Sunday Nap

This was from May 22nd.  Church really wipes out this little girl.  She usually sleeps for several hours after we get home but I think this particular nap was her second that day.

Kindergarten Program

Last week was Eden's kindergarten program.  It was so cute!  She did such a good job and had all the songs memorized.

She got to be the letter N in Kindergarten.  She said "The letter N is for numbers, one, two, three."

This song was called "Tony Knows" or rather "toe, knee, knows".  You'll have to ask her to sing it for you it cracks me up.

This was a hip version of the ABC's.  She was so excited to wear silly sunglasses.

And of course you have to have the "Brush Your Teeth" song with jumbo size toothbrushes!

Eden's best friends Madeline and Halley.

Eden's amazing kindergarten teacher.

And our kindergarten graduate with our future kindergartner.  Yes, I get to do this all over again next year.

Choir Concert

The same day as Dallin's track meet Cameron had a choir performance at the Alpine Tabernacle.  She joined the choir after her play was over back in February.  She's really enjoyed it.  But sometimes I wonder if there's anything Cameron doesn't enjoy.

I thought the choir did a fantastic job but my favorite part was watching Cameron and her great big smile as she sang.  I think singers often forget that they should smile while they're singing.  I'm really glad Cameron remembered.  She looked beautiful.

Cameron's Prep Choir performed two songs by themselves and sang several others with the Concert Choir.  It was all really well done.  She would love to try out for Concert Choir but with her busy schedule I think we'll put that on hold for now.

Dallin's Hershey Track Meet

Dalllin enjoys running but he doesn't enjoy racing.  He's not a very competitive type kid.  So I signed him up for track and he participated in the Hershey Track Meet but let's just say it wasn't his favorite thing.  It was a rainy day with lots going on so the best part for both of us was that he got to come home early.

Four Months Old

Evelyn turned four months old on May 6th.  How did we celebrate?  I took a few pictures, she played in her Bumbo chair, and then we went to Eden's swim lessons. 

She didn't have her four month checkup until this Monday, though, and I've been dying to know how big she is... She's 27 inches long which puts her completely off the charts with her height and she's 16 pounds 4 ounces which puts her at about 90 percent.  Yep, she's a big girl!

A few wonderful things about Evie right now are that she loves to talk, she sleeps through the night, and she gives super big wet kisses!  She loves to be outside or wherever the party is, the more people the better.  But she definitely knows her own family and her own home and is not very happy when mom leaves her with someone she doesn't know, or doesn't think she knows, sorry Grandma.

The other day Austin said, "Evelyn you are the biggest love, in my life!"  I think that sums it up for all of us.

Tuesday Tidbit #7

Great Grillin'

I love it when it's finally stopped snowing and I can start grilling again.  I love to grill as much as I can because it's fast, easy, and practically no cleanup!  Here are some things I've learned for great grilling with a gas grill.

First, start with a clean grill.  A lot of stores sell wire or metal long handled scrub brushes to clean your grill.  I've learned the hard way that these are NOT ideal.  They take the coating off of your grill exposing the metal underneath to the elements which leads to rust that you then get to eat with your chicken and burgers.  We are now using a regular nylon kitchen brush to scrub off loose particles before we turn on the heat.  Then I spray the grill with a nonstick cooking spray such as PAM for Grilling and then I turn on the heat leaving it on High for several minutes to sanitize everything.

The next key is to cook your food Low and Slow. In order to fully cook the center of most meats without burning the outside on the flame you should turn the heat down very low.  Then, be patient.  Try to avoid too much checking and flipping.  Usually I wait 5-6 minutes before first flipping the meat.  If you try to turn it too soon it will either stick to the grill in the case of chicken or break apart if it's hamburgers.

Watch for Hot Spots.  Most grills don't cook perfectly at every spot.  I've learned the areas of my grill that tend to cook hotter and move my meat accordingly.  As I'm flipping I try to rotate my pieces through the different hot spots so they will all get cooked thoroughly and be closer to getting done at the same time.

Finally, Season with Care.  If I'm using a season salt I will sprinkle it on when I first put my meat on the grill and then again after the first flip.  Barbecue Sauces should always be applied during the last few minutes of cooking, basically when your meat is already done. The sugars in sauces burn very quickly when left over the flames. I apply my favorite BBQ sauce with this great brush then flip the meat and apply it again. Then I immediately remove the meat.  If you're using herbs such as Mrs. Dash treat it like a Sauce and put it on at the end.  Herbs burn very quickly also.

I hope these tips are helpful and wish you all a Great Grilling Season!

Hershey Track Meet

Last Thursday, May 12th, was the Hershey Track Meet for Cameron's grade.  Cameron has really gotten into running this year and is even on the City Track Team.  She had Ryan take her to the High School track a few times before this meet so she could practice.

She competed in the standing long jump with her friend Angela.

And she did the 100m and 400m runs and the 400m relay.  As you can see she won her heat for the 100 and got to compete again in the semi finals.  She didn't get to go on to the finals but she had a lot of fun.  Her first city track meet is next week and she's super excited.

Cameron's State Report

Last Wednesday Cameron had her State Report Presentation.  She spent the whole weekend working on her diorama of Georgia and it's state tree. 

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day actually started on Saturday.  Ryan put in a drip line and we bought some flowers to put in front of the house which is something I've wanted for two years.  Then Saturday night Ryan got reservations at my favorite restaurant The Foundry Grill at Sundance.  I love it because it's quiet and it smells good and the food is fantastic.  We took Evelyn with us and she was a perfect angel.  Ryan got these sweet pictures on his phone.

On Sunday morning Ryan made waffles for me and the kids and I opened presents.  I got this awesome book called Sauces by James Peterson because I've been wanting to learn how to make sauces.  (I've been watching a little too much Chopped on the Food Network).  It may take me a while, though, since the book is almost 600 pages!

Dallin made me a really cool yellow necklace at school.

Cameron wrote me an amazing poem:

I Love You Mom the Orangest


I love you, Mom, the orangest,
I love you the color of a bright orange peach,
the apricots and oranges on a tree.
I love you the color of the sun's glowing smile,
and a bright beautiful sunset that
stretches on for a mile.
The color of your spirit, oh, how it glows,
and the color of the sand on a bright sunny day.
The color of a pencil, to write the books you read,
and the color of a beach ball, riding the waves,
of the pool you once swam in to play water polo.
I love you, Mom, the orangest.

Eden made a sweet book all about me.  It says (with translations in parenthesis)...

My wadrfl mom (My Wonderful Mom)

This is my mom.  She is 71.
My mom likes to Be By Hr Salf (herself) and go on a date.
My mom is like a Hors cas shE wrx had.  (My mom is like a horse cause she works hard).
My mom likes miny pesea (mini pizza).
Me and my mom like to make schradare (strawberry) Jam.
Dear mom, thakes for apretheg you are the beset. (thanks for everything you are the best)
Love Eden

My name is Eden Smith.  I like to plae (play). I am 6. I haf a pat cat. (I have a pet cat).

This was so cute it made me laugh and cry at the same time.  It's amazing the things the kids notice about me. And in case you were wondering, it's all true (except for being 71).

In preschool Austin made two hands that were attached by a long piece of yarn that said "I love you this much".  Then in primary he wrote me this letter (again translations in parenthesis)...

Mom
Fram Austin (from Austin)

urthebst (you are the best)
ilavu (I love you)
th End (the end)

I had no idea he could write so well all by himself!

I had a wonderful day, including having my mom over for dinner, but was a little exhausted after all the festivities.  I must be getting old (maybe I really am 71).

Tuesday Tidbit #6

Homemade Granola Bars

I got this recipe from my mom who found it online but of course we each add our "personal" touches that make it just right.  

Dry Mix

2 c. oats

¾ c. wheat germ (my mom uses oat bran) 

¾ c. sunflower seeds 

1 c. crushed peanuts (I love cashews chopped and my mom uses raw pumpkin seeds)

1 c. puffed rice

sometimes I add chopped walnuts or almonds for variety

Peanut Butter Mix

2/3 c peanut butter or almond butter

½ cup honey

4 T. butter (my mom uses cold pressed coconut oil)

1-2 T. vanilla added when mixture is removed from heat

½ teasp. Sea salt

(Simmer in saucepan just until melted)

Dried Fruit

8 ounces dried fruit; I love blueberries, cherries (chopped), and craisins but you can also try raisins and even apricots

1 Cup Semi Sweet chocolate chips

I like to combine all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  My mom usually toasts this but I decided I didn't like that.  If you would like to try toasting it, spread the dry mix onto a large cookie sheet and toast for 10 min @ 400 degrees.  Next I add all of my dried fruit and 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips.  Then I pour the hot peanut butter mixture over the top and quickly mix everything.  The chocolate chips will melt but I think that helps the bars hold together.

I pour the mix onto foil lined cookie sheets.  Then I use parchment paper to press the mix firmly into the pan.  Finally I roll over the mix with a rolling pin to press everything tightly together.  Refrigerate the cookie sheet for three hours then cut out individual size bars and place in "snack" size Ziploc bags and store in the freezer.  Watch out, these are seriously delicious.

Sad Business

Last week a company called Attachmate officially purchased Novell.  As a result there were a large number of layoffs this week.  Ryan was not laid off for which we are very grateful but he did lose all of his bosses and half of his team.  Overall the estimated number of layoffs according to a news report was about 800 which is staggering.  Many people Ryan admires and looks up to will no longer be working with him.  For that reason it has been very sad week.

Tuesday Tidbit #5

Snack Time!

Summer's almost here!  In many ways I'm super excited for warm weather, swimming, and more hiking :), but as I looked at my empty snack cupboard today I remembered one part of summer I don't look forward to, hungry kids.  It seems like my kids eat twice as much in the summer as they do during the school year.  I was trying to think of some snacks I should buy when I decided to make a list of ideas for summertime snacks as part of my Tuesday Tidbit this week.  (Just a note: you may notice that my list will not include bread products.  That is not just because I would like to avoid processed flours but more because I'm gluten intolerant.  My kids do eat flour but I'm going to keep this list gluten free).

I would be really grateful if you could add ideas for snacks that you and your family enjoy; with flour or gluten free.

Clif Kid Z Bar - smaller than Clif bars and about half the calories these are great for throwing in your purse or backpack for summertime daytrips.  During the school year they're a great after school snack.

Fruit Leather - I love Stretch Island which I buy in bulk from Amazon.  My kids love the raspberry, grape, and strawberry but there are lots of flavors to choose from.

Baby carrots, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes - these are great to throw in a bowl and eat during a movie.

Pudding

Yogurt

String Cheese

Popcorn

Nuts

Fruit: grapes, plums, apples, etc.  I love small fruits that don't have to be cut up but that a child can eat all of and not waste.

Canned peaches and pears - I always forget that I have these until dinnertime but when my kids had some after school the other day I thought of course, they're a perfect snack

Grandma's Homemade Granola Bars - I will post this recipe next week for my Tuesday Tidbit.  Watchout, they're addicting

Dallin's Fruit Smoothie - I'm thinking this will be our snack of choice this summer.  Dallin has become the master smoothie maker.  I buy bulk bags of frozen fruit such as raspberry's, berry mix, blueberries, and mango's.  I cut ripe bananas in half and freeze them in a Ziploc bag and I also froze a bunch of peaches in halves last summer.  Dallin uses combinations of these fruits to make his smoothies.  I think my favorite right now is Peach/Mango but here's a list of what else he adds:

fresh strawberries if we have them
1 scoop protein powder
1 package Emergen-C, either orange or raspberry depending on what fruit he's using
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ice
1 T flaxseed oil
sometimes 1 t honey
and he's starting to experiment with 1 small container plain Greek yogurt

For peach/mango he puts in 3 peach halves, 8 mango cubes, and 2 packs of orange emergen-C

For his regular smoothie he puts in 2 strawberries, 1 banana, 4 mango cubes, 1/2 C blueberries and raspberries and 1 pack of raspberry emergen-c.

Makes about 5-6 cups.

He wanted me to add that he doesn't like using blackberries because the seeds make it to hard to drink.

Baby In A Bumbo

I didn't have a Bumbo chair with any of my other kids. They hadn't been invented yet. But a good friend let me borrow hers for Evelyn and it has been Wonderful!

Evelyn's been trying to hold her head up but isn't strong enough yet to sit up on her own.  This chair lets her participate with the family and play with a few toys without slumping and falling over.  

Farm Fieldtrip

Last week I got to go with Eden's class on a fieldtrip to a local sheep farm.  It was a  chilly spring day but we were glad it didn't snow, which it did later in the week.  I'm pretty sure I learned more than the kids about sheep, and lamb, particularly "lamb chops".  The family's oldest son also explained to me the different cuts and quality's of beef and the difference between organic, free range grain fed, and strictly grain fed beef.  It was very enlightening.

The kids got to pet some of the newly shorn sheep and learned all about the family's oldest son's steer Curly Bill.

I thought it was pretty funny that the girls were so excited to brush Curly Bill's hair.

Eden's kindergarten class.