Blog As You Are

Hey, what are you doing right now?
Well...not RIGHT THIS SECOND, because then the comments would be a boring list of: "reading your blog" and "sitting at the computer".

What have you been doing for say...the last hour? or what are you about to go do? I think it's interesting to know, so let's hear it?

I just got finished getting my butt kicked by AJ in Candyland THREE times IN A ROW. I did pull out the victory on Game #4 though.
Then I proceeded to get my butt kicked AGAIN in Memory. THREE Times in a Row AGAIN. Apparently I suck at traversing the paths of the treacherous candyland AND I can't remember diddly squat.
Guess that's what happens when you get old - your luck turns sour (that damn gingerbread man card gets me every friggin' time!) and you lose your short term memory. Ah well.

Then I sat down at the computer to check email and write this blog...while eating a bowl of Grape Nuts, even though I know better. I dig me some Grape Nuts but for some reason they leave me feeling like I've just single-handedly consumed a 4-course meal all by myself. They are so FILLING. So if you're on a diet or something (which I am not, quite obviously) then just eat a bowl of Grape Nuts...it'll stave off hunger pains for about...oh, 6 hours.

What I am NOT doing is: cleaning my house up (although it needs it, AGAIN), doing the dishes, sorting the laundry, proofing pictures, and a myriad of other things that need to be done --including making a box of Betty Crocker fudge (bleck!) that AJ has been bugging me about for the last 3 hours. So I'm off to remedy that situation.

So......what are YOU doing??

Angel Hair with Feta and Sun Dried Tomatoes

I've been trying to think of vegetarian dishes that we can eat that the whole family will like (read:Steve-o the Carnivore) so last night I went with pasta - that's safe, right?
It was DELISH and super easy so I thought I'd put it up here to pressure you into making it as well. It's so friggin' EASY - it's a great meal for school nights because you just whip all the stuff together and voila! Instant yummy meal.

It's relatively light too....
unless you gorge yourself and have 2 huge helpings.

Like I did.

Then it sits in your stomach for a rock for the next 3 hours.



Anyway.....

Angel Hair with Feta and Sun Dried Tomatoes

1 package of angel hair pasta

about 1/4 cup olive oil

4 -6 cloves of garlic, sliced or crushed (I like 'em sliced thinly)

3-4 oz. sundried tomatoes, softened and chopped (I added extra)
(took me forever to find these in the store. They're by the pasta sauces and Publix only carried this ONE brand - it's on the top shelf if you go there)

1 8-oz package of tomato basil feta cheese, crumbled
(if you're looking away (men) because you don't think you like feta cheese, JUST STOP IT. It adds a lot to the flavor of this dish - so just give it a chance, wouldja??)

1 cup grated Parmesan
(I didn't have Parmesan so I used a combination of Pecorino and Asiago and it was still really good. I'm sure you can substitute with whatever you have)

1 Bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped (I used considerably less - about a handful. Cuz I thought it was weird to put cilantro in a pasta dish).

salt & pepper to taste (and I also threw in some chopped basil too)

Then:
1. Start the pasta boiling and meanwhile...
2. Pour some olive oil into a skillet and saute the garlic on low-med heat. If you use some of the olive oil from the jar of tomatoes...YUM.
3. Throw in the tomatoes (that you've already chopped up a bit) and the cilantro and then turn off the heat. Do not add the cheeses in until last.
4. Drain your pasta or just serve it up individually on plates. Mix it all together and serve with a loaf of bread or baguette...or make up some bruschetta like we did.

ENJOY!

------
cooking tip from me: Don't EVER drain your pasta after you cook it. I think that's an American thing...to think that you have to drain and rinse your pasta, and you DON'T! It just makes the pasta harder to work with as it "dries" and could lead to the ever-dreaded Sticky Pasta Mess. Just use a pasta spoon and scoop it right out of the water onto a plate or serving dish. I promise...it's much better that way.
------

Lemme know if you try it!

Slacking

Ug. I'm a blog slacker lately it seems.

I think with all the hubub of vacation and starting school that I'm trying to find my groove again.

This morning I looked like one of those frantic moms that you see on tv that are freaking out, bustling around like a crazy person, trying to take a shower myself, feed 3 kids breakfast, make sure #1 has his uniform on, and #2 and #3 are not in pajamas and get out the door by 7:35. That is HARD! Steve-o saved the day and took Owen to school for me on his way to work. I think I need to plan a little better for this morning routine. I'm already thinking of time-saving tips (clothes laid out, lunches packed the night before, etc. etc.)

I'm having a hard time with the idea of doing cereal in the mornings (even though I grew up eating cereal every morning!). Since becoming an almost-there vegetarian, I've been a little more health conscious, and I'd like to have healthier breakfasts for the boys than cereal. We've never been big cereal eaters anyway. We have it, of course, but our boys are HUGE breakfast eaters - I'm talking pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, cream of wheat...you get the idea.
Being a stay-at-home mom and not having anywhere to be in the mornings (typically) has allowed for our morning routine to consist of big breakfasts and a relaxed pace. Now I'm seeing why families save the big breakfast thing for weekends.

Anyway, I'm sure that the process of making eggs and toast for the kids this morning helped contribute to the frenzied state in which I tore around the house this morning.
That, or the fact that I woke up only 30 minutes before we had to walk out the door.
That adds a little stress to the morning grind.

I will say that I've rather enjoyed having the extra one-on-one time with AJ since Owen has been in school. He's done just fine entertaining himself and playing independently and I've had fun spending time with just him.
On Owen's first day of school I said:

AJ, how do you feel about Owen being in school?

AJ: Happy.

ME: Happy?? Really? Why?

AJ: Because he can't take away my toys!

ME: But aren't you just a little sad that he's gone all day? Are you lonely at all?

AJ: (with determined patience and more than a little exasperation): MAMA. I said NO. I am not sad, I'm not lonely. I'M HAPPY.

ME: Okay, okay!


AJ doesn't start school for a whole 'nother week.

Casey leaves for college tomorrow.

Last night we had breakfast for dinner and I made sausage gravy and bisquits out of meatless sausage and it was actually REALLY GOOD. It tasted just like the real thing, no lie. Ask steve-o - he ate it and he is the highly discriminate carnivore in this house.

Tyler is driving me nuts with his newest stunt of pulling the chairs away from the table and climbing up the chair, then onto the top of the table and standing on the table. Then I say NO! and firmly put his feet back on the floor and he giggles and does it all over again 32 seconds later. We play this fun game all day long.
Or the "push all the buttons of the tv" game.
Or the dump out the dog food and dog water game.
Or the splash in the toilet game.

Fun times.

That's about it around here.....
Random Musings....that's my name and I'm stick'n to it.

Later.

And He's Off!!

He was so excited this morning, up around 6:15 and bouncing off the walls....

"Take a picture of my packpack, mama!"

Finding his seat in his classroom....

And this is how I left him....he didn't even look back. :)

And no, I didn't cry. :)
I got all that out last night.
Today, I'm just proud and happy for him.

Have a great day Owen!

A Letter to Owen, on Your First Day Of Kindergarten

Dear Owen,
There's the old saying that "it seems just like yesterday" (insert memorable moment here) so I'm not going to say the cliches. Quite honestly, while on one hand the last 5 years have flown by, and I do oftentimes wonder when you morphed from the tiny bundle we carried home from the hospital into strong boy before me, on the other hand I feel that these years have also been hard won as we together forged this thing called life, called family...together.
I've made many mistakes along the way and I'm thankful that you love me regardless and hopeful that as you grow older, you'll understand that maybe I don't always have all the answers, or do everything right, but I do my best.

Tomorrow is your first day of kindergarten, and there are times over the last week when I find my breath catch in my throat and doubts seep into my heart - "is he ready?" "will he be okay?" and I worry for you and your tender heart. With our recent discoveries about who you are and what makes you tick and the different and the beautiful way in which you see the world, I find myself wanting to reach out and envelop you in my arms, protect you from all the possible hurts and unfair and unkind things that are out there waiting for you. But then I watch you excitedly pick out your Scooby Doo lunch box, and your Star Wars backpack, and try on your new tennis shoes and I see that you are more ready than I am.
You are ready to handle this new adventure - your quick smile and readiness to forgive and love prepares you for this next step.

Starting school is a rite of passage - a new beginning - and there will be many challenges ahead of you in the next year. I eagerly anticipate you discovering how the letters and words that you love so much come together as you learn to read and the world opens up for you even more. I'm excited to meet your new friends and come to your plays and field days. I pray that the people in your new world will take the time to discover just how gifted and pure and beautiful that you are. You are so special - a curious, generous and engaging child and this gift will be that which draws people in toward you. They will be blessed to know you, Owen - just as we are blessed to call you our own.

Transition begins tomorrow, change has already begun - and while part of me feels uncomfortable at this next stage - this little bit of letting you go - I realize that life is transition, is change. One stage comes and then you roll over into the next and there's not really much you can say or do about it. Life is transition and I'd much rather loosen my grip and enjoy the experience with you than desperately clutch at what is already passing by. Embrace each day, welcome what's new, live with your heart wide open - which I know you do, and never be afraid.

You will learn much in the next year, my son, but perhaps more important are the lessons that you have taught me - to love unconditionally, to easily forgive, to explore, get dirty, discover life in a real and tangible way. That everything can be FELT. Everything is an experience. That I don't have to understand you to love you.

You are capable of anything and I am so proud to be your mom.

Have a super fantabulous first day of kindergarten tomorrow!

I love you to the moon and back.


mama

Some Videos For Your Viewing Pleasure

In the car,

AJ: Want me to tell you a story?
Me: sure.
AJ: It's gonna be a long one
Me: Okay, go ahead.



And the Beluga Whale exhibit at the Aquarium:



Happy Monday! :)

For Rob and Amanda

If you don't go completely banana sandwich over this image, then you're out of your gourd. Please tell me you'd like to get a large print of this framed and hung in your living room.

For all those who weren't in attendance for this little photo shoot....it was pure DRAMA. There were tears, there were gummi bear bribes, there were fart noises being made, there was baby poop in Robby's hand. It was eventful, to say the least.

Hope you like it guys, and I'm emailing you a copy of it right now.


Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my nephew Johnathan - my football partner, my Mario Smash Brothers arch nemesis, and all around great kid whose antics never cease to make me smile. Love you buddy!