Refreshing and Easy Breakfast

This is what I've been eating for breakfast almost every morning for the last few weeks.  It's quick, easy, nutritious and delicious.

Just layer yogurt (vanilla is my choice), cut up strawberries and granola. Can't get much simpler than that.  Enjoy!

Crockpot Corned Beef

My family loves corned beef.  All of them!!  Amazing, especially since Little Bee is not much of a meat eater.

I always make it in the crockpot because it's quick and easy. I love that I can throw it together and walk away from it the rest of the day. Nothing like preparing a meal you don't have to babysit.

Ingredients:

• Corned beef brisket with spice packet (tried flat cut this year and loved it!!)

•  1 medium onion cut into wedges

•  4 potatoes

•  3 garlic cloves minced

•  1 bay leaf

•  1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

•  1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Directions:

1.  Remove brisket from package and throughly rinse with cold water, then place in crockpot .

2.  Place remaining ingredients on and around brisket (excluding potatoes unless you like them cooked that way). 

3.  Fill crockpot with enough water to cover brisket.

4.  Wrap potatoes individually in foil and place on top of brisket. 

5.  Cook 1 hour in high and 6 on low or 8-9 hours on low.  Remove bay leaf before serving.

*** Cook in a 5-7 qt crockpot. Serves 4 with leftovers. Yum!

*** Potatoes can be cut into quartered and placed under brisket. The same with carrots. We don't like veggies cooked in the crockpot that way so I make foil packets.

*** Cabbage can be cut into wedges and added to the pot the last hour of cook time. 

Enjoy and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

Easy Peasy Cherry Cobbler

This is seriously the easiest cherry cobbler to make. It has just four ingredients.  Ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now.  It's the perfect recipe when baking with kids. Give it a try today!

Ingredients:

•1/2 box white cake mix (approximately 1 1/4 cup)

•1/4 cup butter

•1 cup milk

•1 can cherry pie filling

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2.  Place 1/4 cup butter in 8x8 baking pan and put inside oven to melt.

3.  Mix cake mix and milk together until smooth.

4.  Pour batter over melted butter in pan.

5.  Pour pie filling over batter being sure it is spread out over top. Do not mix.

6.  Bake 45 minutes or until top in golden brown and cherry filling is bubbly. 

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

My family devoured the whole pan tonight!  They are already asking when I'll be making it again.  It's also very customizeable. Just think of different pie fillings and different cake flavors. Plus you could double the ingredients and use a 9x13 pan.

Hope your family enjoys this easy dessert as much as mine!!

What I Learned This Week

Here's a few things I learned this week:

1.  Check the settings on the washer before doing a load of laundry. Realized as I put my second load in that somehow the load size was set on medium. Here's hoping the large load in the dryer is fully clean.

2.  Pin a note to forgetful child so she remembers to bring home the small containers you put in her lunch box during the week. My dear daughter saved  5 mini ones in her desk from snack this past week. Thankfully they finally made it home and were empty. It could've bern a very stinky mess.

3.  Getting a new movie from Redbox or DVD Express can keep your children occupied and not fighting for a couple hours. Even better when the movie (Hugo) they thought was going to be stupid and boring entrances them to silence 5 minutes in.

4.  School districts ten miles apart can and will handle inclement weather differently. The school I work in closed due to an impending snow storm (started about 10 a.m.).  My kids school district finally called early dismissal at 9:50. They dismiss high school first, then middle school and last elementary (based on school start times).  So my kids were released into a mess. The roads hadn't been plowed or anything. Thankfully we live 3 blocks from school.  The district and town need to do a better job (releasing and plowing).

Life always keeps you guessing. The learning is on going. You adjust and keep moving forward.

What did you learn this week?

Finally Some Snow!

 

 

Snow!!!

 

 

We've barely had any snow since #snowtober and I can say I'm very happy about that.  The weather gurus have been going back and forth on how much snow/rain this system would drop here.  At last check we have about 3 inches.  It's suppose to change to over to sleet and freezing rain just in time for the evening commute.  Hoping the hubby can make it home from work.  His commute is usually an hour.

Most of the school around us either closed or announced early dismissal before 9 a.m.  Our school district waited until almost 10.  My kids were not realeased from school until noon when the snow was falling rapidly and the roads were not plowed or salted.  The roads by the school were slick and messy at pick up.  I'm so glad my kids are not bussers. They are home safe and sound and enjoying all the snow out back now that lunch and homework are done.  Oh to be a kid again!

Our Family is Growing

Yes indeed, our family is growing. Well, has actually already grown.
Meet our two newest additions...Mitsy and Matthew!

Mom Jobs (aka The Things We Do For Our Kids)

Here's a (partial) list of jobs moms do, day in and day out, from birth to the teenage years and beyond.

-  Butt Wiper
-  Nose Blower
-  Boo Boo Kisser
-  Tear Dryer
-  Housekeeper & Maid
-  Cook
-  Dish Washer
-  Teacher
-  Homework Helper
-  Dispute Manager/Peacekeeper
-  Entertainer (Movies, Books, Games  Etc)
-  Chauffeur
-  Stylist (Hair & Clothes)
-  ATM/Money Maker
-  Cheerleader
-  Negotiator
-  Event Coordinator/Social Calendar
-  Alarm Clock
-  Nurse
-  Problem Solver
- Advice Giver
-  Listener

Where do we pick up our paycheck?

These jobs change and evolve as children get older.  Many stay around way past their expiration.  It's a tiring, often thankless job but someone needs to do it.

I'm happy and proud to be a mom.  Though through it all though there are definitely days I question it and my abilities.  I wouldn't change it for anything. My children mean the world to me. 

What mom jobs would you add?  What ones do you enjoy and which ones could you totally do without?

I LOVE bring my kids biggest cheerleader whether it be on the sidelines of a sport/ activity or in school. Being their chauffeur and maid, not so much.

Just Because

My husband brought these and a pizza home last night just because. How sweet is that?!  Granted, I had already made dinner but its the thought that counts. We'll have the pizza tonight before going to a hockey game. And flowers...always appreciated!

Sweet Dreams (Wordless Wednesday)

Little Bee went to bed tonight with a sore tummy. Glad she was able to finally fall asleep. Hoping she has sweet dreams and feels better in the morning. 

Love my (not so) baby girl.

Tax Time is a Time Suck (and the Inner Circle of Hell)

Like good americans, my husband and I, called our local H&R Block and scheduled a time to come in and do our taxes.

When I was single I use to do my own State and Federal taxes. For the most part it was easy. The federal rarely gave me a problem . The state a minor nightmare, but bearable.

Once my husband and I got married we started using a tax service because at the time we both had worked in 2 states and he had several W-4 forms.  It was easier and saved me from pulling out my hair.

Today hubby called at 1:30 and made a 5:15 appointment. We showed up, kids in tow at 5:10. The kids were prepared. They brought stuff to keep them busy. They knew the consequences if they didn't behave appropriately. 5:15 came and went, as did 5:45 and 6:00. The kids were being patient playing Uno and getting along. At 6:10 hubby said we would leave at 6:15 if we weren't seen. I was beyond annoyed.  Don't schedule an appointment if you can't actually see the person/people close to that time. The preparer came out at 6:13, in the nick of time.

You would think I would be grateful but I was annoyed. No apology was made. He actually had the gall to ask us if we had an easy return. Then when we told him no he turned to the other person waiting ( one that came in only 10 minutes before he came out) and asked her the same question. I saw red. Thank goodness she said no too. He actually said, oh I would taken care of you really quick first. Wth?!!!  Very unprofessional.

I'm done. I've had it.  I plan on calling tomorrow and speaking with the branch manager. That is poor customer service and unacceptable. I've worked the majority of my working life in customer service and I would never have handled a situation that way. We will not be using H&R Block next year.

And those  well behaved, patient kids are now crazy bored and getting under mine and each others skin.   I've officially lost my patience. 

****Oh, and to top it off we filed an injurd spouse form last year.  We received the federal monies but never the state. We signed and paid for both forms. When we inquired about we got no answer. He'll be asking his boss about it tomorrow .  What a joke.

H&R Block and tax time is what I imagine hell to be.

Bear Sitting is a Big Responsibility

My daughter has asked me to watch her "baby", Jason, while she showers. She's left me a list of things to do. I need to feed him a snack,  cuddle him and put him down for a nap.  So glad she trusts me to take care of her precious bundle. She's a good mommy.  I'm proud of her.

Do your children mother their special babies or animals?

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I found this recipe on www.crockingirls.com. I tweaked it slightly and it was a hit with my whole family.


Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

★8 mediun potatoes, peeled and cubed (I usually leave the skin on potatoes.  Less work for me and more nutritious).

★1/2  onion, diced

★1 32 ounce (4 cups) container of chicken broth

★3 garlic cloves, minced

★1/4 cup butter

★Salt to taste Pepper to taste

★1 cup cream or 1 cup 1/2 and 1/2 cream.

★1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Garnish: chives, sour cream, bacon, and cheese

Directions:

Combine all ingredients EXCEPT  cream/ half and half and cheese in a large slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours (potatoes should be tender).

Mash potatoes until coarsely chopped and soup is slightly thickened. If you like a really think soup (like my husband does) add potato flakes a little at a time until desired thickness is reached).

Stir in cream and cheese. Garnish with toppings.

*** You can add chopped ham (at the beginning for a complete meal.

Thankful Friday

My work Friday came earlier this week on Wednesday. I spent yesterday doing loads of laundry (wash, dry, fold and put away), sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and baking yummy bread (white and banana).  Today I relaxed and spent a chunk of the day on Pinterest.  Dang it can be addicting!

Things I'm thankful for this week:

*  Most importantly for my family. My husband and kids are my world.

*  Having two days off from work this week!  I got to take the kids to school. I miss doing that. I was able to catch up on things around the house. Much easier when no ones home.

*  It was nice to enjoy a quiet breakfast after taking the kids to school.  I really enjoyed not rushing through it. The strawberries and blueberries, along with my homemade banana bread were divine if I do say so myself.

*  Continuing to teach my son important study habits. He hates to do it but his (our) hard work pays off. He received a 93 on his science test. So proud!

*  Knowing that you can go back home. Our old rink reopened under new ownership at the end of  last year. They're not 100% operational yet but they have put together a rec youth league. We took my son to play there last week since he didn't have a game. It was nice being back. It's not the same but it will always feel like home. He got to see some of his old teammates and we got to catch up with the parents. We're going to go back again this Saturday and next. Home sweet home. Can't beat it.

*  Doctor appointments booked over the next few weeks. Goalieboy is having his heating aides adjusted. He's lost about 10 decibels of hearing and only hears we'll when his aides are turned up to 3 instead of 2. Both kids will be seeing the eye doctor. Looking into how much of a problem Goalieboy is having with tracking. It may be effecting his learning so more testing might need to be done.  Both kids will definitely continue to be in glasses.

Hoping we make it through next month without any major bills. We're dead broke right now. Can't wait to get our taxes done and we have some tax money to throw at our bills.

Stay focused on the positives and work through negatives.  That's my motto right now.  How was your week?

Slow Cooker Pizza

Slow Cooker Pizza






This recipe is super easy and my kids loved it! 


Ingredients:

1.  Pizza Dough (I purchase ready made from the grocery store)
2.  Olive Oil
3.  Choice of toppings

Directions:

1.  Spray inside of slow cooker with cooking spray.

2.  Stretch/roll out dough to roughly the size of the bottom of your crock (slightly more).  I'm lazy.  I stretch it a
      bit and then put it in the crock and then stretch it along the bottom and up the sides a bit.

3.  Drizzle with olive oil.

4.  At this point I generously shake some parmesan cheese on top (love the taste and texture) and then I
     added peperoni.

5.  Put a kitchen towel or a few folded paper towels under the lid to collect moisture.

6.  Crock on high for 2-4 hours.  Check at 2.  I checked at 2 and a half and a corner of mine was over
     done.  If your crock heats unevenly you may want to turn it and hour in to get even cooking.  I wish
     I had remembered to do that.

7.  5 minutes before I'm ready to pull it out sprinkle with mozzarella cheese (Mmmmm!).

I haven't attempted to add sauce to the top of the pizza before crocking.  I'm going to try it soon. I set out pizza or marinara sauce for the kids to dip their pieces in.  I'm also going to try it with black olives next time.  Can't wait!

Winter Has Arrived!

Winter has finally really arrived!  I'm not counting the freakish storm in October that caused so many problems.

The kids were so excited to go outside and play.  The only thing that would've made them happier was if it had happened during the week and they would've gotten a snow day.

They bundled up in warm winter coats, snow pants, gloves, hats and scarves.  Excitement sparked the air. 

Too bad my camera phone only uploads grainy pictures that don't do the moment justice.




First stop was the shed in our backyard where the sleds and stuff are stored.

The kids took turns sledding down our driveway.  It's a nice little hill that makes it perfect for sledding.
The kids also raced down it together.  Laughing all the way.

Snow angels are a must!  My daughter loves making them.  My son of course had to play hockey in the snow.  He even got grandpa in the act.  Grandpa stood at the top of the drive and played goalie, keeping the puck out of the street. Both were having a great time.  I loved seeing the pure childlike joy on both their faces.

The atmosphere of pure joy and abandon is priceless and intoxicating.  I felt like a kid again, laughing with them.  My daughter would take the sled up the top of the driveway and have me push her hard.  She would giggle going down and squeal at the bottom and demand again!

It was such a good day.  The kids are now inside enjoying hot chocolate and playing in the "fort" I made them.  The simple things are the best and most fun!

Thankful Friday

Things I'm thankful for this week...

My husband for trying to step it up and be more helpful around the house.

My kids...They drive me insane but they're my world.

My friends-Oh how I miss you all so much!

Hockey-My son played on the all star team for his league and they won the Atlantic Division (Squirt) Championships!  I'm a very proud mama.

Work...I don't know how our family would've survived the last 3/4 months if I hadn't found a job that worked with my physical restrictions.

Health-It's been a roller coaster but so far we haven't plummeted!

My All-Star

So proud of my All-Star Goal!

Give Me Strength

Do you ever feel like you're in a race you have no hope in winning or even completing?  Do you feel like you're constantly going in circles with a few hills and lots of gullies?  Do you feel hope only to have it repeatedly dashed? Do you feel like you're on track only to get knocked off?

This seems to be the routine of my life during the last few years. I don't know which way is up.  I feel like I'm constantly  fighting the current tugging me backwards and under.

I struggle to pull ahead. I find myself in a good place. I'm happy. Only to get side swiped and pulled down.

I want to please everyone and make them happy but I can't. I can't seem to even hold on to my own happiness.

I feel critical of others and I don't know why. 

I just want to be complete. I want to be happy. I want to feel at peace with myself and others.

Is it me?  Is there something wrong with me?  Is it them?  Is it us?

I just don't know anymore. I'm lost and there's no road map. I need a helping hand but I don't know where to turn.

My manta to live by is:  Stay strong.  Focus on the positives. And, this too shall pass.

God doesn't give us more than we can handle. This I believe.

Twisted, Work of a Master Manipulator

Do you have a daddy's girl?  I wouldn't say Little Bee has daddy totally wrapped around her finger yet but she's working on it.

Funny thing is, I know he knows he's bring played.  It depends on his mood and what she's asking for on whether or not he agrees.

This time she just claimed she was hungry to him in that innocent, needy voice. You may know the sound of it.  I knew what was coming next.  She doesn't ask me because she knows what I'll say.

First he says, "Honey you just had some cake".  She says, "But daddy I'm still hungry". This coming from the girl who often eats like a baby bird. She tones her  voice just right to tug on his heart strings. It's like she's starving and hasn't eaten anything besides that piece of cake in hours, maybe days.

Rather than saying ok and offering her a few healthier snack options, he asks what she wants. Now she starts to reel him in. "I don't know daddy", she tells him. Then she pauses as if to think. Then sweetly says, "Maybe can I have a cookie?".  And yes he gives in. 

Ding, ding, ding....we have a winner!!  46 lb, 7 year old destroys 210 lb, 40 year without lifting a finger!  Simply amazing.

And some say it can't be done. Guess they never had a sweet sounding, master manipulator for a daughter. Ha!!

New Addition

Welcome Jason, the soccer playing koala, to our family!  Little Bee got a Build-A-Bear gift card from her older sis and was so excited to finally go on mommy/daughter shopping day. 

First we went to get Little Bee's hair cut because her curls had turned to dreaded frizz at the ends. Just a few inches. Nothing drastic for us in the hair department. 

Then a quick lunch in the food court before heading to get her new friend. It was love at first sight.  She knew she wanted a boy and she was so excited to find him a  soccer uniform. It was calling her name.  She decided that Jason plays soccer just like her.  The uniform has pants, shirt and knee pads. We bought him a pair of cleats too.

The store's staff is so wonderful there!  I admit I teared up as the girl at the "stuffing" machine talked to my little girl. She was sweet and caring. She asked if it was a boy or girl and what his name was. She saw the soccer outfit and asked Bee if she played. It was a great experience. I love the part where you pick out your animals heart and the special routine they do before placing it inside. Melted my heart. Happy memories are written all over this place. The cashier was wonderful too. She talked soccer with Bee while she rang her up and then took all the tags off the clothes so we could dress him at the counter.

It was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. I plan on writing the company a letter about the amazing staff there.  Unfortunately it's unusual to have such a positive shipping experience all the way through.  They deserve major  kudos.

Thank you Build-A-Bear for making my daughter's experience one for the memory books.

****I was not compensated by Build-A-Bear Workshop for this post. We had a wonderful experience I wanted to share with everyone.