St. Patty's day and warm weather joy

We've been enjoying the very early Spring and getting out as much as we can to let Natalie run wild.  She was pretty sick over the St. Patrick's day weekend but she sported her green and played in the yard anyway.  She really isn't one for lounging around the house - even with a fever of 103.5! (She recovered quickly and the nurse deemed it "your typical toddler virus")

Enjoying the ladybug patio set from Nana and Pops

 She just loves walking all over the yard and investigating every little thing.  She is her father's daughter in her love of all things outside.

Its hard to see but these are BUNNY overalls.  So cute!

Happy Girl!

She likes to push her car while Dad mows the yard.

Her St. Patty's outfit.  And her new hair style!

Dance Fever? 

My sweet, beautiful girl!

 Happy Spring!

Such a big girl!

We've been working with Natalie recently on trying to find a sippy cup that she likes.  We have 6 or 7 options but she still prefers her milk from a bottle.  We were preparing to go cold turkey on her 15 month birthday; (April 1) no April Fools but it seems as if it may not be necessary!

Ms Debbie called me yesterday to let me know that she may have solved the riddle.  Natalie just wanted to drink from a big-kid cup!  The big kids at daycare get a zooanimals cup with a straw.  When Ms. Debbie started to pour the milk from the sippy cup into the big girl cup she said Natalie started giggling.  As if to say - I'm so glad you guys finally got it!  Thank goodness she got some pictures of my proud little girl.

She's so proud!  Just look at that little grin!

Yum, Yum!

She's growing up so fast!

Natalie's Veggie Burgers

Early on in the baby food making process it became clear that Natalie was not a fan of straight, pureed veggies.

I blame this partly on my prenatal diet (Oreo, anyone? Don't mind if I do!) and partly because pureed carrots and peas are pretty boring.

So thankfully a friend (thanks Music City Mama!) was experiencing the same dilemma and came up with the idea that she could provide (sneak, disguise, whatever) vegetables to her son through veggie burgers - but not just any veggie burgers - HOMEMADE veggie burgers.  I loved it!  And thankfully so did Natalie.

Here's the recipe - if you can call it that since I never measure anything.  A recipe makes 10-12 good sized burgers.  Natalie has at least 5 burgers a week.  Usually they go with her to baby school for lunch.  They make great lunches for Mom's too!  Everybody wins!

Veggie Burgers
     Roasted, pureed butternut squash
     chopped fresh spinach
     cooked pearled barley (I boil my leftover broccoli stalks (chopped finely) with the barley to add some                    extra green)
     Pinto beans, drained, rinsed and mashed with a fork
     Shredded cheddar cheese
     Cumin
     Onion powder
     Garlic powder

Mix everything together and form a lemon sized ball.  Pat down on a *greased* cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes until they are slightly brown around the edges.
Allow to cool completely then remove from the cookie sheet and freeze until you need them. 
I freeze them in a ziplock bag with parchment paper between.

Thawing is super easy.  Place on plate and microwave for 30 seconds, flip and add 30 seconds more.  DONE.  I usually melt a slice of cheese on top to sweeten the deal.  Natalie eats them up!  That is what doesn't end up in her hair. :)

A satisfied customer!

    

An afternoon at the park

Since it was nearly 70 degrees yesterday Natalie and I decided to play hookie from work and baby school (we both cut out an hour early) to go to the park for the first time.

For the most part Natalie was more interested in the pick up basketball games going on at the adjacent courts than she was in the play equipment.  Which is perfect for our evening activities since it is ACC TOURNAMENT TIME PEOPLE- GO PACK!

However we did try out the swings and for the most part she was digging it.
(Please forgive the poor picture quality - unfortunately all I had was my cell phone.)

She was getting ready to tell me something here. 
She is always talking.

This was her clapping for the bball game.
The guys were cheering for some reason so she joined in.

Jon ran over (literally ran - it was a beautiful day) after work and saw Natalie in action too.

Needless to say - we are all ready for Spring!

Happy Birthday Mamaw Wanda!

Natalie loves her Mamaw (and from these pictures I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual)... and I love her too!

Natalie and Mamaw in August 2011

Two of my favorite ladies

We hope she has a wonderful day and we are looking forward to seeing her and Papaw in April.

A weekend of friends, family and so much fun!

After our quick trip to Hendersonville Jon had to leave for about a week long meeting so Natalie, Roscoe and I packed up and headed for Winston-Salem.


First we had a play date with baby Julia.  James and Kelly were gracious enough to host us for an afternoon of baby playing, baby talk and lots of baby smiles.  They are blessed with a beautiful, happy little girl also and it was a joy to get to visit with them.  No pictures, unfortunately.  We were too busy to get the camera out this time.

We enjoyed a long weekend with Aunt Shanny (again no pictures - Mommy was off her game) and Natalie finally got to see "Ka-Kee" in the flesh again.  She was so excited and would chant "KA-KEE, KA-KEE" whenever we would drive over to Leslie's house.  It was so sweet!

On Sunday we spent the early afternoon at Mamaw Thomas's house with Graham Thomas and the late afternoon at Aunt Crystal's house with Graham Rollins.  A great day spent with so much of our family.  It was wonderful!

Enjoying the beautiful day

Queen of the Yard Ornaments!  She climbed up there all by herself!

Natalie and Graham Thomas helping Mamaw with her mulch

Two sweet babies in the rocking chair

Natalie explaining something to Graham

A little snuggle with Papaw Thomas

She found Katherine's paci - and ran with it!

She loves baby "Ka-Kee"

She didn't want to leave her side!

G sporting a lovely hair bow he borrowed from Natalie

Nana and Pop's house!

Its been too long since Nana and Pops have seen sweet Natalie and since Daddy has MLK day off we hopped on a plane and headed to Hendersonville!  Besides, Natalie has so many new tricks... walking! talking! singing! dancing!

Running out some energy in the Airport

Running around while Daddy and Pops work in the orchard

Working on the new car Nana bought...

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Taking a break to enjoy some ice from the cooler

Such a sweet girl!

Dancing around with Pops

Snuggle time with Nana

And last but not least a little dancing before bed while Aunt Erin practiced Cello.  Natalie loved listening to her play.

It was a short but very sweet visit and we're looking forward to a trip to see Mamaw and Papaw in less than a week!