Category: Family

The July That Wasn’t

Have you seen the month of July?  Last time I checked, it was June, and now it’s about to be August.  Yikes!

In truth, the only part of our July that’s been missing is my ability to post blogs.  The month has been full of visiting family and lots of outdoor fun … when it’s not 105 degrees outside. 

Stay tuned this week for more of what our July turned out to be.  It doesn’t disappoint, I promise, and it may, or may not include this:

A little too much?  I agree.  Here, refocus … this is FAR less disturbing:

Ah, less disturbing … Oh wait … yes, that is a car brush, and yes, Aidan did think it was a giant tooth brush.  Okay, so scratch that … we might be slightly disturbed. 

Hey, but we’ve had a fun July, so tune in next week regardless!

Am I the only one whose summer is passing far too quickly?  Please feel free to share some of your summer activities in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!

Family and Fun: the “We Are A Zoo” edition

We went to the zoo this week.  We are a zoo this week … but that is somewhat beside the point.  We probably could have skipped the zoo entirely and taken the kids to a local splash park, but we didn’t.  We are all about giving our kids culturally and naturally diverse experiences … all the better if it’s 90+ degrees and all naps are cancelled … right?  It builds character.

Mesmerized by the dolphins; Chase kept screaming at them.  I’m sure the other patrons really enjoyed this part.

Note: the shadowy blur with a hat is Chase.  Also note: I didn’t adjust the camera settings for a dim interior.

So begin the splash park pictures.  Have I mentioned … ? I’m really not sure why we took them to the zoo at all.

“Aidan, what was your favorite animal to see today?” Aidan: “Um, the water!”

“Uh, does anybody need any water?”  [Chase brought his water bottle to the party after we told him that it was inappropriate to take and soak his sister’s hat … I know, we’re out to take away the fun.]

Aidan demonstrates to Chase how to “properly” stick your head directly into the sprinkler.  Ah, those boys …

Darcy (not so much into the splash park antics) had more fun in the Great Bear Wilderness.  “Am I an eagle yet, Mom?”

Darcy: “This is a dumb idea, Mom.” … Aidan: “I want to do it too!”

“Aidan, can you tell the camera what a wolf says?” … Aidan: “Nooooooo!” [at this point, mom and dad realize we might be almost done at the zoo]

But not before we see the polar bear …

Why is Darcy the only one pictured here?  Mostly because the boys were sitting in the stroller, more interested in their pretzel snack.  Hey, we tried …

Next up? The Arboretum!

Family and Fun

This last weekend, we welcomed Bob’s parents back to Chicago.  They are visiting us from Jos, Nigeria where they serve as missionaries with Oasis International.

Over the weekend, Bob and his dad took Darcy and Aidan camping.  Stay tuned for a post from Bob on this topic.  I’m still unfolding the stories myself.  I think the kids were bribed to not tell Mommy everything.  No further comment at this time.

Sunday, we finally got some gorgeous weather and a little picnic action going.  Plus, a gigantic bouncy-house-thingy (do these things even have a technical name?) … Check it out!

Darcy loved her some “air time”, as did Chase, although he was only comfortable as long as his dad held on to him.  I never get tired of watching my husband with the kids … have I mentioned this?  [Melt]

Oddly enough, Aid, the general adventurer/wanderer/climber was completely out on this strange bouncing concept and would only ever watch distrustingly from the sidelines with his Grandpa Ewoldt.

[Please note the spectacular safari-style head gear.  This is one of my father-in-law’s trademarks … for which I love him dearly.  He even threatened to wear it to my wedding.  True story.]

More from our week’s adventures soon – even if my kids are getting sick of the camera –

The Mom-arazzi

Pizza Rice

Last week, I got a text from a good friend asking for a recipe.  The recipe was in a book that I’ve had and loved for years, but had never really noticed.  I’ve noticed it now.  It’s 100% super kid friendly (that’s super friendly, not necessarily super kids, but you can interpret it as you’d like), low in gluten, and … oh yeah, DELICIOUS.

PIZZA RICE CASSEROLE
(serves 10)

4 cups cooked rice
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
dash pepper
1/4 tsp oregano
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup diced onion
2 Tbsp butter
2-8 oz cans tomato sauce
1/4 tsp garlic

Cook rice according to package directions.  Brown beef with onion in melted butter in a large skillet.  Drain off fat.  Add tomato sauce and seasonings; cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Combine cottage cheese and cooked rice.  Put 1/3 of the mixture in a buttered 2 quart casserole.  Top with 1/3 of meat tomato sauce.  Continue to alternate layers, ending with tomato sauce.  Sprinkle with grated cheese.  Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

**I made a couple substitutions … 1) I used ground turkey instead of ground beef, 2) I cooked the meat and onions sans butter (they turned out fine), much as I love butter, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it, and 3) I used some agave (lower glycemic index) in place of the sugar**

VOILA!

Okay, scratch that … much as I’d like to, I just don’t think I can pull of saying “VOILA!”  Anyway, and no matter, here it is.  Make it.  It’s good.  Your kids will like it.  So will your husband’s inner child who still wishes you made macaroni and cheese.

**Hey, this part is last on the recipe, but do it first, okay?  The Pizza Rice recipe is actually courtesy of a beautiful woman named Connie.  She is serving alongside her husband Dave with Josiah Venture in the Czech Republic.  To learn more about Josiah Venture, click here.  Or, check out Connie’s blog here!  You won’t regret it.  🙂 **

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