5 Snacks Your Toddler Will Love! (I think)

After months of turning my nose up at the idea of yet another online outlet that would require time and tending to, I caved and recently joined Pinterest. My thoughts?

I am not too keen on the idea of sitting around for long amounts of time and daydreaming about perfect looking things and I have never really been that into fashion or decorating, but I DO love getting inspired with ideas for Owen and for the kitchen. I also have enjoyed sharing some of my own ideas. Alas, I find my main allegiance in the blogosphere so I will share things here most often. I know a lot of y'all don't have toddlers, so feel free to pass this along or just stop reading now. Below are some of my latest snack ideas for Owen. I promise he loves every one of them and he is a super picky eater.
Reasons why I love these snacks:
1) They give me an excuse to get creative in the kitchen
2) It is a win-win for Owen & Mommy! Owen is majorly texture averse, so I am constantly having to accommodate to his finicky fingers when I make his food. I feel defeat when I go pre-packaged snack route too often, so these are great because Owen loves them and I love that he is eating them!
3) I can share them with Owen. (Talk about win-win!)

Recipe #1: Bunny Bites

Directions:
1) Peel and chop carrots into tiny pieces
2) Steam carrots to soften
3)Coat with a small amount of oil, Cinnamon & brown sugar on baking sheet
4) Roast in oven on 400 degrees for approx. 30 minutes

*Variation: Try with sweet potatoes (no need to steam those first)

Recipe #2: 'Nanner Crumbles
Directions:
1)Use a Cuisinart to crush up 1/2 of a cup of your choice of cereal cereal (I usually use Barbara's Original Puffins) with a small spoonful of peanut butter (can be made without peanut butter, too)
2) Cut 1/2 of a banana into tiny pieces and coat with crushed cereal

Recipe #3 Parmesan Avocado Pieces

Directions:
1) Mix 1/2 cup of whole wheat bread crumbs with 1/8 cup Parmesan cheese
2)Use 1/2 of one barely ripe cold avocado and cut it into small pieces
3) Coat avocado pieces with crumb and cheese mixture

*Variation: Use crushed up crackers and grated cheddar cheese instead


Recipe #4 Berry Cheese Melt
Directions:
1) Take 2 slices of very thin wheat bread
2) Smash around 8 raspberries with the back of a fork and use them as a jam on one side of the bread
3) Spread Laughing Cow cheese on other side of bread and put sandwich together
*Yummy cold or toasted

*Variation-use almond butter or peanut butter instead of cheese

Frozen Yogurt Yummies

Directions:
1) Spoon yogurt (we use Yo-baby brand) onto wax paper into penny sized drops
2) Cover in container and freeze for 30+ minutes
3) Peel off of wax paper and serve immediately (they get melty)

Perhaps I will share some of my toddler dinner ideas next. : )

The Return of the Cheery O

This was Owen last week....

(First ear infection blues and zzz's)

He fell asleep in the jogger (which he hasn't done in at least 6 months). The poor kid also fell asleep while I was changing his diaper (which he hasn't done ever!). Little buddy : (


But have no fear...bye bye, pain in the ear!!!

Owen this week:
(Post-ear infection infectious smiles!)

Cheers to the return of our cheery O!

Somebody In Texas Loves You

My big Valentine's date isn't happening until later this week. In the meantime we have enjoyed a quiet evening at home and I made my heart shaped honey, ham & cheese waffle paninis and some spinach salad for dinner. (I was nice and didn't make anything with peppers).

Even Owen got his spinach. (Those weird looking things are cereal crusted bananas--he LOVES them..more on those in another blog.)
For some reason this picture refuses to rotate. Sideways hearts are good, too <3

Although my date with John isn't until later this week, I did get to go on a very special date today:
1 Owen + 2 Chocolate covered graham crackers + 3 new books + 4 pre-toddler tantrums on the floor of B&N = a perfect 10am outing with my Owentine.

Speaking of Owen...
Remember this from last year? Owen's Valentine Video

Well, it seems as if he has acquired some moves of his own for this year's Valentine's Dance. Owen wishes you a Happy Valentine's Day! Owen's 2012 Valentine Video

Cake Balls!

So it is really no secret that I love to bake. Recently I have ventured into the world of making cake balls. They are really fun to make and I have enjoyed thinking up different combinations and ways to decorate them. Before you think they seem to hard to make, allow me to dispel that myth. This is the way that I do it:

1. Bake any kind of cake. If you want to use box cake, get the 18 oz. boxes.
2. Let cake cool completely and then crumble into tiny pieces.
3. With the back of a spoon, add 12 oz. of any kind of canned frosting and mix together. I like to add fun things like sprinkles or mini chocolate chips to some.
4. Roll into balls...

5. Freeze for 30 minutes. Looks like cookie dough...tastes like cake!

(I had some leftover that I did not dip in chocolate...and since I have been slacking on freezing homemade baby food for Owen these days, I decided to put the Beaba food storage container to a different use.)
6. Melt chocolate.
7. Dip the cake balls in using a spoon and then let cool on wax paper. (Use a toothpick to circle around the edge of the cake balls to get excess chocolate off of the bottom before it hardens.

8. Decorate if you would like.
From left to right:
Chocolate Chip, Funfetti, Red Velvet, Carrot
(yes I do realize I have jumped the gun on Easter with the last one)

9. Put them in a cute box...

10. And make them your Valentines this year!

2012 Vegetable Pick Blogisode

It's that time of year again! Time to make John suffer through a new vegetable all year long....

2007: The Year of the "Salad"

2008: The Year of the Carrot

2009: The Year of the Cucumber

2010: The Year of the Broccoli

2011: The Year of the Pea

2012: The Year of the.... (click to watch video)

Who do you think will dominate this first.., Owen or John?? ; )

Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots...

Yup! Boots & sequins...because cowboy boots and sequins go together like Garth Brooks and Las Vegas. It was the show of the century with friends who will be friends for a lifetime.

The Ocean's 7:

I came home + $25 and - a whole lot of sleep, but it was a fantastic trip with some of my favorite girls in the whole wide world. So that was last weekend...

THIS weekend was another unforgettable time, as I had the privilege of being a part of my beautiful friend, Kendra's wedding.

So between Vegas glitz and wedding weekend fun, I am one tired mama. Perhaps that is why Owen and I accidentally overslept and arrived 30 minutes late to church this morning. Ooopsy daisies...

But to all of my blogging buddies, I am alive and well and am excited to get some balance back in my life this week. No more blackjack or bachelorette party plans for a while. I am looking forward to more time spent with my Bible, my boys and my blog. Hope you enjoyed your Superbowl Sunday! Team Trapp certainly had a blast...