What's Cookin'?

As a way to spend a little one on one time with my kids at home I've started giving cooking lessons. The other kids are still around but I can focus on one kid at a time. They all like learning how to cook too. It will be a bonus for Cam and I in the future. 

I've not been the best cooking teacher in the past. I really like to do it myself....less mess....it's quicker and I really enjoy getting into my own "zen" cooking time.

But really the kids are old enough now to take good direction. I started with pancakes. I make pancakes every Saturday morning so it was a good place to begin. Sis was eager to help me.

We make the same recipe every week (Joy of Cooking). I use half whole wheat flour and half white flour. I also use buttermilk when I can. Blueberries are always a favorite add in. 

I help Sis measure the ingredients and she pours them into the bowl. She is great at cracking the eggs. Then I have her use a measuring cup to pour the batter onto our griddle. She added blueberries with a large spoon...sprinkling them on. 

I showed her how to flip the pancakes. Wow! She was a natural. She even patted the tops of them with the spatula. 

She has done pancakes a few times with me now. She can pour and flip all on her own. She likes to make little dollar size pancakes and then switch it up with regular sized ones. 

It's a nice time working together. We put some music on and have fun.....bonding one on one. 

Gingerbread House

I blogged about the things I like to do for the Christmas season. The Gingerbread House is one of the things the kids love. I buy this one at Costco each year. It's fabulous! It's cheap...$13.00. It's easy to assemble...and this year the house is pre-assembled! It comes with everything you need....candy, gingerbread house, frosting. It tastes terrible...that's a bonus for me so I'm not tempted to eat it! :) The kids have been begging to put it together so today was the day!

Everyone had a turn to spread the thick glue like frosting. Side Note: The Toy Story shirt Baby George is wearing has it's own story. He is obsessed with the shirt. He wears it constantly. And, when I finally peel it off of him to wash it....he cries and asks for it every two minutes. It's truly unbearable so I've taken to letting him wear it for 48 hours straight. Don't judge. The second you pull it out of the dryer and let him have it....total bliss.
Serious work spreading goo....I mean frosting.

Tuba's turn.

Time for candy. They spent the whole time saying, "can I eat it". I'm a mean mom and I made them put it all on the house first.

Ta-Da! Finished House!

They are shouting, "Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!". Time to eat it. They loved it. I think my kids have deranged taste buds. ;)

What We're Doing

I had a wonderful Sunday yesterday. I went to church with my Mom. Cam was working and I need extra hands to help with the kids. I had a wonderful surprise too...my Aunt Chris was visiting from out of state! I haven't seen her for a few years and was thrilled to spend the day with her. I have such great memories of my childhood spending time with my Auntie. She loves kids...so it was fun to introduce her to our newest additions. Church was a breeze with two extra helpers (thanks!). After church we went to my Mom's house for lunch and a nice visit.

Here's some pictures of the kids and what they have been up to.

All smiles...such a happy baby.

Sister is BUSY...crawling at warp speed, pulling up, and cruising around...even taking steps between the couch and table! And...she is a major newspaper and magazine shredder!

Growing and growing...Baby George (almost 3 mos.) is closing in on his sister Lydia (9 mos.)!

Busy Guy is getting so mature and has been such a good boy... ie: hasn't flushed any towels down the toilet recently:) Here he is in a traditional Ethiopian outfit. I bought it for him while in Addis 2 years ago. The shirt wouldn't fit over his head and I just got around to fixing the neck hole so he could put it on. I got a picture at least before it's completely too small for him.

Lots of bike riding in the nice Fall weather.

We all went out for a walk/ride around our loop the other day. Cam pulled Sister and Busy Guy in the wagon. I pushed Baby George in the stroller and Mr. P and Tuba rode their bikes. It was a hoot when we had to help push the boys bikes up the hill while still pushing/pulling a wagon or stroller. One of the neighbors came out and said we looked like a parade going by.

Mama's helpers

We made cookies today and Mr. P (wearing his storm trooper costume...that's the best $20.00 I've ever spent!) did all of the scooping onto the cookie sheets all by himself. I went out of the room for a minute and came back to find the job done....perfectly! Busy Guy and Tuba were the chocolate testers today...and stirring helpers too.


And....we got a height/weight update on our sweet baby girl. She weighed 7 lbs. in the beginning of Jan. and now she weighs 10 lbs. and is 22 in. long. I can't wait to see more pics of her and I REALLY can't wait to hold her in my arms!