Cooking/Pretending

My little man likes to pretend to cook while I'm cooking. I get out a big bowl, a bunch of different spices, and some spoons. He goes to town shaking and stirring. So cute!

Books, Books, and More Books!

Merit has always liked books but lately he's been a little obsessed with them. We became members of the Richardson library not too long ago and ever since then he asks to go to the library multiple times per week. This first picture is what Merit does before he goes to sleep now. He takes books off of his book shelf and pretends to read them. He doesn't take just one book though, he takes 8 or 10! He eventually falls asleep. The next group of pictures are of our weekly trip to the library.

Merit really enjoys dropping the books down the return chute. Look at that smile. :)

He sets the books in the tray and then slowly closes the door.

He likes to watch the conveyor belt whisk the books away.

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He's so proud of himself!

The library has some really neat couches made to look like old cars. 

He is pretty fascinated by these.

Flowers, Flowers and More Flowers!

We have spent a lot of time in the yard the past few weeks. I have planted too many flowers to count! However, the hard work is paying off and it's looking really good! Merit really enjoys helping me water, playing in the yard while I'm working, and pretending to help. We planted some Gladiolus bulbs two weeks ago and this week they sprouted. Merit really thought this was so neat and we can't wait to watch them grow and bloom!  

Memorial Day Treats!

Merit and I made some cute Memorial Day treats for his friends this weekend. He took them to Brenda's house on Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day. We made rice krispies but colored them blue, used a star shaped cookie cutter and then dipped them in white chocolate. I added some cute red stars and red candies to complete them. Merit couldn't wait to take a bite out of these! Yum!

Memorial Day at Nana's House

We had a great time celebrating Memorial Day with Nana. Merit took an early and shorter nap so we would have plenty of time to swim and play. Nana had delicious fresh fruit and veggies for us to snack on while we were there. This was Merit's first time in the water since last summer. JP, Nana and I couldn't believe how well he did! He was like a little fish! He kicked his legs and paddled his arms all around the pool. We were so proud of him! Looks like this little boy will be an excellent swimmer just like Mommy. :)

Memorial Day Fruit Loops Flag

Merit and I had fun making this Fruit Loops flag for Memorial Day. It didn't take that long because both of us contribute. If fact, even Daddy helped a bit. The finished flag looked really nice because we lined the outside with red Fruit Loops too. What a fun and easy art project!

Handsome Boy

Merit had all sorts of fun helping me put the flags in our yard. The next day I got Merit dressed in his cute bathing suit so I could capture this handsome little man on Memorial Day weekend. After we took some pictures we spent time playing with the water ball. What a fun weekend!

Water Ball Fun!

After church on Sunday, we enjoyed playing outside with the water ball. This was Merit's first day in his bathing suit and playing with the water ball. He thoroughly enjoyed it! JP and I loved watching him giggle and have fun! 

Memorial Day Pasta Necklaces

We had fun making pasta necklaces for Merit's friends on Monday morning. Daddy and Merit picked up donuts and we made the necklaces after breakfast. Merit wore his necklace later that day when we went to Nana's house. Cute and fun project! I dyed the pasta the day before and then let it dry over night.

It does seem that Merit is always eating these days. :)

Girls Reunion!

The girls and I met on Saturday for frozen yogurt. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone. Holly brought Thomas and I have him his late birthday gift. We were so disappointed that we missed his party. He seemed to really like Scout. Merit loves his Scout and sleeps with him every night.

First Kite!

Merit had his first kite flying experience on Saturday. After feeding the ducks and a little play time on the playground Daddy helped Merit learn how to fly a kite. Our little boy picked up this skill quite quickly. He had so much fun running up and down the park watching the kite trail behind him. What a fun, new experience!

Merit also helped Mommy decorate the yard for Memorial Day!

The Ducks Adore Merit!

Saturday begin with an early walk, feeding the ducks and playing on the playground. I think the ducks have started looking forward to our visits. When they see Merit they immediately swim over to see him and wait for food. Merit has so much fun doing this! I love watching him!

A Boy and His Trucks

Before we left for Brenda's house on Friday, Merit asked if he could take his new dump truck with him. So, off we go with a large dump truck in tow. Look at that smile! He is so happy to have his new truck with him. He even poured his Cheerios into the back and proceeded to eat them one by one out of the back of his truck. What a cute boy!

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Bars

Do you love bananas? What about peanut butter? And, chocolate??? Oh yes! These bars are amazing and very healthy!

The original recipe is from this site. She has some other delicious looking recipes on her site! Check it out.

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/03/29/peanut-butter-banana-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-bars/

My healthy modifications include: 1/3 cup of light peanut butter instead of regular. You could also use the pretend peanut butter. 1/2 cup of skim milk, 3 ripe bananas instead of 2 and I didn't add in the peanut butter chips. So, these indeed are a healthy on-the-go snack or breakfast! Enjoy!



Paula Deen's Cobbler

This cobbler is amazing and pretty healthy too! Well, it's fairly healthy the way I make it but not the way Paula Deen makes it. :) Tonight I made this recipe but used Cooper Farms canned peaches; it may have been even more delicious then the pear!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/grilled-pear-cobbler-recipe/index.html

Ingredients

• 8 Bosc pears, peeled, halved and cored
• 2 cups pear nectar
• 1 stick melted butter (I used 4 T of Smart Balance Light), seriously, you don't need all of that butter!
• 2 cups biscuit mix (I used Hodgson Mill whole wheat baking mix)http://www.hodgsonmillstore.com/en/Mixes/Whole-Wheat-Insta-Bake-Mix-/71518-02020-001_Group.aspx
• 2 cups sugar (I used less, about 1 1/2 Cups)
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half (I used skim milk)
• Cinnamon sugar, for sprinkling
• Vanilla frozen yogurt, for serving

Directions

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large resealable plastic bag, add the pears and pear nectar. Seal the bag, and marinate for 1 hour. Remove the pears from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Grill the pears for 5 minutes per side. I didn't grill the pears or the peaches. Maybe it would make this cobbler even better?

Put the melted butter in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine the biscuit mix, sugar, and half-and-half. Pour the batter into baking dish over the butter. Arrange the pears on top. Do not stir the pears. Pour the reserved marinade over the top of the pears. Bake until lightly browned, about 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve warm with ice cream and Pear Topping, if desired.

 

 

Thursday Treats!

So, I've declared Thursday as our treat making day. Merit loves taking treats to his friends at Ms. Brenda's house and I love to let him help me in the kitchen. He's a great taste tester! :) I like to try new recipes and tweak them just a bit to make them healthier. We made Puffed Rice Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars. http://www.marthastewart.com/318228/puffed-rice-bars-with-peanut-butter-and

My modifications include: 3 T of light butter instead of 3 T of regular butter. I used whole grain puffed cereal instead of Rice Krispies but I think they would have been even better using Rice Krisipies!  I also used reduced fat peanut butter instead of regular peanut butter. As you can tell from the pics, Merit really enjoyed making these, licking the chocolate off of the spoon and then later, eating them!

Picture courtesty of Martha Stewart, not me. :)