We still don't know what's up with Cole's pouty face... he was pretty set on not smiling I guess. Ah, it will make for humorous memories one day. Otherwise, we had lots of fun time at the annual Winter Wonderland at work.
Cole really enjoyed the trains.
Lauren's favorite activity was icing (and eating) a sugar cookie.
December 22, 2012
November 27, 2012
Crunch Time
I've made significant progress (note my last update was in 2009!), but we're closing in on December 1... I still need to determine how I want to 'hang' the 'ornaments' on the tree, but I might be able to finish up a few more pockets. One down, and 23 to go.
Contentment
October 27, 2012
The Farmer's Market
We visited the Ahwatukee Farmer's Market a couple weeks ago - haven't been in a while, and it seems to have grown, with several new vendors.
We bought a loaf of delicious ciabatta bread, an acorn squash, some tomatoes, some savory breakfast pastries, and two of these cute potted succulents.
But what the kids enjoyed most, was playing on the playground located behind the farmer's market :)
We bought a loaf of delicious ciabatta bread, an acorn squash, some tomatoes, some savory breakfast pastries, and two of these cute potted succulents.
But what the kids enjoyed most, was playing on the playground located behind the farmer's market :)
October 26, 2012
Fresh from the Oven
My first loaf, from my new book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Used the basic boule 'master recipe', and it was so so easy. Haven't tasted it yet, but several reviewers say their loaves taste even better than they look. And I have more dough in the fridge :)
October 14, 2012
Mid-Sabbatical Crisis
Only 4 weeks left, and I'm actually starting to feel a bit of panic set in. So much to do, so little time. Our biggest projects - remodeling our backyard, and decorating our master bedroom - are still in the early stages, but we've been doing a lot of research. In any case, here's a look back at our 6 weeks so far. We've....
Traveled.
Explored.
And explored some more.
Indulged.
Nursed a sick cat back to health.
Tried new recipes.
And modified some of the kids' favorites.
Shopped.
Played.
Exercised.
Baked.
Encouraged.
And relaxed.
Traveled.
Explored.
And explored some more.
Indulged.
Nursed a sick cat back to health.
Tried new recipes.
And modified some of the kids' favorites.
Shopped.
Played.
Exercised.
Baked.
Encouraged.
And relaxed.
September 22, 2012
Healthy Pasta
We make this pasta primavera dish, from Giada's Everyday Italian cookbook, pretty often. I love flavor of the roasted veggies, and we add in plenty of fresh grated parmesan. Only drawback is the chopping.... takes me about 30 min!
All the veggies, chopped up and ready to go. This time, used red onion, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and mushrooms.
The final product, with plenty of the leftovers, since still can't get the kids to eat vegetables that look like vegetables..... Also, it always amazes me how much the veggies shrink during roasting!
All the veggies, chopped up and ready to go. This time, used red onion, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and mushrooms.
The final product, with plenty of the leftovers, since still can't get the kids to eat vegetables that look like vegetables..... Also, it always amazes me how much the veggies shrink during roasting!
August 9, 2012
Q & A
There is many a moment, when I ask the question 'Cole, do you have to go to the bathroom?' I usually ask when he's either 1) quite still, yet a little bit wriggly, or 2) hopping around like he's got ants in his pants. Here are some of the answers he's given me over the last couple months...
Q: Cole, do you have to go to the bathroom?
A: No, I'm just resting.
A: No, I'm just sliding.
A: No, I'm just dancing.
A: No, I'm just yawning.
And my personal favorite....
A: No, Mommy, I'm just smiling at you - that's not my poo-poo face.
August 4, 2012
We're Back....
July 4, 2012
Catching Raindrops
June 23, 2012
Quotables
Overheard on Fri morning, Cole to Lauren: "I don't like you telling on me, I'm telling on you!" Gotta love those baby monitors, they provide some good entertainment :)
June 18, 2012
For the Love of Nature
Today, Lauren brought home a lovely teal colored 8.5 x 11 piece of construction paper, adorned with cicada exoskeletons (and a few drawings). Apparently she (and Cole, and maybe others) have been plucking these little molted shells off the tree bark at school - and I've heard she's amassed quite a pile. She asked if I'd like one for my project life journal, but I said I'd settle for a picture :)
June 15, 2012
Soccer Time
May 27, 2012
Right Now | May 2012
Lauren (age 5): Reads her own bed-time stories. Enjoys jumping rope. Loves to hug. Is learning freestyle. Offers Cole some of her snack when he has finished his.
Cole (age 3): Loves to throw anything. Sleeps without covers. Is obsessed with sun butter. Can name over 10 types of trucks. Always asks "what are we going to do next?"
May 21, 2012
Play Day
Had the day off today, and after some morning chores and errands, and a nice lunch, got right to crafting with my mom.
Had seen a friend post a similar bracelet she'd made, so checked out a few tutorials, then we gave it a shot. These are inspired by the trendy Chan Luu leather wrap bracelets. Need some leather cord, beading thread, beading needle, beads of choice, a button or bead to use as a toggle, and possibly some jewely/beading glue to secure the knots. One tip is to use a binder clip or clipboard to secure the two ends of the leather cord while adding the beads.
They were pretty fun to make, and not bad for a few hours of work. Looking forward to making another :)
Had seen a friend post a similar bracelet she'd made, so checked out a few tutorials, then we gave it a shot. These are inspired by the trendy Chan Luu leather wrap bracelets. Need some leather cord, beading thread, beading needle, beads of choice, a button or bead to use as a toggle, and possibly some jewely/beading glue to secure the knots. One tip is to use a binder clip or clipboard to secure the two ends of the leather cord while adding the beads.
They were pretty fun to make, and not bad for a few hours of work. Looking forward to making another :)
April 22, 2012
School Pics
School photos are back. They crack me up, every time.... 2011 pictures are on the left for reference.
Two years in a row? I had to purchase at least one sheet, because how can you pass up that face? :)
Lauren's turned out pretty good, I was pleasantly surprised.
But this is actually how I sent her to school. Notice the new hairdo in the school pic - a ponytail mysteriously sprouted...
Two years in a row? I had to purchase at least one sheet, because how can you pass up that face? :)
Lauren's turned out pretty good, I was pleasantly surprised.
But this is actually how I sent her to school. Notice the new hairdo in the school pic - a ponytail mysteriously sprouted...
April 9, 2012
Happy Easter
April 4, 2012
Pizzeria Bianco
After several years of reading/hearing about the nationally acclaimed Pizzeria Bianco, we finally had the opportunity (and time) to visit. It was a Saturday, we arrived at 5pm, and began our 2 hour wait. We walked around Heritage Square for a bit, then ordered a glass of wine and goat cheese crostini at the adjacent Bar Bianco, which we enjoyed at a table just outside the restaurant. With good company and tolerable evening temps, it is actually a very pleasant wait :)
We were eventually seated just after 7pm, and we had a very polite and attentive server. We ordered a glass of wine each, the antipasto plate, which was delicious, and 2 pizzas: the Sonny Boy and the Wiseguy... They were both very good, but my fave was the antipasto plate (and the goat cheese crostini app).
I would go back again, but definitely not in the heat of the summer. Next time, we might actually try Nobuo at Teeter House, just across the brick path. The menu looked really good, and it didn't appear to have any wait :)
April 3, 2012
A Long Day
Day 2 of my vacation week started out well - a good mix of productivity and fun: eye doctor appt, Starbuck's coffee stop, grocery shopping, lunch with Stew at the newly opened My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, and off to see a matinee of The Hunger Games. But not 2 (!) minutes into the movie, I got a phone call from Cole's teacher saying that he'd woken up from his nap, and had thrown up - and needed to be picked up. And the (not so) funny thing, was that Stew had taken off the afternoon so we could go see a movie. So we left.
Poor timing, and poor Cole... He's definitely got some stomach bug or something because he's got a fever, and there were a few more vomiting episodes, including one in Stew's car (Stew is really glad he decided to take the afternoon 'off'). After a bath for Cole, and following me around the house for a short while, he told me he wanted to do a [hula-hoop] contest, and next thing I know he's asleep in the middle of the purple hula-hoop. Poor Cole :(
Alas, lunch was tasty (assuming I didn't ruin that for you with my talk above) - they have a $5 lunch special, with your choice of pita (I had chicken souvlaki), and fries or salad. Will definitely be back, hopefully on a less eventful day.
March 26, 2012
The Debate
Cole entertains us with a few pages from 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. But is it a cocoon or a chrysalis? :)
March 19, 2012
The Name Game
March 17, 2012
Produce Aplenty
We decided to try the organic basket this time, from Bountiful Baskets. We got oranges, apples, blueberries, pineapple, cabbage, green beans, and (not shown), carrots, artisan lettuces, green onions, celery, and bok choy. A few of the items were packaged, from Earthbound Farm. Next week I think we'll try local - considering signing up for a CSA (Love Grows Farms) with pick-up location at work (how easy is that?) Someone also recommended chowlocally.com which looks a neat option as well.
March 12, 2012
March 6, 2012
Project Life | 2012 Week 6
Vanilla greek yogurt with kashi, my favorite breakfast.
A birthday party at 'My Gym' for one of Cole's classmates, the Mesa Takes Flight festival, and a stop at Habit Burger.
A fun party, complete with cupcakes from Sprinkles - yum. Check out Lauren's tail.
An excellent quote from Cole. And a glimpse into the evening routine - added 'special' 1:1 play time into the mix a few weeks back. Each kid gets 10 min with each parent - it's actually a nice way to wind down (for all involved!)
A birthday party at 'My Gym' for one of Cole's classmates, the Mesa Takes Flight festival, and a stop at Habit Burger.
A fun party, complete with cupcakes from Sprinkles - yum. Check out Lauren's tail.
An excellent quote from Cole. And a glimpse into the evening routine - added 'special' 1:1 play time into the mix a few weeks back. Each kid gets 10 min with each parent - it's actually a nice way to wind down (for all involved!)
March 4, 2012
February 29, 2012
February 20, 2012
Project Life | 2012 Week 5
Lauren is loving Round 2 of her ballet/tap class at the YMCA.
A hike at Telegraph Pass, dinner at IKEA, more dancing, and sun butter cookies.
Long time since I'd hiked Telegraph, very sore the next day!
Got some new art work for Lauren's room (frames and prints from Pottery Barn, and frames on clearance!), and Sushi Ken for Fri dinner (discovered Cole loves unagi!)
A hike at Telegraph Pass, dinner at IKEA, more dancing, and sun butter cookies.
Long time since I'd hiked Telegraph, very sore the next day!
Got some new art work for Lauren's room (frames and prints from Pottery Barn, and frames on clearance!), and Sushi Ken for Fri dinner (discovered Cole loves unagi!)
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