One fine meal

Tonight I made something that made my whole famliy happy and I just had to share about it.  It may not look pretty (cassoroles rarely do) but it tastes great.  What is this ugly mess you see above that had my whole family asking for seconds?  Shepard's pie.  Meat, vegatbles, gravy and mashed potatoes all in one dish creating a wonderful homey dish that leaves everyone feeling full and sastified. 

This is dish I did not grow up eating.  I actually have my dear friend Alison to thank for introducing this great dish from across the pond (I love that phrase).  She was preggo with her first child and all she could stomach was mashed potatoes.  First I was shocked she was cooking in the first place but if Ali could make this surely I could too (I know that sounds a bit wicked of me but trust me Al and I's friendship is based on a healty competitve nature).  So five years later I have finally perfected this masterpiece of home cookery.  In fact Cooper told me that it was as good as snack and treats!  Now that is a compliment any mama would be proud to hear.

Who Cares if the Water is Brown?

So Aunt Jessica called and wanted to know if the boys and I would like to go to Galveston with her and her girls. Of course, I jumped at the chance to get some beach fun in with six extra hands to help watch the boys. Throw Aunt Becky in and we had us some fabulous brown water fun!
This was the boy's first trip to the beach and from the moment we got there they loved it. I thought Butter Bean might not like the water and String Bean would freak out over water in his face but it seems I was underestimating my boys. String Bean got braver and braver and kept asking us to take him further out. Butter Bean was determined to catch a bird and spent most of his time running after them.
We had a picnic lunch and swam some more and had to leave due to sheer exhaustion from holding String Bean  up in the waves. On the way home I realized that I did not get all of my back and felt the sunburn starting to set in. Fast forward two hours later and I make lobsters look pale in comparison! Luckily the boys did not get burned at all. Poor husband had to work but wanted us to go anyway. Hopefully we can make it back down there before the summer is over!

Its a bird, its a plane, no its super String Bean!

We had the best playdate today and I just want to share some photos! The kids decorated their own mask and got their own cape and super here badge to wear. They had fun running around even though I don't know if they were quite sure what they celebrating! I had lots of fun cutting all this stuff last night and playing with puff paint! Enjoy the photos, our new friends Karys, Luke, Jillian and Eli made the day super special!

Summer

I just noticed that it has been over two months since I last posted something! I guess you could say we have just been busy doing lots of little things this summer. We swim and ride bikes and go to play dates with our friends. Preschool will be starting up the first of September and String Bean is very excited. I know I should be excited too but part of me would rather just keep him home and teach him things myself! Isn't that crazy? I should be happy for the break during the day but I guess I don't see it that way. I recently went to the teachers' supply store and got several activity books and "learning toys" and was all set to start teaching him to read. I know I can still do those things but I can't help but feel I have outsourced part of my responsibility!

Enough of that, lets move on to Butter Bean.  Little Butter Bean is quickly becoming a little stinker of first rate. He likes to take away anything String Bean  is holding and smash all block tower within a 5 mile radius. The last of his teeth are coming in and so the biting episodes are back and poor String Bean is the recipient of most of them.

String Bean told me the other day that he wants Butter Bean to live in his room! I was so excited since this is our master plan. Of course, String Bean might regret saying that once it happens!

We have a super hero themed play date this Friday. I promise to post pictures!