The kids have been able to get outside a lot and play lately because we have had almost two weeks of straight sunshine. Its about as different as you can get from the previous couple weeks of snow and ice. Killian's friend Patrick has been coming over once every week after school, and Killian has also gone over to their house a couple times. Killian met Patrick in first grade, and we soon found out that he lived just 2 houses down the street from us. It was great for Killian to have a friend so close, and they had a lot of fun together during the school year. Patrick and his family are from Austria, and they went back there for the summer and didn't come back to Oregon until the end of October. Of course, by then we had moved, and that was probably the hardest part about moving for Killian. Patricks mom and I have been trying to get the boys together at least once a week since they came back, and the boys have so much fun playing together. Patrick's mom and I have also gotten together a couple times to chat while the boys play, and while I was over there last week she told me that they are possibly going to be moving back to Austria this spring. Nooooooooo! Killian is so bummed out, Patrick is his best friend, and they do everything together at school and are so close. I also just really like their family, so its going to be sad for everyone if they do end up moving. I can understand why though...Ines was telling me that their schools are like private schools here, with only about 10-15 kids in each class. For college they pay only $500 for tuition and books and everything. And health care is covered through the employer, with no co-pays or deductibles! I can see why they would want to move back, it sounds like there are a lot of good opportunities to be had there.
Rowan has also been having a lot of fun outside with her little neighbor friend Taylor. She is 5, and is so sweet to Rowan, and Row totally loves her. Rowan is usually clinging to Taylor's hand and following her around everywhere when they are outside playing together. They were playing dress up the other day, and looked so cute I had to get a picture. Taylor wanted to be in it too, so here they are together:
And just Row. She was running around saying she was a bumblebee!
Taylor has the most beautiful dress up clothes, and Rowan is really getting into wearing little costumes. We got her an adorable little butterfly type costume for her birthday, I cant wait to see it on her! Her birthday is in just under a week, and we are planning a circus party for her. I think its going to be a lot of fun....but I am still in denial that she is going to be three! She is acting the part though, getting more determined to do things herself, and the sass....oh the sassiness this little one has. Its incredible. She is 3 going on 13, and Matthew and I are bracing ourselves for whats to come. She is a funny one though, and so darn charming that you really cant hold anything against her.
She is a great helper in the kitchen too. Sadly, Killian is not really interested in making anything with me anymore, so I have suckered Rowan into the helper position. We had a baking day earlier this week, and we made dinner rolls, some whole wheat pizza dough, and some Vermont Maple-Honey bread. The bread was a complicated recipe, with a lot more steps than I would really like for everyday bread making, but it turned out really yummy. Rowan kneading the dough:
And the finished project:
I was reading up on bread making, seeing how well loaves freeze and the best way to store them. I am thinking of having a bread making day once a week, and making and freezing enough bread for that week. The thing that makes homemade bread better for us (no preservatives) is also what makes it go stale much faster. I read that a bread box can help the bread last longer, so I hopped on Craig's List, and found this one listed for just $5! It was a great find, and our bread is now happily enclosed in it!
I am enjoying being able to bake so much lately, and really like the calming process of making bread. Plus, it tastes delicious...warm bread right out of the oven....there is nothing better!!
Rowan has also been having a lot of fun outside with her little neighbor friend Taylor. She is 5, and is so sweet to Rowan, and Row totally loves her. Rowan is usually clinging to Taylor's hand and following her around everywhere when they are outside playing together. They were playing dress up the other day, and looked so cute I had to get a picture. Taylor wanted to be in it too, so here they are together:
And just Row. She was running around saying she was a bumblebee!
Taylor has the most beautiful dress up clothes, and Rowan is really getting into wearing little costumes. We got her an adorable little butterfly type costume for her birthday, I cant wait to see it on her! Her birthday is in just under a week, and we are planning a circus party for her. I think its going to be a lot of fun....but I am still in denial that she is going to be three! She is acting the part though, getting more determined to do things herself, and the sass....oh the sassiness this little one has. Its incredible. She is 3 going on 13, and Matthew and I are bracing ourselves for whats to come. She is a funny one though, and so darn charming that you really cant hold anything against her.
She is a great helper in the kitchen too. Sadly, Killian is not really interested in making anything with me anymore, so I have suckered Rowan into the helper position. We had a baking day earlier this week, and we made dinner rolls, some whole wheat pizza dough, and some Vermont Maple-Honey bread. The bread was a complicated recipe, with a lot more steps than I would really like for everyday bread making, but it turned out really yummy. Rowan kneading the dough:
And the finished project:
I was reading up on bread making, seeing how well loaves freeze and the best way to store them. I am thinking of having a bread making day once a week, and making and freezing enough bread for that week. The thing that makes homemade bread better for us (no preservatives) is also what makes it go stale much faster. I read that a bread box can help the bread last longer, so I hopped on Craig's List, and found this one listed for just $5! It was a great find, and our bread is now happily enclosed in it!
I am enjoying being able to bake so much lately, and really like the calming process of making bread. Plus, it tastes delicious...warm bread right out of the oven....there is nothing better!!