Riding the wave of a Pinterest high

It is summer in Phoenix....it is hot. Way too hot to do much outside between the hours of 9am and 6pm....unless of course, it involves copious amounts of water. Coincidentally, summer in Phoenix also means that it is a full house here during the day. Preschool is out for the break which means I have an over-eager four year old nipping at my heels all day just waiting for the next scheduled "activity time." Indoors of course....

Enter this mamas current BFF....."Pinterest." I know most of you are probably already on it, but if not, seriously?!!? Jump on that wagon today...like now....go.....now....

I will admit openly, that I am a bit overambitious in my Pinterest life. I have multiple-thousands of "pins" ready and waiting for me to tackle them. And I am willing to make a pretty steep wager that I will complete approximately 0.0047% of them by the time Pinterest is a thing of the past. But, on days like today, I am feeling quite accomplished in my pretend Martha Stewart/Bobby Flay/Mary Poppins inspire life.

Behold.....the melted bead sun catcher.

Take some dollar store plastic beads, pop em in some muffin tins (or any size non-stick pan really) in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes and let them cool. Turn said pan over and Wha La.....a melted bead sun catcher! Obviously I used some fishing wire and an old dowel to turn mine into a little mobile, but you could do whatever. Sweet R insisted that if we hung hers in her room, it would help her "dream better" at nap time (hence the weird, kid-in-a-bed photo above). I claim no credibility on that part....by the sounds of the tiny feet running in circles above me, I think it is pretty safe to say, there is no magical dreaming power to be had here. Maybe if I had sprung for the beads at the craft store instead, it would be a different story eh?

Anywho, a Pinterest success is a major achievement and sadly, these days, that equals a little, mini, mama-high for me. I will ride it out all day long....or at lease the rest of nap time.

Thank you all for indulging me! :)

Recipe: Yogurt and Kale Popsicles

Yes, you read that correctly....yogurt and KALE Popsicles. Gone are the days when a green Popsicle automatically meant artificial lime flavor (which by the way, was pretty much always my favorite...). These days, the green can be brought to you by one of the current "cool kids" at the produce stand...KALE!!!

Stick with me on this one and then let your kiddos be the deciding vote. After all, it is HOT outside, so anything that is cold and creamy, is sure to please most of the crowd!

Yogurt and Kale Popsicles

Mama Chef Extraordinaire: Kristen Howerton (www.rageagainsttheminivan.com)

 

When to Introduce: Besides the fact that these would be INCREDIBLY messy if given to a little one under one (or two...or three...), they do contain strawberries and pineapple. Both tend to be a little bit on the allergenic side, so my recommendation would be to serve once they are over 12 months of age. Always consult your pediatrician with any concerns.

 

Why we Love It:  Ummm....they are cold and yummy deliciousness. And if that isn't convincing enough for you, they are packed with uber healthy probiotics, greens and fruit...all good things for tiny (and not so tiny) tummies!

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1/2 cup fresh kale
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
2 tbsp stevia (to sweeten)

 

Directions: 

 Add all ingredients to blender.

Pour into Popsicle molds and freeze until solid...usually at least 3 hours.

Servings: This will make about 2 cups - so it depends on the size of the molds you are using, but will usually make 4-6 treats!

A Letter To Sweet R on her 4th Birthday

(This content was originally published on 5/13/13 at www.westvalleymomsblog.com)

 

Dear Sweet 4 Year Old R, 

4 years ago I sat in the hospital and held you in my arms in that rare post-partum combination of sheer bliss and utter terror. Your hands and feet so very tiny, yet perfectly poised to take on the world. I smelled your sweet newborn scent (that I have yet to determine where exactly it comes from…but it is so divine) and fell in love with the way your tiny head snuggled perfectly into the crook of my neck, like a long lost puzzle piece. The nurses assumed that we knew how to change your tiny diaper…silly them. They gave us a tutorial. They assumed that we knew just how to swaddle you into the perfect baby burrito. Again, they were wrong. But we figured it out. Little did we know that the “we will figure it out” part, wouldn’t be over when you were no longer a newborn. We have been “figuring it out” for the last 4 years….and I have a sneaking suspicion we will be doing just that long into your adulthood. 

Today was the first time that your birthday fell on Mother’s Day. While the 10-years-ago-me may have been selfishly miffed to have to share my special day, I can think of no way better to celebrate than to share the celebration with the perfect tiny human that bestowed upon  me the coveted title of Mama.  Funny how motherhood does that…takes away the selfishness.  Funny too, how you have taught me to love beyond what I thought possible. How to love a person with every fiber of my being, unconditionally, and forever. Who knew that kind of love existed? My mother…and my mother’s mother…and generations of mothers before them...that’s who. And someday my love, you too will hopefully join the club of mama hood….just be sure you get out there and spend some time learning to be you first….trust me, that will come in handy along the way. And besides, you want to have some good stories to tell your kiddos someday…the kind that will make them roll their eyes at you.  Some “been there, done that” moments.  Trust me on that one (someday I will share my stories with you…whether you want to hear them or not...and you are free to roll your eyes all your want…I will keep talking).

I used to be the person that only cried in a movie when something bad happened to an animal. Now, I get all weepy when I think of you or your brother growing up. Your dad is already dreading the “empty nest” syndrome that I am sure to have when the two of you head off to college one day. (Poor guy better get used to lots of dogs…or goats…I have kind of always wanted a goat….). But for now, I remind myself that you are just four year old. You are still a baby.  I remind myself to focus on enjoying these moments with you while you are young.  I know they will pass far too quickly. They already have.

This weekend was amazing. I melted when your eyes lit up each time one of your friends walked in the door at your party yesterday.  You were so excited to have them all around you, in your home. The sheer joy you showed as you blew out the candles on your bright blue birthday cake (with sprinkles of course…) and made a wish. You told everyone just how much you loved them over and over again. And you mean it each time. You have a heart of pure gold. And today, celebrating Mother’s Day with you and your brother by my side, while wishing you a Happy Birthday no less than 43 times….well, it was just about perfect.  

Sweet R, I may have taught you a few things along the way…like how to write your name and how to make your bed, but you have taught me so much more. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a pro at this parenting thing yet…not sure if anyone ever really is. But as I took a longer than usual time to say goodnight to you tonight, and you snuggled into my side, I realized that you still fit against me like a puzzle…just a slightly larger one. And although I still have moments of sheer terror when I think of all the things I have still to teach you (many of which I have not even considered I am sure…), the moments of pure bliss, and just a frequent as when you were a newborn. And now, those moments are mixed with pride. You have so many wonderful adventures ahead of you.  I am so very proud of you my sweet girl, and I cannot wait to hold your hand along the way. I promise you, we will “figure it out”…together.

Happy 4^th Birthday Big Girl!

Love you to the moon and back,

Mommy