We Love Fall

Fall is here, and we've been loving it.  Myah and Maysen have been studying 'Fall' at school for a couple of weeks so they are continuously pointing out leaves that are changing color, noticing cooler temperatures, and picking up pinecones and acorns they find on the sidewalk.  The mornings are cool, but the afternoons are very warm....we've sure been spoiled by the beautiful weather.  Do you remember these adorable hats that I bought for the girls even before Mylie was born?  Well, she's been sporting hers when we go for walks in the stroller and M&M wear theirs occasionally as well.  Isn't she adorable!?

My cousin, Jessica (Grotewold) Schipper, had a baby boy a month ago.  We went up to Lake Mills last weekend to celebrate his baby shower.  Maysen and Myah each got a turn of holding him.  He was/is just a little peanut.  He was probably up to about 9 lbs at the time of the shower, but I'll tell you, Mylie was NEVER that little.  His bottom was so tiny, and that was including his 'full' diaper  and his pants.  He slept through the entire shower.  It's crazy how quickly you can forget how little babies can be.

 

Last week, we took our annual trip to DeMoss Pumpkin Farm here in Ames.  Mylie loved her first experience.  She always takes in the sites and tried to touch everything.  Luckily she didn't put anything in her mouth, but you could tell by the look on her face that she was experiencing all the different textures.  We are going to be decorating our pumpkins this afternoon or evening so I'll have pictures to share of this year's creations sometime soon.

 Myah and Maysen holding their pumpkins of choice by the measuring scarecrow.  An annual picture.

 When more than one child is involved, you really just have to focus on getting them all in the same picture.  It's impossible to get them all looking at you, too, so it's really not even worth the fight.

 Myah and Maysen wearing their Halloween shirts and skirts that Nana bought them.

Mylie is eating a lot of table foods now.  Well, maybe not A LOT, but some.  She loves noodles, cooked carrots, corn, baked potatoes, applesauce, cottage cheese and Nilla Wafers.  Here, she's enjoying a banana.  I say 'enjoying' loosely as she licked it and scrunched up her nose and then put the banana down and didn't touch it again. :)

My favorite part of fall has to be the time we spend outside on our patio or at the park and it's not too hot to be out there.  We love summer and going to the pool, but this past summer was really too hot to do much else.  I also love the Honey Crisp apples that appear at supermarkets this time of year.  What do you love about fall?

**If you are on Facebook, go to the Raising Readers of Story County page and see our cute Mylie there.  We've entered her into the Babies Love to Read contest.  The winner will be featured on their annual magnet that's sent out around the county and will receive a bag of books.  As of yet, I don't know of any way that you can vote for her to win, but if that comes up, I'll be sure to let you know!

How to talk to girls....

I may be a little biased, but being the mom of daughters is simply wonderful.  However......I am continually praying that I'm doing a good job of raising them.  I cringe when they come into the bathroom and see me weighing myself and then want to step on the scale to know what their number is.  The list could go on and on.  The thing that bothers me the most is the fact that they are only 4.  A conversation on the way to school the other day went something along the lines of:
M or M: Mom, what does 'healthy' mean?
Me: Well, it means that we eat food that is good for our bodies and that we get regular exercise so that our bodies continue to work well.
M or M: Are cookies good for us?
Me: We should only eat cookies and candy AFTER we've eaten foods that are good for our teeth and bodies.  Fruits and Vegetables are really good for us, and we should eat a lot of those (like we do), and cookies and candy have a lot of sugar in them, and that can make our tummies hurt if we eat too much of it (like we sometimes do).
It was really hard for me to hold back the 'fat' word.  I don't even want them to begin thinking that they are fat or that other people are fat.  They are fully aware that mommy goes running to stay healthy and that daddy exercises downstairs because exercise is good for us.  The other day, Brandon was going to take the girls to the park and they debated between walking or driving to the park.  Myah's response was 'we need to walk so that I can get my exercise.'  Again, it's great that they are aware that exercise is important, but I worry about that 'line' and going to far.  I want them to understand that there is a healthy amount of exercise and then terrible extremes.  Part of me wants to shelter them from the ugly, reality of life, and part of me wants to expose them to every faux pas out there.

A little while ago, my sister stumbled upon this article about how to talk to girls.  If you don't want to take the time to read it, it ultimately talks about how so many conversations with little girls focus around their cute hairstyles, or fashionable/adorable dresses.  Instead of always complimenting little girls about their appearance, try asking them about their favorite book.  I am really pretty good about this with my own daughters because I want them to be smart, cultured, AND cute.  Beauty comes in so many varieties and I surely don't want them to think they will reach their dreams in life based solely on their appearances.  The other day, Mylie was wearing a onesie that I had bought for M&M back in the day, and on it it said 'Future Valedictorian.'  I remember when I bought it, the other option was 'Future Prom Queen.'  Now, why can't a girl be both?  In my mind, she definitely can be, and SHOULD be both!  However, since I needed (ok, wanted) to make a decision, I chose the Valedictorian because that's the accomplishment that I would want my daughter to strive for first.  Each and every day, I ask the girls what letter they learned to write in school and we practice on the chalkboard in the kitchen while supper is in progress, I ask about the centers available and how they relate to the theme of the week.  We do puzzles and flashcards, computer games and read endless books.

Switching gears here a little bit, so bear with me.......

Now, you all probably know that I'm NOT the fashionista that my sister is (she looks gorgeous everyday!).  I would love to be, but just don't have the time to put that much thought into my outfits each day.  Don't get me wrong, I strive to be presentable, but sometimes that little bit of spit-up on my shoulder is ok and so what if these shoes aren't perfect, it's practically a miracle I got out the door today:)  However, I am beginning to think that fashion is maybe just a little bit instilled in girls and caring about how we look is ingrained in our DNA.  And try as we might to foster other 'likes' in our daughters, those instincts are still there.  Hear me out....M&M have a boy cousin who is just one day older than them, so in May the three muskateers turned 4.  We went to C's birthday party and gave him a toy and a bag of new clothes.  He simply peeked into the bag of clothes and tossed it behind him.  A natural reaction for a 4-year-old, or so I thought.  The next weekend, M&M had their birthday party and got several bags of clothes.  Instead of tossing the bags behind them, they pulled each and every garment out of the bag one-by-one and held them up to show them off.  That spoke volumes to me.  There are some clothes hanging in the closet right now that one or both of the girls won't wear, and they don't really have any reasons why other than 'I don't really like it.'  So long to the days of me buying clothes on my own for them.......

This weekend, we read several books, dug in the dirt at the neighbors AND went shopping.  The girls got to pick out a new pair of jeans and a new shirt.  They chose the same shirt, but different designs in the pants.  They were so proud and had so much fun choosing their new outfits!  I couldn't believe that a 4 year old could care so much.

I have to boast that my girls really are beautiful AND smart and I'm so very proud of that, but as a middle school teacher, I worry about how the priorities and foci (?) can change as girls get older.

NOTE: I am in the process of cleaning out my closet, and I'm planning a shopping date with my sis so that we can put together a few outfits as I DO want to look cute and stylish most days.  I just don't want to spend hours in front of the mirror and I want it to be pretty effortless because I want to communicate to them that beauty on the outside is less important than beauty on the inside.

Miss Mylie turned 6 months old a few weeks ago and Eric took some pictures of her.  She is such an incredibly happy and smiley baby.  The only times she fusses really is when she's tried or hungry.  Enjoy.

 

Myah and Maysen's teacher has a little girl that's about exactly a year older than Mylie and he daughter was a pig for Halloween last year.  We borrowed the costume, but it's a little snug on Mylie....she's too long for the costume and her cheeks are a bit too wide for the hat part, BUT it was way too cute to not get any pictures of her in it.  She's going to be a ghost for Halloween.  I'm making the costume so we'll be sharing it with you soon!

Quick Post

I know I've been a little behind in the blogging world.....running too many places lately!
Here's a quick catch up as to what we're up to:

*I'm back to work full time (and have been since Aug 15).  I miss being home with my kids, but I do feel that I'm a better mom because I know that my time in the evenings is very precious and limited that we do all sorts of fun things like riding bikes (or walking) around the block, doing puzzles, cooking,  and watching America's Got Talent.
*I'm also helping 'coach' (by coach, I mean supervise) Mock Trial at the middle school.  I was new to this role last year and learned a lot about out legal system.  It's really cool to watch these kids act out a trial case.  This will probably be my last year of helping with it, however, because I want to be able to pick M&M up from Kindergarten (don't get me started on how grown up they are.....yes, I said the 'K' word already) every day next year!!
*As if those things aren't enough, I'm a 7th Grade Leader which means I organize 7th grade teacher meetings on Wednesday afternoons and participate on a committee to help make positive decisions for the middle school.  My organization (and other people's lack of it) really drove me to take this position.  Time is valuable and I try to do things as effectively and efficiently as possible in this role.
*Dance AND Gymnastics started this week, which means that our evening time (see the first bullet) is even more limited.  The girls love it and it's physical activity, which is something important we try to stress in our house, and it exposes them to more circles of friends than just the ones at school.
*Mylie Bear is 6 months old and topping the charts at 23 pounds (had to switch her out of her infant carrier this week!) and 26 3/4 inches long.  She is about the happiest baby I have ever seen and her wide open mouth of a smile just melts my heart every time.  Over the past two weeks, she's really dominated in learning to sit up on her own.  It's not quite fully mastered, but just about.
*B has ISU season tickets again and they've had two great games resulting in (barely) victories.  The girls and I haven't been out to tailgate yet because it was raining for the UNI game and a good friend of mine got married on the evening of the Iowa game.  He's also taking a graduate class online toward his Special Education endorsement, which he hopes to have finished about a year from now.  For a guy who didn't think he'd ever get his Master's (he says I'm the main reason why it happened), he's pretty motivated to keep going and finish this next degree.  Basketball season is right around the corner.  We're all a little sad (but understanding) about the fact that we (the girls and I) won't make it to as many games as we did last year.  I can't even imagine what it's going to be like chasing an 8 month old all over  (filthy dirty, disgusting, germy) bleachers.

A couple of bonus happenings from this week:
*we cashed in our loose change and came up with $40 for a surprise dinner out tonight to Hickory Park.  We're splurging on O-Rings as appetizers and who can say 'no' to ice cream there??  I can't!!
*I'd been dreading 'pants season' this year because I hadn't worn any of my pants since before I was pregnant with Mylie.  Monday was summer weather here (90 degrees) Wednesday was Fall (62 degrees), this morning, I woke up and it was winter (35 degrees!).  Time for the pants to come out....and guess what!?!?!  They fit!!  I have lost all of the baby weight, BUT things aren't exactly in the same place as they were pre-Mylie (not to mention pre M&M...ugh!).  Those of you who are moms understand, I know!

We're going to the Des Moines Farmer's Market this Saturday for the first time.  I'm so excited!  Hopefully I will have some pictures for all of you the next time I post.  You can about imagine how busy we are (and I know you are, too).  Till then.....

What's Cookin' Wednesday (did you miss it??)

We are having our backyard neighbors over for dinner tonight. Dellisa and I walk together every Wednesday evening, which is always a nice escape to get some exercise in as well as a conversation with another mom who has very similar beliefs and parenting style. Last week, Dellisa proposed that we start cooking for each other's families once a month. I will cook for them once a month, and she will cook for us once a month. It gives us a break once a month where we don't have to cook, but our families will get a better meal than the 'clean out the freezer' smorgasbord that tends to be the fall back plan sometimes. Another goal of doing this is to help us keep in touch better in the cold/winter months when we feel holed up in our homes and we don't see our neighbors on a daily basis like we do in the summer. So.....here's what's cookin' tonight! It's a vegetarian dish that I found on Pinterest--oh, yeah, Dellisa doesn't eat meat, but the rest of her family does-she doesn't expect that I cook without meat just for her, but I know my family will love this as well.

Tomato, Broccoli & Mozzarella Pasta Casserole
serves 6

12 ounces farfalle pasta (also known as bowtie)
1 pound broccoli florets, frozen or fresh
3 large ripe tomatoes, diced
3/4 pound onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, very finely minced
1 1/2 tbsp basil leaves
1/2 pound mozzarella cheese
3 large eggs
1 cup cottage cheese (4% milkfat or greater)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan

Heat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with olive oil. Heat a large pot of water to boiling and salt generously. Add the farfalle and cook for 11 minutes or until barely al dente. Drain and return to the pot.

Steam the broccoli in the microwave or in a steamer basket on the stovetop, just until tender. Drain thoroughly and chop roughly into bite-sized florets. Toss with the cooked pasta. Chop two of the tomatoes into rough pieces, and add them to the pasta. Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic, , and basil. Put about 2/3 of the mozzarella into the pasta mixture.

Whisk the eggs with the cottage cheese. Stir in 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Stir this liquid into the pasta mixture until well combined.

Spread the pasta in the prepared baking dish. Slice the remaining tomato into half-moons and arrange on top of the pasta. Tear the rest of the mozarella into bits and scatter between the rows of tomato slices. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese on top, and drizzle with olive oil.

Bake for 35 minutes or until the cheese on top has melted and the casserole is bubbling. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the remaining chopped basil over top. Let stand for a few more minutes before serving.

Source: thekitchn.com via Kari on Pinterest

I'm also making the Herb Rolls that are here.

What have you been cooking lately?? I'm in need of some new ideas!

Kelsey and Ric are doing a giveaway on their site....a $15 iTunes giftcard. Go here to enter a chance for the giveaway. You can bet I'm doing as many of the 'chances to win' as possible.

Back to School

It's that time of year again....the time when we are all getting ready to head back to school/work and get our lives back into a good routine so that things can run smoothly around the Smith household. Myah and Maysen are starting Preschool this fall, and they couldn't be more excited. We are very lucky that the Ames Schools offer their Preschool right at the center that M&M attend so we don't have to worry about bussing. They went back to Formative Years yesterday so that we could have a few days to practice getting up early again and getting out the door by 7:30 (at the latest!!--with 3 kids and two drop offs!!). They were SOOOOO excited to go back to school and see their friends, which makes it easier on this mama when I have to drop them off. I LOVE having them home with me in the summer and we love going to the pool, park, library, and, of course, OKOBOJI! But there comes a time when summer has to wind down and we have to go back to work/school, and it just makes it easier to take them when they love their center, their teachers, and their friends!
Here are the girls getting ready to head out the door on their first day back to school (Preschool doesn't officially start until the 29th):



And with a new school year, comes new tennis shoes!! Some year, they will get to have different shoes, but there is such a limited number of velcro shoes that they got the same ones this year....it's very important with our time crunch and rushing around in the morning that they are able to put on their own shoes.


I've been a bit of a copycat lately in the cooking and crafts department. A few weeks ago, my sister and her husband posted this recipe for chicken spaghetti. I made it and LOVED it....as did my whole family. It will surely be making it's way into our routine meals. They aren't kidding when they say that 1 pan served 8 people. We had it for dinner and each reheated some for lunches multiple times during the next few days. It's a definite must-try if you are looking for something new. I would definitely classify this as a go-to comfort food!!

I saw this craft on Pinterest and knew that my girls would love making them. They are clothespin butterflies and super easy to make!!


Here are a few fun pictures to leave you with today. A few years ago, we took this picture of Myah:


M&M remembered seeing that picture in an album, so they wanted to give Mylie a turn.


My three girls hanging out in the living room.


And stylish Mylie....I can only imagine what her older sisters will dress her up in as she gets older.


Have a wonderful weekend everyone! We are off to Lake Mills this weekend to wish my brother farewell as he moves to Washington DC at the end of this month.

The Cutting Edge: What NOT to do with scissors!!

We moms know that when our kids reach about the 2 year mark, everything becomes 'me do it.' It was no different at our house. Then around 3 to 3 1/2, they really do become pretty independent....they can get themselves to the restroom (usually), dress and undress themselves, follow directions (usually). I have given my girls a lot of responsibility especially since Mylie has been born. They get themselves up in the morning, making their own beds, dressed, sometimes even making their own waffles. However, I have never given them the responsibility of cutting their own hair. Maysen, though, took it upon herself to get a new 'do.

We've been on vacation, you know, to 'Boji. We had a great time, stayed up too late many nights, ate junk food and candy all week, and skipped naps on days we know we shouldn't have....but we were on vacation. (I will have pictures and more details towards the end of this post). Now we're home, and tired. I've done the laundry, unpacked, and got groceries to make us feel settled back in at home. Yesterday, I knew we all needed a nap. I'm in the process of sleep training Mylie. She's doing great, almost making it too easy for me (yes, mom, I know I shouldn't say that out loud and I should definitely knock on wood for doing so). Miraculously, I got all three girls down for a nap AT THE SAME TIME!!! This NEVER happens. Of course, like any mom would do, I laid down myself.....I probably needed a nap more than any of them :) After about 45 minutes, they asked if they could get up. I knew they hadn't slept yet so I asked them to continue laying down a little longer. A bit later, I heard someone in the bathroom, but didn't think anything of it. The light went back off, and things got quiet again. I know, I know, that should have tipped me off. Then I heard someone in the kitchen so I got up to check things out. The first thing I saw was a lock of hair on the kitchen floor and the next 5 minutes are pretty blurry. I got pretty mad, and she knew it. She cried. She got a time out. Then I settled down and we talked. I mean, I know it's just hair....it really is just hair, and it could have been so much worse. My main point in getting mad (besides that I still didn't get that nap I desperately needed) was that I never want this to happen again. It wasn't until about an hour later, I really knew how much she cut off. She cut some in the kitchen, some in the bathroom, and some in her bed so the hair was literally all over the house. She cut a big chunk off near each ear leaving it long (and mullet-like) in the back. I assume simply because she couldn't reach it.



Today, I took her to get it cleaned up. It's short. It's cute. And it's what she wanted. On the way home, I said...'Do we all understand that we don't cut our own hair? If you want it short or cut differently, all you have to do is ask mommy? Ok?' Maysen's response: 'OK! Geez, Mommy, we've been hearing you for a lot of days now.' She has told me (in a nicer voice) about a dozen times now 'I won't do that again, mommy, I promise.'



As for 'Boji, it was great as I said. There was a lot of time spent on the boat and swimming in the lake. Myah and Maysen could have spent all day every day in the lake (and they pretty much did). Mylie even got a few rides. Not rides, really.....more like floating time. I only took her on the boat if we were going to be floating and swimming straight out from the dock near our lake house.




We made another visit to Arnold's Park with the season passes and they got to go on the trampoline again.


There's a family of wild turkeys that cross our property a few times each day. They are pretty fun to watch.


Now that we are home again, I'm sleep training Mylie, and she got her first 1/2 tablespoon of cereal. She enjoyed it, and I know she'll have the spoon thing figured out in no time.


I'm sure something exciting will be happening around here soon. What's going on in your neck of the woods??