I have no title for this one.

A facebook friend posted this and I started to cry.  Because even you readers that think I am some sort of authority of mommy-ness, I am here to tell you I am no such thing, I still have trouble listening to those "weed seeds" that I am failing.

Today is a great day, just not so much here. I am tired, there are goldfish crackers on my floor because quite frankly, I was afraid I would fall asleep while the boys were in their high chairs. I just went to my kitchen cupboards and pulled out some pots, wooden spoons and measuring cups so the boys had something to play with while I lay on the couch. I am tired today, and was just thinking to myself as I moved the ottoman in front of the tv so Luke would stop turning the volume way up and changing the channel, that I am failing today. We had done a good job yesterday, I pushed the babies in the stroller for 2 miles, we were working on a great routine, and then, today happened. Nothing really happened, happened, I just woke up with what seems like the start of a sinus infection. The boys are still in their jammies, heck, I am still in my jammies. My blog needs some desperate attention, I haven't done the boys 12 month post, or their birthday post, or blogged about the first day of school. I haven't told you all that we are about to start on a huge house project to roof the house, that I am a worry wort about the money it involves, that living in any kind of construction zone with 4 kids makes me need a barf bag. I am thankful for our friends who work for free food and beer.  I am thankful for a husband who is pretty gosh darn talented and saves us from paying out a lot in labor costs. I am thankful. So for the rest of today, I am going to try to drown those weed seeds in thankfulness.  And maybe a blogging will help too!

Stroganoff Recipe for Hollie

Here's how I make my healthier verson of stroganoff:


I get a flank steak (or a flat iron) Get the size depending on how much meat you want in your stroganoff. Cut the steak into small(ish) strips

 

Toss the strips into some olive oil in a medium sized sauce pan and brown the meat (I usually add some pepper and garlic & onion POWDER (not salt- or it will be way too salty in the end.)  Brown the meat- I usually just get it to about Medium Rare because it finishes cooking in the gravy sauce you will make next.

 

This is when I start the water for my Ronzoni egg noodles.

In the meat pan, add 2 pkgs of any combination of the following 2 soup mixes-

 

And a can of Swanson Beef stock (I ALWAYS use low sodium) and about 3/4ths of the can in water.

 

Turn your heat for your meat to medium low and let that simmer and get all awesome. By now your water for your noodles should be boiling. Add your pasta and let that cook until its done.

 

Once your noodles are done your meat/gravy sauce should be thicker but still runny. Drain your pasta and put it back in the pan.  Dump in your gravy/meat mixture and add a small carton of Chobani plain(make sure not to get vanilla) fat free yogurt and a 16 oz carton of lite sour cream.  Stir it all together.  And Serve.  For extra excitement top with a little sour cream you saved from the carton and/or some fresh chives (yea right who has chives?!?)

 

1/8th of this is a serving and after putting all the ingredients into Myfitnesspal's recipe maker, is approx 380 calories 

 

Back to school...

What an exciting time the first day of school is, I just cant believe we have a kindergartener and a first grader!  After having them home all summer, the house seems extra quiet this afternoon.
My favorite memorie from today was listening to the boys getting ready, Karter was sharing all kinds of helpful hints for how to survive Kindergarten.  I had to laugh as they were brushing their teeth together.

 

As you can see in the picture, Gav carried around Chewie all morning.  I think he (Chewie) looked so pitiful waiting for Gav to get home from school, and to be honest, looking at him made me tear up a little.

 

 

 

Oh Gavin, My big kindergartener!  You were so brave today!  No tears were shed by you, although I could tell you were a little nervous, you were so excited to get to school today and see what all the fun is about. You wore your new glasses to school and your Spiderman t-shirt. You wanted to wear your Spiderman costume to Back to School night but decided on a polo and shorts instead.  You march to the beat of your own drummer and for that I am so thankful.  Karter gave you many tips for your first day and we are so proud of you.  You were a little sad you had to leave Chewie, but made sure to kiss all of his corners before you left for school.

 

 

 

Then off to First Grade with Karter...

Evidently first grade is when you start to think your blubbering mom over there in the corner is a lunatic who shouldn't be driving you to school on your first day.  Mr Karter was unimpressed that I insisted on taking first day of school pictures and insisted on driving them to school on the first day.  Earlier that morning he told me "ya know mom, I dont really need to wear a dress shirt and khakis to school on the first day, its just school and I can just wear a tshirt and shorts" Ah, my baby who I can practicly guilt into making a fashion statment is growing up.   He was also trying to convince me that I should just let him ride the bus instead of taking him to school.  After all "It's just school mom" I simply explained to him that all the rest of his life he was going to have to do things he didnt want to do just because his mother, (or some cute girl) want him to do.  Le Sigh

 

= 

 

 

 

I just cant believe how big my biggest guys are getting!

 

 

I take this picture every year, its one of my favs

 

 

Another year under our belts!