Asian Lettuce Wraps...Yummy!!!

I'm not sure that these pictures do me justice, but these were some pretty good lettuce wraps. Forgive the paper plates, as we decided to have a family movie night and I thought...I don't need dishes, I have laundry to do!!

The boys chowed down on them, and quite the healthy dinner if you ask me. Filled with chicken, green beans, red bell peppers, peanut sauce, water chestnuts, chives, chopped peanuts for the top and drizzled in a pink yogurt sauce. They made for a quick and light, easy dinner.

Do they look gross? Maybe it was the camera because I promise they weren't.

The Fighting Arts

(Jaecob in the center without the belt).

We decided to enroll both Jon and Jaecob in some type of fighting arts. After interviewing two places on Monday, we decided to go with Wayne Owen Fighting Arts (of which I attended when I was a child). The earliest children can enroll is at age 5- which was perfect considering his 5th birthday was just in May. Right from the get go he was quite into it, but I was a bit uneasy. It's a different type of activity/sport than we have been involved in before. From a parenting point of view, you're really not allowed to coach or distract your child while they are on the mat and you too have to bow in for permission to cross the mat and use the restroom or get a drink of water. And, speaking of water- the children don't get water when they feel like it, but rather they earn it. It's a unique type of discipline that he took to immediately, but I was a bit reserved about. However, I really enjoyed watching him. There are a few older kids in the class and it's a great opportunity for him to hear "you're out" in a positive manner as these are the terms used when children are dismissed from their particular exercises. There seems to be a lot of self control and emphasis on thinking before doing in this class which we are certain will aid in the character development of Jaecob. They also have to earn their belts, going though a qualification period of about one month and then stepping into the "white" belt. Jon and some of the other parents stepped in to help with the kicking exercises. You can see that in the pictures, both of them were really enjoying it.

Classes meet three times a week, and with Jon attending the adult class we're not home until a bit after 8- past his regular bedtime routine so they'll be some adjustments there. But, I think it'll be worth it. The cutest part was that they pick a student of the day at each class and the instructor explained that Jaecob wouldn't participate in the vote because he hadn't been there during the month. Yet, he was persistent and this quality was rewarded. As the instructor passed each child collecting a silent whispered vote, she came to Jaecob whom she politely passed. He then raised his hand and said he wished to vote where he then announced that his vote was for "God and Jesus." Sweet boy. It was also a precious moment because each child is asked to stand and announce what they are thankful for that day, addressing the teacher, class and parent audience. Jaecob answer was "I am thankful for my Mommy & Daddy!"

I love this little guy sooooo much!!

Craving Carbs

I have been craving BLT's on wheat bread, minus the lettuce and a lot of carbs, pasta, lasagna etc.
Better than craving ice cream some would say! So, we had a spaghetti dinner and I made a homemade cold pasta salad for our lunches during the week. Spaghetti usually isn't my favorite thing, but Jon and Jaecob love it.

Blue Ribbon Ready

Meet "Oreo"our newest addition to the family farm (kept at my parents house).
I think this is the third year that my parents get Jaecob a farm pig. It started a few fairs ago when we toured the pig barn at the Josephine county fair and he just fell in love with them.

This is his first black and white pig, and after tossing out a few names, Daddy suggested he name it Oreo.. for two reasons. One- the obvious, black and white in color and Two- because if your mouth is full and someone asks you a question, you mumble something that sounds like Oreo. ;0) Silly Boys.

Summer Garden

Our garden is growing well..much better than last year. Here we have some cherry tomatoes growing and some Brandywine tomatoes as Jaecob models!! We also plated strawberries- but they tend not to grow because some little munchkin picks them before they are ripe, LOL and in the back we have two types of apple trees. This year I think I am going to learn how to make apple jam or make a homemade apple pie.

After breakfast we started in the garden. Last year we had a bountiful amount of grapes. Grapes fascinate me. I love going to winery's and taking tours although now being pregnant I've put a hold on this hobby. Last year I made several attempts to perfect a home made sangria, and a few turned out good.Our grapes are growing well on the vine. They still need a lot of attention, but it's a fun hobby.

Jaecob and I read about a fun thing to do in one of his Highlights magazines where you roll frozen grapes in jell-o to make a treat. Messy, but fun. We started out with some of last season's grapes that were frozen and rolled them into the powder of strawberry jell-o. Then, we popped them back into the freezer for a bit.
They're actually quite yummy as a little treat.

Jaecob helps make breakfast...

Today I woke up with an urge to cook and clean and be in the garden.
Our son climbed into bed with us to wrestle with his daddy this morning which always makes me smile.

Jaecob wanted french toast, so we made some (I have a lot of help in the kitchen) and ate outside waiting for the hot air balloons to rise. It's hard to keep clothes on this boy; I think he'd run around naked if I let him. ;-)

Old Friends

Today one of my friends came to visit from Bend. She was in town for the weekend and we finally met up. The day started with a trip to the Growers Market where Jaecob took $1 of his allowance to get an organic orange butterfly cookie (a routine we have every Saturday). This was followed by a pound purchase of sugar snap peas, a pint of blueberries and a pint of raspberries. A green chili chicken enchilada was calling my name- so we grabbed one to go and headed to the park to play.

On the way out we got the truck washed and then headed home to do some housework and I ended up taking a nap.

Jaecob went swimming for the afternoon and for dinner, some of us long standing friends headed to Sophia's Italian Kitchen in Grants Pass for dinner. I had the baked lasagna and the six cheese ravioli (which was a huge portion and ended up being a surprise for my hubby when I came home).

Late Nights...

My first official blog post for 2009 on my new blogging site!

I'm on my third day being sick with the flu and into the second trimester of our second pregnancy which has not been fun this time around. Jaecob is tucked in bed (way earlier) after a long evening spent with my parents and extended family over good food and dinner. I miss the occasional glass of wine a lot right now.

Jon and I drove around for a few hours today looking at homes on the market as we're looking to buy. Any advise from first time home buyers out there? Agent or independent? Foreclosure? Build your own or buy? All questions going though our heads right now.

It's 11:07pm and I can't sleep. The crickets are chirping and they have a very peaceful sound. There is a cool breeze that is sweeping through the Rogue Valley right now and all the windows in our house are open to accept it! I love summer nights.