I am shocked at the amount of stuff it takes to go camping! The kids and I are joining my dad, step-mom, and little sisters for an exciting weekend of camping and waterpark fun. I'm very excited, just overwhelmed by the stuff. Will it all fit in the back of the truck? Will I need a trailer? Let's hope not.
We have several big items...3 bikes, 3 fishing poles, stroller and walker. Then there are the 2 coolers, the 2 rubbermaid totes holding bedding, towels, diapers and the baby's and my clothes, the box holding the non-perishable foods, the bag with our pillows, the bag with the older kids' clothes, the tent (for my all the kids + my oldest little sis (Thanks Chelle)), air mattresses and floats.
Thankfully the Hubby will help me pack it in and tie it down. I'd hate to leave a trail down the interstate!
Oh! I better not forget the camera. Lots of pictures coming.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Accident Prone?
Other than blowing off my eyebrows and arm hair while lighting the grill a few years ago, I don't think I've had many accidents. In fact, the last thing I remember was a car accident when I was 15 and even then I didn't have any blood loss, only bruising. Until this year, until the last 3 months. First I chopped off the tip of my thumb. (That has healed very well, but is sore when bumped). Last night I think I made up for the years of no accidents.
Mom and I have been walking a few times a week and thought we'd mix things up by riding bikes. I prefer bike riding anyway. Last week we rode North and the ground was pretty flat. Even though we rode almost 5 1/2 miles, it wasn't much of a workout. This time we were headed South - lots of hills - should be a good workout and still fun.
Well I made it out of the driveway, up the first hill and to the tracks. It had been raining earlier and my tire slipped, got stuck between the rail and the wooden railroad tie, and off I went. So now I have a black eye, road rash on my right side of face, boob, and shoulder. My left knee is badly bruised and bloody and my left heel of hand is bruised and swollen. It really looks much worse than it feels, my knee and face are the most uncomfortable.
My kids though, can't stand it, especially the Bug. She is like a little momma hen. They let me sleep in this morning. She took care of the baby, even feeding cereal and changing the poopy diaper. Baby didn't like her cereal this morning and spit it everywhere so the Bug cleaned it up and gave the Baby a bath. What would I do without that kid? She's awesome!
I think it's funny. The Husband and I are not sympathetic people. One of the kids get hurt and we clean it up and tell them they are OK and send them on their way to play (or work). In turn, we don't ask for sympathy when we are hurt. But the kids must have got sympathy from their Memaw J, because they can't stand to see me hurt.
Mom and I have been walking a few times a week and thought we'd mix things up by riding bikes. I prefer bike riding anyway. Last week we rode North and the ground was pretty flat. Even though we rode almost 5 1/2 miles, it wasn't much of a workout. This time we were headed South - lots of hills - should be a good workout and still fun.
Well I made it out of the driveway, up the first hill and to the tracks. It had been raining earlier and my tire slipped, got stuck between the rail and the wooden railroad tie, and off I went. So now I have a black eye, road rash on my right side of face, boob, and shoulder. My left knee is badly bruised and bloody and my left heel of hand is bruised and swollen. It really looks much worse than it feels, my knee and face are the most uncomfortable.
My kids though, can't stand it, especially the Bug. She is like a little momma hen. They let me sleep in this morning. She took care of the baby, even feeding cereal and changing the poopy diaper. Baby didn't like her cereal this morning and spit it everywhere so the Bug cleaned it up and gave the Baby a bath. What would I do without that kid? She's awesome!
I think it's funny. The Husband and I are not sympathetic people. One of the kids get hurt and we clean it up and tell them they are OK and send them on their way to play (or work). In turn, we don't ask for sympathy when we are hurt. But the kids must have got sympathy from their Memaw J, because they can't stand to see me hurt.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
The title says it all. Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Cream Cheese. YUMMY!!Here is the recipe.
One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
from Martha Stewart
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
from Martha Stewart
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar (I used 2/3 c.)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream
With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until pale and fluffy. Add salt and peanut butter, and beat to combine. Beat in vanilla.
In another bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-speed, whisk cream until medium-stiff peaks form. Fold cream into peanut-butter mixture. Use immediately, or refrigerate, covered tightly, up to 2 days. Before using, bring to room temperature and stir with a flexible spatula until smooth.
What are you doing still sitting here? Go make these!
Friday, July 16, 2010
My Little Camper
We picked up Bubby from camp. He had a great time. The week really flew by, although by Wednesday, I was ready for him to come home.
Of course, I quizzed him the whole way home. I get the ability to ask questions from my mother. Drives some people nuts! The drive over seems so long, but the way home, not so much. He is so sweet to answer everything, even when I ask questions faster than he can answer. He doesn't even get frustrated with me.
He was awarded "Camper of the Week," which entitles him to a free week of camp next year. Way to go Bubby! But, he's planning on going two different weeks, so it still costs me.
The whole flag raising thing before breakfast was his least favorite. "You know what the worst part of that was? Walking through the wet grass and having your socks get soaked so early." (I guess next year, I'll send his mud/chore boots so he can have dry feet for the flag raising.
Apparently nobody got thrown in the lake for receiving packages because some kid cried, so they don't do that anymore. But he did have to act like a monkey in order to get his package. And the day he received 4 letters, he sang "Down on the Corner" by CCR.
He had the "time of his life at Camp Mac" and can't wait to go again, although he was ready to come home. He was so excited when I pulled in the driveway, that he ran in front of the truck and I nearly ran him over. That would have put a damper on the reunion.
The food was good. They got plenty of snacks. He went through lots of water balloons. They learned to tell the whole Bible in a minute and a half. The talent show was funny. He made a couple of new friends, Connor and Zane. One girl there was "evil, not mean Mom, EVIL!" You can also ask a girl to go to the campfire with you and it's like asking them out. (I didn't know we were ready for that, but OK). But he didn't...next year maybe. Oh and they sometimes hold hands, but he didn't see anyone kissing. (Oh MY GOSH! Too much info. Mom is NOT ready for this.)
So, his favorite part of camp - his new girlfriend. WHAT? You send your kid to CHURCH camp and he comes home talking about girls. Go figure! I learned that her birthday is in May, she has blond, curly hair, wears glasses, likes the paddle boat, etc., etc., etc. "What's her name?" I ask.
Bubby says, "I don't know. I'll just go back next year and find her cause I won't forget what she looks like and then I'll get her name."
Of course, I quizzed him the whole way home. I get the ability to ask questions from my mother. Drives some people nuts! The drive over seems so long, but the way home, not so much. He is so sweet to answer everything, even when I ask questions faster than he can answer. He doesn't even get frustrated with me.
He was awarded "Camper of the Week," which entitles him to a free week of camp next year. Way to go Bubby! But, he's planning on going two different weeks, so it still costs me.
The whole flag raising thing before breakfast was his least favorite. "You know what the worst part of that was? Walking through the wet grass and having your socks get soaked so early." (I guess next year, I'll send his mud/chore boots so he can have dry feet for the flag raising.
Apparently nobody got thrown in the lake for receiving packages because some kid cried, so they don't do that anymore. But he did have to act like a monkey in order to get his package. And the day he received 4 letters, he sang "Down on the Corner" by CCR.
He had the "time of his life at Camp Mac" and can't wait to go again, although he was ready to come home. He was so excited when I pulled in the driveway, that he ran in front of the truck and I nearly ran him over. That would have put a damper on the reunion.
The food was good. They got plenty of snacks. He went through lots of water balloons. They learned to tell the whole Bible in a minute and a half. The talent show was funny. He made a couple of new friends, Connor and Zane. One girl there was "evil, not mean Mom, EVIL!" You can also ask a girl to go to the campfire with you and it's like asking them out. (I didn't know we were ready for that, but OK). But he didn't...next year maybe. Oh and they sometimes hold hands, but he didn't see anyone kissing. (Oh MY GOSH! Too much info. Mom is NOT ready for this.)
So, his favorite part of camp - his new girlfriend. WHAT? You send your kid to CHURCH camp and he comes home talking about girls. Go figure! I learned that her birthday is in May, she has blond, curly hair, wears glasses, likes the paddle boat, etc., etc., etc. "What's her name?" I ask.
Bubby says, "I don't know. I'll just go back next year and find her cause I won't forget what she looks like and then I'll get her name."
Look Who's 9 Months!
It's true. My little peanut is 3/4 of a year old. These 9 months have flown by. I guess that happens as we get older. The Baby is pulling up on anything, stationary or not. She walks with help and crawls VERY fast. She will eat anything, even if it's not meant to be eaten. We won't even talk about all the things I've fished out of her mouth. She's playful and while she is still quite the mommy's girl, she is venturing off to play for short times. The Baby is babbling, saying "da-da", something resembling "bubba" or "bye" and starting to wave (barely). She LOVES to be outside and the chickens fascinate her. Her 4th tooth just popped through, giving her two on bottom and two on top.
This is the Baby's "new" favorite toy. That's why her pictures were taken on it. She rarely got off of it for almost a week.
It's really not a new toy. It was given to me on either my first birthday or first Christmas. This car resided in the toy closet at Grammy & Grandad's for years. The 6 oldest grand kids spent many hours driving up and down the halls and honking the horn (which still works!). The car was gifted to me again at my 16th birthday. It was wrapped in a large box and I got to carry it out of Red Lobster (slightly embarrassing). It spent the next many years in mom's attic. When she moved, it came here. I loved this car!
The Baby does too. Especially when her older siblings push her around the house. Thursday, July 15, 2010
A Smell
The smell takes me back. Way back. I was probably only 4 or 5 at the time. It still smells the same. I remember that those halls seemed to go on forever. It was a little bit scary. Where were we really going? They twisted and turned and then...we stepped out into the bright sunlight. We were at the public pool.
What is it about smells that take us back? The smell of a certain deodorant takes me back to my 7th grade field trip to Hannibal, MO. The smell of line dried clothes, reminds me of taking baths at Grammy's house at the timber. Certain smells and I remember something like it was yesterday. Just like the pool. Almost 30 years later, I can still remember that first time. Those swimming lessons -holding on to the edge of the pool and kicking my feet, water splashing everywhere. Feeling scared and at the same time, proud of myself.
My kids take lessons there now. I wonder if someday when they go back, will that smell take them back to their childhood days?
What is it about smells that take us back? The smell of a certain deodorant takes me back to my 7th grade field trip to Hannibal, MO. The smell of line dried clothes, reminds me of taking baths at Grammy's house at the timber. Certain smells and I remember something like it was yesterday. Just like the pool. Almost 30 years later, I can still remember that first time. Those swimming lessons -holding on to the edge of the pool and kicking my feet, water splashing everywhere. Feeling scared and at the same time, proud of myself.
My kids take lessons there now. I wonder if someday when they go back, will that smell take them back to their childhood days?
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Just Checking In
Life has been flying by at warp speed. It seems like every time I start to catch up, a whole week has gone by. One minute it's Friday and before I know it, it's Friday again. WOW!
What's been going on around here? Let's see.....
Connecting with old friends. We just haven't taken much time the past year to spend with the G family. We've really missed them. So, we've been swimming several times and hanging out together. Fun times!
Speaking of swimming, I am so thankful for our pool. I'm not so happy about the water that turned GREEN. Thanks to the helpful pool supply store (and more $$ spent) the water is well on its way to being normal again. Thank God! I don't like to swim in ponds and my pool was too closely resembling one.
This past week, I've fished a hair clip, a ton of paper pieces, a cap, a piece of chalk and a watch battery out of the Baby's mouth. The battery actually was more of a choking issue, but no harm done. That kid puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. None of my other kids did this. New territory for me. Scares me to death! And can't turn my head for a second.
The Bug is getting over some nasty cold. It's lasted for over a week. I might need to buy stock in Kleenex. Of course, Leeny came down with it today.
Bubby left for camp today. It felt like leaving a piece of my heart there. He won't get back till Friday night. I think he'll have a blast. Can't wait to hear about it. The Husband is going to visit tomorrow. Apparently I didn't pack enough clothes; one outfit per day with an extra change of clothes is not enough according to other moms. The Husband is taking Bubby more. He's also delivering a few packages for mail call. One for Bubby and a few for his friends. You see, if you receive a package during camp, they throw you in the lake. (Maybe that's why he needs more clothes?!)
Enough for now. This warp speed life is exhausting me. I need sleep!
What's been going on around here? Let's see.....
Connecting with old friends. We just haven't taken much time the past year to spend with the G family. We've really missed them. So, we've been swimming several times and hanging out together. Fun times!
Speaking of swimming, I am so thankful for our pool. I'm not so happy about the water that turned GREEN. Thanks to the helpful pool supply store (and more $$ spent) the water is well on its way to being normal again. Thank God! I don't like to swim in ponds and my pool was too closely resembling one.
This past week, I've fished a hair clip, a ton of paper pieces, a cap, a piece of chalk and a watch battery out of the Baby's mouth. The battery actually was more of a choking issue, but no harm done. That kid puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. None of my other kids did this. New territory for me. Scares me to death! And can't turn my head for a second.
The Bug is getting over some nasty cold. It's lasted for over a week. I might need to buy stock in Kleenex. Of course, Leeny came down with it today.
Bubby left for camp today. It felt like leaving a piece of my heart there. He won't get back till Friday night. I think he'll have a blast. Can't wait to hear about it. The Husband is going to visit tomorrow. Apparently I didn't pack enough clothes; one outfit per day with an extra change of clothes is not enough according to other moms. The Husband is taking Bubby more. He's also delivering a few packages for mail call. One for Bubby and a few for his friends. You see, if you receive a package during camp, they throw you in the lake. (Maybe that's why he needs more clothes?!)
Enough for now. This warp speed life is exhausting me. I need sleep!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Oh, What A Night
The Baby hasn't slept for 2 nights. I'm pooped! Last night though, was almost funny.
I had rocked the baby to sleep by 9:30. I was reading a book and enjoying snuggling with her. About 10:30, I was putting her in her bed and she woke. No big deal, I figured I'd just rock her again. But it was a big deal. Something was wrong with her for the 2nd night in a row. Teeth? Ears? Missing the kids? She wouldn't nurse. She wouldn't take her binky. She wouldn't stop fussing.
Finally about midnight, I had her good and asleep. But I was scared. While I had been rocking her, there were lots of scuffling noises outside. I was sure someone was out there, but didn't want the Husband to make fun of me for being paranoid. So, I put the Baby in her bed and decided to take a look. (It was more like a peek around the corner, knees knocking and not sure what I planned to do if in fact someone was out there.) You'll never guess what I saw. A goat!
I woke the Husband. He remembers that he forgot to latch the gate. (Guess it's good it was the Husband and not Bubby.) We both head outside. There wasn't just one goat, there were five. And two cows. The funny part was the two cows were jammed in the garage doorway, so all you could see were their hind ends. It wasn't too bad getting everything back in the pen. We got back in the house before 12:30.
I was so tired. I just wanted my bed. But the Baby was awake AGAIN and crying. So back to the drawing board. I finally got her to sleep by watching Shrek with me sitting in the chair. She slept till 3 and then started all over again. I tried the Shrek trick again this time thinking I might lay with her on the couch. She didn't like laying. So we sat. She slept through the movie again. Then it was time to get up since we had a Dr. appointment in Springfield. I hate Shrek now. Try sleeping through that movie. I so hope she sleeps tonight!
I had rocked the baby to sleep by 9:30. I was reading a book and enjoying snuggling with her. About 10:30, I was putting her in her bed and she woke. No big deal, I figured I'd just rock her again. But it was a big deal. Something was wrong with her for the 2nd night in a row. Teeth? Ears? Missing the kids? She wouldn't nurse. She wouldn't take her binky. She wouldn't stop fussing.
Finally about midnight, I had her good and asleep. But I was scared. While I had been rocking her, there were lots of scuffling noises outside. I was sure someone was out there, but didn't want the Husband to make fun of me for being paranoid. So, I put the Baby in her bed and decided to take a look. (It was more like a peek around the corner, knees knocking and not sure what I planned to do if in fact someone was out there.) You'll never guess what I saw. A goat!
I woke the Husband. He remembers that he forgot to latch the gate. (Guess it's good it was the Husband and not Bubby.) We both head outside. There wasn't just one goat, there were five. And two cows. The funny part was the two cows were jammed in the garage doorway, so all you could see were their hind ends. It wasn't too bad getting everything back in the pen. We got back in the house before 12:30.
I was so tired. I just wanted my bed. But the Baby was awake AGAIN and crying. So back to the drawing board. I finally got her to sleep by watching Shrek with me sitting in the chair. She slept till 3 and then started all over again. I tried the Shrek trick again this time thinking I might lay with her on the couch. She didn't like laying. So we sat. She slept through the movie again. Then it was time to get up since we had a Dr. appointment in Springfield. I hate Shrek now. Try sleeping through that movie. I so hope she sleeps tonight!
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