Month: April 2019

Potty Training Success

Dear Sis,

William is no stranger to the potty. We have been setting him on the big potty, with a training seat, since he was 15 months. When bursts of motivation would arrive, he would be eager to use the potty until he had a mishap. Not getting out of his clothes on time, falling off the stool, etc. Our process was much too complicated for him. So I finally gave into a training potty! During our Iowa visit we saw cousin Ronan’s training potty that looked just like a real potty. William is all for little versions of the real thing!

Our old motivation tool… M&Ms also needed a refresh. Now William gets to pick any treat out of his candy basket and puts a sticker on his helping mommy/potty training chart. We have been 5 stickers shy of a new toy for some weeks now, but yesterday William filled the chart by nap time. I promised him he could pick his new toy after nap. 

He picked a toy house. Nearly every place we visited on our road trip had a toy house and he really enjoyed them:) I was hoping he would pick one of the other three options so I wouldn’t have to brave Ikea, but alas, no such luck.

We loaded our rarely used stroller into the car because it was the only way I could imagine surviving an Ikea shopping trip without a second adult:) Things unfolded much better than anticipated! We used family parking, so we didn’t have to walk the enormous lot, we used the short cut signs and advice of employees to cut through whole sections of the store, and we stopped for dinner at the cafeteria, so no one would get too hungry. Ikea has been redeemed in my mind. It is possible to get through it in a hour, with a toddler and a meal stop!

We built it as soon as we got home and William played with it until bath time:)

Papa Carmin got William hooked on bubble baths during our road trip:)

Love,

b

Caesar Creek Pioneer Village Spring 2019

Dear Sis,

I finished my gestational period look just in time to go to Caesar Creek Pioneer Village today. I figured we needed something to break our glum mood after the departure of Daddy and Papa Carmin Friday. Poor William was a mess without understanding. Toddler emotions are tricky. 

The event was just what we needed. We received a warm welcome at Miss Patty’s cabin as usual. She asked after you and Evelyn:) Although no one from our reenacting group was in attendance, I met Hannah, who is in our age range and lives close enough to sew with Mekaela and I! This time I wasn’t foolish enough to leave without exchanging contact information:)

William enjoyed playing with a half dozen kids of various ages:) He was also fascinated with the outhouses. I guess that relates to his motivation to potty train:) In any case, through not whole-y expected, the outhouses were a lovely back drop.

William napped heartily on the 45 minute drive home and then again on the couch with me for another hour. All the excitement and fresh air wore us both out:)

Love,

b

A Road Trip with Papa Carmin

Dear Sis,

On April 12th Papa Carmin arrived at our house and we got to see his newly built “house truck” (William’s name for his homemade RV). He gave us all the eggs you sent to clean and inspect.

On April 13th we shopped for clothes that would be suitable for his court hearing in Iowa. We also visited a lot of neighbors to share your eggs.

On April 14th we packed the truck with all our food, clothes, toys, etc.

On April 15th we drove to northern Indiana and visited Uncle Vince and his family. William really enjoyed his evening with Levi, who is only a few months older. I enjoyed getting to know Aunt Joanna better:)

On April 16th we finished the drive to Northern Iowa, where we stayed at Pulpit Rock Campground. William enjoyed his bath is Papa Carmin’s truck tub!

On April 17th Carmin went to the local magistrate to help settle issues with the box builder he hired to build his RV. He was satisfied that the judge took time to search for the truth in the matter. She kept the cross section, so she will be able to ask another builder if 2 inch and 3 inch I-beams are structurally equivalent. What a silly point to argue! I would think that would be obvious enough:)

On April 18th we traveled to Southern Iowa to visit Josh’s sister January and her family. We made a special post: Meeting Iowa Cousins.

On April 19th we had planned to stop at Uncle Vince’s again, but received word that Levi was sick with fever and congestion. We thought better of it, since we had a big family gathering the following day and we didn’t want to infect everyone! Instead, we drove across as much of Illinois as we could manage. Interstate signs sent us on a wild goose chase for campgrounds we couldn’t find, twice. The one we finally found on our third attempt, looked like a jail, complete with a gate house, bucket of rules, and background checks for each visitor. We decided to stay the night at a rest area. We joked that Illinois got it’s name by annoying people until it made them ill! 

On April 20th we enjoyed a collection of aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins. It was nice that you guys were able to come too. Too bad we forgot to take pictures!

On April 21st we visited with Aunt Cil’s family. Since it was a holiday weekend Elizabeth, Meghan, and Heather were home! William enjoyed eating out of all the ice cream cartons in turn, so he could have all the flavors:)

On April 22nd we returned home to unpack and clean up for another busy week!

Papa Carmin stayed until this afternoon. He refinished our dining room table and joined into our passover fun:)

Our passover plague 3 activity: we used sprinkles as pretend lice. 

Our passover plague 5 activity: medical kit and livestock animals

Our passover plague 6 activity: bandages on doll with boils

Find out about our Passover Seder here!

Love,

b

Passover Seder 2019

Dear Sis,

Today was a busy day at our house. Daddy decided to make a quick trip home while the simulator was down at airplane school. Papa Carmin drove to the airport to pick him up so we could stay behind to greet Papa Jeff when he arrived.

Papa Jeff stopped for a few hours, along the drive home, from a job. He and Daddy arrived just in time to help Papa Carmin move the Consew into the truck so he can bring it to you:) We had lunch together before Papa Jeff had to finish the drive home.

Seder Menu

Susan’s Marinated Lamb with Garlic Cream Sauce

Roasted Red Skin Potatoes

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Apple Sauce

Matza/Kosher Grape Juice/Seder Plate

I wasn’t able to find lamb chops at our local grocery, so we used stew meat. We marinated it as usual, but panfried it instead of grilling it. It was just as yummy:)

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Serves 4
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 head cauliflower, cleaned and cut into florets
  2. 1/4 c olive oil
  3. 1 t garlic powder
  4. 1/2 t salt
  5. 1/4 t pepper
  6. 1/2 c grated Parmesan
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425.
  2. In a 9x13 inch casserole dish, toss together cauliflower, oil, and seasonings.
  3. Bake 15 minutes. Stir and return to oven 10 minutes more.
  4. Mix in Parmesan before serving.
Adapted from Rasa Malaysia
Adapted from Rasa Malaysia
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

We used prepared horseradish because I couldn’t find root form at the grocery store. We used some of our lamb in place of a shank bone, we used some of our dyed boiled eggs in place of a roasted egg, and we used apple sauce in place of Charoset, so that it would be alcohol free.

Over all it was a wonderful day, visiting with all my favorite guys:)

Love,

b

Evelyn’s chicks

Hi Sis,

With the wonderful weather I have been introducing the chicks to the great outdoors, and spending time with Evelyn outside. Evelyn loves walks and playing outside, and she really likes the chickens.

I normally buy dual-purpose larger chickens for eggs. But, this year I got a few calm bantam breeds that are well known as kids pets. Our favorite to play with is super calm Bob, the silver duckwinf Old English Game Bantam. Most of the chicks like to be hand fed, but Bob is particularly friendly and most tolerant of Evelyn. 

Evelyn is doing a great job learning to pet Bob gently. On occasion I have to show her to pet his back instead of his head, but she does bot grab or yank at him… which, is pretty amazing for a nine month old!

Here is the pair!

We also got one picture with Millie (The Mille Fluer D’Uncle Bantam), but she quickly decided playing in the grass was better than socializing with Evelyn.

Love,

Jamiegood

First Bath in the Big Tub

Hi Sis,

Today, the weather was great and Evelyn and I went for a walk and played in the garden. Afterwards, Evelyn had her very first bath in the big tub. She seemed to enjoy it!

 

Are those toys in the bathtub???

Love,

Jamiegoof

Meeting Iowa Cousins

Dear Sis,

Our road trip with Papa Carmin took us too see a lot of family… including Josh’s sister’s family in southern Iowa. January has two kids younger than William, neither of which had I opportunity to until today! 

(Left to Right) William (2.5), Cian (7), Ronan (2), Gabriel (11), Alexia (9 months)

William played most with Ronan. They both practiced sharing. William was very sweet to Alexia. He would bring her toys whenever Ronan took them or she was fussy:) 

Our visit was short, but sweet!

Love,

b

Cheater Apple Dumplings

Hi Sis,

Nate and I love fruit and dessert! Naturally, apple dumplings are a favorite. But, they are kindof a pain to make, so I usually make apple pie instead.

Here is a super fast and tasty recipe. I actually like it better then traditional dumplings. I have always liked the apple and tolerated the crust with pie and dumplings. But, this is a very complimentary topping for apples, so the whole thing is ultra delicious!

This recipe is all over the web. I have no idea of its origins. I remeber making something similaras a child from a vintage baking book from Grandma Cooper, so it has been around for a bit 😊.

Cheater Apple Dumplings
Serves 12
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls
  2. 1 1/2 c brown sugar
  3. 1 c unsalted butter, melted
  4. 1 t vanilla
  5. 12 oz (1 1/2 c) 7 up or Mt. Dew
  6. 4 Apples
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Wash, peel, and cut apples into fourth or thirds, depending on the size of your apples.
  3. Roll/wrap each apple piece into a crescent roll
  4. Butter 9 by 13 baking dish and put in doublings.
  5. Combine all ingredients except soda, and pour over the dumplings.
  6. Pour soda between the rolls and bake 30 - 45 min, or until golden.
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,
Jamiegoof