CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOG LAYOUTS, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Grill Potato Packets

4 lg. potatoes (2 lbs.), unpeeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 med. onion, minced (optional)
4 tbsp. butter, cut into sm. pieces (I used Smart Balance)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 (4 oz.) pkg. shredded sharp cheddar cheese


While the grill is heaing, wrap all ingredients except cheddar cheese in double thickness of heavy-duty foil, being careful seam of foil is folded several times to seal in juice.

Place foil packet on grill over medium heat; cook 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender, turning package often with tongs. Remove packet from heat; sprinkle potato mixture with cheddar cheese.

*I just sprinkled some grilling spices and Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt on top instead of salt and pepper.  Also, I didn't measure the cheese - just put a couple small handfulls on when I was done.*

Sunday Six

We had a great Sunday!  Some of the highlights:

  1. I brought Georgia to the rec park this morning and took her for a walk.  We did a mile, and I've never seen a dog sniff so much.  Or be so tired at the end of a 1 mile walk.  Lazy dog!
  2. When we got back, David and I went to get some flowers for our back yard window boxes.  He and Jack helped me plant them and they look great.  And I forgot to take a photo. . . I will update that soon.
  3. An unbelievable event happened at our house today - David, Henry, Jack, and I all took afternoon naps.  At the same time.  That never, ever happens.
  4. We had virtually no fighting at our house, (with the exception of one small David-esque meltdown)which is un. heard. of.  David and I headed back to the park tonight under the guise of taking Max for a walk.  But Max didn't want to go and hid under my bed.  Seriously?  Laziest. Dogs. Ever.  David brought his bike and rode the full mile while I walked behind him.  He did a great job. 


     5.  We had a yummy dinner - dijon mustard turkey breast, summer squash casserole, and  potato pockets on the grill (recipe to follow).

     6.   Everyone had a tub and went to bed with no arguing!  What a difference that makes.  All clothes are picked out for school and work, lunches are packed, and we're ready to go.  I love being organized.

Sleepover Surprise

We had JT and Lily June sleep over last night.  Yes, that's right.  Five children six years old and under.  I was a litlte scared, and it was for no reason.  And Chris even went out with his friend last night, which left me alone with them!  We had movie night, and they kids all camped out on the living room floor watching movies until they wanted to go to bed.  (Which was at 9:00 - I was thrilled!)  The biggest hit of the sleepover?  Sleepover Surprise bread.  I kid you not that David ate almost an entire loaf by himself.  He said more than once, "This is the most goodest bread I've ever aten!"  What's the surprise?  It's zucchini bread.  Joke's on them!
Sleepover Surprise Zucchini Bread
Ingredients:
2 serving(s) butter-flavor cooking spray
2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
3 large egg whites
1 large eggs

1 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cups canola oil
2/3 cup(s) unsweetened applesauce
2 cup(s) zucchini, peeled, grated, and drained*

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat two 8- X 4-inch loaf pans with cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon; set aside.

Using an electric mixer, in a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Add egg, sugar, vanilla extract, oil and applesauce, and beat until thoroughly combined; beat in zucchini.

Add sifted ingredients to egg mixture and mix well. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake in middle of oven until a toothpick inserted in center of bread comes out clean, about 50 to 60 minutes. Slice each bread into 10 pieces and serve warm or at room temperature. Yields 1 slice per serving.
* You’ll need about 1 1/2 medium zucchinis (about 3/4 lb) to yield 2 cups shredded zucchini.  (And I don't drain the zucchini - I grate it with a microplane and just use it as is.)

Southern Living Summer Squash Casserole

I love, love, love summer squash.  I am the only one in my house who feels this way.  Yesterday I made a Southern Living summer squash casserole.  The best thing about it?  You cook it in the microwave.  It's delish!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Now That's Tired

I like to give my children some privacy when they have a bath.  Not much, but I do give them some.  We get cleaned up and then they play for a while or relax or whatever they want to do.  Before I get a million comments about how irresponsible that is, the door to the bathroom is open and I check on them every couple of minutes.  And our house isn't big nor are my children quiet - I can hear them the whole time.  Until, of course I can't, and this is what I find . . .
A tub sleeper.  Henry FELL ASLEEP in the bathtub!  Are you kidding me?  I took him out of the water, wrapped him in a towel, dried him off, put his pajamas on and put him in bed and he STILL didn't wake up!!  That's some good sleep!

Can You Say Tonsillectomy?

This pitiful boy is going to have his tonsils and adenoids removed and tubes put in his ears on May 12th.  PITIFUL!  He's had strep throat since, oh I don't know, December?  And a constant green, runny nose.  It's really attractive, as you can imagine.  While I loathe the thought of him having to have surgery, I know how beneficial it will be for him and how much better he will feel in the long run.  David had it done three years ago (minus the tubes) and has really not been sick since.  Really what I'm dreading more than dealing with the surgery and the aftercare?  The amount of work I'll have waiting for me on my desk at the end of the three days I'm off. . . thank God for a laptop!

Stats

5 years old
50 pounds
44 inches tall
3 shots
0 issues with him freaking out and being side show circus freak strong while getting his 3 shots.
100 percent hilarious

More Birthday Celebration

Because Henry's birthday fell on a school day, Chris, Jack and I brough some cupcakes to his class on Monday to celebrate with him.  He was just a little beside himself with excitement.  And Jack was hilarious sitting at the table with all of the big kids, like he belonged there.  The little girls were all tiny little mothers to him while we were there, doting on him and leading him around the classroom.  I think he'll give Henry a run for his money in the ladies man department.

Happy fifth birthday sweet Henry!

Henry is 5!

Henry turned five on Monday.  Five!  How is that possible?  He's such a good boy - very sweet, silly, and has a wonderful sense of humor.  He can be quite naughty, but 90% of the time he's a very, very good boy.  He's so sensitive, doesn't ever like for someone else to be upset, is generous, and kind.  He's also very fun, not afraid to try things, a great eater, and has about a million friends.  I'm so proud of the big boy he has grown to be.

He had a FABULOUS Toy Story party at Gigi and Grampy's house.  We had great weather, lots of good friends, and great food. 
We played with Mr. Potato Head, the soldiers from Toy Story, played outside, and had a pinata.  JT asked, "Why do you always have a pinata at your parties?"  I cracked up, because we DO always have a pinata - we love them!
(That's Henry pushing his "wife" on the swing.  He loves her!)
He got so many fantastic gifts - everyone was very generous and thoughtful.  He had a wonderful birthday and is SO excited to finally be five!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

To Infinity. And Beyond!

Henry's turning 5 tomorrow.  How is that possible?  Big bash today, and this was his cake.  He had a Toy Story party, and it was great fun.  More to come. . .

Monday, April 12, 2010

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter stresses me out.  I'm serious.  The egg hunts, and the coloring of the eggs specifically.  I'm psychotic about winning very competitive.  Egg hunts, for some reason, make that crazy come out tenfold.  Not crazy as in I hunt the eggs for my children - I can't stand when people do that.  Crazy as in, I need want my boys to get the most eggs.  I have no idea why - I don't want them to eat the candy inside and nine times out of ten they don't want to either.  I just NEED them to have the most eggs.  The line for the psychiatrist forms to the left. . .

We went to the hunt this year at the Sam Davis Home.  We've done this each year for the last three years, and the boys really enjoy it.  And each year it rains.  The only thing about the Sam Davis Home?  David and Henry aren't there for the eggs.  They're there for the climbing on this huge stump.  
David's "best friend" J. was there with his family as well.  They went to preschool together and are in the same Kindergarten class.  David was so, so excited to see him.  They all played on and in this stump until it was time for their age group's hunt. 


Jack went first.  As part of my obsession with an egg hunt we had to be on another side of the field where there weren't other people.  Otherwise, I predicted Jack getting himself run over by the parents hunting for their children.  He did a great job - he hunted with minimal people watching and got more eggs than David or Henry did!


David and Henry's hunt followed Jack's.  Henry was strategizing before the bunny gave the OK to hunt. . . that strategy went out the window when he, right before the start time, saw a little girl from his class all the way across the field.  When it was time to start hunting he ran past every single egg on the field to go to the other side and say hello to her. 

David was more of a hunt and peck egg hunter - he would run past ten to pick up one.  Very interesting.  I think they both got probably six eggs each. 

They all seemed very happy with their eggs and had a lot of fun.  And two days later we got a permission slip sent home for a field trip to the Sam Davis Home.  And David was excited to go back and play in the stump. . .


Menu Planning Monday

Sunday - Cheeseburgers or turkey sandwich, chips, raw veggies or strawberries and yogurt
Monday - Pork tenderloin, green beans, rice
Tuesday - Salsa chicken, baked potato, steamed veggies
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Chicken kabobs, grilled veggies, garlic bread
Friday - Burgers, grill potato packets, sliced fruit
Saturday - Leftovers or Breakfast for dinner.

What's for dinner at your house this week?