Super Saturday Crafts

For all my regular blog viewers (HA!!) my blog is being temporarily donated to my ward for the Super Saturday. Regular posts may resume later. :)

Here are the crafts for the Longwood Ward Super Saturday on November 19th from 9am to 12pm.

Please note the crafts you would like to make and fill out and RETURN an order form to Jenny Parker or Melinda Huyck. Make checks payable to Jenny Parker or use my (Melinda Huyck) nifty PayPal button to pay for your crafts by November 6th!

 Let the crafts roll!

Christmas Candy Jar $4.50

 President Hinkley 8 x 12 Print $2.00

 Jingle Shadow Box $15.00

 Christmas Pillow Cover $2 /Pillow and Form $10.75/Runner $4

 Glittery Ornaments $.75 each or $9 for 12

 Picture Block Ornaments $2.50

 Glass Block Snowman $27

 Fall Wreath $15

 Pie in a Jar $2.75 each

Give Thanks Wooden Block $8.50

So, ladies, let's get our craft on!

"A" Honor Roll

Porter and  Ethan got straight A's the first marking period of the year and were honored at a breakfast in January. We are glad they both did well since they were each allowed to bring 2 guests to the program and that way we all made it there:). I don't want to miss out on my Panera Bakery orange scones! YUM! They received a certificate and had their picture taken with the school mascot, Kiwi the Koala of Wekiva Elementary School. Aeris was fascinated by the mascot and kept going up to it for a hug. It was cute so she got her picture taken too. 

We are proud of our smart, hard workers and they'd better keep up the good work cause Mom and Dad AREN'T paying for college! That's something we'll leave for them to figure out. If they can get others to give them $$, all the better!

The Science Fair

In February, the boys and I completed a science fair project. It was supposed to be done with their dad but somehow it was "forgotten" until almost too late! So we worked on a project about pendulums and their swing and what effect the length of string has on the rate and duration of the swing. 

I helped too much!! Next time, I'm going to stand back and keep my hands to myself. They set it up at the school by themselves and got a ribbon for participation. It was a good experience for them (and me) and they were proud of themselves.

Central Florida Zoo

On Monday, we went to the zoo with Grandpa Tim. We sent the kids off to school in the morning, much to Ethan's dismay, and picked them up after lunch for a surprise adventure.

We have annual passes and we keep hoping we can drop off a kid or two and no one will notice :). No luck yet. We think they'd blend in well in the monkey exhibit. 

Ethan was having a bonding moment with the zebu. I must admit, it had beautiful eyes with long lashes and looked very sweet.

Jacob and Elijah were trying out banana phones to see if the monkeys were on to something. 

 

All in all, it was a great way to spend the afternoon with a dear, kind grandpa that we love.

Kennedy Space Center

On Tuesday, we all went to the Kennedy Space Center. It was a little windy.

I had to keep a hold of Aeris, lest she blow away!

We took the shuttle ride to  LC 39, the Rocket Launch Site. That's where it was so windy. Then we took the shuttle to the Apollo/Saturn V Center where we saw the full size Saturn V. It was amazingly HUGE!

We ran out of time for the 3rd stop on the shuttle tour, the International Space Station Center. So we headed back and rode the Shuttle Launch Experience. It was bumpy but I'm sure I could hack it as an astronaut, just have to do a total career change :). 

 

And Jacob was having fun with our new camera and got some good pictures of the Rocket Garden during the "golden hour of light", right as the sun is going down.

 

And here is Aeris taking a pretend nap which was as close as she got to a real nap that day. We forgot her pacifier which made for a somewhat difficult day. She didn't even fall asleep on the way home and had some very interesting conversations with her Aunt McKenzie in her effort to stay awake. It's gonna be rough when she has to give up her "passi" at the ripe old age of three.

It was a great day and I highly recommend the Kennedy Space Center. It helps you truly appreciate how amazing it is that we've gotten into space and how much effort it takes. And if you go in March and are a FL resident, you can get one kid in free per adult. :)

Porter and Ethan's Baptism

On Sunday, February 28th, my oldest boys were baptized! I can't believe I'm old enough for 8 year olds. My parents and 2 youngest siblings were able to come from Alaska and Jacob's dad from California for the occasion. They were both baptized by my dad, Brian Smith, and confirmed by my dad (Porter) and Tim Huyck (Ethan). Tim gave a truly wonderful talk on the Holy Ghost. My little sis, McKenzie, gave the closing prayer and the Primary kids sang Baptism while we waited for them to change. Another boy was also baptized that evening, Matthew Bush.

We had a little open house afterwards with cookies and muffins for our friends. We invited the Garretts, Bates, Parkers, and Engs.

I was so happy and proud of them. I couldn't stop smiling. I'm so glad they made this decision to start on the path to return to their Father in Heaven. I love them a million, a million. It was a good day and went better than I could have imagined. 

Brian Smith, Jacob, Tim Huyck

Ethan, Ryan (my little brother), Elijah, Porter

Fun

The kids all got an outside toy for Christmas. Ethan got roller blades, Elijah got a new bike, Aeris got a scooter and Porter got some rope...which Jacob made into a rope swing. They had fun!

Happy 2010!

We welcomed in the New Year in grand style complete with silly glasses, chocolate fondue, and sparkling peach juice. We let the boys stay up late. Porter and Ethan made it to midnight but Elijah conked out at ten minutes to the new year. We may have taken advantage of his blissful slumber :).

May you and yours have a wonderful and exciting new year!

Oops!

This is what happens when there are only 2 nails holding your kitchen cabinet to the wall and your son happens to pull on it while climbing up to get a plate. It was an accident and luckily no one was hurt but it sure made a VERY loud noise. I stood there in stunned silence while my children began crying and the little climber apologized profusely.

Thank heavens for my wonderful neighbor and good friend, Lindsay. I had to call someone to see this disaster and so I called her. She came over, was appropriately shocked and appalled, then promptly offered to help clean up. I didn't call her over to help with clean up, I just had to share the calamity with another adult! I tried to refuse her help but she said "too bad!" and went to get her broom. We made short work of it and threw away a box full of shattered glass. I will need to replace a few things, probably about $35 worth of plates, glasses and bowls. Could have been worse!

Now does anyone know a good handyman?

Halloween 2009

I was in charge of costumes this year because Jacob was busy with work.
This is the line up:

Aeris, a cute little pumpkin

Elijah, a scary vampire

Ethan, a mad scientist

Porter, a creepy mummy

and Jacob, as himself :)

Our Halloween festivities included:

1. A ward Fall Festival and trunk or treat(with Porter being a finalist in the costume parade)
2. Trick or treating at Jacob's work (and his win as Scariest Costume in the costume contest)
3. Trick or treating on Halloween night where my kids wimped out after about 7 houses! Obviously they don't know how good they have it. Why, I remember tromping through 18 inches of snow in 25 degree weather for hours in search of a few measly treats!

Halloween was fun! Now to get rid of all this candy!

This Bread's for You!

Here's my latest recipe acquisition: Artisan Bread

This recipe is from my friend, Sarah. She's been teaching bread classes for Enrichment and she is good.
Here's the recipe:

Dixie's Artisan Bread

3 c. unbleached flour
1/4 tsp. instant yeast
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 5/8 c. water

Mix together, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit overnight at room temperture.

On baking day

1. Pour dough out onto a floured surface, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 mins.
2. Liberally flour 2 towels (NOT terry cloth, those smooth flour sack towels). Place dough between the towels, fold over and let rest for 2 hours.
3. 30 minutes before baking, place your pot (covered with an oven safe lid) into the oven and preheat to 450.
4. Pour the dough into the pot and bake covered for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes to brown the top.

This is a mild flavored bread and is delicious dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette.

Let cool completely and enjoy. If you cut the loaf too early, it cuts poorly and dries out quickly.
The best way to keep bread fresh is to store it cut side down on a nonporous surface, like a plate.

It's been awhile

Sorry, no posts in forever. I did finish the grocery challenge with $10.34 to spare. Then, as soon as October arrived, I stocked back up! But at least I know I can do it and I plan on doing it more often.

As for the mixer, I'm going to hold off maybe until Christmas.

More posts with pictures to follow. I burned my fingers (2nd degree) today and typing is a bit difficult :( .

Sept 3rd and 4th

Money Spent So Far:
$14.45 Lunch date
$13.86 Diapers
$56.69 Left for the week

To answer some questions from my HUGE readership;).

No, I don't have any specific recipes but the blogger I got the idea from does have a recipe book that just came out and she says it's got good stuff in it. I'm just going to shop the sales and be very sure I buy only what we need. I may sneak in a few wants but I'm going to try making more treats this month and maybe even try my hand at making crackers and I will be making bread. I did stock my freezer with meat last week but that's only because we'd run out of every thing and it was before I planned on doing this. I know I'll be using more beans. Be glad you all live far away:).

As for keeping their "grubby hands" off the food, I just send them to school (so I don't have to deal with their "hungrys" for several hours) and have a snack planned when they get home and then the kitchen is CLOSED until dinner. If they say they are truly dieing for food, I offer carrot sticks. Not many of them are that hungry.

And the salad recipe is as follows:

Turkey, Apple, Craisin Salad

1 bag of salad (romaine mix or American mix)
Turkey lunch meat
Colby Jack cheese, shredded
Craisins
Gala apples (or Fuji)
1 stalk of Celery
Ranch dressing or a fruit Vinaigrette (we really like Marzetti Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette)

I chop the celery and add to salad mix and toss. Everything else I chop/shred and put in little bowls and people can pick what they like. I love this salad. It's very lite and fresh and delicious!

And our menu
Sept 3rd
Breakfast: Pancakes and eggs
Lunch: PB&J Sandwiches and Jacob and I went out for a lunch date $14.45
Dinner: Black Bean Soup and Cornbread
Snack: Apples and crackers and cheese

Sept 4th
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: PB and Honey sandwiches or leftovers
Dinner:Pita pizzas and cauliflower and zucchini with cheese and seasonings
Snack: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies and milk

Just so you know, the lunches I pack aren't just sandwiches. There's always a fruit, chips/crackers, tiny treat, juice and a gogurt or string cheese. I have a feeling most of my $$ is going to be spent on lunch items.

With all the money I'm going to save this month (cross my fingers) I decided I'm going to buy a Bosch mixer just like my mom has. She got one used and has had it for at least 15 yrs and it's still going strong (as far as I know). I will think of it whenever I'm tempted to buy Skittles. I don't have any type of stand mixer and I'd like to think I'll make more bread if I have one. They are supposed to be the best on the market and last forever.

September 1 and 2

I have to make a disclaimer about these first 2 weeks. I already planned my menu and bought the groceries before I heard about this idea. And it's funny that since I can't/chosen not to go shopping, I keep thinking about what I'd like to buy and I don't need ANYTHING!! The feeling will go away after awhile, right?

Sept 1
Breakfast: Cold cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches and leftovers
Dinner: Turkey, Apple, Craisin Salad and saltine crackers.

Sept 2
Breakfast: Yogurt/egg, toast and fruit
Lunch: Tuna Sandwiches or leftovers
Dinner: Ravioli Vegetable Stack and cauliflower with cheese

And can I just say my little daughter is trying to be troublesome! She's on antibiotics for a double ear infection and she refuses to take them! She used to be so good at taking medicine. Unfortunately, she has to take them no matter what and so it will be given the "hard way". Very sad for her (and me).

$85 a Week for Groceries for September

I read about this on this blog. And if she can do it with 10 kids I can do it with 4! I'll post our meals and keep you updated on our progress. Even if we don't stick to the $85 a week, we'll still be saving money since I usually spend $600+ a month! YIKES! I'm going to go with all cash because I know that will help immensely. If anyone want to join us in this endeavor that would be great.

Our 10th Anniversary

Since we've survived 10 years of togetherness we celebrated by going out of town for the weekend. Jacob planned the whole thing. We divided our kids amongst 2 wonderful, fantastic, patient friends and headed off!

We went to Universal and Islands of Adventure.

The next day we drove to Key Largo to Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to camp (like we did on our honeymoon) on the beach. The next morning we went snorkeling on a coral reef. It was amazing! It is just like it shows on TV. The fish are so close you can almost touch them. We even saw a sea turtle go gliding by. We ate lots of delicious fish at little out of the way restaurants and enjoyed each other immensely.

Elijah's 5th Birthday

Elijah celebrated his 5th birthday on June 12. A few days later we had a birthday for him with some friends from school. It was Star Wars themed:) .

We played Pin-the-X-wing-on-the-Death-Star's-Thermal-Exhaust-Port, had a Pod Relay Race, a Jedi obstacle course and had some practice with a Lightsaber Training Remote (AKA pinata).

We even had a surprise appearance of an X-wing pilot.

We ate Wookie Cookies (no-bake cookies), pizza and fruit kabobs and had Yoda Soda (Sprite with lime sherbet) to drink.

It was fun!
No matter how unenthusiastic Elijah looks.

Babies and Markers

I tell you that little face is cute but those fingers are naughty!
I have to keep my eyes on her.
Thank heavens I got rid of all non washable markers in a stroke of genius and fit of organization.