Henry has decided that he really, really likes his snow boots. Can you blame him? The best $2 that I have spent at the Thrift Store this winter. He has also decided that he doesn’t like to wear pants. Hmmm…. We at least we have really cute diapers and covers to make up for it. Yesterday being St. Patrick’s Day we sported all of our green diapers. He is currently modeling his Green Little G Pant.
Here he is walking the catwalk, strutting his stuff. Hey G Diapers, do you need a new model?
Spring is in the air which means we are starting to see some of the fruits that we missed all winter. The main one at Green Acres being the strawberry! That lovely, sweet, bright red fruit that just makes you smile.
We have been able to get them for $.99 a carton the last 2 weeks. I consider that a post it note from God that we needed to get some.
Henry and I did a little baking yesterday afternoon when the Sippy Cup Gang had left. Cameron was outside playing with his buddy, Jack and so I thought that Henry and I could embark on a special adventure ourselves. We made Strawberry Banana Bread. I also have been known to make this with blueberries. Super moist and it made a great breakfast for us all this morning. We will revisit it again tomorrow. I know there won’t be any complaints.
Strawberry Banana Bread
1 1/3 c all purpose flour – (I have used 1 1/3 c Pamela’s Gluten Free Baking mix as well just leave out the baking soda and baking powder.)
1/2 tsp salt, baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
5 tbsp butter, room temperature
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 c vanilla yogurt (lemon, strawberry or blueberry work as well)
1 small banana mashed
1/2 c strawberries (like I mentioned blueberries are great too)
Preheat oven to 350 and grease loaf pan. Combine butter and sugar, add the dry ingredients. Once blended add the yogurt, eggs and banana. Finally add the berries. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. Let cool before removing from pan. Makes 1 loaf with 12 slices.
This was a great way to use one of the bananas that we all stick in the freezer for later plus finish up some strawberries that were on their way out too.
Good progress this week…..down another 4 for a total of 18! Wahoo! I liked my scale this week.
It was a little hectic last Thursday and Friday. Henry started vomiting Thursday and Cameron came down with it Friday. 2 of my 3 Sippy Cup Gang members had it on Friday too. I was a little under the weather Sunday, but not near as bad as my boys. Good news is we are back in full swing and it seems to only last 12 – 24 hours. Phew!
Tried a new way to cook hamburgers and ground meat on the stove. Instead of oil I put in 2 tbsp of water and cooked them in my cast iron skillet with the lid on. It steamed them. Very tasty and cut the fat down drastically. I use either bison or turkey so we are already low fat. These burgers turned out so juicy. Try it!
The weather is so crazy here. Mid 60’s on Friday then snow yesterday and today is sunny and in the 5o’s. Got to love the midwest in the spring. I am taking advantage of it though. I have the last of the sick blankets in the wash and on the line. Nothing like a good dose of spring cleaning to cleanse the house, mind and soul.
I know it is 65 and sunny today, there are clothes on the line, pack n plays being sanitized and soaking up the rays and lastly my dining room chairs have been scrubbed and are sunbathing with the cribs but I found some pictures that I hadn’t shared.
We had a great snow this year, Kansas City got hammered, Cameron had snow days and even that big green tractor company closed for 2 days(yes, miracles do happen).
Mr. Miller teaching Cameron that it is not nice to throw snowballs at Mama.
We had Cameron’s service plan meeting last week at school and they stated they were going to use a behavior chart and reward system for him. So I was thinking why not do this at home. I went to the University of Google and found a great website that had the work done for me and the best part it is free. They offered a lot of great tips and uses of the charts. It is becoming a go to site for Green Acres.
I found several charts. First ones for his morning and night time routines. For every star Cameron receives he earns $.25. The reason we are associating the money aspect is for 2 reasons. A. It has been discovered that we need to work on our money skills. B. I think he should have to earn his own money for his legos. It teaches responsibility. At the end of the week Cameron will add up his stars and then we will help him figure how many quarters he has earned.
He also has a chore chart. He is working on reading so I found it helpful for him to have to read what his chores were. With minimal help he was able to conquer this fete. Plus the added bonus was that I could print one off that had a Star Wars Lego Yoda at the top.
Lastly is his reading chart. We have made a deal with him that after he reads 20 books he can have the new Star Wars Lego ship.
Some will call this bribery or enticement. Call it what you will, I am choosing to accept and embrace the fact that my 7 year old is actually doing his chores and is excited about them.
The scale didn’t change this week and I am ok with that. I was not the best behaved over the last week. I know look forward because the past is no longer an option. My Mom and I started following that piece of advice years ago and it still rings true.
I am getting anxious for spring and to plant the garden. Mr. Miller and I are going to make a few changes in the garden and I am hoping that we can yield better results and in turn keep eating better and maybe trim the grocery bill.
I am vowing to start canning this year. Yes, this is my S.O.S to all of you canners out there. I will take any and all advice. What is the best method? What should I start with? HELP!
As you know I have been given the gift of 2 amazing sons, Cameron and Henry.
Cameron is in 1st grade this year and had a book fair this week at school. We usually send him with money and a list of what is ok and not ok to purchase. He does a really good job of sticking to his list. This time I gave him a little extra and told him he could get extra books. We are trying to encourage him to read. Reading seems to be our weakest area in school and from the visits with the specialist this week, very typical of Aspergers. It will click I am sure and yesterday was my first sign.
Cameron came home with 5 books, he gets his bargain hunting skills from his Mama, the Star Wars book he had been coveting plus 4 books for his little brother Henry. Talk about making a Mama proud, I know I couldn’t believe it. He told me that since Henry hasn’t been able to go to the book fairs with him that he should get some books too. The best part is that Cameron and I read a book to the Sippy Cup Gang yesterday, one that he bought about Piglet and Pooh. I read one page and he read the next. My Cameron read with me! It was amazing!
Thank you God for the patience and guidance with our Cameron, he truly is an amazing gift!
Well I am on a slow train here, I am up to 14 lbs gone though! I had a little set back over Henry’s birthday weekend. Possibly the Mexican food on Friday night and the Pizza we served for the party but none the less I got back on track and it may be slow but it is at least headed in the right direction.
I am so ready for Spring. I want to walk in the evenings as a family. I think the fresh air is so important to us all plus getting out and getting moving. I feel so sedentary in the winter months.
I have discovered raw almonds as my favorite mid morning and afternoon snack. I will scoop out 1/4 cup which is the suggested serving. Yes, I said suggested serving, trust me it does make a difference. I eat around 5 small meals throughout the day. I have started filling my favorite yellow pitcher with water the night before and setting it in the fridge. This way my water is super cold and it stares me in the face every time I open the refrigerator and you know I actually tend to grab it instead of something else. Who knew?
I hope these little tid bits might be of some inspiration, remember one day at a time or maybe I should say one bite at a time.
