Sunday, September 29, 2013
wet and windy
This weekend was nothing but wet and windy. Instead of checking things off the to-do list, it was a weekend spent snuggled inside, fighting off colds, wearing pajamas most of the day, making banana chip muffins, eating soup and watching Bambi with a popsicle. Daddy then thought everyone could benefit from Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast this morning. We are all looking forward to the wet and windy weather passing and for our runny noses getting back to normal.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
All by myself
These days Carmen is more independent then ever. Her favorite phrase is, "Mom! I can do it all by myself!" This applies to getting in and out of the car, putting on her shoes, turning on an off lights, with the help of her step stool that she moves around from point A to point B, and the list goes on and on. The other day we were in the grocery store together and she insisted on carrying the basket, even though it was as big as she was. She wanted to do it all by herself...
Thursday, September 19, 2013
One
Today you are one my dear Maxy. I can hardly believe it. The last 12 months have gone by in a blur. We have watched you quickly transform from a little baby boy into an active, inquisitive and loving toddler. You came into our lives not long ago but we couldn't imagine life without you for one single second. You make our world balanced, crazy at times, but just the way things are meant to be.
At one, you are as active as ever and boy do you like to climb. You continue to scale anything you can and your pace is unbelievable. We have wised-up and have learned to stop trying to deter you because you get so mad. You fuss, you cry, you holler. Instead, we now stand behind you when you are way up high (like standing on the windowsill) in case you make a miss-step.
You are so full of life and enthusiasm. You go crazy when you see birds and dogs; you get so excited and start oohing and aahing. You do everything with gusto. You rarely slow down. I still have not been able to get you to sit still enough to read you a book. Two or three pages is all you can manage without having to be on the move. You go from one thing to the next and it's rare that something holds your attention for more then a minute of two. Not even TV. For that I suppose we should be thankful, but sometimes it would be nice if you could sit still for just a few minutes. I know that time will come, but it's certainly not here yet.
You are a happy little guy and continue to be ever so smiley. You have a mouthful of teeth and you show your pearly whites every chance you get. Your hair is starting to grow out now so it doesn't all stick straight up, only part of it. It's still blonde and fluffy and just perfect. I kiss your head every chance I get, knowing that I won't be able to do that for much longer.
You go back and forth between wanting to be with mommy and daddy. You can't make up your mind so we end up passing you back and forth like a hot potato. You are very determined most of the time and know what you want, it's just a matter of being able to communicate what you are thinking.
One of your current favorite things to do is throw things on the floor and say "uh-oh." If you are not jazzed about something you are eating, you will take very single piece of food and drop it on the floor. You will do it as long as we let you. I wonder how much food we have picked up off the floor in the last couple of months since you started this 'game.' You frequently wave and say "bye-bye" when you are coming or going. The only thing is that your wave is often backwards. You're working on it.
You are about to walk at any moment. You have been pulling yourself up for quite some time and there is no doubt you will be taking off soon. You've taken a few half steps here and there and often stand on your own. You will be cruising in no time. The world is yours to explore. We look forward to watching you learn and investigate.
Everything is better because of you. Thank you for coming into our lives and making the world a better place. We love you more than we can express and we are so happy you are ours. A very happy first birthday to our beautiful boy, our shining star, our Maxwell!
At one, you are as active as ever and boy do you like to climb. You continue to scale anything you can and your pace is unbelievable. We have wised-up and have learned to stop trying to deter you because you get so mad. You fuss, you cry, you holler. Instead, we now stand behind you when you are way up high (like standing on the windowsill) in case you make a miss-step.
You are so full of life and enthusiasm. You go crazy when you see birds and dogs; you get so excited and start oohing and aahing. You do everything with gusto. You rarely slow down. I still have not been able to get you to sit still enough to read you a book. Two or three pages is all you can manage without having to be on the move. You go from one thing to the next and it's rare that something holds your attention for more then a minute of two. Not even TV. For that I suppose we should be thankful, but sometimes it would be nice if you could sit still for just a few minutes. I know that time will come, but it's certainly not here yet.
You are a happy little guy and continue to be ever so smiley. You have a mouthful of teeth and you show your pearly whites every chance you get. Your hair is starting to grow out now so it doesn't all stick straight up, only part of it. It's still blonde and fluffy and just perfect. I kiss your head every chance I get, knowing that I won't be able to do that for much longer.
You go back and forth between wanting to be with mommy and daddy. You can't make up your mind so we end up passing you back and forth like a hot potato. You are very determined most of the time and know what you want, it's just a matter of being able to communicate what you are thinking.
One of your current favorite things to do is throw things on the floor and say "uh-oh." If you are not jazzed about something you are eating, you will take very single piece of food and drop it on the floor. You will do it as long as we let you. I wonder how much food we have picked up off the floor in the last couple of months since you started this 'game.' You frequently wave and say "bye-bye" when you are coming or going. The only thing is that your wave is often backwards. You're working on it.
You are about to walk at any moment. You have been pulling yourself up for quite some time and there is no doubt you will be taking off soon. You've taken a few half steps here and there and often stand on your own. You will be cruising in no time. The world is yours to explore. We look forward to watching you learn and investigate.
Everything is better because of you. Thank you for coming into our lives and making the world a better place. We love you more than we can express and we are so happy you are ours. A very happy first birthday to our beautiful boy, our shining star, our Maxwell!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Holiday Gripe
Today is September 14. I'm all about planning ahead, being organized and getting ahead of the game. However, I can do without seeing holiday ads on TV already. I had the TV on while I was working on a few birthday items for our soon to be one-year-old and saw not one but two Christmas television commercials. Ridiculous! I will not be shopping at that store this holiday season. I would first like to enjoy Halloween (which is still a month and half away) before even thinking about what is on my to do list for Christmas. Sorry, I had to share my gripe.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Banana Chip Muffins
Those of you who know me well know that I despise bananas. I pretty much dislike everything about them--the taste, the texture, the way they get soft spots and turn brown. Funny, because I've fed a banana to my children pretty much every day of their lives since they both started eating solid food. I know they are good for you, but I've never been a big fan of them myself...until now. I recently came across a recipe for Banana Chip muffins and it's changed my tune. I think I make a batch of these yummy muffins at least once a week. They are devoured by both Carmen and Maxy and I must admit, I look forward to them too. Add chocolate to anything and I'm sold. I'm not a baker but this recipe is super easy, fast and the muffins come out close to perfect every time. Give it a try if you like bananas (or even if you don't), I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Banana Chip Muffins
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cups sugar
1 tsp. banking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1) Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl whisk egg, bananas, melted butter and vanilla until blended. Add to the flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.
2) Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake 17 - 20 minutes. Enjoy!
Banana Chip Muffins
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cups sugar
1 tsp. banking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1) Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl whisk egg, bananas, melted butter and vanilla until blended. Add to the flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.
2) Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake 17 - 20 minutes. Enjoy!
My Muffin Helper
My Messy-face Muffin Kid
Monday, September 9, 2013
Remlinger Farms
This weekend we took a family excursion to Remlinger Farms. There were so many fun things to do; we did what we could manager until the kiddos hit their limit. Among the highlights:
Riding a horse named Huckleberry
Curiously looking at animals: pigs, chickens, rabbits, goats, imus
Taking a canoe ride
Checking out tractors, the bus and fire engine
Putting our faces in more cut-outs than I care to count
Eating lunch out
Riding the choo choo train
Nap time in the car
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
First Day
Today Carmen and Max started a new school. It makes me feel better knowing that they are there together. They are going three days a week vs. two which means mom gets an entire day to herself. I hardly knew what to do--a quiet house, the ability to run errands without worrying about snacks, telling the kids to sit facing forward in the cart or reminding them for the 100th time not to grab for things.
I got the two of them off this morning. Maxy was screaming his head off when it was his turn to go to his new classroom. Carmen on the other hand gave me a hug and kiss, started playing at the train table, said goodbye and waved. It was that easy. Boy, does she surprise me. Daddy picked the kids up and they both got a gold star report card for the day. Max apparently was a trooper, stopped fussing fairly quickly, and even slept on his mat for nap time for more than two hours. Who is this kid?! I was convinced there was no way he would ever sleep on a mat. Again, more surprises. Good ones.
They both had a great day and are looking forward to day #2!
Monday, September 2, 2013
More Good Night, Sleep Tight
Ok, so I have done quite a few of these postings lately but I couldn't resist one more. This time Carmen was not hanging off the side of her bed or even upside down. This time she wasn't on her bed at all but dead asleep on the floor. Actually, this happened two nights in a row. We went to give her a kiss good night and were squinting to find her tangled in the covers and Jimmy ended up stepping on her hand instead. Talk about a surprise. She slept through the whole thing and continued her sweet dreams.
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