He's getting so big!

Tornado learned how to ride without training wheels tonight. Actually... there was very little learning involved. He pretty much climbed on his bike and took off. It took a couple of tries to learn how to get started, but he got it down quickly.

Naked girl strikes again

I've been pinning her jammies at night and that has worked great, but what about naptime? She's not in a onesie because it's hot, there is nothing to pin, so how to keep her dressed AND DIAPERED during naptime? I got lucky again yesterday, there was no poop or pee involved, but I think my luck is running out.

My kids....

I love 'em! I never know what they are going to do next. Parenting them is half the fear and half the fun.

I came home last night from my meeting around 10:00 pm and to my surprise the dishes were done (love you DA!) and the light was on downstairs. Usually DA is in bed pretty early but I thought, "He waited up for me!" I walked downstairs and no.... it wasn't DA, it was Tornado. After DA went to bed, tornado got up to watch a little TV. He turned to me with this look that said, "See how grown-up I am? I can stay up watching TV. Uh, no. I put him back in bed letting him know that once he was in bed, he needed to stay in bed.

This morning I could hear Bubbles talking so I went to get her up. I walked through the door to see my stark naked little girl laying in her crib like there was nothing unusual going on. I approached the crib praying I wouldn't find any diaper messes (please no!) and was rewarded with a still clean child, crib, etc. Whew! Dodged that bullet. I got her up and proceeded to inform her that she is to leave her diaper ALONE! But just in case she's still confused, her zipper on her jammies will be safety pinned shut tonight. Let's all cross our fingers on that one.

Chaos of the mind

With my new calling I frequently deal with chaos in my mind. There is so much I have to keep track of for my calling, my family, and me. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't deal very well with chaos. I can't think and if I can't think, I can't do. I also forget a lot of things. My house reflects that as well. I can't function in clutter. Clutter suffocates my brain. This week has been a good example. I've been pulled in all directions and have been busier than ever before. To others it may be just another day but I was overwhelmed and had that frantic knot in my stomach constantly. But.... I found something that takes it all away. Like magic.

My bike.

Mothers Days was good to me this year. DA gave me the gift of sunshine, fresh air, and exercise. I've taken a ride nearly every day this week and that knot in my stomach? It disappears. At least for as long as I am riding. Sometimes it returns when I walk back in the door and see the dishes that I couldn't deal with before, or children that need to go to bed, but other times it stays gone.

I love my bike and I love what it does for me!

Hopping back on the train

okay, I've thought about it and I think I'm going to continue with this blogging thing. Not much has happened in my absence. Although I will post about our first family camping trip soon.

One problem I have though. My kids names on here? Totally wrong. Has been for a while. Tornado is totally not a tornado anymore. The kid is sweet, shy, stubborn and very calm lately.

Now Bubbles ..... she is a dynamo. A fearless hurricane, tsunami, and an earthquake all wrapped up in a tiny body. She has no fear, definitely thinks she rules things around here, and has the sweetest smile when she's jabbering at you. So..... any suggestions as to new names for them?

Zoo days

We went to the zoo a few weeks ago and had a lot of fun. Bubbles liked the monkey's and Tornado of course loved the train ride.

Tornado spent most of the time asking to see the snakes. Over and over again as only a 4 year old can do. Finally we made it to the reptile house and showed him the snakes. So what did he do? He turns to me and says "Mom, I don't like snakes," and then turns to leave. Huh??? Did he just spend a good part of an hour asking to see snakes? Same thing happened with the giraffes. As we walked past elephants, bears, and monkeys he kept asking to see the giraffes. We took him to the giraffes and he spent less than 30 seconds looking at them. He's a funny kid. I never know what he's thinking.

Calling all Dutch Oven Recipes....

Please post or send me your favorites. We have FINALLY seasoned our dutch oven that we got for our wedding almost 8 years ago. It's been through 5 moves and it's patience finally has been rewarded. We are going camping next month (for the first time as a family) and are testing out recipes so we make sure we don't starve.

Sorry

I've got blogger block. I'll post something soon though. I promise.

Tornado's actual birthday - 4 years old!

Being a tree. Again.

Tornado's Birthday party

Someone should have warned me what it was like to have a birthday party with 8 4-year olds.

Tornado being a tree. Why? Who knows?

Decorating Goodie bags

Playing "Put the hammer in Bob's hand"

Playing "Bob Says..."

It's amazing what he picks up

Today Tornado kept saying "I'm sorry I'm late. I didn't sleep a wink last night!" We were confused for most of the day until we questioned him further.

Me: "Tornado, what are you talking about? Where did you hear that?"
T: "Farmer Pickles says it" Silently I could hear the implied "Duh, mom!"
Me: "Were you watching Bob the Builder this morning?"
T: "Uh huh." And off he went telling me all about Bob and Farmer Pickles and singing the theme song.

Last month it was still all things Thomas. Now Bob the Builder is his new love.

He is so fun and sweet.

Baby Bubbles is 1 year old!

At her 1 year appointment she was 1 oz shy of 19 lbs, and she's 30.5 inches long. She is a very intense little girl and she's always moving and eating. She can say Mama, Audrey, and hi.

Christmas

I realize these are way late, but better late than never right?

Garlic Lime Chicken

Since I have nothing to report except I hate snow, here's a favorite recipe of ours. Takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Garlic Lime Chicken

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon thyme
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
8 tablespoons lime juice
cornstarch

In a bowl, mix together first 7 ingredients. Sprinkle mixture lightly on both sides of chicken breasts. (there is enough here to last you for the next 4 times you make this recipe. DON'T use all of it, it will be too spicy to eat)

In a skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat. Saute chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side. Turn down the heat, remove the chicken (keeping warm) and add the lime juice and chicken broth and cornstarch to the pan, whisking up the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Keep cooking until sauce has reduced slightly and thickened a bit. Add chicken back to the pan to thoroughly coat and serve.

Missing in Action

but I have a really good reason! I've been knitting and knitting to make these. I had to get them done in time to be shipped for Christmas.

Misc Baby Bubbles

This post is in honor of her! I took her to her 9 month appointment and she is 16.7 lbs (10%) and 27.8 inches long (80%.) She is such a fun girl and quite attached. She loves her mama!


Trying to get her picture. And yes, she's wearing Tornado's old jammies.

At our Sunday dinner and Papa's and Grandma's.