Different Strokes

Owen had today off from school for a teacher workday. I wanted to do something a little different, but with 3 different ages and 2 naps to contend with and the cold weather, my list of choices was very short.

I decided to take the boys to a paint your own pottery store. I was hoping they could each make a cup for their bathroom b/c I am forever forgetting whose is whose. Unfortunately they only had large mugs, so they opted for "ice cream" bowls instead. Now we will have 2 very expensive ceramic bowls that I pray don't break right away :)

Mason had so much fun. He had no real idea in mind. He just picked "pretty colors" and went at it.

Owen spotted a brown football bowl (below) on display and decided he wanted one just like it.

You can't see in the picture but it had white lacing and brown seams. He did a great job (with a little help from me :) not that I minded. I just hope he isn't too disappointed if it comes out looking different.

 

Ryan in the background

Ryan did not have nearly as much fun, but he did tolerate a lot of sitting in his stroller. Thankfully the place wasn't very crowded. I am sure they thought I was nuts bringing 3 boys by myself. The boys are very excited to see their finished creations.
Then we met EJ for lunch. Owen enjoyed himself so much that at dinner tonight he said he was going to have a stomachache tomorrow and stay home ;)

#4

He is all about basketball these days. 

I think its so funny how quickly his heart swells for whichever sport is in season.

I am actually quite grateful to keep switching. 

I grow a little tired of hearing or practicing the same sport over and over again.

I know I have years and years ahead of me :)

Mason Time

I had a lot of solo time with Mason this weekend. It started Friday night, Owen had basketball practice and a neighbor/friend who is also the coach drove him to and from practice. Owen also had a quick dinner with them which is a pretty big deal, possibly his first time eating with another family by himself apart from a birthday party. Needless to say, Mason had mommy and daddy pretty much all to himself. Ryan was there but he goes to bed so early.
Then Saturday morning EJ and Owen went to his game. I needed to stay home to let Ryan have a morning nap. Mason chose to stay home. We played games almost the entire morning. Normally all he wants to do is play with lego guys. It was nice to actually play something else for a change.
Games are so much better for learning. We really should be playing them more often. He still needs help with colors, simple counting, shapes etc.

Just Finished

a blog header for a very patient woman and her sweet family.

 I will not disclose how long it took. Hopefully it was worth her wait ;)

Eating Green

I have been wanting to plug this recipe for Zucchini Quiche on my blog for a long time and just kept forgetting. It's one of our favorites. Originally, I was going to mention it b/c it's easy to make* And then I thought it would be good to share b/c Owen asks for it frequently. Mason eats it and veggies are not his favorite. And now that Ryan devoured it (and won't usually eat scrambled egg) I know its too good to be true. It will be a sad day when 1 quiche is not enough, but for now I still get the leftovers for lunch. Did I mention that zucchini is by far my favorite veggie? Yum!

* it's probably easier for me to make b/c I have a great little chopper attachment for my mixer. I can easily chop the zucchini and I also chop the green onion so the bites of onion aren't overwhelmingly big. Otherwise I am not sure how to produce "shredded" zucchini.

I forgot to mention I have put them into muffin tins (no wrapper, just sprayed) before. Perfect for a brunch/party, although they tend to get cold faster.

I Heart These

Remember these? Well, I am still loving my frames. I really want to find everyday paper for in between holidays. I went from Christmas to Valentine's Day. Sadly, my favorite scrapbook store closed permanently. I didn't realized how spoiled I was until I tried finding paper to replace in the living room windows b/c our decor as changed. (Which I promise I will show soon) I am really very sad the store has closed. Isn't that ridiculous? It's a paper store for crying out loud. But I LOVE paper. Buying it online seems crazy, but I just might do it.

I am still using the Christmas paper book. It is really coming in handy!

So Proud

(taken New Year's Eve, thanks Leah)

I don't write much about my hubby. For which he is probably grateful. Never the less I have something to say this week.
I am so very proud of him! I won't go into the details, but it has to do with his character at the workplace. I am honored to walk beside this man and share his name. I do not take this for granted!
EJ is continually showing me how to me more generous, not by his words but through his actions. Thank you!

Personal Assistants

How did Owen ever figure out his toys when he was an only child?

 

Thank goodness Ryan has some helpers ;)

 

Darn, he made his way over to the toy bins. 

 

Now there is no telling what he gets his hands on.

Attn BBQ Lovers

** Please note: My friend, Elizabeth followed this recipe and had some input I thought I should add to the bottom of original post.


Any other comments welcome!

No Wonder

Yesterday, was apparently the most depressing day of the year. Don't ask me how that is determined. No wonder I didn't want to get out of bed.
Isn't that amazing?

Morning Devotional

Just playing legos for the 10000th time. Mason randomly says, "don't worry about me, Jesus is in your heart." I give him a puzzled expression. Did I look worried? He continues, "you know the man with the white pants? He is in my heart too." Thanks for speaking the truth to me, Mason.

I did not want to get out of bed this morning. I may have refused to get out of bed which made EJ start breakfast and I may walked down the stairs with my eyes closed. I don't suggest that! Even my 3 yr knows I am not wanting to start the week just yet. Oops!

Wishing I were a Bear...

in hibernation!!!!
I take it back. 30 degrees is welcome. Teens are much worse! I will be moving to SC in retirement from months Dec-March. Hopefully EJ will join me! Oh wait, I don't have retirement, I guess I better convince EJ :)

In Good Company

Playing Hangman with Owen

 Showing the love to Uncle Alex

 Yeager (my sis and Alex's dog) got LOTS of love from Ryan (whether Yeager wanted it or not)

Ryan and Lissa

Ryan figured out how to clap. So he does it almost constantly.

 

Some love for the mama

 

 Such a fun weekend!

Blast From the Past

We had a great weekend with my family!

We stayed at Massanutten and took the older 2 boys into Harrisonburg on Saturday.

 My mom graciously watched Ryan.

The weather was FREEZING 17 degrees when we woke up.

So instead of walking around JMU we drove.

Of course we had to stop to see the Barn House, looking as run down as ever!

This is where I lived my Junior year with 7 amazing girls, who remain my dearest friends.

 

The 625, where EJ lived his Junior and Senior years

 

Then we took the boys to a JMU basketball game.

High 5s for the Duke Dog

 Owen loved the game and watched very intently. 

Mason played games on my phone a majority of the time ;)

 We ate lunch at a favorite spot. 

Becca, they still have the Chicken Charlie ;)

Random

My parents closed on their house today! 

They will now be only 35 minutes away.

I have no idea when they plan to move, it needs some work first.

 This is where I put Ryan if I need to know he is safe.

It's set up in the playroom and visible to the kitchen.

This was the 3rd attempt and the first time he was happy to sit in there.

We had 1 really nice day this week. 

We took full advantage. 

Basketball, a walk and "tennis" this ball we don't have to chase down the hill :)

  

Ryan tried out our swing for the first time.

We have a fun weekend planned!

Sign Language of sorts

Ryan has always been an awesome baby. This may get him an award.

This is his sign for - "I am done put me to bed please"

Isn't that the greatest? He covers his ears.

BBQ Goodness

The meal I most often take to a family who could use a little blessing, is pulled pork bbq. Later, most wives (at their hubbies request) ask for the recipe.
I am in no way claiming to bbq expert. Although my Father-in law might beg to differ (but he is from the North, I don't think his vote counts ;) He loves when I make my BBQ.
I thought I'd share the recipe. It's quite simple. The only time consuming part is the pulling.

You need:
Pork Shoulder Blade (it will say it on the label)
salt-dash
sugar- 2 Tbsp
water
white vinegar
BBQ sauce

I try and buy as close to 9 lbs as I can. (I have a huge crockpot). It can be divided and frozen. Around 5.5lbs total when prepared.

Add the water and vinegar to your crock pot in a 1/4 cup vinegar to 3/4 cup water ratio.
I start with 1 cup vinegar to 2 3/4 cup water. Add dash of salt and 2 Tbsp of sugar. Stir. Lay pork in crockpot and then add more vinegar and water to cover. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, then low for 3-4 hours until if starts falling off bone* depends on size. Pull apart and add BBQ sauce.

I use Bulls Eye Original. EJ did a taste test with KC Masterpiece and prefers it, although I think it might be more expensive.

*TIP: I found the larger size was taking more time than the recipe said, plus I needed pulling time.So, I discovered it's best to put in the crockpot over night on low. 9lbs takes almost 10 hrs on low. That way if it needs a little more time to cook, I am not holding up dinner. It also gives me more time to pull it.and clean my mess. I will say the first time I pulled it in the morning I was pretty grossed out. Just not appetizing right after breakfast. But I've gotten use to it. And it's worth it not to feel rushed when I am trying to deliver a meal to someone too.

** Please note: My friend, Elizabeth followed this recipe and had some input I thought I should add. 
"Boston Butt" is the same thing as Shoulder Blade (both sound terrible if you think too much)
9lbs was too big for her crockpot.
It is messy and greasy to pull.
To pull the meat, I use 2 forks and shread it apart. If it's not shreading easy, it probably could have used more time cooking (just for future reference). The center meat usually has to be cut into smaller pieces with knife. I do cut away extra fat and other gross stuff. Apparently Elizabeth included a little too much and Sloan bit into something he wished he hadn't. Oops!

Ryan's New Friend

Me and me shadow,
My shadow and me;
We're always together
Close as can be.

We make pictures
On the floor and the walls,
Like rabbits and dogs --
And that's not all!

Wherever we go
We've got company --
Me and my shadow

My shadow and me!

from Peter Pan 

 

I was cleaning up dinner when I heard sweet babble coming from the other room. 

Moments earlier he had just been crying in his highchair, so I wasn't sure why he was suddenly so happy.

I peeked over and realized he had found a friend. He played this way for awhile.

Lefty

I know it's a little too early to know for sure, but I think we may have a lefty on our hands. Both his paternal grandparents are left-handed, so we aren't too surprised.

Tidy Up

 

I do not naturally keep a tidy house. It's usually clean just not "picked up." I am sure 3, well make that 4 boys, doesn't help, but it really is mostly my stuff. I've tried to be tidy, but I just don't do it well. I switch gears too quickly and forget to properly put things away. I know if I did, it would save me so much time in the long run, I just don't make the effort. I have certain spots in my house that I dump stuff on. My desk in the laundry room is really just a surface for piles of any kind: bills, store items to be returned, school papers, children's artwork, my artwork, clean laundry, etc. The kitchen counter is very easily cluttered with mail, schoolwork, library books, my camera, etc. Our master bedroom is usually home to piles of clean laundry, random toys, books, shoes etc.

The point to this rambling is I have instituted 2 new systems. Not resolutions per se, it just so happens I started January 3rd ;)

 

1. I have established 2 personal "pick-up" times for myself each week day and 1 for the kids. At 2 p.m. I stop whatever I am doing (hopefully resting, reading or blogging) and put things in order. Usually I work in the kitchen, but sometimes I might fold laundry or put clean laundry away or prep for dinner. This is NOT substitute for real cleaning, I save most of that for preschool mornings. Now when Owen gets home I feel a little better about the second half of the day when things get much nosier and chaotic.

Around 5 p.m.while I am making dinner and feeding Ryan, the older 2 boys clean up their stuff. I know this should not be a new thing, but since Ryan came a long I got slack about them picking up after themselves. Obviously that won't help them NOT be like their mother when they are older. There may or may not be a wii reward when their done ;) depends on how long until dinner.

 

This is also when they take their clean clothes pile upstairs and put it away. I no longer take their clean clothes upstairs in the family basket. It was just sitting and sitting for days in our room. Mason has picture labels on his dresser drawers to help him. I don't dread doing the laundry nearly as much (thanks Courtney for the tip).

My second "pick-up" time is 10 p.m. Now, I am not a night person, so it's hard to get motivated. At 10 ish, EJ irons his clothes for the next day and I tidy up whatever else has not been put away.

A funny thing is happening. I don't have nearly as much to put away at 10! Amazing! I am actually starting to put things away the first time. Knowing that I will have to do it at 2 or 10 makes me stop and think twice about just setting something down.
Now it's only Jan 16th, but 13 days isn't bad. In fact, I forgot to stop at 2 on Sat and Sun. and later regretted it. Ask me again in a month, but I think it's working.

Any tips you want to share? 

Under 40

40s has never sounded so good. I am not talking about years, I am talking degrees. Yesterday, we broke 40, according to weather.com that hasn't happened in 9 days, but it has felt much longer than that!

The cold weather has been so much more tolerable this winter thanks to these wonderful boots. My parents gave them to me for Christmas '09, before boot rage explosion. I didn't have much chance to wear them that year since a majority of my winter and early spring was spent on the couch*.

 

I know it's totally trendy, but my toes couldn't be more thrilled. My feet get abnormally cold very quick. So much so that they can turn purple. I've had this checked out and supposedly they are fine. Mason refuses to go without socks (except in the summer). I think he got his cold feet from me. 

I know I will look back in 10 years and think, skinny jeans and ugly boots what was I thinking? I will laugh, we all will (EJ is laughing now). But my feet have never been toastier and I'd be happy if the trend sticks around. 

* It was on Jan 15th of last year when I posted about bed rest starting. Alleluia that is 1 year behind us and instead I get to squeeze my sweet munchkin.