Viola! Crepes for my Cherie

Today I made crepes for the first time. I was flipping through my anniversary present from Mark, my Professional Chef textbook and I decided, why not try to make crepes? I wanted to practice so I could make a special dessert for Mark.

Kaylee was my test subject. OMG, I have never seen her hog down something so quickly!! I sprinkled a little brown sugar on them and served her a side of whip cream for dip (my fav way to eat them).



After she was done with the first one. She was begging me for another. She was signing "more" and pointing to the kitchen.




I made her another one and again she quicky inhaled that one too. I think we found Kaylee's new favorite breakfast. Wait until she tried a stuffed crepe!




Ethan and Javi, my little mop tops, finally got their hair cut today. Unfortunately, I forgot my phone at home, so I couldn't snap any shots after. Javi kept telling me that he was in an old fashioned hair cut place, since it was a real barber shop and not a hair cut place. It was too cute. We grabbed doughnuts for them after, since Winnchel's was right next door to the barber. Both boys look devilishly handsome, of course!

Daddy got Ethan a new game for the iPhone to play. It's a motor cycle supercross game, which is right up his alley! Here Ethan is playing the game in his FOX supercross jammies. He is really getting good at spelling his name all by himself when he gets a high score ;) He's so proud! What a big boy! Someone please stop my children from growing up so fast!




-- Post From My iPhone

G5 Weekend Report

Hope everyone had a great weekend. We had a nice relaxing weekend.  Friday I cooked an enormous dinner, which I enjoyed making, thoroughly.  Everything from scratch, just as I like to do.  I suppose I was inspired by watching the movie Tortilla Soup on Thursday while I was folding what seemed like a mountain of laundry.  I spent most of the afternoon cooking.  I made corn tortillas, roasted salsa, tortilla soup, enchiladas beans and rice.  I was a little disappointed that the tortillas had kind of a funny aftertaste.  I am guessing because the masa may have gone stale.  It had been in the cabinet for quite a while.  I didn't know that it could, but I guess it's just as perishable as anything else.  I made a mole enchilada sauce and a Mexican beef roast as filling.  The roast practically fell apart when I was preparing the meat to go in the chili mole sauce for the enchiladas, which is just the way I like it.  Ethan liked the "chippy soup" (tortilla soup) as we called it, which was very surprising.  It's garnished with creama (kinda of sour cream) and cilantro.

Saturday we went to Kaylee's first real playdate (meaning a play date that was actually scheduled for her).  We went to a meet up with the families from my speech class.  It was the first time we had actually seen all the kids in person.  We get to watch videos of each other utilizing the techniques we learn in class.  The kids were so cute!!  Kaylee had a really good time.  So did Ethan!  He didn't want to leave.  They had other children that Ethan played with that were more his age.  Kaylee really like playing with our host's eldest daughter.  It was nice to see her get some time in with a "big sister" type.  The girl also seemed thrilled since she has all younger brothers.  She was fascinated to get to play with a little girl.  We headed out to the outlet mall after that to pick up some much needed clothes for Mark and Kay.  

We relaxed the rest of the day.  We watched AFV for the first time with Ethan.  Man, was it a crack up to see him laughing at all the video clips.  I think it was funnier to watch him react then it was to watch the videos themselves!

Sunday, we made some time to teach Ethan how to ride a bike with training wheels.  Javi never rides his bike.  He just never really took to it.  He's always been more interested in his scooter or skate boards.  Although the bike is too big for him, he did a really good job pedaling.  We decided it was time to get Ethan a bike of his own, so I think I will take a look at the second hand sports shop to get him a little 12" bike.  He won't need it for more than a year or two at best, so we thought it better not to spend too much. 

Here's a clip of him riding with Mark teaching him.

Legoland 2009 Pics

Can alternatively be viewed on Flickr, CLICK HERE.

We had such a great time! It was nice to do something with Ethan all by himself. What a special birthday treat! I really enjoy getting to spend one on one time with each of the kids. Ethan was so happy. You can tell from the pics that he was totally elated to be the center of attention, for once! We always try to make special time for him, since middle children can often feel "squeezed out". It's double duty difficult with Ethan, since he has the least needs out of the three of them. I am so glad we were able to go.

Ethan's favorite ride was the "driving ride" where he got to go all by himself like a big boy! He was cruising in his mini Lego convertible Volvo. Sweet ride!! You know, chicks dig Volvos :) His least fav was the roller coaster. I took him on the Dinocoaster against his will, thinking he would enjoy it once he got over that initial fear (Javi was always like that at that age) but, nope!! He is not a thrill ride kinda guy, just like Mark. It was actually a very mild roller coaster, geared for little kids, but he still didn't like it. My favorite part of the day was the boat cruise. Our first ride. It was so cute to see the excitement in his face. I also loved the Inaugural LegObama Exhibit in Miniland. Complete with moving parade! It was amazing!

Thank you to Jamie and Mark for helping out with the other two kids so I could get out with Ethan. Also, thank you to my friend, Ryan for getting the tickets for us off the base. Gotta love those military discounts!!

G5 Weekend Report

It was such a nice weekend, celebrating Ethan's birthday!  We certainly have been enjoying the cake all weekend.  It's officially gone!  I think it's the first time we have ever finished a birthday cake.  Ethan had about six slices through out the weekend.  I figured, why not?  It's his birthday cake and he doesn't get it often.  Enjoy it while you can!  My mom took the last few slices home for my grandparents to enjoy.

Let's see...since you already know what we did on Friday.  Let's go straight to Saturday.  We pretty much lounged around for most of the day.  We played wii with the kids and had left overs from the "breakfast for dinner" from Ethan's bday party.  In the evening, my mom and I went to pick up chinese food, our usual Saturday dinner, from the little place a few blocks away from our house.  The people know us and they are really nice.  They make all of Javi's stuff special order because of his diet, which is really cool!  We dropped by Home Depot while we were up there to purchase some duct tape to fix our dryer.  The vent hose just keeps falling off.  There is nothing wrong with the cuff that attaches it, but it just keeps falling off.  I suspect it's because I dry large loads and it shakes the darn thing loose.  Anyway, we ate chinese and watched movies, just relaxed.  It was nice.

Sunday morning, we did much of the same, except for I went for a morning jog!  My first in quite a while.  It's time to burn off some of those Xmas lbs!!  Woo, I have gained a few too ;)  I am really motivated, so I am confident I will stick with it.  I have also been trying to eat healthier...again!  I got kinda "lax" during the holidays, so it's time to get psycho again.  

My Normal Diet...

Breakfast is a small bowl of oatmeal with raisins and a coffee.  Then for lunch, a fruit smoothie and a small snack (half sandwich, or soup, luna bar, etc.).  I usually have an afternoon snack like half a banana or hummus and pita, then a normal size dinner (no larger than a salad plate full), which typically includes at least one veg.  I try very hard not to eat sweets, but on occasion I like to have a piece of chocolate or a cookies.  I love love love fancy coffee, so I can usually just reward my self with a coffee and I'm good.  Of course, try to drink as much water as possible too.

This is my NORMAL diet.  You don't want to know what I have been eating for the last six weeks!!  But I'm sure it's not much different what everyone has been eating ;)  I'd like to try to work out, strength training at least 3x's a week and cardio 3x's on the off days.  I'd also like to incorporate yoga at least 2x's a week.  

Sunday afternoon, I took the kids to my friend's Natalie and Steve's house to watch the Charger game.  Mark stayed home to catch up on some rest.  The ladies and I played Texas Hold'em during half time and in to the second half, since at this point the Chargers were a little behind.  It was quite the roll reversal.  Steve had done all the cooking for the game, then he played with the kids a little while the ladies played poker!  It was most entertaining for me to witness this.  Steve did a wonderful job hosting the football party.  I know all the ladies are a tough crowd.  Besides Ethan, he was the only guy ;)  

Ethan discovered he is quite good at Golden Tee.  They have a stand up arcade game in their living room, so Ethan had a good time.  Sure he was amazed by an arcade game being in their living room.  Kaylee discovered that she really likes dogs.  She loved petting Apollo, Natalie's golden retriever.  I could tell Mark saw my wheels spinning when I told him that Kaylee liked their dogs.  He just said "NO PUPPIES".  I whole heartedly agree, since I've been there may times already.  Maybe sometime in the future, we can look in to rescuing an adult dog that is already house trained.  I do really miss having the companionship of a dog.  We always had a dog when I was growing up.  It would be really nice for the kids to also have that kinship.

Natalie's dog, Apollo

Ethan's Birthday Pics

Ethan had a nice family birthday party.  Since he is a little on the shy side, we opted to do favor boxes for his class, have a family party and do Legoland with Mommy on Wednesday next week, in lieu of a big party.  We had a pajama party with "breakfast for dinner", Ethan's favorite meal of the day.  Grandma came to visit from LA and our neighbors, Audrey and Burke stopped by for some cake.

I managed to find Mario Bros jammies at Target yesterday morning.  What a find!!  I thought, maybe I'll see if they have some Mario pj's while I was there getting bday wrapping paper and to my surprise they had them in his size!  The other surprising find...they had a Sonic the Hedgehog tshirt for Javi!  My mom had already purchased some Wii pj's for Mark (you can see them in the pic of Ethan opening his presents) for Christmas, so all the boys had their gaming jammies on ;)  Cute!

We had biscuits and gravy, hash browns, eggs, and bacon.  The adults had mimosas too, with the left over champagne from New Years.  Cake for desert, of course!  I'm still stuffed from all the carbs.  

Ethan received all gaming presents, of course!  His favorite past time!  Thanks everyone!

Thanks for all the cake tips, Sharon.  Couldn't have done it with out your wealth of cake knowledge!

Where did the time go?

Tomorrow my little boy turns FOUR!! I can't believe it!! Where did the time go?? I'll show you...

You were the most beautiful newborn.  You looked like a porcelain doll 

and Daddy was afraid he would break you.

 It wasn't long before you wanted do everything just like daddy...

But it was no secret that you were and still are Mama's boy...

Those eyes could melt anyone's heart...

They are like windows to your soul...kind, sensitive, and good natured.

Your smile shows your more devious side.

Yes, my little angel does have a devious side from time to time.

I remember your first time on the soccer field.  

It was the first time I realized that you were not a baby anymore.  

Now you are my big boy turning FOUR!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ETHAN!!

Ethan's Preschool Christmas Party

Kaylee and I went to Ethan's Christmas Cookie Party.  We had a really good time.  I loved watching the kids sing.  Too cute!!

I also published some still photos to Flickr.

It's a Princess...just like Mommy

Ethan: Look mommy!! (playing Super Mario Galaxy, while Mommy was checking email)

Mom: Yeah baby, what's up?

Ethan: It's a Princess, just like you!

God, I love that kid! He's my boy!  

On this weekend's agenda:

Friday, we are celebrating the 1st day of the twelve days of Christmas.  We will be doing a different activity every day.  Today, I think we will be doing Elf Yourself.  I know the kids will get a big kick out of it.  I will also be sending out our holiday cards today, so look for them in the mail sometime next week.

Saturday, I will be heading out to do some more Christmas shopping and hanging out with the kiddos.  Of course another 12 days activity in the evening, then after kids go down, wooo hoo, it's ladies nite!!  I am going over to Carrie's house for some girls fun.  We are going to have some app's and a little vino.

Sunday night is our neighborhood Christmas party, so we will be stopping by, or I will.  Still haven't really gotten a definitive answer from Mark on whether he wants to come ;0)

Cracking up to be a busy weekend.  It's the holidays!

Ethan's Field Trip Pics

We had so much fun at the Children's Museum with Ethan's class.



The IEP after for Javi, not so much, but I will update about that later.

This Little Piggy

This little piggy looks better than it did yesterday!

It isn't slowing me down one bit.  It looks much better by comparison to Mark's toes, after the two times he broke them, one of those times was on our wedding day!  It doesn't feel too bad.  I have stayed loaded up on advil to help with the pain and swelling.  

I have a field trip for Ethan tomorrow to the Children's Museum.  Jamie Poppins, our friend and helper will be coming to watch Kay while we are out.  Straight from the field trip, I will be running to drop Ethan off at home, then whisking off to Javi's continuation IEP, to which I will undoubtably be late for.  I told Javi's dad to start with out me.  I only have 30 minutes between the arrival of the field trip bus and the start of the IEP.  Talk about cutting it close!!  Wish me luck!  With this troop, who has time to slow down?

Faces Of Autism

Jaden, Javi and Ethan are famous ;)  

After we saw our friend Jaden's post on Faces of Autism, we decided to submit Javi and Ethan.  What a wonderful way to promote awareness and also put spotlights on children that are not always recognized.  It's such a positive spin on what may otherwise be considered a devastating diagnosis.  It's a nice way to say to everyone, "Hey, we may have some rough days and we may have to do things a little differently, but these are still very capable and loving individuals with strengths and weaknesses, just like everyone else. " 

Brotherly Love

Javi was showing Ethan how to play Pokemon when we were walking around
Circuit City today. It was very cute. What a good boy! He even shared
with brother and let him have a turn.

Choo Choo

Another great day at the train park. We love taking the kids there on
Saturday. It's one of the simple pleasures in life. I love to see
Ethan's eyes light up when we arrive there and he sees the Choo Choo.

Today it was the steamie. We got to see it take in water and do a
blow. It was pretty neat. Ethan loved it. Being the middle child, and
the kid with the least needs for the time being, it's nice for the
focus to be on the things he's interested in.

We discovered that Ethan is really in to baseball. We played in the
yard this evening after we got back from the pool (we went swimming
after the train to cool off). He's really good at it too. So focused
when he plays catch or swings the bat. He's got a really good arm for
a three year old. He says he wants to play teenball. I'm hoping he
stays interested.

More Milestones

Kay is starting to say "mama" started on Friday. She's now pulling up
to a standing position, started on Sunday. She's also getting pretty
fast with that army crawl, despite the fact that she drags her left
side. She's just starting to cruise. She can walk a step or two
holding her toy box.

Ethan is now talking non stop. From the shy boy who never left my side
to every 2 seconds he has something else to say. He sings all the time
too. Today when we took an evening walk around the neighborhood with
daddy, I had to tell him twice to say excuse me and be quiet while
daddy and talked.

Good news all around!

My big boy!

Ethan took his very first ride on a school bus today. He was such a
big boy. He walked right on, picked his own seat, helped buckle his
seat belt and said "Bye Mom!". No reservations at all. He's only
three! Such a big boy, not a baby any more. I know he must feel cool,
just like his big brother.

Summer Snowstorm

Ethan decided his room was a perfect place to create a snowy condition for his trucks. He took an entire bottle of "papa powder" a.k.a. Shower to Shower Talcum Powder and spread it all over his room. Just another one of those kid things that drive you crazy, but are a good laugh. I couldn't punish him. He knew he was busted when I came up stairs. He was sorry and knew it wasn't a good idea when it got all over the room. Daddy helped clean it up when he got home, so no real harm done. Yesterday was just one of those days ;)

Here are some funny pics, enjoy!

IEP Season

I have been IEP'n it up having two boy on the spectrum. It's
transition time for both of them. Javi is going in to NSH (non
severely handicaped) and Ethan in to Integrated Preschool (50% typical
kids with less adult to child ratio). This is a big step up for both
of them, in terms of independence. They will both be at a new school
with new classmates and new teachers, so it's a pretty big change.

Yesterday we had Ethan's transition and today is the continuation of
Javi's transition meeting. Hope all goes well!

Shanna Grimes
(Sent from my iPhone)

Posing for Pics

Ethan and Kaylee were posing for GG and I managed to sneak in and snap
this one.

We have arrived!

Ethan's first plane ride.

Cultural Experience at Seafood City

Today, I decided to open up my test kitchen to making some potstickers
or Asian dumplings. I will be making an Asian fusion meal on Saturday
for the family (mom, sister and grandparents are coming over for a
Mothers' Day family feast. Potstickers is just one of the items on the
menu.

We decided to go to Mira Mesa, to one of the many Asian markets,
Seafood City. Mira Mesa is a predominantly Filipino community. Similar to Chinatown
that most major metro areas have.  Ethan has not been to an Asian
market since he was a baby, so it was quite an experience for him. As
always, I go straight to the lumpia counter to purchase a couple for
Ethan and I to snack on. This time we tried a sugar glazed banana
lumpia (similar to an egg roll, but with a sweet fruit fill). It was
delicious. I tried to get Ethan to taste, but he refused.  

Next we hit up the fruit and veg department. I needed just a few
items. I didn't want to stock up, since they did not offer organic. I
did manage to get organic tofu and locally grown strawberries.

After that, we went to the seafood section. They had live fish and
crabs, whole fish on ice out of the case packed with ice, whole shrimp
with the heads still on. Ethan and I took a look at the live fish in a
barrel that just had a small amount of water. Ethan and I got really
close to the barrel and when one of the fish flopped up, we must have
jumped two feet back. It was hilarious! Pictured is Ethan next to the
blue crab. He didn't want to get to close after what happened with the
fish.

Potstickers came out delicious. I even managed to get the pleat down
(one of the many ways to fold an Asian dumplings). Javi called them
hot stickers, it was cute. He loved them. Ethan got as far ad smelling
them and having a healthy curiousity about them, but didn't want to
eat them. Maybe next time!

Tonight we are going to open house at Ethan's school, so Mark will
have to wait to have some tasty potstickers.

I will post the link to the recipe later. I used Sohui Kim's recipe,
chef and owner of The Good Fork (Asian Fusion) recently featured on
Throwdown with Bobby Flay. They do have a wonderful moist flavor with
the tofu. Yummy!