Apple Orchard Trip x 4

Last Saturday we were able to make our annual trip to the apple orchard. I like going in September rather than October because 1) the apples are better and 2) it's not as crowded. I don't really do crowds. We had a great time eating doughnuts, playing at the playground, and taking a tractor ride. We skipped the petting zoo this time since it annoys me that you have to pay for every little thing. Bryan and I have been eating our apples for lunch, and they sure are delicious. I skipped the apple pie this year to stay on the happy side of health. Pie's not my favorite anyway. I think I would rather go back and have some more doughnuts. Enjoy pictures from this year and all the previous years; it's fun to see how much Anna has changed. I hardly remember her being so little.

It's all about the slide!

My 2 favorite people.

Last year - Queen of the Hill.

2 years ago - I think she tried picking up each and every pumpkin.

3 years ago - Sweet baby in her cherry outfit. I love that outfit.

The sunscreen we put on her got in her eyes and made her hair crazy, but she looks happy hangin' with her pumpkins.

Today I am thankful for:

• 
  
  Chicken Taquitos for dinner - very tasty. I made the chicken in the crockpot this weekend with a jar of salsa and some sriracha hot sauce. I also added a can of black beans to the mix.


• 
  
  OT for Anna - it seems to help her have good days at school and she's somewhat calmer at home too.


• 
  
  a better week at work than last week
  
  

A New Favorite

This past spring I made a carb-less meal from Annie's Eats, Asian Lettuce Wraps. They were really tasty (I think Bryan's face said WTH is that, but his mouth said FEED ME), but I had to buy a bunch of new ingredients. The ingredient I learned I really like is the Sriracha Hot Sauce (found in the Asian food isle). It's hot without being overpowering. It gives a really nice spiciness without making my lips burn.

In addition to the lettuce wraps, I also like this recipe that I've used for kabobs (I've told you of my love of kabobs, right?). I don't actually know which magazine I took this from, but it was for grown-up ladies. I put this marinade on the chicken, then add some olive oil, Mrs. Dash, and sriracha sauce to the red peppers, onions, and zucchini. Mix with some brown rice, and you've got yourself one tasty meal - one with some yummy spiciness.

Mix:
3 Tbsp ketchup
1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (reduced sodium)
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sriracha hot sauce

I usually have to double this recipe to cover the chicken. Skip the sriracha on the veggies if you aren't a fan of heat or you don't think your kids will eat it. Anna eats it, but she eats strange things for a kid.

Today I am thankful for:

1. it's Friday!


2. Cracker Barrel biscuits and dumplins for dinner


3. it's Friday!

Let's All Go To The Movies...Daddy Warbucks

It's September, and it's been hotter the past few days than it was all summer. The extreme heat canceled any outdoor activities for us, and Anna hasn't earned her trip to Monkey Joes (for following directions without a fight/attitude/or overall stubbornness). So I thought we could try (gulp) a movie.

Anna has been a little more interested in TV lately. She says she wants to watch, but usually only for a few minutes before something better comes along - like helping me with dinner or several games of Candy Land. She will watch her "purple Barbie movie" for a little longer - especially if she has popcorn. Side note: Barbie movies are lame and make very little sense, but she likes the "purple" one, so whatever.

I checked the movies and times for the local dollar theater, and decided we could try Winnie the Pooh at 3:40 - no nap interference, not too long, and before dinner. I figure we are only paying $1.50 per ticket, plus the snacks, so if it's horrible it's not a devastating loss.

We did a prep conversation about movie theaters and how to behave in a theater before we left home and again when we got there (yes, this is my life, a constant prep session so Anna knows what to expect and how to behave). She was so excited. She loved the theater - the noise, the dark, the big screen, all the seats, and let's not forget the popcorn. The movie wasn't a big hit for her. She didn't not like it, but I guess it was no "purple Barbie movie." She tried every seat in our row, some more than once, did a lap around the row in front of us (then got a warning that she had to stay in our row bc if you give an inch with her she'll take 1000 miles), took 2 bathroom breaks and was telling me I should go so she could go for a third, ate half a bag of popcorn, asked questions at a level 3, and thoroughly amused me throughout most of the film which was just over an hour long.

When we were leaving she said, "I did a great job at the movies!" I told her she did a good job for her first time at the movies, but she had to work on staying in her seat next time. While watching the previews, she was laughing and responding to the trailer for the Muppet Movie, so maybe when that hits the cheapie theater (in the Spring???) we could try again.

Really, it was pretty fun. I was happy we made it through the whole movie, although we were close to leaving when she started wandering down the aisle. She's not the first or last kid to talk through parts of a movie, and she seemed to like the experience if not the movie itself. So I'll call it a win.

Today I am thankful for:

• a new adventure today


• a 3 day weekend


• sleeping in