A Shout-Out To My Awesome Daughter

I have had a pretty busy day of baking and working in the garden. I was running around trying to get the kids into bed. Hallie was helping because I was trying to feed Jaxton a bottle. She brought me Jaxton's pajama's and diaper, tucked Avery in, put Hayden's diaper on her and helped her get her pj's on, and then got all of Hayden's blankets out of the dryer.

We got all of the kids into bed and I was putting the last loaves of bread into the oven. Hallie was coloring and she looked up at me and said "mom, can I help you with something?" I told her that I was going to go finish up outside and then I was going to start cleaning up the house (to borrow a phrase from my mother, the house pretty much looked like a bomb had gone off). She told me that she was going to help me. I told her not to worry about it.

I headed outside and was out there for about 20 minutes. When I came back inside, the house was mostly cleaned up. She had made my bed and cleaned my room. She had picked up all of the toys from around the house. She straightened up and tidied the family room. When I came back inside she was sitting on the couch folding laundry and she said, "mom, I didn't want you to have to clean this all up since you have been working all day."

What kind of 7 year old does this??? She is just the most wonderful, thoughtful, sweet girl. I often forget that she is only 7 because she is such a BIG help to me. I am just the luckiest mom to have her for a daughter. She is the best! I love you Hallie.

And the Winner Is. ..

I have been sampling all of the great recipes that you all sent me for the Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, and I think that we have a winner. First of all let me say thank you to all of you for your help. Each of the recipes that I have been given were better than the ones that I had already tried and they were all really good. The one that tasted the most like my memory of Canyon View's cookies was Katrina's. They are fudgy and delicious. They weren't flat like Canyon View's but I was okay with that because they were so good. I highly recommend that you try them.

Chocolate Crackles

1 1/2 cups all-purp. Flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
10 TBS. (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp.
3/4 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly(I used Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips)
Sifted confectioner's sugar for coating

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Lightly grease two baking sheets.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then beat in the vanilla. Gradually add the melted chocolate, mixing until blended. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture.
4. Shape level tablespoonfuls of the dough into balls and place the balls 2 inches apart onto prepped baking sheets. As you fill each baking sheet, roll the balls generously in confectioners' sugar.
5. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the tops are cracked and the cookies are just set. Cool for 1 to 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

These were so, so yummy. I also found another recipe that didn't taste like what I was looking for, but it was equally scrumptious. I am not sure where I found it, but here it is.

1 (12-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided use
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup powdered sugar

1. Microwave 1 cup morsels in medium, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10 to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Beat granulated sugar, butter and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Beat in melted chocolate. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in dry ingredients. Stir in remaining 1 cup morsels. Cover; refrigerate just until firm.
2. Preheat oven to 350° F.
3. Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls; roll in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until sides are set but centers are still slightly soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

My sister went on a similar quest to find the sugar cookies that were sold at her jr. high. I haven't tried them yet, but she says they are delicious and just like what she was looking for. You can find the recipe on her cooking blog here. Apparently crazy about sweets runs in the family!

One More Thing Crossed Off of My "Things To Do Before I Die" List

I have done something for the very first time. This is totally new territory for me. I never thought this would happen to me and really I am just so honored and flattered. Are you dying to know what it is I have done?

I have become a trendsetter. What is this fabulous trend I have set? Housecoats. Apparrantly my little post about mine and my mom's housecoats has started such a stir. You may have noticed my friends Anne and Melissa's comments on the post. Then Anne even blogged about her need for a housecoat here. And then she actually went out and bought one and posted about it here. Now you may be saying, "that is just one person, that is not a trend." However, let me assure you, others have expressed interest and I think it is just a matter of time before Wal Mart can not keep them stocked on the shelves.

Think that you are interested in jumping on the bandwagon? Let me just assure you it will be the best $10.76 you will spend on an article of clothing. The uses are endless and they are super comfy and cool for the summer months.

Busy, Busy, Busy

It has been a very busy day for Hayden. Here are a FEW of the many things on her To-Do list for today:

1. Give Jaxton a ride on her bike, he loved it!
2. Turn on and then leave every light on in the house.
3. Throw a temper tantrum about wanting her toe nails painted, even though they were painted yesterday.
4. Give Jaxton a haircut, luckily he is a boy so the damage wasn't too bad.
5. Invent a new game called "Jump off of the table."
6. Lock herself in the bathroom so she can eat all of the toothpaste.
7. Throw a temper tantrum about not getting any dessert.
8. Wear every article of clothing that she owns and that is still clean. Eventually she ran out of clean clothes and then she went for Avery's clothes. She usually wears 4-5 outfits a day, minimum. If she spills a little water on her shirt, this requires her to change her whole outfit, down to the panties. Here is what her bedroom floor looked like by the end of the day. This is just her bedroom. There were also miscellaneous articles of clothing left in the bathroom, playroom and my bedroom. She must think I like to do laundry or something.

Oh What Do You Do In the Summer Time?

The kids have been swimming for hours every day. Every summer we would burn through 4 or 5 kiddie pools every summer. Then I found this above ground pool. It is only 8 feet wide, but it keeps the kids entertained for hours. The other day they were out in the pool for 6 hours. This pool is the best $50 investment I have ever made.

Jaxton took his first swim the other day and he loved it!

Hayden likes to swim in her birthday suit. She wears her swimming suit around while they are getting ready to swim and then she takes it off and hops in the pool.

Trip to Gaengy and Pop Pop's

Hallie is off track this WHOLE month. We spent last week down at my parents having a grand old time. Here is a bit of what we did.

First, there were the obligatory 89 trips to McDonalds. Actually I think we only went four times.I think this is some kind of record for us. Usually my mom and dad try to make sure that we eat there at least once every day, but we just weren't able to squeeze a trip in everyday. Jaxton's favorite parts were the french fries and the straws.

We went to the "nicest " park that the fine City of Visalia has to offer. We are so spoiled in Elk Grove to have so many nice, new parks.Jaxton enjoyed the see-saw for a moment, but then he was scared of it.

This may be the worst picture of me ever. I post it here so that I will remember that I need to stand up straight.

Hallie and Avery thought it was SO fun to climb this tree and then start crying that they couldn't get down. For some reason, I did not share their enjoyment for this little game.

Jaxton enjoying the picnic lunch.

My parent's are the ward activity chair people. The week before we were there, they had an activity with a slushy machine and a popcorn machine. They kept the machines a little longer so we could have a movie night. My dad barbecued hot dogs and they invited their neighbors and we watched Old Yeller in their backyard. The kids had a lot of fun.

Hayden and my sister Hannah

The kid's loved the slushys, of course.

My mom wanted me to make sure and tell you that people did eventually come.

My mom and I looking cute in our matching house coats.

You need a little back story on this picture. My parents always gave us pajamas for Christmas. Somewhere along the way my dad took over this tradition. He made it his personal mission to find the most ridiculous pajamas that Burlington Coat Factory had to offer. Sometimes we got pajamas that were covered in cow print, sometimes chickens, sometimes ones that said "Do I Look Like Your Maid?"

One year that my dad is probably most proud of, he gave my two youngest sisters really nice nightgown sets with matching robes. So we were thinking, "wow, I guess dad decided to not do joke pj's this year." WRONG. Suddenly his shoulders were shaking and his face was red (this is the look he has when he is getting a huge kick out of himself) and out he pulls two house coats for my sisters Natalie and Katie. Katie said "where are my real pajamas?" Natalie was laughing so hard that she had to sit down. Neither of them ever wore them after Christmas. My mom ended up inheriting them both.

Cut to a few years later. My sister-in-law Emily and I were at the local WalMart and we came across some really nice house coats and so we picked up a matching set, more or less as a joke. However, I have found mine to be extremely useful and wear it almost every day in the summer. I took it along to my parents and I was wearing mine and my mom mentioned that she really needed to get a new one. I remembered that I had come across some cute ones at WalMart. So we headed to The Mart and we found some really cute ones. My mom bought me a matching one for Mother's Day. Thanks Mom!

All in all it was a great trip. Hopefully we will find some way to fill these next couple of weeks. It being freakishly hot hear has not helped the kids to occupy their time. Hopefully we all survive somehow.

Peter Pan Learns to Crawl

Jaxton has finally decided to do just a bit of growing up and has learned to crawl. He limits his crawling to times that he sees something that he really wants. And he will not usually crawl to me, but just lays on the ground like a beached whale and screams at me to come get him. He is such a momma's boy. But at least he is finally a little mobile. He still hates standing and he feels like he is having a near death experience if he is left alone holding onto something. But at least we have progress.

Does Anyone Have A Good Recipe For Chocolate Crinkles?

At the risk of sounding like a complete lunatic, I am asking for your help my blogging friends. I have possibly the biggest sweet tooth ever known to man. I am a pretty healthy eater. I don't even really like french fries or chips. I can pass up almost any food. However, I NEED my desserts. I limit myself to one treat a day, but I REALLY enjoy it. My favorite dessert is cookies.

Lately I have been obsessing about Chocolate Crinkles. By obsessing I mean thinking about them non-stop, spending hours searching for a recipe on line, then trying 3 different recipes that were not what I was looking for at all. One of the recipes was from Paula Dean. It called for a whole block of cream cheese, plus a stick of butter. How could it not be delicious? But it wasn't and I am getting more and more disappointed and more and more obsessed.

Most of the recipes are similar and call for vegetable oil. These result in a fat, very cakey cookie, which I hate. What I am looking for is a chocolate crinkle like they sold in Canyon View Jr. High's cafeteria. I know most of you have probably never had one, but I haven't been to that school in fifteen years and I am still thinking about them, so they must have been divine. They were flat and fudgy and delicious. And I would say they were more milk chocolaty than dark.

I know somebody must have a great recipe. Please, please help me out. My mouth is watering just thinking about those cookies.

Happy Mother's Day

I have just returned tonight, from visiting my parent's all week. The kids and I had a great trip and pictures are to come soon. In the mean time, hope you all have a great Mother's Day. My friend Melissa put together a Mother's Day writing challenge on her blog and I participated. It was great to see how everyone took the challenge in a different direction. I wrote a letter to my mom. You can read the post here. Here is what I contributed:

Dear Mom,

I know that I am not very good at telling you this, but you are a great mom and a great lady. I appreciate all of the lessons that you have taught me. There are too many to name, but here are a few that stick out in my mind.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of education and knowledge. You always made sure that we not only attended school, but were doing our best and striving to succeed. It was never a question of if I would go to college, but which college I would attend. Many of my friend's mom's would check them out of school to go shopping or out to lunch. But you didn't ever want us to miss school. Ever. I thought you were totally uncool and I didn't understand why it was such a big deal. I understand now why it was so important to you.

Thank you for teaching me to be a supportive wife. Dad always worked at least two jobs, one of which required him to work 24 hour shifts. This left you at home doing the many thankless duties of a stay at home mom without very much help. However, I rarely, if ever heard you complain about it. When my sisters or I would complain about not having Guess Jeans and other extremely important things like that, you would tell us, " your dad is out there busting his butt for us so that we can have the nice things that we do have." You always made sure that we appreciated dad and the hard work that he did for our family. This was such a great example to me, especially when my husband was working two jobs and I was in a similar situation.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of taking good care of yourself physically. I know that it was very hard for you to watch grandma not take care of herself and as a result, watch her health decline at such an early age. Instead of taking the same path, you resolved to do better for your children. You always cooked healthy and delicious meals. Even on the rare occasions that we had take out pizza, you always served it with carrot sticks and salad. You take great care of yourself and you are one hot momma!

Thank you for teaching me how to be independent. You have always been a very responsible and reliable person and this is a value that you worked very hard to instill in us. You made sure that each of us knew how to cook and to clean and to take care of a house. One time when I was in 7th grade, I left my cello on the school bus. Instead of making it all better for me, you made me call the school district office and find out the name of my bus driver. Then I had to call information to get her number, and then finally call the bus driver, get directions to her house and find out when she would be available so that I could come pick up my cello. I hated this sort of thing at the time, but was so grateful for later in life as I watched college roommates who were completely helpless and couldn't take care of the most simple of situations by themselves.

I love you mom and appreciate all that you do and have done for me. Only now as a mom myself do I see all of the many sacrifices that you have endured. I know more often than not, I bring up the mistakes that you made instead of the successes that you had. Please do not ever let this make you doubt your success. Look at the five fine daughters that you have raised. You are a great woman and I am blessed by your example. I love you. Happy Mother's Day.

Golf Tournament

So yesterday I competed in my first golf tournament. I know what you're thinking, "wow, Nicole, I didn't even know that you played golf, no less were good enough to play in a tournament. " Rest assured, I'm not. Before yesterday, the only time I had stepped foot on a golf course was when my dad used to sneak us on to the Country Club golf course to pick up stray golf balls. I had no idea what I was doing.

I have been to the driving range one time before and I couldn't get the ball to go more than 10 feet. So I was really nervous and afraid that it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of my life. Nick and I got there early and practiced on the putting green. Then the other couple that we were playing with got there and they gave me some pointers. I actually did really well for a beginner. I even did better than Nick in some spots. Not very many, but a few.

The golfing part was pretty fun, but all of the sitting around was making me crazy.

Check out that form! Golf is the most awkward sport ever.

Please don't say anything about my floods. These pants are made to be worn with flats, but is was the closest thing I had to golf attire.