Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Day Thirty

Taste of Tuesday:

Tonight I had all the young women over from church to my house and we had a going away party for my friend, Julie who is moving to Utah. She is a teacher for a group of the girls. It was a surprise, and she really was surprised. I had all the girls bring a treat to share that started with the letter "J". We had 18 different things: J cupcakes, jam cookies, juicy lemon bars, junior mints, juice, jam and bread, jicima and jicima dip. I made this Jello Pudding Chocolate Cake! It was amazing and you didn't even need to eat it with ice cream! It was fun to have a party with a letter themed food table. I was proud of the girls for being so creative!
You can find the recipe HERE:

Monday, June 29, 2009

Day Twenty Nine

Monday's Miracle:

So, I missed yesterdays post. I was totally going to write about Jocelyn's adorable talk in Primary and our nice dinner at my parent's house celebrating Father's Day with them, and then I didn't. This time I have a great excuse. I actually slipped and fell at my parent's house on the hardwood floors, while holding Tyler, and banged up my elbow and sliced my big toe open. It is really painful and I can't put any pressure on it. It really sucks, but at least I fell on my elbows and protected my baby. It could have been really bad if I landed on him, or he fell and hit is head. So, I am grateful for that, but it still is a bummer to be in this much pain for just one toe. I cut through the whole calloused part of my toe. David had to clean it out last night. It was horrible. Guess no gym for me this week.....

So for today, I just wanted to post a sweet picture that Jocelyn drew for me. It says I love you Mom. She did her "M's" upside down and the "O" at the end instead of the middle. She knows how to write "MOM" but she likes to do her letters in her own way....you just have to get her to decode it for you. BUT it proves that even our most challenging child really does love us. I found this picture today while going through stacks of papers all over my house. It almost made me cry, just because we have been going through a pretty rough patch with her and both David and I have really been struggling on how to help her. She doesn't like that she is not the oldest, and that she doesn't get all the attention that Tyler gets. I realized, after I saw this picture today, that Jocelyn does love her Mommy, even if I am mean and not fair. I love her too, and know that we can get through this! Hope your Monday was wonderful!




I just opened her dance pictures. She really does look sweet. I will look at this picture every day to remind me.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Days Twenty Six and Twenty Seven

Friday and Saturday:
The last two days have been CRAZY! The girls had their big dress rehersal and recital for their dance show. Last fall they started dancing at Katharine's Academy of Dance here in Vista. It is a great studio full of wonderful girls and fun moms. Both Victoria and Jocelyn have learned so much this year and are turning into wonderful little dancers. I was not prepared though for the extent of detail Miss Kathie wanted for the recital. Here is an example of all the extras: recital earings, hair piece for Victoria's tap dance, different tights for each dance, new ballet shoes for each girl, nex jazz shoes for Tori, the right shades of eye makeup and lipstick, hairnets, hair pins vs. bobby pins, two different types of buns for different dances, gloves, socks, headbands, attending a seminar to learn how to do the hair and makeup, and paying for extra dance classes for the DADDY/DAUGHTER dance. The dance with Victoria's class and all the Dad's was amazing and made me cry! The two months of rehersals paid off and their Hercules dance was a hit! WE ALL made it through and it turned out to be an AMAZING show!

Jocelyn ready to do her tap number to: The Little Duece Coupe
Victoria with her FAKE curls (which she loves) for her tap dance.

David and Victoria waiting to go on stage for their Daddy Daughter Hercules Dance.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Day Twenty Five

Thoughts on Thursday:

So my friend Tracy is in town and it has been fun to hang out with her and her kids this week. She told me about this crockpot blog and so this morning, I finally checked it out! This woman is amazing. Last year she cooked a new recipe in her crockpot every day...that's 365 meals...no BBQ, no stove, no oven, just that thing that collects dust in the back of your bottom cabinet! I went through some of her recipes today and I am totally impressed. She is going to be on Rachel Ray in a few weeks and is just finishing her first cook book. Why can't I think of something like that? I can't even blog consecutively for 30 days, let alone think of a new crock pot dinner, or dessert, or appetizer, for every day of the year!
Now she is famous...and making money on her blog. Go figure...
Check IT out and try something. She has inspired me to start using my crockpot more. This is what I want to try first: BROWNIES.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Day Twenty Four

What we're doing on Wednesday:

Today with both Tyler and my darling niece Ela asleep at the same time this afternoon, I decided to make homeade bread to go with our dinner. Jocelyn loves to help me cook. Since she was little, she would always want to sit on the counter and be right next to the mixing bowl. When she was 2 1/2 she knocked my old Bosch on the floor and cracked it. It was a sad day. You think I would have learned my lesson, but here she is right next to me all the time. She loves to help me make bread because she gets to let her own little loaf rise. I love making bread. It is rewarding and really satisfying to see the end result of what you have made. And, it makes a lot of people really happy.

So, today I am thank ful for a few things: nap time, my new (two years old) RED Bosch mixer, whole wheat flour, and little hands to help me make it....it tastes better that way.

Next week, I'll post my bread recipe

This is really one of my babies




Jocelyn loves to cook



The finish product! Yum!

Day Twenty Four

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Taste of Tuesday

Taste of Tuesday:
For Father's Day, I found this yummy berry french toast dish that you bake in the oven. With all the fresh berries out right now, I had to try this. Enjoy!


Triple Berry French Toast

Ingredients

  • 2 cups frozen blueberries
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen blackberries
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 cup fat-free milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 (8-ounce) loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch slices
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine first 6 ingredients in a 13 x 9- inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Combine milk, vanilla, egg whites, and egg in a large, shallow baking dish, stirring well with a whisk. Add bread, turning to coat. Let stand 5 minutes, turning bread occasionally. Arrange bread in a single layer over berries. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Sprinkle evenly with powdered sugar.

Nutritional Information

6 servings
Calories:
374
Fat:
2.7g

Monday, June 22, 2009

Day Twenty Two

Miracle of Monday:
Even though school ended on Wednesday, I feel like today marks the first day of summer for us. All the girls want to do is swim, but there are lots of things I have to get done to. So, I really need to work on finding a balance for everything that we want to do during the summer and the things I HAVE to do, like balance the checkbook, call brides and work on wedding contracts, grocery shop, take a shower, etc.
Today started off as I thought it might, the girls just wanting to watch TV all morning while I got all my HAVE TO DO stuff done. I decided that is not how I wanted to start the summer. We turned off the TV, Victoria practiced her piano (all by herself), the girls practiced some writing, they actually played in their room, and made a craft while Tyler was sleeping.
After that, they got their swimsuits on and we headed to Legoland for the last hour of the day, which is FREE. We went straight to the water play area and the kids had a blast, especially since they had friends here (Tracy and her kids) from Arizona.
It turned out to be a wonderful start of summer. I think a little organization will help me out. It is a miracle when I get all my HAVE TO DO stuff done and my kids are happy (and tired) at the end of the day. I also booked three bride appointments for weddings. That's pretty good for one day.
Jocelyn loves being in a swimsuit. She would wear one all the time if I let her.
Tori and her friend, Alyssa loving the water sprayer

Days Nineteen,Twenty & Twenty One

"Mom, I really love my bow tie, that's not why I'm crying!"
I've got to get rid of the pacifier connecter....
David looking skinny with his new tool belt (he had lost at least 15 pound! Way to go honey!)
I always like a butt shot
David and the girls

Thoughts from the weekend:
This weekend was crazy for us. We had a birthday party for a friend, dance pictures for both the girls (which I have learned are really a HUGE deal for this studio) a wedding, a party for David's friend, Father's Day, church and a dinner at David's sister's house. I feel like the last three days really just blended together, because there was so much going on. It was nice yesterday morning to be home and enjoy the quiet morning. I made yummy triple berry french toast (which I will post tomorrow) and the girls gave David a few presents. He was wanted a tool belt ever since we started our house project. Now that we are done with the hard work, he finally got his belt. He loves it though. Victoria made him a tie out of paper, which we wore proudly to church yesterday!
Tyler had a rough day...cutting a few teeth at the same time. But I have to say that the bow tie my grandma bought him is really cute. My 12 year old cousin (maybe he's not 12?) has started selling bow ties. He has a sewer and picks out his fabrics. They are really great quality and Tyler looked so stinkin cute at church, despite his bad mood! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and Father's Day.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Day Eighteen

Victoria trying to give me the thumbs up!
The girls were so excited to each have their own 5 dollars!

Thursday's Thoughts:

Today was really a turning point for all of us. The last few times the girls have gotten their teeth cleaned.....let's just say it has been a nightmare. The sad part is that my mom is our dental hygentist. She is really good at what she does. However, the girls have seen her as the DEVIL TEETH CLEANER. The office my mom works for in Rancho Bernardo is really for the older crowd. The only kids that have their teeth cleaned there are my kids. We have to go in at lunch, as to not scare the old grandma getting fit for her dentures in the chair next to my mom's.


I was secretly dreading today...the tears, the screams, the, "I can't do this Mommy," and the, "I am just so sensitive Mommy," stuff.


Walking in to the office today was different! They were amazing. No tears...no fears, just good teeth cleaning going on!


Maybe it's that their older...or maybe because my mom bribed them each with 5 dollars if they would be brave and not cry for the 5 things she had to do to their teeth!


IT WORKED! It was amazing! It was brilliant.....I wonder how many years she will be giving them money to keep quiet..Maybe I should try it at home.



Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Day Seventeen

What's Wonderful About Wednesday:

There is something special to be said about kindergarten. I still remember going, sitting at my desk, cutting, glueing, playing on the playground, and most of all my teacher, Ms. Sap. She was wonderful. She used to pick me up and take me square dancing and out for ice cream. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Teachers really are amazing. They have such a profound impact on our children's lives. Victoria's teacher this year was no exception. I have known her since I was in elementary school. I can't believe my baby is now done with her first year of school. What a crazy year it has been! I am excited summer is here and excited not to have to get kids ready by a certain time every morning.

Happy Summer Everyone!Victoria and Mrs. Perkins at her graduation today.



Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Day 16

Taste of Tuesday:

For today's recipe I am giving you what I did actually make for dinner, but I cleaned up everything before I took a picture. This is a recipe from David's mother, Wilma. Jocelyn loves it also! What a great way to use up all your zucchini from your garden (or in my case...from the produce store). It tastes great with homeade bread and a yummy spinach salad (which I will post next week).
Here is Zucchini Soup:
3 lbs zucchini chopped in 1 inch slices
2 t. salt
1 t. onion powder
1 t. garlic powder
1/8 t. white pepper
2 10 oz cans of chicken broth
1/2 C. water
Combine all and bring to a boil. Then cover and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes until zucchini is tender. Place small amounts in the blender and blend until smooth. Repeat until all soup is smooth.
Stir in 1 1/2 C. half-and-half.
This is a beautiful soup and really is yummy!
Enjoy

Monday, June 15, 2009

Day Fifteen

Miracle of Monday:
Master Bathroom
Master Bathroom
Master Bedroom

Living Room
Living Room

So, I missed yesterday...guess I'll have to do a few extra days to make up for it. My miracle today is that David and I have finally put most things away in our home. We didn't think this would happen for such a long time. This house will be a continual work in progress. At least in the inside, we have hung pictures and put things away. It is really a good feeling to sit and look around and not think of anything at the moment that has to be done. Stuff that didn't have a place, we have gotten rid of. It's nice to see empty wall space. Here we are in the middle of June, almost a year from when we made the original offer on this house....and we are just now feeling somewhat settled. What an adventure, roller coaster, nightmare, scary movie, and joy ride this has been. These are pictures my friend Julie took Friday night when my house was the cleanest it has ever been

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Day Thirteen

Super Saturaday:
Even though it is Sunday, I am doing my post for Saturday. Yesterday was a busy day with no time for blogging. I had to go to Victoria's dance seminar about how to do her hair and make-up for the show...very particular! I then got ready and was gone for the next six hours playing at two weddings: one in Valley Center and one in Rancho Sante Fe. It was great to have two weddings, but it does make for a long day. David was a trouper with all the kids. I know he looks forward to Saturdays when I don't have to play so that we can keep getting projects done around the house. But...it is wonderful I can do what I do and that he supports me. There were a lot of firsts yesterday. When I think I've seen I've seen it all, something will always surprise me. Here are a few things that happened:
1. it was my first wedding all in spanish without an english translation
2. first to have a bride and groom not even look at eachother the whole time during the ceremony
3. there was a groomsman wearing jeans with his suitcoat.
4. a very large man rolled down the hill because he fell off his chair in the front row while trying to take a video of the ceremony
5. the minister had the bride/groom sign the marriage certificate during the ceremony and then took off even before the wedding party had walked back down the isle
6. i have never played right by a lake surrounded by 20,000 s.f. houses.
7. i played for a bride who's family is all from India. All the women wore their beautiful ceremony dresses.
8. first time I have ever been asked to dress modestly for a ceremony. The bridemaids and brides all had sleeves on their dress. I guess it's not just a mormom thing.

After my weddings, I came home, changed my clothes and took my girls to watch the clogging show in Vista. Both my sister, and David's nieces performed in it. It really was fun and the girls loved spending time with just me.Victoria and Jocelyn with their cousins Jenna and Taryn Hervey

The girls with my sister, Jenna who has been clogging for eight years.


Friday, June 12, 2009

Day Twelve

Fabulous Find Friday:
I have found some great deals this week doing my shopping. At Vons I spent 40.00 for a lot of great food, and the original bill before coupons and Vons Club was well over 100.00. I felt pretty great about that.
My favorite find this week, is my new birthday purse that my Aunt Suzie made. It is gorgeous! I love the cool and different tapestry fabrics and the beautiful hand crafted roses on the front. I have gotten tons of compliments and it is great to have a purse that is unique. It carried everything I need and I even have room for two diapers, wipes, and a few snacks for Tyler! Thanks Suzie for making such beautiful things that help me feel beautiful. Her website is great and she will make whatever you want( right?). Everything is awesome: girls skirts, make-up bags, purses...etc.
www.justbeonline.com.
If you are ever in Utah, you can see her stuff for yourself! Hope you'll check it out.

The Front on my new purse!

Her Cute Logo she puts on the back of the purse!

Day Eleven

Thoughts on Thursday:

Even though it's Friday morning, I am still thinking about yesterday and why I didn't have time to write. There really aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. David says I put a lot of it on myself and just try to do way to much....but when I look at my life, I don't know which part is too much?
I watch my niece Ela on Wednesdays (whom I love dearly and is the cutest little two year old around). I told Lauren I would watch her yesterday to. We had a wonderful day, despite the fact that the nurse called me from school and said Victoria had a stomach ache. The mean mom that I am, I told the nurse to tell her to eat a snack and rest for a few minutes and that she should go back to class. I told her I didn't have time to come and get her! Well that didn't work, so I had to drive down and pick her up with three other kids to walk in. With dance class, and a few errands and cleaning up all the toys, we barely had dinner (does taquitos count?). David put the kids to bed and by this time Victoria had a full on fever and wouldn't eat anything. I ran to Frazier Farms, Vons, and CVS to get all my grocery shopping done and got home at 9:15. With a few people coming over tonight, I knew I needed to get my house clean (pretty desperately). I stayed up late last night(and David did for a while to) doing this:Take Care of Victoria
Vaccuming my whole house (I don't even think I've done the whole house since we moved in)

Lot's of Laundy!

Mopping my very neglected sticky floor!
Paying bills and balancing our accounts.
Life is crazy....but wonderful. I am trying to enjoy even these routine tasks we all have. I still wish I would wake up one morning and all of them would be done for me, but I don't think THAT is going to happen!

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