Confession

I clearly heard little man speaking to me this morning, and you want to guess what he was saying?

"Hey, Mom, you know what you should have for breakfast?  Some of that leftover pasta salad from yesterday's picnic.  And you know what?  You're working so hard, carrying me and looking after my big sisters, you should eat it straight from the Pyrex.  You deserve it."

So I said, "Okay.  Thanks!"

Now I just have to figure out if he said he needs Starbucks now... or later.

Frontyard Picnic

Warning: the following may be my favorite pictures of the summer, thus far!

We had a playdate at the park this morning, and we had a little picnic lunch to close it out.  Riley was such a fan that she requested a picnic dinner as well and has been talking about it the rest of the day.  She is always anxious for Daddy to get home, but she was even more so today.  So while Mike was on his way home (after his car broke down in Yorkville... sigh... another story), I made some pasta salad, washed some grapes and busted out the snap peas.  By the way, I'll include the pasta salad recipe at the end.  It was amazing.  You should make it for your next potluck.  Do people still do potlucks?  

But that's enough intro.  Here's the good stuff...

 Even Kona gets in on the action.

 I'm pretty sure Noelle is yelling, "Cheese!!"  But her best cheese face is yet to come.

 As Mike just said to me, it's crazy to think that this was the girl who would only scootch around the house!  Now she's walking, "running" and climbing all over!

 And THERE'S the cheese face!

 I love how Noelle wants to be JUST like Riley.  And I love that Riley, currently, loves it, too.  I mean, check out this series of sisterly love pictures.

 Speaking of sisterly love, here's a great tangent story.  Maria came over the other day and was reading a friends book to Riley.  At one point, she asked Riley who her best friend was.  Riley grinned and said, "Noelle!"  It made my heart melt.  I thank God for their love for one another and pray it will continue to grow.

 Daddy and squirmy Noelle.  I don't think he should take offense that she was very content to sit on the step next to Riley.

 I heart toddler curiosity.

Three girls, playing around our neighbors' yard.

Pasta Salad (from epicurious)

Ingredients:

Dressing:

6 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 garlic clove, minced

Salad:

1 lb fusilli (or some similar pasta-- I used elbow mac)

12 oz tomatoes, coarsely chopped

8 oz marinated mozzarella, drained and chopped

1 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

1/2 cup canned roasted peppers, chopped

Prep:

Blend first 5 ingredients in processor (or Magic Bullet-- boom!).  Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water.  Drain and transfer to a large bowl.  Add dressing to hot pasta and toss or stir to coat.  Cool, stirring occasionally.  Add fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and peppers.  

Can be made 6 hours ahead.  Cover, chill.

**Even Noelle LOVED this, and that's saying something.

Bit By the Bug

Okay... the sewing bug is back.  I just can't help myself.  I found this tutorial and thought, "Hey, that'll be fun and easy!"  I tend to go too-big on things like this, mostly because I can't bear the disappointment when it's too small to fit.  Even though I guess I was making this for Riley, so if I did underestimate, it could have just ended up as Noelle's... 

Anyway, since Mike now has a bunch of shirts that are way too big for him, I brought three to Riley and let her choose her favorite.  The blue one was the winner (just like it would've been for Dad!), and she immediately asked to wear it.  I was forced to inform her that I had to make it fit her first, but it did give incentive for me NOT to just leave it sitting for weeks... months... a year?  So here's Riley's Just Like Daddy Romper:

Clearly, a little big, but hey-- she can wear it for, like, three more years! :)  And she LOVED it!  When I took it off for her bath, she made me guarantee we'd put it on again.  When I removed it at bedtime, she asked if she could wear it tomorrow.  I call that a success.

Then I wanted to whip up something for Noelle.  Now, in general, I HATE sewing with knits.  I don't know if I've ever NOT had a project fail when I was using knits.  But finally, I found a pattern (that I've used for a while) that I can use with knits.  It turns out nicely, and I'm not tempted to throw myself out a window, mid-stitch.

The only reason I was actually tempted to use knits again was that I came across some adorable Patty Young fabric that I have had for quite some time.  It was just sitting there, biding its time.  And since my nesting is currently taking the form of sewing, I figured now's the time.  Now showing... the knit peasant dress/top!

The peasant top is so nice because, first of all, it's really easy to make.  (Seriously... if you want to take up sewing for kids, go for a peasant top!)  And second, it can fit for quite some time.  This one, obviously, is on Noelle, but it will easily fit Riley as a top, too.

Here's to New Addictions

Earlier on in this pregnancy, Little Man was giving me some serious problems.  Among them, migraines.  I ended up going on a narcotic for the really bad ones, but Doc also recommended caffeine.  The only problem with that is that the kind of coffee I drink has about 8 ingredients, is blended and costs around $4 a pop.  In other words, my Starbucks addiction is not very economical, even with a gold card.

But a few days ago, Michael sent me a link to squawkfox.com that had a recipe for a homemade frap.  Yesterday, I made my first attempt, and today, as I type this, I have my second frap, which squawkfox estimates comes in at a not-so-hefty $.32!  And I am totally content.  I really can't tell the difference.  So here's the recipe.  I halved it, threw everything in my Magic Bullet, and voila! 

1 cup double-strength coffee or 3/4 cup espresso, cold
3/4 cup milk, whatever kind you want
3 Tbsp sugar (or to taste)
2 cups ice
pinch xanthan gum

I guess the "trick" is the xanthan gum, which keeps it from separating.  I actually had this on hand because it's a staple in gluten-free baking, but it's not super-cheap.  I'm thinking you'll survive without it.  However, if you DO use it, here's a very important tip: DO NOT USE MORE THAN A PINCH!  I put in-- I don't know-- 1/8-1/4 of a tsp-- the first time, and the drink turned to goop.  Xanthan gum is a thickener.  When I dumped out my texturely inadequate first attempt, it just thwapped into the sink and stayed there.  Gross. 

But my second and third attempts... caffeinated heaven!

Playdate with Old Friends

Yesterday, we got together with a couple of my old high school friends.  Keith and Jody now have Baby Addy, who, as you will see, is just adorable.  And Mitch came along to partake in the chaos.  Life with children is irrationally crazy and unpredictable, and I've been the worst at keeping in touch, so it was great getting to see everyone, even if conversation is always a little limited with three little ladies running/scootching/supported standing around.

Noelle and Addy get some one-on-one time while Addy shows off her Superman skills.

Noelle quickly grew attached to Keith.  She was pretty thrilled with this comfy seat. :)

Jody and Addy.  See what I mean about her cuteness level?

 

Mitch was a real trooper, playing Riley's version of hide-and-seek (aka throw-a-blanket-over-Mitch-then-count-then-go-find-him-under-the-same-blanket-right-where-I-left-him).  

I see more crazy playdates in our future...

Summer Soup

All of a sudden... and I truly mean ALL OF A SUDDEN... yesterday, I was struck by the "nesting" instinct.  Thus, I started planning how to redecorate my entire house, and I began browsing for great summer recipes.  I'm still in the decorating brainstorming stage, so I'll spare you that.  But here's a recipe that I just made ahead for dinner.  Mmmmm!  I found it on Epicurious (to make sure I give credit-- it's apparently from Lourdes Castro), and I've made a few changes.  Here's my hybrid recipe, as I made it.  I have to say, though, that this ended up yielding only about 2 servings, so I would FOR SURE double or triple it if you're going to strain the soup.  If not straining, I'm thinking you should still double it.

Yummy Summer Corn Soup with Roasted Corn Gaucamole

For the soup:
5 ears fresh corn
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 clove minced or chopped garlic
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 Cup chicken broth

1.  Cut the corn off the cob.  Put kernels in a blender (but wait to blend).
2.  Put the oil and garlic in a soup pot over medium heat.  Add the onion (and if you like heat, the original recipe called for 1 chopped jalapeno).  Saute until translucent.  Add oil, garlic and onion to blender.  Blend until smooth(-ish).  You'll probably have to pulse it.
3.  Put blended mixture back in the pot.  Heat on medium, stirring for the first few minutes.
4.  Gradually add chicken broth, mixing together.
5.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
6.  I strained the soup because the texture was a little strange, though still fine if you don't want to deal with straining.

You can make the soup ahead, cool it, fridge it and reheat it later.

When you're ready to serve, make the roasted corn guacamole.  I haven't made this yet, but it promises to be awesome. 

for the guac:
Kernels from 3 ears of corn
1 Tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper
1 Tbsp finely chopped red onion
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, zested and juiced
1 avocado, chopped

1.  Preheat the oven to 450.  Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.  Toss the kernels with the oil, salt and pepper.  Spread evenly on baking sheet.  Roast for 20 minutes, until the corn turns golden brown (but some black is fine, too).
2.  Combine the corn with the other ingredients.  Place in the center of each bowl of soup!

I think, for simplicity's sake, we're going to do this with grilled cheese tonight.  I'll report back on the results!

Loads of Fun

Erin was in town the past couple of days, and whenever Erin is in town, immense fun is to be had.  We got lots of play time with her and with the Barnett clan.  Yes, I'm currently paying for the expenditure of energy coupled with poor sleepers, but we had fun nonetheless. 

First, Celeste and Erin were awesome enough to watch Riley while Noelle had PT; then they watched both girls while I went in for another ultrasound (more on that in another post).  So, obvsiously, the girls had a blast of a morning, and Riley, apparently, was a crazy lady-- screaming "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" and flailing/dancing around to her heart's content.  I realized that Clayton is quite possibly the perfect playmate for her-- full of energy, so he brings out her more exciting side, but not too touchy, so she's not intimidated by the remote possibility that she may be knocked over or (gasp!) have a hand laid on her. :)  Oh boy... these are things we need to overcome. 

After naps, we headed to Naperville and red mango.  Mmmmm, red mango!  I'm glad that that place isn't in downtown Wheaton because I would be in trouble.  Frozen yogurt for breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner?  Yes, please!  Then we took a stroll to the carillon, ran up and down the hill, and Noelle-- with the help of Erin-- walked quite a bit. 

The next morning (which began, by the way, before 6:30 for BOTH girls), Erin came with us on our first adventure (of the year) to the Glen Ellyn splash park.  If your kids like getting splashed, the place is awesome.  Contained, clean, fun.  Our problem is that Riley doesn't particularly like to be splashed, and Noelle doesn't particularly like cold water.  So it started off a little dicey.

 

But after Noelle realized that sitting in Mommy's lap fixes everything, and Riley, well, just realized that we were at the splash park, and it's a fun place, things got better.

But wait!  That's not the end of our adventure!  After naps-- this time a little bit better than the day before-- we first had a dance party...

... then we headed to "Clayton's house" again to play in his pool.  As Celeste said, we moms try so hard to create fun for our kids, and sometimes we just fail.  This wasn't a total failure, but it, sadly, left Riley with some crazy welts of mosquito bites. 

And neither girl really wanted to play in the pool.  But Clayton, as always, was fun and hilarious: jumping around, landing on his tailbone without a second thought...  We love that guy. 

So today, needless to say, we're lying low... until I get a super-fun offer that I can't say "no"... or I just get stir-crazy. :)