Dave took a couple pictures of me today, you know, for documentation, posterity and such.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
37 weeks and counting...
It appears that the incubation of this little mister is coming to a close. Yikes! Three more weeks. I've decided that I am more than happy to let him enjoy his last few weeks inside without any interruption. Why rush him? I guess a lot of my insight on this comes from the realization that I am already managing 3 other kiddos and one more will only complicate things. And of course I mean complicate in a good way. We are very excited to meet the newest addition to our family!
Dave took a couple pictures of me today, you know, for documentation, posterity and such.
Dave took a couple pictures of me today, you know, for documentation, posterity and such.
Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Alright peeps, you asked for it, so here it is:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp hot water
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 350. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs on at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes.
Chef's notes:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp hot water
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 350. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs on at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes.
Chef's notes:
- I was trying to use all the tips and tricks I could come up with to make these good. I spooned the flour into the 1 cup measure and then leveled it off with a knife. I read somewhere that dipping the measuring cup into the flour and then leveling it off packed the flour tighter, making for too much flour and therefore, a dryer cookie.
- I put in 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup m&ms- the kids thought that was fab.
- Instead of walnuts, we dumped in a bunch of ground up almonds.
- I baked the cookies on baking stones.
- Enjoy! And remember that at least one person in the room should be in their undies for optimum cookie performance.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Clothing Optional
On Sunday we decided to whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Sara was thrilled at the chance to put on her apron for another culinary endeavor. In all the excitement, it appears she forgot one thing- her clothes! It's not every day one gets away with baking in her underwear (or maybe it is, you tell me...)
Maybe it was all the talk about purchasing Sara a baker's hat or my fascination with the new Bosch Mixer (birthday present from Dave-o) but it didn't even occur to me that she wasn't fully clothed until I walked to the other side of the counter, turned around, and saw this:
Scandalous. If you haven't noticed by now, Food Handler Permits are optional at our house.
She was very proud of the cookie dough. It had a little something to do with the chocolate chips and a lot to do with the m&ms we put in. I've decided that she mostly helps me bake so she can eat the dough. I told her that if she eats too much dough she might feel sick. A few minutes later, after digging my finger in for a taste, I got a concerned lecture from a pint-sized blondie on getting sick from eating too much dough. Doh!
I mean really, how cute is she?
Here's the final product. They turned out fantastic. So next time someone asks me the trick to baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie, I'll have to tell them straight up- "baking in your underwear." Now that wouldn't freak anybody out...
And for those of you who actually had the opportunity to eat these cookies and are now considering having your stomach pumped, I'll have you know- Sara did wash her hands.
Maybe it was all the talk about purchasing Sara a baker's hat or my fascination with the new Bosch Mixer (birthday present from Dave-o) but it didn't even occur to me that she wasn't fully clothed until I walked to the other side of the counter, turned around, and saw this:
Scandalous. If you haven't noticed by now, Food Handler Permits are optional at our house.
She was very proud of the cookie dough. It had a little something to do with the chocolate chips and a lot to do with the m&ms we put in. I've decided that she mostly helps me bake so she can eat the dough. I told her that if she eats too much dough she might feel sick. A few minutes later, after digging my finger in for a taste, I got a concerned lecture from a pint-sized blondie on getting sick from eating too much dough. Doh!
I mean really, how cute is she?
Here's the final product. They turned out fantastic. So next time someone asks me the trick to baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie, I'll have to tell them straight up- "baking in your underwear." Now that wouldn't freak anybody out...
And for those of you who actually had the opportunity to eat these cookies and are now considering having your stomach pumped, I'll have you know- Sara did wash her hands.
Monday, May 26, 2008
The Cure
Friday night we went to see The Cure at the E Center. Now, I know most of you might be wondering what is up with me going to see The Cure. Let me give you a little insight...
No, that is not a pretty little girl- it is Dave in his disgruntled teen years. He's smiling for family pictures here. I cropped out the family, you know, to protect the innocent and what not. You don't really get the whole effect here because he's all dressed up for pictures and probably being poked with a cattle prod to ensure a smile. I've seen other pictures where the teenager attitude (the I'm cooler than all of you and bored to death at all times thing) actually matched the hair but I can't seem to find any of those. Apparently he grew his hair so long he could suck on it. What a delicious little snack. And when I asked why he eventually cut his hair, his answer: "I just cut it." Boooooring. I was waiting for an emotional discourse on how he cut it for his mom so she would feel respected and loved. But no.
Anyway, back to the concert- we had great seats right down on the floor. Problem being, I am sort of pregnant and standing for long periods of time leads me to feel as though I am going to teeter over. So I stood a little and sat a lot. I knew 10 songs out of the 30 or so they played. Dave would turn to me and say "You've got to know this one" and my response- a blank stare. They played forever. And by forever, I mean FOR.E.VER. Three hours. They sounded great and we can definetly say we got our money's worth.
Dave forgot his black eye liner and studded dog collar. And I must have misplaced my fish net tights and combat boots. Oh wait, I don't own either of those things... Neither of us took the time to pierce every inch of our faces with safety pins, but rest assured, we still had a great time.
Dave took this picture with his phone. Ahhh...good times.
No, that is not a pretty little girl- it is Dave in his disgruntled teen years. He's smiling for family pictures here. I cropped out the family, you know, to protect the innocent and what not. You don't really get the whole effect here because he's all dressed up for pictures and probably being poked with a cattle prod to ensure a smile. I've seen other pictures where the teenager attitude (the I'm cooler than all of you and bored to death at all times thing) actually matched the hair but I can't seem to find any of those. Apparently he grew his hair so long he could suck on it. What a delicious little snack. And when I asked why he eventually cut his hair, his answer: "I just cut it." Boooooring. I was waiting for an emotional discourse on how he cut it for his mom so she would feel respected and loved. But no.
Anyway, back to the concert- we had great seats right down on the floor. Problem being, I am sort of pregnant and standing for long periods of time leads me to feel as though I am going to teeter over. So I stood a little and sat a lot. I knew 10 songs out of the 30 or so they played. Dave would turn to me and say "You've got to know this one" and my response- a blank stare. They played forever. And by forever, I mean FOR.E.VER. Three hours. They sounded great and we can definetly say we got our money's worth.
Dave forgot his black eye liner and studded dog collar. And I must have misplaced my fish net tights and combat boots. Oh wait, I don't own either of those things... Neither of us took the time to pierce every inch of our faces with safety pins, but rest assured, we still had a great time.
Dave took this picture with his phone. Ahhh...good times.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Every day is a happier day...
Taylor had his spring program at school last week. The theme of the program was dinosaurs. Taylor was a T-Rex and he did such a great job singing and dancing. He really was so cute. He has come a long way since last year (not that he wasn't cute- just not a performer).
After a closer look at this darling picture of him, I noticed that he has Arby's sauce by his mouth. Dang it! I made every effort to put him in a nice shirt for his program. I left the house early to pick him up some lunch and then forgot to make sure he wasn't "bringing his lunch with him to school" so to speak. I have my thumb good and ready for a lick-n-wipe at a moments notice and I failed my child. Honestly, I think he would prefer the food on his face to the lick-n-wipe. That's only because the lick-n-wipe is just gross (although necessary on occasion). Moving right along...
Here he is with his teachers Ms. Shanna and Ms. Amber. I think he has a crush of sorts on Ms. Amber. It's pretty funny. He just likes her "SO" much.
Taylor goes to Challenger School (that's the name). It's practically impossible to forget the school name because they throw it around so much. For instance, they sing a song with these words included, "Every day is a happier day when you're learning the Challenger way." Because learning any other way is miserable... And they have apparently cornered the market on sitting with arms and legs crossed. They call it "challenger arms" and "challenger legs". Seriously. We'll be at home and Taylor will tell Sara to "sit on her challengers". Right. It just makes me laugh. And laugh some more. It really is a great school. Taylor has loved it. Like I said, I just have to laugh. And then never send another child there again for fear we may go bankrupt.
Sara won't be going to Challenger and she won't be learning the Challenger way. We'll have to see how that goes. Somehow I think she will turn out to be a productive member of her kindergarten class despite never "laughing and living and learning the Challenger way." It really is a shame you can't hear the tune and sing along with me.
After a closer look at this darling picture of him, I noticed that he has Arby's sauce by his mouth. Dang it! I made every effort to put him in a nice shirt for his program. I left the house early to pick him up some lunch and then forgot to make sure he wasn't "bringing his lunch with him to school" so to speak. I have my thumb good and ready for a lick-n-wipe at a moments notice and I failed my child. Honestly, I think he would prefer the food on his face to the lick-n-wipe. That's only because the lick-n-wipe is just gross (although necessary on occasion). Moving right along...
Here he is with his teachers Ms. Shanna and Ms. Amber. I think he has a crush of sorts on Ms. Amber. It's pretty funny. He just likes her "SO" much.
Taylor goes to Challenger School (that's the name). It's practically impossible to forget the school name because they throw it around so much. For instance, they sing a song with these words included, "Every day is a happier day when you're learning the Challenger way." Because learning any other way is miserable... And they have apparently cornered the market on sitting with arms and legs crossed. They call it "challenger arms" and "challenger legs". Seriously. We'll be at home and Taylor will tell Sara to "sit on her challengers". Right. It just makes me laugh. And laugh some more. It really is a great school. Taylor has loved it. Like I said, I just have to laugh. And then never send another child there again for fear we may go bankrupt.
Sara won't be going to Challenger and she won't be learning the Challenger way. We'll have to see how that goes. Somehow I think she will turn out to be a productive member of her kindergarten class despite never "laughing and living and learning the Challenger way." It really is a shame you can't hear the tune and sing along with me.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Operation Sponge Curlers
Sara has now officially had her first full-head, sleep on them all night encounter with sponge curlers. I bought the curlers earlier that day and it was all she could talk about the entire day. She dragged them everywhere, wanted to take them to the neighbors, open them, count them, touch them. Needless to say, she was super excited to get these curlers in.
Sometimes I wonder why I do things to myself like buy curlers for my daughter. It's a gesture that seems innocent enough but I should know by now that it just doesn't work that way. I was about to lose my mind trying to keep the curlers from being maimed and destroyed until after her bath. And her asking me all day- "is it time for a bath yet? can we put the curlers in now?" These are the kinds of things that will inevitably have me institutionalized one day. After her bath she sat so still and let me put them all in. She even slept in them without a complaint and had half of them pulled out before she even got to my bedroom the next morning. She was just too excited!
So anyway, here's some pictures of the big event. Hopefully she will continue to love them and we can curl her hair every once in a while... or every day with the excitment these curlers seem to be holding over this child.
She was disappointed that I didn't put the pink curlers in her hair but those ones were the biggest. In fact, next time I do this, I will only use the blue. The curls from the yellow curlers fell out far faster than the curls from the blue curlers. Just in case you wanted to know...
The sponge curlers were not only exciting to Sara, but to the entire family. All the kids had to be in the pictures. Taylor was the one who handed me each and every curler as I put them in Sara's hair and Livvy, well, I think she was trying to eat them. What a great bunch of helpers! Taylor even mentioned at one point that he wished he was a girl so that he could get sponge curlers put in. Right buddy. Don't say that too loud.
I'm slightly less motivated about everything in my pregnant state. That includes taking pictures (gasp). I had every intention of getting her picture that morning after we pulled the curlers out but unfortunately my level of motivation at that time of day is about -53. I finally pulled the camera out at about 9:00 that night, just before bed. Lovely. Although her hair was slightly crazy, I like how it stayed curly all day. And I didn't even put hair spray in her hair. A.ma.zing.
Sometimes I wonder why I do things to myself like buy curlers for my daughter. It's a gesture that seems innocent enough but I should know by now that it just doesn't work that way. I was about to lose my mind trying to keep the curlers from being maimed and destroyed until after her bath. And her asking me all day- "is it time for a bath yet? can we put the curlers in now?" These are the kinds of things that will inevitably have me institutionalized one day. After her bath she sat so still and let me put them all in. She even slept in them without a complaint and had half of them pulled out before she even got to my bedroom the next morning. She was just too excited!
So anyway, here's some pictures of the big event. Hopefully she will continue to love them and we can curl her hair every once in a while... or every day with the excitment these curlers seem to be holding over this child.
She was disappointed that I didn't put the pink curlers in her hair but those ones were the biggest. In fact, next time I do this, I will only use the blue. The curls from the yellow curlers fell out far faster than the curls from the blue curlers. Just in case you wanted to know...
The sponge curlers were not only exciting to Sara, but to the entire family. All the kids had to be in the pictures. Taylor was the one who handed me each and every curler as I put them in Sara's hair and Livvy, well, I think she was trying to eat them. What a great bunch of helpers! Taylor even mentioned at one point that he wished he was a girl so that he could get sponge curlers put in. Right buddy. Don't say that too loud.
I'm slightly less motivated about everything in my pregnant state. That includes taking pictures (gasp). I had every intention of getting her picture that morning after we pulled the curlers out but unfortunately my level of motivation at that time of day is about -53. I finally pulled the camera out at about 9:00 that night, just before bed. Lovely. Although her hair was slightly crazy, I like how it stayed curly all day. And I didn't even put hair spray in her hair. A.ma.zing.
Friday, May 16, 2008
St. George
I'm only a good 3 weeks behind in posting these pictures. That's long enough to qualify this post as a Flashback Friday. Our family went to St. George the last weekend in April to celebrate my dad's 60th Birthday. It was a weekend full of golfing, swimming, playing on the playground, eating, and basically doing nothing. Just what I needed!
I just think this picture of Dave and Livvy is cute (although when I take a closer look, her eyes are closed- dang it!) She loved the playground.
She mastered the slide and loved filling cups and buckets with sand. At one point she even tried drinking the sand. Yeah...that didn't last too long.
Taylor had a great time shooting hoops with his cousin Ethan. Here he is with Ethan, Uncle Russ, and Uncle Alan.
Taylor posing at the playground.
Sara and grandpa at the pool.
We went on a little jaunt to the sand dunes in Snow Canyon. Taylor, Dave, and all the boys (okay, Kristina too) never pass up an opportunity to climb any and all rocks and rock formations.
Russ actually rock climbed the rock. Never a dull moment at our family functions...
Sara at the pool
Livvy at the pool.
She just looked so darn cute in this swimming suit.
Sara got new sunglasses for the trip. She is such a diva. She wore them all around the playground.
This is just another reason I love vacations- busy kids = tired kids. LOVE IT!
I just think this picture of Dave and Livvy is cute (although when I take a closer look, her eyes are closed- dang it!) She loved the playground.
She mastered the slide and loved filling cups and buckets with sand. At one point she even tried drinking the sand. Yeah...that didn't last too long.
Taylor had a great time shooting hoops with his cousin Ethan. Here he is with Ethan, Uncle Russ, and Uncle Alan.
Taylor posing at the playground.
Sara and grandpa at the pool.
We went on a little jaunt to the sand dunes in Snow Canyon. Taylor, Dave, and all the boys (okay, Kristina too) never pass up an opportunity to climb any and all rocks and rock formations.
Russ actually rock climbed the rock. Never a dull moment at our family functions...
Sara at the pool
Livvy at the pool.
She just looked so darn cute in this swimming suit.
Sara got new sunglasses for the trip. She is such a diva. She wore them all around the playground.
This is just another reason I love vacations- busy kids = tired kids. LOVE IT!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
X-Livvy (dun dun dun)
I have finally come to the conclusion that we will probably be visited someday by a strange man, asking to take Olivia away to a school for special kids. Not stupid kids. Just special ones. It appears that she has special powers. If the X-Men were to ever make another movie, she would most definitely have a starring role.
What are these special powers, you may ask? After much thought and a ginormous headache, I've decided that she fits in with the likes of Wolverine. No, I don't think her body is laced with steel- that would be silly...but rather pens, pencils, hi-liters, and markers. I am convinced that she can spontaneously produce any of these items from her finger tips and then retract them at will. This is the only explanation for the artwork I find daily on my walls, tables, couches, and of course, her very own body. I'm not kidding. Maybe we should sell her to the circus.
What are these special powers, you may ask? After much thought and a ginormous headache, I've decided that she fits in with the likes of Wolverine. No, I don't think her body is laced with steel- that would be silly...but rather pens, pencils, hi-liters, and markers. I am convinced that she can spontaneously produce any of these items from her finger tips and then retract them at will. This is the only explanation for the artwork I find daily on my walls, tables, couches, and of course, her very own body. I'm not kidding. Maybe we should sell her to the circus.
Monday, May 5, 2008
I'm still not writing off Velveeta
I just have to laugh (or cry and rip the magazine to shreds) when I read magazines promoting health and fitness, especially when I am pregnant. Like the time I read an article stating that ramen noodles are the worst possible food a pregnant woman can eat. Really? I recognize that there is no nutritional value going on there but the worst? Seriously people, that statement pretty much discredits the entire magazine for me.
My sister in law Natalie (who is a dietitian, by the way) once placed Velveeta in the category of "lard, plastic, bacon, & 7-11 hot dogs" and I have yet to see any hoity toity magazine writer put Velveeta on their 'do not eat' list. So I say to you stinkin' nutrtional blah blah blah column writers, you try being pregnant- dressing, feeding, and entertaining 3 other children and then tell me that ramen noodles are not okay to eat while pregnant. Occasionally the only cure to a screaming 3 year old is a pack of "curly noodles". For me it's a choice between eating the x-list noodles or eating nothing at all before I run out the door, late again, to pick up another child from a soccer game or preschool or whatever. I surrender to those darn noodles! When life hands you lemons, you make ramen noodles. These NYC magazine writers and editors need to visit planet reality every once in a while.
The other day I was sitting in the the doctor's office reading another magazine and came across an article suggesting that instead of eating an entire cupcake, why don't I eat just half? So what you are saying is that the dozen (or more) cupcakes (they didn't have frosting on them) I ate in the last two days wasn't a good idea? Hmm. Good thing I read this article. I'm pregnant for crying out loud! I'll eat whatever the heck I want - when I want it! And I only gained 1 pound that month anyway. That counts for something, doesn't it?
So there you have it. I have issues. I don't like people telling me what to eat. It's hard enough making sure I'm sleeping on my left side and dragging this big ole belly around. I haven't even gotten into the peeing 3 times in 10 minutes thing. Or the wonky belly button thing. Or the waking up 4 times a night to pee thing. Maybe that has something to do with the being so tired I can barely keep my eyes open thing.
Did I mention that I love being pregnant? Okay, really, it's great and all but I just don't like people telling me how to do it. There are so many things to worry about. Being a mama is hard. Whether they are in or out, the worries never stop. And when I think of my worries, I certainly don't need "ramen noodles" to be at the top of my list.
My sister in law Natalie (who is a dietitian, by the way) once placed Velveeta in the category of "lard, plastic, bacon, & 7-11 hot dogs" and I have yet to see any hoity toity magazine writer put Velveeta on their 'do not eat' list. So I say to you stinkin' nutrtional blah blah blah column writers, you try being pregnant- dressing, feeding, and entertaining 3 other children and then tell me that ramen noodles are not okay to eat while pregnant. Occasionally the only cure to a screaming 3 year old is a pack of "curly noodles". For me it's a choice between eating the x-list noodles or eating nothing at all before I run out the door, late again, to pick up another child from a soccer game or preschool or whatever. I surrender to those darn noodles! When life hands you lemons, you make ramen noodles. These NYC magazine writers and editors need to visit planet reality every once in a while.
The other day I was sitting in the the doctor's office reading another magazine and came across an article suggesting that instead of eating an entire cupcake, why don't I eat just half? So what you are saying is that the dozen (or more) cupcakes (they didn't have frosting on them) I ate in the last two days wasn't a good idea? Hmm. Good thing I read this article. I'm pregnant for crying out loud! I'll eat whatever the heck I want - when I want it! And I only gained 1 pound that month anyway. That counts for something, doesn't it?
So there you have it. I have issues. I don't like people telling me what to eat. It's hard enough making sure I'm sleeping on my left side and dragging this big ole belly around. I haven't even gotten into the peeing 3 times in 10 minutes thing. Or the wonky belly button thing. Or the waking up 4 times a night to pee thing. Maybe that has something to do with the being so tired I can barely keep my eyes open thing.
Did I mention that I love being pregnant? Okay, really, it's great and all but I just don't like people telling me how to do it. There are so many things to worry about. Being a mama is hard. Whether they are in or out, the worries never stop. And when I think of my worries, I certainly don't need "ramen noodles" to be at the top of my list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)