It's Party TIME!

I have some friends who started an airbrush tattoo business. They came over to practice up on my kiddos (and me) and it was so fun. This would be a great addition to any birthday party or block party. The kids loved it and they love Ms. Heather and Ms. Elsbe! Unlike face-painting, these didn't come off on my pillow and unlike temporary tattoos, when I wanted them off I could actually get them off  with a little hand sanitizer.

airblastdesign@gmail.com

Just whatever you do.. please don't teach my kids the term..tattoo sleeve, cause they will be all over that!

For Wendy

Sauteed Baby Spinach...

I buy a big tub at Costco.....

This is what I add to mine..you can add whatever you like

One Onion....diced

I use this seasoning for almost everything
Sea Salt and Kosher are my best choice.

  The red pepper adds a good kick.

I buy my garlic already minced..it is a cheat but so much easier.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a pan

I use about 2 tbsps each for 8 cups of spinach

Add garlic and one whole small onion

After it has cooked down, add seasonings

when onions are translucent add spinach in batches..

 After it has cooked down.. add more. 

Don't over cook it, I like it to still look like fresh spinach 

and now.. enjoy... 

See now wasn't that EASY!!

DELISH and so heathy!

Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.

I heard this from "Oprah" don't judge me, but sometimes I really enjoyed her.

 I have been thinking a lot about this lately, not only thinking about it but meditating on it ... if you can call it that. I am actively trying to become a better person, a better wife, a better mom, and today, as I was dreaming about a quiet house, crabbing about how no one would follow directions and putting my third load of laundry into the washer. I had a wake up call. (or an aha moment..) What was I doing? Didn't I realize how lucky I was. What was wrong with me... and then...was my piss poor attitude helping, or hurting the situation? well.. duh...

The more I thought about this the more I realized that my attitude set the tone for my whole house. It is very rare that my kids will have bad attitudes, if mine remains good. It would be impossible for them to have a bad day, if I was having a good one. So I came up the stairs with a renewed spirit.

I am taking responsibility for the energy I am put out into my house today, and so far it has sucked. So, I am changing it.

My children are annoying only if I allow myself to think it, because in reality they are precious little creatures who only want to please. I need to allow them to please. I am going to be present, and be positive and continue to  help build in them characteristics of patience, forgiveness and love. The only true way to teach this is by example.

So, now I will hug, I will read a book, we will go on a walk and look for walking sticks. I will be responsible and I will be an example of what I want them to be.

So I am calling a do over...Today starts.. NOW!

Last day of school and Memorial Day Weekend

Mrs. Scarlett and girls

So Cute.. Carly Jo and Mrs Palmer

Some of Mckenna's class

Do you see an extra one in there?

 It's Phoebe !

Tangled is so captivating

Pickering Picnic

what are you guys up to?

Fun Day!

Cousin Ben is such a cutie

Hey there Jeff!

She is a Princess!

Summer is here

Today is June 1st  WHOOT WHOOT summer is officially here. We are in full swing, on our third day of "chore packs" and it is going great... It is 10:30 am and everyone is done with their chores and "free".
Here is our "star chart"

I have promised them that for every week we have  5 stars on the star chart we will do something  special as a family.
Now, I have to admit we set the bar pretty low, but I am here to tell you..kids don't need extravagant, they only want our time. Really. So, as long as we are doing something TOGETHER and both parents are participating, our kids think that is pretty special. Some or our "special" prizes might be.. a visit to the ice cream shoppe, pizza night, a sleep over in the living room, movie night (always fun) some Uno and popcorn, a day at Ernie Miller, Deanna Rose or perhaps..if I am drunk enough.. Chuck E Cheese.
(Of course I am totally almost joking about the drunk part...sortof...)

Here are some pictures of our chore packs

They aren't hard chores and I don't ask for perfection. What I am doing is trying to teach some responsibility, one step at a time. I am trying to keep it very age appropriate. I think it is working out quite nicely...

Being organized is a great thing. Jim helped me get started with the laundry on Monday and my intention..hckhm... is to do laundry everyday and avoid the great laundry mountain. We will see..

I also have to say the love couch works well, the girls are starting to understand the value of getting along and being helpful and cooperative to their sisters. ( they act like it anyway) Every time someone gets put in the love couch the remaining two start singing.. LOVE couch baby LOVE couch.. to the tune of love shack.. good times.

I am so excited to get the swim passes and visit the zoo.  Dad is going to take some vacation days so he can hang out with us.. This is when all the magic happens..

Hello Summer We LOVE YOU!!