Kids tell it like it is

So Saturday night Dan decides we are going out to dinner then to Yogurt Mountain for dessert. If you don't know what yogurt mountain is let me fill you in, it is a self serve frozen yogurt (I use that word lightly) shop with I think like 15 different flavors to choose from and probably double that of toppings. You fill your cup pile on the toppings then the moment of truth...45cents an ounce...ouch!

So we pack up the kids in the wagon and head out 280, after dinner and some light shopping we walk on over to YM. Excitedly we fill our cups with flavor combinations that don't really work once they melt together in the bottom of the cup and head outside to enjoy. After eating his yogurt down to the last drop, scraping out the cup, and even tipping it up tapping out the last drop Caleb puts down his cup and says "I'm gonna exercise tomorrow." The lady sitting next to him chuckles thinking this is funny. I reply with "that's what I keep saying I'm gonna exercise tomorrow."
Caleb looks right at me and says "mom you never exercise" I thought the lady next to him was going to fall out of her chair laughing. "Your right Caleb. "

Super Mario Birthday Party

So the Mario Party has come and gone and my little boy is 8 now YIKES how did that happen? Sometimes when I am working on an epic party like this one I wonder am I crazy why do I take all this on? The answer to that question is simple because time flies way to fast and my children are growing up right in front of my eyes and epic parties like this one will be a great memory for him.
So how did the birthday go? To quote Caleb "That was the best birthday ever!"...success!

Here's the Birthday Boy now we know what he'd look like with a handlebar mustache...it works. The fabulous cake was made by my sister Paula and as you can see was incredible!

Our plan was throughout the party the kids would win coins for the various games then at the end of the party they would cash the coins in for prizes...this is our prize table.

Upon arrival each child picked a coin box inside the coin revealed if they were a Mario or a Luigi then they got their hat and mustache.
The week before his party Caleb drew, cut, and colored Mario decorations..he was very serious about this project Good Job Caleb!

Wii play station the kids took turns as they arrived

Yoshi eggs for a game called Yoshi egg smash I cracked a small hole in the eggs, shook out the insides, cleaned them, and filled them with confetti and a few with gold stars. The kids then smashed them against a wall to see if they got a star and won a coin. I can't believe I didn't get a pic of the smashing!

All our Marios and Luigis and of course Princess Peach


Dan was our official Bowzer in Bowzer Tag

Now on to some of that yummy Mario cake

And finally to destroy the pinata I spent all week gluing, but all those layers of news paper paid off because it took a lickin!


The stick broke before the pinata did!

It was a great birthday and I think everyone had a great time, but most of all Caleb had a GREAT 8th birthday!

EAT like the Loudons

On the table this week

Sunday- Penna with Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms and fresh basil pesto
Monday-Fresh Corn and Bacon Risitto with Seared Scallops
Tuesday-Kids Cooking Night- Crunchy coated Chicken Breasts with Broccoli
Wednesday-picnic in the park
Thursday-??TBA
Friday- Pizza night
Saturday-Slow Smoked Beef Brisket, corn on the cob, slaw

One of my dreams

I dream of a cottage with gingerbread trim, dressed in white furnished with things that are completly not practical. A place of romance and charm completly lacking in practically and functionality, I have found that place it is in the Catskills created by a woman who apparently shares my dreams. It's always inspiring to see those who make their dreams come true and are creative and handy enough to do it themselves. This cottage speaks to my soul...however I do dream of a place with a bathroom and kitchen.

On Location - Dream of a Home Takes the Shape of a Victorian Retreat - NYTimes.com

EAT like the Loudons

On the table this week - I know I posted this Thursday which is a little late for this week but work with me
Monday: Greek Grilled Chicken with Brown Rice and Sauteed Squash and Zucchini from the garden :)
Tuesday: KIDS NIGHT Bacon Egg and Tomato Tarts with Buttercrisp Salad
Wednesday: Church
Thursday: Chicken Fried Steak with Green Salad (saw a TV show on fried food across America and eversince then I have wanted this)
Friday: Pizza Night

Still Here

Yes the Loudons are still alive and well! With that said let's move on I could tell you I am going to be better about blogging so check back often but I don't want to make any promises I may not keep!
Summer is in full swing here at the Loudons the garden is going crazy, we all have bronzed bodies from days at the pool and with summer comes kids cooking night. Last year the kids had so much fun cooking dinner once a week I decided to do it again plus its a great fun way to work in some math and reading. They get to come up with the menu(with a little guidance) and then I help them make it.

This was our first week and Caleb knew what he wanted to make,Tomato tarts...yum!
Ella made a Buttercrisp Salad with a Red Wine Vinaigrette and dinner was complete. They are getting to be good little chefs.

Ella is 5

Here I am almost a week late but we all know the saying, so I will spare us. Last week was a busy one but of my own choosing because my sweet" baby" turned 5 I know I almost can't believe it my self that Ella is 5! She has been such a gift and such a joy. I am so gald God has given me this girlie girl. Weeks before her birthday we had discussed all the possible birthday ideas...sleepover, strawberry shortcake, makeup, you name it we talked about it and then about 2 weeks before her birthday she decided she wanted a cooking party. I know it sounds funny but I loved the idea.



As her friends showed up at the house I had chef hats for them to decorate

Once they were all arrived they put on their aprons and we got to cooking

I started them off with decorating cupcakes and tried to teach them to use the pastry bag, they did not master that :) and needed much assistance. Then they added sprinkles, as much as they wanted fun right?

Once they were happy with the cupcakes they made we moved on to making pizza, their challenge was to try new ingredients and make a funny face pizza.

With the pizzas in the oven we moved on to making fruit sticks, yes I tried to give them something healty. Now all that was left to do was eat!

It was a successful party and everything went well but having four 4 yr olds come over to cook is not for the faint of heart! Most of all Ella had a great time and will always remember her 5th cooking birthday party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET GIRL!