Easter 2013

We were up this morning by 6:30 AM hunting for eggs.  Ben enjoyed searching for candy filled eggs and Kate got a thrill out of shaking them.  After nap time, we headed over to my parents for dinner (and more candy and chocolate).  Here's last years picture of Ben with his Easter basket.  It's hard to believe a whole year has passed and that Kate is a week shy of 11 months!

Ben's (Second) Canvas Painting - Day Ten

I think the end is near for our painting project...

On Our Way to His First Concert

Through Ben's Eyes - March

At the Back Door

Randomly, at Our House This Week...

This week, I’ve been housebound with two sick kids.  Both Ben and Kate have coughs that are keeping them up at night, runny noses and they’re cranky, cranky, cranky.  I’m pretty sure Kate is also cutting a tooth.  We’ve spent the last few days playing, doing crafts, reading and watching a lot more TV and shedding a lot more tears than usual.  

On the bright side, Boris and I got out of the house alone last night.  We went for dessert and to the hardware store to buy a wheelbarrow and look at shower doors.  Things that use to be considered “errands” are now classified as “quality time” if there are no kids present.

I’ve been trying to make everything from scratch this week.  We’ve been enjoying Honey Bran Muffins, Chocolate Covered Granola Bars, Chocolate Raspberry Scones (I'm still tweaking the recipe but it's definitely one worth sharing), Beans on Toast, Asparagus Soup and (right after I finish this post) Ham and Potato Soup made from last night’s leftovers.  I’ve been in the kitchen a lot this week, hence the lack of blogging.

I also started the 8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home challenge.  It may take a few 8 week sessions to organize every room (including the garage) in our home, but my goal is to have a clutter free house by the end of the summer.

20 Questions - Ben, Age Three

How old are you?

Ben: “Um, I don’t know.”

Me: “You don’t know?  Are you one?”

Ben: “No.”

Me: “Are you two?”

Ben: “No.”

Me: “Are you three?”

Ben: “No.”

(Smiles).

How old is Mommy/Daddy?

Ben: “I don’t know.”

What is your favorite color?

Ben: “Black.  Yes, and red too.”

What is your favorite toy?

Ben: “Hmm, cars and trucks and garbage trucks and police cars.”

What is your favorite TV show?

Ben: “Team Umizoomi.”

What is your favorite thing to eat/drink?

Ben: “Tomatoes and water.”

Me: “Really?  It’s not chocolate milk?”

Ben: “Yes.”

What is your favorite animal?

Ben: “Moosie.”

What is your favorite song?

Ben: “I maybe like the rocket ship one.”

What is your favorite book?

Ben: “Freight Train.”

Who is your best friend?

Ben: “Ruby.”

What is your favorite thing to do outside?

Ben: “My dump trucks.  I like to play with my dump trucks.”

What is your favorite thing to do at home?

Ben: “Play toys.”

What is your favorite thing to do at school?

Ben: “To play too.”

What are you really good at?

Ben: “The glue bottle.  I squeeze glue out.”

(Earlier, we were making a craft with glue and beans).

What makes you happy?

Ben: “Kisses.”

What does Daddy do at work?

Ben: “Computer.”

What is something Mommy always says to you?

Ben: “Please play with me?”

How do you know Mommy and Daddy love you?

Ben: “Kisses.”

What is the hardest thing about being a kid?

Ben: “I’m little.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Ben: “A worker.”

Me: “What kind of worker?”

Ben: “I be a fire man or a police man or a bus driver.”

Kate, Walking With Her Walker

Getting Into Things

Mix Tape - The Perfect Space

I love every song on the album I and Love and You but right now, this is my favorite.  Boris and I always listen to this album when we're driving to the mountains...and since I'm craving a get away right now I thought this song would be appropriate.

The Perfect Space by The Avett Brothers
8/52

Caught Ya Being Awesome

This idea (found on Pinterest) reminded me of the jar of marbles my second grade teacher used to keep our class accountable for positive/negative behavior.  When we were well behaved, she added marbles to the jar.  When we failed to listen, she would take some away.  Once the jar was full, we got to have a class party.  

We’ve started a “Caught Ya Being Awesome” jar at home for Ben.  He gets to add a marble to the jar every time we catch him doing something good or kind, unprompted.  When he reaches a certain number of marbles, he gets to choose a special date with Boris or myself. 

Kate and the Cupcake

Ben's (Second) Canvas Painting - Day Nine

Ben painted twice this week.  We finally pulled out the small brushes.  The bright yellow paint was his choice.  

Asleep, at Last

Ben's (Second) Canvas Painting - Day Eight

Ben: “Mommy, can I paint with Chuck the Truck today?”

And so he did...

Chocolate Covered Granola Bars

Granola bars are hard to photograph.  So please accept a few pictures of Kate devouring little bits of hers instead.  You’re just going to have to trust me...these are delicious!  I’ve been making (and enjoying) these granola bars for a while now but a few weeks ago I decided to spread melted chocolate on top instead of including chocolate chips inside the bar.  Perfecto!  These granola bars are very versatile.  You can switch up the ingredients easily (as long as you keep the wet to dry ratio the same) to your liking.

Chocolate Covered Granola Bars

11/4 cup old fashioned oats

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup skim milk powder

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup hemp seeds

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut

1 cup dried fruit (I used 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup blueberries and 1/2 cup cranberries)

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

2 eggs

1/2 – 2/3 cup milk chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease a 9X13 inch pan or line with parchment paper (I often cut the recipe in half and use a bread pan).

Place dry ingredients in a food processor and pulse until everything is well blended.

Add maple syrup and eggs and pulse until everything is well blended.

Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared pan and press with your hands (wet your hands slightly so they won’t stick).

Bake until lightly browned, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove granola bar from pan and let cool completely.

Melt chocolate chips and spread evenly on top.  Put the granola bar in the refrigerator until chocolate hardens.

Cut bars into desired shape and size.  Store in airtight contained in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Recipe adapted from straymatteroffact.blogspot.ca (Healthy Homemade Granola Bars)