It's the last day of July, so you know what that means? It's Harry Potter's Birthday! (But also, it's time to catch up on the blog). There's not much to report since the last time I wrote, so this will be a quick one.
Calib left for Ohio a week ago today. He'll be back on Sunday, so we're looking forward to that.
We haven't heard much from him, though. But I did text him to let him know Asa was using his cereal bowl.
The night before he left, he asked for nachos for dinner, so Asa obliged. There are just some things in this house that I make, and some things that are an Asa only situation. Special Pizzas, that's me. Nancy Reagan Mac & Cheese. Also me. Charcuterie Board. Still me. But you want homemade fries, that's Asa. Boneless wings, also Asa. Nachos- absolutely Asa. Calib did ask for naan bread pizzas for lunch, so he doesn't hate my cooking.
I took him to the airport in a complete and total downpour, and his flight ended up being a bit delayed.
On my way home, I hit Sprouts. Because Sprouts on double ad Wednesday is the best way to get produce on the cheap. Asa and I have been trying really hard to eat lots of produce, so if I can make it to Sprouts it always makes sense. One night my dinner was basically fruits and veggies with a slight amount of chicken. That pile of 'rice', mango salsa and veggies is actually cauliflower rice. Last week it was on sale for 98 cents a pound, so I even made my own. But, I do have a backup Costco bag in the freezer too.
We've been trying to eat really good during the week, and then on the weekends have whatever floats our boat. I don't really talk about it much, but I have lost somewhere in the vicinity of 30 pounds using this approach. I've also discovered banana ice cream. Basically you freeze bananas and then you throw them in the food processor and process the crap out of them until they're the consistancy of ice cream. You can of course add mix ins. One time I did peanut butter and a few chocolate chips (obviously then it's not nearly as good for you), one time I did some frozen strawberries. Both were good, and banana ice cream has become my new favorite snack.
We did go to summer of shakes for real ice cream one night. I wasn't feeling it, so I just came along for the ride. But, we also brought Etta and got her a cup of whipped cream. She really freaks out in the car, so we're hoping some short fun trips (instead of just the vet and the kennel) help with that. She seemed pretty excited about her treat.
While I'm not tempted by a Sonic shake, I do enjoy the occasional All You Can Swirl Fro Yo, so Asa and I stopped by one day and then just today I even got Peyton to go!
Peyton has been glued to the TV because the game we pre-ordered from him for Christmas just came out this week. There wasn't a set date for it when he asked for it, so he knew it might be awhile- and then it got delayed a few times. He's loving it so far, and he's done with his classes and everything, and he's kind of delaying his job search until after we get back from Ohio, o he's got some time on his hands anyway.
This week Asa is on call, so we couldn't go do too much this past weekend. So we set out on our usual bike ride on Saturday just to have something to do, not too far from home.
We took our usual route through our neighborhood and up to the Connerton Clubhouse.
But then I told Asa we should go exploring, and I was like 'where's this go?' so we followed all kinds of streets through Connerton that we've never been down before. We found some gators.
We also found some cute little gazebos and parks.
And then we found this secret trail. It had a very unassuming entrance/exit but it took us around a couple miles, past various ponds and swamps, across paved trails and boardwalks. We even saw a giant black racer sunning itself, and a couple of deer.
By the time we got home google told us we went 12.7 miles. So, I figured I had earned every right to have some carbs for breakfast. Plus it was the weekend. So, Asa made pancakes and I got out all the toppings.
I had two and a half pancakes- one with lemon curd, blueberries, strawberries, granola and blueberry syrup, one with whipped cream cookie crumbles and strawberries, and my half had nutella and bananas. And they were SO. YUMMY.
For dinner that night we had a coupon for Bogo PDQ. Since there is only four of us this week (and since the coupons expired before Calib got back) we figured we'd go out for dinner. Asa and I ended up having the grilled tenders instead of the crispy, and I think they're our new go-to. We can highly recommend.
Dinner started with discussing the Ohio trip, and ended with everyone posting in cousin chat about the party for my Aunt and Uncle- and how much people would be willing to pay Peyton to bring up politics with my Uncle Warren. Joanne eventually shut us all down on that one, though.
Sunday was the last Jo-Jos, possibly ever. Jo-Jos is a Anime Peyton and Hayden religiously watch so this was kind of a big deal. I asked them if they wanted a themed lunch in honor of it, and they were really excited at the prospect. I'm not entirely sure what or how most of it relates- but I was told an antipasto platter, donuts, and cherries were all musts.
Sunday was mostly a lazy day, we played some games and read some in the blanket fort. We also hit the pool in between our usual afternoon thunderstorms, which have returned after a couple of days of rain ALL. DAY.
But we also went on a much shorter bike ride, this time to get Hayden to take some pictures for the fair. A bunch of mushrooms had grown near the playground, so we went out there to take some pictures.
And of course, we had to try out the monkey bars.
Hayden has been working on a lot of projects for the fair. He's been doing everything from photography to art work to needlework.
He's made a cute owl and a couple of adorable chicken bean bags.
We're working on a sunflower pillow, and he made an apron (that I'm really excited to use after he's entered it!)
Other than that, he's been keeping busy at the library. Last Friday he went to the new Astromech Engineers class where he got to use the droid inventor kits, and last night was the second-to-last summer reading club with a Harry Potter theme (you know, for his birthday!)
That's all I've got for you around here. I was working on a project for my mom the last couple days, and now I've got to get the boys evaluations together for home school.
I leave you with cute animal pictures, both ours and neighbor residents (there have been deer in the round-about every time I've gone through there all week!)
Next Up: Calib comes home, and there's talk of maybe finishing out our Hollywood Studios list this weekend.
