What He Puts Up With

A little over a week ago I got a call that went something like this...

"Amanda, can you meet me tomorrow night at this field so I can take your family's pictures?  I know it's totally late notice, but I need a short notice family."

"Let me check with Steven, but I think we can do it...(Checking with Steven)...Yep, we'll see you there.

That was it, and now we have these...

We are always super happy when Melinda takes pictures of our family.  She did our extended family session and Little Miss' two year old pics last year, and now these.  She's easy to work with, and you should book her.  Like now.  Not to mention she just found a super secretive Pecan Grove Farm that makes for the best location.

Moving on.  I'm sure you're wondering what the title is all about.  Well, I think there's a side of me I have failed to share with you.  I have an inner model inside of me.  So when Melinda said, "Hey, go stand over there so I can check the lighting," I couldn't resist going for some awesome poses.  I really think I gave her some great ideas for future shoots.  She had no idea how talented I really can be in front of the camera.  See what I mean...

I know. I missed my calling.  What I can't figure out is why Steven was rolling his eyes during my moment.  He must not know art when he sees it.  Come to think of it, I know he doesn't know art.  Humanities wasn't really his favorite course in college.  Or, maybe he was rolling his eyes because I embarrass him often.  Yeah, I think that must be it.  He puts up from a lot from me. 

By the way, today is our dating anniversary.  Fourteen years ago I went on the first date with the man I would marry.  It's been the best fourteen years of my life.  He's one amazing man...even when he was 18.

Menu Monday

I have two words for you...Taco Cups. 

You have to make them.  Easy, cute, delicious, finger food.  What's not to love?

And might I add that if you are feeling particularily multi-cultural then you should also make some arroz con gandules (not our family recipe, but close enough).  Basically, you'll be making a spin on a Mexican dish (Taco Cups) with a side of Puerto Rican rice.  PR rice blows Mexican rice out of the water any day.  Even Little Man's red headed buddy threw down some platefuls of arroz con gandules.  You know if a four year old white red head likes it, you will too.  Plus you'll be representin' to Hispanic cultures on one night.  You can't really live on the edge too much. 

Now that I've spent 5 minutes of my time trying to convince you to make rice, I think I'll go ahead and share my menu that does not include Puerto Rican style rice...

Monday-Zucchini Bake, Salad, Breadsticks
Tuesday-Monterey Chicken, Steamed Veggies, Loaded Potatoes
Wednesday-Sloppy Joes, Homemade Fries, and Peaches
Thursday-Sweet & Sour Chicken with Fried Rice and Stir Fry
Friday-Chicken Bacon Cresent Ring, Carrots with Veggie Dip
Saturday-Hamburgers, Chips and Queso Blanco, Fresh Fruit Salad (Happy 3rd Birthday Little Miss!)
Sunday-Dinner @ my Mama's

It's Friday

I try really hard to enjoy each day whether it's Monday or Friday, but I am super pumped for some time with these guys...

Enjoy your weekend!



A Wee Bit O'Shopping

Okay, this title may be a bit misleading.  Shopping I love, but not more than I love a good deal.  Recently, I received a catalog in the mail and I was astounded by pricing of certain items.  Items listed way lower than I ever imagined.  Sometimes even hundreds of dollars of what I would have something should have cost.  Now that's my kind of bargain.



I must admit the shopping catalog I received wasn't necessarily the kind you would usually look through, and the items weren't really items you and I would need.  We lead a convenient life.  We have easy access to the needs and wants for our families.  This magazine was the Samaritan's Purse 2011 Gift Catalog.  Just check out some of the deals inside...

Feed a Hungry Baby for a Week...........$9
Teach a Child to Read & Write.............$15
Give an Orphan a Month of Care..........$35
Help Save Lives of Mothers & Babies..$45
Hot Meals............................................$7
Milk.....................................................$5
Life Saving Medicine for 50 people.......$60
Stock a Fish Pond................................$50
Dairy Goat...........................................$70
Fishing Boats........................................$50

When you compare these prices with the items we typically buy from catalouges or online, it seems ridiculous.  I'm thinking this week I might forgo some of my typically purchases and do a wee bit o'shopping for others.  Who knows, I might just buy a boat this week...or a goat...

Getting Kids to Write

Most teachers really dread teaching writing.  My strange genetic make up allows me to love the writing process and teaching kids how to get their ideas down on paper.  Excitement builds within me whenever I start planning a writing project.  Usually, kids give the long drawn out moan on the first time I announce we're going to do some writing, but by the end of the year the kids are asking when we're going to do the next one.  Now that's a feeling of accomplishment.

If you're a parent or teacher trying to encourage your children to write, I have some tips for you.  Over the next few weeks, I'll share some lessons I used to do in class to pull out the best writing from my kids.  I hope I'm able to do the same with my own as they grow.

One of the best things you can do for your child is to have them keep a journal and have them write in it everyday.  This can be very overwhelming for some kids.  They just don't know what to write.  In the beginning, I would put a writing prompt on the board for those who have writer's block.  The kids did not have to choose the writing prompt, but it offered a choice to those who didn't know where to start.  I also kept the writing limited to one minute.  Sound too short?  A minute can seem like forever when you're a kid doing the writing, but seems doable when they hear the short time limit.  During that minute I have one rule. You're pencil must be moving and it must be writing words.  At first I don't worry about the content.  Some kids write, "I don't know what to write," over and over and over.  After a while they get tired of writing that and their brain starts connecting to their hand.

If you're wondering what you do with the child who loves to write and a minute is just too short to put their ideas down on paper, I have an answer for you too.  Kids who complain that a minute is too short, generally already have a love for writing.  As they finish other assignments in class have them revisit their journal to continue their thoughts, or continue their story during the next journal write time.  Be sure you check on them to show your interest in their ideas.  Don't allow it to just be work to keep them busy.  Show your kids you value what they write.

Now that you know what to do with the child who won't write and the child who won't stop writing, I want to encourage you to allow your kids to share with others.  If you're doing this activity at home, try to find a buddy who will also commit to journaling.  If you're a teacher, offer a few minutes of class time immediately after the journal write for kids to share who want to share (Never force kids to share their thoughts if they do not want to).  This will allow other kids to hear all of the different types of writing kids record.  Some kids will write personal narratives and others will write lists of what they need to do when they get home.  All types are writing, and all have a place.  Just encourage your kids to write!

All That Glitters Drives Me Nuts

Glitter.  What a dirty nasty word.  It ranks right up there with other four letter words that I cannot disclose on this blog.  I'm just not that kind of gal.  So when Little Man brought home his October project for school and Steven suggested decorating it with glitter, I told him that man to bite his tongue.  Glitter, pssh! 

I had to think fast.  Little Man was taken by the idea of spreading glitter all over my well swept floor, only for me to agonize finding each little speck on my hands and knees and then burning it up to never be used again.  No sirree.  We weren't going to do that.  Instead I pulled out my stash of old magazines that could rival any hoarders.  I just knew those things were going to be of use someday.

Quickly, I assigned jobs.  I don't think I've ever mentioned before that I am really good at assigning jobs.  I majored in it in college.  You know, a BS in Elementary Education.  The BS stands for Bossing Supervisor...or at least I think it does.  Anyway, I assigned the jobs.  Little Man and Little Miss were to turn the pages and find the colors orange, green, and brown.  When they found the right color, they would tear out the page and put it in the right stack.  Then Little Man, Steven, and I would cut out the colors.  We just don't trust Little Miss with scissors yet.  We have a family history of kids cutting hair.  Just ask my cousin Scott.  His daughter gave herself an epic haircut. 

After the cutting of the colors, Little Man pieced it all together and created this work of art...

{Little Man's Fall Pumpkin}

Is that not the cutest little thang you've ever seen in your entire life?  I'm not talking about the pumpkin.  I'm talking about my boy still in his pj's, teeth not brushed, and major cheesy smile.  He's just so cute.  Now for the pumpkin.  He did a great job.  He also wanted to put his name on the front.  I don't blame him.  If I created such awesomeness, I'd want my name on the front too. 

Now, I sincerely apologize if you find glitter the best invention ever.  I just don't see the purpose of it in this world, and unless you can change my mind glitter will not walk it's devilish face through my door.  Ever.

Menu Monday

It hit me. The sneezy, stuffy nose, nasty allergies.  I've been reading about others who have been taken by this yucky stuff.  I thanked my lucky stars it hasn't happened to me, and now it has.  I really try to not complain, but this is annoying.  I'm really contemplating walking around in public with tissues up my nose.  Really, I am.  It's better than blowing my nose and messing up my lipstick.  Well, when I'm wearing lipstick.  Which isn't that often, but that's beside the point.  If I were to wear lipstick daily, it would be a mess. 

What's even more annoying is I have two new recipes I'm making this week...Taco Cups and a 3 Cheese Tortellini dish.  If I can't breathe, I can't taste.  I won't know if I should make it again or not.  Steven would eat poo, so he's not really a good helper in deciding if dishes are keepers or not.  Hopefully, the Kleenex stuffed up my nose will absorb all that I have coming out in time for the new recipes.  Wishful thinking, I know!

Monday-Smoked Salmon, Trees and Raisins, Texas Roadhouse Style Rolls
Tuesday-Grilled Steak Fajitas, Corn on the Cob, Spicy Potatoes
Wednesday-3 Cheese Tortellini Bake, Salad, Bread with Roasted Garlic Dipping Sauce
Thursday-Chicken Pesto, Honey Balsamic Carrots, Peas
Friday-Taco Cups, Veggie Rice, Plantains
Saturday-Pizza, Salad, Cinnamon Bread
Sunday-Dinner @ Church