Snow!

We are scheduled to get some more snow this weekend.  Bella is very excited-she'd really like some sticky snow so we can make a snowman! 

So here's to taking a break from the shoveling to enjoy the kid-like wonder of SNOW!

Happy Friday, stay toasty warm this weekend friends! 

My Two Trouble Makers:)

Ever have one of those moments where you are mentally (or actually!) banging your head against the wall?  Well, I had one of those about a week ago, so I thought I'd share it with you.  Perhaps it will make you feel better about something similar in your life, or maybe just make you laugh.  Either way, here's a glimpse of my crazy kiddos.

It's 11:45 on a random weekday.  Elijah has recently learned how to go safely down the stairs by climbing backwards, so he likes to practice lots.  He's doing this up and down, up and down, while Bella is playing downstairs in our playroom.  I'm upstairs in the kitchen, getting lunch ready for the kids.  About 10 minutes go by and I realize that I haven't heard from either child in a while.  Pause, moment of panic. Begin investigation mode.

And you can only imagine what I find happening downstairs.

Bella has discovered that she can open the door to our downstairs bathroom.  The bathroom that we don't ever use and the door is always shut on.  Yeah, that one.  Both children are in the bathroom.  The floor is wet.  The kids are wet. And not wet from just water, but toilet water.  There is little bits of toilet paper everywhere. The plunger is out and being used as a water-scooping device.  It's one of those moments where I am doing the previously mentioned head banging.  Ewww....what are kids thinking when they decide that it's a great idea to 'take a bath' in toilet water?? 

Anyway, the mess was eventually cleaned up, the kids were washed, the rules were made clear (no playing in toilets-ever!) and all went back to normal.  But I will admit, I'm very reluctant to let those two hooligans out of my sight! 

Here's to the crazy things our kids do!

P.S. If you have any funny head-banging moments to share, I'd love to hear them:)

Antipasto Pasta Salad

We recently tried this recipe and really enjoyed it.  Matt and I aren't usually big 'pasta salad' eaters, but this one is pretty tasty!  I adapted it from a recipe I found in a Taste of Home Cookbook.  Here's my version:

Antipasto Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
1 package grape tomatoes, halved
8 ounces block medium cheddar cheese, cubed
4 ounces hard salami, cubed
3 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni, halved

Basil Vinaigrette:
2/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 Tablespoons minced fresh basil OR 1 Tablespoon dried basil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt (I omitted this)

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and drain.

2. While pasta is cooking, get other ingredients ready and combine in a large bowl.

3. Toss pasta in with other ingredients.

4. Prepare vinaigrette and pour over salad.  Toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

This makes a very big batch.  We ate it for dinner one night, then packed it for lunches the rest of the week.  If you don't want a lot of leftovers, you may want to make a half-batch.

Hope you enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home Cookbook copyright 2009

Elijah's First Hair Cut

Happy February!  Around here we are hoping that February will be our last cold month....maybe? Anyway, we've been busy at home having fun inside while it's been frigid and snowing outside.  Two weeks ago Elijah had his very first haircut, so I thought I'd better get some pictures up before he needs another one! 

Daddy cut his hair at home, and Elijah did a great job sitting still and staying calm (although his head did whip around when he first heard the clippers turn on!).

No more wispy baby hair and crazy wings over his ears-now he's clean cut and looking all grown up!

What a handsome little man we have!

And Miss B got a hair cut too!  (not from us though!).

Happy Monday:)

Popovers: A Love Story

Okay, I may have a little problem.  I am completely addicted to popovers!  I have this great, simple recipe from my Cooking Light cookbook.  Combine that with delicious homemade honey butter and....total.addiction.  In any case, I thought I'd share my love for them with you-perhaps you and your family will enjoy them as well! 

Popovers:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup 1% milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
Cooking Spray

1. Preheat oven to 375*.  Combine milk and eggs in a medium bowl, whisk until blended, and let stand for 30 minutes.
2. In separate bowl, combine flour and salt, then slowly add into egg/milk mixture.  Stir well with the whisk.  Finally stir in butter. 

3. Coat 9 popover cups (or 12 cupcake cups) with cooking spray.  Place cups in the oven for approximately five minutes (no batter in!). 

4. Divide batter into each cup.  Bake at 375* for 40 minutes or until golden brown.  If using a cupcake pan, bake for 30-35 minutes.  Remember not to open the oven door until they are finished! 

YUMMY!  (and so pretty too!)

Honey Butter Spread:
Using butter at room temperature, mash butter in a bowl and add honey so that mixture is about 50/50 combination.  Mix thoroughly and serve on popovers that are hot out of the oven for best (melt in your mouth!) results!

I hope you enjoy!

Recipe from Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2005 copyright 2004.

Bella Turns Three!

It's hard to believe, but our baby girl is three!  We had a fun time celebrating with her this past week.  On her actual birthday we took her out to Chuck E. Cheese for a fun night of games, and we celebrated with our family and friends on Saturday.  She was very excited about her birthday party and decided we must have a 'purple' party complete with chocolate cupcakes topped with purple frosting.  She also talked a lot about presents and singing 'Happy Birthday'....birthdays are so exciting when you're three!

Here are some of our favorite moments from the celebrations:

On the morning of her birthday, Bella decided she wanted to wear a purple outfit and also dress up in a green M&Ms costume:)

Grandma and Grandpa brought balloons and cupcakes for the birthday girl!

Bella's 'Purple' Party

This is as purple-y as I could get the frosting!

Elijah, Asher and Bella sporting party hats

While singing "happy birthday" Bella sang out "to me!"

mmm...cake!

Bella and Asher trying out Bella's new gymnastics mat:)

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful little girl!  We are blessed beyond words to be your mom and dad.  We love you sweet Bella girl! 

Children's Seasonal Book Basket

Around here, we love books!  Both Bella and Elijah love to read stories, and we have so many children's books that it's hard to keep track of them all.  I've decided to start a little system with some of the books to try to get better use out of them.  I call it the 'Seasonal Book Basket'.  Catchy, huh?!  Okay, well maybe I'm not known for my catchphrases, but I try!  Anyway, I bought a small woven basket that fits several books inside.  I went through all of our kids books and sorted out some that are specific to a season or holiday.  I will keep all of these books separate from the kids' every day reading books that are in their individual bookshelves. I will display the seasonal books during their corresponding season in our seasonal book basket.  For example, right now I have 'Winter' books in our basket.  I'm hoping this way we get more use out of books that we don't read a lot otherwise, and a fun lesson about whatever season/holiday we are in.  I also like that these books are out on an end table in the living room, promoting more reading during the day. 

So far I have books for Winter, Easter, Spring, Summer, Fall/Harvest time/Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  I don't think we have any books about Independence Day yet, but it could be something to add. 

The books in our 'winter' basket right now are:

The Berenstain Bears Winter Wonderland by Jan and Mike Berenstain

Little Snowflake's Big Adventure by Steve Metzger

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Do you have any Season/Holiday specific books your kids really enjoy?  I'd love to hear from you!