weekend recap and menu

Why do weekends always go so fast? We had probably the best weekend since we moved. I was still really sick on Friday, but by Saturday, we all felt much better. We went to LA with some friends to the California Science Center. The kids had a lot of fun. We found a great place to eat lunch back in Pasadena, then went home and vegged the rest of the day.

I woke up this morning with news that a friend of my niece's passed away after battling cancer for 4 of his 7 years on this earth. I can't imagine the pain this family is going through. So very sad. I've thought a lot today about my nieces and how they are dealing with a tragedy most adults can't even handle. The comfort in this horrible situation is that Carson is with Jesus now, and he is completely cancer-free.

We went to church for the first time in 3 weeks. Oh, it was so good to be in church again. Finally, our family healthy and ready to worship. We had a guest song leader that was actually a worship leader at the church we attended in Ky. A great service, followed by a great lunch-Olive Garden! We are just starting to enter the phase where Presley isn't fun to eat out with, but today she was great. Loud, but great. Made a trip to Ralphs up in Valencia before heading back to Pasadena. No creamer there, either. Sigh.

And, here's the menu for this week-

• steak, baked potatoes, green beans-McKenna didn't get this last week and her whole face lit up today when she saw the steaks in our grocery cart.
• breakfast for dinner-waffles, fruit, eggs, and bacon
• the soup I was supposed to make last week, but didn't get around to it-
• chicken fajitas, queso, quacamole, chips
• spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
• Dinner with friends on Friday!
• Leftovers

Random...

Some things on my mind right now...

• If you visit our apartment, you will most likely be greeted with one (or more) of 3 scents-ant killer, clorox, or the gas smell that constantly seeps from our stove.
• I'm so tired of being sick. I was hoping to escape the gunk that has gone through our family. No such luck. Moms don't get sick days. Thankfully, Kevin takes over as soon as he comes home from work. I feel like a zombie. A zombie who can't breathe. The girls are feeling much better, so that's a good thing. Hoping Kevin won't get sick.
• Avery and Kenna learned about how and where the Olympics started today in school. They even made up their own ice skating routine-Kenna was the skater and Avery was her coach. They did a great job!
• Avery got her first Junie B. Jones book today. Toothless Wonder is the title, go figure. If you're my fb friend, you know Avery lost a tooth on Monday. The tooth fairy didn't come that night and she was devastated. Her tooth still had some blood on it, so she decided to clean it in the bathroom sink. You know where this is going. Kevin told her not to, that she'd drop it down the drain. Less than a minute later, Avery is crying and screaming. Kevin tried to get it out, instead, he broke the pipe. Now, there is a bucket under the sink and we're waiting for maintenance to come fix it. If fixing our heater in a timely manner is any indication of when they'll be here, they'll come in about 3 days. Our heater pilot light went out over the weekend and they showed up today to light it. It's been a chilly few days. Now we have a nice warm hallway, where the heater is. Nice.
• Oh, the tooth fairy did come last night, thank goodness. Avery got $4 and was so happy this morning.
• I would love to know what our neighbors above us do during the night. It never fails, they are so loud, between 12:30 and 5am, to be exact. I could swear they were re-arranging furniture on Monday night. I can hear everything that goes on up there, the toilet flushing, the tv, the drum set, the vacuum. All of it.
• I got some money for my birthday from my parents, and I spent it today. I used to have a bread machine, but I never used it so I gave it away several years ago. Now that I'm home, and I actually have the time to use it, I really want one. I found a refurbished cuisinart bread machine on Overstock last week and ordered it today. It had really good reviews so I'm anxious to try it out. I almost caved and bought a toaster, too, but I didn't. I've had our current toaster since 1994. It works, but not well. You can put bread in and never know what the outcome will be. We also really need a 4 slot toaster now. Maybe for Mother's Day...hint, hint...
• Not having an ice maker and having (or having to remember) to make your own ice is really only fun for the first day or so.
• Kevin got his diploma in the mail this week. So, it's finally official. I'm so glad that chapter of our lives is over. I still catch myself thinking, "I wonder if Kevin will want to write tonight."
• Presley can count to 13. Seriously. She doesn't do it on purpose, she just randomly starts counting. Or, if you start counting, she'll finish it or continue it with you. She's brilliant! She still loves Mickey Mouse, but is starting to like Dora more and more. She's growing and changing so fast. Some days, I can't imagine having a baby in the house with 3 other kids running around. It's gonna happen before I'm ready, that's for sure.
• This little boy is so lucky to have 3 big sisters who already love him so much. Every time we go to Target, McKenna picks something out that she "knows" her little brother will just love. Today, it was a set of stackable toys.
• I signed up to get Target texts and was able to use my first coupon there today. Target sends me a text every Sunday with a list of electronic coupons. If I buy a certain product, I just let the cashier scan the text on my phone and the coupon shows up on my receipt. I saved $1 on Kraft cheese today.
• Easter candy is now at Target. Not a good thing. We bought enough to stock Kevin's office and a little for our home. To make matters worse, the section is right next to the baby section, so we'll see it EVERY time we go there.
• Only 2 more days 'til Friday...always a good thing!

Pizza Rolls

When planning the menu for the week, I always ask everyone what one meal they would like to eat. This week, Avery said chef salad and McKenna said, rather yelled, "steak!" We really miss having a grill. We may need to take the family to Outback steakhouse and treat McKenna to her steak.

On to the pizza rolls. This is such an easy recipe. And, yet, I'm always forgetting about it. I got the idea several years ago from friends back in KY. Avery and McKenna love them and this is a good recipe for them to help make. Although I haven't done this yet, this would be a good recipe to double and freeze for later.

Rhodes frozen rolls (I thaw them on the counter for a few hours, according to directions on the package)

Pepperoni, cut in quarters

Mozzarella cheese

butter, melted (I put a garlic glove in for flavor)

Marinara sauce

Take 2 rolls and roll them together to make a disk. Put some pepperoni and cheese in the middle and fold all of the edges so none of it can escape. Put seam side down on greased cookie sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or so (follow Rhodes package directions)

Serve with warm marinara sauce.

This makes a great lunch or an easy supper meal. Serve with either a salad or veggies and ranch. You can also change the filling, try adding sausage or spinach. Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

The common cold and/or flu bug has invaded our home. It came about 10 days ago and has yet to leave. Lots of kleenex, almond tea and cough medicine. It's the kind of cold where you don't really feel good, but you can't just lay on the couch all day (although, I've tried, trust me). The medicine we give the girls seems to make them hyper. They're driving me crazy most of the day. Presley hasn't slept well for many nights, which means Kevin and I aren't sleeping well either. I'm so ready for us all to be healthy again.

Went to 2 different Ralphs and Food 4 Less, still no peppermint mocha creamer. I'm about to give up. I was hoping to look at Valencia today after church, but we weren't able to go, since Presley still had a temp this morning.

So, here's what we're eating this week-

• this soup and cinnamon rolls
• Homemade pizza and veggies (seems I'm always making this on KU game day)
• Chef Salad
• Pizza rolls-I'll post recipe this week-very easy
• Pork tenderloin, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans
• Tacos and/or nachos
• Homemade mac and cheese and streusel topped blueberry muffins-I don't know why, but this is a great combo. Serve with fruit and/or veggies.

Breakfast-cereal, yogurt/granola, fruit, raisen toast, waffles, eggs

Lunch-leftovers, sandwiches, whatever you can find will do...

Snacks-crackers, cheese, yogurt, fruit, veggies, granola bars,

Ups and Downs

I've had so many ups and downs since we moved here, it's hard for me to decide if my hormones have an effect on my attitude or if this place just stinks (insert harsher word here).

• I discovered the hard (and expensive) way that Ralphs, the poor excuse for Dillons here, doesn't accept expired coupons. Dillons does, Target does. Ralphs doesn't. I can't stand Ralphs. I hate going there. I used to have my grocery shopping/couponing down to a science. Not so much anymore. I consider saving money in this area and making sure there is food to eat part of my SAHM job, and when I fall short, I don't like it.
• Baby boy Blue got his first gift in the mail yesterday. It was a much needed sweet spot in my day. My friend, Sally sent a t-shirt and blanket, along with goodies for the rest of the family. I'm finally starting to enjoy and embrace this pregnancy. That's a very good thing.
• It's hot here this week, that's a good thing. It's weird to wear flip flops in February. That's one part of California that we're loving. Our apartment has one window unit, in the front room, that's a bad thing. Every time I get Presley up from her nap, her hair is all wet with sweat. yuck. I hope we're out of this place before summer. It could be miserable.
• I wish there was a rule that if you leave your laundry at the laundry mat way longer than after it's done, that it's perfectly ok for someone to dump the laundry out in order to use the washer/dryer. There were clothes in 2 dryers last Monday for 4 hours. Those people are lucky I wasn't in there when they finally came to get their clothes, that's all I'm sayin'...
• I made my first trip with the girls today, sans Kevin. We went to a different Target and the mall. We drove thru McDonalds on the way home and they got 3 things on our order wrong. That's so frustrating. Customer service isn't near as important out here as it is in Wichita. While Kevin was dining on Chicken and waffles, I was scraping onions off of my hamburger and coaxing Avery to at least try the different sauce for her chicken and telling her she can have apples next time.
• We got the older girls a winter olympics wii game for Valentines day. However, with so much going on that day, we forgot to give it to them. I had planned on getting Presley a Minnie mouse doll, but never got around to it, so I got her one today at the Disney store. The girls love going in there and looking around. Presley loves her Minnie and even took a nap with her this afternoon. It's so fun to watch her get attached to things. She loves her blanket, any kind of purse, my phone and the remote-which are off limits to her, and anything that belongs to her older sisters.
• Presley must be teething again. She hasn't been sleeping well. Last night she woke up at 3 and wouldn't go back to sleep. We can't let her cry since our walls are so thin and we have neighbors. So I brought her to our bed, which I hate to do. I don't function well on little sleep.
• We went to Claires at the mall to get some hair rubberbands, and found a huge sale on (play) make-up, so I bought Avery and McKenna some. They are having so much fun! They take make-up very seriously, it's cute to watch.

Birthday, hearts and lots of coughing

I turned 35 on Saturday. I don't feel 35. I guess I don't know what I feel. Some days older, some days younger. I'm sure Kevin will remind me for the next 6 months that I'm older than he is. He's good at that. And, I love him anyway. I got to spend the day with 4 of my favorite people, Kevin and the girls. The night before (Friday) McKenna was looking through a cookbook and asked me to make some dish for breakfast the next day. I told her I wasn't cooking tomorrow b/c it was my birthday. I wish you could've seen the look on her face. She didn't know how to respond, but was wondering how she would eat the next day. So cute. Kevin went and got Panera for breakfast and saved the day, in McKenna's eyes. I got my hair done. Won't be doing that anytime soon. Sticker shock to say the least. The lady who did my color kept implying that she had to fix my midwest color job. whatever. Avery took a picture to send to Aunt Marla.

On to Malibu and the beach. It was beautiful. We didn't have beach toys, but I did bring some plastic cups and the girls used them to play in the sand. Afterwards, we went to Gladstones and ate supper. Then home. A great day.

Woke up Sunday morning at 3am to McKenna coughing like crazy. Around 8, I took her to the urgent care center here. The wait time for adults was 3 hours. Luckily, a pediatrician came in at 9 and we got in shortly after. He didn't say much-just lots of fluids, nose spray, and an rx for sleeping cough medicine. What a way to start Valentines Day. We didn't get to make it to church. The girls had a birthday party to go to in the afternoon. Presley took a nap, thankfully. So, Kevin and I did what any normal couple would do on Valentines Day with kids gone or napping. We slept.

Notice the fancy plastic cup holding the flowers? My vases are packed in a box, somewhere. So, we improvised. For supper, the girls had heart shaped pizza and chocolate strawberries. I made a spread of cheese/crackers/grapes and such for Kevin and me to enjoy after they went to bed.

We put the girls to bed, as usual. 15 minutes later...

Presley just wouldn't go to sleep. She enjoyed our V-day meal with us. Ah, the life with 3 kids, no babysitter, and ultra thin walls that prevent us from letting her cry herself to sleep.

Hope your Valentines Day was great, and less chaotic than ours!

No such luck...

Kevin went to Ralphs today to get some Sprite for Avery, who woke up sick at 3am. I didn't even have to ask him to get that mocha creamer (see previous post) for me, it was already on his list. He came home with sprite, no creamer. They didn't have it.

Figures...ugh-

I didn't say much, but McKenna turned 5 and Avery turned 7 in the last 2 weeks. Kevin posted some pix from each of their special days.

With Avery sick, I was praying that the bug didn't hit the rest of us. So far, it hasn't. So, McKenna and I made heart shaped sugar cookies for Valentines Day, although they may not last 'til Sunday! Big plans to watch the olympic ceremony tonight. We told the girls they could stay up late if they had some rest time this afternoon. Ahhhhh-it's so quiet here. I love it. I may just rest myself...

Did you know?

My favorite creamer of all time is available all year now!!!! Go here to see if you can get it at your local store. I noticed it was gone from our stores before Christmas this year, so I'll have to look next time I'm at Ralphs. I have a horrible fear that this is some cruel joke, I'm anxious to see if it's for real. The site says it's there, also says it's at Dillons and Target in Wichita, too.

Go here and print a coupon to use.

Let me know if you can get it. Your coffee will thank you.

Homemade Pizza

I stole this pizza recipe from my cousin years ago. She's practically famous for making it. I, however, never seem to get it to taste like hers. Until last week. I made it and it was pretty good. I made it again tonight and, since it was good 2 times in a row, I thought it was worth documenting. I made a pepperoni pizza for the girls and a pesto/veggie pizza for Kevin and me.

Pizza crust

take 1 cup hot water and add 1 package of yeast, then add 1 tsp sugar. Let set for a few minutes. Dump in mixer with 1 cup flour and beat 3-4 min. on high (I used the dough hook). Next, throw in 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning, 1tsp salt, 2 tbsp EVOO, and 2 cups flour. Mix till it looks like dough. Let set for about 20 minutes. Makes 2 pizzas.

I shape this into pizza crusts, bake for a few minutes at 450 or so, then top them, then bake some more, like 7-9 minutes. Just watch it closely, so it doesn't burn. This makes a thin, crispy crust.

For the pepperoni pizza, I used Kroger cheese and Classico sweet basil marinara for the sauce. The girls put pepperonis in the shape of a heart on it.

For the pesto/veggie pizza, I used Kraft cheese, which was way better. I also used store bought pesto (in the fridge section), chopped onion, red and green peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and mild pepper rings. If you like mushrooms, you should add them as well. I don't, so I didn't.

Great pizza, I must say. Thanks, Julie! Now, I need 2 more ovens so I can cook as many as you do when friends and family come over :-)

Enjoy!

Shopping for Blue!

We had the all important sonogram last week. The perinatologist knew right away, but he toyed with us for a bit until he got a good look for us to see. We're having a boy! I still can't believe it. It never really occurred to me that we might actually have a boy. After 3 girls, I just assumed it was another girl. When he said it's a boy, I started crying. McKenna said quietly, "don't we want it to be a boy? Why are you crying?" Happy tears, Kenna, happy tears. He is healthy, measuring almost a week ahead of schedule.

After a few days of letting this news sink in, I'm reminded of all of the pink around me. The only clothes this boy can wear that his sisters wore are KU t-shirts. That's it. Seriously. All of our swaddling blankets are pink and/or purple. The onesies are pink, the socks are pink, the burp rags have flowers on them. pink. That's who we are right now, and who we've been.

And it's all about to change...

Menu Plan Monday

Still planning menus here at Osborn abode. However, we don't always stick to the plan. After months of not couponing, I'm finally starting to clip and save again. Made a trip to Ralphs today, the poor excuse for the Kroger affiliate. I spent a little over $100 (ok- more like $134) and saved $89! Not too bad-much better than the last several weeks. Here's the menu-

• tacos, corn, chips/queso
• gumbo, rice, cornbread-McKenna has been asking for this for weeks now. It just feels weird to make it when it's 70 degrees out. Hopefully, it will be cooler one day this week...
• Paula Deen's chicken rice casserole, applesauce, rolls
• Chevy's -LOVE this place, Tuesdays are kids eat free night
• homemade pizza-for the KU game-still trying to perfect this, will post recipe soon
• leftovers
• Breakfast for supper-waffles, sausage, fruit, eggs

Breakfast-cereal, toast, yogurt, oatmeal, waffles, fruit,

Lunch-chef salad, leftovers, sandwiches, taco salad

snacks-cheese, fruit, yogurt, pretzels, carrots and ice cream (after the girls are in bed!)

Last week I made these cookies. Oh, my goodness, they were so good! They're our new favorite, now. I also plan to make heart sugar cookies later on in the week, and olympic cupcakes sometime next week. Then, it's a sugar fast at the Osborn abode. And I mean it ;-)

Wedding pix

Wow-what a whirlwind last week was! Birthday parties, playdates, snowstorms, pedicures, lots of wedding work and errands, and finally, the wedding celebration. It was such a great week and I'm so thankful we were able to be back in Kansas for such a great occasion!

Here are the girls with cousin Jessica, the bride.

Here are flower girls Avery and McKenna. A lady said they looked like they could be on the Titanic and Julie (mother of the bride) said, "good, that's the look we're going for!" They were precious.

Me, Kevin, and girls before the ceremony-

Here is the reception. It was so beautiful!

McKenna and Presley LOVED the dancing part of the reception. Here they are cutting a rug with Aunt Marla. Cousin Reese loved it too.

My favorite-flower girls Avery and McKenna