The Dominee Huisvrouw

Culture…

2012-01-27T12:34:00.000-04:00

…with a sense of humour!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

An Adjective For Every Age

2012-01-24T12:50:00.001-04:00

Chancery told me today, “I’m not cute anymore. I was cute when I was two, but now I’m three.”

Me: “Well, what are you now? Are you intelligent?”

Chancery: “No.”

Me: “Are you smart?”

Chancery: “Yes!”

Me: “Will you still be smart when you are four?”

Chancery: “No, I’ll only be smart when I am three.”

Me: “Well, what will you be when you are four?”

Chancery: “Then I will be biggest. Don’t forget when I am four, to say I’m biggest, ok, Mum?”

Me: “I’ll try not to, but I might have to write it down, so I don’t forget.”

Chancery: “Yes, you should do that!”

Conversations with her are always enlightening!

Sunday Pictures

2012-01-22T08:41:00.001-04:00

Asher – 5.5 years

Chancery – 3 years

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“Kids, it’s time for your pictures!”

“Hello?”

Chancery: “Oh, hello! We didn’t notice you there since we were so engrossed in our books!”

Asher: “Yes, I’m enjoying learning about dinosaurs immensely!”

Chancery: “Right now, I’m reading my princess book, but I have a bevy of options after that!”

Asher: “I just love reading, don’t you Chancery?”

Chancery: “Of course! It’s my favourite thing!”

I Don't Get It...

2012-01-20T12:30:00.000-04:00

...but I like it! Another clever Volkswagen commercial!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

Money, Money, Money!

2012-01-17T13:26:00.001-04:00

Ok, Readers, I’m in need of your opinions. I am wondering how you handle you kids’ money.

Our current modus operandi is: PChad gives some pocket change to the kids, the kids put it in their piggy banks, the banks get full, I empty them into a jar, I use the money in the jar to pay for school lunches, etc.

It’s our money cycle. If the kids get money as gifts, we usually use it to buy a toy/clothes/shoes for them. So far, the kids don’t get allowance, so we haven’t had to deal with that either… yet.

Here’s where you come in! How do you handle your kids’ money? Or, if you don’t have kids, how WOULD you handle it? What did your parents do when you were a kid, & did that system work?

Comments, please!

Getting Prepped

2012-01-16T13:33:00.001-04:00

Here’s a little video I shot just before yesterday’s pictures. Asher was getting focused, & Chancery wanted to know how the rest of her day was going to go…

Sunday Pictures

2012-01-15T08:50:00.001-04:00

Asher – 5.5 years

Chancery – 3 years

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Chancery: “Asher, you pretend you’re the pony, ok?”

Asher: “Ok, Chancery… what are you going to do?”

Chancery: “You’ll see, Asher.”

Asher: “Please stop pulling my tail!”

Chancery: “Ok, I stopped now.”

Chancery: “Did that hurt a lot, Pony Asher?”

Asher: “Yes, of course it did!”

Chancery: “Sorry about that, Pony Asher!”

Golden Age

2012-01-13T13:02:00.001-04:00

Lately every time I’ve watched a YouTube video, this song plays as part of a commercial. It’s pretty catchy!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

Dinnertime Prayer

2012-01-10T13:05:00.001-04:00

Asher was taking his turn praying his own prayer at dinner the other night, & I had to stop myself from laughing a few times. It’s just so funny the way kids think sometimes. But I wanted to be sure not to forget this one…

“God, you are awesome, & we love you. Everyone in the whole world is happy because of you. But there are some people who don’t know you, and you will defeat them, & forgive them. Thank you for everything, everywhere in the whole universe. Amen.”

We had just been explaining what the word ‘defeat’ meant, but I don’t think he really understood…

Sunday Pictures

2012-01-08T08:44:00.001-04:00

Asher – 5.5 years

Chancery – 3 years

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Chancery: “Asher went to get a book for us.”

Asher: “Chancery, are you ready to tell them about the story?”

Asher: “I brought Pinocchio.”

Chancery: “I like this one, but he sure gets into trouble!”

Asher: “We’re almost at the end, what do you think is going to happen now, Chancery?”

Chancery: “I think Pinocchio is going to end up getting turned into toothpicks!”

Asher: “I don’t think that’s how the story goes, Chancery!”

Doritos

2012-01-06T13:15:00.001-04:00

Doritos has a contest every year for picking the best commercial to air during the Superbowl. I thought this one was awesome.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Latte Winner 2011!

2012-01-03T13:40:00.000-04:00

After another year of latte drinking, the numbers are in! This past year I drank even less than in 2010, clocking a mere 138, making Kami the winner with her guess of 165!

I’m sure the low numbers are due to some medical conditions I’ve had the past year, & since there are lots of times I have really wanted to have a latte, but couldn’t, I’ve decided not to continue the contest this next year.

So, Congratulations, Kami! Your gift will be mailed shortly (sometime in January!)

Oh, Hello!

2012-01-02T13:18:00.001-04:00

I’ve been negligent about blogging, but we’ve had a busy Christmas Season! We’ve had snow, coughs, flu, gifts, & more snow! While we’ve enjoyed our break from the normal activities, I think we’re about ready to get back to our regularly scheduled program!

The kids decided to have a snow picnic after our first major snowfall… yes, they ate snow.

This dump truck has remained on our picnic table as a good way to gauge how much snow we have. Currently it is sitting on a wet, puddly table bereft of snow, but it has been totally covered in the last week.

This is the first snowman built after the first snow storm. We raided the fridge to give him a face, complete with broccoli eyes!

Chancery was elated to get a Suggie of her own. Asher began complaining right away, “Why don’t I get a Snuggie?”

…and he did!

Asher helped Daddy build the second “Snowperson” of the season… apparently this one is a woman.

Asher figured since PChad did so much of the work that he should have his picture taken too.

And that is what we did on our Christmas vacation!

Sunday Pictures

2012-01-01T10:28:00.001-04:00

Asher – 5.5 years

Chancery – 3 years

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Chancery: “Asher is late because he’s finding some toys to hold.”

Chancery: “I chose a pink box, and a tennis ball!”

Asher: “And I have Russell, & a pink pony!”

Chancery: “Asher, is that pony mine?”

Asher: “Boys can like a little bit of pink too!”

Sunday Pictures: Christmas Edition

2011-12-25T09:08:00.001-04:00

Asher – 5.5 years

Chancery – 3 years

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Asher: “Mum said we could choose our best gift from yesterday to show you.”

Chancery: “I love my Snuggie!”

Chancery: “It’s so warm & cuddly!”

Asher: “I had a hard time deciding…”

Asher: “It was either my Snuggie, or my new DS.”

Chancery: “And today we get to celebrate Jesus’ birthday!”

Asher: “Yahoo!”

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T13:25:00.001-04:00

Wishing you the best this Christmas Season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Gingerbread Cookies

2011-12-23T11:43:00.001-04:00

I’m not usually a big fan of gingerbread, but these cookies are the exception. They are very soft & tasty! I definitely recommend them!

1 1/2 C Dark Molasses
1 C Dark Brown Sugar
2/3 C Cold Water
1/3 C Butter

Mix together, then add:

6 C Flour
1 t Allspice
1 t Cloves
2 t Ginger
1 t Cinnamon
1 t Salt

-Mix, cover, & refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.

-Roll out 1/4" thick & cut into shapes

-Place on ungreased cookie sheet, & bake @ 350° for 10 min

-Let rest on pan 2-3 min, then transfer to rack.

Frosting:
1/2 C Butter
1/4 t Salt
1/2 t Vanilla
1 can Condensed Milk
Icing Sugar

-Mix Butter, Salt & Vanilla.

-Add Icing Sugar & Milk to desired consistency

-Ice when cookies are cooled.

If you have extra frosting, just keep it in the fridge & it will stay good.

Deep Thoughts

2011-12-22T13:16:00.001-04:00

Chancery was lying in our bed this morning, & I could tell she was thinking some deep thoughts. After a few minutes’ contemplation, she declared:

“Some people don’t even need hair. Because they are bald!”

This statement wasn’t as out of the blue as you may think. Just last Sunday whilst sitting in church, Asher announced quite loudly during a quiet part of the service:

“That man has no hair at all!”

The man in question was sitting directly in front of Asher, so there was no doubt he had missed what was said…

but I guess he doesn’t really need hair anyway.

Sunday Pictures

2011-12-18T08:46:00.001-04:00

Asher – 5 years

Chancery – 3 years

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Asher: “Christmas day is almost here, Chancery!”

Chancery: “I know that, Asher.”

Asher: “I’m going to have no school for awhile, so we’ll have lots of time to play together!”

Chancery: “I know that too, Asher.”

Asher: “Should we do some very excited smiles for Mummy today?”

Chancery: “Sure!”

Asher: “Merry!”

Chancery: “Christmastime!”

Chocolates & Santa

2011-12-15T11:28:00.000-04:00

Chancery & I were at the store to buy a birthday card for her friend Corbin’s birthday party. While in line, Chancery noticed all the candy bars displayed below the counter…

Me: “Please don’t touch the candy, Chancery.”

Chancery: “Are these for my friend, Corbin?”

Me: “No, he doesn’t need any.”

Chancery: “Are these for me?”

Me: “No, they are for other people to buy.”

Chancery: “For other people to buy for me?”

Me: “Nice try, no.”

The lady behind us started laughing midway through this little exchange, & jumped into the conversation:

“Oh, now she definitely should get one! She’s so clever!”

Really? Now I have to explain to the random lady that my kid doesn’t need a chocolate bar, when I just finished explaining it to my 3-year old? What would I be teaching her if I bought her a candy bar now?

The lady turns to Chancery: “Santa will bring you a candy bar.”

I couldn’t believe it! Now she’s making promises to my kid about what she’s getting for Christmas! I loved Chancery’s response…

Chancery: “Santa isn’t real.”

Lady: “Oh my Gawd!!! At her age?”

Chancery: “It’s not nice to say ‘Oh my God’.”

Lady: “Who told her Santa isn’t real?”

Me: “I did.”

Lady: “Why would you do such a thing, at her age?”

Me: “That’s not what Christmas is about. It’s about Jesus!”

At this the cashier joined in too: “Amen!”

Lady: “But you can let her have a little fun! Santa’s just something fun to do!”

Me: “And at what age do you tell your kids that you’ve been lying to them all along? They’re going to start wondering what else you’ve been lying to them about.”

Cashier: “That’s right!”

Chancery: “Mummy, can I have this kind of candy bar?”

Peppermint Meringues

2011-12-13T16:41:00.001-04:00

I participated in a Christmas baking exchange today. It was a great opportunity to try some new treats & get some new recipes as well. We ended up getting 12 different kinds of treats in packages of six. A perfectly manageable amount to make, & eat! I should be set ‘til the end of the month… or the end of the week at least!

I made Peppermint Meringues, they are fairly easy to make, & they hold up remarkably well, though they probably wouldn’t freeze well. In our house they tend not to last long enough to warrant needing freezing!

You’ll need:

4 Egg Whites

1C Sugar (I use castor or super-fine)

1/4 t Cream of Tartar

1 1/2 C Semi-sweet Mini Chocolate Chips

2 Candy Canes –Crushed

What you do:

Preheat oven to 225°

Beat Egg ‘til soft peaks form.

Add Sugar gradually ‘til Eggs are very stiff.

Fold in Chocolate Chips.

Drop by teaspoon onto parchment lined cookie sheets.

Sprinkle with Candy Canes.

Bake 1 1/2 hour. Tap the bottom to check that they are done. They should sound hollow.

Turn off oven & open door for 1 hour.

Remove from pan & pack into airtight containers.

Sunday Pictures

2011-12-11T08:33:00.001-04:00

Asher – 5 years

Chancery – 3 years

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Asher: “I have 2 transformer balls.”

Chancery: “And I have an ox!”

Asher: “See, now they are closed.”

Chancery: “Still an ox!”

Asher: “Now they are opened again!”

Chancery: “Those are pretty cool, Asher!”

Asher: “Yes, they are! And I am so glad to have them!”

Chancery: “Mummy, thank you for taking us to McDonald’s so Asher could get his transformer balls. He loves them!”

Against The Grain

2011-12-09T13:38:00.001-04:00

I always like to see creative music videos. This one blends some school supplies & a catchy song!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Christmas Concert–Kindergarten

2011-12-07T13:43:00.001-04:00

Asher’s school Christmas concert was yesterday afternoon. PChad & I were intrigued to see what songs would be performed at a public school, since both he & I went to Christian schools.

All the kids were wearing Santa hats & singing Santa songs. This is the one semi-good picture I got of Asher.

The kids did a pretty good job, Asher sang a total of 4 songs, 2 being in French, & since it was just a Kindergarten concert it was done in under an hour!

He was more interested in the xylophones that were sitting on the stage behind him…

At least his hair isn’t all messed up…

Sunday Pictures

2011-12-04T08:46:00.001-04:00

Asher – 5 years

Chancery – 3 years

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Chancery: “We helped Mummy & Daddy put the Christmas decorations up.”

Asher: “Yes we did, but now we have to remember not to touch the ornaments.”

Chancery: “That is difficult since the ornaments look so fun!”

Asher: “I know, but Mummy said that they are not strong enough to play with.”

Chancery: “So if we do play with them, we might break them?”

Asher: “Yes, you’ve got it!”