Funny. And serious.

We were driving in the car yesterday morning, and Zachary was pretending to be a baby.

(Background: When I was pregnant with Z, a coworker nicknamed me "pooch" since I had a really cute little pooched out belly. That is, until I hit 22 weeks & couldn't stop from eating...it all went downhill from there. So, Marc decided to continue the tradition of "pooch" when I was pregnant with Kenna--he always told Z "Kenna's in the pooch.")

Back to the story. So Z was pretending to be a baby, then he said "Mom, I was in the pooch when I was a baby just like Kenna was." I said, "Yes, buddy, you were." Then Z said, "Mom, then I got in my helicopter & I flew right out of the pooch!"

I wish it would have been that easy.


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Signs of Southernness:

Me, after hearing Z rummage around in the kitchen: "Z-man, whatcha doing over there?"

Z: "Mom, I'm just fixin' ta use the mixer."


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Some of Z's favorite new "big boy" things he can do now:

• He pees standing up. This one is just weird for me. You know, never having stood up to pee & all that. But he sure is proud of it.
• He drinks from a regular cup all the time.
• He can get his own spoon of peanut butter. This one--a bit dangerous. Nothing like finding a spoon of peanut butter on the couch when you sit down. Hasn't happened yet, but I can see it coming...
• He can almost dress himself all the way. And not a moment too soon, as far as I'm concerned.
• He has such an imagination. He says all the time, "Mom, I'm going to get in my ambulance, and drive to Lowe's (his favorite store), and take back your blue chopper & your white mixer and get a white chopper & a black mixer." First of all....he'd make great time getting to Lowe's. Second....when did this kid learn about returning stuff to the store? I think I've only returned 1 thing in his presence.
• He can out-talk any girl or woman I know. With real, actual conversation. Marc said yesterday Z woke him up by talking. Marc timed it & Z talked for 6 minutes straight without stopping. And you wonder why I need a few hours off... :)
• He loves God. He's learned 3 Bible verses (with references)...and can actually tell you how they apply to his life. My favorite is hearing him say, "God loves me SOOO much He sent His Son Jesus. John Free Sixteen." When you think about it, I guess it really is "John Free Sixteen." Doesn't get any "free-er" than that.
• He knows what ingredients go in whatever we're baking. I asked him, "How do we make chocolate chip cookies?" He says, "Butter, sugar, eggs...then vanilla. Flour...." Have I mentioned how in love I am?
• When asked what music he'd like to listen to, he chooses from the following: Praise the Lord music (otherwise known as Crystal Lewis "A Joyful Noise" kids CD), Sara Groves (yes, he actually says Sara Groves!), Zachary's music (a concoction of classical music, mostly the soundtrack from the movie Rudy), or Mosh Music (Stavesacre...Christian alternative).

I just know you love him more now that you know all this stuff! Right?

Now I lay me down to sleep...

"...I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

Oh, and God? Please help me remember the following picture in a few years when my brother won't stop tormenting me. Thanks."

He is a beautiful little thing, isn't he? (He was copying me--I use a headband like this when I exercise. You should see him copying me exercise--even funnier!)

Let's get real.

I'm on an adventure. A journey, if you will. Come, walk with me.

I think it's gonna be a blast.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

One of our favorite ways to use up zucchini before it goes bad. (Not necessarily the healthiest, though!)

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1/2 c butter or margarine
1/2 c oil
1 & 3/4 c sugar
~~Cream the above well~~
Add 2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c sour cream or buttermilk (I also use milk in a pinch)

In a separate bowl, mix the following dry ingredients:
2 & 1/2 c all purpose flour
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 & 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Grate 2 medium zucchini (washed & don't peel it); you should end up with around 2 cups grated zucchini.

Add dry ingredients & zucchini alternately to creamed butter/sugar mixture until well blended. Add 1/2 package chocolate chips to batter & mix well.

Pour batter into 9x13 pan. Top with 1/4-1/2 bag chocolate chips. Bake in 350 degree oven for 40-45 min or until toothpick comes out clean.

I often use a 9x9 pan; bake for around 50-60 min, checking often for doneness.

Laugh it up

I'm finally uploading some videos from my new FLIP video camera. It does take awhile to upload, so I've been putting it off.

Here is Marc getting Kenna to laugh a bit.

And (if I remember correctly!) this video is of Z getting Kenna to laugh. She's just started laughing in the past few weeks & it's still hit & miss--we never know what's going to tickle her!

A good deal

On a whim, I swung by the KARM thrift store on the way home today. Look at this! A beautiful, 3-story dollhouse for my daughter (complete with pieces, including that cool grand piano at Z's left):


(I say daughter because my son is pictured here. Cut him some slack--it's a new toy. Anyone would be excited. Plus someone has to play with it til Kenna gets older, right?)

And check out that price tag: $9.99! I believe this originally retailed for somewhere around $65-$70. Even better: When I got up to the checkout, they had me draw a ticket for a % off my bill for a customer appreciation event they were having. Boy, was I appreciative--I got a 25% discount! So this beauty cost me a whole $7.50.

Just had to share that great deal with all of you! Thanks for indulging me.

Kielbasa Soup

I'm participating in a Comfort Food recipe swap over at Life as Mom. Head over there & check out some of the recipes!

This is probably my hubby's most favorite thing that we eat. It's one of the few soup recipes that I cook all through the year & not just during the fall/winter. Hope you enjoy!

Kielbasa Soup (makes 6 servings)

1/2 lb fully cooked kielbasa, diced
6 med potatoes, peeled & cubed
2 c frozen corn
1 can chicken broth (about 2 cups)
1 celery rib, sliced
2 carrots, peeled & sliced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
2/3 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp dried parsley (or 1 tsp minced fresh parsley)

In a large saucepan, brown kielbasa, drain. Set kielbasa aside. In the same pan, combine potatoes, corn, broth, celery, carrot & seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover & simmer for 15 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add milk, cheese, parsley and kielbasa. Cook & stir over low heat until cheese is melted & soup is heated through. (Be careful not to boil after adding cheese/milk or the cheese will separate.)

This is actually the first time I have looked at the recipe card in a really long time. I usually just use however much of each of these ingredients I have on hand & I always make a double batch because it goes fast. It's a really flexible recipe!