Lasting Impressions

I've had the wonderful chance to volunteer in Ashlyn's class this past year in kindergarten. Part of the great thing about it was that I not only got to be in her class and get to know her friends and teacher, I also got to know a few of the mom's of Ashlyn's classmates. One of them (Julie), that I worked with just about every week, has a business called "Lasting Impressions" and makes the most adorable hand and foot print keepsakes. For Mother's Day, Julie and Ashlyn's teacher worked out a way to have a handprint made of every child in the class to give to their mom's as a gift. Such a cute idea, right? When I got mine, I knew I had to get more. So I arranged with Julie to meet her at her house to have some done of my kids. And I just LOVE the way they turned out. So far, I have only had two made, but I know I will go back and get more. If you're interested (and you live around here), let me know and I'll get you Julie's phone number.

This is the one Ashlyn made in class.

This is for you POP (my Dad) for Father's Day. I know it should already be in the mail, but don't worry, it's coming. I LOVE YOU and so do your "grandbabies"! Thanks for the fun visit last month. Come back soon!

I had to get one with Brandon's little foot before it got too big to be "cute" as an imprint. This will go on his bedroom wall as a keepsake.

Today has finally arrived

There aren't many things in this world that would get my little Leah to get up, get herself ready and make her bed....all without being asked.

(I think this is the first time Leah has made her bed all by herself. Pretty good job huh?)

 Today was one of those days though where that happened. And what was so exciting about today you ask??? Disneyland maybe?  Visitors from out of town? NOPE!  It was swim lessons! But you have to understand. My little Leah has been sitting for TWO summers, watching Ashlyn from the sidelines, wishing she was old enough to be able to get in the pool herself. 

(Remember this picture? This is Leah last summer, watching Ashlyn take lessons.)

So, to her, today WAS a very exciting day. I thought she might be SO ready that she could start in level 2, but once she got in the water, she was a little more timid than I thought she might be. So they put her in level 1, and she was SO much happier.

Farewell Kindergarten....

(Ashlyn with her teacher, Mrs. Giacoletto)

It's been a great year. 

I can't believe my little Ashlyn has already finished her first year of school. Time really does go by faster and faster the older the kids get. I swear it wasn't that long ago that I was sitting in our apartment in Van Nuys, Ashlyn was only about 20 months old, and I would count the minutes until Paul got home from work because the days seemed SO long. Now a days it feels like it's dinner time before I know it, and I never quite figure out how to get all the things on my "to do" list completed. 

We are so very proud of our little Ashlyn. She is such a happy and obedient girl. She helps me a lot around the house and she makes me smile everyday. She has also really enjoyed her year in kindergarten. She's learned a lot and made some good friends too. 

When I picked her up today, I asked her where she wanted to go to celebrate her last day of school. She said Wendy's. I'm glad that she feels like that's a "special" treat still. Makes me feel I haven't completely spoiled the girl. Not yet anyway. HA.... So off we headed to Wendy's so she could enjoy her celebratory chicken nuggets and vanilla frosty. 

(Look at that cute face!)

(My little Leah. Still so full of life.)

(I had to document Brandon's first chicken nugget right?)

I love you little Ashlyn. First grade here we come!

Another great recipe

This one comes from my friend Camille who got it from some other website. Not totally sure. But since I got it from her, than I will call it her recipe.

Anyway, it is SO SO good. I think even better than the last recipe I posted. And it's pretty darn easy. I even used a rotisserie chicken and shredded it up. Or you could stick a whole chicken in your crockpot all day with some yummy seasonings and that would be easy too.

Chicken Tamale Casserole

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

1 tsp. ground cumin 

1/8 tsp. ground red cayenne pepper (I didn't have this so I omitted it)

1 can cream style corn

1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilis, drained

1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce (Old El Paso brand is best in my opinion)

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1/2 cup sour cream (for garnish, optional)

Combine 1/4 cup cheese with top 7 ingredients (thru chilis) in a large bowl and stir just until moistened. Pour in a 9x13 pan coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until set. Pierce surface liberally with a fork and pour enchilada sauce over the top. Top with chicken; sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake for another 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Let stand 5 minutes. Makes 8 servings. Top each one with 1 Tbsp sour cream and serve. YUMMY!

Saved By The Bell Reunion Update 3 (6/8/09)

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Such a brave girl

Leah took her first visit to the Dentist this afternoon and I must say she did FANTASTIC! She is one brave little girl. She was really excited to see the pictures of the insides of her teeth and she thought it was quite cool that she got to pick pink toothpaste to clean her teeth.  And of course, the most exciting part was picking a prize from the treasure box. The cute little thing picked out a wooden snake because she said "Daddy would want to play with this with her." Best news for me was that she didn't have any cavities, which I was pleasantly surprised about since it always seems to be such a battle getting her to let me brush her teeth. I guess all the battles I have fought with her in this area, paid off. At least for now anyway. 

Brandon 007

A friend of ours at church yesterday told us that he thought Brandon looked like the guy that is in Casino Royale 007. Probably because they both have really blue eyes. So, of course Paul came home and had to make this poster up real quick. He's been asking me to post it on my blog all day. So here it is honey. This one's for you! Love you! 

I have to admit that it's pretty funny to see Brandon's head on an adult's body.