Deceptively Delicious

Sometimes, a little deception is just what you need......
I do mean this innocently and only with getting tots to eat more vegetables...or any vegetables in some cases. I came across this book while looking for a different one. I am so glad I did. It's wonderful. I never thought I would be making veggie purees each week and labeling and freezing baggies, but here I am. To top it off, I am using the blender I received as a gift at my wedding shower, that I am most sure has never been used! The purees don't take long at all either. I spent an hour today making enough for probably the next two weeks. I figure I can just make a few here and there when I have a free ten minutes and keep the freezer stocked!

Tonight I made spaghetti and meatballs. Tim was confused when I brought dinner out because he knew we didn't have any tomato or pizza sauce. I made him eat it first before telling him what was in it. He thought it was really good, and Gavin cleaned his plate and wanted more. I wish I could have gotten some pictures of him signing more. He knows how to sign more, all done, and milk. He also blows kisses now:)

Usually, Gavin eats everything but the veggies. This didn't used to be the case. He used to love his vegetables. Now they get picked up and tossed over the side of the highchair, or he just stares at them and cries. Eventually with much coaxing and a long time at the dinner table, he will eat SOME of them.

Back to the spaghetti and meatballs. I made the sauce with CARROTS! Yes, a carrot puree and whole canned tomatoes and a few spices, etc. The meatballs were ground beef, because that is what we had on hand, otherwise I would have used turkey, and a BUTTERNUT SQUASH puree. Simply AMAZING! I was excited that it turned out so good, and even more excited that Gavin AND Tim cleaned their plates for more. Tim was astonished at the secret:)

I'm looking forward to making many more dishes with the secret ingredients! Did you know you could hide beets in chocolate cake, and chickpeas in chocolate chip cookies??!! When I get around to making those sweet treats I'll let you know how they turn out. (and if in fact they are good)

This book is wonderful because it not only has several dishes to create for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, etc, but it also explains how to puree the different vegetables and prepare them. Otherwise I would not have had a clue. It also helps to set up a good pantry of staple items. This is helpful to me because we are always running to the store for that one missing ingredient.

If you have a picky eater, than I would recommend this book tremendously. It's called Deceptively Delicious, by Jessica Seinfeld. Maybe you all have already heard of it, as she was on Oprah with it a couple years ago. It was a great find for me and my kitchen!

Happy Cooking!

The Lights Before Christmas

After a very cold week and 60 mile an hour winds, the weekend turned into some nice weather. I don't mean 70s and sunshine, but it was perfect for a trip to the Toledo Zoo. I've lived here how many years, and I don't ever remember going to see the Lights Before Christmas. We went and had dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Ivoska and then we all loaded up and headed to see them.
I can only imagine how much time it takes to decorate this place!

In the Pavilion, there are several trees and lights that are synched with Christmas music. It was really neat to stand and watch for a few minutes. I, myself, could have watched them longer, but some restless boys had to keep moving. The zoo was packed this night and it was tougher than you would think to just stand still. People just brushing by you, between you..etc. This is amazingly a clear shot of one of the trees without many people crossing the way.

Don't worry, the zoo is not on fire. Doesn't it look AMAZING!

I think Gavin was taking in the lights. He would look up when we pointed to the big trees.

Along the way we came across a group of ducks waddling around. Tim, the hunter, had to stop and try and get them to come near...at first I went for a picture, but then thought..wait a minute, ducks are dirty, AND might peck my little boy!

As always, I forgot something. I left my hat on the island at my parents on the way out the door. Lucky me, Tim let me wear his and he pulled his hoodie up. Naturally, my coat had a hood on it at one time too, but I had taken it off because I had a hat. This did not surprise anyone. I always forget something.

This is one of the first trees we came upon after arriving at the zoo. What a big blue tree! We went and stood under and looked up the middle at all the lights. It was pretty neat. That is us standing in front of it.

What fun it will be to dance to the Christmas music in the Pavilion next year!! Someone is still a tad unstable moving quickly...especially on very unlevel ground. He was ready to check things out though:)

The family!

Before heading home, we went inside the aquarium to warm up. But wait, didn't I say it was a nice night? Yes, it was, but it's still winter and lengthy exposure to the cold will eventually give you a chill. Plus Gavin had fallen a few times, and his gloves were soaked and had to come off. We went in long enough to look at a few fish and warm our hands and noses. Gavin liked looking in the fish tanks.

He did not like being told not to sit on the ledge in front of the tank, or not to touch the glass. I must also note that it's after 8 and getting close to bedtime. He is breaking in two more molars and his eye teeth right now as well. He tends to put his two fingers in him mouth when they are bothering him. So add the time of evening, the teeth, the cold, and the overwhelming excitement all together and ....

......we decide to head home:) Overall, a successful first trip to the lights!

Thanks for coming with us Grandma and Grandpa!

Go Browns!!

YESSSSS!!!!

Christmas Tradition

Remember when Christmas was magical and the mailman delivered letters to the North Pole and we all had a front row, shoulder-top seat at the holiday parade?? All these wonderful memories live on...and I believe a holiday tradition is just the trick to keep the magic alive.

I remember growing up that we always read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. So you can imagine my excitement to discover this recordable storybook from Hallmark. Never fear, this won't replace us actually reading it together every year, but Gavin will now be able to read/listen to it anytime he wants during the holiday.

There is also a new tradition that I would like to share. Some may already have seen or heard of this little elf, but I only learned of his existence a week ago. I liked the idea so I went out and found one. Obviously Gavin will not understand this tradition yet, but I look forward to sharing it with him for years to follow. Hopefully next year he doesn't develop a fear of elves like that of Tigger. I joke because I'm not sure how I feel about this guy watching me all the time. I mean look at him..kinda creepy don't you think?? In a good way...haha

There is a website, www.elfontheshelf.com that explains the mystery of how Santa knows if you've been bad or good, and how this elf helps him out. This elf, who we will just call Jeff, until Gavin gives him a proper name when he starts talking, comes to stay with us each year sometime after Thanksgiving, until Christmas to keep his eyes on you. He leaves every night to report to the North Pole, then returns again in the morning in a new location in the house to keep watch for Santa. The website also has games and activities and a page where you can register your elf's name into the "North Pole Elf Registry."

We've already read the story together a few times. It may be too early for Gavin to understand the concept, but it's never too early to start reading the story.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Is it time to blog, mom??
I meant to post these pictures yesterday when we put the tree up, but someone insisted on doing a little too much helping as you can see. So we found other activites that were a bit more fun for the little guy.

We were looking for the perfect place to hang the new stockings, since we don't have the old fireplace mantle to hang them. Gavin decided that the staircase looked like a perfect spot.

This is the first year we had stockings. I love this one. We made it at Pottery Barn Kids, and the pictures just don't do the stockings justice. They are fabulous! (I have one for Tim and I....and corny enough, the dogs as well.) Tim did get on my case that I forgot the cat. Oops. Maybe next year Jazzy:)

We also found several singing sensations in our Christmas bag from last year.

Gavin had a ball yesterday playing with the singing mice.

While the snowman and his buddies were cute, they were not quite as exciting. The snowman's hat goes up and down with a little creature that pops up slowly. He would watch it for a few minutes and then go back to playing with the mice.

I have to come to realize that there is always that one toy that is VERY scary to a toddler.

Here it is....the ever-so-scary Tigger in a present! I believe it is the box opening and closing that startles him. He jumps when it snaps open, it really snaps up loud and quick, Tigger will say one of several phrases..and then the box slams shut. Yes, it SLAMS down, making Gavin flinch. At first I thought it was funny but quickly stopped chuckling when the fear was so apparent on my little boys face. He wouldn't even come near the box, and if I reached for it, he would walk, quick as little legs would take him, across the room...in tears.

Here he is across the room checking out the new window ledge decor. I know what he is thinking...."I bet ya I can reach that tree!"

Ohhh Yes he can. But he doesn't try and grab anything or pull on it. He just touches the ends of the branches and loses interest. (Which is fine with me.) I love this tree in the window. I am amazed at how elastic toddlers arms get when they want something. I've learned that I only THINK something is out of reach.

Just chillin in front of the newly assembled lit up tree.

He helped put a few ornaments on the tree with me. He also took a few off.

Admiring the tree.

Last night after all the fun decorating, we sat down on the couch to unwind for a few minutes and he fell asleep in my lap. Still dressed and everything. It was only 7:00. He usually doesn't go to bed until close to 9! I loved every second of it. Tim wanted to take him to bed but I wouldn't let him. Not right away anyway. It's been awhile since I had the joy of holding my sleeping son.

TGI..T??

While it may not be Friday yet, EVERYDAY starts out fun when you have this morning greeting:) I wish I woke up so happy everyday! I'm more of a....just ten more minutes kinda person..haha. We are looking forward to this weekend!! It's holiday decorating time!!

One year

I can't believe that it's been a year ago TODAY, that I went back to work after taking a ten week hiatus from work to be with my newborn son. Man, does time fly. Has it really been a year??
I remember the struggles I had that first week. I even made Tim leave work for a short "break" to drop Gavin off with me at daycare for his first day so I would be able to leave. I have to be honest, while it was difficult, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I believe it contributed to the amazing women at the daycare center. They love their jobs, and they love the babies! Not only do they provide daycare, they snuggle and love the kids. They get to know them, they learn their needs and wants, and each and every one of their personalites. This made it much easier for me to leave him in such good hands:)..being I had to go back to work eventually anyway.

One year later, Gavin is still loving daycare. Some days he cries when I go to leave, and it breaks my heart. Other days, he reaches out to the caregiver immediately. This also breaks my heart. However, it also makes me happy to know that he is happy and comfortable with who I am leaving him with for the afternoon.

I am glad to be back to work over the past year and have developed a routine with Gavin. Some days are struggles, but it's all part of life with a child. I can't imagine my life without him.

While I don't have a picture to put with this post, I do have some words to say....

Before I was a mom, I never learned the words to a lullaby. I never thought about immunizations. I had never been puked on, pooped on, drooled, chewed on, or peed on. I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, and my life. (I like to think so anyway.) I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple little grin or giggle. I never sat up for hours watching someone sleep. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much! I never knew that I could love someone so much before even meeting them. (ask my mom, I cried getting wheeled into surgery. Good tears. Tears of joy, anxiety...complete mess of emotions) Before I was a mom...I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside of my body.

To all the moms reading this....Especially my own....You are truely beautiful and amazing people!!