Outdoor space update

We have had some pretty nice weather! Last weekend was super sunny and beautiful, and Monday was the nicest day for sure. Tuesday the clouds rolled in and it's been partly cloudy with rain showers and patchy sun. So, needless to say, not consistent sun for 12-14 hours a day, therefore, my seedlings are growing, but very slowly.

I will transplant them when they get their second set of leaves.

We also have another box ready for some shade loving plants!! I'm excited to try some lettuces and Chinese cabbages as well as cilantro!

(Bad photo patch, sorry!!)

This is basically our back patio space. Valentine's Day flower still going strong!!

Twin meals and kid dinner/grown up dinner

So, I've been doing some kid meal updates the last couple weeks, but I've decided to do something a little different. The babes' breakfast and lunch is pretty much variations on the same theme, but as far as dinner is concerned, I've decided to model their dinners after our dinners so that it will be 1) easier than making two different meals 2) keep me on track meal-wise and 3) get them on the same track with us so that they can transition to what we're eating easier in the future.

So, in light of this, here's what they've been eating for breakfast--

Top: eggs, peaches, maple toast; bottom: eggs, banana, orange segments 

Here's a typical lunch--

Top: toasted cheese sandwich, banana; bottom: peanut butter and honey sandwich, banana chips, grapes

For dinner the last few days the boys have tried a few new things, here's what we had for dinner:

Kid dinner: salmon burger, Apple, sautéed chickpeas and kale; Adult dinner: salmon burger with pan fried capers and sautéed chickpeas w/ kale

Recipe here: http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/slow-cooked-salmon-chickpeas-and-greens I didn't make the salmon as directed, I baked salmon burgers and then pan finished them (it's what we had! :)) but everything else I made as directed. Delish! 

Kid dinner: pasta w/ butter, banana slices, peas and corn; Adult dinner: sautéed scallops and veggies w/ Thai noodles

Recipe here: Thai noodles-- http://www.melskitchencafe.com/super-simple-spicy-thai-noodles/  (no toppings or veggies, just noodles and the sauce)

Scallops-- http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pan-seared-scallops-with-pepper-and-onions-in-anchovy-oil/detail.aspx (I used white onions, and no red bell pepper, I also used sardines instead of anchovies. Finally, I replaced parsley with cilantro and added sesame seeds)

Kid dinner: baked chicken, sweet potatoes and peas; Adult dinner: baked drumsticks, baked broccoli w/ Parmesan and baked sweet potato w/ garlic and Parmesan.

Recipe here: drumsticks-- http://www.kitchenwithmommy.com/2014/01/wowza-baked-chicken-drumsticks.html 

Sweet potatoes-- http://reluctantentertainer.com/2013/12/roasted-sweet-potatoes-with-rosemary/

Broccoli-- http://milkandcuddles.com/2011/09/the-best-broccoli-recipe-on-pinterest/

Kid dinner: cheese quesadilla, apples, peas; Adult dinner: cheese quesadilla w/ pica de gallo and beans w/ Spanish rice

Recipe here: beans-- http://queenbeecoupons.com/slow-cooker-crockpot-refried-beans-no-frying-no-soaking-plus-easy-freeze-instructions/

Rice-- http://whatyagotcookingoodlookin.blogspot.com/2011/10/restraunt-style-mexican-rice.html (I used tomatoes instead of sauce, and added cilantro)

Work weekend wrap up

This was a pretty busy weekend, and I didn't take nearly as many photos as I should have. I'll try to do better! 

They were tickling each other!; we went for a long walk; saw some turtles; they didn't love the swings; this week's menu

A few awesome meals and the great outdoors

You guys, I love spaghetti squash. I don't remember the first time I had it, but I grew it when I was a farmer, and I still eat it a lot. The other night I tried a great lasagna style recipe and it was AWESOME! It was also super easy, I halved the recipe, since I only had one squash, and we usually split one half. I also traded out the tomatoes for tomato sauce, and I used just mild italian sausage, (taken out of the casing) instead of a beef/sausage hybrid. I also cut the ricotta/cottage cheese and just did the layers meat sauce/buffalo mozzarella (sliced)/meat sauce/shredded Jack and cheddar/shredded parm. Anyway, here's the original recipe: http://pinterest.com/pin/78672324716375878/

I'll definitely be doing this recipe again....

The weather here in Seattle has been INCREDIBLE. I heard a report that weather wise were a month ahead of where we usually are, so the allergens are kicking in earlier than usual, but it's dang beautiful outside. 

We haven't made any visible strides on the garden space, but we have collected more compost, and we got our seeds! 

So excited for summer!

Twin meals and play dates

I'm working a bunch of extra shifts this week, so our schedule is all wonky this week. The boys have tried a bunch of new foods, and are completely feeding themselves. They are still getting formula at night but only until the formula is gone. They have a small milk bottle after their meals, usually. Here's a sampling of what the boys ate this week....

Lettuce, avocado, tomato, ham, Swiss, Apple

Cheerios, rasberries, and banana

Strawberries, veggie mix, and colcannon

Tortilla chips, black beans, and veggie mix

Yummmmmm!

We also had a super fun play date with our friends Vira and Deven and our good buddy Ava!

Deven and Vira brought presents and cupcakes for a belated birthday celebration!

Clap clap clap!!

Showing off our sunnies from Auntie Alice, cool dudes!

Thank you, friends!!

Seed time!

I ordered the seeds for our garden today!

I'm hoping that we can build the garden box this weekend and get some large pots!!

Thursday play date and baking

Today the boys met a new friend for a play date and we had a fabulous time!

Me and my friend had been looking forward to getting our little munchkins together, and it finally worked out, they got along great! Can't wait to do it again!!

I had meals delivered last week so I could get our menu back on track. With all the birthday craziness and extra work shifts, dinner was slipping, but I got my game back this week. We had our last blue apron meal on Monday, and I made Chicken cordon bleu on Tuesday and spaghetti with meat sauce tonight. We have corned beef scheduled for tomorrow, and we're having paella with the neighbors on Saturday, should be fun!

I decided to try and get back on the healthy track, and made some granola tonight.

Cherry almond coconut

Blueberry cashew coconut

Recipe here: http://pinterest.com/pin/78672324714889037/

Can't wait to try it with some yogurt tomorrow morning! 

Twin eats/craft day (a day late)

The twins are eating all solids now, and are making the transition to cows milk. They get a 4 oz bottle after every meal, and formula at night. They're only waking up 1-2 times at night and usually only want a bottle once. Here's a sampling of this week's meals:

Chicken, cheese, carrots, peas and potato

Cheesy eggs and maple toast

Chick peas, cheese, naan

Naan cheese and spinach 'pizza', Apple

Cheesy eggs, toast, plums

Avocado, Cheerios, bananas

Chicken, carrots, apples

Mac and cheese, peas, carrots

These two little chuckleheads napped through gymboree time, so we'll probably try again on Friday.

I didn't get to a craft yesterday, but I did do one this evening.  I made coasters for Christmas presents this year, and I decided to make some for us too!