Abram has had two successful BM's on the potty!! He has also used
his Pee Pee Cup several times! Way to go Abram.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Abi and Mary blog too!
Just wanted to let you all know Abi and Mary couldn't stand to be
outdone by Cob and they are blogging too. Find their links on the
side bar. Abi's is Pwincess Abigaiw and Mary's is My Silly Side.
Enjoy!
outdone by Cob and they are blogging too. Find their links on the
side bar. Abi's is Pwincess Abigaiw and Mary's is My Silly Side.
Enjoy!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Welcome Cob
Welcome to blog world Cob! My son Jacob was inspired by his cousin Anna to join the blogger world. He posted for the first time today. We started calling Jacob Cob after reading "Trumpet of the Swam by E.B. White. In this story we learned a male swam is a cob. We started calling him Cob! Do not be confused. . . A male turkey is a Jake. Cob is NOT a Jake! Cob Loves to write stories filled with action and adventure. Hope you enjoy his site!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Organizing the Household
I once heard it said every flat surface is a potential landing pad
for clutter. Clutter finds the hutch in my dinning room and lands
there! I recently saw an organization idea on a friends blog. So in
a desperate attempt to clear off the beloved hutch clutter I began
saving tin cans. Drew did an excellent job creating the Tin Can
Organizer! Thanks sweetie.
for clutter. Clutter finds the hutch in my dinning room and lands
there! I recently saw an organization idea on a friends blog. So in
a desperate attempt to clear off the beloved hutch clutter I began
saving tin cans. Drew did an excellent job creating the Tin Can
Organizer! Thanks sweetie.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Broken Cups and Eternity
collection. I was living in Raleigh at the time so Mark told me to
keep his cup too. I hated to have the cups packed away and not enjoy
seeing them and being reminded of Grandma so had them displayed on
the hutch in the dinning room. About two years ago the hutch got
bumped and mine shattered. Last week Jacob, Mary and I were playing
monopoly at the dinning room table when Jacob jumped up to run in the
kitchen for a drink. The whole dinning room shook as a loop on his
painters jeans caught on the hutch. Mary immediately started crying
when she saw the broken cup. Jacob felt terrible and right away said
he should have slowed down. I cried a bit as I remember Grandma's
kitchen and the smell of freshly baked coffee cake. I could just
picture her stooping over to take it out of the oven. What an
excellent reminder that our earthly possessions are just that,
earthly. We talked about storing up our treasures in heaven. Won't
an eternal reward be far greater than ANYTHING this earth has to offer?
Taxi Mom
Mary and Abi took swim lessons for two weeks and Jacob has t-ball
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for one more week. I have been
playing the taxi Mom. The girls both really enjoyed their lessons.
Mary received individual attention as the only student in her class!
They both did really well. It is a lot of fun to watch the t-ball
practices and games. I am amazed at how much all of the boys have
improved. The coaches remain positive at all costs! All the little
guys stay encouraged which seems so key to their improvement.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for one more week. I have been
playing the taxi Mom. The girls both really enjoyed their lessons.
Mary received individual attention as the only student in her class!
They both did really well. It is a lot of fun to watch the t-ball
practices and games. I am amazed at how much all of the boys have
improved. The coaches remain positive at all costs! All the little
guys stay encouraged which seems so key to their improvement.
Jennifer Would Be Proud
week. The blinding sun was an ongoing joke. She would be proud to
sit anywhere at our table and she would be able to see what she was
eating :-)
A Good Use For Dish Towels
For several years we have needed a shade on our front picture
window. Every night at supper time someone is blinded by the setting
sun. Generally I have a table cloth or sheet around that we drape
over the valence. When Drew's Mom brought some kitchen towels I
thought they were way too nice to be used (abused) in the kitchen
when an idea struck! The next time I had the sewing machine out (to
hem dress sleeves for Mary and do a few mending projects) I whipped
them together. These clean cheery curtains make a nice replacement
to the old faded ones I made about 7 years ago. Getting the sewing
machine out inspired Mary and Jacob to sew a few projects of their
own. Mary made a purse and Cob a few sword sheaths and some Indian
loin cloths.
window. Every night at supper time someone is blinded by the setting
sun. Generally I have a table cloth or sheet around that we drape
over the valence. When Drew's Mom brought some kitchen towels I
thought they were way too nice to be used (abused) in the kitchen
when an idea struck! The next time I had the sewing machine out (to
hem dress sleeves for Mary and do a few mending projects) I whipped
them together. These clean cheery curtains make a nice replacement
to the old faded ones I made about 7 years ago. Getting the sewing
machine out inspired Mary and Jacob to sew a few projects of their
own. Mary made a purse and Cob a few sword sheaths and some Indian
loin cloths.
Chloe's Sleep
Chloe slept six hours 4 nights in a row! I am so blessed with such a
good baby. She smiles all the time now. Any time she is awake and
someone is talking to her she is smiling.
good baby. She smiles all the time now. Any time she is awake and
someone is talking to her she is smiling.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Friday Update
I have not had a spare moment since my last post. Actually, I have
had a spare moment, I just chose to use them for sleep : ) instead of
posting. We had a relaxing visit with Mom and Dad T. Sunday. Well
it was relaxing for me anyway! Shortly after lunch I headed up for a
15 minute nap only to fall sound asleep for an hour! Meanwhile Mom
T. must have been one busy lady. I saw the evidence all over the
kitchen. Thanks Mom. Then, Drew and his Mom and Dad took the older
gang wild raspberry picking. They were very successful and we had
plenty of raspberries on our ice cream for dessert. Monday was the
girls first day of swim lessons. After swim we went to Jacob's t-
ball. He LOVES t-ball. It started a few weeks ago and they have
started playing games. It is really fun to watch them. They all are
improving so much since that first day when all of them missed the
ball. The coaches are really good and everyone seems to have a
really good time. Tuesday we did the paper route, then went to look
at a trampoline. We busted our old one and are in the market for
another used one. Wednesday we ran up to Guttenberg and had a
wonderful visit with Grandma, Norma, Anna Mae and Ruthann. Grandma
and Troy had a spread of sandwich fixings and veggies. We got to see
Sarah, Cora, Colton and Caleb as well as Bonnie for a short time
before we took off for prayer meeting. We were only a few minutes
late. Last night we had supper with John and Anna. They had invited
Carol too and it was REALLY good to see all of them. I have purposed
not to use last names on my blog but after typing this anyone reading
is probably wondering who all these people are. They are all friends
or relatives : ) I was really bummed we forgot our camera when we
visited Grandma Ruth : ( Hopefully Ruthann will send me a few of
hers. Today Drew is at a seminar in Des Moines. The new guy at his
office and his wife and three sons are coming for supper. The girls
are planning to make cup cakes for dessert. Abi got a new Little
House Cook Book and they are planning to use this recipe . . .
had a spare moment, I just chose to use them for sleep : ) instead of
posting. We had a relaxing visit with Mom and Dad T. Sunday. Well
it was relaxing for me anyway! Shortly after lunch I headed up for a
15 minute nap only to fall sound asleep for an hour! Meanwhile Mom
T. must have been one busy lady. I saw the evidence all over the
kitchen. Thanks Mom. Then, Drew and his Mom and Dad took the older
gang wild raspberry picking. They were very successful and we had
plenty of raspberries on our ice cream for dessert. Monday was the
girls first day of swim lessons. After swim we went to Jacob's t-
ball. He LOVES t-ball. It started a few weeks ago and they have
started playing games. It is really fun to watch them. They all are
improving so much since that first day when all of them missed the
ball. The coaches are really good and everyone seems to have a
really good time. Tuesday we did the paper route, then went to look
at a trampoline. We busted our old one and are in the market for
another used one. Wednesday we ran up to Guttenberg and had a
wonderful visit with Grandma, Norma, Anna Mae and Ruthann. Grandma
and Troy had a spread of sandwich fixings and veggies. We got to see
Sarah, Cora, Colton and Caleb as well as Bonnie for a short time
before we took off for prayer meeting. We were only a few minutes
late. Last night we had supper with John and Anna. They had invited
Carol too and it was REALLY good to see all of them. I have purposed
not to use last names on my blog but after typing this anyone reading
is probably wondering who all these people are. They are all friends
or relatives : ) I was really bummed we forgot our camera when we
visited Grandma Ruth : ( Hopefully Ruthann will send me a few of
hers. Today Drew is at a seminar in Des Moines. The new guy at his
office and his wife and three sons are coming for supper. The girls
are planning to make cup cakes for dessert. Abi got a new Little
House Cook Book and they are planning to use this recipe . . .
Laura's Little Maple Cakes
(24 mini-cupcakes)
Dry Ingredients
1 1/4 C flour
1/2 t baking soda
pinch salt
1/2 t ginger
Wet Ingredients
2 T unsalted butter
1/2 C maple syrup
1 egg
1/2 C sour cream
butter (to grease the tins)
1. Ask a grown-up to help you preheat the oven to 375 and to help you melt the 2 T butter in the small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Put dry ingredients into one bowl and mix. Combine wet ingredients in another bowl and whisk together. Add the wet to the dry ingredients. Mix quickly, just until thoroughly blended.
3. Grease the muffin tins and fill them, using two tablespoons, one to scoop the batter, the other to push it off into the tin.
4. Bake for 12 minutes, or until the cakes are a light golden color. When they are cool enough to handle, remove from the pans.
Maple Icing
1 C confectioner's sugar
1/2 T unsalted butter, softened
pinch salt
1/4 t vanilla
1/3 C maple syrup
5. To make maple icing, blend sugar, butter, salt, and vanilla. Add maple syrup and be at until completely smooth.
6. Decorate each cake by dipping the top of each into the icing and giving it a twist. Turn it right side up, and while the icing is still moist, garnish with a variety of toppings.
Toppings
(choose at least three kinds for each cake)
slice of strawberry
whole raspberry or blueberry
1/2 seedless grape
1 dried currant
1/8 t strawberry jab
edible flowers: violet, red or white clover, pansy, lilac, or lavender
Use your imagination!
Hope everyone has a God centered weekend!
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Chloe Update
Chloe thrives in her wild environment. She is growing and filling
out nicely. She has nice rolls on her legs now but most of her
growth has been in her length. She loves being held. I could not
believe it when two weeks ago I laid her on the couch and her little
head shot up and she looked all around. Then her legs began moving
and the next thing I knew she had scooched across the cushion!
Everyone here enjoys holding her. Mary E. has a special knack for
putting her to sleep. She even got her to sleep during church this
morning and she slept through the whole service. I was pleased as I
got to listen AND take notes.
out nicely. She has nice rolls on her legs now but most of her
growth has been in her length. She loves being held. I could not
believe it when two weeks ago I laid her on the couch and her little
head shot up and she looked all around. Then her legs began moving
and the next thing I knew she had scooched across the cushion!
Everyone here enjoys holding her. Mary E. has a special knack for
putting her to sleep. She even got her to sleep during church this
morning and she slept through the whole service. I was pleased as I
got to listen AND take notes.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Abi's Journal
I found this page on the floor in the girls room. I find this just precious, but then I am her Mudder.
Typed as written:
The nooh Babye. We hav ben WADEDinG for the nooh Babye to B Born. We hav PiCt out A BUch uv nAmes. We licet the name (here she had written Chloe then erased it) Abd nAomie. I lice the name esttr. Bofore that We Went to A WeDinG in fact We Wt to two. Abums BrthudAe Was To DS AGOe. I Am rItinG Wan Im not sospes to B. Moms At the hospotil i Wish shi coD Cm to i cate Wate tal she gets Bg.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Happy Independence Day
We enjoyed the fireworks up at the cemetery again this year. The kids were a bit more mellow than past years. We planned ahead and staked out our area which worked well and the rain never came. Last year we walked home in a DOWNPOUR! Drew gave Mary and Jacob another tennis lesson this morning. I took the little ones over to the playground. After a half hour lesson I headed back over to be whooped once again. I did better today though and won the first game. I am feeling my age and am a bit sore. After the lesson we went to The Dubuque County Historical Society's 44th annual Ice Cream Social AND can you believe we didn't get any ICE CREAM! We did each get a pork sandwich. The event takes place at the Mathias Ham House and there were all kinds of historic exhibits. A one room school house exhibit, a log cabin with ladies answering questions, a lead mine exhibit, a coppersmith exhibit and a sailor showing his uniform and weaponry. The beautiful weather enhanced our enjoyment. After naps and quiet time (I didn't sleep) Drew took the older kids raspberry picking. I thought I would come after Chloe woke up alas I was so tired when she woke up I fed her and we both fell SOUND asleep in the recliner! Of course Drew took tons of pictures so if you have time take a look.
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