Lots of fun in November

November was a busy month! I got a half of a huge pumpkin from my mother-in-law and made three pumpkin pies, three batches of pumpkin muffins and some pumpkin soup. Andre always gets enough of pumpkin soup really quick, but I like it--especially the pies! Ha!

 

 

At Kindergarten, it was Lantern Festival. All the kids, parents, grandparents and whoever else come for an afternoon of food and play. At the end, everyone pulls out their lantern and we do a walk around the neighborhood in the dark. The boys really enjoyed it!

Elliot knew exactly what he wanted to give me for my birthday. I had some really soft fleece and flannel that he had used for his Papi's birthday present. He had asked me to make a heart pillow for his Papi. He picked everything out and I sewed. He told Papi he wanted to make a heart pillow for my birthday. Papi--could you please sew it? Papi said yes. Guess who ended up sewing her own birthday present? Me! Hahaha! Elliot really put some thought in it! And his heart too.

 

 

Nolan also knew exactly what he wanted to get me for my birthday. A dress. Papi tried to talk him out of it by asking if we could color a picture for Mommy? Maybe a picture of himself? Nope--he wanted to get Mommy a dress. Okay. So he and Papi went shopping. They walked in a store and Nolan spotted his dress right away--it was glittery. He was so proud I could have cried! Such a sweet boy.

 

the dress

 

Nolan would just love to go to school with Elliot!

Planting, Strawberries and Cookies

We've been doing a few different things lately. I decided to try seeds this year for the balcony! The boys had a ton of fun planting the seeds.

 

Couldn't resist little sleeping feet

Nolan has learned to cross his arms when he pouts.

We went and picked strawberries at the fields not far from here! The boys loved it!

 

 

 

 

We baked some cookies for the Central European Retreat. It was so hot, but the boys enjoyed it!

 

Sheep Cookies

 

Our Youth Group is preparing a meal for the senior citizens in our church and they wanted to do sheep cookies as a dessert.  Two young ladies came over and did a great job!!

 

 

 

 

Elliot sure enjoyed the company though you can't tell from this picture!

I think the cookies turned out really well and they taste great!

Just Weekend Stuff

We had a pretty busy weekend as usual.  There is always some shopping to do, family to visit and a church activity or two.  I have been itching to make cupcakes again, but with an icing that the Germans will eat, but that I can decorate with.  Elliot's birthday cake turned out pretty good when he turned two, but I heard so many, "The icing is too sweet!". And that kind of took the fun away for me.

 

 

Well, my new icing is Schmand (a German product--similar to sour cream, but sweeter), cream cheese and a little bit of powdered sugar.  I was pretty impressed how it turned out, so I will have to try it again next time.  Elliot sure enjoys stirring!

  

 

Elliot has been pretty cuddly lately.  He is coming for the hugs and we love to give them!

Elliot just loves bathes, but there is usually a screaming fit when he has to get out.  He could bathe for hours if we would let him!

Baking Cookies

I decided I needed to do some baking for the holidays--especially since I volunteered to bring cookies to the family gathering.  I chose a really simple recipe--one that Elliot could help me on.  He is getting really good at stirring things together.  Mixing the flour and sugar is his specialty! :)  I think I say, "Keep it in the bowl." at least 5 times though--he gets carried away with stirring sometimes. We have baked Butter Cookies twice and I will definitely keep the recipe.  Flour, sugar, butter and egg yolks--that's it.

 

 

 

 

And here is the final product!