He’s turning into such a big boy!  Sunday, Jon took him to Toys-R-Us to look around.  Jon came home and was telling me how great he was at the store.  And really, I love taking him to Toys-R-Us.  He doesn’t whine and scream to buy stuff.  He likes to look at the toys and then is fine putting them back on the shelf.  He occasionally asks, but doesn’t have a problem with being told no.  His biggest concern is whether or not he gets to sit in the Spiderman helicopter ride on the way out.  It doesn’t need to go, he can pretend.

I never imagined that someone so small could make me laugh so much.  He’s so exact.  He won’t let anyone say he’s 4 until after his birthday.

I smile as he walks down the hallways and tells his pretend friend, Jack, “Excuse me” because she’s standing in the middle of the hallway.

He loves his baby sister so much.  He loves to lay on the floor with her and lay his arm around her.  He’s always giving her hugs and kisses and trying to get her to look at him.  He’s been amazing through all of the things we’ve been through with Emma.  He doesn’t notice that she’s not “normal.”  He doesn’t care that we have to go to therapy on so many days.  Though, he does think it’s not fair that Emma gets to go in the PT pool and he doesn’t.  I’ve asked him before if he wished he didn’t have a sister, and every time he says no, she’s part of our family and he loves her.  In fact, he tells me that he wants more baby sisters…and maybe a baby brother.  After he changed his mind about baby brothers.  For a little while, he would tell me that he didn’t like baby boys.

He’s potty trained now.  Well, I don’t count the night time.  That will take time.  I’m just happy that he goes during the day.  We’ve had our accidents.  But who doesn’t.  He even goes when we’re out at the store or restaurant.

Next is preschool.  We’re going to an open house for a preschool on Tuesday evening.  We’re hoping that we can get him to go 2 or 3 days a week, maybe starting the end of August.  I know he’ll love it.  I think he’s been ready for it for a while, but there was that pesky potty training issue.  Now that we’ve conquered that, he can move on and have lots of fun with other big kids.

Today we’re going to the zoo.  We’ll walk around, enjoy the animals, hope the butterflies land on us, eat junk food, and maybe go to the beach afterwards.

At 2:28, the alarm will go off and we’ll sing Happy Birthday to Matthew.  If you’re free, join along.  If you do, let me know.  Matthew would be thrilled to know that everyone was singing with us.

Technorati Tags: 4th birthday, toledo zoo

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Well, I obviously didn’t get this up Monday evening.  Busy week.  And it’s not over yet.  *sigh*

Thursday is going to be bad.  Only because Matthew gets his 4 year old check-up.  And he’ll be getting 4 shots in his cute little thighs.  Emma also needs her 1 year old shots.  It’s possible that she’ll get them tomorrow.  Hopefully it all doesn’t go as bad as I’m picturing it.

This is probably the most exciting MPM post I’ve ever made. (Note the sarcasm here.)  Enjoy.

Monday

LO tacos, blueberries

Tuesday

homemade chicken & rice soup, blueberries

Wednesday

parmesan crusted tilapia, broccoli cheese rice, Cold & Creamy Banana Pudding

Thursday

LO soup

Friday

??
Something I pull out of the cupboard.

Saturday

out

Sunday

??
I’m feeling uninspired this week.  We’ll see what else I come up with.

Technorati Tags: Menu Plan Monday

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Blech!

Technorati Tags: Chevy Uplander

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We’re taking the van in for some service work tomorrow.  It’ll take a minumum 4 hours to get it done.  I can’t sit in the car dealership for 4+ hours with a 4 year old and a 13 month old.  I’m going to drop it off and Jon’s gonna give us a lift home.  We’ll pick it up when Jon gets home from work.

I hate not having a car.  I don’t need to go anywhere tomorrow.  I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.  We’ve got enough stuff planned for this week* that I don’t want to go anywhere tomorrow.  It’s that “unknown” factor.  What if something happens?  Nothing is going to happen.  I know better.  We’ll be perfectly fine.  But with 2 kids, you just never know.

* Tuesday (Early On appointment, physical therapy), Wednesday (EEG, jujitsu), Thursday (doctor appointment for Matthew, 4 shots!)

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Ok.  So we’re done with the baby shower.  And as everyone kept saying, “We don’t have to do that again.”  At which point, I would tack on, “At least for a couple of years.”  Crystal didn’t appreciate it.  Just a little big sister humor. 

Now, we’ve got to plan a birthday party for Matthew.  Boy the time is flying.

I’ve been getting way behind on recipe reviews.  I’m hoping to do a bunch this week.  For now, here’s the menu for the week.

Monday

ribs, baked beans, potatoes, broccoli
Crystal and Eric are coming over for dinner.

Tuesday

LO ribs or sandwiches

Wednesday

tacos

Thursday

nachos

Friday

Bruschetta Chicken

Saturday

homemade chicken noodle soup

Sunday

LO Bruschetta Chicken

Technorati Tags: Menu Plan Monday

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Busy, busy weeks ahead.  Last week Jon spent some time in California and it’s very likely that he’ll be making another trip or two.  Thankfully it won’t be for another couple of weeks.

We spent the morning at the dentist and then a leisurely walk through the mall.

This weekend is crazy for us.  We’ll actually be spending half of it away from each other.  Crystal, Mom, and I are throwing Kim a baby shower.  So I’m taking the kids up and helping out with all the prep work for that.

This weekend is the 2nd anniversary at the dojo.  There are going to be demonstrations, awards, and a barbeque for members afterward.  Jon is doing a jujutsu and iaido demo.  If you are in the Ann Arbor area, or are free, head on over.  Take a peek at what all the people there can do.  They are a great family of people.

Monday

turkey sandwiches

Tuesday

pulled pork sandwiches

I froze some of this from the last time I made it.  Quick and easy to defrost.

Wednesday

Penne pasta with zucchini, grilled chicken

Thursday

LO pasta

Friday

I’m out of town.  Jon’s on his own.

Saturday

I’ll be at a baby shower.  Jon will be at the dojo BBQ.

Sunday

BBQ rib, baked beans, potatoes au gratin

Technorati Tags: Menu Plan Monday

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Well, I didn’t get a plan up last week. After Emma’s birthday, I just couldn’t bring myself to to type it out. And then when I was ready, the site crashed. My blogs are hosted on a friend’s server and normally he would be available to get the server back up and running. But he was out of town and had no way to flip the switch.

With the great weather, I’ve been wanting to grill a lot more. So I get this bright idea that I’ve got chicken, and if I get some peppers, we’ve got the stuff to make fajitas! Sounded so yummy. Until it started to rain. Hard. Not a little misty rain or drippy rain. Hard rain. No way I was going out into that to grill. So I did the next best thing. Our stove came with a grill insert, so we used that instead. They didn’t come out too bad. I sprinkled the chicken with olive oil so it wouldn’t stick and then put some taco seasoning on it. The chicken had some flavor to it and wasn’t bland.

This week is going to be pretty boring and kid friendly. Jon is going to California for a couple of days. He’ll be away for 3 days total and I’m not trying anything new and exciting for Matthew, who hasn’t been eating for the last 5 days.

So on with the menu.

Monday

grilled steak, potatoes
UPDATE: We’re going to A&W.  Today they will make any soda a float for free!

Tuesday

LO chinese

Wednesday

mac & cheese, chicken nuggets

Thursday

quesadillas

Friday

pancakes & sausage

Saturday

Penne with zucchini & ricotta with grilled chicken

Sunday

Something, anything….but I’m not cooking it.

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You’ll notice the bulge halfway down the bed.  That’s all the sheets & blankets.  Bunched up.  It’s the first thing he does after we close the door.  Kick down the sheet & blanket, pull the comforter up and cover himself.  Or lay on it.  Either way makes him happy.

All of those animals are his night time friends.  There’s Pooh, Blue, Magenta, Periwinkle, Mickey Mouse, and Puss ‘n’ Boots.  Every night they must all be in the bed.  It’s getting a little crowded in there.

Here’s the proud boy.  He gets excited when I walk into his room and ask if he made is bed.  “Yes!” he screams at me as he bounces around.  And since he loves having his picture taken, here he is.

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Well, I couldn’t post pictures of Emma and not post any of Matthew.  He was the ring bearer and I think he did a pretty good job.  He’s pretty active but listened well to direction and managed to do well during the ceremony.

First, here is the bride.  Isn’t she beautiful!

Small problem getting into her dress.

Coming down the aisle.  He’s so cute.

Me and my big boy.  He’s growing up way too fast!

And a little picture of Emma.  So cute!

All of these pictures are proofs.  The photographer was great!  If you are in need of a photographer, check out his website.

Technorati Tags: ring bearer, wedding

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Matthew didn’t eat his pork on a bun or bread. He went with a little pile on his plate. This was also a big hit with him as he excitedly nodded his head when I asked if it was good. Served with raw carrots & ranch, this was a good meal.

Click over to the Taste of Home site or below the picture for the recipe.

Teriyaki Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Serves 8

• 1 boneless pork shoulder roast (3 pounds), trimmed
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce, divided
• 1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 8 whole wheat hamburger buns, split
• 1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple, drained

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown roast in oil over medium-high heat. Cut in half; place in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add the onion, 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce and pineapple juice. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove roast; set aside. In a small bowl, combine the flour and remaining teriyaki sauce until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Cover and cook on high for 30-40 minutes or until thickened.
Shred meat with two forks; return to the slow cooker and heat through. Spoon 1/2 cup onto each bun; top with a slice of pineapple.

Technorati Tags: Recipe Review, Taste of Home

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