The sound of silence

Oh, how I love the sound of silence......

Yep....nap time.. isn't that just about every stay at home Mom's dream?! 

We just got back from Webster City and I just put the kids down for a nap.  I would say I wore them out...just a little.  I had to run a check over for Brett at Farm Credit so we did a little shopping too.  We don't have a Kmart in Iowa Falls so it's nice to run over there sometimes and see what they have compared to Walmart here in town.  So I don't know about you other Mom's out there but I can't pass up the toy aisle to see what's new.  I know my kids have too many toys already but, hey, a new toy is always fun right? So last weekend Grandpa and Grandma Halvorsen came over to see the kids and Grandma Ruth and Brandt were pretend grocery shopping.  Brandt had the scanner "beep" noise perfected,  just like it sounds.  I thought to myself wouldn't it be fun if they had a cash register to play with instead of pretending......

So....................

Yeah... I couldn't resist.... and what is a cash register without some groceries right?!  I think this Mama will be playing with them too! (BIG smile) 

Also.. I couldn't pass this up either.........

Who doesn't want a cute summer halter dress right? I can't wait till Alivia can wear it (come on summer)

Since my "sound of silence" isn't going to last long I better go enjoy it while I can...

Till next time.........

Preschool

I can't believe Brandt (my oldest child) is 4 and in preschool.  He started last August and he LOVES it. It hasn't always been this easy though.. the 1st week and half he went he would scream and cry for me to take him home ( I was "That Mom" again) !  After the 1st week I decided that I would practice taking him to preschool here at home.  After practicing with him at home, it worked.  Brandt just needed the reassurance that I was coming back to pick him up since he is used to staying at home with me all day.   Anyways, like I said he LOVES it now.  It's not even a question anymore if he wants to go to preschool.. it's always a YES ( thank goodness). 

Here is one day before school.......

Here is his 1st day of preschool 

(why can't it be summer right now?)

Since preschool has started he has really enjoyed comparing pictures, writing and tracing letters along with writing his own name... Here is the workbook that we were working on today from Grandma Ruth....

Here is his name he wrote......

All in all preschool is a success with him!:) Good job Brandt!

Look who thinks she owns our bed today.......

Here are the kids earlier today............

I know what you are thinking?! Does she ever dress those kids?!

Today is a snow day so they have stayed in their pajamas all day!:)  Alivia you ask? Yep, she's content with just a t-shirt on and a diaper! 

Till next time........

Driving Dog?!

Today I was looking through my photos and I came across this.....

 "I think I can... I think I can"... says Bella! (Ha)                             

Could you imagine if you were passing me on the interstate that day.  Would you want to swerve into the other lane?! ( Ha Ha)  And they say dog's aren't human?! (wink) Hmmmm......

Yesterday I told you Brandt went ice fishing with his "Pops".  He did so good, and look what the little stud ended up catching....

     Notice the paper towel? He didn't want to touch it because it was too slimy( hilarious!)      

Here's another one... let me remind you that this was his 1st time out ice fishing

(this Mama was very impressed)

Lately, Alivia has been "acting" like me.......

"Yes, I am listening!"

Hello?! Are you still there?!

"Oh there you are.. I thought I lost you!"

What a ham!:) She cracks me up.. I guess Mommy spends a little too much time on the phone!(ha)

Have a good evening everyone!

Till next time........

A Case of the Monday's!

Today is a LAZY Monday ( a case of the Monday's) along with this past weekend.  We had a ice storm this past weekend that kept all of us inside all weekend.  The ice made my dog, Bella, have a hard time getting up and down our front steps to go potty, ( I mentioned in another post it's a challenge to get her to go potty anyways) so this was quite humorous to us.  As we watched Bella wipe out probably 5 times,  it's safe to say that Bella is thrilled the ice storm is over!:)

My Dad came in today to take Brandt ice fishing, he was so "EXCITED"!  He told me he needed his swimsuit on to go fishing, I thought that was funny because he's use to fishing at Clear Lake, IA on the boat in his swimsuit (ha).   Brandt has yet to learn what it's like fishing in the cold on the ice, hope he lasts out there.  

Alivia today is a little off.. I think she FINALLY may be getting her canine teeth(let's hope).  It's crazy that she has all of her teeth but her 4 canine teeth. 

Tonight I have Zumba, which I am looking forward to getting out of the house after that long weekend we had being cooped inside.  However, as I am looking out the window right now and see fog I think do I really want to drive in that?! Hope it clears before I leave... either way I am still going:)

Alivia is napping, Brandt is fishing, laundry needs folded, toys need picked up, and I need to rest before I am out the door(ha) ! Have a good LAZY Monday everyone!

Till next time....

ZUMBA Much?!

   

Zumba, what is it you ask?!  

"It's an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party!" 

I LOVE Zumba so much how can I not blog about it.  I teach Zumba class twice a week at a local gym we have.  Some people ask me how did you get started doing that?  Funny and true story, one night I was sitting in the recliner watching TV and an infomercial came on and it happened to be Zumba.  Wow, I was so inspired by the dancing, music and of course the "high energy" people that were having FUN teaching it.  After watching that I did a lot of thinking of how FUN would that be if I could go teach that to people and still get in a high calorie workout for myself away from my KIDS!:) The next morning or two I went to my computer and typed it in and found a Zumba training in Newton, IA.. I asked Brett about it and he agreed that I would probably like that and be good at it.  So that evening I signed up for the ALL day training at Newton, IA ( March 2012) ! I was so excited to start this journey!

That day I did the ALL day training, I came home EXHAUSTED! Dancing 8 straight hours in one day was mind blowing:) After my all day training I started to put together a routine of 12 songs and learn them as fast I could.. about 4 weeks later I started my 1st class at the gym and I haven't stopped!:) It will be a year in April since I have been teaching it. 

I have been bringing a good crowd in and I just LOVE it... it gives me such a good feeling to know people like it and come and have FUN doing it!  If you want a FUN workout to try.. ZUMBA it is.  People tell me how bored running on the treadmill and doing the eliptical is and that they love Zumba because you don't have to think or you are just too busy having fun that the time just passes.  My class is 45 minutes of intense cardio with "latin" music combined with "pop" songs that you all are familiar with.  Zumba is for everyone (any age)

Here are some "FUN" pictures I found of ZUMBA..........

                                                         

So what are you waiting for? Go out and find a Zumba class to try today!:)

Till next time...........
                                   

What's for Supper?!

Tonight and the other night for Bunco I made this yummy dish...

Baked Club Sandwich Rolls

This is what you need:

Deli shaved ham ( 2 ounces but I used more)

Deli shave turkey (2 ounces but I used more)

1 (11 ounce can Pillsbury Refrigerated Crusty French Loaf)

Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese( I used Colby& Monterey Jack tonight)

1 pound bacon(I used the other night but not tonight)

Cookie sheet

Pam cooking spray

Take your cooking sheet and spray pam cooking spray all over it.  Preheat your oven for 350 degrees

Next open your pillsbury french loaf and spread it all over the cookie sheet... (as shown below)

Next add your cheese by sprinkling it all over the dough

Next add your ham and turkey deli meat and layer it all over

(and if you have bacon sprinkle it all over the top of this)

Now take one of the corner edges and start rolling it up like so

(make sure you tuck the sides in as you keep rolling along)

Once you have it all rolled up, cut 3 or 4 seams on the top of it like this

Now put it in the oven for 24-28 minutes or until golden brown

(once cooked you can cut it into 1 inch diagonal slices)

Final product looks like this only its not half eaten(ha) sorry I forgot to take a picture of it before we started eating it!:)

P.S. It's good dipped in Honey Mustard

It was "Delicious".  What's for supper or dinner at your house this weekend? 

Till next time....................

"THAT" Mom

Today I was "THAT" Mom............

Where did "The Pig Farmer's Wife" go today you ask?! 

 Of course, to the Pork show, where else?!

Anyways, let's just put it this way.  I was..............

"THAT" Mom who decided to get a pop at the concession stand(BIG mistake) Alivia wanted it all... to HERSELF

"THAT" Mom who buckled her daughter in the stroller and she started to scream

"THAT" Mom who was being stared at by everyone wondering if I was going to leave or get my kid under control

"THAT" Mom who got asked at least 4 times.. long day huh? Even though we were only there for like 30 minutes so far... 

"THAT" Mom who somebody felt sorry enough for or wanted my kid to stop screaming to come up and give Alivia a candy bar 

"THAT" Mom that noticed Alivia wasn't eating the candy bar so I tried to sneak it away from her but she noticed and decided to have another melt down

"THAT" Mom that was trying to get to the exit doors as fast as I could as everybody was staring at us and whispering about us

"THAT" Mom that finally got her calmed down in the entry way

"THAT" Mom who decided maybe bringing her was a bad idea

and FINALLY.... "THAT" Mom who just wanted to crawl in a hole

Well, you get the drift how that went right?! HA! The funny part of all this is as we were walking out to the car Alivia was smiling away because she had gotten her way.. she got to leave!:) I'm sure all of you Mom's have been through this and can relate to this story.. HA HA, or at least I am hoping you have or I am really regretting this post..(insert laugh)

The best part of the day was being able to spend the day with my little family.  

Here are pictures from the rest of our day.......

Before we went into the show

Happy as a clam (before)

Brandt posing by a pig

Hubby in front of a unique manure pump

My thought was "this would be perfect for ZUMBA"

Brandt and his Daddy after the show

Upper level view

Hi Mom.. you still love me right?! (after)

Let me add.. Brandt however was GREAT... this was right up his alley.. he had a blast!

Till next time.............

Go Potty BELLA!!!!

So the other day I noticed that kids REALLY do pay attention to everything you do and say.  Yes, my daughter Alivia does run to the door when we let our dog Bella out and yells "GO POTTY BELLA"!  Let's just say that I might have had something to do with that, ha!  Lately here in Iowa it has been SO cold so Bella doesn't want to go outside, not even to go potty! 

The rest of the day we have been just hanging out and enjoying our day that involves..........

     You want me to do what?! Lol

                                                Hello Kitty Boots

                                                My little Princess

                                 My little Batman and Batbear

                                  Our little "Schnoodle" Bella 

Have a great Wednesday everyone! Till next time........

My 1st Blog EVER!

Hello,

As you see in the title, this is my 1st EVER blog.  I am excited about this new journey and becoming a frequent blogger.  For those of you who don't know me that is my husband Brett and I in the above picture. I know what you are thinking.. pig farmer's and we pose like that?, let's just say I begged him to take "fun" pictures. HA!

And here are our children, Brandt (4 years old) and Alivia (1 years old)

Today I dropped Brandt off at Preschool and needed to get groceries so I decided I was going to have a vacation and drop Alivia off at my Mom's. Yes, going to the grocery store without kids is like a vacation to me, i'm sure all of you other Mom's know what I mean.  As I was shopping at the grocery store I came upon this really cute older couple at the pizza section arguing over what kind of pizza they wanted and if they had enough room in their freezer to get 2 pizzas over 1 pizza.  I couldn't help but laugh and think if that's the only thing you ever have to worry about when you are older.. what a treat! HA!  

Well, that's all I got for today everyone... I look forward to doing more blog posts soon! Till next time..............