I'm a GLEEK...and so are my kids!

El bought me the Glee soundtrack. So between that, watching Glee and American Idol, Maddy has become quite the little singer. As soon as we get in the car, she has requests!

I don't know if these are as funny as I think they are, but I just can't stop laughing!! Try not to mind the mess. This is what happens when Maddy refuses to nap at home several days in a row. Laundry sits in the basket waiting to be folded, while another pile accumulates to be washed. And toys, there will always be toys on the floor if the kids are awake!



Watch how into it she gets in this one. Apani was getting jealous though, so I had to tape her too.

Dinner, is it really that time already??

Of all the housework that needs to be done, there's only one thing we can count on happening pretty much daily...dinner.

I hate cooking. No, I don't hate cooking. The hardest part is figuring out what to make...the rest is easy. Lately, I've been feeling so full at the end of the day and I shouldn't. We eat early! The problem is, my meals are too heavy. I like cream cheese. Really, I feel like my cooking repertoire is too limited:

You can count on:
steamed broccoli or green beans
corn or peas

Then:
potatoes, pasta, egg noodles, or rice

And of course:
Meat of some sort, usually seasoned similarly. ... I don't do fish.

I just didn't have the energy to think this week. Tell me what to cook and I'll make it. But El never gives me any ideas. The kids, just want cereal. I could totally do that, especially in warm weather. Thus, my ambition to cook is more than lacking. El, on the other hand needs his meat.

So, rather ambitiously, before I wrote my usual grocery list, I pulled out a cookbook. It was a Christmas gift from my mother a few years back, but had become a fixture and was only collecting dust. It's time to put it to good use. I picked out 5 recipes for meat and 5 for veggies.

My menu this week is

Garlic Lime Chicken
Beet and Orange Salad

Roast Pork with Raspberry Sauce
Sweet Potato Casserole

Chicken Supreme
Old Fashioned Baked Beans

Meatballs in Cream Sauce with Linguini and Sauteed Asparagus ( I know, pasta)

Spinach Stuffed Beef Tenderloin w/carrot mashed potatoes (Yup and more potatoes, but hey, I'm trying really hard!)
Lemony Acorn Squash

So check my food blog more often, especially if you want one of these recipes. With the new recipes, I'll have to share the successes and failures!

The Spring Concert

Tonight was the girls' Spring Concert at school. Apani was so nervous. Every night leading up to it she told me she didn't want to go. Thankfully she has such a great big sister!



It was so cute. I'm so glad we went. When I first found out about it, I was upset because it was mandatory but scheduled after their normal bedtime. I was also nervous about Maddy being cranky but we left her home...she actually wanted to go to bed early. Could that be any more perfect? So it was just the girls, El and I and it was adorable!

We made it there early enough to find seats in FRONT! I couldn't have planned it any better. Except that a little girl with a huge flower in her hair stood right in front of Apani. Ugh!



Sorry the video isn't steady. Apani was cracking me up. And then the look on Kaity's face as she turned to her for a moment...priceless!

Potty Training

Maddy has been ready since January. I have not. She was doing so well. Peeing all the time. But I was lazy. I didn't want to deal with it just yet. It's hard to bend over, my tummy is huge. I'm exhausted and oh-so-tired all the time. Though I told myself if she would poop on the potty I would become strict and actively pursue potty training.

Well, a few days ago, Maddy pooped on the potty!! Yay Maddy!!! It was time to pull out the panties, move the potty to the living room and pretty much stay home bound for a few days. I was all ready. I had my bribing candy (lollipops and jelly beans, both of which she says very well.) However, since then, she wants nothing to do with the potty. She won't even pee anymore. Ugh!

I was starting to give up when in Nursery today, I saw some struggling. I asked if she wanted to go to the potty. Of course she said no. I was not going to give up, tho. This child is ready to be trained and I had gummy bears! So after informing her of this special and new-to-her treat, she walked to the restroom. She picked her stall and after a little hesitation, success! As she ate her bears, she peed in her diaper. Bummer. But maybe this week will be more successful.

Sweet, sweet, savings!

I bought 4 half gallons of ORGANIC milk for $7.80!

Horizon Milk is on sale at Freshtown (Foodtown) 2 for $5 if you spend 300 points.

I had 2 coupons for 55 cents. You can find them HERE - Horizon Dairy. Freshtown here doubles coupons thus saving me $2.20!

At regular price, that milk would have cost me $18.

A lesson in Science ... As told by a 5 year old.

Kaitlyn, "Mommy, your brain has eyes."
Me, "Are you sure?"
K, "Yes, your brain connects to the eyes."
Me, "Ooooh. ... Did you learn that at school?"
K, "No. Spongebob!"

Updates

I've been neglecting my blogs. But cheer up, I added a recipe :)

Greek Burgers

The girls are going to bed later and I no longer have time at the end of my day. I miss the nights when the sun went down by 6. Maddy has become super tough that all my housework needs to be done after the girls are in bed. All my leisurely activities have gone by the wayside. By time lunch boxes are packed, dishes, laundry, and cleaning is finished, if it even gets done that day, I'm ready for bed.

El bought me the Cricut. So I've been trying to get crafty but man, where's the time?? I did manage to make some things for the girls' room.





Kaity is good. She loves school, doing and reading well. Apani is tougher than ever. She tests me constantly and doesn't give up. She is persistant and sometimes, I feel like I'm dealing with a teenager. Last night she yelled at me, "I hate living with this family!" I still don't know what to do with her. But like Kaity, she's doing well in school and really enjoys it. The weather has been beautiful so we have been spending a lot of time outside. Every other day or so another flower has sprouted. It's a lot of fun finding out what we have. Right now, we're betting what color our tulips will be.

Maddy has been hard too. She is taking after Apani and it's been quite a struggle. She whines and cries most the day. She hits and has major tantrums. But she is also so sweet and loving. She's got a great personality and cracks us up all the time with her silly faces.

The girls are happy here. I'm still trying to adjust.

El bought a car and I'm working on getting my license. Hopefully, I'll have it by May and I plan to visit Brooklyn once a month. However, I've found with three kids, planning doesn't work well.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter! We miss you terribly!