A Little More of Isaac Lately

Mommy's little shopping helper.

(I know this picture is a tad blurry, but I just love his adorable expression and had to share it!)

It was a "curly" kind of hair day for the Little Man -- can you see it?

He woke up with that curl and it stuck around all day!  It was the cutest thing!

Full of smiles...

Climbing his Bumbo seat - a favorite play thing!

After installing Isaac's new, big-boy car seat that day, I tried to show him how fun it was to play with the big box...like a little house.

He didn't really get it.  Oh well.  

I'm sure he'll appreciate such play spaces more when he's older and his imagination is a bit more developed! :)

Out on a walk with Mr. Dan and the guys.

Somebody loves meal time!  

(And yes, he was doing double cups that morning; one for milk and one for water!)

Check out Isaac's new skill!

He made it!

Looking down from such lofty heights...:)

Sooo proud of himself!

Holding on while trying to find the toys he had tossed in the dryer.

Pointing to the clothes Mommy was folding.

Isaac loves to play with magnets.

He takes them back and forth between the fridge and the dryer.

"Yeah, Mom...totally."

My little charmer covered in spaghetti sauce for the first time (after gobbling down eggplant pizzas and tilapia fillets, might I add!).

This is Isaac's way of saying "more" and "please" and basically asking for something whenever he is making a request.  It's a one-sign-fits-all approach to sign language!  (His idea, not ours.  We've tried to teach him other signs, but it always comes back to this one!)

*Love*

Pie in the Face Night

Last night, at AWANA, the kids enjoyed "Pie in the Face Night."  And I enjoyed a great photo opportunity! :)  But first, here they are playing non-dribble basketball during game time.

Sparkies learning their Bible memory verses during Handbook time.

Cubbies listening to their story and learning their verses.  (I forgot to get the older kids from the T&T group in action!)

Finally, the moment they had all been waiting for!

Joseph slams Mr. Dan!

So flattering... :)

Ivan empties his plate on Mr. Dan's face, too!

Is this the male version of a facial? :)

Mr. Dillon, the next victim.

Mmm...

I love little Benji's face in this picture and his clasped hands of gleeful anticipation!

Miss Celeste gets slammed!

They were all great sports. :)

Esperansa's turn to top it off with some whipped cream!

Celeste looks like a delicious clown. :)

Erica was pretty pleased with her work on Mr. Dillon's face.

Even the little ones got to participate!

No fear.

Then, it was their turn to enjoy some pie!

Thankful Thursday

772.  The privilege of being a full-time homemaker, thanks to my husband's provision for our family

773.  The privilege of resting when my body needs it, thanks to being a full-time homemaker :)

774.  Hugs and snuggles from my baby boy

775.  A box of crayons that kept said baby boy occupied during Daddy's Bible study last night for a good 20 minutes!

776.  Hot baths

777.  Buds and blossoms starting to pop out around town

778.  Sweet fellowship and learning at our monthly ladies' Bible study

779.  Visitors at church taking us out for a meal

780.  Vegetables on sale that I don't usually buy which have tasted so good this week!

781.  Answered prayer for a specific request pertaining to our baby's upcoming birth

782.  Lots of movement from the Littlest Man, letting me know he is alive and well!

Thankful Thursday (on Friday...again)

765.  New overalls for Isaac that make him look so adorable!

766.  Significant improvement for Nathan's ankle meaning that he can sleep in bed again (instead of on the couch), walk with only a small limp, and experience much less pain than before!

767.  Isaac's incredibly cute baby babble and personal conversations with himself

768.  Yummy almond-flour brownies thanks to my mom's generosity in sending the almond flour!

769.  Fellowship over dinner with new friends

770.  A very active little one in the womb

771.  God's provision of an excellent curriculum for our VBS this summer

Thankful Thursday (on Friday!)

754.  Isaac's wrinkly-nose grins

755.  Running water

756.  Good times with friends from Houston

757.  Beautiful music playing throughout the house

758.  Energy to clean house

759.  A continuing healthy pregnancy

760.  Chocolate

761.  Spring on its way!

762.  Isaac's contagious giggles when playing a fun game

763.  My wise and caring husband

764.  Daily naps (I know I have mentioned them before, but they are gifts worth being thankful for on a regular basis!)

A Little of Isaac Lately

"Hey, Mom!  Look how fast I can wreak havoc on your drawer contents!"

One evening, while searching for a new activity to keep my little guy occupied while I worked in the kitchen, I came across the suggestion to put a bucket of water on a towel and give him cups and spoons to play with in the water.  Well, that brilliant idea lasted only until Isaac figured out how to dump the bucket over.  Yeah...I think it will be awhile before we try that activity again!

Walking like a big boy!

And showing off his new monkey bib from Aunt Katelin and Uncle Nathan!

Digging his new stripes from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Samuel.

Saying "Hi" to the camera, except that his wave got a little lost in the motion. :)

An attempt at showing off the 23 week baby bump...too much flash!

Another attempt...

Recipes to Share!

Here are the links to some recipes we have been enjoying lately!

Breakfast Cake - so yummy and healthy -- for the most part!  My husband LOVES this recipe and always asks for more!) :)

French Toast with Berry Butter - for the time when blackberries or raspberries just happen to go on sale; another winner with the husband!

Whole Wheat Cornbread - the perfect addition to chili, soups, and stews

Crustless Quiche - great for the day you don't want to mess with a pie crust and just use what you have in the fridge...very flexible!

Cheesy Beef and Rice - easy and nutritious!

THM Peppermint Chocolate Milkshake - I make ours without the chocolate chips since my husband doesn't like the crunch in his drink, but I have had it with the chocolate too, and both ways are delicious!

And one other new favorite:

German Apple Pancakes

4 eggs
3/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. milk
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
4 T. butter
2 medium apples thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 400.  While it is heating up, place a glass 9x13 dish in the oven with the butter to heat.  Meanwhile, beat the eggs, flour, milk and salt together.  In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.  When the butter has melted, take the pan out of the oven and move the melted butter liquid around until it coats the sides and bottom of the pan.  Spread the apple slices on the bottom in a single layer.  Pour the batter on top.  Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until puffed and golden brown.  Serve immediately.

Katrina's Note: I usually halve this recipe for just the two of us and make it in a square 8x8 or 9x9 glass pan.  It is super simple to whip together (15 min. tops!) and makes for one happy husband!

Thankful Thursday

743.  A child who seems to be slowly outgrowing his "clingy-mama's-boy" tendencies, making him a happier little guy

744.  Naps (sometimes taken morning and afternoon just like the little man!)

745.  Nathan's ability to walk without crutches

746.  Discounted lodging for our upcoming anniversary trip this spring

747.  Isaac's happy chirps

748.  Plants growing in the sunshine on my window ledge

749.  The beauty of snow on the mountains

750.  Isaac's excitement to play the piano multiple times a day

751.  Amazon gift cards

752.  Yummy new recipes

753.  Fellowship with friends

Isaac's Birthday

For starters, this little boy LOVES balloons!  He was fascinated by the fact that several adorned the wall and chairs.  When he got one of his own to play with, it kept him busy for awhile!

"Look, Mommy!  I have a green balloon!"

"Mmmm. They taste good, too!"

The happy birthday boy!  Love that precious face1

Opening the last of his presents for the day. (We spread them out so he wouldn't be overwhelmed.)

A magnet train set.

Woody and a horse.

Something wrapped up from Mema and Papa.

Wow!  A fun, twisty rattle toy!

Isaac loves to shake it.

Despite his expression, Isaac was not unhappy; just baffled by the newness of a birthday cupcake complete with a lit candle and song being sung!

Enjoying the song...

As soon as I gave him his very first cupcake ever, he plunged his little fingers right into the top of it and proceeded to then eat it like this!  We cracked up!

Mmm...yummy honey butter icing!

He ate the icing first - just like any smart kid, right? :)

I think the cupcake was Isaac's favorite part of the birthday!

Every last crumb was thoroughly enjoyed!