Tie The Knot

We've probably been remiss in our parenting duties regarding Nate's ability to tie his shoes. When he started Kindergarten, I got him some tie tennis shoes and he wore them almost everyday until December. At which point, I got tired of picking him up at school with untied shoes. So I got him some slip-on Merrells. We were both very happy.

It's not that I didn't want to teach him how to tie his shoes, but he really didn't want to learn and I decided that was a fight I didn't need to have. And besides, as experience has shown me, skills like this have a higher success rate with Nate if you let it be his idea.

About a month ago, he asked if I would teach him how to tie his shoes and we worked on it for maybe 15 minutes. He got a little frustrated and decided to just wear his slip-on shoes.

Well this past Sunday morning, he decided it was time. We worked on it for a few minutes, but then I got in a hurry and tied them for him.

This is him on Monday morning. My mom worked with him for a few more minutes and he went to school with his shoes tied by him. I had my doubts they would stay tied, but I resisted the urge to go tie them again. Gotta love the tongue hanging out in concentration. That's so me.

Lo and behold, when I picked him up, his shoes were tied! I asked him how many times he had to tie them and he said, "Only 2 times. But double knots both times." So proud!

On Tuesday morning, I asked him if he wanted to wear his tennis shoes and he of course said yes. I walked away and the next minute he comes up to me to ask a question with both shoes tied like it ain't no big thang.

Well. Check that off the list.

Sunny Sunday

I think all my complaining letters to Winter last year really worked. I know the words "mild winter" are all the rage right now, and I can say I'm truly thankful. This winter has been so easy. I know we're not completely out of the woods yet (Exhibit A: March Last Year), but at least we're close. And each day without snow is one day closer to real Spring. Yip-pee.

Scott was out of town this weekend (skiing with his Dad to celebrate Paka's 60th birthday - why you would choose to go where snow is, I'm not sure). My Mom came up to keep us company on Sunday and I was so thankful she did.  I can totally take care of the kids by myself, but it gets lonely without another adult! I appreciate her coming so much and was sad when she had to leave. Thank you, Mom.

We went to the Botanical Gardens on Sunday morning and it was beautiful - not quite as beautiful as it will be in a couple months, but just being outside was glorious. It was a tad chilly in the morning but it turned out to be a perfect day.

Lila loved to run/walk/stomp all over the place and she only had to be carried when we needed to cover some ground.  She can walk the same 20 steps over and over again. So much for the stroller.

Nate took his journal and sat down to draw every now and then. Such an observer. I'll need to remember to take him back by himself so that we can both sit and reflect.

There were some flowers out and many buds getting ready to bloom. I hope Winter doesn't harm them, but again, maybe my letters worked.

It was hard to get a picture of the three of them all looking but this one will do.

Lila about to jump in the pool. Literally.

It was equally as hard getting a picture of these two so I'm settling for one where there are at least in the same frame. I'd like to say it was a coincidence that they are wearing matching red. But alas, it is no coincidence. I totally did that on purpose. Can't pass up a possible photo op!

Here's to the final week of February. Hopefully March brings some awesome weather. 

Recipe Monday

This is a Taste of Home recipe from a few years ago and it is so tasty! I used skim milk instead of whipping cream, so mine was not as creamy but still tasted good nonetheless and was a little more healthy. You can also use the white wine vinegar/water combo OR white grape juice in place of the white wine. Either tastes fab. If you're like me, you don't want to open a whole bottle of wine for cooking purposes especially if you don't plan on having a glass with dinner. I didn't use fresh sage leaves, but instead used some sprinkles out of a spice jar.

Penne Gorgonzola Pasta with Chicken (http://www.tasteofhome.com/)

•1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta

•1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

•1 tablespoon olive oil

•1 large garlic clove, minced

•1/4 cup white wine

•1 cup heavy whipping cream

•1/4 cup chicken broth

•2 cups (8 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

•6 to 8 fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced

•Salt and pepper to taste

•Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and minced fresh parsley


•Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in oil on all sides. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan.

•Add cream and broth; cook until sauce is slightly thickened and chicken is no longer pink. Stir in the Gorgonzola cheese, sage, salt and pepper; cook just until cheese is melted.

•Drain pasta; toss with sauce. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and parsley. Yield: 8 servings.

Enjoy!

Sometimes...

Sometimes I can't believe Kindergarten will be behind us in approximately 3 months. 

Sometimes on non-work days, I have to put the kids in the car just so I can sit down for a few minutes.

Sometimes I forget how big Nate is getting. Until he tells me he knows what OMG means.

Sometimes I worry about life after Kitty Paus.

Sometimes I wonder how many M&Ms I will have to eat to get through the next Missouri Tiger basketball game.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that a routine is better than an exact time schedule. But not often.

Sometimes I'm amazed that Nate's school has menu options such as Lemon Couscous Parfait and Mexican Platter with Roasted Salsa. No joke.

Sometimes I'm embarassed when Lila's teachers tell me they know she is feeling better because she is back to making fun of them and bossing them around.

Sometimes I'm in disbelief that I will be halfway through my thirties very soon.

Sometimes (or all the time) I'm excited that we will add 2 new babies to our family this year. And 1 new one to our friend family. All in the same week.

KC 2012

We were lucky enough to spend this past weekend in Kansas City with our dearest friends, the Pooleys. It is truly such a blessing that we found them in Nashville so many years ago! Our kids have a great time together and it is fun to see them develop their own friendships.

The picture quality is terrible here, but I had to showcase Lila's teeth brushing skills. She loves to brush her teeth! She even likes to climb up on the stool and get you to rinse it off for her.  Oh this girl, so funny.



We headed to Kaliedoscope on Saturday morning.  Nate and Quinn were in heaven with all the art supplies and crafts to make. We haven't been in a couple years and I could really tell the difference in Nate's interest, not to mention self-direction skills.

Sweet Sullivan! This is the only picture I got of her, sadly. She is so very cute and tried very hard to keep up with the big kids! Next time we see them, hopefully Lila will be able to hang with her!

Lila at Wonderscope - Kansas City's Children's Museum. It is in an old school and the kids did enjoy all the different rooms. 

She can't be this big!! She was just a tiny baby in Nashville:) Quinn is such a poised young lady and she and Nate had a ball together.

Nate checking out the doctor section - I thought he would go googly eyed over it but he didn't. Just when I thought I knew what he liked:)

Lila found fun just about everywhere she went!

Nate's favorite room (I did know that) - the art room.

I couldn't help but take a picture of this toilet made out of Legos. The Lego exhibit was a little weird - I didn't really get it, but this was supposed to be an underwater station made out of Legos. I guess a bathroom was only natural?

Nate really liked this suction tube where you put the scarf in and then it blew it out. It was pretty neat, although it doesn't sound like it after putting it in writing!

The water room - Nate liked all of the tubes and pipes to build tunnels.

We had a fabulous time and can't wait to see our friends again! Ryan, Audra, Quinn & Sullivan - we treasure every moment and appreciate your friendship so much!

CrockPot Recipes Needed

I am really slacking off in the recipe department.  The last few weeks have been crazy busy and I've had to use up almost all my pre-made freezer meals.  I guess that's what they are there for anyway:) But there is just something ultra-comforting about having pre-made meals stacked in the freezer. Yes, I'm weird.

I know I've said countless times before that I love my crockpot. Some of my friends even have crockpot envy. My sweet mother-in-law got it for me for my birthday a few years ago.  It is a Hamilton-Beach "Set It and Forget It." You can set the desired temperature, insert the probe into the meat, and the crockpot will switch to warm when it is reached. No more scorched food.

I say all this to say, I really need some new crockpot recipes! Please help! I look at so many websites, but haven't found anything that really stuck out to me in a while. I know you must have a favorite that I need to cook! Leave me a comment!

Belated Valentine's Day

What a week! I've been in Nashville this week and our littlest one has been pretty sick. She's had a virus, very high fever, been to the doctor twice and now has fever blisters.  And not to mention not sleeping very well. I hope we are at the end of it and I think that we are.

But I missed a Valentine's Day post! Here is Nate last Sunday making Valentine's cookies. I thought this looked familiar and realized he was wearing the same sweater last year when we made cookies (V-Day 2011). That would make the only thing in his closet to fit for 2 seasons.  He is getting ready to outgrow his jeans I just got last fall!  Growing boy I tell ya.

The pictures are a little fuzzy since I took them with my phone. But they'll do.

I hope he won't be too cool next Valentine's Day to make cookies with me!