Our favorite cheap and easy meal-black beans and rice. It seems I always have the ingredients for it on hand. Noah is a true Hansen, since he loves it as well-actually there isn't much he doesn't enjoy. He's really into his utensils and tries to stab, poke, or otherwise maneuver his food onto them. He does okay most the time. Well, we're leaving town for the weekend, so I'll check in next week. Have a Happy Memorial Day!
beans n' rice
here comes summer...
Well, school is out, I'm loving the lazy pace of our mornings now, no rushed hair-dos and breakfasts. These pics are from Lauren and Chloe's class field trips to the zoo, what a morning. I took Noah and we helped out a bit, besides their classes there were at least 6 other classes from other local schools. It was kindergarten-style crazy. The gal by Chloe in the Golden Eagle picture is Brianna, her best friend. Unfortunately, they discovered they are not in the same 1st grade class, bummer. They mix up all three classes and create three new 1st grades, it will be interesting, but until then we're going to enjoy sleeping in!
P.S. Couldn't get Chloe to wear a jacket to school and the zoo, so she found out maybe Mom does know something some of the time, she found a blanket in the stroller :)
letting go....
It's been almost two years since I lived in Moscow, but I'm still attached in a lot of ways. I still occasionally check the hospital website to see if I know any babies born there, the Co-op and Daily News are bookmarked too. Anyway, on Sunday there was a guy that went crazy and shot 3 people. One of them was the sexton at the Presbyterian Church on Van Buren and 3rd. Wow, that takes me back. The summer Cody and I were married I was hired as their summer pianist and accompanist, playing all their music for Sunday services and special numbers. It's been constantly coming back to my mind this week, being there at the church and the wonderful people I knew. I just wonder how many are still there. I noticed from the newspaper article that the pastor is someone else. It's just mostly sadness I feel for those who were affected. I can't even explain why I feel so connected to that little town, it was so good to me I guess. Maybe I don't really need to let go, it will always be in a small corner of my heart. Prayers go out to the families.
before and after...
O.K. well, I had Saturday to finish this concrete staining project since Cody was home to watch Noah. The shade in the brochure "terra cotta glaze" matched our brick perfectly, but when I first rolled it on, I wasn't so sure. I really like the color, I'm just not so sure if it goes well with the brick, it needs something to tone it down. But, then I tell myself anything looks better than the gray concrete and plants in them will help also. I think I'm just not up to messing with them anymore, after the cleaning, priming, staining, and sealing marathon. I don't know, someone please give me some input. Cody says they look "fine." Ladies-or gents- some feedback please! Thanks!
happy happy birthday Noah dear...
Wow, sorry for the overload of pictures, it was hard to decide! Noah's birthday was fun, it was also Mother's Day so we had a little barbecue with Betty, Jean, Grace, and Mom and Dad. Noah was bit overwhelmed with all the action, but I think he enjoyed seeing everyone. He was a bit concerned with the flame on his tray- "Do I eat that Mom?!" When he finally figured out that cake tasted good, he ate nearly all of it. The ice cream was bit cold for him. It is hard for me to believe a year has passed. He has been such a joy, not too many challenges or troubles, a classic "easy" baby I guess. You have to appreciate that! Plus, he's just so darn handsome! It made it all the more special to share Mother's Day with him.
lovin' these faces...
Sometimes I get tired of the picture packages you get at Walmart and all those places, with the weird colored backdrops and artificial poses. I just might enlarge and put these photos on my mantle. They just seem a little more "real life" to me. Guess I'm a proud mama, I just think my children are beautiful!
ramblings...
Just can't resist photos of Noah, I know no one loves them quite like I do, sorry, you'll have to put up with me! His latest is "bonkers" he hits his forehead against yours and for some unknown reason it's funny, here Cody indulges him. Looks like it's time to recycle the newspapers, Noah likes to rearrange them in the meantime.
Landon and Shay- thanks for your book suggestions, I'm always in need of a good read or an author recommendation. I think I'll have to pass on the casebook though! It's funny how you can become so obsessed with plants. Cody is growing 24 Beefsteak plants from seed and boy those guys get babied. I have a few Tiny Tim tomatoes I'm pampering myself. How jealous I am Lans, mine will not be on my patio for several more weeks! Wishing you and Lina a bounteous harvest! :)
missing the weekend...
Was it hard for anyone else to get moving today? It must be because summer is so close or maybe waking up with Noah at 6 a.m., but I was not ready for another week :0 This past weekend Lauren and Chloe went to Salt Lake to celebrate Grace's birthday at the Build a Bear Workshop. Woah, those folks take their bears seriously. They had a great time and came home with two cute little bears, meet Cocoa (Lauren) and Whipped Cream (Chloe.) It must have been time for lunch when they were named! You get to choose and outfit your animal with whatever suits you, kind of fun. I must say it was so quiet around here, Noah napped for a couple hours while I did yard work. It was strange not having them around, much cleaner, but I missed their little spats and messes, I'm not used to it! A group of friends here in my neighborhood get together every couple of months and one of us hosts a Saturday brunch. I think husbands would assume that coming together would satisfy our urge to eat and visit, but I think it just whets our appetites! It is so much fun, women do need the company of other women.
milk and mayhem....
It was so hot and beautiful here yesterday, we spent a lot of the day outside. I couldn't believe the drama we had, it seemed to never end. While I was planting some raspberries, Noah soaked himself with the hose, which was supposed to have been turned off. Lauren stepped on a pine cone and cut the bottom of her foot, then spilled an entire bottle of chocolate milk down herself-on my newly mopped floor :) Both Lauren and Chloe tore out every piece of clothing from their dressers in search of the perfect outfit to run through the sprinkler. I vetoed the swimsuits, it's not THAT warm yet. While Noah finally napped, the three of us ended up on the back porch sharing some tears and what was left of the milk. (Lauren didn't really appreciate the old adage that "there's no sense crying over spilled milk.") I don't know if I'm ready for the summer-school is nice in that it gives them some structured time, guess we'll have to have some of that ourselves. But, great news, I had my third night of uninterrupted sleep last night. No one here really understands what this means to me and why I'm so excited. After a few long and teary nights last week, Noah realized he wasn't going to be fed at night and really could survive until morning without it. If he wakes all he needs is a kind voice and a few pats on the back. Hooray! I am so thankful this day has arrived. He is all grown up and has been taking 3, 4, 5 steps at a time. When I think of him turning a year I realize how fast this past year has gone. Well, off to start a hopefully less dramatic, tear-filled day, but some are just like that I suppose, whether you're 6 or 29!
