Art Class

Tyler's first drawing of a guy. Complete with sword and shield. Jay and Hunter (and mom!) are so proud of him!

Summer days and homeschool love

We have been in the school mode for a few weeks now and it's going very well. Even with a two year old and baby in tow. I'm keeping things light, fun and informal with Hunter. Jay started with Math and Explode the Code everyday and I'm slowing adding a few more subjects to fill out our school day. I'll post more details later in the week.
Even with school in full swing here in Texas, fall hasn't shown any signs of visiting. Triple digits. Hot. Hotter. Hottest. Oh. My. So a few days ago I was wondering why I've been so grumpy and irritable by the afternoon and I realized it's because we haven't been outside in weeks. Sure I've kicked them out for a few minutes in the morning for as long as they can stand it but we haven't been playing outside until.....



a storm last week (yeah, like crazy wind and a quarter inch of rain) knocked down this ginormous branch! (we weren't home. More on that later too) The boys can't help but sweat it out because it's so fun to play on!! I deliver water, they play outside. It's a beautiful arrangement and my summer grumpiness has passed! Now if some cooler weather will just come I'll be a happy mommy!

homeschooling

Learning place value:









Teaching place value:




There you have it.

{this moment}

Inspired by soulemama


{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Hunter's best friend

In my Alabama slideshows I mentioned Bart as Hunter's new best friend. Sarah wrote more about here. I learned a few new things too about their friendship. A secret handshake? Man, that's cool. Every four year needs a super cool BFF! :)

When there's silence...

FIND TYLER!





Tyler's shenanigans as of 12:38 pm today...
1) hid in the pantry eating cherrios
2) snuck the pack of bubbles trying to open with scissors
3) tinkled on the bed (luckily just got on the comforter)
4) got paint brush John use last night, unwrapped it and smeared wet white paint on the entry way floor
5) took the honey bear in his bedroom and got it all over the comforter, a glass, a paint tray and himself.

The day is only half over!

{this moment} ::breakfast::

Inspired by soulemama

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{Virtual Coffee} ::creamer recipe::

Good morning!
Ok, so I feel like I talk about this a lot. My coffee creamer addiction. I love it. It makes me happy. But again I'm remembering how bad all of the ingredients are not to mention how expensive it is. So I tried again to make a creamer that lived up to creme brûlée or cinnabon. I think I did it! I actually enjoy it as much as the bad stuff. (not that all the sugar in this is GOOD for me just better than the preservatives and yucks in the store bought creamer)

Cheryl's coffee creamer
1can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)
2 teaspoons vanilla (or to taste)

Heat condensed milk in a small sauce pan on low and stir to melt. Add cinnamon and vanilla and mix. Heat for another minute or two and pour into a glass jar to store in refrigerator.
Stir into coffee and add a little milk for extra creaminess.
Ahhh! So good! :)


And in other news:
Tyler just made his own sandwich. Yes, the two year old. I think it comes from having a lot of siblings. I was nursing the baby and I told him I'd make him one after I fed Mia. I guess he got tired of waiting!








I have a few things on the To Do list today
1) change the light bulb in the kitchen over the sink
2) put away my clothes.

Too much? You wouldn't think so but chasing these people around all day doesn't leave much time for extra stuff! Ha!

Thanks for stopping by! Need to get some school done with these boys today!
Talk again soon!

Zucchini Bread or Muffins

My brother in law gave us 3 ginormous zucchinis from our local farm where he works so I made muffins! This is a recipe from Whole Foods. I made muffins instead of bread because it's quicker but here are the directions for both! Enjoy! :)






Natural cooking spray
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 egg
1/3 cup expeller pressed canola oil (I used coconut oil)
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup grated zucchini
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray an 8-inch loaf pan with natural cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, oil, applesauce, yogurt, sugar and vanilla. Add flour mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in zucchini and walnuts then transfer batter to prepared pan and bake until risen, deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.

Cool in pan on rack for 30 minutes then remove bread from pan and continue cooling on rack.

For Muffins:
Preheat oven to 350, grease a muffin pan, using a ice-cream scoop, scoop mix into cups and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden and delicious!

{this moment}

::inspired by soulemama::

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Out of the mouths of babes

Pulling into the Target parking lot this afternoon...

Jay: why is Target so awesome?
Mom: I don't know but I gotta agree.