Weekend Recap

Thursday we had a wonderful Thanksgiving at my in-law's house. We didn't get home until 11:30 at night. I made a four-layer pumpkin cake that I will share later this week.

Friday we went back to the in-law's so that C could play with one of his cousin's that he doesn't get to see that often. We then headed home and hubby and I went out for a few hours to help my cousin celebrate her golden birthday.

Saturday we put up the tree and we also put up a tree in the boys room. While we were putting up the tree it began to snow. C proclaimed "This is the best Christmas EVER!" It was so magical and so sweet. After we put up the tree we had hot cocoa and cookies while we watched The Polar Express.

I bought a wall-advent-decoration calendar (I am not quite sure what else to call it) at Target for $2.50. I cut out strips of paper with fun activities and put them in the calendar. I got the idea from here. I changed mine up a bit but the boys are really excited about it and the fun starts TONIGHT!

It is so funny that this year, probaby the year that we will spend the least amount of money and have the fewest gifts, is the year that they seem to enjoy the most. Or is it? I am sure it is because we are concentrating more on spending time together as a family than with gifts and commercialism.

I knew I was good looking...

For informational purposes this is what I looked like on Saturday.



Saturday the family and I were going to my father-in-law's for Thanksgiving dinner. We had a few errands to run beforehand. I was in a very good mood because, well because, things were running smoothly. We got out of the house on time. The errands were going well. It was a great day.

I was driving the van and hubby was in the back watching movies with the boys. I pulled up to a stop light. Maybe I had a glow from the sheer happiness of things going so well, I don't really know but a truck pulled up next to us. It had three men in it. The one that was driving smiled at me. I then looked forward and did not avert my gaze until the light turned green. It was a LONG light.

After the light turned green, I started to go and luckily the truck went slow so it wasn't beside me. I asked hubby if he saw the guy smile at me. He told me he had and that they were all looking at me and talking. I asked him why they would be doing that and he told me it was because they thought I was hot.

Okay, here is my deal. I was driving a MINIVAN. If you are driving a MINIVAN you are most likely married, a mom, or BOTH. Do not check out moms in minivans. It is just not right.

I guess I should take it as a compliment but mostly I was just creeped out. See what happens when I put on makeup.

Hmmm...

I got an email today with the following message...

The reason I'm emailing is because I tried commenting and
could never get through to comment. For some reason, even
when I tried three times, it just froze there and wouldn't
let me comment. Just thought I'd let you know, in case it's
a problem not just on my end. Maybe you're missing out on
some comments from others who enjoy what they're reading but
just can't tell you!

If anybody else is having this issue would you please email me @ threeboysandadog@gmail.com. Also, if you know why I am having this issue and what I can do to fix it could you also let me know? I know another person had a problem with my page loading but I don't know what is wrong.

Thanks

Melody

Cutest Girl Gift EVAH!!

Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) we are celebrating my niece's 3rd birthday. I had originally gotten her a different gift (which I am now saving for Christmas) but then I ran across the cutest thing I have ever seen while shopping at Walmart last night.



Seriously, isn't that adorable? Okay maybe you can't get the full effect because it isn't right in front of you but it is a giant cupcake with a zipper that holds a cupcake play set. Since you know I love CUPCAKES and all I had to buy it for her. I love it soooo much. I think it is the cutest gift ever. I think it might top that cupcake maker I have seen this year that personally I want to buy for myself but....anyway.

I looked this up on Amazon and there were two and they were quite a bit more expensive than Walmart so if you just love it like I did buy it at Walmart.

Okay, I am going to go stare at the cupcake now.

Time goes by so fast

Wow, is it Thursday already? The week has gone by so fast. In case you wonder where I have been, I have been in my kitchen. Now that I have the counter cleared it makes it so much easier to make stuff and be in the kitchen.

I made some popovers and wheat bread earlier this week.



I also made some delicious broccoli and cheese soup. Since nobody else in my family will eat broccoli I made it for myself for lunch, twice.



Lastly, I organized the baking cupboard. It isn't exactly how I want it but it looks better than it did.

Before



After



Today I think I will make some more wheat bread and I have been eyeing this Chocolate Snack Cake from the Homespun Heart. Yummy. If you are looking for some holiday appetizers or desserts Jody has plenty to choose from at Fab Food Friday. I think the truffles look scrumptious.

Just another Manic Monday

Well, my hubby is still sick. He was sick all weekend. AD had pink eye and then hubby got it and C had the beginning of it also. We have about four prescription eye drops in our house at the moment.

I had really wanted to go to Jody's fun house party but I was afraid I might take the germs with me so I didn't get to go. If her girls got it I would have felt terrible.

By Sunday I had 24 hours worth of antibiotic drops in my system so I attended a baby shower for my friend/cousin-in-law. It was a long drive but I was excited to get to see her.

Today I took C to the doctor for his 7 year check up. His birthday is in June so I was a little late but he is fine. He starts wrestling tomorrow night and he is looking forward to that.

R started wrestling practice this evening. So life will be getting pretty hectic around here I am sure.

I decided to make pizza for dinner this evening. I decided to make the dough in the bread machine which I have done before. Somehow the bread pan came loose and so the dough didn't get mixed up correctly. I did a search and found a pizza dough recipe made from biscuit mix that turned out great. I also seemed to have some issues with the tomato sauce. I couldn't get the first can open and then it had metal flecks in it. I opened another can and that one worked out fine. Eventually we got to have homemade pepperoni pizza for dinner. Everybody loved it, even R's friend that was over.

I did manage to get a few loads of dishes done and I am trying to stay on top of the kitchen, living room, and laundry while decluttering other rooms. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to accomplish when everybody is home but some progress is being made.

Hopefully tomorrow we can go back to our normal routine and the sickness will stay away.

Making Your Home A Haven: Inviting and Giving

We didn't do too bad yesterday. I did clean up the kitchen and work on laundry. I did not get to my trouble spot in the living room. Instead I picked up and swept our bedroom. I read books with AD while the other boys were at school. The cable and internet were out last night which made for a very enjoyable evening. C and AD played together so nicely. I think they definitely had a lot of fun.

My hubby is sick so we had dinner at five and then he went to bed at 5:30. The boys were in bed at 8:30 and I had peace and quiet for an hour before I went to bed.

Now onto day 5, today is the last day of the challenge. The theme is Inviting and Giving. My main thought is that I want my home to be inviting to my family and I mean my immediate family. I want my husband and kids to be comfortable in our house. I don't want it to be cluttered and messy. I am working on this gradually. We generally only have people over once a year and I hope to change that and by people I mean adults. We have little kids over all the time.

I do have somebody coming over next Thursday so I hope to continue working on decluttering our house and cleaning trouble spots.

Tomorrow we (I if hubby doesn't feel better) are going to a fun party and I need to figure out what I am going to make for that.

For dinner we are going to have Ham and Beans and I am thinking about making these Cheesy Cornbread Muffins to go with it.

This challenge has helped me and our family tremendously. We are more organized and I am able to get things accomplished a lot quicker. I would like to thank Monica for hosting this and if you want to see other Inviting and Giving posts go over to here.

I am thankful for our three boys.

Making Your Home A Haven: Fun

Yesterday went pretty well. I vacuumed under the couch cushions, cleaned out the refrigerator, and worked on the laundry (it is never ending in our house).

Today's theme is fun. Of course, it is cold here and we have sickness running rampant through our house. First we had colds and now we are getting various things. AD got pinkeye and I think hubby may have strep throat. So I will have to be creative to think up something fun. Any ideas would be appreciated.

This morning I have several things planned.

I am going to clean up the kitchen because I didn't do it last night
Work on my last trouble spot in the living room
More laundry

We are going to have Chicken Tacos for dinner.

Also in keeping with my thankfulness theme: I am thankful I have a husband who works hard, sacrifices, and goes to work sick to provide for his family.

More haven making over at the Homespun Heart.

Making Your Home a Haven: Cared For

Today is Day 3 of Making Your Home a Haven. The theme today is Cared For. This is my list for today.

Clean out fridge (it didn't happen yesterday)
Laundry
Clean off table in living room
vacuum under sofa cushions

Tonight for dinner we are having Ground Beef Gravy over Mashed Potatoes with green beans.

I am thankful that I have a home to care for.

November Menu Plan

I sat down today to try and put together a menu plan for the next two weeks. I actually came up with one for the rest of the month.

1. Chili and Cornbread
2. Ground Beef Gravy over mashed potatoes
3. Ham and Beans
4. Taco Pizza
5.Chicken Tacos
6. Beef and Noodles
7. Taco Soup
8. Baked potato bar
9. Ham and potatoes
10. Pepperoni pizza
11. Roast Chicken and Potatoes
12. Beef Stroganoff
13. Potato Soup
14. Chicken Pot Pie
15. Cheese Pizza
16.Sausage Skillet
17. Chicken and Dumplings
18. Bean Burritos

We have three days where we are not eating at home. I am excited because I have all the ingredients on hand to make everything listed. YEAH! Well, if I can keep AD out of the pepperoni that is. :)

Making Your Home A Haven: Clean

Today is day two of Monica's Making Your Home a Haven. Today the theme is clean. So my list for today is...

tackle the two clutter spots from yesterday
clean the bathroom
wipe down the appliances
sweep the kitchen, living room, and vacuum the living room rug (I do these everyday anyway)
Mop the kitchen floor (Ok, I am not going to do this. My husband does it. He is going to do it when he gets home from work.)
Clean out the fridge and microwave

It is rainy and cold here so we are going to have chili and cornbread muffins for dinner.

**edited with progress on day 2**

I did get the two clutter spots taken care of today. Here are the pictures.

Before





After





I got part of the rest of the list done and I hope to finish the rest of it in the morning. This has helped me tremendously and we are only on day 2. I can't wait until we are through day 5.

Starting today I am also going to start posting something I am thankful for every day until Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for my freedom and the veterans that have served and continue to serve our country. Happy Veteran's Day.