Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Check out our Hoe Down!
You will have to wait for the music on my blog to stop before playing our little skit or the music will overlap and it doesn't sound too pretty.
Visit to our local Nursing Home
Way back last St. Patricks Day, our church put on a party at the nursing home nearby. Cameron got up and sang songs and had made some rainbows to give to some of the residents and I still remember how happy he was to make these elderly people smile. Ever since I have wanted to go back and I finally got on it this week. We decided that for our family night on Monday we would dress the kids up in their Halloween costumes and go hand out candy and some little pumpkins Cameron had made to the residents. The Candlands, Porters, and Jensens joined us there and we went door to door meeting the people. I could not believe how fearless Cameron was, he went right up to these peole who looked, spoke and smelled so different without any hesitation. We also sang some little preschool songs that Cameron and his friends had learned which really seemed to brighten the mood. Gavin even tried to chime in on some of the songs. As depressing as it is to see people in this condition, I really felt like we were making their day a little bit better. I was so proud of Cameron, as much as he loves candy, he was anxious to give every last bit of it away and I really think he learned an important lesson- it is better to give than to receive. 
It has started to feel a bit more fall-like here although today is is in the 80's again, but for a stretch there it was nice and cool and we could really enjoy that briskness in the air. The kids have just been so happy to be able to play outside. Gavin has become interested in Cameron's battery powered Jeep and the two of them are quite a sight driving up and down the street. Maybe, finally, they are learning how to play together.
As promised, here are some pictures of the ghost luminaries Cameron and I made for our front porch. They really turned out darling and the kids are the first to remind me that it's getting dark and we need to turn them on!
With the weather turning cooler, here is my favorite (and 2 time chili cookoff champion) recipe for chili.
In pan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilis and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream and cream.
It has started to feel a bit more fall-like here although today is is in the 80's again, but for a stretch there it was nice and cool and we could really enjoy that briskness in the air. The kids have just been so happy to be able to play outside. Gavin has become interested in Cameron's battery powered Jeep and the two of them are quite a sight driving up and down the street. Maybe, finally, they are learning how to play together.
As promised, here are some pictures of the ghost luminaries Cameron and I made for our front porch. They really turned out darling and the kids are the first to remind me that it's getting dark and we need to turn them on!
With the weather turning cooler, here is my favorite (and 2 time chili cookoff champion) recipe for chili.Creamy White Chili
1 pound cubed chicken
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 garlic powder
1 T oil
2 cans great northern beans
1 can chicken broth
2 cans green chilis
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream
In pan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilis and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream and cream.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Getting Ready for Fall
I had heard that today was going to be a nice, cool fall day and was so excited to get the kids in their new, fall clothes... And then at breakfast when the kids and I were already dressed, I hear on the weather that it's going to be 80's and humid. We had to hustle and change back into shorts. And we got one more good use out of the Hawaiian outfits grandma brought back from her recent trip. Where is the fall??? We are here, ready and waiting for it to arrive and every few days we're teased with some cooler weather, but it seems like the next day is summery again. Our AC gets switched off and on every day it seems.
Regardless of the weather, it is October and for us that means it is time to start putting up some holiday decorations. Cameron is finally at an age where he can help make some decent holiday crafts and this year we made pumpkins out of TP and paper towel rolls, covering them with orange pattered fabric and adding a stem and leaf. They turned out really cute! We have also been saving milk cartons to make ghost luminaries- stay tuned. Gavin was so excited to see me hanging up the new decorations, he went around pointing out all the pu-kins and leefs. He is especially fond of a scarecrow that is about the same size as he is and at first, I think he thought it was real, but now it is his good buddy that I find in various places around the house. The autumn decor has put us all in a holiday mood and these next couple of months are my favorite time of year.
Speaking of autumn, some of my favorite recipes I get to dig out at this time of year. Here is one for soem yummy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread:
Regardless of the weather, it is October and for us that means it is time to start putting up some holiday decorations. Cameron is finally at an age where he can help make some decent holiday crafts and this year we made pumpkins out of TP and paper towel rolls, covering them with orange pattered fabric and adding a stem and leaf. They turned out really cute! We have also been saving milk cartons to make ghost luminaries- stay tuned. Gavin was so excited to see me hanging up the new decorations, he went around pointing out all the pu-kins and leefs. He is especially fond of a scarecrow that is about the same size as he is and at first, I think he thought it was real, but now it is his good buddy that I find in various places around the house. The autumn decor has put us all in a holiday mood and these next couple of months are my favorite time of year.
Speaking of autumn, some of my favorite recipes I get to dig out at this time of year. Here is one for soem yummy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread:3c. flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
Combine above dry ingredients in medium bowl.
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
2 c. pumpkin
1 1/4 c vegetable oil
1 1/2 c. chocolate chips
Beat together all wet ingredients and then gradually add the dry. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into 2 loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 60 minutes. Serve slathered with butter or my favorite- cream cheese!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Busy Bees
We have been keeping pretty busy since school started here. Cameron is gone M, W, F from 9:00-12:00 in preschool and I have signed both boys up for an extra-curricular activity. Cameron is taking a sports mix class once a week that lets the kids sample all different sports from basketball to baseball, football, hockey, and soccer. I am hoping that one of the sports will click with him so I know what to sign him up for next. Gavin takes a little Mommy and Me class on Wednesdays when Cameron is at school. We sing songs and play instruments and dance around, and Gavin just has a ball. He really likes being with the other kids and he loves having Mommy to himself.
Gavin has also been starting to have some play dates with his little friend Coleman. The kids are finally at that age where they will play with each other instead of just next to each other and it's pretty comical to see what they come up with.
Cameron was in the Haymarket Days parade with his preschool again this year. The kids dressed up like cowboys and marched and sang songs. Cameron loved waving to everyone and acting like he was important. He especially loved the candy that some of the groups were throwing out...
This last weekend Jeremy and I took the kiddos up to Chambersburg, PA to see my maternal grandparents that recently moved into a new home in an assisted living community. We are happy to report that they are settled in and loving their new surroundings. It is always such a nice visit with them and the kids adore them, what a blessing it is to have them here.
Gavin has also been starting to have some play dates with his little friend Coleman. The kids are finally at that age where they will play with each other instead of just next to each other and it's pretty comical to see what they come up with.
Cameron was in the Haymarket Days parade with his preschool again this year. The kids dressed up like cowboys and marched and sang songs. Cameron loved waving to everyone and acting like he was important. He especially loved the candy that some of the groups were throwing out...
This last weekend Jeremy and I took the kiddos up to Chambersburg, PA to see my maternal grandparents that recently moved into a new home in an assisted living community. We are happy to report that they are settled in and loving their new surroundings. It is always such a nice visit with them and the kids adore them, what a blessing it is to have them here.Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Cameron's First Day of Preschool
Our big four year old started his second year at 4 R's Preschool last week. He had been talking about going back to school ever since school got out in May it seems, and he was so excited to see his teachers again. This year, there are two classes, a morning and an afternoon one, and most of Cameron's close friends signed up for the afternoon class, and we chose the morning one. I think he was a little disappointed that they weren't there, but he has already made some new friends that he talks about almost every day.
I can't say enough good things about his preschool. It is held in an old home right here in Haymarket, and the teachers are phenomenal. I remember being skeptical the first time I visited the preschool, it is small, and really old, and the owner was in her 80's. But after talking to friends that had children there, I decided to enroll Cameron and it has been such a rewarding experience for him. Instead of drilling facts into the kids, they learn morals and things like respect and caring for others, skills that they need throughout their lives. I'm so glad that such a school exists for my children with good old fashioned values and a non stressful environment for learning. We are definitely looking forward to a new year at 4 R's.
I can't say enough good things about his preschool. It is held in an old home right here in Haymarket, and the teachers are phenomenal. I remember being skeptical the first time I visited the preschool, it is small, and really old, and the owner was in her 80's. But after talking to friends that had children there, I decided to enroll Cameron and it has been such a rewarding experience for him. Instead of drilling facts into the kids, they learn morals and things like respect and caring for others, skills that they need throughout their lives. I'm so glad that such a school exists for my children with good old fashioned values and a non stressful environment for learning. We are definitely looking forward to a new year at 4 R's.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Pre-Preschool Fun
As this has been the last week of summer before Cameron starts back at preschool, we felt it mandatory that we pack in as much fun as we possibly could to go out with a bang. Jeremy took off last Thursday and we headed to Kings Dominion to take advantage of our season passes one last time. Cameron's favorite ride is the Avalanche, a roller coaster that reminds him of being flushed down the toilet because it winds around and around. This time Gavin actually wanted to ride some of the kiddie rides, whereas in the past he has been too petrified to get on. It helped having his big brother with him to reassure him that everything would be ok. We really love the waterpark there at KD, which has a great spot for toddlers, a wave pool, and one huge slide that Cameron can go on with either Jeremy or I. That night, my sister Kristin and her family joined us there for a few hours and we closed the park! We had two extremely exhausted kiddos when we left and were greatful for the quiet ride home.
On Saturday we took the family to Gravelly Park, a little open area right past the Reagan National Airport where the planes take off right over your head. Gavin is particularly fond of airplanes and after the initial fear of the loud noise, he was eager to point out each plane. We then went to Roosevelt Island which I haven't been to since I was on a field trip in elementary school. It was hotter than we expected so we only walked around for a bit before we were ready to head out, but we definitely want to go back in the fall when we can hike the little trails and bring a picnic or something.
Labor Day Monday we went to Stribling Orchard to pick some apples and welcome the fall. I was just grateful that the bees weren't out like I'd remembered from last year when we were there since I have a major phobia and Gavin has recently been obsessed with finding bugs and squishing them. I just knew he would get stung, but ther were not enough apples on the ground yet to attract the bees, phew! Again, the day was warmer than we thought it would be, so later that day we hit the pool one last time before it closed for the season. Cameron has made great strides with his swimming these last few weeks, I am just hoing that he remembers what he has learned for next year. We are going to have to take a few trips to the indoor pool this winter so he keeps up his skills.
Cameron starts his second year of preschool at 4R's tomorrow and he is so excited! He has definitely missed his teachers there and keeps asking when he can go back. I hope that this love for learning sticks with him forever. I don't remember at what age you start dreading the first day of school. I think I've got a few years yet.
On Saturday we took the family to Gravelly Park, a little open area right past the Reagan National Airport where the planes take off right over your head. Gavin is particularly fond of airplanes and after the initial fear of the loud noise, he was eager to point out each plane. We then went to Roosevelt Island which I haven't been to since I was on a field trip in elementary school. It was hotter than we expected so we only walked around for a bit before we were ready to head out, but we definitely want to go back in the fall when we can hike the little trails and bring a picnic or something.
Labor Day Monday we went to Stribling Orchard to pick some apples and welcome the fall. I was just grateful that the bees weren't out like I'd remembered from last year when we were there since I have a major phobia and Gavin has recently been obsessed with finding bugs and squishing them. I just knew he would get stung, but ther were not enough apples on the ground yet to attract the bees, phew! Again, the day was warmer than we thought it would be, so later that day we hit the pool one last time before it closed for the season. Cameron has made great strides with his swimming these last few weeks, I am just hoing that he remembers what he has learned for next year. We are going to have to take a few trips to the indoor pool this winter so he keeps up his skills.
Cameron starts his second year of preschool at 4R's tomorrow and he is so excited! He has definitely missed his teachers there and keeps asking when he can go back. I hope that this love for learning sticks with him forever. I don't remember at what age you start dreading the first day of school. I think I've got a few years yet.
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