Sweet Saturday #19: My Lily is Growing Up!

Last week I was leaned over the tub scrubbing some of Lily's bath toys that had gotten all cruddy. As I washed them, I wasn't thinking, "Ew, gross" or "This sucks" or "I'm always cleaning up after this kid!" I was thinking about how proud I am of her and thinking of all the amazing ways she has advanced and grown.

Earlier that day, she had said "please" for the first time. I have been trying to get her to say please for months, as in since she started talking about a year ago. Then, while we were leaving the mall, she sees these car pushcarts that you have to pay to rent and push your kid around the mall in (a total racket, if you ask me). And she says to me, "Can I go in car, please?" 

At first, it went over my head and I just pulled on her hand and said, "Not now, Lily, we're going home". Then I did a double take- "Wait, what did you say, Lily?" She just looked at me, so I got down at her level and asked her again. It took her a minute, but then she quietly again asked, "Can I go in car please, Mommy?" 

I was equally elated and a little upset, because I could not tell her yes. It was late in the day and I didn't even have cash to rent the things on me even if I wanted to, so I had to tell her, "Not now, Lily. Sorry, but we have to go home. Maybe next time." And she was such a good girl, she just took my hand again and we walked out the front door without so much as a whimper.

However, now I was fearful that she might not want to say it again since I had told her no. I feared it would cause a dreaded "negative association". But, lo and behold, later that night after I'd already put her to bed and Paul was getting home late from work, she woke up and started calling us. I suggested to Paul that he go up and check on her since he hadn't seen her, so he did, and he returned with a smile on his face, telling me, "She just asked me if she could have some milk, please."

♥ My little girl is growing up. I watch her in amazement as she climbs and plays and understands better than ever. It is truly incredible and wonderful to me. ♥

making a wish

This week she started in the "older two's" classroom due to turning 2 1/2, so there's been a lot of changes going on. Not a whole lot of advancement in the potty training department, I'm sorry to say, but we're working on it and I'm being as patient as possible. 

I'll stop babbling now, and share with you all what I really wanted to share today- some art project highlights from her summer classes! On the second to last day in her "young two's" classroom, I received a handmade book called "My Summer Memories". On the cover were 2 orange handprints; they were Lily's. Inside, my heart grew and grew with each turned page...

Sweet note at the end of the book from her teachers. I know they write this in every book, but it really touched my heart...and prompted me to give them a box of chocolates as a thank-you ;)

These are just a sampling of some of the things she made there. Lily is really getting into arts and crafts lately, so I am considering doing an art project post maybe once or twice a month to show-off what we make together. It's so nice to see her creativity in motion. Feel free to share your kid's art and crafts projects on today's hop!

Also, I want to let you all know my Crab and Corn Bisque recipe is featured on Simple Living with Diane Balch's Foodie Friday! Hooray! Please stop by her blog to have a look, you will not be sorry! Her blog is one of my favorites!

 

 Lastly, I want to congratulate my little blog for reaching 200 GFC followers! Yay! Thank you, Supremely Divine Life, for becoming my 200th follower!

OK- now it's time for the hop! No guest-hostess today- sorry! I just didn't have time to organize that aspect this week. Just follow these simple rules:

1. Link up something sweet to really WOW us all- your blog, Etsy store, Pinterest, Facebook, whatever you want! 

2. Link-up as much as you want and please follow me if you are not already. Leave me a comment if you are a new follower so I can follow you back!

3. Hop around and say hi. 

4. Share my button to get more people to join us (not required, but it would be nice!)

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Thanks so much for linking up, I really do love Fridays even more because of this :)

Potty Training Continues...

Yesterday, I started implementing a new tactic. It wasn't planned, it just sort of happened.

Last week, I continued with the "no TV shows for babies who where diapers" mode of teaching. For the first three days, she cried about it and kept asking over and over, and would sometimes sit on the potty then get right back up, as if to say: "There! I did it! Give me Elmo!" She quickly saw this was getting her no where, then seemed to give up on asking to watch TV, and also on even trying to use the potty.

We did have one success where she actually went in it, and I was very happy about that. Through the Labor Day holiday weekend, we continued with the potty-training with pull-ups or no diaper at all when home, and only had that one success in about 10 days.

So, yesterday morning, she suddenly started begging me to watch her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD. Maybe it was because it was a rainy day and we were inside, or maybe it was just because. But, I thought, let's try something new, and I said to her, "Okay, Lily. I will let you watch one episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse after bath time tonight if you try to use the potty at least three times today. And you have to sit on the potty each time for at least five minutes, okay?" She just nodded her head then wandered away, I hoped in recognition of the plan. Later, she went on to try and use the potty three times exactly as we discussed, and then she started asking to watch her show again. I reminded her she had to wait until later before she went to bed, which made her cry a bit, but then she got over it.

One way to keep her busy and her mind off of Nemo and TV

Later, we went to the store and there were these little Finding Nemo figurines for $1. She saw them, and pulled one of each off the rack. I saw them as the perfect little reward for actually making something on the potty. So, we got them.

She seemed to forget about them once they were in the shopping bag in the car, but as soon as we got home, she started asking for them. So I told her she could pick one, and that the rest would be hers once she made poopy or pee-pee on the potty. I explained she would get for each time she actually went on the potty. She seemed to filter that part out, because after she told me "Nemo!" and I gave her Nemo, but she didn't get Dory, Squirt or Bruce, she started howling. I put the 3 other figurines on a high shelf in the bathroom where she could still see them, but not reach them, and told her again how things were going to be.

It's been months since she has thrown such a tantrum... 

But, I stayed firm, and just let her cry it out. Paul even stepped in to help and try to calm her, still unwavering from the deal I had made with her. She just cried and cried and rolled around on the floor, asking for Dory every now and then, and then crying louder when I told her once she made poopy or pee-pee on the potty, then she could have one of them.

She eventually calmed down, and long story short, she ended up trying to use the potty four more times that day, for a total of seven times that day! That is her personal best! Nothing came out at any of those times, but I could tell she was genuinely trying.

Waiting up on the top shelf...that Elmo sticker book is her special "potty time only" book

So, maybe there is something to the reward system. We'll try that for now and see how it goes. Today Lily is 2 1/2 and it's also her first day in the "older two's" classroom at her daycare. Maybe this is the beginning of real progress in her potty-training journey... 

Looking out the window at school

By the way, thanks for all of the advice and support so far! It really means a lot to me, and every suggestion makes a huge difference!

Meatless Monday: PB&J Sushi

On my Pinterest I have a board that is called "need to try". That is where I found today's Meatless Monday recipe. It's super easy and super cute. Mine may not have come out as cute as they did in the original picture I saw that caught my eye, but they were fun to make and tasty! Your kids will love these...

PB&J Sushi

You will need:

Peanut butter
Jelly flavor of your choice
1-2 slices of bread
Rolling pin

Carefully slice crusts off bread. Flatten bread with a rolling pin. Cut the flattened slice down the middle so it's in 2 halves. Spread peanut butter and jelly onto slice(s) of bread. Gently roll up pb&j bread strips into a tight roll so that it resembles a sushi bite. Serve with chopsticks!

Flattened bread, before being cut into halves

  
Super easy, right? And totally cute and fun. Older kids can even help make this. This is one way that they will not turn down sushi!

I used Sabra Roasted Red Pepper hummus

I also made some with hummus and romaine. Follow the same steps, only spread hummus onto the bread, then lay a strip on lettuce leaf of top of that, followed by a little more hummus to keep it altogether. Stick a strip of romaine lettuce into top for a little flair.

Lily wasn't sure what to make of these little nibbles when she first set eyes on them, but she managed to gobble them up anyway. When she's older she'll appreciate my efforts at being creative, I'm sure...

You can probably come up with some different "sushi"-fillings for this recipe. What do you think would work well?

Now it's your turn to share your Meatless Monday dish below! No rules, other than please only link-up meat-free recipes. No other un-related links or I will remove them. Sorry to sound so harsh, but let's keep it true to what it is, ok? Link up as much as you want, and feel free to spread the word with the button below. Thanks, and have a great week and a happy Labor Day holiday!
 

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Sweet Saturday #18 with Sweet Features!

OK, so since I featured a sweet recipe on my Meatless Monday post this week, I decided I just had to go ahead and share some of the amazing goodies that were linked up here last week. Like, seriously, my head was spinning with excitement! It was so hard to choose just a few, but here they are:

Puerquitos! I just like saying that! These cookies are too cute from a new linker, Heather at girlichef. Thanks for sharing! Heather has lots of other amazing recipes at her blog, so be sure to check her out!

Another new linker, Six Sister's Stuff (yes, six sisters...on one blog!), shared this eye-popping salad that combines some things you may never have thought to combine...yet, somehow, I think this will work! I'll let you know if I try it, thanks, Six Sisters!

This is not the first time What's Cooking in the Burbs has been featured here. Bridget always has such tasty-looking treats at her blog, and these sugar cookie bars are too perfect! They're so sweet and delicate looking, they might just grows wings and fly back to Heaven...

 

I love the name of this blog- Chocolate, Chocolate, and More -and her recipes just as much. Just one look at this mouth-watering casserole had me craving it...thanks, Joan!

 

Lastly, I just had to share this non-dessert treasure from Sam at My Carolina Kitchen. Just look at that! It's art! I personally invited Sam to link-up after seeing that gorgeous Heirloom Tomato Tart featured on Simple Living with Diane Blach. I'm so glad she rsvped yes!- thanks, Sam!

We also had things other than recipes last weekend. Here are a couple creative DIYs:

This is an idea to bookmark! Lily is not ready for something like this yet, but I'm sure plenty of you have kids who might enjoy this chore chart from Serenity You. Not only is it super cute and colorful, it will help get chores done! Score! Thanks, Natasha! Natasha is another new linker who has lots of fun stuff on her blog, so check her out :)

And last we have this super awesome homemade face/body scrub from a super awesome blog, Earning My Cape, who is also guest hostessing. Susie has so much variety on her blog, you will just get lost there! It's one of those blogs where you click on one post and inevitably click on another...and then another...and then another! Please visit and follow Earning My Cape! I'm also being featured on her blog today as well, so please read and comment! It would be oh so appreciated, and would make me oh so happy :D

OK, now it's your turn! Follow these simple rules:

1. Link up something sweet to really WOW us all- your blog, Etsy store, Pinterest, Facebook, whatever you want! 

2. Link-up as much as you want and please follow me and Earning My Cape. Leave me a comment if you are a new follower so I can follow you back!

3. Hop around and say hi. 

4. Share my button to get more people to join us (not required, but it would be nice!)

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Thanks so much for linking up, I really do love Fridays even more because of this :)

Btw...what are you doing for the holiday weekend?

Potty Training Update 5

As I said in my last potty training post, I decided to ease up a bit on Lily. Not only did she develop that nasty rash, but she was also becoming increasingly resistant. She only tries to go on the pot when it "suits her". So, I gave her a break for about two weeks, and then she got a little cold, so she stayed home with me the other day. I decided, "let's try this again". She wore only panties or nothing at all, and although we had many accidents, she was willingly trying and we even had one success. Hooray!

I hoped that we'd be able to stay on track through the weekend, and Saturday she woke up feeling better, but very cranky. I kept at the potty training anyway, although she was not as compliant about it. I caught her doing the "I have to pee" dance, and asked her if she needed to use the potty. She said "No", but kept on holding herself and dancing around on tip toes. I brought her to the potty anyway,  and this inevitably ended up with her throwing a temper tantrum when I tried to get her sit on it, thus resulting with urine everywhere- on the floor, all over the potty, on me, on her, on the sink...it was bad.

Mommy had a mini breakdown. And needed to go lay down for a while upstairs.

Paul was there to take over and gallantly cleaned up the pee mess so I didn't have to (this made me happy). I layed down for about 15 minutes or so upstairs, crying from the stress of the situation, and then finally came to the conclusion it was time to play hardball. I came to this conclusion because, a) I know she knows how to use the potty, but is just resisting me, b) she keeps getting rashes and diapers are furthering that, and c) she's almost 2 1/2 and it's time to move on from the diapers. 

Seeing something like this would normally make me go "aw!", but now all I can think is: "No more diapers!!!"

So, I went downstairs with a pull-up in hand (yes, I know you shouldn't use those, but we're trying them anyway) and calmly told her, "Okay, Lily. You can wear your diapers again. But, just know that diapers are for babies and you're a big girl now, but if you want to wear diapers that's fine. But, just so you know, babies don't watch TV, that's only for big girls." I told her this as I put her diaper on and she calmly looked at me, taking it all in, and said nothing. Since then, anytime she asks me if she can watch a DVD, I remind her of our "talk", and she whines, but then eventually lets it go. Yesterday morning was the first time in 3 1/2 days where she finally went and sat on the potty without me suggesting it, after I told her she couldn't watch her Minnie Mouse DVD. Then, before her bath last night, she willingly sat on it again and went pee! Hooray!, said Mommy. Whaaa!, said Lily. For some reason she finds it upsetting when she actually does what she's supposed to on the potty- what's that about?

So, is it working? let's hope so.

What do you think of this method? Does it sound too harsh? I honestly hate to give "ultimatum"-type deals, but I am at my wit's end. Am I being too hard on her? She has clearly demonstrated that she can do it, but just doesn't want to and I think it is because she is just being "rebellious". I have tried the reward method, the clapping and dancing praises when she does have a movement properly, the going panties-only and asking her every 15 minutes if she needs to go...nothing has worked, and I've been trying. They've been trying at the daycare. She holds it until she bursts. What am I to do?

Have you tried using a doll or other toy to encourage potty training?

Just for the record, these are things we have tried:

1. Potty-time books. Result: seemed to have no effect
2. Sesame Street/Elmo potty-time videos. Result: didn't even want to watch them
3. Singing and dancing praises when she does make something on the potty. Result: runs away crying
4. Giving her a special treat (fruit snacks) when she sits on the potty. Result: will only sit on the potty in order to get the treat
5. Reading a special book when she sits on the potty. Result: this actually has worked twice now
6. Going without diapers for 3 days in a row. Result: lots and lots of clean-ups and a cranky toddler who holds her pee in until she bursts all over the floor

Let me know what you think, and any advice and encouragement is greatly appreciated!!!

Meatless Monday: Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Truffles

Over the weekend I was craving something sweet after a rough couple of days with Lily. As I said on Friday's post, she was feeling sick and we were also in the midst of potty training; between those things, she was just being a handful in general, and mommy was burnt out by the time she finally got to sleep on Friday.

I didn't want anything too sugary because my teeth have been bothering me (plus it's obviously healthier to lay-off the extra sugar!), and I didn't want anything too heavy, like ice cream. Then, I came across this recipe while I was browsing recipe blogs and inspiration struck! I recently finally bought a food processor, and I had many of the ingredients to make these tasty treats, but I changed it up enough to make it my own, and I made 2 different versions...

Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Truffles
(each recipe makes about 12 truffles)

Cashew and Date Delights

1/2 cup raw cashews (helps if they've been soaked in water for a few hours)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp honey or agave syrup
7 pitted dates
1-2 tbsp shredded coconut (unsweetened)

Process the cashews in food processor until chopped to a mostly fine, crumble (or to your liking). Add the rest of the ingredients and process 5 seconds at a time until all is mashed together and somewhat sticky. If it's too dry looking, add some more coconut oil or water, and if it's too wet, add more cocoa powder. 

Remove the blade, then roll chunks of the sticky brown mess into little balls like in the picture below. Next, roll into shredded coconut. They can be served right away or refrigerated to keep. 

Peanutty Balls

1/2 cup raw peanuts (also helps if they've soaked)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 tbsp peanut butter
2-3 tbsp honey
5 dates
1 graham cracker

Process the graham cracker into fine crumble and set aside. Process the peanuts in food processor until chopped to a mostly fine, crumble (or to your liking). Add the rest of the ingredients and process 5 seconds at a time until all is mashed together and somewhat sticky. If it's too dry looking, add some water, if it's too wet, add more cocoa powder. Add more honey if desired, to taste.

Remove the blade, then roll chunks of the sticky brown mess into little balls. Next, roll the balls into the graham cracker crumbs. They can be served right away or refrigerated to keep. 

I personally liked the Date Delights better, but I was then craving peanut butter on Saturday and decided to change it up. There are so many possibilities, actually. Here are some other ingredient suggestions:

• almonds
• dried cranberries
• raisins
• cashew and/or almond butter
• dried cherries
• espresso beans
• hazelnuts
• macadamias
• cacao

So many possibilities for such a quick and easy treat! And best of all, a treat you don't have to feel guilty about eating! Lily took a bite and right away said, "Mmmm", followed by, "I want more". Paul was impressed as well, but still prefers the classic sugary sweets (he's not the best role model in those respects). I'm hoping to perfect these even more so that he will enjoy them over traditional cookies and pastries.

Or you could enjoy them without any coating...along with a glass of pinot noir :)

Adding nuts to your diet is a good way to keep your heart healthy and cholesterol levels low. This is pretty common knowledge, but did you know that using dates as a replacer for sugar can also be beneficial in ways other than keeping refined sugars out of your diet? They are full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, potassium and copper. Do keep in mind that they are still high in sugar and carbs, so eat sparingly! It's just good to know that they are better for you than straight up sugar! 

Now it's your turn to share your Meatless Monday dish below! No rules, other than please only link-up meat-free recipes. No other un-related links or I will remove them. Sorry to sound so harsh, but let's keep it true to what it is, ok? Link up as much as you want, and feel free to spread the word with the button below. Thanks, and have a great week!

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What are you having for Meatless Monday??? May I suggest sharing some more healthy versions of desserts? I'm a on a roll here!

Clearly, she's feeling better :)

 

Sweet Saturday #17 with Crab and Corn Bisque

Today my poor little sweetie is sick, so I'm going to keep things simple and just post this yummy Crab and Corn Bisque recipe I stumbled across on Allrecipes.com.  It's not exactly "sweet", and exactly "healthy", but it's good! My neighbor likes to go crabbing on the weekends and she was kind enough to give me a big bag of pre-cooked blue crabs last week. Lucky me!

I love crab and most seafood in general, but preparing crabs freshly out of their shell is not quite my forté. It was quite a process getting the meat out of those suckers, and I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I was so busy last week with other things as well I had to focus on simply getting the job done! Unfortunately, due to my inexperience with cracking open crab shells, I caught more than few bits of broken shell in this soup, so please more careful than I was if you decide to use fresh crabs!

This bisque is totally worth using fresh crab meat though, I must say. Quite a yummy find, and fairly easy. I had it with the Old Bay-Style Sweet Potato Fries I featured here on Meatless Monday, and it was a perfect combo. Enjoy! 

  
Crab and Corn Bisque
adapted from Allrecipes.com
(serves 8-10)
 

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
1 small onion, chopped
3 (14 ounce) cans chicken or vegetable broth
3 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (I used Old Bay)
salt and pepper to taste
4 ears corn, kernels cut from cob (or 1 14-16 oz bag frozen)
1/2 cup half-and-half
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
16 ounces fresh lump crabmeat (I used meat from 7 crabs)

Heat butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Stir in the onion and cook until soft and translucent for about 5 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Stir in garlic, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, Cajun or Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir corn into boiling broth, then simmer for about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low.  

Remove 1 cup of the soup, setting aside to cool slightly. Next, pour the 1 cup of soup into a food processor along with the half-and-half. Puree for 30 to 45 seconds, and set aside. 

In a small bowl, stir together flour and milk. Slowly stir mixture into simmering soup. Stirring constantly, simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until well combined. After that, stir in pureed mixture. Reduce heat to low, stir in crab meat, and cook until warmed through, for about another 5 minutes. Allow to cool before serving with Old Bay-Style Sweet Potato Fries, crusty bread, Caesar salad, or whatever you want!

I imagined quite a few additional ingredients you can put in this soup:

• chopped bell pepper
• sliced jalapeno
• cubed potatoes
• extra black pepper
• fresh tomato

Let me know if you try it! 

OK, now it's your turn! Our guest-hostess today is Jamie from Love Bakes Good Cakes! Be sure to visit her lovely blog with so many sweet recipes, it will make your head spin! Follow these simple rules:

1. Link up something sweet to really WOW us all- your blog, Etsy store, Pinterest, Facebook, whatever you want! 

2. Link-up as much as you want and please follow me and Loves Bakes Good Cakes. Leave me a comment if you are a new follower so I can follow you back!

3. Hop around and say hi. 

4. Share my button to get more people to join us (not required, but it would be nice!)

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Thanks so much for linking up, I really do love Fridays even more because of this :)