Life Lately

The Kinard household has been farely laxed lately. Either too blasted hot to be outside or either its raining.  Boo on both!

We did get caught in a downpour in our walk the other morning.  I saw the sheet of rain coming our way.  I got the pack off, put the hood on with the rain beating us down. Poor Brody was huddled between me and the backpack trying to stay dry.  Got Vivian somewhat protected, then high tailed it back to the house.  For someone  who's not a runner, it was not fun.  We survived and made it back home looking like a drenched rat.

We have been going on several lunch dates with daddy.

Versailles crepe from Our Crepes and More

Bought new jammies for little miss. They are super soft!

I got some new kicks that I love.  I have wide feet and these make them appear slimmer.  Plus, they look great with leggings and skinny jeans. 

New Balance for J.Crew

Got a few fall scents from Bath and Body Works.  I went with the 3 travel size vs 1 bottle to change up the smells.  

Watching football and enjoying fall beer.

Reading books

And rocking front ponytails.

We've already started back with The Little Gym, which Vivian LOVES, and searching for things for us to do in Asheville when we go the end of the month.  B will be gone in the mornings for his conference and should be done by 12pm, which means we'll be hitting up a playground and will definitely check out their botanical garden.  Should be interesting sharing a hotel room with a toddler, but she needs to learn to sleep in different environments.  So ready to go and PRAYING the weather will be cooler!   

Sweet Potato Custard and Ooh La La Lentils

Winner winner, chicken dinner.  Sweet potato custard, you are devine!  I've never had custard and obviously have never made it and I am so glad I came across this recipe in my Wholesome Baby Food Guide.  If you make your baby or toddler food, this book is a must have.  Tons of recipes and they are easy to prepare.  

I was thumbing through trying to find something new to make for Vivian.  I think she's getting bored with my cooking already.  Not good.  I spotted the recipe and figured I would give it a try.

I already made the 'Ooh La La Lentils' on Sunday and paired the leftovers with the custard.  The lentils are so good.  She made a mess with it so I ended up pureeing it a little so it was easier for her to handle.  Plus, both dishes are great for adults.  Well, for me.  B, not so much. 

Sweet Potato Custard (link here)

Ingredients

1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato (1 or 2 medium sweet potatoes)
1/2 cup mashed bananas
1 cup low-fat evaporated milk or low-fat milk (I used full fat evaporated milk)
2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar 
2 egg yolks, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup raisins or finely chopped figs or dates (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon and/or nutmeg and/or ginger (I used only cinnamon)
Splash of vanilla extract
Nonstick cooking spray, as needed

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

In a medium sized bowl, mix the sweet potatoes and the banana, then add the milk; blend well.  

Add the brown sugar, egg yolks, salt, raisins (if desired), spices and vanilla, and mix thoroughly.

Grease casserole dish (1 quart minimum) with nonstick cooking spray and add sweet potato custard mixture.  

Bake 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool and then serve.  Drizzle with plain whole milk yogurt and a bit of maple syrup if desired.  I used only a little of the maple syrup and I highly recommend it! Freezes with mixed results. 

Ooh La La Lentils (link here, the name is different on website)

Ingredients 

3 cups water or broth (low-sodium, all-natural chicken or vegetable broth...I used veg broth)
3/4 cup uncooked brown lentils
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
1/2 cup brown rice (I actually used quinoa)
1 teaspoon fresh mint tarragon (I did not use)

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring water or broth to boil. 

 Add the lentils, carrot and brown rice or quinoa.  Return to boil, then turn to low heat. 

 Simmer on low heat for 60 to 90 minutes if using brown rice.  If using quinoa, simmer for about 30 minutes or until lentils have become soft, the rice or quinoa has cooked, and the carrots are fork tender.   

Remove from stovetop and allow to cool.  Puree if desired.  Freezes well! 

Labor Day Weekend

What a relaxing weekend we've had.  We kicked the weekend off by having dinner at Elijah's.  We rarely make it downtown since Vivian has been in our lives.  We tend to eat closer to home rather than making the 20 minute drive.  We sat outside and Vivian loved watching the little birds that were waiting for a little crumb to drop.  I had the crab on english, B went with the catfish sandwich and little miss gobbled up her fish n' chips.  We had an older gentleman that had to come over to our table and speak to Vivian.  Never fails!  I think she enjoys the extra attention.

  Saturday morning we hung around the house. We played, played and played until naptime. The perk having your 14 month nap on you is that you can't get up to pee.  

After her 3 hour nap we went to lunch at Carolina Ale House with all of us supporting our Mississippi State Bulldogs.  While waiting to be seated, a patron walked by and told Vivian that she shouldn't let her parents dress her in clothes for a team she didn't get to decide to choose to like.  Ha!  

We ate, colored, had a drink before heading over to Lowes Foods to pick up makings for Buffalo Chicken Dip.

We did some more playing until bath and bed.  The State game didn't start until 7:30 so Vivian didn't get the chance to watch any.  I watched until halftime before heading to bed myself.  Final score State 49, Southern Miss 0.  Great way to start the season.

Sunday morning was another lazy one.  We are going to hold off church until Vivian is a little older since nursery is difficult for her.  Instead, we watch Dr Charles Stanley together.  

We also played in her closet for a bit.  She loves the closet!

After her nap, we all three went to the grocery to food shop.  We grabbed some steaks to grill for dinner.  That pretty much summed up our day.

Today we went to the pool for about an hour this morning, took our 'nap' stroll, ate lunch, swung, tossed the football, went back to the pool, ate dinner at Cookout, went on a bike ride, bath then bed.  It was a fun day!!

To me, Labor Day means the end of summer and fall is at our doorstep.  Ready for some cooler weather and all things pumpkin!  So, farewell August and hello September :)

Bubble Bath Fun

Miss Vivian loves her baths.  She loves to splash, play with a cup and play peek-a-boo with the shower curtain.  

We were in Target the other day and browsed their bubble bath selection.  California Baby was on sale and I figured I would give it a try on how she would enjoy them.  She loves regular bubbles so I figured she would like a bubble bath.  I was right, she had a ball.  Plus, California Baby comes with a wand to blow actual bubbles. Score!  Only thing, don't blow the bubbles in the face because it will sting the eyes.  First hand experience here.

Since having the bubbles, we've had a bubble bath every night.  She's always so happy...she becomes camera shy.  I swear, she'll have the biggest smile on her face and as soon as I point my phone or camera towards her, that smile goes away.  I promise, she's a happy toddler!

Pumpkin Muffins

Today was the first day it felt like fall was near.  There was hardly any humidity and it was so nice being outside, especially this morning.  

Vivian and I took Brody on an extra long walk this morning.  She was all happy and giddy in her Deuter Kid Comfort backpack.  I've been wearing it while walking the neighborhood to get us both use to it.  She loves it!  When I set it on the ground to put her in, she runs to it wanting to climb in.  Makes me so happy.  I can't wait to take her to the Smoky Mountains in October.

  We also went to the park this morning.  There were so many little ones running around.  Vivian had a ball.  She was so worn out that she napped for 3 hours.  Thank heavens!  

While little miss naps, I've been browsing and pinning on Pinterest per usual and came across a recipe for Pumpkin Muffins. Vivian loves muffins so I figured I would whip up a batch to try.  They were a hit!  Simple and tasty.

Pumpkin Muffins via Six Sisters' Stuff 

Ingredients 

1-1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1-1/2 cup Rolled Oats

3/4 cup Packed Brown Sugar 

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon 

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

1/4 Cup Milk (I used whole milk)
3 Tablespoons Canola Oil

1 Large Egg

1 Large Egg White

1-1/2 Cups Canned Pumpkin

1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips (I used dark chocolate chips)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin your muffin pan.

Combine your dry ingredients, except the chocolate chips, in a large bowl and whisk until blended.

In a separate bowl (medium size) combine your pumpkin, egg, oil and milk and mix until well blended.

Add your wet mixture to your dry mix and stir thourghly.  Add your chocolate chips and stir.

Fill your muffin tin 3/4 full.  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

14 Months Old

Happy 14 months to this one!

Oh little one, you are an 18 pound little ham with a lot of attitude.  Your personality is shining more each and every day. 

You have have learned on your own on how to throw a tantrum.  Seriously.  If things aren't going your way, you will toss something down onto the ground, cry hysterically, and times have pinched.  We are working on how to behave when life isn't going your way.

On other days, you are an absolute sweetheart.  You do love to give hugs and the occasional kiss.

 You still hate being left in church nursery.  You're fine for about 10-15 minutes and then you realize I'm not there.  That's when the water works begin.  You are worn out by the time we get home.

You aren't saying any words yet.  You do point to Brody, a ball or a bird and go "bah."  You have; however,  have said out of the blue "daddy," "mommy"(you said that chasing after me) and "all gone."  When "all gone" came out of your mouth you where eating blueberries and you ate the last one.  After it was gone, you tossed your hands up by your face and said "all gone!"  It was amazing to hear.

Even though your aren't saying words (you babble), you do understand when we talk to you.  You cry or get really upset when we say "No," I'll ask you to bring me a book and you'll get me one to read to you, you know to throw trash away in the trash can...you even know that your dirty diaper goes in the diaper pale and not in the kitchen trash, I'll tell you to go to your room and I'll follow and you will lead the way, tell you to love Brody and you'll pat him on the back, give polar bear (your big pink teddy) a hug and you will run over to him and love him, and I'll ask for hugs and you'll give them away. 

You are an excellent eater.  We typically have oatmeal, yogurt and fruit for breakfast.  You snack on fruit, Annie's cheddar or bunny grahams.  Lunch we'll have pb&j on Ezekiel bread, cheese quesadilla on whole wheat tortilla, Applegate turkey with cucumber.  Dinner you eat what we eat.  You love veggies!  Broccoli, cauliflower and green beans are your favorite.  You also love fish, guacamole and pasta!

You are an EXCELLENT pooper!  You poop 2-3 times a day.  All those fruits and vegetables keeps things moving.  You still won't drink anything but water.  I think that also helps keeping things moving.

You love helping mommy around the house.  Especially taking the silverware out of the dishwasher and handing them to me to put away.

You love being outside.  If you could stay outside all day, you would.  That's your happy place.  

   
You are better about your carseat.  I think it helps we get out of the house everday.  You love going to the indoor play area, Tmuffins.  You love playing on the slide and holding as many balls as possible.

You love when we read to you.  You'll grab a book and sit in our lap.  Some books we'll read two words and you'll close it shut, but the one's you will listen completely are 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Who Do You See?' 'Pat The Bunny,' 'You Are My Sunshine,'  'Butterfly Kisses' and 'Peek-A-Boo.'

You have 8 teeth, practically running, can walk backwards and climb down the stairs all by yourself.

    You have weaned yourself off the bottle completely.  We now have our bath, lotion up, get into our jammies and straight to bed.  You don't want mommy to rock you.  Made me so sad, but that showed me that you are growing up.

Everyday is an adventure with you my sweet darling.  We love watching you grow!  You are one AMAZING little girl and we love you oh so much!!!