Colored Rice

A couple weeks ago we made colored rice for our water table turned sensory table. I took a peek at some recipes online, but they all asked for rubbing alcohol or vinegar. I knew that Miss. Adalyn would take to eating the rice so no rubbing alcohol and I really hate the smell of vinegar, so I decided to give it a shot with out using either of those. Plus, I was in a hurry and really didn't want to do an extra step.

We made 3 different colors. 

One reason you use rubbing alcohol or vinegar is to get a more intense color. 

I actually really like the mixed colors we got with out using it.

I didn't let Adalyn into the rice until a few days ago when I found her quietly playing in it. 

She had found an open door into the off limits of Big Brothers bedroom.

For some reason she was leaning against it like this. I found it so funny!

This is reason #2 that you use rubbing alcohol or vinegar.

The food coloring doesn't stay on the rice. 

When it is eaten it gets all over your mouth,

or on your hands. 

But for our purposes, I really don't mind. Maybe next time I'll try vinegar though. 

Menu Monday

I pulled out my Jessica Seinfeld: Double Delicious! cookbook this morning. I pulled most of our meals for this week out of there.

Monday -- Tuna Casserole

Tuesday -- left overs

Wednesday -- Creamy Beef over Noodles (in the crock pot and I hope to get this YUMMY recipe posted soon)

Thursday -- leftovers

Friday -- Orange Beef with broccoli and rice

Saturday -- Date Night!! Whohoo!

Sunday -- Lo Mein

Almost Wordless Wednesday

He was watching TV...I tried to sneak a picture, but he caught me.

Then he pushed the ottoman out of the way so I could get a picture.

He says he isn't handsome....but pretty.

He picked this outfit out all on his own this morning.

Bunny

Meet Bunny....Adalyn's lovey.
Bunny is needed when Adalyn is tired, in the car or going to sleep. 

This is Bunny before she took a bath. 

Which easily needs to happen daily, but realistically happens once a week.

This is Bunny after her bath.

Just barely better...for minutes...until Adalyn gets a hold of her. 

This is Bunny II (Her sister Bunny III still resides in the Amazon box).

Bunny II and Bunny III were purchased to help take some pressure off Bunny.
She really needs a day off now and then for some serious spa time.
But Adalyn REFUSES to have anything to do with Bunny II.

Hence Bunny III is still in the box to be returned.

My little Stinker takes one look at Bunny II and tosses her aside.

Recently Adalyn broke up with Bunny.
Bunny had just returned from her trip to the washing machine/dryer.
Adalyn wanted NOTHING to do with her.
Three days went by with no love for Bunny.
We thought Bunny's days had come to an end.
While this break up was happening though Adalyn won't sleep.
On day four Adalyn forgave Bunny and all was well once again.

Do You Know?

We played a game called "All About Adalyn" this weekend at her 1st birthday party. I "stole" the idea from Arli's birthday party that we went to a couple weeks ago. These are the questions our guests answered. Even if you didn't know the answers it was fun to learn about Miss. Adalyn.

All About Adalyn

1. What is Adalyn’s birth date? (11/18/10)

2. What did she weigh at birth? (7lbs 11ozs)

3. What are her top CURRENT 5 favorite foods?(strawberries, eggs, apples, peas and olives)

4. Who saw her take her first steps? (Mema)

5. Where were Kenny, Jessica and Shane when she took these steps? (Hawaii)

6. How many teeth does she currently have? (9)

7. What was she for Halloween this year? (Fairy)

8. Who do we visit on our daily walks? (Lucky the Goat)

9. Name one of her MANY nicknames. (Addie, Pumpkin, Battie Boo, Baby, 'umpkins)

   10. Who does the A-Team consist of? (Arli and Adalyn + Sidekick Shane)

The Party

Adalyn had her Harvest/Pumpkin themed 1st birthday party yesterday afternoon. We enjoyed having family and friends over to celebrate Adalyn's first year of life. The kids played "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin" game. The adults played the game "All About Adalyn". They had 10 questions about Adalyn they had to answer (I'll post the questions later).

Great Penny Grandma and Adalyn

 Mema, Shane and Adalyn

 A family picture...always hard to get 4 happy family members.

 Adalyn's birthday cupcakes were Chocolate Pumpkin with Cream Cheese Frosting.

The frosting was SO good. I just wanted to eat it out of the bowl.
I have TONS of left overs, so I'm going to make the pumpkin bars to go with it this week. 

The cupcakes didn't have enough pumpkin taste for me.

 Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispy Treats were a hit!

 I saw a cute idea in my Martha Stewart Living November issue where they put veggies in glasses and wrapped cabbage leaves around the outside and tied it with twine. 

My attempt didn't go so well. This is what I ended up with...still cute.

 Mini Corndog Muffins

 Baked Carmel Corn

 Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins (My Son would eat these all day!)

 Checking out her cupcake. She went straight for it. Who wouldn't...that frosting was seriously good!

Gift opening was mayhem, 

but I really wanted the kiddos who brought Adalyn presents to see her "open" them.

 Some of the guests hanging out, eating and chatting.

 Shane, Adalyn, Dahlia and Opal

 Cousins: Brooke, Anna, Adalyn and Shane

 Papa with a SUPER tired Birthday Party Girl.

 Video of us singing Happy Birthday to Adalyn and of cupcake eating.

Adalyn's 1st Birthday Interview

This is what I think Adalyn would say if she could tell us all about herself.

 

Adalyn’s 1st Birthday Interview

What is your favorite color?            

purple

What are your favorite foods?             

Strawberries, eggs, peas and olives

Who are your best friends?              

Arli and Shane

What are your favorite books?            

Zoo Crew

Mimi Sees

What does Mommy do the best?       

Carrying me around while she is in the kitchen. She can make dinner almost one handed. I love watching what she is doing.

What does Daddy do the best?       

Take me on a run with him. I love the wind blowing in my hair.

What is your favorite kind of animal?                

Doggies

What do you like to do with your Brother?         

Run up and down the hallway with him. 

Where is your favorite place to go?  

I just love going out any where so that I can watch people. The grocery store is a good place to hang out and see lots of people.

She is one!

Baby Girl is officially not a baby any more. I think we must resign to the fact that Adalyn is all toddler now. Walking and with her 1st birthday today we have moved into the world of toddler-hood yet again. Luckily, I think the toddler phase is my favorite!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Adalyn!

 Ribbon is fun!!

 Our walking paper eating one year old.

A Flop

I set out the other afternoon to complete a gumdrop turkey project with Shane. 

This is what I was aiming for.

This is what we ended up with.

A mess! And frustration from Shane and myself. 

The silly things kept falling over and just weren't working for us AT ALL. 

We walked away from the project with hopes of returning, but we never did go back to it. 

We had lost interest after all the frustration.

Sometimes it just doesn't work out. 

Good lesson in life though. 

 

Even if we don't have any cute gumdrop turkey's to decorate with.

But we do have some gumdrops now for Christmas decorations.

Wordless Wednesday -- A Box

Turkey Crazy

I think we are a little turkey crazy over here. There seem to be turkey projects coming out of our ears.

There is a fun turkey sandwich all over the crafty/mommy blogs that I've seen over and over again. It seemed like a quick and easy thing I could do for Shane at lunch time. There is a huge trend in crafting cool images with food these days. I haven't jumped on that band wagon just because I don't want to spend even more time making Shane food that he turns his nose up at.

BUT after our experience yesterday afternoon I may be rethinking that thought!!

I made his sandwich into a turkey. Ok...so the other turkey sandwiches out there look a little more turkey like. I am new to this whole food image thing.

His face light up when he saw Mr. Turkey Sandwich. He instantly started eating his feathers. (NOTE: peppers are one of the few veggies he does currently eat and he loves olives). Within a minute of eating his lunch he said "Can you make me this again tomorrow!?".  This is huge for my none eating child. He would prefer to play then sit down to eat. He plain isn't interested in most food right now. For him to sit down and eat EVERY bite of this lunch is HUGE. His plate was 100% empty after lunch.

I may just be making more lunch images after this very successful lunch.

Menu Monday

Monday -- Chicken Broccoli Braid (I found this a couple weeks ago and can't stop thinking about it...must make!!)

Tuesday -- leftovers

Wednesday -- Turkey and Parmesan Pasta (had this on the menu, but still haven't made it)

Thursday -- leftovers...if Mema is up for that??

Friday -- Adalyn's Birthday Dinner!!! I wonder what she would ask for if she could talk....I think she would say she wants Scrambled Eggs! That is what we are going to have for dinner in honor of the newly 1 year old.

Saturday and Sunday -- It's going to be a busy weekend with the big birthday party on Saturday. We also have Santa pictures AND holiday/1 year pictures on Sunday. I may pull from my freezer stash I've been creating the past couple weeks.