LOVE IS THE GREATEST REFRESHMENT IN LIFE: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Art Boards

So I have been wanting some cork boards to put in Brooklyn's room but haven't really wanted to spend the money. The other day in Mrs Murl's garage I was being nosy and noticed a cork board and a dry erase board leaned against the wall. I asked if she was getting rid of it and she was! Now we have an art center and the girls love it. I just have to decide how to decorate it!!!

birthday cake and brooklyns new art boards

Taco Spaghetti and some AWESOME Banana soft serve

Taco Spaghetti

A pound of hamburger meat cook in 1 packet taco seasoning
5 ounces cooked spaghetti noodles
chopped onion cooked in hamburger if you want
1 can drained corn
1 cup shredded cheese
3/4 cup salsa
shredded lettuce (if wanted)
chopped tomato (if wanted)
cup crushed tortilla chips (if wanted)
Whatever else you want

Cook your hamburger meat in seasoning and onion, drain grease. Add cooked noodles, corn, and salsa, 1/2 cup cheese. Pour into a lightly greased baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Add sour cream, lettuce, and whatever else you want!

Banana Soft serve

1 or 2 bananas for each person you are serving
food processor

Cut bananas into about 1/4 inch pieces. Freeze for 3-4 hours or overnight. Put into food processor until creamy. You can eat right away or freeze for later. You can add strawberries, peanut butter, cocoa powder, or whatever else you like with bananas!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Laundry

Homemade detergent

1 bar grated Fels Naptha Soap

1 1/3 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster

1 1/3 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Mix and store in an airtight container.

Small loads 1 spoonfull

Medium loads 1 ½ spoonful

Heavy loads 2 spoonful

Non-Abrasive scouring powder for disinfecting

4 parts baking soda

1 part borax

(store in a shaker container)

Lemon Spray Cleaner (multi-purpose)

2 cups water

2TBS lemon juice

½ tsp. dish soap (like dawn)

1TBS baking soda

1tsp. Borax

Pour in spray bottle and mix well before using. You can add vinegar but be careful! Baking soda and vinegar mixed has the volcano effect so add it REAL SLOW!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Wednesday

So Wednesday we Brooklyn's first day of school and Sophia's first alone, non-family babysitting experience. I was more worried with Sophia then Brooklyn but when I got to Cherie's house Sissy walked right in and told me bye. No problems there. I breathed a little. When we got to school Brooklyn was greeted by her teacher and assistant and the room Maw-Maw. She walked right in and didn't look back. It was orientation day so only 7 kids out of the 20 were going to be there (I think 4 showed up). Orientation was brutal. Everything we had been told before. After the parents were released I went in to get a picture of Brooklyn in her class. The assistant Mrs. Shelia (Mrs. Brown is the teacher and Mrs. Sue is the room Maw-Maw) was praising how detailed Brooklyn's drawing was and how she was actually TALKING some to every body. I got my picture and with a quick kiss and left. Then I went to walmart by MYSELF! When I went to pick Sissy up Cherie and I decided to go celebrate Brooklyn's first day of school with some yummy Chinese. When I picked Brooklyn up the teacher said She did very well. She laughed and said for lunch B "tried" her tuna sandwich because momma always makes her try new things, but she only ate ALL of her peas and asked for more. The Mrs. Brown was surprised because not many 4 year old eat that well! There I did find out that one of the ladies from church is the room mawmaw in the class right next to Brooklyn's so that made me feel a lot better. There were no tears on either side. This is going to be a great experience for her. I really think it is where she needs to be to get ready for kindergarten.

Today is her first day with all of the kids in the class. I am hoping it goes as well as Wednesday did. I've got a busy day. I'm delivering a cake, getting the car, inspected, maybe going to old navy, getting Brooklyn, and last going to the temple for a sealing session. I am super excited the girls are spending the night with Mrs. Murl so maybe I can sleep past 5:30!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Brooklyns first day of School

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Very True

Some people just need a high-five.

In the face.

With a chair.

I saw this on-line and thought it was hilarious!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Poor Brooklyn

Monday morning we had our enrollment meeting for Head Start. We have gotten all paper work finished and assigned a class! Brooklyn needed to get her school shots and a wellness check to be completely finished. Her Dr.'s office was able to get her in that afternoon. She is completely healthy. When it came time to do the shots she started to panic some. She had to get four of those suckers! After that they had to draw blood for a lead and iron test. The nurse thought she was going to be nice and just prick her finger. After the THIRD finger prick and still no blood she had to go through a vein in the arm. By this time Brooklyn was besides herself she was so upset. She had to get stuck 8 times before everything was done. I promised her ice cream on the way home. She survived all that. Yesterday when I went to take the band aid off her leg she had a HUGE blister full of clear liquid where the band aid had been! I'm glad shes over it. She really milked all those pricks for everything she could. This morning her teacher is coming over for a home visit. They do things a little different in head start. Most of the kids there are from lower income families and don't get the every day needs of life. Like three meals a day and clean food. I was talking to out advocate about it and she said some of these kids really do come from heart breaking situations. I am very thankful that Trent works so hard to provide us with all of our needs and most of our wants. I am now excited Brooklyn is getting such a great opportunity to be in the Head Start program. She's very excited also and is so proud of her new back pack (Thanks Mrs. Murl)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Head Start and a cupcake party

While we were decorating I got a phone call from Head Start. The lady asked if we were still interested in putting Brooklyn in I was thrown off and replied "possibly!" She sounded thrown off and responded with is that a yes or no? I laughed and told her I had thought she wasn't accepted because we hadn't heard anything from them yet. So on Monday morning we have a meeting to finish the application process. I am so torn. I don't really want to give my baby over everyday (I know I still have Sophia). Brooklyn is my quiet one that I worry about. I know she'll be fine and well taken care of, and have a blast everyday. I still worry if she will be to scared to ask to go potty (I was) or if someone is being mean to her how will she respond? There is a certain kid at church that makes her cry a lot. She doesn't really react at church but when we get in the car she's all upset. Luckily that kid doesn't come all the time and has found some other victims to pick on. Maybe I am more worried then I should be because she wont be here to entertain Sophia! Some days that can be a big job in itself! I wonder if I would be so worried if we had found out in June or July she was accepted and I had a little more time to emotionally plan for the "hand-over"? I am relieved they don't have to wear uniforms so I at least don't have to think about that.

Happy Birthday Jackson!!!! He is one of Brooklyn's best friends and his birthday was on the 9th. Brooklyn wanted to do something for him so we made some cupcakes. All the kids had a great time decorating them and Chere and I had a good time eating them! They had such a good time I think I might have a "cupcake center" outside for the kids to create their own at Brooklyn's birthday. Then I'll just do maybe a 6 or 8 inch cake for the candles to go on. I know I have plenty of time to think about it but it's an idea.