Iced Coffee

 In the summer, Iced Coffee can be really delicious.

Here is a great recipe:

Blueberries

We are still figuring out Hunter's food allergies... but we have learned he LOVES blueberries!

My Day Yesterday

This was my day yesterday... not only did I fall apart many times yesterday, we also ate tacos.  Also, several of my children melted down into tears when their tacos fell apart.

This was my day yesterday.

The Best Intentions

Tracey Ann's new school had a big back to school potluck scheduled for the Thursday of the first week of school (so two days ago).

I was pretty excited.  It was our first school event at this new school, and I was hoping we would make a good impression on the school, staff, and other families.  With our four young children, and my noticeably expecting another, we don't really blend in many places.  Since the school was going to notice our crew, I wanted to make the best first impression possible.

I made my first ever Fruit Pizza and doubled the recipe so it would feed more people, and I dressed the kids in adorable outfits.  We were excited.

The potluck was to start at 5:00.

We leave to pick up Tracey on the bus at 3:30 -- and our intention was not to return home until after the potluck.

About 2:35pm I received text from the school that the potluck was cancelled due to inclement weather.

So... the six of us got to eat the huge (and delicious) fruit pizza because it will not keep for a week... and the kids looked absolutely adorable for a family trip to Wendy's (because I had no dinner planned).

We had the best intentions of make a great impression on the school.  I cannot say we will be able to match the effort next week. 

 

So Delicious

A few weeks ago this spaghetti sauce was so good that Howard decided he needed to have some more.  

Right behind Hubby's back, Howard reached up to dip his fingers in the sauce container.  He got two delicious finger-fulls before the whole container fell down on his face.  Thankfully it was not hot... just really messy.

 

Determination

Howard showing determination...

 

So True!

Now, I'm always on a personal quest to drink less soda pop... but nevertheless this remains so true!

Chickens...

As our little twinsies are eating more and more... and as Hubby and I are making efforts to eat healthier we are beginning to understand the reality of feeding a family of five... and we think our next family additions might need to be chickens.

Cooking Show

Hubby and I enjoy different types of cooking shows... many are cooking competitions.

I think I have a new pitch for a competitive cooking show on The Food Network.

You must make dinner for a toddler and two adults with two babies in your arms.  Howard and Caroline have both been more clingy than usual lately, which inspired my idea.  However you hold the two babies is up to you -- sling, backpack, wrap... but both babies have to be on your person, and not crying while you cook.

Also, the dinner you make for the toddler has to be eaten by the toddler -- so it has to be tasty, fun, and pretty enough for her consumption.

Things to keep in mind:

• Just because the toddler loved something yesterday does not mean she will eat it today
• Points will be deducted if either of the babies are burned, jostled, or startled in your cooking process
• Extra points will be awarded if you do not give the toddler a hotdog for dinner 
• Unexpected challenges might include, but are not limited to the doorbell ringing at any moment sending the dog into fits of protective barking (which will scare both babies and the todder), your phone ringing at any time, the babies blowing out a messy diaper at any time, or the toddler spilling foor or drink either accidentally or purposefully...

 

Let the competition begin...

 

 

The Birthday Cake

Chris' family insisted that Tracey Ann have the experience of smashing a cupcake -- a HUGE cupcake at her first birthday party.

It's all fun and games until a one year old hits sugar overload.

Treasuring the Present: The Dusty Boot

We have eaten out with Tracey Ann many times in her seven months of life... but yesterday, was the best experience yet.

In the past, in restaurants, we have engaged in rocking, breast feeding, walking around, playing with toys, eating a little food, and more.

Yesterday, Tracey Ann sat in her little high chair and ate grown up food the ENTIRE time we were at the Dusty Boot.

The four of us were STARVING because we planned to eat up in Vail, but we opted to wait for 30 miles and eat in Eagle.

We ate outside on a beautiful deck, with Lloyd and Gus laying at our feet, and Tracey Ann was an absolute delight.

Hubby and I both commented that it was the best time we have had eating out with Tracey Ann ever.

She started by eating part of a banana, then she was excited to try some of the lettuce we gave her from our lettuce wraps, then pickles and mashed carrots kept her happy for the rest of the meal.

BOTH Hubby and I enjoyed our ENTIRE meal without interruption.  She was a perfect little lady eating at the table with us.

I know there will be good and bad restaurant in the future, but I want to remember this first perfect meal with our sweet Tracey Ann.

First Foods

I'm getting behind on my posts -- usually I like to write my posts in the evenings and have them post first thing the next morning... but we're still working on a bedtime routine for Tracey Ann and so evening blog posts haven't been the easiest to come by lately.

Now that she is six-months old, we have begun introducing Tracey Ann to solid foods.  In our case, that has literally meant SOLID foods -- not pureed baby foods or puffed rice cereal.

I'm inclined to do baby-led weaning with Tracey Ann, which means that we are giving her real food right from the start.  I'm sure a little pureed stuff will work its way in at some point, but so far she has been eating (or playing with) real food -- adult food.

She has tried avocado and banana thus far, and she's only mildly interested in eating.  What I've read says that when children are ready to begin solid foods, they will eat the solid foods.  Prior to that, they're individual body just isn't ready yet.

So far, Tracey Ann seems to be more of a fan of avocado than of banana, and she has some days that she likes it better than others.  Either way, scenes like these are our new normal:

Friends and Laugh

This past weekend, Tracey Ann and I met friends of mine from W&L for lunch halfway between their home and my parents' home.  It was WONDERFUL to reconnect with them, and they are crazy about Tracey Ann.

We ate at a great BBQ place, and the menu had a category that I found hilarious...