Life

There are so many things that I've not blogged about. Jonathan's birthday (17), Jake's birthday (10), a broken dryer... which means I can only do laundry when it is sunny out (thankfully in FL that's pretty often), our church's first youth praise and worship Mass (where Madi sang and Jonathan played the bongos), Captain Louie (where Jake is the lead today at 2:00), last Saturday's Friends of the Poor Walk followed by the kids' performance at an event to help homeless schoolchildren in our area, my frustration over the fact that both Captain Louie and the praise and worship Mass were not well attended, how it might be a good idea to slow down a little on the volunteering when you're starting to get resentful about it, how I have to have jury duty this coming week which means I have to ask for help from an army of people to get my kids to and from the places they need to be, how I am taking an army of people to the Florida Theatre Conference at the end of the week and there my son will interview with some colleges... how can this be?!? There's plenty more, but it's time to get the clothes on the line while the sun is shining!

Changes!!

Above is the farm picture from 9 years ago that Tiffany posted last week. Five of those little girls are in this picture from this weekend...

Does that make you feel old or what!?

Little Boys

I realistically have about 5 minutes to write this. I currently have a 4 month old baby boy nestled on my bed, he is content for only the moment. I have a 2 1/2 year old enjoying bristle blocks on my floor. This is the first time I've shared these with him, and he is enjoying them. I probably have about 10 minutes with him before he is looking for something else to do. There is a half eaten lollipop and an episode of The Backyardagains with his name on them downstairs. My own baby boy is only days away from "double digits", he is outside with the neighbors, but will need to come in and eat very soon because he is going to an extra theatre rehearsal in a little while. My first baby boy turned 17 last week. As if that weren't enough he took the SATs on Saturday and we went to a college fair on Monday!! How did this happen? One day they are making trains with blocks and pooping in their Mickey pants and the next day they are considering higher education. How did this happen? I'm glad I get to spend time with these little boys have an opportunity to remember what those early physically exausting early days of parenting were like. It gives me a little rest from the mental exhaustion of raising kids that are growing up!

More granola bars

I was just perusing the internet a little while ago and came across these. Within 10 minutes they were cooling on my counter. No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars yield: 10 bars adapted from a pinterest recipe that was adapted from Rachael Ray Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup honey 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (I used 1/4 cup) 2 cups quick cooking oats (I used old fashioned) 1 cup crispy rice cereal 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (I forgot the vanilla) 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (I used regular size choc chips and mixed them in before pressing in the pan) Directions: In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn’t small enough, pack the mixture into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick together.} Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature. (I put them in an 8x8 pan)