Guess what we did????

We discovered that the more t.v. the kids watch, the less imagination they use and the more fighting they do... SO, I have made a sign to put on the t.v. that says, 'No T.V. This Week'  with some ideas of what they can do.  During the week break from t.v., their imaginations came alive!  But, eventually we would take the sign down and slowly too much t.v. was being watched (even by Jason and I).  I was asking Jason about his high school friend who did not even own a t.v. growing up.  I asked what they did.  Jason said his friend read all the time, fiction, non fiction.  The wheels got to turning.  We discussed actually taking the t.v. out of the family room and putting it away in a closet.  So, one Saturday evening Jason took our t.v. down, put it in our closet and the kids did not even notice for a couple days.  It has been nearly a month without t.v. on (except the Super Bowl, of course!) and going on two weeks with the t.v. in the closet and we can all honestly say we do not miss it!  (I haven't actually asked the kids, but they really don't talk about it much)  We read a lot more and use our imaginations!  We don't have a problem with watching t.v., we just discovered that this works best for us right now. 

Day #14 - 'Freddy' books

I was reading another good blog and she said that they enjoy reading Freddy the Pig books.  I immediately went on our Denver Library website and put a number of them on hold.  I picked them up last week and today we popped in one on disk in the van and have enjoyed listening to it to and from school.  Jake and I are reading 'Freddy and the Space Ship' after he gets home from kindergarten.  He has a reading log to fill out and we are enjoying this book.  

I love finding new (to me) authors to read and just reading in general.

How about you?  Do you enjoy reading?  If so, what are your favorite authors and/or books?

Day #12 & #13

 Day #13 - Homemade Noodles

I am making a new Hamburger Stroganoff recipe for supper and didn't have any noodles.  I decided I would make rice...but then discovered a homemade noodle recipe in a cookbook and thought I would treat us to them instead! 

 Day #12 - Gander Mt.

My first time going to Gander Mt.  It is a Sporting Goods store.  We didn't stay long, but I can finally say I have been there and know what it is like...

Day #11 - 9 Patch Quilt

I found this cute 9 patch quilted table top runner and decided to make one for myself.  On the far right are three of the blocks completed, and the rest are getting complete.  I look forward to finishing the project and enjoying it in my home.

Day #10 - Table Runner

The kids were off of school today so we loaded up and headed to Walmart and

straight to the fabric department.  I found this super cute Chicken fabric and wanted to 

make something for my kitchen to cheer it up some.  Then I discovered the coordinating fabric and 

went to the cutting counter.  1 yard of the red and 1/2 a yard of the Chickens and back to the house we went.  I whipped up this cute table runner in no time and love it in my kitchen!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

No better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with Jason!

We will have a date after the kids go to bed.  We will order Qdoba

and have a candle lit dinner in the front room...

How are you celebrating?  And with whom are are you celebrating with?

Day #9 - Strawberry Dream Cake

Another new recipe!  This cake is made all from scratch.  I wanted to make something fun for Valentine's Day so I flipped through a favorite recipe book and decided on this!  Perfectly pink and fresh.  To go with it:  Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (store bought since my brother Matt isn't here to make it!) 

 I can't wait to take a bite...