June 2, 2012

Outside Temp: 53 F (Thunderstorms today... awesome!)

What I cooked today:
Hot Dogs: I know, lame.  I really, really didn't want to make dinner.  So, I told everyone they would be on their own.  Then, I suggested hot dogs, in the microwave, like usual.  Then Patrick asked if I could make them in the frying pan, since that's so much better.  So, I ended up cooking anyway.  Of course, he said they tasted wonderful, so I guess that makes up for it... sort of.

Update:
Still sick, although I'm getting better.  I've decided that I don't want to be sick anymore, so, gosh darn it, I'm not going to be sick tomorrow.  It's annoying!

I'm not quite sure what went on today, since I managed to sleep through most of it.  And when I wasn't sleeping, I was asking everyone to be quiet so I could sleep.  Of course, it's hard to sleep when you can't breathe through your nose, but I sure tried.

The boys went over to church tonight, without us, which is really cool.  I knew that neither Patrick nor I were going to go, since I was sleeping and I have no idea what Patrick was doing.  So, we asked the boys if they wanted to go without us.  They said yes, which was kind of surprising, but awesome just the same.  I think it helps that it's a whopping block from the house.  But they seem to really enjoy the homily.  I can't imagine a 10 and 13 year old going to church, without any parents making them.  But, then again, my kids aren't normal!

Around 8pm, as the sun was thinking about going down, so I sent everyone outside to get some fresh air.  They decided to play some baseball.  And, since I'd gotten a little rest, and Patrick seemed to be doing okay, we went out to play with them.  Even Ryan got in on the game!  The 4 kids ran the bases, Patrick pitched and I played catcher.  We played for about an hour, before Patrick and I realized we were exhausted, and the wind started to pick up.  But for the time, it was a blast.  I love how big our yard is, and how we can actually play baseball in the yard.  Good times!

May 30, 2012

Outside Temp: 50 F (a little overcast and, at times, a little chilly.  But beautiful just the same. )

What I cooked today:
Chinese Chicken: I can't honestly call it Walnut Chicken anymore, since there are no walnuts and it's different.  I don't have any walnuts, or snow peas, or mushrooms.  I make the chicken similar, and toss in some frozen veggies with the sauce.  It works out well.  This time I made 3 cups of rice (instead of my normal 2 cups), and it was still all eaten up!

Update:
The neighborhood kids showed up around 10am, asking for Allen (who was still fast asleep, after finally going to bed around 3:30am... I know, I know, but it's summer vacation, and I really don't care.).  So, once he got up and had breakfast, he was out the door.  Around 11am, Connor and Kathryn headed over to the neighbor's as well.

Patrick and I had some things to do in Geyser, so the kids were on their own for a while (except Ryan, who came with us).  Not that they minded (my only rule was no kids in the house while we weren't there.)  We were gone for hours, and for some reason, I wasn't even slightly concerned.

At Geyser, Patrick was able to download a ton of things, and acted like a kid in a candy store at how fast the Internet connection was.  He also hung out with our Superintendent, and they chatted about stuff.  While he dealt with some website bugs, and chatted, I helped our Special Ed teacher pack up her U-Haul.  She's moving today, which makes me sad (she worked wonders with Ryan this year).  But, I hope she will be happy in her new job and new home, so that makes me happy.

Once we got home, we looked over the chickens and decided that they weren't fat enough.  I know, they are huge, but the 'book' says that their breast needs to be creamy and yellow, not blue.  And their chests are kind of blue, so it claims they need more fat.  We switched out their food for a few days, but one way or another, we will have to kill them soon and put them out of their misery.  They are soooooo fat. 

Patrick and I spent some time out in the backyard, fixing the lawn mower. Apparently, when Allen was using it last week, he 'pushed' it, when he wasn't supposed to (the engine was still engaged, or something). And, it pushed one of the chains off of the gear. So, we ended up taking apart the bottom of the lawn mower and fixing the chain. And while we were out there, we took a picture of Ryan. Oh my goodness, he doesn't look evil! :)

The other chickens are doing fine outside.  We are kind of surprised how well they are doing.  It was in the 30's with snow and hail and rain, and they seem to have survived just fine.  They are starting to 'roost', which means they are sitting on the branches in their pen.  We went out there, and about 9 chickens were all sitting, next to each other, on the same branch.  Of course, us showing up startled them and a few jumped off.  But they are getting so old!

May 29, 2012

Outside Temp: 49 F (a little overcast... a little rain... a little hail... a little thunder and lightning.  And a beautiful sunset.)

What I cooked today:
Chili and Cornbread: I'm running low on ground beef, again, so I wanted something that only used 1lb for the entire family.  Chili works out well.  Although, I seem to remember the cornbread tasting better.  It was a little rubbery.  Which I like better than falling apart, but still not perfect.

Chocolate Chip Cookies: I was having a sugar craving this afternoon, so I decided to make cookie dough.  Of course, the entire family told me NOT to actually make cookies, but to leave it as dough so they could munch for the rest of the day.  But I wanted cookies!  So, I made 7 cookies (one cookie sheet) for myself, and told the rest of them they could have the dough.  I know, I don't NEED 7 cookies, but I knew that the kids would all want one, once they were cooked.  And I was right.  I ended up with 2.  (and that's because I ate them while the kids weren't looking!)

Update:
I actually did work today.  I know, shocking, but true!  And I'll probably have to do work tomorrow, too!  Oh, this working thing is overrated.  But, it makes me happy, so I guess it's okay.

For those of you who read the last few posts, we did NOT slaughter the chickens today.  We were going to, but Patrick worked late last night, and had to work again this afternoon, and we just didn't want to.  However, the chickens are getting to the point where they don't even stand up anymore.  They can't stretch their legs standing up, because they will fall over.  We really, really need to put them out of their misery.  Of course we both have things we need to do tomorrow, but we might just have to decide to do it. 

The kids were bored today, which is a few days sooner than I expected, but not entirely unexpected either.  There was more than once that I just sent them outside.  I didn't care what they did, just get out of the house.  With the weather a little chilly, and rainy, and snowy, for the last few days, they really needed to get out.

Around 7:30pm, they overheard a few kids a block away playing.  So, the three of them (Ryan was entranced in his Avengers movie and didn't want to leave), just headed out, hoping to find someone to play with.  We explained to them that they might want to be back home by dark.

So, for the next 2 hours, the kids were playing somewhere.  I have an idea of where they were, but I really wasn't concerned.  As the sun set, and the street lights (all 1 of them) turned on, I thought back to my childhood, where we used to play until dark.  Who knew that places still existed where kids could play until dark?

Around 9:30, I threw on my sweats and wandered over in that direction.  The kids had already headed back home, so we met half way (which is about 200 ft from our house).   Yes, the sun was down, but the sunset was still on the horizon.  And there were no concerns or worries.  I LOVE it here!