Dinosaur Mania

Anthony loves playing on the iPad and does so every morning so this momma can snooze in a bit and slowly wake up.  (Seriously.  Who gets up before 6:00 every morning when you DO NOT HAVE TO?!  Leave it to A!)   This week I purchased some new apps with the hope he can continue to be entertained as well as learn a ton during those early morning hours.   One app "Ultimate Dinopedia" has become an instant favorite.  National Geographic Kids has created an application that is a complete dinosaur reference book that includes pictures, short tutorials and even video clips.  How PERFECT for this dino-lover!  To say the least, Anthony has completely fallen in love with the new app and did not want to put it down. (The picture above is of him waiting for the bus on his last day of the extended school year.  "Just one more, momma...")  All day I have been learning different facts about dinosaurs through A and seeing his love for this topic be cultivated even more.  He's just so darn excited over it.

Could all of this have happened with just a book?
Can I bottle up this love of learning to use during the tougher years of school?  PLEASE!
How much is technology cementing and enhancing his learning?

One this is for sure, I LOVE our iPad (and getting the chance to invisibly press snooze every morning)!

Messy & Wet = Fun, Fun, Fun!

A night of playing outside with daddy after supper quickly became a huge mural of sidewalk chalk designs on the garage floor to the idea of getting the chalk wet and creating even better designs to the best idea of getting the hose, filling up a bucket and getting completely wet!  What a fun sight I was summoned outside for Monday night!

Heavenly Montana-Sized Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe was shared by a co-worker after she made & brought a batch of these super yummy cookies to work one day.  Today I made a batch of my own and was reminded just how good they really are (and super easy to make).  I love their big "monster size" and the fact that you can alter it a bit to suit your tastes.  One thing is for sure --- this cookie is Y-U-M-M-Y!

Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups rolled oats (old-fashion or quick-cooking)

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
OR
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 3/4 cup butterscotch chips
OR
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup Craisins
OR
whatever combination you would like to try!


Directions

Preheat over to 325 degrees.  Grease cookie sheets.

In large bowl cream butter and sugars.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Beat it into creamed mixture.  Mix in oats, chocolate chips and walnuts.

With a 1/4 cup measure, scoop out 1/4 cup batter per cookie, placing 5 inches apart on greased cookie sheets.  Bake for almost 20 minutes or until top is dry and slightly cracked.

Makes 18 4-inch cookies

Say What?!

Anthony has had quite the statements recently that have caused lots of laughter.  I love the things he comes up with!


A: Momma!  Penguins could live in our house.
M: Why do you say that bud?
A: Because you keep it so cold in here.

Hhhmmm...I thought AC on those ridiculous hot and steamy days was a good thing, but the Bubsa Boo clearly thinks otherwise.


Thursday night I was making supper when Anthony strolls into the kitchen just as I'm putting the taco pie all together.

A: Eeeeewwwwwwww!  You're putting dog poop on our supper?!  (Be sure to read this completely loud and obnoxious!)
M:  Anth, it's called refried beans and they're really good.
A: Well, it looks like dog poop.  I don't want to eat dog poop.

Okay, he has a point.  Refried beans DOES look a bit nasty even though it tastes great, but does it look like dog poop?!


Saturday night we were driving back from St. Cloud and a visit to the ER (Stupid mom moment.... Apparently, Bounce Depot's bouncies + this momma doesn't mix well together!  Ugh.) when Anthony became all exasperated with us.

A: (loudly stating) You two are air-a-toot-ies!

Of course we giggled because he was so serious and loud and totally frustrated with us.  I finally turned around after he stated it a few times to get the definition of such an obscure word.

M: What does that mean, bud?

A: It's when you can hear, but you don't hear just like Papa Marv.

Oh my goodness!  Mark and I couldn't stop laughing at his definition!  Sorry Papa Marv!  I guess we're all just a bunch of air-a-toot-ies.

Pioneer Woman Cooks

I'm still not sure what's more exciting --- the fact that I finally got the Pioneer Woman cookbook or the oh so cute butterfly wrapping/bow around it?

Hhhhmmmm..... 

 

The cute wrapping/bow decor - which is something I could try, but never execute - has yet to come off.  It will someday, but for now I'm just appreciating it's whimsical playfulness on the cover of this much anticipated and wanted cookbook. 

Oh the recipes I'm going to try!

Chicken Pot Pie (again...)

Apple Pie

Guacamole

Pico de Gallo

Perfect Pie Crust

Artichoke Dip

Breakfast Bowls

Sangrias (YUM!)

Potato Skins

Cinnamon Rolls

Buttermilk Biscuits

Egg-in-the-hole

Maple Pecan Scones

Cornbread

Meatloaf (Side note: PW covers it in bacon!)

Twice Baked Potatoes (Making them tonight!)

TH thanks you TH for not only borrowing your cookbook to me, but then turning around and surprising me with my very own.  You made my day!

Our Wonder Dog

Last week we had another scare with Zoey the Wonder Dog.  Her back legs are progressively getting worse and will continue to do so.  Just like a person every once in awhile her legs "go out" leaving her with the inability to move without crying out in pain.
Hearing her cry out in pain is the worst...
The knowledge that she's a dog and her lifespan is short to begin with is hard too...
Luckily the mixture of pain pills and anti-inflammatory medication is doing the trick for right now and she seems to be somewhat back to her old self --- running in the backyard, performing crazy 8's and making herself cozy on her favorite spots.  However, she's doing all of that just a bit more gingerly and slower that she has in the past.
I know Zo's days are numbered and that's heartbreaking to me because I haven't loved a dog like this since the days of Sam in my childhood.  I so wish I could extend her life so she could always be with us.  It's only been five years; however, I cannot imagine our family without her.  She truly is our Wonder Dog.

Brown Blankie Love

Basking in July's Sunshine

We

love

summer!

Black Light

In an effort to stay comfortable during this sticky humidity there have been many days of popsicles, indoor AC fun as well as time cooling off in the backyard "water slide"/pool combo.   Anthony is really enjoying swimming now and getting braver each time we go for a dip in the local pool.  It's amazing how much he's grown up and improved!  One thing he always practices is his "black lights" and he's becoming increasingly more comfortable with getting his whole head wet. 

Auntie Tonna's Babysitting Service

Are you in a pinch and in desperate need for someone to watch you child?!

Never fear! 

Just call Auntie Tonna's Babysitting Service!

I'll be sure to continue up the stairs 

leaving an 18 month old to figure it out on his own.

Your little one too can experience the joy of falling down a flight of stairs

and get his/her personal black eye bruise exclusively at Auntie Tonna's!

 

Oy!

This auntie still feels horrible over her complete stupidity.

Ashee's Taste Test

 

Hhhmmmm....Antee wanted Auntie Tonna to buy him something called a lemon when she went grocery shopping.  I wonder what a lemon would taste like?

 YOWZERS!  This lemon thing-a-ma-jigger has some zing to it!

 Seriously, mom?!  Why would my cousin want something that tastes like this?!

 Well if Antee wants it maybe I should too?!  I'll just take another bite just to make sure I know exactly what it tastes like.

 

 OMG!  

Holly hairballs!

SNAP!

Cowabunga!

This is so bad...

 it's almost good and a bit irresistible.

 Never mind.  

It's bad! 

Bad! 

BAD!

 Okay, just one more try.

The pull of the lemon is sucking me in.

Hey!  That wasn't so bad! 

I think I kind of like it in a weird sour, but yummy/yucky sort of way.

Great idea, Antee!

Let's have more lemons the next time we get together.

Up North Visitors

I'm the luckiest boy in the world. 

Last week I had not one, but TWO visits from my family I love!

First Papa and Grammie came down for two days

then my Auntie Manda, Uncle Damon and Ashee came for the weekend!

It was like the best week EVER!

Papa and Grammie,  
Thank you for coming down to Becker for a few days.  Momma is all excited about her new dishwasher and faucet; however, I know the REAL reason you came....ME!  I had so much fun playing cars on the step, showing you my favorite playgrounds and my big boy school, reading books and just spending time together.  Maybe we should do it again?!?!
Love you to the moon and back,
Anthony

See?!  There they are!  That's my Uncle Damon, Auntie Manda and the cutest cousin ever, Asher.  Momma likes to call him Chubby Chubberton, but I like to call him Ashee.  He's sure getting big (as big as I was when I came home!) and can do a lot of fun stuff now.  We had fun playing at the park and I laughed hysterically when Ashee was getting all upset over the balloons.  Thanks for coming down and seeing me!  I'm already looking forward to our next get together. 
Love you,  Anthony

Wild Rice Festival

My hometown's celebration "The World's Largest Wild Rice Festival" gets more and more entertaining and fun the older I get.  Every summer it finds it's way onto our calendar and every year I leave knowing that I will definitely bring A back next year.  It's a weekend of spending time with my family and enjoying the small town that I grew up in.

 Anth trying out the new Jeep Grammie and Papa bought for A&A

He quickly moved onto bigger and better things, though.  Papa's used/new-to-him Ford truck was a thrill to drive with Grammie!  It certainly reminded me of days past when I would "drive" too.

 

 This scene could easily be one taken right out of my childhood!  Dad's reading the paper while Anth is eating breakfast/"reading" the back of the cereal box.

 A hanging out by DR's big fish

 Grammie sure knows how to find different things at the parade.  Not only did she get piles of candy for A&A she also picked up this lovely spider that creeped it's way off of a float.

 Uncle Damon and Ash

Sunday was bracelet day for $15.  Being that the WRF is a small fair in a small town Anthony was able to enjoy going on rides multiple times.  This is number 146 on the carousel with Grammie!

Luckily we ran into my cousin Ryan and his little girl Karly.  She loves the dragon roller coaster just as much as A.  They would get on, ride, get off, get back into line, and immediately get on again.  Ride - line - ride - line - ride....  The two of them did this for a good 30+ minutes and were all smiles the entire time!

 WEEEEEEEE!

Again there was a free outdoor concert - Joe Diffy this year - however, Anth didn't quite make it.  All it took was one loop around the block with Uncle Damon and he was out.  After an afternoon of the parade, riding on too many rides to count, and being out on a 90 degree day it's not a surprise that he was pooped.

LeRoy Larry Arrives!

Welcome, cutie patootie!

Quinten Gene Feierabend

Born on Friday, July 8

10:16am

7 pounds, 4 ounces

19 inches long

North Star

This is my favorite view and all-time favorite spot to spend a weekend camping.  North Star Resort on Leech Lake has been a family tradition that dates all the way back to my childhood.  Luckily we had a gorgeous 4th of July weekend to enjoy the lake with the next generation of our family.  At Leech Lake it's all about the sandy beach, the clear water, spending lazy days outside and making memories that will last forever.