Puzzled

The day after Tyler's birthday, Quinten decided he wanted to have a puzzle day. Tyler received an Iron Man puzzle and Quin was dying to try out his mad puzzle skilz. [Reminder to self: Remove kid pictures from background. They've been there long enough and they are interfering with some decent photos!]

When I concentrate really hard, I have an odd habit of pressing my lips together between my teeth. Quin sticks his tongue out slightly between his. We're strange.

Quin and I also love puzzles. Tyler loves video games but always wants to be where the action is (even if he's not paying attention).

I love this photo, dirty nails and all.

This and that...

It's been nearly a month since I have had the chance to write anything. When I reflect on what I've been doing the last month, it doesn't seem like a whole lot but I've felt completely overwhelmed... not stressed overwhelmed, but procrastinating overwhelmed. I've felt the pressure of deadlines but not the motivation to get my projects done.

My list of things I've done in my freelance business:

I've completed a CD for DaCapo Chamber Choir. It's at the printers for the moment but you can get a sneak peek here.

Logo design for an entertainer coach company called Gypsy Wind.

Brochure for Awakenings (an aesthetic spa in beautiful Conestogo).

Website design for Fielding Realty.


My list of things I've done in my family life:

Trying to get Quin accustomed to JK (he still cries at drop off). We went on a field trip to a Cider Mill this week. He loved having his mom there and then cried when we got back to the school. I just don't know what I can do to make this easier for him. I'll have to talk to his teacher to see if she has any ideas.

Trying to work on study habits with Tyler. The positive reinforcement thing seems to be working. For his spelling tests in English and French, if he gets perfect we rent a DS game that he can play for the week. He's getting the idea that doing the work gives good rewards. I now need to apply this to his math and find another positive thing that will reward his good work (math is a total challenge for Ty, and even harder as it's taught in French...).

Trying to get Addison to stop hitting. Man she can be a bruiser wrapped up in an implishly-cute pixie body. She is going to be trouble.

Trying to get our house in order (domestically, financially... and any other "ally" you can think of). We've taken the plunge again with a food order from Canadian Fine Foods and our freezer and pantry/cold room are stocked. I only need to venture to the grocery store for fresh foods, milk, cheese... I can totally avoid the meat section and centre aisles which is awesome. We're also getting a food basket with fresh veggies once a month so that too will cut down on grocery store visits. If I'm not in there, I won't spend money.

We've also joined zip.ca to rid ourselves of costly visits to the video store (I fully support the local library but their kids DVDs are scratched beyond repair).

I know these aren't huge things but I'm hoping it will bring monthly spending down and we can start paying ourselves a bit. Time will tell.



Apple "Blossoms" with cinnamon honey and sprinkles. Now Quin wants them this way all the time!





I *love* that Quin fully participates in class. So although it's heartbreaking to watch him cry silently into school, when he's there he's enjoying himself!

JK...

Quin started JK this year. I thought he was totally prepared. He socializes well, he has a stiff upper lip... I drastically under-estimated how attached to home he was, and he has heart-breakingly reminded me every day we've gone. He has these gentle, little sobs and keeps saying "I'm going to miss you so much." I try to keep my happy face on and remind him about how he needs to help his teacher find the gingerbread man (it's the theme they are doing right now and that blasted gingerbread man keeps running away!)... His teacher is so great though and recognizes that this is hard for both of us. She'll come over and ask Quinten to help her lead the class inside, so he gets that stability and trust from her. I feel so guilty sending him when he's crying but I know that he's ready. He just needs to adjust and start becoming Quinten and not Tyler's little brother. Friends have seen the JK/SK classes playing outside and have seen Quin holding his teacher's hand. I will have to have a conversation with her to see how he's really doing. He has a bit of a cold right now so I'm hoping when that passes that he'll start feeling better about school. And I hope he makes a good buddy that he can hang out with and maybe that will help him start looking forward to school days.

It's just so bloody hard! I come home crying and feeling guilty and then I look at Addison and wonder what kind of mess I will be when the time comes for her to attend...

Potty Mouth

Quinten (after tooting on the toilet and me chuckling): "Oh, that's how my bum talks." To his bum, "What's that bum? You want to poop?"

We get along...

It's not often that I see the boys playing with their sister. Oh, Addison tries to play with them, but they are usually absorbed in some sort of imaginative, role-playing game, and although they assign Addison a specific superhero name/task, it's not often that she can perform what they require. I'm sure that will change as she grows but for now, I'm happy when I catch the odd time when they boys are enjoying spending some time with her. Enter the sandbox. Tyler is not overly fond of the sandbox anymore but Quinten and Addison could spend hours in there. We are fortunate to has some very generous friends to give us this box which has a slatted cover to protect it from rain and snow and also makes good ramps for their vehicles.



Doesn't it look like Addison is dumping a shovel-full on her brother? I wouldn't put it past her!

What's Cooking Wednesday - Issue 13: A Steaming Pile of...

PANCAKES!! But of course, it's Shrove Tuesday. The kids *love* pancakes for dinner. Addison ate her weight I think (a total of 4 whole pancakes). She out-ate her brothers!

Anyway, here's the recipe and as usual, please check out the others at What's Cooking Wednesday (yes, I'm a day early!).

Apple Pancakes

Ingredients:
2 cups flour (I used 1 white and 1 whole wheat)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or more if you want)
2 beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup chopped apple (I shredded mine, skins and all)

Preheat Griddle to 300˚

Sift dry ingredients together.
Combine eggs, butter, and milk.
Pour into flour mixture and stir until smooth.
Add apples and stir.
Drop by spoonfuls and cook.

What's Cooking Wednesday-Issue 6

So I'm just now recovering from a crazy birthday weekend. It went so well even though we didn't make it to the park. My sister, Sara, came over on Friday night and early on Saturday to help with the last minute preps and cleaning. I don't think I could have pulled it off without her. She did think I was a bit (OK, a lot) obsessive when it came to the Cupcake Pops, but hey, it was worth it!!

Below are the recipes and the pictures. Enjoy! We sure did!!

The Recipes
Crabsolutely Fabulous Pasta Salad (from Crazy Plates)

1/2 cup each low-far sour cream and low-fat mayonnaise
1 tbsp each lemon juice, honey mustard, and minced, fresh dill
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
12 oz medium shell pasta, uncooked (about 5 cups dry)
1 pound lump crab meat (real or imitation), chopped
1/2 cup each diced red and green bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped green onions

In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey mustard, dill, salt and pepper. Refrigerate dressing until ready to use.

Cook shells according to package directions. Drain well. Rinse with cold water and drain again. Transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add crabmeat, bell peppers, onions, and dressing. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 8 servings.



This got rave reviews. I doubled the recipes but with the amount of food we had, I had tonnes left over.

Fairest Wheels (also from Crazy Plates)

1 cup finely chopped, cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped lettuce
1/2 cup shredded, reduce-fat sharp cheddar cheese (2 oz)
1/3 cup each chopped green onions and minced red bell pepper
4 oz light cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp low-fat sour cream
1 tbsp hot red-pepper jelly
3 9-inch flour tortillas

In a medium bowl, combine chicken, lettuce, cheddar cheese, green onions, and red pepper. Set aside.

In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, and red-pepper jelly on low speed of electric mixer. Spread 1/3 cream cheese mixture over one side of tortilla. Sprinkle with 1/3 chicken mixture, leaving 1/2-inch border at the top just covered with cream cheese mixture (so you can seal it closed). Roll up tightly, jelly-roll style. Wrap tortilla roll in plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

Refrigerate for 2 hours. Trim off ends and cut each roll into 8 slices. Serve cold. Makes 24 pinwheels.



These were gobbled up and several people asked for the recipe. I think it's all in the red-pepper jelly. Super yummy!!!

24 Hr. Salad (Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book)

4 cups romaine lettuce, torn (or spinach or your favorite lettuce)
1 cup sliced fresh mushroom or broccoli florets (or some of each)
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup shredded carrot
2 eggs, hard boiled and sliced
6 slices bacon, crisp cooked, drained and crumbled
3/4 cup shredded swiss cheese or cheddar cheese
2 green onion, sliced
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried dill

Place lettuce in the bottom of a bowl about 8 inches in diameter. If desired, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Layer mushrooms/broccoli and peas. Then layer carrots. Arrange egg slices and bacon over vegetables. Top with 1/2 cup of cheese and the green onions.

For the dressing, combine mayo, lemon juice and dillweed. Spread dressing over the top of salad, sealing to edge of bowl. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and chill for 2-24 hours. Before serving, toss to coat the vegetables. Sprinkle with additional sliced green onion, bacon bits and or cheese if desired.

My brother-in-law LOVES this recipe so I made it for him. I usually make more (almost double) the dressing.



Magic Jello Salad
1 4 oz package cream cheese (half a block)
1/2 package mini marshmallows
1 14 oz can crushed pineapple, drained, juice reserved
1/2 package Dream Whip prepared
1 3 oz package jello

Mash cream cheese and marshmallows (I just put them in my mixer on low until the marshmallows are coated in cream cheese). Add pineapple. Fold in Dream Whip. Place in mold/bowl.

Dissolve jello in 1 cup hot water. Add pinapple juice and extra water to make a total of 2 cups. Pour over marshmallow mixture. Refrigerate overnight.

For the jello, I would use lime, orange... whatever flavour. Quinten wanted Grape but it dyed the marshmallows which looked a bit scary... so I wouldn't do that again!)



Cupcake Pops (thanks to sister Jill for the pics...)









1 13X9 baked cake (from a box cake mix or from scratch … any flavor)
1 can cream cheese frosting (or about 2 cups equivalent from scratch)
1 flower shaped cookie cutter (1.25" wide X .75" tall)
1 package chocolate bark or chocolate candy melts
1 package pink candy melts or white chocolate bark
bowls for dipping
wax paper
aluminum foil
lollipop sticks
sprinkles, m&ms or something similar for top of cupcake
small plastic treat bags and ribbon to package the Cupcake Pops
candy cups and truffle boxes to individually package the Cupcake Bites
styrofoam block

1. Bake a cake from a mix or from scratch and cool completely.
2. Crumble cake into a fine consistency into a large bowl.
TIP: If the texture is too coarse, you can run it through a food processor.
3. Add can of cream cheese frosting or homemade frosting and blend together using the back of a large spoon. Blend thoroughly.
4. Roll mixture into 1.25" - 1.5" size balls and lay on wax paper covered cookie sheet. You may want to periodically rinse and dry your hands off in between.
5. Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for several hours.
TIP: You can speed this up by placing in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
6. Remove. Begin to shape into cupcakes using a small flower-shaped cookie cutter. (see below) Take the chilled ball and roll it into more of an oval and then slide into cookie cutter. Push it into cutter until about half fills the cutter and the rest sticks out of the top in the shape of a mound. Then push the shaped cupcake carefully out of the cookie cutter from the bottom. Set right side up on a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Continue with remaining balls.
7. Once shaped, cover and return to freezer. (5-10 minutes)
TIP: You can leave them covered in the refrigerator overnight if you want to do the dipping on the following day.
8. While cupcake shapes are chilling, begin to heat up your chocolate bark.
9. Brown chocolate bark for the bottoms. Pink or white chocolate for the tops.
10. Follow the instructions on the package for melting. Most recommend heating for 30 second intervals at a time and stirring in between. You can also do the double boiler method.
11. When you are ready to dip, remove from freezer and set up another wax paper covered cookie sheet.
12. Take the cupcake shaped mixture and dip bottoms into the melted chocolate - just to the point where the mounded shape starts. Remove from chocolate, turn upside down and wiggle so that the excess starts to slide down slightly. Then lay on the wax paper upside down. If you want them to be lollipops, then go ahead and insert the lollipop sticks while the chocolate is still wet. Continue with rest of the cupcakes. You can also leave some without the sticks. They’re just as cute as Cupcake Bites.
TIP: Dip end of your lollipop stick in the melted chocolate before inserting into chocolate bottoms. Not sure if this helps a lot, but it couldn't hurt.
DON'T - get water in the chocolate. Make sure your hands are completely dry. Water will cause the chocolate to separate and mess up all your hard work.
13. Dry completely. (15-20 minutes)
14. Once dry, dip the tops of the cupcakes in the pink or white chocolate. You may need to move it around a little to cover all the exposed areas.
TIP: Let the pink chocolate sit for a few minutes after heating to thicken. This will help it from dripping down the sides of the cupcake.
15. Remove from the pink/white chocolate and turn right side up. You may need to hold and rotate it if there is any excess so that it doesn’t drip down too far.
TIP: You can use a toothpick to help cover any areas the melted chocolate didn't cover.
16. For the Cupcake Bites - just turn right side up and rest on the wax paper. Then go ahead and put a m&m on the top and add sprinkles while wet.
17. For the lollipops, Continue holding and place an m&m on the top and add sprinkles. Let them dry in a styrofoam block that you have already poked holes into.

Makes about 50.
You can store these in an airtight container and they will last for several days. You can also store in the refrigerator if you would like them cold.

These were such a hit. Addison dove right it. Yes, they were labour intensive but Bakerella has just posted a new idea to make this so much easier! Anyway, Addison only turns one once so I thought I should go all out. They almost taste like a candy coated chocolate timbit. Yum!!

Make sure you check out more What's Cooking Wednesdays at Shan's blog.

A hands-on approach to eating

I swear our children would do so much better in a culture without utensils. Even Tyler who's five 70% of the time eats with his fingers. I guess that explains why they don't like soup!

Craig asks Quinten (who is eating his dinner with his fingers):
"Quin, what do you have against your fork?"
Quin carefully peruses his plate and calmly replies, "Peas."

Ah yes, we are a clever bunch, aren't we.

Middle child

Dear Quinten,

You are not forgotten. Sometimes I think as the middle child you're getting the short end of the stick. Your brother has school friends to visit and your sister still requires a lot of my time. You have adapted; playing quietly, absorbing everything, listening, listening, listening. But you are not forgotten.

I look in your amazingly blue eyes and see mischief, intelligence and love. You are a remarkable boy with an incredibly infectious laugh and amazing smile. You have your crazy moments; your defiant yelling "NO", your arms crossed, pouting "I don't want to", and your uncanny knack of turning your listening ears on and off at whim. But that craziness is balanced by your joy of living, of loving your family, of playing hard, and of growing into the fantastic person you are becoming. I love you.

Sleepy Quin

It's 9:18 pm. I did hear Quin come out of his room but I thought if I ignored him, he'd go back to bed. Tonight he decided he wanted to wear my shoes to bed to keep his toes warm. He's asleep on the landing with his hands holding my shoes which he's lined up perfectly so the toes touch the edge of the stairs.