His and Her Fabrics

These two pieces of fabric are about to become something very special for Ben and Kate.  Stay tuned...

 Friends by Valori Wells

  Groovy by Heather Bailey

A Cold January Morning at Home

It's been very cold the past few days in our neck of the woods.  We haven't left the house since Monday and toys have inevitably made their way upstairs.  These bamboo blocks Kate got for Christmas kept both kiddos busy all morning...

Mix Tape - The Luckiest

This was the song Boris and I chose for our first dance over seven years ago.  It still makes me smile (and so does he)...

The Luckiest by Ben Folds
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Ben's (Second) Canvas Painting - Day Six

It’s been awhile since Ben added another layer to his painting.  Today he covered a lot of ground with a roller within a few minutes.  I think, from here on in we’ll be using smaller brushes to complete his painting.

Bundled

Robot Pillow

Ben received so many beautiful gifts for Christmas and his birthday, but among my favorites has to be his robot pillow (designed and handmade by my sister Jenny and her husband Darren).

Remembering - January 2010

January 2010

Ben was three weeks old when I took my “real” camera out for the first time to photograph him.  I walked into our master bedroom after lunch and the sunshine was streaming in.  Inspired, I ran to grab my camera and then I rocked Ben to sleep in my arms, hoping to get some shots of him asleep in our bed.  I remember rocking him, laying him down only to have him wake up and cry (which was uncharacteristic of him).  I repeated this process many times over.  Finally, I popped in his soother and took some shots of him wide awake.  This is one of my favorites.  I love his tiny little newborn body, all seven and a half pounds at the three week mark, taking up such little space in our queen size bed.

He Said (On Best Friends and Vacuuming)...

This morning I was vacuuming the front entrance when I looked up and saw Ben standing at the gate.  As a side note, Ben has never liked the loud sound of the vacuum cleaner (which I use as a poor excuse when my floors aren’t as clean as they should be).  I turned off the vacuum cleaner to hear what he was saying...

Me: "Yes Ben?”

Ben: “Mommy, you’re my best friend!”

Me: “Aw Ben, that’s so sweet.”

Ben: “I no want you to vacuum.”

Nicely played kid, you pulled at my heartstrings but I still have to clean the floors.

Stripes

I unintentionally dressed both Ben and Kate in jeans and striped shirts this morning...

Look Who Will FINALLY Take a Bottle

Kate drank a few ounces of water from a bottle after lunch today (after a six month stint of being exclusively breastfed).  Now I can pump a little milk occasionally and leave the house for more than an hour or two!

Lunch With Little Ones - Beans on Toast

On Sunday, I made beans on toast for lunch.  Boris was home so I had an extra critic on hand.  I’ve made these beans before and really like them (they’re definitely going to become a regular lunch item for myself).  Boris added a few bacon bits and slivers of aged cheddar and enjoyed his beans with some bread.  Ben ate one bean (with breadsticks) and turned up his nose.  Kate liked hers alongside a Baby Mum-Mum.  All in all, a winner...

Beans on Toast

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup tomato paste

1 Tbsp. agave nectar

2 Tbsp. molasses

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 cup water

2 x 540 ml cans white kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 multigrain baguette

In a medium skillet heat olive oil over medium heat.  Sautee chopped onion and pressed garlic until soft, about 4 minutes.

Add tomato paste, agave nectar, molasses, Dijon mustard, water and kidney beans.  Heat through.  Turn off heat and let sit.

Meanwhile, cut baguette on the diagonal in 1/4 inch slices and toast until crispy.  Spoon bean mixture over each piece of toast and serve.  

Recipe adapted from The Eat-Clean Diet for Family and Kids