Yesterday, we made the journey to North Wales to visit my Dad.  When we got there, we were just so glad to get a drink and sit in a comfortable chair it was ridiculous!! 

We spent some time catching up on news and then went to the cemetery where my Mum is buried to take some flowers - it is such a beautiful place!  We could see right across the river towards sunny hills (just as if she were really pleased we were there!).

Then it was a quick trip to one of the coastal towns for a walk round and (as always) Dad treated us all to a beautiful meal at a local restaurant.  Littlesmurf was able to spend some quality time with his "Taid" - especially as my sister's children weren't around to interrupt (I know that sounds terribly un-Christian, but there are three of them and they are exceptionally "loud" - whereas Littlesmurf is just one, relatively quiet young man).

It was then just about time for us to set off back home again - a short, but sweet visit!  We have promised that we will visit again later in the year and, perhaps, stay over, so that things are not quite so rushed!!

I can't believe it has been a week since I posted last.  The time just flew by!

Let's see, what did we do this week? 

Monday we spent the day with my mother and sister.  We had planned to go to the beach but ominous looking clouds made us change our minds.  We ended up shopping at Mardens, having lunch and then heading over to the Y for open swim.  The pool was really crowded (apparently the Y camp field trip to the beach was also canceled), but we had fun anyway.

On Tuesday Hubby and I took all the kiddos to the Y so that we could workout.  I have been doing really well about making it there to exercise 3-5 days a week.

On Tuesday afternoon I took R and her friend Sophia to Get Fired Up, the paint-your-own-pottery place.  For Sophia's birthday R had given her a homemade gift certificate promising a trip to paint pottery.  R painted a plate with a monkey on it to match the mug she made last time, Sophia made a trinket box and I painted a travel mug.  I painted it with really girly pink and purple hearts so hopefully Hubby will keep his filthy paws off!

Wednesday was a busy day.  We met with Hubby's family to get group pictures taken.  Everyone looked great so I think the pictures will come out nice.  The photographer even managed to get some shots of both boys smiling!  I can't wait to see them!  After the pictures we all went out to The Olive Garden for lunch.

Wednesday night I went out with MIL, SIL, and GMIL to see Mamma Mia.  MIL had made a copy of the CD for M (who has an affinity for Broadway musicals), so I knew most of the songs.  It was a good show and it was nice to be able to make some sense out of the music.

Thursday was C's doctor's appointment.  Nothing too fabulous to report about there.  He is 24 lbs. and 1 oz. and 31 1/2 inches tall.  It was pretty uneventful and I think we are going to skip anymore appointments until he turns 2.

We stopped on the way home from the doctor's office to visit my mom at work and to run around at the beach.  We were only able to park in the half hour parking lot so it was just a quick trip.

Friday was another busy day.  I hit the Y in the a.m., came home and showered and then went to the playground.  We had been hoping to meet up with some friends, but it didn't happen.  The kids still had a good time with the other children there though.

We worked in the afternoon on A's giraffe lapbook and we finally finished it!  She is SOOO excited and can't wait to show EVERYONE what she learned.  I am just happy we got it done!  Now we have something to add to her portfolio for next year!

Friday evening we had an early dinner and then went back to the Y to go swimming with Hubby.  We all had a blast!  M is turning into a little fish and the girls are just amazing!  R practiced swimming underwater without taking breath.  She couldn't even make it 1/4 of the way across the pool, but Hubby showed her and went the entire length!  A worked on doing somersaults under the water.  It is amazing to see the progress they have made.

Last night C and I both got about 4 hours of sleep.  He woke up at about 12:30 and thought it was party time until about 4:30.  He has already napped today too, so I don't foresee a nap in my future.  UGH!

Today we are packing, shopping and preparing for our trip to Hubby's family's camp.  3 days in a log cabin without running water or electricity and 4 kids should be a blast!  I packed the kids' Leapsters and bought some fun art things to do.  We are going to read about Abraham Lincoln tomorrow so that we can talk about living in a log cabin.  We are actually all really excited about going.

This week R has read books 1 and 2 of the Spiderwick Chronicles.  She is about half way through book 3 and she is loving it!  She thinks it is so funny that all of chapters start with, "In which..."  I am so relieved that she finds pleasure in reading now!

Tonight the girls and I are going to my sister's house to watch a 3-D Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert.  It'll be a late night with yummy snacks and fun music.  The girls can barely contain their excitement!

So, I guess that's all that we've been up too.  Next week is going to be crazy because of our trip, but I will try to post all about it when we get back!

1. Take shopping carts for the express purpose of filling them and stranding them at strategic locations.

2. Ride those little electric cars at the front of the store.

3. Set the alarm clocks to go off at ten minute intervals throughout the day.

4. Start playing Calvinball; see how many people you can get to join.

5. Contaminate the entire auto department by sampling all the spray air fresheners.

6. Challenge other customers to duels with tubes of gift wrap.

7. Leave freaky messages on the typewriters.

8. Re-dress the mannequins as you see fit.

9. When there are people behind you, walk REALLY SLOW, especially thin narrow aisles.

10. Walk up to an employee and tell him in an official tone, "I think we've got a Code 3 in Housewares," and see what happends.

11. Tune all the radios to a polka station; then turn them off and turn the volumes all the way up.

12. Play with the automatic doors.

13. Walk up to complete strangers and say, "Hi! I haven't seen you in so long!...." etc. See if they play along to avoid embarrasment.

14. While walking through the clothing department, ask yourself loud enough for all to hear, "Who buys this crap, anyway?"

15. Repeat 14 in the jewelry department.

16. Ride a display bicycle through the store; claim you're taking it for a "test drive."

17. Follow people through the aisles, always staying about five feet away. Continue to do so until they leave the department.

18. Play soccer with a group of friends, using the entire store as your playing field.

19. As the cashier runs your purchases over the scanner, look mesmerized and say, "Wow. Magic!"

20. Put M&M's on layaway.

21. Move "Caution: Wet Floor" signs to carpeted areas.

22. Set up a tent in the camping department; tell others you'll only invite them if they bring pillows from Bed and Bath.

23. Test the fishing rods and see what you can "catch" from the other aisles.

24. Ask other customers if they have any Grey Poupon.

25. Drape a blanket around your shoulders and run around saying..."I'm Batman. Come, Robin--to the Batcave!"

26. TP as much of the store as possible.

27. Randomly throw things over into neighboring aisles.

28. Play with the calculators so that they all spell "hello" upside down.

29. When someone asks if you need help, begin to cry and ask, "Why won't you people just leave me alone?"

30. When two or three people are walking ahead of you, run between them, yelling, "Red Rover!"

31. Make up nonsense products and ask newly hired employees if there are any in stock, i.e.,"Do you have any Shnerples here?"

32. Take up an entire aisle in Toys by setting up a full scaled battlefield with G.I. Joes vs. the X-Men.

33. Take bets on the battle described above.

34. Nonchalantly "test" the brushes and combs in Cosmetics.

35. While handling guns in the hunting department, suddenly ask the clerk if he knows where the anti-depressants are. Act as spastic as possible.

36. Hold indoor shopping cart races.

37. Dart around suspiciously while humming the theme from Mission:Impossible.

38. Attempt to fit into very large gym bags.

39. Attempt to fit others into very large gym bags.

40. Say things like, "Would you be so kind as to direct me to your Twinkies?"

41. Set up a "Valet Parking" sign in front of the store.

42. Two words: "Marco Polo."

43. Leave Cheerios in Lawn and Garden, pillows in the pet food aisle, etc.

44. "Re-alphabetize" the CD's in Electronics.

45. In the auto department, practice your "Madonna" look with various funnels.

46. When someone steps away from their cart to look at something, quickly make off with it without saying a word.

47. Relax in the patio furniture until you get kicked out.

48. Pay off layaways fifty cents at a time.

49. When an announcement comes over the loudspeaker, assume the fetal position and scream, "No, no! It's those voices again!"

50. Drag a lounge chair on display over to the magazines and relax. If the store has a food court, buy a soft drink; explain that you don't get out much, and ask if they can put a little umbrella in it.

Challenge: Try to do all these things in one visit without getting kicked out!!

ENJOY

Jesus taught us how to live for the kingdom not just to die and go to heaven. That's just a bonus. Heaven is just a bonus for kingdom living. Jesus taught us how to live for the Kingdom of God. He went around preaching the kingdom. He wants us to live for the kingdom not to die for just heaven. He wants us to live for the kingdom, and die for heaven. Live for the Kingdom, preach the kingdom.

This is my new favorite Science site.  The
link was sent through on the homefires yahoo group.
www.howtoteachscience.com

The article in homefires was about teaching the
peroidic table to children at a young age. It talks about
how overwhelming Science can be but if a child is
exposed to these things early it will be second nature
to them and not as complicated.

One of the ideas was to have the table out for children
and begin creating a basket with each of the elements
on it. I loved this idea and hope to incooperate more
from her free lesson newsletter that will be sent out
biweekly. You can join the biweekly newsletter too to
help you child learn about the peroidic table.
Click the link above. I think this mom is just starting
out with the site but it really looks like it is going
to be a keeper in my files section.

Nikki

As promised I am finally getting to some of
the new resources that I have come upon. So
sit back , relax and enjoy the links...

Hear history and politics out loud
with these free audios.
www.hpol.org


Need some new worksheets. Creating
your own is easy at this site.
www.worksheetworks.com


Are you teaching a pre reader this year?
You might want to check out this teachers website.
Some of the ideas are obviously classroom setting
only but some can be modifyed and used at home.  
www.jmeacham.com


Also for the prereader..
Click the freebies section at the top for
some printables
www.carriesfamilydaycare.com

Creative Pre K activies and elementary
Creative Make and Takes

Learn basic reading skills online
Online basic skills

Free Phonics worksheets

And last but not least is a resouces
I have talked about time and time again
called math wire. Right now you will
find morning math routine ideas, manipulative
ideas, math mats and much more.
www.mathwire.com

How do you plan you Meals?

At the heart of the Matter this week inquiring minds
want to know how I plan my meals and how you plan
your meals too. If you want to participate hop over
to www.heartofthematteronline.com and tell us all about it.

I like to keep things fairly simple. We are sort of a
meat and potatoes type family. Well, most of us are anyway.
Heart and I aren't real big meat fans. We aren't vegan just
like a bit less meat then we actually have. I could live on
pasta alone.  :) Basically I plan  our dinners.

Breakfast through the week the kids make what they
want. I just keep things in stock like pancake mix, muffins,
eggs, and cereal . (and other breaksfast type foods)
Saturdays is the only day we may make a special breaksfast
or try a new recipes. The kids actually really like to make
their own. It gives them a chance to be independent.

Scrambled Eggs in the Microwave..
Add a teaspoon of butter to your bowl.
Microwave the butter till it is soft.
Then crack your egg and wisk it.
Start microwaving the egg and
on occasion stop and stir again.
mircowave until it is no longer runny

Simple enough my 8 year old does this.
My 11 year old likes to make them on the stove. :)

My other favorite on Saturday is the oven omelet

8 Eggs
1 cup of milk
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
2 cups of shreaded hash
(or you can use cubed potatoes)
1 cup of ham
(you can add bacon or other desired meat)
1 cup of shreaded cheese
1 Tablespoon of onion

In a large bowl beat eggs,milk and seasoned salt.
Stirin remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8 in.
Square baking pan. Bake uncovered at 350 for
45-50 minutes. Or until knife inserted into the center
comes out clean.


For lunches the children each sandwiches,soups or salads.
Well Spirit and I eat the salads. :)
Most of the time I create extra from the dinner menu
and then freeze it or create mini tv dinners that
they can pull out and heat up.

Dinner is where most of my planning comes in.
My family is fairly picky so we usually have the
same sort of meals within a two week block.
Then I add 1 new meal a week. My meals are
growing to what everyone likes. I just
pick  from the meals the family likes.
I created a sheet in my managment binder
for each meal. At the bottom of each is a
grocery list. So I simply get my calender for the
week. Write in that weeks foods and then
add the items to my grocery list. This took awhile
to create but now it makes life so simple.
When I find a new recipe the family likes
I just add it to the binder. Creating menus is
simple.

Now recently we have had a new problem.
Carl has been diagnosed with Diabetes. So we
have had to rethink our dinners. I had to rework
some of the recipes but it is possible.

Try these Sweet and Sour Carrots

2 cups carrot slices, 1/4 in. thick
1/2 cup celery slices 1/2 in thick
1 can (8onces) pineapple tidbits
(drain and reserve juice)
1 Tablespoon of vinegar
2 teaspoons of cornstarch
1 teaspoon light soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of sliced green onions
1/4 cup Equal spoonful

Cook carrots and celery in meduim saucepan in a small
amount of water until tender about 8 min.
Drain and set aside

Add enough water to reserve pineapple juice to 1/2
cup liquid. Stir in vinegar, cornstarch, soy sauce,salt
Cook in med. sauce pan until liquid thickens

Add butter , drained pineapple, onions and still unitl
heated through. Add carrots, and celeryy, cook about
2 mins. or until heated through stir.


Some of my favorite sites...
www.cooks.com

And if you are into crookpot cooking
you can go to this site and make just about anything
in the crookpot
www.crockpot365.blogspot.com


I'll leave you with my families favorite
ranch pretzel recipe..

Happy cooking
Nikki

Can you stand another bit of singing?
Please forgive me!
This is one of my all-time favorite songs.

This is one that always makes me think of My Guy...

And this is also a video that makes me sniffle since it's the day that my baby girl got back from New York.

Poor kid!

She got up at 3:30 a.m. in New York.
Caught a plane to Atlanta.
Then a church bus for hours.
Then unloaded at G'Ma's and showered.
And then:

2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 (1.25oz) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16oz) can refried beans (can use whole or black beans but these are nice and sticky)
8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
1 (8oz) package shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salsa (verde-- the green kind is good, can also use regular red)
Chopped plum tomatoes (about 3) and 1/2 c. minced onion if desired (my kids don't desire it, thankyouverymuch).

-Place chicken and seasoning mix in large ziploc bag, seal and shake to coat chicken.

-Spread beans evenly over tortillas.  Tope each with chicken, cheese, tomato and onion; roll up.  Wrap each burrito in foil; place in 5-6 quart slow cooker.

-Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours (it steams in those packets and the flavors meld nicely).  Serve with salsa and if you're like me-- sour cream. :-)

Makes 8 burritos.