Funny Kids

I have three nephews, teach kids dance, and have lots of friends with children.

I love the things that kids say!

* I was outside running around with my nephews and their friends at a Birthday party. Their friend is the size of my oldest nephew (at the time he was 4) . I asked my oldest nephew how old their friend was and he answered, "he's 2... but he's a big 2."

* After his 1st couple of days at a full day of school my oldest nephew became concerned about being gone from the house for so long. He's a bit dramatic, my sister-in-law explained, he had told her he was worried if he was away from the house for so long he would forget how to get to his room.

* My nephew had the word "sowing" on a sign he had made hanging on his wall. I tried to explain the word is actually spelled "s-E-wing." He sounded out the word again and exclaimed, "well that just doesn't make any sense."

* My nephew's explaination for calling his brother a doofus- "It's hard to remember his name." My sister-in-law decided, still not ok, but points for creativy.

* My nephew's take on Spanish- "It's just like English, only you talk faster and the words are different."

More to come no doubt...

* My 7 year old nephew, "Are you guys going to have kids soon?"

Me, "Well, I spend a day with you guys and I'm pretty exhausted, so we aren't in a rush. "

Him, "Mmmm, yea."

Me,"Plus you guys are pretty expensive to have."

Him, "We don't cost any money!"

Feel free to share your funny stories!

NH Attractions!

I grew up in NH, graduated high school and went to colleges far away. I traveled the US and world and slowly found NH is actually a beautiful place. Now I'm back and can appreciate the state I once wanted to leave. I love how in NH you get the Mts., the oceans, the lakes, and cities within driving distance!

Here is one beautiful place to see in NH! Feel free to share your favorite spots!

THE FLUME GORGE: Franconia Notch State Park

More places to see and things to do in NH...

In the MTS: http://highlandmountain.com/

75 Ski Hill Dr.

Northfield, NH 03276

Are you a Mt. biker?! No worries if not you can chill at the lodge while the adventurous family members ride!

At the OCEAN: http://www.cinnamonrainbows.com/

931 ocean Blvd.

Hampton, NH

Surfing in NH?! Surprisingly not as cold as I expected. It's a ton of fun! Rent a board on your own or take a lesson!

Night out By the LAKE: http://www.thecman.com/restaurants/lago/

1 US Rt 25

Meredith, NH 03253

Looking for a good meal in the Lakes Region with a beautiful view of the lake?! I love the atmosphere of Lago. Try their flatbread pizza! You can even sit outside!

(Sitting inside and want a little more fancy, try LAKEHOUSE. Just come from the beach and want more casual, try CAMP or TOWNDOCKS)

They are all popular with the tourists and locals, so bring a positive attitude incase there is a wait!

Idea for the family: http://www.childrens-museum.org/

6 Washington St

Dover, NH 03820

A fun place to cool off for a bit or to stay dry if it's raining!

Then head over to the town of Portsmouth. I love it there!

In the City: http://palacetheatre.org/

80 Hanover St

Manchester, NH 03101

Quality professional shows you will enjoy, so why not, go see a show!

Shows on the Seacoast: http://www.seacoastrep.org/index.php

125 Bow St

Portsmouth NH, 03801

I actually worked here one summer; they really do great shows!

Family day in the Lakes Region: http://www.beansandgreensfarm.com/

245 Intervale Rd

Gilford, NH 03249

Grab a delicious fresh sandwhich in the Deli and relax at a picnic table in the shade of a tree!

It doesn't get more New England than this.

Also just a great place to get fresh produce, vegetables, and plants.

Walk around and see the animals!

Or visit the Corn Maze in the fall (that is actually a little scary, but fun!)

MORE IDEAS COMING SOON...

World Cup Picks

Who do you think will win the World Cup?!

Our Picks (and why):

Lyall (as our WC expert, crowd support): Netherlands

Me (I like their beer): Netherlands

Nazzy (agrees they have crowd support): Netherlands

Meredith the Intern (likes their food): Spain

Since neither team has ever won a World Cup we will be happy no matter who wins, but it's fun to pick a side to cheer for!

Drink Plenty of Water!

We all know we should drink an average of 8 glasses of water a day (more if you are active!)... but do we actually?! In this particularly hot weather I have been conciously forcing myself to drink plenty of water and you should too! It's a great habit to start and for something so simple has great health benefits. To make it more enjoyable and refreshing to drink I add slices of lemon! Sometimes at night for a treat I'll have bubbly water! So go ahead, have some water... you'll be glad you did!

For more info. on why water is so important check out:

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/water.htm

Seven affordable Date Ideas!

It's 4th of July weekend! Perhaps you have a 1st date planned and don't know where to take them?! Maybe you just want to go on a date with your significant other?!
But! You live within your means so can't afford dinner and a movie and the idea of another night watching tv on the couch isn't going to make for a great "date." I am here to (try to) help!

Here are seven inexpensive date ideas!!!

#7. DO SOMETHING HISTORIC; museums, memorials, city tours... obviously this one works best on a person interested in history! But it's 4th of July weekend, why not check one out?!

#6. GET WET; a beach, a pool, a slip n slide if you are young at heart, and make a day of it! Bring a cooler with water and snacks, bring suntan lotion, and just relax!

#5. OUTDOOR CONCERT; just about every city has someone performing this weekend and it's probably free. Grab some chairs, blankets, and relax listening to the music.

#4. HIT UP A ROOFTOP BAR; for the 4th this is so cool! watching fireworks from a rooftop?!Go to bar if you can spend a little or make it private if you have your own roof top. (However, make sure the roof you are on is supposed to support people! And is not slanted!)

#3. HOST A BAR-B-Q; For a group date atmosphere. You provide the space and maybe some snacks but make it pot luck or just say bring your own drinks and thing to grill. You are with friends, having fun, but didn't have to pay for all the food.

#2. BONFIRE; This could go along with the bar-b-q or be private. I'll be hanging with my hubby tonight doing this! Fire permit, chairs, bottle of wine, and the romantic atmosphere of a bonfire.
Ahhhh, summer.

#1. PICNIC; A little cliche maybe, but it is romantic and more affordable than going out! Plus you can customize it to what you like. You can have a picnic in the woods, at a beach, in a field, at a waterfall, etc... (just bring your bug spray too!)

Well I hope that helped! Please feel free to share any of your own ideas!
Love and Smiles!

Bobotie Recipe!

We made Nazzy try this South African dish Thursday morning as we talked World Cup! Now you can try it too!

This is (my mother -in-law) Val's Bobotie!

BOBOTIE INGREDIANTS:

2 lbs Lean minced Beef (Lyall made a vegitarian version for my brother and his family so you can do this with minced soy too!)

2 onions, finely chopped

1 slice of white bread

3/4 cup milk

1 1/2 Tblsp medium Curry Powder

2 large eggs

1 Tblsp sugar

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp Turmeric

2 Tblsp Chutney

1/2 cup seedless Raisins

1 cup grated Carrot

4 lemon or bay leaves

Soak the bread in the milk and squeeze out the milk and discard; crmble the bread.

Combine all the ingredients together except 1 egg and the leaves. Mix well.

Spray a baking disg well with cooking spray.

Place the mixture into the dish and spread evenly.

Insert the leaves in an upright position into the mixture (evenly spaced).

Bake in a moderate oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

EGG TOPPING:

Beat the remaining egg w/ 1/2 cup of milk.

Pour over the meat.

Return dish to oven for another 1/2 or until the egg mixture is set.

Serve with yellow rice, chutney, and a tomato and onion sambal.

YELLOW RICE:

3 cups water // 1 cup white rice // 1 tsp. Turmeric // 1/2 a Veg. stock cube

Cook above ingrediants together in the usual way.

While waiting for the rice to cook, soak 1/2 cup rasins in boiling water.

Drain and add to the cooked rice. Serve with Bobotie and Sambal.

TOMATO and ONION SAMBAL:

1 cup diced fresh Tomatoe // 1/2 cup diced Onion // 2 tsps Grape Vinegar // a generous grounding of Black Pepper

Mix together well and serve with Bobotie or Curry and Rice.