Ron came home from work this week with 3 of the largest squash I've ever seen (2 zucchini, 1 summer squash)...I mean these things were HUGE! Picture about 2 feet long and at least 6 inches in diameter. When squash gets this large it's typically a little too tough for cooking and eating so I like to use these for baking.
My husband hates anything nutritious. If it has wheat in it, he won't touch it....veggies, only the starchy veggies for him (well, I guess I have been able to get him to eat asparagus and Brussels sprouts and an occasional winter squash). Thursday night I was printing recipes and preparing for a morning of baking with the kids (home economics school day). When Al took the recipes off the printer I teased him about all the yummy baking I would be doing with the kids and couldn't he just taste the zucchini bread?!?!? I believe his response started with, "Bleh!" and ended with "Not a chance."
The kids and I were up early, had breakfast, got dressed, had our school opening exercises and moved right to the kitchen to make 2 loaves of zucchini bread, one choclate zucchini cake and a loaf of wheat bread. The kids were as patient as could be expected while we grated the zucchini and ground the wheat (yes, we grind our own wheat). I was not so patient with all the little hands in everything and grabbing for anything they could snatch off the counter. But we did get through it :)
Connor was not so sure about zucchini bread and "why can't me just make a regular chocolate cake, why does it have to have zucchini in it?" He sounded so much like his father...yes, it made me chuckle, too. When the bread came from the oven the girls and I were all over it! We were pushing one another to get at it. Connor and Al sort of hovered in the background waiting for reactions from the girls. I explained that zucchini bread is much like banana bread so Al ventured in for a taste. I could see the skepticism on his face, but he dove in for another bite. Before I knew it, he was slathering it in butter and ate three pieces. Connor also tried a piece and found he loved it!
I figured I wouldn't ruin it for Al by reminding him it was somewhat healthy for him with all the zucchini and I used fresh whole wheat flour!!! Some things are more enjoyable when you keep them to yourself :)
So we had polished off one loaf of zucchini bread, baked our chocolate zucchini cake and have our wheat bread baking AND a clean kitchen by 10:30am! I'm exhausted and ready for my nap before tackling laundry :)
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Playing in the Rain
We've been needing rain for our tomato, raspberry and pumpkin plants (well, it saved me from walking through the mosquito-infested backyard to water them with the garden hose). Today we received the blessed rain!
Lillee was standing at the front door staring out at the rain when Al came up behind her, squatted down and had a little chat with her. As he gazed through the glass he remembered having fun playing in the rain as a kid. When I look out the glass, I think of how nice it is to be inside...warm, dry, not making a mess. Al and I definitely came from different worlds!
This is a picture of Connor a couple of years ago. It had been pouring rain and Connor was so hopeful to go out in the rain and I was not excited about the prospect so this is where he ended up. Now, denying him playing outside did produce one of my all-time favorite pictures of Connor.
Today, as I was heading out the door for a Dr appointment, Al was putting the girls in swimsuits and encouraging Connor to get his suit on. The girls were dancing on the porch in the pouring rain
and Connor was cringing and bolting for the door for a dry shelter.
When I returned home everyone was clean, dry and happy as can be. Here is what Al had to share with me:
Connor changed his clothes and joined the girls for a 30 minute romp in the rain...if you look cloesly, you'll see our kids are sitting in the street in front of the house where the water rushes down the hill.
Someone drove by and yelled to them saying, "You are having too much fun for a school day." Al responded, "This is school." While Connor proceeded to inform the driver that, "We're homeschooled!"
Fortunately, our children have a father who remembers having fun as a kid and never truly grew up himself. While I see messy kids, wet clothes, more laundry to wash and wet carpet, Al sees an opportunity to love life, enjoy nature and be spontaneous. We truly balance one another and I'm so grateful to have Al to bring such fun to life!
Lillee was standing at the front door staring out at the rain when Al came up behind her, squatted down and had a little chat with her. As he gazed through the glass he remembered having fun playing in the rain as a kid. When I look out the glass, I think of how nice it is to be inside...warm, dry, not making a mess. Al and I definitely came from different worlds!
This is a picture of Connor a couple of years ago. It had been pouring rain and Connor was so hopeful to go out in the rain and I was not excited about the prospect so this is where he ended up. Now, denying him playing outside did produce one of my all-time favorite pictures of Connor.
Today, as I was heading out the door for a Dr appointment, Al was putting the girls in swimsuits and encouraging Connor to get his suit on. The girls were dancing on the porch in the pouring rain
and Connor was cringing and bolting for the door for a dry shelter.When I returned home everyone was clean, dry and happy as can be. Here is what Al had to share with me:
Connor changed his clothes and joined the girls for a 30 minute romp in the rain...if you look cloesly, you'll see our kids are sitting in the street in front of the house where the water rushes down the hill.
Someone drove by and yelled to them saying, "You are having too much fun for a school day." Al responded, "This is school." While Connor proceeded to inform the driver that, "We're homeschooled!"
Fortunately, our children have a father who remembers having fun as a kid and never truly grew up himself. While I see messy kids, wet clothes, more laundry to wash and wet carpet, Al sees an opportunity to love life, enjoy nature and be spontaneous. We truly balance one another and I'm so grateful to have Al to bring such fun to life!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
A little Hubby love
I just felt the need to give my husband a few good strokes :) He's an amazing man and I feel so blessed to have him in my life. I grew up in a single-parent household where my mom was everything to us, mother, father, mentor, role model...literally everything. When I envisioned my future life, I always saw myself with one child and desperately hoped for an amazing father-figure for my child. Boy, did I ever get more than I hoped for! I married a man who is the most amazing father to his children and a wonderful husband.
I want to share some great pictures of Al with the kids...these say it all.
This picture only has Al and Connor in it, but all three kids are on the trampoline with Al. He periodically has to make everyone stop so he can remind himself that he's not getting too old to play, too! Sometimes I think he looks forward to visiting my parents just to jump on the trampoline.
Al and Lillee in the snow. I think Al's favorite days of the year are when it snows and he can play outside with the kids. He's very soft and gentle with his girls, but they have their warrior princess side, as well.
Connor had been asking for a mohawk and as excited as Al was to have a boy wanting a mohawk he was also a bit leery as he did not want Connor to be judged by outward appearances. Ok, Al also wanted one, too! What better excuse than, "I did not want my son to feel alone." Al cut his off before ever leaving the house but Connor wore his for a few weeks. Connor's lucky to have Al because I would NOT have allowed this if Al weren't advocating for him.
I want to share some great pictures of Al with the kids...these say it all.
This picture only has Al and Connor in it, but all three kids are on the trampoline with Al. He periodically has to make everyone stop so he can remind himself that he's not getting too old to play, too! Sometimes I think he looks forward to visiting my parents just to jump on the trampoline.
Al and Lillee in the snow. I think Al's favorite days of the year are when it snows and he can play outside with the kids. He's very soft and gentle with his girls, but they have their warrior princess side, as well.
Connor had been asking for a mohawk and as excited as Al was to have a boy wanting a mohawk he was also a bit leery as he did not want Connor to be judged by outward appearances. Ok, Al also wanted one, too! What better excuse than, "I did not want my son to feel alone." Al cut his off before ever leaving the house but Connor wore his for a few weeks. Connor's lucky to have Al because I would NOT have allowed this if Al weren't advocating for him.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
First Day of School
This title might be a bit misleading as we started school 1.5 months ago. The title indicates that today was the first day of school for public-school-goers here in Montgomery County. This was an interesting day for us...
Al and I had a conversation last week about Connor would have started school this week if we chose to put him in public school. My first thought was, it would be so quiet at home if he weren't there. A lot of parents find this to be a "perk" of public school, but I find it to be exactly opposite. I love having all my kids around, all the time. I learn as much, and some days more, than they do :)
So we celebrated the first day of school by joining a local homeschool support group at a public park for a fun playdate. There were so many families of all ages, colors, religions and disciplines. All the kids were social, played nicely and really looked out for one another. I would guess there were 40-50 kids total with a large group of older kids. Al was able to drop by for awhile and all of us, adults and children, had a wonderful time! We found new friends, support and worked out a lot of energy.
Al and I had a conversation last week about Connor would have started school this week if we chose to put him in public school. My first thought was, it would be so quiet at home if he weren't there. A lot of parents find this to be a "perk" of public school, but I find it to be exactly opposite. I love having all my kids around, all the time. I learn as much, and some days more, than they do :)
So we celebrated the first day of school by joining a local homeschool support group at a public park for a fun playdate. There were so many families of all ages, colors, religions and disciplines. All the kids were social, played nicely and really looked out for one another. I would guess there were 40-50 kids total with a large group of older kids. Al was able to drop by for awhile and all of us, adults and children, had a wonderful time! We found new friends, support and worked out a lot of energy.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Disney's The Lion King
We had an amazing opportunity to see Disney's The Lion King at the Kennedy Center yesterday. Grandma Ros works for the Kennedy Center and was able to get us tickets which was quite a feat as it was in town for a long period of time and every show sold out. So once again, we headed down to DC on the metro, this time with cousins Abby & Zach, Grandma Jane, Uncle Nick, Connor and me.
Now, I love performing arts, especially theatre and I had been wanting to see this show since it hit broadway 10 years ago. It certainly delievered, even after 10 years of anticipation. I think my favorite part of the entire performance was watching Connor as he experienced his first professional theatre performance...and there is no better way for a kid to develop a love of theatre than to see a show like this!
At the close of each scene, Connor was on the edge of his seat clapping furiously. We discussed some technical terms of theatre and the symbolism that is used through costumes and set changes. But he was completely engrossed and I was glad he knew the storyline and music from watching the Disney movie. Because there was so much going on visually, it would have been easy to miss important pieces of the story if you were unfamilar with the story before seeing the show.
Connor's favorite character (and mine, too) was Rafiki. However, we enjoyed Rafiki for much different reasons. Rafiki is the shaman-like babboon, complete with red rear end. That was Connor's favorite part. The costume for Rafiki had an oval-shaped woven laundry basket lid (no sure how else to describe it) with a large red circle on it. Rafiki often turned around and shook her bottom and it brough much laughter from the kids in the audience...well, I heard a few adults laughing, too. I enjoyed the character Rafiki played as she was a comical shaman, but had an amazing voice and sang in traditional African chants. She was so talented and I truly appreciate talent!
As we were leaving the Kennedy Center, we saw the children playing Young Simba and Young Nala coming out of the stage door and Connor was able to get autographs as a keepsake. This may have been a highlight for him! All in all, a wonderful first theatrical experience for Connor and one more thing to check off my to-do list. Thanks Ros, we had an amazing time!
Now, I love performing arts, especially theatre and I had been wanting to see this show since it hit broadway 10 years ago. It certainly delievered, even after 10 years of anticipation. I think my favorite part of the entire performance was watching Connor as he experienced his first professional theatre performance...and there is no better way for a kid to develop a love of theatre than to see a show like this!
At the close of each scene, Connor was on the edge of his seat clapping furiously. We discussed some technical terms of theatre and the symbolism that is used through costumes and set changes. But he was completely engrossed and I was glad he knew the storyline and music from watching the Disney movie. Because there was so much going on visually, it would have been easy to miss important pieces of the story if you were unfamilar with the story before seeing the show.
Connor's favorite character (and mine, too) was Rafiki. However, we enjoyed Rafiki for much different reasons. Rafiki is the shaman-like babboon, complete with red rear end. That was Connor's favorite part. The costume for Rafiki had an oval-shaped woven laundry basket lid (no sure how else to describe it) with a large red circle on it. Rafiki often turned around and shook her bottom and it brough much laughter from the kids in the audience...well, I heard a few adults laughing, too. I enjoyed the character Rafiki played as she was a comical shaman, but had an amazing voice and sang in traditional African chants. She was so talented and I truly appreciate talent!
As we were leaving the Kennedy Center, we saw the children playing Young Simba and Young Nala coming out of the stage door and Connor was able to get autographs as a keepsake. This may have been a highlight for him! All in all, a wonderful first theatrical experience for Connor and one more thing to check off my to-do list. Thanks Ros, we had an amazing time!
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