Comfort Food = Home Made Chicken Pot Pie

With the days getting shorter, the weather colder, and everyone with the sniffles, I thought it was time for some comfort food. I made a homemade chicken pot pie using a recipe from my favorite food magazine, Everyday Food. It was actually pretty simple and yummy. The perfect meal on a cold night.

Contraband Takes All Forms

I'm not sure how it happened or when it actually happened. I have been fairly vigilant about not introducing the boys to any movies or images of guns or weapons not even superheroes of any sort...and we absolutely do not have any toy guns in our home. Yet, the contraband makes it's way into our home in forms of a twig, finger, or a cleverly eaten grilled cheese sandwich (yes I know this is hard to believe but the photo tells all). It really is mostly Liam who plays this. I think I first saw him pick up a twig and make the shooting sounds soon after preschool which by the way this is only his 3rd week at preschool. I guess on the positive side of this, Liam is demonstrating a great sense of imagination and artistic ability to be able to manipulate objects and create something out of something, even if it is a gun.

State of Confusion

A funny conversation between 5 yr olds:

Aidan had his friend Luca over this afternoon for a play date. During this time they had a conversation that went like this:
Remember, Aidan has known his states for quite a while now.

Luca: I'm going to my grandma's for Thanksgiving.
Aidan: What state does she live in?
Luca: She lives in Ojai.
Aidan: She lives in Ohio?
Luca: No, Ojai
Aidan, Looking very confused now: Oh, I don't think I know that state??

Just in case you don't know, Ojai is a town in southern Ca.

Poetic Miles

What Miles (3 yrs old) had to say about the sunset we watched today..

The sun is so bright...
It goes down...
The Sun is like a flashlight.

Art Work Pride

One of the fun things about going to preschool is all the great craft projects the boys get to do. Miles is especially proud of his artwork. He makes sure I bring it home everyday. It's become a standard conversation on our way out of preschool, Miles will say " Mommy, Mommy, my artwork." and I'll respond, "Yes, Miles I have your artwork." He'll respond with a huge smile and will often ask to carry it home. When we get home he wants to talk about his current art project and loves listening to positive feedback, "Oh it's fabulous, I love the colors, Great work Miles etc. etc". He just beams with pride. Miles, our little artist.

Doctor, Doctor

Parker stayed over for a play date with Aidan after the boys birthday party. They played well the whole time but, the sweetest moment was during their doctor play. Parker was the patient while Aidan, doctor, examined him. Aidan checked all of Parker's vital signs as they had this pretend doctor/patient role play down perfectly. There they were engrossed in this pretend play and I just thought it was the sweetest thing ever.

The Overdue Birthday Party or Miles & Liam Turned 3

As many of you know we had to cancel Miles and Liam's birthday party a couple of weeks ago due to the stomach flu. So, we finally made it up to them this Saturday. We celebrated their birthday in a very low key (and may I add low budget) fashion and yet, I think the kids had a good time. We served pizza, the frozen variety. Shoshana our next door neighbor was kind enough to preheat her oven us, so that I could bake 4 pizzas at a time. This worked out perfect, It was Digiorno all the way ;) Setting a side the small detail that Liam was crying and being clingy for about half the time, I think they had fun with their friends. They all sat around the table and had pizza in a very civil manner, another reminder to how they're all growing up. Before lunch, hanging out in Aidan's room around the train table was the place to be for the twins and their friends.


The older boys enjoyed themselves outside riding on the sidewalk.


Cake time came and it was a true surprise. Especially Miles who was so thrilled to see that darn blue train on his cake, it sent him into a stuttering frenzy "mama it's th-th-th-thomas". While, Liam decided to shove Mcqueen down into his cake, I'm glad I caught that before it got messy.



The true highlight of the day was the spontaneous trip across the street at Robin's to see our neighbors the chickens. The kids got to feed them, find an egg in their nest, and hang out in Robin's wonderful yard. (Robin's backyard is magical to me because it brings back so many childhood memories, but that's another story.) I just love seeing all the kids out there in the natural outdoor setting, exploring and enjoying themselves. It sure beat any jumpy house moment I could have caught and it really reminds me how grateful I feel to have such great neighbors.

It Was A Spa-tacular Time!

This past weekend I had the privilege of celebrating Rachel's 40th birthday with her and her closest friends. Her thoughtful and generous hubby provided us with a fabulous spa weekend in Calistoga that included massages and a facial or body polish for everyone.
We stayed in the cutest cottage and had a great time. When we weren't having spa time, we were either in the hot tub,


eating out, or hanging out playing board games and having fun girl time. It was really generous! almost felt like it was my 40th birthday (ha!) Mine is just around the corner and now I feel like the bar has been set really high on how I'm going to celebrate it. The other amazing thing about this weekend was that it was my first time away from the twins, yes I know they're 3 now and it was long overdue. I missed them and felt a bit anxious about being away, but there was something also very freeing about it....a sense that yes I do exist beyond my children. Thanks Rachel for a fabulous weekend hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

ps. yes Max we tailgated in your car lol! We stopped in St.Helena and did a little shopping..decided to have lunch.

Blogging Hiatus

Well it's been an unplanned blogging hiatus and I'm surprised to how much time has gone by. Wish I could say we I haven't been blogging because we've been having just a very busy fabulous time with all kinds of great activities but the truth of it all is that we've been sick. First was a stomach flu that plowed through 4 family members in 48 hours leaving us wiped out, and now boys are sick again with bad colds, lots of yucky congestion, coughing spasms leading to vomitting and just overall low energy. I guess this is what happens when you start a new school, lots of new germs to be had too! MIles in Liam started preschool this past week and instantly became ill, bummer. The one highlight during this blogging hiatus, was a mommy trip to the spa to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday....stay tuned, blog entry about this grand ol time to come soon!

And They Turned 3

So hard to believe Miles and Liam turned 3 today. Although sadly we had to cancel their birthday party this weekend due to illness, we were able to have a small family celebration today with grandma and grandpa. Since the boys love Japanese food we thought it appropriate to take them to Sushi House. They got to enjoy their favorites, tonkatsu and tamago nigiri.


Following dinner we came home and enjoyed 2 birthday cakes, a chocolate eruption for Liam and a Chantilly for Miles, perfectly paired to their likes.



They were both so excited to blow out their candles. After cake of course came presents...a bulldozer and wheel loader from grandma and grandpa and jammies from mom and dad.