A Great Day to Move

We are moving to a gated community a few miles from where we live now. Packing and packing! We have moved so much that on command our couch jumps onto the moving truck! We consider ourselves blessed also because the desert summer temperatures have seemed to relent for our moving day. Celebrate with us! It is forecasted to be only 105 degrees!

First steps

This morning Sabrina took her first steps toward her Papa! Then she took some more towards the play kitchen we got for the kids.

Marie-Anne

Another trip to the Children’s Museum

On Wednesday we went with Josie and her kids to use their tickets to the Children’s Museum. This is the second year the kids got free tickets for participating in the library’s Summer Reading Program. The kids all enjoyed it. I made sure Sabrina got to spend time in the baby section for a long time. Then whenever we found something she could play with throughout the museum I got her out of the stroller. The older kids were everywhere I didn’t even try to keep up with Josie’s kids. I had enough trouble keeping up with Alex! Everyone had fun.

Marie-Anne

Today's Savings

Today I stopped at Wal-Mart right after dropping Frank off and I got $23.27 worth of meat for only $16.31. Later I stopped at Smiths and got $4.94 worth of meat for $3.22. A savings of $8.68

Marie-Anne

Sleep needed

Help! Sabrina hasn’t been sleeping through the night for about 2 weeks now. She wakes up a couple of times screaming. Sometimes she’ll take a bottle and sometimes she won’t. I just realized that’s why I’ve been taking naps lately. Last night was the worst, but apparently her tummy was hurting. I need sleep!

Marie-Anne

Reading is Magic by Tony Daniels

Wednesday I took the kids along with Josie and her kids to the library for Reading is Magic by Tony Daniels. It was an amazing show! He is very funny and his tricks leave you wondering how in the world did he do that. If you ever get a chance to see it I recommend it.

http://www.themagicoftonydaniels.com/

Marie-Anne

I hit the Jackpot at Wal-Mart!

This morning I went to Wal-Mart right after dropping Frank off at work instead of waiting until after the library. I must have got there right after they put the marked down meat out. I got $77.71 worth of meat for $54.39, a savings of $23.32! I’m glad now that I didn’t go get formula last night when we ran out!

Marie-Anne

Play Dates

Today I invited Stacey and Stephie over for lunch and for a play date. I enjoyed Stacey’s company, but Alex didn’t want to share his toys and kept shutting Stephie out of his room and Sabrina’s room.

I want to have more play dates, but I think I’ll have more structure. I have several friends with children that are close to Alex’s age. I thought of starting a playgroup with them, but I’m not sure how well that would work. I’m thinking of inviting one family a week and having crafts or games for the kids. Maybe once a month I could invite all of them to go on a field trip, we’ll see.

Marie-Anne

Lots of field trips coming up.

For the next few weeks we’ll be doing things with Serina and London since they are out of school. The kids participated in the library’s Summer Reading Program and one of the prizes was a pass to the Children’s Museum. There are also some parks around here that have sprinklers. Anderson Dairy has a free tour that includes a puppet show. We have a year’s pass to Lake Mead so I’m planning on taking the kids to the visitors’ center…

Marie-Anne

Happy Independence Day!

To celebrate Independence Day we met our friends A.J., Stacey, and Stephie and went to Lake Mead for a picnic. Frank grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. The kids were on an expedition with magnifying glasses. Sabrina enjoyed herself in the playpen and being held and adored. We all enjoyed each other’s company. It was a great time and good food.

Later we met at Shadow Rock Park to watch the beautiful fireworks. Stephie and Sabrina were thrilled with the bright lights and loud noise, but Alex mostly played on the playground.

Marie-Anne

Sweet Tea

Water
1 cup sugar
5 tea bags

In a small pot boil water with 5 tea bags. Pour 1 cup sugar in pitcher. Scoop out tea bags and add boiling tea to sugar. Fill container with cold water and stir.

Marie-Anne

Ground Beef and Mushroom gravy

1-2 lbs ground beef
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
can of mushrooms

Brown the beef adding whatever seasoning you like; I use onion powder and Tony’s. Drain the beef then add the mushroom soup and mushroom and cook on medium-high. While that is cooking cook instant rice to go with it. Put the Ground Beef and Mushroom gravy over the rice and serve.

Marie-Anne

Play Kitchen

Today Frank and Alex worked on building a play kitchen for the kids. They are using an old dresser that didn’t survive four years with Alex as the frame. I think it was a very good experience for Alex to work alongside Frank in building it. It is going to be similar to one I saw for almost $200. It will have a fridge, an oven, a microwave, and a sink.

I have been making a lot of felt food to go with it. So far I made donuts, pancakes, cookies, banana slices, pop tarts, and kiwi slices, (the kiwi doesn’t look quite right, oh well). I have plans of making a lot more. I think the next thing I’ll try is Popsicles. I just looked at pictures on the Internet and made them.

Marie-Anne

One decision

This morning on the way home from dropping Frank off at work a guy on a motorcycle was driving crazy weaving through all three lanes. As I thought, “that guy’s dangerous!” I saw him and the motorcycle flipping over and over in the intersection ahead of me. I just stared in shock. Then he got up and somebody helped him move the motorcycle out of the road. Even though he seemed to be fine it shook me up seeing him bouncing across the road like that.

One stupid decision could have ended in tragedy. Thank God for His mercy.

Marie-Anne