Crunchy Asian Pasta Salad... YUM!!

How tasty does this sound?? I can't wait to make it!!


1 box Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad classic pasta salad mix
1 package (3 oz) Oriental-flavor ramen noodle soup mix
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 cups coleslaw mix
1 cup snow pea pods, strings removed, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces (I thought you could use soy beans instead... easier to find!)
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 can (15 oz) mandarin orange segments, drained

1. Empty pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil uncovered 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well.
3. In large bowl, stir together seasoning mixes from pasta mix and soup mix, sugar, oil, vinegar, water and soy sauce. Add pasta, coleslaw mix, pea pods, almonds and oranges; toss to combine.
4. Just before serving, coarsely crush dry noodles from soup mix; stir into pasta mixture. Serve immediately, or refrigerate.

Pre-K Grads

Well, I've finished my first year of teaching! I have really enjoyed being able to be a Pre-K teacher this year. I had a great class with sweet and adorable students. It's a little (OK, more than a little...) sad to think that I may not see some of these kids again! I really enjoy working for a private school, but when all the kids will go to public school next year, I won't see them. It would be nice to kind of keep tabs on them through elementary school, like public school teachers can, but oh well.

We had a little graduation ceremony. The kids and parents LOVED it! The kids performed some songs that they had learned throughout the year, so that was fun.

Here are some pictures of the kiddos.

Well, summer is here! Yeay. No more lesson plans for about 3 months. Thankfully, since I'm at a private facility, I'll still be able to work (although I think that I'm going to work less). I think that I would get pretty bored this summer if I wasn't working at all.

Speaking of "summer" the East Carolina is going through a MAJOR heat wave. When I wake up at 6am, it's already 75 degrees. The highs have been in the mid-90's with heat indexes up to 105. (Thanks to high humidity) I'm just hoping that I don't start swelling earlier than I have too- it's too early to be this hot! What a summer to be pregnant during...

The BEACH!

Yeah! Summer is officially here for the Stinsons! We went to the beach today - a whole hour and forty-five minutes away! So Nice! We went with the Stantons - they are some friends of ours that just moved to the area. We went to a place called Atlantic Beach. It was a really nice beach - Mostly just locals there, which was nice. The weather was perfect. Not too hot and a really nice wind.

One of the sites we saw - I love sail boats.

This pretty much sums up the trip! Thumbs up all the way! We had a nice time soaking up the sun.... some more than others. (everyone got sunburned pretty darn bad except for fair skinned Emily.... I escaped with no burns... and a little tan!) It was nice just to go and relax. We are so lucky to live close to the coast! We are hoping to try out a few more beaches around here before the summer is gone. Here's to a happy summer of "beaching!"

Mom (to-be) Haircut

I got my camera back today (yeay!).... Here's something that was on there...


So, I was planning on taking advantage of my non-baby days and grow my hair super long again.... but I just felt frumpy doing it... So, I got it chopped off! This is from about 6 weeks ago, and I swear it's way longer now.... those pregnacy hormones...



I like it! I think that I will be keeping it short for a while! (P.S. pardon the slightly chubby face... That is the FIRST place I notice any weight gain, lucky me...)

Off to the beach!!!

I am SO excited! Morgan and I are going to the beach TOMORROW!!!! I am hoping that this will be a common thing in the Stinson home.... we live too close not to take advantage of it!

Hooray. I can't wait. :-)