a slow day

(as opposed to a snow day)
by Sonya

We are all a little slow today.



There is a nasty cold going around that Stephen just got over & Dave just began.
And last night, Maci had a fall & suffered a concussion. She fell (rolled) off an exercise ball basically right on to her face. She lost consciousness immediately, for a few minutes.
We spent some hours in the ER last night figuring out that there was no hemorrhaging or fractures. We were very thankful as we lowered ourselves into our beds early this morning. We are tired & trying desperately to protect Maci from any bumps on her head for four weeks, the crucial time after a concussion.
So the girls & I enjoyed a slow day. Filly friends. Long naps. Laundry. Blue's Clues. Lots of snuggles. I'm so thankful to be a mom & to be home where I need to be.

this isn't a cooking blog, but....

by Sonya

This afternoon, I messed with a scone recipe & it turned out really yummy.
It warmed up the kitchen too!
(On a day when the high is 10 degrees, the heat has a hard time making it to the kitchen).
Enjoy!

Banana Chocolate Chip Scones:

(preheat oven to 375)

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. salt
Mix all those dry ingredients in the food processor.
Then mix in:
1/4 c. butter
Then mix in a bowl:
3/4 c. cream
1 egg
& add that slowly into food processor.
Then add:
1/3 c. white sugar
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips
1 banana
Pour dough out onto floured counter. Knead a few times. Divide dough in half; shape each half into 6" circle. Cut each into 6 wedges.
Place separated scones onto greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes.

Already!?

This year I was determined to keep an eye on birthdays in our family (sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, etc...) and what do you know. It is January 23rd and I have already failed!!! So sorry David - and happy birthday (belated).

Just to set up what complete miserable failures we have been: sometimes we buy gifts a month after a birthday has already taken place and wait another two months to actually get them in the mail (*sorry sis). We have also bought gifts too late and then had so much trouble getting them in the mail that we just say forget it, and never say a word about it (not gonna fess up there to which person got jipped...sorry) We are REALLY BAD at extended family birthdays.

I am trying something new...now. Yeah, Birthday-reminders.com. Now if I forget it will be because I have ignored various emails...or because I did not have your date in the first place, or because we still couldn't get it in the mail. Don't worry, I did not put in last names. And as far as they are concerned you are all between the age of 70 and 105!

-Dave

no one is paying me to say this

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with my own life, I forget to laugh, I forget to dream, I forget that there will be other seasons of my life.
Today after school, Dave sent me to the library. That's a really nice thing to do, in my world. It gives me time to think & look at books (or magazines) other than Fancy Nancy & the Posh Puppy. Nothing against the "girl of glamour" of course (our little two happen to be quite taken with her).
Anyway, I found a fun book & I wanted to plug it for you all.
It made me laugh. And laughing, as we all know, is good for the soul.
The setup is even fun. Judith Viorst wrote Alexander & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day for the youngsters of my generation. Remember?
And guess what?
Alexander grew up.
While his home was being renovated, he moved his wife & three little darlings in with his parents. His author momma couldn't resist writing a book about the ensuing 90 days.
You have to check it out if you are a young parent, a grandparent, or if you are destined to be either.
Alexander & the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days by Judith Viorst.
Oh & I haven't finished it yet, so don't tell me how it ends!

oh the beginnings in life

This week, Ana began preschool two days a week.
And I was okay until I saw the yellow paint around her fingernails. Really, I was.
I know that kids go down the path of life, becoming more independent, learning how to behave when Mommy isn't there to give the evil eye.
I do know. Or at least I know some of it.
But I was really not very nostalgic about Ana beginning preschool until today, the second day, when she came home with yellow paint on her fingernails.
I didn't think of the craft that she did. I didn't see her do it. I didn't even make sure she didn't spill the water.

Dave & I are ready to see her take this next step & we are right here waiting to hear all about her two hours & 15 minutes away from us. We know she needs the challenge of making her language match her peers & learning to follow directions in a small classroom of kids.
But oh. That yellow paint just got me.

You might not realize the Hillrich Shoppe (or as the kids say, Show-pay) is open from 3-6pm, because the lettering is hard to read. Notice Caleb & Abi making a sale to Ana. Oh, everything is free or best offer (huh??).
So cute.
Keeping busy on Christmas break is so fun!
And the snow picture?? This is truly why our kids like snow. So they can eat it!
Enjoy your day.

HEY YOU GUYS>>>>>>>

I am a 70's child.
I just need to admit that before I tell this story.
We asked for a collection of The Electric Company DVD's for our kids for Christmas.
They are just delightful.
But a bit slower than I remember & full of laughs for our older kids. The little girls will learn lots about

"SH"

and

"LY"

as we work our way through the set, I'm sure. I'm not sure the bigger kids will stick with it all the way through, though.
I remember my brother & I asking our younger siblings to "call us in" to the tv when the Spiderman skit came on, but we have not gotten to those episodes yet.
Check out some youtube of the Electric Company if you dare.