What was I thinking?

Tonight as we were laying down for bed, I told Eamon and Aine:

Goodnight, sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite.

I thought I was safe, since I didn't mention hitting them with a shoe. Uh, no! Eamon immediately started asking me about bed bugs. What are there? Where are they? Why do they bite? How did they get in the house?

So much for sweet dreams.

Consequences

Last night while getting ready for bed, we could not find Eamon's toothbrush. After searching, I came back into the bathroom to find Aine on the top step of the stool. Eamon was on the bottom step with scissors in hand. He had just snipped a small piece of Aine's hair. I told them that we only use scissors on paper. We do not cut each other's hair. He looked at me and said, "I am a barber. I have to cut hair."

i Love you

My mom commented on Aine pointing with her thumb sticking out. At first Dave & I thought she was indicating one minute or I'll be back. We have now figured out that she is saying "I love you" in ASL. It is adorable. I just wish we weren't so slow sometimes.

I forget

Eamon, Aine & I took a late afternoon trip to the grocery store. Eamon lost it. I mean super lost it - crying, screaming, kicking. You get the picture. He was tired, hungry and otherwise in an ill mood during the trip.

When we were getting into the car, we were talking about the experience. This was Eamon's take.

E: Yeah, I can't remember what you did to make me so angry.

Leaving for Work

Today while Dave was leaving for work, Eamon noticed he had forgotten something.

E: Daddy, where's your beefcase?

D: My beefcase?

E: Yeah, your beefcase.

D: Oh, my briecase - I don't need it today. Thanks, buddy

Finally, some rain

We awoke to rain about a week ago. Eamon and Aine spent some time running through the showers. They were so excited.

17 months old

Aine is such a little person now. She loves to follow her brother and do whatever he is doing. She plays trains with him, carries her doll in the sling and has stroller races. She runs all the time and enjoys jumping on the couch or bed. She can do a somersault with Eamon with a little nudge on the bottom.

Her understanding of conversatons and questions is growing. She follows simple two-step directions and often replies to requests with an adamant shake or nod of the head. Her use of signs is expanding; her favorite sign is "more." She uses it for everything lately. Aine's vocabulary is growing as well. She enjoys gathering shoes for everyone and can be heard putting her foot out asking for "Shoe." She also says ball, mama, grandad, grandma, Eamon, more, uh-oh and dog. Aine prefers, however, to let others speak for her. She will often just look at you with wide eyes and use non-verbals to get her point.

She is a delight and a treasure. We are lucky to have our little doll.

Winter clothes

E: I am all dressed for winter

Eamon and Aine's fort...















The breach in their fort...



















Aine's lip...

Super Delish

Since it has been a bit warm here, we are trying some cool dinners. Last night we ate this hummus with veggies and bread dipped into it. The kids LOVED it. I must say it was quite tasty.

Cannellini Bean Yam Hummus

1 1/2 cups cooked cannellini beans
3/4 cups cooked yam
3 T freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice or combo
1 small to medium clove garlic, chopped
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 - 1 tsp chipotle hot sauce
1/2 tsp sea salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
2 T fresh cilantro, chopped

In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients except the pine nuts and cilantro and puree until very smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times throughout. Once smooth, add the pine nuts and puree just a little, leaving some texture (you can blend it smooth if you prefer). Season to taste with extra salt, pepper and chipotle hot sauce, if desired. Serve in a bowl drizzled with a little extra-virgin olive oil, and a sprinkling of pine nuts and cilantro.

courtesy of Vive le Vegan

Eggs

Eamon helped me with breakfast this morning. He put an egg on the counter. I looked to make sure it wouldn't roll onto the floor. He saw me look, and he said:

I hope it doesn't fall off the counter and hatch on your food. That would be funny.

You would be lonely

Dave and Eamon needed haircuts today. We were in the car, and I asked Dave if he wanted to drop me off first with Aine.

Eamon looked at me, and he said, "But, mama, if we dropped you off by yourself you would be so lonely."

Naptime

While getting ready for napping today, Eamon & I had the following conversation:

E: Will we see Daddy when we nap?

H: No, he is at work. You won't see him until he comes home tonight.

E: But, Mama, we can just see him in our dreams.

Lentil & Almond Burgers

We had these the other night. THey are quite tastey and a nice replacement for beef. The kids really enjoyed them.

Lentil and Almond Burgers

6 cups water
1 cup brown lentils or green French lentils
2 T extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots (about 2 medium)
1/3 cup finely chopped celery (about 1 stalk)
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
1 T lemon juice

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in lentils, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until very tender and beginning to break down, about 25 minutes for brown lentils or 30 minutes for green lentils. Drain in a fine-mesh sieve.

Meanwhile, heat 1 T oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add carrot, shallot and celery and cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes. Add almonds, thyme, salt & pepper; continue cooking until the almonds are lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a food processor; add 1 cup of the cooked lentils. Pulse several times, scraping down the sides once or twice, until the mixture is coarsely ground. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in the remaining lentils. Let cool for 10 minutes. Mix in egg yolk and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Form the lentil mixture into 5 patties. Heat the remaining 1 T oil in a large non-stick skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 3-4 minutes. Turn gently and continue to cook until lightly browned and heated through, 3-4 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Makes 5 servings.

228 calories; 9 g fat (1g sat, 6g mono); 41 mg cholesterol; 27 g carbohydrate; 11g protein; 7g fiber; 276 mg sodium