Jack is our new distraction

It's hard enough to get four kids to do their homework in a timely manner, but having a new kitten does not help it alone.  By the time Gavin gets home, his adhd meds have worn off and he is in no mood to sit and do homework from two different teachers.  I have had extreme difficulties with him last year with homework.  His LLD teacher, Ms Norby, came up with a great plan.  She made up a "homework" plan to get Gavin to do his homework.  Kind of like, three strikes and your out, 3 is great you completed it without a complaint or tear, 2 you did a little complaining and whining but we got it done, 1 is not good, you screamed, cried, threw a fit and outright refused to do anything.  The consequence was the next day you had to do your homework with Ms. Norby at recess and also do extra work.  Well needless to say, this happen one time and one time only last year, and he moved forward, brushed away the bad day and moving forward was pretty good.

Moving to the new school year, in a new class setting (not LLD), in a regular class and getting pulled out into an LLD class, results in homework from two different teachers.  I have had a few issues already, he says it's too much, his hands hurt, he's tired, etc.... I decide to break out the homework system from last year.  Good idea!  Not so much.  I was told, by an 8 year old, that this homework system was from last year, he no longer had that teacher and I'm not allowed to follow it!!  I said, I got permission to use it from his teacher and we would be using it!

Now to the distraction of our new kitten Jack. He's the cutest thing!  However, this is the new fall back to not doing homework.  I'll do my homework, but Jack missed me and he needs me to play with him.  I'm sure Jack is fine for another half an hour while you finish your work!  I give in to avoid a fight.  Gavin and Nick play with Jack and now resume homework.  Not a bad plan??
We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Disney Trip

Disney 2013 Trip, September 4 - 9

My First 5K - The Color Run, NJ

I signed up for my first 5K run ever!  It was The Color Run, where in various markers along the track volunteers toss a color in the air or on you as you are running through (yellow, pink, blue, green, etc...).  It was loads of fun and I actually completed it without dropping on the side of the course.  I completed it in 35 minutes.  Nicholas (9) ran too which was his first race too.  The nice thing about this race, not only is it fun, but there is no pressure for time, just to have fun!!!

Crock Pot Dinner

Since Super Storm Sandy crossed out lives back in Oct. 2012, our lives have been turned outside down.  You don't realize things are gone and thrown out until you happen to need them.

Today, I felt like trying a different chicken dish, instead of my regular, plain 'ol grilled chicken.  I looked into my recipe box, which was the only set of recipe cards that were able to be saved.  Of course, there is every other chicken recipe, except the one I wanted to make!  This recipe wasn't something you could get off the internet or a book, it was from a friend I worked with years ago, and I have lost touch with when she moved.   So what do you do?  You "wing it!"  Now, those that know me, know i'm not a gourmet cook and especially not very good at winging a recipe together.

I start by memory, chicken (obviously), garlic (I think), I know there were either shallots or onions, so I use onion powder, salt and pepper, 1 tbsp of dijon mustard, some dry (kind of gross) white wine, lemon juice, a splash of lime juice (not sure why), a few red pepper flakes, and lastly parsley.
It definitely smelled great!  I threw it all into the crock pot on low and let it simmer all day.  The chicken is tender and the sauce, I have to say is pretty good!  The kids even said it smelled really good!  I'm proud of myself!  :-)

I did jot down as I was tossing ingredients into the crock pot, so if it did turn out ok, I would have myself an actual recipe.

What to try tomorrow....?