Katharine's Mexican Layered Dinner

Our friends Katharine and Chris made this for us one night for dinner when we first met. It was love at first bite; seven years later, it is still my favorite! It is a very versatile dish as you can use it as a filling for wraps, burriotos, etc. or as a dip for dinner. It is filling, not too spicy for kids, and feeds a crowd (the the 4 of us when we get together). Enjoy!

 fill in the blank:

"I like my salsa like I like my___________________: SMOOTH"

this post brought to you by the letter "A"

We began the alphabet again this week. Caroline works on her penmanship, phonics, and writing words that begin with the letter of the day and the twins work on recognition, sounds of, and practice writing. We did some fun things this week: pancakes shaped like the letters (no pictures. my kids are early risers but I am not functioning let alone thinking about my camera at 6:30 a.m. I will tell you equal parts pancake mix to water and a squeeze bottle make shaped pancakes a cinch), peanut butter and goldfish lunch shaped like the letters, and my personal favorite...sugar cookies. 

If those letter "A" sugar cookies look funny to you its because they are letter "V"s. I bought a box of 100 shaped cookie cutters (a great set that has the alphabet, numbers, shapes, animals, and sports) and wouldn't you know that it was missing ONE cutter...the letter "A".

Stinkers

We let the kids ride their bikes in the driveway after dinner last night. Of course, I grabbed my camera and got a few shots. I didn't think much about it until a few minutes ago when I downloaded the pictures onto my computer. When I looked at the pictures on the screen, it was as if I had pushed a fast forward button on my camera...look how old these little turkeys look! 

this little rugrat is leaving me and going to Kindergarten in the fall...

 I haven't forgiven her yet

 does every mother want to lock up their children and keep them small forever or is it just me?

 what a nut!

 and this guy! tough little man...

this picture shows no baby left...he looks so grown up to me!

 the tricycle helps babify him a bit...

those red cheeks tell you how hot it was (he wasn't sunburnt, I promise)

 but before long, he will leave me too!

 then there is this one...

we call her "sweet-and-sour"

 she needs me less and less everyday and before long she will want me less and less everyday...

 and will probably have the nerve to start Kindergarten too....little stinker

and don't even get me started on this guy, the ultimate button pusher...

but one thing I really like about him right now is that he promised to stick around and never leave me (and thank goodness he is done with Kindergarten)

4th of July Weekend

We were lucky enough to see both sides of our family this 4th of July weekend. We spend the 3rd with my side as it was my Mom's birthday. It was fun to celebrate with my parents and grandparents . We cooked out, played outside, and enjoyed cake. On the 4th, we grilled out and went out on the boat to see the fireworks from the water. It was a great weekend and we are so lucky to live close enough to see our family as often as we do.

Happy Birthday Mom!