It snowed here!
While you may have been lead to believe that I hate snow, I don't. It only appeared that way because winter in Wisconsin is way too long.
In Texas, snow is great. GREAT. Because it melts. Quickly.
We got 3 1/2 inches. School closed early. Built a snowman.* Had a snowball fight. School started late this a.m., which was completely unnecessary, but much appreciated! And, as I type this, I can see my grassy lawn.
*Mr. Snowman was apparently poorly constructed. While waiting for Aubrey to grab a carrot from the fridge, he tipped right over.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
lazy sunday
Ugh, I'm sick. Again. Seems like I was just sick. Anyway, Andy's been really sweet, taking care of the girls and letting me rest as much as I can. He took Aubrey and Lauren to sonic for lunch today, while Sasha and I slept. He asked if I wanted anything. I said, with a hint of duh in my voice, strawberry limeade. Bless his heart, he must not follow my blog very faithfully. He came home with cherry limeade. Not bad, by any means, and I am really enjoying it. But it ain't strawberry limeade. :-)
I'm mentally planning a grand roadtrip for the summer. Me, my mother-in-law, and 3 girlies. We want to visit all the old folks we can, and stop to see younger ones along the way. Maybe detour out of the way to see some younger ones, as well, but we'll see. If we could do my dream roadtrip, we'd be stopping in or driving through TX, NM, AZ, CA, NV, ID, OR, WA, MT, WY, UT, CO. 6,500 miles - just destination to destination - that doesn't include sight-seeing miles. We would see upwards of 30 relatives, and have opportunities to see lots of friends. Kind of dizzying, but boy, it'd be a blast. A summer full of memories. I can't even begin to calculate how long we'd be gone.
Potstickers for dinner tonight. Not the frozen ones, but homemade. I can't wait!
I'm mentally planning a grand roadtrip for the summer. Me, my mother-in-law, and 3 girlies. We want to visit all the old folks we can, and stop to see younger ones along the way. Maybe detour out of the way to see some younger ones, as well, but we'll see. If we could do my dream roadtrip, we'd be stopping in or driving through TX, NM, AZ, CA, NV, ID, OR, WA, MT, WY, UT, CO. 6,500 miles - just destination to destination - that doesn't include sight-seeing miles. We would see upwards of 30 relatives, and have opportunities to see lots of friends. Kind of dizzying, but boy, it'd be a blast. A summer full of memories. I can't even begin to calculate how long we'd be gone.
Potstickers for dinner tonight. Not the frozen ones, but homemade. I can't wait!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food | Video on TED.com
A must-see. Brought me to tears.
Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food Video on TED.com
It especially got to me when the children thought that a beet was celery, and an eggplant was a pear. So very sad.
Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food Video on TED.com
It especially got to me when the children thought that a beet was celery, and an eggplant was a pear. So very sad.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Healthy Kids
So, I am working on a 4 day curriculum on healthy foods for Lauren's preschool. I'm laying all my ideas out there so that I can remember them, and so that you can give me feedback and ideas, if you so choose. :-) The youngest kids are almost 2, the oldest just turned 5, and thye are divided into classes by age. And really, I'd appreciate hearing your ideas and suggestions.
Food Pyramid Project (FPP)
- The FPP for the littlest ones will be about identifying foods as fruits, veggies, meats, grains. Maybe some big cut outs that they sort.
- there will be a collage project with the older ones cutting out from grocery store sales flyers, gluing items into their group.
Healthy Snack Day
- this curriculum will coincide with the Mother's Day Tea - we'll ask parents to help their child pick one of their favorite healthy snacks to bring and share. There will be no cookies/cupcakes/sugary punch.
Thank You Card craft
- the kids will decorate a pre-printed card that says something to the effect of, "Thank you, ________ (we'll hand-write mom or dad or grandpa, etc.) for all the healthy foods you feed me! I am growing up happy and strong, developing good habits that will stick with me for life!"
Leafy Comparison
- we'll bring in varieties of lettuces and other leafy greens, and let the kids compare the shapes, sizes, colors, tastes
Some songs and poems:
Peanut Sitting on A Railroad Track - song
A peanut sat on a railroad track
His heart was all aflutter (pat hand over heart.)
Around the bend came number ten, (hold up ten fingers).
Choo-Choo Peanut Butter (pretend you are pulling whistle.)
Smack (clap hands together).
I Eat My Peas With Honey - poem
I eat my peas with honey;
I’ve done it all my life.
It makes them taste funny,
But it keeps them on the knife.
Little Carrots - sung to "Ten Little Indians"
One little, two little, thre little carrots
Four little, five little, six little carrotts
Seven little, eight little, nine little carrots
Ten carrots in the garden plot.
(this can be sung with different veggies, too)
Some books to read:
The Little Red Hen
Feast for Ten
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
A Bad Case of Stripes
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food
Hopefully I can also post some info for parents, with healthy snack ideas, hints about encouraging eating veggies, etc.
Food Pyramid Project (FPP)
- The FPP for the littlest ones will be about identifying foods as fruits, veggies, meats, grains. Maybe some big cut outs that they sort.
- there will be a collage project with the older ones cutting out from grocery store sales flyers, gluing items into their group.
Healthy Snack Day
- this curriculum will coincide with the Mother's Day Tea - we'll ask parents to help their child pick one of their favorite healthy snacks to bring and share. There will be no cookies/cupcakes/sugary punch.
Thank You Card craft
- the kids will decorate a pre-printed card that says something to the effect of, "Thank you, ________ (we'll hand-write mom or dad or grandpa, etc.) for all the healthy foods you feed me! I am growing up happy and strong, developing good habits that will stick with me for life!"
Leafy Comparison
- we'll bring in varieties of lettuces and other leafy greens, and let the kids compare the shapes, sizes, colors, tastes
Some songs and poems:
Peanut Sitting on A Railroad Track - song
A peanut sat on a railroad track
His heart was all aflutter (pat hand over heart.)
Around the bend came number ten, (hold up ten fingers).
Choo-Choo Peanut Butter (pretend you are pulling whistle.)
Smack (clap hands together).
I Eat My Peas With Honey - poem
I eat my peas with honey;
I’ve done it all my life.
It makes them taste funny,
But it keeps them on the knife.
Little Carrots - sung to "Ten Little Indians"
One little, two little, thre little carrots
Four little, five little, six little carrotts
Seven little, eight little, nine little carrots
Ten carrots in the garden plot.
(this can be sung with different veggies, too)
Some books to read:
The Little Red Hen
Feast for Ten
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
A Bad Case of Stripes
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food
Hopefully I can also post some info for parents, with healthy snack ideas, hints about encouraging eating veggies, etc.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Bee mine
This year our Valentine's got honey sticks. Disguised as inchworms, "Inching along to wish you a very Happy Valentine's Day!" Or delivering a heart, "You're a honey!"Hallmark doesn't make much off of us this time of year, but we like making it fun for the girlies. So we've got red heart garland (made from red Christmas wrap) strung up on the wall, along with assorted school crafts. Fun stuff!
I hope you are enjoying your loved ones today!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
the never ending list
today my to-do list seems rather intimidating. so instead of tackling it just yet, I'll bolog about it, spend some time on facebook, maybe e-mail my sister, you know, all the important things. :-)
- finish cutting and hole-punching inch worms for the girls' v-day cards
- make Lauren's birthday banner
- type up minutes from the last preschool board meeting
- get to library to return books (hopefully in time to enjoy story time)
- sweep and mop
- dust the blinds and other rarely-dusted things
- run dishwasher, empty dishwasher
- draw up plans for Lauren's cake - make sure we have all necessary ingredients
Really, the list isn't that bad. Because I'm not going to dust. And there's a 99% chance I won't sweep or mop. But I am really hesitant to start on Lauren's banner. I have what I need, I know what I'm doing, but I've never done it before. So I'm unsure. And since I'm unsure on one item on my list, my whole day is looking crazy. C.R.A.Z.Y.
In addition, I'm grieving another death in the family - Grandma's brother Jimmy passed away over the weekend. That's 3 out of 4 of those siblings dead in 3 months. More C.R.A.Z.Y. (and I mean no disrespect by only mentioning in passing about Jimmy dying - I'm only trying to preserve my sanity, as there's been too much death too quickly.)
And did I mention we got our new cat? He's black, and all the 2 leggeds in the house love him. The 4 leggeds are coming around. He remains nameless, because Lauren's suggestions of "Blackey Raisin" and "Snowflake" were vetoed. Along with my perfectly acceptable suggestions of "Morris" and "Dante," and Andy's suggestion of "Casey" (that one sounds too much like Daisy and the dog was getting confused) and Aubrey's suggestion of "Ed." We're tossing around "Felix" and "Merlin."
- finish cutting and hole-punching inch worms for the girls' v-day cards
- make Lauren's birthday banner
- type up minutes from the last preschool board meeting
- get to library to return books (hopefully in time to enjoy story time)
- sweep and mop
- dust the blinds and other rarely-dusted things
- run dishwasher, empty dishwasher
- draw up plans for Lauren's cake - make sure we have all necessary ingredients
Really, the list isn't that bad. Because I'm not going to dust. And there's a 99% chance I won't sweep or mop. But I am really hesitant to start on Lauren's banner. I have what I need, I know what I'm doing, but I've never done it before. So I'm unsure. And since I'm unsure on one item on my list, my whole day is looking crazy. C.R.A.Z.Y.
In addition, I'm grieving another death in the family - Grandma's brother Jimmy passed away over the weekend. That's 3 out of 4 of those siblings dead in 3 months. More C.R.A.Z.Y. (and I mean no disrespect by only mentioning in passing about Jimmy dying - I'm only trying to preserve my sanity, as there's been too much death too quickly.)
And did I mention we got our new cat? He's black, and all the 2 leggeds in the house love him. The 4 leggeds are coming around. He remains nameless, because Lauren's suggestions of "Blackey Raisin" and "Snowflake" were vetoed. Along with my perfectly acceptable suggestions of "Morris" and "Dante," and Andy's suggestion of "Casey" (that one sounds too much like Daisy and the dog was getting confused) and Aubrey's suggestion of "Ed." We're tossing around "Felix" and "Merlin."
Friday, February 5, 2010
I've come to realize
I copied this from April. Because I'm not feeling especially creative here in blogland. :-)
1. I've come to realize that my chest-size...isn't all that important, so long as I can feed my baby.
2. I've come to realize that my job...is the best job in the world.
3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving alone...something must be going on. That just doesn't happen.
4. I've come to realize that I need...to take me time more often.
5.I've come to realize that I have lost...
6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...I yell at the girls, but I still do it.
7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk...I must be having a nightmare. I do not like alcohol.
8. I've come to realize that money...is a good thing to have enough of, but it doesn't make the world go round.
9. I've come to realize that certain people...are in my life only temporarily, others are here to stay, but that they all are in my life for a reason.
10. I've come to realize that I'll always...wonder, "what if?"
11. I've come to realize that my sibling...is awesome. Completely awesome.
12. I've come to realize that my mom...will always be here for me.
13. I've come to realize that my cell phone...can be ignored.
14. I came to realize when I woke up this morning...that I forgot to get Aubrey's folder ready for school.
15. I came to realize last night before I went to sleep...that I was getting to bed at a decent time, and I liked it.
16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking...wow, I really need to mop. Maybe tomorrow.
17. I've come to realize that my dad...is cooler than I thought.
18. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook...I have lots of fun catching up with folks.
19. I've come to realize that today...was a good day.
20. I've come to realize that tonight...could be a fun night
.21. I've come to realize that tomorrow...it's all up to me.
22. I've come to realize that I really want...to live self-sufficiently.
23. I've come to realize that the person most likely to respond to this is...n/a.
24. I've come to realize that life...is perfect. In a very chaotic, hectic, non-perfect way. :-)
25. I've come to realize that this weekend...could be relaxing. Or not... it is all up to me!
26. I've realized the best music to listen to when I am upset...Sugarland - Life in a Northern Town.
27. I've come to realize that friends...are sometimes so much more than friends. There needs to be another word.
28. I've come to realize that this year...is full of opportunities.
29. I've come to realize that my ex...was incredibly immature.
30. I've come to realize that maybe I should...throw away all the sugar in my house, because cutting back just ain't cutting it!
31. I've come to realize that when I love...I am loved back.
32. I've come to realize that I don't understand...intolerance.
33. I've come to realize my past...brought me here today.
34. I've come to realize that parties...need pinatas.
35. I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified...of one of my daughters dying.
36. I've come to realize that my life...is blessed.
1. I've come to realize that my chest-size...isn't all that important, so long as I can feed my baby.
2. I've come to realize that my job...is the best job in the world.
3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving alone...something must be going on. That just doesn't happen.
4. I've come to realize that I need...to take me time more often.
5.I've come to realize that I have lost...
6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...I yell at the girls, but I still do it.
7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk...I must be having a nightmare. I do not like alcohol.
8. I've come to realize that money...is a good thing to have enough of, but it doesn't make the world go round.
9. I've come to realize that certain people...are in my life only temporarily, others are here to stay, but that they all are in my life for a reason.
10. I've come to realize that I'll always...wonder, "what if?"
11. I've come to realize that my sibling...is awesome. Completely awesome.
12. I've come to realize that my mom...will always be here for me.
13. I've come to realize that my cell phone...can be ignored.
14. I came to realize when I woke up this morning...that I forgot to get Aubrey's folder ready for school.
15. I came to realize last night before I went to sleep...that I was getting to bed at a decent time, and I liked it.
16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking...wow, I really need to mop. Maybe tomorrow.
17. I've come to realize that my dad...is cooler than I thought.
18. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook...I have lots of fun catching up with folks.
19. I've come to realize that today...was a good day.
20. I've come to realize that tonight...could be a fun night
.21. I've come to realize that tomorrow...it's all up to me.
22. I've come to realize that I really want...to live self-sufficiently.
23. I've come to realize that the person most likely to respond to this is...n/a.
24. I've come to realize that life...is perfect. In a very chaotic, hectic, non-perfect way. :-)
25. I've come to realize that this weekend...could be relaxing. Or not... it is all up to me!
26. I've realized the best music to listen to when I am upset...Sugarland - Life in a Northern Town.
27. I've come to realize that friends...are sometimes so much more than friends. There needs to be another word.
28. I've come to realize that this year...is full of opportunities.
29. I've come to realize that my ex...was incredibly immature.
30. I've come to realize that maybe I should...throw away all the sugar in my house, because cutting back just ain't cutting it!
31. I've come to realize that when I love...I am loved back.
32. I've come to realize that I don't understand...intolerance.
33. I've come to realize my past...brought me here today.
34. I've come to realize that parties...need pinatas.
35. I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified...of one of my daughters dying.
36. I've come to realize that my life...is blessed.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Happy Groundhog Day!
So Puxatawney Phil tells us there'll be another 6 weeks of winter, and he's only right 40% of the time? That works for me, bring on the spring!
The National Parks: America's Best Idea makes me want to load up the car and hit the road. And then I remember that there are so many beautiful places to see beyond National Parks. Especially if we can get away from all the concrete and asphalt. So once my sniffles subside, we're going to Miller Springs Nature Center - less than 10 miles away - all I need to pack are water bottles and snacks. Well, maybe a diaper, too.
Andy bought Food, Inc. and Food Rules last week, and we're both a bit more inspired, now.
Have you seen Food, Inc.? Must-see, if you haven't yet. It's good to know where your food comes from. And the family that really can't see how to afford broccoli and pears, so they hit a drive through? So very sad.
Food Rules is exactly that. Rules about food. Some rules are elaborated with a few paragraphs. Other rules need no elaboration. Like my favorite, Rule #20 -
It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car.
That's not to say I'll never go to sonic again, but, you know, I'll try to keep in mind that much of what will come in that brown paper sack is, as author Michael Pollan calls it, edible foodlike substances, and decidedly not food.
I'm working on a nutrition curriculum to bring to Lauren's preschool - one that will involve parents. I subbed there last week, and the lunches some of the one year olds were eating, it made me so sad. The Director is saddened, too. So we'll see what happens.
The National Parks: America's Best Idea makes me want to load up the car and hit the road. And then I remember that there are so many beautiful places to see beyond National Parks. Especially if we can get away from all the concrete and asphalt. So once my sniffles subside, we're going to Miller Springs Nature Center - less than 10 miles away - all I need to pack are water bottles and snacks. Well, maybe a diaper, too.
Andy bought Food, Inc. and Food Rules last week, and we're both a bit more inspired, now.
Have you seen Food, Inc.? Must-see, if you haven't yet. It's good to know where your food comes from. And the family that really can't see how to afford broccoli and pears, so they hit a drive through? So very sad.
Food Rules is exactly that. Rules about food. Some rules are elaborated with a few paragraphs. Other rules need no elaboration. Like my favorite, Rule #20 -
It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car.
That's not to say I'll never go to sonic again, but, you know, I'll try to keep in mind that much of what will come in that brown paper sack is, as author Michael Pollan calls it, edible foodlike substances, and decidedly not food.
I'm working on a nutrition curriculum to bring to Lauren's preschool - one that will involve parents. I subbed there last week, and the lunches some of the one year olds were eating, it made me so sad. The Director is saddened, too. So we'll see what happens.
Tree Huggin' Tuesday
S'cuse me, I hab a cowd. *sniffle* *sniffle* *aaa-aaaa-chooooooo*
So I'm taking it easy today, carrying my dedicated hanky* wherever I go. Not a box of tissues to be found. And, sneezes loud enough to wake the baby. And the neighbor's baby.
*it's not an official hanky - it's a kitchen towel that no one else will be touching today, and it will be well washed before it dries another dish. :-)
So I'm taking it easy today, carrying my dedicated hanky* wherever I go. Not a box of tissues to be found. And, sneezes loud enough to wake the baby. And the neighbor's baby.
*it's not an official hanky - it's a kitchen towel that no one else will be touching today, and it will be well washed before it dries another dish. :-)
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