First Grade Rites of Passage

The girls made it through their first day back at school unscathed. Of the three who started back this week (Alpha, Beta, and Charlie), Charlie, the first grader, had the most life-altering experience of all...

At Charlie's school, kindergartners are not permitted to play on the biggest, fastest, most intimidating slide in the school yard. So, after school that first day, she got in the car, lifted her chin just a bit, dramatically closed her eyes as if to relive the moment in her mind and spoke deliberately, "I rode {short dramatic pause} THE SILVER BULLET!"

Had I known this rite of passage would come so soon, I would have hidden behind the bushes until recess and snapped a photo of the momentous occasion.* I'll have to remember to capture this moment when Delta is in first grade a couple of years from now!

*(And, I would have at least had a picture of The Silver Bullet to show you all had Fay not caused school to be canceled for two days this week!)

Baby Shower Cupcakes

I had the privilege of preparing the cupcakes for a friend's baby shower recently. The thought of working with fondant again made my stomach turn, so of course I Googled "baby shower cupcakes" and came across the idea for these cuties! So much easier and fun to make. I added bonnets at the last minute by cutting the edges off of paper cupcake liners and pressing them into the top of the cupcake. You can see my inspiration here. (There was one other site, but of course I can't seem to locate it now!)

Menu Plan Monday

I'm making this week as easy as possible since the kids return to school...TOMORROW! But first, I thought I would do a quick review of one of the new recipes we tried last week, Chili Non Carne. I followed the recipe with the exception of adding the cumin since I ran out and forgot to restock. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal since the chili powder has cumin in it. Maybe I was wrong, because the chili tasted pretty bland. Then again, is it because the meaty version I am more accustomed to adds additional flavor? In any event, I threw in some basil (it was the closest thing to me!) and a teaspoon or so of sugar. I liked it better at this point. And, my 8 yr old loved it. She asked for seconds. None of the rest of the kids were interested in trying it. I think they ate bread for dinner (at least it was homemade)!

On to this week's menu...

Meatless Monday

Breakfast: Oatmeal

Dinner: Spaghetti with butter or marinara and Parmesan, salad, garlic bread

Tried and True Tuesday:

Breakfast: Yogurt with mix-ins

Dinner: Individual Meat Loaves, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots

Work less on Wednesday:

Breakfast: Cheese toast, sliced fruit

Dinner: Fried Rice (saw this one at Polka Spot Farm and thought it sounded yummy!)

Thanksgiving Thursday (named after traditional post-Thanksgiving menu planning):

Leftovers!

First Time Friday:

Breakfast: All American Apple Pie (MeatlessMonday.com says it's okay to have apple pie for breakfast...who am I to argue??)

Dinner: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak (repeat from last week since we had take-out pizza instead)

Simple Saturday:

Breakfast: Cereal

Dinner: Salad and Baked Potato

Slow Cooker Sunday:

Breakfast: Rice Pudding with Berries

Dinner: Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

For more menus, visit Orgjunkie.com!

Frugal Dilemma: Toilet Paper Wasters

Never in my life have I seen such waste in the bathroom (except lengthy showers...but that's another post). Our three youngest (known here as Beta-8, Charlie-6, and Delta-4) are toilet paper superusers! I have implemented a number of strategies to get this problem under control from squishing the toilet paper roll so that it doesn't spin easily on the holder to being the human toilet paper dispenser. The former doesn't work for us and the latter is rather time consuming. Maybe I should install one of those folded/square toilet paper dispensers like they do at school...and then not fill it, like they do at school...

I did find a few ideas here. Suggestions anyone?

My First Real KISS

This post is my inaugural entry into Scribbit's August Write Away contest. The month's topic is "first kiss." Enjoy!

I had my first real KISS when I was 30. Yep, 30. Not the wet, sloppy, slip-of-the-tongue kind of kiss, though my stomach churned as if it was making butter and I wrung my hands like a washcloth. This was the kind of KISS that slaps you into reality, the what's-important-in-life kind of kiss...the "Keep It Simple, Sister" kind of kiss.

Apparently, I told everyone I was going to be a doctor or maybe a lawyer. (Never mind that I don't remember doing this.) I was on the right path, what with a full scholarship to attend University and a degree in three years instead of four. Marriage and a baby didn't slow me down as I reached out for the next higher rung on the corporate ladder, working long hours and volunteering for extra committees and special projects. Seven years later, the blessing of another baby was thrilling, yet I felt the tiniest twinge, like a massive vessel being pulled by a couple of tugboats in the direction opposite of its chartered course. I returned to work three months after her birth renewed yet determined to "have it all."

Two years later I found myself at home again, taking leave to nuzzle up to another little miracle. Now, we were outnumbered with three beautiful princesses! The twelve weeks of leave flew by like hurricane winds in the tropics. The tug was more pronounced this time and I resented that I couldn't tarry a bit longer. An additional two years passed, and I could hardly believe it when daughter number four was in my arms. Holding her, I was a distressed ship being drug back to port, willingly. My condition was not fatal--it was fantastic! I decided I could "have it all," but not in the way I originally thought. In my mind, "all" became a successful career as a stay-at-home mom balancing a tighter budget instead of babysitters and executive briefings. I knew I needed to simplify. "Keep It Simple, Sister" became my mantra.

Returning to work the last time was dreadful. Leaving my girls was unspeakably difficult, but so was the thought of leaving my second family with whom I had spent more waking hours in the last eight years than my own flesh and blood! However, I gave my two weeks' notice within a month and I've been docking in port ever since, raising our four lovely daughters on a significantly reduced income. Not sure how long we'll manage to live this simpler life (note I didn't say "simple" life!), but I'm enjoying the extended stay.

Freebie Friday - Notebook Travel Kit

I heard about this freebie from Money Saving Mom--it's a Nexxtech Notebook Travel Kit that is free after a $40 mail-in rebate. Hurry, 'cause the offer ends on 8/16/08. This might make another good Christmas gift for someone on your list.

WANTED: Fearless Driving Instructor

If you recognize this face, please don't tell her I posted her picture on my blog! I just had to tell the world to WATCH OUT if you see this young lady driving on the streets, as she received her learner's permit today. :)

We had our first lesson this evening (though there are rumors dad has given her a few private lessons on the sly before this day), and it was....WEIRD! Weird, I tell you! Where has the time gone? I won't get all mushy, but I will say I did not see this day coming even though I've had over 15 years to prepare! I think I'll need the next seven years between her and the next oldest to get used to this. By then, she could be married with child! Now I'm feeling faint...