Zoo Tots

We signed up for a 6-week course that meets every Wednesday at the zoo, and had our first session last week. 

Each week centers (loosely) on a different sense--this week we talked about seeing and eyes.

Fuego the tarantula has 8 eyes. 

I was acting like I was cool with this.

I was not really totally cool with this. 

Kaleidoscopes

It's possible that his favorite part of Zoo School was the pizza cutter in the sensory table, which 

has nothing to do with anything.

Fezzik, the giant rabbit.

These pictures do not convey the unusual size of this animal. 

"Pat pat pat"

Breakfast with The Vehicles

Now with more vehicles! And less breakfast!

Hockey Guy Is Ready for Hockey Night

Gnash - check. 

Catfish - check. 

Go Preds! 

Back in the Saddle

AHHHH-LITERALLY.

This past weekend, we headed east for a little farm livin'. I wasn't sure how it would go with Mr. C tagging along, but there were so many opportunities for adventure and enrichment. It was truly a wonderful time. I will spare you the narrative and simply share.

"Mommy. Put on my 'Mike Mulligan' shirt. It's snowing."

"Seriously. I'm ready."

"You guys coming?"

This child has been talking about "throw snowballs?" ever since he saw Elf for the first time on Sick Day. Dream realized.

And then...the farm. Tom Turkey.

"See sheep?"

He ran away, so was too far in case this went sideways with the juvenile piglets...

He was scared/unsure for about 2 seconds, and then figured "Ok; I'm king of the barnyard."

I will also note that all these animals ran from the adults, but followed C wherever he went. 

Maybe he has a tender heart that only animals can sense.

Or maybe he smelled like pancakes.

Every time the rooster crowed, C looked surprised...like, "they really DO say that!"

Feeding the llamas

(George has a wicked underbite)

Dude. Look behind you.

#tomturkeys #huge

And then...after nap...we had PONY TIME!

 "'Elmet?"

"Yes, I brought my muscles"

Momo with Van Winkle (VW)

He learned how to brush and care for VW...

Painted his toenails...

It is here I will note that "Pony Time" was a massive misnomer. The Farm gives the ponies (and Very Berry, the mini horse) the winter off after being enthusiastically brushed and loved by children all summer. So when you go in January...you have regular horses. VW is the horse I have ridden on all my visits (excluding the year I was 9 months extremely pregnant). He is so big that C could walk under him without ducking. 

While we were getting acquainted with VW, a wedding party was taking their pictures on a bridge nearby (they got the most amazingly beautiful winter day--and the bride looked so lovely!). Between shots, they kept tiptoeing up to peek in the barn. One guy kept saying "I can't get over that little baby on that huge horse!"

VW was a perfect gentleman, and C was not even the slightest bit scared. I was kind of shocked. 

But not really.

But kind of.

Giving kisses.

"I will show you where to go. Follow me."

Also, props to this instructor. She totally adapted to C's age and developmental level, but she really trusted him once she could read that his behavior was appropriate. And she trusted the horse, too (as did I). She definitely let them operate together. This was no dinky pony ride.

Riders up!

We walked along the stream down to the trout pond and back. The instructor said C rode about 3 times as long as any 2 year old she has ever seen. Just cruisin'. 

(world's tiniest stirrups)

Christmas Morning breakfast

I've posted this recipe for French Toast Bread Pudding before, but it struck me as the perfect Christmas Eve project. Make it the day/night before, and just pop it in the oven when you wake up. I'll either make this or Sausage Pinwheels--we will see if I make it to the grocery. 

Ingredients
serves 4-6

4 cups (about 8 slices) bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (whole wheat would be least sinful, but use whatever you have on hand)
4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
2 egg whites
3/4 cup milk
3 Tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
zest of 1 orange (or splash of OJ if you don't have an orange on hand)
powdered sugar for garnish, if desired

Lightly spray an 8x8 dish with cooking spray.

Add the bread to the dish. With a standing or handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and bananas until smooth. Add the eggs and egg whites, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in the milk, syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and zest, and mix until smooth. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. **If you don't have overnight, it works fine to make it in the morning and let it sit at room temperature for a while until most of the liquid is soaked up**

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

If bread mixture has been refrigerated, remove from fridge and let sit at room temp for about 15 minutes. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until center is set and a knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Sift powdered sugar over top, if using. Cut/scoop and serve. You can use more maple syrup, but it might not be necessary.

We had a rough night

...to put it mildly. 

We've already watched Elf and are on the second showing of the Grinch (screen time rules go out the window with sickies), but I think the fever has broken. 

Mostly I just needed to share the hair photos, because wow. 

Technical Difficulties

My apologies for this unexpected and extended hiatus. I have a number of half-completed posts just waiting to go out. However, my computer has become so temperamental and sluggish that it is impossible for me to upload pictures or make any other worthwhile edits.

I'll work on putting up some easy updates in the short-term, and I'm working on the larger computer issue in the long term. Everything is fine on our end; nothing is new, but I just wanted to post a little update.

Hope everyone is happy and well!