Easter 2010

To follow up on the last post, this year's Easter celebrations were fantastic.

Of course the boys wake up before 6am! We kept them content until 8am and then let it begin. The teenager was finding all the easy eggs and the 6yo seemed to only find baskets as the 4yo would just cry when someone else grabbed one he saw (bad flashbacks to my childhood). Oddly enough, the youngest one found the most hidden basket and eggs. Then let the sugar rush begin! We kind of let limits go on Christmas and Easter but I think everyone was restrained today. And no Peeps made it into the microwave yet.

After a day of leisure, we came back together to decorate our eggs for The Egg Games! After a lot of crying from the middle kid about his egg cracking, we finally began.
Each participant selects one game. The games consisted of:
*Egg rolling/throwing (6yo won)--rolling your egg the furthurest
*Tree hitting (husband won)--throwing egg at our baby trees and hitting the trunk
*Egg running (mom won)--running with an egg in between your knees
*Swinging Egg Toss (no one won)--tossing your egg to another player while swinging on the swingset

Always fun! Overall, the day was full of fun and family.

Hometown Pride

We go every year....snow, sleet, cold....we go to the CU Parade of Lights in downtown. We bundle up (snowpants, hats, blankets) and head out. This year we went without the hubby since he had to work. It was a risk but it paid off. The kids love parades and there are only 2 each year...and Santa makes a special appearance.

This year, it was definately cold and a bit windy...but no snow. But there was definately a smaller crowd last night and a shorter parade. And I felt there was a lack of effort this year for the awards...there were only a couple 'floats' to choose from (the MTD was great!). I loved the big star balloons from the park district (sponsored by different organizations). But we love seeing all the scout trips, local organizations, volunteer fire depts, characters....oh, and candy. We watched it once near the beginning and then walked down (past the burned out buildings) and watched it again listening to our local news personalities commentate while we waited for Tree Lighting (and enjoyed free hot cocoa with marshmellows and whipped cream from Jim Gould's!).

Our 3yo sat motionless wrapped up as much as possible. Our 5yo took the time to figure out how the tree turns on without an outlet near by, and the poorly-dressed-for-the-weather 12 yo bounced around trying to stay warm and how to get the marshmellows out of her cup. I was excited that there we not a ton of kids waiting to talk to Santa...but my little ones just wanted to see him. It was also fun trying to see if the scarf and hat hidden beings around us were people we knew.

It is nice and a great tradition for our community.

Holidays...already?

Yes, I noticed the Christmas decorations were out in stores before Halloween...and they are in full bloom now yet Thanksgiving dinner hasn't even been cleared (I have started cooking it). Andy Rooney makes a good case here.

Watch CBS Videos Online

I often cringe when I see Christmas lights a glow before December and I, personally, refuse to pull out any holiday items before Dec 1st (even though I so love my collection of holiday socks). And despite my kids watch Rudolph all year, I try hard not to indulge too much too early. However, I did check Stephen Colbert's new special...hilarious! The music is brilliant (I love the Nutmeg song!). You can watch it in clips here...or buy it on DVD starting Tuesday.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: John Legend

Ron Paul Interview
Bob Barr Interview

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

"We had a very America Day."

We had a great, Americana, family-full Independence Day.

We started with our neighborhood parade and potluck. It is a supercute 4-block parade full of a miscellaneous band, variety of pets, and lots of kids on bikes. Our 4yo rode his bike holding a flag the entire time. Complete with hot dogs, a water balloon toss, talking with friends. (loved that the party had a garbage and a compost bin)

Run home...make potato salad and blueberry jam for dinner. Then pack picnic for the big Champaign County parade through the university. We got a great spot so we could sit in the back of our van. It was a bit long but great to see all the marching bands, politicians, fire trucks, and local organizations. (note: we were obviously sitting in the conservative section, us being the only ones cheering for the democrats, gay rights group, etc. and booing (internally) the gun rights groups and Tim Johnson). I even felt almost emotional when the many young soldiers walked by...but that's another post.

Back home...relax. Kids play outside, once dinner was in good shape I actually laid down a bit. Then dinner (corn on the cob, sloppy joes, baked beans, and potato salad...blueberry shortcake for dessert). Keep kids busy until we headed to the fireworks.

It was a great fireworks show. While we waited...in jeans and sweatshirts...the kids caught lots of fireflies and played Uno. The kids ooohed and aaahed over the fireworks. Rush back to the car to try to get out before midnight. One kid was asleep before we left the parking lot...the others minutes after we got home.

The weather was perfect and it was a great day. I hope you all had a great holiday as well.

Spring Break

First of all...what happened to Spring? It was fabulous last week...now its cold and is supposed to rain for the next 2 days. Oh well...library here we come. Our other plans include heading over the Jarling's Custard Cup (which recently opened for the season...we used to go opening day each year but we haven't made it yet). We want to see Horton Hears a Who. We already watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Imporium (not bad, not great) for Movie Night. The oldest is going to Camp Grandparents for half the week. We are hosting Rites of Spring here next weekend (aka Easter minus the religious aspects).

And today is St. Patrick's Day! Read an interesting history about this holiday at Teahm Beahm. I am Irish so I usually like to do something but I'm too tired today. I do enjoy a good ruben from Courier Cafe and Irish soda bread from Great Harvest. Perhaps some shepard's pie may end up on the table.

But think of the day as Green Day...think of 2 ways to make your life a little greener (change those light bulbs, plan a compost, buy a push mower, walk or bike to work.....).

Cute Holiday Fare

If you want to experience something super cute...check out BT Washington Elementary's Nutcracker...tomorrow (Tuesday) at 945am and 2pm. The free how is about 45mins long.

Mr. Bob Smith does a fabulous job creating this musical version of the ballet. The cast includes every student (that's about 240 kids) and even a special appearance by the principal.

This great arts program produces several shows a year. The spring musical is always a winner. Check out this hidden gem of Champaign!

Why Christmas May Never Come

I told my family last week that I refuse to put up the Christmas tree or any other major decorations until the house is cleaned up. The tree fills up our main room so much that I can't have the usual floor of crap on top of it. So...it hasn't happened yet. It might not. I am trying hard to stand my ground. We'll see.

I'm apparently now The Grinch. Well since I usually do all the decorating, baking, and shopping, I have that control.

Bah Humbug!

The Great Cookie Debate

Every year I debate whether or not I should make holiday cookie trays to give out. I enjoy baking cookies and making candies. I love planning, making, and decorating. And people like them...I have those who wait for them each year.

But...it is time consuming and costs some money. Also, I end up eating the treats as well. My husband actually looks forward to 'awful' task of being quality control. I also have fewer people to give trays to (since most of our friends have moved out of the area). I feel a little bad contributing to the mass consumption of fat and calories over the holidays.

So, who else out there makes cookie trays, etc? Should I continue (this is where the receivers of said cookie trays should chime in)? Would it still be the holidays without cookies? If so, what cookies should I make?

Happy Hanukkah to all!

I hope everyone enjoyed the first night of lights...and latkes!

Mixed veggie latkes (pancakes)
1 white potato
1 sweet potato, peeled
1 carrot
1 small onion
(other veggies to add....beets, zucchini, squash, apple)
1-2 eggs or egg substitute
2-4 tablespoons flour
salt/pepper
Oil

Grate all veggies into a large bowl. Drain any excess liquid that accumulates. Add flour, egg, and salt/pepper. Combine. You want enough egg and flour to coat but not make the mixture drippy. In large skillet, put 1/2-1 in of vegetable oil. Heat for a few minutes (if you place a wooden spoon in it should have tiny bubbles around it). Place spoonfuls of mixture in oil, flattening out into pancake. Cook 2-4 mins until brown. Flip and repeat. Place on paper towels to drain. Serve with applesauce, sour cream, or plain yogurt. Makes about 12 pancakes.

Holiday Spirit

Nothing like some freezing rain and ice to put you in that holiday mood! Having canceled the Holiday Parade, we had to do something around here to make up for it. So....a holiday movie and pizza did the trick.

There are so many holiday movies out there and many of the stations are showing them...a lot...and even the not-so-good ones. (check out ABC Family for a fest of holiday films).

There are a few films/shows that I have to watch or its not right...and have since made my children watch.

Here are my Top 5 Holiday Films
1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (on CBS on Tues, 12/4, 7pm!)
2. The Santa Clause
3. White Christmas
4. A Christmas Story
5. Its A Wonderful Life

My kids Top 5
1. Rudolph
2. Frosty (Fri 12/7, 7pm, CBS)
3. Polar Express (at the Virginia this weekend, and on tv (ABC Family))
4. The Santa Clause (showing on the Disney Channel this month)
5. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (that was on last week)


What are your can't miss movies?