Easter

Easter has come and gone, weeks ago I know, but I just now have the time to put it all together.

We colored easter eggs.  Way too many eggs!  We had to throw some out because we couldn't eat them fast enough.

We went to the community easter egg hunt.  The kids were all divided into age groups and when the whistle sounded they were off.  The real eggs were pretty and all but what you wanted to pick up were the plastic ones.  These held candy and some had numbers that led you to a big prize inside.

Afterwards

Chris got one of the big prizes

Even Peter got to participate.  Pretty much had to use the jaws of life to resuce the egg from his grasp.

Easter morning brought gifts from the bunny of course.  Somehow he managed to get shades for all.

Lexie got a princess dress which she has since worn mulitple times and tries to wear every Sunday.

After church we had an easter egg hunt at our house with all the family.  Lots of fun and the weather actually cooperated for once.  Tons of candy and some were able to increase their banks accounts.  The kids especially loved finding nickles in their eggs.

That's our easter in and nutshell eggshell. 

I love the holidays, but especially watching them through the eyes of my children.

Children and Weight Loss

Today my baby turned one.

He is such a happy little boy.

Peter loves life.  He loves to smile and play and giggle.  He loves loves loves food.  He is such a flirt.  I love it when he knows he isn't suppose to do something and tries to do it anyway.  I know that this will bug me to no end in the future, but right now it is so cute.  He'll start trucking along to my bedroom knowing he isn't suppose to go there.  I'll call his name.  He'll pause look back and me smile a knowing grin and take off again while laughing.  It is so hard to discipline him while he is being cute!  I'm soooooo very glad he is a member of our family.  Happy birthday my baby!

Now on to unpleasant things: weight.  Last year I weighed in at a whopping 234lbs.  Then I had a 10lb baby and with the fluid loss was at 214 within 24hrs.  Not a bad first shot at weightloss. :)   Of course I had to put a stop to rapid weightloss for a bit, but started again last June 4weeks after having Peter.  My goal was to weigh in at my highschool/wedding weight by today.  Sadly I haven't made it yet.  You know pesky holidays and stress got in the way.  However, I am down 45lbs with only 15 more to go.  I'm so looking forward to wearing clothes that sad to say I kept from my pre-children era.

I love all my children, but I'm so ready to be happy with my body again.  I can already tell a difference in how I feel and act.  It is so amazing to feel free again.

Earth Day 2011

This is what we woke up to on April 22, 2011.  Sickening isn't it?

Stuck

Guess who went where he shouldn't.

And he got stuck!

Peter

Something so pure and right

Pinewood derby

A little late, yes, but at least I'm getting it done.

So March was pinewood derby time here for our scouts.  Now if it was just me I'll be the first to admit that my boys would not have participated.  I really don't see the point, but then again maybe that is why the boys do it and not the girls.

Ben and Chris both entered cars that they designed and did most of the work.  Doug helped with the dangerous cutting parts but other than that theses cars are pure Ben and Chris (and I think it shows).

Ben with car a beauty in the making

Chris with his work of art just waiting to be finished

Practice race at church

Head to head down the track

Now for the real race day against another scout group

Race heat listings: Chris

Race heat lisitngs: Ben

Anxiously watching the race

It was fun and the kids had fun.  The boys didn't win over all but got consistantly 3rd place in each heat they were in.  Good job boys!

Life of a Celiac

I know next to nothing about the life of a celiac except they can't have gluten.  I know that some are more sensitive and while cutting out wheat and other grains also have to cut out oatmeal, but really that's it.  The last two weeks I threw myself into the life of a celiac.  All I can say is "WOW!"  I never relized how many dinners and other things I make that have flour in them.  I could easily guess that the cakes, cookies and pies would, but dinner items?  You've got to be kidding me!

I went through this for my second child.  He has been having these unexplained stomach pains and since that is what started my sister down this path I thought I would test him out.  I was told the best way to do it would to cut him off gluten for 2 weeks and then let him at 'em.  I went to planning all these meals that I thought would be easy to make for him, but I still had to adapt some.  One I did were these sausage balls and they are a keeper.  My 5yr old loves them and wanted more.  If you knew my children you would know that this is a miracle since anything with meat is taboo to them.

Apple Sausage Balls

1 cup oatmeal, ground

1/2 cup potato starch

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

2 lb. bulk pork sausage (whatever you like; I had 1 mild and 1 Italian)

4 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 c maple syrup

2 apple, peeled and large grated

1/4 t. allspice

1. In a large bowl; stir together the oatmeal, potato starch, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the pork sausage, cheese, maple syrup, apple and allspice.

2. Using your hands, combine everything together until all of the ingredients are incorporated. Roll into evenly sized balls, about the size of a golf ball.  (I used my medium scoop)

3. Place sausage balls on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until fully cooked.

Served with a side of quinoa and some veggies