The Big Guys...

The Little Guy....

Too cute for words....at least we think. We are having so much fun watching Ben grow and show his personality. He is full of smiles and tries to get our attention by making sounds. He says "Mama" and "Bubu". Mama means mom and can't you see I need some more food quick. He crawls around the house looking for new things to explore. Loves to stand, bang his hand on flat surfaces - especially the piano, and watch his brothers and giggle. Sam has had fun trying to play with him while Charlie is in kindergarten. It will be fun watching their friendship grow.

Apple Jack Orchard

We had a great day to visit the apple orchard yesterday. The boys picked apples, played in the hay, and fed some animals. Today, Charlie has our follow up activities planned. Make applesauce, apple pie, and do apple prints. He's listened to the story Apples, Apples, Apples for inspiration.

Feeding the goats.

Riding the "Hay Truck".

King of the hill

It is a rainy day, perfect for indoor projects. Applesauce, pie (crisp sounds easier) and apple prints here we come!

I Heart Faces - Candid

I love this picture of Charlie enjoying an ice cream cone. He is very allergic to dairy products so it's always a special treat to find ice cream stores with a sorbet treat that he can enjoy. I think the pictures at I Heart Faces will be fun to see this week - go take a peek.

Happy Birthday Dear Gus!

Charlie's good buddy turned 5 on Friday. Charlie was so excited that Gus was 5. I still remember the first time Gus' Mor Mor strolled Gus down when he was about 18 months old. Little did I know then that his mom would become a best friend and Gus and Charlie would become best buddies. Gus was always a sweet little boy with a wonderful smile, quick to share a toy. He has grown into an energetic, silly and very sweet boy with a great smile, and still quick to share. He's an excellent buddy for Charlie. We love you Gus! Happy 5th Birthday!

Pizza Time!

We love pizza at out house. Charlie and Sam love helping make the dough. The real fun comes when it's time to make the pizzas!

(Christmas Cutter pizza dough made this Spring....we are always in the mood for Christmas around here.)

RECIPE: Adapted from Joy of Cooking...enough for 4 pizzas.

1 1/3 cup of hot water (I always warm it up on the stove not tap water.)

1 1/3 cup of cold tap water.

Feel water, if it's slightly warm to the touch it's probably 105 and perfect for yeast.

Add 4 1/2 teaspoons of yeast. Let sit for about 10 minutes.

After yeast is ready Add (none of this is exact...usually they are overflowing)

Swirl of olive oil (2+ T)

1 T salt

1 T sugar

4 overflowing C of white flour

2 overflowing C of wheat flour

Mix everything until sticky. Flour hands and form ball. Add a little flour if still too sticky. When ball is formed, knead for a few minutes. Cover for an hour.

Toppings:

**Secret Ingredient: Minced garlic cooked quickly in 4/5 T olive oil. I use this to brush onto the crust. It makes the crust crisp and tasty!

Warm Pizza stone if you have one....it makes for a much crisper crust.

Sprinkle stone lightly with flour. Take 1/4 of pizza dough and spread onto stone with hands. Then, use roller to roll out and make very thin. Fold up edges if needed. Brush with garlic olive oil and spread chunks of the cooked garlic onto crust.

Cover with Sauce- I usually use Muir Glen

Our Favorite Toppings:

Fresh Cherry Tomato

Red and Green Pepper

Spinach (Frozen loose leaf or fresh)

Artichoke Hearts

Onion (cooked in garlic olive oil pan)

Fresh Basil

Sprinkle of hot pepper flakes

Then cover with Mozzarella and hard cheese of choice

Cook at 450 until top is bubbly and brown.

For the boys we do sauce, basil, and soy cheese. We love Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet cheese alternative.

Extra dough can be placed in floured zip loc bag and froze in disc shapes or stored in fridge for a couple of days.

Set out for an hour on day you plan to use if in fridge or defrost in warm water for a couple of hours if frozen.


We also use the dough to make calzones as well. The calzones are great for camping. I par-cook then place in foil and freeze. Then finish cooking them on the fire when camping! Super tasty treat after a day of hikes, but most importantly no cooking and easy clean up!

Hope you enjoy!

Charlie's First Day of Kindergarten

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Charlie had his first day of kindergarten today. He woke up early (6:10), ate breakfast, read books and was ready to go down to catch his bus that comes at 6:51! Chris said he was quiet as he got on the bus and started to go down the aisle towards the back...he was redirected to the front luckily! I went to school to meet him and he was already in his room, back pack hung and looking for his name tag. He gave me a quick smile, allowed me to give him a quick kiss, and he was off to join the group of kindergarteners surrounding his teacher.

He came off the bus with a smile and told me about snack, science class, and sitting with a friend from preschool on the bus home. He's excited to play puzzles when he gets to school tomorrow. "They have a fire truck puzzle I can play with tomorrow."

Charlie, way to go! You are such a big boy. Found your first loose tooth yesterday, off to kindergarten today. You are growing so quickly and I love the boy you are...keep your big smile and enjoy kindergarten!

Our Big Little Guy

Ben is getting big too fast lately! He's tries to stand all of the time and is beginning to figure out how to get back down. This part can't come too fast, he has had a bruised head for over a week. Today he was trying to climb into Sam's bed! He is such a busy little boy, crawling all over the house trying to find new things to put in his mouth.

Ben has discovered the sand box and has figured out how to get inside!

Brushing the sand out of your mouth before bed is always important.