...yes I know...I haven't been very camera happy lately. We've just been running around everywhere and I've kind of forgotten to throw the camera in my purse. We haven't been doing anything out of the ordinary this week...a few park visits, riding bikes, playing outside..the usual.
Anyway, since this is a sort of journal I thought I should write down these cute little things the kids have said. Yesterday we went to Nelson Park to play for a little bit after dinner. As we were playing on the equipment Isaiah noticed an empty pop bottle just sitting there. He said, "I'm going to throw this away Mom." I said, "Good for you Boo, that's nice that your picking up someone's trash that they left on the ground." Ava then said, "Isaiah, you're saving the world!" How cute!
Today when I picked Isaiah up from Julie's house (their babysitter) she told me that sometimes they have this Chex Mix for snack...the cheesy kind. We have that at our house too and call it "Cheesy Snack." I guess at Julie's house Isaiah calls is "good stuff" or something like that. Today while he was enjoying that snack he told Julie, "I need to get a recipe of that good stuff." What a hoot!
This next thing doesn't have anything to do with saying something funny...but it does prove that the Richardson's love to shop! Andy had an out of town football game tonight. I took the kids to Ankeny to do a little shopping. Ava starts tap, ballet, and jazz next week. There is a little dance boutique in the old part of Ankeny that I wanted to go to. Unfortunately I didn't ask for directions and "thought I knew where I was going" and never found it...story of my life! So it was off to find ideas for Andy's b-day present. Ava and Isaiah informed me that we should get a "a new Wii game....no a new Wii football game...and football exercise stuff...and a new backpack...and a new lunchbox...and a new watch" (the kids words exactly). Hmmmm...what will we end up with?
What's a trip to Ankeny or anywhere for that matter without a quick stop at Target. Both of the kids want an analog clock in their rooms. Who knows why? I guess it's a smart investment...I say investment for things because it helps me justify why I should by it. If' you've ever read the Shopaholic series...my favorite...that's what Becky Bloomwood (the main character) uses as her motto for the things she buys...good advice I think. I figure they could use these clocks to help tell time. To make a long story short...we came out of Target with two analog wall clocks (Ava picked silver, Isaiah picked yellow for the Cyclones because it would go good with his red wall), a new silver fancy CD player and bedtime CD for Isaiah's room (time to retire the turtle that he's listened to since he was a newborn. He still wants it sitting on his bed...but just for looks. Ava informed me that she might like a new CD player too...only not yet...but she'll tell me when she's ready for one. Back to the shopping...so we have two clocks, a CD player, a CD, both kids picked out new toothbrushes (the electric spin ones for kids that you can decorate with stickers), two different kinds of toothpaste (Dora and Toy Story), and two kinds of mouthwash (pink and blue). Oh and let's not forget the little white puppy with the pink bow that comes in a little carrier case (a bargain in Ava's eyes because it was only $8) and a green frog for Isaiah. He already has a huge green frog...but let's remember this one is a "little green frog" so that makes it different. Oh my...the things we buy when Daddy isn't around!
Tomorrow my parents are watching the kids so Andy and I can have "Date Day" and go to the ISU/Iowa game. We would bring the kids like we usually do...but this game can get a little too rowdy at times for little ones in my opinion. After the game we're going to celebrate Andy and my sister's b-days...grill out style. Should be a fun and busy Saturday...go State!
My Three Happy's:
1) We've had the windows open all week...I love the fresh air! The other night it got below 50 degrees!
2) The Center Grove Apple Orchard...a local orchard with tons of fun things to do with kids...has opened. Time to stop by and get a season pass. There's hardly anyone there on the weekdays after school...hopefully we can make our first appearance sometime next week.
3) Go Cyclones...it would be a "Super Happy" if they beat Iowa tomorrow! You gotta' love football!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Those Little Moments that Make you Laugh
Yes, I know...no pictures again. It's almost 10:00, I've already been asleep in Ava's bed for an hour, Andy's sleeping in Isaiah's bed, and well...we're all exhausted. I thought a quick post of words was better than nothing!
Today I found myself in one of those frustrating moments and just had to laugh! After school...it was BEAUTIFUL out...we got home and I wanted to keep the kids outside to play. Miss Ava barely could keep her eyes open on the way home from preschool and started to doze off in the car. I asked her if she wanted me to put her in the jogger stroller so she could sleep and I was lucky to get a little nod. No sooner had a I picked her up...she was sound asleep again in the stroller. I can't tell you the last time that girl was in there. So here I was with my 41 lb 4 1/2 year old in a stroller, my 3 year old on his big wheel, and why did I do this...but I took 110 lb Jackson on his leash and off we went. To get a better picture, I was dressed in my nice school clothes with my nice shoes, pushing a heavy stroller while being pulled by a huge dog, and in the meantime was trying to control a crazy little boy who was zipping down the street.
When we got to the park Isaiah wanted to play "pretend baseball" with me...remember I still have Jackson at my side. We pretended to pitch the ball, hit it, and run the bases over and over again while Ava sat...still asleep in the shade. After lots of running and one dusty mommy, we headed over to the park. Ava woke up then and they both played for a while...finally 2 minutes to rest my feet...why did I wear my nice shoes on a walk? Then both kids had to go to the bathroom in the Porto Potty (is that even how you spell it??) Here I am holding wild Jackson in one hand, holding open the yucky door with my hip, and trying to help both kids use the restroom. I thought I was going to go crazy...but I just laughed it off to myself.
It's so nice right now...my feet are up...I just finished my lesson plans for tomorrow ( I have a sub so I can do some individual testing on each child) and now I can catch up on my favorite teacher blogs! What a day!
My Three Happy's:
1) Loving my job! I really am enjoying this year...I'm crazy tired when I get home...but am having so much fun this year!
2) Watching Ava try fresh spinach at dinner and having Isaiah say, "Mom, can I have more spinach?"
3) Amazing weather...here comes fall!
Today I found myself in one of those frustrating moments and just had to laugh! After school...it was BEAUTIFUL out...we got home and I wanted to keep the kids outside to play. Miss Ava barely could keep her eyes open on the way home from preschool and started to doze off in the car. I asked her if she wanted me to put her in the jogger stroller so she could sleep and I was lucky to get a little nod. No sooner had a I picked her up...she was sound asleep again in the stroller. I can't tell you the last time that girl was in there. So here I was with my 41 lb 4 1/2 year old in a stroller, my 3 year old on his big wheel, and why did I do this...but I took 110 lb Jackson on his leash and off we went. To get a better picture, I was dressed in my nice school clothes with my nice shoes, pushing a heavy stroller while being pulled by a huge dog, and in the meantime was trying to control a crazy little boy who was zipping down the street.
When we got to the park Isaiah wanted to play "pretend baseball" with me...remember I still have Jackson at my side. We pretended to pitch the ball, hit it, and run the bases over and over again while Ava sat...still asleep in the shade. After lots of running and one dusty mommy, we headed over to the park. Ava woke up then and they both played for a while...finally 2 minutes to rest my feet...why did I wear my nice shoes on a walk? Then both kids had to go to the bathroom in the Porto Potty (is that even how you spell it??) Here I am holding wild Jackson in one hand, holding open the yucky door with my hip, and trying to help both kids use the restroom. I thought I was going to go crazy...but I just laughed it off to myself.
It's so nice right now...my feet are up...I just finished my lesson plans for tomorrow ( I have a sub so I can do some individual testing on each child) and now I can catch up on my favorite teacher blogs! What a day!
My Three Happy's:
1) Loving my job! I really am enjoying this year...I'm crazy tired when I get home...but am having so much fun this year!
2) Watching Ava try fresh spinach at dinner and having Isaiah say, "Mom, can I have more spinach?"
3) Amazing weather...here comes fall!
Friday, September 2, 2011
A Whole Lotta Something Going On
Well...this week completely flew past me. It seemed like Monday was yesterday...I guess that's a good thing. I can speak for my family by saying that the new school year has been keeping us pretty busy! I really LOVE my class this year. I have a few that like to push the limits but other than that, they are really an amazing group of kids. I've taught for 10 years and was so tired of doing the "same old thing." This year I've changed and added to the way I teach in almost all subjects and it's making me even more excited to go to school each day. I think I just needed something fresh and the kids love the activities...so I guess it's working for everyone. In a nutshell, my year is off to a great start.
Andy is really busy with football! His freshman team won last week and the varsity team did as well! They're away at Adel tonight and I'm not sure how they did yet. Hopefully they'll have a successful season like last year! It takes a special and patient person to teach early kindergarten through 2nd grade PE. The kids ADORE Andy...I don't know how he does it some days...but he loves what he does!
Miss Ava thinks that preschool is the best thing since sliced bread! She comes home each night so excited to share with us about her day and loves showing us the papers that she brought home. According to her..she's the only one who can take these papers out of her folder. Wednesday night marked a moment in history for her...she could change her earrings. It's been 6 weeks since she ventured out to pierce her ears. As you can imagine her jewelry box...which is already exploding with necklaces, bracelets, hair pieces, rings...is now home to 16 pairs of earrings. Crazy! I'm sure that number will double VERY SOON! I love this new project that her class did the other day. The read a story I Like Myself and traced a life sized picture of their body. The kids each decorated and colored themselves and they are hanging in the hallway outside of the preschool room. I'll have to take a picture of Ava's sometime. Although she didn't spend a tremendous amount of time coloring her clothes, she added so much detail. From her eyes and eyelashes, to her jewelry...this girl...I mean cut-out model...is decked out. Next week I plan to get her signed up for dance. She is going to take tap, jazz, and ballet this year...she must have done great last year because those were the recommended classes for her and the level she will be in is for 5-6 year old. I'm one proud Mama! I know she can't wait to get her groove on for jazz!
Mr. Isaiah is continuing to melt my heart. He is starting to really want to work on learning his letters so we've been trying to practice as much as possible. Every week I try to introduce a new letter. He's up to about 11 that he knows pretty well so far...some he can even tell me what sound they make. What a smartie! If you could see the family room floor upstairs right now you'd laugh. The rest of the house is still clean from the "deep cleaning" we did for Isaiah's b-day party last weekend. But this room is cluttered with every toy that he got from his birthday and they're all just spread out in all corners of the room. Now...where to put all this stuff! When we went to Andy's football game last weekend, Isaiah was just in awe of the football players as they broke through the paper and entered the field. He admires those guys and would turn around and tell me, "Mom, I want to be a football player and put on my helmet and my gloves and tackle people." Love it! I'm sure his Daddy will be a great coach!
Go ISU!!!!!!!! We're off to Jack Trice Stadium tomorrow afternoon for the first Cyclone game of the season. A little tailgating...and a whole lotta' football! Now with the new scoreboard that ISU installed it should be a total new look! The kids are so excited to see the marching band, cheerleaders, dance team, and of course the Cyclones. Time to break out Ava's ISU cheerleading uniform and the Nike Cyclone jersey for Isaiah. There's nothing better than a nice evening and football. Now that the kids have gotten to this age, it's so fun to do these kinds of things together. Andy's Aunt Deanna, Uncle Tim, and cousins Leita and Brad are coming back as well...another added bonus to the weekend!
What else...oh, I better beg Andy to dig back into our storage room behind the what seems like hundreds of Christmas tubs to find my fall decorations. I love every color, scent, and feeling associated with this season. As my one of my favorite teacher bloggers would say, "I'm 12 kinds of excited about decorating for fall!"
Happy Weekend!
My Three Happy's:
1) Yea!!! A three day weekend!
2) GO Cyclones...I love Cyclone football!
3) Going to the Winnie the Pooh movie with the kids and my Mom tonight. Thanks for dinner and the show Mom! We loved it!
Andy is really busy with football! His freshman team won last week and the varsity team did as well! They're away at Adel tonight and I'm not sure how they did yet. Hopefully they'll have a successful season like last year! It takes a special and patient person to teach early kindergarten through 2nd grade PE. The kids ADORE Andy...I don't know how he does it some days...but he loves what he does!
Miss Ava thinks that preschool is the best thing since sliced bread! She comes home each night so excited to share with us about her day and loves showing us the papers that she brought home. According to her..she's the only one who can take these papers out of her folder. Wednesday night marked a moment in history for her...she could change her earrings. It's been 6 weeks since she ventured out to pierce her ears. As you can imagine her jewelry box...which is already exploding with necklaces, bracelets, hair pieces, rings...is now home to 16 pairs of earrings. Crazy! I'm sure that number will double VERY SOON! I love this new project that her class did the other day. The read a story I Like Myself and traced a life sized picture of their body. The kids each decorated and colored themselves and they are hanging in the hallway outside of the preschool room. I'll have to take a picture of Ava's sometime. Although she didn't spend a tremendous amount of time coloring her clothes, she added so much detail. From her eyes and eyelashes, to her jewelry...this girl...I mean cut-out model...is decked out. Next week I plan to get her signed up for dance. She is going to take tap, jazz, and ballet this year...she must have done great last year because those were the recommended classes for her and the level she will be in is for 5-6 year old. I'm one proud Mama! I know she can't wait to get her groove on for jazz!
Mr. Isaiah is continuing to melt my heart. He is starting to really want to work on learning his letters so we've been trying to practice as much as possible. Every week I try to introduce a new letter. He's up to about 11 that he knows pretty well so far...some he can even tell me what sound they make. What a smartie! If you could see the family room floor upstairs right now you'd laugh. The rest of the house is still clean from the "deep cleaning" we did for Isaiah's b-day party last weekend. But this room is cluttered with every toy that he got from his birthday and they're all just spread out in all corners of the room. Now...where to put all this stuff! When we went to Andy's football game last weekend, Isaiah was just in awe of the football players as they broke through the paper and entered the field. He admires those guys and would turn around and tell me, "Mom, I want to be a football player and put on my helmet and my gloves and tackle people." Love it! I'm sure his Daddy will be a great coach!
Go ISU!!!!!!!! We're off to Jack Trice Stadium tomorrow afternoon for the first Cyclone game of the season. A little tailgating...and a whole lotta' football! Now with the new scoreboard that ISU installed it should be a total new look! The kids are so excited to see the marching band, cheerleaders, dance team, and of course the Cyclones. Time to break out Ava's ISU cheerleading uniform and the Nike Cyclone jersey for Isaiah. There's nothing better than a nice evening and football. Now that the kids have gotten to this age, it's so fun to do these kinds of things together. Andy's Aunt Deanna, Uncle Tim, and cousins Leita and Brad are coming back as well...another added bonus to the weekend!
What else...oh, I better beg Andy to dig back into our storage room behind the what seems like hundreds of Christmas tubs to find my fall decorations. I love every color, scent, and feeling associated with this season. As my one of my favorite teacher bloggers would say, "I'm 12 kinds of excited about decorating for fall!"
Happy Weekend!
My Three Happy's:
1) Yea!!! A three day weekend!
2) GO Cyclones...I love Cyclone football!
3) Going to the Winnie the Pooh movie with the kids and my Mom tonight. Thanks for dinner and the show Mom! We loved it!
***More pictures soon!***
Monday, August 29, 2011
We Aargh So Proud of You!
Last night we celebrated Isaiah's 3rd birthday with 20 family members gathering at our house. We partied in style with a Pirates of the Caribbean theme and had a blast! Here are some pictures of our fun guests, our little man, and the decorations.
Isaiah James...
A little bike riding before everyone arrives.
Silly Boo!
Isaiah and Grandpa diggin' in!
Miss Isabelle reaching towards a balloon...she loved them and took a few home!
Great Grandpa Knaphus (Janet's Dad)
I LOVE our dining room table. When we put both leaves in it holds 12-14 people! Notice Mr. Pirate at the head of the table.
One happy guy!
A proud big sister who absolutely loved helping to open presents. All day she kept saying, "I'm so excited for Isaiah's birthday party!"
Kevin and Miss Isabelle playing with stickers.
Isaiah starting to unwrap his first gift!
More dinner photos...some people ate out on the patio too.
Isaiah and Ava opening an Imaginext Castle...this was cool!
Someone loves stickers!
The guests: Great Grandma Richardson, Grandpa Richardson, Grandma Richardson...
Great Grandpa Knaphus, Jody, Uncle Darrell, Kevin, Isabelle...
Uncle Dave, Aunt Karen, Andy, Uncle Alan...
Great Grandpa Richardson, Tim (Jody's boyfriend what an AWESOME guy...the kids love him!)
Grandpa and Grandma Van Slyke
More presents...it was endless!
Isaiah giving Great Grandpa Knaphus a hug after the nice card and money he got from him!
Uncle Dave got a hug too for the nice card and money!
Beginning to open the Jack Sparrow Pirates of the Caribbean ship
Isaiah dressing up in the pirate costume and props that came with his Disney pirate treasure chest...from Disney World...courtesy of Kevin, Julie, and Isabelle.
...a Pirate's Life for Me!
Smile b-day boy! Happy Ava helping blow out the candles
All four of us!
I had tons of cute pictures that I thought I downloaded that showed the cute pirate decorations around the house. I'll have to get those on later this week.
Your Mommy and Daddy love you so much! You are the most energetic, fun loving, kind-hearted, and happiest boy we know. Your love of cars, trucks, tractors, helping Daddy fix things, making up games to play with Ava, pirates, your bicycle, playing outside, reading stories, and being a wonderful brother to your sister makes you who you are! We are so thankful that God allowed us to have you as our son. I think back to that day when you were born...all 10 pounds and 6 oz of you! You had the most beautiful face, you were calm, cozy, and so easy going...and that's still you today. Your thoughtfulness amazes us, your love for people and animals makes us so proud, your desire to try new things, your adventurous side, your silly faces and genuine smiles...all make up you. We love every little thing about you! We wish you a Happy Birthday and know that no matter what...we will always love you! Thank you for being our son!
My Three Happy's:
1) Our little man turning 3...just another sign that he's growing up too fast!
2) Lots of fun new toys to play with
3) Right now Isaiah keeps coming out of his room...he doesn't go to bed well at night if he takes naps. It drives me crazy that he won't stay in his bed...but I'm sure I"ll look back on these days when he's older and laugh!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Yep...the Time has Come
Wow! I am beyond exhausted! Teaching those first few days back is very tiring. Establishing routines, rules, and then trying to teach and keep 20 new 1st graders from falling asleep in the afternoon is challenging work. These poor kids asked me on the first day, "Mrs. Richardson, when is it rest time?" Unfortunately we don't have a rest time in 1st grade and their little bodies shut down around 2:00 it seems. The year is off to a great start. I think I have a good class so far. Some little ones haven't quite come "out of their shell" yet, but I'm sure it will happen soon. I have a very energetic bunch and a lot of cuties! I'm hopeful this will be a fun year!
I'm to tired to even post the bazillion pictures I have so words will have to do for now. Ava and Isaiah started back at daycare and LOVE it. Ava also starts her 4 year old preschool program on Monday and can't wait. She's been busy decorating the placemat that they will be laminating and using for snack time. As you know I love craft projects and wanted it to be "just right," but I decided to let Ava take it over and create what she wanted. So far she drew with lots of crayon, glued on two pictures of our family at Disney World, attached a sticky note that I wrote to her, and glued these fabric letters we had for her name. I'm sure more will come this weekend. Andy and I decided not to send Isaiah to the 3 year old program this year. We figured since he'll be in the 4 year old program next year, EK (early kindergarten...because of his age), and then kindergarten...that seemed like enough! Our little man turns 3 soon! Can't believe it!
Tonight was the Fall Sports Kickoff at Ballard. Andy's football team scrimmaged while they introduced all the other athletes from the other fall sports. Ava and Isaiah were so excited to go...although they were a bit disappointed that there were no cheerleaders cheering and no marching band. That will come next week with the opening game against Dallas Center Grimes...my sister's town. Tonight we bought a few glow in the dark Ballard necklaces, new T-shirts, and two windbreaker coats for the kids. I got myself a new sweatshirt...you can't get enough Ballard gear!
Yeah for the weekend and back at it Monday for a full week of school! Wish us luck...and I'll post more soon!
My Three Happy's:
1) Friday night football...LOVE IT!
2) Tomorrow is Saturday...pajamas can stay on as long as we'd like them to!
3) This weekend, I'm going to take Mr. Isaiah to the store to pick out the pirate cake he wants for his b-day party next Sunday...hopefully we'll find something really unique!
I'm to tired to even post the bazillion pictures I have so words will have to do for now. Ava and Isaiah started back at daycare and LOVE it. Ava also starts her 4 year old preschool program on Monday and can't wait. She's been busy decorating the placemat that they will be laminating and using for snack time. As you know I love craft projects and wanted it to be "just right," but I decided to let Ava take it over and create what she wanted. So far she drew with lots of crayon, glued on two pictures of our family at Disney World, attached a sticky note that I wrote to her, and glued these fabric letters we had for her name. I'm sure more will come this weekend. Andy and I decided not to send Isaiah to the 3 year old program this year. We figured since he'll be in the 4 year old program next year, EK (early kindergarten...because of his age), and then kindergarten...that seemed like enough! Our little man turns 3 soon! Can't believe it!
Tonight was the Fall Sports Kickoff at Ballard. Andy's football team scrimmaged while they introduced all the other athletes from the other fall sports. Ava and Isaiah were so excited to go...although they were a bit disappointed that there were no cheerleaders cheering and no marching band. That will come next week with the opening game against Dallas Center Grimes...my sister's town. Tonight we bought a few glow in the dark Ballard necklaces, new T-shirts, and two windbreaker coats for the kids. I got myself a new sweatshirt...you can't get enough Ballard gear!
Yeah for the weekend and back at it Monday for a full week of school! Wish us luck...and I'll post more soon!
My Three Happy's:
1) Friday night football...LOVE IT!
2) Tomorrow is Saturday...pajamas can stay on as long as we'd like them to!
3) This weekend, I'm going to take Mr. Isaiah to the store to pick out the pirate cake he wants for his b-day party next Sunday...hopefully we'll find something really unique!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Books, Bugs, and Baking
Can you believe I posted yesterday and today...maybe that means that I'm starting to transition from "panic mode" to "relaxed and prepared mode." After countless hours in my room, cutting out lamination page after lamination page, and looking through new ideas for this year...I feel that I'm officially ready to start! My house on the other hand...still a disaster! Oh, well!
One last thing...the Smores recipe I talked about yesterday...you'll have to check out this blog (Pearls, Handcuffs, and Happy Hour...a pinch of June Cleaver, a dash of Martha Stewart, and a whole lotta Mommy).
1 stick butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
1 sleeve graham crackers (crushed)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 Hershey bars (King Size)
1 jar marshmallow puff (7 oz)
1) With mixer combine butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Add egg and vanilla
2) In a separate bowl combine graham crackers, flour, baking power, and salt
3) Use mixer and combine everything together
4) Layer 1/2 the mixture in an 8x8 pan and press down, next layer Hershey bars (you may need to break a few to get them to fit), spread the whole 7 oz jar of marshmallow cream, and then press the rest of the graham cracker mixture on top.
5) Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, cool, and then slice to serve...YUMMY and super easy!
My Three Happy's:
1) Going to Remain Gardens for the giant bug exhibit with my Mom, sister, Isabelle, and the kids. More info on that and pictures soon! :-)
2) The weather has been amazing...I mean really...waking up to temperatures in the upper 50's and 60's and the highs for the day in the 70's and low 80's...just perfect!
3) Sorting the loads upon loads of clean laundry that I dumped onto our bedroom floor. I can't belive it, but Ava and Isaiah helped me sort the entire thing...one basket for Ava, one basket for Isaiah, Mommy and Daddy's clothes went on the bed, and one basket for socks. What helpers...I guess kids will do anything if you can think of how to put it into a game-like form!
Ava and Isaiah both attended our local library's summer reading program "One World, Many Stories." Each child received a reading log and were to read a minimum of 500 minutes over summer break. Apparently we read TONS because Ava won the prize for "most minutes read" for the preschool age group and Isaiah read the most for the toddler age group. They were so excited to pick up their buckets filled with water toys, treats, books, a library T-shirt, and toys. These buckets have been on display since the beginning of the program and they've both had their eye on them ever since. They LOVE stories!
Locust or Cicada? I am terrible with things. You know the bug that leaves those brown shells on the tree???? Anyway, I've always heard the buzzing sound, found tons of shells growing up as a kid...but have never seen this insect turn from it's pupa to it's adult stage. Pretty cool! We were out playing and discovered two of these cool insects on our tree. I thought I'd take a few pictures since I've NEVER seen this before.
This was so cool to see...and what a good mini science lesson about how insects change and why they have to hang upside down when they emerge from their pupa stage. Who knows how much the kids picked up from my little lesson...it was just one of those "teachable moments."
The kids found lots of those cicada/locust shells and wanted to draw houses for them to live in...kinda like a little bug neighborhood!
This one lived here...
...and this one was going for a walk on the sidewalk.
Now time for some rides...Isaiah thought it was funny to put a shell on his motorcycle and watch it drive away. The kids got a kick out of it!
Look at him go!
We recently found this book Hedgehog Bakes a Cake in our shelf...you know how that is when you a trillion books and forget what you even have! There was a recipe for the cake he made in the story on the back page and the kids wanted to try it. So away we went!
We also made homemade frosting...we had just ran out of milk from dinner and needed 2T...so I improvised and used our French vanilla coffee creamer instead. It turned out to be really tasty!
Two proud bakers!
In the story they put one little strawberry on it for decoration...Isaiah reminded me that we needed to do that.
Ava holding up her story...it's very cute!
Isaiah trying a piece...let's just say this isn't a cake recipe we'll try again...did I mention that I added too much butter? But it was still fun to make and something neat that connected to the book we have been reading (teacher talk again).
1 stick butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
1 sleeve graham crackers (crushed)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 Hershey bars (King Size)
1 jar marshmallow puff (7 oz)
1) With mixer combine butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Add egg and vanilla
2) In a separate bowl combine graham crackers, flour, baking power, and salt
3) Use mixer and combine everything together
4) Layer 1/2 the mixture in an 8x8 pan and press down, next layer Hershey bars (you may need to break a few to get them to fit), spread the whole 7 oz jar of marshmallow cream, and then press the rest of the graham cracker mixture on top.
5) Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, cool, and then slice to serve...YUMMY and super easy!
My Three Happy's:
1) Going to Remain Gardens for the giant bug exhibit with my Mom, sister, Isabelle, and the kids. More info on that and pictures soon! :-)
2) The weather has been amazing...I mean really...waking up to temperatures in the upper 50's and 60's and the highs for the day in the 70's and low 80's...just perfect!
3) Sorting the loads upon loads of clean laundry that I dumped onto our bedroom floor. I can't belive it, but Ava and Isaiah helped me sort the entire thing...one basket for Ava, one basket for Isaiah, Mommy and Daddy's clothes went on the bed, and one basket for socks. What helpers...I guess kids will do anything if you can think of how to put it into a game-like form!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Who Doesn't Love Sweet Corn?
August...it means school, the end of summer, the beginning of a new football season, and the harvesting of sweet corn. Some of the pictures below have absolutely nothing to do with corn...they're just random ones I thought were fun to post.
Now onto corn...we haven't done this in a few years...the crop wasn't good last year. In August, Alan, Andy's Mom's brother, farms and always plants a section of sweet corn for us to pick. Since Janet has been a little girl, they have always picked tons of corn, cooked it, cut it off the cob, and then freeze it. That way you can keep it in your freezer and enjoy the taste of fresh corn all year long! This year we did over 60 zip lock bags...in the past it's been over 150 bags...just depends on the year!
The other day we were at Walmart and they had TONS of toys on sale. Andy found this neat sand activity where the kids dump sand into various piles or designs in water and when they scoop it back out...it never gets wet...it comes out dry. Who knows how it works, but the kids thought it was fun!
Ava experimenting with her yellow sand...note to self...make this an outdoors project...it's MESSY!
Science can work in such mysterious ways!
Out on the farm, Isaiah discovered a little fuzzy friend!
A snapshot of Jody and Andy out in the field
Janet and little Ava...she's right behind her...the corn's just too tall.
Grandma and Ava...Ava insisted that she wear mismatched pajamas to pick corn...who knows why?
After picking corn we headed over to Andy's parents to freeze the corn. Great Grandpa and Grandma Richardson came too. Once we were done the kids played and played and played. This picture is Ava flying a kite...you can kind of see the kite tail.
Running as fast as she can to get that kite in the air
Ava loved this! The other day she went to a park in town and flew the kite with Andy again.
Isaiah is ALL BOY! Andy's Dad was helping us fix our headlight. Once Isaiah saw him working on the car, he was so excited to help. Gotta love the backwards hat!
Hard at work
Showing Daddy what's going on
What a cutie!
Ava eating one of Grandma's almond bars! They are to die for! I think I had at least 4 the other day...they're very addictive!
Miss Harley...the kids love her!
Dan and the kids were racing Hot Wheels down a ramp downstairs. Dan had it all set up before they got there.
Andy reliving his high school band days with his old trombone.
Ava wanted to try and was even able to make some sound
Isaiah wanted to try blowing in the other end...silly guy!
Taking guitar lessons from Daddy
Isaiah playing with a tool bench set that Andy's parents have at their house.
Grandma, Isaiah, and Grandpa
Ava showing off her jumping skills...she looks so tall in this picture
My Bootles doing coloring, stickers, you name it! As always, crafts are right up her alley!
Playing catch with Grandma
Isaiah joining in the fun!
I've become a bit obsessed with following teacher blogs this summer. My favorite blogger, Cara, Carroll, from "First Grade Parade," has a home blog where she posts recipes. She had this amazing recipe for a Smores bar. It was so yummy! I'll have to look up the recipe again and post it next time. Easy, fast, and delish (as Rachel Ray would say).
My Three Happy's:
1) Were the kids really both asleep at 8:30? AMAZING! I forgot what it was like when they actually go to bed on time...trying to establish that bedtime routine for next week.
2) My room is officially ready for school...well, appearance wise...now I just need to "officially plan" the lessons.
3) Getting my hair cut and highlighted...I only do this once a year! It takes a little over 2 hours...but it's a relaxing "back to school" event for me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)