Lila Le Lou Turns TWO!

Lila's real birthday isn't until later this week, but we celebrated her in style this weekend. I'm not much for big parties. Personally, I'm not a "crafty" person and I don't enjoy decorating or coming up with fun games for kids. I prefer to think that I'm "old fashioned" when it comes to birthday parties - simple events with good friends. You could also say I'm cheap, but I think old fashioned is a nice euphemism.

Thanks to all of Benny's friends who now having siblings, Lila has quite a few built-in friends and we've met many wonderful families through Benny's daycare/pre-school. As a result, we (I) decided that I didn't want to host a big party at the house. There's a wonderful park about a mile from our house that's perfect for kids' parties.

Lila enjoyed playing with her friends and eating cake. She wasn't too keen on the happy birthday song (she wailed while we sang). Overall, I think she had a wonderful birthday party thanks to all the good friends. We didn't see too much of Benny because he was busy running around with his friends.

Nana Jean made Lila's cake this year. She does an amazing job!

All the grandparents representing!
My dad couldn't make it due to an early harvest.

Lila and her friend Addy.

Lila and her best school friend Blakey.

The kids played for an hour or so (and watched a wedding take place in a different area of the park!), ate a light dinner and then destroyed the awesome cake!

Happy birthday, my lovely little lady! You add so much joy to our family! We can't wait to see you grow and communicate and make more friends and learn!

Enjoy being TWO, Lila!

On Chores and Allowances

Like many parents, Nate and I have the philosophy that our kids need to learn how to work hard and clean up after themselves. We've been "training" Benny for awhile. He has been responsible for clearing his dishes off of the table after every meal for about a year. Now he does it without being reminded. We now ask that he puts his dishes in the dishwasher. Benny must also help pick up toys and messes.

Since Benny started kindergarten, we've been requiring him to tackle new daily tasks, including making his bed, brushing his own teeth and putting his pajamas away. If he finishes everything successfully, he earns a quarter. Nate decided on the amount of the allowance. I thought it was too much, but he pointed out that it's less than $2/week. Plus, we often forget to give him allowance at all.

We're still working out the details of how Benny may spend his allowance. I think he should save a percentage to give to a "cause" he supports (which is still a pretty abstract concept for him) and for a savings account. Certainly he can use some for a toy that he wants, but I want him to understand the importance of saving and giving as well. Nate thinks I'm being to ambitious for a five-year-old.

So, I'm wondering, for all of you parents who have pre-schoolers and young children, do you require chores? Do you also "pay" for those tasks? And how may your children spend their allowances?

Weekend Outtakes

We kicked off the weekend with soccer practice!

Earlier this week, Nate mentioned that he wanted to go camping before the nights are too cold. I wasn't very excited. My stomach has been acting weird for the past week or so (gassy and crampy - could it be a bug?) so I wasn't feeling up to being miserable all night in a tent. Plus, we've had a busy schedule the past couple of weeks and I wanted to get some stuff done around the house.

The three musketeers took off yesterday afternoon, leaving me to a rare night off. I weighed my options - hang out, stay out late, stay at home... I'm not one for staying out and partying much any more. And many of my friends are mothers too, so finding someone who could drop everything and grab a nice dinner would be difficult. In the end, I had dinner with a friend and her family. It was a rare treat to hang out with them without my own family and with half of the interruptions we normally experience when we spend time together.

I left early to have some time alone at home. As I was riding my bike home, I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and go for a bit of a ride. Not far from home, I ran into two friends, who happen to be neighbors, who were outside for a block party. They offered me a beer, so I stayed awhile. Such a cool random accident that never would have occurred had I not been on my bike.

The campers returned relatively early this morning. Nate and Benny put together our new composter!

Lila discovered the joy of markers and stickers - all over herself.

Finally, we capped off the weekend with one of what will probably one of our final feasts from the garden (until the squash are ready, that is), including hamburgers stuffed with jalenpeno peppers, beer battered eggplant and fresh tomatoes. Not recipe worthy, but certainly delicious! Fresh from the garden: jalenpeno peppers, eggplant and tomatoes.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

We grew all of it in the garden this year! I'm particularly fond of the latter three because they are perennials and I don't have to do much to keep them alive. I'm especially fond of sage because it's such a lovely muted color.

I should use it more often now that it's increasing in size. I do throw it in the crock pot with chicken and stock. Tonight's recipe doesn't boast much from the garden, but it's certainly better with fresh sage from out back. I've been making this recipe for several years and I committed it to memory long ago. I'd love to give credit to the original source, but I can't remember that source any more!

Cauliflower, Bacon and Sage Pasta

Ingredients

1 lb. bacon
1 head of cauliflower
handful of fresh sage (or about 1 tbsp. dried sage)
1 cup Parmesan cheese
S&P
1 box of pasta (linguine, spaghetti, etc.)

Method

Fry bacon to a crisp and tear it up into small pieces. Boil the pasta per the package instructions. Pour off most of the bacon grease, leaving about 2 tbsp. in the pan. Sautee the sage in the grease for about three minutes. Add the cauliflower and 1/4 cup of water and cover for 3-5 minutes. Add the bacon.

Throw the pasta and the sauteed items into the bowl. Add the bacon and Parmesan cheese and mix. Enjoy!

Aside from the time it takes to fry up the bacon, this dish takes a total of 10 minutes to make. Sometimes we'll fry up a bunch of bacon on the weekend and then use the leftovers for this dish.

Next year, we'll definitely try to grow cauliflower in the garden!

Fresh from the garden: sage.

Dear Fall,

I am READY for you! After suffering though another hot day (and night) yesterday, I could use a few 60-degree days. I know that means that winter and snow and ice are just around the corner, but my scarves and boots need love too. Know what, my skinny jeans still fit, so I need to hurry up and wear them before the holidays hit. Plus, my summer wardrobe is TIRED! It just needs as rest.

I'm ready for pumpkin bread, and easier runs, and smashing tomato soup. I'm ready to try those brussel sprouts in our garden. I'm ready for brisk mornings and cool evenings. I just ready, dammit.

Plus, do you see these cute boots I just bought. I bought them for you and totally snubbed the Denver Half-Marathon.

Although Denver had a high of 80 degrees today, I wore a scarf and boots.
I couldn't resist.

Come on, Fall, I miss you!

Sincerely,
Sara