Home Renovation

For several years now I've looked on and off at moving into a bigger home with neighbors who aren't so close. Six months ago we put our house on the market. We told ourselves that if it was meant to be our home would sell and we'd move. Six months later, with only a handful of showings (thanks, to the great market), we've discovered that it's not meant to be.

So we're moving on to making our home just a little bit bigger. After carrying countless boxes up the stairs (those of you who have been in our basement know it held A LOT of stuff), the construction started this week. Yippeeeee!

I thought it would be fun for you to see the progress from week to week.

P.S. Notice the bikes? Once we moved all the junk out, Brooke and Erin had a blast riding their bikes around and around.

Happy Birthday Brooke!

Brooke turned FIVE on Wednesday. We celebrated yesterday with a "Fun in the Sun" party with her friends. Everyone we invited came, so we had full house! We started out playing in the water in the backyard - swimming pool, bubbles, water balloons, sprinkler and hose. By the time we were ready to move into the house, Rex was soaked and many of the kids said that was the best part of the party - getting Brooke's dad wet. Inside we opened presents and had a delicious cake made by Aunt Liz. I can't believe how quickly time goes by. How can my baby be five already? Happy Birthday, Brooke. We love you!

Off to school

Even though Erin, Michael and Jacob have been in school for a week now I've waited to post because I knew that Brooke's first day was a week away. In our school district they have what they call "gradual entry." It's not really gradual, it's just that the kindergarten teachers get an extra week to meet with each student to see how they are doing with the basics.

Erin did great on her first day. We walked to school with her friend, Jamie and she waved good-bye with a big smile on her face as she went to Mrs. Friedrich's class.

Of course, Michael and Jacob started High School last week as well. I have to say that it's quite strange to not have them around. We've spent so much time together over the last two years. They are working hard and I'm so impressed at how hard they are trying to stay on top of everything. They also tried out for the High School soccer team and made it on the Junior Varsity team - which is quite good for only being Freshmen.

Brooke met with her teacher, Mrs. Martinez, yesterday. She was quizzed on her colors, shapes, counting and letters. She did great, only forgetting the name for triangle, rectangle and diamond.
So this morning at 8:15 we showed up at the school ready for Brooke's first day. Erin hung around on the playground with Brooke and when the bell rang she ran to her classroom. At the sound of that bell the look on Brooke's began to change. She no longer could smile for the camera and behind her beautiful blue eyes I saw terror. She wouldn't go in the classroom without me and when I tried to get her to stay in her seat big tears ran down her cheeks. She begged my to stay for just a few minutes. After several attempts to coax her into letting me go, I walked towards to door with her clinging to me. Mrs. Martinez passed us and I said, "Please just grab her hand. She'll be fine." And guess what - she was! I picked her up and she exclaimed, "Mom, I had so much fun!" Whew!

So you're probably like so many others - wondering what I'll be filling my time with now.

I guess I'll have to go back to work at Rex's office a few hours a week. I've had five years of paid maternity leave and if I don't go back Rex may fire me. lol

Erin's First Day of School

Brooke before we got to school. :)

Brooke - trying to smile

To my fellow neighbors...

Michael and Jacob will be starting High School in one week! Yikes! I've been homeschooling them for the past two years because we weren't pleased with the local middle school. I think they are both excited to move on to something new. I have to say that I'm a little excited as well.

This week they've been practicing with the Soccer team - two practices a day for a total of four hours a day. They never complain. What troopers.

So here comes the part where you can help. They are doing a fundraiser to offset the costs of being on the team. They will be selling Butter Braids (we all know how yummy they are!) as well as Cookie Dough. The cost for each is $10.00.

Cookie Dough flavors:

Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, Macadamia Nut, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter

Butter Braid Flavors:

Bavarian Creame with Chocolate Icing, Cherry, Apple, Blueberry Cream Cheese, Cinnamon, Cream Cheese

So if you'd like to help them out email me at beksparties@yahoo.com and let me know what you'd like to order. The boys will come pick up a check and we'll deliver your order after August 28th.

Delish!

I was in Florida this last weekend and spent some time with my sister, Lisa. We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory on the way to the airport. I love eating at the Cheesecake Factory. Their menu is enormous. I have loved every salad that I have ever eaten there.

So I came home in the mood to try a new salad recipe. Here is one I found on http://www.allrecipes.com/. It is actually supposed to be a wrap sandwich, but I modified it a bit and made a salad.

Spa Cobb Salad with Nectarines and Balsamic Nectarine Dressing

Dressing

1 (15 oz) can Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained, divided
1 cloves garlic
1 fresh nectarine, pitted and diced
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt to taste


Salad

4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
2 fresh nectarines, pitted and sliced
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed
1 (5 oz) package mixed baby greens
1 cup bite size pieces grilled chicken
1/2 cup slivered red onion
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Puree 1/3 cup beans with remaining dressing ingredients in a blender until smooth. Set aside. Toss remaining beans with all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing. Serve.

Looks what happens when Mom trys to eat lunch by herself...

Is anyone else drawn to the little red stickers that are strategically placed on items at Target? Yes, you know the ones. Those silly little stickers that let you know that an item is now 15%, 30% or maybe even 75% off at Target.

Brooke and I were wasting time at Target today while we waited to pick up the three others from piano. Brooke is like her mother and just wanted to buy something. We came to an endcap where there was some Crayola sidewalk "paint" on sale - yes that little red sticker indicated that these items were 30% off! Only $6.98. Who could pass up such a bargain? I knew it would provide at least an hour of entertainment for Brooke and Erin. Since the summer days are getting quite long and it's hard to fill them, I went for it. I also purchased some veggies and chicken for a salad for my lunch.

When we arrived home the girls immediately tore into the sidewalk paint. They went outside to enjoy themselves and didn't even ask for lunch. Ahhhh, I thought to myself. I'll be enjoying lunch in front of the computer while I catch up on my email. I was halfway done with my salad when I was beckoned to the front door by Erin's voice. I would have never dreamed what I would see next.

More paint on the sidewalk or bodies?

Don't forget the hair!

Darn those little red stickers!

4th of July Celebration

We had a great 4th of July this year spent with friends and family. We had two families over Michael, Suzi and kiddos and Joe, Celeste and their kiddos. We started out the evening with a yummy BBQ, brats, burgers, beans, potato salad, chips, dip and salad. The meal was topped off with a GREAT new recipe I tried from The Barefoot Contessa which was posted here on Pioneer Woman. It was sooooo good. You can't beat cream cheese frosting and fruit!

It wouldn't be the 4th if Rex didn't support the local Scout troop and buy enough fireworks for the entire neighborhood. Nope, just wouldn't be the same. A sample of his purchases.

The kids had a great time watching the fireworks. So many of them this year had really loud popping noises. It was so cute to see Eleah and Joshua cover their ears to keep the sounds out.

Of course, sparklers are a must. And we were so happy to have any burns this year despite the fact that we had nine kids running around.

What a fun night. We were up until after ten once we watched the city fireworks and the kids crashed in their beds as we tried to fall asleep as the neighbors lit off what they had purchased.