Christmas Cookie Baking with Nana

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Firm Holiday Party

My firm hosted a Holiday Party in the Cedar Rapids' office for families last Saturday night. Jack was on-the-move the entire night. Bouncing between the Kids' Food Table (his favorite: a giant bowl of animal crackers), the Cedar Rapids' Downtown Holiday Parade (loved the horse drawn carriages with lights), and the DJ (who played an assortment of holiday favorites, including "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch, that his dad sang ala karaoke).

Our little elf slept in until 8 a.m. the following morning. Mission Accomplished :)

Jack's School Photo

It's blurry but you get the "picture."

Too funny!

Deceptively Delicious

We are trying something new (again!) and it involves pulling out the ol' food processor, which last made an appearance during homemade baby food days. Our little boy has become a picky eater and the whole "you'll go to bed hungry" routine is lost on our almost 2-year-old, so we have turned to sneaky measures for our growing lad to eat his recommended amounts of veggies. J-bomb willing scarfs down most fruits, grains, and proteins....and desserts, obviously! You don't reach the 95% percentile for weight without enjoying a chocolate chip cookie or two every now and again :)

We've turned to an innovative concept: hiding the veggies in some of Jack's favorite foods! Tonight was the beginning with round one including Banana Bread with banana puree (surprise!) and cauliflower puree and for tomorrow's breakfast: scrambled eggs with parmesan cheese and cauliflower puree! I just tasted the banana bread and it's delish!!!

Mills' Variation on the Deceptively Delicious' recipes: we'll serve all the dishes with a side of the veggies au naturel. We want Jack to continue to SEE veggies and encourage him to TRY the veggies. At least now when he says "no" (and sometimes throws the veggies on the floor) we can smile instead of sigh.

Enjoy that spinach brownie little man. Enjoy!

Let the deceiving begin :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We have LOTS to be thankful for, including our little ham :)

Blog Hiatus

We have been on an unannounced blog hiatus for over a week and we really have no excuses. Other than I spent all of last week in Chicago for a workers' compensation convention, which meant it was Dad's In-Charge Week at our hacienda. I was really hoping for one of those desperate phone calls from Mr. Mom begging for my help....my advice....needing me, but no.

Instead I received many pictures (like the 2 above) of a smiling, happy, almost 2 year old. It seems everything was hunky-dory while I was gone and I am very happy to report I came home to a very tidy home.

Guess I've trained him well. KIDDING :)

I love my boys :)

Sunday Night Popcorn

Definitely his Daddy's son. Popcorn dinners are the best :)

Sunny November Weekend

Indoor Waterpark

There is nothing better than watching a child play in a spout of water. Pure enjoyment.

One More from Halloween

More Halloween

Monkey Jack

Beggars' Night

Our little monkey...

Where have we been hiding?

We are almost ready for Halloween!

Pumpkin decorations out? Check

Halloween pajamas in rotation? Check

It's almost Halloween...

...and Jack is getting ready to carve his pumpkin. It took him awhile to pick out "his" pumpkin, or should I say "pa key" So many choices!

Sunday at The Zoo

While John and I were entertaining at our house for some parents-to-be and a bride and groom-to-be, Nana and Grandpa Denny took Jack to the Zoo for one last time this season. I hear he had a blast :)

And at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday....

...this is where (and how) you can find our son.



Come back soon, Pappy and Grandma!

Saying Goodbye

Helping Pappy start the MotorHome at the end of their trip to Iowa....




We miss them already!