Poor Ashton. The kid can not catch a break. He just finished his medicine for an ear infection a week ago and then Sat. night we were up all night with him, and after a visit to the urgent care Sun. morning we found out he either has another ear infection or the last one didn't totally clear up. So we are on meds again. Then today at my mom's house he pulled a lamp down on top of his head.

I was very proud of myself since I didn't freak out. I can remain calm and think somewhat logically when something happens as long as my own kids are not involved but when it is one of my own I tend to lose it. Today I did not, even though when I got to him blood was pouring out of this tiny wound. Why do heads and faces have to bleed so much, they make you think it is so much worse than it really is.

So we came home got him all cleaned up and now he has a nice little bald spot on his head complete with butterfly just to make sure it stays closed and heals up a little bit better.

There is nothing quite like waking up to see you child's eyes looking like this. Since from here on out your day will only get better with all the things that come with a little gunk in the eye. The hand washing til they almost bleed, the 5 tons of laundry since every last thing in the house has to be washed, the near choking death from inhalation of Lysol that must be sprayed on every surface of the house, and the best part of all getting the eye drops into a screaming little girls eye.

I hate pink eye. In all the times my kids have had it (which is plenty, did you know you can get it from a swimming pool chlorine does not kill everything) I have managed to only get it once. Once was enough for me. I spent 3 days laying on my bed with a cold wash cloth over my eyes(which had to be changed often) since I was pretty sure that they would burst into flames at any moment. Here is to another week of scrubbing. Yay me.

Will wonders never cease......

I sit here typing this still in shock and amazement over what I did this morning.

I MADE DINNER.

Yes, folks dinner for the Simpson's was done and cooking before noon today. To make it even better, it took me less than 30 mins. to cook, assemble, and clean up. No joke, 30 mins.

3 of my kids were at school and I didn't have the 4th one roaming my kitchen squawking at me to move so that he could proceed in emptying the cupboard I am standing in front of, since he was taking a nap, so that probably decreased the amount of time it would have normally taken, but anything less than an hour is good enough for me. So to give you a reason to use the second greatest invention of all time (the first greatest is the epidural of course) the crock pot here is the recipe. It is so good.

1 lb Lean ground beef
1 Small onion, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
1 Garlic clove, minced
1 (10 3/4-oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (4.5-oz) can Chopped Green Chiles
1 (10-oz) can Enchilada Sauce
10 (6-inch) corn tortillas
12 oz (3 cups) shredded Monterey Jack cheese




1. In large skillet, cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium-high heat until browned and thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently, Drain. Stir in soup and chiles.


2. Spray 3 1/2 or 4- quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread about 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce in bottom of slow cooker. Place 4 corn tortillas over sauce, overlapping and breaking in half as necessary to make an even layer. Top with 1/3 of beef mixture, spreading evenly. Drizzle with about 1/4 cup enchilada sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese.


3. Repeat layering twice, using 3 corn tortillas and half of remaining beef mixture, enchilada sauce and cheese in each layer. Sprinkler paprika over top.


4. Cover; cook on low setting for 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours.


5. Let stand about 5 minutes before serving. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce or whatever else you like.

POOP

(Landon June 2005)

Yes, you read that title right. I said poop. That is what I have been cleaning up the last two days. Poor Ashton has had some sort of nasty bug that has wreaked havoc on his little bum. It has been a long two days full of cleaning, laundry, and multiple baths. Then last night it stopped, just as fast as it started. Today was the first day I dared to venture from my house to take Mackenzie to dance class. I was pretty sure that whatever he had, ran its course and we were done, but I was still nervous since my kids have played cruel tricks on me before. We did make it through dance class with no incidents to speak of and for that I am very happy. So now I will resume my scrubbing and washing of everything and hopefully be back in a few days with happier things to report on like the end of the boys basketball season and our trip to Disneyland. Until then happy cleaning.