Rainy day

It is raining here again.  That's ok.  We could use the rain.  I cleaned out the boys' closet and put away clothes.  Their clothes  are usually in my bedroom in a clothes basket.  I put away clothes when they are sleeping.  And I won't go into their room because I don't want to wake them up.  I am getting rid of so much stuff.  E is going to sell all the stuff we don't want at the flea market.  We don't have room to keep stuff we don't use or need anyway.  Plus I feel more relaxed when things are orgazined.
Have you discovered Pinterest?  What a good time!! Tons of ideas for getting organized, meals, diy projects, kids, dogs, clothes, make up, make your own W.index, etc.  I have pinned tons of ideas now I just have to actually do them!
Yesterday's corn bread didn't turn out that great.  It was very dry and didn't have the usual yummy taste.  I'm going to try The Pioneer Woman's corn bread for our leftover gumbo.  I have made some of her recipes in the past and have had good luck with them.

Recipe: Skillet Cornbread

Prep Time: 5 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 20 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 12

Print Recipe 3"x5" Cards 4"x6" Cards Full Page

Ingredients

• 1 cup Yellow Cornmeal
• 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1 whole Egg
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 cup Shortening
• 2 Tablespoons Shortening

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Combine cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Stir together.
Measure the buttermilk and milk in a measuring cup and add the egg. Stir together with a fork. Add the baking soda and stir.
Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a fork until combined.
In a small bowl, melt 1/4 shortening. Slowly add melted shortening to the batter, stirring until just combined. In an iron skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons shortening over medium heat. Pour the batter into the hot skillet. Spread to even out the surface. (Batter should sizzle.)
Cook on stovetop for 1 minute, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Edges should be crispy!

Gumbo and cornbread

It is pouring here today.  It does have benefits (besides watering the trees, flowers and grass):  I put away all of the boys's clothes, did all the laundry, straightened up E's room, and I'm going to get started on Zac Brown's cornbread which we will eat with our gumbo.  I loooove cornbread.  And it's made with bacon drippings.  Oh, yes, healthy eating today!! lol

Howdy

Life. Is busy. Crazy. Fun. Let me catch you up: E is in a new school.  She was teased at her last school.  I feel this new school is a more nurturing and caring environment.  I feel she needs that right now.  I know it's tough being a kid.  I feel that today it's even harder.  I don't allow her to have a facebook page or a cell phone (she doesn't go anywhere yet without us). I think kids say, post or text hurtful things.  I don't want her subjected to that.  I think she has been through enough.  She is a very sensitive person.  She definitely wears her heart on her sleeve.  It is a big transition for her.  She is doing well with her course work. I just wish the whole "making a friend" thing was going faster.  I think she needs a buddy to hang out with or call. E is playing soccer again and her coach is really great. This is her 3rd season with him.  She is starting gymnastics next Saturday.  She wants to learn how to do a cartwheel in the worst way. After soccer is finished she will start basketball which she says is her sport.  I'm glad she is looking forward to it.
Peanut and Squeakers are well.  They are trying to speak. They will be evaluated for speech at their next pediatrician appointment and we'll take it from there.  I think they should be further along.  They sign and they can certainly understand a multi step command.  I feel they get frustrated sometimes because they can't tell you exactly what they want.  Peanut is definitely pulling ahead with weight gain and height.  Squeakers doesn't eat as much as Peanut does.  They love construction vehicles.  That is going to be their theme for their 2nd!!! birthday party.  And they loooove books. 
Our new addition is done.  We needed the extra room.  We are looking at kitchen tables for in there (then I can have my kitchen island :-)  ) Eventually we will have some living room furniture in there and a bar. 
We went to the local fair on Wednesday.  We picked up my Dad and headed down.  We looked at cows, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, tractors, RVs and had really yummy food like gyros and smoked pulled pork sandwiches.  I had an apple dumpling with cinnamon ice cream.  Gotta love fair food.
Our double jogger is on the way out.  We use it a lot and I'm surprised at how it's falling apart.  I found a double Bob on sale and I'm going to order it.  I would really like to get back into running and the Bob is better suited for it than our B.aby Trend.
I told E about a pumpkin race in October.  You can run or walk and you can dress up if you want.  I emailed for more information about how to sign up for it.  It's been so long since I ran it.  I was Clifford the big red dog.
I go back to work Nov 1.  I don't want to be away from the boys.  I am still only a part time employee.  So I will be gone for four hours.  My Dad will be watching Peanut and Squeakers. They love being with their Poppy.  We are so fortunate that he watched E and now the boys.
I had an ultrasound done because my monthly cycles are terrible.  I have fibroid tumors and a polyp.  My appt is Nov 9 with the doctor.  I know I will have them removed and maybe have an ablation to stop the cycles (which are irregular and heavy).
I need to step up my game to lose weight.  I have really nice clothes that I want to fit into for school and I am not happy with my body.  Hence the want to start running again.  Plus I need to eat better.  How you look is 80% what you eat and 20% exercise.  I found a really great blog about a young woman who lost half her body weight. It is packed with information and recipes and advice.  It's called http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/  She is a real person and she tells you like it is.  That it's hard work that will get you to your weight you want.  I like when she asks herself, "Andy can you do it for just today?"  Yes I can do it for just today.  Baby steps.

                                                                E and Squeakers

                                            Peanut and Squeakers in the old farm
                                                     equipment building

                                                M, E, Peanut and Squeakers
                                                  with the biggest pumpkin

Give love

Please give some love to Mrs. Pithy today.  It is one year ago that her beloved Adam left this earth. 

I think Spring has sprung

Hello to all! I know I've been neglecting my space here. Everyone is getting big and we are always doing something. The latest being E and myself going to Disney on Saturday. M will stay home with Peanut and Squeakers.
A special thank you to Photogrl @ Not the Path I Chose for sending me some yummy goodness. She found my cafe latte french vanilla and sent me some! Suzy @ Not a Fertile Myrtle for sending me happiness via snail mail. Thank you!!
I'm trying to lose weight. I got the whole set to Brazilian Butt Lift. Some workouts were ok but I felt like I wasn't doing enough. I found Bodyrock via P.interest and I really like it. The exercises are old school and it's HIIT (high intensity interval training). I am getting out more now with the babies in their jogging stroller for walks. I also reconnected with an old friend and we've been meeting to go for long walks. I've lost 7 lbs but I still have about 15 or more to go. I found out that with getting in shape it's 80% what you eat and 20% working out. I am doing better with eating but I need to knock off the bad snacks at nighttime. And also drink more water.
The weather here has been soooo nice! It's almost 70 degrees today. Unreal. I have to shave my legs more often! I keep checking the weather for Orlando and it's going to be in the mid 80's next week for our vacation. Shorts it is.
I have E almost all done with regards to her clothes. I bought some shorts for me. I hate clothes shopping. I do wish Gap would bring back the classic preppy look. I'm not much of a trendy clothes horse. I like my polo shirts, classic t's and regular pants/shorts. We each still need new sneakers and I have to get stuff here for the babies and odds and end for our trip. It's a lot to get me and E ready and the babies/M/house.
I started to read again because I find it relaxing right before I go to bed. I read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"--excellent!! And now I'm almost done with "The Help"--very riveting.
I hope everyone is well!

Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, How are you?

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good holiday season. Ours was crazy! E had a good time and did well in the gift department. Peanut and Squeakers were a little overwhelmed and cried when they saw Santa. The poor dears-so many people, all the presents, two different houses. They just really wanted to walk around.
We took E to NYC on Dec 26 for the day. The city is so magical all dressed up for the holidays. We packed a lot in one day: Rockefeller Center, American Girl store, FAO Shwartz, Central Park, handsome cab ride, Tiffany's to just name a few. We probably walked over 5 miles! E was mesmorized by the city. I did tell her about homeless people to give her a heads up. She kept asking me where they were--we really didn't see any. There was a guy sleeping on the steps at Port Authority but I don't think he was homeless.
The kids were sick over Christmas vacation. E had a cold and the babies had RSV. We had to get a nebulizer for the babies. They didn't like it at first but then after a few treatments they were alright.
E started ice skating lessons. Her first lesson was this past Monday. She fell and got a nice cut on her leg. But she got right back out there after I cleaned her up. I was very proud of her for doing that :-) Next lesson is bring a friend for free--I'm going!
I am going to start doing something for myself--working out. I ordered Brazil Butt Lift and I now have a beachbody coach. It's time to get back into shape. I believe working out first thing in the morning is the best time. However, I am not a morning person. I'll have to see how it works out. I'm also debating on whether or not to take before and after pictures. I have looked at myself in the mirror holding a little hand mirror and I don't like what I see.
We took down the gates in the living room. After baby proofing the downstairs the babies can walk around the kitchen and hallway now. I think I may have to order the magnets for the kitchen doors/drawers. I did give them a cabinet with plastic lids and containers. It's nice to open it and tell them they can play with the things inside.
M and E with Balto-the dog that saved Nome, Alaska

E read about him in one of her stories.

E, Me and M going for our handsome cab ride


Peanut and Squeakers with E's grocery cart. They loved pushing this around!




Peanut, Logan and Squeakers. I can't tell you how hard it is to take their picture! They are little whirlwinds! I couldn't even get one with all three kids for our holiday card. Hopefully next year!


That's me!


I'm not going to make any resolutions. I would like to lose weight, eat better, do more things with just E, see my friends more, organize the house and go to sleep a little earlier. That's not to much, is it?

Life

Hello! I haven't been blogging because I've been ordering Christmas presents online and trying to declutter the house so we can start decorating. M put up all the outside lights and hung wreaths on the windows. I just have to get started on the inside. We have to put the tree in the basement this year. We only have one living area on the main floor and that is Squeaker and Peanut's domain. I can only imagine what would happen to the tree if we put it in there.
I'm pretty much done shopping. Yay for T.arget and E.tsy online. I had everything shipped to my parents house as to keep the goods from being found. The only items left to get are some gift cards. I'm way ahead of the game this year. Last year I did everything in a scrambled sleep induced haze.
I'm hoping to get back into the swing of working out. I asked for Z.umba for the W.ii and E asked for J.ust Dance 1 & 2. My good friend is going to be taking pole dancing classes in Philly. I would love to take those! They look like so much fun and it tones/strengthens your whole body. In my neck of the woods we aren't up to speed on the latest fitness trends.
We are doing better eating. We have added more fruits/veggies to our meals. Plus lowfat yogurt and jello are now in our snacks. Trying to be good eggs. It would be easier if the babies slept through the night. Now we are in the throws of teething. They are each getting three teeth in the front. Broken sleep makes it hard to do the regular house/taking care of kids, etc. let alone adding regular workouts. Working out would increase my energy. But I have no energy to get started.
Here's a picture from this week:
It was so nice out we walked around the neighborhood for an hour. These hats I bought last year on E.tsy. I call them their baby bear hats.