Hello Again

I feel a little bit like sharing today.

We have been working on a major home renovation this summer, sheet rock dust, hammers, drills and all the mess.

The kids have grown into little big people since Christmas, I have 3 of the 4 potty trained and love the limited diaper washes..YEAH.

I have enjoyed checking out my Blog friend websites, what a summer it has been for all.

Our greatest news for the coming weeks is the preparation of our NEW FAMILY MEMBER, an exchange student from The Netherlands, who will stay with us for a year.

The kids will return to school in 4 weeks, wow......

I continue to stay busy with my full time job as a Nurse Educator at as hospital and will also be teaching a 4 credit nursing course this fall and spring, as well as taking 6 master credits each semester working towards my masters in nursing education. TOo much to do, and not enough time in the day.

I enjoyed the kids today, played in the sun and group napped today, enjoyed cheese sticks after baths. YEAH.

Sidney and I cleaned out her hair box this weekend and I started to cry when she told me that we could get rid of her hair clips and bows.....BOO HOO...

The Holiday Season has come to a close

Wow. The year has come to a close, where did the year go? It was a fun year, but as I say every year the days go quicker, much different when I was a child and the weeks and years took forever. Every time I look at the kids, they have grown. Oh....

Our Christmas was filled with crazy kids, who's isn't? The kids got lots of clothes, homemade toys and "junk" toys from my in laws. The best present was different colored towels for each of us with our names embroidered on them. This has a made a huge difference in our bath times.

We decluttered our home after Christmas and took an entire van load of things to the local Salvation Army, great for taxes and great for our home.

Next week is the start of Ciaos in our home. The big kids and Daddy return to school as well as myself, not only attended but teaching. I will be an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Nursing at MNSU. I will be carrying Master Credits as well. I also have taken on another hat at work and will be teaching Perinatal Education Courses quarterly to new and seasoned nurses.

So I must say, that I will blog when possible, but believe that I will not be on here very much.

Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful New Year

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls ready to bake.....

I continue to love my Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day book and have learned to use the authors knowledge and tweak things to my families liking.

I used 1 1/2 pounds Challah dough, rolled out into a large rectangle, 1 stick of butter softened and spread out, with 1/2 cup sugar and 4 T. Cinnamon spinkled around, roll up the dough long side to long side, cut in half then each half in half again and then in thirds, place into greased 9x13 inch pan, allow to raise overnight with greased plastic wrap placed loosely on top. In the morning place in oven at 350 degrees for approximately 50 minutes. In the meantime prepare your frosting. Any king you like.

Heating Pads

Heating Pads filled with rice, lavender and lavender essence oil.

Heat in microwave for 3 minutes and you have aromatherapy and comfort.

For our friends and neighbors we created 4 breads that were highlighted in the Family Fun Magazine, December issue.

Date Bread, Apple Bread, Pumpkin Chocolate, and Lemon Coconut. Oh my were these yummy. I also took some to a work meeting and everyone ate well that day.

I made some minor adjustments to the recipes to suit our likes....

We wrapped each slice up and put and individual label on them, much like the magazine showed and then put 1 slice of each kind in a clear decorated plastic bag with two ornaments the kids made earlier in the month.

Toad Stools

I ran across a site awhile ago that had things very similiar to these. Since my kids are nuts about the couch pillows I decided to make them Toad Stools so that they can throw these around, sit on, hop on and do what ever else they can think of.

Jingle Blocks

For Soren I thought I would create sensory blocks that are filled with jingle bells. I am very excited for him to open this gift.