Mustard Soup

Star came home with a fun school assignment last week. He was supposed to find a food that had a story in our family. So first thing when he got home he wanted to know if someone in our family had invented granola. Well, that wasn't the case. But I did know that my Great Grandmother was a cook for the Kaiser of Germany. So, I called my Mom. She talked to her siblings and they came up with Mustard soup. No, she didn't invent it. But it's something we believe she fed her family and probably the Kaiser as well. My Grandfather used to make it all of the time for his family. She found a recipe for it and we were off. Here is a bit of the paper Star put together for his project.
My family’s recipe is Mustard Soup. It was a dish that my great-great grandmother Emma made. She was the chef for the last Kaiser of Germany, Wilhelm II. The dish was brought down for at least 5 generations, but the first person who made Mustard Soup was never recorded.
Tonight I made it. It was REALLY good. My hubby and I really liked it and three of the six boys liked it. (Which is pretty good, getting over half of the family to like something is kind of unusual.)
Here is the recipe. It's pretty easy. We served it with fresh strawberries and fresh baked rolls. YUMMY!
Mustard Soup Recipe:
You’ll need:
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup cream or crème fraiche if available
2 Tablespoons hearty mustard with grains
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup spreadable cheese (smeerkase)
Salt, pepper
1 spring onion
Bacon strips (cooked and cut into pieces)

Bring broth to a boil, reduce heat and add cream, mustard, and cheese; whip until smooth. Add cornstarch. When thickened, add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with spring onions and bacon.

What Easter really is.

I was looking for a video to share tonight for Family Home Evening. Boy this is the one! I hadn't seen it last year, but it's Elder Holland... you KNOW it's got to be good. I bawled!

Puppy at church

Because of the time change at church we are now scheduled to attend the late meeting. It starts at 1:00pm. (It's my least favorite slot.) One of the reasons that I don't like it is because it is so hard on the kiddos. It's nap time and it's a hard time of the day to try to concentrate, let alone stay awake. (And that is just me and my hubby!) This was taken by a wonderful couple who sat behind us this Sunday. I was amazed how how quiet my Puppy was being and was thinking he must be enjoying the meeting...I don't know what would make me think that instead of realizing that he was asleep. Wow, he's actually quite when he is sleeping. That should have tipped me off right there! What a sweet little Puppy!

Oh Happy Trampoline

It took forever for the snow to melt, especially in our back yard where the trampoline is. During the shoveling days of the snow each morning EZ got up and begged to go and dig the trampoline. I was too tired from digging out the driveway to worry about the back porch and a pathway to the trampoline. So each day EZ asked if we could dig out the trampoline. And finally the snow melted on it's own. When it was only a few inches in the back, EZ went and kicked most of the snow off of the trampoline, but the temperature outside was still a little too cold to stay out for too long. Well, since the weather has been nice guess who you can find constantly on the trampoline? That's right, once he is dressed in the morning, as soon as he gets home from school and until it's time to come in and get ready for bed, EZ is out on the trampoline.

Star goes to camp.

Okay, so early this morning I went and took Star to his first overnight school camp. WAIT!!!!
Is it possible for him to really be old enough to be doing that? I was comforted because he said our family prayer this morning and asked for us to get by without him for the next few days. Dad kind of chuckled afterward, but just before he said it in the prayer I was wondering what I would do with him gone. I depend on him a lot.
He told me as we drove that he was a little nervous. He was definitely excited, but also a little apprehensive. I reminded him that he has spent time away before. Like the summer he spent with my parents, camp-outs with Dad, or overnights with friends. But this is a little different because it's with peers. Always the hardest ones....
I'll miss him. But I hope he is too busy having fun to miss me.

The perfect day.

Just a month ago I was sure that we would never see the end of the snow. My mom always says, "This too shall pass." and I kept reminding myself of this as I watched the snow and the seemingly never ending winter. And then it did come to pass. The snow slowly melted and the weather got warmer, and then.... it came.
The temperature was perfect all day long and we spent the whole day outside. Riding bikes, playing in the sandbox, and on the trampoline, eating ice-pops, and granola bars, just enjoying the day. Look at their faces, they are so happy to finally have a perfect day.

A rare and wonderful opportunity.

Today I was at one of the schools that my boys attend for a bunch of meetings. As it was, each time there was a recess in the meeting I got to go outside and watch the kids at their recess. And each time I got to watch one of my boys.

It was so interesting and wonderful to be a "fly on the wall" and not have them be aware of me and yet watch them as they played.

I loved watching EZ as he played around other kids, always in the middle of things.

I loved watching Blue Tiger as he paced back and forth, obviously creating stories in his head. It was even better when a friend approached him and they paced and created together, adding animation to the stories. And I loved watching Spike as he went to a secluded spot (that I think is off limits) and walk and think. It was an interesting activity for me to do, one I totally enjoyed!

Happy St Patty's Day

My children love holidays. It doesn't matter which one it is, it is a holiday and so they love it. So, this morning we "celebrated" not only by putting our green on, but also by ingesting it. Yes, once again colored food. We made oatmeal yesterday and I was out of pancake batter so it was either green eggs, or french toast. They decided on french toast. Star tried to correct me while I was adding blue to the egg mix, but soon realized just how yellow eggs really are. They were so happy eating their green french toast and syrup. But it was a very fun way to start the day. We wont do anything else for this holiday, so we might as well start out fun.

Go SAGE!

Potty training. Yes! I am on my last one. I started to potty train Sage a LONG time ago, but I haven't been very consistent, so our progress has been very slow. However, lately I have tried to be better and I feel like it is paying off. Yesterday he had a perfect day. Stayed in the same pants all day. Went both #1 and #2 in the potty. YEA!!! Today he did great but lost it when he drank 2 huge glasses of juice and mom didn't take him every 10 minutes for the next hour. Oh well, he did great until that point and I am encouraged. Won't it be great to have everyone in the house fully trained!!! Now if we could just teach everyone to sleep through the night... (at least the young ones sleep through most of the time, I should be counting my blessings.)

Fun with Nana

My Mom came for Star's birthday. I love watching my children love my parents. I am so glad for this very special relationship and love to watch as it develops and grows as my son does. They got to spend his birthday evening together. They had a date where they went to dinner and to Star's favorite movie right now 'The Lightning Thief'. They had a great time and continue to have a great time while she is here.
Yesterday Spike told her how much he loves to have her here and how much he likes to go to her house. This is very unusual for Spike. He doesn't often express his feelings so when he does you know it's for real. I was so glad to hear him tell Nana in his own words how much he loves her.
My husband loves having her here, and asks her all of the time when she is going to move in.
All of my children love Nana. I have often said that she is better than Disneyland. She plays and tickles and laughs and has fun. And not only that she lets them help her with cooking and cleaning and everything else she does. (Unlike Mom who gets a little too frustrated with too much help.)
I love having her around so much. She is service embodied. Always doing for someone else. This has been the case her entire life. I told her she gets to have a break while she is here at my house. She told me this IS a break. Oh she is so funny. I have enjoyed our time together so much. My Sister and I have tugs of war with her future all of the time, both wanting her and Papa to sell their home and come live with us. (I hope I win. of course...so does my sister.)

Star

For your Birthday, I wanted you to know 12 things that I love about you.#1- Your name. I know that Dad gave it to you but it means "God's Messenger" and you have always lived up to that. You share the gospel with everything you do. You are very conscious of what is right and wrong and you continually try to do what is right.#2- Your smile. I love your smile, your endless desire to make others happy, and your good attitude. I will never tire of seeing you happy.#3- Your attitude toward responsibility. I know you don't love being the oldest, but you have always stepped up to the role of big brother. You are, and have always been, a great example to your little brothers.#4- The way you love little children. You have so much love for and patience with little ones. You talk to them so sweetly and are so gentle with them. You will be a great Father.#5- Your brain. You are one of the smartest people I know. You retain information so unbelievably well. You have done this from very early childhood, and because of it you have knowledge and soon will have great wisdom.#6- The way you dance. If you live your life the way you dance I think you will always be happy. You dance with your whole heart, not caring what anybody thinks. You just dance the way you want. I love it. (And it also looks very cool.)#7- HUGS! I love that every morning as you leave and every afternoon when you get home you give me a hug. I'll try not to embarrass you ever and make you give me hugs in public. But I love that you are willing to hug me, even as grown up as you are. #8- Your obedience. Even as a little tiny boy as soon as we told you something you would remember it and obey. If you were sent to timeout you would stay there until we said you could come out, even if you were in desperate need of a potty break or something. Absolute obedience is one of your gifts. It is one I pray you will always keep, especially with regards to the commandments.#9- You allow me into your world. You tell me stories from your imagination, and share hopes and dreams, allow me to discuss your favorite books, and movies. I so love being a part of your world and hope you will continue to let me be there.#10- The friends you choose. You are so selective about who you choose to spend time around. I love that you choose friends with similar morals and values. This trait will do much for you in your life. I am so grateful that you choose good friends.#11- Your ability to go with the flow. Your life has seen many changes, some little but a lot of big. You take life one day at a time and if changes come you just go with it. Spontaneous and fun, or planned and hard you go with the flow and just deal with life as it comes. #12- The way you love me. From before your birth you loved me. You loved me so much that the doctor had to cut me open and pull you out because you just didn't want to leave me. You show me love all of the time with hugs, smiles, obedience, and communication. Thank you for loving me.I know it is your birthday and you are supposed to be the one to get a gift, but you my son, are a gift to me. Given to me by your Father and by our Heavenly Father. I thank him daily for sending you to me. Happy Birthday, 12 years.

Saturday Night Fun

Last Saturday night was such a fun one. I took Puppy with me to go and see Star's play. And Dad took Spike, Blue Tiger, EZ, and Sage with him to a 50's Sock Hop. We both had an incredibly good time. (Dad took Blue Tiger to see the play on Friday night so we both got to enjoy the show with kids that we felt could handle it.)
This was Blue Tiger's favorite activity at the Sock Hop. They were able to make 3D shapes with toothpics and mini marshmallows. He thought that was so cool. (All of them actually really liked this one.) EZ's hair was such a perfect 50's do. What a cutie! (Thanks for the pic Deb.)
Here is a pic of Sage and Sunny. Sunny, who looked the part of 50's teen beautifully, won the contest for best costume. And she wasn't even sure that she wanted to go....whatever! I'm so glad she did, especially since she was there to dance with my boys.And Star did so beautifully doing the play. He has so much stage presents and is so fun to watch. I just loved it. He had a great time at the cast party afterward and I think it was a good experience for him. YEA! What a great Saturday night!