summer update

These silly girls play the cutest things. Here is Kayleigh in the "birthday chair."

They loooove going out for frozen yogurt. I love they buy one get one free coupon that comes in the mail once a month!
ZoBug's (or ZoBuggie as she likes to be called) hair is getting so long. She looks as sweet as pie here. But man can she be a little stinker!

In other news....Kayleigh starts first grade in two weeks!! My fall classes start in 3 weeks. Zoe starts preschool in about 6 weeks.

As I was finishing Intro to Chemistry (worst class ever) I was also starting Nutrition 101 (best class ever). I am so happy to have finally figured out what I want to do when I grow-up.

This summer has been a whirl-wind of activity. I wish I would have more time/energy to blog about it!

Red, White and Blue Galette

This year my 4th of July dessert was this "red, white and blue galette." In case you were wondering a galett is just like a freeform pie. A galett is also something that the kids can help with so that is always a plus.

I combined a few recipes to come up with this one.

4 ounces cream cheese

3 tablespoons extra fine sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 pint fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 egg
1 teaspoon water
1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 400º F. Mix cream cheese, sugar and cream. Roll out each piece of dough into a 10″ circle on a piece of parchment. In the center of the circle, Drop in teaspoon-sized dollops of the cream cheese mixture leaving about 2 inches of room on the sides. Sprinkle berries over the top. Fold the sides of the galette over.

Beat together egg and water. Brush with a pastry brush over the top of the galette. Sprinkle the edge with sugar. Bake at 400º F for 30-35 minutes until dough is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to sit 5 minutes before serving.

Makes two 8″ galettes.

Since there was so much heavy cream left over, I used it to make a whipped cream topping. It was delish. I think each "pie" serves 4.

File this one under, "It's easy! All you have to do is..."

this and that

Life is much more enjoyable and memorable with a soundtrack, right? Here's mine as of late:

Futuristic Lover- Katy Perry
You've got the Love- Florence and The Machine
Dancing on my Own- Robyn
Kids- MGMT
Rolling in the Deep- Adele
We No Speak Americano- Pitbull
Heavy in Your Arms- Florence
Time for Africa- Shakira
Little Lion Man- Mumford and Sons
The Cave- Mumford
Head Full of Doubt- The Avett Brothers
Radioactive- Kings of Leon

My posts have been quite random lately... I guess it's a reflection of life. I think I'm more of a creature of habbit than I care to admit. Changes are hard.

One change that I know I don't like is cooking food just to eat the food. I do have to say though, that it is a lot cheaper to eat just to have food in your stomach. So I'm just gonna roll with it.

Cam is back in the hospital. I hate this for him. He isn't one to be weak or attract attention. It makes my heart ache for him. And I also think about how this was such nonsense. And how things like this (hospital bills) can happen to other people without the means. When you heal so much of it is attitude. What if you were afraid to get care because of cost? It would be harder to heal. Oh, I just hate to think about all the "what if's." I hate people who have such disregard to human life. It makes me sick.

I've been reading alot and thinking alot about what we eat and how it affects our bodies and the enviornment. Yes, please eat your vegetables... but are they organic? from genetically modified seeds? Oy vey! School lunches are so unhealthy! We waste so much water on our lawn and bushes around here... wouldn't it be great if instead of grass we were watering vegis for all the condo dwellers in our complex?!

I have so much going on in my mind! I need some down time, some guided meditation. Something!

Kids are away with Dave- I should go... Do nothing? Or do all the stuff I can't do with kids around?????

you take the good, you take the bad

Wow. Just wow. TGIF!!! I'm happy to say that Dave and I have survived the most stressful, scary, busy 7 days of our lives together. Every minute of the last 7 days has been accounted for.

We hit a serious low on Saturday morning when we heard Dave’s little brother was shot in the chest. I get the shivers every time I think about it. We are so thankful that he will be okay. I hope they catch the bastard that did this to him. Dave has known 3 people who have died before their time because of guns and now one that could have. If this doesn’t change ones stance on guns I don’t know what will.

You know how people say “bad things” come in threes? Well, it’s true. Obviously nothing can compare to what happened to Cameron, but the blows just kept coming during the week.

Dave’s car broke down on his way to see Cameron. Dave’s step-mom had to actually pick him up on the interstate while his car got towed back to Scottsdale. Not a big deal, right? Well my financial aid got messed up with ASU so I had to pay for my classes this summer. Still not too bad… The mechanic quoted us one price- ouch. Then they found a few more things that needed to be fixed. OUCH. I feel like a true college student after that one. I guess I can take comfort in the fact that we actually had the money to take care of those things.

Wednesday was the hottest day of the year here- 110 was the high. And as luck would have it somehow Zoe got locked in the truck in the hot sun. Long story short, the firemen had to bust out a window to get to her. Thankfully she was okay. And thankfully we were at a friend’s house and they were amazing about the entire thing.

So ya know, we just did all that emotional stuff and added playdates, swim lessons, VBS, camp, and about 20 hours of homework. And no working out so I feel like a marshmallow.

I lived it and I wrote about it now I can put it to bed. I’m looking forward to spending a relaxing Father’s day weekend with my family.

Healthy Mexican

Oh boy howdy do I love these tostadas.
Get your self a bowl and mix up some fresh corn, avocado, red onion, cilantro, and black beans (drained and rinsed). Spray some corn tortillas with cooking spray and briol for a min or so. Top with the deliciousness from the bowl, add cheese and broil for another min or two. Serve with your favorite salsa.

GET IN MY BELLY!

2 weeks post kindergarten

School ended for Kayleigh just 2 weeks ago (it seems like a month has past since). In two weeks our days have been filled with numerous playdates, swimming lessons for both girls at different locations and different times, K has Spanish summer camp from 8-12 M-TH, I started a hectic CHM 101 online class, a few dates with my man, a weekend trip to Tucson, I turned 31, two 6 year old birthday parties, sickness, and lots of workout and yoga time-- for balance. haha!

First Day of School

Last Day of School

Miss K really enjoyed Kindergarten. She loves to learn (as long as it's not math- unfortunately she gets that from me). She excelled at reading early on and now reads chapter books daily and in one sitting! Reading has also reinforced her love for nature and animals. I am always amazed by how much she knows and how much more she wants to know about the world around her.

Today we enjoyed being just the three of us- no playdates, no commitments. The kids played daycare, I did a 80 min. yoga class, we ate lunch at a cafe, hit up the library for an hour, and ate an ice cream cone (I enjoy hearing I'm the best Mom ever from time to time). Now the kids are playing cheerleader/princess/ballet girls while I chill. How do they have so much energy? I need a nap! (Oh, must be that I couldn't go back to sleep after I had to clean up a potty accident at 2:30 in the morning!)


Please dear audio book keep them occupied when the frolicking gets old :)

Oh and I'm happy to say we haven't had nitrate filled hotdogs or frozen pizza once! haha

the effects of an online summer class

I have the most amazing people in my life. Amazing.

My mom took the kids today to Tucson so I can get a jump on my schoolwork. This is after spending more than a week sleeping on a sofa sleeper caring for my grandparents. My mom is amazing. Such an inspiration. She is so selfless and giving and caring. I am greatful for her!

And speaking of greatful... Dave is a genuis! I'm struggling with Chem 101 (obviously), but my amazing husband is like, "It's easly all you have to do is think it through." Well, thats probably one of the dumbest things he's said to me, but I won't hold it against him. He is so encouraging and helpful. I am so greatful for him!

So, summer classes are hard.... I will get through it. I won't give up. I will not worry about feeding my kids random crap like hot dogs and frozen pizza. What's that? You didn't get your protien or vegis today?? My house will be a mess. Clothes will be taken out of the clean pile and worn. Dishes will pile up in the sink. It's okay. It's only 7 weeks.... then Nutrition 100 for 8 weeks :)