This week's most embarrassing moment

This past Wednesday I took the boys to register for Steele's/DPS Kaleidoscope Afterschool program in the fall. There was a small wait since there were a few people ahead of us, so I told them they could go outside and play on the playground. My instructions were to check in on me once in awhile.

So I finally sat down to begin the process and Aidan came in with a grumpy face and some complaint about how Evan wouldn't let him play on some structure. I told him to go tell his brother I said to let him play on it and also come talk to me. A few minutes later Evan came in and as loud as he could be says, "Mom, Aidan kicked me in the balls!" The entire cafeteria broke out in laughter.

Oh well, I guess all the parents and administrators at Steele will learn about the Lawlor/Westervelt family soon enough. Ugh!

Well, we made it through the first 5 years - barely!

Whew! I can't believe its been five years already. The boys had their 5th birthday and first official soccer game on the same day last Friday. This past Sunday they had 18 of their best friends join them for bowling at Monaco Lanes in Denver. While I would have preferred to have it at home with more adult beverages, I have to say that it was a great party. The kids were entertained for an hour and then had pizza and cake. I didn't have to clean up and could relax and play hostess. Our friends were so generous with gifts and the boys are keeping occupied (right now, in fact) playing with them.

While the last five years have been tough (Aidan hospitalized with pneumonia several times, Evan getting the croup several times and spending hours in the ER, my mother passing away, Gerrit traveling so much, the loss of my job, etc.) it has also been an outstanding time that I couldn't possibly imagine missing. I love watching these little boys grow up and experience the world. In August they will be kindergarteners and I will lose a little more of them. But it is so exciting to see them grow and approach everything with enthusiasm and wonder. We are very fortunate to be able to experience the world again through the eyes of our children.

Another one of Mom's recipes

Dad requested this one. He said it makes any kind of meat taste fabulous - even the cheaper cuts. And in these times with the price of groceries so high we all want to eat better for less.

Marinated Chuck
3 lbs. chuck – 2” thick
1 tsp Accent – rub it into the meat

Mix these ingredients and then pour over the meat sprinkled with Accent. Marinate overnight.
1/3 c. wine vinegar
¼ cup catsup
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp garlic salt
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Worchestshire sauce

Broil 6” from heat, 45 min.

My kinda girls...

My friend Wende, whom I absolutely adore, sent me this story in an e-mail today. Speaks to the type of friends I am hanging out with these days:

"WOMEN WHO KNOW THEIR PLACE
Barbara Walters of Television's 20/20 did a story on gender roles in Kabul , Afghanistan several years before the Afghan conflict. She noted that women customarily walked five paces behind their husbands. She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women still walk behind their husbands. From Miss Walters' vantage point, despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to walk even further back behind their husbands, and are happy to maintain the old custom.

Miss Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, 'Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?' The woman looked Miss Walters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation said, 'Land Mines.'

No matter where you go in the world:
BEHIND EVERY MAN, THERE'S A SMART WOMAN"

Mom's old sausage bread recipe

My mom passed away almost 2 years ago now. Dad recently sent me all of her old recipes. It was so fun looking through them and remembering some of the things she used to make us - like anise cookies, Italian cold pasta salad, crispy eggplant and her infamous sausage bread. Here is the recipe:

Mom's Sausage Bread

Ingredients:
1 lb. Italian sausage
1 lb. pizza or bread dough (make or buy)
¾ cup grated romano/parmesan cheese (the sharper the better says mom)
1 cup shredded provolone cheese (use Auribella says Mom)
2 eggs
Chopped parsley

Instructions:
Remove sausage from casings, crumble and cook until brown; drain well.
Combine with cheese, parsley & eggs. Roll dough into a 10”x15” oblong. Arrange filling on top and roll tightly jelly-roll style.
Place on cooking sheet, seam side down. Use sausage drippings to coat dough. Bake at 350 degrees 50-60 minutes or less depending on type of dough.
Cool completely & slice; or wrap in foil and freeze (warm in oven when needed).

New Bikes for Xmas!

Evan and Aidan got new bikes from Papa Lawlor and Uncle Danny. They had already perfected the art of riding without training wheels but had grown so fast this year they needed bigger bikes. At first they were a little apprehensive - the new bikes are bigger and heavier - but they figured it out right away. Water bottles, reflectors, fat tires and kickstands - they are all set for a ride at the park or up in Alma. Thank you Papa and Uncle Danny!

Evan and Aidan boogie down for the holidays

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