Living The Busy Life and trying to find TIME for it all!!!

The kids have all returned to school for another year of learning!!  I am now the proud Mama to 2 Third Graders, a Second Grader and a Kindergartner!!  The kids are all very happy with their assigned teachers, as am I.  My Boy and The Countessa actually looped up with their second grade teacher, who we absolutly loved, so we are very pleased to now have her for third grade!

We have had a few bumps with getting into the groove of doing homework each night, but each day they get a little less resistant.

I am several weeks into the college scene and so far my only complaint is being the oldest person in each of my classes!  I guess that's what OI get for taking day-time classes rather then night courses. 

In my English class yesterday I met a young girl who it turns out is the cousin of one of my former roommates back in the mid-90's.  Her exact words to me about him were "I don't talk to him much, he's MUCH older then I am!"  Can you say...OUCH!  He's my age!

I'm really loving my history course!  I'm actually considering a History Major and pursueing a History Teacher credential.  The only hesitation I have on that is it would put me teaching ages 13-18....I don't particularly care for that age group when it comes to teaching them.  I'm still leaning heavily on an Elementary School credential....grades 2 or 3.  We'll see.  I have 4 more classes I need to take before I can enroll in the credentials program, so I have time to webble-wobble on my choise.

My Boy is in the full swing of football.  He is currently a corner-back on starting defense, but his coach his considering moving him to a running-back on offense because he is the 3rd fastest kid on the team.  I'm torn on this.  right know he is in a relatively "safe" position...meaning he is less likely to gewt hurt.  Becoming a running-back will put him in a much more dangerous position....after all he's the kid the other team is going to try and take down!!!  

So far his team is undefeated.  Last weekend we went up against a team that everyone felt was much better prepared then us.....we won 28 to 7!!!!!  This wasn't just luck either!  Our team rocked it!!!!

With school and football and dance with the girls my poor blog has had to take a backseat the last few weeks.  I'm hoping that things, our I, get settled and into a better grove allowing more time for all the "extra" stuff I want to do...my blog being just one of those extras. 

Easy Egg Baskets

I made these English Muffin Egg Baskets this morning and they were SUPER easy, and REALLY yummy!!!  My kids devoured them!!!  Even The Princess who HATES bread!!

Ingredients You'll need:

English muffins of any flavor (our regular bread works too)

eggs

bacon

butter flavor cooking spray

butter

Tools You'll Need:

2 rimmed cookie sheets

aluminum foil

circle cookie or biscuit cutter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line one cookie sheet with foil

Cut bacon into small pieces and lay in a single layer on foil lined cookie sheet

Using cookie cutter, cut centers from english muffin or bread.

butter the cut pieces of english muffin or bread

Spray second cookie sheet with butter flavor cooking spray

place english muffin or bread pieces on sprayed cookie sheet

place both cookie sheets in preheated oven

after about 1-2 minutes remove cookie sheet containing muffins/bread

Crack one egg into the center of each muffin/bread piece

return cookie sheet with eggs to oven

cook until whites of egg are no longer clear, but remain shiny about 5 minutes (over-easy eggs)
watch bacon for desired doneness (5 minutes will make for crispy bacon)

remove bacon and egg baskets from oven
Place bacon on a paper towel to remove grease
Use toasted muffin/bread centers for dipping

EAT and ENJOY!

Printable Version

Join MannLann5 for another week of Getting To Know You Sunday


1. Do you think mustaches are sexy?  That depends, some yes, some NO.  I think it also depends on whos face it's on.


2. What's the last concert you've been to?  Don't laugh.................George Michael circa 1988, before the bathroom bust.  I don't get out much!! :-)

3 What was your favorite 80's sitcom?  I loved, loved, LOVED The Wonder YEars.

4. Were you named after anyone?  Yes.  My parents had choosen a boy name, but hadn't agreed on a girl name, my Mom wanted to name me Alex, my Dad said he WOULD NOT have a daughter named Alex. 
So, the day after I was born, my mom's younger sister, Hillary,came to visit in the hospital.  My mom said "Well, what about Hillary?" with my aunt in the room mind you, and my Dad said "Yeah, sure that's a great name."  And that was that.  Although growing up I was mostly referred to by a nickname.  In addition to being named after my aunt I was also named after my Grandmother for my middle name.

5. When you buy new clothes, do you wash before wearing?  Not usually, depends on the smell of them.  Some new clothes smell pretty bad, others just smell clean.

6. If you didn't blog, what would you do with your spare time?  Like I have spare time to even blog!!!

7. What is your favorite department store? Macy's

8. If you were to get Laser Hair Removal..where would you get it?  Without question my under arms!!!!!

Computers,Milk, School, Blog and stuff

That title about sums up the last few weeks!!!

First Computers & Milk...............they do not go well together!!!

Let me explain............

Hubby left a glass of milk on the computer desk while he went to answer the door.

This adorable (not so Little) hound decided to jump up on the computer desk............

Result................

(not actual picture, but you get the idea!)

This left us with a non-functioning computer for about 2 weeks while we tried to figure out a solution without having funds to purchase a new computer.

Our solution.......take a functioning keyboard from a non-functioning computer and put it with our working computer and remove our non-functioning keyboard.  And wala here I am, back in bloggy world with just a minor hiccup!

School.........

We have continued our summer homeschool program and are getting geared up for the new school year to start.  The kids go back August 23, while I start classes August 16.

We are in Back-to-School shopping mode and each of the kids so far has gotten 2 new outfits, the Princess got a new bacPac and lunch box, while the older three got new shoes.  I am only shopping sale racks and I told the kids we would do a few shopping trips to get a few more clothing items plus the basic school supplies needed.

Blog..........

After nearly two weeks without computer access, I logged on today to discover my blog background had disappeared!!!!!!  Apparently Cutiest Blog on the Block has deleted the template I used!  GRRRRRRR!!!!!!

So I am left having to make some unplanned-for changes around here.  I shouldn't complain though...the templates ARE FREE and it's good to change things up every so often!!!

Stuff......

My Boy has started football for the 2010 season

Go PINTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These cutie patuties are getting ready for another year of dance!

(This photo was taken their first year!....2 years ago!!)

And....And......And.......

This SweetPea is starting Kindergarten!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting to know you...and other stuff........

Join in on Getting to Know You Sundays hosted by MannLann5

1. If you had to choose a country to live in besides USA (or the country you live in), which would it be?  I would LOVE to live in Scotland or England.  I've never been to either but I'm a history nut and the amount of history and old castles..... Oh I would be in heaven!


2. Which would be worse, wearing flip flops in the snow or wearing gloves in the summer? Gloves in summer!!  I HATE being hot!

3. Fried or Bake and why? If I'm being totally honest....FRIED!!!  Fried foods are "feel good" foods for me.  I'll take fried chicken over baked chicken any day of the week and twice on Sundays!

4. If you were an entertainment reporter, which celeb would you love to interview and why? Julia Roberts.  I love her personality.  I tink she would be a fun interview.

5. What was your favorite book as a preteen/teenager? I wasn't a reader growing up so I can't think of anything.  I love to read now though........Outlander Series!!!!!!

6. List your top 3 guilty pleasure television shows.  In no particular order.............Real Housewives of New Jersey, Americas Got Talent and Wife Swap.

7. What bumper sticker slogan best describes you/your attitude/your life? "Have a Nice Day!"  said and implied in MANY differnt ways from genuin to extremly sarcastic.

8. If you were to join a circus - what performer would you be?  A clown.  Although I find clowns a little disturbing I would, and do, love to run around and act silly.

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In other news.........

I'm officially a college student....again!!  Yeah Me!!!  I have decided, after many months of thought, to return to earn my teaching degree to teach elementary school.

I went to college after high school and earned a degree in Early Childhood Development and worked in that proffesion for 10 years prior to having my twins.  Once they were born I stopped working to focus on raising my family, with the intent to go back and earn my Elementary Teaching Degree once they were in school full time.

Well, then I ended up having two more kids and that plan got set back further.  Now that The Princess is starting kindergarten and will be in school 5 days a week, I deceded now was the time!

Hubby is behind me 100% and I love him all the more for it!!

I start classes August 16..........I'm a bit nervous, but VERY excited!!!

Summer Homeschool

We are back to our Summer Homeschool schedule after two weeks of illness.  I can't say the kids are super pleased, but I certainly am!

We are well into our Virtual Road Trip across the USA and thought I'd share some info and printables.

Our first state was California.

Here is a State Fact Sheet we have used to learn some basic facts.  This info was gathered from numerous websites and State Flash Cards we have.

We did some copy work using my State Worksheet

We located and colored California on this map

We used this blank map to place state capital, rivers and lakes

We colored the state flag, sate bird and the state flower

We read the books shown below

Stay tuned for our Oregon adventures!!

Getting to know You Sundays........

Play along at MannLann5

1. What is YOUR definition of sexy?  I have to say watching my hubby with my girls.  I love it when he lets them do his hair...hairclips and all.  I also love that he is still wearing the friendship braclets thye made him for Father's Day.........this was their first time making them and they are VERY colorful!



2. Would you rather clean up puke or change a poopy diaper?  After two weeks of the stomach flu going through my house, I politley decline to answer..............I've done my fair share of booth lately!!!


3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?  Definetly an introvert.  I need alone time daily to simply recharge and regroup myself.


4. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses for a year..which one would you give up? Taste for two reasons...1.I'm not a good eater and find it hard to swallow many foods...vegies, fruit and such.  And 2. I think after a time eating with no sense of taste would make eating boring, therefore I would eat less....my love handles would be very thankful.


5. Cake or Pie? Cake.......White with buttercream frosting!!  MMMMMmmmmmm......

6. If you could play any character on TV (old or current) who would you play?  Gosh, I can't really think of anyone!  I watch mostly reality shows and I certainly don't want to be any of those wack-jobs.  So digging back in my mind I would have to say Paige Matheson from Knots Landing..remember that show??...LOVED it!!!

7. My favorite website is.....? I enjoy Confessions of a Pioneer Women


8. The highlight of my day is....? When all my laundry is done....washed folded AND put away!!  Makes for a happy Mamma!!!