Planet Pizza Birthday Party

Saturday was a fun fun day. It was so nice not to have to ride all the rides with the kids this year at Planet Pizza. I was just a spectator this year (yippee!). Cash is really starting to come out of his shell with trying new things, I just love watching them evolve.

Jas and Aunt Kathy on the roller coaster
Jas, Cash and Nessa
Kung Fu Panda masks were a hit

Cash was VERY interested in all of Charlie's gifts (a majority of them were Spiderman). After all the presents were opened and I told the kids to go play some more before we left he headed for the bucket with the gifts in it. He wanted to play with the good stuff!

Cash flying high

Jasmine and Kaja
Cash and Grandpa on the pirate ship
Jasmine and Noah
Uh-oh, I think there's going to be a dance off...

Menu Plan Monday

We had a busy busy weekend and planning our menu for the week is something I am just now getting around to...

Monday...since no meat is thawing I think we'll go easy Spaghetti and salad

Tuesday...Fajitas and refried beans

Wednesday...going to the CIRCUS

Thursday...Breaded chicken and rice

Friday...Steaks on the grill and potatoes

Saturday...Bday party and small group

Sunday...Potluck at church

Whew, now I feel a little better just having that out of the way.

Watch the Birdie - Take Two - Weekly Update

They look pretty hungry to me...

I think the mama at the other nest is giving me the evil eye...

Indoor Playground

Sunday evening I had something at church (at least I thought I did -- the date was changed and I didn't update my planner...oops). We arrived a little early and when no one else was there I told the kids they could play on a playground for a bit, to give everyone a chance to get there (or so I thought). Our church has two outdoor playgrounds and two indoor playground (yes, it is a very large church). I was so happy when they chose the newest indoor playground for two reasons 1. it was not outside in the 100 degree heat 2. the other indoor is an enclosed room with the tube type mazes you see at McDonald's and a little stuffy. They had lots of fun swimming and fishing (can you tell the theme of the playground). Here are some pics...

Wordless Wednesday: Why do all the strays end up on our property...and STAY??

Menu Plan Monday

OK, so I've been participating in this (in my mind) for a while now and thought I'd finally start posting the information on my blog. Each weekend I roughly put together in my head what we will be having for dinner throughout the week. And I have to admit summer has thrown in an added challenge with swim lessons, VBS and trips to the Library.

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Monday - Tacos, spanish rice and beans.

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Tuesday - Turkey meatloaf muffins, mashed potatoes & salad - Will prepare the muffins on Monday and will peel potatoes and place in water in pot in the fridge. This way Joe can just put meatloafs in oven and potatoes on stove top when he gets home. Will also cook double portion of mashed potatoes to use with Fridays meal.

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Wednesday - Chicken quesadillas with leftover rice and beans and salad.

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Thursday - Chicken nuggets and french fries - This is one of our in&out nights. Going to girlfriends house for haircuts.

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Friday - Chicken fried steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans and biscuits.

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Saturday - CRAZY - Bday party and Bday party!

Watch the Birdie - Take Two - Update

Well, they've hatched. I took a picture, but it is really hard to make out what is what. They are actually kind of gross looking at this point. Let me know if you can make out what is in the picture. I'll try to get some better ones, but where the nest is I am stretching my arm up to shoot the picture and don't get to see what I am pointed at until after. I would have tried to get some better ones last night, but Joe was afraid I might get pecked in the head by a protective momma if I didn't stop taking pictures.

Wordless Wednesday: If You Pick Your Nose...Jesus Knows

Shoes

Last night while I was doing the dishes Jasmine brought in a pair of my heels and said 'Here, Momma, wear these and I'll wear the pink ones'. So there I am doing dishes in a pair of fabulous red heels (and my purple polka dot sleep pants :) ....what??? doesn't everybody do this...

Then later when I went into my closet I see she has been busier than I thought. I think I even saw Cash sporting a pair at one point in the evening (but don't tell Joe, he's a little touchy about that kind of thing).

Rude Awakening

The other night, while we were tucked safely in our beds, having sweet sweet dreams, Joe and I were awakened by a loud noise about 3am. We both groggily looked at each other for a moment then 'BOOM'. We jump out of bed and I start to run to the other end of the house where the kids rooms are and Joe goes to the front door. As he opens the door he yells 'Call 911, it's on fire!'. So, naturally, my mind is going 90mph and I finally say 'WHAT????' (guys - this is my worst nightmare, when I was 5 I slept with a bag packed next to my bed so just in case there was a fire I would have some of my favorite things)...he then yells back 'the tractor, the neighbors tractor is on fire!'. I run to get my phone - which of course I could not find, so I dump out my purse, my bag and anything else I could possibly dump - after I call and am told the fire department has been dispatched I go to the front door. That is when I see this.....

This is about 20ft from the side of our house...just outside Jasmine's bedroom window!!!

Once I see the fire and where it is I go running back into the house and get Jasmine to put into our bed. It is by the grace of God that she was so exhausted from going to Vacation Bible School all week that she did not wake up during the explosions that jarred Joe and I on the opposite end of the house. I'm afraid if she would have awoke to this, she would never sleep in her room again (I know I wouldn't have at that age). After about 10 minutes - remember we live in the country, our fire department is volunteer and takes a little longer for them to respond - they showed up and put the fire out. Whew, I tell ya, sleep after that did not come easy. Had my heart pumping for the rest of the day. Here is the aftermath, I took this as I was leaving for work about 6:15a so it is kind of dark. By the time we got home that evening it was gone, already towed away.

Small Group Social

Our small group from Church got together recently for a swim party/cookout and had the best time. I had Joe pick a dessert out of the cookbook to take and he chose Chocolate Eclair Dessert....and let me tell ya....it was sooo yummy there wasn't a drop of it left. So good, I will definitely make again.

Here are the pics and recipe...

Again, a different child from a month ago.

She can't wait to go back to Uncle Duane's and jump off the pier

Cash, still not so sure
A majority of our group...some chose to be spectators and not swim
Cash did eventually put on a life jacket and go in the deeper end with me, but not for too long. That boy likes his feet on dry ground.
He climbed up into this swing by himself. Don't ask me how, it was pretty high.

And look what he found on the way to the car...

CHOCOLATE ECLAIR DESSERT

INGREDIENTS
2 individual packages graham crackers
2 (3 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups milk
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
6 squares Baker's chocolate (I ended up using all 8 squares)

DIRECTIONS
Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with graham crackers. In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and milk. Stir well. Stir in whipped topping to pudding mixture. Spread half of mixture over graham cracker layer. Top with another layer of graham crackers and the remaining pudding. Melt chocolate according to package directions and smooth on top. Refrigerate until serving.

Well That's Familiar

Have you ever read a book and thought it sounded a little familiar?? I did recently.

Sad part is it wasn't until the middle of the first chapter that I caught on. And there was even a Prologue. Once I realized I had definitely read the book before I then had to decide if I wanted to reread it or get a new one. I opted for a new one. I generally get books from our church Library, but just happened to be taking the kids to our local one that night.

Please let me I am not alone on this....

Kotter Family Reunion 2008

Over the weekend we had a family reunion with my father's family. Not only did we get to see family we hadn't seen in a few years, we were all together to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. Can you imagine the changes she has seen in her life....anywho...we did lots of swimming, lots of eating and lots of catching up with family. Here are the pics.

FRIDAY

I'll tell ya, those swim lessons were money well spent. When we went camping in May Jasmine would not get in where she couldn't touch without hanging on to someone. Now she is out of control. First one in-last one out and doesn't want anything to do with Joe or I as far as help!

When I saw these two strutting down the sidewalk I pulled the camera out real quick. I know the picture is overexposed, but they looked so darn cute I couldn't help but sharing.

Waiting for fireworks -- I just love Cash and his cousin laying on their bellies in this pic.

The whole group...still waiting

Finally...

SATURDAY

Keeping the kids busy until lunchtime (big kids and little kids)Notice Jasmine is eating food off of Cash's plate.

The cake was delish



I don't know how well you can see, but Uncle Ken gave Cash about half of the ice cream carton with his cake...Cash didn't seem to mind though

Jasmine picked out these beautiful flowers for Grandma

Water balloons



And the infamous Kotter poker game. Happens every time two or more gather. They even wrangled Joe into a couple games on Sunday before we all headed out

(and I have never seen Joe play cards in the 10 years we've been together)
Me and my two grandmothers

Wordless Wednesday: 'Helping' Daddy Wash the Truck

4th of July Weekend

We had a really great 4th of July weekend visiting with family and friends. Still trying to catch up on the sleep and get the house back in order after being out of town for three days. I promise pictures soon to come.

Jasmine started VBS last night and had a really great time. But I'm not sure having it the week after a holiday weekend was the best plan. She was so tired after they let out at 8:30p, when I told her she was going back the next night she said 'I just want to stay home. I like it at home.' I agree, that's why I have nothing planned for Saturday....after two weekends in a row of family reunions I want to just stay home and chill!!!

Watch the Birdie - Take Two

Looky looky...three more eggs in the nest!!

Jasmine is VERY excited.

School House Rock

Remember School House Rock on Saturday mornings??

I loved singing those songs. Well, guess who else loves them....my kiddos. They pick this DVD a lot and just sit mesmerized in front of the TV while it's on. There are approximately 50 songs and all of us can be heard singing the songs long after the DVD is over.

Love it, great investment!!

That's All She Wrote

Well, swim lessons have come to an end and the kids will definitely miss them. They had so much fun going and 'learning' how to swim. Jasmine did great, she is very comfortable in the water now and will move to Level 2 next year. Cash is still not sure about going any farther than his waist without clinging to someone, but at least he will go that far now. Here are some pictures from last night.

Jasmine sitting right next to the instructor.

You know I got my camera ready when he acted like he was going to go down the slide.

He eventually backed away from the slide.
They each were able to pick a prize out of the goody bucket -- Cash chose bubbles!

On the way to the pool last night Jasmine informed me she plans to be President when she grows up. And her first rule will be everyone has to nice to each other -- no fighting -- at all!

Oh and Cash said he was going to be a McDonald's :)

We are super busy this weekend starting tonight. Hope to have lots of pictures to post next week. Have a safe and happy 4th weekend!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Aloha