Down by the Creek Bank

Friday afternoon, the boys and I spent some time exploring at our city's Nature Center.  We went on a hike through the woods looking for animal tracks.  We saw lots of robins, but no animal tracks.

So we spent the rest of our time at Wildcat Creek.  The temperature was pretty chilly, highs in the low 50s, so I warned the boys not to get wet.  "You will be very cold if you get wet!"  And my boys were very obedient and stayed clean and dry.  Ha ha ha ha!  I guess you can't have nearly as much fun if you're dry?

Jack calls this 'crossing the creek like Indians.'  He was showing Will how to hop from rock to rock.

Will was a cautious explorer.  He liked to stay close to the rocks where there was sure footing.

They just couldn't resist the water.

Doesn't Jack look like Huckleberry Finn guiding his raft down the Mississippi?

The shoes are wet now, but the smile on his face says that he doesn't mind one bit!

He just took off the wet shoes & socks and kept on exploring.

Doing a good deed...Jack fished a few pieces of litter out of the creek.  He is always shocked that people would litter and not take better care of our environment.

Jack wasn't the only one with wet shoes.  Will had to take some time out to dry his piggies.

Tom & Huck

As expected, the Nature Center strives to reduce, reuse and recycle and to teach all of its visitors to do the same.  One 'reuse' project was to make art out of recycled bottle caps.  All around the grounds, you will see bottle cap butterflies, frogs, bees and flowers.

Do you think I could convince Brent to make a couple of these for our flower beds?!?!  Probably not.

Jack and Will are signed up for a week of Summer Camp at the Nature Center, so this afternoon was just a preview of all the fun they will have!  I'll be sure to dress them to get wet & dirty...

A Peek at our Week 2011: Week 10

Saturday, March 5

The pirate party was a success!  Everyone had fun jumping, sliding and dancing, and there were no injuries!  Will blew out 4 candles for the second time in less than 3 months, leading Brent to ask Will if that made him 8 years old.  "Dad-dy!"

  

 Sunday, March 6

I love new Crocs...they are so bright, colorful and clean!  This year, we added some Jibbitz to jazz 'em up a bit.  Will wanted red ones because that is his favorite color.  I'm taking bets on how long they stay red before beginning to fade to pink...anyone?

 

Monday, March 7

 

Jack had one of our carpool buddies over for a playdate while her brother was having his all boys birthday party.  They had a good time playing outside on the mini trampoline and inside on the Wii.  I love that our friend is in shorts while Jack has on his heavy winter coat!

Tuesday, March 8

Today was the last class of this session of gymnastics, and the last day means ribbon/certificate day.  Ms. Ema will call out each child's name, and they stand in front of the class with their certificate held high while all the kids and parents clap for them.  This session, Will's class was made up of all boys!  It was a fun class, although it could get a little silly at times.  The last session of the school year starts next week, and all of the boys will be back...should be a crazy good time!

 
    

Wednesday, March 9

I hadn't paid attention to the weather forecast, so the fact that it was going to rain all day today caught me completely off guard.  And as luck would have it, I had to go to the grocery store.  I hate going to the grocery store in the rain.  But my family would be expecting something to eat come 6pm, so there was no way out.  After the errands were run, the boys and I spent the rest of the afternoon curled up in bed watching TV.  Now that's what I'm talking about!

Thursday, March 10

I love tulip trees!  I'm in awe of the large beautiful blush blooms resting on long thin spindly limbs.  A delicate beauty reminding me that spring is near even though the cold temperatures proclaim that winter hasn't left yet.  Mother Nature's picture of the seasonal holding pattern we're in right now...one foot in winter and one in spring.

Friday, March 11

and trying (unsuccessfully) to stay dry!  We spent the afternoon at the Nature Center playing by (in) the creek.  I don't know if it is just my boys, or boys in general, but water has a magnetic pull on Jack and Will.  Once, when Jack was 2 years old, we were walking through a parking lot covered with rain puddles.  I knew the look on his face all too well and said "Don't do it!  Don't do it!", right as he landed with both feet in the middle of the puddle.  A gentleman, walking about 5 yards away from us, started laughing hysterically.

  

Happy Party Day, Will!

**Warning: An obnoxious amount of pictures to follow**

Saturday, almost three months after his actual birthday, we celebrated Will's birthday with all of his friends!  Poor thing, that's what happens when you were born 3 days before Christmas!  But the birthday boy didn't mind one bit...he was so excited to have a party with his friends!


Will had a pirate themed party at a local inflatable place.  Of course, there was lots and lots of jumping and sliding...

 

This was the only picture I got of Will sliding that wasn't blurry.  He'll be proud to tell you that he was going FAST!

 

The space alien inflatable was fun...an outer space obstacle course.

 

Up they go...

 

...and down they come!  How sweet to see these two cuties holding hands.

 

Will and this sweet girl have been in class together since they were 1 [and I have loved her beautiful smocked and appliqued wardrobe  =)]!

 

Our good buddy, P, whom I call The Peacemaker.  There maybe hope yet for the Middle East.

 

One of Will's favorite friends demonstrating the head first slide.

My monkey showing off with a head first, backward slide.

The air hockey table was a party favorite.  Jack challenged both Daddy and Granddaddy to a game, and believe you me, it was some serious, albeit friendly, competition!

  

 

Daddy's face says "Game on, Dude!"

Look at that smile on Granddaddy's face!  Don't let it fool ya...he and Jack love to trash talk each other!

Just the night before, there was some taunting over Angry Birds.  Granddaddy: "Did you see that?!?!  Did you see that?!?!"; and after his turn, Jack: "Oh yeah!  I'm awesome!" 

Then we had a treasure hunt.  The director gathered all of the children in the party room to see the treasure that they would be finding.  He opened and shut the treasure box quickly and asked if everybody got a good look?  "Noooo!"  "Well, open your eyes really big!"  And that is what they did...

As they counted to 100 (or 40), the director hid the treasure out among all of the inflatables.  Before the treasure hunt started, everyone shouted "Happy Birthday, Will!"

Then ready, set, go...and the hunt began!

Next it was time for Dance Party USA!  And we had some dancers in the group!

Just look at my baby throwin' down on that floor...

Breakdancing...

And how precious is this?!?!

We closed out the party with cupcakes and ice cream.

 Mommy making a rare appearance from behind the camera to light the candles.

 

 

 

Gramma and Granddaddy were a big help!  Mom helped me take pictures, set up the party room, and get everyone served.  Dad was on security.  We posted him at the door of the inflatable room to make sure none of the guests escaped...and we didn't lose a single one!

 Arrr, ye scurvy dawgs!

 Ahoy there mateys!  Captain Will and his swashbucklers!

(I love that K, in the background, is wearing her earring in her nose like a bull!)

It was a fun party!  Will had a great time and all of his friends were having a blast, too!  He is already planning his 5th birthday party...a SONIC party!  Guess I better start researching about the speedy hedgehog...

Happy Birthday (again), Will!  

We are blessed beyond measure to be your parents!

We Love You,

Mommy and Daddy

A Peek at our Week 2011: Week 9

Saturday, February 26

It was an absolutely beautiful day!  Perfect!  We all spent the day having fun.  Brent fired up the grill and the chiminea for the inaugural BBQ of 2011.  We love sitting out on the deck by the fire with a glass of wine or a cold beer.  This warm weather was a reminder that it is time for the 2011 inaugural pedicure, too!  

 

 

Sunday, February 27

Will loves to swing...LOVES, LOVES, LOVES!  This afternoon, he had several turns on the swing, and each time he would yell, "Higher!  I want to go higher!"  We started working on how to pump his legs so that he can swing as high as he wants.  Will was "very angry" with me when he had to get off the swing so someone else could have a turn.

 

 

Monday, February 28

I woke with a jolt this morning...today was Teacher Appreciation Day at Will's school, Will was to bring flowers for each teacher, and I had completely forgotten!  So after I got Jack off to school, I made a mad dash to Kroger's and found these lovely red roses.  The upside to this panic was that I now have a half dozen roses to enjoy.  I thought the roses were especially pretty in the early morning light.

Tuesday, March 1

  

 

Cheese pizza and a big ol' cherry Icee for two...all for less than the cost of a Happy Meal.  What could be better?!?!  Nothing, but the company of my cute date.  Although, I did notice that Will didn't wear any body spray for me!

   

Wednesday, March 2

This picture just makes me smile!  Jack enjoying a Rainbow Pushup with one hand while trying to play his DS with the other.  The crazy Cat in the Hat knockoff hat Jack is wearing is in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday.

Thursday, March 3

Will had his good buddy from school, Brody, over to play this morning.  The weather was gorgeous and Brody is an outside guy, so we walked down to the neighborhood playground.  Will narrated an elaborate adventure that we were on all the way there.  We had to do different things (jump over a crack, jump on a manhole cover, pick up sticks) to go from world to world until we reached the playground.  The boys played and played and then we came home (more adventures...this time they were protecting me from bad guys with their magic wands) where they played some more while I got lunch ready.  Over lunch, Brody had Will pinkie promise that they would always be best buddies!

Friday, March 4

This week Will's class has been learning about the circus and today was clown day!  Will told me that clowns wear their shirts backwards, pants rolled up, different socks, and mismatched shoes...so that is just what we did, plus we added the rainbow hair for fun!   And the hair was a big hit with the teachers and other kids during carpool.  The children made clown hats and collars to wear with their outfits and performed their very own circus in the gym.  Will brought home popcorn (Pirate's Booty) and cotton candy to enjoy this afternoon.  Next to pajama day, this was the most fun school day!

The BEST Macaroni and Cheese

We love Mac & Cheese in our house.  In fact, Jack and Will would eat it for every meal if I let them!  This weekend, I made up a big casserole of Mac & Cheese to have with leftover BBQ chicken and we have enjoyed it for lunch this week and for dinner tonight as well. 

This gift came from my sister-in-law Blythe, and it is fantastic!  My boys literally cheer when I tell them that we are having Aunt Blythe's Mac & Cheese.  Truly, the BEST Mac & Cheese EVER!!  It is really so easy to make.  It might sound like alot of trouble, but you just add a few ingredients and whisk.  Add a few more and whisk some more.  You have to give this recipe a try and then give your thanks to Blythe!

Aunt Blythe's Macaroni & Cheese

serves 8 as a main dish, 12-14 as a side

Cheese Sauce and Macaroni:

• 3 T butter
• 3 T all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 3/4 c whole milk
• 3/4 c heavy cream
• 4 c grated extra sharp cheddar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3/4 lb elbow macaroni
• 1 c pasta cooking water or chicken broth

Topping:

• 1/4 stick (2 T) butter, melted
• 2 c panko crumbs
• 1 c grated extra sharp cheddar

Preheat oven to 400.  Grease a 9x13 casserole dish.

Cook macaroni until al dente.  Reserve 1 c pasta cooking water (I use 1 c chicken broth instead) & drain macaroni.

Melt 3 T butter in 5 quart heavy pot over moderately low heat.  Whisk in flour and red pepper flakes and cook, whisking, for 3 minutes to make a roux.  Whisk in milk in a slow stream, then bring sauce to a boil, whisking constantly.  Simmer, whisking occasionally, for 3 minutes.  Stir in cream, cheddar cheese, mustard, salt and pepper.

Stir together macaroni, reserved water (chicken broth), and sauce, then transfer to baking dish.  Mixture will be loose.

Stir together 2 T melted butter, panko crumbs, and cheese in bowl until well combined.  Sprinkle topping evenly over macaroni.   Bake until top is golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.


This recipe makes ALOT of mac & cheese.  I'm not complaining because we have been enjoying it all week.  However, I love to have meals in the freezer for those busy days, so the next time I make this recipe, I am going to split it into 2 8x8 casserole dishes.  I'll wait and add the topping to the frozen one right before I bake it so the panko crumbs will be crunchy.