Yummy, yum, yum!

Brayden and I made our first recipe from the new "Kaduce-Bruhl" cookbook this morning.  (Thanks, Mom!)  We wanted a dessert for tonight so we decided to try Lonn's "Not-so-bad-for-you Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Bars".  Brayden loves to help cook, and had fun stirring, pouring, and sampling this yummy dessert.  I am not so sure about the "not so bad for you part", I guess it does have applesauce in it, but I think the chocolate chips, brown sugar, and caramel sauce pretty much cancel out that 1/2 cup of applesauce!  :)  It was great making a family recipe, that cookbook will get lots of use over the years!

The Basement

So, the basement is coming along.  We have the new couch that I absolutely LOVE!!!!!  We can all fit on it comfortably to watch our "Sunday Night Movie".  (Free Willy 2 will be showing this week-Colby's pick)  It is comfy, cozy, and also works great for people to sit on when we have some serious Wii competitions happening!  I added the yellowish colored pillows, as the basement needed an accent color and I got the big look of dread when I mentioned painting the basement (again).  So, we are keeping the paint the same, for now, and I am just adding some touches of color.  Here are a few pictures...

The new tv stand and tv area still need some work.  I need a couple of black bookcases and some more accessories for that area.  Troy and I are each picking a movie poster to hang, his is the Back to the Future poster, and I am still trying to decide on mine.

My scrapbook area is coordinated as well.  I made this "cheap" artwork by buying 12x12 canvases for 50% off, and then just used modge pod to attach some of my scrapbooking paper that coordinated with the colors of the room.

Finally, we have made a little reading corner with the old couch.  It still looks old, but I tried to spruce it up a bit with new throw pillows, a blanket and new artwork.

We also are going to continue to add to the kids' Artwork Wall.  So far, is has come along nicely, and I love seeing it every time a go the the basement.  We just got all three of their handprints up, they are so sweet!!!

Gosh Mom, These are Swell!

Sometimes after a long week, there is nothing like a batch of good, old-fashioned Toll House cookies.  While Brayden slept on the couch (he has been sick all week-poor guy), I made cookies and Colby read books to me.  It was like something from the 1950's; no technology, no rushing, just good old fashioned cookies, milk, and books.

Favorite Gift...Whoopee Cushion???

Well, I would have to say that this is probably not my proudest parenting moment, but it is pretty funny.  At preschool this morning, all the children were asked to share their favorite gift from the holidays.  It could be from anyone, and could be big or small, but it had to be their most prized, most loved gift.  When Brayden's turn came, he proudly stated that his favorite gift of the holiday season was his Whoopee Cushion that Santa brought for him.  That's right, not the blue camera he was asking for, or the cool red hot wheels scooter, or even the Lego Batman Wii game, but the Whoopee Cushion, that "makes gas noises!"  He told me that both his teachers laughed and laughed, they no doubt did just that!