Just call me Queen of the Squash

My parents tell of this trip that we took across country when I was about 3, I think. They say that all I ate (just about) was cherry tomatoes and french fries. Not that I would eat one or two cherry tomatoes but bowls full.

Always a fan of french fries but there isn't much better than picking those small, gorgeous, red, juicy gems off their vines and plopping them straight in my mouth. (After a quick rub on my shirt for proper sanitizing.) Yummy! I ate them yesterday and today until my mouth hurt and I'll probably do it again tomorrow! Hey I might get on the raw band wagon yet... when I went to pick on Saturday my lunch consisted of them and raspberries and I think even my son was happy with that meal!

Here's a picture of stuff that we harvested today from our garden. Yes, the big huge white summer squash was overlooked! So not only have we been eating zucchini three or four nights a week for several weeks now but I've got summer squash coming on and the yellow guys (which I was supposed to pick smaller too.) Not to mention that still in the garden is acorn, butternut and banana squash each awaiting peak ripeness.

In the basket are some light green peppers, tomatoes and basil. Just so I remember, three basil plants does not yield the amount of pesto that I'd love to have been able to freeze. I'll need to double that for next year - maybe inplace of one or two squash hills.

Seriously, the acorn and butternut were volunteers from my compost bin and I was curious what kind they were, so I let them grow. Alas, we just might start getting a thicker green skin by the end of this growing season...even the baby girl eats zucchini now too!

Done.

I've loved the Olympics they are really the only sporting event that I enjoy. (Other than the occasional Yankee game) As much as I enjoyed them, I am currently happy they are through. Hoping that an earlier bed time will ensue. Alas, now I'm sitting here blogging instead of going to bed!

We've been getting teeth here...my daughter got one bottom tooth a couple weeks before her birthday and one more this past week. Now I think she's working on the top ones, yikes. Lots of screaming but still tons of the usual giggling and happy playing. So really it's not so bad!

My son is now four, 4 - a number he recognizes along with most others up to 20. He seems to have inherited my quest for knowledge because he seriously would rather do some of the school workbooks I got for him instead of coloring. We are working on that since I think coloring happens to be an important skill for a four year old.

Happy 4th birthday my wonderful, rough and tumble son! I love you.

Since it's been a busy week...

...some party pictures!

Unsure...

You've been holding out Mommy, this is yummy!!!

My little four year old!!

After writing about my cake obsessions I was offered the cool train pan which made the perfect cake - thanks to my hubby and to Grandma for assisting with the decorating. I also receive a wonderful easy to frost recipe from Linds thanks you guys!

You can see the cute little butterfly cupcakes in the first picture before it gets torn apart. All in all I think a successful day!

Birthday Girl in pictures...

I love you my little one year old!!!

Blue

I took a break. Imagine that, I'm editing pictures and reading blogs when I hear little feet above me. I actually thought he would nap today since we've had four late nights in a row already.

Of all the ways to word things I ask, "Why are you not asleep."

And the little almost four year old voice answers, "Because I keep going downstairs and eating blueberries."

Ah, we will survive this day - at least we've gotten plenty of antioxidants!

Opening Ceremonies

Birthday Obsessions

This weekend we'll be having a birthday BBQ for our little ones since their birthdays are eight days apart. I'll be trying my hand at a Thomas the tank engine cake as well as making a bunch of butterfly carrot cake cupcakes.

My husband says that once I get something in my head I obsess over it until it happens. He's never going to let me forget my obsession with baby carriers during my last pregnancy, every time he would look at my computer I'd have another style that I was looking at. I did find all different kinds of styles that I wanted even though I already had two. Ahem, I think it's up to six now but who's counting anyway! (Yes, all of them are well used.)

Back to my point, I'm now obsessing over which cakes to make, what kinds and how to decorate. I'm obsessing and I need someone to share it with since my wonderful and loving husbands eyes glaze over the instant I begin sharing details of the entire thing. Since I can't see all your eyes glazing I thought of all my dearest friends in blog land. So my friends, here's what I've found.

If I were more like Martha Stewart I'd make my son his Thomas the Train cake to look more likethis one at Glads Passion. Isn't it just gorgeous? As it is I'll be lucky to make one that looks anywhere close to this one. Which I do think is very cute!

I really do enjoy the way fondant looks on a cake, but I just don't enjoy eating it. Since taste is at least half of reason to make the cake I'm just not motivated to even try to use it. It seems like it might be fun, like working with clay so who knows, maybe I'll have to try it once.

As for the butterfly cupcakes, there are a couple of different options I've found. I really like these with the chocolate wings. It just seems like a bunch more work having to make those delicate little wings. Especially, when these would be half as much work and still very cute.

I think it will depend on time. Especially since I need to do a total overhaul in every room of our house, cleaning wise. I should be obsessing about that! Not to mention that every evening this week is vacation bible school at church - late nights, busy chaotic days and early mornings = we might just be eating plainly iced cake and cupcakes not that my kids will really care.

I put a ton of importance on a home made birthday cake. It's something I remember feeling really great that my Mom usually did for us. Last year since I had a 12 day old baby at my sons party my hubby overruled and bought a cake. (My wonderful Mom still made my son one for his real birthday!) So for me it doesn't matter whether it looks like perfectly frosted perfection. It is a challenge and work from the heart that will in some small way show my love for them.

Sunday

I enjoy several blogs who include Sundays with bible verses and or devotions. I've always wanted to start something like it but I always doubt my own knowledge. Today I started realizing that it could be a good way to increase my knowledge, imagine that, learning by doing!

So I'm not committing to every Sunday but I'm going to try for a couple a month matching up some verses to what is going on in the Butterfly home. For this week it's one I've put above my sink where I'm our dishwasher!

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, as children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14,15

Stop, Thief!

Seriously, my dog eats the raspberries. Hello! And he nibbles away at the ones just before they are ripe enough to pick. Between him and my son I think I've eaten two!

But seriously today at the mall I parked my daughter in the stroller next to a table with folded shirts on it while I was looking at another item. I turn around and she's dumped them all on to the floor. (Mental reminder of why I usually carry her around.)

After I've unloaded kids and items from the stroller back at the car in the 95 degree heat I see this random shirt in the bottom of the stroller. Hello! I stole a shirt.

Kids were already buckled, it was nap time, and I had apparently already got away with it so I decided not to go all the way back. (terrible!?)

Good thing my hubby works just down the way so Children's Place you will be getting your little shirt back tomorrow!

Hopefully we're done with the confessions!

Zucchini coming out of your ears???

Anyone who's ever planted them in the garden knows that before long there is more zucchini coming off the plants than we know what to do with. We pick them small and tender at first eager for another years harvest. Steaming, sauteing, and then eventually they get big and huge and we stuff them and grate them into breads.

I thought others might be interested in trying some new recipes I've come across this year that my family is just loving. If we're gonna eat it all week long might as well add some new recipes in there!

Savory Pancakes (This recipe lends well to rice flour and rice milk to make it dairy and gluten free) 1/2 cup flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1 egg 1/4 cup milk 2 cups grated zucchini* 2 small scallions, diced vegetable oil sour cream and salsa (optional)

Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, whisk the egg and milk, then stir in veggies. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and combine thoroughly.

Add 1 T oil to a skillet over medium heat, when oil is hot, spoon the batter into the pan, about 1/3 cup per pancake for approx. 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

*Can also substitute one cup carrots for one of the cups of zucchini or 1 cup yellow squash.

My other recipe, isn't really a recipe, it's more like something I just throw together. Veggie Lasagna. Basically I just make the lasagna noodles (we use gluten free ones) and while those are cooking I make my pasta sauce. In another saute pan I add maybe 3 cups of 1/2 inch zucchini slices, olive oil, garlic (lots of it - yummy!), onions, pine nuts really whatever I have around (I've thrown in leftover broccoli and spinach too). Season with your favorite spices or herbs. Then I layer the noodles, veggies and sauce (you can add cheese if you eat it but we all enjoy it without.) and bake just for 15 or 20 minutes to let the flavors blend together.

Yummy, I was just thinking that this might be yummy with pesto sauce too. I am so addicted! We are having pesto on our homemade gluten free pizza now too and it is SO yummy!

Simply Perfect

My almost one year old is finally jumping onto the solid food bandwagon! As our weaning road begins to take shape, she nurses almost exclusively before naps and at night. Naptime is simply perfect. I never want to give up this opportunity to lie down with my little beauty.

Yes, usually I'm pestering my almost four year old to keep it down and that quiet time means Q.U.I.E.T. or impatiently waiting to do one of the million things on my to do list. Recently however, I’ve been overwhelmed and I’m finding solace in the simple. Time where I am just there with my daughter. Thinking about how much bigger her head is than it was almost a year ago. Breathing in the sweet smell of her while tucking a stray wisp of hair back behind a tiny ear, knowing it will never again be this small.

Sometimes she is so busy that she'll begin attempting calisthenics. Rolling onto her tummy, keeping her head fairly still, she’ll walk her feet up actually lifting her bottom off the bed. Softly I place my hand on her chubby, rosy cheek whispering a reminder that it's time to be going sleepy. Gently I'll pull her lower body close, letting the weight of my arm rest there, holding her still enough for sleep to wash over her.

While last week I was comforted skimming words and silently turning pages, this week I find myself scanning a gorgeous face, memorizing the exact hues of blue in her eyes and beautiful red of her lips. My thoughts wander a bit to the sandy blonde wisps of hair, curious if the hint of strawberry will fade away as more years pass.

Tiny fingers clasp my seemingly giant index finger so softly at first and then strongly they pull my finger toward her chest right below her chin. Tiny toes tickle my pale stretch marked tummy as her little eyelids do touch and goes.

I linger a bit longer, knowing that dishes can wait for a Mommy to marvel over a miracle of life. My own breathing a bit slower, my spirit revived and my heart full, admiring the innocent look of peace sleep brings over my daughter’s face. I soften my footsteps out the door and down the stairs knowing that so much more than perfect nutrition was just shared.

Six things of randomness...

Ashlee from mama's nest tagged me to play along and share six random facts about myself.

1. I am currently addicted to reading anything by Dee Henderson. A very good friend lent me a couple of her books for our trip to San Diego last Thanksgiving and I've read at least one a month since then. And while we are on the subject of reading I'm anal about reading every single word. If I think I skipped one word, I'll read the entire sentence again...a speed reader I am not!
2. I love pesto sauce. (We make it without the parm- just a couple handfuls of basil from the garden, a couple - or more - cloves garlic, a handful of pine nuts, a sprinkling of kosher salt and about a third of a cup of olive oil blended together.) Pure heaven to me lately!
3. I am quite technically challenged. I am confident that I could learn much more than I currently know about computers and other high tech stuff but since my husband is quite proficient at it, I trust his judgment and I just learn what I need. I figure it saves time that way. Not to mention technology doesn't always like me either. We had a computer when we lived in CA that would flash an error every time I used it and sometimes when Adam would be using it and I entered the room. It was sort of freaky.
4. My Gramp taught me how to water ski when I was a kid on our annual visits. When I was in high school and dying to learn how to ski with a single he was SO patient and for probably more than an hour since I just couldn't seem to get passed all the spray in my face and make it up. He suggested a break to rest my legs and I reluctantly laid on the dock for a bit. I can remember the first time I got up he smiled a wonderful grin and drove the boat on - so much fun. Now I'm realy wanting to spend a day out on the water :)
5. The last week or so I have a vendetta against squash bugs. Three years ago they invaded my garden and were all over every plant. I'm keeping them in check pretty well this year but they seem to like just a couple plants so I go out and squish them in the evening after I get kids to bed. It's sort of satisfying for some odd reason!
6. I used to be way more spontaneous and carefree before I had kids. Lately, I've been really missing that (not that I'm wanting to go skinny dipping or anything) just doing something here or there to keep the days from being so monotonous!

THE RULES: Link to the person who tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Write six random things about yourself. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website. Let your tagger know when your blog entry is up.

I'm gonna break the rules and say if you feel like you want to share six random things about yourself - please do and let me know in the comments.

Enough said.

Walkin' on Sunshine!!!

I'm apparently on the other end of the parenting spectrum, the last couple of days have totally rocked. I'm starting to self diagnose with a common disorder called Teething psychosis/Mommy guilto-sleepyphrenia!

I thought I would share a few milestones from the last few days since there have been quite a few.

My son (thanks to a new sticker book from Grandma) can now sort things from smallest to biggest (and reverse) and has learned several opposites as well as the seasons. He also sat there and concentrated on the book - would ask me for the instructions - for about an hour. I think homeschooling preschool this year is going to be fun. We bought a couple of work books the other day to help us and he's already asking to do school.

My daughter has a list of fun new skills. Today she said MAMA for the first time (not counting when she's said it in a screaming fit). To ice the cake, she said it all day long - ah, it was great! She's signing all done at meals and says her da-da with an occasional wa-da sound for water. Her voice has the cutest little inflection when she says uh-oh (big brother was very proud to teach her how to say that one.) She's getting the knack of going downstairs on her tummy and (this one's a bummer for me) she can open up all kitchen (and bathroom) drawers and cabinets. Oh my goodness is she a busy little one!

Alas, I have a kitchen full of dishes to scrub - I can't believe that my Grandparents never had a dishwasher. I can remember being home from college and up at my Bobo's house and helping him with the dishes. I said to him, "I never realized that you don't have a dishwasher." He replied, "I do", he paused and I looked around again "it's me."

So now I'm our dishwasher and it's sort of fun when I can put it in perspective. At least I'm in great company. When I'm making lots of stuff from scratch there are quite a lot of dishes so it's a bit of a challenge that I'm prepared to keep doing. I really am not motivated to buy another cheap one that's not going to work for very long or very well AND I'm certainly not ready to part with the amount of money it will take to buy a nice one that will polish them to a clean mirrored shine.

Oh, and Linds...I thought I had your email, but I can't find it. I think the only thing other than teaching three pilates classes a week that's helped me to loose all my baby fat is nursing my little one on demand. No pacifiers, or bottles etc. not to mention that she's just in the last couple of months become interested in table food. I'm sure that has been the key, since I'm the smallest I've been in my adult life. As she weans I'll most likely put on a little more pudge again! After my son started eating solids(quite a bit earlier than her) I gained back a full size. So we'll see what happens this time. Sorry, I wish I had a secret that everyone could take part in!!

Can someone please tell me...

...where my baby girl went??? And how is it that she's already climbing and standing???

She is up the stairs in a blink if the gate isn't up and her brother cheers her on. (Like it's a good thing the baby can get to the top all by herself in 30 seconds flat.) I'm encouraging him to teach her how to come down safely.

She's in her last month being zero and (I know I constantly say this) but I don't know where the year has gone. It's hard to believe that last year at this time I was almost 70 pounds heavier than I am now (yikes!)

Luckily she still lets me wear her around much of the time which give us both some extra time together now that she's so busy! Even though from the set of pictures at my sister's wedding it looks like she's still very interested in what her big brother and the rest of the big kids are up to without her.

Better

It helps to write stuff out, listen to encouraging comments and talk to other Moms ...you find out that some stuff you are certain only your kids do is just not the case.

I've decided that since I am in this for the long haul, I'll need a life jacket! 'Cause Lord knows, I can't do this alone.

Oh, and today while my baby was fussing and not wanting to nap I was rocking and singing to her while my son ate a snack. He turned all of a sudden and said "Mommy, you're doing a great job." So we're going with Great today!

It's not that there's nothing bloggable going on,

for goodness sake my son told our entire church during the kids story on Sunday that our house has no dust!!! God bless that boy! I've been meaning all week to show him what it is and teach him how to get rid of it...then he'll be telling the truth!

"I planted these seeds Mommy and now they are zucchikinnis." (kinnis for short)

Dinner tonight was a new Alton Brown favorite accompanied by the first real zucchini crop and corn yummy!! We've had the last two wonderful days with Daddy home, done some housework and even got out just the two of us.

So why am I in a bit of a funk, I just don't know for sure. I do know that I'm incredibly blessed - I know it with every fiber of my being. Why then do I get so, angry/upset/hormonal about stuff? I live in a house - not a bungalow, have all the modern appliances that one needs (including a dishwasher that does nothing but bake the food onto the dishes so that's the only - by hand.) But at least that is in a sink with hot running water - not a river bed or something.

It feels fake to leave everything on this blog so happy-go-lucky fluttering up in the clouds about life when really I'm down here on the ground.. scratch that.. I'm down here in this ravine just trying to keep my head above the water.

There are days like the last two before today that I can barely tread water, I'm sinking and I have to yank out a reed to get a screeching gasp. Keeping up with the essentials seems like racing in a triathlon.

Overwhelmed is a feeling I deal with daily almost as far back as I can remember. In college, since I also procrastinate, I can remember just sitting in the library looking at a stack of books not knowing where to start. I feel constantly like I'm making the wrong decision - over analyzing, under analyzing, not researching some parenting thing enough or just not being consistent with the type of parenting from day to day.

I keep thinking someday I'll have to apologize to my son since he's the oldest for being the guinea pig. Then today I realized that while I have more tricks up my sleeve the second time around, a different child calls for even different facets of parenting. Tonight I learned that my daughter will fall back to sleep by me simply slightly bouncing her (her laying on her tummy) with my hand on her bottom. So much shorter than a huge nursing session - seriously it takes me humming just one verse of Amazing Grace! Not that I'm done nursing or anything but she's almost one (instert pathetic little cry here ;0) ) and has been waking up every hour or two and I'm sore and she's teething so we can use a few less nursing moments.

What it comes down to is encouragement and commitment and attitude and love. Among others, lots and lots of love! The days like today have there struggles, in spite of those (or because of them) we learn, grow and wonder about what tomorrow might bring. Yes, almost four year old boys are too rough and yes they push the boundaries but isn't that what they are supposed to do to learn themselves. Maybe in their own way they are telling us that if they are still making the same mistakes after many months, Mom might need to change her approach?

These times when we struggle to keep from drowning and win the parenting battles are rough but how much brighter the sun will look when find sure footing looking up at our beautiful kids growing in the blink of an eye.

Arr matie!

We have been doing some thinking outside the box with our parenting lately because some things just ain't workin' any more. Probably having so many changes - traveling without Daddy for 10 days didn't really help anything. Then coming home to no regular routine isn't helping either, late nights early morning swimming lessons, it's a lot for a little boy to take in.

Last night Adam left him in his vacant bedroom (from efforts the night before) and said, "Well honey I told him that his bed was a really cool ship and the room was the water. I told him to stay on the fun ship until morning. Then I swam out of the room" I told him that was a great idea, hopefully it would work.

About 15 minutes later we hear pitter patter of feet above our heads, Adam walks to the bottom of the stairs and says, "What are you doing out of your ship."

Our wonderful son simply replies," I pulled the plug and the water went down the drain."

Next.

Oh ME!

I am constantly visiting blogs that make me feel like mine is just a glorified picture posting board - I do love photos after all. So many people in this world have been gifted with a wonderful talent to write and I'm grateful they do.

One such blog that I have been enjoying for awhile is Green Inventions Central and the last post describes exactly what I feel when I go shopping for myself (which I generally dread) It's titled Deliver Us From Me-Ville if you want to pop on over for a read and I'll be putting the referenced book on my wish list! ;)

I used to think that I didn't like to shop because no one would ever come over to help me. Adam and I would both go to Nordstrom's say and he'd have someone help him in all of the departments. After awhile, I'd come up with my stuff giving his guy the commissions on my items too - since no one would help me.

With age I've learned that sales people can read me from a mile away. They know that I'm not going to by those $500 shoes and that nothing they say will convince me that my feet are worth it. Now I do have had a pair of $50 black flip flops that are on their fourth season, some people would say that's an expensive pair of flips. I wear them ever day - all spring and summer long (at least 6 out of 7 days seriously) that's only about $12.50 a season and they are still the most comfy shoes I've got.

My point is go read LL's version - it's way more better!

I love you more today than yesterday!

Happy anniversary, my love! It's hard to believe it's been six years! What a wonderful day it was and each one after have been. I'm so forever grateful to have found my one and only. ILYM!!!!