The Adventures of Club Amaro

FIFTH (The Carebear Backpack Post)

2013-08-26T23:16:00.003-05:00

You can all breath a sigh of relief now......the long awaited "Carebear Backpack" post is here. Thanks to those who have asked about it (some of you repeatedly!) It just took me awhile to dust the cobwebs off the blog so I could get something up.

For those of you who have been able to live your life in carefree ignorance of this Carebear Backpack ritual of mine - I will bring you up to speed (or, you can just read the post right before this one......yes, it has been a year since I have written - don't hate).

Meet Abby, circa 2006:

My preschooler

On her back is THE Carebear Backpack. Anyone's guess as to where this backpack actually came from. Nevertheless, in this picture it's filled with all the pre-school goodies one little girl would need. Change of clothes in a Ziploc baggie, a package of baby wipes for the teacher, a snuggle buddy, etc.

The following year, the Carebear backpack was in such good shape that we used it for Jr. Kindergarten. Let's face it, the cardboard noodle art and construction paper turkey didn't really put much wear and tear on the thing.

Junior Kindergarten, 2007

Completely unrelated side-note. I really miss my flowerbed from our house in California.

The next year (Kindergarten), she had so much stuff to take to school it wouldn't fit in the little Carebear Backpack, so we had to purchase a new one. Abby was extremely crestfallen at the notion of having to retire her trusty pack, so I suggested we snap a picture of it like we had the previous years. Oh......she was SO excited to do that (as evidenced by the picture below, left). So this was really the beginning of the Carebear Backpack picture ritual. But for Abby, it was the beginning of the end.....the moments of excited anticipation of my camera capturing the Carebear Backpack were sailing away like a ship towards the horizon.

So.....no need for the school year play by play.....you get the picture (right below, in fact):

(L-R Kindergarten and 1st Grade)

(L-R 2nd grade and 3rd grade)

4th grade

Lest you think that these shots of a smiling cherub are genuine.......I assure you they were moments of feigned excitement.

Ahhhh, fifth grade. You know you're in trouble when this is the first picture:

"Why..........*sigh*.........Really?........Seriously?"

"I'm only grinning because I'm fantasizing about this backpack
having an encounter with a pair of scissors"

My personal favorite out of the bunch:

And if that wasn't bad enough, then came the part where I made her put her real backpack on and pose with a few hundred mosquitoes:

In the end, I got my shot for the year.....the one I can look back on and say, "there's my fifth grader".

And for those of you who stuck it out to the very end, I can explain why my child is dressed so casually for her first day of school. This year, our family has decided to home school......! Today was she dressed to attend her enrichment tutorial, which requires comfortable clothes and sneakers.

I thought I might be pushing my luck asking her to dress up for her Carebear Backpack Picture.

If you are interested in knowing more about our reasons for the change in school strategy, or want to know more about what we're doing for home school, feel free to contact me and I would be happy to fill you in.

Thanks for reading, and sorry it's been so long!!

Kristin.

FOURTH

2012-08-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for the Carebear backpack pictures again....

The child grows weary of this annual event, but I continue to insist and she continues to indulge. Let's take a moment to review years past, as I am in the habit of doing.

(L-R Pre-School and Jr. Kindergarten)

(L-R Kindergarten and 1st Grade)

(L-R 2nd grade and 3rd grade)

And now, the current year Carebear backpack pictures:

4th grade

And now, the common phrase you hear from moms on the first day of school.....

I can't believe I have a 4th grader!

Enjoy your day :)

Cook Once Eat Thrice

2011-08-15T14:04:00.000-05:00

I saw an article in a magazine once entitled, "Cook Once, Eat Twice". Last week I took it one step further and ate 3 times from a meal I cooked. I thought I would share this here since a few people were asking me for the recipes.

Around here, I use the crock pot alot - especially on the days that I am working. Throw in crock in the morning, take it out when you get home. I also like to pair up my crock days with meat that is on sale. This particular week Publix had Boneless Pork Loin Chops on sale. I snapped up 2 packages of them (8 chops total) and here's what I did.

DAY ONE:

Coat the chops w/ a package of Taco Seasoning (I used a package I got from Trader Joes). Put the chops in the crock. On top of the chops, throw in a diced onion and a can of green chilies. Then, pour over that a can of chicken broth. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Your chops should just fall apart (if they don't, give it a little more time).....take two forks and just go at them for a minute or two. The result should look like a soupy meaty concoction.

Now you've got your "stuff" and you can roll like this:

MEAL ONE: Spoon the stuff over a serving of rice and serve with veggies and salad (and a nice piece of bread if you are so inclined)

MEAL TWO: Scramble up some eggs and when the eggs are about 1/2 way there, throw in some of the stuff and cook it the rest of the way. This alone is fantastic - If you live in the Bay Area and have ever eaten at La Tapatia, this is like the Machaca they serve there....Mmmmm!!! However, you can take it a step further and roll it in a tortilla with a sprinkle of cheese and do a breakfast burrito.

MEAL THREE: Tortilla + the stuff + a sprinkle of cheese + a spoonful of zesty chipotle sour cream....roll it up and enjoy. On this one, I suggest letting the liquid drain off before using the meat otherwise you have a messy result.

That's it! Cook once, eat thrice....

School Tip :: Overcoming the School Work Monster

2011-08-05T12:58:00.001-05:00

Since today is the first day of school for some of our kids here in Middle TN, I thought I might share a little tip that I started (and have continued) since Abby was in Pre-K.

I think everyone may have their own strategy for overcoming the School Work Monster, you know, the mound of paper, art, writings, spelling tests, etc. that accumulate as the school year progresses. I will share what works for me...

When Abby comes home with her school bits, I look them over with her....if there is something particularly awesome (a drawing, a story) I tend to scan it, send it off to the kin folk and then post on fridge. But for the most part, after reviewing an appropriately praising her for her fabulous work - the school bits go in a box like this:

The school bits box - usually resides
on the floor by my desk in the office

At the end of the school year, it's pretty much full. Then, at some point over the summer (or on the first day of the next school year like me today) you make yourself a strong cup of coffee, sit down and go through the box. You make two piles....one to keep and one to give to the garbage man. Yes, I know....it's hard to let go. But you must....

Now you may be able to do this process on the day your little cherub brings it home.....not me. I'm too emotional and attached. I would save everything! After the school and summer have passed, I'm a little more objective about what to keep and what to throw. Plus, if I need to go back and look at something from earlier in the year, it's all there in the school bits box.

So - once you have your "keep" pile, you put it in a nice little file like this:

Organized folder of school bits

What am I saving? I'm looking for a snapshot of what Abby was doing in this school year. I'm also saving certain pictures and stories that will capture who she is. At the very front of the folder, I have a thin file folder that contains her report card, school picture, class picture and any special notes from her teacher. I label the front of the folder with a sharpie - Grade, school, teacher name.

Once my folder is done, it gets put in the closet with the others:

Some day, I can give these to Abby to do with what she pleases....I know for myself, I have a box in the deep recesses of my closet that contains school work from my childhood. Every once in awhile I pull it out, touch it, read it, laugh, remember.

So there it is....maybe this will be helpful for you. Maybe you can take something from this and make your own tip. Bottom line, stay on top of the School Work Monster.....it will overwhelm and destroy if you let it!!

May your school year be blessed!!

THIRD

2011-08-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

Today was Abby's first day of 3rd grade....you know what that means, right? By now, you know what these posts are all about....the evolution of the Care Bear backpack!

(L-R Pre-School and Jr. Kindergarten)

(L-R Kindergarten and 1st Grade)

(L-R 2nd grade and 3rd grade)

There was actually a bit of a struggle to get the thing on this morning....it's getting too small!!

Here's a shot of her with her real backpack...

Our little 3rd grader

Enjoy your day, wherever you are!

2011-07-14T16:09:00.001-05:00

The big hairy prince loves his Chobani!

Only because my Mom did....

2011-04-22T12:15:00.000-05:00

If only I could rustle up those pictures that my Mom took of me pitching during my jr/sr high softball games. I had my tongue hanging out Michael Jordan style. So unattractive, I might add - right along with those polyester shorts they had us wear. Coupled with my 80's hair wings, I was a sight to behold. I figured I carry on the tradition - of course I think Abby is alot cuter.

She seems to have "caught" on pretty good to the throwing and catching bit.

All You Need is LOVE!

2011-02-13T22:25:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentines from Club Amaro!

Abby's Class Valentines

Valentines is a reminder to me that all we need is love...! Ok, well - we need food, water and clothes too. Of course, human love - as nice as that is - is not perfect love. It tends to come with a few conditions and imperfections (and depending on the person, it may be more than a few). We definitely need the love of one another....absolutely! But there is a greater love. The love of the Heavenly Father! His love is unconditional and perfect. And He gave the greatest Valentine of all...

"For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Note: A shout out to friend, fellow photographer and artist, Julie Prichard whose latest blog motivated me to pull out some on-hand craft supplies, blow the dust off my Sizzix machine and hand make Abby's Valentines again! Check out her series on "Teach Art To Your Children" (v1.2, v1.3)...quite inspiring! Thanks, Dude!

Set Up For Success

2011-02-03T22:33:00.000-06:00

It feels like 100 years since I've blogged.

I remember the days when I used to blog all the time...

Times have changed.

Full schedule and all that.

And, I just realized that all those little things I want to say to the world (as if the world cares) I say on Facebook or Twitter. When I blog, I always feel like I need to give more than 140 character update....something more profound or explanatory or expository. Of course I know I can always get away with just posting a picture of my precious offspring.

Offspring

Anyway - I was thinking about a little something I wanted to share. I've noticed I've started implementing in my household recently. I thought perhaps it might help someone else. It's a little thing I call "Set Up For Success".

Backstory. I have a problem with mornings....see, I need to get out of bed, curl up in a chair with a cup of coffee (preferably that's been made for me with the right distribution of frothed milk & raw sugar), a warm blanket and my reading and ease into the day. Ask me how often that happens. <radio silence> Apparently, my daughter has inherited this character trait as well. So if there are things we have to do in the morning that are undesirable and necessary, the odds of it actually happening are about as low as my coffee being delivered to me on a silver platter every morning, properly frothed and sugared.

Undesirable and Necessary.....we all have those items on the checklist, don't we?

So here's how it works....

The "Set Up" :: for us this happens the night before...but it's the action part, the prep, the "just do it" part.
The "Success" :: it's the result. There is success because we've spent time in the setup. It's actually more like, "a higher likelihood for success".

Example: Somebody doesn't like taking a shower in the morning and that's the only time that this person can do it (I'm not naming any names, but it's not me, ok?).
The Set Up: Bathmat on the floor, shower curtain pulled to the side as if to beckon you in, robe on the doorknob, towel by the shower, shower cap of the day hanging on the tub spout
Success: Fall out of bed, everything is ready - no setup required to complain about.

Baddah bing, baddah boom. Shower.

Example: Somebody likes to procrastinate in going to the gym in the morning. <Why you lookin' at me like that?>
The Set Up: Gym clothes at the foot of the bed, water bottle, keys and MP3 player on the counter
Success: Fall out of bed, get dressed and everything needed is by the door ready to go. No more "I can't find this or that so I will just stay home"

Badda boom. Gym. (Of course, I am still looking for the "Set Up" that will help me not sit in the parking lot for 20 minutes tweeting about how I don't want to go work out. Suggestions appreciated).

Setting up for success is about having an action plan, but part of it is setting up your mindset. "I am going to the gym tomorrow because here are my clothes and my water bottle is ready to go, blah, blah, blah". One of my favorite verses from the bible tells me to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). Our mind and thoughts are POWERFUL things! Even if you're one taco short of a combo plate, you still have the power to make choices and change your mind about things.

There are lots of other ways I can implement the "Set Up For Success" strategy in my house...for now, it's just something that I've been rocking in beta.

So maybe this gives you - all 2 of my faithful readers that have stuck with me over the last year of flailing blog posts - a little motivation to find an area where you can set yourself up for a higher likelihood of success.

Be blessed!
k

Eight is GREAT!

2011-01-11T01:00:00.000-06:00

I can't believe that eight years ago I was giving birth to one of the biggest blessings of my life!! Mike and I have a great kid - and today - turning 8.

In honor of the great eight, I put together a little video of year seven. You can watch the video by clicking HERE. Or, it could work for you by watching here:

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl...!

Behind the Music

2010-12-29T20:29:00.000-06:00

intro music

Tonight on The Adventures of Club Amaro's "Behind the Music"...

He was a long way from home with a Macbook full of banjo and harmonica tracks. She was a Johnny Cash lovin' 2nd grader from the other side of town. Together, they are Uncle Steve and Little Bita.

In 2008 in a dingy San Diego hotel room, "Lemon Cake String" came to life. The success of the single came much too fast for these two. In this TACA exclusive, we go behind the music and bring you the story of Uncle Steve and Little Bita.

Actually, the story has yet to be written....and I'm much too excited about their sophomore project "A Bita Merry Christmas"

Uncle Steve threw down the banjo and harmonica tracks before Little Bita came into the studio. Little Bita laid down her vocals like a pro. There is even a guest appearance by El Padre de Bita. Everything is arranged, mixed down and whatever other technical phrases there are to be done by Uncle Steve himself.

Please....sit back and enjoy this medley of tunes by clicking HERE

And thank you for tuning into this edition of TACA's Behind the Music

Revisiting the 80's

2010-12-05T21:59:00.006-06:00

Abby is in the children's choir at church...their performance this year involved different "eras". Abby got to be in the 80's era....and after alot of hairspray and a gigantic Christmas bow, here's the result. Abby is on the left side of the stage as you are looking at the video - she is one of the red shirts (wearing long white sleeves).
Enjoy!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

If you receive "The Adventures" through email, you will need to visit the website directly to view the video.

.

Sunday Morning Scones

2010-11-28T13:44:00.001-06:00

Sunday mornings at Club Amaro usually involve some kind of "special" breakfast. I don't know quite how that got started, but it has become a bit of a tradition. We attend church on Saturday evenings and that leaves Sunday morning for sleeping in and "special" breakfast. Usually, it's my waffles, pancakes, french toast or crepes (or "cradles" as Abby calls them). Something out of the ordinary that doesn't find its way on the Mon-Sat rotation.

This morning, I was feeling a little naughty and decided that bag of chocolate chip morsels had been in isolation too long. So, I rocked some chocolate chip scones.... It just so happened that my camera was nearby so I decided I would do a little "Cooking at the Club" installment. It's been too long since my last one.

I will include my recipe at the end, but here are my shots:

my little chocolate chip scones, getting ready for their time in the oven...

fresh out of the oven, cooling on a rack

waiting to be eaten....

carb-o-licious!

The only problem with doing this kind of activity is that your family has to wait for you to stage pictures. You can't have a 1/2 eaten scone in the midst of your scone stage. It's just not proper. So as the photographer, you are responsible for ensuring that scone-happy fingers don't find their way onto your stage.

little fingers, stage left

Club Amaro's Sunday Morning Chocolate Chip Scones
2 cups self-rising White Lily flour (really, is there any other kind?)
2 tablespoons raw sugar
1/2 cup chilled butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used minis)
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup milk

- Combine flour & sugar.
- Cut in butter until...you know...it gets that "way".
- Stir in yer chips.
- Mix egg and milk together then add to your dry mixture.
- Stir till just moistened then toss onto a well-floured surface.
- Knead until nearly smooth.
- Form into triangles, or however you want to rock it....3/4 inch thickness is best.

375 degrees, around 17 minutes.
Remove; cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes

You could, if you wanted to take the scones out at about 15 minutes and brush them with a little melted butter then pop them under the broiler for 2 minutes. But really, there's already a stick of butter in there...let's show a little self control.

ENJOY!

Hey Club Amaro readers...have you been over to AFH recently? I've been a busy little bee....please visit!

FYI

2010-11-08T17:28:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to let you know that tonight at the dinner table, Abby announced that we are going open a family business. It will be a restaurant called, "The Amaro House of Food". Will will be open 6 days a week and on Saturday morning we will serve breakfast.

We will be closed on holidays, but we will be open on Election day. Because people will probably be hungry after they elect.

If you have any questions, please contact Club Amaro.

No fear, baby!

2010-10-16T23:39:00.000-05:00

Some of you may remember our trip to Fall Creek Falls when I was able to overcome my fear of crossing the scary bridge that was 1 million feet in the air.

Well, today Abby overcame her fear of heights and rode the zip line during our time at the Cedar Rock Fall Fest. She actually didn't seem to hesitate - she marched right over and got in line. Later, she would share the thought process that she was having....it was too in-depth for me to remember. I was too busy bringing my blood pressure down after watching her do the zip line.

Anyway - here's a little progression photo montage for ya:

Waiting in line

I think this is the "psyching myself out" part...I could be wrong

And, she's off...

If you look hard enough, you can feel Mom having a heart attack

Zipping on down...

She did the zip line twice....I was so proud of her!

What fear are you needing to overcome?

Day Trippers

2010-10-09T00:37:00.000-05:00

Took a little day trip since it was Grandaddy's last day here...we went to Sewanee and then did the JD Distillery tour. A little disappointed in the lack of fall foliage yet in Sewanee. Guess we were just a tad early! You know how I am about the fall foliage. Still, we had fun...we visited the All Saints Chapel, had lunch at the University of the South cafeteria and drove around the grounds. Then, we went home via Lynchburg and took the Jack Daniels Distillery tour, which is always interesting.

Here are few snaps from the trip:

Statue of Jack

Our tour guide right next to the statue....thought this was a funny capture!

Abby walking the Perimeter Trail in Sewanee

Abby + Daddy

Abby + Grandaddy

She begged me to take this one...

Day Trippin' is tiring!

Relaxing on the grounds of the distillery

My favorite of the day....Abby on the steps of the Cross, getting slightly spun out at me for all the pictures.
"Mom....really? I can only smile so much!"

It Figures

2010-10-07T16:02:00.001-05:00

A conversation that just occurred:

"My allergies are really bothering me because Grandaddy and I went out to the field to fly our kite and it really threw me off a cliff"

My response, "it threw you off a what?"

" It's a figure of speech."

Note: the publishing of this conversation has been approved by all involved parties.

Down and out...

2010-09-25T11:26:00.001-05:00

"You are going to do what to where?"

Poor Cephas....he just returned home after a few days at the Vet. He was neutered and had an additional procedure done on his front claws. He has to be confined to a small area for the next 3 or 4 days and is wearing one of those Elizabethan cones. He looks absolutely pitiful. It's been hard to see him look so pitiful - but we know that in the next week or so, he will be back to his normal self.

You know, doing stuff like this:

and this:

We love our little Cephonious Monk....looking forward to him getting back to his old self.

My friend is back...

2010-09-24T10:11:00.000-05:00

Any of you that know me know...this is my time of year. I see a hint of color in the trees around the hood. Feeling relief from the beastly humidity of July and August. I'm just itching to pull out my cozy sweaters and boots. I have my camera ready!

WELCOME FALL!!!
I have missed you...looking forward to spending some time together.

No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one Autumnal face.

- John Donne

Said in my Hearing

2010-09-13T07:35:00.000-05:00

This morning, Abby was getting ready for school. I walked by the bathroom and spied her wiping her face down with one of the little round sponges that my Mom had given her. She was quite enjoying the moment....then she looked over and saw me watching her. I gave her the look.....and, I'm sorry that I cannot go into more detail about the look, it's just a look that I give, that Abby knows.

Her response to the look was this:

"Grandmama puts it this way: I feel like a fresh new woman"

Dear God, please help me. Amen.

Strength

2010-09-01T22:35:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday Mike had a little run in with a strong man. No, really...he was strong. His name is Dennis Rogers. Never heard of him? Here's an excerpt about him from his website:

"Today Dennis is a Grandmaster Strongman, and travels the world performing incredible feats of strength. Named Pound-for-Pound the World’s Strongest Man for the feats he performs (A.O.B.S.), he is the most seen strength athlete in history- witnessed by over 300 million people in 156 countries, through either his live or televised performances. Even Oprah jumped on his bandwagon, as she selected him as the "World’s Most" Performing Strongman.

All are amazed as he twists steel bars and horseshoes, rolls frying pans up with his fingers, tears thick phonebooks and decks of cards like they are tissue paper, and drives nails through construction lumber with a mere blow of his fist. Just a handful of the many feats he performs through his inspirational and motivational performances."

For real, yo. He did this to a frying pan and gave it to Abby:

So it was an innocent Saturday eve at church (yes, we go to church Saturday night...it rocks). Pastor is wrapping up the big fall sermon series, "Unwavering". They usually pull out all the stops for the fall & new year sermon series...this was no exception. To illustrate the point of Pastors sermon, they started off the service with a little demonstration by Dennis Rogers.....and..........since WE sit in the front row (yes, we sit in the front row...it rocks), well.....I'll just give you a visual:

Yes, that is my husband. Yes, that is a 6 inch nail in the strong mans hand. Yes, that is a board on his lap. Yes that is a balloon between his legs. Yes, he is wearing blindfold-glasses lest he should flinch and the strong man renders him...ahem...um, you know.

Pretty good action shot, eh? Thanks to having the old point-n-shoot in the purse (thanks, Mom!!).

Dennis went on to rip a deck of cards in half, bend a steel rod, make a heart out of a horse shoe, bend a hammer and wrench in half. And oh yeah, drive a nail through a piece of wood with his bare hand.

All this strength makes me think of my man............today is his birthday!!! So I shant let this post end without sending props out to my personal strong man. Later after church during supper, he bent a straw with his bare hands!! What a feat....I love you, Mike!! Happy birthday, you will always be pound-for-pound, Club Amaro's strongest man...

peace out...

Pandering

2010-08-20T16:37:00.000-05:00

We found out that Abby's teacher is a huge Florida State fan. A homework assignment that Abby received this week was to find a picture of someone performing an action, write a sentence and highlight the verb.

Baddah Bing Baddah Bath...

2010-08-20T13:00:00.004-05:00

Cephas recently discovered a whole new world behind the curtain...

SECOND

2010-08-09T11:15:00.001-05:00

Time flies....

(L-R Pre-School and Jr. Kindergarten)

(L-R Kindergarten and 1st Grade)

(2nd Grade)

My little baby is a 2nd grader....I can't even believe it. Before I had a child of my own, I used to poke fun at parents who would talk about their kids growing up so fast and be all emotional about it. "Ugh", I used to think...I'm sure with a little rolling of the eyes. But here I am....my kid is growing up so fast. And I'm emotional. Ugh. Sigh.

So today we had the annual 1st day of school photo shoot....the one where I make her wear the "Care Bear" backpack that she wore on her first day of preschool. The first few shots she's all into it....and then she's over it. I promise only a few more pictures, and of course, we have to get a shot with the real backpack...the one that's probably too big for her.

Yeah...that one.

Ok...c'mon, just a few more...

"Really, Mom?"

I love my 2nd grader....she is already smarter than me too.

Hope you're all enjoying your first day of school, or whatever it is that is going on in your life....

Peace out.

Wi-Fi

2010-08-07T12:56:00.000-05:00

Playing a little Laura + Amanda this morning with Abby....today we are doing some "paperwork" and Laura interrupts me with the following:

"I got a phone call from a man that was wondering if we had wi-fi. I told him that we do have wi-fi but that we would have to charge him $5.00"

I'm glad we got that all worked out....

A little later on, Laura had a little gasp and looked at me to say:

"Can you believe that I came to work all fancy and I didn't put my make up on"

This followed by a quick grab of her lip gloss and mirror from her purse and subsequent gloss application.

Frankly, I'm a little worried about her actually hitting the work force....please pray for her. And me.