A Fix

Well, I know all you grandparents out there are jonesing for some pics of the kiddos, so here it goes.

First, here is a humorous tid-bit from Lily. This morning, she asked me to make pancakes. I told her I didn't know how to and we would have to ask Daddy so, she proceeded to give me the following instructions:

"You jus pour in da water an mix it around. Den, you put in da chocolate chips. You put it in da oven and Lily helps you eat it!"

Awesome.

Nate and Lily sporting the (hideous) orange shirts we were sent for purchasing our season football tickets.

So, Ava has started coming over when we're eating dinner (even when she's already been fed) and just screaming angrily at us until we give her something off of our plate. The other night we had ribs and no one could handle listening to her protests anymore :) She thoroughly enjoyed this.

While I was cleaning out my closet, Lily discovered this scarf. Her first reaction was "Momma, it's beautiful!" Then, she told me all the colors on it. Then, she proceeded to try to use as a leash for her baby sister while calling out "Come on, Doggy Ava!" Doesn't Ava look psyched about it?

Ava discovered Sissy's chair this morning. She thought it was very cool. I think I am seeing a good Christmas present in her future :)

And, of course, since we took a picture of Ava, Lily had to have one of her. Don't mind the chocolate on her face (it's from the chocolate pancakes we got Daddy to make).

Also, I came across this on one of the other blogs I read. It is a wanted ad for a nanny written by a woman on the upper east side in Manhattan and posted on Craigslist. It is hilarious. I think this woman may be Mrs. X from The Nanny Diaries (although, she may be a slightly kinder version, maybe).

Giveaways Galore

There are a ton of great giveaways out there right now. I just want to mention a few real quick (mostly because I have to get and extra entry :)

Huge Giveaway for the Launch of the Mindful Moms at Mom's Favorite Stuff

MomDot has a ton of super giveaways going on right now! First up is their Things for Baby Contest with prizes from Little Ladybugs Designs, Baby Boudoir, My Embroidered Gifts, and One Posh Kid (gotta look at this shop, it is too adorable!).

Katydid and Kid is having a giveaway for some awesome gifts from skinnyskinny.

Also, please head over to MomDot and vote for any of the wonderful ladies who run the site (especially Trisha since she sis her super brave video) for the Hot Bloggers Calendar. These ladies are desperate for as much exposure for their awesome site as possible and winning this would be really good for them!

Lily's Songs

Lily has been creating songs for everything lately! This morning she was getting dressed and shes says "Momma, sing the panties song." So, I said, "Lily, I don't think I know that one. Why don't you sing it?" And, in a sing-songy voice, she says, "I like to wear panties. I like to wear panties." And, voila, "The Panties Song" is born!

***While I was typing this post, Lily was pulling on my desk chair and I told her to stop, so, she comes up to me and very sternly says, "Is that attitude, Mommy?" I bet you can guess what we have been getting on to her about lately ***

Mmmm...Chocolate Banana Bread

Lily has found a love of cooking. She has so much fun helping bake or any kind of cooking that we will let her help with. This has created more than a few messes...and, on occasion, some interesting tasting food as she likes to pour and sometimes goes a little overboard. Anyhow, because she enjoys this so much, I have been trying to bake with her at least once a week. This morning, we made some yummy Chocolate Banana Bread. This bread has wont he Betty Crocker award at my MOPS group 2 years in a row and is super yummy, so here are the pics of us, well, Lily, baking this morning and the recipe for this mmm, good bread.




Chocolate Banana Bread

1 3/4 c all-purpose flour 1/4 c cocoa powder
1 c sugar 1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp baking soda
2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/4 tsp salt
4 ripe bananas mashed well 1/2 c unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 c white chocolate chips 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c toasted walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)
1/2 c brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place oven rack to middle position. Butter and flour (or spray with a non-stick spray) the bottom and sides of a loaf pan.

Place the nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8-10 minutes or until lightly toasted. Let cool and then chop coarsely.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, bakin gpowder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, lightly fold the wet ingredients (banana mixture) into the dry ingredients until just combined and batter is thick and chunky. Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips. Scrape batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top of the bread with brown sugar. Bake until bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center come out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes. Place on a wire to cool and then remove the bread for the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Alright, hope everyone enjoys this! I am off to wrangle the little ones!