Cooking with Kids

Over my son's 3 1/2 years, we've seen his interests range from being a doctor, a cop, Batman and a "maker" (his word for chef...I think he gets it from me saying I'm going to go "make" dinner,).  Though he puts on each of these faces several times a day, he's shown a growing desire to be mixing and measuring and layering lately.

I'm constantly suppressing the urge to tell him no just for the sake of keeping my kitchen clean and not having to buy a new carton of eggs every 3 days. So I've been trying to be creative in giving in to his chef instincts. I invite him into the kitchen when I'm about to start dinner. He already has an assigned station where he has his own bowls and spoons. I pre-measure samples of what we're making that night so he can make his own mini-meal alongside me.

I walk him through the process from reading the recipe (of course, he's not ready just yet...but it's the idea of it that's important) and measurements to describing a tasting the ingredients (most of them).  We go over kitchen safety with knives and the oven. He feels a bit of independence too as we've done this over time and he knows where to get certain ingredients or utensils that are within his reach.

This has been a great way for us to count together and since he is literally "hands on" - he has been more receptive to trying new things at the dinner table knowing that he was involved in the preparation. And the best part is the laughs we share as we spend this time together.

Patience is key.  It's not every night that I feel like I have two hours to create dinner. As many of us moms know, it can be a crazy rush to get dinner on the table. But when we do have the time, I really give it time.  There will be spills and maybe too much or too little of something will go into our concoction.  Then again, isn't that how some really great recipes are created - by accident?

I love to cook, so for me, Luke's interest in cooking is a great time. But I've also been handcuffed and I've spent a fair share of my time on Dr. Speer's hospital bed.  Last week I helped him build that city that Batman lives in out of Legos. What city does he live in anyway?  


Whatever your kids interests are, understand they'll continue to change - but take the time to embrace them and try to be involved with them in what excites them.   

15 Fun Ideas for Kid Lunches

In a rut with what you're feeding your kiddos for lunch? Here are 15 ideas that I've collected that are sure to get them running to the table this summer!

1. Pita Bread Pizza
2. Chicken Panini
3. Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
4. Veggie Wrap Rollups with Cream Cheese
5. Turkey Avocado Wrap
6. Honey Chicken Kabobs
7. Peanut Butter Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Honey Lime Slaw
8. Barbecued Turkey Sloppy Joes
9. Tomato and Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich
10. Chicken Lollipops
11. Egg Salad Sandwich
12. Ham and Cheese Quiche
13. Asian Noodle Chicken Salad
14. Bean and Veggie Quesadilla
15. Strawberry and Cream Cheese Sandwich

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Carole's Pizza

Is there a certain recipe that you acquired from your own mom, that every time you cook it up, your house has the aroma of the home you grew up in.  THIS is that recipe for me (or one of the recipes).  My mom's homemade pizza.  Don't shy away...it's easier than you'd think.  And the bonus is you can involve the kiddos.  If they're anything like my boys, they'll have a blast making the pizza and enjoy eating it too!

Carole's Pizza
• 2 envelopes dry yeast (I use the fast-rising kind)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/3 c warm (hot if rapid-rise) water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups flour
• corn meal

Sprinkle dry yeast over hot water.  Stir and let sit for one minute. Stir in sugar, salt and 2 cups flour.  Work in one more cup flour.  Use remaining cup as needed (you don't want the dough to be too dry). Let sit in bowl to rise.  While dough is rising, prepare pizza sauce and shred cheese.

• 1 16 oz. can tomatoes, pureed.
• 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 1/2 c hot water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• onion powder

• Mozzarella cheese
• Desired toppings - pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, etc.

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place pizza crusts in oven for ten minutes. Remove from oven and top with sauce, mozzarella cheese and other toppings. Bake for 10-12 minutes longer until cheese browns.

Buon Appetito!

A Preschooler's Birthday Party..Amplified

“Exactly what would you like to do for your fifth birthday?” I asked my nearly 5-year-old daughter.  Of course she replied that she wanted to have a princess party.  I explained that she could have a small family party, and then we could go somewhere fun and take a friend, like to the aquarium or to a museum.  Her look of boredom ruled that out.  “Well we could also do a small party and you could pick out a big present.  You know, if you have a big party, they cost a lot of money and you won’t get a lot of gifts too.”  “I want a party!” She told me, nearly exasperated.  “A big one!”

Okay!  I’ve created myself in my daughter for sure.  What is more fun that lots of attention and bling—all focused on you?!  I mean…who cares about a present really…when you can socialize with a group of friends!  So, here we go again, for the fifth year in a row.  We’ve spent too much money, a lot of time and effort, all for this hour and a half party that is going to exhaust us nearly into another vacation.

Just the invites are daunting enough.  Let’s face it friends, everybody hates attending birthday  parties…well, everyone other than the kids.  We are all so busy anyway, so the minute we get that little white envelope, we are already cringing.  Another few hours out of our weekend…no matter how much we love the child it’s for.  Once we get there, we always have fun—it’s just finding the time in our already packed schedules.  So, in turn, getting anyone to actually come to your kiddo’s party is always a stressful event itself.  You invite a million kids hoping that at least a portion of them come.  Sometimes things get crazy, and everyone RSVPS…and you wonder how you will cage the zoo.

Then buying all the groceries, planning the treats, festivities, the snacks…cleaning your house.  Counting and packing the treat bags.  What do you give in the treat bags anyway?  Remembering candy for the Pinata.   Why do we do all the craziness?

Because we have to.  Because our kids love it, and the smile on their faces are worth every penny and moment.  They bring us enough joy to last a lifetime…we can handle planning a party once a year.  If I have to hover over a cake using patience I don’t have to frost a three tier princess masterpiece (or mess rather)- so be it.  The bottle of wine that ensues after the party is over will be well deserved! 

(PS...Grandma ended up mastering the cake.  Thank you Grandma!!!)

Finding Your Own Identity as a Mommy

I've decided to write this article because it's another one I feel quite passionately about.  Through having two children, both under the age of 5; being married 6 years and deciding that it's never always going to be a walk in the park; and finally deciding that I've  found what I want to be when I grow up...I've found my true self.  Not only as a person, but as a mom.

     Although I did get lucky in marrying a wonderful man at the age of 23, I've decided no woman should marry before she is 30 years old.  Seriously!  We don't even know who we are as a person yet.  How on earth can we know who we will be a as a wife?  And don't even get me started on going to college at 18.  At 18 years old I wanted to be a lawyer.  Ha!  I have a hard time sitting at a desk and focusing for 8 hours.  Researching laws, remembering details, working till 3 am....I'm already cringing.

     I became a mother at the age of 25.  Much too young I assure you, however if you'd known me at 13, you'd understand.  I was babysitting kids by the truckloads and wanted to have at least five kids by the time I was 30.  Again, at 25 I had no idea who I even was yet.  Let alone, who I wanted to be as a mom.  I saw other other moms in action, friends and relatives, and friends of friends.  I immediately judged and assumed I'd do better; I thought I had everything figured out.  

    I've written plenty of stories to explain to new moms and mothers of very young babies one important thing:  Do not judge other moms.  It will bite you right in the ass.  However, this article isn't focused on that so I won't go into it.  The point I'm making is that at 25, I had no flipping clue what kind of mother I was going to be.

    I thought being a mom entailed picking out the cutest outfits, making sure your babies had the healthiest foods; and assuring that your children partook in creating the latest crafts and putting together the age-appropriate puzzles.  Learning words, the ABC's, spelling their name; this all was part of who I would be as a mom as it represented who I wanted my children to become.

   Wrong!  In bright red letters, see the word WRONG!!!  Identity as a mother has nothing to do with what you teach your children or how smart your kids will be, or anything to do with what America's standards are for our society of mothers.  

    Your identity is who you become, what you create, what you want for you as a mom.  I learned fast I don't have the patience to sit through a full puzzle, so instead,  the majority of the time I teach them the ropes, then I watch with glee as they learn on their own.  I teach them the ABC's by singing to them, then watch as their little sponge brain's associate the song with the actual letters.  I play with each of my children as much as a I can, while still being myself as a wife; as a woman.  Let me tell you, that differs very much from how much my best friend, or my sister, or even my own mother played with her children. 

    I discipline my children very differently from other mothers, and of course I get advice every time I turn around.  Could I give you advice?   Sure!  But since you are not me, and your children are not mine, it could very well be a waste of both our times.  Find your way!  Find what works for your kids!

   I am amazed at the woman I've become; at the mother I see myself forming into every day while I mother and love my children.  Am I perfect?  Hell no.  But neither is that twit down the street that is pretending to be.  I'm owning up to being imperfect...that's just the way I am.  

  My advice is pick the books you enjoy reading to your child, and then the books they enjoy.  Choose the amount of TV you want for your children to watch; not what books and magazines say is appropriate.  Decide what form of discipline works for your family, not what works for your friends.  Cook the meals you feel comfortable feeding your family; if that includes fast food, so be it!  Everyone's situation is different.  Everyone of us is different.  You have to come up with what works for you.  I figure, as long as I know my identity; who I want to be as a mother and what I want to accomplish in that role- I am winning all the way around! ~Trina

    

Things We are Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Trina

I'm thankful first and foremost for a healthy, happy and whole family.  I gave birth to two absolutely perfect babies...beautiful and flawless.  In today's world, this itself is a miracle.

I'm thankful for a husband that is my best friend, for a partner that would rather spend time with his family than be out at the bars or with the "guys".

I'm thankful for the many successes I've seen in my lifetime.  Career-wise, I've always climbed and stayed at the top...and for my age...that's pretty amazing.

I'm thankful for inspiration that can only come from God...enthusiasm that can only be placed in me specially...

I'm thankful for meeting Leah, for a dream that has become a reality, for a hope that someday will actually transform into truth.

I'm thankful to be surrounded by fabulous friends; friends who would drop everything to be there for me, that support my crazy personality, my outlandish dreams...my wildly colorful imagination.  Anyone who is willing to to support me like they have; well they are amazing in themselves.

I am thankful for a family that has raised me to believe I can...and will do anything within my dreams.  Dream big!

And for IT ALL I thank God...for blessing me beyond measure or what I could possibly ever deserve.  Don't think for a moment I would give anyone but you first praise.  AMEN!

-------------------------------------------------------

Leah

I am thankful for my healthy and happy family.  My boys never cease to amaze and delight!  I have never felt such breathtaking love in my whole life!  I am so blessed to have a sweet and supportive husband who believes in family and is the best father!  And I'm just so thankful to have a man who stands by me through the crazy ups and downs that life loves to throw at us.  I am thankful for my amazing parents who I give credit to all of my successes in life.  And my little brother who is always just a phone call away!  For my friends (vintage and all) who listen to my zany ideas and tell me to go for it even when the boys are shouting in the background!  For Miss Trina who, in less than a year, has become a very close friend and confidant who probably knows what I'm thinking before I even think it...the best writing partner a girl could have!  And I'm thankful for "Stereo Hearts" featuring Adam Levine.  I am just so grateful of this life and where it's taking us.  And I am so thankful for all of you who follow our blog.  These last three months have been the most inspiring of my life!

A Valentine's Broken Heart

I had no doubt my heart would be broken that Valentine’s Day in 2007.  You see, I’d given birth to my baby girl on January 21^st.  Just over three weeks passed and I was standing on the doorstep of a woman I’d barely even spoken with, ready to hand over my precious newborn. 

   I stood there for what seemed like eternity, staring at the door.  It was a beige door, framed by a pretty, upscale brick house.  I guess that should’ve made me feel better, in some weird, only in today’s-society kind of way.  She had a nice house, so surely—she was a good person?  That’s the way it works, right?

   I kept staring, holding my sleeping infant close to my chest.  I’d dressed her special that day, in cute little jeans with a heart on them and a matching heart onesie.  Being a new mother, I didn’t know the obvious…that jeans were uncomfortable and that babies actually preferred to be in soft clothing.  Well, at least she festively matched for the holiday on her first day of daycare.

   I reached my hand up to knock, but then I heard Callie whimper and quickly pulled away.  I patted her soft head of dark, messy hair.  Why was I dropping her off only after three weeks I again asked myself?   Oh yes…that’s right.  I had to.  I’d been working in an insurance agency for about two years.  I only had three weeks of time to take off, and with my husband and me struggling to make ends meet …that’s all I could take.  Besides, I was lucky—wasn’t I?  Most of the other ladies in my office with children had taken only two weeks off…

   Abruptly, a short, beautiful Puerto Rican woman opened the door.  I wondered if I’d even knocked?  Her eyes filled with confusion as she waved me inside.  “Come on in, Trina. How long have you been out here?”

   She seemed to sense my fears, or at least knew of them due to past experience, and gestured for me to sit on her couch.  Her white carpet looked impeccable, not a spot anywhere.  I looked around at the five other young children playing with toys, wondering how on earth she kept her house so perfect.  Not a spec of dust anywhere on her expensive furniture.  Was this a good sign?

   I didn’t think so.

   We chatted for a few minutes, mostly me reminding Aurea of Callie’s schedule. I laugh now at this notion—schedule?  At three weeks?  There was no schedule!  And the gleam in Aurea’s eyes said she knew this, too.

   I hugged my tiny little baby girl close to my chest, and then passed her away for the first time.  Aurea immediately set her in a bouncy chair and bustled off into the kitchen, which made me only want to stay longer.  She should be held!  All the time!  I tried to stay strong and forced myself to leave.  I drove away, crying.  And not just a tear or two…real tears.  A veritable deluge washing down my face.  What kind of terrible mother leaves her baby at such a young age?  What kind of life was I already setting her up for?  Little did I know, it was only the beginning of the long list of failures I’d blame myself for as a mother.

   I did call to check on Callie about four times that day; thankfully, Aurea was patient and friendly.  Although I was concerned about my leaving my daughter, I knew deep down, she was in great hands.  I’d specially picked Aurea, who had a huge list of references.  There is about three or four ladies who did daycare in the town where I worked.  They worked together and were friends—all coming with high recommendations and all typically full and taking no more kids.  I still think Aurea was a huge blessing.

   Sometimes, as mothers, we have to know what’s best for our children…even if it’s tough.  I believe that Aurea brought something to, not only my child, but my family, that I couldn’t.  She was patient, loving, smart, and incredibly experienced in the area of child-rearing and care-taking.  By the time Callie was two, she was taking naps at the same time every day.  She was cleaning up and putting all her toys back where they belonged.  She was eating a well-balanced lunch and not complaining a lick about it.  She was reading books and singing songs I never thought a two-year-old could sing.  And she had a heart of gold and a giving nature that I believe only partly could’ve been born in her and partly taught to her.  

*Trina

Going From Firm to Sweet in a Millisecond - The Emotional Switches in Motherhood

A state characterized by the coexistence of contradictory or incompatible elements; one sign being a rapidly changing mood- from happy to sad to angry for no apparent reason.  Schizophrenia.  If my sons were aware of medical terms-and doctors-this is no doubt what they’d diagnose me as.

At least that’s how I feel many times in our day.

Last night, for example. It’s bedtime.  We had woken up at 5:00 a.m. followed by zero naps.  I wore them out at the playground with a group of 10+ kiddos under the age of 5 for a solid hour at the very minimum. They ate a hearty meal of SpaghettiOs with extra meatballs at dinner; bath; books; brush; the usual. At 7:45 p.m., I kissed their precious foreheads and bid them a good night and sweet dreams.  I closed the door behind me and sat on the couch before realizing I hadn’t poured that glass of wine yet.  A few minutes went by.  Silence.  Ah!  I stood up to pour that satiny red into my glassy best friend.  Ultimate relaxation imminent in just minutes.

“Mommy, I’m thirsty.” I hear my oldest calling from behind his door.  At least, he wasn’t opening it (that means he is aware there are rules).

Thoughts dart in my mind.  Stand firm and say no.  He’ll get the idea and know you are not a pushover.  The other voice says, just give him a cup of water and maybe that’s all he really needs and that will be the end of it tonight.

I give him a cup of water.

“Good night, mommy.” He disappears back into his room like the good little almost-three-year-old that he is. 

Ten minutes later, following a potty break, a sip of water and a clean diaper for my youngest, and a tuck in for both; I find myself standing in between their beds.  “Mommy, sing one more song.” A voice in my head explains that the boys shall get no more songs otherwise I am a pushover and this will happen every night until they’re sixteen.  The other voice says to sing one more song just in hopes that this will be the last call of the night. 

In the firmest, most non-pushover voice I can muster, “Okay, I’ll sing one more song.  But THAT IS IT!  NO MORE GAMES!”

[Enter sweet tender mommy voice]

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy…”  Who in normal society actually does that?  There is rarely an instance that you will be talking so firm to someone and switch into sweet sing-songy mode so rapidly.  This is the schizophrenia I’m talking about.  I mean, can you imagine talking to your boss at work…
[Firmly] Leah, I’m really disappointed in your performance on the analytics report.  You’ve miscalculated the numbers and your writing is quite illegible. [Softly] But have I ever told you how nice your hair smells.  Every time you walk past me in the hallway I just think to myself I am so glad I hired you and that I really like you a lot.”

And this isn’t the only instance.  This happens when we’re having a great time playing and laughing and in his excitement, Luke jumps up and knocks his brother to the floor.  My friendly aura is jolted and I’m forced to work up a tough love lesson I’m not quite fond of.  Or when he climbs on my lap and tells me, “mommy, I love you.”  Delighted, I go in for a kiss and notice he’s chewing.  I ask, “What’s in your mouth?”  He spits out black rubber into my hand.  I quickly scan the room spying my lone flip flop in the corner.  A chunk savagely torn from it.  I’m too relaxed to turn work up the energy to be mad, but I don’t want him to ruin any more of my shoes.  Or when we had a fun outing at the park and we chase eachother to the car, giggling all the while, and then he sneakily jumps into the front of the car while I’m buckling in his brother and refuses to climb into his seat-thus making me chase him from side to side-resulting in an I’m-over-it “you better get in your seat or… (or what-think fast!) or you won’t get that treat when we get home.” What treat?  Now I need to get him a treat if he gets in his seat.  Why am I going to treat him for finally obeying me after a few minutes of craziness?  Ah, the word craziness.  Maybe this isn’t a coincidence. 

Honestly, I’d rather be the sweet and happy mommy 24/7.   But I’m savvy enough to know that doesn’t work out too well for the kiddos in the long run.  I guess for me, who has always been pretty agreeable and the last person to ever start a fight, it’s hard to be that assertive and firm person I know I need to be. 

Or maybe I just over think it.

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement – Burritos Delicioso

Another oldie-but-goodie from my husband’s childhood.  These burritos are so easy to make and so very delicious.  If your kids aren’t fans of spicy, then set aside some pork for them after you brown.  When you go to make the burritos, just mark the kid burritos with a pirate “x” or something equally groovy like that. 

Burritos Delicioso

·         Burrito-size tortillas

·         2 cans rotelle (we use 1 mild and 1 original)

·         Ground pork

·         Cheddar

·         1 can refried beans (prefer Ortega)

Directions

Brown pork.  Drain pork and simmer in pot with rotelle for one hour.  Heat oven to 300.  Layer beans, pork mixture and cheese in each tortilla (making 7 ½).  Bake for 10 min.  Sprinkle more cheese to top.  Bake another 10 min.