Couldn't wait

Fish boy had been out of the water just a bit too long and at the hint of warmer weather, decided it was time to get in.  I'm not quite as brave (without a wetsuit), so when he asked I just laughed and said "Sure!"  He swears it was warm, but seeing him hyperventilate and make it to the side in record time, I'm a bit suspicious that it wasn't.  Fish boy liked it and just gets us pumped for the season to come...kind of like the smell of sunscreen. 

The Newest member of our family

A friend of Oshyn's passed this on to him--he had outgrown it.  Oshyn has currently worn it three days in a row.  He beams with pride as people in the grocery store, on the street, or at the park know his name.  It's SPIDERMAN!  I hope he can see through the mask when he's riding his bike--so far so good.

Think happy thoughts

Ode to happier weeks when climbing fences and licking trees was funny, green mocos weren't flowing from little raw noses and coughs were just to get someone's attention.   

Seattdoe and the Garage sale bachelorette

Last weekend Beau took the crew up to Seattle (or Seattdoe as Oshyn calls it) for a bit of male bonding experience.  He had his 10 year high school reunion and stayed with his older sister Janaea.  They had a blast--forgot the camera, so who knows what really went on, but I trust them. 

 I stayed in Lodi...by-myself...and worked at a ginormous garage sale for our Young Women.  We raised almost two thousand dollars, which is going to pay for almost everyones entire Girls Camp cost.  I also pounded out as many pages of Cruz's baby book as I could, along with a nice run and wandering in stores as long as I wanted just because I could.  A nice weekend for everyone & even nicer when I picked them up from the airport and out of Cruz's little boy voice I heard, "I missed you Mom".  Fun to be a bachelorette for the weekend, but ONLY because I knew they were coming back. 

Spring Training

Boy are we happy to see buds on the trees and blue, sunny skies.  We have had a lot of rain and welcome with open arms the spring weather.  What goes better with this time of year than a little baseball?  The little men have been honing their skills this past weekend.  Here's a clip of Cruz during batting practice.  

 

I, too, had a little batting practice.  Beau was pitching with Oshyn in the outfield.  Quite a few pitches came my way, but didn't make it past me.  I was having a good  'ol time.  Finally I missed a pitch and Beau commented, "I got you with the change up!"  From then on, if I ever missed a pitch, Oshyn would yell at the top of his lungs, "Got you with the CHAIN SAW!"  What a funny start to a Saturday.  Here are a few pictures from later on in the day...at Target. 

Scrumptious Zucchini Bread

It is hard to find a delectable GF bread-like anything.  After making and trying this, I have new hope for baking.  Not only was it good for me, Beau thoroughly enjoyed it...which proves it is a winner.  There was no crumbling or grainy texture, just a soft, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.  Try it, you won't be sorry.

FYI: I used 1/2 c oil (no applesauce in the house) and oat flour instead of tapioca.  Regular flour would work too I am sure.  It was fine and dandy with those two alterations.  I also dusted the top with powdered sugar.  MMM good.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups cornstarch
• 3/4 cup rice flour
• 3/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1 Tbsp xanthan gum
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups fresh zucchini, grated
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the eggs until foamy, adding sugar, oil and apple sauce (using wire whip attachment for mixer).
3. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients and then add them to the egg mixture (switch to the flat beater or dough hook attachment) and beat in electric mixer for about 3 minutes or until batter is well mixed and becomes very thick. Add nuts.
4. If baking as a loaf, grease two large loaf pans and fill each 1/2 full. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, testing to be sure the middle is cooked through. If your oven cooks the tops of these loaves too quickly, cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning (after about 25-35 minutes). If you want to use this as a breakfast bread, you can sprinkle the tops with Confectioner's sugar.
5. If baking as muffins, grease and 1/2 fill 24 muffin tins. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, testing to be sure the middle is cooked through.

"Climber" is his middle name

Whether it be trees or walls, this kid can sure ascend.

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

When love was flowing for most of the world in the middle of February, Dr. Jekyll came to visit our home.  When asked to do simple tasks such as "Put your boots on the stairs", he would reply with an angry and very firm, "NO!"  Not just once but EVERY time he was asked.  It didn't stop at that.  The early hours is when it all would begin, "I NEED MILKIES NOW!"  Nap time also had some issues and nasty words would fly, "NO NAP!  PLAY CARS!  NO READ BOOKS! WATCH A MOVIE!"  Dinner time wasn't any different, "NO STIR FRY!  OATMEAL!  CEREAL!"  I was starting to wonder what to do (besides laugh).  Then when the month of (supposed) "love" was coming to an end, Mr. Hyde suddenly showed up out of no where.  "Put your boots on the stairs," was followed by a sweet voice offering, "Okay Mommy!  Thank you Mommy!"  and every other request had the same answer.  Where did Dr. Jekyll come from and where did he go?  I have no idea, but occasionally he visits for short periods of time.  Short (for Dr. Jekyll) and sweet (for Dr. Hyde) is what we prefer.