Before we even moved to our new house, we saw a picture of the backyard and thought what a perfect spot for a trampoline. Last week, Bill went out and bought one. With the help of my dad, they got it put together. Billy was so surprised when he got home from school. Baden is enjoying it, too. The boys love to jump to their hearts content.
Anyone that knows Bill knows that he is a big fan of Boy Scouts. He is proud of his Eagle Scout status and he even named our second son after the founder of the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts of America will be celebrating 100 years next year. A coin from the US Mint will be issued and a huge Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia will be held. How else can one commerate the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts? A gun, of course. To commemorate this occasion, Henry Repeating Arms has released its Henry Golden Boy “Boy Scouts of America® Centennial Edition” licensed rifle. To mark this milestone, this special rifle features the Scouts Oath, Scouts Law, scrollwork and traditional Boy Scouts of America logo embellishing the receiver, as well as a 100 Years of Scouting logo and Centennial Edition gold filled etchings in the buttstock and forearm. This is a no brainer. Bill had to get this gun. It’s a beauty.
Before Billy started school, I told him that he was going to have to try really hard to listen. He has some trouble with this concept. I even went as far as telling him he may end up in the principal’s office if he doesn’t listen. The first week of school he was up and ready for school, but lately he says he doesn’t want to go school. First it was because a boy in his class bothers him and apparently smiles at him. The nerve. Then he said a girl in his class that also rides his bus likes him and he doesn’t like her. So sad to be liked. I told him well you have to go to school. He said well I don’t want to go because the lady that takes us to recess makes us sit on a bench for so many minutes. I asked why and he said because I wasn’t listening. He went on to say I don’t listen in school or primary. I just don’t listen. Finally, the truth comes out.
A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.
On Friday, we sold our house in Maryland. We are happy and relieved especially in today’s market. It got me to thinking about the house on Hummingbird Drive. This was the first home we had ever bought. When we drove up, I fell in love with the porch and decided this is the one. Of course being homeowners can be fun and exhausting. We had some surprises along the way in our homeownership. We had to fix things. Bill is handyman extraordinaire. He amazes me with his talents. But beyond the things that had to be repaired, the house on Hummingbird Drive became our home. It was where we brought Billy and Baden home for the first time. It was a place of comfort after a long day at work. It was a refuge. It was a healing place. I spent my recovery from kidney surgery, two c-sections and ankle surgery in that house. It was a house of laughter and sometimes sadness. It was our home. Now another young family is starting their lives in that house. It’s their first house, too. I hope they find comfort and joy in their new home on Hummingbird Drive.
Bill won second place at the 2nd Annual Edgewood Ward Chili Cook off! Finally vindication for all of those years that he would enter his chile verde in the squadron’s chili cook off and would be disqualified because it wasn’t traditional chili. Good job, Bill!
The state question of New Mexico is Red or Green? I have been told by a good friend that hails from New Mexico that the answer is always green. So armed with that knowledge, we bought a bushel of green chilies and had them roasted. We froze some and ate some the same night. Chile Rellano, anyone? Chilies come mild, medium hot and hot. As gringos, we went with mild and we are glad we did. A chile pepper in New Mexico is a lot different than anywhere else. The canned stuff is tame. We had quesadillas for lunch yesterday with green chilies. They were so good, but sometimes I would get a bite of one of the “mild” chilies and have to a take a bite of just the tortilla to ease the burning. Tonight is our ward’s 2nd annual chili cook off. Bill made Chile Verde. We will see if it’s good enough. We have both always loved Mexican food and are now learning about the intricate nature of New Mexican food. So if you are ever in New Mexico and someone asks, red or green? Always say green. You won’t be disappointed.
A little over a year ago, our beloved beagle, Eddie, passed away. It was a hard time for all of us. He was part of our lives for 13 years. Billy’s first word was Eddie. We knew we wouldn’t want to get another dog anytime soon, so Bill told Billy he could get some fish when we moved to New Mexico. This helped Billy to be somewhat excited about moving with the anticipation of getting fish. So finally on Saturday, we got some fish. They are neon fish and are pretty cool. This is our first venture into the fish world. I always wanted fish when I was little, but my dad always said no. It was fun looking for things to “decorate” the tank. The tank is in the boys’ room so they really love that. I know one of the fish is named Dorothy after Elmo’s goldfish, but I am not sure about the others. I heard something about Big Bird, Elmo and Ernie. I guess it’s an ode to Sesame Street, a favorite show here in Dunowland. So far the fish are great. They are low maintenance and we like to watch them explore their new home. Long live, fish!
It’s back to back birthdays in the Dunow household. Last Friday, we celebrated Baden’s big day and now it’s Bill’s turn. He spent the first part of his morning on a plane coming home from Spokane, Washington after being gone for about three weeks. He really wanted a nap for his birthday so he got one. I don’t know how restful it was because the boys are so excited he is home. I never know what to get Bill because he seems to just buy it if he wants it. He claims that he has always known what he was getting for his birthday. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I think he was surprised this year. It started off with his favorite hand cream from Duluth Trading Company. This is manly hand cream and I accidentally threw his jar away before we moved. I also got him some Anti Monkey Butt Powder. I mean who doesn’t want that for their birthday? The big present is a glider ride with Sundance Aviation in Moriarty, New Mexico. He wasn’t expecting that and he is looking forward to taking flight. We had pizza for dinner and I made a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Baden did some manuvering and made it to the cake before it had cooled and did some damage, but it was still edible. I think overall Bill has had a good day. I think the best part is just having him home. Happy birthday, Bill. We love you.
Both of the boys really like to help in the kitchen. Any time they can pull their chairs up to the counter to help out, they are happy campers. Tonight, we made pizza bears or Mickey Mouse Pizza as Billy called them. The recipe is super easy and fun. It makes for an easy dinner. I served the pizza with grapes which the boys love. The grapes went first then the pizza. Billy’s style was to pick it up just like a slice of pizza. Baden liked to pick off the pepperoni and olives and then eat the pizza. We had a lot of fun.
Pizza Biscuit Bears
1 tube (16.3 ounces) large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
12 slices pepperoni
2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
12 slices ripe olives
1 tablespoon chopped green pepper
1 jar (12 ounces) sliced pimientos, drained
1 can (8 ounces) pizza sauce, warmed
Separate biscuits; place six biscuits 3 in. apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Cut each remaining biscuit into six pieces; roll each into balls. Attach two balls to each whole biscuit for ears; pinch dough to seal.
Decorate each bear with pepperoni slice on each ear, mozzarella cheese for fur, olive slices for eyes, green pepper for nose and two pimiento strips for mouth. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with pizza sauce. Serves: 6
**The boys like pepperoni and olives so that is all we used, but you could use just about anything that you like on a pizza. It’s just a fun dinner to make with the kids.
Today was Billy’s first day of school. This is the real deal. He is in kindergarten! He woke up right at 7:00 am and was ready to start the day. Bebe made Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes for breakfast. Then we got ready for the day. He was a little apprehensive about riding the bus and told me he didn’t want too, but then a few minutes later he told me we have to go or we will miss the bus. The bus came and he jumped out of the car onto the bus. I didn’t even get a hug. Then he was off. I have to admit as I was driving back down to our house from the bus stop the tears started flowing. Baden was compassionate and gave me his Buzz Lightyear to comfort me. All day all I could think about was Billy. I wondered what he was doing and how he was. Then at 3:55, he jumped off the bus and gave me a huge hug. He was so excited and had a great day. He liked eating school lunch. He got to play on the playground. He played in the house that is in his classroom. He traced his hand and made a picture. He made two new friends, but isn’t quite sure of their names. 🙂 He was excited to show me the folders in his back pack and the worksheets he had done. I was so nervous for him. I had butterflies in my stomach all day. He told me I have school tomorrow and I am going to ride the bus! I hope this day is one of many more to come.