making mama's chores fun!

last week was d's birthday. although a super-fun time, it made a busy day for mama and baby. there were times, when little e looked activity challenged as she watched me bake and run around the house. we got out for a bit, but again it was errands and not super baby-focused. so as many mom's do, i came up with a way to make some of our tasks FUN! one item on the agenda was wrapping papa's presents. we had some brown postal-paper in the wrapping paper container and we have her clementine crayons, so why not have e make the wrapping paper with her artsy skills. mama got down on the floor too, to encourage the fun and as each piece was complete, i scooped it up and cut to size, stacking the gifts accordingly on the dining room table to await papa's arrival. 

it was a fun way for e to enjoy playtime, for mama to quiet down and have one-on-one time with e and for d to enjoy e's art. check, check and check, fun had by all. 

beginning her masterpiece

helping make chocolate cupcakes and a little taste too

gluten free, egg free chocolate cupcakes. not pictured: ibarra buttercream frosting, yummm

shipwreck soup

shiprwreck soup

d's grandma lu, has a dish called shipwreck. basic definition: anything leftover from the fridge that can be thrown into a casserole, to create a "new" dish. i tell you, it has worked in our house a few times... lately i have found myself, trying to re-use ingredients that little e fancies, to make her a dish entirely new. saves mama time at night when coming up with a dinner that she'll enjoy and something that is full of good stuff, especially when the hubby and i are having something easy and not too nutricious - like pizza night. 

last week i saved a few vegetable each night from our dinners, cooked broccoli, roasted carrots and sweet potatoes. night 4, i threw them in the food processor with a little water, a dash of milk and some salt and pepper, voila, soup for little e. i heated it up and made her a little turkey, grilled cheese. yummy soup and sandwich, tasty enough for mama to have some of. i think i may save a few veggies every night...since it's only a few to spare and makes a wonderfully healthy addition to a meal for her later in the week. and who can resist seeing her with a little utensil, full of brightly colored goodness, blowing on it and looking to me with a little nod of the head, "hot?"

it's-it

i read today that national ice cream sandwich day was this week (please note: i make it a point to educate myself on all the news worthy current events). for anyone that knows me, mint it's it ice cream, is one of my absolute favorites. if you grew up in santa barbara and attended la cumbre junior high, it's-it sandwiches are more than a tasty treat, they're nostalgic. the lengths i've gone, to be reminded of their scrumptious flavor are a little ridiculous: we've made special trips to 7-11 when on limited-time visiting friends in the bay (lei and bali, you know what i'm talking about). when i was pregnant d and i scoured the city, going to 15 (yes 1-5) locations looking for just one, to satisfy my craving (it resulted in vanilla flavor, but it was worth it!). friends have stopped by to gift a box (thank you lucia and rina) or called to tell me where they were last spotted. for those of you who haven't had the pleasure, an it's-it is mint ice cream between two soft oatmeal cookies, covered in a chocolate shell. it's a good time.

it's fiesta here in santa barbara. the whole city will be partying. you won't often find me with a drink covered in salt and seasoned with lime, but make no mistake about it, i will be indulging in my own vices. did someone say churros? but for today's treat, an it's-it. happy fiesta friday!

tasty + healthy shake

my dear friend sara, turned me on to using coconut milk as a base for the little one's shakes. turns out, it's not only e who loves the tasty shakes, but mama too. here are the yummy ingredients and you can vary the quantity and contents to your liking:
coconut milk
frozen blueberries
banana
goat's milk yogurt
flax meal
blend and...voila, tasty + healthy shake

papa, came in the kitchen and used the leftover coconut milk and put his spin on it:
coconut milk
trader joe's whey vanilla protein powder
peanut butter
banana

enjoy!

a little blurry, but a lot of cute!
e enjoying her shake, flax waffle took a back seat