Katie's Swimming Lessons 2012

As you can tell from the video above, Katie had an awesome swimming lesson this year. There is no stopping her. She's my little mermaid. While I video taped Katie during her lessons, Colton got to swim around in the baby pool area. He loved it! However, I had a hard time keeping him in the shallow end. He kept creeping over a little deeper and a little deeper. You can hear me on the video, telling him to come back.

As a reward that day, we went to the outside water park area. The kids had a blast! Again, I had a hard time keeping Colton in the baby pool area, but he didn't disobey me. He would act like he was sneaking over to the big kid area, but I would have to call him back over. LOL! We met up with a couple other parents and their children, friends of Katie. I loved watching Katie with her girlfriends in the water and going down the water slides. They had such a good time that we planned to meet up again that following Friday. I texted my other girlfriend, Becca, about meeting us as well. Her children are basically the same age as mine and she thought it would be a great idea.

 

On Friday, Katie had another wonderful time because Jacey, Emma Grace, Amberly and Abby all came to the water park that day. We stayed there so long that we ended up with lobster skin. I kept sunscreen on us. Obviously, I missed a few spots or it must have washed off. I was so proud of Katie when she jumped off the lower diving board and swam to the ladder, by herself. She thought it was so cool and did it several times after that. Later, I asked her is she was brave enough to jump off the high dive. "Sure!" she confirmed. I couldn't believe it. SHE DID IT! She loved it! I guess she jump off the high dive 5 or 6 times. Just like a little mermaid, she was all over that swimming pool. We stayed by the pool from 9:30 - 1:45. You talk about TIRED. I could tell that Katie was tired because she was being pretty emotional or touchy, but overall she did have a great time.

Katie and Abby already have a slumber party planned for this weekend, but I still have to talk to daddy about it. Katie's behavior and attitude has been better towards us and her little brother. I praised her about it quite a bit last week and this week. I'm hoping that she understands and she will continue to try her best. She asks me just about every day if she has been good enough to stay the night with Abby. Becca and I are hoping to get together with the kids soon.

Katie is so glad that it's time to talk about her birthday party.  We're still tossing things around, but overall Katie wants another slumber party with her girlfriends.  They had such a blast the last time that they want to do it again this year.  She wants a family and friend party this year.  She wants her friends to swim in her little pool and bring out the slip-n-slide.  She wants to serve up cheesy pizza for supper along with cake and ice cream later.  Looking through Party City's girl birthday themes, she feel in love with "Glitzy Girl Birthday Party."  She wants a spa like birthday party.  All the girlies have their toes and fingers painted, fix up their hair and maybe do a fun girlie craft.  I thought about getting the girls some flip flops from Hobby Lobby and have them make frilly flip flops with ribbon and material.  I remembered my girlfriend had a flip flop party for her daughter.  She said Katie (daughter) and her girlfriends had fun making their frilly flip flops.  I think it would be fun.

2012 VBS 

 

2012 VBS

 

Summer Fun

I think this is the first week that I actually got to rest a little. The first week of June, we kicked off our VBS at church. Katie had a blast! At first, she was a little scared that none of her friends would not be able to make it because most families like to start their vacation the week after school is out of session. The night before, she was so upset and begging not to go. The following morning, it didn't take long before she had a big smile on her face once again. Her friends' vacation plans fell through and the girls were able to go to VBS. The girls were so happy to be in the same class together.

   

 The very last day of VBS was water fun day. The church brought in water inflatables and had other water games all over the campus. We just hated it that "E" got hurt during the first water game.  

The object of this game was each team had to fill up their team bucket. Each member filled up the holy bucket with water and try to quickly pour it into the team bucket without losing too much water. Katie wasn't too big into the games. She just wanted to get on the inflatables. That day was so hot, but Katie kept going from game to game to game before finally reaching the inflatables. Trust me. I kept asking her if she wanted to leave and grab some ice cream or play in the pool at home. I just didn't want her to get too hot, but she seemed fine and I could tell that she was focused on the prize.

 

She finally made it!

 

There she goes!

   

Our Preschool Minister, Ms. Lisa, had all the children put ingredients on her as if they were baking a cake. The babies loved it! I had to take a picture of her. She is so awesome with the little ones.

Please come back, so you can read and see pictures from swimming lessons.  I hope you have a great week! 

 

Croque Monsieur Recipe

Oh. my. gosh! 

Okay, do you remember this post?  Well, I made the Croque Monsieur.  If you want your husband or other guests to say "oh, this is really good" more than twice in one seating, make this meal.  It is DELISH!

Of course the original recipe is high in calories, but what finger licking dish isn't?  I tried cutting as many calories without taking away the flavor.  I think my hubby confirmed that I got it just right.  LOL!  I will post my recipe (what I did) and then post the original recipe.  Don't let the name or origin frighten you from making this dish.  It is fantastic and simple.

Mirya's Croque Monsieur Recipe 
Bechamel Sauce
1 1/2 cup 1% milk
2 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
2 Tbsp Smart Balance Butter
1 pinch of each sea salt, ground pepper and ground nutmeg
1/4 Grated Light Parmesan Cheese
1/4 Shredded Gruyere Cheese

In a small sauce pan, heat the butter on medium-low heat until just bubbly.  Add the flour and stir until smooth.  Slowly, add milk.  Stir constantly with whisk until milk gets thick.  (Remember milk will burn, so be careful).  You may have to add a couple pinches of flour to get the milk to thicken up.  Remove from heat.  Stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add parmesan and Gruyere cheeses and stir until well melted.  Set aside.

Ham and Cheese Sandwich (assemble and cook)
4 Thinly Sliced Italian Bread
4 Tomato slices
1/2 cup Gruyere Cheese
8 Thinly Sliced Virginia Ham Deli Meat
Dijon Mustard

Spread a little butter on one side of the bread.  With butter side down, place all 4 slices in your cast iron grill skillet on the stove top and cook until it is lightly brown.  Remove from heat and assemble your sandwich.

Spread a little mustard on each slice of bread.  4 slices of ham per sandwich, 2 slices of tomatoes and sprinkle a little cheese.  Place the second slice of bread on top (grilled side up).  Carefully place the sandwich back in the cast iron grill skillet.  Spoon a little Bechamel Sauce onto of the sandwich and sprinkle with Gruyere cheese.

When both sandwiches are ready in the skillet, place in the oven at 400 degrees for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted.

You will have Bechamel sauce left over.  I just put it in a plastic container and plan on using it the next time.

Makes 2 sandwiches

Great to serve with a side salad.



Croque Monsieur Ham and Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• A pinch each of salt, freshly ground pepper, nutmeg, or more to taste
• 6 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups grated)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (packed)
• 8 slices of French or Italian loaf bread
• 12 ounces ham, sliced
• Dijon mustard

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 400°F.

2 Make the béchamel sauce. Melt butter in a small saucepan on medium/low heat until it just starts to bubble. Add the flour and cook, stirring until smooth, about 2 minutes. Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously, cooking until thick. Remove from heat. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the Parmesan and 1/4 cup of the grated Gruyère. Set aside.

3 Lay out the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven, a few minutes each side, until lightly toasted. For extra flavor you can spread some butter on the bread slices before you toast them if you want.

(Alternatively, you can assemble the sandwiches as follows in step four and grill them on a skillet, finishing them in the broiler with the bechamel sauce.)

4 Lightly brush half of the toasted slices with mustard. Add the ham slices and about 1 cup of the remaining Gruyère cheese. Top with the other toasted bread slices.

5 Spoon on the béchamel sauce to the tops of the sandwiches. Sprinkle with the remaining Gruyère cheese. Place on a broiling pan. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, then turn on the broiler and broil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese topping is bubbly and lightly browned.

If you top this sandwich with a fried egg it becomes a Croque Madame.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

This recipe came from Simply Recipes.  


Enjoy! 

 

Reading, Crafting and Cooking . . . PERFECT!

To touch a little bit on my last post, Allison asked me for the name of the Fairy chapter books, Katiebug is in love with. It's the "Rainbow Magic" Fairies. Every series tells a story about a particular fairy. She just finished "India" last week. We also have "Cara Camp Fairy" and "Ally the Dolphin Fairy." They have a cute website. If you would like to visit the "Rainbow Magic Fairies," CLICK HERE.  They are cute stories and there's always an adventure.  I hope this helps Allison.

Yesterday while par-oozing at Walmart, I came across "Ivy and Bean" series.  It sounded like a cute chapter book that Katie could get involved.  She's been wanting me to purchase "The Diaries of a Wimpy Kid" books, but I just don't feel that she's ready yet.  It's a big step from a 100 page book to 150+ page book.  I don't want her brain fried before Summer is over.

Because Vacation Bible School was this week, we've put our studies on the back burner until next week.  I have planned for her to read one of my favorite books by Judy Blume, "Freckle Juice" on Monday.  It's such an easy read that she should finish it in a couple of days.  I love Judy Blume books.  I definitely want to add the "Fudge" series to our Library, when I feel Katie is ready to read them.  Such funny stories!

Happy Reading!

My aunt Sherry and uncle Roger are in town, so we're spending a lot of our time with them this week.  It's always great to see them.  The kids just love their Lolly aka Sherry.  I'm trying to get in the mood for Fourth of July by making these cute Sparklers for the kids.  It was fun and very simple to make.  I first noticed this craft on Pinterest, which by the way I LOVE.  The only changes I made to this craft was the following:  Instead of painting the dowel pins and then add in the glitter, I just used silver glitter spray paint and knocked out two birds with one stone.  PERFECT!  I've only made 4, but I do plan on making more.  So wait for future picture postings.

 DIY Sparklers

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Mirya on Pinterest

Father's Day is right around the corner.  I found one of the cutest ideas for my children to make for their daddy.  You'll have to wait on seeing pictures because we don't want our daddy to see his gift prematurely.  Right?  Instead, I'll direct you to the link.  This way you can make your own gift for your daddy.  The only thing I changed was the following:  The instructions suggest that you glue ribbon for the binding.  I didn't want to use ribbon, instead I bound the book by stapling it together and placing EZ Start Printed Packing Duck Tape.  I just thought this way would be less frustrating.  

All About the Best Dad

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Mirya on Pinterest

I've been a little bored with the same old, same old meals at home and Subway Tuna sandwiches might be getting a little old.  I'm going to try and make Croque Monsieur Ham and Cheese tonight.  I finished picking up all of my ingredients this morning in order to make them.  I'm excited!  I read a couple posts on how much they love this meal.  I got the idea from watching the movie "It's Complicated" for the hundredth time.  I have a passion for films that include cooking or food in general.  The Croque Monsieur that Meryl Streep pulled out of oven during a dinner date with Steve Martin, well it looked delicious.  I did what every Southern girl with an appetite did, I looked up the recipe online and purchased a Lodge Logic Grill Skillet.  LOL!  I will tweak the recipe a little just so the sauce won't be too fattening.  Stay tuned for my review, recipe and pictures.

Hulk of a Storm

We experienced a rough thunderstorm early this morning, the nice rolling thunder type storm. It didn't take long before Colton b-lined it to our bed. He told me that the thunder scared him. I thought it was humorous when he compared the storm to Hulk. LOL! Yes, he actually called the storm a "Hulk Storm." The storm got so rough at times that it knocked out the power not far from our house. Street lights were out, causing a major traffic jam. Today is the first day of Vacation Bible School at church. I don't know why it is, but Katie always freaks out the night before a Summer camp or activity. She's afraid that she won't know anyone in her class. Ugh! I told my social butterfly not to worry because if there is not anyone there, I'm sure she will quickly make new friends. As soon as we got there, she immediately saw her best friend and left my side. When I picked her up, she was all smiles telling me how much fun she had. The church was packed full of people, so I'm excited to find out how many were in attendance. Please keep my sister, Sandy, in your prayers. She had surgery the other day on her hand. I spoke to her this morning and she sounds good. Last night was a rough moment, but it will be a great reward to have the use of her hand back to new. I have a feeling today is going to be a slow, lazy, rain day. Have a great Monday and stay dry.