How I Slice a Watermelon

When I was young, my mom always cut up the watermelon in triangles with the rind attached. Yes it was easy, but also created a big mess for little hands to eat. 

I can't take full credit for this because I was shown how....I really am never one to come up with original ideas...I am a great copier!  Years ago at some event at my house, I was about to cut up a watermelon when my friend, Robbie, offered to do it for me.  I watched in amazement at how he did it.  It was so quick and easy.  Now it is the only way that I cut my watermelon. 
 
I always get asked how it is done so the other day I took pictures! 
 
FYI - if you have a flexible cutting board....that is the one to use.   It is much easier to get it into a bowl without a mess if you can bend your cutting board.  I got a set of two from IKEA for super cheap!
 

Once your watermelon is ready...cut it in half.

Take one of the halves and face it down on the cutting board.

Start near the top at an angle and slice down the watermelon.

Go around the entire melon just cutting off the rind.

Once you have all the sides done...slice off the top

 All that is left now is the yummy melon.  Make sure there is no white (rind).

This is where the fun begins.

Start at the top and slice horizontily all the way down to the bottom.

 I just eyeball it according to how big I want my cubes to be.  I moved the melon a bit so you could see the 'rows'....you won't want to do this.  Keep it all together.

 Once it has been cut horizontally.  Start at the top and cut straight down...making several rows.

 Then turn your cutting board, and cut straight down again...which makes your cubes!

 Now you are done!  Pick up your cutting board, and pour the yummy goodness into a bowl (This is the part that is easier if you have a bendable cutting board)

 It looks fabulous, and is done in half the time!

   Plus it is much easier to eat with no mess! 

 Now go and buy your Watermelon!

You know you want to try this out! 

Once you do, you will never cut it any other way again!

Dreams vs. Reality

There are so many times in my life where I envision things happening a certain way...then reality sets in, and it is far from the dream.  Today was one of those days.

Dream:

•  They wake up get dressed, 
• eat a wholesome breakfast, 
• take 'first day of school pictures and climb into the car to head to school. 
• The excitement is the air.  We are all happy, and can't wait to get there. 
• I get there with plenty of time for Sydney to play on the playground, and then get in line with her class so I can take some pictures.  
• I am sad to send off 3 kids for the day (except only a few hours for Thomas)

Reality:

• Kids wake up at 6:15 am.  They get dressed with out complaint (check).
• Syd refuses to eat breakfast because she just wants to leave (umm, school doesn't start until 9am).  Thomas tries to stuff his backpack with every snack possible, and then gets upset because he can't keep them.  Try reasoning with a 3 year old...its awesome.  Sydney and Thomas end up eating cheese and crackers for breakfast. 
• Get lunches packed, and ready to go.  
• Tell Caden to get his water bottle, and fill it up about 50 times.  
• Run around the house like a chicken trying to get last minute supplies together.  
• Get to do Sydney's hair while she cries the whole time because she thinks I am going to rip her hair out.  She goes back and forth from wanting me to do it or just leave it down. 
• Realize I am running out of time.  Try to get a few pictures of the kids before they leave....somewhat successful.  
• Try to shove the kids out the door, and in the car so we aren't late. Somehow even though they woke up 2 hours ago...they still aren't really ready.
• I start the car, and Caden starts freaking out because he doesn't have his water bottle!  SERIOUSLY!  I told him a million times to go get it, and he tries to tell me he ran out of time! HA!  Sorry...no water bottle today buddy!
• Get to the school, and of course it is a zoo.  No where to park so I end up parking in a ditch across the street, and about a block down the road. 
• Get out of the car just in time to hear the first bell ring.  
• Try to herd 3 kids, and carry my baby fast enough to get to the school.  Almost there when the second bell rings.  
• Finally get there in time to take a picture with Cousin Dylan...but while doing that...Sydney's class is already lined up, and went inside without her.  So I have to take her to her class late.  
• Atleast I get some pictures. 
• I am actually relieved this day is over, and glad they are in school....Not that I don't love my kids, but this is good for both of us.

The whole day I felt like I was rushing, and I hate that feeling!  I pictured a much calmer happier day.  It was a happy, but a rushed happy...and I don't like it.  I am hoping that we can get a better routine so that things don't always feel so rushed. 

The kids came home and had great things to report.  They love their teachers!  Syd told me all about a scavenger hunt she got to go on while exploring the school.  Caden is excited because his teacher lets them get 'treats'.  Thomas just loved being with Dylan. 

Although it was far from my 'dream'...in the end everything worked out, and the day was a success.  Yay for the first day of school!

(yes, Syd was in half-day kinder last year, but since she has a late birthday (Sept. 29) we decided to put her in full day here...I want her to be the oldest not the youngest in her class)

Meet the Teacher

Tonight was a night that my kids have been anticipating for weeks.  At the school my kids attend they don't get to find out who their teacher is until they show up that evening.  The kids piled into the car and we headed over to the school. 

Caden was excited because he got the teacher he was hoping for (so was I).  I am really looking forward to getting to know her.  I have heard some of the greatest things about her.  I think she will be perfect for Caden.  He really needs a great teacher, and I am glad he was placed in her class.

Sydney was grinning ear from ear when she got a postcard from her teacher this afternoon.  So we got a little heads up before the actual night.  She loved exploring the classroom, and was sad when she found out that she has to wait until Wednesday to come back again.  I told her that I was going to miss having her gone all day.  She responded, "Don't worry Mom,  I will be home at night.  (as if it was no big deal)"  I don't think she will be having any problems.  She is excited to finally be at the same school as Caden, and can't wait to eat lunch in the cafeteria. 

Thomas is actually going to be at the same school too...so he got to join in all the 'meet the teacher' fun.  For my sanity we decided it was best to have him go to pre-school here.  It costs a bit more, but it will be so nice to be able to drop him off at the same time as his siblings.  He is even getting to be in same class with 'Cousin Dylan'.  I think it will be great for them.  He was so enthralled with the new classroom that he didn't want me to take a picture!

All the kids are excited to be able to 'see each other in the halls.' 

It is a bittersweet thing for me.  I love my kids, and it is strange to know that half of them will be gone all day.  Then 3 days a week...I will have only Grayson.  Totally weird.  This summer has been fun, but really low key since the baby is so little.  I think the kids and I are both looking forward to the structure that school will provide.  It sometimes can be demanding, but really is the perfect thing for us. 

Here is to a great year!

Blessings & Brunch

This morning I got to wake up bright and early.  Our church just changed to the glorious hour of 8 am.  I have a love/hate relationship with this time slot.  I love it because we are done by 11am which allows for afternoon Sunday naps.  I hate it because it is a beast to get myself and now 4 little ones dressed, fed and out the door by 7:30ish (if we leave any later we can't sit in the pews...and my kids don't do well in the chairs).

I woke up, showered, and got myself ready.  Then I scooped up my little bundle, and dressed him in white.  For today was his blessing day.  They are already so clean and pure, but to see him in his little white outfit makes my heart brim with gratitude.  It reminds me how blessed I am to be given such a great gift to help raise a child of my Heavenly Father. 

We sat in the pew with our little family, and the time soon came for Shawn to give Grayson a 'name & a blessing.'  As I watched Shawn walk towards the front with our baby in his arms, my eyes filled with tears.  It is funny how  joy is associated with crying.  I guess it is just what our body does when we can't handle our emotions whether happy or sad.  But atleast today they were happy...pure happiness.

*Have I mentioned how much I love his dimples?*

I am so thankful that I have a husband who holds and honors his priesthood.  He and several extended family members circled my little babe while Shawn blessed him.  It was a perfect moment that will forever be etched in my heart.

Afterwards our family came over to our house where we had a lovely brunch.  I took a chance and made a few things that I hadn't tested out before the actual event.  That always makes me nervous because I am never sure if it is going to taste good.  Luckily,  I was more than pleased...I loved them...and it seems everyone else did too.

The menu???

Easy Potato & Bacon Breakfast Casserole

Ham & Turkey Party Rolls

Overnight French Toast Casserole

The best thing about these main dishes is they are all prepared the night before...so all you have to do is pop them in the oven!
Made things easy peasy!

We also had....

fruit salad

bagel's & cream cheese

banana muffins

veggies with dip

chips

pasta salad

and of course....OJ

Super yumminess.

It was lovely to celebrate with family and friends. 

I could have not asked for a more perfect day.

Surprises

It is always fun for me to find little 'surprises' on my camera when I go to transfer them to my computer.

I laughed.out.loud when I saw this one.

It was taken in May shortly after I had delivered Grayson.

I guess they were playing dress up while I was stuck on the couch. 

A couple thoughts went through my head when I saw it.

1. Caden is pretty brave...a purple pettiskirt, blond wig, a feather boa...oh and don't forget the eye cover for his beauty sleep.  Definitely blackmail material when he is a teenager.

2. I cannot believe the differential in height between Caden and Sydney!  They are only two years apart, yet he towers over her!  He is extremely tall, and she is extra short.  I guess I am glad it isn't the other way around.

3.  I love the look of pure joy on their faces.  It makes me so happy when they are happy TOGETHER.  Siblings are AWESOME!