Mom, Tommy and Dad at Graduation

My Baby is Moving on To Kindergarten!!!!

WAY TO GO, TOMMY!!!!

Back From South Dakota.....Car is in the Shop so I am home for the day.....ARGH!!

Finished Reading

Peace Like a River - Leif Enger - (3.5/5)

I never had to worry to much about keeping Josh busy when we traveled.  He always did fine in the car.  Now Tommy has been a challenge since he was little.  We actually only in the last few years started traveling again.  He was terrible to travel with when he was a baby and toddler.  

This weekend we are heading to my parents home.  It is a 6 hour drive one way.   So I have a few tricks I have  done to make it easier on all of us!!  Tommy is pretty hyper so to be stuck in a car is hard for him and he no longer will take a nap. 

So we headed to the library and checked out alot of books on DVD for him.  He will listen to them on our portable DVD player.   I will bring along one or two movies for the hotel, but I want to use movies very sparingly.  He does enjoy the books though!!

Secondly, I went to the dollar store and bought a number of small items to keep Tommy busy.  I bought things like little figurines, stationary, books, card games, playsets...etc.   I will wrap each of the items in wrapping paper and every hour or so of the trip, if he has been good, he gets to pick a new little gift to open.   I should have enough for the trip there and back.  I also bought a few things for the pool at the hotel that he can open when we get there.  $20.00 a small price to pay for a easier trip on all of us!! 

We also all pay car games that we make up.  Find different color cars or I spy.  

 I hope to bring my camera and computer so I am sure we will blog our trip!!!  I hope all of you that are traveling this weekend have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.  

Well first of course my proud momma Moment.  Josh received his grades for his last semester of class in college and he did great!!  3 A's and 1 B.   His first semester he was on academic probation as he didn't do as well.  I think college and having to actually study was a big shock to him.  He seems to have recovered very well!!

Other stuff....Friday we leave to go where I was raised in South Dakota.  It is my parent's 50th wedding anniversary and it is also our 7th anniversary.   I am looking forward to the time off and hopefullly I can relax a bit.   I am feeling a bit stressed to say the least.

We have a meeting today at Erik's day treatment program and then I have to return to work.   I need to pick up some thing I ordered for the anniversary party tonight as well. 

You will probably see an increase in the books I read for the summer.  I listen to recorded books while I garden and I have a huge vegetable garden this year.    So lots of reading/listening while I weed!!

Finished Reading...
Rise and Shine - Anna Quindlen - (4/5)

Still Reading.....
 Peace Like a River - Leif Enger

Started Listening to from the Net Library :

Does anyone know what plant this is??  It is a prennial that comes up in my garden.  I have been splitting it and making a border with it.  I am just wondering what it is!!!

MONDAY- May 21st - Chicken Stuffing Casserole - May/June 2007

TUESDAY - Brats/ Fries

WEDNESDAY - Tacos/Burritos

THURSDAY - Subs/Pasta/Carrots and Dip - (Dad Cooking - Mom at Book Group)

FRIDAY - SOUTH DAKOTA

SATURDAY -- SOUTH DAKOTA

SUNDAY - SOUTH DAKOTA

MONDAY - SOUTH DAKOTA

TUESDAY - Pizza

WEDNESDAY - Hamburger Helper/Veggie (mom works late)

THURSDAY - Hotdogs/Chips (Joe Meeting)

FRIDAY  - Crab Alfredo/Veggies

SATURDAY - Dilled Cajun Chicken Sandwich/Tater Tots

If you want to join Menu Plan Monday, stop by Laura's blog and participate!!! 

BOOK FINISHED

The Queen of Broken Hearts - Cassandra King - (4/5)

Happy Birthday, Joshua!! 

Having you for a son has always meant something wonderul!

You're one of the greatest gifts life has given me and

you are loved very much!!

Happy 19th Birthday!!

Baby Josh, Age 3 months

Big Brother Josh with baby brother, Tommy. 
Josh has such a gentle, kind heart.

Josh and Mom - Love ya!!

Monday - May 14th - BBQ Ham Salad/ Two Bean Salad (pg 20)

Tues - 15th - Pizza Mac/garlic Bread/ Salad

Pizza Mac

3/4 hamburger (cooked)
2 cups elbow macaroni (cooked and drained)
1/2 cup chopped onion (we use onion powder to flavor)
2 jars (14 oz) pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella

Heat meat and add other ingredients except cheese. Pour into a greased
2 1/2 qt baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 about 20 minutes. Uncover
and top with cheese bake a few minutes until cheese is melted

Wed 16th - Pork Chop Packets/ Rice/VEggie

Easy Pork Chop Packets
<http://wiferecipes.blogspot.com/2007/03/easy-pork-chop-packets.html>
[adapted from a Reynolds foil recipe I got in the mail ages ago]

4 sheets (12x18 inches each) heavy duty aluminum foil
1 small onion, sliced
4 boneless pork chops, about 1/2 inch thick
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450F. Center onion slices on each sheet of aluminum
foil. Top with pork chops; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine cream of
mushroom soup, sugar, garlic, and soy sauce; spoon over pork chops.
Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal packet, leaving room
for heat circulation inside. Repeat to make four packets. Bake 16 to 18
minutes (or until done) on a cookie sheet in oven. Serve over rice.

Thurs - 17th - Cafe Coyan

Fri - 18th - Dilled Cajun Chicken Sandwiches (pg 30)/Tater Tots

Today was a very full day!   I woke up and went for a walk with Teddy before anyone else was up.  At around 10:00 we went and picked up the garden tiller and got that all done.  The garden was ready to go and we extended our shade garden to be larger.  

We went to buy some more plants and once home got busy planting.  It took most of the afternoon, but the garden is all planted.  We are going to finish up the side and shade garden tomorrow.   Josh, Tommy and Hubby we big helpers all day!    It was so nice of them to all help me.  Our garden is twice the size it was last year so I appreciate the help with it!!

I am a bit sore and really tired, so off to bed I go!    I will take pictures tomorrow!!