Lunchtime and Free Tips!

Pizza cutters - they are not just for pizza anymore! I have heard of people using scissors to make cutting their kids' food up easier. But, I find a pizza cutter is easier to work with. I don't have to pick the food up to cut it, and it's faster. I have a few that I keep on hand to cut the kids' food for them. They work great for cutting waffles. I stack 2 waffles on the plate and cut it across into 4 strips. Turn the plate and cut again 3 times. Voila! Much easier than hacking at it with a knife. How old fashioned!

I use a pizza cutter for pretty much all of my kid-food chopping. Chicken strips, toast triangles, even pizza!

After cutting the pizza into wedges, I cut up to, but not through, the crust.

Then I cut it across until I have it all in little squares.

I am left with a tasty crust piece that I can steal for myself if that child is too young to notice. a hem! I mean a young child could choke on the tough crust.

I also use it to make Logan's Monkey Bread. I have to quarter the biscuits in the recipe, so I just use the pizza cutter and it makes the job much easier. So dust off that pizza cutter and keep it handy.

Amazing what happens when we think outside the box. Even if it is the pizza box!

Fear Factor.

We are planning a family camping trip with some close friends. Hanging out and relaxing. Spending a little time on the lake. I love these people and I am very excited about this trip. Well, let me clarify that. I am very excited about spending time with our friends. The rest of the trip involves camping. Camping!

I know - lots of people love camping. I want to love camping. I just have some issues (read: phobias) to deal with first.

Mainly, it's lake water.

And ocean water (more specifically, Gulf of Mexico ocean water).

Oh, and pond water.

Creek water, too.

Really any water I can't see through.

Pools are nice.

As long as they are clean and well maintained.

I went water skiing one time. I forced myself into the water and got over it. Unfortunately, I didn't think the whole thing out and realized I was going to be stuck in the middle of the lake by myself when I fell until the boat could turn around to get me. So, when I fell I didn't let go. Instead I chose to hang on and bounce violently across the lake. Kind of like tubing - without the tube. The only thing that saved me was that I was wearing a two-piece. When I felt the bottoms were giving, I reacted and grabbed them. I'm glad I reacted because if I had to think about it I'm not sure what I would have chosen. 1.) Let go and be stuck in the middle of the lake or 2.) Bounce across the lake mooning everyone we passed. hmm.... That would have been a tough one.

Needless to say, I have not tried water skiing since.

My mind seems to exaggerate what I can't see in murky water. The creatures that might brush by my leg terrify me. The germs we will inevitably swallow completely gross me out. And I am not only fearing my own life, I have a hard time watching others as they frolick happily in what my mind has rendered tainted and polluted. Yes, I said my mind exaggerates it. Yet, I can't seem to get over it.

How will I get a handle on this before our trip? I haven't even touched the other issues I have with camping. I'm stuck on the lake water for now.

I do know one thing.

I'm wearing a one-piece on this trip.

Better Than Saturday Morning Cartoons.

Breakfast as a family on Saturday mornings - that's our thing. We call it our Big Breakfast. The menu varies between pancakes, waffles, and french toast. This morning, we had chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes (separate batches), scrambled eggs, and fruit. Everyone has their favorite choice, but no one complains about what is served because I don't think what is on the menu that morning is what we all care about. It's being together when we start our day. After a long week of Dad having to leave every morning, we all enjoy sitting down and just being together.

What I love about it is that it is something we all work together on. There is an excitement in the air that I can't explain as the kids help me get everything ready. Notice the berry arrangement. Tate and Ellie spent some serious time on that display. Oh, and the basketball napkins - I hear this is the latest craze in all the big magazines. Very haute couture!

Tate exclaimed that my breakfast tastes just like IHOP! At first, I was taken aback and a little offended. Then, I remembered that the statement came from a ten year old. That made it quite a compliment and I was very flattered.

This morning was the first Saturday we have been able to do this in a while. Someone said it takes 3 weeks to get back in the groove after a 1 week vacation. Boy, were they right! It seems like we have not slowed down since we got home - and I am feeling it. I think that made our open calendar today even more precious to me this morning.

The rest of the day was spent doing things around the house that we haven't had time to work on. I have had many people asking about Tony's arm and how he is feeling. Thank you. He is slowly recovering and is using his arm more. Today, he built a birdhouse with the kids for their science class. It's a little late, but building a birdhouse with one arm can be challenging. I guess I'll give him a break.