Friday Night = Pizza Night

For several years now, Friday nights equate to pizza and movie night. When the boys were younger and I had been working and was tired, we'd order a pizza and rent a movie. But as the boys have gotten older, they've really enjoyed making their own pizzas, with the toppings they like the most. This year, we've branched out and made pizza boats (made out of french bread), which Aaron made quite a bit while on his mission to Spain. A few weeks ago, I pulled out pizza's I remember having as a kid: English muffin sliders (as Aaron calls them). These have become quite the hit - and Mason and Zach love to have contests to see who can eat the most sliders! The boys even get into it seeing how creative they can get with how their sliders look! Once we all create a slider, we sit down to watch the movie. Tonights selection: Oliver! Gotta love a classic!

Pretty Poser

Arie is now 7 months old! She can now clap her hands, she is scooting forward (versus backward), she can sit up, and she's starting to eat some solid-type foods. But this is the latest and greates "can-do". She loves to lay on her side with her arm resting on her hip, and pose for us! It just cracks us up! Whatever did we do for fun before having kids? I'm not thinking she's going to grace the covers of Cosmo, but if there were a BabyVogue - she'd be March's cover model!

YUCKY!

A few weeks ago, we started Arie on veggies! It's kinda the next step in her progression, and I gotta say, I was a bit excited! The first time I fed Mason food, I got the full, 3 course meal (in Gerber jars): chicken, green beans, sweet potatoes & applesauce! He yummed it all up and I felt confident that I was the worlds best mother! Then I spoke with his pediatrician, and he just about flipped! He informed me that I was to start with only one food at a time, and that foods like chicken should be very last. So, Zach came along. I learned from Mason, and chose only sweet potatoes for his first big meal! I was so proud, and he yummed it all up! Again, I visited with his pediatrician and informed him of my reformed ways. However, instead of praise, I was chastised! It's better to start babies on veggies - like green beans, instead of something sweet. Okay, so, third times a charm, right? WRONG! I did buy green beans, and only one jar at that! I also bought one jar of carrots. However, as you can tell, it didn't go over quite so well. One bite of the green beans and Arie was gagging and doing the shimy-shake! You mom's know that move, right? So, green beans were out! Next the carrots (to heck with what doctors say!). That's a big NOPE on the carrots. Same gagging and shaking. However, that night we happened to be having steamed carrots for our dinner. Aaron promptly squished some of his up and fed Arie, to which she gulped down and wanted more! WHAAAT! Needless to say, she doesn't like canned food, only freshly steamed. So, I've struck out three times - (and I won't be getting any more at-bats!) But, it's kinda fun to make her food for her, and it's a lot healthier, so it's a good thing!

Fun Day

To celebrate President's Day - we decided to do some bowling and eat out - isn't that what President George Washington would do, afterall? It's been a super long time since any of us bowled - and it showed. We mostly just laughed at ourselves and had a good time. Thanks to bumpers, Zach was the big winner with a two-game score of 153! He's was pretty proud of himself and felt sure that if there was an Olympic sport for bowling, he'd be the proud bearer of a gold medal! When I informed him that if it were an Olympic sport, bumpers would not be allowed, he suggested that he just stick with baseball! Great idea! Afterwards, we let the boys choose the place to eat dinner - it was a unanimous decision: Red Robin (yum!) And just so you are aware - we do not eat from the kids menus anymore! Oh no! Instead, both boys eat from the adult menu - and lick the platter clean. Wanna guess why we don't eat out much? It was a great day! I love spending time with my boys (oh, and my girl too!)

Camp-in, sleep-out

We just came off a week break at school, for the boys. These week breaks after 10 weeks in school are genius! It's a good break, but not too long, and the boys are usually ready to go back and get back to work! The Friday night of the break, the boys decided they wanted to do a camp-out in the front room, watch movies, eat popcorn, and stay up late! It always does my heart good when the boys want to do things together. So it was done. Zach set-up his shark tent, Mason opted for the couch, Indiana Jones was the chosen movie, and the popcorn had extra butter! The boys rolled their eyes when I whipped out the camera, but I can't help it! I know that these are the times I will want to look back on and remember! And even though they don't believe me now - they will look back fondly on these memories as well!

Happy Day!

We like cooking shows at our house (I think it's my boys way of trying to get me to be a better cook!) Mason got us all hooked on Man v. Food (it's an homage to gluttony - and it's a bit like a car crash - you just can't help but look!) But the greatest fascination is a little show called Cake Boss. We watch it on Monday nights, usually with some kind of pastry, since the show has a tendancy to make you VERY hungry! Because of the show, my boys have been introduced to such foreign pastries as cannoli's and lobster tails! The show takes place in Hoboken, New Jersey, so it's a forgone conclusion that we would never partake in one of Buddy's goodies (he's the actual "Boss")! However, my Dad often travels to New Jersey on business. And he took a day to go to Carlo's Bakery and buy an array of pastry delights. He then surprised my boys with a box of goodies for each of them for Valentines Day. He also bought each of the boys an apron - which has already been put to good use quite a bit! It was a great surprise! And, let me just add, that if you are EVER in Hoboken and craving a good cannoli - you won't do any better than Carlo's - they were the BEST I've ever had! Thanks Papa! We love you!