Spring '14

Going to be a smattering of unrecorded things...and only the ones that got photographed :}

End of spring soccer...Owen ready to defend The Crew's turf.

Asher and his sweet coaches...

Fishing on Father's Day

Victory!

And that all important moment in a home with young children...THE LAST CHILD IS POTTY-TRAINED!!  Started pretty much the day my mom got here, July 22, mostly done by 2.5 weeks ago, the rest seems in the bag (or in the potty I should say) by today.  YIPPEEEE!!!!!!  Well, daytime potty trained anyway :)

Eden notes

Eden:
Upon learning that we are going to Asher's preschool swimming party:  "We go SWIMMING?  I wuv it!!  I want to go SWIMMING!  We get wet!  Fun, fun, fun!"

Upon learning that her Target dollar-bin Hello Kitty socks can't be worn more than one day:  "I need MO' Hewwo Kitty socks!"

Upon passing the book section in any store and mommy not stopping:  total meltdown.  She is a decided bibliophile...just amazes me as that is not something I feel I could have nurtured, and is mostly innate (Mommo genes??).

Upon being put in the crib for nap time (which is always rest/play time):  singing, singing, singing.  Especially Frozen songs, and she knows as many words as the boys...nearly.

Upon having any time for play with any slightly available partner:  "We play cup a' tea!"  (a.k.a. tea party)  Cup a' tea marathons can last indefinitely.

Upon being told 'no' in no uncertain terms...sometimes heaves a heavy sigh and says, 'OOOOOh-kaaaay' with the cutest resignation.  More often, throws a fit of epic proportions including foaming at mouth!  It's that wonderful age.

At all times, "I wuv my brudders!" and "I wuv my daddy" in close 2nd.  However, definitely mostly a mamma's girl, and my 'I wuv you's' are said while palms secure my cheeks and eyes are stared into...sweetest child-rearing moments yet.

Owen's 7th

Another birthday party in the bag :)  Owen's prayer list included a sunny day for his party, and despite rain forecasts up til the night before, his request was granted!  Owen had a Ninjago party with a ninja costume relay, a ninja weapon hunt, a race to remove legos from the rice pit with chopsticks and assemble the tallest tower, a water balloon launch with Owen's Dad as target (self-volunteered and made the kids' day!!), a ninja quiz and shooting helium balloons with foam darts.  Great fun had by all :)  Can't believe he's SEVEN!!!!

Eden

Growing up!  Too fast!

Movies

Eden is a BOOKWORM.  I rarely see Eden without a book in her hand, and when I won't read it, she sits down and reads it to herself.  She pretty much knows every book in the house (and we don't have a small library of kids' books!!)  Wish I had gotten better audio of this rendition of green eggs and ham:
https://picasaweb.google.com/104074210619117775955/May182014#6014937861636953250

It was Owen's birthday on Friday and Mommo and Daddo sent the boys RC cars...very exciting for them!!!  (Asher's present was just a hair early for his birthday ;)  When I looked out and saw the bricks from the temporary walkway to our new porch missing, I found the boys had constructed their own battle arena...!!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104074210619117775955/May182014#6014940048553263954

An old one from April Fool's Day this year:
https://picasaweb.google.com/104074210619117775955/May18201403?authkey=Gv1sRgCLGw4afsq5PJ_AE#6014940823618366210

Ham 'n rice bake

Threw some comfort food together with leftover bits tonight and I have to say it was very tasty--and most of the kids thought so too (miracle!)--must write it down, because I never do write these things down and then if Reuel asks for it months later I have no idea.

In a cast iron pan with a light coating of leftover bacon grease (probably why it was good right there), saute diced leftover Easter ham; remove.  Saute chopped onion in 2-3T butter, add in generous grinding of pepper, generous pinch nutmeg, couple sprinkles of dry thyme, ~1/2 t. salt.  Add 3T flour, make roux.  Add 1c. broth + 1c. milk, boil and stir to thicken.  Add in ~2-3c. chopped fresh spinach, stir to wilt.  Add in ~1/2c. grated cheddar and ham, stir til melted and blended.  Add in ~3c. cooked rice, stir it all up, test and see if it needs a little more salt.  Sprinkle with grated cheddar, pop in 350 oven til melted and beginning to brown on top.