Wednesday, April 29, 2009
thank you for the DI
sam confirmed to me tonight that we have been spending too much time at the DI lately. i don't think he thought it was a negative thing. the key phrase in his prayer tonight was "thank you that we could always go to the DI." ok, i'm going to lay off; my visits there lately have definitely been paying off. brace yourself to see the new and improved vanderlinden house very soon. and thanks, sam, for being grateful to be taken along on these adventures. :)
pacifier posse
hey pacifier posse,
is it too late for will to join? i know he has never sucked on a pacifier in his life, but once he caught wind of this club he thought he would give it a try. i think he might have liked it more than he thought he would. this is how i found him today as he woke up from his nap; he has only ever used this pacifier for his baby dolls, and i think he was a little ashamed to be found sucking on it.
he tried it again this evening, and when he realized i had seen him he quickly took it out of his mouth declaring it was just for "baby". hopefully though, you could make room for him in this posse???
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
dog needs a new home
my name is calvin.
calvin the big brown dog.
i am 5 years old.
i've been pretty spoiled for those 5 years,
and i'm looking forward to spoiling a new family.
i'm really good with kids,
especially if they have diapers i can shred.
i'm a really good sleeper,
especially if i can do it on your bed or couch.
i don't need much dog food
as long as you leave plenty of leftovers on the counter
or keep food in the kids' hands.
i am an outside dog
for about 2 minutes until i decide i need back in.
then i will whine relentlessly at your door to let you know i'm still out there.
i love going on walks
especially if you weigh under 120 lbs. and don't mind being dragged the whole way.
i'm a great watch dog,
and i bark at everything just in case you need to be warned.
i'm pretty brave
unless the wind is blowing or you go out of town and leave me behind.
i don't tear anything up,
unless you consider shredding the carpet under the bed.
i am house trained
unless i get a tummy ache so bad in the night and can't get you awake
only then do i leave a mound in the floor.
i have great potty habits,
but i would never consider cleaning up after myself,
so i will leave that up to you if you want to use your backyard.
i really am a sweet dog, and i don't really want to leave my great family.
unless you live on a farm in oklahoma.
any takers?
Sunday, April 26, 2009
i don't want to miss a thing
ok, brace yourself for the new series of the longest posts ever. you can skip these if you want; they are mostly for me. i LOVE everyday with these boys, even on the hard days. i can't stand knowing that in 15 years i may not remember the little things, how if felt to have them everyday, the things they said and did, and how their voice sounded. i've become obsessed with not forgetting. i've written things on a calendar page for the boys for quite sometime, but it seems like it gets misplaced, etc. i prefer the permanency of having it on the blog, so i will begin transferring it here with weekly pictures and then print it off every year in a digital scrapbook. i just don't EVER want to forget a thing.
4/20
Sam: you love doing EVERYTHING with me, and for the most part i love that, too. you especially love helping me paint our kitchen table and chairs. it's amusing to see you in your underwear covered in black paint. you are my sidekick for sure; i hope that lasts forever.
Will: you are much more of an independent player. while we are paining or whatever, you happily roam around the backyard, digging in the sandbox, getting in your swing, playing basketball, or just walking around. it's such a relief that you are so easily entertained. i just hope you are getting all the attention you need.
4/21
we've spent the last few days outside playing in the sandbox, jumping on the tramp, digging in the front flowerbed, and going on wagon rides around the block. it's funny, sam looks like a lobster from all the sun and will is turning totally brown. just another example of how different those 2 look!
4/22
Sam: said to Will under the sandbox after will threw a handful of sand at him "do you want to fight or be nice? let's be nice." i love the way he is starting to talk to will; he has become a lot more gentle with him when no one is watching. now if he could just convince will that every time he picks him up it really is a loving action and not torture! i loved his prayer tonight, too. he said "thank you for emi. thank you she can be my cousin. and thank you that she can be my friend." he LOVES emi, and i LOVE his prayers. he's thankful for everything!
Will: whenever he's doing something he shouldn't be doing, i shake my finger at him and say "no, no". now when he's doing something he shouldn't, he looks at me with a huge cheesy grin and shakes his finger until he starts laughing. what a little rascal.
4/23
Sam: his favorite stalling technique lately goes a little something like this... we ask him to do something or put him in bed or whatever. within a few minutes he says "mom, i need to tell you something." ok, what? "i really like this house. i really like my room. how did we get this house?" tonight his stall was kind of cute. i was at a meeting after he had been put to bed. he came downstairs and did the drill with pete. what he needed to tell pete was this... "i really like that pillow that mommy made. she did a really good job." that's sweet.
Will: he is trying so hard to start talking and getting a little frustrated. i think part of the problem is he shakes his no to everything you ask him even if he means yes. he has a way of getting what he wants. his favorite thing is to take me by the hand when he wants something and lead me to it. he has been having a bit of a cold today. i hate that he's sick, but i love that he wants me to hold him nonstop. :)
4/24
We love riding the bike to the library for storytime. the boys just ride in the bike trailer. i love that feeling of flying down the hill; the wind seems to be blowing a bit, and sam always says "it's such beautiful day for a bike ride." i know he has heard that a time or two. today will loved, too. he was giggling almost the whole way. i loved listening to sam "read" to will on the ride home; i'm just glad they ride together better this year than last!
4/25
Sam: i love this conversation sam had with emily today:
sam: we are going to make a spiderman mask today.
emi: i already have a spiderman costume.
sam: did your mom sew it on her sewing machine?
emi: no, sam, we bought it at the store.
sam: (totally confused and trying to process that you can buy that stuff at the store.) oh. we are going to make mine.
i love that he already knows how much we love making things!
Will: this is not a fun thing to remember, but it's definitely who you are right now. you are a hitter; no matter what we do you still keep hitting. you do it like you think it's a total normal response to behavior you don't like it. i can't stand it and hope you grow out of it really soon before you turn into the bully kid. :(
4/26
Sam: he's already starting to protest church every sunday. he pitches a fit for a bit about not wanting to go and finally fesses up that he doesn't want to go because there's always too much singing. he definitely got that from his dad!
Will: we have been dressing will like a little man the last few weeks, and he is SO stinking cute! today he wore sam's old khaki linen suit with his white dress shoes. he looked like a total ham, and i think he loves being dressed up like that. he almost struts around, and he should because he's so adorable!
4/20
Sam: you love doing EVERYTHING with me, and for the most part i love that, too. you especially love helping me paint our kitchen table and chairs. it's amusing to see you in your underwear covered in black paint. you are my sidekick for sure; i hope that lasts forever.
Will: you are much more of an independent player. while we are paining or whatever, you happily roam around the backyard, digging in the sandbox, getting in your swing, playing basketball, or just walking around. it's such a relief that you are so easily entertained. i just hope you are getting all the attention you need.
4/21
we've spent the last few days outside playing in the sandbox, jumping on the tramp, digging in the front flowerbed, and going on wagon rides around the block. it's funny, sam looks like a lobster from all the sun and will is turning totally brown. just another example of how different those 2 look!
4/22
Sam: said to Will under the sandbox after will threw a handful of sand at him "do you want to fight or be nice? let's be nice." i love the way he is starting to talk to will; he has become a lot more gentle with him when no one is watching. now if he could just convince will that every time he picks him up it really is a loving action and not torture! i loved his prayer tonight, too. he said "thank you for emi. thank you she can be my cousin. and thank you that she can be my friend." he LOVES emi, and i LOVE his prayers. he's thankful for everything!
Will: whenever he's doing something he shouldn't be doing, i shake my finger at him and say "no, no". now when he's doing something he shouldn't, he looks at me with a huge cheesy grin and shakes his finger until he starts laughing. what a little rascal.
4/23
Sam: his favorite stalling technique lately goes a little something like this... we ask him to do something or put him in bed or whatever. within a few minutes he says "mom, i need to tell you something." ok, what? "i really like this house. i really like my room. how did we get this house?" tonight his stall was kind of cute. i was at a meeting after he had been put to bed. he came downstairs and did the drill with pete. what he needed to tell pete was this... "i really like that pillow that mommy made. she did a really good job." that's sweet.
Will: he is trying so hard to start talking and getting a little frustrated. i think part of the problem is he shakes his no to everything you ask him even if he means yes. he has a way of getting what he wants. his favorite thing is to take me by the hand when he wants something and lead me to it. he has been having a bit of a cold today. i hate that he's sick, but i love that he wants me to hold him nonstop. :)
4/24
We love riding the bike to the library for storytime. the boys just ride in the bike trailer. i love that feeling of flying down the hill; the wind seems to be blowing a bit, and sam always says "it's such beautiful day for a bike ride." i know he has heard that a time or two. today will loved, too. he was giggling almost the whole way. i loved listening to sam "read" to will on the ride home; i'm just glad they ride together better this year than last!
4/25
Sam: i love this conversation sam had with emily today:
sam: we are going to make a spiderman mask today.
emi: i already have a spiderman costume.
sam: did your mom sew it on her sewing machine?
emi: no, sam, we bought it at the store.
sam: (totally confused and trying to process that you can buy that stuff at the store.) oh. we are going to make mine.
i love that he already knows how much we love making things!
Will: this is not a fun thing to remember, but it's definitely who you are right now. you are a hitter; no matter what we do you still keep hitting. you do it like you think it's a total normal response to behavior you don't like it. i can't stand it and hope you grow out of it really soon before you turn into the bully kid. :(
4/26
Sam: he's already starting to protest church every sunday. he pitches a fit for a bit about not wanting to go and finally fesses up that he doesn't want to go because there's always too much singing. he definitely got that from his dad!
Will: we have been dressing will like a little man the last few weeks, and he is SO stinking cute! today he wore sam's old khaki linen suit with his white dress shoes. he looked like a total ham, and i think he loves being dressed up like that. he almost struts around, and he should because he's so adorable!
Friday, April 24, 2009
free dance saturdays
for all of you who have kids (boys or girls) ages 5-18 that are interested a great free activity on saturdays, then you have to check this out. my very good friend Roxey owns a dance studio, The Groove. Due to tough economic times, she wanted the opportunity to share the art of dance with all kids, so she is offering a variety of free classes every saturday starting may 2 and ending july 25. what a great thing for all of you who are interested. she's a fabulous person and a great dancer. i don't think anyone could wrong doing this. if you are interested, the details are listed below.
location: Groove the Dance Studio
address:1407 S. 600 W. Suite E Woods Cross
schedule: May 2- July 25 class times 9-12
contact: please email if interested grooovedancstudio_wx@yahoo.com
if saturdays aren't good days for you or your kids are too young like mine :( but you might know someone else who is interested, then please send out an email to those people or post it on your blog. she would love to have tons of people participate. hope you will enjoy!
location: Groove the Dance Studio
address:1407 S. 600 W. Suite E Woods Cross
schedule: May 2- July 25 class times 9-12
contact: please email if interested grooovedancstudio_wx@yahoo.com
if saturdays aren't good days for you or your kids are too young like mine :( but you might know someone else who is interested, then please send out an email to those people or post it on your blog. she would love to have tons of people participate. hope you will enjoy!
crockpot thursday
i had intended to post this recipe yesterday since it was another crockpot thursday but never got around to it. however, after i tasted the leftovers today i knew it needed to be a post. i love this time of year when we start eating strawberries, hamburgers, and pulled pork sandwiches like crazy. i don't know what it is about the spring weather, but those are things that starting enticing my taste buds. when i found this recipe that combined strawberries and pulled pork, i knew i had to try it.
Pulled Pork with Strawberry BBQ Sauce
1 2 1/2-3 lb pork sirloin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp cooking oil
4 cups strawberries, halved, and divided (ok, that's 4 CUPS, not 4 STRAWBERRIES like i read it; i guess 4 strawberries was better since sam ate 2lbs of strawberries that i was planning to use the day before. i think 4 cups would've made a difference)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup cider vinegar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. dried rosemary
bottled pepper sauce to your liking (optional)
8 rolls or buns
sprinkle roast with salt and pepper and place in crockpot. mix remaining ingredients including half of the strawberries and pour over roast. cook on high 6 hours. for strawberry BBQ sauce, skim fat from cooking liquid and boil the remaining liquid. reduce heat and simmer 8 minutes. shred pork. stir 1 cup of BBQ sauce into pork. stir remaining strawberries into BBQ sauce. Serve pork on buns. Top with additional sauce.
It was pretty darn tasty. Just a little side note, the next day when you are warming up the leftovers, don't leave the full tupperware on the counter because your dog might eat it just like mine did. :(
Pulled Pork with Strawberry BBQ Sauce
1 2 1/2-3 lb pork sirloin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp cooking oil
4 cups strawberries, halved, and divided (ok, that's 4 CUPS, not 4 STRAWBERRIES like i read it; i guess 4 strawberries was better since sam ate 2lbs of strawberries that i was planning to use the day before. i think 4 cups would've made a difference)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup cider vinegar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. dried rosemary
bottled pepper sauce to your liking (optional)
8 rolls or buns
sprinkle roast with salt and pepper and place in crockpot. mix remaining ingredients including half of the strawberries and pour over roast. cook on high 6 hours. for strawberry BBQ sauce, skim fat from cooking liquid and boil the remaining liquid. reduce heat and simmer 8 minutes. shred pork. stir 1 cup of BBQ sauce into pork. stir remaining strawberries into BBQ sauce. Serve pork on buns. Top with additional sauce.
It was pretty darn tasty. Just a little side note, the next day when you are warming up the leftovers, don't leave the full tupperware on the counter because your dog might eat it just like mine did. :(
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
mpjh
we've got great news, and no, i am not pregnant. pete got the official word yesterday that he will be transferred to mpjh (sorry, you'll have to figure it out; i don't want to post the name of his employer on this blog. but for those of you who know where we live, then know that he will be working only .7 miles east of our house) to be the learning center instructor. we are so excited about this change; he will be PERFECT for those kids. i am so proud of him for how he has excelled so quickly as a teacher; his natural ability hasn't gone unnoticed in the district either. i also love that he will be so close to home, home for lunch, and home after school without a 40 minute commute. my sister jokingly said that after this change i might have more of pete than i could possibly want. is that really possible!? i just can't wait for every second!!
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