Super Stuffed Sweet Potatoes!



I am on a sweet potato roll, YOU GUYS!  I love the benefits of sweet potatoes, but have struggled eating them because I don't really like them, hahaha!  I have been on a MISSION to find recipes that I love and it's been pretty stinkin' awesome!  Turns out there is a lot of info out in the interwebs :P

 



 

Super Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

 

 

Ingredients:

3 Sweet Potatoes, cut in half

1 lb. Ground Turkey

2 c. Yellow & Orange Peppers, chopped finely

2 tbsp. Mrs. Dash Chipotle Seasoning

1 tbsp. Mrs. Dash Garlic Seasoning

1/3 c. Shredded Cheddar

1 tbsp. Coconut Oil

 

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

 

Place Sweet Potatoes on baking sheet FACE DOWN and bake for 25 minutes.

 

While the Sweet Potatoes cook, heat a skillet with 1 tbsp. Coconut Oil on Medium Heat; cook Peppers with Garlic and Chipotle.  Add Ground Turkey and cook until no longer pink. (tip: if you have kids, just reserve some of this in a separate pan BEFORE you add the Chipotle.  Mine don't do spicy!)

 

When the Sweet Potatoes are done, pull them out and scoop the inside of each half with a spoon.  If it doesn't EASILY scoop out, put it back in the oven for a few minutes until it does.  Add the Sweet Potato 'insides' to your skillet with ALL the other stuff and mix it well.

 

Stuff those Sweet Potato skins with the filling, top with your Shredded Cheese and throw those bad boys in the oven on 'Broil' setting for 5 minutes.

 

ENJOY!

 

[ the verdict: Emmy tore it up, Ethan wouldn't touch it, and Stevie (after complaining) tried it and said "that's not bad, mom."  My husband LOVED them and I was totally impressed with myself :P]



 

 

 



Cauliflower Chowder.

You guys, please stop me if I'm over-cauliflowering. 

Actually, don't because I don't care.

I had a bunch of stuff in my refrigerator I was worried would go bad, so I kind of shoved it all in the pressure cooker and went on my way.

 

Cauliflower Chowder

1 head of Cauliflower, chopped in big pieces
8 slices of Turkey Bacon (confession, I used the real stuff this time)
2 cups Chicken Broth
1 cup Milk
1/4 - 1/3 cup Flour (this depends on your preference of thickness)
2 tbsp. Mrs. Dash Onion and Herb seasoning
Garlic (your preference!  we <3 garlic around these parts)
Sprouts for garnish

I have a pressure cooker, which I HIGHLY recommend to anyone who is short on time; however, a slow cooker or stove top would work fine.  I made this in less than 20 minutes with the pressure cooker, so it's worth the investment for me.

Cook Bacon as your normally would and set aside on a paper towel.

Throw your Cauliflower, Chicken Broth, Milk, Garlic, and Onion Seasoning into your pot and bring to a boil.  Before adding the Flour, mix in a couple tbsps. of COLD water with the Flour so it doesn't get all clumpy when you add it to the hot pot.  Your sauce will thicken - this is where you can decide to add more Flour to make it even thicker or less Flour next time.

Cover your pot and allow to simmer for 45 minutes.  If you're using a crockpot, just throw all the ingredients in at once and be on your way :P

Get yourself a bowl, top with some crumbled Bacon and Sprouts and ENJOY!

Healthy Buffalo Cauliflower 'Wings'

Can we just talk about cauliflower for a minute?  I NEVER bought it until I started seeing tons of recipes suggesting that it's a good carb replacement.  My first thought: "Stop."  I mean, it REALLY got to me that people would even compare my beloved carbs to ANYTHING let alone cauliflower.

 

Alas, the cauliflower advocates were right and I am OFFICIALLY obsessed.

 

Healthy Buffalo Cauliflower 'Wings'

 

1 head of Cauliflower, cut into large chunks

2 teaspoons Garlic Seasoning

1 tablespoon Coconut Oil, melted

¾ cup Buffalo Wing Sauce

 

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

 

Mix Coconut Oil, Garlic, S&P, and Buffalo Wing Sauce in a bowl. Toss Cauliflower in and mix with hands to coat. Put on a large baking sheet (lightly greased with Coconut Oil) and bake for 20 minutes.

 

THAT'S IT!

 

Now, if you're like my husband, you're saying "this will never replace chicken wings" and you're right.  BUT, it's a nice, healthy, DELICIOUS alternative to the wings on a week night or for a snack.

The Easiest Sweet Potato Fries In All The Land.

So, you guys know my deal...I do NOT like sweet potatoes.  I just don't know why it's even called a potato and that really bothers me.

BUT, I also know that sweet potatoes are the BEST carb out there, so I on a mission to come up with ways I enjoy it while please at least 2 other people in my family (let's face it, pleasing them all is an impossible feat).

We can OFFICIALLY add Sweet Potato Fries to the list and they couldn't be easier to make.

 

 

The Easiest Sweet Potato Fries In All the Land

 

2 large Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into strips

1 tbsp. Coconut Oil, melted

2 tbsps. Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning (or really any seasoning you like)

 

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. 

 

Mix Coconut Oil and Seasoning in a large bowl.  Add the Sweet Potatoes and mix with your hands coating each potato.

 

Lay out on a flat baking sheet in one layer and bake for 20-25 minutes.

 

Because I like mine a little charred/crisp, I then broiled my potatoes for 3 minutes to give them a little extra texture.

 

BONUS POINTS if you have 'Chups Fruit Ketchup.  My husband and I are OBSESSED with the Spicy Pineapple and could basically drink it if that was okay.  Plus, it's called 'fruit ketchup' which is pretty much my favorite part.

 

Still taking suggestions for Sweet Potato recipes, so if you have one, find me on Facebook and tell me about it!

 



No-Bake Peanut Butter & Chocolat Oat Protein Bars

No-Bake Peanut Butter & Chocolate Oat Protein Bars

 

 

You will need:

2 cups Steel Cut Oats
1/2 cup Shredded Coconut
1/4 cup Slivered Almonds
1/4 cup Raisins
1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/2 cup Organic All Natural Peanut Butter
4 scoops Chocolate Shakeology

Mix Oats, Coconut, Almonds, Raisins, & Shakeo together in a large bowl. Mix in Milk and PB - GET THOSE HANDS DIRTY!

Press mixture into an 8x8 dish until flat and refrigerate for 30 minutes before eating.

These are SUCH an awesome on-the-go treat and it SUPER healthy.  Let me know what you think after you make them!

Assumptions.

We all know what they say about assumptions, right?

I've noticed just in the last week just HOW MUCH we assume in general.  I am not excluding myself from this, but it's been weighing on me heavily and I know I will be much more aware of it going forward.

So, here's my big PSA about it (and a lot of vague pronouns to follow - sorry grammar friends):

Stop assuming a person who posts about how much they love their spouse is hiding something. 

Stop assuming a person who takes a selfie is vain/insecure/fill in the blank.

Stop assuming a person who is overweight eats crap all the time.

Stop assuming a person in pain probably just wants medications.

Stop assuming that a person who chooses optimism is fake.

Stop assuming that a person who gets government assistance is lazy.

Stop assuming the worst in everyone.

We could ALL use a little more grace in our lives and we could CERTAINLY all be a little more graceful.

October School Lunches!

The best part of October lunches was making treats "for the kids."  I've gotten some questions on what I feed my younger two and, generally, I feed them the same thing I send with my Kindergartener!  They're both pretty good eaters, but need variety so they don't get bored eating the same thing every day.

 

[PB&J, banana, Gogurt, Football shaped pretzels, confetti sugar cookies]

[Halloween Mac 'n Cheese, Trader Joe's organic Animal Crackers, Grapes]

[Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Greek Yogurt w/ Sprinkles, Broccoli]

[PB&J, Cheez Itz, and Mixed Fruit]

[Homemade Lunchable: Chicken Chunks, Cheddar Cheese, Pretzel Sticks, Mini Cookies, & Grapes]

[Turkey, Cheese, Crackers, Banana Muffin, Grapes, & Dark Chocolate Chips]

[Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Knot, Grapes, Mini Cookies]

[Beef & Cheese Burrito, Smoothie, Bitsy Brainfood Cookies, & Mixed Veggies]

On the day we made 'lunchables,' someone spilled Stevie's lunch and it was the worst day ever until they gave him pizza from the cafeteria.  I was SO THANKFUL when Stevie told me that one of the ladies that works in the school café took him back and got him a lunch when he was crying because I can only imagine his sweet little face when his food fell to the ground.

I scored a couple of boxes of Bitsy Brainfood Cookies from Target for next to nothing with a coupon on Cartwheel and he LOVES them; they're shaped like letters and the ones pictured are made from organic beets and chocolate!  I really like to give my kids 'fun food' and I try to make it homemade most of the time, but these are such a good option for quick grabbing.  Total bonus buy!

Choosing Love.

Facts:  A marriage does not stand the test of time because two people are good looking.  It doesn't last because two people have a lot of money to do all the things they want to do.  A marriage doesn't thrive because two people have kids that are obedient and sleep through the night.  A relationship with your kids isn't 'good' because you buy them the latest stuff or sacrifice a job to be home with them.

A relationship will outlast all the rest when it is rooted in Christ.  I KNOW I got some eye rolls there because I used to be the biggest eye roller when it came to this; what does it even mean when a relationship is rooted in Christ? 

I used to think that if two people were believers, that was enough to sustain a marriage.  I found over time that it wasn't; my faith alone wasn't enough to stop me from saying the things that would hurt my husband the most, it wasn't enough to keep me from feeling unloved and unnoticed.  I used to think that being a 'good parent' meant taking my kids to church, staying home with my kids & providing their basic daily needs; I found that being a mom who talked about Jesus, but got annoyed or frustrated when my kids wanted to tell me a story or lost my temper when they weren't being 'good' showed them more about the conditions my love had than anything else.

Believing in Jesus is life altering and is the 'thing' that ignites my soul every day, but until our belief shapes the way we act, the way we think, and the way we treat other people, it's dead.  I'm not talking about loving your spouse because he got you flowers or washed the dishes or told you how beautiful you are; I'm talking about loving the spouse that didn't notice you did you hair and put on make up for him, forgets to say thank you when you work hard to make him breakfast, and leaves his dirty clothes in the corner of the bedroom.  I'm not talking about loving the child that cleans his room, does well in school, & is obedient; I'm talking about loving the child who has screamed all day, thrown food all over the floor, and had ANOTHER accident in his pants.

It's not hard to extend love to people who serve our desires or who give us the warm fuzzies and recognizing love as more than a feeling is a great place to start.  In John 3:16, we learn how MUCH God loves

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

in 1 John 3:16-18, we learn how God wants us to love.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?  Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

STOP talking about how much you love people and START showing it.  Love your kids?  Show them.  Sit with them, talk to them, be patient with them.  And when they drive you up a stinkin' wall, sit with them more, talk with them more, and be more patient.  Love your spouse?  Show him/her, too.  Sit next to him/her on the couch even when it's boring, ask him/her how the day was, buy him/her a cup of coffee (ALWAYS a safe bet).  And when he/she is being the absolute worst and is completely unlovable, lay it on harder.

Choose love.  Every day and even more on the hardest days.

School Lunch Roundup!

Good news, guys:  I'm learning that taking pictures of food on a white surface makes it look much more appealing.  I'm sure this is as exciting for YOU as it is for me.

 

[My mom's Mac 'n Cheese, Grapes, & Mini Cookies]

[Turkey Roll ups, Grapes, Football Pretzels, & Greek Yogurt w/ Sprinkles]

[Chicken Chunks, Horizon Organic Cheese Shapes, Grapes, & Broccoli]

 

[Pb&J, Goldfish, & Chocolate Covered Oreo]

[Spaghetti & Meatballs, Grapes, & Chocolate Graham Crackers]

Things I learned: 

- Spaghetti & Meatballs is a total family favorite!  The kids loved it the night I made it and for leftovers, which is VERY rare; definitely going back in the rotation!

- One word: Grapes.  Kids love grapes.  They're like $30/lb, but the kids freak out over them, so it's worth it.

- Kids at school think you're super awesome when your mom packs you anything with chocolate.

- Anything cut or made into shapes is really good times. 

Parental Statistics.

# of times I said I would never take my kids in public dressed in their pajamas:  1500
# of times I've probably taken my kids in public dressed in their pajamas:  3000

# of times I said I would never give into the demands of toddlers to make them stop crying:  30,000
# of times I've probably given into the demands of toddlers to make them stop crying:  50,000

# of times I swore I'd NEVER EVER, under any circumstance buy my children fast food: 400
# of times I have probably bought my children fast food: 300

# of pins on Pinterest for teaching toddlers at home: 15,000
# of days per week I implement teaching: 2

# of times I judged a parent after seeing a temper tantrum in a store: 20
# of times I really regret judging parents after my kids throw temper tantrums in stores: 300,000

# of times a day I have to change diapers/clothes: 20
# of times a day my kids act like I'm physically harming them during diaper/clothing changes: 20

# of times I try to sneak away to the bathroom and hide from my toddler dictators: 50
# of times they find me: 50

# of times a day I say, "I'm never having another kid:" 1,000,000
# of times a day I think, "Aww, I want more kids.:" 2,000,000


*Disclaimer:  these are 100% factual.  I take back nothing I've said.

Why I Will No Longer Cling to My Plans.

 

So, I revealed back in August that I failed the NCLEX.  If you don't know, it's the test graduate nurses take to obtain licensure in the state they plan to work.  It was a BIG deal to me and is a BIG deal to every nurse coming out of school. 

I remember sitting down at that test, answering the first five questions and immediately saying some not nice things under my breath.  I KNEW before I actually found out that there was no way I was going to pass that thing; I wasn't prepared, I focused way too much on content and not enough of prioritization.  My confidence after those first five questions went down the drain and continued to plummet in the few months leading up the next test.

When I got the news that I failed (which came with $250 price tag to retest - DOUBLE WHAMMY), I was crushed.  I knew the test didn't define me and I knew I was going to get back up and take it again, but it sucked.  I cried every night for several weeks, questioned my ability to be a nurse, and wondered what the last several years of school were even for.

BUT GOD...

I can't describe the transformation that has come over the last few months; when I sat for the exam the first time, I prayed to pass, when I sat for the exam the second time, I prayed that God would reveal His plan for my life no matter what the outcome was.  Have you ever wondered the extent to which you trust God?  Give Him the thing you cling to most and see how much you trust His sovereignty; give Him your children, your spouse, your career, & your finances without trying to control the outcome. 

That kind of trust is something I've never experienced.  I've been a Christian my entire adult life, but I've also been an anxious person most of my life; "what if" has been a life motto of mine and it's controlled my life for much longer than I'd like to admit.  I also went through a YOLO period time, which I think anyone who knew me then would agree was not any better.

It seems ridiculous, but giving up that need to control the future, that need to KNOW the future, & trusting the greater plan is easily the most freeing experience of my life.  Failing the NCLEX could've crippled me; by worldly standards, it should've brought me to a really LOW low.  But it didn't. 

And that had nothing to do with me.

What I'm not saying: being upset, frustrated, or disappointed aren't normal feelings.  THEY ARE.  Truth:  if I had failed a second time, this post would not have come as quickly and my acceptance of God's will would have taken a little longer.  Also true: what's meant to be will.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

School Lunch Roundup.

Stevie was sick one day, so we're one short of two weeks worth.  And I was sick for what felt like 2348932839 days.  I actually still have a sore throat, but I don't feel like I'm dying so that's a plus.  Before you judge how many PB&J's you see, remember that I was on my death bed.

[Chicken Nuggets, Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Banana, Chocolate Covered Blueberries]

[Chicken Taco, Corn, Applesauce w/ Sprinkles]

[Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Banana, Pretzles w/ Nutella]

[PB&J. Raspberries, Oreo Cookies, Gogurt]

[Chicken Lo Mein, Goldfish, Chocolate Covered Blueberries]

[P&J Stacks, Banana, Cheez Itz, Carrots]

[Confetti Pancakes, Pineapple, Raspberries]

[PB&J, Banana, Carrots, Craisin/M&M mixup]

[Chicken Roll ups, Cheddar Cheese, Tortilla Chips, Pineapple, Annie's Fruit Snacks]

Things I learned last week:  I can get the kids up, fed, and out the door in 20 minutes.  Pretty proud of that, NOT so proud of what I may have looked like dropping my kid off at the bus stop.  Stevie could give a crap less if his lunches aren't different and fun; he's just happy to eat.

Inadequacies v. Truth

I set my alarm to go off during the week at 6am; it went off this morning and I hit snooze a million times until an entire hour had passed of me putting off the day.

I wasn't just tired this morning, but had no desire to really be a part of society; I could've stayed in bed all day if that was an option.  Soon after I'd hit snooze for the 10th time, Emmy started crying, so my daydreams about sleeping all day pretty quickly vanished and I had to go get her and start the day.

I wasn't ready.  I wasn't ready to change two diapers, make breakfast, let Bella out and back in again (100 times before I realized she was just waiting for her treat), brush my teeth, or get dressed.  I wasn't ready to rush out the door, barely making it to the bus stop ... AGAIN...and go to the store before the rain came.  I just wasn't ready for life.

The last couple of weeks have had me in a big slump.  It's hard for me to explain it, but I've thought a lot about my inadequacies and what they mean.  I have days where my kids do nothing but sleep and watch TV because I just don't feel like entertaining them. I have days where I STILL can't believe I failed the NCLEX and I question my ability to be a nurse.  I have days where I eat like crap and put off working out until the last minute where I go through the motions, not pushing myself to really work up a sweat, just to say I did it.  I think about my marriage and question whether I'm able to really fulfill my husband's needs and whether or not he's able to fulfill mine.  I have nights where I have to drink a glass of wine to turn my brain off and fall asleep; when that doesn't work I pray and plead until I'm so exhausted, my body just crashes and eventually falls asleep.

And I cry.  I cry a lot because I do a lot of 'fake it 'til you make it' throughout the day, not because I'm scared people will know things aren't perfect, but because I believe STRONGLY that my children shouldn't have to experience 'adult problems' and, while I know I can't protect them forever, I CAN protect them now.  It's my job to protect them now.

And just when I feel really alone in this, I remind myself there are probably a million other people who do the same thing; a million other people out there feeling alone and inadequate and unable to handle life.  We have to remember that the enemy is a LIAR.  He wants us to believe that we can't do the things we've been called to do and he wants us to believe that we're alone and undeserving of love.

Today, if you're going through a season of unknown and struggling to have faith that this time will serve as an incredible testimony to God's faithfulness in your life, I am praying for you.  I don't know the needs of all my friends, but God does.  I don't know who needs to hear this message today (besides me), but God does.

You have purpose and you are loved.


¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

Lunchtime Trickery.

And the charade continues...



 

[PB&J, Strawberries, Cheez-Its, Yogurt]

[Chicken Nuggets, Peas & Carrots, Blueberry/Dark Chocolate Mix up]

[Homemade Lunchable: Turkey, Cheddar Cheese, Crackers, Annie's Gummies, Strawberries/Blueberries]

[Chicken Tacos, Strawberries, Carrots]

[PB&J, Yogurt, Chocolate Brownie Cookie, Carrots]

Things I learned this week:

Freezing Gogurt is really smart!  It acts as a way to keep the cold stuff cold in the lunchbox and thaws out by lunch time (which is at 10:45 here aka late breakfast).

Stevie will ALWAYS prefer a PB&J over anything else; I let him choose his meals this week.

Peas & carrots are just as uncool as spelling 'love' with toothpicks and NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE LOVED THE DINNER THE NIGHT BEFORE, it's still unacceptable for lunch the next day. 

It's NOT About What I Know.

Type a sentence, erase it.

Type a paragraph, erase that.

Type a letter, go on ahead and erase that, too.

Sometimes Often, I feel the Spirit calling me to share my experiences with others, but I have NO IDEA how to start writing about it, let alone TALKING about it.  I fumble my words, I delete my thoughts, and sometimes I just ignore that pulling at my heart to just be led by the Spirit.

Today, as I cleaned up Play-Doh (the toy of the enemy) all over the kitchen floor, paint supplies scattered in my front yard, cleaned the kitchen, made lunch, & cleaned it again, I realized that it just isn't about what I know.  I don't have to have the most parenting experience and I don't have to have read every John Piper book to know that I have been equipped with the just the right amount of 'stuff' to touch someone else.

I know a mom's heart & I know that many of you feel like what you're doing is fruitless; whether you're like me and you're in a constant state of picking up after others or you've been placed in a job where it seems like NOTHING you do matters, it does.  You have to know that you've been placed where you are for a reason and things have been designed in your life by the greatest Designer.  You have a purpose.

A couple of nights ago, I came out of my bedroom from working out and showering to find that the living room was COVERED in flash cards, books, coloring books, etc.  I had just cleaned up before I left the room (and a million other times the day), so I was less than happy to come out to the mess.  I raised my voice, reprimanded the kids, and almost cried...OVER A DIRTY LIVING ROOM.

Then I felt a like a jerk.  Guess what?  The house was GOING to be a mess again the next day (every 10 minutes) and I was GOING to have to clean up again anyway, but sometimes it seems so pointless to clean up at all.  I went to bed, prayed about it, and this is what came to mind:

Everything we do has meaning, purpose, & value so long as we do it to bring glory to God.

It's somewhere in the Bible. 

I didn't want to share this story because I kept thinking "who am I to preach on this to a bunch of people when I can't even remember WHERE this comes from in the Bible?"  and "who am I to tell a bunch of ladies to use their housework to glorify God when I still grumble sometimes when I pick up clothes scattered around the house?"

Then I realized it's not about what I know.  It's about WHO I know. 

I've since Google'd the verse (1 Corinthians 10:31), but I realized it doesn't matter how many verses I have memorized or how many times I have to remind myself of my purpose; I am able to give you encouragement right now to recognize that, even in the seemingly insignificant, mundane daily tasks, God is at work.

He qualifies the called, right?  That's somewhere in the Bible, too.

Creamy Chicken Salad (Adapted from Fixate recipe)

I have always been something of a Chicken Salad hater; I do NOT understand grapes mixed with chicken...at least I didn't until this recipe.  I WILL be making this again.

Creamy Chicken Salad

3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken breast, boneless, skinless
1/2 cup chopped green apple
1/2 cup seedless red grapes, cut in half
1/3 cup sliced raw almonds
2 green onions, sliced
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon

[and here is the difference]
In Autumn's book, Fixate, she suggests pulling this together with her Honey Mustard Salad Dressing.  The dressing is DELICIOUS, but it's too much for my kids (they don't do anything remotely 'spicy' which makes me question whether or not they're actually mine). 

FOR THE DRESSING:
1/4 cup Light Mayo
1/4 cup Greek Yogurt

I ate it on top of spinach and the kids had I along side mini bagels.  OBVS, this is super versatile and you can eat it in any way shape, or form and you will stinkin' love it.

Lunchtime Trickery.

A little inspo for you moms already over the school year lunches.  I'm a newbie, so I'm still diggin' it, but only time will tell how long I can keep this up.

[Turkey Roll ups w/ Cheese Stick, pretzel rod, strawberries, & blueberry/dark chocolate chip mix up; snack - apple w/ graham crackers]

[Annie's Mac n Cheese shells, Applegate hot dog, green beans, & strawberry/blueberry mix up]

[Annie's Mac n Cheese w/ Fixate Taco meat, Tortilla strips, Chocolate/PB granola bar, & salad w/ almonds, cranberries, & apple vinaigrette]

[Annie's Pizza Bagels, cukes, & blueberry/dark chocolate chip mix up]

Things I learned this week:

Salad = Nope, pizza bagels = "not even real pizza," leftovers still suck, & Macaroni n Cheese is still boss.

Also, it's a fun little guessing game to see what he actually eats.

A Little Trickery to Get Your Kids to Eat...

I've found over my 5+ professional years of mothering that my kids will try new things if I make it LOOK fun and inviting (adding little picks and reusable muffin cups).  Stevie struggles with eating meat, but he's BIG on fruits and veggies, so fingers crossed that this rubs off on the kids that come after him.

[Raw Carrots, Strawberries, Mixed Cooked Veggies, & Applegate Chicken Nuggets]

[Cotton Candy Grapes, Strawberries, Turkey Rollups, String Cheese, & Annie's Fruit Snacks]

[Leftover Pizza, Cotton Candy Grapes, Strawberries, & Chocolate Chip Cookies]

[Cotton Candy Grapes, Raw Carrots, & Annie's Mac 'n Cheese]

[Chicken Rollups, String Cheese, Cotton Candy Grapes, Cheese Crackers, & Chocolate Chip Cookie]

What I've learned from the first week of school:  Spelling out 'love' is not really cool, sending leftover pizza makes your child a lunchtime rock star, & grapes that many days in a row is unacceptable.  In my defense, those grapes were ready to go bad & I do NOT waste produce.

Other things I've learned:  This is a lot more fun for me than it is for my 5 year old.  Let me have this one.

Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Girl.

Emmy,

I know all moms says this, but I cannot believe you're already ONE!  What a year it's been!

All signs pointed to you being a tough little thing:  I was sick throughout the entire pregnancy, you came out within TWO hours of induction sans epidural, & you stayed up almost that whole first night with me.  But, when I got to look at your sweet little face for the first time (and confirm that you actually were a girl), I was filled with such joy just thinking about the life I'll spend with you.

I'm really hoping you like to get your toes done because I feel like we, as a team, could really get dad to pay for that; with your dimples and my eyes, we're an unstoppable duo.  I can't wait to do your hair, have spa nights, & tea parties; if you don't like those things, I'll probably force them at least once before I relinquish you to your own desires.  I've earned this, Emmy.

I intend on reminding you every day for the rest of your life that you were the toughest baby I've had, but you're sure making up for that time now; you are sweet, adventurous, head strong, & so stinkin' cute!  You can hang with the boys, but have made your mark as the princess of the house.  I SWORE I'd never call you a princess and I SWORE I'd never put you in big bows, but you've broken me.  You've made two little boys the happiest big brothers ever (I promise Ethan likes you, he just shows it in a different way) and you've turned your big, tough daddy into a big ball of mush.  You've taught me grace, patience, and multiplied my love as a mom times a billion.

Between you & me, those first 6 months were HARD and I never slept, rarely ate, drank way too much caffeine, studied at really crazy hours to get through nursing school, BUT you gave me so much  purpose.  Knowing that YOU needed ME was the most humbling experience of my life.

I'm SO honored to be your mom.

10 Tips for Moms of Toddlers.

Emmy will be technically considered a toddler exactly ONE WEEK from today.  This means, we'll have two little toddler terrors running around being all terror-y.

 



 EXHIBITS A & B:

 

 





  

 

Since I've had a couple already, I'm an expert (naturally) and wanted to share my top TEN tips for moms with toddlers:

 

1.  Definitely stick to a structured, normal nap schedule.  A normal schedule will keep them from getting overtired & cranky.  BONUS:  You'll get some downtime, too!

 

Unless that doesn't work, then basically let them fall asleep wherever they want.  Let's get real - you won't have this magical 'downtime' until they're 18.

 

 

 

 

2.  Invest in comforting items to help you through long trips; suggestions are blankets,      

pacifiers, food, & milk.  Allow them to self-soothe in the vehicle so they get used to traveling.  It will make life SO MUCH easier for you.

 

If that doesn't work, just sit with them.  Because, seriously, who likes to listen to a baby cry in the car?

 



3.  One word:  RULES.  Create them, stick with them, & NEVER go off track.

If that doesn't work, let them lay on the clothes you're trying to fold.

 

 



4.  Invest in age appropriate toys.  This will ensure proper cognitive growth and development.

If they don't want those toys, let them play with your [clean] stethoscope.

 

 

5.  Discuss appropriate public behavior BEFORE you leave the house.  The last thing you want is a public tantrum where everyone is judging how you handle the behavior.

 

If that doesn't work, buy them food and drink at the store to avoid such tantrums.  If they throw a fit anyway, just pretend you don't hear them.  Or know them.  That's what I do and, remember, I'm a pro.

 

 

6.  Treat all of your children the same.  This stops expectations in their tracks and everyone in the family knows his/her role as a PART of the family, not THE main event.

 

Unless you have a princess on your hands.  Then treat her as the princess she is.

 



 

7.  Proper nutrition is EVERYTHING.  They will learn to love fruits and vegetables if you continue to give them regularly with every meal.

 

Unless there's a day you just can't.  Then give them donuts.

 

 

 

8.  Appropriately dress your children when you take them out in public; this teaches them social norms.

 

Unless they want to be a ninja turtle.  Then that's your new norm.

 

 

9.  Teach them that hands are not for hitting, smacking, scratching, or tugging on other toddlers. This is a valuable lesson and one that needs to be learned.

 

If that doesn't work, create physical barriers in every aspect of their lives.

 

 

10.  Accept that toddlerhood is a phase.  This is a just a short period of time and they won't be impossible forever.

 

If you can't do that, pawn them off your strong, hot husband and tell him you need to "take some pictures."