Mommy Wisdom 6-9-2009

As a parent, I often over-analyze things. I like to plan fun, educational, stimulating, enriching activities for my kids. Often I succeed, although occasionally I lose my pep. Today's activity was, however, not designed to teach my kids anything or enrich their lives in any way. It was designed to get them to leave me alone so that I could make dinner (incidentally, I was making Becky's Pizza Bake). Out of pure desperation, my eyes darted around the kitchen looking for anything that might entertain them and I blurted out, "Do you want to play with water?" I gave them each a few plastic bowls, cups, and measuring spoons and some water, and they were easily entertained for twenty minutes! Now, if you think that the water stayed only in those cups and bowls for more than a minute or two, you've probably never met a child, let alone raised one. But let's just say that my floor needed an excuse to have water wiped up off of it, so it was beneficial in more than one way. What is it about water that fascinates children so?

Daddy's little boy, all grown up

This morning Alexander announced that he had grown up and that he was going to work with Daddy. This is how he was prepared to present himself on his first day in the work-force:

Strawberry Picking

Yesterday we met with our friends Mara, Yael, and baby Barak at Butler's Orchard for some strawberry picking! The kids (and adults) enjoyed themselves, although mine were prone to "lane hopping." They also had a very efficient method of picking strawberries: stealing mine! Alexander approved of his slushie enough that he couldn't be bothered to smile for a picture. Neither the fresh corn nor the tomato that I bought in the market lasted until dinnertime, I'm afraid to say. I'm still looking for a recipe to use of some of these strawberries! I'm afraid we have too many to "just eat." Fresh produce is the best!

Costume Day!

I know I haven't been getting nearly enough photos of the kids up lately! The computer has been being twitchy, but Justin's given it a realignment (these are very technical terms), so hopefully I'll play some catch-up.

We'll start with the kids in costume! Just boredom busting!

Be afraid...

Grown-ups are lame

The other night I overheard this conversation between Alexander's toys (voiced by Alexander, of course).

Toy A: You guys are the best! You're so cool!

Toy B (from group spoken to by Toy A): Thanks! It's because we haven't grown up yet.

Does this mean I'm not cool anymore? Wait... was I ever?

Recipe Contest Winner!

The winner of the recipe contest is... Justin, for "Daddy's Dinner Special!"

Just kidding. That wouldn't be fair, now would it?

First I want to give another sincere thank you to all those who submitted recipes! I am not just being nice when I say that they were all really good, and that I would make all of them again. There were a few that will be finding a place in the regular rotation! This was totally worth the $10 prize, and I may have to do it again in the future when I find myself at a loss for inspiration. I had a really hard time choosing a winner, but finally narrowed it down to two finalists, and remade those two dishes this week on consecutive days so that I could better compare them. I took Justin's opinion into account, and the kids' reactions to the dishes as well.

It was a tough choice, but in the end I chose Kathryn's submission, Aunt Helen's One Dish Dinner.

There's just something about this! It's so filling and hearty, a bit sweet, and savory. It's comfort food! So thanks again, Kathryn (and Timm's mom and Aunt Helen)! Expect something in the mail in the next week or so!