Parting is such (sweet?) sorrow

I apologize in advance for what I am about to announce. I am not apologizing for the announcement itself, but rather for the informal and completely impersonal way that I am making it. Some of you, my readers, will feel slighted that I did not call you with the news. I am sorry, but due to lack of time, I may never get to it. I will try, but I am making no promises!

Anyways, on to the big news…….NO, I am not pregnant again. I know that is what you were all thinking. Actually, our news is that (in just a short month—aaaahhhh!) Toddler World will be moving to a new galaxy. Well, almost–we will be taking our crew to Colorado!!! This has happened very suddenly, but God seems to be leading in every step so far. There is ALOT that has to happen before then, and hopefully it will!

A few changes will occur here at Toddler World, due to this major life event:

1) I will not be posting as much or checking your blogs as often. If I appear to be doing either, please leave a comment telling me to get back to work!

2) Toddler World will become my “general” blog soon, and I will be moving my family news to a restricted site which you will have to email me to gain access to. It will be a few weeks before this happens though…..

3) I may seem (more) scatterbrained and my posts may not make any sense. But please bear with me, as I will need a mental outlet.

And if any of you have any fabulous moving tips, send them my way! I have only moved from the dorms to here, so we have alot more stuff to deal with now. I can use any help I can get!

A mother’s paradise!

I am sorry–I have been a major slacker about posting lately. Daddy was gone for the weekend, so I was a little busier than usual.
I went to a fabulous children’s museum(of sorts) a few weeks ago with my friend and her two kids. It was a little crowded the day that we went (no school) but it cleared out by lunchtime and the kids had more room to play. I thought of Sara the whole time–it was painted in bright, fun colors and was so artsy.
The kids had a blast–the dress-up clothes were the biggest hit with my girls. Big E even joined in on a Spanish class (“Spanish and Movement”….who knew they went together!).
So if you are ever in the area, let me know–we can head there with our kids and chat while they play!

Relaxing in the reading room

A star is born!

Chef Big E, whipping up something yummy

Even the bathroom was fun!

Playing with moon sand (and Mommy doesn’t have to clean it up!)

K, creating a masterpiece

Middle E’s favorite spot–the big ship
(and yes, she was a knight the whole time)

B was working on his new house

Spanish class was not as fun as Big E thought it would be–but the chandelier was fabulous!

Even Little E enjoyed himself

Do you have places like this in your area?

How much does a Valentine party cost?

Party favors and table decorations: $8.65

Princess food and cupcakes: $11.02

Craft supplies for fairy wands: $4.48

7 little girls, dressed like princesses: Priceless!

~~MOMMY MONDAY~~

I wanted to share another book that I am making my way through–VERY sloooowwwwly, mind you–but I intend to finish it. The author, Karol Ladd, is very down-to-earth in her writing, as well as extremely practical. I think every mom feels “hopeless” at times, and it is hard to do positive things when you feel hopeless. This book has encouraged me to view my job of mothering as a positive opportunity–a way to uplift, encourage, and cultivate lives! I need to be reminded of the awesome privelege that I have as a mother.

And to those of you who do not have children, she speaks of being a positive influence and a reinforcer of godliness to other people’s children. We all have a responsibility to the next generation!

This is what my copy of “The Power of a Positive Mom” looks like…..ironic, I think. (I had to maintain a positive attitude when I found it covered in crayon “pictures”.

And this is something I found in a book I am “recycling”……the Lord knew I needed to find it on the last page, and read it, before I got rid of it! Hope it can encourage someone else today also.

Teach me, my God and King, In all things thee to see;

Teach me to be in everything; All thou wouldst have me be.

In all I think or say, Lord, may I not offend.

In all I do, be thou the way; In all be thou the end.

Each task I undertake, Though weak and mean to me,

If undertaken for Thy sake; Draws strength and worth from Thee.

Teach me, then, Lord, to bring, To all that I may be,

To all I do, my God and King, a consciousness of Thee.

–George Herbert

In the words of the Little Einsteins…..

…”Mission Completion!!” (Have I ever mentioned that Little Einsteins is one kid’s show that I really do not mind??)
So, the princess party went off without a hitch…..well, without too many hitches, and I will post pictures of the royal celebration tomorrow. But I wanted to share the recipe for the royal main dish that we ate today.
It is another famous family recipe. My kids pick this dish every time, when given a choice. My hubby’s Aunt Janis shared it with my MIL, who shared it with me. It is the perfect comfort food on a frosty Saturday afternoon. Enjoy!

Aunt Janis’ Mac & Cheese

2 Cups elbow macaroni
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
1 t. salt
1 t. dry mustard (I use prepared mustard!)
1/2 t. pepper
1 3/4 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2) Cook and drain the macaroni.

3) In saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat, blend in flour, salt, mustard, and pepper. Return to heat, gradually add milk; stir often until sauce thickens. (Usually about 3 or 4 minutes) Add cheese and stir until melted.

4) Combine sauce and macaroni and pour into lightly greased 2 qt. casserole. Top with more cheese if desired. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top.

5) Bake 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.

The weather outside is frightful…..

…but a good book is so delightful!
We got dumped on yesterday, and were stuck in the house all day long. It was wonderful though–Daddy didn’t have to go to work–so we lounged around the house and enjoyed being together.
The girls and I had built a cute little snowman the day before…….now he looks a little different.

Our snowman reminded me of one of my favorite Usborne books, “That’s Not My Snowman” (from the series previously mentioned). These books are great for babies up through toddlers. They are full of sensory items, and each page has a little mouse “hiding” on it for the child to find. Littlest E loves this book, and I can always soothe his grumpiness by bringing it out.

Another book (from another series that I LOVE) is “The Snowy Day” by Anna Milbourne. She does a great job of teaching kids about a specific topic, while making it seem like a story. The illustrations are beautiful–my girls love to read the other two books from the series, On the Moon and The Rainy Day.

What books do you like to curl up with on a wintery day? (If you don’t have a favorite, I know just where to find one…..!)

Look who dropped by…..

ToddlerWorld is quite the gathering place. You never know who will come by for a visit.
For example, just last week we had a visit from a gypsy princess and her dancing bear….

…King Arthur sailed in on his ship, on his way back to the Round Table…

…and the “big man on campus”, Mr. Popular, decided to drop in and chat.

It is very hard to keep up with our social calendar, but somehow we survive.

The secret’s out…..

Since this is Saturday, I figured I should keep up with my weekly theme of “Somethin’s Cooking Saturdays” and post a recipe. (Even though I already posted today…..I tell ya, the demands of blogging!)

And now, my dear readers, you should all feel extremely blessed and special at this moment because I am going to let you in on a famous family recipe. Well, at least a family recipe….er, well, actually just one I made up. But “family recipes” have to start with someone, right? I am hoping to pass it down for generations to come.

My sister and I actually collaborated on this recipe, and I have perfected it over the last (almost) 7 years of marriage. It is the only recipe I make that I actually feel proud of. I know that it is not right to be prideful, but–after you try it, you may be proud of yourself too. It is one of the only dishes I make that I–without fail–get asked for the recipe. The only drawback is that you have to like spicy foods. DO NOT try this if that is not the case!

So, without further adieu…….

Sarah’s Famous Chicken Enchiladas

*2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
*1 large (or 2 small) can(s) green enchilada sauce
*1 cup sour cream
*1 cup Ro-tel (diced tomatoes and green chilis)
*2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
*7-8 taco-size flour tortillas

To prepare:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Pour one cup of enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 pan.
3) Fill each tortilla with: 3-4 spoonfuls of cooked chicken, one T. of sour cream, 1 T. of Rotel, and 1 small handful of cheese.
4) Roll up tortilla and place vertically in pan. Cover with remaining enchilada sauce. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
5) Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes (until edges of tortillas get brown).
6) Enjoy!!!

(I sometimes fill the tortillas with black beans or rice to make the dish more filling. You can also top with sliced olives before baking.)

We have a winner, folks!

I am proud to announce that Karma, from BootieBaby, is the winner of my Usborne book giveaway. She will be receiving a book from one of my favorite series~~
“That’s Not My ….”.

Congrats, Karma! (Make sure you check out her blog–she sells some fun kids’ clothing!) And to those of you who didn’t win……I will definitely be participating in the next Bloggy Giveaway contest! Thanks for checking out my site. Now you know where to shop for fun kid’s books!!!