A super FUN mommy/teacher moment!

I love being Emma's 1st teacher. It amazes me that I get the privilege to watch 6 incredible little kiddos learn and grow, but last night something really floored me. Emma was playing in the family room while I was making dinner(like she does every night) singing and laughing with Logan. After dinner I went to go play with her and Logan and that's when I noticed this...



Now you may be thinking ok what's so great about that, but this is a concept that I have been working on with the kiddos, putting objects in order from smallest to biggest and vice versa. This can be a tough concept for kids and many of my preschool have struggled with it. I have sent homework home to work on this concept and so on, but when I saw that Emma had put all her Princess Belle dolls in order from smallest to biggest I was so excited!!! It was something totally unprompted and something she did on her own with her own toys. I immediately had to have Justin look at it because I was so proud of her. It was just one of the smallest things that made me so proud to be her 1st teacher!!!

Tex-Mex Chicken

This recipe is from Justin's Men's Health Magazine, but I have to admit it is probably one of my favorite meals. We ate it last night for dinner and I decided it was definitely a recipe that should be shared, it has so much flavor and is just sooo delicious!!!



Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts halves
1/2 c. fat-free Italian dressing (I don't use that much I just lightly coat)
1 can (16 oz) mexican-style stewed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapeno peppers, minced
1/4 tsp. dried cilantro (I don't use this, but you could)
shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack Cheese (I use reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese)

Directions:

1. Place chicken in a 9X13 pan. Pierce chicken several times with a fork. Pour dressing over the top to coat chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the tomatoes (with juice), garlic, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro. Simmer for 20 minutes. Pour mixture over the chicken and cover.

3. Bake the chicken for 40 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest portion registers 160F. and the juices run clear (40 minutes is perfect in my oven). Sprinkle with cheese once out of over, cover to allow cheese to melt.

I like to combine this chicken with brown rice and green beans, it is soo yummy. I hope you all enjoy this recipe and remember HAPPINESS IS HOMEMADE!!!

Disneyland 2010

We just returned from a wonderful week at Disneyland. We stayed at the Grand Californian located right on the Disneyland property. We had such a great time riding rides, eating great food, taking naps, and just enjoying our time as a FAMILY! Here are pitures of our trip...

The kids excited to be @ Disneyland.

The entrance to Disneyland, all decked out for FALL!

Sleeping Beauty's Castle @ night.

Logan and Dale @ 1 of the Character Breakfasts we did.

Logan and Emma with Snow White, Logan was totally flirting with her.

Sharing a bed @ night!

Meeting Tinkerbell!

Logan took this picture and I thought it was sooo cute!!!

Meeting Minnie Mouse!

Playing inside Minnie's House...



Daddy being silly in Mickey's House.

Meeting Mickey Mouse!!!

Riding Emma and Logan's favorite ride, the roller coaster in Toon Town.


Smile Kiddos.

Princess Emma and Knight Logan (he's hiding behind his sword).


Trick -or- Treatiing in Disneyland. Emma is Strawberry Shortcake.

Logan is of course Buzz Lightyear.

Meeting Jesse from Toy Story.

Meeting Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween costumes.

Breakfast @ Ariel's Grotto and meeting all the princesses.



Mr. Incredible and Mr. Logan.

Look who's a new toy. haha!

Logan's famous bubble gun!

Daddy and Logan on the Mickey's ferris wheel.

Meeting Mulan @ Goofy's Kitchen.

These last few pictures are just some more fun pics from our trip!

Family Pictures

We recently took some family pictures with a friend who is newly starting her photography career. We were lucky enough to win a free photo shoot with her and below are just a few of the fun pictures she took. ENJOY!!!!