Florida weekend

AJ had a competition down in Tallahasee Florida which is only about 1.5 hours from the coast so of course it was the prefect excuse for me to just head to the beach for a few days. It was of course colder than I would have liked but gorgeous. I think the kids had fun although if you ask Matt he will say he was forced to go. whatever. AJ had his 2nd best meet ever and we only have one normal meet left before heading to State which I am really excited about! By the end of the season we are all feeling pretty done. Last year both Elle and AJ were competing during the same time, so having it be only 1 was nice!! I have tried so many times to upload videos of his events but blogger just can't do it, it's only a minute and a half but thats too much. I may need a new venue!

Sing a happy song

As a mom we have to get our kicks where we can. I remember my mom singing primary songs when we were misbehaving like, Jesus said love everyone treat them kindly too... And we would roll our eyes. Well last night Matt was on his long winded spiel how he deserves a big fancy truck and when Kirk and I buy it for him in his fantasy land it will be his and we can never take it or grund him from using it. I was sick of talking so I walked away singing Cinderellas a dream is a wish your heart makes, not loud but loud enough and he turned to Kirk and said I hate that song. It struck me as so funny I still have a warm giggle in my heart ;)

Next blog

Have you ever hit the "next blog" button on the top of your blog? It takes you to random blogs, the first 8 or so I hit tonight were all total mormon looking moms and kids talking about life. But then I went through some really random one, someone attempting to write either poetry or rap, some guy whose whole blog is devoted to the evil women who randomly accuse men of everything and the "system" that only believes the women, and some boring political type blogs. All together nothing I will add to my reading list and I don't think I will waste anymore time hitting the next blog button.

A fellow mom took this and editited it from the meet yesterday, it shows why I need a great camera and then learn some skills! I love it!

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Ok I know I put this on facebook but it really was so yummy! My kids weren't into it, but who says that should matter??

Photo by: Photo: Sang An; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite

• YIELD: Serves 4 (serving size: about 1 1/3 cups)
• HANDS-ON:25 Minutes
• TOTAL:32 Minutes
• COURSE: Main Dishes, Soups/Stews

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 4 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (3-inch) stalk lemongrass, halved lengthwise
• 2 teaspoons sambal oelek (ground fresh chile paste)
• 3 cups Chicken Stock or fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/4 cups light coconut milk
• 4 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (about 8 ounces)
• 1/2 cup green onion strips
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Preparation

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add mushrooms and the next 4 ingredients (through lemongrass); cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chile paste; cook 1 minute. Add Chicken Stock, coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken to pan; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Discard lemongrass. Top with onions, cilantro, and juice.

Therapy

I've discovered a really great new therapy. You take a hard core kick boxing class with your child, then you are his partner and when he holds the bag for you, you get to punch the bag he's holding as many times and as hard as you can and vent all your frustrations without actually hitting anyone. Now this feels really nice, until this child leans around the bag and asks "is that the hardest you can punch?"

High school update, no musicals involved

Guess I haven't been updating very well! After a year and half of stress from bullies, drug dealers and what we thought was laziness but is currently labeled ADHD we've pulled Matt out of regular high school and we are doing a online hs offered through our county. Here is the upside, it's still run by teachers so I don't have to do any curriculm. He can get a full day of school done in half the time. No more phone calls from the school is a big plus! If he stays with this program longer than this semester he can graduate early. Now the down sides, he's home with me ALL DAY LONG. This means I've quit the job I really liked so he isn't at home alone all day. It also kinda puts me in the position of vice principal, I have to squash the urge to ask him how it's going every 10 minutes. This is teaching him responsibility, but it works well with his attention span, if he needs to walk and get a snack and come back then he can. We are told colleges don't look down on this program which I can only hope was true but after the last 3 semesters of grades, it can only get better. We are considering letting him find a part time job to keep him busy and we are letting him join a gym where he can take a boxing class and a Muay Thai class once he is ready for it. The fun part of him being here is we went to a kick boxing class at noon today together and it kicked my butt which he loved. Cross your fingers and I'll let you know!