7.08.2010

More than Grandpa Pete?

We were walking home from a quick round of baseball in the park (can you believe it has been too rainy for us to be outside instead of too hot?) when the following conversation occurred:

Zach: Mom, you are my favorite.
Me: Well thanks Zachy.
Rick: Zachy she is your only mom so she has to be your favorite.
Zach: Well,  she is my most favoritest out of all girls.
Me: All the girls? (I was finding it hard to believe I am preferred over Izzy)
Zach: Out of everyone.
Me: Everyone?
Zach: Even Grandpa Pete.
Me: Even Grandpa Pete?
Long pause...
Zach: Grandpa Pete is the bestest but you are right next to him.

I think that  means  I come second to Grandpa Pete and honestly I am fine with taking second behind him.

7.06.2010

Tomatoes

Our garden has almost reached its end but thanks to Hurricane Alex, I think it may hold out for a at least another week. We had a bumper crop of jalapenos, eggplant, basil, and tomatoes. I experimented with green beans but they didn't last long. I think I need to plant them earlier or at least start the seeds inside. I also didn't get around to pumpkin or watermelon this year due to space issues but I have some plans to prep a spot this fall for next year.

I had to take these shots from the back door because I didn't want to interrupt the cuteness. You can't really see the tomatoes or peppers that they picked but while the veggies taste good they aren't as cute as these two.


7.04.2010

Cooking with the Boys

A while back, Nana and Grandpa rocked Zach's world when they sent him Star Wars cookie cutters. We made them and I just never got the photos posted. I let the boys decorate this round (sorry, no photos but safe to say there was a lot of frosting and sprinkle on each cookie). I admit to be excited to try another batch and use my Central Marketing cookie decorating skills. Maybe after our vacation.




JT's French Toast

JT came home from a bike ride run with me and offered to make breakfast. On his own he created the following recipe:

4 eggs
some milk
almond extract (b/c I didn't have any vanilla)
some bread
some crushed Captain Crunch

Follow the basic French Toast recipe but after you dip it in the egg mixture you then dip it in Captain Crunch. You then cook as you normally would. He rocked his made up recipe and we are looking forward to his next creation.




The Scrambled States of America Game


At the end of the school year Izzy gave the boys a treat (she calls them sussies - honestly, I have never asked why). JT got The Scrambled States of America Game. We have another state game that the boys like so I admit I was worried that two state games would be too many for them. Silly me. The boys took to this game instantly. As is typical, JT dove in and played endlessly while Zach sat back and watched. After a few days, Zach finally jumped in and now he won't stop.
The game is simple. Everyone had 5 state cards. You flip over a challenge card and everyone has to see who can answer first. The challenges are as simple as "State that starts with an A" to some ones that take a little more time, like "State whose capitol has at least 4 syllables." There is also the boys favorite, Go the Distance Challenge. You flip a state card and then evereyone has to decide who has a state that is the closest. It really is good fun and since the boys aren't reading this I will add educational. We have a good time talking about who we know that live in the various states, which states we have been to, and where we want to go.
Zach carries this game all over the house and whenever he notices that you aren't involved in an actitvity he will ask you to play the state game. I was reading the boys a book last night and I caught Zach playing a round of the state game with Cora the cat. Zach has a few tricks with this game, he likes to always have Texas. If he doesn't set the cards up to ensure he gets Texas, he will request that whoever has Texas trade with him.
A few nights ago, Zach came in to our bed. He figeted for a while and then annouced. "Dad, I just can't sleep. I am too busy thinking about all the states I want to go visit."
Me: "Which state do you want to go visit first?"
Zach: "Rhode Island"

Thanks Izzy for such a great game!

Fuism

Zach: Mom, I know how to spell easy.
Me: Really? How do you spell it?
Zach: E - Z!