Deception....Shhh....

So a few months ago I bought Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook Deceptively Delicious after my sister in law, Shannon recommended it.

I was skeptical but desperate. My strong willed and picky eater Avrie does NOT eat fruit or veggies, period. Adeline eats all fruits, some veggies. Annaliese will eat some fruits, and a vegetable or two on occasion. It's pretty pathetic. What's a mom to do.

This book seemed to be a start in the right direction. So far we've tried both pancake recipes and love them both. I now sneak cauliflower into boxed mac n cheese. I've made the chickpea cookies...they were okay. I've tried the brownies...gross. I also tried the turkey burgers...not a huge hit. Banana Bread, I liked it but the kids wouldn't try it.

Today Annaliese asked for brownies, so I'm trying something new....The Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie mix, with 1/4 cup spinach puree (in Jessica's recipe you add a 1/2 cup, too much for our liking) and then 1/2 cup carrot puree. We'll see if this tastes any better. The batter was runny, so I added flour. This might be a disaster. How do you know unless you try. I'll know in a couple of hours.

BROWNIE RESULTS: So the brownies are now done. Not bad at all. Annaliese had about four. Unfortunately, Avrie and Addie wouldn't touch 'em. That left me with about 16+ to eat by myself (until Kermit gets home). The good thing is that they aren't so yummy that I devour the entire pan alone. I just ate 2 and was done.
It seems my twins only like the hidden veggies in their breakfast foods. Maybe I'll have to try finding my Grandma Bev's Zucchini Pancakes recipe! Jessica wasn't the first to come up with the idea of veggies in the pancakes!

Have any of you out there tried some of these recipes? Which ones do your kids like?

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the father of my children.

Kermit is such an amazing dad! I don't think there is another person out there that is more crazy in love with their children than he is. The best part is that all three of our girls know how much they mean to him and know they are so loved by him. The time that he spends with these little girls is such quality. Nearly every week night he is home to read to them and rock them to sleep. Every weekend he makes sure that we are out as a family on some sort of adventure. His phone calls home from work during the week will often include a chat with each of the girls. They are always thrilled to be talking with dad. And, oh the joy at the end of the day when he comes home from work!!! There is no doubt the feelings are mutual! Kermit honestly cherishes every moment with each of them. And these girls cherish every moment with their dad. I've learned so much about love watching him with these darling little girls. What a great man I married. What lucky daughters I have...

Happy Father's Day Kermit! You are simply the best father in the world to these girls. I'm so glad I found YOU to be their dad. I love you so much! And so do your daughters!

a few MOMENTS in FATHERHOOD

Here's to the many adventures ahead!

I love my dad!

If I had a recent picture of my dad and I together I would insert it here. Since I don't have one, here is one of Annaliese and my dad....close enough. =)

It's hard to get a picture WITH my dad because he is usually always the one behind the camera. On our next visit home to California I will make sure I get a good picture of my dad and I together.

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Memories with my dad for

Father's Day

- He'll always be A#1 forever!

- Dad always took our pictures, EVERYWHERE for ANY occasion.

- He always supported me (& my siblings) in all school and after school activities...ALWAYS!

- No question if he loves his family. You can just tell he is proud!

- If I ever had a question that he didn't know the answer to, he would search until he found it!

- I've always felt safe with him around.

- I loved all the camping, motorcycle & fishing adventures he lead us in when I was a child.

- Earphones and drumsticks.

- Saturday afternoon weddings.

- I loved the cross country road trips with dad at the wheel.

- He seemed so happy and even pretended to like the kiddy music we requested on those trips.

- I'll never forget cheering him on at church basketball- every Saturday!

- "Those Yayhoos!"

- He loves good music (& loud) & loved to share it with us.

- I always thought it was so cool that my dad went on a mission to FRANCE!

- My dad was my ride, every morning to seminary.

- Frozen chocolate chips with milk.

- My dad taught me how not to be hurt by "fair weather friends."

- He taught me to drive a stick & bought me my first little red Suzuki (& my 2nd, Suzy.)

- My dad has shown me through example the value of hard work & patience.

- Rainblow & Big Gulps.

- Snow skiing (remember those long old skis and boots!)

- He would drive across country to escort me to/from college for years...to make sure I was safe.

- He also knew when it was time for me to drive it alone...and let me.

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Thanks Dad, for being such a wonderful father throughout my life. I feel so blessed to have had such a good man to teach me so many of life's most valuable lessons. I love you! Happy Father's Day!

You've taught me well.

Growing Fast!

A couple of months ago we bought Annaliese a big girl bike. She tried it out the first day we brought it home and then told us that she wasn't quite big enough yet to ride it. Maybe later. Well on Monday, out of the blue she announced that she was now ready to ride! We dusted off the bike and away she went just like that! She was just too cute. She was proud & so were we. She was just glowing as she rode up and down our alley. I got some video. Very sweet. She is very cautious & watchful of cars which is good. I think this weekend we'll be shopping for a few helmets. (That will complete the swimsuit biker chick image we have going, don't you think!)

Tonight (6/12/08) we worked on stopping/breaking and took a ride down the sidewalk to a little park where she practiced some more. She prefers to drag her feet to stop but she will get the hang of it soon.

Another great highlight from this week: I took all three girls to the Field Museum all by myself. They did so great! I remember last summer when the twins were newly walking and Annaliese wasn't quite independent enough to not be in a stroller when out and about. I specifically remember thinking "Won't next summer be great! I'll have a four year old who won't need to be strolled around and the twins will be two, able to climb in and out of their car seats by themselves...won't that be so great!" Well, we've arrived! I have an independent 4 year old & the twins are 2 years old... but they are doing so good! I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to be able to do this little outing to the museum single handed! IT FELT SO GREAT! I was completely self sufficient. My mothering ego soooo needed this.

I am so excited for this summer! I really think we are going to have a great time!

Schools out! Summer FUN ahead!

Today Annaliese finished her first year of preschool. She was so cute when I picked her up from school. Her class was up front singing a song for all the parents. Right in the middle of the song when she saw me come in she ran from the group to give me a hug. Melt me! Then she went back to finish singing with her class. After the songs were done she was a bit emotional. I couldn't figure out what was bothering her. I think it was just that she loves school so much and isn't quite sure what to think about not being able to go back for awhile. She didn't cry the first day of school. I didn't expect it on the last! She's just too sweet.

As a gift to her teachers, Annaliese was so excited to give them a gift card to Jamba Juice, her new favorite. It was 90 degrees or so today and humid, it seemed an appropriate gift. I told Annaliese we would go get some of our own Jamba Juice soon but couldn't today. Instead we made our own fruit smoothies here at home. I think she was very pleased...she asked for thirds. Here is the recipe. YUM! We'll be making these often I'm sure. Let the Summer fun begin!

Fruit Smoothies
6 oz Frozen Strawberries
6 oz Frozen Mixed Berries
1 ripe banana
6 oz strawberry or peach yogurt (I used lemon)
8 oz orange juice
6 oz milk

Combine in a blender. Makes 4 eight oz drinks.

Oh, I almost forgot....A great highlight... today Annaliese learned to whistle! Now I get to listen to her practice. =) She's adorable!

My Martha Moment Continued

Remember this? Well I finally finished this project. It only took how long? Who's counting though? (Not even me.) It turned out pretty good I think. Better than it was that's for sure.

I got the fabric on a major clearance. This place had some GREAT remnants for SOOOO cheap! I think we paid $40 total for about 8 yards....EXACTLY the amount I needed....no extra fabric allowance for mistakes though, yikes. The entire project I pretty much felt in over my head. I really did not know what the heck I was doing but for $40 how could I loose? The couch was free. Well, it turned out and I'm happy with it. The best part....it's done!