Love Lies and Motherhood » Brook

Spoken Like a True Four Year Old…

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:42:09 +0000

I’m getting dressed today when Brook walks into my bathroom and asks what we are going to do today…

Me: “We are going to go and buy new bedding for you bedroom.”

Brook: “No thank you, it doesn’t sound like fun.”

Me: “But, it’s for your bedroom…we will have fun.”

Brook: (Rolls her eyes while saying this) “Shopping is boring Mom.”

Spoken like a true four year old!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

An Ice Cream Tradition…

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:40:49 +0000

There is a Newman tradition that I believe started with Travis when he was a baby…I might have to get my facts straight on that one. Oh and since I just put all of his baby pictures on disk…you’ve got it…here is a baby picture of my hubby!

Travis When He Was a Baby

So…yes, he was an amazingly cute baby and you can see his red hair already! And also, my children look exactly like him…I know this and now you do too!

Back to my story…

I believe Grandpa Newman started a tradition of giving the baby their first taste of ice cream. He was delighted to see the faces of the babies as they discover the wonderful new flavor and texture of this famous desert. What started with Travis continues into the next generation! Brook was given her first taste of ice cream on Thanksgiving of 2005. It was her first turkey day and the first day she learned ice cream is good.

Brook at 4 Months Trying Ice Cream for the First Time

So fast forward to this past Thanksgiving. The tradition has continued and Grandpa Jay gave Blake his very first bite of ice cream.

Blake Having His First Bite of Ice Cream

Both kids liked this tradition, although I think both of them were a little wierded out by the coldness of the dessert. The fact that both of them tried ice cream for the first time on Thanksgiving is completely coincidental. It’s just that this is a family event and since all the family likes to witness this tradition, Thanksgiving seems the appropriate time. We were also able to get a picture of four generations of Newman boys…this is a great shot!

Four Generations of Newman Men

Grandpa Newman couldn’t resist giving Blake a few bites of ice cream also…

I’m not going to wish life away, but I must admit that one day, when it’s Travis’s turn to give the ice cream to the grandchildren, I’ll fondly look back and remember when my babies had their turn…

Gotta love traditions

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Easy Banana Bread…

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:24:09 +0000

Inevitably there are banana’s in everyone’s house that reach an expiration date before they are eaten. And if you aren’t making banana pancakes, you are going to probably want to throw them into bread. I know for a fact that I am not recreating the wheel on this one, but it was a fun morning project that Brook and I could do together. The greatest part about baking with your child is there are so many parts of the process that you can include them in. All the measuring, pouring, mixing, etc., is very child friendly. It’s much more child friendly to bake something with them, then have them help with main dishes. Although, she is practicing her knife skills, she is still just a little too young for the stove and she can only chop “soft” foods…so, for now Brook and I are bakers together. Here is our creation…

Easy to Make Banana Bread...

Easy Banana Bread

2 cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
¼ tsp Salt
½ cup Butter
¾ cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs, Beaten
4 Ripe Bananas, Mashed
1 tbsp Vanilla
1 tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
¾ cup Walnuts (optional)

1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9×5 loaf pan.

2 – In a medium-mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix with a fork to incorporate ingredients and set aside.

3 – In another mixing bowl, cream the brown sugar and butter. Cream for about 3 minutes. Then slowly add the eggs into the mixture and continue to beat. Finally, add the mashed banana and vanilla and mix to combine.

4 – Slowly beat in the flour into the wet mixture…only adding 1/3 of the mixture at a time. Beat until incorporated, add second part of flour mixture, beat until incorporated, beat in remaining flour. Fold in Walnuts and then pour batter into the loaf pan.

5 – Bake in the preheated oven for 60 – 70 minutes or until a toothpick is clean when inserted in the center of the loaf. Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes, then invert it and let it cool the rest of the way.

As always, make some cooking memories with your kids and…

Happy Eating!

Taking a Bite Out Of Fresh Buttered Banana Bread...

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Brook’s Halloween Art…

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:16:43 +0000

Brook's Halloween Art.

Okay, I know I am bragging, but she drew this all on her own! I asked her if it was a picture of her with her Jack o’Lantern and she told me that it wasn’t her, but it was a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch with a scarecrow protecting it.

I totally see it!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Picking Pumpkins…

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:53:39 +0000

This year we chose to try to get out of the heat of Phoenix and go up North to a Pumpkin Farm. I found a couple in Chino Valley which is near Prescott and while it was cooler, it was still not very “Autumn” like. We were going to go to Freeman Farms, which actually is a pumpkin farm, but they were no longer letting you go out into the pumpkin field to pick your own pumpkin and that was the only draw to that farm in my opinion. So, instead we went to the Windmill Farm Pumpkin Festival and we had a blast! They are actually a nursery and event facility, but they do a really nice job transforming their property to a Harvest Festival.

Brook in the Pumpkin Area of Windmill Farms

They had an area where you could buy food and sit and listen to some live music and toss some horseshoes…

The Live Music and Windmill Farms

Brook and Travis Playing Horseshoes

Blake had fun discovering what pumpkins were and understanding the texture of hay…

Blake in the Pumpkin Patch

We tried to get a good family photo in the pumpkin patch, but with two kids, it’s kind of hard…

The Newman's Picking Pumpkins

They had a hay ride, a “train ride” and pony rides…Notice Brook and her cowgirl hat…I tell you she has gone Country

Brook on the "Train" Ride

People Getting Off the Hayride

Brook Riding the Pony

All in all it was a great family day and a great first pumpkin patch experience for Blake. I will admit that the Midwest is a much better place for the Harvest Festivals, but this one was great and it was very rustic, country, cowboy Arizona like.

It was worth the drive and I can see us trying to go even further up North next year…maybe Flagstaff?

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Blake and I at the Pumpkin Festival

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

My Cowgirl…

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:42:31 +0000

I guess a while back Brook told Grams that she wanted to be a cowgirl for Halloween…

So, needless to say that a couple of days ago, in our mail this showed up…

Brook as a Cowgirl

Brook has since changed her mind and decided that The Little Mermaid would be a better costume for her, but she was ecstatic to put this outfit on and play around for awhile.

Brook Loving Her Cowgirl Side

We cannot get that hat off of her…she loves it!

So, Grams, thanks for making a little girl really happy and…

Dad – See there is a little Pope inside of my children…a little bit of cowgirl just for you. The Newman’s are not entirely all city.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Learning About France and Making Semi-Homemade Chocolate Croissants…

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:18:51 +0000

At Brook’s school they celebrated UN day this week. On Friday they promoted a day of world peace and education at the school. The kids parents had to do a school project about an country of their choice and then present it to the rest of the class. We, I chose France since I had lots of keepsakes from when Travis and I went two years ago and because I really love the country. So, I spent a few hours coming up with the box which included pamphlets from Versailles, the Louvre, a Metro map, a Paris magazine, Lavender, Brie, Perfume and some Euros. I honestly thought Brook’s, my homework wouldn’t start for another couple of years…I was wrong

Brook with Her France Box

The school had a parade where all the kids waved self-made flags and they sang some songs of peace, unity and friendship.

Brook In Her School Parade

After the parade and songs, we all had a picnic which was provided by the parents. We had to all bring one dish that represented the country that our children learned about. Well, I wanted something easy and likable and this fit the bill…Semi-homemade chocolate croissants…

Semi-Homemade Chocolate Croissants

These were super easy and Brook helped put the piece of chocolate in the center and roll the dough…

Semi-Homemade Chocolate Croissants

2 Tubes of Store Bought Crescent Roll Dough

1 Large Hershey Semi-Dark Chocolate Bar

- Break up the chocolate bar into 16 pieces. Unroll the crescent dough and break the triangles apart. In one triangle place one piece of chocolate on the large end of the dough and then roll up into a crescent, tucking in the sides so the chocolate doesn’t ooze out during the baking process.

- Bake on a cookie sheet at 375 degrees, following the crescent roll package directions.

- Tastes best right out of the oven and makes 16 croissants.

It was a fun day at Brook’s school and even better food…and as always, get your kids in the kitchen!

Happy Eating!

Brook with Her Preschool Teacher Ms. Rocio

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Crafts for Kids – Halloween Ghosts…

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:14:25 +0000

Two weeks ago across the street, I saw some awesome homemade ghosts in our neighbors tree. I went over to see how they made them and I was surprised to find that they were only handkerchiefs, cotton and string. I thought this would be a great craft to do with Brook, so I promptly went to JoAnn Fabrics to get the material.

Brook's Ghosts Hanging In Our Tree

While at JoAnn’s, I picked up some styrofoam balls for the heads and some white floral wire for hanging, but the didn’t have any handkerchiefs…

Here is where my stupid shows up…

I proceeded to spend the next two days driving around town trying to find handkerchiefs for this project. Why did I have to have handkerchiefs? Well, because I had a one track mind…stupid.

I went to Khols, Target, Marshall’s, Michaels, TJ Max, Ross, Sears and I went…CRAZY!!!

Finally, I started to think outside of the handkerchief box when Travis suggested I buy a sheet and cut it up…Yeah, couldn’t find a cheap enough sheet…That is another day of running around…See my stupid is really showing now!

So, have you figured out my solution yet? On the third day my brain decided it was sick of being stupid and the light bulb came on (don’t worry, my brain is now being ran on eco-friendly CFL light bulbs)…

Ready for this? JoAnn’s sells fabric by the yard!

WHO KNEW?

Not me obviously! So, I went back to the very first place this whole quest started and bought 3 yards of white fabric for a whopping $2.99 a yard. Oh and the $40 of gas that I spent to run around town and figure out my solution was underneath my nose. Unfortunately, the gas was not so eco-friendly…crap!

Was it worth it?

Yes! Brook loved the project and now you can learn from my mistake…you can get everything you need at the craft store and it’s actually really inexpensive to do and the little ghosts look so good outside hanging on the tree.

Brook loved making different faces and she could twist tie the styrofoam balls in place too.

One of Brook's Scary Ghosts In Our Tree

So, here is the the supplies and instructions for making Halloween Ghosts…

Halloween Ghosts

18 – 2 1/2 inch Styrofoam balls

3 yards of White Fabric

18 pieces of 20 Gauge White Floral Wire – 18 or more inches

Scissors

Sharpie Pen Thin Tip

1 – Cut out 12″x12″ squares out of the White Cloth (or whatever size you want)

2 – Put the Styrofoam Ball in the center of the cloth and pinch the cloth around the ball.

3 – Secure the ball in the cloth by twist tying the Floral Wire around (see picture)

4 – Use Sharpie to make Ghost Faces

5 – Hang in a tree or anywhere you want using the remainder of the floral wire after twisting it around the bottom of the Styrofoam Ball.

As always, go and make some memories with your kids and Happy Crafting!

Brook Tying a Ghost to the Tree

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Easy Caramel Popcorn Snack…

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:29:47 +0000

Travis has been dying for me to make him this caramel popcorn snack for awhile. Really the reason it’s taken so long is because I’m afraid I will eat it all. So far I have been good, but most of it is still sitting in my kitchen, so you never know. Here is a picture of the product…this is super easy to make and my four year old helped me with it…

Super Easy Carmel Drizzled Popcorn Snack

This is what you will need…

Super Easy Caramel Drizzle Snack

1 bag of wrapped Caramels (like Kraft Caramels)
2 bags of any Microwave Popcorn (the large bags)
4 tbsp of Butter

1 – Pop the two bags of popcorn in your microwave following the packages directions

2 – Unwrap all of the caramels and put them in a microwave safe container. Add the 4 tbsp of butter and microwave for 1 minute. Take out and stir. Continue to microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat the 30 second process until the caramel and butter are melted, combined and smooth. You must keep an eye on your caramel though, because it can boil over and/or burn. I think I did 5-6 (30 second and stir) cycles.

3 – Once the caramel and butter are melted and smooth, put first bag of popcorn on a serving tray. Drizzle half the caramel over the first bag. Put second bag on top of the first layer and drizzle the rest of the caramel over this batch of popcorn.

4 – Try to share…it will be hard I know, but the family might want some too!

So, Brook unwrapped all the caramels and she also pressed all the buttons on the microwave. I didn’t let her touch the hot stuff, but if you have older kids, they may want to stir and or drizzle the popcorn. Here is Brook loving the fruits of her labor…

Brook Eating Her Caramel Popcorn

I made this so Travis could munch on something during Football, but this is great for a little Halloween party or if you want to make friends at work or in your neighborhood. Have fun cooking with your kids and as always…

Happy Eating!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

A Week of Firsts…

admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:05:20 +0000

Brook and Blake had a couple of milestones this week…

I bought Brook a booster chair for the car. It is one that still has back support, but she is officially out of a five-point harness car seat. She loves wearing an adult seat belt and she thinks her new booster is cool. It just blows my mind how fast the time has gone. I mean, it feels like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital and the baby car seat seemed gigantic. She was so very tiny in it and now this is the last “car seat” she’ll need. After this, she will just sit in the car…crazy.

In Blake news, he waved on purpose for the first time today! We were having lunch at Rubio’s and a couple of teenage girls sat next to us. Blake smiled at them and then lifted his hand an gave a slight wave to them…his first official greeting! I actually didn’t quite believe it until I asked Travis if he saw what I saw. Travis with the same amazed look nodded and agreed that this was the first time Blake waved to someone and understood it was a way to say hello.

My little ones grew up a little today…

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.