Sunday, September 30

SanAntonio

Having fun here in San Antonio.
Friday arrived at Aunt Jen's at 3pm, settled in and Lawson napped. When Jen got home from work, we met Gina and Emma out at Sea Island. Lincoln and Emma had fun "goofing" off together and giving each other High Fives. Lawson took to Gina, and they all had fun at the playground there, despite some mean and rough little kiddo's.... Came home and ate some dipping dots freeze dried icecream in the backyard at Jen's.

Saturday morning we Traci and Thomas at the zoo train, and we took a nice train ride. Ate a picnic lunch and played some ball. Came home for a disastrous naptime. Then we drove out to Shertz and dropped the boys off at Lisa 60's house so that they could play with Jessica and the babysitter while all the adults went out to dinner. Gabby, Catherine, Susan, Lisa, Viviane, Jen, and myself met for dinner at the new HOULIHANS. Jen, Tom, and I all used to work for the old Houlihans in North Star Mall and I really missed the food. So, I had some shrooms, pasta, and cappacino cake. Loved seeing all my old friends, will post pics when we get home.

Today, Sunday, Jen has Lincoln out for some one on one fun and I'm here at Jens with Lawson and the greyhounds... This afternoon we have a playdate planned with all the kiddo's at a play area. Looking forward to seeing how much everyone has grown and letting my boys play with everyone.... Looking forward to tonights premiere of DH. We will return home tomorrow. Maybe I'll get Ron to write a post of everything he has done to the house this weekend. Most of it will be a surprise to us. But I think it involves new carpeting in the Master, wooden floor in Lawson's room, some changes to the backyard including removing the hot tub. I'll let you know.... Until then, Peace Out.

Thursday, September 27

Letters

My Dearest Lincoln,
If you happen to come across an individual who may be, let's say a bit overweight, please do not yell "look mommy she has a baby in her tummy".... Unless you are with your father.
Thank You and I still Love You,
Your Flower Mound Mommy

Dear Mosquito's of Flower Mound,
Leave my boys alone. They look like they have chicken pox already. For 6 months.
Thank you for your consideration,
The Flower Mound Parents

Dearest Flower Mound Hubby,
Please feed our kitty when we are gone. Yes, we have a kitty. And she needs to eat.
Thank You in Advance,
Your loving wife and the Flower Mound Kitty

Hi Ho

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's off to San Antonio we go....

Wednesday, September 26

Dog Walker



When Ya Ya and The Pug were here, Lawson loved walking the dog every morning. We miss you guys...
By the way, we now have a La La, a Ya Ya, a Bubba, a Boo Boo, a Sue Sue. Sounds like a tongue twister around here sometimes....

Eggs

Refrigerator Hint: If you take the eggs out of the door bc of the temp thing I warned you about, and you have a one year old, please place the eggs on a high shelf that your toddler can't reach.
Otherwise your toddler will throw all the eggs on the ground one at a time and watch them break, in the 10 seconds that you happen to not be watching. Take my word on this. You do not want this to happen to you.

Oh yeah, and especially on the day that your cleaning lady has just scrubbed the floor.

Clean House Wednesday

We have a cleaning lady come in twice a month to deep clean the house. I love those days. Today was her day to come. I love today!!

Yesterday, after Lawson's gymnastics class we made it to the story time at the local library. After coming home for lunch, Lincoln headed off to preschool. After Ron came home, we had a great bike after dinner and practiced ball with Lincoln. Today, we had our bible study, and afterwards the boys had great naps. We sure have had a good start to a perfect week.

Today at Bible study, Lawson ran down the hall as fast as he could to his classroom, and tried to crawl over the baby gate to get into his room. Wow, what a change last week was his first week and he cried when I dropped him off. I guess he is already adjusted... And Lincoln loves his new Bible School class and teachers. He always goes by his class room from last year which has the 2 same teachers, and says hi and gives them a hug. He knows he is growing up and is in the Red Lambs now and not the yellow lambs. Lawson is a white lamb.

Monday, September 24

Peas

The new recipe for tonight was Sara Evan (celebrity) Pea and Mushroom Alfredo. We enjoyed it, I'm going to make some variations, try it again, and post my own recipe... Tasted like a Macaroni's or Carraba's style dish.

On the refrigerator note: Don't use any chemicals to clean the inside. Just warm soapy water. The chemicals do something to the bottoms of the plastics causing stains, etc... Plus, who wants all the chemicals lingering around the food. This is probably something that just I didn't know....

News Flash: Me and the boys will be headed down to San Antonio this weekend while Ron delves into several major house projects without us being in the way. And plus we miss Aunt Jen. And want to meet her new dog. And want to see all our old buddies... Please Please Please don't let us get sick before we go. Again. We are already packed.

Bye Bye camera

Someone, I won't mention who, accidentally broke my new very nice digital camera, boo hoo.... So, you may notice some less than quality pics because I had to dig up my old school clunker camera, and boy is it big.....

For your laughing enjoyment...

Per Ron's families' request, here is a picture of Ron's shaved head.... That's one way of getting rid of the gray....
He really doesn't look bad, but he doesn't like it....

My 37th

Here is a not so great family pic taken on my bday by our babysitter as we are headed out. It's our only one, so it will have to do.....


OK OK OK I'm officially old. The good thing is that I don't feel it. I feel better and happier now than I ever have. Can't complain. Thanks to my Mom and my Dad for bringing me into this world to experience this amazing life I have had.

Yes, I was spoiled on my Birthday... The boys gave me gift after gift after gift. We had a babysitter to watch the boys while we out to dinner at Salerno's. I'm quite certain that this upcoming year is going to my best one yet.




I have alway hated, I mean detested, Carrot cake my whole life. However, I LOVE the carrot cake for some reason at Celebrity Bakery.... So, I got a WHOLE carrot cake for my bday... Yummy...

Saturday, September 22

Busy, But Relaxing

Our Saturday was busy, yet unusually relaxing. We started the morning out with Lincoln's T-ball game. Then we split up and Lawson and I got things done while Lincoln and Ron went out and got things done. Then after naps, we took a terrific bike ride to dinner at Fish City then headed on our bikes straight over to Lawson Park where we threw the ball, played on the playground, etc... Until it was just too dark, we had to head on back home. The weather was much more bearable than the normal, low 80's.
Happy Birthday to Me Tomorrow!!

what Happened

My husband SHAVED his head!!

BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Per someone's request, I will attempt to post our favorite new recipe's of the week. Now here is something that everyone loved, even the boys. And it makes great leftovers, ask Reaah, I think she ate these for 3 different meals while she was here. And EASY EASY EASY...
All you need is a slow cooker....And 10 hrs to work with...

Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Sandwiches
1 boneless pork shoulder (2 lbs) (I got a 2 lb pork loin bc that is all they had)
3 Onions (yes, 3, sounds like a lot but remember how much they shrink up in 10 hrs) Sliced into separate rings
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (any flavor) (I used a sweet honey sauce and I put in a lot more than 1/2 cup!!)
Kaiser Rolls
Cheese Singles Optional

Place meat in in slow cooker, top with onions and sauce. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hrs. Remove meat from slow cooker and cut off excess fat. Shred meat using forks (it will be so tender it will literally just fall into it's own shreds). Return meat to slow cooker and stir it up with the onions and sauce.

That's it!! Just serve on Kaiser Buns (or whatever) and throw a cheese slice on it if you want. You will love it. Let me know if anyone tries this...

Refrigerator Poll

Note the new poll on the left. I need more responses. Just simply click on yes or no. It's totally anonomous and it takes less than one second.... I had a TIE vote on Lawson's hair, and now I don't know what to do.....

Anyway, a new focus of mine for these next few weeks is on Refrigerator maintance, something I now know nothing about. I was reading an artical on this and realized I was doing everything wrong. I'll share what I learn from my research... But to start, I found out that you aren't supposed to keep milk, eggs, or butter in the door. Which is where I have always kept mine. Something about opening the door all the time, keeps the temp the lowest and these things will spoil quicker and sour..... So, there you go.

Oven

How often do you all deep clean your oven? Do you deep clean your oven? I have a confession to make. Last week I deep cleaned my oven for the first time in my life. I guess I've never lived in a house long enough to where the oven needed cleaning. OK I lived in the Love Shack for 7 years and I don't EVER remember anyone deep cleaning the oven... Anyway, what an experience. It was amazingly EASY. Just went out an bought the oven spray, sprayed it in the oven before bed, the next wiped it out in minutes, and there is was: A Sparkling Clean New Oven..... I loved it... Can't wait to do it again....

Game Today

A little lesson from Coach Shawn

Lincoln waiting on First Base


Lincoln in outfield doing his favorite part, hanging out with

one of the coaches...

Friday, September 21

Fry Day

This is all I have for you today.
Our Flower of the Month here at our home.... Fresh Gardenia's picked from our back yard. What an amazing smell.... Pretty too.

This can happen to you if you have a baby who doesn't sleep in a crib anymore.... Lawson played with his toys for about 2 hrs at naptime, and when I went in and checked on him this is what I found.....He must have planned to sleep on the floor bc he had all his sleeping necessities with him: his blankie, pillow, blue puppy, and Jelly Bean the Bunny.

Thursday, September 20

OUT

Nite Nite, I'm Out. It's. Been. A. Long. Day. Wow. My head is spinning. Lincoln made me proud at his preschool and at his baseball game. Lawson was amazing today, even though he had hives this am, treated by Zyrtec. He likes yelling GOOO to Lincoln during the Ball Games. Pillow here I come.

Wednesday, September 19

Bye Bye

Auntie Ya Ya and The Pug have come and gone back to New York. The Flower Mound Four miss them both dearly today. It was tough, Reaah for the boys. Lawson has been yelling out for his Ya Ya all day, and has been checking your room for you. When we were out and about, he saw two different people that looked like you and he yelled out Ya Ya.....

On another note, Ron and I both went to the Doc today. Allergies, Infections, Inflammation, what have you.... So 2 co pays, 5 prescriptions, and one babysitter later, we are on the road to recovery. Finally. Until next time.... Sorry Ya Ya for sending you home sick as well....

We started our CBS today. Community Bible School. A 40 week study on ROMANS. Lincoln already came home with a verse memorized today.

Busy day for us tomorrow, Win Kids in am, preschool in the afternoon, and T-Ball Game in the evening. Have we overbooked ourselves this semester?? Boy are we having fun though...

Guess whose Birthday is this weekend??

Monday, September 17

Just Hanging Out



Ron, Reaah (Ron's sister visiting from NY), Lawson and The Pug just hanging out....

Yup, Reaah and I had an awesome time today at the SPA at The Gaylord Texan.

Old Pic

PAPA PAUL
An old pic we found... This is Papa Paul: Ron't Dad!!

Sunday, September 16

Ya Ya


Lawson has found a new buddy, his auntie "ya ya" as he calls her. He follows her around, and can't enough of playing with her and her puppy. I'm going to have some sad boys here in a couple of days...
BTW, Reaah and I are going to the SPA at the Gaylord Texan tomorrow am to treat ourselves to facials... This is something I am so excited about. Reaah and I started a tradition in NY by going to get facials, and we would like to continue this tradition when we get together... And the Gaylord Texan is one of my fave's locally...

Feet


It was so nice the other day just to feel the sand on my feet. Boy, I miss the beach.... (Lawson's cute feet....)

GrapeFest

Ron and I took the boys and Reaah to the GrapeFest. This is a local festival in downtown Grapevine. For you San Antonians you can compare this to WurstFest. Small town, music, food, crowds, lots of things for the kids to do.... Rode the train ride, petting zoo, etc... There are a couple of pics from there in my Flickr. Also teh video you see below: Lincoln was on stage in this little show and he was up there playing "freeze dance". I was cracking up at his dance moves, and how he is checking out the little girl dancer next to him....

Dance Moves

Saturday, September 15

The Ball Game




Take me out to the Ball Game...

So. Much. Fun.

Lincoln has 12 games this season.

He is #7.

Lincolns 1st T-Ball Game

Friday, September 14

The Beach

Reaah is HERE and we took her to The Beach today for lunch....







Thursday, September 13

Thurs

Good Day, Good Day. Spent some time at the lake this morning. Lincoln had preschool in the afternoon, then we all went out to watch Lincoln at his 1st t-ball practice. It was awesome to see him play out there with all the boys, he looks so grown up. He hit the ball great... His first game is Saturday, so I'll post some pics. They also have their team pic on saturday...

Wednesday, September 12

Yup

Yup, we have been busy. We have two special visitors with us for a week, tell all later. But for now, just wanted to let you know we didn't fall off the face of the earth, and all is OK. The boy's are busy busy busy, the usual. Weather here is awesome. Recipes this week have been keepers. Life is good.

Monday, September 10

Mon Day

OK, We loved the new recipe for tonight. A cream crab soup made from scratch and with fresh crab. Now that was YUMMY, and quite simple too. Who would have thought...
Tomorrow I will slow roast a pork loin with onions and sweet sauce for 10 hrs and make "pulled pork" sandwiches on Kaiser buns. Let you know...
Started MOPS today, as I said before looking forward to a great year, and I have a good group...
Lincoln's first Tball practice was cancelled due to all the rain today.
Lawson will have his FIRST EVER Dentist appointment in the morning. I took him to the dr this afternoon for some digestive problems.... I won't get into detail...
Lincoln and Ron have been window shopping for Lincoln's BIG BOY Bike. We want to get him a real bike with training wheels. We think he is ready. He has mastered that tricycle and actually is looking too big now to be on that. It's Lawson's turn for the trike. Maybe soon we won't need the bike bug anymore... We wanted to give Lincoln a bike for his 4 yr bday, but you know us, We. Just. Can't. Wait.

Question

Should we have a third child, or get a dog and a boat???

Sunday, September 9

CEC


This is Lincoln, Hannah, and Ben all squished on a little ride at Chuck E Cheese. For those of you that remember Debbie Taylor from college, these are her 2 kiddo's. We live really close together, and try to get together for regular playtime...

New Poll, Hair

There is a new poll to the left. Should we cut Lawson's hair?? Ron thinks it's too long and pretty and also too hot. I think it the best hair I have ever seen, and as a mommy I don't think I could bear to part with it. He has GREAT hair!! Please vote, I could change my mind... BTW, we waited until Lincoln was 2 to cut his hair for the first time...

Playtime





Playtime today outside. The weather was actually pretty nice after the rain, it was about 78. The boys would spend all of their outside vs inside if they could.

Tomorrow we start our semester of MOPS. Lincoln has his first t-ball practice in the evening.

Poll Results

According to my poll, looks like more people prefer to wait awhile to eat dessert. You see, Ron likes to wait awhile and I prefer it right away!! When my brother came to visit, he was right there with me so then I thought maybe it was the way we grew up....
You know how after a big meal at a family gathering the host always asks should we have dessert now or wait awhile... Well, I have NEVER been anywhere where we had it right away... It's always like: let's do the dishes first, etc... Of course I never say anything, but I want it RIGHT THEN.... Just doesn't taste as good later when my food digests, may not even want it....
Thanks to the poll participants...

Fast Asleep

Adorable Sleeping Baby??

Look Again, Scroll Down.















This is where I just found Lawson when I checked on him during naptime. See, these are the things you have to deal with when your baby is in a BED, where they can get out and Do. Whatever. They. Want..... Oh yeah, and that white stuff on him is the diaper cream he rubbed all over his body. Well, he actually did have a dirty diaper when I found him like this so I was thinking... Maybe he was up here to get his diaper changed... Scary.... I'm so glad I checked on him, imagine if he rolled over. Maybe we should get a TV monitor to what he's doing in there???

Saturday, September 8

Sushi Heaven

MY HUSBAND MADE THIS!!! Doesn't this look absolutely scrumptious to you sushi lovers out there. It was great, and Lincoln even partook.


Tuition

Cha Ching.
I made out like a bandit at a real nice community garage sale today, hope to pay for a couple months of Lincolns school tuition!!

On another note, I bought Ron a sushi making kit (not at the garage sale!!), so he is out today at Central Market getting some ingredients for our sushi making party tonight.

Friday, September 7

Highlights

I grew up reading the Highlights Magazines (thanks Mom), and Loved them!! So, I order Lincoln a subscription to the Highlights for a little younger kids, called Highlights High Five. How fun is that?? He is such a little book worm, he will love this. He is sounding out letters, and can sound out some simple words so I'm thinking he is going to be an early reader. We don't know where he got his smarts from????
I'm off to watch 20/20!!!

Thoughts

Tuna Pie was no bueno.
Pumpkin Bread didn't turn out right.
But the Chicken Strata and the Beef Strogonof and definite keepers.
We'll go out Sat night, Ron will BBQ on Sunday, then I'll be back to new recipes next week.
Please don't go to Jens blog, I'll be so embarrased...
We had fun meeting friends today (Debbie, Ben, Hannah) at a Kindermusic class in Coppell then heading over to lunch at Chuck E Cheese. Wore the kiddo's out, they took long naps.
That magic eraser sponge thing really does work like magic....
MOPS starts monday, it will be a good year for us...
Things are selling again on ebay, it's been good. Sold 3 of the 4 Coach purses, but not worth doing again. At least I gave it a try. Now on to another idea...

Thursday, September 6

Thursday Ramblings


1. New Recipe for tonight will be: Tuna Pie. Sounds kind of weird but I think it's going to be yummy, it is cooked in a pie dish and the crust is made out of rice. I am also going to try a new recipe for a pumkin cream cheese layered bread.
2. Pic of Lawson playing while Lincoln is at preschool. Lawson has decided he doesn't like Lincoln going to preschool.
3. Of course, Lincoln is loving preschool but this is only his second day so I'll have to get the 411 from him, we are on our way to pick him up.
4. We were the very first both days in the drop off carpool line. You know that thing I get from my mom about being there way too early. We pulled up at 12:08 and the teachers started getting the kids at 12:20. But that meant we were back home and Lawson was down for his nap at exactly 12:30. It is only taking 5 minutes to get to the school.

Tuesday, September 4

New Recipe's

September is going to be new recipe month for me. I am going to try out three new recipes a week. See, if I write it here I am more likely to do it!! We tried out a new dish tonight that we all liked, it was called Chicken Stata.

First Day, Preschool

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL.....



Lincoln's first day of school today was a success. He loved it, of course. He even made a friend, Josh, who he wants to come over to play...
We got home, and Lincoln fell asleep at 4:30pm and woke up just now at 7p. So, it's going to be a long night for us... He has lots of school stories to tell...

Lawson




Today was Lawson's third gymnastics class. He loves it and it is sooooo good for him to be able to blow off some of that energy in a safe place!!

Monday, September 3

Invitation

OK, So Leo flew home tonight. Ron had a friend come visit. A FRIEND. So, I got to thinking how we have lived here over 2 and 1/2 years, and I have not had one friend come and visit me. Not. One. Friend. So come on girls, let's represent... This is your formal invitation, you are welcome anytime!!

LaLa



You will find this picture on my refrigerator. This is my 14 yr old niece Lauren at a school dance last year.

Matthew, I need a new one of you bc the one's on my refrigerator don't even look like you anymore!! La La and Matthew: How are you doing??

Jen's Dogs






Just in case you don't get to stop by Jen's blog, here for your convenience is a picture of her dogs. Bailey and Piper, they are Italian Greyhounds...

Jen's Blog

Some of you have inquired about my much younger sister's blog. If you are reading mine, you might as well go over and visit hers. Love having someone to blog talk about. She is the one that helped me add all my cool new things.... While my blog is full of my Kids, hers is full of fun and exciting things she does because she doesn't have kids.... And her two cute dogs. I hope she doesn't mind me giving out this info, but hey she has my blog site posted on hers!!
http://www.jenintexas.blogspot.com/

A Little BBall





Lincoln starts his T Ball this week, so we took him out back today to our favorite pecan tree and let him practice some throwing and catching. He's going to really like it, I think....He found out that he is going to be with Coach Shawn and his Team's name is The Rangers. His first game will be the weekend of the 15th. Fun, Fun.

Happy Labor Day

Hope all our family and friends are having a Great Labor Day!!!We woke up and made a HUGE breakfast, Ron and Leo headed out to hit some golf balls, boys and I played outside then came inside to do some painting. We will probably head to the park in a bit. Anybody have any exciting plans to share??
(Lincoln has his first day of preschool tomorrow, afternoon 12:30-3:30). Bittersweet for me. BUT I'm really not missing out on time with him because if he wasn't in preschool on Tues and Thurs, this is his naptime anyway. He would just be at home napping, so really it's ok!! I guess he will just miss a nap on preschool days, or else he will just take a LATE nap afterwards... Of course, I'll let you know how his 1st day goes. He. Is. So. Excited....

Ebay Mom

A couple of weeks ago I posted that Pokemon ebay listing, and if you had a chance to read it then click on here: my Dad (Chicago) sent me a link on an artical in the Chicago Tribune about that Mom and how she has suddenly became "famous" and has started her own blog...and a book??
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-bloggermom_03sep03,1,987830.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout

Sunday, September 2

LEO

We will have a last minute visitor this weekend, Ron's old friend LEO. Ron talked to him on the phone yesterday and told him, why don't you come up this weekend. And low and behold he got a flight for today until Tuesday so he will make his first visit up here to Flower Mound. Welcome Leo...

The Pecan Tree




We discovered a huge pecan tree that we like to hang out under. It's shady, and the boys love exploring there. The branches hit the ground enabling the boys to search for pecans, etc... Lawson hides behind the branches, and we pretend we don't see him and he laughs...