BUSY. BUSY. BUSY

The last few days have been filled with errands, getting groceries, an evening birthday party for a friend of Hannah's, and lots and lots of getting ready for the big party this weekend. My baby is turning 4!!!

So as if the big party day wasn't enough for this upcoming weekend, Hannah has a karate tournament tomorrow. And for any mother who has children that compete individually, you know the stress that these tournaments can bring. I want for my daughter to do her best. And when she thinks her best is good enough, and the judges don't, and she becomes upset, it affects a Mother's Heart, don't you know, and a Gramma's heart, so says both Gramma and Gramie. We're thinking with her age and her belt rank, maybe there won't be too many kids competing in her group. We'll see. But at any rate she starts competing at 2:00 and it'll be a long afternoon, that's for sure.

With Rachel's party on Sunday afternoon, and Gramie wanting to attend both the tournament and the birthday party, Gramie asked if she could spend the night with us rather than make the 40 mile drive home and back the next day. The girls are excited to have Gramie spending the night at their house.

So with the big tournament happening tomorrow, I've been trying to get things done what I could ahead of time for the party on Sunday. Cleaning, making frosting, making salsa, more cleaning. I'm currently taking a break which is why I'm blogging. :)

I'm discovering that as I get older, I have become a lot more laid back and less stressed when it comes to hosting birthday parties. I still want it all to be themed well, and perfect, but I don't get so stressed anymore, or at least I don't think so. Others may think so. :) But really, I don't think I do.

And with that, I just realized I have to leave to go pick Hannah up from school shortly and I am still in house cleaning clothes. I'm off to spray shower cleaning chemicals in the shower (afterall, the MIL is coming and she may want to shower) and go pick up the Karate Kid from school.

Happy Weekend!!

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

For years and years, I made chocolate chip cookies following the Nestle Tollhouse recipe. But in the last year, my mom found the following recipe somewhere on her search for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I've used this recipe the last several times in making chocolate chip cookies and the definitely are THE BEST!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 ½ C. Butter or margarine. softened
1 1/4 C. Sugar
1 1/4 C. Brown sugar, packed
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
2 eggs
4 C. All purpose flour
2 tsp. Baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 (12 ounce) bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (I use walnuts) - optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Dough will be stiff. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

On an ungreased cookie sheet, drop by tablespoon, 2 inches apart.

Bake 11-13 minutes.

Cool 1-2 minutes on the cookie sheet, remove from cookie sheet and cool on cooling rack.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies

Fashion Show

A Week ago last Thursday, was the final night of the women's summer workshops through the Women's Ministry at church. All summer long they had done studies to improve the 'inside', but this night was dedicated to showing ways of improving the 'outside', all the while maintaining a modest and fashionable appearance.

One of the girls in charge of the evening contacted the fashion show director through Nordstroms. Her and her team of models came and put on a fashion show of the newest things fashionable for this Fall. There were so many cute clothes they modeled, and probably pricey considering it was Nordstroms, but it was a fun.It was a fun evening and very well thought out. There were four or five servers that came around with large serving trays of appetizers and finger foods. Special drinks consisting of Sprite, a splash of grenadine syrup, and a cherry were served in tall fluted glasses for the occasion. Definitely felt like you were at a fashion show...with a lot less skin and cleavage showing. LOL.

The 2008 Olympics Come to an End

The 2008 Olympics have officially come to an end.

Thanks to our TiVo, we saw everything we wanted to see (all the swimming and gymnastics) and a lot of stuff we were partially interested in (diving, some track and field). The rest of the stuff we fast forwarded through and stopped at the interesting stuff that jumped out. Last weekend our TiVo box was full (it holds 70 hours!!). We have watched so many hours of the Olympics, I am kinda glad to see them come to a close, I'm Olympic'd out. LOL.

How much of the Olympics did you see and what was your favorite thing to watch??

PTA / Room Mom Stuff

There was a PTA meeting on Tuesday afternoon. I found out about it last minute, and it worked out great to go as I was down one kid, Rachel was with Grandpa Steve on his work route. Hannah and I grabbed a Starbucks and back to school we went for the meeting.

Lots of things happening and getting underway for the new school year ahead. I like to go to these meetings and usually start off the new school year going, but then get frustrated with the fact that my preschooler is a little disruptive, talkative, etc. But I was assured the other day to keep coming and stay involved. There are a few other moms with preschool aged kids, so that'll give Rachel some kids to sit and color with, etc. So, I hope to go to the PTA meetings they have once a month and stay informed and get more involved, etc.

One of the holdbacks of getting involved more is the fact that I have a preschooler at home, and I don't want to be bugging my mom to watch her all the time. However, I learned this week, from a mom who has a preschooler, that our principal is really big on having the younger siblings accompany the volunteering mom to the school. He likes kids and enjoys interacting with the younger ones as well. I was excited to hear this. I need our principal to get to know Rachel's face and her personality, as I will more than likely need his "approval" on Rachel getting into that school for Kindergarten in the 2009-2010 school year (boy, that sounds weird).

I met with our teacher yesterday afterschool to talk about what she needs from me as her Room Mom this year. And sadly, she's not used to having someone so willing to help. She's used to doing most of the work herself. This is the second year in a row that I've heard that from a teacher. Sad. But I offered my help in how ever she may need me to help or gather help, etc. It was nice getting to talk to her for a bit. And just as I presumed, Hannah's teacher is a Disney Fanatic. Even had a Minnie/Mickey Mouse topper atop her wedding cake. She even admitted to her desire to have gotten married at Disneyland, but knew she'd probably still be paying on it. LOL. Hooray for Disney Fanatic teachers!

This morning, we had a Room Mom meeting to discuss Room Mom duties for the year, etc. Nothing new to me. Same things as last year. It looks to be a great year, there are a bunch of other moms whom I've worked with in years past. I'm excited for the new possibilities that lie ahead in the school year to come.

Grumbling

My mom wrote an excellent post the other day on grumbling.

I like what she said about how our grumbling doesn't even have to be spoken verbally. Grumbling can include the mutterings and things we say, or even think, to ourselves.

And that got me to thinking about how in this day and age of technology, how many people use their blogs, their MySpace moods and status, or even their Facebook status to grumble, complain, and be negative.

Just another area for us as Christians, and followers of the Lord, to check ourselves.

MSBNC Poll

Here's our chance to let the media know where we stand on our faith in God, as a nation.

NBC is taking a poll on whether or not "In God We Trust" should stay on our American currency. Vote, let your voice be heard.

"In God We Trust"