A Snow Day

After a very mild winter, we got hit with a true snow storm on Monday. I can honestly say that I can't remember when the last time was that we had a true "Snow Storm Warning", not just a "Snow Advisory." 

So, I took some "before" photos:

 Most impressive is the beautiful blue sky and the sunshine! 

We had some snow at the end of last week so we weren't dealing with total green grass but we the total so far had only been a couple of inches.  Nothing too impressive.

Then, some after photos from Monday:

We ended up getting a total of about 11 inches on Monday.  

Amazingly, we are under a snow storm warning until Thursday.  Between snow, lake effect snow and "temps colder than Antarctica" I think we will be stuck at home for a bit! 

Origami Week 2

During our second week of Origami class, we started by watching this video above.  It's the story of an Origami Professional.  Nothing really exciting other than being able to hear his story and see his work.  He talks about how he started folding paper by folding paper Airplanes which was the perfect segway into our main project for the week.

This week we stepped away from true Origami and did more paper folding by making paper airplanes.

I used two different resources. The first was from In the Playroom and included these amazing directions for folding.

I also used instrutions show in the front of a Usborne Paper Plane book that my boys have.

Between those two resources, I picked out 4 different folding options for the students to make.

The goal was to fold them, fly them, and see which one went the farthest for each student.  Once they figured out which one went the farthest, they then had to color it for our display table for presentation night.  The others they got to take home.


For the second part of our class, we worked on folding Cootie Catchers.
I thought this idea from Krokotak were really cute to make.

Plus I also supplied this one from Red Ted Art as something extra to do.

All in all it was a good day.


A few photos from our day:

Sunday Worship - For All You Are

This is a song I heard several months ago.  We were at a church where Darryl's group was going to be leading worship.  The sound guy for the group had this CD/song playing when we arrived and it just spoke to my heart so much!  I made a note of it on my phone and then forgot about it until a week ago.  I don't think I've ever heard it on the radio or any other place, actually, so hopefully you enjoy it.

 I apologize for the crazy background on the video but I love videos with lyrics!

Our week in photos #4

We had a quiet week partly because the kids spent a few days with my mom.  Darryl and I enjoyed a non-eventful weekend too.

We started out the week with a snowstorm.  We've had a pretty mild winter but Saturday made up for it.  In the end, we only got a few inches of snow - so not a true storm - but much better than the ice we had last week.

On Sunday, Darryl and I enjoyed eating lunch out together and going to Meijer.  I know, wow, but we used to always shop together and never do now so it's actually kind of fun.  Plus Darryl can then pick out his food for his lunch instead of me buying what I think he wants!!

Since I couldn't go anywhere on Saturday due to the bad roads, I took advantage of Monday when I unexpectedly didn't have to babysit (School was cancelled and the parents were home since they had the day off due to MLK day).  I treated myself to breakfast at McDonald's.  Then went to the Laundromat before heading to see a movie at the $5.00 ticket theater.  I actually enjoy going by myself every once in awhile.  Then I headed for home and did grocery shopping before Darryl and I went out to Pizza Hut for Dinner.

The boys came home Tuesday just in time for an ice event to hit again so we were home on Wednesday with our friends all day.  Thursday we started back to school with some easy lessons.

Friday we attended Friday School once again!

 Nate packing up a bag for the homeless for the Grateful Hearts Class

 Nate, in the solid yellow belt, doing TKD

 This is the Grateful Hearts class.  It is a service project class so they packed these Homeless bags for the local food bank to hand out as needed.  Josh and Nate are both in this class. 

 Josh taking French class.  He has always had a love for languages.  

 Nate is on the end - this is Fishing class.  I think it surprised him how much he is enjoying the class. 

 Nate in "Stones and Bones" 

 Josh in Origami - we made Paper Airplanes

Having fun seeing which airplane would go the farthest. 

Finally, after we got home, the boys went outside and played in the snow for a bit. 

 Nathan

 Joshua

Weekly Menu

I actually stuck to the plan last week.  It might have helped just a little that we ate out since the kids were gone until Tuesday. HA!  This is a new week though - and the kids are here every day and expect to be fed.

 That makes me laugh :-)  There is truth to that some weeks!!!

Anyway, here is the plan for the coming week:

Friday:  Spaghetti Pie, Green beans, and Garlic Biscuits! (This was actually planned for Thursday night but there were SOOO many leftovers in the fridge, that we cleaned out the fridge instead)

Saturday: Sloppy Joes and Fries

Sunday: Stuffed Shells, Green Beans and Garlic Bread

Monday: Baked potatoes with leftover Sloppy Joes

Tuesday:  Tacos

Wednesday: During AWANA "season" this is my float day.  I plan leftovers/kid favorites but also know we can grab something out (Taco Bell is the cheapest!) if I really don't want to cook!

Thursday: Chicken Legs in the crock pot, Mac and Cheese and Broccoli

And then, just for fun - this quote makes me laugh every.single.time.

Family Favorites - Buttered Noodles

Have you ever been to Frankenmuth and ordered the family style dinner?  If so, you have tasted those amazing buttered noodles with the cracker topping.  Oh my goodness, I could eat those all day long.  After a visit there several years ago, I started searching for a copy cat recipe to get as close as possible to that wonderful dish.  (Actually, I was looking for a squash recipe to begin with and when I couldn't find that, I searched for the noodles!)  I'll be honest, one of the keys to this recipe is buying Amish Noodles.  I found these at Meijer quite by accident the first time I decided to make this recipe:

Which, by the way, Das Essenhaus is also an amazing place to eat in Shippshawana Indiana.  Such fabulous food!  Back to the noodles.  Another reason I love this recipe is because it is a TRUE family favorite in the fact that every person in the family loves these noodles.  That is success in my book!

Ingredients:
1/2 gallon water (or enough to cook the noodles in like you normally would!)
2 chicken bouillon cubes
8 ounces extra wide egg noodles (I just use the bag of Amish Noodles shown above)
1/2 cup water
6 ounces of butter (or 12 Tablespoons!)
Ritz Crackers (and they must be Ritz!), crushed

Directions
Add 1 bullion cube to the "noodle" water in a medium put, bring to a boil.  Add noodles and set a timer for 1 min. longer than the longest time listed on the package, stir a couple of times while cooking.

While the noodles are boiling, add 1/2 cup water, chicken bullion cube, and butter to a microwave safe dish and microwave for 45 secs. - 1 minute (or until butter is melted. 

1. When noodles are done drain water from pot but do not rinse, add butter mixture and parsley. Mix well until most liquid is absorbed, about a minute.
2. Serve immediately with crushed Ritz crackers on top.

So, super easy and super tasty! 

Homemade Valentine's Ideas

Do you realize that Valentine's Day is less than a month away?  Well it is.  We do a little "Valentine's Party" with our co-op so the boys make Valentine's to hand out to each family (and extras to hand out to their close friends)  I've been searching Pinterest for fun (cheap) ideas and thought I would share a few here.

Landeelu provides a free printable and easy instructions to make these cute Emoji Valentines. 

 This is a cute idea from the gracious wife that's simple and easy.  

I have a Starburst loving kid who might like this idea from Capturing Joy.

Creations by Kara gives a simple idea using Laffy Taffy - another favorite of one of my boys. 

Passion for Savings gives a cute idea too!  

Here's another idea from The Gracious Wife that is super cute. 

So, what are we doing?  You'll have to wait for that!  I put together a Pinterest Folder with 8-10 ideas that I'm willing to help the boys with and then I let them pick.  Last year they couldn't decide so they each picked two ideas and made those.  I'm hoping they only pick one idea each this year!  Once our ideas are complete, I'll be sure to share!