March is nearly over!

It's hard to believe we're nearing the end of this month. It's been a busy, full month. Ry is nearing the end of his first year of his PhD, we're getting closer and closer to meeting our littlest girl, I just turned 30, and this weekend I will get 2 nights away from the family and hang out with dear St. Paul friends in New York City.

Ben, Tracy and their 2 year old son Ezra, just visited us this past weekend. It was a fun time together, the children played nicely, and the weather allowed for some enjoyable time outside. Many of the trees in downtown Princeton were in bloom - it was really beautiful! There were so many different types and colours of blossoms. 

We grilled out on Saturday my birthday evening. Even though it was chillier than it has been in a while, it was fun to be with friends and eat summer-like food. My friend Melissa was so sweet and thoughtful: she brought a birthday cake to the gathering. It was fun to blow out candles & have a home-style celebration with people whom I've met only recently but love and am glad to call my friends.

In other news, Aleida was a champion and is potty trained! Hooray! It took about 4 days and she had it down. I think on day 3 she actually started using the potty without telling anyone about it first. She still has the odd accident but it is rare and happens at busy & hectic times, and the whole pooping part is mostly figured out, though it isn't consistent enough for me to say she has that down. Even when we're out, she requests to pee! She still wears a diaper at night, but she was up 3 times last night and I think it's because she's becoming aware of when she pees in her sleep. We're excited about how easily she adjusted to no diaper! I think Owen has had a big hand in her learning quickly; he enjoyed telling her when he was going to pee so she could go at the same time. We made up a song and when she was done peeing, we'd do a dance together. She really likes wearing underwear, too. That was part of her motivation to learn, too. She also likes reviewing all the people in her life who use the potty, which is nearly everyone!

Is it summer?!

We've had unbelievably warm weather lately. We finally found nice affordable used patio furniture on Craigslist. We bought it and got it set -up just in time for the heat wave! We ate supper outside last night.

These pictures are repeats from what I've posted on Facebook.

sledding winter fun

This weekend the kids and I drove up to my parents place. It's the first time I've done a road trip on my own that far with the kids. The drive here went excellent and I hope the same tomorrow, when I drive back. Ry went camping along the eastern coast with Daryl, Joel and Markus. Their excursion let me to take my trip north. I'm glad we did! We've had a lot of fun here.

My dad spend good time with Owen outside, which Owen loved (my dad, too, I'm sure!).

lovely hair

Al's a big sweetie. She likes going up to one of us, give a big hug and say, "love you mom" or whomever. Today, though, she embraced my neck, nuzzled my hair and said: Love you mama's hair. ...okay. Which is true, oddly enough - she really loves to pet or stroke my hair particularly when she's upset. She'll try to pull it out of a hair binder or barrette if it's held back. At any rate: she loves my hair. Apparently I grew it out at the right time.

pretend nighnight fun

her words

Aleida has been slow to speak, in part I think because she's generally quite quiet (she has her freak out loud moments too, I assure you). Her vocabulary is growing all the time and lately I've overheard her say, "oh MAN" when something goes wrong, or "Oopsidaisy" when she drops something. It's pretty cute. And funny that there are so many words she says, including her own name, that don't sound much like the actual word. She has these little expressions down exactly right, though!

Fresh Berry Pie

I combined a couple of my favourite recipes and ingredients to make this one.



The base/crust of this pie is from my Nanaimo bar recipe. I love nanaimo bars, but only because the crust is so damn tasty! I've been dreaming lately of making it the base for a pie. Nourishing Traditions has a delicious recipe for fresh berry pie that I love. I used that for the filling. Good quality vanilla ice cream tops it, and of course, some fine dark chocolate chucks for good measure. Mmm.

Base:
1/2 c unsalted butter
scant 1/4 c sugar
generous 1/4 c cocoa powder
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 c graham wafer crumbs
1/2 c finely ground almonds
1 c unsweetened coconut

Melt first 3 ingredients together in a double boiler. Remove from heat, add egg quickly and mix to incorporate, mixture will thicken. Stir in crumbs, almonds and coconut. Press firmly into a 10" ungreased pie plate. Refrigerate to cool and harden.


Berry Filling:
2 12 ounce packages frozen berries mostly thawed or 1 1/4 pounds fresh berries
1/2 c water or melted berry juice
1/4 c maple syrup
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp gelatin dissolved in 3 Tbsp water over low heat

Place less than half the berries in the pie crust. Place remaining berries in the food processor with water and maple syrup. Process until berries are liquified. Add lemon juice and gelatin mixture while motor is running. Pour gelatin mixture over berries and pie crust. Refrigerate several hours before serving.