The beginning of Fall

The kids have been passing all kinds of lovely germs back and forth to each other over the past couple of weeks (first Gray had a viral infection, then Hayes had a cold, now Gray has the croup and an ear infection), so needless to say my plans have been a little botched and I've had to take them on some errands that I wouldn't otherwise have dared to do with them in tow. What I'm learning is that (A) it does get a little easier taking two kids places as they get older and (B) I am not above a bribe to make sure of that. The other day in Wal-Mart I quickly obliged Gray's plea for an IronMan mask when I realized it was the only way I would be able to finish my shopping. He loved it so much that he kept it on the entire time we were inWal-Mart (I've seen stranger things there unfortunately), all the way home in the car, the entire time he ate lunch (through the mask of course), and all while he was settling down for the nap (with his paci underneath). The poor thing fell asleep with the mask on and I almost put him in his bed with it on for fear of waking him.

I guess this is but a taste of what is in store for us with our little boy's boy....Here's a pic of him dressing up as a monster with the help of some koozies on his hands and feet. What an imagination this one has!

Speaking of boy's boy, ours pulled a typical one on us today when he reported to me that he had just swallowed a ball. What kind of ball, I don't know. All he would say was that it was white and small and that it now lay safely in his tummy. Fortunately, he is breathing/acting fine and I have a feeling we'll be seeing exactly what this ball looks like in the next 24 hours. I'll keep you posted. Just yesterday, I was reminding Adam that we had never had to actually take Gray to the ER for any of his shenanigans. Shortly after, he flipped over the barstool in our kitchen and landed directly on the top of his head. That was a close one! The last time I bragged about not having to do something, and learned my lesson for it, was when our friend was on a sequestered case as a juror. I proudly told Adam that I had never served jury duty only to receive a summons the next week for a sequestered case....when I was 34 weeks pregnant. You'd think I'd learn to knock on wood or something, yet here we are.

Hayes is getting too big for her britches....she has to try and do whatever her brother does, which usually results in tears when she can't or when he won't let her. Here's her in her new booster seat, sitting next to her brother and so happy doing things for herself.

And here is her, not so happy, when I asked Gray to give her a hug and make her feel better after she got hurt.....nice, right?

Last weekend we took advantage of the beautiful Fall weather and bought two child carriers for our bikes so we can ride on the new Memphis green belt. It is such a wonderful amenity to have here in the city and we are just up the street from one of the entry points. The kids have LOVED riding with us and it's actually been great therapy for Gray's croup.....just what the doctor ordered! Here's a picture of Gray and Adam riding before work this morning. They just can't get enough! And yes, that's a paci in his mouth. In his defense, he had just woken up. In my defense, I have none.

And here's a picture of my handsome boys riding after work....I'm the one that needs a paci by this point in the day.

On a different note, I have been getting so excited about this Fall season and have been busy as a bee decorating and getting ready for Gray's pumpkin decorating party.

Seriously, this is what my laundry room looks like right now in preparation....I'll post pics after his party to show what we ended up doing with these....gonna be a fun time!

I am also taking advantage of the kickoff of this Fall season to cook some of my seasonal favorites. Today's special is Chicken Potpie, a dish I grew up on, and I just love how easy, quick and cheap it is....not to mention even better the next day! For those of you that hate leftovers, you are truly missing out! It is a great dish for leftover pork tenderloin, roast beef, or rotisserie chicken.

 

Chicken Potpie

• 2 chicken breasts, chopped (I use frozen most of the time)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• salt and pepper
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 3 tbl butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups frozen veggies, thawed
• 1 tbl fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 2 9” pastry crusts
• 1 egg, slightly beaten

1. Combine chicken, broth, salt and pepper in a large saucepan; bring to a boil and reduce to low; cover and let simmer for 30 minutes until chicken is cooked
2. remove the chicken and let cool. Pour the remaining broth into a measuring cup and let stand; spoon off the fat. Add enough milk to the mixture to equal 2 ½ cups
3. Cut chicken in smaller pieces
4. In the same pan, melt butter; saute onion and celery
5. Stir in flour and broth mixture and simmer until thickens
6. Add chicken, vegetables, parsley and thyme
7. Pour into pie crust and top with another crust
8. Cut slits onto the top to vent; brush with egg
9. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes; let stand for 10 before cutting
   
   
   
   
   ENJOY!
   The Pattersons