16 days till Mexico

And I could really use the break.  Here's what my next 2 weeks look like.  Swimming, yoga, volleyball, school, homework, swimming for the kids, Tae kwon do, dancing, cubs, scouts, parent teacher interviews, Terry Fox run, volunteer for field trips, doctors appointment, Relief Society broadcast, General conference, volunteer three days of nature school, more parent teacher interviews, another Terry Fox run, visiting teaching, cleaning, laundry, and packing.  That beach is sounding pretty good right now. Just give me some sun, a fruity drink and all will be well!

Becky's Best Brownies

Many years ago (16 to be exact), after I graduated from high school, I went to Germany to work as an au pair for a year.  For a treat once, I made some brownies from the Hershey cookbook called Best Brownies.  The Glanzmanns loved them and it has been the favorite for birthdays even to this day.  They call them Becky's Best Brownies.  Vanessa just had her 21st birthday and thats what her Mom made this year for her cake. Here's the recipe:

Best Brownies

1 cup butter or margarine - melted
2 cups white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chopped nuts(optional)

Blend butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl.  Add eggs.  Beat well.  Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually blend into egg mixture.  Stir in nuts.  Spread in greased 9 x 13 in pan.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 mins (I bake mine for 25-30) or till brownie pulls away from edge of pan.

Creamy Brownie Frosting

3 Tbsp butter or margarine - softened
3 Tbsp cocoa
1 Tbsp light corn syrup or honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup icing sugar
1-2 Tbsp milk

Cream butter, cocoa, corn syrup, and vanilla in small mixer bowl.  Add icing sugar and milk.  Beat to spreading consistency.

Yum, yum, yum!!

By the way, the brownie recipe has been doubled but not the icing.  I found there was too much icing if you double it too, but that's just me.

Last Night's Supper

So last night, we went out to eat for Adam's birthday and I don't think we have ever had such bad service at a resturant before.  I guess our first clue should have been the fact that we got the same waitress that we had there before and she sucked then.  It started when Brad ordered a diet pepsi with a wedge of lime and he got a regular pepsi with no lime.  He mentioned it to the waitress and then had to ask another waitress to finally get it.  So then we ordered; just a burger, steak sandwich, and some kids meals and over half an hour later the meals finally came, but Brad got fries instead of the ceaser salad he ordered and a refill of regular pepsi.  Keep in mind, it is now 8:30pm on a week night so it is not super busy.  In the meantime, before the meals came, Brad had asked to speak to the manager just to make him aware of the situation.  So he offered us one free dessert (besides the free one they were giving Adam for his birthday) and apoligized for what had happened.  The waitress never asked once how the meal was and took forever to come take the dessert order.  (Brad had to get up and get the dessert menu himself).  We then waited 10-15 minutes for some ice cream and a chocolate cake.  So before they came we got up to leave and just pay at the front desk on the way out.  As we waited for the bill, the manager came out with the desserts, suprised that we were leaving, and asked if we wanted the desserts to go.  I left with the kids (we had two cars) while Brad stayed to talk to the manager.  I guess in the end we got the meal for free, but it was a disappointing night as this resturant is a family favorite of ours.

Amendment to the First day of School

I got a call from the vice principle today.  I like how she started "Don't worry, the kids are fine" cause of course the first thing thats going to go through my mind with a call from the school is "What Happened?"  Anyways, she just wanted to let me know that they were making another grade two class so Amy will no longer be in the 2/3 split but in a class with just grade 2ers and her teacher is going to be Mrs. Murphy.  Mrs. Murphy was the other teacher in Jenny's combined kindergarten class last year and she is great.  She is really fun and Amy is excited.

First Day of School and Adam's Birthday

It came and went and I survived.  And the kids loved it.  The morning started out okay and we weren't even rushing out the door.  We even managed scripture study, father's blessings, breakfast and pictures.   Then it was off to the school.  Adam was first to find out who his teacher was.  He has Mrs. Johnson in the morning and Mrs. Brazier in the afternoon.  He had Mrs. Brazier for grade four and liked her so he was happy.  And he is in the same class as two of his good buddies, Drew and Hanna so that is great too.  

Next, we went to the grade one door to find out who Jenny got.  Her teacher this year is Mrs. Snashall who was Amy's teacher last year.  Amy really liked her so she was hoping Jenny would get her.  And Jenny is happy.  She also has some of her friends from last year in her class and so now we have one more to go.  We went to find Amy's door and when we found the grade two lists, she wasn't on them.  A little confused, we asked one of the teachers and she was about to direct us to the office when she remembered that there was a grade 2/3 split and sure enough, that is where we found Amy's name.  So she is in a class with some grade three's, but that's okay.  She, as well, has kids in her class that she knows and likes and even made a new friend today.  Her teacher is Mrs. Langford.  Billy had her in grade three and we like her as well so all around my elementary students are aiming for a great year.

Now on to Junior High.  Billy didn't seem too nervous.  He was kind of excited to be headed off to Junior High.  Brad wanted to go to the school with him to just kind of see what was going on so we went.  Billy met up with his friend Tommy on the way so we just walked a little ahead.  We got to the school and not wanting to embarrass him too much, we just let him be and went in to the school.  Later, all the kids came in and the principle kicked all the parents out so they could start their assembly and that was that.  It was just a half day today for Billy and he came home at noon very happy.  He had a good first day.  

 

Adam's Birthday

Adam with his birthday card from Grandpa Taylor

It was also Adam's birthday today.  He turns ten and he was super excited.  Unfortunatly, because it was the first day of school and he had tae kwon do after school, and the girls had dentist appointment, we didn't get to do too much for his birthday.  We will have a party next weekend.  We did go out to eat though(a whole other story), and he opened his presents and cards.  He got a new Wii game, a latch hook project, some licorice and some money. (and a trip to mexico-that is everyones birthday and Christmas).  He was a very happy boy when he went to bed.  I love you Adam.  Keep being the wonderful kid that you are!

The Dreaded First Day of School

Tomorrow is the first day of school and I am dreading the very thought of it.  I love having my kids home with me and I love not having to follow any routines.  I like staying up late and sleeping in.  Lately I have been reading to the kids at bedtime (were reading Fablehaven right now) and they've even been staying up late.  I like not running around all over the place taking the kids to their various activities.  I love going to the lake; but seeings how it hasn't been very warm this summer, and I finally have the kids activity schedules sorted out and all the school shopping is done, I say bring on the new school year. I'm ready!  As ready as I'll ever be with one going into junior high and my baby going into grade one.  What am I going to do with myself?

Girls Weekend in Raymond

On this past weekend, Brad took the boys on a fathers/sons campout with our ward, so I decided to take the girls and head to Raymond.  We did some shopping, eating out, playing at the playground (we wanted to go swimming but it was too darn cold!).  We celebrated Grandma Taylors birthday and visited Grandma Selman in her new home at the Lodge.  It was decided a few weeks ago to have her move to the Lodge but it is amazing how healthy she is for 92 and a half.  I'm so grateful to still have a grandma and to have lived close and known her all my life.