Just some things to share

Maybe I should have labeled this post "Random." There is no rhyme or reason to it. . .maybe it's just pregnancy brain.

First - One thing Sue taught me that I LOVE is a Bell Pepper trick. Whenever you cut the top off of one. . .whether it's for a snack or for stuffed peppers, take the "lid" and finely chop around the stem all of the meat that you usually throw away. Then put it in a freezer baggie and toss it in your freezer. Next time a recipe calls for 1/4 cup chopped green pepper (for example) you just have to open your fridge!!

Second - I love the website Go Mom Inc.. I frequent there a lot and have found a lot of practical advice. Right now I'm digging her "Back to School Checklist." I've already adapted it for a pre-school version and am utilizing it to get ready for when Lorén goes to Pre-K and Zach goes to MDO. On the "to do" list for today . . .Back to School Haircuts and clothing inventory.

Third - Tomorrow is Bulky Trash day here in my subdivision. I LOVE St. Peters. I'm telling you. . .it has the best services and is the nicest city and. . .I just LOVE it! I mean you get free recycling, free mulch, free large item pickup, free trashcans. . .I know this all sounds trivial but when you come from living in a place that offers NOTHING and is such a BORE to live. . .I just feel like we are so blessed. PLUS, we have the Rec Plex! It's the best place to be every day!! Oh and I love all of the trails and parks and pools.. . PLUS, I have found a family. . .a place where you have true neighbors and neighborhoods! I just adore everyone who lives here! Now, who else can I convince to move out here!!! (I'm still working on you Suzanne and Erik * Fiesta)

Now. What I don't like. . .100 Degree days where the kids and I are stuck inside. Yuck. But when life hands you lemons. . .have a rollerskating party inside!

Pool Time

We found the most amazing pools in St. Charles. The kids just LOVE them! I can't say that I love the water slide. Zach insists that I go down with him. This always results in a monster-wedgie. Alas. . .



We are winding down summer here. It's really sad. The kids have had a fantastic summer. It's been such a blessing to have their Godmother Lisa living with us. I don't know what Zach is going to do without his Aunt Weesa. We are happy and blessed that she will be back so soon!



Mike has been on travel a lot this summer. It's hard to have daddy away and it's been really hard on him. Nevertheless, he makes "home time" the BEST! Last night he got in from a 5 day trip. I told Lorén before she fell asleep that when she woke up, Daddy would be here. She said, "OH BOY! My Best Night Time Buddy!"

Lorén and Zach have been. . .siblings! They fight, play, fight, play, fight, play! All is well! Lorén has really stepped into her role as "Big Sister." Although the occasional hiccup, Lorén indulges Zach and his "Two-ness" with a lot of grace. Lorén loves all things, "GIRL." She loves princesses, coloring, dress-up, dolls, etc. She freaks out at bugs and mud. It's so different than how I was as a child! :) Zach is ever more the quintessential PEST of a little brother! He likes mud, cars, Diego and bothering Lorén! If there is anything dare-devil to do around, Zach and Lorén make sure they do it! I am SHOCKED that we have had no broken bones. . .Knock on wood!



Baby 3 is doing well. Just a bundle of wiggles when I lay down OR when I give him/her sprite! We aren't sure if it's a boy or girl. This pregnancy MOST mimics Lorén's but it's also quite different. Some days I say girl. . .some days I say boy. All I do expect is that it will be over 10 lbs (((YIKES)))!

As for me, I'm nesting. And that eats up all of my energy :)! I feel like there's so much to do and decide and buy and find. Thank goodness Lisa and Mike make me STOP and realize that I do have time :)! Well, I'm off to nest a little more before my daily nap time :)

The Best Prank EVER!!!

The Witching Hour

You know, I'm not even sure what that phrase means but in our house, it means the time between 4:00 and dinner when my children turn into monsters! Yesterday it began again. . .fighting, me, mine, this and that. It was my last straw. I mean lets face it, I'm the epitome of grace and composure when I'm pregnant (HA!). So, I counted ten, picked them up and put them on my Island. I told them that they needed to help me cook dinner. They "read" the recipes to me and helped me "choose" pans and pots, etc. They finally decided that the turkey was taking too long and decided to eat some bananas. I thought they looked so sweet up on the Island eating bananas and (gasp) getting along! So I snapped a few pictures of this momentous occasion!

I hate loath and despise the flu!

What could be worse than your child getting the flu? Maybe one being pregnant while your child has the flu. Every time he pukes I run for the hills. I feel like "mommy of the year." Well, I set out to rectify that today. He was super-bummed that Lorén and Aunt Weesa left for Bible Study without him. He cried and cried that he had to stay home with monster. . .I mean Mommy. I decided to do something fun just for him. I found an idea for MUD on someone's blog. What a glorious idea. If my little man can't make it to the mud then the mud must come to him! He had a blast making a huge muddy mess inside! I just took some corn starch and some cocoa and sprinkled it in the bottom of my boiler pan. I then filled it with water and whisked it until it was the desired consistency. Finally, I put it on the linoleum floor and let him go nuts with the little people. Mission accomplished! I was a good mommy for a whole hour today!

Graduated

Oh my word! Can a mom cry of sadness and happiness in one day? That is what happened. I was just so proud of Loren and the strides she made physically, emotionally, and spiritually this school year! I am so thankful to be sending her to a Christian school where God's word is taught and practiced each and every day! I was so thankful for her teachers, Mrs. Bretsch and Mrs. Borgstede who took Lorén under their wing and guided her in becoming the best she could be. I am eternally grateful to Child of God for their commitment to Christ Centered education! So, here's my little Lamb on her last day of school!

Strawberry Picking!

Gymnastics and Kites

Lorén had her gymnastics performance this past week. We were so proud of her! She has all the grace of her mom and dad (cough-cough). She really did well though! She has always loved gymnastics. After the performance, mom, dad, Mike, Zach and I all went out for ice-cream at the local Fitzes (yum-o)! It brought me back to my Westminster Days. As we pulled up we saw 3 good friends there! It's fun to see your friends randomly like that!


Lorén and Ms. Viki


Yesterday we went to the St. Peter's Kite Festival. We drove around for 45 minutes trying to find the friggin park. Not only that, we got caught in a funeral procession for a soldier. We told the kids it was a parade because there had to be close to 150 Patriot Guard motorcyclists, 20 police motorcyclists, 2 Firetrucks and then the funeral procession. Anyway, the wait was definitely worth it though! By time we got there it was 12:30. The kids each made and flew their own kites for about an hour. Zachary wanted a green kite with green streamers. Lorén wanted a red kite with pink streamers! Thank goodness they were selling hot-dogs, sodas and chips for a buck! We ate a picnic lunch before heading home for family naps! Yesterday was a FANTASTIC family day!

These are a few of my favorite things. . .

So I know that most people only stop off here to see how the kids are doing! They are GRRRRREAT! Of course, Michael and the children are two of my most favorite things.
Therefore MOST posts are about them! Today, however, I decided to let you in on the inner-workings of Mommy. I thought I would share about some of my favorite things in the whole wide world. . .
1)

Fresh Herbs - Why would you cook with anything but? It's as easy as dig-plant-cut. Believe me, if the "black thumb of death Kimberly" (as Mike puts it) can grow them, anyone can!
2)

My Humming Bird Feeder - My Mother in Law bought me one years ago. I just loved having those tiny little birds around! When we moved to our new house, I broke my own rule: If you don't want it broken, put it up. Yeah, my muncherkins got ahold of it and broke it. I finally decided to get another one a month ago. Loren and I love making food for the birds every other week. I love the suprise of looking out of my kitchen window and seeing a visitor. Even more exciting is when I can share it with the kids. Loren loves Hummingbirds. Zach thinks every bird is now a hummingbird :)!
3)
Vintage Green Glass - Not just any green! It has to be avocado or olive. I don't know why, but I'm obsessed! I have pieces all over my kitchen. They are so beautiful! It just makes me. . .happy! This compote was my first piece. I saw it and HAD to have it. I even have a good friend hooked on the stuff now!

4)
Vintage Cook Books - Yes, another obsession. Michael just laughs when I come across them! I just pour over the pages! The pictures are so cute! And some of the "recommendations" are so adorable! Like "A congenial atmosphere must prevail if entertaining is to serve its purpose. The guest list must be chosen as carefully as you would choose the ingredients for a recipe. Combine the people that will "mix well." A surprise guest with some special talent or conversational skill can make a party more successful. Above all, the hostess must be able to enjoy her own party. The carefully prepared and executed plan, the short period of relaxation or rest before the guests arrive, and a few special pans to liven the part - these can make entertaining a joy and satisfaction." See. . .adorable!

5)
Vintage Aprons - At this point, you may get the distinct impression that I'm obsessed with vintage things. . .yeah, you're right. I love things with a history. I'm a romantic sucker for the stuff! BUT - I'm practical. All of my pieces must have a purpose in my home. For example: my aprons. Mike always used to laugh at me because he would come home and I would have flour hand prints on my butt. It's habit to wipe my hands on my pants! So he suggested I get an apron. I decided that I would hit up an antique mall and find one. I wasn't ready for the "LOVE" I felt for each one. How women had stitched them by hand and lovingly used them to serve their families. I wear my aprons almost all day long. I get them pretty grimy :) This one in particular is a favorite because it is terry-cloth. I think I own 15 now. I use each one! In fact, I now own 2 vintage children's aprons. Loren loves to wear them to cook with me!

6)
My Pantry - I know, I know, this is odd!!!! But look! It's so organized! It's so pretty! I have a place for everything and everything has a place! Besides, you can see my other favorite apron hanging on the door. . .and my vintage yellow tupperware canisters. Can I live in my pantry? It's one place that is ALWAYS clean and organized!

7)
Crazy Daisy Dishes - Okay, right now I bet you are saying, "My ______ had those dishes!" and that's why I love them! It's so much fun to see people come over, use my dishes and say, "This reminds me of my grandma and when I would ______ with her." I remember my childhood when I use these dishes!

8)
My Lamppost - Our work in progress. Houses that have these always seem so welcoming and inviting. All of our homes have had one. It's just so pretty at night when it's lit! If it EVER stops raining we can finish it (and mow!)

9)
My "Up/Down" Basket - Oh I love this thing! I have one upstairs and one downstairs! I load it up with stuff that needs to go upstairs throughout the day as I pick up. At the end of the day I bring it up! Same for the upstairs basket! Each morning I bring it downstairs and unload it.

10)
The Wall of Fame - Pictures I LOVE! Mike suggested this and I balked at the idea. Usually I hate things that don't match. I don't do well with "eclectic." It makes no sense to me so I can't do it without it looking like a garage sale. I digress. . .Mike opened up a Pottery Barn Catalog and showed me what he was talking about and VIOLA! One of my favorite things!

Well, there are 10 of my favorite things! There are more but this post is already a novel! Tomorrow, I will have stuff about Mike and the kids :)!

Snitch, snitch, fell in a ditch. . .

Today I have decided to snitch on my daughter. Lorén. . .the little SNEAK. The last few nights I have gone up to her room only to catch her in bed with her night-light on and a pile of books in her bed. At least she is reading quality literature! Last night she had SEVEN Strawberry Shortcake books in her bed! I can't be too mad at her for a few reasons. . .

1) She's reading! She loves to read! Books are among her favorite toys!
2) A certain woman writing this post repeatedly got caught under the covers with a flashlight and a good book.

I guess I will just have to remind her that there are times for reading and times FOR GETTING SLEEP SO YOU WON'T BE A CRAB AT MOMMY THE NEXT DAY. . .oops, was that out loud?

Now, for my snitching on my daughter part II. The last couple of days I've found something disturbing all around the house. Lorén has decided it is a great form of play to string up her dolls. Yesterday I found Cinderella tied to her dollhouse with a ribbon. Today, I found Sleeping Beauty tethered to the stool. At first I thought her brother-the-pest was doing it. When I asked Zach if he did it, he calmly replied, "No. Na-na tied up hers princesses." I asked Lorén if she had indeed done it. She confirmed it with a "no-duh" attitude. I asked her why and she told me that the princesses didn't want to get wet. Well. . .if that's all it is :)! Phew. I thought I had a Barbie killer on my hands.


Now to snitch on Zach. Okay. It's not necessarily a snitch. It's just adorable! My son loves a book called Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom. If you haven't heard of it. . .where have you been? :) Anyway, I swear I read this book to him at least 2 times a day and recite it to him in the car all ride long. Zachary doesn't even need me to read it to him, he has the whole thing memorized and can "read" it to himself. I love when he gets to "Skit,scat, scoodle, doot, flip, flop, flee" because he says, "Fwip,fwop, fwee." Man that boy can melt his mommy! Now, I will snitch on me. (((((Admission with my head hanging))))) I have hidden Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom countless times. Somehow, that booger-boy still ends up finding it. Oh well. . .this too shall pass. . .right?

Mother's Day

I had the best Mother's Day this year thanks to my two perfect muncherkins!


It's always sad when the best present you receive is sleeping in! But Mike knew that's something I really wanted and he gave that to me! He also gave me a dozen yellow and white roses (my favorite!) I also got a super zoom lens for my camera from Michael! I love that lens! I can take pictures that are 50 feet away and they turn out beautifully!! I was so excited to get it just in time for T-Ball!

The highlight of the day was going out to lunch at mom and dad's Golf Club! Their club is STUNNING! The course is one of the most beautiful that I've ever seen (and one of the most fun to play!) Kristopher, his new bride Yelena, Mom, Dad, Mike, the kids and I all had lunch together. Thank you so much Daddy!



You know though, two of my favorite presents came from Lorén and Zachary. These trinkets are things that I truly treasure. I'm grateful to their teachers for these perfect gifts!

(Zach told his teacher what to write)

The Better Blogger

I decided I have been really bad at blogging. I need to do better about it :)! I've had a lot of people give me trouble about not blogging about the kids so I think I had better buck up and do better :)

So the latest fun thing is that Loren began t-ball. It was such a blast to watch. She is on the same team as her best friend Celia. Loren, Celia, Zach and Charlie are the best of friends! They call each other brother and sister! Andrea (Celia and Charlie's Mom) and I are apparently BOTH of their mothers. My kids call Andrea mom and their kids call me mom! It's so much fun! The nice thing is that Celia and Loren are the same age and Zach and Charlie are the same age. Anyway, the "sisters" got to play their first t-ball game. They LOVED the dirt! Loren needs some practice hitting the ball off of a T. She closes her eyes tight and swings! :) They ended up having her try batting lefty. Well. . .she hit it! Then Celia came up to bat after Loren. Celia hit it backwards and just took off running! She lapped Loren! We were laughing so hard! The girls didn't care, they had so much fun! Loren decided at short-stop that running bases is stupid. If the goal is home plate, then she would just b-line there! No use going out of her way around bases :)! It was cute!

Zach and Charlie had so much fun tossing the ball to each other and kicking dirt at each other. Nasty boys! Mike and I ended up taking all 4 home. I gave the girls a bath and Mike gave the boys showers. Lets just say that I had an entire baseball field worth of dirt at the bottom of both my tub and shower :)! A small price to pay for a days worth of fun!