Dolphins and Coconuts

I painted this mural for a cute little girl that wanted an ocean in her room. We added a dolphin and because her frogs are named Coconut and Palm tree, there had to be a palm tree with a coconut in there as well.


We decided to wrap the palm tree around onto the pink wall. I think that wrapping the tree around the corner turned out well.

Puppy, Dog and Kitten

This cute little kitten came into our lives, very unannounced. Welcomed, none the less. Even Suki, our big lab, is learning to deal with this cute little thing.


Suki is slowly letting the puppy invade her space as well.
I mean, who can resist this? This is Sam, Sam-a-lamma-ding-dong, Sam the man, A-ram-Sam-Sam, Sam-I'm-tired-of-seeing-your-poop-on-the-carpet Sam.




Sam and kitty are often playing. Don't feel sorry for the kitten, he will come out from the recesses of our house and attack Sam randomly. Sam is very willing to play along. No puppies or kittens were harmed during the making of this picture.

This is the place to be on a hot afternoon.


Jennifer Hoech

The Baby is 6!

The baby is six! THE BABY IS SIX!!! My baby is six....






Jennifer Hoech

Purple Soccer

That's my girl!

Jennifer Hoech

The Big 10!

Jennifer Hoech

For the Sake of Noise - Paradise City

Yep, it was time for them to show their stuff.

Here is Noah on bass

Morgan on Guitar

Jonah on Guitar

Unfortunately, I couldn't get myself in a position to get Cameron on vocals and drums. You will, however, see him in the video.

Jennifer Hoech



May they never ever, ever find a whistle.

SXSW 2011

It's St Patrick's Day and we celebrated by listening to some good music! Had a few Dublin Dr. Peppers....

Pretty sure the bands were playing just for these nine kiddos. Not really but it sure seemed that way.

Yes, I made them get down right after I took five pictures.

The kiddos sat right up in the front. This band, American City, rocked it!

We also loved Hungry Kids of Hungary.

We saw The Butts yesterday. Hilarious and worth every second since their songs were about 20 seconds long each.
They actually pointed Freya out in the front of the crowd and sang this just for her.

Orchestra

The boy told me that he will not be in the orchestra next year because he is bored out of his mind. Even though he is in the beginning orchestra class yet competing with the intermediate orchestra.

So, I feel the need to get as much of his orchestra career documented as possible.

He is getting ready to play in these pictures (the only double bass in the orchestra).

Here is one of the songs they played.

Jennifer Hoech

100 Felt Hearts

I had to get someone early from school today because she wasn't feeling well. She seems fine to me now.

In an effort to avoid public TV for a bit, we spent a couple of hours cutting out 100 felt hearts for the 100th day of school.

After cutting them out, we sewed them all together to create a garland. This will serve two purposes, 100 items for the 100th day of school and decor for the Valentine's Day party!

Here is another version of a heart garland at Made By Rae.

Jennifer Hoech

What to do with 15 kids

Well, really only 7 kids.

Take kids to playground.

Overload tire swing.

Find a seven-person cow.

Take ice cream break.

Dip toes in water.

Repeat as necessary.

Jennifer Hoech

Baked Sweet Potato Slices

This is an easy snack that the kids love. Plus, they're a healthy alternative to processed foods.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

-Start by slicing your sweet potatos into 1/2" rounds. Leave the peel on as this gives it a lovely texture.

-Place the slices in one layer on baking sheets that have been coated with cooking spray.

-Brushy with a light drizzle of olive oil.

-Sprinkle with pepper, salt and garlic powder.

-Bake for 30 minutes or until slightly crisp, flipping each slice after 15 minutes.

Serve warm to ravenous children.

Visit The Grocery Cart Challenge for more recipes.

Jennifer Hoech

Menu Plan Monday

Here we are again, another week. Last week went well with the exception of the butternut squash lasagna. That is just a bad idea all together. This week, my husband is starting a "biggest loser" contest. The dinners will be low cal from now on. The breakfasts and lunches are planned for the kids.

Most of these recipes are great but I do change some of the ingredients to make them healthier. For example you can substitute whole wheat flour for white flour, brown rice for white rice, skip the butter, add more veggies, use yogurt instead of sour cream etc.

Breakfast:
Breakfast Tacos - I love this article on Breakfast Tacos from Homesick Texan.

Bagels with cream cheese

Eggs in a nest

Green smoothies

Lunch:

Tortilla wrap w/mini carrots and hummus and strawberries

Mini Pizzas on WW English muffins w/strawberries and popcorn - Huge win with this last week!

Chicken Muffins w/apples and popcorn

Egg Muffin Sandwich w/yogurt and cantelope

Dinner:

Garlic Salmon w/broccoli

Quinoa and black beans

Lentils and Spinach

Black Bean Tacos

Shrimp Kebabs
photo courtesy of Shape.com

Bake for snacks and lunch boxes:

Sweet Potato slices - not sure why, but the kiddos love to snack on these.

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones - Haven't tried these yet but I think the kids will like them.

Popcorn -Pop a huge batch, then stick in small containers to be used in lunches.


For more Menu Plan ideas check out :

Thanksgiving Visit

Better late than never.