Home cookin'

One of the things I've learned about Kelly is that we are equals when it comes to cooking and baking.  We equally burn and undercook brownies, can't work without a recipe, and like to blame the oven for most things.  Kelly made these scones for our Saturday guests.  I had to show her what rolling pins are actually used for...  The first batch were like crackers, but the second was YUM!

So, now that she's "on a roll" we've had muffins daily much to the boys delight.  They're really good and if we're not careful we might turn in to muffins.

Okay, no fear of turning in to a muffin with three little boys around.  Kelly is very patient with Matthew.  She smiles and laughs a lot.  We are lucky to have this sweet cousin here with us!

We lost two chickens this weekend.  One that Zuke got carried away with, the other got run over on the road.  There are miles of pasture out the back of the house, but these crazy birds head straight for the road.  Maybe I should get them a car.

Fricot

Thanks to Google, I was able to make "Fricot" or chicken stew for the kids potluck at school today.  I bravely cut up a chicken and cooked it with potatoes, carrots and garlic.  As I carried it in to the school I was a little worried I would be carrying this full crock pot right out again several hours later.  There were some really incredible dishes.  There were also several "Shepard's Pies" which I didn't think were french, but you all know how often I make Shepard's Pie!  When finally the time came to feed myself, Matthew and Kasey, the Fricot was ALL GONE!  Oh, I'm soooo impressed with myself (and Google)!

Kelly has returned and the sun is shining.  Coincidence?

I have signed up for a Womens Camp.  There are things I need to learn.  I also can't wait for a fun weekend with good friends.  I will probably be even more amazing at the end of the camp.  Maybe I will learn to take pictures for my blog...

Super Sunday

Lookit my sweet dog playing forts with Matthew.  Can you say "good natured"?

David had his second soccer meet yesterday.  He is a superstar.  He loves soccer.  He loves to WIN.  "But, it's all about having fun, right David?"  "Yeah, it's fun scoring ALL the goals."

Today Marc took all three boys swimming while I did Jazzercise.  Nobody drowned and they all had fun.

Then, after lunch we went skating.  I had prepared myself for Clive crying, David giving up after five minutes, and Matthew falling asleep.  Way to be positive mommy!  What really happened:

Clive skated non-stop for over an hour

David learned to skate and was adorable

Matthew ran around laughing and playing in the bleachers.

Then, we all took Zuke for a walk.

What a great Sunday!

Valentine's Day

We made over fifty pink heart cookies for Clive and David's school classes.  There were some broken hearts when mommy dropped them on the floor, but they still tasted good!  The boys cut out hearts and wrote the "To" and "from"s for all of their classmates.  I was proud of David as he is just learning his letters and he really put effort into this project.  Too bad he forgot to hand them out.  Everybody got a cookie though.

Morning cuddles with Zuke.  Heavenly time when mommy can drink her coffee and wake up properly.

We all wore red for Valentines, pretending like we have it all together...

Look how happy Clive is!

Kelly, Matthew and I went to Victoria for the morning.  It was fun to do something different.  We came home to roast one of our chickens and make runny brownies.  Then Kelly braved a Jazzercise class!  She was sooo cute, edging her way to the back of the room.  And just when you think the day is done, Kelly and I sat and colored pioneer cards for Clive's class.  Loooonnnngg day.  Here we go for another one!

haircut

Thought it was time to cut off my hair.  This style is fast and easy and, well, it's a style.  I'm still getting used to it.  It comes forward and I'm used to pushing it back.  Oh life's challenges!  But look at my huge shoulders!  I never realized I had huge shoulders.  Now I wish I was tough.

As I have less hair, Marc is growing more.  I call this his Grizzly Adams look.  He does this to stay warm.  Part of the whole hibernating thing I think.  I have enough shoulders for both of us.

I did manage to accomplish some things this week in between Matthew Meltdowns and David Hollywood Productions.  I made a small amount of pasta.  David wanted to help, that went okay but then Matthew wanted to "help" and things went downhill.  I scraped and cleaned the pasta maker to return it to Sharon.  I'm pretty sure I got it all...

I also did a couple of pedicures today.  It was so lovely and quiet for those two hours.  I think I may have lingered, these people also have adorable cats that love to be cuddled.  Maybe that's why he walks me to my van, he's afraid I might never leave.

Pineapple juice

Some nights we make pizza all together.  I've mentioned this before.  Sunday night we had pizza with pineapple on it.  Matthew decided that pineapple juice would be a great styling aid for his hair.  I must say he looks rather fantastic!  Smelled good too.

Last night as we were going to bed we said our usual "hope we get to sleep thru!".  We've been saying this for eight, almost nine years.

No such luck.  This time is was eight year old Clive coming in to our room crying that he was cold and his foot hurt.  I took him back down to his room where he turned on his heater and I put his extra quilt on his bed.  I went back to bed and lay there, wide awake.  I knew he was just over tired from a very fun weekend but I also knew he wanted to come in our bed and snuggle.  I wanted him there too, but then he wouldn't have slept.  He is still my sweet Clive who likes hugs and cuddles when nobody is looking.  He still insists on a kiss and a hug before we are to be separated.  This morning I hugged him and asked how his foot was.  It was fine.  After school I hugged him and asked how his foot was (can you say "overprotective") and he said he was fine. I love him so much and there are never enough hours in the day for him.

We went to the playground just before supper tonight.  It felt like spring.  We ran and chased each other and Zuke dug a very deep hole in the sand pit.  Spring can't arrive fast enough.

I love it when the boys play together, but I also love it when ALL THREE find their own activities to quietly play for awhile.  The key word there is QUIETLY.  Quiet is rare.  I am lucky to have some help and a fabulous distraction in Kelly.

Matthew seems to be transitioning out of naps.  This means he refuses to sleep during the day and prefers the odd meltdown fury.  During these meltdowns, he is very specific.  He often will start with "I'm going to kick you and bite you TWO TIMES!"  I'm not sure where the "two times" came from.  It is hard to keep a straight face.

David lost his other tooth.  Hallelujah!  He brought home the phone number of a "friend" at school for me to arrange a play date. We're not sure who the friend is as they change from day to day.  He has copied this action from his big brother who now brings home phone numbers for mum to arrange play dates. 

 Life is not getting less busy.  I knew it would not get less busy, just different busy.  I like this part.  Now, to get Matthew on a bike...

Kelly

The boys' only female cousin is here.  They adore her.  They've been acting all silly competing for her attention.  I drove her all over the valley today to get various kids to various activities.  She quietly comes along giving a helping hand where ever she can.  I hope she will like it here.  I know she needs to spread her wings but I hope she will do some basic maintenance here first where we can be there for her just in case.

Matthew and Zuke continue to be inseparable.  They cuddle every morning and night and play very nicely.  It is fun to watch them together.