Soccer Mom

Today, I was SOCCER MOM (echo, echo, echo)
and all the stereotypes which go along with the term.
I got up bright and early and made sure I looked my best while I ironed Matt's work clothes and made him a delicious hot breakfast which, of course, included bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, and everything else his heart desired.
Shoot.
I can't even type that with a straight face.
But I seriously was the SOCCER MOM today.

This afternoon Tyler and I picked up Lauren from Art Club at her elementary school.
(I'm dreading the day I need to limit his snuggle time with his blue blanket.)

After a quick stop and change of clothes at home we were off to the soccer fields. Tyler and Lauren both had soccer this evening. Tyler had practice first. He did great. He loves soccer. He has a Very Cool and Very Hip coach who likes to play Sponge Bob and Krabby Patties on the soccer field. This cracks Tyler up (since he's not "really" allowed to watch Sponge Bob at home) and ensures he has a fabulous time playing soccer.

After Tyler's practice was over we had about an hour to kill before it was time for Lauren's practice/game to start. We played on the playground and then we made our way to Lauren's soccer field where L and T kicked the ball back and forth and even encouraged another new friend to play with them.

I don't have any pictures to prove it but Lauren had THE BEST SOCCER GAME OF HER LIFE! She was almost aggressive and she got in there to kick the ball even if other kids were kicking as well. She did not cry at all and she ran and she kicked and she had me yelling (can you imagine me yelling?!) with praise whenever she was within earshot. I was tickled almost to tears at her performance tonight. Her soccer coach even came up to me after the game to say how great she did and how "awesome" it was to watch her. On our walk back to the car I told her that I thought she actually had fun tonight and that she might like to play soccer again someday.
She just smiled and didn't contradict me. I'm a happy Soccer Momma tonight!

that's my girl!
(when soccer ends at 7:30pm...we get Chick-Fil-A for dinner)

And that concludes my evening as Soccer Mom.
Currently I'm playing the role as the "Poker Players Wife"
This is not a problem so long as: #1. I have some TIVO'd shows to watch and #2. Matt WINS!

Wiikly Update

Tyler is a teeny-Wiiny bit obsessed with the Nintendo Wii. He wants to play it all the time.

on the weekends he prefers to play shirtless

When he wakes up in the morning or after a nap he immediately tells me a story involving something he did while playing the Wii. i.e. Remember when I beat Daddy at ping-pong? He especially loves to change the characteristics of his "Wii Guy." His current preference is dark skin and long hair. If I'd let him he would play it every waking minute.

(don't worry I do limit play time to no more than 8 hours per day)

Although I think he is a little bit too fixated on the video game, I've noticed it has had a positive impact on how he and his sister choose to entertain themselves in the real world. It has increased their desire to get out and try their new found Wii skills. i.e. bowling, Frisbee, sword-fighting (with pretend swords!) and now basketball.
A friend on Facebook posted she had a basketball hoop to get rid of. First one to claim it got it. I happened to be on-line when that post came through and I won myself a new-to-us Basketball Hoop. (now who says FB isn't a good thing?!)

We've all been shooting hoops and since he's had about 50 hours of b-ball practice on the Wii Tyler thinks he's pretty darn good.
This weekend Troy came over to play. Since Tyler was being snobby and playing the Wii Lauren got to have Troy all to herself. She showed him her new found love of the Jeep. (She will now use Rabbit Speed.)

She has also become skilled at backing out of the garage.

See you later!

and she's off

Speaking of off...I should get off of the computer. The kids are playing at Lea's house so I should go watch a show or something. I haven't watched a General Hospital all week.

Weekly Menu

most recipes from my new cookbook. Cooking Light: Super Fast Suppers.
Thanks Secret Mom!

Monday: Yucatan Black Beans and Rice with peach salsa
Tuesday: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce & Garlic Bread (pantry meal)
Wednesday: Asparagus-Parmesan Pita Rounds
Thursday: Sausage-Wild Rice Casserole with Mandarin Orange Salad
Friday: out to dinner with friends, Matt and kids on their own
Saturday: Penne with Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives & Feta
Sunday: Chicken with Creamy Dijon Sauce and Balsamic Cucumber and Tomato Salad

one thing leads to another

This post is pretty much stream of consciousness so bear with me.

I was thinking the other day how much I'm going to miss my days with Tyler when he goes to school Monday - Friday next year. I love this little guy. How could you not.



At least we will still get to play together after school. Example: Lauren just got home from school. She finished her homework (yes! it's outrageous, but Kindergartners DO get homework) and now it is time to play out of doors.

While Lauren was at school and Tyler was looking cool in his beanie/stocking cap/toboggan I cooked up some dried black beans in the crock-pot.

Last week Kroger had dried black beans on sale for 80 cents a bag. I bought two. I rinsed and discarded the floaters, uglies and half-beans and then soaked the rest in water overnight. The next morning I drained the murky water and put them in the crock-pot. I poured in enough fresh water to cover the beans by 2 inches.
The beans cooked on low for about 8 hours and then on High for 2 more hours until they were bite tender. Next I drained them and when cool enough I put them in baggies. 1 and 2/3 cup into each baggy. I will use these baggies when a recipe calls for a can of black beans. So much cheaper and I must admit... tastier.
After bagging them up I brought them down to the basement freezer to store.

While down there I got bored and started taking pictures of everything I had in the freezer/fridge. (remember....stream of consciousness here)

baggies of black beans

chilled mug and the ice packs which cooled Matt's IV antibiotics on the way home from the hospital
Snickerdoodles we bought from L's last school fundraiser
frozen chicken nuggets (of course)
freezer head shot
next up: the fridge

-extra milk (on sale for $1.88 per gallon)-
-other dairy that won't fit in the fridge upstairs-
-water and soda-

top door shelf: Diet Rite and beer left over from poker
bottom shelf: sparkling grape juice (the kiddos didn't open on New Years) and water I found on sale for $2.99 for a 24 count.

Back upstairs it was time to prepare for dinner. On the menu was Sweet Pepper Wild Rice Salad

and Island Jerk Chicken

the coals heat up in the chimney

jerk chicken is a cookin'

I also cooked up some homemade frozen french fries. (A few days ago I noticed my potatoes were getting soft so I made them into freezer fries. I recommend this recipe.)

Last night's dinner was fabulous. Island Jerk Chicken, Sweet Pepper Wild Rice Salad and Home-made Frozen French Fries.

I could keep going but I think I'll stop here. One thing led to another and all together it created a great day.

insert clever title here

Sorry, I just can't think of a good title for the post. All creativity has left me today.

While Lauren was at school Tyler and I went to playgroup at Miss Dawn's house. Tyler (again in his "Punch Guy" outfit) was very social today. It may have something to do with him hanging out with Miss Dawn one day when Matt was in the hospital. He felt right at home.

He watched his friend play her Nintendo DS...

and then he snuggled up to Miss Bethany and Harley.
(Everyone is welcome at our playgroup...dogs, hamsters, fish et. al.)

After school Lea came over to play and after a solid hour of Barbies the crew headed outside.

recycle bowling

I'm not sure how this is going to work.

Much to my pleasure the children asked for squirt bottles and towels. Then they began to clean.

Next time they get the desire to clean I'm going to pull out the Denali and my little helpers and I are going to thoroughly scrub it down. Not sure why this didn't cross my mind today.
Since Matt is enjoying a working dinner at a fancy schmancy restaurant the kids and I had a "snacky dinner." (their words)

I had a big bowl of soup (2 1/2 WW points) and the kids had nachos and strawberries.

Now we're off to the bathhouse and bedchambers. Night y'all.

Weekly Menu

Except for the Camarones Enchilados (from Real Simple magazine, 5/2010 issue) all recipes are from my Taste of Home Healthy Cooking 2009 Annual Recipes cookbook.

Monday: Pork Cutlets with Capers
my review: instead of the white wine (which I didn't have) I used chicken broth. Otherwise I followed the recipe. I LOVED it. It was a bit capery (salty) for Matt though. Both kiddos ate all of their pork (which they called chicken) dipped in ketchup. I served this with green beans I had in the freezer.

Tuesday: Italian Spinach & Chicken Skillet
my review: Matt offered to make this tonight. Who am I to refuse?! This was good but I didn't think it was spectacular. I thought it had a lot of cheese and Matt thought it had a lot of spinach. Lauren ate all of hers and Tyler had 2 or 3 bites without too much persuasion.

Wednesday: pantry dinner (Matt has a working dinner downtown)
Thursday: Black Bean 'n' Corn Quesadillas
Friday: Island Jerk Chicken and Sweet Pepper Wild Rice Salad
Saturday: left-overs or pantry dinner
Sunday: Camarones Enchilados

Next week I'm excited to cook from my new cookbook given to me today by my Secret Mom. I feel she knows me already!!

Family Bowling

Thanks for your comments and e-mails regarding my last post. Y'all came up with some very good suggestions and advice and I really appreciate it.

On Sunday, as promised, we went BOWLING. The kids have been practicing on the Wii and then outside with a beach ball and empty water bottles from the recycle bin. Real bowling was a lot heavier and harder. Tyler was a good sport and Lauren was too as long as she was winning.

What else can I say...enjoy the pics:




We bought two games but after the first game both L and T lost interest. They really wanted to go check out the glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and the arcade. However, since we paid for the second game Matt and I decided we would play ourselves. We let the kids play with the camera while they waited for us.

After bowling we stopped by Bruster's to get the kids some ice-cream. Lauren and Tyler both got "Cotton-Candy Explosion."


It was a fun Family Bowling Day. I'm thinking the bribe for Lauren's next soccer game may be a round or two of glow-in-the-dark miniature golf or the Renaissance Festival.