Filed under: Kids
Harrison is weaned. 17 months was waaay beyond my goal. We weaned at a pace that Harrison was comfortable with, meaning he called the shots. I found him sleeping like this last night. Seems the boy is rather fond of his stuffed elephant….
He still looks like a baby when he’s asleep, but I know when awake he’s all busy busy toddler.
Filed under: Around the House
Noah’s off school again, so we have much more relaxed mornings and more opportunity to play. Library time, open gym, field trips… This afternoon we’re just gonna light the fire that Noah and Harrison stacked for me, watch Horton Hears a Who for the hundreth time, and bake chocolate peanut butter chip cookies for our Wii challenge thrown down with Anne and Bob tomorrow night. I’m amazed that the boys can stack a fire that actually works, but it’s not the first time. Noah is so observant; he watches Rob and can re-create what he sees. I love his attention to detail because he gets that orderliness from me.
I’ve taken on a short-term position at the school district in town. I’m covering PT at 5 different schools 2 days a week. The opportunity literally fell into my lap, and I took it. Perhaps this will be a way to “get my foot in the door” should I decide I’d like to work in the school system. So far, I’m lovin’ it. The kids are beyond cool, and I love the team approach and that all the adults are just there for the kids. Being in the learning environment is fun too.
Me working nearly full time has afforded the Dad to step it up with the childcare and household tasks, and Dad is rising to the occasion. I guess I picked the right husband!
We’re keeping busy and warm, cause it ’s cold this winter in Wisconsin.
Filed under: Food
Maple Apple Pork Chops
Take 1 pound pork chops (I like the really thinnly cut) and coat in bread crumbs. Pan fry in EVVO until browned both sides. Add 1/2 cup apple cider and 1 sliced apple. Cover 3-4 min to let apple get tender. Top with mix of maple syrup and brown mustard (I use a 1:1 ratio). Yummo!
Side note- Noah has decided that he will only eat the tops of broccoli. I let him get away with this. Of course, I’m thrilled he eats broccoli at all.
Filed under: Kids
Just within the last week, Harrison has developed a fondness for the elephant. We have been searching them out in books, on the computer, and in toys. Harrison attached himself to this stuffed elephant; I don’t even know where we got it. Tragedy struck on Aunt Cat’s watch. Ranger pummelled Harrison’s elephant. Poor elephant suffered severed ears, a gash on his trunk and back. Cool Aunt Cat sewed on the ears (upside down and backwards per Harrison’s request). I’ve since had to stitch the ears, and poor elephants needing stitches in his trunk. Harrison is obsessed with this elephant. He lept and bounded out of bed at 5am this morning in search of the elephant. Really, the attachment is sweet, and who doesn’t love elephants?
Noah has started imaginative play. Until now he’s been mostly into dumping and moving objects from one side of the room/yard to the other. Last night my heart swelled as he gathered a stack of books, held them one at a time under my bedside lamp and placed them in a canvas bag. He was playing library!
He’s also shown his tender heart by dressing his stuffed animals in shorts and putting them to bed. I was able to twist this new trend to my advantage. We took pooh and tigger, brushed their teeth, gave them each a turn to sit on the potty and tucked them in bed. I did the same to Noah and Harrison, and it worked! I think I’m going to enjoy watching Noah and Harry continue with their imaginative play.
Filed under: Health and Wellness
I think I’m starting to get old. Hmm… that’s probably not a good way to start off a post on my hot date, but it’s true.
Rob and I left the kids with their favorite sitter Sam and went ice skating at Petitt. I haven’t been skating in at least 4 years, and I’m sure everyone on the ice could tell. I couldn’t keep my ankles straight (well, maybe it was the rental skates) and after 2 laps my Left hip started hurting. I did not fall which was my number one goal, and we had a most awesome time – think Cokes and pretzels with cheese.
Still, I was sad to see how ice skating effected my body. I’m not 20 anymore, and I’m not in the best shape of my life. Happily I’m not sore today. I think we’ll all be more active once the kids are older, and I’m looking forward to that.
For now, I’m content with a hot date once in awhile.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Somewhere between running outside to get the newspaper and changing Harrison’s poopy diaper I lost my pink pearl necklace that Rob gave to me just before we started dating. I think it was a combination of the pearl and Ranger that got me hooked on him. I’m bummed, I’ve looked everywhere.
I found this artist, and fell in love with her jewelry months ago. I love the simpleness. So, I made certain that Rob knew what I would like for Christmas. The necklace arrived and we were both less than in awe. It seemed more like a dog tag. I’ve worn it a few times, but I’m just not sure. Is it too big for me?
I can’t complain about my mother-in-law, especially because I know she reads my raspberries! But in all honesty, she rocks. She doesn’t tell me what to do, how to raise my boys, or pretend that I’m not good enough for her son. Of course, she has introduced the boys to the dangerous world of cheetos and donut holes, but they adore her. If Noah sees her VW as we pass her work, he will insist that we stop to say Hello.
I think the boys love her most because she plays with them, of course a little junk food bribery goes a long way toward winning the heart of a little boy who’s mom doesn’t buy him junk food…much.
Filed under: Arts and Crafts
With temps and windchills below zero, we’ve been forced inside. Harrison and I made a crafty run a few days ago and I’ve been pulling out an activity or two a day.
We had a family pipe cleaner extravaganza, even Rob had fun! I googled pipe cleaner kid projects, and we tried to re-create the dino that came up, but it was much too hard. We mostly went with glasses and flowers.
We also tried out hand at painting. Noah has never been one to get his hands dirty (hence paper mache was vetoed), but they love to use the little foam brushes. Harrison surprises me with his fine motor skills. He seems to excel at gross motor (much to my dismay at constantly having to pull him down from tables, counters, and the outside of the stairwell) fine motor and verbal skills (that kids comes up with a couple new words every day). He’s a smarty!
It’s cold out again today, we’ll have to come up with another project idea… I’ve seen some cool stuff like ice wreaths and ice bubbles – those may be on the adgenda for today!
Filed under: Food
Yummy! This is actually a vegetarian receipe, but I added meat. Noah and Harrison both ate this up, and it’s a great dish to make extras to freeze or have the next day.
Stuffed Peppers with Tomato Sauce
- 3 large peppers (green, red, or yellow)
- 1 cup brown rice (I use 1 cup dry, makes 2cups I think?)
- 1/2 pound italien sausage browned
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1/2 cup minced italien parsley
- Two 14 oz chopped tomatoes (I like the one’s with italien seasoning)
- 1 tsp thyme
- pinch cayenne
- 1 cup grated italien cheese (any variety)
Preheat oven to 350. Slice bell peppers and set aside. Brown sausage with onion, celery (if you like), and garlic. Add rice, tomatoes, sausage and veggie mix, spices, parsly and cheese. Spoon rics mix into halved peppers. Cover dish with foil and bake 1 hour. Uncover peppers, sprinkle with more cheese and cook 10 min more. Serve, they’ll eat it!
Filed under: Kids
I haven’t had much to blog about lately. Rob worked the last 10 days in a row, so it’s been the boys and I. I’m exhausted. The two of them have a never ending supply of energy, and outside has only been an option for a hour or two a day.
Noah had his monthly parent-teacher conference and she only had awesome things to say. Turns out our kid is smart, respectful, obedient, and a leader. Exactly the type of person we’d like to raise. Makes us feel good as parents.
We tried the paper mache craft, but Noah felt it was just too messy. Seems crazy the kid can dump cocoa all over the living room, but won’t put his hands in some flour-water glue???
Pretty Noah
Harry with our logsicle
Noah teaching Harrison how to use the computer
