A Week and A Recipe

I can even annoy myself when I think about how many times I think and say how fast a week can go by. But really, I cannot believe how time is flying! Is it the Christmas/Holiday season or the impending arrival that has no name and we aren't ready for or is it a combination of both? I'm leaning towards both. No definitely both!

I have told myself over and over that I would get away from only posting once a week. I know once the baby comes I'll be hard pressed to blog at all and I love having this as my journal. So once again, here's what we've been up to this past week.

Kathryn lost her front tooth on Thurs. She was having an apple as an after school snack and I told her to eat it normal (she's been eating every thing off to the side) and see if it made her tooth more loose. It really worked! I know most people think I'm weird but I love to pull out teeth. I tied it with dental floss, one tug and it was out. It scared her a little and she spit it out right at me. I'm glad she didn't swallow it though. Once they lose the front teeth, they never look the same again. Yikes, she's going to look older with those permanent teeth that look so big at first. She's been pretty funny saying 'ssss'. Now for when the other one falls. Oh and the boys have been so funny, their teeth are as tight as a drum but both have a 'feeling' that their teeth will be loose soon too. Funny kids.

Saturday we had our Christmas Primary activity. I am so, so glad that is over with. We had 60-65 kids there and what started out to be very calm and controlled ended in total chaos with all the kids that showed up late (that gets annoying to me). We ordered a craft from Oriental Trading and I premade the manger part of the craft the night before. I'm so glad I did too, we would have never finished if we were doing it all at once. Plus who would want 60+ kids around a glue gun? The other parts went fine with just tacky glue.

Here's the finished Nativity ornament. Most all of the kids did a great job with it. I have to say I coerced Milo into staying and helping for the 2 hr activity. He did a great job and helped some of the really little kids make their ornament. Not sure if he wants it broadcast he helped craft at Primary but it was really nice to have his help. Only a few smart alec older kids that I wanted to kick under the table (kidding of course) bucked the system with not wanting to 'craft' anything. I love this little ornament. I could be biased since I'm the one that picked them out and I collect Nativities. But still.

And I'm finally going to post the recipe for the Peppermint Patty Brownies, courtesy of Milo's aunt. They are NOT for the calorie counting individual!! They're good but like I mentioned before, not good for you! But this time of year, can you really use too much butter? And no one should count calories on the actual holiday, so live it up then.

Peppermint Patty Brownies.

1 1/2 c Butter
3 c Sugar
5 Eggs
1 T Vanilla
2 c Flour
1 c Baking Cocoa
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
1 pkg (13 oz) York Peppermint Patties

In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Spread about 2/3 of the batter in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Arrange peppermint patties over top. Carefully spread remaining batter over patties. Bake at 350^ for 35-40 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely before cutting.

I think where I made my mistake was the division of batter. Maybe if I was a bit more accurate the middle wouldn't have been so doughy. But I do have to say after sitting overnight, the doughy middle ended up being good. By the next morning I wasn't prejudice of middle or corner.

Last night I sat and wrote our Christmas blurb for the year. I like writing bullet points over a lengthy letter (not judging if you prefer it the other way around). So I have the cards and the letter ready to go. Now the hard part of addressing all the envelopes. Well not hard, just time consuming. I hope to get them out by the weekend but wont freak if it's not until next week. Not very lofty goals, I'm just proud of doing them at all this year. And even making an appearance this pregnant in a Christmas photo is shocking for me.

I'm 36 weeks today and again this week I intended to get a shot of the ever growing belly. Didn't happen, but I can fully assure you that the belly is getting large! I go to the doctor tomorrow and start the weekly visits. Time really is winding down. I keep meaning to finish a reflective post on this pregnancy with all my weird cravings and habits (there have been plenty). Now that I've written it, I hope to get around to it.