From Inmates to Playdates

Posts Tagged ‘Cooking’

Welcome to my kitchen.

I’m so glad you’ve stopped by.

Help yourself to a no-bake cookie and we’ll get right down to business.

Or for you health freaks, how about a banana,

Let’s get started, shall we? Geez O’Whiz, it just dawned on me that there are lots of baskets in my kitchen.

First of all, there is my recipe book basket. I don’t necessarily use these often, but you must admit they are pretty impressive when housed together in the magazine basket.

Then, there are my canisters,

And their neighbor, the utensil basket (featuring the spankin’ spoon), sits right beside the stove.

My favorite kitchen appliance, the Crock Pot.

And some strawberries waiting to be cut.

Grab another cookie before you scoot along, and remember these important words…

Thanks for stopping by my kitchen on this week’s You Capture tour.

When we first began planning our family vacation to Florida, (yes, I’m mentioning it one more time!) one of the first issues we tackled after agreeing on a date, was how / when / what / where we would eat dinner each evening as a family.

We threw around a couple of ideas, none of which seemed very appealing unless of course you enjoy eating in a restaurant with fifteen kids under the age of eight, or cooking for several hours each evening while everyone else enjoys the pool and the surf.

Then we discovered that Martha Stewart was not available.

Neither was Paula Deen.

So. We were forced to look into some other option. During an impromptu family discussion, it was mentioned that maybe we should look for a caterer. A caterer that would prepare dinner, allow us to borrow tables and chairs, deliver the meals, and do all of that for a reasonable price.

Sound impossible?

Yes, I thought so too.

My sister-in-law, (with the help of  John T. Google) found a lady in St. Petersburg, Florida who runs a lunch catering delivery business. She forwarded the number to me, and I got in contact with the catering lady, Kathi Maiden.

People, hear me when I say this, “Finding Kathi Maiden was like hitting the lottery.”

Only we didn’t win money.

And we didn’t have third cousins crawling out of the woodwork aggravating us to death.

She runs a business called ‘What’s For Lunch, St. Pete’ and when I contacted her she agreed to all of our hair-brained ideas. We decided upon a menu and she agreed to deliver dinner to our hotel every evening at 5:00 PM at a cost of $6.00 per person in disposable serving dishes.

It all sounded too good to be true so good and easy.

We had a bit of commotion from the manager of the hotel when we called to inquire about the  possibility of using the breezeway to eat, but after a few conversations with her she agreed we could use the tables and chairs in the breezeway area during dinner time. (And after arriving there, it was evident that of the 17 rooms available, nine rooms were empty, seven rooms were occupied by our family, and one other room was a family we didn’t know. So, it’s not like we wreaked a lot of havoc at the hotel.

As a family, we decided on a menu and I forwarded the menu on to Kathi. We e-mailed back and forth several times before arriving in Florida and the first evening she was due to bring our dinner I was nervous about the whole set-up. 

You know, because I have the utmost trust in people.

On Monday, Kathi showed up a bit before 5:00 PM with two banquet tables, some folding chairs and enough food to feed the country of Belize.

Or McDaddy’s family.

Monday was Mexican night so our menu consisted of enchiladas, build your own taco, burrito lasagna, taco fixin’s, refried beans, Spanish rice, summer salad, and two strawberry cakes. It was spectacularly delicious (try saying that three times fast!) and we were all so relieved that not only did the whole plan work out, it worked out perfectly. PERFECTLY! We also enjoyed Italian night (complete with tiramisu), hamburger/hotdog night, beef strogonoff night and country ham night. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t get any pictures of the spreads food. You should totally believe me when I tell you that her meals were impressive.

In fact, every. single. evening. she. outdid. herself.

Our family is so grateful to Kathi and thankful that she made dinnertime such a wonderful experience for us. None of us had to spend time preparing or planning dinners. And really, there was very little cleanup because every single meal was served in disposable containters.

Well, except for the spaghetti sauce.

But I’m not even mentioning that, because spaghetti sauce? Not a big deal at all.

And on top of that, there was generally enough food of some kind left over for lunch the next day. If you are visiting the St. Petersburg/Tampa area and have a need for food catering services or lunch, you should visit Kathi’s site What’s For Lunch St. Pete. It worked for us!

Works For Me Wednesday is hosted by We Are THAT Family.

I should start by saying there is a chance this post could be filed under useless information.

I would bet though that 82% of you will find it uniquely interesting, especially if you like strawberries.

Y’all know that my domestic prowess doesn’t shine very often. 

And rarely ever in the kitchen.

When it does though, I feel like I have a responsibility to my faithful readers (all eight of you!) to share the information. I say it all the time people, this blog is so much more than just cheap entertainment.

Start with a fresh basket of strawberries.

After washing and rinsing and whatever else you might do to your strawberries but just before cutting the stems, find a straw.

A normal size drinking straw.

Shove the straw up through the bottom of the strawberry, as seen in the horribly lit picture.

The straw will lift the leaves of the strawberry right through the middle and out the top.

Leaving you with a hollow strawberry that you can cut, fill, or eat.

Uniquely interesting useless information works for me!

Visit We Are THAT Family for all manner of uniquely interesting useless information!

While sitting around the campfire tonight, we talked briefly about the bucket list. I don’t really have a bucket list, but I do spend a fair amount of time thinking of things I would like to do before I um, you know, pass.

This isn’t necessarily a bucket list, because? Hello? I’m already 36 and these are things I’d like to do before I’m forty, not before I’m dead but it’s certainly a list of things I’d like to accomplish before I have the birthday that comes after the thirty-ninth.

And just before the one that starts with forty and ends with one.

1. Give up my love of lists.
 
2. Lose a lot! of weight.
 
3.  Learn HTML code.
 
4. Go to Australia with McDaddy
 
5.  Get a full ten-hour night of uninterrupted sleep (without waking to pee!)
 
6. See a Broadway Show
 
7.  Share McDaddy’s love of off-roading without irrational fear or panic attack.
 
8. Own a Saturn Sky even if only for a short time.
 
9. Purchase the empty lot beside of our house so that McDaddy can have the garage of his dreams.
 
10. Finish the basement. I mean completely finished and mess cleaned up!
 
11. A new deck (We need one sooner rather than later or else we’ll have our very own drop zone!)
 
12. Worry less.
 
13. Get a full night of uninterrupted sleep.

What?

I already said that. Yes, I know. I’m just reminding you!
 
14. Go to the dentist and get a good report without getting the dreaded floss lesson. (Which means I should actually floss each. and. every. single. day. Thankyouverymuch!)
 
15. Visit Alaska
 
16. Worry Less
 
17. Get off blood pressure medicine. This could probably happen by achieving at least seven of the items on this list.
 
18. Declutterize our house completely!
 
19. Learn how to start the lawn-mower. Not cause I really want to mow, but, because its the responsible thing to do.
 
20. Find the perfect bra. Why is that we can put a man on the moon, but we can’t make a bra for every woman’s size and body shape that is comfortable?

 21. Actually pay attention every. time. someone. speaks. to. me.  {Huh, what did you say?}
 
22. Learn how to make a perfect batch of no-bake cookies just like my daddy!
 
23. Read the Bible allthewaythrough.
 
24. Have a really easy, great haircut that is easy to style.
 
25. Be free of my addiction of caffeinated Beverages {Could someone warn the folks at Dr. Pepper that in four short
years there could be a slight decline in monthly sales}.
 
26. Get rid of everything in our house that has not been touched for a year.
 
27. Let my boys be – BOYS. Without fear of injury or something worse!
 
28. Learn more about stuff I know nothing about. Knowledge regarding things like stocks and HTML Code could be very helpful to me some day!
 
29. Cook more. {Enough said}.
 
30. Buy flowers for spring and keep them alive all summer by watering them instead of depending on prayer and God to bring them back to life.
 
31. Find the perfect purse. I have purchased at least twenty perfect purses, yet, they find their way to the bottom of the purse pile when the next ’perfect’ one hops off the shelf and onto my arm.
 
32. Get rid of stuff in the loft that we have not touched since we moved here seven years ago. {Anybody out there have a need for old diaries or one or two or twenty backpacks?}
 
33. Do every. single. thing. on my long term To-Do List. Or just shred the list.
 
34. Be caught up on scrapbooks with NO pictures in the pending basket. After all, someday these boys will be grown and may actually want to take them when they leave.
 
35.  Think. Before. I. Speak. {Sweet Hallelujah, is it possible?}
 
36. Take the boys to Lake Powell to spend a week on a houseboat. We’ve made this trip twice – before kids, mind you – and it is the most relaxing vacation in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.
 
37. Have patience.
 
38. Successfully back the van into the garage on the first try. It’s been seven years – and every single time I back in crooked I think about the fact that the guy who built it, (ahem! Glen) designed it just off center. I’m sure his botched calculations are the root of the problem.
 
39. Lose FIVE! sizes. And never find them again as long as I shall live!
 
40. Change my freakin’ attitude about things I have no control over.

WHEW! It’s a really good thing I have three years, five  months, and nine days to get this all figured out. I am no doubt going to be a busy girl.

What about you? Anything you’d like to do before you hit your next ‘milestone’?

Talk amongst yourselves!

It hit 80 degrees today.

And I, for one couldn’t be happier. I was so afraid that we would spend a summer playing around with 70 degree temperatures and THE RAIN. The stupid stinkin’ rain.

It has rained for weeks.

Dang.

Noah. Bring your ark.

Since the warm weather has finally arrived (and appears to be sticking around pleaseohplease!) and camping season is upon us, I thought it might be a great time to repost this recipe.

My criteria for a successful recipe includes,

• easy
• quick
• fail proof
• delicious

You can thank me later, especially after you have wowed your circle of friends and co-workers with this delectable delight.

ICE CREAM SANDWICH CAKE   

• 1 box of ice cream sandwiches
• 1 large container of cool whip
• 1 jar of chocolate fudge or Hersheys’ syrup
• 1 jar or butterscotch or caramel topping

Layer 9X13 baking dish with ice cream sandwiches. Cut sandwiches when necessary to completely fill the pan and appease  your OCD.

Next, spread a thick layer of cool whip.

Drizzle with Chocolate syrup and butterscotch topping.

REPEAT LAYERS

Freeze until ready to serve

Top with crushed Butterfinger or heath bar. (Or your favorite topping such as pecans, sprinkles (for holidays) oreos, or just about anything else you can think of.

Head on over to We Are THAT Family to find more things that may Work For You!

It’s Tuesday and that means it’s time for another edition of What I Learned This Week.

As always, this post will practically write itself because y’all know my fount of information will never, ever run dry.

Each week, I consider writing a nice, tidy list-free WILTW post, and then it hits me that a list is so simple. Not to mention, a good list makes me smile, so I suppose I should just stick with what works. I hope you faithful readers (all eight of you) don’t mind.

- When you are having lunch at your sweet four-year-old says something like, “Mom, this is the worst chocolate milk, EVER!” there is a pretty good chance the milk is sour.

- If you mention to the waitress that your child just drank half a cup of the “worst chocolate milk ever” she will apologize profusely and then bring him a soft drink. The thing I learned is that the restaurant may still attempt to charge you for both drinks. That is, until you get all riled up and mention the words “possibly” and “puke” before letting them know that you will not pay for either drink.

- The School Superintendent in our county is more concerned about our children not missing a day of instruction than he is in the fact that the school is filled with possibly toxic fumes from tile glue.

- That same Superintendent also finds it perfectly acceptable to house two classes totaling fifty children in the school library for three days.

- I am quite sure my hair is 74% grayer than it was this time last year.

- If Wit’s End was a real place, I’d have a second home there now thanks to the County Superintendent and his Board members.

- Cookie Crisp doesn’t really taste like chocolate chip cookies and milk.

- Our house is a fun place to hang out. Just ask any of the 312 big black stupid ants I’ve killed this week.

- Menu planning makes cooking everyday much simpler and enjoyable.

- The new nail place in the Wal-Mart has a new Deluxe pedicure that includes a hot scalding towel wrap. My legs will never be the same.

That’s it for me. What did you learn this week?

You know the drill.

As I made 4,382 trips up and down my stairs yesterday in an attempt to bond with the washer and dryer, it dawned on me that I hadn’t come up with a topic for this week’s Thursday Thirteen.

I thought it might be fun to come up with thirteen things I’ve turned on this week.

So, I sat in my big, blue, bloggy chair and I composed this post. And then I smiled because I’m goofy like that and sometimes I crack myself up when I write. And then I went to bed.

And then the next day, my BFF left a comment that said,

Submitted on 2010/04/08 at 2:06pm

Where is Thursday Thirteen slacker?

And I was all, “It should be there. It was a really cute post about things that turn me on things I turn on.”

And then I remembered I forgot to post it.

But better late than never, I suppose.

So, in the words of Simon Cowell, off we go.

1. My Van – While it might not be the coolest ride in town, you cannot beat it’s versatility or the space that it affords. Not to mention it has a sunroof, ya know, kinda like the Saturn Sky, but not really, because the Saturn Sky is a sleek, sexy, sporty, little ride THAT I ONLY FREAKIN DREAM ABOUT.

2. The Stove – Yes, indeed. My stove got a workout over the weekend thanks to the Easter holiday. It is once again clean and resting until the next time the urge hits me to cook.

3. My Best Friend Beloved iPhone – The nice guy at the AT&T store suggested it is wise to completely turn your iPhone off every single day and reboot it. And because I am one that always does as she is told, I do it. So, if your phone is acting a bit quirky or zonky, I would suggest you try it. I suspect it would fix your problem.

4. The Television – I don’t watch nearly as much television as I did years ago, but I do enjoy the occasional reality show, drama series, soap opera, news broadcast, and reality series. Sometimes all in the same evening.

5. McDaddy – Sorry, I just couldn’t let this one slip by me!  (I won’t say anymore because my mother-in-law? Happens to be one of my 8 faithful readers!)

6. The Bathtub – Our boys love to take a ‘play bath’. I typically clean the bathroom while they are playing because I have to be in the bathroom while they are bathing, and I am never one to pass up an opportunity to multi-task.

7. The Washer / Dryer Combo – I’m not sure who’s done more running this week. Me. Or the Dynamic Duo. On Tuesday alone, I did SIX loads of laundry. And, in a strange turn of events, the laundry was put away immediately.

8. The Air Conditioner – Okay. If I’m being completely honest, actually, McDaddy turned on the Air Conditioner. But, after the long, treacherous, cold, dangerous, aggravating, stupid winter we experienced here in the hills of West Virginia, I was tickled to actually be hot for the first time in a very long time. As in hot enough to warrant the air being turned on. Thank you sweet Jesus!

9. A Movie – Since purchasing our van in 2007 (or whatever year it was, I’m sure McDaddy will correct me if I’m wrong!) I rarely drive anywhere without hearing, “Mom, can we please watch a movie?” In fact, the question usually comes up before I make it out of the driveway. It’s a bit of an aggravation to hear the same question 14 times a day, but the DVD player sure comes in handy on long trips. The movie CARS has probably been viewed hundreds of times over the past few years.

10. My iPod - If you spend any time here at FITP, Inc. you know that I love any product that includes an “i” in front of it. They could make an iPuke and I’d probably buy one. I love my iPhone and my iPod and I turn both of them on regularly. When I clean house, I crank the iPod up and go to work. I’ve been known to listen to Puff Daddy, Selah, The Fugees, Kenny Chesney, Natasha Bedingfield, and then Jeremy Camp. My iPod is a diverse little booger. Great tunes I tell you.

11. The Blood Pressure Cuff – Remember when I recounted the Long Windy Tail about my Mirena IUD and my blood pressure? Well, six weeks later, I am still measuring the blood pressure. While it is much better, I still have to check the blood pressure periodically. Yesterday on Twitter, a tweep tweeted a link to a blog post written by Kristin detailing her trouble with Mirena. While her complications were much different than mine, I feel her post is worth reading if you are considering the Mirena IUD. To be fair, for every person that I’ve talked to who has experienced complications, there are just as many who have had no problems with the device.

12. The little boom-box in my Pioneer Clubs room – Every Wednesday evening, I have the privilege of teaching eight sweet little children about Jesus. One of the first things we do at our meeting is listen to the theme song of Pioneer Clubs – Thy Word – by Amy Grant. My little class was wound up like eight-day-clocks tonight. We always have a good time.

13. The Dishwasher – Every single day of my life I empty and refill the stinkin’ dishwasher. It’s much better than washing dishes, but man, it is never ending.

What have you turned on this week? I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Thursday, y’all.

I am not Martha Stewart.

Nor am I a pristine model of pearly goodness like that blasted June Cleaver. Seriously, who runs a house like that? Are you telling me that June-Bug cleaned the toilet in those heels? Or magic erased the kitchen floor in that pressed prim and proper dress?

I think not.

I’ll save that rant for another post, though.

Let’s just say that I do magic erase the kitchen floor and I do clean the toilets, but it ain’t pretty my friends. I get all bent out of shape out of breath just from the mere thought of cleaning the floor. You throw in some pantyhose and heels, and you’ll be lucky if I make it across the floor without twisting an ankle.

June, you don’t fool us.

We know your made for television lifestyle was a hoax.

And a big, fat hoax, at that.

What I was saying before I got off on that tangent is that I am not a big fan of cooking. I mean, I don’t so much mind cooking if everything is in order, but if your kitchen is anything like mine, it is safe to say that things are rarely in order. And by ‘in order’ I mean, if the menu has been made out, the groceries have been purchased, the meat is thawed, it’s not after 5pm, the sink is empty, the DVR has been emptied, the dishwasher has been emptied, and there have been no invitations issued for dinner in a restaurant.

So, yeah, pretty much, I’ll cook if its a last resort.

Oh, I kid.

Sort of.

I don’t mind cooking if its something I’m familiar with and I don’t mind cooking especially if what I’m cooking appeals to me on that particular day. I guess it’s pretty safe to say that I cook because its necessary and only if all other requirements are satisfied. For that reason, it was a bit of a surprise when McDaddy and Stevie were awarded second place in the Father/Son Cub Scout Bake-off for their sugary concoction – Beach Cake.

(I’m sure it didn’t hurt at all that the cake was beautifully displayed in a piece of my beloved Longaberger Pottery either!)

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I, myself have never been awarded a trophy for my cooking. Heck, I’m happy to get a “dinner is good, babe” from McDaddy when I present my latest culinary delight.

I made mention of the 2nd place trophy a few weeks back here at FITP, Inc. and since that time several of you have inquired about the recipe. And by several, I think we all know that I mean two or three of you.

So, since I am all about pleasing the audience, I thought this would be a good day to share the recipe. After all, the county fairs and bake-offs will be starting up real soon and at least one of you might be looking for a winning recipe.

While I’m not real sure why it is called a Beach Cake because there is no sand or sun involved, the Beach Cake was an overwhelming favorite among those sampling the offerings.

BEACH CAKE

Cake Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 egg
• 1 stick of margarine
• 2 cups of chopped walnuts or pecans (we prefer pecans)

Icing Ingredients

• 8 ounce block of cream cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 box confectioners sugar

CAKE:

1. Grease 9×13 pan lightly

2. Melt margarine

3. Mix cake mix, egg, margarine, and pecans in medium size bowl.

(Mix will be heavy and tough)

Press mixture into 9×13 pan.

ICING:

1. Mix icing ingredients together (praying over each of them because hello? clogged arteries?)

2. Pour icing mixture over cake.

3. Cook on 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

*NOTE: Cake will appear to be done at 30 minutes, however, you should follow the baking times for the best result. (Don’t you love the way I said that with authority and all?)

Enjoy warm or cool, it’s up to you!

The Beach Cake worked for my fellas! Visit We Are THAT Family for other things that might work for you!

It’s time for another edition of Works For Me Wednesday and funny thing is I can’t think of one single thing at this minute that works for me because it is 8:18am on Tuesday morning (can you say overachiever?) and Tom and Jerry is blaring on the television so that Alex can get his fix before pre-school.

It is impossible for me to understand how a mouse and a cat WHO NEVER EVER TALK FOR GOODNESS SAKES can be entertaining, but I’m tellin’ ya, our boys giggle like crazy people when they watch it. It’s thirty minutes of total chaos and so I guess that’s where the appeal comes from. Because a seven-year-old and a four-year-old are all about the chaos.

And speaking of choas, that reminds me of my kitchen.

Because me + the stove + a recipe = Chaos

Or something like that.

Unless it’s a recipe like the one I’m getting ready to share.

A recipe that works for me, because as you may recall there are three requirements when preparing a recipe.

• Quick
• Easy
• Fool Proof

So, with that in mind, here’s a recipe that works for me.

Wait, did I mention the chaos?

Because that’s exactly what I just experiencing while looking for the recipe. I have a handy dandy Longaberger recipe basket, but sadly, and with shame, I have to admit there are no letter dividers, so my recipes are scattered about all willy nilly probably in order of their frequency of preparedness. Anyway, the Glace Fruit Salad recipe was stuck somewhere between the chicken pot pie that I’ve only prepared once and my macaroni salad recipe that I prepare oh so often, because it is yummy and everyone loves it. So, with that being said, I suppose my recipe basket is in need of some organization.

You will start with these few ingredients…. and I’m hoping you can see the bananas in the background.

Glace’ Fruit Salad

INGREDIENTS

1 – 20 ounce Can of Pineapple Chunks in Heave Syrup (Drain and reserve syrup)

1- 15 ounce Can Mandarin Orange (Drained)

2 Bananas (sliced)

Maraschino Cherries

1 small box of Vanilla Instant Pudding

1  Tsp. Rum Extract (cause that’s how we roll around here!)

Mix pudding, pineapple syrup, and rum extract until well blended, then gently fold in the fruit. I slice the cherries in half and just add enough to give the fruit some color. [That is when I don't forget to purchase the cherries].

If making your salad for several people, double the recipe.

[NOTE: If you are not serving the salad for a few hours, you should hold off on putting the bananas in, or else they will turn brown prematurely and your fruit salad will look more like rotten banana salad. Also, before taking a picture for the blog, you should probably wipe the top of the bowl so it looks a bit more appealing!]

It’s quick.

It’s easy.

And it’s [generally] fool proof.

And it works for me! Check out other things that might work for you over at We Are THAT Family who just returned from a life changing trip to Kenya.

To: My Two Sweet Babies

From: Your Mom

Date: March 8, 2010

RE: Just So You Know

Dear Boys,

So much has happened in the past two weeks that I wanted to get it all down while the information is still fresh in my mind. You boys are the light of my life and even though I say it all the time, I am so thankful to be your mama. You are both growing up so quickly and with everything in me I would love to stop time. This season in our lives is so very special and I am trying to take it all in because I know it will pass so quickly.  

Like today when the two of you climbed up on my lap. As I hugged you and kissed both of you on the top of your sweet little heads, I inhaled because I wanted to remember the smell. I wanted to feel your short stubbly hair on my cheek. I wanted to remember the moment forever. I love those moments. The moments when the two of you climb up on my lap or into my bed and we talk and laugh and act silly. Sweet babies, those times are precious to me and I want to remember them always.

Love, Mommy

——

Dear Stevie,

We were told when you were two years old, that you needed glasses. I cried on the way home from that appointment. Not so much because you needed glasses, but more so because I wanted your eyes to be okay. While your right eye is normal, you are far-sighted in your left eye and have been for five years. During our visit to your eye Doctor last week, she was pleasantly surprised that your left eye is getting better. So much better in fact that your Doctor reported that in six months you may not have to wear glasses any longer. She also reported that in small children where there is such a drastic difference in the eyes, they rarely ever get better to the point where a child no longer needs glasses.

I say glory!

Your glasses are a sort of trademark now and I can’t hardly imagine you without glasses. We will leave it in the Lord’s hands and pray about it.

This has been an exciting month for you.

For the father/son Scout cookoff, you and daddy prepared a Beach Cake….

And YOU were so excited when they called your name and presented you with a 2nd place trophy…

Sweet boy, I was so proud of you (and Daddy) because I can certainly tell you that you did NOT get those cooking skills from your mama. So yes, winning an award for your baking is a pretty big deal. You were so very proud of your trophy and are still talking about it.

After a couple of weeks of practice, you have finally mastered the art of tying your shoes! You want to be the best at everything you do and that motivates you to be better, and faster.

You are such a joy, Stevie. You are kind, and funny, and cute, and loving. And on top of that you are a great big brother.

I love you!

Mommy

——

Dear Alex,

One day a week or so ago, Stevie and I were practicing his memory verses for the Pioneer Club Youth Service. The same verses that you have – time and time again – refused to practice with me. After reciting his verses perfectly, I was so surprised and proud to hear you recite those verses without prompting and with a beautiful, big smile on your face. Daddy and I are so proud of you for learning Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 12:2 and the Pioneer Club aim (that we may glorify the Lord Jesus) sweet boy. Way to go!

I love your smile, your giggle, and your sweet hugs. I can always count on you to give me a hug for absolutely no reason whatsoever and my favorite thing is when you ask me to rock you. I know those opportunities are going to be few and far between now that you are four, but sweet boy, I will rock you any ole time you ask me. Gladly.

Last week, both of your Sunday School teachers (independantly) made a point to report to us that you were kind to a little boy who was having a very bad day and crying in class. They both mentioned how patient you were andtold us what a good friend you were to him. My heart leaped with joy and I would love to have been secretly hiding in the room to see it for myself. For a little boy who has two speeds (wide open and asleep) it is great to know that you have a caring way about you.

You have learned to fasten your seat belt on your own. One of the funniest things about you is how much care you take in matching your socks and shirts. My OCD appreciates that so much and more often than not, you match them nicely. You are also really good about picking your toys up and putting them away after playing.

Oh, and you were thrilled to be star of the week at school a few weeks ago.

Sweet boy, you are a bright shining star and we are so proud of you!

Love, Mommy