Role Play

The scene:  Gizmo's bedroom, Sunday night.  Mitch, Gizmo and I are picking up toys in preparation for bed.  I grab Toto's basket, part of her Dorothy costume for Halloween.

Me:  "Gizmo, why don't you go get Toto and we can put him in his basket."

(Gizmo runs into the other room to find Toto. She runs back in.)

Me (with basket open):  "OK, Gizmo, put him in!"

Gizmo (with a sad look on her face):  "Oh, you can't take him away from me!"

(Mitch and I exchange a look and laugh, both of us immediately deciding that she has taken on her role of Dorothy for Halloween extremely seriously.)

Me:  "I'm not taking him away.  We can put him in the basket and set the whole basket on your ledge."

Gizmo (without another thought):  "OK!"

End scene.

Who knows how she'll act as "Dorothy" tomorrow night, especially when she has a sidekick in the Cowardly Lion.

Getting Her Green Thumb Early

Gizmo and I planted the garden this past spring, and we have had a little bit of success this year.  I clearly have not inherited my grandpa and dad's natural growing ability.  (It figures that the plant that grew the best was the one that I bought by accident - the serrano chile pepper. I licked one piece of a pepper, it burned my mouth, and then I promptly pulled the whole plant out.)  We did have a good lettuce crop, our asparagus patch is starting to come in, and we finally got some tomatoes this year, after attempting them for the last three years.  

We planted carrots for the first time this year, an impulse by at the garden store last spring as Gizmo declared that was what she wanted to grow.  We pulled the carrots this weekend, and while they are short because we planted them too close together, they are delicious!

Gizmo loved eating them with the green tops still on!

Gizmo's Birthday Weekend

Oh, Giana.  People use the words "spunky" and "spirited" when they meet you.  That is certainly true.  I fear you take after your aunt Kate a little too much at times, as you seem to love drama almost as much as her.  But you are kind and polite, sweet to your sister, and are smart beyond your years.

We had a get-together with family on the day of Gi's birthday, complete with tacos, presents, and cake.

(Yes, she did almost set her hair on fire.)

The following Saturday, we hosted a "snack bag" playdate, where you and a few of your friends played outside on your new swing set built by Papa and your new bounce house, among other things.

Happy 3rd birthday, Giana!

Adventures in Cooking, Part Quattro (and an explanation)

I started this (and a few other) blogs right after we had been in Illinois at the beginning of July.  When I went to upload pictures, my camera stopped working.  I finally have worked it so that the pictures are loaded onto my computer and I can continue to show you how cute and adorable my children are.  So, the series of blogs to post in the next week will essentially be summer-in-a-nutshell.  Enjoy.

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This week's challenge?  Isa's Garden Pasta Salad.  Gizmo decided one morning this is what she wanted for lunch, and luckily I had the ingredients to make a (slightly) modified version.

Gizmo loved mixing the dressing for the salad in the food processor.  She loved trying a bite of the pasta before it was cooked.  She even started devouring(!) half of a yellow pepper while I cut the other half for the salad.  Success!

Did she eat it?  What do you think?

Of course not.  Not even the yellow peppers.  Not the chicken.  Not the pasta.  What gives?  I might be done with Dora and Diego.  They are currently on my shit list.

Gonzo, however, devoured hers.

Adventures in Cooking, Part Dos

Today's cuisine?  Pirate pizza coins (also known as pizza on cut-out tortillas).

                                     

And yes, Dora was an observer during this process.  

Gizmo and I got all of the ingredients assembled and began the (much easier than the empanadas episode) process of making our little pizzas.  We topped them with pepperoni, mushrooms, red peppers, and cheese.

They looked pretty good going onto the oven, and looked almost like the book when they came out.  (How can you mess them up, really?  They're pizza.)

But would they pass the taste test?  I let Gizmo try them before lunch to make sure.

A winner!  "Mom, these are pretty good!"

To be fair, she did pick off the mushrooms initially, and then picked everything off but the cheese and pepperoni at lunch, so I'm not calling it a total success.  We did also make a "rainbow smoothie" with mango and strawberry that she only received lukewarmly at lunch.  Her reaction to the smoothie?  "It's not very smooth."

I think we might try a breakfast frittata next week.....Gizmo's been awfully picky about veggies lately, so I'm trying to get them into her any way I can.

Adventures in Cooking, Part One

A few weeks ago, I ordered the "Dora and Diego" cookbook so that Gizmo and I could cook up some mean (and healthy) breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.  I let her choose the first item to create, and she picked Dora's Empanadas.  

In my opinion, this recipe was entirely too in-depth, as we had to cook the broccoli, grate carrots, then roll out dough, cut out circles, fill them with broccoli, carrot, and cheese, then fold over and seal.  Gizmo had a great time, as the rolling out of dough was her favorite part. 

After 12-15 minutes of impatient waiting, our final product was finished -

We had them for lunch with dipping sauce (Dora calls for salsa, but we only had sour cream - a much finer dipping sauce, I believe).  After all that work, here was Gizmo's reaction:

She was underwhelmed, and after one bite, she declared, "I don't like empanadas".  Gonzo, however, thought they were the greatest thing since her rice cereal earlier that morning:

Today's cooking adventure was much simpler - chocolate pudding with crushed up chocolate chip cookies and whipped cream on top.  Gizmo didn't have much trouble eating that for a snack today....

SPRING BREAK! Day 1

On Saturday I took Gizmo to an easter egg hunt in our district. Even though my friendly weatherman told me it would be a beautiful day, it was cold enough for Gizmo to wear her winter coat and hat. (She elected not to wear her mittens so that she could grab more eggs and candy.)

The drive to the soccer fields: 15 minutes. Waiting in the cold for the air horn to blow? 10 minutes. The time to actually "find" the eggs and pick up the candy? 5 minutes. Waiting to leave the parking lot to run errands? 20 minutes.

She didn't care. Look how proud of her loot she is!

In other spring break news, we bathed the children together for the first time, and both kids and parents survived. Today we had a fun day of our ECFE class ("Mommy! You get to take me today!") and a not-so-fun nap time battle, which I am proud to say that I won.

Christmas in....March?

Today Gizmo started singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". I'm not quite sure why - she hadn't been watching or reading "A Charlie Brown Christmas", and in fact just last night we discussed that Christmas was Over because she was singing a different Christmas song.

It has not stopped her from belting out the song at the top of her lungs while she was taking her bath tonight. If you can figure out some of her alternate lyrics, I'd be impressed.

Today's Cute Brought to You By Puff the Magic Dragon

Saturday Morning's Conversation

The Scene: This morning, our living room. Gizmo and Gonzo are in the downstairs living room playing after breakfast. Tina refills her coffee cup, then joins the girls. Mitch is still in bed. The TV is tuned to Uncle Boston's morning show.

Gizmo: I want to watch a DVD. Hello Kitty.

Tina: We can watch Hello Kitty after Uncle Boston's show and after you've gotten dressed for the day.

Gizmo: I want to watch it now! I don't want to watch Uncle Boston!

Tina: Too bad.

A few minutes later.....

Tina: Gizmo! Curious George is on TV with Uncle Boston!

There is, in fact, someone in a Curious George costume who is plugging PBS and their fundraiser this weekend. The lady goes on to talk about how there will be a meet-and-greet with Clifford the dog tomorrow.

Boston: I have two nieces who I have no doubt would enjoy the event.

Boston's Co-Host: Well, Boston, we know what you'll be doing tomorrow!

Boston: Yes, I guess we do.

Gizmo (in her VERY excited voice): Uncle Boston is going to take me to go see Clifford!!

Tina: Yes, he said he is! He said it on TV, he has to do it!

Tina immediately sends Boston a text message letting him know what he's done.

Gizmo: Daddy! (Mitch has just entered the room) Uncle Boston is going to take me to see Clifford!

Mitch: Well, we'll have to check with Uncle Boston to see if he's available to take you.

Gizmo: I don't want to watch Uncle Boston anymore.

End scene.

The First Snowfall of the Season

Yesterday the snow started flying for the first time in the Twin Cities. Our weatherman let us know we'd be receiving 1-3 inches starting around lunchtime, and as the first flakes fell we got the fireplace going and marveled at the winter wonderland taking shape outside.

By the time Gizmo woke up from her afternoon nap, there were two inches laying on the ground, and she was ready to don her snow gear to play for the first time.

Mitch helped her get dressed....

....but she was a little apprehensive about walking in her new boots. (They are a bit big, but bought that way so we can hopefully get two years of wear out of them!)


Gonzo and I stayed inside where it was warm and watched Gizmo play.


Gizmo had a great time outside walking around and trying to "squish" the snow. Sadly, the snow was not good for snowballs. They weren't out long, as she declared it "was too dawk to play outside" since it was dusk.

P.S. Remind me of how happy I was about this snow in February, please. I won't think it's so pretty then.

Instead of Folding Six Loads of Laundry, I Decided to Blog

It's been a while since I've sat down to blog, and we here at Casa Fifty Below have been enjoying the beautiful summer-like weather we've been having in the northland. We know all too soon the snow will be on the ground, so we've taken advantage of the 80+ temps and have been outside! (I am a little annoyed that I am running the air conditioner in October, though....)

Here's what's new -

Gonzo has been growing like a weed. Her Snooki poof of hair is starting to calm down, but she is developing a serious bald spot on the back of her head. Luckily, her hair is long enough to cover it up. She is getting her first haircut tomorrow. She's also sitting up like the big six-month-old that she is. And by big, I mean big. She is in the 95th percentile for her weight. Gonzo loves her some rice cereal! Just last week Gonzo's first bottom tooth broke through, and the second tooth will be through before the end of the day tomorrow. She is, by far, the happiest baby I've ever encountered. Gonzo's favorite thing to do is to watch her big sister, and anytime Gizmo flashes a smile Gonzo's way, she lights up in a way that makes my heart soar. She is in one word - adorable.


Mitch and I made a whirlwind trip to Illinois last weekend to celebrate Homecoming at the University of Illinois.


We had not been on campus in four years, and while a lot has changed, there were a few things that still stayed the same.

Still the same - Mitch and I have a great time together. Man, was it nice to get away!
Different - we are not as young as we used to be. Staying up until 3am, then getting up early to go to the game means that we go to bed by 10:00 on a Saturday night. I think we are both still paying for the trip.


Different - the stadium. The renovations look fantastic! Also different - the team inside the stadium. The Illini are 6-0. Are you kidding me? We saw a great game against Northwestern, although the Illini tried their best to lose it.


Still the same - the squirrels on the quad are as brave as ever. Seriously, I was so close to one I could have petted it. (I know that seriously grosses you out, Mrs.)

Still the same - I love drinking beer at Murphy's. I mean love.


Different - the Marching Illini have a new director, who is doing a great job. Also different - my former MCHS students are all grown up! Several of them march at Illinois, and I was fortunate to catch up with a few of them after the game. I am beyond proud of them.


Today we went to Stillwater to the apple orchard. It was a beautiful day, and Gizmo was worn out from all of the activities. She rode the "Honeycrisp Express", and while she was excited at first, as soon as it started to move she began to cry. I walked alongside, holding her hand.


(Side note - while I don't mind paying the $2 for my kid to ride in a barrel behind a tractor, these people must be making money hand over fist with this racket!)

Gizmo also had a great time in the tractor area - her first experience in riding on a John Deere toy tractor! She had fun trying to chase Lil' Missy, although she quickly realized that she was far too fast for her.


I am loaded up with apples and am looking forward to making apple crisp, apple salad, apple sauce, apple pie, apple scones, and everything apple.

Until next time.....