Cooking With Audrey: Easter Eggs

31 Mar

A few weeks ago, I bought a bag of organic apples from Aldi.  I searched the internet for an apple juice recipe, and it delivered.  We made half a batch and it was pretty good if you aren’t a sugar addict. But, this isn’t a post about homemade apple juice.  I knew I only had a limited window of time to make the juice, so I decided t

o bring Audrey into the kitchen to “help.”  I chopped the apples and put them on a plate.  It was her job to put them into an empty pot.  She nailed it!  Well.  There was only one slight delay in the process.  She took a bite out of every apple she touched.  I decided then and there that it was time to start a cooking show with her.  I mean, who wouldn’t love watching her do cute stuff that produces cool food????  So, here we are!  I decided to tackle something easy for our first episode.  If you follow me on social media, you know I’m on a bit of a real food kick.  Food dyes, especially with how much kids ingest, creep me out.  I decided we should make naturally dyed Easter eggs and see if they really come out colored.  The results are to the right; they remind me of the eggs we ate on our honeymoon.

Without anymore delay, here is our first video!  (I apologize for the awkward transitions!) Happy Easter, Everyone.

20 Months

29 Mar

Dear Audrey,

Every few months, another part of you blossoms.  It amazes me every single time.  This month, it was your emotions that bloomed, just like Grammy’s flowers.  When someone (anyone) chases you, your face lights up with sheer joy.  If a T-Rex or dragon shows up on Bubble Guppies, you run as fast as you can to hide behind me.  Sometimes, you get so angry about getting dressed that you hurt yourself during your tantrum.  Ever since I kissed your first (real) boo boo, you have developed a sense of pain that has resulted in hundreds of kisses.  When you see teenage boys, you become the shyest girl on earth.  If you trip and fall while putting on a dancing show, you get embarrassed.  But my favorite emotion to watch you develop has been love.  You now hug and declare your love for lots of people and things.  No one prompts you, but sometimes you just have to tell your Lulus you love them.  I remember the first time you did this.  You tossed your bumble bee on the floor during a tantrum.  I made you pick it up and put it back.  Before you replaced him, you gave him a big hug and told him you loved him.  I am so thrilled that you’re growing into such a smart, intuitive little girl.  No clever sign off this month, just lots and lots of mama pride.  Until next month, Baby Girl!

Love,
The Mama

20months

19 Months.

13 Mar

Dear Audrey,

You, My Love, are blossoming into an adventurous, sassy little girl right before my eyes.  This month, you requested and successfully peed on the potty.  TWICE.  Whoa!  We’ve made some progress on the potty front.  Nothing consistent, but you get it!  Or maybe you just love your money and candy!  I can’t get clothes to fit you longer than one wash.  You’re growing like crazy.  Probably all of the bananas and cheese you eat.  You love to dance and clap, and you want everyone around you to join in.  If they don’t, you totally call them out.  Even Romeo.  You were sad when I put Romeo in timeout.  You even cried.  Your first real Valentine’s Day was spent with your friends, and you love them.  That’s for sure.  Your tantrums are starting to pick up.  In your defense, it was a full moon.  Your new favorite word is WHOAAA!  You even use it appropriately.  Except when you yell it from your crib during naptime.  I take that back.  I guess you could be doing something exciting or scary that I just don’t know about.  In fact, that’s likely.  It’s kind of your thing.  And we love you for it.  Until next month, Baby Girl.

Love,
The Mama

What do I tell her?

7 Mar

Since becoming a father, so many things have changed.  But before my beautiful daughter was brought into this world, my life had many twists and turns.  I am now confronted with deciding, what I tell her about my past.  There are many things to be proud of, but there are many things that I am not so proud of.  I look back to my child hood.  I knew/know very little about my father, and though I wish I knew more I’m not sure I want to know more.  There are certain things that I wish I didn’t know.  So that brings me back to my point with my daughter.  I know that she will most likely be proud of me when she is older with me being a veteran and stuff.  But what if she knew the details?  I want details?  Why shouldn’t she be afforded the opportunity to know the details?  And this is where it blows my mind!  I don’t know if I want to remember all the details.  I want her to know that I am an open book.  I want her to feel comfortable asking me anything.  I don’t know if I will feel comfortable telling her everything.  How far in depth do I go with the small details?  Are these normal concerns?  I guess when the time comes I will know. Until then I will keep worrying about it.

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Audrey

14 Feb

vday

Check out Audrey’s epic 2012 Valentine’s Day message.

18 Months.

5 Feb

Dear Audrey,

Wow. Wow. Wow.  What a whirlwind month you’ve had.  A rollercoaster of ups and downs!  Your first time out; yep, it happened.  Our family had a fantastic Christmas, and Santa was good to you.  We went to Sesame Street Live, and you had an up close encounter with a Honker.  Naptime is becoming more challenging; you don’t want to miss a moment.  You are starting to say words and I have no idea what you’re saying!!!  You get so mad at me.  You read your books less and watch tv more.  We’ve got to work on that.  But Bubble Guppies is so awesome!  Even I know that, and I’m just a silly mama.  You know what else you love to watch?  HOCKEY!  GOAL! you shout anytime the crowd yells.  Sometimes you’re right; sometimes you’re not.  We’re working on that too.  Until next month, my sweet baby.

Love,

The Mama

Yummy Yum!

2 Jan

That Santa…he’s a genius.  Sometimes he gives the simplest gifts that have the most impact.  Audrey has mounds of toys and new clothes, but her favorite gift…her new plate!  Yesterday, she asked to sit at the table for lunch.  typically, she’s a free range baby for meals when we’re at home.  For convenience.  (Don’t even go there, Parenting Police.)  But yesterday, she ate the most lunch she has in a while.

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