Wedding!

L was invited to be the ring bearer for a very sweet couple we know from church. We were very excited for him, but I must admit I was anxious to see if he would actually make it down the aisle. Here are some pictures from the big weekend.

Getting ready for the rehearsal!

Turns out the flower girl was the sweetest, most beautiful little girl you have ever seen. Once I met her I felt confident that with her by his side, he would make it and he did! He also fell head over heels with her as you will see in the pictures of the reception later!

Luke and I waiting in the church lobby the night of the rehearsal!

The big day! Doesn't he look so handsome!

No flash allowed in church, so I didn't get any good pictures, but I wanted to show you proof that he did it! I am hoping to get some better shots from the photographer!

After the wedding, cheesing it up!

My handsome big boys!

The reception was at a children's museum. Here is big C on the pirate ship, playing with the boys!

As soon as we walked into the reception, L was seeking out his flower girl. Here they are cutting a rug!

In fact all our boys danced all night. I told Big C to take lots of pictures, not sure they will do that in a couple of years!

Always the center of attention!

It was a wonderful time and we were so thankful to be a part of this special day!

School Started!

Well school has officially started here in Apex! We are actually in our third week! It has taken me that long to be able to sit down and blog. There is not much free time during the day for any of us! But that is okay...this is the best year we have had organizationally since we started and it is because we are doing the Workbox System by Sue Patrick.

Each boy has a shelf with 12 plastic boxes in in. Each box has an activity or subject in it. If they need to do that box with me, it has a "work with mom" sticker on it. The boys just work through their boxes until they are all gone and the shelf is empty, then they are done! They love keeping their own pace and they are getting done earlier and earlier every day. We are also able to include things we have trouble getting to. I feel like I am spending more time with L and J than I ever have. This system has been wonderful for our family.

We are studying the 19th century this year. We have spent a lot of time on Napoleon thus far, but are moving toward the Industrial Revolution this week. We are all learning so much and loving it!

Hope your school year is going well!

Kids CAN cook!

I love to cook and I love to share that with my boys. I have many friends who are hesitant to let their little ones in the kitchen with them, not sure of what they can handle. Believe me, they can handle a lot, you'd be surprised. Today I had two little kitchen helpers, now remember, they are 2 and 4. We set out to make a Tomato Basil Quiche that I found at the $5 dinners blog. The only difference we made was making a shredding potato crust, instead of a traditional crust. I did that for two reasons, all natural pie crusts are expensive and homemade ones are very high in fat and this dish already had enough. Anyway..I digress...

This is a picture of L and J putting salt and pepper on the potatoes we shredded in the food processor. We added a little oil mixed it up and they smashed them down. Then we baked it at 425 for 15-20 minutes.

Then we cut up a load of veggies! You can see that L, the 4 year old is cutting with a knife. I assure you no one was injured in the taking of this photo!

When the crust came out, we piled the veggies on and then poured the egg/milk/cheese mixture on top of it with some basil and more sliced tomatoes.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the final product, but it looked delish and almost everyone liked it! The boys had a blast helping me in the kitchen.

They also helped make popsicles. They have blueberries, yogurt, a little sugar and KALE! You'd never know it and they LOVE them!

Have fun cooking with your kids this week!

Breadsticks!

Today was an on and off rainy day. I happened to be watching a friend's two boys and our outside time was limited due to weather. So we decided to make homemade breadsticks!

I threw the following into the bread machine:

1 cup water
1 egg yolk
3 cups flour
2 tsp salt
2 tbs olive oil
1 1/2 tbs sugar
1 1/2 tsp yeast

Out came a beautiful dough that I split between two of the boys. They each made their pile of dough into a long rope.



Then they cut the rope into small pieces and shaped them.






As you can see they did letters and then the traditional breadstick shape.


Then they spread a little egg white mixed with water on each one and sprinkled with toppings.

We used sesame seeds, poppy seeds, salt, garlic salt, and Cinnamon Sprinkle. This last one was the favorite. I got this Pampered Chef "spice" when I did a show with my friend Jane. (Click on the link above for her site.)

Here are the breadsticks before baking....



And after!


An inexpensive, fun snack! We dipped the savory ones in a little tomato sauce! YUM!

Amazing Dinner!

When Big C asked what I would like for my birthday, I asked him to make me dinner! Since I cook every night, this would be a wonderful treat. I knew this was going to be a sacrifice for my sweet husband since he does not cook much. When we mentioned the idea to the boys, C2 asked if he was going to make eggs, since that is all that they have ever seen their dad make!

Well, much to my surprise, when he got home last night, he had a Trader Joe's bag. One by one, he pulled out the ingredients, portabella mushrooms, goat cheese, kalamata olives, and naan bread. ALL my favorites!

What he made was so delicious, his own recipe! Grilled Naan bread, slathered with goat cheese. Then he make a Kalamata olive spread to go over that and grilled up the portabella mushrooms!

I was so proud of him and so full! What a wonderful birthday treat!

Sandwich Sushi

I used to make fun lunches for my boys all the time, but with the hecticness of homeschooling and life, it was something that went by the wayside.

Yesterday, I decided to pull out one of my old recipes for "Sandwich Sushi". It is so simple, but the boys LOVED it!

In the morning, I threw a simple white bread in the bread machine. (That is the softest bread I make and you need soft bread for the recipe.) By lunch it was ready.

I cut slices for each of the boys and put on a paper towel (for easy clean up!)

First, they used a rolling pin to flatten it.

Then we spread it with a mixture of 3 tbs cream cheese and 1 1/2 tbs sour cream.

Next, they rolled a couple of cucumber and carrot matchsticks inside each and we sliced it up.

Finished product!

L, which normally wouldn't touch a cuke to save his life, loved it.

This recipe is so versatile. You could use any veggies or spreadable cheese. Goat cheese would be delish!

I served with fresh peach slices for a cheap, healthy, fun lunch! And everyone could do it themselves, except for J, but he had fun eating it!

Let me know if you give it a try!

Camp!

This past week, our big boys went to New Life Camp, their highlight of the summer. They had a wonderful time!

On the final evening of camp parents get to come and participate in some of the activities that their children have been enjoying all week. Check it out!

I know it is hard to see, but this is Callen taking Luke and I out in the canoe! He did a great job!

Then the boys showed us Archery! Even Big C gave it a try!



The two happy campers!

Since L is still too young to attend NLC, we thought we'd sign him up for an art camp, so he could feel like a camper too! He did a class on holidays. Here is a picture of him with all of his crafts. He has a great time!

Since his camp was only 4 days, on Friday I took L and J to Marbles Museum! Wow, they loved it! I've wanted to bring them for a while, but was unsure about bringing the big boys. It really turned out to be a great place for the little ones and a very special time for them and mom!