one year

Our no. 3 is a year old!  She is joyfully clapping, waving, blowing kisses, giving high-fives -- all of which began within a week of her first birthday.  I'd say she was super excited about turning a year old.

This one is a little firecracker and keeps us on our toes at all times when she is awake.  She disregards baby gates, the word "no," locked cabinets, stairs and all places she shouldn't be in general.  With all that said, she is also the most loving and expressive child.  She is patient and happy and works hard to keep up with her sisters, whom she adores.

She isn't too interested in walking yet, but gets around with a vigorous and energetic crawl.  She climbs around and over things that are in her way and teeters on top of toys quite frequently. 

We are absolutely smitten with you, little one.  You have been the perfect addition to our family and home this year.  Keep up your determined little attitude, joyful smile and cheery heart--you will go far! 

magic potions--you never know what you might learn while waiting in line to register your child for preschool

If you are at all like me, you've tried making many cleaning products at home with poor results.  

Since my no. 2 came along with many breathing problems, I've tried making many of my own cleaning products.  Unfortunately, many of them seemed like a waste.  I got tired of buying essential oils and mixing up magic potions...until last spring.

As I waited in line to register my child for preschool in the fall (at 5:45am!), I sat with a bunch of ladies who were discussing homemade cleaning products.  One lady swore that there was one potion that was super easy and affordable to make.  She said it worked like magic on everything.  I was skeptical but thought I'd give it a try.  The 2 ingredient cleaner is amazing and cleans everything!

It is magic!  

Magic Cleaning Solution

equal parts blue Dawn dish soap and white vinegar

Warm the vinegar up in the microwave for about 30 seconds and then pour it into a spray bottle with equal amounts of blue Dawn dish soap.  Voila!

This stuff cleans everything!  Yucky showers and bathtubs, toilets, grime, goo...you name it, it cleans it!

I dare you to give it a try.  It is amazing!

little conversations...

By the end of the day, sometimes I neglect to remember all the funny little conversations that come out of the mouths of the little people in my home.  Today, there were a few that I wanted to remember.

"Momma, please don't clean up the mermaids and put them in the pool-toy basket.  They need to be in water to live."

"Momma, I want to take this long stick home."
I think it is too big, let's just leave it for next time.
"No, I want to take it home so I can throw it for my big dog."

"I like roses.  And I like bluebonnets."
Why do you like those flowers?
"Because roses are red and Gabby likes red.  Bluebonnets are blue and Daddy likes blue."

a year in the morning

Tonight, I peeked in several times just to watch you sleep.  In the morning you will be a year old.  My last baby turning a year sort of pulls at the insides of my soul.  I am heavy with sentimental feelings about my baby turning into a child.  I think back over her year and wonder if I rushed too much.  Did I stop to enjoy all the sweet baby stages?  The thought of your little pudgy legs, elbow and knee dimples, first teeth, the mop of hair on your head and your beautiful little soul bring warmth and happiness to the heaviness I feel.  I am delighted to watch you grow and change, but for right now, I just want to forever remember this beautiful little baby asleep in her crib.  Sweet dreams on the eve of your first birthday.

a party

This year, all she wanted for her birthday was a party.  I thought we'd do just a small family gathering this year instead of a big shindig.  When we presented that idea to the soon-to-be birthday girl, she politely asked for a party with friends.  I scrambled just a few weeks before her birthday to find a suitable spot for a hot July birthday.

The local children's museum was the perfect spot for lots of friends and family to play, explore and celebrate!

She wore her favorite boots, played with friends, rode in on her great-grandmother's lap and was quite happy about sitting in a birthday throne at the head of the table.  Pigs-n'-blanket were served along with the requested Cinderella cupcakes {same as last year--some things don't change around here}. It was a wonderful morning with family and friends.

Her yearly birthday questionnaire:

How old are you?
Four

What is your favorite book?
Cinderella....
and Pocahontas (prompted by her big sister)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Umm -- play with our children (big sister butts in and says, "don't you mean play with children?")
Yes, play with children

What is your favorite food?
meatballs and spes-getti

Where is your favorite place to eat?
IKEA

What is your favorite activity to do inside?
play castle

What is your favorite activity outside?
play  
Play what?
bicycles

What is your full name?
Pocahontas

What time do you go to bed at night?
I don't know....Momma, I don't know

Where is your favorite place to go?
I want to go to Disney World because we haven't been there before

What is your favorite TV show?
Curious George

What makes you happy?
when you sing me a song
What song do you like?
Cinderella songs
I don't sing Cinderella songs.
yes, sometimes you do

Who is your good friend?
Cinderella

What do you like to do with your sisters?
dance

What is your favorite color?
purple

we missed the strawberries and peaches but found the figs instead

 I was so disappointed when I called the local peach orchard and heard that peach picking season was done.  This spring, we missed the strawberries we pick at our usual spot out west.  With a new little one in tow this year, I haven't been the best at planning and remembering to do the things we do every year.  Things that have sort of become tradition around here have dreadfully fallen by the wayside.  I think tradition in families is important and furnishes children with such delightful memories to carry with them. 

So, when my mom said she had figs in the garden that needed picking, I was overjoyed!

The figs were warm from the afternoon sun and incredibly sweet right off the branch.

 

They picked until there were no more in arms reach.

Even though they were doubtful about tasting the new fruit (new to them--I don't think I have served fresh figs to them before), they both took a bite and were surprised at the sweet taste.

With all the figs ripening, I have been searching for good recipes to utilize all the fresh figs.

These preserves sound wonderful and quite simple.

via

Fresh fig preserve

from Yum Factor

Ingredients

10 figs

3 tbsp granulated sugar

1-2 long sticks of cinnamon broken into two

juice of one lemon

Directions

Wash the figs and then cut them in quarters

Place them in a thick bottomed pan

Sprinkle the sugar and lemon juice over it

Throw in the two pieces of cinnamon

Keep it on a low flame for about 25-30 mins

Cover it for the first 10-15 mins, but keep checking on how fast it cooks

There is no need to add water. The lemon juice and sugar work well enough for this

Once the figs start to break up, stir them a bit

If there are very large chunks of figs, break it down gently with a fork and continue cooking it till it all done and there is not much liquid remaining

Sterilize the jar that you will be storing this in

I just put the jar in a large pot of hot water and allow the water to boil for 10 mins

Take the jar out and allow it to dry it in the sun. Ensure that there is no moisture in the jar

Once the fig preserve has cooled down, transfer it to the jar

Store it in the refrigerator

I love the looks of this too.  Wouldn't it make the perfect afternoon snack or appetizer?

via

Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Peppered Honey

Makes 4 appetizer servings. Recipe from Epicurious.

ingredients:

1/4 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

12 fresh figs

1/4 cup soft fresh goat cheese

directions:

Combine honey and pepper in small pitcher; stir to blend. Starting at stem end, cut each fig into quarters, stopping 1/2 inch from bottom to leave base intact. Gently press figs open. Spoon 1 teaspoon cheese into center of each. Arrange figs on platter; drizzle with peppered honey.

Happy summertime fruit picking to you!

  

rainy days

"Let the rain kiss you. 

Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. 

Let the rain sing you a lullaby."

  -Langston Hughes 

We sang, stomped, crawled, drew with chalk, and danced in the glorious rain this week.  It refreshed our hot and lazy summer days.  The little one had her first taste of rain kisses and loved it.  The pitter-patter and downpours brought three sisters together in such a cozy way this week.  

We found ourselves starring at the sky each afternoon waiting for more!