Easy Pleaser Snack

This is so simple, but my kids loved it. We came back from a trip and I had almost nothing in the house as far as groceries because I was sure to use it before we left so nothing went bad. I didn't exactly think that all the way through now did I. I didn't feel like going to the store as soon as I got home after being up most of the night, so I had to use what I had on hand which was almost nothing. So here's what I did for a snack lunch:

Bean Burrito Roll-Ups

1 can refried beans
3/4 cup mexican blend cheese
2 heaping tbsp salsa
flour tortillas

Mix beans, cheese, and salsa and spread thinly on a tortilla. Wrap up tightly and slice into 1" pieces. Bake in oven at 325 for about 10 min. Serve with sourcream or ranch dressing.

The tortilla gets a little crunchy in the oven - yumm! And there is no mess!

It's so simple, but I love when people share their "easy pleaser" recipes. You can never have too many with kids.

Beautiful face

This is what Mary looks like without all the curls in her face. The unexpected haircut may not have been a bad thing. I will never admit that to Abbey, but it doesn't look bad. I kind of like being able to see her face without having to keep redoing barrets every 20 min. She was Jay's flower girl this past Sunday along with his two other nieces, Abbey and Ally.

Jay and Barbie

Jay got married June 11th at 12pm at Chateau Elan to his new wife Barbara An Glinka (Barbie). It was a beautiful ceremony but extremely hot.
I apparently caught them right before they smiled. I assure you they did willingly marry each other. It amazes me how much Jay looks like my dad when dad was in his 20s and before he got so sick. I wish he could have been there.
They chose to do a sand pouring ceremony instead of the unity candle because they were outside and didn't want the candles to go out. I had never seen this before, but I thought it was pretty cool. There ended up being a lot more pink in that bottle than silver, which Barbie commented on to the crowd. They are on their honeymoon now cruising to the Bahamas. They should be back on Saturday. We are happy to have a new sister-in-law (even if she is a bean pole). Congrats to Jay and Barbie!

History repeated...

When I was a youngster, probably 5 or 6, I sat my sister (Julianna) down on the steps of our front porch. I told her we were going to play barber shop and proceded to cut every pretty blonde curl off her head. I don't remember exactly my mother's response other than it wasn't a good one. Well this morning my children got up before me. (Hey, it's summer and I didn't have my niece today!) They came into my room of course they were immediately ready for breakfast. I told Abbey and Josh to fix cereal and to fix Mary some and I would get up in 20 min.

They followed directions and fixed and ate their cereal. Then apparently Mary started complaining to Abbey that her hair was in her face. Abbey thought, "Oh, I can fix that for you!" She cut off the hair that hung down in her face to about an inch long and uneven. Mary came in and all happy saying, "Mom, Abbey cut my hair for me!"

I jumped up screaming!! Not my best mom moment, I know. (If only I had gotten up at 8am instead of 8:30am) Abbey was arguing her point of trying to help her sister and steam, I'm sure, was coming out of my ears. She got stuck in her room to clean after gathering up every pair of scissors in the house. Mary is happy as she can be because nothing is hanging in her face.

It wouldn't be so bad if she weren't the flower girl in my brother's wedding this Sunday. Maybe I can cover it up with a floral ring in her hair.

I called Julianna to tell her about the incident and her words of comfort were..."Payback's a bitch, isn't it!" There's nothing in this world like the love of a sister!!

Handy Husband!!!

Chris set out to build a fort in the backyard for Abbey's birthday present on Saturday June 3rd. He and his brother, David, had it all finished by 3:00pm long before the guests arrived. I was proud and a little shocked! I was thinking that this project would sit unfinished in the back yard for at least a month. But he assured me it would be a one day job and he kept his word.

He also had visions of this being like a New Yankee Workshop experience. Then he realized he had burned to a crispy red lobster color-and New England is famous for their lobster. Still not the connection he was hoping for I don't think.

The kids love playing in it. It kept them entertained most of that evening--they even ate out there! He plans to replace the roof later with a more permenant material and build steps and a floor, also a door that will latch and shutters that do the same. But he finished all he had planned for phase 1 of this project. What a handy guy!! He hasn't realized the mistake he's made-now I know he is capable of doing so many things I usually have other people do!!! Ha ha ha!

End of the year parties

Chris and I went to Abbey and Josh's end of the year celebrations a couple of weeks ago (May 24, 2006). Josh got the math star award at his ocean themed party. They had just made their own visors that he is wearing backwards--because it's cooler that way! Abbey had a 50's style party with hoola hoop and bubble gum blowing contests and dancing. We had a good time with both of them. We also celebrated my grandfather's 82nd birthday party the week before. Mary was entertaining all of us with her number dance in this picture. Yes, her hair is always in her face!

Creating a place

Several friends have created a blog to show pictures of their kids and let everyone know what they are up to. I thought, "What a great idea!!" So, this is my attempt to keep everyone up to date on the kids and us and all of our going-ons! Let me know what you think!