(No one can say we don't keep the boys active in the winter!)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Anna's Big Girl Bed
Picture, as requested.
(Yes, I know that 3 1/2 is absurdly late to move her into a real bed. It just sort of happened. I have no excuses or explanations.)
(Yes, I know that 3 1/2 is absurdly late to move her into a real bed. It just sort of happened. I have no excuses or explanations.)
Friday, January 1, 2010
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
Happy new year!!!!
Several people requested this recipe quite a while ago and I did forget to post it, even though I promised I would not.
I'm sorry!
This recipe is an adaptation of Anna's bikini bread recipe. I changed a few things to account for the moisture content of the pumpkin and have arrived at a recipe that I LOVE. It has ruined me for any other pumpkin bread, to be perfectly honest.
I know everyone says baking is an absolutely precise art but I am not that precise with this recipe and it always comes out fine. I never fill the measuring cup quite to the top for the oil, applesauce or sugars. This dough is very moist so I cut down the liquids a bit and just reduce the sugar out of principle.
I prefer this made with fresh pumpkin but I am sure you can use the canned pumpkin as well.
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon (you can switch this up with nutmeg, cloves and or pumpkin pie spice if you like.)
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar
3 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups pumpkin
1 package dried cranberries (the kind without added sugar, if possible)
Combine wet ingredients and sugars and mix thoroughly before adding the cinnamon, salt, baking soda and vanilla. Once this is combined, add the pumpkin. Mix thoroughly and then add the flour. After the dough has formed, add the cranberries.
Divide into 2 loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour, depending on your oven.
Several people requested this recipe quite a while ago and I did forget to post it, even though I promised I would not.
I'm sorry!
This recipe is an adaptation of Anna's bikini bread recipe. I changed a few things to account for the moisture content of the pumpkin and have arrived at a recipe that I LOVE. It has ruined me for any other pumpkin bread, to be perfectly honest.
I know everyone says baking is an absolutely precise art but I am not that precise with this recipe and it always comes out fine. I never fill the measuring cup quite to the top for the oil, applesauce or sugars. This dough is very moist so I cut down the liquids a bit and just reduce the sugar out of principle.
I prefer this made with fresh pumpkin but I am sure you can use the canned pumpkin as well.
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon (you can switch this up with nutmeg, cloves and or pumpkin pie spice if you like.)
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar
3 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups pumpkin
1 package dried cranberries (the kind without added sugar, if possible)
Combine wet ingredients and sugars and mix thoroughly before adding the cinnamon, salt, baking soda and vanilla. Once this is combined, add the pumpkin. Mix thoroughly and then add the flour. After the dough has formed, add the cranberries.
Divide into 2 loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour, depending on your oven.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Doh!
Sign you are a science teacher who is working too hard:
Setting: Your son is rocking dining room chairs in a precarious manner and you suspect they are about to topple over on top of him.
You say: Isaac! Stop rocking those fossils! Put them down!
Isaac looks at you like you have lost your mind and leaves the room.
Setting: Your son is rocking dining room chairs in a precarious manner and you suspect they are about to topple over on top of him.
You say: Isaac! Stop rocking those fossils! Put them down!
Isaac looks at you like you have lost your mind and leaves the room.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Bikini Bread
Anna's latest fav: Bikini Bread!
Ok, it's actually Zucchini Bread but bikini bread is FAR more adorable to hear her say and she so rarely comes up with "toddler speak" anymore that I plan to encourage the use of bikini bread as long as possible.
Here is the bikini bread recipe that Anna is so enamored with.
This makes 2 large loaves. Or, as my kids prefer, you can grease up your favorite baking mold and make fun shapes. I am currently using a ghost mold which makes the whole thing even more fun. Anna asks for bikini ghosts for breakfast.
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or 4 if you like cinnamon. My next move is to add some ginger and/or nutmeg. YUM!)
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple sauce
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups grated zucchini
Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
Love to all!
Ok, it's actually Zucchini Bread but bikini bread is FAR more adorable to hear her say and she so rarely comes up with "toddler speak" anymore that I plan to encourage the use of bikini bread as long as possible.
Here is the bikini bread recipe that Anna is so enamored with.
This makes 2 large loaves. Or, as my kids prefer, you can grease up your favorite baking mold and make fun shapes. I am currently using a ghost mold which makes the whole thing even more fun. Anna asks for bikini ghosts for breakfast.
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or 4 if you like cinnamon. My next move is to add some ginger and/or nutmeg. YUM!)
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple sauce
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups grated zucchini
Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
Love to all!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Um...Ok
Me: Nathan! Why is your underwear drawer empty and why is all of your clean underwear scattered all over this room? Didn't we just have a conversation about you guys NOT leaving clean clothes on the floor? Why is this underwear all over the place?
Isaac (matter of factly): Underwear fight.
Can anyone think of a clever response? It took so much energy to maintain my parental displeasure affect that I don't think I said anything.
BOYS!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Germs! Germs Everywhere!
I spent the better part of my childhood wallowing in muddy creeks. While watching my kids engage in the same activity today, I wondered how on earth I managed to survive without contracting some debilitating disease. I fought the urge to bathe them all in hand sanitizer after they dried off, but I did herd them into the shower the second we arrived home.
Muddy Creeks = Bad and Scary
Now you know.
Love to all!
Muddy Creeks = Bad and Scary
Now you know.
Love to all!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Big Three
Anna has been waiting and waiting for that oh so exciting day when she would be able to take classes just like "my boys" as she often refers to her big brothers.
The magic age is 3.
As a now official 3 year old Anna gets to start taking lessons and classes and she is THRILLED.
Today was the first day of her ballet class. She was SO excited she could hardly sit still.
Pictures from the big day below. She is taking the class with her buddy Valerie. I also threw in a couple pics of the boys lounging in the pool as that is where we spent the majority of the rest of our day.
Love to all!
The magic age is 3.
As a now official 3 year old Anna gets to start taking lessons and classes and she is THRILLED.
Today was the first day of her ballet class. She was SO excited she could hardly sit still.
Pictures from the big day below. She is taking the class with her buddy Valerie. I also threw in a couple pics of the boys lounging in the pool as that is where we spent the majority of the rest of our day.
Love to all!
Curses!
Yesterday afternoon I noticed my sweet little Anna marching around the house saying something that sounded suspiciously like, "Damn it! Crap! Damn it! Crap!"
Appalled, I pulled her aside and informed her that we do not use such words in our house and that she knows better as we have had this conversation after hearing other people use such words. I then placed her in time out.
A minute or two later, Nathan, Anna's ever present protector and publicist, sidled up to me and said, "Mommy, Anna wasn't saying bad words. She was saying Democrat. I taught her to say it yesterday."
Jesse, who is not sure which is worse, made her finish the time out anyway.
Appalled, I pulled her aside and informed her that we do not use such words in our house and that she knows better as we have had this conversation after hearing other people use such words. I then placed her in time out.
A minute or two later, Nathan, Anna's ever present protector and publicist, sidled up to me and said, "Mommy, Anna wasn't saying bad words. She was saying Democrat. I taught her to say it yesterday."
Jesse, who is not sure which is worse, made her finish the time out anyway.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Must Blog
Haven't been feeling all that bloggy lately, as you can probably tell. My apologies for the lack of posts.
This evening, however, I just HAVE to record the statements made by two of my three darling offspring.
Background: Due to a game where players are asked to write possible answers on pieces of paper gone wrong, Vik has forever earned the nickname, "Vik-Poke."
This evening as I am rocking Anna to sleep:
Anna: Mommy, why does Rachael call Vik-Poke Vik?
As Jesse is putting the boys to bed:
Isaac: Daddy, which president is on the nickle?
Jesse: Alexander Hamilton is on the nickle Isaac, but he was not a president, he was the first secretary of the treasury.
Isaac: Oh! I know what the treasury does! They search for stolen money and jewels!
Love to all!
This evening, however, I just HAVE to record the statements made by two of my three darling offspring.
Background: Due to a game where players are asked to write possible answers on pieces of paper gone wrong, Vik has forever earned the nickname, "Vik-Poke."
This evening as I am rocking Anna to sleep:
Anna: Mommy, why does Rachael call Vik-Poke Vik?
As Jesse is putting the boys to bed:
Isaac: Daddy, which president is on the nickle?
Jesse: Alexander Hamilton is on the nickle Isaac, but he was not a president, he was the first secretary of the treasury.
Isaac: Oh! I know what the treasury does! They search for stolen money and jewels!
Love to all!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Mom's Request
A favorite outdoor mall of the S fam was recently trashed by a tornado that I was able to photograph from my garage. Nana wants to see the pictures so without further adieu...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Vacation at the Ranch
My dear friend Danielle invited us to her little corner of heaven for a brief city respite. I have never seen the kids so dirty or so happy.
Monday, May 18, 2009
When do they hand out the cards?
I should be a CARD CARRYING GENIUS, let me tell you. Today, in a rush to get out of the house, I quickly popped the top off the cat box and gave it a quick cleaning. I put the top back on and hurried out the door to meet a friend for lunch.
We arrived back home to the foul and alarming scent of kitty poo and discovered that one of our beloved felines had soiled the family room area rug.
Grrrrrrrr....
Let me just say, I LOVE our cats. They have been wonderful pets since the day we brought them home. However, I LOATHE kitty excrement where it does not belong. Few things turn my stomach and get my blood pressure racing like cleaning up after cats who go potty where cats should not.
I cleaned up the poo and searched the house for other spots but did find any. Thank God.
Relieved, I went downstairs to make sure the door to the bathroom was open as, really, our cats are not in the habit of relieving themselves anywhere other than their litter box. As I entered the bathroom I discovered a tell tail yellow spot in the middle of the bath mat. At this point my thoughts shifted from wondering about the cats' behavioral issues to wondering if there might be a medical issue as typically well trained cats really don't piddle right in front of their litter box without a pretty good reason.
I wondered, that is, until I checked the litter box and discovered that in my haste to get out the door this morning I put the lid on backwards with the opening snug against the wall. Poor cats. They never had a chance.
Sooo....the next time they hand out genius cards, please shoot me an e-mail because I will be FIRST in line.
In order to make this post about something other than kitty poo, I have included some pictures of the kids and their summer time fun. Today is technically the first non-weekend, non-school day and summer is already in full swing at the S house.
If you are a relative of mine, does this picture remind you of anyone?
The ice cream cup cakes we ordered from Cold Stone for Nate and Anna's cancelled birthday party have been in the deep freeze ever since. Last night we decided it was time to crack those puppies open and let the kids at them. Frankly, after watching the kids work at them last night, I am GLAD we did not serve them at that party! WHAT A MESS!
And finally, Anna, Daisy and the Wonder Pets curled up for a mid-day summer siesta.
Love to all!
We arrived back home to the foul and alarming scent of kitty poo and discovered that one of our beloved felines had soiled the family room area rug.
Grrrrrrrr....
Let me just say, I LOVE our cats. They have been wonderful pets since the day we brought them home. However, I LOATHE kitty excrement where it does not belong. Few things turn my stomach and get my blood pressure racing like cleaning up after cats who go potty where cats should not.
I cleaned up the poo and searched the house for other spots but did find any. Thank God.
Relieved, I went downstairs to make sure the door to the bathroom was open as, really, our cats are not in the habit of relieving themselves anywhere other than their litter box. As I entered the bathroom I discovered a tell tail yellow spot in the middle of the bath mat. At this point my thoughts shifted from wondering about the cats' behavioral issues to wondering if there might be a medical issue as typically well trained cats really don't piddle right in front of their litter box without a pretty good reason.
I wondered, that is, until I checked the litter box and discovered that in my haste to get out the door this morning I put the lid on backwards with the opening snug against the wall. Poor cats. They never had a chance.
Sooo....the next time they hand out genius cards, please shoot me an e-mail because I will be FIRST in line.
In order to make this post about something other than kitty poo, I have included some pictures of the kids and their summer time fun. Today is technically the first non-weekend, non-school day and summer is already in full swing at the S house.
If you are a relative of mine, does this picture remind you of anyone?
The ice cream cup cakes we ordered from Cold Stone for Nate and Anna's cancelled birthday party have been in the deep freeze ever since. Last night we decided it was time to crack those puppies open and let the kids at them. Frankly, after watching the kids work at them last night, I am GLAD we did not serve them at that party! WHAT A MESS!
And finally, Anna, Daisy and the Wonder Pets curled up for a mid-day summer siesta.
Love to all!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Last Day of School!
We attended Nathan's kindergarten continuation and field day for both boys today. They boys are please as can be with their academic accomplishments and rightly so.
The video is a little dark for my liking, but I didn't have much control over the lighting. Don't forget to pause the blog music before you hit play.
Enjoy!
The video is a little dark for my liking, but I didn't have much control over the lighting. Don't forget to pause the blog music before you hit play.
Enjoy!