Happy Birthday!!

Wishing my mom, Nana Joan to Emily & Matt, a very Happy 70th Birthday!  We love you very much!!

Emily's Night to Cook

Reading the Directions

Emily decided that Friday nights will be her night to cook dinner.

We pulled out one of our favorite family recipes - Mini Meatloaves. Emily first read through the directions, pulled all the items and utensils she would need and then started "cooking".  Of course, all was going well until it was time to mix the meat with the "binding" ingredients by hand - that is the old school way.  She did give out a "eww" at first but she's a trooper and kept at it.  

Emily got the meatloaves in the oven (they take about an hour to cook) and started making her "favorite" baked beans.  Basically, they are a doctored pork and bean but she loves them.  Now, she can make them all by herself.  We all were very satisfied with our dinner. Emily even made sure by asking at dinner if we were enjoying "her" meatloaves.

I'm glad I started this required cooking night with the kids.  It is nice that they are learning a basic life skill and we get to spend some time together. Of course, this time together will be especially nice when the busyness of school starts.

Great job Emily!

Topping the Meatloaves

Ready for the oven

Dinner is served

Chicken Ravioli Soup

Tonight we had another Pinterest inspired dinner. 

I would say this is a quick version of chicken noodle soup using mini ravioli instead of noodles. It does ask for 1 cup of cooked chicken. I had to poach chicken for the Chicken Ranch Tacos I made earlier this week so I made sure there was extra for today's soup. 

It tasted very good and was just so quick and easy. The kids liked it too!  Dave has yet to eat as he is still at work BUT it is an easy reheat! I will definitely make it again in the fall when a bowl of warm soup is so inviting.  

The link I found the recipe at is: http://family.go.com/food/recipe-630322-chicken-ravioli-soup--t/

Enjoy!!!

A Mini Me Crafter

Today, because I knew I was going to be busy with my crafting jobs, I gave the kids a job to do as well. Each was given a Swiffer duster and told to take all the items off the flat surfaces in their rooms (dressers, desks, etc.), dust the surface, then put the items back in place. Of course, I did have to clarify that they didn't not have to remove any items that are plugged into an outlet. These kids think of everything!!

Of course, Matt did his and was done.  Emily on the other hand became "inspired". She had made this flower in school this past year and wanted to display it.  So, she asked me if I had a vase she could use.  Of course, I did!!  She wanted to decorate the vase so we headed up to my craft room for some "supplies".  Emily took some gems and adhered them with glue dots on the vase. She did also ask for the pebbles to hold the flower in place.  

It would appear that Emily has her mother's crafting gene.  What do you think?  

The Rules Begin

Today was a busy day for me. I'm in project mode right now - that is craft project mode.  I have 3 weeks including what has passed already of this week to get 2 bulletin boards done, one planned for September and 2 personal projects completed. 

I have to say that the majority of the summer has been spent on occupying the kids as crafting has been quiet but that has all changed.  I never realized just how much I get done while the kids are in school. 

This morning after I did my devotions, workout and breakfast I started doing a few household chores. I have to say I was a little irked that my kids were just sitting glued to the TV (Wii this morning). I know they are on break but I am not and now I'm in crunch mode.

Well this situation led to our August Rules. These rules will help the kids to adjust to what will be expected of them in September. The main things covered were: getting fed, dressed and bed made before anything else; technology time limits; their summer homework pages done before dinner; a set bed time.  

The funny thing is that tonight as I was kissing Matt goodnight I told him to sleep in (neither Emily or Matt sleep past 7:30) because we are not headed out for anything tomorrow (mommy has jobs to do).  His response was, "so I don't have to get dressed". I told him he did need to get dressed.  Funny how he knew what was expected and already was hoping to get out of it.  Love that boy!! Drives me nuts, but I love him!!