4th of July Celebrations

Growing up we always looked forward to the 4th of July festivities in Irondequoit NY. We would get up early to pick up bagels at the local shop and park the car at my great aunt Meremers to walk to the parade site. We would arrive early so that we could plant our lawn chairs in the same spot every year. Both my grandmothers and great aunt and us would be there. We would watch a humbling parade pass by and collect the candy and prizes that were thown at us along the way. After the parade would pass we made our way to the town hall to pick up some hamburgers or hot dogs for lunch. Return home to nap and prepare for dinner and fireworks. Right before dinner we would take the city bus shuttle back up to the town hall for some dinner. Then we would find a good fireworks watching spot on the green and set up camp. We would take turns walking the crafts set up on the lawn until nightfall. Then it was time for fried dough and to settle in for the light displays. Ooooh, Aaaah! Then we made the mass exit to the shuttles back to our cars. Doesn't sound that exciting but it was tradition for us and I miss it. Maybe not that specifically but the tradition. The 4th is this weekend and I am searching for what to do. I am extremely eager to establish a tradition for my little family.

Pollo Gesada

While in NY last week our good friends gave us a little cooking lesson so we don't have to live without good Puerto Rican food out here in TX. Here is the recipe I plan to try out this week. Hope you like it.

Pollo Gesada

Boneless chicken
Goya tomato sauce (1 can) or sauce of your choice
Sofrito (1 large spoon)
Garlic powder or minced garlic (1 tablespoon)
Adobo (add to flavor)
Sliced onions (one)
Sazon (two packets)
Potatoes (to your liking)
Carrots (to your liking)

Instructions: Cut boneless chicken. Put in pot and simmer. Add ingredients and stir. Keep fire on medium and add water. I normally add enough water to cover right above the meat. Don’t put too much water, let the stew cook for about 30 minutes. Check after 30 and taste. If you need to add any ingredients do so, and the broth should be thick, if still watery add a ½ teaspoon of sugar. If the meat is not soft, continue cooking for another 20 minutes or so. Just check periodically.

If you put in the crock pot, follow the instructions and cook on low for 8 hours. Again, don’t add too much water. Just cover the meat.

Vacation

We just got home from our vacation home to Rochester, New York. It took 27 hours to drive but it wasn't too bad. The kids did great. I am really proud of them.

We were able to spend some time with family and friends during our short visit. Exhausted but it was fun!

The kids did great meeting everyone and let everyone hug and kiss them the whole time. Ok, maybe not Mikey, but he was pretty friendly ;0)

I really enjoyed being able to connect again with some old friends and their families. Really made me think about great friendships the Lord has blessed us with.

Cannot wait for them all to come visit us here at our home in Texas!

Summer.....Unscripted

With school over and the heat has turned on full force we have grown lazy. Our days start with a late wake up and roaming around in our PJ's until lunch. Way too much TV, trampoline jumping, and sprinkler skipping. We are out too late with friends and eating way too much ice cream! Sounds like fun but it is driving me crazy. Nothing gets done around the house and my kids are out of control. Well, maybe they are in control and it is me that is out of control.

So I have re-scheduled our summer and composed a "bucket list".

Sunday - Friendships/Fellowship
Monday - Rest Day: catch up on household duties
Tuesday - Gym Day
Wednesday - Outing Day
Thursday - Gym Day
Friday - Grocery Day
Saturday - Family Day

Summer Bucket List
1. Implement Discipline Plan
2. Learn Basic Spanish
3. Learn Basic Salsa Dance
4. Loose 15-20 more pounds
5. Implement Monthly Date Night

Homeschool Research! Yikes!

We made the decision to start homeschooling in August so I have been researching approaches and tips and curriculum. Wow! There is a ton of stuff just on the internet alone. What to do? How to do it? What not to do? These are some of my favorite blogs that I have recently found. Hope they are useful for you.

Preschoolers and Peace Kendra Fletcher is the mother of eight! She has some great ideas and alot of experience.

Less of Me ~ More of Him Tiany is the mother of three boys. She has some great tips on homeschool and homemaking.

Titus 2 Has a ton of resources for purchase.

Serendipity is part of The Foss Family blog. Elizabeth Foss is the mother of nine ranging from 1yr to 21 yrs old.

The Frugal Homeschooling Mom

Whole Hearted Homeschool

Homeschool Creations

Low Calorie Meal Plan

I started my "diet" about a month ago and I am 11 lbs lighter! Just yesterday I signed up for 24hr Fitness membership so I can change up my exercise routine and shead some more weight! We have been eating out ALOT since I started my venture and I have been convicted to start cooking again. So here is a list of meals for the next week. I'm trying out some new low calorie recipes. I hope they are good.

Thursday: Chicken Divan
Friday: Inside Out Lasagna
Saturday: Take Out Salads
Sunday: Mother's Day - Out for Fellowship
Monday: Cream Cheese & Pesto Stuffed Chicken
Tuesday: Turkey/Mushroom Burgers

The Torture Is Paying Off!

One week ago I finally found the motivation to loose some weight. Not sure what happened but it finally snapped and I had to do it before I changed my mind. I immediately texted my BFF and asked her to help. I knew she would help me do it....just didn't think it would be this hard! She is definately a close second to Jillian from "Biggest Loser"! No, really, she is tuff and that is what I needed. Accountibility and motivation. She truely wants to see me succeed as much as I do!

Well in a week I have lost 4 lbs!! Woohoo!! Only 36 more pounds to go. My goal is 40lbs by June 20th. Follow me on this adventure.

Updates every Thursday!