We did, We didn't

Today we did:

Create three artistic masterpieces
Stay within a 1 block radius of our home
Try to keep Olive from putting everything in her mouth
Set up the coolest train track in our living room
Rearrange the furniture in our dining room and kitchen
Try to listen to and have patience with one another
Play Super Cape

Today we didn't:
Change out of our pajamas or brush our teeth until after 4 pm
Fold the laundry that has been on the couch since Sunday
Totally succeed in listening, being patient or keeping things out of O's mouth
Listen to Rent once (...we listened to it twice)
Continue our three week streak of being absentee bloggers

Summoning Jackson Pollock in the front yard

Masterpiece #1

I am getting really good at building these. Seriously thinking about asking for some more tracks for Christmas...if I just had a few more of those double joining pieces I could do SO much more!!

And it's still on the couch.

Masterpiece #2 - the first Christmas tree of the season! And just to the right of it you'll notice Zeke's contribution - "Monster. Have ears. Have nose. Have shooting gun. Shooting people." Fabulous.

Masterpiece #3 - I'm better at building train tracks than painting portraits, but Z liked it.

Pumpkin Muffins

Since returning from our weekend in the cold and cozy mountains, I have definitely been feeling fallish. The display of canned pumpkin at Trader Joe's was also inspiring, but it was really the rain on Monday that sealed the deal. It was high time for some autumnal baked goods. After an exhausting trip to Henry's I found myself stocked up on the necessary ingredients and ready to welcome fall into my kitchen.


(And, yes, he did wear his pajamas and rain boots to the grocery store. And he did, in fact, discover this overpriced bag of marshmallows on the bulk spices aisle and then proceed to carry it around the entire store. And, finally, he did manage to find the display of fresh baked french bread and tear off a hunk then quickly shove it in his mouth. Thankfully, the Henry's employee graciously took the remnants of the loaf to the back of the store while I quickly paid for my groceries and got the heck out of there.)

But, I have to say, it was worth the trouble. They are pretty delicious, especially with a cup of coffee and the sound of rain on my roof.

Here is the recipe, just in case you are also in the mood for a little fall treat.

(If you're not into the whole wheat flour/oat thing, you can find another version of the recipe here)

Pumpkin Muffins
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup oats
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Equipment: a muffin pan (preferably nonstick) with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Butter muffin pan if not nonstick.

Whisk together flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together butter, brown sugar, pumpkin, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until a wooden pick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool.

Retreating

We had so much fun in Big Bear this weekend hanging out with our church family! We are so sad the weekend is over.

Babysitter

The other day, I let Zeke play with the hair dryer while I got ready. I know, I know...this is a bad idea. I'll try not to let it happen again.

We're morning people

Our day begins early in the Westra home. It works out well for us, though. We like our mornings. We all seem to get excited about the prospect of a new day.


We get to enjoy some time outside.

Before it gets too hot to play in the dirt...


find a roly poly...


or ride a bike.

He gets to enjoy his morning refreshment.

And I get to enjoy mine.

And we sit on our blanket and watch the busy world rush off to work or school. And we enjoy this short season of life which feels full and sometimes tiring, but never rushed. And even though I sometimes day dream about all that I'll get done when they are both in school and I have the house to myself...I know I'll miss these quiet mornings.

Meet me at 3rd & Fairfax

We had a fun breakfast date with Grandma Evie this past weekend at the LA Farmers Market.

First, we had to get some fresh fruit. Zeker waited in line with Grandma and clung to the stuffed Eeyore she brought for him.

We had a delicious breakfast of french toast, bacon and eggs.

Followed by a little dessert.

Lovin' the fresh apple fritter from Bob's.

We walked around the Grove and Z played in the fountain. We didn't see any of the usual B movie stars, but we did see paparrazi, so someone worth photographing was there. I guess we're a little out of the loop when it comes to movie stars.

We always have a great time with Grandma Evie!

Not what we expected

We had to forgo the outing scheduled for this morning due to a swollen eye and a tired boy. I was bummed, but we found other things to fill our day. A trip to Walmart (I know, I've sold out completely), a reenactment of the Broadway musical Rent (well, not a total reenactment, the themes are a bit mature for a 2 year old) and lots of eating.



After his nap we were feeling a little snacky, so we made some of these babies.

But making these...

resulted in this.



I cleaned the mess and Z opened the mail.


The five month old refused to stay where I put her.



We had a picnic dinner in the front yard and realized we were still hungry. So we drove to Henry's at 6 pm and bought a rotisserie chicken.

Zeke wore this to the grocery store.


The day was not what we had expected. But it was pretty fun.