Good Music

Sometimes Nicolaus and I have the best conversations. I thought I'd share one exchange which really touched me.

We usually listen to PER (Positive Entertainment Radio) in the car. I can't remember what song was playing but from the backseat I hear

Nicolaus: What's this music?

Me: This music is about Jesus and his love for us

Nicolaus: Like in my book?

Me: Yes Sweetie, just like in our books

Nicolaus: I love Jesus

Me: I love Jesus too

Nicolaus: Are we going to meet him?

Me: Who?

Nicolaus: Jesus

Me: Yes Sweetie...someday

Nicolaus: That's GOOD music!

More Words Everyday

It really does seem like Carleigh says a few new words every day. Just this morning she uttered a perfectly recognizable "milk" and even said a half-recognizable "excuse me" when she passed gas at the dinner table (what a proper little lady, I know, but at least she had manners enough to laugh excuse herself).

Carleigh's Words:

Daddy, Momma, Buddy (for Nicolaus), Nanny, Nana (both for her Nana and banana), kitty, pretty, milk, baby, bite, ball, balloon, bubble, please, piece, cheese, more, moo, woof, eyes, teeth, bath, pee-pee, poo-poo

And if this picture doesn't say "DIVA" I don't know what does. And she's only 15 months...

Monday Mac-N-Cheese

It has long been said that humans are creatures of habit. I definitely fall into this stereotype. I like routines, I like lists, I like to know what to expect. My kids are the same way. I swear their nightime routine is the reason they both sleep so well. Every evening we do the same thing--dinner, bath, pjs, story and bed. Every. Single. Night. When we slip up just a little, even if it is to have dinner over at a friend's house and we stay up just a little past the kiddos' bedtime, we pay for it for two to three days.

Part of my routine includes a weekly meal plan and every Monday we have macaroni and cheese for lunch. This weekend, I read a letter sent in by a subscriber of Parenting magazine about how she modifies her instant mac to make it a little bit healthier for her kids. I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. Besides, I still have a hefty supply of organic sweet potato baby food I need to use. The outcome was a really creamy, pretty tastey alternative to regular mac. And, it doesn't make me feel so guilty for feeding the kids something so processed. But hey, we can't all be diva's in the kitchen for every meal...there are other blogs for that.

All you need is:
one box of mac-n-cheese. I used Kraft whole grain.
1 jar organic sweet potato puree/baby food
4 TBS plain greek yogurt

Cook the noodles per the box instructions.

Once you have strained the noodles, stir in the puree, yogurt and cheese powder.

Enjoy!

Note: After this meal, 14 month old Carleigh reached her bowl out and asked for more (the first time she has ever said "more")

Wordless Wednesday | Berry Picking!

Steppin Out Saturday - Oh Yes a New Dress!

Dress: Marshall's

Shoes: Famous Footwear (I think)

Saturday we headed to my Mom's house for her 60th birthday cookout. I thought it the perfect occasion to wear the dress I treated myself to when I went shopping in Charlottesville a month ago. For the last three years I haven't bought any new clothes except for maternity wear. Its the perfect summer dress--light and flowy, goes great with both sanals and flip-flops. I can even wear it as a bathing suit cover up. My only mistake: I should have worn those flip-flops. My feet were killing me after a couple of hours on my feet running around after the kiddos.



Wordless Wednesday

Happy 4th of July!