come on fall...

 I'm just sitting here impatiently waiting for fall temps. Slightly jealous of Instagrammers in states with seasons, sporting their sweaters and boots crunching through yellow and orange leaves. Meanwhile, I'm here in SoCal waiting until after dinner when it cools down to 90 degrees so I can get the kids out of the house. Normally, around this time of year, they have forgotten to turn the community pool heater off and the kids are still swimming like it's July. It's fine. I have high hopes for October, 2021.

In the last couple of weeks, we've spent more time with people than we usually do. I have to say I've needed it so much. I've said no to all playdates, and we don't normally get together with other families. The Higerds are pretty much the only exception to that. It's a tricky time and Dan and I are not exactly on the same page so it's extra tricky to know what to say yes to and what to say no to. I say this in case someone sees these pics and is confused because I've said, "Sorry, we aren't doing play dates right now." For the most part, we spend time with some family who still live in CA when we can and occasionally go visit our Higerd buddies. 

Anywho, last week I took a few days off and had a little ladies weekend down in Newport with cousin Wendy. It was just us two because COVID. It was amazing, relaxing, fun and much needed. Love you lots Wendy B!

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I don't usually cook. Dan does. When he's at work, I make things you would normally find on a kids' menu at a restaurant like mac & cheese, quesadillas, chicken nuggets and corn dogs. I probably cook for our whole family including Dan about once or twice a month. And when I do, I just take bags of things from Trader Joe's out of our freezer and heat them up. This time was orange chicken, potstickers, edamame, roasted veggies and rice. This is a pointless story. Just a peek into my life.

We had some of our favorite family peeps over that we haven't seen since Christmas. It was a lovely time had by all.

Our church is having a mini soccer season just 3 weeks long. But all the kids were up for getting out of the house and playing with other kids they aren't related to.

This is Angus taking a break and not paying attention to the game behind him.

Addie stole one of the cones that mark the soccer field. We take soccer very seriously.

(Thanks to Jess for the pics!)

Mya is playing the cello again this year. I love the sound of it. And she's actually really good.

I'm still loving my decision to punish the kids with chores. Only when they deserve it of course.

The Higerds stopped by for a quick visit when they were in town yesterday. Angus had a full-on meltdown and tried to literally kidnap James when it was time for them to leave. James looked scared. Next quick visit, I'll have to emotionally prepare him.

Recommendations:

Emily In Paris on Netflix. It's a new series from the makers of Sex and the City. But way more innocent. I'd say it's more PG13 than R. It's super cute for all you gals who need a new series. There's only one season, unfortunately, and it might leave you hanging kinda... sorry.

This is more of a helpful piece of info than a recommendation. Did you know you can access your iCloud online at icloud.com? So that means your iPhone videos, pics and more are accessable on your computer. I just found this out. You techy people (or most iPhone people?) already knew a long time ago didn't you. With the recent updates, I haven't been able to send videos via email or text, even the 10 second ones. I thought they would just be trapped in my phone forever. Nope. I can access them and download them from my laptop. I'm pretty much the least tech-savvy person I know. But if there are more of us out there, I feel like I need to share this with you. You're welcome.

We made haystacks when we had family over Saturday. I forgot how much I love them and how much more we should make them. I know everyone out there is hating having to make so much dinner day after day after day. At first, at the beginning of COVID it was fun, wasn't it? All that time to cook and make new recipes and bake bread. Now it's not fun and we need new and easy recipes that everyone isn't sick of yet. 

Make some haystacks! (First coined by Seventh-Day-Adventists with no meat) It's a crowd-pleaser and it's a meal I've been eating pretty much since I had teeth. I recommended it years ago on this blog but I felt the need to bring it up again since dinner is happening so oftenthese days. You make it yourself so there's no way you won't like it. It's like a tostada on fritos (or tortilla chips). Here is a list of ingredients. Stack them in order on your plate and omit anything you hate:

Fritos, pinto beans (heated), ground beef (cooked obviously) or any meat cut up taco style, shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomato, avocado, diced cucumber, diced red onion, sliced olives, sour cream and salsa. I use ranch if I don't have sour cream. You could add anything else you think would be good too. (Dan likes cilantro). And then have them again the next day because you'll have leftover ingredients and you'll want them again.

That's it! Happy Wednesday. Come on Fall!