8.27.2010

Beans, Beans the Magical Fruit...


I don't know about you, but I LOVE beans! It's only been recently that I've gotten into bean salad. I've always liked it, but now I crave it! A week or so ago I made Garbanzo bean salad. Oh, my, my was it tasteful! In fact, it was eaten in a matter of a day and a half. 

This wonderful recipe was concocted by reading over other bean salad recipes.

If you are like me and love beans, then you'll love this recipe. Even if you aren't a huge bean fan, try it. You never know what your taste buds may think!

The recipe is as follows:

Ingrediants:

1- can of Garbanzo beans
1- can of Black beans
1- can of kidney beans (dark or light)
1- celery stalk
1- red pepper
1- yellow pepper
1/3-1/2- red onion
1/2 Bottle of Kraft light Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing
Red Vinegar (optional)
LOTS of Cumin (I'd say about 4 Tbsp or more)
Garlic powder to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cilantro (optional)

Directions:
Chop peppers, onion, celery, and Cilantro into small pieces. 
Drain cans of beans really well. 
Mix drained beans in with chopped mixture.
Add Cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 
Cover mixture with Balsamic vinaigrette.
Add a few shakes of red wine vinegar.
Mix well and enjoy!


8.25.2010

Flash Cards





Avery turned two a little over a week ago. He has a very small vocabulary, to which I'm not concerned about at all, but I thought it was time practice more words. The other night I went to Target and Avery and I strolled down the book isle and looked at flash cards. I personally could not wait to get him and start working with him. I read over the suggested directions and it stated to start out with a few cards at a time, not to overwhelm the child. So I mulled through the cards and picked out a few cards with words/pictures he knew and a few he didn't.

The words/pictures we are working on right now are:
Cow (check)
Dog (check)
Grapes (getting there)
Fish
Pig
Rabbit

Avery get's very excited when I pull out the flash cards. I'm trying to incorporate them even when I can't sit down with him one-on-one. For example, I pulled them out last night as I cooked dinner. He loves being in the kitchen with me, so I would flash a card while he was playing with his trucks. I plan on setting aside time everyday to have one-on-one time with him and the flash cards. I think this is a great way for him to learn and us to spend time together. I will keep you posted on the progress. 

Do any of you have any suggestions on other learning activities? My goal right now is to learn to be a more patient parent and a more hands on parent. Let me know what works in your family!





8.23.2010

Picture Perfect


After a lot of prayers, Avery had his official 2nd birthday swim party on Saturday.
The day started out with rain. Not just a little rain, I mean A.Lot. of rain. I was out in about that morning trucking through ankle high water in the Target parking lot trying to get the final items for the party.
I was hopeless. I prepared myself to come home and clean the house and move the party inside. 
However, about an hour and a half before the party was set to begin, I began to see evidence of the sun!
By 5 o'clock PM it was picture perfect weather.















8.18.2010

Wordless Wednesday


Excuse the phone picture quality, but I just couldn't resist showing you all this picture!

8.16.2010

Happy 2nd Birthday!

 It's amazing to think back on August 16, 2008 and the past two years with you precious boy!






Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet Avery!

Mommy loves you so, so, so much!

8.02.2010

Better Late Than Never

Remember around July 5th, the day after the 4th of July, when I said I would post pictures from July 4th? Well here they are. Better late than never, right?