Salad Bar

I hosted Pokeno Group tonight and served a variety of salads:


Thank you, Becca, for this new recipe...
Mandarin Orange Salad
1 can Mandarin oranges, drained (I actually used extra oranges)
2 packets of orange Jell-O
1 large Cool Whip
1 medium container of small curd cottage cheese
Put together in this order/fold together softly. Refrigerate.

Thank you His Doorkeeper for this pasta recipe:
Rainbow Pasta
Boil a pkg of rainbow rotini (corkscrew pasta, spinach/tomato).
drain and rinse in cold water.
ADD: pepperoni slices, sliced black olives and Wish Bone Italian dressing. (I also added cherry tomatoes and feta cheese)
Refrigerate.

Layer Salad that my Mom makes:
Layer the following in a salad bowl...
1 head torn iceberg lettuce
1 head cauliflower, cut into small pieces
1 head broccoli, cut into small pieces
1 med. onion, chopped (I skipped this step)
1 jar bacon pieces
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sugar
Refrigerate over night. Mix thoroughly just before serving.
Becca also told me about this salad that is in a Bible study cookbook that we both have:
Apple Salad
2 Granny Smith apples, diced
6-8 oz. shredded Swiss cheese
4-6 oz. crushed cashews
1 head red leaf lettuce, cut up
Combine in salad bowl. Toss with poppyseed dressing:
Dressing (I did a half-recipe of this):
1 c. oil
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. sugar
2 T poppy seeds
1 T lemon juice

Fresh fruit and fruit dip (1 80z. cream cheese + 1 jar marshmallow cream--easy and yummy!) My friend Mary Katherine suggested putting the fruit in glasses with sugar-covered rims (MK, I'm not sure if this is exactly what you were talking about, but I tried!) :)


I took the easy route on dessert...spring petit fours from Community Bakery...yum!

(I wish I'd remembered to take pictures of the fun group of gals at the party--not just the food!)

R's Rash

Saturday afternoon we played out in the back yard for a while, and I noticed that R's ears were bright red (see first photo below). I didn't think too much about it, but mentioned it to Lane that evening. (I think Lane thinks I imagine things when it comes to being sick or the kids being sick.) Yesterday (Sun.) morning, Rhett was covered with a bright red rash when he woke up. I didn't know what it was, so I stayed home with him while L & A went to church. We talked about taking him to the after hours clinic, but it actually didn't seem to be bothering him, so we decided to wait. I called first thing this morning and got an early appointment at our pediatric clinic. The doctor said it was an allergic reaction to something (we'll likely never know what he reacted to), and he had to have a steroid shot (which I felt horrible about because he'd asked me if he would have to get a shot today, and I told him that I didn't think so. He was very brave once again though and did not cry). It seemed to help a lot because he already looked a lot better before bed tonight. Lane also gave him medicine for the itching. I'm afraid he's just one to have really sensitive skin. Maybe it's hereditary...I had a crazy reaction to a bug sting not long ago, my Mom had a miserable Christmas one year because she reacted to something in their cut Christmas tree, Mom is also allergic to "cold"--she breaks out in hives sometimes when she's out in cold weather, my Great-Grandmother was constantly having reactions to things that they could never pinpoint, etc.

Sunday morning

Sunday morning--putting pennies in his and Alexee's piggy banks

at the doctor's office this a.m.

His arms almost looked sunburned from the rash.


But other than the itching, he seems to feel fine--here's a big "cheeeese" for the camera. I think it will look a lot better by morning.

Precious Opportunities

The past two afternoon "rest times" have provided some precious opportunities for me to talk with Rhett about Jesus, God, Jonah, Heaven, etc. I always read a book or two to him before I leave his room, and I admit that sometimes I just choose short books. But yesterday, I thought that I should read him a Bible story. He has a little lift-the-flap book of Bible stories, and he wanted to read the last one, which is about the lost sheep (99 are safe, 1 is lost). Then he wanted to read "the one about Baby Jesus", so we read it. Then, with no prompting at all, he asked, "Jesus loves us, right?" His next question was, "Is Jesus the same as God?" I was reminded yet again how I need the Holy Spirit's guidance every minute of every day. I hope I answered his questions in an appropriate way for a four year old. So today I picked up the same book and asked if he wanted to read another story, which he did. He first chose Noah, then David & Goliath, then Jonah. More questions followed: "Was Jonah a real person?", "Is Heaven even in the belly of a fish?" "Where is Jonah now?", "Is Heaven just in our imagination?" I wish I could remember exactly how the conversation went, but I can't. I know that I told him that God loves us and forgives us when we sin, and I explained to him what "sin" means. It has been my prayer every day for 4 years that he would come to accept Christ personally at a young age and live a very eternal-minded, purpose-driven life for Him. I have no idea if he's anywhere near that decision point, but I just praise God for placing these questions on his precious little heart (Ecc. 3:11 came to mind). I pray that the Lord will guide us as we strive to share the love of Christ with our sweet kids.

"He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:15-17

If you have stories about your children asking big questions, I'd love for you to share them with me. It is such an amazing blessing to be a part of a child's spiritual journey...but also such a scary responsibility, too! I don't want to waste a single opportunity to share with our kids the love of Christ.

Sugar 'n Spice and Everything Nice...

She is 14 months, 2 days old.
Her words that I can somewhat identify: Momma, Daddy, Brother, Bobo (we call Bogart), blankie, bye-bye, diaper, light.

The Office

Photos made in our office earlier this week:

Rhett took this one of me typing a blog post.

R likes to use the auto-timer function on the camera.


He's getting really good at doing computer games by himself. How times have changed...I can't remember when I really started using a computer (my summer job in high school, I think?)...but it certainly wasn't when I was four! He plays games on www.pbskids.org and www.noggin.com.

A First Birthday Celebration

Alexee's cutie pie friend, Maylee, turned one yesterday. Today we attended her birthday party at her house:

Maylee's Mom made these adorable invitations!

She was so calm with her smash-cake.

Her Mom also made this festive party hat.

Lots of fun polka-dots.

Delicious cake from Blue Cake Company, which was made to match the invitation paper perfectly.

The "play group gals"...Madelyn, Maylee & Alexee (we can't wait to add Lindy, scheduled to arrive on Monday!)

Amazing that they sat still long enough for a few pics!

Happy 1st Birthday to you, Maylee! I'm so glad you & Alexee are friends! :)

Heather's Visit

My dear friend Heather came to visit us for a few days, and it was a fun time! She came up Monday afternoon and went with me to take Rhett to his swim lesson. We walked the track while he was swimming. It's amazing how much faster exercise time goes when you're with a friend. I'm usually bored at the gym, but it was nice to walk and talk with her. Monday night Lane did the kids' dinner and bath routine so that Heather & I could go out for dinner & a movie! (thanks, L!) We saw The Other Boleyn Girl (sad but a good movie). Tuesday we shopped a little and had lunch at yummy Trio's. We shopped at The Container Store, Francesca's, Crown Shop & Scrapbook Corner. Tuesday after Alexee's nap, we went to get cupcakes at Blue Cake then went to Target. Last night we had a babysitter so that Lane, Heather & I could go to one of all our very favorite restaurants, Bonefish Grill. I had Mahi Mahi that was delicious. The visit did have one unpleasant part: getting in the car yesterday afternoon, smelling something horrible and discovering that the problem was a forgotten sippy cup of milk in the pocket of Rhett's school back-pack (G-R-O-S-S!). It had been in there all during his spring break last week (at least!). I dumped the cup of milk (cottage cheese?) in the trash can in front of Walgreen's (sorry Walgreen's) and put the backpack in a plastic bag that was in the car. When I get the nerve, I'm going to clean out the contents then throw the backpack away. It was chilly yesterday, but we decided to drive with the windows down anyway!

Here are some pictures from the week:

Monday afternoon snack--cinnamon-sugar cupcakes

After R's swim lesson Monday

A's new socks & shoes

Two other purchases: spring purse & shoes

lunch at Trio's

at Trio's

at Blue Cake Company eating a cupcake

Heather & Rhett enjoying a cupcake

Dinner on Tuesday


Thanks again for coming to visit, Heather--it was great to see you! See you in May!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday pics

Both kids wore blue to church today--I think it's a great color on them because of their pretty blue eyes!

Curtain Project

So I finally got a shower curtain for the kids' bath. I ordered the striped curtain from Pottery Barn Kids and made the valance last night. It was supposed to be a simple, 30 minute sewing exercise. It turned into a 3 hour project, and I was extremely frustrated. I somehow got the measurements wrong on the rod pocket and used a cute, zig-zag stitch which took FOREVER to rip out. I finally finished it at midnight and tip-toed into the Jack-n-Jill bath attached to A's room to install it. I knew I ran the risk of waking her up, but I'd been so frustrated with the curtain that I needed some closure. So here's the final product:


View from Alexee's sink

Cute trash can from The Container Store

(It bugs me that this cabinet is attached to the wall rather than centered over the toilet.)

Organization

Earlier this month, a new store opened here: The Container Store. We went in briefly yesterday before dinner, and oh wow--it is the neatest store ever! I wanted to buy everything in there (and so did Rhett--it was a constant battle putting things back on the shelves). It gave me a huge desire to do some spring cleaning and organization. Yesterday's purchases were 1) a frog trash can with a lid for the kids' bathroom and 2) an awesome, hinged spice rack that you bolt into the cabinet and it lowers down so you can see all the spices. I'll post a picture after L installs it (assuming it fits in our cabinet). The store had a great gift wrapping section with all shapes and sizes of boxes--I barely even glanced at it, but I plan to go back soon!

After our great shopping experience, we had dinner at one of our favorite Mexican Restaurants. This morning the kids and I met my friend Stacy and her kids at McDonald's (or "Old MacDonald's" as R calls it...we rarely eat there, so he doesn't know the name...un-American, I know). They had fun in the indoor playground. We were hoping for an outdoor activity today, but the weather didn't cooperate. L is studying today. I think we're going out to eat when he gets home. Off to clean house...wish I had some new cleaning tools from The Container Store to make chores more exciting! :) Happy Saturday!

Jaiden's Party

Last night Rhett & I attended Jaiden's birthday party.  Her birthday was actually last week, the day after R's.  They had a great time eating pizza, cake and playing.  Happy (belated) B-day to Jaiden...we love you!