My Cleaning System

I really like the ideas that the Flylady has. :) I adapted them to work with my schedule and the tiny bit of OCD that I have! :)

I of course still do the morning routine:
wipe down counters/mirrors in bathroom
wipe down toilet and scrub bowl (about every day or every other day as needed)
unload dishwasher
put a load of laundry in the washer, then dryer
make bed

When I get home from school:
play with Noah for a little while
do my daily chores for 20-30 minutes
play with Noah
start dinner (clean up as I go) (trying hard to use the Crock pot or make ahead a few meals)
eat dinner & clean up kitchen
playtime/relax

and the evening routine:

put away the load of laundry
load dishwasher
wipe down sink
straighten all toys (with Noah's help)
get lunches & drinks ready for the next day
lay out mine and Noah's clothes for the next day
put items needed for school in car

Sometimes I don't get it all done.  However, just doing some cleaning every day helps! If I absolutely can't get to it, I try to fit it in the next day.  It's so nice to wake up to a clean kitchen and a straightened house every day!

Montessori School

I enrolled Noah at a Montessori School nearby.  He's so bright and very active.  He's 100% boy and needs room and freedom to explore.  I'm hoping this school will be the right environment for him.  I'm praying for an easy adjustment for him, good friends and a kind, patient teacher.  I want him to like school.

Laguna Beach

We went to the beach in July.  I'm so thrilled Noah has inherited a love for the ocean and the beach from us.  He could stay all day playing-in the water, in the sand...  He loves it.  We can't stay long enough for Noah.  I really wish we lived near the beach! (Then Disneyland would be nearby, too!)

Soccer

Noah loves to run. And. He. Is. Fast!  So I signed him up for soccer.  He is on a team of about ten kids ages 3 to 5.  He loves the warm-up exercises and the running. Standing in line to wait his turn during drills- not so much.  It's not really easy for any of the boys. They start chasing & wrestling, etc...  He had to stand by the coach during a lot of the last practice because he wasn't behaving in line.  So, guess what?  He doesn't like going to soccer.  It is a battle every practice and game day.  I don't know if he's too young or if he just doesn't like it.  I've been having him continue to try hoping it will get easier, more familiar for him, and maybe he'll like it. There are about 5 weeks left.  I guess we'll see...

Butterbeer Cookies

Harry Potter-inspired giant cookie!

Here is the recipe from the blog, Bake at 350 by Bridget...

Also, here is the link to her blog if you'd like to see her awesome cookies with the Hogwarts House crests on them...

http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2011/07/butterbeer-cookies-for-final-harry.html

Butterbeer Sugar Cookies

3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
2 sticks butter
1 egg
1 tsp butter flavoring
3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, set aside.

Cream the sugar and butter. Add the egg, butter flavoring, and vanilla; mix until well-blended.

Gradually add the flour mixture and beat just until combined, scraping down the bowl, especially the bottom. (The dough will be quite thick...you may need to knead in stray bits of flour from the bottom of the bowl by hand.)

Roll on a floured surface to about 1/4" and cut into shapes. Place on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 9-12 minutes, depending on the size of your cutter. Let sit a few minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Butterbeer Glaze
{This will cover 12 cookies...and I STRONGLY recommend doubling the recipe as you might want to put this in a shot glass and drink it straight.}

2/3 cup butterscotch chips (I used Guittard)
1/8 cup evaporated milk
1 TBSP light corn syrup
pinch coarse salt

Place all of the ingredients in a glass or metal bowl and heat over a pot of simmering water (or a double boiler). Stir occasionally, until melted and smooth.

Put the cooled cookies on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Pour the glaze over the cookies and spread with an offset spatula. If using the fondant house crests, place these on the wet glaze to adhere.