So worth it...

Heating could take 4 to 8 hours.

That is what I read in the hot tub manual. It only took 45 minutes to fill it... but I'd have to be patient and wait to get in it.

At 10:30 we checked the hot tub and it was HOT!

I can't even tell you how worth the wait has been. A hot relaxing 45 minutes with just my husband... a little rain (which was great) and relaxation.

ah, so worth it.

S.I.L.E.N.C.E.

I don't hear silence very often... and to be honest it just makes my skin crawl. I like noise... not crazy over-the-top-I-can't-think noise, but noise. Tonight my TV is out... I'd like to blame the wind, but I'm pretty sure it is another serious oversight by my communication carrier (they drive me crazy!!!!).

Anywhoo... I have no internet, but I do have a wireless laptop and "someone" is sharing their signal with me... thanks. And I have no TV. I'm sitting here irritated and finally realized that I'm hearing the sounds of my house... Jeep snoring and moving, the refrigerator humming, my kids upstairs sleeping (yes, I can hear them sleep... pretty sure it is Phinneous snorking.) I'm amazed that all of the sudden I'm comfortable. My skin isn't crawling... I'm just dealing with the quiet.

I grew up in a family of 5 kids... there was never quiet. I have three kids... there is never quiet. This is new... I'm sure that I'm not totally comfortable with it yet... but for tonight this is what I have.

S.I.L.E.N.C.E

We have a hot tub!

This is an image that I borrowed... but it looks very similar to ours :)

We have always talked of getting hot tub and then laughed it off as we are frugal and that expense is not needed.

Well... we bought a hot tub (used) from some friends we've me through the world of soccer. We got a great deal (which I love). I was in charge of orchestrating the move.... which I wanted to be cheap. After calling two companies to move it and hearing the price tag of $300-$350 twice, I moved onto plan B. After a lot of encouragement from a friend, she convinced me that we could move it ourselves.

First order, rent a truck. Call first rental place and they will not secure a rental for me... first come, first served -- yuck! Call second rental (Uhaul) and they were fabulous. Truck secured.

Next... secure people... specifically big men to lift the hot tub. I wrangled up 6 men (along with their wives and kids). Everyone converged upon the house. Joe left early to get the truck. By the time I got there with three of the men they already had the hot tub moved from the back of the house and it was resting on its side in front of the truck. All six guys lifted it the rest of the way into the truck -- done.

Then, off to my house. We removed part of the fence (the broken part -- which will now get fixed -- thanks honey for always ignoring my request to fix the fence... we needed it broken this weekend) and the guys brought the hot tub through and had it placed on the patio in 10 minutes flat -- AMAZING! I was so impressed.

How do you go about repaying them for all of their hard work? Pizza and Beverages!

The electrician should be here this week and then we can fill the hot tub and enjoy!

Quick, quick and EASY

With our busy schedule and my will to eat healthy I heard about a quick dinner prep idea and I tried it and loved it!

Chicken... how many ways can you eat chicken?

My problem is that my chicken is usually frozen when I want to use it. So, at the beginning of the week (or when you have time), take the chicken out of the freezer (I had boneless, skinless thighs) and let defrost while you run errands or teach a preK class. When you arrive home, plug in the crock pot and rinse (a must do for me) the chicken and dump it in the crock pot. Set it to HIGH and let cook while you run children to practices (I didn't add any seasoning or water -- chicken was still slightly frozen as I want to use the chicken in different recipes.)

When you return home, exhausted (having been frustrated with the children, consoling a huge tantrum and generally just being a Mom) your chicken is finished and smells great. I then used my huge slotted spoon and removed the chicken from the broth and placed it into a glass dish. I used a spoon and fork to shred all of it.

At this point I was starving... the kids were fed, but I was not. I had cooked a yam in the microwave and I decided to top it with some of my shredded chicken. I added some salt and paprika to it and it was DELICIOUS. I was sooooo happy.

Now, my chicken is shredded and in the refer ready for my next quick meal... which will be Thursday when two more children have practice. This time I'm prepared!

Sunday Night Movie -- Take 2

The first movie night was a success, so let's give it a whirl again!

Everyone was excited and everyone voiced their opinion on the movie.

In the end, Joe had really wanted to share an older movie with the kids... enter Back to the Future.

Great movie, funny... ugh... the language... ugh... the inappropriate conotations... ugh... the kids loved. More than once the volume was muted and more than once I yelled... ick kissing... close your eyes.

Isn't it funny how a movie we loved can have such a different feel when you watch it with your children.

Another success AND a lesson learned... PREVIEW the movies before you watch them with your children!

Everyone to the green room...

As our weeks and weekdays become more and more busy with kid events, it has become important to us to spend time together. We spend a lot of time together as a family... but I'm talking about time to just sit together... the snuggle time. We were with some friends this weekend and they were excited about their Sunday night ritual... what was it? Movie Night. The boys were so excited and Mom and Dad said that it really helped to set the tone for the week.

Kids love it... set a tone... were in!

Sunday Night...
Dinner is taking a little longer to prepare than expected.

Both boys still need to do homework (don't even get me started on that.)

The kitchen is a disaster.

Couldn't find the movie I wanted to rent (Back to the Future, settled for Ghost Busters with a thumbs down from the peanut gallery.)
We will have movie night.

What's a mom to do? Divide and conquer. Boys... homework. Mom... kitchen. Baby Girl... pjs

I decide to go for something on TV... NOTHING... it's a wasteland. I hit the DVD cupboard and see Kung Fu Panda... jack pot!



Kids, darling husband.... Kids, darling husband... Kids, darling husband... EVERYONE TO THE GREEN ROOM!

With eyes rolling, sighs and general disdain... everyone appears. I begin the movie. More eyes rolling and signs.

LISTEN... WE ARE GOING TO WATCH THIS MOVIE TOGETHER AND WE WILL LIKE IT!

5 minutes in... all eyes on the screen. Snuggles happening. Satisfaction from everyone in the room.


I think we've found our new tradition (although somebody needs to be a little more prepared with the movie selection.)