Following this

I started following a new blog. Check Marla out here

http://www.marlataviano.com/

She has some really great, and fun, stuff.

Muffin-y Goodness

Mitch and Megan love muffins, especially banana muffins, and these are really, really good. This recipe is one I found in Deceptivly Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. I've made it several times and have made a few changes to it.





Peanut Butter and Banana Muffins


1 C brown sugar
1/2 C natural peanut butter
2 ripe bananas
1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 C flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together brown sugar, peanut butter, banana and applesauce.

Add the egg to the mixture.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix well.

Divide the mixture among the 12 muffin cups and bake at 350 for 15 - 20 minutes.

Our first week

The kids finished their first full week of school last week and did really well. Mitch is really loving Second grade. I am amazed at home much he grew up over the summer and has become very independent at school and at home. I have a feeling this is going to be a great year for him. Megan is adjusting to Kindergarten. Everyday she has a funny quip or saying from the day that just cracks Frank and I up. It's definitely much quieter around here during the day, something I am not used to but could grow on me really fast.

This week I have been praying Proverbs 3:5,6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

In addition to the kids being back at school and getting use to their routine; my grandma was in the hospital for a bleeding ulcer. This verse just brings me great comfort when I feel the need to control things that I really have no control over.

First Day of School

The kids started school today. Mitch was very excited and was up and ready to go bright and early. Megan, on the other hand, had a much harder time and wasn't too sure about the whole Kindergarten thing. She had a very nervous look on her face most of the morning and came home super tired and hungry. We're looking forward to tomorrow and starting a new Fall schedule. Check out some of the pictures from their first day...

The Second Grader
"I don't want to do this, Mom!"

Walking up to school

A quick picture in front of the Lincoln Academy sign

One last hug

Still not too sure

A smile, finally

Last day of summer vacation-tradition

Today was the last day of summer vacation, and keeping with tradition, we practiced getting up early for school, left the house and drove past the school...and kept right on going to Denny's this year. Denny's was Megan's pick this year because she is starting Kindergarten tomorrow. Can you believe it? Mitch and Megan have been on a Denny's kick ever since we ate at one in San Diego, and the one we eat at near our house is called "our Denny's". After breakfast I always let the kids pick one last super fun thing that they want to do before school starts and again this year they chose to spend the day at the Children's Museum. It was a very fun day topped off with some Tom and Jerry cartoons.

Tomorrow it will be back to school. Both kids will be at the same school. It's seems odd. Megan has suddenly stated that she is ready for Kindergarten, but I'm not sure I am ready for her to be ready. Five has come so fast and she has really grown up this summer. My plan for tomorrow: big sunglasses, kleenex in my pockets and super fast shoes so I can get out of there once the kids go into their classrooms.

Carolina Chicken

This recipe is from the June 2010 issue of Family Circle and a family favorite. I serve it as a sandwich with cheese, avocado and chips. Yummy!

Carolina Shredded Chicken

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 small onion, diced
1/2 C vinegar
1/2 C ketchup
1/4 C light brown sugar
1 T spicy brown mustard
1 C chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Shred chicken and serve as a sandwich.

Passing 3 years

Monday, the 8th, marked 3 years since my hysterectomy. This year, the day passed with much less thought about the loss that I felt I have suffered and I didn't have a such an "oh poor me" feeling. Instead, I was thankful and spent the day with a grateful heart for my health and the two super cute kiddos I have. I am still feeling strong and healthy, just a few parts short, and these days I am more than willing to joke about it.

Camping Weekend

We went camping over the weekend with Frank's side of the family and had a really nice time. The weather was great, and it was nice to get away before the hectic August schedule. We camped just West of Glenwood Springs in New Castle and even spent part of the day swimming at the hot springs pool. Megan had never been swimming there before and really enjoyed it. It was a great weekend with lots of fun memories made.

Bored Kids

Do you have bored kids? I do. Summer is quickly winding down and I am finding that I am running out of tricks to keep the bickering at bay. I don't even like the word bored, but I don't know a better word to express August and the feeling you/the kids get as the days drag on and bothering sister/brother/mom just seems to be more entertaining than finding something to do.

Today, in order to curb that afternoon naughtiness, I dug deep into my old art teacher background and decided we would paint ice. I wish I would have taken a picture so my other mom friends could also use this fun trick, but really it's not that hard. We just put a whole bunch of ice in a bucket, got out washable watercolor paint and some brushes and found a piece of sidewalk to paint on. This worked really well today because the temperatures have dipped into the 80s here in CO. Thank goodness! The trick to making this project work is you have to paint the ice and not the sidewalk. I would suggest it only with older(4-5+) kiddos. Mitch made lots of fun patterns that melted on the ice, and Megan liked painting every piece of ice pink. It was a lot of fun and no grouchies...yet.