Menu Plan Monday

As most of you know, Malakai was SICK this past week! Thankfully, he is feeling much better now, but it kind of through everything off the entire week.

My favorite recipe, by far, was the Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joe! This was the FIRST time I had ever chopped an onion and cooked with it. Is that a sign of getting old? I have ALWAYS omitted onion from EVERY recipe that ever called for it. One thing I would do different is use buns instead of dinner roles...they were WAY too small.

The ravioli was SUPER easy and tasted yummy enough for the kids to ask for seconds.

The pizza's are on the grill as I type this, and the Chimichangas I didn't get to, so they will be rolling over to this weeks menu...

Monday:

Chicken Chimichangas

Spanish Rice

Refried Beans

Tuesday:

Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

Rice Pilaf

Green Beans

Wednesday:

This is my NEW recipe to try!!

Taco Pasta

Salad

Thursday:

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Asparagus

Mashed Potatoes

Friday:

Josh and I have a special event to attend so we will be ordering pizza for the kids :)

Saturday:

Leftovers

Sunday:

Labor Day Weekend...who is hosting the party????!!!!!

I am linked at www.orgjunkie.com

XOXO,

Miller

Menu Plan Monday...Is BACK!!

Well, school has started again, which means we have moved on to a more "structured" lifestyle...at least more structured compared to summer! That means it is time to begin menu planning again! Can I get a Whoo Hoo??!!

Every week my goal is to try one brand new recipe, and one crock-pot recipe. This is a new challenge, so we will see how it goes :)

Monday:

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken - Josh made this over the weekend, it was fabulous, and we are having the left-overs :)

Corn on the Cob

Baked Beans (from a can...that's how I roll)

Tuesday:

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes - This is my NEW recipe!

Salad

Pita Chips

Wednesday: This will be my crock-pot night since Malakai has soccer practice and we need something read when we get home!

Crockpot Ravioli - Since this doesn't have to cook very long, I can run home after work, put it together, go pick up the kids, head to soccer, and it will be ready when we get home! Love that!

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Thursday:

Chicken Chimichangas

Spanish Rice

Refried Beans

Friday: Bandit Softball, hopefully some yummy bar food ;)

Saturday: Whatever we want...Saturdays are go with the flow...

Sunday: When the weather allows, Josh ALWAYS grills on Sundays...

Pizza on the Grill - Pepperoni and Cheese

I'm linked at www.orgjunkie.com

XOXO,
Miller

First Grade

I know I say this every year, but I can not believe Malakai is in First Grade! He has grown SO much over the summer...physically and mentally. He is becoming such a little man and I am so proud of who has become.

Here he is last year in Kindergarten...

Here he is as a very grown-up 1st Grader...

Of course, here are two VERY proud parents...

I had a very early meeting, so Josh actually dropped him off with very specific instructions on what pictures to take. He did a fabulous job! Such a good daddy!!

We also took a few minutes this morning to say a prayer for a very special little boy...Connor Simpson. Even though Connor isn't starting 1st grade with Malakai, he will always be his Guardian Angel and will forever remain on Malakai's shoulder as well as in all of our hearts. We love you Connor, and we all miss you dearly! Here is the exerpt from the yearbook last year.

Connor



Last but not least, here is the little "Back To School" gift Malakai gave his teacher...

Thank you Pinterest for all the great ideas and somehow motivating me to actually implement them!

Here is to a great year in First Grade Malakai! Love you bunches!!

XOXO,
Miller

Ten on Tuesday

1. We have been making the best of our last few weeks of summer! It is bitter-sweet with school starting in just one short week. I love the relaxation of summer. No standard bed times (even though the kids are usually always in bed early), it's okay to stay up later. No homework. Lots of fun!

2. Malakai has been spending his summer at Vetta Sports Complex. By far, hands down, the best summer camp I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing! They are so organized, and he has a blast there! His days are filled with soccer, swimming, field trips, racket ball, karate, kickball and much more. If there is ever a time I have "working mom" guilt, it is in the summer. I just remember how excited I was for summer as a child, and I don't want him to lose out on that because I work. He has DEFINITELY had a fabulous summer!

3. We are going to the lake this weekend for the annual Rader Family Lake Trip. All my extended family goes and it is ALWAYS a fun time. I am planning the 2nd annual Scavenger Hunt, so I am very excited. Hopefully it is as successful as last year

4. Malakai had is first official sleep-over at our house! He has had my nieces and my little sister spend the night several times, but never friends. Thanks to Josh and Jason for being a part of it! They were perfect gentlemen and enjoyed eating pizza, watching movies, and making pallets on the living room floor. They went to bed late, and woke up early. It was good times had by all! As I was talking to Leila that night, she looks at me and says "Mommy, boys are SO loud and stinky!" I hope she keeps that attitude for a long time :)






5. Josh and I had some quality adult time at an adult only pool party Saturday night. It was SO much fun playing pool volleyball and relaxing, kid free, with great friends. I wish I had taken my camera, but I forgot. I did manage to get one photo on my phone. Look at these Hot Mamas, Sam and Jen! Love them :)




6. More swimming was done at a Bday party on Sunday! Malakai's little friend was turning 7 and we spent a beautiful day at the pool! We are truly blessed that Malakai has made such amazing friends and Josh and I as well, have met such amazing parents.

7. I cut my hair! I go through these phases where I grow it out, cut it off, grow it out, cut it off. I know it is time to cut it when I start wearing it pulled up all the time, and I was definitely at that point. What do you think?

8. Leila is a total photo poser now! I wonder where she gets that from ;)

9. We had yet ANOTHER pool party for the end of the year celebration for Malakai's St. Paul baseball team. Again, a fabulous time of swimming, friends, kids, pizza, and beer. What else can one ask for??!! I think the men had just as much fun as the boys!!

10. I am officially addicted to pinterest! It is the best thing next to the flat iron! If you haven't checked it out yet, you are totally missing out! LOVE IT!

XOXO,
Miller

Homemade Playdoh!

The kids are going CRAZY with how hot it has been. Playing outside isn't even an option, unless it is swimming which we do A LOT of at the subdivision pool.

I thought it would be fun to do a little craft today after summer camp!

So, here comes the homemade play-doh!

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 cup warm water

2 teaspoons cream of tarter

1 teaspoon oil

1/4 cup salt

food coloring

Here are the directions:

1. Combine all ingredients (except food coloring) in a medium-sized saucepan...

2. Stir over medium heat until smooth

3. Stir continuously until the dough balls (about 1-2 minutes). Remove from heat.

4. When dough is cool enough to handle, knead until smooth.

5. Form into a ball.

6. Divide into as many colors as you'd like to make. A single batch makes a good amount for four colors.

7. Add food coloring to the divided dough. Gel food coloring works quite well, but mine was a little dried out, so I used liquid as well.

8. Knead the food coloring into the dough. To protect your hands, wear plastic or rubber gloves.

9. Put the dough in separate containers. Toddler-sized containers are a good size, and i have also wrapped the colors individually in wax paper and stored in zip-lock baggies.

The kids loved this activity, and had a blast making different creations. It was a nice project that they could be a part of from beginning to end!


Let me know if you try it out!!

XOXO,

Miller

August 1st...I have my life back!!

Forgive me bloggers, for I have sinned...It has been 2.5 months since my last blog!

*GASP*

I am devastated to think that the whole reason I do this blog is so I can have it made into books for my children, and they are going to think "What the hell happened in 2011?!" All I will be able to say to them is "I'm sorry dear children, mommy had some f'ed up, crazy months!" They are not going to care, as you probably don't either to hear the details of my techy/nerdy job that has caused me check out for a while....at least from the blogging scene. They will however, be happy to hear that at least I cut out blogging and not laundry, cooking, going to the park, putting them to bed...well, you get the picture.

All that matters is, I'm back and I survived.

So, because I realize you all have been out of the loop, here are 31 "What the hell we have been up to" updates for you...In no particular order.

. We have a roommate! As many of you remember reading, my mom (who used to live in St. Louis) moved to Arizona about a year and a half ago. Well, she is back and has been with us since late June. My brother and sister-in-law are making the move from AZ to KC. Once that move is final, she will be spending two months with us, two months with them, and back and forth for....tbd. It has definitely been nice having her around and the kids ADORE her.

2. Since Malakai is entering 1st grade, he will become a cub scout!! At the end of the school year, we attended the cub scout picnic. It was cold, rainy, and a ton of fun!! It is nice for him to have an activity that isn't "Sport" related.

3. We hosted the 2nd annual Miller Memorial Day BBQ...our air conditioner DID NOT break this year so that in itself made it better than the year before ;) Complete with washers, water gun fights, and great friends. The little ones would cool off inside with a little Wii time...

4. We showed an outdoor movie, which was a HUGE hit!

My camera didn't do my "Screen" justice! You really couldn't see the design in the sheet...

5. My bestie of 20+ years came in town for the festivities....LOVE HER!

6. Leila has thrown her American Girl doll to the side and now goes nowhere with out Suzie! I'm not even sure where we acquired Suzie from, but she is like a rag doll and we had to duck-tape her body due to Bella torturing her.

7. I posted previously about Malakai and his Bandits Baseball team. Well, we also had a great season with the St. Paul Panthers. Lots of baseball around this house, which we LOVE!

8. Do you notice anything in the above picture? Malakai FINALLY lost his first tooth! Whoo hoo! We are at a total count of 2 so far this summer :)

9. Leilicious had her very first dance recital!! OMG! She was HILARIOUS! Those that know me know I have dreams of her being a competitive dancer/cheer girl. Mostly because my life was full of sports, sports, and more sports. I'm not sure how achievable this dream is. She doesn't take direction very well, but she definitely is the cutest one up there ;) I'm not biased at all!!

Getting a pre-game chat from dad...

I had to post this picture because it is a CLASSIC Malakai face anytime he is at Leila's dance classes!! LOL!

Yelled at him to actually SMILE!

Thanks to everyone who was able to join in the festivities of her first time on stage!

10. Poppy, Tutu, and Kiera

11. TT and Dada

12. Grandma

13. Melissa and I are selling Pure Romance!! If you aren't sure what that is...google it, then, if you are female, call me and book a party! We have been doing this since about April and it has been super successful. Especially considering how we both work our "Real" jobs together, so the craziness has effected both of us! It's fun, it gives us a girls night out, and it is making our Plastic Surgery Bank Account grow MUCH faster...Holla!

15. Back to Baseball...the Kirkwood Bandits were selected Channel 11 Team of the week!!! If you missed the video I posted, you can go to my facebook page to see...can't figure out how to put it on here. Josh did an AWESOME job!!

Malakai's Biggest Fan!!

Albert Pujols stance...

Well, I think this is enough for one post. Stay tuned for our July vacation, then that will be it for my catching up. It's all about the present!

XOXO,

Miller