May 11th, 2012

S is for Spencer. And for Stubborn.

Spencer’s preschool show was last night and I must say groups of 10 or so kids ages 2.5-4.5 singing in organized groups might be the cutest thing ever. In each class, there was at least one kid solemnly standing on stage, with the class, refusing to sing. Sometimes there was even a bonus pout. For the last few days, we’ve been trying to get Spencer to tell us what song he was singing with his class and every time he would tell us the ABC song. I thought he was kidding, after all the program was called “Wee Sing for Jesus.”

Spencer is a little bear.

Spencer’s class performed first. They all went up, stood on their tape and most of them sang their first song. Spencer? Clearly was singing the alphabet song.  The song ended. They started their second song. Spencer again sang the alphabet song. He also decided this would be an awesome time to lift his shirt and show off his belly. He might have been inspired by his classmate lifting her skirt. It was off-key chaos, but it was truly adorable.

Strike a pose.

The rest of the classes sang their songs, with one class doing some sort of interpretive dance routine as well. Then there was a slideshow and back to the classroom for refreshments and an art show. Spencer was mostly interested in a bonus opportunity for playing with the school toys. When we got back in the car, we asked him what song he sang. He answered “ABC Song.” We asked him what song the rest of his class sang and he replied with a smile, “Jesus song.” So, he knew what he was doing all along. S is for Stubborn.

Art or tribute to twitter, you decide.

We grabbed some dinner on the way home. It’s always a gamble taking a toddler out to eat at 745 at night, but we we hungry. It all went so great until we were leaving and had to exit past the gumball machines. There was much screaming until he passed out cold in the car on the way home. ::shakes fist at sky cursing gumball machines everywhere:: Not wanting to provoke the beast, I just put him in bed clothes and all when we got home.

Still snoozing away the next morning.

I normally hesitate to post pictures of other people’s kids online, but that photo is so blurry and awful everyone is nearly unrecognizable.

May 10th, 2012

Simple Strawberry Sauce

Last minute mother’s day gift idea: simple strawberry sauce. This seriously is the easiest thing ever, always gets tons of compliments and tastes like it should be much, much more difficult to make. Plus, who doesn’t love a handmade gift in a mason jar! So thoughtful and so twee!

To make: put a 16 ounce bag of whole unsweetened strawberries in a small pan over medium heat and add a teaspoon of sugar. Simmer until most of the strawberries have broken down and liquid is released (about 15-20 minutes). Mash remaining chunky strawberries with a potato masher and turn off the heat. Let cool a bit. If giving as a gift, pour into a mason jar and tie a bit a ribbon around the lid.

This can be made with fresh strawberries, the riper the better. Cook it down before adding the sugar. You might not need it. This will keep in the fridge for about a week. It taste great on ice cream, pancakes, waffles, any manner of cakes and brownies. We had this batch with lemon pound cake and it was delicious.

If this looks vaguely familiar, I’ve posted my Secret Weapon Berry Sauce in the past, but this one isn’t pureed which makes it totally different. Plus I hate the picture on the other post.

May 8th, 2012

WW: Central Coast

I’m getting behind on posting our outing pictures which is sort of hilarious because, really, we don’t go that many places. At the end of April, we headed up the coast to Morro Bay to an emergency vehicle car show. We went last year and the event is super fun. There are a ton of fire trucks and police cars and kids can climb on them and talk to personell. Spencer had a blast and he also wanted to go in all the vintage stores up and down main street. Unfortunately, this is the only good picture I have. (Well, also fortunately, because I think it’s cute.)

Note to self: don’t just think your camera is on auto. Actually check.

After the vehicle show we headed over to the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus to look at the horses and cows. I love that they have it open to the public. It’s a great place to take kids and let them get up close and personal with horses and cows and if you go in the spring: babies! Spencer loved it.

Such a fun day!

Do you have a wordless wednesday post? Link up below.

May 7th, 2012

Park Stuff

I can’t be the only person who hates taking her child to the park because of the giant fit thrown when it is time to leave, can I? It’s gotten to the point where I actively avoid going to the park. Which sucks. We have fun at the park, Spencer gets some exercise and some sunshine, but leaving is so embarrassing. I have to threaten, cajole and beg. And that only works half the time.

Part of the issue is that he always seems to want to go at 4-4:30ish, which is theoretically fine, but then we can only stay about an hour because I need to get home to make dinner. The park is also packed with neighborhood kids then so the time to leave tantrums are extra excruciating.  I also don’t seem to know how to parent a toddler, so there’s that.

I’ve had the most success with countdowns. We talk about the time we are going to leave, I let him look at the numbers on the clock on my phone. Then I start doing, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 3 minutes left. I ask him if he wants to do one more thing. We slide or whatever. I say it is time to go and he throws a fit: crying, yelling, hitting, sometimes throwing sand. I normally let him calm down a bit and then I have to threaten to carry him home over my shoulder before we can leave. I hate every minute of it.

The other thing that is really starting to drive me insane are rented jump houses on the weekend. I’m half tempted to try a petition to get them banned. The generators are noisy, it is super confusing to little kids and in some situations I think they’re a safety hazard. That one pictured about had about 20 kids in it ranging in age from 2-tween all running to one side and trying to tip the thing over. Ugh. And the generator noise drives me insane. In releated news, keep of my lawn you crazy kids. ::shakes cane::

So, how do you deal with the park? Any suggestions?