I'm going to do a few races this year.
I've set some goals for the year.
I'm going to do some reading again.
I'd also like to try more new recipes. But I'm not setting a goal or plan on that one.
Monday, December 31, 2012
12 Things I loved about 2012
A friend is posting her "top 12 things in 2012" and it looks like fun. Like her, these are in no particular order. :)
12. Marian's Family Reunion: It was super fun to see my cousins and aunts & uncles. We had 4 fun-filled days of laughing.
11. Ivy starting kindergarten: she says her favorite part of school is gym and friends. I love her teachers.
10. Spending time with the Stones: It was great having Jeremy's sister & her kids here for a couple weeks this summer. And then we spent two weeks with them in Florida. Lots of awesome cousin time!
9. I finished my first and perhaps only half marathon. It was very hard work, and I'm still not sure I enjoyed it. But I did it.
8. I lost 17 pounds. That puts me closer to my goal. (never mind if I gained a couple pounds over the holidays) And here's to more hard work. Maybe another half marathon to keep me motivated. :)
7. Spending fun times with the neighbors over the summer.
6. Many many days at Valley Fair and the MN Zoo.
5. Date Night!!
4. Downton Abbey. Seriously.
3. All the days we got to spend with my family. And the few days Ivy & Jamey got to spend up there.
2. Bethany living with us has been good. It's fun to hang out with her, and the kids love her.
1. Watching all Jeremy's races and the kids' swimming lessons. And all the bike rides, walks, days at the pool. Chutes & Ladders, Memorial Park, Kid Night at Lakefront Park, and hiking around Murphy Hanrehan.
12. Marian's Family Reunion: It was super fun to see my cousins and aunts & uncles. We had 4 fun-filled days of laughing.
11. Ivy starting kindergarten: she says her favorite part of school is gym and friends. I love her teachers.
10. Spending time with the Stones: It was great having Jeremy's sister & her kids here for a couple weeks this summer. And then we spent two weeks with them in Florida. Lots of awesome cousin time!
9. I finished my first and perhaps only half marathon. It was very hard work, and I'm still not sure I enjoyed it. But I did it.
8. I lost 17 pounds. That puts me closer to my goal. (never mind if I gained a couple pounds over the holidays) And here's to more hard work. Maybe another half marathon to keep me motivated. :)
7. Spending fun times with the neighbors over the summer.
6. Many many days at Valley Fair and the MN Zoo.
5. Date Night!!
4. Downton Abbey. Seriously.
3. All the days we got to spend with my family. And the few days Ivy & Jamey got to spend up there.
2. Bethany living with us has been good. It's fun to hang out with her, and the kids love her.
1. Watching all Jeremy's races and the kids' swimming lessons. And all the bike rides, walks, days at the pool. Chutes & Ladders, Memorial Park, Kid Night at Lakefront Park, and hiking around Murphy Hanrehan.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
New Cookies
Hot Cocoa Cookies
I found these marshmallow bits at Target by the regular size marshmallows and, conveniently, the hot chocolate powder. I picked some up because the Swiss Miss packets never have enough marshmallows for the kids. And also because we had purchased a ginormous canister of hot chocolate. We drink it a lot after playing in the snow.
The recipe was on the back of the marshmallow bits container, although I couldn't find it on the Jet Puffed site.
They're okay. I expected more of a "together cakey" cookie. These spread out a lot and are flat & crispy. I don't like crispy cookies. And I think they'd be better if I could figure out how to incorporate graham crackers and then call them "Smore Cookies."
I found these marshmallow bits at Target by the regular size marshmallows and, conveniently, the hot chocolate powder. I picked some up because the Swiss Miss packets never have enough marshmallows for the kids. And also because we had purchased a ginormous canister of hot chocolate. We drink it a lot after playing in the snow.
The recipe was on the back of the marshmallow bits container, although I couldn't find it on the Jet Puffed site.
They're okay. I expected more of a "together cakey" cookie. These spread out a lot and are flat & crispy. I don't like crispy cookies. And I think they'd be better if I could figure out how to incorporate graham crackers and then call them "Smore Cookies."
Nutella Rolls
A friend of ours has an amazing baker of a wife, and she makes these sweet little Nutella Rolls. After begging and begging (I think I asked twice), I got the recipe. I was sure it was going to be a huge ordeal of kneading and mixing dough and rising and waiting. But it's not. It's super easy. So easy, I did it while I was helping Jamey with "school," making coffee, and getting the girls out of bed.
The recipe says to wait 5 minutes to frost. I wouldn't. I'd do it right away. I'd also leave the rolls in the muffin pan until after they're frosted and set a little. The frosting recipe makes way more than you'll need, in my opinion.
Serve with a large cup of hot strong black coffee. These are not for the faint of heart or the diabetic. :)
The recipe says to wait 5 minutes to frost. I wouldn't. I'd do it right away. I'd also leave the rolls in the muffin pan until after they're frosted and set a little. The frosting recipe makes way more than you'll need, in my opinion.
Serve with a large cup of hot strong black coffee. These are not for the faint of heart or the diabetic. :)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Breastfeeding Recommendations
It seems pretty universal that everyone recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Baby's digestive systems aren't matured enough to eat any other food.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding.
The World Health Organization has a load of information about breastfeeding.
This picture is floating around Facebook about the amount of milk a baby's stomach can hold. The idea is that bottle fed babies overeat because no one wants to make 1/2 ounce bottles.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant.
The World Health Organization has a load of information about breastfeeding.
This picture is floating around Facebook about the amount of milk a baby's stomach can hold. The idea is that bottle fed babies overeat because no one wants to make 1/2 ounce bottles.
Christmas Movies
I love Christmas movies as much as I love Christmas music. Here are some that we have or have seen.
Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns
Ivy cried when Frosty melted in the greenhouse. She says she doesn't want to watch it ever again.
Charlie Brown Christmas
They watched it on TV and didn't like it enough to stick through the commercials.
The Grinch (old and new)
We've had the "new" Grinch movie for a couple years. This is the first time the kids have liked it. In fact, when the "old" Grinch movie was on the other night, Ivy pointed out the many differences and wanted to watch the "real" one.
Rudolph
I don't know that the kids had an opinion. They really only want to watch the "New Grinch."
Muppet Christmas Carol
This is my favorite. I don't care what the kids say. We're watching it! :)
Santa Clause 1-3
The first and second ones are fun to watch. The kids like them. The third one is kind of d-u-m-b (because we don't say stupid).
It's a Wonderful Life
I have to be in the right mood, and Jeremy has to be out of the house. He doesn't like this one at all. I do love George Bailey!
Miracle on 34th Street
Oh dear. I do like this, but I have to force myself to turn it on. So I don't very often.
A Christmas Story
I don't get it. We have it, but I don't really like it. Seems sacrilegious to say that coming from my generation, but it's true. I think Jeremy likes this one, though.
Christmas Vacation
My second favorite! She's a beaut, Clark.
Fred Clause
Meh.
Elf
Funny. Funny. Funny.
Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns
Ivy cried when Frosty melted in the greenhouse. She says she doesn't want to watch it ever again.
Charlie Brown Christmas
They watched it on TV and didn't like it enough to stick through the commercials.
The Grinch (old and new)
We've had the "new" Grinch movie for a couple years. This is the first time the kids have liked it. In fact, when the "old" Grinch movie was on the other night, Ivy pointed out the many differences and wanted to watch the "real" one.
Rudolph
I don't know that the kids had an opinion. They really only want to watch the "New Grinch."
Muppet Christmas Carol
This is my favorite. I don't care what the kids say. We're watching it! :)
Santa Clause 1-3
The first and second ones are fun to watch. The kids like them. The third one is kind of d-u-m-b (because we don't say stupid).
It's a Wonderful Life
I have to be in the right mood, and Jeremy has to be out of the house. He doesn't like this one at all. I do love George Bailey!
Miracle on 34th Street
Oh dear. I do like this, but I have to force myself to turn it on. So I don't very often.
A Christmas Story
I don't get it. We have it, but I don't really like it. Seems sacrilegious to say that coming from my generation, but it's true. I think Jeremy likes this one, though.
Christmas Vacation
My second favorite! She's a beaut, Clark.
Fred Clause
Meh.
White Christmas
Third favorite!
Elf
Funny. Funny. Funny.
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