Growing Rice: August 2014

Yesterday Soph and I made homemade applesauce, and it was so! #y and delicious! I'll never buy the ready made stuff again. Unless of course I pass it in the grocery store while I'm starving, in a bad mood, or in a hurry. So, I'll probably buy it during next week's grocery outing. It's a great thought though, to think I'll do this on a weekly basis. "But it'll be organic!", I'll tell myself. And then I'll remember how I peeled the apples with Gabriel strapped to my chest, whining for milk or because his gums hurt. So then as I got the apples on the stove, I figured I would feed him real quick (but I forgot that it's never quick). I ended up forgetting about our precious simmering apples, but luckily got to them just before the charring set in. Threw it in a blender, and had fresh homemade.cinnamon applesauce within hours,.haha.

Seriously though, it was super easy. I like to add in the dramatics to make myself laugh later at my experiences. What would have made the biggest difference is obvious: planning. I did in on a whim, on a day when Gabriel was the crankiest. However, I DID start this endeavor right after I laid him down for nap, but as luck would have it, he slept a whole 15 minutes! Isn't that amazing?

We accomplished it, and Sophia had fun and was so proud. She wanted to wait for Tim to get home so that we could all taste it together...but it just looked too delicious ;)

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

5 medium apples (peeled and quartered, ugh)

1/2 cup water

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Simmer on medium/low until soft, throw in blender or mixer, and add water to get it down to preferred consistency. It didn't make a ton, so I'll be doubling the recipe next time (unless I buy pre made, ;)).

Two posts in 1 week!

#winningatlife

Who has time to write a long blog post these days?! Which is why I'm just getting around to posting. This will be the trend. I'm sure I'll post again in another month.

Before I forget: You know the dust balls that collect on your broom when you're sweeping? Wait, I mean, you know the dust balls that collect of other people's broom when they are sweeping? Because I would never have that much dust in my house, obviously. Anyway, Sophia usually sweeps for me (because she's AWESOME!) and she calls the dust bunnies "FUZZ BUNNIES". I LOVE it. I realize this is only funny to me, because I'm her mom, I get that...but I needed to share it it so that I can be reminded in the future of all the adorable things she said. Documented and moving on.

Since my last post Gabriel has started eating rice cereal, Sophia has started to learn how to read (i'm crying), and Tim and I made an adult trip to Puerto Rico. Many other things have happened, but I'm too old to remember. Grammy and Gramps flew up to keep the kiddos so that Tim and I could get away for a few days to swim in the Caribbean a bit , go to bed early, and work...haha. It was GREAT, but who wouldn't miss their babies?!

Nobody wanted to take a picture with their mom?

I finally feel like I'm on my "mom game". We have a decent routine down. And by routine I mean, my kids eat, play and nap, but the times pretty much vary daily. Life is a ROLLERCOASTER...ups and downs experienced all in the same hour, sometimes. One minute we're all 3 happy and playing and the next minute we're all three crying. Usually because Gabriel's teeth start randomly causing excruciating pain, stressing me out due to no relief, causing me to snap at Sophia...cue the tears from all 3! During these fleeting moments (which see like will never end), I feel like a failing mom. But after they both nap, eat a snack, and we're on our way to the park, I feel like an awesome mom doing a great job of taking care of her kids, and I'm back on top emotionally. Whew.

One thing that gets me through my days is realizing that I'm never going to be like the other mom or moms I occasionally come across. I've never been one to feel like I need to "keep of with the Joneses", but I have had the moments when I think, "man she's an awesome mom, and I'll never compare to that'. And usually they're moms on pinterest who pin things but probably never actually do the activities with their kids...or so I tell myself, haha. I have also stopped comparing Sophia, and now Gabriel, to other children their age. This has completely altered my expectations, which I feel helps her to grow naturally, at her own pace. Researching homeschooling, education, and learning styles has changed my perspective a myriad of things!

Most of us are trying to do our very best at this parenting gig. My decisions for my family are based upon my convictions, lifestyle, and certain desires and goals. And those things are different for all families, and that's ok! So, I've stopped judging (unless you're a deadbeat, lol). It's very freeing to not compare myself and my kids to our peers anymore.

Another thing that usually gets me through the day is the 5 Hail Mary's I have to say to myself when we're all 3 crying.

And the last, most important thing that gets me through my day is this song/video: Coldplays' "Fix You". Their live concert in Paris is the best version. Youtube it right now. If you don't jump around your living room and cry when Chris Martin starts running down the runway as the tempo picks up, you aren't human. :)