Jerry's last day of the 09-10 school year wrapped up this afternoon and we could not be more excited!! While he will still be working 2-4 days a week at his other jobs, he doesn't have all the stress that school brings for the next few months. It feels like we can breathe again!! He has a double-header for softball tonight and then other than a get-together with friends Saturday we have ZERO PLANS until I go back to work Tuesday. We haven't had this much time together without an agenda probably since last summer!!!
In other news, Trey has a slight skin infection near his eye (the dr. thinks so at least) so he's started a 7-day course of antibiotics for that. He doesn't seem bothered at all by the bump and it doesn't seem painful at all which is good. He has decided that he is now scared of EVERYTHING. He ran into the kitchen the other day saying "I scared mama, I scared". Seriously, it's getting old. But Abby went through the exact same thing at the exact same age so at least I was prepared this time. He was getting extra cuddles at night and now thinks that he needs someone to lay down with him every time he goes to bed. Well, no way, I say. That is just not in my parenting plan. He gets tucked in, a story if he wants, a little cuddle and hug/kiss and that's it. So I let him cry himself to sleep for his nap and now he has been crying for 25 minutes upstairs. It only takes a day or so to break a sleep habit with our kids so I'm letting it go. But I still hate to hear my little buddy cry!
I've still been baking a bit. The kids helped me make chocolate chip cookies last night. They're so cute and work so well together, letting each other take turns with no fighting! Tonight I made a double batch of the low fat brownies, most of which I'm packing up to send with a friend since she is taking her family on a road trip to California. She didn't have the time before she left to make them so I volunteered because, let's face it, I LOVE TO BAKE!!! It is my hobby, it's relaxing and everything always tastes really good!! And since this was my second time making the brownies they turned out even better than the first...I dare say they turned out PERFECT. Go me.
And this is just for my memory since I know you all don't care but I have been doing a decent job at making dinners most nights, doing the dishes daily and keeping the floor picked up and the laundry done. HOWEVER, I have had stacks of folded laundry on my table for over 2 weeks that has yet to be put away. I keep adding to it when I wash stuff and taking things out of piles to wear. It's getting to be kind of funny at this point. I do rather like looking through a pile than finding stuff in drawers and closets. Just seems easier!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Recipes!!
I've been trying out some new healthier versions of some of my favorite desserts and so far I've had really good luck picking out some delicious recipes to try. And since I've had several requests for the recipes here they are:
BROWNIES!
preheat oven to 350
BEAT WITH WHISK:
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
ADD IN:
1/4 cup unbleached flour (I used whole wheat flour)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp instant espresso - OPTIONAL
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Pour into sprayed 8x8 pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer pan to cooling rack and allow to cool 10 minutes, cut into 12 squares.
Nutrition facts per brownie: 88 cal, 1g fat, 0 cholesterol, 2.5 g fiber (if using whole wheat flour)
CHOCOLATE CAKE!
Preheat oven to 350
Mix together:
1 1/2 cups flour (again, I used whole wheat)
4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
In separate bowl mix together:
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup warm water
Mix wet ingredients into dry until combined. Pour into a sprayed 9 in round cake pan and bake for 35 minutes. Cool and cut into 8 pieces, topping with sifted powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition fact per slice: 105 cal, 4 g fat, 0g cholesterol, 2.5g fiber
CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES!
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 oz light cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Beat cream cheese until smooth and add in melted chocolate. Mix until combined. Add in cocoa powder, mix will turn crumbly at first. Add in confectioners sugar and mix until smooth. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in either cocoa powder or confectioners sugar, place on waxed paper and chill at least 1 hour.
Nutrition facts per truffle: 70 cal, 2.5g fat, 5mg cholesterol, 1g fiber
My kids have also enjoyed all the recipes. I don't think they had any idea that these were healthier desserts since they all taste so much like the real thing. I hope to be trying many more recipes this summer and if I find some more like these I will definitely post them!
BROWNIES!
preheat oven to 350
BEAT WITH WHISK:
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
ADD IN:
1/4 cup unbleached flour (I used whole wheat flour)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp instant espresso - OPTIONAL
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Pour into sprayed 8x8 pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer pan to cooling rack and allow to cool 10 minutes, cut into 12 squares.
Nutrition facts per brownie: 88 cal, 1g fat, 0 cholesterol, 2.5 g fiber (if using whole wheat flour)
CHOCOLATE CAKE!
Preheat oven to 350
Mix together:
1 1/2 cups flour (again, I used whole wheat)
4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
In separate bowl mix together:
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup warm water
Mix wet ingredients into dry until combined. Pour into a sprayed 9 in round cake pan and bake for 35 minutes. Cool and cut into 8 pieces, topping with sifted powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition fact per slice: 105 cal, 4 g fat, 0g cholesterol, 2.5g fiber
CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES!
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 oz light cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Beat cream cheese until smooth and add in melted chocolate. Mix until combined. Add in cocoa powder, mix will turn crumbly at first. Add in confectioners sugar and mix until smooth. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in either cocoa powder or confectioners sugar, place on waxed paper and chill at least 1 hour.
Nutrition facts per truffle: 70 cal, 2.5g fat, 5mg cholesterol, 1g fiber
My kids have also enjoyed all the recipes. I don't think they had any idea that these were healthier desserts since they all taste so much like the real thing. I hope to be trying many more recipes this summer and if I find some more like these I will definitely post them!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Many Faces of Abby
Trey got another haircut too. I miss my surfer boy, he looks so much more serious now. But boy, is he still about the cutest thing on Earth or what?!
And a first for Trey....he got sent to his room today. After about 50 time-outs on the naughty seat I decided it was time for him to have a break in his room. He started kicking his door, which I wasn't surprised about at all, so I had to put a baby gate inside his room before the door so he wouldn't be able to kick it. A good 15 minutes in there and he was ready to come out and be a nice boy again. Plus he was extra cuddly!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Abby's Best Quotes of the Day
1) "Mom, I think you're falling in love with me!"
2) "That was refreshing!" (I asked her to repeat, wasn't really listening)
"I was leaning on the slide and I said 'That was refreshing'"
3) "When I go poop it makes me shiver. Want to see?"
2) "That was refreshing!" (I asked her to repeat, wasn't really listening)
"I was leaning on the slide and I said 'That was refreshing'"
3) "When I go poop it makes me shiver. Want to see?"
Hello Sunshine!
After a disastrous morning I sent the kids out for some much needed fresh air and space to get away from one another. I set up the tunnel thing outside. We had drinks and played for a bit, got worn out, came inside for lunch and took decent naps. I had all the doors open (back, front and garage) and locked Rusty up so he wouldn't run away and I managed to get a bunch of laundry folded...without losing a kid outside!! Nobody ran away or got hurt. YAY! I guess not having a fenced yard won't be the death of me.
After naps it was back outside. I took some patio chairs out for myself and made a nice little area to read my book while the kids played...and played...and played. I filled them up with homemade popsicles and tons of watermelon. For awhile it was up the ladder, grab a piece of melon, eat it while going down the slide, repeat! After a few hours I thought it was best we came in. Poor Trey was so lathered up with sunscreen but I still worry about his super fair skin. I'm really hoping that they burned off all their energy and after dinner and baths, will be ready for an early bedtime. Before 8 would be so great!
They just look like a couple kids who needed some outdoor time, don't they?!
After naps it was back outside. I took some patio chairs out for myself and made a nice little area to read my book while the kids played...and played...and played. I filled them up with homemade popsicles and tons of watermelon. For awhile it was up the ladder, grab a piece of melon, eat it while going down the slide, repeat! After a few hours I thought it was best we came in. Poor Trey was so lathered up with sunscreen but I still worry about his super fair skin. I'm really hoping that they burned off all their energy and after dinner and baths, will be ready for an early bedtime. Before 8 would be so great!Watermelon in the clubhouse!
They just look like a couple kids who needed some outdoor time, don't they?!
Is It Naptime Yet???
It's not even 10 and we have had 2 time-outs for Trey, 3 red time-outs for Abby, I've broken up numerous fights, they are yelling and whacking each other every 10 seconds. Abby has been tattling, tattling, tattling...about everything. Jerry is working until 9 am tomorrow. If you see a lady wandering around the highway, it might be me after I've LOST MY MIND!
On the plus side, I did the dishes and mopped the kitchen.
On the plus side, I did the dishes and mopped the kitchen.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Abby's Latest Obsession
I am now the proud owner of a Sedro Woolley Library Card!! I took Abby a month or so ago to the library for the first time. We talked and talked about how there were millions of books there and the library ladies were going to let us take some home BUT we were going to have to give them back after two weeks. She was gung-ho on getting new books but not so keen about the giving them back part. Up until then she had always gotten new books given to her for keeps. I was kind of hoping that she would be able to have her own card but you have to be 5 for that. Oh well, it's not like she can drive herself down there anyway!
Our first trip was good. We picked out almost all Max and Ruby books. Taking them back was a bit of an ordeal but then I told her she could pick out NEW ones. Problem solved. She picked out more Max & Ruby books plus a few that were displayed on top of the shelves. Taking those back was a little easier since she wasn't with me. I picked out the last Max & Ruby book plus a Shel Silverstein book and a couple others and brought them home to her. She liked my choices *whew*. Her trip two weeks ago went well too. There was another little girl in the kids section this time and Abby was not too thrilled about that. The other girl was a little more outgoing than Abby and she kept moving away from her. I think Abby was maybe thinking that the girl was going to steal her books! I let Abby choose all of her own books. She even picked out one from the shelf...not just the ones being displayed. I was happy with her choices UNTIL I STARTED READING ONE! She had picked out a Charlie Brown book and was very excited about it. I started reading and got three lines into it before I figured out it was a book about a girl, a friend of Linus', who got cancer and had to miss school and stay in the hospital and have medicine put into her arm through a needle!
Jerry was sitting at his computer and I saw him turn around and give me a "wtf?" look midway through the book. I didn't want to stop and was just hoping that the little girl didn't die at the end! Luckily she was okay. Abby is so observant and aware of everything that she might now be scarred for life on hospitals. Ooops. Jerry gave me strict instructions that I am to double check all of Abby's book choices BEFORE we check them out. And here I was so proud that she had picked out books on her own!
Tuesday was our most recent trip and as soon as we walked in the doors Abby said "Okay Mom, you go look at your books and I'm going to my special section". Right-O Abby. And off she marched into the kids area. She wasn't even fazed by the two boys in there. I went off to the mystery section and a few minutes later Abby came out with a Peter Rabbit book that she wanted. I told her she already had that one at home and to find another one. She was fine with that and off she went again. I found books for myself and made my way over the kids area. There was Abby searching through the books on the shelf...progress! She had only picked one from the displayed books and found a couple I-SPY ones off the shelf, on her own. I carefully looked over her selections and they all seemed appropriate...no books on kids with cancer this time. It was a long 3 minute ride home for Ab, she couldn't wait to read her new books!! Sounds lame but I am so jazzed that she is a book-lover like me!
Our first trip was good. We picked out almost all Max and Ruby books. Taking them back was a bit of an ordeal but then I told her she could pick out NEW ones. Problem solved. She picked out more Max & Ruby books plus a few that were displayed on top of the shelves. Taking those back was a little easier since she wasn't with me. I picked out the last Max & Ruby book plus a Shel Silverstein book and a couple others and brought them home to her. She liked my choices *whew*. Her trip two weeks ago went well too. There was another little girl in the kids section this time and Abby was not too thrilled about that. The other girl was a little more outgoing than Abby and she kept moving away from her. I think Abby was maybe thinking that the girl was going to steal her books! I let Abby choose all of her own books. She even picked out one from the shelf...not just the ones being displayed. I was happy with her choices UNTIL I STARTED READING ONE! She had picked out a Charlie Brown book and was very excited about it. I started reading and got three lines into it before I figured out it was a book about a girl, a friend of Linus', who got cancer and had to miss school and stay in the hospital and have medicine put into her arm through a needle!
Jerry was sitting at his computer and I saw him turn around and give me a "wtf?" look midway through the book. I didn't want to stop and was just hoping that the little girl didn't die at the end! Luckily she was okay. Abby is so observant and aware of everything that she might now be scarred for life on hospitals. Ooops. Jerry gave me strict instructions that I am to double check all of Abby's book choices BEFORE we check them out. And here I was so proud that she had picked out books on her own!
Tuesday was our most recent trip and as soon as we walked in the doors Abby said "Okay Mom, you go look at your books and I'm going to my special section". Right-O Abby. And off she marched into the kids area. She wasn't even fazed by the two boys in there. I went off to the mystery section and a few minutes later Abby came out with a Peter Rabbit book that she wanted. I told her she already had that one at home and to find another one. She was fine with that and off she went again. I found books for myself and made my way over the kids area. There was Abby searching through the books on the shelf...progress! She had only picked one from the displayed books and found a couple I-SPY ones off the shelf, on her own. I carefully looked over her selections and they all seemed appropriate...no books on kids with cancer this time. It was a long 3 minute ride home for Ab, she couldn't wait to read her new books!! Sounds lame but I am so jazzed that she is a book-lover like me!
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