Ryan came to join us for church this morning.  While I made lunch, there was a game of Skip-Bo over my puzzle.

I made soft pretzels this evening, thanks to my friend Tracie finding flour and yeast for us!  They were supposed to be a 30-minute recipe, but took about 3 times that long since they get boiled in baking soda water, egg-washed, and then get broiled after being baked.  They were so good though!  Next time I would double the recipe if I'm already going to do that many steps.

Silliness...

Sylvia's Holiday "Baking" Challenge

Sylvia organized and hosted a Holiday Baking Challenge for her friends today!  

There were 3 teams:

Hunter, Will, and Aiden

Alexis, Isabella, and Sylvia

and RJ, Ryan, and Annah.

It was great chaotic fun while they all mixed things up!

The RJ/Annah/Ryan team made hot cocoa cookies.

The Sylvia/Isabella/Alexis team made Oreo balls.

These guys mixed up their peanut butter fudge and played some Xbox 

while they waited for it to set up.

It was such a beautiful day outside, they all took a walk down to the park for a while.  

Caeden and I were the judges.

Most Creative: Hot Cocoa Cookies

Prettiest: Oreo Balls

Best Tasting: Peanut Butter Fudge

Here is the recipe of the winner:

The crew decided to play a game of monopoly while watching The Lorax.

What a great group of kids!

Our financial situation requires that I get some more work and income.  A few months ago, Jeremy suggested that I really consider substitute teaching.  It is decent pay, requires few "qualifications," and most of all it is very flexible.  So this summer, I've been working on getting my substitute teaching license and applying at 2 local school districts.  

This week, I attended a great workshop at GCMS for substitute teachers.  24 of us were able to tour all 3 buildings, meet administration, get all the paperwork we need to apply, learn how to run technology, and talk about ALICE (emergency procedures).  It was really great.  I also got my packet for Ridgeview and am officially on the "ready to sub" list there.  

Also this week, I made this Zucchini Crisp with the giant zucchinis Dad sent back with us from his garden.  Caeden and Ryan could hardly believe there were no apples in it; it looks and tastes just like apple crisp.  Yum!

The girls were both babysitting yesterday, and it was just me and Caeden at home.  We had some fun playing with a new SnapChat filter while he practiced drums and guitar.

Annah and Nola baked rainbow alien cookies with Oreos yesterday.

And today, they baked a lemon cake with cream cheese frosting and gold sprinkles!

 We had lunch at Steak 'n' Shake today.  Caeden's favorite is the StrawNilla shake.

 Jacob came over this afternoon and he and Sylvia baked and decorated sugar cookies.

At some point this evening, a neighbor knocked on the door and neither Jeremy nor I heard it. Caeden answered the door, and a lady said they'd had a party and had extra cupcakes.  She left this box of gourmet cupcakes from Smallcakes! 

Annah and Ryan went on their first "official" date just the two of them after church today.  They had lunch at Noodles with Ryan's sisters then went to see the new Spiderman movie.  Then they came back to our house and everyone watched Mama Mia together, since it was announced that it will be their spring musical. They do make a pretty cute couple.

 

While they were watching the movie, Addie texted and said she was in town just for the night. We were all so happy she stopped over for a little bit!!!

After church today, we all went to Brevins for lunch!  It was so good!

Gram is helping Sylvia make a quilt while we are here!

She chose navy/blues, white, and gold fabrics and a chevron pattern.

It will be a twin size quilt when it's finished.  She already has each row sewn together. 
I think it's gorgeous!

Annah wanted to learn how to bake bread, so she and Gram looked up a recipe today and made some!  It was ready at about 11pm tonight.

Man did it smell good!

And it tasted soooo yummy!

I love that the girls enjoy learning life skills like sewing and baking!  And I love that they get to do them with their Gram!!!