Cooking with the "Best Cooker"

Prior to our trip to Chicago, Matt's interest in cooking was peaking. We were spending a lot of nights baking cookies thanks to the assistance of Betty Crocker. Well, the first night in Chicago, Aunt Lori let Matt help her make dinner. He was in his glory. He was more than willing to help and of course it didn't hurt that broccoli was part of the menu...his favorite veggie. Matt helped Aunt Lori cook several times during our visit (another story to follow) and bake cookies too. When we got home, he was helping me make something and in the middle of our work he said "Aunt Lori is the best cooker". My ego took a small beating but I was happy that he remembered his special cooking time Aunt Lori......I got beat out by great company.....good thing I love her and she is my best friend, otherwise I'd have to have a little corrective talk with my boy. So, here is to you Aunt Lori...the best cooker!

Matt and God

Usually I put Matt's funny sayings in the side listing on the blog but this "conversation" about God earned a post all to itself. It was in the evening and Dave was coming out of Matt's room with Matt in tow and I heard Matt say, "God protects us when we are scared"...Dave asked him what he said and I told Dave what he said and I told Matt that he is right God does protect us. Then in a very matter of fact tone Matt said, " I don't know what God looks like" to which Dave replied "no one does". For a moment, Matt thought about what Dave said and then will a grin on his face and the same "grin" in his tone of voice Matt said, "God has a moosestash" meaning mustache. Matt has a fascination with mustaches all of a sudden..must be the time he spent with Grandpa Don and his mustache. It is amazing how God is in the minds of our little ones and their pure thoughts of who and what He is. Let the little children come......
This picture was taken of Matt on a field trip to Van Saun Park with his preschool and I thought that his "thinking pose" was perfect for the topic at hand.

Central Park Zoo

Last Saturday we made our annual trip to the Central Park Zoo. We didn't tell Emily and Matt where we were going just headed into the city and told them "you'll see". What is so nice about the zoo is that it is totally doable in a few hours without wiping you out for the rest of the day. Emily's favorite part was seeing the penguins and puffins. I think that was the only exhibit the kids actually stayed and watched for longer than a minute. Matt he pretty much liked it all but in the end only wanted to find something to drink. My favorite area is the children's zoo. I love the lily pads over the little "running river" they are kind of spongy and the kids love jumping on them like frogs. Of course there are the turtle shells where the kids look like turtles....it is just a great area of the zoo. The kids sitting in the eagles' wings is the same pose I took of them our last visit. I love revisiting memories through pictures and seeing how the kids have grown. The weather was perfect and the kids walked the whole time - we are stroller free. If you haven't been to this zoo and your local, go and if you aren't local if you visit the city and have kids it is an easier zoo trip than the Bronx zoo. We had a wonderful time.

Goodbye Puzzles Academy

This Friday will mark the ending of another milestone in Matthew's life. It will officially be his last day at Puzzles Academy. It is hard to believe that he started there while Emily was in PreK4 and now Matthew is heading to PReK 4 in less than a month. Matt has gone through a lot of transitions at Puzzles Academy. Sending him there was one of the best decisions we have ever made. We have seen him grow and develop from a baby to toddler and now into a preschooler. The interaction with the other kids has proven to be helpful in his social skills. Of course, this school would not have been a success if it weren't for the director/teacher Stacey and assistant Clarissa. We will never truly leave Puzzles Academy....it will always have a special place in our hearts along with Stacey and Clarissa. This picture was taken on a recent summer field trip to Van Saun Park.

Sweet Success

I'm pleased to tell you that my first try at a container/patio garden has been a success. There were a few casualties but the majority have survived and thrived.

The thing I'm most proud of is that my tomato plant actually produced a tomato.

Actually there are four tomatoes on the plant but one has made it successfully to our table and it was yummy. I love the taste of homegrown tomatoes. This attempt at gardening has given me a slight boost in confidence - I just may be able to garden successfully. Next year a little more adventure in my gardening.

The Tooth Project

So, Emily's dental work has been completed. The outcome of it all.....4 appointments including the initial consultation; 1 tooth pulled due to decay; a spacer ring placed in the area of the missing tooth; her two bottom front teeth, which were very loose, "came out" during the appointments one with the mold material for the ring, the other assisted by the dentist; 5 cavities filled and two weak spots on two teeth - not cavities yet. We don't go back until January for a cleaning and hopefully a good report. Emily was a trooper. Her way of coping through the procedures was asking way too many questions like "whats that" "what are you doing" "Dr. Eddie?" etc. and moaning, groaning and whimpering. I'm personally thankful that these appointments are done....they are so stressful. Emily still like the dentist. Hates the ring/spacer on her tooth and wants it out....which won't happen until the permanent tooth surfaces which doesn't happen until 10 probably later for Emily. Eating has been a little rough over the last month. When she finally adjusts, something new happens in her mouth. The cutest part was when she was told that a ring was going on her tooth she asked if it had diamonds....I laughed and told her we can't afford such a thing for ones mouth. Her two bottom permanent teeth are coming in very quickly. Emily's reasoning for not pulling the loose teeth and not wanting to get "big" teeth is that she doesn't want to be a mom. I told her she has a long way to go before that happens. She has Peter Pan syndrome and doesn't want to grow up...oh well, I don't think we can stop that from happening. Oh and those lost teeth, never got to the tooth fairy. Emily washed them, took them to summer school to show her friends (including the decayed one - I know kind of gross) and carries them with her. She has shown several people her teeth which is a little awkward but most people are very gracious and accommodate her. I guess she's proud of them...it took a long time to get them out in the first place so they are like little "trophies" at least to her.