Does this mean...???

Today after CoOp I took the kids shopping at Target.  I was feeling the need to purchase a few baby necessities to have on hand just in case- that way, he surely won't come before his time, since I'm ready... right?

In the car I explained what we were shopping for to avoid the extra "Can we buy this?" questions.

Melia excitedly asked, "Does this mean we're nesting?"

:-)  Yes, I guess she could say that.  19 days and counting down... It's about time to get ready for this baby!

What is THAT!!!

This morning I told Isaac to go get his sandals so I could help him put them on.  He hem-hawed around, then told me to "go get them."

I looked at him and said, "Are you obeying Momma?"

He looked at me and smiled a sweet smile, "You go get them please Mom?"

(And yes, I did make him go get his own sandals...!)

Isaac's Clothing Pickiness

Normally, I let Isaac have some say in what clothes he wears for the day.  He is very opinionated about what he's going to wear, and while I will let him choose some things, Gabe doesn't let him at all :-)

Wednesday however, I was picking things out because we were headed to CoOp, and I like him to at least match.  I had his overalls, and picked out a short-sleeved red shirt to go under.  He starts right in with "Me no like that shirt. Me no want that shirt.  It too small." 

I said, "No it's not.  Here, put it on and see that it fits just fine," and proceeded to put it on him.  He immediately started pulling at the short sleeves, again telling me that it was too small.  Pretty soon, I clued in to the fact that he's saying he wants long sleeves instead of short sleeves.  So I picked out a red long sleeved shirt- it was a win-win!  :-)

St Patricks Day Recipe Review

I enjoy making some kinds of traditional foods.  If they're easy.  And if I think my family will eat them. 

One of my most appreciated comments about our kids was our pastor last year- he complimented them on being "willing to try all the foods" at our Passover Seder.  When I'm often concerned about the little things they did wrong, people do a great job of reminding me how much they do right! 

Anyway, this year I chose this recipe: "Beer Braised Irish Stew and Colcannon," plus Irish Soda Bread. I was pretty sure that the stew would go over well, and mashed potatoes are normally pretty popular with everyone except me!  I'm sad I didn't take pictures, but like normal, getting dinner ready for when Gabe gets home at 7:30 is much harder than trying to have it done earlier- mostly because the kids are pretty worn out and hungry, so I forgot :-)

But Gabe's comment was that "there is nothing about this meal that is light!"  The stew was very thick and meaty, and the colcannon was REALLY thick (I think made a little too much potato!), plus the bread is a heavy bread.  But the flavors were fantastic- everybody ate all of their helpings, and Melia had extra colcannon.

The things I changed:  In the stew we had part venison, part beef.  For the potatoes, I used Yukon Golds instead of Russets.  And I followed one of the comments on allrecipes and stir-fried the cabbage instead of microwaving it. 

Definitely a successful meal!

Close...on St Patrick's Day

I printed out several fun coloring pages and mazes to keep the kids busy for a while today on St Patrick's Day.  One of them was a "color-by-letter" for Kiera.  She loves to guess what the picture is before she colors it to see if she's right.

I printed out a pot of gold...

She guessed it is a basket full of grapes.  :-)  Love her!

On another note, I am very excited to prepare a more traditional Irish meal for dinner tonight.  (Did you know corned beef isn't very traditional? I read it was more of a nobility dish, only made popular by immigrants to America... but I read that on the internet, so who knows...)  The first time I tried, Gabe distinctly told me not to make corned beef again.  I thought it was *ok*, but not a favorite.  Last time, I made green potato soup and beer bread.  Tonight, we're having Beer braised venison stew, Irish soda bread, and colcannon.  Can't wait to see how it turns out, especially the colcannon!  (To be honest, I'm a little nervous, but hey, it's worth trying once, right?!!)

Lumpy and Bumpy

This baby is SO fun :-)  He moves a ton more than any of the others ever did (enough to make me question if there really is twins in there!)

Last night we were watching a show, and I was laying on the couch on my side, feeling him roll around.  I moved over next to Gabe so he could feel.  Baby slowed down quite a bit, but was still bumping around.  Gabe removed his hand, and my whole tummy leaped!  After a few more tries, it was almost like he could tell when Daddy's hand was there because when the hand left, the big bumps happened.

Definitely something to enjoy these last 8 weeks!  Especially when I can't get inside my dryer, I have to have the kids do it... :-)

Snow Pics

I am so glad we finally got some snow this year!  Unfortunately, it looks like that might be it...  But Kiera got her "winter wish"- we fit in one evening of sledding :-) 

Christmas Gifts and Pretty Sure He never saw this coming...

 Melia looked all through her new molding book before she decided to do something else :-)  Without any instructions, I think it turned out all right! 

 Our first completed batch of cake pops!

And I really don't think in all of Gabe's wildest imaginings that his deer would ever become the girls' dress-up "toy."  Ever. 

Isaac's first Christmas, Sick- 2011

I thought I would photograph Isaac opening his gifts from the Elliott side so everyone can see how he loved his presents :-)

 Wooden sound puzzle from Great-Gma Elliott

Tool set from Ken and Brenda

 Buildable Big Truck from Sissy (part of the kids' exchange)

Fire Truck Track Puzzle from Roy and Lois

Adventurer Rig from Great-Gma Elliott



Video Game Portraits

Isaac did this all on his own... Which was hilarious because he looked so much like his Daddy with the headphones and video game controller (except, Gabe pointed out when I posted it on FB, that Gabe does NOT sit on the couch in his underwear- Just clarifying!)

And of course, when I HAD to take his picture, then I absolutely HAD to take everyone else's picture too.

And I'm glad I did, cause they turned out pretty cute too!

My Decorator

Kiera decorated the house for me yesterday.  She was giggling to herself, and I asked her what was so funny... this is what I found...

She said something along the lines of "it already feels like a party!" 

"I think it's time to break out those Christmas decorations Gabe!  Gabe?  Gabe...  Hon, where is it in the barn that you stashed those??"

A little mixin' in the kitchen...Edited...

I finally got around to remembering to buy the ingredients for Russian Tea, which Mom and Dad introduced the kids to while they were camping and we were in Utah!  I happened to have a little jar at home, but that was QUICKLY emptied by my two little addicts!

We seriously laughed at Melia's goofy head tilt in this shot!

And Kiera was adamant that I show her Wenatchee Wild tattoo in this one... SO attractive, I know!  ;-)

Added Note:  For the record, Isaac loves it too.  This morning I found him dipping a spoon into the jar and licking off the powder.  He's pretty hardcore.  :-)

I found the lair of Thomas and Friends....

 Look closely.... Need it closer?  See below...

One guess who's lair this really is...  ;-)

A few Kiera nuggets...

While we were shopping the other day, Kiera was going nuts over all the "stuff" she was seeing and wanting.  Finally I just spit out "Kiera!  Why do you want SO much stuff?"  She replies back, matter-of-factly, "Mommy!  I am just a little girl with big dreams!" 


This week, on our way up to Gma Nae's house... Kiera pipes up from her seat, "Mom, could you pick it up to Kangaroo Speed?"  (Which, for the record, is up to 50 mph...  I was only doing 40.   Not nearly fast enough for her...)

Amazing details

During school today:

I am reading the instructions to Kiera for her b/d page.  It says something like "b and d are best buddies.  they look alike and sound alike, but they like different things...." 

Melia, to herself: "Wow!  I never knew that b and d are best friends - that's SO amazing!..."

Me:  giggling... :-)

Wenatchee Cross

wenatcheevalleycross.com

This is where you can check who/what the cross is lit for on any given night... For the most part.  Gabe turns it on just for fun sometimes :-)  But not for all night... Just a little blink blink blink to grab your attention :-)

Fall Yummy-ness

Pumpkin Butterscotch w/ a few mini chips just for fun cookies...

Eating the leftovers from our carameled apples- delicious!

Now, may I make a request?  The next time I make these- remind me of how STICKY caramel is, and that I need to find a different recipe than the one on the back of the caramels bag!  Oh yea, plus I remembered to roll the bottom in sugar, but not to layer the wax paper with sugar!  My little "rolling" did NO GOOD when it came to trying to rip those suckers off the paper!

However, we made these goodies for our church's "Bunco and Bema" night (Halloween alternative), and they were thoroughly enjoyed :-)  I am thankful we got to bring a few apples home to enjoy, especially because Kiera was distraught that I had forgotten to give her one at church...   What's really awesome was that both our girls chose to have a big plate of salad over pizza- that really suprised several adults!  And reminded me that I just need to make more of a point to have salad at home more often!

Carving Fun

Kiera's Butterfly... That Daddy carved :-)

I guess raw pumpkin isn't so bad... At least for an almost one year old :-)

Oh Alden- you will enjoy these pictures someday, I promise!  :-)

 

Melia's Dolphin jumping out of the water.  She worked very diligently on this, and it turned out great!