FUTURE FOODIE

My kid loves all kinds of food. However, he doesn't like all kinds of textures. This has presented a problem when trying to get him to try different things. In an attempt to keep him from turning into a mac 'n' cheese/chicken nugget kid, I've been coming up with some creative recipes to get him to eat new things.

For starters,he hates peas and green beans. I think it's the texture and he can't bring himself to choke them down....until now:



Now before you start to be grossed out, check this out....they're "lily pad pancakes" titled so the kids will eat them, but they're actually quite good. They're made out of mostly peas. Put a little greek yogurt on top and they are delicious!



Another crazy idea that I saw was to make a pea pop. It's basically peas as the base and a hint of mint with some cream cheese. (oh yeah, and some mini chocolate chips) You freeze them and voila! Kids are eating peas like they're candy!





[Yes he's rolling on the floor in his church clothes with a frozen sucker that will eventually melt and end up in the carpet. (remember I'm a first time mom)]

We still haven't tried the pumpkin stuffed ravioli, waffle cheese sandwiches, black bean truffles, and french toast pb&j. Needless to say, dinner time around our house is getting very interesting.

Life Reflection

Today I have been extremely grateful for my life and the decisions which I have made to bring me to this very moment in my life. My life has been so deeply enriched by the many people whom I have had the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with and I count myself as one of the lucky ones. There are changes on the horizon, I can sense it and I look forward to whatever it may be. My heart is truly so full! Life is good and I hope it's good for you as well!

FALL IS ALMOST HERE

I know I'm rushing it with the fall time background, but I love this time of year. I love how the nights cool down and the prominent sound of the crickets while falling asleep. This time of year makes me want to buy school supplies and get up early and go outside just so I can wear a jacket. (I've even already begun making Halloween decorations.) I'm sure fall will be here soon enough, but for now, I'm basking in my pre-autumn glory!

Summer picnic

Last Saturday, Mike suggested we go up the canyon for a picnic. I thought that was a fabulous idea (trying to beat the heat) so I invited Logan to come to get him out of his very pregnant mom's hair. :)

We stopped at the store and loaded up on sandwiches, chips, snacks and drinks for everyone and then headed up to South Fork Park.

Mike took the boys and taught them how to play in the river.

Logan was a little afraid at first because the water was a little swift as they were crossing to the milder part. But by the end of the day, he was asking me to take him across the river regardless of how quickly the water was running.

Needless to say, they had a blast splashing around in the water.

We ate our lunch and played soccer on the grass. Dex found a spicket and drenched himself in it.

I swear....this kid LOVES the water. He has looked like this almost every single day this summer. He loves to run through sprinklers, play in mud puddles, splash in buckets of water. He never gets enough of it.

To keep him from getting cold I took off his shirt. Logan asked why I had taken off Dex's shirt and to be like him, Logan decided to take his off as well. I laughed at the two boys running around shirtless. Running around in the trees and rocks, all I could think of was Lord of the Flies (without all the violence, of course).

These two are so much like brothers. They both have to know what the other is doing, and if they want the same toy, just forget it.

(Playing in the brush)

All in all it was a blast. The kids had a good time and it was fun to go up the canyon and take a break. Thanks Mike, for the great idea!

Declan's New Rule

So this is how mealtimes go for us now....

It takes what seems like FOREVER for him to eat now. But the new rules are (Dex's rules) that he can feed himself and if you try to feed him, just forget it, he's not going to eat. I've already said goodbye to the days when a meal would take us about 15-20 minutes. However, it's so great that he's getting so big and is wanting to do things to help himself. Now if only he'd let me show him how to actually scoop something onto that spoon!

A day full of fun

Today I decided to take Declan to the zoo. He's been having a rough time these last 3 or 4 days and so I figured I'd spend the day with him doing something fun. He had a rough night sleeping last night, so I knew going into it he would be tired, but we made it through just fine.

We first had to stop by grandma & grandpa's (Dex loves his grandparents and all the crazy fun he has at their house).

Then at the zoo he loved seeing all the animals. He's at the age where he loves to see the animals in motion. It was fun to watch him look at the animals and try to talk to them.

We took a ride on the carousel and the train.

I tried to put him in front of this gorilla so I could take his picture, but he looked up and wasn't having any part of it. But we had a good time. We ran into Scott, Amanda & Logan and visited with them for a few minutes. But after seeing all the big animals and having lunch, Dex was exhausted, so we left. He was asleep before I even pulled out of the parking lot.

This evening I was busy cleaning his room and sorting through clothes that don't fit him anymore. I came across this pair of boots that I bought him last winter which were too big. He tried them on tonight and then wouldn't let me take them off.

Needless to say....he was walking around in 90 degree weather in winter boots.

This kid just cracks me up! Love him to pieces!

WHERE HAS SUMMER GONE?

Summer has flown by for us. We've spent most of it with family having bbq's and playing. I've been slacking in the blogging department (I think it's because I lost my battery charger for my camera - so I haven't been taking a lot of pictures).

Balloon Festival (4th of July)

Playing in the water at Deer Creek

If you look a little closer you will see.....

Yes, my child is asleep on the water

Declan wanted to play in the water so we threw a life jacket on him and then he decided the water was too cold for him, so my brother put him on a tube to float. Needless to say, that was the end of that...he fell completely asleep.

I've had a list of things I wanted to do this summer with Declan and we've almost done all the things on my list...just missing a trip to the zoo. There's still a little time to work it in, I'm sure of it!

I do love summer. However, my favorite season is just around the corner which will bring even more great adventures... YAY!!!