Playing catch up

Arrived home last night to an empty fridge and three kids that had taken late naps in the car... Fortunately, we'd picked up some Taco Bell and Long John Silvers. Yes, around these parts they have a joint TB/LJS.

Unpacked the car and fed the kids. Spent the rest of the night unpacking, designating dirty from clean laundry, and then trying to get them settled. Because of said nap in car, we had an extended storytime last night. Read the "required" reading for the big girl, and started an "American Girl Book" - Kirsten, if you must know.

The kids didn't settle into sleep until 10 pm last night. I know, we should have left earlier, but... well... it was hard letting go of the holiday weekend.

Today I'm looking at grocery shopping and most likely a Sam's run. The kids want to get the tree up, but it's currently residing in the rafters of the garage. I may be foolhardy, but I'm not stupid; I'll let my husband get it down when he comes home. The big girl wants us to come for lunch - it's French Toast Sticks after all. Have Mount McLaundry to tackle today and maybe a trip to the gym tonight.

Mmmm... French Toast Sticks...

Need to get going if we're going to make it to school by 11:15.

Just another day in paradise, right?

Busy Day Cake

T minus 2 days until we leave for Orlando. In the car yesterday I started my list - to pack (suitcase and backpack), to do, to buy. There's not much left to buy but a few packable snacks, gum/suckers, and maybe some stickers for the kids' backpacks. I'm planning a suitcase and backpack for each. Backpack will contain busy activities, snacks, and one change of clothing to carry on, suitcase will hold the rest. To do - ask a neighbor to pick up the mail and haul the trash to the curb, fix The Boy's suitcase, laundry (always laundry,) and such. To pack - though I don't have specific clothes listed, I do have the number of things we'll probably need for each of the kids.

Made this last night after dinner, it's one of my favorite 'quick' cakes... The nice thing is, it makes one small cake. Just enough. It's a little more dense than a box mix, which I like as well.

Busy Day Cake
1 ½ c flour
¾ c sugar
1 T baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ c milk
1/3 c softened butter
1 egg
1 ½ tsp vanilla

Oven to 375. Grease and lightly flour a 9x9x2 baking pan. Combine all ingredients with an electric mixer on low, about 30 seconds. Once combined, beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Turn into pan and bake 25 – 30 minutes or till done. Cool. Serves 9.