Candy Cane

Mommy Therapy Entry #2:
I went upstairs to get ready for the day. Clara was enjoying an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Abigail was still upstairs fast asleep. "20 minutes," I thought to myself, 20 minutes and then I'd be back downstairs. Clara wouldn't even notice I was gone.

Now let's rewind like a week or so. We had a late night. We were trying to get the girls home because it was past bedtimes. Clara is in complete and utter melt-down stage. Then, someone offers her a candy cane. It tempered the melt-down long enough for us to get out to the car. I broke a small piece of it off and gave it to her to eat in the car on the drive home. That, however, was not good enough. The super-ultra melt down then resulted. She wanted the whole candy cane. The result was kicking, screaming, hysterical babbling that no one can understand, the works. This candy cane is my nemesis. However, I remained resolute and let her scream the whole way home. I figured a melt-down and a sugar high would've just made everything worse. 25 minutes later when we finally closed the door to her room after putting her to bed, (and she was still crying over this candy cane) I breathed a sigh of relief.

Now fast-forward to this morning. I go upstairs to get ready, and return 20 minutes later. My nemesis has returned. Clara has found the candy cane. She shredded the plastic and decorated the carpet with it. The candy cane is devoured and evidence remains all across her face, hair, and the couch. Seriously? How on earth did she manage to find the candy cane, unwrap the darn thing, and eat it in the 20 minutes I was gone? What child can eat a candy cane that fast?

There is so much candy cane slime in her hair it is literally standing up on its own!

I can't decide if I am more frustrated by the fact that she made a mess, or the fact that she was sneaking. I know she knew she was being sneaky, because whenever she wants something she will come and ask, unless she knows she's not supposed to have it.

Oh well. I think I've decided that I don't want any candy canes in the house this Christmas!

Whew! I feel much better. Thanks again for letting me indulge:)

"Yeah, I know Mama."

Me: Clara, you are so cute.
Clara: Yeah. I know Mama.

*Door closes and in walks Clara after some daddy-daughter time.*
Clara: Mama, where are you?
Me: I'm upstairs Clara.
Clara: *Gasp* OH MAMA! I'M COMING MAMA! I'M COMING!

Clara: Um Mama, Popcorn Song.
(We sing Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree.)
Clara: Um, Mama, Weezy Spider Song.
(We sing the Eensy Weensy Spider.)
Clara: Um, Mama, Star Song.
(We sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.)
Clara: Um, Mama, ABC Song.
(We sing the ABCs.)
Clara: Um, Mama, bird and flower song.
(We sing In the Leefy Treetops - both verses.)
*Note: This little routine is ALWAYS in the same order, and occurs several times daily.*

*Joe burps loudly.*
Me: Honey, you have to say "Excuse me." Even Clara knows that. Clara, what do we do after we burp?
Clara: We LAUGH! HAHAHA!
*I look sheepishly at Joe.*
Me: I swear she really does know what to say!
*Several minutes later: Clara burps loudly.*
Clara: Excuse me, Mama! EXCUSE MEEEEE!
*Oh sweet victory!*

I love being a mom!

Baby Powder

So, I'm not sure if this is just me, but it seems that there is something about raising a two year old that somehow reveals your true identity. In my case, I usually discover yet another item that can be added to a fresh list of "character attributes I really need to work on." I hope that someday I can be that mom who is always happy, always creative, always put together, always patient, etc. But usually, today is not that day.
So, in an attempt to divert moments of frustration in a more constructive direction, I'm taking a different approach. Thus:

Mommy Therapy Entry #1:
I struggle with how to entertain my children when things really need to get done. I don't like simply putting them in front of a movie because then they'd probably be watching TV all day. Coloring only works for so long, they can't really read to themselves yet, and when it's 20 degrees outside playing outdoors isn't the best option available. I'm still figuring out how to make this work.
Anyway, this year our garden did pretty well. We had a very nice harvest and were able to can quite a bit of our own food, which just felt awesome. I love growing herbs. I've had this basil plant drying in my kitchen now since October, and I thought it was finally time to get the leaves and seeds off the plant and stored away. I was in the kitchen working with my basil, Abigail was content in her swing, and Clara was playing in the family room with her toys. As I stood there at the kitchen counter stripping away the leaves from the twigs, I was suddenly struck with a the thought that I should go and check on Clara. As I turned around and walked into the family room, this is what I found:

Baby Powder.
I didn't say anything to her as I stood her up and brushed her off. I got the camera, snapped a few pictures, and then went to get the vacuum. Clara watched quietly as I cleaned up the mess. When I turned off the vacuum, Clara came over to me with her head down and said, "Mama, I so sorry. I so sorry Mama."
Wow...that was the most pleasant disciplining experience I've had in a while.

There are also a couple other upsides to the story:
1. At least she didn't decide to play with the Desitin instead of the baby powder.
2. Now my carpet smells delightful.

Thanks for letting me indulge. I feel much better;)

4 Months Old!

Abigail's 4 month well visit was last Monday and I wanted to jot down her stats before I forget.

• Height: 26.5" = 90%
• Weight: 15 lbs 7 oz. = 97%
• Head: 50%

She is such a happy baby. She sleeps well and eats well and has a smile that will melt your heart.

She rolls over pretty regularly now. She's really good at rolling from her back to her tummy, but we haven't quite perfected rolling from the tummy to the back.

Abigail is a little social butterfly. She does not like being alone. She loves being held and talked to and she loves it when we sing to her. She has no fear of strangers yet and will grant a dazzling smile to anyone who will talk to her.

The hardest thing with Abigail is getting her to go to sleep (which really isn't even that bad). Because she is so social, she doesn't like being left alone in her crib. I'm tempted to move her into Clara's room because I really think both of them would enjoy being together, but we'll see. I think I might wait until Clara is just a little bit older and won't try climbing into the crib with her.

Abigail fit into our family so naturally, it is hard to imagine that it was just Clara for a while.

Thanksgiving Goodies!

Ok, so I normally don't do this, but since it is Thanksgiving, I'll make an exception. We started a tradition in our family to make orange rolls on Thanksgiving morning while we watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade. It's something we've really come to enjoy. I was so proud of how yummy the orange rolls turned out that I thought I'd share the recipe.

Orange Rolls!

Dough:
Ingredients:
6 c. flour
1.5 Tbsp. Instant Yeast
1/2 c. sugar
2 t. salt
1/2 c. melted butter
2 eggs
2 1/4 c. hot milk (OR 2/3 c. powdered milk + 2 1/4 c. hot water)

Directions: Mix yeast, milk, sugar, eggs and butter (make sure the butter and milk aren't too hot otherwise they'll kill the yeast.).
Add 1/2 of the flour and the salt. Mix thoroughly and then add the rest of the flour. Dough will be sticky.
Mix for 10 minutes and then let rise to double.
Roll out into large square.

Filling:
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter, softened
1 c sugar
zest of an orange peel (I don't have a zester so I just finely grated the peel.)
(opt. 1-2 drops orange oil - I love essential oils, especially in cooking, and it just gives a nice extra flavor.)

Directions: Mix the orange peel (and oil) with the sugar in a small bowl, and set aside. Butter the dough square with the stick of butter. Then, sprinkle sugar and peel mixture over dough, distributing evenly (I actually took a dough scraper and spread it around with that to make it even.).

Roll up the dough from the top to the bottom. When done rolling, use a sharp knife and cut rolls every 1 inch and place on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Frosting:
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter
1 cream cheese package
powdered sugar to desired thickness
appx. 3-5 Tbsp. juice from the orange you zested

Directions: Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Add a little red and yellow food coloring if desired. Wait until rolls have cooled and spread generously over the top.
****

I know this looks like a lot, but it really isn't that bad at all. So delicious! I would highly recommend them for Christmas.

Okay one more recipe. This one I was way too proud of.

Dutch Apple Pie
recipe from A Taste of Home

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick cooked oats (I didn't use quick cook, came out great)
3/4 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons of corn starch
1 1/4 cups cold water
3 cups diced, peeled apples (about 3 medium)
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Crust and topping:
In a large bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, oats and butter. Set aside 1 cup for the topping. Press the remaining mixture into an ungreased 9 inch pie plate. Make sure to push the mixture up the sides a bit too.

Filling:
Combine the sugar cornstarch and water in a saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, cinnamon and apples.

Pour into pie crust, top with reserved topping mixture. Bake at 350 for 40 - 45 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
*****
Enjoy! Don't you just love the holidays?!

Things to be thankful for!

I have so many things to be thankful for!
Here are just a few (these are not in order by the way - these were just as they came to my mind):
1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. My wonderful, handsome husband who works his tail off everyday.
3. My beautiful, healthy, happy girls.
4. Our wonderful home.
5. Our awesome neighbors and ward.
6. Our gorgeous view from our home. Utah is a really beautiful place.
7. Family that lives close by. I love that my girls know both pairs of grandparents and lots of aunts and uncles!
8. Talents in progress - things I am learning to do that keep me humble:)
9. The Scriptures - I love learning new things each time I read them.
10. Prayer - what a wonderful thing it is to communicate with our Heavenly Father!

Sunday Best

Just love these pictures. Clara was sad a few Sundays ago so we were trying to cheer her up by taking pictures of her pretty princess dress.