Girl's Day!

Munchkin and I had a girl's day this past Saturday filled with shopping, baking, and much more. Little one has not been feeling well all week (cold and ear infection) but today she was beginning to feel much better. Also, the sun is finally out for the third time in about four months so I just can't stay in the house anymore. 

I started taking a new strength class on Saturday mornings so when I got home at 9 this morning munchkin had just finished her breakfast, and I was ready to get going.  Of course, we started the day with a nice hot shower (no picture of that). Munchkin loves taking showers with us, and not to mention it's quick and easy. 

After our shower (and some face time with Grandma and Grandpa during thier vacation in Florida) we headed out for a little shopping. First, we went to a baby consignment store called the Baby Bump. We were searching for an Easter dress, but instead we found this great BabyGap steal (yet not quite eastery enough), and a pair of shorts as we prepare (or at least hope) for spring. 

Next, we went to a local toy store. It had so many toys for kids of all ages. After we played with baby dolls, plastic zoo animals, balls, and stuffed Disney characters Alex found this...

She just kept saying, "choo choo, choo choo" everytime I asked if she was ready to go. I eventually got her away from that, and we were headed for the door when she saw this...

As you may know from previous posts Alex loves playing the piano, and this one was just HER SIZE. finally, I was able to get her out the door with the promise of lunch. 

We stopped and ate a little Frisches salad bar before making our last stop at the grocery. 

By the time we finally made it home it was way past nap time so I put her staight to bed. Just my luck she slept maybe an hour. I finally gave up and let her watch Toy Story with me (I mean it is our day anyway). 

After a little movie and relaxation it was already time for dinner. Since we went out for lunch we just did something simple... 

Warmed up left-over noodles, and strawberry applesauce for the munchkin. 

And steamed cabbage for Mom!

The past couple days we have seen some pieces of the spring to come (50 degrees). Since we've been inside for month Alex and our dog, Vienna, have been bursting at the seams to get out. So... We took a walk!

And then, since we were enjoying the outdoors so much, we continued to the back yard for a little swing time. 

Munchkin loves the swing, and I wish I had video because the whole time she just kept saying, "weee wee!"  When I finally peeled her out of it we were ready to get our PJs on. Once we were all ready it was time to make a snack (because this is supossed to be lil munchkin in the KITCHEN). I wanted to make something real simple so we prepared to make one of my favorites I haven't made in a while. 

Brownie in a mug!!!

This is literally one of the easiest things, and only takes 3 ingredients. 

1 egg

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 tbs. of cocoa powder 

First, add the egg...

Then the powdered sugar...

And the cocoa...

Stir, and microwave for 55 seconds. 

VOILA! 

add a little ice cream and you've got and easy, quick dessert. 

And, of course, it was munchkin approved (we ate it too fast for pictures). 

Munchkin went to bed, and Mom graded papers. We had such a great day together, and I feel so blessed to be able to spend this time with my amazing, yet busy, daughter!

Homemade Chicken Noodles

I had a great week spending time with my little munchkin (even if it is in the car on the way to the babysitter, during dinner, reading a bedtime story, or the tiny bit of time that we get to just hang out). I enjoy every minute, and everyday her personality continues to develop into a funny, caring, intuitive, curious little toddler. On Tuesday this week we had nothing going on after school which meant we could actually take the time to make a nice family meal...together. 

For years I have been terrified of homemade noodles yet have longed to give them a try. Lately, munchkin has been in love with egg noodles (in pretty much any form) so I thought we'd try homemade chicken noodle soup and kill two birds with one stone. 

I found a recipe that looked fairly easy; however, seeing as this was a late decision I had to make some adjustments based on what was in our kitchen and time restraint (once the beast is hungry dinner better be ready). 

TO START OFF...

Plop your chicken in a boiling pot to cook and season for soup. 

Alright, I know it's been a while since we've baked, but when I handed her an egg to crack I didn't expect this...

Good thing she learns quickly!  I know this picture looks staged so I will explain how this happened. I cracked the egg, and then handed it to her to pry open and plop into the bowl. Risky move, I know, but I have learned through cooking with my daughter that this experience is totally worth having to pick out a couple egg shell pieces from time to time. 

If you couldn't tell we're making the noddles... 

4 eggs

3 cups of flour

1 t. Of salt

Mix...

Knead...

Don't eat...

(This doesn't go with the noodle making process but munchkin insisted on cleaning her tray so I couldn't resist this incredibly cute picture.)

And, finally, roll out...

I wish you could hear her saying roll, roll. 

Once the dough is rolled out let it sit for an hour before cutting. 

In the meantime we prepared everything else. 

First, to peel the carrots. She tried really hard to help with this, but it was a hard task for such little hands. 

This task she could handle... Peeling the onion. 

It's always good to give her something to do while I'm chopping. 

After chopping the onion and carrots, and adding them to the pot it was a bit of a waiting game for everything to cook (about a half hour before adding the noodles). 

Munchkin decided to spend her time with Winnie the Pooh. 

One the chicken was boiled I decided to throw it in the Goerge Foreman to crisp up the outside a bit. Then, I chopped it up and added it back to the soup...

Lastly, THE NOODLES. I cut them in strips with a pizza cutter which seemed to work well. The recipe I looked at said they would take about 15 minutes to cook, but I think mine were a little thick so it was more like 25. 

I even had extra to put in the freezer (there was lots of soup left too). 

And, the final product!!  We did it!

Now, remember, I said I made this last Tuesday, and if you can remember that far back it was fat Tuesday. Therefore, we concluded the night with munchkin's first trip to Cold Stone. I have never seen her enjoys something so much. With every bite (and every bite she tried to steal from me) she would follow with mmmm or a huge smile and nod of the head. 

I'm Back!

This is where I have been for the past couple of months... Swim team world!  This past weekend was the state meet so we are official done. 

Don't worry munchkin has been very busy becoming baby Mozart. 

She is getting so big, and even though nothing she bangs out on the piano resembles a song she sure has fun. She is forming many interests (although most of them have something to do with Winnie the Pooh). 

I'm not sure what I'm going to do now that I can go directly home after work, but I'm thinking it will involve cooking. 

For our first ride back in the saddle the little one and I made both of our favorites...

Quinoa for mom, and pasta for Dad and munchkin!

I'm not a gourmet chef so one of my favorite things is simply pasta and chicken. The easiest thing ever... 

1. Put chicken on Goerge

2. Cook pasta

Of course, then we just kind of add whatever we have in the kitchen. 

Like tomatoes...

"Mom, you know I'm going to eat this right?" 

Dad walked in a minute later and said, "do you know she's eating that?"  

Oops, sometimes I need to give her something to do while I chop. 

Next, she got a little bored (we haven't cooked in a while so she's not used to the extended chair time) so she decided to dance in the corner where her highchair usually sits. 

And helped throw things away...

And, of course, came back just in time to test if the noodles were done...

Soooo what else did we add?

Tomatoes

Spinach

Cheese

A little Vinager and oil

Mmmmm what a way to get back into cooking!

And just to keep the momentum going the next morning I made one of my long lost green smoothies (probably one of the best I've ever made). 

Last, just a picture of the munchkin and I preparing for summer...