I certainly have plenty of bad days at work and as I've mentioned, I have been feeling pretty burned out. But there are moments when I remember why I am a teacher. Last Thursday morning, we had our annual "celebration of learning". Each grade level performs and parents are invited to come and spend part of the day at school and see the things their child has accomplished and the projects we've done. For this day, the third graders practiced four songs complete with actions. They did an amazing job. Then we did some fun things in class for parents to see.
Today, we had a huge assembly to say goodbye to our principal. She is retiring, after almost 35 years of teaching/being principal and after 10 years at our school. She actually will be going to southern Utah to be principal of a high school on the Navajo Indian Reservation... a high school with less than 50 students. Anyway, the assembly included singing and dancing by the kids as well as two slide shows. It brought tears to my eyes several times. It was a beautiful program. And not that I think teaching is all about singing and having programs, I am grateful that my school has kids learn songs and every class participates in dance classes taught by Tanner Dance Company. We have an art teacher that does an amazing job and we have student work displayed throughout the school. And even though our test scores don't always show it, we've done some amazing things. I have several students who made 1 1/2 years growth in reading during the 9 months of school. Almost every child made at least 9 months to a year's growth in reading. Their writing has improved. Their understanding of math is so much greater than it was at the beginning of the year. We've taught them about North and South America, including the Utes and Incas, as well as habitats, geography and so on. And I hope that I've helped some kids who didn't like to read that reading is exciting. One of my fears about No Child Left Behind is that it puts so much pressure on schools like mine to achieve in reading and math that many feel that they don't have time for "extras" (I must admit I often feel this way.) like music, dance, art, PE. And yet, I think they are especially necessary at schools like mine, because for many of these kids that is the only place they will have exposure to these things. My students aren't usually being taken to piano lessons or dance classes. They learn these skills and have these experiences at school or, for some, at the Sorensen Center which offers sports teams and some other experiences for a very low fee. Or else they don't have them at all.
From what I understand, the school where Michelle will attend, teaches keyboarding (as in piano) from either Kdg or 1st grade up. I think that's great. Since we don't have a piano in our home, I'm glad she will get at least some exposure and maybe eventually we can start her on piano lessons.
I get frustrated with plenty of things about my school, my district, and especially the No Child Left Behind legislation. And there are plenty of obnoxious kids that I get sick of dealing with. But sometimes, I feel pretty proud to work where I do. I think Salt Lake District is the best. We offer so many special programs so that kids/families can find a fit. There is the dual immersion program, bilingual programs, full time gifted programs, a science academy (junior high level), an open classroom (less structured than most classrooms, lots of kid exploration, parents are required to be involved), and probably others that I can't think of at the moment. I'm glad this school year is almost over, but I am also glad that I am a teacher. Every year you get to start fresh and no two years are exactly the same. It keeps you constantly on your toes. It's not a job where you can ever rest (if you want to be effective, at least) or expect that what worked today will work the same tomorrow. And that's the fun of it; and part of what makes it so hard. But it is who I am. I am a teacher.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
I can still eat sugar!
Well, as I mentioned, I took the four hour glucose test last Friday. My nurse called Tuesday and left a message saying it came back just fine. I went to the doctor today and they said that I aced the glucose test and I don't need to worry. Hooray. I think, aside from my sugar addiction, that I'm a pretty healthy eater, but I'm glad I don't have to go on a strict diet or take my blood sugar level daily or anything.
And, I'm back to feeling good. I think I must have had a virus over the weekend, because I was so nauseated and had diarrhea (sorry, probably too much info) and felt lousy. I thought maybe it was the iron, but I went 3 days without taking it and still felt lousy. And then yesterday, I suddenly felt better. (Although poor Michelle seems to have a mild case of whatever I had and she felt terrible on Wednesday. Poor kiddo. She took a nap and then just laid on the couch or in my bed from about 5 PM on, until she fell asleep for the night. She seemed to feel a lot better today).
And, I'm back to feeling good. I think I must have had a virus over the weekend, because I was so nauseated and had diarrhea (sorry, probably too much info) and felt lousy. I thought maybe it was the iron, but I went 3 days without taking it and still felt lousy. And then yesterday, I suddenly felt better. (Although poor Michelle seems to have a mild case of whatever I had and she felt terrible on Wednesday. Poor kiddo. She took a nap and then just laid on the couch or in my bed from about 5 PM on, until she fell asleep for the night. She seemed to feel a lot better today).
curlicue
Both of my sisters have very naturally curly hair. This pic is of my sister Suzy (with Michelle at about 9 months old, I think) and the curls are all natural. I'm jealous. I have naturally wavy hair but not curls. 
Both of my girls have some curl in their hair. Not as much as my sisters, but hopefully a little more than mine. On Wednesday, Ella's hair just curled into this beautiful ringlet all by itself after her bath and I just had to snap a couple of pictures.
We'll see how much curl their hair has as they get older. When Michelle had long hair, she had a lot of curl, but when it was cut short, it seems to have almost no curl. I don't know if the curl would return if she grew it long again or not. But I do like the short hair better, even without her curls.
Both of my girls have some curl in their hair. Not as much as my sisters, but hopefully a little more than mine. On Wednesday, Ella's hair just curled into this beautiful ringlet all by itself after her bath and I just had to snap a couple of pictures.
We'll see how much curl their hair has as they get older. When Michelle had long hair, she had a lot of curl, but when it was cut short, it seems to have almost no curl. I don't know if the curl would return if she grew it long again or not. But I do like the short hair better, even without her curls.treehouse museum pics
The treehouse museum is located in Ogden. Monday was our first time visiting. The girls had a great time. We spent about 3 1/2 to 4 hours there. The building has this giant "tree" structure in the center that you climb to get to the second floor. They have a little one room schoolhouse that Michelle loved. She was the teacher and had not just me but another little girl totally following her directions. She would write things on the board and we had to copy them onto our slates. She taught us a song. Ella was "reading" a Dick and Jane book and mostly ignored Michelle. There's a store and doctor's office/hospital. There's a block area and a music area and lots of books in every area. There's an area that is designed to look like the Oval Office in the White House and it has photographs of all the US Presidents. There's an area about dinosaurs. They have storytime and activities and an art area with projects. It's $5 for kids and $3 for adults, which I thought was quite reasonable. It seems geered more for young children, and my girls had a fabulous time. There's lots of clothes and costumes they can dress up in. Lots of fun things to do. 
Michelle and Ella both liked the fire truck, and Michelle enjoyed trying on the fire chief's hat (and later) suit.
one example of the clothes they had to dress up. Michelle liked the silly hat. This area had little rooms that were representative of different countries and had things that went with a story from that country.
The music area had marimbas (similar to xylophones... that's what Ella is playing), maracas, drums, and other percussion instruments.
more dress up... sailing the high seas in a sailboat
the kitchen in the house.... Ella cooked me pizza and then we played store.
Michelle and Ella both liked the fire truck, and Michelle enjoyed trying on the fire chief's hat (and later) suit.
one example of the clothes they had to dress up. Michelle liked the silly hat. This area had little rooms that were representative of different countries and had things that went with a story from that country. 
The music area had marimbas (similar to xylophones... that's what Ella is playing), maracas, drums, and other percussion instruments.
more dress up... sailing the high seas in a sailboat
the kitchen in the house.... Ella cooked me pizza and then we played store.I don't love to drive so I don't imagine we'll go there a lot, but it was definitely worth a visit, and I'm sure we'll make a few return trips.
Monday, May 26, 2008
treehouse museum
Today the girls and I spent the day at the treehouse museum in Ogden. We'd never been before. The girls had a fabulous time. I'll post some pics and tell a little more about it tomorrow. It's time for me to retire for the night, despite having taken a short nap this afternoon. I have to work tomorrow. (But there are only 9 more days of work for me, and since I'm taking a personal day on Weds., there are only actually 8 more days.... Hurray!! I'll have to go to work several times over the summer to get things ready for my sub during my maternity leave, but I am so excited to have this year done.)
story time
A couple of months ago, we started a bedtime tradition that we do at least a couple times a week. It began one night when I was too tired to read stories to the girls. So I suggested that we turn the lights off, lay down and I'd tell them a story. (I think I just took a fairy tale and retold it with their names.) Well, they liked that a lot. After a few times, they started making requests about the characters/animals/creatures in the story. They also wanted to have a turn to be the storyteller. Michelle, for a couple of weeks, wanted to hear stories about bad witches and good witches. So now, Ella tells basically the same story every time it's her turn. It goes about like this:
"Once upon a time there were bad witches and good witches. There were bad kids and good kids. The bad kids and good kids went to the bad witches house and got bad candy. Then the good witches gave them good candy and helped the good kids get away from the bad kids. Dee end." (side note: Michelle keeps trying to tell Ella that it is "the end" or "Thee end" but she always says, "Dee End")
Michelle on the other hand changes her story regularly and can make up a story with whatever character you want her to have. Tonight she told a story about a fish that was lost and couldn't find it's mother. It needed help. I honestly don't remember the rest of the story, but it was pretty detailed with a beginning, middle and end, characters, problem and solution. :)
"Once upon a time there were bad witches and good witches. There were bad kids and good kids. The bad kids and good kids went to the bad witches house and got bad candy. Then the good witches gave them good candy and helped the good kids get away from the bad kids. Dee end." (side note: Michelle keeps trying to tell Ella that it is "the end" or "Thee end" but she always says, "Dee End")
Michelle on the other hand changes her story regularly and can make up a story with whatever character you want her to have. Tonight she told a story about a fish that was lost and couldn't find it's mother. It needed help. I honestly don't remember the rest of the story, but it was pretty detailed with a beginning, middle and end, characters, problem and solution. :)
Tagged... again
Shannon tagged me, so I've been trying to come up with 7 different things to say about myself. I've got 5 in my head so hopefully as I start writing, 2 more will come to me.
1. I am scared of spiders and heights.
2. I get motion sickness. I remember as a kid that my sisters and I all got carsick. My parents would always say we would grow out of it. Both of my sisters did, but I'm still waiting for that to happen! So I don't love long drives or flights or riding roller coasters. (I like to travel to new places and see new things, but I don't enjoy the process of getting there.)
3. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in first grade. As a young kid, I also wanted to be a ballerina and an astronaut. Then in junior high, I thought seriously about becoming a counselor. But pretty much from 1st grade on, I knew I would be a teacher some day. My mom taught high school math for a few years and hated it, so my family wasn't sure I really should be a teacher. But it is what I was meant to do.
4. Going along with number three, I am pretty passionate about education. I have strong opinions and up until a couple of years ago, I regularly read books about literacy and education for fun. (the last 2 years, I haven't as much. Is it because I'm busier or burned out? I'm not sure.) I know that sometimes I get a little preachy on this subject, so forgive me when I get going. (I probably get a little preachy on other subjects too, but this one is one that I KNOW gets me going.)
5. I was prom queen in high school. That embarrasses me to admit for some reason. Prom queen was different at my high school. It was selected by the teachers and administration (unlike homecoming queen and other events which were voted on by students). I would say that during high school I was well-liked but not popular. I would never have been prom queen if selected by my peers. (Although I think both of my sisters were homecoming queens?)
6. I've always thought I was kind of a chicken. I am totally not into dangerous things and get nervous about trying new things. Yet somehow having Mirielle at home has changed my perception of myself. It's made me view myself as a stronger, braver person. Sometimes I'll think, "If I can have a baby without any medication, then I can do _________." For example, a year ago, I had to have 2 wisdom teeth pulled. They asked if I needed laughing gas or anything and I said no. I figured if I could go through labor, then I could have 2 wisdom teeth pulled. So they just numbed the area and pulled the teeth. Not that big of a deal. My perception of my ability to deal with pain and difficulty has increased. But I'm still not a thrill seeker. I won't be doing any skydiving or bungee cord jumping (besides, I'm still afraid of heights!)
7. One trip I've wanted to take for years is a safari in Africa. But alas, Alfredo says no way will he ever go. He has no desire to go to Africa at all. So it's somewhere I'll probably never make it to. (Not that we do a whole lot of traveling to begin with. Both of us like to travel and did when we were single, but we do a lot less now.)
Well, I made it. There are 7 more things about me. I think everyone has been tagged except maybe Rachel. Carin, if you want to do it again, go for it. If there is anyone else who hasn't been tagged, then it's your turn.
1. I am scared of spiders and heights.
2. I get motion sickness. I remember as a kid that my sisters and I all got carsick. My parents would always say we would grow out of it. Both of my sisters did, but I'm still waiting for that to happen! So I don't love long drives or flights or riding roller coasters. (I like to travel to new places and see new things, but I don't enjoy the process of getting there.)
3. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in first grade. As a young kid, I also wanted to be a ballerina and an astronaut. Then in junior high, I thought seriously about becoming a counselor. But pretty much from 1st grade on, I knew I would be a teacher some day. My mom taught high school math for a few years and hated it, so my family wasn't sure I really should be a teacher. But it is what I was meant to do.
4. Going along with number three, I am pretty passionate about education. I have strong opinions and up until a couple of years ago, I regularly read books about literacy and education for fun. (the last 2 years, I haven't as much. Is it because I'm busier or burned out? I'm not sure.) I know that sometimes I get a little preachy on this subject, so forgive me when I get going. (I probably get a little preachy on other subjects too, but this one is one that I KNOW gets me going.)
5. I was prom queen in high school. That embarrasses me to admit for some reason. Prom queen was different at my high school. It was selected by the teachers and administration (unlike homecoming queen and other events which were voted on by students). I would say that during high school I was well-liked but not popular. I would never have been prom queen if selected by my peers. (Although I think both of my sisters were homecoming queens?)
6. I've always thought I was kind of a chicken. I am totally not into dangerous things and get nervous about trying new things. Yet somehow having Mirielle at home has changed my perception of myself. It's made me view myself as a stronger, braver person. Sometimes I'll think, "If I can have a baby without any medication, then I can do _________." For example, a year ago, I had to have 2 wisdom teeth pulled. They asked if I needed laughing gas or anything and I said no. I figured if I could go through labor, then I could have 2 wisdom teeth pulled. So they just numbed the area and pulled the teeth. Not that big of a deal. My perception of my ability to deal with pain and difficulty has increased. But I'm still not a thrill seeker. I won't be doing any skydiving or bungee cord jumping (besides, I'm still afraid of heights!)
7. One trip I've wanted to take for years is a safari in Africa. But alas, Alfredo says no way will he ever go. He has no desire to go to Africa at all. So it's somewhere I'll probably never make it to. (Not that we do a whole lot of traveling to begin with. Both of us like to travel and did when we were single, but we do a lot less now.)
Well, I made it. There are 7 more things about me. I think everyone has been tagged except maybe Rachel. Carin, if you want to do it again, go for it. If there is anyone else who hasn't been tagged, then it's your turn.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Busy Friday
Friday morning I went and did the 4 hour glucose tolerance test. I'm glad I took lots with me to do, because it isn't very exciting sitting there for 4 hours. I'll have the results sometime this week (I have a doctor's appointment Thursday, so I'll find out by then at the latest.)
Interestingly, while I was sitting there, one of the assistants from my school came out from a doctor's appointment. She is due two days after me and she has the same doctor I have. So now I know two people who are due within two weeks of me and have the same doctor, Dr. Froerer at Cottonwood OB/Gyn (located at the new Intermountain Medical Center). Funny that all 3 of us would have the same doctor and be due at almost the same time, especially when I think they are the only two friends I have that are pregnant right now.
After I got home, Alfredo, the girls and I went to Ikea. We are moving the girls into a bedroom downstairs since our home only has 2 bedrooms upstairs. I still think they are a little young to be downstairs, but they are excited about it. We told them they could buy new comforters for their beds (the ones they have now were given to us; they are fine, but getting new comforters and painting their bedroom have made them really excited about the move). So we bought the comforters and sheets and little canopies to hang over their beds. I'd only been to Ikea once before, several years ago in CA, and I have to admit that I only thought it was so-so. But going yesterday, they have a lot of cool things.
Then last night, a whole big group of us from our neighborhood went out to dinner at Applebees and then went to see Indiana Jones. There were 15 of us at dinner and then a couple more joined us for the movie. It was a lot of fun. I hope we do it again sometime soon. Alfredo and I had a great time. He talked to people that he really doesn't know that well and I think everyone had a good time. Thanks for organizing it, Aly and Carin. Let's do it again soon. (BTW, we missed you Nene and Shannon... next time you have to join us.)
Today, I've been feeling pretty nauseated. It's probably just a side effect from the iron I'm taking. But I felt pretty lousy. I'm glad it's the weekend and that I didn't have to work today.
Interestingly, while I was sitting there, one of the assistants from my school came out from a doctor's appointment. She is due two days after me and she has the same doctor I have. So now I know two people who are due within two weeks of me and have the same doctor, Dr. Froerer at Cottonwood OB/Gyn (located at the new Intermountain Medical Center). Funny that all 3 of us would have the same doctor and be due at almost the same time, especially when I think they are the only two friends I have that are pregnant right now.
After I got home, Alfredo, the girls and I went to Ikea. We are moving the girls into a bedroom downstairs since our home only has 2 bedrooms upstairs. I still think they are a little young to be downstairs, but they are excited about it. We told them they could buy new comforters for their beds (the ones they have now were given to us; they are fine, but getting new comforters and painting their bedroom have made them really excited about the move). So we bought the comforters and sheets and little canopies to hang over their beds. I'd only been to Ikea once before, several years ago in CA, and I have to admit that I only thought it was so-so. But going yesterday, they have a lot of cool things.
Then last night, a whole big group of us from our neighborhood went out to dinner at Applebees and then went to see Indiana Jones. There were 15 of us at dinner and then a couple more joined us for the movie. It was a lot of fun. I hope we do it again sometime soon. Alfredo and I had a great time. He talked to people that he really doesn't know that well and I think everyone had a good time. Thanks for organizing it, Aly and Carin. Let's do it again soon. (BTW, we missed you Nene and Shannon... next time you have to join us.)
Today, I've been feeling pretty nauseated. It's probably just a side effect from the iron I'm taking. But I felt pretty lousy. I'm glad it's the weekend and that I didn't have to work today.
Ella's addiction
My 3 year old is addicted to gum. It doesn't matter where I hide it, she can find it. I probably shouldn't keep any in the house. She's getting better about throwing it in the garbage when she is through chewing it, but she still swallows it sometimes (probably more often than is good for her).
Well, I had some bubble tape that I will dispense small pieces of to the girls. Yesterday she found it and I walked in the living room and saw her chewing the hugest piece of gum ever. It was probably the equivalent of 2 or 3 pieces of bubble gum.
Look at the size of that thing!
Well, I had some bubble tape that I will dispense small pieces of to the girls. Yesterday she found it and I walked in the living room and saw her chewing the hugest piece of gum ever. It was probably the equivalent of 2 or 3 pieces of bubble gum.
Look at the size of that thing!
preschool graduation
Michelle had her preschool graduation on Thursday. She finished her second year at Write Start Preschool. She loved preschool and begged me to sign her up for summer school. So she will still get to see her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Barnett, for a couple more months. Ella is also excited, because she gets to start preschool in 2 weeks and go to summer school with Michelle.
Michelle's graduation was a nice program where the kids sang several songs and in between each song, 3 parents stood up and talked briefly about what their child had learned. Then Brandi had created a video that we watched and she gave each of us a copy. (Check out the video at the Write Start Preschool blog, if you're interested. It's so cute.)
Michelle loves to sing and dance. She has a natural sense of rhythm that she definitely inherited from Alfredo, not from me. It was fun to watch her not just sing and do the actions, but sway to the music. She can't seem to hear music without dancing or moving/grooving. :)
Here she is displaying her graduation certificate. I can't believe how big she has gotten or all that she knows now. I am especially impressed with how much she is starting to like to write. This morning I was making out a grocery list, and she wanted to help. So she wrote salad and butter on my list. I just helped her sound out the words, but she figured out the letters and wrote them. I'm really proud of her. I'm so grateful that she had such a great teacher and hope that she will always love school as much as she does right now.
Sorry... this is a poor picture. Ella was sitting on my lap and "helping" me take pictures. Apparently, she changed settings without me realizing it and neither of the pictures I took of Michelle with her teacher turned out very well. But this is Michelle with her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Barnett.
Michelle's graduation was a nice program where the kids sang several songs and in between each song, 3 parents stood up and talked briefly about what their child had learned. Then Brandi had created a video that we watched and she gave each of us a copy. (Check out the video at the Write Start Preschool blog, if you're interested. It's so cute.)
Michelle loves to sing and dance. She has a natural sense of rhythm that she definitely inherited from Alfredo, not from me. It was fun to watch her not just sing and do the actions, but sway to the music. She can't seem to hear music without dancing or moving/grooving. :)
Here she is displaying her graduation certificate. I can't believe how big she has gotten or all that she knows now. I am especially impressed with how much she is starting to like to write. This morning I was making out a grocery list, and she wanted to help. So she wrote salad and butter on my list. I just helped her sound out the words, but she figured out the letters and wrote them. I'm really proud of her. I'm so grateful that she had such a great teacher and hope that she will always love school as much as she does right now.
Sorry... this is a poor picture. Ella was sitting on my lap and "helping" me take pictures. Apparently, she changed settings without me realizing it and neither of the pictures I took of Michelle with her teacher turned out very well. But this is Michelle with her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Barnett.Sunday, May 18, 2008
random stuff
here is a shot of my 28 week belly. It's not a great pic of me, so just don't look too close.
does anybody need a twin mattress? We have one we're getting rid of. I'll warn you that it is just foam and not that great. but anyone who wants it can have it.
also we have a queen size bed that we are getting rid of. (carin, if there's anyone in the ward in need of one, let me know?) i've never slept in it, so i really can't vouch for it's quality but it is a complete bed... mattress, box springs and frame (no headboard or anything). again anyone who wants it can have it.
also, a relative of the Bankheads is trying to put herself through college. she is selling cutco knives. she gets paid just to do the presentation whether you buy anything or not. (I have Cutco knives and I can vouch that they are great!!!) she really doesn't pressure you to buy anything. it takes about 45 minutes for the presentation. if anyone is willing to listen to her presentation, let me know and i'll have her call you. (I know I"ve already asked several of you. thanks! :))
28 weeks
This past week I hit the 28 week mark. It seems like this pregnancy is going pretty fast. I'm feeling good. I did my glucose (gestational diabetes) test this past week. The nurse called on Friday. I am anemic and my glucose test came back really high. So as of yesterday I'm taking iron. And this week I go in for the 3 hour glucose test. With Ella, I had to take the 3 hour test and I came in just on the border, just barely lower than being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. And I have a family history of diabetes. I am not diabetic (I've been tested), but I think there is a strong likelihood that I'll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I'm not thrilled about that (I must admit I have a strong sweet tooth), but I'm sure I'll be okay. I'm really not worried too much about having a large baby. My girls were 7lb15oz and 7lb11oz. And I've only gained about 10-12 pounds this far. The main thing is that this week is really crazy for me and taking an entire morning to go sit in the doctor's office and take the test is going to be beyond inconvenient. Oh well. Hopefully I can go on Friday; I am off this Friday and all of the craziness of the week is over by then.
Note: I'd originally typed that I was at 32 weeks. Janene asked if that was right, and of course it wasn't. That's what happens when a. your kids are talking to you as you type, b. you have pregnancy brain, and c. you are anemic. I talked to my nurse today and she said I was very anemic. She asked if I'd been feeling tired. I said yes, but just figured it was due to working full time, having two kids and being pregnant. She laughed and said that taking iron should help me feel a little more energetic. I sure hope so.
I'm glad to know that memory lapses are an actual medical event during pregnancy, because I sure seem to be having a lot of them. Minutes before I typed this blog, I was thinking that to keep up with my rate of posting a picture every 4 weeks, I'll need to do one at 32 weeks, 36 weeks and 40 weeks. I knew I was 28 weeks along. Last week for Michelle's celebration of her birthday at preschool, I bought a box of 10 cookies and there are 11 kids in her class. So Michelle graciously gave up her birthday cookie and then Bryce was sweet enough to share his with Michelle, Ella and Sylas. (I really thought the box had 12, but apparently my brain isn't functioning... or else I can't count.) Several times I've been telling a story and a person's name will completely leave my head... people I know well! I don't remember being quite this forgetful or scatterbrained the first two times. Oh well. I'll (hopefully) return to my normal brain function in a couple of months. Thanks for pointing out my error, Janene!! (I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed on my own.)
Note: I'd originally typed that I was at 32 weeks. Janene asked if that was right, and of course it wasn't. That's what happens when a. your kids are talking to you as you type, b. you have pregnancy brain, and c. you are anemic. I talked to my nurse today and she said I was very anemic. She asked if I'd been feeling tired. I said yes, but just figured it was due to working full time, having two kids and being pregnant. She laughed and said that taking iron should help me feel a little more energetic. I sure hope so.
I'm glad to know that memory lapses are an actual medical event during pregnancy, because I sure seem to be having a lot of them. Minutes before I typed this blog, I was thinking that to keep up with my rate of posting a picture every 4 weeks, I'll need to do one at 32 weeks, 36 weeks and 40 weeks. I knew I was 28 weeks along. Last week for Michelle's celebration of her birthday at preschool, I bought a box of 10 cookies and there are 11 kids in her class. So Michelle graciously gave up her birthday cookie and then Bryce was sweet enough to share his with Michelle, Ella and Sylas. (I really thought the box had 12, but apparently my brain isn't functioning... or else I can't count.) Several times I've been telling a story and a person's name will completely leave my head... people I know well! I don't remember being quite this forgetful or scatterbrained the first two times. Oh well. I'll (hopefully) return to my normal brain function in a couple of months. Thanks for pointing out my error, Janene!! (I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed on my own.)
warm weather
I love warm weather. (we'll see if I'm still saying that at the end of July when it's over 100 and I'm 9 months pregnant :)) I grew up in Phoenix, and so most of the time the weather here doesn't even seem too uncomfortable to me in the summer. I love having the summer off and taking my kids places and playing in the pool and sprinklers. I let the girls put on their swim suits and play in the sprinklers for the first time yesterday... the first of many. :)
Ella's sling
Well, Ella's fractured collar bone sure doesn't seem to be slowing her down at all. I must adjust the sling 20 times a day and a couple minutes later, it's halfway off. She won't lift her arm abover her head, but other than that, she's not showing any signs of being hurt. She fell down stairs yesterday (outdoor stone steps) and nearly gave Alfredo and I heart attacks. She cried for several minutes but then was back up and running and playing. I don't know if I just never noticed how often she falls or if she's fallen more than normal, but she seems to be falling multiple times each day and each time I just cringe. I hope her collar bone (clavicle) will heal properly despite her numerous tumbles. It's still a little swollen, but as long as no one touches it, she is off and running (literally). And climbing and jumping. I have tried to keep her calm, but it seems nearly impossible. Here are a few shots of her with her sling.
the day after it happened when she was still hurting a lot. thank goodness for sundresses and loose shirts that don't make her lift up her arm to get dressed.
yesterday...
the day after it happened when she was still hurting a lot. thank goodness for sundresses and loose shirts that don't make her lift up her arm to get dressed.
yesterday...
Michelle's birthday
Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet Michelle. Her birthday was Wednesday. We really didn't do anything for her on Wednesday, but Alfredo took the day off on Thursday. He took the girls to Hollywood Connection. He didn't take the camera, so I don't have any photos of their fun. When they got home, Ella was asleep. So we ate dinner without her. Then Michelle wanted to have her cake right then. So she blew out her candles without Ella and ate cake while Ella was still sleeping. :)
Michelle also got a new outfit from Alfredo. I tried to get her to model it for me, but she was just being goofy and so there are just silly shots.
She has the best laugh. I love it.Tuesday, May 13, 2008
my poor ella
Yesterday I took the day off since Michelle had thrown up on Sunday. Michelle was fine, but Ella had a low fever and didn't seem to be feeling too good. She complained several times that her arm hurt but it looked okay and she was grumpy and crying about everything.
Well, today after I picked her up from Janene's, Alfredo noticed that the area by her shoulder was swollen. He decided we better take her to insta-care. Which we did. They looked at it and took an x-ray. She broke her clavicle. I'm not sure how, although she'd rolled off her bed early Monday morning and that's probably how it happened. But the doctor said that in young kids, the clavicle can break with just about any fall. She's a tough little cookie. When we got to insta-care, she asked if the doctor was going to cut her open. (perform a surgery like her open heart surgery). She cried a tiny bit when she got the xray but that was it. So poor Ella is supposed to wear a sling (with Snoopy and the Peanut gang on it) for 2-3 weeks. Poor thing fell asleep in the car on the way home. I feel so bad. I should have taken her to instacare yesterday. Poor sweet girl.
Well, today after I picked her up from Janene's, Alfredo noticed that the area by her shoulder was swollen. He decided we better take her to insta-care. Which we did. They looked at it and took an x-ray. She broke her clavicle. I'm not sure how, although she'd rolled off her bed early Monday morning and that's probably how it happened. But the doctor said that in young kids, the clavicle can break with just about any fall. She's a tough little cookie. When we got to insta-care, she asked if the doctor was going to cut her open. (perform a surgery like her open heart surgery). She cried a tiny bit when she got the xray but that was it. So poor Ella is supposed to wear a sling (with Snoopy and the Peanut gang on it) for 2-3 weeks. Poor thing fell asleep in the car on the way home. I feel so bad. I should have taken her to instacare yesterday. Poor sweet girl.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
silly me... an interesting mother's day
So Mother's Day was eventful this year.
I woke up a little bit late. I was trying to cook breakfast and get things ready at the same time and burnt breakfast (my kids are too young to cook... and Alfredo had to work). I opened the front room window to let the smell air out. (charcoaled bacon does NOT smell or taste good).
We ate, got ready and were on our way to church. I rushed out the door and just grabbed keys as I was running out the door. When I got home from church, I realized that I managed to grab just a set of car keys with no house key. So we were locked out. Well, I thought, we'll go visit Alfredo at work and get the house key from him. So we did. He bought us lunch (it's Sunday, I know, but we were all starving by 1:15 and it is Mother's Day so I made an exception). Then we drove back home. About a mile from our house, Michelle said she didn't feel good. She said she was going to throw up. I said we were almost home. She said she really felt sick. I handed her a tupperware container that had held cereal but was now empty. She immediately vomited 3 times into the container (which I promptly threw away once we got home).
So we were home. But the key Alfredo had given me was actually a spare key to my aunt's house and not the key to our house. So we were still locked out. Well, no big deal. I had left the window open (to air out the burned bacon) so I just had to get the screen off and climb through the window and unlock the door. So I grabbed the ladder. But while the window is not very high up, the ground underneath it is uneven. And so the ladder was not very steady. And I'm 6 months pregnant. And I'm naturally clutzy. Just as I was thinking that climbing the ladder was probably not such a great idea for me, Janene and Chris drove by. I flagged them down, Chris climbed the ladder, removed the screen and unlocked the door. (thanks chris!!) I took my children inside, cleaned Michelle up and we all laid down to watch a movie. Fortunately, Michelle hasn't thrown up since and seems to be feeling fine. I've decided to take tomorrow off anyway, just in case she is up during the night or is sick tomorrow.
What an exciting day we had! I hate when I do dumb things like lock myself out. Alfredo was very sweet, not saying anything about how silly it was that with all the sets of keys we have I took the one that had no house key. And he took care of dinner tonight. He also watched the girls last night so I could go see a movie. very sweet. it really was a pretty good day, just a little more eventful than I had planned.
I woke up a little bit late. I was trying to cook breakfast and get things ready at the same time and burnt breakfast (my kids are too young to cook... and Alfredo had to work). I opened the front room window to let the smell air out. (charcoaled bacon does NOT smell or taste good).
We ate, got ready and were on our way to church. I rushed out the door and just grabbed keys as I was running out the door. When I got home from church, I realized that I managed to grab just a set of car keys with no house key. So we were locked out. Well, I thought, we'll go visit Alfredo at work and get the house key from him. So we did. He bought us lunch (it's Sunday, I know, but we were all starving by 1:15 and it is Mother's Day so I made an exception). Then we drove back home. About a mile from our house, Michelle said she didn't feel good. She said she was going to throw up. I said we were almost home. She said she really felt sick. I handed her a tupperware container that had held cereal but was now empty. She immediately vomited 3 times into the container (which I promptly threw away once we got home).
So we were home. But the key Alfredo had given me was actually a spare key to my aunt's house and not the key to our house. So we were still locked out. Well, no big deal. I had left the window open (to air out the burned bacon) so I just had to get the screen off and climb through the window and unlock the door. So I grabbed the ladder. But while the window is not very high up, the ground underneath it is uneven. And so the ladder was not very steady. And I'm 6 months pregnant. And I'm naturally clutzy. Just as I was thinking that climbing the ladder was probably not such a great idea for me, Janene and Chris drove by. I flagged them down, Chris climbed the ladder, removed the screen and unlocked the door. (thanks chris!!) I took my children inside, cleaned Michelle up and we all laid down to watch a movie. Fortunately, Michelle hasn't thrown up since and seems to be feeling fine. I've decided to take tomorrow off anyway, just in case she is up during the night or is sick tomorrow.
What an exciting day we had! I hate when I do dumb things like lock myself out. Alfredo was very sweet, not saying anything about how silly it was that with all the sets of keys we have I took the one that had no house key. And he took care of dinner tonight. He also watched the girls last night so I could go see a movie. very sweet. it really was a pretty good day, just a little more eventful than I had planned.
Friday, May 9, 2008
i'm reading
Last night, Michelle came and said, "Mommy, get Ella to come and play with me." I walked into my room and said, "Ella, why don't you play with Ella." Her response: "Not right now. I'm busy reading. Tell her I'll play when I'm done reading." (I have probably said this a few times to my kids... it's always interesting to hear your words parroted back at you.)
I think both of my girls will be readers. (With me as a mom, how can they not be?) But Ella seems like it may be even more her thing than Michelle's. She has several books she can "read" to me (that she's memorized) and she is always asking me to read her "bookies". She loves to be read to.
This last pic has nothing to do with the post, but I thought it was cute and funny and it was also taken last night. Michelle is one cool dude.
wrestling match
Last night the girls had a wrestling match/tug of war with their daddy. I only caught the tailend of it. They were climbing on him, he would catch them and tickle them or hold their legs so they couldn't escape. They tried all kinds of tactics, working as a team against daddy. They would jump on him, lick him, tickle him (he's not ticklish so this was ineffective), pull on each other's legs to try to free the other, etc. It was pretty amusing.
bike rider
yesterday after work, Michelle said she wanted to show me something. Ella got a bike for Christmas. Santa Claus (me) didn't do a very good job assembling the bike and one of the training wheels came off a week or two ago. I haven't gotten around to putting it back on, but Michelle is pretty good at riding it with one training wheel. Well, yesterday Michelle twisted the remaining training wheel up so it no longer touched the ground at all, hopped on the bike, steadied herself for a second and then began zooming up and down the street. Never once did Alfredo or I hold the back of her bike to give her practice getting her balance. Guess she doesn't need training wheels anymore!
She rode in a long dress no less. I can remember learning to ride a bike. I think I was six or so when the training wheels came off, and it seemed like it was hard for me to keep my balance for days or weeks after that. But Michelle definitely has better coordination than me. She is also pretty fearless. She is an eager learner and will probably be much more athletic than I am (not that this is saying much... I am NOT an athlete.)
She had the hugest grin on her face in this photo. She is proud of herself. I was proud of her too. When I told Alfredo, he said she'd been riding like that for at least a week. He didn't seem to think it was that surprising or that big of a deal. I, however, was very impressed.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
pregnant preschoolers
I have two preschoolers who are pretty interested in pregnancy. (Ella starts preschool in one month, so I guess I can consider her a preschooler now.)
Anyway, Michelle has put balloons under her shirt a couple times this week and shown me her pregnant belly.
Ella goes around sticking her belly out as far as she can. Then she'll say, "ooh, my baby's kicking." "My baby is getting bigger but she's not ready to come out yet." and other comments about the baby in her tummy. (take a close look and you can see Michelle's cute dimple in the first picture.)
teeter totter
The girls got a fun teeter totter from Alfredo's aunt and uncle for their birthday. Alfredo got it put together Monday evening and they've had loads of fun. It goes up and down, but it also spins. (Shannon, it is for sale at Kmart/Sears. I think it was you who asked where they got it?) They have had so much fun and have already invited Bryce and Sylas to come over Saturday before Ty's party and play on it for awhile.
Alfredo said that last night he was spinning them around fast and they were laughing so hard they were crying! They love it.
Monday, May 5, 2008
monday meditations
Wow, that sounds like such a peaceful title. Monday meditations. But my mind feels all but peaceful at the moment.
This week is teacher appreciation week and my principal gave us each a gift and read us a poem and had us watch a short film. She asked us to remember why we are teachers and to remind us to love the kids and to do what we need to so we can love our jobs and students. I must admit that the past two years, this has been difficult for me to do. Some of it is the pressure of testing and No Child Left Behind, some of it is burnout, some of it is the population I work with, some of it is just that I'm so busy. My first several years of teaching, I was so passionate about my job and my "kids" (students). I loved them so much. Even the difficult, less loveable ones. It seemed, in some ways, like a gift. Now I feel like a lot of the time I just tolerate my students. I feel like the opposite of the grinch... my heart has shrunk two sizes lately. When I stop to think about it, it makes me sad and I often recommit myself to doing better... being more understanding, patient, loving, etc. But it seems like there are some kids that it just doesn't work with anymore. I have two boys this year that I really can barely stand. That makes me feel sad and bad. If those children were my sons, I would want their teacher to see the good in them and to love them. And I realize that usually the most difficult children are the ones that most need someone to love them. They often come from difficult homes and backgrounds. Why am I not better able to do that? I want to but sometimes don't feel like I have it in me.
This is the poem our principal shared. It was put with images of children on a video which she also had us watch.
A Prayer for Children by Marian Wright Edelman
We pray for children
Who sneak popsicles before supper,
Who erase holes in math workbooks,
Who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those
Who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
Who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
Who never "counted potatoes"
Who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead,
Who never go to the circus,
Who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for children
Who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,
Who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,
Who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
Who watch their parents watch them die,
Who can't find any bread to steal,
Who don't have any rooms to clean up,
Whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
Whose monsters are real.
We pray for children
Who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
Who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,
Who like ghost stories,
Who shove dirty clothers under the bed and never rinse out the tub,
Who get visits from the tooth fairy,
Who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,
Who squirm in church or temple and scream in the phone,
Whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those
Whose nightmares come in the daytime,
Who will eat anything,
Who have never seen a dentist,
Who aren't spoiled by anybody,
Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
Who live and move, but have no being.
We pray for children who want to be carried and for those who must,
For those who never give up and for those who don't get a second chance.
For those we smother.... and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.
When I stop to think of the lives that far too many children live, it is amazing how resilient they are. I want to be the one kind enough to offer my hand, but I so often fall short. And I am often judgmental of their parents/families. Why aren't they kinder and doing more? Yesterday, in Sunday School, we studied Mosiah 3-5. I was reminded as we read of feeding the homeless and teaching our children to love and serve others of a book I read a year or two ago called Nobody Don't Love Nobody. The author taught at the homeless school in Salt Lake. One thing she said really struck me. She said that she came to see that most of the parents she saw really did love their kids. Many of them were trying to provide a better life for their child than they had as a kid, but that we all begin at different starting places. This really caused me to reflect. I still get angry that parents aren't better parents for their kids. But I guess that most are trying to do the best they can.
Just like I am. I often feel like I fall short of the type of parent I should be and want to be. I struggle sometimes with having to work. I don't get to spend as much time with my girls as I feel like I should. Even when I'm home, I often struggle with finding balance. I have so much to do (dinner to cook, dishes to wash, house to clean, schoolwork to do, working with the young women at church, etc.) that I struggle to not let those things take the place of spending time with my kids. I hate when my kids are mildly sick because I feel like I can't take time off work, but I feel guilty not staying home with them. Or when they have events (like preschool field trips, etc.) that I often can't attend. I hate that I regularly feel torn regardless of what decision I make... like no matter whether I take the day off or go to work, I've let someone down. And I hate that I feel torn at all, that I don't just automatically take the day off, that I have to really weigh the costs. I am so grateful for Janene because I know my girls are happy there and that she takes great care of them. That eases my conscience a lot. And overall, I think I'm doing okay. My girls are sweet and smart and they know we love them. I try to find the time and energy to do fun things with them, and I think I'm relatively successful at that. Mostly, I feel like I could be doing more to teach them the gospel. Over the past 2 years, I have had periods (weeks or months) where I did a good job of reading the scriptures to them and teaching them about the church. And other periods where we don't do very well. I am grateful for primary, because Michelle learns so much there. but I know I should be doing more myself. One of my goals for this summer is to get at least 30 FHE lesson/activities put together and ready to go so I can be better at doing that. Anyway, I need to stop this pity party. I have so many blessings. I have great friends and family and a great husband who really, in many ways, make up for the areas where I lack. Most of the time I like my job and it is something that I know is important. I have known for years that teaching is what I'm supposed to do. And if I have to work, I am glad that I have a job that gives me lots of time off with my kids and that is something that I believe in and feel is worthwhile.
Sorry that this turned into a full length novel. :) I think I"ll go down a little prenatal yoga to finish de-stressing and then go to bed.
This week is teacher appreciation week and my principal gave us each a gift and read us a poem and had us watch a short film. She asked us to remember why we are teachers and to remind us to love the kids and to do what we need to so we can love our jobs and students. I must admit that the past two years, this has been difficult for me to do. Some of it is the pressure of testing and No Child Left Behind, some of it is burnout, some of it is the population I work with, some of it is just that I'm so busy. My first several years of teaching, I was so passionate about my job and my "kids" (students). I loved them so much. Even the difficult, less loveable ones. It seemed, in some ways, like a gift. Now I feel like a lot of the time I just tolerate my students. I feel like the opposite of the grinch... my heart has shrunk two sizes lately. When I stop to think about it, it makes me sad and I often recommit myself to doing better... being more understanding, patient, loving, etc. But it seems like there are some kids that it just doesn't work with anymore. I have two boys this year that I really can barely stand. That makes me feel sad and bad. If those children were my sons, I would want their teacher to see the good in them and to love them. And I realize that usually the most difficult children are the ones that most need someone to love them. They often come from difficult homes and backgrounds. Why am I not better able to do that? I want to but sometimes don't feel like I have it in me.
This is the poem our principal shared. It was put with images of children on a video which she also had us watch.
A Prayer for Children by Marian Wright Edelman
We pray for children
Who sneak popsicles before supper,
Who erase holes in math workbooks,
Who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those
Who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
Who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
Who never "counted potatoes"
Who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead,
Who never go to the circus,
Who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for children
Who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,
Who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,
Who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
Who watch their parents watch them die,
Who can't find any bread to steal,
Who don't have any rooms to clean up,
Whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
Whose monsters are real.
We pray for children
Who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
Who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,
Who like ghost stories,
Who shove dirty clothers under the bed and never rinse out the tub,
Who get visits from the tooth fairy,
Who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,
Who squirm in church or temple and scream in the phone,
Whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those
Whose nightmares come in the daytime,
Who will eat anything,
Who have never seen a dentist,
Who aren't spoiled by anybody,
Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
Who live and move, but have no being.
We pray for children who want to be carried and for those who must,
For those who never give up and for those who don't get a second chance.
For those we smother.... and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.
When I stop to think of the lives that far too many children live, it is amazing how resilient they are. I want to be the one kind enough to offer my hand, but I so often fall short. And I am often judgmental of their parents/families. Why aren't they kinder and doing more? Yesterday, in Sunday School, we studied Mosiah 3-5. I was reminded as we read of feeding the homeless and teaching our children to love and serve others of a book I read a year or two ago called Nobody Don't Love Nobody. The author taught at the homeless school in Salt Lake. One thing she said really struck me. She said that she came to see that most of the parents she saw really did love their kids. Many of them were trying to provide a better life for their child than they had as a kid, but that we all begin at different starting places. This really caused me to reflect. I still get angry that parents aren't better parents for their kids. But I guess that most are trying to do the best they can.
Just like I am. I often feel like I fall short of the type of parent I should be and want to be. I struggle sometimes with having to work. I don't get to spend as much time with my girls as I feel like I should. Even when I'm home, I often struggle with finding balance. I have so much to do (dinner to cook, dishes to wash, house to clean, schoolwork to do, working with the young women at church, etc.) that I struggle to not let those things take the place of spending time with my kids. I hate when my kids are mildly sick because I feel like I can't take time off work, but I feel guilty not staying home with them. Or when they have events (like preschool field trips, etc.) that I often can't attend. I hate that I regularly feel torn regardless of what decision I make... like no matter whether I take the day off or go to work, I've let someone down. And I hate that I feel torn at all, that I don't just automatically take the day off, that I have to really weigh the costs. I am so grateful for Janene because I know my girls are happy there and that she takes great care of them. That eases my conscience a lot. And overall, I think I'm doing okay. My girls are sweet and smart and they know we love them. I try to find the time and energy to do fun things with them, and I think I'm relatively successful at that. Mostly, I feel like I could be doing more to teach them the gospel. Over the past 2 years, I have had periods (weeks or months) where I did a good job of reading the scriptures to them and teaching them about the church. And other periods where we don't do very well. I am grateful for primary, because Michelle learns so much there. but I know I should be doing more myself. One of my goals for this summer is to get at least 30 FHE lesson/activities put together and ready to go so I can be better at doing that. Anyway, I need to stop this pity party. I have so many blessings. I have great friends and family and a great husband who really, in many ways, make up for the areas where I lack. Most of the time I like my job and it is something that I know is important. I have known for years that teaching is what I'm supposed to do. And if I have to work, I am glad that I have a job that gives me lots of time off with my kids and that is something that I believe in and feel is worthwhile.
Sorry that this turned into a full length novel. :) I think I"ll go down a little prenatal yoga to finish de-stressing and then go to bed.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
2 more recipes
Waffles
(this is probably my girls' favorite food. they'd eat waffles every day for breakfast if i'd make them.)
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup wheat flour (or you can make them with 1 cup wheat flour and not use white at all)
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. wheat germ
1-2 Tbsp. milled flax seed (flax seed has lots of omega 3's and is really good for you... you really can't tell that it is added to the waffles)
1 egg
1/4 cup applesauce (in place of the oil... makes it healthier, again you won't be able to tell)
1 cup skim or 1% milk
Mix ingredients together in a bowl. For especially light waffles, separate the egg and beat the egg white until almost stiff and then add to the other ingredients after mixing them. Pour in a waffle iron until done. Makes enough for 2-3 adults (it's enough for my whole family). Can be doubled.
To make it less sugary, you can use toppings other than butter and syrup. Try peanut butter, jam/jelly, nutella, applesauce, or fresh fruit. (Ella and I like applesauce with just a touch of syrup. Michelle likes it with lots of sugary syrup.)
Guiltless Nachos Supreme (From Lickety Split Meals by Zonya Foco... this is a cookbook filled with healthy recipes written by a registered dietitian. We like some of them.)
1 Tbsp. water
1/4 cup onion (or 2 green onions), chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1 cup pinto or black beans (drained, rinsed) She recommends Eden brand which are low in sodium.
1 tsp. chili powder.
Chop veggies and then heat these ingredients in a nonstick pan about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Spread about 30 tortilla chips (Tostitos baked chips are pretty healthy.) Layer veggie saute over chips.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Broil 6 inches from heating element for 4-6 minutes until cheese melts.
If desired, serve salsa and light sour cream or nonfat plain yogurt on the side.
Eat raw veggies and grapes along with this meal.
(I like this with the black beans. Early in this pregnancy, I craved this recipe and made it a lot. It's fast and easy and has lots of fiber.)
(this is probably my girls' favorite food. they'd eat waffles every day for breakfast if i'd make them.)
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup wheat flour (or you can make them with 1 cup wheat flour and not use white at all)
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. wheat germ
1-2 Tbsp. milled flax seed (flax seed has lots of omega 3's and is really good for you... you really can't tell that it is added to the waffles)
1 egg
1/4 cup applesauce (in place of the oil... makes it healthier, again you won't be able to tell)
1 cup skim or 1% milk
Mix ingredients together in a bowl. For especially light waffles, separate the egg and beat the egg white until almost stiff and then add to the other ingredients after mixing them. Pour in a waffle iron until done. Makes enough for 2-3 adults (it's enough for my whole family). Can be doubled.
To make it less sugary, you can use toppings other than butter and syrup. Try peanut butter, jam/jelly, nutella, applesauce, or fresh fruit. (Ella and I like applesauce with just a touch of syrup. Michelle likes it with lots of sugary syrup.)
Guiltless Nachos Supreme (From Lickety Split Meals by Zonya Foco... this is a cookbook filled with healthy recipes written by a registered dietitian. We like some of them.)
1 Tbsp. water
1/4 cup onion (or 2 green onions), chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1 cup pinto or black beans (drained, rinsed) She recommends Eden brand which are low in sodium.
1 tsp. chili powder.
Chop veggies and then heat these ingredients in a nonstick pan about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Spread about 30 tortilla chips (Tostitos baked chips are pretty healthy.) Layer veggie saute over chips.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Broil 6 inches from heating element for 4-6 minutes until cheese melts.
If desired, serve salsa and light sour cream or nonfat plain yogurt on the side.
Eat raw veggies and grapes along with this meal.
(I like this with the black beans. Early in this pregnancy, I craved this recipe and made it a lot. It's fast and easy and has lots of fiber.)
cake and gifts
their cake... i am not the creative, cake-baking type. this one camefrom costco and i never got around to ordering a tinkerbell one, so it was just what they
had on hand on saturday afternoon. it was yummy, but very chocolatey. Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling with chocolate frosting.
opening gifts. They got wonderful gifts. Everyone was so generous and they have been so excited. (In fact, Ella talked a steady stream all the way through sacrament meeting today. She's a talker but usually the girls are pretty good in church. But not today. She played with her barbies and Bratz and pretended to be a kitty and hardly stopped talking to take a breath. I hope we weren't too disruptive to those around us. She didn't talk very loudly, just consistently, all the way through.)
So, thank you to everyone!
Michelle with her Bratz dolls from Janene which she's been asking for for at least a month. Thanks Nene!
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