What's new in the zoo

Hanging by a thread...and he still won't pull it out. Gross.

Lost his first tooth!

According to Lexi, "The fairies took Jacob's tooth! He lost it, they took it from him!"

They are a little confused about how the Tooth Fairy works, but its hilarious!

He placed the little tooth under his pillow and everything. Cute.

His tooth was loose for over a week but insisted that it will fall out on its own. Funny. Since he was right...I have a feeling he will never pull out a tooth...he's all nat.ur.al. Fun stuff.

Next month is his 6 mo. check up...yay! Now my little tooth grinder is getting his big boy teeth! Yay! So...now i have to get that tooth grinding thing under control. ugh.

***

The little beavers crack me up. Yesterday the kids built a DAM out of the items in my bedroom. They called it their hideout. Made with clothes, books, bed linens...fab.

So when I finished my fast mom shower...I heard the wonderful sounds of children playing and saying, "Look mom, its our Damn Hideout". Lexi, "Damn Hideout, Damn Hideout!!"

Awesome.

***

This morning....I gave Jacob an angry face (more of a playful angry face...that said, hey don't do that punk...) and he said to me, "Don't look toward me with that ugly face mom!" OK.

***

My princess had a stuffy nose this morning. She dutifully walked her butt into the bathroom and started blowing her nose. Such a girl. I headed to the bathroom to give her some positive 'good job' attention with a loving tap on her head. Then asked how she was doing. She said,

"I'm flushing my nose mom" Cute.

So my potty mouth child now has a potty nose too. Lovely.

Lex

"Mommy your dinner smells tasty"

Thanks princess :)

Spinach and Feta Pasta from www.ourbestbites.com

And I doubled the garlic and mushrooms ;) That's how we Avery's roll. Next time I'll be adding sliced pepperoni. (Like the kind you put on a pizza) Try it next time in your favorite Pasta dish....Delish!

Cookie Decorator!

NOT MY COOKIES....the image is from Sweet Sugar Belle...located on my sidebar...I love her site! :)

And just like that...I'm a cookie decorator! Well, not really...just one in my head.

I've been researching cookie decorating for a few months now ... I'm hooked.

Step 1 - Research: Find the best products and methods for optimum results.

Step 2 - Purchase just enough products to get started practicing.

Step 3 - Practice piping on plates or parchment paper, not cookies yet :)

Step 4 - Practice more...

Step 5 - And more...

Step 6 - And a little more...

Step 7 - Practice baking the perfect batch of sugar cookies.

Step 8 - Marry the two...and practice on a cookie :)

Step 9 - Love the finished product (will I ever get to that point?)

Step 10 - Learn to ship them to my family and friends! Yes, that's you!!!

6 years ago I was obsessed with learning to make amazing chocolate chip cookies...like the kind of cookies that my teenage children will brag about...now that I've mastered that (no humility...I'll admit it) I need another obsession.

Some may ask, Why not start practice on real cookies? Because we'd eat them! NO, not good for my Weight Watchers lifestyle...not to be confused with a DIET...my new lifestyle :) Also, the frosting is relatively cheap to make so practicing daily won't be costly.

I'm currently on step 2. lol. My cookie making investments will be small....until I decide whether or not I have a steady enough hand...I'm not exactly an artist...like my sweet husband...so this may be a total flop!

We'll see. Enjoy the journey!

I'll be blogging all about it! :)

j

Lex

At the Dallas Zoo on Friday we went to the Butterfly Exhibit. It was just beautiful...amazing wild flowers, white picket fences, little water features...and real butterflies everywhere. It was just magical. It was small and UBER hot outside...but the exhibit was still just magical. It felt like when you stepped into the mesh tent housing the butterflies, you stepped into another magical world where everything is rainbows and butterflies. :) You wanted to whisper and walk slowly...maybe I was the only person in this little butterfly world...but it was amazing. :D Actually, my mom was totally in my butterfly fairytale with me. lol.

Lexi and Jacob were looking at caterpillar cocoons in specimen case and Lexi said, "The caterpillars are changing their outfits mom" Cutie. Such a girl thing to say.

***

Lexi was playing with water in her room...not allowed. But since Sunday seems to be the FREE-FOR-ALL-MESS-UP-YOUR-ROOM-AND-TAKE-THE-TOYS-ALL-OVER-THE-HOUSE-Day...then she thought that it was ok. So I asked her to get the water out of her room and her response was, "I want flowers to grow on the carpet!" Me too princess, me too.

Gangsta Flashback

Julie age 18

Heath age 24

Aren't we just the sweetest. Ugly camera phone got a bad shot...but this night at the bowling alley in 2003 was a night to remember!

Take a look at Heath's cute little facial hair and my red acrylic tips. haha! back in the day...

what the....

!*@%

I guess I'm not good at computer cursing.

Anyways, This little disaster in the picture above...happened while I was sweeping leaves out of the garage.

Its a tent.

They even ripped the curtains off the window. Little devils knew I was trying to clean house before my mom comes tomorrow.

The picture is blurry because I was pretending to text so they didn't know I was taking a picture. lol. Trying not to encourage this behavior. ha!

5 pounds

Above is a picture of the kiddos this morning at The Walking Park. Now that its getting hot the kiddos just play in the volleyball sand pit while I go around the walking trail. Its been fabulous. All my headache of the kiddos whining about going to what they call The Lonely Park is paying off! I lost 5 pounds this week. Yay! I'm loving weight watchers and I enjoy my walks at the park. When I don't have a friend to walk with ... I walk a little too early for most ... I just listen to Conference Talks on my cell phone. Its fabulous. Its amazing how easily I can find times to study when I have the conference talks on my cell. Technology is amazing. And the talks are LONG so all I need is 2 or 3 talks and my walk is over. While doing dishes, folding clothes, making dinner...the latter-day prophets keep me company. And Taylor Swift. :D

smart

"Mom, have I always been this smart? I think in heaven I was this smart too. I was born this way."

Yes son.

a tooth

"Mom, Can you like um put my hot dog in a bun in the blender? My tooth is wabbling."

My big boy Jacob has his first loose tooth. cutie.

He wants his food pureed. No, I won't be doing that. But it sure is funny!

He's Learning

Sing PRAISES!

I'm trying to teach my children to make their bed. Its not an easy thing...heaven knows I didn't learn its importance til I was like 23 years old. haha.

In an effort to make this task easier I decided to place my kids' beds in the center of the room. You know what I mean right? Headboard against the back wall and the rest of the bed sticking out...OK terrible description. They can now walk around each part of the bed...making it easier to Make the Bed. Get it now? When the bed is against the wall...your kid needs a stinkin ladder just to reach across the bed!

So anyways, this new layout pains me. They have a small room and small space to play. With Jacob's twin bed and Lexi's toddler bed...basically in the center of the room...its not ideal. HIVES, seriously makes me itch.

So we make their beds every morning and my son can pretty much make his all on his own. Oh happy day. He can even change his mattress pad, extra padding (that egg shell foam stuff that he WILL NOT SLEEP WITHOUT!) his fitted sheet, his comforter...its awesome. I haven't tried to have him do the pillow cases yet...I can barely do those myself! ha! The kiddos even know what it means to strip their beds and put the soiled linens in the laundry room. Oh...how fancy. Yes, we like big Martha Stewart words in this house.

So anyways...here's a conversation I overheard in their room today...

Jacob said to Lexi, "Hey Lex! Don't jump on my bed. I don't want to have to make it again"

Lexi happily responds, "K Jacob, can I have that car garage?"

Jacob, "Sure"

I witnessed two wonderful things...I am just elated...

First, Jacob is grasping the all important concept of keeping his bed made and learning responsibility. Ack! I love it.

Second, harder to spot this one...they are sharing! Love that. They are so cute together.

I hope and pray that they can remember these great days as young children and remember the fun they had together. And at the same time...is it possible to NOT remember my sometimes bad attitude...I'll pray for that too. ha!

the mom

Why I love it

This week is one of the biggest reasons I love to coupon shop! I'm not as motivated to coupon shop as when I lived in $California$...but getting good deals on stuff I usually have to buy full price at Walmart...now that's the kind of coupon shopping I love!

Gillette deals NEVER go to waste in this house! Heath is faithful to the Gillette body wash and Razor (probably because I can get them so cheap!) so that's the only brand of these hygiene items that I buy even if the others are free or super cheap. Let another coupon shopper grab 'em!

The razors were less than $1 each including tax and cost of coupons. We use them as Razor Refills making each blade $.50 each...way better then $2+ each when you buy a Razor Refill pack at Walmart or Costco.

The body wash was $1.75 each after taxes, RR, coupons, & cost of coupons. Since I usually buy these full price if my stockpile is empty...and full price PAINS ME...this is a great deal for me.

The toothpaste and brushes were all FREE except the cost of coupons and tax which was still only like $.03

each.

I used CVS bag tags to give an extra savings of $.25 per transaction.

I rolled RR and ECB dollars to cut down on taxes and out of pocket expense.

Total cost including taxes, my gas, coupons, and products....around $16

That's not ZERO or a MONEY MAKER ... but it works for me!!!

The future.

Today I was cradling my 5 year old (they grow soooo fast!)...talking with him and filling his head with the wonderful things in his future. Getting him excited about baptism, seminary, high school sports, temple, mission, college, marriage...

He is such a crack up to talk to. When he grows up he wants to Run Fast. I told him he can be a Runner! He also wants to play baseball. You can be an Athlete, I say.

What's an athlete?

I love his questions.

We talked about Uncle Stephan and that his name badge said Elder Moss. What do you think your name badge will say Jacob? What did daddy's name badge say? Elder Avery! That's right! Guess what else it says? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Can you say that?

Good job!

He loved that game.

When we talked about marriage I told him that at BYU he can meet a nice girl and go to the temple. (haha...raising a cougar!)

Who will I take to the temple?

Um, I don't know. You can meet her in college after your mission (OK...not the direction I was I thought he would take this...)

Then Jacob said he CAN'T take Melody (my friend Tasha's daughter) because she's faster than him. Love that. My little athlete doesn't want to be beat by a girl. Understandable. lol.

Soon my big boy Jacob will be too old to sit on his mommy's lap. I cherish these moments when he loving looks at me and says, "I like to talk to you mom."

I like to talk to you son.

I love sunday.

The crazy stuff they say...

My children crack me up.

Lexi, "Just go to sleep mom. Go in your room, close your eyes, and GO TO SLEEP Mooooom!"

I bite my tongue and don't say, "Don't mind if I do little punk"

Mom says instead, "Do you need water? I think you're dehydrated"

I don't say, "Because I sure need a drink...a good strong one. Like diet coke, yes that will do"

Jacob, "Um mom. Lexi like um colored on the water um...the like...um...the water table."

Mom, "Huh? What are you trying to tell me son? Show me."

Jacob. "Lexi (pointing to the bathroom), she colored on the like um water table!"

Mom, "The sink? Oh goodness, thank for telling me Jacob. That was very responsible."

Mom didn't say, "In this country we call it a sink"

Did u like that..."Responsible"...linking the 'to be' with the 'to do'. Yup, I'm a dork but it freakin works!

And...do you like that my boy talks like Shaggy on Scooby Do and ads random likes and ums. Its just awesome. He thinks its cool. But when he wants something from me...he straightens right up and talks like the 10 year old I expect him to be. Yup my 5 year old 10 year old. That's how we roll over here in the Big A. (A for Avery...haha...I'm bored).

Another Favorite Recipe!

Spicy Honey Chicken

From Our Best Bites!

There's a yummy rub for the chicken that has garlic, chili powder, onion powder, coriander, kosher salt, cumin and chipotle chili powder.

The chipotle chili powder was a new addition to my kitchen and I love it! BUT...take note...it STINKS up your house! I grilled my chicken on my stove with THIS grill pan (which I a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e.l.y a.d.o.r.e!) Can you hear MaryKate in my voice? Name the movie!? Its one of my best kitchen investments.

The recipe suggested chicken thighs and I decided to do chicken breasts and cut them in half to have a quick grill and easy chicken strips.

The glaze is easy and yummy! Just honey and cider vinegar. Lexi was in charge of 'painting the chicken' and it was so easy.

I doubled the recipe and used the chicken for so many yummy things! Click The recipe name at the top to check out step by step on how to make it!

With the chicken I came up with these recipes...

Spicy Chicken Salad

Ignore my blurry picture :)

Shredded Romaine & Red Cabbage

Chopped Cilantro

Rice (I used left over Mexican Rice)

Corn (My Mexican Rice had corn in the recipe)

Chicken! (MY picture has 3 oz. of chicken)

If I had jocama I would have added that too for some yummy crunch!

Maybe add...diced tomatoes, tortilla strips, or even mangos like Our Best Bites suggests...

Dressings

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette, Creamy Lime Cilantro, Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette, or Ranch...like in my picture :) I have tried the dressings above from Our Best Bites and LOVE them! I usually make a new dressing recipe every week to try and mix it up a bit.

Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette is what Our Best Bites suggests for this chicken and their Spicy Honey Chicken Salad Recipe. I made their salad two nights ago and loved it! But I don't always have fresh avocados and mangos...so my salad recipe above is easy to make with ingredients I always have.

Chicken Roll Ups

6 inch flour tortillas

Grilled Chicken Strips

Cheese (I used mozzarella, use any cheese your kids like...)

Put the chicken and cheese in the tortilla and roll it up.

Grill it or pop it in the microwave for a minute.

Pinch he sides together while hot so help the yummy food stay IN the tortilla while your children man-handle their food.

I was inspired by the Chicken Roll-ups that we like at Taco Bueno (this fast food restaurant is as lame as the name...) The roll-ups are $.99 and the kiddos love them. So...I decided to make my own version...minus the roaches and employee hands touching the food. They also make ground beef & cheese roll-ups...might try those...not sure.

Chicken Tacos

Corn Tortillas, warmed or lightly fried

Grilled Chicken

Canned Black Beans, warmed in the microwave

Cheddar Cheese

Shredded Lettuce

Toss all the ingredients together in the Corn tortilla and enjoy!

Tacos are new for my kids...(I know...that's SO un-Mexican-American. haha) So when we served this Jacob said, "So, um mom. This is like a tortilla sandwich right? Like with chicken and cheese?" "Yes son, people also like to call it a Taco. Your choice" Dinners are always so fun at the Avery House.

I heart Friday

Friday means Park Day! The kids Favorite Day of the Week! We go to the Lonely Park every morning...but the Splashpad Park on Friday is much more fun! We meet for ward park day and usually stay for 4 hours. I love it! The kids are at the perfect age to play very independently and I get to just sit in the shade and chat. yay. I love park days!

After park day we drive to Sonic for happy hour! The kids get a little ice cream cone and we sit and chat for 10 minutes. Then we drive home for naps! Lexi always falls asleep with a half eaten ice cream on our 2 minute drive home from sonic. Jacob usually climbs into bed and is asleep within a minute or so. I love Friday naps! So...from the park to Sonic to sleeping kids....all within like 20 minutes. :) The kids are so worn out from the Lonely Park then the Splashpad park and sleep until 530ish. Its awesome.

Brazilian Lemonade

Yum!

Tonight we had ...

Turkey Tacos, just g.turkey, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, & corn tortillas

Mexican Rice with Cotija Cheese, from Caramel Potatoes!

Grilled Corn on the Cob, from Our Best Bites!

and the star of the show...

Brazilian Lemonade, from Our Best Bites! YUM!

I know I've said this 100 times...but I LOVE Our Best Bites!!!

Pick up their cookbook at Costco! Its only $17 and I looooove that cookbook! They also have TONS of recipes on their website www.ourbestbites.com.

My obsession with that website is just crazy!