Instagram slam

Things we've been up to recently...

snuggling, big bugging, eating (as always), cleaning, imbibing, celebrating, splashing and spinning

Shake it, Scarlett!

I know I've posted a few negative stories recently about the trials of Scarlett's toddlerhood, but this girl sure knows how to make us forget her tantrums with dance parties like this in the kitchen...

Where'd she learn those microphone and hip moves? Such a proud mamma right now!

No idea what song she is singing, by the way, but we're jammin' to the song of the summer, Daft Punk's Get Lucky. 

And super thanks to Auntie Christine who sent the dance party birthday package via sesame. Such a cool app, totally downloading right.this.second. Check it out!

Hope there is some groovin' and shakin' in your kitchens tonight. Gotta keep it fun, y'all!!

Defiant preschooler

This article was emailed to me today as part of my babycenter email updates...

Dealing with Defiant Preschoolers

Do the people at babycenter have esp? Did someone spy me in the YMCA lobby today and think, hey this mamma needs some help, let me send her an article on dealing with defiant preschoolers.

Here was the scene leaving the Y after swim class with Scarlett:

I am holding hands with Scarlett and Tripp is walking in front of us. Tripp gains a big lead and starts running full speed out the automatic doors into the chaotically busy parking lot. I let go of Scarlett's hand to save Tripp from certain injury, and return to Scarlett offering a hand to walk out together while I carry Tripp. Apparently, Scarlett does not like what just occurred. She throws herself on the floor and demands to be carried.

"I cannot carry you because I have to carry Tripp to keep him safe. But I can hold your hand. Can you hold my hand? Let's hold hands and march out to the car together. Marching, marching!"

Marching usually is a catch all life saver to get S to follow me anywhere, but today she wasn't buying.

"I can't walk, I need you to carry me!" in a high pitched shrill while flailing body parts on the floor.

Scarlett also wasn't buying the "Ok, I'm leaving. Bye-bye. You'll get up and follow me eventaully" tactic either. Long story short, after a standoff in the lobby with many "I feel sorry for you" smiles from strangers while Scarlett screamed that she couldn't walk, and couldn't even stand (um, hello drama queen!!), I huffed out of there carrying a wrangling child on each hip.

Fun times at the the YMCA! Woot Woot!!

Later, in the peace of both children sleeping quietly, I took a few deep breaths, relaxed and read this article. My favorite idea is to treat timeouts as a cool down period rather than a punishment. And if the child is refusing to take a time-out, take one yourself. Not sure if it would have been possible in the Y lobby, but can definitely try that at home!

Whether pure coincidence or streaming security cameras linked to babycenter email division, this article was sent to the right mamma at the right time. Tomorrow, feel free to send the "how to feed a picky toddler" article before lunch time!

What tactics from the article do you like best?

Instagram Slam

What we've been up to lately: birthday, mother's day, rainy days, snuggle days, travel days, play dates, date nights, party nights, and more!

Chicken and Avocado Pasta

My mother in law found this creamy avocado pasta recipe on pinterest. I was a little skeptical at first because it claims to be an alfredo substitute without using cream and/or eggs. hmmm...i only love eating pasta covered in creamy extra fatty goodness...but hey, i'll try it anyway, could use a healthier pasta sauce alternative...

IT.WAS.DELICIOUS! 

So good in fact that I've made it twice in the past 8 days! Though I wouldn't say it tastes like alfredo sauce, it is absolute creamy goodness with healthy-ish fats from avocado instead of just plain old bad for you heavy cream. 

Original recipe here: flourishingfoodie 

Couple notes and changes: the avocado sauce came out a bit thick after pureeing. I skipped the olive oil in the sauce and added a half to one cup of reserved pasta water to thin it out as needed. I found the roasted tomatoes really made the recipe. I used organic splendido grape tomatoes and doubled the amount of tomatoes when I made it a second time. 

I added sauteed chicken with a little red pepper to round out the meal. 

To make the chicken: 

1. Cut two chicken breasts in half and then slice across into strips
2. Salt and pepper chicken
3. Heat tablespoon of olive oil in non stick pan over med-high heat
4. Add half an onion or large shallot, chopped. 
5. Cook until onion is translucent and starting to brown
6. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1-2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper flakes
7. Stir for 30 seconds and then add chicken 
8. Let brown on one side for 3-4 minutes, turn to other side and cook until done

Oh, did i mention that this recipe was also EXTREMELY easy? Well, it was! Basically four steps: throw tomatoes in oven, boil pasta, puree avocado, saute chicken. Mix and you're done!

Buon Appetito!

(ps: so psyched to explore more recipes on the fantastic FlourishingFoodie blog!)

Fun with PhotoBooth

it never gets old...

Scarlett says her favorite is the "colors" one. My fave is the chipmunk 4-shot or the perfect unintentional scream painting replica. 

Which do you like best?

Instagram Slam

Recent Tripp

Tripp's been walking for a few weeks now, but last friday he was cracking himself up by falling down.

To borrow a chapter title from Tina Fey's Bossypants, "There's a drunk midget in my house." And if you haven't read bossypants yet, go treat yourself. Pretty sure I've blogged about it before. If you're a mom and spared for time, at least read the above referenced chapter. Parental comedic gold!

Scarlett Says: Where do I come from?

Scarlett has begun asking about where things come from. Since this started a couple months ago, I've generally taken the "give her the real answer even if she can't comprehend it" response. It's been so funny to me that when I give her semi-lengthy answers, and think it will lead to asking "why? why?" one million times, instead she energetically says, "Oh, OK!" in a pseudo-understanding sweet little optimistic voice!

That is, of course, until yesterday at lunch...

S: where does rain come from?

M: well, the water from the oceans, lakes and rivers evaporates and forms clouds. the clouds move all over the sky collecting water, and eventually they become very full of water. When the clouds release their water it becomes the rain that falls down from the sky.

S: Oh, OK! where do airplanes come from?

M: well, the wright brothers invented the airplane and were the first to fly. now there are a lot of engineers who design all different kinds of airplanes. the airplanes are built in factories, and then they go to the airport where they take off to fly in the sky.

S: Oh, OK! where do i come from?

M: well, mamma and daddy made you. you are half from mamma and half from daddy. you started out very small, and then you grew and grew in mamma's tummy until you were ready to be born. then you were born on your birthday and became our little baby girl.

S: Noooo (with a giggle)...i came from the trees!!



I guess some things are a little more difficult to grasp than others! How have you answered the "where do i come from?" question?

Reasons Tripp is Crying

Just so no one thinks I favor one child over the other, I thought I'd add a list about Tripp. He does cry too.

Reasons Tripp is Crying:
he is hungry

he is tired

i won't let him crawl inside the dishwasher


Those are the only reasons he cries. Seriously. He's the sweetest ever!

But he's also not 2 yet, so this list could change. Drastically. 

Reasons Scarlett is Crying

Omg, have you seen this yet?!

REASONS MY SON IS CRYING

image via

It's hysterical!! It's been all over huffpost, time magazine, the today show...thanks to Laura's husband, and my husband's TA, and my sister and everyone else who posted/forwarded this.

This is pure "it's funny because it's soooo true" genius. And clearly it's gone viral because every mom and dad in the universe can relate to it.

I couldn't help but add to this popular sensation...

Reasons Scarlett is Crying:
baby Tripp, while sleeping soundly and securely in his crib, is somehow threatening to take her doggies (not real doggies, her lovies)

she's painting, but the paint is making her paper wet

a drop of her yogurt spilled on the table

she wants to do the carseat buckle by herself

she can't do the carseat buckle by herself

she needs my help to do the carseat buckle (by herself!)

she has a booger on her finger

i wiped her booger off and now she wants it back

i gave her a pacie for nap. it's not the blue pacie

she wants me to lay down with her for nap

i'm too close, or possibly my elbow is touching her, or the blanket is on her pinkie toe, or i'm laying down the wrong direction when i lay down with her for nap

the wind is blowing her hair in her face

i won't reread cat in the hat for the 14th time this hour

she drops her toy and is fearful the baby might get it

the baby actually gets her toy

the sticker won't stick anymore

the sun is not out yet at 3:48 in the morning

she has an "ouchie" and needs a bandaid

her pants are touching her bandaid

she can't wear pants anymore because of her bandaid

she has to hold my hand while crossing the street

the yellow piece is missing

it's time to go to sleep

she's not tired!


Oh my, the list could go on and on and on....

Wow, actually, rereading this makes me questions my parenting skills, hmm...Here's to hoping it's not me and she's just a particularly persnickety toddler!

What are some reasons your kid is crying at this exact minute?!