Monday is Picture Day!

Sammie got a camera for her birthday back in May and I think she gets some cute pictures. She has a good eye.

Sunday: Week of Fun!

This week has been a little bit fun, but a little bit sad. Sammie and Tyler took turns going to visit my parents. You’d think it would be easier having one less kid around for the week, but this has been a LONG week!

I realized a few things:

- Sammie is Tyler’s best friend. He’s a bit lost with out her.

- Tyler is Sammie’s best friend. Aww.

- Spencer is much calmer without Tyler around, but talks about him all of the time. Does that mean he loves to be annoyed? Sounds like a healthy sibling relationship to me.

- Sammie and Tyler entertain each other. I hear “I’m Bored!” a whole lot more when they are separated.

- The pool is much more fun when all 3 are there.

- It’s easier to cook for one less. Strange I know. Maybe there's just one more complaining about eating their food.

- Most important- I miss my kids when they are not near me.

So, while they had a wonderful time with my parents, I missed them and am happy to have my little group back. Maybe it’s good to have this experience so I can appreciate them. Check back in a few days to see if I still feel this way or if I’m ready to ship them back to grandma’s!

Saturday: setting simple goals

My summer goals with the kids have been:

1. Do something outside

2. Do something fun

3. Do something productive

Simple right? Easy to follow. Direct. Easy to remember.

Why is it when I set goals for my weight loss they are complicated and hard to follow or even to remember without checking the calendar or a list?

Here are my new exercise/diet goals:

1. Keep a food journal

2. Eat something fun and new each day

3. Exercise in a different way than I did yesterday

Simple. Easy to follow. Direct. Easy to remember.

Friday: What I like about YOU!

GIZMO!

This is the position you will see him in most frequently at our house.

That's why we call him "the rug"

Thomas- he’s funny sometimes

Dereth- he follows me around and I love his fluffy tail

Spencer- my puppy! Spencer always says: “Gismo takes us for a walk” when it’s time to walk him. It cracks me up.

Sammie- He’s so cute!

Tyler- He’s funny!

Gizmo- I have no idea what a dog would say about himself… that I like treats? I love squirrels? I love walks? I love sleeping 18 hours a day?

Thursday's Organizing Challenge: Willy Nilly Closets

A little thing called “Willy Nilly”

My organizing challenge is to conquer the closets. I have 3 closets in my house that seem to always be a mess.

1. Tyler’s closet because he throws his toys and books willy nilly in there.

2. The shoe closet as you walk in the door. (same reason as above, but all of us are to blame for throwing shoes, socks, and coats willy nilly) I have to say especially Spencer. He ignores every organizing option I have for that little closet.

3. My closet. For shame. I clean it every month or so and it’s the same issues- I just can’t seem to make myself maintain any system of organization for more than that amount of time and then everything falls apart. I’m the only one to blame for the willy nillyness of that space.

I give them another month before I have to clean them out again, but at least they will be nice for a little while.

The Great Cereal Mystery

I remember the last time Spencer ate cereal with milk.

January 2001

It was one of those random frozen moments in time where you remember every emotion you are feeling and could describe the room completely, but the actual scene is of no significance in your life.

When we first moved to Monroe we lived in a small furnished apartment while we house hunted. Spencer had just begun to have food sensitivities and had stopped eating milk with his cereal shortly before we moved.

I remember sitting at the table with him in that tiny dining room excited and mystified that he would all of a sudden eat his cheerios with milk again. I was rejoicing that he had out grown his picky eating. Boy was I wrong.

He didn't eat cereal with milk again for 9 1/2 years.

Today.

July 7, 2010.

I think this moment will be another moment frozen in time. The only difference is that I will remember it not as a random memory, but with great significance.

Wednesday: Allergy Free Recipes- Another Chocolate Cake!

Karen’s Chocolate Dump Cake

Just dump all of the ingredients into the bowl and mix! Put vanilla icing or cool whip on this cake and it tastes like a Ho Ho.

Ingredients

• 1 (5 ounce) package non-instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 1/3 cups milk
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix- some cake mixes have egg in them already- be sure to read labels.
• 2 cups chocolate chips of your choice- I think the white chocolate chips would be great and I’ve tried milk and semi sweet with good results.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
2. Combine chocolate pudding and milk in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until thick, stirring frequently.
3. Remove pan from heat and add in dry cake mix. Mix together and pour into the lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Evenly spread the chocolate chips over the top of the cake.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F(175 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes. Let cake cool and serve.