Gwen Dancing

Did ya get all that?  I didn't think so.  She insists on wearing that skirt every day now.  I think it is very cute.  She dances like this and she doesn't have any dancing Barbie movies or anything like that to show her how people dance.  (although she will gladly accept a copy of that for Christmas Aunt Stephanie)  Her current favorite song is "I've Been Working On The Railroad."  She calls it the "train one" in her monologue.  These little every day moments are so precious to me.

Today

We studied mushrooms today.  We made one out of a toilet roll.

This is what Zeke was doing.  

Bath time giggles.

Big Flake

If you are a long time reader of this blog you know about how I am strangely interested in big corn flakes.  This has to be the largest I've ever found.  It's spectacular! :)

Excited

Just yesterday I received the sticker labels for my homemade vanilla jars.  I think they are so cute and I'm excited to give them as gifts.  Many of you all will receive some of this vanilla, so just look surprised ok?

Something I wasn't so excited about today?  How I left the room for a millisecond and this is what I came back to.  And no, I didn't throw it away.  I rolled it up the best I could and stuck it in the drawer.  Let's just say it looks a little disheveled.

First Dentist's Visit

Here's Gwen with the dentist this morning.  She went back there without me and opened really well for them.  She chose a necklace from the treasure chest afterwards and got a bag of things like a new toothbrush and all.  She looked in the bag and said "WOW it's amazing!"  She's becoming such a big girl!

Meal Plan

cabbage rolls, cut veggies
glazed salmon, rice, zucchini
egg salad sandwiches, ranch bean soup
chicken strips, sweet potatoes, green beans
ambrosia fruit salad, sloppy cornbread, salad and cut veggies

* hummus.. still haven't made it.
*applesauce- my neighbor gave me some great apples and I'm going to make applesauce with it.

Bollywood

Not only do I love Indian food, but I love their culture in many ways.  This song is better than Thriller.



Beki told me about an Indian actor that has a double thumb.  Hum... interesting.  I asked her if that might deter him from being chosen for roles...

Not so much.  Made me laugh... hope it makes you laugh too.

Take A Look

Today we went to a gym for a birthday party.  They had this nifty three seater swing.  Most kids got on there and were afraid once it started...

Not my Gwen!  HA!

Owl Art

Yesterday we made thumb print owls.  Here are the ones I did to show Gwen.

Here are hers.  She also decided she was going to make a "humongous" caterpillar with the pink ink.  Every day she says things that surprise me.  She says things like "oh, I know mommy" (like she has an idea) and "you remember don't you?" and "look mommy, a crescent moon!" and I just stand there in surprise.  She was rolling on the floor yesterday and said "see, it's not too bad" and then cackled out a laugh.  Her prayers are beginning to make sense.  Last night she thanked God for green beans!  Every night she requests the same two songs, Twinkle twinkle little star and Edelweiss.  I'm really enjoying this age with Gwen, except for the fits and constant correcting.  :)  

Processed Food

In my desire to make nourishing foods for my family, I've been reading up about processed foods and what constitutes as processed.  This article really was great.  How much processed foods do you guys eat?

http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/processedfoods.htm

Lenexa Spinach Festival

We went to the Lenexa Spinach Festival today.  I know, a little odd, so that's why I had to go.  Apparently, Lenexa was famous for spinach at one time in the early 1900s.  Here's Gwen on her first pony ride.

Here I am with my little man.  He is a DOLL BABY!

This picture captures Gwen's personality I think.  She has such spirit and is so fun loving.  LOVE HER

Here's Zeke with Popeye and Olive Oil.  Gwen decided she didn't want any part of a picture with the characters.  What a surprise right?

Christmas 06 Owl Spotting

I thought I had a picture of an owl that I saw in Alabama.  I found it and it is a spotted owl just for the record.  Isn't it lovely???

My New Obsession- Owls

It all started with this.



Now Gwen wants to fly around the house like an owl, we've painted an owl picture today, and read a book about owls.  She especially liked looking at the egg pictures.  My favorite kind of owl is the barn owl.  Here it is.  I REALLY want to see one.  BAD.

Before and After- The Kitchen

This is before we moved in.  Country blue plaid wallpaper... gotta love it!

The kitchen is the first room we did.  This is how it is today.  Sorry, I didn't clean up for these photos...but I thought you needed to see how we really live.  We display Gwen's art above the table.  I hope you are enjoying these before and afters as much as I am.  It's been a LONG process.

Our Clock

Pistachio-Basil Pesto

For those of you that have basil plants.  I think next time I'll double the recipe if I have enough basil.  I'm using up the basil before it gets cold and dies!  By the way, I'm so excited... last night I ordered bottles for my homemade vanilla extract and I'm going to order custom stickers to go on as labels!

2 garlic cloves (if you like garlic... add more like I did)
1/2 C shelled pistachios
2 C loosely packed basil
1 T lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 C extra virgin olive oil
1/4 C Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (I used Romano)

1.  Place garlic in food processor; pulse until chopped.  Add pistachios, basil, lemon juice and salt; pulse until nuts are finely chopped.  Add olive oil gradually through food chute and process until well combined.  Add cheese and pulse 2 or 3 times.  Makes about 1 C.  I also added a little water to mine because I wanted it a runnier consistency.  Pesto is great on tomato sandwiches (Ben had last night) or pizza or with pasta.  A little goes a long way.  I froze this in an ice cube tray to use later in winter.

Meal Plan

Cabbage rolls, green beans
grilled shrimp and bell peppers, brown rice
zucchini boats, salad
seasoned chicken, sweet potatoes or broccoli
dal makani mix, chipati
crepes, fruit salad

*pistachio-basil pesto
*hummus

It's beginning to be cooler weather here and so I'm using up my basil before it gets too cold.  I can freeze this pesto in ice cube trays and use whenever.  Hummus is just good to have around this house.  Everyone likes it very much.

Memorial Day and Memories

Ben and the kids.

We went to see Ben's Grandparents this weekend out at the farm and they had some fruit outside and LOADS of butterflies.  We talked about how the butterflies could smell the fruit.  I'm going to have to look that up!

Here's Grandpa seeing how his hat would fit Zeke.

The ladies and sleeping Zeke.

You can always depend on Grandma to bring fireworks.

Me, Beki and Gwen.  So far I'm lost 17lbs.  Got a ways to go, but it's a start!

Gwen and her friend Katie Beth.

Grandma gave me a cookbook and I was greatly disturbed by some of the recipes in there.  Like this page... squirrel pot pie followed by possum.  Um... if you click on the photo you can find out to cook a possum.  NOT for the weak of stomach.  YUCK!

Just Stuff

This is a cucumber we picked from our garden.  I know... pathetic.  Gwen brought it in to show daddy and took a big bite out of it.  She thought it was pretty funny.

Today we had a few of Gwen's friends over to play.  They all were interested in watching her sit on the potty. HA!

Gwen's Room Before and After and Zeke

I thought I'd do a series of before and afters that we've done in our house.  This is what Gwen's room looked like prior to us moving in.

This is after.  I recently put up the corkboard and floating shelf with Gwen's name on it.  Is she a cutie or WHAT?

This will one day be her bed.

I've finally put some toys and books in her room.  Before I didn't do that because she'd get out of bed and read instead of sleep.

Zeke is now doing this tongue thing all the time.  I think it's absolutely adorable.  He is also moving his head side to side and laughing.  I think he might be funny too like Gwen.  I'm really looking forward to the laughs I get from those two.