Thanksgiving Part I

 We've developed a tradition in our family that involves pies and movies on Thanksgiving Eve. My husband is Master of Pie Making because he likes to make a really yummy crust and then pour in cherry pie filling. We're not typically fan of canned food (except the kind you can at home), but we get crazy around the holidays!

 Daddy had two helpers ready to go at the island. Boushka was taking it all in this year.

And my sweet Brownie (wait! I just realized she's not wearing a headband or a tiara) was offering her expertise in pie making!

 I love that we have this tradition. Pie's nice and all. It's not great for you--so you get to feel sinful. It's so delicious and there's basically no nutritional value contained within it's crusty/fruity gooeyness! But why I really love this tradition...

 has a little do to with the fact that my girls and we are making memories, but...

 once the pie goes in the oven,

 and we gather up all the left over crust stuff...

roll it out...

and make cinnamon and sugar pie crust strips for snacking (while we watch a movie--this year it was The Grinch).

And while the kids bake with daddy, I cook whatever part of the feast I signed up to make. I made an allergy-friendly (egg and milk free) and regular version of sweet potato casserole. One sweet potato I had was part white on the inside. I have never seen this before, so naturally it was photographed!

I also made a cornbread/cranberry stuffing--also allergy-friendly. My mom made her normal stuffing (sans egg) and I'll say, it's hard to part with traditional stuffing. I don't think my family is a big fan of A) trying new foods, or B) entertaining the idea of a sweet stuffing. But I thought it was good, even though I think I also prefer the regular, more savory, stuffing.

Pie crust and my favorite wine... YES, PLEASE!

She didn't have the wine! I promise she just naturally passed out on daddy so cutely!

In the midst of all the Thanksgiving cooking going on, I also made a new version of potato soup! Oh my! To die for! This is the perfect recipe. I always thought my potato soup needed to be more creamy than brothey, but this new version has me drooling when I think about making it again.

If you care to try it, just saute one onion (chopped) and a little celery (couple ribs, chopped) in some olive oil. Pour in a can of broth and add about 5-6 red, new potatoes (I didn't peel mine). Add some seasonings, about 1/2 a t to 1t each, depending on your tastes (sugar, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover pot. Cook about 15 minutes on low. Combine 1/3 c flour and 1/2 c milk and pour into pot. Boil again for a couple minutes. Then add cooked, chopped turkey bacon (about 8 slices), 1 cup of frozen peas and 2 more cups of milk. Stir it all up, dish it out and gobble it down. I plan on making this once a week now! *I made a version of this soup with almond milk for Bug, and she ate it just as well, if not better, than her sisters. 

Once the pies were complete (anybody missing a Dora phone?) and dinner was gone, we goofed off in the family room without tv or computer distractions.

They all huddled near daddy while I watched the goofiness happen.Tickles, ballet poses, giggling, smiling... all happened that night.

And if you're the jealous type, please ignore the pudge that is my baby's belly--that cuteness could make anybody jealous.

Silly!

Sweet!

And often, quite sassy!

We hope you'll stay tuned for Part II--coming soon!

Our Week

You already know that we had rehearsals last Sunday--here are my Cherubs (SMILE)!

Aren't they precious?

We spent some time at home this week trying to get caught up on house work--but it never gets caught up! We ran typical errands, and other than regular ballet class on Monday night and MOPS on Tuesday morning, we had a rather low-key week.

Thursday was a fun day. The little two and I got out to get some Winter Necessities! I stopped by Starbucks on our way to run errands--I felt that the 34 degree temp warranted a cake pop for the Boushka and one for her mama! Oh, and I enjoyed a 100 calorie skinny peppermint mocha!One of the reasons I love winter (SMILE)!

I found a few things at Bed Bath and Beyond--a couple of gifts for family, and some delicious K-cups--but I loved these pillows. I really wanted bright orange, but no store has any, so I was willing to settle for these. I should say, I WOULD be willing to settle for these lovlelies since I didn't actually buy them.

Then it was off to Target to purchase 3 different kinds of acetaminophen/Ibuprofen. I forgot to buy tissues, but I did pick up some baby items too. No, not this cute pink chair (though Boushka wishes I would have), but I did pick up our first container of puffs for Scrunchie.

I think this would be a fun flip-through cookbook. I love PD, but my hubs thinks she's a bit off her rocker. I think it's mostly because of the way she uses butter and says oil--as if she was saying awl. I think she's a hoot to watch and listen to, and I don't mind a couple dishes comprised of 50% butter and 50% other good, sweet stuff!

We then had our favorite sandwiches at a local-ish restaurant. And baby Scrunchie ate her first puffs. I'm not a huge fan of these things, but I was interested in checking out her pincer grasp. And she's got it nailed down. I knew she would, but I was in denial for the first couple of months.

The next day we were celebrating our first school Thanksgiving lunch with Peach. Before we left, however, I had everybody suggest one-two items for Turkey dinner.

It's blurry, but you can see what everybody suggested. Daddy's name is missing next to the cherry pie and mine is missing next to the sweet potato casserole. And you can't see it here, but Boushka wants the mandarin orange salad. Quite the line-up for my family plus one! But I love the cooking portion of holidays. And I really like it when I'm only responsible for a few items on this list--and I'm going to try some allergy friendly versions for my kiddos--espeically Bug.

We headed to lunch after that. I mostly ate the pumpkin pie--I also nibbled on the roll. But I'm not a fan of cafeteria food--for many reasons. But the kids seemed to like it just fine. We all got a plate and gobbled up the turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, roll and pie.

Just being silly.

Just another great photo with my iPhone--it'd be nice to get the newer version that would take nice pictures.

We also got our new furniture (minus two of the four dressers) on Friday. Here all five girls on the top bunk of Bug and Boushka's bunks. They were all excited.

Not that you can tell here, but trust me she was!

Saturday, Bug and I went on a long overdue date, just the two of us. She chose to eat at Chick fil-a. We then walked around the mall and peeked in at Gymboree. And wouldn't you know, they had the perfect necklace to match this dress (pretty much her favorite dress).

We had to hurry home so we could make it to another Nutcracker rehearsal. Matt took the girls because I didn't feel well. He also took Peach to a bowling party with her friend Jack. We're kinda sweet on that boy!

Today, my mom offered to take all 5 girls for four hours. I was jumping up and down in a Christmas Morning kind of way! Really, all I want is a few hours a week to do some house chores or run errands--basically just doing things that need to be done without kids. So I got that today, but I also had my husband with me. So we were able to get plenty accomplished. The girls' rooms are as done as they can be until the two other dressers come. We got almost all caught up on laundry. The kitchen was clean at one point today. And some of the upstairs got vacuumed! We baked two whole chickens (we like to do this on Sunday so we have some food to work with throughout the week that's already cooked). I also washed and shredded my week's worth of lettuce (for salads) and made the most delicious soup ever (and I may have been talked into making rice krispie treats)!

It's just a variation on my chicken noodle soup--and I didn't take a picture of this delish dish, but I'll give you the recipe (to the best of my ability since I didn't measure anything) for my new
CHICKEN AND RICE SOUP
 (THIS SERVED 2 HUNGRY ADULTS with a few bites for the little minions)

*3 celery stalks, chopped
*1 small onion, chopped
*3 T butter
*about 2T flour
*equal parts whole milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth (I'd guess I used about 1/2-3/4 cup each)
*2 carrots
*about 1 cup arborio rice
*shredded, cooked chicken
*a little salt, onion, salt, black pepper, thyme and rosemary

1) Saute celery and onion in butter until just softened.
2) Sprinkle flour on veggies until mixed in.
3) Pour liquids over veggies and bring to a boil. Add carrots and rice. Then turn heat down to a simmer.
4) Continue to stir and add chicken and seasonings.
5) Keep stirring and adding seasonings to your liking. I ended up adding a little more broth at the end just to make it more "soupy."

Super yummy and filling for these cold nights ahead. In fact, I tried convincing my girls to eat it at dinner time and they refused. I finally convinced my first-born and she was instantly hooked. She then tried to convince Brownie and the masses, but they all refused. Then little Boushka came up and asked for a small bite. I gave her one and she immediately smiled and said "mo, please, mommy!" And I obliged. Then sweet Brownie finally came in and asked for her bite. She was frowning through the initial bite and then once it hit her taste buds, she smiled. And of course she asked for more. But at this point, all I had left was what was already in Peach's lunch bag for tomorrow. But I let Brownie eat this and promised Peach I'd make her more for her lunch. So I'm outta here so I can get my rest--you know, so I can get up at 5 am for my workout (okay it's just walking) and some soup making. Happy dreams for you all about to visit slumber land too!

Weekend Recap

Our weekend started with a doctor visit on Friday. Poor Scrunchie has had a cough (well, everybody but Boushka and Daddy has had a cough) for a while, and it started getting worse. Wouldn't you know, it's the child who is nursed throughout the day who is the worst, and the healthiest kiddo is the one who always has a finger up her nose! Go figure! Anyway, doc thought it was an upper respiratory infection and put her on Azithromycin. Well, it's completed by now and she's a little worse. I'm afraid it's something viral and that we might end up back at the doc's office. Poor girl!

We came home around dinner time and I didn't have it in me to cook. It would've been a late dinner for us as well, so we decided to try the new restaurant in town, Blue Moose! YUM! If you live in the area, I highly recommend it. I dined on a shrimp and chicken curry and artichoke bisque. I need more!

Saturday we woke and spent two hours trying to make it out of the house to do some preview shopping for the girls' Christmas presents. It's always a treat to get out of the house as a family (SMILE). Grandma met us for lunch at Panera since it was 11 by the time we left the house. Then we took off for Target. We had Toys R US and another local toy store on our to-do list, but we didn't make it (yet).

This is just one of the many things that made the lists. The older two girls are wanting to get American Girl Dolls, but we thought we'd start here. These are cheaper and more little girl-ish. The younger babes are wanting many Dora, Mickey Mouse, and toys that can go in the mouth. So after pre-viewing, I sent the babes and Daddy packing so I could get some gifts bought without little peering eyes! But before long, it was time to go get Brownie and Bug ready for Nutcracker pics! I can't wait to see these, Heidi!! They are Cherubs and looked adorable in the brand-new costumes. I'll share pics when I have them.

My sweet husband stayed home with our other babies and made them some mahi while trying to prepare our house for new furniture. This is what happens when your dining room ends up as the catch-all room.

Most of the furniture is going in the 2 bedrooms that belong to the older four girls--here are some projects I've been working on. Matt won't go for orange on any of the main living spaces' walls, so I get it in where I can. I plan to show you some more of this fab color as the new rooms come together.

I fell off the track...
My mom ended up helping me get the girls picture-perfect for Nutcracker pictures. She came with us to the studio, and then we hit TRU on the way home (while Daddy was fish-frying). I was able to do a little more shopping and I feel nearly complete! The gifts are stashed in the attic until I can get child-free time to wrap (SMILE)!!!

We came home from shopping and the girls had their mahi while they watched an Arthur movie I got from the Redbox. I also picked up Horrible Bosses for Matt and me. Oh my, hilarious, raunchy, but yes, totally hilarious. It was nice to kick back with Matt--we don't get to do that much.

We woke up this morning and got some chores done--not before I enjoyed my my pumpkin spice K-cup, of course. Then mom and I hit up our favorite annual craft show. It's been a tradition for the two of us for a few years now. It's tightly packed. It's a little loud. It's usually a little cold. But it's always a blast. And we always find the cutest gifts or Christmas decor.  Mom bought this lantern for me--isn't it gorgeous?

This sign reminded me of the lettering associated with the movie A Christmas Story. Now, let me set the record straight-- I love this movie and it's a tradition for us to watch it--especially when TBS plays it 12 times in a row. Every year I try to recruit my children to be followers as well! My husband, on the other hand, not a fan at all. So this sign was what I bought--I didn't buy the leg lamp--so I'm really doing my hubs a favor!

And this picture doesn't do this little gem any favors, but it really is adorable. It plugs in and I love lights at Christmas time!

I didn't get this at the craft show, but I do love it and it's new. So I included it!

After the craft show, I went grocery shopping and came home to get the two oldest girls ready for a surprise! For their birthday, they both wanted to get a pedicure with me. So we all three got one at the same time today. This is something that I've dreamed about since I knew I was going to have a daughter 6.5 years ago. And today was our first experience. Someday, I plan on getting all 6 of us in at once.

The older three girls and I went to Nutcracker rehearsals after our pedis while Matt and the littles stayed home. He stayed plenty busy by completing more furniture moves for me.  He moved the these two pieces of furniture to the top of our stairs where we have a bunch of random space. He built the pink storage unit a couple years ago, and it's been in just about every room in our house to serve some purpose. The black shelf/hook unit from Hobby Lobby has been in the house for the better part of a year, and eventually we'd like to paint the pink unit black to match.

These two pieces used to be in a tiny little hallway by our kitchen and 1/2 bath. This made sense because this is the hub of all crazy chaos, but it was just too tight--and that's with three kids in school. I can just imagine how much tighter it'd get with two more in school. Thanks for completing the move, babe!

The bigs and I came home and we ate dinner as a family. The girls hit the tub while I picked up and put the tiniest of the babes to bed. All four older girls wanted to sleep together (this has become a weekend ritual) so they did. Today, my husband and I moved these beds from the other side of the room to where you see them here. Holy Heavy Bunks Batman. Would you believe I was able to lift my end of the bed up off the ground and on top of the bottom bunk? I couldn't believe it when I accomplished that! Don't worry, you can come to my gun show anytime!

The new furniture is coming this week, so we're trying to prep as much as possible. For now, their rooms are a mess (and I'm trying to be okay with that). I can't stand going to bed with a mess on the floor, but I'm getting over it. Poor Brownie's dresser is on the floor--it's just her drawers.

We're not doing anything to her room, but she does rest peacefully despite how I described her sleep earlier in this post.

This is Bug and Boushka's room. They are about to lose these beds (bye-bye toddler and baby) and get bunks. It's what we gotta do when we have more kids than rooms--and tiny rooms at that! This room is next on our hit-list for furniture moving. I think a massage will be in order once this is all complete!!!