Play Ground Fun

Andrew's first trip to the playground.

Alyssa and Daddy on the monkey bars.

We finnaly had a nice weekend. So off to the play ground we went. Alyssa and Andrew had a wonderful time. We are looking forward to some more warm days .

Fun Photos

Alyssa's silly face.

Cole and Andrew

Me, Cole and Andrew @ Ellie's birthday party Feb.

She loves her brother

Sometimes I just need a little help...

Andrew likes to help me make pizza dough.

What a look.

Big brother / Little sister

Recipes

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies


1 cup sugar
1/2 + 2 tbsp cup butter
1 egg
6 tbsp cocoa
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cream first three ingredents add remaining ingredents. Bake 350 8-12 min. Cool 2 min.

Recipes

Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp backing soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Mix dry. Combine wet add to dry. Stir till moist and add chocolate chips. Bake 375 12-15 in.

Weigh in Wednesday

At last it is time to get control of my weight. I gainned about thirty pounds with my last pregancy.  Andrew is five months old now and its time. I think I will began slow by counting calories and drinking lots of water. I would like to exercise however I am in charge of the shadows all the time. Therefore, no trips to the gym or an exercise class. I plan on walking with the little ones as the weather inproves. Maybe next month I will be able to take Andrew out so that I can play basketball with the boys.

I will use Wednesdays as my weigh in day to keep myself accountable.
Weight today 191.8               Goal  165                 Total to lose   26

Menu Plan Monday March 15- 21

My husband is away through the week so I plan simple meals for me and the shadows saving more involved meals for the weekend. Here is what we are eating.

Breakfast: Chocolate Chip Muffins, Waffles, Pancakes, Cinnamon Bread, Eggs Bacon Biscuits,

Lunches: Leftovers, salad, sandwiches, carrots and dip, fruit, etc.

Dinner:

• Monday: Noodles and Grilled Cheese ( I have haircuts to do tonight.)
• Tuesday: Homemade Fried Chicken Nuggets, Mashed Potatoes, Butter Peas, Biscuits
• Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner
• Thursday: "Strogie" broccoli, garlic toast or maybe rolls (our new fave)
• Friday: Homemade Pizza and Bread sticks
• Saturday:Ravioli Casserole, salad, Homemade Rolls (recipe coming)
• Sunday: BBQ Boston Butt, Coleslaw, Fried Okra, Cornbread

Desserts: Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies (also a new fave, recipe coming)

Be sure to visit http://orgjunkie.com/ for more than 300 menu plans.

Off to the Rodeo

We were minus two tonight for the rodeo. The oldest and youngest shadows did not attend the event. I have spent so much time with my shadows lately that when I am missing one or two I feel like a part of me is also missing. Instead of enjoying an opportunity to have a little less responsibility I long for my shadows to return.

The rodeo was a hit. She loved all the excitement. The horses, cowboys, bulls, and the clown were all very interesting to her. Sometimes I would like to take a peek into their little minds. Tonight was one of those times. I think Cole enjoyed himself too. But of course he is almost 10 so looking like you are having a good time with your parents is not "cool." Alyssa fell asleep before the end she was one tired little girl.

Let the Adventure Begin

I am new to blogging but I am up for an adventure. After all, I do have four children and that is not for the faint of heart. I hope to cover lots of topics here. My goal for this blog is to reach out to other mothers as I share the craziness of our lives. I hope, also, to entertain those who do not yet have children and to keep family and friends informed about the happenings in our neck of the woods. I am in the process of trying many new recipes and intend on sharing them as well. I am faced with the challenge of losing my pregnancy weight, so I will be blogging about my weight loss. My goal is to be accountable to readers and to provide encouragement for others seeking a healthier mind,body and spirit.

So for the first peek in to our lives an introduction is in order. My oldest son, Austin (11), is loving basketball and some freedoms that come with being the oldest of four. My second oldest son, Cole (9), is loving basketball and is my future actor. My only daughter, Alyssa (2) is full of life and thinks she is one of the boys. And last but not least is my youngest son, Andrew (5 months)he had a rocky start in life but all is well now.

Now to introduce my husband, Richard. He loves to fish and hopes that someday soon his boat will cease to be a shelf in the garage. He works long hours and makes many sacrifices for our family. We have been married 6 years and no he is not the father of my oldest two. Though they do have some of his characteristics and one even looks a little like him. He is a wonderful man who accepted two step children as his own. He is currently embarking on his own adventure...self employment. I am afraid but I have let my faith take over, I have too many other things that require my full attention.

I am by profession a hairstylist that has chosen to take a break, however I still see a few clients. My main focus is caring for our four wonderful and crazy kids. I am finding many ways to conserve and reduce spending. I have always been a bargain hunter who likes a good challenge. I love to read, crochet and draw, yet there is very little time at the moment. So for now I love to bake (we are eliminating unnecessary prepackaged products), spend time with my children, look for new recipes, find bargains, and now blog.

I would love to continue but I am exhausted and its 1.30am. I just fed the baby while typing so maybe he will sleep awhile. Busy day tomorrow...I have a hair appointment in the morning and then we are taking the kids to a rodeo in the evening. Should be fun, first time for all the kids.