Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

E- as the Cat in the Hat

March is Dr. Seuss's birthday and the teen group at our local library puts together a skit for the kiddos in March.  This year E- got to be the Cat in the Hat and she played her part terrifically.  She had so much fun, she even told me she might consider doing a play at some point.  Big news coming from the child who "hated" skits at the beginning of the year.  This group of teens has been great for her - very creative, fun and not afraid to be silly and creative in front of an audience.  Such fun to see her get up and be animated and the kids just loved her:) Happy birthday Dr. Seuss and thanks for all your fun and silly stories - they still make me smile!

Easy Cheesecake Dessert

I made this tonight - so good and super easy!  A bit modified from the Pioneer Woman's version.  A great treat if you need a fast dessert for friends/family:)

Here's the recipe:

1-2 blocks of cream cheese (I use lowfat) - 1 block will make it pudding-like and 2 will make it thicker (I used 2).

12-15 graham crackers (crushed)

1 can of sweetened condensed milk (again, I use lowfat)

Fresh berries (any kind you like)

What to do:

1. Crush the graham crackers (I placed them in a ziploc and smashed with my meat tenderizer which is kind of fun and a good way to get your frustrations out:)

2. Place them in the bottom of the wine glasses.

3. Mix the cream cheese and condensed milk with a mixer until smooth.                                                    

4. Place the cream cheese mix in the glasses (about a 1/2 cup per glass for 6 servings)

5. Top with berries of your choice

6. Place in fridge to chill until ready to serve

7. Enjoy!

Yee-Haw! The Grandparents Are Here!

My parents arrived from Tennessee on Saturday:)  Mom is not yet able to fly due to the port in place for her continued cancer treatment, so they drove 17 hours.  We are all so happy to have them here as it has been far too long since my mom has seen the kids (over a year) and even longer since she saw the hubby.  We showed them a fun time in Santa Fe over the weekend with a trip to the history museum - bet you can't tell they had a cowboy exhibit -  some window shopping and green chile burgers!  M- was not too thrilled to dress the part.  Gotta love Santa Fe!  Kids get a little break from school for the visit too. Yee-Haw!

Football Fiasco

M- had to deal with some disappointment and make a big decision this weekend after his flag football game. There are a handful of kids with no sense of teamwork, politeness, or kindness.  Basically, those kids play the entire game even when they are getting consistent penalties for language, excessive celebration (i.e. - look at me I got a touchdown dancing), and not following the rules (pushing, not wearing mouthpieces, and false starts and spiking the ball when they lose).  M-  doesn't like this, but he can handle it as he really just likes to play the game.   However, this past game a couple of the boys on his team decided to bully another boy on the team nearly bringing the poor boy to tears.  So, although they called the game due to excessive penalties, it was this incident that left my son angry and considering that he should quit the team.  Let me just tell you that momma bear in me was ready to go over to the organization and say my piece this morning (I haven't been happy with this since it started), but I figured that at almost 13 it needed to be my son's decision.  Poor guy was so upset, he didn't even sleep well that night and hemmed and hawed about his decision all weekend.  What did he decide?  He told his dad and I last night that he wants to give it one more try after he talks to the coach and tells him his feelings.  Of course I will be by his side and get my 2+ cents in after M- talks, but I am so proud of him!  Not only is he taking care of business on his own, willing to give others more than one (or two) chances, recognizes when something is wrong, but he has a sense of teamwork and compassion for others.  Honestly, his decision is difficult for me... I'd prefer he quit and I go get some money back and let this organization know what I think.  But, as with everything (good and bad) I look at it as a lesson in life and this is a big one for M- and maybe mom too!

#7 -The Best on the Team!

Fat Tuesday Fun!

We held a Fat Tuesday party at our house last night.  Oh a party is always fun - especially when it involves good food, drink, and friends.  All got into the spirit of wearing their beads and masks and going through the pitchers of Hurricanes!  I made some jambalaya, dirty rice, a King cake, and some pralines (which took me two attempts as candy making without a candy thermometer can be difficult).   I'd done a Mardi Gras party for our homeschool teens a couple years ago, so it was nice to recycle some of our decorations.  Happy Mardi Gras!

The Great Calf Rescue!

Another baby abandoned behind our house

Husband helps him up to guide him to the field

The gang makes sure baby doesn't fall in the ditch

Pushing him back in the pen

*Such excitement in our backyard:)  Happy week to all!

Pancakes, fan clubs, and cute kids

Another busy Saturday started out EARLY at the pancake fundraiser breakfast for tae kwon do.  M- did all the pancake cooking for 2 hours and they made $540 for the demo team to head to Colorado this summer (unfortunately we are missing this trip)!  He has some little followers at the studio - the little girls all LOVE him and can't seem to leave him alone. They all needed piggy back rides so he spend the rest of the time making sure they all had a turn.   He is super sweet with them, which makes me smile:)  I also got my little kiddo fix as there were some adorable children at the breakfast - boy do I miss the little SOH children! Maybe I need to open a daycare?!

Pancake Party

Piggy Back Rides