22 August 2009
random flowers in NYC
probably my favorite. I love the light in the middle of the flower when zoomed to 100%
05 August 2009
do I know anyone in the clothing biz?
I have an idea for a ladies clothing line. One that could be huge. Seriously, it's way cool. I'm not going to post it here for that reason. But if any of you know anyone with either a. venture capital to help make it a reality, or b. anyone in the clothing biz - retail or wholesale - let me know.
and, when the time is right, I'll let you know that you saw it here first, folks. :)
and, when the time is right, I'll let you know that you saw it here first, folks. :)
04 August 2009
more on food choices & options
I had a meaningful conversation in the peds office yesterday about sharing knowledge with parents - in a non-aggressive, informative way. It's my opinion that any pparent is looking for ideas and help, but almost never seeking advice. Regardless of who is providing the advice. That said, here are some of the things I've done with my kids to help them eat better - and to not be limited in their diet.
Snacks:
Dried fruits, nuts, graham crackers, yogurt, cheese (the real kind), celery sticks, carrot sticks, apple wedges, fruit in season, grape tomatoes (I find that they are less acidic), and crackers. When we go anywhere in the car, it's always with plenty of snacks -- always. The kids call it "adventure food."
Breakfast:
I offer non-sugared cereals, homemade oatmeal - with fresh fruit cooked in (my favorite is peach- tastes like peach pie!), eggs, fresh fruit in season, yogurt. When I don't have milk in the house, I offer yogurt on top of cereal, or even juice. Not what you expect, but unexpectedly delicious. And a different texture, which I think help makes kids more texture agnostic.
Lunch:
Sandwiches, salads, vegees, cheese (lots of cheese), milk, fruit - as pleasantly plated as possible! I love to combine things too - like bananas and peanut butter sandwiches or celery and peanut butter. Stuff you wouldn't expect.
Dinner:
Anything goes. Shrimp scampi - kids love linguini! Artichokes - boiled, steamed, grilled - any old way, fish baked, poached, broiled or grilled, salads with lots of ingredients and textures - and different flavor profiles. Arugula for bitter, pears for sweet and crunchy, cheese for salt, some sort of protein, some sort of cheese, nuts for protein, frisee and other leafy vegees for visual interest. Always visually interesting, and always as colorful as possible.
The kids help plant, take care of, and harvest the herbs and other stuff they eat - and they come to the market with us to pick their proteins and vegees. They love the farmers market. (and the farmers love them!) We also go to farms whenever possible for our produce. The kids love seeing stuff grown.
Bah, I digress. Again.
Snacks:
Dried fruits, nuts, graham crackers, yogurt, cheese (the real kind), celery sticks, carrot sticks, apple wedges, fruit in season, grape tomatoes (I find that they are less acidic), and crackers. When we go anywhere in the car, it's always with plenty of snacks -- always. The kids call it "adventure food."
Breakfast:
I offer non-sugared cereals, homemade oatmeal - with fresh fruit cooked in (my favorite is peach- tastes like peach pie!), eggs, fresh fruit in season, yogurt. When I don't have milk in the house, I offer yogurt on top of cereal, or even juice. Not what you expect, but unexpectedly delicious. And a different texture, which I think help makes kids more texture agnostic.
Lunch:
Sandwiches, salads, vegees, cheese (lots of cheese), milk, fruit - as pleasantly plated as possible! I love to combine things too - like bananas and peanut butter sandwiches or celery and peanut butter. Stuff you wouldn't expect.
Dinner:
Anything goes. Shrimp scampi - kids love linguini! Artichokes - boiled, steamed, grilled - any old way, fish baked, poached, broiled or grilled, salads with lots of ingredients and textures - and different flavor profiles. Arugula for bitter, pears for sweet and crunchy, cheese for salt, some sort of protein, some sort of cheese, nuts for protein, frisee and other leafy vegees for visual interest. Always visually interesting, and always as colorful as possible.
The kids help plant, take care of, and harvest the herbs and other stuff they eat - and they come to the market with us to pick their proteins and vegees. They love the farmers market. (and the farmers love them!) We also go to farms whenever possible for our produce. The kids love seeing stuff grown.
Bah, I digress. Again.
01 August 2009
30 July 2009
Ernie too! Ernie too!
After posting Dru and Evlyn, I felt "Ernie too" needed some blog time. His eyes continue to change, they look like they may end up brown - or hazel - but the blue is getting less and less every day! I just love this series!
Happy!
this was the start of estrogen fest 2009. She was so happy to be rid of her brothers for a couple weeks! She was happy to have them back, too.29 July 2009
more on how to make kids eat healthy
I do love plating food in a fun way to entice the kiddos to eat it. Dru asked for Fish fillets tonight. So that's what we had.Babygirl: 4 mos already!
such a bright future ahead
this is such a Gene look !
remember rock em sock em robots? Apparently Ev does!
It has a neck!! <327 July 2009
healthy eating habits
I was prompted to write this when I saw something about obesity and rising healthcare costs associated with it.
How do I get my kids to eat well and make good choices? I offer them good choices. When I offer them something to drink, I offer water or milk. They get juice rarely. It's a treat, not a given. When I offer a snack, it's "carrots or apples, guys?" Not "cookies or ice cream." At dinner time, there are no chicken nuggets to be found around our house. Not on the dinner table, not in the freezer, not in my shopping basket. Ordering in is a once ever 2 weeks, maybe, kind of thing.
My kids don't overeat and they don't load up on sugar. They eat sensibly, they enjoy their food, and it's healthy too.
When they aren't eating, they're playing. Inside or outside- running around til they are out of breath. You know, good old fashioned exercise? Because I'm home alone, the kids go for walks with me, too. So 4 times a week or so, they go on a big long walk. Of course the baby is in the bjorn and the 2 yo is in a stroller - but they are getting into a routine that will last them a lifetime. They know it's part of a routine to exercise.
What happens to my kids once they've left the house is their business. All I can hope is that by learning good choices at home they will make better choices in life. I know the big one has already started on a good path. In kindergarten, he would come home and tell me that he chose mac n cheese, because the other choice was corn dogs. "and I would never choose one of those, mommy!"
How do I get my kids to eat well and make good choices? I offer them good choices. When I offer them something to drink, I offer water or milk. They get juice rarely. It's a treat, not a given. When I offer a snack, it's "carrots or apples, guys?" Not "cookies or ice cream." At dinner time, there are no chicken nuggets to be found around our house. Not on the dinner table, not in the freezer, not in my shopping basket. Ordering in is a once ever 2 weeks, maybe, kind of thing.
My kids don't overeat and they don't load up on sugar. They eat sensibly, they enjoy their food, and it's healthy too.
When they aren't eating, they're playing. Inside or outside- running around til they are out of breath. You know, good old fashioned exercise? Because I'm home alone, the kids go for walks with me, too. So 4 times a week or so, they go on a big long walk. Of course the baby is in the bjorn and the 2 yo is in a stroller - but they are getting into a routine that will last them a lifetime. They know it's part of a routine to exercise.
What happens to my kids once they've left the house is their business. All I can hope is that by learning good choices at home they will make better choices in life. I know the big one has already started on a good path. In kindergarten, he would come home and tell me that he chose mac n cheese, because the other choice was corn dogs. "and I would never choose one of those, mommy!"
RIGHT BACK AT IT! (my 3 monsters)
I joined a mommy site and posted this. Liked it so much I thought I'd post it here.
my 3 kids are all home with me again. This has been one dilly of a year. 2 major surgeries, one of which was supposed to happen last year at this time ... when we found out that the other one might happen. Got my gallbladder out a few weeks ago - last year we found out we were expecting #3 when dressed and ready to be wheeled down to surgery. No surprise I had a pretty brutal 3rd pregnancy when I heard the condition my liver and gallbladder were in! (I've been putting that surgery off for years, serves me right!)
My parents were here to help me with recovery; my husband works out of state 4d a week, and I've been getting back to work slowly since March when the baby came. She was the other surgery. At 42 with preE and gestational diabetes that was not well-controlled, a 10+ lb baby wasn't exactly what I thought I could push out after God only knows how many weeks of sleep-deprivation. She ended up being 11 lb 4 oz. Glad I didn't have the illusion of needing some sort of badge of honor. I guess I got over that with my second, a 10 pounder, who I DID push, with no epidural.
Both of the boys are now back here - the estrogen fest is over. The baby is happy to have her brothers back, but can't quite understand why mommy isn't at her beck and call 24x7. Hmmm... I've explained to each of them that they can have 30% of my attention. Mommy needs the other 10%. They don't seem to understand this concept. sometimes you don't know how little time you have to yourself until you get some!! Thanks, Mom and Dad. The last two weeks have been fantastic.
I bought a rug for the baby's room, and it came on a big spindle. Think in terms of the middle of a paper towel (or TP) roll. Like that but bigger. I've decided to keep it, have the boys color the piece of paper attached to it, then attach the whole thing to a box and call it a pirate ship. Little one was sleeping in the pirate ship last night during dinner. He gave up lobster tails and artichokes to sleep in this box. It was hilarious.
I'll post pics of little man in his box a little later.
my 3 kids are all home with me again. This has been one dilly of a year. 2 major surgeries, one of which was supposed to happen last year at this time ... when we found out that the other one might happen. Got my gallbladder out a few weeks ago - last year we found out we were expecting #3 when dressed and ready to be wheeled down to surgery. No surprise I had a pretty brutal 3rd pregnancy when I heard the condition my liver and gallbladder were in! (I've been putting that surgery off for years, serves me right!)
My parents were here to help me with recovery; my husband works out of state 4d a week, and I've been getting back to work slowly since March when the baby came. She was the other surgery. At 42 with preE and gestational diabetes that was not well-controlled, a 10+ lb baby wasn't exactly what I thought I could push out after God only knows how many weeks of sleep-deprivation. She ended up being 11 lb 4 oz. Glad I didn't have the illusion of needing some sort of badge of honor. I guess I got over that with my second, a 10 pounder, who I DID push, with no epidural.
Both of the boys are now back here - the estrogen fest is over. The baby is happy to have her brothers back, but can't quite understand why mommy isn't at her beck and call 24x7. Hmmm... I've explained to each of them that they can have 30% of my attention. Mommy needs the other 10%. They don't seem to understand this concept.
I bought a rug for the baby's room, and it came on a big spindle. Think in terms of the middle of a paper towel (or TP) roll. Like that but bigger. I've decided to keep it, have the boys color the piece of paper attached to it, then attach the whole thing to a box and call it a pirate ship. Little one was sleeping in the pirate ship last night during dinner. He gave up lobster tails and artichokes to sleep in this box. It was hilarious.
I'll post pics of little man in his box a little later.
14 July 2009
Ev's first playdate!
I think I like this shot best - Mom - who is this person and why is she on my toy! The girls had so much fun together. Jasmine and Queron are friends of ours from when we first moved to North Carolina. They've watched Dru and Ernie grow up, and now we have little girls that are the same age! How awesome is that! Mostly, they cried, ate, spat up, and Zori hung out on Ms. Ev's toys. Zori is a few months older than Evelyn - so she's sitting and doing other things Li'l miss isn't all that interested in just yet. Can't wait til our next playdate!
12 July 2009
my brain generated a pearl. Thought I'd share it.
*Normal* *non-dysfunctional* families only exist in stories that begin "once upon a time" and end "and they lived happily ever after."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)