WORDLESS WEDESDAY- WATER PLAY!!

The Munchkin' Man having some fun with the hose!!

A HOUSE FAVORITE--- STUFFED ZUCCHINI RECIPE

If your garden is anything like mine, you have TONS of zucchini!! This recipe is a "go to" recipe in our house. I found a recipe years ago and each time I make it I add something new to it!

Ingredients

1 LARGE zucchini (or 2 small) cut lengthwise and in half

1 cup of stock (I use what ever is on hand- I made chicken stock and froze it in 1 cup bags)

1 pound ground meat (I like to use ground turkey)

dried basil

salt

pepper

1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice

2 carrots grated

2 stalks of celery chopped

1/2 onion chopped (you can add more if you like)

2 cloves garlic grated

Cheddar cheese grated

2 teaspoons tomato paste

** I like to add cherry tomatoes also, but my son and husband so not eat them

You can add any type of quick cooking veggies

1. In deep pan heat stock. Add In zucchini- cut side down. Season to taste with basil, salt and pepper. Let stock come to a boil. Turn zucchini about 2-3 min. Zucchini will be done when the flesh becomes soft. Take zucchini out of pan and set aside.

2. In pan start to brown meat- do not remove stock. When meat is almost cooked, add all vegetables. Stir all ingredients to make sure all are cooked. Add in tomato paste. While this is cooking, take a spoon and scoop out the flesh of the zucchini. Chop flesh and add to mixture. When the vegetables start to get a little tender add in the quinoa or brown rice.

3. Plate your zucchini and then add mixture on top. Immediately add your cheese to the top. If you are not bringing to table right away, you may put the zucchini "boats" with cheese under the broiler to make sure cheese is melted.

We usually don't have any type of side dish with this dinner because it is so very filling. I did make rhubarb cupcakes with organic whipped cream for dessert the last time we had this for dinner. The recipe for the cupcakes was from the Martha Stewart Cupcakes book!

.

This recipe is so very versatile. You can add any vegetables that you have on hand. If you are a vegetarian you can add tofu or just some more veggies. I added the quinoa to the original recipe to bump up the protein. Have fun and enjoy!!

MOMMY GUILT AND PEANUT ALLERGY

When your child is diagnosed with life threatening allergy to peanuts you go through many emotions. They range from fear, angst, frustration, nervousness, and of course guilt.

Unfortunately, we did not first find out about our son's allergy through routine allergy testing. I blogged a little about the awful day we found out. If you did not get a chance to read it, basically the day started with a peanut butter Whopper and then ended in the ER and a night stay in the hospital. Also included in the day was an ambulance ride and two shots of Epinephrine!! I don't want to ever go through that again, but that day plays over and over in my head each and every day.

Why do I have so much guilt?? Some may not understand. There is no answers to my question of..What made my son allergic to peanuts?? There are some theories of why there is such a rise in children that have a sever allergy to peanuts. One theory is the Hygiene Hypothesis. This theory suggests that because children have fewer infections (due to improved hygiene, their immune systems are more likely to target other things such as items in the environment and diet, resulting in the allergy. Although this theory has been examined by many, some have found this theory to have no merit.

So, where does that leave me??? If you are anything like me.. you turn to guilt!!! I began thinking that maybe I caused my son's allergy. Maybe all that peanut butter I ate while I was pregnant caused it. Maybe the peanut butter I ate while nursing caused it. Maybe the vaccines that I was told would be the best thing for my son caused it. GUILT...GUILT..GUILT.. When talking to a family member about the allergy she said that I watched what my son ate too much!! WHAT?? Now I have to feel guilty about feeding my son organic home made baby food instead of processed jar food that has no taste.

Guilt can run and ruin your life! I am working on not letting that happen to me. I try to make it a point to not think about it all day everyday! I have to admit, I have good days and AWFUL days. I worry about the first day he goes to school without me! I worry about going to birthday parties! I worry and worry and worry some more. I know it will get better. I am thankful to all the parents that have been handed this diagnosis before me and have done all the research. I am thankful that there are companies that cater to nut free products. I am thankful for the family members that have gone through their cabinets and taken out all products with nuts. Most of all I am thankful for the wonderful son I have that makes me smile and laugh each and everyday!!!

So, will the guilt run my life...hopefully not. I can not say "YES" yet, I am not there. With the help of others and looking into those adorable blue eyes my son has, one day I will be able to say it :)

My First Cloth Diaper Review- SMARTIPANTS

Although I have only been using cloth diapers for the Munchkin' Man for less than a year, I have a nice "stash." My stash has been growing thanks to Twitter, the social networking site. On Monday there is a large group of moms that sit at the computer and chat about the wonderful world of cloth. During one of those chats, I met Jessica, the owner of Smartipants. I love getting to know new products from the owner of the company. I decided to check them out!As soon as I went to the website and read about them, I put an order in that night.

The slogan for Smartipants is "SMARTER THAN YOUR AVERAGE DIAPER." The OS (one size) diaper system has:

1. Leak guard technology

2. Patentented Smart Sleeve

3. Soft waterproof outer fabric

4. Gentle stretch elastic

5. Adjustable Snaps

6. Ultra premium production

I was intrigued especially after reading about the Patented Smart Sleeve. If you have been using pocket diapers you know what it is like to have to reach into the pocket to take out the soiled insert(s)...YUCK. With the Smart Sleeve all you have to do is throw the whole diaper with the insert still in pocket into the wash. During washing the insert comes out and is as clean as can be when done. I have tested it many times and LOVE this feature!!!

I am new to snaps! For some reason I have a hard time getting them to fit right. I did not have a hard time with the snaps on the Smartipants. I also love the fact that for a OS, they are not huge on the small setting! I had a friend try one on her 2 month old to see how well it fits. It worked out great!

If you are thinking of trying a cloth diaper system, I would highly recommend Smartipants!!! As the website stated, they are "Committed to making cloth diapering not only easy but affordable." You can purchase a three pack of Smartipants , including three microfiber inserts for, only $36.95 (act fast though this price only lasts for 6 more days.) That is the best price I have paid for diapers that have such a wonderful quality!!!!

I know that if there is another baby in the future for our family, I will be purchasing more Smartipants cloth diapers

MY CLOTH DIAPER JOURNEY

I started to use cloth diapers with my son a little late in the game. Since he was born I have been interested in trying them. I would go online and search for cloth diapers. There were so many choices that is made my head spin. Did I want to try prefolds with covers, All in Ones, pockets or a combination of both. Then there was the whole washing thing. I would have to get detergent that was ok for cloth diapers.

Overload...then I turned off the computer.

Unfortunately I did not know anyone that was using or even has used cloth diapers to help me out. The Munchkin' Man has super sensitive skin ans I had already switched to eco friendly sposies. They made the rash go away over night- that was a major red flag for me and the "stuff" that is the regular sposies. When the munchkin' was about 18 months I did the search again and decided to just go for it I decided to buy just a few to give it a try. I stumbled upon http://www.kellyscloset.com/ One of the wonderful things that Kelly's offers is their Diaper Dollars http://www.kellyscloset.com/FREE-Diapers_ep_59-1.html#reward I bought three Bum Genius All in Ones in size large. I also decided to try two of the Fuzi Bunz seconds. Of course I also had to get detergent so I decided to try Charlie's.

I was so excited to get them in the mail. As soon as I finally made the first purchase I noticed a strange phenomena... I could not stop myself from searching and looking at all the cute cloth diapers out there. Then the package arrived!!! I read the directions on how to prep the diapers and could not wait. After they were dried we were ready to roll. I loved how they felt- so soft and cuddly not rough and not like paper. They looked so cute!

From there the addiction snow balled. I bought some Happy Heineys for the prints, bought some WAHM diapers off ebay. I was on a waiting list for the Gro Baby becuase I had to try it :)

My "stash" has grown so much from just those 3 diapers that I bought. When I started going on Twitter, I met some wonderful moms and tried their diapers- GADBaby and Smartipants. Although we are still on the journey it will be ending soon. He is almost 2 1/2 and I am getting very sad that I will have to pack up the diapers one day. That is actually funny to say that "I will miss diapers."

Why- Munchin' Man

I was thinking about what to write about and thought I would give a little explanation for the title of my blog. I started out with "Kerry's Little Blog", but that was boring. I figured that I was going to be writing mostly about my little man. When he was born he was so adorable and tiny to me. I have always made up strange songs so it only made sense that I would sing them to my child. One day I started singing "Do you know the Munchkin' Man.. the Munchkin' Man.. the Munchkin' Man.. his name is SJ." Obviously it is sung to the tune of The Muffin Man. He loved it and I kept singing. The next verse added in the street we live. He is now almost 2 1/2 and I still call him Munchkin'!

The Great Diaper Hunt

The Cute Caboose is adding to the fun for The Great Diaper Hunt by having their own giveaway!! Come and enter!

http://www.cutecaboose.com/pages/TheGreatClothDiaperGiveaway.htm

First attempt to a Montessori activity

I have been reading and reading and reading about Purposeful Play through Montessori activities. I have a few books and the Internet has been a plethora of information!

Why Montessori?

After year of teaching preschool, I have really come to believe and understand that children's brains are programmed to learn, but only if they are stimulated at an early age. Observing children can open your eyes to simple things that can be done to accommodate them to be more active participants in their leaning experiences.

* All children have "absorbent" minds

*All children pass through "sensitive" periods

*All children want to learn

*All children learn through play/work

*All children pass through several stages of development

*All children want to be independent

Together these form the core belief upon which the Montessori Method is based!

Now back to our journey. We have just begun! We do not have a room that is dedicated to Montessori activities..yet. I figured you always have to start somewhere.

Today, I tried our first activity. I saw something similar online and decided to see what we had in the house and see how the Munchkin' Man would respond to such activity. The pictures at the top is the activity for today. He had four plates that are four different colors all with a clear jar on top. Also on the table was a basket of sticks that had coordinating colors for the plates. The objective was to put the correct color stick in the jar with the matching plate. Hmm.. did that make sense? I introduced it to him and set him on his way. I was pleasantly surprised at how well he did right away. He seemed to fancy the blue sticks. This activity lasted between 5-10 min, then he was done and began dumping the sticks and doing other things that any 2 year old would do! I would make this as a success.

I look forward to doing more activities and reading more about The Montessori Way!

Recently, we found out the Munchkin' is allergic to peanuts!! It was not through routine allergy testing. We found out when he got hold of a peanut butter Whopper! One little Whopper led us to two shots of epinephrine, a ride in an ambulance and then a night stay at the hospital. We did have a suspicion that he was allergic, but for me I think I was in denial. Well, since that day, our lives have changed. We can not just go out to eat anywhere or at any ones house with out thinking ahead of time "Is it safe?". I personally have had a hard time adjusting to this! It is hard to think that something so small can take my son's life. Peanuts are in more things, not just food!

I am trying to be optimistic that in this day and age, there are so many resources that are there to help and guide us to have the Munchkin' lead a normal life! He already knows that he can not have peanuts and that we have to check boxes and ingredients. He may be small but he is becoming such a big boy!!

In September, I plan on putting a team together and to do the FAAA walk in Longbranch. I will post further details for anyone that wants to participate.

The awful pic of the Munchkin' Man is from his first peanut reaction. The last one we did not have any pictures and I am glad, I do not need a reminder of that whole day!!

New purpose

Ok.. I said that I was going to do more posts and then, well, I did not. I am totally addicted to looking at other people's blogs and have neglected mine. I would love to add more about the Munchkin' Man and what we do all day! I would like to also include future projects that I would like to do. This year a goal of mine is to make more handmade gifts. To do this, I would like to learn to sew better!!

Wow..

I started this blog for family members to see what we or I have been up to. However, it seems as if no one really looks at it. That is the reason why I have not posted anything lately. I am hoping to begin blogging more often to give more information and pictures.

Well, not too much has been going on. It is hard to keep up with posting on here. I had a Stampin' Up workshop and Keith had Skyler for the day. The had fun on a few playgrounds and even had lunch in the back of the car :)

Getting ready for Halloween

Today I was working on some things for my next Stamp Club meeting and Halloween. Below are the baskets I am giving to the girls at club and I am thinking I might make the pillow boxes to hand out at a Halloween party or for trick or treaters. Now that may sound like a lot, but I think in the past 4 years, we have had 5 trick or treaters :)

Scary spiders :) They have peppermint patties in the middle.

This is a pillow box with eyeball chocolates in it.

Meet our butterflies

Yesterday, while outside at our playground, we met a few new friends. This is Matilda. She has been with us most of the summer. To our surprise yesterday, she brought friends. I have to say that this picture is my favorite and I think it actually came out wonderful.

For the past couple weeks I have been thinking about trying to write a children's book. We I met Matilda I thought she would be wonderful to write about. As I was sitting in the backyard yesterday, I thought of a great, well at least I think so, concept for the book(s). It would be about a boy playing in his backyard and meets a butterfly. This butterfly then takes him on small adventures in his own backyard. He might meet her friend Sammy the Squirrel and he teaches the little boy about hibernation or getting ready for the winter. Then he may meet Gary the groundhog. I have no clue how to start a book and keep focused, but even if I just write it for Skyler, I think it would be fun. What do you think?

This is Theodore.

Meet Hazel.

This is Speedy. Originally he was going to be Spazz, but that did not seem to be an appropriate name for a butterfly!

Finger painting fun

Today Skyler did his first official finger painting. We set up outside and he had a blast (that is after he got over the shock of the feeling of the paint.)