Well, we are all adjusting to being home together. It's turning out to be kind of fun. The kind of fun that once in a while, you've just had enough of. and want to go somewhere and take a nap from! Ha ha... No seriously, we are having fun. We are getting creative with crafts, we made a fire truck out of the box from Daddy's new TV, made Happy Thanksgiving cards for grandmas and grandpas yesterday, and we started out playgroup at the library yesterday. I am feeling lots better than I was a month ago, that's for sure. I am still trying to work out how to keep the kids entertained for any period of time (without the T.V.) while I try to get work done. I really would like to get some of my housework done while they are still awake so I can take a little break while they nap. I am finding it difficult not to give all of my attention to the kids all the time. They are very needy at this point, wanting me to play with them, hold them, read to them, etc. ALL THE TIME! Hmmm... may have just come up with an idea... audio books? They have them available to check out at the library. I bet that would keep Caleb busy for a while. Not sure about Quinn though. Thankfully we have Christmas to look forward to, and some new and interesting toys.
Last night I came up with a new recipe for chicken fingers that the kids really liked. They ate all of it. This may also have had something to do with the fact that Caleb helped me make everything. He loves helping me cook, and it keeps him busy so I can get it done. I have found that he is very focused and follows directions very well while we are cooking together. Anyway, I took Cheez-Its and Caleb crushed them up inside a zipper bag, with the rolling pin. I stirred in a little chili powder and garlic powder, and we dredged strips of raw chicken in some beaten egg, then into the crumbs. I sprayed the baking sheet and the top of the chicken with a little cooking spray to keep it from sticking and crisp it up a little more. They turned out really well. I would have liked to make some honey mustard dipping sauce to go with them but I didn't have the right ingredients. We also had steamed broccoli and rice side dish (from a bag). Caleb was also able to help break off the florets from the broccoli, and pour the water into the pan for the broccoli and the rice. He ate THREE servings of broccoli! YES I SAID THREE! I give him about a tablespoon of light ranch dressing to dip his trees in and he gobbles them up! I'm going to get some of the Hidden Valley powdered mix to make my own with fat free mayo and low fat milk. I think that might be a little better, without the preservatives.
Sorry if I've bored anyone with this post. Just my thoughts this morning. I've decided to do less editing and more of what's going on day-to-day. Please let me know your thoughts.
On the agenda today: Grocery shopping, laundry, playground, maybe some fingerpainting. We'll see were the day takes us!
Sounds like your continuing to be very involved with the kids EVERYDAY. That is a job well done! Caleb may be ready for some of the preschool books you can find with lessons. The easy ones help him trace shapes, color with certain colors, and find opposites/same items. We get a big book from Sams. Ben has always loved these. We are learning to write the alphabet with tracing right now. You would be surprised at what he could do. Plus you can make it his SCHOOL time with mommy. I bet he would like that. While Ben does that I give Travis a boat load of stickers from the dollar store and sit him down. Because it is a little hard for their little fingers to get them off the page just bend an end up on every sticker on the page than it will be easy for him to get them off plus he feels like a big boy for doing it himself. I love doing this plus it makes me feel extra productive for the day! Ben loves to show his HOMEWORK to daddy when he gets home. Your doing an amazing job!!
ReplyDeleteLast year I went to Bargain Books, you may have been with me, and got Reagan some audio books. They were on a CD and also played on the computer with some easy games. That might be an idea for Caleb. Especially if you still have that old laptop Mike got from work.
ReplyDeleteI hear you girl! It always a challenge to find what to keep them busy with. Love the idea of audio books, I have a few from school I'll have to pull out.
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