ABC's of Lego

Isaac's been running a fever and with all the latest hype about the Swine Flu, the doctor said to just assume it was the thing and watch Keila carefully for the next few days. Thankfully the symptoms are mild enough and Isaac just has a decreased appetite and a high temperature. Nothing for Keila now. But this means that we're home bound for the next few days and a bored little boy does not bode well for anyone. While playing Legos with him I hit upon the idea of using them to make letters and having him identify them from his book. It was great ... took up lots of time and we talked a little about spelling words ... such as 'hi' below. Unfortunately when I tried to get him to switch the letters around for the camera, he told me I wrong and kept it the same. ;0)




His ultimate favorite shows are Word World and Super Why. So much so that he's determined to be 'Super Why' for Halloween ... "with the power to read!"

Keila's Baby Blessing

We had the opportunity of going out to Mesa today to meet with Kent's family for Keila's baby blessing. For living so close to one another, we don't often see each other so it was wonderful to get caught up on the family. Here's Keila saying hi to her Uncle Rich.

The All American Dessert

So I've always been intimidated with making pies. I see in my mind the tender crust that breaks off in little flakes as a fork cuts through ... something like in a commercial when they play it in slow motion so as to really get saliva pooling in the corners of your mouth. That picture would be my goal. but I was afraid that the reality would be my husband sawing at it with a steak knife!

I cornered myself though when I ordered a 30 lbs box of peaches from Utah. While we love peaches, there was no way that Kent, Isaac and I could eat 30 lbs before they went bad. I didn't want to make jam since all that sugar tends to mask the real flavor of the fruit and I simply didn't have the energy to can it all. When Lorna Sears mentioned having froze enough of them in peach pies that they ate it all year, I decided to take the leap.

Lorna, being the genius that she is, brought up the idea of freezing the filling such that when I got around to making the crust, I could just pop it in. It was perfect, especially for me when I have kids to worry about too. I froze the fillings for the pies on 2 different days and opted to try out the crust once before making it for all of them. It was divine!!! And now I can say, "I CAN DO IT!!!", flaky crusts and all! ;0)


PIE CRUST (makes one 2-crust pie)

2-1/2 c. flour
1 c. shortening
1/2 tsp salt

Mix together until it forms large crumbs. ( I use my electric mixer for this part since I'm basically lazy and it works.)

Combine, then add to flour mixture, stirring lightly with a fork:
1 beaten egg
1/4 c. water
1 Tbs. vinegar

Mix lightly and roll out. Avoid any excess handling. For best results, do not reuse the trimmings.


PEACH-RASPBERRY PIE

4 lb. (about 8 large peaches), peeled and cut into 3/4" slices
1/2 c. fresh raspberries
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
2 Tbs. butter, cut into pieces

Combine peaches, raspberries, sugar and flour; turn into bottom crust. Dot top with butter. Roll out remaining dough. If peaches are very juicy, sprinkle fruit mixture with 1 more tablespoon of flour. Place top crust
and crimp edges. Sprinkle top lightly with sugar. Bake 350 for about an hour until golden and juices are leaking out. (Bake on a cookie sheet.) This bakes just fine from frozen.


Here's the filling, lined with wax paper and sealed in a ziploc bag.



And here is the finished masterpiece ... well not really, it's not as esthetically pleasing as one would like, but I had barely 15 mins to make it before I had to feed some cranky children! ;0)

Two Month Ouchies

Kent and I have the gift of having large children. So much so that carrying them around results in one arm resembling Popeye and the other a limp noodle. Following in her brother's footsteps, Keila at 9 weeks is not 23.5 inches long and 11 lbs and 14 oz. That puts her in the 87 percentile for height and the 74 percentile for weight. She's also 'pre-teething'. Amazing what can happen in 2 months! I swear my little girl was showing off for the doctor, cooing and talking up a storm and soaking up the praise ... at least until the nurse showed up. But she was a trouper and they were good at their job there at the office so that Keila didn't cry until they were half way through with shots. I had to laugh when I picked her up and she sniffed deeply and moan a few complaints as if to say, "How could you let them Mama?!"

There was one particularly tender moment between her and Isaac before the nurse showed up. On the way there I told Isaac that Keila would need shots and he was rather concerned about the 'ouchies'. He asked to give her a hug and while tenderly petting her head he said, "Ouchies Keila, but it's okay, it's okay." and proceeded to kiss her gently. It was a wonderful display of a sibling's loving support. How I love my two children and hope their love for each other grows more each day.

Thankful for Inspiration

Behold Utopia:


Behold The Enemy of Utopia: (as perceived by Keila)


Thus is born our first battle by a most adamant darling little girl. We waited a little late to start her on it and now we are paying a price. Unfortunately we've planned a long overdue date night - on our anniversary no less and we were starting to get anxious to have her accept the bottle. She took it a time or two (only with breast milk) but within the last few days has refused it and has very loudly protested.

From such moments are born prayers of desperation and I've learned that Lord really does care, even for the smallest of things that keep a mother sane. While dozing off to sleep 2 nights ago I had the clear distinct thought of dipping the nipple into sugar water to get her to latch on. Sure enough, it worked, even if it was me holding the bottle. How thankful I am for the inspiration from above that helps me raise a child while keeping myself mentally and emotionally healthy!