Christmas

Here are some pics from Christmas day.With their cousin, Ashley.Here are some pics from the day after Christmas. The boys loved playing with their cousins.Carissa in her strawberry getup. My mom made this for me when I was little. I recently found it and thought it would go great with the strawberry teaset we'd already gotten Carissa for Christmas. Carissa is holding the strawberry teapot (and the brush from her "purse").

Christmas cookies

This year I have given up on making decorated sugar cookies. For one, I'm just too lazy to roll out dough and then use cookie cutters. For two, Josiah can't have colored sugar or sprinkles and the naturally colored ones are really expensive. So, this year I decided to make some cookies that the boys could help with but do not require colored sprinkles. Here are what we have made so far.

Peppermint Cookies

These were a big hit!! I used natural candy canes, organic shortening, and white whole wheat flour.

"Chocolate" Chip Cookies

I used the Toll House recipe for pan cookies and substituted carob chips since Josiah can't have chocolate. I also substituted white whole wheat flour for the all purpose flour.

Snickerdoodles

This is a family recipe that I remember doing when I was a child. This recipe is similar to my grandmother's. The difference is we roll the cookies in cinnamon and sugar! I also used organic shortening and white whole wheat flour.

Happy 4th Birthday, Caleb!!

Here are some pics from Caleb's birthday. I can hardly believe that is was four years ago when we were surprised with Caleb 8 days before Christmas. I still remember family members saying, "But I've already finished Christmas shopping" when we told them we were getting Caleb. It was really hard that first year, but what a great Christmas surprise!!

Caleb's Christmas program

Here are pics from Caleb's Christmas program and Happy Birthday Jesus party. Caleb was a little confused about who the bday party was for since it was actually on his own birthday.

Singing Jingle Bells.Hearing the Christmas story.With his best friend at school, Noah.Caleb's angel table decoration.

Gingerbread House

Here is our attempt at a gingerbread house this year. I think an engineer would say that it is structurally unsound. But it is still standing and the boys had fun!

Savannah trip

This post is long overdue. Here are a few pics from our trip to Savannah in November. We were able to see the Boatrights, Moodys, Grosses, and Gilreaths, but with so many kids I don't think any of us got out our cameras. We'll have to do better next time.

Here are the boys watching a movie on the DVD player (which we said we would never get, but has been one of the best gifts) while their sister naps.

Carissa's new words

Bops
Grammy
down
ball
Minnie

Carissa's new words

hi

out

no

nana (banana)

Today at Walmart on the tp aisle suddenly Carissa starts barking like a dog. I'm wondering why she is doing this until I spot this...

Then she starts saying, "Baby, baby, baby, ..." Low and behold, this is what I find next.

Then I hear, "Bear, bear, bear, ..." And you'll never guess which brand was next.

Family Pictures

While in Savannah for Popie's 90th bday party, we had family pictures taken with my family. Laura Henderson of Henderson Squared did an excellent job! If you are in Savannah, definitely check her out.Here are 4 generations! My grandmother, Janis, my mother, Carol, me, & Carissa.

These two pictures capture Josiah and Caleb's relationship beautifully!

Carissa's new words

oh, wow
'Siah
bye-bye

Carissa's new words

all done
baby (with the sign)

Muffins!

This morning I've been baking muffins to put in the freezer to easily pull out for breakfast on school mornings. Both recipes have high protein in them since protein is good for the brain, helping it to learn more easily.

Almond Butter Muffins

1 cup almond butter

1 egg

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1T almond extract

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

1 T baking powder

1/3 cup ground flaxseed

Preheat oven to 375*. Grease muffin cups or use liners.

With mixer, blend almond butter, eggs, & sugars. Add milk in 3 parts. Add almond extract. Add flour, baking powder, & flaxseed. Mix just until flour disappears. Spoon into muffin cups and bake 20 min. or until tester comes out clean. Leave in cups for 5 min., then turn out onto cooling rack.

(This recipe is modified from a peanut butter muffin recipe, but since Josiah can't have pb for 2 weeks we tried almond butter. They turned out great.)

Sausage Muffins

2 cups white whole wheat flour

3/4 cup bread flour

1/3 cup ground flaxseed

2 1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1 t salt

1/2 t onion powder

1 1/2 cups grated swiss cheese, divided

1 egg

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/2 pound sausage, browned like ground beef

Preheat oven to 375*. Grease muffin cups or use liners and spray with non-stick spray.

Whisk together flours, flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, salt, & onion powder. Add 1 1/4 cups swiss cheese, mixing to coat.

In separate bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, and melted butter. Add to flour mixture and stir until all is moistened. Stir in sausage.

Scoop batter into muffin cups. Sprinkle with remaining swiss cheese. Bake for 25-27 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Let sit in pan for 5 minutes then turn out onto cooling rack.

(This recipe is modified from the Ham and Cheese Rye Muffins from the King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking cookbook.)

Carissa's new words

Hot
Eat (along with the sign)
Bear

Trip to the allergist

Yesterday Josiah had his big trip to the allergist to be tested. We got no big surprises for the environmental allergens. He is slightly allergic to some trees, some grasses, mildew, dust mites, cats, and dogs. He was also tested for food allergens because we suspected there might be some along with his food sensitivities and also wondered if foods were an asthma trigger. We found out that he is slightly allergic to English walnuts, peanuts, and baker's yeast! The peanuts and baker's yeast were a huge surprise. He eats a peanut butter and honey or jelly sandwich everyday for lunch (since he can't eat the school lunches). The doctor explained that these are slight allergies. They aren't life threatening. Josiah doesn't need an epi-pen. But the doctor wants us to take Josiah off of peanuts and baker's yeast for the next 2 weeks and then introduce them separately. We are to watch for any signs of a reaction, whether this is behavioral, nasal, or asthmatic.

So, I went to Whole Foods today to find something for his lunches to replace the PB sandwich. I found cashew, almond, and soy butter. Josiah said he wanted to try the cashew butter. Finding a yeast-free bread was another matter. Even gluten-free breads use yeast. So, I ended up with some tortillas/wraps.

After I got home, I did some research online on baker's yeast allergies. I found out that there are lots of different kinds of yeast. Josiah was only tested for baker's yeast which is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This is the most commonly used yeast in breads. I found out that the yeast that is naturally made in the starter for sourdough bread is not the same. Thankfully, Josiah likes sourdough. I also found online a recipe for a wheat bread that uses baking soda to make it rise.

The doctor wants to start Josiah on allergy shots once a week. He also suggested we try cutting an adult Singulair in half since Josiah reacts to the "inactive" ingredients in the children's chewable.

Overall, Josiah did great at the allergist. He got 60 things tested on his back. Thankfully, they did not use needles!

Batman, Robin, Catwoman, Superman, Wonderwoman, & Spiderman

Batman, Robin, & CatwomanWith Ms. Lou & Maggie

Lining up for the neighbohood parade.

Caleb with his two best friends, Ethan (Spiderman) and Sam (Superman)Josiah with his girl, Ellie (Wonderwoman)All of us having pizza.Trick or treating at Mrs. Patti's house.