What's for supper...

Casserole. Who doesn't like a good casserole. My boys are pretty picky when it comes to casserole...usually not touching anything containing beef or tomato. This one, however, is a hit.

CHICKEN CHOW BAKE

2 cups cooked, diced chicken
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can pineapple tidbits
1 Tbsp soya sauce
1 cup celery, sliced
2 Tbsp chopped green onions
1 cup dry chow mein noodles

Combine the cooked chicken, soup, pineapple, soya sauce, celery and onion. Mix well. Gently fold in noodles. Put into casserole dish. Sprinkle with more noodles if you want. Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes. Serves 4.
Easy. Yummy.

Somethins not working

Okay...someone please enlighten me. How do "accidents" happen when it comes to getting pregnant. I was paranoid when I got married that I was going to get pregnant immediately...and I did not want to be the one to have a honeymoon baby or worse yet, a baby 9 months later and people would be all...now was that before or after the honeymoon baby. Ya, stupid, I know. But I am a pastors kid after all, and you don't want people talking about you unneccesarily. It just wouldn't go over well. So I did what most young ladies do, I went on the pill and followed the rules in the package strictly. I was aware of all the things that could make the pill ineffective...antibiotics, missing 3 days in a row etc. etc.
I was one of those lucky people who, after 2 years of marriage, we decided we were ready and within 3 months we were expecting Riley. Immediately after his delivery I went on the pill you can take when you're nursing...cuz heaven forbid I'd have to go through another labor that year!! And then a year and a half later, I went off and got pregnant within 3 months again with Liam. (I know...we are really blessed!!) I know that things don't always happen so easily for others, so we are thankful. But my question is....do people really think that breastfeeding is birth-control? or do people have a hard time remembering the pill? or do people take antibiotics and don't remember the warning on the package of pills that says...this could interfere with the birth control pill? I'm just wondering. I have no idea. Isn't the pill 99% effective? maybe they aren't on the pill and are doing that one-ie and a two-ie...the rhythm method or whatever its called. Or maybe they are using faulty condoms. I personally don't trust that method enough. Hmm. In some ways maybe a "surprise" baby would be fun..stir things up a little. Send all the plans you did have for the year shoot right out the window. Cuz having a baby is HUGE! Let me tell you. Not only physically, but emotionally. It changes everything. In fact, its so life altering, I'm surprised that we're capable of doing it more than once. I remember thinking that when I was pregnant with my second baby. I can't believe I am doing this again...is it possible that I can experience so much excitement/growth/joy/pain/anticipation/uncertainty/sleeplessness/fear/fun...all over again!? And, by the way, Yes, it is!

It has begun

Greg went to the store today and brought home our very first Playstation Game for Riley. Oh oh. And he likes it! And he's GOOD! It is actually a pretty fun game (coming from one who did not grow up with a nintendo or playstation). He's already teaching me what to do. I'm excited at how he can spend a good hour playing it...but know that one day I will have to drag him and Liam away from the couch...come on guys! Come play ball with mommy!!

Storyboard

I finally figured out how to do one of these in flickr. Fun fun.
This is Riley today...enjoying another HOT day out in the backyard.

Summer daze

Hasn't it been so hot? We get a little cranky when we're hot. I decided to drive the boys to a park they weren't bored of yet. It has a little lake that we could throw rocks into.
Then we had slurpees and pizza.
It was a good time had by all.

From the mouth of Riley

Last night after we had been talking about needing to get Riley a new helmet, Greg reached over for his computer.
"Dad, are you just getting your computer so you can show me a picture of the helmet we want to get?"
Yes Riley. You're so smart. We're thinking the same.
"Ya daddy, we've got the same brain!"

I've been writing down his quotes for awhile now...a good thing, cuz I barely remembered them. So I thought I'd share some....

Sept21/2004 almost 3yrs old
"Mommy...you are my favorite mommy."
First thing he said to me one morning with his hand on my face when I woke up.

Jan12/2005 3yrs 2weeks
I was trying to teach Riley the saying....Seeya later alligator, and he said back..."In awhile dinosaur."

Jan19/2005
Riley and I were painting and Riley says...."Should the sun be yellow, mommy?!"
Yes. "Why?" Cuz God made it yellow.
"Did He just get a ladder??"

Same day...
He asked me..."what's this mom?"
I said, "A penny whistle. Just like penny money."
And he said, "Or like penny (penne) noodles??"
Yes Riley

When Riley was 3, he was always confused from his trampoline jargon, and would mistakenly call raindrops, bumdrops!
"Mom! A bumdrop just landed on my head!!"

March24/2005
I was saying to Riley that maybe we will fly up to see Nanny and Papa in a big airplane. His eyes got big and he said..."Oh, maybe we can bring those speaker things (earphones) and the driver can turn on some music for us to listen to."
I corrected him saying, "Yes, maybe the pilot could put some music on".
And he said...."MOM, pirates drive boats, not planes!!"
He still can't say "L's", so pilot and pirate sound exactly the same!!

March29/2005
So Riley says to me ...
"Come see these cars mom...they are on their honeymoon...they just got married."
Oh, where are they going on their honeymoon?
"Vanderhoof" (A tiny hick-town up north where my parents lived.)
Oh, what can they do for fun in Vanderhoof?
"They can shave....they can talk to nanny up there......they could bring some computers......"

June2005
"Do you know how sleepy I am mommy?" Fourty pounds sleepy. That's a lot of sleep."

August2005
The wild little bunnies in the feild across the street from us were eating away and Riley says...."Hey....I'll be right back. I don't want those bunnies to eat all those crabby apples."
(they are crab apples)

Oct23/2005
Riley went out biking with Daddy on Saturday morning, and it turned out to be a little too cold...wishing they had brought mitts. Daddy says...Hey Riley, maybe we should bike over to Tim Hortons and grab some hot chocolate. And Riley says....there is a new Starbucks just over there...I think you'd like that better.
(A very good example of how Riley is like his dad, and picks up on things that people like without us needing to say a thing.)

Nov24/2005
The other day I caught Riley singing....
Home, home on the range....
Where the deer and the ants are OK....

I love Liam

I mean, how could you not?
He is SO fun. He is just over 2 now, and busy as ever and hitting the "terrible two's", but is generally just a really great little person. Maybe it is due to him being second-born...but he is always up for a party. He is the ultimate cheer leader. Loves to join in any dance, song, game or activity. Today at church (which is outdoors)...the SS kids were playing Red Rover. Liam was watching from the swing set, and as soon as he saw there was a game going on and how much fun it was, he came running over. Every time they called anyone across, he would go running too, and would put his head down and charge through (or into) anyone who was in his path. He loved it. Everything is 100% with that kid. Tonight we played street hockey with the neighbor boy and Liam was right in there with his little stick and his big hoots and cheers. And boy can he talk. He can say anything he wants to, and well. He seems ahead of the game in most areas. "Dad I just saw two horses out my window" was his sentence today. Check out "My videos" for some cute animal noises he did awhile back. Gotta get that video camera out for some more recent footage. Potty training is going well too and he woke up dry from night and nap today and peed in the potty when he got up...yay. Anyway...he's going to be fun to have around as he grows. My mom says he reminds her of me when I was his age. She used to have to walk out of the church service cuz I would be saying or doing little things that would make her giggle uncontrollably.
It's fun how our kids are so different from eachother as well. I can't say I bond as easily with Riley, but at the same time, I love that he's not like me. He is fun in his own quiet ways. Strange thing is that he's almost exactly like his daddy...so once his ways are matured and fine-tuned...he'll be an amazing man like G turned out to be!
Anyway...it's fun to be able to watch little personalities "become".

In case you haven't tried it.

This is my site in flickr. I'm such an addict. If you enjoy photography at all, and want to be inspired and learn...get an account on flickr and let me know if you are there so I can add you as a contact.

My kids have it so good

I was thinking that today as I was rolling up their deli meat and poking it onto little toothpicks with cubes of mozzarella (they love that!). They are well rested in their cozy little rooms, full tummies, healthy glows, happy hearts...and I am SO thankful that we are blessed enough to give this kind of life to them.

Fun with the camera

I have a toddler who likes taking long naps...which is a great thing, but can make the afternoons a tad boring. I can only take so much housework, and then I pull out the camera for my self-educated class on macro and lighting (for today anyway).

Riley said...

I have a pile of quotes recorded of funny things that he has said. Today...just something little he said...
He was walking up the back steps and he was singing away at the top of his lungs, and I was behind him. I grabbed his little butt cheeks and gave him a good squeeze, and his little voice went squeaky and all over the place while he sang. He stopped and says...MOM...you made my words scribble!

I told you earlier that I've "unofficially" started Liam potty training...basically trying to catch him and throw him on...well tonight he peed twice in the little potty and we're quite proud. Especially Riley. He stands there beside him and hugs his head and says "You're doing IT!" High five! I have yet to go cold turkey and do the training pants like I did with Riley. You have to be willing to stay home quite alot! and it just isn't happening during the summer. I haven't even switched him to the big boy car bed yet...so I'm not going to rush it. After all, he is my baby. But yuck...toddler poos stink.

Cool

I've been making my own popsicles and fudgesicles from the Kids Cooking (Company's Coming) cookbook. Thought I'd share.

Fudgesicles
1 Instant Chocolate pudding box
2 1/2 cups Cold milk
1/4 cup Sugar
Mix all three. Beat on slow speed until creamy thick. Pour into molds. Freeze for about 8hours or overnight. Makes about 12.


Popsicles
1 Orange jello box (3oz)
1 Orange kool-aid package
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups boiling water
Combine the flavored jello, kool-aid and sugar in a bowl.
Pour the boiling water over the top. Stir til dissolved.
Add the cold water to the bowl. Stir. Fill your molds and freeze.
Makes about 16

Creamy Popsicles
1 Strawberry or raspberry jello box (3 oz)
1 cup boiling water
1 cup strawberry or raspberry yogurt
1/2 cup cold water
Pour jello in bowl. Add boiling water. Stir til dissolved.
Add yogurt. Stir. Add cold water. Stir. Pour into molds. Freeze.
Makes about 10
(I just made these tonight. They smell soooo good.)

Just don't

This Sunday I had a lady at church ask me if I was pregnant. Umm...not the best question to ask. Especially cuz I'm NOT pregnant!! I was wearing this not so flattering dress with an empire waist and was maybe a little bloated...but even so. It does not justify asking that question! EVER! And funny thing...it wasn't the first time. A few months after I had Liam, I was shopping and some friends of Heather asked the same stupid question. Sure I had a hoodie on, with my wallet in the front pocket. But STILL! Just don't! I'm sure if someone is pregnant, they will TELL you. And if they haven't told you, they obviously don't want you to know.
silly

dear diary...

I've been looking back and find my blog is starting to look alot like my diary (minus the secrets)...blah blah blah on ordinary events of the day. Not exactly what I had intended for this blog to become! I have to work on that.
Not that I'm going to lie about life and try to make everything absolutely inspiring or funny! but I'm just tired of the blah.

Sunshine and daisies

Hard to believe we're at the middle of July.

Yahoo

We always manage to get to stampede at least one day of its season. When we do, we make the most of it. Yesterday we went to Kid's Day, and made it in for free as we arrived before 9am. Good thing, because with parking, rides and food...we spent more than enough. We did fairly well with the 2 crazies...made it to everything we had hoped to see, other than the fireworks. I enjoy all the crowds of people and its nice that the kids don't need to be quiet....screaming is absolutely acceptable. Liam only had a short nap in the buggy so we decided we wouldn't be able to wait for the fireworks (at 11:30pm) and went home at 10pm. Anyway...here's some photos from our busy day...

My cousin Hildegarde

no just kidding. of course, it's me....
without makeup.

Home again

We had a great trip back to Salmon Arm...staying for the week and visiting with everyone possible. Our list of relatives and friends that lives there is getting longer and our days there are socially full to the max. I love it. I love how people in small towns just get together to hang out and don't have to make huge plans, drive far, and the fun is not expensive. It's one of those small town perks. Oh, and the free babysitting helps too. I found it a bit of a juggling act though...trying to visit with both sides of the family and sometimes wanting to be 2 places at once.
My parents are adjusting to life back in the "arm"...still unsure of what the future holds for them. SO weird to drive down my old street and have them living in the basement of our old house. I had so many deja vouz. The week ended up being emotionally full to the max too...many family members dealing with various things...or just adjusting to new stages in their life, lots of sad mixed with lots of happy. Babies, marriages, moves, sicknesses, jobs, breakups...the whole spectrum.
The boys enjoyed the beach, the friends and the fruit. I think they are happy to be home too...and are currently playing trains with the suitcases laying around. The house is a disaster.
My garden is hugely overgrown...amazing what it can do in a week without you watching it like a toaster about to pop. The peas and sunflowers have reached the top of the fence now.
So there is lots to do today. I think I'll just keep my pj's on.

The fam

Happy Canada Day! We went to a wedding today for G's little cousin Evie. It was beautiful. We have G's parents here for it, and then when they are ready to go home on Tuesday, the little boys and I will bum a ride with them to Salmon Arm. Greg will meet us there the following weekend. Yeah! Summer holidays have officially begun. Both boys are actually napping, and now a thunderstorm has started up which I hope doesn't wake them. Tonight we're having auntie Linda, Steph and Dawna over for their first visit at our little house, so it should be a fun evening.