Home-spun Labor Day Fun

I have never been, and never will be, a night person. Once I am asleep it will take an actual fire alarm to wake me up and last night was no exception. It shouldn't surprise anyone that I didn't know Caleb had vomited twice during the night, Rob had also vomited (while cleaning up after Caleb), Caleb was in bed with us and was in the middle of vomiting (for the third or fourth time) when I finally woke up enough to realize that my child was sick. Rob didn't wake me because he knows I can't handle it. We both would have been sick and that would not be good.

Rob woke me up about 8:40 so that I could take my mom and Nana to the airport. Caleb had a fever so, after I dropped them off, I stopped at Wally World to buy some chewable Tylenol, popsicles, Chicken Noodle soup and Gatorade.

Rob and Caleb have been snuggled in bed watching movies and playing Xbox all day. They stopped long enough to eat some soup. Caleb still has a fever, but hasn't been sick since early this morning.

The other kids have pretty much entertained each other while I finished some Crawford work and my time sheet. They were being so good that I decided (before they became bored and started killing a sibling or two) it was time to put them to work making Mini Bagel Pizza's for dinner and the freezer. It was a mixed reaction. The older boys weren't thrilled that I was making them do a pre-school project, but they all did a great job.

Feverish Caleb (eating chicken soup) watching his siblings create his future snacks.

The kids and hubby thought the homemade pizza sauce was yummy! Why I was so afraid to make my own sauce and pizza is beyond me. I can't wait to start saving money on something we eat often!!

Mini Bagel Pizza's

1 bag of Mini-Bagels cut in half (I use the ones from Cost-co)

Cheese (we used Italian blend and Mild Cheddar)

Olives (ours were whole and the kids did the slicing)

Pepperoni

**Use your favorite toppings, leftover's, etc.**

Pizza Sauce

1 can (28 oz) Tomato Puree

1 1/2 cups water

1 tablespoon dried parsley

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

2-3 tablespoon's garlic powder

1-1.5 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

Combine all ingredients into large bowl and whisk until blended. Taste and add more seasonings as needed.

Spoon sauce on to bagel, add toppings and bake for 10-15 minutes in a 350* oven.

You can also microwave these, but I wouldn't. The bagel may be edible and chewy for a few minutes, but it will soon be too chewy.

Freezing Mini Bagel Pizza's: After the kids created all the mini-pizza's I put them on cookie sheets lined with freezer paper and put them in the freezer for 30 minutes - 1 hour. Cut wax paper (or freezer paper) into squares and alternate bagel/paper/bagel/paper for bulk storage or indivudally wrap each bagel. Toss them into a freezer Zip-Lock bag or other preferred container for freezer storage.

You'll probably want to bake the frozen bagels at 400* until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Now that the kitchen is clean, the clan is fed and my sickies are resting, I am off to prepare for our busy day tomorrow, which includes, a double tonsilectomy, loads of laundry and the possibility of more vomiting children.