Mikayla visits the dentist (too)

Like her brother two years ago, Mikayla went with her class today on a field trip to the dentist's office. She too was gently introduced to the periodontal arts, and like a well oiled machine, those dentists and staff showed three preschool classes all of tools of the trade, rotated groups of students and their camera-wielding chaperones parents through six different stations. They each made plaster molds of their hands, x-rayed a quarter with a smiley face on it, watched a video of a monkey brush his teeth, painted with toothbrushes, got to do a dry run of an examination, and played with the stuff used to repair your teeth, all in the name of fun and learning (and gently introducing them to dentistry) and all within the course of just an hour. Delicious donuts and juice were available in the lobby when everyone was finished with the tour. The kids even received goodie bags which included a toothbrush, floss, and a toy lizard.

Mikayla behaved very well and we went across the street to Mc Donald's for some play place climbing afterward :-) 

Bittersweet chocolate and almonds day; the cookies you see below were made with those ingredients plus two more different kinds of chocolate. Apparently they didn't stand a chance at the MOPS meeting this morning...

Nacho Love

"Rainy day, it's a rainy day.  It's raining outside so we can't go out to play.  Why do we need the rain anyway?"

OK, have to admit I'm kind of over the weather.  I know it's November, but I'd settle for cold if the drear would go away.  I'm tired of grey overcast, kinda rainy days.

Alright, enough of my whining.  At least it's not, snow, right?  (Uh, dirty 's' word!)

To deal with the drear, we had some cheer inside on National Nacho Day!  How can you possibly not love nachos?  Grant and I met over nachos.  Did you know that?  Super Nachos from La Bamba's at Bradley.  We shared a box of nachos and the rest is history, right?  I suppose nachos have a rather special place in my heart, then.  But today I decided to try something completely different and we had BBQ Nachos for dinner.  They had a doritos base, then a mix of ground beef (it was turkey, shhhh, don't tell my family!), corn, stewed tomatoes, colby cheese and BBQ sauce.  I know, sounds kind of weird, right?  That's what I thought too but they honestly disappeared in a flash here.  Seriously, both kids finished their ENTIRE dinner in less than 20 minutes.  That NEVER happens.  Apparently my kids have a love affair with nachos, too.

As a treat I whipped up quite the culinary creation of dessert nachos for after dinner.  I took tortillas, buttered them and then sprinkled them with a combination of sugar, cocoa, all spice and cinnamon, then baked them until they were nice and crispy.  Then I topped them with chocolate sauce, melted peanut butter, a homemade caramel sauce, whipped cream, chopped peanuts and sprinkles.  Um, yeah, the love affair with nachos around here was taken to a whole new level...

After dinner Noah helped me whip up the cookies to celebrate tomorrow's National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds.  There's some in action pictures but you'll have to check back for the finished product tomorrow.  (They've been taste tested already here, though - yum!)  Busy day tomorrow with MOPS, PTA Board and a welcoming committee event at Jungle Java.  Oh, and Kayla has a field trip!  Never a dull moment, I tell you.  Until then...

BBQ Nachos

 I know they look weird but my family LOVED them

 Nachos in dessert form

 Um, yes please

 Noah helping me with the cookies

Appreciating Donuts

 "I missed you.  I missed you the whole time we were gone.  And I still loved you when we were gone."  So sayeth the Kayla.  Right back at ya, kiddo.

In case it wasn't apparent, they're ba-ack!  Shortly after 4pm my trio of travelers returned to the nest, full of stories about their adventures.  I am thrilled to have them back.  As much as I appreciated a little bit of a break, it got to be a little too quiet around here for my liking.

So instead of babbling on here, I'm going to go appreciate them being home.  Happy National Donut Appreciation Day!  We've done donuts in many different forms a few different times this year, but I went a completely different direction and served them as a main course tonight.

Nachos tomorrow as we get 'back to normal'  Until then...

Donut Sandwich!

 Everyone here loved this (Glazed donut, raspberry preserves, ham and cheese)

 Cider Donut Bread Pudding

Grant's Take:  "This is pretty much awesome"

Sandwiched Together

It is soooo quiet around here.  (This is not a complaint, simply an observation)  So quiet in fact that I had to bust out some CD's that hardly ever make their way out of their jewel case just to keep me from thinking too much. (which is what I tend to do when it's too quiet.  Too much thinking, not a good thing)  Today I even pulled out the CD that the Honor Choir recorded and popped it in my player.  So made me smile.

I did spend a pretty good chunk of the day outside, though.  I had told Grant that if the weather co-operated I would head out for a bit and rake up some of the leaves.  He does have a mulching blade on his mower, but 1) he hasn't had a chance to mow for quite some time and 2) not sure when the next chance to do so will be and 3) all the leaves were so wet there was no way the blade would even work.  Or the leaf blower much to my chagrin.  But I made it through the front yard! (Not going to mention how much time this actually took me, I'm just going to be thankful it's done)  But babe, if you're reading this, I am so not going to get to the backyard, even if the weather is nice ;-)

And one last thing, Happy National Sandwich Day!  Quick - what's your favorite?  I have to admit I'm torn between peanut butter and pickles and Turkey and Provolne...  In order for my group to celebrate in Illinois, I sent them with sandwich cookies! (Pink for the Bean, blue for Noah of course)  These were kind of fun to make and really easy.  I packed them all up without thinking about it, so someone there will have to let me know how they turned out :)

Candy tomorrow (after last weekend there's no shortage of that around here...) Until then...
 

Devil In the Details

Well, the gang got off safely this morning shortly after breakfast.  I'm not sure that Noah and Kayla are going to be able to contain their excitement the entire way to Illinois as they could barely make it through breakfast.  They are going to be picking up Uncle Keith on their way through Chicago and then getting to Grandpa Gary's sometime this afternoon.  Not sure what the plans are for the next few days there, but I will try to have Grant get a post or two up.

Here, I'm decked out in my maize and blue waiting for the big game.  It's rivalry week around here and people sure do take it seriously!  Dang, if I see any more Spartan Green I may puke!  But I'm busy making a hostess gift for the party I am going to tonight and keping my fingers crossed that today's game has a similar outcome to last year's.

Happy National Deviled Egg Day!  This one make me think of Papa Bevens and how much he enjoyed my Mom's deviled eggs on the holidays.  They're not up there on my favorites list, but I do like how versatile they are.  And Noah especially enjoys them.

Alright, off to finish my project and catch the game!  More tomorrow.  Until then...

Happy National Deviled Egg Day

Pickled Clams

So I already posted about the most exciting part of our day, but just a few quick things to add.  It's been another busy one for sure!

First and foremost - Happy Birthday to my most wonderful, amazing, ridiculously talented, beautiful sister Sarah!  I hope that you had a great day and enjoyed your 'song' this morning.  Mad love and wishes for many happy returns from the Gatchel crew!

Happy National Vinegar Day!  I found this a tough one to celebrate, but finally settled on pickled carrots.  Good choice as everyone here enjoyed them.  Also, Happy National Fried Clams Day!  Another seafood, another happy Gatchel kiddo clan, go figure.  Mom, these totally made me think of you as I made Cream Corn Clam Fritters, which were like hush puppies with pieces of clam in it.    Mikayla polished off three of them.

And last but not least, posts may be limited for the next few days as I'm flying solo and won't have the camera.  Grant and the kiddos are headed to Illinois to visit Grandpa Gary, Uncle Keith and Grandma Minna until Tuesday as both kiddos are off school Monday and Tuesday.  I have a couple of prior commitments here so it'll be just me and Bella ruling the roost.  I've already made foods for Saturday and Sunday to send along with my crew so they can celebrate, so I'll post those and any updates I have from here.  Perhaps Grant will be so kind as to post an update or two from Rockford!

So until the next time...

Pickled Carrots

Clam Fritters frying away

Out of the oil and ready for eating 

Hard to see but these are full of clams and corn - yum!

MOPS Halloween!

This morning, the Bean and I headed over to my friend Carrie's house for our MOPS Halloween Party.  What a blast!  The kiddos were in costume, everyone brought some amazing treats, the moms got to spend some much needed time hanging out, we made Frankenstein puddings and the most adorable pumpkin turkeys :)  I am so thankful to be able to call each and every one of these women my friend.  Though they may not know it, they have all touched or inspired me in some way (or taught me some life lesson!) and are in part responsible for my breaking more and more out of my shell lately.  And they have the most adorable kiddos :)  Thanks for one great party!

Ariel and a most beautiful fairy go for a train ride

 Snack time!

 Hey Kayla, how's the cupcake?

 Ah - Frankenstein!

 They were so proud they made their puddings on their own!

 Turkey time

 This was pre-nose, but you get the idea :)