Ressurection Rolls

I ran across this idea on several blogs a while back.  I thought it seemed like a really fun, cute, interactive idea to help teach kids about Easter.  I did it this week with some kids I do preschool with.  And let me tell you...it was a hit.

-Butter

-Large Marshmallows

-Cinnamon Sugar

-Rhodes Rolls

We flattened out a thawed Rhodes roll (could be used with fresh homemade dough or Pillsbury crescent roll).  We placed a large marshmallow inside and wrapped it up.  Talk about how when Jesus died they wrapped up his body.  Then we rolled/brushed the roll in butter.  Compare to the oils they used.  Then we sprinkled the top with cinnamon and sugar.  Compare to the herbs and spices used back in those times.  I let them rise for about 30 min or so.  Bake 350 for about 12 minutes.  Then once slightly cooled cut it open.  The marshmallow is gone, and the inside is hollow and empty.  Just like the tomb.  It was a great little visual for the kids.  They loved it.

***Optional...have a super crabby kid whining at you the entire time you are doing this really super GREAT activity.***

Easter Eggs 2011

The kids were so excited to dye eggs this year.  We took advantage of Spencer taking a nap and decided start the fun.  I thought a dozen would be plenty of eggs, they weren't.  I think the kids could have done more like 3 dozen.  I'm happy to report no spills, and minimal crackage of the eggs while being dyed.  One a different note...both kids woke up and declared they were ready to play soccer.  I was instructed to take them to soccer practice.  Funny, since we didn't enroll in soccer this season.  Maybe we will try it out in the Fall.  Maybe it will be more successful than we did Natali last year (LOTS OF MELT DOWNS & TEARS).

Happy Easter

Uncle Spencer

We were so very lucky to have Ben's brother Spencer come to Texas.  He wasn't actually here visiting us.  He was at an academic conference hosted at Baylor University in Waco....which is a short 35 minute drive away.  Between his schedule and Ben's were actually able to meet up Friday night for dinner.  We weren't sure it would all come together, but it did!  We went out to eat at Rudy's.  We HAD to take him there.  Rudy's is totally a Spencer kind of place.  He LOVED it!!!  We sat there eating, laughing, and talking (when the kids weren't demanding his attention).  The kids loved every second of getting to spend time with their Uncle Spencer.   It was a perfect night.  Let's not wait another 1 1/2 years to do it again!!!

It did remind me how much I miss being close to family.  How much I hate saying goodbye...yep I cried.    But thankfully we will being seeing him soon this summer and the rest of the family.  Thanks for fitting us into your schedule Spence...we loved every minute.

Addicted...

Lately I have been on a bow making kick.  Silk...felt...ribbons...and lately corker bows.  These little buggers are addicting.  I love seeing all the colors combined, plus they are cute little curls (what's not to like about that).

I think the 4th of July ones are my current favorites!

A very hungary caterpillar

Today we found a little green caterpillar outside.  He was on Spencer's back.  We held him and watched him wriggle around on our hands.  We helped him find a tree full of big green leaves to eat.  We watched him crawl up the tree.  The boys both sat at the base and just watched him climb in all his mystery and glory.  They were facinated.  It was one of the those really happy mom moments.  I appreciated it!

(Isaac loves this new "hand-me-down" t-shirt.  It's transformers.  He thinks he's a pretty big deal)

(His face is messy but oh so cute)

Our First Garden

My Grandpa & Grandma Chase were farmers in a rural Idaho town.  Although they don't live on the farm anymore for as long as I can remember they have ALWAYS had a garden in their beautifully well manicured backyard.  Pretty much, my Grandpa can make anything grow.

Growing up we had an orchard in our yard.  We grew anything and EVERYTHING it seemed.  Plums, peaches, apricots, lemon, oranges, pomegranates, figs, avocados, berries, etc.  Both my parents still have a variety of fruit trees they prune and harvest.  They have a "green" thumb.

Then you get to me.  I LOVE the idea of gardening.  I "helped" as a small child weed and pick fruit.  But I have always been a little intimated about doing my own.  Plus we have always been renting homes or in apartments.  Not quiet ideal.  But I finally decided to test whether or not any of the gardening genetics got passed my way.

This week we finally took the plunge and did a mini 4x4 grow box.  Baby steps!!!

 Snap Peas, Cucumbers, Squash (yellow & green), Roma Tomatoes, Basil, & Red Peppers

Husbands can be so handy sometimes!   

I had already started cherry tomatoes in a 5-gallon bucket...we'll see. 

 Adding a little color, and some rosemary.

Our cute little backyard helper.

My Boys...Big Boys!

The other day I had to take the boys in for a meeting and they both got weighed and measured.  Here are their stats.

Spencer, 23 months

Weight: 28.9 lbs, 70th%

Height: 32.5 inches, 15th%

Conclusion...short chubby little boy 

Isaac, 3 years

 Weight: 43.4 lbs, 97th%

Height: 40.5 inches, 78th%

Conclusion...husky, very husky, little boy

They may not look like brothers...olive skin, brown hair, brown eyes vs. blinding white skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes.  But a few things are in common.  They are cute, chunky,  little balls of energy, and they are all mine!  

St. Patty's Day

For St. Patricks Day I decided that instead of doing the "traditional" corn beef and cabbage (which no one in my family would eat anyway) to make dinner simple, yet fun!  Lucky Charms with a fruit rainbow.  It was a hit.  The kids thought it was so fun to "eat" the rainbow.  I rarely buy fun cereal so having Lucky Charms was a BIG treat.  Spencer perfected the art of eating only the marshmellows and leaving just the cereal part in his bowl.

This little boy couldn't wait to eat his special dinner.

During the day we had some fun doing some St. Patrick's Day festivites.  We colored in rainbows then sorted more cereal onto the rainbow.  Spencer did all eating and no sorting, that's okay, he's cute.

We had a fun day and enjoyed hanging out as a family during more of our Spring Break.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Melting My Heart

My little trip did wonders for my soul and motivation for all things "mom".  Lately though as I watch my little man I realize he is getting so DANG big.  He is 22 months and holding his own with his brother and sister.  He is all things little boy, and he melts my heart.  Even though he refuses 95% to give me kisses and instead takes swats at my face.

Apparently I'm not the only one swooning over this little guy!!

Rejuvenation

I have been heard to utter the words..."I need to runaway, I need a vacation, I need to do something besides fold laundry, prep & clean meals, and be a referee."  I think all of us mom's can relate.  Sometimes we need a break...an hour, a day, or for me 5 GLORIOUS days.  Last Wednesday I hopped on a flight out of Austin and headed for sunny Orlando, FL.  I went to visit friends who are more like family.  I left for 5 days, Ben took time off from work and took on the task of 3 crazy kids full-time.

The airplane ride was AMAZING!  I have forgotten what it is like to fly by...my...self!  I ordered my snack (didn't have to share), got a soda (didn't worry about which stranger my kids were going go to dump it on), and sat back and watched a movie (with NO interruptions) and just relaxed.  It was simply heavenly!

Once in Orlando Wilsons picked me up and we were off for a quick sandwich at Fire House Subs, and some Italian Ice at Rita's (I would be in big trouble if there was one of these here...sugar free Italian ice is fabulous)

Thursday we went and had breakfast at Mc Donalds (a long time tradition) and started the celebration of this little man turning 1!!  We ran errands all day and that evening had a celebration for the birthday boy. A extra bonus was we could see the last and final launch of the Discovery Space Shuttle.  Although it was more of a smoke trail in the sky ( I could see the orange of the boosters) I still thought it was pretty cool to witness.

(the big birthday boy)

(The Discovery Space Shuttle)

Friday was a day that will go down as one of the top 10 best days EVER.  We went to Disney World first and then that night went to WICKED.  I have waited a long time to see this musical, and it was well worth the wait.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

I walked around the whole day saying, "This is so FUN!"  

 I am in LOVE

Saturday was full of shopping.  We hit up several malls, outlets, etc.  H&M...MAC...etc.  (Have I mentioned there is NO shopping in Temple TX)  Ate at Panera Bread, and finished the night with some great Mexican Food and more Rita's.  Let's see...shopping and eating...great combo!

Sunday we got a few last minute crafts in and shed lots of tears as we said goodbyes.  It was a perfect trip.  I had soo much fun and by the end I had started to miss my family (it took a good day or two).  It was just I needed.  Some "me" time.  Trips like this don't happen often so I need to document every minute, so I can look back and remember how rejuvenating this time was.  Thanks to my wonderful husband for making it all work so I can go and to great friends for letting me come (and spoiling me)!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day

We started the morning with some valentines goodies, both from mom & dad, and grandparents. 

For dinner we had breakfast, always a hit in our house.  Orange juice, bacon, berries, and HOT PINK pancakes.  How did I get them HOT PINK you ask?  I'll let you in on my secret....I added pureed beets. Ssshhhh...don't tell my family, they don't know.

 We finished dinner with some play time in the backyard and chasing bubbles.  It was a great day.  I even got some red roses and a large diet coke!  What a smart hubby.

Snow Day

Apparently the term "snowed in" mean two very different things to Texans vs. Iowans.  While most here in Temple ran to the grocery store to stock up (not sure if it was for food or amo) and get ready to hide in doors for the snow "storm" (please understand I use the word "storm" very lightly) we Fluhmans laughed & taunted the snow storm.  It came, it dropped a WHOPPING 1 1/2 inches, and we woke up with some VERY excited kids.  I had to dig through a box to reclaim all our snow apparel, and we put it to good use all morning.  After about 20 minutes Isaac announced he was done and went inside, but the rest of played for awhile.  The snow was very dry, not snowball or snowman kind of snow, but still white and fluffy all the same.  By 2pm that same afternoon it was melting.  This is the kind of snow storm I could get use to.  Proof that it really does snow in Texas.

That Face

Ya...I get that face a lot.

Little Man

I love this little guy.  This stage, 21 months, is pretty dang cute.  He runs around the house playing chase.  When his dad comes home he runs to the garage door and waits for him to come in, and squeals in delight.  He is getting more opinionated with what he wants to eat.  He refused to eat a quesadilla and instead scarfed down lasagna.  He loves to go down the slide head first.  He thinks he is such a big kid.  I just took him to the doctor (ear infection and nebulizer treatments) and he weighs 26lbs.  He IS a big kid.    The other day Ben tried to read him a book.  Spencer refused to sit on his lap and ran away.  Ben looked at me and said, "when did this happen...he's not my baby anymore."  It's true.  As much as I try to hold on and force him to lay in my arms like a baby, the truth is he is getting bigger.  It has it's perks, and I know it's what's suppose to happen. But, man...it happens so fast.  In April he will be 2!!!  I'm not ready.    But with all that said, he is still my sweet little man.  And I really do LOVE this stage.