It's that time of year...

Fundraising time!! Woo hoo! Can you hear the sarcasm? Anyways, it's fundraising time for Keith's (ahem public) school. So if you need wrapping paper, or magazines, or chocolate (how do all those go together??) feel free to order it from Keith. If you don't need wrapping paper, or magazines, or chocolate, feel free to still order it from Keith! He won't mind! There's even prizes if he sells certain amounts. Of course, I didn't show him the prize list. Do you think if I close my eyes and sing la la la la la this fundraiser will go away?

And no, I'm not going to get started on fundraisers and school taxes. Not going to do it. Nosireebob.

I am a great mom!

We made brownies for Keith's after school treat today. Henry got to lick the beater after we were done. Yes, he is standing on the kitchen table.

Plumbing issues

Wow, what a surprise. We have more plumbing issues. First it was the bathtub - the overflow drain worked, but a bit TOO well - it drained through the foyer ceiling. Ed fixed that. Then it was the upstairs bathroom sink - it didn't drain very well. Ed fixed that, too, for a week. Then it STOPPED draining. We called a plumber. He came, fixed it, for two weeks. Then it started draining too well, too - right through the foyer ceiling. So we called the plumber again. He came, cut a hole in Keith's wall, fixed it again, and said we had a lot of plumbing issues in that little bathroom and he'd probably be back. So far, knock on wood, the upstairs bathroom has had no plumbing issues for the last two or three weeks. But the kitchen, I guess, was feeling left out. So now we have some plumbing issue in the kitchen. I actually don't even know what is wrong, because when Ed said 'honey, we have an issue' I stuck my fingers in my ears and ran away. But Keith and Henry said "WE'LL HELP!" - check it out...

Crockpot recipes!

So, it's a windy, rainy, overall crappy day today. It's cool though, and it got me thinking about the fall, and the winter, and my favorite cooking utensil, the crockpot! And, fortunately, it got someone else thinking about crockpots and they linked me to this blog. So here are some of the recipes that I'm going to try (except the first one!)...

Crock Pot Haggis Recipe - OK, first off, there is NO WAY I'm making Haggis. If you don't know what it is, don't worry - you're definitely not missing much. But you have got to read this entry about the pluck. I was almost crying I was laughing so hard!

Crock Pot Blue Cheese and Dried Cherry Meatloaf - I'm certainly not a meatloaf fan (I hate ketchup, and apparently you must always have ketchup on top of meatloaf. Who knew?) but this actually sounds like I could eat it! Maybe because I love blue cheese!

Black Bean and Goat Cheese Little Dipper Recipe - I also love goat cheese. And dip. Enough said.

Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu - can't go wrong with chicken Cordon Bleu. Trust me.

Baked Brie Crockpot Recipe - I love Brie, too. Actually, I just love most kinds of cheese. But Baked Brie is REALLY good.

Crock Pot Swiss Chard Soup - Swiss Chard is pretty good. I never had it before I made a Rachael Ray recipe which called for it (I think it was the REALLY REALLY GOOD pasta recipe - swiss chard, bacon, ricotta, lemon juice, pasta... it was good). And soup is good.

Crock Pot Blue Cheese Potato Soup with Olive Tapenade - did I mention I'm a fan of blue cheese?

Crock Pot Vietnamese Roasted Chicken Recipe - I don't know what, exactly, Vietnamese Roasted Chicken is, but it sounds good.

Crayons! - OK, we won't be eating this recipe, but it sounds like a fun thing to do. Lord knows we have some crayons around here.

Crock Pot Spinach and Feta Quiche - Yup, I like Feta, too. And spinach. And quiche.

So, there's more, but I figure this is a good enough start. Did I mention I love crockpots? And the fall?? And cheese?

Mushrooms!

This weekend was the ever famous 23rd Annual Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square, PA (also known as the Mushroom Capital of the World - we have a water tower, you know). This weekend is also the first anniversary of the washing machine saga, but that's another story. On that note, however, I find it humorous that we don't even OWN that washing machine anymore. After all that work... Anyways. Back to the shrooms. Yesterday there was no way in hell you would have found me at the Mushroom Festival, because Tropical Storm Hanna was visiting the area. Tropical Storm Hanna plus the Mushroom Festival equals Amy staying home on the computer. Fortunately, today was beautiful! So we piled the family into the van and went out to Kennett to spend the morning celebrating mushrooms. We saw the parade and walked around a bit - saw, you know, mushrooms. I didn't manage to take too many pictures, but got some during the parade. Keith got to ride on one of the floats with Grandpa playing the trumpet - he was thrilled! Who knows, maybe he'll join the band in a few years! Of course, we had to get home by 1pm to see the Eagles play, so it was a short visit to the Festival this year. Here's hoping for nice weather next year!

Better than TV

Yes, my sons are watching Tropical Storm Hanna through the screen door. I must say, it's a heck of a lot better than Spongebob.

I'd like to thank....

Stacia for being so kind and having a drawing for a Mom's Organizer - Lord knows I need one! Thank you thank you!! In appreciation I'll be doing a giveaway so stay tuned!

Those are some big shoes to fill!

Woe is Henry

Life is so rough for Henry. I forget what, exactly, the drama was about, but I think Ed was making dinner and wouldn't share the onions with Henry. Go figure.

Pictures of the kiddos

Holy lightsaber, batman!

So, if you scroll down a couple of posts, you'll see the Star Wars room from Pottery Barn Kids. See the lightsaber on the wall? The red one? Do you know how BIG that thing is?!?!? Grandma got Keith one for his birthday, I heard. We stopped by their house this morning (we had an appointment in Kennett, but it was too early to go to it, and we were in Kennett, so...) and there was this box laying in their entryway from Pottery Barn Kids. Seriously, it had to be 8 feet long. EIGHT FEET!!! (Upon reading the product description, I realize it is only six feet. But still. It's taller than me!) So I glance at it and figure it was something for their house. A little while later we were leaving and Keith was out in the driveway and my dad says "did your mother tell you what that is? It's a lightsaber." It's HUGE, I tell you! I don't even know where he's going to put said lightsaber, but I know one thing - if he hits his brother with it we'll be on our way to the emergency room.

I freaking LOVE naptime

And in honor of naptime, here's some music for your listening (and viewing, I guess) pleasure. I finally have Henry and Caroline going down for naps as soon as the bus picks Keith up for school. 12:13 in this house is Amy time! Woo hoo!!!

For those of you who don't get mail from me...

And, I guess, those of you who do. But those of you who do can check your mailbox in the next week or so for your hard copy!

Guess who is Keith's homeroom mom???

Why, yes, it IS me!! And no, I DON'T have a damn clue as to what a homeroom mom does.

Monkey Boy

This isn't even the best picture of Henry being a monkey. The other day I walked into the kitchen and found Henry hanging in the window, standing on the chair rail. I had no clue HOW he got up there, but then I got these pictures and I'm starting to get an idea. He climbs on EVERYTHING - I need to bolt my furniture to the wall!