Susie Homemaker (Plus Bird Update)

I love summer for many reasons. But one of my favorite things about summer is that I have time to bake and cook and try some new recipes.  During the school year, my time is limited and trying news things becomes fewer and farther between.  
Just a few of my Susie Homemaker creations have included:
Potato Crust Pizza

Homemade soft pretzels-- Oh so good!

And homemade granola-- delicious!

Thanks to melskitchencafe.com for the yummy pretzel and granola recipe.

And on to the bird update,  The deer stuck again.  So, for now, we are bringing the feeders in at night.  Can't afford to feed the deer.

Capturing Life's Little Moments

Technically speaking, it is a far from perfect photo.  It was taken in the basement with my iphone, so there is not enough light and it is grainy.  However, I was not going for technically perfect.  I was capturing the moment.
I walked down the basement steps to find Nate on the treadmill with his "Richard Simmons Headband" on his head.  It took everything I had not to laugh and risk disturbing the moment.  Luckily, I had my phone in my hand and was able to quietly snap a shot before he noticed me.  Thank goodness for camera phones & capturing the little moments in life.

It's for the Birds

Bird feeding.  Who knew it could have so many technical difficulties? Not me, that’s for sure.  After putting the bird feeder that Nate and Poppy made outside, we thought we would have wild bird kingdom in no time flat.  Instead, we woke up to find the “feeder” part on the ground, and all the birdseed gone.  Our first suspicion… squirrels.  So, I ventured to the local Wild Birds Unlimited where I learned some really interesting information.  The thingy that you need to keep the squirrels away is called a squirrel baffle.  And in addition to needing one of those, the ideal height of your bird feeder should be at least 5 feet tall.  Because unbeknownst to me, squirrels can jump 4-5 feet. 

So…enter pole with new squirrel baffle.  Again, we filled up the birdfeeder and waited for the birds to come.

Fast forward a few days.   I was sleeping soundly in my cozy bed when suddenly I was jolted out of my sleep by my ferocious guard dog barking like mad.  I thought for sure I would bolt downstairs to find a masked murderer (or at least a robber) trying to break into my house.  I found Alaska by the sliding glass door, fur standing straight up on her back.  I turned on the porch light, glanced around and saw nothing.  Clearly she had scared away whatever had been out there earlier.  I turned off the light and turned to head back upstairs.  Again, Alaska started barking like mad.  I flipped on the light again.  And then, I saw it.  It’s glassy little eyes staring back at me, while it stood frozen right next to the birdfeeder.  A deer.  Apparently, that bit of information about the pole being tall enough to keep out the squirrels, applies to deer as well.  And apparently our pole was not tall enough, since Bambi was able to eat right from the feeder.

I had enough.  Today, I purchase the Mac Daddy (or Daddy Mac, if you prefer).  The mother of all poles.  Tall enough to deter squirrels and deer.  Stocked to attract multiple types of central Ohio birds.  Within an hour I had a flock of birds including a Blue Jay.  Eat your heart out neighbors.  I have the mother pole J

Progress

Wearing shoes (or clothes for that matter) is hard for Nate.  He doesn't like them.  Last summer he would fight to NOT wear sandals, and we would fight for him TO wear sandals.  When a four year old takes his shoes off every time he gets the chance, putting socks and tennis shoes on in the middle of the summer is a PAIN.  So this summer we said a prayer and bought some Crocs, hoping for a better outcome than last summer.  His first response, "Nah, I don't like those", (before ever putting them on, mind you).  But we gingerly, patiently and  methodically played up those Crocs. And finally, he tried them on.  And low and behold, he actually likes them.  And a bonus... he can put them on himself! Can I get an Amen, someone?  Progress, slowly, but surely, we are making progress (and that's all I can ask for).

We even found a second pair at a garage sale.  Talk about luck!

Mator Teeth

We took Maddy on her first camping trip this past weekend.  She stayed with us all day Saturday and Saturday night.  We did lots of playing on the playground and swimming at the pool to keep them entertained.  Then we broke out the bubbles and the Mator teeth suckers.  Anything Mator is always funny (at least to me).
Nate sporting his Mator teeth.

And then Maddy and Jeff sporting their Mator teeth.

These 3 a real riot!  I see many camping trips in Maddy's future.

Coming Up for Air

Coming up for air.  Yep, that's how most teachers feel in June.  The month of May is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.  There is barely time to eat or sleep.  There is certainly not time to blog.  But I have thought about blogging and missed it and I'm glad to be coming up for air.

Around here we are getting adjusted to our summer schedule.  We're getting caught up.  And we are having summer fun.  To kick off our summer right, we took Nate and Maddy to the zoo.








Nate was a pro at the Carousel.  Maddy wasn't sure about it at first and wanted GP to hold her.  By the end she was loving it and wanted to ride again.

Then we had a play date at home with Maddy.  We found a toad while working in the garden.  Mr. Toad was very exciting and kept Nate and Maddy entertained.









That's Jeff holding the toad.  I, myself, am not into toads that much.












Yesterday Nate and I ventured to Dayton for the day to visit Grandma and Poppy.  Poppy helped Nate build a bird feeder for our yard.  Nate loved using Poppy's tools and was really good at it.

















So that's what we've been doing around here.  And I'm back.  Not sure I'll be here every day.  But I'll be here more often than the month of May.

Eggs

On Friday we had Maddy over to color Easter eggs.  She was really in to it at first.  She loves to do everything that Nate does.  Since Nate was really in to it, so was she.  We chose a few colors to make our eggs: pink for Maddy and Nate chose purple... his "favorite color".  He also chose blue and green.  Both he and Maddy loved dropping in the little tablets and watching the cups fill with color.

Nate was really enjoying himself,


















and Maddy pretended to for awhile, but eventually lost interest.

GP tried to help the attention span stay a little longer, but with little luck.

The final product.

Secret Reader

Yesterday I was the "Secret Reader" at Nate's preschool.  I came into the room when the kids were out.  Then, the teacher gave me a folder to put in front of my face that said "Secret Reader".  The kids were supposed to ask me questions and try to guess who I was.  Well, since I was the first secret reader, and it is a group of 4 year olds, the asking questions part was a little rusty.  The teacher tried to prep them by giving them questions to ask, but they mostly wanted to answer the questions, themselves, not ask them.  I, for one, was laughing hysterically behind my partition.  Finally, with a few hints from me, they learned that I was a girl, I knew a little boy in the classroom, and that my last name was Addy.
"Do we know anyone named Addy in our class?" the teacher asked.
"Nate!!", they all yelled.
"Nate, do you want to go see who the Secret Reader is?" asked the teacher.
So Nate slowly, and I am sure apprehensively, came toward me and then I poked my head out from behind the folder.
"Wow, it's my mommy!"
Sheer surprise on that little boy's face.  Priceless.
We read Pete the Cat.
We sang.
We grooved.
Nate was in his glory.

Being a Secret Reader is great fun!

Hello 35

Today I turned 35.
Today was a great day.
One of my students, Natalie, baked me a cake and we had a Sour Patch Kids party.
My teammates aided in my Whole Foods addiction and the Landshark Lager they got me is chillin' in the fridge.
My friend is going to take me for some Jeni's ice cream (which I have heard is just awesome).
My wonderful husband showered me with a week's worth of birthday gifts.  This year had a food theme, except for the last item...it was random (Needed. But random).

Gift number one: A dish towel holder.  Love it.  Needed some place to hang that damn towel!

Gift Number 2: A new wooden spoon.  My others were getting a bit old.  This one is awesome.

Gift number 3:  A new oven grabber.  I think this one is going to the camper.  I need one in there.

Gift number 4: A new ice cream scoop.  Don't let him fool ya.... this one is for him.  He loves ice cream.

Gift number 5:  (The random, non-food related item) SOCKS!  Now don't get me wrong, I can always use a good pair of socks.  It just didn't fit with the food theme.

I am one lucky gal, and 35 is feeling pretty damn good.

Sun, Sweet Sun

We have been waiting so long for you.  Thank you for coming out today and shining your warm rays on us.

This weekend we got the gardens ready for spring planting.  According to the almanac, the last frost date is Friday, so it won't be long now.

Of course we had to enjoy a little sand time, too.  Complete with a new bag of sand.

I also got in a little R & R. Starting the second book of The Hunger Games Trilogy, Catching Fire.  I loved, loved, loved the first book.

Even the cat enjoyed the sun, getting a brief cat nap in the warm rays.  Life is good!

Paging Dr. Nate

Nate decided to dress up the other night and give us all "vaccinations".  He was so excited about wearing his "scrubs" and felt like a "real" doctor.  He even wanted to pose for a few pictures (which is very rare).

Playing Pirates

A weekend ritual is for the two boys (the dad and the son) to play pirates.  These two yahooligans go all out-- swords, pirate faces and pirate voices.  They usually play with Nate on the bed and Jeff on the floor which adds to the drama (and makes Nate think he has an advantage :)  I love this one eye open, one eye closed pirate face!  "AARR, Mateys".
 
This photo was entered into the I Heart Faces Photo Challenge -- http://iheartfaces.com/

Monday Lens

Today is the official first day of my Spring Break (since weekends don't count).  Unfortunately there is still work to be done, hence the big baskets of laundry.  It also included organizing Nate's old clothes and preparing items for a spring garage sale.

Fortunately, the day was not lost completely to household chores.  Alaska and I went to get her nails done and she got a new Jolly Ball (purple this time).  Man, she loves that Jolly Ball.  I also got these little lovelies.  Been needing some new running shoes.  And since the weather is beginning to break, well... I guess I better get running.  Which is exactly what Alaska and I did when we got home.

 

Hello Spring!

Today is officially the start of Spring.  My favorite season.  I can't wait for the end of winter and the beginning of green, flowers and sunshine.  I was happy to see all three today.  My tulips (my favorite flowers) have sprouted up.  Hello cute little greenness.  Which means it will only be a matter of time before they have colorful bulbs atop them, making my heart sing with happiness.  I love you, spring.

She's Here

This little bundle of fluffy love arrived yesterday.  We left at 8:00 am to drive to Cambridge by 10:00 to get her.  She had to say goodbye to one of her sisters who was also being taken to her new home.  The vet said that this littler of puppies had two fathers, a rottweiler and a husky.  Juneau's dad is the husky.  She has one lab ear that flops and one husky ear that sticks straight up.  It is SO cute.  Love, love, love it!
Alaska is still adjusting...and we are too.  Not used to having a little baby around that you have to keep your eye on 24/7.  Alaska certainly does not like all the attention this new dog is getting, but she is not complaining about all the extra treats she is receiving. (Juneau gets a training treat, Alaska gets a training treat.  Not a bad deal if you ask me.) Not to mention all the new bones and toys around the house. 
We love our new Juneau Jellybean Addy.

Finally!

Finally this sweet piece of technology is mine.  I have long been awaiting the addition of the iphone to the Verizon network.  Then I had to wait until I was eligible for an upgrade.  And today, finally, it is mine.  I SO LOVE IT!  Steve Jobs, wherever you are, you are a technological genius.  The rest are just copy cats.

Love: Future

Soon we will be adding this little beauty to our family.  She is 8 weeks old and getting her first exam and vaccinations this week.  We hope to be able to get her by next weekend.  Her name will be Juneau.  (Alaska and Juneau...get it?) We have been brainstorming middle names and right now we are leaning toward Jellybean.  We are looking forward to a bright future with one wonderful little boy and two beautiful dogs.

Love: What I Love about Him Most

This is what I love most about my husband...

crazy

hilarious

spontaneous
There is never a dull moment in life with Jeff.  And I totally love it!

Love: Buddies

These two are best buds.  Nate loves to play with his dad.  Whether it is playing a sport, like bouncy balls, wrestling, or playing "under arrest", these two are always rough housing, laughing and generally having a good time. 

Love: Hands

Nate's hands.  Love 'em.  When he was two years old. I started this tradition of making a print of his hand.  I love the way these prints help document his growth each year.  I love that they are colorful.  I love that they are part of the decor in his room.  I love that I can look back at them with fond memories of how little he was once upon a time ago.

Sickness

Our house has been plagued with sickness this weekend.  It started with Nate on Friday.  Jeff had to leave work to pick him up because he had the stomach flu.  Poor little guy.  Unfortunately we had to cancel plans to meet up with some old friends on Friday night. By Sunday, Nate was feeling better but not eating much.  By Monday, Jeff was feeling poorly and spent most of the day in bed. And today, it has hit me.  Fortunately, Jeff and I did not get it nearly as bad, and me probably the least. So, this weekend we spent a lot of time on the couch watching TV and movies and generally just resting and napping.  Thank goodness for the day off on Monday for the President's Day holiday.  It gave us an extra day to recoup.  I am behind on my Joy of Love posts but plan to try to get caught up (at least with most of them) this week. 

Love: Kisses

Not everyone likes animal kisses.  Fortunately for this dog, this family doesn't mind them, 'cause she is the kissingest dog I have ever encountered.  She wakes us up with kisses, greets us with kisses when we get home from work, gives kisses when she knows she is in trouble ( a very smart dog), and makes sure everyone gets a kiss before bed.  You couldn't live with this dog if you didn't like kisses.  She is lucky she found us.  We're suckers for kisses :)