Category: Kids

Kids

Love, Your family

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There has been something pulling at my heart strings for a few days now.  I feel like it takes, about that long for me to process and then be able to ‘correctly’ verbalize my thoughts.  If you were paying attention to my last post, I hinted on it just briefly but, I cannot stress this enough; your kids need you.  I am not just talking in the Mom perspective, this includes; Dads, grandparents and anyone in a role where they have growing kids looking up to them.  Your family needs you.

 I grew up surrounded by family and if they weren’t blood relatives, they were around and apart of my life enough that they were considered family.  I have more aunts than what could be possible biologically but, they are family. 

My cousin Nicole is pregnant with her first baby and there was a huge baby shower planned for her growing family but, due to the virus; all plans were cancelled.  The caterer, the hall, the games, all of it.  However, today, she had a ‘drive up’ baby shower.  Her set up was adorable, she was smiling ear to ear and she wore that cute baby bump proudly.  Her family was there for her.  My eyes filled with tears as I scanned the pictures because I could feel the love and support radiating off the photos. 

Her drive up shower set up!
Nicole and that beautiful baby boy!

Her shower made me think about when I was pregnant with my first.  I went into labor and they sent me home because I wasn’t dilated enough.  I called my parents as soon as I left the hospital and they had a plan in place.  They packed in a van with my sisters and my brother in law and drove the 8 hours from Brookhaven, PA to Camp Lejeune, NC.  They didn’t care about the time of day or who was due to go into work.  They left home and came to support and love on me and my growing family during the time I needed them most.  I don’t know if I ever looked at it that way before.  I don’t know if I considered how selfless they were at that time to think about nothing but being there for me. You can bet I will be calling those who were there to support us for the births of all six of our babies, first thing tomorrow morning to let them know how much I appreciated them being there.

 My parents and my sisters have been there anytime I have called and asked for their help.  My sister will welcome our 6 kids for a week so me and the hubs can get away, WITHOUT hesitation. Like, not even a let me think about it, her very quick answer is always, yes.  My other sister will drive down here in a heartbeat if I needed her to.  She will load up her car, her daughter and the pup and head south.  My dad has visited every single time the hubby had a training event or deployment so he can help me to hack away at my “honey do” list or to be with me and the kids during a hurricane.  That is what family does, and I probably could never thank them enough.

Now that the kids are home I can’t think of a better thing that I would rather be doing.  I won’t always get to kiss them goodnight or see their beautiful sleepy eyes in the morning when they first wake up.  I won’t always be able to kiss their boo-boos and make everything better with a snuggle but, I know that being there for them now and continuing to do so as they grow is the ticket.

During this time of quarantine, as I said before; turn the TV off, put the electronics away, delete your FB app for a day and spend time with your kids.  That’s all they want.  They want you to; laugh with them, to hug them, watch a movie and maybe play a game with them.  They want your undivided attention for as long as you can give it to them. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.  Say your prayers and give those babies some extra snuggles!

Love,

Ce  

Feeding the masses · Kids

Sour Dough

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After much urging from the hubby, we decided to make sour dough!  We do have 1 packet of yeast in the cabinet mind you but, he insisted we try making a sour dough starter.  The big girls were all too eager to help so I put them to work. 

We infused blueberries in water for 24 hours and then strained them out.  The purple water became our first additive.  Our second was greek vanilla yogurt and, the third was honey and water (1 tablespoon of honey stirred in 50 ml of water). 

Blueberries infusing!

Each bowl was filled with 100 g of flour and then we added 50 ml’s from each of the additives (3 additives, 3 separate bowls).  We combined the ingredients, put them each in a mason jar with plastic wrap over the mouth of the jar and let them sit for 48 hours. 

After 48 hours the honey and the blueberry were the only two that were active (fermenting/creating yeast from the sugar) so, we added another 100g of flour and 50 ml of water to both active batches. 

After 48 hours

After 12 hours we “fed” them, as my girls say with the 100g of flour and 50 ml of water.  Today marks day 7 since we first started, and they are almost ready!  Check back in a few days with the latest pictures and updates. 

4/17/2020

*We are using kitchen grade scales. 

*The flour I had on hand was all purpose.

*The Greek yogurt I used was great value (Walmart’s brand).

*The blueberries were frozen blueberries.

*We have kept the batches on the counter because we are feeding them each day. 

*There is something to be said about the smell of not “ready” sour dough. (I have attached the link to the article where you can read more about the smells and the bacteria that is present in the dough).

https://www.sourdoughhome.com/what-should-sourdough-starter-smell-like/

**This activity is something that for years to come, I will be thanking my husband for.  It has allowed time for our big girls and I to bond and it has been incredible.  The “feedings” probably take 5 minutes but, its 5 minutes that is set aside for just us.  Its hard to juggle 6 kids and make sure that each one has their time with me where they get to  feel individually special.  SOO….My few words of advice today is that right now, we have nothing but time.  Put away the phone and the other electronics and thoughtfully hang out with each of your kids by themselves.  Ask them what they would like to do and do it (within reason …because I know right now my 5-year-old would say he would want to go to the jungle to hunt Dinos) LEAVE THE POOR DINOS ALONE!  I hope you guys get to try this out and maybe well be baking together soon!