Where's the Snow?

Okay, so I have a confession...I was hoping for at least 7 inches of snow today.  Instead, we got maybe 1 inch.  I am READY for Spring, but if we are going to get snow, then LET IT SNOW like a foot!  The last three snowfalls have been slightly disappointing.  Our local weather reporters have predicted several inches more than what we actually received. Therefore, I am a bit bummed. My boys had so much fun last week in the snow, and I was really excited to take Baby Sis out in it this week since she is finally healthy.  Oh well...instead, I'll share pictures from last week.

 Last year we didn't really get a lot of snow, so they were begging to go out and play in the snow.  They were so excited, that it didn't even matter that they were still a little under weather themselves.  We got all bundled up and heading out to make a snowman.

Here is my pathetic attempt to help my boys make a snowman.  It looks like it is melting.  We will leave this up to Dad next time. 

The boys loved it though! Then, I remembered this cool little brick making mold in my cluttered basement, and we started making this awesome fort.  Thank Goodness I never threw it away like I had planned. 

 The boys had so much fun making their little fort.  Of course, Mommy had to help a little.

 They had even more fun using it as a place to hide for a snowball fight!  

  After a short snowball fight, we had to go in side and warm up with some hot chocolate!  

While I am so excited to hopefully see the sun and green grass soon, I still long for one more BIG snow! Not sure I will get my wish.

Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe

One of my go-to recipes after a busy day is this super easy Sloppy Joe Recipe.  Almost all of these ingredients you will find in my pantry at all times.  The entire family seems to enjoy it, so that is always a plus!  Serve these with chips, carrot sticks and/or mace & cheese and you have a easy meal. 

Here is what you will need...

• 2 lbs. of Ground Beef  (you can always 1/2 the recipe for 1lb of ground beef)
• Minced Onions (or fresh onions)
• Salt & Pepper
• 2 Cans of Tomato Soup
• 1 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
• 2 T. Vinegar 
• 2 T. Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp. Mustard

Brown meat with onions and season with salt & pepper while browning. Drain off fat.  Mix remaining ingredients together.  Then add to meat mixture.  Simmer till heated through.  Serve warm on hamburger buns.  

Organizing Challenge?...Count me in!

Last year, I participated in an organizing challenge over on Organizing Junkie's blog. It was a month long process and I was able to get rid of quite a bit of stuff.  Unfortunately, there is still junk in my house that needs to leave or it needs to be organized.  I am back again this year and working on the same room...my BASEMENT.  This particular area is split into two rooms;  one is for storage and the other is the playroom.  Both are in need of some serious help!

When you walk into the storage room, you are greeted with this mess...

Behind the door is this great storage cabinet, that needs to utilized...

More pictures of the mess...

 

But there is one area that is "sort of" organized.  I started working on this last month.

 Then, there is the playroom...

 

I am super motivated and ready to make some changes.  Join me in the challenge!

We've Survived the Flu!

Who needs a flu shot?  Not us!  We just survived our first official flu epidemic that hit and tried to wipe out our house.  It started with the boys last week and then this past week it knocked Baby Sis down for awhile.  

It started with a fever that lastest for several days.  Then a nasty cough and runny nose and lots of crankiness. Finally, Baby Sis is recovering.  Whew!  What a week!  Now, maybe I can catch up on some blogging. 

The FLU has hit our house...

What a rotten week we've had! It all started on Sunday when  Little Bro was so tired that he took a nap on the couch.  This is a little-energizer-bunny type of boy, so I knew immediately that something was up.  It was even more strange when this same little boy asked to go to bed at 7:30 that same night.  Well, I took his temp and it was 102 under his arm. Still he had no other symptoms, so I gave him some Children's Advil and he went to bed. 

The next morning he woke up again and his fever was back.  All day Monday, Little Bro was on the couch going  in and out of sleep with his fever going up and then down with the ibuprofen.  Still...no other symptoms.  I wasn't really worried because he was in good spirits.

 (Although, he does look a little sad in this picture)

By Tuesday, his fever was gone, but was replaced by a cough.  The fever traveled onto Big Brother who ended up on the couch most of the day.  

Tuesday evening was the worst for Big Bro, he was so exhausted he could not keep his eyes open, his breathing was a bit wheezy, and he had acquired this awful cough.  This all made me a bit nervous, so I gave him some Children's Advil and checked on him every two hours thru the night. It was pretty exhausting!  I thought for sure his fever would be gone by Wednesday, but it wasn't so I took him to see the doctor to make sure that he hadn't developed pneumonia.  Nope, they actually thought he had strep throat and possibly the flu at the same time.  Lovely!  By Wednesday night he was coughing so hard that it made him vomit...all over our couch!  YUCK!  

Today, has been much better. The boys still has have nasty coughs, but the fever is gone.   However, Baby Sis  was a bit groggy this morning and felt warm.  I took her temp and she was squirming around so much that I didn't get an accurate reading.  I admit, it was nice when all three of my children were napping at the same time yesterday, but now I am ready to get out of the house!!!  Hope you have been able to avoid this nasty flu!

Whatcha Eatin'? Monday, February 18th

Well...this week's menu was a challenge for me. Little Bro was running a fever yesterday and I spent a good part of the day snuggling with him instead of planning my menu. 

 My sweet boy who never stops... 

I guess being sick is one way to slow him down. 

Therefore, last night I did something that I never like to do...I went to the grocery store without a list.   So this morning I started looking through the cupboards trying to come up with a plan.  Here is what I came up with..

Monday:  BBQ Chicken, Cheesy Potatoes, Peas 

Tuesday: Tacos, Mixed Fruit

Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff served over Egg Noodles, Green Beans

Thursday: Chili Mac, Corn, Garlic Bread

Friday: Frozen Pizza Friday! 

Saturday:  Steak Stir-fry, Rice, Cottage Cheese, Dinner Rolls

What's on your menu this week?  Join me in linking up on Organizing Junkie's Blog. 

Whatcha Eatin'?: Our Weekly Menu

It's back to reality!  After spending the last week in sunny Florida, it's time to get back to normal.  Although..I am still dreaming about the beach.

I miss it.

Oh well...Spring is not too far away. Right?

Here is our menu for the week: 

Sunday:  Meatloaf, Party Potatoes, Corn
Monday:  Crockpot Teriyaki Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries, Veggies & Dip
Tuesday:  Smothered Beans & Rice Burritos, Mixed Fruit
Wednesday: Chicken Mozzarella, Dinner Salad, Corn, Garlic Bread
Thursday:  Pot Roast, Dinner Rolls
Friday: Frozen Pizza Friday
Saturday:  Cheeseburgers, French Fries, Baked Beans, Cottage Cheese

I am linking this up with Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday...join Me!