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MTM-Miscellaneous

Technically this week was supposed to be purple, and since today is Memorial Day, I toyed with the thought of trying to fashion an American Flag out of my muffin tins.  In the end, we have MTM Miscellaneous.  

We had a nice weekend, considering the weather hasn't exactly been cooperating.  We got about 80% of the things crossed off our TO DO list for this weekend. Which in my book is a success.

1.  Orange slices.  Because I had some oranges that need to get used.

2.  Watermelon stars.  Because the girls LOVE watermelon.

3.  Olives.  Because the girls like to stick them on their fingers and then eat them. 

4/5.  Creamy Parmesan Artichoke Orzo.  Because wanted to try orzo.  It was good.

6.  Jelly Roll.  For dessert.  

Nobody ate too much, because we all had a late lunch at my in-laws and I don't think either of the girls were very hungry. 

Some serious food inspection happening here.  :)

I am liking up with Muffin Tin Mom.  Swing over and check out some other fun ideas.  

MTM-Supposed to be Blue

Tonight's muffin tin theme was supposed to be Blue foods, as I have been on a colors of the rainbow streak.  Well, guess what I found out today.  There are very few naturally blue foods found in nature--hm, why didn't I think of this before??  So I just threw together some things along with the blueberries I bought for the (blue) occasion.  

1.  BLUEberries

2.  Pepperoni Bears

3.  Strawberry slices

4.  Ants on a Log with Craisins

5.  Harvest Cheddar Sunchips

6.  Corn

So, most people that know my eldest daughter, know she is not a fan of peanut butter.  So why do I serve her ants on a log?  Because if there were any chance of her trying PB, it would be on Muffin Tin Monday.  She is a much more open minded eater on Mondays.  So I gave it a shot.  

She looked at it suspiciously after I told her it was ants on a log, looks up at me and says "dis have peanut budder in it, mama?  I don't like peanut budder."  Eh, it was worth a shot anyway.  

I also don't think Little Dude is a very big fan.  She tried it, but I saw her spitting it out when I was cleaning up in the kitchen while they were eating.  

I think it is funny that both girls have total frowny faces in these pictures.  They were both a little grouchy tonight, and shortly before I had gotten home, Dudie had taken another digger on the sidewalk.  (notice the scrape in the middle of the forehead)

Click over to Muffin Tin Mom to see lots more fun muffin tin meals!

The Sweetest Ending

Some days as a parent are more challenging than others.  Anyone with kids knows this.  

Today I had a crazy busy day at work, so I arrived home a little short on patience.

Our nanny told me when I got home that Big Sis had pushed Little Dude down on the sidewalk.  Big Sis has really been pushing the limit lately on almost everything.  

My dinner menu told me that we were supposed to have soup and sandwich this evening.  I haven't had a chance to go grocery shopping this week thanks to work (usually Monday I shop).  

Both girls were in pretty grouchy moods and not interested in eating the "sandwich sampler"& leftover green bean dinner I threw together.  There was a lot of whining going on.

After three rounds of wrestling and 5 minutes of hysterics, I finally had Little Dude in her jammies.  It was 10 minutes before bedtime for her, but the poor thing was really tired.  So I left Big sis in my bedroom watching Man vs. Food (one of her favorite shows), and put Little Dude to bed.  

***My little one isn't always much of a cuddle bug, but tonight she just nestled right in, grabbed my hand and started rubbing it on her cheek.  She was out in about 2 minutes.  

I went back to my room to find Big Sis tormenting our cat, Vern, who seemed to be running low on patience himself. 

So we watched the rest of the M v. F episode and it was off to bed with her too.  Since she moved into a twin bed a few nights ago, I have been cuddling up with her and reading her stories with her in bed.  We read Annie Bananie and Noisy Nora tonight. 

Then I shut off her light and she tells me:

BS:  Sank you, Mama

Me:  For what?

BS:  For all da wonderful sings you did to me

Then she grabs my hand and smells it.

Me: What are you doing?

BS:  Smellin your hand.

Me:  Why?

BS:  Because you smell like you, Mama.  Because you smell so nice.

I swear, whenever I have  a hard day and struggle with patience and parenting, then night ends up having the sweetest ending.  

 

MTM-Green

I was 3/4 of the way through my workday today and realized that it was Monday.  Muffin Tin Monday.  Oh crap!  I hadn't even thought about it--luckily I had preplanned my themes and am halfway through colors of the rainbow.  Except this week was green and didn't think I could scrape together 6 different green foods at home.  So I had to make a mad dash to the store at 2pm.  

1.  Guacamole with whole grain tortilla strips

2.  Dill Pickles

3.  Cucumbers and Ranch for dipping

4.  Cold Peas (just how we like 'em)

5.  Split Pea Soup (Amy's Organic)

6.  Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Big Sis said "Dis ice cream tastes like gum, Mama!"

 I gave Little Dude ice cream as well, and she didn't seem like she had a reaction.  I believe she is definitely growing out of her allergy!!  I am not to the point where I am ready to let her start chugging milk or anything, but am happy it is not a lifelong issue.  

After dinner, the girls had a bath and I got them in their jammies.  Then we went for a walk, and they really got a kick out of going in the stroller in their jammies.  

It ended up being a really nice evening with my girls.  

Andy is back to his normal shift for work, so it is just me and my girls in the evenings...they used to be stressful, but I think now that Little Dude is bigger, we are going to have a lot of fun!

I am linking up with Muffin Tin Mom.  Click over to her site to and see a bunch more cute MTM's!

MTM-Yellow

We are slowly working our way through the colors of the rainbow, with a few other themes mixed in on various weeks.  

I had a lot on my plate as far as what I needed to get done today, but feel like I didn't get anywhere with any of it today.  I am pretty pooped out from a fun weekend of garage sales with my mom, and then a busy Mother's Day yesterday.  On top of that, Big Sis woke extra early this morning, at about 6am because of a thunderstorm (she normally wouldn't wake till 8:30am at the earliest.  

1.  Apple & Eve Big Bird Juice Box.  (This was a treat, we normally serve milk with meals)

2.  Spaetzle (traditional German noodles or dumplings), tossed with Butter and Garlic

3.  Potato Salad

4.  Pineapple   

5.  M&M's--yellow

6.  Vanilla pudding with Yellow sprinkles that melted by the time I took the picture.  

They both went after the juice boxes and M&M's first.  Neither girl ate very well tonight.  I think because they were both a little grouchy from being inside all day, and also they knew after supper tonight was bath time.  My girls will choose bath time over food any time!  

Make sure to click the button on the top of the page to see more fun ideas for muffin tin meals.  

 

15 Reasons Why I Love My Husband

1.  He loves his girls more than anything. (all of us)

2.  He works so hard for his family

3.  He is my "Handy Andy":  He can build me anything I ask for.

4.  He tries to fix Big Sis's hair, even though his hands don't really work that way.

5.  He started reading books for leisure after he met me.

6.  He makes me breakfast sandwiches that are SO good.

7.  He supports my crazy money saving/earth saving/chemical reducing ideas.

8.  He doesn't play Fantasy Football.

9.  He is the kindest person I know.  

10.  He makes sacrifices every day for his family. 

11.  He has the most gorgeous eyes.

12.  He never does anything half-way, and always does things they way they should be done.

13.  He does the dishes almost every night.

14.  He has a Hockey Taz tattoo. 

15.  He makes me laugh.

 

MTM-Cinco de Mayo

We participate in Muffin Tin Monday every week, and this week we celebrated Cinco de Mayo a little early.  I thought it would be fun to have the girls try something different than our old standard tacos.  
1.  Taco Sauce

2.  Cheese Dip with a dab of sour cream

3.  Tortilla Chips

4.  Chicken Tamale

5.  Frijoles

6.  Chicken Flautas

And for dessert we had

Fried Ice Cream!  

Soy Delicious rolled in Crunchy Nut Flakes, drizzled with chocolate.  

The girls weren't super big fans of the food, but they LOVED the dessert.  

After dinner the girls were having a lot of fun. They have really started playing together a lot lately and it is so fun to watch.  

Then they started carrying their pillow around together and big sis was shouting "We're working togedder!"