I'm Always Looking for a Good Excuse to Open A Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

This week's excuse:  These are growing in my front yard!

Why not celebrate with some Lime Pie.  I can't very well call it Key Lime Pie, because I used normal limes.  It was yummy, and today I am EXTREMELY proud of myself that I have not touched it. It is still covered and half-eaten, tempting me in the fridge.  I am not including a picture.  I don't want anyone who is trying to be good to suffer.

Just combine and mix well:

5 beaten egg yolks

1 can sweetened condensed milk 

1/2 cup key lime juice

Pour into a prepared 9 inch graham cracker crust and bake at 375 for 15 minutes.  Cool.  Top with whipped cream if the above mentioned ingredients don't provide enough calories for you.

Easy.

Lately, we've been...

Making Valentines and

building monkey caves.  We are still working on correctly assigning animals to their habitats.  Monkeys generally do not live in caves, but I have decided not to make an issue out of it. 

Going on train rides to play in Salt Lake

to celebrate Daddy's graduation.

We have also been practicing a variety of new skills, despite the risk of frosting on the walls and ceiling (which miraculously did not occur).  Wow. 

We've been learning to make beds,

and visiting Temple Square.

Logan has been asserting his independence in a variety of impressive and entertaining ways.

We have taken up bowling as a hobby.

Logan insists on doing it all by himself.  Thank heaven for bumpers.

We have also enjoyed visiting lots of new places and learning new things.  The above pic is a T-Rex track.  Wow.  Huge.  I'm finding that mothering a two-year old has ignited my love of learning.  His excitement of discovery is contagious.

I Should Probably go to Therapy for This,

but before I break out the big bucks, I'll seek some advice from y'all.

I do my best not to have good treats in my house.  My personal rule for treats is this: If I want it, I can have it, but I have to go out and get it.  When I really want something yummy, I pack Logan up and we go get treats.  Our favorite destinations are the hand dipped chocolate shop down the street, and the gelato cafe by Grandma's.  We usually take these outings monthlyish.

I do keep some yucky treats around the house for Logan occasionally. He doesn't know they are yucky. I did the same thing in my classroom.  When I gave the kids treats, I chose treats that I could resist.  I do not have a weakness for some things (gummy worms, taffy, sweet tarts, jolly ranchers, hard candy, etc.).  

Why have I resorted to this?  Because if I have a bag of Almond Joys, a box of chocolate cake donuts, Oreo cookies, or a large quantity of some other delectable indulgence sitting around, I will eat it until it is gone.  Some people can eat things until they are gone over two weeks, or a month.  I eat it until it is gone in two days.  

My brain damaged thinking in the moment is this:  If I eat this, it will be gone, and then it won't be here to tempt me anymore.  Wow.  

In a moment of strength, I have been known to throw very yummy things away so I won't eat them.  Ashamedly, I have also been known to pull things back out.  Wow.

Logan and I love to bake on Sunday.  I usually justify breaking my rule about going out to get treats in the name of a math lesson on measurement and some fine motor skill development. This week we made chocolate coconut cookies.  I decided to only cook one pan and freeze the rest of the dough.  I woke up the next morning and started eating the dough.  After eating half of it, I just baked the rest, most of which I ate. Again, wow.   

I have tremendous admiration for people who can keep a candy dish with M & Ms in their living room.  Part of me wants to have things around, and learn to not eat them, so I can model healthy restraint for Logan.  The other part of my does not want to fight the personal battle that would require.  

After Opening Christmas Presents

we set off for our annual pilgirmage to the beach. I still feel like a little girl when we finally make it to Hwy 1. I still want to jump out of the car and run to the ocean. We had a glorious trip.

Logan made great use of his bucket and shovel.

Grandma and Grandpa started this tradition 50 years ago. They are nearing 80, but they are still coming.

Logan is digging a hole for the octopus. No kidding. A real one. Very cool. His hole also temporarily housed a purple sea slug, about which he was very concerned. "Mom, it is bleeding purple blood." Ink.

Notice the kelp on the tower. Nice touch.

Logan watching the football game from the sidelines.

Logan on his way to body board with Uncle Steve and Grandma.

Ocean kayaking in the campground.

Forgetting Something?

It has been snowing all day. By 3:00 pm, Logan was tired of being in the house.  He got himself ready to go out.  Can you tell?

Angels

Angels bore the news of Christ's birth to the shepherds in Bethlehem.  They still bear glad tidings today.  I don't think angels only reside in heaven.  I happen to know a few.  

If the angel who left an anonymous gift for me on my porch today reads this blog, thank you. Logan asked me if I was sad when I saw the gift, because I started to cry.  I told him that sometimes we cry when we feel happy.

Today I said a prayer that I can be an angel for someone else this Christmas.

Thanksgiving Weekend Pics (we did eat, even though there is no proof in the pics)

Logan getting congratulated by his cousin after scoring his first touchdown.

Digging.  

Hiking.  This spot was a bit precarious with a two-year old.  I caved to the peer pressure of my cool uncles though and took Logan up this narrow steep passage.  Luckily, we didn't fall to our deaths.

Huddle.

More football.

If Your Baby

ever climbs up into a very high cupboard, using his high chair as a ladder; so he can eat a bottle of these,

you can call poison control.  

Their number is 1-800-222-1222.  They are wonderful.  They will tell you that lots of iron isn't good for babies, and it can make their tummies bleed.  They will keep calling you for several days to check up on your little one. 

Luckily, the smart folks who made these very tasty dino vitamins knew that they better keep the total iron content low enough that it wouldn't kill babies who ate the whole bottle.  It would just make them a little bit sick.

Meet the Newest Member of our Family

Notice his fancy, dangley, carefully-crafted earring.  Compliments to my sister-in-law for that special touch.

Does anyone have name suggestions?

Yesterday Morning Logan's Cousin Came Over to Play

We missed a really darling picture of them both pretending to be asleep in Logan's bed.  George cooperated when we asked them to re-stage the cute scene.  Logan didn't.

This Morning...

Logan: "Mom, is George coming over today?"

Mom: "No, not today."

Logan: "Oh, crap."