Drew's First Timeout

Before the grandparents get upset, he had more than one chance! He was warned several times to stop.

We went to school today because I was subbing. Just before lunch John David came over to lay his head in my lap & felt warm. An hour later, we went home because John David had a fever. I felt bad leaving early but they understood. We all took naps and then watched part of Mary Poppins. John David had laid on the couch because Drew kept rocking the recliner. Drew then started hitting John David on the back after I asked him to stop numerous times. I took Drew to time out. He kept getting up to come find me. It only took about 3-4 minutes for him to sit for 1 1/2 minutes. He then had to get up and hug me & John David to apologize.

Here two more pictures from last nights party. It was tough for them to share sitting in the go cart. Ryan is the other boy with Drew. He is 10 weeks older than Drew. His mom, Julie, and I taught at Dove. She is expecting their second child in November!

New Recipe-it's easy!

I have had this recipe for a while but haven't used it until last week. There are four different variations of this "Marvelous Mini Meatloaves." The recipe serves 6 and I got it out of a Kraft magazine. The BBQ ones were a hit!
Ingredients:
1 lb ground meat
1 pkg (6 oz) of stuffing mix
1 cup water
Choose one type of mini-meatloaves to add other ingredients.

Italian
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
¾ cup spaghetti sauce
¾ cup Shredded Mozzerella cheese
Fiesta
2 tsp. chili powder
¾ cup Taco Bell Chunky Salsa
¾ cup shredded Mexican cheese
Mediterranean
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
¾ cup chopped roasted red peppers
¾ cup Crumbled Feta cheese
BBQ
1 tsp. garlic
¾ cup Bull’s-Eye Barbecue Sauce
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix meat, stuffing, water, and seasoning until well blended. Press into 12 muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray. Make an indentation (about the size of 2-3 grapes) in the center of each.
2. Spoon the sauce (or red peppers for Mediterranean) into the center of each meatloaf.
3. Bake 30 minutes or until meatloaves are cooked through. Top with cheese and bake until cheese is melted for about 5 minutes.

Parties, Parks, & Trucks

We started off the day at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens at a playdate. We even got to feed the fish! Thanks for bread, Kelly. It was fun to play on everything including the "spiderweb!"
As naptime was ending, David called that with news that my truck was fixed! YEA! We have had a Durango as a rental since Thursday afternoon. It was big enough for us for the weekend but not a vehicle I want to keep. Our front differential was completely rebuilt in the Tahoe. Thank goodness for extended warranty to cover the expenses.
Afterwards, we went to Maren Dunn's 1st birthday party. I taught with Laura (her mom) at Dove for several years. The theme was pink pirates & John David loved the pirate ship bounce ship! The boys both had a great time jumping around and playing with other kids we don't see often.

Self-control

The lake and I have a bittersweet connection. I love going to Lake Winnsboro & have a ton of great memories of swimming, playing, working, and many family skits out there. But then the night comes, the bugs come out! Both nights we were there, I was outside. The first night I sprayed myself several times so I wouldn't get bitten by bugs and I still got bit. The second night I put on the longest covering clothes on and wrapped myself in a sheet. I was hot but I was trying a different approach since I had showered a few hours earlier. It didn't help, I still got eaten by the bugs. My legs are covered and I am trying to show self-control not to itch! It is hard! I took a picture of one of my legs but I don't think you want to see a red-spotted leg.

Mom & Dad, PLEASE buy me my own stash of citronella candles for Keystone. I will go out and buy some different kind of repellent for our trip. ;)

Stephanie had some bites but the guys escaped without too many bites. I had lotion on the first day but after sweating & swimming I thought it wouldn't matter. I promise I didn't put sugar water on me (The Parent Trap)!

July 4th

We went to the big 'ol Lake Winnsboro this weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July. Our friends, Stephanie, Will, & their kiddos went also. We left Friday morning to hit Chili's in Sulphur Springs before heading to the country. Aunt Sylvia & Uncle Peter worked hard to clean up the lakehouse & trailor before our arrival. While some of the kids slept, John David begged to go swimming. After more swimming, the men took a break from swimming to get some fireworks before grilling some hot dogs and burgers. Sylvia, Peter, & Grandmother were able to join us. I think they had as much fun as the rest of us! After dinner & sharing our "most proud American" story (Sylvia), it was time for fireworks. John David and Natalee had a great time! When it got darker, we ventured out to the pier to watch the lake light up with fireworks from all angles. It was fun to watch one side shoot fireworks and then another side answer with more fireworks. We had our own small display that entertained the older kids. Drew & Jack were in bed by 9 pm, Natalee by 10 pm, and John David by 10:30 pm.
I couldn't wait for a shower after sweating, swimming in lake water, sunscreen, bug spray, and dirt from walking around! After a long day, it was nice to hit the sack. Here are a few pictures from Friday. I will write more tomorrow about the rest of the weekend.

Soccer!

John David is participating in his first organized sport this summer - Upward Soccer. It is through our church, FBC Grapevine. David is the coach of his team, the Rams. Thursday night was their first practice and only two boys showed up. It was cute to watch the boys kick the balls and David giving instructions. Drew and I sat on benches watching. Of course, Drew didn't want to sit for too long! He kept watching, pointing, and saying "ba" short for ball. The games will be every Saturday morning at 9 am and the coach is supposed to play with this age. I can't wait!

I have also attached a picture of Drew and his favorite part of practice.

Home

This was the second day the boys and I were home all day. We took my vehicle in yesterday to be worked on. The dealership has been working on it, test driving it, taking it to another part of the shop, overnighting a part, and who knows what else? If the part doesn't arrive tomorrow, we'll get a rental for the weekend. The joys of owning a vehicle. ;) I am sure everyone can identify.

Thankfully one of my good friends brought her kids over yesterday for a fabulous playdate. Today, the boys stayed in their PJ's. John David loves staying in his Spiderman PJ pants all day! It is different staying home all day with the boys. I am sad to say that we get out of the house everyday. We may just go to Walmart or another store for one item but usually it is the gym. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Since my truck wasn't out of the shop last night & we knew it would be late today, David had me called a babysitter for tonight. We went to dinner & ran a few errands just the two of us. It was great to get out! You can't beat MacGrill! Tomorrow David will be home. I know we'll have a great time over the next four days. We are headed to Winnsboro for part of it.