Monday, November 29, 2010

Presentations

Harrison is doing fabulously at the Downtown School.  He loves it and is learning everything that ANYONE says and tells him.  Last week it was a conversation that bounced between ice cream is good for you in small amounts because it has calcium (they are studying health) and "Girls go to Jupiter to get more stupider."  Fun stuff for a Kindergartener!  Who knows what we will learn this week...

A couple of weeks ago Mrs. Mathews team finished their theme on apples.  After each theme they have presentations in which they explain to the parents what they learned.  Harrison made a model of a bee and explained how bees help pollinate apple trees.  A discussion over dinner the night before presentations led to "Girl bees go out and collect the nectar and help pollinate the apple trees and other flowers while boy bees stay at the hive and help the queen make babies."  It all comes down to the birds and the bees people!!!

Harrison did a great job at presentations and gave his speech with no hint of shyness.  I was very proud of him and his whole class!

Here is his whole class singing to start the program.


Here is Mrs. Mathews being one proud teacher (as she should be - she's the GREATEST!!!!)


Here is Harrison addressing the crowd.


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Day 1

:)

Beth: I am thankful for Harrison's new winter coat.  Man, what a pain that was!!!

Harrison: I am thankful for the Science Center.

Christopher: I am thankful for basketball.  Go Cyclones!!!

Bennett: I am thankful for the dresser and the wall and Daddy and the blanket and Mommy and the... BASEBALL BAT!  (What a silly boy!)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Day 2

Thankfulness makes the world go round.

Beth: I am thankful for a house full of family and friends!

Christopher: I am thankful for time spent with family over the holidays.

Harrison: I am thankful for Mrs. Mathews.

Bennett: I am thankful for Miss Meggan and Miss Carrie.

Caden: I am thankful for Grandma and Grandpa coming to stay with me.

Miles:  I am thankful for daddy and the football I am going to get for Christmas.

Annabelle: I am thankful for hugs.  Kisses - not so much!  :)

Graysen: I am thankful that Beth moved the furniture so that I can pull the baskets of Legos down.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Alphabet Soup

I have to share this recipe.  It is a great go to meal for me during lunch.  And the kids LOVE it!  I told Bennett and Caden what we were having today and they both started celebrating!  It is nutritious and customizable to your likes and dislikes.  I found this recipe in "Cooking Rocks! Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals for Kids."   I have the cookbook, but that is the link to the original recipe.  

Alphabet Soup
1 wedge Parmigiano Reggiano cheese rind
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tb extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
5 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
1 cup alphabet pasta
1 cup frozen and/or fresh veggies
salt and pepper to taste

Saute onions and garlic over medium heat about 2 - 3 minutes.  Add tomato sauce and stir.  Add chicken stock and stir.  Turn up heat to high and bring to a boil.  Once boiling add alphabet pasta and cheese rind.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer.  Cook until the pasta letters are just tender, 6 - 7 minutes.  Add veggies and cook 2 - 3 minutes more.  DONE!!!!  Sooo good.

Now - I have made modifications.  I always add more veggies!  I have little kids and we like more of a stew versus a soup.  Little hands you know...  And I always chop up a fresh zucchini and add that.  I LOVE zucchini in vegetable soup.  I use frozen corn, peas and green beans.  I also add fresh carrots (chopped) but I add those when I add the pasta as they take longer to cook.  I also add Italian seasoning to the soup when I add the chicken stock.  I do about 1 Tb.  The cheese rind really makes a difference.  I got mine at Gateway Market as buying a whole thing of Parmigiano Reggiano at the store is too expensive for my budget (especially for kids - sorry kids!) just to cut the rind off of and then try and find other uses for it (obviously it's great shredded over spaghetti, but again, budget...).  At Gateway, they have containers of 'leftover' rinds that they sell for $3 - $4.  Awesome!  I found the alphabet pasta at Dahl's.  I haven't found a Hy-Vee that sells it, but I haven't been to all of them and I am sure they would get it if I asked.  The kids LOVE the alphabet letters.  Finding letters, recognizing letters, etc.  That is 60% of the appeal to the soup.  The added benefit is that they eat it as well!  It would be just as delicious with different pasta, but I don't know that they would eat it as well!

If you make this, please let me know what you think.  Did you change anything?  Happy eating!!!

Day 3

I can feel the thankfulness in the air.

Harrison:  I am thankful for James!!!

Bennett: I am thankful for drawing on the dry erase board with Caden.

Beth: I am thankful for Muffin Mondays.

Caden: I am thankful for my big bed.

Graysen: I am thankful for couch cushions on the floor.  I have so much fun crawling on them and laughing.  It is great to chase Caden and Bennett over the cushions!

Christopher: I am thankful to have one day off this week.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Day 4

Thankfulness is better shared!

Beth:  I am thankful for airplanes.

Christopher:  I am thankful for small oven fires.  They make "Now what?" into Hickory Park for dinner!

Harrison: I am thankful for Kaitlyn!

Bennett: I am thankful for Cars.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Day 5

I am thankful for my boys.  They are not here today.  They left last night to go to Davenport to see their grandparents and have Neipert Thanksgiving.  I can't go because of work.  Having the house to myself is wonderful, relaxing, quiet and a little boring.  Harrison frustrates me to no end with his words and attitude sometimes and Bennett can't seem to stop whining at this stage in his life and Chris is a husband so we all no how that goes, but I LOVE THEM soooo much.  The are wonderful, beautiful people and I will try to enjoy not having them around everyone in a while, but I will miss them all the same.  They keep me on my toe,  give great hugs and kisses and call me mommy.  Who wouldn't be thankful for that?

Friday, November 19, 2010

Day 6

Thankfulness is thoughtfulness.

Beth: I am thankful for alone time!!!!!!!

Annabelle: I am thankful for other people's toys.  :)

Graysen: I am thankful for the blue circle with a hole in it.  I like to throw it and chase it around the house.  Sometimes I stop and chew on it.  Being 10 months old is good!

Harrison: I am thankful for Grandma and Grandpa!  I can't wait to get to their house!

Bennett: I am thankful for cows.  Because I like cows, horses and necklaces.  (Huh?)

Christopher: I am thankful for road trips to Grandma and Grandpa's.

Caden: I am thankful for my daddy and my mommy and Graysen.  (He said this when his dad came to pick him up today.  So sweet!)

Miles: I am thankful for my basketball.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Day 7

I LOVE THANKFULNESS!!!

Beth: I am thankful for Christmas music.  Tis the season!!!!  (I know, I started early...)

Bennett: I am thankful for singing the wagon song at preschool.

Harrison: I am thankful for Bennett because I like him!

Caden: I am thankful for my turkey art.

Annabelle: I am thankful for milk.  I LOVE milk.

Miles: I am thankful for banana bars.

Graysen: I am thankful for my mouth.  I can fit large items that are supposed to be baby toys into my mouth.  Beth has her hands full!

Christopher: I am thankful for Bennett.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Day 8

Thankfulness is like the first snow.  You might be annoyed that summer is gone, but then you take the time  to realize the wonders of winter.

Harrison: I am thankful for Dad.

Christopher: I am thankful for Harrison.

Beth: I am thankful for talented authors.  Just finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.  Wow!  What a great series.

Bennett: I am thankful for running.

Miles: I am thankful for my doggie.  I love Sporty.  Do you love Sporty, Beth?

Graysen: I am  thankful for toys that I am not supposed to play with.  Can someone ask Beth to stop taking them from me?  No?  Well I will try harder then!

Caden: I am thankful for my 3 pictures.  I can't wait to show them to my mommy and daddy.

Annabelle: I am thankful for windows.  Now that I can climb on the couch I spend a lot of time looking out the window!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Soccer 2010

We signed Harrison up for Northwest Soccer this fall.  He had about 10 games and 10 practices.  I complained a little until I realized they were asking him to play again in the spring.  That would mean soccer AND baseball for Harrison and baseball for Bennett.  Talk about complaining!!!  Too much stuff!!  We are going to have a couple of long talks about this upcoming  year...

Anyway, Harrison LOVED soccer.  He played on a team with 5 other players.  Two girls, Sayla and Maddie, and  other boys, Miles, Josh and Aaron.  They were an ok team which was fine by me because they seemed to have a lot of fun just playing.  No scores were kept, but I know Harrison scored the most goals for his team.  Well...

Here are some action shots.

Defending the goal with Miles.


What form!!!


Getting ready for a corner kick.


There was a playground right next to the soccer fields and Bennett spent a good deal of time there.  He was annoyed that we would not go with him, but he had fun regardless!




Harrison's two biggest fans!!!  (Forgot to get a pic of Chris!  Oops!!)

Day 9

Thankfulness is like a box of chocolates...

Harrison: I am thankful for my wonderful mommy!  (sniff, sniff)

Bennett: I am thankful for playing with games.

Caden: I am thankful for my froggy blanket.

Miles: I am thankful for my new drum.

Beth: I am thankful for my knowledge of cooking.  I love to cook for my family and friends and I love cooking homemade (chicken noodle soup for lunch!!!).  But, I am never ashamed to throw in a boxed meal.  Thank goodness for Kraft Mac and Cheese!!!! 

Annabelle: She is thankful for pigtails.  That girl is cute in pigtails!!! (Well, she's always cute, but...)

Graysen: I am thankful for my voice.  I love using it when the other kids are sleeping!!!  

Christopher: I am thankful that the holidays are almost here.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Day 10

Being thankful on Mondays sometimes takes more effort, but in the end, it is most definitely worth it!

Bennett: I am thankful for my kitchen.

Caden: I am thankful for my monster truck.

Miles: I am thankful for my sister.  (This was said in the sweetest voice EVER!!!!)

Beth: I am thankful for wet wipes.  I know everyone poops but they could at least do it at their house!!!  :)

Annabelle: I am thankful for Maddie.  Without Maddie, Beth would have a lot more cleaning to do when I continuously throw food on the floor.

Graysen: I am thankful for my feet.  I'm a cruis'n maniac!!!

Harrison: I am thankful for eating grapes.

Christopher: I am thankful we did not receive 12" of snow like some parts of Iowa this weekend.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Day 11

Thankfulness is like a warm blanket.  It just feels good!

Beth: I am thankful for coffee.  Especially free coffee! 

Harrison: I am thankful that I beat my record in Cow Racing on Wii!!!!

Bennett: I am thankful for Sunday School and singing.

Christopher: I am thankful for Maddie.  She's a good dog.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Day 12

I love thankfulness...

Beth: I am thankful for Saturdays.  I am especially thankful for Saturday's off from work!!!

Harrison: I am thankful for cinnamon rolls.

Bennett: I am thankful for my castle blocks.

Christopher: I am thankful that there is always next year.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Day 13

Thankfulness is making memories.

Harrison: I am thankful for Bennett's artwork.  His pumpkin with hands on it is really special.

Bennett: I am thankful for my friends.  And Will.  I am thankful for Will.  Mommy, when is Will coming over?

Miles: I am thankful for my mommy.

Annabelle: I am thankful I can climb onto the ottoman and the couch.  Beth, on the other hand, is not so thankful...

Caden: I am thankful for Nana bringing that big basket so I can put my bath toys in there.

Graysen: I am thankful for naps.  My morning nap was 4 hours!  

Christopher: I am thankful for all that my parents have done and still do for me.

Beth: I am thankful for family.  I love my family.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Day 14

Thankfulness is like remembering the sweetness at the bottom of the pie.

Harrison: I am thankful for the Chicago Cubs and our Cubs paver.

Bennett: I am thankful for Douglas.

Miles: I am thankful for you.  (This one got a tear...)

Annabelle: I am thankful for pigtails.  The girls is cute in pigtails!!!

Beth: I thankful for veterans.  Thank you Grandpa and Uncle Bob. 

Christopher: I am thankful for all those who have served our country both past and present.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Day 15

It feels good to take a minute (or two!) everyday to be thankful for something.


Harrison: I am thankful for Starbucks.  I love Caramel Apple Spice!

Bennett: I am thankful for crackers.

Caden: I am thankful for my cactus Lightning McQueen.

Miles: I am thankful for baseball.  I swing the bat HARD!!!!

Annabelle:  She is thankful for swings.  That girl LOVES to swing!

Graysen: I am thankful for my sippy cup.  Water is good!

Grandma Marilyn: I am thankful for another warm sunshiny day.

Beth: I am thankful for my friends.  

Kira:  I am thankful for school.

Christopher: I am thankful for my eyesight.  (I see quite a few blind people getting on and off the city bus near my work and can't imagine being in that situation.)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Field Trip

Me and my baby!!!

Heather and Caden

Heather and I went on Bennett and Caden's field trip a couple of weeks ago.  Miles and Harrison were lucky enough to tag along.  Harrison was on intersession from school and Miles was granted reprieve from nap for a day.  

The 3 amigos

We had a lot of fun and enjoyed so many things.  The hay mound was fun but itchy.  The corn was tempting to throw but we settled on burying people.  There was a scary house that Harrison feel in love with.  Meggan (Bennett's teacher) brought along her son Johnny and her neighbor girls Isabel and Beatrice.  They were out of school as well.  They all went through the scary house over and over! (It was for older kids - Bennett and Caden weren't exactly fans and I didn't even let Miles try.  It was pitch black inside!)  The animals were fun and stinky and there were games to play when we were all done.  It was fun seeing Bennett and Caden with their friends.  They are still very much attached at the hip, but they are playing with others... sometimes!  

Waiting to play the ball toss game

Why won't that pig get up?!?!

Miles enjoying some corn!

Bea and Bennett (she loves him!) 

On our way to the corn pit.  "I will get there first!!!!"

Harrison and Caden.  Caden was not too sure about being on top of that hay mound.  He eventually found his footing and wanted to do it again and again!!

Miles was looking up at the hay-mound.  "I'm next!"

Day 16

Thankfulness is not just drinking your coffee and being grateful that you have coffee, but also enjoying your coffee...

Harrison: I am thankful for your birthday.  (Why?  I asked)  Because you had cupcakes.  I love cupcakes!

Bennett: I am thankful for dice.  

Beth: I am thankful for sun and 70 degree weather in November.  I think...  Global warming?!?!

Christopher: I am thankful for little voices that call me Daddy.

Caden: I am thankful I can bring my police car to preschool.

Miles: I am thankful for Daddy because I love him.

Annabelle: Bennett's says that Annabelle is thankful for dancing.  Because she is a dancing queen!  (We were listening to Dancing Queen by ABBA and she was going a little crazy!!!!)

Graysen: I am thankful for my knees.  I finally know what they can do!  :)

Monday, November 8, 2010

Day 17

Thankfulness is good.

Harrison: I am thankful for my home.

Bennett: I am thankful for my farm that I will have when I am a farmer.  

Caden: I am thankful for my golden and shiny fish and my baby snake.

Miles: I am thankful for donuts.

Annabelle: To - (Translation - I am thankful for Tootsie!)

Graysen: He is thankful for my love of reading.  Without it he would not be able to pull all my books off my bookshelf!!! 

Beth: I am thankful for kisses.  (Bennett said that I am also thankful for hugs!)

Christopher: I am thankful for my job.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Day 18

Thankfulness...

Harrison (he went first): I am thankful for school.

Bennett:  I am thankful for preschool.

Beth: (Harrison decided he should decide what I was thankful for) Mommy is thankful for being able to teach Sunday School.  (I decided I agreed.  I am thankful for Sunday School.)

Christopher: I am thankful for the weekends.  (Harrison had a hand in this one when he said "Aren't you thankful for staying home with us today?")

Thank you Harrison for all your help!  :)

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Day 19

Today's thankfulness:

Harrison: I am thankful for paper chains that tell me how long until James gets here.

Bennett:  I am thankful for costumes and balloons.  I LOVE balloons!

Beth: I am thankful for a clean bedroom.

Christopher:  I am thankful for the sun's warmth.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Light the Night

We did our 5th annual Light the Night back in September.  I took the boys back to Davenport and met up with friends and family and we celebrated a life that left us too soon.  
I didn't get many pictures this year, but I had a lot of fun and realized that it is worth the drive.  Every year, I think, "I won't go to Davenport this year.  I will walk in Des Moines."  And every year some guilt bearing angel peaks over my shoulder and I drive to Davenport and back.  Thank goodness for angels!

Katherine and Nora (Jen's daughter).  What a crazy slide!

Katherine, Nora, Harrison and Dayton (Marci's son).

Bennett being cute!

Next year we are on to Omaha where Kara will be the Memorial Honoree of Light the Night!

Day 20

I have read on Facebook that quite a few of my friends are doing the 30 days of Thanksgiving.  Everyday they ask their families what they are thankful for.  It is a great way to reflect and think about all of the great things we DO have in our lives and not dwell on the things that we DON'T have in our lives.  We didn't start soon enough so we are doing the 20 days of Thanksgiving.

Bennett:  I am thankful for Grandma.  She comes and plays with me.

Miles:  I am thankful for a new red car from Aunt Sarah.

Caden:  I am thankful for a new yellow car from Target.  Mommy got it for me.

Graysen: He is thankful for noodles and red sauce.  If I had to wager, I would say his tummy is not big enough to fit all of what he ate for lunch!

Annabelle: Mamamamamamamamama.  She's one smart girl!

Beth:  I am thankful for water.  Especially warm water.  I love taking a hot shower in the morning!

Harrison: I am thankful that I am going to Incredible Pizza with Johnny.

Chris: I am thankful for being upright.

What are you thankful for today?