Bikes for All

Today I am grateful because K and I have just completed our mission to get all 5 of us bikes this year. Each of the boys got a bike for their birthdays. K's brother is an avid bike rider so he had an old frame sitting at his house. Well K and his brother put their heads together and fixed it all up good as new. A few parts orders and some fresh paint later and K has a really nice bike.

I guess in their discussions a bike for me came up. I am not a fancy bike person, I just like to ride. I haven't had a bike in about 15 years, but I have wanted one for a loooonnngggg time! They found one that they both agreed would be good and not too outrageously priced. Did you know there are bikes out there that cost over $6000?!? Wow! Anyway we went over to the bike shop on Sunday and they had the bike in stock! :) I was super excited!

Here's the picture of my new ride from the store website.

So now all of us have a bike to cruise around on through the neighborhood. I. AM. LOVING. IT! We needed something that we could all do outside and now we have it! I love it when K and I have a goal and we reach it.

On this Gratituesday I am so very, very grateful for my new ride and the possibilities for family fun in our future! Head on over to Laura's for Gratituesday to see what everyone else is thankful for today!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

Well things should be back to normal this week, not much going on around here (which is fine by me!).

Here's what we have planned for this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, french toast (freezer stash), pancakes (freezer stash), Banana Nut Muffins (freezer stash), Eggos (trying to use them up).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, grapes and apples, carrots with ranch, celery with peanut butter, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday- Leftovers and snacks

Monday- Beef Fajitas, Red, Orange, and Yellow Bell Peppers, Onions

Tuesday-Ravioli, Italian Sausage, Bread, Salad

Wednesday- Beef Stew

Thursday- Talapia, Sugar Snap Peas, Noodles

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Tri Tip, Broccoli, Noodles

Well that's it... If you need more menu ideas you should head on over to Laura's at Organizing Junkie! Have a GREAT week!

Until next time,

My Boy is HOME!

Well this afternoon I got a call from K, it went something like this..."We have a problem." Me, "What happened?" K, "The camp called and Z has a temp of 102, so they need us to come get him." Me, "Can you wait for me to get home, so I can go too?" K, "Why don't you just go straight from school?!?" Me, "OK, I'm leaving right now"

So after about an hour drive I got to see my baby! When he hugged me I almost didn't let go! He was so bummed to be going home early, but his momma was sure happy to have him coming home. I wish he hadn't gotten sick, but he did get to make a lot of great memories and from what I can tell he had a really good time. This kid is already planning to go back as a counselor when he is in high school. It's too funny because I was a counselor in high school too!

So on this Finer Things Friday I am so very happy to have my baby home and in his own bed!

Until next time,

Living Life on Purpose

I was just over at Amy's and she has an awesome guest post. It's part of her series "Mommy, Come Home!" She mentions an email exchange she and I had that touched both of us and got her thinking.

It really touched my heart! Everyone should check it out!

Until next time,

Kids Growing Up

This is such a bittersweet week for me. My oldest, Z, went to Science Camp with his class this week. I am so sad he is not here, but am so proud of him! He was so excited and so ready to be totally responsible for himself for the week. I am so very blessed to have been given this amazing little man (well not little, he's almost as tall as me already) to rear. He has such a good heart, great sense of humor, super academic ability, and is also turning out to be a very handsome young man (I knew he would be!). I miss my "bug", but I know he will have the time of his life exploring nature!

Z at Legoland this summer

So today I am grateful for a wonderful son and hoping this week goes by quickly for his mama!

Head on over to Laura's to see what everyone else is grateful for on this Gratituesday.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

It's going to be a strange week around here, Z is going to science camp with his class. I'm not sure I'm ready for him to be gone, but he is super excited! I guess I have to suck it up and be brave tomorrow when he leaves. Meals are going to be simple since my assistant chef will be out of town.

Here's what we have planned for this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, french toast (freezer stash), pancakes (freezer stash), Banana Nut Muffins (freezer stash), Eggos (trying to use them up).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, grapes and apples, carrots with ranch, celery with peanut butter, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday- Tacos, K's Refried Beans

Monday- Toasted Cheese, Soup, Salad

Tuesday-Pulled Pork, Corn on the Cob, Salad

Wednesday- Sub Sandwiches, Ham, Roast Beef, Lettuce, Pickles

Thursday- Hot Dogs, Creamy Mac n Cheese

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Crispy Orange Chicken, Steamed Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots, and Red Pepper

Well that's it... If you need more menu ideas you should head on over to Laura's at Organizing Junkie! Have a GREAT week!

Until next time,

Boys Having Fun

Moms of boys will understand...

It puts a smile on my face every time...

Visit Amy's for Finer Things Friday to see what good things are happening to everyone...

Until Next Time,

All Stars

We went to the boys' back to school conferences on Wednesday. I have been waiting for these conferences all summer so I could find out how Z and L did on their big state test back in May. Well....they ROCKED the tests. Advanced in all areas for both of my boys! N hasn't had to take the state test yet, but his reading level was way above grade level so his teacher is super excited about his potential.

As a teacher these reports are impressive, but as a momma the reports meant so much more. To me these boys are doing well because of the support and encouragement they get from us at home, as well as the great teachers they have been blessed with since we moved. We have tried our best to teach our boys to be excited about education and to be good little men in all areas of their lives. So far so good! They are amazing!

Having someone else brag about your kids to you is definitely a finer thing!

Head on over to Amy's to see what everyone else is celebrating on this Finer Things Friday!

Until next time,

EPIC Mom

We were all eating dinner the other night when L decides he has something to say. It goes something like this...

"Mom I only have one thing to say."
Me, "Okay?!?"
L, "You're an EPIC mom!"
Me, "Wow!" (With tears and smiles) "Why is that?"
L, "Because you make great food!"

You have got to love that blue eyed boy! I love the vocabulary my boys choose to use, simply awesome! These are the moments that make being a momma the best!

It's HERE!

I know I really should not be so happy to get a new appliance, but I have really wanted a bigger freezer for a few years. Well Saturday was the day it was finally here! My shiny new 21 cubic foot pride and joy! Okay well maybe not pride and joy, but we keep walking out into the garage and opening it up.

K went out for a while after we picked it up and it had cooled off enough to transfer the food so I got to work. Let me just tell you my old freezer was cram packed full! I moved everything and still had A LOT of room to spare. K came home and checked it out. He thought I hadn't moved everything yet, it was so funny! I was patient and worked with what I had for so long that it is even sweeter now to have the new freezer.

Now it's pretty full after a trip to Costco!

Anyway I am so very thankful today to have space to stock up when I find a deal and not worry about making too much extra in the kitchen. We were so excited about the new space that we just had to make a batch of ice cream (Thanks Amy!)!

Head on over to Laura's for Gratituesday to see what everyone else is grateful for today!

Until next time,

Blog Award!

I received this award from Beth over at Raising 3 Boys...Not a Bow in Sight. Her trials a tribulations with her boys remind me a lot of my life a few years ago! I am so touched that she would think of me!

Here are the rules of this award:
- This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming.
- These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.
- They are not interested in self-aggrandizement.
- Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.
- Please give more attention to these writers.
- Deliver this award to other bloggers who must choose others to pass it on to and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.
- I will pass this award to some of my bloggy friends that I find exceedingly charming...

Amy over at "Amy's Finer Things"

Sherry at "Lamp Unto My Feet"

Courtney at "Life on Courtney Lane"

These ladies leave me little notes here and there and I love hearing from them! I am thankful to have found these ladies in this big world of mommy blogs! So go check them out and wee what they're up to these days!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

Well we're enjoying our 3 day weekend! Lots of playing is going on around here!

Here's what we have planned for this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, french toast (freezer stash), pancakes (freezer stash, if I get it restocked on Monday), Banana Nut Muffins (freezer stash), Eggos (trying to use them up).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, grapes and apples, carrots with ranch, celery with peanut butter, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday- Crispy Orange Chicken, Steamed Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots, and Red Pepper

Monday- Fettuccini Alfredo, Chicken, Broccoli

Tuesday-Sloppy Joes, Corn on the Cob, Salad

Wednesday- Hot Dogs, Veggie Platter

Thursday- Pork Chops, Steamed Red Potatoes, Asparagus

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Leftovers (Family Reunion Picnic, so we probably won't be very hungry)

Well that's it... If you need more menu ideas you should head on over to Laura's at Organizing Junkie! Have a GREAT week!

Until next time,

Brother's Helper

I don't know about other houses, but around here my boys love to dress up in costumes from their favorite characters. Right now they love the game Halo and always want to be "Master Chief". They also love all things Bionicle. Do we have a "Master Chief" costume or Bionicle costume? Nope. Does that stop them? Nope. A little construction paper, some scissors, and tape and they are all set.

N put on a long sleeve shirt and long pants and L went to work to help transform his brother.

This is what I walked into when I went into the nook.

You have got to love it when brothers help each other! To me that is definitely a finer thing!

To see more Finer Things Friday head on over to Amy's.

Until next time,