Monday Mutterings

Last week I called Z's former speech pathologist to ask a few questions about A. A will be 18 months next week and only has "Mom" and "Dad" in her vocabulary and she doesn't even use them regularly. R and I have started getting worried so I spoke with Barbara who worked with Z for 4 years. Barbara did say that by 18 months A should know about 5 words so she suggested we take away the binkie and if in a month A wasn't speaking more than to call her back. A is addicted to her binkie, she loves it and most of the time has 2, one in her mouth and one in her hand. Of course with the binkie in her mouth she doesn't talk so we are hoping that by removing the binkie she will start talking more. I thought Saturday would be the day but I just couldn't do it. It R to do it while A napped during SM in church so she hasn't had her binkie since about 3:30pm yesterday. She has cried for it a few times but I'm surprised how well she has done without it. I was dreading last night and thought for sure it would be a nightmare without the binkie and tried to talk R into letting her have one while sleeping but he thought cold turkey was best. Anyway A cried for about 5 minutes last night and then went to sleep, she was restless a few times in the middle of the night looking for it, but it wasn't to bad and besides first thing this morning she hasn't pointed for it at all. I think it's been harder for me than for her.

We only have gymnastics tonight (unlike tomorrow where we have soccer, baseball and Pack Meeting). I'm hoping to enjoy the quiet evening and catch up with work and home.

Sunny Saturday

What a beautiful Saturday! First thing this morning Z had soccer practice so I took him and the girls and I played on the playground even though it was a little chilly. I've been trying to clean up the house and catch up on laundry. I did run to Costco for a few things. R helped our neighbor move and just took Z to baseball practice. He may need to go to work for a few hours this evening but I'm not sure. I know he's hoping to continue digging the tramp pit for the kids new tramp.

Yesterday they had a book fair at the school so I took the kids over and we bought some new books. S bought Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly and Z picked out Fly High, Fly Guy. S and I have loved the Fancy Nancy books and I've heard Z talk about Fly Guy so I'm looking forward to him reading me the book. I also let them pick out a few fun books. After the book fair the school showed the movie Cars and we all piled in the cafeteria with blankets and pillows to watch the movie. I have to say it was better then the movie theater when we didn't need to be quiet since there was so many kids. I spent much of the movie chasing my little one around but the older two kids had a great time. Z watched the movie sitting next to friends. S was a social butterfly moving all over by girlfriends and visiting and sharing snacks.

I need to work on my YW lesson for tomorrow, I always wait for the last minute. I think this lesson is about the 12 tribes so I've been putting it off.

We planned to go on a couples 4-wheeling trip next weekend. I was finally able to make arrangements for the kids with my mom and a little bit of time with Grandma C but now we are not sure we will make it. We are really short staffed at work and it's a busy weekend. I'm going to plan that we are going as far as work and home go so I can get us ready throughout the week but I'm not sure if we will actually go. R has really been looking forward to it so I feel bad if we will be unable to go.

Weekly Meals

Saturday: Whole Wheat Pasta with Walnuts and Feta Cheese
Sunday: Lemon Chicken
Monday: Greek Shrimp with Orzo
Tuesday: Seven Point Goat Cheese Pasta
Wednesday: Pork Chops with Dijon Cream Sauce
Thursday: Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken
Friday: Quinoa & Black Bean Salad
Saturday: Lemony Chicken Rice Salad
Sunday: Chicken Enchiladas

Ta Da Tuesday

It's been awhile since I've checked in and shared any family news. This past weekend the spring weather was so wonderful. Today it's cold, cloudy and it's trying to rain. I just love the spring and all the weather uncertainity!

About three weeks ago Z started baseball practices, the games start next week. He has been loving it! Saturday R was able to go to practice with Z and then he took him shopping for a new glove, bat and bat bag. The coach asked R to assit as a coach so he'll be going to practice with Z from now (just run less place for me to have to run the other kids to). Last night after baseball practice R took Z to the batting cages and he said Z didn't want to leave. They have practice again tonight and Friday night. In between baseball Z has also been doing soccer. You can imagine with soccer games, practices, and baseball practices he as been busy!

A week and a half ago R took Z to get his ATV license. They studied for the test together for about a month and of course Z passed. I guess the test was written as well as practical. Z thought the test was easy and was happy because he was able to drive his 4-wheeler. We went out to dinner that night to celebrate his new license.

S had been busy with soccer and gymnastics. What keeps her the busiest though is her play dates. She seems to think she needs to have an arranged play date everyday (actually this keep me busier). She loves to be with friends. This past Saturday she was outside from 9:30am until about 7:00pm with maybe 10 minutes indoors for lunch. I never thought about sunscreen so her little arms and cheeks were so sunburned. S loves to ride her bike all over and is quite the speed demon.

A keeps me busy picking up after her, she is into everything. It seems like the last few months she has been sick constantly. I don't know what is going on but she seems to almost always have a cold. She is growing like a weed and busy smiling and talking up a storm (although I can't understand a word she says).

R and I have been busy with our family and work. We need to tackle our yard so we can have some grass. R bought the kids a trampoline that he wants to put in the ground so I know he's hoping to get that in soon. We plan on taking a couple's 4-wheeling trip in a few weeks and the kids will stay either with grandma or my sister.

Well tonight we have a soccer game for S and Z and baseball practice so I'm hoping the weather will improve.

Weekly Menu

Monday: Soft Tacos and Taco Salad
Tuesday: Garlicy Pork & Black Beans
Wednesday: Spaghetti w/ whole wheat spaghetti
Thursday: Honey Mustard Salmon
Friday: Southwestern Chicken Salad
Saturday: Grilled Hamburgers (family) Grilled Salmon Burger (me) w/ oven fries
Sunday: TBA

Great Book

I read Dorothy Keddington's books many, many years ago and I loved them. I loved the romance. Several months ago I found 3 of her books at a used book store and bought them and I was so excited to read them. Of course I forgot about them until about 3 weeks ago and loaned one to a friend and started reading Shadow Song. I loved Shadow Song, but I think Return to Red Castle might be my favorite. I started reading Return to Red Castle Saturday night and read it Sunday until I finished it. I'm not sure where I found the time and my kids and house suffered, but I loved reading it.

The book is about Melissa who comes back to Utah, sees the man she's had a crush on since she was a kid, tracks up the mountain, meets creeps, falls in love, man saves her from creeps, etc. Romance and adventure - this book has it all.

My friend who borrowed it and really enjoyed it (although she doesn't generally read mountain man type books) were wondering why romance in real life is never like romance in novels.

Weekly Meals

Monday: Crockpot Sour Cream Salsa Chicken
Tuesday: Lean Chicken Fried Steak
Wednesday: Lemon Butter Baked Halibut
Thursday: Lemon Pepper Broiled Chicken Breasts
Friday: Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza
Saturday: Southwestern Chicken Salad
Sunday: Parmesan Pork Tenderloin