a very happy G...

Our sweet daughter is extremely happy with 2 events of this week.  The first one is a big milestone for a 5-yr old...

...yep, G lost her first tooth!!!  (OK, well technically her second.  But the first one - top right middle - doesn't really count since the dentist had to pull that one due to it being abscessed.)  Her bottom right middle tooth has been wiggly for about a month, and really wiggly for the past week.  The catalyst for it coming out though?  Knocking herself in the face while trying to get a sticky lid off her hair-tie tin (is she her mother's daughter or what? =)  It was almost all the way out after that and she let momma pull it out the rest of the way with a soft cloth.  She cried for approximately 6.2 seconds and then tears turned into...

...sheer excitement!  =)  The super fun comes when she gets to tell her teacher and gets her picture on the tooth chart in the kindergarten room.  She was so worried that it wouldn't come out before school was over!  And it is kind of funny that the two teeth that she is missing line up...

...to give her a big ol' cutie-patootie gap in her smile.  G's reaction to this?  "It's so cool, dadda!  I won't have to open my mouth to suck out of my milk straw at school!"  Congratulations to our sweetie on this big milestone!  (PS. we don't really have a tooth fairy at our house, but she did get a little gift and two dollar coins in the tradition of my father.  I remember getting two dollars from my dad when my first tooth came out.  He told me that one was for me to celebrate, and the other I had to save in case the new tooth didn't come in - then I would have money to buy a new one.  G thought this was pretty funny.  =)

The other big event for G this week?  Getting mail!  And not just a letter, but a package from Nana!!!  And inside was what G declared the most beautifulest, specialest, prettiest...

...Nana-dress ever!  So a big thank-you to Nana/G-ma K!  The material with all the butterflies is perfect for G, and the dress fits her really well too!  And of course, it has what all good Nana-dresses have...

...great twirl factor.  There was someone who was not happy with this package though - little C.  He wanted to wear G's "Bu-fly" dress too, which of course was not going to be allowed by G.  G did smooth things over with him by doing one of her favorite activities though...

...dressing little C up in one of her princess dress-up dresses.  And C wanted his picture taken too just like his big sister.  He may not be happy with me in 10 years because of this picture, but he sure was happy afterwards this morning!

waffles...

I am a french toast kind of girl.

Pancakes are ok, at least you can make 4-6 at a time.  But waffles?  Only making one 5 inch waffle every 4 minutes to feed a hungry family of 5?  That was a once a year occurrence at our house for Waffle Fest (!!!) only.  They are definitely something I could take or leave.

Then a year or so ago, the kids and I stopped at my in-laws for lunch on the way home from the farm.  Aahma B had gotten a new waffle maker and made us waffles.  I got the kids' waffles ready first, then topped my own with strawberries (not a syrup girl either =) and prepared for a very ordinary bite.  And was pleasantly surprised - "what waffle recipe do you use?!!!"  I really liked the taste and the texture.  Turns out they were sourdough waffles!

We enjoyed Aahma's waffles quite a few times over visits, and last Christmas, my gift from the B side was a fancy new waffle maker and a sourdough starter so that we could enjoy these waffles at home.  I was leary of the starter at first (nightmares of Amish friendship bread starter flew through my head), but then I found out all that Mom B does is keep it in the fridge until she wants to use it.  Seriously, could I leave it for over a month?  Yep.  OK, I could handle that!

So now we get to enjoy yummy waffles made very quickly by our new twirly waffle maker and they show up much more frequently than just for Waffle Fest once a year.  In fact, my wonderful husband and kiddos just made them for me for Mother's Day lunch.  We love them enjoyed with strawberries on top, a couple slices of bacon (only way S tolerates breakfast for meals other than breakfast), and, if we are feeling fancy, a yogurt smoothie to go with! 

 

Sourdough Starter Instructions: (find instructions to make one here, otherwise ask friends!)

• at least 24 hours before needed, remove starter from fridge
• feed with 1 part milk, 1 part flour, 1/2 part sugar - you need enough starter for your recipe plus a cup of starter to save for next time in the fridge
• leave it at room temperature loosely covered (plastic wrap with a few holes punched in the top works well)
• stir before use - if it will be longer than 24 hours, stir once a day until you need it

Sourdough Waffles (this is a double batch and feeds our whole family nicely)

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• scant 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups sourdough starter
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 cup milk (use a little more if starter is thick)

In a large bowl, stir together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.  In medium bowl, beat egg then stir in sourdough, oil and milk.  Stir liquids into dry ingredients until just moistened (batter will be a bit lumpy).  Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup batter into heated waffle iron (follow manufacturers instructions).

PS.  I am excited to try this version too...will let you know how it turns out!

easter photo strip...

kindness...

 

...after a week of fighting a stomach virus with the boys ending up in a short hospital stay for W.  We are all home now trying to recover and get healthy and enjoying some delicious kindness from family (thanks so much J&C!).

Not what we had planned for this past week or our Easter weekend, but over and over we are shown that is not our plans, but His that matter.

seriously, again?

Honestly, after this post, I thought our LONG winter was going to be finally over...

And it has been a long winter.  I mean, look at the dates of our first and what I thought was the last snowmen of the season...

But it looks like we are in for another shot, as this is the forcast for tomorrow night (April 15).  At least it is only supposed to be an inch, unlike what other relatives of mine who live further north received...

two photos...

Got a few packages in the mail that are making me excited to plan for summer...

...but we need to finish taxes first.

A few things coming up in the yard are making me excited about spring and yardwork...

...and we really need to finish taxes first...

...but that is what the rainy rest of the week is for, right? 

Hope you have a beautiful day enjoying creation...and that you already have your taxes done!

ENOUGH KETCHUP! I am really more of a mayo kind of girl...

OK, so I had a goal of getting caught up on the blog by the end of March.  Yeah that was 6 days ago and I am still a month behind.  I am still going to post about things that happened in March, but I am going to drop the "could I get some catch-up on that?" preface as I am as sick of typing that as I am sure you are of reading it.  So when I post something I will leave it "new" for a while, and then will go back and "back-date" it so it will read in chronological order when you go back. (have done this already for January and most of February if you look).  And I will post new things as well so that not all our news and happenings are a month behind. 

Also, I am toying with the idea of making the blog private and by invitation only, but am not sure I want the hassle or if it would be a hassle to anyone else...any thoughts on that?

two (and four months)...

The busyness and sickness of us and also of our favorite auntie photographer at the beginning of the year led to no 2 yr old photo shoot for little C.  Poor neglected 3rd child!  I came to realize this somewhere in March (another frustration for forgetting!), and thought maybe I could try to get some of him myself.  Well, the following picture is what we got when Momma tried to point the camera at him (he is running away yelling "NO!!!!"):

little stinker...

Well, while we were in NE, I was complaining about this to M & A, and they asked if I wanted them to try.  Well, sure!  And the following pictures are what we get when Auntie A points her very nice new camera at him and asks him if he can smile:

little stinker...=)

Thanks Auntie A!  I am so very thankful for sister-in-laws that will take pictures of my children.  Sometimes having this momma step back from the camera can capture the most precious things about our little peoples.   And I will end with one more of my favorite photos Auntie A took of my 2 yr old with his dadda...

 

this sweet photo may not show it, but our little stinker get it honestly...=)

to NE, to NE, to see a sweet babe...

G had spring break at the tail end of March into April, and we took a wonderful and much-needed trip to the exciting spring break location of Adams, NE.  And there wouldn't have been any other place we would have rather been!  For starters, it is much further south so the thought of not having to wear coats and bringing our sandals along was heavenly.  Next, it was just good to get away all together as a family as it had been a long month.  But lastly and MOST importantly, there was a new baby that we needed to meet and cuddle and coo over!  Our new niece, baby E, was born 2 weeks before, and while we were worried that it might be too soon to subject the chaos that is our family to my brother and more importantly my sister-in-law who was still recovering from E's fabulous birth, we kind of were at a "we can come now or we will see you in June" point in our schedules.  So graciously M & A urged us to come, and even stay with them (we offered to stay at a hotel, but the nearest is 20 minutes away)!  We offered to cook the whole time we were there which they took us up on and we were so glad!  And we had a fabulous time together.  It was so wonderful to be able to meet sweet little E while she was still so small and get plenty of those new baby snuggles and cuddles.  And it was really great to see M & A as new parents (what?!  my baby brother has a baby of his own?!) and talk with them about the whole experience, and just hang out too.  The kids (G especially) were so excited about E and fascinated by her, and were fairly good about not being so noisy and crazy.  Although we were all thankful for M & A's basement and the nice weather outside, so that we had places to throw them when needed.  The kids learned the finer points of ping pong, too, which forever will make Auntie A and Uncle M's house the coolest house ever.  Thank you M & A, for letting us invade when I am sure that you could have used the quiet and rest.  It was a special trip for us and you have such a sweet and beautiful daughter.  We can't wait to see you all again in June!

fascinated with their new cousin

seriously, my baby brother really has a baby?

sweet baby E

so happy for beautiful weather and big spaces to fun and play ball!

oh yeah, S still has the touch!

Ping-Pong!!!

C's between the leg moves...

probably G's highlight of the trip - holding E all by herself for a cousins picture

W just figured out the E would hold his finger if he put it near her hand

cousins!

a blessed March 2011...

Meeting our new niece, Evelyn, for the first time

*family shot in NE, enjoying no coat and sandal weather!!!

March was a month of frustration.  Frustration in being sick again and again.  Frustration in the cold wet windy weather with no sign of spring in sight.  Frustration with potty training not going well.  Frustration in having to find child-care for the boys 6 times to do different school things with or for G.  Frustration at work for S with many different issues.  Frustration with door falling off the van and the stress and mess that needed to go into fixing that.  Frustration in the momentum we were building in organizing and home life coming to a drastic halt...even going backwards.  Frustration in everyone's attitudes.  While it is not always easy for us to accept help, we were truly blessed by others this month.  And for that we got over our crummy attitudes and were very thankful.  Thankful for those who watched the boys or all the kids so we could do some fun school activities.  Thankful for a neighbor who made us supper (after watching our kids).  Thankful for a sister-in-law who vacuumed the entire house (while watching the boys).  Thankful for all the help I got when our van door fell off.  Thankful for neighbors who were willing to watch the kids and pick me up from the shop.  Thankful for prior insurance company who completely covered the door falling off, no questions or hassles, as it seemed to be a result from the accident we had a year and a half ago (and thankful that van doors just don't fall off without reason).  Thankful for family and friends who invited us for playdates while S was working some long hours.  So while in my head I kept thinking that it was such a carpy month, when I reflected on all the blessings that were shown to us by others, I was a little overwhelmed.  God does not promise us an easy life, but He does promise to provide us with the means to do the work He has set before us.  So thank you Lord for sending us others this month to bless us and help us make it through.  And thank you to all who helped us out, we love you and appreciate you very much.

real life at the Bruin house...potty time

reading with Dadda before he goes to work...

G notes:

• I was able to spend a lot of time with G at school this month which she really loved (I did too =).  I went on a field trip with her, helped out on the playground and in the classroom for lunch twice this month, and helped with a classroom project.  We also had CE night, and parent-teacher conferences which made for a busy month for us at school.  Her conferences went great and it is so neat to see her growth and improvement as well as have her teacher affirm that too.
• She all of a sudden looks way too grown up.  Maybe because she is acting that way too with being more independent and helpful.
• And then she throws a huge fussy hissy fit about W or C having something she wants and we are reminded that yes, she is just 5.  (To which we promptly remind her that she is 5 and a big kindergartener and should not act like that!)

 W notes:

• W is becoming quite "proficient" in his play kitchen.  We have been getting all sorts of meals and treats consisting of dominoes acting as "chicken with a reduced spicy green pepper sauce", "mango muffins with a phenomenal crumble topping", and "lemon torte with cream whipped to stiff peaks", just to name a few of his dishes.  One of my favorite shows is America's Test Kitchen on PBS, and W loves it too...maybe a little too much! 
• He is trying to talk with big people grammer, and not getting it.  It is too cute to hear him talk that way, and I find myself talking the same with him just because it is too cute.  But as S reminded me, he will never talk the correct way if we don't!  So, W, is is "WE are going to the store, not US is going to the store"
• And he is going to be a heartbreaker with the way he can smile and wink...I think we are in trouble!

C notes:

• C is now a singing fool!  He is picking up all the silly songs we sing for stuff around the house (what, you don't have a pick-up, wash-up, and onsie song?), as well as songs we hear in church, G comes home with from school, the library, and of course CDs we are listening to as well.
• Most of the time he is so good-natured, but that "two" personality is starting, because if something doesn't go his way, he screams and lets us know, and then keeps screaming and fussing and can't let it go.  I know the other two kids went through stages like this too, but it can be hard to remember that...
• Continues his quest to do everything and anything that his siblings do.  Especially his brother.  Crazy thing is that he is starting to be able to physically and mentally keep up with them!