Key to Evie's heart

Even though I stay at home, home school, daddy comes home every night, and such, intentional special fun time with the kids gets missed. So our family dates are a weekly time just to have fun with our kids. After dinner we usually head to our favorite ice cream shop Mallards. We tend not to mention it to Everett just in case time runs out on our way to the free show at the library. As we parked he asked if we were in fact getting ice cream! Yes. "Wow, mom and dad, you love me". Ok, I'll take it.

Seeds

I totally shy away from growing things other than kids. This however is a surprise to everyone, especially me. A sprout! We planted this watermelon seed (it's all we had on hand) back when we were studying creation and the days of the week. That was so long ago. I was not surprised to not to see any growth, yet frustrated as we head into the planting and growing seasons. Until Monday. Yeah, one little survivor.

None to soon as today was our first day out on the farm. Along with attempting our own garden (not counting our vegetables before they are picked), we will be doing all the same work and harvest for our local food bank. There is a designated farm in our area where volunteers prep, sow, weed, care, and harvest food to be donated to the food bank. We had a great time establishing the rows and getting dirty with grandma.

One gentleman asked how old Everett was. After I told him that he just turned 5 he was shocked. He said that he had a grandson a little younger than that, but you would not get nearly the same amount of hard work from him. He was impressed and I was proud! Thank you Lord for such a great kids. Our prayers at night are that people would see something special about us and that they would come to know that it is Jesus. Amen.

Evie's Skills!

Evie fell in love with Legos about 6 months ago. One of our friends, Nic, stayed with the kids for one of our date nights. Before that night, he made simple things. Ever since then he has made "complex creations". He now brings us transportation devices that I can recognize as such. My question has changed from "what is it?" or "tell me about it" to "what are its special powers?" and "what is its mission or job?" There is usually (a long) explanation as to its purpose or past. They are very cool and we are very proud and impressed. Way to go Evie!!!

His latest talent has been the near mastery of our (my) coffee maker. For the last two Saturdays, I have watched from my pillow as he does all that is needed (yes needed) to make a fresh pot of coffee! Smart kid. It's like dangling a carrot. "Come on Moma. You can get up. The coffee is hot and ready. Come on Moma. You can do it . . . " Like I said, smart kid! And I love him for it (being Evie, not a barrista) although it is really good. Nothing compaired to the coffee I used to make my parents.

Can't believe it

So this is how my day started. Cuddled up in my favorite blanket, sipping my leagal additive simulant, with my son on my lap doing what we call "math sticks", soaking in the teasingly nice weather we have had lately. It was so nice. All my favorite things in one chair. I just kept inhailing it all.

And this is how my day ended. Homemade Pudding . . . with avacado. No wait it was good. The fact that it was healthy and my children gobbled it was even more amazing.

Yum Yums

Yes that is their technicall name.

Boil 1 min:
1 c karo syrup
1 c sugar
1 T water

Reduce heat to low, add:
1 c peanut butter (soy butter works too)
1 t vanilla
6.5 c rice krispies

Spread out into 9x13 pan

Topping:
melt 1 small bag chocolate chips AND
1 small bag of butterscotch chips.
pour over rice crispies. Cut when cool.

Yep, we ate all of these too. Guess we need to make more so we have a picture to post. Darn!

Power Breakfast Cookies

Mix:
1 c wheat germ or bran
1.5 c flour (we only use whole wheat)
1.5 c oats
1 t baking soda
2 t cinnamon
2 scoops flax seed

Mash:
1/2 c applesauce or sweet potatoes
1/2 c tofu
1 c honey

Combine all. Add:
1 c dried fruit (raisens, cranberries, . . . )
1/4 c chocolate chips

Form into 1 in balls. Place onto cookie sheet. Flatten to 1/4 in. Bake @ 350 for 10-12 min.
I would love to show you what these look like, but we ate them all. Guess I will have to make more.

Proof?

I needed just a few minutes to get things going in the kitchen, so I gave Isobel one of her favorite snacks. She is totally injoying her frozen blueberries. I happened to be talking to my sister at the time and she said the outfit, or lack of it, reminded her of Everett when he was 2 1/2 years old. Can't seem to find that picture right now, but it is the one of him only wearing green boots while playing in a soapy sink. Proof they are related . . . or bussy moma using whatever she can to her advantage in the early dinner hours?

I have a lot to get caught up on, but let me start with the current. How about Valentines Day. We hosted our 2nd "neighbors breakfast". Waffles, quiche, coffee and friends. Good start for the day. Next was a Valentines party at my friends house in Blaine. Evie collectivly calls them "the Slocums". Anyway, we made valentines, played games, ate lunch, decorated cookies then delivered our valentines to residents at a local nursing home. They loved seeing the 12 children and some esspecially liked Everett's armpit skills (oh what parental joy). He went with spiked hair (his request so as to look special). We came home to a delivered Valentines Dinner from Ian's parents. Steaks for us, corndogs and doughnuts for the kids, a candle and some wine (the bottled stuff, not what I hear all day). I was planning steak for us anyway and this was my way of presenting it to Ian. He in turn presented me with a bouquet . . of coffee!!! Whoo hoo.

Look who is here! More to come soon