Just thinking

I took Penelope to the park yesterday afternoon for a little play time before picking the boys up from school.  While I pushed her on the swing, I listened to an elderly couple chat as they pushed their twin probably about 2 year old grandsons on the swings too.  It made me think about how Jaime and I will be as grandparents.  I hope we are close to our grandkids, that we'll get to take them to the park and hang out.  It just made me happy listening and watching them interact.  Happy to be able to have this time with my kids.  Happy to be able to take them to a park, to push them on the swings, to watch them climb and slide.  This week I've been acutely thankful for the gift of the sense of hearing.  I get to hear their laughter, their prayers, their arguments, their ideas, their crying and whining. Some days I find myself wondering what life will be like when my kiddos are in their teens.  Alexander will be in high school when Stella starts kindergarten, she'll be his age now when he goes to college.  Exciting and sad to think about.  In other news, John Paul came home with lines to memorize for his Kindergarten play in a couple of weeks...just 2 days before the end of school...SUMMER STARTS IN A COUPLE WEEKS!!! :)

Stella at 4 months

Just days before she turned 4 months old, Stella decided to roll from her back to her tummy.  I'm not sure I'm ready for her to be mobile!  I remember when Alexander was a baby being so excited and couldn't wait for each movement milestone.  Now, though, sometimes I long for the stillness of a small baby.

So along with a little rolling action the other 4 month news is that she's drooling...drooling a river...sucks her fingers, fists, and blankets...can blow bubbles with the river of drool..."talks" as if she's really participating in our conversations.  We often wonder what our kiddos at this age are saying because their babbles can be so very expressive. 

Alexander+Baseball=Fun Times

Baseball season is in full swing.  So far Alexander loves playing the catcher position.  I love watching the boys play. Some of the boys are so in to the game while others, well, as we had a talk with Alexander, they (and he sometimes) need to get their heads in the game.  This past weekend the Jets participated in a tournament.  The first game was ugly--ugly weather, ugly playing.  The second game however was impressive!  The boys seemed to have settled in and were more focused. The weather was MUCH better.  The Jets played so well, they were in the lead, but sadly lost at the end. I'm excited for several more fantastic games this season.

at bat

on deck

Sweet Treats

In my desire to cut the amount of sugar we consume, I've come across many sweet treats that I'd love to try.  Some are naturally sweetened by fruit others honey, and yes, some with sugar and chocolate chips.  Did you know that a high consumption of sugar rots teeth not just on the outside, but from the inside as well. So, indulge as a special treat and enjoy! :)
This Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie is in.cred.i.ble!  It's from Chocolate Covered Katie, so it's got some nutritional value and is dairy free.  It's also gluten free.  The recipe calls for a hefty amount of brown sugar, but I've made it with only about a half cup of brown sugar which is less than half the amount called for in the recipe. Also, when we've eaten it, I haven't topped it like in the picture, but that sure does look good!

Source

This next one is one I found via Pinterest, but haven't had a chance to try yet.  It looks and sounds so delicious.  Let me know if you try it.  Don't be scared to use coconut oil.  I had a jar for several months before I started using it.  I'm in love with the stuff now!  It's extremely nutritious and versatile to use.  These treats are called Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Candy Bars.  This recipe calls for dried cranberries--remember not all dried fruit is created the same, some have added sugar, so read the labels if you really want to watch how much sugar is used.

Source

And, if you're going to indulge, eat something yummily good for you either before or after.  I suggest this version of a kale salad.  It's got a satisfying sweet and salty combo with a crunch and fiber to fill you up.

Source

When I made it, I made a few changes to it.  I didn't use 8 cups of chopped kale--probably about 5, I just chopped up one and a half bunches.  I used more than a pinch of salt, didn't let my quinoa cool, no macadamia nuts, entire avocado, a handful or two of dried cranberries.

When you're cooking, don't be afraid to change up a recipe a bit to meet your needs, substitute ingredients, or try something new.

John Paul's SIX now!

Today is John Paul's sixth birthday!  The day started with him waking us up asking to open up his presents...how could we say no? :)

Then we had a quick breakfast and got ready for his soccer game.

My new 6 year old scored a goal too!

After soccer, Grammie Julie brought over the requested chocolate chip scones.  It wasn't even 10am and the boy had consumed copious amounts of sugar already because "it's my birthday!"  Jolly Ranchers and pop rings are my nemesis.

 Later we went to Target and got him some new thin tipped markers that he requested and he said, "now I'm in business!"  After Alexander's baseball game, we picked up some GF/DF pizza from Spin! and came home to enjoy it.  At both his request and Penelope's we sang Happy Birthday several times :)
I love you little man, you're growing up so fast!

Weekly Menu

We've got quite the busy weekend coming up and I'm rather excited for it.  John Paul turns 6!  We've got 2 soccer games for John Paul and a baseball tournament for Alexander.  The tournament is the wild card for the weekend--don't know game times yet.  This can be tricky for meals, especially when fast food isn't an option.  I've already told the kids we'll probably have at least one picnic this weekend.  They are SUPER excited!  Penelope and Jaime have been having picnics almost weekly when Jaime takes a lunch break when working from home.  They are pretty sweet and a memory that I hope she keeps forever.

Saturday--picnic food--hummus, carrots, celery, strawberries, ham and lettuce rolls
Sunday--grilled steak salad with onions and mushrooms
Monday--Chick-un Tikki Masala Pizza
Tuesday--Chickpea and veggie Quizza
Wednesday--BBQ chicken, grilled pineapple, salad
Thursday--nachos--ground beef, tomatoes, avocados, black beans, chips
Friday--Quinoa, kale, and cranberry salad

Breakfasts
Monday--eggs, coconut yogurt, fruit
Tuesday--oatmeal
Wednesday--eggs and sausage, fruit smoothies with kale
Thursday--granola and coconut yogurt
Friday--eggs and cereal or oatmeal

Snacks
*popcorn cakes with almond butter and dark chocolate chips
*apple slices and carrots
*breakfast cookies
*Carrot cake bites
*No bake granola cakes

Stella's Baptism

Stella's baptism was on April 15th.  It was a simple and peaceful sacrament and as Fr Tom said, "made a Christian of her." :)

Climbing higher and higher

Here's to finding taller trees :)

Happy Easter

Because it's still the Easter season I don't feel any guilt about getter this Easter picture up here 2+ weeks after Easter.
And, because trying to get a really good picture of all 4 at the same time is near impossible, I'm sharing just a fun one :)

Well, I suppose I should put a "serious" one on too

Happy Easter!

Peanut Butter Crispies

These have been a yummy treat and even breakfast here.  It's got some protein, fiber, carbs, healthy brain fat, and a bit of sweetener.

Peanut Butter Crispies (Inspired by this recipe)

Ingredients
scoop of peanut butter (or any nut butter of your preference)
scoop of coconut oil
a sweetener of choice--sugar, honey, agave, maple syrup, coconut sugar*--but not too much
crispy rice cereal (I use Barbara's Brown Rice Crisps--they're gluten free)
Directions
Place the nut butter, coconut oil, and sweetener (if using) in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat in microwave for about 20 seconds to warm and soften.  Stir the ingredients in the bowl.  After mixed, add in some cereal and stir to coat the cereal.  Enjoy warm or stick it in the fridge to harden.  My kiddos like this with a couple chocolate chips on top :)
*Check out this info about Coconut Palm Sugar.  I need to research it more, but it is worth it!  Coconut oil is so important and nutritious for us.  Our brains and cell walls need the healthy fat in coconut oil.  Chocolate Covered Katie has some fabulous treats using coconut oil!