A Day at the Playground

NOT at home! We decided to come to St. George for the week; Jody had some work to do down here. My grandma lives here and I saw the forecast... I was fine with jumping ship for a few days! In fact, Tuesday was so nice, we went to the playground and did not even wear coats. Yesterday was a little cooler (feeling, at least), but still nice. I could never live somewhere like this again, unless I was rich enough to have a place here and there. But if I were that rich, I would opt for San Diego and not St. George! I just hate the heat. I hate the heat where I live, let alone somewhere even hotter. I am forever appreciative, however, for the break from the cold and the bleak winter (ha ha). We saw sunshine, and longer than a couple hours. That alone is wonderful! Today is cold and rainy, but at least it is not snowing. My kids and my dog have enjoyed the change in temperature also. Yesterday, I took Jake for a walk and he was in Heaven! Two days in a row! We will be going home soon, but I have been happy to enjoy a change of scenery and visit with my grandma at her home, and the kids have really had a great time too!
Sorry, no pictures! Maybe next time.

Another Tag... Sorry it took SO long!

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friends: Oh wow. Many, but the ones I actually hang out with and talk on the phone to right now in my life are: Kelli Proctor, Nicole Wheatley, Holly Garner, Shelly Huffman... I know I am missing someone. If you count siblings, I talk to my sister Jenni almost every day.
C- Cake or Pie: Pie, Pie, Pie! I love to make and eat pie. I LOVE pie crust (uncooked... well I like cooked too, but I love it raw. I know, weird. All I have to do is smell the ingredients and I can not resist). My favorite pie? Pumpkin Cheesecake and Fresh Spiced Peach Pie. YUM.
D- Day of choice: ? Are they different? My husband works unconventional hours and the only day that really seems different is Sunday. That is not my favorite day! I enjoy the two (do NOT enjoy Sacrament meeting, if we make it!) hours that I can go to Relief Society and Sunday School in peace, but my aging (haha; on the verge of walking) baby is going to change that soon, if she is anything like her brother was. I like different days for different reasons.
E- Essential Item: oh. I don't know. Books? Ice Cream? TV/DVR/DVD player?
F- Favorite Color: Red
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: worms
H- Hometown: Born in Salt Lake City, high school in American Fork.
I- Indulgence(s): ICE CREAM. Pie crust. Being alone or with Jody (sans the kiddies). My dvr'd shows.
J- January or July: To be honest, I do not like either month much. I don't like frozen tundra and I don't like the scorching desert. However, I would much rather enjoy a good BBQ and watch fireworks out on our deck than have the wind be -10, so I guess right now, I will choose July (though my response could be different if this was July and not January :) )
K- Kids: One 3 year old boy, and one sweet 14 month old baby girl.
L- Life is Incomplete Without: My Family.
M- Marriage Date: October 18, 2001.
N- Number of Kids You Want- Four. I guess I am halfway there!
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges, right now, but I do love Gala apples, when I am into apples.
P- Phobias or Fears: Spiders (love pest control!), harm to or loss of a child/my dog. I am sure I am "afraid" of things, but I try not to let fear get in the way of actually living and enjoying life.
Q- Quotes: These are some good ones:

• In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on. -Robert Frost
• Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
• To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
• What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
• The sun always rises, the storms always end, the clouds always clear, and spring always comes again. - Ken (retired KSL Meteorologist... if you know his last name, please let me know!)

R- Reason To Smile: I love when my kids laugh.
Siblings- I have four sisters and one brother (6 kids total).
T- Tag Three: Well, I won't tag anyone, but if you think this looks fun, please do it on your blog :)
U- Unknown Fact About Me:
W- Worst Habit: I grind my teeth. I hate it. I am trying to work on it... however you do that.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds, preferably for baby! I was able to have three when I was pregnant with Ethan.
Y- Your Favorite Food: ICE CREAM! Bread. Cheese. Fruit (especially fresh raspberries and peaches).
Z- Zodiac: Gemini

Check it Out!

I have finally posted pictures to our Boutique's blog!
http://letreschic.blogspot.com/

He has a chance!

According to this site, my son will be 6' 1" when he is 18 years old. YEA! He may just break the 6 foot mark!
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/child-height-predictor?pe=fhfKc8&scid=pcbulletin:20071224:0:0:0

Yummy!

We were at Costco the other day, and I was really wanting to buy this cookbook, but we are trying not to just buy everything we want, so I put it back. Then a few days later, Jody gave it to me as a sort of a thank you gift. I have been trying to have us eat healthier, I have been keeping track of nutritionals every time I cook, etc. I have wanted to buy one of these cookbooks (another is the Sneaky Chef by Missy Lapine http://www.thesneakychef.com/) for a while, so I am happy to have this one.

I have been trying these recipes, and the ones I have tried so far have been pretty good. I wanted to share one- I have had it two days in a row, and Ethan asked me last night where his leftovers were. Here is a link to her website: http://www.deceptivelydelicious.com/.

Oatmeal (with Pumpkin or Sweet Potato) SERVES 2

1 cup nonfat milk

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup canned pumpkin or sweet potato puree (must be cooked and then pureed)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

1 cup old fashioned oats

2 teaspoons natural peanut butter (optional)

Dried fruit and nuts for garnish (optional)

Pure maple syrup, for serving

1. In a small saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, pumpkin, vanilla, and spice. Bring to a gentle boil and stir in the oatmeal. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the oatmeal is soft and creamy. Stir in the peanut butter, if using.

2. Spoon the oatmeal into bowls, sprinkle with fruit and nuts, if you like, and serve warm with maple syrup.

*** My notes are these: I used the pumpkin pie spice, no peanut butter and no dried fruit. I am sure if you like raisins, it would be good. I topped the oatmeal with finely chopped pecans. YUM. If you like these ingredients, you will like this! (If you want the sweet potato instructions, tell me and I will send them to you. I am too lazy to type them out right now!).

I have another recipe that Jody brought home from a Weight Watchers meeting.

Really, it is quite flexible. It is this- a 15 oz can of pumpkin and a cake mix. Mix together really good. You can make this into cupcakes or a cake. Or cookies.

For the cupcakes (what I usually make), I use a chocolate cake mix for the cupcakes (never made them with another flavor, so I am not sure how the flavor works out) and you have no idea there is pumpkin in them. I have always added a couple tablespoons of applesauce, just because I was worried there was not enough moisture. They are yummy. I make them and we eat a couple and I freeze the rest. They are good frozen, too ( I am too impatient to wait for them to thaw; also, if you are looking for a bite size treat, use mini muffin pans). I have added Kisses, chocolate chips, and other things too. Bake 350 degrees, for as long as the box says.

For the cookies, I use a spice cake mix and add the pumpkin as well as chocolate chips. Drop by spoonful on a greased cookie sheet and then bake on 350 degrees. I am not sure how long. 10 minutes? Definitely check before then, though.

These bake times are approximate, as I have made them up. I just check them as I go along. If it looks/feels done, take it out. If not, leave in a little longer and check again.

Also, if aesthetics are important, take note. The way you put it in/on pan, is how it will look. It will not smooth out, so you need to do this yourself.

These are great treats because the only fat is what came in the box. Much healthier than the traditional box recipe. They are really moist as well.

New Year, New You

Seriously, is there some all around theme for this year? If not, maybe advertisers can be a little more original, since I have seen that slogan splashed everywhere the last few weeks.

So I am behind, I have a tag to do (from like three weeks ago!), I want to write stuff (and have for weeks, I am just so lazy!). and I would love to post pictures. I just hate being on here for so long when I have so many other things that I need to be doing. Plus, I would rather SLEEP! I am not sure what my problem is, but the last week or so, all I have felt like doing is SLEEP. I never feel this way so much as when I am pregnant (and I am not). SO who knows. Maybe it is the fact that I went out of town and then had two large parties at my house -- Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Oh and one of them I had like 5 hours of sleep and the other I had 4. So I guess I am catching up from way back then?

I have been struggling with my 3 year old. I guess that is normal, I just really don't like it! He likes to call me stupid, a jerk, tell me to shut up, call me a freaking little jerk, say damn it, etc. (note: I do not call him these things, I do say damn and freaking a lot, though)
He says one of these things and I put him in time out. While he is in time out, he goes down the list of all the things I have EVER been mad at him for saying. I am trying really hard to not lose it and just smack him. I know he is just doing it to make me mad. And that makes me mad. REALLY MAD. But I am doing okay at ignoring him. He has also been in time out A LOT! I mean he will start at 3 minutes. And add a minute here and there and he ends up being there for over 10 minutes. But he does not like it and I think eventually he will learn. I am sick of parenting advice books saying that timeout is for him to calm down and whatever. I am sick of them saying do this and that but not too much. Well, what the freak do they want me to do? I mean honestly. Try to come up with alternatives to blistering the kids' butts and there just is not much support out there (ha ha, like the parents term? Also, I am being a bit sarcastic, so no need to worry).
Anyway I am using timeout as a means of discipline. I will update you later as to its effectiveness.
The reason I am telling you that (well, he has been in timeout less and less, knock on wood), is because today, as we were driving home from the Rec Center (New Year, New You, ha ha the cheaper city way, cause stupid gyms don't believe in coming close to us out here down south... but I am excited about the Rec Center, anyway), I was singing a Martina McBride song (*LOVE* her) and if you know her music, some of it requires you to belt it out. Which is great when no one is with you but the kids. So the song gets over and my little honey, bless his little heart, said "You sing nice mom." I was not expecting it. Plus, save vacations, etc, I have been singing to this kid 3-12 songs a day since he was born. Either way, it brought a tear to my eye. Not cause he thinks I am a good singer. He is 3 for crying out loud. It was just that he thought to, and did, mention it. It is easy to love a baby. They are so blasted lovable. I have no problem finding love feelings for Sydney. So it is so nice and refreshing for him to really remind me how much I love him, like when he says cute things like that.
Jody said he was in the mood for Mexican food and a while later, Ethan asked if we could go to Mexico to eat. I could not stop laughing. Then as I was singing to him, in the dark (last thing I do before I leave his room at night) and he said that he loves me and does not want to fight anymore. We be friends, mom? It was cute.
Anyway this is like 20 pages long (if there were pages).

Speaking of Mexican food and New Year, New You. If you have resolutions involving weight loss and health, do not go to Del Taco (ha ha, rule #1!) and do not be tempted by the Deluxe Chili Cheese Fries. They are good, but this might make you sick (as it did me, when I arrived home and checked out what I had just eaten). 49 grams of fat. 49! If you are counting Weight Watchers points, that is 17. Not great when I only get like 22 a day. I guess just go to Cafe Rio and live in ignorance cause they are lame and won't even give an estimate of nutritional info. Jerks.

Post Christmas Craziness

I just wanted to take two seconds and say hello. I have been really busy. My sister missed her flight here from NYC so she ended up being able to get on one to Las Vegas, so I picked her up and we spent the weekend in St George (as previously planned) with the rest of the sisters at our Grandma's house. Then we came home, had Christmas Eve and Christmas festivities and now just trying to get back in order. Brooke leaves tomorrow, so we have been hanging out and then the house is still a wreck, with Christmas presents and wrapping all over. I think that around holidays (ESPECIALLY CHRISTMAS!) that the recycle truck should come around every week rather than every other. We actually fill that faster, so I would not mind if they came every week all the time. We still need the regular garbage picked up each week-- not because it is full, but because if you opened it you might DIE from diaper fumes!
My sister's boyfriend gave her a day at the spa with a guest and I had the privilege of going with her. We went today and it was a lot of fun. I would not go back to the place we went, but I am so glad that I was able to get that opportunity! The manicure and pedicure could have been done better at home, maybe, but the other stuff---Facial & massage were awesome and the haircut was fine too. All in all, it was a great day. I wish I could do that more often!
If anyone needs a spa recommendation, I have been to the Sanctuary Day Spa, and really liked that.
Okay I am off to bed, since it is 1:10 AM.