Box Mom

I have been trying to make healthier foods for the family lately (thanks, Colleen) and last night's menu was pretty cool: homemade bread, homemade applesauce, canned green beans (that I just canned - not from the grocery store), and ham. I was commenting that the only thing I didn't make was the ham and M said,

"This is so amazing. I thought I had a Mom-Chef From A Box!"

Doesn't This Make You Feel Safe?

As most of you know, my hubby works for the TSA at the airport (security...you know, 3 oz bottle, in a ziploc, and no you cannot take that knitting needle with you). Today Big Whigs from the Dept of Homeland Security in D.C. (the other Washington) came through and randomly picked 5 screeners & went through their lanes to see if they'd "catch" what was wrong with their bag, etc.

Of the 5 screeners, my husband was the only one who didn't make any mistakes and caught everything.

So, high fives to P, and could we get a promotion for this guy, please?!? (Don't get me started...this is just one in a long string of awards, highest scores, and accomplishments, and yet, it appears he's just the wrong race and gender to move up. But I'm not bitter.)

Not sure if I want to fly out of SeaTac anytime soon, though...Please don't tell the terrorists...

But way to go, P, or should we just start referring to you as "Eagle Eyes?!" I'm proud of you!

Food Critic

My friend is helping me come up with healthy snacks for my picky eaters. She sent me home with a baggie of dehydrated banana slices for them to sample. They aren't crispy like banana chips, but chewy, more like a fruit snack. They are ugly, though, so I wasn't sure they'd even try them.

Since I told them that it came from Sis. C, who is a fabulous cook, they were willing to try just one. M popped one in her mouth and said,

"MMMMM! You're right, Mom! The appearance surely leaves something to be desired, but the texture and taste are amazing!"

I started laughing and she asked what was so funny. When I replied, "You are!" she said,

"Mom, what do you expect?! I'm a food critic!"

Overheard in the Backseat

For as long as I can remember, E has confused what it means to roll the window up/down in the car. I try to kindly correct her, but it hasn't sunk in, yet. As we were heading to school yesterday, here's what I heard:

E: "Mommy, you need to put the window up 'cause I am getting too hot."

M: (exasperated tone) "E, you mean she needs to put the window down."

E: (pause, and then in a tiny voice) "M, I just don't think you understand how hard my life is for me. I just don't know everything like you do."

M: "E! You don't realize that I have had to work very hard for all my knowledge!"

OH MAN. I wanted to bust out laughing...they were so serious and sincere. Instead, I tried to reassure E that when she is 9, she will know the stuff that M knows, too. Wow, such trials my girls have! ;)

Four Years Ago...

Four years ago, this was my baby, and this was my kindergartener:




Today, this is my kindergartener and my fourth grader!



E is lucky to have a friend already in her class. A's family went to church with us here and then moved down to the town where the girls' new school is, so by lucky coincidence (or divine intervention?) these girlies get to be in the same class (and even sit by each other). It sure made dropping her off easier this morning!


(And "How did you do?" you might be wondering? Actually, I did just fine. Really! I was even a little in a hurry to drop her off 'cause I wanted to get to my Zumba class at the YMCA. Nice mommy, huh?! If she had been scared or anything, I would've put her first, but since she was like, "BYE, Mom!" I figured, "Why drag this out?" I got her to her seat, took this pic, and then I was outta there! Totally enjoyed my class, showered, went shopping at the mall and only looked at things that I wanted to look at, and even got an impromptu haircut! Came home, did a few chores, realized I had a headache, so I took meds and *gasp* laid down for 30 minutes! Heaven! If she were going to be gone all day every day, I might have been a touch sad, but really, she's only gone 2 or 2.5 days a week, so it's really the best of both worlds, I think!)

All About E

At kindergarten orientation this morning, the kids were given the "homework assignment" of bringing a photo page tomorrow about themselves. Since I haven't scrapbooked in years, I figured this is as close as I might get for awhile, so I scanned it for posterity... ;) And no, I didn't have any recent pictures printed and yes, I had to make a special trip to Costco to get them b/c I'm out of blue ink on my printer... But, she sure is cute, isn't she?!

E's Last Name

Out of the blue conversation with E today:

"Mommy, what will my last name be when I'm a grown up?"

"Well, that depends if you get married and change your last name or not."

"I think it's going to be Love."

"Why do you think that?"

"'Cause we are really gonna love each other and do so many fun things together. We will just be so much in love that Love will be our last name!"