Friday, February 3, 2012
Save10
Good through Feb.27th. If you have wanted to buy my cookbook, and haven't yet, Blurb is having a special where you can save 10 bucks on your order! Just put in the code SAVE10. Very cool.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Pinewood Derby Winner
The time for our cubscout pinewood derby came around again. It seemed like we just had a derby, but I guess since it was the Space derby, it is different. As parents, we were a bit derbied out, so we gave the full responsibility to the boys to get their cars ready.
We don't have any woodworking tools at home, so they had the power of a pocket knife, to create their cars. The worked long hours in the garage, sculpting their cars to their desired shape. Then, they took scraps of sandpaper and made their cars smooth. Finally, they got into my craft paints and decorated their works of art. I felt a little bad for them, only having a pocket knife to work with, but they loved every minute of it. Keaton can't wait to earn a special cubscout badge so he have his dad follow through on the promise of his very own pocket knife.
A few quarters and washers were placed strategically, as weights on the underneath sides of the cars. Two long tracks decorated the room. A dozen cars awaited their turn down the long raceway. A dozen boys sat anxiously awaiting their turn. Youngsters played at the far end of the room. Muffins were consumed. Adults talked of this and that. It seemed that the stage was set to get some winners.
Kolby's car only won one race. Most of the time he sat quietly, watching race after race. I felt sad for him, but when I got his attention, he seemed happy enough. This was his first derby, and he had great expectations. That one race that he came in first, he was thrilled. I was thrilled for him. Go Kolby! He nicknamed his car: The Future Bumblebee.
Keaton's car beat our the slick-styled cars race after race. I was surprised, each time his name was called as being the winner of the race. He nicknamed his car: The Future. He was sure that it was ahead of it's time, and would surely take the winning spot.
As the awards drew near, we knew Keaton was in the running for the top position. It was down to the final race. A race against a boy named Adam. He had a very cool-looking car. Whoosh! The cars flew by. Who won? Too close to tell. Let's race again. Whoosh! Who won this time? Too close to tell again. Let's try it one more time. Whoosh! The winner? Adam...by a hair.
So the awards were handed out. Kolby got the "best handmade design" award. Keaton got the fastest car award for the Webelos. He was happy with that, but then we found out that Adam competed the year prior, in the regional derby, and therefore, couldn't compete again. By default, Keaton gets to go to regionals. He couldn't believe it!
The boys definitely learned to take joy in the journey. They worked hard making their derbies, and they enjoyed the race. It was a good day.
We don't have any woodworking tools at home, so they had the power of a pocket knife, to create their cars. The worked long hours in the garage, sculpting their cars to their desired shape. Then, they took scraps of sandpaper and made their cars smooth. Finally, they got into my craft paints and decorated their works of art. I felt a little bad for them, only having a pocket knife to work with, but they loved every minute of it. Keaton can't wait to earn a special cubscout badge so he have his dad follow through on the promise of his very own pocket knife.
A few quarters and washers were placed strategically, as weights on the underneath sides of the cars. Two long tracks decorated the room. A dozen cars awaited their turn down the long raceway. A dozen boys sat anxiously awaiting their turn. Youngsters played at the far end of the room. Muffins were consumed. Adults talked of this and that. It seemed that the stage was set to get some winners.
Kolby's car only won one race. Most of the time he sat quietly, watching race after race. I felt sad for him, but when I got his attention, he seemed happy enough. This was his first derby, and he had great expectations. That one race that he came in first, he was thrilled. I was thrilled for him. Go Kolby! He nicknamed his car: The Future Bumblebee.
Keaton's car beat our the slick-styled cars race after race. I was surprised, each time his name was called as being the winner of the race. He nicknamed his car: The Future. He was sure that it was ahead of it's time, and would surely take the winning spot.
As the awards drew near, we knew Keaton was in the running for the top position. It was down to the final race. A race against a boy named Adam. He had a very cool-looking car. Whoosh! The cars flew by. Who won? Too close to tell. Let's race again. Whoosh! Who won this time? Too close to tell again. Let's try it one more time. Whoosh! The winner? Adam...by a hair.
So the awards were handed out. Kolby got the "best handmade design" award. Keaton got the fastest car award for the Webelos. He was happy with that, but then we found out that Adam competed the year prior, in the regional derby, and therefore, couldn't compete again. By default, Keaton gets to go to regionals. He couldn't believe it!
The boys definitely learned to take joy in the journey. They worked hard making their derbies, and they enjoyed the race. It was a good day.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Question Update
I really appreciate all your suggestions (and support) for my next cookbook. I will be making two cookbooks. One, I'll put up on Blurb again. It will be similar to the first in that you can buy it through blurb, all printed up and pretty. The other cookbook will be in pdf format, and will be available to purchase through download. It will be cheaper, but will be electronic. You can keep it on your computer, ipad, or phone. If you would like, you can take that pdf and email it to a copy store, and have them bind it for you so you have a hardcopy.
Both will have the same recipes in it, but the formatting will be a bit different, to account for the different programs used to make each. The books will contain the recipes I have posted on my blog since making the first cookbook, and some new recipes as well.
Sound good? I'm excited.
Both will have the same recipes in it, but the formatting will be a bit different, to account for the different programs used to make each. The books will contain the recipes I have posted on my blog since making the first cookbook, and some new recipes as well.
Sound good? I'm excited.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Milky Cereal
The day has come. The day when the baby of the family decides he can no longer live another day of his life without having his previously dry bowl of cereal receive a makeover in the form of M.I.L.K.
Milk poured over cereal. My nemesis. The creator of my queasiness. The instigator of dry heaves. The reason I cannot be in the kitchen when people are eating breakfast cereal. The slurping. The sogginess. The sound of half chewing/half sloshing. The inevitable drink-the-crumb-infested-flavorified-milk from the bowl after completion of cereal eating. The smell. Oh, the smell. I find it disgusting.
This week, Mr. Kimble decided he needed milk in his bowl of multi-grain cheerios. Besides the fact that to me, cheerios is the worst offender of cereal-breath, merely witnessing this life-changing moment was bittersweet. I love that he is growing and changing and learning new things. However, I'm now grieved that I can never have post-cereal kisses from him e.v.e.r. again. Not if I want to remain in good health.
Ah. Milky cereal breath. This combines two things I never eat, and never ever together. Milk and cereal. Most of the world does, however. I understand that. I accept that. But you will never find me running one of those cute little college town eatery places that only serve endless concoctions of cereal and name-your-flavor milks. Nope. Not for me.
But for my big boy...my baby...who is not only eating milky cereal in a bowl, with a spoon, but he is sitting at the table instead of his high chair. I still love him...even if he chooses a life of milk and cereal sogginess.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Facebook Funnies 2011
So I thought I'd entertain you with a few (more than a few) facebook posts from throughout the year. They are in reverse order, starting with most recent and going back through the year. I also started a dream recap series, which includes a few highlights from the dreams I remembered having, upon wakening in the morning. Hope you enjoy!
I got a call from The Husband, as I was out running errands. I told him I couldn't talk right then, and ended the call. When I called back, to tell him I was next in line at the post office and that's why I couldn't talk, he breathed a sigh of relief. His first thought was that I had been kidnapped; held hostage by a big ugly man, and was forced to act nonchalant, even though I was under duress. What a protective husband I have! (and what an active imagination he has too!)
Felt strangely validated when my sister, who is a new mommy to her first baby boy, called me up last week and asked "how on earth do you ever get anything done?" Ha!
Thinks it's curious that The Man In The Yellow Hat can afford an apartment in NYC and a house in the country, but only one outfit for himself and no clothing for his monkey-son.
We had tacos for dinner. Kennedy said "No lettuce for me. Lettuce makes me wiggle and I just want no wiggling tonight."
Somewhere in this house is a brand new bottle of pomegranate dishsoap. According to the evidence left behind in the grocery bag, it is also oozing it's contents. You would think we could find it; that it would be obvious. A soapy trail...something. Nope. Wherever Mr. Kimble took it, it's hidden amazingly well. Perhaps he should be a magician for Halloween, then he could "Abra Cadabra" it back to my kitchen, because I need it
Today we saw Kimble throw the missing bottle of dishsoap down the stairs. We all stared at him perplexed, because we looked EVERYWHERE in the house, and couldn't find it (see previous post) then just like that, he had it in his hands and chucked it down the stairs. I really think he IS Houdini.
"I just keep getting more hair on my arms and legs mom! Guess being a 4th grader changes everything." -Keaton
Kimble ate the nose of my styrofoam head model. Now she looks like voldamort.
I sent Kennedy to school with a cute headband on, and she came home with it across her forehead like Rambo. Which way do you think she wore it for her school pictures? We shall see!
When asked Kolby if he was a good boy while I was gone to parent/teacher conferences, he pulls out a used sacrament cup and says "Yup. I just filled this up and drank it, so all my sins are gone now."
Woke up an hour late, to get the kids off to school (7:04am instead of 6am). Got the kids out the door at 7:12am, and thought we did good until I heard Kennedy shout back "I only brushed my top teeth, so I could be faster, Momma!"
This morning The Husband made waffles for everyone while I took a HOT shower and used up all the hot water. Fair trade?
This Morning's Interrupted Dream: I was adopting a baby (and breastfeeding him...how talented am I?) and realized his name did not start with a K. So while chatting with my good friends Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, together we went through a list of suggested K names. By the end of the dream, I still didn't have a K name, but with Katie and I wearing matching overalls, I was completely satisfied with the progress we had made.
I texted the husband saying "I love you more than you love Spaghetti" ... only when I looked at what the auto correct put in, it said " I love you more than you love your ghetti". So funny.
Kennedy brings me one of her library books this morning and says "Momma, I'm just gonna look at this book during scriptures, because I don't really listen to you when you read them anyway."
Kolby actually did his homework (1) fast, (2) by himself, (3) without a fit, and (4) with a happy attitude. I'm amazed by what a fabulous mother I must be.
Overheard Kennedy saying to Keaton "You have to listen to momma, because she's older than all of us...well, except for Kamy. She's the oldest of all."
I called to Kimble, because I hadn't heard him for a few minutes, and he didn't reply. So I went looking for him. He was in his crib, curled up almost to the point of sleep, and was sucking on his binkie. I guess he wanted his binkie bad enough to figure out how to climb into his crib. At least he followed my rule of No Binkies Out of Bed. What an obedient boy I have.
When I asked Keaton to do his chores, he replied "but mom, I just want to be like most Mormon men and just relax and do nothing after church."
Right now Kennedy is snorting like a pig while dragging a laughing Kimble down the stairs on his belly. Kolby is doing everything BUT his chores. Keaton is bench pressing our kitchen bench for exercise, and the husband is watching cycling on TV. What's happening at your house?
Kennedy is outside cutting the grass with a big knife. Instead of stopping her, I sit and watch.
Last night, as I was sewing, I was listening to 60's music and singing along. Kamy came over and said "What kind of music is that? I guess back in the olden days you didn't have that great of music to listen to, like we do now."
Kolby liked his birthday present so much, that he slept in them. Who knew rollerblades and flannel pajamas make good bedmates.
One of Keaton's classmates was wearing one of my headbands today; I guess her mom bought one from me at the farmer's market. He told her all about how his mom makes "amazing headbands of all different colors and also makes some famous chicken enchilada dip". To that last comment, I raised my eyebrows and he said "Well, you do!"
The Husband came home early and found me napping. Guess I lost all my credibility about what I do all day.
This morning's dream: I was kidnapped by Danny Davito, who took all my money and my car, then told me to go into this Panda Express type of place to order some orange chicken. I ordered the "kidnapped special" hoping they would rescue me, but the guy was just annoyed that he had to make a special order. Then this other customer asked me to sign her yearbook. I'd never met her before, but signed "What a great year, right? Help me. I'm kidnapped!"
The husband torched the huge black widow in our window well.
Before we left for Kamy to get her "middle school shots", Georgie gave her a pep talk. "Now Kamy. Be brave! I know you can do it! It's just a shot. Don't cry!"
Today's interrupted dream: I flew to Chicago to meet up with my boyfriend, Robert Pattinson, where we were starting to watch a movie in a theater. The seat next to him had a carton of eggs, which he was trying to protect. Midway through the movie, everyone except Robert got sucked into the movie via this crazy black goo that warped us into the screen. Robert was left with his eggs, wondering how to get us out again.
Kolby just asked me if I was a Pre-Teen. Maybe he was trying to tell me I needed to act my age.
"Do you know how Heavenly Father makes us?" Georgie asked me. Before I could reply, she said "He makes a seed and plants it, and it turns into a human plant."
Kimble handed me a rock. Only, it wasn't a rock, but a large clump of soiled kitty litter.
Kamy just said "Mom, what if I grew up and married a lion? That would be a problem, because I'm an omnivore, and he's a carnivore, and that would cause lots of fights."
Folded a weeks worth of laundry, and only had two pairs of boys underwear in the mix. Something's not right.
Kolby told Kennedy to listen to him and she replied "of course I will because I am in love with you."
Kamy said "Mom, people in France kiss with their tounges!"
While eating her sandwich at the reservoir, Kennedy said "If that eagle swoops down here and eats my food I'll kick it!"
Today's interrupted dream: I was flying like a bird, using special crayola markers as power and fuel, searching for a special rock, hidden in a crevasse, that would make me all powerful, but my plans were being thwarted by Barbara Walters, who was flying behind me with her own set of magical markers. So I grabbed her markers and threw them away, and punched her in the face, but she only managed to gain momentum.
During the dinner prayer, Kennedy said "...and please bless Satan, that he'll be a good boy".
Keaton: "I can't wait to get to heaven so I can ride a Tyrannosaurus Rex!"
At the zoo, Kennedy kept running from winged insects. Keaton said "Come on George! Are you scared of everything that flies? Kennedy responded "Yes. Everything...except Jesus of course."
As The Husband and I were at the store, getting fixin's for our BBQ, the kids (at home) thought they heard someone trying to open the garage and break-in (the 30 mph wind is furious today!) and so they prepared themselves. Kolby got a golf club. Keaton got a chainsaw. Kamy got a homemade bow (a stick with a robe sash tied to it) and Georgie hid in a laundry basket.
Kamy told me that she speaks dog.
This mornings interrupted dream: My mom was trying desperately to blowdry my hair, even at my persistence for her not to, as I was arguing with my husband, who turned into Nicholas Cage mid dream, that I would NOT play Jane in the new Tarzan movie.
Keaton's math joke of the day: "Man, I feel so bad for the multiplication numbers that have to carry the 1. Must be so heavy for them..."
Kennedy just asked the question for which there is no verifiable answer. "What is a hot dog made out of?"
With exuberance, Kennedy popped her head around the corner and said "For my birthday, I really want a windmill. Oh, and I just don't like cheese in my pocket!" Then she skipped to the potty.
Kennedy had a black ant crawling on her. She said "The ant is tickling me. Does that mean it's pooping?"
Mr. Kimble has discovered the joy of splashing in toilet water. I am saddened by this grievous turn of events.
Mr. Kimble is getting rather forceful with his kisses. I think I need to teach him how to be a gentleman.
Changed Kimble's massively disgusting diaper this morning, and Keaton helped. Afterward, he said "That was just horrible, mom. I don't think I'm cut out to be a babysitter. There's just too much stuff that happens with diapers."
Yesterday afternoon, Heath and I watched as Kolby stood on the sidewalk corner. When a jogger passed by, he lifted up his arm and said "Expelliarmus!" When he came back inside, we asked Kolby what he said, for we couldn't hear him, we just guessed because he always says that. He said "Uh, I said....hey." I think we like our version of it better!
We were woken up by Kimble, standing in his crib, with empty milk bottles strewn around him as if they were discarded beer cans. "More" his cry seemed to say, as he lay back down with a belch and a nod.
When sent to bed, Keaton proclaimed: "I got a letter from the President of the United States today. He said that all kids can stay up and NEVER go to bed!"
Kolby's birthday is one month before Keaton's, and according to Kolby, that means he's older than Keaton. It's a source of frustration for Keaton, and today, during lunch, I overheard him say with the utmost seriousness, "Now Kolby, according to all my calculations, I will always and forever be almost two years older than you." Kolby looked at Keaton and said "I think you got your calculations wrong."
Kolby went outside to play, after school, instead of doing homework like we always do. To justify his disobedience, he said "But mom, today we learned what the word 'socializing' means, and I was just doing what I learned at school! Homework, right?"
Georgie is obsessed with getting her ears pierced. She keeps pulling back my hair and saying "Hmm...mommma. Those are some pretty nice holes you got there."
Came home from the gym to find The Husband cleaning the house. He never looked so good!
After calling Georgie "Sweetie", Keaton said "Mom...you don't usually say that. It was nice. Good job learning a new word!"
This morning, Georgie said "Momma, when I grow up, you are going to be a grandma, and then you will die. When you die, can I have your pretty lipstick?" Oh, such a tender moment.
Keaton said at dinnertime: "I just can't imagine what heaven is like. I mean, all the beautiful mountains and forests and deserts. Caves and oceans and all the cowboys. Must be amazing."
Last night at dinner, Georgie announced to us "I have a love life". When pressed for details, she was demure.
Keaton just got home from school and said "Man, I'm never using the boys' bathrooms at school. That have these weird "number one" toilets that go all the way to the floor."
I got a call from The Husband, as I was out running errands. I told him I couldn't talk right then, and ended the call. When I called back, to tell him I was next in line at the post office and that's why I couldn't talk, he breathed a sigh of relief. His first thought was that I had been kidnapped; held hostage by a big ugly man, and was forced to act nonchalant, even though I was under duress. What a protective husband I have! (and what an active imagination he has too!)
Felt strangely validated when my sister, who is a new mommy to her first baby boy, called me up last week and asked "how on earth do you ever get anything done?" Ha!
Thinks it's curious that The Man In The Yellow Hat can afford an apartment in NYC and a house in the country, but only one outfit for himself and no clothing for his monkey-son.
We had tacos for dinner. Kennedy said "No lettuce for me. Lettuce makes me wiggle and I just want no wiggling tonight."
Somewhere in this house is a brand new bottle of pomegranate dishsoap. According to the evidence left behind in the grocery bag, it is also oozing it's contents. You would think we could find it; that it would be obvious. A soapy trail...something. Nope. Wherever Mr. Kimble took it, it's hidden amazingly well. Perhaps he should be a magician for Halloween, then he could "Abra Cadabra" it back to my kitchen, because I need it
Today we saw Kimble throw the missing bottle of dishsoap down the stairs. We all stared at him perplexed, because we looked EVERYWHERE in the house, and couldn't find it (see previous post) then just like that, he had it in his hands and chucked it down the stairs. I really think he IS Houdini.
"I just keep getting more hair on my arms and legs mom! Guess being a 4th grader changes everything." -Keaton
Kimble ate the nose of my styrofoam head model. Now she looks like voldamort.
I sent Kennedy to school with a cute headband on, and she came home with it across her forehead like Rambo. Which way do you think she wore it for her school pictures? We shall see!
When asked Kolby if he was a good boy while I was gone to parent/teacher conferences, he pulls out a used sacrament cup and says "Yup. I just filled this up and drank it, so all my sins are gone now."
Woke up an hour late, to get the kids off to school (7:04am instead of 6am). Got the kids out the door at 7:12am, and thought we did good until I heard Kennedy shout back "I only brushed my top teeth, so I could be faster, Momma!"
This morning The Husband made waffles for everyone while I took a HOT shower and used up all the hot water. Fair trade?
This Morning's Interrupted Dream: I was adopting a baby (and breastfeeding him...how talented am I?) and realized his name did not start with a K. So while chatting with my good friends Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, together we went through a list of suggested K names. By the end of the dream, I still didn't have a K name, but with Katie and I wearing matching overalls, I was completely satisfied with the progress we had made.
I texted the husband saying "I love you more than you love Spaghetti" ... only when I looked at what the auto correct put in, it said " I love you more than you love your ghetti". So funny.
Kennedy brings me one of her library books this morning and says "Momma, I'm just gonna look at this book during scriptures, because I don't really listen to you when you read them anyway."
Kolby actually did his homework (1) fast, (2) by himself, (3) without a fit, and (4) with a happy attitude. I'm amazed by what a fabulous mother I must be.
Overheard Kennedy saying to Keaton "You have to listen to momma, because she's older than all of us...well, except for Kamy. She's the oldest of all."
I called to Kimble, because I hadn't heard him for a few minutes, and he didn't reply. So I went looking for him. He was in his crib, curled up almost to the point of sleep, and was sucking on his binkie. I guess he wanted his binkie bad enough to figure out how to climb into his crib. At least he followed my rule of No Binkies Out of Bed. What an obedient boy I have.
When I asked Keaton to do his chores, he replied "but mom, I just want to be like most Mormon men and just relax and do nothing after church."
Right now Kennedy is snorting like a pig while dragging a laughing Kimble down the stairs on his belly. Kolby is doing everything BUT his chores. Keaton is bench pressing our kitchen bench for exercise, and the husband is watching cycling on TV. What's happening at your house?
Kennedy is outside cutting the grass with a big knife. Instead of stopping her, I sit and watch.
Last night, as I was sewing, I was listening to 60's music and singing along. Kamy came over and said "What kind of music is that? I guess back in the olden days you didn't have that great of music to listen to, like we do now."
Kolby liked his birthday present so much, that he slept in them. Who knew rollerblades and flannel pajamas make good bedmates.
One of Keaton's classmates was wearing one of my headbands today; I guess her mom bought one from me at the farmer's market. He told her all about how his mom makes "amazing headbands of all different colors and also makes some famous chicken enchilada dip". To that last comment, I raised my eyebrows and he said "Well, you do!"
The Husband came home early and found me napping. Guess I lost all my credibility about what I do all day.
This morning's dream: I was kidnapped by Danny Davito, who took all my money and my car, then told me to go into this Panda Express type of place to order some orange chicken. I ordered the "kidnapped special" hoping they would rescue me, but the guy was just annoyed that he had to make a special order. Then this other customer asked me to sign her yearbook. I'd never met her before, but signed "What a great year, right? Help me. I'm kidnapped!"
The husband torched the huge black widow in our window well.
Before we left for Kamy to get her "middle school shots", Georgie gave her a pep talk. "Now Kamy. Be brave! I know you can do it! It's just a shot. Don't cry!"
Today's interrupted dream: I flew to Chicago to meet up with my boyfriend, Robert Pattinson, where we were starting to watch a movie in a theater. The seat next to him had a carton of eggs, which he was trying to protect. Midway through the movie, everyone except Robert got sucked into the movie via this crazy black goo that warped us into the screen. Robert was left with his eggs, wondering how to get us out again.
Kolby just asked me if I was a Pre-Teen. Maybe he was trying to tell me I needed to act my age.
"Do you know how Heavenly Father makes us?" Georgie asked me. Before I could reply, she said "He makes a seed and plants it, and it turns into a human plant."
Kimble handed me a rock. Only, it wasn't a rock, but a large clump of soiled kitty litter.
Kamy just said "Mom, what if I grew up and married a lion? That would be a problem, because I'm an omnivore, and he's a carnivore, and that would cause lots of fights."
Folded a weeks worth of laundry, and only had two pairs of boys underwear in the mix. Something's not right.
Kolby told Kennedy to listen to him and she replied "of course I will because I am in love with you."
Kamy said "Mom, people in France kiss with their tounges!"
While eating her sandwich at the reservoir, Kennedy said "If that eagle swoops down here and eats my food I'll kick it!"
Today's interrupted dream: I was flying like a bird, using special crayola markers as power and fuel, searching for a special rock, hidden in a crevasse, that would make me all powerful, but my plans were being thwarted by Barbara Walters, who was flying behind me with her own set of magical markers. So I grabbed her markers and threw them away, and punched her in the face, but she only managed to gain momentum.
During the dinner prayer, Kennedy said "...and please bless Satan, that he'll be a good boy".
Keaton: "I can't wait to get to heaven so I can ride a Tyrannosaurus Rex!"
At the zoo, Kennedy kept running from winged insects. Keaton said "Come on George! Are you scared of everything that flies? Kennedy responded "Yes. Everything...except Jesus of course."
As The Husband and I were at the store, getting fixin's for our BBQ, the kids (at home) thought they heard someone trying to open the garage and break-in (the 30 mph wind is furious today!) and so they prepared themselves. Kolby got a golf club. Keaton got a chainsaw. Kamy got a homemade bow (a stick with a robe sash tied to it) and Georgie hid in a laundry basket.
Kamy told me that she speaks dog.
This mornings interrupted dream: My mom was trying desperately to blowdry my hair, even at my persistence for her not to, as I was arguing with my husband, who turned into Nicholas Cage mid dream, that I would NOT play Jane in the new Tarzan movie.
Keaton's math joke of the day: "Man, I feel so bad for the multiplication numbers that have to carry the 1. Must be so heavy for them..."
Kennedy just asked the question for which there is no verifiable answer. "What is a hot dog made out of?"
With exuberance, Kennedy popped her head around the corner and said "For my birthday, I really want a windmill. Oh, and I just don't like cheese in my pocket!" Then she skipped to the potty.
Kennedy had a black ant crawling on her. She said "The ant is tickling me. Does that mean it's pooping?"
Mr. Kimble has discovered the joy of splashing in toilet water. I am saddened by this grievous turn of events.
Mr. Kimble is getting rather forceful with his kisses. I think I need to teach him how to be a gentleman.
Changed Kimble's massively disgusting diaper this morning, and Keaton helped. Afterward, he said "That was just horrible, mom. I don't think I'm cut out to be a babysitter. There's just too much stuff that happens with diapers."
Yesterday afternoon, Heath and I watched as Kolby stood on the sidewalk corner. When a jogger passed by, he lifted up his arm and said "Expelliarmus!" When he came back inside, we asked Kolby what he said, for we couldn't hear him, we just guessed because he always says that. He said "Uh, I said....hey." I think we like our version of it better!
We were woken up by Kimble, standing in his crib, with empty milk bottles strewn around him as if they were discarded beer cans. "More" his cry seemed to say, as he lay back down with a belch and a nod.
When sent to bed, Keaton proclaimed: "I got a letter from the President of the United States today. He said that all kids can stay up and NEVER go to bed!"
Kolby's birthday is one month before Keaton's, and according to Kolby, that means he's older than Keaton. It's a source of frustration for Keaton, and today, during lunch, I overheard him say with the utmost seriousness, "Now Kolby, according to all my calculations, I will always and forever be almost two years older than you." Kolby looked at Keaton and said "I think you got your calculations wrong."
Kolby went outside to play, after school, instead of doing homework like we always do. To justify his disobedience, he said "But mom, today we learned what the word 'socializing' means, and I was just doing what I learned at school! Homework, right?"
Georgie is obsessed with getting her ears pierced. She keeps pulling back my hair and saying "Hmm...mommma. Those are some pretty nice holes you got there."
Came home from the gym to find The Husband cleaning the house. He never looked so good!
After calling Georgie "Sweetie", Keaton said "Mom...you don't usually say that. It was nice. Good job learning a new word!"
This morning, Georgie said "Momma, when I grow up, you are going to be a grandma, and then you will die. When you die, can I have your pretty lipstick?" Oh, such a tender moment.
Keaton said at dinnertime: "I just can't imagine what heaven is like. I mean, all the beautiful mountains and forests and deserts. Caves and oceans and all the cowboys. Must be amazing."
Last night at dinner, Georgie announced to us "I have a love life". When pressed for details, she was demure.
Keaton just got home from school and said "Man, I'm never using the boys' bathrooms at school. That have these weird "number one" toilets that go all the way to the floor."
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Kimble's Activities
Kimble loves peanut butter. In fact, he loves it so much, that he can't be bothered by masking the taste. For example, before, he loved peanut butter sandwiches. Now, if I put it on bread, he gets mad at me. Straight out of the jar is preferable for him, but he gets in trouble when he gets caught. This week, I caught him sneaking fist fulls of peanut butter, and as soon as he saw me, he put his hands up in the air for surrender.
Tools. If there is a tool to be found, Kimble has it. Pliers. Screwdrivers. Hammers. Drills. Knives. No matter how hard I try to keep these things out of reach, Kimble finds a way. He doesn't really do anything with them. He just likes to hold it.
Kimble wants to write all over the walls and doors. He can't resist any clean surface.
Although he likes to have a fork when he eats, he still doesn't mind when I feed him his dinner.
Kimble yells or grunts his preferences. He still doesn't use a whole lot of words, and tries to get away with just grunting his request. He is very specific in his demands, so if I interpret his grunt the wrong way, he gets very upset.
Escaping the house is Kimble's most desirable request. Then, once outside, he will run away from you every chance he gets. This happened the other day, and he ran into the street before I could catch him. I'm so thankful the car in the road stopped when they did, or Kimble would have been hit.
We switched Kimble's crib into a daybed, and he transitioned beautifully. He can climb in and out of his bed, and he loves it. We don't have any toys in his room, so there is nothing for him to do except go to sleep, when we put him in his room. He takes a two hour nap everyday.
Kimble has two blankets that he loves. They are both very soft. He likes to carry them around throughout the house, and often drags them around like Linus off of Charlie Brown. Kimble also likes us to wrap one around him, and put the other over his head. He looks like Mary, when we do this, but he loves it.
We know when Kimble is up to no good, when he's pushing a chair throughout the house. He'll push a chair through three rooms, just to get where he wants to be, so he can climb up on it and reach whatever he wants to get. When we take away his chair, he gets very upset.
Kimble doesn't like to wear pants, so most of the time, around the house, he only has a shirt and a diaper on. If we put pants on him, he almost immediately pulls them off.
He hates it when I brush his teeth.
He can't be bothered with conversation or loves, when his favorite show is on. He'll ignore you, or grunt his displeasure, if you get in his view of the tv. He loves Backyardigans, Curious George, and Dinosaur Train.
Kimble discovered baseball hats the other week, and now loves to wear them. He looks pretty cute.
Tools. If there is a tool to be found, Kimble has it. Pliers. Screwdrivers. Hammers. Drills. Knives. No matter how hard I try to keep these things out of reach, Kimble finds a way. He doesn't really do anything with them. He just likes to hold it.
Kimble wants to write all over the walls and doors. He can't resist any clean surface.
Although he likes to have a fork when he eats, he still doesn't mind when I feed him his dinner.
Kimble yells or grunts his preferences. He still doesn't use a whole lot of words, and tries to get away with just grunting his request. He is very specific in his demands, so if I interpret his grunt the wrong way, he gets very upset.
Escaping the house is Kimble's most desirable request. Then, once outside, he will run away from you every chance he gets. This happened the other day, and he ran into the street before I could catch him. I'm so thankful the car in the road stopped when they did, or Kimble would have been hit.
We switched Kimble's crib into a daybed, and he transitioned beautifully. He can climb in and out of his bed, and he loves it. We don't have any toys in his room, so there is nothing for him to do except go to sleep, when we put him in his room. He takes a two hour nap everyday.
Kimble has two blankets that he loves. They are both very soft. He likes to carry them around throughout the house, and often drags them around like Linus off of Charlie Brown. Kimble also likes us to wrap one around him, and put the other over his head. He looks like Mary, when we do this, but he loves it.
We know when Kimble is up to no good, when he's pushing a chair throughout the house. He'll push a chair through three rooms, just to get where he wants to be, so he can climb up on it and reach whatever he wants to get. When we take away his chair, he gets very upset.
Kimble doesn't like to wear pants, so most of the time, around the house, he only has a shirt and a diaper on. If we put pants on him, he almost immediately pulls them off.
He hates it when I brush his teeth.
He can't be bothered with conversation or loves, when his favorite show is on. He'll ignore you, or grunt his displeasure, if you get in his view of the tv. He loves Backyardigans, Curious George, and Dinosaur Train.
Kimble discovered baseball hats the other week, and now loves to wear them. He looks pretty cute.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Denver Dynamites
A week or two ago we had the opportunity to join our fellow Mended Little Heart families for an evening of indoor soccer. The coach of the Denver Dynamites (part of a professional indoor arena soccer league) is part of our heart support group, as he is an adult survivor of CHD and is currently on the heart transplant list, awaiting a new heart. He organized a fun event for our families to go to.
The evening involved us participating in the pre-game show, as well as halftime. Before the game, we all stood out on the field and shook hands with each of the team's members. Kimble can't resist a high-five, so he happily held up his little hand and waiting until the team players came over to high-five him, and then said "Yeah!" each time. So cute.
Next, The Husband sang the National Anthem to kick start the game. How was my husband picked to do this, you may ask. Simple. I volunteered him. A few months ago, at one of our meetings, it was discussed that this event might happen, and Chuck (the coach for Denver Dynamites who is part of our heart group) asked if there was anyone who was good at singing. My hand immediately went up and I motioned towards The Husband. "He does! He has an amazing voice. But I warn you, if you hear him sing, you might just fall in love with him. Just a bit." So it was decided that Heath would sing the National Anthem, which he was happy to do because he loves singing as much as I love hearing him sing. Here's a picture of him singing. I have a video, which I keep trying to upload. I'll try again after I post this post.
Then we settled in to watch the game. The indoor arena was surrounded by tall plexiglass that you could see through, but was quite solid. The players played off the wall, throughout the game, as the ball bounced, seemingly, right towards you.
Kimble tried to make a getaway one time, and ran straight for the field. However, the deceptively-invisible glass wall stopped his progress dead. He recovered quickly enough, and we kept him in our arms most of the time after that.
After the game, we got a group picture with both teams. It was a fun night, and we were happy to be so involved in the entire process.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Question:
So I've been really researching another venue for my next cookbook. I love blurb, but the cost is really high. Just so you know, my first cookbook is priced at almost 30 dollars, and I only get a few dollars of that. I really want to make my next book much more affordable, while still being able to earn enough money to cover our medical costs for Kimble's surgery.
There are plenty of sites out there that will make 'fundraiser'-type recipe books. These are usually spiral bound books, with a design on front, and something an office store would bound. There are no pictures included. It's all on type-written paper and thus, is printed in black and white. Pictures don't look good when photocopied in black and white.
I'd really like to include lots of pictures, because I think a good picture can sell a recipe. That being said, it restricts the type of recipe book I can make.
Do pictures matter to you? Would you rather have one of those fundraiser-type recipe books, or would you be willing to pay more and have a nice print book with lots of pictures?
Edited to add: What if I had a blog post, which I kept linked on the sidebar, that had a picture of each of the recipes that were in the book? That way, people could still see what it looked like, but the recipe would be in a cheaper book?
There are plenty of sites out there that will make 'fundraiser'-type recipe books. These are usually spiral bound books, with a design on front, and something an office store would bound. There are no pictures included. It's all on type-written paper and thus, is printed in black and white. Pictures don't look good when photocopied in black and white.
I'd really like to include lots of pictures, because I think a good picture can sell a recipe. That being said, it restricts the type of recipe book I can make.
Do pictures matter to you? Would you rather have one of those fundraiser-type recipe books, or would you be willing to pay more and have a nice print book with lots of pictures?
Edited to add: What if I had a blog post, which I kept linked on the sidebar, that had a picture of each of the recipes that were in the book? That way, people could still see what it looked like, but the recipe would be in a cheaper book?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Goals for 2012
I feel so strongly that I'll accomplish my goals (resolutions) this year, that I feel the need to proclaim them out loud. After all, isn't there some statistic which states that a resolution written down, or said out loud, has a greater chance of getting accomplished? Related to that, I believe that less than 10% of resolutions are actually accomplished. I want to be one of the few who succeed.
So, in no particular order, here are my resolutions.
1. Lose 30 more pounds through eating right and exercising.
2. Say prayers and read scriptures daily.
3. Be a more loving wife and a more patient mother.
4. Become an extreme couponer (I'm so excited about this) and thus build up my family's food storage and save money.
5. Create photobooks for my kids, for Christmas.
6. Make another cookbook (after finding a venue to provide the lowest cost) before Kimble has his next surgery.
7. Successfully start a garden in our back yard.
8. Clean out and organize the garage so that at least one car can have a parking space.
9. Take lots of pictures...including pictures of these three cute boys!
So, in no particular order, here are my resolutions.
1. Lose 30 more pounds through eating right and exercising.
2. Say prayers and read scriptures daily.
3. Be a more loving wife and a more patient mother.
4. Become an extreme couponer (I'm so excited about this) and thus build up my family's food storage and save money.
5. Create photobooks for my kids, for Christmas.
6. Make another cookbook (after finding a venue to provide the lowest cost) before Kimble has his next surgery.
7. Successfully start a garden in our back yard.
8. Clean out and organize the garage so that at least one car can have a parking space.
9. Take lots of pictures...including pictures of these three cute boys!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Liquid Reeses
I mentioned in December that I made the most delightful ice cream topping. It's so amazing, though, that you won't want to limit it to just ice cream. Use it as an apple dipper, or as a spread over toast or pancakes. Fondue it or simply eat it by the spoonful. It is so so good.
I'm a lover of chocolate and peanut butter. Preferably together. This sauce not only marriages the two in a completely sinful way, but the flavor clones my favorite weakness: Reeses.
Yes. I'm telling you this: If you have ever gotten a jumbo box of Reeses peanut butter cups for Christmas, simply because your Dad knew how much you loved them...If you've ever told your kids that the entire bag of mini Reeses are gone, but then secretly ate the last dozen while hiding in your locked bathroom...If you've ever told your kids that it's the law that they must give you all Reeses acquired during Trick-or-Treating...If you've ever ridden your bike three miles to the country store, just to spend your pennies on some Reeses, and then ate them all before you even left the parking lot...If you've ever gotten a Reeses blizzard at Dairy Queen and dug through it all, eating all the Reeses chunks and leaving the ice cream...If you've ever found yourself mid-diet, and wake up having dreamt about dancing Reeses wearing ping pong balls dangling around their luscious chocolaty ridges like a ballerina's tutu...then this is the sauce for you.
What? You mean you haven't had any of those circumstances happen to you? I guess I'm the odd one out. At any rate, if you love chocolate and peanut butter even a little bit, then you will LOVE this recipe. Plus, it's super easy to make. Give it a try. You'll be back for more.
Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Sauce
1 14 oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
approximately 1/2 cup of boiling water
In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, add your sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and peanut butter. As your mixture heats through, it will be easier to incorporate. Make sure you are stirring often (almost always) so your mixture doesn't burn.
In a separate pot, bring your water to boil. Once it is boiling, remove from heat. After your chocolate sauce is all heated through, it will start to be a bit gummy and thick. At this point, add in your water a little bit at a time and stir through. Your sauce will begin to thin out nicely, and once you've added enough water to get your desired consistency, you are done! (You may or may not use all the 1/2 cup of water. It's an approximation, and purely dependent on how thin/thick you want your sauce.)
I poured my sauce into jars and distributed them amongst friends. If you are only making this for yourself, then consider halving the recipe...although you will be left with half a can of sweetened condensed milk, which I don't often have a use for and thus I hate to see it wasted. I'd much rather have an extra few jars of this sauce, in my fridge. But that's just me.
This sauce tastes amazing if it 's poured over vanilla ice cream (or your choice of flavor) and eaten while it's hot and oozing over the cold ice cream. Just lovely.
If you are curious, this sauce, which I've deemed Liquid Reeses, it came from Nigella Lawson, a Food Network Chef, who's primary culinary aim is to see comfort food richly bubbling away at her stove top. I thank her, immensely, for this prized addition to my recipe collection.
I'm a lover of chocolate and peanut butter. Preferably together. This sauce not only marriages the two in a completely sinful way, but the flavor clones my favorite weakness: Reeses.
Yes. I'm telling you this: If you have ever gotten a jumbo box of Reeses peanut butter cups for Christmas, simply because your Dad knew how much you loved them...If you've ever told your kids that the entire bag of mini Reeses are gone, but then secretly ate the last dozen while hiding in your locked bathroom...If you've ever told your kids that it's the law that they must give you all Reeses acquired during Trick-or-Treating...If you've ever ridden your bike three miles to the country store, just to spend your pennies on some Reeses, and then ate them all before you even left the parking lot...If you've ever gotten a Reeses blizzard at Dairy Queen and dug through it all, eating all the Reeses chunks and leaving the ice cream...If you've ever found yourself mid-diet, and wake up having dreamt about dancing Reeses wearing ping pong balls dangling around their luscious chocolaty ridges like a ballerina's tutu...then this is the sauce for you.
What? You mean you haven't had any of those circumstances happen to you? I guess I'm the odd one out. At any rate, if you love chocolate and peanut butter even a little bit, then you will LOVE this recipe. Plus, it's super easy to make. Give it a try. You'll be back for more.
Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Sauce
1 14 oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
approximately 1/2 cup of boiling water
In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, add your sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and peanut butter. As your mixture heats through, it will be easier to incorporate. Make sure you are stirring often (almost always) so your mixture doesn't burn.
In a separate pot, bring your water to boil. Once it is boiling, remove from heat. After your chocolate sauce is all heated through, it will start to be a bit gummy and thick. At this point, add in your water a little bit at a time and stir through. Your sauce will begin to thin out nicely, and once you've added enough water to get your desired consistency, you are done! (You may or may not use all the 1/2 cup of water. It's an approximation, and purely dependent on how thin/thick you want your sauce.)
I poured my sauce into jars and distributed them amongst friends. If you are only making this for yourself, then consider halving the recipe...although you will be left with half a can of sweetened condensed milk, which I don't often have a use for and thus I hate to see it wasted. I'd much rather have an extra few jars of this sauce, in my fridge. But that's just me.
This sauce tastes amazing if it 's poured over vanilla ice cream (or your choice of flavor) and eaten while it's hot and oozing over the cold ice cream. Just lovely.
If you are curious, this sauce, which I've deemed Liquid Reeses, it came from Nigella Lawson, a Food Network Chef, who's primary culinary aim is to see comfort food richly bubbling away at her stove top. I thank her, immensely, for this prized addition to my recipe collection.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)