Sunday, October 31, 2010

October 2010 in Review


Whew! What a month! We were busy! We visited the Children's Museum 3 times, the forest and the zoo, had Halloween parties at preschool and at school, playdates, painted, planted trees and so much more. I think we will just relax in November...and eat some Halloween Candy!
OCTOBER PICTURES

Happy Halloween 2010

The kids with Grandma Kathy and Boppa Bob
Happy Halloween! This year, Alivia dressed as Alice in Wonderland, Addison was Dorothy of the Wizard of OZ and Asher was Spider man. The kids got into it this year, and they have been talking about this day for months. Chris had the house decked out with bones in the yard, scary music and a strobe light. We left our house with our friends Ms. Laura, Emma and Leah about 5:45 (Thank you for suggesting we go together, Laura!). The neighborhood kids were just heading out. I found it difficult to keep up with Alivia and Emma as they ran ahead. Addison, Emma and Asher were slower goers, but they tried to keep up with the big girls. It sprinkled on us a bit, but otherwise was a fabulous night for our little ghouls. Happy Halloween!




Emma, 6yr, Alivia 6yr, Asher 2 1/2 yr, Leah almost 4yr, Addison 4yr



All the Leftover candy!





Saturday, October 30, 2010

Alivia's Fall Party

Yesterday was Alivia's fall party in her 1st grade class. Alivia quietly enjoyed the party. I helped the room mommy and took pictures. It was a fun (but loud!) afternoon where I gained an added appreciation for teachers! Now...we are good and ready for Halloween!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Happy Birthday Grandma Patricia!

Last night we help ring in Grandma Pat's birthday at Chris' parents home. The kids had a blast with their cousins, many of which they had not seen in well over a year. It was fun to see everyone, and we hope Grandma had fun, too (in spite of all of the noise from our kids).

Happy Birthday Grandma...& Many More!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

I accidentally purchased pumpkin pie mix instead of pumpkin. I did not want it to go to waste, so I found a recipe from the pumpkin website and changed it a little. It is so good! Mmm...gotta love fall (or the food at least. The cool weather can go away anytime).


Ingredients

  • 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup Stir Ins (raisins, sweetened dried cranberries or chocolate chips (I used mini ones)
  • 1 can (30 oz.) LIBBY'S® Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice, apple juice or water
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons Sprinkle Ons (chopped nuts, cinnamon sugar, seeds such as: poppy, sesame or sunflower, optional)

 

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease two 8 x 4-inch loaf pans.

COMBINE flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine pumpkin pie mix, oil, apple juice or water and eggs in another large bowl. Pour pumpkin mixture into flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in Stir Ins. Spoon batter into prepared pans. Sprinkle with your choice of Sprinkle Ons (which I did not do).

BAKE for 50 to 55 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.

FOR EIGHT 5 1/2 x 3 1/4-INCH MINI-LOAF DISPOSABLE PANS:
PREPARE
as above. Bake for 38 to 42 minutes.

FOR TWO DOZEN MUFFIN CUPS:
PREHEAT
oven to 400° F. Prepare as above. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes. 
 
Enjoy!!

Addison's Preschool Halloween Party

Today was Addison's Sacred Heart Preschool Halloween Party. Many Moms were volunteering to help, so I did not initially jump on board (11 out of 15 moms were helping!). But, Addison wanted me to go.

Asher and I arrived at 10:15 for the start of the party. They began with a treat, then played pass the pumpkin and ghost bowling before ending with a bat craft. Addison was so quiet. I'm not sure she said anything the entire time I was there. Let's just say, she is NOT QUIET at home. Anyway, they ended their party with practicing trick or treating as they walked to greet their parents for pick up. It was adorable.

Addison enjoyed a few too many treats before settling down for her nap. What a fun morning, and Asher and I were so glad Addison invited us to come!

Addison was mesmerized by "the hulk"






Addison with her Bat Craft

Asher at home in Addi's Dorothy shoes

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The BIG backyard

Today we met our friends, Laura, Simon and baby Emma at the Omaha Children's Museum for a fun morning of playing. The old Richman Gordman zoo animals are back and on display to be played on, along with bikes (with brain helmets no less), a campsite, the largest indoor playset I have seen from Backyard Adventures, a putt-putt golf area, a pond n boat area, canoes, power tool toys like a lawn mower and leaf blower, an outdoor grill (with granite!), a digger area (with mulch this time so the kids did not come home a mess like they do when they play at the park), and so much more! The kids played upstairs for nearly 2 hours! They just had a blast. Then, we went downstairs to the ball room, Cobweb Castle, checked out the art room for a bit, before ending with a picnic lunch. What a fabulous morning with our friends! We will sure miss them when they move away in a few weeks, but the memories will last forever.







Loved these brain helmets!






Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Too Old?

Chris is always saying how he is too old for this, that, and the other thing. He is always reminding me how he is 3 years older. And, that totally annoys me. It is 3 years. He is not old. If he IS old now, what is 90 years old to him? He says, older. Very funny.

Today I decided I am too old for some things. I know I am too old for the tire swing because it makes me sick. I know I am too old to ride a scooter because taking a bite out of concrete one time is enough for me. But, I am also too old for snotty girls.

Alivia, the quiet one, has had issues with snotty girls in school. I have found that snotty girls learn it someplace. Sometimes they just think they are better than everyone else, sometimes they are spoiled, sometimes they are just acting like their mom, and maybe, sometimes they are all of the reasons.

I grew up in a small town with a small class. There were 10 kids at one time in my class. And, on a near daily basis, I reported home about a tiff with some girl or another. Many times, I would escape to the swings and sit alone, unable to tolerate the ill behavior of mean girls. There are still two girls from my school that I have denied friend requests on facebook because they were mean (why do they want to be friends with me now anyway?).

Anyway, now I am trying to teach our quiet little girl to be more assertive. I believe mean, snotty girls select their prey because they are easy targets. Alivia is an easy target. She believes in a perfect world where everyone likes her and everyone is her friend. I am trying to teach her that she needs to be friendly towards everyone, but not everyone will be her friend. That is difficult for a mommy to teach and even more difficult for a 6 year old to understand.

And yes, I am too old for snotty girls. I have no patience and no tolerance.

I'm sorry, I guess I am just too old.

Monday, October 25, 2010

What To Do

I have many people ask, "What are you going to do when Asher goes to Kindergarten?"

First of all, I have 3 years.

Second of all, I have no idea. It stresses me out to think about it, so I just don't. Why should I anyway?

When the topic comes up with Chris, he is indecisive between me just staying home, doing nursing, or getting back into pharmaceuticals again, if that is possible. I know our lives are not going to get any easier once the kids are in school. That is a misconception. The kids will be active in their activities, and they will only be going to the same school for 2 years. Then, they will have to be transported between the elementary and the middle school (and eventually we will have one in elementary, one in middle and one in high school all at the same time). When I think about all of these things, I wonder how I can juggle it all along with a full time pharma job. I'm not sure I could. I would like to get back into a pediatric nursing position, but I have not seen any positions available in quite some time. I have also tossed around doing something totally different during the times the kids are in school.

So, to answer the never ending question of what to do, I answer...who knows? Good enough. I will worry about that when the time comes.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

One Year Later...

 
One Year Ago

It has been one year since we said good bye to our home in Northwest Omaha. I looked up last year's blog, but it is still too painful for me to read.

Funny really, because I am growing to like our new home, at least a little.

Don't get me wrong, I want a smaller house, a ranch actually. I want a smaller yard, and I want less maintenance. This home is overwhelming and exhausting to me. But, it is growing on me.

But, I still miss Northwest Omaha every day. I miss the ease of our life. Yes, our home needed some work, but the work seems manageable after looking at all the work we have done at our current address. Chris and I both agree, we miss our previous Church most of all. It is still difficult for us to go to Mass here. It just does not seem like home. We knew many people at our previous parish, and we just have not had that welcomed feeling at our new parish. Perhaps it will come, but it has not yet.

What is funny, is how small our previous home looks now. It was totally manageable, though. The 2 things I really do not miss...the small garage and the neighbors.

On second thought, we made the right decision to move. But, I will always miss our first home sweet home.
Today

Friday, October 22, 2010

14 Years Together

Chris and I shared our first date at Old Chicago in downtown Omaha 14 years ago tonight. It all began when I left a note in Chris' work mailbox asking if he would like to go out sometime. He called that night and the rest is history.

I love you Topher! Here is to many more years together...