spring has arrived

It was finally warm in Chicagoland this weekend!!
I have decided that I have been suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.
I really think I was.
This weekend I felt alive again!!
Since it was so nice, we just couldn't resist the urge to take the cover off of our winterized pool.
Ewww . . . I will definitely have to post some "after pictures" of this.  It's amazing what can happen under that pool cover during the winter.

Caroline and Luke found all sorts of water skimmers and beetles in there. We walked them to the nearby pond to give them a new home so the chlorine wouldn't kill them. :)
(I was very careful to monitor Luke and Caroline just in case one of them were to fall in . . . shudder)

John vacuumed the bottom of the pool.

He hired a pretty cute helper.

Sweet Caroline filled her bird feeders (again).  We have several "regulars" that depend on her!

The boys got out their army guys and had hours of fun.

Jake tried out his new kicks. (the purchase of these shoes was a very big deal . . . he had been patiently waiting and saving money for them)



I am just so happy that spring is here and that we can spend our days on the outside enjoying God's creation.

This is the day that the Lord has made,

let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!

oh, to be an American Girl doll

The other day, I walked into Caroline's room and noticed her American Girl dolls "sleeping" so sweetly.

It happened to be one of those days where I was just feeling so overloaded and overwhelmed with all my responsiblities.

laundry to do
bills to pay
appointments to make
messes to clean (lots of them)
people to call
dinners to plan
you know . . . the usual

I stopped and looked at how they were tucked in so carefully and wearing such cute jammies (way cuter than my jammies).
I couldn't help but sigh and wish I could be one of them just for one day . . . having a sweet girl named Caroline to take care of all my needs.
Just for one day.
Wouldn't that be nice?

~which American Girl doll would you choose to be??
I would be Kirsten because she is Swedish (and so am I).

***
Today was absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside.
We decided to open our pool.
I'll post some pics of our weekend tomorrow.
I have some cookies to bake and a house to clean (Bible Study is here tomorrow)
Thanks for stopping by!!

favorites on fridays

(is it Friday already???)

Favorite Veggie Burger: Don Lee Farms

We joined Costco this week.
My sister is a Costco junkie and she has inspired me to join because of all her great finds there.
Luke and I went on our first shopping trip there the other day.
I'll have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed, but I decided to just pick out a few things. (I wanted to fill my cart, but I was good.)
One of my finds, was this package of veggie burgers.
I am always on the hunt for healthy, good tasting veggie burgers.
I like to keep them in my freezer and pull them out for lunch or when my family is eating something that I should not be eating (like hot dogs or mac-n-cheese).
I've tried a lot of brands and I'll have to say, this is my very favorite brand now!

Here is the ingredient list:
Fresh vegetables (carrots, onions, celery, bell peppers); bread crumbs (wheat flour); sunflower seeds; flour; salt; carrageenan; soybean oil; spice; natural flavor.


Not bad . . .

The package says that they are microwaveable, but I like them best when I spray each side lightly with cooking oil and heat them on a skillet until the edges are a little crisp.Guilt-free yum.


Enjoy!!!

my love / hate relationship with baseball season

Baseball season has officially arrived.

I just love watching Jake play . . .
he got a triple in tonight's game!! 
Cloud nine is what he was walking on tonight . . .
I love that between huffs and puffs on third base, he asked John, "Do you think Mommy saw me??" 

I'm glad I wasn't accidentally looking the other way, not that I ever take my eyes off the game. :)

I love that John is coaching.
I love that he is there for Jake
and I love that he is doing something that he loves to do.

After tonight's game, he was all excited telling me about all of the different signs. 
Just like a little boy. :) 
I love that.

I love that Jake gets to hang out so much with his buddies.



Now . . . I want to tell you something I hate don't really like about the baseball season.

Packing suppers.

I have completely run out of ideas.

Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches.

Please help me out and give me some fun ideas of how I can feed my family a few times a week at a baseball park without using the word "sandwich".

Thank you!!

Cookie Lovin'

Caroline got an Easy Bake oven for Christmas and we finally got around to putting a light bulb in it so she could actually bake something!!

Isn't it funny that a light bulb can bake cookies?

The cookies were pretty and tasty!

Luke agreed.

What is your favorite kind of cookie?
Mine is chocolate chip . . . warm right out of the oven.

The Post with No Pictures

Spring Break is over at our house.

We didn't go to the beach.

We didn't go  to Disney World.

We didn't go anywhere, really.

It was wonderful.

My husband is a teacher and he worked extra hours at his 'second job' to earn a little extra money. (I'm so grateful for him ~ he never complained.)
The kids and I hung out at the house a lot.
The weather was COLD and rainy, but we tried to make the best of it.

We played Wii.
We watched movies.
Lots of movies.
Old movies like Dr. Dolittle. (the original one)
We played games.
We had "cleaning parties".
We drank pop and ate candy because it was Spring Break.
We had friends over for play dates.
We stayed up late.
We slept in.
We read lots of book.

I didn't fill up the gas tank once.

It was wonderful.

Several times I thought I should be taking pictures of everything, but then I decided not to and to just soak in the fun.

I don't have any photos, but I do have a ton of very fond memories of Spring Break 2011.

Favorites on Fridays

Favorite Coffee: Trader Joe's Fair Trade Organic French Roast Decaf


I cannot drink caffeinated coffee.
The doctor has told me I am allergic to it.
I get the cold sweats, I feel faint, my heart races, I feel awful.
I can tell within minutes if the nice person at Starbucks has made a mistake and has given me the real deal.

When I am at home, I choose to make Trader Joe's Fair Trade Organic French Roast Decaf because:

1. it's organic (I don't have to worry about chemicals)
2.  it is naturally decaffeinated (cold water process rather than chemically treated)
3. I think it tastes (and smells) great!!
4. the price is right

source