Kindermusik

Earlier this week, Evie and I attended a Kindermusik class that was held as a benefit for the St. Louis Symphony. Since my daughter is quite the music lover, we had a blast!

When we arrived, there was a table full of musical instruments. We played with triangles, various percussion instruments, and shakers of all sorts. Then the real fun began!

We sang a cute welcome song, and Evie demonstrated her dancing to the class. We sang Wheels on the Bus, and I learned a few verses I didn't know before. The class made a "train" around the room, and danced to the song. Evie loved it. Every once in awhile, she got the cutest look on her face.

The instructors got out these little eggs that made a shooshing noise when you shook them. We performed the I Can Wiggle finger play, shaking our eggs, and freezing them at the appropriate part. It took a few rounds, but Evie completely understood what we were doing, and followed along.

We also played with scarves, as you can see in the pictures above. We used them to learn about opposites - waving them slowly to the music, and then quickly, waving them low and then high. Evie also got a kick out of just putting the scarf over her face and playing peek-a-boo!

All too soon, the class was over. It was a great morning of movement and music. I hope it contributes to a life-long love of music for Evie!

I Can Wiggle
I can wiggle my fingers. (Wiggle fingers)
I can wiggle my toes. (Wiggle toes)
I can wiggle my shoulders. (Wiggles shoulders)
I can wiggle my nose. (Wiggle nose)

I can stop my wiggles,
1 -- 2 -- 3 -- (Whisper)
And be as still as still can be. (Freeze)

You can also substitute other body parts like head, cheeks, elbows, or knees.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken

I've made this recipe a few times, and it's one of Chris' favorites. It's easy, yummy, and only 6 Weight Watcher Points.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken
1 package taco seasoning mix
8 oz apricot jam
12 oz chunky salsa
1 1/2 lbs chicken pieces

Arrange chicken pieces in the bottom of a Crock Pot. Mix other ingredients well and pour over chicken. Cook 5-6 hours on high.

I use chicken thighs instead of chicken pieces. The sauce cooks down and is so rich and tasty!

I usually freeze a second batch when I make this. Just place all ingredients into a one gallon freezer bag, and lay flat in the freezer. Take the bag out of the freezer and refrigerate the night before. Empty the contents right into your Crock Pot and cook as above.

Enjoy!

Blog Action Day 2008 - Poverty

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Wordless Wednesday

Nineteen Months

Sweet Evie,

You are nineteen months old today. It seems hard to believe that another month has passed already. You are growing up day by day, and it happens so quickly.

You've begun to speak much more clearly. In the last few weeks, you have gone from calling Maddy simply "Maa," to clearly saying "Maddy." You love to say "Got it!" when you pick something up. If I say ouch, you ask "Okay?" Last week, you learned to shake hands. "Meet you," you say, meaning "Nice to meet you." Instead of saying "Hi," you now say "Hello," when you talk on the phone.

You are so very independent. From climbing the stairs to putting on your shoes, you want to do it alone. If I'm in a hurry and I put shoes on your feet, you actually take them off so you can put them on again by yourself.

You love to buckle things - especially on your little stroller or your car seat. You enjoy coloring and playing with Play Dough. You got a Backyardigans guitar for our trip to Marysville and you took it everywhere with you for awhile. I've even had to change your diaper while you held onto that thing! You've recently begun to play with shape sorters, and it's fun to see your proud face when you push a shape through the right hole. You have three dolls now, and you are a good little mommy to them all. The other day you sat on the couch and held one of the dolls to your chest, patting her back. It was such a sweet moment.

You really love books. Your haul them out of the book bin and plop them down by me. Your favorites right now are Rainbow Rob and Ten in a Bed. There is a rainbow in the Rainbow Rob book, and you point right to the blue part and say "Blue!" My little genius!

Your appetite has waned a little this past month. My same-old food worries have resurfaced, and I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to get you to eat protein. Your favorite foods are edamame, corn, and candy. You ate raw corn at Aunt Shari's and now I have to keep a close eye on you when I'm shucking corn at home. If I don't, you bite right into it! You also like to eat eggs, and I always slip a little whole milk and cheese in when I scramble them. Hey, I have to sneak in calories when I can!

Your sleeping has gotten worse. It's a struggle to get you to sleep, and when you wake up in the wee hours, only the comfort of Mommy and Daddy's bed will do. I enjoy the cuddling, but Daddy doesn't sleep well with you kicking him all night.

You are still so attached to me, but lately you've been playing more on your own. I can take a shower while you play in the living room. I like the freedom, but some crazy part of me feels like you're pulling away just a bit.

I love you with all my heart. There are times when I look over at you, and I just can't believe you're mine. You are so beautiful and smart and loving. You are my best blessing, Little One.

Love, Mommy

Miss Independent

Our door bell rang before dinner tonight. It was Mia and Lilly and Sarah, and they wanted Evie to come out and play. Chris was doing most of the work grilling anyway, so out we went. I brought popsicles as an appetizer, and the girls slurped away. A few minutes later, the door opened across the street, and out came Olivia and her mom. Another popsicle, and we were having an impromptu party!

Somewhere during all of this, my phone rang. As I talked, Olivia's mom pulled our wagon from the garage for the kids. I watched Evie lug the wagon down the sidewalk, with Olivia's mom keeping a close eye on her. (I love my neighbors!)

Then I heard the ruckus. Evie was yelling and crying "No! No! No!" Olivia's mom was just trying to help Evie turn the wagon around and head back to our house. Plus, one wheel was off the sidewalk and in the grass. Evie couldn't possibly maneuver it back onto the pavement by herself.

And this was the cause for the trouble. You see, Evie wants no help. She doesn't want your help when she's washing her hands. Please don't try to help her up or down the stairs. Don't even think about PUSHING her in the stroller when we go for a walk. No, sir. She wants to push the stroller, by herself. Thank you very much, but she thinks she is grown up.

So we endure lots of frustrated crying while Evie sorts this out. Being grown up in such a little body presents a lot of trials. She can't reach things she needs, or she's not strong enough as the case was today. But she still insists on doing it herself.

Tonight I took the wagon, turned it around, and offered to let Evie pull it back to our house. Her feelings were hurt so she just walked in front of me, crying real tears. It must be difficult to want independence, but be trapped in a baby body! Her time will come...

World, watch out for this one!

Kool-Aid Play Dough

Today, Evie and I made our very own yummy-smelling Play Dough. And it was easy. Who knew?

Evie was able to help measure the dry ingredients and dump them into the bowl. I added the boiling water and kneaded the dough until it was cool enough for Evie to handle.

She really enjoyed playing! We rolled the dough out with rolling pins, cut shapes out with some of Angel Grammy's cookie cutters, and pressed forks and spoons into the dough to make pretty patterns. We stuck our fingers in the dough, pulled it apart, and cut it with a butter knife. Evie was entertained for quite awhile.

Plus, my kitchen smelled like Berry Punch all afternoon!

I halved this recipe and it still made plenty.

Kool-Aid Play Dough
2 1/2 c flour
1 c salt
3 t vegetable oil
2 c boiling water
2 packages Kool-Aid

Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add water and oil. Stir well. Knead until smooth. (Careful! Dough will be very hot at first.) Store in an air tight container.