Chick Fil A

Jules and Josh came over this week to help us make some special treats for the Chick-fil-A Moms group!  We made up some simple and kid-friendly recipes and we had four helpers in the kitchen (well, I take that back, I'm not sure if we should consider Anne a helper).  Both had similar ingredients and were easy for the kids to pour in and mix together.  The first recipe we made was Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars.

The first step was to line the bottom and sides of an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.  Next, in a large bowl, the kids combined 

 

• 1½ cup regular oats
• 1 cup whole almonds, roughly chopped
• ⅓ cup ground flax seed
• ⅓ cup pepitas
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries
• 10 dried apricots, finely sliced
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

In a separate bowl, they microwaved 

• 1 cup peanut butter
• ½ cup maple syrup

for about 20 seconds until the mixture was smooth and runny.  Then, they mixed the two bowls together and mashed everything into the baking dish.  Waiting for the bars to set in the refrigerator for an hour was the most difficult step! 

our next recipe was for Quick and Easy No Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites.  In a medium bowl the kids added 

• 1 1/2 to 2 cups dry, uncooked oatmeal
• 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter or other nut or sun butter
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup quality honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Once the mixture was soft and not sticky, they added 

• 1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips

Then they rolled it into balls and placed them on a tray.  They also sampled quite a few before we stored the rest in the fridge to eat later!

Happy Mother's Day to the one who taught me how to be a mom!

A Beautiful Monday in May

Yesterday turned out to be a cooler, gorgeous day.  Seth asked if we wanted to meet him for lunch, so after we picked Jane up from preschool we all headed to Silo at Reynolda Village.  We were able to snag a table outside.  The girls played with the rocks and I admired the beautiful flowers while we waited for our food.  

 Then, after the girls woke up from their naps we jumped in the car and went to the new sprayground at Little Creek Recreation Center.  The water was cold, but the sun was beating down so it was fun to put your fingers and toes in.  Anne was scared at first, but after she got used to it, she loved stomping the water and being silly with her sister.  I love spending Mondays with these girls!

Dancing Queens

Jane has been "teaching" Anne some of her new moves from her ballet class.

The Most Expensive Strawberries

Saturday, Ashley invited us to go strawberry picking at Clodbuster Farms in Kernersville.

Of course the girls ate more than they picked, but we still managed to fill one bucket (a gallon).

Ashley, Morgan and Kevin joined us

 and then Audrey, Clara and Henry.

When I went to pay the girl for the strawberries, I reached in my pocket and my $20 bill was not there.  It must have fallen out in the field or on the way to the field.  I retraced some of my steps and could not find it, so I went back to the car and got another $10 bill.  $30 for a gallon of strawberries and a whole lot of fun!

An Almost 4 Year Blogging Hiatus

I'm not sure what got me thinking about blogging recently, but after 3 and a half years and another child, I decided I would like to try blogging again.  It only last for a short bit the first time, so we'll see how long I can keep it up now (especially with a 3.5 and a 1.5 year old and summer coming)!  I'd love to have the pictures and stories as a personal journal to look back on, so let's hope I can stay dedicated.

Two Months

2 months, September 27, 2013
9 pounds, 3 ounces (5th percentile)
21.5 inches (11th percentile)
15 inch head circumference (44th percentile)

milestones
grew from newborn to size 1 diapers
started using cloth diapers
grew out of most of your newborn clothes, wearing 0-3 months or 3 months)
drinks from a bottle easily
began to smile
"talks" more and makes cooing sounds
focusing more for longer periods
using hands to reach for and swat at toys
sleeps for much longer stretches at night (usually one 6-7 hour stretch)
usually takes 4 naps during the day
first trip to the beach- slept entire car ride there and back
growing some hair back on top of your head
got 3 shots and 1 oral vaccine
still loves being outside