A Start of Summer Wrap Up

So far we haven't done anything spectacular this summer. I felt like I needed a recording of what we HAVE done though so that when The Boys later said that we didn't do anything at all this summer I could simply point them in the direction of this post.

So we have completed 2 weeks of "little people camp". The part-time MDO gig meets two days a week for a few hours just to break up the monotony of summer. My boys are supposed to be positive and help me in exchange for some spending cash of their own. Let's just say we're working on it.

We had the scout cub kart races and The Critter placed in his rank. The Negotiator did well too, but there was much more competition at his level. We also had our scout pool party. We ate and played and played and ate. I swear all of the cubs were growing gills by the time we fished them out of the pool.

Last Friday we participated in our annual Splash Bash with the good people at my work. At first it rained, but then the clouds parted and it was lovely. Darned if we didn't have the whole place to ourselves. My boys got to ride the slide unlimited times and we finally left after 4 hours of interactive pool fun.

Monday we got together with the PTA Officers and planned for the year. It was amazingly productive given that we had 9 children, mostly boys, corralled up in a playroom while we tried to get our work done. Still miles to go before we sleep, miles to go before we sleep.

Yesterday we hung out at Tinkerbell's pool and her hubby grilled for us. Again we were pool side for at least 3 hours. I think I see a theme emerging here...

We tried to mosey down to Six Flags Fiesta Texas today, but were met with torrential rain pour. Even the boys were willing to turn around and come back to try for a later time. Now we're just sitting around being vegetables. You know, lay like lettuce, be like broccoli.

I'm reading this book by Ann Rule. I like it because it's set up as short stories. I can read in between laundry and refereeing the kids. Speaking of books, the boys and I are going to the library once a week. They get to check out what they like and I get to assign a reading time. We're also been pretty good about completing at least one worksheet a day. I find they're more into it if they get to pick, but if they are assigned something they're not as likely to work without complaint.

-E

E-View: H-E-B "Doritios"

Or as I call them Fauxritos.

They're the store brand and they are just grand! Mind you, I don't like all store brands, so I'm not just all about these because of the price. They taste just like that other nacho cheese brand. Try 'em.

After all if you're not really a classy chip kind of person then you've got nothing to lose.

-E

Broccoli

I used to say that I hate broccoli. And I still do. You know raw or steamed. Basically stand alone broccoli oogs me.

Lately though I've found that I like broccoli IN something. My mom makes this fantastic broccoli salad that sent me over to the other side. Before the salad my sister in law made an amazing broccoli, rice and cheese casserole. Good stuff.

So I'm no longer a broccoli hater, but I only enjoy it in the company of others.

-E

Trashiness

I'm making my friend, Anna's, trashy candy that she brought to Bunco awhile back. It's this concoction of Fritos, pretzels, peanut butter cups, butter and brown sugar. Rates really high on the heart-healthy foods. Lucky for me "heart" also has to do with comfort and this yumminess totally fits the bill.

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So far, so good. I found I had a hard time with the chopping the pretzels and Fritos in the food processor. I got a bunch of whole pieces combines with snack dust. I'll have to work on that one.

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I didn't have plain ol' chocolate chips so I used the caramel filled chocolate chips I had in the freezer (I'm bought them on clearance after Christmas). The carmel filled chips left the top a little more ooey-gooey than I liked. It made it harder to spread the melted chocolate so it could cool as a solid piece of chocolate. Also I think I undershot the brown sugar with melted butter ratio. It seemed that there was quite a bit of unrestrained corn chip and pretzel pieces about the pan.

This batch went to Papa's work and made a new batch with more butter, brown sugar and real chocolate chips. It was much better.

E

Tastes for Two

Why can my boys like the same thing?

It seems I'm usually making two different "somethings". One will want a burger and the other chicken nuggets. One will want fresh fruit and one will only drink smoothies. I know I should put stuff out and too bad, so sad if you don't like it. Still I'm a mommy and seeing my kids NOT eat goes against every fiber in my body.

I'm trying a different approach. I'm sending the boys to cooking camp over spring break and maybe they can learn to cook for themselves since they seem to have such different tastes. At the very least I hope to get some help in the kitchen.

E

The Golden Cheesecake?

Went out with the moms again. Sort of a gathering of what is left of our sanity after having sent our young off to school. I didn't bring a camera, but if you're really interested in all the broughaha you can check our Crystal and Candy for more information.

I'm going to use my moment to discuss The Cheesecake Factory. Good night their food is expensive. Was it that expensive the first time we went? I was thinking it was a fairly good location for all who would be in attendance, but yee haw it was pricey. For one drink, a shared appetizer and a dessert I shelled out $30. Gadzooks!

I think next time I'm going to stick with Bunco potluck so as to keep the cost of a MNO to a minimum. You can get friends together to eat, drink and chat without having to take out a second on the house, no?

-E

One Big Catching Up Post

*Whew*

It's been a crazy two weeks. I've been getting ready for all the back to school to do. For my boys, but also for me and my program. The behind the scenes stuff that goes on to get school in session is crazy. Then on the PTA Board at my boy's school we start working a month earlier than school goes into session. As a Scout leader we get ready two weeks before school starts. I wear so many hats it's silly. Still I love it! I love that my boys love it. It's a busy, crazy, happy time that will pass far too quickly. I must admit though, I'm looking forward to having my time back when everyone is off doing his thing.

Onward...

Papa's cousin got married a couple of weekends ago. This wedding was Murphy's Law and then some. The decorators left business cards on every table as form of advertising. Can you say tacky? I doubt the happy couple even knew that wasn't supposed to happen at a wedding, unless of course the decorator was, in fact, paying for the wedding. The cake person dropped the big bottom tier of the cake when they were setting up and assured the bride they'd come back with a replacement. They didn't. So the happy couple was short on cake and ended up running out to buy some cheesecakes for the guests. The margarita machine froze on them and the D.J. left early for another gig. About the only thing that was missing was the bride tripping down the aisle.

All and all it was very fun just hanging out with family at another rite of passage. Here is a picture of The Negotiator, me and The Critter. I didn't even bother to take the sunglasses off the top of my head at a wedding reception. Damn, I'm classy!

















Last weekend we went to a baby shower for two of our really good friends. Eight years ago Papa was the best man and I was the maid of honor at their wedding. Rae and I have the same birthday, but I'm a year older and Papa and Pepo are brothers from different mothers. Once Papa and I had the boys we didn't see our friends as much as we did before because, well that happens. Still they hold a very special place in our hearts. We love these people like family and are SO excited about their baby girl. The shower was great because we got to catch up with friends we hadn't seen since Before Kids. Our kids are now old enough that we can dump...uh, entrust them to friends and family while we take some time to be grown ups again.
















One of the games (and ordinarily I'm not a fan of shower games, but you give me 3 frozen margaritas and I am quite the sport) was to see who could diaper the doll - no, mom, it's an action figure, as The Critter would tell me - the fastest. Even though both of our boys have been potty trained for the better part of 3 years, Papa still managed to prove he's fastest diaperer in the Lone Star state. He spanked the competition and taught the Papa-to-be how it's done!














And speaking of Papa I totally have to give him props. Everyone has to have a creative outlet and Papa's is breakfast. He got up early to make the boys a special meal before he headed into the office. It was so cute I had to share it. He'll probably roll his eyes knowing I shared it with ya'll, but you won't tell him , right?















He calls it Airplane Waffles with Sunshine and Clouds. I guess the breakfast taco is supposed to be a mountain. How cute is that??

We also managed to hit Fiesta Texas again. Yep, we took our own food. Nope, we didn't let the kids buy anything at the park. I think it's criminal how much amusement parks charge for things and I refuse to give in to the machine.

Then on our way back from San Antonio we found out we were expected for dinner at the family house. Nothing like driving for 4 hours, smelling like sweat and river water to then be a part of a birthday surprise, but indeed we were. It's all about being a family.


-E

Musings From The Stream

I'm considering getting a Food Saver. I've been doing the coupon thing so in order to save on our grocery budget. Sometimes that means buying extra if something is on sale and this Food Saver thing is supposed to really help with keeping food fresh. I know all the coupon divas say this is the way to go, but I wonder if ziplock bags would work just a well?

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I was pondering the whole Star Wars at The View. I'm thinking this whole thing reeks of timing. She's a lawyer, it's all about strategy. Why in the world would she make announcement like that if she didn't have plan? I mean, she knew since the Emmy's that Rosie O'Donnell, her arch nemesis, was coming to The View. If Star had known "for months" as Baba Wawa says, then I'm betting Star does have an offer on the table for another gig. I smell an exclusive in the next few days. The View was hoping to be able to announce what Star would do next, but she's probably saving that for her new digs. That's what I'm thinking anyway.

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I want a digital SLR. I've been thinking about this for quite some time, but I can't decide *which* one. I've always been a Canon girl, but lately the Nikon holds some appeal. Enough so that I've delayed my purchase while I continue to ponder. Any feedback from the masses?

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I'm going to buy a new pair of "running" shoes. No, I'm not going to run, but I'm going to walk with the hope of running soon. I've been doing those Leslie Sansone DVD workouts, but I'm hoping to work my way up to running. I just feel like such a dork when I run that I'm intimidated to get out there without some training. I'm hoping to take a clinic at RunTex.

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I think I'm going to buy the new Dixie Chick's CD. I'm don't care if they don't think they're country. Whatever they are I do like the new sound of their putting out and they live here in Austin so I feel like I'm supporting the local economy.

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I need to clean up around here since I'm having 18 women over tomorrow for Bunco and debauchery. Should be a grand time!

-e