Family

Strawberry & Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast – Get Ready for Strawberry Season!

February 28, 2013

Stuffed French Toast.

I’m not typically a fan.

My husband is however. So I decided I was going to recreate one of his favorite breakfast dishes at home!

This is a very simple and adaptable recipe.

The best part is that it is DELICIOUS! Especially when made with preserves from your favorite local farmer

It’s coming up on Strawberry Season here in Texas. In fact, you can already pick strawberries at our favorite pick your own farm (the farm we bought the preserves from).

I can’t wait until we grab our buckets and head out for strawberry picking this year! It’s one of my favorite traditions (probably 2nd only to our bluebonnet trip!).

Ingredients:

8 slices of Country White Bread (2 slices per serving)
4 oz of cream cheese
2 T powdered sugar (plus more for sprinkling on top!)
2 T Strawberry preserves (we got ours from Froberg Farms)
2 eggs
1/2 cup of half and half
1 t vanilla
2 T Sugar
4 T Butter

Directions:

1. Combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl.

2. Spread the mixture over 4 slices of bread.

3. Spread the Strawberry preserves over each piece of bread.

4. Cover each piece of bread with another piece of bread to make a sandwich

5. Mix together the eggs, half and half, sugar and vanilla in a bowl.

6. Melt the butter in your skillet.

7. Dip the bread in the egg mixture being sure to coat both sides.

8. Put the sandwiched bread on the skillet and cook on both sides until nicely browned.

9. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Top with extra preserves instead of syrup or use syrup.

Serve!

This was amazing. I’d honestly eat it for breakfast everyday if I could ignore calories and not gain a pound!

Strawberry & Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast – Get Ready for Strawberry Season!

Recipe type: Breakfast

Ingredients

8 slices of Country White Bread (2 slices per serving)
4 oz of cream cheese
2 T powdered sugar (plus more for sprinkling on top!)
2 T Strawberry preserves (we got ours from Froberg Farms)
2 eggs
½ cup of half and half
1 t vanilla
2 T Sugar
4 T Butter
Directions:

Instructions

Combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl.
Spread the mixture over 4 slices of bread.
Spread the Strawberry preserves over each piece of bread.
Cover each piece of bread with another piece of bread to make a sandwich
Mix together the eggs, half and half, sugar and vanilla in a bowl.
Melt the butter in your skillet.
Dip the bread in the egg mixture being sure to coat both sides.
Put the sandwiched bread on the skillet and cook on both sides until nicely browned.
Remove from the heat and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Top with extra preserves instead of syrup or use syrup.
Serve!

Filed Under: Family, Favorite Recipes Tagged With: Breakfast, Breakfast Recipes, French Toast, Froberg Farms, Strawberry, Stuffed French Toast

Age Appropriate Chores for a 5 Year Old

February 25, 2013

We had children so we didn’t have to clean our house ourselves.

That’s why we all have children…right?

We’d have this house full of kids that wouldn’t really make any messes until they were old enough to clean up after themselves. Then magically, right around the time they spilled that first giant glass of milk…they’d gain the ability to mop it up themselves.

Ha! Even if that was true (which it’s NOT!), our dreams would have been crushed from very early on.

However, we do expect our children to do chores and we try to stay consistent with it.

Here are some chores our 5 year old does around the house:

* Puts away his own clothes

* Empties the dishwasher (anything he can’t reach, he just puts on the counter for me. Before I call him over to do the dishwasher, I remove anything that might be dangerous or difficult for him)

* Dust busters under the dinner table

* Cleans the dinner table with a wet rag

* Wipes down cabinets

* Picks up clothing from around the house

* Puts his belongings where they belong (this seems like a “duh” one until you actually have children and you realize that this is actually pretty tough for them when they are little!)

There are plenty of other small things he helps us with, but these are pretty consistently his domain most days.

Because he knows these are in his territory, he rarely fusses over doing it and knows that for the most part, once he’s done he can do whatever he pleases.

It’s a big help for me, but I admit…in some cases (like dust bustering under the kitchen table), he doesn’t quite do the job that I would have done. You know what though? That’s fine.

The lessons I’m teaching him in life (and that his future wife will hopefully thank me for!) are worth a few remnant crumbs on the floor

I’ll come back and post about the chores our 4 year old does soon!

What chores do you have your 5 year old do?

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Being a Mom, Noah, parenting

My Camera is Back! It’s Great Timing Because…

January 31, 2013

Oh camera, how I have missed you!

I have been “making do” with my iPhone for pictures for almost 2 months now (and barely whining at all! Go me!).

The camera broke back in early December and with the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we didn’t get it to a shop until January.

The shop called and said the camera was fixed just a few days later (it wouldn’t turn on), but when I got there the camera still wasn’t turning on.

So back into the shop it went.

Finally…they called me today and it was READY!

And great timing too…because look what happened at school today:

Another one for the tooth fairy! He’s already lost 3 on the bottom but this is #1 on the top.

I think he prefers to lose his teeth at school. He’s lost 3 of the 4 that way .

They give him a treasure box so I think I’d like to lose my teeth at school too!

He has the sweetest little lisp now.

I want to bottle it up.

Love it!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Camera, Lost Tooth, Noah

Stuff My Kids Say: My Daughter Teaches Herself

January 29, 2013

The other day my daughter was showing us “how rats sleep”.

She was falling onto her knees and holding her arms out to either side with her eyes closed.

Now, I have no clue how rats sleep (I’m pretty sure it’s not like this though) so I’m not sure if this is based on some kind of reality (her teachers could have taught her), or if it’s just something that she made up on her own.

This was our conversation though:

Me: Lizzie, how did you learn that?
Lizzie: I think of it and then I know it.

Classic.

She constantly tells us things like this. That things just “come” to her. That she just knows! No one taught her! It was just knowledge she gained out of the blue.

Usually we can trace it back to something else in time, but sometimes we can’t.

It just cracks us up.

What’s the funniest thing your kid has said lately? Comment below!

Filed Under: Family, Stuff My Kids Say Tagged With: My Kids, Silly Kids, Stuff Kids Say

“You Are Charged To Be A Blessing To Those You Touch…”

January 7, 2013

I can’t remember if it was my pastor or the worship leader yesterday who said “You are charged to be a blessing to those you touch“. That really resonated with me yesterday and is still ringing in my head today. I thought I’d share those words here so y’all can let it sink in as well.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the power of our words/actions. Especially when to us, the moment seems like a casual encounter. You never know if something you do/say might change someone else’s life for better OR for worse.

If you knew that every word out of your mouth could make a difference in someone else’s life…would you change what you say?

I was a very naive child/teen/young adult and when I think back on some of the things I let persuade and influence me…I’m ashamed. Especially when those influences might have compelled me into actions towards others that were hurtful.

That said, the good AND the bad of yesterday definitely made me into who I am today and for that I’m grateful.

To those I might have hurt, either with my words, my lack of words, my actions or my inactions…I am so sorry. I can’t think of a single moment in my life where my desire was TRULY to hurt or harm. I might have wanted to get a point across sternly…sure. In high school, I might have been just trying to go along with the crowd in an effort to “fit in” (who really fits in in high school?). I might have just been annoyed or having a bad day. But I’ve never wanted another to hurt. Not to truly hurt.

I can think of exactly ONE instance where my goal was to upset another person. I feared for their life and their health and I (to this day) felt the ends justified the means.

I can be short, I can be abrupt and I can be insensitive…but from here on out I am going to try my best (which is only possible for me through God’s Grace) to be a blessing to those I touch. I will fail. Probably more than I will succeed…but I will try.

I am shy, I am a hermit and I am VERY private. These are all things that make it hard for me to reach out to others. However, if I don’t reach out, I can’t bless others. It will be an ongoing struggle for me. In the end though, I think I’ll find it worth it.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Blessing, Faith, Ramblings

Gingerbread Train Making Christmas 2012

December 9, 2012

The kids and my husband sat down this morning to make a fun Gingerbread Train!

They used this EZ Build Gingerbread Train Kit from Bed Bath & Beyond and they had a lot of fun!

Here are just a few of the many pictures I took:

I love that my husband will sit down and do these projects with our kids just because he wants to. It lets me take more pictures and it lets them really bond with him doing something fun (and tasty!).

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Christmas

A Letter to My Children: Meet Your Aunt Tracy

December 4, 2012

17 years ago today, my big sister died.

Her name was Tracy, and she was 7 years older than me.

She was 21 at the time.

I wish my children had gotten the chance to meet her. Since they won’t, I thought I’d write a letter to them about her.

Dear Noah & Lizzie,

Your Aunt Tracy lived a short, bittersweet life. She was an only child for 7 years before I came along.

My earliest memories of Tracy are of us playing Barbies together. She was very particular about things and as her baby sister, I rarely played along with her scenarios correctly .

It didn’t matter to me though. She meant the world to me.

We would dance for hours in the driveway. We’d choreograph routines to Debbie Gibson and the New Kids on the Block with the other kids in the neighborhood while blaring the music from our boombox.

We’d stay out way after dark and catch lightning bugs and then let them all go at once. It was such a beautiful sight to see them all flutter away.

I remember she had a hard time making friends in high school and she struggled with learning. She was a happy person though and her happiness made me happy.

We fought a good deal (as all siblings do), but I always knew she loved me.

Tracy loved:

Pens…she LOVED pens! It was kind of an obsession of hers
Soap Operas (she’s the one that got me hooked on Days of Our Lives and General Hospital!)
Music (she could make a mean mix tape off the radio!)
She had the HUGEST crush on a news anchor back then. His name was Tony Potts. Like she wrote letters to him about how much she loved him.
Garfield.

She was a great big sister to me, but she was the BEST big sister to your Aunt Crisie. Our mom was sick for several years prior to her passing away and Tracy took care of Crisie like she was her own daughter.

She was a loving, compassionate and kind woman and I’m so sad that you never get to meet her.

I know she would have loved you both so very much.

Thankfully, I know she’s watching over both of you right now from Heaven. Just one of your many guardian angels.

Love,

Mommy

*****

A bit over a year ago, my father passed away. My mother actually passed away just a few months prior to my sister dying. All I have left of my sister is memories. Few people can validate these memories for me and even fewer people actually remember Tracy at all.

I will ALWAYS remember her. I will ALWAYS miss her. There might not be too many of us left that remember her living, but she touched the hearts and souls of all that knew her and that can never be taken away.

Filed Under: Family

Books for Mom-Preparing for Motherhood

October 5, 2012

My sister in law is due to give birth to her first child any day now! When I first found out she was pregnant, one of my very first thoughts was…BOOKS!

When I am seeking answers or entering into unknown territory I immediately turn to my old best friend…the book.

My sister in law is a reader as well, so I knew she’d be excited to hear my recommendations (or at least I hoped she would!).

Here are my Books for Mom “Preparing for Motherhood” recommendations:

The Happiest Baby on the Block

Can I just tell you this is seriously the MUST read book for all new parents. I honestly don’t think they should let you leave the hospital without at first either reading this book cover to cover OR at least watching the accompanying video.

This is not a parenting book. It’s not a cry it out book. This is a book for how to soothe your baby. It seems obvious…but I promise even those of you with the most go with the flow infants will find a treasure in this book.

It (along with a miracle blanket) is pretty much our go to standard baby shower gift nowadays! GOLD!

Your Pregnancy Week by Week, 7th Edition (Your Pregnancy Series)

Okay…What to Expect When You Are Expecting terrified me. I opened it up and read about all the things that could possibly go wrong and was scarred for life! Okay, maybe not quite THAT drastic, but honestly it’s not a good book for the newly pregnant mom.

I enjoyed Your Pregnancy Week to Week because I was able to read little bits of it each week and I liked that it kept me up with the changes in my body. It was comforting to read that some of the symptoms I was experiencing were perfectly normal and there were tips for things you might want to ask your doctor about (without the alarmist over sharing done in WTEWYAE).

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

We all know babies need to sleep. We know they need to sleep a lot. What I loved about this book is that it really dove into the science behind it all. It told you not just that they need to sleep. Not just how to get them to sleep. This book explains WHY it is so important and what their sleep cycles look like.

It does also give sleep advice. There’s advice in this book for the dedicated co-sleeper as well as the parent that has no qualms letting their little one cry it out. Something for everyone.

On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep

Probably the most controversial on my list, this book has gotten a really horrible reputation. However the information in here regarding scheduling is priceless. I had one very go with the flow baby and one baby that needed his “flow” dictated down to the second. This book helped me understand that even though there is a stigma attached to scheduling, for some babies it is necessary (my son).

It’s not all about letting your kid cry it out. It’s about setting up a schedule that fits your family and your child and makes everyone happy.

Touchpoints-Birth to Three

This is the only real “developmental” book on my list. Why? Because it’s really all you’ll need. Too many conflicting sources might force you to become too paranoid and overly critical about the milestones your child is (or isn’t) reaching. I don’t actually enjoy parenting books at all, but I did like having this book as a guide.

It helped me see when things were going smoothly and when we might need to talk to our pediatrician about things. It was actually suggested to my husband by a coworker and I’m very grateful! The one we purchased while pregnant with Noah actually still applies to Lizzie today (she’s age 3).

What are some of your book recommendations for a new mom preparing for motherhood?

Filed Under: Family, Review Tagged With: Babies, Being a Mom, Books, Books for Mom, Moms, Preparing for Motherhood

When Your Kid Hurts Your Feelings…

September 27, 2012

The other day I got all dressed up (well not really, I did my hair and make up) and went up to my son’s school to eat lunch with him.

It was supposed to be a surprise.

I put my daughter (age 3) into the “stay and play” at her preschool (and paid $15 for it…) so that I would be able to stay for the whole lunch period with my son.

I got there early so I could catch him as he walked in the cafeteria.

Immediately when I walked in the cafeteria I felt awkward being there, but was quickly put at ease when I saw how many parents were sitting at the parent tables with their children.

The office had told me where he would be entering the cafeteria so I stood there and waited. I had my phone ready on the camera screen. I just KNEW he would be so excited when he walked in and saw me.

And he was.

Until he realized I was there to sit with him. WHICH meant that he couldn’t sit with his friends.

…

To say he was unhappy about this would be an understatement. He outright refused to sit with me! We got out of the lunch line and he sat down with his friends and said bye to me.

As if I only came up to the school to catch a glimpse of him going through the lunch line.

I’m not sure if what I did next was the right thing, but I was hurt and I was honestly a bit angry that my efforts to surprise my son were being rebuked so ungraciously.

I made him sit with me.

I bargained with him that I would stay for only half the lunch period so he had times with his friends.

This made him happy long enough to snap this picture.

After that though, he started to get anxious that he wouldn’t have enough time to sit with his friends.

“Mommy, I need to go back before my teacher gets back or else I won’t get to talk to my friends. ”

I kept trying to talk to him, trying to engage him, trying to make him see how FUN I was and how AWESOME it was that I took time out of MY busy day to eat lunch with him.

Eventually he got so anxious that he was going to miss his “friend time” that he got up and started to walk away.

At this point I was near tears. I did NOT raise my child to treat me this way. At what point did I drop below friends he has known less than a MONTH in priorities?

Not wanting to cause a scene, I let him go.

As I walked out, I looked over at him through tear filled eyes and he smiled and waved at me. Looking perfectly content and happy that he was finally where he wanted to be.

Let me tell you…I bawled the WHOLE way home. This HURT. This HURT unlike any other hurt. My son rejected me. In that moment I was MAD at him. I was angry. I was defensive. I was embarrassed. I am ashamed to say the thought of picking him up late so he could worry a bit crossed my mind. I am SO ashamed to admit that.

It’s true though. Because I was HURT. Hurt in only the way your child could hurt you.

Thankfully, my husband talked me down a bit and I started to see the other side of things.

Lunch and recess are the only times in his LONG day that he gets to socialize. I am proud that he has forged relationships with his peers that matter to him. I am thankful that he gets along well with others and that he realizes that friendships need to be nurtured too.

He was never rude to me and throughout the whole course of events, I never once told him he was hurting my feelings. I expected my 5 year old son to read between the lines and to understand what I had done to be there and why he needed to appreciate it.

It wasn’t fair.

Now don’t get me wrong. I still don’t necessarily approve of his behavior and we DID talk about it when I picked him up (on time) for school. He did not know he was hurting my feelings. He also expressed that he really enjoys that time with his friends and likes to eat breakfast and dinner with me.

I’m okay with that.

It hurts a bit.

But I’m okay with that.

I know my child. In hindsight, I know I shouldn’t have surprised him. I know he likes predictability and that he needs to know when changes are coming so he can prepare himself for them. I know he loves his friendships.

Most of all, I know he loves ME.

I’m sure this won’t be the last time he hurts my feelings or even the worst way he hurts my feelings. We’re human and we’re bound to have more instances where he breaks my heart (and vice versa).

I was just surprised by how it felt I guess. I’ve had really big hurts in my life. Hurts caused by friends and by family. Hurts that involve actual crimes against me and my loved ones.

But this hurt, from my son…it ached in a place that I’ve never felt before.

I hope it’s a long time before I have to deal with it again.

Have you been hurt by your children? How did you deal with it? Answer in the comments.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Being a Mom, Emotions, Hurt Feelings, Kids, Things I Did Not Know About Being A Mom

Let’s Play Ball! The First Baseball Game

September 17, 2012

This past Sunday, my little guy had his VERY first baseball game.

I’m not going to lie…it was a hoot!

His team had had exactly ONE practice before this game AND that ONE practice was my son’s first time to play baseball. Ever.

Sure, he’s hit the ball off a tee. He’s played catch.

The rules of the game though? We’ve never really taught him so he just didn’t know.

Most of the time, when he was in the field, he was kicking up dirt and glancing up to the sky…not too interested in the game itself.

The first time he hit the ball, instead of running to first base, he ran and picked up the ball. Yes, he caused his own out

The one time he fielded the ball (while playing 2nd base), he didn’t want to let it go, so he walked it up to the pitcher instead of throwing it.

At the end of the game though, he was BEAMING with pride. So were we. He finished his very first baseball game from start to finish. He didn’t run over to us crying.

He didn’t complain he was too hot. He played the game from start to finish.

We COULD NOT be more proud. It feels like a huge milestone because it IS a huge milestone.

Congratulations baby boy!!! You are a ball player!