Fabulous Firsts

We have been very busy with lots of firsts this week.
Last Sunday was the first time the boys matched for church...

It was about the cutest thing ever.  I am not sure I can stand that Hank looks that old, or Avery for that matter, but wow how cute!!

Monday night we took Avery out for a big treat! 

We went to see Toy Story 3, his first movie in the theater!  Unfortunately the only showing that worked with our schedule was in 3D.  We were rookies and put the glasses on for the previews, so Avery was done with them by the time the movie started.  We thought he would have a headache from watching a 3D movie with no glasses, but he didn't seem to mind.  He loved it and has been talking about Woody, Buzz, Barbie and Ken all week!

Friday night we took a trip up the Tollway to the Rough Riders game!  Avery had a blast and so did Hanky Panky.  We were also pleasantly surprised to get to stay for fireworks after the game!  I was so impressed with the display for a Friday night, it was a great first pro baseball game and first fireworks for the boys!!!

Paula Deen

I copied down a Paula Deen recipe at work one day that we really love!  I can't believe it but it doesn't call for any butter and it gets us eating lots of veggies!  Who knew Paula could keep us so healthy  :)
I thought I would share it with you since you know I love my Internet recipes...

Paula Deen's Chicken Fried Rice
Here's what you need

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into pieces

1/2 c soy sauce, divided

2 tbsp sesame oil, divided (I used canola once and it was still good)

2 large eggs beaten

1 1/2 c chopped celery

1 c chopped onion

3 cloves garlic minced

2 c broccoli florets

1 8 oz package sliced baby bella mushrooms (not pictured, i forgot them and had already been to the store twice)

6 c cooked and cooled rice

1 8oz can sliced water chestnuts

1 c frozen green peas, thawed

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

garnish-sesame seeds, chopped green onions

Notes-In the magazine it told why it is important and I can't remember, but cook your rice while the kids are napping and put it in the fridge to cool.  You want the rice cooled when you make the recipe.  Also, we do not eat all of these veggies but I put them all in (when I don't forget to buy them) and I think we all eat more things we normally wouldn't.  They blend in and pretty hidden!!  Also, I don't put in the red pepper so it won't be too hot for the little prince and I am definitely not fancy enough for garnish.  We also always add more soy sauce to our bowls when we eat it, but we LOVE soy sauce so there may be plenty for you. 

Directions-

In a medium bowl combine chicken and 3 tbsp soy sauce; let stand while preparing(chopping) other ingredients. 

Remove chicken from soy sauce, discarding soy sauce.

In a large dutch oven heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat.  Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally for about 6 minutes or until cooked through.

Remove chicken with slotted spoon; set aside and keep warm. 

Add eggs and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly until scrambled.  Remove from pan and keep warm.

Heat remaining 1 tbsp of oil. 

Add carrot, celery, onion, garlic and 2 tbsp soy sauce; cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Add broccoli and mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes or until tender. 

Stir in rice, water chestnuts, peas, red pepper, cooked chicken and any accumulated juices, scrambled eggs and remaining 3 tbsp soy sauce.  Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired and serve immediately. 

We also think it reheats well and goes great with crab legs.  :)

Have a great day!

Don't forget about the giveaway!!!

Aunt Susan Jo is feeling generous!!!!

You may remember I told you about Aunt Susan Jo and her great bug bands.  We love them for Hanky, and all of us love the companion bug spray.  Did you know you can rejuvenate your bug bands with the spray?  You just spray them down and store them in their case like always!

Well, Aunt Susan Jo was so impressed with your interest AND purchases that she said I could do a give away.  So, I shamelessly said I needed to try out a few products to decide what I wanted to give away.  He he he!!!

Since my birthday was also here she sent me some RuMe resuable shopping bags. 
Avery already has one and loves it, I told you about it here. 

I got to try 2 sizes, the small and large.  Avery's is the smaller size and has a cool kid rocket ship on it. 

For sheer cute factor I have to say the pink is my favorite....

I love this size for quick, smaller errands like Target or Michael's even stores in the mall.  The check out girl at Gap was very impressed with my green-ness the other day. 

I really love my big black bag for big shopping trips like the grocery store.  I use both sizes when we go, but the black is really ideal.  I need to get a few more.  Here is why I actually use these bags as opposed to the others I have had rattling around in my car....

They fold up tiny!  I don't have to go put them in the car after I use them!  I just fold them up and stick them back in the diaper bag.  This means I don't have to remember to take them into the store, because they are already in my bag!!!  They don't take up any space and I may have even given on to Avery and told him to unfold and refold it as a toy one day.  :)  This is huge for this mother of 2 because I am RAPIDLY losing brain cells and can't remember myself much less my bags. 

So, thanks Aunt Susan Jo!!!

If you would like your own reusable RuME bag or a small bottle of bug band spray you get 3 chances to win!!!

1-post a comment here!

2-give us a shout out on your blog...Aunt Susan Jo's website is myfavoritegreens.com or you can just link back here!!!!

3-Become a facebook fan. 

If you chose to do #2&3 be sure and let me know!!!

I will close the drawing in a week on Tuesday July 27th! 

Have fun!!!!

4 Months

Hello Mr. Elelphant, did you know I am 4 months old!

I am!!!

Hank the tank is 4 months old, where is the time going?

He had a great check up last week weighing in at 13lb. 8 ounces and 26 1/4 inches long.  Dr. Y. said everything looked great. 

At 4 months continues to be such a great boy.  I often find myself saying his highs are higher and his lows are lower than his big brother.  Hanky is so smiley and I can often get a great belly laugh with little effort.  He LOVES his playmat and is quite good at catching his toys and sneaking them in his mouth.  He will occasionally roll over from his tummy to back, and can scoot in circles to get to whatever dangling toy is the most desirable.  Hank has also discovered how to yank his pappy out of his mouth, but can't get it back in.  

I am sad to say that my wonderful sleep stretch is over.  When I went back to work Hank decided we needed to make up the time together at night.  I know I deserve NO sympathy, but it isn't my favorite I will be honest.  Luckily, it isn't every night and we are working through things.  I am realizing that the littler prince is a little bit spoiled and we are working at being more flexible.  :)

I am again reminded that I am SO thankful for my happy, healthy Hanky!!

Grandma De-Tox

grandma DETOX-the period of time after small children have been with grandparents, etc who spoil, love and make rotten said child, that requires lots of redirection, reframing, come to Jesus meetings, and time outs....

Avery and Hank have had the best July ever!

If you know me well, you know I LOVE the 4th of July.  I love the red, white and blue, I love the fireworks, I love The Star Spangled Banner, and I love being at the lake. 
But one of my most favorite things about the 4th of July is that my Aunt Susan Jo, Uncle Mark and their boys get to come home to TEXAS!!!

Sadly, Steven had to stay in NC and work this year.  So, Uncle Mark and JD told Hanky all about how much Stev-O was missing him. 

Avery and JD were spoiled ROTTEN by all the Banks and Papa and LouLou leading up to the 4th!

Avery also got to spend lots of time with his lake BFF Carolina (aka Caroline), whose Mom happens to join in on the spoiling of Avery and Hank!

Then we came home and the boys got to spend a whole day with Aunt Linde while mamma and daddy worked.  It was filled with fun projects, a trip to the beloved Chick Fil-A, and play time with Uncle Jeff.

Then one day later we loaded up and headed back to Tyler for some Womble spoiling.

Honey took us to the zoo and then Avery got to spend the weekend with Grandma, Grandad, Honey, Pop, Uncle Blake and Aunt Courtney spoiling him!

 Trust me Mamma would never let him ride the Mickey Mouse train at Wal-Mart!

Hanky had some fun with the Wombles and get spoiled with the grown-ups at the lake, too.

Needless to say we had to take 2 trips out of church in the 20 minutes before Bible Hour and have had several breakdowns back in the real world.  But I wouldn't trade all that fabulous spoiling for anything!  We are so thankful for all the people who love our boys!!!!

Summer TV

As a TV-aholic I thought I would give you some updates....

Sundays
Drop Dead Diva (lifetime)-Love it so far!  A cute, easy fun show.  Always enjoyable. 

Design Star (HGTV)-I am not sure I am loving it this year.  I miss the host, I think it is wierd how they have changed things up.  I also think Vern is getting a little mean, too.  I always thought he was so nice, but now not so much.  Also, I don't understand why they make them work in teams all the time.  I think it is too hard for them to try to get along in groups and then they get fussed at for not getting along, being rude enough, etc.  I don't like a show where they encourage you to be rude.  So, all that to say I am not loving it this year, but don't worry I still turn it on and flit in and out to watch it.

The Next Food Star(Food Network)-I mean it is no Top Chef, but it is good.  I really like several of the contestants this year.  I also love the addition of Giada.  A fun, good watch.  I also like watching the balance of being a great cook/chef and TV personality, it must be so hard to be both. 

Mondays

The Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABCfam)-I used to love this show.  I still watch it, but I'll be honest there are a bunch in my DVR.  It is good for folding laundry.  I thought it might do a good job of showing that teen pregnancy is rough and teen parenting even harder.  While it doesn't make it look quite as effortless as some shows, it still makes it look much easier than it really is. 

The Bachelorette!!!!(ABC)-LOVE IT!  Totally trash, but I have watched for years.  I know they won't stay together, I know it's all scripted and staged, but it is always fun.  Michael has enjoyed miles of bad jokes from Mr. Gaurd and Protect.  :)

Tuesdays
So You Think You Can Dance (Fox)-Great show!  Love the judges give CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.  Such a novel concept!  I am not sure that I like the "all star" set up, but I am willing to ride it out.

Wednesdays
Top Chef (Bravo)-Love it!  The best chef contest show for sure.  They are so amazing and create things I can't imagine.  I am sure I wouldn't eat half of it, but I still want to watch the magic. 

The rest of the week is baseball, baseball, baseball.  Most of it played in our back yard, but we proudly cheer for anyone playing at bedtime. 

What are you liking/not liking?? What am I missing???

embrace the camera

it's thursday, so we are embracing the camera!  thanks kristin!

My mom tried to participate for me from work last week, but she forgot she was supposed to be in the pictures!  I am so glad that she tried and loved the sweet pictures so I included her and Avery from the night before we met Hank! 

I am also glad to have a picture of me with both my little princes, we don't get many of these!

To wrap up Avery and Michael living it up at the spraygrounds!

Happy Thursday and have a WONDERFUL Fourth of July!!!  You know it's one of my favorite holidays!!!!