Hauck Family Photos

It's been a whole year since I did our family photos. A YEAR! True, I'd snapped a family photo while camping and then again while at the Oregon Coast, but I'm talking about the good 'ol fashioned nice outfits, tripod with timer, planned photos. 

A year is ridiculous for my family. Especially when I'm the one taking the photos! But life has piled on a lot for us this past year and we have all learned the value of time and that there just doesn't seem to be enough of it to do and get done everything that we would like. Some things are just forced to take the back burner. 

After having our outfits picked out for literally a month and a half, cameras and tripod out and ready to roll, I finally had to put my foot down and just tell the World to buzz off for a bit so we could get our family photos done! LOL  

Gosh, my heart just swells looking at our pictures. Such beautiful, silly, loving children we have.

With love,
Mama Hauck

No Matter

Your shoes are on the wrong feet, Tim!

"No matter."

Oh no, we left the toy cars all over the floor!

"Mama, no matter."

Timothy, lets get a move on, we're running late!

"No matter."

There's dirt all over your face. 

"Mama, it's no matter!"

Well, I burned the toast AGAIN.

"It's no matter, Mama."

You're having applesauce, berries, crackers AND cheese for a snack? But how can you be hungry again already?

"No matter."

"Your pants are on backwards silly boy!"

"No matter, Mama!"

Darn, your water spilled.

"No matter."

I sure could learn a thing or two from Tim....

Be more care free. 

Don't sweat the small stuff. 

Life is messy. Unpredictable. 

Pick your battles. 

In the grande scheme of things, it probably doesn't matter. 


I wonder if he knows he is teaching his Mama life lessons. 

With love,

Mama Hauck

Cooking: Getting Back to Math Basics

Every Monday, Anthony brings home a homework packet filled with different ways to practice his spelling words and math facts. Anthony gets to choose a different activity each day. He likes being able to choose what he gets to do homework wise.

One of his favorite ways to practice his math facts is to help me bake and cook. I've always had the kiddos help me in the kitchen. Its a great way to learn those basic math skills. And you know, there's something to be said for the bonding that happens over whipping up some yummy chocolate chip cookies!  

I'm really happy to see cooking and baking as a homework option in his homework packet. It truly is the starting point of all math. But ohhhhh Heaven help me when I've got a helper in the kitchen!! 

Hahaha! 

Ok, so yes, I'm a bit of a control freak and OCD when it comes to messes in my home. You think I wouldn't be after having 3 children, but it is ingrained into every fiber of my being. In any case, I do enjoy cooking with the kiddos and watching them have fun! I let Anthony do all the recipe reading, measuring, pouring, stirring, etc. He totally gets a kick out if it!

So far this school year, he's helped me make stroganoff, calico beans, muffins, cookies, pancakes, tuna noodle casserole, spaghetti, and Anthony's favorite: cheesy stuffed shells.

Thanks for helping me cook, kiddo! 

With love,
Mama Hauck