S'mores Cookie Bars

There will be these bars in heaven.

I stumbled across this recipe.  They turned out divine!

And of course, like all my cooking, it's E-A-S-Y!

S'more Cookie Bars

1/2 C butter or marg

1/4 C brown sugar

1/2 C sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/3 C flour

3/4 C graham cracker crumbs

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 bars (king sz) milk chocolate ... I used milk chocolate chips instead.

1 1/2 C marshmallow fluff.... I used almost all of a large jar since we love marshmallows here.  I'd strongly suggest increasing this as the mallow fluff really makes these bars!

Preheat 350, grease 8" square pan.

Combo butter and sugars until light.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  In separate bowl, mix flour, crumbs, powder, & salt.  Full disclosure....I just dumped it into the butter/sugar mix and it turned out fine.  If you do the separate bowl thing, add the dry and butter ingredients and mix.

Divide half the dough and press into pan.  Place choco bars (or chips) over dough.  Glob marshmallow fluff over the choco.  Place remaining dough over fluff and press down.

Bake 28-32 min or until golden brown.  Cool before cutting.  But it's okay if you take a spoon and scoop some into your mouth when it first comes out of the oven...repeatedly.  Just blow on it so you don't burn yourself, okay?

It's also especially yummy if you heat a piece in the microwave before eating the leftovers...if there are any.

Walking on Water

After church yesterday, Galina told us that she didn't want to walk on water like Jesus because she didn't want to get her pretty dress wet. 

I think I need to work with her on her priorities.  Oh my!

Frogs

We had a playdate with Seiban last week.  Once again, they wanted to do a craft.  So I broke out the supplies and had them make some friendly green fellows.

First I took some green paper and found something round to trace a large circle on each sheet. (Notice Brielle in the background....she'll be in action later.)

Next I found a smaller "template" and traced two circles per kid out of white paper. And then I traced each kids' hands.

Have at it, boys! Let the cutting begin.

 

Boys love cutting things.  It's part of their war-like insticts, I suppose. 

These are all the pieces. Galina's toes are included for free.

Place the pieces like so to make a frog. Have the kids glue them together.

 Then simply use marker to add pupils, a nose, and a mouth.

There you have it!  Handprint frogs.

But beware...they could inspire crazy frog games.  Here's the line-up:

Seiban couldn't wait until 3.  His frogger-juices were flowing too intensely to hold them in any longer.

Chaos.

Soon they realized that they could jump over each other.

I think Seiban found a new talent.

While all this was going on, I neglected the little tadpole only to find this:

She rolled all the way over to the hardwood floor!  This was the first time she rolled more than once! 

I think she was a little shocked herself.

And proud!

All inspired by three Kermits taking over the house.  What fun!

Love Your Heart

I wanted to like Love Your Heart by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas more than I did. The message behind the story was wonderful, don’t get me wrong. I just got caught up on the disconnected details. Katie, the main character, tries to figure out what she’s good at to do at a talent show. I liked that the daddy said, “It’s okay. God gave you lots of talents, Katie. Let’s ask Him to help you find just the right one for the Talent Show.” But they never showed them praying or what talent she decided to do! That was a huge teachable moment missed.

Then Katie’s friend Sophie jumps into the story. It was an abrupt addition. I think she could have showed up in the story earlier to make the reader have feelings for her before backstage at the talent show…the moment of a selfless decision for Katie.

I loved how Katie helped Sophie which she, along with Katie’s daddy, recognized as honorable actions revealing her heart. I missed a wrap up, however, of the Christian message. A tie to God’s ways or Biblical truth would have been nice.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Valentines

Valentine's Day is tomorrow and we've been busy getting ready.  I had Treyton cutting out hearts for two days.  Then we made them into elephants to decorate the cards he's giving to his classmates.

And a special valentine for Mrs. Kerby. 

Galina was right there ready to assist any way she could.

First time she has used scissors. She was fascinated.  You could tell by how quiet she got.

I decided to use some of her coloring to create a fun mobile.

Ta-Da!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Precious Pictures

My friend, Tammy Kakac, is an amazing photographer.  (She's also Treyton's buddy Seiban's mom)  I finally set up a photoshoot with her.  Here are just a few pics from that shoot.  Tammy's contact info: t.kakac@att.net or 303-662-8010.  I highly recommend her!

Brush with Fame

She was adorable with long blonde curly hair wearing a little girlie dress.  Cute as a button!  But my attention immediately shifted to the daddy holding her.  He was talking softly, their faces almost touching.

A friend of mine told me told me he was there last week but who knew if he'd come back.  He did!

The head coach of the Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels, was at our church on Sunday.

I almost brushed shoulders with him as we were picking up our kids.  Closest I've been to fame....ever?

Too bad he wasn't there earlier in the fall when our pastor used him as one of the examples in studying 1 Timothy.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Tim 4:12

Our pastor's point was that we are never too old or too young to make a difference.  Using the talents God gives us is important no matter what arena we find ourselves in.

He may be effective and valuable as a coach, but as a dad loving his daughter, he is priceless.  May my priorities likewise drive my actions making me fruitful.

Oh, I almost forgot....Go Broncos!

Guest post by Spaceman

This is a guest post by someone I will call Spaceman.  Here Spaceman writes about an issue relating to the new space shuttle that Obama just axed.  Thanks, Spaceman!

On February 1st, 2010, the Obama administration released its proposed federal budget for 2011. In this budget, the NASA program Constellation, is canceled. This program Constellation also contains the "Crew Exploration Vehicle" - Orion, which has been our nation's planned replacement for the Space Shuttle, to deliver US astronauts to the Space Station. The Orion spacecraft is also designed to go beyond low earth orbit; to be able to not only take astronauts back to the moon, but also further beyond, to asteroids, Mars, or the moons of Mars. For the first time in the history of US spaceflight, a truly interplanetary spacecraft, is being designed, which would help to ensure US leadership in space and technology.

Under the Obama administration's current proposed budget, Orion will be canceled, with no clearly defined plan for spacecraft beyond low earth orbit. The proposed plan will rely on unproven, yet to be demonstrated small commercial, low earth orbit, spacecraft. These small commercial, low earth orbit, spacecraft, could take 5-10 years to be proven safe enough, or capable enough, before the lives of US astronauts could be entrusted. In the mean time, the Obama administration's plan is to purchase rides for US astronauts on Russian spacevehicles- an export of US tax payer dollars to Russia, to provide US access to space.

In a recent press release, it is understood that if the Orion portion of the Constellation program remains funded, the US can be ready for crewed spaceflight using the Orion spacecraft by 2013.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/02_03_Orion.html
So what could you do to help? You can go to http://www.goboldlynasa.org to write your congressmen or congresswomen. A pre-drafted letter, based on your state and zip code, will automatically write your congressional representatives to inform them of your disagreement of the currently proposed budget and plan to cancel the Constellation program and the Orion spacecraft.

One more fun fact, for those of you who reside in Colorado - Did you know that Colorado is the 3rd largest "Space State" in the nation (after Florid and Texas).
"Live long and prosper" - Spock

Book Review - God's Little Princess Devotional Bible

Book Review - God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible


I am just starting to review books for the publisher Tommy Nelson.  Here is my first one:

“Every girl is a princess, the daughter of a King…the greatest King who created and rules over everything!” Touching the hearts of girls of all ages, God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible is wonderful. Author Sheila Walsh does an extraordinary job at organizing various Bible excerpts from the International Children’s Bible* into a book that captivates the girlie life. Between Bible passages are related activities and articles which I really liked: beauty secrets emphasizing inner beauty qualities, females from the Bible who made a difference, ideas on how to love others (royal subjects), ways to worship and praise God, highlighted Biblical truths, promises, and verses to memorize. I especially loved the dress up and role playing activities that brought the Bible passages to life. Being a former teacher, I noticed that this book had something for every learning style. That way my two completely different girls could use and love this book. The message of inner beauty, pursuit of godliness, and unconditional love shines through. I highly recommend this book for girls around ages 4-7.



*The International Children’s Bible which was used in this book was an enjoyable and trustworthy translation for kids. It was very easy to understand yet not watering down the meaning of Biblical passages. I may check out other Bibles for my kids with this translation, I was that pleased with it.

A View to Remember

Self-discovery would be a good way to describe it. 

I just love this stage.  Brielle is learning that she can control her legs and arms and hands and tongue.  She loves her legs. 

Bam!  Straight up they go.

Then they hunker down until...BAM!  Straight up they go again.

Sometimes the simple joys of babies create the most endearing moments. 

Bam!

Horse

Treyton had cowboy day at school last week and made this craft.  Super easy and cute.  They just took a wrapping paper roll, cut out a head and mane, and stapled them together to fit on top of the roll.  Add eyes and string and there you have it...a horse! 

Minnesota Wild Rice Soup

When the weather was blustery outside, I couldn't resist making some good ol' fashioned Minnesota Wild Rice Soup.  Here is an easy recipe that tastes like home.  Sooo nummy!

Minnesota Wild Rice Soup
2 T butter
1 T minced onion
1/2 C flour
2 (14.5 oz) cans Swanson's chicken broth
2 C cooked wild rice
1/3 C (or more) finely grated carrots, I used one whole carrot, optional
1/2 tsp salt
1 C half and half (I used fat free)
2 T dry sherry


Melt butter and saute onion until tender.  Blend in flour.  Gradually add broth, stirring to avoid lumps.  Cook over med to med-hi heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens slightly.  Stir in rice, carrots, and salt; simmer about 5 min.  Blend in half and half and sherry; heat to serving temperature.

Variation: add in ham and/or chopped slivered almonds with rice in recipe above.

The best wild rice soup ever....yeah, sure, you betcha!

Samson

I went back to MOPs after taking some time off. Turns out, it is a form of therapy for me. Being with other moms in the same parenting stage as me, deep in the trenches, is just plain comforting.

It helps me feel normal.

 

They learned about Samson in Treyton's class.  He came out with muscles and paper hair.

For the rest of the day I had a superhero running around. 

And I loved every minute of it.

"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." - Phil 4:13

Lord, thank you for the reminder of YOUR strength, working through a 4 year old Samson-wannabe to bring it to my heart.

"I'm Happy at You"

It's a wonder how kids pick up on things. The other day I heard Treyton shout, "Galina, I'm mad at you!" I understood. She is gifted at messing things up.

For the next few hours Treyton kept reminding me, "Mommy, I'm mad at Galina." As if I could forget. The battling went on most of the morning.

A few days later I got a hug from this motley lady. She can't hide emotions.

It's just not in her make-up.

I am growing to accept this.

Anyways, what came out of her mouth was so endearing to me. Embraced in a leg bear hug to my legs, I heard a little voice say, "I'm happy at you Mommy."

"I'm happy at you." The world is a wonderful place indeed...messed up or not.

Moments

Happy moments...PRAISE GOD

Difficult moments...SEEK GOD

Quiet moments...WORSHIP GOD

Painful moments...TRUST GOD

Every moment...THANK GOD