A Day at the ZOO

Making Cookies

Using Auntie B's Cut-Out Cookie recipe, the girls helped me make some cookie dough and then E, I and the girls did some serious decorating!

Yummy! 

Missing Birthdays

I thought I was going to be good and post a picture of each child on their birthday with their cake and all that good stuff.  Good intentions will never get you anywhere!  I must remember that.

"S" celebrated his birthday in June.  His dad was out of town and "S" ended up spending that weekend with his uncle, where he was able to celebrate his very important day with his cousins.  Here at home, he had a BIG chocolate chip cookie with frosting on it.  We don't have very many pictures of him, so I am posting a recent picture of him with his little brother. 

He is a sophomore this year.  He lettered in Cross Country (Varsity) and made it to Regional's back in October.  Basketball just began and JV games will be starting after Thanksgiving. 

 

"A2" celebrated her 4th birthday in July, and like all 4th birthdays (maybe even mine!  I should check with my parents about that one.), we spent the evening with Chuck E. Cheese.  We bought a bunch of tokens, split them up and let the children have fun!  All tickets won went to A2 and she picked out 10 Laffy Taffy's and a little toy.  Her cake is supposed to the castle cake out of the Family Fun magazine, but it didn't quite work out, although she enjoyed it. 

Doing the "Chicken Dance"

I celebrated my birthday in September.  The girls really had fun with this one.  For days before, they were making birthday cards and wrapping up their favorite toys for me.  I believe I opened up at least 100 different cards from them!  They decorated with balloons and hats, and made it a very special birthday! 

My husband's birthday came about two weeks later in October and sadly, we don't have any pictures from his birthday.  Of course, it didn't help that he was out of town on his day!  Again, the children went all out and wrapped up their favorite toys and some other very interesting items (plain notebook, a book pulled off the bookcase, etc!) and made him lots of birthday cards.  He had an Angel Food cake.  Here is a picture of him with baby.

Three weeks later, our youngest son had the most special kind of a birthday!  No cake for him!

 

One week later, "E" turned 9!  Since his dad was off work for the baby, they went out together and shopped for a birthday present.  After much deliberation, he finally picked a game for his DS.  His sisters were excited to give him another Webkinz.  His dad was going to make work for his birthday cake with relighting candles, but wouldn't you know it, they never relit themselves!

Less than 2 weeks later, we had yet another birthday!  "A3" turned the big 3!  We celebrated her birthday the day before due to Wednesday night church.  Since she enjoyed her big brother's chocolate cake so much and ate more than the frosting, she had a yummy chocolate cake!  It took awhile for her to say she was 3, she kept saying, "No, A2 three, me two".  After she understood it was her birthday, she kept singing the "Happy Birthday song" to herself!  Just days after her birthday, she started to sadly say, "My birthday all gone!"

Everybody in our family is now a year older and we must wait until January to celebrate another birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

A Government Lesson using French Fries

Head on over to Smockity Frocks to read about a lesson in Taxation without Representation and Redistribution.

Thanksgiving Meal

We normally have Thanksgiving with my husband's family, but this year they are all going out to a restaurant.   I'm not against that, but the place where they picked is a cafeteria style place and when you take into consideration the amount of food my children would eat vs the cost, plus the headache of taking care of all the children's trays, etc and nursing a baby in a crowded restaurant, we opted to have our meal at home.  Instead, we will have a gentleman over that works with my husband and his wife who is new to the United States from China.  I am making enough food that I hope to be able to have my husband's parents and grandmother over for lunch on Saturday or Sunday for a Thanksgiving repeat.

Our Menu:

Breakfast: Upside Down Cranberry Cake

Lunch or Dinner (Still haven't decided when we are eating)

• Turkey (Lemon Herb Roasted)
• Ham
• Gravy
• Rolls (some white, some wheat)
• Honey Butter
• Mashed Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Green Bean Casserole (Ewwww...this is only made out of love for my hubby!)
• Cheesy Potato Casserole
• Orange Pineapple Jell-O
• Sweet Butter Corn
• Creamy Corn Casserole
• Dressing/Stuffing
• Broccoli Salad
• Basil Carrots
• Homemade Chunky Applesauce
• Apple Slices
• Pumpkin Pie
• Layered Pumpkin Pie (cream cheese layer inside!)
• Cherry Pie
• Pecan Pie or Apple Pie (not sure which and I only have 4 pie pans)
• Rice Krispy Treats
• Wassail, Iced Tea, Hot Chocolate and Coffee to drink

That other meal (which will be finger food and eat as you like)

• Cheese Slice and Crackers
• Spinach Dip
• Veggies and Dip (carrots, celery, tomatoes, peppers)
• Apple Slices (we currently have 2 bushels of apples, thus all the apples)
• Rolls
• Hummus and Pitas (if I can find pitas at the grocery store, I have been unable to the last 3 times I was there)

What will we do with turkey and ham leftovers?

• Shredded turkey, gravy & noodle
• Turkey Pot Pie
• Shredded Turkey Tacos
• Turkey Tetrazinni
• Ham Quiche
• Ham & Beans
• Red beans and Rice
• Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Things that make you go Hmmmmm......

Gas prices are going down.  More and more people are using those cloth bags instead of the paper or plastic ones provided at the store and yet food costs are not going down.

What's up with that?