Christmas Traditions

Growing up we had some definite family traditions. When my brother and I were younger, Santa always came while we were at Christmas Eve mass (via our very kind neighbors). I have to admit that was pretty smart of my parents, we had no reason to suspect that they were behind Santa. As we got older we still went to mass on Christmas Eve and then always stopped at Godfather's to pick up pizza for dinner. After dinner was gifts and then I suppose the rest of the night and Christmas day was spent playing with all our new goodies. I hope we stumble into some good traditions to start with our "new" family. This year was Christmas Eve with my parents. We haven't done Christmas Eve mass since kids came into the picture. It is tough enough getting through regular mass with Bodie (Catholic weddings are impossible) I don't want to tackle Christmas Eve or Easter Vigil mass for some time. We did go to mass Christmas morning - Bodie was not on his best behavior, he must have know there were some great gifts waiting for him at home. We came home, had a little something to eat and then tackled the gifts. Bodie seems to enjoy his new basketball hoop and mega blocks.




Hopefully as time goes on we will stumble into some special traditions, things that become more memorable than any gift you receive.

Slightly Better Morning

This morning Bodie did better than he has been at school. He was very clingy when I was trying to get his coat off and put down his diapers I brought in. I picked him up, gave him a hug, and talked to him about the yummy banana waiting for his breakfast. Finally I tried to sit him in his chair and it worked! Not melt downs or anything. He sat there and then started eating his "nana". Ahhhh....hopefully this will be a new morning trend!

Lesson Learned

Well it seems that Bodie has finally learned one lesson (we are keeping our fingers crossed anyway). For the past week or two he has been giving us some attitude at bedtime. He does really good through our routine until it is actually time for bed. After I put him in his sleep sack, I pick him up to give him a hug and kiss and he just buries his head in my shoulder (much like he does at daycare). Once we put him back down in his crib he usually stands up and cries. Usually lasts no more than 5 minutes, but it has been a definite change from the smooth path we had to bed time previously. Well I think the events of Friday night might have put us back on the smooth path, good baby scenario we used to have. Friday we went through our routine of pj's, snack, brush teeth...all went fine...then it was story time. We sat down in the rocking chair, I picked up a book, and he wiggled down, off my lap. Well, I am the mean parent who doesn't play games so I put him in his crib and put his sleep sack on. I told him he had one more chance for stories and we sat back down in the rocking chair. I picked up one of his favorite books, Moo Baa La La La, and he pushed it right out of my hands. So, back in the crib he went, with no stories. Well for the last two nights he has been very good at bed time. He really hasn't made a peep either night. Maybe this trend will continue tomorrow when we go back to school.

Independent baby

I have got an independent baby on my hands. Yikes! In the mornings we get dressed, he walks into the bathroom, gets up on his stool, grabs his toothbrush and brushes his teeth. I have to prepare the toothbrush before I get him dressed because he will not brush if he sees you put the toothpaste on it. I think this is because I bought some toothpaste he didn't care for and he is afraid that we are still using it. Anyway, after he brushes his teeth he walks over to the stairs, sits down and goes down the stairs on his own. He definitely does not want mama picking him up and carrying him down anymore. My little guy is growing up. This morning we had a fight just to put his coat on. I'm not really sure where this came from since normally he loves to get his coat on, since that means he gets to go somewhere. Pretty much every morning this week has been a meltdown at daycare. He refuses to walk in the door to his classroom on his own. So I have to carry him in. Normally I'd take his coat off and he'd walk right over to the table for breakfast but all week he has sat down and clung to my legs. Then I pick him up and he buries his head in my shoulder. He really knows how to lay a guilt trip on his mama. Each morning his teacher takes him from me and by the time I get to my car I see him inside at the table eating. It does make me feel guilty for leaving him but I hope it is a short phase we will be over soon.

Menu Plan Monday

I hesitate in even posting our plan for the week since it isn't very exciting. I do want to share a great soup recipe I tried this weekend, so I'll post that after the plan.

Monday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches; Alexa oven fries

Tuesday: Hamburger and beans (my husbands old bachelor recipe - simply 1lb hamburger, browned with 1 large can of baked beans and a sprinkling of garlic powder - it is surprisingly tasty).

Wednesday: Spaghetti

Thursday: Chicken Fajitas

Friday: Goulash

Except for the Tuesday and Wednesday, things we are having are pre packaged meals (horrible I know). I wanted to plan a good menu for the week but on a whim we went grocery shopping on Saturday before I'd made a list or anything. Hopefully next week will be better.

This weekend I will hopefully bake Christmas cookies to give out to friends and family. I'll post recipes next week if something turns out to be worth sharing :)

Now for the soup recipe. I made this yesterday it it was really good, but a little spicy. Definitely got us warmed up on a very cold day. Don't be intimidated by the long list of ingredients, it was really easy to make.

Fiesta Chowder (from Southern Living)

3T all purpose flour
1 (1.4oz) package fajita seasoning, divided
4 skinned and boned chicken breast halves, cubed
3T vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1t minced garlic
1 (15 ¼-ounce) can whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14 ½-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes

1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles

3c water

1 cup uncooked instant brown rice

1 (2 ¼-ounce) can sliced ripe olives (optional)

1 (10 ¾-ounce) can condensed nacho cheese soup

3T chopped fresh cilantro

1T lime juice

Garnish: chopped fresh cilantro

Breadsticks (optional)

Combine flour and 2T fajita seasoning in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; add chicken. Seal and shake to coat.

Cook chicken in oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat, stirring often, 4 minutes or until browned. Reduce heat to medium-high; add onion and garlic; saute 5 minutes. Stir in remaining fajita seasoning, corn, next 5 ingredients, and, if desired, olives. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Remove lid, and stir in nacho cheese soup, chopped cilantro, and lime juice. Garnich, if desired, and serve with breadsticks, if desired.

A few notes. I used regular brown rice, instead of instant, and just cooked it before adding it to the soup. The friend I got this recipe from used the instant rice and said she had to cook it longer than 5 minutes to get it done.

Crisis averted...

Ipod found...it was, of course, in the laundry basket.

Where is my iPod?????

I am a bit paniked right now. I cannot find my iPod. Oh boy oh boy. I know I had it Friday night when I got home from work. Well I mean I know I had it when I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work. I don't remember getting in and noticing it was stolen (I think that would have jumped out at me) so I assume I made it home with it that evening. Then what? Did I leave it in the car? Doubtful. Did I bring it in and pile it in a pile of crap that seems to be within arm level no matter where in my house you are? More likely. Now to decipher which crappy pile it is in. I've been working so much these past few weeks my house looks like a bunch of college guys must inhabit it. I just need to get through this next week, then I will have free time, maybe a vacation day and a couple of "work from home" days will help me get this place back in order.

First order of business...finding that iPod....