A Hunting We Will Go.

Fawn has his father's competitive streak.  And, it generally it shows when the child is Easter egg hunting.  He talks a big game, runs, and has been known to push others out of the way to get the bunny's bounty.

This year, though, he was surprisingly mild-mannered.  You might even say thoughtful and mature?  Oh, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

The Wednesday before Easter was his preschool class Easter party.  I was the March "monthly mom" and was helping with the party so I got to see him in action.  I was a bit worried that his competitive nature would get the best of him.  I mean there were fifteen children in a small courtyard.  And, it was the first egg hunt of the year.  And, we've been a bit disobedient at school lately.  We're reigning it in but I thought the egg hunt might send him over the edge.

But it didn't.  Get this...the teachers instructed the children (three and four-year olds, mind you) to gather ten eggs and then stop.  AND.  THEY.  DID.  I was flabbergasted and in awe of the respect the teachers garnered.  They are my heroes.

And, pictures to prove the orderly egg hunting gathering.

Impressive display of counting skills, obedience, and self control.  Then it was back to the classroom for a special treat and a silent thank you prayer that Fawn didn't get in trouble hunting eggs.

Friday it was time for our annual Easter egg hunt at our house.  It was supposed to be Palm Sunday with some families from Buck's small group Bible study.  But, sweet Fawn was sick and we had to cancel.  I'd already stuffed 120 Easter eggs and we were going to use them -- and carry on our Easter egg hunting tradition.  Only one family was able to join us on Friday -- and it worked out perfect.  I was ready for Fawn to show his competitive colors -- especially on "his turf" -- but he did great!  He was a perfect gentleman and a great host.  It was such a fun time, and although it seems like a small thing, I really was proud of his behavior.

The "big kids" really got into it.

What is this basket for?  I'd rather be doing yard work.

Divide and conquer.

Expert hunter.

Happy with the loot.

After having abandoned the basket...

Sorting through the goods -- most of the eggs were filled with foam Easter stickers (which were thankfully still a hit).  We do not do well when overloaded with sugar.

And they even took sweet Small Fry on a ride.

iPhone Pictures February and March.

Someone thinks he's big enough to drive.  We're just glad his feet don't reach the pedals.

We hit the Botanical Gardens and Fawn was my big helper pushing Small Fry in his car.

My parents gave Fawn a Kindle Fire for his birthday and he absolutely loves it!  We just signed up for Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, which is fabulous for kiddos.

Not happy with Mommy's music selection.

We went to McWane to check out the new exhibit Animal Grossology.  All I can say is it lives up to its name...GROSS!

This is what goes on in my backseat during carpool drop-off.  Total chaos!

Fawn loved Construction Day at his preschool.

Fawn with one of my closest childhood friend's daughter.  Melts my heart to see them play together.

Fawn and his best buddy T (courtesy of T's mom).  As T's mom says, they are like an old married couple.

Small Fry with T's little sister C (courtesy of C's mom).  I LOVE THIS PICTURE.  These two are only a couple weeks apart in age and I can't wait until she's my daughter-in-law.  (One can dream...)

Just lounging in our ball bucket.

He's crazy -- and crazy cute.

Through My Camera's Lens.

I've been on a bit of a picture-taking hiatus after the plethora of pictures taken over Christmas and our multiple birthday celebrations.  But, in an effort to not get too far behind...

Fawn and I (with the help of Lulu, my mother-in-law) made these no-bake Easter cookies -- little bird nests made of chow mein noodles, melted chocolate and Easter candy.  It was messy, but very easy and fun.

Somebody liked them!

Small Fry will not go anywhere without a ball.  Is it possible for a ball to be a security item?

I mean seriously!  (I love this semi-profile of his still baby face!)

This guy is a huge fan of the breakfast makeover.  He can eat his body weight in homemade pancakes. He makes quite the mess because he insists on "dipping" the pancakes in syrup.  As you can imagine it then drips everywhere -- counter, stools, floor, and Fawn.  Oh well!

Breakfast Makeover Part One.

So we're eliminating processed foods as much as possible.  KEY WORDS: As much as possible! There are certainly occasions where they are necessary for convenience, but when possible I'm trying to build the time into my schedule to make things from scratch.  It's fun and has really reinvigorated my love of cooking.  Plus, it's really not that time consuming once you get in a rhythm.  And, I love, love, love knowing exactly what my munchkins are putting in their mouths.

Homemade Pancakes/Waffles
I used to love the ease of the box mixes (or even better the jugs you add water to and shake).  But, seriously, it may take an extra five minutes to do these from scratch.  And, they taste SO MUCH BETTER.  (And, what in the world are they putting in the box mixes to replicate real milk and eggs?  Frightening thought!)  Plus, they are super easy to freeze and use another morning -- just defrost in the microwave.

Enter, my grandmother's pancake recipe.  It whips up the lightest, thinnest (my fave!) pancakes in no time...and only one bowl so minimal clean-up.

1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 C. milk
1 1/8 C. flour

Mix, then add:
1 egg
1/4 C. milk

Continue to blend well.  Cook & enjoy!  

Note:  This batter is super-runny.  Sometimes I add an extra 1/8 C. flour to thicken it up.

And, not to leave Buck's family out, I have also been using this recipe from a cookbook his aunt made. It's delicious, but is a little more "involved."

Sift together and set aside (Let's be honest, I DO NOT sift...I've found mixing works great):
1 1/2 C. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Put in a bowl:
2 eggs
Beat well.  Add:
1 C. milk
3 Tbsp. melted butter

Add the flour mixture and beat.  Can be used for pancakes or waffles.

As for muffins, I already had several recipes that I love to make for the kids -- and really with muffins the possibilities are endless.  The boys love banana, apple, pumpkin, blueberry, and a peanut butter/banana flavor that I make.  I wrap leftovers individually and freeze for quick fixing on busy mornings.

And, then there's oatmeal.  Instead of the instant packets, we've been eating out of a huge container of quick oats.  (Talk about a huge money saver!)  As a caveat, I have NEVER seen Buck eat oatmeal, therefore I cannot get his clone (Fawn) to eat it either.  But, I love it as does Small Fry.  For basic oatmeal, I've been adding a bit of brown sugar and maple syrup.  And, to really kick things up a notch, I will add pureed pumpkin with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Breakfast cookies -- yep, breakfast cookies.  Start with this recipe.  Not one bit of fat in the recipe.  But, still so good for breakfast or a good snack.  You can be creative with it and add mix-ins to your heart's content.  My last batch was made with cinnamon chips -- delicious!

My morning favorite is banana bread.  I've been making one of Buck's family's recipes for years, but have tweaked it to reduce the sugar and increase the whole wheat.  The best part of this banana bread is its ease...you make it in your stand mixer.  Combine the ingredients in the order listed below and mix well after each addition.

1/2 C. butter (softened)
1/2 C. (scant) brown sugar and small spoonful of white sugar 
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ripe bananas
1/2 C. sour cream
1 C. wheat flour & 1/2 C. white flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Spoon into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Up next on the breakfast makeover -- buttermilk biscuits, crescent roll dough, and scones.  Wish me luck!

Big Machines Day 2013.

I took Fawn to Big Machines Day this year on a super-cold (for Alabama standards) Saturday morning while Buck and Small Fry hung out at home.  It was just too cold for a baby who would have been miserable standing in line.

Fawn was mesmerized.  He loves machines and claims he is going to be a construction worker when he grows up.  We "rode" most of the machines until the cold, windy morning just got the best of us and we headed home for some lunch and warmth.

Our first machine ... a small crane I think (perhaps I should blog in a more timely manner and I would remember!).

Stop two was a street sweeper.  I was fascinated -- the entire cab was glassed in.

"It's freezing Mom."

Then he lounged while I waited (and waited and waited) in line for the giant crane.

It was worth it...a look of wonder!

He loved the spinning chair of the backhoe.

Forklift fun.

Indulging me by looking at the camera.

 My favorite picture from the day.

A great day with a great four-year old.  Thanks to McWane and Craneworks for such a fun activity for little ones!

Thirteen Month Update.

We're working our way through year two...year two!!!  Sweet Small Fry turned 13 months old on Friday.  We celebrated by going to the new Target for the first time (run, don't walk...it's awesome) and to story time at Whole Foods.  Small Fry danced, "played" instruments, tossed bean bags and scarves, and played with the parachute.  What a morning of fun!  After picking Fawn up from school, it was naps all around and then a super-fun dinner with our good friends -- the H family (our mountain friends).  We went to Billy's, and though greeted with a look of disdain from the waitress at our crew of rowdy youngsters, I have to say we grew on her and by the end of the evening she was all smiles.  Then it was off to Doodles (yep, it's open for the spring/summer!) where there was lots of running and fun.  Small Fry even took part in the fun -- toddling in the field and screaming at the top of his lungs (his newest trick).

So what's our little fella up to?  Loves his mobility and his freedom.  He still loves to dance.  It's precious.  And, he tries to jump when we say jump.  It's just an exaggerated bounce, but he is so proud.  He's started to be more of a climber.  I've found him several times standing on the seat of the rocking horse Buck's parents gave him for his birthday.  Plus, he loves to climb on the step stool in our powder room.  Speaking of powder rooms...I made it through Fawn's babyhood with not one toy thrown in the toilet.  Not so with this crazy guy.  If we forget to put the lid down and he manages to make it he will toss anything in the toilet...balls, toys, a sterling silver rattle.  Lovely.

He got his first haircut, courtesy of Buck.  I'd been begging for a haircut for Small Fry because strangers refer to him as a girl constantly.  Plus, he was rocking a mullet.  Buck agreed last weekend and chopped off the back.  It looks great!  Buck cut Fawn's hair multiple times before we found our beloved Mr. Eddie at Cahaba Plaza Barber Shop.  And, he was always an angel -- he would sit and clap for Buck as he cut.  Not so with this feisty baby.  It took three grown-up hands (my two and one of Buck's) to hold his head still (while he was screaming bloody murder) while Buck's other hand cut his hair.  Small Fry is simply not a fan of people messing with him.  He hates his diaper changed and his clothes changed.  He hates the doctor and dentist.  And, now we know he hates his hair being cut.

We got another tooth -- so we are up to six (four top and two bottom).  And, I am so happy to report that his eating is returning to his normal self.  Sleeping...better, but still not great.  We average two wake ups a night...a good night is one and a bad night these days is three.  From where we came from this is HUGE progress.  Our pediatrician doesn't seem concerned and is pretty optimistic that the situation will continue to improve.  I certainly hope he's right!

Dada, all done, and that ("dat") are his favorite words.  While I occasionally hear a Mama, it's usually only when he's feeling trapped in his crib and knows I'm his best option out!  He's not talking much but is very vocal -- loving to scream, say "ooh" (while making a funny face) and "sss" if I try to "shush" him.

In other news, he's graduated from the soft-soled baby shoes to real shoes.  They look precious, though Buck comments that he constantly looks down at them as if to ask "what are these things on my feet?"  I finally gave him a "lovie" in his crib.  I was hoping he would choose something himself, but he never did -- so I unilaterally chose one to throw in his crib.  He cuddles up with it in his crib and then seems totally disinterested during the day.  In fact, during the day I would say that his lovies are balls.  He holds a ball constantly and screams if you try to take it away.  We are working on totally dropping the morning nap.  He only takes the morning nap two or three days a week with the other days he's down to afternoon only.  Transitions are always tough -- and he's had an especially hard time on Fawn's school days if he doesn't take a morning nap.  We don't pick Fawn up from school until one and Small Fry crashes in the car on the way.  He is so asleep I can get him out of his car seat, carry him into the school to pick up Fawn, put him back in his car seat, drive home, get him out again at home and get him into his crib without waking him up.  Dead to the world.  And totally precious.

On for the fun part...the pictures.  I've given up the weekly pictures, but monthly ones will continue to grace the blog (as will monthly updates) until he is two.

Love the cheeks.

This is his "ooh" face.

Cuddled up with Daddy.

Pure love.

Boys' Birthday Bash 2013.

Between January 26 and February 12, all three of these loves had birthdays:

Fawn turned 4 on January 26; Small Fry turned 1 on February 8; Buck turned 32 on February 12.  So instead of two little boy family birthday parties and one grown up birthday dinner, we did a combo party at our house on a rainy, Sunday afternoon.  

There wasn't a theme -- just lots of bright colored birthday cuteness (and really cute guests of honor).

I made a photo invite on Shutterfly featuring our guests of honor.  We invited the in-town great-grands, grandparents, Buck's aunt and cousin, and all of our siblings.  Everyone came to help the boys celebrate!

We tried for a cute family shot and came up with a bunch of "almosts" (not for lack of trying!).

Of course, there was cake (and ice cream too).  Vanilla pudding cake with buttercream frosting for Small Fry, chocolate pudding cake with buttercream frosting for Fawn, and chocolate chip cookie cake for Buck.  I know I've said it once, but I'll say it again -- I love a homemade birthday treat.

I am currently not opposed to bribing Fawn to take a picture with me.

We blew up lots and lots of balloons to add some color.  The boys loved having them to play with.  We've continued throughout this rainy month adding balloons when our supply gets low -- makes for a fun play date.

This guy always wants to play.  His daddy, on the other hand, has threatened to pop every last one if he trips over another one.  It is a bit annoying -- but anything for some fun, winter, indoor fun.

We started with gifts.

Every baby loves bows!

The hunting bow from Uncle Pak was a huge hit.

Small Fry was a happy camper despite the chaos.

Fawn got this excavator for his sandbox from Buck and me.

That's one hand-me-down Small Fry can get excited about!

Happy 1st Birthday precious angel!

Happy 4th Birthday my sweet, big boy!

And, Happy 32nd Birthday to Buck!  (Who somehow managed to eat his cookie cake outside the lens of the camera.)

Of course, I won't leave you without sharing the baby and cake pictures.  Small Fry finally dug in head first when he realized cake was actually a good thing.

He took several tentative bites and made quite an icing mess.  When he started throwing chunks of icing and cake on the floor, we called it a birthday and cleaned the little fella up.  To think that next year he will be eating birthday cake with a fork...oh my!