Baumgarten Family Blog

We were in Vegas and we had flurries at the condo today and on part our drive home. Nolan was so excited to see the snow. It was a good weekend. We did some work on the condo and then had some fun at Circus Circus.

Vegas is a lot different when you have a four year old (neither one of us gambled). We now find ourselves going to Circus Circus because they have free circus shows and the Adveunturedome. They used to have $1 hot dogs and $1.50 margaritas. Now they are $2.00 each! Lunch on the strip for $6.00, ripoff. Nolan had a great time at the Adventuredome. We got him a wristband and he could ride all the kiddie rides as much as he wanted. Since it was a Monday, there was hardly anyone there so he would run off one ride and right on to another. We also got to see the Sponge Bob 4-D movie.

The condo has really come together. It is so nice to not have to worry about check in/out times and having a full kitchen at your disposal is wonderful. We just have a few odds and ends to get done then we can all relax.

Showing off the whale he "caught" on the Midway with his overprice hot dog. Please note that Nolan did not get a margarita, rather a capri sun from out of my purse.

Who lives in a pineapple under the Sea?

Riding the train kiddie coaster over and over and over and over

We started a Jenga tournament. Current standings:

Mandy 1-0-1
Nolan 1-1-1
Steve 0-2

All three of us played the first game, then it was a game of the winners and a game of the losers. The last game was very intense. Nolan can really talk some trash.

We had a busy weekend, as always. On Saturday I got up early to do the American Cancer Society's Climb to Cure Cancer. As members of Team Schultz, Claudia, Rachel and I hiked 5.5 miles to the top of South Mountain. We would have hiked back down but the bus line to the bottom was much shorter.

While I was mountain climbing (ok, it was on the paved road), Steve and Nolan went to the former FBR Open. Nolan was able to score three golf balls (two from caddies and one from a golfer). They had a good time despite overpaying for a soft pretzel. By the time they got home I was in a nice Aleve induced coma.

This morning I made waffles (Macel's, of course) before church. We decided it was time to send Nolan to Sunday school because those sermons get awfully long when you are four. He had a wonderful time and can't wait for next week. Steve and I enjoyed a peaceful hour of church.

It rained most of the day so we didn't get outside to play. Instead, we introduced Nolan to Jenga. He is a natural. Every one of his moves is carefully thought out and he takes his time, so, there is no reason to let him win. Right now we are 3-2 with me in the lead but the 5th game is being appealed since Steve technically knocked it down on Nolan's turn. Nolan is clearly competitive as he cheered "I am the winner" when he did win. I don't know where he would learn such behavior, it must be at daycare.

The Jenga Master and his student

In keeping with Lent, we had fish tonight for dinner. It was Mexican style talapia with rice and corn. Steve and Nolan ate theirs but it was just too fishy for me. We have some outside events planned for this weekend so let's hope it doesn't rain.

Even though I believe that Easter is the most important day in Christianity, it is my least favorite holiday. Why? My Gram died on Easter Sunday, I started Chemo on Good Friday, Nixon died during Lent last year, and now since I have a pork allergy, no Easter ham for me. So, I am trying to turn it around but I wasn't sure how.

Steve and I discussed it and his thought is that a Lent sacrifice is like a New Year's Resolution, it's something you should just do anyway. Which to me meant it needed to be realistic and something that should continue beyond Easter.

I went to Ash Wednesday services and that helped me to come up with my/our "sacrifice" for Lent. First, we will give up our time by going to Church regularly. Second, I will be frugal and not buy anything for myself (beyond necessities) and lastly, I will add fish to our weekly menu. We don't usually eat fish and I don't know how to prepare it which means I will have to learn (processed fish patties do not count).

Tonight we had balsamic orange salmon on a bed of spinach with wild rice. It was a huge hit (the boys even ate the spinach). So, here is the recipe:

Balsamic Orange Salmon

Ingredients:

Grated Peel of 1 Orange

1 Tsp. Balsamic Vinegar

1 Tsp. Honey

1/4 Tsp. Salt

2 Salmon Fillets (6-8 oz each)

Dressing:

Juice of 1 Orange(the same one you just grated)

1 TBSP. Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 Tsp. Honey

Pinch of Salt

Directions:

1. In a small bow, whisk together orange peel, vinegar, honey and salt.

2. Put salmon into a Ziploc Zip ‘n Steam Bag and spoon mixture on top.

4. Microwave for 3 1/2 minutes. Salmon should easily flake.

5. While Salmon is in microwave, make the dipping sauce. Combine the orange juice, vinegar, honey and salt.

6. Remove Salmon from bag and serve on bed of fresh baby spinach with dressing.