Things I want to do...

....but don't have time:

Redecorate my house
It seems silly to me that I want to completely repaint and redecorate my house since we have only lived here two years...but I do. And reading MckMama's blog today made me want to do this sooner rather than later! (Here's a link: http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/09/can-i-get-little-color-here.html) I guess maybe we should finish putting shelves (and doors) on all of our closets and the trim in our livingroom before I start redecorating...sigh...

Organize our basement
Our basement is not finished - it is comprised of a concrete floor and some framed walls. Most of the kiddos' toys are down there along with some odds and ends furniture, leftover construction stuff, and things we need to take to Goodwill one of these days. The stairstepper (which I need to use more often) is also located in our basement. While working out, I often dream about what our basement will look like when it's finished...in about 4 years when all of the kids are in school and we are not shelling out big bucks for daycare! Still, I would love to spend an entire weekend making this a presentable, useful space in the meantime!

Catch up on movies
I can't remember the last time I watched a new release that wasn't rated G! I really wish I had time to watch "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" and other chick flicks that everybody talks about but I have never seen. I guess I'll have to be content to watch bits and pieces of "Monsters vs Aliens" while cleaning and doing laundry this weekend!

I guess I'm too tired to think of other things I want to do but don't have time for. I think I'll go do the one thing I think about more than redecorating, organizing, and watching movies...SLEEP!!!

Our Weekend

What a weekend! We had three birthday parties, two soccer games, a football game, and a dinner date...all in one weekend...and we are tired!

Kellan had a great soccer game...as usual. He scored 5 or 6 goals (we've sort of quit counting!) and had a great time! Megan's soccer game was a little...um....difficult. The girls played a team that was quite aggressive and played very....um...rough. It was a little tough to watch...I really wanted to run out onto the field and bawl out a couple of the players and their coach, but I had to remind myself that this isn't that big a town and these girls could all be playing on the same team someday. It wasn't a fair game, but I am really proud of Megan and her team. They played very well as a team and did their best. I'd say Megan put forth more effort in this game than any other....so maybe it wasn't the worst experience in the world.

Anyway, tonight the kids helped Marc stack some hay - the bales weigh more than the kids, but they had a great time "helping" anyway! I'm thinking they will sleep well tonight...I know I will!

Miss Megan

A discussion about the proper use of hay hooks

Goofy McCauley Kids!

Waldorf Cake

I was just thinking about a recipe for Waldorf Cake that my Grandma Morrison used to bake...it's one of my favorite desserts so I thought I would share the recipe.

Ingredients:

2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 t. soda
1 t. salt
3 eggs, beaten
2/3 c. oil
1 t. vanilla
1 can cherry pie filling
3/4 c. chopped walnuts (pecans are good, too!)

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour into greased 9 x 13-inch cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream with cherries on top.

Enjoy!

One of my new favorite blogs...

You might notice some links to other blogs on my sidebar. Well, I have to confess that I have become a blog junkie. There are some great inspiring blogs out there...many with inspirational themes...not to mention, GREAT RECIPES, another hobby of mine! A couple weeks ago, I came across BooMama, which I am thoroughly enjoying. Today she blogged about other blogs with great recipes and inspiring thoughts and I thought I would share the link ....so here it is http://boomama.net. Check out the recipe for apple pie bars...I might have to try that one this weekend...

Beautiful Fall Evening

The kiddos spent a little time with their horses tonight. It was a beautiful Fall evening in Helena and we took full advantage...soon these warm evenings will fade into the chilly Fall!

Not Me! Monday!

I haven't done a Not Me! Monday! post for awhile...I guess lately my Mondays have been too busy to think about what I've maybe done but probably shouldn't have. Today wasn't such a crazy Monday, though.

Anyway, at 5:11 this morning I did not hear my little Kellan talking loud enough to wake the dead...and wait for my husband to put him back to bed. And it wasn't me talking on a cell phone while driving through the thickest fog ever because I was scared spitless.

And I defintely did not vow to skip any and all sweets today...and then eat 4 (yep, FOUR) mini Almond Joys...and a brownie. And while my body is telling me that I absolutely have to exercise every day this week, my brain is most definitely not thinking of reasons...er, excuses, not to.

During dinner this evening, I did not burst out laughing when Kellan...um..."tooted" loudly at the table. And there is no way I would put a rubber grasshopper down my husband's shirt...that would not be a very mature thing to do! And I'm not cracking up just thinking about it either!

Well, after thinking about all of the crazy things I didn't do today, I am tired. So, I'm going to put the McCauley kids to bed....and not go work out...

Where did the weekend go?!

We had our usual busy weekend....

On Friday evening we bbq'd hotdogs and then went for a bike ride/jog with the kiddos and Auntie Ami.

Saturday was Great Grandma Sam's birthday! We all went to Kellan's soccer game in the morning - he scored 11 goals!!! After the game, Megan and I went shopping, spent the afternoon enjoying a girls' lunch with Aunt Carol, Grandma Linda, Great Grandma Sam and Auntie Ami. Then Megan went to a birthday party for her buddy, Shayna - her first time playing laser tag! She loved it! After all that, we had dinner at Grandpa and Grandma McCauley's (Chinese food -yum!) and had a little birthday celebration for Grandma Sam. After dinner, the kids and Grandma Linda played some croquet...sort of...

Today Kellan and I did some much-needed grocery shopping. Then we rushed home so Marc could get lots of hay hauled. We all met up for a bit this afternoon to watch Megan play soccer - they played a tough team and she fought hard to score a couple goals!

Whew! With all of that activity, you'd think I'd have more pictures! We are all tired tonight....so it's off to bed!

A sort of penny from Heaven...

The other day I came home from work find a worn copy of The Real Mother Goose sitting on my kitchen counter.

I wondered where this came from....and happened to open the cover. Well, imagine my surprise to see this:

I immediately recognized my Grandpa Morrison's handwriting! You see, my Grandpa Morrison passed away a little over two years ago at the age of 90. I loved him with all my heart and miss him terribly.

I was still wondering how this treasure ended up on my kitchen counter! I think I've mentioned that Marc is a PE teacher and counselor in the Helena Public Schools. Well, my second grade teacher, who retired a couple years ago, recently came across this in some old school books and she passed it on to Marc to give to me!

For a moment, it seemed that I could feel my Grandpa with me....and Heaven felt a little closer....what a gift!

Big Glasses

Tonight was Open House night at Jim Darcy School. We had a great time meeting Megan's teacher and we saw lots of friends whose children also attend Jim Darcy. The PTA arranged pizza and soft drinks as a fund-raiser...the McCauley kids love pizza so they were thrilled!

I'm not sure what the kids do with these huge glasses in the classroom, but Megan and Jacksen sure looked funny wearing them!

We are all looking forward to a weekend off...well, except for two soccer games, two (no, three!) birthday parties, and (hopefully) finishing up the sprinkler system. It's been a heck of a week!

Maple-Walnut Chicken

As I was thumbing through the recent issue of Good Housekeeping the other night, I came across a delicious-sounding recipe for Maple-Walnut Chicken. I made this for dinner last night and it was great! Here it is:

4 boneless, skinless chicken-breast halves (6-7 oz. each)
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
I Tbsp packed fresh thyme leaves
1/2 c walnuts
5 Tbsp cider vinegar
3 Tbsp maple syrup
1 pkg (8.5 oz) precooked whole-grain pilaf
1 bag (9 0z) microwave in the bag spinach

Rub chicken breasts with oil, then rub with thyme, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Let stand.

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, toast walnuts on medium 4-6 minutes or until golden and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Transfer walnuts to dish; do not remove skillet from heat.

Add chicken to same skillet; cook 12 minutes or until golden brown and juices run clear when pierced with tip of knife, turning frequently. Transfer chicken to clean plate; do not remove skillet from heat.

To same skillet, add vinegar and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add syrup and 1/2 cup water; simmer 6-7 minute sor until misture has thickened, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, cook pilaf, then spinach, in microwave according to package directions.

Stir walnuts and any chicken juices into sauce. Divide pilaf and spinach among 4 dinner plates. Top with chicken, and spoon maple-walnut sauce all around.

Enjoy!!!

Monday Stuff

Let's see...where did I leave off? Must've been Saturday evening. Well, Saturday evening we stayed home and enjoyed a little family time. The kiddos made some cute art projects for Grandparents Day...

Megan

Jacksen

Kellan

Sunday we spent the day grocery shopping, cleaning, and going to Miss Megan's soccer game. Despite having a bit of a tummyache, she played one of her best games ever! She scored two goals and kicked the ball alot!

It was back to work, school, and daycare today. On my way to pick up Megan from school, I saw A LOT of smoke in the mountains to the northeast of her school (North Hills). Well, a forest fire started up there around 2:00 this afternoon. This is only a few miles from our house and right above Aunt Katy and Uncle Bill's house - yikes! These pictures were taken from our back deck...

Soccer Saturday

Kellan played his first soccer game of the fall season today. During the spring season Kellan played in the 3-4 year-old group and it seemed way too easy for him. SO, this time we signed him up for the 4-5 year-old group thinking it would be more of a challenge since he is such a pipsqueak for his age. Well, he scored 7 goals today! As I have previously mentioned (maybe once or twice), Kellan loves soccer and he seems to be a natural at it!


Isn't he handsome in his blue jersey?!

Tonight I was giving Kellan and Jacksen a bath and they decided they would wear their little construction goggles while getting their hair washed. Funny boys!

Megan plays her first soccer game tomorrow afternoon. While she isn't as enthusiastic about soccer as Kellan, we have high hopes she will score a goal...or at least kick the ball once or twice.

Little Sickie...but not really?

Today started out like most other weekdays. I got up at 5:45 and got myself all ready for a great day at the office (how about that enthusiasm?!). I should've known something was up when Megan walked into my bathroom at 6:10...I usually have to drag her out of her bed at 6:35. She said her stomach wasn't feeling well, used the bathroom, and then said she felt better. Well, through getting dressed and eating breakfast she kept mentioning that her stomach was kind of hurting. BUT, she was also joking around and being kind of silly so I really didn't think alot about it. Marc put her on the bus at 7:07 and we all went off to daycare, work, and school. No sooner did I sit down at my desk and start going through my email then the school called and informed me that she had thrown up....on the bus. When I got to the school to pick her up, I expected to find a very unhappy little girl laying on the little table-thing in the nurse's room suffering from the swine flu or something equally horrible. What I actually found was Megan smiling and trying to weigh herself on the scale they keep in that room and she talked my ear off all the way home! We've watched "Annie" and "Sleeping Beauty" and she has eaten two pieces of toast and scrambled eggs and is begging me to feed her more because she's starving! Now I'm trying to decide if I should take her to soccer practice tonight (it's the first practice of the fall season). I am sure that if I keep her home she will remain healthy, but if I take her to practice she'll probably throw up on the soccer ball.

Labor Day....er...Weekend

This weekend was spent trying to entertain three children while Marc put in our sprinkler system. (Yep, we're still working on putting in our front yard...ARGH!!!) It wasn't easy. For some reason, the McCauley kids were not much into napping...or getting along....ALL weekend. I think they sensed that their parents were trying to get something accomplished. Anyway, we did manage to have a little fun having dinner at Grandpa and Grandma McCauley's house after the Carroll College/MSU-Northern football game on Saturday. And then the kiddos and I flew kites on Sunday evening - it was VERY windy!

Today we met up with the cousins at the Jim Darcy playground for some play/exercise and then lunch at McDonald's. Megan and I spent the afternoon giving ourselves much-need pedicures. Miss Megan chose blue polish with yellow flowers:

It was a nice long weekend and I really enjoyed spending time with my kiddos...but I think I'll be glad to go to work tomorrow....

What's Missing?

We had an exciting moment during dinner last night. Megan's top front tooth has been lose for quite awhile. Well, while eating breakfast (pancakes, bacon, fresh fruit) for dinner, she was having a hard time eating because her tooth was soooo lose. Suddenly, she jumped out of her chair and excused herself to the bathroom. I few minutes later, the bathroom door flew open and she ran out with her tooth in her hand....she pulled it out all by herself! While I was excited for her, I was also really grossed out because her mouth was REALLY bloody! She was thrilled when she woke up to find $2 under her pillow this morning! This evening she decided to take a picture of herself to remember her new look:

I feel like I should point out that her nose doesn't really look so big in-person! Yikes! This is NOT a flattering photo!

The Last Couple Days...

Despite being busy with daily chores most evenings, we have managed to pack a little fun into our evenings. Last night the boys enjoyed some "rodeo time" with their daddy....and Jacksen rode his horse all by himself for the first time!

Tonight we took the kiddos for a bike ride. Well, the kids rode their bikes, I walked/ran along with them, and Marc took the van to the school to meet us at the end of our ride. They had a great time playing on the equipment at Jim Darcy School!

I learned about picasa from one of my most favorite blogs, http://www.kellyskornerblog.com. It is very easy to make these photo collages using this application!