At supper last night, Fixit was trying to spell the neighbor's name. (She is only three and is already quite proficient and verbally spelling names.)
She couldn't think of it, so, "The devil made me forget. Errrrrrrrrr." (with fists clenched in frustration)
So, Bug helped her spell it.
Then, "That's right. I can hear God now!"
Let my children always be able to hear God.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Space Aliens
Because that just sounds cooler to the 3-5 year old set, than hot dogs and noodles. Take any straight pasta, I really think spaghetti would work better than fettucine, break each piece into several smaller pieces. Stick hard pasta through hot dog coins. Cook in boiling water until noodles are done. Serve. We had some leftover spaghetti sauce, so they got some of that.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Weekend Happenings - Cookie & Birthday Parties
Saturday, our house was the site of the 4th (at least) Annual Cookie Party. This pretty much entails: frosting a 5-gallon pail's worth of sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies; dipping everything under the sun in chocolate; and eating All. Day. Long.
It was SO MUCH FUN!
We invited 24 people and we had 16 people here - which was about the perfect number. The 9 kids had a blast decorating the cookies. K and I had done the cookie baking last weekend - and we couldn't find the Christmas cutters, so we had dinosaurs, flowers, cars, teddy bears, and lots of stars and circles. I use a sour cream sugar cookie recipe, so they aren't so sweet - then we frost the cookies with a cream cheese frosting, again, not so sweet. Then, when I make the gingerbread cookies, I cut up some of my homemade crystalized ginger, so you get the bite of the spicy ginger. Yum! Then, we use about 20 types of sprinkles - everything from standard red and green sugar to cows, pigs, and school buses. (We consider it a yearly challenge to come up with the most original sprinkles.)
Everyone brings a dish to pass, so we don't all succumb to the sugar coma.
Then, the adults dip into the chocolate. I made four types of homemade marshmallows (easy peasy) vanilla bean, cinnamon, toasted coconut, and caramel covered. So, we dipped those and dried fruit, nuts, cookies, and whatever else we can dip in chocolate.
Then, we have the picture of the aftermath:
Then, on to Sunday...
Birthday party for K and my nephew. The kids raked it in. Thank you to my sister-in-law for hosting that.
It was SO MUCH FUN!
We invited 24 people and we had 16 people here - which was about the perfect number. The 9 kids had a blast decorating the cookies. K and I had done the cookie baking last weekend - and we couldn't find the Christmas cutters, so we had dinosaurs, flowers, cars, teddy bears, and lots of stars and circles. I use a sour cream sugar cookie recipe, so they aren't so sweet - then we frost the cookies with a cream cheese frosting, again, not so sweet. Then, when I make the gingerbread cookies, I cut up some of my homemade crystalized ginger, so you get the bite of the spicy ginger. Yum! Then, we use about 20 types of sprinkles - everything from standard red and green sugar to cows, pigs, and school buses. (We consider it a yearly challenge to come up with the most original sprinkles.)
Then, the adults dip into the chocolate. I made four types of homemade marshmallows (easy peasy) vanilla bean, cinnamon, toasted coconut, and caramel covered. So, we dipped those and dried fruit, nuts, cookies, and whatever else we can dip in chocolate.
Birthday party for K and my nephew. The kids raked it in. Thank you to my sister-in-law for hosting that.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sad Day and We're Going to Miss Her
It's been a good weekend, fun with family and friends.
However, it's also a very sad weekend. We got an email from K's school today that one of her favorite teachers has lost her long battle with cancer and passed away yesterday.
Mrs. Joan Ladowski was a wonderful woman and wife. She was the art teacher, librarian, and school photographer at K's Catholic school. She was the kind of woman who would be at school at 6 a.m. and not leave until 8 p.m., because she loved what she did. She would always listen to the kids, was a great moderator, wonderful teacher, and all-around amzing woman. Check out some of the awesome art projects that she had the K-5 do ABVM ART This is not normal elementary art. Everything about Joan was extraordinary, including her deep faith in God.
The letter from school told us that in her honor, there will be no school on Wednesday, because of her funeral. They are having her visitation and wake at the church and not the funeral home, because there will be that many people there to say goodbye. K wants to go to the funeral. I have to call Dad to see if he can come over and watch Fixit and be here when the kids get off the bus.
K is very sad, because no one can replace Mrs. Ladowski. She's right, no one can. I hope everyone who loved her gets some solace from the fact that she is no longer in pain and all the prayers we're offering up are helping her soul on it's journey to God. We love you, Joan! You will be missed. I'm happy that you are no longer suffering and in pain. May God watch over you and comfort your friends and family. We know that you will be watching over the kids and taking pictures!
However, it's also a very sad weekend. We got an email from K's school today that one of her favorite teachers has lost her long battle with cancer and passed away yesterday.
Mrs. Joan Ladowski was a wonderful woman and wife. She was the art teacher, librarian, and school photographer at K's Catholic school. She was the kind of woman who would be at school at 6 a.m. and not leave until 8 p.m., because she loved what she did. She would always listen to the kids, was a great moderator, wonderful teacher, and all-around amzing woman. Check out some of the awesome art projects that she had the K-5 do ABVM ART This is not normal elementary art. Everything about Joan was extraordinary, including her deep faith in God.
The letter from school told us that in her honor, there will be no school on Wednesday, because of her funeral. They are having her visitation and wake at the church and not the funeral home, because there will be that many people there to say goodbye. K wants to go to the funeral. I have to call Dad to see if he can come over and watch Fixit and be here when the kids get off the bus.
K is very sad, because no one can replace Mrs. Ladowski. She's right, no one can. I hope everyone who loved her gets some solace from the fact that she is no longer in pain and all the prayers we're offering up are helping her soul on it's journey to God. We love you, Joan! You will be missed. I'm happy that you are no longer suffering and in pain. May God watch over you and comfort your friends and family. We know that you will be watching over the kids and taking pictures!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Monday Musing - December 5, 2011
Right Now... It is 10:20 a.m.
Fixit has been keeping herself busy for the past hour. She played with the Fairy Connectagons - and put them away, then she played with CoCo the Clown - and put him away. Now, she is working on her 2nd puzzle of the morning. She is awesome at puzzles at about 25 pieces. 50 pieces can frustrate her.
I've gotten my Ebay sales (that paid) in the mail this morning. Updated my Etsy and my Ebay spreadsheets with new listings and sales. I've also spent over an hour fighting with our health insurance claims website. It said the old site had transitioned to a new site, so I signed us up on the new site - where it couldn't find anything on us! Ugh. Then, after I set up the new password and account, now it says that the new information is incorrect. And, I can't call them to have them fix it, because I'm not the insured and they will only talk to my husband.
Which reminds me, that I have to have him call the ER Doctor's billing group, because they won't talk to me, either, even though he has told them repeatedly that I have access.
K forgot her lunch box at home, and I refused to take it to her. Sometimes it's too easy to forget and have Mom come to the rescue. She can have hot lunch today, even if she doesn't like it.
This weekend was... Busy. Friday night was the annual Christmas party at the Pulaski Library. They have pizza and hot dogs, plus you can listen to Mrs. Claus read a story, sit on Santa's lap (K wondered why Santa said "God Bless!" Because he knows the real reason for the season!), do a hayride and see all the Christmas lights, and do crafts. The kids really had fun and I didn't have to come up with anything for supper!
Saturday, we had Cathechism. I would like to think that my 7th graders are learning something. At least there was a little more cooperation this weekend than there has been the last few weeks. Then, we had program practice. Saturday afternoon, we baked a 5-gallon pail's worth of sugar cookies and gingerbread men.
Sunday - I fully intended to go to Mass. However, I had 3 little girls that decided to eat every one of the last batch of cookies on the counter and they were already grouching. So, another Sunday that I'm going to have to add to my next confession. Then, my sister-in-law and I spent a wonderful day together. It was so much fun and so reenergizing. THANK YOU!
Some plans for the week... Mail out my Ebay sales. Hopefully, get pictures taken and a few more things listed on both Ebay and Etsy. I want to get rid of some of the fabric that I will never use that I got from an estate sale. Slowly been thinning it down - which is good, because it is paying for the fabric that I got at this estate sale. :) Normal stuff like dishes and laundry.
I have to make two castles, a wizard, a dragon, and a double-sided castle/pirate map to finish my custom orders from last week's craft show. I want them all down by the end of the week, Wednesday would be better.
Wednesday, I'm watching my nephew earlier than usual, because my SIL has a dr's appt. She's returning the favor and watching the kids while I'm at my dentist appt on Thursday. Thursday is also 4-H and Feast of the Immaculate Conception - so have to get to Mass.
Plus. all week, have to make at least one batch of candy every day. I'm hoping to get the toasted coconut marshmallows done today and maybe the butter caramels.
I am grateful for... my sister-in-law who wanted to spend the day with me and treat me to lunch and a pedicure. My wacky and wonderful kids. For plenty of food in the cupboards and the ability to buy more. Having extra money to be able to give to those who lost everything this weekend in the horrible fire in Pulaski.
Prayer intentions for this week... For Mrs. Joan Ladowski, the art teacher/librarian at my daughter's Catholic school. She's been suffering from cancer and we got a letter from the principal today that it has gotten more aggressive and she's been told to keep her friends and family close. She's such a wonderul, giving, and caring person. For the victims of the 5-alarm fire in Pulaski, thank goodness that everyone is okay, but that the community will pull together and help those who lost everything to get a new start in their lives, especially Mr. Kelly, the custodian at K's school.
Something that makes me smile... a clean living room, love you dear.
heading and idea from http://patchodirtfarm.blogspot.com/
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Let Cookie Baking Commence and Solemn News
The girls had Christmas program practice today after CCD.
Yes, we do CCD on Saturday mornings and we love it! Two hours for six weeks in the fall and then for six weeks in the spring for the 1st through 8th graders. The high schoolers go on Wednesday nights.
K is the Mouse. They are blending "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and the traditional nativity story. So, she's the little disgusted mouse that thinks Christmas is "gimme, gimme, get it!"
Bug is the Littlest Angel and gets to announce "Jesus is Born!"
Fixit is supposed to be a silent animal (cow) sitting around the manger. However, silent and Fixit do not go together...at all.... So, we hearn lots of cattle lowing - which is bound to crack everyone up when we do our Christmas program on January 8th. Yep, January 8th - we do our Christmas program after Christmas. It's on Epiphany, which is the perfect day for it and it keeps Christmas around longer. Which is great in this commerce-centered season.
Now, on a more solemn note, the neighbor was supposed to come over and help bake cookies today. However, she had an excellent reason for not coming over. They own rental property in Pulaski, WI, and their building along with 4 others are total losses after a 5-alarm fire. 23 fire departments were involved bringing water. 40 people were displaced and 2 firefighters were sent to the hospital. Luckily, my neighbor's renters were fine, but everything was a complete loss. Neither one had insurance. (Which I don't understand!) My neighbors did have insurance on the building, so are hoping that it will be enough to cover the demolition of the building and clean up.
The "good" part of this all, was that no one was hurt. My neighbor had his Christmas party for work today and announced what had happened. With over 200 people there, most people donated the gift cards they had just won and some of the prizes. So, my neighbors were able to call both renters and give them both gift cards to help with replacing some of their things. They both said that they felt really good being able to do that.
Sweet Mary, please help all those impacted by this terrible fire. May they have family and friends and strangers willing to reach out to them and help them. Will you please help lift them up in this dark time and give them peace. Amen.
Yes, we do CCD on Saturday mornings and we love it! Two hours for six weeks in the fall and then for six weeks in the spring for the 1st through 8th graders. The high schoolers go on Wednesday nights.
K is the Mouse. They are blending "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and the traditional nativity story. So, she's the little disgusted mouse that thinks Christmas is "gimme, gimme, get it!"
Bug is the Littlest Angel and gets to announce "Jesus is Born!"
Fixit is supposed to be a silent animal (cow) sitting around the manger. However, silent and Fixit do not go together...at all.... So, we hearn lots of cattle lowing - which is bound to crack everyone up when we do our Christmas program on January 8th. Yep, January 8th - we do our Christmas program after Christmas. It's on Epiphany, which is the perfect day for it and it keeps Christmas around longer. Which is great in this commerce-centered season.
Now, on a more solemn note, the neighbor was supposed to come over and help bake cookies today. However, she had an excellent reason for not coming over. They own rental property in Pulaski, WI, and their building along with 4 others are total losses after a 5-alarm fire. 23 fire departments were involved bringing water. 40 people were displaced and 2 firefighters were sent to the hospital. Luckily, my neighbor's renters were fine, but everything was a complete loss. Neither one had insurance. (Which I don't understand!) My neighbors did have insurance on the building, so are hoping that it will be enough to cover the demolition of the building and clean up.
The "good" part of this all, was that no one was hurt. My neighbor had his Christmas party for work today and announced what had happened. With over 200 people there, most people donated the gift cards they had just won and some of the prizes. So, my neighbors were able to call both renters and give them both gift cards to help with replacing some of their things. They both said that they felt really good being able to do that.
Sweet Mary, please help all those impacted by this terrible fire. May they have family and friends and strangers willing to reach out to them and help them. Will you please help lift them up in this dark time and give them peace. Amen.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
December Equals Crazy Busy
Welcome, December. Come on in and stay awhile. Or can you at least make it feel like it's going to last a while, so we get a chance to breathe.
I had to go over the calendar yesterday to see what is coming up, I ended up writing down an entire page of stuff to do.
I realize that it's not just because of Advent and Christmas - those usually help me take a moment to reflect. It's that we also have two December birthdays here, plus my nephew's birthday.
Here's my crazy, busy list: (so, I remember what is going on - I hope!)
December 1st: Go to Mom and Dad's in a.m. to help them with stuff. Chiropractor this afternoon, because my back is killing me. Tonight, I'm supposed to go to the artist's reception at The Art Garage, which is probably a smart move to help promote my stuff, but we have a chance of yucky weather and I hate driving in it.
December 2nd: Preschool story hour at the library. MUST make cookie dough today, amazingly I saved the recipes I like in my favorites! 2 batches gingerbread and 4 batches of sugar cookie. MUST get my lesson plan for tomorrow's CCD written.
December 3rd: CCD. Christmas program practice. Cookie making extravaganza with the neighbor and possibly my sister-in-law, depending on weather.
December 4th: 9 a.m. Mass followed by Santa visit in the church hall. 2nd Sunday in Advent. Turn in Giving Tree gifts to church. Spend the rest of the day with my sister-in-law. Thankfully, she's pregnant and doesn't like shopping (too much) right now, so I should be saved from the horror of that. I know she's using her gift certificate at the spa for both of us - isn't that cool. (Hmm, cool will be right when we decide to get pedicures in December and need to walk out in flip flops. She even bought me a pair!)
December 5th: Start making Christmas candy...homemade marshmallows, caramels, maybe something new...
December 7th: Watch my nephew.
December 8th: Dentist a.m. Watch my nephew. Since I have dentist in a.m., can't go to kiddo's school and go to Immaculate Conception Mass. 4-H at night and we need to turn in project selections. Maybe hubby taking oldest to 4-H and I take the youngers to Mass.
December 9th: Bug needs to take a snack to school.
December 10th: CCD. NOT going to program practice. Cookie party - we're up to 15 people so far, and it could be 21.
December 11th: 3rd Sunday of Advent. Nephew's birthday party and K is going to share a family party with him again. Ugh. Need to get her invites written for K's sleepover party, much sooner than this day. Will have to do them today.
December 12th: First Reconciliation for K, plus watch my nephew.
December 13th: Hubby's birthday.
December 15th: K's Christmas concert at school, plus watch nephew.
December 16th: K's sleepover, but at least it's only for two people plus the neighbor, maybe? I'm not too clear on that, yet. (Plus, it's K's actual birthday!)
December 17th: Sleepover buddies go home. Parents indulge in adult beverages.
December 18th: 4th Sunday of Advent
December 22nd: Christmas program practice 6 p.m.
December 23rd: K doesn't have school. Christmas break until they go back on January 2nd.
December 24th: Christmas Eve. Christmas break starts for Bug and the neighbors until January 2nd.
December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
December 26th: Hubby off work.
December 27th: Trip to Milwaukee for at least Hubby for a VA appt. If I can get someone to watch the kids, I'm going with him.
December 28th & 29th: Watch nephew.
Plus, my hubby has three dates that he might be chosen for jury duty this month. When he called in last night, the first group of potential jurors needed to report this morning. So, he has to call in again tonight to see if he has to show up tomorrow.
Sigh, I'm tired just looking at the list, but at least it gives me something to follow as a check off.
I had to go over the calendar yesterday to see what is coming up, I ended up writing down an entire page of stuff to do.
I realize that it's not just because of Advent and Christmas - those usually help me take a moment to reflect. It's that we also have two December birthdays here, plus my nephew's birthday.
Here's my crazy, busy list: (so, I remember what is going on - I hope!)
December 1st: Go to Mom and Dad's in a.m. to help them with stuff. Chiropractor this afternoon, because my back is killing me. Tonight, I'm supposed to go to the artist's reception at The Art Garage, which is probably a smart move to help promote my stuff, but we have a chance of yucky weather and I hate driving in it.
December 2nd: Preschool story hour at the library. MUST make cookie dough today, amazingly I saved the recipes I like in my favorites! 2 batches gingerbread and 4 batches of sugar cookie. MUST get my lesson plan for tomorrow's CCD written.
December 3rd: CCD. Christmas program practice. Cookie making extravaganza with the neighbor and possibly my sister-in-law, depending on weather.
December 4th: 9 a.m. Mass followed by Santa visit in the church hall. 2nd Sunday in Advent. Turn in Giving Tree gifts to church. Spend the rest of the day with my sister-in-law. Thankfully, she's pregnant and doesn't like shopping (too much) right now, so I should be saved from the horror of that. I know she's using her gift certificate at the spa for both of us - isn't that cool. (Hmm, cool will be right when we decide to get pedicures in December and need to walk out in flip flops. She even bought me a pair!)
December 5th: Start making Christmas candy...homemade marshmallows, caramels, maybe something new...
December 7th: Watch my nephew.
December 8th: Dentist a.m. Watch my nephew. Since I have dentist in a.m., can't go to kiddo's school and go to Immaculate Conception Mass. 4-H at night and we need to turn in project selections. Maybe hubby taking oldest to 4-H and I take the youngers to Mass.
December 9th: Bug needs to take a snack to school.
December 10th: CCD. NOT going to program practice. Cookie party - we're up to 15 people so far, and it could be 21.
December 11th: 3rd Sunday of Advent. Nephew's birthday party and K is going to share a family party with him again. Ugh. Need to get her invites written for K's sleepover party, much sooner than this day. Will have to do them today.
December 12th: First Reconciliation for K, plus watch my nephew.
December 13th: Hubby's birthday.
December 15th: K's Christmas concert at school, plus watch nephew.
December 16th: K's sleepover, but at least it's only for two people plus the neighbor, maybe? I'm not too clear on that, yet. (Plus, it's K's actual birthday!)
December 17th: Sleepover buddies go home. Parents indulge in adult beverages.
December 18th: 4th Sunday of Advent
December 22nd: Christmas program practice 6 p.m.
December 23rd: K doesn't have school. Christmas break until they go back on January 2nd.
December 24th: Christmas Eve. Christmas break starts for Bug and the neighbors until January 2nd.
December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
December 26th: Hubby off work.
December 27th: Trip to Milwaukee for at least Hubby for a VA appt. If I can get someone to watch the kids, I'm going with him.
December 28th & 29th: Watch nephew.
Plus, my hubby has three dates that he might be chosen for jury duty this month. When he called in last night, the first group of potential jurors needed to report this morning. So, he has to call in again tonight to see if he has to show up tomorrow.
Sigh, I'm tired just looking at the list, but at least it gives me something to follow as a check off.
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