Kidnapped

This is SuperStar's entry in the PBS Young Authors Contest. Her class had the option to participate and she decided to. She is both the author and the illustrator. Yea SuperStar!!




Once there was a princess name Emerald, a prince name Eric, a king named Zello and a queen named Relna. And far awayin the land of Kano, Anti the Evil Ant seeks to capture Princess Emerald with all her powers. Anti has powers of his own, which are to grow and shrink.



One day Emerald went out for a walk. Anti had a plan, he was going to use his power to grow and grab Emerald! Just as he was about to grow, SPLAT! Anti was crushed when Emerald stepped on him. This only hurt him a little bit. As Anti made his way back to Kano he made a new plan. And when he tried that plan it worked! he had captured Emerald!



"You can not keep me here for long." said Emerald.
"Oh yes I can," said Anti, "This cage is power proof. You can not get out of it unless you have the key!"


Then came along a frog and snuck the key to Emerald's cage out of Anti's bedroom. In the kitchen the cookes were preparing a frog leg dinner. The problem is that they had no frog.



The cooks were looking all around the palace to see if there were any frogs running around. As Emerald and the frog were escaping the cooks had found them. The frog was made into a frog leg dinner and Princess Emerald was stuck back into her cage.


Then came along Prince Eric, King Zello and Queen Relna. Late at night they snuck in Anti's bedroom and took the key and then freed Emerald. While Anti was sleeping they picked him up and put him in the power proofed cage. He woke up as soon as he hit the metal floor.


And they all lived happily ever after - except Anti.

Strawberry Banana French Toast Sandwich

Well, we haven't posted any food recipes since the Curry Pumpkin Soup and we figured it was about time. SuperStar found this recipe in her Taking Care of Yourself Girl Book.

The "Cast of Characters" (as Pioneer Woman says). Just your basic French Toast supplies + Strawberries & Banana's.


First you melt a little butter in the pan - honestly, a non-stick is way better then this was, but our non-stick died a few weeks ago. We are going to get a griddle that fits over two burners (suggested by my stepmom).


Mix together Eggs, Milk, Cinnamon (Pampered Chef is has great Cinnamon). Then soak your bread in until it is a smidge soggy, but not so soggy it begins to fall apart. We use wheat bread, but I hear tell white bread let's you taste the cinnamon stronger - we will still stick with wheat bread.


Flip 'em when they are looking like the egg edges are cooked.


Once the bottom is done place it on a plate, generously place strawberry and banana slices on the french toast - we sprinkle ours with a smidge of cinnamon sugar (there can never be enough cinnamon).


Then place the top piece of french toast over the fruit and top that with a smidge more butter and just as it melts sprinkle that with more cinnamon sugar.

Now, I suggested a tiny kiss of syrup, but the kids said it was perfect just as it was. And I do believe their smiles validated that fact.

That is our CuznM who was in for the weekend visiting with our Nanny - who also enjoyed the Strawberry Banana French Toast Sandwiches.

Nanny's Surprise

We knew the surprise, but SuperStar and Spidey didn't. Our kids love all their family, but there are a few family members that can make them leap to the ceiling in happiness. For SuperStar it is her CuznM (maybe because they are twins separated by years at birth - 8 to be exact) - for Spidey it is his CuznM also - only different cuzn and separated only by 1 year. This weekend Nanny came to visit and she secretly (BigGuy & I knew - I even told Babers, I think he tried to tell S&S only they couldn't understand him - toddlers, you just can't trust them) brought us CuznM. As SuperStar went outside to greet Nanny when she arrived she saw CuznM in the car and (she was so cute) gasped as she placed her hand over her mouth and looked over at me (not giving away the surprise before Spidey got there - so sweet). Then (after calling him and calling him and calling him) Spidey finally arrived to greet Nanny - and started jumping up and down unable to say what he saw. It was so cool.

Thank You Nanny - you always know exactly what to get us!

Finally!!

I have been chasing this boy for a picture since Wednesday when he lost the thing! About a week and a half ago Spidey noticed his first real (meaning not pulled by the dentist) loose tooth. Very exciting!! Then on Wednesday he stayed home from school and at lunch we noticed that it was so wiggly we could move it from side to side and front to back - it was basically hanging by a thread of skin. I suggested he let me just tug it out - mortified he refused - then I suggested he try to pull it himself - he refused and then accidentally pulled it out himself. He stood there for a second waiting..........I think for the blood he imagined would burst out if his tooth was pulled before its time. Once he realized it wasn't going to gush he went running out of the room to show SuperStar. The fairy showed up that night and delivered upon him a Gold $1 coin and a large pack of Sugar Free Bubble Gum.

Creepy & Amazing

This weekend we had more of our Favorite People in the World visit. This time it was BL and girlies - with MO and her crew for the day too. We played - the kids have gotten to the point where there were actual moments that we didn't hear them at all (so we had to investigate for safety reasons - and found that everything was actually okay!!)

Lots of fun was had - we basically stayed around the house - the moms had wine - we made certain to pick up Chipotle for the adults (kids don't rank for this treat) - we stamped invites for an upcoming First Communion being celebrated - we stayed up late watching Kathy Griffith - and the next day we went to see the horses and to see the Creepy Windmills!!

Creepy - they could fall off and smash us any moment!


BL looking totally tiny!


Beautiful Girls....Beautiful Horses....


Not everyone thinks horses are so cool apparently......


Sharlie says, "but I am so beautiful..."


And apparently Tata agrees.


I was just happy to see that our kids are still Litter Mates - all snuggled and familiar with each other - from Birth to Now.

Valentine Dance Party

We had so much fun last Thursday at our Valentine Parties - or Party really. Since Spidey and SuperStar are Book Buddy classes we decided to hold a Dance Party including both classes together. Book Buddies are when they join up an older and younger class together and have them work on activities that promote reading. Luckily our two kiddo's are together - and the wonderful mom (who is also a sub)leading the Locomotion train volunteered to put together a dance party for us.

It was great - both kids in one spot having a ton of fun. Then we divided up into separate classes and did individual parties. Watch the video of the Locomotion - remember to turn off the music (lower right corner).

Locomotion