Crazy Kids

We had a very nice time visiting with friends the other morning. Mommy got to scrapbook and the kids, well, they were kids. There are days when they just NEVER get along with anyone...and then there are days like this one, when they were sharing their treats and playing in a tent~

A Walk in the Clouds

The other morning we were headed to a friend's house off the mountain and while driving along the rim I just had to pull over and take a picture. Some days it feels like we're living on Mt. Olympus...

Another day at the Zoo

Last week we went to the zoo again (with annual passes, it's virtually the cheapest thing we can do) and of course, the kids loved it. We got to do the sea lion show for the first time and it seems like every time we go there we find something he hadn't seen before. In particular, the kids love the children's petting zoo. My little man likes to chase the goats yelling "Dog! Dog!" and my little girl likes to use the "Big Girl" bathrooms (Translation: Potties so close to the ground that you're basically sitting on the floor and sinks at your knees). Oh yeah, I guess seeing all of the the wild animals was fun for them too~
I suppose they would have been more excited about these guys if they'd seen the Lion King. Have you noticed that ever since that movie came out everyone knows these little guys' names? Nobody could have cared less about these little guys or the wart hogs before that. Nice going Timon & Pumbaa.

What to Make

Just ask my kids, chickens say "cheap cheap"...well this one really is, to the tune of about $1.50 per serving, including adding grain (rice/pasta/bread) and vegi side dishes.

This one is as easy as it gets. I got it out of one of my magazines this month. Take chicken and put it in an oven dish. Brush it with an equal mixture of brown mustard, honey and soy sauce. Cook it at 375 for 15 minutes. Brush again then cook for another 15 minutes at 375. Totally easy and very good.

I served it with barley mixed with peas. I had never made barley before but you make it just like rice so it's easy and a bit heartier than plain rice. There's a new addition to my recipe book.

The life of a 3 year old

She gets up every morning and rushes in to give us kisses. Then it's down to breakfast and "Mom, is Sesame Street on yet?" The next couple hours are full of play with toys and the sporadic errand in the car. From there she moves on to lunch, which she takes an hour to eat, and then a quick nap before track practice. All of the high-school kids love her and she feels the same. It's one of the highlights of her day. On the way home we sometimes stop at the supermarket and she usually asks to ride in the cart shaped like a truck. Her next priority is making it home to see her dog (whom she is quick to tell you that she's the boss of) and her Daddy (who she wishes she was the boss of). After helping to make dinner and some time at the table with the family, she forces down the last of dinner in the hopes of earning dessert by finishing it all. Another hour with family and toys then it's off to bed with a book from each of her parents an more of those wonderful kisses.

There is so much to do when you're three that it is hard sometimes to take it all in, especially with a 1.75-year-old brother butting in all the time. Here's what you get from all that when you give her her own camera to capture it all....

What to Make

I was craving something sweet but didn't want the a heavy snack so here's what I made:

Put a sheet of parchment paper each on two cookie sheets. Spread out popped popcorn on the parchment paper. Then in a saucepan melt 1/2c butter, 3/4c sugar, a 3oz package of any flavor of jello, 1T of corn syrup & 3T water. Let all of that come to a boil and bring it to around 250 degrees (somewhere around 5 minutes). Take the pot off the heat and add a small amount of baking soda. It'll get all fun and fizzy and foamy. Pour the jello foam all over the popcorn and cook it in a 250 degree oven for 10 minutes. Stir around the popcorn 'n jello goodness and cook it for another 10 minutes in the same 250 degree oven. This made way way way more popcorn than we could possibly have eaten so there's loads of leftovers but not to worry, the popcorn gets all crunchy when it cools off and stores well.....not that it will have to for long :)