Recipe #1: Electic Green Popsicles

I've noticed recently that I have been trying lots of new recipes.  We're trying to eat healthier and as a result, new stuff has been finding it's way to our tables.  Anyway, I thought that I could share some of the recipes with you, much like my friend Tracy does on her awesome blog.  My goal right now is to try 25 new recipes before the end of the year and let you know our takes on them. 


First recipe on the review board: Electric Green Popsicles

Popsicles are fun.  They are fun on a stick, really.  And, most of the time, they are loaded with sugar, corn syrup and a miriad of other nasties.  Even the whole fruit ones typically have added sugar.  So, I wanted to find a tasty treat that would be refreshing, healthy, and most of all, delicious.  What could be healthier than veggie popsicles?

Here's the recipe I used, adapted from the recipe on Eco Child's Play.

Electric Green Popsicles- yield: 8 Popsicles with a bit to spare

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas

1 medium pineapple (I used one cup of peaches)

2 cups spinach

Water (I used 1 cup of milk)

Blend until smooth and pour into molds. Freeze, then devour.

These were slightly bland for my taste but the manchild loved them.  If I were to do it again, I think that I would use pineapple in them, to give them a little "zing".  The pretty green color is appealing (reminiscent of lime popsicles).  While I am tempted to increase the spinach in them, I don't know that brown popsicles would be eaten with such vigor. Overall though, we'll make these again.  Lil G was pretty excited when I told him that he could have a popsicle for breakfast tomorrow :-)

Soccer

 For the past three weeks, Lil G has been doing "Sporty Spider" soccer through the parks and rec program in our home town.  It's a wonderful program because it is comprised entirely of three-year-olds.  They focus on skills, working on kicking the ball with the inside of the foot, going slowly, stopping and passing the ball.  Lil G had a blast, though there were some days that he almost didn't make it because of the heat!  It topped 90 most days when he was out playing!
 

On Thursday, Lil G had his last soccer practice, so I decided to snap some pictures to commemorate his awesome experience.  Lil G had such a great time with his sport experience that he has even asked for a soccer ball when he fills up his next sticker chart.

<-Stretching before practice

 Stopping the ball like you're "squishing a bug".

 This is a wonderful shot of Lil G falling spectacularly :-)

 Scoring a goal

Spectator Smunchie

A little blurry but this was Lil G's post goal victory dance

Bowling

 For the past few months, mealtimes have been difficult for Lil G.  He has been reluctant to try new foods and has been somewhat rude about his feelings (ie- saying "that's gross").  Enter: the sticker chart!  Lil G has been filling up sticker charts, in order to earn special activities.  It has worked like a charm!  He is pleasant at meals and tries foods without a problem (mostly).

His latest sticker chart earned him a prize that he had been requesting for weeks:  going bowling.  For weeks now, whenever we pass a bowling alley, all we hear is "Can we PUH-LEASE go bowling?" Well, he filled his chart and we hit the bowling alley on Tuesday!  He had a blast bowling for the very first time. 

 Daddy, trying to school his son on the techniques of bowling.  Lil G had his own method.

 All the cool kids keep the ball beside them on the chairs, while they wait their turn.

 Mama and Smunchie got into the bowling action.  FYI- babywearing while bowling does not improve your game.

 Sleep angel Smunchie

The final score!  I will say, I had never bowled with Spiderman before.  He wasn't too bad!

Wordless Wednesday

Papa's Birthday

 This weekend, we were able to spend some quality time with Papa and Tutu (Erin's parents), in order to celebrate Papa's birthday.  We spent pretty much the whole day outside on Papa and Tutu's new deck.  The best part was that Uncle Rodger and his girlfriend, Sarah, were down for a visit!  Lil G and Smunchie LOVE Uncle Rodger and they were super excited to play.

Smunchie hanging out on Rodger's lap. 

 Papa and Tutu got Lil G a light-up magnifier.  He was investigating EVERYTHING- leaves, the chairs, the grass, the deck.  Here, he is checking out some mushrooms.

 Rodger and Sarah brought a game of bags and Lil G had some pretty good success at getting the bags into the hole.

At some point in the afternoon, playing in the sprinklers turned into spraying each other with the hose.  Clearly, Lil G has pretty good aim.

Smunchie, enjoying "naked time" on Papa's lap.  She is always happier sans clothing

 Time to play bags as a family!

 Smunchie fell asleep in the wrap, so mama just watched the bags game.

 Lil Ham

Smunchie's Bio

 A Little Bit About

Smunchie

 Smunchie is a sweet, cuddle, vocal little girl.  She is growing into quite a wonderful little person.

Stats: 

Age: Almost 3 1/2 months

Height: Approximately 25 inches

Weight: 15 pounds, 9 ounces

Favorites:

Games: Peek-A-Boo, Toes to your Nose

Songs: Jesus Loves Me, Leaving on a Jetplane, anything with a strong bass beat

Activities: Cuddling, nursing, swinging, nakey time, napping with mama, sucking her thumb

  

Lil G's Bio

 A Little Bit About

Lil G

Lil G is a wild, zany man, with a lot to say.  He is a great kid, a kind spirit and a wackadoodle personality, all rolled into one.  

Stats: 

Age: Almost 3 1/2 years old

Height: 41 inches

Weight: 39 pounds

Favorites:

Books: Leonardo,The Terrible Monster; Dinosaurs Came with Everything; Lllama, Llama, Red Pajama; Knuffle Bunny; Hannah's Hog, Daily Devotions for Preschoolers

Movies: Toy Story, Despicable Me, The Little Mermaid, My Neighbor Totoro, Wall-E

TV Shows: Curious George, My Little Ponies, LeapFrog's Amazing Alphabet Adventures 

Games: Cootie, Candyland, Dominoes, Puzzles, Wii Bowling

Songs: B-I-B-L-E,  Five little spotted frogs, ABCs, Father Abraham

Activities: Swimming, cutting paper, playing basketball, playing soccer, riding his bike

A Few Memorable Quotes:

Mama: " Look buddy!  There's lightening outside!" 

Lil G: "Cool!  Where's Mater?"

Mama: "Did you know that I love you so much?"
Lil G: "Yes. And i know that I love you so much too!"

Mama to Smunchie: "Poor baby.  Are you trying to find your thumb?"

Lil G: "It's right there, baby girl!"

Lil G: "Mama, I am big tired tonight" (meaning that he was exhausted)

Mama: "What are you doing, lil man?"

Lil G: "Well, I'm swimming, mama. Duh" (as he scooted across the kitchen floor on his belly)

As we passed by Dairy Queen

Lil G: "HEY!  That sign has a 'D' and a 'Q' on it!  That's where we get ice cream"

Mama: "Yes, son.  That's called the DQ."

Lil G: "You know, that makes perfect sense"

Mama: "Do you think we're gonna have a great day today?"

Lil G: "Yep! I'm planning on keeping it together all day long"

  

Smunchie is three months!

 I can hardly believe it!  Smunchie is three months old already!  She couldn't be an easier baby.  She has such a great personality, only fussing when she needs something (diaper, feeding, snuggles) and she puts up with a tremendous amount of shananagans from her big brother.  She is such a wonderful addition to our family.  It's so odd to have someone who feels brand-new, and yet also feels like she's been a member of our family forever.

 This is her "what are you doing?" face

Smiley girl!

 Here is her comparison shot, to her giraffe.  She's grown so much in six weeks (since her last picture).

Swim lessons

 Lil G LOVES swimming.  Always has, most likely, always will.  This year, he was finally old enough to enroll him in swim lessons through the town.

Every day we come early so that he can play in the toddler area before his swim lessons.  He loves going down the slides and using the sprayers.

 Smunchie doesn't seem to mind hanging out at the pool either!

On Tuesday at swim lessons, it was "Diving board day".  The great thing was that Greg was able to come, since he was still off work from vacation!  So, we have some great pictures of our little dare-devil!

After he jumped off the board, Lil G waited for all of his classmates to jump as well (even the ones that were hesitant).  We were so proud of his patience!

 After lessons, we took Lil G back over to the spray area, so he could play some more. He had a blast!