Monday, November 30, 2009

Menu Plan Monday



Breakfasts
Cereal x2
Banana bread
Pumpkin bread
Muffins from freezer
Eggs & Bacon, Toast

Lunches
Grilled cheese
PB&J
Quesadillas
Leftovers

Dinners
Hot Dogs & Grapes (for kids), Date Night In with the Man :)
Rigatoni with White Wine Tomato Sauce, Broccoli,
Pancakes & Smoothies
Hearty Beef and Noodles
, Rolls
Pizza, fruit, and cookies (Blooms here)
Lasagna, Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole, Caesar Salad, Rolls, Brownies and Icecream

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Clare, 6 months



My sweet Clare turned 6 months a couple weeks ago! She is officially out of that tiny baby stage, which makes me a little sad! Here's a little update on what she's doing these days...

  • The big news is, she is crawling!!! All. over. the. place. She is a crazy woman! And very proud of her new skill.
  • As soon as she learned to crawl (which was last week, I think) she started sitting up without help. Now she goes from laying down to crawling to sitting. Which means, it is time to lower the crib, wouldn't you say???
  • She got her first 2 teeth this month, the bottom ones.
  • She loves to eat! Her favorites are bananas, applesauce, and those Gerber wagon wheels.
  • She is no longer quiet in church. (Sad) She has found her voice!
  • She's saying lots of consonants - ma-ma, da-da, ba-ba
  • She nurses during the day, but takes a bottle before bed. And sleeps all night! Clare has been my best sleeper, I think.
  • Last month at the doctor's office she was 17 lbs, 10 0z. Look at those thighs!










Wednesday, November 18, 2009

FD No. 4 and thoughts on growing up

Last week Ethan's class went on a field trip, and Clare and I got to go along! Both kindergarten classes walked down the road to the fire station, because they were studying the letter "F" that week. And it was a beautiful, fall day, so there were lots of leaves to crunch underfoot on the way. So fun!





I just love being able to be involved in Ethan's class, and to see him in this element. It is so encouraging to me to see him grow up and behave well in a setting outside our home. I mean, he has mostly been here, with me, for his first 5 years of life...and sometimes when you're in the midst of raising little ones, it's hard to see the fruit of all your labor. Especially when the 3 year old brother has a bad day, and mom feels like pulling her hair out... :) I really just need to take the time to reflect, I guess.




Days like this remind me of how important it is to keep going. To continue on at home with these little ones. I would have never thought a kid as hyper and crazy as Ethan Brooks could sit still at a desk or stand in a line, especially at 5! (I love this kid, but he is nothing, if not crazy wild!) But he can sit still and listen well - I have seen him with my own eyes...and it just amazes me, to be perfectly honest. :)





His teacher told me at our Parent-Teacher conference that Ethan has never given her a moment's trouble. How can this be???? She assured me it was true, that she would tell me if it were otherwise, but that he is very responsive to her authority in the classroom, that he is quick and happy to obey. Oh my goodness, gracious, could there be sweeter words to a mother's ears??? Thank you, Lord, for letting something sink in!

And he is doing great academically, but she went on and on about his knowledge of the Word of God and his scripture memory. I love that! (Have I mentioned we love his school???) At the end of our time together, she said, "Ethan is a very special boy, and I cannot wait to see what the Lord does with his life. I want to go to his wedding someday, because I just know the Lord is preparing a very special bride for him."





I just love his teacher! She is very strict with her class, but very loving as well. When she says it, she means it - I've seen her dole out discipline - but she is quick to appreciate the good character she sees too. The perfect combination for a kindergarten teacher, I think! (and for a mom too)






Every chance she gets, she steals Clare from me. :) I think she is hoping for some grandchildren of her own in the somewhat near future. Mom, she just adores the hats you've made for Clare!










We've been so encouraged by the growth in Ethan's life this year - so glad to see his heart tender to the things of God. The other night at dinner, he asked Dave when he'd be old enough to pray at the prayer meeting. That encouraged us! It is such a joy to see him read and enjoy his Bible... not so very long ago, he was just a wiggly, rowdy toddler that we could hardly keep still at church, and now he is beginning to desire to be involved. Lord, keep his heart soft toward You!

















Ethan's whole kindergarten class, minus one. Sporting their Very Hungry Caterpillar t's - the theme of their classroom this year.





I just love my little kindergartner - and the joy he finds in learning, the exuberance for life he has. Every day when I pick him up from school, he jumps in the car and asks, "What exciting thing are we doing today, Mom?" Cracks me up... for Ethan, life is just one party to the next. :)

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Menu Plan Monday

6 months and still hardly any hair to speak of!


Breakfasts
Apple muffins
Homemade granola bars (no corn syrup)
Cereal
Bagels and cream cheese x2

Lunches
Black bean and corn salsa and chips
Grilled chicken wraps
PB&Honey, grapes
Leftovers

Dinners
(had a couple meals from last week that we never got around too)
Take-n-bake pizza for Dave and the boys, I'm going out with the girls for Penny's bday!
Black bean and cheese quesadillas, Mexican rice
Roast, golden potatoes, maple glazed carrots
Hearty beef stew, bread, peanut butter cookies for Bible study
Baked potato bar - chili, cheese, sour cream
Date night!


Thursday, November 12, 2009

We have kittens!

Want one?


























Impromptu playdate = many happy children = 3 slightly traumatized kittens

Come rescue one, won't you???? :)

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Menu Plan Monday


Breakfasts
Pumpkin bread
Bacon and swiss quiche
Cereal
Granola bars
Pancakes on Saturday

Lunches
Leftover roast beef and swiss subs, pickle spears
PBJ’s and smoothies
Homemade applesauce and grilled cheese
Turkey and swiss melts, strawberries
Grilled chicken wraps

Dinners
Leftover brisket, PW mashed potatoes, green beans
Chicken scallopine, Caesar salad
Leftover night!
Loaded nachos with guacamole
Corn dogs, fries, grapes (date night)
Baked potato bar - chili, cheese, sour cream
Roast, golden potatoes, carrots, salad, crusty bread
Corn and black bean salsa and chips (family night)

Wednesday, November 04, 2009