WFMW: Kindergarten Roundup the Redshirt Year

Miss A picked out her outfit for the event: her new Justice Shirt, a cool purple scarf and of course those fabulous sparkly shoes. Don't think other girls didn't notice the "sparkle." She said that the first thing her Kindergarten Buddy said to her was "I love the sparkly."

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Miss A's "redshirt" year is half way over. It's hard to believe that next year at this time the house will be silent and empty in the afternoons. We've been having lots of fun this fall and have some big ideas of things to do this spring. We just need the weather man to help us out a little bit!

Last week, our elementary school held it's Kindergarten Round Up. Now don't ask me why they felt the need to do this in the middle of January when the 2010-2011 school year is 8 months away, but they did!! Of course, all this week Miss A has been asking when does Kindergarten start again.

Since this is my third time through Round Up, I was prepared. I had my little birth certificate in hand, a camera in my purse, and a set of pens ready to fill out all the forms. If pressed into service, I could give the "Welcome to our school speech" the Principal gave without notes. But I loved looking around at the "newbies" who are getting ready to send child number one out into the world. The parents looked almost as nervous as the children.

Miss A was all confident and ready. She walked right out with her "class" or practice class as she called it to see the Kindergarten classroom, do a craft, and have a snack. She loved it. However, she'd like to make it clear that this is not the teacher she's going to have in the fall. Remember that mom!! I guess she's under the impression she gets to pick and that she'll get to pick a few of her "friends" to be in her class, too!

Going through roundup once again and seeing the other kids, the look of confidence on Miss A's face reaffirmed our decision to hold her back a year and wait to start Kindergarten. She seems much more confident, excited, and ready now than she was last spring or summer. Sure she's a little taller than some of the kids in the class, but she also showed some real leadership holding another little girl's hand as they walked away from the cafeteria.

When we got back in the car to head home that morning, the first thing A said was; "well that's over now, let's go home I'm exhausted." Guess it's tough being a pretend Kindergartner for a morning. It reminded me to enjoy these last few months of freedom that we will have together to soak up our time together and play games, read books and go out to lunch with the ladies. Miss A was so excited to get her own Dry Erase Board and Pen and has been copying down "words" ever since.




Gotta go now, Little House in the Big Woods is calling my and Miss A's name.


Kindergarten Roundup during our Redshirt Year Works for Me; for more WFMW check out We Are THAT Family.

WFMW: Visiting The Elderly

Yesterday, I called the "Retirement Village" around the corner from our house to schedule our annual Girl Scout Christmas Caroling Outing. This will be our 5th year of going and spreading a little Christmas Cheer with some "grandma and grandpas" as my girls lovingly call them.

We've learned a lot over the years about these special elders many of whom have dementia. We know that they like the classic Christmas Carols the best. Give them Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard On High and don't be surprised if they join along. The ladies tend to close their eyes on Silent Night and I wonder: where are they in their hearts and minds, where does the song take them back to, and what special memories are they reliving?

I've learned that my girls do better if we dress up a little bit. We don't wear anything too fancy, but just not your every day school outfit of jeans and shirts. For some girls, "Sunday Best" is not something they are used to, but it shows respect for the audience.

We used to bring cookies along to share with the residents, but two problems developed. First, the girls tended to eat them and, second, the residents have dinner right after our concert and it tends to ruin their dinner. Nice to know somethings never change.

Looking around at the eyes of the residents while the girls are singing, I've seen my share of happy tears and forlorn looks of pain. Occasionally, there are people whose eyes have been ravaged by disease like Alzheimer's or dementia and it breaks my heart to see the blank stares in those eyes. But, you know what, sometimes those very people are the ones who sing out every word of Away in the Manager or another old time favorite.

Those songs are planted deep within their souls and they are never lost. Alzheimer's cannot rob them of those seeds planted by God. I remember clearly my own grandmother who when it had been months since she'd really spoken, remembered anyone, or had been aware of her surroundings hummed along as my mother sang Amazing Grace at her bedside. There were tears streaming down both of their faces as they shared this wonderful old hymn.

Maybe the greatest lesson I've learned from taking my Girl Scouts and my own family to Retirement Communities is that there is something wonderful about bringing joy to the residents. Too many of us today have forgotten the "Greatest Generation" and how interaction with them brings you so many blessings while giving them much joy.

Sharing your gifts with those in the Retirement/Nursing Community Works for Me. For more Works for me check out:http://www.wearethatfamily.com/

Finally, this poem was passed along to me this week. It speaks volumes so I'll let it.

CRABBY OLD MAN

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte, Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Missouri . The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.

Crabby Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . What do you see?

What are you thinking . . .. . . when you're looking at me?

A crabby old man, . . . . ... not very wise,

Uncertain of habit . . . . .. . . ..... with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food . .. . .. . . . . and makes no reply .

When you say in a loud voice . . . . "I do wish you'd try!"

Who seems not to notice . . . . . the things that you do.

And forever is losing . . . . .. . . . . . a sock or a shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . . . . . . lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding. . . . . . the long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking? . . . Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse . . . you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am. . . . . . ... as I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, . . . . . . as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten . . . . with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters . . . . . . . . . who love one another.

A young boy of sixteen . . . . . . with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now . . . . . . . . a lover he'll meet..

A groom soon at twenty . . . . . . .my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows . . . . . . that I promised to keep.

At twenty-five, now . . . . . . . . I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide . . . . and a secure happy home.

A man of thirty . . . . . . . ... My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other . . . . . . With ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons . . . have grown and are gone,

But my woman's beside me . . . . .. to see I don't mourn.

At fifty, once more, . . . . . babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children . . . . . .. . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . .. . . .my wife is now dead.

I look at the future . . . .. . . . .. shudder with dread..

For my young are all rearing . . . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years,. . and the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . ... . . . . . . and nature is cruel.

Tis jest to make old age . . . . . . .. . look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles . . . . . . grace and vigour, depart.

There is now a stone . . . . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . . a young guy still dwells,

And now and again . . . . . . . . my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys . . . . . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . .. . . . . .life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . . .. . .. . gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact . .. . . . that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people . . .. . . . . . open and see.

Not a crabby old man. Look closer . . . .. see ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within . . . . one day, we will all be there, too!

WFMW: Freezing Summer Sweet Corn

My husband and I are both city kids. He grew up all over the country, but mostly in big cities or large metro areas. I've only lived in a mid-size metro area and a college town. We know next to nothing about agriculture even though we live in the middle of the Midwest and are surrounded by the richest land and fertile crops and livestock.

We are blessed to have friends who have moved to the big city after college, but grew up on farms and still have parents/siblings, etc living on the land. As a result, we get some great produce this time of the year. Tomatoes so fresh you could eat them like Apples, Sweet Corn that makes you smile, and Zucchini so yummy.

Yummo!!

Last year, our friends shared with us some of their sweet corn crop and showed us how to freeze it for the winter so you can enjoy the fresh sweet taste all year long. Let me just say that we are now so spoiled. No more Bird's Eye Frozen Corn for us...we've tasted nirvana and can never go back.

This past weekend was "Corn Weekend". Here's the process.

First Shuck the Corn Cobs. Guess really first is find some good sweet corn either from a nearby farm you pick yourself or at a farmer's market.

Clean the Corn with a veggie brush to make sure there are no loose strands of the corn husk, Use a handy dandy Corn Zipper by Kuhn Rikon to get the kernels off the cob and then squeeze some of the juice into a bowl. You can use a knife, but this new tool this year worked like a charm. Just remember to clean it off often so it doesn't get gunked up.

In a large stock pot over a medium heat, place 10 cups of corn, 1 cup of water, 1/2 a cup of sugar, a very small handful of salt and cook the corn until it comes to a boil and then let it boil for about 10 minutes.

Let the corn cool in 9x 13 pans until it is no longer steaming and is cool to the touch.

Place about 3 cups of the corn in Ziploc Freezer Bags; Quart Size. Lay them flat on a cookie sheet and place in a big freezer. Let them freeze solid.

To use the frozen corn you can either defrost in the microwave for a few minutes and then cook on stove top or you can place frozen corn on stove and slowly heat it through.

We just ate our last bag of sweet corn last week from our 08 bags. It is a family favorite. No need to add anything to it.We estimate that a cooler full of corn produces about 10 or 11 bags of 3 cups of corn each. Not the most scientific measure but when you get in the midst of making all this corn it's easy to loose track. We made about 35-40 with 3 coolers full of corn this weekend.

Eating fresh summer sweet corn all year long works for our family. To check out more WFMW ideas see We Are That Family.

WFMW: Back to School Edition/First Day Photos

My back to school idea for Works for Me Wednesday is one I stole from Family Fun Magazine a number of years ago.

I take a piece of cardboard and write on it the child's name, the grade they are entering in school, and the year. I take a few stickers from my scrapbooking supply and make the "poster" cute. Then the child holds this sign in a picture on the first day of school on our front porch.

Now, for every year I have a picture on the first day of school, a way to keep straight what year it was, and the grade they were entering.

Last year A got her first sign and it said A's First Day of Preschool 2008. We even took her picture outside the school building with this sign too. She was so excited to have her own sign!! After years of begging to hold her sister and brother's sign, it was thrilling for her.

I figure when all the kids have gone through school, I'll have an awesome photo collage with their pictures and signs.

In addition to the sign photo, we take a backpack photo every year on the same step. We take this picture with the child standing sideways so we can see their size. At the end of the year, we take the same picture and it's amazing how tall they've gotten in nine months time.

First Day Photos with Signs works for me. For other WFMW ideas check out We Are That Family.

WFMW: Summer Produce Recipes

If you read my blog yesterday, you saw that I've been a busy little "Martha" in the kitchen with some of my summer produce finds.
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I thought today for Works For Me Wednesday, I'd share the recipes that I used to create the yummy stuff! These are not my own recipes; however for most of them, I've either changed them in a little way or goofed up to make them more my own.

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Garden Salsa from my friend Sue

4 to 6 Tomatoes

2 Cucumbers

2 White Onions

1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce

1 (28 oz) cans of Ro-Tel Tomatoes

1 Jar of La Victoria Red Taco Sauce-Mild ( I used about 3/4 of the jar)

3 T Red Wine Vinegar
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Chop up veggies and mix together with everything. this may be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.

'My improvisation 1 had only 10 oz cans of Ro-Tel so I used 1 can of mild and 1 can of original. The recipe called for Trappy's Red Devil Sauce instead of Taco Sauce, but I could not find it at the store.

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Fresh Refrigerator Pickles a combo recipe from my MIL and Cooks.com

3 Large Cucumbers

1 Onion

1 T Salt

2 tsp celery seeds

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup white vinegar

Wash and scrub the cucumber. Slice into a medium bowl leaving peel on, about 1/8" thick. Remove skin from onion and wash under cold water. Finely chop the onion and add to cucumbers. Sprinkle with salt and celery seed (salt). Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour.

In small saucepan, bring vinegar to boil and then remove immediately from heat. Stir in sugar, stirring until dissolved. Allow to cool, then pour over cucumbers ( after they have been sitting for 1 hour and you have discarded the juice from the bowl)

'Mix well, cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. I used mason jars to store them.

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My improvison: I used two small containers of pickling cucumbers from the farmers market; I cut them into spears rather than slices. Because I did not have celery seeds on hand I used celery salt.

I also added a sprig or two of fresh dill to each jar. We were looking for more of dill taste than sweet. 1 tripled the recipe for 4 jars of pickles because of the type of cucumbers I was using and the size of the jar.

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Chocolate Zucchini Bread from the Southmoreland B & B in Kansas City

3 lg eggs

1 cup oil

3 cups of grated Zucchini

2 tsp Vanilla

2 1/3 cups Flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup unsweeted Hershey cocoa

2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two medium loaf pans with Pam. In a large bowl, mix together the first 4 wet ingredients. In another large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, then add them slowly to the wet ingredients and beat well. Pour mixture into greased loaf pans and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

I make no changes to this recipe. I will occasionally use a little more Zucchini, if that's what I have. I use one Pampered Chep Stone Loaf Pan and one Pyrex Loaf Pan. The Pyrex is done in about 47 minutes and the other is about 5-8 minutes behind. Store in Fridge for up to a week. Great for snacks, breakfast, whatever.

Hope you enjoy this summer produce using recipes. For more great WFMW ideas check out http://www.wearethatfamily.com/.

WFMW:Summer Movies on the Cheap

Watching movies is one of my favorite summer past times. I love to stay up late at night watching movies that I've DVR'd or rented on "school nights" in the summer. I love walking out of a movie theater in the summer; all chilly from the air conditioning with squinty eyes and then feeling the warmth of the hot summer air on my face.

However, it's not always the most economical endeavor to take 3 children to the movie these days so I've found a few ways this summer to give the kids the movie experience without breaking the bank.

Last summer, someone turned me on to the "Free Movie" or "Kid Matinee Movies" that many of the big chain movie theaters offer every summer. Every Wednesday and Thursday at one of the theaters in town you can go to a "special" showing of a Kid's Movie for $3.00 a person including a small popcorn. At another theater in town, they offer Free Movies at 10 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday.

The movies are normally appropriate for toddlers to early teens and are films that are either on DVD already or just about to be released to DVD. So far this summer, we've watched Tale of Desperaux and Horton Hears a Who. You can find out about these movies by going to the website for the theater and it will list out the entire schedule for the summer.

Second, we've found the Buck Theater; which in reality is $2.00 a person before 3 p.m and $2.50 after 3 p.m. This is still a huge discount over the regular matinee price. Last week, we saw the Hannah Montana movie for a total of $8.00. It was a fun movie (G rated) and a perfect way to spend a cloudy afternoon. I actually like it much better than the Disney series on TV.

Here are a few websites to check out for Summer Kid's Movie programs http://www.amctheatres.com/ ; http://www.ravemotionpictures.com/; http://www.marcustheatres.com/

Finally, we've started rented movies from On Demand. When people in the past told me they were renting a pay per view movie. I assumed they were $10 a pop and thought that going to the video store would be more economical. Not true. There are on our On Demand Guide numerous older movies for 99 cents. That's how we watched a long list of Disney Classic Movies this winter. New Releases run $4 to $5.00 each which is still much cheaper than taking the whole clan to the theater plus the snacks are cheaper. We watched Hotel for Dogs earlier this summer and loved it!!

My youngest will only eat popcorn at the movies so we'll usually buy a small popcorn. However, for the older kids, I'll admit we have been known to smuggle in our candy. We've hit up the Dollar Store or Walgreen's candy aisle and gotten boxes of candy for $1.00. While I deep down know this is probably not right, neither is charging $4.50 for 32 ounces of soda or $6.50 for a big box of popcorn. I noticed last week that a family at the Free Movie had purchased one of the largest drinks which promised a free refill and filled up their own little sippie cups for all the kids and then got a refill for the mom and dad to share. Not a bad idea.

Last but not least, before we rent a movie or go to a movie, I always check out this website first to see their review of the movie. http://www.pluggedinonline.com/. Not only do I love how they breakdown the movie with violent, language, and spiritual content, but they are always spot on when they recommend a movie. I've been known to allow my oldest child to go to a movie that I might otherwise have rejected by first talking through with him some of what he might see and should expect. Likewise, the opposite is also true and I've vetoed movies that where either the right rating (G or some PG) because of the review I've read here. Great site. Check it out.

Cheap movies in the summertime work for me. For more WFMW ideas check out http://www.wearethatfamily.com/

WFMW: Reality TV Family Fun

There are only a few family friendly shows on television anymore. Too often. the language, subject matter. and overall disregard for the family makes most network and cable shows off limits during family viewing time.

In fact, last week during a snow storm, we watched Howie Do It as a family thinking that a little slapstick humor would be non-offensive. We had to have the kids leave the room while we waited for a "segment" to get over. The theme involved a bed/ skimpy clothes and a married women and ad executive. It made me blush. We miss the days of Candid Camera. All the humor, none of the gunk!

Amazing Race, the Sunday Night Reality Show, is our Family Reality Show of Choice. Sure, there are times we have to turn our kids eyes away and some of the "couples" cause us to have discussions about Best Friends, but the overall theme of the show is fun, exciting and we've "traveled" all over the world without leaving our living room.

Our family makes a game out of Amazing Race. Each member roots for two chosen teams during the entire season (race). We then pick a Restaurant for each team (no duplicates) and then the final team standing's restaurant is our next family dinner out.

Season 14 of Amazing Race started last Sunday, they are now down to 10 teams perfect for our family of 5. We waited until the first team was eliminated and the we'd gotten a feel for each team before we put in our bid. It was so fun to watch the hows and whys of the choices.

A picked her teams during the opening credits. Seriously! It was all about the looks and the attitude. She took the Cheerleaders and the Flight Attendants. Blondes, Cute, Young and had pretty color coats. This girl has her own ideas. Her Restaurants are Burger King and a local Pizza Parlor with a great game room. Let's just say we won't be disappointed if she is eliminated early on. Funny Note: A was worried about what happened to last year's teams. Where are those Frat Boys she asked.

M was a little more choosy. While she probably would have gone for her sister's choices based on style, she was looking a little closer at the brains and brawn. She went for the Siblings who are Harvard Law Grads and an Older Married Couple. She has dreams of her grandparents going on the Amazing Race. Her Restaurants are Buffalo Wild Wings and Texas Road House.

C was at Youth Group and had to watch the show on DVR, so we allowed him to chose with our help based on the opening credits and our suggestions. He has the Mother and Deaf Son who not only caught all of our hearts, but shows so much about C, too. Although he really wanted another power couple, we made him choose from our bottom three to be fair. He ended up with the dating couple Amanda and Kris. He's going for a local Japanese Restaurant and a Local Coffee Shop's Sunday Brunch Buffett as his choices. Honestly I'm cheering for him and worried he'll win again (he won last time) as I love Japanese food. Plus the rest of us deserve a chance in the winner's circle too!

Hubs probably the best game strategist in the group graciously allowed the children to pick first and as a result has a top tier and a bottom tiered team. His Stunt Men Brothers proved this week that they have lots of spunk and no fear, and his Father/Son Duo might look a little weak on all fronts. He has "shockingly" picked his two favorite types of food; a local BBQ Joint and a Local Mexican Place.

I am excited for my two teams: the Amazing Sister Athletes (that's what I call them) and the Married Hillbillies. The sisters will represent a down home Czech Restaurant with the most delicious dumplings and kraut, and the married couple will be my Mimi's Cafe selection.

Choosing teams, cheering for them, and watching them fall to defeat has been such a fun family time. It's great to talk about how they treat each other, how some complain too much, why others seem to have such great teamwork. Of course, how funny some of the jobs and customs the groups are placed in each week only addx to the fun. We've had some great belly laughs at their expense.

Stay Tuned for who wins Amazing Race 14 or join us in this fun activity and start your own group of restaurants and contestants. Family Fun Works For Me!! Check out other Works for Me Wednesday Posts at Rocks in My Dryer. http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

WFMW Cold Day Boredom Buster: Bedazzler

For Christmas this year, I received my first ever "As Seen On T.V." product from my in-laws. I've never purchased anything from a infomercial or tried any of those fabulous Ginsu Knives or Sandwich Makers. I have seen some knock offs at Walgreen if that counts.

Don't think I haven't been tempted by their outlandish claims and promises. I have, but am afraid it will be like those items I use to order off the back of the cereal boxes when I was a kid (think Sea Monkeys). All talk (and freezed dried shrimp / plankton).

Now, I am the proud owner of a Bead Magic Machine. Think Bedazzler. My mother-in-law is really trying to stretch my crafty self. First knitting, now home fashions.

I must admit that, when I first opened the present, I thought maybe it was a joke and inside the Bead Magic Box would be the real gift. It was the real gift!

My girls got so excited. They started dreaming up things to Bedazzler. M thought of fancy hats, purses, and headbands. A thought Ruthie our AG Doll would love a new outfit all beaded up fancy-like. Guess she thinks I can sew too.

Funny thing is it is pretty cool. I'm not into glitz and glamour and the tool itself takes a little bit of work to figure out, but the end result is fun.

So, on MLK day when the kids had no school, we got out our t-shirts from Hobby Lobby and our Bead Magic Tools and got busy. It was what they call a family moment. Or, it's cold and we've nothing to do, mom so what tricks do you have up your sleeve.

I will not admit if all three kids were involved. I'll only say that only two pink shirts were decorated. Bedazzling is a lot like math I've been told. Precise. Looking at the end result I think it's obvious that my math skills are lacking and my assistants skills are right on every time.

I made M's; he made A's. I blame it on the fact he had the hand held model and it's much easier. There is not any evidence that he is more skillful than me.

Too bad he doesn't want a beddazzled Texas football jersey, Burnt Orange beads are so cute.

Cold Day Boredom Setting In: Find your own Bedazzler and get Busy!!

For More WFMW Posts Check Out :http://http//rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

Works For Me Wednesday:Photo Backup the Easy Way

My wonderful Works for Me Wednesday Idea involves photo storage. I am not the world's best photographer, nor do I have the top of the line digital camera with huge lens (although I would love one) but I take lots of photos.

I scrapbook once a month with a fantastic group of ladies from church and enjoy capturing the moments of life before they are gone.

As a result I have lots of pictures stored on my computer. I have an HP Computer and use the HP Photosmart program to download and store my photos. However I don't stop there. I download photos to Walgreen's.com and use it as a backup to my computer. Easy as can be.

I tend to forget to put the photos on a disc backup and I've never had the heart to really edit the photos before I store them on my computer so I have lots. My computer has plenty of memory, but like it's owner sometimes things can go wrong, parts will die out or a virus could strike.

Walgreen's Photo will keep your photos forever at no charge as long as you buy two prints a year. Seriously. Two prints. I have an order ready to go for Saturday for 50 prints. Buy 50 prints, for $5.00 is their coupon this week.

I also use Walgreen's photos because I can store certain pictures there for the world to see. I have dance convention pictures I share with the other dancing families, girl scout camping trip photos for the parents and of course I can send photos to my in laws and out of town families too.

This is a simple way to ensure that my photos don't go away if my computer crashes or if I forget to back them up.

Now I'm off to send off my latest Christmas photos before I forget.

Come back again and I promise even more insightful ideas...or maybe not.