First Name Basis

Kerst updated my calendar whiteboard a couple of weeks ago. I didn't really take notice what he wrote until today when I was updating some information.


Monday - Martin's Bday

I thought about it. And then chuckled.

I didn't know Kerst was on a first name basis with Martin ...


But he is!

Pinned ... (again)

I am now a proud owner of two pins.

The Bobcat and the Wolf.

He did a great job pinning it on me - and giggling while doing it.

(Can't you hear his giggle coming from this picture of him pinning me? I can!)

Two is enough

I know three time's a charm, but I say ... Let's stop at two. No more.

Last week Julia was having a second bout of terrible back pain and nausea. Deja Vous. I suspected gall bladder since I recently endured those attacks and had my gall bladder removed (hereditary). After a first round of testing, negative. If this happens again, we will have more in depth testing.

Yesterday. Jaley fell. In gym class. Running backwards. She didn't tell anyone. After school she was in pain. I took her to the doctor. 4 x-rays later showed that she broke her wrist in 2 places. Poor girl. Now she has a different way to wear her scarves. That a stylish girl! She gets her cast on Monday after her swelling goes down.

Let's stop at two!

Kitchen Favorites

Silly. I know. I can't believe my two favorite kitchen small appliances/gadgets are ASOTV items (as seen on TV). Tessa, this would be something to think about asking for your Birthday or even Santa! I've included a couple of favorite quick recipes too for you!

#1 - My Magic Bullet

I use my "Magic Bullet" daily. Several times a day. Two months ago Costco had a coupon for the Magic Bullet for $35 after coupon. I bought a spare. You can blend anything. Sauces, dressings, drinks/smoothies, protein shakes, etc ...

*Note: There are 3 plastic tabs on the cups that push down the "on" button that is built into the base of the unit. If the tabs start to break off, don't worry! As long as you have one of the three tabs, you can still operate the machine. You have to make sure you place one of the remaining tabs over notch that is above the "Magic Bullet" label on the base. My favorite cup has one tab left. Make sure you hold it down the cup while blending. If you are missing a tab, the stress on the other tabs will become greater. I thought that once one tab broke off, the cup was a gonner ... Nope! I have had my first magic bullet for almost 2 years and have popped a couple of tabs. I do wish they sold replacement cups, but figuring my way around the problem of missing tabs, it is not such a big deal.

Here are a couple of favorite recipes I use with my Magic Bullet

Grandma's Eggs

6 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 TBSP flour (1 1/2 tsp)

Melt 2 TBSP of butter/margarine in pan. Cook eggs. Delicious! These eggs do well as left overs.

Skier Pancakes

(a favorite of John's ... his Mom would make this when the family would go skiing). Depending on the size of blender cup you use, you might need to half the recipe.

1 cup cottage cheese
4 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 (plus a little more) pancake mix

Smoothies and Orange Julius.

Dressings

Our powdered milk

#2 - Slap Chop

It says on the box that you can chop using one finger. I guess you can if you are Hercules. I slap it with the palm of my hand. And I love how it opens for easy cleaning. I had a chopper that was distributed by a well known home show company, but it only lasted a couple of months and it seemed impossible to get a replacement (or at least my complaints were pushed aside).

My slap chopper has outlasted my previous one ... no complaints! I even saw JoAnn's (fabric and craft store) carrying the slap chopper. If you get their 40% off coupon mailer/flier, I recommend using the coupon on this! It brings the cost down to right around $12! If you don't receive their store flier, you can go in their store and sign up at the register. When you sign up, they usually give you 40% off at the register with the application (if not, ask).

More to practice

Kerst has been taking piano lessons since the beginning of this month and has proven to be the musical genius I always knew he was. He has an amazing musical ear and picks up on new pieces quickly. He also practices non-stop.

Today when I picked him up from his piano lesson, Donna told me how thrilled she was with how Kerst has been progressing. She even mentioned that he asked to have more songs to practice during the week. With that request she told him that this would mean that he has to practice longer.

To that comment, Kerst replied, "That's ok. I like to bug Jenna."

Kiss All Better

On Monday we went out to Champps for their 1/2 price burger Mondays ... and to continue Jaley's birthday celebration - good excuse to go out to eat as a family.

John, Kendall and I were on one side; Kendall was sitting next to me. Jenna, Jaley, Kerst and Julia were on the other side of the table.

We ordered Kendall's meal and asked for it to come out as soon as possible. Crayons don't keep him at bay long enough when he is hungry. Kendall is also known for swiping food from other plates. Even with his own plate of food in front of him, he still managed to swipe plenty from mine!

During the dinner Jaley told us she had a headache. She must have been suffering because she is usually one of the first ones done eating - everything on her plate. We were all further advanced in eating our meal than she was.

I looked next to me and noticed that Kendall wasn't sitting there.

I saw movement next to Jenna who was sitting on the outside edge of their end of the table.

It was Kendall. He was trying to climb over Jenna. I figured that he must have noticed some food he wanted to try on one of their plates.

"Denna, dooze me. I need to kiss Dayee bedder." (Jenna, excuse me. I need to kiss Jaley better.)

I remember those days when all Jaley needed was a "kiss all better". Those days are back. They make my heart swell.

Coordinated

On Sunday I glanced down the church pew at our clan. All of us. Together.

Then I noticed something. We were color coordinated. I pointed it out to Kerst.

Kendall: Maroon shirt, tie and black pants.
Kerst: Gray sweater with black/gray pants
Jaley: Gray sweater with black skirt
Jenna: Gray striped sweater, black and white skirt.
Julia: Gray striped sweater, black skirt.
Me: Black shirt with Gray sweater.

When I reached John/Dad, I pointed out that he didn't match. Navy blue pants.

Kerst thought for a moment and then tied us all together. "Mom, Dad has gray hair so he still matches!"

I laughed - quietly since we were in Sacrament Meeting.