A few cookies

O is getting more independent now that he is in preschool. He asked me for a few of his alphabet cookies and I said sure. I turned around and this is apparently his idea of a few.

On a side note he does know his whole alphabet and can count to 20, we are working on the difference between letters and numbers. He only just turned 3 in October but since he's been in school he has been learning sooooo much. He has a great teacher who he loves, Mrs Pope. At night while we are playing with the girls after their bath he turns into Mrs Pope and teaches them songs, it's so cute.

Adios

We leave for our 'honeymoon' tomorrow morning, we've been married 7yrs this December haha. It is much more appreciated now that we haven't gone away in forever or even been alone in God knows how long. I've never really been away from the kids overnight but they will be well taken care of by Nonie and Poppy. I'm more worried about my parents than the kids, they will be tired by day 2 I'm sure. I'll have some posts from this week set up for while we're gone and can't wait to share our photos when we get back. We are going to Sandals in Antigua and I am excited to just relax in the sun and read a book. Adios!

A photo from last Christmas just because it's so cute and they've changed so much:

Yummmmm

I got this recipe from another mom in my local mom's group, we made it this morning and it turned out so good. It would be perfect for a holiday brunch or company, not low cal by any means but it is the holiday's! Hope you enjoy it.

Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding

Cranberry Pecan Carmel Ingredients:

1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 cup fresh cranberries
3/4 cup brown sugar
½ cup (1 stick) butter

Directions:
-Melt butter & brown sugar together in small saucepan
-Sprinkle toasted pecans & cranberries across bottom of 9x13 dish
-Pour butter & sugar mixture over nuts & cranberries

Bread Pudding ingredients:

7 cups diced croissants- let sit out to dry for a few hours
¾ cup chopped toasted pecans
¾ cup dried cranberries
6 eggs
2 cups milk
1 cup canned pumpkin
¾ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg, cloves, ginger (optional)

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350
-Mix eggs & milk with a whisk
-Add pumpkin, sugar, and spices—mix well
-Combine bread, pecans, and cranberries in a large bowl
-Pour egg mixture over the bread making sure all pieces are wet
-Spread bread/egg mixture over the cranberry pecan caramel
-Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until center is set
-To serve either spoon out, or turn entire dish onto a serving platter allowing caramel to run down the sides

F

Finley is our quiet observer of the family. She was the easiest/most amazing baby in the world, after having O I didn't even know these type of babies existed. The only time she ever made noise was when she was hungy, she gave you about 10sec to get ready and then she really let you know she was hungry.

She does not even attempt to keep up with her brother and sister but instead watches, I can only imagine what she is thinking. She loves doing any type of puzzle and can figure mechanical things out in a second. She loves animals, any type and she is so gentle with them. She is going to be my sidekick I think and keep an eye on her sister for me, keep her in line more like it I'm sure. She is my little sweethart!

Our Guest

We have a guest at our house that comes Thanksgiving night and stays till Christmas, Elfie. You can read more about him here. We started this tradition last year when we thought O was old enough to understand and this year he gets even more excited to see him. The girls look for him 1st thing in the morning and scream with delight once they find him. At least for this brief time each year I really can tell O someone is watching him!

The new ride

O got an early Christmas gift from his Grammy and Papa, he loves it of course and the girls have fun too. It goes a little fast for my taste especially with one of the girls in the back but it doesn't seem to bother them. K would ride around all day and Fin is still a little skeptical, she's smart! Thanks Grammy and Papa for the new ride.

Fin still likes her old ride the best, she can be in control.

Giving Thanks

It was just the 5 of us for Thanksgiving, we wanted to just hang at home and not have to be so busy. We cooked an awesome brined turkey from Trader Joe's, stuffing, butternut squash, gravy and cranberry sauce.

We are thankful for so many things, that daddy was home to celebrate with us, that we have 3 healthy happy (most times) kids, that I am able to stay home with the kids, and for the general health of all those we love. We are also thankful for those that are serving our country and not able to be with their families to celebrate this holiday season.

O did a great job with his dinner and went straight for the pie, of cour

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