the mighty sea monkey

Some people say our poor kids are deprived because they don’t have a pet, so guess what we got as our first pets, SEA MONKEYS!  When I decide to do something I go big; instead of one animal I got hundreds of tiny little swimming creatures.  They are fun, easy to care for, and quite the science experiment.  I figure if Brielle can manage to take care of these guys for awhile maybe we can move up to a cat or something.  When she turns 18.  She has loved watching these crazy little swimmers and so has everyone else in the family.  Colby and I sit and watch them at night, they are fascinating.  They seem to be attracted to our green wall.  It’s crazy we put them to one side closed to the green wall and they all swim to that side and then we move them to the other side and they swim to that side.  Weird.  

It was fun to have my mom here the other day, her and my sister sat and reminisced about how attached Erin (my sister) got to her Sea-Monkeys.  She took them everywhere with her.  I guess that explains why she is the animal fanatic now and me...well, not so much.  These little Sea Monkeys have defiantly been a fun little addition to the Bower family, that we enjoy watching.   I just hope Brielle doesn’t want to try to name them all!

"i'm a big kid now..."

We all know that famous commercial jingle, "...I’m A Big Kid Now!" That is what I think about every time I think about Cooper and his potty training abilities. He never ceases to amaze us, he has a little stubborn streak, but when he puts his mind to something he will accomplish it in no time flat.  This is what happened with potty training.  I was beginning to wonder if he would ever be potty trained, then one day, on Father’s Day, June  15th, to be exact he sat on the little potty (that has been in our bathroom for only about a year) and went potty.

     

From that day forward he has never turned back.  He never has accidents (okay only a few in Oklahoma, but I blame that on traveling), and he never misses the potty and he never even potties in his diaper at nap or bedtime.  Isn’t he amazing?  It has been almost two months now and I think we might be in the potty training clear.  Not to mention, he LOVES his Thomas Briefs!  Hooray! My grocery bill is so much cheaper; it is a beautiful thing.  Way to go, Cooper!

pretty in pink

Brielle has been wanting her ears pieced and so today we ventured to the mall for an ear piercing adventure.  It really was quiet the adventure as we were suppose to get them done at Claires at 3:00 because they were going to have two people there to do them at the same time, but guess what only one girl was there and I wasn’t going to do that, have one ear done and then her say never mind to the other one.  So we headed to Icing (Claires sister store) and there were two girls there so we took the plunge and got the ears pieced at 4:45.  She got cute, little pink studs.  They look so cute on her and she said it only hurt a little, so that is good.  This was definitely not something Colby and I totally agree on, but we talked about it ahead of time and all is good.  She loves them and is “pretty in Pink” and so adorable just in time for kindergarten.

the big 05

Last week, we celebrated Brielle's 5th birthday (July 17) at "Bounce U" and it was a good time held by all.  Now surprisingly enough, Brielle chose to have her birthday centered around "Star Wars."  For whatever reason, she has latched onto the movies and loves them.  She pretty much knows the whole six episode story blow by blow.  Especially the parts with the princesses. 

So, her Aunt Erin took on the task of putting her hair up Princess Leia style (no, not the cinnamon buns, but the braids).  Really, I think this was the whole reason for her choosing the Star Wars theme in the first place. 

At any rate, we went over to Zazzle, created her a custom shirt of Padme Amidala for the experience and headed over to "Bounce U."  Huge inflatable slides + 30 kids = great time.

We uploaded some pictures from the adventure and are still reeling from the idea that Brielle is the big 05. 

Next up: Kindergarten and driving.

recipe monday

Tonight we had a favorite salad that is so simple and yet so good.  It is so good that Brielle kept asking for more and then made the request to have it made everyday.  Cooper even got in on the eating.  So here you go, a great cabbage salad that goes with just about anything.

Chinese Cabbage

Napa Cabbage

1/2 c. olive or veg. oil
1/4 c. vinegar
1 tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
1/2 to 1 tsp. dill weed
1 garlic clove, minced

Combine oil and vinegar with whisk. Add other ingredients. Pour over chopped up cabbage just before serving. The size of the head of cabbage determines how much dressing is needed so be careful when adding the dressing!