Favorite snacks

These are the snacks we make and eat the most:

CHEERIO TREATS

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 package (10-1/2 ounces) miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 5+ cups Cheerios

Directions:

Place the butter and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl. microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes or until melted. Stir in the peanut butter until blended. Add the cereal (and 1 cup milk chocolate M&M's optional)Spoon into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. pan; press down gently. Cool slightly before cutting. Yield: 15 servings.



CHEX MUDDY BUDDIES ( or Puppy Chow..we call it Dog Food!)

9	Cups any kinds or mixtures of Chex cereal
1	cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2	cup peanut butter
1/4	cup butter or margarine
1	teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2	cups powdered sugar

	Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
	In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
	Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Difficulties

When folks find out the size of our family, there is one comment that almost always gets shared, "You must be so patient!"

I usually laugh and say, "I wish!" or some such thing. I can tell by the look on their faces that they do not believe me and I that they think I truly must have some sort of super-power.

My "superpower," if I even have one, is making beautiful, healthy babies...and yet, even that is truly God's Work, not mine.

I do have a hard time being a parent. I was SO glad to be done with classroom teaching for several reasons:

• I cannot stand bickering

• I hate being the "judge" when I haven't even been a witness to the "crime"

• I didn't like when parents did not see the "spin" their kid put on a classroom situation

And now, guess what I live with everyday?
Lord, have mercy.

I just pray that when my children become parents, they have the ability to deal with all of those situations more perfectly than I have been able to.

What?

Fifteen? Just fifteen????
Daughter, this should be your FB pic...yes?

Family vacation pics

A family game of water balloon baseball ensues after the graduation ceremony has ended...





Many evenings were spent setting up the firepit for s'mores and adult beverages..



Two three year old (born hours apart in different states) cousins become reacquainted


More to come :)

Vacation photo

This is all twelve of us from littlest to biggest! Thanks to our dear friends from Cheektowaga, NY!

This picture was taken outside of Grandma and Grandpa's cabin at Godfrey's Pond. We go there almost every summer because my dear husband lived there, and eventually worked there as a life guard, every summer while growing up. We always have a campfire and make s'mores. Sometimes we get in a swim and go to look at the birds and maybe get a peacock feather. Whatever the activity, it is always better at the Cabin.

Reading and vacation

Yeah, so I didn't even crack the binding on the book I took along on vacation. See previous post....

I forgot

Baby Boy is 5 weeks old. I forgot how demanding and time consuming an infant is. Can you believe that?

ps-Dear BabyBoy weighs over 10 pounds now!