Coolest fort. . .

Last week we let the kids have a sleepover in the office/schoolroom. There was an enormous fort, with multiple rooms for each child. Lights, cd player (for listening to a story), a box of Lego pieces. . . It was a huge build for them, and a challenge to clean up the next day. They had a great time.
















Note to self, no more forts on school nights. It makes it tricky to work at the table when it is covered with blankets and books.

Oh what a new Lego box will do. . .

We began Caleb's 8th birthday celebration on Friday with a surprise trip to the newly opened Legoland Discovery Center in nearby Grapevine. He and the other kiss had a great time! Greg and I not so much, if we're being honest. Not the best value for the money.

For his gift from us, Caleb was able to spend some money in the gift shop at the Discovery Center - which he spent wisely. He came home with three different boxes and couldn't wait to begin building.

      

Upon our return home, he shared the building process with his brother and sister. Needless to say that he was disappointed that he had to go to bed without building everything!

Saturday morning arrived earlier than normal. . . The puppy was up and needing to go out. . . as I let her out, I heard a rustling sound from upstairs. Hmmm, I went to see what the sound was and found Caleb and Calvin on the floor in front of their bathroom sink, building a new Lego set! At 5:40 AM!!

I went back to bed and left them to it. Elise joined the group shortly after I departed and they all got along great for quite awhile. The afternoon brought some tired kids who didn't want to rest . . . but did, so as to not spoil Easter Sunday.

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

I am linking up again this week at http://www.ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/ .

This week I think I was able to have the button show properly.

Pretty

Happy

Funny

Real

The previous post was supposed to be linked up to http://www.ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/ as part of capturing the contentment in everyday life through the week.

Granted, I haven't sorted out how to actually link it. . . I will.

Pretty, happy, funny, real

Pretty girl. My only.





Happy. Ice cream!




Funny. Playing with photo apps. . .




Real.
Lunch and dinner prep, same counter, same time,
same cutting mat, same knife. I could get used to multitasking
like this everyday . . .

Dutch Baby, baby

This morning we somehow ran early and were more organized than usual. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that today's clothes and schoolwork were laid out last night and two thirds of the kids were already bathed.

Amazingly, I was able to get a Dutch Baby (pancake) into the oven before anyone was "starving". . . Proverbs were read, the meal was blessed, horrifying real enormous snake videos were enjoyed. Not. By. Me. I hate snakes. Truly. Deeply. Completely.

After cleaning up some of our powdered sugar laced breakfast - boys were dressed, schoolwork was started, remaining kiddo bathed and hair fixed for art lessons thus afternoon.

I was able to follow up on a few outstanding items, be available to help Greg, get myself ready, get lunches made, begin dinner prep work and get out the door mostly on time - scurrying only a little and inadvertently taking the soda that Greg had taken out for himself. Oops.

An actual french braid

I finally did it. I French braided Elise's hair. It didn't look too bad. She liked it and requested it for art class so that her hair won't get in her eyes!

"Tea"

Tuesday morning we made Pancakes for breakfast and French Toast!

Apparently the kids were hungry.

They had juice in Elise's tea set. We refilled the teapot again and again and again and again.

Geography at home

Today as part of vocabulary we were reading about the Lost City of the Incas. That brought out the globe and then prompted the hanging of the world map. Which in turn brought out the facts and landmarks cards. Big sister is giving information about the tallest peak in Africa in this picture.

The joys and rabbit trails of homeschooling!

50 pounds of bread flour

I finally did something that I've been thinking about for some time. . . Purchased a fifty pound bag of bread flour at Costco. You know to go with the bread machine that was hand delivered to our home in Austin by some giggly teenage girls. .

I have been making bread and dough for cinnamon rolls. Still trying to perfect those rolls. Want them to be done, but not too done.

On our second date since we moved to a the Dallas metroplex we went to a cool burger place called the Twisted Root Burger Company.
Then we visited The Container Store and found an airtight container on wheels (ok, casters) to hold all of that flour!

It was fun washing that huge container without making a huge mess!

So far it has worked very well - I can roll the flour to the bread machine from the pantry and not get flour everywhere (not that I ever make a mess. . .)






Calvin helped me take some pictures.












- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Most fun on a date. . .

We had a great time on our date last night! It was a beautiful Texas evening and the weather was fine. After making some stops to check out our new surroundings further we stopped for a "SmashBurger" - can't say that it was amazing, but it was nourishment. The amazingness came next when we decided to go to "race car track". . .

We did some drag racing and some slick track racing.
The drag racing was fun, except on my first trip down the track my sandal heel got caught under the gas pedal. Whoops! Needless to say I didn't beat Greg that time, or any of the times for that matter. Even with a car that didn't work well he beat me!
Next we drove the slick track cars. So much fun! I was cracking myself up! There weren't any other women on the track. I was sliding around and having a great time. Ok, so I ran into a couple of people and the walls. I was having fun! Once, when Greg was getting ready to lap me I tore around a curve and my purse flew off of my lap onto the track - aaagghhhh! Greg came to the rescue, stopped to pick it up for me, lost one position in the race (because he pays attention to that sort of thing) and went on to beat the guy he had been racing, all the while holding my purse.

What fun!

We ended our date night by watching the "Social Network" at home. We enjoyed it.

Getting Settled

We have been in our new home for a little over a week and are almost completely unpacked. We pushed hard to get it done quickly as we had my folks visit shortly after we moved in and have guests coming beginning next week. The Narnia closet as my closet has been named needs help, as does Elise's room. My mom helped Elise put clothes away - but little girls have lots of special things that need a home. . .
Top of the list to get done is organize Greg's closet and my sewing desk. Oh and purge the garage of boxes, trash collected during the unpacking and giveaway items.
This house already feels like home. We are thankful for that!
Looking forward to getting back to school on Monday.

Am I the only one?

When Greg is away, which thankfully isn't often, I like to make food that he doesn't love, but that I do.
(How's that for a run-on sentence?)

For instance the other night I made of my childhoodish favorites - PoTuna's - at least that is what my Mom called them.

Bake a potato or potatoes - using whatever form of heat you prefer - I like the good ol' microwave.

After potatoes are done, cut them in half longwise and carefully scoop out the insides, preserving the nice boat shape without tearing the skin. Then mash the potatoes with a can of tuna, some green onion (chopped) or regular onion (diced), some sour cream, some shredded cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Top with a bit of shredded cheese.

Then reheat (this time in an oven) until warmed through and the cheese on top is thoroughly melted, maybe even browned.

Enjoy!

Our new favorite cookies . . .

The day after Christmas, after church we hit Barnes and Noble to get Christmas Cards for this year - so that Christmas doesn't sneak upon me once again. I no longer want to be "weighed, measured and found wanting" in the Christmas card department. Greg saved the day - again.

We also found a great new cookbook while we were there: "The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook" ! Guess what? The folks at America's Test Kitchen have done a tasty makeover on Chocolate Chip Cookies . . .

They are a bit labor intensive for a non baker like me - but are surely worth the effort.
Though I must say that 18 cookies don't go very far around here!
Oh and I received a very special clear glass cookie jar from Calvin for Christmas - not that he was hinting or anything.




Chocolate Chip Cookies
MAKES about 18 cookies

Avoid using a nonstick skillet to brown the butter; the dark color of the nonstick coating makes it difficult to gauge when the butter is browned. In order for the cookies to spread and brown properly, it is important to bake them one sheet at at time."

1 cup (5 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed (3 1/2 ounces) dark brown sugar
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl.

2. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in an 8-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is dark golden brown and has a nutty aroma, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the browned butter to a large bowl and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter until completely melted.

3. Whisk the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla into the melted butter until incorporated. Whisk in the egg until the mixture is smooth with no lumps, about 30 seconds. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes, then whisk vigorously 30 seconds. Repeat this process of resting and whisking twice more until the mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Stir in the flour mixture and 6 tablespoons of the chips until combined.

4. Working with 1 heaping tablespoon of dough at a time, roll the dough into balls and lay them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 1/2 inches apart. Press the remaining 2 tablespoons chips into the tops of the cookies.

5. Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, until the edges are set and beginning to brown but the centers are still soft, puffy, and underdone, 8 to 11 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through baking. I bake mine 4 minutes, turn and bake 5 more for a total of 9 minutes.

6. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then serve warm or transfer to a wire rack and let cook completely.

PER COOKIE: Cal 120; Fat 5g; Sat Fat 3.5g; Chol 20mg; Carb 18g; Protein 2g; Fiber 1g; Sodium 90mg

To Make Ahead
The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for about 2 days (lowfat cookies stale quickly). Alternatively, the dough can be shaped into balls (reserved chips pressed on top) and frozen on a baking sheet or large plate; once frozen, the cookies can be transferred to a large zipper-lock bag for easy storage. To bake arrange the frozen cookies (do not thaw) on two large parchment-lined baking sheets and bake as directed, increasing baking time to 13 to 16 minutes.

Recommended Reading

Back in November I received an email from Veritas Press that included the following essay . . . it was something that I needed to read the day it came! I read it and re-read it. I cried. I know - you may think I don't cry. I do. Ask Greg. I sent the essay to some of my sister in laws and a friend or two.


Christmas Day I bought the book for my Kindle and have been reading and re-reading it. Rachel's words have been an encouragement to me.


Try this one on -

"In the Rock Tumbler" from Loving the Little Years

I remember a time when I used to be much godlier. It was sometime in junior high and my room was clean. It must have been beautiful weather outside because the lighting was very nice in my room where I was reading my Bible every day and feeling really good. It was quite clear to me that my sanctification was progressing very well. As the feeling wore off, I remember looking back to that time as a high point. That was really living the Christian life.

The truth is my Christian life then was like a rock being refined by a slow river in a quiet place. It wasn't as though I wasn't growing spiritually, but my word! So easily! And so little!

But God took me out of that life and threw me into the rock tumbler. Here, it is not so easy to feel godly, because we spend our days crashing into each other and actually getting our problems addressed. Here there is very little time for quiet reflection. I do a lot of on-the-job failure and correction. Repenting and forgiving. Laughing. Lots and lots of laughing. Because if there is anything that life in the rock tumbler will teach you, it is that there is no room to take yourself seriously. Like trying to strike "cool" poses on a rug that someone is continually pulling out from under you, self-seriousness in mothering is totally pointless and probably painful!

The opportunities for growth and refinement abound here-but you have to be willing. You have to open your heart to the tumble. As you deal with your children, deal with yourself always and first. This is what it looks like and feels like to walk with God, as a mother.

God treats us with great kindness as we fail daily. He takes the long view of our sin-knowing that every time we fail and repent, we grow in our walk with Him. It is easy for us to accept this, because our sins are, well, ours.

But our children sin against us, annoy us, and mess up our stuff. We want to hold it against them, complain about them (if only to ourselves), and feel put upon by their sin. We have a much harder time accepting that every failure from them is a wonderful opportunity for repentance and growth and not an opportunity for us to exact penance.

It is no abstract thing-the state of your heart is the state of your home. You cannot harbor resentment secretly toward your children and expect their hearts to be submissive and tender. You cannot be greedy with your time and expect them to share their toys. And perhaps most importantly, you cannot resist your opportunities to be corrected by God and expect them to receive correction from you.

God has given us the job of teaching His law and demonstrating His grace. We are to be guides to our children as they learn to walk with God.

Sin is just a fact of life. It is the way we deal with it that changes ours.


Rachael Jankovic

Rachel Jankovic has five children under the age of 6, including a set of 2-year-old twins. Loving the Little Years is a slender book of short essays that presents an honest and sometimes funny glimpse into her life and the wisdom she's learned in the trenches.

I heartily recommend "Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches" by Rachel Jankovic

You may also like: 
http://www.feminagirls.com/2010/08/19/a-spirited-rider

My boy taking dominion

I love this picture!

Thanksgiving Road trip - better late than never.

In November we had a road trip to Nebraska to visit our nephew Coleman, his wife and their two little girls. We are traveled with Greg's Mom. As she is not able to climb stairs, Greg and his brother devised a plan to get her up into our coach so that we could bring her with us while she was visiting us in the Great State of Texas. Come to think of it she spent more days out of Texas, than in during this trip.

The first day we traveled to Sequoyah State Park near Wagoner, Oklahoma. The next day Greg was able to take his Mom into Broken Arrow to visit with her older sister, Kay. They hadn't seen one another in 18 years. The kids and I stayed at the campground and walked down to the lake twice. The kids enjoyed playing along the shoreline, picking up rocks, finding freshwater clams, watching geese fly in over the lake, pretending that the sailboat off in the distance was the one from "Tommy Boy" . . .

On Sunday, we traveled to Bellevue, Nebraska. After getting Mom settled and gathering up Sister Sue who was here to meet her newest granddaughter (born on Friday). We took Sister Sue out to the campground with us for the night, as Mom took the room she had been in. The house was full. Pamela, her boys and her folks were all there.

Monday brought a trip to the airport for Greg and 5 loads of laundry for me. We gathered with everyone for dinner and then headed back to the campground 40 minutes away. About midnight the furnace in the coach began making strange noises. We ended up having to turn the heater off and use the ceramic heater to heat the coach. We set an alarm to be sure that it wasn't getting too cold. When we woke up on Tuesday morning it was 40 degrees inside the coach. Brrrrrrrrr. We bought a better heater at Walmart and got the coach heater working properly again. I am thankful for heaters, especially while winter camping.

We were able to spend some time with Coleman and Mina bowling on Tuesday. What fun to watch a 2 year old bowl! Bowling on base is sure fun and inexpensive. Plus the beer was tasty!

Greg gathered his bother from the airport in the evening after a nacho feast. When we got back to the coach it was nice and warm.

Wednesday was a lazy day to begin with, then morphed into errands in order to prep the brine for two turkeys. We found an electric deep fryer in our travels, which we decided to try.
The brine turned out well. . . Smelled amazing. Tasted salty. . . :)
Dinner out with 8 people somehow did not go as smoothly as it did previously. Greg ended up getting KFC on the way home from a wing place. Go figure.

Thanksgiving Day began with a hustle bustle of getting the coach road ready and over to Coleman's to get the bird into the deep fryer. Success! Fantastic bird. We have grazed all day. Watched movies, played games( if so inclined ), more games, more fudge ,more rolled salami with cream cheese and peppercini. Yum.

After feasting and playing we loaded Mom up and headed to the nearest Walmart - as we do on some trips - to sleep before heading out early in the morning. We did this not thinking at all about "Black Friday." When we got to Walmart we noticed that the parking lot was nearly full. Hmmmm. What? Oh, Black Friday. It was about 11:30 p.m. and the sales began at Midnight. Being the adventurous folks that we are, we put the kids to bed, told Mom she was in charge of them and headed in.

What an experience we had. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the people with heaping full carts navigate through crowds of other heaping full carts. At the beginning we didn't have a cart and found ourselves going places those with carts could not.. Fun! We were amazed a the sheer volume of stuff - and people - and stuff. We found some good deals on Christmas gifts for the kids -and realized we were going to need a cart. I found an abandoned one in the pet section :). We found the sheriff's gun set that Calvin really really wanted for Christmas.  . . We waited in line a long time. The lady in front of us was trying to pull one over on the checker - it didn't work. We checked out and took our purchases out to the coach and tried to get some sleep before hitting the road.

Friday morning we left early for Oklahoma - as we had a dinner invitation to Greg's cousin's home with Aunt Kay. We arrived in the late afternoon, enjoyed dinner, conversation and a great domino game called Spinners. Saturday morning we left early and made it home to Austin in the afternoon. By Sunday afteroon we owned our own copy of Spinners. If you are ever in our neck of the woods - let's play!

Winter Camping

This weekend we are camping in Hickory Creek Park on the shores of Lewisville Lake right outside of Dallas, Texas. We arrived on Thursday evening to find the gates locked. Tight. Apparently this campground closes at 10 p.m. and they don't mess around. We had to park the coach and sleep at the gate until 6 a.m. when the office reopened. I spoke with the woman in the office first thing Friday morning. She wondered when our reservation began? I explained that we had reservations beginning Thursday evening and arrived after the gate was locked. She said "then your spot should be empty." I then asked if it would be ok to head on in and she replied "whenever you feel it's a good time." We try to be good neighbors in a campground and 6 am is a little early to be rolling in - so we waited a little longer before heading in to our site. The sun rise was spectacular. I don't know that I've seen one so brilliant before. Greg captured it on his phone camera, I'll have to see if I can get a copy.

It is a beautiful campground. It is the first time that we've had snow that stuck around awhile during a camping trip. The kids spotted a rabbit near a grove of trees - trying to blend in and not stick out in the white snow. They also spotted some red cardinals. This afternoon they played out in the snow - thanks to Dad - who bought them some coats last night - because in my flurry of getting ready in an afternoon - I missed some big things - like Winter Coats and our space heater. Aaggghhh. and the tabasco. Different story.
Anyhow, the kids played out in the snow a few different times, got wet and cold, went through mutliple pair of pants and socks . . . and had a great time. Cold red hands brought it all to an end.
Then we spent some time munching on chips and rotel chili queso and played Mexican train. Fun!

The other night, Greg had the dog out and heard something rustling about, brought the dog back in. Went back out with a flashlight to see what it was . . . and lo and behold it was a real LIVE armadillo. We have never seen a live armadillo. Lots of dead ones on the road. Now we've seen a live one, scurrying across the campground - hopefully it wasn't hit by a car.

We will head back to Austin in the morning and get the coach unloaded and cleaned. Back to life, school and whatever happens next!