In the Christmas Spirit...

It's Christmas Break.  No school, no gymnastics, no commitments.  Shopping is done (WOW I know).  House is decorated. We are ready.  So what to do with two highly active, talkative, inquisitive kids?  Keep them busy.  So far this week we have made it to two Bounce Houses, the Park, Grandma's House, kept several friends, saw Alvin and the Chipmunks, been to a basketball game-and it's only Wednesday....BUT my most favorite was decorating Christmas cookies.  A tradition I have somewhat overlooked.  As much as I don't want to admit it, back in my working days I don't remember ever doing this.  Have I been missing out or what!!!  We had a great time, it even inspired our Elf, Newton.  My cookies are actually homemade, which is a first, and they were really good!  Most importantly - my kids had a BLAST.  It really is the little things in life that matter.

Layered Tacos

Anybody else wonder what in the heck to do with ground beef?  After so many spaghetti dinners I had to create something not out of the norm, but at least slightly different and not hard at all.  My husband as well as the kids love it, so it's become one of my what-can-I-pull-out-of-the-pantry-that's-easy dinners.

1 lb lean ground beef
1 pack of taco seasoning
1 can black beans (or kidney...or whatever you like)
1 can corn (or frozen corn) and ps I had none tonight...
1 can diced tomatoes
tortillas
Cheese. (I never know the amount because I just pile it on)

**EXTRAS: Sour Cream (you can never have enough sour cream), salsa, red pepper flakes, whatever else you like on a taco.

Preheat the oven to 350.
Brown your beef.
Add taco seasoning and simmer according to directions on packet.
Add beans, corn, and tomatoes.
Simmer for a bit.
In whatever dish your tortillas fit in, layer the tortillas, beef concoction, cheese, and repeat.
Put in oven until cheese is melted.
SERVE UP!

I am no Pioneer Woman, but here are a few pics....

The Elf on the Shelf

The Elf has been mentioned before, but he's been very busy so I thought it would be worth discussing further.  With only one week away until Christmas, Newton is having to really come up with some new fresh ideas every night, which can be tiring.  However, he seems to be keeping us quite entertained as you can see below.  I'm kind of worried what life will be like once he leaves us...



Love

1 Corinthians 13:7-8 () 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

For the Love of Reading

I love to read, I always have.  And tonight was special for me because I was able to read my kids two of my childhood favorites.  It doesn't get much better than that, right??  I still have the hardcovers, thanks to my Mom who saved them all for me.  These two are classics if you ask me, and I hope they are still around when my kids have kids.

Photo Inspiration

I have always had a passion for architecture and design.  As I kid I created hundreds of blueprints for homes I imagined I would live in.  One of my favorite things to do (and still is) was to walk through new construction houses with my Dad, who happens to be an architect himself.   While I won't be drawing up any real plans (I think math has to be involved and some other skills I may lack...), I can certainly enjoy what others have done and learn from them when it comes to my own home.

I have a favorite site that I visit frequently - ericrothphotography.com.  I love this site.  Eric Roth's collection of photos are incredible and inspiring.  While kitchens and living rooms may bore many, I find it fascinating.  From contemporary to traditional, he does it all. Below are a couple of my favorites of today.

Amazing photos.  Eric Roth, if you ever need an assistant, I am available.

Our Elf Newton

How much fun is Elf on the Shelf?  Just ask my kids - Newton, our Elf, made his grand appearance this morning.  As you can see, he looks like trouble, already getting into the cookies.  I love the Elf, he is bringing us so much joy and magic this season.  Especially for Aidan, who is getting such a kick out of Newton.  McKenzie, on the other hand, said duh Mommy you put the Elf on the table with the cookies.   After a moment of shock (because obviously it wasn't me) I straightened her out regarding Santa's magical powers.  Can't wait to see what Newt does tonight!

Is it Already December?!?

Back in my "real job" working days, I knew the day of the week, day of the month, how many hours left until 5:00, how many days until my next vacation day....you get the picture.  Time is now different for me.  While I thought that maybe life would slow down (and it some ways it has) the time still seems to fly by.  Most of the time now though I don't know what day of the week it is or if it's the first of the month or middle of the month.  So my point is I have neglected my blog already and now it's already December.  So I am just going to do a quick recap.

I completed my very first 5k, and RAN the WHOLE way (yes we are decked out for Halloween, we even had capes)!!!  I did think I was going to die at one point, and probably would have slithered off the trail and gone home had my sister-in-law Sara not been there.  But she was encouraging and patient (when she really probably wanted to leave me in the dust, I'm sure she doesn't understand how one can run so slow and get so out of breath so very quickly) so I finished it.  The pictures don't lie!  And while I am glad I did it, I will never do one again nor pretend that I like running. 

Halloween and Thanksgiving have come and gone.  Halloween was fun, I actually made McKenzie's costume this year (I know I know I am awesome) and Aidan was Bumblebee.  Thanksgiving was a lot of fun with the family but a little too much turkey, booze, and Black Friday-ness, and then a little too much fam...needless to say it took me a good four days to recover.  Aidan also starred in a Thanksgiving day play...so much fun to watch a bunch of K5 kids put on a production.

We also had Aidan's 6th birthday (still getting over the fact that I have a 6 year old) - we partied for an entire week at school, home, and the BOUNCE HOUSE.  It really brought me a lot of joy to be able to have a birthday party for him this year, we usually do a family thing but I guess we've hit that point of no return where a "real" birthday party is necessary.  He was in heaven, so I was too.

So there you have it, just a glimpse. 

Angry Birds

My take on an angry bird...pretty good huh.  Yep, I am proud of that one.

Words to live by...

Philippians 4:6-7 () 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Spinx 5K

Really excited about this...I am going to run a 5K in October (aaaghhh!).  Since one of my goals when I left my job was to be more active, I have been going to classes at the Y and have met a lot of really great women.  One of them inspired me to actually participate in a 5K, which for all you runners is small potatoes (do I say small potatoes?) but for me is a BIG deal!  When I started running a couple months back I could not even make it half a mile without dying and having to stop.  I can now run 3 miles fairly easily, so I have changed my goal to running the 3 miles faster and harder.  As long as I can stay motivated (some days that is really really hard!!!) then the 5K is definitely doable.  

I have another motivating factor, my sister-in-law.  Sara is an avid runner who has done several races, including full marathons (why anyone would want to run 26 miles is beyond me) so this is just a little walk in the park for her.  SO I have to be in tip top shape so I can hopefully keep up with her (that = beat her, not that it's a competition)  It should be fun.  Oh, and you get to run into the Drive stadium which was another reason I wanted to sign up, who wouldn't want to feel like a champ being cheered on into a stadium?? 

Here's the link...

http://www.spinxrunfest.com/spinx/SRF_Welcome_2.html

Pasta Salad....Yum!

MY PASTA SALAD

Over the years I have tried many pasta salads and have come up with my version of a very interchangeable, easy, delicious salad that is always a crowd pleaser.  The best thing about any pasta salad is that you can really make it your own, taking out ingredients you don't like and adding ones you do.  Here's what I do:

*A box or so of tri-colored rotini
*Some Wishbone Italian Balsamic dressing
*Fresh mozzarella (the good kind) - a lot of cheese is always better
*Hormel turkey pepperoni in the bag (they now come in little mini sizes - perfect for salads!!!)  A lot of this is good too.
*Chopped up
    broccoli
    cherry tomatoes
    carrots
    cucumbers
    onions
*a little can of sliced olives
*Salt & Pepper to taste

Enjoy...it is good!

Just a little somethin' funny

So...this is where we are sending Aidan to elementary school.  He's going to be a great speller...we are so excited ;) !!

My 15 and 13 year olds...oh wait...they are only 5 and 3

So this morning was very exciting.  I had my very first Room Mother Meeting at Woodland Elementary.  (The whole reason I quit my job was to be Room Mom, ha!)

This meant parking and walking in rather than the usual dropping Aidan off in the morning car line.  Well apparently Aidan has become aware that hanging around his mom is not cool, and made that very clear.  He asked me over and over why I had to go in at the same time as him and could I please not walk near him.  Really ?!?!  I thought I still had some time before my 5 yr old used his lunch box to hide his face so that the other kids wouldn't see him with his mom.  I guess I was wrong.

And then there's McKenzie, my 3 yr old going on 13.  She changes her outfit at least five times a day and loves her nails painted.  Her clothes must match, she must buckle herself in, and some of the things she says - WOW.  I need to write them down (I always think I will remember and then immediately forget) because they blow me away. 

So they grow up fast is all I am trying to say.  I am trying really hard to enjoy every moment (although McKenzie screaming at the top of her lungs for M&Ms in the grocery store doesn't always make it easy). 

No matter what, I am extremely blessed.

I QUIT! Let the Summer Begin!

So this is how my summer started...I FINALLY quit my job to stay at home with my kids.  And gain back a little sanity...which was more than necessary.  After 5 years of trying to do it all I gave up.  And I don't regret it one bit (see how happy I am?)

 

So for three months I have gotten to take Aidan and McKenzie to the pool, the YMCA, the library, clean my house (yes I somewhat quit cleaning when I was working) and it has been incredible.  I am really blessed and feel like focusing on my family is more important than anything else.  Including money.

Aidan has started Kindergarten at Woodland Elementary - he describes it as "awesome" - and I get to take him and pick him up every day.  Which is SO important to me.


Not sure where this blog will go (maybe nowhere...I don't have a great history with these things) but I hope to keep it up. We will see.