Back in the Swing of Things

School has begun!  Our family is back into our "wa-wa-hoo" lifestyle.  Bryan is working on grad school and totally engrossed in football season.  I am trying to learn all about my new adorable fifth grade class and teach them everything I know about math!  All the while, Nathan and Jordan get to spend every day with Gram.  :)  They are totally okay with that!  I will be grieving my time away from the boys until Thanksgiving break...then again until Christmas break...then again until Spring Break...then again until Summer break.  The good thing is that I get to oogle and google and love on 90 precious, energetic, funny, quirky, and totally cool fifth graders every day.  Those 10 and 11 year olds can make the day go by super fast.  I couldn't go to sleep without an overdue update tonight...

• Our school started the first day with a "Rules Assembly" led by our principal when all of a sudden the music blared and it was a TEACHER FLASH MOB!  I was thrilled to learn a fun organized dance with my fellow fun teachers and the kids loved it!  If I can get my hands on the video, I will be sure to upload it here.  What a fun way to start the first day!
• The boys have their preschool "Meet the Teacher" this week.  I am absolutely thrilled with their teachers this year.  They are sisters and they are long time childhood friends of mine.  So glad that Nater-Tot and Jordy get to sit at their feet and learn and laugh with them this year.  It brings so much joy to my heart knowing N and J will be in great hands at preschool. 
• I just discovered tonight that I love "Picker Sisters" on Lifetime.  Ummmm...I love junk and I love watching talented people turn junk into awesome pieces of furniture and accessories.
• The boys have a new love for dinosaurs.  How do boys know to love dinosaurs?  I think it's a God-given boy characteristic.  Same thing with trash-trucks.  Nathan and Jordan love trash trucks.  Really?!  Cracks me up.
• Got out some Fall decorations today...getting excited about the season.  I'm just wishing the temperature would catch up with the month.  I have had enough of these 105 degree days.  Texas teachers are about to go bananas since we haven't been able to have outdoor recess for 8 school days. 
• Oh, and I made a new chicken and rice with broccoli recipe last night that was delish.  I'll post it below if you are interested.  I got it several years ago from another blog but I just dug it out of my recipe book try this week.  :)

Almond Chicken and Rice

4 small boneless chicken breasts (1 lb)  I used chicken tenders.
1/4 cup KRAFT Tuscan Italian Dressing and Marinade
1 1/4 cups fat-free reduced sodium chicken broth
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup instant white rice, uncooked ( I used Minute Rice)
3 Tbsp. sliced almonds (toasted) -I just stuck them on a pan under the broiler for a few seconds

I threw about 8-10 frozen chicken tenders in a zip-lock baggie in the fridge in the morning before I left for school.  They were thawed by the time I got home.   COOK chicken in 2 Tbsp dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat.  Cook on each side until browned a bit.  In a separate bowl, stir 1/4 cup dressing, chicken broth, and garlic.  Add broth mixture to the chicken and bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer a couple minutes until chicken is done. (165 degrees)  Remove chicken; cover to keep warm.  ADD broccoli to the skillet; cook, uncovered for about 3 minutes. Stir in rice and almonds.  Remove from the heat or simmer on low about 7 minutes. Serve chicken over rice.  YUM!  The broccoli and rice are so delicious because they were cooked in the chicken broth/dressing/garlic mixture.  Enjoy!

Much love,

"Ellie" and "Boo Kanket"

In the whirlwind of my last week of summer, (sniff sniff), I had to pause and post a couple of pictures of the boys and their lovies.  Jordan's special lovey is Ellie, the elephant.  Nathan's special lovey is "Boo Kanket," the softest blue teddy bear blanket ever. I snapped pictures today of the boys and their best little buddies.

Boo Kanket

Snuggled up for morning cartoons...

 Dragging "Boo Kanket" around the house all day...

Looks a little like Linus from Charlie Brown, huh?  :)

Ellie (x3)

Snuggled up with Ellie for morning cartoons...you've got to rub Ellie on your nose for the most comfort.

Hanging out with Jordy...

Jordan lined up his Ellies and "read" them his new library book.

And sometimes, Ellies even gets a good bath in the kitchen sink...courtesy of best bud, Jordy.

Jordan even stays close while they dry in front of the fan.



I had a pink bunny for my lovey as a kid.  My sister had a pink washcloth that she called "Pink Strings."  What great childhood memories!  It's amazing how comforting a blanket or stuffed animal might be for a little one isn't it? 

So sweet.



Picture Perfect!

Gram wanted a new picture of all FIVE of her grandchildren.  So, Emily and I were happy to take the kids to get some new pictures taken.  I was really worried that this might be a nightmare.  The boys are very "two-years-old" right now...not always very cooperative, shy of strangers, temperamental...you know?...TWO.  However, for some crazy reason, they thought the photographer and his sidekick were hilarious.  Thank goodness.  We actually got some really cute pics!  I was so glad Gram suggested this photoshoot! 

Highlights from a Week of SummerFUN!

We had a nice visit from our Tennessee cousins last week.  We decided to try out the new aquarium in town.  :) 

Baby Georgia turned ONE!

Fried chicken and watermelon for this "Georgia peach!"

Jenn and her baby girl -

A peach pinata!

CUPCAKES!

The boys enjoyed their first cousin slumber party last night. We had so much fun with Brayden and Bryce!  The boys were so excited!  Nathan and Jordan thought Brayden and Bryce's sleeping bags were so cool.  This gave me hope that N and J just might sleep on their nap mat at preschool this year. 

Here they are sharing sleeping bags and watching "Tow-Mater's Tall Tales."  -an all time favorite movie at our house. 

Nater-Tot, B-Ray, Bryce-ey, and Jordy

Suppertime - It was fun to have a crowded table for supper!

Storytime - Such sweet boys  :)

Happy Brayden and Jordan!

Happy Bryce and Nathan!

It has been such a fun week!  Only a couple weeks of summer left....ugh.  I sure do love my job but it is NEVER easy to go back to work each year.  Let's just not talk about it.  :)



Go Bears!

Bryan and I took the boys on a short trip to our Alma Mater today.

Sing with me Baylor Fans -


"That good old Baylor line!
That good old Baylor line!
We'll march forever down the years,
As long as stars shall shine.
We'll fling our green and gold afar
To light the ways of time,
And guide us as we onward go;
That good old Baylor line! "
"That Good Old Baylor Line"
Words 1952 by Eaid Eastland Markham. Assigned to Baylor University, Waco, Texas ARR.

Jordy and Nater-Tot showing off their BEAR CLAWS.  Sic 'Em Bears!

Me and my little bears  :)

We visited "Lady" and "Joy" at the Bear Habitat on campus.  The boys were so excited!  (The bears were napping...I guess the heat zaps them just like it does me.)

Then a visit to the Baylor Bookstore...Nathan and Jordan were thrilled to find bears on all the BU t-shirts!

Bear claws too. 

Nathan found a good spot at the bookstore.

It was a good day, a really good day.  :)

JUMP!

A fun little morning at JumpZone!

I'm including this picture of me just so you can get a snicker out of it.  Have you ever seen such a ridiculous picture?  Oh goodness, the things we do for our children. (grin)

"A merry heart does good like a medicine"  Proverbs 17:22

You know you live in a house full of boys if...

You wake up from a nap with a slimy, neon orange lizard on your shoulder!  Sneaky little
Jordan thought Mama needed a little surprise.  Daddy was so kind to snap a picture with his phone before I woke up.