Art Smarts

OK, I'm going to go into full on mommy bragging mode now. I always knew Lexi had good fine motor skills - she could spoon feed herself early, and could always grip a pencil properly. Today I caught her drawing her first actual decipherable picture of "guys." Who are "in trouble." Ah, the mind of a two and a half year old. Note the eyes, mouths, and arms.

The video got cut short due to a full memory card. I just can't bring myself to erase old pictures. And yes, I've already downloaded them to my computer. Call me sentimental I suppose.



Lexi has been doing a lot of coloring and TV watching the last few days as I have been hit hard with the flu. It came on quickly and was intense for a couple of days. The worst seems to be over and I should be able to head back to work tomorrow to the insanity of a Halloween party for twenty three 6 year olds. Don't forget the Tylenol.

Jack o' Lantern Hijinks

Making our way through the grocery store a few weeks ago, Lexi was enthralled with the large cardboard boxes of pumpkins. I brought one home (with the purpose of bringing it to school for my Grade 1 students to tie into our science unit) and Lexi enjoyed rolling it around on the floor for a few days until I brought it in to work). Last week when she was allowed to choose a treat at the store, she chose a mini pumpkin, and even wanted to sleep with it in her bed (as you would, and I'm sure a hard bumpy pumpkin stem in your back would nip that request in the bud next time). Yesterday I brought home a pumpkin to carve (our first as a family).

Normally this sort of crafty project would be my domain, but apparently jack o'lantern carving is somewhat of a sport at Doug's work come fall (complete with a free lunch to the winning team), so I let him take the lead. I agreed to be the photographer, and glad that I did as the first order of business was to cut the bottom off instead of the top, explaining that it was better stability and lighting access for the candle (brilliant!) Lexi enjoyed playing with the pumpkin "goo" and helping to pick out the seeds, which I will roast in a couple days after they have dried out. After we counted the seeds in our school pumpkin in class (176 to be exact!) I roasted them at home and brought them back for the students to eat, and they were a huge hit. I will post the recipe last in the week.





All in all "Alvin" (so named by Lexi) turned out pretty well. He'll be living inside, as I'm not really in the mood to clean up smashed pumpkin off my driveway from possible young houligans making Halloween trouble (the fireworks exploding from across the embankment out back are annoying enough). We've got a few decorations up, and are looking forward to our first outdoor trick or treating experience next weekend.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

When the afternoon light comes through the window in our bathroom just so, we often get a beautiful little rainbow splashed across our hardwood floor in the hallway. Lexi is always fascinated by it, yelling "rainbow, rainbow!" and pointing out all the colors by name.

Better Than Sex Cake

Can't wait to try this recipe care of Moms Who Need Wine. I'll let you know if it's appropriately named (wink).

BETTER THAN SEX CAKE:

Ingredients:
1 package dark chocolate cake mix
1 1/3 cups water (or as directed in cake directions)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (or as directed in cake directions)
3 eggs (or as directed in cake directions)
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 -12 ounce) container caramel topping
8 ounces frozen whipped topping (i.e. Cool Whip), thawed
2 Milk Chocolate English Toffee candy bars (i.e. Heath or Skor), crushed

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease and lightly flour 13″ x 9″ cake pan.
3. Mix cake as directed on package.
4. Bake the cake about 35 minutes or until it tests done.
5. As soon as it comes out of the oven, poke holes all over it with a fork and pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake, followed by caramel sauce. (Note, if caramel topping is thick, microwave until warm and liquid before pouring.)
6. Refrigerate overnight.
7. Before serving, spread whipped topping over cake and sprinkle with crushed candy bar bits.

Pair with your favorite dessert wine such as Port or Vin Santo.

Deer Lake, Now and Then...

It was around 2 years ago that I first started blogging, and one of my first posts was about a trip the three of us had taken to Deer Lake with an almost 5 month old Lexi. The weather was gorgeous, and we got some beautiful shots that day, including the close up of Lexi and I that was the header picture for the blog for ages. We went back today (Starbucks in hand, as you can see) to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and falling leaves on this holiday Monday. It reminded me that we have much to be thankful for this year - our beautiful house, food on our table, living in such a gorgeous city. Most of all, I am thankful for my health and my beautiful family. Hope you all find yourself with full bellies and much to be thankful for this weekend as well.

Fabulous or Fug-tastic?

I've always loved reading the quick-witted fashion review site called Go Fug Yourself. While folding laundry today, Lexi decided to try on an advant guard outfit of her own. So what do you think: fabulous, or fug-tastic?