Summer Hands and Feet

Our last MOPS meeting of the year is always a "favorite things" meeting.  Everyone brings a "favorite thing" and tells why they love it and then picks a name for someone else to keep it.  This year many were either chocolate or summer adult beverages.  :)

O'Keefe's for Healthy Feet was one "favorite thing" this year.  It was pitched as something perfect for summer feet.  With sandal season here, I thought I would give it a try...so I bought some for my mom and then tested it out on a recent trip home.

image

This stuff definitely makes your feet sandal-worthy!  My feet were moisturized and soft and ready for summer.  Now I just need to get some for myself!  

The "favorite thing" I got to take home was OPI's Bubble Bath nail polish.  It's the perfect natural color for your fingernails...makes them look nice and healthy.

(PS -  I have to confess that I was one of the "someones" who brought dark chocolate to the meeting...)

Spinach Salad with Strawberries

This is a light salad that I like to add grilled chicken to in the summertime and serve for dinner.

Mix 2 bunches of spinach with 1 pint of sliced strawberries. 

Then combine these for the dressing:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

2 green scallions, sliced

1/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Drizzle dressing on top just before serving.

(And, yes, I made this one with just romaine.)    

Linking here. 
betweennapsontheporch.net

Puppy Love

During a recent trip to my hometown, the kids got to see my sister's in-law's dog's (do you follow?) puppies.  They were in l-o-v-e.

Jude kept saying they were "so adorable."

Now there have been a LOT of requests for a dog around here.  (I'm in no hurry to do that to myself anytime soon.)  But I do feel a teeny bit guilty for saying no when there are notes like this around the house:

"I want a dog so bad.

And, plus, I love dogs!"

Have a great weekend!

Our Summer Schedule...Subject to Change

I'm trying not to hear "I'm bored" this summer (wishful thinking) and to keep the bickering at a minimum (if possible).  So I've come up with a tentative daily schedule to keep the peace...

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
6 – 8 AM	Clare up by 7:15 Breakfast	Up on own Breakfast	Clare up by 7:15 Breakfast	Up on own Breakfast	Clare up by 7:15 Breakfast
8 – 9 AM	Clare @Swim Team Jude, Ellen, and Mommy walk/bike	Chores	Clare  @Swim Team Jude, Ellen, and Mommy walk/bike	Chores	Clare  @Swim Team Jude, Ellen, and Mommy walk/bike
9 – 10 AM		Rotating Rosary with 1st and 2nd Cousins **	Make a visit to the Adoration chapel. Free Movie @ Theater	Grocery Shopping	Fun Outing or Playdate
10 – NOON	Library			Pool
12 – 2 PM	Lunch Schoolwork* Naps/Quiet Time	Lunch Schoolwork Naps/Quiet Time	Lunch Schoolwork Naps Make Dessert with Mom ***	Lunch Schoolwork Naps Craft with Mom****	Lunch Schoolwork Naps/Quiet Time
2 – 4 PM	Play Outside or Read	Pool	Pool	Play Outside or Read	Pool
4 – 5 PM	Play Outside or Read	Pool	Pool	Play Outside or Read	Pool

*Schoolwork = workbooks from school and the dollar store.  Mostly for both of the older kids to work on their pencil grasp and penmanship.

** I {heart} my in-laws!

*** Stocked up on school fundraiser frozen sugar cookie dough.  Will do the same with chocolate chips and other baking staples...once my oven is up and working again.

****Going to be referring back to a lot of these.

I also made some summer-goal-reminder-charts for Clare and Jude for the things we would like to accomplish and practice this summer!

I also need to follow my sister-in-law's footsteps and buy a copy of this book.

"A Mother's Manual for Summer Survival"

  My own mom also had a copy when we were growing up!  

2012 Summer Bucket List

First week of summer vacation and we have our summer bucket list complete:

Make rootbeer floats.

Go berry picking.

Catch fireflies.

Ride a ferris wheel.

Picnic lunch at the park.

Picnic dinner at the park.

Go to a baseball game.

Go to the zoo.

Read 100 books.
Watch the Olympics.

Grow a sunflower.

Movie nights at the park.

Watch fireworks.

Vacation Bible School.
Tie-Dye.
Roast marshmallows.

What's on your list?

Happy Memorial Day!

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, 

God bless the USA!

-Lee Greenwood

Quick Takes

I'm hoping on the 7 Quick Takes Friday bandwagon today...so here we go...

--- 1 ---

Since it's the beginning of a new weekend, so I'll share the excitement from last weekend.  Painting the bathroom ceiling.  We know how to have a good time!

This also means I want to repaint the bathroom.  Not feeling the green in there, so I'm coming up with another color scheme/plan.  Stay tuned...

--- 2 ---

Kindergarten is officially over!  So all of Clare's school supplies came home this week, including her rest mat.  I'm afraid to know what else came with it.  It has since been well disinfected!

--- 3 ---

I'm pleased to announce that my deck flowers are blooming!  Since I planted them as seeds (and have no green thumb) I am quite proud of myself!

My basil is also growing nicely and we made and enjoyed our first batch of homemade pesto this week.  Delish.

--- 4 ---

The other day Jude came in very upset that he lost his "fun guy" that Clare had given him.  I assumed he was talking about some toy figurine/action figure.  Then I realized he was talking about a "fungi"...a mushroom Clare had found growing in the yard and given him.  I think we are watching too many nature shows around here.  

--- 5 ---

Summer temperatures are holding steady and I'm getting my money's worth out of my summer wardrobe.  Although with some recent purchases, I must have been seeing stripes during my shopping expeditions...

--- 6 ---

I won't be doing any baking, or using my oven at all, anytime soon.  I was making banana bread this week and the heating coil at the bottom of the oven caught on fire and melted in half!  That was a little bit too much excitement for me.  Thankfully we can grill, take advantage of the crock pot, and use the stovetop until the "situation" is fixed!

--- 7 ---
Happy Friday!  Happy weekend!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Kindergarten Graduate!

Clare graduated from kindergarten last night is an official 1st grader!

We are so proud of all of your hard work this year and of all of the things you have accomplished!

We love you!

Last Day of School! Last Day of School!

It's the last day of school!  We survived kindergarten and passed with flying colors!  I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by and how much Clare has grown this year.  

I made up some super easy teacher appreciation gifts this year.  (Inspired by my mother-in-law who kindly gifted me with Bath and Body soaps for Mother's Day and now Jude has commented several times on how nice the "new green soap" smells.  So I stocked up on the same loveliness to gift to our favorite teachers.  Easy.)  I added personal thank you's and a bow and my good deed was done.  

Here's to a great last day!!!

Liebster Award

I was recently given the "Liebster Award" by 2 bloggers, Barbara from Chase the Star and Melissa at Serendipity and Spice.  

I was touched by their kind words...and was flattered that someone out there a) checks in over here and b) likes what they see.  So thank you very much, ladies!

"Liebster" means "favorite" or "dearest" in German.  This award is given to blogs with less than 200 followers (I'm getting close!) that you find to be up and coming and want to help grow.    

And so it is my duty and honor to pass this award on to these 5 lovely blogs...

1.  Mommy Gone Primal

There might be some nepotism here, but I have to give a shout-out to my sister-in-law who recently started blogging.  And I have to applaud her for her disciplined primal lifestyle.  Way to go, Shannon!  :) 

2.  Life Love Larson

I have admired Andrea's blog for some time.  She had me at her moss-covered wreath and always seems to have something yummy up her sleeve!

3.  The Terp Blog

I recently discovered Katie's blog.  She will motivate you to get your self in gear physically (she's a runner), spiritually (with the Hello Mornings Challenge), and around the house (menu planning).  Stop by and say hello.    

4.  Plumberry Pie

Kim is new to the blogging world and it has been nice to know another rookie!  She has a lot of creative juices flowing through her...from her kids' birthday parties to inexpensive ways to update your kitchen.  She's also hosting a Stella and Dot giveaway right now!

5.  Let Why Lead

If Erica's beautiful photography doesn't draw you in, they take a look at her "about" tab where she hopes that what you read on her blog will help you create for yourself a life of meaning.

Stop by and check out these great blogs!

If you choose to participate...

Liebster Blog Award Rules:

1. Post about your win on your blog.

2. Link back to the blogger who presented you with the award - 

making it feel like home.

3. Copy and paste the award button to your blog.

4. Present the Liebster Award to 5 blogs that have fewer than 200 followers that you think deserve to be recognized.

5. Let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

When God Created Mothers 

by Erma Bombeck

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." 

And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands." 

The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way." 

It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." 

That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded. 

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word." 

God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...." 

I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower." 

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. 

But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure." 

Can it think?" 

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator. 

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. 

There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model." 

It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." 

What's it for?" 

It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride." 

You are a genius, " said the angel. 

Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.” 

Wishing my own mother of 6 a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!  

We love you!

Favorite Birthday Tradition

Jude was very excited to wake up on his birthday last week to this scene in his room:

It has become a tradition in our family to wake up to lots and lots of balloons in your room on your birthday (usually even in your favorite color)!

And for 97 cents at Walmart, this is an inexpensive and easy (well, maybe not if you get short-winded blowing up 20 or so balloons after the birthday child is asleep for the night) tradition to keep.  

This tradition has made some people very happy on past birthdays...

Turning 3

 

Turning 4

Making children happy one birthday at a time....

Easy Chocolate Cake (no eggs)

We celebrated Jude's birthday twice...once last Wednesday on his actual birthday, and then again on Sunday with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.  Since there wasn't a large crowd to eat a cake on his birthday, I made this cake from scratch.  It is a recipe my mom has used for years.  I did half of the recipe and made one-layer cake and it was plenty for the five of us to enjoy.

Easy Chocolate Cake

Stir together:

2 cups sugar

3 cups flour

6 tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

Add:

2 cups cold water

2/3 cup oil

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 teaspoons vanilla

Pour into greased cake pans and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

(Or for 20 minutes for cupcakes.)

My humble attempt at the Transfomers logo made the birthday boy very happy.

And slice for the birthday boy on our special birthday plate.

Linking here.

todayscreativeblog.net

betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

My Portrait - by Jude

I know I've gone all "Mom Haircut," but I didn't realize just how short Jude thinks my hair is until this came home from preschool...

And my eyes...so very large and green!  :)