Thursday, February 26, 2009

Here a little, there a little

Here we are in Lake Charles, LA. Our last few days have been adventurous. Our first night out was spent at Aunt Carol's in Tallahassee. Shelby and Beka were inseparable the entire time. Each kid has a buddy when we're there (Aunt Carol, who will Aidan have to play with when he gets bigger???) all had a great time. We went downtown Tallahassee to the Science Museum on our way out of town. There was some crying as we left the parking garage, but we assured all that we would be getting back together soon!
Tuesday evening found us at Uncle David's (thanks to all for evenly spacing yourselves out!). We got up yesterday and played on all the toys.....big kid toys. Daddy drove the Rhino into the mud and got stuck and then up a tree( I was laughing too hard to get a pic, sorry). Garry drove from then on:)
Today we are going for a quick swim at the motel before heading on to our final destination. The road trip has gone well considering the many hours in the car. We've sang, colored, told stories, and anything else we can think of. Few and far between are the meltdowns, thankfully.
Notice the matching hair!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Random Pics

Here are some pics taken by our babysitter Katie of my little boys.
FYI--photographer is in last pic with Aidan:)

On the road again...

Here we go! Well, almost. I've been packing for what seems like several weeks, only I'm sure it's really been the last day or two. Thank goodness Gma is bringing up the big van, otherwise I'm concerned we might have to ship someone home via UPS. The bags are packed, trip mapped out (we haven't yet entered the 21st century, no GPS), and Gma tells me that the van is ready to go!
Before:
After: (Out of all these bags, only 3 are for clothing----
the rest is lots of stuff to amuse along the way!)

Ya win some, ya lose some

My frugal (a joke, I know) self was clearing out the fridge tonight in preparation for our upcoming trip. Matching what ingredients I had with a recipe from Allrecipes.com, I gave it a go. The name of my meal was.....Wendy's! The turkey soup, made from my kitchen, is in my sink. Me and rice don't always work well together. Apparently I left it on the burner too long, and the rice turned to mush:( Hey, I tried, right?!?

Monday, February 16, 2009

Jen's kickin' my derriere

I mean, in cards:) We've played many games since she's gotten here. I'm sure she might be tired of playing, but I really only told her she could visit so I could be entertained:) I must say, she's doing a fine job. If only she cooked.... and mopped floors..... Oh well, she did get up with Aidan this morning. I woke up, looked at the clock and realized it was way past time to get up. I could hear several voices in the living room, one of them Jen's. It was nice to sleep in, although that's probably the only day I'm getting! Tomorrow we're heading to Universal. Being that we have no little ones going with us tomorrow, I guess she's gonna make me ride the big kid rides. Pray for me, please:)
The big boys went to the Daytona 500 yesterday. They had a good time, although it was much colder than they anticipated. And after 152 laps (of 200 for us non-Nascar folks) it started raining and the race was called. My M&M car didn't win:( Maybe their little chocolate legs melted and they couldn't hold the pedal down any longer.....

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from the little people (did you spy the spare in the picture?) Jen's visiting us for the week and got to share this Valentine's day with the family:)


Days behind

I know, I've not posted in a couple of days. I have made several entries, but none of them have made it out of my brain, through my fingers, and onto this blog. So here I go, trying to catch up.
Grocery shopping was fun, as always. I don't have an exact $$ that I spent this week, although I know I will be at my limit when I'm thru. I used only cash yesterday (atm card was in pocket of jeans at home) at Publix so I was very careful, but I was shy a couple of items on my list. I went back today to get stuff for the boys tomorrow, they're going to the races (GO M&M car) and they're carrying a lunch with them. Last night I made my favorite pulled pork, baked potatoes, cheesy brocolli and garlic toast last night for dinner. Of course, it was a LOT less expensive than going out, and less hassle also! Grand total for it all? About $20 and I had left over pork packed away in the freezer for another meal (yummy!). I'm not much of a pork eater, however, I could eat this every day. And the big plus was there was no complaining around the dinner table waiting for food to arrive. I'm almost hooked on eating at home (HAHA!!!).
Meals for the rest of the week?
Sat-tacos
Sun-lasagna
Mon-Roasted Chicken
Tues- Junk on stuff (leftovers resurrected)
Wed-Hot dogs

Valentine's Day Flower Crisis

Thursday evening the kids and I had just returned from grocery shopping (more about that later) when Garry got a call from dad. He went outside and brought in a big box from Pro Flowers. Of course all my children were very excited and helped me open the box. In that box was a beautiful bouquet of tulips. As I admired my flowers, Shelby burst into tears. When I asked why she was crying, she informed me thru the tears that she NEVER got flowers, only cards. Of course I couldn't laugh right then and there, but it was very funny! So I explained that because of where these flowers came from, the mailman couldn't deliver them on Valentine's Day and had to deliver them early. So Daddy came to the rescue today, and brought his baby girl flowers just for her:)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Arts Fest

If you are in the Orlando area this week, be sure to make time for Arts Fest (Feb 6-15). It's an annual FREE event that the Red Chair Project (Arts and entertainment) hold in this area. You can catch a show, visit a museum or just try something that you might not otherwise.
Today we went to the History Center, downtown Orlando. There are 4 floors of history, some hands on for the kids. It starts where Florida starts, back when it was all swamp land, and continues to today. Fun and interesting, although the younger kids aren't so entertained as there is a lot of reading! It is, however a great place for one wanting to learn about Florida's history. Plus, they often have special exhibits. This spring they are hosting all about Jim Henson. I didn't know of his history other than the Muppets. There was some of his drawings of his early artwork, actual muppets (I had no idea they were so big!) and videos of his commercials, shows and movies. I found it very entertaining, and there was one section devoted to the little people! Touch and feel screens, finger and hand puppets, and one could even feed Cookie Monster with extra large cookies!

He was no match for the little people!

(in front of the History Center:)

Playtime in Muppetville


Hangin' with Jim and crew

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Bahamas

Hey, did I mention, we went to the Bahamas???
It's been so busy since I got home, I haven't had a chance to put any pictures up. Here's a few:

Bert getting ready for the boat drill:)

The infamous towel elephant
At the aquarium in Atlantis

Bert's playing with the starfish


Cooking again

It seems that everytime I get the kitchen cleaned up, it's time to start again. I like when I have extra kids over, they become my guinea pigs (watch out, Jen). My kids will eat almost anything, but my girlfriends boys do not. She had complained that her boys would eat nothing except instant oatmeal. So I tried a new recipe out on them. Success! Everyone had seconds, and I think they would have eaten more if I had had more available. Nice change from oatmeal, which I don't mind eating, but do get tired of.

Baked Oatmeal Squares (compliments of All recipes)

1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup sugar (I used brown sugar instead)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup raisins
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Cut into squares.
I let them set for a few minutes and they were still a little crumbly, but overall were great. I would perhaps say they gobbled it up because I hadn't fed them, but typical boys they have eaten non-stop.
I'm off now to clean the kitchen. I would like to mop the floor as it sticks to one's feet, but I might as well wait until they all leave (tonight).

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Quick, call the zoo, there are elephants upstairs!

Ok, not quite elephants, but 4 -11 yr boys, 1- 7 yr boy, 1- 5 yr girl, 1- 4 yr boy and one baby bully sure make alot of noise upstairs! Oh, yeah, and I invited them all---brain fart!
My friends sons came over to spend the weekend, and of course, the boys in the neighborhood are here also. Personally I think the 2 that live nearby usually come over because I feed them:)I really do hate the grocery shopping and the planning, but I love that my meals are pre-planned. Yesterday we left home early for kids class (across town is 45 min for you that live in the hole in the wall towns!), ran errands, and picked up friends kids. And when I got home, dinner was in the crockpot. Yeah! We had black bean soup, which suprisingly everyone always eats. Even the picky kids. Fry up some corn tortillas and dinner is served.
Today the downstairs looks like a tornado came thru (larger than normal), but all are having a good time. Shelby would like to have a "girl friend" to spend the night, but all we seem to meet are boys! I'm sure she won't mind that in the future (gulp). Still, she plays well with Kyle (7 yr old) and has a great time.
Garry started basketball this week hosted by a local church. They started off with a bang as the coach took 11 boys to see a Magic game. They were given VIP treatment, given goodie bags, and even got to go down and get autographs. I'm sure if Garry had actually known who the players were it would have been even better, LOL. However, he did have a great time (Magic won) and is looking forward to learning to play basketball. This game is much more up his alley, since, per his 6 year old words, "Dad, do you know in football, you fall down and get hurt?!". I guess football is not on the agenda, ever...

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Bryce says the darndest things:)

As I was getting in the van tonight, my hunny apparently made a comment about me. How do I know? My family circus child in the back seat that said"Mommy's so Texas!" Um, thanks?? Translation? "Mommy's so sexy".
Later, when the same child dropped his ice cream, I hear "Oh, my God", before I could say something to correct him, I hear him finish "I trust in thee" (a Bible song). He couldn't have timed it better....or...is this a cover up??!

Grocery day (ARRGH!)

It's no secret that I HATE grocery shopping day. As I look over the receipt (I've spent almost ALL of my grocery budget for this week), I can't really tell where I'm going overboard. I start w/$150 for us for the week. Upon leaving Wally World today, I have $19 left. About $30 was diapers, toilet paper, etc. The rest was strickly groceries. I stuck to my grocery list. There was no snackies on this list, but I will go by the dollar store and get a couple of snacks and bread (less than $10). Still need 2 gallons of milk, which should probably put me at the limit. We aren't even eating extravagant meals-I don't think?!?
Wed: Chili
Thur: Beans and cornbread
Fri: Black bean soup (w/shredded chicken)
Sat: Lasagna
Sun: Turkey pot Pie (left over turkey was in the freezer)
Mon: Pork tenderloin/rice/veggies (left overs are packed for Bert)
Tue: Turkey soup / chedder cheese biscuits
Wed: Black bean tacos (leftovers from Fri)
Breakfast and lunches are not anything out of the ordinary. Oh, yeah-the part that really puts me thru the roof???? I HAVE TO COOK IT ALL!!!! :)

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Lap desks

We're heading to Tx at the end of the month, and it's gonna be a long ride. We made this little project tonight for each of the kids. All helped and did a terrific job. The wooden tops have games on them, which they can use with dry erase markers, and the pillows velcro to the bottom so they can take them off and use them if they want to. Check 'em out! By the way, this was a recycle, reuse and renew project. Everything we needed we had here except for some velcro and more (I ran out) modpodge.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

On Track

some of my sick kids:(
Well, it's Sunday morning and I slept most of the night. Now, this might not sound too exciting, but since Monday, either I or my children have been sick. We've spent every night up with one or more. All are still coughing around here, but hopefully the worst is over.
Dad and the big kids went to get our frivolous purchase this morning. My eldest is the most excited. He can't wait to hook up his Wii and give it a go. We will be extra sure that everyone uses the wrist band and tightens it down. Shelby accidentally thru hers at the wall the other day bowling. Her wrist is so little that the wrist band that came with the 2nd remote is too large for her hand and she slipped out of it. It was very funny (she didn't think so) when it slipped off her hand and at the wall. However, I'm sure no one will be laughing if it hits super tv:)

My food budget is going well so far this week. I might even have a little bit to put away. We've been using food out of the freezer before I buy anything else. We did buy Sonny's on Friday(brought it home) but we've been able to span it over several meals, so it wasn't too bad price wise. It is a hard habit to break, eating out regularly. Tonight we are having a ready to eat meal -- Chicken Voila. I got it on sale at Publix (B1g1 4.99) and used 2 coupons on it (printable at http://www.coupons.com/) and am making rolls courtesy of Pillsbury. If I fix dessert (walnut brownies) and iced tea, dinner will be about $6.50. Not too shabby for a family of 6 (reg fam of 4.5 or 1.44 ea). Guess I can't eat out anywhere for that! I used all my play money already, so I guess I will be staying home until Friday. How fast my pocket money goes away!!!!