Still Here...

I know it's been a while. It's been a whirlwind of a week or so. Wow, a lot has happened... some good and some bad. But we are doing all right.

For Memorial weekend, Marc's parents came up to visit. It was an interesting weekend, I must say (to no fault of theirs), but we are so thankful they were here for us and the boys LOVED seeing them and showing off for them.

This past week was filled with playing catch up from Memorial weekend, watching my extra boys, running errands, lots of appointments, a trip to the Children's museum, and getting the house ready for my parents to visit this weekend.

We had a nice visit with my folks. Marc and Dad got a little fishing in and Mom and I took the boys to the Gardens. We ate good and played hard and now I feel like I need to jump into catch-up mode again.

But not tonight.

Tonight, the boys went to bed early, Marc is having a well deserved evening over at his friend's, so I have the Sunday paper, the remote, and the laptop all to myself. My own personal cock-pit.

Oh, that explains it!

The other day we were all riding in Marc's car. It's something we rarely do as a family because Marc uses the car for work and it really doubles as his office. Andrew is in the back and pulls out a laminated map. This conversation followed:

Andrew (holding up the map): What's this?
Marc: A map.

Andrew: What does it do.
Marc: It shows you where to go.

Andrew: But how?
Marc: You read it and it tells you how to get where you need to go.

Andrew: But how?
Marc: It's like GPS.

Andrew: OH! Okay.

Book Report: Obsessed

So, a little while ago now, I finished Obsessed by Ted Dekker. First of all, I got this book by mistake. I put a Dekker book on hold, but completely requested the wrong one and didn't realize it until I started reading it. But regardless, I liked Dekker books in the past, so I thought I'd give it a go.

Phew... it was a rough go. It started rough. And didn't get much better. Many times I thought about just putting the book down, but then I wanted to know how it all ended, so I kept reading.

There were two story lines... one 'current' set in the 70's. The other was flashbacks set in a ladies concentration camp. The main story line was hard to push through. The flashback storyline was much better, but of course, heartbreaking.

Now, I need to go figure out what Dekker book I meant to request... but I confess, I'm hesitant to pick up another Dekker book for a while.

Wouldn't you know it... I read a string of books that were highly recommended to me and every single "book report" I wrote gushed on and on about how great the book was. I take a stab at picking one my own and not only did I pick the wrong book, it was a doozy at that. Ah, well.... on to better things.... hopefully.

Things I Love Thursday: Boys Singing Themselves to Sleep

I love how at night... Andrew sings himself to sleep.

Sometimes it's a specific song... other times he just sings random tunes that must come to his head. It's very sweet to listen to.

And you can tell AJ enjoys it, too. When Andrew's singing, AJ stays in bed much better than those nights where Andrew falls asleep right away. Those nights are the nights that AJ finds any and every excuse to get out of bed.

For more things to love check out TheDiaperDiaries.net.

Congratulations, Kris!

Preschool Graduation

Andrew, Gabe, & Mrs. Doss

Their "Pomp & Circumstance" March. Very Cute.



They even put on a musical of "The Three Little Piggy Opera", which was really cute also and kept Marc and I humming the tunes from it all weekend.

The verse Mrs. Doss chose for Andrew was Ephesians 5:19.

Sing and make music in you heart to the Lord.

May he chirp in peace.

Last Thursday morning, as we were walking out to the car to leave, we found a deceased bird on the driveway. From the looks of the evidence, the bird flew into the passenger side window too hard.

Now Andrew seemed okay with the concept of the dead bird. It was dead. The end.

AJ, however, could not grasp the poor bird's state. I told the boys that when Daddy got home (I knew he was coming home for lunch), he would take care of the bird. I'm sure the words, "take care" didn't help. AJ was convinced that Daddy could fix the bird.

I continued to explain all morning that Daddy would probably simply put the bird in a bag and throw the bag away. AJ did not like this idea because if Daddy put the bird in the bag, then the bird would die. This is where Andrew would very uncompassionately state that the bird was already dead.

Even later in the afternoon... after they actually watched Marc put the bird in the bag and throw it away... AJ and I had this conversation:

AJ: Where's Daddy?

Me: At work.

AJ: Working on the bird?

Me: No, the bird died. Daddy can't fix it.

AJ: He could take it to the doctor to fix it.

Me: No, the bird can't be fixed anymore. He's all gone.

AJ: But God can fix the bird.

Me: Yes, God could fix the bird.

Preschool Graduation Day!

(*sniff* *sniff*)

This morning Andrew graduates from Preschool. I am going to drop off Andrew & his classmate, Gabe, then run a few errands with AJ until we have to be back at school for graduation. Marc will meet us there.

Andrew class will also be performing the "Three Little Piggy Opera" for us. I hear him singing it around the house now and again... it should be cute. Then I am assuming there will be a little party afterwards the graduation.

However, we will not be able to socialize and say our goodbyes too long because we have to feed Andrew a quick lunch and get him over to his Kindergarten for "Round-Up" day.

Pretty much, he will be in his actual classroom with his actual teacher (but not necessarily with the same students... ie: he will be an A.M. student but going to P.M. round-up due to preschool graduation this morning.) It's a couple hours long and I'm not really sure what he'll be doing other than getting familiar with the surroundings.

It will be a very full and exciting day for him. While I am proud of him for moving on and becoming a kindergartner, and I'm looking forward to having more of a relaxed schedule... I think I am going to miss his preschool & seeing all those kiddos each week. Ah well... unless something major happens, AJ will be back there in two years.

Congratulations, Andrew!

Things I Love Thursday: Pancake Recipe

I love this pancake recipe!! I don't even remember where I got it, now. I believe off the internet a while ago. But it beats any mix hands down! And because it's a basic recipe, I always have the ingredients on hand and I can add in whatever goodness I want (me - blueberries... the boys - chocolate chips.) Mmm... maybe we will be having pancakes for lunch today.

Pancakes

• 1.5 C. flour (sometimes I use a mix of whole wheat flour, white flour, and wheat germ... other times, it's straight white flour).
• 3.5 t. baking powder
• 1 t. salt
• 1 T. sugar
• 1.25 C. milk
• 1 egg
• 3 T. melted butter
• a little vanilla (not in the original recipe and I don't really measure it. Probably around .5 t.)

Mix the dry items. Mix the wet items. Then mix the wet and dry items until just combined. Poor on griddle in Mickey Mouse shape, add chocolate chip eyes and watched your happy children stuff their bellies with delicious pancakes.

Check out more things to love at thediaperdiaries.net

Bigger and Better...

He's got it... Andrew riding his big bike. 20" Wheels.



If he can keep it is one piece (already broke off a reflector and a pedal)... it should last him awhile.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm so glad I get to be their mother!

Things I Love Thursday: McCormick Guacamole Seasoning Mix

McCormick Guacamole Seasoning Mix.

I love guacamole! I am pretty sure I could eat it every day. By itself, on a burrito, on a turkey sandwich, on a baked potato... you get the idea.

However, I am the only family member in this household that likes it. And since fresh guacamole is only good for about a day... I never would have it unless I'm at a restaurant. And let's face it... those times are rare.

Now, I have tried the packets of premade guacamole that you can buy. And while they worked for someone like me who wanted the dip available for taco night, but couldn't justify making fresh... it's an okay substitute. It's okay to use ON something, but not just to scoop up with a tortilla chip.

However, recently, I was introduced to the McCormick Guacamole Season Mix. Oh boy. Mix one packet with two avacados and you have fresh, even delicious Guacamole instantly. But wait... since I'm the only one eating it, I started halving the mix. Each packet has a little over 2 tablespoons mix. So I can use only 1 avacado, 1 T of mix and have a perfect little dip for me that will last about 2 days... if I ration it and not eat it all in one setting. (the dip will turn a little dark on day 2, but still edible.)

At $.85 per packet (or less on sale with coupons. Meijer recently paid me $.40 per pkt to take them off their hands, but that's for another post sometime.), or for me $.43 per dip (plus the cost of the avocado).... is way worth it to make it this way.

Now, I've heard that avocados are full of the "healthy" fat. Do you think I can get them to apply that label to all the tortilla chips that I eating, too? Can they at least cancel each other out?

For more "Things I Love Thursday" check out thediaperdiaries.net.

Holy, Holy, Holy...

Not too long ago, I was singing the car to the radio and the song was about God's holiness. Andrew asked was "holy" was. I went on to explain to him that only God is holy and it means that He is set apart from everyone and everything. There is no one like Him.

A little while after that, something happened... I don't even remember what now... and I exclaimed, "Holy Cow!" I immediately got reprimanded by my 5 year old about how cows are NOT holy. Only God is holy.

We'll, he's right. And I am now more careful throwing around that phrase. (Although I still catch myself quite a bit.)

So, the other day we are at the Gardens and a jet is flying overhead. Andrew points up and practically screams for all to hear, "HOLY GOD!"

Yikes!

Again, we had to immediately sit down, right there at the Gardens, and explain that, yes, God is holy. But we can only use his name when we are talking to Him or about Him... not just because we are excited or upset about something.

I think he understood. The poor kid. He really thought he had it right that time.

New Movie: My Sister's Keeper

I was tipped off by Amie that a recent read of mine, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, will be coming out this summer as a movie. It was a very good, emotional book.

So I am looking forward to watching the movie. It's seems to have some bigger named actors in it. I can't say that I am excited the watch the movie, as excitement doesn't fit the storyline... but it looks interesting... and very few movies interest me. View the Trailer here.

Always the Competitor

The other day at lunch, the boys were asking all kinds of questions about my life's timeline (of course, they wouldn't call it that.)

Just a few of the questions were something along this line:
~ How old are you now?
~ How old were you when you got married?
~ How old were you when you had me?

So Andrew came the conclusion that, "I was your first baby and AJ was your second baby".

He then states to AJ, "If being born were a contest, I would have totally beat you!"