Making candy canes with Kawka!

First off I want to tell everyone that doesn't know, the grandkids call my mom Kawka. Kyndall and Noah started calling her that whenever they were very young and it has stuck. My mom loves her name and wouldn't change it for the world.
This year we went and spent Thanksgiving with my family and while we were there Kawka had tons of fun stuff planned for the kids. One thing being to make candy canes. The kiddos were so excited to do this but it isn't very easy to do.
As you can tell, you have to mold the candy quickly into the cane shape because they start to get hard fast. The kids loved it and Maggie really enjoyed eating them. We always knew whenever she had been into the candy canes because there would be a red beard on her pretty little face.

Please listen to this

I couldn't get the whole story to post on here so I will give you a brief summary. This is the conversation between a little boy and a dj on KSBJ. This little boy lives in Nebraska and called into KSBJ to share with them the message that God gave to him. Please listen!

PJ Day at school

I was looking through pictures that I have uploaded to the computer and found a bunch that I hadn't blogged. I will be posting them periodically over the next couple of days in between cleaning the house.

This first set is from PJ day at school. A couple of weeks ago we had pajama day at school where everyone ( including the teachers) wear their pjs. Chloe loves to pose for the camera now so I thought I would have her pose before we left for school. Sorry everyone, there is no picture of me in my pjs.

Christmas Party

Here we are on our way to Shane's company Christmas Party.

My version of Cake Pops

Ever since I found Bakerella's blog I have been dying to make her famous cake pops. What are cake pops you ask? They are cake balls on a stick. You can visit her website for ideas and directions for making your very own cake pops.

http://bakerella.blogspot.com/

Here are the ones that I made for Kyndall's school. They were a huge hit!!!

Konner's Missing Tooth

The other day Konner was out playing basketball with some friends. I was inside on the phone when all of a sudden he comes in asking for a paper towel. His mouth was covered in blood. Being the great mom that I am asked him if he was okay and he said yes. He went back outside to play and I continued talking on the phone.

Fast forward to that evening. We had gone at to eat and as we were sitting at our table Konner said something about his tooth. I looked at him to see his front tooth dangling from the gums. He talked Shane into pulling it right there. He was so proud of it!!! This tooth was not loose to begin with so it will be interesting to see how long it takes it to grow back.

Caramel Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake

I made this delicious cheesecake for Thanksgiving and boy was it good. I would have to say that it scored right up there with the Cheesecake Factory's pumpkin cheesecake. I got the recipe from The Pioneer Woman's website. Here is a copy of the recipe.

PW’s Caramel Pumpkin Pecan Gingersnap Cheesecake
also known as: PW’s Pumpkin Cheesecake
**Can be halved for a smaller springform pan
Crust:
12 ounces storebought gingersnaps
1/2 cup chopped pecans
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Dash of salt
Filling:
4 packages cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
4 eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 jar caramel topping
Extra chopped pecans
Extra crushed gingersnaps
In a food processor (or large ziploc bag) crush gingersnps. Add chopped pecans, melted butter, brown sugar, and salt, and pulse (or mix) until thoroughly combined.
Press into bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Chill for 20-30 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin and spices and mix again. Add eggs one at a time, mixing for 20 seconds between each addition. Add cream and mix until just combined.
Remove crust from fridge. Pour 1/2 jar of caramel topping on crust. (NOTE: CAN BE OMITTED; SEE NOTE ABOVE) Sprinkle caramel with chopped pecans. Gently pour cheesecake filling in pan. Even out the top with a flat spatula.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until no longer soupy. Cheesecake should still be somewhat jiggly. Cool on counter for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, pour the rest of the caramel topping over the top. Smooth with a flat spatula until evenly smooth. Cover and chill cheesecake for another four hours or overnight.
Remove rim from pan and slice. Sprinkle each slice with extra crushed gingersnaps.

Go ahead and try it for yourself!! And then head over to www.thepioneerwoman.com and check out all of the new and fabulous recipes that she has.

My Favorite Christmas Song

This is my absolute favorite song to listen to at Christmas. This is what Christmas is really all about. Make sure you have it turned up really loud!!

Laine and Abby's 2nd Annual Cookie Exchange Party

Laine and I started a tradition last year by hosting a cookie exchange party. It was so much fun that we decided to host one every year. This year we had about twice as many guests as last year and a tone of cookies to share with one another. Laine and I could kick ourselves because by the end of the night we realized that we had not gotten a group picture.

Visiting with Santa

Tonight the kids wanted to go see Santa and make sure that they got their requests in before it was too late. Konner was especially cute. He asked Santa for a real dog and then paused and looked at Santa and said, " Can you make a real dog?" Santa nodded yes and Konner said, "Great!" and then went on to list a bunch of other things. Sorry the picture isn't that great. I didn't realize my flash wasn't on.

Snow in Houston?!?!?!

Yesterday the weather in Houston was a warm 75 degrees. Today it never got above 35 and it started snowing. It continues to snow as I type this. It will be neat to see what it will look like tomorrow.

Vacation

I just wanted to let everyone know that I havenn't stopped blogging. This last week I have been trying to get ready to go to Georgia to visit Kawka, Papa, Aunt Katie, Uncle Darryl, Noah, and Maggie. We are leaving bright and early in the morning, so I won't be blogging for the next week or so. I promise to blog like crazy after Thanksgiving.!! I hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!!

Playing Dolls

I was looking for Chloe the other day only to find the cutest thing that I have ever seen. I walked into Kyndall's room and Chloe and Kyndall were playing Barbies in Kyndalls closet. Even though there are 5 1/2 years between the two they still have fun playing together.

A New Crafting Area for Me!!!

Before we had Chloe I used the extra bedroom for my crafting area. After she was born I had to move my stuff to the game room. I always felt like I couldn't keep it clean enough so I wouldn't let anyone upstairs. So I started trying to come up with a place that my stuff and i could call home. The only other place that is big enough is the master bedroom closet.

So I cleaned out the game room closet and turned that into Shane's little area. Then I dispersed my stuff between Konner and Chloe's closets. Now it was time to create my space. I am super excited about it!! I feel like I am in my own little corner. I can shut the closet door and no one can bother me. If I REALLY want to be alone I can shut the master bedroom door, the bathroom door, and the closet door. Peace and Quiet!!!!!

Here is a before picture:

Here is the after picture:

So Thankful!!

I am a wonderful mother in many ways, but caring for sick children is not one of those ways. Today I had just got home from an exhausting day at work and I just wanted to sit down and relax until the got home from school. I had just sat down to watch the newest episode featuring the famous Duggar family when the phone rang. It was the friendly nurse from Ford elementary. I am really starting to not like that woman. Just Kidding!!! She informed me that Konner was sitting in her office and had just thrown up all in the music room. Great!!!! I haul Chloe back to the car in the pouring rain to go get my son who is throwing up. I can handle a lot of things, but thrown is not one of them.
That is why God gave me Shane. He can handle throw up and is the perfect parent to sick puking children. I am so thankful for him in times like this. Thank you Babe for being the nurse that I can't be!!! I love you!!!!
Hopefully, Konner will be done puking by morning or I might have to go into work for Shane and let him stay home. :)

7 years ago today...

I had just taken caster oil to try and start labor. My mom was in from Georgia and we were ready to meet sweet baby Kyndall. I went to the hospital that evening and my contractions didn't seem to be very regular, but they wanted to keep me through the night. The next morning I woke up to them telling me that they were going to start the pitocin. My contractions weren't really going anywhere, but that everytime I did have one Kyndall's heart rate would go down. That was around 6:30 am and Kyndall entered the world around 1:30 pm.
Tomorrow my precious daughter is turning 7 years old. Time passes by so quickly!! This being the eve of Kyndall's 7th birthday I thought that I would six things about Kyndall right now.

1. She is an excellent student
2. loves animals
3. Favorite food is Mexican
4. Is not a morning person
5. is a terrific big sister
6. loves to play outside with all of her friends

Halloween Sneak Peek...More to come!!

Halloweens of the Pasts

Konner's First Soccer Game

Konner had his first soccer game this past Saturday. He did a great job and scored the most goals. ( We aren't supposed to keep score, but he made 4 goals!!) We are playing with a soccer league instead of the YMCA and it is so different. You are only allowed to yell positive things like " Go team!", "Good Job", etc. I have a really hard time with that because if Konner is going the wrong way I think that I should be allowed to tell him to turn his hiney around. I hope that I can make it through the season without getting kicked off the field!!

Trying to get a pumpkin patch picture

I took all three of the kiddos to the pumpkin patch the other day to try and get a good picture. Well, as you can see I didn't accomplish that. Oh well!!! At least they are all together in the picture!!

A visit to the pumpkin patch

Today Chloe and I went and picked up Laine, Michael, and Callie to go to the pumpkin patch with our MOPS group. It wasn't that great of a pumpkin patch , but I did get some great pictures of Chloe Grace. Here is a little slide show for you to enjoy.

Kyndall's First Skating Party

Kyndall got invited to her first roller skating party this past weekend. I didn't realize people still went roller skating. Kyndall did very well since it was her first time to roller skate. It was too dark in the skating rink to take pictures but I did get some videos. ENJOY!!! I am so sorry but you are going to have to view it sideways. I didn't realize that you can't rotate a video.

Kyndall and Konner showing off their new skill!

Kyndall and Konner just recently learned how to ride their bikes without training wheels. Konner was first and Kyndall followed him a couple weeks later. They basically taught themselves just by getting on and trying to go. They fell off ALOT but kept going until they finally got it.
Now all they want to do is ride their bikes with their neighborhood friends!! Here is a couple videos of them in action!

The New Me

Well, it was time for a haircut!! I hadn't had any length cut off of my hair in over a year.

The difference 25 years make!

Today I am going through boxes in the attic to get rid of stuff that we don't need. I came across some papers from when I was in school and it is amazing the difference 25 years make.

25 years ago I started Kindergarten and here is my supply list:

1- crayons $1.10
1- Pencil $ 0.10
1- Elmers glue $0.60
1_ packet Kleenex $0.20

For a whopping total of

$2.00


This year Konner started kindergarten and here is his supply list:


Construction paper (assorted, 9”x12”, 50 count)..................................1
Crayola Crayons (24 count) ......................................................................2
Elmer’s school glue (4 oz. size) ................................................................2
#2 wood pencil ..........................................................................................12
Kleenex tissue (120 count box ) ................................................................1
Fiskar scissors (5“ blunt tip)......................................................................1
Crayola Classic markers (thick, washable)............................................2
CrayolaWatercolors (8 color, washable) ................................................1
Pocket folder (1 ea. yellow, green, blue, red).........................................4
Ziploc bags (25 count, boys/quart size, girls/gallon size).................1
Manila paper (12”x18”, 50 count)............................................................1
Construction paper (assorted 12” x 18”, 50 count) ..............................1
Manila (9”x12”, 50 ct) .................................................................................1
Baby wipes (80 count) ................................................................................1
Copy paper (500 sheets/ream, white) ....................................................1
Supply box....................................................................................................1
Eraser (pink) .................................................................................................1
Markers (dry erase)............................................................................1 pkg.

For a whopping total of:

a whole lot of money!!!!!!

I think that we need to go back to the basics and then school supply shopping won't be such a stressful time!

Can't get enough salsa!!

The other day Shane and I met for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. Chloe was starving when we sat down and was a little on the cranky side. So I proceeded to hand her a chip to munch on. One thing about Chloe is that she loves to watch people and then try and copy them. She was watching Shane and I dip our chip into the salsa and then eat it. Well that made her want to try it. It was definitely a little spicy but she was very adamant about trying it. I put the bowl in front of her and let her go at it. I wish that I had had my video camera because it was the funniest thing I have ever seen.

First she dipped her chip in and took a big bite. She started licking her lips really fast but felt that she needed more. So she went in for another big bite. That bite was a little spicy which led her to start licking the tablecloth. I gave her a drink and she continued eating the salsa. It was like she couldn't get enough!! And then everytime that it would get a little too spicy she would bend forward really fast and start licking the tablecloth. We finally had to hide it from her because Shane was afraid of what we might find in her diaper later.

Chocolate Cake...Need I say more!!!!