On again, off again...

That's the story of Spring right now! The last day off March brought a gigantic snowstorm/slushstorm. The weatherman said that Woodbury got about 5 inches, my measurements (from the deck railing) are a bit different. Nevertheless, the family got out a bit yesterday and enjoyed a snowball fight. Here are the pictures to prove it.

Lemon-Thyme Tea Bread

Okay, so it isn't my recipe. It's my friend Carey's recipe. Visit her blog if you want. Hers is "The Eigen Family" blog link from this blog. Anyhoo, this bread is uniquely grand. Try it!

Lemon-Thyme Tea Bread

3/4 cup milk
1 T minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 T lemon juice
1 T grated lemon peel

Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 T lemon juice

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine milk and thyme. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly; cover and let stand for 5 min. Cool to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with reserved milk mixture. Stir in lemon juice and lemon peel.

Pour into a greased 9x5x3 loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for 10 min. before removing from pan to a wire rack.

In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over bread.
Yields 1 loaf.

Mini Political Advocates

The girls and I went to the Capitol bldg. in St. Paul to support ECFE. ECFE (Early Childhood and Family Education) is a state funded program providing communities with early education classes for children aged birth-5 years and their parents. I have been attending ECFE classes since McKenna was about 6 months old. For more info on ECFE click here.

The girls rode a school bus for the first time. They liked it. They especially liked wearing no seat belts and being free from car seats/booster seats. I did not like that!

First, we visited some politicians. Sen. Kathy Saltzman spoke with us. We thanked her for her support of ECFE and early education. We asked her to continue to support funding in spite of the recession our state is currently in.

We also spoke with State Rep. Marsh Swails; she represents our district. Similarly, we shared our appreciate for the program and asked that she continue to support funding for ECFE.

We presented each with flowers made out of construction paper. Yes, I am passionate about the program. I feel that it really provides parents an open and easily accessible door to being involved in their children's education. I could go on and on about the benefits of parents being involved in education. It makes for more a successful student and, in general, more successful life for that student.

We also meandered around the building, which is very beautiful! We posed with Minnesota's 37th governor, Arne Carlson.

Once we got home I called the editor of our local newspaper and emailed him lots of pictures! They are currently scheduled to be published in the April 9th publication under "Photo Forum."

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend started, for us, Friday night. The girls and I (daddy helped a bit during homework breaks) made Easter cutout cookies. We had lots of cookie cutters to fit the occasion. Then we made icing and decorated them.

Saturday morning we woke up and went to a little Easter party at a friends house. We played with play dough, had an egg hunt, ate yummy bunny and egg themed treats, and jumped in a bouncy. Here's our friend Mikayla enjoying some of the chocolate!



Here are the girls, also enjoying some chocolate. Ella opened each egg immediately as she found it and ate the treat before I could get to her.



Saturday night we decorated eggs with dye, stickers, markers, and egg tattoos! We didn't do too many because Arthur is the only one who will eat them.

Sunday morning, Easter Sunday, we went to church wearing our Easter best. we woke up to tons of snow! After church we ate a small lunch and had an egg hunt and gave the girls their baskets. For dinner we went to Arthur's parents' house and had a gigantic meal (prepared mostly by Joann) and visited.

Here's a picture of the girls and their daddy enjoying their baskets.

When we came home from Easter dinner we noticed this in our neighbor's yard. I wish that we could take the credit for these mad snow skills....but we can't. They had to use a ladder it was so tall!

It's All Greek to Me!

Winter Institutes, ever heard of them? My church offers 3-4 week classes towards the end of winter on a variety of topics: Christian parenting, evangelism, mission work, Biblical geography, etc. These classes take place on Sunday nights for about 2 hours each session. The church offers childcare and the classes are free. They are taught by a variety of people generally professionally trained/education in the subject area they are talking about.

I decided to take a class this time around. The class that I participated in was called "It's All Greek to Me." This class focused on getting a basic understanding (very basic, because it was only 3 weeks long) of the Greek language as it relates to the New Testament. Essentially, having a working knowledge of Greek is like reading the Bible in color. Another benefit comes into play when reading commentaries or understanding specific words in scripture and being aware of their "slight shades of differences."

There was a brief history of the Greek language discussing the evolution from Linear B to Classical Greek (8th Century BC) to Hellenistic Greek to, finally, Koina Greek.

We went over the Greek alphabet and discussed similarities and differences compared with the English alphabet. (I can write my name in Greek!!) This class really required me to recall my college instruction in grammar and syntax. Several words/phrases were thrown around and I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that a few of them went out just as fast as they went in: semantic domains, in/definite articles, subjunctive, in/direct object, transliterations, periphrastic constructions, etc...

The Greek language has an interesting array of verb tenses and voice: pluperfect, perfect, imperfect, aorist, present, future. Each of those can be passive or active.

We discussed 2 types of word studies:
diachronic-tracing the use of the word through history, noting changes

synchronic-determining the range of meanings

As a class we looked at the word "dwelling" and "tabernacle" and found several shades of difference.

Over all, I enjoyed the class. However, it was meant for 6-8 weeks rather than 3!

Next time, use a stud finder!

It was Thursday morning and I was having a mini play date with a newer friend. She'd never been to the house before. That means that I would need to get each room presentable.

First up, kitchen...dishes, more dishes, have kid friendly snack ready, sweep, sweep again. Done.

Next, TV room...fold throw blankets, arrange couch cushions, organize videos on shelf. Done

Family room and playroom..."Girls, pick up your toys." Vacuum. Done.

Now, upstairs....Ella's room...make bed. Done. (It wasn't too bad.)

McKenna's room...make bed(s). (The toys/books were already picked up.)

Here's where the story comes in:

McKenna has bunk beds. In order to "properly" make her bed it needs to be moved away from the wall. I have done this several times. I just pull it out about 3 inches and forward about 3 inches. It's just enough for me to slide my arm comfortably between and tuck in the sheets and straighten her comforter. For some reason the bed always slides out a bit more easily than it goes in. Hmm. Go figure! When I am done, I slide the bed against the wall, then proceeded to the foot of the bed. I need to push it up into the corner and all is done. I do this by anchoring myself. I lean my lower back (okay, my dupa)against the wall behind and use my leg strength to push the bed about 2-3 inches into its proper place. I have done this many, many times before.

This time I positioned my "lower back" as I always do. I put my right heel onto the middle of her foot board and..push. What happened next was not expected. There was a crackling and tearing sound and instead of the bed moving, the drywall behind me decided to cave in under the pressure. McKenna's cute pear green and pastel pink wall has a dent/whole the size of a basketball. Take a look for yourself.

When I called and explained to Arthur he said, "Next time, use a stud finder!"

Happy Birthday Grandma and Uncle Dave

Today is my Grandmother's birthday, as well as my Uncle Dave's. I wish to say happy birthday to each of them.

My grandmother has parented 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She has supported all of us in a variety of ways: prayerfully, physically, emotionally, financially. I love you Grandma.

Uncle Dave, thanks for being more than an uncle. You have, at times, been to me a friend, confidant, brother and uncle. (You know, I really want to put "entertainer" on that list!)
Thanks! I love you too and wish you a happy birthday.

Dora!

On February 26th Ella celebrated her 3rd birthday. Ella requested a Dora party. Once again, I was on the job! I LOVE putting together parties. All of the little girls (and one boy-Levi) were able to come. She had tons of fun and received lots of fun gifts (almost all Dora related). Of course, there were plenty of activities to entertain that many 3 year olds. McKenna and Ella decided to dress up as Dora for the party! Very cute!

Also important--I had lots of help to pull this off.


The kids played in the playroom while everyone arrived. We started with bubble popping to a Dora song that talks about, what else--popping bubbles. We also read 2 Dora storybooks. Arthur and I made these small Dora character posters and colored them. For gift opening we placed them in a circle and each child sat on one. When his/her character's name was called, that child was able to present her/his gift to Ella. It worked like magic. Everyone stayed in the circle; everyone was able to see. There was a special Dora video (I hated having the kids watch TV at a party--but this was a very special video). I have posted a small segment of the video. We ended the party with a homemade
pinata of Backpack.



On the menu:
cheese quesadillas, beef tacos, arroz con leche (rice pudding), fruit salad and cake and ice cream


Worth noting:

Ella hasn't thoroughly enjoyed birthday parties in the past. We think she doesn't always enjoy being the center of attention (I can't fathom this?). She handled this one lots better and did have fun. However, she didn't want us to sing Happy Birthday to her and she didn't want to blow out her candles either!

Happy St. Patty's Day (late)

The girls and I dressed in green and I thought the picture was worth sharing.

Slumberless Party

This past weekend I was blessed enough to be able to attend a girls sleepover. I believe that most of the girls were all in their early 30's! So, what do grown women do at a sleepover?

1. Scrapbook! Scrapbook! Scrapbook!
2. Gab, talk, chat, laugh
3. Munch
4. Eat pizza that isn't smothered in five different types of meat.
5. Eat pizza that has more than just cheese on it.
6. Have a back rub chain. Yes, that's right.
7. Go to bed as late as we want (2:30am for me) and wake up when we want.
8. Watch something other than Nickelodeon
9. Play a game more complex than Candyland.
10. Did I mention Scrapbook?

I had a ton of fun! I thank my husband and in-laws for caring for my children while I was gone. I thank my friend Karin for organizing and hosting.

I was actually able to organize 1 rubber bin full of photos and complete about 18 pages in a few books. I feel good about that.

Fun facts about our modern day quilting bee:

1. There was chocolate and Caribou.
2. I don't recall anyone speaking poorly of her husband. I do recall a few who chose to brag about their husbands! =)
3. There were lots of giggles and screams during a game of Loaded Question.
4. Karin's Cricut was FANTASTIC!
5. The Lemon Thyme bread was very unique. I liked it!
6. There was a bit of 80's music played.
7. A few women played video games.
8. I used the restroom more than the 2 pregnant women?!
9. I don't think anyone cried!
10. We played a scrapbooking game that allowed each person to walk away with a layout.

Settings

So, I didn't realize that you had to register with Google if you wanted to leave a comment on this blog. I have since changed the settings. Please let me know if you aren't able to leave a comment. It should, at present, allow anyone who views to leave a comment. Forgive me fellow bloggers; I am slow.

Pictures Past, part 3

Here are Joann (Mammy) and Adrian (Pa-pa) and the girls. Taken Summer of 2006!

Sweet little Ella tolerated me while I was playing "photographer" around Valentine's Day a year ago. She is so sweet!

Pictures Past, part 2

Here's a super cute picture of Nathaniel, McKenna and Matthew. This was taken at my mom's house this past November. We had a little birthday party for Matthew!

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess

This past Monday McKenna's preschool observed Dr. Seuss' birthday. They had a birthday party for him. Read a different Dr. Seuss book each class (she meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). Someone dressed up as The Cat in the Hat and visited the classroom. I guess the class sang Happy Birthday. For an art project, they made their own hats out of ribbons, paper plates, pom poms, paint, etc. She has a new found love for Dr. Seuss books. We only have a few here at home and she has had me read them all this week. Even Ella enjoyed it a bit!

Happy Birthday Sara!!

Pictures Past

This posting is primarily to show off some pictures: random and cute!

This was my 2nd 29th birthday celebration. Several family members traveled to have a girls weekend! It was a blast! We rode in a limo, ate at a fantastic restaurant, and shopped--a lot! May of 2007.


Cioci Sara and McKenna!

Aunt Marie lets Max break the rules!!

Mommy and Ella at the beach house! Taken July 2007.

Here are my Aunt Marie and Uncle Larry (or Uncle Larry the Cucumber, as McKenna calls him). They are holding Ella. This was taken July of 2005.

Here is a four generation picture: Lynne (Nana), Laura (Mom), Me, McKenna and Ella.

Arthur and McKenna at the ocean. She wasn't quite ready!

Picture Perfect Ella!

Dad (Grandpa Higgins), McKenna and Ella. I believe this was taken in August of '05!!

Arthur and Jeremiah and crab legs =)

Madelia, MN

Our 3rd annual trip to "the hotel" family gathering was this weekend. This year it was at the AmericInn in Madelia, MN (only a 2.5 hour drive from our house). We celebrated Ella's and Kelsi's 3rd birthday (though there were a few others who just celebrated -or are just about to celebrate).

It was fun to reconnect with everyone. McKenna and Ella were so jazzed about seeing their cousins and of course swimming! Though, I am not sure which they enjoyed the most-swimming or jumping on the bed.

We had a hard time getting Ella, Kelsi and McKenna to smile for the camera. They were too interested in the presents they had just opened. Of course there was a ton of food to eat. We rented the "party room" and munched most of the night. The girls stayed up about 2 hours later than normal and got up about 15 minutes earlier than normal!! Go figure!