Birthday Pics

Here are a few pictures of Jonnie's birthday! Sawyer thought it was a blast, too! I think Jon will have to fight him for some of his new toys! Oh, and the cheesecake was delicious....(:

Happy Birthday Jonnie!

Hard to believe my son is turning seven! What an interesting age we are entering. Not having much experience with seven year old boys it is truly eye-opening. From wanting to be babied to getting mad at me for treating him "like a baby" to being silly, talking back and then helping me with dinner. I never realized boys were so emotional-or maybe it is just my boy (: Last Friday, on our way home from school, he told me he wanted to have a party at the local YMCA-I said, " great, who would you like to invite, I should pick up invites, etc. etc." and he said "we better call them since the party will have to be tomorrow." Needless to say we spent the rest of the drive home with me trying to explain that we could not throw a party the next day, I didn't book the YMCA, and so on only to hear him say over and over how I don't love him and I don't understand anything and how mean I am, sigh....Sometimes I feel like I can't win, ever. Later, he was dancing with me in the kitchen and helped me make dinner and kept saying how he was going to cook for his wife someday and he wants to learn everything about cooking! That's my boy! I felt I was getting through to him in some ways! Will post pictures of the b-day party Next weekend (: I am bringing cupcakes to his classroom tomorrow and having cake (cheesecake at his request) tomorrow night, so hopefully he will have a great birthday-I love you, buddy!

I am always in search of great kid-friendly recipes as I have the worlds pickiest eater! I made this Asian skillet the other night thinking no one will eat it, but to my surprise all three ate it and Jonnie (aka pickiest eater) actually had 3 helpings!! That is a record for him. Sawyer was also double fisting it and wanted a second helping, so needless to say it is VERY kid friendly and we adults loved it, too! Here it is and I hope you enjoy!

Asian Pork (we used chicken) and Noodle Skillet

2 medium carrots, peeled
1 medium red bell pepper
5-6 green onions with tops (about 1 1/4 cups sliced), divided
2 pork tenderloins or chicken ( about 1 pound each)
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons Asian Seasonings mix (both found in the ethnic foods area of groc.)
4 packages oriental-flavor ramen noodles
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 cups of water

Cut carrots into julienne strips. Cut bell pepper lengthwise into 1/4 inch strips and slice green onions; set aside tops for garnish.

Trim fat from meat. Slice pork (or chicken) into strips. Combine meat, sesame oil, seasoning mix and two of the ramen noodle seasoning packets in bowl and mix well.

Add vegetable oil to (12 in.) skillet; heat over high heat 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Add half the meat. Cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until browned; remove meat from skillet and keep warm. Repeat with remaining meat.

Add carrots and bell pepper to skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes or until crisp tender. Add water and remaining ramen seasoning packets; stir to loosen browned bits from bottom of skillet. Add ramen noodles and white parts of green onions to skillet. Cover; bring to a boil and cook 4-5 minutes or until noodles are softened. Add meat; stir to break apart noodles. Remove skillet from heat; let stand, covered, 3-4 minutes or until pork is heated through. Garnish with reserved green onion tops.

Enjoy!

Were on!

I finally decided to take the time and enter the blog world. We will see how it goes and hopefully I won't write one post and let it slide! This blog will be a way for me to write the special moments that happen in my life with my family-The Fantastic Five (thanks Jonnie and Alaina for the title!) so that I will have a way to share all my thoughts , pictures, and memories. Wish me luck......(: