The Park

The sun's come out and every opportunity we have, we go to the park. Yountville, Kennedy Park, Harvest Middle School, Snow School. Little Daredevil's favorite thing is to run across any high bridge.

The teeter-totter, not really his fav.

Valentine's Cookies

Another late post. For Valentine's Day, Jackson, Janet, and I made cookies to take to Donnie, who had to work. I was thinking sugar cookies, but Janet suggested her Snickerdoodles which aren't quite as sweet. The dough was already made, so I couldn't say no to that. We just rolled the dough in assorted Valentine's sugar that I got at the Dollar Spot at Target. And baked!




And put them in an Ikea cute Valentine's Tin! Although the tin might actually be Christmas, I'm not sure, it looks like it could go for either holiday. Oops, I don't have a picture of the side of it.

Donnie said all of the cookies were gone in less than a couple hours! It's probably something about the Snickerdoodles and the cream of tartar in them. Not too sweet, which they love.

Snickerdoodles

Mix together thoroughly: 1 cup shortening, 1-1/2 cups sugar, and 2 eggs.

Sift together & stir in: 2-3/4 cups sifted flour, 2 tsp. cream of tartar, and 1 tsp. each soda & salt.

Chill dough. Roll into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll in sugar. Place about 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet. (I use parchment paper instead, I think it's the key so that the sugar doesn't burn.) Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned. I try to take them out right at the hint of browning, no more. I like them soft, not crunchy.

Superbowl Sunday

(Only 3 weeks late!)

Just a little about our Superbowl. We were all for the Saints, so of course cooked accordingly.

Janet made Jambalaya
The DeBarrs brought Hurricanes. Complete with Hurricane glasses from New Orleans!

And I made hamburger cupcakes. Which aren't really Saints, but the manliest cupcakes I could think of.


And of course Jackson taking a look at the Jambalaya and sneaking a piece of French bread before halftime.

My laptop is killing me lately. I edited these on it and they did not look so abnormally bright on it, only once I transferred them to our other computer to post. I can't believe I might actually need another new computer in the near future.

Lunches

I haven't been making Jackson's lunches since we've moved. So, I haven't updated my other blog recently, although I have taken pictures of a few bentos I've packed him since that last post in October (whoops, that's a long time!).

But, I happened upon this blog, Fed Up With School Lunch, which shows exactly why I will always make his lunch! For some reason I feel like it's even grosser to me, since I've been seeing school lunches for 7 years. Yuck.

The things kids say.

Today as I was walking out my class at the end of the day, there was a dog running around the school with no owner. So my kids started to scream,

"Scary dog in a sweater! Scary dog in a sweater!"

It was about the littlest dog you've ever seen in a sweater, oh I was dying!

Girl Scout Cookies

You know you've got to have them!

When Donnie came home with a couple boxes, including these Lemonades, I thought, "Why did you waste your money on those? Really who ventures out of the normal comfort of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Peanut Butter Patties that you know and love?"

I was wrong, keep them away from me, they are the BEST!! A perfect mix of sweet & sour with shortbread & lemon. Donnie did well, again.

Fundraisers

I cannot wait to be free for a couple years from class fundraisers. We have to promote them to the kids, and they seem like there's one every month lately. As if people need 5 lb tubs of cookie dough!

Each time, I get a different kid brave enough to ask the teacher to buy something. And I feel so badly, I can't say no when we're supposed to be encouraging them! I ordered Donnie some silicone basting brushes (for our new BBQ!) and was almost going to order myself a subscription of Real Simple Magazine. But, I better wait in case the word spreads that the teacher will buy something :)

Jackson VDay

With his little bouda belly.

Valentine's Day!

To say I love Valentine's Day is an understatement. I just adore it! I've loved it ever since grade school and now is the one holiday I still love as a teacher. This year one of my shyest student's winked when he gave me his Valentine. Oh so hard to keep it contained, I can't forget that!

Donnie and I did Valentine's Day on Saturday the 13th because he works Sundays. We were able to drop Jackson off at Nana's (Thank you!) and go to see Valentine's Day the movie. So cute. Afterwards, we went to Yountville and tried out Hill Family Estate. It's always so funny to be the only people not from out of town, and sometimes we get the stink eye when we don't have to pay for our tasting. It was excellent & we bought 2 bottles, one for dinner. We walked around V Marketplace before dinner at Hurleys. Great day!

Sunday for actual Valentine's Day, we made cookies to take to Donnie. Jackson and I made cards and brought everything to the station. He just loves little trucks, cars, and trains, and the real fire engine is no different. He literally would've sat playing with the steering wheel for hours!

My funny Valentine, taken at V Marketplace where Donnie also bought me Razzles. (13 Going on 30!)

Some Moving Pictures

The first part of moving is done. Packing. Which, I think is the hard part. Packing stinks, unpacking and organizing in a new house is fun!

Donnie is the expert packer and got most of our house into this 16 by 8 foot Pod. Which is a little scary thinking that all of your possessions are in this wooden box. Which they pick up and store who-knows-where while you're figuring out where you're moving. Scary.


My 3 week Winter Vacation turned into 3 weeks of packing, yuck. Jackson was a disaster during the whole thing, since you know how kids love to unpack what you've just packed.

Juice became one of my biggest friends to distract Jackson while I was packing. And I hate juice. Oh well, you gotta do what you've gotta do sometimes.



Jackson in his working clothes. Ha.