A toast to toast, January 27

At the risk of looking food obsessed (like the last three posts in a row, at least), I'm blogging about it anyway. Here's to toast. It must be the most versatile food out there. Top it with butter, jelly, mustard, peanut butter, or cinnamon and sugar. The boys have been LOVING cinnamon toast as of late. Liam would eat it breakfast, lunch, and dinner if given the chance. Connor, God love 'em, would eat anything I put in front of him.

The first time I made cinnamon toast for Liam you would have thought I'd given him food directly from heaven. "Momma! What is this toast called?" He then proceeded to ask for it for the next 10 straight meals, at least. After a discussion about this treat being a "sometimes food" he deals with it when I tell him it's a cereal or scrambled eggs morning instead. Nothing beats the smile on his face when I do serve it for breakfast, however.

Brownies, January 26

Mark has started back to class. Every Monday and Wednesday he heads out about 5:30 and doesn't return until well after the boys are in bed. This means Momma needs to get creative with evening activities. I mean the poor kids have been stuck with me all day already. I try to do something fun and special. Tonight we baked.

Liam has been asking to make brownies for like two weeks, so brownies it was. He helps measure all the ingredients and pour them into the bowl. Today's picture is of Chef Liam stirring the brownie batter. You'll notice the look of utter concentration. Stirring is tough work, people! Please also note the chocolate smeared on his cheek. I'll give you three guesses how that got there...

Once the batter is ready we spray the pan with cooking spray. Momma has to help Liam with that one, that button needs a lot of pressure. We put the batter into the pan and into the oven it goes. Now for the piece de resistance, the good stuff, the icing on the proverbial cake. Let the licking of the spoon commence! Okay, I'm cheating and posting a second picture. Connor is starting to get involved with the baking process as well. At least that last part!

Hot and Sour, January 25

Okay, so I'm cheating again. I did not actually take this photo. I meant to, but I was so hungry and the soup smelled so good I ate it all up before I got the chance.

We are, at the moment, a family on a serious budget. There are a few treats we haven't given up quite yet. The first is our Sunday morning breakfast at Kip's. I'm sure that blog will be coming shortly. The second is a nice late night dinner with Mark of Chinese take out. We give the boys a kid friendly dinner of nuggets or hot dogs (don't worry Mom, they get veggies too! :P) and off to bed they go. Then Mark heads out to our favorite local Chinese/Polynesian joint for some take out.

Lately I have become obsessed with hot and sour soup. My love affair began when I realized how low calorie an item it was, which for someone trying to watch what they eat is a find indeed on a Chinese menu. Unlike most low calorie food, it is tasty, really tasty. Spicy and sweet, full of chunks of veggies, tofu and shredded pork. Add a little white rice (yes I'm the weirdo who orders steamed rice instead of fried...never liked the stuff) and I'm a happy camper. Such a nice treat after a busy day and on cold night. Mmmmmm...hot and sour soup.

Dinner at Memere's, January 24

Today we went to my Mother-in-Law's for dinner. Liam and Connor were in their element. There aren't many "no"s at Memere's house. From the moment we arrive Liam gets down to business. Takes the required walk around the apartment, making sure everything is as he left it. Connor prefers a more organic approach, he just rushes up to the first thing that looks interesting and heads to the next as soon as he loses interest; repeat as needed.

Time to sit down to dinner and Liam isn't sure he wants to leave the books, puzzles, and crayons behind. He finally decides to join us when his choice is boiled down to dinner or time out. Connor meanwhile has been happily seated since the moment the word "dinner" was uttered. He's a bit of a foodie already.

Today's picture captures just a few of the reasons Liam loves these visits so much. Liam is enjoying a piece of Jello cake topped with Cool Whip or "Whipped Cream Pie" as Liam was calling it. No seat necessary, he prefers to eat while standing. You never know when you'll have to drop everything and run. You'll also notice the Bob the Builder DVD playing in the background. Four adults in the room, but we've got Bob on TV. No question who rules the roost at Memere's house :).

Baseball, January 23

Ken Burns sure does know how to tell a story. I've been a fan since I first saw The Civil War air on PBS while I was still in high school. I love his slow style, the way he makes history come to life, how he makes you look at the people behind the events without making it feel forced. Mark and I have been watching a DVD from his Baseball series each night. We've just finished inning 4 and enjoying them very much. I've seen this series several times, but they never seem to get old. I learn something new every time I watch, several somethings actually. Burns reminds me of those great teachers you have had over your lifetime. The ones who love their subject matter so much their passion is contagious. You find yourself interested in things you never imagined you could be. You know; the mating habits of the humpback whale, robotics, the Pythagorean theorem, I could go on... It's nice to know one never fails to learn from the inspiration of others.

Time Out, January 22

I recently mentioned one of Liam's experiences in time out in my other blog. The boy has been trying my patience. He has been spending an ever increasing amount of time in the naughty chair. He doesn't like it, but he can't seem to help himself. He just has to push a little further to see what he can get away with. I just keep drawing the line in the sand and putting his cute little behind back in time out. Today's picture is of Liam in his most familiar, if not favorite spot in the house. This was taken, surprisingly, after only his second trip today. Don't be surprised if next time you visit you notice a little spot worn smooth on the seat of this chair. He'll be spending a lot of time here, until he learns anyway. What do you think? 25? Before he's out of college?

One of Those Days, January 21

Today was one of those days, long on hours and short on patience. In addition to the buckets of snow we have in the yard the weather has been very chilly. I bring the boys out to play everyday, but in 7 to 19 degree temperatures we can't stay out for very long.

Today we emptied out the toy box (twice), read every book in the book basket downstairs (we're talking 15 odd books), played under the dining room table, took apart the foam letter/animal puzzle rug in their bedroom, played out in the snow, had an afternoon nap, visited a neighbor, ate breakfast and lunch, watched at least 2 hours of PBS, and we still had lulls. It was one of those days.

The picture today is the boys waiting for the cavalry. Mark was due home and the boys are looking out the window waiting for his arrival. Nothing makes a long day better than some reinforcements, a new face, Daddy :).