My little artists

James has really been into writing books. She started about a month ago and it is amazing how her spelling and sentence structure have improved. This is the title page to a book she wrote about the Red Planet. Her good friends have a martian maker and the girls have brought home many aliens that they build houses for and play with. It's really hilarious because they are only like 1 inch big. She has also authored some of her own Skippy Jon Jones books. She says she wants to be an author and illustrator when she grows up.Yesterday my mom came down to spend the day with us. It was wonderful. She cleaned my house, which is a chore that has fallen to the wayside in my delicate condition, ha ha! Now I just need to organize all the junk in the basement before this baby comes! Well, we had a busy day. We went to the Hurstville Interpretive Center, our local nature center, then we went swimming at the Y. And James didn't even use a noodle to help her. She swam the whole pool, even in the 5 foot deep part! She is a fish. Then, for some crazy reason, we let the girls pick where to eat lunch. The magnificent McD's. I really wanted a Reuben, but settled for chicken nuggets. We went to the store and picked out some material to make a blanket for the baby and checked out Wall-e. Grandma and the girls took a rest and watched the movie all cuddled together on the couch. It was a perfect day. Ending it with salmon and chhole for dinner made it wonderful. After dinner we were all hanging out in the living room, where we will soon have a couch and not have to sit on the floor. Campbell brought me this picture and told me about it. This is a HUGE leap in her abilities. Even a week ago she couldn't draw a circle the way she wanted to. Then she pops up with this masterpiece! I asked her about 40 times if she really drew it. I mean, it looks like something! Eve even looks like Eve. And Wall-e has hands and feet. I am more then amazed. She was so proud. The light in her eyes was glowing when she was explaining the picture.

Adventures with James

At school her teacher has been reading Junie B. Jones books to the class. They just finished The Mushy Gushy Valentine. Coincidentally we had read it at home the previous month. Junie B. gets a valentine from a secret admirer. When James came home today and we were going through her book bag she pulled out this:Not a valentine, but definitely from a secret admirer, or I should say secret imir. She told me it was from Tristan M. Not my first guess, the two boys at her table totally like her. She didn't think much of it. And I am glad. There is plenty of time for that later, like way later.

At dinner the other day she was telling us how to kill a chicken. (I don't know why my kids have this obsession with meat, we eat almost half our meals vegetarian. I overheard Campbell telling an adult today that we are made out of meat. It is getting so twisted!) So, James tells us you have to cut off it's head, then you have to cut off it's tail so it won't run around. Because chickens have two brains one in their head and one in their tail. Bill chimes in "you mean they have a brain in their butt?" James, being the polite princess, replies "yes." We both start laughing, because we couldn't help it. Then I ask her where she heard this from. And here is where the real life lesson came into play. It was from an older boy that she plays with frequently. And so Bill and I told her not to believe what boys tell her. I hope she remembers that! Of course then we explained that chickens only have one brain and that their tails are only feathers.

Definitely Made of Honor Dresses

I woke up last night because my dream was getting too confusing. I had been wanting to watch a chick flick for awhile now, and finally got around to watching 3 yesterday. This does not fare well when they all mush together.

Yesterday I also had a doctor's appointment. 4 weeks to go! Up to this point I have brought Campbell with me to my appointments and she has been wonderful. Seriously, a dream! She would sit quietly and talk to the nurse or doctor just a little bit. Yesterday I had both of the girls because James was off from school and Campbell was something else! Good thing this was the last appointment they will be at! (the verdict is still out on a name, it is driving me crazy!)

Since we were down in the big city we decided to use a free pass we had to go see the Figge Art Museum. It was interesting. We always were able to get out and get some culture in Milwaukee, so I am trying to keep that up. They had a great family play room where you could build with paper, pipe cleaners, markers and tape. James made a house and Campbell made the Turbo 3000. You could tell how small town it was because I think we saw 5 other people. And when Campbell touched one of the labels on a display table a security guard was there in 5 seconds to tell me to make sure my kids didn't touch the table. Then he followed us around. Even while we were sitting on a couch having an art appreciation moment. Seriously! Campbell would wave at him and I would give him the stink eye. But then we walked into a room where a man was taking a picture of a Jackson Pollock the security guard didn't come for like 5 minutes to tell him he can't take pictures. It was a fun afternoon and the girls enjoyed it. The horse was really cool.

My wonderful husband.

Here he is getting the girls outside to play because the temperature was above 40 degrees.Here are the girls enjoying the burgers he grilled in the same dreary weather because his pregnant wife really wanted a burger.

And here he is building a bird house. Including the girls as much as he can, because he has much more patience then I do, and I love him for that. Safety glasses a must.And even though he dislikes the sport soccer, you can find him out kicking the ball around. I guess the long winters really wear on a California guy and he is itching to get outside so much that he will even brave the below 70 temperatures. He has been day dreaming about mowing the lawn!

Cravings

It might be because my mom is going to San Diego tomorrow, but I am really wanting some fish tacos!



My good friend Randi told me about this place called Wahoo's and we had some last May when we were out in the area. It is great food! Next time you are in La Jolla you have to get some. I would even go for a Rubio's right now. Too bad I live in the Midwest! If you live anywhere that you can get a fish taco eat one for me!

Here's a conversation that Campbell has been having lately.

C: Dad do you eat animals?
Dad: Yes I do. Did you know that animals are meat?
C: Dinosaurs eat meat. I like salami.

It can go back and forth for a while. She is learning all the different meats that she eats that are actually animals. We don't like to keep our kids sheltered from reality. This thread did bring up some disturbing ideas. Campbell told me the other day that dinosaurs eat dead people. I explained that people didn't live when the dinosaurs were living so they didn't eat people. I still don't want to think about anything eating people.

Recipes

I have been meaning to put these up for a while. These are some of our favorite recipes. Some are from the Shared Recipe website and some are from one of my ward cookbooks. Don't forget to make the watermelon strawberry fruit salad!

Skillet Penne and Sausage Dinner

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 onion, minced

Salt

1 lb sausage or kielbasa

3 cloves garlic

½ c. oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, rinsed and chopped small (or a can of tomatoes)

8 oz penne (2 ½ c.)

2 ½ c. chicken broth

½ c. heavy cream (or milk)

1 (5 oz) bag baby spinach

½ c. parmesan cheese, grated

Pepper

Heat oil in 12 inch skillet over medium heat, add the onion and ½ tsp. salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sausage and cook until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook about 15 seconds. Sprinkle the tomatoes and penne evenly over the sausage. Pour the broth and cream over the pasta. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the spinach a handful at a time and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cheddar Chicken and Penne

1 Tbs. butter
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken, cut into 1" chunks
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 c. chicken broth
1/2 package (8 oz.) Penne
1 package (16 oz.) favorite frozen veggie blend (I like to use just broccoli)
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

In 5 quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Sprinkle chicken with garlic powder, cook in butter until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add broth, heat to boiling. Add uncooked pasta and veggies, stirring to coat pasta with liquid. Heat to boiling, reduce heat. Cover, simmer 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring every two minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Enjoy!

Marilyn's Bread Sticks

1 ½ cup warm water
1 Tbs. yeast
2 Tbs. sugar
3 ½ cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cube real butter - melted

Toppings: Garlic powder & parmesan OR Salad supreme seasoning

Dissolve yeast in warm water then add other ingredients. Knead 3 min. If too sticky, add a little more flour. Let rise once, beat down, and then roll out to 1/2” thick. Cut into ¾ inch strips and twist 2 together. Dip into melted butter and place on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan cheese OR salad supreme seasoning. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes.

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

1/2 lb. Italian sausage

2 medium potatoes - cut in half length wise then cut into 1/4 inch slices

1 medium onion - diced

1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

2 c. kale leaves (one bunch) chopped

2 Tbsp. chicken base

4 c. water

1/3 c. heavy cream

Cook up sausage and onion, breaking sausage into small pieces, until no longer pink. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add potatoes, water, and chicken base. Simmer 15 minutes. Add the kale and cream, simmer for 4 minutes, serve with fresh grated parmesan on top.

A Taste of Spring

It's been in the upper 50's and lower 60's the past couple days and we cannot get enough of outside! Everything has melted, which has left the ground a little wet and some bums a little wet too.

Yesterday as Campbell and I were driving to my doctor's appointment we saw 4 red tailed hawks and a bald eagle. It was beautiful. I was passed on a love for birds of prey from my father. He caught and raised a couple when he was a little girl (his favorite joke). And next time you visit their house ask to see his pictures, they are pretty gory.

It is overcast and rainy today, but thunderstorms are one of my favorite things about the Midwest. I hope we have thunder and lightening today.

At the grocery store yesterday the stars were aligned. Strawberries were on sale and there was some cut up watermelon that was reduced for sale. Last night and this morning we had my favorite fruit salad. Try it sometime. Strawberries and watermelon are the perfect compliment to each other. I could eat it all day long and practically feel the warm sun on my face.

Where have I been?

It's like I already fell off the face of the Earth and the baby isn't even here yet.

Last weekend we had some of our best friends come to visit. We had a blast with the VerCautren's and it is always fun to get the girls together. James and Jenna are 6 weeks apart. Amanda and I worked at the bank together in Illinois for years. Now, we neither work there and we both have two girls (ours soon to be three!). Even though it was freezing we trekked out to the Maquoketa Caves. It was beautiful and fun to get out of the house. We couldn't go into any of the caves because the bats are hibernating. Maybe we should have brought our bats from the rental house to live in the caves!
Jenna has always been taller then James. Her dad is over 6 feet tall (like 6'4" or something) but it is always fun to see how they grow. Sometimes they are almost the same height, not this time.
The little girls! After the caves we went out to Bluff Lake for dinner. It is a local hot spot that specializes in fish fry. It was BUSY. We got there at 4:20, the place opened at 4, and we waited about 50 minutes for a table. I think we will have to go back on their all you can eat ribs night. In the summer I'm sure that it is just breathtaking, there are ponds on three sides of the building. We saw some deer as we were driving home.