weekend

Our weekend was kind of awesome... even though we really didn't do all that much! It was just one of those weekends that felt nice to lounge around the house and spend time together as a family. Jon has been working some pretty late hours lately, so it was really nice to have the four (almost five) of us together. 

At the start of winter, all I want is soups and oatmeal and all of those stick-to-the-ribs type meals. But it's around now, the middle of winter, when I've had enough of that heavy stuff and I just want fruit, fruit and more fruit. Most of it's not at it's best (except clementines, still obsessed) but still... I had to make a huge bowl of fruit salad. We finished the whole thing, plus a second one that I made later on in the day. And the bulk of it was consumed by the Pixie girl. Well, everything except for the kiwi, because apparently kiwi is 'scustin.

Also, can you see my coffee picture at the top? My in-laws got us a Nespresso Coffee Maker for Christmas and holy coffee beans, our coffee game is out of control now! As an added bonus, Ollie and Peyton are obsessed with helping to making our coffee for us in the morning... so at some point I can just send my little baristas downstairs in the morning and it'll be waiting for me by the time I meet them down there, mwah ha ha ha!

Barista-in-training

After breakfast, we had planned on taking both of the kids to the trampoline park, but Peyton has been having some behavioral issues (nothing major, but she's really testing the limits at home and at school so we're trying to nip it in the bud) so she ended up having to miss out. She was upset for all of 5 minutes... but it's so hard to get through to her! She asked me to play with her and I explained that her staying home was a punishment and she'd have to entertain herself. "Plus I have to clean the bathrooms" I told her. Did that bother her? Not at all. "I'll help you glunge, Mama, " she told me, as 'glunging the potty' is her most favorite chore. By the time the boys got back home, the bathrooms were sparkling and Peyton was so proud of her help that she borrowed Jon's phone to take a selfie with her freshly 'glunged' toilet.

I also got a little Valentine craft in, and made some Homemade Granola* to go with the next bowl of fruit, so it certainly was a nice little Saturday. Maybe Bed, Bath and Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have time. (Hey, speaking of Will Ferrell, tell me you guys have seen his "Drunk in Love" Lip Sync?! I almost peed my pants I laughed so hard. Ok, ok, fine: I'm a million months pregnant... we all know I actually did.)

Craft o' the day. I don't know why, but I'm obsessed with Hello Maypole felt balls. I think the garlands are so cute.

Everyone's behavior was good enough that we were all able to go sledding together on Sunday morning. We drove to Wickham Park, which has a huge, perfect-for-sledding hill. There's usually a ton of people there (especially with the present snow situation!), but I guess everyone was home cooking up their wings and chili for the big game, because we had the hill to ourselves! It was really peaceful and beautiful, and the kids had an absolute blast. I was kind of hoping that all of the hiking would start some sort of labor action... but no such luck.

In the evening, our friends Steph & Tom and their boys came over to watch the game... and they brought the entire Super Bowl party to our house: Dips and veggies, Chili and Jalapeno Poppers, Make-Your-Own Pizza's for the kids, plus- be still my heart- two types of homemade cookies. They even brought their own pans so I wouldn't have to clean up. All we had to do was turn on the TV and keep the fire going. Now that's friendship!!!

The kids all had so much fun playing together while we watched the very exciting, very tense game: At one point, I had to move away from Jon on the couch because he was shaking his leg so hard, he was so nervous. When there was 5 minutes left in the game, I put my kids to bed because it was wayyyyy past their bedtime... basically making them miss the game! What an ending! But when Ollie woke up the next morning, I asked him who he thought won and he said with complete assurance: Tom Brady. 

It was Peyton! She's the locker room guy!

We just got a fresh foot of snow, so I see some more sledding in our future! I'm also hoping there's a baby in our very near future too! (My adjusted due date is this Friday, so I'm really not even past due- I just feel like I am! I guess the latest I'll have to go is the 14th, so there will be a baby in the next 12 days, which doesn't seem too bad!)

*If you're interested in a recipe that will turn you away from store-bought granola forevermore, here's my recipe for Homemade Granola, adapted from a recipe my mother-in-law gave to me: 

Maple Granola

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened

1/4 cup raw sesame seeds

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 Tbsp canola oil

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

{1} Heat oven to 350.

{2} Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well.

{3} Spread mixture on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet. 

{4} Bake, tossing once or twice, until golden- about 25-30 minutes. 

{5} Let cool completely (granola will crisp up as it cools) 

{*} Add dried fruit, such as cranberries, raisins, etc if you'd like.