40 by 40 List

I read a blog post one day by Shelby over at The Bean Sprout Notes.  She had written a 30 before thirty list.  A list of 30 things she wanted to do or accomplish by the time she turned 30.  What an awesome idea right?  I am completely inspired and have decided to do a 40 by 40 list.  I will be 40 years old (unreal) in 2015.  There are so many things I really want to put on this list big and small.  So many things I have talked about doing for years and have not for one reason or the other.  Other being I am a big time procrastinator!  Hopefully though, this list will keep me in check and more accountable for doing the things I have wanted to for so long. 

1.  Quit drinking soda!  This is number one because it effects my health.  Oh, Dr. Pepper how you will haunt me!
2.Lose at least 30 pounds.  This will take to the year 2015 I know it!  Rebecca loves her some good food!
3.  Finish our wedding scrapbook.  I got married almost 7 years ago!  I think it is time to finish it.
4.  Paint my son's room and closet.
5. Learn at least 5 new functions of my blog. 
6.  Learn how to use my new cell phone.  I got one this past Mother's Day.  Haven't had one in years and I am tech challenged.
7.  Move pictures from boxes to photo albums and post.
8.  Make my own cards.  I love to do it, but I put it off and then don't have the time.  Did I mention I procrastinate?
9.  Read more.  I used to read all the time, but have drifted.
10.  Start planting herbs.
11.  Go on a family camping trip!
12.  Take kids to Lego Discovery in Dallas.
13.  Take carpet out of bedroom and put down new flooring.  Some of these will include my hubby!  Love him!
14.  Learn how to take better pictures of food. 
15.  Drink at least 3 glasses of water a day.  I don't know if I'll ever get to 8!
16.  Replace wood and paint back of house.  Maybe replace windows.
17.  Spend more time with friends.
18.  Keep garage organized!  So hard to do!
19.  Take a trip alone with my husband.  Miss doing that one!
20.  Buy a new vacuum cleaner.  The one I have is killing my back.
21.  Study the Bible more.  I would love to start doing this on a daily basis.
22.  Get back to scrapbooking.  I love it but I make excuses not to do it.
23.  Keep my van cleaner.  My van is always messy and it drives me nuts.
24.  Get more sleep. 
25.  Start a small veggie garden.
26.  Attend more school activities. 
27.  Take kids to Moody Gardens. 
28.  Take a trip to West Texas!  Can you tell I want to travel more?
29.  Learn to pamper myself more.
30.  Start a homeschooling pre-school program for my daughter.
31.  Take a Zumba class.
32.  Paint mine and my daughter's toenails alot more often.  We love wearing open toed shoes and our toes are a fright!
33.  Learn how to use the gas grill.
34.  Make a more organized file system.
35.  Construct a better laundry system.  Oh hubby!!!
36.   Learn to appreciate the every day small things.
37.  Reach 100 followers on my blog.  I love to blog, so this would be awesome!
38.  Buy myself clothes and not feel guilty about it.  I always buy for someone else and not myself.
39.  Spend more time with just the hubby and myself. 
40!!!  This one will really happen after I turn 40, but it is so great I am putting it down.  Have a big and awesome party to celebrate 10 years of marriage! 
 

Wow!  I did it!  This list took several days to complete.  I had to really think about things that I think I can do in this time period without putting to much pressure on!  This feels really good and I am looking forward to getting started!  I highly suggest everyone who is getting close to a big birthday make one of these lists!  Thanks for the idea Shelby!


I linked up with:

The REAL Housewives of Riverton
A bowl full of lemons
My Turn(for us)

San Antonio Zoo

We did this trip over spring break this year.  I would recommend not going during spring break or St. Patrick's Day which is what we did.  I would also recommend though that you still go during the coolest parts of the year because this is Texas and yeah, it gets hot here.  I think a good time to visit would be between late October to early April.  If you do come during the summer the earlier you start your day the better so it is not so hot.  Staying at least one night would be good too.  If you go to downtown San Antonio, be prepared to spend some money.  We wanted to go to the wax museum but were not prepared to spend over $100.00.  My husband was really disappointed with that one.   I am hoping our next trip to San Antonio will not be so crowded and that we will be able to spend some better time at the River Walk. 



Saturday my husband and I took the kiddos to the San Antonio Zoo. We stopped at Chickafila on the way out there and my daughter must have drank some bad milk. She puked as soon as we pulled up to the zoo. Yikes and Yuck! We went and cleaned up the van, got back to the zoo and bought her a shirt! She felt much better after she got the yucky milk out of her system. Poor baby! We told her, next time the milk tastes ewww, you can give it to us!

We had lots of fun at the zoo. Lots of beautiful animals. We got to see baby otters, tons of birds, black bears and a white rhino. I have to admit, the animals were a little lazy for a spring day but ah well! Maybe it was their naptime! The butterfly house was super amazing! That was my favorite part of the day!  I thought the prices of admission and things inside the zoo were what you would expect to pay.  I guess I would put it at a medium price range.  Both the kids got a shirt and a really cool plastic mould made from these old moulding machines.  I thought that was neat.
Here are a few pics!

My son really liked the komodo dragons.

The train around the park next to the zoo was really fun! The kids loved it! We went down to the river walk and ate dinner but didn't stay. St. Patrick's day and spring break make for a crowded downtown! We will have to go back when there are not two events going on!

Visit San Antonio.com


I linked up with:
Come Together Kids

Crunchy Chocolate Treats

I have had this recipe in my book for years.  Today is the first time I made it and wow!  I wish I would have a long time ago.  Peanut butter and chocolate goodness.  These are  rice crispy treats with a kick!  This recipe comes from Food Everyday.

crunchy chocolate treats

Makes 2 Dozen  Prep time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes

1.  In a large, deep saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, over low heat, about 4 minutes.  Add 1 bag(10 ounces) mini marshmallows; cook, stirring, until melted, 6 to 8 minutes. 
2.  Add 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped; cook, stirring, until melted, 2 to 4 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Quickly fold in 6 cups rice cereal and 3/4 cup peanut-butter chips until evenly distributed.
3.  Coat a 1/4 -cup dry measuring cup with nonstick cooking spray; scoop mixture onto waxed paper, forming clusters.  Let set, about 10 minutes.  Store in an airtight container for up to several days.

Note:
To make squares instead of clusters, use a wet spatula and evenly spread mixture into a buttered 9-by-13 inch baking pan.  Let set before cutting with a serrated knife.

*I just poured the chocolate morsels in and it worked fine.  I also think I will make them smaller next time.

I linked up with:
Crazy for Crust
Fireflies and Jellybeans
Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
The REAL Housewives of Riverton
Sugar and Spice
My Turn(for us)
Me and My Sweets