Crock Pot Cooking is THE BEST!

Tuesdays are our busy, run here and there night--heck everynight seems to be that way, but Tuesdays are the worst! I pick Anneli up at school and then I run over to my parents house to pick up Christopher. Then we run home quick and change and eat dinner, usually their favorite, McDonald's, then we dash off to soccer practice. I then drag Christopher out of practice 10 minutes early so he can quickly change and meet Shaun over at the school cafeteria for Cub Scouts.


This morning I prepared a nice Beef Stew in the Crock-Pot and made a loaf of home made bread in my breadmaker! It was so easy and so yummy to have something made in the middle of all the running around. Even the kids loved it! Christopher LOVES warm homemade bread and meat, and Anneli LOVES warm homemade bread and potatoes. It was a hit all around!

Note to self:

I must use my crock-pot more this fall/winter, especially on Tuesdays and other hectic days!

**If you have some favorite crock-pot recipes please share!!**

First Grade Open House!

I've been on the go so I'm slacking a bit on blogging, but better late than never!!

On Thursday evening, Christopher took us to visit his First Grade classroom and to introduce Shaun to his teacher Ms. Neave. We had a chance to chat briefly with his teacher and she told us she can't wait until she can buy his books off the shelves of a book store! After not even a month of school, she definately knows our Christopher! Christopher is an author. He LOVES to write. He writes EVERYTHING down, from recipes, to orders for snacks or drinks, and he writes book after book at home and even at school! Not a second goes by when he doesn't have a pencil or pen in hand. He spends indoor recess writing books. I'd say stories, but he likes to write science books, mostly about animal facts! We go through SOOOOOOO much paper here at home--and I'm sure he goes through lots of paper at school too!! I'll post one of his science books that he wrote on a future post.

While at the open house, We checked out his locker.

We saw where he sits all day.

We saw where he reads.

We also learned about his "first day of first grade jitters". He was nervous about his teacher---who is SUPER NICE!Check out his "quick drawing of himself"--as he called it. Maybe he'll even illustrate his own books...

Stay-at-Home-Mom?! Yeah right!!

Today was one of those days when I think, stay-at-home-mom....yeah right! I hardly ever get to stay at home! Today was one of those days. Last night, Shaun and I attended the 65th Opening of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. I love getting all dressed up and going to the symphony with Shaun. It was a much needed date! The kids stayed with Aunt Valerie and my parents and ended up sleeping over. It was a very nice evening! Thanks Aunt Valerie, Mom & Dad!

I woke up this morning and brought Christopher's lunch and snack to him school. I then raced to pick up Anneli who was still with Aunt Valerie. Next, Anneli and I ran off to visit a lady from church. Then we quickly ate lunch together and off she went to school. Next I raced off to Christopher's school to pick him up early, since it was a shortened day.

My Thursday afternoon date.

I had promised him that we would have a "date", since it was only he and I this afternoon. He chose his favorite ice cream spot, Pralines". He LOVES their Cotton Candy Flavor Burst ice cream.

YUMMMM...

After our 'date', we headed to pick up Aunt Valerie and drove her to the bus station in Hartford so she could go and visit Johann and go to some Law School forum thing in New York.

**sigh**Now, I'm resting for a few minutes, at my parents house, waiting for my mom to come back with my children--she picked up Anneli from school and then took them to the car wash. Then I'll be off and running again in a few to Open House at Christopher's school. I haven't been home all day!! So much for a nice home cooked dinner, laundry and washing the floor! Man, I need a chef and a housekeeper...did I mention chef!?

Gee thanks, Chris..

I've been testing out a new medication and it's doing a job on my face. Even as a teenager, I've never had acne this bad! UGH!

Anways, this morning, I was putting some medicated stuff on my face wishing it would disappear in time for my date with Shaun tonight. (I can wish, can't I?) Christopher and Anneli were in the bathroom with me brushing their teeth, watching me intently.

Christopher saw what I was doing and said matter of factly, "You know Mom, I saw that stuff on T.V. and it takes weeks for it to clear up."

Gee thanks, Chris! I thought Cub Scouts were supposed to help other people and give good will...I'm still wishing...

Wordless Wednesday

My Guys!

Tonight was Christopher's first Tiger Cub Den Meeting!! He was so excited to be a Cub Scout, especially since Shaun is the Den Leader! What a great opporunity it will be for the two of them to spend this time together! Don't they look sharp in their uniforms!?

They had a fun first meeting. Tonight they learned the Cub Scout Motto, sign, handshake, salute, and Cub Scout Promise. They even made a Flag for their Den. Cub Scouts is going to be a lot of fun! We can't wait until next week!!

Weekend Review

This weekend I went to Deseret Book's Time Out for Women with a few friends from Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. I wasn't going to go this year, but a bunch of ladies were going to go and I thought it would be fun to go with them. I left the kids with Mom after school on Friday and off I went to meet up with my friends. We had fun enjoying each other's company and listening to the speakers. I enjoyed Friday nights speaker Kim Nelson the best. Kim Nelson, a man, is a professional counselor specializing in marriage and family relationships, who was quite informative and funny! I also enjoyed the fact that he sang a few times with Michael McLean to break up his lecture a bit.



On Saturday morning, I was sitting in the hall and I felt prompted to check my cell phone. I had a text message from Shaun, "Soccer shoes?" Oh man! The soccer shoes were in my car, which was parked at the church...oops! My spare keys were....in my church bag...in my car... OOPPS! Shaun was heading to the Boy Scout office and then they were going to have stop and buy Christopher new shin guards, he was going to have to wear his sneakers for the game. They were quite calm about the whole thing, thankfully! I thought I was a good Mom having his shirt all clean with his ball (which was in the car) ready on the stairs for him with the time of the game written down for Shaun. I totally forgot the cleats and shin pads that were left in the car from practice the other night! Oh well.

Christopher's first Fall 2008 Soccer Game--on the new soccer field!

When I got home later that evening, Shaun was outside cutting the HUGE shrubs in between our neighbors home and ours. Even after living here for 6 years, we aren't sure who's shrubs they are, but since we are probably the most capable, we cut the shurbs that border our property on both sides. It can be a lot of work!

We got the kids cleaned up and dressed and off to dinner with Mom, Dad and Valerie. Valerie picked Agave Grill in Southington. The atmosphere was great and the mexican food was yummy! Everyone, even the kids enjoyed it! YIPPEE! The best part was, the kids fell asleep in the car on the way home, which was great because Shaun wasn't feeling well and I was totally exhausted!

Sunday, we got up early and headed off to church, as usual. Then we spent the day at my parents. Christopher was pretty excited because there are a lot of kids in my parents neighborhood that are his age, so he spent the afternoon playing with them as we sat outside watching. It was good for Christopher, since there are NO kids around in our neighborhood! <>

As usual, another busy weekend for the St. Lawrence family! :)

Check out our Tiger!

Stay tuned...

Gourmet Chef Anneli

For the first time ever, Anneli asked to wear the cute little 'cherry apron' that Aunt Valerie bought her for her birthday in May. We made yummy and EZ 'Mini Bagel Pizza Bites' for lunch. Anneli ate 5 bagel bites and only left me one! Oh well, I'm glad she had fun making them and eating them too! :)

A Thoughtful Brother.

Our Christopher is growing up to be a very smart, understanding, thoughful, sweet, kind, caring, loving and very creative young man. Even though it's his third week of school, it's hard to believe he's a First Grader! Time just flies right by. I remember it just being he and I during the day watching TV and cuddling on the couch! Now I'm home alone with Anneli, who is way too big to cuddle and take a nap--just ask her!

This weekend, Anneli was upset because Christopher had a little notebook that he was writing in and she didn't have one. Christopher, being the thoughtful, caring individual that he is, disappeared into Meme's craft room and came out with this.

He handed it to Anneli and said, "Here Anneli, I made you your very own 'Hello Kitty' notebook." What a sweet brother! He always wants to make Anneli happy when she is feeling sad. I love to see them together. I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for them both, their different personalities, and the sweet relationship they share. I pray that they can have that special relationship forever.

Wordless Wednesday

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.

~Marc Brown

My Creative Constructors!

Meme and Pepe have some really cool wooden blocks! The kids (Shaun included!) love to play with them every time we are here--which is quite often! This afternoon after Sunday Dinner, Shaun and the kids built a really cool amphitheatre with the blocks. It reminded us of the Colosseum . Christopher laughed and said it reminded him of the "Bird's Nest"--you know in Beijing!

All the kids, Shaun included, creating a masterpiece!

Christopher decorating their masterpiece.

Oopps! Earthquake!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Aunt Jessica!

We hope you have a great day! Do something special for yourself!

We love you and miss you!

We sent your birthday package on Thursday, if you didn't get it yesterday, you will get it on Monday!

Silly Sibling Saturday

Say that three times fast! :)

Sometimes we wonder...Where did we find these crazy kids!?

Super fun memories!

Happy Anniversary Uncle Jim & Aunt Donna!

We hope you both had a great day!

We hope to see you both again real soon!

We love you guys!

What a Week!

We are trying to get back into our school schedule here at the St. Lawrence household. It's been a long week! We've been trying to get the kids to bed early, which is hard since Shaun has been working late and they won't go to bed without seeing him--who can blame them! In the morning, I get up early, pack Christopher's lunch (I'll post about that next week!), get his clothes together, wake him up, get him in the shower, pack his backpack and then off we go into the car to drive him to school.

A tired Christopher crashed on the couch Wednesday evening, waiting for Shaun to get home.

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This week, Anneli has been obsessed with painting with watercolors using her easel. It has kept her busy, busy, busy in the mornings before school. Now I have a stack of Masterpieces by Anneli on my table. What a budding litle Artist!

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It was a little rainy on Monday, but Anneli and I managed to have a little picnic on the living room floor. She was pretty excited, since she isn't really supposed to be eating in the living room!

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While Christopher is at school, Anneli is pretty good at entertaining herself. She has TONS of little stuffed animals that keep her company during the day.

They like to go on adventures too! She takes them to school with her and they hide in her locker, inside her bunny backpack.She says they call out to her while she's at school, and she has to tell them to be quiet! She has quite the imagination!

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For those of you who want to know, yes, I had my Frosty Float at Wendy's on Tuesday!

I went through the drive thru, brought it home and enjoyed it as I watched what I wanted on television! It was so peaceful!

On Thursday, I went to the mall without kids too! It was so nice just walking around and browsing at what I WANTED TO! There was no whining at the Disney Store! It was so peaceful... I just might do that again next week...

The Fall 2008 Soccer Season has started!

The Fall 2008 Soccer Season has started! Our fall will be filled with Tuesday practices and Saturday games...fun, fun, fun! As I was silenting wishing for it to rain, Christopher was so excited to get out there and practice again! His team is made up of First Graders and Kindergarteners. It's fun to watch them play! They go the wrong way, steal the ball from their own team members and kick the ball out of bounds and keep going! There were already three little kids who don't like it and may not play. I guess that'll mean Christopher will get a lot of playing time! He'll be happy! :) It'll be a fun season!!

Anneli did a great job cheering on the sidelines! She's a little disappoined and can't understand why she can't play, since she's all grown up and goes to school! Poor girl. She did have fun though watching and flying...

After watching his soccer practice this evening I'm so glad that I sent Christopher to Kindergarten last year and didn't hold him back. The Kindergarten kids seem so young! I think it would have been tough for him. Now he's a big shot First Grader...gone all day! :)

9/11

"... for those of us who lived through these events, the only marker we'll ever need is the tick of a clock at the 46th minute of the eighth hour of the 11th day. We will remember where we were and how we felt. We will remember what we lost and what we found.
President George W. Bush

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations
of our biggest buildings, but they cannot
touch the foundation of America.
These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent
the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because
we are the brightest beacon for freedom
and opportunity in the world.
And no one will keep that light from shining.

President George W. Bush
September 11, 2001

"Low-Fat"

This past weekend we were eating at Taco Bell with my parents. Anneli was chowing down on her taco--seriously, eating like she never ate before! She finished one taco and then started talking about it not being "Low Fat". My mom looked at her and asked her what is low fat? Anneli was very serious and said matter of factly, "Low Fat is foods that don't make you fat." We were quite impressed wondering where she picked that up, since we aren't really low fat eaters and we don't talk about "Low Fat" foods at home! It's scary, they listen and absorb more than you know...

Happy 8th Anniversary Nick & Jess!

It's my sister, Jessica and brother-in-law, Nick's 8th Wedding Anniversary today!

Happy Anniversary!

We miss you guys!

Have a great day!

An engagement picture Shaun & I took 8 years ago of a young Nick 'n Jess!

We'll see you in 110 Days in FLORIDA!

Fishs Eddy

Valerie was in New York City this morning and asked me to find the location of a store called Fishs Eddy. Fishs Eddy's designs and sells some fun everyday dishes, flatware and glasses. a few weeks ago when Valerie was in NY visiting Johann, she bought a Central Park cup and bowl set there.

I browsed through their online catalog and found some fun pieces.

Chech out these floorplan dinnerware.

This Republican Glass (or democrat) must be a hot item with the 2008 Presidential Election going full swing! What a fun historical piece!

They also have fun linens like this Alphabet Bamboo Fiber Dishtowel.

Oh Val, I feel a shopping trip to NYC coming....

Waiting...

Here are two pictures of Anneli eating a lemon lime tootsie pop. We were waiting for Shaun's emissions test and oil change to be done. We weren't waiting long, but as we waited and she licked her pop I wondered....

How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?

One...

Two...

Three..

I don't think Anneli will ever know!

She threw hers away after a few licks--we'll have to save that experiment for another day...

so we can receive the Clean Stick Award.

Our Weekend

This weekend was FINALLY not a busy one! It was nice to be home and just hang out with Shaun and the kids. Friday night we went out to dinner as usual. The kids were exhausted after a long first week of school. Anneli fell asleep at the restaurant and Christopher fell asleep on the way home! To be little again!!!

Saturday was nice, we woke up with no alarms set. Shaun made his super yummmy blueberry pancakes. I love them, but everytime we have them I keep thinking that's one less bag of blueberries in the freezer! UGH! I started with 12 bags in the freezer and now I have only 5 bags left! I guess next year I'll have to pick MORE! After breakfast we got ready for our day and headed out to the pharmacy to get the Christopher's inhaler. Fun, fun, fun! Then we headed over to Meme & Pepe's house where the kids LOVE to hang out. We had Anneli's favorite for lunch--sandwiches from the tech-school that Pepe works at! She was very excited! We had a relaxing day visiting with Meme, Pepe and of course Lily the dog! The kids love the dog and the dog LOVES the kids too! We took a ride to the dollar store. Anneli loves the workbooks there. She bought two of them and just about finished them both that afternoon!

In the evening, we left and headed to the grocery store. I hate grocery shopping and to make it even worse, the torrential downpours of Tropical Storm Hannah started while we were inside. On our way from the store to the car we all got SOAKED! The kids were laughing the whole time. They couldn't believe that we all--Shaun and I included--go so wet! Defintely a fun moment! Then we came home, put the groceries away and enjoyed a quiet evening watching television and snacking on grill cheese sandwiches and popcorn. While we were watching television, Christopher heard that there was a tornado warning just south of us. He has read and watched some documentaries on tornados and so we ended up sleeping on the futon in the basement, just in case! It was a LONG, LONG night! :)

Sunday I awoke bright and early so we could get ready and go to church--Oh how I hate the alarm clock... I've had a busy few weeks at church, last week I had my newsletter to distribute and a talk in Sacrament and this week, I taught Relief Society, the Women's Auxilary at church. Boy was it a relief when it was done! I get so nervous getting up in front and having everyone staring at ME! I survived though! Next week it's helping in Nursery! Never a dull moment! After church we zoomed off to dinner at my parents house. We had yummmy steak, summer squash, and the BIGGEST sweet potatoes that you ever did see! YUMMM! Shaun ended up heading to the office to get some work done and the kids, my mom and I ended up going outside with the kids. They love to swing, jump on the trampoline, and ride their John Deer Gator when they are at my parents house. When Shaun got back from the office, we had dinner and took a ride to look at new cars at a car dealer. On our way back to Meme and Pepe's house we stopped and took a walk around a swamp off of route 6. It was a nice little walk with the family.

Can you believe I didn't take any pictures this weekend!? Usually I seriously take hundreds!There are a few on Shaun's cell from our little walk around the swamp, I'll have to upload them when he gets home.

That was pretty much our weekend. Finally a quiet and relaxing weekend!

Anneli's First Trip to the Dentist!

This morning I had to be at two places at the same time--at the Pediatrician with Christopher and the Dentist with Anneli! How was that going to work!? I had it all planned, Shaun was going to take Anneli to the Dental appointment, and I would take Christopher to his appointment. That was until he found out he had an emergency meeting at 9AM! Thankfully Aunty Val wasn't working and was willing to take Anneli to her First Dentist Appointment!! Thanks Aunty Val, you are the best.

Anneli was the best little patient at the Dentist! Christopher and I got out of his appointment earlier than I expected so we headed over to the dentist to see Anneli (and White Kitty) in the "magic" chair talking, laughing and opening her mouth wider than most adults! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes! She got the full dental experience today--they counted her teeth, scraped them a bit, polished her teeth with toothpaste (she hates toothpaste--but she loved this tutti-frutti MI Paste stuff!), checked for wear due to her GERD and even did a little flouride treatment. What a big girl! I guess she is right, my baby girl grew up on Tuesday with her first day of school...definately no more baby!

Aunt Val took the following pictures!

Her and White Kitty in the chair.

She kept her mouth open!

What a good little patient!

Now if she would only open her mouth like that for me to brush her teeth...she promised them she would....we'll see about that!