Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Christmas 2013

Every year the Christmases become more and more magical.  I absolutely love how excited Owen is Christmas morning seeing all of the presents under the tree.  I also love how excited he is about family time and that he focuses more on family than on material items.






 I didn't have icing decorating tools, so we used medicine syringes.  It worked very well.







This year my mom came down to visit.  She came the day after Christmas and stayed for the weekend.  It was really nice having her here, despite the children being sick.  My brothers spent most of the time playing xbox with Martin.  It kept them busy and added some bonding time for Martin.  It was really nice to spend time with my mom.  It has been two years since she has been here.  I can count on my hands the times my family has stayed over.  It doesn't happen often.


Martin has returned to work again and I am on my own with the kids for the week.  I return to school next week and am looking forward to finishing this degree up and moving on to the next chapter of my life.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Menu 12/8-12/14

Menu for this week

Sunday - Spaghetti and salad
Monday - Steak and noodles.
Tuesday - subs from Jersey Mikes
Wednesday- Subs (again)
Thursday - chicken ranch pasta with broccoli
Friday - Chicken Parmesan-(not the traditional style, I don't like breading the chicken, and I eat it with rice.)
Saturday - Stromboli

Btw this is my 100th post!


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Potty Training!

Owen has now gone two weeks without diapers. (during the day).  On the 18th I just decided that Owen needed to be in underwear.  I want him to be out of the one-size diapers before Charlotte starts wearing them, which may be in the next month.

The first day was very difficult.  I hid the diapers and Owen did not like this idea. He became very upset.  He did not want to be naked and he did not want to wear underwear.  He got into the diaper bag and pulled out the diaper I had in there (smart boy).  He screamed that I would not put the diaper on him.  When I refused he sat on the diaper to go pee.  He also peed on the couch and then later in the kitchen.  This was very stressful for both of us.  However, day two went much better.  I told Owen if he used the potty that I would get him jelly beans.  This was enough incentive.  I did not have any jelly beans though, so we braved a trip to the store in underwear.  He did awesome!!!  He went pee in the potty at the grocery store and was so excited he told the cashier.  We made it home with no accidents and he continued to use the potty.

 Our potty had  a "pee guard"  so I didn't teach him he had to hold his peepee right away.  But then it broke off and I had to.  The first time he had to go number two he was scared and did not make it on the potty.  The second time however, he didn't tell anyone he had to go, he just went!  He stays dry all day and wears his underwear, even for nap time.  We have since made many trips out and he is able to either hold it, or let me know in enough time to make it to the potty.   We are currently working on teaching him to stand up, which he seems to prefer.    At night he is hesitant to wear diapers, but some mornings he does not wake up dry, so for now we are sticking with diapers.   I am so proud of him for doing so well with underwear.    I thought this would never happen!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Bacon and Veggies

While strolling through Sam's club there was one lady handing out samples.  It smelled so yummy, and tasted good too!  She told me I could find the recipe on their website, so I went home and looked it up.  Here is the original recipe Asparagus, brussel sprouts, red onion.  It is made with asparagus, brussel sprouts, red onion, and bacon, and it is very yummy.



The way I made it:

4 slices bacon
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup of chopped asparagus
2 cups of brussel sprouts, quartered
salt and pepper

Cook bacon and set aside.  In the same pan, saute onions in bacon grease until translucent.   Add asparagus and brussel sprouts and salt and pepper to taste.  Cook until asparagus is tender, stir frequently.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

I really like chicken cordon bleu and have tried many recipes before I found one I really like.













Chicken Cordon Bleu


2 Chicken breasts
2 tsp mustard
2 Large slices of ham
3 Slices of swiss cheese
1 Egg
Bread Crumbs
Salt and pepper

Sauce:
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 slice swiss cheese
salt and pepper
2 tbs water

Flatten chicken breasts, you can pound them or use a rolling pin.


  I find it easier to pound it.  Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken breasts.  Spread 1 tsp mustard on each breast.  Lay ham and cheese on chicken.  Roll chicken and hold with tooth picks.  Cover chicken roll with egg wash.  Lightly bread.  Bake for 30 minutes or until done. 

Pour sauce on top of chicken when serving.  



Menu 12/1-12/7

Sunday- Tacos
Monday- Meatloaf, stuffing (finally finishing off everything from Thanksgiving), salad
Tuesday- chicken cordon blue and bacon veggies.
Wednesday- Stuffed shells
Thursday- Stir fry and rice
Friday- Sweet and spicy chicken and roasted red potatoes
Saturday- Mom's night out.  I will probably make spaghetti for the family before I leave.

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving weekend!  Thanksgiving means I have the opportunity to spend time with my family.  With Martin traveling for work, it is so nice when he is home and does not have to worry about work.  Thursday morning we worked together to prep the turkey and get it into the oven.  While we waited we were able to spend the time together enjoying each other's company.  We were able to enjoy dinner together, which I was able to eat while Charlotte slept.  




 Friday Martin spent the day fishing.  Silly man, who goes kayaking in 40 degree weather?  We got a Christmas tree on Sunday, after looking at four lots.  We spent the rest of the night decorating the tree and hanging lights outside.  Both Charlotte and Owen absolutely love all the Christmas decorations.  Now if it could be Christmas already!  ;)