The Genius Cooks

Recently, I decided to try and start getting the girls to help cook on  a more regular basis, but also to make it special one-on-one time.  The Genius was up first.  She chose grilled chicken, rice and pot stickers (well mommy may have suggested the menu....).  She did GREAT!  She even loaded the dishwasher and washed the counters and a few dishes.  I loved the time just with her.  She loved learning all about cooking.  Because it was just the two of us we discussed measurements and how to read and follow a recipe, I let her use a REAL knife, turn on burners and stir boiling water and stuff. It was awesome and her meal was delicious!!!

Transition

I have weaned the Professor onto a cup!  We have not nursed in almost two weeks now.  He pretty much will only drink from a straw cup but that is fine with me.  He also hates formula and refuses to drink it (can't blame him) so I am still pumping.  But the little guy has teeth and he was a biter.  Nothing was getting him to stop.  I have had to supplement some because the pumps are just not as effective as a baby.  We have been using goats milk.  I am sure some of you think that is totally freaky, but the research says otherwise.  He loves it!  We are also introducing whole milk, full fat, organic yogurt.  I cannot wait to see what he thinks of it!  Even though it was hard on ME emotionally to quit nursing him, he handled it just fine! He had one sort of fussy day and that was it.  In fact, he seems much more content now.  He was getting up 1-2 times a night and now he is sleeping 11 hours EVERY single night and has completely put himself on a schedule!  This served as a good reminder to me that in parenthood things never go as planned.  I nursed the Professor longer than either of the girls and had planned to nurse him for the first year.  But, things change.  Life happens.  Part of being a parent is being able to let those expectations go and realize that it really is ok.  You plan to not let your child have sweets til they are two, but someone slips them some ice-cream, it really will be ok.  You never want to yell, but one day you do, but guess what?  It really is ok!  Our kids are well-loved, happy, healthy and surrounded by friends and family who love them and we could not ask for more...except for a job for my husband =)
Have a great weekend!

From one big sister to another

We have some friends at our church who were pregnant with their third child.  Their other two children are 4 and 8.  Their 8 year old daughter is in class with the Genius.  Our friends had their daughter a few days ago.  Their 8 year old daughter was excitedly telling the Genius that she was a big sister again and how neat it was.  The Genius told her, "Well enjoy it. They grow up SO fast!"  LOL!

Cabbage Soup

I have to share this new recipe.  It is awesome and really healthy for you as well.

Cut up 3-4 potatoes (skin on) into small bite-size pieces.  In a covered skillet, cook the potatoes in a few tablespoons of olive oil.  Keep them covered and stir occassionally, til the potatoes are getting soft and little brown.  Then add in 1 chopped onion and 4 cloves of chopped garlic.  add in a dash of pepper. Cook about 2 minutes.
Put into crock pot, along with 5 cups chicken broth, half a head of finely chopped cabbage and 2 cans of rinsed and drained white beans.  Cook on low for about 6 hours and enjoy!

Enter it into a calorie counter site.  It makes about 12 servings and is less than 300 calories a bowl!  So yummy and full of fiber and quite a few vitamins.

Let me know if you try this one!

Grass

We had some spring-like weather and I took the Professor outside to enjoy the grass for the first time.  He was so cute!  At first he just sat.  Then he kinda patted the grass.  Then he started whacking the grass.  THEN he started grabbing fistfulls of grass and trying to eat it.  LOL!  He is a cutie!!!

Siblings

Love these three kids!!

A Book Review

I do not know about you, but I LOVE a good Christian fiction book about the Amish.  But what I love even more is THREE Christian fiction books about the Amish all in one book!  That is exactly what I got in the book What the Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller.  This book is a collection of three different stories.  A Miracle for Miriam, A Place of His Own, and What the Heart Sees.  Each story has characters that stay with you.  You want to keep reading and learning about Miriam, Seth, Josiah, Amanda, Ellie and Christopher.  The characters really seem to come to life and the stories draw you in.  As a stay-at-home mommy, I was quite tempted to stay up late and finish the stories!  I also loved that the collection includes some Amish recipes and also a guide if you are part of a reading group.  And for $14.99 you cannot beat the value…remember…it is THREE books in one for the price.  If you are searching for a good, uplifting read, please make sure you check out this book.