Dishing it up

Monday
Eggplant Parmesan
Whole wheat spaghetti
Salad


Tuesday
Ham
Yams
Buttered Noodles
Spinach Salad

Wednesday
Kung Pao Tofu
Brown Rice
Salad

Thursday
Shepherd's Pie
[I didn't have enough carrots, so I used carrots, asparagus, celery, and yellow squash. All mashed. One way to sneak in a lot of veggies, and it was really tasty!]
Spinach Salad

Friday
Appetizer Night!
Chicken Wings
Corn Dog Nuggets
Mozzarella Sticks
[Not very healthy, but kind of fun.]

Pondering

It's another snow day. Another three day weekend. Can you say "Stir Crazy?"

So, I am pondering what we can do to keep our sanity around here today. And do something a little more exciting than pick at Avery's cradle cap [Sad to say that was the high point of our morning.] And, pondering a lot of other random things, too.

Like:
Why is the freezing temperature of lemonade concentrate so low? The stuff is never frozen when I take it out of the freezer.

Where did all of the crumbs on the kitchen floor come from? I swept before bed last night and woke to crumbs. Has the cat been making toast?

Where did all of the stuffed animals that are presently picnicking on my living room floor from? Have they been procreating when I wasn't paying attention? Perhaps they need better chaperons.

Even though it is cold in here, why is there a refusal to put clothes on little bodies? And why does this tendency toward nudity not seem to impact my level of laundry? I am still drowning in it.

In fact, I better go do a few loads and try to make a game out of folding and putting away clothes. Sounds like a blast, doesn't it?

Twofold

Because you can't wear pink ALL the time.

And because baby sweatpants are so ridiculous they're cute.

Tuesday...

... is the new Monday. At least it feels that way around here. Back at the grind after our second three day weekend. First was Presidents Day and yesterday was a Teacher In Service Day. 

I cleaned [and hid clutter] like a mad woman to prepare for a play date and Mom tea with a new friend for Chase [And possibly me?] I didn't want to scare them off! The visit went just fine and we managed to keep things pretty tidy until dinner time.

Then  I went to the grocery store and left Mark home with the 3 girls. He did bath time with the girls while I was gone. It was apparently followed by "Let's play tornado." The girls created a whirlwind mess while Mark held a crying baby.  Once I got home, I was too tired to do anything but help toss the older girls in bed and head off to nurse Avery and get some sleep myself.

I woke up early today and was unable to fall back asleep, so I got up did dishes, folded laundry, and reclaimed the living room.

Do you think anyone but me noticed later this morning? Or that they might notice later today?

Not holding my breath. But at least I get to come home from work today to an almost tidy house.

Smiles

I smile.

I really do. But catching it in a picture. Oh so hard!

 Did you catch it?

  Not quite? I'll try again.

  Did you get it that time?

 I give up. Nap time.

Ice Palace

Here is the Ice Palace that was built yesterday on our front lawn.

You know that you want one too!  Here are some tips on making your very own Ice Palace.

Shovel snow into recycling bins and kitchen buckets.

Stamp down the snow.

Add lighting.

Enjoy with your Prince Charming [who will follow-up the construction with an Epsom Salt bath - his back will hurt.]

 

Dishing it up

Monday
Grandma Jean's Lasagna [Thank you Mom!]
Salad

Tuesday
Tuna "Crab" Cakes

[Chase initially refused to eat with us, told me she was having Pierogis. While these were cooking she said she wanted to try them. And she ate one and told me she loved it. I used Fat Free Miracle Whip instead of Mayo]
Rice Pilaf
Salad

Wednesday
Avery was a fussy girl. Leftovers to the rescue.
Lasagna Leftovers [Thanks again Mom!]
Salad

Thursday
Spinach Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Caps
Parmesan Asparagus
Salad

Friday
Chinese

Saturday
Chick fil a
The cow was walking around but the girls refused to take a picture with him. They were too busy playing in the play room [or they thought he was a little creepy.] Tuckered them out and came home to an easy bedtime.

Sunday
Chicken Soft Tacos
Beans

Week in Review

It's been a crazy week. My first official back at work week. And a busy one at that.

Monday
Was President's Day and we were healthy enough to head over to Lorie's and meet baby Grant for the first time. It was good to sit and visit with a friend. Even if our children were determined to make it difficult for us. That is one of their jobs.

But we couldn't end our day on a high note. Oh no. We capped our day off with a visit to the urgent care. Chase had a severe allergic reaction to her earrings and started gushing blood from her ears. We couldn't get it to stop on our own. Hence the urgent care. In a bad snow storm--the kind where you slide through stop signs even when you were only going about 10 MPH tops and gave yourself half a block to stop--with a screaming child in the back seat [Chase cried so hard that she gave herself freckles--okay, it was actually petechiae, but freckles sounds cuter.]

Tuesday
Officially back at work. First time that Avery had been left with anyone for any time over an hour. She was apparently a perfect and charming girl. Took the Haberman Feeder [just like her sisters, she refuses a bottle, but takes a Haberman with no complaints.]

I stepped into a busy week and got the news that I would be the Primary Proofreader for the week and got a big project with a tight deadline. It feels great to feel like I am still needed. After 7 weeks there is that fear that they have gotten along without you for so long that they won't want you anymore. They greeted me with a birthday cake [Since I was on leave over my birthday] Of course I know that they all need very little excuse  to have food. Even so, I will forgive them for the candles that wouldn't blow out and thank them for the sugar.

Wednesday
Started my day with a two hour conference call. Then headed out to the library. Valentines was extended. Ellis had her big library story time party. Too much sugar. Had a major meltdown in the stacks. Not sure if it is a blessing or a curse that they know us so well there.

Managed to squeeze in a trip to the grocery store and then had to work on my project. Ellis played so quietly and nicely that I didn't realize the extent of the chaos she created. Between the trail of dress-up clothing and the Little People Urban Sprawl, it could be some time before I see several of my floors again.

And in the evening Avery became a fuss-budget. She would not let me put her down.[Well, I suppose that I could have anyway, but we have a little issue right now with Chase being "helpful." This has included carrying the baby down the steps to find me when she was crying. YIKES. Hopefully the baby survives her sister's care and concern.] Thank goodness for leftovers. 

Thursday
Found me back in the office. Realizing that I need to add a trip to Lowes to agenda. The glass door of my office does not exactly provide the privacy one would want for pumping. This week I propped my large dry erase board against the door, but it didn't work particularly well.

And in the evening Avery decided to continue the fussiness. I even tried the old "drive around in the car" trick. It was a no-go. But on the positive note, when we got back the older girls were asleep already and I was able to crawl in bed with the baby and nurse and just have quiet time. Avery responded very well to that. I think the craziness that goes on at our house with dinner, bath time and bedtime may be a little overwhelming for her. I know that it is for me.

Friday
And now it is Friday. I woke up with a runny nose and a cough. And I am still on proofing duty [but note that I am not proofing my own blog.]. And I would like to find a few of my floors. And start to catch up on some of the laundry. And I have a meeting this afternoon at Chase's school to discuss the activities that I will be helping with during my weekly hour of volunteering [more on that later.]

And...

I'll let you know how that all works out.

Or doesn't.

Saturday Night

It's another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody* [yes, the girls are finally asleep and the hubby is in Austin, TX to run the Marathon] 

But I have had my fill of everybody this evening. So, I am basking in the silence.

What I should be doing is trying to reclaim the living room from the failed camp out attempt this evening. Both Chase and Ellis informed me that they were sleeping on the couch. Someone made a pile of colored toothpicks on the middle of the floor. Is that a campfire? And then Chase guzzled some lemonade and promptly spewed it, and her dinner, onto the couch cushion. Of course this all happened while I was otherwise engaged in my room, nursing the baby. Now Ellis is in her bed and Chase is in my bed. Seriously debating where I will place my head tonight.

I will probably go turn on the TV. I feel obligated to watch the Olympics, even if I am lacking the spirit. I made it through part of the Parade of Nations last night and was most curious about the woman skier from Iran. It looked like she was in a chador under her ski jacket. Wondering how that translates to the slopes. And, I shed a few tears for the Georgia team that lost a team mate in the morning. What a damper to the games.

But, I may just inhale deeply the three red roses that Mark gave me for Valentine's [One for each of my little "roses"], go kiss the real ones good night one last time [the are so sweet when they are asleep. I have to stare at them when they are sleeping so I can remember that sweetness during those times that I want to string them up by their toes], and find myself a cozy corner to read a book and get some sleep before the tiny dictator makes her presence known and demands her midnight snack.


*Lyric by Sam Cooke

Dishing it up

Monday
Pot Roast
Mushroom Rice Pilaf
Salad

Tuesday
Dijon Salmon
Super Skillet Side Dish
Yellow Carrots and Navy Beans and Spinach with Garlic Sauce
Salad

Wednesday
Chicken and Rice Bake
Salad

Thursday
Whole Wheat Pasta and Marinara
Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs
[In the past I had made some using the Boca crumble recipe, but we didn't like them at all. These were acutually very tasty and I will get them again.]
Salad

Friday
Popcorn Chicken
Broccoli
Cheesy Rice

Frenzy

This morning I was in a baking frenzy.

Tonight is the Daisy Scout Valentine Party.  Chase wanted Daisies on each brownie, but the squares seemed a little small for trying to do a lot of details. So here is my compromise.

Then I started on the cupcakes for tomorrow's Valentine Party. I made pink cupcakes with vanilla frosting and white cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Overall, I am pretty happy with my efforts!
 

Charm

They say that the third time is the charm.  I certainly hope so. 

I spent a good chunk of my day at the dentist's. Most of that waiting to be squeezed in to have the filling that was done in December, and then January, fixed AGAIN. This  time a tiny small piece chipped out. Not the whole filling. Still?!

As tempted as I was to find a new dentist to fix it - well, who wants to pay again for something that was already paid for?

This one tooth is apparently trying to make up for the fact that it was only my third cavity ever [One during each pregnancy.]  I do not want to be doing this again in March. Enough is enough.

Music Stopped

Somewhere around 3am the round of musical beds came to a halt. Chase and Ellis were in my bed, Avery and I were in Ellis' bed, and Mark was tucked away in the pink bedroom. I had taken the phone with me, in case school/work called with the predicted snow day. Both Mark and Chase were sorely disappointed this morning. Especially since I accidentally bumped into the button that changes the ringer and they both thought that there had been an early morning cancellation call.

I carried a kicking and yelling 6 year old to the bus stop this morning. This was after she threw herself on top of her Snow Turtle in the front yard and announced that she was not going to school. Then she blew me a kiss from the window of the bus. The emotional roller coaster starts so young.

I signed up for our free trial of Netflix this morning. We are probably one of the last families on the planet to do so. Our local movie rental place just announced that they are closing in a few weeks. I started to set up a queue and realized that the only movies I was interested in were kids movies. Mark hasn't added his yet, so I know that it will change, but right now Dora and Veggie Tales are rocking our list.

Somehow I ended up being in charge of snack time for both this weeks Girl Scout Valentine Party and Chase's class party. I found that out after my regular shopping. Had to make a stop yesterday and spend more money than I would like to sugar up some youngsters. Actually the Horizon Milk boxes for Girl Scouts was the priciest thing. Then next week we'll have something for Ellis' Story-time Party.  But, then we are having to supply anything for parties for the year. Getting it all out of the way at once.

My clean house [I managed to get it together to have a friend over for tea yesterday] didn't last through the night. Mark started packing for his trip to the Austin Marathon [why is packing so messy for him? My bedroom looks like a tornado hit,] Chase took over the kitchen table to work on her 100 day of School project,  and Ellis thought it would be a good idea to hang things on the refrigerator using Sponge Bob and Little Pet Shop band aides. FYI, this is NOT a good idea. I spent 15 minutes, a ton of Goo Gone and still haven't managed to get all the adhesive off.

Is it only Wednesday?

Limerick

There once was a girl named Avery
Who was know around the world for her bravery
Though some girls are sweet
And others quite tasty
None are as savory as Avery

Just Another Monday Morning

The alarm went off. I was nursing the baby, so I awkwardly tried reach to shut it off. Instead I hit the radio button and it got really loud. Found the off button. Started to think about what I should put in Chase's lunch box and what needed to be done to get her out the door. Enter Chase and the Cat. Zack hopped up and sat on my head. Nothing quite like a purring cat hat.

Just another Monday morning.

Avery fell back asleep. Sneaked out of bed without waking her. Made tea for Mark. Gave Ellis a piggy back ride downstairs. Walked Chase to the bus stop. Invited neighbor over for tea and to snuggle the baby. Tomorrow. Hopefully, I will have found my house by then -- under the drifts of laundry, dishes, and toys. Hopefully.

Just another Monday morning.

Laundry is drying, dishes are washing, beds are made, and I found the toy room. Now for the rest of the house. I know it is in here somewhere. And then there will be laundry and dishes to put away. More toys to shovel.

Just another Monday morning.

Ugh

This week Avery was hit by an unfortunate outbreak of both infant acne, and cradle cap in the eyebrows [why just the eyebrows?] Poor girl had to start her day today with Chase yelling "Eww. What's wrong with her?"

Should we worry about self-esteem issues already? For now, I may only be sharing carefully chosen pictures, so as to not bruise her fragile ego.

I think that her pieces parts are pretty charming.

Cold and Hot

Snow Man*

Snug Ladies**

* This snowman is only comes up to my hip, but the girls made it all by themselves with no assistance.

** The Cavs Snuggies are free-bees from Mark's work. It was a promotion that Adcom did for Key Bank. And perfect for warming up with after making a snowman.

Royal Status

Ellis has been very polite lately.

I have been getting a lot of:

"Thank you very much, Madame."

"Thank you, your Majesty"

and

"Thank you, m'Lady"

Which beats the way Chase has been calling me
"Hey, Lady" any day.

Dishing it up

Monday
Dijon Salmon
Winter Squash
Broccoli Noodles
Fruit Salad

Tuesday
Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Avocado slices
Salad

Wednesday
Quiche Loraine
Salad
Fruit Salad

Thursday
Whole wheat spaghetti [Grown-ups]
and Penne [Chase and Ellis]
Marinara
Meatballs
Salad

Friday
Met Mark for dinner at the Blue Fig. Used to be a Mediterranean Restaurant [Which is what we were interested in eating.] They didn't change their name, but are now a burger joint. They kept all the furniture, which is very dressy, but then painted sports mascots like Chief Wahoo on the wall. Right over Stucco. Very odd. They do still have Hummus as an appetizer.

New Mommy Book Club

Not that it is much of a club, really. Avery and I are the only members. But the 2 of us have been spending a lot of time together. Nursing. And, reading. Kind of starting to feel like a club. Sometimes we even let Ellis hang out with us and choose the reading material. But a lot of the time - say from 8pm-8am - it is, pretty much, just the 2 of us.

So, I thought that I might try to keep track of some of what I have been reading. And share any good finds.

This weekend we plowed through 5 books. Thank goodness for the Library. It keeps me well supplied.

2 by Beverly Lewis:
The Betrayal
The Sacrifice

These are really light reads. She writes about the Amish community and I find them entertaining, if not great literature. I have read several of the series she has written. She likes to center them on some scandal in the conservative communities.

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
She is a British author of some quick and entertaining reads. This book was very unusual, as one of the main characters was a ghost. It was well done and entertaining.

Wicked Craving by G.A. McKevett
Mystery is the genre that I gravitate to when I want a light read. Since that is the case, I am running out of books at the library that I haven't read [or want to] over the past few years! I really like cozy mysteries, and really like when there are a series that can be followed. This book kind of fits the what I was looking for and I picked it up off the new book section. Not great, but might be worth checking out some of the older books in the series.

The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Gregory
I have read quite a few of her books lately. I enjoy her take on the history of the British Royalty.

Name that baby

Here's a little game.

3 pictures. 3 babies.


Who is who?

Shocked? Amazed?

"Who is that gorgeous girl?"


"Oh. It's just me."

Queen of the Mountain

So what if it is less than 10 degrees outside?

You can still be Queen of the Mountain.

Snowplow Mountain, that is.

Even if you have to share that honor with your sister.

Not Me! Monday

It's been a long time since I participated in Not Me! Monday. Not because I didn't have a lot of things to share. Just because. But this week I have a few things I am willing to share. So here goes. If you have some things you'd love to get off your chest, feel free to post your own!

There is no way that this week [The last week in January] is the week that I finally took down the Christmas tree. And, there is no way that the tree, all bagged up, is still sitting in the hallway outside the bedrooms and starting to collect laundry.

And, it would be crazy to think that I did not wash my hair all week long. On purpose. Just because after having it highlighted and blown dry and straightened and it was keeping it shape and I know that once it is washed there is little chance of me getting it to look the same ever again. I would never be that silly.

And if I went to all the effort of planning, shopping for, and assembling a lasagna for dinner, I would have been with it enough to cook it without burning it. Right? No way that we ended up with Wendy's on lasagna night.

There might be a small chance that I made it out of my pajamas this week. No way did I shop in them. Wear them to a friends house. Or, Story time at the library. And of course my kids would have been dressed in clothes, too. No way was Ellis wearing pj's all week. And even Chase at the library on Saturday. If that was the case, someone would have turned us into "What not to Wear." Don't you think?

And, not a chance that I will blame all of these things on having a new baby in the house. Nope. Not a chance!