Sign you are a science teacher who is working too hard:
Setting: Your son is rocking dining room chairs in a precarious manner and you suspect they are about to topple over on top of him.
You say: Isaac! Stop rocking those fossils! Put them down!
Isaac looks at you like you have lost your mind and leaves the room.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Bikini Bread
Anna's latest fav: Bikini Bread!
Ok, it's actually Zucchini Bread but bikini bread is FAR more adorable to hear her say and she so rarely comes up with "toddler speak" anymore that I plan to encourage the use of bikini bread as long as possible.
Here is the bikini bread recipe that Anna is so enamored with.
This makes 2 large loaves. Or, as my kids prefer, you can grease up your favorite baking mold and make fun shapes. I am currently using a ghost mold which makes the whole thing even more fun. Anna asks for bikini ghosts for breakfast.
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or 4 if you like cinnamon. My next move is to add some ginger and/or nutmeg. YUM!)
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple sauce
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups grated zucchini
Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
Love to all!
Ok, it's actually Zucchini Bread but bikini bread is FAR more adorable to hear her say and she so rarely comes up with "toddler speak" anymore that I plan to encourage the use of bikini bread as long as possible.
Here is the bikini bread recipe that Anna is so enamored with.
This makes 2 large loaves. Or, as my kids prefer, you can grease up your favorite baking mold and make fun shapes. I am currently using a ghost mold which makes the whole thing even more fun. Anna asks for bikini ghosts for breakfast.
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or 4 if you like cinnamon. My next move is to add some ginger and/or nutmeg. YUM!)
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple sauce
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups grated zucchini
Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
Love to all!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Um...Ok
Me: Nathan! Why is your underwear drawer empty and why is all of your clean underwear scattered all over this room? Didn't we just have a conversation about you guys NOT leaving clean clothes on the floor? Why is this underwear all over the place?
Isaac (matter of factly): Underwear fight.
Can anyone think of a clever response? It took so much energy to maintain my parental displeasure affect that I don't think I said anything.
BOYS!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Germs! Germs Everywhere!
I spent the better part of my childhood wallowing in muddy creeks. While watching my kids engage in the same activity today, I wondered how on earth I managed to survive without contracting some debilitating disease. I fought the urge to bathe them all in hand sanitizer after they dried off, but I did herd them into the shower the second we arrived home.
Muddy Creeks = Bad and Scary
Now you know.
Love to all!
Muddy Creeks = Bad and Scary
Now you know.
Love to all!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Big Three
Anna has been waiting and waiting for that oh so exciting day when she would be able to take classes just like "my boys" as she often refers to her big brothers.
The magic age is 3.
As a now official 3 year old Anna gets to start taking lessons and classes and she is THRILLED.
Today was the first day of her ballet class. She was SO excited she could hardly sit still.
Pictures from the big day below. She is taking the class with her buddy Valerie. I also threw in a couple pics of the boys lounging in the pool as that is where we spent the majority of the rest of our day.
Love to all!
The magic age is 3.
As a now official 3 year old Anna gets to start taking lessons and classes and she is THRILLED.
Today was the first day of her ballet class. She was SO excited she could hardly sit still.
Pictures from the big day below. She is taking the class with her buddy Valerie. I also threw in a couple pics of the boys lounging in the pool as that is where we spent the majority of the rest of our day.
Love to all!
Curses!
Yesterday afternoon I noticed my sweet little Anna marching around the house saying something that sounded suspiciously like, "Damn it! Crap! Damn it! Crap!"
Appalled, I pulled her aside and informed her that we do not use such words in our house and that she knows better as we have had this conversation after hearing other people use such words. I then placed her in time out.
A minute or two later, Nathan, Anna's ever present protector and publicist, sidled up to me and said, "Mommy, Anna wasn't saying bad words. She was saying Democrat. I taught her to say it yesterday."
Jesse, who is not sure which is worse, made her finish the time out anyway.
Appalled, I pulled her aside and informed her that we do not use such words in our house and that she knows better as we have had this conversation after hearing other people use such words. I then placed her in time out.
A minute or two later, Nathan, Anna's ever present protector and publicist, sidled up to me and said, "Mommy, Anna wasn't saying bad words. She was saying Democrat. I taught her to say it yesterday."
Jesse, who is not sure which is worse, made her finish the time out anyway.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Must Blog
Haven't been feeling all that bloggy lately, as you can probably tell. My apologies for the lack of posts.
This evening, however, I just HAVE to record the statements made by two of my three darling offspring.
Background: Due to a game where players are asked to write possible answers on pieces of paper gone wrong, Vik has forever earned the nickname, "Vik-Poke."
This evening as I am rocking Anna to sleep:
Anna: Mommy, why does Rachael call Vik-Poke Vik?
As Jesse is putting the boys to bed:
Isaac: Daddy, which president is on the nickle?
Jesse: Alexander Hamilton is on the nickle Isaac, but he was not a president, he was the first secretary of the treasury.
Isaac: Oh! I know what the treasury does! They search for stolen money and jewels!
Love to all!
This evening, however, I just HAVE to record the statements made by two of my three darling offspring.
Background: Due to a game where players are asked to write possible answers on pieces of paper gone wrong, Vik has forever earned the nickname, "Vik-Poke."
This evening as I am rocking Anna to sleep:
Anna: Mommy, why does Rachael call Vik-Poke Vik?
As Jesse is putting the boys to bed:
Isaac: Daddy, which president is on the nickle?
Jesse: Alexander Hamilton is on the nickle Isaac, but he was not a president, he was the first secretary of the treasury.
Isaac: Oh! I know what the treasury does! They search for stolen money and jewels!
Love to all!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Mom's Request
A favorite outdoor mall of the S fam was recently trashed by a tornado that I was able to photograph from my garage. Nana wants to see the pictures so without further adieu...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Vacation at the Ranch
My dear friend Danielle invited us to her little corner of heaven for a brief city respite. I have never seen the kids so dirty or so happy.
Monday, May 18, 2009
When do they hand out the cards?
I should be a CARD CARRYING GENIUS, let me tell you. Today, in a rush to get out of the house, I quickly popped the top off the cat box and gave it a quick cleaning. I put the top back on and hurried out the door to meet a friend for lunch.
We arrived back home to the foul and alarming scent of kitty poo and discovered that one of our beloved felines had soiled the family room area rug.
Grrrrrrrr....
Let me just say, I LOVE our cats. They have been wonderful pets since the day we brought them home. However, I LOATHE kitty excrement where it does not belong. Few things turn my stomach and get my blood pressure racing like cleaning up after cats who go potty where cats should not.
I cleaned up the poo and searched the house for other spots but did find any. Thank God.
Relieved, I went downstairs to make sure the door to the bathroom was open as, really, our cats are not in the habit of relieving themselves anywhere other than their litter box. As I entered the bathroom I discovered a tell tail yellow spot in the middle of the bath mat. At this point my thoughts shifted from wondering about the cats' behavioral issues to wondering if there might be a medical issue as typically well trained cats really don't piddle right in front of their litter box without a pretty good reason.
I wondered, that is, until I checked the litter box and discovered that in my haste to get out the door this morning I put the lid on backwards with the opening snug against the wall. Poor cats. They never had a chance.
Sooo....the next time they hand out genius cards, please shoot me an e-mail because I will be FIRST in line.
In order to make this post about something other than kitty poo, I have included some pictures of the kids and their summer time fun. Today is technically the first non-weekend, non-school day and summer is already in full swing at the S house.
If you are a relative of mine, does this picture remind you of anyone?
The ice cream cup cakes we ordered from Cold Stone for Nate and Anna's cancelled birthday party have been in the deep freeze ever since. Last night we decided it was time to crack those puppies open and let the kids at them. Frankly, after watching the kids work at them last night, I am GLAD we did not serve them at that party! WHAT A MESS!
And finally, Anna, Daisy and the Wonder Pets curled up for a mid-day summer siesta.
Love to all!
We arrived back home to the foul and alarming scent of kitty poo and discovered that one of our beloved felines had soiled the family room area rug.
Grrrrrrrr....
Let me just say, I LOVE our cats. They have been wonderful pets since the day we brought them home. However, I LOATHE kitty excrement where it does not belong. Few things turn my stomach and get my blood pressure racing like cleaning up after cats who go potty where cats should not.
I cleaned up the poo and searched the house for other spots but did find any. Thank God.
Relieved, I went downstairs to make sure the door to the bathroom was open as, really, our cats are not in the habit of relieving themselves anywhere other than their litter box. As I entered the bathroom I discovered a tell tail yellow spot in the middle of the bath mat. At this point my thoughts shifted from wondering about the cats' behavioral issues to wondering if there might be a medical issue as typically well trained cats really don't piddle right in front of their litter box without a pretty good reason.
I wondered, that is, until I checked the litter box and discovered that in my haste to get out the door this morning I put the lid on backwards with the opening snug against the wall. Poor cats. They never had a chance.
Sooo....the next time they hand out genius cards, please shoot me an e-mail because I will be FIRST in line.
In order to make this post about something other than kitty poo, I have included some pictures of the kids and their summer time fun. Today is technically the first non-weekend, non-school day and summer is already in full swing at the S house.
If you are a relative of mine, does this picture remind you of anyone?
The ice cream cup cakes we ordered from Cold Stone for Nate and Anna's cancelled birthday party have been in the deep freeze ever since. Last night we decided it was time to crack those puppies open and let the kids at them. Frankly, after watching the kids work at them last night, I am GLAD we did not serve them at that party! WHAT A MESS!
And finally, Anna, Daisy and the Wonder Pets curled up for a mid-day summer siesta.
Love to all!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Last Day of School!
We attended Nathan's kindergarten continuation and field day for both boys today. They boys are please as can be with their academic accomplishments and rightly so.
The video is a little dark for my liking, but I didn't have much control over the lighting. Don't forget to pause the blog music before you hit play.
Enjoy!
The video is a little dark for my liking, but I didn't have much control over the lighting. Don't forget to pause the blog music before you hit play.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Anna's Financial Plan
Background information: Anna keeps any money given to her in a small, purple ceramic piggy bang.
A conversation:
Hey guys, tomorrow we are going to take Esther, Rachael and Nana to the airport so that can go visit Mary and Sammy.
Nathan: I want to go!
Cherith: I know honey but your kindergarten continuation and field day are also on Saturday and it costs a lot of money to fly on a plane. We will save up the money so that you can go some day soon.
Anna: I have a pig! There's money in my pig!
Gives a while new meaning to the phrase, "When pigs fly" doesn't it?
Love to all!
A conversation:
Hey guys, tomorrow we are going to take Esther, Rachael and Nana to the airport so that can go visit Mary and Sammy.
Nathan: I want to go!
Cherith: I know honey but your kindergarten continuation and field day are also on Saturday and it costs a lot of money to fly on a plane. We will save up the money so that you can go some day soon.
Anna: I have a pig! There's money in my pig!
Gives a while new meaning to the phrase, "When pigs fly" doesn't it?
Love to all!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Favorite Mother's Day Memory
While waiting for the valet to bring our car after an afternoon at the baseball game:
Isaac (anxious and sad): Mommy, when is he going to bring our car? I'm feeling really homeless.
Don't worry honey, I LOVED the breakfast, dinner, roses and all the additional attention. THANK YOU!!!!
LOVE TO ALL!
Isaac (anxious and sad): Mommy, when is he going to bring our car? I'm feeling really homeless.
Don't worry honey, I LOVED the breakfast, dinner, roses and all the additional attention. THANK YOU!!!!
LOVE TO ALL!
Friday, May 8, 2009
A Sure Sign of Summer...
When the boys turn on a sprinkler and arrange it so that they get drenched while playing on the swings or slide, also resulting in mud holes and very odd grass lengths, as you can see from these pictures.
And now for Anna's Friday outfit selection. I am not sure what look she is rocking here, but I think it is pretty darn cute. She informed me that she chose the dress with the coat because they both have squares so they match! Unfortunately, this is the last we will ever see of these SUPER cute pink sneakers, a birthday gift from Aunt Rachael. Not 5 minutes after taking this picture, she ran out in the backyard, thank GOD she removed her coat which I LOVE, and within less than 2 minutes came back inside with dog poo all over her shoes, her dress and even her undies!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!
I gloved up and made every effort to de-funk her shoes despite the gagging, but it was a lost cause.
sniffle
NEW RULE: Only hose safe shoes, ie Crocs, in the backyard.
Love to all and a VERY Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be out there!
And now for Anna's Friday outfit selection. I am not sure what look she is rocking here, but I think it is pretty darn cute. She informed me that she chose the dress with the coat because they both have squares so they match! Unfortunately, this is the last we will ever see of these SUPER cute pink sneakers, a birthday gift from Aunt Rachael. Not 5 minutes after taking this picture, she ran out in the backyard, thank GOD she removed her coat which I LOVE, and within less than 2 minutes came back inside with dog poo all over her shoes, her dress and even her undies!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!
I gloved up and made every effort to de-funk her shoes despite the gagging, but it was a lost cause.
sniffle
NEW RULE: Only hose safe shoes, ie Crocs, in the backyard.
Love to all and a VERY Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be out there!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Can't Argue With That
Anna: Mommy! Mommy! My bottom is itchy! It itches mommy! Make it stop itching!
Me: Let me see honey. Oh goodness, you have some nasty eczema going on here.
Anna: My bottom itches! Make it stop!
Me: Ok, eczema-butt, just a second, I will get you some cream.
Anna (incredulously): I don't have eggs on my butt!
Me: Let me see honey. Oh goodness, you have some nasty eczema going on here.
Anna: My bottom itches! Make it stop!
Me: Ok, eczema-butt, just a second, I will get you some cream.
Anna (incredulously): I don't have eggs on my butt!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Fridays
In deference to Anna's fierce three year old desire to control everything about her life, I have agreed to allow her the privilege of picking out her own clothes every Friday. It's actually turned out to be kind of fun and it makes for GREAT pictures.
I was VERY doubtful about today's choices until I viewed the final ensemble. I actually think it sort of works...maybe.
I am not all that fond of this Old Navy dress, but she managed to dress it up so that I don't hate it. I do think she is going to freeze in this darling little yellow rain jacket, it is COLD today, but it was her choice so oh well.
Those blue boots are a size too big and are SUPPOSED to be on the, "save for next season" shelf. Hmmmm...
This morning Anna also informed me that she would NOT be washing her hair as it is HER day to pick out her clothes. She wanted one ponytail, NOT two. The result is a somewhat poofy effect since her hair was braided yesterday. Does allowing her to pick our her own clothes also extend to personal hygiene?????
Anyhow, happy Fri! Enjoy the pics!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Confused
On the topic of motherhood:
How can watching your children grow up bring such incredible joy and such agonizing pain at the exact same time? And what exactly is one to do with those feelings? Weeping quietly over blog posts and pictures late at night doesn't seem to help very much.
How can watching your children grow up bring such incredible joy and such agonizing pain at the exact same time? And what exactly is one to do with those feelings? Weeping quietly over blog posts and pictures late at night doesn't seem to help very much.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)