It is now a good way through the summer and I am feeling like I've done a lot and nothing at the same time. I think I need a sense of accomplishment...I have several pending projects/ideas. Hopefully by next weekend we'll have Mary's room done. I have got most of the prep work done and we purchased the supplies and new blinds for her room.
The kids have also requested that their parents don't suck this year and take them out to actually watch a live fireworks display. Paul and I are trying to figure out how to do that and minimize our time outside where the highs right now are 112! Stay tuned!
Coming up...a little vaca to Tucson for Mateo's first b-day party (and a stay at LaPaloma for us)
Monday, June 28, 2010
Pictures
Simon!
He loves this play table, he takes the top off and climbs inside. The other picture is my new favorite! I love when just snapping away I manage to get a gem.
He's almost 15 months and still not walking. He will now let us hold his hands while walking though and if he wants something enough (and isn't paying attention) he'll take a few steps. I have only witnessed 2, however, it has been reported he took 5.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Dinner, Costco style
Here's a recipe that I improvised and got my kids to eat vegetables. I actually do have kids that eat vegetables. Paul and I love stuffed bell peppers. That was one meal I could make and feel "fancy". I made this when Mary was about 2 and it didn't go over very well. Houghton even took to complaining. Then I had a brainstorm. I discovered that it wasn't that they didn't like bell peppers, they just didn't like them stuffed with all the goo. Sooooo, I unstuffed them! GENIUS!
The recipe is simple: brown the ground beef, add diced bell peppers, cooked rice, spaghetti sauce and shredded cheese, stir until cheese is melted (a minute or 2 at most) and wa-lah, dinner that kids will eat (at least mine will). The kids are actually relieved when they ask whats for dinner and this is what they're getting.
I call it "Costco style" since I pretty much get all of my groceries there. (Houghton eats as much/more than the adults!) and we like leftovers so, Costco is a great deal. (I get the ground beef, rice, spaghetti sauce & shredded cheese there) However, the recipe will work with wherever you shop for groceries.
recipe:
I use 2lb ground beef
2-3c of cooked white rice
1 lg jar of spaghetti sauce
4-5 good size green bell peppers diced
~2c shredded cheese
This one is easy to adjust to preferences, add more/less sauce, cheese & bell peppers to taste.
(and it reheats really well too!)
The recipe is simple: brown the ground beef, add diced bell peppers, cooked rice, spaghetti sauce and shredded cheese, stir until cheese is melted (a minute or 2 at most) and wa-lah, dinner that kids will eat (at least mine will). The kids are actually relieved when they ask whats for dinner and this is what they're getting.
I call it "Costco style" since I pretty much get all of my groceries there. (Houghton eats as much/more than the adults!) and we like leftovers so, Costco is a great deal. (I get the ground beef, rice, spaghetti sauce & shredded cheese there) However, the recipe will work with wherever you shop for groceries.
recipe:
I use 2lb ground beef
2-3c of cooked white rice
1 lg jar of spaghetti sauce
4-5 good size green bell peppers diced
~2c shredded cheese
This one is easy to adjust to preferences, add more/less sauce, cheese & bell peppers to taste.
(and it reheats really well too!)
Error....
I had an entire post all set up, then I had to take care of something. I don't even remember what it was at this point and when I came back, the computer was not cooperating and I couldn't recover and post my blog. Guess it wasn't that important.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!
FYI-THIS IS A RANT:
I went to the dentist in Mid-December for 2 crowns, (some might remember my posts but I digress) I paid them $1352 which according to the dentist's office was to be my portion (it was supposed to be an educated guess). I paid them after I was done with m y crowns. I noticed in January that the claim was adjusted (as insurance companies do) and the insurance paid their portion to the dentist's office. According to the insurance, my portion should have been $162...But WAIT you say....you already paid them $1352?? Riiiight....so, my darling husband called in FEBRUARY!!! and they told him the claim was pending, the insurance has not processed all of the claims. OK, so NOW, it is April---according to our insurance website, there are NO pending claims. Soooo, last week, I called the dentist and they took my # and told me the billing girl would call me. Guess what??? NO CALL. So, I had some extra time today (a week later!!) called and the billing girl told me that they were not refunding me because they show the claim as pending. DUH- so, when I asked her why it's taken 4 months and that I don't know about her but I don't have the $ to just let $1100 sit around...I need it!!! Needless to say she talked to my like I was 4 (ya know that speak slowly and condescending---I know it because I am good at doing that myself -ask Paul) So I called her on it and she didn't like that. so I told her to call my insurance company and I will be expecting her call. Then hung up. I am getting a new dentist. (FYI-the actual dentists and hygenists are nice, sorry the front office ruined it for you)
I went to the dentist in Mid-December for 2 crowns, (some might remember my posts but I digress) I paid them $1352 which according to the dentist's office was to be my portion (it was supposed to be an educated guess). I paid them after I was done with m y crowns. I noticed in January that the claim was adjusted (as insurance companies do) and the insurance paid their portion to the dentist's office. According to the insurance, my portion should have been $162...But WAIT you say....you already paid them $1352?? Riiiight....so, my darling husband called in FEBRUARY!!! and they told him the claim was pending, the insurance has not processed all of the claims. OK, so NOW, it is April---according to our insurance website, there are NO pending claims. Soooo, last week, I called the dentist and they took my # and told me the billing girl would call me. Guess what??? NO CALL. So, I had some extra time today (a week later!!) called and the billing girl told me that they were not refunding me because they show the claim as pending. DUH- so, when I asked her why it's taken 4 months and that I don't know about her but I don't have the $ to just let $1100 sit around...I need it!!! Needless to say she talked to my like I was 4 (ya know that speak slowly and condescending---I know it because I am good at doing that myself -ask Paul) So I called her on it and she didn't like that. so I told her to call my insurance company and I will be expecting her call. Then hung up. I am getting a new dentist. (FYI-the actual dentists and hygenists are nice, sorry the front office ruined it for you)
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Easter
Well, it was a busy weekend for us with Simon's birthday and Easter weekend. It was nice however and we did have some down time. We had a great Easter service on Sunday morning and had a great brunch with Grandma and Aunt Julia (Nina) and Tio Rene (Nino) and the star of the show.....Mateo!! He's too adorable and got to sit next to his cousin (Simon) those 2 are going to be sooo adorable when they get into trouble together. Yes, they will. How cool is that going to be for the 2 cousins so close in age to get to grow up with each other??? I am so envious.
It was really great to have our first Easter as a fully Catholic family! We were a little sad we missed the Easter Vigil services though. There's always next year!
I am getting closer to working part-time and can't wait....it's like spring fever!!! I am trying to realize that I will still be tired and that Paul will have to work later so it's still going to be hard for us to have any time together. I think we need to work a bit more to find different ways to connect. It's tough!!! We do manage to get the household management stuff taken care of but there's no time for just us. We tried to get into a TV show since we could catch up on hulu and netflix but we got through about 3 or 4 episodes....FAIL! I just can't stay up later like I used to. I am just tooo tired. I can't even keep my eyes open if I sit down!!
It was really great to have our first Easter as a fully Catholic family! We were a little sad we missed the Easter Vigil services though. There's always next year!
I am getting closer to working part-time and can't wait....it's like spring fever!!! I am trying to realize that I will still be tired and that Paul will have to work later so it's still going to be hard for us to have any time together. I think we need to work a bit more to find different ways to connect. It's tough!!! We do manage to get the household management stuff taken care of but there's no time for just us. We tried to get into a TV show since we could catch up on hulu and netflix but we got through about 3 or 4 episodes....FAIL! I just can't stay up later like I used to. I am just tooo tired. I can't even keep my eyes open if I sit down!!
Happy Birthday Simon
Whew, where did the year go? Simon is now a big boy, (and still mama's baby!) He turned 1 on Friday. Good Friday indeed :) We had a wonderful backyard bbq on Saturday with a great turnout. It was fun and it has been while since we've actually had people over. We have waayy to much food and the kids loved running around outside all afternoon. Simon got his own cake and really enjoyed mushing it. Once he realized he could eat it, well, he sampled a few bites....but mostly enjoyed making a mess. It was nice enough he ate on the back porch and then got to have a nice bath (courtesy of Grandma).
I have not realized how much fun it was to have good friends and food! (And how much I've missed it) We had a great time and everyone enjoyed themselves (I am assuming on that one).
Simon is getting bigger and so grown up. It's very bittersweet. I love snuggling with him and cuddling with him before bed. He crawls everywhere and loves to see what everyone else is up to. He loves to get into his brother & sisters room to their dismay :) We have a gate to put up but well, we're in no hurry, I really think they need to figure it out. Plus they've kept their room cleaner so that Simon won't get into everything.
I have not realized how much fun it was to have good friends and food! (And how much I've missed it) We had a great time and everyone enjoyed themselves (I am assuming on that one).
Simon is getting bigger and so grown up. It's very bittersweet. I love snuggling with him and cuddling with him before bed. He crawls everywhere and loves to see what everyone else is up to. He loves to get into his brother & sisters room to their dismay :) We have a gate to put up but well, we're in no hurry, I really think they need to figure it out. Plus they've kept their room cleaner so that Simon won't get into everything.
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