Give It Up

We are a week into Lent now and so far we've been successful.  We decided Owen was old enough to give up (or take on) something.  He chose to go without desserts.  Adam's choice is really unusual.  He gave up worrying--yes, it's hard to measure, but definitely something he needs to work on!  I'm not officially Catholic, but may as well be since that's where we've gone to church for 12 years.  I gave up all carb snacks--crackers, chips, etc.  I didn't realize how often I walk by and grab a handful of Cheez-Its.  I could live on these.  

In modern times, you can take on something extra or do good deeds rather than just eliminate something.  The kids are going to help me do something nice for a friend, family, neighbor, coworker each week of Lent.  We'll keep you posted on our projects.  Good-bye (for now) Cheez-Its!

Pinterest #8

Made these snicker doodle bars this week.  Friends at school said these were great, especially if you are a snicker doodle lover!  Easy enough, although they barely made the cut since they called for cream of tartar, an ingredient I've never bought.  

Snicker Doodle Bars

Finally, Some Real Cows

I took Graham, Miles and Newman to Lebo this weekend so that Adam and Owen could go to the basketball tournament free of a one-and-a-half year old :)  I knew Graham would LOVE to see real cows since he says "cow" at least 20 times per day.  He stood there forever, but they wouldn't come any closer.  

 He got a close up from the truck during feeding time.

Meanwhile big brother was cool enough to ride in the back and supervise.  I love the scrunched up face!

When he wasn't stalking the cattle, Graham was chasing Barney (and saying his name over and over).

We didn't stick around too long--not sure what he was trying to dig out of the culvert.  Most likely something gross or alive.

Pinterest #7

A couple more recipes this week.  I made the taco salad with turkey burger (which creeps me out a little) and of course, no tomatoes.  It was good, but throwing together whatever taco type stuff we have on hand and making our own version is just as good.  Graham ate a couple bowls of the bean/meat mixture, but the other boys pretty much ate the chips I gave them to dip in it.  

Healthy Taco Salad

Actually my mom made these potatoes while I was there this weekend.  VERY tasty.  I assume they weren't too difficult since I had pinned them, but I had no part in preparing them--just eating.  Add ketchup and you have a perfect side.  You should definitely try these!

Smashed Potatoes

PT Conferences

We took advantage of the $1 per kid childcare offered during parent teacher conferences, and both Adam and I attended the boys' conferences.  Both boys are doing great academically.  Owen is still reading as many books as he can in order to take quizzes for points.  As you accumulate points you move into different levels (for recognition).  We are trying to find a balance between challenging books that take a week or two to read and the easy ones that he can fly through and take a quiz over right away.  He is learning cursive and preparing for his first year of state assessments. 

Miles' teacher showed us how his writing, drawing, reading, counting, etc. has changed/improved through the year.  It's amazing how much they learn in the first year of school!  He remains popular with the ladies--not sure if this is good or bad :)

Pinterest #6

More adventures from Pinterest... 

White Chicken Enchiladas

Besides tacos, Mexican food is something I rarely fix.  This was an easy recipe to make, and it went over pretty well with the kids.  I thought it was good, not great, but I don't ever have the craving for enchiladas in the first place.

Crack Potatoes

I thought it was funny that the creator of this dish called them "crack."  The only food/drink that I would liken to crack is Diet Pepsi!  Anyhow, these were really good and SO, SO easy.  In fact, I could give you the directions off the top of my head.  From one set of ingredients I made one big pan (froze these) and one small pan.

Friendly Exchange #1

Sharla and I have always sent each other fun gifts for holidays, but usually just for no reason at all.  This year we decided to send each other something every month.  It can be anything--hand-me-downs, homemade goods, books/magazines you've already read, etc.  Store bought only if you run across a "must have" item.  Neither of us have girls, so it's nice to have someone who appreciates our crafty genes :)

I sent her a shirt that I wore once (not my color I guess), a ruffled scarf that I made, and a free gift subscription to Real Simple magazine.

She sent me this cute bag that she made, a fun card, a skirt pattern, some pass along magazines and two cows (since taken and hidden by G) for Graham's collection.  Great stuff!

Tasty Toothpaste

Graham can often be found hanging out in his bathroom eating toothpaste brushing his teeth--not necessarily with his own toothbrush.

 "I know how this works.  I wish I could squeeze more out.  Who's toothbrush is this anyway, not mine?!"

 "Nice and clean.  This is the fifth time I've brushed my teeth in the last ten minutes."

 "Maybe I'll just have a little snack."

"Can we put a couch in here?  Somebody take these dirty pants off me."

Pinterest #5

This was a great Pinterest trial week--two great dishes and a workout app...  I made the Greek dip for a Super Bowl party and it went over well.  I thought it was great--something I could eat as a meal even.  Definitely a different take on the normal cheesy or ranch-type dips.  Highly recommend, and you know it was easy or I wouldn't have made it :)

7 Layer Greek Dip

This spaghetti dish made two meals for all of us, plus lunch leftovers.  Five thumbs up at this house!

Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

I came across this app on Pinterest and tried it out this week.  Tons of workouts.  You can choose from things like "Get Lean" or "Get Toned" and then within each of these menus you can choose beginner, intermediate or advanced.  After that it gives you a whole list of workouts that meet these criteria.  I tried "The Heartthrob" and found it to be a good workout.  The girl tells you what exercise to do and for how long.  The timer runs automatically.  If you need to see the exercise, you can.  You can also set your own music to play.  I didn't do this since I was watching TV at the time, but would be a nice option.  Plus it is a free app.  Try it out!

Nike Workout App

Kindergarten Program

Miles had his kindergarten music program last night.  Lots of fun songs.  You could tell he was about to pee his pants the last five minutes.  I told him he shouldn't drink a huge bottle of gatorade right before the program.  His class was supposed to wear yellow.  Luckily Target had spring shirts out.  Notice we had to fix his hair for the program.  

Pinterest #4

When I followed this pin, the title of the blog post was, "Looks like dogfood--tastes delicious!"  That alone made me want to try it.  Another EASY recipe that served us for two dinners and Adam lunch leftovers.  The kids would probably rank it somewhere between "okay" and "good."  Covered in ketchup, I thought it was pretty tasty.  Adam doesn't really count since he likes everything.  Good enough to hang onto the recipe.

 Tator Tot Casserole

This is my first flop to share with you.  I intended to make these sugar cookie truffles for a family that I was taking dinner for.... Things started well.  The blender crushed the cookies, I added the cream cheese, rolled balls and froze them for firming.  In the meantime I melted the vanilla chips--this is where things went wrong.  Either I was lazy or thought I had a genius idea, but instead of dipping each ball in the chocolate, I dumped them all in.  I thought I'd stir them up real quick and then dump them out and decorate.  Right?  Wrong!  Because they were frozen and the chocolate was warm they immediately all stuck together and the chocolate started to harden making one huge blob.  I realized they were ruined (visually at least) so I pulled them apart with my hands and threw on some sprinkles.  Even though they got high marks for taste it was much too embarrassing to give these uglies to anyone.  The kids chowed down and (without my knowing) Adam took some to work and said people really liked them.  

Sugar Cookie Truffles

Here's what the cute ones look like.  I'll have to try this again and stick to the directions this time.

On a Roll

Another weekend, another basketball tournament.  Since the tournament was here in Manhattan, Owen had quite the fan club--our family, Grandpa Mike, Grandma Rosie, Grandma Jean and Aunt Nancy.  They have really come together as a team and have won something like their last ten games in a row.  Owen is loving it and happy to have another month (February) full of basketball.  We are happy that he continues to be part of teams with great kids and parents.  Too bad the "real" Wildcats weren't able get past Oklahoma last night.  

Pinterest #3

More recipes this week.  I love how easy it is to pin recipes I may want to try.  I'm not one to look through cookbooks and I would never make something that doesn't show a picture, so pinterest is perfect for me.  Here's the scoop...

Slow cooker scalloped potatoes

I thought maybe I'd be the only one who liked these, but Adam and the all of the boys thought they were really good.  I would rate them somewhere between "not as good as ones my mom would make" and "considering how little effort was involved, worth making again."  I found that I did not need to cook them as long as it said.  I also used white potatoes instead of red.  I swear I bought red potatoes last week, and now they are missing.... hmmm...  Would also add green onions next time.

Reeses  Crisps

A fun twist on no bakes--fewer ingredients, less work, less time... you get the idea how easy they were.  Seven minutes start to finish!  Miles and Graham loved them.  Owen was a little grossed out by the appearance, but did eat one.

The Bear

Kindergarten homework:  color or decorate the bear for an upcoming unit.  Miles wanted Texas shorts and a K-State jersey.  He thinks it turned out great--even the (girly) ribbon for the shoelaces.  I had to tell myself it was HIS project and not trim the edges or color in the little spaces :)

 Meanwhile Graham was having fun with the marker/crayon box.  This is why I keep my Sharpies in my purse and off limits to the rest.

Recommend

I just finished up the last book in this series.  I bought the first one at a garage sale last year after reading that K-State had given it to all freshmen (a couple years ago??).  To be honest, they sounded kind of weird.  But every time I've thought I wouldn't like a series (Harry Potter, Twilight), I have.  So if you are looking for something to read, check these out.  And if you get "The Hunger Games" read by March, you can go to the movie with us.  Right, Ellen? :)

Next up?  I think I will try "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."  I shouldn't read during the school year as I can make myself stay up very late for "just one more chapter."  However, it might also keep me on the elliptical more often--my knee would probably appreciate that.

Pinterest #2

Remember that I was intending to make something from Pinterest every week... This week I made taco roll-ups.  Very easy and we all thought they were great, although the meat/bean mix did look a little Alpo-ish.  Of course, my spirals weren't this neat, but it's the taste that matters right?  Source:  Family Fun

I stumbled across the tutorial for these fun pendants a while back.  I thought they would be fun layered with another necklace or with some extra charms or beads added on.  Source:  Sutton Grace

I picked up some blank pendants and dimensional mod podge at Hobby Lobby and tried it out.

I think they turned out well (have a couple of others, but they are gifts).  Although the Hob-Lob had some fun things, I'd like to see if another craft store has different chains, like some of the ones shown in the original photo.

3rd Grade Wildcats

My own Wildcat was in action this weekend (Lenexa tournament and league game in Manhattan).  His team finished second in KC and won their game today.  Owen was happy that Uncle Quint and Grandma Jean were able to come watch his games.  Uncle Quint volunteered to take the Bigs to his house while we shoe shopped for Adam, and Grandma made personalized cookies for everyone.  A little Green Apple yogurt on the way home made for a pretty good day.

 Can you guess which one belongs to Miles??

Went with the tall socks today...

Finally Friday

Made it through the first full week of second semester.  Did not get picked to serve on a jury.  Finally found the "good" Valentine's Day candy--Sweetarts.  They always put out the chocolate and the Brach's brand hearts (yuck) first.  And finally saw the fourth Twilight movie that came out in October.  Surprisingly it is still at the theater, and even more surprising... Lindsay and I weren't the only ones there!  Onto a Friday night of laundry and cleaning so we can head to KC bright and early for Owen's basketball tournament.

Pinterest #1

One of my goals for 2012 was to make some of the items I pin on pinterest.  This week I finished up a couple of things I had started and made a recipe for pizza casserole.  Here's the results...

e  formamas.blogspot.com

Pizza casserole--this isn't actually the one I made, but ours turned out pretty similar.  Less greasy because I used turkey pepperoni.  I'll add it to the permanent recipe book because it was EASY, made enough for 2+ nights, and the kids thought it was outstanding.  Especially Owen.  

presserfoot.blogspot.com

Anthropologie scarf knock off--I really liked the color and fabric of the knock off, but wasn't able to find any similar fabric here in town.  Instead I used some sheer leopard fabric since I can always use something animal print.  Very easy, fast, and fun too.  Would make again if I found fabric I loved.  

Boot socks--It seems like pretty much everyone on pinterest has these (or another color) socks pinned.  Would you pay $80?  Not this girl.  I stumbled across these purple, kind-of-hand-knit-looking socks at Target for $5.  Embellish a little (too lazy to make them exactly the same) and I think it's a pretty decent knock off.  Cheap for sure!  Total time = 5 minutes.