CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024

I couldn't help but post this link to the video of my Kindergarten class doing their end of the year performance!  They are so stinking cute!!!!!  I am actually sad for these kids to move on to 1st grade!!  They will be missed!!!!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN73Gnub1sw&feature=plcp

ONE PROUD MOMMA!!

Big stretch for an out!!

Jumping high for an out but still had his foot on the base!

Not to happy with the loss but he played his heart out!

Bryce had an amazing game last night!!  He was a few feet shy of getting his first homerun!  Andy was almost eating his words because he told Bryce he would give him $200 for his first homerun.  He better start saving :)

TO BE A KID AGAIN IF ONLY FOR ONE DAY

Last Friday I spent the day running through Busch Gardens getting the biggest adrenaline rushes I have had in a long time.  A few times when I was 200 feet in the air just hanging I thought, "What are you doing?  You are not a 20 year old any longer?  You are going to have a heart attack up here and die!"  Then I would look at my 11 year old and it would be all worth it to be up there with her and see her excitement!  I would ride them all again just to see the look in her eyes the moment we dropped!!



MAY 4, 2012



Talk about free falling!!



I remember riding this in High School!!



This ride was insane!!  Carlos made us ride in the front which means we were the idiots hanging over the front for a few seconds(it seemed more like a few minutes)

I could really tell my age around 6:00 when I all of a sudden became EXHAUSTED!!  If only I were young again...I could have ridden ALL day!!

I MIGHT BE BAD LUCK

I was not able to go to Bryce's game on Saturday and they kicked some serious butt!!  Andy seems to think I brought the Mudcats bad luck at the last two games!  Maybe I should stay home tomorrow night!  If they start losing I am getting in my car and leaving!  Here are some pictures from Saturdays game!

Bryce taking batting practice

Two fisting the chicken minis

Bryce is the biggest one on the team! 

They say "Big Hitter" when he comes up to the plate :)

Dad giving Bryce a few tips

UMM..not sure what is going on but it is typical Bryce to make faces like this :)

Stretching out to make the play

ONE WORD

One word to describe each of my kids........

Taylor.......CHARISMATIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bryce.............ATHLETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ava.................DIVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUSY IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT

Not sure how track-out is already over but sadly it is!!  It was back to work on Monday!!!  My life has been consumed over the last two weeks with Cheer, Baseball, MORE Cheer and even MORE Baseball!!  The bad news is Bryce had either practice or a game 6 days in a row!!  The good news is they are STILL UNDEFEATED!!!  Taylor also had cheer 6 days in a row and there is no good news to that :)  Ava's best friend went to Indiana for 6 days and there was definitely NO GOOD NEWS to that!!!  If you pay close attention to my numbers you will notice a very concerning number :)  I survived that crazy week and I am ready for another crazy busy week ahead.  Besides what would I do with all my free time? 

Notice mom  and dad hanging out at the fence!  We are not parents that can sit and chat!  We are pacers :)

MUDCAT CATCH-UP

I have been so busy with cheer and baseball that I have not been able to blog!  So a quick recap!!  The Mudcats have now played 4 games and they are the only team that is undefeated!  Hopefully we can hang on to the first place spot!!  Bryce is doing great.  Just this last game he got 5 outs, a single, a double(which my husband says was just a single because it was an error on the first baseman but he made it to second base so I call it a DOUBLE)  and also got two RBIs!! 

Yummy Sesame Chicken Salad

As all of you know I am an Asian foodaholic!!  So anytime I can make an Asian dish I get very excited :)  I found this recipe on pinterst and had to try it.  Of course I left out the tomatoes(texture thing and Ava is our only tomato eater and she is at my moms)  It is a very simple recipe and not too many ingredients.  You should definetly try this one out!!

Ingredients:

4 cups (1 liter) water
4 slices of ginger, 1⁄4 in (6mm) thick
1 medium onion, sliced
3 boneless chicken breasts(1 lb/500g)
4-5 mini cucumbers or 1 English cucumber, unpeeled (or 1 Kirby cucumber, peeled and deseeded)2 large tomatoes, cut into eighths6 green onions (scallions), finely chopped1⁄4 cup (65 ml) sesame oil
Salt and fresh ground pepper, to tasteVinaigrette
1⁄4 cup (65 ml) light soy sauce1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar1 teaspoon whole pepper- corns, lightly crushed

Directions:

1) To make the Vinaigrette, mix the soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, and peppercorns in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for one minute and set aside.

2) Bring the water, ginger, and onion to a boil in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and add the chicken breasts. Cook for 15 minutes.
3) Turn off the heat and let chicken sit in the hot liquid 
for 10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the stock, and when it is cool enough to handle, shred the chicken with your hands. Place the chicken back into the stock in a bowl and refrigerate until you are ready to use.

4) Lightly scrape the skin of the mini or English cucumbers with a paring knife.
5 If using mini cucumbers cut them into 11⁄2 inch (3.75 cm) chunks. If you are using an English or Kirby cucum- ber cut them in half lengthwise, and then into 11⁄2 inch (3.75 cm) chunks.

5) Place a chunk of cucumber under the broad part of
a kitchen knife. With your fist, hit the top of the blade once, and lightly crush the cucumber. Repeat with the remaining pieces.

6) Arrange a layer of the crushed cucumbers around a large serving platter. Remove the cold chicken from the stock and place it down the center of the platter. Surround the chicken with the tomato wedges and top it with green onions.

7) In a stainless steel ladle or small pot, heat the sesame
oil over a low flame until bubbles appear, approximately one minute. Turn off the heat and pour the oil evenly over the green onions and chicken. Strain the Vinaigrette and drizzle it over the chicken and vegetables. Add salt and pepper to taste.

KIDS COULDN'T GET PAST THE GRAPES

So I made these yummy chicken salad croissants last night.  They were super easy and very tasty too!!  Of course my kids saw the grapes and apples and thought it was totally gross!  Oh well that meant more for me and Andy!!
Chicken Salad

• 2 ( 12.5 oz) cans of chicken (or 3 cups diced cooked chicken)
• 3/4 cup light mayonnaise
• 1 cup red grapes, halved
• 1 green onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1/2 cup diced apple
• salt and pepper to taste
• pecans or cashews, optional

1. In a bowl, combine the chicken, mayo, grapes, green onion, celery, apple, salt, and pepper.  Combine until well blended.
2. Serve on rolls, bread, or croissants sprinkle with some cashews or pecans.  This can also be served on a lettuce leaf.

13.1 I'M ONLY HALF CRAZY!!!

Keri and I before the race!!

I actually did it!!  I can not believe 10 months ago I could not even run for 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to pass out and Saturday I ran for 2 hours and 12 minutes.  I wanted to finish in 2 hours and 10 minutes but there were so many people running in the race that I lost some time fighting the crowds.  It is kind of a blur now.  I know I was hurting...I know I was exhausted but it was like an outer body experience and when I think back on it, it is almost like it never happened!!
As soon as we finished Keri said, "So are we going to do the Virginia Beach Half in September?"  Obviously I was still in some sort of blur because I didn't say NO!!!

Keri and I after the race!!!

 I guess most people want to go to Disney after they accomplish something big.  I just wanted to go to Georgetown to DC cupcakes and go shopping.  Georgetown was the cutest town.  I had the best sandwich I have ever eaten(maybe because I had just ran 13.1 miles and all I had eaten all day was an energy bar, a bite of a banana, and a bite of a bagel and it was 2:00) some yummy cupcakes and bought a new running skirt!! 

My reward for running 13.1 miles!

                               

Tomorrow I am going to treat myself to a deep tissue massage!  Then it is back to training for our next adventure.  Maybe the Mud Run in June and then maybe the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll half in September.  Anyone want to join me??  You know the saying is...13.1...I am only half crazy :)

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!

What a great weekend for the Friedlander kids!  Taylor had a qualifying competition in Charlotte for a Virginia Beach competition in May.  All three of her teams had to finish first or second to be able to go to Virginia Beach.  Two of her teams placed 2nd and one team placed 1st and overall Grand Champions.  This is her lowest level team and the one we thought wouldn't have a chance to go but oh man did they perform their butts off and earned that spot!! 

Bryce had his last soccer game of the season they were undefeated going into the game and came out still undefeated!  Way to go Mini Messi's!!

Since Taylor's team won Grand Champions for all Level 2 teams they had their performance posted to YouTube by JamLive!!  Click the link below to view.  It is kind of far away.  The best way to find Taylor is toward the beginning she is the girl that tumbles down the middle while the other girls are sitting down.  In the end she is the one in the middle that does a toe touch and lands on her belly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Q3dU9A9uA&feature=player_embedded

BRYCE'S SCRIMMAGE PICTURES

Heading out after game

Calling time after his big catch

Hitting it to the outfield

Running out to 1st base

Always wanting to be the first in the field

Waiting to get started

BRYCE'S FIRST SCRIMMAGE AS A MUDCAT

Bryce did an amazing job at his first spring scrimmage.  He had two big hits(one even went into the outfield).  He made it on base both times and eventually scored a run both times.  He played 1st base for 2 innings and shortstop for one.  While playing 1st he got two outs and while playing shortstop he caught an amazing popfly.  Not sure what the final score was but we were playing last years champions so I think they played very well.  The best of course being BRYCE :)

WHO KNEW ALL I HAD TO DO WAS MAKE A CUPCAKE TO GET MY CHILDREN TO EAT MEATLOAF :)

That's right!  I made meatloaf cupcakes.  You put your meatloaf mixture into muffin pans and bake.  While those are baking you make your mashed potatoes.  Then when the meatloaf is ready you put the mashed potatoes into a pastry bag and pipe them onto the top like icing.  Then you sprinkle them with bacon!!  Why didn't my mom think of that?  All those Sundays I had to sit at the table until all my meatloaf was gone was TORTURE!!! 

Meatloaf

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup ketchup, divided
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, extra lean (raw)
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• Cooking spray

Mashed Potatoes

• 4 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potato (about 2 pounds)
• 1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnish

• 3 tablespoons chopped chives
• 4 pieces of bacon cooked and them chopped

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.
Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.
Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.
While the meatloaf is cooking, make the mashed potatoes.  Place potato in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. Put potatoes into a ricer for best results.  Return potato to pan. Add milk and remaining ingredients; stir with a spoon to desired consistency.  If they are not creamy enough for you, add up to 1/4 cup more milk – although they need to be stiff enough to pipe on top.
Put the potatoes into a pastry bag with a wide star tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf.  Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and chopped chives.

KING OF THE JUNGLE PICTURES

Click the link below to view pictures from Taylor's competition.

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OMG THESE ARE AMAZING!!!

I have made these twice and both times they only lasted about 12 hours and then they mysteriously disappeared :) My neighbor(who likes to eat clean) was asked by her husband to make these!  That's right Keri...you can't make Jimmy go over to the clean side with me as a neighbor :)  I found this recipe on the Pampered Chef website.

S'more Cups

7  whole graham crackers (1 cup finely crushed)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

6 tablespoons butter, melted

4 bars (1.55 oz each) milk chocolate candy, divided

12 large marshmallows

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place graham crackers into a large resealable plastic bag. Finely crush into crumbs. Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter in a small bowl.
Place 2 tablespoons of crumb mixture in each cup of a muffin pan. Press crumbs to form shallow cups. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling. Meanwhile, break two of the candy bars into rectangles. Remove pan from oven; place two rectangles into each cup. Add amarshmallow into each cup. Return to oven 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly softened. Remove pans from oven to cooling rack; cool 15 minutes. Carefully remove cups from pan. Cool completely.
Break remaining candy bars and place in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds. Dip the top of each marshmallow in melted chocolate. Turn top-side up and let stand 40 to 60 minutes or until set. Makes 12 cups

LIP SMACKIN GOOD RIBS!!

Andy enjoyed these ribs so much that he said next time we have people over this is what I had to make for them!!  It was so easy and best of all the cooking was done while I was at work!!  Can't beat that!!

Easy Barbecued Ribs

Adapted from America's Test Kitchen Slow Cooker Revolution

1.5 tbsp sweet paprika (3tbsp)

1 tbsp light brown sugar, lightly packed (2 tbsp)

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (1/4 tsp)

S&P to taste (about 1 tsp each is what I used)

2 lbs pork (baby) back ribs (6 lbs) - leave the membrane on the ribs to help hold them together

1 cup barbecue sauce (3 cups)

Vegetable oil spray.  

In a small bowl, mix together paprika, brown sugar, cayenne and S&P.  Rub this mixture all over both sides of your ribs well.  Arrange ribs in the slow cooker by standing them up against the wall of the stoneware pot, thicker side down and meaty side against the pot.  Pour barbecue sauce over the ribs, cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low (I did 7 hours and they were perfect). Now comes the only stove/oven work involved, we need to reduce the sauce and then brown the ribs under the broiler.  These steps are what turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, so don't you dare skip them even if your ribs already look pretty good.  Once the initial slow cooking is done, very carefully (as they are tennnnderrrrr) remove the ribs to a baking pan which you have lined with foil and put a rack on (like in my photo collage), bone side up.  Set to the side.  Skim any fat that has risen to the top and strain all of the remaining juices from the slow cooker through a mesh strainer into a small saucepan.  Bring to boil and allow to simmer and reduce by about a third, approximately 15 minutes.  Put your oven's broiler on to heat up and make sure that there is an oven rack about 10 inches below the broiler element.  When the broiler is preheated, brush the ribs with sauce and broil for 3 or 4 minutes.  Take them out and very carefully flip them over, brush with sauce and broil again, meat side up, for approximately 9 minutes, taking them out once or twice (I did only once because I forgot) to baste with more sauce.  Serve any remaining sauce on the side with the ribs.

BRYCE IS A MUDCAT!!!

Bryce had his first practice yesterday with his new team.  I think he is happy to be on the Mudcats this year!!  I know Andy and I are very excited!  He got more practice in the infield in this one practice than he did all season in the fall.  We found out that he was the fourth overall pick in the draft out of about 50 boys!!  We are very proud of him!!  He did a great job batting and awesome job hitting.  Now we have to work on his running!!  Andy told him to take the piano off his back because he runs leaning forward like he has something heavy on his back.  I am so worried that one of these days he is going to just fall forward as he is rounding 3rd base!  We are looking forward to a great season.  GO MUDCATS!!!!!         
            

PRETTY YUMMY LETTUCE WRAPS

I made these Lettuce Wraps last night and they were pretty good :)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup instant brown rice
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 pound 93%-lean ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, rinsed and chopped
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce,
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder,
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro, basil, mint and/or chives

Preparation

1. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add rice; reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add turkey and ginger; cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in the cooked rice, bell pepper, water chestnuts, broth, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder and salt; cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
3. To serve, divide lettuce leaves among plates, spoon some of the turkey mixture into each leaf, top with herbs and carrot and roll into wraps.