Getting Ready For The Big Guy!

Last weekend the boy's decorated their Christmas trees in their bedrooms.  They love doing this each year.  This year I let them decorate the "big" tree and then added the remaining ornaments when they were asleep (ok, ok I rearranged some of them too...shhhh).  Since this was the year of lights not wanting to work, it was a little more annoying and frustrating to me.  Why is it that you put the garland, house lights and tree lights away and they work fine but one year later only half of them work?  Annoying!! Although I've got all my decorations up, I'm still not feeling the Christmas spirit.  It's so hot outside and I'm so overwhelmed with other things right now, that I haven't been focusing on the important things I should be doing. Shame on me!  I'm working on it, but truth be told, Christmas just isn't my favorite holiday.  Hope all of you are finding your Christmas spirit and enjoying the holiday. 

Jeremy and Brody getting the lights ready to hang on the house.

Brody and his newly decorated Christmas tree.

Case putting the final touches on his tree.

Oh Ledger, you are a cutie!

So after the boys decorated their trees, they helped me by decorating the family tree.  The problem is, they are so goofy that all they wanted to do was dance to the Christmas music we had playing.  

Nice move Case!  Now put my very fragile candy cane down!

Ledger thought it was fun to pretend he was an old lady who need the

 (candy) cane as a walker.  What do you think about his old lady face?  

It is my pleasure to introduce to you....

THE NEWEST KINDERGARTEN SUPER STAR

 AT RMRE!!!

This cute boy has been waiting patiently all year to be the super star of his kindergarten class.  He has reported to us each Friday who was chosen to be the star of his class for the following week.  He has helped color super star pictures of his friends who were chosen.  He has shared in the excitement of each kindergartner who has had his/her turn.  He has shared what happened with each family that visited their super star's class. And now it's CASE's turn!

Monday, Jeremy picked up Case and Brody early from school so we could get our family pictures taken.  When Case walked through the door, he had on these super cool green star glasses.  He was beaming from ear to ear as he announced he was the new Super Star of his class.  Oh were we happy!  Since his teacher had us make the super star poster at the beginning of the school year, all we had to do was show up for a family visit on Wednesday.  Talk about feeling proud and excited for your kiddo.  When we arrived in Case's class, his friends and teacher sang us an adorable song.  She then had Case introduce all of us and tell what he likes to do with each of us.  We now know that Case likes to fight with Dad, play games with Brody and Ledger, play with Miss B., ride bikes with Mom, and have sleepovers with Sugar.  We then got the grand tour of the classroom by our cute super star. What a fun day for all of us.  That night, Case got to go to Oregano's and then to Target to get a toy with Sugar.  He was on cloud nine!! We love our little Super Star.  Way to go Case!

Case was so funny during the class hello song.  He kinda put his head down and mumbled the words like he was waaaaay too cool to be singing to us.  We laughed at him the whole time!

Our little super star and his poster and traced body.  Do you notice the Elfie the Elf swinging with Case's picture?  Too cute!

Case and I made this poster at the beginning of the school year.  It turned out cute!

As you can see, I am so proud of this little guy.  He is the cutest super star ever!

Sugar and Miss B. are proud of you too Case!

Hooray to Case for being the Super Star of the week.  

We love you buddy!

What is it about cold weather?

Are any of you enjoying this 57 degree day besides me?  I don't know what it is but I love it!  I've literally been in my kitchen all day.  I'm not baking like most of you but instead cooking up some great winter soup, homemade rolls and of course dinner.  Do any of you make dinner in the morning like I do?  It is the only time I can do it.  For some reason my family falls apart between the hours of 3:30 and 6:00 pm.  It's probably that I fall apart during this time with all the homework, piano practice, after school activities and chasing kids on bikes down the street. I almost always make my dinner first thing so that it is all ready to reheat (I know it's a little gross to reheat) come dinner time!

Today I made my FAVORITE soup for lunch.  If you are a veggie lover like me, you will love this soup. My Mom cut the recipe out of the Arizona Republic years ago.  It is from Bahama Breeze and is called Yucatan Chicken and Tortilla Soup, although it is nothing like a tortilla soup. Not only does it taste delicious, but it is so pretty.  I usually make mine without the chicken since I'm not a huge fan of meat.  Try it out and let me know what you think! Sorry for the horrible picture.  I was so hungry I just wanted to hurry and eat!

Yucatan Chicken and Tortilla Soup

From Bahama Breeze Restaurant

1 TBSP olive oil

1 cup calabaza squash, cut into 1/2 inch dice

 (can substitute with pumpkin but I love Butternut Squash)

1/2 cup red onion, cup into 1/2 inch dice

2 tsp sliced jalapeno, no seeds

1 tsp chopped garlic

8 cups canned chicken broth

1 1/2 cups corn kernels, canned and drained

1 cup jicama, cut into 1/2 inch dice

1 cup tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dice

salt to taste

freshly squeezed lime juice 1/4 cup

1 tsp chopped oregano

1 pound cooked chicken breast sliced.

Heat the oil in a large pot until hot.  Add the squash, onion, jalapeno and garlic, then saute until they loose their raw appearance.  Add the chicken broth, corn, jicama and tomatoes then bring to boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer until the squash is tender.  Season to taste with salt, then add the lime juice, oregano and fully cooked sliced chicken breast.  Simmer and additional 5 minutes then cut the heat.

After dishing up soup, garnish with avocado, crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

How about these beauties?  I'm whipping these up as we speak (yea right, they take 4 hours to rise!!) Can't wait to snack on these as they come out of the oven!

What do you like to do on freezing cold days?

Just Like The Big Boys!

Ledger has finally taken an interest in his bike (well the red bike that has been handed down from Brody and then Case).  Up until now, he has only wanted to ride his Skidder car around the neighborhood.  I finally convinced him to give it a try and now he couldn't be more excited about riding a bike "Like the Big Boys!" He cruises up and down the street with the kids thinking he is sooo cool!  

There's that red Skidder car I was talking about. 

 I think he's about the run it over on his cool bike!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with a super yummy lunch at Sugar's house.  We ate, watched football, rode bikes, ate some more, got in the Jacuzzi and ate again.  The highlights of the day were playing with the older cousins' I Phones, especially the fart and Ugly/Sexy apps.  It's so fun for my boys to hang with their visiting cousins.  They are so sweet and patient with each of them. It was a great day for us all.  I wish it could last longer since it's one of my favorite holidays. I love reflecting on how truly thankful I am for all the blessing I continue to receive in my life.  I am a lucky mama!

Oh goodness...I'm so so dreading family Christmas pictures this year.  We just can't get it together for the perfect picture!

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this morning.

The "Kid" table.  Brody 7, Case 5, Ledger 3, Presley 2 and Paisley 2. The conversation at the  kid table went something like this, "Presley, stop pushing the table." "Don't do that!" " Stop talking and eat your food."  "Mom...can I be full?"

After lunch we headed outside for some bike riding.  The boys were in heaven!

Ledger was having a blast with cousin Madison.  He kept picking him up on his bike and swirling him all around.  Ledger couldn't stop laughing.  

How funny is this picture of Madison jumping over Ledger on his bike?  What a fun day for my kids and their cousins.

Some of the adults even joined us outside the watch the kids play.  The weather was chilly and perfect.  I love fall weather!