Home By the Creekside

                                                    Tonight, we went to Sammy's up in Rexburg. They have one in Provo. We decided to try it. They have shakes that they will put a piece of pie in or a cupcake from the Cocoa Bean Cupcake place down the street. Ya, I blew my diet but I worked out when I went home and drank about a gallon of water to flood the fat out. So I had a chicken sandwich and husband had the burger. I ordered grilled cheese sandwiches for the kids but only Little Man ate them.  It really wasnt kid friendly. We ate our dinner on old school desks. The problem with those is that they are slanted so Sister Lou spilled her shake on the floor and we had to make sure that our other food did not slide. I hate wait...

This is just one tree. It was in the Winco parking lot. We thought it was cool how it was half changed and half still green. I love fall! I have even started getting my Halloween decorations out.

Last Saturday, we headed down to Shelley and watched the Spud Day Parade. It was about an hour long. The kids and husband got plenty of candy.

Can you guess what Sister Lou is going to be for Halloween? I don't have her clothing ready but will. Isn't she just the cutest!

We couldn't resist buying a really soft fuzzy blanket at Sam's Club. The kids had to try it out..I had to fight them to get it back.

This cute pink smoothie machine was a birthday present from hubby. Yummy...for breakfast the other Saturday, we enjoyed banana smoothies. Recipe: 2 ripe bananas 2 T sugar some zero sugar apple juice, milk, and ice... Rev the machine and enjoy!

When my mom was here visiting the kids and me last month, she brought me recipe galore ideas from AZ. This one really stood out so I made some. Then I realize, next time, I am going to forget the chocolate chips and add raisins. Then I thought...forget the raisins, how about some huckleberries or raspberries. So..anyways, if you make these, tell me and let me know what you tried..I am going to make some more next week or so without chocolate. 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 teas baking soda 1/2 teas ground cinnamon 1/2 teas salt 1/2 cup canola oil 2/3 cups white sugar 2/3 cups brown sugar 2 egg whites 1 1/4 teas vanilla extract 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats 3/4 cups semisweet choco chips or chunks (4 oz) **I used milk chocolate chip. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a med size bowl. Whisk together oil, sugar, and brown sugar in a LARGE bowl. Whisk in egg whites and vanilla until smooth. Stir in dry ingredients (flour mixture) until blended. Fold in oat...

I have been super busy with life, family, work, and school. I don't know if I have mentioned this but I decided to head back to school and get my master's. I am trying to get my master's in ESL (English as a Second Language). This is truly something that I enjoy. After working 6 years in the 97% Hispanic schools, I have come to enjoy working with kids and helping them learn English. However, I found that the strategies that I used with them work with low to high kids that are fluent in English as well. It made me a better teacher. Why a master's? Well, this is what I hope to achieve. I want to teach college students that are in the teacher program ESL strategies for the classroom. I am taking my first class and it is kicking me in the tushy. It is philosophy of education. I have enjoyed it and my next class is teaching diverse learners. I can't wait! Until October 20, I have 5 1800 word essays and one huge 17 page paper. So I am going to be super busy with this. Goo...

Wake up! Sleepy heads, it is your first day. We started our day with eggs, waffles, and turkey bacon..Did I mention eggo waffles? They asked for it. I also did sugar free syrup for Sister Lou! They don't ride the bus. Thank goodness except for son on an occasional Wednesday to my awesome person that is watching Sister Lou. Little man and Sister Lou are outside of his classroom, I think. I didn't take these pictures. Husband did. My goal for him this year...to NOT worry and peek in on him less. Outside her room. At where she sits....I hope she does well. Last week we had her dr. appt in Boise. I figured that they would be more experienced in the area of Sister Lou. She was diagnosed with PDD-high functioning Autism. I am so worried about her. If anyone knows me, worrying gets the better of me. Hello, it is 3:27am and I am worrying so I don't sleep. She knows her stuff..it is the social part that I have a problem with. She is so impressionable and is a follower. I hop...

I love rhubarb..When I went to my grandparents last weekend, I saw how much they had and begged them for some. They wanted me to take more but...maybe next year. I want to make strawberry rhubarb jam this next weekend. Then I love rhubarb pie. I had about 12 cups worth! Yay for us!