More Cooking Experiments

I have been craving a good bowl of soup.  Combined with a new-found sugar-free Italian sausage that we love, I decided to make Zuppa Toscana.  Using a bit of coconut milk makes it creamy, but also dairy free.  I think it rivals Olive Garden and definitely has hit the spot.

Another recent success was dairy-free cheese sauce.  It is nut-based and had a remarkable creamy, cheesy flavor.  We used it one night on smashed potato nachos and later in the week in a potato lasagna. 

Just a few of the more unique options of late that keep us away from sugar, dairy, and gluten.  We still take breaks and indulge in food that contain these, but now prefer the convenience and yummy (addictive) sweetness only occasionally.

McDonald's Wednesday

Wednesdays are late starts at school.  Instead of 8:15am start, the day begins at 8:45.  This usually translates into only an extra 15 minutes of sleep because we always run through the drive thru at McDonald's.  It's become a tradition...and the easiest morning to wake her up.

Her order is always the same: Sausage McMuffin, hash brown, and unsweet tea.  If there was more time, it would be a strawberry/banana smoothie, but she can't drink it in the 5-10 minutes it takes to get to school and I don't like it well enough to drink the leftover. 

Outing with Nataly

Camden went home with her friend Nataly after school.  They headed to the movies to see "How to Train Your Dragon 2."  The original plan was to bring Camden home after the movie, but she went to their home for dinner (Arni's pizza) and a bit of play time. 

Nataly's mom sent me a picture of Camden playing with one of the bunnies they raise.  You can imagine what Camden's first question was when she walked in the door.

A Visit With Chuck

It had been forever.  It was a blast. 

Grandpa's 84th Birthday

Boy he still looks good for his age!

We also celebrated Tammy's birthday.  We went to one of her favorite spots - Big Willy's Lakehouse near Brazil.

The lighting was so bad on the first pictures, so made sure to get another one of the birthday kids.

Our food was yummy and company even better.

Tammy's crew:

Camden loved time with her GaGa.

And we kinda like each other too.

Luke Turns 4

Luke is his daddy's mini-me.  It was so fun celebrating his birthday.  Monster Jam, dinosaurs, adventures...this boy is all boy.

Lincoln is growing up too...and wanting to do all things himself.

Having cake...and like frosting off of decorations!

We all gather for present time!

Bopi setting Luke's new watch...grandpa glasses help him really look part.

Binoculars and a watch for future adventures.

Happy birthday, Luke!

Aladdin, Jr.

Several kiddos we know were in the latest Vanity Theater production.  It was also sold out except for Valentine's night.  So Camden and I had a date.  

A heart cookie from the cookie booth was a must.  Her friend Emery's mom was working it.

The show was well done and we enjoyed cheering on Stella (older sister of her classmate Ian and daughter of her art teacher) who starred as Jasmine.

Our neighbor Alivia who starred as the Genie. 

And her friend and classmate Emery who stole the show as Iago.

School Valentine's Party

It's her last elementary party!  Two of my 5th grade mom friends were running the party and I came to help.  It was so bittersweet....the three of us have run the majority of the parties since 1st grade. 

They passed out their cards before we got started with games and crafts.

We divided into 3 groups.  At my station, they blew q-tips through straws and tried to land in the heart followed by relay races.  They also had a photo booth and did a heart origami craft.

Then we gathered them all for the SaranWrap ball game.  They had to use oven mitts and unwrap the ball, collecting small candy and prizes as they went.  Meanwhile a pair of dice are being rolled and when doubles come up the ball moves to the next person.

Camden got several small items, but also was the final person who unwrapped the big prize at the end.