The "dalmation" point

So today in "Mama" School we were working on the sight words : is , on, and the. We played matching and other games. And then we were making silly sentences. So that Charley could show daddy tonight, we decided to glue some of the sentences down. Charley wanted to read them for a show. I love that I caught the "Dalmatian" point comment during this video.

Note: If Charley didn't want to sit and do this stuff I sure wouldn't attempt it. But he begs. So why not!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Favorite Place...in 14 days!

Only 14 days and it will be Sunday night...the first night at the cottage. The place my family has gone to for the last 33 years. We have rented the same cabin, at the same resort, with two other families. It is my favorite week of the year. It is the place that holds a very VERY special place in my heart...not just the place -
but the people.
The memories.

So in 14 days I will drive up this road and unpack an enormous amount of luggage and gear. We will smash in a cabin that was tight holding the original five Schneiders...but now holds Schneiders, Roeders, and Wroblewskis. But isn't that what family is.

Yes, I realize that the time is probably coming when I need to let it go and find my own family vacation...but for now. It is this week. THIS WEEK! That I anticipate (and now my son anticipates). My husband...doesn't quite see the beauty in the rustic cabin but yet he too seems to find a day or two to show up and do everything I do in the week in 24 hours.

And the people. I haven't missed a year in 33 years. Others have missed and ARE MISSED when they aren't there. But there is always next year!

14 days! Not to rush summer along...because when I was teaching - it was after the cottage that I went back into school. The end of summer near.

14. days. 14. days.

Race you to the end of the dock!

Who reads this...

Who knows way to much about me and our life? If you do...you could become a follower...I have no idea what this means. I am a follower of a few friend's blogs and nothing has happened after signing up to follow. My sister already has three followers and I have been blogging way longer. Make me smile...follow me....just to the right of this post. Come on Raina...I follow you. And mom you follow Raina and Colleen but not me. What is up with that!

Sarah

Last Eli "update"

Eli is home with his mama and daddy now and doing great. I am no longer needed as Auntie blogging Sarah to give updates. My sister started a blog before he was born and with one week under her belt at home with Eli she is ready to take over updating Eli's life and adventures as a Roeder! So from now on if you are a friend or family member wanting to follow their journey you can find them on her blog...posted on the side of my blog. Her blog is titled Moving On.

Weekend mornings...

This is what life is all about. Mama is vacuuming like a mad woman. Charley is on the computer. Daddy is the target and Henry runs at him over and over again! For over a half hour! He loves it! Ready - Set- Go!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Grace in Small Things #10

1. Watching my boys eat brown rice by the handful, very hard. It required Henry to almost shove his whole hand in his mouth for only a few grains. At least we were eating outside.

2. Playing cards on the deck with Ed and creaming him in Gin tonight!

3. Having a friend who helps talk out parenting strategies! Tomorrow is a new day!

4. Running into friends at Target. Our town isn't very small but I see someone I know every time! Most of the time I love this.

5. Swinging on the hammock while watching my boys and my man do hula hoop tricks.

Soundtrack for summer....

Mine plays at the bottom of this blog...what is on your soundtrack this summer?

My New Favorite Thing...

Last weekend up north Grandma Charlie made a really good salad...a salad she was served when visiting Mama Becca and Daddy Mike. Becca got this recipe out of a magazine or something. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS! She emailed it to me right away...thank you! And I made it tonight with our chicken and corn on the cob. I am so proud of myself because our salads are usually lettuce and dressing...with the occasional crouton, carrot,cucumber, or radish. So this was fancy. I think it is a beautiful salad. It has a unique grain in it called Quinoa. Quinoa can stand alone as a complete protien grain. This salad can be a meal in itself. Yummy!

Greek Quinoa with Avocados

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 cup water
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded fresh spinach
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
Spinach leaves
2 avocados, pitted, peeled, and sliced
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

1. Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together quinoa, tomatoes, shredded spinach, and onion

3. In a small bowl, whish together lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Mix with quinoa mixture.

4. Place extra spinach on plates with avocado slices and quinoa mixture. Sprinkle with feta.


P.S. I skipped the feta because I don't care for it. And I just used lettuce and spinach as my base salad instead of shredded spinach. I am bringing this to make at the cottage mom and dad...and dad you will try this and like it! YUM!

Grace in Small Things #9

1. Being spur of the moment and skipping the library and haircuts to go sliding down the huge blow up slide with Henry and Charley...over and over and over again!

2. Both boys napping.

3. Missing my husband on a random Friday afternoon....and looking forward to a get away for our 7 year anniversary coming up.

4. A cold diet coke during quiet nap time!

5. Anticipating a yummy new salad recipe tonight that will accompany Jessie's chicken breasts on the grill....and a bottle of wine.

Money saving tip #213

When we decided to have me stay home with the boys I was determined to save money in many different areas. I figured out that if I make a double, triple, or quadruple batch of pancakes and freeze them in between pieces of wax paper....I save quite a bit of time and money. I am not at the stove every morning whipping up pancakes and I am not spending $2-$3 on a box with only 6-8 over processed pancakes. Works for me!

This morning I made Grandma Charlie's fluffy pancakes and they turned out much better than my usual recipe! YAY!