Playing Doctor

I came downstairs to find Jade doctoring Cutter's leg

 she told me "it's okay, I'm fixing Cutter, he has a hurt bone."

 It was better in under an hour! amazing!

Tumwater Falls

After our Burfoot hike, we decided we needed to hit up another beautiful walk. Rain was projected to last for a week or more starting the very next day...so I wanted to fit in as much sunshine as possible

Here we are at Tumwater Falls. It's a beautiful, easy, walk taking you past the falls that ends the Deschutes River

 we also got a chance to peek at the many tiny baby salmon in the facilities hatchery

Burfoot Park

It's spring break for most of our friends here in Washington, and while our homeschooling didn't remember to schedule a "spring break" we've been taking it pretty easy on the academic side of things. But eductation doesn't stop just because we close our books. Today we took a pretty hike the the green and lush "Burfoot Park" easy hiking trail. We were able to spot many exciting things, but my children's favorite were the white trillium flowers we found along the path.

 Jade worried we would get lost on our hike, so I assured her, if we did, we could most likely survive eating these pretty flowers until someone came to find us. hee, hee

 There were only two hiking options 1. a loop or 2. go to the beach and then loop back around. We chose to go to the beach:)

 I took a picture of these yellow calla lilly looking plants for my Mother, I thought she'd appreciate the beautiful foliage. :)

 First they were at the egde

 and then they began to go deeper. 

 Heading back...

 some of the steps required Cutter to use his whole body to get up. It was quite the workout for him.

 After a picnic at the park play area and bubbles at home, it was time for naps for the big kids.

While they started their naps I pulled our the trusty excersaucer. Jocelyn has grown to long for her baby bouncer. I cleaned up this bad boy and she's been playing away for a good 15min. Best $5 I ever spent at a garage sale. All three of my babies have loved this toy!

Bubbles

Grandma M sent Cutter money for his birthday and today we had some free time to go to Target and find a few treasures. He first found a Knight with a horse to ride that had a bow and arrow that shot out plastic arrows. Pretty cool. Then he found this bubble blowing machine.  I was a bit skeptical at first, after all it did require 6 *gasp* AA batteries. But man...did it deliver...fun for an hour outside I say equals a success!

 Even Jocelyn got in on the bubble blowing fun!

 every time a bubble would touch her face she'd start blinking rapidly, it was pretty funny :) 

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Mangione!

Easter Egg Hunt in Leavenworth, WA

Some friends of ours let us join them on a weekend excurision to beautiful Leavenworth. There we stayed in a large cabin on Fish lake with beautiful scenery and snow! hee, hee Easter morning egg hunt was a memorable one! 

Children waiting for the Dad's to finish hiding the eggs

Jade sneaking down to the fire pit

 The three youngest (not including Jocelyn, of course) heading out!

Cutter was quite the collector

 Jade enjoyed finding them hidden in the snow

 here is a partial view of the cabin

 there were eggs filled with candy and then candy eggs! Jade found a chocolate egg

me and my oldest girlie

our majestic car! haha! jk, Cutter found an Easter egg

 A view down to the dock

My Cutter butter having a ball! 

Daddy helping him across some of the icy snow

Jade and Drew, chocolate egg hunting masters! 

Memories were made, egg hunt a success!

taking a walk

My little ones, like most small children, love to pick dandelions for me when we are on walks. Running to me eagerly to show me the special flower they just picked. I love it and  save every single one. For a day. 

But on our most recent walk, I found my kiddos saving their favorite dandelions for themselves. Cutter was softly stroking his face with his dandelion saying "ummm that is soft"

 and Jade made herself a "beautiful bouquet". *sigh* my flower children :)

Oven pancakes on a Saturday morning

This morning I woke up to the sound of the blender crazily attacking some helpless food form. I assumed my darling husband was whipping me up one of my healthy green shakes (spinach, frozen cherries, frozen pineapple, flax seed, protein powder and water...yum!)

I took my time stretching and wiggling my toes before joining him in the kitchen. But instead of a cup of my gloppy goodness, I found warm, buttery, puffed up pancakes. Oven Pancakes *eye lashes fluttering...about to faint*

Not exactly the health boost I was anticipating. 

These babies are a cinch to make. All you need is a blender and a pre-warmed 9x13 pan 

melt 1/4 cup of butter in a 9x13, in the oven at 425

While that is melting whirl together 4 eggs until well blended, maybe a min or so. Slowly add 1 cup of milk and then 1 cup of flour. Remove pan and pour batter over the melted butter. 

Let bake for about 20min or until puffy, browned and delicious!!!

The options for topping these wonders of nature are endless. One of my favorites are sautéed apples in cinnamon and honey (or sugar). But add a bit of maple syrup and a light dusting of powdered sugar and you may just die and go to heaven. 

 Enjoy!

Easter Cookies

While my darling children were taking their naps I decided to surprise them with some sweet little Easter egg cookies.

These aren't just Easter egg cookies , these are Easter egg cookies that are competing with the pretty yellow ones displayed at Panera for the past month and a half. I promised my Jadey girl that I could make ones just as good, if not better, and for a quarter of the cost.

I'm pretty sure I nailed that. hee, hee

Sugar Cookies:
2.5 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
.2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 cup sugar
.5 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix softened butter, sugar and egg and vanilla till light and fluffy.  Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to butter mixture until just combined. Roll in a ball, wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

Roll out and cut into desired shapes. These are 3" Egg shaped cookie cutters. Made 20
Bake at 375 for 8-10 min. Let cool completely before icing

Royal Icing:
4 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
6-8 tablespoons water

mix until stiff peaks form.

For icing decorations, I'd recommend searching Pinterest for "Easter Egg Cookies" you'll get TONS of inspiration. Its was a bit overwhelming for me actually.

Cutter's Dinosaur Party

I had promised myself that I wouldn't throw Cutter a birthday party. But after seeing his eyes light up with joy and wonder while prepping for Jade's birthday party back in January. I just couldn't say no to him. 

We threw him a dinosaur inspired party, complete with dino named punch and food(s)

 Pachyrhinosaurus Punch

 Velociraptor Veggies (which is funny since I don't think Velociraptors eat veggies)

 Fruitadens Fruit Tray (Fruitadens are real - I checked!)

Parasaurolophus Peanut Butter and Jelly

and more! 

 Dino cake and dino foot print goodie bags :)

 For fun and games the kids searched for "baby dinosaur eggs" and we beat up a T-Rex for food!

All in all I'd say it was a success and my little three year old was thrilled. Love my big boy! Thank you Lord for blessing me with this precious one! Can't imagine life without him!