Gisèle's Princess Hair

 

  

  

My Drool Monster

**Update - he's in his big boy carseat now, too!  He outgrew his infant seat in height already!

At his last check-up (at 6 months), Miles weighed 17 lbs 11 oz.  He's 50th % for weight, and 90th % for height.  He's rolling over and over and over - front-to-back and back-to-front.  He's consistently getting up on elbows/hands and knees, and can scoot all over the floor by rolling and army-crawling.  He's a drool monster, gnawing on anything and everything that comes near, and his first tooth - bottom-left-center - just broke through.  He has the deepest dimples ever, and his smile lights up his whole face, just like Gisèle's does.  He's happiest when Gisèle is nearby or when Daddy is playing with him, but loves giving me kisses the best.

Masterpiece

Gisèle's current favorite thing to do in the bath is draw all over the tub with her bath crayons.  She knows the routine - I get to get her clean, including washing and rinsing her hair, and then I'll get the bath crayons out for her to play with.  Her favorite one to use is purple, and she'll usually hand one to me, too, with a command to "draw, Mama!"  "Draw a princess/happy witch/star/duck/prince/mean witch!"  She concentrates hard on whatever she's drawing, and will usually describe it to me as she draws it.  She'll continue to draw long after the water has drained out of the tub if we let her!  Here she is with one of her masterpieces:

 

  

 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

 These are addictive.  Seriously - Jamie asked me to hide the rest after he'd eaten too many the night I made them.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
(makes 4 dozen)

2 sticks butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups quick oats
1 cup chocolate chips

-Preheat oven to 350.
-Beat butter and sugars together until creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
-In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda, cinnamon, salt, & oats.  Add to egg mixture and mix well.  Stir in the chocolate chips.
-Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake about 10 minutes, or until golden.
-Cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack.

From Little Girl to Diva

 

  

 

Cauliflower "mac" n' Cheese

A wonderful veggie alternative to the classic pasta dish!

Cauliflower "Mac" n' Cheese

Salt - as needed + 1/4 tsp
1 large head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 cup heavy cream (half & half works great)
2 oz cream cheese, diced (I use light)
1 1/2 tsp Dijon
1 1/2 cups + 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder

-Preheat oven to 375. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.
-Cook cauliflower in water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and pat really dry with paper towels. Transfer to baking dish.
-In a saucepan, bring cream to a simmer. Whisk in the cream cheese and mustard until smooth. Stir in 1 cup cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk until the cheese melts. Pour over the cauliflower, mix, and top with 1/2 cup cheese.
-Bake about 15 minutes, until browned & bubbly.
-Top with remaining cheese and serve.

Rest Time

 

Daddy and Gisèle taking a break from bowling

(note the monster bowling pins)

Oh, How I Love This Boy!

 

  

 

Me and My Kids

 

  

  

 

Pizza Crust

This is a quick and easy pizza crust that also happens to taste great. I'm posting this one by special request!

Pizza Crust
(makes 1 12-in round pizza, or equivalent rectangle)

1 package (.25 oz) active dry yeast
1/4 tsp sugar
3/4 c warm water (about 110 degrees)
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt

-Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
-Dissolve the yeast and sugar in water; let rest 8 minutes.
-In a medium bowl, combine the flour and salt.
-Pour the yeast mixture over the flour mixture and mix well with a wooden spoon.
-Turn onto a floured surface and knead 2 minutes.
-Put on a lightly greased cookie sheet and press into a thin circle or rectangle.
-Add toppings and bake at 500 for about 10 minutes.