Perfect Apple Pie

I had a bunch of apples I needed to get rid of so made this Perfect Apple Pie yesterday and it was delicious.  I had a some leftover dried cranberries I threw in to use up -- they plump from the juice the apples give off during cooking.  It was really perfect.

I had a nice weekend. Took my little guys to The American Museum of Natural History.  They loved the dinosaur bones, but their favorite was this guy.

"Dum dum you bring me gum gum" was quoted (from the movie Night at the Museum) ALL day! :)

 

We also met their new cousin.

 

 

They are in love.   My youngest was the best -- he wanted to take him home with us.  So sweet.

Good Morning!

I feel a need for a little My Chemical Romance to get the day going.  Happy almost weekend!

Welcome Baby Boy!

Happy about the safe arrival of my new nephew yesterday.  Showed my boys a picture of their new cousin - my oldest wasn't thrilled at the idea that his big cousin (the new big sister) would not give him her full attention due to the new arrival. 

My middle one expressed concern about having to hear crying (those who live in glass houses should not throw stones, my dear Harrison!).

My youngest was most excited.  He said he will change his "brother's" diapers, the baby can sleep with him and insisted there are two babies so wanted to know where the other one was - LOL.

 

******************************************

Someone posted this yesterday and it is a good reminder!

 

Chocolate Milk Waffles Using Pancake Mix

For the most part it was a low-key weekend.  Saturday I met a mom from school for lunch and some shopping.  My big boy was sick for a few days so took him to urgent care Saturday and found out he had a virus; fever broke later that evening.

Yesterday I made delish waffles for the kid's breakfast.   I usually make pancakes and waffles from scratch, but when we went to the beach house I picked up Arrowhead Mills Organic Pancake Mix instead of buying all the random ingridients needed and schlepping it along on vacation.

I wanted to use up the bag of mix but the kids wanted waffles.  Did some research and found that if you add 2 tablespoons oil to the pancake mix (in addition to regular ingriedients) it can turn into waffle batter.  It worked!

Worth noting I have been using avocado oil for baking and it is amazing!  Makes the outside crispy and the inside taste all buttery.   I also used chocolate milk instead of regular milk when making the batter.  I am not a big carb fan in the morning but gosh these waffles were pretty close to perfection.

A New Day

 

 

 

Make today a good one, people!

Old Fashioned Peach Pie

This weekend has been a mix of fun and productivity.  

Yesterday I took the big boys to the uniform store to get measured for shirts, ties, pants, gym clothes, shoes so we're all set for school.  Also ordered their Halloween costumes so we're set on that front too.

Yesterday the bulk of the day was spent celebrating my niece's birthday.  Kids had a blast playing in the pool.

This morning me and my little men went out bright and early for breakfast and to hit up the local drug store to stock up on summer toys that are majorly marked down.  If you are close to Value Drugs in Eastchester hit it up!  I also got a great new patio set for my front porch from there last weekend 50%.

Goggles for $1.50, snorkel sets for $5.00 and big jug of bubbles for a buck and change.  Love a good deal!

Today we were invited over to a friends house for an early dinner and I am in charge of dessert.  I am trying a new recipe called Old Fashioned Peach Pie.  It's cooking in the oven now and the house smells great!

Brother's Day + Other Fun

Last Friday I had off to watch the big guys final camp performances - it was adorable.   We then picked up my oldest's friend for a playdate.

Saturday was our second annual Brother's Day.  Goal is to get the boys to celebrate their brotherhood. :)  We surprised them and took them to World of Wings - a butterfly/reptile museum - and Medieval Times.  They had a BLAST!

Tuesday my oldest came to work with me.  We had so much fun hanging out.  He walked right into a glass wall -- he was fine and it was hysterical.  He helped shred paper and put together binders of paperwork.  We went to the Lego store afterwards to get a reward for his hard work.  He begged me to come back in the next day.  I received so many compliments on what a good little boy he is...he makes me so proud!

Last night I got together with some mom's from school and we went to Paint Nite.  It was so much fun, but my crazy daisy is well, sorta crazy looking.  :)

I went two other times to Paint Nite (super fun girls night out!) and hung those masterpieces in the kids room; however, this one may make it's way into the trash.  I tried!

Happy Thursday!

Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce

Look at all these amazing tomatoes my kids picked from our garden yesterday.

Tonight I am going to put them on a sheet pan with some garlic, onions and a carrot - drizzle with olive oil, little salt and pepper and roast everything in the oven.  After they cool down a bit I can puree everything in the blender along with some fresh basil and parsley...best sauce ever. Yum.

Summer Play Date

I don't know what it is about August, but as soon as it hits I am ready for Fall.  Thinking tomorrow of making in my new oven a roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, tomato salad (we have tons of tomatoes from the garden and they are outrageously delicious!) and for dessert apple blackberry pie (blackberries from the garden too!). May also make some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for the kids snack this week.  Yum.

My oldest has one of his besties over today for a playdate.  They have been having fun!



Playing in the pool -- they keep talking about a brocade -- not sure what that's all about.

We did an experiment with sand that is similar to what is found on Mars.

We glitter glued/painted/googly-eyed shells, sand dollars and rocks which we'll put in the garden.

And I spent a solid 45 minutes at the faucet making an endless supply of water balloons -- they played easter bunny/egg hunt in the pool with them (my idea which they loved) :)