RANDOM THOUGHT

Why, why, why do I feel compelled to keep SO MANY magazines around? I get so excited when they come in the mail, and then they sit, sit, sit waiting for me to get around to them. Why do I think I will have time to lounge around in my cozy p.j's catching up on recipes, child rearing, financial advice, tips on clearing out clutter (a.k.a piles of magazines), and the really important stuff like whether or not Brad and Angelina will have even MORE babies.

I guess its because I keep thinking..."Oh, I totally will read this at work, at the gym, in the bathroom, at the Dr.'s office, while the kids do homework, or in the car at stoplights!". Maybe I'll read it when I catch up on 6 years of scrapbooking my children's lives, finish my unfinished knitting projects, paint my kitchen, read nutrition books, organize closets, rake leaves, etc.

So, this past evening, I bit the bullet and bundled up 147 magazines. Yep, I counted. Impressive number wouldn't you say? No, I'm not giving up my subscriptions, I'm just releasing myself from the "I have to finish reading that" pressure. I love my Oprah magazine. Rachael Ray. Country living. Redbook. Family handyman. (ok, that's Paco's) The Cosmo mags and Entertainment weekly my Mom gives me. I just can't give 'em up!!

And, Im not giving them ALL up, I'm taking some of them to work with me, because, of course, I will read them during lunch....on my breaks...during meetings...

BIG LOSER

We have started up a friendly little competition at work, following the idea of "The biggest loser" T.V show. It involves a 90 day weight loss challenge. Everyone who was interested paid a $25.00 "registration" fee, and was weighed in. Whomever loses the greatest percentage of weight by Feb. 4th wins some serious bucks! I was able to get 20 people to participate, so the 1st place winner will take home $350.00! (2nd place - $100, 3rd place - $50).

It's been a fun first week. I am very competitive by nature, so that has been great motivation for me. It's also fun to have such a large support system. Sure, there is alot of "friendly-fire" between us, but we're all in this together! I was even able to get Paco to participate!

So far, Paco and I are doing great. He dropped a quick 7 pounds the first week, I've lost 5. I had lost 7 pounds before that, so in reality I'm down 12 pounds! We have both been faithful about going to the gym for the past few months, and it finally feels like more of a habit than something we "have to do". I've been going 4 days a week, and am really starting to notice a difference! I either go in the early morning before work, or in the afternoons on Paco's day off so he can be with the kids. Other times, I take the kids with me and they get to swim while I swim laps. My point is, I know I HAVE to get my time in one way or another. Wish us luck, it will be a fun 90 days!

GO TEAM SUTTON!!

MRS. M

Last year, we put Gracie in all-day kindergarten. Yes, it was expensive, but we needed the flexibility with our work schedules and she was SO eager for school. Needless to say, she was tremendously successful, and, even with missing a month of school due to illness, she graduated from Kindergarten with flying colors. I credit alot of this to Mrs. M, her teacher.

Mrs. M is a gentle, caring, patient and all-out amazing teacher who will have a spot in our hearts forever. When Grace was hospitalized with meningitis and subsequently home-bound with an I.V line for 2 weeks following, Mrs. M spoke with her every day. She kept her up to date on the fun things that were going on in the classroom. Her classmates made her 22 get-well cards. When we stopped by to visit and pick up some school work, she was greeted with loving hugs and "I missed you's". In their "end of the year" scrapbooks, she included a letter to be opened on the day they graduate from high school. Over this past summer, she sent all her Kindergartners postcards from Maui. She made "her kids" feel loved and full of self worth. She was willing to put forth alot of extra effort to do the extra things. This is what makes her remarkable. To Gracie, all of these things meant the world to her. The last day of Kindergarten was tough on all of us. We really felt like she was family to us. We talk of Mrs. M all the time.

Fast forward to today. As we were perusing the apples at the grocery store today, we heard a familiar voice behind us saying "Is that my Gracie?". There she was...Mrs. M. Gracie ran to her and they had a big hug. It was a wonderful moment. She asked us what class Grace was in this year, and when we told her she was in a 1/2 combo class she said "Oh I am so glad! I recommended that she be placed in that class because it would be more challenging for her. It's a privilege for her to be there." Mrs. M was so good about recognizing Gracie's ability and eagerness to learn. We had a wonderful visit, lots more hugs, and a promise to go and visit her old classroom soon. As we parted ways, I had a bittersweet feeling of affection and appreciation for how she has changed our lives.

Thank you, Mrs. M. We will never forget you.

COLE'S REPORT

Last week, Cole and Dad were hard at work putting together Cole's report on a nocturnal animal of his choosing. He chose the Black Panther. He had to do his own research, and complete all the work himself. Together, he and Dad did a great job, and Cole's presentation went great! He LOVES to present in front of people, and knowing him, he was as "loud and proud" (that is Mr. Porter's phrase for Cole) as ever. Here's a photo of him with his visual part of his report...Great job Cole! We're so proud!

COLE'S 8TH BIRTHDAY...CONTINUED

Cole's birthday is on October 30, the day before Halloween. It was a busy day! As is tradition at our house, the kids had cupcakes with their breakfast. They always look forward to this! Later, Dad brought his class cupcakes after lunch, and his class also had their "Nocturnal party" (a.k.a halloween party). That evening, we stayed home and kept things pretty low-key.

We had pumpkin pizza...

Spider and eyeball cupcakes...and of course, opened presents, sang happy birthday and ate!

COLE'S 8th BIRTHDAY

We have literally been celebrating Cole's birthday for 2 weeks now! First, it was the party at Savageland with all his buddies...Cole and Joseph...

Cole's "oldest" friend! Christopher...
Joseph, Cole and Sean....

Gracie and our neighbor Carollynn...The whole gang!!

It was a busy 2 hours...but went very smoothly and everyone had a great time!Happy Birthday Buddy!

HALLOWEEN 2009

I realized last night that I never posted Halloween photos! This year the kids dressed up as G.I. Joe and a cheerleader....
On Halloween night, we met up with the other families from Cole's soccer team at a Halloween party that one of the families put on. There was lots of snacks, drinks, games and fun to be had. Afterwards, the whole group (about 15 kids) went trick-or-treating together. It was a fun way to trick-or-treat....then they started up a fire and we just stood around and visited while the kids ran amok.... Don't mess with G.I. Joe!Austin and Hunter. Harry Potter x 2!One of Darin and Allison's pumpkins...

PUMPKIN DIP

I came across a great, yummy, delicious recipe for pumpkin dip! Serve it with apple slices for a healthy treat!! My kids loooooove it!

Pumpkin Dip

3/4 cup (6 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese *

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

2 teaspoons maple syrup *

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

24 apple slices

*I used fat free cream cheese

*I didn't have "true" maple syrup, so I just used some light pancake syrup. Tasted great!

I also added a little extra cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice for extra flavor. To make it even prettier, you could add a scoop of fat-free cool whip on the top!!

Place first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add syrup and cinnamon, and beat until smooth. Cover and chill 30 minutes. Serve with apple. Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 2 tablespoons dip and 2 apple slices)

CALORIES 107 FAT 3.2g FIBER 1.4g

Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2003

FALL FUN

REMEMBER ME?

Yeah, me!! I haven't dropped off the face of the planet...I've just been busy. Swamped really. I've got all sorts of fun things to post about...Cole's birthday parties, Halloween, etc. Maybe tomorrow. Or perhaps the day after.

Frankly dear friends, Denise is pooped.