What works for me....

Here's one of life's biggest secrets.........run the dishwasher after dinner so your kids can unload it for you the next morning before school!! So simple, but it works for me!! and yes, I AM a mean Mom! Jill

It's good to live in the country...

Since the temperatures are getting warmer and we are consistent in keeping the bird feeders full, we are seeing the most beautiful birds right now. This morning I looked out the window and saw a bird that I haven't seen for a long time--a rose breasted grosbeak. We've also noticed that our friends, the baltimore orioles, have returned to our yard to look for the oranges and grape jelly that we provide for them. I know that the bluebirds are back too, but I just can't make myself buy meal worms for them--EEEW.
Jill

B.L.T.'s anyone???

Anna and John had a fun bonding moment yesterday. We decided to work up the soil and plant the garden. I believe this is the 3rd year that we've had a garden. It's been pretty successful each year. This year we decided to plant potatoes, green beans, peas, green peppers and tomatoes. Andrew and I went to the nursery and bought the plants(and flowers)and John and Anna planted them. I wasn't sure what type of tomato plants to get, so I stuck with the "Big Boy" variety, but I couldn't resist buying just one plant called the "BEEFMASTER". I laughed just looking at it!! It promises 2 pound tomatoes!
Anna informed me last night that someone in the garden accidentally stepped on a tomato plant (beefmaster) but it WASN'T her. Oh well, the kids don't like BLT's that much anyway. Happy Monday! Jill

Twin Day at School

How exciting..it's Twin Day at our local Elementary school. I'm not sure I remember having a twin day in the past, but we sure had fun getting ready for it yesterday. I even buzzed Luke's friend's hair in my laundry room (with permission, of course)!!
Anna was excited to dress like her friend too!! By the way,in the picture Luke is on the left and Anna is pictured on the right. Enjoy your weekend! TGIF Jill

When you're bored

What do you do when you're bored?? Rediscover toys at the back of the toy closet! It's like Christmas in May! Jill

What works for me.....

Last night I made my kids FAVORITE casserole...Taco Casserole. It's so simple and everyone loves it! How many times does that happen??? Here's the recipe....

Taco Casserole
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can cream of chicken soup
salsa
shredded cheddar cheese
Bag of Doritos

Brown ground beef. Drain, and add taco seasoning and a little water (1/2 c.)
Add cream of chicken to taco meat and stir. Grease a 9 x 13 dish and add meat mixture to dish. Top meat with some salsa and then cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes on 350 degrees (Or until it's warm). Just before serving top with crushed Doritos chips. Feel free to serve with lettuce and sour cream too.

For my picky eater, I have her dip the chips into the beef mixture--she likes to dip!! YUM!

I should mention that I received this awesome recipe from my neighbor!! Thanks, Pam!

Watermelon

Luke stayed home from school yesterday because his asthma was acting up and he was coughing a lot. During the morning, I carved a watermelon (his favorite) so he could have some for lunch. I put the watermelon rinds in a big bowl and politely asked him to dump them into the woods behind our home. He had no problem doing that for me!

After about 10 minutes, he wasn't back in the house so I peeked out the back windows of the house to see what he was doing. It couldn't possibly take 10 minutes to dump the rinds in the woods!! Well, what I found was Luke picking up each piece of rind, looking at it and taking several bites and then throwing it into the woods.(Did I mention that he likes watermelon?) He came back to the house with a BIG smile on his face and drips on his shirt! YUM! Jill