tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71379623483456351662024-02-19T01:59:39.929-06:00Embry Loves CookiesSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-44046338934764105642011-07-18T15:36:00.009-05:002011-07-18T15:59:34.883-05:00We have been quite busy around here this summer. I have once again enrolled the kids in swimming lessons. They have started their second session this week. Matthew is doing great and loves every minute of the class. My main concern with Matthew is safety. I worry about him just running and jumping into deep water when no one is around. I was happy to see his instructors go over the "Rules of the Pool" every day and I think he is learning a lot, safety wise.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Matthew volunteering to go first for something.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdcPOjUoqxLs6Zsjn1NPiy9w3Y4XSr5ZKXUu7mALLwp42LCsVMyjptZ94Kz1c2CfjDYzRJAtLfnA9shMWs3K6NIUlwPf6O5BoVdnAY3yICXEOK2trFX_cteBAvbc3iMZN8RjoKDTRaQaV/s1600/012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdcPOjUoqxLs6Zsjn1NPiy9w3Y4XSr5ZKXUu7mALLwp42LCsVMyjptZ94Kz1c2CfjDYzRJAtLfnA9shMWs3K6NIUlwPf6O5BoVdnAY3yICXEOK2trFX_cteBAvbc3iMZN8RjoKDTRaQaV/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630795533652488082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And here he is practicing "scooping" as they call it.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MEmySwa2w2ZWgpOFBbYSpSiiqpAbuh4sGKl5OUGo63BWD7MREJ_rUTf27SxLZnoqgCpeVTCkDW8xNYfrfFgSh5enVMxzwkywCc5WPcweAgGVLw1uNFsfrRoy571UCM05ZMApeISjhT2V/s1600/004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MEmySwa2w2ZWgpOFBbYSpSiiqpAbuh4sGKl5OUGo63BWD7MREJ_rUTf27SxLZnoqgCpeVTCkDW8xNYfrfFgSh5enVMxzwkywCc5WPcweAgGVLw1uNFsfrRoy571UCM05ZMApeISjhT2V/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630795747255243490" /></a> <br /><br />Embry is whole other story. She is very excited about going to her lesson every day. However, she has pretty much hit a wall as far as learning anything else because, she absolutely refuses to get her face wet at all. So her instructor is pretty limited in what they can do. For the first week of lessons, Embry had an awesome teacher who got her into the deep end of the pool and actually convinced her to let go and swim (doggie-paddle) about 3 feet on her own. But, in the following weeks, she has had instructors who don't push her nearly as hard and just let her hang out in the shallow end where she feels safe. I understand that she is scared, but I also know that she is VERY stubborn. So, I think she really needs someone to push her. Unfortunately, the program, not the parent, chooses the instructor. They do offer private lessons, but they are super expensive. I am starting to consider it, though. I mean, how much is it worth to have a child who can swim safely?<br /><br />Here is a photo of Embry’s class. Notice how she’s the only one using a noodle? This particular instructor gave up trying to get her to swim on her own, so her gave her a noodle to keep up with the other girls in the class.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ug1JZayeG1G4SstLtF_qXkuKfmCkALeoU8tyl-OXLz6TZ0fLdG2NTDF4Q91m9aebIwZjDk-kcyv_ECXY_2fnIUvadVxvI40ZcUIb1asf7HrWcwM5QbfzgpBNAXDdU6gWUCbgBJu8gqNe/s1600/026.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ug1JZayeG1G4SstLtF_qXkuKfmCkALeoU8tyl-OXLz6TZ0fLdG2NTDF4Q91m9aebIwZjDk-kcyv_ECXY_2fnIUvadVxvI40ZcUIb1asf7HrWcwM5QbfzgpBNAXDdU6gWUCbgBJu8gqNe/s320/026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630795985379423186" /></a><br /><br />Embry and I shared our first mother/daughter pedicure and manicure for my birthday. Embry loved it and we both got cute little designs on our toes. I have painted Embry's toes before, but this was her first time having them professionally done, and her first time ever having her fingernails done. She felt very grown-up.<br /><br />We had a great 4th of July at the home of Embry's best friend from school. We have become friends with her parents as well, and they invited us to their house for playtime, dinner and to watch the fireworks. There is a great spot for viewing the fireworks about 2 blocks from their house, so we just walked down after it got dark and hung out until the show. The kids had a great time playing on the slip-and-slide all afternoon, and they kept themselves busy with glowsticks and glow-necklaces all night. They were pretty cheap dates that day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxiFC8AUDubfVMzLvyZEofF93FKj5RbSvD6qoUctrRZe-MXzkUCJYK2hCITUTxD5DODWH02mRSgI6ttXEym9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />Then, on the weekend of my brother's birthday, my Mom, my Dad and I all surprised him by driving all the way to Ohio and visiting. I have not been to visit Nicolas since before Embry was born, so I'm sure it was quite a shock to see me there. His good friend arranged the whole thing including a surprise party with lots of friends, pizza, cake, and presents. It was a lot of time in the car, and not nearly enough time with family, but we had so much fun.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpvQby1qqm60u8yJZT_1bFDNuPL8mggybtaItUQ2EwEQiLzFUI4CFTaGMETSCG6NyECLpcpWmG-xFYmRfRgeZADnH0BZTH0pyPKmCDOM5rVS0wDUDZk17BlDiDqT1EiRHwFFAKuHzRuIn/s1600/014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpvQby1qqm60u8yJZT_1bFDNuPL8mggybtaItUQ2EwEQiLzFUI4CFTaGMETSCG6NyECLpcpWmG-xFYmRfRgeZADnH0BZTH0pyPKmCDOM5rVS0wDUDZk17BlDiDqT1EiRHwFFAKuHzRuIn/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630794721704356818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE013T0bGJV9RQdsTcGI11xuIkEDOiqFoFZNR7GzrNUZi_Dy_CVn7UYbM5JhdhJ407kv0hOsvjghNdfxHSrt3meVxAitNwVOldbo_38M7pV3FghTJ5aafg_rCpC1J9a13luZWU_mESF0Cb/s1600/065.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE013T0bGJV9RQdsTcGI11xuIkEDOiqFoFZNR7GzrNUZi_Dy_CVn7UYbM5JhdhJ407kv0hOsvjghNdfxHSrt3meVxAitNwVOldbo_38M7pV3FghTJ5aafg_rCpC1J9a13luZWU_mESF0Cb/s320/065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630795243958093154" /></a>And the weather in Ohio was perfect! Unlike the insane heat wave that we are currently in the middle of right now.<br /><br />Our projects this week include<br />1) Ridding our shed of 3-4 very destructive woodchucks (or are they groundhogs?)<br />2) Getting my dishwasher to actually wash my dishes<br />3) Keeping the family cool without out going crazy from being indoors all day<br /><br />Well, some weeks are more exciting than others, right?Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-49044829247556850712011-06-07T13:12:00.004-05:002011-06-07T14:00:44.601-05:00Start of Summer Update<b><span class="Apple-style-span">Around the House</span></b>: Well, the kids are out of school for the summer and the three of us are spending our days at home together. I have switched back to nights and weekends only at work. J is doing what he always does. Everyone keeps asking me, if it's a big adjustment having the kids back at home, but really it seems like only yesterday that it was last summer. So, no. No big adjustment here. I have to reserve naptime for getting any work done, of course. But, I really am enjoying having them here with me. We've been finding lots of fun stuff to do.<div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">In the Kitchen:</span></b> I made <a href="http://annies-eats.net/2011/06/01/bacon-lovers-mac-and-cheese/">this</a> a couple of nights ago. It was <i>very</i> bacony. And even though the heat index was 103 last Friday, I couldn't help myself. I turned on the oven and made oatmeal raisin cookies. I was having company, after all, and you can't have someone over for lunch without some sort of fresh baked good. It's just good manners.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">New with Embry:</span></b> I am trying to prevent the kids from getting summer Brain-Drain. So, I asked Embry if she'd like to learn about money. We collected some loose change from around the house and she has been sorting and counting it ever since. We also signed up for the summer reading club at the library and Embry has read about 7 books so far this week. She loves keeping track of her progress on the chart that they gave her.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">New with Matthew</span></b>: I had almost forgotten what it was like having someone home who needs to be entertained all of the time. Luckily, Matthew has his sister to keep him company. But, when Embry is doing "school-work," Matthew is happy to read a book with me or help me with housework. We are concentrating on improving his speech this summer, so I am basically just trying to engage him in conversation all day long. He's already talking a lot clearer.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I am Grateful For:</span></b> Time with my children. I know that someday very soon they will be spending their summers somewhere other than home with their Mama.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">The Weather Outside</span></b>: The crazy weather continues around here. About 8 days ago it was 40 degrees out, and this week the temps are in the upper nineties. It seems we have been violently shoved into summer. Something else to look forward to... the 13 year locusts. They are slowly making their way north and soon we won't be able to hear ourselves talk when we're outside. Yay.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I am Obsessed With:</span></b> Unfortunately for my family, I have become hooked on yet another video game. It's one of the seek and find games that you usually have to pay for, but I found a free version on Facebook. Like I need another reason to be on Facebook. Sheesh. But I need something to keep me busy until the next Harry Potter Lego game out this fall. :)</div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-43367832600691235632011-05-15T18:33:00.010-05:002011-05-23T10:05:36.654-05:00Matthew and Soccer<p>One of the many new things that Matthew has been exposed to this spring, since starting school full time, is team soccer. He is, of course familiar with the concept. He's been kicking a soccer ball around the yard since he could walk. And he would come with me to watch his sister's soccer practice every week for the last two years. He would always grab one of the extra balls and kick it around while Embry practiced. And every couple of minutes I would have to pull him back off the field because he wanted so badly to join in.</p><p>So, when the opportunity came, we signed him right up. Here's some footage from the first after school practice. Because a lot of the kids have never played before, they are doing <em>very</em> basic stuff like dribbling the ball without using their hands. They are playing on the tennis courts because the it had just rained a whole lot that afternoon and the grassy field was a muddy mess.</p><p>Also, all of the kids ages 3 through 6 are playing together for the first practice. The coaches do this so they can sort them out according to ability and split them up into two groups for all of the following sessions.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzZVVqph-VS5mThCrbhJSBsqiwskLLpZvtz85z43SNepJdYorYG7lSsbhFR6wkMCPbCeV5vOXCWySz5ZMjo' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></p>So, as you can see, Matthew is engaged and seems really excited to finally be included.<br /><br />Around the 3rd or 4th session, I started to notice a difference. When I would arrive to watch Matthew was no longer engaged with the other kids following instructions. He was sitting on the ground off to the side of the field... <i>playing in the dirt</i>. I would get his attention and tell him to go back to the group. He would reluctantly go back to the soccer, but after about 5 minutes, he would return to the dirt.<br /><br /><div>You see, Matthew has befriended another boy in his class. And together... they... are... trouble. And not just at soccer practice. Apparently, neither one of the cares too much about doing what everyone else is doing. Now to be clear, if the coach addresses them specifically, they'll grab their ball and return to the group. But, the two of them get bored real quick and spend most of the hour playing in the dirt, watching the older kids' group, and playing hide-and-seek.</div><div><br /><div>Matthew's teacher has told me that the two of them continue this behavior in the classroom. She has much less patience than the soccer coaches, though. She constantly has to separate them to keep them from doing their own thing during group activities. Unlike Embry, who has always been concerned with being part of the group, Matthew (and his friend) don't seem to care.<br /><br />We're talking to Matthew about listening to his teacher and not disrupting the rest of the class. But, I say, if he wants to be an individual, then go for it! Bill Gates is an individual, and I'm sure that Mark Zuckerburg was never the teacher's favorite.<br /></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-44374811541030121832011-05-12T12:11:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:39:20.880-05:00Transition<div>*This post is brought to you by UPS*</div><div><br /></div><div>Why UPS? Well, there are two things that I <i>should</i> be doing right now. One is grocery shopping, and the other is sleeping. But, because I am awaiting the delivery of my shiny new vacuum cleaner, and because I know that UPS will not leave it here without a signature... I have to stay home and I have to stay awake. Technically, there is a third thing that I could be doing and that is working on my grilling class for Sunday. But, I've got 3 more days to put that off!</div><div><br /></div><div>ANYWAY, because it has been months since my last post, I decided to focus on the biggest change around here since my last post. After being a stay-at-home Mom since February of 2005, I have started working (some) days again because my baby boy is now attending school full time. That's right. I am now without children all day, all week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, it has been 4 months since this change, but I am still not used to it. When I'm out and about during the day I always feel like I'm forgetting something, like I should be holding onto something with my free hand. Or I'll remember that I didn't pack a snack and then realize that I didn't need to pack one for just me. The absence of kids in my day to day life still seems huge.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the beginning, everyone kept telling me that, OK, I'd miss them at first, but then I'd find all this free time. And after a while I'd realize how nice it actually is to have both kids in school. But, even now, I still miss them a ton and somehow, I have no free time during the day at all. Because my schedule at work has opened up, I have more responsibilities. It seems that conference calls, errands, and class organizing has sucked up any free time that I might have otherwise had. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, I am still only working part-time. And now that I can do more work during the day, I can spend more evenings with my family. Before, I would get to eat dinner with J and the kids maybe twice a week. But now it's more like four or five times a week. So, although I'm spending much less time with Matthew, I'm spending more time with the entire family.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Embry</span> still complains regularly that I work too much, which hurts every time she says it. I just calmly try to explain to her that, "Mama <i>has</i> to work so that <i>you</i> can go to school." She loves school, so this explanation seems to satisfy her... until the next day when she complains again. (I don't know where she get this constant complaining stuff from. It must have skipped a generation.)</div><div><br /></div><div>So, despite feeling like I've had my children ripped from my arms at way too young an age, I know that these changes are good for everyone. More <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">responsibility</span> at work means that despite being one of the newest people there, I won't be the first one fired if they have to cut payroll. Matthew loves school (more details about this in a separate post), and is making great strides socially and with his speech delay. And I'm sure that J is thrilled that he doesn't have to make dinner and put the kids to bed by himself every night. Winners all around!</div><div><br /></div><div>(But I still miss my babies.)</div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-57117936577435064942011-01-10T14:27:00.011-06:002011-01-10T21:05:06.495-06:00Memories<div align="left">Last week I wrote about taking down my tree and all of the memories that it brought back. So, I'd like to share a few of my favorite ornaments and what I love about them.</div><div align="left"><br />Every year I get an ornament for the tree that has the date somewhere on it. Fortunately, Hallmark and various other stores sell tons of dated ornaments, so the hard part is usually picking out just one. This year, my mom and I baked like maniacs for 3 days straight, so this ornament seemed most appropriate.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGikTBNvSjfwE1Z7a0J9C2AWLteo4p8sQOZSf7dpI8FlZbyEc5fFjZtjX8wteKp9-RyzAc7TaCV8y0VdSsO-46xRUWmvK85BzrrHaY8-6CO5DcAlcN72ekqn19ZDTPf68VYrpSVkWzS7F/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560663090988547090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGikTBNvSjfwE1Z7a0J9C2AWLteo4p8sQOZSf7dpI8FlZbyEc5fFjZtjX8wteKp9-RyzAc7TaCV8y0VdSsO-46xRUWmvK85BzrrHaY8-6CO5DcAlcN72ekqn19ZDTPf68VYrpSVkWzS7F/s320/045.JPG" /></a> I just love the teeny tiny pastry bag with "2010" on it!</div><div align="left"><br />Another addition to the tree this year was this tiny copper skillet. I told J that I bought it to commemorate my going back to work at Williams-Sonoma, but the truth is that I just couldn't resist the cuteness of an actual skillet that was so small.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7nzUMqcTyeuUQGQMtZN0ttIpNXRqkhKRCyrkkHzUrwfImjg3Om-lJPzNQKjnzzLgcm4mlXk50o6YkmVgOoqR_uElhYmRJBEBaOc6kdXgUPbltXZSrqAj27ZdKD3qX4tj0p6E9OmCt7tW/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560663085550760194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7nzUMqcTyeuUQGQMtZN0ttIpNXRqkhKRCyrkkHzUrwfImjg3Om-lJPzNQKjnzzLgcm4mlXk50o6YkmVgOoqR_uElhYmRJBEBaOc6kdXgUPbltXZSrqAj27ZdKD3qX4tj0p6E9OmCt7tW/s320/044.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Last Christmas, I volunteered to teach the kids in Embry's class how to make a few basic origami forms. After they mastered the basics I taught them how to how to make this candy cane. Embry became totally obsessed with making these and completely covered our Christmas tree with paper candy canes. When putting away the tree last year I threw these in with the other decorations, and when I took them out this year, Embry was thrilled to put them on our tree again.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560663100895634434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBb7r0VJNrBOs3vlkbT_02L90sjZ43_731bQ0DDyYtw4uc_MS3uRZHcsr57vY8aaAZbZ8DMIcC1tDNzWYE36ei4uKGIXHga4xqyZcHEfoLkT25t3lOjExWXYOHje-KHBpvuXYK2OyCZvU/s320/046.JPG" /><br />Another contribution from Embry is this beautiful glass ornament that I use as our dated one for last year. A student at Embry's school has parents who are glass artists, and as a special treat, they allowed any student who wanted, to blow their own glass ornament! The kids picked their colors and blew into a long tube to form the hollow glass ball. I'm so glad that we let Embry make one. You can't see in this picture, but it has her name and the date engraved on the top.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560657893018784994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIAF9KMWi8IollRrpwFD31VtOJ5LS2fVBijMnXdfAoESYDpL9SWAnzw3DobtCw8ESFZZP8iUHPuzMenKu4htCiz5UgDOlYKqXnGC1-tQ30Sa9-ExtIb6Lt3CZ9BPJhLOrfUhfpGHtu3TR/s320/037.JPG" /><br />Some of our dated ornaments signify an important event that occurred that year. For example, Embry and Matthew each have their own ornament for the year they were born. This one is dated 2003 and was picked out to celebrate mine and J's first Christmas after we got married. (You can tell I really like ornaments with tiny food on them). Little champagne glasses and little chocolate covered strawberries. So cute!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560657898666752722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEqeI3uYlnSF9SQO5_bkJE2s0nQRtI-93o8hgD_fQrvjJn30QNCI0ryCaiVzf6v0FOyqhc6IPiR_DKDJM77msDL6qv-FCkRArtPDS7k_eTkUj_qxnMW76C1b1bvQ7U6SYrg6liop8n-ae/s320/038.JPG" /><br />This next one takes tiny cuteness to a whole new level! On the outside it appears to be a simple painted matchbox. But when you open it up...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560661219306633650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingBHOCzElUt_I9hKuP0URXIwIam6R5ACDw9LtCek8jGDFq-makzj9qAP9LiHmkHyuP4ifinVklroH_aldY68SyxHij295bfIJxQ4P5kXTXbPpAovdrYW7cGD14c2LB9musdMnvDIUHW8F/s320/040.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560661212459461314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8AyVVBCraPT1e_99wmkmyGqtdUlRea_1LiqjQFAl_27y6vtpsGPbFJxV3Do2HuKQf7tHYdY8bIGepG3ywUuUCgXwb_NFw3_U-4AL-PMAHiUwc1zrzUNneVl3T5xmSJm8wbo8SqO899ky/s320/039.JPG" /><br />...it's actually a tiny nativity scene! I left my hand in the frame on purpose to show how adorably small this one is. The characters inside are three dimensional figurines painted with amazing detail. My brother gave this one to me several years ago, and it is still one of my favorites.<br /><br />This one was given to me this year by my Mom. There's no date on it, but I do specifically remember making it when I was little. I love that stuff like this has survived. Both of the kids were so fascinated by the idea that I was once small and made stuff like that.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560661228593280338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1uWCdB0SemHRBkQ7wNEaMl-M16e3eUu0bz04NEfTuYbuMXkNYvNoXJLHYVE-JiQdeJfmqRYAZ4BzTToUP5Abok7cIezjpiD7DQKz6mraJVdzNDxPZKee3TU2W7UMU1W_b_qAeDhJ2IFH/s320/041.JPG" /><br />Although it doesn't go on the tree, this next decoration is one of my most precious. It's an angel that was given to me by a little girl who lived down the street from me when I was about 5 or 6 years old. At the time, we lived in the middle of nowhere and I didn't have a lot of playmates. I have no idea what happened to her (we moved away the next year), but I have always loved this angel and I put it out every year.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWiQqn-ZVyt-zHbAe1tmQ8mmqe6t9sfP6GiKM0r80cwZX5FX2QcgHzDWE2fvgOs_vsp1gCwEDpj0VmHu8UaFjEHhRlkJQxkua1D-xUMUAFazsbsJXJ1uxDSpYnbiqH_-tjnfNM7QkAITl/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560657856630052546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWiQqn-ZVyt-zHbAe1tmQ8mmqe6t9sfP6GiKM0r80cwZX5FX2QcgHzDWE2fvgOs_vsp1gCwEDpj0VmHu8UaFjEHhRlkJQxkua1D-xUMUAFazsbsJXJ1uxDSpYnbiqH_-tjnfNM7QkAITl/s320/034.JPG" /></a>Finally, this red plastic bell came into my possession earlier this year. It belonged to my great-grandmother. There were bells of several different colors and each one bore the name of a great-grandchild (my cousins). </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560661232662426434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFKd6f66JvaTFeqc7Hm6Jsr2YhrpuIYKX8Uk1XcagieowoptnrBUVvj0WPoDWhsc_gkuIWATtSuEwu2VoHvWufPyrNfR7gqN301Apt25dK1qggea0bO3gs-3LtW-g7saoMJbgsKTKTDW8/s320/042.JPG" /><br />The bells were hung on the Christmas tree at my grandparent's house every year, even long after my great-grandmother passed away. One of my fondest childhood memories was of my brother and I arriving at Grandma's house on Christmas morning and finding our bells on the tree. We would always argue over who's bell was in the most optimum position. Higher on the tree and more towards the front obviously meant that Grandma loved me more.</div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560753902168651842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK6Enc7AffA_rB6cKULtkgXthIO7Hc-1l4LKetqySM8K1_d0u64Ne_PKa7s7qj5VNgfNk-aZKNxYL7IqFp2x8EQ58Fp5iwSMg021He1q7UkcF2dhUgKUT5nIv6q77tVcY8Mq9S4CpkB9C/s320/Christmas+%252812%2529.jpg" /><br /><p></p><p align="center">*Notice the red bell near the top... that one is mine ;)<br /><br /></p><p>These are just a few of my favorites. Almost every ornament that goes on the tree has a memory or a person associated with it. That must be why I cherish so much putting up the tree every year, and why it makes me sad to take it down. Maybe some day, when I'm rich and I live in a big fancy house (that someone else cleans), I'll have a second "Martha Stewart" tree that gets all of the color coordinated bows and ornaments in concentric circles. But for now, I am very content with my hodgepodge tree full of memories. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560753915610991026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKAoDzjyG3-3kxmKnTKrrXMLvAn5i-e-nL82C9egzAl3LZ3gI796ZGU35meR9bfY7xaTj0iCZ7fR-e8WHcnPYG10ky0Ucpz9QA9f267t4IPGCSVor87sigYsynnxT4GTIDfUA4I89KyZu/s320/027.JPG" />Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-16055748733089596952011-01-05T09:13:00.008-06:002011-01-05T10:19:27.736-06:00Christmas Clean-UpTwo days ago, I took down my Christmas tree and I cried. Not only because it was my baby boy's first day of school and I was missing him like crazy. Not only <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> I had eaten the last of my Christmas <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pannetoni</span>, or that I had the last season of M.A.S.H. playing in the background. I was sad that Christmas was officially over. And as I lovingly packed away ornaments and decorations I was reminded of the Christmases of my childhood.<br /><div></div><br /><div>You see, this year I had some new ornaments on my tree. After my grandpa passed away last year I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquired</span> a few things that once belonged to my grandparents, or my mother when she was little. Among those things were a few Christmas <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ornaments</span>. I was thrilled to have them in my own family's home and part of our Christmas. But, as I was packing them away for next year, I was suddenly overwhelmed by the realization that I will never again spend Christmas morning at my grandparents home as I had every year growing up. </div><br /><div>It has, of course, been several years since I have been "home" for Christmas. Since I've had children of my own, we have spent Christmas here at our house with both my family and my husband's family. I look forward to Christmas for months and I love having everyone here together. We had a great time laughing, baking, eating, exchanging gifts, and playing games. Together we enjoyed old traditions and created new ones that I hope my children will look forward to for years to come. </div><br /><div>I realized on Monday that the door has closed forever on a part of my life that I remember very fondly. Luckily, I have lots of pictures to help me keep those memories alive.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558736225789281266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFePJTFI5EaMthFwLh6dmkw9bnM8xn9rooL-dWuy9QigoLb8lg_VKLdOXohEECDUQZoRLLRlQRXS8EMp29axXg1z59i7zZ620xmPdh4jwDQ_Y1Xpm2ybrB6fSMu5nYDnwKedvjpCEjEweL/s320/Pic+%2528342%2529.jpg" />Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-17833252294341661942010-12-10T12:52:00.010-06:002010-12-10T13:46:45.365-06:003 Years Old!Last week my baby boy turned 3. We had a small gathering of family to eat cake and open presents. I let Embry pick out the cake, since Matthew showed little interest and she picked out this...<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549131857649820434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdv9nZmPF1tSeW6o1cY4oWawroGbEB86VgfqFEm4Zu7yPOMnvZ2QS7lHftUIHdgnhJgaBCCEe_seV4c480REq-Q8Inf3Une6HwCh8NQfv0jm97qik6Tu9UWwfDJ6TWDj4Otj9cliffxAUS/s320/003.JPG" /><br />A not so seasonally appropriate swimming pool cake from a Jello kids cookbook that I bought a couple of years ago. Complete with swimming/floating/sunbathing bears (adult <em>and</em> child bears due to my mistake of buying "mini" teddy grahams instead of the regular size).<br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549131863915874386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21dk-PyD-nds3XS95aoUbJ4RWfdt_aE5cBUyHaiAX8xuqw8OVeo4QJDNGNpVsy6VyL9xWi_2PkiZWhZbA82FcCbkgzFxsnI-n9HjpTTJm8BzS6q1XiWOyGzgnJYwiHtij6XMc5uRW6oJe/s320/005.JPG" /><br />It was fairly easy to make, just a 13x9 yellow cake with most of the middle carved out and blue jello poured in. Frost with cool whip (I'm not sure why, other than to sell more products of the same brand) and accessorize with graham crackers, gummi life savers, mini oreos, and cocktail umbrellas.</p><p>I was kind of weirded out by the whole jello/cake combination, and the fact that the cake didn't have much <em>cake</em> in it. But, everyone seemed to like it ok. </p><p></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549137993579491234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhbk8UPWsfhEu2QiO8AfBSQeeCPJGZAxCYUu0V0H-_WgvHZ6BVkjAofeliYNpP52rs1srIV-klPtTY2f7nOA9ofI71TypnrKOM43g_uzqSfS1xX2gaohqh-ayehcaPRH1PjDA8r_VwMEF/s320/010.JPG" /><br />Matthew was not much interested in opening his presents, so Embry did most of the opening. He loved the toys that he received (once they were unwrapped), but somehow we couldn't convince him that it was OK to rip apart paper and boxes. He kept looking at me to check if it was <span style="color:#000000;">all right</span>. Silly kid.<br /><br />His favorite present, by far, was this back-and-forth car ramp thingy...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549136810270554594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsLlbRvp3DhECnJ-_ojnqFuTZOk67kgN6vSlmKlxXyjMmDWsU5QhkF82zASZfwVX-rpsaxHX_-TVLcA0m5iyk8TaDDOtOC6JfKNd8OKKoPnXMsL7GB94T6-dTSz-VgIrLEb4fOgUKvxaw/s320/008.JPG" />He's been playing with it pretty much non-stop since he opened it. Thanks Uncle Nicol!!<br /><br /><p></p><p>Overall it was a great afternoon. Matthew even learned to say that he's three when we asked him how old he is. This amazes me because he wasn't yet saying anything on his last birthday. How far he has come in one year - 1000 words and about 6 inches! This will definitely be the last birthday he'll have being shorter than his big sister. :)</p><p>Happy birthday Matthew!<br /></p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCaumFoVe0g0JL4QTtYBA1Ot4lln1pr4PlDvCPYeBKlBiDd7WIs1qLQxgMW2iRs8J1CiNktqKTLhjm_hoKeg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-3315290956154946132010-12-02T12:37:00.002-06:002010-12-02T13:39:34.118-06:00DenialNormally, this time of year is my favorite. Putting up the tree, baking cookies, writing out Christmas cards, shopping! I don't even mind my (retail) job, which gets exponentially busy this month. More hours = bigger paycheck, and busy days go by really fast. But there is something that has been looming in the back of my mind for a while now. It's something that I have tried very hard <em>not</em> to think about for months. It used to seem far away, but as the year gets closer to ending this thing is creeping closer to the front of my thoughts. <br /><br />My baby, who will be turning three tomorrow, is starting preschool full-time in January.<br /><br />I was forced to come to terms with this when I bought Matthew a lunchbox yesterday. I just about lost it right there in the aisle at Target. Now, this lunchbox, which represents a huge change in our lives, is sitting in our front room, and every time I walk past it I get sad. <br /><br />I don't know what is the matter with me. When Embry started school at roughly the same age I was excited. I may have shed a tear or two when I dropped her off on her first day, but mainly my emotions were positive. I knew that she was going to a great school, and that she would flourish. Even despite a few "I want my Mommy" episodes the first semester, I really pushed her to go on, because I knew how good this would be for her. I was right, of course. Embry is doing fantastic in a class that we still love everything about. So, why can't I feel the same excitement for Matthew?<br /><br />I know that he is going to do well. He gets the same great teacher and will be in the same class as Embry for the first semester. All the teachers and staff at the school already know him. He's familiar with the classroom, he plays on the playground, and even knows some of the kids that will be in his class. I think the entire experience will be even less scary for him then it was for Embry. He <em>is</em> ready. <strong> I... am not.</strong><br /><br />My thoughts are simple and irrational. I am not ready for my baby to leave me. Matthew and I spend every morning together after J and Embry head off to work/school. We sit in the recliner in the livingroom and share breakfast while watching the news. We are both content to snuggle and tickle and read books and sing songs all morning long without doing anything productive like taking a shower, starting the laundry or cleaning up the house. I love my life as a stay-at-home Mom, and I don't want it to change.<br /><br />But, I keep reminding myself that change is inevitable. Matthew has to go to off to school eventually. J and I discussed it at length and we agree that now is the best time for him to start. I'll just have to soak up as much Matthew as I can over the next few weeks. And once he starts, I'll be counting down the days until summer break when I can have both of my babies home for a couple of short months to snuggle and tickle and read books to and sing songs with.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-34257518718376901242010-10-25T16:18:00.006-05:002010-10-26T16:12:02.017-05:00Fun Things to Do in the Fall<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Pumpkin picking!</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VI8-f6qhQeOosMkk0rNWnskmXaTtak9KEJtB0I75-bGvdkv1MSdG8sdsPhz7UgwWAByGCa0dg-Lsy0U3w9V5gkjq3WgfOggVMdQaGQNwCKQM3xMxydqeQHx3a_uwGiY5jphnAz23-wdp/s1600/011+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532098392989112098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VI8-f6qhQeOosMkk0rNWnskmXaTtak9KEJtB0I75-bGvdkv1MSdG8sdsPhz7UgwWAByGCa0dg-Lsy0U3w9V5gkjq3WgfOggVMdQaGQNwCKQM3xMxydqeQHx3a_uwGiY5jphnAz23-wdp/s320/011+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">First we have to play in the dirt.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNexPEcWb__X5lAb3pG_xWXnotdWNdp55nj5n4b1I0G2aE7x-QGQMrPiUcN1Keao7bl9HmiIsP03z-NA6iG25D-Nd8S-14SpS__lgDxxyO2DJh93n9kjFVU0AmAS9i4hnCDk1Nr9CSBPq/s1600/006+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532098386670933810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNexPEcWb__X5lAb3pG_xWXnotdWNdp55nj5n4b1I0G2aE7x-QGQMrPiUcN1Keao7bl9HmiIsP03z-NA6iG25D-Nd8S-14SpS__lgDxxyO2DJh93n9kjFVU0AmAS9i4hnCDk1Nr9CSBPq/s320/006+(2).JPG" /></a><br />Then we have to convince Grandma to carry us, even though we are perfectly capable of walking ourselves.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rqxhG8cFySgIieX62PdWFpZskToP-JV3JrMgZWzZRz8yH_nVlfW-0Xj1x7ClwA5GJsVp3yZbRtoddfYtfX2KOcNFrcz_7rIL_7qqvnJPu_4RGxc3QjnnVjDCVg4KRhLLSm9gaOAyo13a/s1600/008+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532098379865860482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rqxhG8cFySgIieX62PdWFpZskToP-JV3JrMgZWzZRz8yH_nVlfW-0Xj1x7ClwA5GJsVp3yZbRtoddfYtfX2KOcNFrcz_7rIL_7qqvnJPu_4RGxc3QjnnVjDCVg4KRhLLSm9gaOAyo13a/s320/008+(2).JPG" /></a><br />There is tractor riding...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRhEWVBWU8zH-JouyDJh4U692jr8oJXrN8WjuwcV1GZOf43wxhosbuJ68bwjCNy-ltHrTXWc1UsftdxIGPE4jRkkwaTrsFIemc33xQC4tg5UPe-UEEh2EhPQt_4YNdAcQzG492j2I-vQl/s1600/020+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532097998518543906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRhEWVBWU8zH-JouyDJh4U692jr8oJXrN8WjuwcV1GZOf43wxhosbuJ68bwjCNy-ltHrTXWc1UsftdxIGPE4jRkkwaTrsFIemc33xQC4tg5UPe-UEEh2EhPQt_4YNdAcQzG492j2I-vQl/s320/020+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><br />...and lots of time spent trying to pick up pumpkins that are too heavy.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajaYaP7gOibsIujKw9OFBZEdDciGyMXi3sFoXl4VTKXb37bIuVvbAenoPJYWVeplUcddnUD5lJ8IKs11aXG4_bb0Dvb8kY370FgSIrXUnbs6GTnKFYp_AdfNROlovMx9ogBOtcwTTAWY4/s1600/013+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532097994944311570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajaYaP7gOibsIujKw9OFBZEdDciGyMXi3sFoXl4VTKXb37bIuVvbAenoPJYWVeplUcddnUD5lJ8IKs11aXG4_bb0Dvb8kY370FgSIrXUnbs6GTnKFYp_AdfNROlovMx9ogBOtcwTTAWY4/s320/013+(2).JPG" /></a><br />WAY TOO HEAVY!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mWZ8vBpqzTu7wNg9Ss8pnG1O-zRkieXBkJNGlmsIg2bBCqVtxmPtJBD3lobnv9uxjWglg9Qm303DgbjPLDeTp3m9JOq8hYWYahgD_gJIxr6NrIeDr3puobV966QstZzwdiuLXAv6jY1a/s1600/021+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532097987076196914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mWZ8vBpqzTu7wNg9Ss8pnG1O-zRkieXBkJNGlmsIg2bBCqVtxmPtJBD3lobnv9uxjWglg9Qm303DgbjPLDeTp3m9JOq8hYWYahgD_gJIxr6NrIeDr3puobV966QstZzwdiuLXAv6jY1a/s320/021+(2).JPG" /></a><br />Matthew found one that was way too small (hee hee).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeWFfu0SnzxY9YXdplGpwKHvs6fAWc6ChqRBTZH9EIyja0G63J6XxXEKZJKQfQmZw7g1Eq__kg6dJ-6KlkC6xvA3Vd-Jgfga4Kl0uBtL2fIL7q6oSY6DPume4PWTKyzjkq9PFR3ZammKW/s1600/017+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532097984034749346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeWFfu0SnzxY9YXdplGpwKHvs6fAWc6ChqRBTZH9EIyja0G63J6XxXEKZJKQfQmZw7g1Eq__kg6dJ-6KlkC6xvA3Vd-Jgfga4Kl0uBtL2fIL7q6oSY6DPume4PWTKyzjkq9PFR3ZammKW/s320/017+(2).JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div><br />Finally, we found two pumpkins that were juuuussst right.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FAQZu37qQ_bQvNLULVTePsOhqj5JDBRk_xJQ804rTiEl6BSChkXebX0XINvilTnySMg7xbxf25bLsN7OLIxS7JvGsMY6pHsA8YhU0tNythCfE0LoC2ktgG0qEqVMQey2tWwaeXxC7Zvh/s1600/019+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532097975021918434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FAQZu37qQ_bQvNLULVTePsOhqj5JDBRk_xJQ804rTiEl6BSChkXebX0XINvilTnySMg7xbxf25bLsN7OLIxS7JvGsMY6pHsA8YhU0tNythCfE0LoC2ktgG0qEqVMQey2tWwaeXxC7Zvh/s320/019+(2).JPG" /></a><br />Next up was flying,<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-lGjhoy5wogk8Y7iNJ5-RlX15pTdYJsttk4iEOdsyzA9peF7vHD5seAFScGt2gQ6OHe62wnuOSbLjUugzXDoWi7TAK0SmPSai-pS5jwrV9PDIl7q8gy_cGphxsl7peUiJWs5Xf0nD8dX/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532096961258646370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-lGjhoy5wogk8Y7iNJ5-RlX15pTdYJsttk4iEOdsyzA9peF7vHD5seAFScGt2gQ6OHe62wnuOSbLjUugzXDoWi7TAK0SmPSai-pS5jwrV9PDIl7q8gy_cGphxsl7peUiJWs5Xf0nD8dX/s320/026.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ic5kcMx7izgGKCCNbuEN6GpXnO3E4Fzm_a3Ihl1F7KNhXdurQcyu0XXRu8W9eeft-tPSYNNLXDZcLADvmoXEUz5oVE2UMrY4H0_MEbjuVOM1yw7gZwOibs0JUZhi4QFLiU5iQ6LpByCk/s1600/025+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532096952504556098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ic5kcMx7izgGKCCNbuEN6GpXnO3E4Fzm_a3Ihl1F7KNhXdurQcyu0XXRu8W9eeft-tPSYNNLXDZcLADvmoXEUz5oVE2UMrY4H0_MEbjuVOM1yw7gZwOibs0JUZhi4QFLiU5iQ6LpByCk/s320/025+(2).JPG" /></a><br />then goat feeding,<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBwX_ljiBnP_VhlOc-UYFlnYM0Sp45MQHTkXrwzw_CLlDXoCvEz9UV6rHSn08KaaiAI039JqlusNDkmowIqCPDvRgiuDik3-GIGdJgYuFrucW_MgCr8ochB5T3lAIQt6E3sIwgxSfQtrm/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532096949449396098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBwX_ljiBnP_VhlOc-UYFlnYM0Sp45MQHTkXrwzw_CLlDXoCvEz9UV6rHSn08KaaiAI039JqlusNDkmowIqCPDvRgiuDik3-GIGdJgYuFrucW_MgCr8ochB5T3lAIQt6E3sIwgxSfQtrm/s320/030.JPG" /></a><br />then parakeet petting (um, ok).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbzTujJeJDo_egFCQ02WyidJqrCIpUSrZIWpeBH4WbpDN2JD7mBQw5LAG5rJqhA5EJdiEk0Dv_8z294IltYmErrek_aGNUVn_xBRNaRiV9X0rrtWqnuoJK9p9rAObmQ2TCVrHSNMpcPXh/s1600/037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532096945625273954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbzTujJeJDo_egFCQ02WyidJqrCIpUSrZIWpeBH4WbpDN2JD7mBQw5LAG5rJqhA5EJdiEk0Dv_8z294IltYmErrek_aGNUVn_xBRNaRiV9X0rrtWqnuoJK9p9rAObmQ2TCVrHSNMpcPXh/s320/037.JPG" /></a><br />And finally some camel riding?! I honestly didn't think Embry would be up for this, but anything is possible when Uncle Nicol is around! Go Embry!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTchXI6mSbSuCuGukODpd4Zncv8jzuPoMCdYYdd8KtR7P9w_Qv1FjYEMBcavWhzlqCVOAkKin46jX-C39ePcf5EzzcMznWkyP8b6AP7DxWE5Zd8J_rKFaWowgIhkp5OyuKLB8r7k36SFMe/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532096940556843698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTchXI6mSbSuCuGukODpd4Zncv8jzuPoMCdYYdd8KtR7P9w_Qv1FjYEMBcavWhzlqCVOAkKin46jX-C39ePcf5EzzcMznWkyP8b6AP7DxWE5Zd8J_rKFaWowgIhkp5OyuKLB8r7k36SFMe/s320/034.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-18003968424899446892010-10-25T12:19:00.002-05:002010-10-25T13:14:44.293-05:00My New/Old JobTwo weeks ago I worked my last shift at Costco. After a whole year of getting home at 10:30 or 11:00 at night, I'd decided I'd had enough. <br /><br />One week ago, I started my new/old job at Williams-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sonoma</span>. The staff there was desperate for a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Keyholder</span>/Tech Class Instructor, and I apparently fit the bill. It was a bit scary at the first few nights. Especially since it had been over two years since we left Huntsville and I had worked at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">WS</span>, but my coworkers assumed that I had just moved here last week. In the first 2 days, I was running errands, taking conference calls and closing the store. I figured my first couple of shifts would be filled with sweeping the floor and taking out the trash until I got the lay of the land. I guess not. <br /><br />Fortunately, everything has come back to me pretty quickly. I remembered all the register functions, how the gifts are supposed to be wrapped, and even how the associates are supposed to answer the phone. I just have to remind myself to not to say "Costco food court" when I pick up the phone.<br /><br />Yesterday morning I arrived at work preparing to "assist" with the first Technique Class. It's a good thing that I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">over prepared</span>, because my manger said to me after we walked into the store, "You seem pretty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">knowledgeable</span> about this stuff, why don't you do all the talking and I'll back you up."<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Uhh</span>...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>?<br /><br />So, essentially I ran the first class, and it went great. Thirty people attended, which is about the most I have ever spoken to. I have been informed that the next few classes (the Thanksgiving ones) usually draw around 50 people. I don't know where they are planning to fit all of these people, but bring it on! At least I no longer have to wear a hairnet.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-60963099176606289492010-10-01T12:37:00.005-05:002010-10-01T13:47:16.583-05:00What happened to September?Three months ago, I had a birthday. Instead of presents, I asked everyone to give me Home Depot gift cards so that I could get a new screen door for the house the we had very recently <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquired</span>. The screen door that came with the house was annoying. The screen was halfway ripped out. The door didn't latch on its own and you had to wait about 30 seconds after walking through it in order to pull it closed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> the hydraulic thingy that closes the door was broken. The door jam was cracked and every few months I had to move the plate that the door latches onto because the screws kept pulling out of the wood. See? Annoying.<br /><br />But on Tuesday, the install guy from Home Depot came and put in our new door. Because we had gift cards, we splurged and got a nice one. The install guy put in a brand new door jam, so it opens and closes like a dream. It also has this button that you can tap with your foot to hold the door open (without putting down your groceries or your kids), and then you just tap the door and it closes again. But the best part is that it is "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">fullview</span>." The entire door is essentially one big floor to ceiling window, and I love it! I think <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Embry</span> said it best with, "Mama, I feel like I'm outside!" It lets in so much light in an already pretty bright room, that when you walk past the door it really does seem like there isn't a door there at all.<br /><br /><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523150000144342610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2D5hNJWtzmnTQjDhoHSLi7x1-IxZ1iBKQjevUcFXdCRpSIERVRGMNU8madl_5il2uDCBnwMHz1rVx3oMWhjT86bq0AmWNgNXdqkm-8dvxtgJPLVfVdYTZXfbKzEgbVNALReNO23Vol42/s320/047.JPG" /><br /></p>It is our first official home improvement since we bought the house and I never thought I'd be so excited about a screen door.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-3046514279441426512010-09-03T12:44:00.002-05:002010-09-03T13:34:14.100-05:00Funny StoryWhere to begin...?<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>, a couple of weeks ago I woke up at about 2:30 in the morning to what sounded like a crash (or maybe a really loud thump.) Being the paranoid person that I am, I immediately assumed the worst. I thought for sure that someone had broken into our house to murder us. After sitting up in bed listening for sounds of intruders for a couple of minutes, my panic subsided a little and I started coming up with more rational explanations for the sound that woke me up. I got up and checked on both kids. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Embry</span> has a tendency to fall out of bed, so the noise I heard might have been her, but they were both safely asleep in their beds. I checked the front and back doors - they were both locked. I peeked out the blinds into the front yard - no burning wreckage from a car crashing into our house. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span>. I was starting to believe that I had imagined the entire thing, or maybe I had dreamt it. But, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">could've</span> swore that I not only heard something, but that I had felt something as well. Surely, I didn't imagine that. I was too tired to debate it any longer and I went back to bed.<br /><br />Two days later I went downstairs to my basement to wash a load of towels. I got to the bottom of the stairs and I almost tripped over something. I was carrying a huge laundry basket, so I couldn't see what it was right away. I put down the towels, and picked up an empty plastic bottle. Well, actually, I was half of an empty plastic bottle. I turned on the light to examine the bottle and to try and figure out why it was lying at the bottom of the stairs. In an instant I understood what the noise was that woke me up 2 nights earlier. <br /><br />You see, J likes to brew small batches of beer. He <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">received</span> a kit a few years back, and he has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">successfully</span> made several batches of pretty decent beer. He bottled his last batch about a week before the middle of the night incident. Apparently there was some sort of flaw in one of the bottles, because when I turned on the basement light that morning I saw that beer had covered just about every surface in our basement... floor, ceiling, wall, furnace, washer/dryer, boxes, shelves. Everything was sprayed with beer when one of the bottles <em>exploded</em>. And I don't mean exploded like when you drop a soda can, and it foams all over your arm. I mean exploded like a bomb. Boom! I could see where it had hit the ceiling directly underneath our bedroom. <br /><br />You'd think that I would be upset about the gigantic mess all around me. About the fact that I had a ton of stuff to do that day, had both kids at home with me, and that I had to go to work that night, and therefore had no time to clean up such a mess. That all of that sticky beer would have to stay on the walls and the ceiling for a day or two before I would get the chance to spend hours cleaning it up.<br /><br />But, I just laughed. I actually laughed out loud because I was so ecstatic that I had not imagined that noise in the middle of the night.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-66409361599137927302010-08-30T17:20:00.006-05:002010-08-30T19:02:40.263-05:00Another Birthday...<div><div><div><div>... Another ridiculously complicated cake (cupcake) recipe.</div><br /><div></div><div>I don't know why I do this to myself. Everyone would be perfectly happy with a chocolate boxed cake mix and canned frosting. But, no. I have to ask my husband, "What kind of cake do you want? Let's make something different!"</div><br /><div></div><div>Husband - "Hmm. How about churro cupcakes?"</div><div> </div><div>Me - "Churro cupcakes!? Where did you come up with that?"</div><div> </div><div>Husband - "I dunno."</div><br /><div></div><div>I wondered if there even was such a thing. But where there's the Internet, there's a way, right? Lo and behold, I found <a href="http://sloblogs.thetribunenews.com/andallthetrimmings/churro-cupcakes-with-dulce-de-leche-and-whipped-cream/">these</a> and I decided to give it a shot. I mean who can resist those adorable mini-churros?!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511348552196575250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe_EXjFWbeFqm5MI7XPmu_IaLnThDRBrPuVa3aYUpeO186NznQ8Lb-SzETZPCUHmBCguB6Y7FseRtW3SP8vhIw5oGfQG2PbND8YKcSCICYfUzZW7AyMd7JzoRNgmvlDl4lvoPaKgIAGl5/s320/005+(3).JPG" /><br /><div>The cupcake "assembly" is actually three separate recipes (if you don't count the whipped cream). 1. The cake recipe, flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, turned out tasting just like snickerdoodle cookies...yum! 2. The dulce de leche filling for the cupcakes was actually super easy, but time consuming. The hardest part of that was opening the store-brand can of condensed milk. For some reason I could not get the top to come off, so I ended up scraping the stuff out with a spatula. Way too messy! Anyway, it turned out tasting just like the Kraft caramel cubes that you melt to make caramel apples...double yum! 3. The fun part was making the tiny churros. I don't have a lot of experience with deep frying things, but I figured these would be easy since they were so small. They didn't require a whole lot of oil to fry in, and they cooked in about 2 minutes. Pretty easy...and SO CUTE!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511348540842093218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUD5LmCi7-YnrcGEHhWRhHFFtM6u4Dw327UaxLeqQuzW93SKXfwEv9XygCxhcPm1oF9I79B_SmtydiaWP-aE0E0fAv4APOQ6rTyL-80A6w6ufYO3Pj_cnLvmkgog-6oqgROgFOsHIMX33/s320/004.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><div>The best part was, that after all of the fun of filling, <em>and</em> topping, <em>and</em> miniature churros, the cupcakes tasted amazing! I was afraid that all of the additions would be too much, but they went together perfectly! One of my favorite cake recipes ever.</div><br /><div></div><div>Oh, and J had a great birthday too! Happy birthday honey!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511348558098943298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfvZAtx4mqR8Eo-RHq7cP-byqHe7ds-mf5ius6R14jAkqygs2ei15yhH0sJAlWeVfe_q5G0un_smhy670XxLiRJuGXl_Xj5znKENZARt0O7LTcsPNhcuYD6kyv4hF4NpcOM_AEQW9K65i/s320/007+(3).JPG" /></div></div></div></div><br /><p>**Side note - Embry picked out the candles a month ago, long before we decided on cupcakes. I forgot about them until about five minutes before this picture was taken. Lesson learned = pick out your dessert <em>before</em> you pick out your candles.**</p>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-49304714583912180932010-07-14T12:19:00.006-05:002010-07-14T13:12:52.303-05:00Summer Update!<div><div><div><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Around the House:</span></strong> OK, so it's not like nothing has happened in the last three weeks. It's really J's fault for my lack of blogging. You see, he bought me (for my birthday) the new Harry Potter Lego game for Wii, and I have been using every free moment I have to play it instead of blog (or cook, or clean, or do yardwork.) It is <em>so</em> incredibly addicting. According to the game, I am 54 percent complete, so that means only 3 more weeks of nonstop playing and I should be finished, right? That is unless the game gets harder as I get closer to finishing it, or unless there are a bunch of bonus levels, or extra characters to try out. Who knows how long this may go on?<br /><br />We did actually celebrate my birthday rather quietly this year. I decided that instead of having a big cookout, and making a fancy cake that we would buy a cake... </div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493825111532847394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tTQQQs8yTPWsjrbNvRJZdH6TaUZF-ZbeiH4YnkU4-MJJYxEo0Fv2UJmFXcusLTUV3uilR6P0jVCBvD8-HpcW1US6QxkBS-PqkmPKfQECaAn7O2-93vvcbu_DSmAegHnqeBXXcNp8TWPg/s320/037.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>(I know) and go out to eat all weekend long, so that I could spend my time relaxing with my mom and my husband and kids instead of cooking and cleaning. It was a great plan, I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier! Of course, no birthday (at least, not MY birthday) would be complete without fireworks. So we headed to a "smaller" event, rather than fight the huge crowds downtown. It was Matthew's first fireworks, and although he was a little unsure at first, he seemed to enjoy them after they got going. He had just learned the word "birthday" that weekend, and he kept shouting it all during the fireworks show. We might be setting him up for disappointment when his birthday rolls along sans fireworks.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">In the Kitchen:</span></strong> Not much going on here (see previous mention of new Wii game). I did however make my award winning (ok, 3rd place) chili last week, and chicken and dumplings this week. The chili recipe is great because it makes a huge amount. We immediately freeze half of it and then eat leftovers all week long. Chicken and dumplings is one of my favorite recipes, although the "from scratch" recipe takes all afternoon to make, it is well worth it. My only complaint is that my biscuit dumplings are never as fluffy as my grandma's used to be. If anyone knows the secret to fluffy dumplings please let me know.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">New with Embry:</span></strong> Embry finished her first session of swimming lessons a couple of weeks ago. </div></div><div> </div><div><div><br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493825082200647186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG3ZNNbZCWdavbPF6DcKhLDKc_zwp1QmD6Apa8BG42FDI1JZUNxQNVNzGgSf9Z-AlXfpTprqMPoBNaO9vAvPycNHiEKQzGwTxtR-4BNd-ZB7Zk5x5BBiofOHiMJix_lWqQW_iV9hWgIwZ/s320/014.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493825092317091122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UFbKGis725Ex_75r97su6pN71eD6V9hveonNLNHpEQbJQqGJf9UFJ-USi2OtRYlqWJ5ikbt_yk5YUngn6gTsf44wib59XTdQS5q3lF9AiUPE4BAMsAKvYXxb85vXPla31Z8z_Mo9QAbz/s320/012.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493825103074325906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwxensAdjWS9ymbA4eOkczuqj4X5yIYXTbnn2d1M27zSKFqJ9HJJliCHgk9WbAlrZJkscg2gwcztKEZ09R0w2b0s8hxL0pyjEPu-TY8xQqIQGqqgTCoiqolNl70J2eh_rIJnxqaeidugv/s320/031.JPG" />It was only 8 half-hour sessions, but I feel like she progressed a lot. Before this, she would never get into the pool without her floatie and she would never EVER get her face wet, or even think about putting her head under water. But now, she hops right in the pool, goes with me into the deeper water, doesn't complain too much if her face gets splashed, and will occasionally agree to go under for just a second. She can float by herself on her back for about 10 seconds, and she can swim great with a kick-board, but she still can't really swim on her own yet. We are debating whether to continue the lessons (and another $60) this summer or let her practice at the pool on her own and wait until next summer to do more lessons. So many parents tell me that kids often will just teach themselves if they get enough time at the pool. We'll see.<br /><br />Also, Embry's two loose teeth are still there, just a little looser.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">New with Matthew:</span></strong> In that same department, Matthew has two new teeth, both molars. If I didn't brush his teeth every day I'd never know he was getting any new ones, since he has never once complained about getting them.<br /><br /><div>He has made up for the lack of whining though, when it comes to getting his haircut. It has been about 9 months since his last official haircut. He will tolerate a few snips every few weeks, but that's it. I was able to trim the 2 inch tail off of his neck and get his bangs out of his eyes this month. The rest looks horribly shaggy. More than one person has compared his new look to Ringo Starr circa 1964.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493825077850147282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptPhRIVzkgtnGrFKAj5rLi37IdXtTJIeKOYQPEU9VFqLixfz3W5UKZrCmTs8mKsdDT1H4Eef3z1X4FZwxBYmbuEY5CD0b1l88skrmdy6iXxAj4k5RjKJdG6tc3q4LeJ9HkmC9axIE-5Ze/s320/007.JPG" /> </div><br /><div>Also, people keep reassuring me that longer hair is "in" for boys now-a-days. Well, call me old-fashioned, but I believe boys should have short hair that doesn't touch their face <em>or</em> their neck <em>or</em> their ears. It is driving me crazy! We have tried everything...cutting his hair in the bathtub or the sink, in front of the tv with his favorite show on, using clippers instead of scissors, giving him a sucker, even watching Daddy or sister get a haircut to show him that there's nothing to be scared of. If he doesn't get over this soon, tranquilizers may be in order.</div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am Grateful For:</span></strong> The gift cards I received for my birthday for Home Depot. I'm going to use them to get a screen door that actually closes and new locks for the front door. And if there's any left, maybe some paint. That one takes a lot more planning, though, so we'll see.</div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">The Weather Outside:</span></strong> Typical July...hot, humid, the occasional thunderstorm. Not so bad that we can't enjoy the park for a couple of hours in the morning, but the slides start to get too hot by about 10:30am.</div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am Obsessed With:</span></strong> Do you have to ask? I need to hurry up and finish this post...only 45 minutes of naptime left to play Harry Potter!!</div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-6370813350451253902010-06-21T14:21:00.009-05:002010-06-21T22:03:20.215-05:00Matthew's New Dance<p>It has always been amazing to me how as soon as babies can sit up, they will dance to music. How do they know how to do this? No one teaches babies this concept... at least I didn't teach my kids to dance. Who knows what they would've ended up doing then? Anyway, Matthew loves to dance! Practically all kid's shows have music in them, and he has a specific dance for each one. His dance for Dora is different than his one for Wubbzy and so on. </p><p>Now, despite my best efforts, both of the kids are now obsessed with Yo Gabba Gabba (thanks a lot J!). The show is way too weird for my taste, but it does have lots of interesting music. And I have to say that Matthew's dance to this song is my new favorite of all his previous dances. He dances it the same way every time, so it's not random. He definitely has a very specific method. And it is pretty funny...even if the song gets stuck in my head so much that I need a sledgehammer to get it out.</p><p></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxOM9QLwnTCDT8DltgZjsw2BFN6NALYNpCUbLgzyD9NVZnOTY2TEO_mLhQd0SsycCURLwR_9NObu_dqTnVBQA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-89776143023951546102010-06-09T12:38:00.002-05:002010-06-09T13:09:52.002-05:00June Update<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Around the House:</span></strong> The week after closing on the house (Yeah!) we had our annual yard sale. If it was up to me I would've given myself a week off after all of the stress of buying the house, but I wanted to have it the same day as the city wide sale. I was so tired from the week before that I forgot to put the signs up until late the night before, and I forgot to advertise on Craig's List until a few hours before. Despite my lack of effort, the sale was a success. I got rid of an entire room full of junk. We sold all of our big stuff except for our old entertainment center, which we just dragged out to the street afterwards. We were too lazy to carry it back in, and it was gone within a couple of hours. The few things small things (mostly clothes) that were left, we packed straight into the car and J dropped them off at Goodwill. My rule is that nothing comes back<em> in</em> the house. The weather was miserable hot and sticky, but no rain. And my newly empty basement is worth all the sweat in the world. <br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">In the Kitchen:</span></strong> The only thing I have really "cooked" recently was blueberry muffins made from fresh-picked-out-of-Grandma's-yard blueberries. She brought up a ton of them, and even though I made a double recipe, there were still lots left for freezing. They'll be perfect for pancakes or waffles over the next few weekends.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">New with Embry:</span></strong> A few firsts for Embry last week...(1) She has two loose teeth. She was a little freaked out about it at first, but now I think she's looking forward to when they actually fall out. She keeps asking me every morning, "Did my tooth fall out yet?" I keep reassuring her that she will definitely know when her tooth falls out and she won't need me to tell her. I can't wait to see how cute she looks with one or two missing. (2) She got her first library card. The purpose of actually visiting the library was to return a book that I found in my piles of yard sale stuff. It was purchased from eBay a while back and I noticed that it had "St. Louis County Library" stamped on it. So, I thought I would return it and get Embry a card while we were there. She was very proud to pick out a couple of books and check them out all by herself. Of course, she's already tired of the two that we borrowed and after 3 days wants to pick out some more. I suppose there are worse things for her to be into than reading a whole bunch of books, right?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">New with Matthew:</span></strong> Matthew has become a master at immitating people. From acting out entire scenes from Max and Ruby, to mimicking every word and action of his sister. Embry thinks it's funny for about 5 minutes. Then she goes into my bedrooom and closes the door to make it stop. It <em>is</em> pretty cute. Especially when Embry is reading and Matthew grabs a book and sits down next to her and pretends to be reading too.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am Grateful For:</span></strong> See above for clean basement!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">The Weather Outside:</span></strong> Well, at the moment, its sunny and hot. Two hours ago it was downpouring, and it's supposed to storm later this afternoon. Pretty typical. No complaints unless it decides to storm on my way to work.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am Obsessed With:</span></strong> Now that the house is ours (well, technically it's the bank's), there are so many things that I want to change. They all cost money, of course (which we don't have) but it's nice to know that we don't have to ask permission to paint a room or hang something on a wall. I'm asking for gift cards to the Home Depot for my birthday.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-38145279663603026212010-06-01T20:05:00.012-05:002010-06-01T21:05:36.191-05:00Is it Summer Already?<span style="color:black;">It must be since school is over and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Embry</span> had her last soccer practice last week.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em; cssfloat: left" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWs8GOccmBqeIbz0ibtyRpzVtlzr7jFw8kU2vnap6dGaMrzKyXSeKuLhdc8Ha4pqXttjqWrYzftljFrWjYjcqbn9Sjc2g7sXWSRXwg3rkpblDBQM_JhIM30ptUQbU9QlUOfc6CHb8ETuA/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWs8GOccmBqeIbz0ibtyRpzVtlzr7jFw8kU2vnap6dGaMrzKyXSeKuLhdc8Ha4pqXttjqWrYzftljFrWjYjcqbn9Sjc2g7sXWSRXwg3rkpblDBQM_JhIM30ptUQbU9QlUOfc6CHb8ETuA/s320/049.JPG" width="240" height="320" gu="true" /></a></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477986782233439458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuLlXEf77Vb6BPr6-Hf-bvt6cisJKLYza_4MygWVAaQll14QrATguClKAF4PUVpKZBFWl-iz6JfSVeukmvSTfPQGc3vR7kC1xZgu9HTUypp7W4wDjiy6PiHBO2gBa25KmV6SHfYiMiWU9/s320/048.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477986774173624306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dbaxaM0w0xOe4IjrBAAWuENMGmFz8q5Z4HIpz_5DtCN_5EWNBtMhUh8fyBu6hizYVJvgEMXEmYivxzsQcILU5jc0Juwhz-09qI9_OF4mdrI3ThxHWppkHjK9BFRNFqvJPIRjDp6ERi00/s320/047.JPG" /><br /><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none">And summer is for swimming...</div><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477988444007979106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYDuWz_N3sVeyHweN2JLxmvbBsVEtC_tqtsa1YhQnI3oBqddysjTqz8kp6Pir58P_uXdSuGs-2RQFyZXZiJ389DDn9LHde42bROKWjmxFPas1hZOVjoMnvMzC9CWJyPxwWQIu_RaUi6jk/s320/057.JPG" /><br />We're using a blow-up pool that we bought last year as a back-up for the now infamous "dragon pool." <em>That</em> pool (which was actually a dinosaur) lasted through about 2 swims before ripping and being left in a pile in the corner of the patio. No one seemed to care, however, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> we swam at the school pool every Friday night. Now that I work most Friday nights, that won't be happening this year, so the kids will want to swim in the backyard more often. </div><br /><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none">So far, the $5 back-up pool is working great. And <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Embry's</span> $4 goggles are working great too. She wears them, not to see underwater, but to keep the water from getting into her eyes when Matthew splashes her... which he does about every 30 seconds. </div><br /><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none">I also love the new swimsuits that I found at Target this year. Matthew is sporting some cute shark themed trunks, and I totally dig the trend in girl's suits the last few summer of covering up as much as possible. I let <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Embry</span> pick out her own suit and she chose this super cute yellow one.</div><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"></div><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"></div><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"></div><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"></div><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"></div></div></div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477988450788565314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgX_5v5bG8Qpa4B9a7vAOrZ1J2Urjdxrd_83GO8otrHfUv7BHyAZ6gHfxg9z417u_xQ55OEECCzN6KIBEcTB6ubWDljC8id7VqRGkLcdXbd_cXep2rZW2lMwo21Q944EOsNJbaIS6dYqv/s320/055.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Here's to great summer!</p>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-24311828952748648882010-05-21T12:03:00.002-05:002010-05-21T12:41:15.802-05:00Couple of RecipesHere you go Mom...two of my favorite lunch recipes (well, one is a recipe, and the other is more of a technique).<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Wilted Spinach Salad</span></strong><br /><br />This recipe makes enough for one big serving or two smaller ones. Sometimes I like to throw some pieces of cooked chicken on top for a more filling meal. You can easily double or triple this recipe for more people.<br /><br />2-3 strips of bacon (I like 3)<br />6 to 8 oz fresh spinach<br />1/4 of a yellow onion, sliced very thin (original recipe calls for red onion, but I never have that around)<br />1 T minced garlic<br />1 tsp. sugar<br />1/8 cup cider or red wine vinegar<br />1 T Dijon mustard<br />pinch of salt and pepper<br /><br />Fry bacon in a large pot that you have a lid for. If you don't want to fry up some bacon you can use leftover bacon drippings, but you won't have any bacon pieces for the salad. This can be either a good or a bad thing depending on your dietary needs. When bacon is crisp and most of the fat is rendered out, remove bacon pieces to some paper towels to drain. Pour out any extra drippings, you'll need about 2-3 tablespoons in the pot.<br /><br />Add the onion, garlic, salt, pepper and sugar to the pot and cook over medium-high heat until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Working quickly add the vinegar and mustard to the pot and scrape with a wooden spoon to loosen the browned bits in the bottom of the pot.<br /><br />Remove pot from heat, add spinach to the pot and quickly cover, allowing spinach to steam until just starting to wilt. This will take about 30 seconds to 1 minute.<br /><br />Remove lid from pot and toss the spinach lightly with tongs to distribute the dressing. Garnish with reserved bacon pieces and serve. Yum!<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Boiled Artichokes</span></strong><br /><br />Prep artichokes by cutting off the top 1/4 and the stem right at the base of the artichoke. Peel the stem to remove the woody outer layer. If the tips of the leaves are sharp, you can trim them with scissors, but this part isn't necessary.<br /><br />Place the artichokes upside down (and the stems) in the bottom of a pot with a big pinch of salt and fill with cold water, enough to cover the artichokes. The artichokes will float, so put something heavy, like a heavy pot lid on top of them to keep them submerged.<br /><br />Bring pot to a boil uncovered and turn down to simmer for about 10 minutes. Test for doneness with a paring knife inserted into the stem end. The artichoke should be tender but not mushy.<br /><br />Serve with lemon butter and enjoy!<br /><br />For more on how to eat an artichoke or for a couple more yummy recipes go to YouTube.com and search for Alton Brown and artichoke.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-40775756784180830872010-04-28T13:08:00.002-05:002010-04-28T13:55:32.212-05:00End of April Update<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Around the House:</span></strong> There is so much going on here that I barely have time to write this. But, I am in the middle of baking cookies for our trip to Rock Falls this weekend, and this is the only thing I can do keep myself from falling asleep in between batches. First up is our trip home this weekend for my Grandma H's surprise 80th birthday party. The surprise is that about 75 of us (yeah, it's a very big family) are getting together to celebrate. A lot of my relatives live near my hometown, but a lot don't, so getting everyone in the same place at the same time has taken a ton of planning. It should be great. Catered Mexican food, lots of new cousins for the kids to play with and hopefully lots of pictures to show you later.<br /><br />Next, and maybe most importantly... we are buying a house. More specifically, the house that we already live in and are currently renting. We are finally over our biggest (possible) hurdle as of today when the inspector came out to do his thing. He gave us the best possible news that the house has no major defects. Now, we pretty much knew that already, having lived here for the last two years, but we were very afraid that he'd find some sort of hidden potential catastrophe like termites or mold or something. So, now that that's done with we just have lots and lots of paperwork and phone calls to complete... and I mean <strong>a lot</strong>. But, if all goes well, we'll be the new owners of our house in a few weeks. Yeah!<br /><br />Lastly, we are super busy with school as it winds down for the year. I spent all day yesterday sorting through the kids' clothes for donating to the school Rummage Sale. I am helping out with a plant sale tomorrow morning. I am observing Embry's classroom as well as an Elementary classroom (since Embry may transition sometime next Fall) next Tuesday. Next Friday morning, Embry's class is having a Mother's Day breakfast, and the week after that we are participating in the school's first ever Trivia Night. Whew. I keep telling J that I'm afraid I'm going to show up to something on the wrong day, because I can't keep everything straight.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">In the Kitchen:</span></strong> Aside from the chocolate chippers that I'm baking right now (a road trip must have for us), I tried yet another yummy recipe from <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/">Our Best Bites</a>. I made the <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/06/peanut-butter-jam-bars.html">peanut butter and jam bars</a>. The best part about this recipe? I didn't have to buy a thing. I already had all of the ingredients right there in my kitchen. Easy peasy!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">New with Embry <em>and</em> Matthew:</span></strong> When Matthew was born, we explained to Embry that although she will always be older him, having a brother means that someday he will be bigger than her. J and I were both speaking from personal experience, of course. (J being a taller little brother and me being a shorter big sister). Last week we had to sit her down and further explain that this event was going to occur much sooner than we thought. I don't particularly remember when my little brother surpassed me in height, but I'm sure it was sometime in high school. Yet, I am predicting that Embry's "little" brother will be bigger than her sometime this year. Matthew now weighs the same as his big sister and wears the same size shoes. He is now in a size 4T (yes, 4!) clothes, while Embry is just barely in a size 5. I caught them standing next to each other yesterday and noticed that he has less than an inch to go before he reaches her height. <br /><br />If they didn't look so much alike I'd never believe that they were related. Embry is small and petite in every way. Her waist is about the size of my forearm. She has baby fine hair still, and ever her voice is small and high pitched. Matthew is built like tree trunk. A very fast growing tree trunk, you know...like a birch or something they make paper out of, that grows back really fast after you cut it down. Even his hair is thick. It's just hard for me to believe that they both came from the same genetic mix. Someone should do a study on them. Seriously.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">The Weather Outside:</span></strong> It's been a pretty typical spring, so far. Chilly enough in the morning that you still need a jacket, but warm and sunny enough in the afternoon for shorts. And absolutely perfect at night for leaving the window open in the bedroom while you sleep. Ahhh.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am Grateful For:</span></strong> I am going to change this section just this once to "I am Hoping and Praying For..." Safe travel for us and for all of the members of the family as they trek towards Sterling, Illinois. And also for great weather, so that we can enjoy each other's company as long as possible.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am Obsessed With: </span></strong> I am going to change this section just his once to "I am Re-Obsessed With..." LOST. The series finale is coming up in a few weeks, and I have finally convinced J how great this show is. So, he started going back to watch all of the old episodes. Of course I had to watch a few with him and now I am totally re-obsessed with watching all of the old ones again before the finale. I know it sounds cheesy, but there are so many things that I am picking up on this time around now that I have watched them all before, and it is making the new ones that much better. LOST is quite possibly my third fav show of all time, behind M.A.S.H. and Seinfeld. And with everything else going on, it is the worst possible time for me to be obsessed with watching anything on TV. But I find ways to make it work. After I finish this blog post, I'll be putting the laptop in the kitchen so I can watch LOST while I finish up the cookies and wash dishes. Too much?Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-9890117225323568782010-04-14T12:52:00.004-05:002010-04-14T13:21:38.347-05:00ABC's and 123'sI finally got Matthew to say his numbers and letters on camera. He was only a little bit distracted...<br /><br /><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyW2DBpDjS020zw4HfXEzmnwNFH0KG-Kr2Gxj7tZUyAcq85VDKmlDQEIapHI1JnBmTWFapUgK_H4whDKaxmbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>And in case you're not yet convinced of his genius, here he is counting his loot on Easter morning...</p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwzmV2ntYJfdQN4RblAGe31j7wmFHb0e0HqnlWBTpVMaxTu4Jsl3-koRbF7ezGi4_I_8YyO1ap59yuVr0KQ0Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-89385844477449388122010-04-07T13:51:00.003-05:002010-04-07T14:21:14.554-05:00Kids are FunnyWhy is it that little kids enjoy manual labor? Scrubbing the sidewalk, digging holes in the dirt... doesn't sound like much fun to me. But to my kids, it's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">apparently</span> a great time.<br /><br />This video actually went on for about 15 minutes. At one point, they were raking as well. Good times, good times.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxstNtVJlQSNYV9Ogf8_9SKcX9EZEAGrKNChRPwMjDSqpPp7vdTww9PreAiHMsz0PGZHEdjvqqLiEu-wEpEUw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-13118077341936160582010-04-07T13:31:00.004-05:002010-04-07T13:48:05.368-05:00Easter SundayI know this post is a little late, but I've been spending Matthew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">naptime</span>...well napping (instead of blogging). Getting home from work at 10:30pm and trying to watch the episode of Dances with the Stars or LOST that I missed that night before falling asleep is taking it's toll. Hopefully once the summer gets here and there aren't any new shows on, I can get to bed a little earlier. <br />
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<div></div>Anyway, we had a busy but fun Easter weekend. We started out by taking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Embry's</span> new kite for a flight at a field in Forest Park. It was a nice day, but the wind was very sporadic. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Every time</span> we'd successfully get the kite up into the air the wind would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">completely</span> die and the kite would crash. It's a good thing that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Embry</span> was content with flying a few feet above her head. Just as satisfying for her I guess. <br />
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</div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the kite flying got boring we went to the drive-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">thru</span> at Steak-N-Shake for some lunch, and since it was so nice out we decided to eat at the little park a couple of blocks from our house. The kids played some more and we headed home for naps.</div></div><div></div><br />
<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7Apfrq_y5aQ0gRZJ0pucnix_MAqXTI06Alsf75FcDev_CMyvZ46C9E-fEYC5WgAygXeq3yyTptK9I-mG5q9AEU_7l-MCUIrcYI9mgEvjOIxFb1qG-1mrQoFFPXZiR3u5Axyzgrig-Yqa/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7Apfrq_y5aQ0gRZJ0pucnix_MAqXTI06Alsf75FcDev_CMyvZ46C9E-fEYC5WgAygXeq3yyTptK9I-mG5q9AEU_7l-MCUIrcYI9mgEvjOIxFb1qG-1mrQoFFPXZiR3u5Axyzgrig-Yqa/s320/016.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFVPrlK-lx-pXZ6ZRFG6__PLfr4z_jiWnEWDxLpdoER3LlWBGBu70BsDZP42kcjDZ4dHbq79mI2C0xETiY9r8DiPEjYjZK14LJKRp2lSBsmyepWvUiogSBuPEXkvvQtMM5lIQ93BCJlTJ/s1600/020+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFVPrlK-lx-pXZ6ZRFG6__PLfr4z_jiWnEWDxLpdoER3LlWBGBu70BsDZP42kcjDZ4dHbq79mI2C0xETiY9r8DiPEjYjZK14LJKRp2lSBsmyepWvUiogSBuPEXkvvQtMM5lIQ93BCJlTJ/s320/020+(2).JPG" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">When Embry</span> woke up, she and I dyed Easter eggs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Embry</span> did it the traditional way with fizzy tablets in coffee cups. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div></div>I chose a different method (see previous post). My silk tie-dying turned out pretty good. Although I would've liked the colors to be darker. After the water came to a boil I turned the dial from 9 to 7 and the stupid stove must've thought I meant 2 because it cooled down too much too fast and I never did get it back up to a boil. I think that's why the colors were light. It was still pretty neat, though. You can actually see the elephants from one of the ties on its respective egg. The blog post that I got the idea from was right...1. You can find the ugliest ties at a thrift store and 2. The ugliest ties make the prettiest eggs. I mean, who buys (or wears) a tie with circus elephants on it?<br />
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</div><div></div>All the eggs turned out great. After more playing outside and a "snack dinner," we called it a day.<br />
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<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Saturday was uneventful, since I had to work all day. And by work, I mean brave the insanity that is the Costco food court on the day before Easter. I think it might have been worse than Christmas. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sunday started out great with the kids <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">opening</span> the Easter baskets. I found some cute stuff to put in them this year, without adding too much candy. I was right in thinking they might get way too much of that later. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Embry</span> got a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">jumprope</span>, "the Very Hungry Caterpillar" book, a chocolate bunny, a flower headband, and some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Cadbury</span> eggs. Matthew got a board book, a super high bouncy ball, and a smaller, cheaper chocolate bunny. </div></div><br />
<div></div>After breakfast the kids hunted eggs in the backyard and then we packed up to go to J's Aunt's house.<br />
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<div></div>It was a nice drive there (2 1/2 hours), although neither of the kids napped like we'd hoped. They stayed in a good mood the entire time we were visiting, and ate relatively well. After a third egg hunt (the first one was at the Botanical Gardens a week earlier). ..<br />
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...with roughly 240 eggs for 4 children, they had amassed enough candy for the next 5 years. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Embry</span> also found 12 eggs with dollar coins in them. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Cha</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ching</span>!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We had a slightly less pleasant ride home. Matthew fell asleep for about 30 minutes and woke up in a terrible mood. He was completely inconsolable, and when we stopped at a gas station to let him out for a few minutes, he refused to get out of the car. So we drove the next 15 miles or so with him screaming <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">bloody</span> murder, and after a while he got tired of screaming and rode the rest of the way home just fine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We got home just in time for baths and bedtime. Then J and I collapsed on the couch and ate 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">platefulls</span> of leftover Easter dessert for dinner. We were tired but happy. I hope everyone had a great holiday too!</div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-53923702692945943462010-03-23T13:58:00.002-05:002010-03-23T16:06:48.645-05:00Spring Update<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Around the House:</span></strong> It is Spring Break for Embry this week, which means my days are harder and easier. Harder because I am not used to picking up after and entertaining two kids all day anymore. Easier because we are not rushing around trying to get ready for school in the mornings, and I'm not waking Matthew up from his nap to pick Embry up in the afternoons. Overall, I like that I get to spend more time with Embry, but it makes it a little harder to get the house clean.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">In the Kitchen:</span></strong> I have always liked avocados for as long as I can remember. But, when I was pregnant with Matthew, even the thought of them turned my stomach. It took me a while to warm back up to them, but now I can't have them enough. I buy them 6 or 7 at a time from (where else?) Costco and eat one almost every day. My favorite thing to do is mash one up with some green tomatillo salsa and some lime juice and eat it with tortilla chips. I have that for lunch 3 or 4 times a week, at least. Yum.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">New with Embry:</span></strong> Embry went to a gymnastics class last week with a friend from school. She loved it, of course and wants to go back for more. She was also upset, when at the of the class some of the little girls went on to dance class in the next room. "Is it time for dance, now?" she asked. And my heart broke that she wasn't signed up for that one too. So we are considering a summer class for her at the community college. But what subject? She wants to do everything from dance to golf. I really want her to take swimming, mostly for practicality, but I want her to enjoy it too. We'll discuss it some more and, I guess decide later.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">New with Matthew:</span></strong> Since the weather has been so nice, we have been going to the park a lot. The kids have a blast, but it completely wears me out, because Matthew is a total dare-devil. He refuses to stay on the little kids area of the park that is clearly designated for "ages 5 and under." He wants to climb on the huge parts of the playground, and slide down the biggest slides. Of course, he doesn't want any help, all the while getting pushed and shoved by all of the 12 year-olds running past. I want to let him be brave, but it is exhausting running around after him, ready to catch him if he stops paying attention for 1 second and walks off an edge. Whew!<br /><br />Matthew is also very much into counting, right now. Rather than explain how cute that is, I am trying my hardest to get a video. Stay posted.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">I'm Grateful For:</span></strong> All of the time that we are going to be able to spend with family in the coming weeks. <br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">The Weather Outside:</span></strong> Spring is finally here! It is sunny and warm... and a little wet. But that's spring in St. Louis, right?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">I'm Obsessed With:</span></strong> I remember seeing this <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/silk-tie-easter-eggs?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/easter-eggs#slide_17">egg dying technique</a> on Martha a few years ago, but like a lot of things on her show I figured it would never work if I tried it at home. But, the same technique was featured on a <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/03/easter-eggs.html">blog that I follow</a>, along with lots of comments from readers who had tried it and were successful. I'm so excited to try it, I can't wait for Easter!Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-63432380792645396102010-03-16T14:08:00.003-05:002010-03-17T09:29:31.664-05:00Lost and FoundThe day of Embry's birthday we pulled out the video camera and discovered that the battery was nearly dead. Five minutes later we discovered that we had lost the power cord. We managed to tape a minute or two before it conked out, but I wasn't able to download what we recorded with no way to recharge the camera.<br /><br />A couple of weeks later we ordered a replacement from Amazon and when it arrived we promptly left it on the box on top of a pile of junk mail for another week. Last week, I finally remembered to charge the camera and download the video to the computer. So, sorry Mom for the delay, but here is a couple of minutes from Embry's party.<br /><br /><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_IPVAfsvg3gvYAx0JOMOrAe2HnAASOiaWPY6W3Zdky_jPGGYirQ7oHCAH111ANywf5xlOQCJJQguyyxHM6A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Today, when I was putting away the kids' hats and gloves I found the original charger... in the coat closet in a bin of old hats and gloves. I don't why I didn't look there before. At least we have a spare now, right?</p>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7137962348345635166.post-26900727558035230132010-03-16T13:03:00.002-05:002010-03-16T13:53:57.984-05:00Banana BreadI am just finishing up the last piece of the banana bread that I made a couple of days ago. It is one of my favorite recipes for two reasons. It is <em>super</em> easy, and it is <em>so</em> yummy! The recipe is from my favorite and well worn cookbook, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Recipe-Editors-Cooks-Illustrated-Magazine/dp/0936184388/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268764684&sr=8-2">The Best Recipe</a>. My copy is so stained and torn and burned, it is definitely time to get new copy. <br /><br />Anyway, I thought I would share it with you today (the recipe that is; you're too late for the bread).<br /><br />Recipe makes one 9-inch loaf.<br /><br />2 cups all-purpose flour<br />3/4 cup sugar<br />3/4 tsp. baking soda<br />1/2 tsp. salt<br />1 1/4 cups toasted walnuts, chopped coarse<br />3 very ripe bananas, mashed well<br />1/4 cup plain yogurt (the secret ingredient, <strong>do not omit</strong>, and be sure not to use vanilla or any flavored yogurt as a substitute)<br />2 large eggs, beaten<br />6 Tbs butter, melted and cooled<br />1 tsp. vanilla<br /><br />1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. *TIP* I like to put the walnuts in the oven to toast while its preheating. By the time that the oven is ready the walnuts are done about 10 minutes.** Grease and flour bottom only of regular (not nonstick) loaf pan. If you use a nonstick pan the bread will not rise as much and will be a little too dense.<br /><br />2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and walnuts together in a large bowl. Set aside.<br /><br />3. Mix mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold wet mixture into the dry mixture gently. Do not over mix or the bread will be tough.<br /><br />4. Pour batter into pan and bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.<br /><br />Easy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">peasy</span>! Enjoy!Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209580361674240773noreply@blogger.com0