We Play Hard

 We play at the park often. When I say play, I mean, we really play. 

When Noah was Dean's age (1 1/2yrs old) he was very timid. He didn't climb, run, jump or like to get dirty. He was calm and slow and very uncoordinated. 

 

Dean, thought, he is quick, he is daring, he loves to jump, climb, fall, roll, trip, scream, bounce, go down the up and up the down and anything that involves dirt and sweat.

Not Noah. Though he is much more comfortable with climbing, jumping and keeping his feet under him, he still is the cautious one.

 

NOTE THE HANDS

We play hard at the park these days. And no matter how long we play...it never seems to be long enough for these boys.

Curry Egg Salad

This one is a favorite in our house. This is easy, inexpensive, filling, lasts a long time in the fridge, good for any meal of the day, and so tasty!

The recipe I originally found (I think online somewhere) was very basic with about three ingredients. I added more but like all my meals, they can be simplified to accommodate what you have on hand, or offer freedom to get creative and add new vegetables or exchange one for another. For example: the nuts, use any kind you have!

Recipe:

Chop the following,
6 hard boiled eggs
1/2 red type apple
1/4 white onion
hand full of cilantro
hand full of pecans
few scallions
1/2 bell pepper
few leaves spinach

Mix the first ingredients with,
2 teaspoons Curry powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
3-4 Tablespoons Mayonnaise (we either use a home made Paleo Mayo or grape seed Mayo. Grape Seed Oil products are healthy, in my opinion, so long as they aren't heated. When heated the oil goes rancid)

We love this in lettuce cups from our garden. It is great with chips, crackers, as a sandwich, or just with a spoon or fork. We often double the recipe because it ends up being a quick go-to snack and disappears so darn fast. Also, we use curry often and have many kinds, so I use 1 teaspoon hot curry and the second teaspoon regular curry powder. Adding a dash of red pepper might be nice too.

Jesus Loves Me

 Jesus loves me, this I know

  for the Bible tells me so

little ones to Him belong 

I am weak but He is strong!

 Yes, Jesus loves me!

 Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me...The bible tells me so!

Just Like Daddy

Eric's Engine company went to Noah's preschool on Friday. It is Community Helper Month. Noah ran up to Eric screaming with excitement. He imediately shouted to his class that this was his daddy, he is a Firefighter! Noah instructed everyone to come outside with him and his daddy to see the Fire Engine. Noah was SO PROUD!

This picture shows Noah looking up at his daddy while he was talking to the class about the Engine. Noah looks just as proud as he sounded that day. He looks like his father. This is a look I hope we can see from him every day.  Noah sure loves his dad. Little does he know, he is already more like daddy then he thinks.

Notice his hand in the picture?

That hand is in a position I get angry at Eric for making in EVERY DARN PHOTO! I hate the way he makes that clasp with his thumb and pointer finger. For years it bothered me...but now,

...I kinda love it!

 Here is Noah and the 9 other students in his class with the firemen.

 The kids loved when Cane dressed in his turnouts and put his BA on

Cane is "like a giant" according to one student

 Ava loved her badge

 

All the children (yes, all) wanted hugs when it was time to go back to the classroom. Joice was so cute with her little tights on and BIG Cane giving her a hug goodbye.

 There they go...the little young toddlers watched with wide eyes and smiles as the Engine drove away with lights and siren blaring loud.

 

***I am so embarrased by my pictures. I just bought a new lens and clearly had my settings way off. Don't judge. =)

My Boys. My Life

These are my boys. 

They are the joy and the loves in my life.

I am truly blessed!

Family Photos

 We won a photo shoot in Carona Del Mar in December...perfect timing for Christmas Card photos!

 This is one of my favorite family shots

 This my favorite couples shot with my LOVE!

 Noah and Dean both have funny expressions. Ha ha!

Such is our life. All smiles. Lots of fun.

Christmas Program

 Noah performed in his first Preschool Christmas Program titled, 

"Who's Coming to our House?"

I can't even tell you how much joy we got out of this event.

 To the children, this was a huge affair. They prepared for weeks, dressed to impress, followed their teachers' every cue and used their best manners. Truly, the children may have enjoyed it, but to the parents, I can't explain...I was so proud of Noah. So so proud!

 Noah sang "Away in a Manger" and he shouted it!  He also did all the hand motions he was taught. That is part of what makes a preschool parent so proud. That their baby is growing up, a little, but enough to be taught something, remember it, perform it, and along with that he enjoyed it and was proud of himself. These little songs and gestures are examples of what will some day be biology tests and swim meets or whatever our children decide to do and be part of.

Deep into his singing and motions, LOVE IT!

 This one is when Noah finally noticed mom and dad watching. How cute is that face?

 All who joined for the evening (minus Aunti B, Uncle B and Hunter who must have ran home for bed time)

This face says, "I did it!"

One thing our pediatrician tell us, is, that during these beginning years it is most important to impress upon our children that they are the coolest thing in the world, that they matter to us, that they have no worries and just need to play and have fun. I think this night made Noah feel all those things!