this very minute....

.....it is bright and sunshiny.

.....my lettuce seeds are sprouting (hooray!)

.....I have strawberries in my kitchen.

.....I hear a lawnmower.

.....I also hear Schuyler Fisk singing. From my ipod, not in my house.

.....I'm excited for a long afternoon run in the sun.

.....there is a fly buzzing my head (I didn't say these were all pleasant things).

.....I'm craving pizza.....or sushi (it's way too early for either).

.....I'm calling it weekend. riiiiiiiiight now.

what about you?

happy weekend!

a lesson learned

summer 2010. just because.

Over lunch today, we talked.

The boy and I.

Out of the blue he asked (very seriously),

when we could go to the North Pole.

I laughed. 

"WHY??? It's so cold!"

"But we wouldn't stay there forever, 

I just want to see it."

"Well bud......there's not really a lot to see at the North Pole. 

Not very many people go there--it's hard to get there and it would take a long time."

"I knew you would say it would take a long time! 

So I thought we would just have to take a rocket ship, and then we could get there fast."

In his beautiful little mind, there was no reason not to take a family trip to the North Pole.

Why not?

It was a corner of the Earth that he wanted to explore,

and there was no excuse good enough to keep him from doing it. 

And how lucky am I that he wanted me there too. 

I wanted to freeze that thought, so I could jump in to it at any given moment. 

Just like they jump into Burt's chalk drawings in Mary Poppins.

I wanted to be little, with no limits, fears, budgets or excuses.

No reasons not to do things--just a list of things to do.

In one tiny conversation over lunch,

my little boy taught me a wonderful lesson.

I have too many reasons, fears, and excuses filling up my adult mind.

Maybe he can go to the North Pole someday--who am I to say he can't.

Maybe I have more to see and do than I ever thought possible. 

I can't wait to find out. 

After we talked about the North Pole--

what we would see and eat (it was decided that we would eat cookies from Santa's house),

I asked him if he had a second place that he would really like to visit. 

"San Diego.

orrrrrr..........

Venus."

why not.

attack of the snack

....an apple a day...

Let's talk about snacks. 

I am a big fan. Especially when I'm training for something I am aaaaaaallllways hungry. 

And of course, children are hungry all hours of the day.

For me, pre-baby snacking was never really something I put thought into--I was usually too busy to find something to eat, or I just ate whatever I could quickly find. 

But when you are a new mom, with a new baby, that soon turns in to a wee person who needs snacks all day, it's easy to look to the center aisles of the grocery store for anything labeled "snack". Packaged perfectly in portions for pint sized little hands. (sometimes I cannot resist a little alliteration in my life). You are bombarded with coupons and advertisements for snacks, and since their packagages boast something about kids, or toddlers, or fortified with something amazing for your growing child, you quickly grab it off the shelf.

Let me tell you a secret. Kids don't need any kind of special "kid" snacks.....they can eat the same thing YOU are eating. Really! For the most part anything labeled with the word "snack" in the store is probably not that good for you, your child, your great aunt, or anyone else you may be feeding.

So rather than wasting your money, and filling your body with packages loaded with "fortified" (note: I have an upcoming post planned on why the word fortified drives me crazy, and misleading package labels) empty calories, 

here are a few of our favorite snacks.

fruit. easy as that. this time of year there are new choices coming into season every few weeks! Grab something new and try it out for a healthy snack.

vegetables. plant a small garden to get your kids excited about eating their veggies 

(check out this post, as well as all the comments, for ideas on how to get your kids to try new things)

hummus + veggies/crackers/pita chips

peanut butter + banana

pb+apple

pb+carrots

pb+celery

nuttella + .........anything

cheese and crackers (this is a favorite of ours, and the possible combinations are endless!)

"trail mix" (whatever nuts+dried fruit you have on hand + a few chocolate chips) here we have almonds+dried cranberries+chocolate chips

almonds

dried fruit

our homemade larabars (here and here)

yogurt.
smoothie.

homemade popcorn (the EASIEST) snack you could make. Buy some popcorn kernels and follow the instructions on the label. I'll blog it next time we have it, but it's super easy to figure out, promise.

And when you're running around and need snacks on the go:

-string cheese

-I love a lot of Annie's products (the bunny crackers are our favorite)

-Barbara's products

-Odwalla Bars

-fruit leather (we get a big box at Costco....I'm unsure of the brand right now but they are tasty and have no added sugar)

Here's a quick dish that can be eaten as a snack, an easy side dish, or.....both. It is so simple and tasty, and there are excactly 1000 different ways to do it.

Roasted Broccoli

Toss broccoli pieces with a few drizzles of olive oil until coated, and sprinkle with a bit of salt.

Spread onto a baking sheet, and roast at 450° for 30-45 minutes.

Add a few squeezes of lemon and enjoy.

other options:

-mince a garlic clove or two and toss with the broccoli

-add crushed red chili flakes

-add cauliflower to the mix

-toss with your favorite italian dressing or vinaigrette

-top with parmesan cheese

yum.

If you're are reading this saying "but my kids only like fruit snacks", let me say this.

Just don't buy them.

If I handed my kids a box of fruit snacks right now, I would bet you a bazillion dollars that they would eat the entire box. They would--what kid doesn't like fruit snacks? So I just don't buy them. Between school and friends' houses, I'm certain they will not be fruit snack deprived.

Instead we buy different kinds of dried fruit (dried mangos, cherries, blueberries, apricots.....anything. Bulk sections are great!), that they think is a huge treat. Yes most have added sugar, but this is a much better option than fruit snacks. Because really, what are those?

Maybe your kids love Gogurt. 

Just buy real yogurt--plain or vanilla, and let them choose what fruit to mix in. This cuts the sugar way down (especially if you use plain yogurt), and real fruit beats out artificial fruit flavoring any day.

So let's play a little game. I will try my best to help you out if you have something you or your kids love, but want to switch out for a better, healthier option--I'll tell you what I would switch it out with.....I'll leave my suggestions in the comments.

Your challenge this week is to try a new snack--make something easy like popcorn or trailmix, or swap out one of your favorites for a better option.

And I would love to hear YOUR favorite snacks!

happy snacking.

to whom it may concern,

Dear Spring, are you, or aren't you? Stop confusing me. Spring rain, I get it. Spring snow, maybe--as long as it melts quickly. But all day long snow storms? No. That is not the spring I know and love. Please get yourself together or we are through, and I will fill my daydreams with thoughts of my summer love.

Dear Children, I am sorry that sometimes when daddy is gone I don't feel like cooking. I know that

peanut butter toast + banana + steamed broccoli + a piece of cheese is kind of a funny dinner.

Dear Icecream Man, it's 50°. If your $5 icecream bars out of your creepy van don't tempt me when it's 90°, I certainly won't be buying one today.

Dear 100s of Seeds that I'm afraid I killed....I am SORRY! Please don't be angry, and promise me you'll sprout soon. I had no idea it was going to snow soooooooo much. I know you can survive light frosts, but please don't die on me. oh please.

Dear My Children's Pants/Shirts/Shoes/Socks, why do you always end up on the table/counter?

Dear children, please keep your pants on.

Dear  It's Kind of a Funny Story, where did you come from? I had never heard of you until you popped up on the Netflix front page. What an excellent movie you were! Thank you.

Dear Our Giant Tree, I am so excited that you are finally budding, and will soon be bearing leaves to shade us from the scorching summer sun.

Dear Scorching Summer Sun, 

our giant tree is budding, you can come out now.

Dear Handful of Chocolate Chips + Almonds, bless you.

Dear mustard, gold, copper, bronze, baby poo, and cat vomit, you are my favorite colors right now. What is wrong with me?

Dear Boy, thank you for drawing me so accurately, with 1 foot of hair.

exibit A

exhibit B

Dear People who are looking at the houses for sale in our neighborhood, please be awesome people.

Dear people with stinky feet in yoga, why do you always stand by me?

Dear Laundry Room, I'm sorry for constantly throwing things in/on/around you and quickly closing the door. I suppose it's time I put a little more effort in to you.

Dear Friends, I am compiling a list of classic must watch movies.....there are some really big titles I have failed to watch in my lifetime. (Star Wars (gasp!), Steel Magnolia, Citizen Kane, etc, etc).
Please feel free to add your must watch and classic movies to my list if you like.

sincerely yours/your friend/much thanks/lovingly,
sheena.

jedi training party

So. 

You have a six year old (you are old).

He loves Star Wars. 

LOVES Star Wars. 

So of course, he wants a Star Wars birthday party with all his friends. 

What do you do?

You let him plan it!!

This party ended up being really easy to do--easy AND inexpensive--my favorite things. 

Ask your little guy for ideas, and he'll come up with some crazy stuff. Together you can use your imaginations and come up with a simple fun plan.

What you need:

1) a second location. Since our first location was the park, and it was SNOWING!! 

I was SOOOOO thankful we could use our church gym last minute.

2) Rowdy children

3) lightsabers! pool noodles cut in half (I used black and sliver tape on the ends for a "handle", but you don't have to). This way they can beat each other silly and no one will get hurt.

4)A Jedi training course. Balloons, streamers, tables, chairs, slides, swings--any kind of obstacle you can think up!

5) Star Wars Music.....because that makes it official.

note: no need for extra decorations or anything fancy..... boys don't care! don't give yourself the extra work.

After everyone had completed the course, we all lined up for a Darth Vader pinata (found on Amazon).

Star Wars Cupcakes. 

Easiest thing I've ever done (and maybe the ugliest/most disturbing), but I have never seen kids so excited. 

The boy even liked them more than last years R2D2 cake.

I printed out Star Wars character heads onto cardstock, cut them out (creepy I know) and glued them to toothpicks (even creepier.) Did a quick frosting job on the cupcakes, stuck them in and VWALLA! Instant hit. 

Lesson learned: ALWAYS HAVE A CAKE MIX ON HAND. Why oh why did I waste my time making homemade cupcakes for little boys who lick the (mint buttercream) frosting off so they can hurry and go play??? crazy.

Lesson #2 learned: Let dad get in on the action. This was never part of "The Plan" that they boy and I had come up with....he had no idea, and was so surprised!

 Robby called me the day before the party and told me he found a costume to rent... 

He came running into the gym after cake, presents, and lots of lightsaber battles and it was terrifying! I thought he looked so scary--but the boys didn't even think twice. 

They all jumped right up and chased him around the gym.

NOTE: If Darth Vader chooses to make an appearance at your party, may I suggest you have him come let's say, five or so minutes before the party ends. Darth Vader can lay down and pretend to die, but the newly trained Jedi will not care--they will continue to beat him. 

and beat him. 

and beat him. 

He can try to run away, but these are little boys, who never tire. 

Make sure Darth Vader knows what he is getting himself in to.

happy birthday boy.

the end.

goings on....

This week has been crazy. How is it Friday? Is it Friday?

I have a six year old. What?

In case you missed it....I am photographing a cookbook!! It's true! Whitney has recently given birth to a new blog where she will keep you updated here and there about progress, behind the scenes hot juicy gossip, and maybe a photo of me breaking her table.
We are hard at work (mostly her, and I show up from time to time) preparing and shooting gobs of delicious photos for your eyes to devour.
It's fun.

from said cookbook shoot.

I've hardly cooked a thing this week--we've been scavengers around here. A tortilla filled with a little of this and that, and a peanut butter sandwich made in a hurry....that's about it.

I did make this soup (it's freezing again!). This is another one of my dump-what-you-have-in-the-fridge "recipes" but feel free to make it if you dare.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

-onion

-roasted peppers

-garlic

-diced tomatoes

-black beans

-strips of corn tortilla (note: if you add these at the beginning of cooking, they will cook into your soup and give it more of a chili consistancy. If you want them to remain in tact, add them 15 minutes or so before you are ready to serve.)

-a chicken breast or two
-chicken broth

-chipotle flakes

-cumin

-s&p

top with cilantro, avocado, and sour cream.

***

I have found a new love for watching movies with my kids, and I highly recommend it. Don't have kids? Borrow some. It is so fun to see what they find funny--and you'll start to see the world differently too. We've recently watched Tangled, Despicable Me, and Megamind.
See, this rain/hail/snow is good for something.

I'm feasting on the words of Markus Zusak--reading The Book Thief. All books should be written like this--it is a delight to read, and I don't use the word delight very often....I take that word very seriously.....

I signed up for this crazy trail race (only the 1/2, thankfully), and am slightly panicked that I might die. (possible causes of death may include, but are not limited to: exhaustion, starvation, dehydration, falling off a cliff, getting eaten by a bear, freezing to death, overheating, loss of limbs, etc.
Anyone care to join me?

The weekend will be filled with birthday party cupcakes and crazy little boys wielding light sabers.
And then I will take a giant nap.
Because I am exciting like that.


happy weekend!

hootenannies!

This weekend was a favorite. 

On Friday we enjoyed 70° with bike riding and sun kissed noses.....but it quickly turned. 

The winds blew and blew and blew until they blew us back to winter, and heavy wet snow. 

It snowed. And snowed. 

And snowed. 

All day--it was humorous, really--didn't it know it's spring? 

But we spent our time by the fire coloring, playing with legos, and listening to our church leaders speak for our General Conference.

It was perfect. 

We had our favorite breakfast....which I think most people call German Pancakes (are these german pancakes?) but they are called Hootenannies around here, because that is waaay more fun to say!

They are easy and quick to make, and disappear just as fast.

Hootenannies 

(I can't help but feel that word needs an exclamation point)

this recipe feeds my family of 4

9 eggs

1 1/2 cup flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour)

1 1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

Add ingredients to blender and let-er-rip, until well blended.

In an oven pre-heated to 425°, melt 2TBS butter in a 9x13 pan

When butter covers pan, add mixture and bake for 20 minutes. 

Your hootenannies! will rise up and reach for the top of the oven....so put them on the bottom rack.

You can serve them with anything you like really--they are fantastic with just maple syrup. 

We love them with berries and homemade whipped cream

(whipping cream + a bit of powdered sugar + a few drops of orange extract  + beaters = whip cream)

enjoy!

good morning, six year old

I remember standing in the living room of a teeny tiny yellow house.

It had been raining. 

It was dark. 

And quiet.

It was that time of day that was no longer night, but not yet morning. 

The world slept. 

I held on to your dad tightly, rocking back and forth, sure that I would die any minute. 

Watching the clock, timing contractions, wondering when to go to the hospital. 

Wishing each minute would pass faster, instead of 

sooooo....

....oooo...................

......slowly.

If only time could speed up, and I could hurry you out into the world. 

Finally, you came.

And here you are, this morning.

Six. 

Six years old. 

Six years later. 

We did it.

I love you.

__________ makes me happy

Eating a simple dinner:

-homemade naan

-shredded chicken (baked or slow cooked for a few hours with lemon, olive oil, S&P

-hummus

-greens

-marinated peppers

-sundried tomatoes

-goat cheese

-a favorite vinaigrette or a bit of lemon & olive oil

feeling SUNSHINE!

lying down in the (needs-to-be-mowed) grass and taking a deep breath.

the month of April.

reading.

hyacinth. 

Tom from Parks and Rec. 

finally being able to buy Tangled. I cannot get over how much I love that movie.

when my dreams have music in them (The Weepies Antartica)

Ben Kweller.

A certain little girl insisting that dandelions are "beeaauuutiful flowers, and that they should go in vases all over the house (which they did).

What makes you very happy?

Happy Weekend!

banana oat bread

It's been cold and rainy and all we've wanted to do was bake. 

This banana bread is made with whole wheat flour and oats, 

and lightly sweetened with maple syrup.

Banana Oat Bread

1 stick butter (1/2c), melted

1/2c pure maple syrup

2 eggs

4 very ripe bananas

1/2 c buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

2c whole wheat flour

1c whole oats (not instant)

1/4 c ground flax seed

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

in separate bowl mix together flour, oats, flax, baking soda, and salt, set aside.

mix butter and maple syrup.

add eggs, one at a time until mixed in.

add vanilla, bananas, and buttermilk until well mixed.

slowly add in flour mixture, mix just until blended.

spoon batter into greased 9" loaf pan

place on bottom rack in oven and bake at 350° for about an hour--when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, you're done! 

*I covered mine with foil the last 15 minutes to prevent the top from getting too dark.

enjoy!

your kids eat what?!

It's been a few weeks since I've done one of our "Big Change" posts, so if you're just joining us, you can go back and see what has been talked about previously. 

We started out with becoming aware of our eating habits.

Discussed my past romance with fast food.

Talked about finding time for exercise and healthy eating.

You'll often find me indulging, guilt free.

Finding inspiration to cook.

Fat phobias.

Running 101.

Running 201.

tee-hee.

We've been slowly making our way through my own personal journey to a healthier lifestyle. 

So the last place we left off, was me having babies. 

Babies. 

Teeny tiny people left in your care, for you to raise.

And grow.

And feed. 

But what should they eat?? 

With your first, you'll read every book, scan every baby website, and subscribe to every baby newsletter out there to help guide you on the way....right?

At least that's what I did. 

Start with this, try some of that. 

Wait a while to introduce that, but not before you let them try this.

It's all a bit annoyingly confusing.

But I loved feeding time with both my babies--nothing beats mashed carrots smeared in blonde hair 

(theirs and mine).

But then what??

They do have to start eating non-baby foods eventually, and I was anxious to stop buying those expensive little jars. 

So, they ate what we ate.

All of it. 

No separate dinners for baby. 

Whatever we ate, went right into my little chopper and out came instant baby food.

Our pasta.

Our chili.

Our enchiladas.

Everything. 

And they ate it--because it was dinner. 

So I have a hard time answering people when they ask me how I get my kids to eat this food or that food, or most commonly asked, how to eat vegetables. 

My kids have never known they had an option.

You can't expect your kids to like something if you don't let them experience it.

At three years old, I caught they boy's tiny hand up on the cutting board sneaking chopped onions. 

ONIONS! 

I was disgusted, but let him do it, because hey--he liked it! 

If you ask him his favorite food today he just might tell you cilantro. 

My kids like strong flavors, but only because I've always exposed them to different things. 

If you have little teeny tiny ones at home, give them all the veggies you can. If they turn it down once, try try again--chances are they will change their mind. 

If they are older, here are some ideas on getting them to try new things 

-Let them help. If you involve your kids in the kitchen--let them add this and stir that, have them help plan the menu, they will be more excited about eating it.

-Plant a garden. For many of you it's planting season already! We are getting ourselves ready for some cold weather veggies soon. Let your kids get dirty with you--

they will love to dig and look for worms. 

Ask them what they want to plant, and let them do it. 

If they watch their very own plant grow, chances are they will be excited to try it out.

If you don't have the space for a garden--plant one or two pots. One tomato plant can be so fun for kids to watch grow.

-Take them to the grocery store with you. Let them pick out any fruit or veggie they like. 

Anything goes. 

You may end up having to try something new too:)

-Take them to your local farmer's market. They will LOVE it, as will you. This is one of our favorite places to be in the summer. Most of the farmers are giving out samples, which will allow them to try all kinds of yummy produce. And again, let them pick out something they want to try.

-Don't take no for an answer.....haha does that sound mean?? But really, remember that YOU are the mom/(do dads read this thing?), and you know what's best for your kids. In this case, vegetables are best for your kids. If they don't like it, make them eat three bites. Three bites won't kill them, I promise.

Have it again the next week, make them try three bites again. If you avoid certain foods, they'll never learn to like them.

-Be a good example. Your kids watch EVERYTHING you do ("but mommy, YOUR room isn't clean"), so if you're not eating your veggies, chances are they won't either.

My challenge for you this week, is to try a new fruit or vegetable-whether it's one you choose, or something your kids want to try. 

It's never too late to get a good variety of produce into your kids' (and your:) diet. 

I would love to hear what you are trying, and also any tips you have on getting kids to try new things! 

I'll be posting my favs on my facebook page, if you'd like to come join the discussion.

happy eating!

springing...

charlotte.

...this post is for my mother....

friday senses

from yesterday's shoot...

Smelling: Whitney's enchiladas.....the cookbook is coming along, I wish I could share more....

Feeling: super excited about The Book this week! We have been brainstorming some amazing ideas.

Seeing: rain clouds. snow clouds. hail clouds.
Hearing: rain. snow. hail.
Tasting: We licked our plates clean at Chanon Thai last weekend.
Reading: The Glass Castle. craaaaaazy.
Cleaning: EVERYTHING! frantically!! brother is coming soon and there are not enough hours....does anyone else wait until the last minute like me?
Watching: We recently watched The Fantastic Mr. Fox and I LOVED it! It's so cute and clever, and I was fascinated with the animation.
Making: Bean and Bacon Soup
Craving: Hatch Family Chocolates hot chocolate....it is the BEST.
Anticipating: Meeting my new niece this weekend!!

feel free to play along in the comments!

Happy Weekend!

for the birthday boy

I'd like to thank Ina Garten for the fabulous recipe (I say that like we're pals). 

Thank you Whitney Leigh Ingram for the fresh picked lemons. 

And thank you, sir, for having a birthday.

he looooooves lemon cake, this one.

Lemon Yogurt Cake

recipe by Ina Garten (the only thing I changed was I used melted butter instead of oil, and I added the candied lemons.) 

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt

1 1/3 cups sugar, divided

3 extra-large eggs

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the glaze:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it's all incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.

When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice and pour over the cake.

I made my glaze a bit too thin, so it mostly just seeped into the cake. Delicious, yes....but no fun to look at. 

So Martha told me how to candy some lemon slices.

Ingredients

1 large lemon

1 cup sugar

Directions

Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut lemon into 10-12 paper-thin slices; discard seeds and ends of rind.

Bring a medium saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat, and add lemon slices; stir until softened, about 1 minute. Drain, and immediately plunge slices into ice-water bath. Drain.

Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium skillet, swirling to dissolve sugar. When liquid is clear and bubbling, reduce heat to medium-low. Add lemon slices, arranging them in one layer with tongs. Simmer (do not let boil) until rinds are translucent, about 1 hour. 4. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let stand until ready to serve.

Top cake with candied lemons and enjoy!

change of pace

photos 100% irrelevant to content.....I just can't post without a photo...

My saturday runs usually go something like this:

Map out a route, each and every mile accounted for. 

Drive to starting location. 

Turn on music.

Start watch. 

Run.

Run. 

Run. 

Run down roads.

Up sidewalks.

Across streets.

Look at watch.

Pick up pace. 

run. 

run. 

run.

Smooth path.

 Even pace.

Mindless, foot over foot running.

End. 

Stop watch. 

Calculate pace.

that's it.

Last week was different.

I had no plan. 

No route. 

No idea where I was heading. 

I let Charly's leash out and let her lead the way.

Down a ravine.

Over logs. 

Over a creek.

Over the same creek. 

Again and again.

Jumping.

Leaping. 

Coming up short into the water.

Splash. 

No music. 

The squish of the mud, and branches snapping under my steps.

Cuts on my legs. 

Shoes filled with brown muck. 

Over a log, 

ducking tree branches before they could swat me in the face.

An uneven path of rocks, 

my eyes watching carefully where I placed each step.

It rained. 

And then snowed. 

And then both at the same time. 

Charly lead us up hills and down. 

And back to the car. 

Clueless to how far we ran,

or how fast or slow we ran it. 

It was the best run......ever.

Completely opposite of what I'm used to, yet perfect. 

I can't wait to get out again. 

I'm craving it. 

Wondering where we can go, and what new obstacles await.

I feel like I've woke up from a long hibernation of doing the same thing over and over and over. 

That same day I broke away from my usual panang curry when we were at dinner and tried something new. 

No surprise, I loved that too. 

As nice and easy as routines are, I think it's nice to shake it up every now and then.

 A book you wouldn't normally read. 

A dinner you may be nervous to cook.

A path you have never thought to take.

It feels really good, I  promise.

this little piggy

At least once a week (or two, or three times...) it will happen. We'll be in the store, or looking at a magazine, and my kids will say "mom can we buy that?" Whether it's food or anything that can be turned into a project, they usually get the same answer. "Noo.....let's make it instead." My almost-6-year old has perfected his eye roll. "Mom why do you have to make EV-ER-Y-THING?"

They  have both been wanting a big piggy bank for quite some time and we finally got down to business and made our own.....and they LOVED it (no eye rolling!)

This is a project I remember doing from 6th grade art.....which is really funny since I did it with my 3 and 5 year old....it's super simple, and they were able to do almost all of it (minus taping, cutting) by themselves.

What you will need:

-newspaper. We don't get the paper, so I saved all the ads for a few weeks--forget about the slippery magazine type pages, and just use the newspaper-ish ones.

-balloons

-an egg carton

-masking tape

-flour

-school glue

-tissue paper
-foam paint brush

-large corks

-adorable children to help

Day 1

Blow up balloon. 

Cut 5 sections out of egg carton. Tape onto balloon as "legs" and a "nose" over the balloon tie.

Mix flour and water to form a thin paste. 

Everyone has paper mache'd before right??

Cut newspaper into strips and put a thin coat of flour paste on each strip, and smooth it onto ballon. 

Over and over and over. It's messy and it's fun.

Smooth down the pieces the best you can (the kids do it a bit sloppy but you'll be able to go back and smooth it down)

After pig is covered in paper, set to dry over night.

*don't do too many layers or it will take forever to dry. 

*we added a few extra strips on the bottom since we'll be cutting out a hole. 

Day 2:

Decide on your colors. The boy wanted his pig to look like it was on fire. 

The girl wanted hers to look like a princess. 

Of course, and of course.

Cut tissue paper into smaller pieces--we did squares and rectangles.

Mix school glue and water to make a runny glue that can be "painted" on. 

Glue tissue paper onto pig. (they'll need help around the feet and nose)

This kids loved this part. They learned quickly that they needed to start out with darker colors, or several layers of lighter colors to cover the newsprint. 

They also loved seeing how colors turned out when they combined tissue squares.

Allow to dry over night.

Day 3

Make sure pig is dry and hardened all the way around.

Cut a slit in the top, and a hole in the bottom. 

You should be able to pull the balloon out of the bottom hole.

I cut a cork in half so it didn't stick out too far.

load it up!

the end.