MiMi's Popcorn

Last Sunday the kids and I ran into Ryan's parents' house while Ryan was checking his calves there.  I smelled popcorn as I walked in and knew we interrupted supper.  Ryan's family grew up having popcorn for supper on most Sunday nights.  My dad grew up the same way.  I remember Grandma Mary serving popcorn, apples and homemade caramels on Sunday nights.  We've 'sort of 'adopted that tradition...we call it "Sunday Funday." This means the kids can eat pretty much anything they want for supper, maybe popcorn and apples or cheese/crackers and summer sausage.  Sometimes it's jalapeno poppers, pizza rolls and potato skins. Almost anything goes!  I also use Sunday Funday to clean out any leftovers in the fridge from the week...if they sound good to anyone, which, usually the 'snacky' stuff wins out. 

One Sunday night, Ryan said, "hey,when I was a kid mom used to put food coloring on the popcorn. Let's do that tonight."  You know by now that Dig loves any and everything colorful. It would be a great surprise.  So, that's what we did.  Popped the popcorn and sprinkled green food coloring over the buttery, salty goodness.  It was pretty cool, but I didn't think the color spread like it was supposed to. 

Linda's popcorn last Sunday night was also green...but the color covered the popcorn like a popcorn ball.  I knew right there that is what Ryan was talking about and we were obviously missing something!  I had her write down the recipe so we could enjoy some at home, too.  When Ryan walked in from his chores he said, "See!  I told you mom made colored popcorn!"  I showed him there was a little more than just food coloring involved and we had a good giggle.  "Well, to a little boy you could see how I thought it was just food coloring." ...except for the sweet, sticky sugar taste, I guess.  =)

Tonight, after supper, the kids and I made our very first batch of "MiMi's Popcorn!"  Dig chose BLUE!  It was so, so, so, YUMMY!  It will be so fun in snack mixes & May Baskets!!

You should try it!

I used a half cup of unpopped corn in our air-popper...
3 T.  Water

1/2 C. Sugar

1/2 C. Powdered Sugar

1 1/2 T. Butter

Boil- then add food coloring, stir & ENJOY!

First Day of School

Can't believe it, but we have TWO kids in SCHOOL!

Drue had a wonderful start to the year, especially compared to last year.  There were no tears, no whining...just smiles and excitement.  So much easier on Momma that way!  She is starting First-Grade.  Her teacher, Mrs. Bronzynski is especially known for her spectacular gift in teaching kids to love reading.  Drue was so excited to see all the neat things in her classroom.  She had a wonderful day, playing with friends she hadn't seen through the summer and getting reaquainted with the school.  We are so very proud of her and all she has already learned in school and can't wait to see her blossom even more!

Lane Ryan has been waiting for this day for, what seemed to him...EVER!  He is in the 4 year-old program at Good Shepherd Preschool.  His birthday is the actual cutoff date, so he will be 5 in a few weeks.  He was so excited for craft time and playing with all the neat toys and blocks.  His teacher, Miss Karen, is familiar with his love of all things colorful, organization and crafts so I'm sure she will make sure he has a wonderfully fun year!  There are only 4 other boys in his class... but that's no big deal to him, he's used to his big sister bossing him around!  ha!  Lane was the Line Leader today and got to ring the bell to announce that it's time for everyone to take a seat on the rug. He loved playing outside and playing with his friend Hailey, who he knows from Sunday School.  He could hardly wait to show me that he received his very own book order sheets...he's big time now!  We are so proud of Dig and all the things he has been determined to learn at home and all the things he has soaked up from his sister.  We are so anxious to see what this year brings for our Little Man!

Wordless Wednesday

Only One Week of "Summer Vacation" Left!

Well, a week from today, the kids will have completed their first day of school.  Can't believe that DD is already in first grade!  It was right after my first-grade year that we moved to Eldora.  I felt so grown up.  I knew all I needed to know.  Holy Cow!  That's how she sees herself, too, I think.  Dig will be in Preschool and he is so excited!  I hope that excitement lasts through the drop off Monday afternoon.  He is so excited to learn!  In fact, last night, he asked me to teach him how to tie.  I showed him twice.  He practiced a few times and refused to let me help him.  He would start over if I said or touched anything!  Well, I'm proud to say, that today...he ties by himself!  He's a stubborn little guy who is not to be out done...especially by his big sister!  Can't wait to see how he soaks up Preschool!

I, on the other hand, have mixed emotions.  I've always thought how sad it was to hear other moms say, "I can't wait for the kids to go back to school!"  I cringed.  However, this last week of summer...I am starting to understand a little.  The kids fought all day.  Mom saved the day and 'took' them away for a bit while I vaccuumed & cleaned bathrooms tonight.  Actually, they're still gone.  Wonder what they talked her into tonight!?   I will be sad taking the kids to school.  My heart aches at how quickly they have grown.  My entire job description is changing next week...what will I do with my afternoons? Lane is in school 12:30-3:30...I suppose I'll go grocery shopping, clean, laundry, start supper, READ...A BOOK! Oh my! The joy of that!  I'll also stalk decorating and before & after websites...Ryan's beginning to wish we didn't have internet service with all my talk of re-painting walls & furniture and re-upholstering,  etc...  But he loves me...he doesn't care what I do...as long as it doesn't involve much work from him! =)

There have been a few funnies lately that I don't want to forget...

As Drue was getting out of the car one day, she very seriously told Lane..."well, pretty soon, when I grow up, I'll have eyes all around my head, under my hair!"  Lane was speechless.  He stared at her head then glanced over at me.  I smiled.  Drue then looked at me..."what?!? Won't I mom!  I'll have eyes all over my head and in the back, just like you do!"  I explained that when I said, "I have eyes on the back of my head" I wasn't serious.  She was shocked. I could see the disappointment in her eyes...the ones on the front of her head.  I assured her though, that if and when she becomes a mommy...she'll say the same thing!

The big news around here was DD learning to ride a bike with no training wheels.  That meant she needed a new, bigger bike.  We went to Waterloo...all the stores.  Ended up at Toys R Us.  The kids had never been before.  They were beyond excited.  First off Dig was in awe of the colorful store. 

He said, "Mom! I've never been here before!!" 
I replied, "yes, and there is a reason for that!" 
"why?" 
"because 99% of all kids who enter this place leave crying because they didn't get everything they want." 

They found bikes and we looked around.  Every.toy.they.could.imagine.  E.V.E.R.Y!  It's all he can talk about. "Can we go there today?" "I want a Toys R Us gift card for my birthday?" Seriously, that place is not meant for kids...only Santa & Grandmas.

Today, Drue was talking about what she wants to be when she grows up...a Vet.  She asked where she had to go to college for that. (this is a big topic, frequent one...she wants to be able to drive home every night...I'm positive she'll change her mind by the time she's 18!)  We talked about how fun and exciting being a vet will be and how thankful her Dad, Pa & Uncle Shawn will be to have a Vet in the family!

Dig very proudly expressed what he wants to do when he grows up..."BUY A TOYS R US STORE!"

Go figure!

More Texas...

I've waited too long.  We've had a lot going on around here but I'm finally ready to post some more pictures from our trip to Texas...

Friday, after returning from the Stockyards, we took the kids to the pool for a bit before getting ready for the wedding. 

Lindsay and Jordan were married at the Tower Club on the 48th floor of the Thanksgiving Tower right downtown Dallas.  The view was amazing.  Mom is not a fan of elevators...at all.  She did great though.  Our ears popped all the way up! The wedding was beautiful.  Jordan's Dad is a Lay Pastor and he performed the ceremony.  Afterwards, we all went in to a different room for appetizers and after about a half hour, we went into the reception room. We enjoyed a delicious meal and plenty of champagne.  The little kids ended up falling asleep and us big kids headed out to the dance floor for some fun.

After the wedding, there was a Candy Bar set up for us to fill little bags full of pink, white & brown candies.  The kids were still asleep, so they missed out on seeing it, but never fear...they got LOTS of the candy! 

All ready to go!

I think the sun made Drue crazy. She was in a silly mood!

With my brothers & their girlfriends...

My cute parents.

My men

The wedding was on the 48th floor!

KK & DD

Uncle Shawn checking out the Little Man.

Our Drivers.  Well, actually they were.  But they are also known as Uncle Jim & Dad.  =)  The had to park the huge vans and we were afraid they'd get mugged on the way back!  ha!

I did NOT like Dig leaning on those windows!!  I got weak in the knees just looking down!

Dig LOVED this glass!  He asked if we could take it home! 

Another view from the reception room

(that's a reflection of candles on a table on the right)

We could see the tops of most of the other buildings in the city!

DD fell asleep

So did Digga Dean.  That's what staying up late,

walking a lot and swimming will do to a guy!

After we got back to the hotel, the kids were excited to see the candy we had picked up for them...if they only new what was instore for them tomorrow!! Just wait and see the stash they came home with!

That Didn't Take Long!

Another milestone for the Luiken family!  Drue Kathleen can ride a bike...with NO training wheels! 

She's one determined little girl!  Daddy helped her practice three evenings in a row and last night he LET GO! She was beaming!  We are so proud of her!  I just happened to be taking a video when Ryan let go for the first time so she can watch it over and over!

Her brother is not to be out-done so he has vowed to practice with no training wheels, too.  I'm sure he'll get the hang of it before school starts!

Our weekend plans... buy two new bikes! 

Summer Days

Today felt like one of those typical "All-American" Summer Days...and we enjoyed it! 

Here's the rundown...

*  The kids and I slept in, this is nothing new, we have been waking up between 8:30 and 9 since the week school got out!

*  We had a lazy morning.  Drue played with her doll house, Dig with his Lite Brite, I folded laundry.

*  We ate lunch at Nan & Pa's...again, nothing new, we've done this almost every noon for the past 3 1/2 years!

*  The kids and I spent a very hot and humid afternoon at the pool.  We have some fishies this summer!  They've really taken off and Ryan and I are so proud of how confident DD & Dig are becoming in the water!  They now prefer the 4'! No more "little kid" area for them!

*  We grilled Balvanz Cattle burgers for supper, topped with onions and tomatoes from our garden.

*  Dad helped DD practice riding her bike with NO training wheels!  Who woulda' thought!  That girl didn't even get ON a bike last summer and until this week the same was true this summer.  It was all her idea.  Her bike is too little so if she figures this out...she's been promised a new one!  Look at her proud brother jogging next her yelling, "you're doing it! Good job, DD!"  and Dad's getting his workout running up and down the road behind her...one of these times, he'll let go! 

*  Dad & Dig played baseball in the street.  Yes, Mom.  I said street.  Nothing says summer to a little boy like a game of street ball.  (Only when mom and dad are out there...He knows.)

*  The kids have Kool-Aid mustaches and dirty little faces.  I love it!

*  We gobbled up an evening snack of s'mores...as Ryan would say, "fancy" s'mores.  We sprinkled toasted tortillas with cinnamon and sugar, added chocolate bars, mini marshmallows and BANANAS! yum-o!  I do love me some chocolate and bananas!! 

*  As has been far too common this summer, we are now listening to thunder rolling in and anticipating a severe thunderstorm, but not before we ran the munchkins through a quick bubble bath.

*  Now.. to finish off this perfect summer day...cuddles and books on the couch with my two favorite kids in the entire world.  Can't get any better than that!