Boys vs. Girls

I have probably said it before but I get such a kick out of watching the differences between my two youngest children. Ryan and Nicole fit the stereo types of boys and girls to a "T". The picture above is just one example. Nicole always wants to wear pink (flowers are even better) dresses. Ryan just wants to throw or climb on something. Yesterday morning we were at the park and as I looked at my two children I started laughing. The two of them had shared the exact same activities that morning, they had also had the exact same food. Nicole looked clean and beautiful in her little dress. Ryan had mud streaked up his leg, chocolate all over his face, and the entire front half of his body was soaked. Both were extremely happy!

Katie's Talent Show

Last night was the annual Blue Mountain Elementry Cressona Talent Show. Katie decided that she did not want to play the piano this year so we came up with this little skit/song that she preformed with her friend Emily. I think they were a little nervous on stage but I am proud of them for performing.

Cute things my kids say...

This morning my sweet little Nicole came downstairs and headed towards our bed to snuggle with Daddy (as she usually does). However, Jim had to go to work early today and was not there to snuggle with her.
Nicole says, "Where's my Dadddy? I need my Daddy!"
Mom: "Daddy had to go to work early."
Nicole "No, I need my Daddy, He's my friend."

Later in the morning we went to Wal-mart for a few essentials. As we were walking along I was telling the kids what we needed to find next to put in our cart. Trying my best to keep them focused on only those things that we needed to go in the cart. So, I said "Next we need find some cheese." Ryan grits his teeth, squints his eyes, kind of smiles and says "CHEESE!" Of course the camera is never available at such oportune times.

Chocolate Mint Cake

Ok, I am not the world's greatest cook unless of coarse you ask Katie. She is a little biased. There is no one that can open a can of Raviolies like her mom! LOL! However, this cake was soooo good that I had to share. I have been feeling a little stressed lately and when this happens large quantities of chocolate seem the only cure. This cake hit the spot. I'm sorry. I did not get a picture because the cake was gone too quickly. Here is the Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 chocolate cake mix
3 TBSP. Creme de menthe syrup
1 recipe hot fudge sauce
1 8oz container whipped topping
2 TBSP. Creme de menthe syrup
green food coloring

Directions:
1.Prepare cake mix as directed, except substitute 3 TBSP. Creme de Menthe syrup for 3 TBSP water.
2. Pour into 13x9 inch pan and bake according to package directions. Meanwhile prepare hot fudge sauce.
3. Remove from oven while hot, poke holes all over the cake with a fork. Slowly pour the hot fudge sauce over the cake letting it soak into the holes. You may have to pour half wait a little bit for it to soak in and then pour the rest. Let the cake cool completely! Refrigerate at least one hour before topping.
4. After refrigerating, mix whipped topping , 2 TBSP creme de menthe syrup and a few drops of green food coloring. Spread on cake. Keep refrigerated.

Hot Fudge Sauce
1 can sweetened condensed milk
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. butter.

Melt all together. I like to use a double boiler because I don't like to risk burning the chocolate.

I didn't have any girl scout thin mints at the time but I think they would be fabulous crumbled up and spread on the cake after the hot fudge sauce and before topping.

Enjoy!

Chicken Cacciatore

Last night I tried out the Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore recipe from Amber's blog (check out my blogs I follow link to get the recipe) It was a Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade recipe. The only change I made was to put the broth in a pan after the chicken was cooked and thicken it a little with cornstarch. It was a big hit with the kids! Thanks Amber! I feel like I have redeemed my cooking skills. Stay tunned for mint chocolate cake.

Is your bucket full?

We had a really great family home evening last night so I thought I would share. I had been preparing a lesson for the Young Women this week on supporting family members and ran across a great family home evening idea. I had 2 buckets. I filled one bucket full of water and left the other empty. I gave each kid an empty cup. I asked them to name one thing that made them upset or frustrated during the past week. Each time we named something we took a cup of water out of the full bucket and put it into the empty bucket. Soon we reached the bottom of the bucket. We compared this to our spiritual selves. How all of the things that make us angry or upset really drain us. Then we talked about how we could help each other fill our buckets and of course the kids got to dip their cups and fill up the empty bucket with each suggestion. We talked about how we have a responsibility to help everyone in our family keep our buckets full! It was a great lesson and now when I scream you are emptying my bucket they know what I mean! Ha! just kidding!

Too Cute!

Sometimes my children are just too cute. I need hidden cameras around to catch their cuteness. They are too quick to catch on video. Yesterday evening , like most evenings, I asked Katie to go and practice the piano. I heard her take Nicole into the piano room with her and sit her in the chair. Katie played her first song and at the end I hear Nicole clapping enthusiastically and shouting "That was AWESOME Katie!" Then Katie very humbly says "If you thought that was good, wait till you hear this, it will knock your socks off!" Way to go Katie. I'm gald she is so confident. It makes me even happier that Nicole is her cheering squad.