Summer Musings

Tommy and the kids love to go to the pool. I enjoy the sun, enjoy the time with the family, but I am not a big fan of the pool. The kids know that, because Daddy is way more fun anyhow. Notice how there are no pictures of me in the water with the kids? Not that I didn't get in the water, but, well, it IS my blog, but I am the one with the camera, so that settles that. But I was never a big fan of the water. I am not a swimmer, and to tell the truth, I loathe and dispise bathing suits. I am no Claudia Schiffer or Heid Klum (boy, would I love to look that good pregnant, or even be close to their heights - 5'11" and 5'9") by ANY stretch, but seriously, does anyone LIKE putting on a bathing suit? I mean, the process of finding one alone is pure torture, with the bazillion of styles for this body type, color choices, florescent bulbs and *shudder* mirrors and dontevengetmestartedonshaving. Ever notice the common theme when you see bathing suit models (besides the perfect bodies, airbrushing and retouching)? The suits are dry. It's a conspiracy. Even if you find one that looks remotely good, get it wet, and all bets are off. It starts sagging here, clinging more here, don't forget the wedgie back THERE, and the straps falling down, and don't sit on the side of the pool, or you will have a backside faded and pill-y. It's a lose-lose situation. And that's if you don't have kids. If you have kids, you have to get a towel wrapped around them first. You have to carry the baby in and out, and therefore can't tug on the offending area while holding said 20 pound appendage, since of course, it takes 2 hands since it's wet and stuck to you. And you know, even if you go in the water in a t-shirt and shorts, it STILL is the same thing.

So while I do, in theory, enjoy the pool with the family, can't we do it without everything that comes with it? As my dad used to tease us, can't we go to the pool and not get wet?

Summer Fun

It's summertime, so Tommy has been bringing us to the pool lately. The kids really enjoy the pool with Daddy. William loves the water, but he has the most fun doing this....

That's better

Whenever people come to my house, I often get the same comment: "whoa, you have a lot of family, and a lot of magnets." Or something to that effect. It's funny, but I didn't think that it was a lot until I started taking them off the fridge. I love having the pictures on the fridge to help me think of my family and friends. All the magnets are from a place we've been and they have some great memories for us. There are some from our honeymoon (it's the gold one next to the timer), trips to Europe, souveniers from other people's trips for us, Tommy's business trips (and there have been many), and a plethora of Disney. I thought maybe I would like the fridge without any magnets, but once they came off, the fridge looked so bare. Patrick didn't like it bare, so when I asked the kids to help me, he was the first one at my side.

I don't know. I think I could do it both ways.

Feeling a bit underdressed

Don't you think? (for those of you who have been to our house, update to come tomorrow!)

Two words: Bacon Grease

Oh man. I found another salad recipe that I made for this past weekend. Talk about yummy! I don't think I was the only one who enjoyed the salad, but I also think that I may not have made enough food for everyone that came over.....I had to order pizza for dinner! Ack. I felt like a failure. We had such a big family, and I just wasn't thinking about 2 meals. When Tommy said he wanted to grill, I kindly suggested that I make a ham. He insisted-er, suggested that "it will be fine." Well, I should have just made this ham from Joy of Cooking (scroll down), and I would have felt better. But, I didn't listen to my angel, so I had to order pizza (hangs head in shame). Still, I am probably the only one who noticed and even if I wasn't, Tommy's family is so nice that they wouldn't have said anything anyways!

Anyhow, back to that salad.

The Pampered Chef ®
Wilted Spinach Salad with Candied Pepper Bacon

Bacon and Salad
4 slices thick cut bacon
1 tbsp packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1 package fresh baby spinach
1 medium Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced into thin wedges
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion wedges
Salt and pepper
2 hard cooked eggs, peeled and cut into wedges

Dressing
1 tbsp reserved drippings from bacon (aka BACON GREASE)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Dijon Mustard

1. Line bacon on parchment paper on a microwave safe plate, sprinkle with brown sugar and pepper. Cook in microwave for 3-5 minutes, or until crispy. Drain on paper towel and reserve that BACON GREASE. Cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Set aside.
2. Combine spinach, apple, onion in a large bowl. For dressing, whisk bacon drippings (GREASE), brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard in a microwave safe bowl. Cover, microwave on high 2 minutes or until bubbly. Pour dressing over salad to serve, and toss gently. Season with salt and pepper. Top with egg wedges and bacon. Serve immediately.

Serves: 4 (obviously I made more than this for the army, I mean family that came over. ;)
The Pampered Chef Spin on Salads cookbook.

Music to my ears:
"Mommy, this is so yummy! Thank you for this yummy meal."

I love my sweet Emma!

Fourth Family Weekend

All of the Reynolds-tribe was in town this weekend! We took about 100 pictures (or it seemed like) of the family, families, parents, and grandkids, and just had a wonderful time. Not only did we ALL get together on the fourth, we were ALL together on the fifth! We are so blessed!
For those of you who don't know: Jimmy, Johnny, Danny, Chrissy, Tommy, Peter, Paul and Mary. Yes, I did say Peter, Paul and Mary.

Frontyard fireworks display and sparklers were great for everyone, though Patrick enjoyed the view from inside the house with his cousin Luke, Aunt Amber, Mommy and William.

Testing Panic

We homeschooled Patrick for Kindergarten this past year, and (though it WAS K only) it was very nerve-wracking for me. I worried that I wouldn't do a good job. He is such a smart kid, and reads amazingly well, but I wanted someone else to back me up, and to give me something to show a potential school someday. Seton Home Study has a California Placement Test that they will send you to help with just that. It's one of those "fill in the O's" test, while you are read the questions, in a certain amount of time. I thought it was pretty easy for Patrick, and I made sure not to help him, so he would do it on his own.

The results came today. It took me a few minutes to figure out what the numbers meant, and when I did, I panicked. It showed that there were only 11 out of 20 math problems right. The comprehension section was just average (my child?? AVERAGE!?), but the LOW side of average. There is this number on the bottom that looks TERRIBLE, and my heart is sinking lower and lower as I continue to read. Tommy keeps asking to see it, and I can't even talk I am so upset. "I've failed him. I will never be a good teacher. Time to throw in the towel. Apparently I need to go to Kindergarten again!" My eye continues to scan those numbers, and I go to the top of the page.

There is a girl's name on here. That's not my address. Wait a minute, that's not mine OR Tommy's name up there. They sent us someone else's test scores! There was another piece of paper in there with Patrick's test scores (trust me, I checked the name before I read it), and (thankfully) he did great.

Whew! I was so relieved that I actually got the giggles. Tommy was laughing, I was laughing, and though I felt bad for the other kid and the scores, I was so thankful for that moment to show me that I wasn't a failure.

This is what happens....

..when you leave a hungry baby alone (for just a minute) with the food juust in reach.

One of my favorite things

I love to turn the corner and see Patrick and Emma sitting and reading together. Patrick used to sit with the book and make up a story for Emma. It's so amazing to watch the change now he can read. Emma is listening, though the motion would suggest otherwise. It is a little long, but I am the proud mommy!

Off to see the Tiger

Tommy is off to the AT&T golf tournament today with BOTH Patrick and Emma. He did this last year with just Patrick, who is very happy to sit and watch quietly. Emma, well, she has a lot more questions and won't sit as quietly sometimes. It's okay, but just not on a golf course. There were a few meltdowns before they even got in the car, so here's hoping they have a good day. (sending my angel....) I just hope she isn't disappointed when there isn't a lady golfer to be seen as she does on the computer golf game.

Blogosphere Musings

I love blogs. I am so addicted to reading blogs, keeping up with all the news, enjoying someone with a great sense of humor, their great recipes, homeschooling tips, living a Catholic life and much more. Now that I have started a blog, I wonder why people come here (if you like it, why don't you comment?!?? j/k)? The kids come by while I am on the computer, and I always get a question that makes me think. There will be a picture of someone's kids, dogs, or whatever, and they will ask "who is that?" I don't usually go into a long explanation, but it usually prompts this next question: "do you know them?" Hmm. Do I? Well, in a way, yes, I do. I know about their life, their struggles, the joys, and I feel like I know them. I may not know them in real life, but I know ABOUT them. Now that I have a blog they can come and "know" me too.

I am a stay at home mom. I have lots of sisters in the area (yay!) and we very often are able to be together. But there are days when I don't talk to anyone but the kids. The phone doesn't ring, emails don't ding, and we are just us. I love days like that, but sometimes I need to have grown-up things. Things that challenge my thinking. Encourage me when I am at my lowest. Tell me that I CAN get through the tough days, cherish the beautiful days, and keep going. Blogs are an outlet. My blog is my outlet. I can get "away" for just a few minutes and recharge to keep going. I do know them. They make me think a little harder, laugh a little more, and cry when I need it. I am so grateful to have them all.