Project of the Week

So I have about a dozen (or more) projects that I really want to do. Some are crafty, some are practical, some are for gifts and others are to beautify my home. I am really GOOD at deciding what I want to do, but really BAD at setting the time aside to do it. I get so caught up in the everyday survival mode. But what I've found is that once you make the time, it doesn't take as long as you imagined it would. Usually. I know there have to be others who feel me on this one. Especially if you're on Pinterest. So, I am setting out to do one project a week, starting next week. Big or small, doesn't matter, but just setting the goal of a specific project to work on in attempts to make these aspirations floating in my head a reality.

Each week I will post what the "Project of the Week" is and if I'm really lucky, I'll even be able to post the finished product. It's an attempt at least. Anyone wanna venture with me???

Oh the cheeks!

Seriously. Is there anything cuter than a little one's face in a hood or hat? Not to mention a snow suit! I'm hard pressed to think of something more adorable at the moment...

Millie and I took a day trip to Cleveland Saturday. Asher stayed behind with Ben and they shoveled after our first good snow. Ben said that a man walked by and Asher (in his normal, extroverted fashion) pronounced, "Hi! I shev-el like Papa". I love to see this little man have pride in helping out and wanting to be like his father. So powerful.

And as for Ben, I am so thankful to have a husband that I can leave one or both kids with for the entire day. That I don't have to worry or think twice, or even write down their schedules and what they should eat because he knows. He's involved. He's engaged. I'm thankful that when he walks in through the door after a long day of work, he jumps right in to play, or get the kids ready for dinner, or whatever needs to happen. And the best part is bedtime. Papa is that bath-man, the story-time guy and the one who leads them into the word and prayer as each day ends. Where would we be without our faithful Papa?

Words for Mothers

I was just writing out a card to another friend who is about to have a baby. In it, I included a poem that I put in a blog post a while back. When I did a Google search for the author, I came across another poem of the same nature. May I heed its warning.

My hands were busy through the day.
I didn’t have much time to play.
The little games you asked to do,
I didn’t have much time for you.
I’d wash your clothes. I’d sew and cook.
You’d ask and I’d read from your book.
I’d tuck you in all safe at night,
And hear your prayers; turn out the light.

Then tiptoe softly by your door,
I wish I’d stayed a minute more.
For life was short, the years rushed past,
A little boy grows up so fast.
No longer is he at my side,
His precious secrets to confide.
The picture books are put away.
There are no longer games to play.

No Teddy Bears or misplaced toys
No sleepovers with lots of boys.
No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear.
That all belongs to yesteryear.
My hands, once busy, now are still.
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to do.

Anonymous

Greek Yogurt: 2 Ways to Mix-Up Mundane Munchies

I hate to admit it. I'm disappointed. Even slightly embarrassed to say: my child is a picky eater. At least one of them is anyway. Was it something I did, or did not do? Am I responsible for this? Or, is it just the very nature of a 2 year-old? Probably a combination of both... Regardless, I want to get more variety in my little guy's diet. I feel like I serve the same thing over and over! Dinner is an exception because the kids get whatever it is we eat, with a side of applesauce or the like. But breakfast and lunch have become mundane.

To get out of the oatmeal/pb toast/Cheerios rut that we are in for breakfast, I started investigating smoothies. I wanted to find a way to incorporate Greek yogurt since it's packed with protein. Here's what I came up with:

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt and 1 cup of

Bolthouse Farm's Berry Boost Friut Smoothie.

Combine both ingredients until smooth.

I found both items at Aldi. And because the berries are already pureed, you can simply mix with a hand mixer or whisk. It has a really great, smooth texture. And no cleaning the blender required :)

1 cup of this Greek yogurt has 23 grams of protein and the Berry Boost is simply pureed berries (and some apple and banana). There is no added sugar or preservatives. I was surprised that I didn't need to add honey or banana or anything to sweeten the smoothie since plain yogurt can be a touch bitter, but it was really good tasting as it was. And the kids loved it! I make it in advance and store it in a jar or even right in their cups with a lid. So now we've got smoothies and some dry cereal in the bfast rotation 2 mornings a week. Usually the mornings we need to get out the door to the sitter's. (Don't know about your kids, but mine can make a piece of toast last for 20 minutes!) Now the down-side to this smoothie- the ingredients are not organic, which I tend to buy for our fruit and yogurt. And because the berries are already pureed and bottled, we're missing out on the full nutritional value of the fruit. But, for the price and time, it's working for me right now.

For lunch time, I've taken to the ever-loved muffin tin. It's funny to see people blog and post this idea on Pintrest because my mom did this very same thing when I was a kid! Nevertheless, I love to use a 6 cup muffin tin because you can use yogurt or other "spoonable" foods as well finger foods, all-in-one! In efforts to get my guy to consume more veg, I wanted to use some sort of dip, but I also wanted it to pack a healthy punch. Insert: Hummus Yogurt Dipping Sauce.

1 can garbanzo beans, 1-2 cloves of garlic (crushed), 1 Tbs lemon juice,

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp cumin.

Drain and rinse beans and then combine all ingredients in a food processor.

I would recommend buying organic beans. Most canned beans are loaded with all kinds of extra crap from preservatives to high fructose corn syrup. Especially kidney beans, for whatever reason. Read the label and be appalled. Anyway, this hummus was easy, came out fabulous and Asher ate it right up, veggies and all :) Ahhh.... the small successes in the day of the life of a mother.

2011 at at Glance

Happy 2012 everyone! Sounds kind of futuristic, doesn't it?

Anywho, Ben and I composed a year-in-review on the blog we made for the kiddos. Check it out here if you wish. Enjoy your New Year's Day!

Christmas Cutie

I was a bit disappointed there was no snow on Christmas. Not even close. But, because of the delightful sunshine, I got some great pics of the little miss in natural light. And because this was while her brother was napping, he is absent from these pictures. Millie got to ham it up.

Had to give you a view of the cute little Christmas booty.

Everything she has on is a hand-me-down.

The dress is a 3-6 month which fit well except for

the length. I like to call it: adorably short.

Doubt I'll be saying that in 15 years!

Ashey Cry

The day after Millie's 1st Bday party, Asher got his 1st haircut. Lots of milestones these days... If you ask him about it, tell him you like it, or just plain mention the word "haircut", he will tell you "Ashey cry". Yes, he cried. I strapped him in his high chair, pulled Barney up on YouTube (oh what a mother will do to distract her child...) and went for it. A snip here. A snip there. Little by little those wisps and locks fell to the floor. Tears were induced as if I were cutting into his very soul. BUT, as you can see from the before and after pics, it was much needed and turned out kinda cute actually.

(love the awkward toddler smiles)