bread flour ( I did use bread flour because I had it on hand-I'm not sure if there would be much difference with regular flour though)

combine the yeast and milk and mix. Allow to sit a few (3-5) minutes (mine never got frothy like my regular yeast mixtures do).

mix eggs, butter, salt, and sugar. Add yeast mixture and blend. Add the flour by cups and mix with mixer while you still can (I didn't knead it at all because I mixed it a little here). The dough will be pretty sticky- don't stress. Preheat oven to 200 degrees and turn off. Place in greased glass bowl in oven covered with a damp rag or paper towel. Let rise one hour or so (until doublish in size). Roll out into rectangle (I did two rectangles) on lightly floured surface. I added a tad more flour just so it didn't stick to my hands- but don't add too much.

mix:
1 c (I did a little extra) brown sugar
1/2 c butter
2.5- 3 tbsp cinnamon

Spread the rectangles with MELTED butter and then top with sugar mix. Cut in 1 inch thick strips (mine were probably 5-6 long) and roll up. Really I just eyeballed all of this. They rise A LOT so don't make them too big.

Place in warm oven (in glass dish-a 9 by 13 will hold about 2/3 of them) again for 30 minutesish (or until you are happy with their size). Bake twenty minutes at 350 degrees. Keep an eye on them so that they don't burn or dry out.

Mine made twenty decent sized rolls! I also had some leftover sugar filling and poured it on top with about five minutes left to cook.

I used my favorite frosting!
3 c p sugar
6 tbsp milk
5 tbsp (soft) butter
vanilla