10/28/12 - Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing

Today was a fairly low key Sunday, with some Halloween fun added in.

We were all up bright and early and watched some cartoons for a while. Christian made breakfast while I started doing some cleaning. I got some laundry started, cleaned up the bedrooms and kitchen, swept the entry and did my usual tidying up. After breakfast, I jumped in the shower, we got the girls ready and we were off.

We stopped back at the market down the street to pick up two more pumpkins. We actually found the corn pool this time, so the girls played in that for a while. Luckily that was in the green house, because it was COLD out! We picked our pumpkins, stopped at the jump house for a few minutes, then made our way home.

I started lunch for the girls while Christian started helping them clean out their pumpkins. Olivia dove right in this year and was all about it. Amelia was not really into it. She reached in a few times, and got mad at me when I took over, but wouldn’t do it herself. Drama queen. After cleaning them out, and eating some lunch, they went down for a nap. Christian and I carved their pumpkins, cleaned ours out and carved our own. They turned out great! Love carving pumpkins! Once we finished, he headed out to rake and mulch the leaves in the backyard. The girls woke up shortly after. They helped me do some picking up, switch some loads of laundry out and it was finally dark enough to light our pumpkins. They loved it…they were so excited, it was cute.

We had dinner, and relaxed for a while to finish off the weekend. Nothing like a productive, but fun family weekend!

Rico’s Update for the Day – well, this morning I noticed Rico going into the litter box a lot again. And, realized quickly his trips were pretty unproductive. I started to worry right away, but we kept an eye on him, and we think he’s constipated – so, that’s not good obviously, but not quite as serious. I’m guessing the stress of everything, changing his diet and all of that just took a toll on him. We’ll have to keep an eye on him and see if there’s anything we can do to relieve it. Otherwise, he’s doing pretty good. He’s playful and seems content, so he still seems to be on the mend. He’s still not eating great…we’re still mixing his prescription food with some fancy feast. He’s been sneaking some of the dry food too. I know we shouldn’t let him, but it’s hard when you really just want him to eat SOMETHING.

Tonight’s dinner was Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing with a Broccoli and Cheese steamer on the side.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 Chicken Breasts (I did 3)
• 6oz Box of Stuffing
• Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
• ½ Cup of Sour Cream
• ¼ Cup Water

Sides:

• Veggie Steamer Bag (cooked according to the package)

Directions:

1.      Place the thawed chicken on the bottom of your crockpot. (PS, make sure to spray your pot with cooking spray for this one! I forgot…)

2.      Dump the box of stuffing on top.

3.      Mix together the soup, sour cream and water, then pour over the suffing.

4.      Over, cook on LOW for 4 hours. Done!

The stuffing is fluffy and perfect, the chicken is tender and falls right apart. I was amazed! The whole family ate this one up. YUM! Another keeper!

10/27/12 - Spaghetti Casserole

Today was a great day!

Olivia slept with me last night. Since we had such a late night, I wanted to make sure they could sleep in a little. They were up and at it around 8:30, so pretty good! Christian had to work today, so it was just me and the girls. We played for a while, had some breakfast and just spent the morning goofing off around the house. The animals basked in the warm sun all morning, and everybody seemed pretty content. Of course, that only lasts so long...the girls started getting pretty crabby and fighting with each other a lot, so I put them down for their nap a little early.

While they napped, I did a little picking up in the kitchen, played on the computer for a while and relaxed. Much needed down time! As soon as they woke up, I got them dressed and we left on a quick run to the store. Both of the girls fit into their Halloween shirts from last year, and Amelia can wear another of Olivia’s old shirts, so I wanted to get Olivia one more to wear this weekend. So, we stopped into Walmart to see if they had anything cheap. They did, and it’s super cute. They also had some other toddler clothes for really cheap, so I got her a couple more regular, long-sleeved shirts. I think if we get her a few more things for Christmas/her Birthday, she’ll be good for the winter. Now, I just need to figure out who needs boots, snow pants and winter coats! Ugh, it’s never ending!

Christian arrived home while we were heading out, so he showered and cleaned up a little. Then, we got to work on today’s Halloween fun. First up, we made some Halloween Cookies. Pumpkin Spice cookies with whipped frosting and sprinkles. OMG, they were to die for. Definitely taking those to work to get rid of them before I eat them all! Next, we built our spooky gingerbread house. Olivia was SUPER into it this year, it was really fun, and turned out really cute! We had dinner, followed up by some hot apple cider and pumpkin ice cream. Such a perfect day!

We gave the girls their baths and sent them off to bed,  then settled in for a couple of movies and some popcorn. We watched “Think Like a Man”. I wasn’t sure what to expect – but it was REALLY funny, and had some really sweet moments. I liked it a lot. We figured, it’s Halloween, so we should follow it up with a scary movie. We watched “Paranormal Activity 2” (for some reason, we don’t have 1 or 3…). It was definitely creepy. Not scary per se, but it really felt like you were watching real people, on real cameras and seemed so real. Crazy. I was creeped out sufficiently when it was over. I really want to see the other movies now though!

It was late, and it was a long, exhausting day at that point, so we made our way to bed. Love this time of year!

Rico’s Update for the Day – He’s doing well. He’s still not eating a ton, but seems to be getting more energy and personality every day. We’re continuing to mix his prescription food with some fancy feast. He’s still not really too interested in it. We’ve also continued to let him eat some dry food to make sure he gets some nourishment. We’ll have to cut that out soon though.

Tonight's dinner was a Spaghetti Casserole.

Ingredients:

• 8 ozs of Angel Hair Pasta
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 13 oz Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 8oz can of Tomato Sauce
• 1/2 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 4 ozs Sour Cream
• 1 cup Shredded Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese

Sides:

• Frozen Garlic Bread - baked according to the package
• Frozen Corn - heated according to the package

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350.
2. Cook pasta, according to the package. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain. Stir in the spaghetti and tomato sauces and remove from heat.
3. Drain the pasta. Combine the soup and sour cream. In an 8" baking dish, layer the meat sauce, the pasta, the soup mixture and the cheese.
4. Cover, and cook for 55-65 minutes, until cheese is melted.

This one was just a pretty standard spaghetti casserole, just what you would think. Though, using the angel hair pasta gave it a little different texture, which we really liked.

10/26/12

FRIDAY!!! YAY FRIDAY!! I feel like I haven’t worked a Friday in forever, so that, plus our ultra-late night last night, made for a long day.  Luckily I was really busy though, so that helped. Christian continues to work a ton of over time (except, he did have to leave early [aka, on time] yesterday and Tuesday). We’re just plugging along!

After work, I picked up the girls, brought them home for a quick snack, then got them into their Halloween costumes. Tonight, we were off to a Halloween Party at an indoor playground/community center in Edina – Edinborough. Christian met us there, and we met Bella and her mom, Sara, there so the girls were really excited about that.  They had some trick or treating, some carnival games, a bounce house, face painting, toys in the gym and, of course, access to the indoor playground. The girls had a ball, and were exhausted by the time we left. We gave them another quick snack before bed, and they passed right out. Christian has to work tomorrow, so we made our way to bed, pretty much right away, as well.

Rico Update for the Day – well, he still isn’t eating a ton, but he’s getting much more active every day. Today was the last of his pain medication, so I’m hoping that he’ll feel better after that and won’t be so “sedated”. I mixed together his wet and dry food today at another attempt to get him to eat. Didn’t really work. He’s still so apprehensive about his wet food.  I would think most animals would prefer wet to dry food – I suppose it’s habit and what he knows though. Hopefully we can figure it out soon!

Here are some pics from the party….

10/25/12

Today was a pretty good day. Work went well, the day flew by – even though I actually have to work tomorrow, it still went by fast. I left early to pick up the girls and bring them in for their flu shots.

Amelia’s teacher said she told her all day long she wanted to use the potty. She would sit on it, but wouldn’t actually go. That sucks, but at least she’s showing interest there. When I picked them up, I told them we had to hurry and get to the doctor. Olivia assumed I meant the “kitty doctor”, and I just let her believe that to avoid any possible argument. We finally loaded into the car and were on our way. Olivia knew right away when we pulled into the lot where we were, and she was annoyed. She asked me “what do you have to have done, mommy”. LOL. I explained they were getting their flu shots today, and they were both fairly unhappy with me. I distracted them by “racing” them into the building and directing them to the fish tanks. The nurse called us back right away and the girls were having a grand time playing on the bed and goofing around. Things got serious when the nurse came back with “stuff” though. I opted to get the flu mist for both of the girls this year. I asked Olivia if she would go first…she quickly said no, and volunteered Amelia. Great big sister right there…She did let Amelia sit on her lap though, which was cute. Amelia of course acted like she was being tortured, but quickly got over it when the misting was complete. Olivia seemed grossed out and confused by the whole process, but she did well. And, we were done. We were in and out in about 5 minutes, so YAY! Christian also got his flu shot, at work, today, so we’re all flu shot protected now! Woot!

Right from the doctor’s office, I stopped home to pack the girls a bag, and we were off to my mom’s. Tonight, Christian and I are heading to the Vikings game with his friend from work, so my mom is taking them overnight (since she has them tomorrow anyway). EXCITING!!!!

I dropped them off, raced home to get ready – arriving at about the same time as Christian. He showered and got ready, and we were off to pick up Lorenzo. We fought the rush hour traffic into Minneapolis, split the cost of parking at a close lot, and made our way into the dome. I just LOVE going to Vikings games. It’s such a fun experience, and nothing beats the energy of it. Lorenzo splurged on tickets and we got to sit REALLY close, right behind one of the end zones. The Vikings ended up losing, and really didn’t play well at all (ugh), but it was still a great time! So exciting to be there, and to be so close, was like a dream come true!

Of course, it was bumper to bumper chaos trying to get out of the lot/out of Minneapolis. But, we made the best of it. We finally got out of the chaos, stopped for some gas, dropped Lorenzo off, and made our way home. Of course, I passed out immediately. Work, is going to be ROUGH tomorrow. Definitely worth it though!

Rico Update for the Day – he seems more like himself every day. Today, I mixed his prescription food with some fancy feast wet food to see if the taste and scent of that would get him to eat more. He did eat more than he has been, so that’s good, but I still had to give him some dry food too. Hopefully we can get this feeding stuff figured out soon. At least he seems to be getting better and getting back to himself.

Here are some pictures from the game!

10/24/12 - Southwestern Skillet Macaroni and Cheese with Glazed Baby Carrots

Today was a pretty low key day. Just the usual, work, home, dinner, play, baths, bed. Pretty exciting!

Amelia did use the potty at school though, which is good. They bring her to the potty throughout the day. Sometimes she sits, sometimes she refuses, but today was the first time she actually went. YAY!

Today’s Rico Update – He’s doing well. He’s still not taking to his wet food, so I’ll have to do some research on how to transition him to it. He is perky though, has more energy and more personality. Still pretty low key, but he seems like he WANTS to do more, which is good.

Today’s dinner was Southwestern Skillet Macaroni & Cheese with Glazed Baby Carrots.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Elbow Macaroni
• 1 pound Ground Turkey
• 2 tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• ½ tsp Salt
• 1 14½ can of Diced Tomatoes, with their Juice
• 1 8oz Can of Tomato Sauce
• 1 4½ can of Diced Green Chiles
• ½ cup Water
• 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

• 1 package of baby carrots
• ½ jar/6 ozs of Orange Marmalade

Directions:

Pasta

1.      Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package. Drain, and keep warm.

2.      Spray a large skillet with nonstick spray. Add the turkey and cook until no longer pink. Stir in the chili powder, cumin and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, chiles and water. Simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes. Add the macaroni and cheese, stirring to combine.

Carrots

1.      Place 1” of water in a large saucepan; add the carrots. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes.

2.      Drain the carrots and place in a large serving bowl. Stir in the marmalade and serve with a slotted spoon.