1st Grade!

Dominic started 1st grade yesterday. His teacher is Mrs. Roderick. He was excited to be able to bring a lunch to school and that he was going to have 2 recess'! Later he told me that they actually had like 6 recess' . He sits in the back of the class. He told me today that he had some friends in another class and they were going to meet by the bathrooms at recess so that they could play together again. So cute! I love this little guy and his chicken legs.

His hair doesn't go into a faux hawk very well but its what he wanted so we tried our best.

Being silly with Mom.

All ready to go with Dad.

And this is where Penny was while we headed out the door (no we didn't leave her. Dad stayed home). Sweepy baby.

Dolphin Trainer

We went to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom again. We bought the 6 visit park pass (they were only $10 more than going once). This time when we went Dominic got to feed the dolphins. Definitely a cool experience. I love how dolphins always look like they are smiling and happy. Someday I want to swim with the dolphins....

So squishy

Penny loves her books. We love her squish. This is my favorite way that babies sit.....yummy

New tricks

Grandma decided that she wanted to see what all the hubbub was all about with video games. I love this picture of her really getting into it. She lasted all of about 15 minutes or so. So funny!

nuff said!

You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Yesterday we went to six flags with my cousins and had a great time. It turned out to be a pretty hot day, but we had lots of fun. We got passes good for six visits, so we're hoping to make a few more trips over the next few months. This visit will always be remembered for Dominic losing his flip flop while we were standing in line for the Tony Hawk ride (we bought him a pair of 5.99 sandals afterwards). I was on the phone with my cousin Anam and when I hung up I looked down and Dominic was in tears. He had stuck his leg through the railing and that was the end of his flip flop. I assured him that we would get it back and we proceeded to wait another half hour in line with him hopping through line. Supposedly they go through and pick all that stuff up at the end of the night, so hopefully we'll get it back on our next visit.

Anxiously awaiting the killer whale show.






Mommy and Dominic on an elephant.







Penny helping herself.



Tony Hawk ride.

That's Mommy and Dominic in the first row on the right had side.


Mommy and Dominic waiting for the Cobra ride (it was his favorite). He must have gone on it about 10 times.



Sleepy babies.

Mom: Look here

While I was home my mom gave me some great recipes for dry ingredients that you can store to make things that you use on a semi-regular basis. I used the cream of chicken soup mix today in a meal and IT WAS FABULOUS! I'll never buy cream of chicken soup again (I hate buying/using it in the first place cuz I don't know whats in it!!). Anyways. This is a dry mix that you just store and then use what you need and add water to. I already had all the ingredients in my home ( in a box in the garage)!

So here it is
----------------------------------------------------
CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP

2 cups powdered nonfat milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup instant chicken bouillon (or I used 7 cubes crushed up)
1 teaspoon onion powder (I used one teaspoon dried onion)
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all ingredients together well and store in an airtight container.

To make the equivalent of one can of cream of chicken soup mix 1/3 cup soup mix with 1 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook for a few minutes until thickened. Watch carefully and stir constantly to prevent sticking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mom, this is the kind of stuff I would like you to blog on a frequent basis (daily really, I know you have thoughts about stuff like this on a daily basis that we would all benefit from). Seriously, it saved me $3 today in dinner alone. Keep it up and I could be saving oodles every day just on your little tid-bits that you have stored in your brain. WILL YOU? Yes, I'm begging. I love you lots.

more

And here are the other AMAZING picture taken by my EVEN MORE AMAZING sister Annie. Thanks Annie. They are ....well....AMAZING! These are only a glimpse...

And you can't have a moment with Penny without her turning upside down. She's just silly like that.

I like that this one shows her two teefers.

reunited!

We went up to Alaska and got Dominic from his dad. No crazy transition this time, he was and still is great to be around. In years past we've had a "re-training" period, but he's been an angel this time around. He and Penny picked up right where they left off. She squealed with excitement at him in the car right away. They LOVE to play and get each other laughing really hard. Its fun to watch.

We're excited to have our little guy home again. Here are some amazing pictures that my sister Annie took.

Penny has a borderline obsession with ears. If she finds them, she's picking at them.