Spring Break Monday

William and Isabelle had their teeth cleaned. Yippee. Elizabeth stayed home with Jackson, because there is nothing worse than getting your teeth cleaned... besides an annoying little brother bouncing off the walls.

A friend of ours is going to school to be a Dental Hygienist and she needs people to practice on. Kids to practice on.  It took a little longer than our regular hygienist, but that just gave me time to do a little shopping.

First, I headed to a specialty shoe store. Due to my Plantar Fasciitis, I need "supportive" shoes. Orthopedic sandals. You know how I hate choosing comfort over fashion, but I really need my foot to get better so I can run.Yeah. So I can exercise. And not feel guilty about wearing my heels.

These were my first selection:

(please ignore the bad manicure and poor picture quality-cell phone pics still.)

Birkenstock's Gizeh in Onyx.
This is my second pair of Birkenstock sandals, they may not be the prettiest, but they *sparkle*, and they have lots of support!

And my second:

Spenco sandals.
The most money I've ever paid for flip-flops. Even after the 20% sale they were having! Wearing them this week, I'd spend it again in a heartbeat.


After setting myself up with appropriately supportive footwear for the summer, Isabelle and I did something potentially very dangerous.

We went to T.J. Maxx.

I picked up a really great rug, frame, two potters, toilet paper holder and a fabulous butter dish. I restrained myself and did NOT get the really cute heels.

I talked the kids into Panera Bread for lunch- I didn't have to sell it that hard, they like the soup!

The best part? We've had bagels all week for breakfast!





Spring Break Take 2. and 3.

Saturday and Sunday I was still in love with spring break.

We slept in, a little bit of housekeeping, Church, and a little nap.

Catnappin' with Queen Nor

Miss Nora is the nicest kitty. When she first came to live with us, she was friendly. Well, ok, ignored us for the most part, and in the evenings after the kids went to bed she would come up and want to be loved on for a few minutes then she was off to sleep in the rocking chair. She seemed happy to see me in the mornings, following me up to wake the kids, and around the kitchen while we got ready for our day.

She's slowly wanted more affection throughout the day- walking on my computer while I'm working, or jumping on the table/island while we are eating.

About six weeks ago she started picking someone to sleep with- usually Elizabeth or I and sometimes William. She also has started snuggling up to Jackson while he sleeps. It is so fun to watch her- she very tentatively creeps up to him, sniffs around, (making sure he's not going pounce on her I'm sure.) and gets comfortable.

I took her in to get spade a couple of weeks ago, after hiding in the bowels of my closet for three days, she's back to her old self. 

Rewind

I have to do a little rewinding.  During my little blogging break, we have been busy. 

The weekend of St. Patrick's Day was our turn to host "Angle Family Fun Day".  Which means we had two intense weeks of preparation. Like cleaning. I had to clean everything I usually don't.  Like the refrigerator. And the kitchen floor.



And the air return vent at the top of the stairs.  That puppy was dirty.

I also crossed a couple of things of the extensive "to-do" list.

Like these vinyl letters I've had for almost a year.  I put them in the stairwell so that the kids can see them everyday when they come down.


I also started our 'Kids Art Gallery Wall' in our basement stairwell.

I had been just tacking up their things, and off course they were falling down and look rather disheveled.  I took them all down, wiped the walls, threw away the broken, ripped, dirty and ugly ones, and got to framing my favorites. I'm really liking the way it is shaping up.  I currently have eight more pieces to hang, and multiple ones yet to frame.  It's sure to be one of my favorite places.

*You'll have to pardon the picture quality- they are from my phone.  Elizabeth dropped my camera and broke my lense. Still have to get that fixed...

Spring Break Kick-off

The kids started their spring break Friday.  It felt wonderful to sleep in. I even had a second cup of coffee.  Friday I was in love with spring break.  Tuesday night? I'm ready to break up.

But, on Friday night, we were in love, and we partied like... Girl Scouts!

  

Isabelle's Girl Scout (Daisy) troop and their families had the opportunity to see Disney on Ice when they came into town last Friday. I got four tickets.  Elizabeth and William think they are too cool for Disney.

Ryan wasn't to cracked up about going, so Julie went with us instead!

The show was fabulous, and we had an excellent time!

The Little Mermaid was Isabelle's favorite, and Jackson loved The Lion King.

Loved.

*During the intermission, we went to stretch our legs, potty, and get a drink.  We, of course got suckered in to the "souvenir kiosks".  Jackson wanted a Mickey Mouse, and Isabelle wanted the Tinkerbell shoes and  Princess necklace. I told her to pick one. She went with the shoes. On the way back to our seats, she said to Julie: "I can't take my eyes off them!" (girl after my own heart)

Tell Me When To Be Afraid.

Overheard in our newly cleaned basement:

Isabelle: "Jackson- when you see a spider, tell me, and I'll scream."

Jackson: "OK"

Over-Extended

*phew*

It's been a busy few weeks.

In addition to my work load doubling the last two months, we've had church every Wednesday night in February, I started an aquatic aerobic class on Tuesday and Thursday's.

Elizabeth started indoor soccer. She's having a great time playing with her friend Rachel. Unfortunately, her practice is from 8-9pm. Twenty minutes south of home.

William has been doing a great job getting his homework done and staying on top of his work at school, and so Taekwondo continues... he was delighted to get his uniform!

Isabelle is loving girl scouts- so happy we are wrapping up cookie sales. Her little troop has done such a good job selling their hearts out, she earned an evening at Disney on Ice. She doesn't know about it yet- I'm looking forward to the surprise!

If that wasn't enough to keep us busy, Jackson has been doing his part.
He has completely entered the "terrible 3's".

Mod Podge. Almost an entire bottle on the kitchen floor. While I thought he was quietly playing with his animals in the living room.

He makes messes while we are cleaning up the first one.

Friday I went out to help Ryan with a few things, and left the kids in the house. Whenever I leave them, the kids always want to know who is in charge. On my way out the door, I told Jackson he was in charge.  When I came back inside, he was upset because Elizabeth told him he couldn't be in charge anymore.

While she was cleaning up the toothpaste he rubbed on the couch cushion, he poured himself a cup of milk-all over the kitchen floor. It was then, she decided he was no longer capable of being in charge.

Even though Jackson has being doing a great job with the potty training, we are still having a few accidents. Last week, he decided to #2 on the basement floor. And since his sister told him that pigs like to play in poop, he let his pigs play in it. In Isabelle's play house.

After cleaning up the mess in the basement, I set him up in the bathroom to wash the mess off of his hands and the animals. I walked into the laundry room to take care of the rags. And wouldn't you know it, he pulled the stopper on the sink, it overflowed. Into the basement.

As for the doll house? Good thing my shower doubles as a wash bay.

Sunday Night Dinner

Pizza, popcorn, ice cream & root beer floats.

Two weeks in a row.

Tapped

Ryan and William got our trees tapped just in time for winter to hit.

The sap started running again late last week, and Ryan took 50+ gallons Saturday to be boiled down into syrup.

I think over the last year, our family alone has gone through over two gallons of the tasty liquid. Seems like a lot for a family of six- but then they like it on all their breakfast foods...pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage.  weirdos.

Valentine

I love Valentines Day.

Love.Love.Love.

It's what the day is about right??

Elizabeth made heart-shaped chocolate suckers for her classmates, and took fruit and dip for her Valentine party.

William and I made heart shaped crayons for his friends- a great idea I found on Pinterest. Super easy, and used up all those broken crayons the kids don't like to use.

I think they turned out fabulous!

Isabelle picked out "airhead" candies for her party.  She was delighted that Mommy AND Jackson came to her party.

The week before Valentines Day, I found this amongst William's school papers:

I didn't give it much thought, until he started talking about "My Valentine".

Hmm.

The Friday before Valentines we were in Walmart. Yes, all five of us. Walmarts were designed for the easily distracted I'm sure. That is how they make all their money.

William got sucked right into the commercialism of the day and decided he needed to get his "Valentine" a gift. Nothing says "love" like a pink teddy bear with multi-colored heart shaped spots. (oh.my.holy.wow. is what I was thinking). How could I let him out of the store with that you may ask... his other obsession was a 5' tall teddy bear.

After nagging us all weekend, it finally worked out for me to take him to her house Sunday afternoon. On the way there he was lamenting on how he should have gotten her a "heart shaped box of chocolates". I guess his Dad has taught him well.

I would give almost anything to know what she thought about the gift...

Dill Chicken & Rice

*...photo lost in the archives...*

Dill Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups sour cream

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced

3 cups cooked rice

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

1 1/4 teaspoon dill weed

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1/2 cup butter melted

1 1/2 cups butter cracker crumbs

Directions:

Mix all ingredients except cracker crumbs and melted butter.  Pour into 9"x13" baking dish.  Mix butter and crumbs, sprinkle on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

*Not a favorite of Ryan's... but the kids and I love it!
*Most often made the week after Thanksgiving-when I have leftover turkey!
*I've substituted saltines for "butter cracker crumbs"
*I use whole grain rice

Vegetable of the gods

I decided last night, that this morning after dropping the kids off at school, Jackson and I would get a few groceries, come home do a little cooking and cleaning before it was time to pick them up this afternoon.

First stop, McDonalds. We were running a little late this morning, and Jackson needed breakfast. I needed coffee.

Stop #2: Kroger. It had been a while since I was there.  I really, really like that store.  I think I'll put in back in the normal rotation. They had Asparagus on sale. .99 a pound! The produce guy was a little surprised when I asked him if I could by a whole case. Jackson got orange tic-tacs.

On to Dollar Tree to get a few things for the Valentine parties at school. Jackson got a gumball.

Third stop: WalMart. ugh. Back, forth all around. From produce to dairy, diapers to clearance, fish and stationary. Jackson did NOT get the gum he unwrapped in the checkout.

By then it was 1:30 in the afternoon. Where did the day go? After talking to Ryan I decided just to hang out in Wabash until I needed to pick up the kids. Since I had a little extra time on my hands, he asked me to go to Tractor Supply and look for some things he needed. They didn't. Jackson got some new animals.

Big R. They didn't have what he needed either, so we made a substitute.  Jackson fell asleep in the cart.

Two o' clock... I was hungry. Fortunately my friend Pandora hadn't had lunch yet either. Asian Buffet. Jackson had the green beans.

Skillet Dinner

Skillet Dinner

"Homemade Hamburger Helper"

Ingredients:

Grains/Starch
2-3 cups cooked, or 1 cup raw plus 1 cup water
Pasta
Rice
Bulgar
Potato

Milk/Cheese
1 can condensed soup plus 1 cup milk, water or plain yogurt
Cream of potato
Cream of chicken
Cream of Mushroom
Tomato Soup
Onion soup
1 cup cheese with 2 cups milk

Meat/Beans
1 pound or 1 1/2 cups cooked
Chopped beef, pork, chicken or ham
Tuna or salmon
Beans
Eggs
Ring Sausage

Vegetables
1 1/2 -2 cups canned, cooked, raw or frozen
Carrots
Peas
Corn
Green Beans
Lima Beans
Broccoli
Spinach/Greens
Mixed Vegetables
Celery
Green Pepper
Mushrooms
Cauliflower

Seasonings
To taste
Onion
Garlic
Worcestershire sauce
Chili powder
Soy sauce
Italian seasoning
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Choose one food from each of the four groups, stir together in a skillet.
Season to taste.
Bring to a slow boil, reduce heat to lowest setting, cover pan and simmer for 30 minutes until pasta or rice is tender.

*My family favorite is the ring sausage, potatoes and green beans
*Super easy, super cheap, super fast, relatively healthy, and I usually have the items on hand
*99% of the time I use whole grain pasta or whole grain rice

From: Purdue Extension Family Nutrition Program

Love & Respect

Friday evening and Saturday morning our church hosted a Love & Respect video conference.

Emerson and Sarah Eggerich have a very engaging way of presenting biblical truths for marriage. Even though it was a long time sitting, I'm pretty sure Ryan would tell you it was worth it!

I forgot to say this when I posted the first time:
When we got home on Saturday, our wonderful babysitter had not only swept the floor, had Jackson napping, she had unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, and done the laundry. xo Julie!

It's Official!

He's 3!

He *melts* my heart. every. single. day.

Thank you Kimberly!

Window on my World

February 9, 2012

Entry Room

Litter box

One for One- Win - Win

Look what the UPS man dropped off for me today:

TOMS Ballet Flats!

I LOVE them!

They just may be my new go-to shoes...

If you are thinking about getting a pair for yourself, they seem to run a little big.

Bedtime Conversations

Isabelle:  "Mommy, look how big my tummy is"

Me: "mmhhmm"

Isabelle: "Feel it"

Me: "mmhhm" (feeling tummy)

Isabelle: "No, put your hand right here- push it hard- see how hard it is?"

Me: "mmhhhm"

Isabelle: "I have a baby in there"

Me: "Oh you do?"

Isabelle: "mhmm"

Me: "How did it get in there?"

Isabelle: "God gave it to me"

Me: "Oh he did, did he?"

Isabelle: "Yes. It's going to come out when I'm a grown up. Like 15"

Me: "Uhh, no.  Babies don't come out until you are twenty five. AFTER college, remember?"

Isabelle: "Ok"

Edyth Jean

No "Super Bowl" for me yesterday.

I had more important things to do.

I had a new niece to meet.

Is she not just the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

Jackson thought she was pretty special too.

She's perfect.

Every tiny little part of her.

Such a petite little lady.

I could not get enough of her.

How lucky is she with three big brothers?!

Her Mommy and Daddy love her just a tiny, tiny bit.

I'm sure to be her favorite Auntie!

The Princess

Edyth Jean

2.1.12

Taekwondo

It's no secret that William struggles with his homework. Or is it me? I have no idea. After talking to everyone on God's green earth about this issue, we've decided it's not a lack of skill, but a lack of will.
History has proven that rewards are not great motivators for William.

Until now?

He's been begging to go to Taekwondo.

He met all the requirements last week, and last night was his first lesson.

To say he loved it would be a complete understatement.

The sheer joy on his face, and delight in his voice melted my heart!

Beauty and the Beast

When I first saw the previews for this movie, I knew Isabelle would love it.

Beauty and the Beast

It seems so funny to me that she has not seen it before~ Elizabeth and William loved all the great classic Disney movies: "The Lion King", "Jungle Book", "Cinderella", "The Little Mermaid".  "Gnomeo and Juliet" and "Despicable Me" are the current favs in our house - this week.

Yesterday we decided to have a little girl time and headed to the movies. Elizabeth and her/our friend Tal decided to they were to "grown up" for "Beauty and the Beast" and opted to see "Joyful Noise" instead.

Just as I imagined, she loved it.  Looked mighty cute watching it too!

Isabelle and Mommy afterwards.

And yes, that is the "special outfit" she chose to wear.
Who am I to pass judgment on her outfit choice? She may have been wearing a denim jumper with a striped shirt and stripe tights. Different color palettes but both horizontal.  You may think the tiara topped off the outfit, but I'm pretty sure it was the gym shoes.

I was wearing gym shoes too. The very same gym shoes I wore to work last week. *gasp* Don't tell Clinton & Stacy.