It is a hack fest in my house.  This is only the third week of school and I have two kids home sick. I'm sure you are thinking, That is what happens in preschool. Then why are my high school and middle school students the ones home?  Makes you wonder what is going on in their schools.  Actually it doesn’t.  I don’t want to know.

In between coughing spells that shake the house and leave me awkwardly dragging my Emergen-C I.V. me behind as I run to the sink for the 47th time in the last half hour to wash my scaly hands, they requested soup.  “Not your normal chicken soup,” KeenanKeenan aka: Kman
Age: 14
"Special" Qualities: Door slamming, stomping and eye rolling (can do it all in one impressive motion).
Best Qualities: The softest kindest heart, hysterical and quite charming when he tries. said.  “Something more brothy, my throat hurts.”

So I ran to the store, picked up some veggies and threw this soup together amidst NoahNoah aka: Mac Daddy
Age: 12
"Special" Qualities: Holds a grudge for longer than you can remember the offense. Talks nonstop
Best Qualities: Wakes up with a smile every day and walks to the beat of his own drum.’s, “Is the soup ready yet?" Hack Hack "Is the soup ready yet?" Hack Hack "Is the soup ready yet?”  HOLY GOD IN HEAVEN get these kids back in school and I know there is no way that ColtonColton aka: Moose, Duece, Colt, CJ
Age: 3
Favorite Word: Fart
Hobbies:  Playing in the dirt, setting off fire alarms at preschool and bossing people around.
Best Qualities:  The sweetest disposition this side of the Mississippi. isn’t going to end up with this, but just in case I would like to remind you that I have been a really good girl this year.  Not once have I written about my ex-husband and do you know HOW HARD THAT IS?

Vegetable Soup in Chicken Broth

2 cans Swanson Chicken Broth (49-1/2 ounce cans)
4 cups water
8 carrots, peeled and cut into one inch chunks
8 celery stalks, cut into one inch chunks
2 yellow onions, chopped medium
8 garlic cloves, chopped
1 bag of spinach (6 ounces)
8 ounces egg noodles
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons McCormick Poultry Seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

In a large skillet add olive oil, onions, garlic, carrots and celery.  Saute until onions are translucent and carrots are starting to get tender.  Remove from heat and add poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.  Stir until evenly distributed. 

Pour water and chicken broth into a large soup pot.  Add vegetable mix.  Bring to a boil.  Add noodles and boil until softened.  Add spinach and boil five minutes. 

Pour into bowls and watch how kids coughing disappears a little with each bite.  One can dream.

Coming next week:  Enchiladas.  And not your ordinary enchiladas.  Trust me.