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.

Thanking You Now

Menu Plan Monday

Each week I make a menu plan. It resides on the side of my fridge and is difficult to find the recipes each night. In an attempt to keep the recipes in one place, I've decided to start making menu plan posts each Monday.

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.

Hope this will give you some ideas as well!


Breakfast:
Pancakes

Bagels with cream cheese

Whole wheat toast with egg

Cereal/Green smoothies

Amish baked oatmeal

Lunch:

Tortilla wrap w/mini carrots and hummus and mini orange

Mini pizzas on WW English muffins w/grapes

Chicken tenders with honey mustard w/apples

Egg Muffin Sandwich w/yogurt and mini orange

Dinner:

Tikki Masala w/broccoli

Butternut lasagna
Picture courtesy of Tasty Kitchen.

Baked potato soup

Red Beans and Rice

Tofu Lo Mein

To Bake for snacks and lunch boxes:

Granola bars (These are so easy and delicious! I use brown rice rice crispies)

Banana muffins (Another crowd pleaser. Sub WW flour for white and vegan butter for regular butter.)

For more Menu Plan ideas check out

To a New Year!

Here is our New Year evening. Not a ton going on but it was fun.



New nails for the New Year!




The smallest one put up a good fight but didn't get to see the ball drop.

Christmas 2010

At the Rockettes before they told us to put the camera away. Oops.

Easy Bakin' it.

Airzooka on pillow pet.

Such Happiness

I couldn't resist posting this picture. It's one happy girl at her end-of-season soccer party. I'm not sure if she's happy the season is over or if she's happy to be with her teammates.

Holy Half Shell!

There must be an R in the month because...Oysters!

My husband doesn't bring home the bacon, he brings home the oysters.

Jennifer Hoech

Tooth...Lost!

That's right, it's lost. Well not really, it's just out of its socket.


It was a fun filled 20 minutes while the tooth was manuvered this way and that. Finally, I just pulled it out because that baby was not going to stay in there overnight.

We were going to put it in this handy dandy tooth fairy pillow.

However, after discussing many options, we have decided on the tooth fairy jar.

If you haven't tried, it please do!

Can't wait for the tooth fairy visit. Someone is very concerned she will have a hard time getting into the house. We may need to leave a window open!

Busy Bear

This is the bear that has been with us for the past few days. Busy bear is to attend all our happenings while we document them.
I do have to say, we're going to have to invent things to do so we have something to write about!




Tomorrow we will play tennis, go on a nature walk and bake some muffins.

Jennifer Hoech