Fruit as a Dessert?

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Jennifer

Fruit is not a dessert.

I repeat. Fruit is not a dessert.

I hate it when you are visiting someones house and they say, “For dessert, I got ice cream for the kids and some some water melon for the adults.”

First, the kids should get the fruit, they’re still growing. The only part of me growing is my rear and I’ll be the one to worry about that thank you.

Second, watermelon is NOT a dessert.

Chocolate. Toffee. Marshmellows. Cake. Frosting. Cookies. Those are desserts!

But, in an effort to expand our horizons I decided to try a new dessert recipe which includes fruit.

Gasp! Horror!

I came across a recipe for a simple Blackberry Blueberry Pie and decided to give it a shot.

(unfortunately, I can’t find the original source so if you know it, tell me, and I’ll give proper credit)

Because of my hesitation for this kind of dessert, I decided to less the fruit in the recipe by one fourth.

After all, we don’t need to jump into crazy and implusive changes all at once!

The recipe is super simple and is mighty pretty when it’s all done.

The moment of truth came when it was time to taste this dessert.

I thought it was okay.

Fine. I’ll admit it was good.

Alright. Alright. It was GREAT! My husband and I loved it. I’ll have to admit that my vanilla ice cream ratio to blueberries was not equal BUT it was good and it is a fruit desert so that’s saying a lot from me.

The kids were less than thrilled with the dessert but considering two out of the three of them thought I was poisoning them and didn’t even try it, I’m still counting it as a win.

(and just for the record, those two pie haters love eating blueberries and blackberries right out of the container, but throw a little ice cream on there and it’s poison suddenly)

Since I have one more pie crust left I’m going to cut up some apples and follow the recipe using those while adding some cinnamon too.

While this dessert will never take the place of anything covered in chocolate in my mind, it was pretty tasty.

What about you? What’s your favorite dessert item to eat?

Mom Thought

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Jennifer

Why is it the only time your kids do a thorough teeth brushing, including flossing and mouth wash, and lasting ten times longer than normal, is when you are running fifteen minutes late and must get out the door?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Potty Training – Done!

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Jennifer

We are done potty training!

And by we I mean WE.

It was certainly a team effort made only possibly by Caroline finally deciding to GO in the potty all the time.

Plus a little trip I took.

And when did she decide to do this?

About 15 minutes after I boarded a plane to Chicago.

When I came back from my sisters’ shower I asked Derek how potty training had gone.

“No accidents. She just walked into the bathroom anytime she needed to and went.”

“You mean TODAY she pooped on the potty?”

“No, since the moment you left she went in the potty every time.”

Now, I’m not going to lie. While this was great news I was a bit annoyed that he hadn’t dealt with any dirty underwear issues. I mean, I had been nearly losing my mind with frustration FOR MONTHS.

Whoever said girls were easier than boys to potty train was lying. My boys were super simple compared to this stubborn little one.

But I have found the silver lining in my husband’s success.

From now on with every BIG issue with Caroline faces…I will be taking a trip.

I think my husband has proven himself worthy of solving the big issues.

Apparently, just his presence makes things happen.

Clothes shopping for high school….I’ll take a trip to San Diego.

The teenage girls are mean talk…I’ll take a trip to New York City, a trip to Charlotte, and a trip to Miami (those girls are mean after all and I bet she’ll need more than one talk with that).

Your curfew is earlier than your friends…I’ll take a trip to Nashville.

And for the really big issues?

Get that passport ready because we’re talking international trips.

Yes, this is a good plan I think.

After all, if my husband can solve the potty training issue with one trip to Chicago, imagine all he’s capable of solving if I’m gone for a week.

New Orleans Mini Vacation

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Jennifer

We were supposed to be at a 3 day soccer tournament this weekend but sadly it was cancelled.

And by sadly, I mean YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

So instead of sweating all day long watching kids run back and forth, we decided to sweat all day long while eating beignets, crawfish, and shrimp po-boys.

Definitely a better option.

So as you read this we are on our way back from visiting New Orleans and headed directly on our way to a week straight of Lean Cuisines.

The Man, The Manager, & Grampa

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Jennifer

My three year old has developed an odd little skill over the last two weeks.

Whenever I ask her to do something she does not want to do, she refers to, “the man.”

For example,”Caroline, it’s time to leave the toy store and go home.”

“No, the man said we can’t leave.”

“Caroline, it’s time to take your shower.”

“No, the man said to not take a shower.”

After a week, things took a slight turn.

“Caroline, it’s time to get out of the pool.”

“No, the manager said we need to be in.”

“Caroline, you need to eat your tortilla.”

“No, Grampa says to not eat the tortilla.”

This is happening ALL OF THE TIME.

She’s either become a pathological liar or developed a questionable life skill.

I’m thinking of taking up this skill as well.

“Ma’m, I need you to move your car from the fire lane.”

“No, the man says I can’t.”

“Miss, could you please ask your daughter to stop taking the clothes off the shelf.”

“No, the manager said she could.”

“Mom, can you read me one more story tonight?”

“No, Grampa says I can’t.”

A Stroke of Luck

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Jennifer

Whew.

Did you hear that?

That sound was my whole body exhaling.

Truth be told I’ve been holding my breath for the last five years.

We’ve reached a milestone around here and it’s reason for us to celebrate.

My husband had a stroke at the age of 34 exactly five years ago.

Whenever he talks to doctors they ask, “So when exactly did you have this stroke?”

My husband hums and haws and mentions something about late 2008.

I allow him to finish and then say, “It was August 2, 2007. It happened around 9:30 AM. I was wearing a black skirt and green skirt when I got the call. I had a two year old and a five year old at the time.”

My mom noted about the upcoming anniversary, “It’s just gone by so fast.”

No, it hasn’t.

For me, I remember everything – from getting the call, calling the babysitter, crying to my dad on the phone, to waiting around for more tests and doctors visits.

In the last five years we have visited more “ologists” than I care to remember.

With every migraine headache Derek had, I tried not to panic.

But…now that my husband has reached the five year milestone I feel like I can breathe a little easier.

We’re here today with big smiles on our face and feelings of being tremendously lucky. We are thankful for every day we have together and feel tremendously blessed in our life.

Short

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Jennifer

Andrew had a friend spending the night so of course it involved a trip to the pool before bedtime.

Hey, this ain’t my first time at the rodeo people.

I know how to tucker those kiddos out.

No one is staying up late in this house, at least not on my watch.

So, as we were walking to the pool, Caroline kept saying, “Leo, you’re short, like me.”

She said it not just once, probably ten times.

I think she was just thrilled to have someone close in size.

And in fairness to Caroline, he was only about a head taller than her.

I finally had to tell her to stop talking about it since Leo could have been developing a complex with the way she was badgering him, “You’re tiny. You’re little like me.”

All was fine for awhile.

As I was handing the kids their homemade pizza and watermelon slices, Leo walked to our table and said, “This table is dirty. These chairs are dirty.”

I looked at him, looked at the table, looked at the chair…

And said, “Caroline, what were you saying about Leo being small?”

Pioneer Camp

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Jennifer

My 7 year old is attending pioneer camp at a local farm and museum.

Everyday he comes home from camp saying, “I love this camp. I’m so glad I have 3 more days of camp.”

From what he’s told me it sounds like a wonderful camp – playing stick ball, walking in the creek, making quesadillas over an open flame, as well as many other activities.

I think the people who created this camp are brilliant, but it’s not because of the stick ball or walking in the creek or even cooking over a camp fire.

This has been my conversation with Andrew every day after camp:

What did you do at camp today Andrew?

Monday: “Today we played with water guns and also cleaned out the sheep area.”

Tuesday: “Today we went into the pioneer school and also cleaned out the chicken coop.”

Wednesday: “Today we went on a hike and also cleaned out the donkey stall.”

Are you noticing a theme?

The people who run this camp have hit the jackpot.

Do they have to clean up after the animals for 10 weeks of the summer?

Heck no! Get those city kids to do all the cleaning and washing – they’ll think it’s fun.

I’m thinking of running a camp over at my house next summer.

Just imagine, the kids could go home saying, “Today at camp we went swimming and then scrubbed the floors.”

“Today at camp we went to a movie and then washed the windows.”

“Today we did arts and crafts and then washed Mrs. Mac’s car.”

Yes, I think I’ll start creating the flyer right now.

***Tomorrow is dress like a cow day at Chick-Fi-A – check their website for details ***

Sleeping in a Fort

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Jennifer

Summer time around here means lots of fort building.

The last one they built with their Dad. He added some great modifications which kept the tent up through a few wrestling episodes.

They have loved it!

For the past 3 nights all three kids have slept in the fort together.

They love having books read to them in there and being together.

One of my favorite parts of them sleeping in the fort is the giggling and conversations that come from there.

The only negative has been that they tend to fall asleep a little later than normal and all get up at the same time.

But to me there’s no bigger comfort in knowing they are all together.

And sleeping on top of each other and not on me 🙂

***Update: The kids have added a trench to their fort. They created it from toy boxes and chairs. They are now officially pretending to be in the French Resistance Army. They are wearing winter hats and mittens – I guess this happens when you have a 10 year old who loves reading about World Wars***

Look Here!

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Jennifer

Things intelligent adults say to try and make kids smile in a picture:

Look here!

Hey! Hey!! Hey!

La la la la la la la la la

Grown up people yelling, flailing body parts, making faces, all to get a child to look at them.

Really foolish but for some reason it’s parenting skill #1,542 that you must have.

Taking pictures with one child can be challenging.

Throw in a few more kids and you’ve got yourself a real party.

We attempted this impossible feat when we were in Florida a few weeks ago.

I now present to you, “The Cousin Pictures: A Contrast in Feelings.”

The following two pictures are an ode to their love of animals.

Ahhhhhhh! So close. Three children looking, two children pointing out passing adults who might be willing to rescue them and take them away from these awful adults who keep yelling at them.