Tot School Tuesday

We are still focusing on our counting and number recognition. Next week we are going to begin working on our letters also. Today we played a new game. It was a roll and build game. I cut out the parts to the snowman and laminated the chart. Each boy rolled the dice and counted the number of dots. Then we looked at the chart and found the picture of the die that looked the same. Once we found that we figured out which piece of the snowman it was time to glue on. The boys really liked this game. I think I am going to come up with some of our own versions.


 We will definitely be playing a game like this again!

On our trays today were: Play dough, a circle mat, some garden stones and a rolling pin.

Dry erase pre-writing worksheet.


Tongs, containers, and zoo pasta for tranferring.


Now for my favorite moment of the day. Jadon wanted to help me feed Ella. He loves to be my helper. He did a pretty good job!

Meal Plan Monday

This is my second meal plan for this week. I created one meal plan last week and then my husband said "I think I will smoke something this weekend". Hmmm...okay. Not gonna tell him no. Yum! We found pork butt (shoulder) on sale for $1.50 /lb and grabbed two of them. He figured if he is gonna take the time to do one might as well do two and freeze some. Sounds good to me.

So here is our revised meal plan for this week.

Saturday: 
Pizza Night-Used the dough from my new favorite book "Artisan Bread In Five Minutes A Day".  So easy!  I will never buy a pizza again.  Easy and quick enough to make daycare lunch even!!  They actually have a book just for pizza's and flatbreads now.  Definitely on my wish list!  Of course used my Mock Papa John's Pizza Sauce recipe you can find HERE.

One pizza was turkey sausage and green olives.  The second pizza was a Jalepeno Burn I found here.  I thought it was yummy!

Sunday:
Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Corn
Baked Potatoes

Monday: 
Pulled Pork Quesadillas (leftover shredded pork, diced onion, diced green pepper, and shredded cheese)

Mexican Rice (recipe from Mixes Ebook Vol. 1 from Savingdinner.com)
Mix ingredients:
In an airtight container, combine the following ingredients-
1 tbsp. dried onion flakes
1 cup uncooked rice
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tbsp. chicken bouillion granules (my husband suggested that next time we just use our homemade chicken broth in place of the water and chicken bouillion to cut down on sodium.  We are going to do that next time)

Store in a cool,dry, place for up to 3 months.

To prepare:
Mexican Rice Mix
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 cups of water

Instructions:  Heat oil in a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid; add Mexican Rice Mix; cook, stirring constantly, until puffed and golden.  Stir in tomato sauce and water; bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 mintues.

Makes 4 servings.



Tuesday: 
Matt's Smoked Pork and Black Bean Soup.   I will be back with a recipe of sorts once I make it.  My husband made it once and it was yummy.  He has told me what he has suggested I put in it.  Once I make it I will post it.

Wednesday:
Skinny Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Source: skinnytaste.com via Kiana on Pinterest

Thursday:
Grilled Chicken Breast (marinated in Italian Dressing)
Broccoli
Salad


Friday: 

Grocery Night-Mommy's night off

 Kiana

Scrappin' Sunday

For the first time in awhile I got a layout done! Been so busy making the menu planner and education cube printables that I was not scrappin'.

I used Tracie Stroud's Sunshine In My Soul kit for this layout.

I also thought I would share with you the February page of my perpetual b-day calendar I have been working on for my mom.   I am really happy with how it is turning out.

I used Tracie Stroud's Capture Life: February kit for this page.

 

 

Hope you had a relaxing weekend!  Matt smoked two pork shoulders to make pulled pork.  We used some for our dinner tonight and will freeze the rest for later meals.  He figures if he is going to take the time (all day) to do one might as well do two!  My dad came out to have dinner with us.  My mom unfortunately got called into work so she did not make it.  I sent home leftovers for her.  Preparing myself for another busy week like last week.  

Snow!!

It snowed last night! This morning it was a beautiful site! It was a heavy wet snow that sticks to the trees and makes everything look like a winter wonderland. The bonus was that it was not so, so cold that is was unbearable to be out in it so Jadon finally got a chance to play in the snow! His Daddy pulled him on the sled behind our little John Deere garden tractor up and down the lane a couple of times. He loved it!

The doggies liked playing in the snow also! Can't believe I got them both to sit for this picture!

Hope everyone had an awesome Saturday!  We just finished homemade pizza night.  Jake has a friend over for the night, Shelby is at a friends house, and Jadon is trying to be one of the big boys til he goes to bed.  Hope he does not annoy Jake's friend to much! 

Friday Favorites

Here is a conversation between Jadon and I this morning.

Jadon: "I want to play with my kitty Mommy"
Me: "Socks?"
Jadon: "Uh huh"
Me: "Socks is an outdoor kitty Jadon.  Our doggies would eat Socks if we brought her in the house."
Jadon: "I will hold her.  I have big hands.  It will be okay."

The kid cracks me up!  He has a solution for everything.  After he understood that unfortunately Socks could not come in the house I went back to doing dishes and Jadon went up to his room to play (I assumed).  Apparently he went up to his room to find a stand in cat to fill Socks' shoes. 

      Meet Socks the 2nd.





Socks the 2nd was very well taken care of this morning.  He was fed.  A bed was made for him.. He was well loved.  Made me feel bad for the real Socks.  I love this childs imagination.  Can't bring the kitty inside?  That is ok.  He will figure out something. 



Here are a few of my favorite finds on Pinterest this week:

I think I am going to use this idea to plan out tot trays at the beginning of the week all at once. Then I just need to grab a box and put them out!

Source: aprilemery.blogspot.com via Kiana on Pinterest

I was really excited to find this one! Did not have several of these fonts!

Source: demilked.com via Kiana on Pinterest

I have been wanting to add a bird bath but did not want one on the ground! Love this idea!

Source: familyfun.go.com via Kiana on Pinterest

I have been trying to decide on a color scheme for my bedroom since I really need to make a duvet cover for my pathetic looking comforter. This color scheme might be it. It makes me happy and the brown at the bottom is close to the color of my walls!

Source: design-seeds.com via Kiana on Pinterest

If I find a dresser on a garage sale this spring/summer I am totally doing this! It will take the place of a lower table I have my microwave sitting on now.

Source: blog.diggerslist.com via Kiana on Pinterest

I love Pinterest! 

I am looking forward to tonight!  Going to see the movie "One For The Money" with my husband and some friends!  This is a movie based on the first book in the Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich.  Love these books!  I literally laugh out loud when I read them.  It really annoys my husband.  I think he feels like he is missing out on something!

Time To Get Healthy

So I mentioned in my daybook post yesterday that my blood pressure was high at a doctor's appointment yesterday. It really scared me. I woke up this morning determined to make the changes needed to get healthy......

 And then I did not get to have the things I wanted to eat and I got cranky.  If only it was as easy as flipping a switch and turn off those cravings for crap I don't need or just too much food in general.  I am sticking to my decision but that has not stopped me from getting grumpy cause...well....I'm hungry!!!  Grrrr....

This is what I had for lunch.  It was good. 

I signed up on SparkPeople.com to track what I eat.  They have an app for my phone so I can track it when I am out.  Going to be stocking up on lots of fresh fruits and veggies at the store this weekend.   I love fruit! 

Sorry I am so whiny today.  Need to change my attitude!!  Have a great night!

A Mom's Daybook

Has this seemed like a long week to anyone else? Ugh! Come on Friday!  

Outside My Window-It was a cloudy, mild temperature winter day.

I am thinking-About so many things. Can't wait to see One For The Money this weekend. Went to the Gyn. Doctor today and my blood pressure was horrible. Had to make an appointment with my family doctor to see what he wants to do about it. The recommendation from the nurse practitioner today means that Matt and I have BIG decision to make. This is weighing on me tonight.   Know one thing for sure...if my blood pressure is starting to be a problem again it is time to get healthy once and for all.

I Am Wearing-A green cotton shirt , blue jeans, and the most comfortable pair of slippers I have ever owned.  Thank you Minnetonka.

I Am Thankful-For my husband.  I just love him so much.

From The Kitchen-Matt is making venison summer sausage tonight!  Yum!!  The Honey/BBQ meatloaf recipe I tried tonight was pretty good but the family all said they like my usual meatloaf recipe better.

I Am Creating-Did not get anywhere on my projects I wanted to do last weekend so those are still on the list for this weekend!

I Am Hearing-the sound of an Atari Pacman game as my husband plays it beside me.

Around The House-I need to get the area our treadmill and weigh lifting machine are in cleaned out so we can actually use them!!! 

One Of My Favorite Things- Watching all three boys play the Atari.  Well....Jadon and Jacob had to take turns which Jadon did not like at all.  It was funny watching Matt try to teach Jadon how to play.

Plans and Intentions For The Rest Of The Week:

*It will be a year March 3rd since Jadon has his shoulder surgery.  Dr. Kozin wanted us to get an MRI done 1 yr. post op so I need to begin the process of scheduling that.  Fun, fun.  That is my goal for the rest of the week.

*Need to make some chili seasoning mix before my sister comes home this weekend.

Hope you had a great day!

Tot School Tuesday

Tot School has been quiet so far this week.  Jadon's buddy, John, became a big brother last week and he has been home spending time getting to know the baby.  We are still doing tot school though!  Jadon loves the daily tray activities!

 I have printed and laminated a few more magnet pages from 2Teaching Mommies.

 Stamping/Letter Recognition page also from 2 Teaching Mommies.

Pattern block activity

Cabin fever is beginning to set in around here so we are going to get our Education Cubes out tomorrow and get moving.  Hopefully burn some of that energy so I don't have to put anyone in time out for jumping on my couch!!

I have started focusing on number recognition and counting lately.  In keeping with that theme I created some snowflake counting cards to insert into our Education Cubes.   We are just beginning so I only did numbers 1-6 and 6 cards is what each cube holds.  We are going to roll the cube and figure out what number we rolled. Then we are going to hop, jump, skip that number of times.

 Download

Download

If you don't have photo insert cubes you could also print these out (I use cardstock) and laminate them.  Put them in a pile and take turns drawing one to play.


My favorite thing today:  Jadon got up from his nap and was cuddling in our recliner with me.  He turned and asked me for 2 hugs.  I counted as I hugged.  Then he said he wanted two "nas" or kisses.  I said regular "nas" or "chicken nas" (a silly kiss, something Daddy started at bedtime being silly one night).  He said chicken nas.  I said okay.  And we counted the kisses and laughed.  Such a sweet moment I will cherish.

Meal Plan Monday

Here is this weeks meal plan!

Saturday:
Baked Potato Soup

Source: plannerperfectmeals.com via Kiana on Pinterest

Homemade Gondola Sandwiches

Sunday:
Dinner with parents.  Bring bread.

Monday:
Pasta Asparagus (see recipe below)
Garlic Bread

Tuesday:
Venison Stew


Wednesday:
Honey BBQ Meatloaf

Source: howtonestforless.com via Kiana on Pinterest

Baked Potatoes

Thursday:
Tater Tot Casserole (Jadon's favorite)

Friday:
Grocery Night (Eat out)

Tonight was Pasta Asparagus night.  One of my families favorites!  Everyone I have made it for requests the recipe.  Most of them now have it in their monthly rotations.  It is a quick, simple, and meatless meal.  Perfect for what we call "Meatless Monday" at our house.  My aunt gave me the recipe several years ago.  Not sure where she got it from but I thought I would share it with you.

Pasta Asparagus

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 TBSP. margarine
1 Tsp. red pepper flakes
5 cloves garlic or 4 1/2 tsp. minced garlic from a jar.
2 boxes of green giant asparagus or two bunches of fresh cut into bit size pieces
1 box of penne pasta
1 1/2 cups of shredded parmesan

Directions:
Fill a pot with water and bring to boil for pasta.  Once the water is boiling add the pasta.  Heat oil and margarine in a pan.  Add pepper flakes and garlic.  Saute for 1-2 minutes.  Add in asparagus and cook for 7-9 minutes or til pasta is done.  Drain pasta and return to pot.  Add in the asparagus mixture and stir.  Add in the parmesan cheese and stir til combined.  Enjoy!

Scrappin' Sunday

Ugh! I am going to make this a short post today! My neck started hurting around noon today and has just continued to get worse. It started out like a stiff neck on one side. Almost like I slept on it wrong but I was fine when I woke up. It just won't go away. Tried tylenol earlier in the day. Just took some Aleve. Hoping that helps.

I made menu planner this week with my scrapbook software and I also updated a few things around the blog.

Here is the template I made (if any Storybook Creator users want the .page file let me know)

 

 Then I created my menu planner.

If you like my version you can download it HERE!

I used this kit for the menu planner and the updates for the blog.  Such a cute kit!

My favorite thing today was dinner at my parents house.  Had a nice time visiting with them and lots of yummy food! 

Atari Flashback

Today we got to show our kids how video games were for us "back in the day" as I believe they would say. My husband dug his Atari game console out of his parents closet and decided to bring it home to see if it worked. Well, we quickly discovered that it needed some work.   A new power jack, power supply, a couple of "new" joysticks later it is up and running.  We thought the graphics were bad before!  Try playing it on a LED/LCD high def tv! 

We have played Pac Man and Donkey Kong so far.  Between the games that Matt found at his parents house and the ones we got from a used game/dvd/book store for 50 cents we have a pretty good collection.

Brings back memories

 Pacman on our tv.  LOL!

 And Donkey Kong! 

We figure it will be fun to bust out when we have people over!  I know my brother in law will be first in line to play!  We were hoping to have it ready to play by Christmas so we could all play and have a few good laughs but we ran out of time to get it fixed.  Brian was very bummed out! 

We are going to have some friends over for dinner tonight!  Matt will definitely be showing their kids what it was like when we were growing up!   What a hoot!