PJ after school (after school cookie in his mouth).
It's currently 69 degrees in Houston. Blue, blue skies. Slight breeze. If you could bottle up this weather, you could sell it. And get REALLY, REALLY rich.
That not being a possibility, I've been writing my little brains out today. Nothing like writing to make your brain feel teeny, tiny. As in miniscule. A very big part of me feels that the writing should come easier to me, that at this point in the process is should be effortless, that my brain should coalesce all that I've read, the theories I've learned, the texts I've chosen. And yet, it's more like the little engine who could. I'm (metaphorically) huffing and puffing. Not sure if this is normal. Will seek professional help.
Parker's reading grades have been all over the map lately. Nothing really bad, but more mediocre grades than I'd like to see, especially with junior high staring us straight in the eyeballs. I e-mailed his reading teacher and asked where he thought he could improve. He suggested we work on making inferences...understanding those concepts not directly stated in the text. I'll be honest with you, my first thought was to hire a tutor. Because I am lazy. But then I got a hold of myself and reasoned that I could put some of my EXTENSIVE training into my own child's education. So, I took myself down to the teacher's supply and bought two workbooks and that handy-dandy box called, precisely, "making inferences." I pulled out the most difficult card to just see how far off the mark we were. He read the story and answered all of the questions correctly. So...hmmmmm. Tomorrow I'll try some of the workbooks. (I bought the smencils and the doodle book to make the whole proposal more palatable. The grape smencil is to die for.) The point is people -- I'm trying. Can I get some bonus points just for trying?
Also...bonus points for after school cookies. The avocados are for dinner. I have chicken in the crockpot for tacos. And even though I've posted this recipe before (I think), it bears repeating. It's the EASIEST DINNER EVER MADE. Or very nearly so if you don't count cereal.
Chicken Tacos
Time to make: 1.3 minutes
Time to cook: a long time
Throw some chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) into the crockpot. I usually do 4-6 breasts, and they are always frozen. Because I can't be bothered to thaw something out beforehand. Unless I buy fresh. But that's a rare occurrence as well.
Add in a packet of taco seasoning (I used chicken taco seasoning today, but any taco seasoning works), about a cup of salsa (or picante), and 1/2 - 1 cup of water. Put it on low and let it cook all day. Or, if you are like me, put it in at 1:00 and cook that sucker on high.
When you are ready to eat simply shred the chicken in the pot and stir it up with all of the juicy, salsa goodness. Serve with lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocados and some soft, fat tortillas (or crunchy shells if you are Parker). That's it. It's easy and relatively wholesome. Try it.
Sarah, your blog cracks me up! Thanks for posting the recipe for this delightfully easy, yummy dinner! My kind of meals to make. Add your cookies as an after school snack (which look so good - especially since I'm trying to not eat sugar) and all that you're involved in and do, and you've again set the bar for mom/homemaker/wife/pto president of the year ;) Seriously. If I'm ever talking to Logan, the husband, about past memories growing up about babysitting or YWs or whatnot, and your name comes up, he gets confused, until I mention the crafty koolaid mom who's husband makes their gingerbread out of their house blueprints. And then Logan understands I'm talking about you ;)
Good thing we have a few years before I've gotta start trying to be supermom. For now I'll just sit and marvel in how you do all that you do ;)
Posted by: ashley | January 11, 2012 at 08:24 PM
We are having a meal similar to that, but we also add chicken broth, black beans, and corn. So good!!!
Posted by: Jennifer Rees | January 12, 2012 at 02:46 PM