Disney Dayz

Buzz with Tigger and Pooh. They were so much fun!

We are a Disney family. We love to go there in the rain, day or night, any day of the week, and never get tired of it. We especially love to go in the rain because the lines are short (5-20 minutes usually) and well, we just like water. Disneyland really is a happy place for us. We took Books to Disneyland for his 11th birthday on Tuesday and then we had a day off of school on Monday, so we took the opportunity to get another Disneyfix. It was really pouring in the morning, but we loved it~! The kids were able to ride Big Thunder Mountain, the Matterhorn, and Peter Pan in 20 minutes, and Pinocchio, Snow White, Dumbo, Star Tours and Splash Mountain were all 5 minutes. We fast passed Indy, and Small World and Space Mountain were each 10 minutes. We walked right onto Winnie the Pooh and Pirates of the Carribean. Small World was fun because they added dolls that represent Disney characters. The lady who works in the Winnie the Pooh candy store said there are 32 of them, and we were able to find 24. We also discovered they have some really delicious candy in their candy shops. We tried a Valentine candy apple (yum!) and the Goofy Cotton Candy is the most delicious cotton candy ever! We are looking forward to going back one day next month.

Buzz, Belle, and Bob with Lightening McQueen on Books's Birthday

Chicken Noodle Soup Simple

Mom's do not get sick days. It's the law.

So what do we do when we are "not sick" but still have a week of dinners to provide our hungry families? Order pizza, of course. But since in our house we are spoiled by Costco pizza and the only other pizza we will eat is Petrillos, and neither of those deliver, one remaining option for us is chicken noodle soup. When I am "not sick" and go to Costco to pick up my pizza, I like to get 2 roaster chickens to make dinner easier for the next few nights. After arriving home, they can be carved to produce plenty of pre-cooked and seasoned chicken to create with. That chicken is soup for my soul, the springboard of many semi-homemade meals for a not-sick mom. Some ideas for things we like at our house are Chicken Enchiladas (still working on mole for these... but a friend has given some good authentic ideas...), Chicken Quesadillas with salsa and sour cream, Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Chicken Caesar Salad, and of course, Chicken Noodle Soup. This is my recipe for Simple Chicken Noodle Soup for a "not sick" mom:

Simple Chicken Noodle Soup

12 oz. package egg noodles
3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
6 cans chicken broth
3 cups roaster chicken, carved
dash of pepper
dash of celery seed

dash of italian seasoning

Cook noodles according to package directions. When there are 5 minutes of cooking time left, add 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables. Cook for remaining time and drain. To large stock pot, add chicken broth, chicken, pepper, celery seed, and italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Add noodles and vegetables. Serve hot with sour dough toast.

Reflections on Laundry

What is it that makes clean laundry so special? Is it the warm, fresh smell that comes from the dryer vent or the comforting hum as the clothes are being transformed from a dirty heap into neat stacks of soft, fluffy, clean apparel? I admit that sometimes laundry is tedious for me, and mine is not always done in a timely and efficient manner. Socks are lost, clean clothes are mixed with dirty and rewashed, and yes, there is even a hunt to make sure they are all put in the right bins before they go to the washing machine. I am far from the perfect laundress.

But are there many things better than snuggling up with a warm, soft, fresh blanket that someone has just washed for you, and brought to you straight from the dryer on a cold, wet day? As I wash and fold my piles of laundry today and reflect upon the people I care about, it is apparent to me that laundry is love. It is one small and simple way to tell my family they matter to me, and with this thought my laundry is not at all a task, but a joy.

Books's Birthday

Tomorrow is Books's birthday. I can't believe my baby will be 11! He is growing so fast and I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. He is strong and happy and a good big brother. He hasn't asked for a gift, except that he wants to go to Disneyland with his brothers and sister, so we will be making a visit to Mickey's House tomorrow. One thing about Books that makes me proud of him is his respect for others. Books always treats others with respect, uses respectful titles, and is a great defender. Happy Birthday, Books! You know who you are, and I am so proud of you! Love, Mom