Easter...Finally

We had a long Easter weekend....that started a little early. At Fry's around each holiday they do free photos, and a little craft or picture coloring and we also got to decorate a cookie. This was the backdrop for the photos. Pretty cute.

On Good Friday I had to school. I dropped Keaton at daycare so I could go to an appointment and picked him up at 11 and we headed to Golfland for an Easter egg hunt on the mini-golf courses. By the time we got there at 11:15 they had started turning people away for the 12:00 hunt...When we had to turn back I told Keaton the eggs were all gone. Josh was meeting us there so I called him and we decided to stop by Walmart, pick up a few eggs and candy and go to the park....so eggs $1, Jelly Beans $1, Smarties $1 an Easter egg hunt at the park...priceless.

We thought we'd try another Easter egg hunt Saturday, however it was raining. On the morning news they were advertising the hunt at Kiwanas park so we hurried down, thinking maybe not so many people would brave the rain. It started at 9 and we got there at 8:30, but at 8:45 it turns out the volunteers didn't want to brave the rain. They called it off, moved a table out to the parking lot and handed everyone three eggs and a stuffed animal....nice but not as much fun.

We then thought we'd rush to the one in Chandler that started at 10...it was just Keaton and I so he was fully confused. But when we got there, it was cancelled too. They gave us a little baggie with a dum-dum and a few tootsie rolls. So Keaton and I went to breakfast at Village Inn together, and it was delicious.

Next came the egg dying Saturday night. With only one big spill of pink we finished up his masterpieces. Notice the tongue hanging out and the concentration.

Sunday we waited for Cooper and Shalyn to do the egg hunt. I gave Keaton his basket before church and he immediately ate the all the PEZ and loved the bubbles. After church and a nap we were ready to hunt eggs. First pic, on the hunt...next sorting the goods....last almost posing for a picture for mom (notice the eye brow thing he can do just like me, pretty amazing).

Hope everyone had a great Easter...a few weeks ago.

Ham it up!

We had lots of leftover Easter ham so today I was in search of a recipe to start using it up. This recipe was really good. I added more onions and bell peppers and put a little extra cheese on top. It was not difficult but did take a little more prep time than I usually spend. It was a big hit at our house. (recipe and photo from allrecipes.com)

Mother's Ham Cassarole

2 cups peeled cubed potatoes

1 large carrot sliced

2 celery ribs, chopped

2 cups fully cooked ham, cubed

2 tablespoons green pepper, chopped

3 tablespoons onion, chopped

7 tablespoons butter, divided

3 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Bread crumbs (about 2 slices of bread)

salt and pepper to taste

In a saucepan bring the potatoes, celery and carrots to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook about 15 minutes or until tender. Drain. In a large skillet, saute the ham, green pepper and onion in 3 tablespoons of butter until tender. Add to the potato mixture. Transfer to a greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish.

In a saucepan, melt the remaining butter, stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat and add cheese until melted. Pour over the ham mixture. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake uncovered at 375 for 25 minutes or until heated through.

Chocoholic Laughs

Ok here's a story nost chocolate lovers can relate to.

The other day Keaton and I shared a bag of peanut M&M's on the way home from the store. Which of course leaves very colorful fingers on the boy but that's not the funny part.

The next morning as we were getting into the car Keaton saw the wrapper (my car is not very clean) and grabbed it as he opened it up he said "HUH!?! Oh, they're all gone. I'm sad." I asked why he was sad and he said "I miss the chocolate in my mouth"

He seriously had a very sad expression on his face and used a low, quiet type voice. Very cute. He is totally a chocoholic though, he'd choose chocolate over any other kind of treat.

Who teaches him these eating habit anyway?