Blocks

Anders started to play with blocks today.

I think we stayed on the floor all day.

It was so much fun to see him put the pieces together and then clap for himself.

He'll have to stop that eventually, but right now we laugh every time.

Oh Christmas Tree

Today we setup our Christmas Tree.

We went back to red and green.

But spiced it up with stripes and polka dots. 

Anders attacked it like a little cat

and so we had to put it on a ledge by our staircase.

We celebrated with Chinese and chocolate cake.

Little Teeth

A couple of things have been on my mind lately...

Christmas, birthdays, parenting, and return to work.

Sometimes it seems like a lot, that my head is swimming.

But it is also a lot of fun.

Gotta remember the fun.

I'm trying to psych myself up for yet another change in our family dynamic,

and what that means.

But I'm trying to be present every day.

And enjoy the little things that make the here and now so special.

Like these little teeth.

29

Derek had his birthday this weekend. Here's a bit of what happened:

First ever bought cake for Derek

Played games with friends into the morning

Got pie and lasagna as a gift

My brother ate a piece out it first

Best sandwiches ever

Spent all morning blowing up a giant balloon

Worked on sewing new family Christmas stockings for three

Went out for dinner with the parents and a night sled ride

Played with a giant balloon

Anders practiced how to stand and danced whenever a Glee song came on 

Had the best pumpkin soup and cheesecake by Clyde and Delali

Cake before our supper

I heart...

Empire of the Sun Breakdown and Robyn Dancing on My Own

Warm apple pie candles

Snowflakes on my window

Palmegranate lotion

Dance parties with Anders

Hummus and cucumber wraps

Raspberry hot chocolate

Cranberry soap

Moccasin slippers

Purple daisies

Bitten by the Holiday Bug

I know it is early November. I know it. But today I was overcome with the need to buy Christmas ornaments. Maybe it is the talk that we will be getting our first blizzard, maybe it is the Hydro guys putting up our town Christmas lights. Who knows, but I have the need for my house to be filled with red and white, lights, snowflakes,  and glitter.

It started off innocently enough, I just needed to go into the city to get a couple of things. But when I got into the store, I just couldn't help myself. Ornament after ornament went into my cart. And I blame it all on Pinterest. I've been trying to get some ideas on how to decorate, after all, it is our first Christmas in our new home. The result was my head filled with little ideas to welcome Christmas and the excitement to start crafting to turn these ideas into reality.

So now on with all of the projects! I have a list a mile long filled with decor ideas as well as fun family  dates to fill December. Derek just shakes his head. But since last Christmas was filled with getting used to a new baby, I'm ready to celebrate and have fun with my little family. Bring on the lights and tinsel!

Apple Spice

Our house is finally getting back to normal after getting hit by the tri-cold. Thank goodness! I was beginning to dread watching another episode of Seinfeld which I would have never thought possible.

Our baby boy is also still getting used to the time change so he was up at 5:30 am. Needless to say we have had quite a long morning so far and getting a lot done. I have not baked anything in awhile so I thought I'd get a cookin' in these wee hours.

I usually adore anything chocolate and Derek goes for fruit laced baking. Since I am trying to cut down on my sweet intake I decided to play it safe and look for something suited to Derek's taste. I found this little apple cookie recipe that is quite delicious. It's a cookie recipe, but they almost remind me of a sweet muffin or cake because they are spongy and fluffy. I also decided to ice and add a sprinkle of cinnamon to accentuate the apple flavor.

Here's the recipe for these Apple Cookies:

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup finely chopped apples

Add ingredients in the order listed. Drop dough by the teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Raisins and nuts may be added if desired.

Icing:
1 cup icing sugar with 1-2 tbls. milk. Icing will be a thick liquid texture.

Put 1 tsp. of icing on the warm cookie so that it melts leaving a thin layer of icing. Sprinkle with cinnamon after icing has set.

Enjoy!