Pretty as a Picture

I'm posting this picture today because I can hardly believe it myself. It’s hard to believe that I did this to Banana’s hair this morning and there wasn’t a single tear. She usually makes quite a fuss about having her hair combed because it hurts. But today we weren’t in any kind of a hurry (yet) and I was able to take it nice and slow. Afterwards I made a big deal about how cute it looked, and an especially big deal that it didn’t hurt and she didn’t cry. We high-fived each other and decided we needed to take a picture. Hopefully she will remember all of that the next time we need to comb her hair.

Catching Up

It's taken me longer than I thought to get a handle on things, but I think I'm close. The kids and I spent five days at the country house. We spent lots of time swimming in the lake and playing on the beach. Dad came out to be with us for a few days as well. He took the kids fishing, and they caught a few big ones.

We also played games, went for rides on the rope swing, and did some reading. Miss M and I both finished our books in the first two days. We got a surprise visit from a katydid who joined the kids for breakfast one morning. He just crawled up onto the table and started drinking some milk that dripped off of C.B.’s spoon. He stayed there drinking for about 30 minutes. Did you know that katydid’s drank milk?

Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents joined us over the weekend to celebrate four family birthdays. The kids were so happy to have someone other than me to play with.

Banana enjoys a birthday cupcake.

Mr. H and his baby cousin show off their big, round bellies.

The day after we came home from our country retreat was Sneak-A-Peek Sunday at the kids’ school. We were able to drop off supplies and meet teachers. Miss M’s classroom was packed with desks. This will be the first year that there won’t be 2 sessions of her grade level. Her teacher told me this is the biggest class he’s ever had. I wished her the best of luck. Big D’s class is a more reasonable size. His teacher is young and energetic, and I’m sure he will have a great year in First Grade. I was slightly worried about C.B. and his attitude toward starting full-day Kindergarten. Last year when we went to visit his preschool classroom he wouldn’t even go in the door, much less make eye contact with his teacher. Thankfully he was much more accepting about the starting of school than he was last year at this time. It helped that his Kindergarten teacher gave him a treat bag with a rubber bug and some candy inside.

That same afternoon we attended a picnic with the G.I.F.T. group. G.I.F.T. (Getting Interracial Families Together) is a social group for families of mixed race, whether by marriage, birth or adoption. The kids enjoyed meeting new friends and playing a lot of fun outdoor games.

The next day, Monday, was the first day of school. It wasn’t as hectic as I thought it would be, and everyone seemed excited about the big day. I wish I could say that every day goes that smoothly, but it was certainly a nice start to the school year.

School is going well so far, but I’m thinking the kids are going to be happy to enjoy a school-free weekend. Not that we’ll be lazy, though. Miss M is going to Girl Scout Camp this weekend, Big D has a soccer game, we have a church picnic Saturday evening and 2 birthday parties on Sunday. They might be ready to go back to school to get a break on Monday!

This Just In

We interrupt this highly neglected blog to inform you that the neglect will continue for at least another week. Getting the kids (and myself) ready for the school year to begin sort of consumed me this past week or so. I worked so hard to get ready because I planned one last summer escape for the kids and me before the first day of school next Monday. Tomorrow we leave for the "Country House" where we’ll spend five days with no television or computer. Gasp! Whatever shall we do? I think a stop at the Library before we head out is in order. Everyone could use a new book or two to bring along. Big D has been brushing up on his reading skills in preparation for the first grade. Games and puzzles are always a big part of any trip to the country for our family. C.B. especially enjoys putting puzzles together, and Miss M is quite good at Mexican Train Dominoes and Gin Rummy. The Banana will love the lake…if she can get over the fact that there are fish that live there. Last time we were there she mostly just played in the sand. Personally, I am picturing Mr. H napping at the beach while I watch the kids swim from my lounge chair strategically placed in the shallow water. We’ll see if that dream comes true or not.

Taking it Easy

I haven’t been doing much this week. I’m taking it easy in between weeks of actually getting things done. I was on a cleaning rampage last week, and next week I plan to get everything ready for the kids to start school. I already have all of the school supplies together - the notebooks, folders, scissors and glue. But we still need backpacks, shoes that will last at least the first half of the school year, and we’ll throw in some new socks and underwear for good measure. I could handle the notebooks on my own, but for these other things I will need to have the kids with me. This detail makes the shopping trip vastly more difficult, or at least more time-consuming.

And speaking of school, I have decided to register the Banana for preschool. It’s actually a pre-preschool for 2 and 3-year-olds. It’s only one day a week for 2 hours. The other kids all did it, but I hesitated signing her up for some reason. Lately, though, she’s been showing an interest in school, and she was very excited about participating in Vacation Bible School last month. And this morning I learned that she can identify several letters of the alphabet. I tested her again and again to make sure it wasn’t just an accident. I have to say I was thrilled to find out that yet another one of my children is brilliant.

We plan to spend the week before school starts out at the country house. My husband's parents have a house in an A-frame community about an hour from our house. It’s just far enough away to feel like a vacation from the ordinary. We’ll be there from Tuesday until Saturday; again, taking it easy between busy weeks. I am really looking forward to a nice relaxing week before the chaos of the school year sets in. It should make the summer complete.

We’re leaving tomorrow for our second camping trip of the season. To our delight there is no rain in the forecast. To our dismay there will most likely be a heat advisory in effect. Thank goodness we will be near water and our camper is equipped with air conditioning. I’m not sure we’d be going otherwise. And if you are in the St. Louis area this weekend, be sure to stay cool.

Take it easy! I know I am.

My Week in Pictures

This week was Project Organization 2008. I decided to set aside this whole week to get things in order before the summer is through. The school year is right around the corner and I need to have things organized to be ready for the chaos that will certainly ensue starting on August 18. Clearing clutter and cleaning took priority over most everything; even making dinner one night!

I have been reading a book about getting and staying organized. Taking a suggestion from the book I bought a clear plastic over-the-door shoe holder and was able to turn it into a place to put things that have no place of their own at my house. Like toys my nieces or nephews may leave here, DVD’s that need returning, outgoing mail, etc.

I went through the kids’ clothes, as well as my own, and was able to fill five boxes to donate to the Children’s Home Society. It felt so good to lighten up that load.

I finally got around to hanging the lovely expressions I ordered from my sister-in-law’s Uppercase Living party several months ago. In doing so I was also able to get all of our family pictures displayed.

Amidst the organization, the laptop decided to poop out on us. It took a while to get that going, and there are still some things that need to be set up. I was able to get my desk nook cleaned and organized. Even the drawers!

I also pulled all the weeds on our side garden, removed the mulch, replaced the weed shield, planted a few plants and applied new mulch. And to my surprise, four out of five of my hanging baskets are still doing well. I’m so proud.

Another reason to be proud…the toilet is currently sparkling.

And here’s a shot of my dog, just because it’s a good picture of her.

It’s been a busy, but very productive week. I am looking forward to a relaxing girls’ weekend at the country house with my mother-in-law and two of my sisters-in-law. Peace and quiet here I come!

It's Outta Here!

No, I'm not talking about baseball this time. (But if you want to see some baseball pictures, click here.) What I'm really talking about is Mr. H's apnea monitor that came home with us from the hospital. If you recall, Mr. H was diagnosed in the hospital with reflux, and was kept in the Special Care Nursery for an extra couple of days. We were sent home with an apnea monitor to keep his heart and respiration rate in check. It was fitted around his chest, and there was an electrode under each of his arms. We were asked to keep it on him around the clock, removing it only for baths. After about 2 months of wearing that contraption the poor little guy’s skin was getting irritated. We were glad when the doctor said we could start using the monitor only at night.

Since the day we brought him home Mr. H has had no episodes like the ones they noted in the hospital nursery. Eventually we took him off of his reflux medicine and there were no changes in his eating, sleeping or his sweet disposition. To be honest, he’s been absolutely perfect. So when the man from the medical equipment provider came to the house today, I was waiting at the door for him with monitor in hand. I shed no tears as he drove away. Quite the opposite, in fact. I'm thinking more along the lines of a celebration. Who wants ice cream?

The Zoo goes to the Zoo

We took a trip to the Zoo this morning, although we didn’t stay long enough to do everything the kids wanted to do. We were able to see the new dinosaur exhibit called Dinoroarus. We got there early so we could get in free of charge, which is the only way I would go see it again. It was OK, but probably not worth paying for everyone to get in. We did get a picture with a T-Rex and a chance to dig for fossils.

After the dinos we saw the bears, and some of us went to see Penguin and Puffin Coast. This was as close as C.B. would get to the penguins.

We spent a good deal of time in the Jungle of the Apes. Big D had a long talk with an Orangutan.

Our last stop was Big Cat Country, but we made sure we saw the new baby giraffe on the way there.

We were told that there will be five tiger cubs on display in August, so we are hoping to go back next month. The kids are probably going to hold me to it, too. They didn’t get to ride the train today so, of course, I promised we'd do it next time.

Many thanks to Grandma for heading out with us today. There are more zoo pics on Flickr.

Food Blog for a Day

I recently discovered that I like to cook. I know that I do more cooking than many of my friends do, but I never really thought about the fact that I might have been enjoying it. It wasn’t until I was filling out Mr. H’s baby book last week (I know…he’s 3 months old. It’s about time!) The book asked for Mom’s and Dad’s hobbies and interests. Without thinking too much about it I wrote cooking. And then I nodded at the word and thought, “I guess I do enjoy cooking.”

Based on this discovery, and the fact that I so admire the food blogs out there that offer delicious recipes with wonderfully descriptive how-to pictures, I thought I would give it a try. Like my Mock Mocha MooLatte recipe, this dish is a take-off of another restaurant item. This time I tried to recreate Olive Garden’s Sausage & Peppers Rustica, again going for similar taste with fewer calories.

Here’s what you need:

16 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta (I use penne noodles)
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 pkg. Boca Italian Sausage (4 links)
1 Jar Pasta Sauce (I like a spicier variety)
1 Small Red onion
2 Garlic cloves (I cheat and use minced in the jar)
1 Small Red pepper
1 Small Green pepper
1 Small Yellow pepper

Here’s what you do:

Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. While water is heating, chop onion and peppers into bite-sized pieces.

Add pasta to boiling water; stir to prevent sticking. Cook for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onions and peppers. Sauté for 6 to 7 minutes.

Place frozen sausages in microwave for 1 minute. Slice into small circles. Add to pepper mixture.

Combine pasta, sauce and peppers and sausage.

I actually put this batch right into my microwavable Tupperware for tomorrow night’s dinner. I am trying to use effective time management, which is very important for a mother of five.

I hope you don’t think I’m turning this into a food blog. While it would be super cool, I don’t have the time or the energy to photographically document everything I cook. I was only able to pull it off today because of a little thing we at the Reddy Zoo like to call “The Tranquilizer”.

Don’t worry. We are not drugging the baby. It’s just the nickname we have given to the baby swing. It works like a charm at putting Mr. H to sleep – sometimes for hours. As long as we have enough D-batteries on hand, it’s all good.

Swimming, Swimming, in a Swimming Pool

I know, I know. I have been posting a lot of pictures lately. But I got some great ones at the pool yesterday. This one is my favorite.

Click here for some more.

A Banana in a Bikini

We're getting ready to walk out the door to go swimming, but I couldn't resist getting a few shots of Banana in her suit, hat and glasses.

Check out the entire shoot here.