GUEST BLOG! Darren gives his 2 cents

Wow!! My own guest spot on my wife's blog, and I feel like I have absolutely nothing to say.

Today was such a beautiful day, and I got some things checked off my "HONEY DO" list, plus I mopped the kitchen floor while my wife was out. I'm going to sign off now. Hopefully the hard work will amount to more than just a spot on the guest blog!

Couponing is like crack

OK I am sure that is not really but I am so addicted to this right now. I am addicted to moneysavingmom.com. It gives you ideas on how to get the best bargains. The problem (according to Darren) is that now we have we don't need. For example, I really doubt that having 5 bottles of shampoo is really needed in my cabinet. But I get them so cheap. I am going to donate them to a charity because it is ridiculous. OH BUT WHAT A HIGH to get such a bargain. Ask me about it some time!! I would love to talk about it!!

Mason- whole hearted

Everything Mason does he goes wholeheartedly. He usually goes wholeheartly as well as wholebodily (Is that a word). I love that about him!!

Ayden- Booger

She is gonna be such a booger. Today when Addy and Aliyah were here Ayden decided that she had to have everything someone else had. She came right over to whatever they were playing with and took it. Hope she out grows this stage.

Rylee - Too much a like

So a few weekends ago I went to Indianapolis, where I grew up, with the three kids and left Darren at home. We went out to eat in the neighborhood I grew up in and so I thought it would be neat to show Rylee the house I lived in. So on the way there we drove by the library that we went to all the time. I pointed it out to Rylee and said, "When I was in about 4th grade, my goal was to read all the horse books in the library." (Darren and my sister love to make fun of me now for this) Rylee looks very serious and says, "I think that is a great idea." Yikes, are we a like!!

Tuesday- recipe for Peanut Butter cookies

I make recipes then lose them and never make them again, even if I like it. Well, I made these cookies last week and they are definitely one of the best cookies I have made. Maybe if I post it on here then I can make them again.

PB Jumbos
from Taste of Home simple and delicious

1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1/2 butter, softened
1 c sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 c quick cooking oats
2 tsps baking soda
1 cup mini semisweet choc chips
1 cup mini mm's

In a large mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine oats and baking soda; gradually add to cramed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and mm's

Drop in heaping TBSPs 2" apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 12-14 mins or until edge are browned. Remove to wire racks.

(Reduced fat or generic brands are not recommended for this recipe)

76 cal 4gr of fat 1 gr of fiber + actually 2 pt per cookie

Things that bring me Joy - My Mom

My Mom is my greatest role model. She turned 60 today. She had 4 kids under the age of 5 and was a stay at home mom. She put her career on hold for us kids. She started off our family with twins (my sister and I). I can't imagine!! My mom was definitely the spiritual leader of our family when we were little and such an inspiration to me and my spiritual walk.---by the way Rylee took the picture.

Sunday- Fun Family day Ideas

I found this in the paper and really want to go. I know that all my kids would love it.

Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast
Lois Bros. Farm
7601 368th Avenue (hwy o)
Wheatland, WI

6 to 10 am June 14

Cost: $6 per person; admission is free for children 6 or younger

Offers a great breakfast of ham and cheese omelets (made in a 6 ft Pan), fresh bread and butter, yogurt, oj, choc or white milk and ice cream for dessert.

There are farm tours, animals, and other children's events.

Call for info 262-206-8149

MOPs blue group

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Chicago Museum Free weekend

I thought that instead of sending emails to everyone and there brother, I will post bargains I find and need to share with others on this.

So Julie sent me this and I am not sure if we will go, Ayden is at such an uncooperative stage but it sounds so fun.

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

In celebration of the Museum’s 75th Anniversary, the Museum is offering FREE general admission to kids ages 11 and under during the Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday). There is no better time to share eye-popping science, engaging experiences and extraordinary exhibits with your kids than this weekend.
Free child general admission tickets are available at Museum ticket counters. This offer cannot be redeemed online or over the phone and is not valid with any other offer. Not valid for parking, Omnimax, U-505 on-board tours or special exhibitions.

http://www.msichicago.org/offer/kids-free/

In case I die

Darren here is the list of things that you need to know in case I die.

• The kids do need a bath every few days, regardless if they "look dirty".
• Girls need their hair combed more frequently than boys do.
• Rylee starts school at 8:20 and needs to be picked up at 3:10. By the way, those times are not flexible.
• Mason starts school at 12 noon and ends at 2:45. Once again our kids do not want to be the only ones standing there after school looking like no one cares enough to pick them up.
• Ayden wears size 4 diapers and they need to be changed at least 4 times daily.
• Growing kids need regularly scheduled meals. A meal consists of a main dish and at least one side. That side should not include the following food groups: fruit snacks, protein bars, any type of frozen ice cream treat, just to name a few.
• Bedtime is better if the kids are not totally exhausted by the time you put them to bed.

Wow!! I feel better!

Being extraordinary

Grey's anatomy season finale was tonight. The on again off again romance looks like it will be on again for next season. Meredith ended the two hour show with an awesome line..."I would rather be extraordinary together than ordinary apart." Why don't people those things in real life??? Maybe they do, just not around me. I guess that is the sentiment that keeps us coming back to the show.

weeds or flowers

Mason is such a boy's boy!! As he was walking to the car after school he picked that dandelion and said, "It's for you Mommy!" He said it like he was giving me something that was so precious. I just happened to have my camera in the car so I snapped this shot.

Awana Awards

Rylee got the top award for Awana Sparkies a couple of weeks ago. She completed all the books (3). That is a lot of verses she memorized!! She did a great job. Rylee will be in TNT next fall.

the Smile

Ayden's cheezy smile

At 20 months old, when you tell Ayden to smile she does this cheezy smile. It's still cute!!

Why I have a blog?

I don't really know what I am doing with this blog other than I thought it might be a good spot for people to catch up on the kids and with the things happening in our lives. I will post some pictures and see how it goes??!!