Noah's Stitches

On Sat, Jan 2 Noah and Collin were chasing each other in the house when Noah slipped and hit his head on the dining room table. Of course I had just told them to stop running in the house when this happened. BIG shock, I know. Anyhow, he ended up with 11 stitches outside and some inside too.One of the ER nurses brought him this army helmet. God bless her, she looked for a cowboy hat for him, but couldn't find one.
He was very brave during the stitching and didn't even cry!
Today we were able to go to the pediatrician and get them removed. He said he was "a lot of nervous!", but once again he was really brave. We went to our new pediatrician and the kids loved him!! He let both boys try on his magnifying lighted headband. He even let Collin sit on the exam table by Noah's head and watch him take the stitches out. The entire time, Collin kept telling Noah how brave he was being and that it would be over soon! The boys are very loving and sweet to each other today. They were perfectly behaved while we were at the doc's and even gave each other an unprompted hug and kiss after Noah was all done! I feel so blessed to have sons that really enjoy each other. I pray God will guard their relationship and keep them close!

Way to go Noah!! I am so proud of you! (You too Collin.)

Movie Night

Family Movie Night!!

Last night I was blessed to spend the entire evening with my guys. We had a movie night!

The above pic was taken Christmas Eve morning at my parents house.

We cuddled up on the couch under a soft, much-loved-fleece blanket, enjoyed popcorn and candy while watched "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs". Check out this review:
http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2010/q1/cloudywithachanceofmeatballs.aspx

(photo from pluggedin.com)

We loved it so much that we have added it to our shopping list. It appealed to the kids, naturally, but also to the parents. I could count on one hand the things that could be offensive about the movie and even the token love story in the film was kid friendly. It is only on a rare occasion that I will put myself out there and recommend a movie, especially one that is for the kids, but this gets 2 thumbs up from this Mama! This morning I asked the boys and Aaron what their favorite parts were and we all like something different. You really should rent it or make an event of it and catch it at the cheap seats while you can. It is so much fun and leaves you feeling happy, satisfied and a tad bit hungry.

I think one of the things I liked best is that it was age appropriate for my 3 and 4 year old. I didn't have to fast forward over anything and I didn't have to sensor any of the language....SO refreshing! It was a wonderful night.

So, if you are looking for a great movie for the entire family go get "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs". If you do, let me know what you think!!!! :)

$5 Dinner Menu Plan Day #3

What's for dinner tonight??

Autumn Chicken!

Page 91

Apple Juice $.30

Chicken Thighs ( I bought boneless/skinless, instead of bone-in) $3.42

Onion $.30

Apples (I bought granny smith instead of Macintosh) $.50

Lemon Juice $.15

Cinnamon $.05

Rice $.20

Broccoli (I am using frozen mixed veggies) $1

Total: $5.92 ( I could have saved a lot if I would have bought the recommended Bone-in thighs.) Not $5, but a great value nonetheless!

Everything just gets thrown into the crockpot! You do have to toss the apple slices in some cinnamon and lemon juice, but that is no biggie. So easy and it sure was nice to have the fragrance of this meal filling the house while we were snowed in today!

8 hours later, all done! The chicken was moist and full of flavor. It fell apart.

This was my plate! I think the thing I like best about Erin's book so far is that you never are over full! You know what I mean? The meals are well balanced and portioned just right for a family like mine. Of course, last night we could have over eaten, but the flavors are so alive in her recipes that I walk away feeling satisfied, not stuffed to the gills! Another winner!

My $5 dinner cookbook menu plan, day 2

What is on the menu tonight?

Mexican Rice Casserole

page 156

Here is the run down...

Tomato Sauce $.39

Ground Beef $1.78 ( I used 1lbs instead of 3/4 lbs)

Chili Powder $.10 ( I go by Erin's math for the cost breakdown of the spices. )

Ground Cumin $.10

Garlic Powder $.05

Onion Powder $.05

Salt & Pepper

White Rice $.20 (I used Jasmine Rice left over from a previous meal)

Cheese $.24 ( I used 1/4 cup of cheddar instead of 1 cup mont jack cheese. It was great!)

1 can Black Beans $1.00

1/2 can corn $.35

1/2 Avocado $.33

Total $4.59

The spices, ready to go!
The beef is browned and the spices and tomato sauce have been added.
I used black beans for a side instead of eating this with Watermelon because it wasn't in season.
I didn't want to pay what Kroger was charging for corn on the cob, (Erin suggested serving with corn on the cob), so I added 1/2 a can of corn to the casserole. You can see that 1/4 cup of cheddar got the job done!
Served with avocado ( I only mixed it w/ a tiny bit of garlic powder, salt and pepper) and black beans.

It was delicious!! Another winner. Overall, we liked this better than the turkey burgers. The best part

is, we will we have about 1/3 left! I can't wait for lunch tomorrow. YUMMY!

My $5 dinner cookbook menu plan

Okay so you have heard me brag on my friend, Erin, and her brand new cookbook!! Well, here I am striking a pose with the book! And yes, I did try to mimic her pose on the cover. ;) In honor of her book release, I will be cooking recipes found within the book for the next 2 weeks or so. I will not make a new recipe every night, but I will post the meals I do make.

Tonight I made Italian Turkey Burgers. YUMMY!
My meal cost a whopping $5.03. I did make a list of how much all of the ingredients cost me, but somehow I lost it between this afternoon and evening.

As suggested in the book, I served it with carrot sticks and oven fries. This is a pic of my plate, yes I did start eating before I remembered to take a pic. It is delish! Noah, my 4.5 year old, ate 1 1/2. The burger may be remade in my kitchen as meatballs in the future. It is full of flavor and really moist.

If you want to attempt this meal, it is on pages 111-112 in the $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook.

Happy cooking!

Picture post!!

Christmas 2009...

I hope your Christmas was as Merry as ours!!

A bloggers dream

So, I really want to go to Blissdom 10, had even planned on it. Well, it is not happening this year, we just can't afford it. That being said, I think my subconscious still holds out hope that Aaron will drop the needed amount of money on my lap and send me on my way. Anyway, here is the dream I had last night.

It was a beautiful day and I was walking through Nashville, ( the Nashville in my mind is beautiful. I have never actually been there.) I was walking through the parking lot of a busines office where Blissdom was being held. ( I know it is at an amazing hotel, but this was my dream people, so that is where it was.) So, I was just walking by an old truck and lying in the back were 2 little girls, I would say about 6 & 8. I asked what they were doing there, in their sleeping bags, and they explained that their mom was a blogger and just HAD to go to Blissdom, but had no one to watch them so she brought them along. They continued to tell me that they had been there the entire time and that their mom would bring them food, so I didn't need to worry. Well, I scooped them out of the truck and we went to the nearest police dept. The mom was arrested and I was given a free pass to Blissdom 10. I was so happy! Nevermind the fact that those girls were completely neglected, minor detail. LOL!!

Oh Blissdom, why must you cost so much! :(

To all of my bloggy friends, may you have safe travel and a wonderful time at Blissdom! I will be there in spirit. Keep an eye out for me in a parking lot near the hotel. AND please leave your children in the care of someone you trust, not in the back of your truck. ;)