Set Up

Miles:  Mama, you love me?
Jeana (very sleepy):  A little bit.
Miles:  A widdle bit?
Jeana:  Uh huh.
Miles: ...Awkward!

Once a Month Cooking, episode 3

Today I had my third round of Once a Month Cooking.  I expected it to be easy.  Third time's a charm and all that.   Instead, I made all kinds of silly mistakes.  I dropped things, I got a small oil burn, misread directions, forgot ingredients, completely swapped the meat for the two different burgers I was making, burned some quinoa cakes, and more.  It was super frustrating.

I told my BF, via email, that I was turning into Beast Jeana.  Growling and grunting all over the kitchen...it was not pretty.  Thankfully, my friend shot a quick email back with a prayer that turned my heart and put Beast Jeana back in her cage.  The rest of the day was much better.

If you're interested in what we thought of last month's meals you can check out the update I made to last month's post HERE.

Now I have in my freezer:

• Spinach & Tomato Quiche with Potato Crust (3)
• Chicken, Kale & Pepper Wrap Filling (1)
• Quinoa Cakes (2)
• Chicken Vegetable Nuggets (1)
• Moonlight Beef Fajitas (2)
• Mediterranean Stuffed (Turkey) Burgers (2)
• Barbecue Glazed Chicken (2)
• Mediterranean-Style Steak (2)
• Chicken, Bacon & Veggie Shish Kabobs (2)
• Fajita Turkey Burgers (2)
• Spicy-Sweet Pork Grilled Tacos (2)
• Coconut Fried Chicken with Spicy Peach Sauce (2)

Here's what I learned/will do differently/better next time.

1. Once again I found that some of the numbers on the recipe cards/shopping list/chopping list were really off.  One list said I needed 3 carrots, another said 12.  One list called for 4 cups of kale, another list said 72 bunches (!!!) and the original recipe called for 16 leaves.  I know it is a tremendous undertaking for the OAMM team to create the menus and lists and that sometimes formulas and spreadsheets have glitches.  I want to be gracious about the mistakes because I'm so thankful that they do so much of the work for me.  But next time I think I'll make my own shopping and chopping lists just to be certain that I'm not buying extra food and wasting it or not having enough for the recipes.
2. Speaking of lists, when I make my own I'm going to include which recipe each ingredient is for (BF's idea--she's a list-making maestro).  That way when I have to decide between whole, sliced, and chopped olives I'll know what it's going to be in and might be able to save myself some work. 
3. I forgot to prep and pack and the "no cook" meals first.  I still think it's the way to go, especially since this time I was more than halfway through the day and only had two meals in the freezer.  Thankfully, things picked up once I was done with actual "cooking" on the stove.  

So, has anyone else given this a go?  I'd love to hear about your experience with it.  Even though today was not my favorite day, I'm still a big fan of this system.  It's totally working for my family.

A most appropriate response

Our friend Chelsea has joined Royal Servants for a mission trip to Nepal.  We've committed to praying for her at every dinner time.  A few days ago I pulled out our globe and stuck two tiny heart stickers on it. One on Portland and one on Nepal.  We talked about how Nepal is exactly on the other side of the earth from us and traced the route Chelsea's flight would most likely take.  And then we had this conversation:

Toby:  Why is she going to Nepal anyway?
Jeana:  She's going to tell the kids in Nepal about King Jesus.
Toby:  And then what will the kids say?
Jeana:  I don't know.  What would you say if you were a kid who didn't know about Jesus and someone like Chelsea told you all about him?
Toby (after thinking about it for a little bit):  I would say, "Whoa!"

Wax on, Wax off

Noah:  Toby, can you clean that up?
Toby: What will happen if I do?
Noah: Maybe Mom will be really happy!
Toby: Well, that won't teach me karate!

At the Fire Pit

Toby:  Noah, see all that smoke going in Miles' face?  I have a plan to help him.
Noah: Okay, what's your plan?
Toby:  We just sit back and relaaaax.

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After eating a s'more...
Geary: Was it good?
Toby: Well, I had it and I didn't go "Blech!"
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After eating a plain marshmallow...

Toby:  Mmm.  It's better without the burn.

Conversations with a 5 year old

Noah and Toby were playing Harry Potter Wii.  Toby was all tangled up in his controller and by the time he got himself situated he couldn't figure out which character he was playing.  "Wait!  Who am I?" he cried.  I glanced up at the screen, "Looks like you're Hermione."  Toby grinned and said in a high pitched voice, "Yes! I'm super cute and super awesome!"

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Toby:  Noah, when I was born did I like you?
Noah:  I don't know.  I think so.
Toby:  Noah, when I was born were you a kid?
Noah:  Toby!  Of course I was a kid when you were born!  I'm still a kid!
Toby:  So...I was still a kid when Miles was born!

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Toby:  Look, Mom!  I found a feather in the house!
Jeana:  Cool!  I wonder where it came from.
Toby (incredulously): Like...from a bird.
Jeana:  Yes, of course it came from a bird.  I meant, I wonder how it got inside.
Toby: (still incredulous): Like...from a bird that came inside and blew up.

Breakfast Cereal Theology

Cheerios are not for babies.  I mean, God made Cheerios and is he a baby?

~Tobin Joseph Linhart, age 5

Super, Too

We were talking about super heroes at lunch.  Noah's super name is Ne-Hawk.  He can fly, shoot ice, fire, lightening and earth (???), has super quick reflexes, and he can turn invisible at will.

Toby is Tobytron.  He can also fly and shoot fire from his hands.  And he has super strength and super speed.

Miles is simply known as The Beast.  He's basically like the Hulk.  Except that when he's super happy he turns in to a big pink monster and destroys all that is in his way. (Noah giggled uncontrollably while telling me this).

Noah:  Dad is the arch-villain.
Jeana:  The arch-villain is the enemy you have over the entire arc of your story.  Other enemies may show up here and there but the arch-villain is always there.
Geary:  Then why don't we call it the arc-villain?
Noah:   Anyway...me and Lili have a Shark Club and we have an arc-villain named Soggy Bob.  And that person is...Grandpa Bob.
Jeana:  Does Grandma know?  Or is she part of the villainy?
Noah:  No, she knows.  Grandma gives us advice on how to stop him.
Miles (shocked):  Grandpa Bob!?!?

Super

Toby (age 5) has been playing superhero all morning.  He's dressed up in a cape, mask, and wrist bands and he's jumping, kicking, and punching his way all through the house.  The entire time he's been playing he's been talking to an imaginary friend.  For example, he'll say aloud, "It's time to defeat the bad guy!" And then in kind of a stage whisper he'll look to his right and say, "You create a diversion!"

"Toby," I asked him, "Who is your sidekick?"

"Sidekick?" He seemed confused.

"Yeah, you know, Batman has Robin.  Mr. Incredible has Frozone.  Who are you talking to right now who's helping you defeat the bad guy?"

He shook his head at me, "Ooooh.  I don't have a sidekick."  He gestured to his right, "These are my backup singers."

Breakfast of Champions

Jeana: Would you guys like some sausage with your breakfast?
Noah:  Woo-hoo!
Toby:  Me!!!
Miles:  Yes.  I like sausage with milk and a straw.