Well we are now on day 3 of potty training. The first day was just the introductory phase to the potty. I have a soft seat insert that I used with Cynthia when she was potty training. Yes, the seat is 11 years old, but my policy is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Kurt was a little scared to sit on the potty but after the 2nd time of being able to put a little toilet paper in the toilet and saying bye-bye to the "yucky" along with my showing extreme excitement he is all about the potty for now. So far the only thing entering the potty is a little toilet paper, but today's last trip to the potty looked promising. Shelby, who is always wet, wanted to go to the potty and was still dry. She didn't go in the potty, but about 5 minutes after we left the potty she came back to me to go to the potty and had a wet diaper. So I'm thinking they are really learning what we are trying to accomplish.
Wish us luck as we blaze a trail with the toilet saddle!
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Potty Training Has Begun!
I finally decided to start potty training since Shelby and Kurt have now been removing "yucky" diapers almost immediately after wetting or soiling.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Do you act your age?
Well what do you know, I really do act my age!
You Are 34 Years Old |
34 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax. |
Square Foot Gardening
I finally realized that I could upload pictures!!! This is from L to R, Mary-Jo, Cynthia and Al. Cynthia's 4-H project this year was gardening. She did 2 gardens this year--one at my SIL's and one at my Moms. Al and Mary-Jo always have to help Cynthia because they think they should get to do anything that she does. However, Cynthia didn't mind the help while weeding.
For those who have known me for some time and remember Mary-Jo cutting her hair, yet again, this was just a week after we had it cut shorter than Al's hair. Her punishment was that she had to wear a hat at all times except when taking a bath or sleeping until her hair grew out.
Naptime woes
I have 2 totally opposite babies when it comes to naptime or night-night time. Shelby wants to be totally left alone in a bed all by herself and Kurt wants to be in bed right slap up against you or even under you. About 50% of the time Kurt will remain in his bed, but the other 50% he is either screaming at the bedroom door to come out or I hear Shelby having a screaming "me-me" fit because he has climbed into her crib. Yes, she is still in her crib at almost 28 months and I see no end in sight. She may still sleep in her crib when she's 4 or 5! Kurt started climbing out and into the crib (his and Shelby's) when he was between 15-17 months. Other than when Kurt climbs into her crib, Shelby loves to go down for her nap & down for night-night. She will lay there patiently while Kurt is screaming at the door. The only time she gets upset is when I finally relent and go get Kurt if he is still screaming at the 20 minute mark. If she is still away, oops, awake, she gets jealous that he has been let out of the room.
I've read a lot of posts by my friends with twins that share about their twins wanting to sleep together or how they will find one on top of the other sometimes I can't help but be jealous. However, when my 2 are awake they are the lovingness little siblings ever. They love to hug and kiss each other and for the most part share and play really well together. They only have a few "love" bites and "love" hits every so often.
I rarily edit but away and awake just did not fit at all. I even had to go back and think about what I wrote before I figured it out.
I've read a lot of posts by my friends with twins that share about their twins wanting to sleep together or how they will find one on top of the other sometimes I can't help but be jealous. However, when my 2 are awake they are the lovingness little siblings ever. They love to hug and kiss each other and for the most part share and play really well together. They only have a few "love" bites and "love" hits every so often.
I rarily edit but away and awake just did not fit at all. I even had to go back and think about what I wrote before I figured it out.
New Favorite On-line Game
Jaba discovered a new gaming spot on the internet and as the McDonald's jingle goes, "I'm lovin' it!" Splashspot has a game called Water Park that I have found myself playing way to often. It's quite addictive for me.
Movie night again
I watched Bewitched and Herbie: Fully Loaded at the theater tonight. I don't think I'm going to let the kids watch Bewitched, but I'll definitely take them to Herbie.
EEK!!! We have mice
I was up late the other night with the living room light on and saw a mouse scurrying around a corner. Where there is one mouse there is sure to be others. Jab got some traps and some poison. However, I don't plan to use it until I can have all the kids away from home for a day or 2. I'd be terrified of having one of them step on a trap or eat the poison.
Oh and BTW, where there are mice, snakes are sure to follow. So I'm definately going to be getting rid of the mice!!!!
Oh and BTW, where there are mice, snakes are sure to follow. So I'm definately going to be getting rid of the mice!!!!
Saucee is okay
I picked her up from the vet today. She just has to stay inside for a few days and calm. She wasn't poisened by an agent. The Vet thinks that she may have had a reaction to an insect bite of some kind.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
I am so mad--Saucee
The kids were out with the dog (we have a miniature dachsund) and forgot to put her back up after playing. Well about 45 minutes later a neighbor came and told me she was acting funny. So I went to go and get her and knew there was something wrong by the way she was acting. She couldn't move & was very lethargic. So I called my SIL to call the vet we loaded her and the kids up in the van and headed off to the vet. (My SIL pays for all the vet bills as it was her gift to the kids.) Anyway she was poisoned. We don't know from what yet, though. This is the second time that MY kids' dog has been poisoned. We lost our dog two years ago to someone poisoning her.
The thing that irks me the most is that our dog is not the only "loose" dog in the neighborhood. She is on a 25 ft cord in our yard until the kids take her off to play with her. During the evenings she is put in her kennel. That is more than was the rest of the people in the neighborhood do. Everyone else's dogs are allowed to roam all day and night. Why is it that OUR dog is poisoned and not the other animals.
I could let go a stream of sailor terms right now!
The thing that irks me the most is that our dog is not the only "loose" dog in the neighborhood. She is on a 25 ft cord in our yard until the kids take her off to play with her. During the evenings she is put in her kennel. That is more than was the rest of the people in the neighborhood do. Everyone else's dogs are allowed to roam all day and night. Why is it that OUR dog is poisoned and not the other animals.
I could let go a stream of sailor terms right now!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Alex is no longer in training
Training-wheels, that is. Cynthia took his training wheels off his bike for him yesterday and Alex started riding his bike in no time. Of course we had a few scrapes to cover with bandaids, but he was so proud of his accomplishment.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Astroworld & Splashtown 2005
My SIL called me Friday morning and told me to pack the kids up we are going to Astroworld. Alex decided that he didn't want to go and since my Mom was off for the weekend he stayed with her. So I got on the computer and looked up cheap hotels within a short driving distance to 6-flags. We stayed at the Econo Lodge Medical Center for $59.36 a night for 2 nights. The room was perfect. It had a little refrigerator/freezer, microwave, iron & ironing board. The a/c worked great! The max per room is only 5 so we lied about the number of children (3 instead of 4), it's not something I'm particularly proud about. I printed out our confirmation & then got directions at mapquest. The directions were perfect.
We left my house at 2pm and arrived in Houston right at 7:30. It usually doesn't take so long to get there, but we had about an hour traffic jam when we hit Lake Charles due to a pretty bad accident. When we arrived in Houston, we checked into the hotel then hurried to the park so the kids could ride for about an hour and would not be so wound up after the long trip. Afterwards we stopped at Krogers and bought food and water. We froze the water to take into the park. The park says no food or drink allowed, but as long as you don't take a icechest into the park and only minimal amount of stuff (we just took some animal crackers, grapes and 5 frozen waters for the twins) the security does not say anything. We do buy food & drinks in the park, but sometimes the twins just do not eat what is available so I always carry stuff that I know they will eat.
Saturday was devoted to Splashtown. We got there right at opening time,which is noon, and were able to get lifejackets for all the kids. I loved the infant life jackets that they had. Shelby took right to the water and loved floating. Kurt preferred to stand, but would float if he could cling to you as well. We started out in hurricane bay, then went to an area where the water was at the most a foot deep (I can't find a link) where Mary-Jo, Kurt and Shelby could slide and play in the water without being afraid. Kurt especially loved this area because he could walk around instead of float. Shelby got a little irked that she couldn't float anymore, but enjoyed sliding. There was a 900 ft river that surrounded this area that was 3 feet deep and continually flowed. Shelby loved floating around this and so every so often I would take her and go float around a couple of times.
Mary-Jo only got out of my sight once during this day. We were in the 1 foot deep kiddie area so it was separated from the rest of the park, but it's still scary when you lose your child. Cynthia rode the big kid water rides with her Aunt Darlene. She stayed behind with her Aunt Darlene while Mary-Jo, Kurt, Shelby and I went back to the room around 4pm for a nap. They fell asleep in the stroller on the way out of the park and could scarcely sit up while I changed them into their dry clothes before putting them into their carseats. The stroller seats were wet, otherwise I would have changed them before we left the waterpark. When we got back to the room, however, it was like they had a second wind because it was almost 6pm before they fell asleep. They woke around 7:30 and we headed back to the park so they could ride the Looney Toon Town rides. On our next trip I hope to be able to take Mary-Jo on some of the more thrill-seeking rides. She just reached the 42" mark on this trip and was so excited to ride some of the more exciting rides, but thankfully was just as okay with riding the baby rides with Kurt and Shelby.
Sunday was dedicated to the Astroworld side of the park. Aunt Darlene and Cynthia went off and rode the big kid rides again while I had Mary-Jo, Kurt and Shelby. We had planned to meet at 2pm to eat, but by 1pm Kurt and Shelby were telling me "eat, eat" so we stopped and got some nachos with shredded lettuce and a cheese pizza (about $11.00 which was all I had with me). Then we went back and rode a couple more of the kiddie rides until Darlene and Cynthia met up with us. We went to the Circo Magnifico show. Kurt and Shelby were so good and clapped for all the acrobatic feats. I was surprised that they sat through the whole show.
We left the park at 4pm and headed home. Kurt and Shelby took their afternoon nap and didn't wake until we reached Lake Charles. Then we stopped and had a pamper change break. We arrived at my house at 8:25pm. The babies only fussed for the last 10 minutes of the ride home. The rest of the time they would sing songs and watch the DVD movies. It was a great trip!
We left my house at 2pm and arrived in Houston right at 7:30. It usually doesn't take so long to get there, but we had about an hour traffic jam when we hit Lake Charles due to a pretty bad accident. When we arrived in Houston, we checked into the hotel then hurried to the park so the kids could ride for about an hour and would not be so wound up after the long trip. Afterwards we stopped at Krogers and bought food and water. We froze the water to take into the park. The park says no food or drink allowed, but as long as you don't take a icechest into the park and only minimal amount of stuff (we just took some animal crackers, grapes and 5 frozen waters for the twins) the security does not say anything. We do buy food & drinks in the park, but sometimes the twins just do not eat what is available so I always carry stuff that I know they will eat.
Saturday was devoted to Splashtown. We got there right at opening time,which is noon, and were able to get lifejackets for all the kids. I loved the infant life jackets that they had. Shelby took right to the water and loved floating. Kurt preferred to stand, but would float if he could cling to you as well. We started out in hurricane bay, then went to an area where the water was at the most a foot deep (I can't find a link) where Mary-Jo, Kurt and Shelby could slide and play in the water without being afraid. Kurt especially loved this area because he could walk around instead of float. Shelby got a little irked that she couldn't float anymore, but enjoyed sliding. There was a 900 ft river that surrounded this area that was 3 feet deep and continually flowed. Shelby loved floating around this and so every so often I would take her and go float around a couple of times.
Mary-Jo only got out of my sight once during this day. We were in the 1 foot deep kiddie area so it was separated from the rest of the park, but it's still scary when you lose your child. Cynthia rode the big kid water rides with her Aunt Darlene. She stayed behind with her Aunt Darlene while Mary-Jo, Kurt, Shelby and I went back to the room around 4pm for a nap. They fell asleep in the stroller on the way out of the park and could scarcely sit up while I changed them into their dry clothes before putting them into their carseats. The stroller seats were wet, otherwise I would have changed them before we left the waterpark. When we got back to the room, however, it was like they had a second wind because it was almost 6pm before they fell asleep. They woke around 7:30 and we headed back to the park so they could ride the Looney Toon Town rides. On our next trip I hope to be able to take Mary-Jo on some of the more thrill-seeking rides. She just reached the 42" mark on this trip and was so excited to ride some of the more exciting rides, but thankfully was just as okay with riding the baby rides with Kurt and Shelby.
Sunday was dedicated to the Astroworld side of the park. Aunt Darlene and Cynthia went off and rode the big kid rides again while I had Mary-Jo, Kurt and Shelby. We had planned to meet at 2pm to eat, but by 1pm Kurt and Shelby were telling me "eat, eat" so we stopped and got some nachos with shredded lettuce and a cheese pizza (about $11.00 which was all I had with me). Then we went back and rode a couple more of the kiddie rides until Darlene and Cynthia met up with us. We went to the Circo Magnifico show. Kurt and Shelby were so good and clapped for all the acrobatic feats. I was surprised that they sat through the whole show.
We left the park at 4pm and headed home. Kurt and Shelby took their afternoon nap and didn't wake until we reached Lake Charles. Then we stopped and had a pamper change break. We arrived at my house at 8:25pm. The babies only fussed for the last 10 minutes of the ride home. The rest of the time they would sing songs and watch the DVD movies. It was a great trip!
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Cynthia baby words translation
Get-me-lone which translated means, "Git on out of here, Skipper, and leave me alone!" My parents had a medium sized terrior (I don't remember which kind it was black and white) that always got so excited and would jump up on Cynthia and Mama anytime they went out into the back yard. So Mama would say that phrase. Cynthia was 4 at the time and shortened it to, "Git-me-lone!" to which I would say, "I'm gonna git-you-lone, girl!" then I would pick her up and tickle, tickle.
Water-down which translated means, "Cynthia, look at that water down under the bridge, that's the Reeeeeeed River." Alex and Mary-Jo also inherited this translation as well.
Water-down which translated means, "Cynthia, look at that water down under the bridge, that's the Reeeeeeed River." Alex and Mary-Jo also inherited this translation as well.
SharkBoy&LavaGirl and Batman Begins
Sunday afternoon I took Mary-Jo and Alex to see The Adventures of SharkBoy and LavaGirl. It was an early birthday present for Mary-Jo's birthday. She turned 5 on Tuesday, June 14. Both had seen the previews on TV and had been talking about it for 2 weeks before it came out in theaters. Before we entered the theater, though, we stopped at the adjacent Dollar Store (not the everything's a buck kind) to waste 30 minutes before show time. I let them pick out two $1 items with guidance. They got a pack of 2 click-it pens that have red, black, green and blue ink, little pocket notepads (3 for a $1), a star paper puncher (Alex) and purple heart sunglasses (Mary-Jo) and a pack of gum. I got out of the store for under $5 which is quite hard for me to do on most days. They got to take their pens and pads into the theater so that they'd have something to occupy their time while we waited for the lights to dim (about 10 minutes). The were estatic to get Sharkboy and LavaGirl 3-D glasses for movie souveniers. Kurt and Shelby love them, too! They both loved the movie and have played a few tales out on their own since then. It's fun to watch them.
Since Cynthia didn't get to go with us to the movies on Sunday (she went swimming with her friend, Taylor), I decided to take her to Batman Begins with me tonight. I was a little leary about it since all the other Batman movies were sexualized, but I was very pleasantly surprised. There is quite a few fights (I expected that), but only one scene that was a little over the top IMO (Bruce takes two girls out for dinner...the girls climb into the pool--only shoulders and legs from knees down are shown--and Bruce follows a few minutes later fully clothed after buying the hotel). The relationship between Bruce and Rachel is really quite friendly and sweet. She wants to and is willing to wait for "Bruce" until Batman is no longer needed in Gothom. Beware, there are a few really scary moments, I jumped a couple of times. I do want to go see it again, though, because a member at twinstuff (Jxnsmom), a twins board that I visit, twin son played an extra roll that is in the movie. I'm going to make sure I wear a watch so I can catch a glimpse of him at 1 hour 15 minutes in. I agree with most of the reviews that I've read. Batman Begins is in the top 5 for movies that I've seen this year.
Since Cynthia didn't get to go with us to the movies on Sunday (she went swimming with her friend, Taylor), I decided to take her to Batman Begins with me tonight. I was a little leary about it since all the other Batman movies were sexualized, but I was very pleasantly surprised. There is quite a few fights (I expected that), but only one scene that was a little over the top IMO (Bruce takes two girls out for dinner...the girls climb into the pool--only shoulders and legs from knees down are shown--and Bruce follows a few minutes later fully clothed after buying the hotel). The relationship between Bruce and Rachel is really quite friendly and sweet. She wants to and is willing to wait for "Bruce" until Batman is no longer needed in Gothom. Beware, there are a few really scary moments, I jumped a couple of times. I do want to go see it again, though, because a member at twinstuff (Jxnsmom), a twins board that I visit, twin son played an extra roll that is in the movie. I'm going to make sure I wear a watch so I can catch a glimpse of him at 1 hour 15 minutes in. I agree with most of the reviews that I've read. Batman Begins is in the top 5 for movies that I've seen this year.
Why our kids are public schooled
We live in a very good public school district that is in a very rural area. The majority of the teachers attend the very large church that we attend. Several of the teachers that my children have had in grammar school prayed for God to bless the food before going to lunch. (I hope the ACLU never finds out!!!) I do not have a desire, the focus (time management skills for all the different ages to be taught), the patience, nor have I been convicted by God to homeschool my children. I do have a desire to teach Bible verses, read Biblical stories, sing sacred music, pray with and attend church when the doors are open with my children. I do wish that school did not last 8 1/2 hours a day (including the bus ride). I think that school could be condensed into just 4 hours a day.
I do want my children to be set apart from the world, but I do not want to isolate them so that they do not know how to reach their peers. I believe we are made to be lights of the world and how can my children be productive lights if I do not let them go to where the darkness is. My oldest DD has a friend that she invited almost 2 years ago to go to AWANAs (approved workmen are not ashamed). My DS has a friend that he has invited as well and hopefully we will be able to bring him to church, too. These families do not go to church. The girl's grandparents go to our church, but the lines of communication were not opened to the point where their son would send Taylor to church with them. Nor was Taylor motivated to get up to go with her grandparents. But she IS motivated to go with my daughter because they are great friends. I just know that if I had decided to homeschool, this opportunity for my daughter to witness to her friend on a daily basis would not have come about.
I do not doubt that families who choose to homeschool have opportunites to witness. I just know that the decision to public school our children is the right choice for my family.
I do want my children to be set apart from the world, but I do not want to isolate them so that they do not know how to reach their peers. I believe we are made to be lights of the world and how can my children be productive lights if I do not let them go to where the darkness is. My oldest DD has a friend that she invited almost 2 years ago to go to AWANAs (approved workmen are not ashamed). My DS has a friend that he has invited as well and hopefully we will be able to bring him to church, too. These families do not go to church. The girl's grandparents go to our church, but the lines of communication were not opened to the point where their son would send Taylor to church with them. Nor was Taylor motivated to get up to go with her grandparents. But she IS motivated to go with my daughter because they are great friends. I just know that if I had decided to homeschool, this opportunity for my daughter to witness to her friend on a daily basis would not have come about.
I do not doubt that families who choose to homeschool have opportunites to witness. I just know that the decision to public school our children is the right choice for my family.
Monday, June 13, 2005
An Alex baby story
When I found out I was pregnant with Mary-Jo, I decided to get my hair cut short so that all I'd have to do was wash and go. What I didn't realize was that you had to get it cut at least every 6-8 weeks otherwise the "look" you were hoping to have disappeared rapidly.
Back to the story...when I came home from the hairdresser's Alex started calling me Daddy. He called me Daddy for nearly 6 months. That just goes to show you that even children at early as age 18 months know gender and have a steriotypical mindset of what Mama's and Daddy's are suppose to look like--at least their Mama and Daddy anyway.
Back to the story...when I came home from the hairdresser's Alex started calling me Daddy. He called me Daddy for nearly 6 months. That just goes to show you that even children at early as age 18 months know gender and have a steriotypical mindset of what Mama's and Daddy's are suppose to look like--at least their Mama and Daddy anyway.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
OH Puh-leeeese!
I was breezing through the threads at MOPS' bulletin board and came across another outrageous ebay auction, celebrity air.
Edited to ADD...Carol commented that the link to celebrity air was no longer valid. What it was is that this person went to the Premiere that Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt attended. The seller had a jar that he took pictures of with both stars in the background. The auction also shows pictures of the jar being sealed at the premiere as well. I guess just to make the jar of celebrity air legit the seller also has "Mr" and "Mrs" tshirts that were given to people at the premiere as part of the package.
Okay, this is my last lame post for the month. I won't link anymore silly stuff without it at least referring to something in my family for the month. It's not that I don't find them interesting, but if I see them, then you know EVERYONE else has probably seen it, too.
You know what, though, I can relate this to something that I did. I went to watch Mr. & Mrs. Smith last night. It certainly lived up to the excitement and hype of the trailers and movie clips, well, actually, it was better. It's definately not for kids. While I was there I ran into Jaba's boss & wife, Jeff & Keri. I hadn't seen them together for at least 3 years--I see Jab's boss all the time when I visit Jab at work. Before we both left our previous church we used to get together at least once a quarter. We chatted about our kids (they have two children, g16 & b14) and other things friends talk about when they get together after not seeing each other for a couple of years.
Edited to ADD...Carol commented that the link to celebrity air was no longer valid. What it was is that this person went to the Premiere that Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt attended. The seller had a jar that he took pictures of with both stars in the background. The auction also shows pictures of the jar being sealed at the premiere as well. I guess just to make the jar of celebrity air legit the seller also has "Mr" and "Mrs" tshirts that were given to people at the premiere as part of the package.
Okay, this is my last lame post for the month. I won't link anymore silly stuff without it at least referring to something in my family for the month. It's not that I don't find them interesting, but if I see them, then you know EVERYONE else has probably seen it, too.
You know what, though, I can relate this to something that I did. I went to watch Mr. & Mrs. Smith last night. It certainly lived up to the excitement and hype of the trailers and movie clips, well, actually, it was better. It's definately not for kids. While I was there I ran into Jaba's boss & wife, Jeff & Keri. I hadn't seen them together for at least 3 years--I see Jab's boss all the time when I visit Jab at work. Before we both left our previous church we used to get together at least once a quarter. We chatted about our kids (they have two children, g16 & b14) and other things friends talk about when they get together after not seeing each other for a couple of years.
Who, Who, Who, Who are you?
I found this on a friends blog and thought it was cute. I'm Kanga, btw.
Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!
Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!
Kurt found ANOTHER snake!
I borrowed Johnny's, my step-dad, yazoo push mower to cut my 1.6 acre yard because my yardmachine riding mower stopped cutting. I cut the fenced in part of my backyard that is @ 80'x55' with the pushmower and pooped out. Well, Jaba was off today so he decided to take a look at the riding mower. The belt for the blades had jumped off the guides so he was able to fix it for me!!! I got the majority of the yard mowed today except for the fenced in part which now needs mowed, a-gain. I even tied the fence to all but 3 of the fence posts today, too.
Here's where the snake part of the story comes in.... Kurt and I were picking up the limbs that I had mowed around and were putting them in a burn pile that I started during the winter but have yet to burn. Well on our 3 trip to the pile, I hear movement and immediately see a darkgreen and yellow striped (longways) snake, a common garter snake, headed for a tree from the pile. It is between Kurt and me, so for the second time in 2 weeks I have to run past a snake to secure the safety of my youngest son. He only got within 8ft of this one, though. I'm sitting here cringing with chills just thinking about these 2 close calls.
The other snake that I had to wisk him away from was a speckled kingsnake. The first picture in the link is an accurate picture of what it looked like. I read the entire information on the linked page and thought it very interesting that Alexandria, LA, was specifically mentioned. I'm a stone's throw away from Alex.
Here's where the snake part of the story comes in.... Kurt and I were picking up the limbs that I had mowed around and were putting them in a burn pile that I started during the winter but have yet to burn. Well on our 3 trip to the pile, I hear movement and immediately see a darkgreen and yellow striped (longways) snake, a common garter snake, headed for a tree from the pile. It is between Kurt and me, so for the second time in 2 weeks I have to run past a snake to secure the safety of my youngest son. He only got within 8ft of this one, though. I'm sitting here cringing with chills just thinking about these 2 close calls.
The other snake that I had to wisk him away from was a speckled kingsnake. The first picture in the link is an accurate picture of what it looked like. I read the entire information on the linked page and thought it very interesting that Alexandria, LA, was specifically mentioned. I'm a stone's throw away from Alex.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Premade meals recipes
These are really simple meals to do and they really take longer to heat from frozen than it does to cook them from scratch. However, I love just popping a caserole dish in the oven, turning the timer on and going about my business vs the time spent on cooking from scratch.
My favorite pre-bake meal is SPAGHETTI.
Sauce
2 lbs lightly browned spiced* ground hamburger meat (I sometimes do 1lb hamburger, 1lb turkey)
*Spices (black pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, and 2 heaping tbsp minced garlic--I do NOT add salt)
Once lightly browned add 1 bag (12 or 16 oz) of frozen seasoning blend. Sautee' veggies until meat is dark brown (the darker the better for flavor).
Add the following:
1 large jar Ragu sauce (I like chunky garden vegetable)
1 28oz can petite diced tomato (I sometimes replace with mild or mexican rotel with green chilies)
2 4oz cans tomato sauce
Bring just to a boil then turn down and simmer on lowest heat for 2-4 hours. Stir occasionally.
Somewhere between 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours of the simmering. Cook spaghetti (I like to use vermacelli 2. It's thinner than spaghetti, but thicker than angelhair). You will need a 2gallon pot or bigger. Add 1 gallon water. Add 32oz vermacelli broken into quarters (I use a counter edge, break in half, then break halves into half). Add 1 tbsp salt and 3 heaping tbsp butter/margerine. Bring to boil then lower to medium heat. Cook for about 5-8 more minutes. Pick out a couple pieces of vermacelli, gently throw against wooden cabinet. If it sticks then it's done. Drain spaghetti (leave a little water don't completely drain dry). Mix in spaghetti sauce.
You should be able to make 1 13x9, 2 2qt round, and 1 large breadpan size casseroles. PLUS you'll have enough left to serve 2 adults and 3-5 children (depending on age and gender of course). Serve spaghetti topped with your favorite shredded cheese. I cover entire top of spaghetti casseroles with my favorite cheese(s)--sliced or shredded. (Since the cheese melts, I think that layer of cheese is an added protection for the spaghetti while in the freezer.) To protect spaghetti casserole from freezerburn, double wrap with plastic wrap and outerwrap with foil and place on the top layer of the deep freeze. It will keep for about 1 month without freezerburn. However, I wouldn't know past a month because we usually eat it well before the month is over.
To heat: Remove foil (but do not tear you will reuse it to cover casserole for baking) & plastic wrap. Reuse foil to make a loose shallow dome (not touching cheese) cover and place on rack in center of preheated 350*oven. Bake as follows: 13x9 for 1 hour 45 min, 2qt for 1hour 15min, breadpan 1hour. When there is 10 minutes left on the time, remove cover and look to see that the spaghetti is slightly bubbling all over, if not, recover and bake longer. For the last 10 minutes of bake time, you will remove foil cover to slightly brown cheese top.
If you thought the spaghetti was good before you baked it, you will think it is awesome baked!
My favorite pre-bake meal is SPAGHETTI.
Sauce
2 lbs lightly browned spiced* ground hamburger meat (I sometimes do 1lb hamburger, 1lb turkey)
*Spices (black pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, and 2 heaping tbsp minced garlic--I do NOT add salt)
Once lightly browned add 1 bag (12 or 16 oz) of frozen seasoning blend. Sautee' veggies until meat is dark brown (the darker the better for flavor).
Add the following:
1 large jar Ragu sauce (I like chunky garden vegetable)
1 28oz can petite diced tomato (I sometimes replace with mild or mexican rotel with green chilies)
2 4oz cans tomato sauce
Bring just to a boil then turn down and simmer on lowest heat for 2-4 hours. Stir occasionally.
Somewhere between 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours of the simmering. Cook spaghetti (I like to use vermacelli 2. It's thinner than spaghetti, but thicker than angelhair). You will need a 2gallon pot or bigger. Add 1 gallon water. Add 32oz vermacelli broken into quarters (I use a counter edge, break in half, then break halves into half). Add 1 tbsp salt and 3 heaping tbsp butter/margerine. Bring to boil then lower to medium heat. Cook for about 5-8 more minutes. Pick out a couple pieces of vermacelli, gently throw against wooden cabinet. If it sticks then it's done. Drain spaghetti (leave a little water don't completely drain dry). Mix in spaghetti sauce.
You should be able to make 1 13x9, 2 2qt round, and 1 large breadpan size casseroles. PLUS you'll have enough left to serve 2 adults and 3-5 children (depending on age and gender of course). Serve spaghetti topped with your favorite shredded cheese. I cover entire top of spaghetti casseroles with my favorite cheese(s)--sliced or shredded. (Since the cheese melts, I think that layer of cheese is an added protection for the spaghetti while in the freezer.) To protect spaghetti casserole from freezerburn, double wrap with plastic wrap and outerwrap with foil and place on the top layer of the deep freeze. It will keep for about 1 month without freezerburn. However, I wouldn't know past a month because we usually eat it well before the month is over.
To heat: Remove foil (but do not tear you will reuse it to cover casserole for baking) & plastic wrap. Reuse foil to make a loose shallow dome (not touching cheese) cover and place on rack in center of preheated 350*oven. Bake as follows: 13x9 for 1 hour 45 min, 2qt for 1hour 15min, breadpan 1hour. When there is 10 minutes left on the time, remove cover and look to see that the spaghetti is slightly bubbling all over, if not, recover and bake longer. For the last 10 minutes of bake time, you will remove foil cover to slightly brown cheese top.
If you thought the spaghetti was good before you baked it, you will think it is awesome baked!
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
I finally figured out the wording I want to use for this movie.
This movie is a great Mother/daughter movie to open up dialogue about what is going on in your daughter(s)' life. I definitely plan to go back and take Cynthia with me so we can do so preventative maintenance conversations about good/bad relationships.
This movie is a great Mother/daughter movie to open up dialogue about what is going on in your daughter(s)' life. I definitely plan to go back and take Cynthia with me so we can do so preventative maintenance conversations about good/bad relationships.
BLACK-EYED SUSANS
One good thing about not being able to mow my yard for the last 3 weeks is that my children love to fill my new crystal vase that my SIL gave me with fresh flowers everyday. Today was a Black-eyed Susan day.
When I figure out how to post pictures on this blog, I will post a picture of the vase on the table while they ate pre-made baked spaghetti for lunch today.
(I was a domestic goddess yesterday and made ready-made meals for the rest of this week. They are all sitting in the deep freeze just waiting to be pulled out and rebaked.)
When I figure out how to post pictures on this blog, I will post a picture of the vase on the table while they ate pre-made baked spaghetti for lunch today.
(I was a domestic goddess yesterday and made ready-made meals for the rest of this week. They are all sitting in the deep freeze just waiting to be pulled out and rebaked.)
Cynthia is an AMAZING daughter
I finally went to sleep right at 6am this morning. After I got off RMM chat with Amy R (Lizard), I went and got church clothes & shoes out for Cynthia, Al and Mary-Jo then shoes & socks out for Kurt & Shelby. After that I sat down and wrote explicit instructions out for Cynthia for the morning while she let me sleep in. They are as follows:
Mama had a tough time getting to sleep.
Please help everyone get ready for church.
Change Kurt and Shelby pampers
Give Kurt and Shelby milk sippy cups
Give Kurt and Shelby animal crackers
You, Alex and Mary-Jo can eat the clown cereal, but eat it dry. You can have a small glass of milk
You, Al and Mary-Jo get dressed (the clothes are on the loveseat)
Get Shelby's white dress out of the closet
Get Kurt's green pants and his red & yellow striped shirt (his shirt is hung up with a pair of bluejean shorts)
Dress Kurt and Shelby. I'll put on their shoes when I wake up.
WAKE ME UP AT 9:00AM
Cynthia did GREAT! Everything was done just as I had it on the list. I put S&K's shoes on. Then sent them to load up the van while I got dressed. EVERY SUNDAY MORNING SHOULD BE THIS EASY!!!!
Mama had a tough time getting to sleep.
Please help everyone get ready for church.
Change Kurt and Shelby pampers
Give Kurt and Shelby milk sippy cups
Give Kurt and Shelby animal crackers
You, Alex and Mary-Jo can eat the clown cereal, but eat it dry. You can have a small glass of milk
You, Al and Mary-Jo get dressed (the clothes are on the loveseat)
Get Shelby's white dress out of the closet
Get Kurt's green pants and his red & yellow striped shirt (his shirt is hung up with a pair of bluejean shorts)
Dress Kurt and Shelby. I'll put on their shoes when I wake up.
WAKE ME UP AT 9:00AM
Cynthia did GREAT! Everything was done just as I had it on the list. I put S&K's shoes on. Then sent them to load up the van while I got dressed. EVERY SUNDAY MORNING SHOULD BE THIS EASY!!!!
Large Family--shocking replies for the uninformed questionner
ANNIE'S MAIL
Large Families Field Lots of Flack
Dear Annie: I'd like to respond to "Mama of Four in San Francisco," who was annoyed because people kept asking when she was going to STOP having children.
I am the father of six. Over the years, we have received many comments regarding the size of our family, ranging from surprise to horror. When we were expecting our fourth, people thought telling us how foolish we were would keep us from doing it again. With the fifth, they decided we were nearing insanity. With the sixth child, they felt we were beyond salvage and gave up. One summer evening, we took our crew into a small ice-cream parlor. Two older women walked in, took one look at us and asked if we were a day-care center.
The joys of having a large family FAR outweigh the costs. We're like a party waiting to happen.—Richly Blessed in Indiana
Dear Indiana: Most of our readers with large families agreed. Read on:
From the Midwest: My mother said she had so many kids because of her poor hearing. Whenever my parents would retire for the night, my dad would ask, "So, do you want to go to sleep, or what?" and Mom would always answer, "What?"
New York: When people ask when they will stop having children, she should tell them they'll stop when they can figure out where they are coming from.
Sarasota, Fla.: I'll stop having kids when my libido slows down, and my oldest child's kicks in and gives me grandchildren.
Ontario, Canada: When I have enough for a hockey team.
Tampa, Fla.: When I go through menopause.
Midwest: When my pediatrician finished checking my fifth newborn, he said, "You've got another beautiful baby. Are you done?" I said, "If the world is going to be overpopulated, it may as well have more beautiful people, and they might as well be mine!"
Flushing, Mich.: I would tell people it took the first four kids to figure out what was causing it, and the last one just to be sure we were on the right track.
Hershey, Pa.: Following the birth of our third child, an acquaintance asked me how many children we planned on having. I smiled, looked her in the eye, and replied, "Two." The questions were never as personal after that.
Texas: I have been asked several times why I would want to bring children into this cruel, harsh world. My response is that the world may be filled with a lot of bad people, but wouldn't it be better if we start making some good people for a change? I know my children taught me so much, and now I am a better person because of them.
Ohio: After our fourth child, I was amazed how many people thought they were witty by asking, "You know what's causing this, right?" I told them, "I'm pretty sure it has something to do with sneezing. Every time I sneeze, someone says, 'God bless you,' and He does — again."
Claremont, Calif.:I say, "Thanks, we're just trying to raise the world's average IQ."
Michigan: When a young couple asked how we could stand to have so many kids, I replied, "Which ones would you like me to send back?"
Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611.
Large Families Field Lots of Flack
Dear Annie: I'd like to respond to "Mama of Four in San Francisco," who was annoyed because people kept asking when she was going to STOP having children.
I am the father of six. Over the years, we have received many comments regarding the size of our family, ranging from surprise to horror. When we were expecting our fourth, people thought telling us how foolish we were would keep us from doing it again. With the fifth, they decided we were nearing insanity. With the sixth child, they felt we were beyond salvage and gave up. One summer evening, we took our crew into a small ice-cream parlor. Two older women walked in, took one look at us and asked if we were a day-care center.
The joys of having a large family FAR outweigh the costs. We're like a party waiting to happen.—Richly Blessed in Indiana
Dear Indiana: Most of our readers with large families agreed. Read on:
From the Midwest: My mother said she had so many kids because of her poor hearing. Whenever my parents would retire for the night, my dad would ask, "So, do you want to go to sleep, or what?" and Mom would always answer, "What?"
New York: When people ask when they will stop having children, she should tell them they'll stop when they can figure out where they are coming from.
Sarasota, Fla.: I'll stop having kids when my libido slows down, and my oldest child's kicks in and gives me grandchildren.
Ontario, Canada: When I have enough for a hockey team.
Tampa, Fla.: When I go through menopause.
Midwest: When my pediatrician finished checking my fifth newborn, he said, "You've got another beautiful baby. Are you done?" I said, "If the world is going to be overpopulated, it may as well have more beautiful people, and they might as well be mine!"
Flushing, Mich.: I would tell people it took the first four kids to figure out what was causing it, and the last one just to be sure we were on the right track.
Hershey, Pa.: Following the birth of our third child, an acquaintance asked me how many children we planned on having. I smiled, looked her in the eye, and replied, "Two." The questions were never as personal after that.
Texas: I have been asked several times why I would want to bring children into this cruel, harsh world. My response is that the world may be filled with a lot of bad people, but wouldn't it be better if we start making some good people for a change? I know my children taught me so much, and now I am a better person because of them.
Ohio: After our fourth child, I was amazed how many people thought they were witty by asking, "You know what's causing this, right?" I told them, "I'm pretty sure it has something to do with sneezing. Every time I sneeze, someone says, 'God bless you,' and He does — again."
Claremont, Calif.:I say, "Thanks, we're just trying to raise the world's average IQ."
Michigan: When a young couple asked how we could stand to have so many kids, I replied, "Which ones would you like me to send back?"
Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611.
Movie night
When Jaba gets an evening off he generally encourages me to go out and do something on my own. Tonight I went to the movies. I saw Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith for the 4th time and I also watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I really, really liked Sisterhood. The only thing I didn't like about it, though, was the parent/guardian with the crying baby behind me. So I finally walked out about midway through and asked for a replacement movie pass. I then went to it again at the next scheduled time and had 3 ladies sitting behind me that could NOT stop talking & jingling keys. Then one of them answered their cell phone. OH! I was just so irritated. But I was not about to lose a whole night so I did my best to ignore their impoliteness.
For those curious about Sisterhood, I would take my 12 year old daughter to it, but I don't think I'd take her if she was 9 or 10. There is no nudity. I did really like how the whole story line for that part of the movie was played out, though. I don't know if husbands would like this movie, it's definately a chick flick. However, I like the underlying morality and family values of the movie. If you see it, I hope that you will understand what I'm trying to convey (without giving spoilers).
I MOWED THE BACK FENCED IN PART
But that was all I got to before Cynthia came and told me that she saw a snake (it was black and yellow striped, length wise, not like a coral snake). That was enough mowing for me! I hate push mowing. I'd much rather speed by on my riding lawn mower!!! I will probably go back out tomorrow after church and mow at least my whole front yard, though. Then Monday, I hope to do the outside-of-the-fence backyard. My lever for turning on my riding lawnmower's blades stopped working on me shortly after I completed my last mow about 3 weeks ago. I was really bummed!
Sorry about the scatter-brainedness of this post. Hopefully, I'll collect my thoughts a little better before my next blog update.
For those curious about Sisterhood, I would take my 12 year old daughter to it, but I don't think I'd take her if she was 9 or 10. There is no nudity. I did really like how the whole story line for that part of the movie was played out, though. I don't know if husbands would like this movie, it's definately a chick flick. However, I like the underlying morality and family values of the movie. If you see it, I hope that you will understand what I'm trying to convey (without giving spoilers).
I MOWED THE BACK FENCED IN PART
But that was all I got to before Cynthia came and told me that she saw a snake (it was black and yellow striped, length wise, not like a coral snake). That was enough mowing for me! I hate push mowing. I'd much rather speed by on my riding lawn mower!!! I will probably go back out tomorrow after church and mow at least my whole front yard, though. Then Monday, I hope to do the outside-of-the-fence backyard. My lever for turning on my riding lawnmower's blades stopped working on me shortly after I completed my last mow about 3 weeks ago. I was really bummed!
Sorry about the scatter-brainedness of this post. Hopefully, I'll collect my thoughts a little better before my next blog update.
Friday, June 03, 2005
KEY'S PARK
We just got back from the park. I stopped and got bread, sliced turkey, green grapes, cheetos, and bottled water for a picnic supper. The kids played hard, but I think I played harder keeping everyone in sight. Thankfully, Kurt and Shelby like to make sure that I'm in view, but even if they didn't the park only has 3 places that I have to keep an eye out for--a bridge over a creek (there is a fence that runs along the creek so no access to it, but the bridge guardrail has a XXXX pattern instead of an IIIIII pattern and the kids can squeeze through the X's), and 2 entry/exits.
Shelby cracked me up when we got there. She saw the play area but got fighting mad when we didn't go straight towards it. There was a fence in the way so we had to go away from it to get to the gate. She fought me the whole way around until we got about 10 steps through the gate. Then it was like a horse race..."and there off!!!!"
While they were playing on the climbing structures, I rinsed the grapes in the drinking fountain ( I cheated, the main reason K&S wanted to stay near me is because they love grapes and I doled them out slowly during the whole time that we were there). About 20 minutes after we had been there we sat and ate our sandwiches. Then off to playing again. We really lucked out because there were just a few other families there and they were the kind that didn't just sit there while the kids played. There were 2 dads (one with 2 kids, the other with 4), a grandparent with a grandson, 2 mom's with 2 children each, and 2 mom & dad sets with 2 children each. There were no fights between any of the children because the majority of the parents were involved. This is one of the few times that I've been when the parents didn't all just sit on the benches doing their own thing. It was GREAT!
Shelby cracked me up when we got there. She saw the play area but got fighting mad when we didn't go straight towards it. There was a fence in the way so we had to go away from it to get to the gate. She fought me the whole way around until we got about 10 steps through the gate. Then it was like a horse race..."and there off!!!!"
While they were playing on the climbing structures, I rinsed the grapes in the drinking fountain ( I cheated, the main reason K&S wanted to stay near me is because they love grapes and I doled them out slowly during the whole time that we were there). About 20 minutes after we had been there we sat and ate our sandwiches. Then off to playing again. We really lucked out because there were just a few other families there and they were the kind that didn't just sit there while the kids played. There were 2 dads (one with 2 kids, the other with 4), a grandparent with a grandson, 2 mom's with 2 children each, and 2 mom & dad sets with 2 children each. There were no fights between any of the children because the majority of the parents were involved. This is one of the few times that I've been when the parents didn't all just sit on the benches doing their own thing. It was GREAT!
SANCTUARY!!!
Jaba finally went to Home Depot, or maybe it was Lowe's or Sutherlands, and picked up the final door that we needed for our home. It was for OUR bedroom!!! I think what finally made him do it was so we could let Saucee (our dachsund) play inside during the heat of summer without being locked in her cage. Also, the kids went into our room and unpacked a box of his baseball collection. He wasn't too happy about that!
So now I can go into the final 2 rooms of the house and clean, pack and organize!!! I'm sooooo close to having a sanctuary with my husband!!!!
So now I can go into the final 2 rooms of the house and clean, pack and organize!!! I'm sooooo close to having a sanctuary with my husband!!!!
Schools Out For Summer
School's out by Alice Cooper
Did you sing the song???
We've been so busy this first week that the kids have been out of school that I forgot to update my blog. I can't even remember everything we've done or not done this week either.
As I was chatting with Sandi on AIM one day she did tell me to include something cute that Kurt, Shelby and I do, though. When we are in the car going someplace the older kids (Cynthia, Al & Mary-Jo) are always calling "Mama" for my attention and then start talking to me. Well, Kurt and Shelby started mimicing the older kids by calling my name, "Mama!" They wait for me to say, "Whata?" Then they jibberjabber some little sentence that I don't really understand yet. However, I know they are are saying something specific because they use the same syllables and inflection in the sentence they are saying. We do this almost the whole trip into town. First Kurt, then Shelby. I wonder why I don't get irritated at them, but I get frustrated at C,A&M? Maybe it's true that for the first 2-3 years we teach them to walk & talk, then as soon as they learn how we want them to sit still and be quiet.
My mom left me her van while they went out of town Thursday-Saturday so today I took advantage of a working vehicle to take the kids to McDonald's playland for lunch. We were going to go to the big park (Key's Park) that the kids love afterwards, but K&S were pretty exhausted. I told the 3 older ones that we needed to go home and let them take a nap first then when they wake up we'd go to Key's Park after supper. Since it doesn't get dark until 8:30pm or so, they should have plenty of time to exhaust theirselves so that they all sleep good tonight! I can't wait until we can find out what's wrong with the suburban and get it fixed so we can do many more exhaustion trips, I mean, fun things together during the summer.
CRAFT AND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
Empty, tall and narrow spice containers are perfect vases to display the wildflowers that your thoughtful children picked out of the yard bring to you.
Did you sing the song???
We've been so busy this first week that the kids have been out of school that I forgot to update my blog. I can't even remember everything we've done or not done this week either.
As I was chatting with Sandi on AIM one day she did tell me to include something cute that Kurt, Shelby and I do, though. When we are in the car going someplace the older kids (Cynthia, Al & Mary-Jo) are always calling "Mama" for my attention and then start talking to me. Well, Kurt and Shelby started mimicing the older kids by calling my name, "Mama!" They wait for me to say, "Whata?" Then they jibberjabber some little sentence that I don't really understand yet. However, I know they are are saying something specific because they use the same syllables and inflection in the sentence they are saying. We do this almost the whole trip into town. First Kurt, then Shelby. I wonder why I don't get irritated at them, but I get frustrated at C,A&M? Maybe it's true that for the first 2-3 years we teach them to walk & talk, then as soon as they learn how we want them to sit still and be quiet.
My mom left me her van while they went out of town Thursday-Saturday so today I took advantage of a working vehicle to take the kids to McDonald's playland for lunch. We were going to go to the big park (Key's Park) that the kids love afterwards, but K&S were pretty exhausted. I told the 3 older ones that we needed to go home and let them take a nap first then when they wake up we'd go to Key's Park after supper. Since it doesn't get dark until 8:30pm or so, they should have plenty of time to exhaust theirselves so that they all sleep good tonight! I can't wait until we can find out what's wrong with the suburban and get it fixed so we can do many more exhaustion trips, I mean, fun things together during the summer.
CRAFT AND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
Empty, tall and narrow spice containers are perfect vases to display the wildflowers that your thoughtful children picked out of the yard bring to you.
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